Samsung Announces 10nm LPDDR4 6GB DRAM Likely to be Used in Galaxy Note 6

Samsung Announces 10nm LPDDR4 6GB DRAM Likely to be Used in Galaxy Note 6

At the Samsung Mobile Solutions Forum this week in China, Samsung unveiled its 10-nanometer LPDDR4 6GB mobile DRAM (dynamic random-access memory), which is likely to be used in the upcoming Galaxy Note 6 flagship device. Without diving into technical specifics, the upping of RAM  should allow for better battery life and improved smartphone performance overall.

During the forum, Samsung also spoke about its “super-fast” UFS built-in memory, Dual Pixel image sensors, improvements to AMOLED technology, lithium battery product line (smartphones, wearables, etc.), charging technologies, and wireless WiFi modules. From that list, it appears Samsung focused on smartphones the entire time, which is fine with us.

Right now, there are only a few reported specs for the Galaxy Note 6 floating around, including a 5.8? AMOLED display, Snapdragon 823 processor, USB Type-C, and IP68 water resistance.

Bring on the RAM, Samsung.

Via: SamMobile | huanqiu

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ZTE Announces the Flagship Level Affordable Axon 7 One of the First Daydream VR Phones

ZTE Announces the Flagship Level Affordable Axon 7 One of the First Daydream VR Phones

ZTE took the wraps off its new flagship phone this morning, the Axon 7. The phone, like most ZTE phones, is being positioned as an unlocked phone with high-end specs and an affordable price. Unfortunately, ZTE isn’t ready to share specifics on the price, but they are revealing the specs, which are very much so in the incredibly high-end category. 

The ZTE Axon 7 features a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 20MP f/1.8 rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), 8MP f/2.2 front camera, 3250mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0, USB Type-C port, dual speaker setup with a dual Hi-Fi chipset (Dolby Atmos surround sound), and fingerprint reader. As for storage and RAM, ZTE is releasing two models, one with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, along with another that has 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. Each model also has a microSD slot.

See what I mean? That’s about as high-end as it gets.

Now, about that price. All ZTE will say is that there is “value” here and that the price will be lower than other flagship smartphones of today. That should mean a sub $500 price, but are you willing to get into a ZTE phone over something like the Nexus 6P to save $50 or so? I’ll let you decide on that.

As for availability, the Axon 7 hits China today and will then make its way to other markets, including the US, in the coming weeks. Once it arrives here, you will be able to buy it from zteusa.com, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo, eBay, and Newegg. The Axon 7 will be available in either gold or silver.

Which carriers will it work on? Out of the box, it will for sure work on T-Mobile and AT&T, because of its GSM connectivity. However, ZTE says that it has the ability to work on both Sprint and Verizon. At this time, they aren’t guaranteeing that the phone will receive certification for use on those networks, only that it might “possibly” happen later in the year.

Along side the announcement of the Axon 7, ZTE announced that they created a VR headset to pair with it, since this phone is one of the first Google Daydream-ready devices. After looking at those specs and seeing that the Axon 7 sports a QHD AMOLED display, it makes sense that it would be ready for Google’s new VR platform.

It’s certainly a pretty phone with great specs and tons of potential. But again, can ZTE get your cash over someone like Google or HTC or even Samsung for that matter?

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Bank of America Announces Android Pay Support for Withdrawing Cash at ATMs

Bank of America Announces Android Pay Support for Withdrawing Cash at ATMs

During one of Google I/O’s many Android Pay sessions, Bank of America took the stage to announce that they are now supporting Google’s mobile payment service at their cardless ATMs. That means you can use Android Pay, assuming it is loaded up with your Bank of America card, to withdraw cash. 

BofA says that they expect to expand the cardless technology to 5,000 ATMs by the end of the year, but not before they push out an initial 2,400 across the country. They also will equip the “majority” of ATMs in the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas with the technology.

But not only can you withdraw cash using Android Pay and your phone, you can check balances and make transfers as well. All of this is a first for any bank in the US.

The future is here.

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Bank of America Cardless ATM Technology Featured at Google IO Conference

Bank Expands Cardless ATM Technology to 5,000 ATMs Nationwide in 2016

SAN FRANCISCO – At the Google IO conference in Mountain View today, Michelle Moore, Head of Digital Banking at Bank of America, was on stage with Pali Bhat, Senior Director of Android Pay to demonstrate that the Bank of America cardless ATM technology now supports Android Pay. The bank also announced plans to expand cardless technology to 5,000 ATMs by year-end starting this month with a roll out to 2,400 ATMs across the country, including the majority of ATMs in the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas.

Bank of America becomes the first bank to begin a broad roll out of the technology, which lets customers withdraw cash, make transfers and check balances using a digital wallet stored on their smartphones. Earlier this year, the bank rolled out the feature to select ATMs in Boston, Charlotte, New York City, San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

“Consumers are increasingly using their mobile devices to manage their daily lives, and we’re committed to delivering solutions that give them convenient and secure options when it comes to managing their money,” said Moore. “Now in addition to using digital wallets for purchases, customers can use them to get cash at the ATM.”

Cardless ATMs allow customers to access most features of Bank of America’s ATMs. Customers can identify cardless-enabled ATMs by the contactless symbol near the card reader. When ready to perform a transaction, the customer will select their Bank of America debit card in their digital wallet and hold their device over the ATM’s contactless card reader to activate the ATM. Then they follow the normal process to enter their PIN, select their account and initiate a withdrawal, transfer, or balance inquiry.

The cardless ATMs support mobile wallets that are enabled with near field communications and loaded with a Bank of America debit card.

Cardless ATMs are one more example of the ongoing shift to mobile. Twenty million Bank of America customers now actively use the bank’s mobile banking app. During the first quarter of 2016, the number of new Bank of America accounts opened through mobile increased by 50 percent year-over-year.

More information about cardless ATMs is available here.

IMAGE

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Google Announces Big Project Ara Update Consumer Phone Coming Next Year

Google Announces Big Project Ara Update Consumer Phone Coming Next Year

Today during the ATAP session at Google I/O, Google provided an update on Project Ara, the modular phone concept from Google that we were starting to think might have been shelved. During the short session, Google showed off the latest prototypes, told us when to expect developer and consumer units, and maybe more importantly, showed hot swapping of modules in real-time, one of which was controlled by voice.

The full ATAP session is worth watching, once Google posts it, but for now, let’s talk about the Ara news, because it’s big. 

Google announced that developer units of Ara will be available this fall in preparation for a consumer launch next year (2017). They seem set on these dates and timelines, plus with the demos they showed today, I’m tempted to believe them.

The latest Ara prototype looks like the devices above and below. It’s simpler and more beautiful, includes six slots for swapping modules into, and is the closest we have seen to a potentially finished device. The new frame includes the phone’s CPU, GPU, antennas, sensors, battery and display, in case you were wondering.

Modules are connected to it via new latch system to help modules stay locked on securely. They connect to the phone through Google’s Greybus software, that allows instant connections of modules to immediately work with Android (and transfer data up to 11.9 Gbps). That basically means hot-swapping.

To detach, you can tell the Ara app to release a module, which then ejects it, or you can tell Google to do it with a command like, “OK, Google, eject camera module.” And seriously, they demoed this on stage today and it was pretty neat.

The new modules can be outfitted in different textures and finishes, helping you create a modular phone that is both functionality and unique.

Along with all of that news, the Ara team shared this video, which takes you on a day in the life of an Ara phone owner.

Pretty impressive stuff from ATAP and Ara. Now, let’s see if they can hit those promised timelines. To learn more, head over to the updated Ara site.

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