In its fourth quarter and full year report, Lenovo mentions that its Motorola acquisition did not meet its expectations. Shipments in China declined by 85%, with product transition in North America not being successful. Lenovo did learn from the acquisition, and will now maintain separate strategies for China and Rest of the World.
In a launch event held in New Delhi, HTC has launched the Snapdragon 820 powered HTC 10 in India for Rs. 52,990 ($792), with the phone being available for purchase in June. Along with the 10, HTC also launched a host of other phones, namely the HTC 10 Lifestyle, One X9, Desire 628 Dual SIM, Desire 630, Desire 825 and Desire 830.
Now that both sides have finished their closing statements, it’s time for the jury to deliberate on the case. However, the jury couldn’t look at the source code of the Android OS because the files were too big for the supplied PC to open them. Judge Alsup told the lawyers to fix it or they’d have to print out the millions of lines of code.
Earlier this week we learned that Google was discontinuing the Nexus Player and now we’ve learned that HTC will be doing the same with the Nexus 9. This is probably being done so HTC can clear up manufacturing space for the rumored 2016 Nexus devices, but this hasn’t been confirmed. You’re still able to buy the Nexus 9 for now, but only while supplies last.
Bloomberg is reporting that Google is getting tired of Android’s slow update cycle. They claim to know “people familiar with the situation,” and they’re saying that Google will start to highlight the good OEMs while “shaming” the bad ones. Even Sprint has confirmed that Google is tracking when updates go out and are “putting pressure” on those who are responsible.
<Beijing, China. 9:00PM CST>
ZTE has just announced the newest flagship device in its smartphone lineup – the Axon 7. Designed in collaboration with BMW’s DesignWorks, ZTE’s Axon 7 promises to bring “high-end smartphone designs and features [that] won’t come at a high-cost.”
AXON 7 engages its users to form an emotional bond with it. Designworks’ premium and innovative approach to color, material, and finish treatment significantly contributes to the phone´s sensuous appeal.
…
These thoughtful features are presented in sophisticated rich premium finishes, their jewel-like detailing inspired by handmade timepieces. The designers chose authentic materials to create a substantial, durable feel which furthers the perception of superior craftsmanship.
Axon 7
ZTE promises competitive flagship specifications at half the cost compared to its competitors. ZTE has shared a full specification sheet with us that we have reproduced below, however, we will highlight the most important features of the device. First of all, the device will launch internationally under $500, which is quite a bit lower than other current flagships on the market. What kind of smartphone do you get for that price?
You get a 5.5″ 2560×1440 pressure-sensitive display with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC and a 3140 mAh battery. For a quick top-up of the battery, you will be able to use Qualcomm’s QuickCharge 3.0 over the USB Type-C port. Depending on which model you purchase, you can get either 4GB RAM/64 GB ROM or 6GB RAM/128 GB ROM. No matter which option you take, you will be able to expand the storage using the built-in microSD card slot which takes up the second SIM slot on the device. On the back of the device you’ve got a 20MP Samsung ISO-cell sensor (capable of 4K video recording @ 30fps) as well as the embedded fingerprint sensor and on the front of the device you’ve got an 8MP shooter and dual-speakers with two audio enhancement chips – the AKM 4961 and the AKM 4490 (a HiFi chip and an amplifier, respectively). This hardware all runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with ZTE’s own skin on top of the software called MiFavor UI 4.0. Finally, ZTE will be supporting Google’s Daydream VR platform and with its ZTE VR headset you will be able to enjoy the newly enhanced VR experience using this latest flagship.
On the look and feel of the device, you have the option to choose between an Ion Gold or Quartz Grey, both of which are simply colored versions of the Axon 7’s aluminum full-metal unibody. The device is 151.8 x 75 x 8.7 mm and weighs in at 185g, which should make the device quite easy to hold in your hand. ZTE will launch the device initially in China but will eventually launch the phone internationally. In the U.S., ZTE will sell the Axon 7 via retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, eBay, and Newegg as well as through its own website ZTEUSA.com. The Axon 7 supports AT&T and T-Mobile, but plans on working with Sprint and Verizon to bring their device onto these carriers later on in the year (the device already has the radio bands necessary). Each device comes with ZTE’s Axon Passport Program 2.0 warranty and protection plan, which entitles you to a 2-year warranty that protects you against not only hardware failure, but also regular damage to the phone due to drops. Customer support will be provided via the company’s newest call centers located within the United States.
Full Specifications
| Colors | Ion Gold |
| Quartz Grey | |
| Modes | GSM/EDGE:B2/3/5/8 CDMA BC0/1/10 UMTS/HSPA: B2/B5/B4/B1/B8 LTE: B2/B4/B5/B12/B13/B17/B7/B3/B1/B20/B29/B30/B25/B26/B41 2CA: B2+B4，B2/4+B12，B2/4+B29, B2/4+B5, B41+B41, B25+B25 |
| Weight | 185g |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 151.8 x 75 x 8.7 mm |
| Battery | 3140 mAh, non-removable
Talk: 16 hours Quick-charge 3.0 |
| Battery – Quick Charge Times | 5 min: 8% 10 min: 17% 30 min: 50%100 minutes: 100% |
| Display | 5.5″ AMOLED Glass 2.5 Resolution: 2560 x 1440 WQHDPPI 538 Gorilla Glass Gen 4 |
| OS/Platform | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
| UI version | MiFavor UI 4.0 |
| Processor | 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (MSM8996) with integrated Qualcomm® Adreno™ 530 GPU |
| SIM Card Size | SIM 1: Nano (4FF) SIM 2: Nano (4FF), also supports MicroSD expansion |
| Memory | Config 1: 4GB RAM / 64 GB ROM
Config 2: 6GB RAM / 128 GB ROM Expandable up to 128 GB via MicroSD |
| Flashlight | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No |
| GPS | GPS/A-GPS/SUPL |
| Accessibility | |
| Adjustable Text Size | Yes |
| HAC (Hearing Aid Compatible) | M3/T4 |
| Multiple Languages | English, Spanish, French, Chinese |
| TTY/TDD (Digital) | Yes |
| Connectivity | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Infrared | No |
| MirrorLink | No |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | Yes /USB 3.0 + Type C |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n/ac 2.4 GHz/ 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| FOTA | Yes |
| RCS | No |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Contacts | |
| Ringer ID | Yes |
| Voice Dial | Yes |
| Data & Network | |
| Data Tethering | Yes |
| High-Speed Data | LTE Cat 6 (300Mbps) |
| WAP/Web Browser | Yes |
| Input | |
| Predictive Text Entry | Yes |
| Side Keys | Volume on Right/Lock on Right |
| Touch Screen | Yes (Capacitive) + Pressure Sensitive Touch Control |
| Fingerprint | Yes |
| Messaging | |
| Email Client | Gmail, Exchange, POP, IMAP |
| Music | |
| Headphone Jack (3.5mm) | Yes |
| Photo & Video | |
| Rear-Facing Camera | 20MP
· Samsung ISO-cell sensor, sapphire lens, OIS+ EIS+ PDAF, F/1.8, Close Loop VCM for better auto focus · Super Auto mode (contain Night Shot, Auto HDR, Automatic Scene Optimization) · Hybrid IS (Photo and Video) · Multi-function (Manual, Beauty selfie, Refocus, Slow Motion, Live Photo, Multi Exposure, Long Exposure) · Powerful dual LED flash |
| Front-Facing Camera | 8MP |
| Miracast (Wi-Fi Display) | Yes |
| TV Output | No |
| Video Capture | Normal video mode: 4K UHD (30FPS) 1080p FHD (30 FPS) 720P HD (30 FPS)Slow Motion mode: 720P@240fps 480P@300fps |
| Voice | |
| HD Voice | Yes |
| Speaker Phone | Yes – Dual Speaker
Conference Mode – Dimensional and Omnidirectional recording, Classroom Mode |
| microphone | 2- mic noise suppression |
| voice recognition | Nuance |
| Audio | |
| headphone jack | 3.5 mm |
| Hi Fidelity Sound Performance | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes, dual speaker support |
| Base support material | m base material used around the dual speakers |
| Playback | |
| Sound Playback Codecs | Dolby Atmos® |
| Sampling Frequency | 384 kHz |
| THD+N | -112 dB |
| S/N | 120 dB |
| Recording | |
| Channel | 3 channel (hi-fi), 1 channel (VAD) |
| Resolution | 24 bit |
| Sampling Frequency | 96 kHz |
| MIC max input | 2.02 Vpp |
| S/N ADC | 102 dB |
| Conference Mode | |
| Directional Recording | Dimensional and Omni Directional |
| Recording Range | Up to 7 meters (approximately 23 feet) |
| Dedicated Audio Chipset | AKM 4961 + 4490 |
| 4961 – HiFi main chipset to provide HiFi and recording features | |
| 4490 – Independent amplifier to enhance HiFi playback (AK380) | |
| Device Materials | Aluminum Full Metal unibody |
| CNC Techniques for accurate and consistency milling of metal exterior | |
| Warranty | 2-year limited warranty + Axon Passport Program |
| Financing | Yes, New Solution(Name TBD) |
It appears modularity is in this season, folks. When the Phonebloks concept was released a few years ago, it made a tremendous impact about how we look at phones and their upgrade process.
Not long after, Google and Motorola took over the Phonebloks idea and announced Project Ara, their take on a modular smartphone. After the initial steam subsided, the market seemed to flat line. Very little news came from the project, and many considered the idea of a modular phone all but lost.
Cue 2016, and LG. With the release of the LG G5 and the unveiling of its modular port, talks of modularity were all the rage again. However, the phone was launched with a very limited module set on release, and ultimately was overshadowed by the non-modular competing flagships. Jump toGoogle I/O 2016, and the announcement of a future release of a consumer ready Project Ara. Modularity has become the hot topic once again, and it seems Motorola is next in line to take a bite off the modularity pie.
Now fast-foward to Evan Blass. Notorious Twitter leaking artist @evleaks has recently treated the Internet with two looks at the future of both Motorola and the concept of modular smartphones. The first leak is off three different color variations of possible future Droid phones. These models look eerily similar to the leaks of a redesign of Moto phones from earlier this year, which came with much criticism.
The next leak gives us a look at what Evan refers to as “MotoMods”. These appear as what some have speculated to be Motorola’s modular attachments to the new Droid and Moto Z lineups. They appear as full back plates, as opposed to the chin clips on the LG G5. It is speculated that the attachments will connect magnetically, or through pin ports as seen on the Droid phone leak. The modules look more robust, offering a full on extra camera, and two other backs could be an expanded battery and textured grip with a kickstand.
Will these potential Moto phones/add-ons finally bring modular phones into the mainstream spotlight? Or are they doomed to be overshadowed by the non-modular competition just like the G5? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
