KB-Technologies

As part of its Concept for Android program, Sony has started pushing out a new update to participating Xperia X units. The update arrives as build number 38.3.1.A.0.74 and brings along a couple of major changes, including AptX support. With the update, users will be able to enjoy hi-res Bluetooth sound using the AptX codec. "If you are a fan of hi-res Bluetooth sound but are not fortunate enough to own a pair of awesome Sony headphones with LDAC support, this release might be something for you," the company said in a blog post. In addition the update (which is currently hitting the experimental track on Xperia X Concept) also includes Android security fixes for the month of March. Source | Via

As 9to5Mac reports, Apple is now allowing you to purchase its extended warranty/damage protection for your iPhone as long as you’ve purchased it less than a year ago. The previous window of opportunity that Apple offered was within 60 days of the date of purchase. Even though it doesn’t reflect on Apple’s information site just yet, go ahead and give it a try. Head on over to the AppleCare support page and enter the serial number of your iOS device. If you’ve purchased it within the year, you should be able to see an “Eligible for AppleCare+” notification whose link will lead you to another page where you can purchase the extended protection. The change only applies to iPhones at this time, so no extra protection for your Apple watch or iPad if you bought it more than 60 days ago. AppleCare+ starts at $99 for the iPhone SE, or $129 for the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus. It covers damage up to two times during the protection period. You’...

A teardown video has been posted on YouTube where the HTC U Ultra posed for the video camera while its handler slowly dismantled it. The most difficult part of the disassembly process was the softening of the rear glass panel. Once that came off, screws held the phone together, underneath all the plastic covers that held the antennas. With the smartphone race these days, manufacturers are pushing the limits with screen sizes and razor-thin builds. This (as it appears on the video) is quite a step back for HTC. We really like the build on both the HTC 10 and the HTC 10 evo; the latter was even water-resistant (despite the decision to use the Snapdragon 810 in late-2016)! Why didn’t HTC follow that trend? “HTC has really improved on [its] build process on these phones. These are now much more easily replaceable and repairable,” mentions PBK in the video. While we do agree that the phone is much easier to disassemble and repair than, say, an HTC 10, what would...

Sony is working on another new smartphone for its 2017 lineup, aside from the already official Xperia XZ Premium, XZs, XA1, and XA1 Ultra. It's called Xperia L1 and it was just certified in Russia. It's a bit surprising to see this being called L1, since that means it should act like a successor of sorts to the Xperia L. However, that device came out in May of 2013, and it's not usual to have four years passing between generations in the mobile world. Anyway, the L1 continues to show Sony's preference for adding the number "1" to the second model in a series (see the Xperia Z1 and XA1, for example). Illogical naming scheme aside, there aren't a lot of details about the new handset yet. In fact, we only get one bit of info about it right now, namely its model number, which is G3312. Given its predecessor's positioning, though, we assume that the Xperia L1 will be a lower-midrange offering. Hopefully specifics will start leaking soon. ...

If you spend a decent amount of time on the internet reading phone-related things, you're probably already aware of the fact that LG's G4 and V10 have a tendency to be caught in bootloops after a few months of use. A bootloop is literally just that - the phone tries to boot but can't, so after the boot sequence is finished, it starts once again. And so on and so on until your battery is depleted. Now a few upset owners of the aforementioned devices have filed a proposition for a class-action lawsuit against LG in a California federal court. They're basically stating that the issue bricks the phones. Back in 2016 LG acknowledged the problem with regard to the G4, saying that it occurs because of "loose contact between components". The company has been replacing units that exhibit this behavior, but only those that were still under warranty when the bootloop happened. Therein lies another issue highlighted by the proposed class-action: LG d...

While the unveiling date of March 29 for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ is official, so far Samsung hasn't announced precisely when you'll be able to purchase one of its new flagships. However, all of the rumors we've heard so far on the matter pegged either April 21 or April 28 as the release date for the duo. To confirm the April time frame for the S8 and S8+ becoming available in stores, today a leaked poster surfaced. You can see it in the image to the left. It leaves absolutely no doubt as to which month the launch will occur in. Samsung is once again using the phones' minimal top and bottom screen bezels to make a point, just like it has in the official teaser for the March 29 event. The S8 smartphones are expected to rock both Samsung's Exynos 8895 chipset as well as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, depending on market, and earlier today we found out that the former will outperform the latter, if ever so slightly. The smaller Galaxy S8 will have a 5.8-i...

Apple reported today in a press release that it will invest $500 million in R&D centers in Shanghai and Suzhou. They are expected to open later this year alongside the already announced offices in Beijing and Shenzhen. Apple aims to develop technical experts out of the Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Shanghai Jiaotong University graduates. The company stated that it has partnered with schools to include internship programs. Attracting local bright minds and gaining access to local academics that cannot afford to study and travel to the United States is the main reason Apple is expanding its research and development reach in China. Source (in Chinese) | Via