Daily Archives: January 11, 2016

Xiaomi Mi 5 is said to arrive in two different versions

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Chinese smartphone makers sometimes like to launch their flagships in two different iterations, differently priced based on how much RAM and internal storage they pack. And now Xiaomi seems determined to take this to a new level, if a new rumor out of China is to be believed.

An alleged mobile industry insider is claiming that there will be two hardware versions for the Mi 5. One of them is pictured below, and is the one we’ve seen leaking a lot lately. This comes with 2.5D curved glass both on the front as well as on the back, and with a metal frame. This iteration will apparently come with 1080p screen resolution.

However, there will be a more premium model too, which will have a full metal body and a display with QHD resolution. Interestingly, the screen’s size is said to be the same in both cases.

While this isn’t mentioned, we assume that if Xiaomi will in fact create such differentiation, then the cheaper, glass model will also sport less RAM and storage than the metal one – perhaps 3GB and 32GB compared to 4GB and 64GB.

The Mi 5 should come with a 5.2-inch touchscreen, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 SoC at the helm, a fingerprint scanner embedded in the physical Home button on the front, a 16 MP rear camera, a 13 MP selfie snapper, and a 3,600 mAh battery. It will become official on January 21, with sales expected to start on February 8.

Source (in Chinese) |…

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Verizon offering open enrollment for phone insurance

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Things break. That’s a fact that many smartphone and tablet owners are forced to face, often too late, after an accident has already occurred. Fortunately, there are options available, with one of the most popular being device insurance. All of the major carriers offer some form or another, but generally you’re required to sign up within just a couple of weeks of purchasing your device. Not everyone is sure that they want to pay the price, however, and missing that short registration window can cause regret later on.

Fortunately for Verizon customers, the carrier is running a promotion until March 10 that allows customers without device insurance to sign up, regardless of the age of their device. Customers can choose one of four options, including an extended warranty, wireless phone protection by Asurion, protection plus an extended and even a comprehensive option that offers customers an extended warranty, device protection and enhanced customer support for any issues that customers may have.

You can find more details at the source link below, but remember that you only have until March 10 to sign up.

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All 2016 Moto devices will have fingerprint scanners, Lenovo exec says

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Despite basically pioneering the concept of a smartphone with a built-in fingerprint scanner with the Atrix 4G back in 2011, Motorola hasn’t been quick to jump back on this train last year, when such sensors have been featured in pretty much every high-end Android device.

That will change in 2016, however. Chen Xudong, SVP of Lenovo and president for Lenovo China and Asia Pacific, has revealed that all Moto-branded handsets launching this year will have fingerprint sensors. That’s a 180-degree change from the Lenovo subsidiary’s recent antics, and it will surely be welcomed by the brand’s fans.

The Lenovo exec has shared an additional detail about the Moto portfolio for 2016: there will be no more phones launching with screens smaller than 5 inches. So we assume there won’t be a new Moto E this year.

The Moto brand will mostly be used for higher-end offerings from this point forward, while the budget devices will generally bear Lenovo’s Vibe moniker. In total, between the two brands, no more than 15 models will be launched in 2016.

Finally, Chen Xudong stressed that Google services will “definitely” re-enter China before the end of the year. This means that the Play Store might finally battle it out over there with the dozens of local app stores for Android, while staple Google properties such as Gmail and Maps could once again be openly used by people living in the mainland.

Source (in Chinese) |…

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John Legere apologizes for offending EFF, but stands his ground in support of Binge On

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T-Mobile’s Binge On is a service that “optimizes” (or as some say, throttles) video streams for mobile devices to use less of your data, and with many services, use no data at all. Though this can be good for customers, many feel that it violates net neutrality.

T-Mobile CEO John Legere, being such a controversial character, recently responded to an EFF report about Binge On with some expletives. Today, the CEO released a letter further defending Binge On that explains the benefits and inner workings of Binge On in a friendly way, even though it’s the same thing we’ve heard again and again. He also apologized for offending the EFF and its supporters, though he doesn’t apologize for the core message of his words.

Of course, T-Mobile is going to stand by its new service. And truth be told, it does have benefits for many customers, and it can be turned off if you wish. But the fight for net neutrality will continue, and we’ll have to see how it ends.

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Microsoft Monday: Windows 10 Usage Stats, ‘Name Your Game’ Xbox One Bundles And Connected Cars

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“Microsoft Monday” takes a look back at the past week of news related to Microsoft. This week, “Microsoft Monday” includes details about Windows 10 usage measurement, Windows 8 being abandoned, a partnership with Samsung on the “Internet of Things,” the Band 2 being used for controlling Volvo vehicles, the integration of Cortana in Cyanogen, IE’s market share dropping below 50%, etc.

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Vertu’s new Signature Touch for Bentley becomes official

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Vertu and Bentley are repeating history with a new smartphone collaboration. While the first Vertu for Bentley device was based on the original Signature Touch from 2014, the new one presented today is actually just a rebranded second-gen Signature Touch.

The Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley has two-tone Beluga and Hotspur Bentley leather, with Hotspur stitching. The phone features “knurled side keys, a unique pillow rail and sound bar and a 3D Bentley logo”. You can further personalize it choosing from eight leather colors and 16 stitching options.

You also get a “unique Bentley app” with it, which will bring you exclusive content, tailored events, VIP access and “special features designed to integrate the Signature Touch with the range of Bentley models”, whatever that may mean.

The phone still comes with all of Vertu’s perks, such as the dedicated concierge, as well remote locking and wiping through the new Lost Phone service.

The Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley starts at $9,000. It has a 5.2-inch 1080p touchscreen with sapphire crystal glass, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 at the helm, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, a 21 MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus and dual-LED flash, a 2 MP selfie shooter, LTE, and a 3,160 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop.

Source |…

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