ZTE Axon 2 leaked by TENAA, Snapdragon 820 confirmed

TENAA has issued an approval for the ZTE Axon 2, which is listed under the codename A2017. From the images submitted to TENAA, the phone looks like similar to its predecessor with a few slight differences. The dual camera setup is gone and below the camera there's a fingerprint scanner. At the front, ZTE has kept the dual grill design on the top and bottom, which is Axon's main design accent.

In terms of specs, the ZTE Axon 2 comes with a 5.5" QHD OLED panel and has a Snapdragon 820 chipset between the sheets of the metal unibody. There's 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, expandable via additional 128GB.

The main camera is 20MP coupled with dual-LED flash, while the secondary one is 8MP. The phone will definitely feel solid with a weight of 175 grams. It measures 154×77×9.8 mm. Charging happens via a USB Type-C port.

With TENAA's approval now in the bag, the ZTE Axon 2 shouldn't take too long to become official.

Motorola launches Moto 360 Sport in India

Motorola has launched the Moto 360 Sport in India. The Sport is a variant of the second generation Moto 360 with a handful of changes.

One of the differences is the AnyLight display, which works as normal LCD indoors and outdoors uses ambient light to illuminate itself, making it perfectly visible under direct sunlight and also saving some power. The Sport also has integrated GPS, so you don't need to carry your phone with you to track your movements. A heart rate sensor is included just like on the regular Moto 360 but the strap is made of silicon and is sweat-resistant.

The Moto 360 Sport is priced at INR 19,999 ($300) and is available in black exclusively on Flipkart.

Hangouts for iOS updated with sharing extension, low-power mode functionality

Google has started rolling out a new update to the iOS version of its Hangouts instant messaging app. The update bumps the version to 9.0 and brings a couple of new features including the ability to share stuff from other iOS apps.

The update allows users to share text, links, pictures and video with their Hangouts contacts without leaving the app they are currently using like Safari, Chrome, or Photos. You can choose the Google account you want to use and the contacts you want to share the stuff with.

In addition, the app will now also respond to iOS 9’s Low Power Mode by automatically turning off any ongoing video communication when the device enters the mode.

YouTube's mobile app updated with redesigned Home, new recommendation system

Google has pushed out a new update to its YouTube mobile apps that throws a new coat of paint on Home as well as brings along a new recommendation system. The update is available for both Android and iPhone.

"Starting today, when you open the YouTube app on your iPhone or Android phone, you’ll experience a redesigned Home, with a clean and simple format that invites you to discover and enjoy," the Mountain View, California-based company said in a blog post.

As for the new recommendation system, it's based on deep neural network technology, and aimed at showing more relevant personalized recommendations - you'll, for example, see more recent content as well as stuff from the creators you like.

'Project Infinite' from Dropbox brings on-demand file sync to desktop

Dropbox is working on something called Project Infinite, which should make working with large number of files a lot easier, even if you don't have the space for them on your hard drive.

Currently, Dropbox on desktop works by syncing all the files between your desktop and cloud storage, which can take up a lot of space on your hard drive. With Project Infinite, you can see all the files in your cloud account within the Dropbox folder on your PC or Mac, but the files won't actually be saved on your computer. These files will show up with a cloud icon next to them, whereas the synced files will show a green tick as they currently do. When you want to access the file, just double click on it, and the file will be downloaded and opened. This way, it will only take space on your hard drive when you want it.

This is similar to how things work within the mobile app, but with Project Infinite it is now coming to the desktop. This will work within the current Dropbox desktop client on Windows (10/8/7) as well as OS X.

Samsung Deals: Galaxy S7 and S7 edge CA$100 off for Mother's Day

May 8 - Mother's Day - is approaching and Samsung Canada has an idea for a gift you can buy your mom - a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. To ease your last-minute shopping, Samsung is cutting CA$100 off the price of the phone and throwing in a free Kate Spade case (valued at CA$55). This deal is valid until May 8 (duh).

Samsung's Euro divisions are more interested in the Galaxy A3 (2016) and Galaxy A5 (2016). In Italy, you can get a €100 discount (valid until May 11). In France, it's a €30/€50 discountrespectively (until May 15). If the Galaxy S6 is more your speed, Samsung France will reimburse you €50 (also until May 15).

Instead of money back, Germans get a free 64GB microSD card, case and power pack(3,000mAh). On May the 4th this one ends.

Meizu Pro 6 easily taken apart, extensive cooling found inside

The folks over at it168 took apart the Meizu Pro 6 and found few obstacles along the way (so repairs should be easy), plus tons of thermal films and coatings.

The initial disassembly is easy-peasy. Undo two screws, take out the card slot and pop out the screen. Be careful, though, two cables connect the screen to the rest of the phone.

Digging in further, it168 found a metal plate that helps spread out the heat from the Helio X25 chipset. Additionally, there's a graphite thermal film over the chipset to further facilitate cooling.

The camera has copper foil for shielding from both heat and electronic noise. Here's a better look at the ring flash below the camera.

Other than the battery, which was attached to the back with double-sided sticky tape, nothing in the Meizu Pro 6 seems particularly difficult to disassemble, which bodes well for repairability.

Some interesting chips. NXP TFA9911 (which drives the loudspeaker) promises an impressive 7.2W of audio power. For the headphones, there's no dedicated DAC, but the CS46L36 chip combines DAC and amp duties.

Also, there are two TI BQ25892 fast charging chips for a combined power of 24W.

You can follow the disassembly process with notes on the various components by hitting the Source link.

Nokia set to acquire Withings for €170 million

Nokia is not ready to leave the consumer market and while its tablet efforts haven't gone far, it's now moving into the health-tracking business by acquiring Withings.

You may know the company for its Activite smartwatches, but the it also produces smart scales, blood pressure monitors, baby monitors, home security cameras and more.

"With this acquisition, Nokia is strengthening its position in the Internet of Things in a way that leverages the power of our trusted brand, fits with our company purpose of expanding the human possibilities of the connected world, and puts us at the heart of a very large addressable market where we can make a meaningful difference in peoples' lives." says Rajeev Suri, president and CEO of Nokia.

Nokia will pay €170 million ($192 million) for Withings, the deal is expected to close in early Q3 (subject to the usual regulatory approvals, of course).

Logitech releases Logi BASE stand for the iPad Pro

Logitech has launched a new accessory for the iPad Pro, a charging stand to dock your iPad Pro on your desk, kitchen table, or your night stand.

The Logi BASE uses the Apple Smart Connector found on both the iPad Pro models instead of the traditional Lightning connector. This means you don't have to think twice before placing the iPad on the dock, and the magnets within the stand will even perfectly align the iPad for you over the connector.

The base is made out of aluminum with a rubberized bottom so it doesn't slide around. Only shortcoming is that the base keeps the iPad at a fixed angle, so there isn't much freedom of movement, although the iPad's excellent viewing angles make this less of an issue.

The Logi BASE is priced at $99.99 and available from Logitech and Apple for both the iPad Pro models.

MIUI 8 to arrive alongside Mi Max on May 10, Xiaomi confirms

We already know that the Xiaomi Mi Max - which is said to sport a mammoth 6.4-inch FullHD display - will be unveiled on May 10. However, turns out that Xiaomi will make a couple of more announcements that day - the company has confirmed that the next major iteration of its MIUI ROM as well as the Mi Band 2 will also be unveiled on May 10.

"Evolving from the first version in 2010, MIUI has served as the operating system for over 150 million across the globe," a post on MIUI forum said. "On May 10, we will introduce you MIUI 8, with the features you always wanted and new designs beyond your imagination."

The post was also accompanied by a video demo (embedded below) for the MIUI 8 notification bar:

As for the Mi Band 2, the wearable device was recently teased by the Chinese company's CEO himself, with the images revealing that it will feature a display, something that was missing in the device's previous iterations.

iPhone Upgrade Program is now available for online purchases as well

If you recall, the iPhone Upgrade Program was announced by Apple back in September last year alongside the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. However, it has only been available for purchases made through the company's physical stores.

Well, that was until now, as the leasing program is now available for purchases made through Apple's online store as well.

For the uninitiated, Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program lets you get a new, unlocked phone every year directly from the Cupertino-based company - all you are required to do is to sign a two-year financing agreement and pay a little over $32 a month as part of the program, which also includes Apple Care+.

Reports say the leasing program helped Apple sell a total of around 250,000 iPhone units in the holiday quarter.

Galaxy S5 Marshmallow rollout in full swing; update now arrives in Italy and Germany

The Marshmallow roll-out for Samsung's Galaxy S5 smartphone seems to be in full swing as the South Korean company has started pushing out the update in Italy and Germany as well. While in Italy, all unlocked S5 units are getting the update, model SM-G900F is currently receiving it in Germany.

To recall, the Galaxy S5 Marshmallow update first started rolling out in Samsung's home country of South Korea last month. This was followed by roll-out to SM-G900 models in Sri Lanka and SM-G900I units in India.

The update brings Android version 6.0.1, which - needless to say - includes all the usual Marshmallow goodies, such as Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions