Apple has posted a video on its official YouTube channel, promoting the use of its mobile payment service. The Apple Pay walk-through reminds users of the system’s benefits in terms of ease of use and security.

Compatible terminals in physical stores or in-app purchases, it’s equally easy and happens with a simple touch on the, well, TouchID. The video goes on to point out how straightforward the setup process is by guiding viewers on how to add a new bank card.

Ironically, the how-to wraps up with an acknowledgment that “you already knew that”. We’re guessing the timing of the video’s release has a lot to do with Apple Pay’s expansion to new territories and the need for educating early adopters there – the service was launched in Canada earlier this week, and in Australia just…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1SPnJfQ
via IFTTT

Certified by TENAA back in September this year, the low-end Oppo A33 smartphone has now been launched. It is powered by a Snapdragon 410 SoC with 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU, and sports a 5-inch (960×540 pixel resolution) display.

The handset comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, and packs in a 2,400mAh battery. In terms of camera, the Oppo A33 features 8MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. Weighing in at 146 gms and measuring 142.7 × 71.7 × 7.55 (mm), the device runs the company’s own Android 5.1 Lollipop-based ColorOS 2.1. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0, MicroUSB 2.0, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and GPS/A-GPS.

Available in both black and white color options, the smartphone has only been launched in China, where it carries a price tag of RMB 1,499 (around $235), although it’s listed as ‘out of stock’ currently.

Source (translated) |…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1Ls7QGG
via IFTTT

Microsoft has released a new app called AppComparison for Android. The purpose of this app is to show you how many of your existing Android apps are available on Windows Phone.

When you install the app, it scans your phone to find all the installed apps. Then it asks you to choose the category of apps you are most interested in. Then it will show you all the apps on Windows Phone that have a direct equivalent to the apps installed on your phone, or the nearest equivalent (HERE Maps for Google Maps, etc.).

As you can tell, not a lot of the Android apps have direct equivalents on Windows Phone, although you could find some similar ones. Unfortunately, even if the app does show a seemingly long list of identical or similar apps to the ones you have installed, it says nothing about the quality of those apps. Instagram, for example, is still in an extremely outdated beta stage on Windows Phone, Twitter app is also incredibly outdated, Snapchat doesn’t even have an app on Windows Phone, and neither does Google for any of its services.

The unfortunate side effect of this app then is that it further illustrates the massive gaps in terms of app quantity and quality between Android and Windows Phone, which doesn’t do Microsoft’s platform any favors. Microsoft had made a similar app in the past called ‘Switch to Windows Phone’ and it didn’t work so well back then, either.

Windows Phone has many strengths, and apps isn’t one of them. Microsoft would do well by focusing on the strengths than the weaknesses.

Download •…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1SP4OSu
via IFTTT

Reuters is reporting that Google is planning to launch a Chinese version of its Play Store sometime in 2016. Sources cited by the publication say that the launch could happen between February and early summer next year.

As per the report, it would be a completely localized product featuring local payments options including Alipay and WeChat Payment, with no connection to any overseas version of Google Play whatsoever.

The groundwork for the launch is already in progress, the report notes, adding that a successful launch would pave way for other Google products and services in the Asian country.

Of course, the Mountain View, California based company will have to comply with Chinese government’s laws related to data storage and content filtering if it is to go ahead with the launch. So, if the report turns out to be true, it would be an important development given that the search giant pulled out of China five years ago in part over concerns about government…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1T5MDZi
via IFTTT

Last month, Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai said if the company’s mobile division doesn’t turn profitable within a year, they’ll consider “alternative options.” This led to a widespread perception that the company would sell off the unit if it remains unprofitable.

However, in a recent interview with media outlets in China, Hirai – who became president and CEO of Sony back in 2012 – refuted the perception, clearly saying that there are no plans to sell the company’s mobile division. Reportedly, Sony might continue restructuring its business and cut production costs to restore profit margins.

When asked to comment on recent rumors suggesting Sony’s entrance in smartphone chipset market next year, Hirai simply rejected the rumors, saying the Japanese company isn’t planning to come up with a in-house mobile…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1SOUVUT
via IFTTT

Last month, Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai said if the company’s mobile division doesn’t turn profitable within a year, they’ll consider “alternative options.” This led to a widespread perception that the company would sell off the unit if it remains unprofitable.

However, in a recent interview with media outlets in China, Hirai – who became president and CEO of Sony back in 2012 – refuted the perception, clearly saying that there are no plans to sell the company’s mobile division. Reportedly, Sony might continue restructuring its business and cut production costs to restore profit margins.

When asked to comment on recent rumors suggesting Sony’s entrance in smartphone chipset market next year, Hirai simply rejected the rumors, saying the Japanese company isn’t planning to come up with a in-house mobile…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1SOUVUT
via IFTTT

Google has apparently started rolling out the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update. According to a tweet from the usually reliable leakster @LlabTooFeR, the update is currently only rolling out to Android One devices.

As I said 2 days ago. Android 6.0.1 become available for Android One program… http://pic.twitter.com/ap8NL4lImE— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) November 20, 2015

As for the update, reports say that it’s a minor one bringing some bug fixes and stability improvements, although a quick look at the image shared by @LlabTooFeR (see above) suggests that it also includes Google’s December security patch.

Reportedly, the Cherry Mobile G1 smartphone in the Philippines is among the first Android One devices to receive the Android 6.0.1 update.

Via 1…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1I5twYR
via IFTTT

Earlier this week, it was announced that streaming music service Rdio will shut down, with Pandora acquiring its technology and staff. Now, Rdio has provided some details on what would happen to users’ subscriptions.

The company said that starting November 23, users will see their subscriptions getting cancelled on their next billing date, meaning they won’t be automatically charged thereon.

“Rest assured that your subscription will remain active for any period of time you’ve already been billed,” the company said in a blog post, adding that after their subscription ends, users will still be able to access ad-supported stuff until the service goes offline.

In addition, Rdio said that it will also no longer take new subscriptions starting November…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1HdYDH2
via IFTTT

The Xiaomi Mi 4 flagship smartphone, which was released back in August last year, has been certified by the FCC in the US. This comes less than a month after the company’s Redmi 2 Pro handset passed through the agency.

Unfortunately, aside from the information related to the tests carried out by the agency, the Mi 4 FCC certification documents do not contain anything else (such as images of the smartphone, or its specifications). So, we assume that the model certified by the agency is the same that has been already outed.

Specs-wise, the Mi 4 is powered by a Snapdragon 801 SoC with quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU, and sports a 5.0 inch (1080 x 1920 pixel resolution) IPS display. It comes with 3GB RAM and 16/64GB internal memory options, and packs in a 3080 mAh battery.

In terms of camera, the handset features a 13MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. Weighing in at 149 gms and measuring 139.2 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm, the device runs Android 4.4.3 (KitKat) – the US variant could be running an upgraded version though.

Source |…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1HdPG0e
via IFTTT

The OnePlus X may already be available (if you have an invite at least), but only in one of its two versions. So far we’ve only seen the glass variation of the phone hitting the streets, but at its launch OnePlus also promised a much more exclusive ceramic edition of the X.

And thanks to an announcement today, we now know that this should become available on November 24, which is next Tuesday. It’s still unclear how you’ll be able to purchase one, but it’s safe to assume that you will need an invite, this being OnePlus and all.

The Ceramic edition of the OnePlus X will cost £269 or €369 depending on where you are. Do note however that this version of the phone will not be sold in North America. Only 10,000 units will be made, so it might not be available for long.

The limited run of this model has to do with how much time it takes to turn “exquisite zirconia” from Australia into the OnePlus X Ceramic. It’s a 25-day process, believe it or not, that among many other things involves baking the zirconia at a temperature of 1,480 degrees Celsius for 28 hours.

Other than what it’s made from, this OnePlus X is identical to its glass-clad sibling. So it has the same 5-inch 1080p touchscreen, 13 MP rear camera, 8 MP selfie snapper, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, dual-SIM functionality, 4G LTE, and 2,525 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1.1…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1QyW05v
via IFTTT