NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV refresh expected at CES 2017

NVIDIA is preparing a refresh of its Android TV hardware next year as part of its upcoming lineup of SHIELD products, according an anonymous industry source. The new TV hardware will apparently be unveiled at NVIDIA's yearly CES event, which has typically focused on automotive announcements in the past.

The report suggests that NVIDIA is preparing to make a few important changes to its hardware over its previous generation. The new SHIELD Android TV device is tipped to come with 802.11ac WIFI and MIMO antennas to make the most of faster home WiFi networks. NVIDIA is also expected to mention 4K content integration and support. This should bring support for ultra high definition Google Play Movies releases to the platform, along with other 4K streaming services from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Video.

The company also looks to be making some important changes to its SHIELD Controller. WiFi Direct connectivity looks set to be replaced by Bluetooth  Low Energy, and this change may be applied to the SHIELD Remote too.  This should help keep the accessories powered up for longer without having an impact of device performance or responsiveness, although range may now become an issue.

See also:

NVIDIA Shield Tablet and Tablet K1 updated with Vulkan 1.0.1.0 support

November 3, 2016

We don't know how much NVIDIA is planning to charge for its new SHIELD Android TV device. Hopefully it will be priced at around the same level as the first generation's launch price. We'll likely see the new hardware unveiled at CES 2017 on January 4th.

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Pokémon Go creature reveal due Dec. 12, Sprint stores to become PokéStops and Gyms

Pokémon Go is finally getting close to adding some new Pokémon creatures to the mobile augmented reality game. Developer Niantic Labs has confirmed it will reveal the details about the additions on Monday, Dec. 12.

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How to make Pokestops in Pokemon Go

October 13, 2016

Rumors about the game adding as many as 100 new creatures have been making the internet rounds for the past few weeks, but it looks like Niantic now has a firm date for when they will be let loose for players to catch em all.

In the meantime, the game has received a new update to version 0.49.1 for Android. That update will allow trainers to transfer multiple Pokémon at a time to Professor Willow by pressing and holding on a Pokémon.

The update also adds Pokémon-type icons to the Gym battle approach and Gym battle screen, and the total Candy count for your Buddy Pokémon has been added to the buddy info screen. Finally, you can check out the total number of kilometers a Buddy Pokémon has walked on that same info screen with this update.

As if that were not enough for fans of Pokémon Go, Niantic Labs and Sprint have announced a partnership that will turn 10,500 Sprint, Boost Mobile and Sprint at RadioShack locations in the U.S. into PokéStops and Gyms. In addition, Sprint stores will feature in-store charging stations for players of the game to keep their smartphone powered up.

Get it at Google Play

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Huawei Enjoy 6s announced with Snapdragon 435, 3 GB of RAM and 13 MP camera

Huawei, the most profitable Android manufacturer in Q3, released the Enjoy 6 smartphone back in October. Despite being on the market for less than two months, the device already has a "successor".

In partnership with China Mobile today, Huawei took the wraps off the slightly improved Enjoy 6s. The device comes with a 5-inch 720p IPS display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 435 processor clocked at 1.4 GHz and 3 GB of RAM.

It offers double the storage at 32 GB when compared with the original Enjoy 6 and packs a 13 MP primary camera with an f/2.2 aperture. Meanwhile, the front-facing selfie snapper has a 5 MP sensor.

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Huawei will reveal new Honor concept smartphone on December 7

3 hours ago

Unfortunately, the battery has been downgraded to 3,020 mAh from 4,100 mAh. But then again, the newly announced Enjoy 6s is a bit thinner than its slightly older brother, as its metal body is only 7.6 mm thick. The device also has dual-SIM capabilities and makes sure that your data is safe thanks to the fingerprint scanner located on the back, below the camera.

The Enjoy 6s should soon be available in China, but Huawei has not given an exact time frame as to when this might happen. Available in gold, silver, and white, it will retail for CNY 1,599, which is around $235 or €215. Although not stated specifically by the company, we expect that the device will not be released in Western markets.

Do you like the new Huawei Enjoy 6s? Would you consider buying one if it would be available in your country? Let us know.

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Fourth Galaxy S7/S7 Edge Nougat beta adds Samsung Pass and Note app

Samsung is working hard to get its flagship devices, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, updated to Android 7.0 Nougat. The company has already released a few beta updates to users who have signed up for its Galaxy Beta program in the US and the UK.

Today, the company started rolling out the fourth Nougat beta update for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which brings a few new and interesting features to both devices, including a change of name for TouchWiz which will now be called Samsung Experience.

The first major new feature is Samsung Pass, which offers additional security measures and can act as a master key for mobile banking services. The update also brings Samsung's Note app to the devices, adds the auto brightness button in the Quick Panel, and moves the "Close All" button back to the bottom in the recent apps overview. As with every update, Samsung has also fixed a few bugs and made some stability improvements.

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This is Nougat on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

1 week ago

However, keep in mind that this is still a beta build, which means it does have a few problems. It looks like Samsung wasn't able to fix the annoying wake-from-sleep issue that was present in the previous beta update, as the screen still might not light up immediately after you wake up the device. But hopefully, the company will be able to sort this issue out with the next update.

If you get your hands on the latest update, which is around 530 MB in size, do let us know what you think of the new features. Would love to hear your thoughts.

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Samsung Experience: the interface formerly known as TouchWiz

Ah TouchWiz, where will we be without you? In a much better-looking place, that's where. Samsung seems to have officially hung TouchWiz out to dry in the latest Nougat beta for the Galaxy S7. The software info page on that update now lists a Samsung Experience version number, reflecting the new refined UI that borrows heavily from the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7.

See also:

Samsung brings the Note 7's Always on Display software to the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge

October 16, 2016

The same "new UX" update has also appeared in T-Mobile's Nougat update for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge today. We've reached out to Samsung to see if Samsung Experience is a Nougat-only interface update or if it might also be making its way to other Galaxy devices not expected to make the jump to Android 7.0. Don't count on it, but we'll update this post with any further details.

Admittedly, TouchWiz has not been something Samsung has talked much about in years, with the last official mention of it being back on the Galaxy S2. But the name has stuck around around as the appellation of choice for Samsung's UI, all throughout its refinement phase starting with the Galaxy S6 up to the launch interface for the Galaxy S7 family.

In many ways TouchWiz hasn't been TouchWiz for years, so changing the name officially makes a lot of sense.

In many ways TouchWiz hasn't been TouchWiz for years, so changing the name officially makes a lot of sense. The Grace UX found on the Galaxy Note 7 was too good to up in flames with that device, so it's great to see Samsung pushing it out for next-in-line devices. The new Grace UX/Samsung Experience is a lot more streamlined and clean, with loads of white and light blue accents.

The new refined interface sits a lot better with Samsung's recent move to highly polished and brazenly design-oriented devices. Samsung's design language has matured in recent years and its software tastes have matured with it. I don't think I've ever seen a better looking Samsung and interface combo than the S7 Edge with Samsung Experience. Except perhaps, for the Galaxy Note 7, may she rest in peace.

What are your thoughts on the new Samsung UI? Do you hope to get it on your Galaxy, even if you won't get Nougat?

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Sony to release up to six mobile games in 2017

After a fair bit of talk about getting into mobile games this year, Sony has finally announced that the company is working on a total of 10 mobile gaming titles, six of which are expected to be released in 2017. The 10 titles are to be based on classic Sony IP and look set to include PaRappa the Rapper and Arc The Lad.

Sony's mobile games will initially be released in Japan and will then be followed up be dates in other Asian countries. It's not clear if Sony intends to bring any of these games to the West in an attempt to capitalize on the success of games like Pokemon Go. There's some extra digging required to find all of the upcoming titles, as Sony didn't announcement all of them officially at the event, but the company's ForwardWorks studio has announced a list that contains most of them. Unfortunately most of the release dates are still to be determined, but here's the list of 10:

• Mingol
• Hot Shots Golf
• No Heroes Allowed! DASH!
• Arc The Lad Wild Arms
• Doko Demo Issho
• PaRappa the Rapper
• Boku no Natsuyasumi
• Disgaea
• Yomawari
• Sora to Umi no Aida

These upcoming titles look set to be released by the company's ForwardWorks development studio. Sony setup ForwardWorks in Toyko back at the end of March and the studio will be working exclusively on mobile titles mostly using PlayStation IP. Square Enix is also going to work in collaboration with ForwardWorks on a title that will be announced at a later date.

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Sony to launch its own lineup of mobile games on December 7?

3 weeks ago

Sony's move into mobile games should help relieve some of the pressure that it's facing from this growing gaming segment, which is particularly big business in the company's home country of Japan. In Japan, mobile gaming now accounts for more than half of the $12.4 billion market, according to research firm Newzoo.

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Amazon Prime members get early access to buy OnePlus 3T in India

Amazon India is giving early access to Prime members to buy the OnePlus 3T. While the device goes on sale on December 14, if you're a Prime subscriber, you will be eligible to buy the device on December 12.

To stand a chance to secure an early access, you need to register on or before 2PM on December 12. Prime membership does not guarantee that you'll be able to purchase the OnePlus 3T on the day, mind you. You will be eligible, but due to the limited quantities, Prime members will be able to avail this offer while stocks last.

See also:

OnePlus 3T review

2 weeks ago

Interestingly, the offer is available to trial users of Prime membership as well. So, in case you aren't a Prime member as yet, you can sign up for the free trial, and get in line for early access to buy the OnePlus 3T.

Priced at ₹29,999 ($440) for the 64GB variant and ₹34,999 ($515) for the 128GB variant, the OnePlus 3T goes on sale in India on December 14 for general public, exclusively on Amazon.

OnePlus 3T on Amazon India

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