Asus has released the Android Lollipop update for its ZenFone 5 (A500KL) smartphone, which went on sale back in July last year.

After installing the update (click the Source 1 link below to download it), which is 819.44MB in size, you'll be on software version TW_V12.4.5.21. However, the Taiwanese company is advising users to upgrade their devices to software version V11.4.6.94 before installing the Lollipop update.

As for other ZenFones, here's is the Android Lollipop update plan:

Source 1 | Source 2 |…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1Pa46MA
via IFTTT

ZTE revealed two models under the Nubia brand a month ago, the Nubia Z9 Max and Z9 mini. Meanwhile the true flagship Nubia Z9 remains unannounced, and that is expected to change on May 6, when a launch event is scheduled.

The Nubia Z9 hasn't exactly been kept a secret though and showed up on a number of occasions sporting a near-bezelless design and a metal frame for enhanced durability. But while there was also some consensus on the specs, a new listing by Chinese regulator TENAA dropped the bomb claiming some unbelievable hardware.

The device, carrying a model number NX508J, is said to come with a CPU clocked at a whopping 3.5GHz. It doesn't stop there, and RAM is quoted to be the unheard of 8GB.

ZTE Nubia Z9

The Nubia Z9 was previously said to be equipped with the Snapdragon 810, which comes with Cortex-A57 cores, clocked at 2GHz, and Cortex-A53 cores, clocked at 1.5GHz, in an octa-core big.LITTLE configuration. Looking back to the Nubia Z9 Max, which was already confirmed to sport the S810 and is listed on TENAA with 3.5GHz CPU, you could conclude that the regulators have simply added up the clock speeds of both sets of cores.

Little explanation can be found in the amount of RAM though. In the datasheets, available online, it's not explicitly stated if Qualcomm's chip supports the 8GB, but we're also wondering if there's any actual practical sense in it at this point in time. What sounds most likely is that it's an error on the TENAA part.

A few other discrepancies with the specs established so far come in the camera department, where an 8MP/8MP duo is quoted in the listing. Both the Z9 Max and Z9 mini come with a 16MP main camera, and the Nubia Z9 is unlikely to be a step back. It's also not a dual rear camera arrangement as the accompanying images clearly show.

The microSD slot has also been dropped in favor of 32GB of internal storage, as opposed to the 16GB of the other two models. Another thing to point out is that display size is listed as 5.15 inches, which goes in line with the rumors of 5.2 inches, but resolution is quoted to be FullHD, and not QHD, as previously believed.

Obviously, a lot of questions remain unanswered, but with a launch date less than a week from now, the mysteries will soon be cleared.

Source |…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1Akbr5F
via IFTTT

HTC has launched a new campaign dubbed HTC INK to offer limited edition One M9 smartphones. By teaming up with the supermodel Jourdan Dunn, the Taiwanese company will offer custom-designed engravings inspired from tattoos.

Jourdan has collaborated with the Cally-Jo Apothecary, a celebrity tattoo artist, to come up with a new design. One of their first design has been shared already with a rather vague explanation.

The open hand and eye symbolize the need for protection and strength while still being open and approachable in personality and style. The natural leaf elements and patterns around the outside of each visual reflect the growth in creativity that Jourdan is feeling at this time, and the sun and moon together represent balance and harmony in her character.

HTC plans to offer limited edition HTC INK One M9 units with unique designs engraved by hind. HTC INK project is yet to specify if it is a one time, seasonal thing or will be an ongoing like Apple’s Project Red that aims to aid in fighting aids in Africa.

For those who plan to get a limited edition unit, do have a look at our HTC One M9 review for the technical aspects of the device….

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1HTJ18T
via IFTTT

While Android based smartphones are fighting for the entry-level smartphone position, Microsoft aims to get a spot too, at least in India. The software giant's Devices division has introduced the Lumia 430 Dual SIM model for INR5,299 ($83) with black and orange color options in India.

Sporting a 4-inch display (480×800), the Lumia 430 can hold two micro-SIM cards in dual standby mode. Powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snadpragon 200 SoC, the Lumia 430 has 1GB of RAM, 8GB expandable storage, and 1500 mAh battery.

At the rear it has a 2MP camera and in the front is a VGA camera. Measuring 10.6mm thick, the Lumia 430 Dual SIM also packs Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS for…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1JbbE06
via IFTTT

Apple might have lost its world's top smartphone-maker crown to Samsung, but it looks like the Cupertino-based company could soon make it to the No. 1 spot in China, which is the world's largest smartphone market.

According to a report from market research firm Strategy Analytics, Apple shipped 13.5 million iPhones in China during Q1 2015, up from 7.8 million it shipped in the year-ago quarter. With 12 percent market share in the quarter, the iPhone-maker held on to its No. 2 ranking in the Asian country.

On the other hand Xiaomi, which is the largest smartphone OEM in China, shipped a total of 14 million handsets in the quarter, claiming 12.8% market share.

According to Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, "Xiaomi has maintained the number one smartphone position in China for three quarters in a row, due to solid demand for its popular Redmi models. However, Xiaomi's rapid growth is now coming to an end, and it has delivered negative sequential growth in China for the past two quarters."

Meanwhile, Apple "has narrowed the marketshare gap with Xiaomi to less than one percent. Apple's new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models are proving wildly popular with Chinese consumers and, if current trends continue, Apple could become China's largest smartphone vendor in the second half of this year," he said.

Another point worth noting here is that Samsung, which is now the world's leading smartphone vendor, did not even rank in the top three, something which has happened for the first time since Q4,…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1DM0TgX
via IFTTT

The Xiaomi Mi 4i, which was announced by the company last week, will be available for purchase on Flipkart via flash sale today. The sale will commence at 2pm IST for registered users.

It isn't yet known how many units of the made for India smartphone will be up for grabs, although the company has confirmed that around 300,000 people have registered for the sale.

Although the handset is Flipkart exclusive at the moment, it will be available via the five-year-old startup's other online as well as offline partners in the future. It will also be available directly from the company's online store…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1Q0YlTR
via IFTTT

Apple is reporting that 81% of all active iOS devices are now using iOS 8, the company's latest mobile operating system which was released back in September last year.

iOS 8 adoption has been somewhat slower than that of its predecessor iOS 7, which, for comparison, was powering around 90% of all active iOS devices the same time last year. However, it is gradually picking up – it stood at 75% last month and 79% a couple of weeks ago.

As for the remaining iOS devices, 17% are still using iOS 7, while 2% are stuck running even older versions.
Source | Via 1 | Via…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1EECE8v
via IFTTT

The Android 5.1 update for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will also bring along a new Guest Mode feature, according to a Sammobile report.

Guest Mode enables you to set up separate profiles for guests, allowing you to share your device without worrying about your personal stuff, including installed apps, being seen by others. The feature was first introduced for tablets with the Jelly Bean update but arrived on phones with Android Lollipop.

It isn't yet clear when the update will roll out to the devices. Meanwhile, a Samsung Galaxy S6 edge for T-Mobile has been caught getting Android…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1ErYFG6
via IFTTT

It looks like Samsung Galaxy S6 edge for T-Mobile is getting an over-the-air update to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. An XDA Developers member posted a video of the smartphone running the latest Android version.

Samsung Mobile or T-Mobile have not announced the update’s rollout. So far, it doesn’t look that the new firmware is rolling out on a large scale to Big Magenta customers with Samsung Galaxy S6 edge devices.

According to the XDA user who uploaded the vide, the smartphone has become snappier after getting Android 5.1.1. Apparently, the new firmware also locks the bootloader of the device.

Source | Via

…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1bF9I4J
via IFTTT

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Apple Watch shipments have been delayed by faulty Taptic Engine components. Currently, many orders for the Cupertino giant’s first smartwatch are expected to ship in June.

Sources told WSJ that a number of Taptic Engines supplied by the Chinese component manufacturer AAC Technologies Holdings Inc. broke down during testing. The issue caused Apple to switch suppliers, thus limiting the availability of its hot new smartwatch.

The Taptic Engine is one of the most innovative components found in the Apple Watch. It helps the wearable device provide vibrating feedback on a user’s wrist.

Source |…

from GSMArena.com – Latest articles http://ift.tt/1KvfT7E
via IFTTT