Italy becomes the third European country with 5G

Switzerland was the first country in Europe with 5G, shortly followed by the United Kingdom. Now Italy joins the duo after Vodafone launched its next-gen services in 28 municipalities across five big cities - Milan, Turin, Bologna, Rome, and Naples. Aldo Bisio, CEO of Vodafone Italy Vodafone Italy explained that it might be the first to launch the service, but is expecting fierce competition from TIM and Fastweb in the upcoming months. Aldo Bisio, CEO of the carrier, said that in 2021 more than 100 cities and municipalities will have the gigabit speeds, and then it would take at...

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Nokia 2.2 render surfaces ahead of today's launch

A render of the Nokia 2.2 that's expected to go official at a launch event today in India has surfaced. This image of the Nokia 2.2 has been leaked by popular leakster Evan Blass. It shows that the phone has a waterdrop notch display with thin bezels on its left, right, and top. The chin is larger and is home to the Nokia moniker. The back of the smartphone seems to be made out of glass and houses a single camera in the center along with what looks like a speaker right next to the Android One branding at the bottom. Other things that can be ascertained from this render are the...

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HTC U11 Android 9 Pie update gets pulled because it was bricking devices

Late last month HTC finally started sending out the update to Android 9 Pie to the U11 smartphone it launched in 2017. It was a very late rollout, considering that Google is already testing Android Q, but still good news for owners of the HTC U11. Well, the good news didn't actually last very long, as the Taiwanese company has in the meantime been forced to pull the update, because apparently it was soft-bricking quite a few devices. After applying it, some U11 owners found that they couldn't get into their phones anymore, with neither PINs or pattern locks working as they should, simply...

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Google Maps adds speedometer to your navigation screen

Google Maps is not shy borrowing useful features from Waze, following the acquisition of the company by Google. Just recently Maps gained indication for speed cameras, speed traps and the option to report possible hazards on the road. Now, a speedometer has been implemented on the navigation screen to help you stay within speed limits. The app warns you if you are exceeding the speed limit while the speedometer is displayed in the lower-left corner of the navigation screen. That's another feature coming straight from Waze but unfortunately, the speedometer rollout is staged and...

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Huawei's EMUI 9 reaches 80M users, to hit Mate 9 and P10 series this month

No one can blame Huawei for not delivering software updates. The maker's home-grown Android 9-based EMUI 9 OS is already running on some 80 million devices and is expected to reach 100 million by the end of this month. EMUI 9 is already running on the Mate10, Mate RS, Nova3 and P20 series and Huawei has now promised to update the Mate9 and P10 series by the end of June. Things haven't been going great for Huawei since the US-China trade war affected its business, but the company insists it will also be resolved quickly. Source

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Amazfit Verge 2 smartwatch launching June 11

Xiaomi's smart wearables sub-brand Huami is bringing a refresh to the Amazfit Verge smartwatch next week. The new Amazfit Verge 2 will launch in China on June 11 and will come with several major improvements including a new chipset. Amazfit Verge 2 posters The smartwatch will be powered by the Qualcomm Wear 3100 chipset and will come with eSIM support, which will give become more autonomous. Other features from the original Amazfit Verge like 24/7 fitness tracking, GPS, NFC and the heart rate monitor are expected to carry on to its successor. The original Amazfit Verge retailed...

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Samsung cutting its phone production in China

Samsung is reducing the output of its only smartphone factory in Huizhou, China, less than 12 months after closing its other plant in Tianjin. According to Reuters, the reason is that market share has shrunk from over 20% to less than 1% in the span of five years while being squeezed by domestic players. Although sales of Samsung smartphones have been less than impressive in the past few years, Q1 2019 brought a 40% sequential increase in number of units sold. Still, either that not enough or Samsung believes it can still make enough units after the cuts. The financial magazine...

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ColorOS 6 Beta for Realme 1 and Realme U1 brings Android Pie

Realme is starting the Android Pie beta testing for its Realme 1 and Realme U1 smartphones. The main aim of this release is to gather user opinions and help iron out all bugs before the final version comes out in approximately three weeks. As always when dealing with beta software, realme recommends you back up your data and don't install it on your primary device. The new ColorOS 6 beta will bring an overhauled visual experience with new UI elements and gesture navigation. Users will enjoy updated notification icons in the status bar as well as an app drawer and new live wallpapers...

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Indian court rules Asus can't use of the Zenfone name in the country

The Delhi High Court has ruled that Asus infringed on an existing trademark for the word Zen. The trademark belongs to Telecare Network, which filed to complaint. Telecare Network is a local company with Zen and ZenMobile naming of its products ever since 2008 when it sought for the trademark. The firm claims that he Zenfone branding will likely "cause confusion in the minds of the public". Moreover, Telecare claims that Asus used the Zen name to "ride upon its goodwill" when it entered the Indian market back in 2014. On the other hand, Asus says that the word zen is common and has...

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Motorola Moto E6 Plus reveals Helio P22 chipset on Geekbench

The unannounced Motorola Moto E6 Plus has just surfaced on Geekbench, running a Helio P22 chipset, 2GB of RAM and Android 9 Pie. Back in April we first saw detailed specs of the Motorola E6 and it was running a Snapdragon 430. The MediaTek Helio P22 inside the Moto E6 Plus uses higher-clocked 2.0GHz Cortex-A53 cores and a smaller manufacturing process (14nm compared to 28nm). Last year's Moto E5 Plus had 2GB and 3GB of RAM so we expect the Moto E6 Plus to at least offer the same amount, if not even 4GB. The Moto E5 family of phones - E5, E5 Plus and E5 Play - launched in April of...

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Samsung Galaxy Note10 price tipped

After all the leaks about the Galaxy Note10 lately, it doesn't come as a surprise that a report about the pricing has also emerged. A source familiar with the matter claims that the phone's price will be around $1,100-1,200. The report doesn't clarify, however, whether this price tag is for the top-end 5G model or the standard one. Our best guess is that's the standard model so it can make room for the rumored Galaxy Note10e for better segmentation. The latter is supposed to be smaller and miss on a couple of features to keep the cost low. Interestingly, the source also talks about...

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Developers sue Apple over App Store monopoly

Several iOS developers have filed a suit against Apple for being a monopolist over the distribution of applications on its platform. The plaintiffs, developers of a baby naming app and a basketball workout app, say that Cupertino limits development with enforcing strict rules over what can and cannot go on the App Store, want an annual fee of $99 and have to give 30% cut of most transactions. The bigger problem, however, is that if the app is unapproved, it cannot reach customers in any other way. According to the lawsuit, the problem can be issued with Apple allowing companies to...

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Samsung Galaxy S10 lineup May update now global

Samsung released a major update for the Galaxy S10 trio last month with May 2019 security patch, but it was soon suspended after owners encountered various issues on their devices like slowdowns and unresponsive fingerprint scanner. Samsung rolled out a hotfix in certain markets last week and now it's rolling a third version that's available globally. Screenshots of the update The new firmware carries version number XXU1ASE7 and weighs 122MB in size. However, those who are yet to get the first update will get a larger build. It bumps up the Android security patch level to May...

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Skype screen sharing now available on Android and iOS apps

Microsoft is continuing to trickle down more desktop Skype features to its mobile users and the latest addition is screen sharing. With the new update, you'll be able to share what's on your screen directly from inside any call. The new feature will be available from the menu located in the bottom right of any call. Other additions include a cleaner UI with less obtrusive elements during calls for a more immersive experience. Double tapping the screen will remove all complications and will only leave the video of the person you're talking with. The new menu will also allow you to...

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Nokia teases Face Unlock for ahead of tomorrow's announcement

Nokia is all set to launch two smartphones tomorrow and the company teased them with another short video on Twitter hyping up the Face Unlock feature. It's something the Nokia 3.2, 4.2 and Nokia 9 PureView have already so it doesn't really tell if we'll see new phones or just local launches. Unlock the new you at a glance on 06 June 2019. Stay tuned to #GetAhead pic.twitter.com/ZQepfiQkvG— Nokia Mobile (@NokiaMobile) June 5, 2019 It's believed that the Nokia 6.2 will be the star of tomorrow's show while the second handset will be either the Nokia 5.2 or the Nokia 2.2. Previous teasers...

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Latest Google Photos update adds dark mode

It seems that dark mode is one of the most requested features in today's app landscape. More and more apps are offering a dark interface alternative to their users which should help with battery life on devices with OLED displays. Google has already offered dark mode support for popular apps like YouTube and Maps and the latest addition is Google Photos. Version 4.17.0.249919200 of Google Photos will bring the new dark interface with muted accents colors. The folks over at XDA-Developers reported they've received the latest build with a working dark theme but for now it appears...

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ZTE patents a smartphone with two separate punch-hole cameras

In a world where sliders and rotating cameras are making a return, some companies like Motorola, Samsung and Huawei decided to go with a punch hole design for the selfie camera. While the devices have only one cutout, ZTE is reportedly planning to have two separate holes for its dual camera solution, according to a patent listing. The certificate is filed with the Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA, formerly SIPO) and was granted patent rights just yesterday. The overall design reveals a pretty standard setup on the other sides of the device - control...

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Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10+ now available in Cardinal Red color

The Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10+ are now available in a new color - Cardinal Red. Already available in Switzerland, the Galaxy S10 is priced at CHF829.95 ($836/€742) while the Galaxy S10+ costs CHF929.95 ($937/€831). Both are offered in only 128GB storage, but the phone does have a microSD card slot for expanding it as you want. Samsung Galaxy S10 in Cardinal Red That said, we are only looking at a new paint job here as the hardware of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ Cardinal Red models remain the same as other versions. Samsung Galaxy S10+ in Cardinal Red The...

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Huawei Maimang 8 official with 6.21-inch display, Kirin 710 and triple camera setup

Huawei just announced a new midranger for its Chinese consumers as part of its Maimang range. If the new Maimang 8 looks familiar it's because the phone is identical to the Huawei P Smart+ 2019 from last year. Up front the phone features a 6.21-inch IPS panel with FHD+ resolution and a waterdrop notch for the selfie 8MP selfie cam. Around the back, we have a 24MP main and 16MP ultra-wide combo alongside a 2MP depth sensor. The back also houses the fingerprint reader. The Maiman 8 is powered by the Kirin 710 paired with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage, which is expandable up to 512GB...

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Xiaomi Mi 9T's Geekbench listing confirms it's a re-branded Redmi K20

The Xiaomi Mi 9T is arriving on June 12, and while the company hasn't divulged much about this smartphone, we expected it to be a re-branded Redmi K20. Now, the smartphone has appeared on Geekbench, and its listing confirms that. The benchmark database reveals that the Mi 9T will come with Android Pie, 6GB RAM, and an octa-core processor having a base frequency of 1.8GHz. The motherboard section doesn't reveal the name of the chipset and says "davinci" instead. Xiaomi Mi 9T • Redmi K20 The Redmi K20 had also appeared on Geekbench with "davinci" as its codename and a 1.8GHz...

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Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4S specs and renders surface

A Samsung smartphone bearing model number SM-G398, believed to be the Galaxy Xcover 5, received FCC certification more than a week ago. However, it turns out that this device will carry the Xcover 4S moniker, and its detailed specs and renders have just surfaced to tell us what to expect from it. The Galaxy Xcover 4S comes with a rubber coating which not only helps with the grip but also adds a level of durability and resistance against impacts. It has IP68 and MIL-STD 810G certification. The Xcover 4S sports a 5-inch LCD having 1280 x 720-pixel resolution and a screen density of 294...

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Lenovo Z6 appears in first photos

12 months ago Lenovo released the Z5 with Snapdragon 636 and now it is time for the successor, called Lenovo Z6. The company VP Chang Cheng posted some photos on Weibo, teasing the first color of the phone that appears to be some shade of Brown. It is with a reflective back, meaning it will either have a Gorilla Glass protection or some sort of transparent plastic cover. The Lenovo Z6 is expected to be a midranger, positioned between the Lenovo Z6 Youth with Snapdragon 710 and the four-cam flagship Lenovo Z6 Pro. Specs are unknown but if we play the guessing game, but a Snapdragon...

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