Verizon Galaxy Note Edge getting March security update

Verizon has started rolling out the March security update to Samsung Galaxy Note Edge units on its network. The update, which the carrier says only includes the latest Android security patch, bumps the device's software version to LRX22C.N915VVRU2BPA4. Given that the update has just started rolling out, it may take some time before it hits your phone, so be patient. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can also manually check for the update by heading to the Settings menu on your device.

This comes less than a week after Verizon started rolling out the update to both Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units on its network.

Most concrete rumor about the Meizu Pro 6

So far the most concrete rumor about the Meizu Pro 6 was the gobs of memory it will have -6GB RAM and 128GB storage in the top configuration. It seems that the chipset will be something special too.

MediaTek held an event about its Helio line of chipsets and while it showed off the X20, its first chipset with a 10-core CPU, Meizu representatives came on stage to talk about the X25

The MediaTek Helio X25 was co-developed with Meizu, which will have exclusive use of it and will put it in the Meizu Pro 6.

The chipset is basically an enhanced version of the X20. It has a three cluster design - 2x Cortex A72 cores and two quartets of A53

The difference with the X20 is that the "Turbo cluster," the A72 cores, will be clocked higher (2.5GHz, up from 2.3GHz) and so will the GPU (850MHz). Despite these enhancements, the power draw should remain the same.

Skype for Web now lets you call phones, watch YouTube videos directly

Skype's Web client has received a neat update today, one which brings with it a couple of new features. First off, you can now call mobile phones as well as landlines straight from Skype's Web interface. This might let you save money compared to your carrier's rates, depending on where you're calling. You obviously need either a Skype calling subscription or some Skype credit in your account in order to make use of this functionality.

Next up, you can watch YouTube videos directly inside Skype for Web from this point on. When someone shares a link to a YouTube video in a Skype conversation, that will instantly embed said video into the page. So no more jumping to a new tab or window to see the video in question. Furthermore, when other URLs are shared in Skype for Web, you'll see an image from the webpage.

You can add new people to a conversation even if they're not on Skype, which is something that debuted in Skype's client for Windows PCs not long ago. Basically you create a unique URL for a conversation, and then share that with the person who doesn't have a Skype account. He or she will then be able to join in.

Finally, notifications are going to show up as long as you're signed into Skype for Web and have it open in your browser, even if you're in another app or another tab.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge available for $700 in US

If you are in the United States, and are planning to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, you'll be glad to know that you can currently get it at the price of Galaxy S7.

eBay seller 232tech is currently selling the new Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (32GB) for $700, which is down $100 when compared to carrier locked variants at the moment and $200 cheaper if you purchase the phone outright.

The unit on offer is unlocked and carries a model number of SM-G935F, which means that it's an international model. What's worth reminding here is that unlike US models (which pack in SD820 chipset), international Galaxy S7/S7 edge models are powered by the latest Exynos SoC.

LG G5 Arrives In The US In Early April With Free Cecond Battery

LG has announced that its recently unveiled G5 flagship smartphone is going to land in the US sometime in early April. Oddly enough the company hasn't revealed the actual release date for the handset, but that could very well be April 8 - because the G5 is launching on that day in both Canada and the UK.

You'll find the G5 in stock at such carriers and retailers as AT&T, Best Buy, B&H, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon. Prices are still not known though.

Emulating a promotion that we've seen run many times for last year's G4 and V10, LG will give people who buy a G5 in the US a free second battery and charging cradle. This offer will be available for a limited time, but the company hasn't said exactly how long you'll have to take advantage of it.

At the same time as the phone, LG will also release the G5 Friends in the US. These are the modular accessories that were presented at MWC last month. Some of these help 'transform' the G5 into things like a "DSLR style camera" or a mobile virtual reality viewer.

vivo Xplay 5 Elite Goes Official With 6GB RAM, Vivo Xplay 5 announced.

On March 1st, vivo held a special event in China to announce its next flagship lineup - the vivo Xplay 5. As it turned out the Xplay 5 will launch in two different models - vivo Xplay 5 and vivo Xplay 5 Elite.

vivo Xplay 5 Elite

vivo Xplay 5 Elite is a more powerful model, made entirely of metal and using Gorilla Glass 4 to cover the dual-curved 5.43" Super AMOLED Quad HD screen. It is powered by a Snapdragon 820 chipset with the insane 6GB RAM and integrated non-expandable 128GB storage right out the box.

The Xplay 5 Elite has a rear 16MP (Sony IMX298) snapper with phase-detection AF and dual-tone LED flash, plus an 8MP selfie snapper at the front. The Xplay 5 Elite is a dual-SIM device, supports LTE networks, Hi-Fi 3.0 (2*ES9028+OPA1612), and comes with a 3,600 mAh battery.

Finally, the Xplay 5 Elite has a rear fingerprint scanner on the back.

The Xplay 5 Elite runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop, skinned with the latest Funtouch launcher with split-screen multitasking support. It will launch on March 8 in China and will set you back CNY 4,288 ($655).

vivo Xplay 5

The vivo Xplay 5 is a more affordable version of the Elite model, which retains the same design, 5.43" Super AMOLED QHD display, camera setup, and 128GB storage, but downgrades the chipset to Snapdragon 652 with 4GB of RAM. The Hi-Fi chip configuration is also of a different kind - CS4395+AD45257.

vivo Xplay 5 will launch in China on March 8 for CNY 3,698 ($565).

In case you are not familiar with the Snapdragon models - the 652 flavor offers an octa-core processor with 4xCortex-A72 at 1.8GHz + 4xCortex-A53 at 1.4GHz, and Adreno 510 GPU. The 820 flagship chip packs a custom quad-core Kryo processor and Adreno 530 GPU.

There are no details on international availability, but we guess both models will expand their market reach later on.