Users Allowed Partial Payment with Existing Google Play Balance

Multiple users (in the US and the UK) are seeing the ability to pay for applications (and in-app purchases) by applying partial payment with their remaining Google Play balance. This is indicated by a check box within the buy dialog box that you can check or uncheck before approving payment. This looks to be a slow and server-side rollout though since not everyone has this option.

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Huawei Spends 14.5% of Revenue in R&D, Plans to Spend More Next Year

There’s been a lot of talk lately about how much companies are investing into research and development. It’s been revealed that Huawei invested 14.5% in R&D this year and they expect to spend even more in 2016. For Huawei, this equates to roughly $6.5 billion dollars, while companies like Qualcomm and Google invested $5.56 billion and $9.9 billion respectively.

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Samsung Launches the 2016 A Series: A3, A5, A7

Samsung has taken the wraps off their initial product lineup going into the new year of 2016. This brings a refresh to the 2015 lineup of the A series of smartphones with the launch of the A3 2016, A5 2016 and A7 2016.

Nevermind the fact that it is still one month to go for 2016 to begin, the 2016 A series brings a broad scale addition of fingerprint sensors and hardware for MST support (for Samsung Pay), as well optical image stabilization.

Here’s a quick run-down of the mentioned specs of the new devices:

	A3 2016	A5 2016	A7 2016
Dimensions (mm)	134.5 x 65.2 x 7.3	144.8 x 71.0 x 7.3	151.5 x 74.1 x 7.3
Weight (g)	132	155	172
Display Size	4.7″	5.2″	5.5″
Resolution	HD 1280×720	FHD 1920×1080	FHD 1920×1080
Display Type	Super AMOLED	Super AMOLED	Super AMOLED
Processor	1.5 GHz Quad Core	1.6GHz Octa Core	1.6GHz Octa Core
RAM	1.5GB RAM	2GB RAM	3GB RAM
Storage	16GB [Expandable]	16GB [Expandable]	16GB [Expandable]
Rear Camera	13MP, f/1.9	13MP, f/1.9, OIS	13MP, f/1.9, OIS
Front Camera	5MP, f/1.9	5MP, f/1.9	5MP, f/1.9
Support for MST (Magnetic Stripe Technology)?	No	Yes	Yes
Fingerprint Sensor	No	Yes	Yes
Battery	2,300mAh	2,900mAh Fast Charging	3,300mAh Fast Charging
OS	Touchwiz Based on Android 5.1 Lollipop	Touchwiz Based on Android 5.1 Lollipop	Touchwiz Based on Android 5.1 Lollipop

For its design, the A series lineup is working along the new flagship design, incorporating metal and glass for the body. The bezels have also been further shaved off, increasing the overall screen to body ratio of the devices.

The A3 definitely appears to be the odd man out in the new lineup, as it has neither a fingerprint sensor, nor support for MST, and neither does it have OIS. Samsung has also not provided detailed information regarding the processor used in all of these devices, so the difference could become much more pronounced.

Nonetheless, the A series refresh offers incremental upgrades to the 2015 lineup, bringing the hardware up to par for newer users of technology. Pricing for all the devices has not been revealed, so judgement has to be held off on whether these devices are worth the price they ask. The 2016 A series will launch in China in mid-December 2015, with global expansion slated for 2016.

What are your thoughts on the 2016 A-series? Let us know in the comments below!

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Samsung Expects a Tough 2016 for its Mobile Business

Koh Dong-jin was just named the new head of Samsung’s mobile division and he has been doing some interviews since the announcement. In one particular interview, he talks about how 2016 is going to be a tough year, about how we should not expect to see a “huge upturn” in profits next year either, and that they aren’t in “deep trouble” anymore either.

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