HTC Desire 816 dual sim starts receiving Marshmallow update

The Desire 816 dual sim phone from HTC has started receiving the Marshmallow update. The update, which brings Android version 6.0 and Sense UI version 7.0, is currently rolling out in Saudi Arabia.

The update is being rolled out in two parts, with the first being around 55MB in size, while the second weighing in at over 1GB. The former prepares your device for Marshmallow, and the latter actually installs the Android 6.0.

As you'd expect, the update includes the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Google Now on Tap and redesigned app permissions, although it's a bit surprising to see that the official Desire 816 dual sim‎ Marshmallow update page doesn't list Doze as an included feature.

vivo launches entry-level Y31A with Snapdragon 410, 4.7-inch display

Six months after outing the Y31, vivo has launched the Y31A. The device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 410 chipset and sports a 4.7-inch (540x960 pixel resolution) IPS display.

It comes with 1GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 2,100mAh battery. In terms of camera, the Y31A features 8MP rear and 2MP front unit. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, GPS, 4G LTE, and FM radio.

Measuring 137.24 x 68.76 x 8.39mm and weighing in at 141g, the phone runs Android 5.0 Lollipop-based Funtouch OS. It is currently available for purchase in China, where carrier China Telecom is selling it for RMB 999 (around $155).

AT&T offers buy one, get one free deal on LG G5 pre-orders

If you have your heart set on LG's latest flagship handset, then you surely know that global sales for the G5 are set to begin a little over a week from now, on March 31. Naturally, however, various retailers have already started accepting pre-orders for the device and the latest to announce its offer is AT&T.

The carrier has listed the G5 for $23 per moth over a 30 month period on a Next 24 plan, or $699 up front. But, if you are planning on getting more than one unit, then AT&T's other deal might just be ideal for you. If you are OK with signing a new AT&T contract, that is activating a new line, you can get the second LG G5 for free. Well, kind of, as the carrier basically promises to reimburse for for $695 in bill credit over the course of 30 months. Mind you, you still owe activation fees and sales taxes on both units.

If this seems like a fair deal, then you can check the source link and expect device shipments to begin between March 29 and March 30. It is also worth noting that Best Buy has a pre-order deal of its own. It is offering $100 savings on the device with purchase and activation of a 2-year contract with Sprint. Alternatively, buyers will get a $100 Best Buy gift card with purchase and activation of monthly installment plan - this promo is also available for the AT&T variant.

In addition, all purchases will come with a free bundle (worth $90) that includes a replacement battery, charging cradle, and USB-C to micro-USB adapter.

HTC 10 said to come with Super LCD 5 display, 3000mAh battery

The HTC 10 has already been the subject of several leaks and renders, with the latest one focusing on the phone's "world class" cameras. Now, the usually reliable leakster @evleaks has revealed some more information about the flagship - Super LCD 5 display and 3,000mAh battery.

Yes, the leakster says the phone will sport a Super LCD 5 display instead of the an AMOLED one. For those who are hearing about Super LCD for the first time, here's what Wikipedia has to say about it:

Super LCD differs from a regular LCD in that it does not have an air gap between the outer glass and the display element. This produces less glare and makes the user feel "closer" to the display itself. Super LCD's benefits also include lower power consumption and improved outdoor visibility.

Aside from the display technology, @evleaks also revealed a 3,000mAh battery for the device, which compares to the 2,840mAh battery its predecessor packed in.

Other rumored specs for the HTC 10 include a 5.1-inch display, SD820 chipset, 4GB RAM, 32GB expandable internal memory, and a USB Type-C port. The handset is expected to be made official sometime next month.

Huawei president allegedly spotted using dual-camera phone; is it the P9?

A photo leak has surfaced allegedly showing Huawei's president using a phone with a dual rear camera setup. While there's no confirmation, reports say it could be the Chinese company's upcoming P9 flagship.

If you compare, the unit shown in the images above does look quite similar to the one that was leaked earlier this month (shown below).

In case you don't already know, the P9 flagship - which has been the subject of several leaks and rumors over the past few weeks - is set to be unveiled on April 6. The first official teaser of the handset was also recently outed, confirming the dual camera setup.

As for the specs, rumors say the P9 is powered by a Kirin 950 chipset and sports a 5.2-inch 1080p screen. It has 3GB RAM and 32GB internal memory. In terms of camera, the phone features a a 5MP front shooter and a 12MP dual rear camera setup with support for OIS. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow with EMUI, and packs in a 3,000mAh battery.

Apple drops the Watch price down to $299, introduces new band

Apple didn’t introduce the second generation Apple Watch as some rumors were suggesting through the past few weeks. But we got a few new bands a price cut - now the Watch's starting price is $299.

In addition to the new $299 price, the Apple Watch is getting new color options and materials for its sport band.

An entirely new band, the woven-nylon band joins the existing range. Two new colors were also unveiled on stage.

The new bands go on sale today, the price should go live in the Store any moment now, too.

One billion Apple devices are currently in use worldwide

Apple kicked off its March event with a rather interesting announcement - one billion Apple devices are currently in use worldwide.

The device count includes computers, phones, watches, players, and Apple TV boxes.

According to Apple, all of those billion devices are currently alive and active - so this is not the total number of sold Apple products since its inception.

So, are you using one or more of those billion Apple gadgets?

The team behind the Galaxy S7 camera speaks about the development process

Samsung introduced Phase Detection autofocus to mobile phones with the Galaxy S5, but the Senior Manager of Global Product Planning, Youngmin Nam, says consumers still wanted more.

This lead to the Dual Pixel autofocus feature of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. Nam, along with the principal engineer and two senior engineers that worked on the S7 answered questions about the new camera.

They talk at length about Dual Pixel. The feature was apparently hard to implement as the sensor is physically larger than before and produces additional data that needs to be processed.

Before committing to this new type of sensor, Samsung engineers evaluated many different approaches to improving the camera. "We reviewed almost all the latest technologies related to a smartphone and a camera and came to a conclusion that a way to show the most innovative effects was to build in a dual pixel sensor, which was entirely new hardware back then," says Hwayoung Kang, the principal engineer.

The team also discussed Motion Panorama and Moton Photo - new experiences that "broke down the barriers between photos and video."

Taken off shelves last year, LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE is now back on sale

If you recall, LG halted sales of its Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE in November last year, something which happened just a week after the smartwatch was launched. At that time, the company said that the device has a a faulty component which can potentially bring down the wearable's image quality over time.

Looks like the South Korean company has fixed the issue in question as the timepiece is now back on sale. It's currently up for pre-orders on AT&T, which is selling it for $360 outright, or $18 a month for 20 months.

Alternatively, you can also purchase it for $100 on a 2-year contract with purchase of an LG G5 unit on AT&T Next. For those who aren't aware, the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE launched as the first Android Wear device with 4G LTE support.

Urgent: Mandatory update for select Kindles that needs to be installed before March 22

Own an Amazon Kindle from 2012 or an older model, here's something urgent that needs your attention: you are required to install a software update by March 22, failing which you won't be able to continue using Kindle services on your device.

Here's the list of devices require the latest software version:

If your device is in the list and you miss the update deadline, you will receive the following message on your device: "Your Kindle is unable to connect at this time. Please make sure you are within wireless range and try again. If the problem persists, please restart your Kindle from the Menu in Settings and try again."

The only option to get out this mess would be to manually install the update, which involves downloading the correct software version on your PC, and then updating your Kindle while it's connected to the former via a USB cable.

Poll results: You can't get enough of the Galaxy S7

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has no doubt been the star of the past month (or more, if you count all the rumors) and has now gotten plenty of affection from our readers as well. Last week's poll aimed to find out where you stand on the subject, and looking at the results, Samsung has struck gold.

Three out of four voters hit the thumbs up on the Galaxy S7, or, if you insist on precision, positive feedback clocks in at 77%. Not exactly universal approval, but still about as warm a reception as Samsung could have hoped for.

Now, we understand how those 23% might have been put off by the S7's lack of certain features - the IR emitter has gone missing, and the comments section isn't happy. Type-C USB ports have been spreading quickly, and Samsung doesn't think the time is right just yet. Then there's the non-removable battery, and price is surely a bit of an issue, but flagship never come cheap.

All these don't stand a chance though, when the S7 has a wonderful 12MP dual-pixel camera, sleek top-class build and battery that lasts. And if you've ever dropped your phone in the kitchen sink (yeah, the kitchen sink...), then you probably know how environmental sealing can be a life-saver - now back on the S7. It's the entire package that counts, and it's hard to find fault with it.

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) leaked official images leave little to the imagination

The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) has been gathering certifications here and there, and we even got a glimpse of its body from the customary 4 mugshots at Chinese regulator TENAA. Time for the full reveal now.

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)

A complete set of official images has been uncovered by the folks over at Winfuture.de, who also dug up the Galaxy J5 (2016) the other day. Needless to say, the differences are marginal, and come down to very subtle proportional changes brought about by the different diagonal (5.5" vs. 5.2").

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)

Aside from the 5.5-inch AMOLED display (FullHD, by the way), specs of the Galaxy J7 (2016) include a Snapdragon 615 or an Exynos 7870 chipset (octa-core CPU either way), 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, expandable via microSD. Camera department is represented by a 13MP primary shooter on the back, paired with a 5MP front unit.