Microsoft launches Lumia 640 and 640 XL smartphones at MWC

Microsoft took to the stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier to announce the coming of Windows 10 to smartphones and launch two mid-range devices, the Lumia 640 and th Lumia 640 XL. Microsoft had to launch something so the Lumia 640 and the 640 XL are the bare minimum for an event like MWC. Microsoft's Stephen Elop promised that a flagship Lumia will be coming once Windows 10 ships for smartphones later this year.

In terms of specs, both Lumias feature identical Snapdragon 400 processors, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of storage, and 720p HD screens. The Lumia 640 XL has a 5.7-inch display. No Canadian specific availability or pricing was released.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge coming to TELUS, preorders start on March 5th

TELUS has confirmed that March 5 is the day to pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 edge. Announced yesterday at the Mobile World Congress.

According to TELUS, "the Samsung Galaxy S6 is reinvented from the outside in. Beneath stunning metal and sophisticated glass lies the fastest, most powerful processor ever in a Samsung smartphone.

The best HD display yet brings your life to light—even in sunlight. And the dynamic, ultra-responsive camera captures the true-to-life brilliance of any moment. Every detail. Every day. Meet the reimagined Samsung Galaxy S6." 

Alcatel OneTouch launches Hero 2+ phablet running in Cyanogen OS for $299

Alcatel OneTouch revealed its Hero 2+ smartphone which will be the first phablet running Cyanogen OS. The HERO 2+ is a refreshed concept of the 2015 iF Design Award winning HERO 2 phablet, featuring Cyanogen OS, with enhanced customization, security, and photo and video capture features. The HERO 2+ with Cyanogen has a 6-inch Full HD edge-to-edge display and LTE running  on an octa-core processor

This is also the first phablet with an octa-core processor with Cyanogen OS natively available on the device, brought exclusively to the North American market by ALCATEL ONETOUCH. It will be available unlocked via the ALCATEL ONETOUCH store powered by Amazon for $299 beginning in Q2 2015.

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Google, Samsung gearing up to challenge Apple Pay in mobile payments this year

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Its been over six months after Apple launched its US-based mobile payments platform Apple Pay, and competitors are finally gearing to challenge the iPhone focused payments solution.

Part of Samsung's big announcement yesterday at its Samsung Galaxy S6 device launch was Samsung Pay and today Google's Sundar Pichai revealed that his company has been working on Android Pay.

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