Qualcomm isn’t new to renaming products, in fact it has done it quite a few times in the past. At one point the company was changing its naming conventions after each generation.

Few years back Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon S4 and renamed the prior models to S1, S2, and S3. Later the S4 chip was divided into categories – Play, Plus, Pro, and Prime. After the premiere of Snapdragon 800 the previous series were once again renamed to Snapdragon 200, 400, and 600.

It seemed Qualcomm has finally settled down with this naming convention, but the chip manufacturer is still in an adventurous mood after all. Last February Qualcomm introduced the upgraded Snapdragon 618 and 620 platforms with hexa and octa-core processors. As of today those same chips are known as Snapdragon 650 and Snapdragon 652.

Qualcomm says the change of name was needed in order to differentiate the new chips from the older Snapdragon 615 and 617 generation. The 650 and 652 models utilize new processors, new GPUs, new models, and improved camera capabilities. Thus they need а bigger jump than the initial names suggest. We can’t help but wonder why it took them 10 months to figure it out, though.

The Snapdragon 650, previously known as 618, features a hexa-core processor (2x 1.8GHz Cortex-A72 and 4x 1.2GHz Cortex-A53), while the Snadragon 652, previously known as Snapdragon 620) has an octa-core CPU (4x 1.8GHz Cortex-A72 and 4x 1.2GHz Cortex-A53). Both chip come with a new Adreno 510 GPU supporting Quad HD screens, 4K video recording support and LTE Cat.7 connectivity.

The first smartphone to run on the Snapdragon 652 (620) is the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A9, which leaked recently. More upper-mid-rangers running on those chips are expected to be announced early next year.

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Ever since Microsoft acquired Skype back in 2011, the US giant has been diligently working on integrating the VoIP solution in various places across its ecosystem. Since the last and also first major update to Windows 10 on PC, Skype is now baked right into the OS and its messaging center, but advancements are ongoing on mobile devices as well.

Starting today, Android users can download Skype for Business on their devices for free. The specialized version of the app is geared towards enterprise use and actually replaces the Microsoft Lync 2013 mobile app for the OS. This means, it is now taking over as the primary professional communication tool that integrates with Microsoft’s famous Active Directory platform, utilized within thousands of businesses worldwide.

Besides the standardized authentication support, Skype for Business also comes with a simplified UI, specifically designed to ease business communications. This includes an enhanced call and meeting experience, with easy controls and quick access to participants and contact search. Also, managing upcoming meetings and logs from past ones is simplified. All of this is wrapped in a familiar Skype interface.

If your company currently uses Lync 2013, then you can simply update the existing app or download it from the Play Store if you want to try taking your business communications mobile. The app itself is actually free for anybody to download, but you do have to be invited to a Skype for Business of Lync 2013 meeting to test its features out.

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The second generation Motorola Moto X smartphone has started receiving the Android 6.0 update in certain regions. According to the information currently available, the update has started rolling out in India and Australia.

Weighing in at 884MB, the update bumps the software version to 24.11.18, and brings along all the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions.

It’s worth mentioning that the roll-out in Australia is a bit surprising given that Motorola had said that Marshmallow update for 2014 Moto X will only be rolled out in Latin America, Canada, Europe and Asia.

We received the information regarding the Australian roll-out through a tipster, who also shared a screenshot confirming that the device getting the update is a Telstra unit.

Either the handset in question is an import unit, or Motorola is considering Australia as part of Asia as far as market separation is concerned. We’ll update you as soon as we hear an official word on this.

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Allegedly under testing already, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is expected to debut some time in February. It’s only natural that it entertains the minds of the tech folk, and with the lack of live images so far, we’re left with design concepts to marvel at.

One such concept comes out of a Martin Hajek/Computerbild.de collaboration and, cool as it may be, it’s safe to assume that the Galaxy S7 will look little like it. For one, the suggested capacitive keys, which are in fact e-ink displays, seem quite far-fetched. We like the idea though, to be able to customize the layout to suit your preference or habit if you’re coming from a different brand.

You won’t be surprised to learn that we also appreciate the removable back cover and user-replaceable battery – a feature Samsung abandoned with the Galaxy S6, and it doesn’t seem too likely to bring it back as soon as the next generation, despite the outrage this particular decision caused. The dual camera setup on the back is another aspect to its design that’s unlikely to materialize. And placing the heart rate sensor above the camera module doesn’t seem too convenient, either.

Of course, that’s just a concept and the ideas in it are nothing but one man’s vision (or that of a team, maybe) of what the perfect Galaxy S7 could look like, not really a guess at what’s actually to come. And with renders already out, actually depicting the future smartphone, it’s clear that the artist hasn’t tried to stay too close to Samsung’s reality.

An exercise in this direction comes from Jermaine Smit and SamMobile, who have teamed up to produce a more realistic render of the Galaxy S7. A lot like the existing S6, these renders show almost nonexistent side bezels as the greatest design tweak. On a side note, we won’t lament if the rose gold version remains confined to the concept video.

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The New Year is just around the corner and as usual, 2016 will be kicked off with the annual CES event in early January. We had little doubt that Samsung will attend the Las Vegas venue, in fact, a leaked invitation already confirmed a January 5 press conference. What has remained a mystery, however, is the Korean giant’s CES agenda and most importantly, whether or not it will announce its next flagship phone.

Well, sadly, a CES announcement for the alleged Galaxy S7 lineup, as hinted in rumors has been ruled out. Samsung just officially announced its January 5 conference with no mention of new smartphones. All we get is “innovations in TVs and home appliances|.

This development hints that the Korean giant will probably be sticking to a March unveiling of the new Galaxy S7 flagship, just like it did with the Galaxy S6. There is still a chance that the announcement will be pushed forward, but we can’t really say until the first hints of an upcoming Samsung event start…

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Less than a month after its existence was revealed in multiple leaks, the Samsung Galaxy J1 (SM-J105F) has received certification from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). This suggests that the device could be made official soon.

The new leak doesn’t contribute anything to the list of known specs, but from what is known until now, the handset is powered by a Spreadtrum SC8830 chipset with quad-core 1.5GHz CPU, and sports a 4-inch (800×480 pixel resolution) display. It has 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory, features 5MP/VGA snappers, and runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

The dual-SIM supporting Galaxy J1 mini was also spotted in Zauba – a website which tracks India’s import and export – carrying an INR 3,368 (around $50) price…

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With a fresh Marshmallow update in its pocket, the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition gets a discount too – Amazon US is selling the 32GB version with a $100 price cut.

This puts it at $350, or $50 less than the 16GB version (which wasn’t discounted). The 64GB model didn’t get a price cut either, so the extra 32GB will set you back $150 – you’d be much better off getting a 128GB microSD card and keeping the change (those cards are as cheap as $50).

In Germany and France, the Moto X Style (the international version of the phone) got a smaller price cut – €430 for the 32GB model (the French price is a bit more), down from €500….

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YU has launched its newest smartphone and the company’s first premium flagship device – the Yutopia – in the Indian market.

The Yutopia has a unibody aluminum design with the antenna bands integrated around the edges and a PureBlack glass up front that gives it a seamless look.

The phone has a 5.2-inch QHD LCD manufactured by Sharp. The display has a color gamut covering 91% of the NTSC color spectrum and a contrast ratio of 1000:1, and uses OGS to laminate the display and the touchscreen layer to the Corning Gorilla Glass.

Inside, the Yutopia runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, with 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB storage with microSD expansion. There’s also a 21 megapixel Sony IMX230 camera on the back with phase detection autofocus and optical image stabilization. On the front is a 8 megapixel shooter.

Yutopia also includes a fingerprint sensor on the back that can also be used to take quick selfies. The phone has DTS audio support and comes with Little Birds earphones from the House of Marley in the bundle. Customers will also get a six-month subscription to the music streaming service Gaana.

In terms of software, the phone runs on the familiar Cyanogen OS 12.1, which is based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, with the Marshmallow update arriving later. The phone also includes a new service called ‘Around YU’, which integrates multiple services in collaboration with companies like Zomato for ordering food, Scandid for shopping, Ixigo for travel bookings, Ola, Taxi for Sure and Easy Cabs for booking cabs. The goal is to integrate the services from these companies into one app so you can find everything in one place without having to install their individual apps. You can order your dinner, book your flight tickets, or call for a cab from within the Around YU app.

The Yutopia is powered by a 3,000mAh non-removable battery. The phone supports Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 for fast charging.

The YU Yutopia is priced at INR 24,999 ($375) and will be available exclusively through Amazon India. Pre-bookings start today and the phone will go on sale December 26…

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A Brazilian court has ordered local telecom companies to block access to popular messaging service WhatsApp in the country for the next 48 hours. The order came into effect Thursday midnight, meaning Brazilians won’t be able to access WhatsApp until Saturday this week.

The order was passed following WhatsApp’s repeated non-compliance of a judicial order that was passed back in July this year, and is related to criminal proceedings in a case involving a drug trafficker who allegedly used the messaging service in the commission of crimes.

Commenting on the order, WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum said, “We are disappointed in the short-sighted decision to cut off access to WhatsApp, a communication tool that so many Brazilians have come to depend on, and sad to see Brazil isolate itself from the rest of the…

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If you’re in the US and are planning to purchase a latest Samsung smartphone, here is some good news: Sprint is offering a 32-inch Samsung LED TV (J4000 Series) with purchase or lease of select Samsung smartphones, including the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, and Note5.

“A free TV from Samsung is the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one,” said Sprint’s chief marketing officer Roger Sole. “Sprint is excited to team up with Samsung and offer consumers an exciting promotion with the popular Galaxy smartphones.”

Available to existing Sprint customers who upgrade or add a new line of service as well as new customers switching to the carrier, the promotion begins tomorrow, and ends next week – on December 24.

Qualifying handsets can be purchased through Sprint Lease and Sprint Easy PaySM, while customers can also sign a two-year contract or pay full retail price. Once done, you’ll have to submit your offer claim online by December 31.

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