Xiaomi Redmi Note sells out in 6 seconds on launch day in India

Xiaomi seems to have yet another successful product on its hands, as the newly launched Redmi Note sold out in a mere six seconds. That's 50,000 units being sold in six seconds on the first day of the phone going on sale.

The Indian model of Redmi Note is priced at an attractive Rs. 8,999 ($145) and offers a lot of features, including a 5.5-inch 720p display, MediaTek 1.7GHz octa-core processor, 2GB RAM, 13 megapixel camera, dual-SIM support and a 3100mAh battery.

A 4G variant of the phone with the Snapdragon 400 processor is slated for launch later this month.

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Downgrading to iOS 8.1 no longer possible

Nearly a couple of weeks after releasing iOS 8.1.1, which brought along several bug fixes as well as increased stability and performance improvements for the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S, Apple has stopped signing iOS 8.1. This means that you’ll no longer be able to downgrade or restore to the previous firmware version.

The change in the signing status of iOS 8.1 can be confirmed on the popular third-party iOS firmware database IPSW Downloads -- the iOS 8.1 page on the website now shows red ‘!’ icons instead of green check mark icons.

If you prefer jailbroken devices, you’ll be pleased to know that iOS 8.1.1, which is compatible with the iPhone 4S and newer, iPad 2 and newer, and the fifth-generation iPod touch, is jailbreakable as well.

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra GPe getting Android 5.0 Lollipop update

Sony may have demoed early Android 5.0 Lollipop builds on the Xperia Z1, Z2, Z3 trio but it’s the Sony Xperia Z Ultra GPe that is getting the coveted update first. GPe – short for Google Play Edition – is a line of purified flagship devices from several makers, like a branded Nexus line.

Some lucky bloke on the Android Central forums already downloaded the system update, weighing in at 397.3MB it requires at least 500MB free to install (that’s not much, considering iOS 8 requires 4-5GB).

Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the Sony Xperia Z Ultra GPe now available

The update introduces a "bold new visual style" (Material Design), improves performance and adds new features. Among them are notifications on the lock screen, interruption controls for the notifications and Smart Lock (disable the secure lockscreen when connected to certain Bluetooth devices or NFC tags). The battery saving mode has also been improved.

Again, note that this update is for the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition, the one with Xperia software is still waiting (but will certainly get the Lollipop update).

Go on, check for updates on your phone and if it’s available, drop a line in the comments with your region – it will be very informative to our other readers.

Source | Via

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OnePlus One launched in India for Rs. 21,999 ($355) on Amazon

OnePlus has finally launched its much awaited OnePlus One in India. The phone is priced at a mouthwatering Rs. 21,999 for the 64GB model, which is approximately $355, very close to the $349 US pricing.

The phone will be sold exclusively through Amazon India using the invite system for now although the phone will be available through the pre-order system at a later date. Only the 64GB model is being sold here.

The phone will be available for purchase today for those who have an invite. Only 20,000 units will be available initially, with more arriving later.

As we have mentioned before, the OnePlus One in India won't be getting any updates to CyanogenMod due to an exclusivity deal with Micromax. As such, the company will later provide a beta version of their own Android Lollipop ROM that will replace CM on the phone.

The company is working on building its service centers in India and will have 25 walk-in service centers around the country. India is also the first market outside of China where OnePlus will have an official presence with General Manager Vikas Agarwal leading the India team.

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Android in November: one in three devices runs KitKat

Google released the Android distribution report for the month of November. Android 4.4 KitKat continued its increase in share - the OS version now runs on one out of three devices out there (33.9% to be precise).

Android 4.4 KitKat’s distribution number is up from 30.2% for the month of October. The KitKat share increase comes at the expense of Android Jelly Bean. The latter saw its share drop below 50% (it was 50.9% last month).

Shares of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Android 2.3 Gingerbread dipped 0.7% each from a month ago to 7.8% and 9.1% respectively. Version 2.2 Froyo on the other hand is still alive and kicking - it boots on 0.5% of all Android devices out there.

Android 5.0 Lollipop is yet to appear on the distribution charts. We will have to wait another month to find out how big an entry the latest build will make.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 will reportedly have an Edge variant

According to a report in SamMobile, Samsung’s next smartphone flagship will have an Edge variant with curved display. Unsurprisingly, the Korean giant’s upcoming high-profile handset will be named Samsung Galaxy S6.

A close relative to Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the Galaxy Note Edge is the first device by the company to carry a two-sided display. The next Galaxy S flagship surely looks like an appropriate candidate for such a variant.

Samsung Galaxy S6 is internally known as Project Zero and will have the task to bring the good times back in the company. Recent reports revealed that Samsung Galaxy S5 sales trail behind those of its predecessor.

Rumored specs of Samsung Galaxy S6 include QHD display, Exynos 7420/Snapdragon 810 chipset, and 16MP or 20MP camera. The handset will likely debut around MWC 2015.

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LG G Watch R review: A full circle

GSMArena team, 01 December 2014.

Introduction

Smartwatches have been around for a long time now, ever so reluctantly trying to infuse the tech spirit into one of the oldest accessories in the history of the world - the time piece. But a wrist watch is meant for more than telling the time - it's also a fashion statement. And as cool as the square smartwatches may be, they can only get you so far. With that in mind, Android Wear has inspired the introduction of the first wave of round smartwatches - the Moto 360 and LG G Watch R.

LG G Watch R official photos

Unlike Motorola, LG has managed to make the display on its round smartwatch perfectly round, without the "flat tire" visual effect.

And even though there is no mechanism inside, just like a classic watch, what's on the inside matters. The G Watch R makes use of an interesting combination of parts. If they sound familiar to you, that's no coincidence. Check out what we mean below.

Key features

• 1.3" Full Circle P-OLED display, 320 x 320 pixels, 348ppi, 33mm screen diameter


• Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (MSM8226), quad-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage (3 GB user available)


• 410mAh Li-Ion battery, rated at 2 days of usage


• 46.4 x 53.6 x 9.7 mm, 62 grams, genuine leather strap, changeable


• Stainless steel casing, IP-67 certified, water-resistant for 30 minutes up to depth of 1 meter


• Android Wear with Google Now integration


• Heart rate sensor, gyro, accelerometer, compass, barometer


• Bluetooth 4.0 LE


• Vibration

Main disadvantages

• Leather band is a bit on the cheap side


• The screen is too easy to accidentally turn on


• Android Wear needs more polish, and more functionality


• No choice for casing colors

The LG G Watch R surely looks the part thanks to that stainless steel casing and the 1.3" circular P-OLED display. On top of that, the G Watch R is IP-67 certified and would laugh at the face of water and dust.

LG G Watch R in action

As you can see from the quick glimpse at the key features, the G Watch R has the innards of a mid-range smartphone. It doesn't have an earpiece though, like its main rival from the Samsung camp does, but it sports a microphone through which you ask Google Now for directions, music and whatever tickles your fancy.

Let's head over to the hardware overview of the smartwatch to inspect its prospects for becoming a timeless classic.

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