Google shelves Project Ara

It wasn’t too long ago when Google announced it planned to bring the modular Project Ara smartphone by 2017. Unfortunately, it seems those plans have been scrapped. As a refresher, Project Ara allows users to swap out various parts of a smartphone for times when you need to upgrade or just want to improve a particular feature. A Google spokesperson confirmed to TIME that the initiative isn’t pushing forward as the company wants to consolidate its hardware operations, which include the Nexus line of phones and Chromebook computers. But while Project Ara might not live in its current form. It might still live on in the initiatives from the likes of Lenovo’s Moto Mods and the LG G5. Reuters has reported that Google might be open to working with partners via licensing agreements to bring Project Ara’s technology to the market.

X marks the spot: Sony’s new mobile focus

Sony is streamlining its smartphone arm and has officially dropped its Xperia Z, M, E, and C lines to focus on its Xperia X range. This line though, according to Sony Mobile EVP of Global Sales & Marketing Hideyuki Furumi, will include a “range of X series, top to bottom.” The company is also attaching the Xperia name to other categories like the Xperia Ear and Xperia Projector. We’ve seen other brands try to focus on a specific line and perhaps it might work for Sony. Furumi told Tech Radar that the other products will still be on sale but don’t expect any new Xperia Z’s heading your way.

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Bang & Olufsen introduces BeoVision Horizon, an Android-powered 4K TV

It’s not Bang & Olufsen’s first venture into the 4K UHD space so we were hoping it packed in the latest High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology (unfortunately, it does not). But the new BeoVision Horizon isn’t exactly a slouch either. Coming with 40- or 48-inch screens, these stylish yet minimalist TVs come with different stands to suit your preference. There is the default wall mount, a rolling cart design (which Digital Trends pointed out looks like the TVs we borrowed from AV department at school), and a pivoting stand that lets the screen pan from left to right. It’s an Android TV so expect all the features the platform has to offer.

The remote makes use of both Bluetooth and IR so you don’t even need to point it at the TV to get it to work. The remote is a looker in itself, being made out of a single piece of aluminum. The TVs include four HDMI 2.0 inputs (which support HDCP 2.2) to allow for other 4K sources to be connected. It also has HEVC and VP9 codecs included so you can stream 4K content from YouTube, Netflix, and the like. 

Breaking: Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recalled due to exploding batteries

Samsung has finally opted to recall all the Galaxy Note 7 units sold in Canada and nine other countries due to reports of potentially dangerous exploding batteries that could harm users. Various reports and in the US and Korea say the $1060.00 flagship device can explode while charging.

“To date (as of September 1) there have been 35 cases that have been reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market. However, because our customers’ safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note 7,” Samsung spokespersons revealed. 

Samsung has reportedly sold 2.5 million Note 7 devices worldwide which will all need to be sent back. Samsung said it had been difficult to work out which phones were affected among the 2.5 million Note 7s sold. The company plans to swap exisiting units with new ones cleared for use. Good to see Samsung doing the the right thing before any customers get hurt.

"There was a tiny problem in the manufacturing process, so it was very difficult to figure out,'' the president of Samsung's mobile business Koh Dong-jin told reporters. The Galaxy Note 7 is considered the company's true flagship in terms of design and features and received generally good reviews. The phone has been launched in 10 countries, Samsung indicates that different companies supplying the batteries.

Source: Samsung, BBC.com