Sony announces three new Xperia phones at IFA 2017, the XZ1, XZ1 Compact, and XA1 Plus

Here at IFA 2017 in Berlin, Sony has taken the opportunity to unveil its latest flagship devices. The Xperia XZ1 and its Compact sibling are here to replace the year-old XZ and X Compact, and they offer slightly updated designs with the latest Snapdragon 835 processors, plus they'll also among the first devices to ship with Android 8.0 Oreo. The mid-range 5.5" Xperia XA1 Plus was also introduced to fill the gaping hole between the 5" XA1 and 6" XA1 Ultra.

Xperia XZ1

This is to be Sony's main flagship device, and it's equipped with a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 835 chip and 4GB of RAM.  It'll have Android Oreo out of the box, with very few customizations as with any Sony device. There's a manageable 5.2" FHD display, protected by Gorilla Glass 5, but the device will be noticeably bigger than similarly specced phones as Sony hasn't yet caught onto the minimal bezel trend.

Design-wise it's no great departure from previous Sony phones, with the curved sides and flat bottom/top at least clearly distinguishing the device as an Xperia. If you liked past entries, there's no reason you won't like this. It'll be available in 3 imaginatively named colors (Moonlit Blue, Warm Silver, Venus Pink) and Black.

Xperia XZ1 Compact

A smaller version of the XZ1, the Compact has a a 4.6" HD display with mostly the same internals and also ships with Android 8.0 Oreo. It has the same Snapdragon 835 and 4Gb of RAM, but it only has 32GB of storage and a smaller 2,700mAh battery. The rear camera is the same as its bigger sibling, but the front sensor drops down to 8MP. There are also 4 colours, although slightly different: Horizon Blue, Twighlight Pink, White Silver, and Black.

Xperia XA1 Plus

Sony's latest mid-range model is the XA1 Plus, essentially a larger XA1 with a 5.5" FHD display. It will ship with an unspecified version of Nougat and a MediaTek helio processor. Colors are a little simpler here, with just gold, silver, or black.

All three phones should go on sale next month, but pricing and regional availablily isn't yet known. We'll update this post when we have more information.

Source: Sony announces three new Xperia phones at IFA 2017, the XZ1, XZ1 Compact, and XA1 Plus

Cat® Phones Introduces Three New Additions to its Range of Rugged Devices

Cat® Phones Introduces Three New Additions to its Range of Rugged Devices

BERLIN, August 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Cat S41 smartphone, the Cat S31 Smartphone and the Caterpillar T20 tablet are all unveiled at IFA Berlin

Cat phones introduces three new additions to its portfolio which see important updates to its rugged and resilient smartphone range and the first release of a rugged tablet. The launches build on Cat phones' heritage of creating industry leading rugged devices to keep you connected, no matter what challenges the day presents.

Cat phones are used by customers who work in a range of industries, and take part in recreational activities, that regularly put their mobile phone under stress. These customers come from trades including construction, agriculture, security, and vehicle repair, or enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, and biking. The new Cat S41 and Cat S31 smartphones are packed with upgrades and key features that Cat phones research shows these customers truly value, especially around battery capabilities, rugged credentials, and display technologies.

The Cat S41 is the successor to the Cat S40 smartphone with an upgrade to a huge 5000mAh battery, providing up to 44 days standby time or up to 38 hours 3G talk time, useful when your day takes you somewhere you're unable to charge your device. It can also charge other devices and accessories with its Battery Share functionality that turns your phone into a power bank.�Using the USB Battery Share connector provided, the Cat S41 can charge another product or accessory, but will stop once a user-defined reserved battery level is reached on the S41, set via an easy-to-use, in-app slider control. This ensures the user remains in control, and can use their device as a power bank without having to keep checking they are retaining sufficient charge for themselves.

The Cat S31 is the successor to the Cat S30 smartphone, the foundation of the Cat smartphone portfolio for core customers who need a solid phone they can rely on. It is designed to keep working for you with a powerful 4000 mAh battery, encased in a rugged IP68 waterproof, dust resistant and drop proof to 1.8m onto concrete, MIL SPEG 810G phone that can handle all the elements. The Cat S31 is a phone that you can take with you everywhere, to stay connected and get more done.

The Caterpillar T20 Tablet is the first rugged tablet from the brand and was specially developed for those who work in situations and locations in which extremely durable devices are needed. It has a Windows 10 operating system and LTE and is IP67 certified tablet making it waterproof for 30 minutes at a depth of one metre, able to withstand moisture, sand and dust and drop-resistant up to a height of 1.8 metres. In addition, it is vibration-proof, resistant to salt spray and holds up to extreme air pressure so can be used in every work situation or climate.

"Today's launches are testament toour ongoing commitment to provide uncompromising devices that are truly fit for the tough environments in which our customers use them. We've been careful to listen and build on what we know is most critical for them, resulting in a range that addresses these requirements head on," said Peter Stephens, CEO of Bullitt Group, global mobile licensee for Caterpillar.

In a study of nearly 22,000 Cat phone users, over three-quarters (76%) said that a long battery life was essential to them, and 98% saw it as a highly valued key feature. The survey also showed that 76% have damaged their previous mobile phone, and experienced the frustration and usability problems damage causes to what is often their only means of communication. Unsurprisingly, 94% of Cat phone owners value their phone being drop proof, while 71% said that a scratch resistant screen is essential to them.

The Cat S41 smartphone has an MSRP of �449 and will be available to order from August 31st via http://www.catphones.com and multiple retailers and operators.

The Cat S31 smartphone has an MSRP of �329 and will be available to buy later this year via http://www.catphones.com and multiple retailers and operators.

The Caterpillar T20 Tablet has an MSRP of �649. To register for further updates visit http://www.catphones.com .

Cat S41 Specifications �

Huge battery (5000mAh) with up to 44 days standby time or 38 hours of 3G talk time. Capable of charging other devices and accessories with the Battery Share power bank feature - cable provided

Water / Dust proof (IP68), Drop tested to 1.8M onto concrete, MIL SPEC 810G, Gorilla � Glass 5 protected. Waterproof tested to up to 2 meters of water for as long as one hour

Android� Nougat

3GB RAM, 32GB ROM. Expandable Storage (microSD� up to 2TB)

MediaTek octa-core 2.3GHz chipset

13MP rear camera with LED flash, autofocus with PDAF, 8MP front camera, both with underwater mode functionality

LTE Cat 6, VoLTE, VoWiFi

Super bright 5" FHD display, optimised for outdoor use with a touchscreen that can be used with wet fingers or gloves

Textured, extra grip design

Programmable Shortcut Key useful for Push to Talk (PTT), SOS (Lone worker app), or to easily launch its torch or camera

Curated apps and content catalogue

Cat S31 Specifications �

Powerful 4,000 mAh battery �

Water / Dust proof (IP68), Drop tested to 1.8M onto concrete, MIL SPEC 810G, Gorilla � Glass 3 protected

Waterproof Smartphone - up to 1.2 meters for 35 minutes

4.7" 720p HD display optimised for outdoor use with a touchscreen that can be used with wet fingers or gloves

Android� Nougat

2GB RAM, 16GB ROM, Expandable Storage (microSD�)

Qualcomm Quad-Core 1.3GHz Snapdragon chipset

8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera

LTE Cat 4, VoLTE, VoWiFi

Textured, extra grip design

Programmable Shortcut Key useful for Push to Talk (PTT), SOS (Lone worker app), or to easily launch its torch or camera

Curated apps and content catalogue

Dual SIM - Nano

Caterpillar T20 Tablet Specifications�Dimensions: 220 x 143 x14 mmWeight: 650 gDisplay: 8" (203,2 mm), Gorilla�-glass, 800 x 1280 IPS LCDBattery: 7500 mAh (non removable)Camera: 5 MP Rear Camera, 2 MP Front CameraMemory: 2 GB RAM, 64 GB ROMProcessor: Intel� Atom Z8350 (Quad-core)1,44 GHzOperating System: Microsoft� Windows 10Network: LTE SIM��� 4G: LTE Cat 4��� Bands, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20��� 3G: HSPA, R9��� Bands: 1, 2, 5, 8��� 2G: GSM, GPRS, EDGE (class 12)��� Bands: 2, 3, 5, 8��� Maximum Upload Speed: 50 Mbps��� Maximum Download Speed: 150 MbpsConnectivity:�USB 3.0 D/C��� Wi-Fi 802.11 (a/b/g/n) 2,4 GHz/5GHz��� Bluetooth� 4.1��� Mini-HDMI, Video OutLocation: GPS GlonassIn the box: T20 Tablet, Charger, Micro USB 3.0 Cable, Hand Strap, QSG, Warranty Card

About Cat devices and accessories�The Cat brand stands for trust, durability, reliability and quality. The Cat DNA is found in every Cat mobile phone and accessory offered by Bullitt Mobile Ltd. and provides boundless experience with robust mobility. Our products are created for wireless communication using the latest technology to meet a variety of needs of a demanding lifestyle and won't let you down.?

To find out more about what Cat phones and accessories are made of visit�http://www.catphones.com

About Bullitt Group�Bullitt Group enables the world's leading brands to enter into rapid growth consumer technology categories creating broader appeal and new, long-term income streams in the process.

Since its formation six years ago Bullitt Group has designed, manufactured and distributed millions of mobile phones, audio products, other connected devices and related peripherals to more than 60 countries across the globe.

Bullitt Group's Head Office is in Reading, England with additional office locations in Taipei (Taiwan), Shenzhen (China), New York (USA).

http://www.bullitt-group.com

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Source: Cat® Phones Introduces Three New Additions to its Range of Rugged Devices

Google’s New Software Could Bring Slick AR to Android Phones

Do not adjust your smartphone: there isn't really a cartoon lion in front of you, it's just an impressive augmented reality trick developed using new tools from Google. The search company has long attempted to popularize AR on smartphones. But on Tuesday, the company revealed its latest tactic: a set of software tools called ARCore that it hopes developers will use to make AR apps for Android phones.

In a blog post, Dave Burke, vice president of Android Engineering, writes that ARCore can do things like track a phone's location and the direction in which it's facing by using its camera and sensors (helpful for keeping virtual objects in the same spot), figure out where there are horizontal surfaces (upon which an app may want to place, say, a virtual cup of coffee), and pay attention to real-world light to help developers figure out the most realistic ways to display their virtual objects.

An early version of ARCore is being released Tuesday, and in his post Burke says it will initially work with the company's Pixel smartphone and Samsung's Galaxy S8 handset, as long as they're running the Nougat version of Android, or newer. (He writes that this would make ARCore capable of running on "millions" of devices off the bat, but really that's just a small percentage of the more than two billion devices out there using Android.)

Google's ARCore follows similar work by Apple and Facebook, which both released developer tools earlier this year to try to make AR more popular among their users.

There have been smartphone augmented reality apps available for Android and iOS for years, but none of them work all that well or look that good: virtual images tend to float awkwardly in space, rather than fitting in with real-world surroundings, and the software doesn't cope well with things like changing lighting conditions. Even Pokémon Go, a smash hit when it was released in the summer of 2016, doesn't do a great job of mixing virtual creatures with reality as you see it through your smartphone screen.

However, a handful of short videos and GIFs that Google made available to show off ARCore in action look impressive. In one clip, a life-size, solid-looking cartoon lion stands in a lobby, facing a real dog, with appropriate-looking shadows on the tile floor moving as the lion shifts. In another, a life-size scarecrow stands on a sidewalk in front of a very real taco truck, pondering the menu, fitting in quite well with the people standing behind him.

Burke writes that ARCore takes advantage of mobile augmented-reality technologies that were developed through building Tango. That is a technology that Google first showed off in 2014, which uses a combination of sensors and computer vision to help phones figure out precisely where they are in 3-D space, even in the absence of GPS. But Tango-capable devices require fancy hardware, like a depth sensor, and there are few phones out there that support it, so it hasn't become widely used.

ARCore is meant to work without such hardware additions, which means it could be added to apps that a lot more people will be able to use in the near future. Burke says the goal is to have ARCore working on 100 million devices at the end of the developer preview, which Google anticipates will be sometime this winter.

Source: Google's New Software Could Bring Slick AR to Android Phones

Report: Smartphones to See Slow, Steady Growth through 2021

Mobile Trends

Report: Smartphones to See Slow, Steady Growth through 2021

 

Smartphone sales will continue to grow through 2021 to reach 1.7 billion shipments that year, according to a new forecast from International Data Corp. (IDC).

Up from 1.47 billion in 2016, that forecast would represent a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3 percent over five years.

"The big inflection point that everyone is watching for is when the smartphone market experiences its first year-over-year decline," said Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Device Trackers, in a prepared statement. "We believe the two main catalysts for continued growth are bringing first-time users onto a smartphone and maintaining life cycles that are close to two years. At the end of 2016, we estimated that about half of the world's population was using a smartphone, which leaves plenty of room for additional first-time users. And, despite very high saturation levels in mature markets like North America, Western Europe, Korea, and Japan, we still see the majority of users replacing their handsets roughly every two years. We expect these trends will hold through the forecast."

Shipments of Android devices will reach 1.276 billion this year for a market share of about 82 percent and 2.3 percent growth compared to last year. The forecast calls for Android shipments to reach 1.479 billion in 2021 for a market share of 85.5 percent and a CAGR of 3.5 percent from 2016-2021.

"The Android OS continues to dominate on a global level, and IDC expects shipments on the platform to slightly outperform the market with 2.3 percent year-over-year growth in 2017," according to a news release. "In terms of volume, Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) continues to lead the way consuming nearly 55 percent of shipments throughout the forecast period. Growth at the high end from brands such as OPPO, Vivo and Huawei have also led to a 17 percent increase in average selling price (ASP) within the region, showing that the high end has more room to grow. Android ASPs have also risen in other big markets like Latin America, the United States and Western Europe. With many brands opting to push premium phablet offerings to combat the likes of the larger iPhone, devices with screen sizes larger than 5.5 inches should grow 34.5 percent year over year in 2017 with ASPs growing 9.2 percent as a result."

iOS shipments will total 218.7 million units this year, according to IDC. That's good enough for a share of 14.6 percent and growth over last year of 1.5 percent, "a considerable improvement from the 7 percent decline in iPhone shipments in 2016," according to information released by IDC. That growth will continue throughout the forecast period for a CAGR across the five years examined of 3 percent. Market share will improve by the end of the forecast period to 14.4 percent on the strength of 249.3 million sales.

"From there, things only get better for Apple as IDC anticipates the arrival of the iPhone 8 will spur a major upgrade cycle come 2018," according to a news release. "Despite the new device launching later this year, IDC expects a majority of the shipments are likely to land early in 2018. IDC projects 9.1 percent growth in 2018 with the iPhone 8 and the new 7S/7S+ models playing a pivotal part in the near double-digit growth next year."

The future looks pretty grim for devices with other operating systems. IDC predicts 2.7 million shipments for such devices this year for a market share of .2 percent and negative growth of 74.5 percent compared to last year. By 2021, IDC predicts sales of just 1.2 million and a market share of .1 percent. The compound annual growth rate for such devices from 2016 through 2021 will be negative 34.9 percent if the company's forecast proves accurate.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at jbolkan@gmail.com.

Source: Report: Smartphones to See Slow, Steady Growth through 2021

MediaTek unveils new mid-range smartphone chips

MediaTek has unveiled its Helio P23 and Helio P30 chipsets, designed to deliver an array of features to mid-range smartphones.

Both chips are based on a 16nm manufacturing process and include increased connectivity support, power efficiency, and performance.

The Helio P30 includes a visual processing unit which reduces load on the central processor and allows for advanced imaging tasks to be performed.

Both chips support dual-camera configurations and simultaneous dual-SIM LTE connectivity.

The P23 and P30 are both octa-core processors and feature the Mali G71 MP2 GPU – clocked at 770MHz in the P23 and 950MHz in the P30.

MediaTek's Helio P23 and P30 chips will begin appearing in devices later this year.

Now read: New 10nm chips for iPhone 8 – Report
Source: MediaTek unveils new mid-range smartphone chips

iPhone 8 release date, price and latest news on Apple's next smartphone

The iPhone 8 is all set to be released next month and it is due to be Apple's biggest launch for years.

This could partly be down to the fact that 2017 is the tenth anniversary of the original iPhone.

The very first Apple smartphone was announced by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007 and later released on June 29.

It seems that the iPhone 8 will be a momentous occasion as the rumours and leaked specs about the possible ground breaking features have been swirling around the internet for months.

Before the launch we have had a look at some of the latest news to help you decide if you are going to invest in the new phone.

Read More Latest news

Sources have apparently told Apple-focused site Mac4Ever that the company is planning to launch its next iPhones on September 12, The Mirror reports .

What's more, they believe that the new phones will be available to pre-order from Friday, September 15. They could be in store (or online) as soon as September 22.

The site reports that mobile operators have been told the date by Apple in preparation for what could be the biggest gadget launch of the year.

Although these dates fit in with Apple's history, the information is still unconfirmed so it shouldn't be taken as gospel at the moment.

Three sizes

Apple is rumoured to be working on three versions of its next iPhone, including a 4.7-inch iPhone 7s, a 5.5-inch iPhone 7s Plus and a 5.8-inch iPhone 8.

While early reports suggested that all three models would boast identical specifications , it's looking increasingly likely that the larger iPhone 8 model will be significantly more advanced than the 7s and 7s Plus - which are expected to closely resemble the iPhone 7.

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Meanwhile, a recent report in the Wall Street Journal claimed that Apple is currently testing more than 10 different prototypes for its next smartphone.

Name

Based on Apple's well-established "tick-tock" cycle, the 2017 model would be called the iPhone 7s.

The tick-tock cycle refers to Apple releasing a new design every two years, and new features within the same casing on alternate years (which are usually known as "s" models).

However, rumour has it that Apple is moving to a three-year cycle on major iPhone refreshes.

This, combined with the fact that next year is the tenth anniversary of the iPhone, suggests that Apple's flagship 2017 model will be a fairly major upgrade.

Apple's limited edition red iPhone 7 which as been produced in partnership with Aids charity (PRODUCT)RED, with proceeds from each device sale going towards programs run by the charity.

It seems unlikely, in that case, that Apple will opt for the name iPhone 7s - as that would downplay the upgrade. It's more likely that it will be called the iPhone 8.

Apple may even decide to go for something completely different - the iPhone 10 or iPhone X, to mark the anniversary, perhaps, or even the iPhone Air, iPhone Pro or iPhone Edition, to reflect the iPad and Apple watch lineups.

As mentioned, Apple may choose to launch lower-spec iPhone 7s and 7s Plus devices alongside its flagship device.

Release date

The iPhone 8 release date is rumoured to be the week of September 4 or September 11, 2017 .

Apple traditionally releases its latest iPhones during the first two weeks of September, in good time for the start of the Christmas shopping season.

However, one report hints that Apple may break with tradition this year and launch its next flagship smartphone earlier than expected.

According to information gathered by BlueFin Research Partners and shared by Barron's Tech Trader Daily , there is "some indication" that Apple will start production of the iPhone 8 in June.

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If Apple is feeling particularly nostalgic, it may opt for June 29 - the same day the first iPhone was released.

Meanwhile, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a track record of leaking accurate information on Apple products, has previously claimed the iPhone 8 could be delayed until October or November, due to "significant hardware upgrades".

Apparently, Apple is struggling to integrate its Touch ID sensor into new iPhone's the display.

So while the iPhone 8 could be unveiled in September, it may not go on sale immediately, according to Kuo.

However Carphone Warehouse have already opened their pre-registration, so if you are looking to pick up the new iPhone as soon as it's released, you can sign up for free here.

Price

Apple products are not exactly known for being cheap. When the company launched its 'budget' iPhone 5c in 2013, it still cost an eye-watering £469.

But the latest reports suggest that Apple's next device will be its most expensive yet, exceeding the $1,000 (£795) mark for the first time.

The price was reportedly leaked to The Fast Company by "a source with knowledge of Apple's plans".

The source said that Apple will be launching three devices this year - a massive 5.8-inch model (likely called the iPhone 8), a 5.5-inch model (called iPhone 7s Plus), and a 4.7-inch model (called iPhone 7s).

The iPhone 8 will reportedly have a new OLED display that will stretch across the whole front of the phone.

This is part of the reason for the high price tag, according to the source, as the OLED display will cost Apple roughly twice as much as the LCD display used in current iPhones.

The new phone is also likely to get a memory upgrade from the current iPhone 7 line, which will add to the cost of manufacturing the device.

All-glass design

Apple is allegedly planning a major design overhaul for the iPhone 8. The company is said to be working on an all-glass version of its iconic iPhone , for release in 2017.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo published a report in May claiming the American tech firm will completely redesign the iPhone in 2017.

Instead of the aluminium casing used in the iPhone 7 , Apple will move to an all-glass enclosure.

This wouldn't be the first time Apple has used glass in its iPhones. The iPhone 4 and 4s had glass front and back panels, with a stainless steel band sandwiched between the two.

However, these phones were plagued by durability issues, with many customers claiming their phones cracked too easily when dropped .

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Kuo noted that some investors are concerned that glass casing would be too heavy or fail a drop test, but said he believes that a return to glass casing will not be problematic for Apple.

"Apple already uses glass casing for iPhone 4/ 4S, and non-Apple brands have also been using glass casings. We therefore think a drop test will not be problematic for glass casing," he wrote in his report, according to MacRumours .

"A glass casing may be slightly heavier than an aluminum one of the same thickness, but the difference is so small that the use of the thinner and lighter AMOLED panel will compensate for that."

Apple logo (Image: AP)

The rumour has been backed up by a couple of other leaks. A source reportedly told Japanese website Nikkei that "Foxconn has been trying glass chassis' since last year."

The arguments to be made for a glass smartphone include better antenna reception and more options for wireless charging.

Curved OLED display

At least one of the iPhone 8 prototypes is said to feature a new cutting-edge curved OLED display with practically no bezels - similar to that used on Samsung's Galaxy S7 Edge.

Although there is no functional reason to have a curved screen, Samsung has been seeing significantly higher sales of the curved versions of its Galaxy smartphones.

In March 2016, Nikkei reported that Apple was planning to ditch LCD displays in favour of OLED screens, with the first OLED iPhone arriving in 2017.

Then in April 2017, DigiTimes reported that Apple had signed a two-year deal with Samsung to supply the OLED panels.

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The deal, which is rumoured to be worth $9 billion, will see Samsung shipping 70-92 million OLED panels to Apple this year, representing 30% of all iPhone devices expected to be sold in 2017.

OLED displays are superior to the LCD panels currently used in Apple's iPhones because, rather than requiring a backlight, an OLED-based screen lights up individual pixels when necessary.

his translates to blacker blacks and brighter whites, lower power consumption and faster response times compared to LED displays.

Like the LG G6 and Samsung Galaxy S8, the iPhone 8's display could have a new longer aspect ratio, IHS Markit analyst Wayne Lam told MacRumors .

It could also have a 4K resolution - which would make it more suitable for virtual reality applications.

End of the Home button

Rumours have been swirling for some time that Apple is planning to get rid of the traditional physical Home button and replace it with a touch-sensitive digital button.

This was originally rumoured for the iPhone 7, but it's now looking likely that it will be one of the major changes coming with the iPhone 8.

A Chinese website called Storm reports that the virtual home button will have the same haptic feedback motors used in the iPhone 7 to create the illusion of a Home button, even if it's really just a flat capacitive surface.

The biggest challenge appears to be integrating the Touch ID sensor into the display, with some rumours suggesting it will get around the problem by moving the fingerprint reader to the back of the phone.

Apple iPhone 6s (right) and iPhone 6s Plus (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

In June, mobile technology firm Qualcomm unveiled a new "ultrasonic" fingerprint technology that is capable of scanning through thick glass, metal and - crucially - OLED smartphone displays.

The technology works by emitting ultrasonic sound waves, which penetrate the skin of your finger and capture a precise, 3D image of your fingerprint, according to Mashable .

Qualcomm already provides many of the internal components of Apple's iPhones, but the relationship between the two companies has soured in recently month, due to an ongoing lawsuit.

Mashable claims that Apple is unlikely to use Qualcomm's solution, but could use it as the basis for similar technology developed in-house.

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However, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 8 could ship without a TouchID fingerprint scanner at all.

Kuo doesn't go into any more detail about how Apple will replace TouchID, but notes that "3D sensing for facial recognition" will be a part of the iPhone 8 , suggesting that Apple could replace fingerprint scanning with facial recognition or eye-scanning tech.

There's one upside to Kuo's prediction; he says that because Apple won't need to bother with scanning your digits, there'll be no delay in production.

Leaked renders

Designers around the world have been speculating about what Apple has planned, and one artist, Marek Weidlich , has created an intriguing concept video.

Weidlich has turned the entire front of the iPhone into a screen - leaving no home button or any visible bezel.

Meanwhile, new renders and drawings leaked by Weibo user KK appear to show an iPhone 8 with a curved screen that covers the entire front of the device .

An accompanying dimensional drawing shows that the bezel around the edge of the display is only 4mm thick, with the curved glass on either side of the screen accounting for 2.577mm of that width.

Read More

The device itself measures 137.54 x 67.54 mm, which is roughly the same size as the iPhone 7 , but the screen is 5.768 inches diagonally - almost identical to the Galaxy S8 .

The drawing shows a narrow earpiece at the top of the screen, with the selfie camera, microphone and other sensors on either side.

The renderings suggest that these components will all be concealed below the glass, although it is unclear how this would work in reality.

One of the renderings shows the back of the phone with a new vertical dual camera setup.

The veracity of the new images can not be confirmed, but KK has on several occasions shared accurate details about previous devices, according to MacRumours .

Camera

The iPhone 8 is expected the feature the same dual-lens rear camera featured on the iPhone 7 Plus. Given that Apple only unveiled its dual-lens technology in 2016, it is unlikely to make any major changes to it in 2017.

However, if you were hoping that the 4.7-inch iPhone 7s was going to feature a dual-lens camera, you may be disappointed.

KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple's dual-camera system will remain exclusive to the larger "Plus" model .

"While an attractive addition for avid picture takers and professional photographers, the iPhone 7 Plus dual-camera is not a mass-market killer application yet," Kuo says in the note seen by Apple Insider and 9to5Mac .

"Along with its high cost (estimated at over US$30-40) and the necessity for Apple to enhance the added value of high-end iPhone models, we expect only high-end new iPhone models (30-40% of them) to have a dual-camera next year."

However, Kuo thinks that Apple's next iPhone could come with a "revolutionary" new selfie camera that uses infrared technology to detect the location and depth of objects in its field of vision.

The 3D camera system could be used for facial recognition, iris recognition and 3D selfies. It could also be used in augmented reality mobile games, to accurately replace a character's head with that of the user, Kuo wrote in a research report seen by 9to5mac .

Boxes containing the new iPhone 7 stand lined up for customers at the Berlin Apple store on the first day of sales of the new phone on September 16, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. The new phone comes in two sizes, one with a 4.7 inch display, the other with a 5.5 inch display. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The 3D system works by sending invisible infrared light signals outwards from the phone and then detecting the signals that bounce back off of objects using the 1.4 megapixel infrared receiver.

Kuo said that, in the future, Apple could add 3D sensing technology to its rear cameras as well, removing the need for large dual camera iris systems.

Specs

The iPhone 8 will, more than likely, feature an A11 chip, built on ARM's highly-efficient 10nm manufacturing process, and run the next version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 11.

It will come in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB storage options.

Wireless charging

Wireless charging has become a common feature of some Android smartphones - including Samsung's latest family of devices - although it is still a lot slower than wired charging methods.

A report in Bloomberg in January claimed that Apple was working on "cutting edge" wireless technology that would allow future iPhones and iPads to be placed further away from charging mats than current smartphones.

Apple iPhone (Image: PA)

The unnamed sources said Apple was working on overcoming "technical barriers including loss of power over distance," and that the technology will feature in iPhones coming out in 2017.

Now pictures have been leaked on Chinese social networking site Weibo by a Foxconn employee, providing a look at the inside of Apple's OLED iPhone.

The pictures show a large, central black spot, which represents the device's wireless charging coil, according to MacRumours .

Facial recognition

One of the stand-out features of Samsung 's latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S8, is facial recognition technology, allowing users to unlock their phone by simply looking at it.

Now eagle-eyed software engineers have found evidence that the same feature could be included in Apple's iPhone 8, by scouring through the code for one of Apple's other gadgets .

The HomePod speaker is Apple's version of the Amazon Echo or Google Home and is set to be launched in December 2017.

Apple employee prepares Apple iPhone 7 phones on the first day of sales (Image: Getty Images Europe)

As the speaker needs to work seamlessly with Apple's new phones, the firmware code contains references to some upcoming features that Apple fans can expect to see.

Revealed on Twitter by developer Steve Troughton-Smith it appears the next iPhone will include an infrared camera that could be used to scan your face, even in the dark.

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It's likely this technology will be included so users can unlock the phone just by looking at it - in a similar way to Samsung's Galaxy S8 smartphone.

Meanwhile, an earlier report from Chinese-language website MoneyDJ.com , picked up by Digitimes , suggests that Apple may be planning to introduce iris recognition technology with the iPhone 8.

According to the report, a Taiwan-based company called Xintec is to start mass producing iris-recognition chips, some of which will be embedded in the 2017 series of iPhones.

Water-resistant

Apple's iPhone 7 is water-resistant to a depth of one metre for up to 30 minutes - a rating known as IP67, which is the same as the Apple Watch .

It therefore makes sense that Apple would carry this through to the iPhone 8.

IP67 means it will survive a dip in the sink or down the loo, and it won't break if you pour a drink over it, but you probably don't want to take it swimming.

Colours

Apple's next iPhone could come in a striking "copper gold" colour , if new leaked photos are to be believed.

The pictures, shared on popular Chinese microblogging site Weibo, show what appears to be Apple's forthcoming iPhone 8 in three colours - white, jet black, and a new colour described as a "champagne gold".

The gold option is "closer to copper" in colour, according to Chinese website MyDrivers , which first shared the images. It also bears a close resemblance to Apple's rose gold iPhone 7 .

Boxes containing the new iPhone 7 stand lined up for customers at the Berlin Apple store on the first day of sales of the new phone on September 16, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. The new phone comes in two sizes, one with a 4.7 inch display, the other with a 5.5 inch display. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The pictures, which have not been verified, show the widely-rumoured vertical dual-lens rear camera, as well as a slightly elongated power button on the side of the device.

It is not clear whether the devices pictured are taken directly from the supply chain, or if they are dummy models made by non-Apple suppliers based on recent rumours.

AirPods

Apple's next top-of-the-range iPhone could come with an accessory worth £160 in the box.

According to a new report from analysts at JPMorgan, seen by 9to5Mac , the iPhone 8 may come bundled with a free pair of AirPods .

The wireless earphones were announced along with the iPhone 7 and went on sale just before Christmas. They currently cost £159 to buy in the Apple Store .

Read More

The AirPods link up to your iPhone or Apple Watch via Bluetooth. They use sensors to automatically detect when they are in your ears, and play or pause your music accordingly.

They contain a pair of microphones, so you can control your music, change the volume and check your battery life using Siri.

The AirPods deliver up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge, and come in a special case that doubles as a charger, offering more than 24 hours of listening time in total.

Source: iPhone 8 release date, price and latest news on Apple's next smartphone

Mobile phones have opened new frontier

(Aug. 22)—I would say the discovery of electricity changed the world probably more than any one thing. But in the last two decades I would say mobile phones have changed the world again more than anything.

If you would have told me 20 years ago you would have almost every ole cowboy even out on horseback with a cellphone in his hand or pocket—I would have thought you were nuts. I would have said, "No way!" Nowadays a kid doesn't even have to learn how to spell as long; as he can even get it close enough spell check will spell it for him. And now no one has to figure in his head—just use a computer or phone.

But even with technology—you still have some who can barely use a phone—no text or email. Then you have some like myself who use and send texts but little more. And then you have those smart alecks who can make their phone do anything. I have a smartphone but I wish they would have called it a dumb phone because it's not quite so bad if you say I can't get this dumb phone to work but when you have to say I can't get this smartphone to work, it makes you feel dumb.

One cattle customer came to the sale last week. He has a phone but does not text—let alone anything else. He said to the lady managing the restaurant, "I brought my wife down Sunday for dinner but you weren't open." She said, "I'm sorry; we tried to get the word out. I put it on Facebook." Quickly, he repeated the words "face" and "book" dragging out those words like, are you kidding me?!

All the rest of the cowboys at the table started laughing. In fact, I was still laughing the next day. A few minutes later someone said something about some cattle and we said to him—you probably should have looked on Facebook. Sometime we have to make our own humor.

I have been so depressed as I got kicked out of ballet class for pulling a groin and it wasn't even my groin.

At the coffee shop I learned that Taylor Swift had sued a guy for only $1 for putting his hand somewhere that he shouldn't have. Quickly several cowboys spoke up and said—"I would gladly give a dollar to do that."

The 2015 statistics for full body screening at airports showed terrorists discovered—0, transvestites discovered—133. The number of hernias discovered was 1,485. There were 3,172 hemorrhoid cases and 8,249 enlarged prostates. Also, there were 59,350 breast implants and only three natural blondes.

Editor's note: Jerry Nine, Woodward, Oklahoma, is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family's ranch near Slapout, Oklahoma.

Source: Mobile phones have opened new frontier

Galaxy Note 8 v Galaxy S8 - Which Samsung smartphone is the best and which should you buy?

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 v Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung has had a stellar year with the launch of its stunning flagship Galaxy S8.

With its unique curved design this blockbuster smartphone is on course to win every gong going in 2017.

However, it's just got some serious competition in the form of the all-new Galaxy Note 8.

Samsung unveiled its latest phablet at an event last week and there's plenty of reasons why this new device could take the crown of the best phone of the year.

The S8 and Note 8 both feature a stunning Infinity display, latest processors, wireless charging and decent battery life but which is the really the best?

Express.co.uk has been lucky enough to have them in our hands and here's what we think.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 REVEALED - New flagship phone in pictures Wed, August 23, 2017 SAMSUNG'S Galaxy Note 8 has finally been unveiled and features a giant cured 6.3-inch display, new S Pen and dual lens camera.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

1 of 11

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launch

WHAT'S NEW ON THE NOTE 8?

Although the Note 8 looks almost identical to the S8 there are some key differences.

Firstly, unlike the S8, you can only buy the Note 8 in one giant 6.3-inch size.

With its clever bezel-free design, Samsung has been able to keep the overall dimensions down, however, the Note 8 is still a very large device and it won't be for everyone.

If you don't mind its size there are plenty of extras you won't find on the Galaxy S8.

Being a Note smartphone, you'll find a new S Pen stylus tucked inside the base of the device.

This new digital pen is now more accurate and features a waterproof design so you can scribble on the screen when it's wet.

The S Pen also brings new Live Messages to the device which instantly turn handwriting into fun animated GIFS.

Plus a new translate feature means the S Pen can help decipher foreign text with one easy command.

Along with the S Pen is a completely revamped dual-lens camera on the rear of the Note.

Many hoped that Samsung would include a double camera on the Galaxy S8 but this feature never materialised.

Note 8 owners get two 12-megapixel snappers which have a number of neat tricks up their sleeve.

With a wide-angle and telephoto lens both included, the Note 8 now offers the ability to zoom without losing image quality and add DSLR-style depth of field to your family snaps.

Samsung is also allowing users to tweak this clever bokeh effect after the image is taken and even remove it altogether.

This is because the Note 8 always keeps a copy of the original image tucked in its memory banks.

To make full use of its monster monitor, Samsung has included a new feature called App Pair which instantly loads two of your favourites applications side by side on the display.

This means you can surf the web and check your emails at the same time or watch YouTube and tweet without closing apps.

App Pair is fully customisable with users able to choose which applications they want to be paired.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 features a dual-lens camera

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Samsung's Note 8 has a new S Pen tucked inside its shellS8 v NOTE 8 PRICE?

There really is only one winner when it comes to price as the S8 is dramatically cheaper than the new Note 8.

Amazon is currently selling the S8 for £536 while the new Note 8 will set you back a very hefty £869.

Contract prices are also wildly different with the Note 8 costing around £48 per month - the S8 can currently be grabbed for just £29 per month.

It's also worth noting that you can pick up the S8 today but you'll have wait until September for the Note 8 to be officially released.

Samsung Galaxy S8 release - Latest smartphone in pictures Wed, March 29, 2017

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

1 of 35

Samsung Galaxy S8 release in pictures

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?

If you love the Note series you should definitely take a look at Samsung's latest member to this popular family.

The Note 8 is fabulous smartphone that offers a swathe of new features including the dual-lens camera and all-new S Pen.

However, this is a very big phone which may not suit all tastes.

The S8 is far more manageable in your hand and also won't make such a huge dent in your wallet.

Both devices are clear contenders for best phone of the year - you just have to decide if your pocket can cope with taking delivery of the Note 8.

Related articles
Source: Galaxy Note 8 v Galaxy S8 - Which Samsung smartphone is the best and which should you buy?

Titled as the Top Smartphone Brand in AliExpress, DOOGEE Will Make New Product Debut Soon.

Hong Kong, China, August 27, 2017 (Newswire.com) - DOOGEE is the fastest developing smartphone brand this year due to several amazing and popular products launched. Now, they were chosen as one of the top brands in AliExpress, paralleling with Xiaomi and HUAWEI and becoming 1 of the 3 smartphone brands on the list.

And they are going to make new product debut in AliExpress soon, along with a big sale from Aug. 28 to Sep. 4, most of the flagship products have the best discount ever. Not only the popular DOOGEE MIX and big battery BL5000 will be on the sale by then, BL7000 and the high-tier rugged phone S60 will make a debut and on the sale.

DOOGEE MIX, the most popular bezel-less smartphone this year, would be priced at $159.99. It has an almost three-bezel-less design at front which was described "futuristic" by Phonearena. A 5.5" AMOLED display is equipped on a small body which usually equipped with 5.0" screen, and the display performance looks amazing, as many reviewers said. With both sides covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, it has a refined craftsmanship of industrial design. The inside specs are solid too. Powered by MTK Helio P25, DOOGEE MIX is effective and power-saving with the octa-core CPU and as big as 6GB of RAM. 16MP and 8MP dual camera of Samsung sensor in the rear, and blur mode, 8x zoom in, profession mode are in use. It also supports front fingerprint, a rare one you could find in full display smartphones.

DOOGEE MIX Review from Unbox Therapy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjSeHQpEoTA

If you are looking for big battery smartphone, the BL series may suit you good. BL5000 will be on sale at $139.99 and BL7000 will be $159.99. BL5000, as the name tells, features a massive battery of 5050mAh. Besides, it has the "8 curves design" that makes it all rounded in every corner. Under the 5.5" FHD display it boasts octa-core CPU and 4GB RAM, 64GB storage. There are also 13MP+13MP dual camera in the rear and 8MP front camera.

DOOGEE BL5000 unboxing review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjF7MDq4Ypg

BL5000 appearance review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuHG9HGR08k

In contrast to BL5000, BL7000 features a business style in whole. It has leather grains covered the back, Corning Glass overlaid in the front and a metal frame seamlessly embedded in the middle. The overall appearance in BL7000 is luxury and simple, suits businessmen very well. In the camera aspect, it houses three 13MP camera, all of them are equipped Samsung ISOCELL sensors. BL7000 is juiced by the 12V-2A fast charge technology, and get 100% power in about 3 hours. Powered by octa-core MTK CPU, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, BL7000 is no doubt a mid-tier choice that meets daily needs. With a launch sale, BL7000 will be available on Aug. 28 and the price is $159.99, with a limited gift package including leather case and protective film.

DOOGEE BL7000 unboxing review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLtWX0cZv1E

One more product you may want to know is the DOOGEE S60, a rugged phone with flagship specs will launch on this sale too. It is powered by MTK Helio P25, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, almost the highest in rugged phone market. A 21MP Sony camera is in use, and there is a unique camera roulette applied in S60. The IP68 rating is positive, but still outstanding with the metal body. It also comes in a 5.2"FHDdisplay, 5580mAh battery and 12V-2A fast charge.It also supports wireless charge, NFC, GPS and GLONASS, a perfect companion for outdoor activities. The price is attractive when it is on sale at $269.99.

DOOGEE S60 unboxing review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juOHgvFNJSU

DOOGEE S60 torture tests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-2_OL_uH0Q&feature=youtu.be

If you are looking for budget smartphones with premium specs, surely the DOOGEE big sale will satisfy you. Now vote for DOOGEE you can get an additional $2 coupon. For more info please visit: http://www.doogee.cc/sale/aliexpress828/. 

Source: DOOGEE

Source: Titled as the Top Smartphone Brand in AliExpress, DOOGEE Will Make New Product Debut Soon.

Galaxy Note 8 vs Galaxy S8 - Which Samsung smartphone is best and which should you buy?

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 v Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung has had a stellar year with the launch of its stunning flagship Galaxy S8.

With its unique curved design this blockbuster smartphone is on course to win every gong going in 2017.

However, it's just got some serious competition in the form of the all-new Galaxy Note 8.

Samsung unveiled its latest phablet at an event last week and there's plenty of reasons why this new device could take the crown of the best phone of the year.

The S8 and Note 8 both feature a stunning Infinity display, latest processors, wireless charging and decent battery life but which is the really the best?

Express.co.uk has been lucky enough to have them in our hands and here's what we think.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 REVEALED - New flagship phone in pictures Wed, August 23, 2017 SAMSUNG'S Galaxy Note 8 has finally been unveiled and features a giant cured 6.3-inch display, new S Pen and dual lens camera.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

1 of 11

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launch

WHAT'S NEW ON THE NOTE 8?

Although the Note 8 looks almost identical to the S8 there are some key differences.

Firstly, unlike the S8, you can only buy the Note 8 in one giant 6.3-inch size.

With its clever bezel-free design, Samsung has been able to keep the overall dimensions down, however, the Note 8 is still a very large device and it won't be for everyone.

If you don't mind its size there are plenty of extras you won't find on the Galaxy S8.

Being a Note smartphone, you'll find a new S Pen stylus tucked inside the base of the device.

This new digital pen is now more accurate and features a waterproof design so you can scribble on the screen when it's wet.

The S Pen also brings new Live Messages to the device which instantly turn handwriting into fun animated GIFS.

Plus a new translate feature means the S Pen can help decipher foreign text with one easy command.

Along with the S Pen is a completely revamped dual-lens camera on the rear of the Note.

Many hoped that Samsung would include a double camera on the Galaxy S8 but this feature never materialised.

Note 8 owners get two 12-megapixel snappers which have a number of neat tricks up their sleeve.

With a wide-angle and telephoto lens both included, the Note 8 now offers the ability to zoom without losing image quality and add DSLR-style depth of field to your family snaps.

Samsung is also allowing users to tweak this clever bokeh effect after the image is taken and even remove it altogether.

This is because the Note 8 always keeps a copy of the original image tucked in its memory banks.

To make full use of its monster monitor, Samsung has included a new feature called App Pair which instantly loads two of your favourites applications side by side on the display.

This means you can surf the web and check your emails at the same time or watch YouTube and tweet without closing apps.

App Pair is fully customisable with users able to choose which applications they want to be paired.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 features a dual-lens camera

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Samsung's Note 8 has a new S Pen tucked inside its shellS8 v NOTE 8 PRICE?

There really is only one winner when it comes to price as the S8 is dramatically cheaper than the new Note 8.

Amazon is currently selling the S8 for £536 while the new Note 8 will set you back a very hefty £869.

Contract prices are also wildly different with the Note 8 costing around £48 per month - the S8 can currently be grabbed for just £29 per month.

It's also worth noting that you can pick up the S8 today but you'll have wait until September for the Note 8 to be officially released.

Samsung Galaxy S8 release - Latest smartphone in pictures Wed, March 29, 2017

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

1 of 35

Samsung Galaxy S8 release in pictures

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?

If you love the Note series you should definitely take a look at Samsung's latest member to this popular family.

The Note 8 is fabulous smartphone that offers a swathe of new features including the dual-lens camera and all-new S Pen.

However, this is a very big phone which may not suit all tastes.

The S8 is far more manageable in your hand and also won't make such a huge dent in your wallet.

Both devices are clear contenders for best phone of the year - you just have to decide if your pocket can cope with taking delivery of the Note 8.

Related articles
Source: Galaxy Note 8 vs Galaxy S8 - Which Samsung smartphone is best and which should you buy?

Latest Windows 10 Mobile Build Breaks Down Fingerprint Readers on Windows Phones

Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 Mobile build 15245 with a series of fixes and improvements, and while some known bugs are also listed, there's at least one issue that the company should add to the release notes.

It appears that this latest build breaks down the fingerprint sensor on the only two Windows phones that do come with such a feature, with several insiders complaining on Twitter that unlocking their devices with the fingerprint no longer works unless the screen is on.

The HP Elite X3 and the Alcatel IDOL 4S are the two Windows phones boasting a fingerprint reader, and unlike the Lumia 950 XL which uses iris recognition and requires a quick press of the lock button, users can unlock these devices by simply having their fingerprint scanned regardless of the current state of the screen.

This means that display can be on or off and the phone still gets unlocked, a behavior that's currently available on Android and iOS as well.

Microsoft currently investigating

But after installing Windows 10 Mobile build 15245 this feature no longer works correctly, and owners of the two phones need to first press the power button to wake up the device and only then scan their fingerprints to get access to the phone.

Dona Sarkar, head of the Windows Insider program, said on Twitter that the Windows team received several reports of broken fingerprint readers in the latest builds, so they are currently investigating, with a build most likely to be shipped with the next mobile build.

It goes without saying that the company cannot be blamed for anything this time since the build is shipped as part of the Windows Insider program, though it's a little unexpected to see bugs like this going live at a time when Microsoft should finalize development of the next OS update.

It remains to be seen when the next build goes live, but if everything goes as planned, it should land in just a few days next week.

Source: Latest Windows 10 Mobile Build Breaks Down Fingerprint Readers on Windows Phones

This smartphone is set to release on the same date as iPhone 8; find details

Amidst the hype created by the iconic iPhone maker Apple which is all set to launch its tenth-anniversary edition iPhone in September, there is another smartphone from China slated to announced its own bidding around the same date. According to a report by International Business Times, Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, popularly known as the 'Apple of China', is considering to come up with its next flagship model on the same day as Apple's flagship launch.

The report goes ahead to stated that Xiaomi is likely to launch its much awaited Mi Mix 2 smartphone on September 12. The market is flooded with speculations and estimates that whether the Chinese smartphone maker will be able to steal the spotlight from Apple on its D day. However, several experts also believe that the Mi Mix 2 surely has something extraordinary and that is why the company has decided to clash the launch date with Apple. It will be interesting to see how these two arc -rivals will attract customers with their flagships.

There is no doubt that Apple has a much strong user-base and the company has a pattern of launching new iPhones every September for which customers wait throughout the year. It is also to be noted that Xiaomi's launch would be limited to China whereas Apple's flagship will cover larger geography.

The IBT report also stated that leaked specifications of the Mi Mix 2 is expected to have a 18:9 aspect ratio display along with 95 percent screen-to-body ratio. The flagship is also said to have a 6.4-inch dual curved AMOLED 2K display along with a Snapdragon 835 chipset, 6GB RAM and 128GB storage.

Source: This smartphone is set to release on the same date as iPhone 8; find details

One of Apple’s new iPhones could end up starting at $999

Earlier this week, Samsung launched its most expensive smartphone ever, the Galaxy Note 8, which came in with a $930 starting price. It looks this may be the start of a new wave of ultra-expensive smartphones as Apple is also reportedly planning a higher price for one of its new iPhones, with reports claiming it will start at $999.

At the moment, it looks like Apple is planning three iPhones to launch this year. Two of them will be the standard iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus, which will retain their current price points. Meanwhile, the new iPhone 8 or iPhone X depending on which rumours you believe, will start at a higher price point, which Apple will justify with design changes, such as the all-glass back and 'bezel-less' display. According to The New York Times, this bezel-free iPhone will sell for 'around $999'.

Aside from the higher $999 price point, the report also reiterates that this smartphone will feature wireless charging as well as facial recognition. This has been a sticking point for the iPhone 8/X as various leaks have shown that Touch ID has been removed. Initially, it was hoped that Apple would be able to integrate Touch ID into the display itself but manufacturing issues reportedly got in the way of that.

We don't know exactly when Apple will be announcing its next iPhone but the event will likely take place within the first two weeks of September.

KitGuru Says: While I am interested in seeing Apple's new 'bezel-free' iPhone, a $999 starting price is a big ask, particularly when you consider that MacBook Pros don't cost much more than that.

Source: One of Apple's new iPhones could end up starting at $999

Galaxy J7 Plus leaks: check out Samsung’s next dual camera smartphone

In case you hadn't heard, Samsung just revealed its first dual camera smartphone on Wednesday with the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. It's a new venture for the manufacturer, but the Note 8 is expected to be the first of many Samsung phones to implement such tech.

Though Samsung's next flagship, the rumored Galaxy S9, will also no doubt feature a dual camera setup when it's released next year, you might not have to wait so long to get your hands on a sub-$900 device with two cameras from the South Korean manufacturer.

Thanks to a leak from Thai website ThaiMobileCenter (via GSMArena), we've got our hands on a few details regarding what could be Samsung's second dual camera handset, the Galaxy J7 Plus.

Before we talk about the camera hardware, first, a rundown of the other specs: according to the leaked press materials, the J7 Plus will house a 5.5-inch, 1080p, AMOLED display, 2.4 GHz octa-core processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 256 GB via microSD card.

The handset also includes a fingerprint scanner, 3,000 mAh battery, and will run Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box with Samsung Bixby support.

The J7 Plus sounds like a decent midrange handset, but where it may excel is in photography. Reportedly, the J7 Plus will include a dual camera coming with a 13 MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and a 5 MP sensor with an f/1.9 aperture. What's more, the "Live Focus" portrait feature introduced with the Galaxy Note 8 — which utilizes both lenses to make subjects stand out from their backgrounds — is also said to be present on the J7 Plus. As for the type of autofocus or if optical image stabilization is included, we don't yet know.

The front camera, meanwhile, comes in at 16 MP with an f/1.9 aperture, which should provide for some detailed snaps.

The J7 Plus features a metal unibody and is expected to be released in black, pink, and gold color variants. It's not clear whether it will be sold outside of Asian territories, though the Galaxy J7 V and Galaxy J7 Perx did make it to US carriers earlier this year. ThaiMobileCenter says the official Galaxy J7 Plus price and release date will be announced soon.

What are your first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy J7 Plus? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Galaxy J7 Plus leaks: check out Samsung's next dual camera smartphone

Google's new Pixel 2 smartphone coming Oct. 5, Google watcher says

Getty Images

Members of the media examine Google's Pixel phone during an event to introduce Google hardware products on October 4, 2016 in San Francisco, California.

A blogger with an accurate record, Evan Blass, said this week that Google will unveil its new smartphone on Oct. 5.

The Google Pixel 2 is expected to succeed the original Pixel and will be among the first new smartphones that will run Google's new Android Oreo operating system, which was officially launched this week.

The Pixel 2 will reportedly operate on Qualcomm's brand new Snapdragon 836 processor, which would make it among the most powerful smartphones on the market. The device is expected to look like last year's model instead of packing an edge-to-edge screen, which has become a trend among new smartphones.

This is probably the fall event that other rumors have referenced, which means Google may also take time to unveil its new Chromebook laptop, a smaller Google Home and a set of headphones that may compete with Apple's AirPods.

While Blass has an accurate track record, it's common for these events to shift to another date at the last minute. CNBC reached out to Google for comment but a spokesperson was not immediately available.

Source: Google's new Pixel 2 smartphone coming Oct. 5, Google watcher says

Purism will try its hand at security-focused smartphones

The phone will be compatible with 2G, 3G and 4G connections and with any ​​GSM,​​ UMTS or​​ LTE​​ network. It will also adopt the kill switches on Purism's laptops, which you'll be able to use to quickly switch off its camera,​​ mic,​​ WiFi, Bluetooth ​​and even its ​​baseband. The device will run the company's PureOS platform, a derivative of Debian GNU/Linux, but it will also be able to run most​​ GNU+Linux​​ distributions. And since Purism wants to give you as much control over the device as possible, it will release the device's source code, so you can edit it whenever you want.

As you can see, a lot of those features aren't meant for most smartphone users who just need their devices to work. But that's not entirely surprising: Purism has always catered to those who prioritize their privacy and security. This particular device, for instance, is for those worried about the personal info they give up when they connect to public WiFi or when they install apps, especially those that use location services.

It's worth noting that Librem 5 is far from the first smartphone with security at its center: Archos released the GranitePhone that runs the fully encrypted GraniteOS in 2015. A year before that, Silent Circle, a Swiss encrypted communications firm, launched the Blackphone, which also runs a secure OS. Since most people don't look for secure features when choosing a phone, though, privacy-focused smartphones don't usually do well. Silent Circle had to cut a fifth of its workforce for overestimating the demand for Blackphone -- it borrowed enough money to produce 250,000 devices but sold much, much fewer than that.

That said, it's interesting to see how Librem 5 would do, considering the Librem 13 and 15 laptops have seen a 35 percent monthly growth over the past year. The company expects to spend 18 months on testing hardware specifications and the like, after which it intends to launch a crowdfunding​​ campaign to gauge demand for the first wave of devices and to get funding for the manufacturing process. While Librem 5 is still in its very early stages, Purism already has a price for it: the company expects to sell them for $599, cheaper than the other security-focused phones we've seen thus far.

Source: Purism will try its hand at security-focused smartphones

Samsung sticks with the Note brand for its latest flagship smartphone the Note 8

Samsung's Note 8 will feature a smaller, redesigned battery for greater safety, as well as new, more advanced features to convince buyers to return.

DESPITE an unprecedented, multibillion-dollar worldwide recall, Samsung revealed it would stick with the Note brand for its latest flagship smartphone, and make it bigger in almost every way — except battery size.

The world's leading smartphone maker officially unveiled its Galaxy Note 8 handset in New York overnight, debuting its largest Note phone screen yet, its highest price, and world-first camera technology, but a smaller power source to avoid any repeat of the battery fires that extinguished its predecessor.

Samsung Electronics Australia IT and mobile director Garry McGregor said the company debated whether to revive the Note brand for the $1499 smartphone, due out on September 22, but decided to keep it at the insistence of loyal customers who were "reluctant to give the Note 7 back".

"There was a lot of discussion but the main tipping point was based on customer feedback," he said.

RELATED: Samsung voice assistant Bixby is finally in Australia

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: back by popular demand.Source:Supplied

"Customers wanted another Note device.

"By bringing a new device out, it brings a natural closure to what happened with the Note 7."

Samsung may have to work hard to win back some buyers, however, following the Note 7's recall just two weeks after it went on sale last year.

As part of their campaign to win back fans, Samsung is also offering a free screen replacement program that will cover one cracked display in the first 12 months of ownership if you buy the phone by October 31.

The Note 7 disaster saw more than 51,000 Australians forced to hand in their handsets after faulty batteries in many of the phones overheated and caught fire.

As such, Samsung's Note 8 will feature a smaller, redesigned battery for greater safety, as well as new, more advanced features to convince buyers to return.

Additions include the largest screen in a Note device to date, measuring 6.3 inches, a longer and thicker glass and metal body, a quad-core chip and 6GB RAM for speedy operation, and the company's first dual-camera system.

The two 12-megapixel rear phone cameras will be the first in the world to use optical image stabilisation to minimise movement blur, will deliver a 2x optical zoom, and also will let users alter a photo's focus after it's captured.

It was the must-have gadget for teens of the noughties... and now Samsung is bringing the flip phone back with their new "Leader 8" phone!

Mr McGregor predicted the Note 8's dual camera, larger screen, and a more pressure-sensitive stylus would be its biggest drawcards when Samsung opened pre-orders for the phone on Friday.

Despite the new features, Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi warned there could be "less initial demand" for the Note 8 as consumers waited to make sure it was safe to use.

"Consumers are not going to be as quick to rush out and buy this handset but, given the all-clear, it shouldn't have a material impact on their sales over the lifetime of the product," he said.

"It must be safe and it must not have the same issues the Note 7 had. The impact of it having the same issues would be catastrophic."

New research from Gartner showed Samsung's smartphone sales finally improved between April and June after falling for nine months following the Note 7 recall.

The South Korean tech giant remained the world's leading smartphone maker, however, with 22 per cent of the market compared to Apple's 12 per cent.

Samsung's Note 8 will feature a smaller, redesigned battery for greater safety, as well as new, more advanced features to convince buyers to return.Source:Supplied

SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 8 REVIEW

BEFORE the bedside fires, the recalls, the evacuations, the ominous pre-boarding announcements that stretched on for months, the Samsung Galaxy Note was just known as a great big phone.

It was the first to deliver a sizeable screen, and a pen to do more on that screen.

It introduced advancements like curved displays, split-screen multi-tasking, and Samsung's Quick Launch camera feature.

And when you hold the new Samsung Galaxy Note 8 in your hand, it makes you remember the good times.

More innovation. Less fire risk.

This phone doesn't look terribly different to the Samsung Galaxy S8+ — it's a little bigger and a little more square-shaped — but its features are pure Note-of-old.

Its dual-camera system offers features its rivals don't match, its pen offers more sensitivity, and it boasts so much grunt that it can be connected to a screen and used like a desktop computer.

That's not to say this smartphone is without fault.

There are at least two curious safety and design choices at play inside Samsung's latest high-end phone, and it's the Note's most expensive outing yet.

But can its new features, and one big safety promise, lure big-screen phone fans back to Samsung? We tried the phone at Samsung's New York event to find out.

THREE CAMERAS, ONE PHONE

The best thing about this smartphone isn't obvious at first glance.It's hiding around the back.

The dual-camera system provides the most compelling reason to invest in the Note 8, even though Samsung is late to the technology (Huawei, LG, and Apple got there first).

Its two cameras provide a resolution of 12 megapixels each but they also both use optical image stabilisation — an important extra that can make the difference between a blurry shot and something worthy of social media.The Note 8 is the first smartphone to do this.

And what you can do with these twin cameras might surprise you.

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Like that of its rivals, one camera features a telephoto lens and the other a wide-angle lens. This gives you 2x optical zoom and also lets you capture portraits with pleasantly blurred backgrounds, like you would with a DSLR camera.

The difference with the Note 8's take on the technology is you can change your photography decisions after the fact.

If you decide you shouldn't have zoomed in on your subject, you can tap an icon to reveal the wider view and save that image instead.

Or if you decide you'd like a sharper background, or you'd prefer the entire image to appear in crisp focus, you can change the amount of bokeh in the shot with a sliding scale.

It's a much more forgiving approach to digital photography, and could mean you miss fewer moments.

RETURN OF THE S-PEN

Samsung kept the Note branding, so of course they kept the stylus in this smartphone.

The S-Pen has returned with a refined tip the size of a fine-point Biro, and double the pressure sensitivity of the last model.

Its features have expanded too.

You can now scribble up to 100 pages of digital notes on its screen without actually unlocking the phone, and you can pin that note to its homescreen (useful if it's a shopping list or reminders).

New S-Pen additions also include foreign language translations and monetary and measurement conversions when you highlight information on websites, and you can make animated gifs with your own handwriting to send to friends.

Samsung's Note 8's two 12-megapixel rear phone cameras will be the first in the world to use optical image stabilisation to minimise movement blur.Source:Supplied

THE BIGGEST SCREEN YET

Note smartphones are known for their big screens but this is the very biggest.

The Note 8 breaks the record with a 6.3-inch display that curves over either side of the phone and leaves little room for borders at the top and bottom.

This gives users plenty of room to use two apps at once, and you can even save your favourite app pairs together to open both with one tap.

The Note 8 screen also features an impressive resolution of 521 pixels per inch (the Apple iPhone 7 Plus, by comparison, offers 401ppi), and a bright Super AMOLED backing.

This display is capable of showing off 4K video too, though there is one caveat: you'll have to change its resolution to Quad HD+ in the Settings menu as it's set to Full HD+ by default, presumably to save battery life.

A LOT OF EXTRAS

It's worth noting that this phone features IP68 water resistance, space for a memory card, voice assistant Bixby, and seriously powerful hardware.

The Note 8 also adds a 10 nanometre processor (the past model was 14nm) and 6GB of RAM, ensuring it should run apps quickly.

This power helps when you connect the phone to a DeX dock and monitor, as you can view apps on the big screen and use the phone like you would a desktop PC.

Samsung is also throwing in a couple of unusual enticements to returning Note customers this year. Those who pre-order the phone can claim a $119 wireless charging station, and anyone who orders the phone before October 31 can claim one free screen replacement in the first 12 months.

It's a gutsy move to bring back the Note brand.Source:Supplied

DRAWBACKS

The one thing every Note 8 buyer will be wondering: is it safe to charge this phone by a bed?

Samsung has employed experts to ensure its batteries are safe this year.

The trade-off for this safety promise is a smaller battery, however, at 3300mAh rather than 3500mAh.

The company says the Note 8 should power on as long as the Galaxy S8, but this might disappoint big-phone owners who typically expect a longer time away from the charger.

Samsung has also placed the fingerprint sensor beside the rear camera again, making it tricky to reach given the Note 8's size. The scanner and camera lens are separated by the flash this year, though.

The Note 8 will also only be available in two colours in Australia (black and gold), and with 64GB of built-in memory. There's also no flat-screen option and, at $1499, this smartphone is the most expensive Samsung has ever released.

CONCLUSION

It's a gutsy move to bring the Note brand back after battery fires and a worldwide recall.

The Note 8's combination of a groundbreaking dual-camera system, an even larger screen, water-resistance, and power to spare is bound to convince Note loyalists to return to the fold, however. That focus-shifting camera could also win it some new fans ... once the phone's safety record is proven.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Pre-order date: August 25

Release date: September 22

Price: $1499

Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson travelled to New York as a guest of Samsung.

Source: Samsung sticks with the Note brand for its latest flagship smartphone the Note 8

Chinese OEMs Leveraging Hype Surrounding the iPhone 8 with All-Screen Smartphones

Posted by Chethan Rao on Aug 23, 2017 | No Comments

While Apple prepares to launch its new flagship offering next month, Chinese manufacturers are preparing to adjust to the changing trend in the mobile industry. Reports indicate that an increasing number of Chinese OEMs are looking to adopt the all-screen and edge-to-edge display form factor given the imminent release of the iPhone 8.

Apple has always set the trend in the mobile industry, with several manufacturers blatantly ripping off Apple's design with their products or even UI. It seems like this year will be no different, although a handful of manufacturers, including Samsung, have already entered the all-screen fray well before Apple.

Japanese manufacturer Sharp has already made its comeback in China with the all-screen Aquos S2 mid-ranger. Xiaomi is said to be preparing a successor to the Mi Mix concept phone from last year. Reports have suggested that the phone will have an even greater screen-to-body ratio this time around. Gionee, on the other hand, is said to be revamping its flagship lineup with all-screen models by the second half of 2017, which should be anytime now.

Huawei is seemingly prepping the launch of an all-screen phone, known as the Mate 10. Preliminary reports have indicated that the phone will use a 6-inch 18:9 AMOLED display procured from Japan Display. Taking these factors into account, it seems like Apple will have its work cut out in the Chinese markets later this year.

Apple has had a poor run in the Chinese region mainly due to the prevalence of regional manufacturers like Xiaomi, Huawei, Vivo, Oppo, Gionee, and others. Apple's Q1 2017 revenues were down by 8% in China, although the company was quick to blame this on the fluctuations in currency value. It will be interesting to see if things will be different in 2017.

[Via Digitimes]

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Source: Chinese OEMs Leveraging Hype Surrounding the iPhone 8 with All-Screen Smartphones

Global smartphone sales increase 6.7 percent to 366.2 million units in Q2 2017: Report

Image for representational purpose only. (File photo | AP)

NEW DELHI: A strong demand for 4G devices in emerging markets like India, helped smartphone sales grow 6.7 per cent to 366.2 million units in April-June 2017 as compared to year-ago period, as per data from research firm Gartner.     

Increasing smartphone penetration in India, Indonesia and Southeast Asian countries drove sales in the Asia-Pacific that saw shipment of over 78 million units during the quarter.     

While sales declined in Greater China on a year-on-year basis, it continued to be the largest market for smartphones accounting for 27.7 per cent of the June quarter sales, the data showed.     

North America accounted for 11 per cent or 40 million smartphones in the June 2017 quarter.     

"Although demand for utility smartphones remains strong, there is growing demand in emerging markets for 4G smartphones, with more storage, better processors and more advanced cameras," Gartner research director Anshul Gupta said. This is translating into higher demand for mid-priced (USD 150-200) smartphones, he added.     

Gupta said there is a concern about rising component costs, as well as limited supply, due to the reduced availability of critical components. "We expect a shortage of flash memory and OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays will affect premium smartphone supply in the second half of 2017," Gupta cautioned.     

Samsung led the tally with 22.5 per cent market share, followed by Apple (12.1 per cent), Huawei (9.8 per cent), Oppo (7.1 per cent) and Vivo (6.6 per cent) in the second quarter of 2017.

Source: Global smartphone sales increase 6.7 percent to 366.2 million units in Q2 2017: Report