Sony Xperia X Compact bench results show 4.6" 1080p display

The Sony Xperia X Compact went from 0 to 60 very fast – the ran GFX Bench (allegedly) and left detailed specs behind.

Something smells fishy, though, the OS is listed as CyanogenMod. While it’s CM-friendly, Sony has its own AOSP efforts, so there’s no good reason for the phone to be running a mod. Also, a rooted CyangenMod will let you change how software (like GFX) sees the hardware, so take these specs with a grain of salt.

They are what we expect of the Xperia X Compact, though. A 4.6″, but 1080p this time, a Snapdragon 820 chipset with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage, a 13MP main and…

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Sony Xperia X Compact bench results show 4.6" 1080p display

Fitbit announces the Charge 2 with Multi-Sport and interchangeable bands, Flex 2 with swim tracking (Hallelujah!)

Those of you who have read my review of the Fitbit Blaze or my other activity tracker articles (Misfit, Amiigo) know that I’m a huge fan of Fitbit and I’m also a frequent casual swimmer. Unfortunately, that hobby and my favorite activity tracker of 3+ years could not co-exist previously because Fitbit never had a swim-proof tracker. Sure, you could, theoretically wear one of its recent trackers while taking a shower or a quick swim, which I did with my Blaze last week by mistake without any harm to it, but it’s neither condoned nor guaranteed to still work afterward.

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Fitbit announces the Charge 2 with Multi-Sport and interchangeable bands, Flex 2 with swim tracking (Hallelujah!) was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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Fitbit announces the Charge 2 with Multi-Sport and interchangeable bands, Flex 2 with swim tracking (Hallelujah!)

Moto G4 Play now available in Canada at $0 on contract

It looks like the Moto G4 Play has made its debut in Canada. The handset is available at usual suspect carriers like Bell, Virgin Mobile, Telus, Koodo, SaskTel, and Wind Mobile for the lowly-low price of $0 on contract.

A modest smartphone for modest needs, the Moto G4 Play features a 5-inch, 720p resolution screen and is powered by the Snapdragon 410 chipset, paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. That’s enough room to comfortably run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, enjoy video and play not overly intense 3D games.

In addition, the handset features an 8MP … – Source

Moto G4 Play now available in Canada at $0 on contract

Why You Should Sleep Naked

We’ve mentioned before that sleeping in the nude has all sorts of benefits

, including deeper, better sleep and helping you stay cool while you rest, but this video from DNews wraps up all of those benefits nicely, and adds some more we haven’t discussed.

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Why You Should Sleep Naked

Samsung adds iris authentication via Galaxy Note 7 for banking services

Samsung has grown into a giant with businesses in just about every industry. We can now purchase smartphones, TVs, VR devices, washing machines, refrigerators, and even air conditioners made by the South Korean company.

But not many know that Samsung has various business units that offer banking and other financial services to customers in many countries.

One of these business units, Samsung Securities, announced that it will introduce a new security feature for its customers, which is meant to improve the security of their transactions, as well as the management … – Source

Samsung adds iris authentication via Galaxy Note 7 for banking services

Small telcos like Telenor, Aircel and Videocon want lower termination rates

Telenor, Aircel and Videocon Telecom seek steep fall in call termination charges, contradicting COAI claim that only Jio holds a divergent view. – Source

Small telcos like Telenor, Aircel and Videocon want lower termination rates

Indonesia may get Samsung Pay, but not sure when

Samsung’s mobile payments service – Samsung Pay – is currently available in a handful of countries worldwide, including the US. In Asia, the company’s home country of South Korea, as well as China and Singapore are the places where people can currently use the service, and now it looks like Indonesia could also make it to the list sometime in future.

Indications for this came from none other than Samsung Electronics Indonesia IT and mobile marketing director Vebbyna Kaunang. She, however, said they can’t confirm exactly when the service – which recently turned one – will land in the…

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Indonesia may get Samsung Pay, but not sure when

Broadband Law Could Force Rural Residents Off Information Superhighway

A federal court ruling may halt the spread of municipal high-speed internet providers, which often serve households and businesses where commercial cable and telecom firms have been unwilling to go. – Source

Broadband Law Could Force Rural Residents Off Information Superhighway

Android 7.0 Nougat source code released,

Are you hoping to get your Android 7.0 Nougat update? Nexus owners are already getting the sweet treat, but the rest of us will have to wait in line. In fact, some of you will be lucky to get it in a few months! Regardless, Android 7.0 Nougat is not out of your reach. Those of you who don’t like waiting for manufacturers and carriers can take the third-party ROM route.

This is why tinkering enthusiasts will be happy to know Google has released the Android 7.0 Nougat source code. This means developers can get started on updating their software… and they certainly have. We know CyanogenMod has begun to integrate Nougat into CyanogenMod 14.0 on the Nexus 5X.

Android 7.0 Nougat review: an Android version for Android fansIs Android 7.0 Nougat everything you hoped it would be? [Poll of the Week]

Other devices and third-party ROMs are likely soon to follow suit, so it’s a matter of time before you can flash Nougat right into your own gadgets. It continues to be a mystery when these updates will be ready, but I can bet the developer community will be much faster than manufacturers and carriers

How many of you are using ROMs? Hit the comments to let us know which one. Do you know when/if it’s getting updated to Nougat?

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Android 7.0 Nougat source code released,

Roku's new streamers may have HDR and get names instead of numbers, report says - CNET

The streaming company could be done with numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 as it may be prepping five new devices. – Source

Roku's new streamers may have HDR and get names instead of numbers, report says - CNET

Maru OS mixes a custom ROM with a dockable Debian desktop, and now it's open source

The idea of a smartphone that magically turns into a full PC has been something of a pipedream for a while now. Motorola tried it with its Atrix laptop dock, Canonical is trying something similar with its Ubuntu Unity phone OS that can dock into a monitor. Even Microsoft is giving it a go with Windows Phone devices that can dock into a slimmed-down ARM Windows environment. The latest attempt with an Android base comes from “Maru OS,” the brainchild of developer Preetam D’Souza.

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Maru OS mixes a custom ROM with a dockable Debian desktop, and now it’s open source was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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Maru OS mixes a custom ROM with a dockable Debian desktop, and now it's open source

Another set of Moto Z Play images leak

A couple of new images of the Motorola Moto Z Play have surfaced online, revealing the front of the upcoming phone. While the first one focuses on device info, the second image shows a photo captured by the device’s camera in low-light conditions.

As for design, this new set of leaked images is inline with images we’ve already seen before.

In case you missed, the handset was recently spotted in a promotional poster in China. The poster revealed that the Moto Z Play is a modular smartphone with 16MP rear camera and a battery that can run up to 36 hours in standby mode. In addition,…

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Another set of Moto Z Play images leak