[Update] Xiaomi is blocking Mi 5X and Redmi Note 5A users from Unlocking Bootloader

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 20, 2017       

[Article: 15 Oct, 2017] I've been using Xiaomi Mi 5X for a couple of weeks now and have found that it's Blootloader cannot be unlocked. Searching further about this issue I found that Xiaomi has blocked the access to Unlock Bootloader on Mi 5X and Redmi Note 5A/Prime.

When you'll try to Unlock Bootloader of Xiaomi Mi 5X or Redmi Note 5A you'll get a message "Unlocking mechanism for this device is being updated. Learn more about this on MIUI forum".

"In order to enhance our mobile security, the unlocking mechanism for the following devices is being updated currently. The affected devices are Mi 5X and Redmi Note 5A/Prime. During this period, Mi 5X and Redmi Note 5A/Prime owners won't be able to unlock the device. Sorry for any inconvenience caused." 

"Developers are still working on bootloader system and issues found in Mi 5X. That is why China Developer ROM for Mi 5X was suspended since 15th September. They do not provide any specific timeline for the fix yet." - MIUI Forum

It's been one month since Mi 5X and Redmi Note 5A users are waiting for Xiaomi to let them unlock their own devices and there's not even a single update from Xiaomi about this.

Let's cut the bullshit, Xiaomi. Let us Unlock our device's Bootloader!

[Update 20 Oct, 2017] Xiaomi has now updated it's mechanism, the Mi 5X, Redmi and Note 5A/Prime users will now be able to Unlock their Device's bootloader. 

"The upgrade of the unlocking mechanism has been successfully completed. Thus, the unlocking service for Mi 5X and Redmi Note 5A/Prime has been restored. Thank you for your kind cooperation and understanding throughout this period."

Nokia 7 Official Specs

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 19, 2017       

Nokia 7 Specification
OS And Hardware
OS	Android OS 7.1.1 Nougat
Processor	64-bit CPU
Chipset	Snapdragon 630
GPU	Adreno 508 GPU
Splashproof	IP54
Body
Dimensions	141.2 x 71.45 x 7.92mm
Weight	-
Colors	Black and White
Display
Screen Size	5.2
Resolution	FHD
Protection	Gorilla Glass 3
Memory
Internal	64/128 GB
RAM	4/6 GB
Camera
Primary	16MP 1.12um pixel, f1.8 aperture with Zeiss Optics
Secondary	5MP
Battery and Power
Type	3000 mAh battery
Status
Announced	Yes
Price
USD	$377 (64GB)/$407 (128GB)
Yuan	2,499 (64GB)/2,699 (128GB)
INR	24,000 (64GB)/26,000 (128GB)

Nokia 7 is Official: Price, New Features & Specs

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 19, 2017       

HMD announced the Nokia 7 today. This phone comes with Mid-tier specs and ZEISS Optics. The entire package is offered at a starting price of 2499 Yuan ($377).

The Nokia 7 features a 5.2-inch FHD IPS display with huge chin but slim design. It is powered by the Snapdragon 630 SoC, 4/6GB of RAM, and 64/128GB of internal storage. The phone comes with Splashproof (IP54) ratings, and includes USB Type-C port, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC. The phone runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

The attraction for the phone is it's "Bothie" feature, which was introduced along with the Nokia 8. It allows you to use both the front and the rear Camera's together. At the back, there is a single camera of 16MP with Zeiss optics along with an 5MP front-facing camera.

The Nokia 7 is available in Black and White color options. The device will pack a 3000mAh battery with quick charge support.

Nokia 7 will be available for purchase in China beginning October 24. The 4GB model will be available for 2,499 Yuan ($377) and 6GB model for 2,699 Yuan ($407), Will you buy the Nokia 7?

Motorola announces Moto Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa for Moto Z

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 18, 2017       

Modular phone was first introduced by LG back at the MWC 2016 with the LG G5. However, it was Lenovo who took the concept to a whole new level with their Moto Z range of phones. Motorola is betting big on the modular phones.

Motorola today announced the Moto Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa Assistant Moto Mod for Moto Z Smartphones.

Just like the Google Assistant, Alexa is an intelligent personal assistant developed by Amazon. It is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic, and other real time information, such as news.

Alexa Mod provides up to 15 hours of built-in battery. Additionally, you can charge your phone while using the Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa. The information you ask Alexa will appear on your Moto Z Smartphone.

Moto Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa will be available for $149.99 USD starting in November in markets where Amazon Alexa is available.

Moto Z Play spotted on Geekbench running Android Oreo

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 18, 2017       

Now that Google has released the next version of Android, Android 8.0 Oreo, the wait for the devices to get the update first has already started. Motorola has also updated it's software support page with the list of its devices that will officially get the update.

It seems that Motorola has already started testing the Android 8.0 Oreo Firmware for a few devices as the Moto Z Play has now been spotted on Geekbench running the latest Android 8.0 Oreo. That means Oreo update for the Moto Z Play is around the corner.

With Android 8.0 Oreo, you'll get new Settings and Notification panel UI, latest features including Picture in Picture (PIP), Adaptive icons, Autofill, Notification timeout, and new emojis.

That said, there's no exact date on when Motorola will be rolling out Android 8.0 Oreo for the Moto Z Play. We will let you know once the update is out. Stay tuned to our Twitter page to get the first News.

//Geekbench | Thanks Yash

October security patch rolling out to Xiaomi Mi A1

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 18, 2017       

Recently announced Xiaomi Mi A1 (Android One) is now getting the latest October Security patch with Stability Improvement and Bug fixes.

If you own a Mi A1 you should have received the over-the-air update notification for October Security Patch, and it's crucial that you download it, as it brings along the fix for the critical severity vulnerability in media framework that could enable a remote attacker using a specially crafted file to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process.

The October Android security update for the Mi A1 weighs in at around 1060.5MB. For a successful installation, the battery in your phone should be at least 50% charged and your device should be connected to a Wi-Fi network or LTE.

If you haven't got the notification of this new software update yet, Just go to Settings - About Phone - Software updates, and It will automatically start downloading the latest update. The update will take around 10-15 minutes to get Installed on your device. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

Nokia 7 Design and Specs Leak!!!

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 18, 2017       

Nokia is all set to reveal the Nokia 7 on October 19th during an event in China. The device is expected to feature mid-tier specifications. We haven't seen any possible renders or live images of the Nokia 7, but that's going to change today, thanks to an alleged leak from baidu.

As you can see in the below Sketch (Sort of), the Nokia 7 looks promising and resembles the upcoming Nokia 9 in terms of the rear design. The device may come with a 5.2" 1080p display. It will be powered by Snapdragon 630 SoC.

One thing that is worth noticing is that the Nokia 7 will be having rear fingerprint sensor instead of front fingerprint sensor, which can be found in previous Nokia Smartphones including the Nokia 5, Nokia 6 and Nokia 8.

This leaked design is very likely going to be the real deal, as it came from trusted Nokia leaker Nokibar. That said, Nokia is expected to reveal the Nokia 7 tomorrow in China.

Recently Nokia announced the Nokia 8 with Outdated 5.3-inch QHD IPS display with huge chin and top bezels. It is powered by the Snapdragon 835 SoC, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. The phone comes dual rear cameras with Zeiss Optics, Splashproof (IP54), OZO 360-degree Audio, and includes USB Type-C port, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC. The phone runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

Nokia 7 will be priced in at around 350$ which lies between the Nokia 6 and Nokia 8. Thoughts?

2018 Moto G family includes Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus, and Moto G6 Play

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 17, 2017       

In 2017 we saw several launches from Motorola, such as the new mid-range Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus, a few months later, the Moto G5s and Moto G5s Plus. Now, according to Evan Blass, it's time to get ready for the Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus, and even the return of the "Play" edition with Moto G6 Play.

Just like the Moto G Play (G4 Play), the Moto G6 Play is going to be Motorola's ultra-budget Smartphone with average specs for 2018. Additionally, unlike the Moto E and Moto C series which comes with Mediatek Processor, the Moto G6 Play is expected to feature a Snapdragon SoC.

Motorola might reveal the Moto G6 series at the next Mobile World Congress that will take place in Barcelona in late February 2018.

In comparison to the Moto G5, Motorola is expected to at least implement the Snapdragon 435 with 3 to 4GB of RAM to the Moto G6 . The Moto G6 Plus, on the other is expected to come with the Snapdragon 630 or even Snapdragon 660, both SoC's being well above the current "Snapdragon 625" of Moto G5 Plus and Moto G5s Plus.

All said and done, these are just rumors, and none of them are officially confirmed by the company. We will update you in there's any info related to Moto G6. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

Evan Blass | Concept: TechDroider x Motorola-Fans

Android 8.1 Oreo for Pixel Phones will be available in Coming Weeks

 By Vaibhav Jain on October 17, 2017       

Just a few days back Google updated the Android SDK Build-Tools to version 26.0.2 with support for Android 8.1 and today along with the Pixel Visual Core announcement, the company also announced that an Android 8.1 update is coming in a few weeks for its Pixel Smartphones.

In the coming weeks, we will enable Pixel Visual Core as a developer option in the developer preview of Android Oreo 8.1 (MR1). Later, we will enable it to all third-party apps using the Android Camera API, giving them access to the Pixel 2’s HDR+ technology.

That means the Developer preview for Android 8.1 Oreo (MR1) will be available for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL in the Coming weeks. Google might also bring new features including Pixel 2 exclusive stuffs for 2016 Pixel devices along with the Android 8.1 Update.

That said, there's no exact date yet for when Google will release the Android 8.1 Operating System. We'll let you know once we get more information regarding this.

Via: Droid-Life