Apple’s 2018 iPhone with 5.85-inch OLED to cost much lower than iPhone X

According to Digitimes research analyst Luke Lin, the next-generation iPhone’s manufacturing bill of materials will be over 10 per cent lower than that for iPhone X.

Technology News : The Apple iPhone X was the first smartphone that crossed the $1,000 price mark — the smartphone was launched at $999 and $1149 for 64GB and $256, respectively. Now, according to Digitimes research analyst Luke Lin, the company would launch a new 5.85-inch iPhone this year with OLED screen that would cost much lower than the iPhone X.

According to Lin, who cited information from Apple’s upstream supply chain, the next-generation iPhone’s manufacturing bill for materials will be over 10 per cent lower than that for the iPhone X. He added, that the MBOM of the iPhone X was more than US$400 in 2017.

In the past, Lin also alleged that Apple was preparing for a new inexpensive smartphone similar to the iPhone SE for 2018, featuring the wireless charging functionality, but without 3D-sensing technology.

In 2018, Apple is expected to launch three iPhone models, according to Taiwan-based KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The smartphones are reported to sport screens of sizes between 5.8 inches and 6.2 inches, and different display technologies – OLED and IPS LCD.

Recently, a leak had emerged showcasing a smaller 4-inch iPhone SE-based design with all-screen display, similar to the one found in iPhone X. Touted as the iPhone SE 2, the smartphone’s design sketches were first reported by a technology portal BGR, which claimed to have received them from a reliable industry source.

Also, a video that recently surfaced on the web showcased a working prototype of the product.

The purported iPhone SE 2 shows an aluminium chassis, similar to the one seen in the original iPhone SE. However, the front showed an all-screen design with an iPhone X-inspired notch. On the back, the leak video also showed a dual-camera set-up placed in a style similar to the iPhone X’s.

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Facebook debuts 'Live Audio' on its platform, similar to podcast and radio

Android users will be able to continue listening to a Live Audio broadcast even if they leave Facebook app or lock their phones

 Breaking News - After successfully rolling out the facebook  live video feature, Facebook has now introduced "Live Audio" option — like traditional radio or podcasting — in your News Feed where users will be able to broadcast audio directly to the social network.

"We know that sometimes publishers want to tell a story on Facebook with words and not video. Our new 'Live Audio' option makes it easy to go live with audio only when that's the broadcaster's preferred format," said Shirley Ip, Product Specialist, and Bhavana Radhakrishnan, Software Engineer at Facebook in a blog post on Tuesday.

Facebook Introduces New Doodle Programme To Compete With Google

"One thing we've heard is that partners want new formats for going live. We announced Live 360 last week, and today we're excited to announce another way to go live on Facebook," they added.

Facebook has witnessed some Pages find creative ways to go live and reach audiences with audio only by using the Facebook Live API or by adding a still image to accompany their audio broadcast.

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Now watch 3D videos on smartphones without special eyewear

You could soon watch 3D videos on your smartphone without any special eyewear, thanks to scientists who have developed a way to make displays for small screen devices that offer both 2D and 3D imaging.

For eyewear-free displays, the only action is behind the screen where the image's pixels and optics are layered together to produce the stereoscopic effect.

The two primary ways of producing these optically illusive effects are by using either an array of micro-lenses, called lenticular lenses, or an array of micro-filters, called parallax barriers, in front of the image to make its appearance depend on the angle at which it is being seen.

The simplest example of this effect is found on a movie poster whose image appears to change as you walk by.

Two or more images are interlaced and printed behind a plastic layer with grooves matching the interlaced pattern.

The grooves act as distinct, interlaced arrays of lenses or filters, unveiling one image as you approach the poster and another as you depart.

In the case of 2D/3D convertible screens, these layers are active, meaning they can be switched on or off.

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After Note 7 fiasco, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge explodes in US: Report

After the Note 7 fiasco, a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge owner in the US has claimed that the device which he received as a replacement for the Note 7 exploded while charging.

According to the PhoneArena website, the person went to a popular US wireless carrier's store with a damaged Samsung Galaxy S7 edge -- the highest-selling device from the South Korean tech giant.

The customer claimed he received the unit two weeks ago after turning in his replacement Note 7 smartphone (version 2 with the "safe" battery).

"According to the owner, it was charging overnight using the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) charger," the report added.

Last month, a construction worker in Ohio sued Samsung after his Galaxy S7 edge exploded.

"The victim suffered second and third degree burns and had to go through painful skin grafts," PhoneArena reported.

Three US customers from different states -- Nevada, Pennsylvania and California - have already complained about the fire-prone Note 7 devices and may go for a class-action lawsuit against Samsung.

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Over 5.7 million watched a Facebook live link, waiting for Samsung Note 7 to explode

Ever since Samsung Galaxy Note 7 burst into flames, the company has been struggling to restore confidence and trust in the firms products despite the unrelenting attack from users who bought the smartphone. The blitzkrieg is even more severe on social media. On Monday, Dose, a viral content website, decided to test whether Note 7 catches fire or not by charging it for four hours and broadcasting it live on its Facebook page. Although many waited eagerly to see the premium phone explode, it did not burst into flames. The video has garnered more than 58k shares and 5.7 million views till now

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Google launches AI-powered Pixel smartphone; will cost Rs 57,000 in India

With an aim to lead the world of smartphones with its artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology, Google on Tuesday launched much-awaited Pixel — a new premium device completely designed by the tech giant with Google Assistant built right-in — at a special event here.

India is among the first six countries where Pixel is being launched. Starting at Rs, 57,000, it will be available for pre-order in India starting October 13 on e-tailer website Flipkart and at over 1,000 plus multi-brand retail stores, including Reliance Digital, Croma and Vijay sales, among others.

The launch also ended the Nexus branding under which the company has always released phones in partnership with other original equipment manufacturers like LG (for Google Nexus 5) and Huawei (for Google Nexus 6P).

Although HTC has manufactured the smartphones, the new device bears Google branding.

With curved sculpted edges and a unibody made up of combination of aerospace grade aluminum and glass, the device comes in two sizes — 5 and 5.5-inch with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protected super AMOLED display. Pixel is available in two — quite black and very silver colours in India.

Pixel is first smartphone with Google Assistant — a built-in AI programme that works as an intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator.

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Apple's new iPhones arrive as glow fades

As it nears its 10th year, the iPhone is maturing.

Apple Inc. on Wednesday will introduce new versions of its flagship smartphone, but they likely won't include the kind of significant new features that Apple consumers have come to expect every other year.

The new models will arrive at a critical juncture: iPhone sales are shrinking for the first time; consumers are waiting longer to upgrade their phones; and Apple faces fresh competition from rivals including Samsung Electronics Co. and Huawei Technologies Co.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that Apple plans to eliminate the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, which will make the phone thinner and improve its water resistance. Critics panned the idea.

The Journal said Apple plans more radical changes for next year's models, the iPhone's 10th anniversary.

Apple on Monday declined to comment on "rumors" ahead of Wednesday's announcement.

The iPhone propelled Apple's extraordinary growth in recent years, making it the world's most valuable company.

Apple sold nearly six times as many iPhones in the year ended Sept. 26, 2015, as five years earlier. The phone accounted for nearly two-thirds of the company's revenue.

The glow from Apple's initial large-screen models, introduced in 2014, has faded. Revenue from the iPhone fell 23% in the quarter ended June 25, and Apple shares are down 4.9% over the read more..