ZTE has started rolling out new updates to its Axon and Axon Pro smartphones. While the updates aren’t exactly same, they do bring along certain common features, including latest Google Android security patches.

Other common features include Qualcomm modem patches, new settings for operation on MetroPCS, as well as support for camera quick-launch.

Device specific features include T-Mobile WiFi calling 2.0 support as well as better camera white balance and faster low-light camera focus for the Axon Pro, and improved camera zoom for the…

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After receiving a solid price cut in the US last week, the HTC RE camera is now selling at discounted rates in the UK, too, where retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) is currently selling it for just £69.50.

For those doing the math, that’s a 50% discount, given that the retailer usually sells the device for £139. It is, however, worth mentioning that the price cut is only on the white color model of the compact camera.

A quick look at the HTC UK website reveals that the Taiwanese company is offering the model for £129.00. On the other hand, third party retailers like Amazon have the device listed for £99.99 in the country.

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Huawei will launch its latest flagship smartphone – the Mate 8 – in the US next year, according to a new Wall Street Journal report. The device, which is apparently selling well in China, will be showcased at the upcoming CES event next month.

In addition to the Mate 8, the report notes that the Chinese company will also launch the Honor 5X smartphone in the US. The handset will also be showcased at CES 2016. It’s worth mentioning that Huawei’s sub-brand Honor has already said that it will announce its US plans at CES.

Aside from these two smartphones, the company will also launch a smartwatch in the US sometime next year, the report…

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According to a report, Google employees are currently testing a build of Hangouts that will strip SMS integration. Away goes any hope for Hangouts to become something like iMessage for Android users.

SMS integration became standard in 2013 with the launch of the Nexus 5, it came by default and confused and irritated many users. One year later, the Nexus 6 came with Google’s own Messenger app for SMS, totally separate from Hangouts. Enthusiasts were confused as to why Google decided to make its own SMS app.

Perhaps with Google Voice now baked into Hangouts, Google thought it’d be too confusing to have two SMS accounts on top of Hangouts messages all in the same app.

This isn’t all bad news though, it could mean Google intends to make a better experience overall with some new features like quick reply, or conversation shortcuts to most frequently contacted people.

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The Huawei Watch has been available for a few months now, and according to a new rumor work is already underway on a new version of it. Apparently we should expect to see an announcement at CES in January of a new variation of the existing Huawei Watch. This new model will be aimed at women.

It will allegedly come with a “rounder” and more elegant case, which will match its new “feminine-looking” bands. These features could be paired with some new watch faces, also focused on women of course. And if the women-centric smaller version of the new Moto 360 is anything to go by, then at least one model will be gold-painted.

As for a proper successor to the original Huawei Watch, that one is reportedly already in development, but it will only launch in the second half of next year. The new wearable might sport cellular data connectivity, according to one unnamed source. That’s very far from being a given however, since it’s still quite early in its development…

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Huawei may not be a full member just yet but it’s keener than most to follow the club’s dress code. Elaborate exteriors are the thing that defines the brand and that’s not limited to the premium line of devices. If it is refined design and elegance you are after, Huawei’s phones are consistently on the shortlist.

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The online Google Store for hardware has unveiled its holiday shopping deals today. From this point on, you’re able to purchase either the LG Nexus 5X or the Huawei Nexus 6P for $50 less than before. It’s not the first time this price cut applies to the Nexus 5X, but it is the first instance in which you can save something when buying a Nexus 6P.

With the new pricing applied, the 16GB Nexus 5X costs $329, while the 32GB model is $379. The 32GB Nexus 6P costs $449, the 64GB version is $499, while the one with 128GB of storage will require $599.

Furthermore, you get free overnight shipping with any order, and you can return what you purchase between now and December 25 all the way up to January 22. The price cuts are valid until December 30.

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In 2015 the Apple iPhone 6s was the consumer tech item Google users have most searched for. The revelation comes as part of Google’s annual Year in Search report, which has gone live today.

Apple’s smartphone is followed in the technology Top 10 by the Samsung Galaxy S6, Apple Watch, iPad Pro, LG G4, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy J5, HTC One M9, Huawei Nexus 6P, and Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4.

That said, none of these terms have made it into the overall Top 10 list for the year, which is led by searches such as Lamar Odom, Charlie Hebdo, and Jurassic World.

Last year the iPhone 6 was the most searched for tech-related item, so its successor’s victory this time around is hardly surprising.

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The Samsung Galaxy S7 has been rumored to arrive in two versions, one of which will feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 chipset at the helm. But now it looks like the Korean company will be the only one to use Qualcomm’s next high-end chip, at least initially.

According to a rumor out of China, Samsung will have an exclusive on the Snapdragon 820 until April. So in the first three months of next year no other smartphone manufacturer will launch a device sporting this particular SoC.

Do note however that the evidence for this is claimed to be anecdotal, and nothing more – so this is certainly a situation that may not pan out. On the other hand, if it does, then Samsung could have a competitive advantage for a few weeks, if the S7 gets unveiled (as expected) at MWC in February and then starts shipping in March.

Samsung’s next flagship smartphone has been said to come with a pressure-sensitive screen (a la Apple’s 3D Touch), a retina scanner, a USB Type-C port, an improved camera, and possibly expandable storage (but only for the non-curved iteration of the phone).

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Samsung’s latest microSD card is 128GB large and it’s part of the company’s Pro Plus series. This is Samsung’s highest-performance brand for microSD cards, so understandably the new one is fast.

In fact, its Korean maker claims it features the “industry’s fastest speeds” of up to 95MB/s (for reads) and 90MB/s (for writes). That’s certainly nothing to be ashamed about. Samsung also boasts that the 128GB Pro Plus microSD card is waterproof, temperature proof, X-ray proof, and magnet proof.

The 128GB variant joins the already available 32 and 64GB Pro Plus options in Samsung’s portfolio. The new card reportedly comes with the highest-quality MLC NAND flash memory. It supports UHS-I Speed Class 3 (U3) along with Speed Class 10.

Because of the insane speed (and high capacity), Samsung is aiming this at those who own action cameras, drones, premium smartphones, and DSLRs with 4K video recording capabilities. The new card is accompanied by a 10-year limited warranty. It will become available in 50 countries around the…

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