Zenfone 3 Max update brings new Power Master app, optimizes fingerprint sensor and camera

Asus has started pushing out a new update to the Zenfone 3 Max (ZC520TL). Arriving as version 13.1.0.56, the update brings along several changes, including a new app as well as fingerprint sensor and camera-related optimizations. Specifically, the update includes a new Power Master app that the company says has been added "to excel battery performance." There are also optimizations related to fingerprint sensor, camera, as well as touch panel display. Moving on, LED notification effects (during charging) as well as the PLMN ID list have been updated. And finally, the update fixes...

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Google pulls the plug on its Map Maker service

Back in November last year, Google announced that it will pull the plug on its Map Maker service sometime March 2017. Inline with that, the crowdsourced editing tool for Google Maps has been retired - the service was closed on March 31. Google says many of the Map Maker's features are being integrated into Google Maps. "To make it easier for all Google Maps users to contribute changes to the map, we've started to graduate functionality from Map Maker to Google Maps on both desktop and mobile," a Google support page says. The Mountain View, California-based company also says they'll...

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Oppo R9, R9 Plus, and F1s get Marshmallow update

A new update has started rolling out to the Oppo R9, R9 Plus, and F1s smartphones. Currently hitting units in Australia, the update brings along Android 6.0 Marshmallow (all three devices were launched last year running Lollipop). "An extra benefit to upgrading to the latest version of the ColorOS is that it will allow the OPPO R9 Plus and R9 to have a dual-sim function with 4G+3G compatibility," the Chinese company says on its Australian website. There's currently no information on when other regions/markets will get the update. Thanks for the tip, Shubham Sharma. Source

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Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro getting new security update

Samsung has started pushing out a new update to its Galaxy C9 Pro smartphone. It's a security update that carries a build number of C900FDDU1AQC32, and brings along Android fixes for the month of March. Aside from the March security patch, the update also includes some bug fixes and performance enhancements. Given the fact that it's an OTA roll out, it might take time for the update to hit your device. Meanwhile, if you feel impatient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu. Via

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Android 7.1.2 update starts rolling out

A couple of weeks after its second beta came out, the final Android 7.1.2 update has started rolling out. According to reports, the update is currently hitting the Nexus Player and Pixel C, although other devices should get it soon. In case you aren't aware, the Android 7.1.2 update isn't a big one - it is all about bug fixes and small enhancements, with no big new features. Also, keep in mind that the Motorola Nexus 6 and HTC Nexus 9 won't be getting the update. Via

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Top 10 trending phones of week 13

Week 13 finally saw the Samsung latest flagships go official and the top 10 trending chart saw some major changes. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ take two of three podium spots with the smaller flagship comfortably sitting on top. Splitting the Galaxies is the Xiaomi Redmi 4a, which put up a brave fight but just didn't stand a chance against the Galaxy S8. Fourth and fifth are taken by Galaxy J7 Prime and Redmi Note 4 - who lost out to both new Samsung flagships but managed to overtake the Oppo F3 this week. Two more Samsung flagships follow - Galaxy A5 (2017) and the Galaxy S7 edge are...

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Weekly poll: Have you pre-ordered a Galaxy S8?

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are official and stores and carriers are already accepting pre-orders. Are you one of the early adopters? There are some perks to pre-ordering - you'll get one of the first units available and bundled alongside will be the new Gear VR headset with motion controller. Still, it may be prudent to wait for the first reviews to come out, the Galaxy S8 duo will not ship out until late April so there is plenty of time to think and still grab that free headset. Others may want to wait even longer - especially those who think the S8 is too expensive. In a...

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Week 13 in review: Galaxy S8 finally official, Moto X (2017) leaks

Week 13 was one of the most anticipated thanks to the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+. It was the most important event since the MWC and understandably got plenty of attention. Well, the Galaxy S8 duo is now official so we finally get the complete picture (not that leaks left much unknowns). Meanwhile Moto X (2017) was leaked, and Nokia 6's teardown suggested HMD may be able to deliver the build quality that we expect from the Nokia brand. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right...

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Counterclockwise: the dawn of Samsung Galaxy

The Samsung Galaxy S8 made a huge splash this week, but it has been a long way to get to this point. We're not talking about missing the MWC, with this week's Counterclockwise we would like to take you back to where it all began. You see, the new flagship - along with any Samsung-made Android device - is called "Galaxy" because that was the name of the first Android phone the company ever made The Samsung I7500 Galaxy is S8's great grand daddy. It launched about half a year after the first ever Android (the G1). You can say that Samsung has been with the platform from its shaky first...

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