Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Are Made for Summer; Smartphone Use Spikes in the Summer According to New Survey

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics America, Inc. reveals results from a new survey around smartphone use during the summer. In a survey of 1,000 smartphone owners, Samsung found smartphone use increases 42 percent during the summer. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are designed to fit the needs of consumers looking to make the most of the season - making them the ideal companions for summer experiences. To celebrate the season of adventure, entertainment and memories, Samsung today launches the "Made for Summer" campaign, kicking off consumer and product experiences.

Summer Ready

Sixty-one percent of smartphone users are worried about how well their phone is protected from water, sand, dust, and other elements. In fact, more than a quarter of smartphone users (27 percent) have damaged their smartphone while participating in summertime activities. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are designed to endure the enticing elements of the outdoors. Both smartphones are rated IP68 water and dust resistant1 to withstand anything summer throws at you. Or you throw at it.

Summer Memories

Americans are less "selfie-centered" than commonly believed with 84 percent saying they would rather take a group shot of family and friends than a selfie to capture the ideal summer moment. For all the group shots and selfies of summer, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ feature Samsung's most advanced smartphone camera2 for professional level photos regardless of light, focus or motion. The rear camera features a bright F1.7 lens and large 1.4 µm pixels to capture more light when there's not enough around, so you can get amazing shots ? even at night.  Both devices also feature an enhanced Smart Auto Focus on the front-facing camera that tracks every face in frame so all your shots stay sharp and in focus, even when you're on the go.

Smartphone cameras are driving consumer behavior with 32 percent of those surveyed noting they are more likely to participate in a summertime activity if they have good photo-taking opportunities. So you don't have to worry about running out of space, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ support expandable storage cards (up to 256GB4) to store all of your favorite summer photos and videos.

Entertainment

Summer brings the best of entertainment. Now, you can binge on (or off) the beach with all day battery life3 on the first ever Mobile HDR Premium certified smartphone5. The expansive Infinity Display stretches from edge to edge to maximize your view. The Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display brings films and shows, games and images to life in vivid detail, so you can watch them the way they were meant to be seen.

Meet Bixby

Bixby, Samsung's intelligent interface, is built into the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ to be your helpful summer companion with a new way to interact with your phone using voice, text and touch. With Bixby, you can use the camera to identify landmarks, translate foreign languages or shop for products online right from the phone6 during your summer travels. With 54 percent of consumers responding they have already taken a summer landscape photo this season, Bixby can help inspire discovery of unfamiliar places and destinations. Bixby's upcoming voice-control capabilities will allow for easy navigation of your phone's apps, services and settings with a mix of voice and touch commands.

In its survey, Samsung found people are so passionate about using their phone that 39 percent have already shared a photo from the beach this year. For those seeking additional inspiration this season, Samsung is launching a series of consumer programs and activities across the country to help Americans get the most from their Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ during the summer months.

Galaxy Studios and Samsung 837

Today, Samsung begins the roll-out of its Galaxy Studios with the opening of the pop-up experience in Dallas at Stonebriar Centre. Galaxy Studios will give consumers access to product experiences, interactive activities, summer parties and events - all of which will debut summer-themed content created with Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ phones. There are plans for Galaxy Studio pop-ups in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago throughout the summer.

Samsung is bringing its "Made for Summer" campaign to life at Samsung 837 - Samsung's technology playground and cultural destination in New York City's Meatpacking District. From June 29 through Labor Day weekend, Samsung is collaborating with artists, visionaries, storytellers and innovators to build weekly programming for consumers to experience within Samsung 837, which will be transformed into the ultimate summer destination complete with cabanas and a rooftop beach. Country star Sam Hunt is kicking off the "Live at 837" concert series on June 29th.  In addition to live musical performances, other experiences will include photography workshops, run clubs and sunset rooftop screenings, all designed to empower consumers to capture, create and share their favorite summer moments using Samsung's latest technology, including the Galaxy S8/S8+. 

Please visit www.samsung.com/837 for the full Made for Summer Series schedule.

For more information on the Galaxy S8/8+, please visit www.samsung.com/us/explore/galaxy-s8/.  

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

1 Water resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes; rinse residue/dry after wet.2 Compared to Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge camera.3 Average expected performance based on typical use. Actual battery life depends on factors such as network, features selected, frequency of calls, and voice, data, and other application-usage patterns.4 MicroSD/local SIM cards, sold separately.5 Mobile HDR Premium as certified by the UHD Alliance.6 Service ability may vary by country.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovative leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices and enterprise solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA is pushing beyond the limits of today's technology and providing consumers and organizations with a portfolio of groundbreaking products in appliances, home entertainment, Internet of Things, mobile computing, smartphones, virtual reality, wireless infrastructure and wearables, in addition to offering leading content and services related to mobile payments, 360-degree VR video, customer support and more. Samsung is a pioneering leader in smartphones and HDTVs in the U.S. and one of America's fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more about Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com. For the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow us @SamsungNewsUS.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

About Samsung 837Located at 837 Washington Street in New York City's Meatpacking District, Samsung 837 is the first of its kind technology playground and cultural destination for consumers, creators, tech enthusiasts and community members. A physical manifestation of the Samsung Brand, 837 is a flagship experience center at the convergence of humanity and technology that underscores how Samsung's full portfolio of signature services and technology ranging from mobile devices to home appliances can make your life better. 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/samsung-galaxy-s8-and-galaxy-s8-are-made-for-summer-smartphone-use-spikes-in-the-summer-according-to-new-survey-300482099.html

SOURCE Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Copyright 2014 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved

Related Keywords:Home, Camera, Displays, Family, Internet, Appliances, Digital Camera, Lens, Wearables, IoT, Family, Computers/Home Office, Communications, Digital Photography, Movies & Music, Digital Toys, Web, Tablets, Networks, Hard Drives & Storage, Handheld, Smart Phone, tablet, Cameras, Technology,

Source:PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved

Source: Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Are Made for Summer; Smartphone Use Spikes in the Summer According to New Survey

iPhone 8 - Has Samsung just revealed why Apple’s smartphone will be biggest release yet

GETTY • APPLE

The iPhone 8 could be the biggest launch ever for Apple's smartphone

Apple is hard at work on the iPhone 8, with the Cupertino firm expected to unveil a big overhaul of the device's iconic design this year.

The iPhone 8 is launching during the same year the iPhone celebrates its tenth birthday, and is rumoured to have a release date in September.

And it could be Apple's biggest smartphone launch yet, if this Samsung news is anything to go by.

The Samsung Galaxy makers are said to be opening a brand new factory to deal with the amount of OLED screens they are making for the iPhone 8.

Samsung, believed to be the sole supplier of OLED displays for Apple, have already had to expand one of its plants to meet orders for the iPhone 8.

And now Korea's ET News have reported that Samsung has started work on an additional plant, with a huge investment of more than £15.41billion.

They reported: "Samsung Display has started constructing 6th generation flexible OLED production line called 'A5 (tentative name)', which has production capacity of […] up to 270,000 panels per month."

Sun, January 1, 2017

INSTAGRAM • APPLEDESIGNER

1 of 41

Apple iPhone 8 will debut a brand-new all-glass look, with a curved OLED display

The iPhone 8 is expected to be the only iPhone to use an OLED screen this year, with other models using IPS LCD screens.

It's been reported that Apple is planning to use OLED screens on all of their iPhones by 2019.

Other companies are believed to be trying to challenge Samsung as a supplier for iPhone OLED screens.

LG last month reportedly made a £2.7billion investment in OLED production capacity, and switched focus from TV displays to smartphones.

Sharp and Japan Display are also reportedly hoping to pick up future OLED orders from Apple.

The news comes a day after the iPhone celebrated its tenth birthday, with the first ever Apple iPhone going on sale on June 29 2007.

It sold out within a matter of hours as Apple fans queued overnight to get their hands on one.

When Steve Jobs first unveiled the iPhone in January 9 2007, he said that Apple were "going to reinvent the phone".

And since then Apple sold more than one billion iPhones globally, and it's become arguably the most influential product this millennium.

GETTY

Galaxy S8 makers Samsung are manufacturing the iPhone 8 OLED screens

GETTY

Apple iPhone 8 will be released ten years after the first ever iPhone, which Jobs is pictured with

The iPhone 8 is expected to mark its landmark tenth birthday with a massive overhaul of the product.

It's expected to have a giant AMOLED edge-to-edge display and new dual-lens camera.

Rumours suggest the iPhone 8 will completely do away with the long-standing home button, and move the fingerprint sensor underneath the device.

This is to help free up space on the front screen, so it can predominantly be taken up with the display.

An updated processor and new battery, which can be charged wirelessly, could also feature in what will be the biggest smartphone launch of the year.

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Source: iPhone 8 - Has Samsung just revealed why Apple's smartphone will be biggest release yet

Amazon introduces five new unlocked devices to its best-selling Prime Exclusive Phones lineup

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Prime Exclusive Nokia 6 (Photo: Business Wire)

Introducing the Nokia 6, initially available in the U.S. only on Amazon, featuring a vibrant 5.5" Full HD display, Dolby Atmos speakers, a fast 16MP rear-facing camera and 8MP front-facing camera, and Android 7.1 Nougat—only $179.99 for Prime members

Alcatel adds three new devices to Prime Exclusive Phones: the Alcatel IDOL 5S with a 5.2" Full HD display, a 12MP rear-facing camera with dual-tone flash and 8MP front-facing camera, and Android 7.1 Nougat—only $199.99 for Prime members; the Alcatel A50 with a 5.2" HD display, 13MP rear-facing camera and 5MP front-facing camera, and Android 7.0 Nougat—only $99.99 for Prime members; and the Alcatel A30 PLUS with a 5.5" HD display, 13MP rear-facing camera and 5MP front-facing camera, and Android 7.0 Nougat—only $79.99 for Prime members

Motorola brings its fourth device to Prime Exclusive Phones with the recently announced Moto E4 featuring a sharp 5" HD display, an 8MP autofocus rear-facing camera and 5MP front-facing camera, and Android 7.1 Nougat–only $99.99 for Prime members

SEATTLE, 2017-Jun-29 — /EPR Retail News/ — (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon today announced five new additions to its best-selling Prime Exclusive Phones lineup, offering Prime members incredible prices on the latest unlocked phones. The new Nokia 6, the debut Android device in the U.S. from HMD Global, initially available only on Amazon and the first Nokia phone in the Prime Exclusive Phones lineup, will be available for only $179.99—saving Prime members $50 off the full retail price. Alcatel is also expanding its lineup in the program with three new devices: the Alcatel IDOL 5S for only $199.99 for Prime members ($80 off the full retail price—the largest discount ever offered for a Prime Exclusive Phone), the Alcatel A50 for only $99.99 for Prime members ($50 off the full retail price), and the Alcatel A30 PLUS, available for only $79.99 for Prime members (also $50 off the full retail price). Motorola's recently announced Moto E4 will be offered at $99.99� �for Prime members ($30 off the full retail price). These Prime Exclusive Phones are available for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/prime-exclusive-phones.

Since launching last summer, Prime Exclusive Phones have been consistently featured in the top 5 best-selling unlocked phones list onAmazon and are among the top rated unlocked smartphones available on Amazon.com. Additionally, the Prime exclusive Moto G5+ has been featured in the top 3 new releases for unlocked Android phones since it launched in March.

"One year ago, we introduced Prime Exclusive Phones as a way to bring the freedom of unlocked Android devices to our Prime members—at incredible prices," said Charlotte Maines, General Manager, Prime Exclusive Phones. "What began with two phones, the BLU R1 HD and Moto G4, has now grown to 10 smartphones in our Prime Exclusive lineup—many of which are among the best-selling and top-rated unlocked phones available on Amazon. We're delighted by the reaction we've seen from Prime members and are excited to add even more options for our customers with these brand new phones from Alcatel and Motorola, and our newest addition to the program—Nokia phones."

Introducing Nokia 6

The Nokia 6, the newest unlocked Android device in the U.S. from HMD Global, features a polished aluminum design with diamond cut edges available in Matte Black or Copper and a beautiful 5.5" Full HD IPS laminated display. It offers a 16MP phase detection autofocus rear-facing camera and 8MP autofocus front-facing camera, Android 7.1 Nougat, a fingerprint sensor, powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and dual Dolby Atmos speakers. Nokia 6 comes with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage with support for up to 128 GB more via microSD card, and is available for only $179.99 for Prime members (regularly $229.99) compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile. Learn more about the Nokia6 here.

"Pairing the superior craftsmanship and distinctive design of the Nokia 6 with the ease and reliability of Amazon, makes this the perfect match," said Maurizio Angelone, Vice President, Americas, HMD Global. "We are thrilled to bring the quality and detail of a high-end phone experience to a new generation of Nokia fans, while offering existing fans the same unparalleled quality they have come to love."

Alcatel Adds Three Brand New Phones

The Alcatel IDOL 5S features a sleek metal and 2.5D curved glass design, with a 5.2" Full HD display and a 12MP rear-facing camera with dual-tone flash and 8MP front-facing camera. It comes with Android 7.1 Nougat, 4G LTE, a fingerprint sensor, 3.6-watt front-facing speakers, plus a VR Launcher. The IDOL 5S features 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage with up to 256 GB more via MicroSD card—all for only $199.99for Prime members (regularly $279.99, an $80 discount). The Alcatel IDOL 5S is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks; Sprint and Verizon network compatibility will be available later this summer via a software update.

The Alcatel A50 has a sleek metallic frame and offers complete customization. It features a sharp 5.2" HD display and a 13MP rear-facing camera with dual-tone flash for better balance and color rendering, a large f/2.0 aperture, plus a 5MP front-facing camera with LED flash for capturing great selfies. The Alcatel A50 comes with Android 7.0 Nougat, 4G LTE speeds, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage —only $99.99 for Prime members (regularly $149.99) and is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks. The Alcatel A50 will also be offered bundled with the LightUp SNAPBAK LED cover that lights up with incoming calls, messages, e-mails and more—available for only $129.99 for Prime members (regularly $199.99).

The Alcatel A30 PLUS features a slim, compact frame with a metallic silver finish and a 5.5" HD display, and has a 13MP rear-facing camera and 5MP front-facing camera. It comes with Android 7.0 Nougat, 4G LTE speeds, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory with up to 32 GB more via MicroSD card, and features a long-lasting 3000mAh battery—all for only $79.99 for Prime members (regularly $129.99). The A30 PLUS is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks, and will be compatible with the Verizon network later this summer via a software update. Learn more about the newest Alcatel phones here.

"With Amazon's increasing lineup of phones available through the Prime Exclusive Phone program, it's exciting to be launching three new smartphones offering uniquely different experiences for Prime members to enjoy," said Steve Cistulli, President and General Manager of TCL Communication, NA. "With our successful debut of the A30 earlier this year, we're thrilled to continue growing with Amazon as they expand their smartphone portfolio of affordable devices."

Moto E4 Joins Prime Exclusive Lineup

The Moto E4 offers a sleek and compact metal design in black with a 5" 720p HD display and features an 8MP autofocus rear-facing camera and 5MP front-facing camera with selfie flash. It comes with Android 7.1 Nougat, 4G LTE speeds, and a fingerprint sensor, plus 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage with microSD card support for up to 128 GB of additional storage, a fast quad-core processor, and a 2800mAh removable battery. The Moto E4 is available for $99.99 for Prime members (regularly $129.99) unlocked on all major wireless carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. Learn more about the Moto E4 here.

Prime Exclusive Phones

Prime Exclusive Phones are available at discounted pricing for Prime members supported by personalized offers and ads, including personalized deals and product recommendations, displayed on the phone's lock screen. The Prime Exclusive Phone single sign-on experience provides Prime members easy access to their Prime benefits through the most popular Amazon apps, including thousands of movies and TV episodes with Prime Video, over two million songs and playlists with Prime Music, photo storage and backup with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, free two-day shipping on millions of items, and more.

Availability

The Nokia 6, Alcatel IDOL 5S, Alcatel A50, Alcatel A30 PLUS, and Moto E4 can be pre-ordered starting today. Moto E4 will begin shipping on June 30 and the Nokia 6, Alcatel IDOL 5S, Alcatel A50, and Alcatel A30 PLUS will begin shipping on July 10. Visit www.amazon.com/prime-exclusive-phones for additional information and details about the Prime exclusive offers. All five devices are also available without offers and ads at Amazon.com to Prime and non-Prime members, at full retail price.

Everyday Made Better with Prime

Prime was designed to make your life better every single day. Tens of millions of Prime members around the world enjoy the many benefits of Prime. In the U.S. that includes unlimited access to award-winning movies and TV episodes with Prime Video; unlimited access to Prime Music, Audible Channels for Prime, Prime Reading, Prime Photos, Twitch Prime; early access to select Lightning Deals, one free pre-released book a month with Kindle First, and more. Plus, Prime members around the world can enjoy exclusive deal shopping on Prime Day. Prime was built on the foundation of unlimited fast, free shipping and members receive unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 50 million items, Prime FREE One-Day Shipping and Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery in more than 5,000 cities and towns, and two-hour delivery with Prime Now in more than 30 major cities. Start a free trial of Amazon Prime at amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

Amazon.com, Inc. Media HotlineAmazon-pr@amazon.comwww.amazon.com/pr

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Source: Amazon introduces five new unlocked devices to its best-selling Prime Exclusive Phones lineup

Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone release date: Dual 12MP Cam, 6GB RAM…

Today let us introduce a new Xiaomi phone, it is Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone. Besides that, the upcoming Xiaomi mobile comes with Dual 12MP Cam, 6GB RAM…

Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone specs and features:

After releasing Xiaomi Mi 6 in April this year (2017), Xiaomi prepares to introduce an upcoming mobile, it is Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone. As you know, Xiaomi always comes with the amazing specs as well as attractive design. Indeed, the new Xiaomi mobile owns a metal frame along with two curved sides and bezel-less design. Moreover, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 specs contain a 5.7-inches AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Furthermore, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 cameras pack a Dual 12MP lens with f/2.0 aperture, EIS, PDA, dual-LED flash, autofocus on the rear and 8MP lens, autofocus on the front-facing for selfies. Besides that, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone runs on Snapdragon 821 with 4/6GB RAM. For internal storage, the new Xiaomi Mi Note 3 mobile offers 64/128GB which can be expanded up to 256GB via microSD.

For the next specs, let's take a look at the operating system as well as battery life. Specifically, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone works on Android 7.1 (Nougat). Also, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 battery capacity draws 4070mAh which can last up to two days with average use. The Xiaomi phone owns a huge juice box which can support the users in playing games or watching films. As you see, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 comes with the innovations as big memory, the dual camera which can bring the amazing experiment for users.

Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone price and availability

Finally, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone price starts from $439 or Rs. 28237. For the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 release date, the new Xiaomi phone is going to be in August 2017. So, what do you thick of the upcoming Xiaomi device? Tell us your ideas.

Source: Xiaomi Mi Note 3 smartphone release date: Dual 12MP Cam, 6GB RAM…

Amazon is discounting a bunch of new smartphones for Prime members, but there's a catch

The new Nokia 6 will be part of Amazon's latest crop of discounted phones for Prime members. Reuters

Amazon on Tuesday announced a number of new phones for its "Prime Exclusive Phones" program, in which the company sells discounted, ad-supported versions of certain phones to subscribers of its Prime shopping service.

There are five new devices in total. Here's the rundown:

The Nokia 6, which on Monday was confirmed to arrive in the US, will cost $180 instead of $230. It has a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a Snapdragon 430 chip, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of expandable storage. It'll fully work only on T-Mobile, however.

The Moto E4, a budget-level version of the excellent Moto G5 Plus, will cost $100 instead of $130. It has a 5-inch 720p display, a Snapdragon 425 chip, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of expandable storage. It works with all four major carriers, though it's worth noting that Verizon sells a prepaid variant for $70.

The new Alcatel Idol 5S looks like the highest-end option here: Its Prime Exclusive version will cost $200 instead of $280. It comes with a 5.2-inch 1080p display, a Snapdragon 625 chip, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of expandable storage. Like its predecessor, it has a glass and metal body. It'll work with AT&T and T-Mobile to start, but Amazon says a future update will give it Verizon and Sprint support.

The Alcatel A50 and Alcatel A30 Plus will cost $100 and $80, respectively. Both go for $50 more without the Prime Exclusive modifications. They're both fairly basic budget-level phones that work on AT&T and T-Mobile, though the latter is said to get an update for Verizon compatibility later this year.

All of these phones have the makings of a good deal for those on a budget, but it's worth noting that buying a Prime Exclusive phone means putting up with frequent ads for products available on Amazon and a large number of pre-loaded Amazon apps.

Lenovo's Moto E4 is an impressive phone for its ultra-cheap price. Jeff Dunn/Business Insider

Much like it does with its line of Fire tablets, Amazon treats its Prime Exclusive phones like Trojan horses: The idea is to entice Prime members — who are far more likely to spend money on Amazon — with lower prices, but make that money back, and then some, with customized software that nudges them toward buying more things from Amazon and using Amazon's services. None of the company's modifications can be easily removed, either.

If you use Amazon's stuff frequently, or you just want the cheapest price possible — the $99 it takes to subscribe to Prime aside — those changes might be worth the discount. Amazon, for what it's worth, says some of its existing Prime Exclusive phones "have been consistently featured" near the top of its list of best-selling unlocked phones — though it's worth noting that it does promote the devices heavily on its site.

But if you aren't all-in on Amazon, the standard versions of each device here are still fairly affordable on their own. Amazon says each Prime Exclusive device will arrive on July 10, with the exception of the Moto E4, which will arrive on June 30.

SEE ALSO: What using one of Amazon's Prime Exclusive phones is like NOW WATCH: Amazon just bought Whole Foods for nearly $14 billion — here's what the future of shopping could look like Loading video...
Source: Amazon is discounting a bunch of new smartphones for Prime members, but there's a catch

Galaxy S9 price, release date and specs: Smartphone set to feature both 7nm Snapdragon and 8nm Exynos chips

Samsung Galaxy S9 won't come in a Qualcomm Snapdragon variant, according to rumours

THE GALAXY S8 may have arrived on shelves mere weeks ago, but reports claim that Samsung has already started production of next year's flagship: the Galaxy S9. 

We've done some digging, and this isn't all we know about the so-called Galaxy S9, so we've rounded up everything we know about the handset so far. 

Specs- 5.8in / 6.2in QHD+ Super AMOLED curved display (570ppi / 529ppi)- Android 8.0 'O'- Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (US) / Samsung Exynos (UK)- Display embedded fingerprint scanner- Dual rear-facing camera- Bixby AI assistant with dedicated button- USB-C

Release dateWith reports claiming that Samsung will start production of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus this year, it's likely that the handset's will debut earlier in the year than the Galaxy S8, and hints that Samsung could be planning a launch at next year's MWC.

PriceThere's no word yet on pricing for the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus. If anything like the S8, expect handsets to fetch around £689 and £779 SIM-free.

Latest news28/6/17: Despite recent chatter that Samsung wouldn't offer a Snapdragon variant, new rumours suggest that the Galaxy S9 will use both its own 8nm Exynos chips and an as-yet-unannounced 7nm processor out of Qualcomm. The same report claims that TSMC will make the upcoming Snapdragon chip, rather than Samsung.

23/6/17: Speculation over at Weibo claims that the Galaxy S9 might not come in a Snapdragon variant, with the smartphone instead shipping only with Samsung's own Exynos 9810 processor, complete with CDMA network support. If this rumour is legit, it would mean that Qualcomm and Samsung have reached an agreement in relation to a CDMA patents issue.

12/6/17: The Galaxy S9 will be the first Samsung smartphone to boast new AMOLED screen tech codenamed 'Sunflower', according to a report at Android Headlines. Tech specs haven't yet been confirmed, but it's likely Samsung is looking to improve the display fidelity.

24/5/17: The Bell reports that production of the Galaxy S9 will likely start as soon as this year, with Samsung having settled on the codenames Star and Star 2 for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones. The report also notes that S9 and S9 Plus will have "similar specs" to the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, and won't feature Samsung's foldable display tech. 

21/4/17: Reports claim that Samsung and Qualcomm have started developing the so-called Snapdragon 845 processor - based on the second-gen 10nm manufacturing process - which is tipped to debut inside the Galaxy S9. 

1/4/17: Korean publication The Bell claims that Samsung has  started work on the display panel for the Galaxy S9 and S9 Pus. It doesn't say much else, but notes that the screen will be similar to that found on the Galaxy S8, and will be made available in the same 5.8in and 6.2in sizes. µ 

Source: Galaxy S9 price, release date and specs: Smartphone set to feature both 7nm Snapdragon and 8nm Exynos chips

New research suggests smartphones might actually be making you dumber

Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Though our phones are getting smarter, new research suggests they're actually making us dumber. 

A team of researchers at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin set out to test the "brain drain" hypothesis: the theory that simply having your smartphone near you could impact your available cognitive capacity. 

The study featured 800 participants who were required to take a test on a computer that required their undivided attention. The participants were divided into three groups that each received different instructions: one group was instructed to place their phones face down on the table next to the computer they were using, another was instructed to leave their phones nearby but out-of-sight, such as in a pocket or bag, and the third group was told to leave their phones in another room. 

Prior to the start of the test, all three groups were instructed to turn off all notifications on their phones. 

The researchers found that individuals who left their phones in the other room scored higher on a test than those who had their phones nearby, despite the latter group saying they had not been thinking about their phones. 

Participants in all three groups self-reported thoughts about their smartphones at the same frequency. The results suggest that the mere presence of one's smartphone has a measurable impact on an individual's available cognitive capacity, regardless of if they feel distracted or not. 

And so, next time you find yourself really needing to concentrate on something, it might be best to get as far away from your phone as you can. 

You can read the full study here. 

EXCLUSIVE FREE REPORT: 25 Big Tech Predictions by BI Intelligence.Get the Report Now » SEE ALSO: http://www.businessinsider.com/people-spending-more-time-on-smartphones-chart-2017-5 NOW WATCH: These secret codes let you access hidden iPhone features Loading video...
Source: New research suggests smartphones might actually be making you dumber

Nokia 6 Android phone: Specs, prices, release date and everything you need to know

Nokia announced its return to the global smartphone stage with the launch of the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3, a trio of Android smartphones designed to attack the affordable segment of the market.

The Nokia 6 first launched in China as a JD.com exclusive and by all accounts, it was very well received. The Nokia 6 saw 1.3 million pre-registrations in 4 days and once it went on sale, demand outstripped supply.

Now this affordable Nokia comeback phone is coming to the rest of the world. Here's everything you need to know about the Nokia 6.

Nokia 6: Design and build

Aluminium body, anodised

154 x 75.8 x 7.85-8.4mm

Sculpted Gorilla Glass

The biggest thing outlined by HMD Global when announcing the launch of the Nokia 6 was talk about the process and the quality of the build. The company details that it takes 55 minutes to machine the Nokia 6 from a block of 6000 series aluminium, before it's anodised twice and polished five times, taking 10 hours to complete. It's the sort of attention to manufacture that we've become used to from companies like HTC or Apple.

There's 2.5D Gorilla Glass on the top, giving nice soft curves to the edges of the display, leading into the bodywork. There's a central fingerprint scanner beneath the display, flanked with back and recent app buttons.

One of the interesting details is the antenna lines which stick to the ends of the phone very much like the iPhone 7. There's a 3.5mm headphone socket, but this handset uses Micro-USB rather than the newer USB Type-C.

One of the interesting details is that this Nokia phone offers dual speakers with amplifiers that claim do be able to create a Dolby Atmos effect, although that's something we need to hear for ourselves before we get too excited about it.

We're left with no doubt that this is a premium quality metal unibody handset and it certainly feels that way in the hand.

The Nokia 6 comes in blue, black, silver and copper, but there's also an Art Black special edition. This version of the phone has a wonderful glossy finish (as pictured below), and slightly boosted hardware specs, which we'll also detail below.

Pocket-lintNokia 6: Hardware spec s and display

1920 x 1080 pixels, 5.5 inches, 403ppi, IPS LCD

Qualcomm Snapdragon 430, 3/4GB RAM

32/64GB storage + microSD

The Nokia 6 has an octo-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 chipset. There's 3GB of RAM onboard and 32GB of storage, There is a microSD card slot for storage expansion. This chipset is mid-range, so this isn't a powerhouse and the 3GB of RAM is good enough. 

However, the Art Black special edition handset has 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage (matching the specs of the Chinese version of this phone), but you will have to pay a little more for this version of the phone.

The 5.5-inch display offers a full HD resolution, which again sees this as a mid-range device, but it's a resolution that's worked at this size for companies like Huawei or OnePlus. That gives you 403ppi and having seen this phone, it looks like a nice, vibrant display that will be great in most conditions.

There's a 3000mAh battery, which sounds like a great capacity for a device of this size and we suspect it will give day-long battery life.

Pocket-lintNokia 6: Cameras

Rear: 16-megapixel f/2.0 rear camera with 1.0µm pixels, PDAF

Front: 8-megapixel f/2.0 front camera with 1.12µm pixels, AF

The Nokia 6 has a 16-megapixel rear camera, offering phase detection autofocus, so it should be nice and fast. The pixels are reported to be 1.0µm, which is a little small compared to some of the 2016 flagship devices, meaning that they might not be as well equipped to capture light, which could affect the quality. The f/2.0 aperture should help with this though.

The front camera is 8-megapixels and takes a small bump to 1.12µm, again with f/2.0 aperture. It reports a 84 degree field of view, so it's fairly high resolution and wide aperture, so should be good for selfies. It is also autofocus, so those selfies should be nice and sharp.

On the camera front, the Nokia 6 offers automatic scene recognition and an exclusive camera app.

Pocket-lintNokia 6: Software

Android Nougat

Monthly software updates

Google Assistant expected

Despite jumping off the Symbian train and falling into the Windows Phone quagmire, the new Nokia is all about Android. The Nokia 6 launches on Android 7 Nougat. This is pure Android and the only change is the camera app that we've mentioned.

Other than this, the aim, according to Nokia, is to deliver and experience as close to the Google Pixel as possible. We discovered Google Assistant and round icons on the Nokia 6 when we looked at it, but we're waiting to see exactly what the final version of this software looks like.

There is no bloatware however, no pre-installed apps, other than the standard Google apps, and there's no changes to other areas of the phone: it's just Android.

Nokia also promises monthly security updates and that new Android features should be implemented quickly.

Nokia 6: Release date and price

Announced globally on 26 February 2017

Available 10 July 2017

Priced at €229, or €299 for the Art Black special edition

Amazon Prime exclusive in US

Nokia announced the global version of the Nokia 6 and the pricing of €229 for the standard version of the phone, or €299 for the Art Black edition of the phone.

In the US, Amazon has announced that the Nokia 6 will be an Amazon Prime exclusive and that it will be available from 10 July 2017. The discounted version comes with lockscreen offers and ads, but gives you a $50 discount.

There is no word on when it might be coming to the UK, but we suspect it will be soon.

Source: Nokia 6 Android phone: Specs, prices, release date and everything you need to know

Smartphones Open a New World for Medical Researchers

June 25, 2017 10:07 p.m. ET

When smartphones first began collecting health data such as users' heart rates and number of steps walked, doctors were dubious about the medical value of information gathered by a phone.

Three years later, doctors have changed their minds, thanks to a series of pioneering medical studies that demonstrated the efficacy of cellphone-based medical research.

The studies have confirmed that surprisingly large numbers of people can be recruited into long-term research studies on mobile phones; that their consent to participate can be obtained much more easily than in conventional studies; and that the medical data obtained can be made safely anonymous, collected and analyzed by advanced algorithms in ways never before imagined.

Indeed, so much data can be collected automatically and accurately via mobile phones—without participants or lab workers having to log it—that some scientists believe it will be easier to conduct and monitor many trials involvi ng drugs or exercise in larger populations than have been examined up to now in conventional studies.

What's more, doctors believe it will be possible to give participants feedback not only about their own health but also about the population at large much faster than is possible with conventional medical studies, which often appear in scientific journals years after they're conducted. Participants could quickly see, for example, the beneficial effects of exercise or diet and adjust their behavior accordingly.

Most of the studies were made possible by an open-source smartphone platform called ResearchKit, which was released free to researchers by Apple Inc. in 2015. Doctors and scientists can use it to create iPhone apps that collect data such as weight and blood pressure that are stored in the Health app on iPhones.

Because many more cellphones, especially in less affluent areas and in developing countries, use the Android operating system, an Android version of the platform called ResearchStack was created by scientists at Cornell University. Sensing the utility of these devices, Alphabet Inc.'s Verily Life Sciences subsidiary recently unveiled a watch, called the Study Watch, that will collect data on users' heart rate and movement for studies of a number of diseases.

Initially, five studies were launched in 2015 using ResearchKit, covering asthma, breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Parkinson's. Studies involving epilepsy, autism and moles were added later, and a new Harvard Medical School study to monitor the health of National Football League players is just getting under way.

Researchers have long worried that clinical studies in general are skewed because most are limited to areas around research hospitals, so the study group isn't a representative cross-section of the population. An even greater concern is that, except for the controlled conditions of laboratory research studies, most people have been at best lax about reporting health issues or downright dishonest about, say, how much exercise they get. The smartphone, on th e other hand, can track activity and other health-related data passively and dispassionately.

Following publicity about the studies, anyone could download the apps associated with the research. In nearly all the studies, thousands of people responded, many times more than the numbers for traditional studies. In all, the initial five studies involved a total of more than 50,000 people, including much larger cohorts from all 50 states than traditional research studies.

Participants were asked a series of questions that helped determine their health status, which is similar to conventional studies; gave formal consent to being studied and sharing their data on the phone; and began using the phone's sensors to record things like how much activity they had each day. The data was collected and distributed to researchers by Sage Bionetworks, a Seattle health-tech firm that developed the sharing and security protocols for the studies.

Following publication of the research studies this year, a number of researchers said they received inquiries from pharmaceut ical firms interested in how they could use smartphones for clinical trials for drugs. "There is huge interest in the studies from pharma, who want us to help them deploy this kind of technology for clinical-trial populations," says Eric Schadt, director of the Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, who worked on the asthma study.

In fact, British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline has become the first pharmaceutical company to carry out a medical study using ResearchKit, tracking 300 rheumatoid-arthritis patients' fatigue, mood and joint pain over three months with data from iPhones. It hasn't yet released the results.

Ray Dorsey, a Parkinson's disease researcher at the Center for Human Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Rochester, says the Parkinson's study conducted by iPhone was a breakthrough not only because the researchers obtained consent from more than 9,500 patients over the phone, but also because the study's iPhone app, mPower, used four innovative tests to gauge the extent of the disease: It required the Parkinson's patients to tap the phone's screen as fast as they could; walk 20 steps, turn around, wait 30 seconds and take 20 steps again; take a memory test; and speak into the phone. Among other analytical tools, the app used an algorithm developed at Oxford University that can detect Parkinson's from a digital voice file with 98% accuracy.

"We've come up with a scale that's objective, continuous and can be done by anyone, anywhere and can provide a wealth of information on how people's symptoms vary, and use that to help manage their condition," Dr . Dorsey says.

While all the phone-based studies were initially limited to the U.S., a number have reached overseas, such as the cardiovascular study, which is being rolled out in the U.K., Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

One aspect of phone-based studies that researchers are trying to improve on: Many people drop out. The studies still end up with many more participants than traditional studies, but researchers would like to find a way to retain more of the people who initially sign on.

Euan Ashley, a researcher at Stanford University who worked on a cardiovascular study called MyHeart Counts, says about 5,000 people did the six-minute walk the app called for, the standard for measuring heart health. That was more than five times the number of people ever studied in a single group taking that test before. But more than 40,000 people who signed up for the app dropped out of the study before they got to the walk.

"The bar for entry in these studies is very low," Dr. Ashley says. "So there is less adherence than in a clinical setting."

Researchers say they are looking at ways to make the apps more engaging over time, such as giving users not only their own data, but also comparisons to other users in the same age or demographic group.

Mr. Wallace is a writer in New York. He can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

Appeared in the June 26, 2017, print edition.

Source: Smartphones Open a New World for Medical Researchers

This app uses augmented reality to turn your smartphone into a ruler

One resourceful company is reinventing the ruler. Creative collective Laan Labs has developed a nifty mobile app that relies on augmented reality technology to turn your smartphone into a legitimate measuring device.

To accomplish this, AR Measure factors in the distance between various points in 3D space to help you measure any physical object by simply using your phone's camera.

All it takes to put the virtual ruler to use is point your camera, select your desired starting point and pull your phone away from it. AR Measure will then calculate the distance between your starting and end points – sort of like a virtual measuring tape.

Check out the footage below to get a better idea how AR Measure works:

As you'll notice in the demo video, the app appears to be off by a few millimeters; but it's still remarkably functional despite these little kinks.

Unfortunately, Laan Labs has yet to set a release date – which means you might have to wait a little longer before you get a chance to toy around with AR Measure.

Given that it runs on Apple's new ARKit framework, chances are AR Measure will land later in spring when iOS 11 rolls out publicly. In the meanwhile, you can enter your email address here so Laan Labs can notify you once the app makes its debut.

AR Measure

Read next: Get trained and certified with Microsoft Excel for less than $20

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Source: This app uses augmented reality to turn your smartphone into a ruler

New laws are set to be introduced on mobile phones, counter terrorism and cricket... here's what you need to know

New laws are set to come into effect in the coming months that are certainly worth knowing about.

The oncoming pieces of legislation affect mobile phones, terrorist funding and that favourite British pass-time, cricket.

It has been much publicized that mobile operators have abolished roaming charges this month, meaning travellers are free to use their phone in Europe in exactly the same way they would in the UK without incurring any extra charges.

Meanwhile, new laws are set to be introduced to make companies more responsible for their own financial rules in an attempt to make it harder to fund terrorism.

On a slightly less serious note, (although not in some peoples' eyes) cricket laws will change in October.

But how will these new laws affect you as you go about your everyday life?

Here's all you need to know about what is changing, as reported by the Newcastle Chronicle.

Data roaming Bristol's mobile phone users are being let down on speed

Most will welcome changes in the way mobile operators charge for using phones overseas.

As of June 15 2017, roaming charges were abolished within the EU.

The price comparison site uSwitch says: "This means you can use your regular allowance of calls, texts and data for no extra cost from anywhere in the European Union.

"So, if you want to check your work emails or give all your followers holiday envy by posting sunny selfies on Facebook, you won't have to pay any more than you would at home.

Significant damage to Gloucester Road's Barclays bank, kebab shop and takeaway after huge fire

"You'll also be able to call or text anyone in the EU from anywhere else in the EU at your normal UK rate."

But it's not all good news - because Brexit could change everything.

When the UK formally leaves the EU it's possible that the existing caps on roaming charges will no longer apply.

The result is that Britons could be paying much more for roaming again.

And there are still plans to add VAT to roaming charges outside the UK.

MoneySavingExpert,com warns not to get too excited about the roaming ban.

They said: "It's emerged in the small print that many who have unlimited or competitively priced data allowances CAN still be charged extra roaming fees above a certain level of usage.

"And analysis by MoneySavingExpert.com shows it's those on cheaper mobile deals who are most likely to be affected."

Money laundering Is your child sitting on a pile of cash?

There are also changes to make money laundering harder.

The idea is to improve the current money laundering regulations which are 10 years old.

Companies will be expected to carry out extra due diligence on its financial systems to prevent terrorist funding including e-money and pre-paid cards.

For the first time all gambling providers, not just casinos, will be subject to the regulations.

Read More

But the new rules will not apply to people engaging in financial activity on a very occasional basis with a turnover of under £100,000.

"Suddenly there is a sense of urgency around the UK's implementation of the fourth Money Laundering Directive," says the website for financial experts Bond Dickinson.

"Time is now running short, and the legislation must be in force by June 26.

"All businesses covered by the regulations will need to make changes to their procedures, systems and controls to comply with the requirement."

The laws of cricket

The first new Code of the Laws of Cricket since 2000 will take effect around the world from October 1.

A major change is in the use of words with the 42 laws now written in non-gender phrases although the term "batsman" is still allowed.

A new law will allow bails to be tethered to stumps in a bid to prevent injury.

In 2012, South Africa wicket-keeper Mark Boucher retired from international cricket after undergoing surgery on an eye injury caused by a bail.

Meanwhile, limits will be placed on the thickness of the edges and overall depth of bats.

Read More

Other changes include a new law of the game addressing players' conduct and giving an in-match consequence for poor on-field behaviour.

The MCC, which regulates the game, said the change was needed to counter bad behaviour on the field.

It said: "This is a new law that deals specifically with players' misconduct and is introduced following widespread consultation, surveys with players and umpires and a series of trials of the different levels of sanctions.

"It is widely accepted that there is a need both to provide the umpires with appropriate on-field sanctions to deal with deteriorating levels of behaviour, not just to report such matters, and that there should be different levels of sanction leading to sending off for acts of violence."

Sanctions include the giving of extra points to opponents.

Source: New laws are set to be introduced on mobile phones, counter terrorism and cricket... here's what you need to know

OnePlus 5 Smartphone Linux Kernel & Android Source Code Released

OnePlus 5 is a premium smartphone powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 6 to 8 GB LPDDR4x RAM, 64 to 128 GB UFS 2.0 storage and a 5.5″ Full HD display, as well as the usual LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS.. connectivity. It was launched yesterday for $479 with 6GB RAM/64GB storage, $539 with 8GB RAM/128GB storage, and today, I've just read on XDA developers that the company had already released the source code for the phone. Beside the official Google Nexus/Pixel smartphones, many manufacturers will drag their feet before they eventually open the source code that they are legally required to release.

Click to Enlarge

Some companies will release the source code as tarballs, which works, but OnePlus has done better with Linux 4.4.21 source code available on Github.

You should also be able to get the Android 7.1 Nougat source code as indicated here:

repo init -u git://github.com/OnePlusOSS/android.git -b oneplus/QC8998_N_7.1 repo sync

repo init -u git://github.com/OnePlusOSS/android.git -b oneplus/QC8998_N_7.1

repo sync

The source code should lead to improvements by the community, as well as the eventual release of unofficial "ROM's". The company already released the Linux kernel and Android for their OnePlus 3 model on the day of the launch last year, so they are making an habit of it…

Tweet OnePlus 5 is a premium smartphone powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 6 to 8 GB LPDDR4x RAM, 64 to 128 GB UFS 2.0 storage and a 5.5″ Full...

Source: OnePlus 5 Smartphone Linux Kernel & Android Source Code Released

New study suggests having your smartphone within reach reduces your brain power – even when it’s turned off

Smartphones can make us physically lazy (UberEATS, anyone?), but new research shows they might also be making our brains dull as well.

According to researchers from the University of Texas in Austin, US, having your mobile phone within your reach can significantly reduce your cognitive capacity, even if the device is turned off.

The researchers from the university's McCombs School of Business conducted two experiments with 800 smartphone users to see if phones had any effect on the brain's ability to hold and process data at any given time.

In the first test, the researchers asked study participants to take a series of tests that required full concentration for good scores.

The test subjects were asked to keep their phones on silent mode and, at random, place them either on the desk face down, in their pocket or personal bag, or in another room.

The results showed the participants who had their phones in another room significantly outperformed those with their phones on the desk, and slightly outperformed those who had their phones in a pocket or bag.

"We see a linear trend that suggests that as the smartphone becomes more noticeable, participants' available cognitive capacity decreases," McCombs professor Adrian Ward said.

"Your conscious mind isn't thinking about your smartphone, but that process – the process of requiring yourself to not think about something – uses up some of your limited cognitive resources. It's a brain drain."

(Yui Mok/PA)

The second experiment saw researchers look at how a person's smartphone dependence affected cognitive capacity.

The tests and the instructions this time round were exactly the same as the first experiment except for one small change: some participants were also instructed to turn off their phones.

The researchers found that test subjects who performed the worst were the ones who were the most dependent on their smartphones – but only when they kept their devices on the desk or in their pocket or bag.

And it didn't matter whether a person's smartphone was turned on or off, or whether it was lying face up or face down on a desk.

"It's not that participants were distracted because they were getting notifications on their phones," said Ward.

"The mere presence of their smartphone was enough to reduce their cognitive capacity."

The study is published in Journal of the Association for Consumer Research.

Source: New study suggests having your smartphone within reach reduces your brain power – even when it's turned off

Sony Xperia L1 Smartphone: 5.5″screen,13MP and more

In March 2017, Sony announced the new Sony Xperia L1 smartphone with a 5.5-inch display, 13MP and so forth. Now, the insider news about this Sony Xperia L1 smartphone has revealed. Let check it out!

Sony Xperia L1 Smartphone: 5.5″screen,13MP and more…

As we mentioned above, Sony Xperia L1 smartphone has revealed in March 2017. Even so, at that time the Sony manufactory has not given official information about the Xperia L1 release date. However, in the latest reports expose about the Sony Xperia L1 launch date. Before get into knowing more details of this Sony Xperia L1 release date, let's recall about the Sony Xperia L1 specs and features!

Overall, Sony Xperia L1 specs include a 5.5-inch touchscreen display, with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. Besides, the Sony Xperia L1 weighs 180 grams and measures 151 x 74.00 x 8.70 mm. Under the hood, the Sony Xperia L1 phone takes power from MediaTek MT6737T chipset with Quad-core 1.45GHz processor. Besides, this Sony Xperia L1 smartphone comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage that can expandable up to 256GB.

About the Sony Xperia L1 camera, the device offers a 13MP primary shooter on the back, along with a 5MP front snapper for selfies. Furthermore, the Sony Xperia L1 smartphone runs on Android 7.0 (Nougat) with Mali-T720MP2 GPU. For the Sony Xperia L1 battery capacity, it contains a non-removable 2,620mAh. Moreover, the Sony Xperia L1 features with a dual SIM (GSM). This Sony Xperia L1 device also sports the Connectivity options of Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, Headphones, NFC, 3G, and 4G.

Sony Xperia L1 smartphone release date and price!

Lastly, Sony Xperia L1 launch date happens on August 4th, 2017. About the Sony Xperia price, it is at Rs 10,990 (~$170). After reading this article, what is your opinion about the new Sony Xperia L1 smartphone? Can this Sony smartphone be your next buy?

Source: Sony Xperia L1 Smartphone: 5.5″screen,13MP and more

OnePlus Debuts Its Latest Flagship Smartphone, the OnePlus 5

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Source: OnePlus Debuts Its Latest Flagship Smartphone, the OnePlus 5

PlayStation US Boss Says Sony Won’t Follow Path of Smartphones, PlayStation 5 Will Exist

German outlet Golem.de recently spoke to Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden, and got the influential gaming figure to discuss the future of console gaming. This has been a hot topic issue as of late, as gamers have feared that the release of the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro signals an iterative future for console gaming, such as how smartphones release on a yearly basis. Layden doesn't believe that'll be the case.

Layden adamantly stated that PS4 Pro exclusive games "will never happen," and said that a PlayStation 5 is the next step forward for the company, although it "will probably be some time" until it does. This has largely been the company's line since revealing the PS4 Pro, as Mark Cerny previously talked about  in an interview with Gamasutra. "I believe in generations," said Cerny. "Generations are a good thing. So, philosophically, we believe in them. We believe they continue, and [the PS4 Pro] is a mid-generation release."

This wasn't the only major topic to get brought up during the interview, as Layden also discussed how different the gaming market is today as opposed to in the past. "We can now publish the really high quality titles almost at any time," said Layden explaining that big releases are no longer a holiday-only affair. "Horizon Zero Dawn, for example, was released in February and [was] very successful. Batman Arkham Knight came out a few years ago right after E3, and the demand [was incredible]."

The interview features plenty of other fascinating quotes from Layden, so make sure to check out the full interview.

(Source: Golem.de)

Essential Reading:

Source: PlayStation US Boss Says Sony Won't Follow Path of Smartphones, PlayStation 5 Will Exist

New surveillance law: German police allowed to hack smartphones

Critics have slammed a proposed German surveillance law as infringing on civil liberties. The controversial legislation would empower investigators to read suspects' Whatsapp messages and other online communication.

The new law represents one the biggest overhauls of surveillance legislation in Germany's history. Under the new rules, investigators can install malware on smartphones, tablets and computers that lets them read Whatsapp messages and other personal communication. Installing the so-called "State Trojan" will allow investigators to circumvent any encryption, since they're getting their intelligence straight from the source - they see whatever the suspect sees on his devices.

In addition to this real-time surveillance of communication, the new law will also allow authorities to install malware to read anything and everything that's saved on a device. In effect, the change means that authorities can access a copy of a suspect's hard drive.

Politicians from the governing coalition of CDU, CSU and SPD say the new law is necessary to keep up terrorists and other criminals who mostly communicate online and not via phone calls anymore.

"This is how we facilitate efficient, cutting edge law enforcement that's keeping us all safe," Michael Frieser, domestic policy expert with the conservative CSU, said in the Bundestag on Thursday.

To critics, the new law isn't so much cutting edge as it is dangerously invasive. They say it violates privacy rights and isn't line with rules handed down from the Constitutional Court, Germany's highest judicial body.

Read also:

German minister advocates rule change to allow surveillance of children

Questions surround German government's refugee phone surveillance law

Essential addition or constitutional violation?

Hans-Christian Ströbele, a member of the Bundestag and its judiciary committee for the Green Party, says he understands that there are certain reasons to consider the surveillance of online communication. But he believes the new law is the wrong way to do it. 

Ströbele: The pretense for this law is terrorism, but it'll be applied to all sorts of offenses

"The Constitutional Court has instated a number of rules for a law like this, which aren't being adhered to," Ströbele told DW.

"It has to be guaranteed, for example that all private and intimate conversation is excluded from the information the Trojan allows investigators to see. But this isn't fulfilled."

Patrick Sensburg, a Bundestag member of the judiciary committee for the CDU, stated that Ströbele misrepresented the rules laid out by the Constitutional Court, saying they only refer to previous private conversation. "Of course it would be included in surveillance when the suspect is ordering a pizza from his smartphone," Sensburg told DW. "But investigators wouldn't be able to scroll to previous conversations on that phone."

Sensburg and other members of the governing coalition believe that the new law is essential to give police legal backing in their fight against crime.

"In times of permanent terrorist danger we have to close security holes," is how Eva Högl, vice chair of the SPD parliamentary group, put it in a statement for DW.

The piggy-back law

Another point of contention is how the law was introduced in the Bundestag. The new surveillance measures were a late addition to another bill that suggested minor changes in Germany's criminal code.

Sensburg: We've been having this debate for more than three years

Ströbele criticized that parliamentarians were informed about the added changes with very short notice and didn't have time to prepare for an informed discussion.

Sensburg said that the possibility of online communication surveillance was written into the coalition agreement after the previous federal election in 2013 and has been a topic of discussion ever since. But the German Lawyers Association agrees with the opposition, saying the whole process seems rushed.

"One can't help but get the impression that this serious infraction of civil liberties was deliberately hidden in a regular adjustment bill to push it through quickly and without discussion," Ulrich Schellenberg, the president of the German Lawyers Association, wrote in an email to DW. 

Ströbele goes even further. "The procedure was undemocratic and unparliamentary," the Green Party politician said. "A law as important as this one has to be discussed in parliament in great detail and that wasn't possible at all. They're basically passing their law in this piggy-back manner."

Source: New surveillance law: German police allowed to hack smartphones

What is the OnePlus 5? Release date, price, features and specifications of hot new smartphone with dual lenses

NEW GADGET ALERT

The OnePlus 5 features what the manufacturer calls 'the highest resolution dual-camera system on a smartphone today'

ONEPLUS is preparing for the long-awaited release of its latest smartphone, the OnePlus 5.

Here is everything you need to know about the new gadget…

Getty Images

This is the new OnePlus 5 smartphone, which will soon go on sale in the UK What is the OnePlus 5?

The OnePlus 5 is a new smartphone from Chinese mobile technology company OnePlus.

The launch was officially announced on June 20 in a live stream watched by people around the world.

The announcement followed weeks of speculation, rumours and leaks about the product.

When is the OnePlus 5 being released in the UK?

Tech enthusiasts who watched the live product launch received a special code, enabling them to buy theirs online immediately from the OnePlus UK site.

For those who missed it, the device will be available to buy directly from the company from Tuesday, June 27.

In the UK, it will also be available on contract exclusively from O2.

Getty Images

The device features 'the highest resolution dual-camera system on a smartphone' How much will the OnePlus 5 cost?

There will be two versions of the smartphone on sale with slightly different features, costing different amounts.

The Midnight Black version (8 GB RAM / 128 GB storage) will sell for £499.

The Slate Gray version (6 GB RAM / 64GB storage) will cost £449.

What are the key features of the OnePlus 5?

The OnePlus 5 features what the manufacturer calls "the highest resolution dual-camera system on a smartphone today".

There are customisable vibration settings, meaning you get a different buzz in your pocket depending on who is calling.

You can customise swiping shortcuts to open certain apps – so you could set it up to open Spotify when you drawn an "S" on the phone screen with your finger.

OnePlus also says half an hour plugged in gives the 7.25 mm phone enough power to last the whole day.

What is the full product spec?

Android Nougat 7.1.1

5.5in 1920×1080 1080p Full HD AMOLED display, 401ppi

2.45GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor

Adreno 540 graphics

6/8GB RAM

64/128GB storage

16Mp rear camera, f/1.7, support for 4K video at 30fps

16Mp front camera, f/2.0

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi

Bluetooth 5.0

4G

Dual nano-SIM

NFC

3,300mAh non-removable battery

154.2×74.1×7.25mm

153g

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Source: What is the OnePlus 5? Release date, price, features and specifications of hot new smartphone with dual lenses

You need to check out the new OnePlus 5 before buying any other Android smartphone

Business Insider

The new OnePlus 5 is here — and it's mighty impressive.

In fact, you should get a good, hard look at the OnePlus 5 before buying any other Android smartphone for two reasons: It's an excellent premium smartphone, and it's cheaper than other premium smartphones from big companies like Apple, Samsung, and LG.

The OnePlus 5 starts at $479 for the base model, which is $165 less than the base iPhone 7 and $240 less than the base Galaxy S8.

With the OnePlus 5's cheaper price tag comes fewer features than the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S8, but the OnePlus 5 helped me realize that most of those extra features are superfluous and don't necessarily contribute to a phone's appeal.

The OnePlus 5 is available to preorder on Tuesday and will be available to buy on June 27.

Check out the new OnePlus 5:

View As: One Page Slides
Source: You need to check out the new OnePlus 5 before buying any other Android smartphone

You need to check out the new OnePlus 5 before buying any other Android smartphone

Business Insider

The new OnePlus 5 is here — and it's mighty impressive.

In fact, you should get a good, hard look at the OnePlus 5 before buying any other Android smartphone for two reasons: It's an excellent premium smartphone, and it's cheaper than other premium smartphones from big companies like Apple, Samsung, and LG.

The OnePlus 5 starts at $479 for the base model, which is $165 less than the base iPhone 7 and $240 less than the base Galaxy S8.

With the OnePlus 5's cheaper price tag comes fewer features than the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S8, but the OnePlus 5 helped me realize that most of those extra features are superfluous and don't necessarily contribute to a phone's appeal.

The OnePlus 5 is available to preorder on Tuesday and will be available to buy on June 27.

Check out the new OnePlus 5:

View As: One Page Slides
Source: You need to check out the new OnePlus 5 before buying any other Android smartphone

The best new phones coming in 2017

HTC has now officially unveiled its HTC 11, which is a slimmed-down, squeezable smartphone with Edge Sense technology and also Amazon's Alexa built-in.

There's no headphone jack, frustratingly, but otherwise the spec is good: Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while you also get hi-res audio, a 5.5in Quad-HD LCD screen, a 12Mp camera and 3,000mAh battery.

You can read more news on the HTC U11 here, which goes on sale in the first week of June at £649 SIM-free.

Source: The best new phones coming in 2017

Pixel 2 latest rumours - release date, UK price and specifications

Three new Google mobile devices were predicted in 2017, but one appears to have been canned. Read the latest rumours on the Pixel 2 specs, price and UK launch date. It's time to get excited about the new Google phones running Android O

By Marie Black | 14 Jun 2017

Following the launch of the Android O public beta, we're edging ever closer to the new operating system's final release. And that means one thing: Google needs cool new devices on which to showcase it.

Originally, it was rumoured there would be three devices: two phones and a tablet. Three codenames have been thrown around - 'Walleye', 'Muskie' and 'Taimen' - with the latter thought to be the tablet.

Now, Android Police says several sources have reported 'Muskie' has been shelved. Given that these codenames are types of fish and in the past have correlated to the size of the devices themselves, it's likely to be the second-gen Pixel XL which isn't going to make it into production.

No-one knows whether 'Taimen' is a phone, tablet or even laptop. We think - and this is speculation - that it's likely to be a big-screened phone. This seems to be the current trend, but with bezels being slimmed right down, it doesn't mean it will be a massive, unwieldy device.

If you are viewing a mobile version of this page, click here to see the latest version of this story.

The 'Walleye' model is thought to be the Pixel 2, and expected to be a Snapdragon 835-powered smartphone(s) with a curved screen. It could look something like this (via uSwitch):

Will the 2017 Google phone be a Nexus or a Pixel?

Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google's head of Android, told Bloomberg last October that while the company wasn't closing the door completely on Nexus it didn't currently have plans for any Nexus devices. Based on this alone we would suggest the next Google phone is a Pixel rather than a Nexus.

Rick Osterloh, Google's Senior Vice President of Hardware, has also confirmed that the Pixel will get a successor in 2017.

Who will make the Pixel 2?

In the past we've seen Google phones manufactured by LG, HTC, Huawei, Samsung and Motorola. The maker of the new Google phone could be any of these partners, but equally it could be a brand-new hardware partner.

Early rumours suggested HTC is once again in position to make the phones, but an eagle-eyed spot by 9to5Mac suggests that the larger model  - 'Taimen' could be manufactured by LG. 

When is the Pixel 2 release date? 

Google Senior Vice President of Hardware, Rick Osterloh, has confirmed that a Pixel 2 will arrive in 2017. "There is an annual rhythm in the industry. So, you can count on us to follow it," Osterloh said. "You can count on a successor this year, even if you don't hear a date from me now," Osterloh told Android Pit. Osterloh also said the Pixel 2 would retain its premium price.

Allowing for a good few months of Android O betas prior to the final release, Google phones are traditionally unveiled in late-September/early-October. The current Pixel and Pixel XL were announced at a special event on 5 October 2016, and went on sale on 20 October. We'd expect a similar time frame for the Google Pixel 2.

How much will the new Google phone cost in the UK?

Rick Osterloh has confirmed that Pixel will retain its premium pricing in 2017. 

When it switched its phone line branding from Nexus to Pixel in 2016, Google moved away from high-value devices and toward more premium phones. The cheapest Pixel today costs £599, while the cheapest Pixel XL costs £719.

9to5Google suggests we should expect at least a $50 increase on this due to improvements it is making to the camera and adding waterproofing.

However, the same source also suggests Google is experimenting with a cheaper, lower-specified Pixel 2B that it hopes to launch at the same time or shortly after the Pixel 2 in emerging markets. If it goes ahead there is no guarantee we will see this cheaper Pixel in the UK.

What are the rumoured specifications?

Through 9to5Google's source we know two key things about the upcoming Google Pixel 2: it will be waterproof, and it will feature an improved camera. 

Editor Stephen Hall tweeted in late-January that he recalled being told back in October that the next Google phone would be waterproof, and the fact the current model was not came down to an issue of time constraints, and the need to keep down costs. He says Google was forced to choose between upgrading the camera and making the Pixel waterproof.

The current Pixel and Pixel XL are IP58 rated, which means they are dustproof and protected against spraying water, but not submersible or water-resistant.

On the subject of the camera, Hall writes that his source has claimed the camera will be improved, not in terms of the megapixel count but in the number of extra features. Google particularly wants to focus on getting low-light photography right.

The processor also gets a mention, and Google has apparently been testing models with both Snapdragon 835 and Intel chips, but has already ruled out cheaper brand MediaTek. The Snapdragon 835 once again comes up once again in some Google code associated with 'Walleye', 'Muskie' and 'Taimen', making it appear to be the likely candidate.

'Taimen' has popped up in the Geekbench database with an octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM and Android O. It scored 1804 points in the single-core test, and 6248 multi-core. That's blistering performance, and only slightly down on the recently released Galaxy S8 and Xiaomi Mi6 flagship phones.

The video shown at the top of this page is the latest creation from Concept Creators. It shows renders of what the Pixel 2 may look like, based on speculation and rumours, as well as some suggested specifications that are in line with what we might expect from a flagship phone arriving later this year.

However, one interesting thing to note is the inclusion of a red Google Pixel 2. Does Google really have a red model planned, or is Concept Creator poking fun at its new Really Blue model with the idea of a Really Red model?

Unfortunately we won't know until more leaks and rumours appear online. It does look pretty cool, though.

According to 9to5Google, an internal document shown to the site confirm that Google will follow Apple in removing the 3.5mm headphone jack in the Pixel 2. We presume this means it will instead get USB-C audio.

There's also talk of a Samsung Galaxy S8-esque curved screen coming to the Pixel 2. According to a report from South Korea's Electronic Times, Google is investing $880m in LG Display Company so it can get hold of flexible OLED screens.

What software will the Pixel 2 run?

Google's new devices for 2017 will come with Android O preinstalled. The public beta is available to download now, which means we've already been able to take a good look at what we can expect.

Android O focuses on 'fluid experiences' and vitals, with new features headlining during its first public appearance at Google I/O 2017 including picture in picture (multi-windowing mode), notification dots (long-press an app shortcut to view the notification right there onscreen), autofill (like in Chrome but now in apps), and Smart Text Selection (automatically recognises names, addresses and phone numbers so you don't have to fiddle around with selection handles; it can also suggest a relevant app).

Android O is much more streamlined than Nougat with various OS optimisations. The bottom line, according to Google, is that devices boot twice as fast and all apps run faster and smoother by default.

On the subject of apps Google is also introducing Play Protect, which installs every app on a per-device basis in order to keep things ultra-secure. 

O also adds 'wise limits' to background processes such as location tracking to sensibly keep battery usage at a reasonable level.

The company noted that there were many more changes coming to the OS, which it didn't have time to talk about during the keynote, including such things as a redesigned Settings menu and Project Treble - the latter in essence ensuring all users get Android OS updates much faster.

We'll bring you more rumours about the Google Pixel 2 as we hear them.

Read next: Best new phones coming in 2017.

Follow Marie Black on Twitter.

Source: Pixel 2 latest rumours - release date, UK price and specifications