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.

Pixel XL Spigen case is already listed on Amazon

Spigen has been quick to the draw with its Rugged Armor case for the Google Pixel XL

It's not too surprising that world's foremost case makers, like Spigen, try to have a ready supply of products even before a new phone is announced. As soon as said device is launched and the pre-orders begin, thousands go looking for suitable protective armor, and Spigen is usually among the names at hand to cater to these early adopters. With theGoogle Pixel XL set to be uncovered on Tuesday, the company has already marked its territory on Amazon with its Rugged Armor case for the Big G's impending phablet. 

We've already seen the Pixel XL in a number of cases, and with just over a day until the purported launch, Spigen seems to be sure of the final design and measurements. It's widely accepted that the Pixel XL will get a 5.5-inch display, Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4 GB RAM and Sony's new IMX378 sensor as seen inside the Xiaomi Mi 5s. 

These latest case leaks align with what we have hitherto seen of the larger Pixel variant, and it seems prospective Pixel XL fans will be able to pick up a Spigen Rugged Armor case right from the word Go. It packs Spigen's signature spider-web interior for shock absorption, a few relevant cut-outs for features like the rear fingerprint sensor, and a raised lip to protect the display. 

There's no word on pricing as yet since the product is listed as Currently Unavailable, but this case usually retails for about ten bucks. Once Google's special event in San Fran has run its course on Tuesday morning, though, it's likely that the case will become available as Spigen looks to cash in on that aforementioned early rush. 

Tiny Device Allows You To Track Your Vehicle Using Your Smartphone

With Over 2.5 Million Units Sold Worldwide, This is The Most Affordable Solution to Find Your Lost Items!

Have you ever lost your car on a parking lot? It happens. You park and go shopping. When you get back, you don't have a clue where your car is. Then you start roaming around clicking on the panic button on your car keys so the alarm goes off. It can be frustrating, especially on a hot, sunny day.

No, you don't need to install an expensive GPS system to keep track of your car. That's way too expensive. You would need to pay a monthly subscription fee just to use it. Don't we have enough bills to pay already?

But is there a way to track your vehicle without spending a fortune? Yes, now there is!

A California-based startup company was able to make this a reality. They created a tiny device that works with your smartphone, and it could be exactly what you're looking for!

What is it?

It's called TrackR. It is a state-of-the-art tracking device the size of a quarter. It's changing the way we keep track of the important things in our lives.

How Does it Work?

It's easy! Install the free TrackR app on your smartphone, connect the app to your device and you're ready to go! Simply attach TrackR to whatever you want to keep tabs on. The entire process of setting it up only takes 5 minutes or less.

You can attach it to your keys, briefcase, wallet, your latest tech gadgets and anything else you don't want to lose. Then use the TrackR app to locate your missing item in seconds.

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"This device has saved me tons of time and money!"

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Forget expensive GPS systems or tracking services. Nobody wants to pay expensive monthly subscription fees. We understand how stressful these things can be, and this is the reason why TrackR was created. This device is your VIP when you need to take care of more important things in life.

Remember the car scenario above? If you have the TrackR, you can just hide it under your car's floor mat, in the trunk or in the glove compartment. Somewhere it won't be found if your car gets stolen.

If you forget where you parked your car, whip out your smartphone and open the TrackR app. Tap on the "lost item" icon on the screen and the app will tell you the exact coordinates of the last known location of the TrackR.

last known location of the TrackR.

How Much is it Going To Cost Me?

You're probably thinking that this device is very expensive... False! TrackR only costs $29! That's a small price to pay for peace of mind, isn't it?

What else can I do with TrackR?

As we said before, TrackR has unlimited possibilities. The device is small and unobtrusive enough that you can attach it to your pet. Put it on their collar, and the issue of searching for them as they scamper off to nearby places will be over! Attach it to your keys and wallet, and never waste a minute rummaging the whole house for it.

TrackR even comes with a double-sided adhesive so you can stick it to your laptop or under your bike seat. Track down and punish the thieves who steal your expensive things!

USB-IF publishes guidelines for audio over USB Type-C

The USB Implementers' Forum (USB-IF) has this week introduced the USB Audio Device Class 3.0 specification. In layman's terms, the new spec. sets the technical parameters and guidelines for audio products that connect to devices via USB-Type C. 

USB Type-C is compatible with a large portion of newer mobile devices. While it's not quite the de facto interface as yet, it's gradually replacing traditional USB connectors, and over the next couple of years, USB Type-C's ubiquity will doubtlessly increase. 

What makes USB Type-C so special? Well, aside from the fact that it's reversible, it's also versatile; as well as providing a single, all-purpose connection to and from devices, Type-C can transmit lots of power in both directions. Capable of delivering power at up 100 watts at 20 volts, a USB Type-C connector on a laptop, for example, can replace a traditional power port, full-size USB for data transfer and many other everyday ports alongside, of course, the 3.5mm jack. As you can probably tell, it's a pretty convenient advancement all round.  

While you'll need an adaptor to connect your current 3.5mm headphones to a USB Type-C port, it's based on an open standard, so will be supported by most of your devices and accessories (read: not those made by Apple) moving forward. The market already offers a number of USB Type-C audio gear and following the new USB Audio Device Class 3.0 specification, manufacturers and developers now have a reference point for their solutions. 

Despite it not having been the first to do so, much has been made of Apple's removal of the 3.5 mm earphone jack in favor of a single, all-purpose Lightning socket. As those around it transition to USB Type-C, one cannot help but feel as though Apple has made a rod for its own back by going with its largely similar, but notably proprietary Lightning connector. New iPhone 7 devices ship with a 3.5mm-to-Lightning adaptor, but as Cupertino's broader port genocide continues, it may come unstuck if it ever tries to remove the 3.5mm jack from, say, the MacBook. For then, the company would theoretically have to offer Lightning and USB Type-C alongside one another, to cater to the wider audience along with Apple devotees with their Lightning-enabled gear. 

This is familiar territory for Apple; its FireWire standard tried, and eventually succumbed as a proprietary alternative to USB. Steve Jobs announced FireWire's demise since a large proportion of the world's products, such as camcorders, instead shipped with USB 2.0. Though the fruit company has more clout today than it did back in 2008, it will once again be outnumbered when it comes to Lightning vs. USB Type-C, with the latter backed by the USB-IF which counts the likes of Intel, IBM and Microsoft among its designers. 

It will be very interesting to see if these two like-minded but incompatible standards can coexist. If history is anything to go by, one will eventually be snuffed out but even if Lightning does manage to thrive, consumers who purchase USB Type-C and Lightning products had better get used to carrying adaptors around with them. 

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge wins by a mile 

Boy, we knew that the Galaxy S7 edge had a real chance of winning this one, but we didn't expect it to lead by that much! Our blind camera comparison featured six different scenes and generated a total of 26,475 reader votes. Impressive, surely, but not as much as the fact that Samsung's curvy phone won in four out of the six rounds. With a total of 12,459 votes, it had more than twice the reader support compared to its opponents.

In second place is a phone we had high hopes for – the iPhone 7. Apparently, its images couldn't wow our readers as much, although it still managed to win in two out of the six scenes. With a total vote count of 5249, the iPhone 7 is far behind the Galaxy S7 edge.

As for the iPhone 6s and LG G5, they both finished closely behind the iPhone 7. The images from the former received 4749 votes in total, while the latter won the hearts of 4006 of our readers.

And that's a wrap, folks! In our opinion, the cameras of all four handsets performed splendidly, but at the end of the day, our readers chose the Galaxy S7 edge as their favorite. Rest assured that another grand camera comparison is coming really soon, and we'll see how it fares in that challenge. Until then, feel free to give the sample images another look – we've embedded them in the galleries below. 

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 still popular in South Korea despite global recall

The Galaxy Note 7 global recall commenced earlier this month, but not all potential faulty units have been returned by customers yet. However, Samsung hopes to finish with the Galaxy Note 7 exchange program by early November when the smartphone's sales should be resumed across the globe.

After a series of negative news about Samsung's newest flagship smartphone here is some good news for a change. According to Korean media, the Galaxy Note 7 remains popular among customers in Samsung's home country.

All three major carriers in South Korea, SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus, have recently resumed activating Galaxy Note 7 units sold via pre-orders last month. Around 16,000 phablets were activated in the country, which is a great number for a new smartphone marketed in South Korea.

More than 400,00 Galaxy Note 7 units were sold via pre-orders in South Korea, beginning August 19, but 20-30% have yet to be activated.

An authorized reseller was quoted saying that “consumers seem to have no special antipathy toward the Galaxy Note 7. They seem rather insensitive to the recall case.”

Exactly 73% of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones sold before September 15 have already been exchanged in South Korea. Around 23,000 units were exchanged on September 28 alone, but there's still time for customers to return their faulty units.

According to Samsung, the ordinary sale of the new, safe Galaxy Note 7 phablets is expected to resume on October 1, but only in South Korea. Some retailers estimate that Samsung will sell around 20,000 phones during the day the sale is resumed.