Yota Devices, the Russian manufacturer of the YotaPhone and YotaPhone 2 has today announced a revamped version of its second-generation handset that promises improved performance, significant software tweaks and a new black on white design.
The ‘limited edition’ white handset, more excitingly than the new color shell or inverted colors on the 4.7-inch e-ink display, introduces the second-generation of the company’s custom YETI UI for the ‘Always On’ rear display.
It’s now a lot easier to customize the rear covers and apps displayed on the e-ink screen. One of the most used features – using it to display different images as covers – can now be achieved in just a couple of taps, instead of the six-step process it was previously.
There are also all-new widgets to make better use of the full-size EPD (Electronic Paper Display). For example, there’s one for email to keep you in touch with your Gmail inbox, YotaSports (powered by EuroSport), YotaNotes for impromptu tasks or lists, and YotaEnergy to let you know how much battery life you’ve got left.
For social fiends, you can also now have full screen Twitter, Facebook and Instagram widgets on the rear display. There’s also a Musixmatch music recognition widget for the ‘Always On’ display too and a YotaFitness app for tracking your movement.
The updates aren’t being reserved for the white YotaPhone 2, however, and will roll out to existing black YotaPhone 2 devices.
The point of focusing the updates on the rear display is not only that it’s the device’s main differentiator from the rest of the market, but that it’s also the main selling point of the phone itself.
Beyond providing ‘always on’ functionality, the more the e-ink display allows you to do without switching on the main screen, the longer the battery will last – and people love a long battery life.
A spokesperson told TNW the white YotaPhone 2 running the new OS should last a heavy user at least two full days and can outlast any other flagship smartphone on the market by around three times. These are claims we’ll have to wait to test for ourselves.
When you do flip the phone over to use the front screen, you’ll find Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and the standard array of Google features and services.
Better than any of the feature updates or color changes, however, is the new price of £440 (around $680); the YotaPhone 2 originally went on sale at £555. The phone is available from today via the YotaPhone website.
➤ YotaPhone 2
Read next: YotaPhone 2 review: The 5-inch dual-screen handset is back, and this time it makes sense
Canon has built a 250-megapixel camera sensor, don’t expect it in your next phone
Canon has developed an APS-H camera sensor that fits an astonishing 250 million pixels, setting a world record for the highest number of pixels for a CMOS sensor smaller than 35 mm.
The company says its new sensor is capable of distinguishing the lettering on the side of an airplane flying at a distance of over 11 miles away.
It’s also capable of extremely high resolution video: approximately 125 times that of 1080p Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video, or roughly 30 times that of 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) video. This isn’t for shooting crazy-sharp footage, but rather to allow cropping and magnifying video images without sacrificing resolution and clarity.
This isn’t going to replace the sensor in your smartphone anytime soon. Canon says it will likely be used in “specialized surveillance and crime prevention tools, ultra-high-resolution measuring instruments and other industrial equipment, and the field of visual expression.”
➤ Canon develops APS-H-size CMOS sensor with approximately 250 megapixels, the world’s highest pixel count for its size [Canon via The Verge ]
Image credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstockom
The $450 Call of Duty: Black Ops III PlayStation 4 bundle comes with a 1TB drive
Sony has announced a limited edition PlayStation 4 bundle featuring a custom paint job for the console and controller based on the upcoming first-person shooter ‘ Call of Duty: Black Ops III ‘.
The jet black chassis features the title’s ember orange logo, colored power and eject buttons as well as three emblems on the front each representing a game mode. It also packs a 1TB hard drive, available with the console for the first time in North America.
The included DualShock 4 controller is decked out in gray and orange and will also be available as a standalone item.
In addition, the bundle includes the standard edition of the game, along with the popular NUK3TOWN multiplayer map from previous Black Ops titles.
The bundle will be available alongside the game on November 6 for $449.99. It will also be released in Canada at $549.99 CAD. US pre-orders are now open at Amazon , Best Buy and Gamestop .
➤ Call of Duty: Black Ops III PS4 Bundle [PlayStation via PlayStation Blog ]