Techpaded Blog: December 2017

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iPhone is the top Selling Tech Product of 2017, Records Back-to-back Victory

Gideon Kachi December 30, 2017 Add Comment

With just few hours remaining for year 2017 to come to an end, I'm pleased to show you the top 5 selling tech products as disclosed by a research firm called GBH Insights. As expected, Apple's iPhone outranked others by far, staying at the number one with 233 million units expected to be sold out for the entire year. If you add-together numbers of the most sold products from the other top two(2) to five(5) brands, it still can't beat iPhone.

Second on the list are poducts from Korean OEM—Samsung, precisely the flagship Samsung Galaxy S8 and high-end Galaxy Note 8 with 33 million phones sold. The low-end model of Amazon's smart speaker, the Echo Dot, was third with 24 million units sold for the year. Again, Apple Watch returned to be fourth most purchased tech product of 2017, with 20 million timepieces bought this year. 15 million gamers made Nintendo Switch hybrid console the fifth top selling tech product in 2017.

After topping the chart in 2016 with 211 million iPhones sold, Apple retained same first spot this year, and according to GBH Insights analyst Daniel Ives, the iPhone will successfully defend its crown again next year thanks to a huge number of current iPhone users that will be ready to upgrade in 2018.

To facilitate this, another analyst suggests Apple will cut prices on older iPhone models. "Anything that doesn't have edge-to-edge display will go down in price," Patrick Moorhead of Moorhead Insights says. Even Amazon Echo Dot and the Google Home Mini were also discounted to $29.99 for the holiday shopping season.

source: USAToday

Nokia 6 (2018) to Come in two Different Variants

Gideon Kachi December 30, 2017 Add Comment

Nokia made an impressive return to the smartphone industry this year, and they plan to continue in this fine form next year with the launch of more smartphones which includes an upgrade to the mid-range Nokia 6.

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Konga

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The phone will likely be called Nokia 6 (2018). We spotted this device few weeks ago at Chinese regulation agency—TENAA, and now, a different model has been listed at the same entity. This shows HMD Global (the makers of Nokia phones) will be launching two different versions of the handset.

The first noticeable difference between the two variants of the 2018 edition of Nokia 6 is the display. The first model is expected to feature a 6" FullView display with 18:9 aspect ratio, while the other will sport a 5.5-inch full HD display at 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, with an aspect ratio of 16:9.

According to TENAA's listing, this recent model of the Nokia 6 (2018) will come with 4GB RAM and either 32GB or 64GB inbuilt storage. The device will be powered by a 2.2GHz octa-core Qualcomm processor which may likely be Snapdragon 630 or 660. It will run Android 7.1.1 Nougat straight from the box which is quite disappointing.

For image and video duties, the phone will feature a 16MP rear camera, and 8-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies and video chat. To keep the lights on, the Nokia 6 (2018) will accompany 3,000 mAh battery capacity.

source: TENAA

HTC to Introduce Fewer Smartphones in 2018, Expect U12

Gideon Kachi December 29, 2017 Add Comment

The smartphone industry has so-far not been in favor with HTC, even after receiving $1.1 billon from Google which should provide a huge boost to the company. However, the Taiwan-based OEM is hoping for a great comeback, but fans shouldn't expect that in 2018.

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As disclosed by industry sources, HTC will launch a fewer numbers of smartphones next year, as its R&D and marketing efforts will be channeled on just one flagship and limited mid-range Android smartphones. A downgraded version of the HTC U11+ is expected to be released at January's CES (Consumers Electronics Show) event 2018. This will certainly improve the company's presence in the mid-range segment of the industry.

Also on HTC's 2018 roadmap is a new flagship handsets, which will likely be dubbed HTC U12. Specifications of this high-end device includes a Quad HD display, dual-camera setup, and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor that is more faster and 30% more energy efficient than the previous chips.

The launch date of HTC U12 is still unclear, however, it could fall late February or the month after. Most smartphone companies would be throwing out their flagships by that time.

source: Digitimes via PhoneArena

HMD to Launch Nokia 1 in March With Android Oreo Go

Gideon Kachi December 28, 2017 Add Comment

Android Go is a lightweight version of the Android operating system unveiled in the month of May by tech giant—Google. It is designed specifically for low-end smartphones, emerging markets and places with poor network conditions and limited mobile data.

Where To Buy Nokia Phones And Pay On Delivery:

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I'm pleased to inform you that the makers of Nokia phones—HMD Global, has shown support for this initiative. The finish company is set to launch its next entry-level smartphone, dubbed 'Nokia 1' which be part of the Android Go program.

Nokia 1 comes with low-end specs, as it sport a HD (720p) display, packs 1GB RAM and 8GB expandable storage. The device will run a light version of Android Oreo, and will be available for purchase in emerging markets first.

The phone is expected to be released by March 2018 in various markets including the FIFA World Cup host country—Russia. Nokia 1 will be priced around €80. Huawei, and some other smartphone brands also have work in progress for the launch of a similar budget smartphone next year. Though, details on that are still sketchy.

source: @eldarmurtazin

Leaked! All Products Huawei Plans to Launch in Year 2018

Gideon Kachi December 28, 2017 Add Comment

Chinese OEM—Huawei has revealed the lineup of products it plans to launch next year. We usually know the roadmap of other top smartphone companies like Samsung, Apple, Google, LG, etc. However, conclusions on the final design and specifications is the real challenge.

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If we are to go by that of Huawei, the world's second largest smartphone brand will unveil P Plus, P and P Lite in Q2 2018, which will be added to the brand's P series. This is not really a surprise.

Huawei will stretch further its service wings in the first quarter of 2018 by making the Mate 10 Pro and Mate 10 Lite (Maimang 6) available for purchase in more markets. The company will also launch three new smartphones, dubbed Maya, Salina and Honor 1. It's worth noting that these are just their codenames and not the actual market name.

Also on the list of products to be announced in that same period is a new Huawei A2 fitness band, Huawei 360 Camera, the so-called Huawei Scale (an accessory) and Huawei B618 wireless router.

Going straight to Q2 2018, Huawei plans to reveal a second Honor smartphone and the Huawei B525 (probably another router) along with the three P series handsets. The third quarter of 2018 will see the Chinese manufacturer introduce a third Honor-branded smartphone and nothing else; just that single device.

Finally, Huawei will launch the Mate Pro and Mate Lite, alongside the fourth Honor smartphone. And that's a rap for 2018. Kindly take this info with a pinch of salt till the time Huawei officially announces its plans for 2018.

source: Gadgety (translated)

The Best Smart Phones For Gaming Especially Online Casino Gaming

Gideon Kachi December 27, 2017 Add Comment

"Not every smartphone is good for gaming". This is a fact most people don't know, so they end up buying the wrong smartphone, which they will later regret.

If you are into gaming, especially online casino games, there are some factors you must consider before buying the next smartphone. They include;

The Screen Size
The Resolution
The Processor
The RAM
The Internal Storage
Battery
Connectivity

Never neglect the above factors.

Now to the best phones for online gaming, I will be looking at three smart phones. Starting from behind:

3. OnePlus 5T

Made from Chinese company—OnePlus, it was released in November 2017 and the specifications are a wow!

Screen Size: The phone came with a screen size of 6.01 inches, taking about 80% of the phone surface, which gives you a bolder and clearer image of your game.This gives the game a real life effect.
Resolution: It has a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~401 ppi density). This gives a sharper picture of your game and provides a colourful outlook for everything.
The Processor: With a CPU of octa-core 2.45 GHz, you wouldn't have a slow moment with your game. With this CPU, your smartphone can handle any game.
RAM: The RAM is the power horse of a smartphone, and with a ram of 8GB, you can install and have enough space to play any game. Be rest assured that there will be no hanging moment, and you can easily multitask with it.
Internal Storage: The phone also has an internal storage of 128GB, which a big booster to your gaming lifestyle. With such memory, you can download any game, play any game online, and will never get stuck due to low memory.
Connectivity: With a 4G network, be assured that, your online gaming moment will be really memorable.
Battery: 3300mAh? Yes it wrapped it up with a battery of 3300mAh capacity, which can give you 6 to 7 hours of straight heavy gaming usage.

With such specifications, it is surely among the top 3 smart phones for gaming.

2. Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Looking at the specifications of this phone which was released in September 2017, you will understand why it made the top three list. Let's look at the breakdown.

Screen Size: Spotting a 6.3 inches borderless screen, it will bring out the real picture of the game with its boldness and will give you a real life experience of the game.
Resolution: With a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~521 ppi density), more than the OnePlus 5T, it offers a 3D experience on mobile gaming.
The Processor: It has a GPU of octa-core 2.35 GHz, it offers an interface that can handle any kind of gaming graphics. It will bring out the graphic in your games.
RAM: It came with a RAM of 6GB, lower than the OnePlus 5T, it can carry all your games, I mean heavy games, allowing you to multitask easily without experiencing setbacks like hanging and slow loading.
Internal Storage: With a big 256GB of expandable storage, boy, gaming is just starting. You wouldn't have to worry about notifications on low memory. Just go ahead and enjoy your game.
Connectivity: With its 4G network, online gaming will be highly enjoyed. You rarely have issues on slow loading.
Battery: With a 3300 mAh battery, same as the OnePlus 5T, your gaming life wouldn't be interrupted by low battery for more than 6 hours on high gaming.

I know by now you are thinking about getting a Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Let's go the number on the list.

1. Razer

This phone, nicknamed "The Gamers Smartphone" was released on November 2017. Not many people know this phone, because it is the first phone to be made by the brand, Razer. I am sure you will be wowed by its specification.

Screen Size: With a screen size of 5.7 inches, though smaller than the other phones, it offers a smooth interface for gaming.
Resolution: It came with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density), you are sure of getting a 3D experience on any game. The resolution of the phone makes the phone to clearer and sharper.
The Processor: It is processed by a GPU of octa-core 2.35 GHz which will make sure your games are not slow nor will the qualities of the game be reduced.
RAM: With a RAM of 8GB, there is nothing to worry about. Multitasking will become something you will do without worrying about your game closing or losing unsaved data.
Internal Storage: It is backed up with a 64GB memory of internal storage with SD card space of up to 2TB, an advantage it has over the rest. This gives you the needed space to carry on with your game.
Connectivity: The 4G LTE network it has, surely will give you no slow moments when gaming, especially, online gaming.
Battery: With its battery of 4000mAh, you have 7 to 8 hours of straight intensive gaming for you. A capacity it has more than the rest.

In summary, if you want a smartphone purposefully built for gaming, go for the Razer, you will enjoy it. If it is for the screen, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 would be great, and if your consideration is based on the processor, I recommend the OnePlus 5T. In a nutshell, all three smartphones are perfect for this course.

Xiaomi Mi A1 gets Android Oreo Beta With Fast Charging Feature

Gideon Kachi December 27, 2017 Add Comment

In less than four months after launch, Xiaomi Mi A1 which runs Android Nougat out of the box has received Android Oreo closed beta update. Unlike some other phones who got similar updates without any added features, this software update brings along a new fast charging feature.

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Before this update, a 0% – 100% battery charge will take nothing less than two hours. But according to a user who installed the Android Oreo beta, it takes only 92 minutes to do the same. It's worth noting this was achieved using the Dash Charger that comes with the OnePlus 5T.

Courtesy of this Android 8.0 Oreo beta build, Xiaomi Mi A1 users will enjoy picture-in-picture feature which opens videos in a separate window so you continue to work with apps running in the background. Also on the list is the smart text feature; it provides contextual buttons when you press on certain texts. For Instance, if you tap on an address, you'll be prompted to open Google Maps. Or dialer when you tap on a phone number.

Hopefully, the final version of Android Oreo for Xiaomi MI A1 will be released sooner rather than later.

source: TelecomTalk

Specs of Zanco Tiny T1 — the World's Smallest Mobile Phone

Gideon Kachi December 27, 2017 Add Comment

The cell phone industry in year 2018 looks very promising, as different manufacturers will be coming out with amazing devices. Set to be launched in the month of May next year is a handset which is smaller than your thumb and lighter than a coin, dubbed 'Zanco Tiny T1'. Though, a feature phone, it accompanies copacetic specifications.

Zanco has unveiled what is the world's smallest mobile phone, the tiny t1. It sports 0.49-inch OLED display at 64 x 32 pixels resolution. The device does not come with a QWERTY keyboard, so, if you have big fingers, your typing might be a bit inaccurate. You can use nano-SIM cards on this phone, and can store up to 300 contacts in the phonebook, as well as 50 calls history and 50 text messages.

In terms of memory, Zanco tiny t1 packs 32MB RAM and 32MB internal storage, but with no microSD card support. The feature phone comes with a very small 200mAh battery capacity which amazingly lasts for more than 3 days on a single charge. It charges through a USB port and weighs just 13g.

Another selling point for this phone is its 2G networks (GSM850/900, DCS1800, and PCS1900) compatibility. Zanco Tiny T1 will be available in May 2018, with a price tag of about $50 on Kickstarter.

source: Kickstarter

Phones That'll bid Goodbye to WhatsApp From December 31

Gideon Kachi December 27, 2017 Add Comment

In the middle of this year, WhatsApp announced to extends its service for Nokia S40, Windows 8, BBOS and Blackberry 10 phones till the end of 2017. This was enough time for users to upgrade to compatible devices, but how time flies; the popular IM will be dropping support for some of the aforementioned platforms after December 31, 2017.

WhatsApp gets updated from time to time with new features which these older devices can't sport, so it's normal for the company to place an end-of-life date on them. According to WhatsApp, “users on these particular platforms will not be able to create new accounts, nor re-verify existing accounts once the company ends support."

Though end of support does not mean you won't be able to access your WhatsApp account, the company says users can continue using the app on their phone, but should not expect any future security updates or new features. If you love your privacy, it's advisable to upgrade to a supported device.

Support for Blackberry 10 and phones running its OS will be axed down once 2018 begins, though, all BlackBerry devices running on secured Android; including PRIV, DTEK50/60, and KEYone, will have indefinite access to WhatsApp. It's worth mentioning that Priv won't be getting security updates anymore and the company has given up on the production of new phones.

Microsoft recently admitted its phones are dead and heading to the grave—if not buried by now—which is quite unfortunate! But WhatsApp will continue support for Windows 8.1+, while lower versions will be dropped.

While WhatsApp has stopped working on Nokia S60 since June this year, Nokia S40 phones will also be axed down from December 31, 2018. Also, Android devices running version 2.3.7 and older (Gingerbread) will be stopped from February 1, 2020.

Airtel Scraps off her Recently Launched Unlimited Data Package

Gideon Kachi December 26, 2017 Add Comment

In the month of July, Airtel launched her unlimited data package which gave subscribers endless access to browse the web and download for a period of 30 days. But in less than 5 months, the telco operator has stopped the plan claiming it's a promo.

The Airtel unlimited data plan comes in 3 packages:

Unlimited 10: full 3G speed up to 40GB usage, then throttled
Unlimited 15: full 3G speed up to 65GB usage, then throttled
Unlimited 20: full 3G speed up to 100GB usage, then throttled

And you can continue surfing even when you’ve exhausted your data, but at a throttled speed. However, according to Airtel, the unlimited package was a promo and it has been ended. Why didnt they just state it from the beginning that it was a promo package?

Now when you dial the subscription code for Airtel unlimited 10, you'll get 20GB with 30 days validity, unlimited 15 will give you 40GB. Furthermore, there will be no more—throttled—browsing once your data finishes. You can always check your data balance by dialing *140#.

Users who have already activated the Airtel unlimited package before now will continue to enjoy it until their data expires. This is indeed sad, but Glo unfair advantage is a good substitute which offers 50GB for 10K.

OnePlus 5 Finally gets Android Oreo Update, Face Unlock Feature to Follow

Gideon Kachi December 26, 2017 Add Comment

At last, Chinese OEM—OnePlus have released the final version of Android Oreo to OnePlus 5 users, after testing two beta builds earlier on (the latest was last week). We weren't actually expecting any major update from any manufacturer this period, but OnePlus did give us a pleasant holiday gift.

Where To Buy OnePlus Phones And Pay On Delivery:

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If you're a OnePlus 5 user, you can now—or will soon be able to—upgrade to OxygenOS 5.0 based on Android 8.0 Oreo which is currently being rolled out to units globally. According to OnePlus, the update brings along new features which includes: Launcher optimizations for Shelf, and a new option that will allow users to upload their photos through Shot.

The camera app also got a boost with new UI design, photo quality optimizations, and a newly added beauty effect for Portrait Mode. Also added is a new “Place” tab for viewing photos on a map, along with new history and alarm calendar features for the Calculator and Clock, respectively.

For the system part, these are the changelist as announced by the company:

Added Parallel Apps feature
New design for Quick Settings
New design for Lift up display
Added “Adaptive model" screen calibration
Optimizations for Wi-Fi
Updated Android security patch to December

In similar news, OnePlus 5 will also get the face unlock features of the OnePlus 5T. As it stands now, only the latter has this feature amongst all smartphones launched by OnePlus. Though, it wasn't announced as part of the Android Oreo update, the Chinese manufacturer will be pushing it to OnePlus 5 soon.

According to OnePlus' co-founder Carl Pei, “ by popular demand, Face Unlock is coming to the OnePlus 5 .” The date this new feature will be enabled wasn't disclosed, but it won't take much time for hardworking OnePlus to make the necessary changes.

Meanwhile, it might take a while before Android 8.0 Oreo hits your OnePlus 5 device, as the Chinese manufacturer said the update is being pushed out to a small percentage of users first. Hopefully, it will get a wider roll-out in the next few days.

source: OnePlus

Gionee S10 Lite Features a Massive 4GB RAM, Other Mid-range Specs

Gideon Kachi December 25, 2017 Add Comment

Gionee S10 Lite sports a 5.2-inches screen at 720x1280 pixels resolution, with 2.5D curved glass display and a measurement of 148.70 x 73.70 x 7.90 mm. In terms of photography, the phone features a 13 megapixels rear camera equipped with LED flash, and 16MP front-facing shooter, with “group and bokeh selfie” features confirmed by the company.

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For smooth multitasking and enough memory to store files, Gionee S10 Lite comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB inbuilt storage which can be expanded up to 256GB via microSD card. The handset is powered by quad-core 1.4GHz Snapdragon 427 processor, and it runs stock Amigo UI 4.0 based on Android 7.1 Nougat.

To keep the lights on, it has 3100 mAh battery capacity. The device has a fingerprint scanner embedded on the home hardware button just below the display, and it also supports 4G LTE network. Gionee S10 Lite is now available with a price tag of $250 in the U. S., INR 15,999 in India, and NGN 90,000 in Nigeria.

Gionee S10 Lite Specifications and Price

Supported Networks

2G: GSM, GPRS, EDGE 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
3G: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
4G: LTE Frequency Bands + VoLTE 1(2100) / 3(1800) / 5(850) / 7(2600) / 8(900) / 34(2000) / 38(2600) / 39(1900) / 40(2300) / 41(2500)
SIM Type: Dual Nano-SIM

Platform

OS: Android 7.1.1 Nougat + Amigo UI 4.0

Design

Dimensions: 148.7 × 73.7 × 7.9 mm
Weight: 155 g
Display: 5.2 inches, 2.5D curved glass display
Sensors: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Ambient light, Gyroscope.
Build:
Colours: Gold, Black

Hardware

Processor Type: 64-bit Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53
Processor Name: Qualcomm Snapdragon 427
Graphics Processor: Adreno 505
RAM: 4 GB
Internal Storage: 32 GB
External Storage: microSD, up to 256 GB (hybrid slot)

Camera and Video

Rear: 13 megapixels, auto-focus, LED flash
Video recording: 1080p @ 30fps
Front-facing: 16 megapixels

Multimedia

Music Support: MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Audio:
Loudspeaker: Mono
Video Support: MP4/MPEG4/H.263/H.264 player
FM Radio: Yes

Connectivity

Bluetooth: v4.0
WiFi: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
GPS: Yes
USB: microUSB v2.0, USB-On-the Go

Misc

Charging: Regular
Battery: Li-Polymer 3100 mAh
Announced: December 22, 2017
Availability: December 23, 2017
Price: INR 15,999 in India, $250 in the United States of America, NGN 90,000 in Nigeria.

OnePlus 6 to Arrive With In-display Fingerprint Scanner in March

Gideon Kachi December 25, 2017 Add Comment

Less than a month after OnePlus 5T was released, we've started hearing rumors of OnePlus 6 which poses as the successor to the former. According to reports from China, the upcoming phone is expected to be launched in mid September and released at the end of the month next year.

Where To Buy OnePlus Phones And Pay On Delivery:

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The OnePlus 6 will likely come with a fingerprint scanner embedded underneath the phone's display, a feature which other top manufacturers have planned to integrate in their smartphones, but failed. Even Korean OEM—Samsung pursued it throughout 2017, but was forced to mount the fingerprint scanners of the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus and Galaxy Note 8 on the rear of each model. And if we go by renders of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S9 /S9+, the biometric reader for both models will still dwell at the back of the devices.

In addition, OnePlus 6 will sport a 6-inches display at 1080 x 2160 pixels resolution, and an aspect ratio of 18:9 with the same thin bezels like that of OnePlus 5T. In terms of performance, the handset will apparently be powered by QSnapdragon 845 chipset which is built on the 7nm manufacturing process, and will be faster and 30% more battery-efficient than the previous chips.

It is obvious one of the selling points of the OnePlus 6 will be its in-display fingerprint scanner. Before March, more info on the phone will be disclosed right here on Techpaded. So, stay tuned and kindly share this post with friends.

source: Gizmochina

Samsung to Launch Galaxy J2 (2018) with Low-end Specifications

Gideon Kachi December 24, 2017 Add Comment

South Korean OEM—Samsung is reportedly working on a low-end smartphone, dubbed 'Galaxy J2 (2018).' The launch date of this entry-level device has not yet been disclosed, but we have its specification and pricing details.

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Samsung Galaxy J2 (2018) sports a 5-inch Super AMOLED display with qHD (540 x 960 pixels) resolution which is quite copacetic for movies lovers and gamers. For image and duties, the handset features 8-megapixel rear camera equipped with LED flash, and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies and video chat.

In terms of performance, the company included a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor, paired with 1.5GB RAM and 16GB inbuilt storage. The 2018 edition of Samsung Galaxy J2 supports dual-SIM functionality and LTE Cat.4, it also runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat straight from the box.

To keep the lights on, you have 2,600 mAh battery capacity which can keep you going on average use for more than one day. As for the price, Samsung Galaxy J2 (2018) cost just €115 in Europe. Considering the specs of the phone, this will be a good buy.

source: Winfuture.de (translated)

Truecaller Android app Receives new Update With Enhanced Features

Gideon Kachi December 24, 2017 Add Comment

The ultimate contact details finder and Android dialer—Truecaller which over 250 million people use to block spam and telemarketing calls has received a new update that brings along several improvements and fixes.

Thanks to the update, Truecaller now features a better search experience, and improved spam detection with even more numbers. The app also gained improvements in terms of blocking; calls won't ring before they're blocked now. I mentioned just few enhancements the app received in the update. Let's check out some fixes.

According to the developers, there is no more lagging and slowness while opening an SMS through the Truecaller app; everything is now smooth and fast. Also on the list of rectified issues is that of photo MMS which doesn't appear with the correct orientation. The previous update brought Google Duo video calling feature to the app.

Don't forget Truecaller supports dual SIM and it does not uploads users' phonebook publicly. You can download this free update on Google Play Store to enjoy the above features and fixes.

ZTE to Release Android 8.0 Oreo Update to Axon 7 Next Year, but...

Gideon Kachi December 24, 2017 Add Comment

ZTE has stopped the production of Axon 7 since last month, but the Chinese manufacturer has surprisenly announced—earlier this week—to release Android 8.0 Oreo update for the phone next year. This is a good news to owners of this high-end device who believed it won't be getting any major Android OS updates again.

Where To Buy ZTE Phones And Pay On Delivery:

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ZTE Axon 7 is the company's flagship device which sports 5.5" AMOLED display at 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution with 20MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing sensor. The phone features 4GB RAM, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 and Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box.

Meanwhile, according to ZTE Germany, the promised Android 8.0 Oreo will likely roll out from April 2018. Furthermore, they mentioned the update will include the so-called “Stock+ UI,” which means the Chinese handset maker might be willing to drop any bloatware that was part of the company previous UIs.

It's worth noting that the Axon 7 was launched on the 27th of July, 2016. But the phone will be two years old by the time ZTE rolls out the update in 2018, meaning the time committed for software and Android updates on the phone would have ended.

source: ZTE Germany (Google translato)

"Google did Rubbish" — Users Complain About Pixel 2 XL Speaker Problem

Gideon Kachi December 24, 2017 Add Comment

Users of Google Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL have been encountering series of issues with their devices since they launched in October and November respectively. The recent burn-in and other discoloration happening to some units of the phones' displays are already getting some users worried, and now another problem has cropped up on Google Pixel 2 XL which produces rattling sounds from one or likely both the front-facing speakers.

This strange noises coming out of the units' speaker has left thousands of Pixel 2 XL users lamenting, with over 100 threads created on reddit and the Google Product Forum by them, laying complaints about the issue. A user was quoted saying "I am on my third Pixel 2 XL. All of them have the same issue where the speaker distortion and rattling affect the conversation quality of the phone call.
It's ridiculous that Google launched such a poor quality product and after most of us paid full price they are now offering major discounts to capture new users."

Annoyingly, the buzzing sounds occurs both on high and lower volumes, even during phone calls while using the Pixel 2 XL speaker as earpiece. There's practically nothing to do other than wait for the tech giant—Google to release a software update to fix it. If you're affected, try as well to lay your complaints at the Product Forum to quicken the fix. But if you are simply tired and frustrated, a return merchandise authorization (RMA) will do.

source: AndroidPolice

Xiaomi MI Max 3 to Launch With 7-inch Display and two Chipset Variants

Gideon Kachi December 23, 2017 Add Comment

China's number one smartphone maker,—Xiaomi is working on a new device, dubbed MI Max 3 which will be an upgrade to 2016's Xiaomi MI Max 2. The latter was launched back in June last year with 6.4-inch display at 1080 x 1920 FHD resolution, but it can't be compared with the display size the MI Max 3 will reportedly feature.

Where To Buy XIAOMI Phones And Pay On Delivery:

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: View Xiaomi Phone Price Offers

Going by rumours, Xiaomi Mi Max 3 will sport a massive 7-inches FHD+ display at 1080 x 2160 resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio, with more thinner bezels than those seen on the first two models in this series. So it's safe to call it a tablet.

In terms of performance, the device may likely come in two variants: One will be powered by the Snapdragon 630 chipset mobile platform containing an octa-core CPU and the Adreno 508 GPU. The other will be equipped with the Snapdragon 660 mobile platform featuring an octa-core CPU and the Adreno 512 GPU.

It will be fueled by a massive 5500mAh battery. Since its predecessor launched in June last year, Xiaomi MI max 3 is expected to do the same this year. Will it be available in the U.S? no!

source: AndroidHeadlines

Apple Lands in Court for Purposely Slowing Down old iPhones With Aging Batteries

Gideon Kachi December 23, 2017 Add Comment

Few days ago, Apple finally admitted it slows down older iPhones with old batteries on purpose to stop unexpected shut-down. This response was gingered following recent user investigation on Reddit and a subsequent confirmation from benchmarks. Meanwhile, other users believes they do this to push people into buying a new device sooner.

How Apple Slows Down iPhones with old Batteries

Aging batteries can't handle heavy tasks like playing a demanding game and loading bulky webpages the way a new one will do. All these overloads the processor, thus, making the iPhone—with old battery—shut down without notice (to save some of its electronic components) since it can't deliver enough power to carry out that operation. This is what happened to the iPhone 6s.

Late 2016, the complaints of iPhone devices unexpectedly shuting down about a year into the lifecycle grew worse, so Apple came out with iOS 10.2.1 update in January which fixed the problem, but the company didn't disclose "how" they did it. However, not long ago, another issue cropped up: iPhones that downloaded the update started running very very slow. All these gave confirmation that "Apple intentionally slows downs iPhones that uses old batteries by limiting their processors performance."

Once the processor is throttled, the iPhone won't require much power from the battery, so it will not unexpectedly shut down, but your phone will have to run slower. This is what happened to iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 devices, and disheartening, iOS 11.2 updated extended it to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus; so also with it be pushed to newer iPhone models as their batteries get weaker.

Why Apple was Sued

The update fixed the unexpected shutdowns, but the problem here is Apple's inability to inform users that the update will slow down their iPhones. If the company had communicated with customers, they could have easily changed the battery instead of buying a new one or using a phone which will be forever slow.

Now, Los Angeles residents—Stefan Bogdanovich and Dakota Speas filed a lawsuit yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, suing Apple for "purposefully slowing down older iPhone models when new models come out".

The filling reads:

Defendant breached the implied contracts it made with Plaintiffs and Class Members by purposefully slowing down older iPhone models when new models come out and by failing to properly disclose that at the time of that the parties entered into an agreement.

Do you think Apple purposely slows down older iPhones to prevent shutdowns as a result of weak battery, or because they want to force users to buy new iPhone models? As for me, the latter is speculative. What about you? Kindly share and drop your comment below.

source: TMZ, CNET via PhoneArena

HMD Global is Bringing Back the Nokia E71 Feature Phone with 4G LTE

Gideon Kachi December 23, 2017 Add Comment

HMD will reportedly launch a feature phone alongside her flagship Nokia 9 device in early 2018. Going by rumours, the upcoming phone will be the revamped edition of the popular Nokia E71 with Qwerty keyboard which was released back in 2008.

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Therefore, it may likely be called Nokia E71 (2018) with model number TA-1047. The device is expected to sport a 3.5-inch touchscreen display at 480p resolution. For image duties, we should see a 3 megapixels rear camera. Interestingly, being powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 205 chipset, the revamped Nokia E71 will support 4G LTE network. It will come with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage, with single and dual SIM options depending on the market.

As for the price, this 4G enabled feature phone is expected to cost about $150, and it's rumoured to launch early next year as earlier stated. Let's see what other manufacturers have in store for us in year 2018.

Ulefone Power 3 Features Face and Fingerprint ID, Latest Android 8.1 Oreo

Gideon Kachi December 22, 2017 Add Comment

Ulefone Power 3 sports a 6-inch FHD+ display at 2160 x 1080 pixels resolution, with 18:9 ratio FullView design and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 to reduce screen scratches and cracks which is perfect for games and movies lovers. For image duties, the device features a dual camera setup of Samsung-made 16MP + 5MP sensor at the back equipped with dual flash, and 13MP + 5MP front-facing shooter with softlight for selfies and video chat.

In terms of performance, Ulefone Power 3 comes with a massive 6GB RAM and 64GB inbuilt storage which is expandable up to 256GB via microSD card. The device is powered by world’s first MediaTek Helio P23 octa-core processor which clocks at 2.0GHz to deliver enhanced performance while consuming less battery, and it runs the latest Android 8.1 Oreo.

The smartphone is fueled by a 6080mAh battery with quick charge support. The Power 3's Face ID and Fingerprint ID is also worth mentioning, as it serves as your new password and pattern, providing 0.1 second unlock speed for the fingerprint scanner, while the Face recognition also helps secure personal data reliably.

Ulefone Power 3 Hands-on Video

Watch video:

How Ulefone Power 3 Face ID works

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Highlights of The Spec

6.0 inch FHD 2160x1080
Front Camera: 13MP/5MP
Back Camera: 16MP/5MP
6GB + 64GB onboard storage
Face ID + FingerPrint ID
Android Oreo 8.1
Helio P23 Series
5V3A Quick charge support

Presale of Ulefone Power 3 starts 25th of December priced around $220. Get $80 off on Gearbest, use coupon code: UlePower3.

source: Ulefone

Instagram Begins Roll-out of new Inline Comment Box

Gideon Kachi December 22, 2017 Add Comment

A lot of new features has been rolling round all facebook-owned social networks lately, including Instagram. Previously, they added the ability to follow hashtags, now, the popular photo/video sharing app is testing another feature that will enable users comment on a particular photo directly from the main photo feed.

This new Instagram inline comment feature will pop up a thin box that says "Add a comment" below a photo in your photo feeds, so you can drop your thoughts about it without clicking on the photo.

You won't see the new comment box at first, until you stare at a photo for a few seconds, then if your Instagram app has the new feature, the inline comment box will show up right below the photo, tempting you to do the needful. This feature will certainly increase the number of comments on photos because you are likely to comment on one you spend more time looking at.

While this feature is already on iOS since last month, Instagram is just rolling it out to Android users starting from this week via a server-side update. So, if you stare at a photo that is posted in your main feed and nothing appears, it simply means you have to wait more.

You can always join the alpha program to test new Instagram features before they're released to the public. We hope they announce when the roll out is completed to save some people the stress of staring every now and then at photos.

source: Engadget

Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) Comes With Bigger 6-inches Display

Gideon Kachi December 22, 2017 1 Comment

Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) is an upgrade to the recently launched Galaxy A8 (2018). Let's compare and look at the difference between both smartphone.

Comparison of Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Galaxy A8(2018)	Galaxy A8+(2018)
Display: 5.6" super AMOLED	Display: 6" super AMOLED
Rear Camera: 16MP	Rear Camera: 16MP
Front Camera: dual 16MP + 8MP	Front Camera: dual 16MP + 8MP
Processor: 2.2GHz Exynos Octa 7885	Processor: 2.2GHz Exynos Octa 7885
RAM: 4GB	RAM: 6GB
OS: Android 7.1 Nougat	OS: Android 7.1 Nougat
Battery: 3000mAh	Battery: 3500mAh

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In summary, Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) has a bigger 6" display at 1080 x 2220 pixels resolution, with Corning Gorilla Glass and 18:5:9 aspect ratio. The phone still carries the same 16 megapixels rear camera with LED flash, and an impressive dual 16 megapixels + 8 megapixels front-facing sensor which also comes with LED flash, for selfies and video chat - just like the Galaxy A8 (2018).

There is an improvement in terms of memory: 6GB RAM and 64GB storage which can be expanded via microSD card. The device is powered by the same 2.2GHz Samsung Exynos Octa 7885 chipset, and it runs on Stock Android 7.1 Nougat with 3500mAh battery to fuel it up.

Other specifications worth mentioning are 4G LTE support, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 5.0 and dual SIM. As for the price of Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) about €600 in Europe, $712 in US and NGN245,000 in Nigeria.

Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) Full Phone Specifications and Price