Nokia 6

Nokia 6

Nokia 6, the comeback smartphone for Nokia, is selling like hot cakes in China. HMD Global, which owns rights to the Nokia brand, has now clarified that the Nokia 6 wasn't being sold via JD.com following flash sales model.

HMD Global wrote to Nokia Power User clarifying that the Nokia 6 is selling too quickly giving an impression that it may be available under flash sale model. "Actually we have been updating the inventory on JD.com more than 3 times but those were usually gone within minutes or hours, so that's why you have the impression that we were doing flash sales," said the HMD Global team.

The company also assured that more Nokia 6 units will be made available in China. "We will keep supply to JD for sure and now the Chinese New Year holiday is mostly over and everybody's back for work, you can expect more supplies in the coming days and weeks," the team added.

To recall, HMD Global launched the Nokia 6 smartphone last month at CNY 1,699 (roughly Rs. 17,000) in China. HMD Global has already slotted an event for the upcoming MWC 2017, where it is expected to announce few more Nokia-Android phones.

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Play Games in EA Access Free for a Week

Play Games in EA Access Free for a Week

Electronic Arts is handing out a week's worth of free EA Access experience to Xbox Live Gold members starting Tuesday, the company announced Thursday.

The EA Access subscription-based gaming service costs Rs. 315 per month or Rs. 1,990 for the year usually, but EA will allow Xbox One owners with a Gold membership to play the games in the Access Vault for no charge from January 19 to 24.

The 14 games available during the period include Battlefield Hardline, Battlefield 4, EA Sports UFC, FIFA 15, NHL 15, Madden NFL 25, Dragon Age: Inquisition (not available in India), and Need for Speed Rivals among others.

And if you like what you see, you can subscribe to the service after the free week and pick up right where you left off on your progress in the game.

In addition, to free access to some of the big older titles, EA Access also provides subscribers with early access - five days before release date - to upcoming games. For example, you can play games such as Unravel and Plants and Zombies Garden Warfare 2 for 10 hours in February before launch. And should you choose to buy them at a later date, you will receive a 10 percent discount and your saved progress.

EA brought a similar version of the service to Windows PCs in the form of Origin Access on January 12. It's currently only available in USA, Canada, the UK and Germany but should make its way to India soon.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India Launch

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India Launch

Chinese company as of now has not revealed any launch date for the new Redmi Note 3. Additionally, Xiaomi is looking for 100 "explorers" for the Redmi Note 3 in India - users who get to preview the smartphone before it launches. Interested consumers can register at the company's official India website by January 31.

Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Note 3 back in November in China. The smartphone came in two variants: one with 2GB RAM and 16GB inbuilt storage variant which was priced at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,500) and another with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage at CNY 1,099 (approximately Rs. 11,500.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 features a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) Sunlight Display and is touted be a "fully-laminated display". It runs MIUI 7 based on Android OS. The company at the event highlighted that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 features an all-metal industrial design and stressed that it is now the "first Mi phone" to sport a full metal body and fingerprint sensor. The handset also sports a fingerprint sensor at the back which the company touted can unlock the device in just 0.3 seconds. Another notable feature is the 4000mAh battery with fast charging support that can charge up to 50 percent in 1 hour.

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Xiaomi Mi 5 Launch in 2 Variants

Xiaomi Mi 5 Launch in 2 Variants

According to the latest details, one of the Mi 5 variants will come with 2.5D curved glass on both the sides  while will also sporting a metal frame. The report adds that the 2.5D curved glass featuring Xiaomi Mi 5 model will feature a full-HD display.

The second purported Mi 5 variant, on the other hand, will feature full metal body and will sport a display with QHD resolution. The report claims that the both the variants will sport same screen size. There is no word whether the two models will have different RAM and storage options.

An earlier report had claimed that the Mi 5 will come in two versions based on RAM and storage. For pricing, the 32GB inbuilt storage and 3GB RAM version was said to be priced at CNY 1,999 (roughly Rs. 20,300), the 64GB inbuilt storage, and 4GB RAM priced at CNY 2,299 (roughly Rs. 23,400).

Based on preliminary leaks, the Mi 5 is said to feature a 5.2-inch display with either full-HD or QHD resolution. The handset is said to come in two memory and storage versions - 3GB of RAM with 32GB inbuilt storage, and 4GB of RAM with 64GB storage. On the camera front, the Mi 5 is rumoured to pack a 16-megapixel rear camera and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. It is also supposed to be backed by a 3600mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 tech. The handset is said to run MIUI 7 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

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Apple Making 'Move to Android' App for iPhone Users

Apple Making 'Move to Android' App for iPhone Users

Apple is said to be working on a tool that will allow iPhone users to more easily switch to Android. As per a media report, the change of heart comes as European carriers continue to put pressure on the Cupertino-based company.

Apple has agreed to develop a tool that will allow users from the iOS camp to migrate to Google's Android haven, reports Telegraph citing an industry source. The iOS app will allow users to transfer data such as contacts, music, and photos from their iOS device to Android.

The change of heart isn't apparently a result of goodwill on Apple's end, the report adds. Instead, it is because major European telecom operators believe that the technical difficulties in transferring data from an iPhone makes it hard for users to switch to Android, and as a result, only a tiny fraction of customers ever make the switch.

The iPhone maker is under pressure from mobile operators to make the migration process easier. The carriers, the report adds, feel that Apple's refusal to provide its users with an easier way to switch to Android has put them on the disadvantageous side, reducing their negotiation power with Apple.

To recall, Apple released an app called Move to iOS last year which allowed Android users to easily transfer their data to an iPhone. The company's first Android app didn't receive the most welcoming reception with thousands of users plastering a one-star rating against the app.

While it isn't known how many iPhone users switch to Android, as per Apple, around 30 percent of the record number of iPhone sold in the fourth quarter last year were users who previously owned an Android handset.

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Xiaomi Mi 5 Design New Leaked Images

Xiaomi Mi 5 Design New Leaked Images

The Mi 5 is tipped to sport a 2.5D curved glass display and 3D glass covering the back panel. The slim oval-shaped home button is said to double up as the fingerprint sensor, which is claimed to be the smallest and faster sensor in the market.

Based on previous leaks, the Mi 5 is said to feature a 5.2-inch display with either full-HD or QHD resolution. The handset is said to come in two memory and storage versions - 3GB of RAM with 32GB inbuilt storage, and 4GB of RAM with 64GB storage. On the camera front, the Mi 5 is rumoured to pack a 16-megapixel rear camera and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. It is also supposed to be backed by a 3600mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 tech. The handset is said to run MIUI 7 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

For pricing, the 32GB inbuilt storage and 3GB RAM version has been said to be priced at CNY 1,999 (roughly Rs. 20,300), the 64GB inbuilt storage and 4GB RAM priced at CNY 2,299 (roughly Rs. 23,400).

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How to Download and Manually Install Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on Nexus Devices

How to Download and Manually Install Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on Nexus Devices

The first major update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow has begun rolling out to Nexus and Android One devices. If you are the impatient kind who wants to download the update immediately, then you can do it manually. Google has released Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow factory images for various devices in its Nexus range.

We've listed the new features in Android 6.0.1 and if you have one of the eligible devices, you will get an OTA update soon. The following devices will get Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

There are several risks involved with manually downloading and installing Android factory images. You could lose all of your data and the process is pretty complex that's best avoided if you are new to this kind of a thing.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow is currently available for the following devices - Google Nexus 5, Google Nexus 6, Google Nexus 7 2013, Google Nexus 9, Google Nexus Player, Google Nexus 6P, and Google Nexus 5X. Here's how to manually install Android 6.0 Marshmallow on these devices.

1) Download and install the latest Android Studio Preview on your Windows computer. This installs the ADB and Fastboot programmes, which can be accessed through the command terminal on your PC.

2) Add the SDK folder to the PATH by following these steps:

3) Right click My Computer and click on Properties.

4) Click on Advanced System Settings.

5) Click on System Properties > Advanced > Environment Variables.

6) In the Window, select Path, then click on Edit, and then type in the name of the directory where you installed the SDK, and remember that each entry is separated by a semi-colon.

7) Enable USB debugging on your device. First, go to Settings > About Phone > Software information.

8) Tap Build number seven times.

9) Go to Settings > Developer options. Tick USB debugging.

10) Download the correct factory image for your device.

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 5

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 6

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 7 2013 Mobile

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 9 Wi-Fi

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 9 LTE

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus Player

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 6P

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 5X

11) Extract the image on your computer. This should give you a tar file. Extract it again.

12) Connect your device to your computer over USB.

13) Start the device in fastboot mode.

The easiest way to do this is to hold a key combination while powering up the device. For Nexus 5, hold the volume up, volume down and power buttons while powering on the device. The full list of key combinations for different devices is here.

You can also boot into fastboot mode using the ADB tool: With the device powered on, go to the command terminal and execute the following: adb reboot bootloader

If needed, unlock the device's bootloader through your computer using the command terminal and executing: fastboot oem unlock

1) Open a command terminal and navigate to the unzipped system image directory.

2) Execute flash-all.bat, which was a part of the unzipped image file. This script installs the necessary bootloader, baseband firmware(s), and operating system. For this to work, you need to have added the folder where ADB and Fastboot are installed to the system's path as described in step 2.

3) When this is done, Google recommends that you lock the bootloader for security. You can do that by booting the device in fastboot mode while still connected via USB, and using the command terminal to execute: fastboot oem lock.

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Google Launches New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio

Google Launches New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio

Two years after Google launched the Chromecast, a flash drive-shaped device that allows users to beam media content and on-screen activities from smartphones, computers, and tablets to TV and other big screens, the company believes it's time it further expanded in your living room. Enter Chromecast Audio, a device that turns any speaker with an auxiliary input into an Internet-capable device.

Priced at $35 (roughly Rs. 2,300), the Chromecast Audio allows one to stream music to their regular speakers directly from a smartphone or laptop. It is similar to the Motorola Moto Stream portable wireless adapter. It supports high-quality audio, 2 watt RMS and an optional optical digital out that sits in the hybrid port. The company said that the Chromecast Audio doesn't compress audio, assuring the audiophile inside you that the device wouldn't compromise on audio quality. It works with Android and iOS devices, apart from PCs.

The original Chromecast is getting a refresh too. The company has launched the second-generation Chromecast that sees a complete departure from the original's construction. The all new design sees an HDMI cable looped inside a circular Chromecast logo-shaped unit.

The company says that it has upgraded the internal components to make the new Chromecast more capable. There are now three antennas inside the device, and the device supports 5GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi for stutter-free high quality streaming.

It comes with a new feature called "Fast Play," allowing the Chromecast to start a video or audio streaming much quicker to start, once users press the Cast button. The company also announced that developers will now be able to render a game on both your smartphone's screen and the large screen (TV). Also new if the Feeds feature, which can be controlled via the new Chromecast app, letting users choose what content the Chromecast will display on screen when on standby. This ranges from social media feeds, to image feeds.

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Samsung's First Foldable Smartphone in January 2016

Samsung's First Foldable Smartphone in January 2016

The South Korean company in the meantime has launched Galaxy smartphones with curved edge displays. If a new leak is to be believed, we might finally see a foldable Samsung smartphone in January - with the company reportedly already testing the smartphone. Additionally, Samsung's mysterious Galaxy View device has been certified by the Bluetooth SIG claiming it's a tablet.

According to a tipster from China, Samsung's foldable smartphone has been codenamed Project Valley and is being tested with two different chipsets - Qualcomm Snapdragon 620 and Snapdragon 820. Other details tipped by the tipster claim that the handset will feature 3GB of RAM; come with expandable storage, and will come with an embedded battery.

Samsung's mysterious Galaxy View device which was teased during its IFA event and expected to the oft-leaked 18.4-inch tablet from the company has purportedly been certified byBluetooth SIG with model name SM-T670. The Bluetooth SIG listing of the tablet doesn't reveal many details; except that the Bluetooth version will be 4.1.

To recall, Samsung just as it did at the Galaxy Unpacked event last month, teased a new upcoming product at the end of the IFA show - what appeared to be a large tablet. Dubbed Galaxy View, the teaser was mysterious enough to hide most details but a kick stand was visible on the back panel. We will have to wait for Samsung to make the announcement.

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Xiaomi Becomes a Mobile Operator

Xiaomi Becomes a Mobile Operator 

The new MVNO (or mobile virtual network operator) service from Xiaomi will be offering consumers voice and data services and utilising China Unicom or China Telecom networks.

Under the second scheme, consumers will get 3GB data bundle for CNY 59 (approximately Rs. 610) per month. Under this offer, consumers will have to pay equivalent to CNY 0.02/MB (approximately Rs. 0.30) for data and CNY 0.10 (approximately Rs. 1) per voice minute, SMS or 1MB data (after exceeding 3GB data cap). It supports China Telecom 2G, 3G, and 4G networks and will be available in public beta starting October.

Under Xiaomi Mi Mobile's pay-as-you-go plan, consumers will be charged CNY 0.10 (approximately Rs. 1.10) per voice minute, SMS, and 1MB data. The plan supports China Unicom 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. It will be available for sale via the company online store (Mi.com) starting Wednesday.

The Mi Mobile SIM cards will be available as triple-cut SIM card, which means it could instantly usable with phone supporting mini, micro or nano-SIM cards.

The Chinese company on Tuesday also unveiled its new Mi Bluetooth Speaker with aluminium body and 1500mAh built-in battery. The new speakers have been priced at CNY 199 (approximately Rs. 2,000). The speaker also comes with microSD card support.

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LG Nexus 5X Ahead of Launch on Amazon

LG Nexus 5X Ahead of Launch on Amazon

Amazon India has listed the LG Nexus 5X 16GB variant as 'Currently unavailable.' The listing potentially spills the beans ahead of the official unveiling next week. Of course since this is a third-party retailer, one cannot be certain if these will be the official specifications whenever Google launches the smartphone.

According to Amazon India listing, the LG Nexus 5X will feature a 5.2-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) IPS display; 423ppi pixel density; 1.8GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992) processor; 2GB of RAM; 16GB inbuilt storage; no microSD card support; 12.3-megapixel rear camera; 5-megapixel front camera; 3G and 4G connectivity support, single Nano-SIM support, and 2700mAh battery. The listing also claims that the Nexus 5X supports Quick Charge 2.0. The listing also claims that the Nexus 5X will runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box. These specifications are in line with recent leaks, but nothing's official until Google's announcement next week.

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Xiaomi Mi 4c With Snapdragon 808 SoC Launched

Xiaomi Mi 4c With Snapdragon 808 SoC Launched

The Xiaomi Mi 4C has been launched in two variants: 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage priced at CNY 1,299 (approximately Rs. 13,500), and 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage priced at CNY 1499 (approximately Rs. 15,500).The new Mi 4c supports USB Type-C reversible connector, a highlight of the device. The company has introduced a USB Type-C Adapter which will be available via the company's online store (Mi.com) at CNY 5 (approximately Rs. 50).

The Xiaomi Mi 4c features a 5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display, similar to the Xiaomi Mi 4i. The company touts that the handset features a Sunlight display, which means it can be easy to read on the screen of the Mi 4c under the Sun and also comes with night reading mode. The Mi 4c supports Double Tap feature, which wakes up the screen on double tap.

Under the hood, the Xiaomi Mi 4c is powered by a 64-bit hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor clocked at 1.8GHz. The handset sports a 13-megapixel rear camera, just like Mi 4i. The rear camera features phase detection autofocus and comes with Sony IMX258 or Samsung S5K3M2 sensor. The handset also features a 5-megapixel front-facing camera that comes with 85-degree wide angle lens and self-timer. 

The dual 4G SIM-based Mi 4c is backed by 3080mAh battery. The company confirmed that the smartphone supports Quick Charge 2.0. The handset comes with Infrared that helps the handset to act as a remote for various electronic appliances. It measures 138.1x69.6x7.8mm and weighs 132 grams. It will be available in Black, Blue, Orange, Pink, and White colours.

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Apps Appear in Android Search Results

Apps Appear in Android Search Results

Google is making it easier than ever to find Android apps through searches. A new update changes the way apps entries appear in the search results when you look for a particular kind of app - say rpg games, or music apps - on Google Now or Chrome (for now) on your Android device. Instead of catering a number of Web links to you, the company is now offering users results in a grid of six apps under the Apps section.

Clicking on the section opens a wider list of apps. Clicking on any entry takes you to its corresponding Google Play link, as you would expect. The search result also follows Material Design guidelines, which the company has been aggressively bringing across all of its apps and services.

The update, which seems to be gradually rolling out to Android users, lists down entries that are placed next horizontally and vertically to each other, replacing the earlier list view of a few relevant apps in search results. Interestingly, if users click on the Apps tab to filter search results, they are shown app results in the earlier list form.

The move could significantly improve user experience as it genuinely improves apps discovery. And for those who don't like this feature, the regular search results and other sections follow right after (and in some cases before as well) the Apps section in results. The change is only on Android, and is aimed at easier search to app install conversions.

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Lenovo's Transparent Display Smartphone

Lenovo's Transparent Display Smartphone 

Lenovo's Zuk brand, by teasing a prototype smartphone with a transparent display, has come in direct competition with the likes of Samsung and LG, both of which have already showcased prototypes onfoldable Youm displays, transparent displays, and bezel-less displays in the past.

Zuk earlier this week launched its first smartphone named Z1 in China, priced at CNY 1,799 (approximately Rs. 18,250). Lenovo's new online-only brand is aimed at countering the rise of Xiaomi in China, which too has followed a low-cost online-only model. While Lenovo so far has not detailed any plans to launch its online-only smartphone brand outside China, it is expected the company may bring the brand to other markets. Zuk Z1 is one of the few smartphones that feature USB Type-C port, a large 4100mAh battery, fingerprint sensor, and a 13-megapixel rear camera with Sony sensor (IMX214) and optical image stabilization (OIS), a feature that's found in select high-end smartphones.

In a series of images posted on Weibo from the Z1 launch event on Tuesday, the prototype smartphone is seen featuring a near bezel-less frame on the transparent glass-like display. The prototype is said to perform almost all functions of a traditional smartphone such as displaying images, making phone calls, play music, and more, and features an Android-like interface.

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Microsoft Cortana for Android

Microsoft Cortana for Android

Cortana is now available to all Android users - well at least in select regions. Microsoft has announced the public beta of its digital voice assistant for devices powered by Google's mobile operating system. Cortana is available for download in the US via Google Play Store. It is officially not yet available in India, but you can still sideload it on your device.

Cortana for Android is very similar to its Windows Phone counterpart. It maintains the same user interface and functionalities. If you've never used Cortana before, it is Microsoft's take on digital voice assistant. It competes with Apple's Siri, and Google's Google Now.

You can have Cortana take notes, add reminders, and ask it for weather and traffic updates. Cortana is also available on Windows 10, Microsoft's newest desktop operating system. If you are using it on your computer, you can use Cortana for Android as a companion app. Once integrated, you will be able to see your notes, emails, and other things from computer synced right into your Android mobile device.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Active With 4100mAh Battery

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Active With 4100mAh Battery 

ow, a new leak has tipped that the company may fit the 4100mAh battery into the Samsung Galaxy Note 5's rugged variant, likely to be launched as the Galaxy Note 5 Active in November. PhoneArena reports that the new Galaxy Note 5 variant may arrive in week 46, which begins from November 8, or the second-week of the month. Adding further, the report citing a tipster claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Active will be made available exclusively on AT&T, similar to the Galaxy S6 Active.

Considering that the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active packs a larger 3500mAh battery compared to the original Galaxy S6's 2550mAh battery, the logic is that the Galaxy Note 5 Active will feature a larger battery. Though, one of the biggest doubts is that Samsung has never launched an Active variant of its Galaxy Note-series in the past. We will have to wait till November to see whether Samsung has an Active variant of its Galaxy Note 5.

The handset much like other Active-variant is said to sport IP68 rating that will make it water resistant (up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes) and dust proof, and also make it sufficiently rugged to be shock resistant. It will probably also feature a US Mil-STD-810G rating, like the Galaxy S6 active, certified to withstand vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, and high altitude.

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MIUI 7 Global ROM Revealed

MIUI 7 Global ROM Revealed

Xiaomi on Wednesday at its MIUI 7 launch event in New Delhi revealed the global MIUI 7 ROM.Xiaomi announced that the MIUI 7 Beta starting Monday will be available for Beta-supported Mi devices, namely - Redmi 1S, Redmi 2, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Redmi Note, and Redmi Note 4G.

Additionally, Xiaomi India announced that the Mi 4i will be available in new colours - Blue, Pink, and Yellow - in limited edition variants, priced at Rs. 12,999.

Some of the highlights of the new MIUI 7 include four default themes (Rose, Pink Blush, Ocean Breeze, and High Life) to choose from; new themes that have a complete game on the lock screen; a daily lock screen feature that changes the lock screen wallpaper every day; the new copyrighted images exclusively for MIUI; up to 30 percent better response time than MIUI 6; a reduction in overall modem power alongside background restrictions apps to save up to 10 percent battery life; a XXL font size; a Baby album feature, which auto recognises baby faces and creates albums; a new Child mode in MIUI 7 allows users to choose apps accessible to child and also allows to add passwords, and mute notifications feature.

The company also announced MUSE, which will allow users to create Themes with animations and content without getting into coding. Xiaomi India clarified that the selection of HD wallpapers in MIUI 7, with 10 pre-sets available on the 'daily lock screen' rotation, are currently only available in India.

The MIUI 7 integration with Mi Band has been improved and will now switch the Mi phone to Do Not Disturb (DND) mode when it detects that the users is asleep.

One of the notable features added in MIUI 7 is the addition of Showtime, which allows users to record a short video loop on phone and exchange contact card with friends. This will mean that every time a friend calls you, the Showtime video will run in loop. The feature will be rolling out in coming months.

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Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+

Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ 

Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ as well as mobile payment service Samsung Pay at the Galaxy Unpacked 2015 event in New York on Thursday. The launches are intended to counter the success Apple has had with its large screen iPhone models and Apple Pay.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ boast identical specs: 5.7-inch QHD display, 4GB RAM, Exynos 7420 processor, 32GB base storage, 16-megapixel rear camera, and Android 5.1.

Samsung also announced the official launch its new mobile payment system. Samsung Pay will launch in Korea and US first, and will come to UK, China, and Spain at a later stage.

The new launches are aimed at keeping the South Korean giant atop the global smartphone market and countering its US rival Apple, which has made gains with its large-screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and its tap-to-pay feature.

Samsung has traditionally announced the Note series flagship at IFA in the first week of September, but this time it is looking to trump rival Apple by announcing not one, but two new flagships well in advance. Daniel Gleeson at IHS Technology said Samsung "is hoping to steal a march on Apple's new iPhone announcement which will likely happen in early September."

Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ kick off in the US from Thursday, and the smartphones will be made available from August 21. In the US, the Galaxy Note 5 will be available via AT&T (with a no commitment contract) at $739.99 (roughly Rs. 48,400) for the 32GB variant, and $839.99 (roughly Rs. 54,800) for the 64GB variant.

The Galaxy S6 Edge+ will be priced at $814.99 (roughly Rs. 53,300) and $914.99 (roughly Rs. 59,800) for the 32GB and 64GB variants respectively. Samsung said the Galaxy Note 5 will only be made available in select markets, while the Galaxy S6 Edge+ will feature wider availability.

With the new devices, Samsung expands from its 5.1-inch display on the existing Galaxy S6, and leapfrogs Apple's handsets at 4.7- and 5.5-inches.

Ramon Llamas, analyst at IDC, said the launch appears aimed at getting ahead of Apple, which is widely expected to announce its own upgrades later this year. 

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime With MIUI 7 Launched

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime With MIUI 7 Launched 

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 has been priced at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,000) while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Prime will come at CNY 999 (approximately Rs. 10,000). The Redmi Note 2 will be also available in a 3G-only variant which will be available at CNY 799 (approximately Rs. 8,000). Unfortunately, the company hasn't revealed availability plans for other markets yet - though India details should be revealed on Monday at the company's New Delhi event.

The only difference between the Redmi Note 2 3G and 4G variants is the LTE connectivity support, and the rest of the specifications are the same. The Redmi Note 2 Prime, on the other hand, features a higher clocked processor and comes in only 32GB inbuilt storage variant, but is otherwise identical in terms of specifications to the Redmi Note 2. All the three new handsets run MIUI 7 and feature 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display.

Redmi Note 2 packs an octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor (2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 + 2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53) coupled with 2GB of RAM. The Redmi Note 2 Prime on the other hand sports a slightly higher-clocked Helio X10 SoC (2.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 + 2.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53). The handset will be available in two storage variants - 16GB and 32GB; though no word on expandable storage. It packs a 3060mAh battery along with quick charge support.

Apart from 4G LTE, connectivity options on the Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime include Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Micro-USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/ A-GPS, and infrared, meant for universal remote control of compatible appliances. The 4G variants unveiled in China notably support both TDD-LTE Band 40 2300MHz and FDD-LTE Band 3 1800MHz used in India. Onboard sensors include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and a digital compass .

The Redmi Note 2 measures 152x76x8.25mm which is definitely slimmer than the Redmi Note that measures 154x78.7x9.5mm. The Redmi Note 2 is also lighter at 160 grams than its predecessor which weighed hefty 199 grams. The Redmi Note 2 4G and Redmi Note 2 Prime supports dual 4G Micros-SIM cards.

The Redmi Note 2 sports a 13-megapixel Samsung rear camera sensor with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and is claimed to feature a shutter speed of 0.1 second. The rear camera features aperture of f/2.2 and a 5-element lens. The handset also houses a 5-megapixel front camera with OmniVision. 

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Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi nano Router Launched

Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi nano Router Launched

Xiaomi on Thursday at its China event launched the new Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime smartphones alongside showcasing the new MIUI 7 custom ROM. The company at the same event also launched the Mi Wi-Fi nano wireless router, priced at CNY 79 (approximately Rs. 800). The new Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi nano router will be available to buy in China starting Sunday.

The new router from the company joins the Mi Wi-Fi mini router, priced at CNY 129 (approximately Rs. 1,300), and Mi Wi-Fi router, priced at CNY 699 (approximately Rs. 7,000), already in Xiaomi's stable of networking devices.

The highlight of the Mi Wi-Fi nano router is it can be plugged into a 10000mAh Mi Power Bank and offer up to 30 hours of usage.

It supports IEEE 802.11 b/g /n Wi-Fi standards at 2.4GHz and comes with external PCB antenna (2x2) offering a maximum of up to 300Mbps speeds. It includes Blue, Red, and Yellow LED indicators and can be controlled via a Smart Mi smartphone app for managing router settings. It comes with 64MB DDR2 RAM and packs 16GB of storage. Based on a MediaTek (MT7628N) chipset, the router also offers a Micro-USB port. Xiaomi touts that the new Mi Wi-Fi nano routers with its external PCB antenna offer increased signal strength and can offer up to 150 square metre coverage. The Mi Wi-Fi nano router will be available in several colour options including Mint Green, Yellow, Sky Blue, White, Black, and Pink.

The company has priced the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,000), while theXiaomi Redmi Note 2 Prime will come at CNY 999 (approximately Rs. 10,000). The Redmi Note 2 will be also available in a 3G-only variant which will be available at CNY 799 (approximately Rs. 8,000). 

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