Nougat update for Moto Z series, Moto G4 and G4 Plus

Following Sony and HTC, Motorola has also announced a list of smartphones that will get the Android 7.0 Nougat update in the first wave. Moto smartphones such as the Moto Z series, Moto G4, and Moto G4 Plus have made it to the list. These devices are most likely to get the Nougat update in Q4 2016, somewhere between October and December.

Motorola has not yet confirmed the new officially on its company blog, but its spokesperson has affirmed it to the folks at Droid-Life. With Android Nougat, Moto phones will get a variety of new features such as Multi-window support, Background Optimization, Notification improvements, Data Saver, Direct boot, Support for 25 locales and 100 new languages.

The new Android version 7.0 comes with several other features such as an improved notification shade and split-screen multitasking. There are also some improvements seen on Doze feature released with Marshmallow update. The release further shows Daydream, Google’s new VR platform. However, this VR platform will be supported only by the VR-ready handsets with Android Nougat OS.

For all the Moto users who are not using the devices mentioned in the list, this is not the final list. Motorola is expected to include more devices to the update sheet. It means that sooner or later, your Moto phone might also get the Nougat update. You can also check Motorola’s software update page to stay tuned with the update cycle for your phone.

List of Moto smartphones that are going to get the Nougat update in Q2 2016:
Moto Z
Moto Z Force
Moto Z Play
Moto G4
Moto G4 Plus

Nokia-branded Android phones with Snapdragon 820 SoC might debut this year

Once upon a time, Nokia used to be the king of smartphones. The company lacked in keeping up with the times and before it could plan a strike back, Samsung and Apple already dominated the arena. The company got acquired by Microsoft, and now Microsoft is trying to rebuild the brand by launching Android-powered smartphones.

Reportedly, two Nokia smartphones are being manufactured in collaboration with HMD global. Nokia sold off its smartphone business to Microsoft in 2014, and was barred from producing mobiles and tabs till the end of 2015. This year we are expecting Nokia’s comeback.

The partnership between Microsoft and HMD global was signed a few months ago. HMD global has full operative rights on branding, designing, sales, and marketing of Nokia-brand phones. Microsoft also revealed that it had moved its senior executives to HMD Global to bring back the lost glory of Nokia.

In one of latest leaks by GizmoChina, the two upcoming Android-powered smartphones under Nokia-brand might feature 5.2-inch and 5.7-inch screen sizes with 2K resolution. Also, both the smartphones will also boast IP68 certification, for water and dust-resistance. These devices might come powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset in metal-clad bodies. According to a Nokia fan site, both the device might run Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box. We can also expect these devices with whopping 22.6-megapixel camera sensor. A fingerprint scanner is also tipped to be on board.

Nokia is also striving to make a strong comeback as a company. To ensure its debut into the global smartphone market, Nokia also partnered with HMD Global and FIH Mobile of FoxConn Technology Group. It has plans to take over Microsoft’s feature phone segment worth $350 million, which it had purchased from Nokia in the year 2014. The HMD global is the product of Smart Connect LP, a private equity fund headed by ex-Nokia executive Jean-Francois Baril and its management.

Nokia is yet to present a launch timelines for the new devices. The agreement between Microsoft and HMD is supposed to conclude in the second half of 2016. Microsoft failed to make profits from its smartphone business. The company wrote off $7.5 billion from the former Nokia unit, last year.

WhatsApp Video Calling feature goes live on Android beta (v2.16.80)

After introducing voice calls support, a year ago WhatsApp will soon offer video call support feature which is currently been tested on its beta version of Android app.

After updating the Android app to v2.16.80 ; the app remains same as earlier versions, but the tap on the call icon on the chat menu gives options to choose between a voice call and a video call. Since this is nota public roll-out most of the features wont work.

If you’re an Android user , you can download or update the app to 2.16.80 beta version through Google Play by signing up as a beta tester for WhatsApp.

Though the ‘Video Calling’ feature is integrated with the app, the video calling is not yet activated we can’t make the calls right away. Also , the video call option is present only in the chat but not in the Calls menu. Soit seems , Facebook owned companywould end up adding those features soon .

Reliance Jio adds more VoLTE 4G smartphones to official list of supported devices

Reliance Jio has just updated its official list of VoLTE-enabled smartphones that are supported on its 4G LTE network. The latest official list of VoLTE supported devices also includes support for Video call over LTE.

Jio has managed to add full spectrum of Samsung’s latest 4G devices from entry level ON5 and J5 to the newest flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Xiaomi’s latest smartphones Redmi Note 3 and Mi5, also found its place in the official list.

Further, most of the devices in list now support native Video calling over LTE on Jio’s 4G network.

Sl. No	Brand	Model No	LTE Data Only/Volte	Video Call Support
1	Alcatel	Pop3	VOLTE	Yes
2	BlackBerry	Priv (STV100-3)	VOLTE	Yes
3	GIONEE	Elife S6	VOLTE	Yes
4	Infocus	M370	VOLTE	Yes
5	Infocus	M370I	VOLTE	Yes
6	Intex	Aqua Raze	VOLTE	Yes
7	Intex	Aqua 4G	VOLTE	Yes
8	Karbonn	Aura	VOLTE	Yes
9	Lava	A71	VOLTE	Yes
10	Lava	A88	VOLTE	Yes
11	Lenovo	Vibe Shot	VOLTE	Yes
12	Lenovo	A6000 Plus	VOLTE	Yes
13	LG	G4 Stylus 4G	VOLTE	No
14	LG	Google Nexus 5x (LG-H791)	VOLTE	Yes
15	LG	Spirit 4G H442	VOLTE	Yes
16	LG	G4 Stylus 4G	VOLTE	Yes
17	LG	G3	VOLTE	Yes
18	LYF	Flame 1	VOLTE	Yes
19	LYF	Water 1	VOLTE	Yes
20	LYF	Earth 1	VOLTE	Yes
21	LYF	Water 2	VOLTE	Yes
22	LYF	Wind 1	VOLTE	Yes
23	LYF	Water 7	VOLTE	Yes
24	LYF	Wind 6	VOLTE	Yes
25	Micromax	Yu Yuphoria (YU5010A)	VOLTE	Yes
26	Micromax	YU Yunique YU4711	VOLTE	Yes
27	Micromax	Canvas Sliver 5 (Q450)	VOLTE	Yes
28	Micromax	Canvas Amaze (Q491)	VOLTE	Yes
29	Motorola	G Turbo	VOLTE	No
30	Motorola	Moto G (3rd Gen)	VOLTE	No
31	Motorola	New Moto E (Moto E 2nd Gen)	VOLTE	No
32	OPPO	F1	VOLTE	Yes
33	Samsung	Galaxy A5 SM-A500G	VOLTE	Yes
34	Samsung	Galaxy A5 (A510FD)	VOLTE	Yes
35	Samsung	Galaxy Core Prime 4G	VOLTE	Yes
36	Samsung	Galaxy A7 (SM-A700FD)	VOLTE	Yes
37	Samsung	Galaxy A7 (A710FD)	VOLTE	Yes
38	Samsung	Galaxy J5 (SM-J500F)	VOLTE	Yes
39	Samsung	Galaxy J7 (SM-J700F)	VOLTE	Yes
40	Samsung	Galaxy A8 (SM-A800F)	VOLTE	Yes
41	Samsung	Galaxy S6 Edge (SM-G925I)	VOLTE	Yes
42	Samsung	Galaxy S6 (SM-G920)	VOLTE	Yes
43	Samsung	Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910G)	VOLTE	Yes
44	Samsung	Galaxy Note Edge SM-N915G	VOLTE	Yes
45	Samsung	ON7 (Mega On – SM-G600FY)	VOLTE	Yes
46	Samsung	ON5 (SM-G550FY)	VOLTE	Yes
47	Samsung	Galaxy Note 5 (SM-N920G)	VOLTE	Yes
48	Samsung	Galaxy S6 Edge Plus (SM-G928G)	VOLTE	Yes
49	Samsung	Galaxy-J2 (SM-J200G)	VOLTE	Yes
50	Samsung	Note 5 Duos (SM-N9208)	VOLTE	Yes
51	Samsung	A8 VE	VOLTE	Yes
52	Samsung	S7	VOLTE	Yes
53	Samsung	S7 Edge	VOLTE	Yes
54	SONY	Xperia Z5 Dual(E6883)	VOLTE	No
55	SONY	Xperia Z5 Premium Dual	VOLTE	No
56	Xiaomi	Redmi Note 3 (H3A)	VOLTE	Yes
57	Xiaomi	Mi5	VOLTE	Yes

Apart from the open market 4G smartphones, Jio care team has also confirmed VIPIN SINGH a reader of Telecomtalk that all LYF mobiles support VoLTE, Video Calling and Voice over WiFi. Availability of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) devices will be crucial for Jio, as Jio will be primarily banking on VoLTE for voice service on its 4G LTE network.

Please note that this list is not exclusive, and more phones would be added before commercial launch of the services to end consumers.

Note: Before buying new phone do check with Jio care.

Whatsapp now offers end to end encryption of messages and media to protect user privacy

If you have recently used WhatsApp chances are you would have encountered the following message: “Messages you send to this chat and calls are now secured with end-to-end encryption. Tap for more info.” Tapping on the notification further explains that this means that “WhatsApp and third parties can’t read or listen” to any WhatsApp chats and calls and also adds an option for users to verify if a message came from someone they know — and not from a hacker posing as a friend.

WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum announced the update on his Facebook page, stating that the company has been working on the feature for the last two years.

“We’ve been working for the past two years to give people better security over their conversations on WhatsApp… People deserve security. It makes it possible for us to connect with our loved ones. It gives us the confidence to speak our minds. It allows us to communicate sensitive information with colleagues, friends, and others. We’re glad to do our part in keeping people’s information out of the hands of hackers and cyber-criminals.” Koum wrote.

Clients exchange messages that are protected with a Message Key using AES256 in CBC mode for encryption and HMAC-SHA256 for authentication. The Message Key changes for each message transmitted, and is ephemeral, such that the Message Key used to encrypt a message cannot be reconstructed from the session.Calls, large file attachments are end-to-end encrypted as well. Note the ever-changing message key can mean a delay in some messages getting delivered.

It should be noted that feature is enabled by default in WhatsApp, which means that if you and your friends are on the latest version of the app, all chats will be end-to-end encrypted. Unlike say Telegram where users have to start a secret chat to enable the feature, WhatsApp has the feature on at all times. Users don’t have the option of switching off end-to-end encryption.

Apple iPhone SE goes official in India with two storage variants, starting at Rs. 39000

As expected, Apple has finally launched its much-talked-about iPhone SE in India. The 4-incher iPhone SE comes bundled with similar specs as the iPhone 6s. The Apple iPhone SE will be up for sale in Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold color variants. The 16GB variant is priced at Rs. 39,000 while the 64GB variant is priced at Rs. 49,000. The device will be available all over India through authorised Apple Re-sellers and distributors such as Redington India, Ingram Micro and Rashi Peripherals. It will also be up for sale via major online retailers such as flipkart, Infibeam, Airtel store, Vodafone store and many more.

At the time of launch, the device was dubbed to be priced at Rs. 30,ooo for India, however, the error was later rectified by Apple and the final pricing was set at Rs. 39,000 for the 16GB variant. The Indian pricing is higher than the US pricing, which is $399 (approx. Rs. 26,689). Honestly, we are not happy with the pricing as Apple was supposed to be targeting the mid-range segment of Indian smartphone users with the iPhone SE. But at a price tag like that, we doubt if it would be able to create the expected impact.

In terms of specifications, the iPhone SE comes powered by Apple A9 chipset along with M9 motion coprocessor. The device sports a 12-megapixel iSight (primary) camera with 4K video support, along with a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime (front-facing) camera. In terms of connectivity, the device supports Bluetooth 4.2, enhanced Wi-Fi and LTE, latest microphones. It will also support Apple Pay with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It does not feature a 3D Touch-sensitive display, and comes with 4-inch retina panel (640 x 1136 pixels). The phone runs iOS 9.3 OS out-of-the-box. The Apple iPhone SE bears a stark resemblance with the iPhone 5s, but with more rounded corners like the iPhone 6s.

What are your thoughts about the Apple iPhone SE? Let us know through the comment section!

Airtel says buying Aircel 4G spectrum in 8 circles to counter Reliance Jio

Bharti Airtel, the country’s leading telco, has inked a definitive agreement with Aircel to acquire the latter’s 4G spectrum in eight circles for Rs 3500 crore through a spectrum trading deal, a move aimed at countering the anticipated onslaught from Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio, which is likely to launch commercial services soon.

The eight circles where Airtel has acquired Aircel’s 4G spectrum are Tamil Nadu (including Chennai), Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, Assam, North East, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.

If the deal goes through, Airtel will become a pan-India 4G operator like Reliance Jio.

“Bharti Airtel and its subsidiary, Bharti Hexacom have entered into a definitive agreements with Aircel Ltd and its subsidiaries Dishnet Wireless Ltd and Aircel Cellular Ltd to acquire rights to use 20 MHz of 2300 Band 4G spectrum for eight circles for an aggregate consideration of Rs 3500 crore,” Airtel said in a statement.

The telco said that the closing of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of the standard conditions (including conditions stated in the spectrum trading guidelines), as are normal to such transactions.

Last month, the Sunil Mittal-led telco had acquired Videocon’s 4G spectrum in the 1800 Mhz band in six circles for Rs 4,428 crore, also through a bandwidth trading deal.