Lugging around a camera on vacation was pointless because I only needed my iPhone

Tim Stenovec/Tech InsiderA photo of a Ljubljana, Slovenia, taken with an iPhone 6 Plus.

This summer, I went on a vacation with my family to Italy and Slovenia. 

I had planned to take a lot of photos, and asked my parents to bring their camera, a Canon PowerShot SX50HS, with them in their luggage.

But bringing it on vacation was totally pointless — I barely used it.

That's because the camera I had in my pocket on my iPhone was so good that I used it for nearly every single photo that I took during the entire trip.

The camera on the iPhone 6 Plus was more convenient, more versatile, and easier to use than the Canon. 

And the photos it took were fantastic. I did a lot of cycling on the vacation, and if I wanted to snap a photo I could just pull the phone out and take a picture using one hand. I could never have done that with the Canon, or even a smaller point and shoot.

Check out some of the photos I took with the iPhone 6 Plus.

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Source: Lugging around a camera on vacation was pointless because I only needed my iPhone

Turing Phone, the 'unhackable' smartphone is coming this December

Pic Courtesy: -

Zee Media Bureau

Many a smartphones these days have claimed to be waterproof, but they break and can be hacked. However, this latest smartphone in the market claims to be waterproof, unbreakable and most of all, unhackable.

The Turing Phone, which was launched in July this year as the 'unhackable, unbreakable and waterproof' will be ship out in December.

The 5.5-inch smartphone will be available in three colours of Beowolf, Pharaoh, and Cardinal. It will also come in 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB variants, priced at $610 (approx Rs 39,000), $740 (approx Rs 47,300), and $870 (approx Rs 55,700) respectively.

The Turing Phone features a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixel) display powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 SoC with 3GB of RAM.

It runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop with Turing Aemaeth UI and comes with a 13MP rear camera with dual-LED flash and an 8MP front-facing camera.

Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0 LE; NFC; GPS/ G lonass.

The power is backed up by a non-removable 3000mAh battery.

Interesting, the Turing Phone has no USB port nor headphone jack and the body is made of a material called liquidmorphium that is stronger than steel or aluminium.

First Published: Sunday, August 30, 2015, 21:25

Source: Turing Phone, the 'unhackable' smartphone is coming this December

Motorola Updates Camera, Gallery Apps

Article Comments  

Yesterday, 3:39 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   @phonescooper

Motorola has in recent days updated its camera and gallery applications. The camera app brings QR and barcode scanning to some of Motorola's older handsets, such as the Moto X (2nd Gen.), Moto X Pro, DROID Turbo, and Moto Maxx/Turbo. The gallery app's primary new feature is the ability to move photo albums to microSD memory cards, which the newest Moto X and Moto G smartphones support. Both apps are free to download from the Google Play Store.

more info at Play Store (Camera) »more info at (Gallery) »

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Source: Motorola Updates Camera, Gallery Apps

Gigaset is the latest company to come up with an Android phone, and we’ll see it next week

Remember the name Siemens? If you worked in any office during the past 30 years, you probably saw that name on your phone, but in 2008 the home and office communications division was sold. It's now known as Gigaset, and no longer wants to deal with office phones, but smartphones instead — and the first one may arrive very soon.

After vaguely confirming an upcoming phone launch back in June, the company is likely to announce at least one new Android phone at IFA next week. Sneaky press renders of the supposed device — named the Sloan L — leaked on Weibo, which you can see above, but don't reveal too much other than the phone appears to be sporting a metal frame.

Related: Archos gets antsy, announces a trio of smartphones ahead of IFA 2015

As far as the specs go, a recent AnTuTu benchmark gives us some clues. The model number is listed as GS55-6, and it has a 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with the Adreno 430 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. A 16-megapixel rear camera, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and Android 5.1.1 are also mentioned. However, none of this is official.

What's interesting is that a GFXBench benchmark for another Gigaset phone leaked back in June, and some of the specs differ. The model number wasn't present, but the display showed as 4.7-inches along with the same 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution. The name processor wasn't identified, but it's possible it's the same Snapdragon 810 based on the same Adreno 430 GPU. The RAM and internal storage is the same 3GB and 32GB respectively.

The main difference came with the camera and the version of Android installed. This model had a 20-megapixel rear camera and a 7-megapixel front shooter, while Android 5.0.2 was inside.

Related: Onkyo unveils new HRA Bluetooth speaker and headphones just ahead of IFA

It's possible Gigaset has two difference devices, but it's more likely we're seeing two prototypes of the same device. It's not uncommon for manufacturers to test different components and versions of Android before finalizing everything into one production-ready device. A recent tweet from Gigaset provides further evidence that one phone is likely for next week. The term "smartphone" was used instead of "smartphones."

We don't have to wait much longer to find out the official story on this one. Stay tuned for next week because there will be a lot of news coming out of IFA 2015, and we'll have you covered.

Source: Gigaset is the latest company to come up with an Android phone, and we'll see it next week

iPhone 6S camera: 12 megapixel photos, 4K video recording, flash for selfies

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AAPL: 111.98

2.29 iPhone 6S camera: 12 megapixel photos, 4K video recording, flash for selfies

Mark Gurman

- 35 mins ago

@markgurman

iOS iOS Devices Exclusive Comments (10)

One of the marquee upgrades to the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus will be a major revamp to the camera system. For the first time since the iPhone 4S launch in 2011, the iPhone camera's megapixel count will be upgraded: Apple will be moving from an 8-megapixel sensor to a custom imager billed as 12-megapixels in both of the new iPhones, according to sources. The 12-megapixel camera will mean that the new iPhones will be able to take larger, higher-resolution photos than before. Because of an upgraded image signal processor that comes as part of the new A9 system-on-a-chip, the new sensor will not wash out or otherwise decrease the quality of photos, according to sources.

In addition to a much-upgraded rear still camera, Apple has decided to make a significant addition to the iPhone's video recording capabilities: 4K video recording support. The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus will be the first iPhones capable of recording video in full 4K resolution and among the first phones on the market with such capabilities, though Samsung's Galaxy S5 launched with 4K video recording support in early 2014. The benefits of 4K video recording include compatibility with the latest consumer television sets, improved stability and clarity, as well as benefits during post-production editing. Apple is likely to highlight 4K as one of the new iPhone's premier additions for marketing purposes.

4K Video Recording Sample from the Galaxy S5

Besides new camera hardware on the rear of the new iPhone, we are told that the front FaceTime camera will also see significant improvements. In addition to an upgraded sensor for higher quality video calls and selfies, Apple will indeed add front flash support. While some industry watchers have speculated that code in iOS 9 betas indicates that Apple will add a front-facing LED flash to the new iPhones, sources say that is not the case. Instead, the new iPhone's display will take cues from Snapchat and Photo Booth, lighting up with a quick white screen when the shutter button for the front camera is pressed. Front-facing panorama shots and slow motion video in 720P are also likely to make it to the front camera this fall.

We reported earlier this year that Apple had been testing 4K video recording support for this year's iPhone upgrade, while earlier reports out of the supply chain also indicated that the new iPhone could receive a 12-megapixel camera sensor. It's unclear whether the sensor is actually 12-megapixel native, or a 13-megapixel sensor cropped for digital image stabilization purposes. Besides an overhauled camera system on the front and back, the new iPhone will include a Force Touch display focused on shortcutting features around iOS 9, new Apple Watch-like animated wallpapers for an enhanced user interface, a faster A9 processor with improved graphics for gaming and displaying video content, and more efficient Qualcomm-built cellular chips. Apple will announce the new iPhones alongside the next-generation Apple TV at an event in San Francisco on September 9th.

Source: iPhone 6S camera: 12 megapixel photos, 4K video recording, flash for selfies

How to Tell If Your iPhone 6 Plus Camera Needs Replaced

Apple recently began a recall program for a select number of iPhone 6 Plus units that have faulty camera modules. Here's how to tell it your iPhone 6 Plus camera needs replaced or not.

The iPhone 6 Plus comes with the same camera as the iPhone 6, but comes with optical image stabilization as an exclusive feature. This is probably why the iPhone 6 Plus is the only iPhone model affected by the problems, but Apple says it only affects a small number of units.

The problem that some users are having results in blurry and out-of-focus pictures when the photos shouldn't be blurry in the first place. Luckily, users who are having this problem can get their camera modules replaced by Apple for free, just as long as a couple of criteria are met.

Furthermore, if you're not sure if your iPhone 6 Plus is having this problem, there are some things you can look for when you take your pictures that could point to a problem with the camera itself.

Here's how to tell if your iPhone 6 Plus camera needs replaced.

iPhone 6 Plus Units That Could Be Affected

On Apple's support website, the company posted details about the iPhone 6 Plus camera recall and which units that could be affected by the problem.

First of all, Apple says that the affected units "fall into a limited serial number range and were sold primarily between September 2014 and January 2015." On the support page, you can enter in the serial number of your iPhone 6 Plus and see if your unit specifically is affected. If so, then your iPhone is eligible for a camera module replacement.

However, your iPhone must also show signs that the camera isn't working properly. If your serial number is eligible for a replacement camera module, it really just means that you'll get a free fix if you experience blurry photos.

The good news here is that this new replacement program is good for three years from the date that you bought your iPhone 6 Plus, so you have plenty of time for your camera module to fail.

What Should You Look Out For?

If your iPhone 6 Plus is eligible for a camera module replacement, how do you know if your iPhone is producing the blurry photos that Apple describes?

An example of a blurry photo from an affected iPhone 6 Plus unit.

One easy to find out is to take some steady shots of a stationary object and see if they come out clear or out-of-focus. These are some great example photos of what Apple is talking about. These are stationary shots, but they come out really blurry and out of focus, which means it's probably a good bet that it's a faulty camera module.

If your iPhone 6 Plus is affected by the problem, there are a few things you can do. You can take your iPhone into an Apple Store or call Apple support to set up a shipment to send your phone to Apple to get it repaired. You can also go to an Apple authorized service provider to get your iPhone repaired. You can find one here.

The iPhone 6 Plus camera is one of the best cameras on the smartphone market currently, thanks to the optical image stabilization technology, but some users may not be having the best time with it. Luckily, there's a free fix for those having problems.

If you have an iPhone 6 Plus, it might be a good idea to go to Apple's support web page on the topic and see if your iPhone unit is eligible for a free replacement, but if it's not having problems at the moment, don't bother taking it in to get replaced, as Apple will only replace units that are exhibiting blurry photos.

Source: How to Tell If Your iPhone 6 Plus Camera Needs Replaced

Samsung Galaxy A8 Review: Elegant phone, good battery and camera; will face-off with OnePlus 2

Samsung is on a phone-releasing spree. It has just released its latest A-series handset called the Galaxy A8 in the Indian market for Rs 32,500 and this announcement came in with the launch of its Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy 6 Edge+ devices. Launched in China last month, the A8 will be the top of the line phone in Samsung's A-series of metal frame phones. Samsung had launched the Galaxy A3 and Galaxy A5 earlier this year. Let us see what it has to offer.

Build and Design: 8/10

The Galaxy A8 is the slimmest phone from the Korean giant. Measuring just 5.9mm, it is indeed quite slim. However it is not the slimmest smartphone around as Oppo, Micromax, Gionee have phones slimmer that that. But the metal frame and some thoughtful tapering design on the sides, not only makes the phone look elegant but also helps with the grip. There are no sharp edges that will bother you when you hold the phone in your hand.

Although the press statement says that it is a metal unibody, we noticed that the non-removable rear-cover is plastic, although the transition from metallic frame to the plastic cover is really unnoticeable. On the front, you have the 5.7-inch display with a decent screen-to-body ratio.

The base has a physical button which also houses the finger-print sensor. This is surrounded by the back and multi-tasking soft buttons. On the right hand side, you have a power/standby button whereas on the left hand side you have two distinct volume buttons. The top edge is clean and at the base you get the microUSB charging/data transfer port along with the 3.5mm audio jack. Overall the A8 has an elegant design and will surely attract a second glance.

Features: 8/10

The Samsung Galaxy A8 features a 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display which makes sure that the display looks vibrant. It comes with Android 5.1.1 OS along with the TouchWiz UI atop it. Along with Samsung's proprietary UI, you also get some pre-installed apps such as Galaxy Apps, Smart Manager, WeChat and so on. On the left most home page, you have the Flipboard app.

Samsung uses its own chipset – the Exynos 5430 – for the Galaxy A8. It has an octa-core processor with one quad-core processor cluster clocked at 1.8GHz and the other cluster clocked at 1.3GHz. This is paired with 2GB of RAM and you get 32GB of storage. One of the SIM card slots can also house a microSD card which lets you expand the storage to 128GB.

The phone comes with a dual-nano SIM card slots on the left hand side. It can take in one 4G SIM card and one 3G SIM card. You can either have both SIM cards, or have one SIM card and use a microSD card on the other slot in case you want to increase the storage. The phone supports Wi-fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS and sensors such as fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor and so on.

Software: 7.5/10

Samsung Galaxy A8, just like its predecessors, comes with the TouchWiz UI atop the Android 5.1.1 OS. The TouchWiz UI brings its own flourishes such as a redesigned settings screen, Flipboard app as part of the homescreen, its own set of widgets and so on. TouchWiz UI has been notorious for adding in unncessary bloatware on your phones, but since the Galaxy Note 4, things have slimmed down. Of course, the stock Android experience may still be considered better than the TouchWiz.

The Galaxy A8 features a finger-print scanner on the home button, which is functional. There wasn't any random freezing of the phone when trying to unlock it via the fingerprint sensor. It is not the quickest finger print scanner around, which can be attributed to the fact that the button is more wider than taller. You have an app called Galaxy Apps, which is like Samsung's proprietary app store. The camera app gives you access to a lot of camera specific apps which you can download such as Animated selfie, Sports shot and so on. But you will need to have a Samsung ID for downloading. The Smart Manager app lets you manage your phone's storage and RAM among other things.

Display: 7.5/10

The Samsung Galaxy A8 comes with 5.7-inch full HD SuperAMOLED display. Thanks to the SuperAMOLED display, things are quite vibrant with a slight warm tinge. However, while using it we noticed a slight tinge of colour when you tilt the phone slightly along both the horizontal as well as vertical planes. While you will not be using the phone at those angles and the colour shift is not dramatic, it is still noticeable. The display has Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection. Watching movies on the display is a joy thanks to the deep blacks.

Performance: 7.5/10

The phone is quite responsive and there were barely any instances where we were left twiddling our thumbs as we waited for the apps to startup or animations to complete. The Exynos 5430 paired with 2GB of RAM ensures that things run smooth. Regular tasks such as surfing the web, calling, messaging, gaming, video streaming run without any hitches.

From L to R: Quadrant: 21887; Geekbench 3: 910 (single core), 3223 (multiple core); AnTuTu: 47841

The heating issue does crop up while using heavy apps though. Gaming or browsing image heavy websites or watching high bit-rate videos for longer periods of time makes the phone warm. When you are outdoors on a sunny day, the heat is particularly noticeable. However, it does not get as hot as the Sony Xperia Z3+, but the heating issue is present.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Galaxy A8 certainly gives scores higher than the ones we have seen with Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC sporting phones such as Xiaomi Mi4i, Oppo R5, Canvas Knight 2 and so on. In some instances, it gave scores at par with the Snapdragon 801 SoC sporting OnePlus One as well.

From L to R: PC Mark: 4506; 3D Mark Ice Storm Extreme: 6371; GFX Benchmark: 30FPS

Call quality is good with the earpiece speaker being loud enough. But the placement of the audio speaker on the rear side is strange. Unless you hold the phone such that your palm is directly opposite the speaker, the audio gets lost in the air. We found ourselves turning up the volume to maximum levels on several occasions. There wasn't any sound distortion, but the placement towards the lower portion, where you naturally hold the phone would have been much helpful. Speaker placement is a major irritant if you don't have earphones on you.

Gaming was smooth and playing heavy games such as Dead Trigger 2, Modern Combat 5 on medium settings did not give any issues. Maximum settings does slow things down a bit on both games.

Camera: 8/10

It houses a 16MP rear camera with an f/1.9 aperture which is quite impressive. On the front, you have a 5MP camera. Apart from the Auto mode, you get the Pro mode, Panorama mode, Continuous shot, HDR mode and night mode. You can also download many other camera specific features such as Sports shot, sound and shot, and so on. The 5MP front camera comes with the Beauty mode and also lets you shoot using gestures.

PS: Please click on images below to see them in full resolution

Outdoor shots were packed with details and the AF speed is quick. The f/1.9 aperture gives you good shallow depth of field. The chromatic aberrations were under control. The HDR mode isn't as impressive as we had seen with the Xiaomi Mi 4 / Mi 4i although you do get a lot of manual control options. We shot a couple of indoor shots and although the noise is noticeable, it is well controlled. Low light photographs came out surprisingly well. Sure, not as impressive as the iPhone 6 or the Huawei Honor 6 Plus, but certainly better than the others. The low light AF speed isn't that great and in terms of quality one can say that the OnePlus 2 and the Galaxy A8 are at par. The video camera lets you shoot full HD videos which are decent enough for casual use.

Battery Life: 8/10

The Samsung Galaxy A8 houses a non-removable 3,050mAh battery. Just like its siblings from the Galaxy S series, the Galaxy A8 also has an ultra-power saving mode which only gives you access to phone, messaging, internet and apps such as calculator, clock, memo and voice recorder.

In our daily use case scenarios, the Samsung Galaxy A8 lasted easily over a day on usage involving surfing the web, messaging, uploading pictures, watching videos apart from calling and messaging. In the PC Mark for Android test, it gave a good score of 10 hours 2 mins. Turn on the ultra power saving mode and you could easily go over a day and a half on a single charge. 

Verdict and Price in India

This slimmest phone from Samsung manages to impress on most fronts, specially the build quality, camera and battery performance. For a 5.7-inch phone, the Galaxy A8 does not feel that bulky thanks to the slim form factor, light weight and thinner bezels. It certainly performs faster than competing Snapdragon 615 SoC sporting phones we have seen in the past. The option to expand the storage will certainly appeal to a lot of users. But heating issues do crop up once in a while, although we did not notice apps randomly shut down due to overheating. 

But at Rs 32,500, the phone's biggest competitor is the OnePlus 2 which is almost Rs 7,000 lower, while offering a superior feature set. The Samsung Galaxy A8 is a great mid-range phone, no doubt about that. But we felt the price should have reflected that. Something closer to Rs 25,000 rather than over Rs 30,000 would be preferable. The only advantage Galaxy A8 has over the OnePlus 2 is the fact that you do not have to wait for invites to buy the A8. Going by the price point experience of Samsung devices, we wouldn't be surprised if the price indeed comes down within a couple of months. So right now we would suggest you wait it out, till the price drops, if you are really keen on getting this elegant large-screen phone.

Tags: Samsung Galaxy A8, Samsung Galaxy A8 battery, Samsung Galaxy A8 camera, Samsung Galaxy A8 features, Samsung Galaxy A8 price India, Samsung Galaxy A8 review

Source: Samsung Galaxy A8 Review: Elegant phone, good battery and camera; will face-off with OnePlus 2

Your Blurry iPhone 6 Plus Camera Could Be Eligible For A Fix

For months, iPhone 6 Plus users have complained about how blurry all their photos and videos taken with the device have turned out.

Now, Apple's decided this isn't a user problem. Instead, there's something wrong with the camera located in the back of these phones. (Video via Apple)

So it's issuing a recall. Well, sort of.

Apple set up a page on its website where iPhone 6 Plus users who are experiencing this blurry camera issue can type in their phone's serial number and see if they're eligible for a new camera. Only phones purchased between September 2014 and January 2015 are being considered for a replacement. 

Apple is only willing to replace the rearview camera in these phones. It even says on its website that if a phone is damaged in any way that "impairs the camera replacement," the owner will have to get that done beforehand and pay for the cost themselves. (Video via Apple)

Now some, like a writer for Mashable, are pointing out the start of this replacement program is suspiciously close to when Apple is launching its next iPhone.

While there's been no official confirmation from Apple, there's plenty of leaks and rumors saying the company will be releasing its newest generation of iPhone at a special event Sept 9.

A phone that's rumored to include a 12-megapixel camera, while the current iPhone 6 Plus' camera is only 8 megapixels. (Video via Apple)

And since 10 million people ran out and bought either an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus in the three days after the two phones were released back in September 2014, it wouldn't be too surprising if some users with blurry cameras just waited for the next generation of iPhone. 

Users wanting the fast fix for their blurry camera, though, will soon realize the process isn't that fast. 

After inputting their serial number on Apple's website and finding out if their phone is eligible, users then need to take their phones either into a service provider, Apple store or call tech support to verify that eligibility.

This video includes images from Getty Images.

Source: Your Blurry iPhone 6 Plus Camera Could Be Eligible For A Fix

Apple launches replacement program for faulty iPhone 6 Plus cameras

Enlarge / If you've been having problems with your iPhone 6 Plus camera, this program could cover it. Andrew Cunningham

Apple's iPhone 6 Plus has the best camera of any iPhone (at least until we get new ones next month), but it's not completely problem-free. Apple has announced an iSight Camera Replacement Program for iPhone 6 Plus models sold between the phone's launch in September of 2014 and January of 2015. "A small percentage" of phones sold included a faulty part that could make pictures taken with the rear camera look blurry. The problem doesn't affect the standard iPhone 6, so the 6 Plus' optical image stabilization component could be at fault. The front-facing FaceTime camera is also unaffected.

If your phone fits this description, head to the program page linked above and enter your serial number. If your phone needs fixed, you can take it to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple store, or you can contact Apple's tech support and make other arrangements. Apple is warning users to back their data up to iTunes or iCloud before having the phone serviced, so phones may be wiped or replaced outright as part of the repair process.

The program will cover faulty iPhone 6 Plus cameras for up to three years after you bought your phone, but doesn't otherwise change the standard one-year warranty or the two-year AppleCare+ warranty you may have purchased.

Source: Apple launches replacement program for faulty iPhone 6 Plus cameras

Apple launches free replacement program for defective iPhone 6 Plus iSight cameras

Complaints about the camera of the iPhone 6 Plus have been plentiful, and Apple has finally acknowledged that there is a problem. It's not something that affects all iPhone 6 Plus owners, but the company says that phones manufactured between September 2014 and January 2015 could include a failed camera component.

Apple has set up a replacement program which enables those with problems with the rear camera to obtain a replacement. Before you get too excited, it is just replacement camera components that are on offer, not replacement iPhones. You'll need to check to see if your phone is eligible at the program website.

The company says that it "has determined that, in a small percentage of iPhone 6 Plus devices, the iSight camera has a component that may fail causing your photos to look blurry. The affected units fall into a limited serial number range and were sold primarily between September 2014 and January 2015. If your iPhone 6 Plus is producing blurry photos and falls into the eligible serial number range, Apple will replace your device's iSight camera, free of charge."

To see if your iPhone is eligible, head to the iSight Camera Replacement Program for iPhone 6 Plus page and enter your serial number. If you're eligible, you can then take your iPhone to an Apple store or authorized service provider, or contact Apple technical support.

While Apple says that the replacement is free of charge, there is a risk that some people could incur costs:

If your iPhone 6 Plus has any damage such as a cracked screen which impairs the camera replacement, that issue will need to be resolved prior to service. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the repair.

There is no particular rush to hand over your iPhone for repair. The replacement program runs for three years after the handsets first went on sale.

Source: Apple launches free replacement program for defective iPhone 6 Plus iSight cameras

Huawei Honor 7i launched with swivel camera

Pic Courtesy: -

Zee Media Bureau

Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei has announced the new Honor 7i samrtphone. The biggest highlight of this phone is the rotating camera module that can be plucked out and pointed forward to take self portraits.

There is only a rear cam which is attached to an arm that flips up to become a selfie cam.. Looks to be a mid-range phone with good specs, and the processor is a new model as well.

Key features of new Honor 7i samrtphone:

-5.2-inch 1920x1080 display

-1.5GHz Snapdragon 616 SoC

-3100mAh battery

-comes in two storage variants: 16GB storage with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage with 3GB RAM.

-dual SIM enabled, runs EMUI 3.1 over Android 5.1

-13MP camera on the rear that flips to become selfie cam

-USD 250 for the 16GB version and USD 300 for the 32GB version.

First Published: Friday, August 21, 2015, 20:39

Source: Huawei Honor 7i launched with swivel camera

Huawei's new smartphone has a 180-degree rotating camera

Huawei's newest smartphone has a rotating rear camera that can flip forward to take high quality selfie photos. 

The Chinese company unveiled in Beijing on Thursday the Honor 7i product, which comes with a Sony 13-megapixel camera attached by a hinge. 

Huawei Honor

The Huawei Honor 7i. 

The hinge lets the camera rotate at 180-degrees, allowing users to take photos from both the device's rear and the front. Once the camera is flipped to face forward, the phone's software will automatically enter into a selfie-taking mode. 

Huawei isn't the first to come up with the concept. Over a year ago, rival Chinese handset maker Oppo also launched its own smartphone with a rotating camera called the N1. 

Users might be concerned about the camera's durability, but Huawei claims its phone can be rotated over 100,000 times, and can withstand 50 kilograms of weight.

Huawei declined to disclose its international plans for the phone. But the company's Honor brand is striving to become a bigger name on the global marketplace.  

Products under the Honor name are already available in 74 markets, and the brand is preparing to enter the U.S. 

As for the Honor 7i, the phone runs Android 5.1 and comes with some higher-end specs, including a 1080p 5.2-inch screen. Inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor that uses eight-cores, and the phone will have 2GB or 3GB of RAM. 

In terms of memory, it can have either 16GB or 32GB, but has a microSD card slot for expandable storage. The Honor 7i also has a 3100 mAh battery. 

To give the phone a sleek look, the product is fitted in a metal frame. On the left side of the phone there is also a fingerprint scanner. 

Huawei is pricing the product in the range of 1599 yuan ($250) to 1899 yuan. It will be available in China on Sept. 1.

Source: Huawei's new smartphone has a 180-degree rotating camera

Intel Israel engineers Android phone 3D camera coup

Image: Intel Intel's RealSense technology is finally ready for prime time after Intel's Haifa-based Israel team integrated the 3D tech with Google's Project Tango.

RealSense, the new iteration of Perceptual Computing, is Intel's contribution to the growing number of 3D and virtual reality platforms that developers can integrate into devices and applications, based on a library of pre-programmed routines that can be used to take advantage of the capabilities of 3D cameras. Project Tango does 3D motion and depth sensing, enabling cameras to see the world in a far more advanced - and human-like - manner than 2D cameras.

Together, the two technologies will deliver a camera that will let users to experience their surroundings in 3D, opening up the door to true virtual reality games and apps on devices. In a demonstration on Tuesday at IDF, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich showed off an app that allows users to scan their environment and use the resulting 3D image in games, apps, and other environments.

The integration of RealSense and Project Tango, and the resulting SDK that will enable developers to build smartphone apps using the system, was engineered by an Intel Israel tech team, the Haifa office announced Tuesday.

"As a result, Android developers will now be able to create new applications and experiences for the Intel RealSense technology and Project Tango ecosystems including 3-D scanning, indoor navigation, depth-enabled photography and video, measurements and immersive augmented reality and virtual reality," Intel Israel said. The SDK is set to be released to Android developers by the end of 2015.

First out of the gate, the company said, will be an Atom-powered smartphone that uses a long-range Intel RealSense camera to provide depth-mapping capabilities at VGA resolution of 60fps. It also includes a wide field-of-view feature-tracking camera and a high-precision inertial motion unit - a combined gyroscope and accelerometer - all required for the Google Project Tango Product Development Kit (PDK) to work properly, aided by the Intel RealSense SDK add-on for Android. The software suite enables developers quick and easy access to high-precision sensor data to create a new class of end-user software applications.

"The combination brings a wide-ranging set of computer vision technologies into a single mobile platform," the company added.

"The solution is for Android developers to create new applications and experiences for the Intel RealSense technology and Project Tango ecosystems including 3-D scanning, indoor navigation, depth-enabled photography and video, measurements and immersive augmented reality and virtual reality. This complementary set of technologies enables Android developers to experiment with and create a new class of end-user applications on a single mobile platform."

Read more

Source: Intel Israel engineers Android phone 3D camera coup

How the iPhone's camera compares to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (AAPL)

Lisa Eadicicco

Today we use our smartphones more than ever for photography, so it's important to pick a phone with a great camera.

Both the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 5 come with top-of-the-line cameras, although they use different sensors. The camera in the iPhone 6 Plus has an 8-megapixel sensor, for instance, while the Galaxy Note 5 has a 16-megapixel sensor.

There's been some debate as to whether or not more megapixels actually matters when it comes to image quality, as it's only one factor in capturing a compelling photo.

Take a look at the photos below to see how the images taken with the iPhone 6 Plus differ from those shot by the Note 5.

For the purposes of this test, we left each camera on its auto setting. The photos have been re-sized but not edited otherwise, and each picture was taken in the same place, at the same time, under the same circumstances. Here's a photo of a cab taken with the iPhone 6 Plus. It's sharp, and the color is true to the scene. Lisa Eadicicco

Now take a look at this photo taken with the Galaxy Note 5. The colors are much different and more vibrant: the cab is a louder yellow, and the gray concrete looks brighter. Lisa Eadicicco

Here's a photo of a cafe shot on the iPhone 6 Plus. You can tell where the sun is hitting the building, and you can clearly make out the numbers on the street sign. Lisa Eadicicco

Now look at this photo of the same scene taken with the Note 5. It's clear, but it looks a little washed out, and the numbers on the street sign aren't as clear. Lisa Eadicicco

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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Source: How the iPhone's camera compares to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (AAPL)

The iPhone 6s To Feature RAM And Camera Upgrades According To Supply Chain Sources

Not a day goes by that we dont see some new leaks, rumors and specifications pop up about Apple's upcoming iPhone 6s duo. With less than a month left until we get to see Apple's flagship devices be with us, things should be wrapping up nicely over at Apple and today we have some more whispers about the devices.

Its been a good week when it comes to the iPhone 6s, and even though we've seen very little images of the complete device pop up so far, we still have a pretty good idea of what to expect on Cupertino's upcoming flagship when it comes to specifications. After we saw the Apple A9 and A9X feature in some benchmarks yesterday, today some more sources appear to have spoken up about one feature of the iPhone almost everyone wants an upgrade for: its RAM.

Apple's been very stubborn when it comes to RAM on its iPhones and the Cupertino manufacturer has chosen to rely increasingly on its hardware/software optimization to squeeze the most out of low specifications. But we've seen a lot of folks and sources speak up about a potential RAM upgrade on the iPhone, and you can add some more folks from Apple's upstream suppliers today.

According to news out of Hong Kong, Apple is looking for a RAM upgrade on the iPhone this year as well and that won't be the only specification upgrade on the iPhone 6s duo. Camera resolution for the flagship will also be increase to 12 MP from 8 MP this time around.

All of this, coupled with Force Touch in the mix makes us wonder that will Apple succeed in generating sufficient public interest in its 2015 iPhone launches? The S line of iPhones generally don't fare as well as generational upgrades and Apple should have some neat tricks up its sleeve to counter that. Stay tuned and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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Source: The iPhone 6s To Feature RAM And Camera Upgrades According To Supply Chain Sources

Samsung's SM-G9198 Is The World's Most Powerful Flip Phone With Snapdragon 808, 2 GB RAM, 16 MP Camera And LTE

Samsung unveils a new flip phone dubbed SM-G9198 that has powerful specs. The handset is unlikely to make its way to Western countries.(Photo : Samsung)

The smartphone market is abuzz following the launch of the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus on Aug. 13. However, the Korean company has also launched a flip phone for the Chinese market dubbed SM-G9198 that has powerful specs.

The launch of a Samsung flip phone does not come as a surprise, as rumors of the handset have been surfacing throughout the market for quite some time. In July, this year China's Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, or TENAA, also revealed some information on the phone.

Flip phones may have lost their luster, but they still have a strong following in many Asian countries, including China. The Samsung SM-G9198 packs in impressive specs that make it the most powerful flip phone in the world.

The SM-G9198 sports a dual 3.9-inch Super AMOLED display with 1,280 by 768 pixel resolution. A powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset and 2 GB of RAM run the phone. The SM-G9198 comes equipped with a 16 MP rear-facing camera and a 5 MP front-facing selfie camera.

The latest Samsung flip phone has 16 GB of onboard storage, with the option to expand the memory to up to 128 GB using a microSD card. A 2,020 mAh battery that fuels the device offers 189 hours of standby time.

The SM-G9198 will come running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop straight out of the box. The handset supports dual-SIM functionality. The phone also has 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microUSB 2.0 and GPS support.

The hardware specs of the SM-G9198 push the handset to the top-end segment; however, the form factor of the phone may not attract customers searching for a top-end slim smartphone.

The chances of the SM-G9198 making its way to the global markets is quite slim. However, smartphone enthusiasts visiting the IFA 2015 from September 4 to September 9 in Berlin may be able to get hold of the flip phone at the Samsung booth. 

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Source: Samsung's SM-G9198 Is The World's Most Powerful Flip Phone With Snapdragon 808, 2 GB RAM, 16 MP Camera And LTE

Samsung launches Android-powered flip phone with 6MP front camera, Snapdragon 808 CPU

The Korean giant can't seem to get enough of flip phones.

A month after it was certified over in China, Samsung has launched its new Android-powered flip phone in the country. Google Translate says the phone's name is "World leading flagship III G9198″, so we guess it would be okay to simply call it by its model name.

The G9198 is Samsung's first smartphone to use the Snapdragon 808 processor, or any processor from Qualcomm's 2015 Snapdragon 800 series. There are dual 3.9-inch Super AMOLED displays on the phone – the resolution is WXGA (1280×768 pixels), which means the G9198 has two of the sharpest displays on the market. It's also notable for the fact that it has a 6-megapixel front-facing camera, which is of a higher-resolution than all of Samsung's flagships this year.

The rear camera is a 16-megapixel unit with an aperture of f1.9, similar to the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy Note 5. There is 16GB of expandable internal storage, 2GB of RAM, LTE, NFC and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity, and a 2,020 mAh battery good for up to 189 hours of standby time. The OS version isn't mentioned, but Android 5.1 Lollipop is a good bet.

There is no pricing information available, and it's unlikely the G9198 will ever make it to any market outside China and possibly South Korea. It's an interesting device for sure given it's one of the most feature-packed smart flip phones we've seen, but it will no doubt fade into oblivion without much fanfare.

Source: GforGames

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Source: Samsung launches Android-powered flip phone with 6MP front camera, Snapdragon 808 CPU