Watch the evolution of Samsung’s mobile gadgets throughout the years

There is no denying Samsung has played a huge part in pushing the evolution of mobile devices ahead, long before Apple came up with the first iPhone.

The Korean manufacturer had some of the most out-there back then, including a phone watch, a TV phone, and was among the first to embrace Android. Some of its regular mobile phones are responsible for the evolution of the displays, mobile cameras, among other upgrades.

In just two days Samsung is going to unveil its next big thing – the Galaxy S7 series. To honor the event Samsung has posted a video, which will take you back to the very beginning when the phones were bigger than bricks.

Enjoy!

Samsung’s latest UNPACKED event is going to happen on February 21 in Barcelona. Stay…

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Android Marshmallow now available for Moto E (2nd Gen) in India

The Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) is finally receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow update after a few months of uncertainty. Last October, Motorola announced its Marshmallow plans and the second Moto E was left out of the update list.

Then just before Christmas Motorola had some change of heart and added the Moto E (2nd Gen) to its update schedule.

The Moto G lineup has already been treated to Marshmallow, the Moto X series got it, too, even the Moto E 3rd Gen had its Marshmallow update. And now it’s time for the Moto E (2nd Gen) to get it.

Currently, the Marshmallow update is rolling out in India, but we expect even more markets to get it soon, if not already. If you own a Moto E (2nd Gen), you should keep an eye for the update notification.

The OTA update weighs about 450MB, so you’ll need at least double that space.

Thank you, Meghan, for the…

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Google Play Games is ditching Google+ integration and Play Music is getting podcast support

Google looks to be amidst another one of its fairly regular Android app update frenzies and this time around it brings changes to Google Play Games and Play music.

Good news for any of you avid Android gamers out there – Google Play Games will no longer require a direct link to a Google+ account. Instead, the search giant will be introducing a special Gamer ID, solely for the platform. It will resemble any other gaming account you might own, like one on Xbox Live or PSN and will thus allow a game alias and an avatar.

The Gamer ID itself will only be linked to a regular Gmail account. Users will be able to find one another by the email address and also choose what game activity will be public and what private (that Candy Crush guilty pleasure of yours is save with Google).

As for Google Play Music, AndroidPolice recently got its hands on a new v6.4 of the APK and discovered upcoming podcast support. At the moment, the functionality seems to be rather basic, compared to some competitor offers, which have things like smart playlists and variable speed playback. Still, it will be a nice addition to the mix and some digging around in the code does appear to show hints of more advanced features planned for the future, like playback sorting.

It is also worth noting that a banner was discovered within the same APK, promoting the BRIT Awards 2016. This suggests that Google might have struck an exclusive deal for some sort of streaming rights on the performances which will happen at the upcoming Grammy-style music event in the UK.

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Leaked photo showcases the LG G5 Magic Slot design – sliding battery and ambitious expansion concept

Quite a lot has been said about LG’s upcoming G5 and rumors are only intensifying now that the MWC is only hours away. But perhaps the most outlandish concept of them all, was a modular design, of sorts, that would be put in place in order to preserve the removable battery of the handset. While not unheard of, the idea did seem quite unrealistic back in January, when it was initially leaked in renders, but now, oddly enough, a new photo seems to definitively prove its existence.

The shot looks to depict a box, quite possibly for the LG G5 itself. The graphics on top clearly show a user-removable battery, held in place by a removable bottom segment of the phone. The G5 marking is also clearly visible and so is a slogan – “Life’s good when you play more”, which all leaves no doubt that the module belongs to the new flagship.

But, LG’s ambitions apparently didn’t stop at merely a swappable battery without a bulky back cover. You might remember that back in December 2015, we reported on a rumor for the G5, hinting at something called a Magic Slot, which would allow some expansion with hardware modules. It appears that the sliding mechanism is actually what LG is referring to and batteries aren’t the only things the OEM is planning to put inside. Various rumors hint that LG is working on a number of Magic Slot accessories, including a specialized photography grip and an advanced DAC.

The former will allegedly be called the LG Cam Plus. The bulky contraption will offer a nifty handle and balance point for improved hand-held photography, as well as convenient hardware buttons for shutter release, zoom and flash toggle. Also, an additional 1100 mAh battery is said to fill the space inside. As for the DAC, industry sources believe it is developed together with Bang and Olufsen and will be called the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play.

Of course, if the module system is as powerful as these rumors lead us to believe, more interesting concepts are sure to come as well. And best of all, you can just pop any of them out and store them when not in use, to end up with the stock LG G5, which even minus the accessories is already said to have a few interesting features of its own.

Just as a reminder, the G5 will be unveiled on February 21 and its expected feature highlights include a Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage and a 5.3 or 5.6-inch QHD display. A 16MP plus 8MP dual rear camera setup should also be part of the mix and last, but not least – a secondary always-on display, laid out on top of the main one.

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Latest Xiaomi Mi 5 leak gives another look at the specs

The Xiaomi Mi 5 leaks are coming in thick and fast. The latest one by Twitter user Steve Hemmerstoffer (who’s also with OnLeaks) shows off some more hands-on images of the phone.

The first image shows the now familiar face of the device, with the 5.2-inch 1080p panel up front with a fingerprint sensor below.

#Xiaomi #Mi5 https://t.co/Y0BMXcxnjf http://pic.twitter.com/TpFiU46QHQ— Steve Hemmerstoffer (@stagueve) February 19, 2016

The second screenshot shows a bit more info, such as the 2.1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 clock speed, 3GB RAM, 64GB storage (of which 52GB is available), and Android 6.0 with MIUI 7.6.2.1.

We have gone over the other specs of the device in the past so no point reiterating that. Now we are just waiting for the device to be officially…

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Sony teases its MWC 2016 event with a teaser video

Sony has outed a teaser regarding its upcoming Mobile World Congress 2016 event. Sadly, the video doesn’t reveal much more than the date of the event, which we already knew. Nevertheless, make sure you check out the cool math induced teaser below.

Other than that, there’s little information what the company will be showcasing – this year the Sony leaks have been nowhere near intensive as the ones concerning the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7. Perhaps that means a flagship device won’t be announced and instead, the company would only refresh the mid-range and wearable line-ups.

Stay tuned, as we’ll be covering everything happening from the Mobile World Congress 2016 showroom floors.

Source |…

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Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update starts hitting Samsung Galaxy Note5

After selected Galaxy Note5 units in the US started receiving Android 6.0 earlier this month, Samsung has begun rolling out the Android 6.0.1 update to the device. Carrying build number N920CXXU2BPB6, the update is currently hitting Note5 units (with model number SM-N920C) in Cambodia.

The update brings along the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions, as well as a few other things such as the new Samsung Web browser that now includes support for ad-blocking.

It’s currently available through Samsung Smart Switch, although OTA roll out should begin soon, if not already. Those feeling impatient can manually check for the update by heading to Settings > About device > Software update on their handset.

The update comes just a few days after Samsung officially announced the worldwide availability of Marshmallow updates for the Galaxy S6/S6…

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ZTE’s tease suggests a phone announcement at MWC 2016

It appears the Chinese manufacturer won’t be coming empty-handed to the Barcelona venue. The latest official ZTE teaser clearly hints at a handset announcement, which does fall in line with traditions from previous years. In 2015, the ZTE Grand S3 saw the light of day, back in 2013, it was the ZTE Grand Memo and a year before that – a total of 8 phones were unveiled at the venue, so the traditions are strong.

ZTE already officially announced its presentation will take place on February 21, which puts it amid a very tough crowd to say the least, as both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 will be unveiled on the same day. Still, ZTE does seem to have at least a couple of interesting handsets in the works, like the ZTE Nubia Z11 and the Nubia X8. It might actually be a little too early for the former, but the X8 is definitely a possibility. According to rumors, it is said to be a big phablet with a large 6.44-inch display and powered by the powerful Snapdragon 820 SoC with a 4500 mAh battery on board.

ZTE Nubia X8

Sadly, the teaser itself doesn’t reveal any information and simply shows a silhouette of a handset, so it could be anything really, across the Nubia or the Axon range. There is also always the possibility for an old device to receive an international announcement, but hopefully that won’t be the…

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge photographed in the wild, again

The Samsung Galaxy S7, the S7 edge and S7 edge+ are all flying out to Barcelona for the weekend – for their big reveal! Neither of them is particularly keen on staying under wraps though, here’s yet another pre-announcement photo of the new flagship.

This one, in particular, is the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, the version with a 5.5″ QHD screen. Its curved sides are quite easy to see in this shot.

The Samsung Unpacked event is scheduled for Sunday, February 21, and will even be streamed in 360° video, so you get to experience it virtually first hand.

Also, OnLeaks and uSwitch partnered up to deliver these 3D renders of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

Samsung Galaxy S7 renders (OnLeaks/uSwitch)

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge renders (OnLeaks/uSwitch)

Thanks for the tip, Rob!

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