86.2% Smartphones In The World Now Run On Android: Gartner.

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Android

Android operating system increased its monster share to 86.2% in Q2 2016 according to a report released by Gartner.

Apple's iOS took almost a 2% year-on-year hit as it stumbled from 14.6% to 12.9%. Windows mobile was the biggest loser of them all. Last year it had a considerable 2.5% share worldwide, but now it has been reduced to just 0.6%.

The reason being Microsoft's inability to produce a device which wold challenge Android smartphones in any category. While there are tons of Android devices being released every day, Mircosoft and the other OEM partners produced very few devices in months. A report suggests that it shipped only 1.2 million Lumia devices in the last quarter of FY16.

On the other hand, Blackberry has now a negligible 0.1% share and others score a 0.2% share in the market.

Operating System	2Q16 Units	2Q16 Market Share (%)	2Q15 Units	2Q15 Market Share (%)
Android	296,912.8	86.2	271,647.0	82.2
iOS	44,395.0	12.9	48,085.5	14.6
Windows	1,971.0	0.6	8,198.2	2.5
Blackberry	400.4	0.1	1,153.2	0.3
Others	680.6	0.2	1,229.0	0.4
Total	344,359.7	100.0	330,312.9	100.0

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  Ivan Mehta Tech News Editor

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Android

Android operating system increased its monster share to 86.2% in Q2 2016 according to a report released by Gartner.

Apple's iOS took almost a 2% year-on-year hit as it stumbled from 14.6% to 12.9%. Windows mobile was the biggest loser of them all. Last year it had a considerable 2.5% share worldwide, but now it has been reduced to just 0.6%.

The reason being Microsoft's inability to produce a device which wold challenge Android smartphones in any category. While there are tons of Android devices being released every day, Mircosoft and the other OEM partners produced very few devices in months. A report suggests that it shipped only 1.2 million Lumia devices in the last quarter of FY16.

On the other hand, Blackberry has now a negligible 0.1% share and others score a 0.2% share in the market.

Operating System	2Q16 Units	2Q16 Market Share (%)	2Q15 Units	2Q15 Market Share (%)
Android	296,912.8	86.2	271,647.0	82.2
iOS	44,395.0	12.9	48,085.5	14.6
Windows	1,971.0	0.6	8,198.2	2.5
Blackberry	400.4	0.1	1,153.2	0.3
Others	680.6	0.2	1,229.0	0.4
Total	344,359.7	100.0	330,312.9	100.0

source: Gartner

Smartphone market worldwide showed a promising growth of 4.3% despite certain markets showing a flat performance.

Samsung took a sizable lead of almost 10% over Apple in the second Quarter at 22.3%. Its continuous growth would be credited to well-designed flagship Galaxy S7 and great affordable smartphones in Galaxy J series. In India, Galaxy J series is extremely popular in lower to mid-lower range of phones.

Apple took a hit here as well because of weak sales in Asia-pacific, China, and North America taking a 12.9% share. This points towards a year-on-year decline of 7.7%.

Company	2Q16 Units	2Q16 Market Share (%)	2Q15 Units	2Q15 Market Share (%)
Samsung	76,743.5	22.3	72,072.5	21.8
Apple	44,395.0	12.9	48,085.5	14.6
Huawei	30,670.7	8.9	26,454.4	8.0
Oppo	18,489.6	5.4	8,073.8	2.4
Xiaomi	15,530.7	4.5	15,464.5	4.7
Others	158,530.3	46.0	160,162.1	48.5
Total	344,359.7	100.0	330,312.9	100.0

Ultra Premium Lens Released. Tests on Smartphones Shown to Outperform DSLRs!

HDFX 360 just announced a super-premium line of auxiliary smartphone lenses that bring professional image quality to today’s smartphone cameras.

"We set our design goals to make these lenses the finest in the world. We used the highest quality optics, rugged barrel materials, and ultra precision multi-coatings to deliver incredibly sharp focus and sparkling image quality."

"Images produced by our lenses have been tested and found to equal or exceed the photos produced by such top makers as Leica, Nikon and Canon. We’re extremely proud to have manufactured such a high quality product at such a modest price point, thanks to computer design and advanced CCD fabrication."

All HDFX 360 lenses are Ultra Multi Coated to enhance contrast in all light conditions allowing for great photos even indoors in low light.

"Carrying an ultra-compact, lightweight set of these lenses will give you the power of a $2400 DSLR in your pocket."

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The HDFX 360 lenses easily mount to all smartphones - Apple, Samsung, Sony, LG, Huawei and virtually any other. You don't need any special knowledge or technical ability. Simply clip on the lens with our high-tensile strength bracket. It only takes seconds.

The kit comes with THREE lenses; Fisheye — for artistic, gorgeous panoramas, a Wide Angle — for effortless selfies and indoor shots, and a Macro lens — for stunningly sharp close-ups.

NOTE: These premium lenses are currently selling for 75% off their normal price! Supplies are limited and this deal will not last. We highly recommend you grab your set before the super low introductory price is raised.

HDFX 360 Review - "We Love Them!"

Guess what, last week we ordered a kit ourselves to see if the lenses really stand up to their claims...

We could already tell by its packaging that this is a premium product. Inside there was a set of the 3 high performance lenses (macro, fish eye and wide angle), 1 quick fasten clip and a microfiber clean bag.

It is unbelievable how crisp and clean pictures taken with HDFX 360 lenses look! Even our followers on Facebook and Instagram immediately noticed the immense change in quality of our images that we often share.

We absolutely love HDFX 360 and think that every smartphone owner should get a set. Seriously, this really is like having a professional camera in your pocket!

"Worlds Brightest" Military Grade Flashlight Now Available To Public!

With the rise of domestic terrorism and stricter gun laws to contend with, Americans are searching for better ways to protect themselves and their families against crime.

The solution? Military grade tactical flashlights. Powerful technology used by law enforcement to blind and disorient bad guys. Americans are now gearing up and buying their own.

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"This flashlight is a must have for every patriot"

These are becoming such popular self-defense tools in the wake of recent events that some companies like Shadowhawk Flashlights may need to open a second factory to keep up with the massive amounts of orders coming in daily.

Shadowhawk X800 is currently the most popular tactical flashlight of choice for most Americans due to its powerfully disorienting "strobe mode" that allows people to flash a blinding strobe light into the attackers' eyes, leaving them disoriented beyond belief.

How effective are tactical flashlights, really?

If you've ever had someone take a picture of you at night with the flash on, you know how it takes a minute or two for your eyes to re-adjust. Now imagine that flash is 100x brighter and is strobing directly into your eyes. You wouldn't be able to see a thing, and would most likely lose your sense of balance.

That's what you get with a tactical flashlight like Shadowhawk X800. The strobe feature is designed to ruin attackers' eye sight, so they can't see what they're doing, letting you safely run away or if need be, gain the advantage and attack them back.

The truth is, most people underestimate the importance of owning a tactical flashlight. Whether you're walking alone at night, driving somewhere and break down, or just want a light bright enough to deter animals while you're camping, tactical flashlights are so bright they give you the advantage.

Not to mention if you're in an emergency situation, what better way to call attention to yourself than with a powerful Shadowhawk X800 military grade flashlight that can be seen for up to 2 miles away!

We Tried The Shadowhawk X800 Tactical Flashlights To See For Ourselves:

Upon receiving 4 Shadowhawk X800 Tactical Flashlights, we could already tell by its packaging that these are serious lights. They came in protective cases similar to a handguns. The light itself is small and premium looking with a sleek aluminum body, it has zoom settings from 1x - 2000x, and the coveted "strobe" and "SOS" modes that everyone loves.

After putting in the batteries and trying them out, it's clear that this these are the brightest flashlights we've ever held. And after turning on the strobe mode for 5 seconds we had to turn it off because it was incredibly disorienting.

Having played with the light for just 5 minutes it's obvious to me why so many people are buying these. Shadowhawk X800 is clearly a tool you can and should take with you everywhere.

Click here to visit the official product page.

NOTE: Since publishing this article, Shadowhawk Flashlights has contacted us and kindly offered our readers 75% OFF retail price for their first purchase. Hurry up while supplies last!

Lumia continues to die out as Microsoft ditches Highlights app

As a Nokia-branded Android Nougat-powered handset struts its stuff on Geekbench, the days when the Finnish firm's Lumia devices were somewhat thriving seem a distant memory. Having shifted its devices and services division over to Microsoft in 2014, the Lumia brand naturally went along with it. In recent times, it's become apparent that Redmond may be phasing out Lumia entirely; last month the brand disappeared from the Microsoft online store while a lack of Lumia 950 XL warranty replacements in the U.K. only added fuel to the fire. Now, Microsoft has confirmed that its Lumia Highlights app will no longer be updated. 

Though we can't say for absolute certain that Lumia is on its way out, the growing dossier of evidence is compelling. The Lumia Highlights app, which allows Lumia users to discover tips, news and relevant info about their device, won't see any more updates. 

Those opening up the app are met with the following message:

After today, you will no longer see any new articles on this app. But it's not a goodbye because there are still other ways to keep in touch. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And remember to subscribe to our newsletters to receive latest information, tips and offers from Microsoft Lumia in the future.

With so many Lumia products being removed and abandoned, we're not holding our breath for any future handsets from this long-standing, well-recognized brand. Many will be hoping that the company's apparent shift in strategy may spawn the fabled Surface Phone series. There have also been rumors that the company could make like BlackBerryand stop making smartphones entirely. 

Whatever's in the company's plans, we'll keep you in the loop as we hear more.

source: Windows Central via MSPoweruser

Best metal cases for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Do you have an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus and you want to pair it with a protective case that's not like most of the cases out there? Why not try a metal case then? 

Admittedly, protective cases made out of metal - even partially - aren't that easy to find as cases made out of polycarbonate, silicone, or TPU. Still, we did manage to catch sight of some mighty fine metal cases that will protect your beloved new iPhone while also giving it an uncommon (in a good way) look. Go ahead and check them out below (in alphabetical order).

IFCASE Slim for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Buy from Amazon ($14.99)

Called "IFCASE Slim Aluminum Metal Bumper", this case obviously includes an aluminum bumper (aircraft-grade aluminum, to be precise) that should do a good job at defending your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus against drops. The bumper is combined with a flexible, shock-absorbing TPU inner frame for extra protection. The case includes a removable transparent rear panel - it's up to you if you want to use this or not (you probably should if you have a jet black iPhone).

Moshi Armour case for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Buy: iPhone 7 ($40) | iPhone 7 Plus ($45)

This elegant case from Moshi features a diamond-cut aluminum backplate paired with a shock-absorbing inner-shell, and is MIL-STD-810G certified, which means it should have no problems surviving drops from 4 feet (1.2 meters). The case has a raised bezel to protect your iPhone's display when it's placed face-down, and won't make the handset too bulky, only adding 2.1 mm to its thickness. The Moshi Armour is available in four color variants to match your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: rose, gold, grey, and black.

X-Doria Defense Lux case for iPhone 7 Plus

The X-Doria Defense Lux case for the iPhone 7 Plus fuses together an aluminum outer frame, a soft inner rubber layer, and an impact resistant polycarbonate backing into a pretty tough product that's MIL-STD-810G certified. Available in several design combinations (including metal with leather, and metal with carbon fiber), this case can survive drops from up to 6.5 feet. 

It's worth mentioning that X-Doria has a similar case for the smaller iPhone 7. However, this one received many negative reviews on Amazon, and seems to have a design flaw: when installed, your iPhone's power or volume buttons will be pressed randomly. Thus, we can't recommend this model.

Zizo Shock Liquid Clear Metal Bumper Case

  

Buy: iPhone 7 ($17.99) | iPhone 7 Plus ($17.99)

Although the full name of this case (as shown on Amazon) includes "Titanium Metal Bumper", the bumper is actually made out of aluminum. Aided by a TPU rear shell and a rubber-coated interior, the aluminum bumper makes this Zizo case MIL-STD-810G certified, so it should be able to survive drops from up to 4 feet. A free tempered glass screen protector is offered with each purchase.