Like Google and Motorola before it, HTC has uncoupled a system app from firmware. HTC Sense Input, the default keyboard on HTC devices, made its unceremonious debut on Google Play this morning.
Predictably, Sense Input is only compatible with the HTC One (M7), HTC One (M8), and the latest phones in the Desire series. Sense seems to be a requirement, too – the keyboard won’t install on Google Play Editions of either One. (more…)
Patronizing and sleazy as Verizon can be, you’ve got to admit: they know how to make money.
The wireless carrier raked in the dough this quarter, earning a $4.21 billion Q2 profit on total revenue of $31.48. That represents an improvement of 7.5% and 5.7% year-over-year, respectively, which Verizon noted is the company’s highest growth rate in six quarters. (more…)
Earlier this morning, NVIDIA announced the new SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Controller. These two devices are made specifically with gamers in mind, but the tablet itself should have any tech enthusiast most curious. Priced at $299 for the 16GB model, the SHIELD Tablet features a Tegra K1 processor with 2GB of RAM, a full 8″ HD display, as well as a complete stylus for any artists we may have among us.
Coupled with the SHIELD Controller, these units can provide an unparalleled mobile gaming experience, as well as a new way to play your PC games while hanging out on your couch, thanks to NVIDIA’s GameStream. The only downside to GameStream is that PC users will need a rig powered by an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, but if you are already into gaming on your computer, there is a high probability that your rig already features one.
While last year’s SHIELD Portable didn’t quite take off as NVIDIA might have hoped, given its niche market of buyers (hardcore mobile gamers), we think that by NVIDIA essentially splitting that device into two separate products, the Tablet and Controller, they could see quite a bit more success among regular Android lovers who can choose to purchase only the tablet if they so desire.
Below, answer the poll question, then give us your take on the SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Controller. Was NVIDIA smart to introduce two separate products instead of an all-in-one, or should we hope that they also have plans for a “SHIELD 2″?
Loading ...Within the last week, Amazon snuck their new Amazon Wallet application onto Google Play and the Amazon Appstore. The app, which will be featured on the Fire Phone, stores gift, reward, and loyalty cards, so that you can access them at any time without actually holding the card. Once scanned into the app, you can bring cards up as barcodes or QR codes for using at merchants. With “supported” merchants, you can even check gift cards balances, similar to what the latest Google Wallet update offers.
This is not a mobile payment app. (more…)
Xiaomi announced their latest smartphone early this morning, the Mi 4. Before you go getting excited for a new contender on US shores, make note that Xiaomi has stated that it will not make the phone available for US buyers, as our buyers are not in their plans as of right now. In the chance that you do import one from overseas, without knowing if it features the proper radios to work on our networks, the phone likely will not have access to Google Play for all of your apps and services. It’s a downer, but it is what it is.
Regardless of where the phone will land, the Mi 4 features a good spec list, especially considering its price of approximately $320 for the 16GB model and $399 for the 64GB variant. The device features a 5″ Full HD display, Snapdragon 801 processor with 3GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing shooter (Sony sensor), 8MP front-facing camera, 3,080mAh battery, stainless steel frame, and comes running Android 4.4+ with a bit of MIUI tweaks on top. (more…)
OnePlus, creators of what has become one of the most controversial phones of all time, unveiled its first StyleSwap cover for its flagship One, last night. For those new to StyleSwap covers, these are the removable/replaceable back plates that you can hot-swap onto your device to give it new life. OnePlus originally announced that materials like denim, kevlar, and exotic woods would arrive at some point down the road. Bamboo is the first and will be available in August for $49. (more…)
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, since I know that you are only days into owning an LG G3, a phone that we called the “best phone you can buy right now” in our G3 review, but a newer, better version has already been announced. That’s not a joke either. LG, last night, announced the LG G3 Cat.6, which is the same G3 you already own but with LTE-Advanced connectivity and a Snapdragon 805 processor. (more…)
We have two new gaming toys from NVIDIA this morning, the SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Controller. Both devices are part of the newly-named “SHIELD Family,” which also includes last year’s SHIELD, which will now be known as SHIELD Portable.
The SHIELD Tablet and Controller have been specifically designed for gamers, allowing players the best performance and gaming experience they could ever hope for while not on their gaming rig at home. Ultimately, NVIDIA wants to allow gamers to play mobile games, as well as PC games, in a way which was not possible before. (more…)
