Why don't we have a phone with triple rear cameras?

The Apple iPhone 7 Plus is the first mainstream smartphone to come with a secondary telephoto lens and this turned out to work out great for it: early reports say that people are buying more iPhone 7 Plus devices than the smaller iPhone 7, and the camera is one significant reason to pick the larger one for many.

While this new dual-camera system with a secondary telephoto lens is new for the smartphone world, dual-camera systems per se are not: even the cheapest Chinese phones from Xiaomi these days feature a secondary sensor that helps with computational photography, and the higher-end Huawei P9 has a monochrome sensor that works great in low-light.

LG’s G5 brings a super wide-angle, 10mm additional lens that captures stunning images

These are all great ideas, but probably the most impressive and useful implementation of the secondary camera idea in the Android world comes from the LG G5. Its secondary rear camera is a wide-angle one, or should we say super wide-angle one? It features a 135-degree view that is not only impressive, but also genuinely useful for a ton of video and image enthusiasts out there. Ask vloggers who record their videos in a small room, those who need to sell their car or brokers that want to take pictures of various rooms and need the widest angle camera, fitness and dance instructors trying to showcase their routines in tight spaces. The list just goes on and on, and not least reason to have a wide-angle camera is to get that extremely cool wide view for landscape shots.

So yes, it might be a bit too early and there certainly are technical intimidations to make this a reality: but the idea of a triple camera system, one that combines a regular lens, something similar to the iPhone’s telephoto lens, and a super wide-angle lens a-la LG G5, would really make for an extremely versatile photographic tool. Imagine a camera that would allow you to shoot at 10mm, 28mm, and 56mm, a versatility that even DSLRs can only achieve using two separate lenses and requiring lengthy and tiresome lens swaps.

So who will be the first company to actually be this bold and make such a smartphone? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, let us know: do you think that this would be a valuable feature?

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Nokia phone stops a bullet, saves a man's life

You know the memes and back in the days you just seemed to almost expect it from Nokia phones: the Nokia 3310 was built like a tank, after all, and it would not only stop a bullet, but survive all sorts of torture tests.

These days, Nokia-branded phones are quite rare. That, however, does not mean that they have lost their miraculous abilities.

A Nokia 301 just saved someone’s life by stopping a bullet and preventing it from hitting its target. The man is said to be someone in Afghanistan and the event is reported to have happened just last week. With all the exploding ultra-expensive flagships around that tend to have their displays shattered in pieces with even milder falls, it’s reassuring to know that a cheap phone from the past can be that tough.

A Nokia phone I worked on a few years ago saved the life of a man in Afghanistan last week.  The embedded bullet…. pic.twitter.com/O2zBxadkDO

— peter skillman (@peterskillman) October 5, 2016

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Sony Xperia Z3+, Z4 and Z5 series get firmware update

If you happen to own the Sony Xperia Z3+, Z4 Tablet or Z5 series device, a new firmware update is on its way to your device. The new build number 32.2.A.0.305 replaces the previous 32.2.A.0.253 edition, and brings a couple of welcome tweaks and enhancements along with the latest Android security patches.

Unfortunately for those who like exciting new features, this particular update is of the housekeeping variety. Once installed, you probably won’t find anything new with the Marshmallow-based build, but this doesn’t mean you should disregard it completely. If you care about security and prefer an overall experience with less potential hiccups, this firmware update is one you’ll want to have on board. 

As per the changelog, build 32.2.A.0.305 adds the following:

• The latest security enhancements included


• All of our latest bug fixes and improvements


• Audio volume enhanced in notifications and ringtones


• Improved handling of Bluetooth connected devices

The firmware update is worth installing for the Android security patches alone. The previous build was only updated as far as April’s official Security Bulletin from Google, and many dozens of potential holes have been filled since then. It’s intended for the Xperia Z3+, Z5, Z5 Premium, Z5 Compact and in all likelihood, the Z4 Tablet.

The update is rolling out over-the-air, so should reach your device shortly if it hasn’t already.

Firmware update: the Sony Xperia Z5

Firmware update: the Sony Xperia Z5

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Samsung working with feds to investigate new Galaxy Note 7 fire on U.S. flight

The never ending Samsung Galaxy Note 7 saga opened another chapter a few days ago when another smartphone caught fire in on a Southwest Airlines flight.

The new chapter will probably be closed the moment Samsung completes its investigation and provides us with the results. The malfunctioning of another Galaxy Note 7 doesn’t come as a surprise, but what’s really mind blowing is the fact that this particular unit has been tagged with all the recognition signs to show customers that it’s a “safe” model.

The smartphone’s packaging has a small black square and if you enter the IMEI number on Samsung’s website, it will tell you that it’s a new, safe Galaxy Note 7 model. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like these supposedly safe units are really safe, hence the following statement coming from U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman Elliott F. Kaye.

As you’ve probably noticed, Kaye’s statement suggests that customers should rather ask for a refund than replace their faulty Galaxy Note 7 unit with a new one.

So, while we’re waiting for the investigation to commence, we’ve got to ask: are you willing to purchase a Galaxy Note 7 phone knowing that even the “safe” ones aren’t really safe?

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Deal: the Avantree PowerHouse 4 charging dock goes for $35.99, save $14

This post is part of a promotional series of tech deals through our partnership with StackCommerce. PhoneArena does not necessarily endorse the products on offer.

GRAB IT HERE

If you’re anything like us, you likely have a few mobile devices on you, one or probably two smartphones, a tablet, and probably a wearable. Needless to say, you need to keep those charged at all times, and let’s face it, no one’s keen on heaps of tangled cables lying around on the floor in their bedrooms. This is where charging docks come into play, as they allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

If we’ve got your attention, then you should know that you can now get yourself a charging dock on the cheap – the Avantree PowerHouse 4 charging dock can be yours for $35.99 at the moment. That’s a 28% slash over its regular MSRP of $49.99.

Now, to the details! This charging station has 4 USB charging sockets and enables you to charge 4 devices at the same time. The total power output is up to 4.5A, shared between all four ports. The dock arrives bundled with two micro USB cables, but you will need to supply your own cable if you own a device equipped with a USB Type-C or a Lightning port. When you’re not using it, the Avantree allows you to tuck the cables neatly with the supplied velcro straps.

Avantree PowerHouse 4 Port Fast USB Charging Station (Black)

Avantree PowerHouse 4 Port Fast USB Charging Station (Black)

Product	Location	Item Condition	Current Price
Avantree PowerHouse 4 Port Fast USB Charging Station (Black)	PhoneArena Shop	New	$35.99 ($49.99) 28% off MSRP

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Update to Pokemon Go will allow you to train at the Gym with up to 6 Pokemon

An update to Pokemon Go will allow a Pokemon trainer to carry up to 6 Pokemon when he/she is training at a gym. Currently, one one Pokemon could be involved in such battles, which takes place when you are fighting against a gym that is controlled by your own team. Thanks to the update announced by Niantic, you will soon be able to bring as many Pokemon to gym training sessions as you can to gym battles.

And just for gym training, the CP of your stronger opponent will match the CP of your pocket monsters. This way, you can train against stronger competition, but not have to worry about getting overmatched. Once training is over, the CP numbers return to normal.

This is the second update announced by Niantic in two days. The other day, Niantiuc announced that players who receive medals for catching certain Pokemon like Kindler, Psychic and Gardener, will get catch bonuses which makes it easier to snag Pokemon of a related type. As Niantic said in its blog, “For example, as you reach a higher tier for the Kindler Medal, your bonus to catch Fire-type Pokemon such as Charmander, Vulpix, and Ponyta increases.”
Niantic hasn’t said when the pair of updates will be available, so keep checking in. As soon as we know, we will pass the information along to you.

Another update is coming soon to Pokemon Go

Another update is coming soon to Pokemon Go

1. You can now bring 6 Pokemon into a gym training session…

2. …and the opponent’s CP ratings will be reduced to match your Pokemon’s figures

source: Niantic

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Samsung Electronics Q3 operating earnings to show gain thanks to chips and displays

Samsung Electronics said on Thursday that it expects third quarter operating earnings to have risen 5% year-over-year to $6.9 billion. That would be 4% above a Thomson Reuters StarMine SmartEstimate of analysts’ expectations. Revenue is forecast to have slipped 5% in the three-month period to $43.9 trillion. The final third quarter numbers will be announced later this month.

The figures do not take into account the cost of the manufacturer’s recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. No sooner had the device launched to strong demand than a number of units caught on fire leading to a voluntary recall on September 2nd. An official recall in tandem with the U.S. CPSC was announced less than two weeks later.

While the cost of the recall and device exchange could be as high as $1.8 billion, some analysts say that this cost will be more than made up by sales of the company’s chips and high-end smartphone displays. According to SK Securities analyst Kim Young Woo, profit generated by Sammy’s mobile business in the third quarter was its lowest over the last three quarters. However, earnings from components will more than make up for the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. “We’ll see an earnings surprise in the display and memory chip businesses,” said the analyst. “The numbers will show that they are the two growth engines for Samsung.”

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

source: Chron

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