Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) has been reportedly hit by a loudspeaker-related issue following a recent software update. Several users are complaining about a strange loudspeaker sound cutout after installing the February security update rolled out by Samsung. This issue is apparently being noticed when the smartphone is being charged, but it also seems to occur in other cases as well. To recall, Samsung had launched the Galaxy A8 (2018) late last year, alongside the Galaxy A8+ (2018). While the latter made it into the Indian market, the former never had a launch in the country. Reports of loudspeaker sound cutoffs in Galaxy A8 (2018) have emerged on Samsung's Community Forums. The affected users have claimed that the Galaxy A8 (2018) units seem to have the issue when they playing something on the loudspeaker, irrespective of it being a phone call, video, music, or a ringtone, as reported by folks at Piunikaweb. However, none of the users has reported on the cutoffs no being present when using the earpiece, headphones, or a Bluetooth speaker. In several of the reported cases, hardware resets and factory resets do not seem to offer much help. Interestingly, some of the users have also claimed that the issue is present even when the phone is in charging mode, indicating that the problem could be related to the battery. A user on YouTube has posted a video proof allegedly showcasing the sound issue during charging. As per the video, the problem appears to not affect the handset when the charging cable is plugged off, but it comes back when the user plugs in the cable again. Meanwhile, affected users say Samsung support is asking them to give their devices in for repair. Several others have reported that even taking the Galaxy A8 (2018) to repair did not resolve the problem. However, there has been no official statement issued by Samsung as of now. Many of the affected users have reportedly tried debugging steps via safe mode or even a factory reset, to no avail. Notably, users may need to wait until Samsung resolves the issue in its next OTA update - as it appears to be a software issue.

OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T users have started receiving the OxygenOS 5.1.3 update. Earlier this week, OnePlus 6 had started getting OxygenOS 5.1.8 as a new software update. Specifically for Indian users, the update brought all the features that debuted through the OxygenOS 5.1.7 released last week. That said, the company has clearly not forgotten about its older smartphones - OnePlus 5 and 5T - as it is pushing out an over-the-air (OTA) update for the latest version of OxygenOS for these handsets as well. OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T are receiving the latest OxygenOS 5.1.3 software update. The file size of the update is around 58MB. Changelog of the update entails system updates but does not include the latest Android security patch. It is just a minor update that comes with a few under-the-hood optimisations and a fix for a security issue with the bootloader - perhaps addressing an issue similar to the OnePlus 6 bootloader vulnerability, which was fixed with the OxygenOS 5.1.7 update. While the security issue has been resolved, it is unfortunate that Google's June security patch is not included in the latest OxygenOS update. It is interesting to note that OnePlus had first made the announcement about the rollout of OxygenOS 5.1.3 via a forum post on June 15, only to delete it later. However, the company later released an identical post on June 17. As of now, it is unclear why OnePlus decided to remove its earlier post. Some users had posted grievances about various issues in the latest update, but such complaints are common during the rollout of almost every update. Meanwhile, the OxygenOS 5.1.3 software update to the OnePlus 5 and 5T also resolves some inconsistencies with the Bluetooth audio for cars. Some users were apparently having stability issues with the connection, but the issue has not been fixed. Additionally, a few other general bug fixes and improvements have also rolled out with the update. OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T users, who have not received the OTA update, can check by going into Settings > System updates. You can also download the latest OxygenOS ROM through OnePlus forums and install it using the given instructions. As always, users are advised to take a complete backup and make sure that the battery is charged before installing the update.

Asus ZenFone Ares has been launched in Taiwan. The new model has specifications similar to last year's ZenFone AR. It also has a bunch of features specific to deliver augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences. The handset additionally includes SonicMaster 3.0 Hi-Res Audio 384 kHz audio decoder and supports DTS Headphone with 7.1 channel support. Asus is selling the handset in the Taiwanese market with a price tag of TWD 9,990. Asus ZenFone Ares price Taiwanese retailer PCHome is taking pre-orders for the Asus ZenFone Ares. The online listing features the handset along with its price of TWD 9,990. Furthermore, the handset will be available for purchase through local retailers in the country. The Taiwan launch was first reported by DealnTech. Asus ZenFone Ares specifications The dual-SIM (Nano) Asus ZenFone Ares runs Android Nougat with ZenUI on top and features a 5.7-inch QHD (1440x2560 pixels) Super AMOLED display with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. The display panel has a Tru2life technology to enable VR experiences and comes with an oil-repellent coating. Under the hood, there is a dated Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC, coupled with 8GB of RAM. The smartphone has a 23-megapixel camera sensor on the back with Asus' high-res PixelMaster 3.0 technology on top and an f/2.0 aperture. The camera is also capable of capturing motion tracking and depth sensing to enable AR effects out of the box. On the front, there is an 8-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. For storing content, the Asus ZenFone Ares has 128GB of onboard UFS 2.0 storage that is expandable via microSD card (up to 2TB). The smartphone has 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS/ A-GPS, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There is also a fingerprint sensor embedded under the home button. Besides, the smartphone packs a 3300mAh battery that supports Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0.

At E3 2018 we saw both Microsoft and EA wax eloquent about services such as Xbox Game Pass and Origin Access. Sony's subscription and streaming service, PS Now may be getting added functionality to keep it competitive. According to members on the PlayStation subreddit, a new feature that allows users to download games via PS Now has been spotted. It was noticed by those on popular gaming forum ResetEra for a game called Alpha Protocol that was released on the PS3. It was being played on the PS4 via PS Now. If true, it means PS Now subscribers may not have to resort to streaming their games, instead they would be able to play them locally. It could also finally allow PS4 owners a way to play PS3 and PS2 games locally without a fast, persistent Internet connection. Right now though, Sony hasn't commented on this new feature just yet. If present across games on PS Now, it could make for an interesting about face considering its comments about backwards compatibility last year. "When we've dabbled with backwards compatibility, I can say it is one of those features that is much requested, but not actually used much," said Sony’s Head of Global Sales and Marketing Jim Ryan in an interview. "That, and I was at a Gran Turismo event recently where they had PS1, PS2, PS3 and PS4 games, and the PS1 and the PS2 games, they looked ancient, like why would anybody play this?" Game On!

Samsung's upcoming phablet, Galaxy Note 9, is expected to launch at an event on August 9. The next iteration in the flagship Galaxy Note series has been leaked previously to sport a Galaxy Note 8-like design, an upgraded camera module, and up to 8GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. In the most recent set of developments, the smartphone is reported to get an additional physical button for photography or videography. The Galaxy Note 8 currently sports an extra physical key to trigger Samsung's digital assistant. As per a report by South Korean publication Herald, loosely translated text claims Samsung has filed for a 'Perfect Capture Technology' trademark. The report cites other sources to claim Samsung will add an extra button to the Galaxy Note 9 which will offer dedicated camera or screen capture controls. The report suggests the button could be placed on the lower left side of the smartphone. It could either allow the user to initiate the camera app instantly apart from being used as a shortcut for screenshots. Interestingly, there are currently two shortcuts for taking screenshots on a Galaxy Note handset - pressing the power and volume down buttons together or dragging the side of your hand across the display. The report also goes on to say that this button could possibly be used to record footage from the rear camera or the screen, i.e, screen recording. In times when smartphone manufacturers are ditching physical buttons and even crucial ports, Samsung seems to be offering an interesting proposition that could soon involve a flagship smartphone with two rarely used physical keys. As for Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumours, the phablet is expected to sport a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED Infinity Display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. Apart from that, the handset might get flagship specifications like a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845/ Samsung Exynos 9810 SoC, Android 8.1 Oreo, a 4000mAh battery, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Some Nokia 7 Plus users who are presently testing the Android P beta have started facing issues after installing the June Android security update. The affected users have reported their problems on Nokia Community forum. However, HMD Global hasn't announced any official fix. Companies generally recommend users to use a public release over a beta build to avoid issues and flaws on devices. Therefore, the only solution that appears to be available for the affected users is to move back to the publicly available Android 8.1 Oreo build in order to download the latest Android security patch. As per the reports available on the Nokia Community forum, a group of Nokia 7 Plus users testing the latest Android P beta have started receiving error messages after installing the June Android security patch. Some other users on the forum highlighted that they aren't able to use the handset after installing the update as it freezes at the boot screen. "After installing [the] security patch and finishing reboot, it showed .com.androidphone stopped working," one of the affected users posted on the official forum. Most of the users believe that the June Android security patch that comes in 1.3GB of size essentially downgrades the software back to Android Oreo. XDA Developers speculates that this is what is causing crashes, with apps force closing because their data is meant for a "newer version of Android". Importantly, the rollback package on the Android P install page can't be installed as the June update comes as a newer update against the beta build. Having said that, you can resolve the issue after restoring your Nokia 7 Plus if you're facing any issues after installing the June Android security patch. You need to factory reset the device back to Android 8.1 Oreo via the recovery menu and then install the security update. Last week, some Pixel 2 XL users had reported that they are experiencing a lag in unlocking the screen after installing the June Android security update. The official Google account on Reddit responded to the user posts with an acknowledgment and promised an update to fix the issue. Launched early this month, the June Android security update includes six functional updates and as many as 66 security fixes. It also improved antenna switching behaviour and fixed issues with the proximity sensor.

Sony on Friday announced that it is cutting the Xperia XZ Premium, Xperia XA1 Ultra, and Xperia XA1 Plus price in Pakistan. The smartphones have received price cuts of up to Rs. 10,000 (for the top-end model), with the company calling the move a 'price adjustment'. Sony Pakistan has provided the new best buy prices for the three smartphones. To recall, the Xperia XZ Premium and Xperia XA1 Ultra had been launched at MWC 2017,  while the Xperia XA1 Plus had been launched back at IFA 2017. The Sony Xperia XZ Premium sports a 5.5-inch Triluminos HDR display with a 4K (2160x3840 pixels) resolution. It is powered by a Snapdragon 835 SoC, paired with Adreno 540 GPU and 4GB RAM. It offers 64GB of inbuilt storage with the option to expand further via a microSD slot (up to 256GB). The new Xperia XZ Premium on the rear has a 19-megapixel sensor with Sony's new Motion Eye camera system (based its new memory stacked 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor) that provides 5x faster image scanning and data transfer. This means you can create videos by recording in 960 frames per second, providing Super slow motion video playback that is apparently four times slower than other smartphones in the market. There's also a 13-megapixel front camera with 1/3.06-inch Exmor RS sensor for selfies. The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is a mid-range smartphone compared to the Xperia XZ series, but still has specifications such as a 23-megapixel camera, wide-angle 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and Sony ClearAudio+ sound technology. It will be available in White, Black, and Gold colours. It is powered by a 64-bit octa-core MediaTek Helio P20 SoC (four clocked at 2.3GHz and rest four at 1.6GHz) coupled with 4GB of RAM and Mali T-880 MP2 GPU for graphics. It packs a 5.5-inch Full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display. The rear camera sports a 23-megapixel Exmor RS sensor with hybrid autofocus and 24mm wide-angle f/2.0 aperture lens. The smartphone has an 8-megapixel selfie camera with 23mm f/2.0 aperture lens that is capable of taking low-light photographs at an ISO3200. The smartphone has a 32GB of inbuilt storage that can be expanded further via a microSD card (up to 256GB). The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus packs a 3430mAh battery under the hood with Quick Charge 2.0+. It measures 155x75x8.7mm and weighs 190 grams. The big highlight of Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra is the cameras at the back and front. At the rear, there is a 23-megapixel Exmor RS image sensor with hybrid autofocus, 24mm wide-angle lens, f/2.0 aperture, 5x zoom, and HDR mode. The Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra bears a 16-megapixel Exmor RS sensor at the front with front flash, 23mm wide-angle lens, f/2.0 aperture, OIS, and autofocus. The battery is a 2700mAh, and the smartphone runs on Android 7.0 Nougat. Connectivity options include LTE (4G), LTE Cat6/4, GSM GPRS/EDGE (2G), and UMTS HSPA+ (3G). Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra, it features a 6-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display, and is powered by a 64-bit MediaTek Helio P20 octa-core (quad core 2.3GHz + quad core 1.6GHz) SoC with Mali T880 MP2 900MHz GPU and 4GB RAM. The smartphone offers 32GB and 64GB of internal storage, which is expandable further via a microSD card slot (up to 256GB). Sony Xperia XZ Premium

Ever since Apple announced its latest stable update, iOS 11, last year, the tech giant's software has been accused of being ridden with bugs so much so that the company had to focus on "doubling down on performance" with iOS 12. However, it seems the company's woes are not yet over as some users are now reporting an issue with iOS 11.4 that is causing battery to drain at a drastically high rate on iPhone and iPad variants. Apple is yet to comment on the issue and release a fix for the same. In a post on Apple's forum by user Zide99, iOS 11.4 has been reported to be the cause behind rapid battery draining issues on an iPhone 6 unit. Comments on the thread also claim that battery percentage on their devices has gone down within minutes with no apparent reason. One comment suggests that unintended activation of personal hotspot has been the major battery hogger in iOS 11.4, utilising as much as 47 percent of overall battery usage. Further, one user claims downgrading to iOS 11.3.1 has helped counter the situation significantly. Lastly, one of the comments states, "My iphone 6s has the same issue after updated to ios 11.4. I charged it up to 100 percent, rebooted it then let it stand by for 4 hours, the battery indicator dropped to 40 percent. It has been 3 days since I updated to ios 11.4 and this issue happened every day. Also it seems the battery drained fast when my iphone connected to wifi. When there was no wifi connection, the battery draining seems slower or normal." On the thread, an Apple Community Specialist suggests getting the health of the iPhone 6's battery checked. Apart from dozens of replies with the same problem, more than 800 users have ticked the "I have this question too" option on the original post. There currently seems to be no resolution for the issue just yet, however considering seeding for iOS 11.4.1 beta has been initiated, we can expect a fix to arrive on the stable update within the next few weeks.

iOS 12 has arrived, bringing many new features like Siri improvements, ARKit 2, Memoji for iPhone X, and much more. While some features were highlighted on stage during the WWDC keynote, some nifty additions are now being found, thanks to early developer adopters. Newly spotted features include SMS spam reporting, support for automatic updates, and multi-user Face ID support has also been introduced. Now, a new much-needed change has arrived with iOS 12, intended to make iPhone X users' life easy. Closing apps on iPhone X was a bit of a task, and users had to swipe up, long press on the cards of recent apps to see a list of applications that were open. Now, with iOS 12, simply swiping up will pull out a list of apps that are open, and then users can just swipe them out of the window to close them. This is how it works on all iPhones from the start, where you have to double press the home button to see open apps. This uniformity has been brought to iPhone X as well, with iOS 12, and it was first spotted by developer Dom Esposito. However, there is still no option to close all apps at once. You can install iOS 12 developer preview from Apple's developer portal right away. The public beta is out later this month, and iOS 12 stable release will be released with the latest iPhone variants in the Fall of this year. Eligible devices include iPhone 5s and later models, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation and later models, iPad 6th generation and later models, iPad mini 2 and later models, and the iPod touch 6th generation. You can find Apple Products Here

After recent reports around issues with the latest Android Oreo update on the Galaxy A3 (2017) late last month, manufacturer Samsung has reportedly released the June updates that claims to have resolved the bugs including random reboots, battery drain, and UI freezing issues. The update also brings the latest June security patch to the mid-range smartphone. As per a report by Dutch blog Galaxy Club, the above mentioned bugs have apparently been resolved with Samsung's latest update. The update bears firmware version A320FLXXU2CRE3 and has a file size of about 200MB. It is said to be rolling out in The Netherlands and contains 67 fixes from Google alone, apart from numerous others put in by Samsung. Readers of Galaxy Club have informed the publication that ailing units have indeed received some sort of respite with the latest update. To check for the update, you can go into Settings > Software Update > Download updates to install it manually. The fix is reportedly rolling out in phases and availability might differ according to region. Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) Specifications Apart from the Galaxy A3 (2017), the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) and Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) have already received the Android 8.0 Oreo update with Samsung Experience 9.0 on top. Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)