Chinese smartphone brands build consortium to challenge Google Play domination
Four smartphone giants -- Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo -- have apparently formed an alliance to take on the dominance of Google Play, and provide a platform for developers to upload apps to all Chinese app stores at the same time.
The Apple Watch is now so popular, it crushed the entire Swiss watch industry
The Apple Watch is now so popular, Apple shipped more watches than the entire Swiss watch industry put together last year. Not even Swiss-made alternatives have been able to keep up.
Google needs these 9 new features in Android 11
With Android 11 looming on the horizon, I conjured up a list of the new features and refinements that I'd like to see in the next version of Google's mobile operating system. There are a few things, like gestures, that could use a tweak, and features like screen recording would be welcome additions.
Google celebrates 15 years of Maps with new features and redesigned logo
Google Maps has become the go-to Mapping service for most, and the service is now 15 years old. To celebrate, the company has a number of new features for the service, including more detailed information on public transport. Further, Maps now has a new logo.
NYPD to swap its handwritten memo books for an iPhone app
The NYPD is replacing cops' handwritten memo books with a specially designed iPhone app that will transform the way they handle information from its 35,000 or so uniformed officers.
Motorola’s next flagship with 90Hz wraparound screen previewed in new leak
A new leak offers the first look at the Motorola Edge+. It will reportedly feature a curved screen that wraps around the edges along with a 90Hz refresh rate.
New video shows teardown of the not-yet-released Motorola Razr
The Motorola Razr is currently up for pre-order, but already a new video shows the upcoming device being torn down. The video shows that the phone has two batteries, and most of its processing components in the bottom half. Along with that, the video shows that the phone is held together with strong glue.
Instagram appears to be raking in even more ad cash than YouTube
If you thought YouTube's 2019 ad revenue of $15 billion was a lot, then how about Instagram? Sources claiming to have knowledge of the matter said recently that the popular photo app generated around $20 billion last year. In 2018, Facebook reportedly told Instagram to double the number of ads its shows.
ZTE will skip Mobile World Congress press conference due to coronavirus outbreak
ZTE has announced the cancellation of its Mobile World Congress press conference, citing secondary issues associated with the coronavirus, like difficulty getting visas and arranging travel. The company also says that it wants to avoid making people uncomfortable. The outbreak has so far killed over 400.
Facebook teaches us all how web privacy works with Messenger Kids
Facebook Messenger Kids wants to help young users understand online privacy through in-app education. The in-app pop-up joins additional tools for the kids messaging app, including more parental controls and the ability for parents to download their child's data.
Apple may have a solution for that annoying crease on folding devices
Apple may be gearing up to throw its hat in the folding device ring. Apple has been issued a new patent that features a hinge mechanism for "an electronic device that uses a flexible display." The design's highlight is a pair of "movable flaps" that prevent the display from being creased when folded.
Ding-dong, Apple calling: Get your iPhone repaired without leaving the house
Apple has quietly launched an on-site repair service, through which you can get your broken iPhone repaired without having to leave the house or place of work.
Google Photos bug shared some users’ private videos with strangers
Google has informed a few Google Photos users that a bug may have caused their private videos or partial archives to be accidentally shared with strangers.
Twitter says state-backed attackers may have nabbed phone numbers
Twitter recently shut down a large network of fake accounts that may have been attempting to match a huge number of generated phone numbers to other accounts.
How a guy used 99 phones in a cart to create traffic jams on Google Maps
A Berlin-based artist with a mischievous streak recently fired up Google Maps on 99 smartphones and carted them around the streets of the city. The result? Google Maps processed the data and, concluding that the streets must be gridlocked, redirected nearby drivers to other roads in the area.
TCL won’t make BlackBerry phones anymore, sending the brand back into limbo
TCL Communication will stop making BlackBerry-branded smartphones. The massive company, best known in the U.S. for its televisions, has held the license to make BlackBerry smartphones since 2016, but it will no longer design, manufacture or sell phones with the name.
Leaked hands-on video of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip shows off foldable screen
A leaked video of the Samsung Galaxy Flip Z apparently shows the smartphone's foldable screen in action. The device will reportedly be unveiled this month.
WhatsApp ends support for millions of smartphones around the world
WhatsApp no longer supports smartphones on Android versions 2.3.7 and older, and iOS 8 and older. Affected people will have to upgrade their OS or their device.
Huawei overcame sanctions to surpass Apple in 2019 global smartphone sales
Huawei beat Apple in 2019 global smartphone sales, despite U.S. sanctions. The Chinese manufacturer may have challenged Samsung, if not for the restrictions.
FCC: Some wireless carriers may have violated federal law on phone location data
A recent letter from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai states that “one or more” wireless carriers were found to have violated federal law as it relates to the disclosure of consumers’ phone location data.
European lawmakers may force Apple to use USB-C charging standard for the iPhone
The European Parliament has voted to ask the European Commission to draft new laws to force smartphone manufacturers to adopt a common charging port standard.
Super ISO on Samsung Galaxy S20 range could improve night mode
According to the latest rumors, the Samsung Galaxy S20 could be equipped with a new "Super ISO" that would significantly boost night and low-light performance.
Huawei Mate X2 folding phone patent shows big design change over the original
The Huawei Mate X2 is rumored to launch this year. Patents show it may be closer to the Galaxy Fold than the Mate X, featuring a stylus and six camera lenses.
All about the money: The U.K. had no choice but to use Huawei in its 5G networks
The U.K. government has granted Huawei the ability to build part of its 5G networks across the country, despite ongoing security fears raised by the U.S. But the situation isn't about security -- the U.K. is unconcerned by the unsubstantiated accusations -- it's about a massive amount of investment and profit.
The new, more detailed Apple Maps is now available across the U.S.
The new version of Apple Maps is now available nationwide. It adds more detailed information to Maps and reduces Apple's dependence on third-party information.
Huawei denies renouncing Google and Android, wishes to ‘maintain relationship’
In a recent interview with Digital Trends, Huwaei VP, Tim Danks, commented on a report that the company would abandon Google Android, calling it 'incorrect.'
Apple overtakes Samsung as the biggest smartphone vendor
According to reports from multiple analytics firms, Apple overtook Samsung as the largest smartphone manufacturer in the fourth quarter of 2019. Of course, it only overtook Samsung in that quarter. Over the year, Samsung still sold many more smartphones than Apple,,as did Huawei.
Digital diapers sound silly, but Lumi by Pampers proves they’re no joke
The new Lumi by Pampers system is Procter & Gamble's effort to make a smart diaper. Lumi is a three-part system, comprising a smart sensor, a baby camera, and nicely built app to tie it all together, delivering parents up-to-date information about their childs' habits and routines.
Oppo’s smartwatch gets casually outed, and looks more than a little familiar
Oppo has casually given us an early look at its upcoming smartwatch. An image posted on social media in China reveals the watch will have a design reminiscent of the Apple Watch. There's a strong chance the wearable will be official at MWC 2020.
Google may be preparing call-recording functionality with built-in transcription
Call recording used to be a feature than Android users could access through dozens of third-party apps, but Google shut down the backdoor enabling them with Android 9.0 Pie, citing privacy concerns. The functionality appears to be set to make a return, however.
Google rumored to be creating another chat app — this time to take on Slack
According to rumors, Google is internally testing a new chat app for businesses that aims to take on apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams. This unnamed app would bring together all of Google's other services, bringing it under a single roof. But will this sort of approach be enough to take on Slack?
Apple scrambles to reduce coronavirus impact on Chinese gear
Apple announced during its first quarter earnings call of 2020 that it has already begun plans to mitigate any loss of revenues due to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in the greater China area. Tim Cook stated that even though retail traffic is down in the area, it is working to find backup suppliers.
Ring allows undisclosed third parties to track you through its Android app
Amazon Ring’s Android app has been found to allow third-party trackers access to your data like your name, IP address, mobile network carrier, and more. An investigation from EFF found analytics and marketing companies not mentioned in Ring’s privacy notice have access to your data directly through the Ring app.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip shown off in full thanks to leaked renders
Samsung is set to launch another new foldable phone, called the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. The device will have a clamshell-style design, and relatively high-end specifications. We now have a much better look at the new device, thanks to a series of leaked renders from WinFuture.