WSJ: Apple has over 10 iPhone 8 prototypes, one with curved display

Following various other reports which had it that Apple's iPhone 8 could sport a curved OLED screen, today, The Wall Street Journal published a story suggesting that we may, indeed, see a new iPhone with a curved display in 2017. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple asked its partners to boost production of thin OLED displays, and send "prototype screens with better resolution than ones from Samsung." The better resolution part can definitely raise some eyebrows. Samsung's curved displays - as seen on the Galaxy S7 edge, for example - have Quad HD (1440 x 2560 pixel) resolutions. Is Apple getting ready to make iPhones with even higher screen resolutions? We can't really tell for now, but that would be pretty crazy. 

At least some of the curved OLED panels might be supplied by Samsung Display. But that's no surprise, as Samsung (via various subsidiaries) is one of Apple's important component suppliers. For example, the RAM inside the iPhone 7 is made by Samsung. 

Reportedly,

WILL APPLE GO BEYOND QUAD HD WITH THE IPHONE 8?

 Apple is currently playing with more than 10 next generation iPhone prototypes, and the curved screen model is just one of them. Ultimately, Apple could decide not to commercialize the curved screen handset next year. But we honestly hope that this model will arrive in 2017, because iPhones, despite being excellent devices, have been needing a big change for years now. 

If the curved screen iPhone 8 is released in 2017, it will likely be a bit more expensive than the regular versions, since curved OLED panels are not as cheap as flat IPS LCD ones. Right now, we don't know if the curved screen iPhone is supposed to be a small one (of around 4.7 inches), or a large one (of around 5.5 inches), but the latter variant would make more sense.

While WSJ does not mention the name of the next iPhone, with all the big changes that the new model is bound to bring, we seriously can't imagine it being called iPhone 7s. Thus, it will likely be called iPhone 8. Time will tell if we're wrong on this one.


source: The Wall Street Journal

BBM for Android updated with support for longer chats

New features and improvements are now available for BBM on Android devices. BlackBerry has just pushed a new update that adds support for longer chats and a few more improvements.

Once one of the most popular instant messaging apps for mobile devices, BBM lost a lot of users to rival apps like Facebook Messenger, Telegram and WhatsApp. However, that doesn't mean that BlackBerry will stop supporting the application.

As mentioned earlier, BlackBerry deployed a new update for BBM on the Android devices, which is supposed to offer support for longer chats. If you've been running into issues with long messages, this update should address those problems.

Aside from that, the update also allows users to access all Free Stickers in one tap from BBM Discovery Tab. This is simply a tweak that improves user experience, it's not a new features.

The official changelog also mentions that BBM now offers more secure sign in for users who signed up with phone. Obviously, a fair share of bug fixes have been implemented as well, but no additional details on any of them have been disclosed.

Although this is a rather small update with a short changelog, it's recommended to download the latest BBM version to benefit from the new features and improvements.

BBM for Android

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source: Google Play

1.3 million Google accounts hit by Gooligan Android bug

A number of malicious apps have been downloaded by Android users allowing the malware inside them to wreak havoc with as many as 1.3 million Google accounts. The malware collects data from the phone it has infected, and inserts a rootkit. Once the phone is rooted, email accounts are stolen and code is inserted into the phone's apps forcing more malicious apps to be installed.

The hackers are given access to a user's Google Photos, Google Play, Google Docs and Gmail accounts. Those with a newer Google model (Marshmallow, Nougat) are lucky enough to have missed this terror. Those vulnerable have the Android Jelly Bean, KitKat and Lollipop builds loaded on their phone. Of the 1.3 million Google accounts estimated to be affected, 57% are located in Asia, 19% are in the Americas, 15% in Africa and 9% are in Europe.  

You can check to see if your Android phone has been compromised by clicking on the sourcelink and typing in your email address. For its part, Google has been removing the malicious apps from the Google Play Store. 13,000 Google accounts are said to be getting affected daily. If your phone is affected, you will have to have Android re-flashed on the unit and all of your passwords must be changed.

1.3 million Google accounts are affected by Gooligan Android bug

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source:  CheckPoint via 9to5Google

OnePlus 3 finally getting its first Android 7.0 Nougat beta build

OnePlus promised that both its high-end smartphones, the OnePlus 3 and 3T will be updated to Android 7.0 Nougat by the end of the year. The Chinese company also said that the first beta builds should hit the OnePlus 3 in November.

The OnePlus 3T won't be part of the beta program, so just those who own the OnePlus 3 will be getting the Nougat beta builds OnePlus is releasing until the the final build becomes available.

As expected, the first Android 7.0 Nougat beta for OnePlus 3 brings quite a few new features and improvements. So, among the key updates in this build, it's worth mentioning the new notifications design and new settings menu design.

Obviously, support for multi-window view has been added too, along with notification direct reply and custom DPI support. OnePlus added status bar icon options and quick launch for third-party applications. Lastly, the update brings improved shelf customization.

Keep in mind that this open beta 8 build will not be pushed OTA (over the air) to current open beta users. This means that you will have to manually download this beta build.

Before installing the Android 7.0 Nougat beta on your OnePlus 3, you should know there are a couple of known issues that haven't been addressed yet. 

For example, Android Pay may not work correctly. Also, your phone should experience some stability and performance issues. It's worth noting that after upgrading to this beta, you will not be able to directly downgrade back to Android Marshmallow builds.

OnePlus 3

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source: OnePlus

Google's Santa Tracker gets a Pokemon Go-like game and fresh design

Tomorrow is December 1st, and for a lot of people, that means it'll soon be time to start counting down the days until Santa arrives with heaps of presents and goodies in tow. Google first launched their Santa Tracker all the way back in December of 2004, and in the 12 years since it first came out, the service certainly has grown into something quite special. The mobile app and website offer plenty of fun activities and games to play in preparation of Santa's arrival, and Google has updated the service just in time for the holiday season.

The overall look and feel of Santa Tracker has been given a complete face-lift so that it's easier to navigate through all of the content that's available, with the Santa Village featuring one of the most notable visual changes. There are plenty of simple games to play within the app that serve as great time-killers, and heading to the desktop version of the Santa Tracker will feature unique games of its own.

However, while the updated design certainly is nice, the biggest inclusion is undoubtedly the latest game called "Present Quest." Present Quest features similar functionality to that of Pokemon Go, as it tasks you with heading out into the real world to collect virtual presents and to them drop them off at certain locations. You'll be able to compete for a high score within the game, but if you're like me and live in an area where the snow quickly starts to pile up around this time of year, you might be better off sticking with the other included games that don't require you to venture out into the cold.

PRESENT QUEST IS POKEMON GO MEETS CHRISTAMS.

The fun with Santa Tracker officially starts on December 1st, and new games will be released as the upcoming month progresses. And, as always, you'll be able to track Santa's exact whereabouts on December 24th.

Google's Santa app is available for Android through the Google Play Store or through your mobile/desktop browser.

source: Google via Android Central

Moto Z Tango Moto Mod to bring AR functionality to Moto Z series

Motorola CEO Aymar de Lencquesaing said today that the company is going to release a Moto Mod that will enable AR functionality on the Moto Z series. The first Project Tango project commercially available, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro phablet, was launched in the beginning of this month. With a 6.4-inch screen and its multiple cameras and sensors, the Phab 2 Pro can allow a home owner to virtually map a room quickly and move around virtual images of real world objects on top of the map. 

Now it appears that Motorola wants to bring some of the Phab 2 Pro's capabilities to the Moto Z line up through the use of the modular snap-on accessories. The Moto Z Tango Moto Mod could add the additional cameras and sensors that would allow the Moto Z Force Droid to become a VR and AR beast. Imagine a scenario where a furniture outlet sends out flyers with images of chairs, tables or couches. Combining the mapping capabilities of the phone with these images, a homeowner could see if a particular couch looks good in a particular spot through the use of AR/VR. Using a fingertip on the touchscreen, the couch could be moved throughout an entire floor of a home until the perfect location for it is found. Once that occurs, another tap on the phone could quickly order it.

CEO de Lencquesaing made his announcement today in Chicago. The executive didn't disclose a possible launch date for the product, nor was pricing mentioned. The executive did say that "Augmented reality on a phone is a technology that’s likely to stick. Of course we’ll follow, or lead, the market in this area." That is a rather strange thing to say since those are the only two choices that Motorola could make outside of dropping out of VR/AR, and that does not seem likely.

Also announced today, Motorola CMO Jan Huckfeldt said that for next year, both Motorola and Lenovo will combine their branding under the Moto name. The Lenovo brand will not be seen as much, with Moto becoming the main name for mobile products. This dovetails with a Lenovo/Motorola roadmap for 2017 that we showed you earlier this month.

Lenovo Phab 2 Pro

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source: TheVerge

Some Google Pixel phones have major camera issues

Google's latest smartphones, the Pixel and Pixel XL are not without fault. We've thought that after some customers reported small cracks in their Pixel phones, Google would do everything to avoid any other negative reviews on their devices.

Unfortunately, it looks like a new issue affects some Pixel phones. A thread started in late October by a Pixel XL phone users mentions a major camera issue. Here is how he describes the problem:

My Pixel XL camera is having major issues. It freezes with pink/purple vertical lines very regularly although not all the time. It also ends up with large blocks moved randomly around the screen.

Although he contacted Google support via chat he was told to clear the cache and data, delete and reinstall the camera app, but the issue persists.

Since the the thread was started in October, many Pixelowners reported their phones are affected by the same camera issue. Unfortunately, Google has stopped answering people's concerns, even though some continue to post stating their phone's camera app doesn't function properly.

Luckily, the community has made some progress investigating the issue and discovered that the problem only affects the international Pixel/Pixel XL versions. 

It's worth noting that third-party camera apps do not solve the issue. Also, it appears that some of those who managed to get a replacement phone started to experience the same issue. 

Google has yet to comment on the matter, though it does seem to be aware of the camera problems. It remains to be seen whether or not it will be able to reproduce it and find way to fix it.

source: Pixel User Community via MobileSyrup