Samsung Galaxy Note 4 stats getting Marshmallow update

Samsung has now released the Android Marshmallow update for its 2014 Note series flagship, Galaxy Note 4. As of now, the update has been rolled out by US Cellular. The update brings in all the features ofAndroid 6.0.1 such as Doze, Google Now on Tap, Redesigned app permissions etc. The update as usual will be rolled out via Over-The-Air update. If you own a Note 4, we recommend you check for latest updates by going into the Settings menu.

As for the specifications, the Galaxy Note 4 offers a 5.7-inch 2.5D Super AMOLED display with Quad HD (2560x1440 pixel) resolution. The display on the Note 4 offers curved glass at the edges.

Inside, there is an Exynos 5 Octa series mobile chipset with 1.9 Ghz quad-core and 1.3 Ghz quad-core set up or in some markets it comes with a Quad-core 2.7 Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 mobile chipset which comes with Adreno 420 GPU graphics processor. Both hardware variants are paired with 3 GB RAM. Depending on the market, Galaxy Note 4 also comes with 4G LTE Category 4 or Category 6 network support but VoLTE is not there.

For photography, there is a 16 megapixel camera with auto-focus and Smart OIS feature along with LED flash to capture best quality images. The camera can be used to shoot video to up to Ultra HD (3840x2160) resolution at 30 frames per second. At front, Galaxy Note 4 features a 3.7 megapixel camera with f/1.9 aperture and offering 90 degree viewing angles. All the necessary connectivity features are there such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS etc. It also has a bunch of sensors like sensors such as Proximity, Gesture, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geo-magnetic, IR-LED, Barometer, Hall Sensor, Finger Scanner, UV, and Heart-rate monitor, which Samsung boasted a lot at the time of its launch. To power the entire device, there is a 3220 mAh battery which is removable. It comes with 32GB internal storage which is expandable via microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 though 2 years old still looks strong on paper. Let us know in the comment section below about your experience using Android Marshmallow on this device.

Half a million Redmi devices sold in 72 hours

As part of the ongoing festive sales across leading e-commerce platforms in India, over 500,000 Xiaomi Redmi phones have been sold in the country in just three days. The announcement came from the Indian arm of the Chinese company on Twitter.

Half a million devices sold in 72 hours! Thank you Mi fans for your support, we will continuously work harder to serve you better! RT now :)pic.twitter.com/IBeFwtzjoJ

— Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) October 5, 2016

That translates into an impressive two phones sold each second. The company also revealed that the Redmi 3S was the top selling smartphone on Flipkart, while the Redmi Note 3 topped the charts on Amazon.

"More than six months of rigorous planning and hard work has helped us set a new benchmark in the industry," said Manu Jain, Xiaomi's India head. "Last year we sold more than half a million phones in 30 days during the month of October, and this year we were able to achieve a similar number within three days. Based on what we know, no other brand has ever achieved this in India."

For those who aren't aware, aside from Amazon and Flipkart, Snapdeal and Tata Cliq are also holding festive sales in the country.

Google's own: Pixel and Pixel XL

If you've formed an emotional attachment to the Nexus brand, it's time to say goodbye. But this is good news - the legacy continues with the Pixel, a collaboration between Google and HTC, the same team that brought us both the original Android phone and the first Nexus.

Two phones - the Pixel and Pixel XL - cover the bases of size preference, 5" and 5.5" respectively. Both have AMOLED screens, with 1080p resolution for the small one (441ppi) and QHD for the big one (534ppi). Battery capacity is also different, 2,770mAh and 3,450mAh.

Beyond that, both Pixels are more similar than they are different. Qualcomm supplied a revamped chipset, the Snapdragon 821, Android 7.1 Nougat (yes, a point upgrade over what the LG V20 has) brings "sustained performance mode."

The camera boasts the same excellent qualities we loved on the last (ever?) pair of Nexus devices - 12MP sensor, 1.55µm pixels, f/2.0 aperture. But it adds Electronic Image Stabilization, which Google demoed on stage and looked pretty impressive.

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL have the same storage options - 32GB (for those that use Google Photos and Play Music) and 128GB (for those that prefer their data offline). By the way both Pixel phones get unlimited Google Photos storage for photos at full resolution.

Both come with 4GB of RAM - one better than the Nexus 6P, nothing extraordinary though a clean Android OS runs leaner.

While HTC built the phones, the Pixels branded only with the Google logo. And they are loaded to the teeth with Google services that cover everything from messaging, through cloud services to AI assistants. The search giant has a growing stable of self-branded devices - the Google phone can connect to a Google router and cast to a Google media player, you get the idea.

The Pixel brand debuted with the best Chromebook money can buy, then ventured into Android with the Pixel C tablet, clearly, it's a premium brand by Google. And the two phones are priced accordingly - they start $649 and will be available through a bunch of carriers and retailers. Check them out below. UK prices are £599/£699 for the 32GB/128GB Pixel and £719/£819 for the 32GB/128GB Pixel XL

Pre-orders in the UK, US, Australia, Canada and Germany have already launched and in India will start on October 13, with actual sales beginning a week later, October 20. The phones will be available in Quite Black, Very Silver and Really Blue colors with the latter being a US exclusive.

10 highlights of new Google Pixel smartphone

Google has announced its latest flagship, Pixel. The phone comes in 5 and 5.5 inch screen models and various colour and storage variants.

Meanwhile, Google has issued a press release highlighting 10 prominent features of the new devices. So lets check out.

1. Design

Pixel comes in two sizes, 5" or 5.5", and is available in two colours -- Quite Black and Very Silver. So you can choose the look that suits you best. Its curved edges make it easy to hold and smooth to touch. With an aerospace-grade aluminum unibody and smooth surfaces, the phone was made to look and feel good in your hands.

2. Built in Google Assistant

The new Google Pixels are the first devices to come with built in Google Assistant. Just say "Ok Google" or touch and hold the Home button to start and the Google Assistant will answser your query.

3. The Highest Rated

The Google Pixel come with a DxoMark Mobile score of 89, which is said to be the highest for any smartphone camera. Google claims, Pixel's camera takes stunning photos in low light, bright light or any light. The phone has Smartburst, which takes a rapid-fire sequence of shots. You can use Lens Blur to achieve shallow depth of field and bokeh effects, making your subject pop. And capture dramatic landscapes or make faces glow with new exposure controls.

4. Unlimited cloud storage for Videos and Photos

Yes, you heard it right. With Google Pixel, you do not have to worry about having a separate cloud storage app as Google Photos will allow storing unlimited photos and videos on cloud.

5. Pixel Imprint

The new Google smartphone comes with something called Pixel Imprint that uses your unique fingerprint to unlock the phone fast. And it's on the back of your phone for quick access to all your apps, texts and emails. Once you've unlocked, just swipe down on the fingerprint sensor to see all your notifications. You'll need to turn on Moves for this to work: go to settings; tap moves; and make sure the slider next to "Swipe for notifications” is in the "on” position.

6. Long lasting battery with fast recharge

The 5 inch Google Pixel has a 2770 mAh battery while the bigger 5.5 inch Pixel XL has a 3450 mAh battery. As per Google, the devices can last a whole day and they have quick charge facility with which they can get up to 7 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes.

7. Customised Live Case

You can personalise your Pixel with a case that's right for you. There are customised Live Cases to choose from with a matching live wallpaper or Live Case designed with Google Earth and Google Trends. Or grab the Pixel Case by Google, built for protection and featuring a range of bright and bold colours.

8. Google Duo

Duo comes preloaded on your new Pixel and works across Android and iOS, so you can video call with everyone you care about. And with the Knock Knock feature, you'll see a preview of the caller before you pick up, so you never miss a moment.

9. Google Support

With your Pixel, a Google support expert is just a tap away. Just open the Settings app on your device and tap the Support tab. You can even share your screen with an expert who will walk you step-by-step to a solution.

10. Easy Switching

As per Google, transferring contacts, photos, messages etc from your current phone to Google Pixel is quite easy. Just connect your current phone to your new Pixel with the Quick Switch Adapter to transfer your content. Sign-in and select what you want to move over. That's it!

Motorola reveals names of smartphones eligible for Android 7.0 Nougat upgrade

Motorola Moto Z and Moto G4 will be the first smartphones to receive the Nougat update.

Recently, we reported that Motorola's flagship smartphones Moto Z, Moto Z Force and Moto Z Play will be getting Android Nougat update in sometime. Now Motorola has posted a list of its smartphones on its blog post which as per the company will get the Nougat update soon.

The smartphones which will get the Nougat update include Moto G (4th Gen), Moto G Plus (4th Gen), Moto G Play (4th Gen), Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen), Moto X Style, Moto X Play, Moto X Force, Droid Turbo 2, Droid Maxx 2, Moto Z, Moto Z Droid, Moto Z Force Droid, Moto Z Play, Moto Z Play Droid and Nexus 6.

Motorola says that it will start rolling out the update sometime later this quarter and the Moto Z and Moto G4 will be the first to receive the update.

Android Nougat features

As per Google, there are over 250 major features in Android Nougat. Among new features include over 1,500 different emoji including 72 new ones. The new Android version will allow users to tweak Quick Settings - you can actually control what tiles go where.

Apps can tailor their content based on your locale settings. So if you speak multiple languages, for instance, then search engines can show results in each of those languages.

Android Nougat helps you multitask with ease with new features like Multi-window, Direct reply, and Quick switch. To enhance battery life, the Doze feature has been bolstered further in Android Nougat.

Android Nougat brings support for VulkanTM (an advanced 3D rendering API) and Daydream (Google's platform for mobile virtual reality).

Android devices with Nougat can install software updates in the background which means you won't have to wait while your device installs the update and optimizes all your apps for the new version. And for current Nexus users, software updates now install much faster, so you won't have to wait for minutes while your device reboots.

Android Nougat also brings Direct Boot for faster startup and file based encryption for more security.

The Nexus line is dead, Nexus 5X and 6P pulled from the Google Store

Been living under a rock? If so, then you don't know that today Google has officially announced the Pixel and Pixel XL, its first own-brand smartphones. The duo is already up for pre-order in a few markets.

So now that this has happened, what about the company's long running Nexus line? In a way, the Pixels can be considered the successors to the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6P from last year, after all. So will there be any more Nexuses, perhaps that rumored Huawei built small tablet?

     

The answer is a resounding no, and it comes straight from Google. The company says it has "no plans" to out any more Nexus products, so RIP Nexus. To add insult to injury, the aforementioned Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X are gone from Google's online store - all traces of them have been removed. You can still order them from other retailers of course, but it's unclear how long that option will remain open. It's also a mystery if they will ever get the full Pixel software suite, including the new Google Assistant functions. For now anyway, if you want any of that you're going to have to shell out a pretty large amount of dough and purchase a Pixel or Pixel XL

Google announcement coverage wrap-up

Google's event drew to a close and we finally got to see the official debut of the Pixel and Pixel XL. In case you've missed anything important here's our complete coverage for you to catch up.

Google Pixel smartphones launched, launching in India at Rs 57,000 onwards

Google Google. The Pixel is the first phone with the Google Assistant built right in. Pixel will be available in India in two sizes - 5" or 5.5" and two colors - Quite Black and Very Silver with memory configurations of 32GB and 128GB sizes.

Starting at Rs 57,000, Pixel will be available for pre-order in India starting October 13th 2016 on www.flipkart.com and at over 1000 plus organized and multi-brand retail stores including Reliance Digital, Croma and Vijay sales among others. India is among the first six countries where Pixel is being launched.

Apart from Pixel devices (Pixel and Pixel XL), Google also unveiled a new Chromecast, a new VR headset,Google WiFi and Google Home. Stressing throughout the event, Google wanted to prove that 'Artificial Intelligence' is the future. With the new Pixel Devices comes the new Google Assistant built-in which is easy to access and is everywhere.

Further, Google emphasized on five features about the new Pixel smartphones - Built-in Google Assistant, Photography, Storage (Photos), Communication, Virtual Reality. The new Pixel devices will have unlimited cloud storage for Media such as Photos and Videos. Moreover, it will come pre-installed with Google Duo and Google Allo. Also, both the devices will be DayDream ready for Virtual Reality. Another addition which would be specific to Pixel devices is 24X7 live customer care feature with screen share option with customer service representative.

Let's jump straight to the specifications and have a look how these devices look on paper. Both the Pixel and Pixel XL are identical and come with an aluminium unibody and a glass plate (Corning Gorilla Glass 4) at the back. Up front, as rumoured correctly previously, Pixel sports a 5 inch 1080p display and Pixel XL sports a 5.5 inch Quad HD display. Both the devices have high-definition AMOLED display panels. On the inside, there is a quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset with 2 cores clocked at 2.15GHz and 2 cores clocked at 1.6GHz. It comes in two storage options i.e. 32GB and 128GB with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM. Regarding the battery, it is 2770 mAh on Pixel and 3450 mAh on Pixel XL. Both the devices also house a Pixel imprint fingerprint sensor at the back which is surrounded by glass plate. And yes, they have 3.5mm headphone jack in addition to USB Type-C with Quick Charge support.

For photography, both the devices come with 12.3 MP rear facing camera with 1.55 micron pixels size and f/2.0 aperture. Google boasted quite a few features about the new devices and one of them was the camera. The camera on the new Pixel devices received a rating of 89 from DXO Mark which is highest in any smartphone. For the comparison, iPhone 7 got the rating of 86. The rear facing shooter also comes with features like HDR+ and improved stabilization. Of course it runs on Android 7.1 Nougat and it has the famous Pixel launcher that has round icons.

Google in its event claimed that it is taking the best hardware available with its own software which will be better integrated with ‘Artificial Intelligence’ which in our opinion is a great move. Google Pixel really looks promising both on paper and in terms of the design and the price is though definitely premium but we never expected the new Pixel devices to be priced aggressively. Stay tuned to our websites to keep track on other launches which took place in Google's Key Note.

Android 7.0 Nougat finally comes to the Nexus 6, along with security update

Nexus 6 owners have seen an unfortunate delay when it comes to the Android 7.0 Nougat update, but we were recently promised the new software “in the coming weeks” and now it’s time for the 2-year-old Google phone to take the stage.

Google has put the Android 7.0 Nougat factory images and OTA update online, and plenty of online reports claim Nougat is already hitting Nexus 6 devices all over the world.

Honor 8 will be announced for India on October 12

Press invites have been going out to the media for a launch event held by Honor in India. The launch event will bring the Honor 8  smartphone to the Indian market. Overall the phone is great to use: quick and snappy, great battery life, and somewhat user-unfriendly interface. The only area left for major improvement was the screen, which does not do well in bright sunlight.

                           

The Honor 8 is a beautifully designed smartphone that features a high-performance HiSilicon Kirin 950 CPU paired with 4GB of RAM, which is comparable to the Snapdragon 810’s performance, and runs much cooler than both the Snapdragon 810 and 820. There’s a 1080p 5.2 inch screen, 32GB of internal memory expandable via microSD card, and comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, with EMUI 4.1.

One of the main features of the Honor 8 is the dual-12MP cameras on the back which can take some pretty nice photos. One sensor is color and the other is monochrome, using two sensors allows for better photos by exposing all areas correctly. Likewise on the back, is the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, which doubles as a shortcut button that allows you to program different functions and apps.

The US and European versions of the Honor 8 only accept a single nanoSIM. At this point, we can only expect that Indian variant of the Honor 8 will be dualSIM via a hybrid tray. Pricing and availability will be announced at the Honor event.

Verizon hops on the 'Pixel leak' bandwagon as well

After a couple of Canadian carriers and a British retailer, now Verizon has also leaked Google's soon-to-be-unveiled Pixel smartphones.

Aside from what we already know, Verizon's listings for both Pixel and Pixel XL - that have apparently been removed now - reveal something called 'Google Magic' as well as a new color option for the handsets.

While there's no official information on exactly what 'Google Magic' is, reports say it could be a new software feature related to Google Assistant. Or, it could be a marketing gimmick as well.

Moving on, Verizon's listings for the Pixel and the Pixel XL also reveal a blue color option in addition to the silver and black options we've already seen in previous leaks.

Meanwhile, the usually reliable leakster Evan Blass - who goes by the handle @evleaks on Twitter - has leaked the blue and silver variants of the Verizon-branded Pixel and Pixel XL models. Both the Pixel phones are scheduled to be officially unveiled later today.

Nokia D1C with Android Nougat, 3GB RAM spotted online

Its a widely accepted fact that Nokia is planning to re-enter mobile business with Android powered smartphones and have contracted Finland-based HMD Global for manufacturing Android powered Nokiasmartphones. Off-late there were many report related to Nokia's Android smartphone, but still nothing seems to be materialized. Now again a new Android powered smartphone, dubbed as Nokia D1C has been spotted on bench-marking website, GeekBench, revealing few of the key specifications.

As per listing on GeekBench, the so called Nokia D1C runs the latest Android 7.0 Nougat operating system. It comes equipped with 1.4 GHz octa-core Qualcomm processor, which is paired with Adreno 505 GPU, and 3GB of RAM. Further as per listing, the phone got 667 in single-core test and in multi-core test it received 3229.

Earlier in August, two of the Nokia Android powered smartphones was found listed listed on Geekbench website with model name Nokia 5320 and Nokia RM-1490. But surprisingly both had old Android versions running. The Nokia 5320 runs on Android 4.4.4 Kitkat OS, whereas Nokia RM-1490 runs on even more older version Android 4.2.2 JellyBean OS.

Further as per listing, the Nokia 5320 offers 2.27 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor paired with 2GB of RAM. On the other side, Nokia RM-1490 is powered by 500MHz AMD A8-5545M processor, which is clubbed with 2GB RAM.