Droid Life

Deal: 6 Days Left to Grab the Active Wrap Bluetooth Headphones for Just $24

Tim — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:47:37 +0000

Either for yourself or for a stocking stuffer, you have 6 days left to grab the Active Wrap headphones on the DL Deals store for just $24, plus free shipping. The headphones feature Bluetooth connectivity, perfect for your workouts at the gym or running on the streets. As described, the headphones are "comfortable and lightweight," while also featuring a built-in microphone for taking calls while wearing the unit. The Active Wrap also feature noise-canceling technology, allowing those calls to sound good. Finally, battery life is listed at 10 hours of talk time and 8 hours of music playback. If you or someone you know needs a headset for their daily life, check the deal out. Features

Wireless bluetooth design
Comfortable, lightweight fit for all day use
Compatible with nearly any bluetooth enabled device
Built in microphone
Built in noise-canceling technology
Battery supports 10 hours of talk time and 8 hours of music playback

Deal Link

How to: Unlock the Nexus 6 Bootloader (Nexus 9 Too)

Kellen — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:42:24 +0000

I get that the timing of this post seems super silly, especially after the conversations we had yesterday, including one where I said I don't buy Nexus phones to flash all the things, but you know what? Many of you did buy a Nexus 6 or Nexus 9 to do just that, flash and tinker, so we want to make sure you know how to get started. Also, the process for unlocking the Nexus 6 or Nexus 9's bootloader that we are about to walk through is something I do with all Nexus devices I own, because there is always a chance I may want to tinker later on down the road. Why not be prepared? As a reminder, unlocking the bootloader of your phone allows you the opportunity to do things like flash a ROM, root it, or put on a custom recovery. It opens up your device to all sorts of access and power that you wouldn't typically have in an out-of-the-box experience. It doesn't immediately provide you with any new features, but with an unlocked bootloader, the opportunity is there. The process does technically void your warranty, so please understand what that means before going forward. Ready to unlock?

Instructions

*Warning - Unlocking the bootloader of your phone (or tablet), "may" void your warranty. *This will factory reset your phone. Thankfully, Lollipop has an awesome restore feature now, so you should have no trouble getting your phone set back up in no time. *First things first, you need to setup the Android SDK so that you can use adb and fastboot commands. There are countless tutorials around for getting this setup, but it's really not that difficult any longer to get this up and running. Simply download the latest Android SDK from Google, unzip the contents of the file, and head into the Platform-tools folder where adb and fastboot should be located. Open a command prompt from within there or navigate to that directory in a command prompt. *These instructions include screenshots and images of the Nexus 6, but the process is the exact same for the Nexus 9.

1. Enable "Developer options" by tapping 5 or 6 times on the Build number in Settings>About phone. 2. Hit back once and choose Developer options; check the box for USB debugging. 3. While in there, also check the box for "Enable OEM unlock." 4. Plug your phone into your computer. 5. You'll need to give it USB debugging access through a pop-up (don't forget to check the box).

6. Once you have given your computer debugging access, it's time for commands.

*If you didn't see the "Allow USB debugging" pop-up, you should when you type the first command below.

7. Open a command prompt from within the Platform-tools SDK folder where your adb and fastboot files are. 8. Type the following command:

adb reboot bootloader (Note: If using a Mac, it's ./adb reboot bootloader or ./fastboot -insert command-)

9. Wait for your boot screen to appear on your phone. Once it does (it's a big Android with START), type:

fastboot oem unlock (Again, it's ./fastboot oem unlock on a Mac)

10. A bootloader unlock confirmation page will appear. Tap Volume Up to highlight "Yes," and Power to select it. 11. Your phone's bootloader will now be unlocked. Shouldn't take more than a minute or two. 12. Once finished, you should be on the boot screen showing "Start." Press Power to reboot your phone. 13. During reboot, your phone will go through a factory reset. 14. Once it boots back up, you are done. If everything went correctly, you should see an unlock icon during boot.

SOULCALIBUR on Sale in Google Play for $4, Regularly Priced at $13.99

Tim — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:11:58 +0000

For any OG PlayStation owners here, which I proudly was, a sale taking place on Google Play currently should interest you. For a very limited time, you can pick up SOULCALIBUR, one of the birthing titles to an entire set of 3D fighter games, for only $4. Since it is usually priced at $14 on the Play store, this deal is too good to pass up. Making the deal splendid is the fact that it has gained support for Android TV boxes, mainly the Nexus Player, meaning you can use your compatible controller to get all of your hand-to-hand combat action in on your HDTV. If you don't have a Nexus Player, don't worry, as the game also works with a number of Bluetooth controllers, and of course, your touchscreen device. Do note, the game is sort of large, weighing in at 200MB, so make sure you have some storage available on your device. Go check it out. Play Link ($3.92)

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Nexus 6 has a Hidden RGB LED Under the Top Speaker Grill

Kellen — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:13:40 +0000

Hey, look at that, an LED light on the Nexus 6! Thanks to some digging by owners of the device and the help of the developer behind Lightflow, it is possible to enable and use this hidden feature that Google and Motorola decided to disable out of the box. Why would you want to use an LED instead of the Nexus 6's Ambient Display? Well, options are never a bad thing, first of all. But maybe you don't want your entire screen lighting up with every notification. Maybe you just want to see a blinking light for missed calls, while the phone is charging, or if you receive a Gmail message. If that's the case, then enabling this LED is something to look into. So, how can you enable and use the LED in the Nexus 6? First, you will need to be rooted (instructions). After that, while the Lightflow guys work through this new discovery, you can follow a set of instructions posted by the Lightflow dev here to enable the light and adjust colors. Overall, the process shouldn't be difficult once you are rooted. Hopefully, a more user-friendly method will arrive, though I don't know that non-rooted users will be able to enable this any time soon.

Via: reddit | XDA

Cheers Bradley!

Newest Video Detailing Lollipop on Galaxy S5 Looks Fast and Smooth

Tim — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 09:54:26 +0000

Another preview of Lollipop running with TouchWiz on the Galaxy S5 has been previewed by the folks at SamMobile, and I gotta tell you, it doesn't seem all too bad. In this "final build," it appears Samsung has done a lot of optimizations and performance tweaks, making the entire system look a whole lot faster. While it still looks like TouchWiz, which isn't a terrible thing, anything that can speed up performance on a device is a plus in our book. As for what is new in the build, SamMobile claims it is simply a few tweaks and new icons. We still have no date for when to expect any Lollipop updates from Samsung, but as we can see, they are coming.

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AT&T to Offer Gear Fit, Gear 2 Neo, G Watch, and Pebble Smartwatches for $99 Black Friday Thru Cyber Monday

Tim — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 09:00:54 +0000

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, you already know that deals are taking place everywhere. One special deal we happened to spot was AT&T's, which will offer a variety of good smartwatches for just $99 from November 28 through December 1. Included in the smartwatch super sale is the Samsung Gear Fit (black model only), Samsung Gear 2 Neo (all colors), Martian Notifier, LG G Watch, or Pebble Smart Watch. With each priced at only $99, the savings for a few of these reach about 50%, so this would be a good time for late entries into the smartwatch game. Other deals include $50 off a Moto 360 when purchased alongside a Moto X (2014), and $50 off the RE Camera when purchased alongside a One (M8) or Desire EYE. Just to note, these deals are good in-store and online, Black Friday thru Cyber Monday. AT&T provides an overview for all of their deals in the following video. Do you plan on attempting to purchase a smartwatch next weekend?

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Via: AT&T

AT&T Stores Being Told to Ship Nexus 6 Inventory Back Due to Software Bug

Kellen — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 08:23:33 +0000

AT&T stores are being told to send back initial shipments of the Nexus 6 due to a software bug that Motorola has identified, according to multiple sources. The bug renders a black screen and fails to connect to service when the device is powered on, essentially leaving the device useless. Only the initial batch of AT&T Nexus 6s were impacted and Motorola is currently working on shipments with corrected software. Unfortunately for customers, that means AT&T stores may not have Nexus 6 stock for a least a few days. As far as we know, this is only an issue with the AT&T units. If you have experienced this issue, you should probably take your phone in to have it replaced by AT&T. At this time, we have yet to hear from anyone who has experienced the issue, so it may not be all that widespread. At this time, AT&T will still accept Direct Fulfillment orders, which is there method of ordering a Nexus 6 for you. Also, Best Buy is now selling the AT&T version of the Nexus 6, so you could always check there if an AT&T store is out. Update: Since many are asking, no, we do not believe this has anything to do with the Nexus 6 outside of the AT&T units. We are talking specifically about Nexus 6 units that were sent to AT&T, which would be the branded AT&T models with all of AT&T's carrier additions.

FYI: AT&T Nexus 6 has a Logo and Other Customizations, is SIM Locked Too (But We Have Fixes)

Kellen — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 07:55:51 +0000

Just last week, we were still wondering what was going to happen when AT&T got their mitts on Google's Nexus 6. Would they brand the device with their logo? Would it have other customizations, like bloatware and an AT&T themed boot animation? Would they SIM lock it to their network? Unfortunately, the answer to all of that is - YES. According to a handful of our readers with the device, along with a number of folks over at XDA, we have confirmation on all of this. The phone even comes in a different box than the version sold through Google Play or Motorola's site. So here is what we know and some things that you can do to fix the situation. The device is SIM locked to AT&T. That means you probably can't take it to Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint and get it to work like it should. You will need AT&T to unlock the device for you, something they likely aren't going to do unless you have paid the device off in full. So even though Google created this device to be compatible with just about every major network on the planet, AT&T's version disables that functionality because, well, that's what AT&T does. You can view all of AT&T's unlocking requirements here. The phone is branded on the back with an AT&T logo. Some users have reported that it can easily be scraped off with the edge of a credit card, so if it really is driving you nuts, you may want to consider a little doctoring. The device has an AT&T boot animation (splash screen of the AT&T Globe) and ringtones, along with bloatware that is installed when the phone is activated with an AT&T SIM. While the bloatware can be easily removed, the boot animation won't go away unless you root the device and then make a tweak to your bootanimation.zip file. As for the ringtones, they are ringtones. I'm sure you can survive with them. Finally, tethering doesn't work out of the box, but users over at XDA already figured out a simple tweak to the phone's build.prop file to get it up and running. You will have to flash a custom recovery, but you don't need to fully root. Thankfully, the phone's bootloader can still be unlocked, factory images can be flashed, and it's running the exact same version of Android 5.0 as the rest of the Nexus 6s. AT&T made some minor changes, but none of it should impact the fact that this is still a Nexus. Of course, we'll see if that holds true when the first OTA update arrives. So, in the end, the AT&T Nexus 6 does have some issues, but most of it can either be fixed or isn't really that big of a deal. To get the details on all of the tweaks I just walked through, hit up the XDA thread linked below.

More: XDA

Motorola Camera and Gallery Apps Receive Updates With "Material" Tweaks

Kellen — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 06:52:56 +0000

Last night, Motorola updated both their Camera and Gallery applications on Google Play. The updates aren't major, but they do introduce subtle "Material Design" tweaks to modernize each. With the Gallery specifically, you are getting a bright new cyan color, performance improvements, and a responsive design. Motorola forgot to move the hamburger menu out from the side, but other than that, it looks and performs great. As for the Camera, Motorola added in a "convenient Timer mode," bright cyan color, and an added double-wrist twist with the camera open to switch it over to the front camera (only for the Moto X, Ultra, and Turbo). Yes, for selfies. The updates are live, so jump into your Play store and grab them. Play Links: Motorola Camera | Gallery

Cheers Albert, ze, Troy, Aaron, Mike, Elwin, Andrew, and Brendan!

Thursday Poll: Rooted or Non-Rooted?

Kellen — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:22:40 +0000

Throughout the day, thanks to topics like the Nexus 6 having encryption that can't be turned off without taking matters into your own hands, we have seen the emergence of a healthy discussion around the topic of tinkering. When we say "tinkering," we are talking about understanding adb commands, flashing recoveries or images or ROMs, and generally deciding that you can make your phone better than it is out of the box. As the conversation has grown, a number of readers have taken it back to what we used to consider to be the initial step in becoming a tinkerer, and that's through rooting a phone. And that thought has revived this poll question, which we try to run at least once a year, but haven't seen December of 2013. In other words, it's time. So, let's do this. In the poll below, all you have to do is answer by choosing if you are "rooted" or "non-rooted." From there, to continue this conversation, feel free to jump into the comments section and talk about the phone you own, if you are rooted or non-rooted, why you fall into either of those categories, etc. [poll id="342"]

Need for Speed: No Limits Coming Soon to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:58:57 +0000

I have been waiting quite a long time for a worthy replacement to Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Heck, that was my favorite game back when I was on the Galaxy Note 2, which was some time ago. With a trailer released for the upcoming Need for Speed: No Limits, my wait may soon come to an end. The trailer shows off Ken Block, a very well known race car driver, sitting behind the wheel of an insanely souped-up classic Mustang, playing the game. From the gameplay we do see in the trailer, the graphics appear to be pretty good, but we can't be positive from what EA offers. As for when we can expect the game to hit Android devices, EA offers no timeframe. However, they do say they will keep us posted over the coming weeks and months, for whatever that's worth. Ready to race?

Via: EA

Motorola Offering Moto Care for Nexus 6, Priced at $129.99

Tim — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:19:29 +0000

Accidents happen. It is almost unavoidable. If you seem to be more prone to accidents, you may want to take the necessary steps in order to protect your hefty Nexus 6 investment. To do that, Motorola is offering Moto Care for Shamu, which is an extended warranty program priced at $129.99. This money will cover your device should it meet an untimely death within a two year period. However, it needs to be noted that you will need to have purchased your Nexus 6 through Motorola's portal, and not from any other retailer. From Motorola's site, as long as you purchased your device from Motorola within the past 30 days, you are eligible to purchase Moto Care. At first, it was unclear if Motorola was going to offer the warranty program for the Nexus 6. Thankfully, it is now official and information on how to repair your device through Motorola is available on its site.

Moto Care Accident Protection includes accidental damage and extended mechanical coverage for two years, up to 3 claims with a low $39 deductible per claim, a just-like-new product if yours gets damaged, and customer support right from your phone.

Again, the price is $129.99. When compared to the Moto X's Care price of just $85, you may feel that is a bit unfair. However, these two devices are quite different, so the price seems justified, at least in our eyes. It has a much larger QHD display, camera with OIS, and faster chipset. It is all around a better phone on paper. Will you be purchasing a warranty?

Via: Motorola

Cheers Jerry!

I Didn't Buy a Nexus to Flash All the Things

Kellen — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:44:46 +0000

If you were to ask me why I buy Nexus phones and tablets (outside of the fact that it is my job to own them), I would answer with the following in no particular order. I like stock Android better than manufacturer skins. I like swift updates to the newest versions of Android. I typically like the designs used in Nexus devices. I like to see what new technologies that Google has incorporated in the latest Nexus devices and Android platform, since Nexus devices almost always try to highlight something new in mobile. Before the Nexus 6, I was also a big fan of the low price tags that accompanied Nexus devices. And, well, that's it. Those are the reasons. You will notice I didn't mention the words flash, ROM, root, recovery, bootloader, adb, SDK, boot.img, kernel, or forum. I didn't mention those, because I buy Nexus devices for reasons that don't involve tinkering, hacking, flashing, unlocking, and tweaking. I buy Nexus devices because I want to use them like someone would use a Galaxy S5 or Moto X or G3. I like the untouched, out of box experience. The reason I bring this up stems from a post we ran earlier that talked about Google forcing device encryption on the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9. In that post, we talked about how you can't turn that encryption off and that most are stuck with it, unless you were to flash a tweaked boot.img or ROM or kernel over at your local forum. That post grabbed the attention of the tinkerers in the building who assume that Nexus devices are meant to be tinkered with. And while Nexus devices are certainly tinkerer-friendly, the Nexus platform is no longer just built to flash all the things. Google may make these devices open and ready for a tinkerer party, but they market these as consumer products first, because that's what they are. There may have been a time when Nexus meant "developer first," but we aren't there anymore. In fact, we haven't really been there for a few years. Take a look at the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 9 pages on Google Play. Google doesn't even mention the word "developer" (or the other list of words I ran through) at any point, which isn't surprising. They talk about getting Android directly from the source, how awesome battery life is and the cameras they use, consuming entertainment on their big displays, listening to their BoomSound speakers, and how great their slim designs are. Google is even partnering with carriers this time around to sell their new Nexus phones, which is saying something. And look, I know how to use adb and to flash images and recoveries and ROMs. I've been doing all of that since 2009. If I need to recover a phone, I can do it in a matter of minutes. My Android SDK is always current. I write adb tutorials for the site. I do like the fact that if I were to decide that I want to get wild with my Nexus phone, that I can. But it's not one of the top reasons I'm buying one. And that's not a bad thing! The point is that the Nexus line isn't (and maybe hasn't been for years) built just for developers and tinkerers. Sure, these devices are the best phones and tablets around for those who are interested in that, but it's time to give up the argument and idea that a majority of Nexus owners all have the Android SDK installed, are fluent in adb commands, and should know how to bypass Google's forced encryption by flashing a boot.img file. Some of us actually like Nexus devices for what they are, and that's a showcase of Google's vision for Android.

Pushbullet Brings Universal Copy & Paste Tool to More Platforms, Including Android and Chrome

Tim — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:57:14 +0000

The good folks over at Pushbullet, who we have been following for what feels like years, released yet another helpful update to its users this week, one which brings a cross platform universal copy & paste tool. At first, this tool was only available to Windows users, but now, users of both Android and Chrome can get in on the new function. The idea could not be more simplistic. All you do is copy text or data on one device, then paste it on any other device which is synced with your account. Genius, right? Pushbullet claims the feature, "just works," which sounds like a poke at our dear friends in Cupertino. If you already rock Pushbullet, check it out. If you don't use Pushbullet, now is as good of a time as any. Play Link | Chrome Link

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Via: Pushbullet

Chinese Developers Now Able to Publish Paid Apps Onto Google Play

Tim — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:26:20 +0000

Google announced support for Chinese Android developers this morning, as they can now publish paid applications right onto Google Play for users to purchase. If you happen to be a developer, all you need to do is set up a Google Wallet merchant account, then get to publishing. Once folks are purchasing your app(s), Google will send out a wire transfer to your bank account. Here is a brief breakdown taken from the announcement on the Android Developers website.

As part of that continued effort, we’re excited to announce merchant support in China, enabling local developers to export and sell their apps to Google Play users in more than 130 countries. Chinese developers can now offer both free and paid applications through various monetization models, including in-app purchasing and subscriptions.

Be on the lookout for a lot more paid applications in Google Play.

Via: Android Developers

If Your Nexus 6 has Performance Issues, Blame the Encryption That You Can't Turn Off

Kellen — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 10:17:12 +0000

During our Nexus 6 review, we noted that at times the device seemed to suffer from weird performance issues or hiccups that were unexpected, especially knowing that the device runs one of the newest and most powerful mobile chipsets on the planet, has 3GB RAM, and was optimized specifically by Google for Android 5.0 "Lollipop." Some of our readers, along with others at reddit and XDA, tossed around the idea that maybe the performance hit was due to the fact that devices shipping with Android 5.0 do so with encryption enabled. That encryption could potentially put a damper on read/write disks speeds, which would cause performance hiccups. The folks over at AnandTech had similar thoughts, so they reached out to Motorola in hopes of testing a Nexus 6 that didn't have encryption enabled. With an unencrypted Nexus 6 in hand they found results that seem to confirm our fears - the default encryption in the Nexus 6 does indeed slow down read/write disks speeds, which is unfortunate, because you can't turn it off. During their tests with a Nexus 6 running without encryption enabled and another with it enabled (as it comes out of the box), they saw as much as a 63% decline in read performance and a 50% drop in write performance in the device with encryption enabled. In case those numbers didn't register yet, I'll help explain it. THAT'S A HUGE DROP. So, why not just turn encryption off and see the awesome performance we are seeing on devices like the Moto X (Pure Edition) and Nexus 5? Well, because you can't on the Nexus 6 or Nexus 9 - at least not at this time. You see, Google is encrypting new devices that ship with Android 5.0 at first boot. They are actually warning developers about this through their encryption documentation:

Caution: Devices upgraded to Android 5.0 and then encrypted may be returned to an unencrypted state by factory data reset. New Android 5.0 devices encrypted at first boot cannot be returned to an unencrypted state.

So, what is the solution? Well, there really isn't one at this time, unless you are willing to do some tinkering with a boot.img over at XDA that disables the forced encryption. If you buy a Nexus 6 or Nexus 9, Google has it set to encrypt the device at first boot. AnandTech opines that this is an overreaction to the idea that Android isn't secure, so Google is taking security to an extreme without thinking about users. Encryption on an Android device really only works if a user has enabled security at the lock screen. If you happen to not use security on your lock screen, then the encryption is pointless and causes you a performance hit that you didn't ask for. One would hope that Google will change their minds on the forced encryption, but you just never know. If anything, we would love to see them give users the option to unencrypt after the fact. At least give us an option.

Via: AnandTech

Verizon Now Offers LG G Pad 7.0 and 10.1, Discounts Available With Two-Year Contracts

Kyle — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 10:04:06 +0000

Low-priced Android tablets are a dime a dozen. Case in point? The LG G Pad 7.0 and G Pad 10.1. As is typical for devices of their class, the hardware is middling, but the price is right. This happens to be a category wireless carriers seem to pounce on. Verizon announced today that it will be carrying LTE variants of the G Pad 7.0 and G Pad 10.1 "in time for the holidays." The G Pad 10.1's standout feature is its hefty battery, which has a capacity of 8,000 mAh. The 7-inch G Pad has no single selling point, really, but shares the same Dual Window feature, resizable keyboard, and notification-syncing Q Pair app as its larger cousin. The G Pad 7.0 and 10.1 are available from Verizon for $249.99 and $299.99, respectively. For a limited time, a two-year agreement will reduce those prices to $49.99 for the G Pad 7.0 and $199.99 for the 10.1. The tablets are a $10 a month addition to MORE Everything plans.

Via: Verizon Wireless

SwiftKey Keyboard Update Brings Performance Enhancements and New Language Support

Tim — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 09:50:32 +0000

An update is rolling out to SwiftKey users this morning, bringing improved performance, as well as new language support. As for what's so different in the performance department, users will see the keyboard appear quicker, disappear quicker, and a more responsive typing experience. And languages? Well, there are 12 new ones, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Nepali, and Sinhala. Full changelog can be viewed below. What's New

Keyboard is faster to appear
Keyboard is quicker to disappear
More responsive typing
Easier correction of capitalization
12 New Indian Languages - Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Nepali, Sinhala
Emoji Prediction support for 14 additional languages, including: Bulgarian, Finnish, Romanian and Ukrainian
Multiple bug fixes

Play Link

Sprint Drops the Price of the On-Contract Nexus 6 to $249, Issuing Refunds to Early Adopters

Kyle — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 09:15:41 +0000

Thought Sprint's on-contract price of $299 for the Nexus 6 was a bit high? You are not the only one. The carrier has permanently discounted the Nexus 6 to $249, which brings it in line with AT&T. Sprint is also retroactively refunding early purchasers the difference. Customers who bought the phone at the old on-contract price between November 14 and November 18 will receive information about a refund via SMS. according to an internal Sprint document obtained by Android Police. In a way, the misstep is understandable. The Note 4, the Nexus 6's closest cousin, sells for $299 on most cellular providers. The difference, of course is the off-contract price: the Note starts at around $800 unlocked, while the Nexus 6 (32GB) is $650. The takeaway? If you are on Sprint and have not yet managed to secure a Nexus 6, opting in to a two-year contract is now one way to do it more cheaply.

Via: Android Police

Amazon Releases "Tales From Deep Space" Via Its Own Game Studio

Tim — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 08:47:01 +0000

This morning, gamers can go download a new game title straight from Amazon Game Studios, called Tales From Deep Space. Before you go thinking it's an epic horror series, which was my first thought, you should know the game is a bit more on the cartoony side. However, even though there is no scary gameplay, the graphics and co-op multiplayer should make this game quite desirable for quite a few mobile gamers. In the game, you play as E, a traveling salesman and his luggage drone. The setting is Big Moon, a giant space station which is going under lockdown. You must escape Big Moon along with your drone, while fighting epic boss fights and finding supplies. The game is priced at $6.99, but if you have a few Amazon Coins laying around, this could be a good one for you to try out. Features

Co-op: Play as E and CASI either solo or co-op on two Fire tablets over wi-fi.
Puzzle: Solve fiendish puzzles and explore every inch of Big Moon Spacestation.
Action: Fight dangerous battles with a variety of weapons and upgrades.
Story: Unravel the nefarious plot behind the mysterious "Meek" uprising.
Multiplayer co-op available exclusively on Kindle Fire HDX and all 2014 Fire tablets.

Amazon Link ($6.99)

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YouTube Music Key Beta Now Live, Includes Offline and Background Playback

Kyle — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 08:01:08 +0000

Google promised offline and background playback as a part of of its new YouTube Music Key subscription service, but didn't provide a timeline of availability or specify whether all users would be able to take advantage at first. Apparently, today is the day and it's going live indiscriminately; we've corroborated reports on reddit of options appearing in the YouTube app to play audio in the background and download videos. Most people who signed up for the Music Key beta (or who have All Access subscriptions) are seeing the new features. The most prominent change is the addition of a download button below videos. Pressing it prompts you to choose the quality (and by extension file size) - 720p or 360p, in my experience. Downloaded videos appear in a new "Offline" tab.

Background playback works as you would expect: leaving the YouTube app while a video is in progress keeps audio playing in the background. Options for listening allow you to limit playback to WiFi, specify the quality of audio, and choose whether or not it enables automatically. The switches seems to be server-side, as the capabilities are appearing without a prompt to update the YouTube app. We're fairly confident the rollout is a broad one - that is to say, not staged - but let us know in the comments if you signed up for the Music Key beta but aren't seeing offline listening or playback.

Via: reddit

Corning Announces Gorilla Glass 4, Formulated Specifically to Protect From Every Day Drops

Kellen — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 07:30:53 +0000

This morning, Corning announced new Gorilla Glass 4 for smartphones, a new protective barrier that "provides at least two times improved damage resistance over competitive aluminosilicate glass, as measured by retained strength after damage events, resulting in improved mechanical durability of the glass to in-field damage events, such as drops." Oh, you want the details in English? OK, we can do that. You are likely familiar with Corning, since their Gorilla Glass products have been protecting smartphone displays for years now. The device in your pocket or in your hand right now, is probably protected by Gorilla Glass 2 or 3. Since their launch in 2007, Corning has seen its Gorilla Glass products featured in more than 3 billion devices. The new Gorilla Glass 4 is "up to two times tougher" than competitor glasses on the market now. More importantly, Corning focused on creating new glass that can withstand everyday drops. Why they didn't focus on this before is beyond me, but hey, they are now! The Corning crew took their new Gorilla Glass 4 to the lab and discovered that it survives up to 80% of the time from every day drops, whereas Soda-lime glass (the stuff in today's commercial devices) breaks nearly 100% of the time. To see more on the testing that went into the new Gorilla Glass 4, either watch the GIF at the top of this post over and over again, or check out the video below. Gorilla Glass 4 sampling and shipment has already begun. Expect to see the new Gorilla Glass in your devices soon.

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Via: Corning

Nova Beta Updated With Lollipop App Drawer, Renamed Animations

Tim — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:45:03 +0000

Still one of our favorites, if not top favorite third party launcher, Nova Launcher, received a beta update today. Inside the update, users are treated to a new Lollipop app drawer option, giving off the same look and feel if your phone was running Android 5.0. On top of the Lollipop stuff, the beta brings more fixes and optimizations for the app, which should help users to see more speedy performance. Don't have the beta version, but want to give it a try? You can download the apk via the download link below. What's New

Lollipop style drawer (Settings - Drawer - Show Pages as Cards)
Renamed old Circle animation to Circle Wipe, added Lollipop style Circle animation (requires Pages as Cards)
Fixes and optimizations

Download Link

Via: Nova Launcher

Cheers Chris, Mike, and Brandon!

Nexus 6 Android 5.0 "LRX21O" Factory Image Now Available

Kellen — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:19:14 +0000

There she is, the first Android 5.0 factory image for the Nexus 6 is now available as build LRX21O. Go get it! Factory Image Link | Binaries

Deal: BACtrack Breathalyzer Pairs With Smartphones, on Sale for $43

Tim — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:10:20 +0000

With the holiday season upon us, you may find yourself consuming just a tad more alcohol than usual. You know, because in-laws and what not. If you feel it necessary, given all of the potential drinks, the BACtrack Breathalyzer is currently available through the DL Deals store at a discounted price of just $42.99. What makes this breathalyzer cool is that it pairs directly with your Android or iOS device, displaying your blood alcohol content (BAC) 5 seconds after you blow into it. This is done with Bluetooth magic. As for its range, the breathalyzer can handle any BAC from 0.000% to 0.400%. That should even be able to handle your uncle who seems to black out every Thanksgiving. Other features include ZeroLine Technology, which will determine how long it will take for your BAC to return to 0.000%. This could help if you are stuck at the local bar and don't want to risk getting pulled over with anything other than a zero. To top it off, the machine comes with 3 different mouth pieces, so you and the whole family can pass it around and see who can score the highest without puking. God, I love the holidays. Remember, please drink responsibly. Features

Compact: Slip the BACtrack Vio into your pocket or purse, or use it as a keychain
Bluetooth Connectivity: Wirelessly sync with the free BACtrack iPhone/Android app
ZeroLine® Technology: Get an accurate read on when your BAC will be at 0.00%
Sanitary Flip-Up Mouthpiece: Keep germs and impurities out
Advanced MicroCheck® Sensor: Be confident that the readings are always accurate
Guess Your BAC Feature: Better understand how alcohol is affecting your body

Deal Link

Ingress Turns 2 Years Old, Google Celebrates With an Infographic and Monthly Series

Kyle — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 13:30:55 +0000

Do you embark on transatlantic journeys to capture portals, identify with The Enlightened or Resistance, and destroy links for keys? If so, then you are probably an Ingress player. The augmented reality game, a product of Google's Niantic Labs, has not seen a major update since February, but the developers have not forgotten about its many devotees. In celebration of Ingress's 2-year anniversary, they have detailed a few fascinating statistics in an infographic and are starting a new monthly event series for beginning players. According to Niantic Labs, Ingress players - Agents, as they are known - travel a whole lot. A collective 78,000,000 miles have been covered playing the game, which is quite a few circumnavigations. More than anything, though, Agents are extraordinarily enthusiastic - more than 52,000 of them have attended live events in 281 cities.

To keep the momentum going, Niantic Labs has launched Ingress First Saturday. A coordinated series of in-person get-together, it aims to familiarize new players with the game's many intricacies. The first such meetup kicked off last November, and the next is scheduled for December 6. If you were not already a player, but the prospect of hunting virtual objects with augmented reality excites you, Ingress is free on Google Play. The list of cities hosting Ingress First Saturday events is available for perusal here. Play Link

Via: +Ingress

AT&T $60 GoPhone Plan Now Includes Unlimited Data, New $45 Plan Introduced

Kellen — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 12:46:48 +0000

AT&T introduced one important new feature to its $60 GoPhone prepaid plan this afternoon that I'm sure customers will gladly accept, plus they also introduced a new $45 option. As for the new feature, the $60 GoPhone plan now includes unlimited data to go along with its unlimited talk and text. Subscribers of this plan will still only get 2.5GB of high-speed data, but should they hit that data cap, they will continue to be able to use data for the rest of the month, only at incredibly slow speeds. After the 2.5GB of high-speed data has been used, your data speeds will be reduced down to 128Kbps for the rest of your 30-day billing term. If a customer wants more high-speed data, AT&T is still offering 1GB add-ons for $10. As for the new plan, AT&T is introducing a new $45 GoPhone plan that includes unlimited talk, text, and data, with 1GB at high speeds. Like the $60 plan, subscribers of this plan will see their data speeds reduced to 128Kbps for the rest of their term unless they buy a high-speed data add-on. For this plan, high-speed data add-ons run $10 per 500MB. Clearly, all data add-ons are not created equal to AT&T. Finally, AT&T is has also announced a new US, Mexico, and Canada monthly plan that runs $55. In this plan, you get unlimited talk, text, and data with 1GB of high-speed data when in the US. If you take your phone and plan across either of our borders and into Mexico or Canada, you can place calls at $0.01/minute, send unlimited text/picture/video messages, and even buy a $25 1GB data plan. When in the US, you get unlimited text to Mexico, Canada, and over 100 other countries.

More: AT&T

Cheers M and Bradley!

Samsung Brings Milk Video Streaming Service to the US

Kyle — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 12:25:35 +0000

Remember how Samsung's Milk Music took the streaming market by storm and got everyone and their mother to sign up for an account? No? That is because it never happened. Launched in a field already crowded with competitors, Milk Music never really had a chance at success. But that is not stopping Samsung from applying the same strategy (and unfortunate moniker) to video. Milk Video, the company's "video discovery service," is launching stateside today. Milk Video, unlike Milk Music, does not require a subscription. It aggregates content from a number of sources - Funny or Die, Red Bull, and VICE, to name a few - and serves them in "simple" and "beautiful" ways. Milk Video will offer more than rehashes, however - Samsung says partnerships with networks should result in plenty of "exclusive material." Samsung says social and personalization are really what set Milk Video apart from the pack. The app will recommend videos, refining suggestions over time. And it will allow users to follow certain channels, "like" videos, and content with friends via social media. Otherwise, Milk Video is unremarkable. That is not good; these days, even Yahoo has a video service. If Samsung wants its app to have any chance of entering the average user's periphery, it will have to iterate quickly. Milk Video is on the Play Store, but only compatible with Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Play Link

Via: Samsung

Google Announces Fit Developer Challenge in Partnership with adidas, Polar, and Withings

Kyle — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 11:08:25 +0000

Give them incentive, and developers will build awesome things. That is the premise of the Google Fit Developer Challenge, which the eponymous search giant announced yesterday. In partnership with lifestyle companies adidas, Polar, and Withings, Google's contest for fitness apps will see winners receive front-and-center placement in the Play store and smart devices from the aforementioned sponsors. Google Fit, which launched in preview this past August alongside Lollipop, is the search giant's attempt at a cohesive wellness platform. It is basically a unified set of APIs for developers and manufacturers to store and access fitness data, which users then interact with mostly using the Google Fit app. The deadline for submission to the Google Fit Developer Challenge is February 17, 2015. Judges will select up to six new and existing apps as the winners, but Google says runners-up will also receive prizes, albeit likely smaller ones. Interested in entering? Google recommends concepts that are "innovative, fun to use, keep users coming back, offer users real benefit, and meet the Android design and quality guidelines." If you think your app checks off that criteria, the sign-up form is live.

Via: live. Via:" target="_blank">Google

Lollipop Previewed in Video on Galaxy Note 3, Looks Like TouchWiz

Tim — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 10:30:08 +0000

After previewing a Lollipop update build on the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4, the folks at SamMobile are back again this morning, this time showing off Android 5.0 running on the Galaxy Note 3. Thanks to the previous leaks, we have basically already seen Samsung's take on TouchWiz running atop Lollipop, and the Galaxy Note 3 appears to be no different. While a few things do look different, the overall design of TouchWiz looks to be untouched. And correct me if I am wrong, but at about 0:49 into the video and forward, is that jank I see? You can see the user trying to swipe down continuously on the notification bar, but the phone isn't having it. Thankfully, this is probably just an early build and tweaking the performance is on Samsung's to-do list. Hopefully. Last year's Note device is currently running Android 4.4.4 for most users here in the US, and as of right now, there is no word from Samsung as to when customers should expect to see Lollipop hit their device. Until Samsung gives any type of word, this video will have to keep you busy. Thoughts?

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Via: SamMobile

Monument Valley Free Through Amazon Appstore, Today Only

Tim — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 10:10:42 +0000

For a limited time, as in today only, you can head on into the Amazon Appstore for your Android device and grab Monument Valley, the beautiful puzzle game which took over the world, for completely free. In Monument Valley, you play as a lost princess who must work her way through a vast amount of puzzles, which just so happen to look stunning on mobile devices. At first, the game seems rather easy, but thanks to added complexity and changes in perception, the puzzles do get a bit harder as you go along. It really is a fun game which I recommend all of the time, so if you don't have to pay the usual $4 to scoop it, then by all means do so. Go grab it. Amazon Link

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Cheers flosserelli!

Motorola Announces the Keylink for $24.99, an Accessory to Help You Find Lost Keys or Phones

Kellen — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 09:38:11 +0000

Back in August, we noticed that a new version of the Motorola Skip had cruised through the FCC as a full-blown keyfob that could help you locate keys or your phone, and even act as a trusted device with Motorola phones. We fully expected to see this accessory launch around the time of the new Moto X. For whatever reason, though, Motorola buried the product for a couple of months, only to revive it today as the Motorola Keylink. The Motorola Keylink is just as reported a couple of months ago - a keyfob that attaches to your phone via Bluetooth LE. It can help you find either your lost keys or phone up to 100 feet away. If you lose your keys, you can activate an alarm on the Keylink (assuming it is attached to your key ring) using the Motorola Connect app on your smartphone. If you lose your phone, the Keylink has a button that will make your phone ring. As an added bonus, if you own a new Moto X or DROID Turbo, the Keylink can be added as a trusted device to keep your phone unlocked when the Keylink is near. Finally, the Keylink has a battery that lasts upwards of a year and can be replaced as needed. The Keylink is available now at Motorola's store and T-Mobile for $24.99. Keylink Link

Via: Motorola

T-Mobile Offering Unlimited Worldwide Calling for $5 a Month Through Simple Choice Plans

Tim — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 09:28:40 +0000

T-Mobile is bringing the holiday cheer a tad early this year, with the announcement of two different offerings for folks on a Simple Choice plan. Starting today, users can get unlimited worldwide landline calling for just $5 a month, for all lines on the plan, up to 10 lines. Additionally, for $10 a month on top of your existing plan, the whole family can get unlimited calling to mobile phones in more than 30 countries and 1,000 minutes to mobile phones in Mexico, on top of unlimited calls to landlines in 70+ countries. Now that's a bargain. T-Mobile estimates this to be a grand total of about $105 a month for a family of four when compared to similar plans from Verizon ($150) and AT&T (180). Here is a graph for all of you visual learners.

The full press release can be seen below if you need additional information.

T-Mobile Makes Calling Those Abroad Affordable & Worry-Free

For only $5 a month, you can add unlimited calling worldwide – one low price covers everyone on your account.
Bellevue, Washington — November 19, 2014 — For anyone and everyone with family and friends abroad, T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS) just gave you and yours the gift of connecting more easily and affordably this holiday season and for years to come. The Un-carrier™ announced its updated Stateside International Talk plan, and starting today, everyone on your Simple Choice™ plan can enjoy unlimited calling from the U.S. to landlines in more than 70 countries worldwide for just $5 a month for the entire account. That’s right. Per account – not per line. So, $5 a month covers your entire family up to 10 lines. Or, starting today, for just $10 per month, the whole family can get unlimited calling to mobile phones in more than 30 countries and 1,000 minutes to mobile phones in Mexico, on top of unlimited calls to landlines in 70+ countries. That’s a real savings over the current rates ($10 and $15 per month per line for the landline and landline plus mobile calling respectively), especially for families. In fact, a family of four can save $420 a year compared to paying per individual. “The old-guard carriers never take a holiday from sticking it to their customers,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “These guys have the gall to gouge you with fat charges every time you reach out to family outside the U.S. — even during the holiday season. How is that anything but pure humbug and greed? At T-Mobile, you can talk day and night without ever worrying about extra charges or overages.” This offer starts today and goes through the end of the year − but once added to your account, everyone on your account with a Simple Choice plan can enjoy the benefits for as long as you keep Stateside International Talk on your account. And, of course, all of this comes right on top of your existing Simple Choice plan benefits, like unlimited texting from the U.S. to nearly every country abroad at absolutely no extra charge. More Money in Your Pocket There are big differences between the Un-carrier and the old carriers in costs and benefits that you can see side-by-side in the chart below with the Stateside International Talk $5 option. Best Value at Home, Abroad & In the Air Combine the amazing value of T-Mobile Simple Choice plan for families together with groundbreaking Un-carrier benefits, and it’s clear T-Mobile is hands down the best choice for staying in touch and staying connected inside and outside the U.S. during the holidays and all year round. With T-Mobile, for example, you’ll never need to purchase an expensive supplemental international plan (like with the other guys) when you’re traveling outside the U.S. All Simple Choice postpaid customers get unlimited data and texting at no additional charge − and flat-rate calls for just 20 cents a minute − while traveling in more than 120 countries and destinations around the world. And, as an Un-carrier customer, you’ll be able to stay connected in-flight, too. Because only T-Mobile customers can send and receive text and picture messages as well as visual voicemail using their own smartphones on all Gogo-equipped flights originating from the U.S. And, once again, that’s available to T-Mobile customers at absolutely no additional cost.

T-Mobile Gets Nexus 9 LTE in "Early" December

Kellen — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:48:22 +0000

Along with an official launch today of the Nexus 6 at T-Mobile stores, the Uncarrier also announced that they will sell the 4G LTE version of the Nexus 9 in early December. According to a press release that accompanied the news, customers will be able to buy the Nexus 9 LTE for $0 down and monthly payments of $24.99. This is the first word we have seen with regard to availability of the LTE variant of the Nexus 9. Google announced that their would be an LTE model at some point, but they have to yet to list it in their own Google Play store as anything but "coming soon." In case you haven't looked at a calendar recently, we are closing in on the end of November, so "early" December isn't all that far away. If a connected Nexus 9 is what your life has been asking for, you don't have long to wait. Until then, be sure to read our Nexus 9 review.

Via: T-Mobile

Screenshots Leaked of Reported One (M8) Running Android 5.0 and Sense 6

Tim — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:27:31 +0000

A series of screenshots were tweeted from well known HTC leaker @LlabTooFeR this morning, supposedly showcasing our first true look at the One (M8) running Lollipop and Sense 6. From first glance, you can instantly tell it is Lollipop and not Kit Kat, thanks to obvious changes in the recent tasks list, which shows us previews of applications, not just thumbnails. To follow that, HTC looks to have implemented the double swipe down motion for the notification bar, with one swipe being your notifications, and two swipes being your system toggles. From a look at the lockscreen, HTC appears to be keeping it rather stock, allowing for the system to display notifications for users. Overall, if you ask me, it looks rather tasteful. Officially, HTC already announced that One owners should expect to see the Lollipop update hit their devices within 90 days from November 3, but it would not surprise us if it came a bit quicker. The only true challenge is getting US carrier approval for a timely rollout. HTC fans, how do these screenshots look to you? Do you dig the color scheme or the flatness of Sense 6? Let us know your thoughts below.

Via: LlabTooFeR

Video: Asus ZenWatch vs. G Watch R and Moto 360

Kellen — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:07:59 +0000

After running through a quick unboxing of the Asus ZenWatch, it only made sense to follow up with a comparison video of Asus' premium Android Wear device to the other two smartwatch champions of the moment, the LG G Watch R and Moto 360. Each is outfitted in premium materials, like metals and leathers, but each is certainly different in its own right, whether that be through the quality of those materials used or its price tag. The ZenWatch, like the other two, is an attempt by a technology company to create a classic looking time piece that is technologically advanced. Asus skipped the round display and instead went with curved pieces of metal to give off a rounded feel, but the square display is certainly a step below what LG and Motorola have done with their watches. Other than that drawback, the ZenWatch is equally as impressive as the spec-heavy G Watch R (outside of a heart rate monitor), and arguably as pretty as the Moto 360. Asus has used better materials than what you will find in the $299 G Watch R, yet it carries a $100 cheaper price tag. I would put it on par with the Moto 360 in terms of quality of materials, so then it comes down to which device you think looks better. Out of the three, the Moto 360 is still my personal favorite, but I would put the ZenWatch at a close second. In terms of performance, well, we have to put it through its paces to come to some conclusions there. With its Snapdragon 400 and 1.63-inch AMOLED display, it should be as speedy as the G Watch R and probably a little speedier than the Moto 360. We'll have final thoughts shortly, but for now, check out all three devices in hand and on-wrist in the video below.

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T-Mobile Now Selling the Nexus 6 With 32GB or 64GB of Storage

Kellen — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 05:55:56 +0000

After delaying for a week, T-Mobile is now selling the Nexus 6, Google's brand new whale of a smartphone. The device comes in Midnight Blue, just like every other carrier, but you do have options of either 32GB or 64GB of storage, which is unique to T-Mobile. Sprint and AT&T are both only selling the 32GB model. At least one of our readers purchased the 64GB model from T-Mobile this morning, chose overnight shipping, and is expecting it to arrive tomorrow. The 32GB model can be picked up for $0 down and 24 equal monthly payments of $27.08. The 64GB is slightly more expensive at $0 down and 24 equal monthly payments of $29.16. For $2 extra per month, it may be worth it to stack up on the extra storage, especially since the Nexus 6 doesn't have a micro SD slot for expandable storage. On a related note, if we do a little math there, you will notice that after all of your monthly payments, you are paying the same price for each as you would if you bought it unlocked from Google Play ($649 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB). I don't know why, but I do find some comfort in knowing T-Mobile isn't completely jacking up the price. Be sure to read our Nexus 6 review if you haven't already. T-Mobile Link

Cheers Stephen!

Asus ZenWatch Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:55:15 +0000

The Asus ZenWatch, an Android Wear device that is arguably the prettiest of them all, is in house and ready for us to dive into. But before we get to a full review, we first need to introduce you to it through an unboxing and tour. At $199, the ZenWatch is one of the better deals in smartwatches, though it does lack some features that others boast, like a heart rate monitor. But if you are simply looking for a well-made, premium watch to wear on a daily basis, this may be one to keep on your short list. As a recap of the ZenWatch's details, you are looking at a 1.63-inch AMOLED display (320x320), 1.4Wh battery, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, IP55 water resistance rating, 512MB RAM, and the latest version of Android Wear. The ZenWatch isn't round like the G Watch R or Moto 360, but Asus has tried to make it look as round as possible through design. That design includes a stainless steel body and clasp, rose gold accents, and a very soft, high-quality leather watch band. This is a great-looking watch. Enjoy the unboxing, but be sure to keep an eye out for our review.

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Shop From Your Android Wear Device After Amazon App Update

Tim — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:11:19 +0000

Thanks to an update for the official Amazon app in Google Play this week, shoppers who can't get enough of Amazon can now browse the goods on their Android Wear smartwatch. Once updated, all you need to say is "Start Amazon" after speaking the regular "Ok Google" launch phrase. Once started, another voice indicator pops up, asking you what it is you are looking for. To test, I stated, "watches," and was then shown a list of watches that feature very low prices with Prime shipping. To take it one step further, Amazon allows for users to turn on one-click shopping, meaning that if you find a product you want while browsing on your wrist, you can instantly purchase it as well. If you want to save it for later viewing, you can also add items to your Wishlist. If you need more product detail, but are mobile, you can open any product listing right on your phone with the official Amazon app with a single click. The update and Android Wear extension is nice, albeit a bit clunky, but certainly usable. Play Link

Amazon Hosting Deal on PNY Memory and Mobile Power Products, Some 50%+ Off

Tim — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:48:37 +0000

If you need additional storage around, or you need another power source around you at all times, Amazon is currently hosting a deal on PNY memory and power products. The deals go up to 50% off on select products, including 256GB USB 3.0 flash drives, 64GB high-speed microSD cards, 64GB USB flash drives, massive PNY battery packs, and so much more. Even if you don't need something like this, these types of products make perfect stocking stuffers. Amazon Link

Deal: Five Days Left to Snag a Retro NES Bluetooth Controller for $30

Tim — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 12:21:36 +0000

The retro NES30 Bluetooth Controller is back on our DL Deals store, after being sold out quite quickly the last time we posted it. If you missed out last time, here is your chance to pick it up. As you can see, it is shaped exactly like an old NES controller, which should make you feel right at home again on the couch in your pajamas back in the 80s. Given the advancement in games, the controller does feature a few more control buttons than the original, but its shape and feel stays true. It features X, Y, B, A buttons, full directional pad, left and right triggers on top, 20+ hours of gameplay between charging, multiple platform compatibility, programable keys, and a microUSB port for charging. The controller is priced at just $29.99 right through our new Deals store, complete with free shipping, so go check it out. Features

Classic NES look and feel
Connects via Bluetooth or USB cable
High-quality buttons and precision D-pad
Multiplayer support
Reprogrammable keys
Compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Wii and emulated games
Rechargeable battery with 20+ hours per charge

Deal Link

Nexus 6 Naked Tough Case Now Available on Google Play for $35

Kellen — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:45:35 +0000

The Nexus 6 Naked Tough Case, which we are essentially accepting as an official accessory since it is being sold through Google Play, is now available for purchase. The transparent case can be had for $35 and is at least one way to keep your whale protected, assuming you have had the opportunity to buy one. The case is "dual-layered" to offer a smooth, transparent finish, but also has chrome buttons to "complete the polished look." It should provide some form of protection with its "impact resistant hard shell," yet will keep your Nexus design shining through. The Naked Tough Case also has a kickstand, so that you can consume movies or other media without tiring your hand (trust me, it will tire). The Nexus 6 Naked Tough Case ships in 1-2 days. Play Link

Facebook Continues to Break Down Main App, Intros Separate App for Groups (Updated)

Kyle — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:32:36 +0000

Facebook caught a lot of flack for divesting Messenger from its app a few months back, but that apparently was not enough to deter the company from doing more of the same. Today, Facebook announced a standalone Groups app. In a blog post, Facebook says it simplifies how groups work. All of your memberships are prominently displayed on one screen, ordered by the frequency of visits. Existing groups can be switched between with a swipe, and new ones quickly created with a dedicated button. Finally, a Discover tab suggests groups based on Pages you have liked, groups you and your friends belong to, and other profile information. The functionality is inarguably good, but Facebook failed to articulate why, exactly, it required building a separate app; implementing many of the features into the primary Facebook app would seem trivial. The decision likely stems from the social network's philosophy regarding mobile more than any technical reason: when CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained why Facebook was funneling users towards the Messenger app, he said the company "would rather have people be using a more focused experience." Whether you buy Zuckerberg's argument or not, trying out improved groups will obviously require a download. No functionality is being removed from the Facebook app yet, but we would not be surprised to see things change in the future. The app will go live on Google Play sometime today. Update: The app is now live. Download here.

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Via: Facebook

Google Releases First Android Auto APIs to Developers

Tim — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:02:07 +0000

Previewed back at Google I/O, Mountain View has now released its first set of APIs to developers for Android Auto. The APIs consist of two main focuses, those being audible notifications through a car's speaker system, and the access of music files through a directory. Consumers may be quite some time away from going to the dealership and purchasing a car with Android Auto installed, but we are getting there. Google's goal with these APIs is to bolster up Auto's ecosystem, then have a successful launch.

For users, this means they simply connect their Android handheld to a compatible vehicle and begin utilizing a car-optimized Android experience that works with the car’s head unit display, steering wheel buttons, and more. For developers, the APIs and UX guidelines make it easy to provide a simple way for users to get the information they need while on the road.

If you are a developer, go have some fun.

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Via: Android Developers

Nokia's Z Launcher Now Available on Google Play, Still in Beta

Kyle — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 10:17:58 +0000

Was your interest by chance piqued when you saw Nokia's Z Launcher running on the recently unveiled N1 tablet? If so, now is your chance to give it a whirl. The home screen replacement, now in beta, is now compatible with most modern Android devices (it was previously optimized only for the Galaxy S5, S4, S3, and Nexus 5). Z Launcher slipped under the radar when it debuted last June. For the uninitiated, the app is an "intelligent" launcher which aims to serve software, contacts, and suggestions when and where you need them by learning your patterns. In the same vein as Google Now, Z Launcher attempts to predict what you need before you realize you need it. It also features searching for apps by gesture. Scribbling the first letter of the app your searching for will bring up a list of results. The app is otherwise barebones, but was the idea; it seems intended more than anything to get out your way. Still, a few more options to customize appearance and behavior would be welcome. Z Launcher is free on Google Play. Play Link

Motorola Spotlight Player Updated, "Duet" Now Available on the Moto X

Kyle — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 09:15:03 +0000

One of Motorola's nicest (or most intrusive, depending on your perspective) software touches is Spotlight Stories, interactive videos which inject a bit of humanity. They periodically appear on the home screens of Motorola devices everywhere, and the newest one, titled "Duet," has finally come. Like "Buggy Night" before it, the clip is a great technological showcase - it plays out in a three-dimensional space, leveraging the Moto X's gyroscope and accelerometer to let users follow the characters by twisting and turning the handset. It is also a work of art. A beautifully animated coming-of-age story, it was was very obviously influenced by the best of Disney work. That is unsurprising, considering its director, Glen Keane, is an alum. If you do not have a Motorola smartphone in your possession, the short is free for viewing here (but lacks the interactive element). Otherwise, expect a notification in the near future. Play Link

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Nokia Unveils the N1, a Premium Android Tablet Running Lollipop

Kyle — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:51:41 +0000

Without forewarning, Nokia unveiled the N1 today, a premium 7.9-inch tablet running Lollipop. It is constructed from anodized aluminum, packs a laminated display and Intel processor, weighing a mere 316 grams. It also comes pre-configured with Z Launcher, Nokia's homescreen replacement on Android. And did we mention, it's aggressively priced at just $249? In a word, it is compelling. Nokia did not cut corners in designing the N1, which takes more than a few design cues from the iPad mini (down to the speaker and button arrangement). The tablet sports an entirely metal unibody, which measures a thin 6.9mm. Its internals are similarly uncompromising for a tablet of its class: a 2048 x 1536 resolution display, an Intel Atom Z3580 processor, 2GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera 5-megapixel front shooter, and 32GB of storage. Uniquely, the N1 will be among the first devices to adopt the reversible USB Type-C connector, a feature we would not mind seeing other manufacturers adopt. The N1 ships running Lollipop, but features Nokia's Z Launcher. The launcher replacement, which debuted on the Google Play Store in June, tries to intelligently suggest apps and contacts based on your behavior. It also, like Google's Gesture Search, allows you to quickly find an app by doodling the letter with which its name starts. The tablet will launch in China around February 19 before rolling out to unspecified European countries. Nokia did not give a timeline for North America, so it is probably safe to say the N1 will not be appearing stateside anytime soon. Bummer. Would a Nokia-made Android tablet interest you?

Via: Nokia

NVIDIA Pushing Out Lollipop Update to SHIELD Tablet Owners Right Now

Tim — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:28:27 +0000

Just as NVIDIA claimed it would, an update to Android 5.0, aka Lollipop, is hitting SHIELD Tablet devices across North America this morning. Not only is the SHIELD Tablet the first non-Nexus tablet to receive the Lollipop update, but NVIDIA has packed it full of fun features to keep users busy. An updated Dabbler application comes preloaded, perfect for your stylus needs, as well as an updated SHIELD Hub for all of your gaming desires. As detailed in the last post about the Android 5.0 update, NVIDIA is launching its GRID Gaming Service across the country, meaning your SHIELD Tablet just became a lot more valuable with access to PC cloud gaming. The update is now live for all SHIELD Tablet owners, so if you own one, you best go get to downloading. But if this news has pushed you to the verge of buying one, remember that if you decide on the 32GB package, NVIDIA will gift you three games, Half-Life 2: Episode 1, Portal, and Half-Life 2 for free.

Cheers Jacob, Steve, and Anthony!

Android 5.0 Feature: Google Updates Smart Lock on Lollipop to Include Trusted Places

Kellen — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 07:51:05 +0000

When Android 5.0 "Lollipop" went into a final preview build shortly after being announced by Google, we ran through a series of features to make sure you knew all about the awesomeness that was about to grace your phone or tablet. One of those features was Smart Lock, which is Google's take on Trusted Devices, a feature that uses Bluetooth or NFC (or your face in Lollipop) to allow you to bypass secure lock screens when you are near, but securely lock the device when you need it most. We are happy to report today that Google has added a new and incredibly useful feature to Smart Lock, thanks to the latest Google Play Services 6.5 update that began rolling out yesterday. That's right, Smart Lock just got better without a system update. The new feature adds "trusted places" to your list of options for keeping your phone unlocked. What is a "trusted place?" This could be your work or home or significant other's apartment or the dog park. A trusted place is a location where you would like to be able to quickly unlock your phone or tablet without needing to enter the PIN, password or pattern that you have active. Of course, the beauty in using a trusted place is that once you leave a trusted location, your phone turns security back on. For example, let's say you have both your home and work set as trusted places. When you are at home in the morning or evening, or at work during the day, you could have your phone recognize this and leave your phone open for quick unlocking. But, let's say you stop off for morning coffee on your way to work, take a cab ride to a meeting across town, or hit the gym in between all of that and forget your phone at any of those locations. Your phone will recognize all of the above as not being "trusted" and will switch your PIN, pattern, or password back on to help secure your phone. Basically, whenever you aren't in a trusted place, your phone will remain locked and require a secure login. Make sense? With trusted places through Smart Lock, you can choose between all of the Google accounts attached to your phone through a drop-down menu. These accounts should automatically pull in your Home and Work locations if you have set those up through your accounts, which you likely have in Google Now or Maps at some point. You can also add custom locations though, using the "Add trusted place" button. By tapping that option, you will be taken to Google Maps to either select your current location or search for a new place to add. In order to get trusted places up and running on your Lollipop device, you will need the new Google Play Services 6.5 (download link) installed. Once you have that installed, you may need to quickly reboot before the option will show up. Once you are done rebooting, head into Settings>Security>Smart Lock and it should be there. Keep in mind that in order to enable Smart Lock, you have to have a PIN, password, or pattern activated. Enjoy! Here are the rest of the Android 5.0 feature highlights we have covered so far.

Via: reddit

Sprint Nexus 6 Now Available From Best Buy for $199 on Contract

Kellen — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 07:14:45 +0000

The Nexus 6 is largely still impossible to find. You have been able to pre-order from AT&T and Sprint for less than a week, but most have had no chance at buying the unlocked model from Google Play or Motorola's shop. And even if you were lucky enough to order through those last two stores, the chances of your device having arrived already are pretty slim. Hopefully, as we approach what we are assuming is the device's official launch of today or tomorrow, we should start to see it become more accessible. Take for example a new Best Buy listing, which shows the Nexus 6 for Sprint available for $199 with a new 2-year contract. That's $100 cheaper than if you were to buy it through Sprint directly. You can even buy it off-contract for $699, which isn't exactly cheap, but is an option if you need the device now and don't want Sprint service. And speaking of off-contract without Sprint service, I wish I could confirm that if you buy any of these carrier models that they will be fully unlocked for use on any network. This Sprint model (if you want to call it that) is still carrying the model number of the Americas version of the Nexus 6, which is XT1103. But, Sprint is referring to the version they are selling as the XT1103KIT. Does the "KIT" part refer to the batch that Sprint plans to sell which has been locked to their network in some way? We just don't know. We still don't know if AT&T will do the same either. Once pre-order devices start arriving, we should hopefully know much more. Any takers on the Sprint deal through Best Buy? Best Buy Link

Nexus 6 Google Play Pre-Orders Now Shipping Too!

Kellen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:59:16 +0000

Google Play pre-orders for the Nexus 6 are now shipping, according to a handful of our readers. These seem to be orders placed early on October 29 in either 32GB or 64GB variations. We aren't sure what we are looking at for estimated arrival dates just yet, but we will update this post as we have more. I know that Motorola orders placed after these Google Play orders have already arrived for many, but these are still close to being on time. Remember that most carrier models aren't arriving until tomorrow or Wednesday. Now, if only Google would open up more inventory. We'll see how long this Wednesday's re-stock lasts.

Cheers Usman, Kevin, and everyone else!

Google Play Services 6.5 for Developers, Brings Helpful Maps, Wallet, and Fit APIs for Incorporation

Tim — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 16:05:42 +0000

Google's Android development team is now rolling out Google Play Services 6.5 to developers, bringing a ton of new APIs to incorporate into existing applications. For starters, developers are getting more flexibility from Google Maps, with the API now offering a map toolbar to allow users to open Maps and immediately get directions, as well as turn-by-turn navigation to a selected marker. For business owners, who also run an application, this could help potential customers find their place much more quickly. Also in Play Services 6.5 are updated APIs for Google Wallet, Google Drive, and Google Fit. The info is not all that exciting for the end consumer, but if you are a developer, or just a very curious Android user, feel free to follow the via link below for more information. Update: Download link for Google Play services 6.5 .apk.

Via: Android Developers

Contest: We are Giving Away $200 in Google Play Gift Cards!

Kellen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 15:08:20 +0000

Too much time has passed since you all had a chance to walk away with something free from Droid Life, so we are fixing that today. For no reason other than to continue to thank you for all of your support over the years (we are almost at our 5-year anniversary, by the way), we have $200 in Google Play gift cards to give away. If we are doing a little math, that equates to eight $25 gift cards for eight winners. To enter, we have a Rafflecopter widget below that includes instructions. The instructions are super simple and only ask that you complete tasks like following us on social networks. You can do 1 or all of the tasks on the list. Just know that the more you do, the more chances you have to win. Ready? Let's do it!

Contest

Prizes: $200 in Google Play gift cards - eight (8) $25 cards for eight (8) winners. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: Tomorrow (November 18) at 3PM Pacific, we will randomly choose our eight (8) winners.

Be Careful With Ambient Display on the Nexus 6, It's Prone to Pocket Dialing and Other Unwanted Activities

Kellen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 14:13:42 +0000

With Android 5.0 and the Nexus 6, Google introduced Ambient Display, a feature that acts a lot like Motorola's Moto Display, only is less smart and feature packed. It's cool, for the most part, and is certainly much more informative than an LED notification. But as we mentioned in our write-up of Ambient Display, this feature is new and needs improvement in order to be as amazing as Motorola's effort. As it turns out, Ambient Display has one potentially fatal flaw we failed to mention during that initial write-up - unless you have a PIN, pattern, or password active, Ambient Display turns your phone into a pocket dialing, unintentional text messaging, app opening nightmare. Let me explain. Ambient Display is listed in the Android 5.0 display settings menu as a feature that can "wake screen when device picked up or notifications arrive." And of course, it does that. When notifications come in or you pick up your phone, the Nexus 6 will show you a black and white version of your lock screen, with clock and current notifications. Where Ambient Display goes wrong is in the "notifications arrive" portion. You see, even if your phone is in your pocket, your display will light up with new notifications. It may even light up with subtle movement while also in your pocket. Starting to see how that can be bad? Depending on the pants you are wearing, an awake display could potentially be interacted with. And this is where the nightmare comes in. In the three or so weeks I have been using a Nexus 6, I can't even tell you the number of times that my phone has pocket dialed someone, attempted to video chat with people I typically wouldn't even consider video chatting with, opened and cleared notifications that I probably needed to see, or even messaged someone without my permission. In fact, this morning, I could hear the Nexus 6 in my sweat pockets making all sorts of noise. As I pulled it out of my pocket, I realized that I was 3 seconds away from leaving Verizon PR an unintended voicemail. Nice, right? What's the fix? Well, since Ambient Display - when it isn't pocket spamming contacts - is pretty awesome, I don't want to turn it off, so I have been forced to use a PIN, pattern, or password. With these enabled, your pocket will at least be asked for extra credentials as it tries to unintentionally video chat with your mom while you hit up the ~~strip~~ club. If you choose to use Ambient Display (and you will want to), consider some added security. Hopefully, Google works on fixes or improvements to Ambient Display in future releases to at least minimize the pocket activity. At least make Ambient Display much more aware of its surroundings (if possible). This is easily one of the best new features in Lollipop that I want to continue to use without worry.

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Tired of Sending Nudes With Snapchat? Try Sending Money Instead With Snapcash

Tim — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:50:53 +0000

If Snapchat is safe enough for you to send your nude selfies, then why not transfer cash from your bank account while you are at it? Today, Snapchat announced Snapcash, in partnership with Square, which allows users to send money to each other through the messaging interface of the application. Sending money could not be any easier, as all you need to do is have your bank account or debit card attached to your account through Square, then fill in the amount you want to transfer, then hit send. The amount is then withdrawn from your account and placed securely in your friend's bank. The overall goal is much like Square's Cash, but obviously, all done through Snapchat and not email. As of right now, Snapcash is only available to Snapchat users who are 18+, and have a debit card. Let us know in the comments if you think this is a good idea or not.

Via: Snapchat

AT&T Offering 15GB Worth of Data for the Price of 10GB for a Limited Time

Kyle — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:43:48 +0000

Looks like AT&T is getting into the holiday spirit. Starting tomorrow, new and existing Mobile Share Value plan will be eligible for bonus data: 15GB for the price of 10GB, or $100 a month. The promotion comes after AT&T doubled its 15GB, $130 a month tier to 30GB in October, along with the rest of its tiers. It is the latest in a series of moves aimed at turning customers' attention away from comparable Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon deals- in other words, true competition. Now that's a Christmas miracle. The deal will only be available for "a limited time," but AT&T did not specify when it will expire. Monthly device access fees still apply.

Via: AT&T

Thanks to Update, You Can Now Share Your Google Keep Posts (Updated: APK)

Tim — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:41:38 +0000

An update is on its way to Google Keep in Google Play, one which makes the app a million times more useful. After the update, users will be able to share notes and lists with other Keep users, much like you see on Google Drive. With this functionality, two people can simultaneously add to a grocery list for a household, or jot down separate notes. As mentioned above, this should help you become much more productive throughout your note-taking career. The update is set to go live on Google Play any moment, so head on over and get to sharing. Play Link | Download Link (.apk) Update: Added .apk file above.

Via: Google

Reminder: Carriers Probably Can't Activate Your New Nexus 6, Here are Your Options

Kellen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:16:47 +0000

So you received your brand new Nexus 6 today, straight from a factory in China, and you walk into a Verizon or AT&T or Sprint store to have it activated for use. As you and a sales rep get the process going, you get to the point where they need to scan the nano SIM for the phone and then your phone's IMEI. You can almost taste the Lollipop. You will soon know how many licks it takes. You are this close. The sweat needed to give you extra grip on the 6-inch whale in front of you is starting to build in the palm of your hand. Your fresh pair of JNCOs is crisp from the dryer. The fresh Free Willy tattoo under your tribal band still has a bandage protecting its scab. You are a Nexus 6 owner. No, even better - you are an unlocked Nexus 6 owner on the verge of becoming one with a marine mammal. "I tell you what to do, carrier," you say under your breath as you reach for your newly activated phone. And then the sales rep gives you that look. You have seen this look before, typically when the 7-11 clerk scans your lottery ticket. You sir, do not have a winner. "Sorry, the phone won't activate because the IMEI is not in our system. There is nothing I can do," the sales rep says.

Yes, there is a chance that when you walk into a carrier store today (or later this week) to have your brand new, unlocked Nexus 6 (from Google Play or Motorola's store) activated, that you will leave without an active phone and equally depressing attitude (this has already happened to a couple of our readers). That's what happens when new, unlocked phones start arriving before carriers are ready for them and you don't know what to do to get around their systems. It happened last year with the Nexus 7 LTE (2013) on Verizon and we sort of expected it to happen again with the Nexus 6. We talked about this situation this morning. In short, the Nexus 6, in order for carriers to activate it with a new SIM on their networks, needs to be in their databases of IMEI (the individual number attached to all cell phones) numbers. Think of it as a green light given to a phone that has been approved, so that it can be activated on their network. With modern day phones that run on LTE networks (GSM networks too), those IMEI numbers are still important and are used to activate new lines of service, but if you already have service, the important piece to this all is a SIM card. With an active SIM inside a phone that has the correct bands for a carrier's network, you don't even need carrier approval to work. The active SIM is enough to give the phone service. And that's where we find our workarounds. Make sense?

So what can you do to make sure you can use your new phone? A couple of things.

1. Use your current SIM card (assuming it's a nano SIM)

If you are a current customer with the carrier you are trying to use your Nexus 6 on, and already have a nano SIM (which is the SIM size used in the Nexus 6), then you are good to go! All you need to do is open your Nexus 6 and pop out its SIM tray. Now, turn your current phone off, take its SIM card out, and put it in the Nexus 6. Power on the Nexus 6, and bam! Your new Nexus 6 now has service with your current carrier. It's that easy. To see proof, check out our "Nexus 6 working on Verizon out of the box" video.

2. Use your current SIM card (not a nano SIM)

If you are a current customer with the carrier you are trying to use your Nexus 6 on, but do not have a nano SIM, you are still (almost) good to go! Your SIM is active and will work with your carrier, but you need to cut it down to nano SIM size in order for it to fit in the Nexus 6. Seriously, you can cut SIM cards. We have a guide on how to cut a micro SIM to a nano SIM to get you going. If you don't have the tool we showed there or feel like waiting for it to arrive from Amazon, you can use a pair of scissors too.

3. Have your carrier activate a nano SIM for your current phone, swap it into the Nexus 6

There is a chance that you don't have a nano SIM and you don't feel like cutting your current SIM down to nano size. That shouldn't be a problem. You should be able to talk your carrier into activating a nano SIM for your current phone, which you will then just swap into the Nexus 6. Tell them you want a nano because you are future proofing for your next phone, or something along those lines. You could even tell them that you might be buying an iPhone 6 soon from a friend, so would rather just have the nano SIM already on hand for when that happens. Just don't put that nano SIM in your current phone without a SIM adapter or it will get stuck and be a massive pain in the rear to remove. You may want to bring in an adapter with you before going this route. As a recap, you are having them activate a nano SIM on your current phone (non-Nexus 6), because it should already be green-lighted in their systems. And remember, the Nexus 6 isn't, which is why we are talking through all of these work-arounds. Have your carrier activate a new nano SIM for your current phone (non-Nexus 6). Once they are done, take that SIM and put it in your Nexus 6. Done!

4. Want to activate Nexus 6 on a new carrier

This one might be trickier than the others. If you walk into a new carrier to activate a Nexus 6, meaning you don't currently have an active SIM from that carrier, they may not be able to activate a SIM or sign you up for service at all, because of the IMEI stuff we talked about above. However, there is a chance that you will find a sales rep that is willing to do a workaround, but that all depends on the rep and maybe even the carrier. You could, in theory, tell them you have this brand new Nexus 6 and that you want to activate it, but you know it won't activate because it's not in their system. That rep could potentially activate a "dummy" phone as a placeholder on your new line initially to at least get your service up and running. Once that is done, you would then have an active SIM that could then be placed inside the Nexus 6. But again, this sort of depends on the carrier and the rep you are dealing with. Basically, you need to try and work with the sales rep in a store to get you an active SIM - that is your only goal. With an active nano SIM, life with an active Nexus 6 is yours.

As of right now, those are your options to get your Nexus 6 working. I know those aren't exactly clean, but as we wait for the Nexus 6 to get added to carrier systems, this is what we have to do. If there are other workarounds that you know of, feel free to let us know in the comments.

Deal: Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is $140 Off Today, Priced at $259

Kyle — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:42:03 +0000

Last-generation products may not have all the bells and whistles of the newer models, but there is no denying their worth when the price is right. Today, Amazon is selling last year's Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" for $259, a substantial $140 savings over MSRP ($399). All considering, the deal is not a bad one. You are getting a tablet with a 2560 x 1600 display, quad-core processor, stereo speakers, and dual cameras for slightly more than a higher-tier Nexus 7 (2013). If you are tied into Amazon's ecosystem, but have not yet pulled the trigger on a Fire tablet, last year's HDX 8.9 might be a good point of entry. Shipping is free. Deal Link

Deal: Refurbished Galaxy Tab S 10.5 for $334, Moto X Developer Edition (1st Gen) for $229 on eBay

Kyle — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:09:38 +0000

Sometimes, perfectly good products just don't sell as well as projected. In those cases, retailers most often choose discounts as their preferred means of clearing unwanted inventory. Today, eBay sellers have the GSM variant of the Motorola Moto X Developer Edition (DE) for $229 (about $50 less than the going price) and refurbished Samsung Galaxy 10.5" Tab S tablets for $335 (usually $499). Both include free shipping. The Moto X DE may not be the newest kid on the block, but it has the benefit of an unlockable bootloader and the promise of future updates. The Galaxy 10.5" Tab S, meanwhile, is a powerful tablet for the price. Perhaps the sale's only drawback is the dearth of available finishes. Better hope you like the woven white Moto X and titanium bronze on the Galaxy Tab. But beggars cannot be choosers, after all. Deal Links: Moto X DE | Galaxy Tab S

VSCO Cam 3.1 Brings Sync, Launch to Camera, and Search

Ron — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:50:08 +0000

VSCO Cam, the popular photo editing app, has released another update for Android users bringing three headline features to everyone and a few more goodies for select devices. The first, and probably most important, new feature in 3.1 is sync. Now users can sync edited photos between devices. If I start editing a picture on my iPhone, but have to put it down before finishing up, I can finish the edits on my Moto X before sharing the picture to my Grid or Instagram. Syncing my first photo took a few seconds, but after that future syncs were almost instantaneous. Images that are syncing have a spinning animation over them from the Library view; once synced you'll see two overlapped circles in the top right corner. The second new feature is the ability to set VSCO Cam to launch to the built in camera. Normally launching VSCO brings you to the main menu with the library selected, but you can now set the preference to launch right into the camera app. While I still prefer to shoot in the normal app and import, if you know you're always going to edit is VSCO this might be a nice option so you don't have to import your photos later. The third new feature is the introduction of search. Now from the Grid you can search for and follow users. While it might be surprising that Search would be a feature to add in the third version of your app, it's important to remember that VSCO Cam did not set out to create its own social network initially. With the introduction of publishing to your Journal on iOS (yes, iOS only) it appears that VSCO is building out its own network now. VSCO Cam 3.1 also includes an improved store experience, better image quality, and stability and performance enhancements. The update also allows certain HTC devices to split the focus and exposure points when composing an image. While I still found the app to be buggy on my Moto X (I had multiple issues signing in on my account and search caused a force crash from time to time), the app may perform better on your phone. All evidence, from app performance, polish, and features, seems to indicate that VSCO is focusing most of their resources on iOS, not Android. Play Link

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 Hits Google Play for $3, Chances Are You've Made a Very Poor Career Choice

Tim — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:32:17 +0000

If you were fortunate enough to survive your five nights in the first Five Nights at Freddy's game, then why not sign yourself back up for another five. But this time, Five Nights at Freddy's 2 won't be so forgiving. In this sequel, the machines have been rebuilt and reactivated with one thing in their robot mind ... killing you. This game features a larger map, but the one thing you that might shock you is that there are no more doors to protect you. Since these machines only kill you because you are out of costume, you must put on a mask to hide your human identity from the killer machines. It's creepy, but necessary if you are to get your paycheck. Please keep in mind, Fazbear Entertainment is not responsible for death or dismemberment. Play Link ($2.99)

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SwiftKey Brings New Colored Material Design Theme Pack to Users

Tim — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 09:34:48 +0000

SwiftKey users can head on into the SwiftKey Store this morning and grab the latest theme pack available. Inside, you will find a treasure trove of Material Design themes, including various colors for both Light and Dark themes. Colors available include Green, Orange, Purple, and even Pink. These colors merely accent the already attractive Material Design theme, so if you were looking to spruce up your device, go check them out. Although, if it was me, the stock Google keyboard with Material Design is already plenty hot for me. If you are interested, make sure you have SwiftKey from Google Play installed, then open up the in-app store to view themes. Play Link

Via: SwiftKey

Are Carriers Really Branding the Nexus 6? What About SIM Locking?

Kellen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 09:04:44 +0000

Over the weekend, the crew in the Nexus 6 subreddit noticed that AT&T's official images of the Nexus 6 included AT&T's globe logo on the back of the device, just below the "Nexus" logo. As you can imagine, kind words were not shared, especially with AT&T's branding leading almost everyone in the building to immediately joke that Verizon would probably place at least two of their own on the device, just to one-up their competitor. Actually, Verizon probably does it just annoy the hell out of us, but either way, those who pre-ordered the AT&T version were not exactly excited about this news. But wait, we all thought that Google created just one SKU and model for the US, so is AT&T really placing a logo on the Nexus 6 devices sold directly from them? Well, we don't actually know because no one has seen the device in the wild yet. There are some things to consider here. First, this could be the work of a graphics designer or image editor who works for AT&T and is simply accustomed to branding everything that comes across his desk with AT&T logos. Then again, we thought that the Galaxy Note 2's front button logo on Verizon was the work of a rogue Photoshop guru, yet it certainly was the real deal. We see errors all of the time on carrier websites, typically in advertisements, but branding on official images for devices doesn't tend to be one them. Second this wouldn't be the first Nexus device to sport a carrier logo. The Galaxy Nexus sold through Verizon had a "Verizon" and "4G LTE" logo on its back cover. Carriers like to remind their customers over and over again whose network they are on, so we wouldn't be shocked if at least a couple (well, just AT&T and Verizon) chose to fit in some sort of branding. With that said, this seems sort of like an odd move, but one that could logistically happen, in theory. Without knowing exactly how manufacturing and branding of devices works, I would imagine Google could - even with a single SKU - set aside a range of IMEIs for AT&T, tell their manufacturing partners to add an AT&T logo to the back, and then ship them to AT&T to be sold. They could do the same for Verizon and T-Mobile and Sprint. Keep in mind that some carriers, especially Verizon, need to pre-load IMEIs for devices in their systems in order to activate them, so Google is likely setting aside a batch in a range of IMEIs for each carrier anyway. Why not brand them at the same time? Again, that's a theory, since I'm not in the manufacturing business. In a worst case scenario, Google has actually created more SKUs or models of the Nexus 6 for carriers. While that seems unlikely, since they seemed quite firm with their acknowledgement of just two models (one for the Americas and another for international use) of the device, we still have to mention this idea. Again, I wouldn't put money on there being different models for each carrier - we should still be seeing the same XT1103 everywhere in the US, even on carriers. OK, so back to the original idea here - are carriers actually branding the Nexus 6? It seriously wouldn't shock me if they were. But keep in mind that you may only see that branding on the AT&T and Verizon models if it does happen, as Sprint and T-Mobile ditched logos on phones some time ago. The only thing that worries me now, is if Google were to allow carriers to brand phones, would they also entertain the idea of SIM locking them to those specific carriers? The Nexus 6 is supposed to be an unlocked phone, but when you start adding in carrier partners, you tend to see that title go away. We know that the Nexus 6 sold through Google Play and Motorola's shop is fully unlocked because we tested it with a Verizon SIM and it worked out of the box. We don't know that yet for carrier-tied models, because no one has one in hand. We have seen chat transcripts of conversations with AT&T reps who are convincing people that the phone will be SIM locked to AT&T, but there is no official confirmation on that. Thankfully, there should be tomorrow or Wednesday. Branding may be ugly and unwarranted, but SIM locking may make this situation even worse, especially for those of you buying a Nexus 6 from a carrier because they were your only option. We would hate to see you not be able to take a phone that is supposed to be fully unlocked, to your carrier of choice. Update: Because the topic was brought up in the comments, I wanted to be sure you all saw our guide on how to get your Nexus 6 activated and working.

Sony Unveils the Exmor RS IMX230, 21MP Next-gen Stacked CMOS Image Sensor

Tim — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 08:46:38 +0000

This morning, Sony unveiled its newest image sensor designed specifically for smartphones, the Exmor RS IMX230. Sony's sensors are quite popular in the mobile world, being featured in many of the top smartphones today, such as the iPhone 6 and even the OnePlus One. The updated Exmor RS is a 21MP stacked CMOS image sensor, using the same stacking technology Sony commercialized back in 2012. In the announcement, Sony highlights three main parts for the new Exmor RS; compact size, higher image quality, and improved functionality. In addition to the improved photo quality, potential owners should get a real kick out of the built-in 192-point phase-detection autofocus, allowing shooters to get those fast-moving objects in perfect focus. On a smartphone, snapping shots of very fast creatures is never the easiest thing to do. Smartphone lovers should expect to see this sensor hit the market in April of next year, allowing Sony time to possibly place it an upcoming flagship of their own.

Via: Sony | Engadget

Nexus 6 Orders Arriving...Today! (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 06:37:18 +0000

Remember on Friday how we told you that Nexus 6 orders placed through Motorola's site back on November 6 were shipping with an estimated arrival date of as early as November 19? Well, we were wrong. Some of those orders are actually arriving...today! At least one of our readers already received his shipment this morning, as can be seen in the pictures above. He went for the Midnight Blue 32GB model. Two other reader's units are on trucks and should be delivered within the next couple of hours, basically whenever UPS makes its way to their locations. If you placed an order through Motorola and have already received shipping confirmation, you may want to check your tracking again this morning, because you may have a surprise early delivery. If you are like the DL staff and are still waiting for orders to even leave the factory, well, keep waiting. Anyone else receive their shipment? Have you received shipping confirmation? Mind confirming the model you ordered and from where (Blue or white, 32GB or 64GB)? Update: I ordered a Cloud White 64GB model on November 6. Motorola has still not informed me that the device has shipped, but my FedEx shipping manager just notified me that a package is arriving at my house today. The device shipped from Shenzen, China, the same place as everyone else's Nexus 6 order. If you placed an order for the device from Motorola, there is a chance you will get it today without Motorola ever telling you that it's coming. Update 2: Here is a guide on how to activate your new Nexus 6 with carriers, because you may run into issues. Update 3: Update 1 was a false alarm. In fact, I now feel trolled, as a case arrived that I had ordered an forgotten about. It just so happened to be from the same area in China. Enjoy your Nexus 6s.

Cheers Jacob, Raymond, and Brandon!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 11/15/2014

Kellen — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 07:27:31 +0000

What a week. The last seven days at Droid Life have been, without a doubt, some of our busiest in months. Our Nexus 6 review is done. So is our Galaxy Note 4 review. So is our Xperia Z3v review. We saw OTA updates of Lollipop go out to most of the Nexus devices. Even the Moto X "Pure Edition" and Moto G got the update. Apps have been updated with Material Design, Verizon is changing its ETF policy, all sorts of new devices are available through Google Play, and you will soon be able to buy Google's new flagship phone - we think. All of that and more happened within the last week. If you missed out on any of it, including our latest DL Show, which was highlighted by the return of Ron and Dave, now is the time to catch up. Next week won't be any slower.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 73 [Subscribe]
Review: Nexus 6
Review: Galaxy Note 4
Review: Xperia Z3v
Android 5.0 OTA .zips for Nexus devices are here.
Nexus 6 orders starting to ship from Motorola, maybe Google too. | Sprint now selling it. | AT&T too.
T-Mobile delayed their Nexus 6 launch to November 19.
Android 5.0 factory images are out for most Nexus devices. | Nexus 4 here.
Lollipop arrives for Moto X (Pure Edition) and Moto G (2nd gen). | Video of it in action.
Lollipop coming to NVIDIA Shield Tablet on November 18.
Lollipop also comes to the LG G3, in Poland.
Verizon's new ETF policy makes it harder and more expensive for you to leave.
Google app updates: Search | Keep | Messenger (new app) | Keyboard
YouTube Music Key is a new beta music experience that works with All Access.
Enjoy the new pink header on DL when browsing from your phone!
Here are four new fun and light Android "be together. not the same." commercials.
Google's Project Tango is now on Google Play, but you can't buy it.
Asus ZenWatch now available through Google Play. | Sony Smartwatch 3 too.
Samsung is jumping into Apple's Continuity game with Flow.
If you like the game Dots, go download TwoDots, from the same makers.
Chromecast gained support for games, Showtime, Starz, and more.
Here are a bunch of awesome Material Design-inspired wallpapers.
Obama wants the FCC to re-classify the internet as a utility.

Be safe out there.

Let the Droid Life Show Episode 73 Survive an Ice Storm With You This Weekend

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 21:40:55 +0000

On this week's episode of the Droid Life Show, the crew gathered to share final thoughts on the Nexus 6 after posting our review, along with a number of other topics. We talked through Android 5.0 "Lollipop" updates for a handful of devices (Nexus phones/tablets and the Moto X), Galaxy Note 4 and Xperia Z3v reviews, and YouTube's new Music Key services to name a few. Ron and Dave joined Tim and I, which means we had a full team on hand, something that hasn't happened in a while. Be sure to watch or listen to catch up on the week that was. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Galaxy Note Edge Arrives Today at Carriers, a Steal at $429 With a 2-Year Contract

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 12:54:04 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge appears to have successfully made its way to US carriers for purchase. Shocker, I know. Unlike its taco-shaped cousin, who enjoyed a brief stint in overseas markets before settling into its rightful life as a proof-of-concept, the Galaxy Note Edge apparently showed enough promise or received enough of a positive response to convince AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile that people might actually buy one. Actually, let me re-phrase that. The Galaxy Note Edge and its insanely high price tag, for reasons that have escaped our minds since the device was surprisingly unveiled on stage alongside the Galaxy Note 4, can be purchased by human beings at a couple of carriers who have lost their minds. T-Mobile is selling the Galaxy Note Edge today for $0 down and 24 equal monthly payments of $36.25. If you don't feel like signing up for a payment plan, T-Mobile will gladly let you into the Note Edge for $870. If you want an even better deal (yes, that would be sarcasm), you can buy the phone from AT&T for $399 with a 2-year contract. They also have three device payment plans of their own, with monthly payments starting as low as $31.54. Oh, you could also buy the Note Edge without a contract for $945.99. But clearly, Sprint has the best deal of all. For $429.99, a 2-year contract, and your right hand, you can own the Note Edge. If you feel like keeping all of your limbs, you could opt for a monthly payment plan or buy the phone outright for $840. Verizon, at this time, appears to have kept its sanity and is not selling the Galaxy Note Edge. If you are dying to know more about the Galaxy Note Edge, here are plenty of pictures, videos, and specs. Update: Apparently this slanted thing has been available at AT&T for a while. T-Mobile and Sprint are the newest to get it. Who lined up this morning?!?!

Via: AT&T | T-Mobile | Sprint

Nexus 4 Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Factory Image Now Available as LRX21T

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 10:26:48 +0000

After posting Android 5.0 "Lollipop" factory images for the Nexus 5, both Nexus 7 models, and the Nexus 10, the Nexus 4 owners in the building were (for good reasons) feeling a bit left out. Well, Nexus 4 owners, your time has come - your Lollipop factory image is ready as build LRX21T. You can download it below. You can find instructions on how to flash a factory image here. Link: Nexus 4 Lollipop Factory Image (LRX21T) | Binaries

Via: Google

Asus ZenWatch Now Available for Purchase on Google Play for $199

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 10:17:21 +0000

Yesterday, the Asus ZenWatch and its premium metal body with leather watch band landed on Google Play as "coming soon." Today, the watch is officially in stock and ready for order. It ships in 1-2 business days, which means you could have one by early next week. As a recap, the Asus ZenWatch attempts to carry a classy style by using stainless steel, rose gold, and a premium stitched-leather band. It doesn’t have a round display, like the G Watch R or Moto 360, but its 1.63-inch AMOLED panel has been curved to “increase comfort” and provide a “stylish look.” The ZenWatch, at least in my opinion, is one of the better looking Android Wear watches. It also sports IP55 water resistance, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 CPU, Bluetooth 4.0, 512MB RAM, and charges via cradle. Play Link

You are Seeing That Hot DL Pink in Chrome for Android on Lollipop for a Reason

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 10:13:05 +0000

A couple of you noticed a subtle but awesome change we made to your Droid Life Chrome experience within the last week, but we wanted to make sure that you were all aware. Thanks to a change made in Chrome Stable and Beta v39 that allows websites to show custom theme colors in the toolbar on Lollipop, you should now be seeing that DL pink each time you head to our site. The pink experience is featured in the toolbar and bleeds into the translucent status bar when you are browsing a page to let you know exactly where you are spending time on the web, but also helps you to quickly find your DL tabs when using the app switcher (seen below). See, it's not all eye candy, there is actually a use out of this wonderful color. In order to get this experience, you need be running Android 5.0, update to the latest versions of Chrome and Chrome Beta, and turn "Merge tabs and apps" to "on," which merges your tabs into the app switcher (video tutorial). Enjoy! Play Links: Chrome | Chrome Beta

Deal: Amazon Appstore Giving Away $80 Worth of Productivity Apps For Free

Kyle — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 09:22:43 +0000

In case you haven't noticed, Amazon frequently gives away apps. Not out of the goodness of its heart, of course, but to incentivize customers to use its app store. That may be too heavy a price to pay for some, but there's no denying that some of the software in its latest free catalog - available Friday through Saturday - is quite tempting. Productivity seems to be the unifying theme this time around. Flesky Keyboard, EasyTether, Camera Zoom, the Oxford Dictionary of English, Business Card Reader PRO, OpenDocument Reader, and Office Calculator Pro are among apps being offered for free. Altogether, the promotions are valued at $80. Taking advantage of the discounts requires installing the aforementioned Amazon Appstore. You can, however, check out the full list of free apps before you do so. Amazon Appstore Link

Cheers Jeremy!

HTC One Google Play Editions May Receive Lollipop Update as Soon as Next Week

Kyle — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 08:33:42 +0000

Some smartphone manufacturers managed to roll out Lollipop-based firmware rather expeditiously. Others are taking a bit more time. But time, in HTC's case, could mean merely days: Mo Versi, HTC vice president of product management, tweeted that its software engineering team is hoping to distribute Android 5.0 to their Google Play Edition devices sometime next week. Unfortunately, he didn't specify if the update will come to the M8 GPE, M7 GPE, or both. If HTC meets that target, that will make it the third company to update its flagship device to Lollipop. Motorola finalized Lollipop for the 2nd generation Moto G and Moto X Pure Edition earlier this week, and LG recently rolled out an update to G3 users on Polish carriers. The other electronics giants, Samsung and Sony, have committed to Lollipop, but have also implied that their respective devices may not see an upgrade until early next year . Even so, this is by far the fastest we've seen manufacturers adopt a new version of Android. It's a promising trend we can only hope continues.

Via: @moversi

Verizon's New Early Termination Fee Policy Makes You Pay a Full ETF Up to 8 Months

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 07:56:22 +0000

Verizon made a major policy change this morning to its customer agreement that directly relates to your Early Termination Fee (ETF), a change that makes it more expensive for you to cancel service with the carrier in the first 8 months of your a 2-year contract, when compared to the previous policy. The ETF with a 2-year contract used to decline by $10 for each full month of your contract term that you completed. With the new policy, you won't see a reduction in your ETF fee until the 8th month of your contract term. In other words, you will pay the full ETF fee should you decide to leave Verizon, even if you have been with the carrier for six or seven months. With the old policy, you would see a substantial reduction in your ETF after completing up to eight months, but the new ETF policy lays out a much different schedule. In the new policy, you are stuck with the full $350 ETF on "advanced devices" for the first seven months of a contract. From months 8-18, you will then see the ETF decline by $10 per month. Then from months 19-23, it will decline by $20 per month. In the final month of your contract, your ETF will reduce by $60. The new policy only applies to anyone who signs a contract on or after November 14. If you signed a contract before November 14, the old $10 per month reduction still applies. Here is how the new ETF policy reads:

If you cancel a line of Service, or if we cancel it for good cause, during its contract term, you'll have to pay an early termination fee. If your contract term results from your purchase of an advanced device on or after November 14, 2014, your early termination fee will be $350, which will decline by: $10 per month in months 8–18, $20 per month in months 19–23, and $60 in the final month of your contract term. For other contract terms entered into on or after November 14, 2014, your early termination fee will be $175, which will decline by: $5 per month in months 8–18, $10 per month in months 19–23, and $30 in the final month of your contract term. If your contract results from your purchase of an advanced device prior to November 14, 2014, your early termination fee will be $350 minus $10 for each full month of your contract term that you complete. For other contract terms entered into prior to November 14, 2014, your early termination fee will be $175 minus $5 for each full month of your contract term that you complete.

As you can see, a new tiered approach also applies to devices that fall outside of the "advanced device" tag.

Cheers Aaron!

Google's Project Tango Showed Up on Google Play Last Night

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 07:19:25 +0000

Google's Project Tango, the NVIDIA Tegra K1 powered tablet that is used to track and map 3D environments to "give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion," showed up on Google Play last night. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), you can't buy it just yet. However, there are listings for both black and white models, so we get the feeling that someone will be able to buy it soon. Of course, these tablets aren't meant for you and I, unless you happen to be a developer. As is noted on the Play listings, this is a "development kit" that also comes without warranties or options to return for refunds. If you buy Project Tango, you own Project Tango. A price isn't listed for us, but at least one person is seeing a $1024 price tag when viewing the device. +Ryan Warner mentions that he signed up to be one of the first in line to buy Project Tango when he attended Google I/O, so they may have whitelisted his account, which is why he is able to see a price. As a recap, Project Tango is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, 4GB RAM, 7-inch HD IPS display (1920x1200), 128GB on-board storage, 4960mAh battery, and runs Android 4.4.2 (not a typo). It also features a multi-camera setup on its backside to do all of the previously mentioned 3D environment rendering. Play Links: Project Tango (black) | Project Tango (white)

Motorola is Shipping Nexus 6 Orders Today, Arriving as Early as November 19 (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 07:00:44 +0000

If you happened to order a Nexus 6 from Motorola before they sold out, be on the lookout for shipping confirmation emails that are going out this morning. At least one of our readers received shipping info within the last hour showing an estimated arrival date of November 20, but that FedEx is actually expecting to deliver on November 19. Our reader placed his order for a Cloud White 32GB model on November 6, which was the day of the first batch sold through Motorola's online shop. I should point out that we placed an order that same day and have yet to receive shipping info. We will update this post if we have more info to add. Anyone else see their Nexus 6 ship? Update: A number of readers who ordered through Google Play are seeing charges go through on their credit cards. It shouldn't be long before those ship as well, maybe as early as today.

Cheers Raymond, Scott, Tony, Artune, Brian, The Rock, and everyone else!

Nexus 6 Now Available From Sprint for $299

Kellen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 06:40:17 +0000

Add Sprint to the list of carriers now selling Google's Nexus 6. As of this morning, the Now Network opened up orders for this year's whale at a price of $299 on-contract. If paying $300 for a marine mammal doesn't interest you, Sprint will also sell it to you for $0 down followed by 23 equal payments of $29. Sprint is selling the Midnight Blue 32GB model, just like AT&T. Sprint isn't listing a shipping date, but their website does mention that you should receive orders within 2-5 business days unless otherwise noted. On a related note, while we still don't have official confirmation this because no one will give us answer, the device should still ship fully unlocked even if you buy it from Sprint. In other words, you should be able to buy the phone from Sprint, cancel your service, walk over to another carrier and use the phone without issue. Again, that's only in theory since no one has received a Nexus 6 sold from a carrier yet. Have you read our Nexus 6 review? You should. Sprint Link

Nexus 6 and Lollipop

Kellen — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 22:37:44 +0000

On today's episode 73 of the Droid Life Show, the crew gathers to talk through all things Nexus and Lollipop, since this week was packed full of nothing but Google devices and software. We have our Nexus 6 review to cover, availability of the new phone from Google, and Lollipop on a number of devices including the Moto X. Along with Nexus and Lolli-talk, our Note 4 and Xperia Z3v reviews need some lovin', as do some apps of the week, and YouTube's new Music Key service. As always, it will be a packed show. Oh, and did I mention that Ron returns (along with Dave)? Yep. We are live this afternoon at 3:00PM Pacific (6:00PM Eastern).

AT&T Pushes OTA Update to Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Mega

Tim — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 13:47:56 +0000

AT&T is on an updating spree today, sending out updates to three additional devices, being the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Mega starting today. As for what's new in each update, we wish we could exactly tell you. As of this moment, each device's changelog simply states "Android OS enhancements." Each device will continue to run Android 4.4.2 after the updates, but other than that, it does not appear Samsung or AT&T are packing in any new features. If these logs change, we will be sure to update the post. If you own one of these devices, and notice any changes after the update, feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Via: AT&T [2] [3]

Deal: Limefuel LP200X 20,000mAh Dual USB Battery Pack for $34.99

Kyle — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 13:12:16 +0000

The number of devices we carry around with us each day keeps growing, and what do they all have in common? A penchant for power. Even batteries with large capacities have their limits, which is why packs like Limefuel's LP200X (on sale for $34.99 on DL Deals) really come in handy sometimes. The LP200X sports dual USB ports, a digital indicator, and a built-in flashlight. Plugged-in devices sip from a mind-boggling 20,000mAh battery (input 5v/2A, outputs 5v/1a and 2.1A), which is enough for at least 2-4 charges. It is rated up to 500+ lifetime use cycles certified against short circuiting, discharge, and overcurrent. Perhaps the most important question is, will it fit in a coat pocket? At 6.4x3.1x0.9 inches, you should have no trouble stuffing it into your Chesterfield. The LP200X is also won't weigh you down - it is relatively light at 15 ounces. Need to extend the life of your smartphone and/or tablet and/or laptop? Check out the link. Deal Link

AT&T Galaxy S4 Seeing Update to Android 4.4.4 With Knox 2.0, Added Bloatware

Kellen — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:38:47 +0000

The AT&T variant of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is receiving an update today to Android 4.4.4 and build number UCUFNJ4. The update runs between 392MB and 488MB, and includes Samsung's Knox 2.0 security suite. Along with Knox 2.0, the update introduces miscellaneous improvements, bug fixes, and a security patch. It also fixed a E911 call issue and adds new bloatware, like the Uber app. To check for the update, head into Menu>Settings>More>About device>Software update>Check for updates. Here is the small changelog that AT&T provided:

Android 4.4.4 Update includes:
- Miscellaneous improvements, bug fixes and security updates
E911 Call issue fix
Added Knox 2.0
Applications added:
- Keeper
- Mail
- Live
- Uber
- Remote Support
- Device Help

Via: AT&T

AT&T Pushes Update to LG G3, Features Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements

Tim — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:36:14 +0000

AT&T has an update rolling out to LG G3 owners, bringing stability improvements, as well as Google security patches. While it is not Lollipop, even though that should be here before the end of the year, any update is better than no update. Also included in the update is a "no power on" fix via a Qualcomm patch, Google Mobile Service update, Mobile TV 6.0 (bloatware), and removal of the Skyfire Toolbar. Look below for the full changelog. What's New

"No power on" Fix via Qualcomms patch
GMS (Google Mobile Service) update
Google Security Patches
Stability improvements
Mobile TV 6.0
Skyfire Toolbar removal

Via: AT&T

The Blocks Cometh Hits Google Play, See How High You Can Climb During the World's Destruction

Tim — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 11:47:20 +0000

A new game from Noodlecake Studios called The Blocks Cometh released onto Google Play today, priced at just $1.99. The game, which is placed around the destruction of a random world, has a protagonist attempting to climb blocks as high as he can without being crushed or falling to his death. The best way I can explain the gameplay is like Tetris, except instead of utilizing the blocks as they fall, you must climb them, and can also destroy blocks if they get in your way. The overall goal is to jump and double jump into the sky, with there being no limit as to how high you can go. There are different game types to choose from, as well as the ability to connect to Google Play Services for leaderboards and achievements. Go check it out. Play Link ($1.99)

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Samsung Partners with BlackBerry to Bolster Knox Security

Kyle — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 11:19:24 +0000

There is no denying that Samsung knows a thing or two about security; heck, even Google incorporated components of the Korea-based company's Knox Security technology into Lollipop. But in an attempt to capture a larger slice of secure-device market, Samsung is going one step further. Today, BlackBerry announced a partnership with the company to bolster security on Android devices. As part of the deal, BlackBerry will deploy its BES12 enterprise mobility management platform onto Samsung Galaxy devices beginning early next year. Services will include malware protection and new encryption standards. The agreement is an attempt to improve the attractiveness of Knox, which has thus far failed to make headway in the notoriously entrenched government and enterprise sectors. While some Galaxy devices have been certified for government use, estimates place their sale at roughly 2 percent of Samsung's total market share.

Via: BlackBerry

Asus ZenWatch Now on Google Play, Listing as "Coming Soon"

Kellen — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 10:37:38 +0000

The Asus ZenWatch made its way to Google Play this morning, except you can't buy it yet. The device is currently listed at $199, but with a "coming soon" tag attached. After going on sale at Best Buy November 9, we were wondering if the Asus-made wearable would join its Android Wear brothers and sisters on Google's store. We now have an answer. Google hasn't mentioned if or when it will be available for purchase, but I can't imagine it won't be in the near future. We'll let you know if its status changes. As a recap, the Asus ZenWatch attempts to carry a classy style by using stainless steel, rose gold, and a premium stitched-leather band. It doesn't have a round display, like the G Watch R or Moto 360, but its 1.63-inch AMOLED panel has been curved to "increase comfort" and provide a "stylish look." The ZenWatch, at least in my opinion, is one of the better looking Android Wear watches. It also sports IP55 water resistance, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 CPU, Bluetooth 4.0, 512MB RAM, and charges via cradle. Play Link

XCOM: Enemy Within Hits Google Play, Will Cost You $12.99

Tim — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 10:16:30 +0000

For fans of the first XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a new game from the same makers called XCOM: Enemy Within is now available on Google Play. Priced at $12.99, XCOM: EW brings the same shoot all the aliens type of gameplay, while also introducing new weapons, characters, enemies, and soldier abilities. If you happen to play CoD: Advanced Warfare, the cybersuits which are featured in the new XCOM may look and feel familiar. This allows for new forms of movement, which should help you outmaneuver your enemies and destroy them. On top of that, players can now take advantage of a newly discovered alien resource, known as Meld. Throughout the game, more abilities will be discovered and secrets unlocked. Features

New Soldier Abilities: Research a new alien technology to advance the capabilities of your operatives. New technology includes genetic modifications of soldiers and mechanized cybersuits.
New Weapons and Equipment: Give your operatives an extra tactical edge with new projects from your engineering team and the Foundry.
New Enemy Threats: Adopt new tactics to counter the threats from two new alien types and a deadly new organization known as EXALT.
New Strategic Resource: A valuable new alien resource, known as Meld, has been discovered. Secure it on the battlefield and use it carefully back at base to unlock new research and upgrades.
New Story Elements: Investigate a terrifying threat in an abandoned fishing village, and defend the XCOM headquarters from alien attack in a series of new plat-driven missions.
New Multiplayer maps, units, and abilities: Create your custom squad from a wider array of options and dominate your opponent in intense, one-on-one, turn-based matches.

The game costs you $12.99, but don't worry, you won't see any IAPs or ads. Play Link ($12.99)

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Giveaway: Score a Free Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 Through the Double Nexus Giveaway

Kyle — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 09:08:34 +0000

What could possibly be better than a Nexus tablet or smartphone? A free Nexus tablet and smartphone, of course! At this very moment, an awesome Double Nexus Giveaway is running through the DL Deals store that gives entrants the opportunity to win both - that's right, both - a Nexus 9 and a Nexus 6. To enter, you need only submit your email address at the designated page, but you can increase your chances by referring Twitter and Google+ followers and friends While it gives others a chance to win, it more importantly adds more chances for you to win, so that's a plus. Registration closes in six days, though, so if you are even the slightest bit intrigued (and who isn't, really?), best hop to it. Giveaway Entry

Samsung Reveals Flow, an Apple Continuity-like Cloud Service

Kyle — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 08:24:28 +0000

I have to admit, Apple's Continuity - the feature on iOS and OSX which forwards notifications, texts, and calls to all of your devices - is pretty nifty. Android has some of the same capabilities, but beyond Android tablets and smartphones, integration extends only to Chromebooks for now. Samsung, apparently fed up with Android's limitations, is building its own cloud-based service called Flow. Announced yesterday at Samsung's Developer Conference, Flow allows apps to tap into a cloud-based system which categorizes activities into three facets: Transfer, Defer, and Notify. Transferring an activity entails mirroring any screen within an app to another device, like a tablet or smartwatch. Much like Continuity, users can pick up activities where they left off. Deferring lets users dismiss or schedule tasks. And Notify pushes actionable incoming call and message alerts, updates, and alerts to all synced devices. Flow is exclusive to Galaxy devices, at least for now. The SDK was released yesterday, and is available for download on Samsung's developer portal. If these feature pans out well, maybe Google can borrow it for stock Android.

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Via: Samsung

Lollipop Update Hits NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet on November 18, GRID Gaming Service Open to All US Residents

Tim — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 06:00:24 +0000

NVIDIA announced this morning that the Lollipop update for the SHIELD Tablet, teased earlier this month, will be pushed out to all owners on November 18. Not only are owners gaining access to Android 5.0 faster than most other Android tablet owners, but NVIDIA is also packing in a few more goodies to get you all excited. GRID Beta, which was essentially a test of the NVIDIA's game-streaming technology, is now open to all US residents with a SHIELD Tablet or SHIELD Portable. Access will also come to western Europe in December, and the Pacific side of Asia in Q2 of 2015. As a reminder, the GRID gaming service allows mobile gamers to access complete PC titles through NVIDIA-hosted gaming servers, with access to many titles available at launch. However, do note that you will need a steady Internet connection and decent router to get it up and running. Here is a short breakdown from NVIDIA on what is happening with GRID.

With GRID, we’re bringing the convenience and variety of streaming to video games. By connecting to state-of-the-art NVIDIA GPU servers, the GRID service delivers a GeForce GTX gaming experience on SHIELD devices. The GRID service will be available in North America this month, western Europe in December and Asia next year. GRID already includes 20 AAA gaming titles, including Batman Arkham City, Borderlands 2 and Psychonauts, with new games coming every week. GRID will be free on the SHIELD tablet and SHIELD portable through June 30, 2015.

Back to the Lollipop update, a new version of SHIELD Hub will come shortly down the road, as well as a revamped Dabbler application. Dabbler 2.0 is used alongside NVIDIA's stylus, which comes coupled with the SHIELD Tablet.

If you don't happen to own a SHIELD Tablet yet, well that's no trouble, as they are purchasable through NVIDIA's online store, Best Buy, Amazon, or a number of other retailers. They are currently priced at $299 for the 16GB model and $399 for 32GB + 4G LTE capability. Starting today, for buyers of the 32GB package, NVIDIA is also throwing in the Green Box Bundle, featuring Half-Life 2, Portal, and Half-Life 2: Episode 1. New buyers of the 32GB SHIELD Tablet will receive redemption codes for the Valve titles following purchase. Again, the SHIELD Tablet update will go live on November 18. Speaking as just an Android fan, the speed at which these Lollipop updates are rolling out warms my heart.

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Via: NVIDIA

Download: Android 5.0 "Lollipop" OTA Update for Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Nexus 4 (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 05:00:38 +0000

The Android 5.0 "Lollipop" over-the-air (OTA) updates are starting to arrive to more and more devices, which means that we are finally starting to capture some of the .zip files that can be shared with you for manual updating on your Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013 and 2012), Nexus 4, and Nexus 10. As a reminder, Google rolls out updates in stages, so that they can catch bugs and make sure the process isn't destroying millions of devices. Assuming the updates go well, they begin to update additional batches of devices each day. But, if you have a .zip file directly from Google for your particular device, you can manually update in a couple of steps (without root). Each time a new OTA update rolls out for the Nexus line, we have made it a habit of putting them all together for you in a simple list, along with instructions. With Lollipop, things haven't changed. Below, the list has already begun for Android 5.0 files. Note: We will update this post as more update zip files are made available. Continue to check back.

Download

Nexus 5 – [LRX21O from KTU84P, 479MB] - Download Link
Nexus 4 – [LRX21T from KTU84P, 394MB] - Download Link
Nexus 10 – [LRX21P from KTU84P, 325MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 WiFi (2013) – [LRX21P from KTU84P, 389MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 LTE (2013)
Nexus 7 WiFi (2012) – [LRX21P from KTU84P, 311MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 WiFi+3G (2012)

For instructions to sideload using adb, check here. For instructions on how to grab an OTA file, check here. Update 1: Added Nexus 7 (2013) link. Update 2: Added Nexus 7 (2012) link. Update 11/16: Added Nexus 4 link. Update 12/3: Here is the list for the Android 5.0.1 updates that will soon be rolling out.

Nexus 9 - [LRX22C from LRX21R, 25.9MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 WiFi (2013) - [LRX22C from LRX21P, 17.5MB] - Download Link
Nexus 10 - [LRX22C from LRX21P, 8.4MB] - Download Link

Update 12/5: Here are many of the updates for Google Play Edition devices.

HTC One (M8) GPE – [LRX22C from KTU84P, Android 5.0.1, 528MB] – Download Link
HTC One (M7) GPE – [LRX22C from KTU84P, Android 5.0.1, 511MB] – Download Link
Sony Z Ultra GPE – [LRX21P from KTU84P, Android 5.0, 397MB] – Download Link
LG G Pad 8.3 GPE -[LRX21P from KTU84P, Android 5.0, 405MB] – Download Link
Moto G GPE
Samsung Galaxy S4 GPE

Cheers A. Droit, Gabriel, Sam, LazyLogik, romain, A, Brandon, and everyone else!

LG G3 in Blue Steel Hits Best Buy for Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint

Tim — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:29:34 +0000

A new color for the G3 from LG is available through Best Buy this afternoon, Derek Zoolander's favorite color, Blue Steel. The colorway is available on-contract for just $99 through AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, which is on sale down from $199. The G3 is still a great option for Android buyers, with its Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, 5.5" QHD display, extremely gorgeous design, and Android 4.4+. For those who must have Lollipop, don't worry, it's coming. Follow the link below to check out the G3 in Blue Steel. Best Buy Link

Cheers Joseph!

Verizon Deems November 26 as "Connection Day," Offers Up Freebies

Kellen — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:14:27 +0000

On Wednesday, November 26, the day before Thanksgiving, Verizon is giving away a whole bunch of freebies in partnership with a handful of companies on what they are calling "Connection Day." The idea is pretty simple - thanks to a bunch of free stuff, you can "connect" with friends, family, and companies you may not otherwise care about except that they are giving you things at no cost. So what kinds of freebies are we talking about? Free and discounted apps from Amazon, free Audible book downloads, free Conde Nast magazines, free WiFi through Boingo and Gogo, free in-flight WiFi on JetBlue flights, a seven day free trial of Pandora One, and a special iTunes deal that they won't reveal until the 26th. Hopefully it's more U2! Errr... Here is the full list of goodies:

Verizon FiOS: Special mobile access to popular movies and TV shows on November 26, compliments of Verizon FiOS, by downloading the free FiOS Preview app.
Amazon: Selection of 10 free/discounted apps, plus two free Audible book downloads (new members) or $10 Audible credit (current members)
Apple: A special offer from iTunes to be revealed on Nov. 26
Condé Nast: Free Digital Edition downloads of 17 Conde Nast Publications, including Wired, Vanity Fair and GQ.
Free Wi-Fi: Complimentary Internet sessions through Boingo Wireless (at airports) and Gogo (in-flight).
JetBlue: Free in-flight Fly-Fi (Wi-Fi) for flights between November 26th and December 31st.
Pandora Media: Free seven-day trial of Pandora One.
1GB Free shareable data: Verizon customers only

Outside of that last item, the offers are available to everyone, not just Verizon customers. All you have to do is head over to http://www.verizonwireless.com/connection-day/ on November 26 to participate.

Via: Verizon

TwoDots, From the Makers of Dots, Released to Google Play

Tim — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:00:43 +0000

A new game from the makers of Dots, called TwoDots, hit Google Play this morning. The game is much like Dots, but brings a more challenging level gameplay system. As you progress through the levels, the amount of dots and challenges you must complete get harder. If you played Dots, then this game will come quite naturally. You swipe dots of the same color, making squares when possible and scoring as many points as you can. From my brief time with it so far, the game is really smooth, and just as fun as the original. If you liked Dots, go grab this game stat. It is free, but does feature IAPs. Play Link

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Google Keep Updating to V3.0.01 With Material Design

Kellen — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:33:45 +0000

Google Keep is the newest Google app to receive a major update with a Material Design makeover. This time we are looking at a jump to v3.0.1. We aren't sure what else is new just yet, but will update this post as we have more. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Google Releases Chrome Build 39, Brings Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Tim — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:20:24 +0000

An update to Build 39.0.2171.59 is rolling out to Chrome users on Android, one which brings a few bug fixes and performance improvements. Along with that, Google continues to tweak its Material Design look with Chrome, so the overall app should feel a bit more polished. As a note, the Chrome Beta has been on Build 39 for a little while. For a more thorough look at what is new, check the Chrome team's log. If you don't see it live yet, keep checking Google Play for the update. Play Link

Via: Chrome Releases

Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Factory Images Posted for Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10

Kellen — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:45:59 +0000

Android 5.0 "Lollipop" factory images are now available for the Nexus 5 (LRX21O), Nexus 7 (2012 WiFi, LRX21P), Nexus 7 (2013 WiFi, LRX21P), and the Nexus 10 (LRX21P). We also have a new set of images for the Nexus 9 (LRX21Q). We are still waiting for the Nexus 6 images to appear, along with Nexus 4 and mobile versions of the 2012 and 2013 Nexus 7. Those mobile versions could be a while, but we aren't sure what's up with the Nexus 4 and Nexus 6. Download them below! If you need instructions on how to flash these files, check out this factory image tutorial. If you are a developer and care about things like binaries, those are posted here. Phones: Nexus 6 | Nexus 5 | Nexus 4 Tablets: Nexus 9 | Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi | Nexus 7 (2013) LTE | Nexus 10 | Nexus 7 (2012) WiFi | Nexus 7 (2012) Mobile

Cheers Adam, Nick, Alex, and Chad!

Samsung Announces Gear VR Innovator Edition, Will Ship in December

Kyle — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:22:26 +0000

In case it was not abundantly clear, Samsung considers its VR efforts more than just a hobby. To that end, the manufacturer has announced the Gear VR Innovator Edition, a refined version of its virtual reality headset. Essentially a development kit, Samsung expects to begin shipping Innovator Edition units to customers in the U.S. beginning early next month in December. The company, which has now officially partnered with Oculus for software and a software development kit, highlighted a few of the apps that will install when the device is used in conjunction with a requisite Galaxy Note 4, an app store, a gesture-based home screen, a video player, and a 360-degree photo viewer, among others. Samsung was coy on pricing and availability for a public launch of Gear VR, but we expect that information will come soon enough. To sign up for updates from Samsung, follow the via link below.

Via: Samsung

Android 5.0 "Lollipop" has Begun Rolling Out to "Most" Nexus Devices (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:07:43 +0000

According to the official Android Twitter account, Android 5.0 "Lollipop" has begun rolling out to "most" Nexus devices. As was previously confirmed, the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013), and the Nexus 10 will all see the update to 5.0 (Google Play Edition devices too). We have yet to see factory images appear, but they should be here shortly, I would imagine, for those who don't want to wait for an update to show up. Let us know if your Nexus device sees the update! If you do see an over-the-air (OTA) update, be sure to capture the .zip file and share it with the community. Here are instructions on how to capture OTA .zip files. Update: Here are some specifics on the updates, thanks to Google's product forums--

The over-the-air update for Lollipop is now starting! The update is starting for these devices:

Nexus 6: Minor update to address bugs

Nexus 9: Minor update to address bugs

Nexus 5: Update from KitKat to Lollipop

Nexus 7 WiFi (2012 & 2013): Update from KitKat to Lollipop

Nexus 10: Update from KitKat to Lollipop

It will also be put up on Android Open Source Project (AOSP).

Note: The OTA update for 3G/LTE versions of the Nexus 7 2012 and 2013 have not yet started, nor have they started for the Nexus 4!

Update 2: Factory images are live! Download them here!

Via: @Android

Google Announces YouTube Music Key, Unlimited Album and Music Video Streaming for $10 a Month

Kyle — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:16:47 +0000

What we expected in "weeks" was announced early this afternoon. Google took the wraps off YouTube Music Key, a paid streaming service which includes unlimited, ad-free access to music videos. If that is not enough, the search giant also unveiled a new dedicated tab for tunes on YouTube.com and the YouTube app. The official YouTube Music Key aligns closely with longstanding rumors. A $9.99 subscription ($7.99 for a limited time) nets subscribers uninterrupted music video streaming. Interestingly, that access extends to Play Music's full library of albums, playlists, and songs; in the coming days, the two services will become more closely integrated with music videos appearing alongside singles. Google also launched a spruced-up online and in-app category for music today. Essentially an organized subset of content, the new page aggregates favorited and recommended music videos, popular playlists, trending content, and videos from subscriptions. Search got a tweak, too - relevant artist discography will now appear in results. The tweaked interface lands today, but YouTube Music Key will first enter beta. Google's accepting sign-ups, but given the volume of interested users, don't count on getting in right away. Lucky folks who receive a notification or e-mail will get six months for free. Music Key Beta Update: To clarify, current All Access subscribers will receive all the benefits of a Music Key subscription when the service launches more broadly.

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Via: Google

Google Releases 4 New Android Commercials - Scary Movie, Garage Band, Break Room, and a Longer Road Trip

Kellen — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:10:24 +0000

Google posted four new Android commercials today that showcase their new slogan of "Be together. Not the same." The commercials are similar to the set we saw on Android 5.0 launch day, featuring Androidified characters, all of which are using a variety of Android devices. One commercial stars Android Wear and watches, another the Nexus 9 and tablets, and another focuses on cameras. We are even treated to a part 2 of the road trip commercial that was previously released. I know we are an Android fan site and are supposed to love all things Android, but these commercials are brilliant. Garage Band

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Scary Movie

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Break Room

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Slightly Longer Road Trip

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Google Rolls Out Update to Search App, Brings Material Design Look and New Features

Tim — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:57:00 +0000

An updated version of the Search app is rolling out today for Android devices, the same version featured on the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, complete with an updated look and brand new features. What features, you may ask? Well, starting today, users will see an updated layout when asking where the best Korean BBQ places in town are, and the same layout will be applied when asking for locations to other businesses. Beyond the new Material Design look in the app, users can search inside of on-device applications, such as Tumblr. A gif we have pasted below shows this feature in action. Simply say "Ok Google, look for blah blah in Tumblr." Google will open the app, then get to searching. Finally, users will have access to a "flip a coin" feature. Just say, "Ok Google, flip a coin." This will help you decide which one of two things you will be doing. Give it a whirl. It appears you might need the updated version of Search on Google Play, plus a few server-side changes need to be done, so keep you eyes peeled. Also, Google will likely use staged rollouts, so if you don't see it live yet, remain patient for your turn. Play Link

Via: Google

Nexus 5 Getting Android 5.0 Update "LRX21O" Today

Kellen — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:24:34 +0000

According to Sprint's support community, the Nexus 5 is getting its update to Android 5.0 "Lollipop" starting today. The build will rollout in "batches" as build LRX210. If that's the case, then don't be surprised if factory images arrive as well. Be on the lookout! If you own a Nexus 5, feel free to check for the update we have all been waiting for.

Update: It's true, Google announced the update. Update 2: Factory images are already out. Download them here!

Via: Sprint

Google's New Messenger App Lands on Google Play

Tim — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:18:27 +0000

Google has a fancy new Messenger app available through Google Play today, switching out your antiquated text messaging hub, replacing it with something a bit more favorable. As for features, Google allows for "faster sharing" through the new Messenger app, bringing a quick attachment button right inside the text field. In addition, users can block spammers or crazy exes by blacklisting SMS senders, meaning no more interruptions. Here is the full feature list.

Faster sharing: Select or take pictures and videos directly from the app and share easily. You can even send audio messages to your contacts.
Easy search: Search through contacts and conversation threads to find exactly what you are looking for.
Purposeful design: New, fluid, material design that is intuitive and delightful.
More control: Ability to block SMS senders. No interruptions when you don’t want them!
More features: audio messages, emoji support

Play Link

Cheers Dan!

Nexus 6 Review

Kellen — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Reviewing Google's new Nexus 6 has been an entertaining mixed bag of an experience. This is so close to being the phone that long-time Android fanboys have been waiting for. This is a Nexus phone, made by Motorola, that has the most premium set of specs currently available in the mobile space, and that works on Verizon, along with a number of other carriers. This is supposed to be as good as it gets. This is supposed to be the Nexus phone of Nexus phones. But is it? That's a tough question to answer, mostly because Google created the Nexus 6 knowing that this wouldn't be the phone for everyone. In fact, their VP of engineering, David Burke, said that he thinks about 50% of people who hold a "phablet" like this won't want to put it down. In other words, they know that at least half of you want something much smaller or different than the Nexus 6. And that's exactly why the Nexus 6 is that mixed bag. For the most part, you can't help but love everything about the Nexus 6. It feels premium. It looks great. Internally, it tops the charts. It runs Lollipop, which is ridiculously fun to use. But then it's also a giant whale, which Google is clearly aware of since they codenamed it "shamu." You have awesome and then huge. You have premium, but in whale form. You have the phone of enthusiast dreams, that's available everywhere, but that only 50% of may want due to its size. As you can see, we have plenty to talk about. This is our Nexus 6 review.

The Good

Specs In years past, Google has often created phones that are a mixed bag of specs. On one hand, they try to introduce a new technology or two to help move the Android or mobile arenas forward. But on the other, we have seen them attempt to try and create a device that remains affordable by cutting corners in critical areas. The Galaxy Nexus had a terrible camera and lack of LTE outside of Verizon. The Nexus 4 lacked storage and LTE. The Nexus 5 was a bit shy on storage, but also had terrible battery life and a below-average camera. With the Nexus 6, no corners have been cut. Google and Motorola have given us a 5.96-inch Quad HD AMOLED display (2560x1440, 493ppi), 2.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor, Adreno 420 GPU, 13MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), 3GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB of storage, front-facing dual stereo speakers, 3,220mAh battery, water resistance, Qi wireless charging, support for Motorola's Turbo Charger, and support for 12 global LTE bands. Some will argue that a lack of micro SD card support is a killer, but I would argue that a 64GB model eliminates the need and should be more than enough storage. Design I have so many mixed feelings about the size and design of this phone, but you probably expected that. Before we get into the size, let's first talk about how the phone looks. In terms of the design, I absolutely love the look of the Nexus 6. It looks like a mix of last year's Moto X and this year's Moto X (2nd gen), only blown up. It has a smooth, plastic finish on its backside (in blue or white) with Motorola dimple, Nexus logo, and eye-catching camera with ring flash attached to a metal frame that feels incredibly premium. Motorola and Google took out that odd-looking Motorola disk-button-wannabe thing from the new Moto X and instead went with the much more subtle dimple from last year's. On its front side, you have the massive 6-inch AMOLED panel that has smooth edges for soft interaction and dual-front stereo speakers that help lift the display off of surfaces when placed face down. It looks like a giant black slab, but without any carrier or Google logos, it isn't as obnoxious as you might expect from a display this large. I would argue that it presents itself as being understated, which is a good thing in an age where companies like Verizon brand every inch of a phone they can, especially oversized phones like this.

Around its frame (which is blue metal on the Midnight Blue model, silver on the Cloud White model), you have well-placed power and volume buttons on its right side, both of which have been adjusted to sit perfectly where your thumb should fall when holding it. Up top you have a headphone jack and nano SIM tray. On the bottom is your USB 2.0 port. Overall, the Nexus 6 is a beautiful phone that feels premium and looks incredible in a couple of different color options. My thoughts on the phone's size didn't make the cut up here in the "Good" section, so you will have to jump below to read those. Display The display on the Nexus 6 is going to be the most talked about spec because of its intense size, I don't think there is any getting around that. Just keep in mind that if you have the balls to put a 6-inch AMOLED Quad HD display with a ridiculously high resolution in a phone, it better be good or your pretty whale may end up just being a bottom feeding grouper, and I'm not talking about the Nexus 7. So is it? It's pretty damn good. If you compare the AMOLED panel in the Nexus 6 to something like the new Moto X, which also uses an AMOLED panel, you can tell that the Nexus 6 has been calibrated to show much more natural looking colors. Don't get me wrong, this is still an AMOLED panel, it's just that colors are slightly muted and less obnoxious on the Nexus 6. The pink on Droid Life isn't so bold - it's a lighter pink. And that could be because of better contrast control, since almost everything looks a little lighter and more muted on the Nexus 6.

Viewing angles are excellent, as can be seen in the images above. The Nexus 6 also gets plenty bright with Adaptive Display turned off, but can get very dark as well, which is a plus for those of us who can't help but check emails at 3AM in bed. In terms of sensitivity, the Nexus 6 is very responsive. We still aren't quite on iPhone level here, at least in my opinion, but there is little lag between your finger and the action you see on-screen. The display also floats close to the glass, so with the 6-inch panel showing you beautiful imagery, you do feel about as close to it as is possible. On a pixel arrangement note, it looks like all AMOLED panels these days have moved over to a diamond pixel arrangement, first seen in the Galaxy S4. We have seen this arrangement time and time again since then, which isn't a bad thing. In fact, Samsung's AMOLED panels continue to be voted best-in-class, so it would make sense that others, including the Nexus 6, go this route as well. The Galaxy Note 4 is still the king of big, AMOLED panels, but the Nexus 6 isn't far behind it. There is nothing here that will turn you off, except maybe the size, if size is something you worry about. If you use your phone for media consumption, though, you can't go wrong here.

Macros for fun.

Performance 95% of the time, the Nexus 6 flies through any task you throw at it. Android 5.0 is so buttery smooth in transitions, the Snapdragon 805 processor handles all of its heavy animations and layers, and games or videos play without a stutter. Every so often, though, you will see slight delays when hitting the app switcher or home button, when trying to exit the camera, or tapping a notification to open an app. The thing is, I'm not worried about it because these delays are consistent on the Nexus 9 as well, so that leads me to believe these hiccups are due to software issues that can be fixed. I would bet that all of them will be gone within an update or two. Overall (again 95% of the time), this phone just screams. It's so enjoyable to browse around, from Google Now to pulling down the quick settings toggles, Lollipop and this powerful processor together make a great combo. When you press items, things happen. When an animation or layer floats in, there isn't a jitter or stutter. I can't recall the last time I used a phone that moved this fluidly. On a related note, the performance on the Nexus 6 is far and away better than that of the Nexus 9. I know we are talking about tablets vs. phones here, but the Snapdragon 805 seems to best the 64-bit Tegra chip time and time again. Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Lollipop is the biggest and best update we have seen come to Android in years, if not ever. To me, this is without a doubt the biggest and most bold yet, and is an update that will help guide the platform for years to come. Material Design has been used to give everything from stock apps to settings menus to finger presses to transitions a complete makeover. It is beyond beautiful. Tim and I have discussed this on the DL Show a number of times, but with Android 5.0, you feel like you can play with the operating system without even opening an app. There are fun transitions and animations everywhere, many of which require new swipes or multi-finger touches in order to activate. At this time, we have seen almost all of the Google apps updated with Material Design makeovers, but it should be really fun over the coming months to see what third party developers can do. Outside of the fresh coat of paint, Android 5.0 introduces a variety of new and useful features. We have covered most in our series of Android 5.0 Feature Highlights. Things like easy setup from one Android device to the next with a simple tap has been added. You can also select which specific Android device you want to restore your new device from, when it's running Android 5.0. There are more powerful notifications on the lock screen, better battery stats, a refreshed keyboard, new dialer, more powerful and visually improved app switching (with app pinning too), better controls over notifications, a do not disturb mode, adaptive, ambient, and tap-to-wake display modes (Nexus 9 only for now), trusted Bluetooth devices, multiple user accounts on phones, retooled quick settings toggles menu, (with flashlight shortcut!), and more. The list goes on and on and on.

If you get away from the front facing features I just listed, you have to understand that Google is also trying to greatly improve battery life through Project Volta. They are also ready to support RAW camera images, SD cards again, improve overall performance with the ART runtime, support for 64-bit processors, and support for USB audio. Again, this update is massive. Android 5.0 could probably use its own review.

To watch a tour of many of the new Android 5.0 "Lollipop" features, be sure to watch this video. Camera I won't even hesitate to say that this is the best smartphone camera we have seen to date from Google. It's not even close, actually. But the real question is, is it better or at least as good as the other really good smartphone cameras out there? I tend to believe that it is after spending the last couple of weeks shooting photos in a variety of situations. Before we get into the results, we should talk about the camera experience, which should be familiar to many of you. Google is using the Google Camera, a camera app that is updated and readily available to almost everyone through Google Play. It's minimal, includes gestures from its right side in order to choose camera modes (photosphere, panorama, lens blur, regular photos, video), and features a massive shutter bar on its right side to help you shoot photos. It has some manual control over exposure, an HDR+ mode, flash controls, and an optional grid, but that's about it. Google wants you to be able to snap without much work. Out of the box, the Nexus 6 defaults to shooting 4:3 photos with a 13MP resolution. You can change that to a 16:9 ratio at 9.7MP if you want, or potentially go even lower. I tend to prefer 4:3, so that's what you will see in my samples below.

In terms of performance, the Google Camera is plenty fast, most of the time. It's just that every so often, it struggles to load or close in a timely manner, leaving me wondering if I need to try and force close it. It can also be slow enough to focus that you may miss shots that have movement. But if you are shooting still objects or are in good light, the Google Camera is fast enough. Once it gets locked onto an object or lighting situation, you can rapid fire shots pretty quickly, many of which will come out as acceptable photos. So what about results? Well, take a look at the series of photos we have included below. You will find shots in low light, good light, and light with shadows, along with indoor and outdoor shots. I really tried to use the Nexus 6 camera in as many different situations as possible to see what the camera is capable of. I'll just say this - unlike the DROID Turbo, these photos don't turn immediately muddy and noisy the minute you start zooming or cropping. This camera also snaps photos instantly when you press its big shutter button; there is no stutter. I do feel like the Google Camera app is doing some crazy over sharpening, but unless you really crop or zoom, you may not notice it. Overall, this is a pretty fun camera to use, which is saying a lot since we are talking about a camera included in a Nexus phone. And keep in mind that we are still waiting for camera apps on Google Play, like Google Camera, to be updated with support for RAW image capturing. Once that happens, this camera could become scary good.

Full resolution: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Updates If you know Android and are at all familiar with the Nexus line of devices, then you know that part of the reason to purchase one is that you will see updates to new versions of Android before almost anyone else. While companies like Motorola are doing their best to beat Google at their own game, the Nexus line still defines what it means to get timely updates. With the Nexus 6, as Google's new flagship phone, you will get new updates, whether that be Android 5.1 or 6.0 before almost anyone else.

Unlocked Plus Carriers Google is doing something different this year with the Nexus 6 in terms of distribution. Instead of selling the Nexus 6 cheaply as an unlocked phone through Google Play and then allowing a couple of carriers here and there to sell the phone, they are going the typical smartphone route, which means they are actually partnering with carriers to sell the phone. While I mention below that this model mostly sucks, there is still some light at the end of this tunnel, thanks to Google creating a single US variant that supports 12 LTE bands and all sorts of network frequencies. If you buy the Nexus 6 from Google Play, you can then take it to almost any carrier in the US, slap in a compatible SIM card, and have service. The device is fully unlocked, works on Verizon and Sprint's CDMA networks, AT&T and T-Mobile's GSM networks, and has no trouble connecting to any of their LTE bands. This phone can essentially be taken anywhere without fuss. I don't know that we have ever seen a phone that is this open to your network of choice. Now, we aren't exactly sure how its unlocked status will work when sold directly through a carrier, but I would imagine it will/should still be unlocked. There aren't carrier versions of the Nexus 6, according to Google, carriers are simply selling the unlocked Nexus 6 with their SIM cards pre-installed. Front Stereo Speakers These speakers, are awesome, for smartphone speakers. Placed at the top and bottom of the front of the device, the dual stereo speakers on the Nexus 6 can rival the BoomSound speakers found on the HTC One (M8). They get plenty loud during music or video playback, might scare you if cranked to the max for notifications, and could allow you to use your phone as the get-the-party-started speaker if you lack other options. You aren't going to hear deep bass like you would a traditional speaker, but you should understand that going in - these are smartphone speakers. With that said, at full volume, I have yet to hear a crackle or distortion, and that's from hip hop to pop.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Size There is no getting around the size of the Nexus 6. This phone is f*cking huge. You can't use it with one hand. It barely fits in your pants pockets. It looks silly when held up to your head during phone calls. It feels enormous in hand when making those phone calls. You have to adjust it constantly to get anything done. It's heavy. Taking pictures is impossible without two hands. And Google has done absolutely nothing with stock Android to take advantage of its immense size. This phone is big just to be big. Because big. Because bigger. Big all the things. Just big it. Bigger than bigger, than bigger. But you know what? It's actually kind of cool, if you have two hands free. As I mentioned above, the phone is designed beautifully. Not only that, but its weight is distributed so well from corner to corner, that it isn't difficult to hold, even with its massive footprint. The curvature to the backside has been optimized for the palm of your hand, just like it was on the Moto X. And the metal frame should bring pleasure to anyone who has had the unfortunate pleasure of holding a pre-October Samsung phone.

So this is where my mixed feelings come in. You see, I don't want a phone this big because I tend to like using a phone with one hand. But then again, this phone, with its big beautiful display, is so damn fun to use because of the way it was built and the fact that it runs Lollipop, that I almost want to force myself to use it. If you love big phones, I can't imagine you not loving the Nexus 6. If you don't, you may find some joy in it like I have anyway. And if you really don't like huge phones, then that's OK, because there are so many other awesome phones out there for you to choose from. In the end, I can't hate the Nexus 6 for being big. Even though it is big just to be big, there isn't anything wrong with that. Fans of big phones will love it, and fans of regular sized phones still have plenty of other options. Battery Life For two weeks, I have been using the Nexus 6, putting it through all sorts of conditions in order to test out its battery life. Up until yesterday, when I read Tim's review of the Galaxy Note 4, a device that has the exact same battery size as the Nexus 6, I was convinced that the battery life on the Nexus 6 was better than average. Now, I'm not so sure that it is. The Galaxy Note 4 seems like a battery superstar when compared to the Nexus 6. That's not to say that the Nexus 6 is a battery failure, but it's battery life has been so all over the map, that this might be an area that needs further testing or a software update from Google. In my time of use, which typically amounts to around two hours of screen-on time in a day with a mix of WiFi and LTE (on Verizon's network for this review), I had nights where I needed the charger at 10PM and others where the phone had 40% battery remaining. A couple of nights I had to switch to my Nexus 9 to finish out some late-night couch time - others I watched videos and played games for some pre-bed entertainment without needing to think about a charger.

As a reminder, the Nexus 6 has a 3,220mAh battery. That's a big battery. One would hope that this phone, coupled with a large battery and Project Volta (Google's new battery optimization in Lollipop) would produce class-leading battery life. It still might, it's just really hard to tell with such a massive range in battery times. On its best days, the Nexus 6 can compete with the DROID Turbo and its 3,900mAh battery, but I also had days where it felt a lot more like the Moto X and its smallish 2,300mAh juice box. Thankfully, on those days where the Nexus 6 has a mind of its own, I can plug in the included Turbo Charger and get all sorts of power in just a few minutes. Price I don't hate the price of the Nexus 6 (32GB for $649, 64GB for $699) because this is about as premium of a package as you will find in the mobile space at the moment, but I would be lying if I didn't think the price was directly related to Google deciding to play ball with carriers this time around. The Nexus 5 was close to packing in all top tier specs for its time, yet still came in at $349 (16GB) and $399 (32GB) without a contract. The Nexus 6 seems to fall perfectly in line with the constantly-criticized subsidy model that carriers in the US have enforced for years (cheap phone with a contract vs. expensive and overpriced phone without one to deter you from buying it off-contract), something that Google was attempting to take aim at the last three years with the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, and Nexus 5. But look, at $649 and $699 the Nexus 6 still comes in at a lower price than the Galaxy Note 4, yet it equals Samsung's new oversized phone in almost every aspect. The phone technically has good value overall, but the whole situation just doesn't feel as anti-carrier and clean as it has for the last few years. Unfortunately, as I write this review, we don't have full pricing info from all carriers (nothing from US Cellular or Verizon). AT&T is now selling the phone with 32GB of storage at $249 on a new 2-year contract. T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T also have plenty of month-to-month device payment plans to choose from, so you can potentially buy the phone reasonably instead of having to fork out $650 or $700 up front. If you aren't into buying phones at full retail price, especially phones $650+ and above, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a pricing plan that works.

The Not-so-Good

Availability Good luck buying a Nexus 6. Things could change on this front in the very near future, but as I click "publish" on this review, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint have all announced limited availability of the new Nexus. Not only that, but all of these carriers are currently only planning to sell it in Midnight Blue with 32GB of storage at some point this week or next, with AT&T being the first to open pre-orders. As for Verizon and US Cellular, we aren't sure if they are taking their sweet time getting the device tested on their networks or if Google told everyone so last minute that they simply haven't had a chance to get it ready. All we know as of today is that Google Play continues to sell out of re-stocks in about 20 seconds each Wednesday, T-Mobile already delayed their launch to November 19 for some reason, Motorola's online shop hasn't seen new inventory since selling out last week, AT&T has a pre-order with a shipping date of November 18, and Sprint is Sprint. It is practically impossible to buy this phone, and that's too damn bad, since this is one of those phones we wish everyone could spend some quality time with. If things change, we can certainly update this section, but as of right now, I wish you the best of luck in your Nexus 6 buying endeavors.

Other Notes

Call quality: I may not place a lot of calls, but on the few that I had over the last couple of weeks, the Nexus 6 neither stood out as being excellent or poor. It was acceptable. Calls were clear, volume was loud enough, and I have no complaints.
Wireless charging: The Nexus 6 has wireless charging built in, but I have yet to really use it. Wireless charging isn't the fastest technology on the planet, so charging a 3,220mAh battery with a wireless charger could take a while. But that's not even why I haven't used it. Remember that the Nexus 6 comes with a Turbo Charger, so you can charge this phone to 6 hours of battery life in 15 minutes or the whole thing within about an hour.
Accessories: At this time, there aren't many official Nexus 6 accessories on the horizon other than a couple of cases (folio and a clear case with stand) that are out of stock on Google Play. We could see some from the big accessories players, but so far, haven't seen any that look amazing.

Video

Unboxing

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Nexus 6 working on Verizon

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vs. DROID Turbo, Moto X, and more

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Gallery

The Verdict

The Nexus 6 is the best Nexus phone ever made by a mile. Google and Motorola have teamed up to produce a phone that is premium in build, in specs, and in user experience. Sure, it's a whale. This phone is massive. But you know what? Because of the quality here and the overall package, you may be able to look beyond its size. In fact, you may just enjoy its size. I have, and I typically can't stand phones this big. At a starting price of $649, the Nexus 6 isn't cheap, but since Google partnered with carriers this time around, you should be able to buy the device at a price point or with a payment plan that works for your situation. And speaking of carriers, the Nexus 6 will be available at all of the major US carriers at some point over the next couple of months. If you wanted to buy a Nexus device through your carrier after all these years, that time has finally come. The Nexus 6 is a hell of a phone. I urge all of you to try and get your hands on one.

Nexus 6 Now In-Stock at Motorola's Store!

Kellen — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:56:56 +0000

Go! Go! Go! Motorola Link

Motorola Makes Lollipop Update Official for Moto G (2nd Gen) and Moto X Pure Edition

Tim — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:56:07 +0000

After posting release notes for the Lollipop update on its own site, Motorola has now officially announced the update to Android 5.0 for the Moto G (2nd gen.) US GSM model, Moto X Pure Edition, and Moto G (2nd gen.) Global GSM retail model. Users who own these devices should see the update hit their phone very soon. As for what is in the update, it is your full-blown Lollipop update, complete with Motorola's proprietary tweaks, which we detailed in this post here. Motorola states that they are working hard with US carriers to bring the update to more Moto X owners, but they are unable to give a solid timeframe at this moment. Enjoy Lollipop, folks.

Via: Motorola

Download: Google Keyboard Version 4.0.2, Features Light and Dark Material Themes

Tim — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:02:12 +0000

Wait no longer for the updated version of the Google Keyboard app, featuring the much-desired Material themes as seen in Lollipop. In version 4.0.2, both the Light and Dark themes are available, allowing you to match up your device however you see fit. We have the apk downloadable for you below. Once downloaded onto your device, sideload the apk as you would any other. Have at it. Download: GoogleKeyboard.apk [mirror]

AmpliTube Guitar App Hits Android, Exclusive to Samsung Devices

Tim — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 08:54:18 +0000

On Monday, it was announced that Android was finally gaining support for AmpliTube and the iRig digital guitar interface. Thanks to a partnership between Samsung and IK Multimedia, the folks who were first to bring such an experience to iOS devices years ago, Android users can now finally get in on the fun. If you play guitar, and are an Android fan, there was previously no way to hook up your guitar to your phone, much like iOS users have been able to do to. Thanks to the introduction of this new software and hardware, all you do is plug in an iRig adapter to your phone, connect your guitar to it with a standard 1/4" cable, open the AmpliTube app on your device, and then jam away with countless tone presets, and virtual amps and pedals. As for the iRig adapter, there are three different versions to choose from, ranging from the cheaper $39 model, to the all-digital $99 model. In terms of quality, all three get the job done, but with the lesser models, you might experience signal quality loss during your playtime. If you own a select Samsung device, head on into to the Galaxy Apps store and purchase AmpliTube for $19.99. Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge owners, you are treated to a free Limited Edition copy. Enjoy. Galaxy Apps Link ($19.99)

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Via: IK Multimedia

Nexus 6 Now Available for Pre-Order at AT&T

Kellen — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 21:23:11 +0000

Your first chance to purchase the Nexus 6 with a contract or a device payment plan through a carrier is now here. AT&T pre-orders are live for the Midnight Blue model with 32GB of storage. For $249 and a 2-year contract or $682.99 without one, the new Nexus whale can be yours. AT&T also has Next device payment plans available, starting as low as $22.77 per month. AT&T is showing an estimated ship date of November 18. AT&T Link

Cheers Louis, John, and everyone else!

Deal: VPN Unlimited Premium Plan, 3 Years of Hacker Protection for $19

Tim — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:26:12 +0000

If you just so happen to need an encrypted data connection, for whatever it is you may be doing which would lead you to needing one, you can pick one up for three years through the DL Deals store for just $19. The deal is for a VPN Unlimited Premium Plan for 3 years, costing just $19, which is 70% off of retail. In short, and taken from the product's description, a VPN connection allows you to "unblock restricted web content, protect your WiFi connection on public networks, secure your online activity, and bypass some ISP restrictions, possibly even increasing your regular Internet speed." The VPN Unlimited Premium deal includes activation on 5 devices, which could be a combination of your computers and mobile devices. There is a companion app for Android, as well as iOS. Take a peek below at VPN Unlimited's top features. Features

Secure Public WiFi Connection – No matter where you are or what network you’re using, when you connect to VPN Unlimited server, your data and activities are 100% safe
Protect Online Activities – Hackers are no longer a problem because your internet activity and all data remains hidden and encrypted
Unlimited Traffic Bandwidth – VPN Unlimited doesn’t limit your traffic bandwidth, so there’s no need to worry about your data usage
Unlimited Connection Speed – VPN Unlimited provides you with a high-speed connection
Connect to Territory-Restricted Web Resources – Connect to a VPN Unlimited server in the country of your choice and get access to all local web sites, meaning you can be in China and access US websites no problem
Select the server in the country you want – VPN Unlimited provides a growing selection of servers in the most popular countries with the most demanded web resources
Prevent Interceptions of Data – Encrypts your data right on your electronic device, using the powerful encrypting algorithms
Access VPN Service From Any Device – Pay once and use VPN Unlimited on apps for iPhone, iPod and iPad as well as Macs, PCs, and even Linux

Deal Link [FAQ]

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YouTube Gets Deal With Indie Labels, Subscription Music Video Service Coming in Weeks

Tim — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 14:54:27 +0000

According to a report from Financial Times, YouTube has reached a deal with Merlin, a group which represents nearly 20,000 indie labels, allowing YouTube to bring the countless number of artists which they represent to Google's upcoming music service. The report states that YouTube's subscription music streaming service will launch within the coming weeks, allowing users to stream virtually any music video they can think of. YouTube attempted to make this same deal earlier this year, but Merlin apparently held out for a larger chunk of change. The service, which has still yet to be highly detailed by Google and YouTube, will be ad-free, but there are no hints at what price we could be looking at. If the report is true, we should find out soon enough of Google and YouTube are up to.

Via: Engadget | Financial Times (Subscription)

T-Mobile Pushes Nexus 6 Launch Back One Week to 11/19

Tim — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:42:17 +0000

T-Mobile announced through Twitter today that it has pushed back its release of the Nexus 6 one week, making the official launch date now November 19. No exact reason is provided for the launch delay, but they do cite an attempt to deliver the best experience possible to customers. Our train of thought is that inventory may have something to do with it, so it is possible that an additional week for the company to ramp up inventory could help meet the impending demand. Hopefully, whatever it is they are doing, helps people get the phone they want more easily. Does this move mess with your plans of picking up the Nexus 6 tomorrow?

Via: @T-Mobile

Support for Select Games, Showtime Anytime, and Starz Brought to Chromecast

Tim — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:19:05 +0000

More applications received Chromecast support this morning on Google Play, with a few of them coming as sort of a surprise, given that they are actual games you can play. Google appears to be letting game makers in on the Chromecast fun now, with classic games, such as Monopoly Dash, Wheel of Fortune, and Scrabble Blitz gaining support. If you are curious how you will operate your games, don't worry, as Google and developers allow you to use your synced smartphone to take control of the action. In addition, Showtime Anytime gained support, meaning you can now watch all of your favorite Showtime shows right through the dongle, as well as Starz titles. To see the full list of newly supported apps and games, follow this link.

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Via: Chrome Blog

Lollipop Update Running on LG G3 Shown Off in Latest Leak

Tim — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 12:18:58 +0000

With LG announcing that the Lollipop update will hit G3 devices over in Poland this week, a video showing off just what we can expect once Android 5.0 hits the G3 has been leaked online. As you will see, the phone appears to be somewhere in Asia, given the language being used on the device, but you can expect the overall look to be about the same. While LG looks to have taken on a few of Google's design tweaks in Lollipop, the system looks pretty much like we have currently with Kit Kat on the G3. Except for the pulldown, which has been changed over to the Lollipop look, LG's system toggles and button presses appear to be the same as they are now, along with the settings menu. Additionally, application animations have been revamped, but until we have our own hands on the update, this video might have to suffice. LG USA has given no official date when Americans can look for the update, but they did mention it would be sometime before the end of 2014.

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HTC Uploads Camera App to Google Play, Updates Will Happen There Now

Tim — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 11:11:55 +0000

HTC uploaded its Camera application to Google Play this week, allowing users to download updates and fixes straight from the Play store, no longer having to wait for firmware updates to hit their devices. Much like Google, HTC is seeing the benefits of breaking down its system into downloadable apps, bringing the overall size of the system down quite a bit when it comes to OTA updates. This trend continues after HTC previously uploaded its Gallery and Weather applications to Google Play, with more likely to follow. Of course, the app is completely free to download, but only a select portion of HTC's lineup is compatible as of this moment. Have at it, One owners. Play Link

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Review

Tim — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 10:30:19 +0000

Finally, DL is posting its Galaxy Note 4 review. Sure, it may be late, but as the saying goes, better late than never. We have spent a few weeks with Samsung's large flagship device and are comfortable with now throwing our final opinion out into the open world. With Google on the verge of releasing its very own high-end phablet device in the Nexus 6, you might be trying to decide which phone you should go with. To help you come to a decision, we tried to focus on a few select areas. They are as follows. First, does Samsung's TouchWiz UI bring worthy enhancements to the Android OS over Google's plain vanilla version found on the Nexus 6? Second, the Note family has been known for having fantastic battery life. With its 5.7" QHD Super AMOLED display, can the Note 4 also meet those high expectations in the battery department? Lastly, Note devices have been bringing the heat in the mobile photography department. Does the Note continue that trend? These are just a few of the subjects we wanted to dive into. Here is our Galaxy Note 4 review.

The Good

Specs For a smartphone, the Galaxy Note 4 is packing straight up heat. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 805 processor clocked at 2.7GHz, plus 3GB of RAM. Other notable specs include a stunning 5.7" QHD (2560x1440) Super AMOLED display, 16MP rear-facing camera with OIS, 3.7MP front-facing camera, heart rate monitor, fingerprint scanner, 4G LTE connectivity, microSD slot, Bluetooth 4.1, 3220mAh battery, USB on-the-go, and Android 4.4 out of the box. As I sometimes say for a device of this caliber, on paper, it is an absolute beast. However, as we tend to find out with other Samsung devices, the incredible specifications don't necessarily translate into fantastic real-world usage. More times than not, TouchWiz seems to put a damper on overall performance and multitasking abilities, but with this much computing power, the Note 4 should be at the top of the list for anyone concerned with the specs their device is rocking.

Display Samsung introduced one of its best mobile displays to date on the Galaxy Note 4; a 5.7" QHD Super AMOLED display with a pixel-per-inch number of 515. With the same resolution of other QHD displays on the market, being 2560x1440, there is no doubt that it is one of the best-looking panels to ever grace a smartphone. However, we still find that discovering content to take advantage of such a display is rather hard to do. Most videos on YouTube are not streamed at that high of quality, and Netflix definitely is not allowing users to stream that type of media over its servers. While a few YouTubers may publish in 1440p+, the options are still very limited. For now, it seems that users are really limited to just wallpapers and other miscellaneous content, turning QHD displays into more of a conversation starter, not a necessary feature. Even though that might come off as sort of negative, the Galaxy Note 4 does feature a display with a ton of pixels, and it is absolutely beautiful. Samsung's Super AMOLED gives off extremely bright and excellently saturated colors, never appearing dim or washed out. For playing games, I wouldn't ask for anything else in my pocket. And for watching YouTube videos or just streaming the web, it does not get much better in the viewing department.

Macros for fun.

Design Much like the Galaxy Alpha, Samsung brings a new metallic and slick design for the Galaxy Note 4, and I must say, I am a fan of this new look. With the chamfered edges and surprisingly ergonomic feel, even with the large size, Samsung is taking a step in the right direction of making the Note lineup more attractive to buyers. If you currently own a Galaxy Note 3, or lord forbid are still carrying around the aging Note 2, then the Galaxy Note 4 will more than likely feel right at home in your hand. What surprised me is that while I have become more used to using a smaller device (Galaxy Alpha and Moto X) the Note 4 does not feel incredibly or overly large in my hands. Samsung did a great job at cutting back the bezels around the 5.7" display, keeping the impact it has on your hands not too bad. While it may still be a two-handed device, using it with one hand is not impossible.

Battery During my time with the Note 4, I was not at all surprised by the battery life I experienced. You know why? Because I expected it to be awesome, and the phone delivered. Even while putting the Galaxy Note 4 through the review paces, it held up like a champion, giving me an easy day with leftover battery to spare. With its high capacity 3220mAh battery, even though it's powering the Snapdragon 805 and QHD display, the battery delivered more than enough juice. To be quick about it, if the Note 4 is on your radar, don't be worried about battery life.

Camera With the attached 16MP rear-facing camera featuring optical image stabilization (OIS), the Galaxy Note 4 camera experience is one of the best smartphone photography experiences money can buy. The sensor inside is quite powerful, capable of not only taking large shots, but highly-detailed shots. The one unscientific test I do is to take a photo, then see how much detail there is after I zoom in on the photo all of the way. The Note 4 scores quite high on this test, especially when compared to other devices on the market such as the Moto X or the HTC One (M8). As for the interface when interacting with the camera app, it is just as you would find on all other Samsung devices, which is not bad at all. It is easy enough to use, with dedicated buttons for snapping shots, starting videos, and accessing your Gallery. On one side of your display, Samsung offers shortcuts to real-time effects you can apply while snapping shots, as well as tweak the camera's settings.

While the Galaxy Note 4 offers plenty of features and modes out of the box, Samsung allows users to download even more via the Samsung apps store. For example, you can download a Sports Shot mode, Surround Shot mode, and more. The ability to just download them if you want them is a nice change from how Samsung used to preload all of the modes, taking up precious storage on your device. As for the size of the phone while shooting pictures, you will need two hands, undoubtedly. However, even though setting your hands up just right may take time, you don't need long to take the perfect shot. The auto focus and manual focus is very fast, and the shutter speed is also very quick. I found that when shooting the dogs or an overhead plane, the shots came out just fine. I also photographed my 1-year old niece who can't stop moving, and those photos came out great too. Below, I have a few samples to share, taken in a few different environments, including natural lighting, indoor lighting, and night time with some lamp posts providing an orange tint. Below the thumbnails, you can view the full resolution images, allowing you to perform my fancy zoom test.

Full resolution: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Stylus and Select TouchWiz Features Just like any other Samsung device, the Galaxy Note 4 comes packed with proprietary software you will only find from Sammy. While other companies may try to duplicate a few of their features, such as Multi Window and certain S Pen functions, Samsung does a pretty good job at optimizing the software to make it feel natural on their devices. While there are parts of TouchWiz that probably do not need to exist, the few features that are actually useful are not too bad.

My few favorite parts of TouchWiz have to do with Samsung's stylus (aka S Pen) on the Galaxy Note 4. For example, taking notes is high on my priorities. If I need to remember a quick list, such as topics for a phone review, I can pull out the stylus and quickly start jotting down ideas in my own handwriting through S Notes, then the phone automatically changes it to a neatly organized list thanks to existing templates.

The overall helpfulness of S Pen is based on its ability to perfectly take your sloppy handwriting and turn it into an action. As another example, as you can see in the screenshots above, I wrote down a phone number in chicken scratch, which I could then call, text, email, or add to my contacts. I selected phone call, and the phone placed the number into my dialer without missing a beat. Considering how nasty that handwriting looks, I was actually surprised it didn't mess up. To me, that is a solid feature. My last favorite, is the ability to rope an image that is shown on your screen, then easily share it. As I did, I highlighted a photo of the SF Giants logo, then shared it with a friend. Without needing to download the full image and then sharing the file, I can quickly save it to my clipboard on the phone, then share from there. It allows me to maximize my phone's storage, while also quickly share anything I might need to. As previously discussed plenty of times, there are certain parts of Samsung's software that I would not mind to see erased, but most of its S Pen capabilities are fine by me.

Somewhere in the Middle

Performance While the Note 4 features specs that would blow most devices out of the water on a benchmark test, real-life experience differs slightly. While gaming does not seem to be affected, navigation across the system seems rather hindered at times, with slight stutters happening occasionally. One of the more noticeable instances is when you are using either the stock keyboard or Google's keyboard. After sliding your finger for gesture typing, or regular thumb smash typing, the time it takes for the word to pop up in the text field feels lagged. Another irritating lag is when you are swiping away applications in the recent apps tab. The UI brings up preview windows for each app you have open, much like it does in Lollipop. They are no longer small thumbnails. While swiping, I see the device dragging and stuttering while I swipe them away. But, after I am done clearing all apps, the device speeds right up again. To me, it seems the phone is trying to do too much, more than what it is capable of. Do I think the Note 4 needs even more juice than what it already has? Heck no. I think Samsung needs to break down TouchWiz to the foundation, then rebuild it, optimizing every single piece of software. It is the same experience I had the Galaxy S5, yet slightly less janky. The Note 4 feels premium and acts premium when it counts, such as during gaming or browsing the web, but the overall performance has a long ways to go until I would call it buttery smooth.

Availability and Price The Galaxy Note 4 is available on all major carriers across the US, but does come with a price tag to match its spec offerings. On AT&T, the Galaxy Note 4 is priced at $299 on-contract, while getting it off-contract will cost you a whopping $825. For most Android smartphones, that's just crazy. On Verizon, customers can purchase the Note 4 for $299, but the off-contract price is listed at just $699, which seems like a steal in comparison to AT&T. Why AT&T decided to hike up the price so high, we shall never know. Folks with allegiance to T-Mobile can find the device for $31 a month over 2 years, or outright for $750. While the phone is available anywhere you go, the upfront price could easily scare a few customers away. We have found that after a few months or longer, the price comes down, but by then there is already a new device being hyped. If the Note 4 was on your shopping list, depending on the carrier, you might have to bite the bullet and spend quite a bit. With all that said, the Note 4 is at least readily available at all major carriers. If you want one, you can buy one, something that can't be said for other phablets like the Nexus 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. TouchWiz There is one main gripe about TouchWiz that I have, and it actually has nothing to do with performance. The fact that Samsung's custom UI has not changed looks since it was first introduced is just boring. Very dull, and very boring. Sure, from Gingerbread to Kit Kat, there have been variations, but the overall gist of TouchWiz has remained the same. To me, with Android becoming even more sexy as the years pass, I do wish Samsung would tone it down a bit. However, with such an investment in TouchWiz, I doubt that is ever coming.

Now, back to the performance of TouchWiz as a whole. As I have experienced during my time with the Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Note 3, TouchWiz slows down your phone. There are hiccups in the system, is the best way for me to explain it. When pressing on the recent apps button, or going Home after playing a game, you notice a slight pause from the phone as it thinks about what it is trying to do. For someone like me, who needs to be able to whip in and out of apps, and use swipe gestures on a keyboard without waiting to see what word is going to pop up, devices running TouchWiz just don't exactly cut it for me. Although, on the other side of performance issues, I am torn. TouchWiz does offer additional settings and controls that you will not find on stock Android. Until Lollipop, having a dedicated brightness slider in your notification pulldown was non existent, while Samsung phones have had that for years. With TouchWiz, you get some and you lose some. For buyers, it is a question of if these pros outweigh the cons, and considering how many Samsung phones have been purchased, it's rather hard to be one person in a enormous crowd yelling, "TouchWiz sucks!"

Other Notes

Quick Charge 2.0: While this should be in the official "Good" section, I don't feel there is too much to say. With Quick Charge 2.0, the power cable Samsung provides in the box will charge your phone with the quickness, allowing a full charge in as little as an hour or more. From my time, I was getting a full day of juice after having the device plugged in for only 55+ minutes or so. Not only is this feature helpful, but could be a huge deal for potential buyers.
Gear VR Compatibility: Owners of the Galaxy Note 4 will be treated with exclusive compatibility for the upcoming Gear VR. If a virtual reality headset is on your Christmas list, the Note 4 is the only device that can deliver a real VR experience, at least until Oculus.
AT&T Bloatware Count: 26 applications came preloaded on the Galaxy Note 4 which I would consider bloatware, offering extremely little value to consumers. Once you boot up, proceed to disable the junk.

Video

Unboxing

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Gallery

Verdict

So, after all of this, should you buy the Galaxy Note 4? And what about the Nexus 6? Would that device be a better phablet option for consumers? Without spending any time with the Nexus 6, I can tell you a couple of things which might sway you to the Galaxy Note 4. First, the software. Lollipop on the Nexus 6 offers no real value to the large size of the display. On the Note 4, there are a ton of features which take advantage of that 5.7" Super AMOLED display, such as the Multi Window and S Pen capabilities. On the Nexus 6, the only multitasking you will be doing is through the recent apps button. Secondly, the camera on the Nexus 6, from what I can see in samples, can't touch the Galaxy Note 4. Samsung delivers an absolute ton of additional camera settings, while Google's camera application is extremely minimal and bare. Sure, you have Photo Sphere, but Samsung offers a version of Sphere of its own called Surround Shot. I suppose, if you are looking for a more complete Android experience (I really hate saying that), the Galaxy Note 4 might offer you more things to do. But back on the Galaxy Note 4 as a standalone device - the phone is fantastic. The screen is unmatched in quality, the camera delivers stunning shots in the right conditions, the battery life is best-in-class, and the specs make it a contender for heavyweight champion of the smartphone world. If you can get past slight hiccups you might experience with TouchWiz, it is a great driver which will last you a very long time.

HTC One (M8) Discounted to $299 for Second Hot Deal at 9am PT, Limited to Just 200 Units

Kyle — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:45:44 +0000

HTC is back with another virtual doorbuster this week, sure to delight the precious few buyers who manage to take advantage, and potentially infuriate everyone else. Beginning at 9 a.m. Pacific (12 p.m. Eastern), the company will knock the price of all One M8 variants down to as little as $299 for its second Hot Deal of the season. That represents savings of $350. As was the case with last week's promotion, supplies are extremely constrained. Only the first 200 customers will be able to buy an M8 for the advertised $299, after which the price will jump to $499 for the next 300 buyers. The deal is scheduled to end at 9 p.m. Pacific, or while supplies last. Last Tuesday's Hot Deal saw Nexus 9 tablets on sale for $199. The deeply discounted allotment promptly sold out, prompting a backlash on social media. HTC America President Jason Mackenzie apologized, admitting that technical issues with the company's website played a part and promising a smoother experience going forward. Willing to give HTC another go? Today is your chance. HTC Hot Deal Link

When and Where can I Buy the Nexus 6?

Kellen — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:30:06 +0000

Ready to go out and buy a Nexus 6, the newest flagship phone from Google? Then you are probably wondering when and where you can do that at, I would imagine. November 12 has basically become the official launch date at this point, but that doesn't mean that every single carrier or store will have the phone at that time. So, since tomorrow is the 12th, we thought a handy little list of stores, carriers, and availability at each would help you decide where you can focus your efforts.

Google Play

Each time that Google has re-stocked the Nexus 6 on Google Play, they sold out within minutes. They told us to expect regular re-stocks on Wednesdays, though, so if you want to purchase the phone directly from Google, be prepared to refresh the Play store listings below at around 10AM Pacific on hump day. At least that's when the first two batches of inventory became available. Google Play is probably going to be your best bet for securing either a white or 64GB model of the Nexus 6. However, carriers seem to be ready to sell the 32GB Midnight Blue model this week. Google is currently only allowing customers to pre-order the device, with expected ship dates in late November. Keep in mind that Google is selling the device without a contract on Google Play, so you will pay $649 for the 32GB or $699 for the 64GB model in either color. The phone is unlocked and should work on almost any major carrier in the US. Google will eventually expand Google Play availability to another 12 countries outside of the US. Play Links: Blue (32GB) | Blue (64GB) | White (32GB) | White (64GB)

Motorola.com

Motorola opened up pre-orders for the Nexus 6 through their site on November 6, but quickly sold out. They have not said if they will re-stock. They are selling the phone without a contract for $649 (32GB) and $699 (64GB) in either Midnight Blue or Cloud White. Here is Motorola's Nexus 6 landing page in case you want to sign-up to be notified of future availability.

AT&T

AT&T is opening pre-orders for the phone on November 12. ~~They have not announced device shipping dates or in-store availability~~. Edit: Pre-orders are live and show a shipping estimate of November 18. The device will run $249 on new 2-year contract or $682.99 with no annual contract. If neither of those options sound appealing, there are three AT&T Next (device payment plan) plans to choose from, all of which require $0 down: Next 24 at $22.77 per month, Next 18 at $28.46 per month, or Next 12 at $34.15 per month. AT&T is only expected to have the 32GB Midnight Blue model available initially. Here is AT&T's Nexus 6 landing page.

Sprint

Sprint will begin selling the Nexus 6 on November 14 "in Sprint direct ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Sprint Business Sales, Web Sales and Telesales at 1-800-SPRINT1.” Sprint is pricing the Nexus 6 for $0 down plus 24 monthly payments of $29. If you buy it off-contract, you are looking at $696. Sprint is only expected to have the 32GB Midnight Blue model available initially. Here is Sprint's Nexus 6 landing page.

T-Mobile

~~T-Mobile will begin selling the Nexus 6 in stores on November 12~~. Update 11/11: T-Mobile announced that they have pushed their launch to November 19. The device will be available for $0 down and $27.08 a month for 24 months on a device payment plan. T-Mobile is only expected to have the 32GB Midnight Blue model available initially, with 64GB models arriving shortly (maybe even online only). Here is T-Mobile's Nexus 6 landing page.

US Cellular

US Cellular has confirmed that they will carry the Nexus 6 at some point in November. No other details are currently available.

Verizon

Verizon hasn't announced a thing. In fact, the only confirmation they have given, has been to us.

We will update this post as new information comes in.

Sprint to Sell Nexus 6 on November 14

Kellen — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:02:16 +0000

Sprint joined AT&T this morning in announcing availability of the Nexus 6, Google's new flagship phone. But unlike AT&T, Sprint is actually giving us a date to buy the phone, not just pre-order. Come Friday, November 14, you can buy the Nexus 6 "in Sprint direct ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Sprint Business Sales, Web Sales and Telesales at 1-800-SPRINT1." Sprint is pricing the Nexus 6 for $0 down plus 24 monthly payments of $29. If you buy it off-contract, you are looking at $696. Sprint's press release doesn't mention specifically, but like AT&T, it also appears as if they will only carry the Midnight Blue model with 32GB of storage.

Via: Sprint

Sony Xperia Z3v Review

Ron — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 07:15:37 +0000

The Sony Xperia Z3v is a strange phone. It's not quite a Z3, not quite a Z2. Thinking about the Z3v reminds me of the strange Xperia Play commercials where a back ally deal resulted in human thumbs being appended to an android. This mashup of hardware with Sony and Verizon software at first glance might seem like another disappointment, but I think Sony fans and Verizon subscribers ought to find much to love about the Z3v. This is our Sony Xperia Z3v review.

The Good

Display The Z3v has a gorgeous 5.2" IPS display. The viewing angles are superb with only slight darkening occurring at some angles. In bright sunlight the screen is readable, but by no means impervious to glare. The 1920 by 1080 resolution display means that pixels are invisible, even with the display inches away from your eyes. Sony makes a big deal about their Triluminous display, arguing that it does a good job at displaying hard to display colors; I have to agree. Like most giant Android phones, the large display doesn't come with many software advantages, but it is beautiful and great for media consumption. You can enable tap to wake in the settings (I have no idea why it isn't turned on by default), but its responsiveness tended to become more inconsistent as the battery reached its end for some reason. Even at a full charge tap to wake sometimes wouldn't work. When it did I still found myself missing the Moto X's Active Display (in fact I ended up installing AcDisplay by my second day with the device). Performance The Z3v features the same processor (Snapdragon 801) and RAM (3 GB) as the Z2 and Z3, which is to say it performs very well. Apps loaded quickly and remained in memory for a while and the UI was consistently responsive. Once in a while I could feel a little heat from the back of the device, but it always dissipated quickly. Verizon only offers the Z3v in a 32 GB model, but there is an SD card slot should you feel the need to expand the storage. In Kellen's review of the Z3 Compact he noted performance issues with the camera and some apps taking a while to load. I found that apps loaded very quickly (within a second for Google Now, for example). There are times with certain apps where it is hard to tell if there is a performance issue or if the animations just aren't very good in that particular app, but the phone felt snappy overall. The Z3v camera launches in 2 seconds and fires an exposure in 1 second afterwards. It's no professional camera, but it's certainly fast enough to catch plenty of moments quickly.

Camera The camera on the Z3v is a good all around camera. While the Z3v doesn't feature the improved camera hardware found in the Z3 (it does have the new software), the 9 month old sensor from the Z2 still takes great pictures. The main difference here is that the Z3 can go up to ISO 12800 while the Z3v only goes to 6400. With a sensor this size, though, you probably don't want any shots at ISO 12800. The sensor is 1/2.3", making it slightly larger than the iPhone's 1/3.2" sensor, but still minuscule compared to a camera with an APS-C or MFT sized sensor. The camera can shoot up to 20.7 MP images, but defaults at 8 MP. I'd recommend sticking with the default 8 MP (remember, MP refers to the size of the image, not necessarily the quality). In good light the camera takes very usable images with accurate color reproduction. Bright whites usually need to be edited to reduce contrast and brightness and bright reds are sometimes more orange, but those are typical camera issues that Snapseed can remedy. Like any smartphone camera, zooming in on the image will reveal blurriness and noise, but you'll absolutely be able to take good images for sharing on social media and recording family events. The camera is capable of shooting 4K video, but again, with a sensor this size I would refrain from doing so. The phone gets noticeably warm while recording 4K video and the output is heavily affected by movement. I would stick with normal video on the Z3v. Along the right side of the phone Sony has included a dedicated camera button. Long pressing on the button will launch the camera, even if the display is off. You can customize the button to immediately launch and take a picture or immediately launch and record a video as well. Once the camera app is open, lightly pressing on the physical camera button will focus the shot, just like on a DSLR or mirrorless camera (this works in the Google Camera app as well, but it will always focus in the center, whereas the Sony app will refocus on the location you tapped). Pushing the button in all the way will take the shot. You can also set the volume keys to increase or decrease the digital zoom.

The built in camera app is relatively clutter free, although I still prefer Google's. Sony's app comes with tons of camera modes built in and more can be downloaded. I found Manual and Background defocus to be the most useful modes (the latter of which is treated as a separate app). Manual, of course, allows you to adjust the MP, ISO, turn on HDR, adjust exposure, and more (not the shutter speed, though). Background defocus works just like Lens Blur in Google Camera, but you don't have to move the phone upward and you have more control over how blurred the background is. Because Google's method involves moving the sensor I found that I tended to prefer shots done with Lens Blur, but you can get more digital bokeh out of Sony's Background defocus. The camera also has decent low light performance. While the white balance is usually way off, it results in grainy, but usable images. The first time I decided to try this out was in my wife's closet with the door creaked open. Both the 5c and 6 took accurate shots, but you couldn't make out much of what was in the image. The Z3v took a bright, vibrant image that, while inaccurate, was more useful.

Call Quality and Speakers I made several test calls with varying levels of service. Both sides of the call reported to have good sound quality. I was especially impressed with the audio from the speaker during calls. The Z3v features two speakers hidden in the top and bottom edges of the display. While the speakers aren't up to BoomSound renown, they are loud enough and good enough to use for speaker phone or even playing music in the background. For example, I listened to Taylor Swift's 1989 and Childish Gambino's Kauai on here and they both sounded fine. As can be expected the bass wasn't strong and the treble was a little tinny at high volumes, but by no means a deal breaker.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Hardware Design Sony has never been my favorite hardware designer. They tend to make devices that have great specs and features, but uninspired design. For example, most of the NEX (and now Alpha) lineup of cameras look like point and shoots, but are actually great to hold and use (that Control Wheel is phenomenal), not to mention take pictures with. When I met with my friend for coffee and set the phone on the table his response was instant: "Wow, that phone is ugly." My wife thought it looked nice and I'm somewhere in the middle. The Z3v feels like a giant iPhone 4. It looks like one too. Between the plastic edges with silver trim and the glass adorning the front and back of the device, the Z3v feels premium, yet brittle. Over the two years that I used an iPhone 4S without a case I grew more casual with plopping it on a table and spinning it around in my hands (in those two years I managed to drop it once, cracking only the sliver of plastic between the glass and the antenna, so take that Fate). The Z3v has a similar feel, but because of its larger size I tend to treat it more carefully, worrying that the wrong angle or application of force might shatter the glass. In fact it's the height of the phone, created partially by the large display and partially by the large bezels (which are about the same size as the bezels found on the iPhone 6), that makes me nervous about dropping the glassy monolith.

That being said, the glass does make the phone feel premium despite its plastic edges. More importantly, Verizon opted to keep the chassis design from the Z2 instead of the Z3 (which explains the months and months of Verizon Z2 rumors). While this move has been almost universally heralded as a faux pas, I think the face of the Z2 looks much classier than the Z3 (especially since the white model actually has a white face, unlike the white Z2). I like that the speakers are recessed into the edge instead of breaking up the edge to edge glass like they do on the Z3. While the curved edges of the Z3 are more aesthetically pleasing, the flat edges of the Z3v make it easier to hold. Hidden within the top speaker is the notification light, which can be customized using Light Flow. The Z3v is water proof up to 4.9 feet for 30 minutes in fresh water. What does that mean? You could take the Z3v with you to the pool and even take pictures or video while swimming, but make sure the ports are all covered nice and tight. The headphone port is left open, but there are covers for the Micro SD, SIM, and Micro USB ports. That cover over the Micro USB port might sound like it's a pain to deal with for charging, but I think the more generous way to look at it is that it ensures that you don't deal with rogue lint clogging your ports. The device is labeled with a Verizon and Sony logo at the top and bottom bezels on the front. On the black version they are definitely a distraction, but on the white model they often fade into the white, making their presence less egregious. The back of the device features another Verizon logo, this time including the 4G LTE monicker. Next to the camera the sensor size and megapixel count are listed underneath the G lens logo. The bottom of the rear of the phone features a classy looking Xperia logo. The sides of the device also have labels for the SIM tray, SD card tray, and camera button. All told there is a lot of writing smattered over the device. For this reason alone I would recommend the white model over the black because the text tends to blend into the white more often. Battery Life Battery life on the Z3v is good, not great. For example, after my second full day of use (off the charger at 6:15 AM, back on at 8 PM) I had 5% left. Throughout the day I wrote part of this review, streamed music on the way to and from work (Google Music on the way in for 30 minutes, Spotify on the way home for 45 minutes), watched some YouTube videos during lunch, made phone calls, used Hangouts, kept up with Twitter, and downloaded and configured plenty of apps. I think the phone will get most people through a work day, but certainly not more. You'll want a charger on hand for really heavy use.

Sony also includes some great battery extension software that can potentially make your phone last longer at the expense of constant connectivity. Stamina mode disables wireless radios with the screen off, while Ultra Stamina mode disables the radios and every application except for Phone, Contacts, Messaging, Camera, Album, Calendar, Alarm & clock, Calculator, and Settings. With 40% battery left I had an estimated 7 hours remaining, Stamina mode estimated 1 day and 23 hours, and Ultra Stamina mode estimated 4 days and 21 hours. You can also adjust Stamina Mode to allow certain applications to access data. Size The Z3v is a big phone. You can use it in one hand to scroll through Twitter and check notifications, but once you need to type or do anything more involved you're going to need two hands. This isn't a new thing for Android users, but it's a cost to consider. The big reason this feels more like a cost than a benefit is the lack of software to take advantage of its size. Sony has a handful of small windowed apps that you can use (more on those later), but outside of that there is no software on the phone that takes advantage of the size. Worse still, most Android apps still don't adapt to the larger sized display. There is no reason for my tiny iPhone 5c to show more content on Instagram than the 5.2" Z3v. After using the Z3v for a week I went back and picked up my iPhone 5c and it felt miniscule. Then I picked up 2013's Moto X and it felt perfect. If you like a big display for playing games and watching content then you'll love the Z3v, but don't expect to be able to take advantage of its size with any apps.

The Not-so-Good

Sony's Software It's not clear to me why Sony is still making a skin for their Xperia devices, but they are. Sony's skin looks outdated, even by Holo standards. For example, when I open the wonderfully designed Today Calendar I'm greeted with a gorgeous Material design that is sandwiched by Sony's dark gray notification and navigation bars. Sony offers a number of themes, some paid, some free, but none of them make the software look substantially better (in fact, some of them are worse offenders than the stock skin). Upon starting up the phone for the first time the stock launcher has a myriad of icons and widgets thrown around on various screens. To clean this up you drag the items up to the top to remove them, but when you go to add something from the app launcher you have to slide it to the top of the screen as well to select "add to home screen," then place it where you want it. I don't know why Sony wouldn't just go with the standard of showing you the home screen right after you long press on an app to add it. It's weird idiosyncrasies like that that Sony's software frustrating.

Sony's icons are also not particularly beautiful. For whatever reason Sony still finds the need to redesign the Messaging, Phone, Gallery, Camera, and Settings apps. While none of the apps have been redesigned or augmented in a way that makes them less usable, I do find them less appealing to look at. This is particularly painful in the wake of Material design, which clashes tremendously against Sony's skeuomorphism. In particular I don't know why Sony changed the modal dials in the various apps to look like brushed aluminum. While it sort of fits with Sony's aesthetic, it doesn't fit in with the rest of Android. Matched with a hardware design that looks and feels like an iPhone 4, the stock software makes the phone look more dated than it is. Hopefully the Lollipop update that Sony has promised will be closer to Material or remove the skins altogether.

Long pressing on the home button and swiping up to get to Google now has also been altered to show Google now on the right and Sony's What's New app on the left. What's New shows miscellaneous content to purchase from Sony. The app can't be uninstalled or disabled, so get used to swiping to the right for Google Now or be prepared to run some adb commands or root your device if it bothers you enough to want to remove it. Sony also includes what it calls "Small apps" in the multitasking window. The idea is the same as Samsung's multi-window, but less useful. For example, opening up Gmail in a small app lets me scroll through my inbox, but when I tap on a message it opens underneath the inbox window. Sony includes a screen clipper, a timer, a browser, a calculator, and touch block, but I never found myself using them.

Holding the Phone to Your Face The Z3v's edges are somewhat sharp, which means at certain angles those edges dig into your ear. While calls are clear and sound good, they don't always feel great. If you're going to be on the phone a lot, I'd recommend getting a headset or headphones with a mic.

Gallery

The Verdict

While the Z3v is certainly not a true Z3 on Verizon, it's still a fantastic phone. Is it worth $200 on contract? If you want a phone that can get you through the day with a great display, great smartphone camera, and great performance then you should check out the Z3v. While I wasn't a huge fan of the hardware design, it melts away when you're staring at the beautiful display. Sony's software may not be the greatest looking either, but between third party launchers like Nova, icon packs like Audux, and third party lock screens like AcDisplay you can make a lot of that ugliness go away and really enjoy the phone.

AT&T Pre-Orders for the Nexus 6 Open Tomorrow, November 12 for $249

Kellen — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 06:36:23 +0000

AT&T has finally announced a sliver of Nexus 6 availability, dropping word this morning that they will open pre-orders tomorrow, November 12. The device will run $249 on new 2-year contract or $682.99 with no annual contract. If neither of those options sound appealing, there are three AT&T Next (device payment plan) plans to choose from, all of which require $0 down: Next 24 at $22.77 per month, Next 18 at $28.46 per month, or Next 12 at $34.15 per month. The press release mentions specifically that you can buy the Midnight Blue version, meaning the Cloud White model is likely not going to be available. They also didn't mention storage size, but I'm guessing this is the 32GB model. AT&T did not announce when the phone would actually ship or be available in stores. Again, this is just a pre-order. As a reminder, T-Mobile is selling the Nexus 6 tomorrow as well, except they will have limited in-store availability, not just a pre-order. Update: Sprint has now announced availability, which happens to be this Friday, November 14.

Via: PRnewswire

140+ Material Design Inspired Wallpapers Available for Download

Tim — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:37:12 +0000

For lovers of Material Design, a complete album full of wallpapers can help change up the look of your home screen, with 140+ wallpapers available for downloading. The wallpapers are nothing too complex, mainly full of bright colors, sharp angles, and circles, but they do compliment Google's latest update to the Android OS quite well. Once you follow the link, you will need to download the photos individually to your device, which may take time, or you can download the entire album in one big zip file then transfer to wherever you would like. Click the link below to access the full album. Google+ Album Link

Via: +Brian Parkerson

AT&T Cancels Plans to Pursue Inflight Internet Service

Kyle — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:55:23 +0000

AT&T's intention to enter the in-flight service biz was announced with much fanfare last April; the wireless carrier planned to challenge incumbents like Gogo by constructing an air-to-ground network in the US which would have delivered internet at 4G LTE speeds to domestic flights. Those plans, though, have now fallen through. An AT&T spokesperson told RunwayGirl Network that the company ultimately deemed the venture too risky. AT&T's recent acquisition of Mexico carrier Iusacell may have had something to do with it. The $2.5 billion deal apparently signaled a prioritization of the company's capital in safer markets; the spokesperson said that AT&T will focus its investments on "international and video." Anyone hoping for real competition in inflight internet will have to wait a little longer, it seems.

Via: RunwayGirl Network

Google Voice MMS Messaging Support for Verizon Now Official

Kyle — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:35:36 +0000

Confirming what we reported last week, Google software engineer Dylan Salisbury writes on Google+ that Google Voice MMS messaging with Verizon Wireless subscribers is now officially supported. That means, as he points out, that MMS through Google Voice should work with all major carriers in the US and Canada. In a related announcement, Salisbury said Hangouts is gaining native MMS support for photo messaging; pictures sent to Voice recipients via MMS will now appear natively, instead of as a link. As for the other major feature of MMS, group messaging, it will be apparently be enabled in a coming update.

Via: +Dylan Salisbury

Instagram Update Finally Introduces Caption Editing, New Discovery Options

Kellen — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 12:32:05 +0000

Instagram is pushing an update to its Android and iOS apps today, one which introduces one of the image-sharing service's most requested features of all time - caption editing. The update also includes new discovery sections that are broken up between photos and potentially interesting people you might want to follow. With caption editing, you can effectively go back and erase the typo posted alongside your image moments ago that is driving you a little nuts. Screwed up a hashtag? Fix it. Misspelled Mississippi? Fix it too. Why this feature has taken so long to be included is beyond me, but we are happy to see it arrive. As for new discovery options, Instagram is giving you two choices in the Discovery tab. Well, first of all, they changed the Discovery icon to a magnifying glass, to help you identify new people with searching (or something like that). Once in the Discovery tab, you will now see Photos and People panels to choose from. The Photos panel is the familiar Discovery page you have always used, but the People tab tries to highlight interesting accounts for you to discover. The update should be live later today.

Via: Instagram

Forget Robert Downey Jr, HTC Signs Robison Cano to Multi-year Deal as Brand Ambassador

Tim — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 10:35:44 +0000

HTC announced it has signed Robinson Cano to a multi-year agreement, bringing the Seattle Mariners 2nd baseman onto the team as a US brand ambassador. No word on just how much HTC is paying Cano for this opportunity, but what does that matter? Cano recently moved to Seattle (HTC America's HQ is located in Seattle) from New York City, and has become a big part of the community in Washington state, creating the RC22 Foundation which serves underprivileged youth worldwide. In the press release, Cano gave a statement, saying, "HTC is a natural fit for me because they always want to be the best at what they do. Their products are great for me because I’m always on the road and I need my phone to work as hard as I do." The statement comes off as canned, but we shall see what this partnership means down the road, and how HTC will strategically place their ambassador to sell phones. Full presser has been placed below.

HTC America Signs Multi-Year Agreement with Robinson Cano
Seattle, WA (November 9, 2014) – HTC, a global leader in technology innovation and design, has signed a multi-year agreement with six-time MLB All-Star and Seattle Mariners 2nd baseman Robinson Cano. The partnership between HTC and Robinson Cano is born out of a shared dedication to the pursuit of personal excellence. “HTC is a natural fit for me because they always want to be the best at what they do,” Cano said. “Their products are great for me because I’m always on the road and I need my phone to work as hard as I do.” Cano’s dedication to sportsmanship and mentorship were defining factors in HTC naming him a North American ambassador for the brand. “Robbie’s authentic enthusiasm for our products, brand and company values made the decision to work together easy,” said Erin McGee, VP of Marketing for HTC Americas. “HTC is a company driven by passionate employees who believe in teamwork, co-creation and empowering others to pursue their brilliance. Robbie’s leadership on and off the field aligns seamlessly with HTC’s core values and we are excited about his contributions over the next few years.” In addition to establishing himself as a prominent member of the Seattle community in the past year, Cano continues to build his RC22 Foundation to serve underprivileged youth worldwide. HTC recognizes and supports Cano’s dedication to RC22 Dream School, a planned Montessori school and community education center in Cano’s home country of the Dominican Republic funded by the RC22 Foundation.

Sony Smartwatch 3 Now In-Stock and Shipping From Google Play for $249

Kellen — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 10:18:59 +0000

Sony's new Smartwatch 3 is no longer a Verizon exclusive and can be purchased from Google Play for $249. The Smartwatch 3 from Sony is one of the newest Android Wear watches, but it seems to be aimed a little more towards the fitness crowd. Sony has packed a GPS inside the wearable, giving you the opportunity to take workouts on the go without a smartphone connected. It also packs the latest in smartwatch tech, with features like a 1.6-inch LCD display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 420mAh battery, and Bluetooth 4.1. Play Link

Koush's Mirror App Hits Open Beta, Record Your Screen or Chromecast it

Tim — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 09:59:18 +0000

A new app from Koush has hit Google Play called Mirror, one which allows non-rooted Lollipop users to record their screens as a video, or cast their screens up to the big screen in the living room using Google's Chromecast hardware. If you are still on Kit Kat, though, don't worry, as rooted users can also use the application. As another added bonus, users are not limited to just the dongle, with Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chrome users on a desktop also able to stream live video to their respective platforms. For that function, you will only need to download the necessary app (AllCast) which Koush has previously made available for each platform. As noted, the application works fine for users on Lollipop, but if you are running Android 4.4+, then you will need root access. The app is free to use through Google Play, so go check it out. Play Link

Via: +Koushik Dutta

Looking to Buy the Nexus 6 on Wednesday From T-Mobile? Check This List First

Kellen — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 09:39:55 +0000

The Nexus 6 arrives at T-Mobile stores on Wednesday, November 12. We know this because T-Mobile told us on the day that Google announced the phone, that we could expect it then. But, as we have inched closer to November 12, Google has been unable to keep the phone in stock or make many available through Google Play, leaving many to wonder how easy it would be to buy the phone from T-Mobile on launch day. Thanks to a massive spreadsheet that lists potential Nexus 6 in-store availability at T-Mobile that leaked over the weekend, you may be able to pin point the stores you should target or avoid. The list showed up yesterday at XDA, likely in an unauthorized capacity, so take it for what it is. With that said, it is quite extensive, showing Nexus 6 availability for some 1,800 stores across the country. The list shows if stores will have devices on display for demo purposes, but also if they will have any available for purchase. From what we can tell, in-store availability will be quite limited. Most stores will at least have devices on display as demos, but it might be pretty hit or miss to find a store that has any to sell you. We also can't tell from this list if these stores that do have some in-stock, will have more than a couple on hand to buy. Feel free to open the link below, sort the list by your state, and then focus on stores near you that have "YES" marked in their far right columns. Nexus 6 T-Mobile List

Via: XDA

Cheers Brendon!

Moto Connect Update Brings Additional Watch Faces for Moto 360

Tim — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 08:34:50 +0000

Over the weekend, Motorola pushed out an update to its Connect app on Google Play, bringing a ton of new watch faces for the Moto 360, as well as a new Moto Body experience. The watch faces, which include Motorola's watch face design "face-off" winner, bring a few new colors to play with, plus a design that is completely customizable by your own photos and colored hand options. The Moto Body feature, allows users to customize their activity tracking through Connect, needing input on a user's height, weight, age, date of birth, and more. The goal is to provide users with more accurate tracking data. The update is now live on Google Play, and if watch faces are your favorite thing, you should really enjoy this update. What's New

Connect now supports Motorola Keylink
Connect now supports additional Moto 360 watch faces
Competition winner design face-off
Create your own watch face with My Design
3 new analog watch faces
Connect now has a new Moto Body wellness experience

Play Link

Google Releases Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Quick Start Guide

Kellen — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 08:04:38 +0000

Don't own a device currently running Android 5.0 "Lollipop," the newest version of our favorite mobile operating system? You shouldn't feel bad if you don't, since there are all of 3.75 devices that have it at this point. But, to get you prepared for an update that could arrive at any moment, depending on the phone you own, Google has given you a quick start guide that talks through a number of the new features. From setting up a new phone running Android 5.0 to managing battery life to interacting with notifications, Google has you covered. As one of the biggest updates to Android we have seen in years, this is something you may want to take a quick peak through. Or, you could run through our series of Android 5.0 features. Play Link Edit: This might only be available to those who are running Android 5.0.

Obama Urges FCC to Re-Classify Internet Under Title II to Keep It "Open and Free," Include Mobile Broadband

Kellen — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 07:03:59 +0000

Thanks in part to 4 million comments by the American people, President Barack Obama and the White House released a statement this morning in favor of net neutrality and keeping the internet "open and free." His stance is that the internet is "essential" to our economy, is one of the greatest "gifts" to our society, and that the FCC should reclassify it under Title II of the Telecommunications Act, essentially turning it into a utility. President Obama outlined rules that he feels will keep the internet "open and free," which include things like no blocking of your request to access a website or service. He is also asking that there is no throttling of content providers, increased transparency between consumers and internet service providers (ISPs), and that ISPs aren't allowed to ask services to pay a fee to get out of "slow lanes." He also mentioned that internet through your mobile device should be included in these new rules, but that they should reflect the "special challenges that come with managing wireless networks."

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Watch the video above, and then be sure to read the full statement from the White House below.

An open Internet is essential to the American economy, and increasingly to our very way of life. By lowering the cost of launching a new idea, igniting new political movements, and bringing communities closer together, it has been one of the most significant democratizing influences the world has ever known. “Net neutrality” has been built into the fabric of the Internet since its creation — but it is also a principle that we cannot take for granted. We cannot allow Internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas. That is why today, I am asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to answer the call of almost 4 million public comments, and implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality. When I was a candidate for this office, I made clear my commitment to a free and open Internet, and my commitment remains as strong as ever. Four years ago, the FCC tried to implement rules that would protect net neutrality with little to no impact on the telecommunications companies that make important investments in our economy. After the rules were challenged, the court reviewing the rules agreed with the FCC that net neutrality was essential for preserving an environment that encourages new investment in the network, new online services and content, and everything else that makes up the Internet as we now know it. Unfortunately, the court ultimately struck down the rules — not because it disagreed with the need to protect net neutrality, but because it believed the FCC had taken the wrong legal approach. The FCC is an independent agency, and ultimately this decision is theirs alone. I believe the FCC should create a new set of rules protecting net neutrality and ensuring that neither the cable company nor the phone company will be able to act as a gatekeeper, restricting what you can do or see online. The rules I am asking for are simple, common-sense steps that reflect the Internet you and I use every day, and that some ISPs already observe. These bright-line rules include:

No blocking. If a consumer requests access to a website or service, and the content is legal, your ISP should not be permitted to block it. That way, every player — not just those commercially affiliated with an ISP — gets a fair shot at your business.

No throttling. Nor should ISPs be able to intentionally slow down some content or speed up others — through a process often called “throttling” — based on the type of service or your ISP’s preferences.

Increased transparency. The connection between consumers and ISPs — the so-called “last mile” — is not the only place some sites might get special treatment. So, I am also asking the FCC to make full use of the transparency authorities the court recently upheld, and if necessary to apply net neutrality rules to points of interconnection between the ISP and the rest of the Internet.

No paid prioritization. Simply put: No service should be stuck in a “slow lane” because it does not pay a fee. That kind of gatekeeping would undermine the level playing field essential to the Internet’s growth. So, as I have before, I am asking for an explicit ban on paid prioritization and any other restriction that has a similar effect. If carefully designed, these rules should not create any undue burden for ISPs, and can have clear, monitored exceptions for reasonable network management and for specialized services such as dedicated, mission-critical networks serving a hospital. But combined, these rules mean everything for preserving the Internet’s openness.

The rules also have to reflect the way people use the Internet today, which increasingly means on a mobile device. I believe the FCC should make these rules fully applicable to mobile broadband as well, while recognizing the special challenges that come with managing wireless networks. To be current, these rules must also build on the lessons of the past. For almost a century, our law has recognized that companies who connect you to the world have special obligations not to exploit the monopoly they enjoy over access in and out of your home or business. That is why a phone call from a customer of one phone company can reliably reach a customer of a different one, and why you will not be penalized solely for calling someone who is using another provider. It is common sense that the same philosophy should guide any service that is based on the transmission of information — whether a phone call, or a packet of data. So the time has come for the FCC to recognize that broadband service is of the same importance and must carry the same obligations as so many of the other vital services do. To do that, I believe the FCC should reclassify consumer broadband service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act — while at the same time forbearing from rate regulation and other provisions less relevant to broadband services. This is a basic acknowledgment of the services ISPs provide to American homes and businesses, and the straightforward obligations necessary to ensure the network works for everyone — not just one or two companies. Investment in wired and wireless networks has supported jobs and made America the center of a vibrant ecosystem of digital devices, apps, and platforms that fuel growth and expand opportunity. Importantly, network investment remained strong under the previous net neutrality regime, before it was struck down by the court; in fact, the court agreed that protecting net neutrality helps foster more investment and innovation. If the FCC appropriately forbears from the Title II regulations that are not needed to implement the principles above — principles that most ISPs have followed for years — it will help ensure new rules are consistent with incentives for further investment in the infrastructure of the Internet. The Internet has been one of the greatest gifts our economy — and our society — has ever known. The FCC was chartered to promote competition, innovation, and investment in our networks. In service of that mission, there is no higher calling than protecting an open, accessible, and free Internet. I thank the Commissioners for having served this cause with distinction and integrity, and I respectfully ask them to adopt the policies I have outlined here, to preserve this technology’s promise for today, and future generations to come.

Via: The White House

LG G3 Lollipop Upgrade Starts This Week in Poland

Kellen — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 18:22:13 +0000

LG announced this evening that they would begin updating their flagship G3 to Android 5.0 "Lollipop" this week, starting in Poland. After Poland gets the love, other "key markets" will see the upgrade "in the near future." LG is claiming that they are the "first global smartphone manufacturer" to offer Lollipop in 2014, but you and I know that Motorola actually began yesterday with their new Moto X (2nd gen). Well, they began a soak test. They might start pushing it to the new Moto G as well, though, at any moment. The war of twisted words has begun! Here are some of the details that LG has described for the update to Lollipop:

Notifications are improved with a new layout and color scheme and will be available on the new lock screen. A new security feature to strengthen the connectivity between devices will include enabling users to unlock their smartphone when it is physically near a pre-registered Bluetooth device such as the LG G Watch or G Watch R. Lollipop also introduces Android Runtime (ART) software to improve performance.

Get ready, G3 owners!

Via: LG

Video: This is Android 5.0 "Lollipop" on the New Moto X

Kellen — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 07:25:54 +0000

In a crazy, yet somehow completely unsurprising move yesterday afternoon, Motorola began pushing Android 5.0 "Lollipop" to the "Pure Edition" of its brand new Moto X (2nd gen) in a soak test. We talked about this on the DL Show the other day, mentioning the fact that it wouldn't surprise us if Motorola was the first to get Lollipop ready and make it available within about a week. But even I would be lying if I said I wasn't surprised by it showing up before the weekend. So you are all clear, Motorola is only pushing this Lollipop build, which is Motorola system version 22.11.5, to members of their feedback network who own the "Pure Edition" Moto X. This isn't an over-the-air (OTA) update that you can try and pull to install. They are soak testing to try and find bugs before going ahead and making it official for all. But even once they do make it official, it will be for the "Pure Edition" only, as the other carrier variants likely still need approval. With that thought fresh in your mind (again), this is yet another opportunity for us to remind you that this is the version of the Moto X to buy, assuming you aren't on Verizon. Motorola told us that the "Pure Edition" would be their baby, and that it would be the first to receive updates since there would be no carrier interference with this particular model. They are delivering on that promise. And with all of that out of the way, let's talk Lollipop on the Moto X! So yes, we have the soak test build up and running on our "Pure Edition" and it is glorious. It's incredibly speedy, responsive, and beautiful. You have options for Ambient Display or Moto Display, Adaptive Display also joins the party, new battery stats are there, as is the new lock screen, quick settings toggles, animations, and more. This is pure Lollipop goodness, brought to you by Motorola, so it also has their suite of Moto add-ons, like Voice, Display, Actions, and Assist to make it even better. To see it all in action, hit up our 9-minute video below. Note: If you would like to try out the update, you can do so by sideloading the .zip file that was pulled from the soak test. That's what I have done and am currently experiencing no problems, but then again, I have only had the build up and running for a couple of hours. Keep in mind that this is indeed still a test build for now and there could be issues that I just haven't discovered yet. If you own the Moto X (2nd gen) "Pure Edition," you can find the .zip file at this XDA thread. You have to have the Moto X (2nd gen) "Pure Edition," otherwise, don't even attempt this. The file needs to be flashed using the "adb sideload" command, which we have full instructions for here. Follow those steps correctly on your "Pure Edition" and you will be up and running Android 5.0 in no time. Note 2: The wallpaper is from nowPaper, an app we highly recommend for all wallpaper junkies.

Hitting Buzzer Beaters All Weekend

Tim — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 00:20:34 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, Kellen and I gathered for Episode 72 of The Droid Life Show, still testing the waters of the afternoon format. With it becoming pitch black outside by 5pm these days, you can't really blame us for wanting to squeeze in shows a tad earlier. Regardless of the time, we still had plenty to talk about, with reviews posted for the DROID Turbo and Nexus 9, as well as new impressions to share on the Nexus 6. In addition to review talk, we covered subjects ranging from the new Amazon Echo, new options for the Moto 360, as well as when to expect your Lollipop update. Needless to say, it was a good time indeed.

Buy Moto 360 Leather or Metal Individual Watch Bands Right Now From AT&T

Kellen — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:46:29 +0000

Motorola finally made the metal band versions of the Moto 360 available yesterday through their online shop for $299. We were under the impression that when that move happened, early adopters of the Moto 360 would also be able to buy individual watch bands in either metal or different leathers. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, even though Motorola once again mentioned the fact that they planned to sell individual bands at some point in the near future. Well, guess what? AT&T has them available right now, at suggested retail prices of $80 (metal) and $30 (leather). That's right, if you want a replacement watch band for your Moto 360, AT&T will sell you one or two or three today in a variety of colors today. As of right now, you can buy the dark or light metal bands for $80, and leather bands in cognac (brown), grey, or black. The time has come! AT&T Links: Dark Metal ($80) | Light Metal ($80) | Grey Leather ($30) | Black Leather ($30) | Brown Leather ($30)

Cheers Nunez!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 11/7/2014

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:50:19 +0000

It was a very busy and news-filled week here at DL, while we also pumped out a couple of device reviews for you to look over. And for those asking about the Galaxy Note 4 review, don't worry, it is coming early next week. This week, we tackled our full reviews of the DROID Turbo and Nexus 9, while also scrambling with the rest of you to purchase a Nexus 6 on Motorola's site and Google Play. If you got lucky, congratulations on that. On top of that excitement, we posted a comparison video of the Nexus 6 versus the Nexus 5, and Google also released version 5.0 of Gmail, which happens to feature Material Design. Here are the week's highlights in case you missed anything.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 72 [Subscribe]
Review: DROID Turbo
Review: Nexus 9
Video: Nexus 6 vs. Nexus 5 vs. DROID Turbo vs. Note 4 vs. G3
Lollipop update apparently rolling out Moto X Pure Edition soak testers.
ASUS ZenWatch hits America on November 9 for $199.
Verizon unveils special NFL Moto X (2014).
Moto 360 with Light and Dark metal bands available for $299.
Google Voice MMS now working on Verizon.
Lollipop shown off on Samsung Galaxy S4.
Rumor alert: Samsung readies 5.9" UHD Super AMOLED display for Galaxy Note 5.
Amazon announced the Echo.
Don't forget to download Gmail 5.0 with Material Design.
LG G Watch R lands on Google Play for $299.
Google Maps updated with Material Design.
NVIDIA announces Lollipop update for SHIELD Tablet happening this month.
Here is Verizon's Employee Edition of the DROID Turbo.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Motorola Posts Lollipop Release Notes for Moto G (2nd Gen)

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:04:53 +0000

As expected, it appears that Motorola is ready to unwrap the Lollipop update for the Moto G (2014) as well, posting the full release notes on its site. Just a moment ago, soak test participants were receiving notifications to download Android 5.0 on the Moto X Pure Edition, and now Moto G owners can soon expect the same. Lollipop, of course, brings a much updated look to the Android OS, as well as plenty of new features. Listen on Motorola's site are enhanced notifications, interruption and downtime settings, new multitasking, ambient display, flashlight toggle, and a whole lot more. Once we see reports of this update hitting devices, we will keep you informed. Update: Here is the update running on the new Moto X!

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Via: Motorola

Cheers Andy!

Motorola Rolling Out Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Soak Test to Moto X (2014) Pure Edition

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:49:08 +0000

Well, folks, that did not take too long. It appears as though Motorola is ready to begin pushing out the Android 5.0 update to soak test members who own the Moto X Pure Edition. As a reminder, the Pure Edition is the unlocked model of Moto's flagship device. As stated above, not all Moto X owners should start jumping for joy, as this rollout is still only for select soak test participants. However, with the update ready for these models, you can bet that carrier variants will follow along quite soon, we would expect. Take a peak at Motorola's entire release notes here. Update: Here it is, our 9-minute video overview of Android 5.0 on the new Moto X!

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Via: Motorola | +Lucas Freeman

Ex-Googler Nikesh Arora Appointed to Sprint's Board of Directors

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:05:24 +0000

In August of this year, long-time now ex-Googler Nikesh Arora, who left the company as its Chief Business Officer, has found a new home on Sprint's board of directors, after becoming CEO of SoftBank Internet and Media Inc in October. With the Arora being added, that brings a total of nine chairs which make up Sprint's board. In the announcement, Masayoshi Son, chairman of Sprint’s board of directors, stated, "We’re very fortunate to have Nikesh join the Sprint board at this important juncture. His broad experience and executive leadership in leading edge technology companies will provide valuable insight and perspective to further Sprint’s growth and overall competitiveness.” No telling how this move will affect Sprint and Sprint customers, but time will tell. It seems like a long way to go from Google to Sprint, but if there might someone who can switch up Sprint's game plan, maybe it's an ex-Googler. Thoughts?

Via: Sprint

Haunt the House: Terrortown Gives You One Night to Scare Everyone Out of Your House

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:48:38 +0000

Halloween may be past us now, but that does not mean the spooky-themed fun has to end. While cruising through Google Play, I came across a game called Haunt the House: Terrortown, in which you play as a ghost who must possess objects in order to scare a town-full of people. The game looks very cartoony, but putting that aside, you fly around the house, trying to raise your haunt meter and scare everyone in sight. If you possess a bass, you start playing the bass. If you possess a tablet, you can make it crash and move around, scaring anyone who might be close. While you are getting your haunt on, remember, you only have a single night to reclaim your territory. For SHIELD Tablet and Controller owners, you will be happy to learn this game is fully supported by your hardware. The game costs just $0.99 while it is on sale, so go check it out. Play Link ($0.99)

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AT&T Enters Agreement to Purchase Mexico-based Carrier Iusacell for $2.5 Billion

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:04:38 +0000

AT&T announced today that it has entered an agreement to purchase Mexican wireless carrier Iusacell, with the deal listed at $2.5 billion. With the deal taking place, AT&T is creating the first ever North American mobile service area to cover 400 million Mexico and US consumers, as well as businesses. Iusacell currently serves about 8.6 million customers, and covers 70% of the Mexican population. AT&T's plan is to cover millions more in the future. AT&T chairman and CEO Randal Stephenson spoke on the deal, stating, "Iusacell gives us a unique opportunity to create the first-ever North American Mobile Service area covering over 400 million consumers and businesses in Mexico and the United States. It won’t matter which country you’re in or which country you’re calling – it will all be one network, one customer experience." For more information on the deal, here is the press release.

AT&T to Acquire Mexico Wireless Provider Iusacell

AT&T* (NYSE:T) has entered into an agreement with Grupo Salinas to acquire Mexican wireless company Iusacell for US$2.5 billion, inclusive of Iusacell debt. Under the terms of the agreement, AT&T will acquire all of Iusacell’s wireless properties, including licenses, network assets, retail stores and approximately 8.6 million subscribers. The acquisition will occur after Grupo Salinas, the current owner of 50 percent of Iusacell, closes its announced purchase of the other 50 percent of Iusacell that Grupo Salinas does not own today.

Iusacell offers wireless service under both the Iusacell and Unefón brand names with a network that today covers about 70 percent of Mexico’s approximately 120 million people. AT&T plans to expand Iusacell’s network to cover millions of additional consumers and businesses in Mexico.
“Our acquisition of Iusacell is a direct result of the reforms put in place by President Peña Nieto to encourage more competition and more investment in Mexico. Those reforms together with the country’s strong economic outlook, growing population and growing middle class make Mexico an attractive place to invest,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. “Iusacell gives us a unique opportunity to create the first-ever North American Mobile Service area covering over 400 million consumers and businesses in Mexico and the United States. It won’t matter which country you’re in or which country you’re calling – it will all be one network, one customer experience.

Creating first-ever North American Mobile Service area to cover 400 million Mexico & U.S. consumers, businesses

Mexican regulatory reforms, growing population, growing middle class & growing economy make investment attractive

Iusacell serves approximately 8.6 million subscribers; network today covers 70% of Mexico’s population; AT&T to expand network to millions more

Early stages of mobile Internet adoption; Opportunity to bring world-class mobile Internet speeds & quality to Mexico

Separately, AT&T says Project VIP ahead of schedule -- expects 2015 Cap-Ex in $18 billion range

“Mexico is still in the early stages of mobile Internet capabilities and adoption, but customer demand for it is growing rapidly,” Stephenson said. “This is an opportunity for us to provide Iusacell the financial resources, scale and expertise to accelerate the roll-out of world-class mobile Internet speeds and quality in Mexico, like we have in the United States.” Mexico has the second largest economy and one of the highest per capita GDPs in Latin America. The country today enjoys a strong credit rating, relatively low inflation and low unemployment. And Mexico and the United States are connected geographically, economically and culturally. Iusacell operates a 3G wireless network based on the global GSM/UMTS technology that AT&T uses in the United States. Iusacell owns between 20 and 25 MHz of 800 MHz spectrum, primarily in the southern half of the country, including Mexico City and Guadalajara, and an average of 39MHz of PCS spectrum nationwide. Iusacell’s Total Play business, including the network assets to support pay TV and wireline broadband services will be spun out to Grupo Salinas’ existing shareholders prior to AT&T closing its acquisition of Iusacell. AT&T said Iusacell represents a natural geographic expansion of its wireless footprint into a country with a growing economy that is interdependent with the U.S. economy. Recent changes to government policies in Mexico have created a friendly climate for foreign investment. This transaction gives AT&T the assets necessary to create a first-ever North American Mobile Service area for U.S. customers calling or visiting Mexico, and Mexican customers calling or visiting the United States –whether they live near the border or thousands of miles away. The United States’ large and growing Hispanic population has close ties to Mexico and many current AT&T business customers have operations in Mexico. Mexico is the United States’ third largest trading partner. The percent of Mexico’s population that has wireless service lags Latin America overall. Smartphone penetration in Mexico is about half that of the United States. AT&T expects that as the price to acquire a smartphone continues to decline and the availability of higher-speed mobile networks in Mexico increases, there will be higher smartphone adoption and increased mobile Internet usage. This coupled with Mexico’s growing economy, growing middle class, relatively young population, rising urbanization rates and higher disposable incomes are expected to drive growing demand for high-quality, high-speed mobile service in the years ahead. Iusacell will continue to be headquartered in Mexico City following the transaction closing. The companies believe that the synergy potential from the combination would include: customer additions from being able to create a one-of-a-kind North American Mobile Service area which will cover more than 400 million consumers and businesses in Mexico and the United States; economies of scale through combined purchasing opportunities; and the sharing of best practices. AT&T has a strong track record of successfully integrating companies it acquires and delivering on its financial commitments.

AT&T said Iusacell is a good long-term growth opportunity, with manageable near-term cash flow and capital expenditure requirements.
Both AT&T and Iusacell are leaders in corporate citizenship with a strong commitment to giving back to the communities in which they operate. Together, the combined company will work to mutually enhance their corporate responsibility initiatives for their employees and communities. Iusacell’s and AT&T’s employees will benefit from global career development opportunities, as well as contribute their skills and experience to the combined organization’s continued growth.
The transaction is subject to review by Mexico’s telecom regulator IFT (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones) and Mexico’s National Foreign Investments Commission. AT&T expects the transaction to close in the first quarter of 2015.

Separate from its acquisition of Iusacell, AT&T said its Project VIP network investment plan is ahead of schedule. AT&T has essentially completed the expansion of its 4G LTE network, which now covers more than 300 million people in the United States. It has completed the build-out of wired high-speed Internet service to 57 million U.S. customer locations. And the company has deployed fiber connections to 600,000 of its planned 1 million multi-tenant U.S. business locations.

AT&T’s VIP-related capital investment levels will peak in 2014, as the company has said previously. As a result, AT&T expects its 2015 capital expenditure budget for its existing businesses to be in the $18 billion range. This will bring the company’s capital spending as a percent of total revenues to the mid-teens level -- consistent with its historical capital spending levels.

AT&T’s 2015 capex guidance does not affect the company’s commitment, when it closes its acquisition of DIRECTV, to begin enhancing and expanding its U.S. broadband network to 15 million customer locations, primarily in rural areas.

AT&T will provide guidance on the pro-forma financial impacts of its DIRECTV and Iusacell acquisitions when those deals close. Upon completion of both deals, AT&T’s revenues will be more diversified across services and geographies.

AT&T said it will continue to focus its capital investments on the most strategically important assets and opportunities, such as acquiring DIRECTV and Iusacell, while continuously reviewing and rationalizing its portfolio of less strategic assets.

AT&T will provide additional 2015 financial guidance in January when it announces its 4Q 2014 results.

Friday App Sales: Double Dragon Trilogy, Minuum Keyboard, ROM Toolbox Pro, and More

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 13:25:36 +0000

We have a new group of apps and games available at discounted prices on Google Play, including a few must-have titles. For starters, everyone should go grab Double Dragon Trilogy, which is priced at just $0.99. If you love the old fashion beat 'em ups, that's a steal. In addition, Weed Farmer is on sale (perfect for Oregon residents), Minuum Keyboard, JRummy's well-known ROM Toolbox Pro app, and Racing Thunder 2 HD. It's a solid list, full of plenty of games that can keep you busy over the weekend. Here is the full list for you below. Friday app sales

InstaWeather Pro ($0.99)
Double Dragon Trilogy ($0.99)
Music Player Remix ($1.60)
Weed Farmer ($0.99)
Racing Thunder 2 HD ($0.99)
Real Steel ($0.99)
EMPIRE: Deck Building Strategy ($0.99)
Minuum Keyboard ($0.99)
ROM Toolbox Pro ($2.99)

Go support those developers!

Friday Poll: What's Your Favorite Material Design Google App Update So Far?

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 12:16:31 +0000

As you may have noticed, a whole lot of app updates have hit Google Play this past month, bringing Material Design aesthetics to all Android users, not just those lucky enough to already have Lollipop. To list a couple of the more major updates, Gmail, Play Store, Play Music, and Maps got very updated looks, but then you have apps like Drive, Docs, Slides, and Wallet that not only received new looks, but new features as well. Each update was very important for that exact app. Our question today is quite simple - which one has been your favorite so far? If you still don't have a few of these updated apks, follow the links to our previous write ups above where we provide the apk files when available.

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Samsung Gear S Now Available at Verizon, AT&T, and Best Buy

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 11:08:14 +0000

Samsung's standalone smartwatch called the Gear S, running Tizen, is now available through Verizon (for an ungodly amount on-contract), AT&T, and Best Buy. For Verizon, customers can pick up the Gear S smartwatch for $349.99 on a 2-year contract, or $399 at full retail. On AT&T, customers can grab the Gear S for $199 on-contract, and $299 at full retail. As for Best Buy, folks can grab the wearable at $199 on-contract or $329.99 at full retail. For those needing a refresh, the Gear S features cellular data capabilities of its own, which is how carriers are justifying the 2-year contract deals. In terms of specs, the Gear S brings a 2" Super AMOLED display, 4GB of storage, 300mAh battery, Tizen OS (meaning Samsung-only compatibility), and a 1GHz dual-core processor. The Gear S also packs a wide array of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, heart rate monitor, ambient light sensor, and UV detector. If you want to say goodbye to your phone, and hello to a standalone smartwatch, here you go. Links: Verizon | AT&T | Best Buy

Cheers Eric!

Huawei TalkBand Hits US November 14 for $129.99

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 10:15:11 +0000

Huawei announced yesterday evening that its TalkBand fitness tracker would go on sale here in the US on November 14, priced at $129.99. The device comes in a variety of colors, but does not offer a ton of killer features, limited to being solely a basic tracker of sorts. Users can track their runs and workout activities, as well as sleep cycles. As for notifications, the TalkBand can display calls and non-invasive notifications on its 1.4" OLED display. Using Bluetooth 4.1, the TalkBand connects to a plethora of devices, including many Android phones, plus iPhones. Coming in Blue, Yellow, Pink, Black, and Grey, the TalkBand hits our shores on November 14 for $129.99.

Huawei TalkBand B1 Coming to the U.S.

TalkBand B1 combines wearable smartband and Bluetooth headset
PLANO, Texas, Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei's TalkBand B1, the world's 1^st fitness tracker with an integrated Bluetooth earpiece and the perfect hybrid talk and track companion for mobile devices, will be available beginning November 14 in the United States through GetHuawei.com, Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and Fry's Electronics. The TalkBand B1 is the perfect balance between work and play: A wireless activity tracker and Bluetooth headset in one, a hybrid that connects to your mobile device so you can talk and track activities effortlessly. The TalkBand B1 wirelessly tracks activity time and progress, including steps taken, miles covered and calories burned. It intelligently records the duration and quality of sleep, and has a smart alarm and nap functions to help improve rest. With an embedded Bluetooth™ 4.1 wireless earpiece, the TalkBand B1 features fast pairing and enables up to seven hours of continuous calling. The TalkBand B1 is designed to support wireless calling on both Android 4.0+ and iOS 5.0+ compatible devices, and syncs effortlessly via NFC. TalkBand B1 is made of hypo-allergenic, sweat-resistant and anti-UV materials to prevent aging and discoloration and features and includes a 1.4-inch flexible OLED display. The device has a fashionable bendable curve design that fits perfectly around the wrist, and the earpiece sits securely within the band and is easily removable when needed. With a 90 mAh battery, the TalkBand B1 lasts six days without the need to recharge, and takes only two hours to charge using the integrated USB connector. The TalkBand also comes with added security features that alert the wearer by vibrating if the TalkBand is more than 10 meters away from the synced smart device. The TalkBand will be available in the United States starting November 14 in the true black color, with more colors available within the year, at a suggested retail price of $129.99 USD. Meet the multi-tasking, fitness-tracking, call-taking, music-streaming wearable you've been waiting for. Live life, balanced. To learn more about the TalkBand B1, visit .

ASUS ZenWatch Goes on Sale in US Starting November 9 for $199

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 09:42:28 +0000

The Android Wear-powered ZenWatch from ASUS, detailed at this year's MWC in Barcelona, is hitting US shores on November 9, for the price of $199. ASUS' first step into the Google wearable game seems to be a good one, with a great price, coupled with great design and good specifications. The ZenWatch features a 1.63-inch AMOLED display (320×320) with curved Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, 1.4Wh battery, IP55 water resistance, Bluetooth 4.0, and Android Wear. The device comes with a brown leather strap that accents the silver and rose gold layering of the main body. To start, the ZenWatch will be available at Best Buy retail locations for $199, followed later by Google Play. Picking one up?

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Via: TechCrunch

Primecast Allows Users to Chromecast Amazon Instant Video Titles

Tim — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 08:50:51 +0000

Users of the Amazon Prime Instant Video service have been unable to stream titles to the big screen via the Chromecast dongle, until now. With Primecast, a new application on Google Play for $2.99, you can cast any of your movies or TV shows on Amazon directly to your HDTV in the living room. Using an encrypted connection to Amazon's servers, Prime members can cast titles that are already selected to their watchlist and library tabs. Just as a note, videos you want to cast must be in one of those two tabs in order to enjoy. To do this, just make sure you either already own or have rented the title in question, making it appear in your library when you are ready. For the price of $2.99, this is a fantastic solution if you are in the need to bring those Amazon shows and movies to your TV. Play Link ($2.99)

Verizon Releases Special NFL Leather Moto X (2nd Gen), Available for $119

Kellen — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 08:06:27 +0000

One of the first thoughts that came to mind after Motorola told us that they had partnered with Horween Leather to produce the leather used for the backs of the new Moto X (2nd gen) and the bands for the Moto 360, knowing that this is the company thats materials are in NFL footballs, was how they would figure out a way to tie-in this country's most popular sport with their new flagship phone. Now we know. Well, sources told us about this a couple of months ago, so we can't say we are exactly shocked. But yeah, the Moto X (2nd gen) now comes with an optional NFL leather backside. As in, your Moto X could be a football. The optional football leather back carries a bit of a premium, so Verizon is selling it at $119 on-contract, which is $20 higher than the standard black back. Nothing else is different about the phone internally. It still has a 5.2-inch FHD display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM, and 13MP camera. This version does come with a black front and dark metal rim, though, which also means that the Motorola disk-esque logo is dark. It's not a bad look at all. Be sure to check out our Moto X review if you haven't already. Any takers? Verizon Link Update: Here is a better look at it.

Via: @VZWnews

This is Lollipop Running on the Galaxy S4

Kellen — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 07:50:20 +0000

This morning, the folks over at SamMobile followed up their leak of an early Lollipop build running on the Galaxy S5, with an early build of Android 5.0 running on the much older, Galaxy S4. Stress should be put on he word "early," since WIFi apparently doesn't even work. So, take this for what it is - an early leak that could change drastically by the time it hits your phone. Like the Galaxy S5 build, this still looks very much like Samsung's TouchWiz, but the company has once again gone ahead and given many of their stock apps (Dialer, Clock, etc.) a Material Design makeover. Also like the Galaxy S5 build, the icon set remains old and stale, as does the lock screen, the notification area remains mostly unchanged, outside of a slight tweak to notification styling, and there are 1,200 pages of settings for users to flip through. SamMobile does mention that this early build seems to be surprisingly quick, though, so maybe instead of updating things like icons, Samsung focused on jank killing. ... ... Sorry, bad joke. You can't spell TouchWiz without the letters J-A-N-K. Thoughts?

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Via: SamMobile

Deal: This $25 3-in-1Lens Kit Will Turn Your Phone Into the Fisheye King

Kellen — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 07:25:01 +0000

You know you have seen your iPhone friends use them and that you were at the very least, a little jelly. I'm talking about those little attachable lens kits that fit perfectly on the back of their ~~bent~~ carefully crafted, aluminum phones, that take super fun fish-eye party pics. Well, we have them over at the DL Deals shop for just $24.99, in a package that includes fish-eye, wide angle, and macro lenses. That's not a bad price, as similar bundles typically run anywhere from $49 to $69 depending on the retailer. So how do lens kits work? In the box, you get your lenses, but you also get magnetic rings that attach to your phone via adhesive. With these rings stuck to your phone, around your camera lens, you can magnetically hot-swap the lenses depending on the type of photo you are looking to capture (macro, fisheye, or wide angle). Make sense? Attach magnetic ring to phone, around camera lens. Attach lenses to magnetic rings. Take pictures. It's that simple. So will they fit on your phone? Good question. As I mentioned, these lenses were made perfectly for iPhones, but they also work on a variety of Android phones, including the Nexus 5, Galaxy S5 and S4. But, to make sure, you need to measure the diameter of your phone's camera lens, then refer to the measurements below to see if it will fit.

Lens size? – Lens diameter ranges from 16mm to 25mm and 6.5mm to 10mm in height.
Ring size? – The rings are 13.06mm (outer) and 9.38mm (inner). If your phone’s lens has a smaller diameter, it’ll work perfectly.

Also, you can head over to the deal link below, run through the comments to double check, and even ask a support expert if your phone is compatible. Ready to take some lens kit pics? The time is now. Deal Link

Verizon Announced a New Ellipsis 8 Tablet With XLTE

Kellen — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 06:35:33 +0000

Yesterday, somewhere around mid-day, just as Google and Motorola were pushing out all sorts of new pages for the Nexus 6, Moto 360, G Watch R, and a bundle of accessories, Verizon was announcing a new tablet - the Ellipsis 8. No one noticed, of course, because the Ellipsis line of tablets isn't exactly meant to dominate headlines. Like the Ellipsis 7 before it, the Ellipsis 8 is a super cheap tablet, with low-end specs, that's meant to get a first-time tablet owner to buy one as an add-on to their MORE Everything plan. You see, Verizon, in this competitive wireless industry, is hoping that tablet add-ons and other connected devices will be the ~~new money-grabbing, pocket-padding, billion-dollar frontier~~...err future of tech fun! The Ellipsis 8 sports an 8-inch HD display (1280x800, 189ppi), 5MP rear camera, 5,000mAh battery, and 1.5GHz quad-core processor "for multitasking and smooth graphics." It runs $249.99 without a contract, but if you are into ~~vomiting cash for the sake of looking like a fool~~ deals, Verizon will gladly lock you into the Ellipsis 8 for two years at $149.99 on a 2-year contract. Hey, at least it has access to their XLTE network and Google Play! Look, for $249, you can do a lot better. Hang around ebay's Deals page for a couple of days and you should walk away with a real tablet.

Via: Verizon

The Droid Life Show: Episode 72

Kellen — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 22:04:24 +0000

This afternoon, on episode 72 of the Droid Life Show, Tim and I are gathering to talk the latest in happenings around the site, many of which are some of the biggest topics of the year. Already this week, we wrapped up our reviews of the Nexus 9 and DROID Turbo, two devices we are both very fond of. Accompanying those thoughts, I have some new feelings to share about the Nexus 6, now that I have spent a few days with it. As you may recall from the last show, I only had initial impressions after nothing more than an unboxing. Trust me when I say that things have changed in a week. Also, Amazon announced a new speaker assistant thingy called the Echo that has been a hot topic within the team. We'll tackle all of that and more! We are live this afternoon at 3:00PM Pacific (6:00PM Eastern).

Report Claims Samsung Readying 5.9" Ultra HD Super AMOLED Display, Possibly for Galaxy Note 5

Tim — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:55:51 +0000

A new report is currently making the rounds, claiming that Samsung is set to produce a 5.9" Ultra HD Super AMOLED display, possibly for the Galaxy Note 5 in 2015. This news stems from Samsung itself, who published data during its Analyst Day back in November of 2013, which showed a chart of display resolutions for upcoming years. This year with the Galaxy Note 4, Samsung launched its most impressive display yet, being a 5.7" QHD (2560 x 1440) Super AMOLED panel. The 2015 plan, as stated in their graph, is a UHD Super AMOELD display featuring a resolution of 3840 x 2160, size unknown. The reported 5.9" size comes from a single uncorroborated source of PhoneArena's, so you can decide to take that for whatever it is worth to you. It is stated that mass production of these UHD panels would begin in August of 2015. While consumers and developers still wrap their heads around what to do with so many pixels in a smartphone, companies are continuing to push forward it seems, simply hoping to be the first to offer such an impressive specification in their phones. Sorry, folks, QHD was so 2013. It's all about UHD now.

Via: PhoneArena | Android Beat

Amazon Intros Echo, an Always-listening Assistant Connected to the Cloud

Tim — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:59:53 +0000

This morning, while we were trying to pump out all of the great Google Play and Motorola news, Amazon announced the Amazon Echo, an always-listening device which sits in your home, waiting on your every command. Think of Echo as a personal assistant, who is attached to your Amazon account. It can listen and speak information to you, add things to your shopping list, play music with built-in speaker, and also keep track of your calendar. After plugging it into the wall and getting it set up, the device sits wherever you want it to be, and can hear you from basically anywhere as long as you are in the same space. So, what can you do with it exactly? Take a peak below at the graphic from Amazon.

Echo will have special Android and iOS apps available for controlling a few of its features, which could make this a good companion device in your home. Amazon states it will go on sale within the next couple of weeks. The Echo is priced at $199, but Amazon Prime members can grab it for only $99 if their request for an invite is approved. For more information on the Echo, check the video below, then Amazon's official announcement by following the via after that.

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Via: Amazon

HTC Weather App Hits the Play Store

Kyle — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 11:50:27 +0000

Like Google, Samsung, Motorola, and others before it, HTC long ago discovered the virtue in separating core apps from firmware. Following the decoupling of the Sense 6 lock screen and the Gallery app, the Taiwan-based company has begun to distribute HTC Weather through Google Play. The function of HTC Weather is, as you might have guessed, to provide succinct and useful forecast information. Should you need to know the chance of precipitation, temperature, or any other number of meteorologic statistics for a given hour or day of the week, the app will no doubt assist. Unsurprisingly, HTC Weather is only compatible with a select few, HTC-made phones. You will not necessarily be missing out if you cannot use it, though; the app pulls data from AccuWeather, so getting an identical report is as simple as downloading the official AccuWeather application. Play Store

Stand Folio Case and Naked Tough Case for Nexus 6 "Coming Soon" on Google Play

Tim — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 11:16:08 +0000

Two upcoming accessories for the Nexus 6 are now marked as "coming soon" on Google Play, a stand folio case and naked see-thru case. Both cases can act as a stand for the device, and the folio case is also capable of holding a couple of credit cards if you choose that is a good move. Giving these are accessories through Google Play, we are almost surprised by their prices; the folio case with stand is listed at $40 and the naked case for $35. Considering we have seen sleeves go for nearly $50 before through Google Play, this isn't bad at all. No word on when exactly these will be available, but don't worry, it will be soon. Play Links: Naked Tough Case ($35) | Stand Folio Case ($40)

Nexus 6 Coming to Google Play in 12 New Countries, Including the UK, Canada, and Japan

Kellen — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 11:06:24 +0000

Thanks to Google Play support, we now know exactly which countries will soon be able to order the Nexus 6. Previously, Google had only told us to expect availability in the United States, but today, they added 12 more countries to the list. Those countries are: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom. Some are already seeing the device as "coming soon" in the Canadian and UK Google Play stores, so it shouldn't be long. It will be interesting to see what that means in terms of stock levels as we approach November 12.

Via: Google Support

Moto 360 in Dark or Light Metal Now Available for $299

Kellen — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:47:20 +0000

As we mentioned earlier, thanks to prematurely posted announcement from Motorola, the Moto 360 in metal was due to be released at some point today. Well, that time is now. You can head over to Motorola's store and purchase the Moto 360 in dark or light metal for $299. The smaller 18mm models are listed, but they won't be available until closer to the holiday season. We are still on the lookout for individual bands in metal and leather. Motorola Link

LG G Watch R Now Available on Google Play for $299.99

Tim — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:42:59 +0000

Google has made the G Watch R from LG available through Google Play this morning, priced at $299.99. LG's next Android Wear-powered smartwatch features a full circle display, as well as a Snapdragon 400 processor. Google states the device should ship out from the warehouse between 1-2 days. Not a bad wait. For more G Watch R info, check out our full unboxing and hands-on. Play Link ($299.99)

Via: Android Blog

Nexus 6 Now Available From Motorola

Kellen — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:14:17 +0000

Go! Go! Go! Motorola's store has the Nexus 6 in stock now. We aren't sure how long this will last or how many Motorola has available, but they currently have both Midnight Blue and Cloud White models in stock with either 32GB or 64GB of storage. Also of note, you can use Motorola financing to buy the device, with the $650 (32GB) variant running $54.17 per month and the $699 (64GB) variant running $58.33 per month. Motorola is offering free shipping. The white whale that I just ordered shows an estimated delivery date of November 19. I hope that is wrong, since T-Mobile plans to launch the phone on November 12. Motorola Link

Moto 360 in Metal Available Today for $299 - New Bands, Watch Faces, Health Apps Too

Kellen — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:12:45 +0000

Motorola just announced (and then pulled) that their Moto 360 watch will be available in metal later today for a price of $299. They will offer two colors initially - dark and light metal - with a new champagne finish arriving in time for the holidays. They also announced new slim bands for those with smaller wrists or who simply want a different look. The slim band in light metal will run $299; the Champagne finish Moto 360 will run $329. Of course, you have already seen all of these, thanks to listings on Amazon that went up a week or so early. But, they are now official. Well almost, as soon as Motorola re-posts the announcement. Also in today's news, Motorola announced new accessory bands that can be purchased separately in stone, black, or cognac leather, along with the dark and light metals. Plus, they have partnered with brands like DODOcase (stitched leather bands) and TYLT (silicone bands) to offer even more options. The announcement doesn't say specifically, but I would imagine that these will be available today as well. On a watch face front, Motorola announced that an update to the Moto Connect app will introduce a new "My Design" watch face that allows you to customize everything from the background image to the style of the tick marks and watch hands. They also added the Design Face-Off winner's watch face to the collection. Finally, Motorola is introducing Moto Body, a fitness-inspired experience that tracks your steps, distance, heart rate, and calories. Moto Body will also be available through the new Moto Connect app. As soon as everything goes live, we will be sure to let you know! Update: The Moto 360 in metal is now available for purchase. Update 2: Motorola made their press release live again.

Here is the press release:

We’re introducing more choice for Moto 360. From new metal additions to our watch offerings and a selection of interchangeable bands, to enhanced experiences that promote a healthier lifestyle, Moto 360 offers a diverse portfolio of modern timepieces. New metal offerings Moto 360 now comes with metal bands that are as durable as they are beautiful. Crafted from aircraft-grade stainless steel, these bands feature a modern, contemporary tri-link design that complements the round face of Moto 360. Starting today, Moto 360 with light and dark metal bands are available on motorola.com for $299. Coming soon, we will offer Moto 360 with new slim bands, which is an option for smaller wrists or people who want a different look. Slim bands will be available in time for the holidays in light metal ($299) and a brand new champagne gold finish ($329). New accessory bands Already have a Moto 360? We’ll offer interchangeable stone, black and cognac leather bands along with light and dark metals. Plus, we’ve partnered with some really cool brands through our M4DE program to bring you even more choices. DODOcase will offer stitched leather bands in four new colors. TYLT is working on colorful silicone bands to give you an entirely new look. New watch faces Choose from new watch face designs or even create your own. The new My Design watch face option allows you to customize everything from the background image to the style of the tick marks and watch hands. We’ve also added the watch face created by the winner of our Moto 360 Design Face-Off. These new watch face options will be available for all Moto 360 watches through an update on the Moto Connect app1 within the next few days. New wellness features Moto 360 can help you make the most of every day. That’s why we’re bringing you Moto Body, an experience designed to inspire a healthier lifestyle. You can track your steps, distance, heart rate and calories. Based on the information collected, Moto Body will provide new goals to keep you motivated. Moto Body will be available to all Moto 360 users through the Motorola Connect app update. Have questions? Join us tomorrow for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit at 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. CT. Moto 360 product manager Eric Berdinis and designer Rick Hoobler will be there to talk all things Moto 360. Hope to chat with you soon! Posted by Lally Narwal, Product Marketing

Via: Motorola

Video: Bloomberg's Joshua Topolsky Interviews Google Design Guru Matias Duarte

Kyle — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:00:38 +0000

FORM, an invite-only design and technology conference hosted by Google, featured a fireside-type chat between Bloomberg's Joshua Topolsky and Vice President of Design at Google Matias Duarte. Over glasses of mimosas, they sat and talked about such heady topics as the role of material design in Google products, the very fine balance between guiding and imposing interface languages, and the future of design itself. The conversation is now available in its entirety on YouTube. You will be disappointed if you were hoping to hear Matias impart fashion advice (where does he get those shirts?), but if new ways of thinking about the aesthetics of software interests you, the video is definitely worth a watch.

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DROID Turbo Review

Kellen — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 09:20:02 +0000

The DROID brand deserves the majority of credit for the amount of early success that the Android operating system had in 2009 and 2010. From the original Motorola DROID to the original DROID Incredible, this was the brand of phones that people flocked to if they wanted a phone outside of the iPhone, not just because of a great marketing campaign, but because these were top of the line phones. Ask most of the readers on this site which phone got them started on Android, and you shouldn't be surprised to hear them say, "The OG DROID." It's an iconic phone that helped launch Android to the top. But as the years have flown by, the DROID brand's popularity has diminished, largely due to the Samsung Galaxy takeover and other competitors focusing on releasing a single flagship phone across all carriers. DROID has always been there, but it doesn't seem to have been given the attention it had in early years. The DROID brand, since 2011, has become watered down, stale, and if I'm being honest, kind of annoying, leaving it with little influence. And then came the DROID Turbo, a device that beats almost every other phone spec-for-spec, has ditched the red robotic eye and obnoxious "Drooooooooooid!" sounds, and doesn't look like the Terminator designed it. It's still a bit flashy depending on the color you choose, but it feels durable, can probably take a bullet, and is a serious competitor in a crowded space. It also might be the DROID phone you have been looking for, after all these years. This is our DROID Turbo review.

The Good

Specs For spec junkies, it doesn't get much more high-end than the DROID Turbo. You also aren't going to find many phones as "future proof" as this one. You can run down the list of Turbo specs and struggle to find a weak spot. In fact, I would argue that this phone (at least on paper) has no weak spots. We are looking at a 5.2-inch QHD display (2560x1440, 565ppi), 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB of storage, 3,900mAh battery, 21MP rear camera, wireless charging, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, water repellency, and support for a number of LTE bands and network frequencies/types. Some will strongly believe that its missing SD card slot is a big deal, but for most, the rest of that list I just ran through completely outweighs not having expandable storage. The DROID Turbo is one of those phones that you can buy today, knowing that it will still be a beast in a couple of years. We talk a lot about buying the right phone, one that will last you through a 2-year contract - I don't see any reason why this phone won't still be crushing MBs and pixels and geebeez by the time Verizon is ready to let you upgrade again. Hell, you may not even want to upgrade to something different. Display Smartphone displays are getting so good these days. As we have gone from qHD to HD to FHD to QHD, we keep expecting battery life to suffer as resolution increases, color accuracy to decline, viewing angles to worsen, and the overall experience to not match the best from the last great panel. While the LG G3's QHD panel was clearly a first-of-its-kind-so-it-kind-of-sucks product, the other QHD displays to come out in the past month or so are phenomenal. The DROID Turbo's is one of them. While the DROID Turbo uses an AMOLED display, by no means does it display the insanely overly saturated colors that are often associated with an AMOLED panel. Sure, the colors pop and there is a bit of added contrast, but this is nothing like the AMOLED panels of the past. Take a look at the four below, all of which are AMOLEDs. The QHD panels (Nexus 6, Turbo, and Note 4) below are all cool and pleasing to the eye, whereas the FHD panel in the Moto X is slightly warm (pinkish) and a little more saturated. The blues and pinks are certainly pronounced from the Droid Life page they are showing, but not in an offensive way.

The DROID Turbo's panel has excellent viewing angles, looks great when flipping through the 21MP photos it takes, and might be one of the best displays you look at. It doesn't quite float to the top of its glass like we have seen on the new Moto X or the iPhone 6, but it's still good. The only reason I mentioned that is because there is nothing better than a panel that appears to float as close to the top of the glass as possible, as it allows you to feel like you are really touching and swiping and pressing with every screen touch. The Turbo is still plenty responsive, it's just not as immersive as an experience as others. Finally, for those wondering, the AMOLED in the Turbo appears to use the diamond pixel arrangement we have seen used over the last couple of years. Samsung originally brought out this arrangement in the Galaxy S4, and hasn't backed away from it. I have no problem with it at this point, even if one could consider it to be "PenTile." The displays are so pixel dense, accurate, and battery-friendly these days, that you would be foolish to criticize this pixel arrangement.

Macros for fun.

Battery Life The 3,900mAh battery in the DROID Turbo is said to last up to 48 hours, at least according to Motorola. Does it? Well, no. No phone ever lasts up to the specs that manufacturers tell us, but does it come close? I'll just say this - the DROID Turbo will last you more than a single day with ease. But, it's the second day that you will likely have to worry about, depending on your usage. In my testing, I was able to cruise through an entire day, skip plugging the phone in at night, wake up the next morning, and still enjoy another five or six hours of use before I felt like I should plug it in. That's pretty great battery life, when you compare it to the new Moto X, LG G3, Galaxy S5 or HTC One (M8). It bests them all. But then again, it should because it has almost double the battery capacity of some of those phones.

I had initially thought about leaving this Battery Life category out of "The Good" section because I expected more like 36-40 hours of use without needing a charger, but that's just not fair. The battery life on this phone is better than almost any other phone on the market, outside of maybe the OnePlus One. If that's due in part to its massive 3,900mAh juice box, so be it. Good on Motorola for keeping a device this slim while packing in a battery this large. And keep in mind that the phone comes with a Motorola Turbo Charger in the box, so you can rapid charge the battery on day two in no time at all. Performance There are no better performing Android phones on the market right now than the phones that Motorola is producing. By going with a "pure" Android experience and adding onto that experience with specific software features, phones like the DROID Turbo almost never stutter. And that's with a 5.2-inch QHD display at the forefront of it all. All you need to do is pick up three Android phones at a time, making sure one is from Motorola, open their keyboards, and start typing a few words. The Motorola phone will undoubtedly feel dramatically more responsive. When you type - it types. When you swipe between a screen - it moves. When you open the app switcher - it opens immediately. We talk a lot about "jank" with phones that use overly done skins on top of Android, but you probably noticed that the word "jank" is never mentioned next to the current crop of Motorola phones. The DROID Turbo is no different than the new Moto X or last year's Moto/DROID line-up. The phone flies. And thanks to its 2.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor and 3GB RAM, it should never stop flying. The only time you will see the Turbo hiccup, is in the camera when snapping pictures. For whatever reason, just after you press the screen to snap a photo, there is a slight pause. I talked about this more in the camera section below, but we are hopeful that Motorola can fix this with a software update.

Design The DROID Turbo, at least to me, is the least offensive looking DROID in years. Gone is the KEVLAR, and in are new materials that should offer equal toughness without the cheese. Metallized Glass Fiber and Ballistic Nylon grace the back of the Turbo, taking it from cheap robot killer, to some sort of advanced new-school weaponry seen only in movies. It's semi bulky, but that's due to the massive 3,900mAh battery inside. The bulk actually allows for the device to have a nice curve to its back that feels great in hand. All models are masculine, though, with angles and edges that aim to define the phone as something other than what you have seen from any other manufacturer this year. You definitely know that this is a DROID, but unlike in years past, this phone doesn't make me want to keep it tucked away in a pocket. The Metallized Glass Fiber models all have a subtle shine with 3D-effect to their backs, yet they feel soft to the touch. The red version really makes a statement, though I'm not sure it's exactly the statement you want to make every day. It's pretty (in a way), don't get me wrong, I'm just not sure you will think it's that pretty for the next two years. The two Metallized Fiber versions have single-piece backsides without seams that certainly look a bit sleeker than the Ballistic Nylon version. They also weigh in slightly slimmer.

I have been testing the Ballistic Nylon model (which also comes as a 64GB special edition for an extra $50) and love the way it looks. If you are buying the Turbo and want a sleek-yet-rugged killer, go Ballistic Nylon. Just look at the macro shot of the the nylon weave above and tell me you aren't saying, "Damn that's cool," right now. Beyond cool close-ups, this version is so understated, until you get into the details. Motorola had to add an extra bit of casing to lock in that weave (at least I'm assuming so), so you don't get the single-piece back side, but that's OK. There is a texture and elegance to this version that I really appreciate. It's understated in color, yet you always know that you are holding it thanks to the weave. It's grippy, but not too grippy. And like I said previously, it's masculine without the cheese. Also, the Ballistic Nylon model reminds me of Batman (Christopher Nolan's version). And that, is awesome. How many other phones bring out visions of the Dark Knight? In terms of overall size, the phone is big, but not Note 4 or Nexus 6 big. It's 5.2-inch QHD display and 3,900mAh battery certainly make for a thicker phone, but overall, it's not much taller or wider than the new Moto X, which is one of the better designed phones of 2014. If there are faults in the design, it would be with the choice by the Turbo team to go with capacitive navigation buttons over on-screen. Had they gone on-screen, the overall footprint of the phone would have been shrunken, possibly giving this the best in-hand feel of almost any device out there. Capacitive buttons also make things like the swipe gesture from home to the screen to access Google Now quite frustrating (it works, just not very well). But then again, they also allow you to utilize every pixel of that 2560x1440 display, without having to worry about on-screen buttons showing and hiding. I also don't know what's up with the flattened nose look on the bottom back side of the device, down by the USB port, but hey, I am just nitpicking at this point.

To see all of the colors in the wild, be sure to check out our original DROID Turbo gallery from the launch event. Price The last two years, Verizon and Motorola put out MAXX versions of the new flagship DROID, both of which carried an arguably high price tag of $299 on contract. So when sources of ours told us a couple of weeks before the Turbo launch that we would be looking at a $199 price (32GB version), with all of its high-end specs and a big 3,900mAh battery, we had a hard time believing it. And then it happened. While it's tough to call a $200 phone "cheap" or a "steal," it sort of feels that way with the Turbo, knowing that Motorola did everything in their power to create the ultimate DROID phone. Plus, if you don't want to sign a contract, you are looking at $599. If you buy the Nexus 6 or Galaxy Note 4 without a contract, two similarly spec'd phones, you are looking at prices of $649 and $699, respectively. The Ballistic Nylon also comes with an optional 64GB of storage, which jumps the price to $249 on-contract. Software I typically try to write every single word from scratch when doing a review, but my thoughts on this section match up exactly to what I wrote in the Moto X (2014) review. They run the same "pure" Android software, have the same access to the Moto suite of apps (Voice, Display, Actions, and Assist), and should see software updates before most other devices. So, I'm copying and pasting this section from that review (and tweaking it to fit better). If that offends you, then I apologize. But look, we have other devices to get to, even if the Turbo is mostly awesome.

Moto Voice has been given so many new features that I’m not sure I can list them all. First, it will now let you customize its launch phrase. “OK, Google Now” is out, in is almost anything you can think of. Mine has changed every couple of days, but currently, in order to interact with my phone, I simply say, “Talk to me Turbo.” From there, a whole bunch of new commands are at my disposal, from being able to post to Facebook to taking a selfie to saying “Goodnight” to put your phone into sleep mode. You can ask for your data usage, ask “What’s up?” to hear your current notification situation, or pull up the YouTube app and your favorite artist. With the first Moto X or DROID Maxx, I didn’t use Touchless Control all that much, but with this new version, I find myself using Moto Voice several times per day. Moto Display is still without a doubt my favorite software feature on any phone, ever. Getting rid of the useless notification light in favor of lighting up a minimal amount of pixels on your display to show you real information has been an incredible game changer. This time around, Motorola improved Moto Display by allowing you to interact with up to three notifications at once instead of just one. You can swipe into individual apps or swipe to the left or right to quiet the screen again, plus you have more control over what’s displayed this year as well. Moto Assist hasn’t improved all that much in terms of new features, but you will find new settings in Driving and Meeting modes. As someone who works out of a home office, I don’t find all that many uses for Assist outside of the Sleeping function, but I could see how this could be a powerful tool for those on the go or in and out of meetings. For those new to Assist, think of it as an automated service that changes settings on your phone depending on if you are driving, sleeping, in a meeting, or at home. It can talk to you or play music if it senses you are driving, turn off all interruptions when in a meeting, or completely silence your phone when it knows you are sleeping. This is all done automatically, by the way.

Moto Actions are the new option to the group and use the new infrared sensors housed in the front of the display. With Moto Actions you can wave over the top of your phone during an incoming call to silence it and also watch as Moto Display lights up when your hand approaches the device. This doesn't work as good on the Turbo as it does on the Moto X, because it requires you to wave your hand over the top of the device. It seems to be missing the extra IR sensors towards the phone's chin. Last year’s Quick Capture twisting motion is technically a part of Moto Actions as well. Software Updates should come often and quick if last year’s Motorola line-up is anything to go by. Motorola was one of the fastest in the industry to update to the latest versions of Android throughout last year, something we doubt will change in 2014. Don’t be surprised that when Android 5.0 "Lollipop" goes public, if Motorola is ready to update the DROID Turbo within a couple of weeks. Also, all of the Moto suite of apps that we just talked about have been added/updated on Google Play and will only continue to get better throughout the Moto X’s life. If there is one move I don't fully understand, it's the launcher situation on the Turbo. The new Moto X uses the Google Now Launcher, so it has quicker access to Google Now when on the home screen, plus it updates as Google updates it through Google Play. With the Turbo, Motorola ditched the GNL and went with something called Launcher 3. It looks like the stock Google Now Launcher, but it doesn't have the left panel access to Google Now and it certainly won't be updated through Google Play. It's an odd move, but then again, this is Android, so you can install whatever launcher you want anyway.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Camera The 21MP camera in the DROID Turbo is (currently) a big pile of meh. It is capable of taking some nice photos, I think. Well, yes, I know that it can because there are a couple of them below. It's just that you never know if you have captured one until it's probably too late. I don't know why there is this nasty shutter stutter shortly after you tap the screen to take a picture on the Turbo, but it's there and it is extremely frustrating. And I know this isn't just an issue with my review unit, because it was there in every demo unit I tested at the phone's launch event as well, which I noted during my unboxing video below. I'm hopeful that Motorola can address this in a software update, because until then, your photos are going to be more miss than hit. And because of that potentially software-saving-thought, this category sits out of the "Not-so-Good" section.

If we look at the Turbo's software, you find a positive spot, and that's because it is the same software experience you find on the Moto X (2nd gen), along with last year's line-up of phones from Motorola. It is super simple, at times to a fault, but usually is the experience I prefer when snapping photos from a smartphone. I don't want to mess with settings or search for shutter buttons, I just want to snap quick and quality photos. That's what the Turbo's software attempts to allow you to do, with its ultra-minimal control setup (accessed via swipe from the left) and tap-to-shoot capturing. But if we get back to the problems here, it comes back to a terrifyingly constant stutter as the phone attempts to snap photos. Every single time you tap the screen to take a photo, the camera app halts, appears to freeze, and then finishes. The problem here is that the object you were shooting a picture of has likely moved and the moment you were attempting to capture is gone. Also, while walking around New York and Portland, I don't know how many times I thought I was taking a picture of a building but later could only find pictures of my foot. How, you ask? Because I thought the phone was done shooting a photo of a big beautiful building, when in fact it was pausing as I lowered the phone, only to settle on shooting a picture of the ground. Seriously, this happened at least three times to me. In the samples below, you can see in some of the cityscapes that the phone is quite capable. Even in extreme low light (the beer picture, which was in a bar so dark I was using my phone as a flashlight to see the menu) or when shooting macros (bokeh!), I was surprised to see solid results. Just remember that you better keep incredibly still as you are always at the mercy of that damn stutter in the shutter. Word to your mutter.

Full resolution: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

No Simultaneous Voice and Data (for now) As of right now, just like the new Moto X on Verizon, the Turbo can't do simultaneous voice and data. In other words, you can't be on a phone call and still access the internet or apps or email. The only way you can currently place a call and still have a data connection to get things done in the background, is if you have a WiFi connection. This is a pretty crappy situation, because many of us are on the go, place calls, and still need access to a data connection while on the phone, yet are no where near WiFi. Verizon has said that the phone will receive an update before the end of the year to enable this functionality, but this year still has two full months left. The update will bring Advanced Calling 1.0, which is Verizon's version of Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE). Once the phone has VoLTE, everything will be fixed, you just have to decide if you can go two months without it.

The Not-so-Good

Availability As previously mentioned, I think the price of the DROID Turbo is actually quite good for the amount of next-gen tech that Motorola has packed into it. Unfortunately, all of that tech in this well-priced phone is only available to customers of Verizon Wireless. And look, that's not surprising since they have an exclusive on the DROID brand, but it's too bad that interested parties not subscribed to Verizon's services have no chance at using this phone. It will work here and there on AT&T or T-Mobile, since the Turbo is essentially an unlocked GSM phone, but it may not be that reliable. If you can't tell from reading up to this point, we really like the DROID Turbo, it's simply unfortunate that most of you won't be able to enjoy it. If you are on Verizon and considering this as your next phone, you are in luck, as the phone is already available in three color schemes (Metallic Red, Metallic Black, and Ballistic Nylon) that all look great. The Metallized Red and Black models come with 32GB of storage, but you can double that storage to 64GB with the Ballistic Nylon variant.

Other Notes

T-Mobile: As you may have noticed in some of my screenshots, I am currently running the Turbo on T-Mobile's network and getting 4G LTE. The Turbo supports band 4 LTE, so if you live in a city that has solid T-Mobile LTE coverage, you could potentially use the phone there. It should work on AT&T as well, but it doesn't support AT&T's band 17 LTE, only band 4.
Wireless Charging: The DROID Turbo has wireless charging built-in, which is typically an awesome bonus. However, since it has a Turbo Charger in the box, I rarely used the wireless charging aspect. Turbo Charging is the future.
Speaker: The Turbo has a single speaker that doubles as the earpiece speaker. It's decently loud, but I often hear crackling when the volume is cranked and notifications come in. This is no BoomSound.

Video

Unboxing

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vs. DROID Maxx and Moto X (2nd gen)

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Gallery

To see images of the other two colors, check out our DROID Turbo gallery.

The Verdict

The DROID Turbo is a beast of a phone that has nothing but top tier specs at a surprisingly reasonable price. There are few phones that match this new Motorola smartphone on paper and in real world use. While the camera needs a software update soon to improve its speed and consistency, there are few things wrong with the Turbo. It feels premium, looks better than previous DROID phones, has excellent battery life, and performs flawlessly. If you are a Verizon customer, this should be a phone on your short list. If you aren't on Verizon, well, sorry.

Reported Screenshots From LG G3 and Moto X Show Off Lollipop

Tim — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 09:06:59 +0000

Regardless of which Android phone you currently run, unless its the Nexus 6, you undoubtedly want the Lollipop update as soon as possible. From what we can tell with the latest leaks, the developer preview build Google released a few months ago for Android 5.0 has been paying dividends, as it appears two of the top OEMs might almost be ready to start pushing out updates to their flagship devices. The newest leaks come from LG for the G3 and Motorola for the Moto X. Each leak consists of only a few screenshots, but for those who are waiting for the update, this is better than nothing. For the Moto X, if this leak is to be believed, an updated Motorola camera app appears to be on board, complete with a different color scheme. But much in Motorola's recent fashion, the OS look appears to be pretty vanilla, which is exactly what we expected and hoped for.

As for the G3, it still features the same color scheme and basic look that we saw on Kit Kat, minus the addition of a few Lollipop tweaks. The notification bar looks reworked, and the same goes for the volume slider and user profiles in the top right of the notification shade. Once a more extensive build is previewed, it will be easier to determine how we actually feel about it. Tell us your thoughts below in the comments. Would you rather have a stock Lollipop experience or a 3rd party skin running on top?

Via: Phandroid | Life's Good Blog

Sony Bringing AOSP Android 5.0 to Xperia Devices

Kyle — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 08:50:48 +0000

Well, that did not take long. Sony, which has experimented with distributing AOSP versions of firmware for its handsets in the past, revealed it has a functional versions of Lollipop running on the the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3. In a blog post, the company said updated binary files will be provided through its developer portal soon. Sony also announced an exclusive program with wireless carrier 3 in Sweden, called 3Beta. Similar to Motorola's Feedback Network, it will give select users the opportunity to test releases of Lollipop on the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact before everyone else. That may help to restore the goodwill of developers upset over Sony's choice to degrade the experience of users who unlock the Xperia Z3 Compact's bootloader. Sony hopes to finalize Lollipop by early next year, which compares favorably with other manufacturers which have pledged to update their respective devices. Sure, Xperia device may not get Google's latest and greatest before the Moto X or G3, but we at least Sony is firmly committing.

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Via: Sony

Microsoft Office Now Free on Android, Tablet Preview Released

Kyle — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 08:17:55 +0000

Microsoft is stepping up its productivity game with changes to Office on Android. The company recently announced Dropbox integration, and this morning, made Office consistent with the company's offering on iOS by removing the Office 365 subscription requirement. Microsoft also unveiled a tablet-optimized version of Office for Android, which enters closed preview starting today. Office 365 subscribers will continue to receive additional benefits like unlimited OneDrive storage and advanced editing capabilities, but the base Office experience is now completely free. Considering the wealth of productivity apps on Android, not to mention Google's own Drive suite, dropping the paywall was probably a necessity. Still, however long overdue, the change will surely be appreciated by those invested heavily in the Microsoft ecosystem. In more exciting news, Android is gaining the version of Office released for iPad earlier this year. Designed with larger displays in mind, it features touch-optimized tools that mirror Office on desktop. It is not rolling out widely just yet, but you can sign up to preview the application before its official release. Office for Tablets Preview

Via: Microsoft [2]

Deal Reminder: $25 for Feather Buds Wireless Earbuds

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:57:03 +0000

If it escaped your attention the first time around, you still have a few days to grab the Feather Buds wireless earbuds through our DL Deals shop for just $25. Usually, a nice set of Bluetooth wireless earbuds can easily run over $100, and with this deal taking a solid 58% off the full retail for the Feathers, this deal might suit your budget a bit better. The earbuds feature a “noise canceling outer shell,” are tangle-free, and feature “crystal clear” sound at a range of up to 30 feet. They also have a built-in microphone, so you can take calls at any time. Again, if you want to see if Bluetooth earbuds are for you, but don't want to spend a ton of cash, this isn’t a bad option to consider. Deal Link

HTC America President Apologizes for Yesterday's Nexus 9 Flash Sale Incident

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:39:47 +0000

Yesterday morning, HTC kicked off the HTC Hot Deals weekly promotion with a bang, offering a brand new Nexus 9 for just $199. Of course, supplies for the promo were extremely limited and traffic was very high on the servers, which hindered people's experiences when they attempted to buy one. And we all know what happens when things on the Internet don't go as expected - infinite Twitter rage. To clear up the situation, HTC America's president Jason Mackenzie, took to the deals site with a letter to everyone who experienced frustration due to yesterday's situation. To sum it up, Jason states that only a few hundred units were allotted to the promotion (editor note: not nearly enough to satisfy even the smallest percentage of people attempting to purchase one), and that the HTC team is rectifying the systems issues that people experienced. Read the full letter below, then set your clock for the same time next week, as another Hot Deal is on its way.

Hello Everyone, I wanted to personally apologize for the frustration some of you experienced with our first “flash” sale yesterday. The sale was intended to introduce a weekly promotion that HTC will run weekly through the holidays. In celebration of the launch of our Nexus 9 tablet, we decided to kick off "HTC Hot Deals" in a BIG way with a screaming hot deal on a limited quantity of these tablets. Simply put, the offer was very well received and the several hundred units that were allocated to this promotion sold out quickly. I understand that our site did not function properly and caused frustration – and for that I apologize. With such a hot deal and short time to take advantage, the experience needs to be seamless. Our team is rectifying the systems issues that some experienced and we remain committed to bring you an exciting cadence of offers throughout holidays. We hope you were one of the many who got to enjoy the savings this time, but if not please do check back weekly. All the best, Jason Mackenzie President, HTC America @JasonmacHTC

Via: HTC

Dell Selling Chromebox Bundle for Only $199, Includes Keyboard and Mouse

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:52:45 +0000

Dell silently released a fantastically-priced Chromebox bundle to its website this week, priced at just $199. For being a full bundle, which includes the box, mouse, and keyboard, $199 is a steal. The bundle includes the Dell-made Chromebox, which features 2GB of RAM, Intel 7260ac HMC network card, and 4th-generation Intel processor for heavy lifting, as well as a Dell-made wireless keyboard and Dell-made wireless mouse. Just to note, the bundle does not include the monitor that is pictured above; just the Chromebox, mouse, and keyboard. Chromebox Bundle Link ($199)

Via: Chrome Story | +Brent Sullivan

Sony Selling Unlocked Xperia Z3 to U.S. Customers, Priced at $679.99

Kyle — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:55:11 +0000

For stateside subscribers to GSM carriers who are eagerly anticipating Sony's flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z3, the wait has finally ended. The electronics giant has begun selling unlocked, off-contract variants directly to customers in the U.S. through its online store. $679.99 will yield you an Xperia Z3 in White, Silver Green, Copper, or Black. It may be one of the few ways to procure the GSM model in a timely manner; Verizon is selling a customized CDMA model, T-Mobile continues to offer no more than a vague "fall" release window, and the possibility of AT&T offerings seems increasingly remote. In terms of included hardware, the Xperia Z3 may not be on the bleeding edge, but it has plenty going for it. It features a 5.2″ Full HD TRILUMINOS display, 20.7MP rear-facing camera, Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, microSD, 16GB or 32GB of storage, Bluetooth 4.0, IP 65/68 rating (water and dust resistant), 3,100mAh battery, and runs Android 4.4+. Grabbing one possibly? Sony Store Link

Cheers Tony!

Google Hosting Inbox Invite Happy Hour, Guaranteed Invite by 5pm PT Tonight

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:27:00 +0000

Still waiting for an Inbox invite? If so, Google is hosting a special Inbox Invite Happy Hour, where anyone can email inbox@google.com between 3 and 4pm PT, then receive an invite by 5pm PT tonight. Up until this, the only way to gain access to Inbox, Google's new priority-based email service, was to either receive an invite from Google directly or from someone who already gained access. While the rollout of invites has been smooth, it appears Google is just about ready to open the floodgates for all users. Have you still been waiting for an invite?

Via: @InboxbyGmail

The Tower Challenges You to Build a Structure to Reach the Coldness of Space

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:05:24 +0000

Not by any means new, although recently updated, a game called The Tower challenges players to use a single finger to create a building tall enough to reach space. In the game, you must perfectly time your placement of floors on your building, as not to miss your mark and have your building come toppling down. If you happen to miss the mark, the game speed will greaten, making it harder to place your blocks perfectly. You use a single tap of your finger to place blocks as they slide from left to right over your current floor. The game is certainly addictive, and does look pretty good. Players can also use boosts which can be used to start you a few floors up, or to double the amount of coins you receive from your building. Finally, you can use those collected coins to purchase new settings and environments. The highest I have gone is 64. Think you can beat that? Play Link

Jawbone Announces the UP3 and UP Move Fitness Bands

Kyle — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 11:40:01 +0000

If the Microsoft Band does not strike your fancy, and you are not a fan of the new wearables from FitBit, perhaps Jawbone's new fitness bands, the UP3 and UP MOVE, will appeal to you. The UP MOVE, which marks Jawbone's first foray into the low-range tracker market, takes clear aim at budget products like the Fitbug Orb and Misfit Flash. Priced at a palatable $50, it's made of anodized aluminum and sports a fastenable clip, which, if you choose to wear it as a watch, can attach to slim and standard-sized Jawbone wristbands. In terms of electronics, the MOVE packs a Bluetooth radio for pairing with the companion UP App, a pedometer, an LED display that displays the time and wellness stats, and a replaceable battery that lasts up to six months. The $179.99 UP3 is the logical successor to Jawbone's premium wearable, the UP24. It is, like the MOVE, constructed from aluminum. The UP3 is also water resistant up to 10 meters and has a battery life of up to seven days, although Jawbone says its other accouterments are what truly make it shine. Leveraging a myriad of sensors which includes an accelerometer, ambient temperature monitor, and bioimpedance tool, the company states the tracker is able to more precisely measure your activity - the UP3 can, among other things, identify sleep stages, differentiate between workouts, and measure your heart rate. Both the MOVE and UP3 will tap into a component of the UP App, Smart Coach. An algorithm-driven "guidance and insight system," Smart Coach tries to intelligently make sense of data collected from the UP3 or MOVE, suggesting changes to exercise, sleeping, or eating habits. The MOVE is available for pre-order today from Jawbone's store in five colors - Slate, Ruby, Grape, Blue, and Black. Wrist straps are $14.99 individually, or $29.99 for three. The UP3 will go on sale later this year. MOVE Pre-order Link

Via: Jawbone [2]

Deal: New Moto X Developer Edition (1st Gen, GSM) for $269 at eBay

Kellen — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 11:19:01 +0000

If you missed out on yesterday's ridiculously good deal for a brand new unlocked Moto X (1st gen) for $199, you have another shot at an equally impressive deal today. Priced at just $269, you can walk away with a brand new Moto X (1st gen) Developer Edition that includes 32GB of storage and should work on either T-Mobile or AT&T, thanks to its global GSM bands. The Developer Edition also sports a special edition black and white colorway, with "Developer Edition" branded on its lower backside. This original Moto X may be over a year old, but at $279, this would be a great phone for someone in a pinch that doesn't have $600 to spend. eBay Link

Cheers Casey!

NVIDIA SHIELD Portable Update Incoming, Brings Battery Fixes and Updated SHIELD Hub

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 11:00:06 +0000

An update is rolling out to SHIELD Portable owners straight from NVIDIA, one which brings crucial battery bug fixes, and the updated SHIELD Hub application for finding new games. It appears a bug was causing battery drain while the lid was closed, and another bug was preventing videos from playing inside of Facebook, Chrome, and YouTube. Thanks to this update, all of these annoyances should be solved. Take a peak at the full changelog below. Changelog

Improves battery drain when SHIELD portable lid is closed
Updates the latest SHIELD hub app available on Google Play Store
Fixes a bug that does not allow videos to be played from Facebook, using Browser or Chrome, or on the YouTube app
Fixes a bug to enable support for 4K content in Console Mode

Via: NVIDIA

Nexus 6 Restock Now Live on Google Play (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 10:17:05 +0000

Need a Nexus 6? You may want to head over to Google Play and hit refresh right about now. Good luck! Update: Likely sold out already. Yep, it happened that fast. Play Links: Blue (32GB) | Blue (64GB) | White (32GB) | White (64GB)

Google Maps Receives "Fresh New Design" in Latest Update, Includes Uber Integration

Kellen — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:39:41 +0000

Google Maps is getting its big Material Design makeover this week, as announced in a blog post by Google moments ago. The "fresh new" design with bright colors "is all about creating surfaces and shadows that echo the real world." With Material Design leading the charge, Google has tried to make layers and buttons "come to life" so that you in-app experience is glorious. But a makeover isn't the only new item to talk about here. Google also tossed in an option for booking OpenTable reservations from within the app. They even added in Uber pickup estimates, for those deciding between walking or taking transit. All you need is the Uber app installed and be in a city where Uber is available. The update will likely rollout to all over the next few days. So far, though, Google hasn't posted the update to Google Play. Once they do, we will do our best to share it. Play Link Update: Here is the APK download link. (Cheers Jason and Neil!)

Via: Google Lat Long

Tapet Material Wallpapers Brings Even More Material Design for Your Device

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:29:15 +0000

With Material Design and Lollipop taking over the Android world, another wallpaper application called Tapet is looking to catch a ride on the hype train. With Tapet, users simply swipe up and down to see more wallpapers presented, and then once you find one you like, apply it. If you see multiple papers you like, you can thumbs up the papers, which will then lead to the app showing you more of the same type of designs. This feature is suited towards a particular design you enjoy, as well as colors. In addition, users can save the wallpapers to their device, and then edit them however they choose to. With plenty of settings to tweak how the wallpapers are showcased, if you enjoy the Material Design look for wallpapers, the app is a no brainer. It's completely free with no IAPs. Play Link

Pushbullet Update Allows You to Send Texts Right From Your Computer

Kellen — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:20:50 +0000

A couple of months back, Pushbullet received an update that allowed users to quickly reply to text messages from within their computer's browser. Thanks to an update today, that functionality has expanded to allow users to initiate new text (SMS) messages through the Pushbullet browser extension. In order to send new SMS messages through Pushbullet, make sure you have Pushbullet installed on your Android phone and in your browser of choice. If you already have it installed on your phone, be sure to grab today's update. Once you are installed and up-to-date, tap on the browser extension button for Pushbullet and you should now see an "SMS" tab. Tap on that, choose the device you want to send an SMS from, then type in a recipient (it may auto-complete as you type), and finally, type out your message. Once you click "send," the message will be sent from your phone. It's that easy, and awesome.

The newest update is live, so feel free to give it a try immediately. Play Link

Via: Pushbullet

Here is the Long List of Galaxy Gifts for Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge Owners

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 08:30:51 +0000

Starting a few years back, every time you purchased a new Galaxy device from Samsung, the manufacturer gifted you subscriptions to services and sometimes Google Play credit. These perks were officially known as Galaxy Gifts. For the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge, it is the same deal for buyers, but the list of perks is insanely long. Included for the Note 4 and Note Edge is a 6 month subscription to The Wall Street Journal, 3 free months to OnLive, 50GB of Dropbox storage, exclusive functionality for TripAdvisor users, and so much more. The one thing you will notice is that there is no Google Play credit included, but there sure are plenty of other goodies. Take a look at the full list below.

Audible - Free 3 month subscription to Audible
The Wall Street Journal - Free 6 month subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Kindle for Samsung - 1 free eBook per month through Samsung Book Deals
NYTimes - Breaking News - Free 12 week subscription to NYTimes - Breaking News
Bloomberg Businessweek+ - Free 1 year subscription to Bloomberg Businessweek+
OnLive - Free 3 month subscription to OnLive
100% Games - 3,250 free gems in Dungeon Hunter 4 game
Diddeo - Free unlocked frame feature on Diddeo
AmpliTube LE - Free unlocked features on AmpliTube LE
SketchBook for Galaxy - Free unlocked professional-grade paint and drawing software with Pro features
Parallels Access - Free 6 month subscription to Parallels Access
ArtRage - Free download of ArtRage
Dropbox - Free 50 GB of Dropbox space for 2 years for new users
RealPlayer Cloud - Free 6 month premium membership to RealPlayer Cloud
Pocket - Free premium subscription to Pocket for 6 months
Hancom Office 2014 - Free download of Hancom Office’s Office Editor for unlimited period
Magisto - Free 3 months of Magisto Premium
CameraAce - Free 6 months of premium features from CameraAce - Photo Slideshow
Perfect365 - 8 premium animation effects on Perfect365
PayPal - Visit www.paypal.com/samsung to get access to special deals from some of your favorite online stores. Consumers can shop using a variety of offers with a combined savings of $50 or more.
Life360 - Free 6 months of Life360 premium service
Workout Trainer - Free 6 months of Workout Trainer Pro+
TripAdvisor - Exclusive functionality for users

Via: Samsung Mobile

Motorola Announces the Moto Maxx, It's a DROID Turbo for Brazil and Latin America

Kellen — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 08:11:15 +0000

This morning, Motorola announced the Moto Maxx, a device that could easily be mistaken for the DROID Turbo. In fact, it is the DROID Turbo. The difference really is only in the name and where you can buy it. The Moto Maxx matches the Turbo spec-for-spec with its 5.2-inch QHD display, 21MP camera, 3,900mAh battery, 64GB storage, 4G LTE connectivity, Snapdragon 805 processor, support for Motorola's Turbo Charger, and its "pure" Android experience. As you can see from the picture above, it also has capacitive navigation buttons, just like the Turbo. How can you buy one? The Maxx will go on sale today in Brazil through Motorola's website. By mid-November, it will arrive in Mexico. Additional Latin American countries will get it shortly after.

Via: Motorola

RE Camera Companion App Available in Google Play

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 16:01:34 +0000

The RE Camera, HTC's take on the GoPro, is set to debut this month at retail locations. The one thing you will need alongside the actual hardware itself, is the official companion app for your Android device, which just so happened to go live on Google Play this week. With the RE Camera companion app, users of the RE Camera can use their phones as a viewfinder for the camera, as well as a Gallery browser, which will list out all of the camera's content in a easy-to-manage UI. Once you find a few shots and videos you like, you can easily share and send your favorite moments. If the RE Camera is your portable action shooter of choice, you best go pick this up. Play Link

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Google Will Make More Nexus 6 Devices Available Each Wednesday

Kellen — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:38:16 +0000

Google posted a new message to their Nexus 6 listings on Google Play this afternoon, a message that might help you land their new Nexus phone, or at least be prepared to try and land one. According to all of the Play listings for the Nexus 6, Google is trying to get more devices in stock as soon as possible, but for now, will make more of the device available each Wednesday. While not the best news, this is at least something, since most of us struck out in seconds when they went up for pre-order last week and have been wondering if and when more would arrive. Feel free to stop refreshing! Here is the message:

We are getting more Nexus 6 devices in stock as soon as possible. To make things simpler for you, we will work to make more devices available each Wednesday and encourage you to visit the site then. The Nexus 6 will also be available in AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular stores later in November. Please check with your local carrier store for more information.

Tomorrow is Wednesday, by the way. On a related note, Google mentioned that AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular would all have the device later in November. That's awesome and all, but why no mention of Verizon? Are we really caught up in another Verizon testing cycle that could take months, so we are now looking at a Verizon launch in December (or later)? Things seem to be getting more iffy by the day on a Big Red front. Thankfully, we already tested the phone and know that it works on Verizon out of the box. Play Link

Dropbox Teams With Microsoft to Bring Office Integration

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:04:06 +0000

Dropbox announced a partnership with Microsoft today, which will bring integration of Office services into the online storage app and vice versa. Once updated for Android, Dropbox users will be able to edit Office files from within the storage application, and Office users will be able to access Dropbox files from the Office app. In addition, the Office app will feature the ability to share links associated with files in your Dropbox account, allowing users of both services to get much more work done within a single app instead of using both simultaneously. Here is a look at the full upcoming changelog.

Edit Office files from the Dropbox mobile app and sync changes across devices. Create a file at home and finish it on the go — any edits will automatically save to your Dropbox.
Access Dropbox files from the Office app and save new files to Dropbox. You can now sync your docs and keep them safe without leaving the Office app.
Share Dropbox links from Office. When you’ve finished making changes to your document, you can instantly share it by sending a Dropbox link to colleagues or friends.

These features will rollout to Android and iOS users over the next couple of weeks. Keep your eyes peeled.

Via: Dropbox

FYI: Android 5.0 Introduces "Enable OEM Unlock" Option in Developer Options

Kellen — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:19:28 +0000

If you buy one of the new Nexus devices - the Nexus 9 or Nexus 6 - and plan to unlock its bootloader upon first boot, so that you can get to tinkering, understand that you may have to enable the "OEM unlock" command that would typically be used to accomplish that task. In Android 5.0 "Lollipop," Google has added a check box under Developer Options that enables the OEM unlock command to work. If that box isn't checked, then I would imagine you will see an error during the bootloader unlock process. Both our Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 review units came with the "Enable OEM unlock" option checked out of the box, so you may not even have to worry about it. But, to save yourself an extra reboot, head in there to confirm. And don't forget that Developer Options are hidden by default, so you will need to make those appear as well in order to check. To get Developer Options to show, cruise into Settings>About phone, and tap on the "Build number" around 10 times until it confirms that you are now a "developer." From there, jump back to the Settings list and you should see "Developer Options" listed. For those new to "OEM unlock," just know that this is a part of the command used to unlock a Nexus phone's bootloader. After installing the Android SDK, plugging your phone into a computer, opening adb, and rebooting to the bootloader, a simple command in adb of "fastboot oem unlock" will start the process of phone freedom. You can find a whole tutorial on unlocking a Nexus bootloader here.

Cheers Rod!

Google Posts Nexus 9 Android 5.0 "LRX21L" Factory Image

Kellen — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:52:39 +0000

Google just posted the Android 5.0 "Lollipop" factory image for the Nexus 9, if anyone is interested. While the image doesn't do much for anyone who doesn't own a Nexus 9, this still could be a sign of things to come. Maybe. Actually, it could be days or weeks before the other factory images arrive, but hey, we like to get excited. You know we will keep you updated. The build is for "volantis," which is one of the codenames for the Nexus 9. The build version is LRX21L. Download Link

Via: Google Developers

Pocket Update in Google Play Brings Material Design

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:40:25 +0000

Pocket users can go grab an updated version of the application through Google Play today, which brings Lollipop support and a huge Material Design makeover. In addition, a new feature in partnership with Google allows users to use their voice via Google Now to search through your lists on Pocket. Just say, "Okay Google, search for ___ on Pocket." Besides the design update and Google Now support, a few bug fixes and improvements have been included, but other than that, you won't find too many new features. But seriously, Material Design is enough for anyone to get excited. The update is now available through Google Play. Play Link

Amazon Gives Prime Members Unlimited Photo Storage

Kellen — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:31:38 +0000

Amazon announced this morning that Amazon Prime members now have access to unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos at no additional cost. Using services like the Amazon Cloud Drive Photos app on Android or iOS, Prime members can automatically upload new photos taken and access them at any time, anywhere. But that's not all. Here are the rest of the details:

Upload photos from their iOS and Android devices, Fire tablets and Fire phone, and Mac and Windows computers—and have them stored for free in the Amazon cloud.
Access their photo collections at any time from nearly any device—including the big screen using Amazon Fire TV or the newly announced Fire TV Stick, as well as PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and select LG and Samsung smart TVs.
Add photos to Cloud Drive in their original version so customers never have to worry about losing the full resolution image.
Rest easy knowing that their photos are protected in the Amazon cloud.

To get started, head over to Amazon's Cloud Drive. Play Link

Via: Amazon

Sign Up for Disney Movies Anywhere, Get Free Disney Movie

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:01:04 +0000

Disney is partnering with Google and Apple to allow access to all of its titles through your smartphone, via a new app called Disney Movies Anywhere. To get started, all you need to do is create a Disney account, then link up your Google Play or iTunes account. Then, once linked, you can browse all of Disney's movies, and even claim a free one as a gift. Not only are there Disney titles, but you can also access Pixar flicks, as well as Marvel. Through the application, users can access exclusive Disney content for free, and also earn Disney Movie Rewards points with every purchase you make. The most important part is that it is all through your Google Play account, so no matter what, all of your purchased goods are accessible through your existing library. As you can see from the screenshots above, after signing up, I was gifted Wreck It Ralph. Score. Go grab your free movie. Features

Watch your Disney, Pixar, and Marvel movies anywhere you go, across all your devices!
Build your digital movie collection with a library of hundreds of movies to choose from.
Access exclusive Disney content for free, including original programming, never-before-seen videos, and much more.
Watch movies while connected or download movies to your device for offline viewing.
Earn Disney Movie Rewards points for every digital transaction.

Play Link

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Lollipop Update to Hit SHIELD Tablet This Month

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:23:25 +0000

NVIDIA published a teaser video today to its YouTube channel, giving a sneak peek at the Android 5.0 update for the SHIELD Tablet, which is due out sometime this month. With NVIDIA giving a time frame of sometime in November, they are on track to be one of the first OEMs to deliver the Lollipop update to consumers besides HTC with the Nexus 9 and Motorola with the Nexus 6; both of which ship with the latest version of Android already installed. NVIDIA's 32-bit Tegra K1 processor powers the SHIELD Tablet, which also features an 8" Full HD display, 2GB of RAM, a stylus, 5MP front and rear-facing cameras, dual front-facing stereo speakers, and access to the GRID Beta gaming platform. If you own a SHIELD Tablet, you will soon be basking in Lollipop.

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Deal: Become an Android Developer With 10 Projects for $19

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 09:57:28 +0000

A new deal to hit our DL Deals Store is hoping to turn you into an Android development wiz, thanks to a total of 59 lectures with 11+ hours of content to wrap your mind around. During the course, you will build 10 real, working Android applications, as well as learn about the technologies and APIs which make apps tick. The course also includes royalty free source code to get you started, in addition to the experience it provides you when using Android Studio and Eclipse ADT. Take a look below at the features of the course, then if you are interested, the link is below. As stated on the deal page, the course requires that you have an existing knowledge of Java, followed by a basic understanding of Android. Features

59 lectures featuring 11+ hours of content
Build 10 real, working Android Apps
Learn about the technologies & APIs that are core to Android development
Get experience using Android Studio and Eclipse ADT
Includes royalty free source codes
Receive a Certificate of Completion

What You'll Need

Knowledge of Java
Basic knowledge of Android

Deal Link

HTC Intros Hot Deals for Holiday Season, Nexus 9 on Sale for $199

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:59:12 +0000

If dealing with the crowds of Black Friday is not in your cards anymore, HTC is looking to help with your holiday shopping list. Starting today for the next nine weeks, HTC will host a new Hot Deal every Tuesday morning at 9am Pacific (12pm Eastern). These deals will be huge price drops on devices, discounted accessories, and who knows what else. The first Hot Deal, undoubtedly to get your attention, is a brand new $199 Nexus 9 tablet. Supplies will be limited, so your best chance is to have all of your payment info ready right when the clock strikes. To keep even better track of the deal, you can follow HTC's own twitter hashtag, "HTCHotDeals." However, if you miss this deal, HTC is still hooking you up with $50 off of the Nexus 9 until 9pm tonight (midnight Eastern). Either way, anyone who wants a cheaper Nexus 9, can do so today right through HTC's site.

This week’s limited quantity deal is the just-released Nexus 9 tablet (16GB) for $199 (50% off the regular price of $399). After that, we’ll shave $50 off the Nexus 9 tablet (16 GB or 32 GB) for everyone who purchases by 9 p.m. PT/midnight ET on Tuesday.

Best of luck! HTC Hot Deals Link

Google Voice MMS is Now Working on Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:50:35 +0000

Last month, the Google Voice team announced that they had expanded MMS support to nearly 100 North American carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. As you all know, Verizon wasn't included in the list, for whatever reason. Google's Alex Wiesen mentioned in their announcement that they were "big fans of text messaging interoperability" and that non-participating carriers should reach out for help on gaining the functionality, which some took as a subtle jab at Big Red. While we aren't sure if Verizon actually did reach out to Google, a source of ours told us that MMS support should now be there between Google and Verizon. We have also heard from a handful of readers who have received MMS messages on their Verizon phones within the last two days. To test the new functionality, ask your friends to send you a picture message to your Google Voice number. Let us know how it goes.

Cheers Michael, Jeremy, and C!

Nexus 9 Receives Teardown Treatment, Internals Exposed

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:49:21 +0000

The Nexus 9 is the newest device to receive iFixit's teardown treatment, resulting in an answer to the age old question, "Can I fix this thing myself?" After peeling the back plate off, carefully removing the 6700mAh battery, dissecting all of its camera, speaker, and vibrator modules, iFixit claims that the Nexus 9 repairs will not exactly be user friendly. One of the more interesting parts of a teardown is to look at the board which contains the device's brains. On the Nexus 9, the main workhorse is the 64-bit Tegra K1 processor, followed up by Epida/Micron Technology storage, Samsung Flash memory, Broadcom WiFi module, and a Texas Instruments chip labeled TI47CFP91 T65913B3D9. Overall, on a score system of 1 to 10, the Nexus 9 received a 3. While the back is easily removed without the need for heat or tools, once you are inside, you are met with a maze of delicate wiring and tape. Long story short, if something happens to your Nexus 9, best to leave the repairs to the professionals. Check out the teardown gallery below.

Via: iFixit

Deal: Moto X (1st Gen) for $199 Without a Contract at eBay

Kellen — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:15:38 +0000

If you were looking for a ridiculously good deal on a brand new smartphone, a smartphone that we called the best of 2013, look no further than the deal on last year's Moto X that has been running for a couple of days at eBay. For $199, you can have a brand new Moto X that is unlocked and without a contract. This is model XT1053, which is the unlocked T-Mobile version, although it should work on AT&T without issue. I know it's a year old and there is a new Moto X replacing it, but at $199, why not? eBay Link Update: Deal is done.

AT&T Next 24 Gives You Even Lower Monthly Device Payments

Kellen — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 07:48:27 +0000

This morning, AT&T announced that they have added a new option to Next, their device upgrade and monthly payment plan. The new option is called Next 24, with "24" representing the number of payments you have to pay before you can upgrade to a new device. But not only does it stretch out your upgrade time, it also lowers your monthly payments by spreading them out over 30 total payments. With AT&T Next 24, a customer can upgrade to a new phone for $0 down and then pay equal monthly payments over a 30-month agreement. At 24 months, if the phone is in "good condition," that customer can trade it in for a new one and sign-up for another payment plan. Next 24 joins Next 12 (20 monthly payments, upgrade at 12 months) and Next 18 (24 monthly payments, upgrade at 18 months). The big selling point here is the fact that a 30-month payment plan reduces the monthly payment cost for a new phone. If you were to buy a $600 phone, you are looking at $20 per month with Next 24, rather than $25 or $30 that you would see with the Next 12 and Next 18 plans. AT&T Next 24 is available beginning November 9.

Via: AT&T

Nexus 9 LTE Stops by FCC With Support for 10 LTE Bands

Kellen — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 06:58:08 +0000

An HTC-made tablet stopped by the FCC yesterday under ID NM80P82300, one we are assuming is the LTE-ready version of the Nexus 9. As you may have noticed, the LTE version of the Nexus 9 hasn't gone up for sale yet, nor have we been given a release date. This could be the reason why. As Google learned with the Nexus Player, you can't sell a product unless it has been given the green light from the FCC. The FCC filing doesn't mention the word "Nexus," but the Nexus 9 WiFi fell under FCC ID NM80P82100, which is eerily similar to the ID from today's FCC filing. It has to be the Nexus 9 with LTE. I kind of doubt that HTC has another tablet ready for prime time this close to the release of their Google-branded slate. Assuming this is the Nexus 9 LTE, we are looking at 10-band support, including LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 41. Those bands cover just about everyone - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular, the same group that is supported by the Nexus 6. It also has GSM850/1900 support and WCDMA bands 2, 4, and 5 for global roaming. The filing didn't provide much else, but the FCC did test both 16GB and 32GB models. However, we know that Google only plans to sell a 32GB LTE variant at this time. With the LTE version now getting FCC approval, it shouldn't be long before it goes up for sale.

Via: FCC

Cheers Justin!

Nexus 6 Feature: Ambient Display is a Very Cool Take on Moto Display

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:50:39 +0000

If you asked me to tell you what my favorite feature is from the Moto X line, I wouldn't hesitate to say that Moto Display is it, without a doubt. To have your phone's display light up with useful information as you pick it up, pull it out of a bag or pocket, or as it receives a notification is game-changing. Forget the LED light, we all need Moto Display in our lives. So what happens to Moto Display when Google and Motorola partner up to deliver the next Nexus phone, the Nexus 6? You get Ambient Display, which is Google's take on our favorite phone feature in years. Google's Ambient Display is similar to what Motorola has done with Moto Display, but in differs in a couple of good and bad ways. First (good), Ambient Display lights up whenever you pick it up off a desk or a new notification comes in. Unfortunately (bad), you can't wave over the device to wake it, and it also isn't likely to light up when pulled out of a bag or pocket. Motorola uses IR sensors in the front of their devices to get those last two things to happen, something Google hasn't adopted with the Nexus 6, though I'm sure they could at some point. Google's Ambient Display does show information better (good) than Motorola's effort, I would argue. Instead of lighting up notifications and the clock in a specialized format like you would see in Moto Display (somewhat bad), Google simply turns the Lollipop lock screen into a black and white format, with items in familiar places (good). So instead of the select notifications showing on Moto Display, with swipe gestures to either open or dismiss them (gestures that have to be learned), Google stacks as many notifications as you choose to show on the lock screen, along with the clock, but flips the color off until you interact with them. Where Ambient Display gets really cool, is when you you pick it up and then touch a notification that you want to interact with. The display flips from black and white to full color and then lets you interact with it without having to lift a finger. With Moto Display, you get the feeling that a separate app has taken over your lock screen as a replacement. With Ambient Display, you have one lock screen that is simply dimmed to black and white, but has full interaction when needed. It's awesome. To toggle Ambient Display on or off (once you own a Nexus 6), head into Settings>Display and find the Ambient Display toggle. To see it in action, check out the video below.

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Video: Nexus 6 Size vs. Nexus 5, DROID Turbo, Note 4, G3, Moto X, and More

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:59:46 +0000

After posting our Nexus 6 unboxing and initial impressions video at the end of last week, a number of you have asked for us to compare this or that device to it side-by-side. I would imagine that's because the device is indeed a whale with its 6-inch Quad HD display. So, we went ahead and did just that today. In the video below, you will see how the Nexus 6 looks when sitting side-by-side with the DROID Turbo, Nexus 5, Moto X (2nd gen), Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S5, HTC One (M8), LG G3, and the much smaller, Xperia Z3 Compact. These comparisons aren't much more than a look at how much bigger the Nexus 6 is, so don't expect us to show off camera samples and talk performance. There also isn't a winner or loser - we are simply talking size here. Update: Somehow, I used a Galaxy Note 3 in the video instead of the Galaxy Note 4. Since it's too late at this point to do another video, I've included pictures below of the Nexus 6 to the Galaxy Note 4. As you will see from the video, the Nexus 6 is the king of big phones. It's huge. But you might be surprised at our thoughts on its build and in-hand feel when sitting next to some of its competitors. This is going to be an interesting review period.

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90 Days From Today, Your HTC One Should Have Lollipop

Tim — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:31:06 +0000

According to HTC's VP of Product, the company has received final code for Android 5.0 "Lollipop" from Google, meaning One owners in the US can expect to see the update hit their device within 90 days, thanks to HTC's Advantage program. To clarify, HTC Advantage covers HTC devices on all carriers inside of the US, which includes the One (M8) and One (M7). For you, an update to Lollipop is now guaranteed within 90 days of today. Other HTC device owners may see a tad bit longer of wait. Start your countdown, One owners.

Via: @Moversi

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Companion App Now Available in Google Play

Tim — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:47:32 +0000

If playing Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is how you will be spending your next few weeks, then we recommend you quickly pick up the new companion app which hit Google Play this morning. With the app, players can manage their clans and setups, allowing you to get your CoD fix while out on the town. More specifically, clan members can compete within the app against other clans over an in-app battle map, while also managing your overall clan experience in the game. In addition, an emblem editor is available for those of you who enjoy adding Pokemon and My Little Pony characters to your weapons. The app is completely free to download, so again, if you plan on pwning newbs this week, get on it. Play Link

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AOSP! AOSP! Lollipop Time!

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:39:51 +0000

This is really happening. Android 5.0 "Lollipop" is headed to AOSP. Here are all of the branches as they go live for the devs in the building:

Android Distribution Updated for November 2014, Kit Kat Hits 30%

Tim — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:44:10 +0000

When Google updated the Android distribution numbers for September, Kit Kat was nearing 25% of all devices. Now for November, it has passed that mark and currently sits at 30.2%. Unsurprisingly, Lollipop is still not available through this graph, given that it is only publicly available starting today, so you can expect to see Android 5.0 appear in next month's numbers. As for the rest of the field, Jelly Bean sits at 50.9%, which is slightly down from last month's 53.8%. Ice Cream Sandwich is also on the decline, falling to 8.5% from 9.6%, and Gingerbread now sits at 9.8% down from 11.4%. Last month’s numbers can be found here.

Via: Android Developers

Download: New Gmail 5.0 (1556543), Not the One You Sideloaded This Weekend

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:14:11 +0000

Here you go, the new Gmail 5.0 (v1556543). This is newer than the one you may have sideloaded over the weekend. This update just hit Google Play within the last hour. Download Link

Cheers Matt and Mark!

Verizon's Unveils DROID Turbo Employee Edition

Tim — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 11:23:15 +0000

Verizon unveiled the Employee Edition of the DROID Turbo on its website today, showing off an exclusive to folks who are currently employed by Big Red. Priced a tad cheaper than the regular models at $99 on-contract and $499 off contract, the Turbo Employee Edition features what appears to be a smooth black kevlar backside, with special "Limited Edition" branding and serial number attached to the back near the camera. Other than the branding, this Turbo features the same specifications as all of the others, with its 5.2" QHD display, Snapdragon 805, 3GB of RAM, 21MP rear-facing shooter, 3900mAh battery, and so much more. Do we have any VZW employees looking to scoop it? I probably would.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Bobby!

Verizon and AT&T Team Up to Allow Cross-Carrier VoLTE Calls

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 11:14:23 +0000

As carriers have introduced Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) throughout 2014, the days of real HD Voice calling are almost upon us. That is, as soon as carriers start working together. AT&T and Verizon are the first to announce that they will soon have VoLTE interoperability between their customers. For those not familiar with VoLTE calling, understand that VoLTE currently only works within a carrier when both parties have supported devices. That means that if you have a VoLTE-ready phone, you can place an HD Voice call to another VoLTE-ready phone within the same carrier. As of today, you can't place a VoLTE call from a Verizon phone to an AT&T or T-Mobile or Sprint phone. Verizon and AT&T announced today that their engineers are already working through a set of requirements in a lab environment before moving into field tests of carrier-to-carrier VoLTE HD Voice calls. They didn't provide a time frame for when this interoperability could go live outside of "in 2015," but did mention that they won't stop with HD Voice calls. Once this testing is complete, we could see VoLTE video calls, rich messaging, and more down the road from carrier-to-carrier.

Via: Verizon

This is the New Calendar 5.0 for Android

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 10:20:03 +0000

The new Google Calendar 5.0 update is now available on Android for Lollipop users (everyone else over the coming weeks). This is the the best Google app redesign I have seen yet, and I'm not sure that it is even close (that includes the Gmail 5.0 update I just wrote about). And so you know, this is coming from someone who lives and breathes in a calendar all day, every day. I have tried all the good calendar apps, even settling on Sunrise for months. Sunrise is awesome. But it's not as awesome as this new Google Calendar. I have been playing with it for a few days now on the Nexus 6, trying to form some opinions on it as we led up to today's launch. Here they are.

The old Google Calendar always felt a little forgotten and clunky. That is absolutely no longer the case with 5.0. You get a full Material Design makeover, that includes a re-designed slideout menu, action bar, and floating "new event" button. It's also much more colorful (if you want it to be) and a hell of a lot more powerful. The Calendar 5.0 app can pull in events from Gmail automatically now, so if you book a flight or hotel or make a dinner reservation, that info can show up on your calendar without any work. These automatic adds will even bring in things like flight numbers and check-in times.

The new Calendar also tries to save you a bunch of time by assisting you with contacts, titles of events, and places as you create new events, all of which will adapt to your preferences over time. Outside of all that, my favorite new item might be the new Schedule view that is not only colorful, but brings in maps and pictures of places you are going or have been. These could be cityscapes or illustrations based on every day happenings (drinks, dinner, sports, etc.). The new Schedule view also includes colorful monthly art that brings your calendar to life a bit. Oh, and tablet mode - damn is it pretty. Check out the images below for a quick tour, but then check out Google's video promo below to take it all in.

Again, the new Calendar 5.0 is available to Lollipop users today (which means people who own a Nexus 9) and will arrive to Android 4.1+ users over the coming weeks. Play Link

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More: Gmail Blog

This is the New Gmail 5.0 for Android

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:59:59 +0000

The new Gmail 5.0 app for Android is finally here. After being teased back at Google I/O and then appearing in numerous images here and there, as well as being featured in a ROM built for the Nexus 4, we can finally talk about its beauty (and new functionality). In case you were wondering, yes, this is the Material Design update with ripples, layers and transitions that also includes support for Exchange and other email accounts like Yahoo, Outlook, AOL, etc. You now have an all-in-one email client on Android that has been built by the Gmail team. How awesome does that sound? Update: You can download it here. Let's look at what we are working with.

The first thing you will notice is the big, beautiful red action bar at the top of the app that blends into the status bar. We have a pulled out hamburger menu icon, a move that seems to be born from Material Design. Tap that icon or swipe from the left and you expose the slideout menu that houses your accounts (including Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) and email categories/tags. You have a persistent search button up top to help you take advantage of Google's best-in-class email search. Also, to start a new email, all you need to do is tap on the floating red button in the bottom right corner. From with the compose window, after tapping that fun little red button, you get a traditional email compose layout, but one that has again, been given a Material Design makeover. It's simple, has an action bar with attachment/send/menu buttons, drop down menus to give you cc/bcc options, and helpful suggestions as you type out an address or contact's name.

The rest of the app is mostly the same, in terms of settings, notifications, and swiping. I didn't notice any new settings or options in notifications, plus the swipe-to-archive/delete is the same. You still won't find swipes across messages that can do multiple actions, like you will in Google's new Inbox app.

As far as the third party email and Exchange support, it is certainly built in. When you swipe out the left-side hamburger menu, you will see an option to "Add account" that will pop-up a window with three choices: Google, Personal (Outlook, Yahoo, AOL, etc.), or Exchange. Depending on which you choose, the app will walk you through a series of simple steps to get you up and going. Once setup is complete, your Exchange or third party email accounts will be in the slideout menu's drop-down as available accounts to use when in Gmail. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test this functionality as the only third party account I own is through Outlook.com and it failed over and over again, likely because I have 2-step authentication setup. But again, the new functionality is there.

Oh, and here is the tablet layout.

Google hasn't exactly said when to expect the update to start rolling out, but I would guess that rollout starts today, now that embargoes have lifted. Play Link Update: Google has now announced that the update will rollout to Android 4.0+ devices over the next few days.

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Nexus 9 Review

Tim — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:59:02 +0000

It has been almost two years since the release of the Nexus 10, which first hit shelves on November 13, 2012. For anyone who has been wanting to use a Nexus tablet larger than a Nexus 7, Google has definitely been testing your patience. Fast forward to today and we finally have a new Nexus slate, made in partnership between Google and HTC of all companies, which stopped making tablets for the US market a tad over two years ago. The Nexus 9 is supposedly HTC's new "commitment" to the tablet market, and I have to tell you, using an HTC-made Nexus device is somewhat like shaking hands with a dear old friend. HTC's last venture in the Nexus category was with the original Nexus phone many years ago, so it is nice to see them partnered with Google once again. Officially, this is the first publicly available device to run Android 5.0 "Lollipop," also coming powered by NVIDIA's 64-bit Tegra K1 processor and 2GB of RAM. That alone is enough to excite any Android fan, so you can imagine my desire to dive into the tablet as quickly as possible. We have been fortunate enough to take the Nexus 9 for a spin over the weekend, and we are ready to deliver our verdict on whether this should be your next slate. This is our Nexus 9 review.

The Good

Specs Google and HTC teamed up to bring a good lineup of specifications to the Nexus 9, featuring an 8.9-inch 4:3 display with a ratio of 2048 × 1536, 2.3GHz dual-core 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, 2GB of RAM, front-facing BoomSound speakers, rear-facing 8MP camera, front-facing 1.6MP camera, 16GB or 32GB of storage, and a large 6,700mAh battery. Two specs which stand out are the 64-bit Tegra K1 chip, plus the fact that the Nexus 9 ships with Android 5.0 Lollipop. It is the first device to officially offer Google's newest mobile OS, and so far, we can't get enough of it. Design The overall design of the Nexus 9 is simplistic, but totally screams Nexus. It is my opinion that Nexus hardware will never be flamboyant in the design department, with most attention being paid to the optimization of software that comes preinstalled. Given that Nexus devices are aimed at vanilla enthusiasts and software developers, it's not as if Google actually needs to spend too long approving a design from a manufacturer. As for the Nexus 9, while entirely understated, it does feel right at home in your hands. The Indigo Black model features a soft-touch backside which gives off an almost sticky sensation, but feels very smooth to the touch. For the size, I feel that if someone currently has an iPad, and were thinking about picking up an Android tablet for the first time, they would love it. The tablet is thin, but not to the point where you think you might snap it in half. It offers good weight and durability, but still feels light and precious in-hand. When it comes to design, it really does not get much more plain than the Indigo Black model.

Display The display on the Nexus 9 is quite interesting, given that it features a 4:3 aspect ratio, instead of the 16:9 most Android tablet users have come to know. To me, the 4:3 simply means that this device feels natural in both landscape and portrait viewing modes, and thankfully, Lollipop compliments this theory. While the animation between the two modes is not as smooth as it is on an iPad, the Nexus 9's display offers an excellent experience. The tablet features an 8.9" IPS LCD TFT panel with a resolution of 2048 x 1536. While it may not be QHD, you will probably never be close enough to the screen to see a pixel with your naked eye. While watching movies, detail look extremely crisp, and the color reproduction seems spot on during my tests. Thanks to the Tegra K1, graphics flowed smooth, while lighting and textures look life-like and immersive.

Macros for fun.

Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Starting in early stages with Ice Cream Sandwich, Android has grown into a mature and balanced mobile operating system. With Lollipop, you really get a sense that this version of Android simply works both on tablets and phones. While a few may argue that Android's tablet application ecosystem is still far behind Apple's iPad, Google is putting a ton of effort into guiding developers toward creating beautiful apps to take advantage of larger displays. What has been the most warming experience is to see Google's own suite of apps completely redesigned for Android 5.0, looking more clean and usable than ever. Google's apps for Lollipop on tablets are a real joy to use, and are a huge part of Lollipop itself. Without the Material Design makeover for all applications, then all of the work that the Android team put into Android 5.0 would be wasted.

Going beyond apps, Lollipop is absolutely stunning. With smooth animations and ripple-like effects taking place when you interact with the device, it is as if Lollipop has a mind and heart of its own. The color scheme has been taken from a darker look with Kit Kat, to a more approachable and lightened feel. When compared to all past versions of Android that have been released, Lollipop is the one I am most excited for.

Performance With its 64-bit Tegra K1 from NVIDIA and 2GB of RAM, while also running the new Android Runtime (ART), Lollipop on the Nexus 9 absolutely flies. Whether I was browsing the web using Chrome or playing Sonic the Hedgehog, I never felt that the Nexus 9 was struggling to keep up. In comparison to other tablets I have used, I did not think for a second that the Nexus 9 was underpowered or could use a speed boost. Battery Life For the sake of full transparency, I only had the Nexus 9 since late Friday afternoon, but I used the tablet pretty much nonstop over the weekend. From what I can tell, the Nexus 9's battery life is quite good, and should last just as long as advertised (video playback: up to 9.5 hours, wifi standby: up to 30 days). I was at full juice when I started watching The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, and after concluding that, I was left with 70%. If you are on a coast-to-coast flight, that means you should have no problem putting down a couple of movies with some juice left to spare. Usually when reviewing a device, we like to have about a full week of usage before giving a full report on battery, but from my experience, I don't see any major issues with battery life or longevity of a single charge. The only other small note I should add is that charging the Nexus 9's 6,700mAh seemed to take forever. Going from 15% to fully charged took me a few solid hours, and at first, I thought I received a defective unit with how long it took.

Availability and Price The Nexus 9 is available starting today through Google Play, Amazon, and Best Buy. Priced at $399 for the 16GB and $479 for the 32GB option, the experience you receive with the Nexus 9 seems justified for the price. However, my only main issue with the price is the lack of expandable storage. Given that tablets are primarily used for consuming a whole lot of content, we do wish a 32GB/64GB setup was implemented instead. A variant with 4G LTE connectivity is also on the way, priced at $599, but there is no word exactly when that model will be made available. As of right now, the Nexus 9 comes in Indigo Black and Lunar White, with a Sand color option coming soon.

Somewhere in the Middle

Speakers Coming with HTC's BoomSound, I have to say, I expected a tad more from the dual front-facing stereo speakers. For a tablet, the device can get loud enough, but at full volume, I found them to be a bit crackly. When streaming audio through All Access, then messing with the built-in equalizer, I had hoped I could adjust the sound to make it a bit fuller. Unfortunately, the equalizer did not help one bit, making the volume even lower. While the speakers get the job done with no issues while playing games or watching a movie with the tablet in your lap, I would suggest that no one get too overly excited about the featured speakers. Camera During my brief time with the device, I used the camera about 3 times. While I was not at all impressed with the quality of photos taken, I can't say I would ever use the camera on a tablet enough to justify giving it a bad score. Tablets should only be used for photography in the most dire of circumstances, and for that reason, you don't really need to have an absolute killer sensor inside. It gets the job done. Period. Here are a few shots I snapped. They are resized, but other than that they are untouched.

Full resolution: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Not-so-Good

Limited Storage As I mentioned, tablets are heavy on media consumption. I need a device that can haul plenty of games, numerous movies, and all of the documents I might need for offline usage. With there only being a 16GB and 32GB option, no 64GB at all, I must say this is sort of a failure on Google's part. The system takes up 7GB of the 32GB model right off the top, so out of the box, users receive 25GB of usable storage. For a lot of consumers, especially Android users in particular, we need more storage. The lack of a microSD slot is entirely forgivable, but only when an option for larger storage models is available. In this scenario, the failure to offer more than 16GB and 32GB of storage could be a major drawback for future buyers.

Other Notes

Upside down microUSB port: Another little thing that bugs me is upside down microUSB ports. Not a huge deal, but if you have mild OCD, then prepare yourself for that.
Fingerprint magnet: If you happen to like french fries and other greasy foods, you might find the back of your Indigo Black Nexus 9 becoming quite messy. It is not a big deal or anything, but you should expect to see it dirtied up pretty good after a bit of good usage. For those who may purchase the White or Sand model, your backs will likely fare better thanks to the lighter color.
Quick updates: Given that it's a Nexus device, you can expect to have updates before anyone else straight from Google. I don't think I have to dive deep into why that's important for Android users.
Accessories: So far, Google offers a smartstand for the Nexus 9, as well as a keyboard case through Google Play. Unsurprisingly, the keyboard case is overpriced as a mofo' at $129.99, but to essentially replace your laptop, Google thinks the price is fair.
No wireless charging: It would have been a plus, but the lack of wireless charging is no deal breaker for me. It just seems that with all phones coming with the feature now standard, the tablets would be next in line to receive this. Maybe next time.

Video

Unboxing and Tour

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Lollipop Tour

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Gallery

Verdict

Overall, the Nexus 9 is a superb Android tablet. If you currently own either a Nexus 7 (2012/2013) or a Nexus 10, the Nexus 9 would be a fantastic upgrade for you. If this would be your first Android tablet experience, then your patience has most definitely paid off. The Nexus 9 offers good battery life coupled with awesome performance during video playback, game playing, and application multitasking, while also looking like a tablet you could take home to mother. Android 5.0 "Lollipop," at least in my opinion, is a serious lunge in the right direction for the operating system as a whole. Thanks to Google's work on both the Android suite of apps front, as well as the beautiful polish that comes with Lollipop, the Nexus 9 easily has my vote for Android tablet of the year.

Moto 360 Also Coming to AT&T November 7, $50 Discount When Bought With a Moto X

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 07:59:54 +0000

The Moto 360, the Android Wear watch that we consider to be the best available (our review), will arrive at AT&T stores on November 7, alongside the G Watch R. The device will run $249, just as it does everywhere, but if you buy it with the new Moto X (2nd gen), AT&T will knock $50 off the price. Yep.

Via: AT&T

LG G Watch R Comes to AT&T on November 5 for $299

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 07:47:42 +0000

The LG G Watch R is officially coming to the US on November 5 for $299. Yep, that would be this Wednesday. You will be able to purchase LG's premium watch at AT&T's online shop on November 5, then in stores on November 7. For those not familiar, the G Watch R is the other round Android Wear smartwatch. LG will probably tell you that it is the only fully round smartwatch, which is them taking a subtle, but well-played jab at Motorola for the "flat tire" found at the bottom of the Moto 360. The device is also made of premium materials, like metal and leather. It has a 1.3-inch P-OLED display, the first of its kind. It also has a heart rate monitor, classic sport watch styling, and really is the other premium Android Wear watch to consider. We have been testing one for a couple of weeks and so far have mostly positive things to say about it (our unboxing and first impressions). While the styling isn't exactly to my taste, there is no denying the premium feel of the watch, outside of the cheap "leather" wrist strap. Battery life is impressive, the display is punchy and colorful, and performance is as good as it gets for modern smartwatches. But is it worth the extra $50 you will pay over the current king of Android Wear, the Moto 360? Personally, no, but some may feel differently for the added battery life.

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Via: AT&T

Need a Nexus 9 Today? Best Buy has Them for In-Store Pickup

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 07:36:26 +0000

Today, is Nexus 9 launch day. We reminded you of that yesterday when we pointed out that the device was now showing as in-stock and ready to ship from Google Play. But what if you don't want to wait a couple of days for shipping and would rather enjoy your new HTC-made tablet immediately? Well, you can go buy one from Best Buy's online shop, pick it up today in a store, and start enjoying Android 5.0 before almost anyone else on the planet. From what we are seeing, only the black version is in-stock, but both 16GB or 32GB are showing as available for in-store pickup. If the white shows up too, we will update this post. Best Buy Link

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HTC Desire EYE and RE Camera Arrive November 7 at AT&T

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 07:04:35 +0000

HTC's newest phone, the Desire EYE, arrives at AT&T stores on November 7 for $149 with a new 2-year contract, $549 at full retail, or for as little as $22.92 per month with AT&T Next. Joining the Desire EYE on November 7 is HTC's other new product in a brand new category for the company, the RE camera. The RE will retail for $199, but AT&T customers can save $50 off their purchase if they buy the Desire EYE. As a recap, the Desire EYE is a flagship-level phone from HTC that ditches the signature metal casing found in the One (M8). It sports a Snapdragon 801 processor, 5.2-inch FHD display, 2,400mAh battery, BoomSound speakers, and includes 16GB of storage with support for 128GB micro SD cards. The real story of the Desire EYE is its camera setup, though. The Desire EYE is equipped with not one, but two 13MP cameras. You will find one on the front and back, which means you have the ultimate selfie machine in your hand with the Desire EYE. If you are really into yourself, care little about others because you are busy snapping pictures of yourself, and think people really want to watch you share pictures of yourself on the daily, this is the phone for you. Actually, it looks like a pretty solid phone, I just can't stand company's attempts to market selfie cameras as major selling features. Look past the selfie! Find glory. The RE is kind of like a GoPro camera, at least that's what HTC is aiming for. It's expensive, lacks features of the GoPro, and is the company's first attempt at the action camera arena. It shoots 16MP stills, 1080p video, looks like a missing submarine part, and is always on. You can read more about the RE at our first write-up. Ready to buy either?

Via: AT&T

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Arrives at AT&T on November 7, Other Carriers Soon After

Kellen — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 06:46:23 +0000

A US availability date for the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge has been announced this morning by Samsung as November 14. Well, they expect that it will begin arriving in carrier stores (Sprint is one) around that time - except at AT&T. AT&T announced availability this morning, as well, giving us a firm November 7 date for the arrival of this interesting device in select stores. Other carriers will likely announce availability at any moment, so when that happens, we will update this post. As a reminder, the Galaxy Note Edge is Samsung's slanted...thing. It's basically a Galaxy Note 4, except it has this oddly placed and questionably useful slanted edge on the right side of its panel. That edge can be used to store shortcuts to your favorite apps, show ticker information, become a bedside clock, and even a ruler. A ruler! Other than those uses, we aren't sure what else is the point, but hey, innovation. The device also features a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, 5.6-inch QHD display, 16MP rear camera with Smart OIS, 3.7MP front camera (selfies!), 3GB RAM, 32GB of storage with support for 128GB micro SD cards, and a 3,000mAh battery. Anyone buying?

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Via: Samsung | ATT | Sprint

Verizon Adds More Data to $80 and $100 Plans

Kellen — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 07:20:03 +0000

On Friday, Verizon joined AT&T in announcing that a couple of their data plans would now include more data at the same price. Their $80 and $100 MORE Everything plans are jumping up to 10GB and 15GB of data per month, respectively. Previously, the $80 plan came with just 6GB of data, while the $100 plan had 10GB. Also, if customers switch to Verizon and purchase a new 4G LTE smartphone by either signing a 2-year contract or through Verizon's Edge payment plan, Verizon will hand them a $150 port-in credit. The deals are available for a limited time.

Via: Verizon

HTC Nexus 9 In-Stock and Shipping in 1-2 Days, Because Tomorrow is Launch Day

Kellen — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 06:59:22 +0000

This morning, Google flipped the shipping estimate on the Nexus 9 to "leaves warehouse in 1-2 days." Since tomorrow is November 3 and launch day, that move certainly makes a whole lot of sense. Another way to look at that shipping estimate, is that the device is in-stock and ready for you to order this minute. Depending on which shipping method you choose, you could have a brand new Nexus 9 running Android 5.0 "Lollipop" within a couple of days. At this time, Google is still only selling either the black or white WiFi models with 16GB or 32GB of storage. The tan and LTE models are marked as "coming soon." We aren't sure how other retailers are handling tomorrow's launch, meaning, if you pre-ordered from someone like Amazon, we don't know when those items will ship. They could ship tomorrow, though. If you are still on the fence over purchasing a Nexus 9, be sure to check out our unboxing, initial impressions, and massive gallery. We will also have a review up this week. Play Link

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Nexus and DROID Turbo Special

Tim — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:53:09 +0000

A special rendition of The Droid Life Show is set to take place today at 1:15pm Pacific, focusing entirely on Google's new lineup of Nexus devices. We are fortunate to have the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player in-house, so we will be going over our initial impressions and answering any of your potential questions regarding the devices. If the Nexus lineup isn't on your shopping list, we also have the DROID Turbo in-hand, which we will talk about as well. Won't you join us?

This Week in the Life of DROID: 10/31/2014

Tim — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:17:23 +0000

With the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and DROID Turbo in our possession, you better believe we have a lot of work laid out ahead of us. Reviews! It was a crazy week here at DL, with pre-orders for the Nexus 6 taking place, but as many people may have found out, the device was not available for long, seemingly selling out in record time. Besides that fiasco, Amazon tipped us that a Champagne Gold Moto 360 is on the way, as well as more bands for the Android Wear device from Motorola. Other news included Andy Rubin officially leaving Google to start a hardware incubator, a ton of apps receiving Material Design makeovers, retailers shutting down support for Google Wallet, topped off by Lenovo closing its deal with Google to purchase Motorola for nearly $3 billion. Here are the highlights in case you missed any of the action.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Nexus and DROID Turbo Special [Subscribe]
Video: Nexus 6 unboxing and hands-on.
Video: Nexus 9 unboxing and hands-on.
Video: DROID Turbo Unboxing.
Lollipop with TouchWiz videoed on the Galaxy S5.
Nexus 6 pre-orders went up, then went down.
Yes, the Nexus 6 works fine on Verizon.
Champagne Gold Moto 360 shows up on Amazon, along with Cognac band.
Andy Rubin exits Google.
LG G3 on Verizon receiving much needed update.
Google Fit hits Google Play.
Retailers hate Apple Pay, which means they hate Google Wallet.
Lenovo closes Motorola deal with Google.
Many apps were updated with Material Design aesthetics.

Have a great and safe weekend, folks!

Friday App Sales: Botanicula, Fleksy Keyboard, Death Worm, and More

Tim — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:34:56 +0000

It's Halloween! Combine that with the fact that it is also Friday, and you are set to experience a few awesome app and game sales taking place. On top of the great giveaway Amazon is hosting on its Appstore, Google Play is currently hosting deals on the new smash hit Botanicula, as well as Fleksy Keyboard, Minuum Keyboard, and The Walking Dead Pinball. If something a bit more spooky is needed, you can always check out Slender Man Origins HD, House of Hell, Blood of the Zombies, or Devilry Huntress which are also on sale. Here is the full list for you. Friday app sales

Minuum Keyboard ($0.99)
ROM Toolbox Pro ($2.99)
Botanicula ($2.99)
Slender Man Origins HD ($0.99)
Devilry Huntress ($0.99)
Drag Racing 3D ($0.99)
Death Worm ($0.99)
Fleksy Keyboard ($0.99)
House of Hell ($1.99)
Blood of the Zombies ($1.99)
Vampire Boyfriends ($0.99)
Groundskeeper 2 ($1.25)
The Walking Dead Pinball ($0.99)

Go support those developers!

Nexus 9 Unboxing and Gallery

Kellen — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:48:12 +0000

As you now know, we have a Nexus 6 in house, which has already been unboxed. But for the tablet fans in the building who aren't interested in Google's new whale, we thought you would be interested in seeing one of the other new Nexus devices of the year, the Nexus 9. This is the return of a partnership between HTC and Google, something we haven't seen since the original Nexus One. Many of us have been waiting years for this to happen. As a recap, the Nexus 9 is currently up for pre-order from a number of retailers with an expected ship date of November 3. There are 16GB, 32GB, and 32GB LTE models that run $399, $479, and $599, respectively. Google and HTC have made Black, White, and Tan models, though the Tan model has yet to become available. In hand, the Nexus 9 looks and feels a lot like last year's Nexus 7 (2013) with its matte black, soft touch finish, but differs because of its square-ish 4:3 aspect ratio. HTC has also tossed in BoomSound front speakers, an 8MP rear camera, NVIDIA Tegra K1 64-bit processor, 2GB RAM, and an 8.9-inch IPS LCD display. And yes, it also runs Android 5.0 "Lollipop." We will have more details and thoughts in the very near future, since November 3 is this coming Monday. Watch the unboxing, share some thoughts in the comments, and then get ready for more!

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AT&T Bumps Data Allotment for Mobile Share Plans

Tim — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:04:08 +0000

Announced by AT&T this morning, Mobile Share plan users on the network will see a boost in the amount of data they receive on the $40 and $70 plans. Beginning November 2, users currently on the $40 2GB plan will have 3GB moving forward, and $70 users with 4GB will now have 6GB. As a refresh, Mobile Share plans allow for users to pay for the data they went, which includes unlimited text and voice. AT&T states in the press release, "customers can get unlimited international messaging (text, picture and video) on all Mobile Share Value plans for no additional cost." Here is a graph detailing the changes. Not very comprehensive, but you get the idea.

Via: AT&T

Nexus 6 Unboxing and Gallery

Kellen — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:42:30 +0000

The Nexus 6 is in house! You know this already if you saw our post verifying that it works just fine on Verizon's network, but for those who didn't - we have a Nexus 6 in house! Yes, Google's new premium flagship is in-hand, blubber and all, ready for us to get to testing. Before we get there, obviously there are some things we like to do to kickstart the process. One of those is to unbox the device and then give you some initial reactions. So, that's exactly what you will find below. As a recap, the Nexus 6 is already up for pre-order (out of stock at the moment) through Google Play at $649 (32GB) and $699 (64GB) in Midnight Blue or Cloud White. The device comes unlocked, meaning it will work out of the box on AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, and yes, Verizon. All of those carriers plan to make the phone available in their stores, but most have not mentioned pricing or dates of available outside of T-Mobile. T-Mobile has told us to expect the 32GB model on November 12 for $649. With that out of the way, I'm sure you want to know what we think of Google's whale, right? Well, it's big. It also feels very premium in-hand, which makes sense since it's really just a bigger version of this year's Moto X. We will surely have more thoughts beyond that shortly, but really, have only spent a couple of minutes with the phone to do this unboxing. So, enjoy the unboxing and gallery, and then hang with us for more Nexus 6 coverage.

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New Video Shows TouchWiz Running on Top of Lollipop, Samsung Trying Its Best

Tim — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 10:30:57 +0000

For many users, TouchWiz, Samsung's custom skin, leaves much to be desired in the performance and aesthetics department. And sadly, every time Android receives a major update, which brings new design guidelines, we hope TouchWiz receives the same type of makeover, making it more attractive and less processor intensive. With the Android 5.0 update, the OS is receiving a major makeover from Google, but as we saw previously in a leaked build of the Android L developer preview running on a Galaxy S5, it appeared that Samsung was sticking with TouchWiz's current state. However, a new video, running what appears to be a full build of Lollipop, shows that Samsung is trying their best to conform to Google's "standards," while not compromising the TouchWiz we have known over the past few years. For example, it is detailed in the video that Samsung has added various touch responses, like a rain drop effect, to a few of the system buttons found on the device. In addition, the OEM has updated many of its applications with Material Design looks, which is a major plus to us. Give the video a look, then tell us if you think TouchWiz is becoming a bit more swallowable. To us, as long as it runs smoothly and with minimal jank, it's fine.

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Nexus 6 Working on Verizon Out of the Box. (Updated: With Video)

Kellen — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:55:59 +0000

The question you keep asking, we may have an answer for. Will the Nexus 6 work on Verizon out of the box? Since we can't seem to get a straight answer on the subject from any parties involved, we decided to test it immediately upon receiving our review unit. The short answer - yep, it seems to be working. Before doing anything else with the phone, I popped out the SIM tray and tossed in my Verizon nano SIM. I then walked through the setup for the first time, watched as the device activated cell service, saw the LTE icon appear, and then completed setup. I then opened Chrome and quickly opened up Droid Life without a hiccup to test data. But what about calls? Oh I tested that too. I placed calls to Comcast and Tim, both of which went through. So yeah, in short, the Nexus 6 appears ready for Verizon, even if the carrier has gone missing from the Nexus 6 support page (Edit: Surprise! Verizon now listed again after not being there for the last two days). Update: I noticed that some of you are wondering why we needed to test this. Yes, we are fully aware that Google and Verizon have confirmed to us that the Nexus 6 will work on Big Red's network. And yes, we are fully aware that it supports both Verizon's CDMA and LTE bands. We know all of this. But, as I mentioned above, Verizon was the only carrier missing from the official support site for the device (until about an hour ago). Verizon has also been pretty quiet about the Nexus 6, only confirming to us that they plan to carry it. Other than that, they haven't announced a thing when it comes to the Nexus 6. So, a number of readers have been concerned over whether or not the device would work on Verizon when it ships from Google Play. In other words, would their $649+ purchase work on Verizon right away or would they have to wait for it to be given the green light? That's why we tested it. Update 2: Here is video of the Nexus 6 in action on Verizon's network.

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Video coming in a minute.

Friday Poll: What is Your Typical Screen on Time in a Day?

Kellen — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:08:50 +0000

How many hours per day do you spend looking at your phone? That's essentially what we are looking for when we ask, "What is your typical screen on time in a day?" Actually, it's deeper than that, because it's a metric (if you can call it that) that we look at while doing reviews to give you a sense of the battery life we are getting with a particular device. I can tell you that I average around two hours of screen on time per day, but that can jump up to three or four hours during a review period. I would consider myself to be a pretty average user, since I sit at a computer doing most of my work during the day, with the phone acting as a sidekick until it becomes my main computing device at night. But I know that many of you are using your phones for everything, from the minute you wake up until the minute you lay your head on a pillow. With that type of use, I can imagine that five hours could be average. So, let's find out what the official Droid Life average is for screen on time. For those new, you can find screen on time by jumping into Settings>Power/Battery and then tapping on "Screen" in the list of items gobbling up battery power. [poll id="340"]

Lease a Galaxy S5 or Galaxy S5 Sport Through Sprint for $20 a Month for Two Years

Tim — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:34:41 +0000

Starting today, Sprint has expanded its phone lease program to include the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S5 Sport. For those unaware, Sprint allows individual customers and business customers to lease a smartphone for two years, ending with either you paying the device off in full, turning the phone in for another lease, or continuing the lease month-to-month. For the Galaxy S5 and S5 Sport, it is the same deal. For 24 months (2 year contract), you will pay an extra $20 on your monthly bill, concluded with you making one of those aforementioned decisions. For some qualified buyers, there is no upfront payment on the device, which may make the plan desirable if saving on initial cost is something you are concerned about. To clarify, here are your options for when the two years are up.

Turn in the current leased Galaxy S 5 or Galaxy S 5 Sport and lease another phone with zero down at signing
Purchase the leased Galaxy S 5 or Galaxy S 5 Sport
Continue leasing Galaxy S 5 or Galaxy S 5 Sport on a month-to-month basis
Or, when the lease ends, the customer has the option to return the device in good working condition and terminate service

If you are interested in this deal, go find your nearest Sprint store.

Via: Sprint

Samsung Announces the Galaxy A5 and A3 - Thin, Mid-Range, and Metal, for the Hip Kids

Kellen — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:07:55 +0000

Samsung unwrapped two new devices last night, both of which seem destined for China and emerging markets. The devices are the Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A3, two phones that have ultra thin, full metal unibody designs that measure in at 6.7mm and 6.9mm, respectively. Outside of their premium bodies, Samsung hopes "young and trend conscious consumers" will be on board with their selfie features and social media prowess. The Galaxy A5 and A3 are Samsung's slimmest phones to date and come in a variety of colors (white, black, silver, pink, light blue, and champagne gold) to "accommodate the personal style and preference of diverse users." Each phone has a 5MP front camera for, you guessed it, selfies. F-ing selfies. Talk about a trend that needs to die quicker than the word "phablet." But hey, the cool kids take them, so that means every phone manufacturer should build in selfie cams! OK! I'm now talking loudly about selfies. Moving on. Samsung also packed in quad-core processors (unnamed), 13MP (A5) and 8MP (A3) rear cameras, 5-inch HD (A5) and 4.5-inch qHD (A3) AMOLED displays, micro SD support, 4G LTE radios, and all of the TouchWiz a human would never ask for if they knew better. The phones will be available starting in November in China, along with other "select" markets.

Galaxy A5

Galaxy A3

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New Moto X in Leather Drops to $0 at Amazon, $1 for Black Resin

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:47:22 +0000

Looking for a steal of a deal on the new Moto X (2nd gen)? Amazon has the best prices on both the AT&T and Verizon models. If you are interested in the black leather model on AT&T, you are looking at $0 for the device with a 2-year contract. If you want the new Moto X in black resin, you can pick one up on either AT&T or Verizon for just $1 with a 2-year contract. The bamboo models on each haven't necessarily been discounted at Amazon, though they are still cheaper than through the carriers (AT&T for $69.99, Verizon for $79.99). The new Moto X is quickly becoming our favorite phone of the year, just like last year's model. If you have any questions or want to know why, be sure to check out our Moto X review. Amazon Links: AT&T Moto X in Black Leather (free) | AT&T Moto X Resin ($1) | Verizon Moto X Resin ($1) If Amazon isn't your friend, Best Buy has the same $1 deal for the black resin models. Also, if you are on Verizon and thinking of picking one up, be sure to check out our guide on how to keep unlimited data while upgrading. Both Best Buy and Amazon have been allowing upgrades for quite some time, assuming you follow a specific set of steps.

Cheers Tim and Richard!

Andy Rubin, the Founder of Android, Leaves Google

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 17:16:35 +0000

Back in March of 2013, Google's Larry Page announced that Andy Rubin was stepping away from the Android team at Google to work on making super smart robots. The move was a bit shocking, since the man co-founded the operating system that has now taken over the smartphone world. But hey, people need change some times, and that's apparently what Andy was looking for. Fast forward to today and he is officially leaving Google. According to a report out of the Wall Street Journal, Rubin is "starting an incubator for startups interested in building technology-hardware products." So yeah. Andy Rubin, the founder of Android, no longer even works for the company that owns the operating system he helped create. Kind of odd.

Via: Wall Street Journal IMAGE

James Franco Ditches His DROID Turbo on Launch Day for an iPhone 6

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 17:02:16 +0000

It's not that James Franco ever said publicly that he signed an exclusive deal with Motorola or Verizon to use a DROID Turbo as his daily phone or be a company spokesperson, but after starring in a couple of teasers for the phone prior to launch followed by another couple of commercials on launch day (which is today, by the way), I can't imagine that Motorola or Verizon wanted James parading around on Instagram with an iPhone 6. But as you can clearly see in the image above, that's exactly what happened today. In a series of posts of Franco with Marnie the Dog taken today (he mentioned specifically that they were taken this morning over coffee), one of which was posted by the official Instagram account, we can see that he has an iPhone 6 in hand. Yep, that's an iPhone 6 in a case. Again, we were never told that Franco would be leading the DROID Turbo charge, but come on, the guy is in all of the commercials for the phone's brand new campaign, which kicked off today. Oh well, add Franco to the list of other celebrities who get paid handsomely from a phone manufacturer only to turn around moments later and do something on social media with an iPhone (Ellen and Alicia Keys are a couple that come to mind).

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Via: @jamesfrancotv

Deal: Slim BookMark Battery Pack is Just $34.99

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:15:13 +0000

Battery packs are awesome and an accessory that I always tell people to consider buying when they are on sale. You can keep them in the bottom of a bag, in the glove box of your car, or on your coffee table for those times on the couch where you need extra battery juice but don't have an outlet near by. You just never know when you might be away from an outlet for an extended period of time with a quickly dying battery that needs to last another couple of hours. The BookMark Battery is the latest to go on sale in our Deals store. It's an incredibly thin (4.7mm) 2,500mAh battery pack that will give most phones an entire charge before it needs replenishing. It has a touch indicator to show how much power it has left, comes in either black or white, and was designed to fit perfectly into a pocket, even a pant pocket. It inputs at 5v-1000mA, outputs at 5v-500mA, and has a cycle life of 500 charges. At $34.99 (regularly $60), this is a solid deal for those who need some backup power. Deal Link

Angry Birds Transformers is Now on Android

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:00:59 +0000

Temporarily exclusive to iOS, the latest in the Angry Birds franchise from game maker Rovio, Angry Birds Transformers, is now available on Android for free. The game appears to be a side-scrolling, endless-runner-like blow-em-up affair, with Angry Birds characters being used as Transformers. There are vehicles, upgrades, an option to tag team with friends, and a roster of heroes with unique attacks and abilities that can be unlocked. If you read that a certain way, like I just did, that can only mean one thing - massive in-app purchases. And sure enough, the Google Play listing suggests that there are in-app purchases ranging from $4.99 to $99. Again, the game is free to download and play, but don't expect that play or the fun to be unlimited without some cash being forked over. Play Link

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Star Wars: Galactic Defense Hits Google Play, Time to Choose Your Side of The Force

Tim — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:56:45 +0000

Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Defense hit Google Play this week, allowing mobile gamers to choose the light or dark side in a new take on the tower defense franchise. In the game, once you decide if you will be evil or good, you build your defenses against enemies, upgrading towers and troops to defeat incoming baddies. The game takes from many of the franchise's best titles, with characters we all know and love. You can play as Chewbacca, Han Solo, Skywalker, or baddies like Vader, Boba Fett, and others. One feature which may interest more players is the teaming-up ability you have with other players. The game allows you to buddy up with friends to exchange resources and conquer your enemies together, making the game a bit more social and fun. It is free to download from Google Play, but there are various IAPs featured, naturally. Play Link

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LG Intros World's Narrowest Display Bezel at 0.7mm for 5.3" Full HD LCD Panel

Tim — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 11:57:12 +0000

LG introduced what is now the world's narrowest bezel at 0.7mm, bordering a 5.3" Full HD (1080p) LCD panel. To compare this new panel's bezel to an existing one, the LG G3 features a bezel of 1.15mm. As another good comparison, the thickness of a credit card measures in on average at 0.8mm. To bring the panel to fruition, LG implemented its Neo Edge module processing technology, as well as the "world's first" Advanced In-Cell Touch technology. Neo Edge technology is when an adhesive is used instead of double-sided tape to attach the panel's circuit board and backlight unit, while maintaining its water and dust resistance. As for AIT, it reduces the need for bezel space thanks to the touch panel being embedded into the LCD module itself. LG Display will begin mass production of the new display in November, with first supplies headed to China where demand is reportedly high.

LG Display Develops World's Narrowest 0.7mm Bezel FHD LCD Panel for Smartphones
Seoul, Korea (Oct. 30, 2014) - LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it has developed a 5.3-inch Full HD LCD panel for smartphones with the world's narrowest bezel at 0.7mm. With this cutting-edge display, LG Display continues to lead the market in high-resolution large-size displays for mobile devices. "With the growing trend for large screen smartphones, customer demand for displays with a narrow bezel is increasing, because it enables users to enjoy the maximum use of screen area without compromising excellent grip and design," said Byeong-koo Kim, Vice President and Head of IT/Mobile Development Group at LG Display. "With this innovative product having many advantages, ranging from its narrow 0.7mm bezel and high resolution picture quality to its slim design and touch-embedded solutions, LG Display will continue to lead the growing market for large screen smartphones, meeting the expectations of customers and users by enhancing the quality of devices," said Mr. Kim. To realize the 0.7mm bezel width on the left and right sides of the panel, which is narrower than the 0.8mm thickness of a credit card, LG Display used its "Neo Edge" module processing technology and the world's first "Advanced In-Cell Touch (AIT)" technology. LG Display's Neo Edge technology uses an adhesive instead of double-sided tape to attach and completely seal the total area and edges of the panel's circuit board and backlight unit. Because there is no plastic guide panel to attach the panel and backlight, the Neo Edge technology helps achieve minimal bezel width, while blocking light leakage and being waterproof and dustproof. The adhesive seal also prevents corrosion that sometimes occurs along the edge of the glass panel when double-sided tape is used, while dramatically improving the panel's durability despite the narrow bezel because of increased elasticity as the adhesive hardens. The company's AIT technology, exclusively developed by LG Display, reduces the need for bezel space because the touch panel is embedded into the LCD module. The technology offers a slim design and excellent touch, while saving costs since a separate process for touch functions is not required. LG Display will start mass production of the product in November and supply it first to customers in China, where demand for large screen smartphones is strong, while actively promoting it globally.

Any.do 2.0 Brings New Collaboration Features, File Attachments, Better Reminders

Kyle — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 11:20:19 +0000

Task management apps are a dime a dozen, but Any.do has managed to carve out a niche for itself by taking a multifaceted approach. The developers pushed out a companion calendar app, called Cal, last year, and Any.do was one of the first to integrate with Google Now and support Google Glass. Fast approaching version 2.0, the Any.do is gaining a bevy of new management, file manipulation, and customization features, but a few will be locked behind a subscription. According to the press release, Any.do's app has been revamped to eliminate the "time suck" that comes from using disparate apps. It achieves this in part by simplifying team management and file attachments. Any.do 2.0 lets you add members (up to 2 for free, unlimited for subscribers) to a task and share written notes, videos, audio, pictures, Dropbox documents, and any file type up to 5MB (unlimited for subscribers). Reminders and the UI customization options have also seen much-needed enhancements. Reminders can now be scheduled for any time and associated with any task, and paying users can now choose from five themes. Any.do Premium is the company's subscription service. It comes with the aforementioned benefits and adds customizable recurring tasks, location-based reminders, and dedicated support. Pricing starts at $5 per month/ $45 per year. Promotional pricing over the next 14 days reduces those totals to $3 and $27, respectively.

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Via: Any.do

FYI: DROID Turbo Can't Currently do Simultaneous Voice and Data

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:59:29 +0000

As a quick heads up, we wanted to make sure the new DROID Turbo owners in the building were aware of a feature that isn't currently available on their device, but will be by the end of the year - simultaneous voice and data. We aren't sure why the device isn't capable of simultaneous voice and data out of the box, but Verizon has confirmed to us that Advanced Calling 1.0 (which is their version of VoLTE) is required for it to work. Verizon has also confirmed to us that Advanced Calling 1.0 will arrive by the end of the year. Why are we pointing this out? Well, we first reported this news prior to the launch, but now that we have the device in hand, were able to test and confirm that the feature is missing. This is important to know for those of you who place phone calls, but still need a data connection while on a call to access apps, email, or the web. Again, the feature is coming with Advanced Calling 1.0 before the end of the year. In the mean time, you will have to be on WiFi during calls in order to maintain a data connection with apps or your browser.

DROID Turbo Receiving Day 1 Update to Build 21.21.15

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:37:02 +0000

If you pick up a DROID Turbo today, expect to receive a system update within the first couple of hours, if not immediately. The update brings the Turbo up to version 21.21.15, though we aren't sure what changes are included. If it means anything, this is the build that my review unit has been running since I received it on Tuesday. I would imagine this is the final, stable build that was intended for day 1 and doesn't necessarily include any new features. I would point you to a changelog, but as I mentioned earlier, Verizon has this insanely terrible new support setup at their site that is mostly broken (has been for weeks). If we do find a changelog, we will be sure to pass it along. To grab the update, head into Settings>System updates. Your phone should then check to see if anything is available.

Cheers Brandon and @adamjaywells!

Amazon Handing Out $115 Worth of Paid Games and Apps for Absolutely Free

Tim — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:31:10 +0000

In a deal currently taking place through its Appstore, Amazon is handing out over $115 of paid apps and games for completely free, featuring titles which actually kick butt. For starters, gamers can hop up on Zombie Gunship, Unpossible, World of Goo, Sonic the Hedgehog, or even test their trivia skills with one of my favorite games, Trivia Crack. As for regular apps, Amazon is offering Plex, the Human Anatomy Atlas, Lapse It Pro, Boxer Pro, and BeFunky Photo Editor among a few others. Of course, the only real downside is that you need to install the Amazon Appstore. But hey, for these titles, it might be worth it. Amazon Link

Cheers Matt!

Samsung Gear S Coming to Best Buy and Carrier Stores on November 7th

Kyle — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:04:51 +0000

Samsung is marketing a ton of different wearables currently, but some of them remain exclusive to overseas markets. Starting next week, you can cross the Gear S off that list, as Samsung announced that Best Buy and a bevy of carriers - AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon - will begin selling the smartwatch on November 7. The Gear S, remember, is the manufacturer's IP67-rated, Tizen-running smartwatch with an integrated cellular radio. Its curved AMOLED display (480 x 360) measures a massive (for a wearable) 2 inches diagonally, and behind it lies a 1.0 GHz dual-core processor, 300mAh battery, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Gear S also packs a wide array of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, heart rate monitor, ambient light sensor, and UV detector. That premium hardware comes at a premium price. T-Mobile will sell the device at a hefty $349.92, and Sprint for $384 (AT&T is offering it for $199.99 with a two-year agreement). 24-month financing options are available, of course, but the Gear S will still be priced leagues above Android Wear smartwatches when it launches. In terms of data offerings, T-Mobile's $5 per month option includes 500MB of data and unlimited texting. Through December, Sprint is waiving device fees for subscribers on shared plans 20GB or greater. If you have been anxiously awaiting the day you can leave your smartphone at home and answer calls and texts on your watch, the time has almost come.

Samsung Continues to Define Wearables Market, Brings Gear S to U.S. Next Week
DALLAS - Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung) announced today that the Samsung Gear S™ will be available in the U.S. beginning next Friday, November 7. Samsung’s next-generation wearable extends the smartphone experience to users’ wrists through connectivity and convenience. “Samsung continues to shape the wearable category with advanced technology and new experiences,” said Gregory Lee, president and CEO of Samsung Telecommunications America and Samsung Electronics North America Headquarters. “A growing developer ecosystem will further expand the capabilities of the Gear S with fitness tracking services like Nike+ Running and on-wrist turn-by-turn navigation from HERE and more.” The Gear S features a beautiful 2-inch curved Super AMOLED® display and standalone carrier network connectivity1, giving on-the-go consumers the freedom to stay connected, even when away from their phone. Users can make a quick call, glance at information and notifications, and immediately take action right from their wrist. With an intuitive user experience, Gear S lets users view, receive, and reply to rich notifications from apps like email, messages, and social networks without pulling out their phone, or even having their phone with them. Speak or type emails, texts or posts from Gear S with both S Voice™ and a full QWERTY keyboard. The Gear S is equipped with several sensors, including an accelerometer, UV sensor, barometer, heart rate monitor, GPS and an IP67 rating for dust- and water-resistance2. From the paired phone, the Gear S features turn-by-turn navigation provided by HERE. View full text articles with pictures from News Briefings and other news applications. With S Health™3, Nike+ Running and a number of third party applications available through Samsung Gear Apps, it’s easy to find the right program and keep track of your fitness progress. Listen to songs from the MILK Music™ app powered by Slacker, right from your wrist. The Gear S will be available in both White and Black. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless will carry the Gear S. The Gear S will also be available at Samsung Experience Shops in Best Buy. Carriers and retailers will confirm specific pricing and availability.

Verizon LG G3 Receiving Update That Should Improve Performance

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:28:40 +0000

The LG G3 on Verizon is receiving an update today to build VS98511C that should bring a performance boost to the QHD beast. I can't tell you how many people have told us that their G3 has slowed down immensely over the last couple of months, so hopefully this takes care of whatever was plaguing a device that has enough in the spec department to not have issues with performance. The update also improves network connectivity and adds camera app access directly to the lock screen through a swiping gesture. The update seems to be rolling out to a new number of our readers now. If you would like to try and pull it, head into Settings>System updates>Check for new system update. Here is the changelog, according to Verizon's really terrible new support site:

THE FOLLOWING IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE: Lockscreen (Camera button)

User can access Camera app directly by dragging camera button to the left.

THE FOLLOWING ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED:

Increase device speed for user experience

Increase network connectivity

Let us know how that performance is after the update!

Via: Verizon

Cheers @zake32, Jamie and Barry!

Microsoft Introduces $199 Fitness Band and Microsoft Health App

Kyle — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:19:40 +0000

Well, you can add another entry to the long list of companies hoping to nab a piece of the wearable pie. Today, Microsoft announced the Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health app, a hardware and software initiative that form the core of the company's new fitness platform. The Microsoft Band, which costs $199 and debuts in Microsoft Stores today, looks somewhat similar to a Gear Fit. A fitness wearable through-and-through, its functionally limited to mostly vitals and stats - it tracks miles, steps, hours of sleep, calories, and heart rate, and syncs that data with your smartphone. It is not unique in that regard, but Microsoft says it does so with an unprecedented level of accuracy thanks to a 10-sensor module, which includes a GPS, optical heart rate monitor, UV light monitor, and more. Microsoft worked with gyms and fitness magazines to develop workouts, which the band can monitor by telling you when to switch routines and counting reps. If paired with a Windows Phone, the Band becomes slightly more capable. It can access Cortana, Microsoft's intelligent voice assistant, and display texts, emails, Twitter alerts, and even Starbucks barcodes on its elongated screen. The eponymous Microsoft Health is Microsoft's attempt at a one-stop, cross-platform vault for all of your wellness data. It is available in the form of an app for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone, and will eventually integrate with all of the most popular fitness apps and devices - it supports Android Wear watches at launch, and Microsoft has been working with Jawbone, MapMyFitness, My Fitness Pal, and Runkeeper. The app's defining feature is the Intelligence Engine, which uses cloud processing to analyze your data and provide insights; Microsoft says that will include bits like "whether eating breakfast helps you run faster," and "if the number of meetings during the day impacts sleep quality." The Microsoft Band is available "in limited quantities" starting today, online at MicrosoftStore.com and in brick-and-mortar Microsoft Stores. Microsoft Health is a free download on Google Play. Play Link

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Via: Microsoft

Google Reveals Redesigned Play Books App Optimized for Nonfiction

Kyle — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:10:24 +0000

The deluge of Google app updates shows no sign of abating. Today, Google announced a major update for Play Books that features a redesigned reading experienced "optimized for nonfiction books." Scott Dougall, director of product management for Google Play Books, posits that eBooks are great when you read them in a sitting but not so great for particular genres, like travel guides and journals. The solution, he writes, was to remake the interface so that jumping between spots of a text and browsing annotations became faster and simpler. Page navigation is quicker in the new Play Books thanks to a revamped table of contents view, which shows the subsections of chapters in supported titles. Bookmarks have been streamlined into Quick Bookmarks, which let you more easily hop to saved spots. And Skim Mode lets you browse pages in a zoomed-out, searchable view for a broad overview of content, all or part of which can be bookmarked. The update is scheduled to roll out soon. Play Link

Via: Google

Amazon Outs Moto 360 in Champagne Metal, Leather Cognac Band, Promptly Pulls It All

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 08:58:26 +0000

When Motorola first introduced the Moto 360, they told us to expect new leather bands that could be swapped onto current models, along with metal options, some time later in the Fall. We knew that new leather bands would run an extra $29.99, metal bands $79.99, or a combination of the watch and metal band for $299, which is $50 higher than the leather strapped model. If a whole bunch of listings that went live on Amazon last night are any indication, those new options may be here fairly soon, along with some semi-unexpected colors. I should point out that all of the Amazon listings I just mentioned have since been pulled, but there are cached pages of them that are still visible. Here is what we know. Motorola has three metal colors on the horizon, one of which is new: Dark Metal, Natural Metal, and Champagne Metal. The Dark and Natural colors are not new, but Champagne most certainly is. Also, the Champagne will come in two options - traditional 23MM watch strap or a much daintier 18MM band. All of the metal options will run $299.

The next leather strap will be Cognac, a color that if I'm being honest, is the color I wanted out of the gate. It looks beautiful. If you order a Moto 360 with Cognac Leather, you are looking at the same $249 price as the other leather models.

Unfortunately, as I just mentioned, Amazon pulled all of these listings almost as quickly as they were live. Clearly, they weren't meant to go live. It's probably also worth mentioning that you could buy most of the products, but they all showed a "1-2 months" shipping estimate. Tough to tell if that was a place-holder time frame or if they really aren't arriving for another month or two. Interested in any of the new colors? Cached Amazon links: Champagne Metal (23MM) | Champagne Metal (18MM) | Cognac Leather

DROID Turbo is Now Available From Verizon for $199

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 07:32:26 +0000

Motorola, now a Lenovo company, has a new phone available today that we talked a lot about on Tuesday. Yep, we are referencing the DROID Turbo, a DROID device that is deserving of the name. The new DROID Turbo can be purchased for $199 or 2-year contract with 32GB of storage in Metallic Red, Metallic Black, or Black Ballistic Nylon. If you want to double the storage to 64GB, you can have that with the Black Ballistic Nylon for $249 on 2-year contract. If you are looking at the full retail route, the 32GB and 64GB versions run $599 and $649, respectively. As you are well aware, the Turbo packs the best specs you can find in a smartphone at this time. We are looking at a 5.2-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, 3,900mAh battery, 21MP camera, and mostly stock Android 4.4.4 (full specs). This phone is a powerful phone, there is no denying that. But is it the next phone for you? We are still testing our review unit to help figure that out. Until we get to a full review, be sure to check out our unboxing below, along with our video comparison of the DROID Turbo to the DROID MAXX and new Moto X. We also ran a comparison chart that shows Motorola's entire line-up for 2014. Buying? Verizon Link

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Motorola is Now a Lenovo Company, Acquisition is Complete

Kellen — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 07:19:14 +0000

It's official as of midnight last night - Motorola is now a Lenovo company. The companies both announced that the acquisition is complete at a total purchase price of $2.91 billion. With the acquisition, Lenovo is now laying claim to the "3rd largest" smartphone maker in the world title, and as you can imagine, has big plans for their new smartphone maker. According to the companies, Motorola will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary with its headquarters in Chicago, along with additional offices around the world and in Silicon Valley. The Moto and DROID brands will continue to live on as well, all under the leadership of Motorola's Rick Osterloh, who will stay on as president and chief operating officer of Motorola. The official word on all of that from Motorola is:

As excited as we are about what’s changing, we’re also pleased with what we are carrying forward with us. We will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Lenovo and remain headquartered in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart while maintaining offices around the world, including in Silicon Valley. The iconic Motorola brand will continue, as will the Moto and DROID franchises that have propelled our growth over the past year. We will continue to focus on pure Android and fast upgrades, and remain committed to developing technology to solve real consumer problems. And we will continue to develop mobile devices that bring people unprecedented choice, value and quality.

And from Lenovo:

“Motorola has already built solid momentum in the market, and their recent results show consumers are excited about their exceptional products that stand out for their design and simplicity,” said Liu Jun. “With the complementary strengths of our two companies, we expect to sell more than 100 million mobile devices this year – including smartphones and tablets – by leveraging the Lenovo brand’s leading market position in China, our shared momentum in emerging markets, and Motorola’s strong foothold in mature markets like the U.S.”

Oh, and Google's Larry Page had this to say:

“Motorola is in great hands with Lenovo, a company that’s all-in on making great devices.”

Yes, Larry, I'm sure they are actually excited about a company behind them that is "all-in." Thoughts?

Via: Motorola | Lenovo

It's Nearly Halloween, Which Means You Need to Play The Jusou

Tim — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:47:40 +0000

With Halloween directly around the corner, it might be time to have a good fright. A game currently available on Google Play may be able to help you, titled The Jusou, which places you in one of the scariest haunted houses you might ever come across. The game is of the horror escape genre, leading you through a bloody house containing puzzles upon puzzles. As you search around the house, your main objective is to figure out what exactly happened to the family which once lived there. What you discover may frighten you. The game uses jump scares to make you squirm, but the overall look and design of the game is simplistic and easy to navigate. Getting lost should not be an issue, as all you need to do is click on everything you see, then remember clues which will help you solve puzzles. If you have a strong heart, and are not prone to scaring easy, then best of luck to you. Note: If you enjoy scary games around this time of year, we also recommend Five Nights at Freddy's, which we wrote up not too long ago. Play Link

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Updates Roll Out to Google Drive, Camera, Android Wear, Slides, and Sheets

Tim — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:11:05 +0000

The updates don't stop with Google Docs and Google Wallet today, as updates were just pushed to a large number of Google apps through Google Play. Inside a few, users will find Material Design makeovers, but in others, such as Google Camera and Android Wear, bug fixes and other minor tweaks rest inside. As of this moment, updates are available for Google Drive, Google Camera, Android Wear, Google+, Google Play Movies & TV, Google Play Games, Google Slides, Google Sheets, AdWords, and YouTube. That's a whole lot of apps. Unfortunately, as you may have seen, Gmail is not on this list. For some, the updates may not be live, but don't worry, they soon will be for all users. Play Links: Drive | Camera | Android Wear | Slides | Sheets

Check Out This Behind the Scenes Video of Project ARA Device Up and Running

Tim — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:13:23 +0000

With the announcement of its upcoming Project Ara developers conference in January, a video has been posted by the Ara team, detailing one of its Phonebloks development units up and running with Android. As you can see, the unit is still in the early stages of development, but seeing the process which the Project Ara team goes through to create a device such as this is a real treat. As detailed, the team took a lot of time figuring out how the platform would work in general, then got to work on the overall design of the device and its modules. Then, it's off to manufacturers for creation of the individual modules and parts. Once that is complete, it's time for assembly. It appears to be quite the process. Is Phonebloks the future of mobile devices in your eyes?

Google Wallet and Google Docs Update Rolling Out With Material Design

Tim — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:25:57 +0000

Google app updates are hitting Google Play, bringing even more Material Design aesthetics to your smartphone. As of right now, updates are available for Google Wallet and Google Docs, but you can rest assured that more are to come. While Google Docs received what appears to be just a slightly updated MD makeover, Google Wallet received a few new features, including new ways to add money to your account. Users can now setup recurring bank transfers into your account, as well as new Low Balance alerts, which will kick in at whichever amount you designate. Luckily for you, we have provided download links to both of the updated apps, so there is no need to wait for Google Play to populate the update. Go grab them. Material Design all the things! Download: GoogleWallet.apk [mirror] | GoogleDocs.apk [mirror]

Via: Google

Cheers blakjakdavy!

Google Play Movies & TV Updated With Material Design and Smarter Info Cards

Kyle — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 12:25:04 +0000

Fittingly on the day Nexus 6 pre-orders went live, Google has officially unveiled an updated Play Movies & TV app with a look inspired by Material Design. That is not all that has changed, though, as the app is gaining automatic Info Cards, a tweaked "Watch Now" tab, plus a new icon. The influence of Material Design is everywhere. The slide-out menu has shed its Holo appearance, buttons and iconography float above parallax images, and every header is distinctly red. The result is a much cleaner, more intuitive interface. The coolest feature of the update requires the use of a Chromecast or Android TV device. While you play back a film or television show on your TV, Info Cards, which are bubble-shaped icons with information about actors, will appear on your smartphone or tablet in sync with scenes. Even sweeter, specific cards will enlarge when certain actors are speaking. The new Watch Now tab has been adjusted to show more movie recommendations, and now includes trailers for each within the app. The update will begin rolling out to everyone over the next week, according to Google. Play Link

Via: Android Blog

Sprint Lights Up Spark in 17 New Cities

Kyle — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 11:58:01 +0000

In the wake of declining subscriber numbers, Sprint is doing its darndest to attract customers with cheap plans and new policies. But it is also taking a two-pronged approach to improve its network, rolling out LTE and its tri-band Spark technology simultaneously to boost download speeds. The newest blanket of coverage, which the wireless carrier announced today, is 17 cities in size. Here is where Sprint is lighting up Spark:

Bay City, MI
Cleveland, OH
Columbus, OH
Denver, CO
Flint, MI
Henderson, NC
Midland, MI
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
Mount Vernon, OH
New Philadelphia, OH
Ogden, UT
Sacramento, CA
Saginaw, MI
Seattle, WA
Sheboygan, WI
Tiffin, OH
Youngstown, OH

The new additions brings the total number of Spark markets to 46, which Sprint hopes to extend to 100 million people by the end of this year. Spark users can expect download speeds between 50 - 60Mbps, Sprint said. As long as you own a newer device, compatibility should not be an issue - Sprint variants of the Galaxy S5, LG G3, and HTC One (M8) all contain the radios necessary to tap into Spark.

Via: Sprint

Shapeways User Selling Bumper Cases for Moto 360, Priced at $8 in Variety of Colors

Kyle — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 11:18:03 +0000

The Moto 360 is not exactly rugged; its internals may be protected by a stainless steel exterior and Gorilla Glass 3, but that does not mean it is not susceptible to nicks, scratches, or worse. Lucky for paranoid owners, one enterprising user of 3D printing marketplace Shapeways, has begun selling an additional layer of protection - bumper cases. The cases, which are available in short (encircles the outside of the watch body) or tall (extends 1.5mm above the front glass) configurations, come in a variety of colors and are made from nylon plastic. They contain cutouts for the wristband and power button, but are otherwise tastefully nondescript. At just $8 a pop, they are also surprisingly reasonable. Pair one of these babies with Spigen tempered glass, and your Moto 360 should become darn well near indestructible. Shapeways Link

Cheers Robert!

Nexus 6 Shipping in 3-4 Weeks, Leaves Warehouse November 21

Tim — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 10:49:22 +0000

According to the two pre-order confirmations we have received, Google states that the Nexus 6 will ship on November 21. As a reminder, T-Mobile stated that the device will be available on November 12, which is a week and change before November 21. Depending on which carrier you decide to activate your Nexus 6 on, this may leave some to second guess their pre-ordering decision. Below is a screen cap of the November 21 status from a 32GB White pre-order.

Nexus 6 Now Available for Pre-Order

Kellen — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 10:16:40 +0000

The day has come! You can now pre-order Google's new Nexus 6. As a reminder, the Nexus 6 is available in either Midnight Blue or Cloud White, with the 32GB variants of either color retailing for $649. The 64GB variants are $699. Note: As of right now, we have been able to order two 32GB models, one in White and one in Blue. However, each of those models appear to be "out of inventory" now. As for the 64GB option, that model has yet to populate Google's inventory system for pre-orders. We will keep you posted. Play Links: Blue (32GB) | Blue (64GB) | White (32GB) | White (64GB)

Dates and Locations for Next Project ARA Module Developers Conference Posted

Tim — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 10:11:05 +0000

Google announced the dates and locations for the upcoming Project ARA developer conferences, with two main hubs taking place in Mountain View and Singapore, complete with additional satellite events taking place across the globe. The first event will take place in Mountain View on January 14, with satellite events happening simultaneously at Google offices in New York, Buenos Aires, and London. Following that, an event on January 21 will happen in Singapore, with satellite events being held in Bangalore, Tokyo, Taipei, and Shanghai. Each event will feature the exact same material, and most important, attendees will be able to test the latest demo units of the modular device platform.

The two events are identical in content, we just wanted to bring the Developers Conference closer to you (in space and time zone). The first event will be on January 14, 2015, with a central site in Mountain View and satellite locations at Google offices in New York City, Buenos Aires, and London. We will then repeat the same agenda for our developer friends in Asia a week later, on January 21, 2015. This second event will be in Singapore, with satellite locations at Google offices in Bangalore, Tokyo, Taipei, and Shanghai.

A ticket starts at $200 for the main locations, but satellite events are just $50. Google states that the main focus of this second Module Developers Conference will be the next major release of the Ara Module Developers Kit (MDK) - version 0.20. According to the team, they have been working hard to improve on the platform, with a market pilot planned for 2015.

Via: +Google ATAP | Venture Beat

The Wolf Among Us is Now Available Through Google Play, Free to Download

Tim — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 09:15:40 +0000

After a period of exclusivity through Amazon, The Wolf Among Us is now available to the majority of Android users through Google Play, priced at free to download. Created by Telltale, the same folks that brought you The Walking Dead series, the game is based on episodes, meaning that once you complete the first episode, you will need to purchase the additional parts of the story. In the game itself, you play as a man who is not only a man, but a werewolf. The setting is a fictional world, featuring many famous fairytale creatures. To sum it up rather quickly, it reminds me of Sin City meets Who Framed Roger Rabbit. You have humans interacting with fairytale creatures, making for strange dialogue, but exciting gameplay. Much like The Walking Dead, you mostly walk around and click on various items to make the game move forward, but the overall look of the game will keep you playing. For the price of free to download, you should go check it out. Play Link

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Wednesday Poll: Are You Pre-Ordering the Nexus 6 Today?

Kellen — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:53:41 +0000

At some point today, the Nexus 6, Google's new flagship smartphone, will go up for pre-order through Google Play. That could happen in a couple of minutes or it could be another couple of hours. Google doesn't ever tell us when these things will go live, we instead have to sit here for hours tapping the refresh button. The fun of a Nexus launch! Because this is a major launch, we want to know if you are planning to pre-order one. You will have a couple of color (white or blue) and storage size (32GB or 64GB) options to choose from, along with starting prices of $649 and $699. There are no carrier deals to be had today. If you want to pre-order the Nexus 6, you have to fork out the full retail price. So, who is pre-ordering? [poll id="339"]

Galaxy Note 4 Developer Edition Now Available for $699

Kellen — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:01:47 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Developer Edition for Verizon that we first told you about last week is now available for purchase. For $699, you can own Samsung's latest oversized device and have the opportunity to unlock its bootloader. In case you were wondering, this is the same Galaxy Note 4 that has been available from carriers. You are still looking at a 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, and S Pen functionality. The only difference here is the unlockable bootloader that tinkerers tend to need in order to, well, tinker. Samsung Link

Google is Halloweenifying Your Photos Through Google+

Tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 16:01:27 +0000

To get into the Halloween spirit, the Photos app from Google+ is now Halloweenifying your photos, allowing you to create your very own spooky scenes or scary portraits. Creating your own Auto Awesome photos with Halloween effects is very easy. To start, open up the Photos app on your device, then hit the three star button in the top right corner. From there, select either Spooky or Fun Effect. Then, choose your photo. Once you hit "okay," Google+ does its magic. Once you are all done, you can share the photos on Google+, email them, post them to Facebook, or do whatever you want. As you can see below, I had lots of fun with the app. I even decided to zombify Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett. Sorry, Tony. Check out a few of my very own examples below. Dark Street

Killer Clown Friends

Possessed Pups

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Pay Your All Access Subscription Using Google Play Balance

Tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:16:52 +0000

Since the beginning of the service, users who wished to subscribe to magazine feeds, TV shows, or have access to Play Music All Access, needed a credit card on file to be charged when it came time to pay Google. Starting recently, it appears Google has made it possible to use your Google Play balance to pay for subscriptions, such as your Google Wallet balance or Google Play balance (gift cards, survey rewards, etc.). While we are not entirely sure if the ability to pay with your Google Wallet balance is new, since we have not subscribed to any services on Google Play since the launch of All Access, the ability to subscribe to services with a gift card is entirely new. The only downside we can see right now is that if you are already subscribed using your credit card, you will need to unsubscribe from the service, then resubscribe using your newly selected payment method. For all of you early adopters who are using All Access for only $7.99, you need not worry, as many users have stated on forums that you should not see the higher $9.99 price as long as you resubscribe quickly. However, confirming this with a Google Play support staff member may not hurt just to be safe. Thinking about switching up your payment option? If I made enough through those surveys Google sends out, I totally would.

Via: reddit | Google Support

Comparison: DROID Turbo vs. Nexus 6 vs. Moto X (2nd Gen) vs. Moto G

Kellen — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:00:43 +0000

How does Motorola's newly introduced DROID Turbo stack up against the rest of its phones from this year, like the Nexus 6, Moto X (2nd gen) and Moto G? Quite well actually. In fact, one could argue that it bests all of the other phones from Motorola, including the Nexus 6. The DROID Turbo (full specs) is as powerful as it gets for a modern day smartphone. It features all next-gen specs like a 5.2-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, massive 3,900mAh battery, and a 21MP camera. The Nexus 6 matches it in most of those areas, but it's the size of the Nexus 6 that could be a killer - it's just too damn big. The Moto X (2nd gen), even though it was released just a month ago, lacks the newer processor and QHD display, along with wireless charging and a higher MP camera. Now, we are fully aware that specs aren't everything. When deciding on which phone is the top dog, you have to look at specs, but you also need to look at the phone's overall design, if it has on-screen or capacitive buttons, how updates to it will work, and availability. And it's those few things that still helps the Moto X and Nexus 6 beat the DROID Turbo in the minds of many. The Moto G, obviously, isn't meant to compete, but we thought we should include it. What do you think? Which phone are you picking? Who would win this battle?

Deals: Check Out These Free Goodies on the DL Deals Store

Tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:55:07 +0000

While discounted prices are always nice, nothing beats absolutely free, am I right? For a limited time, we have a few goodies marked as free in the DL Deals Store, including an entrepreneur bundle, learning HTML bundle, a Tower defense game, and a SkillFeed tutorial bundle. All for free. To be more specific, the Entrepreneur Bundle features lessons on connecting with small businesses, landing a startup job, cold emailing potential clients, business development, and a portion on better sleep management. Yes, it bundle is all over the place, but it's completely free. Additionally, you can grab free bundles to learn HTML, which may be important if writing code is something you are interested in. Finally, if none of that interests you, TowerMadness is a fun game that you can download for absolutely free onto your device. Go grab the freebies by following the links below. Deal Links: Learn SkillFeed | Entrepreneur Freebie Bundle | Learn HTML | TowerMadness Freebie

FTC Suing AT&T for Throttling Top Data Users, AT&T Claims Allegations are Baseless

Tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:13:12 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made a complaint against AT&T public this morning, claiming that over the course of the past few years, every time AT&T throttled a customer who had an unlimited data plan, it was breaking the law. To be exact, this complaint is in direct relation to a press release which AT&T released back in July of 2011, which announced AT&T planned to throttle its top data users, but would make sure the users knew they were going to be throttled after they used a specific amount of data. From the FTC's findings, AT&T was not very good at notifying its customers with texts or emails, ultimately throttling 3.5 million users to the tune of 25 million times. Given the severity of these claims, AT&T's Senior Executive VP and General Counsel Wayne Watts, had the following to say in a press release.

The FTC’s allegations are baseless and have nothing to do with the substance of our network management program. It’s baffling as to why the FTC would choose to take this action against a company that, like all major wireless providers, manages its network resources to provide the best possible service to all customers, and does it in a way that is fully transparent and consistent with the law and our contracts. We have been completely transparent with customers since the very beginning. We informed all unlimited data-plan customers via bill notices and a national press release that resulted in nearly 2,000 news stories, well before the program was implemented. In addition, this program has affected only about 3% of our customers, and before any customer is affected, they are also notified by text message.

This is not the first time a wireless company has been in trouble with the government over this same issue. Earlier this year, Verizon was in hot water with the FCC over its planned throttling of unlimited data users, stating the users "had no incentive not to" hog all of Verizon's data resources. To us, as consumers, when we sign up for an unlimited plan, we expect that we are paying for unlimited access to a fast data connection. Not a fast connection up until a certain point, then to be throttled down to dial up speeds. You can expect to hear more about this situation as it continues. What are your thoughts on carriers throttling its top users. Is it an okay thing to do, as long as you notify the customer properly? Or should it never be condoned?

Via: Washington Post | AT&T

Taco Bell App Update Introduces Food Ordering While Out and About

Kyle — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 12:05:52 +0000

Yes, what you have heard is true: Taco Bell has launched a streamlined app that lets you order your Volcano Nachos and XXL Beefy 5-Layer Burrito ahead of time and pick them up in-restaurant or via drive-through. The Mexican fast food chain is the first to fully embrace in-app ordering, which competitors like McDonalds have so far trialed only on a limited basis. The app includes every item on Taco Bell's vast menu and supports custom selections, with the potential for toppings and items exclusive to the app in the future. To speed things up, you can reorder with a gesture; rotating your phone will pull up your last creation. Should you wish to try expediting your next caloric bomb's journey from kitchen to gullet, the app is live on Google Play. Play Link

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Video: DROID Turbo vs. DROID MAXX and Moto X (2nd Gen)

Kellen — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:45:10 +0000

With the unboxing and hands-on gallery out of the way, we wanted to put the brand new DROID Turbo up against last year's DROID MAXX, to see how far we have come, but also against the still-mostly-new Moto X (2nd gen), to see the leap Motorola made in just a couple of months. As you may recall, Motorola took some flack last year with the new DROID line and original Moto X for using what most considered to be sub-standard specs. That is not the case at all this year. The Turbo tops almost every other phone on the market in terms of specs, from its Quad HD display to its Snapdragon 805 processor to its 3GB RAM and 21MP camera. The Turbo is a beast on paper. When you compare the Turbo to the MAXX, there are so many differences. Versus the MAXX, the Turbo has a slightly bigger (5.2" vs. 5.0") and higher resolution display (QHD v. 720p), better processor (Snapdragon 805 vs. Snapdragon S4 Pro), upgraded camera (21MP vs. 10MP), bigger battery (3,900mAh vs. 3,500mAh), and more RAM (3GB vs. 2GB). If you put the Turbo up against the new Moto X, which was just released in September, it also comes close to putting it to shame. The Turbo has a newer and more powerful processor/GPU combo, higher resolution display, bigger battery, more RAM, and a higher MP camera. In the video below, we dive into not only spec comparisons of the three phones, but also how they look next to each other.

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Verizon Turbos Through DROID Turbo Features With Short Videos

Tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:18:54 +0000

Verizon has a new phone to market this morning, thanks to the announcement of the DROID Turbo. While Kellen is producing his own videos for the unit, Verizon decided to post a few of their own, highlighting the Turbo's top of the line features, including the 48 hour battery life, 21MP rear-facing camera, and the Snapdragon 805 processor. Each video lasts about 20 seconds, so it is possible you will see these videos pop up on TV or for online marketing. Either way, there is no doubt that with Verizon's marketing budget, everyone should know about the Turbo's existence in no time at all. What is your favorite feature of the DROID Turbo? Snapdragon Processor

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Turbo Charger

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48 Hour Battery

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Waterproof

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21MP Camera

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TYLT Debuts the VÜ CAR and VÜ SOLO, Qi-enabled Charging Accessories for the Road

Kyle — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:00:37 +0000

TYLT makes just about every charging accessory imaginable, but there are two categories the manufacturer had not tried its hand at - car chargers and power mats. That is changing today with the debut of the VÜ CAR and VÜ SOLO. The VÜ CAR, as the name implies, is a Qi-enabled smartphone mount for dashboards that attaches via suction cup. It hugs devices slotted into its 180-degree rotatable mount with three padded adjustable clamps arms, which TYLT says are the largest on the market at 4.2 inches. It is widely compatible, and will retail for $79.99. The VÜ SOLO is a little less interesting, but still intriguing. It is a smallish Qi charging mat designed with "portability" in mind; it uniquely powers via microUSB. The VÜ SOLO provides 1 Amp charge and 5 watts of power, and features built-in ventilation and a suction base. It will be available for $39.99. Both may be a little pricey compared to the competition - a cursory search on Amazon yielded several Qi-enabled car mount for $40 less - but it is defensibly in line with TYLT's other offerings. If you are a fan of the brand, look for the VÜ CAR and VÜ SOLO to go on sale by the end of the year. Both will be available in blue, red, green, and grey.

Via: TYLT [2]

DROID Turbo Unboxing and Tour

Kellen — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 10:32:27 +0000

In case you were wondering, yes, we have a DROID Turbo in hand and are ready to start testing the hell out of it, so that we can get into one of the most anticipated reviews of the year. With the device launching this Thursday online and in Verizon stores, I can imagine that plenty of you will want to know all there is to know before then should the Turbo be on your short list of potential new phones. Trust me when I say that we are going to tell you as much as we can before Thursday. Our review won't be out then, since we like to actually test phones fully, but there are all sorts of things we can do to help you make an informed decision. To start off our coverage, we have gone ahead and unboxed this DROID beast, walked through specs, made sure to show off the Turbo Charger, talked about in-hand feel, and even jumped into the mostly-stock-Android experience to show you what to expect when you first boot. I will have some initial impressions shortly, comparisons too, but for now, check out the device in-hand and in action.

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Google Fit App Now Available on Google Play

Tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 10:13:41 +0000

The official Google Fit app is now available for Android devices through Google Play, allowing Android users to track all of their activity, tying all of the info directly to your Google account. With Google Fit, users can reach personal goals, which are specified by you within the app. These can be running, walking, or even biking goals. The app will also recommend performance-based goals, which shape to your physical ability. Upon opening the app, it starts you off easy, asking that you only put in one hour of activity a day. This of course can be customized to fit a more active lifestyle. Here is the full feature rundown.

Features

Just carry your phone and get access to your walking, running and cycling activity. Reach your fitness goals

Set goals based on either duration or steps and see your progress throughout the day.
Receive performance-based recommendations for activity goals.

A comprehensive view of your fitness

Connect third party devices and apps to Fit and we’ll show you all of your fitness data in one place.

Available everywhere

Compatible with all Android Wear devices.
Also access Google Fit on the web at www.google.com/fit and on your tablet.

The application is now downloadable straight from Google Play. Go grab it. Play Link

Lollipop is the Most Secure Android Release Ever, Thanks to Data Encryption by Default

Tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 09:20:36 +0000

While Android has become much more secure over the years, thanks to two-step authentication options and plenty of different lock screens for users to choose from, Google continues to push the boundaries of security for our mobile devices. Starting with Android 5.0, upon a device's first boot, a unique key is created which never leaves your device, with full device data encryption taking place. The largest key difference between Lollipop and earlier versions of Android is the SELinux kernel security module. This runs down to the core of the OS, and is required for all applications running on your smart device. While your device is booted, SELinux continuously audits and monitors the system, allowing you go about your day without needing to worry about rogue applications.

With Android 5.0, SELinux Enforcing mode is required for all applications on all devices. Multiple vulnerabilities have been prevented since we first introduced SELinux last year; by strengthening it even more, Android becomes a top choice for enterprise customers that have really strict security standards, such as the government. This is a feature that the broader security community helped us build, and is an example of how Android’s open nature helps make your device more secure everyday.

For more information on the work Google has done to make Android more secure than ever before, check out their full blog by following the link provided.

Via: Android

DROID Turbo Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 09:00:19 +0000

Now that Verizon and Motorola have unwrapped the DROID Turbo, we wanted to provide you with the official set of specs for this next-gen device. As you are well aware, thanks to countless leaks over the past few months, this is indeed a powerful phone. It sports a next-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor clocked at 2.7GHz, 5.2-inch Quad HD display (2560x1440), 3GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, 21MP camera, and a 3,900mAh battery that could last you up to two full days. If you were looking for a DROID to help reignite the brand, this would be it. The rest of the specs can be found below.

Processor 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 (quad-core) Adreno 420 GPU (600MHz) Motorola Mobile Computing System Natural Language Processor Contextual Computing Processor RAM 3GB (LPDDR3) Storage 32GB (Black Ballistic Nylon, Metallic Black, Metallic Red) 64GB (Black Ballistic Nylon) Display 5.2-inch AMOLED 2560x1440 Quad HD 565ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Battery 3,900mAh Mixed usage up to 48 hours Supports Motorola Turbo Charger Qi wireless charging Rear Camera 21MP (3936x5248) in 4:3 15.5MP (2952x5248) in 16:9 f/2.0 4K UHD vidoe capture 4x digital zoom Slow motion video Auto HDR Panorama Tap to focus Front Camera 2MP + 1080p HD video Connectivity Micro USB, 3.5mm headpset jack, NFC Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 LE WiFi 802.11a/g/b/n/ac (dual band capable), mobile hotspot Speakers Front-facing (top) Networks and Bands CDMA/EVDO Rev A (850, 1900MHz) LTE Cat 4 (bands 2, 3, 4, 7, 13) Carrier Aggregation (B4+13) GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz) UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1900, 2100MHz) Dimensions Ballistic Nylon: 143.5 x 73.3 x 11.2mm Metalized Fiber: 143.5 x 73.3 x 10.6mm Weight Ballistic Nylon: 176g Metalized Fiber: 169g Water Repellency Yes Software Android 4.4.4 KitKat

Verizon Announces the DROID Turbo at $199, Available October 30

Kellen — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:59:52 +0000

A new DROID is here. The DROID Turbo by Motorola has been announced as the next DROID-branded exclusive on Verizon, a phone that should bring back some respect to a line of phones that at one time was thought to be the cream of the crop. Thanks to its next-gen set of specs and massive battery, this is likely the best DROID we have seen in years. The DROID Turbo sports a 5.2-inch QHD display (2560x1440, 565ppi), 3GB RAM, 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, 32GB/64GB storage, 3,900mAh battery, 21MP camera, and Android 4.4.4, all wrapped in a body that at its thickest, is just 10.6mm. You can see the full set of specs here. Like the Moto X, the Turbo is splash resistant, uses the suite of Moto apps (Display, Voice, Assist, and Actions), and supports Motorola's Turbo Charger, which can give you 8 hours of juice in just 15 minutes. The DROID Turbo will be available online and in Verizon stores on Thursday, October 30, for $199 on 2-year contract or $25 per month on Edge for the 32GB model in Metallic Black, Metallic Red, and Black Ballistic Nylon. The Black Ballistic Nylon version will also come as a 64GB model for $249 on contract. Below, you will find a full gallery of each color. Video coming soon!

Gallery

Video

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Press Release

A New DROID Experience Arrives in 48 Hours
There’s a certain expectation when a smartphone carries the DROID name – strength, endurance, intelligence, and detail. The new XLTE-ready DROID Turbo by motorola carries all these traits and will be available exclusively on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.
Coming Oct. 30 with exclusive offers for DROID Turbo customers

The DROID Turbo by Motorola will be available online and in Verizon Wireless stores starting Oct. 30. The 32GB model will be available in Metallic Black, Metallic Red, and Black Ballistic Nylon for $199.99 with new two year activation or $25 per month on Verizon Edge. The 64GB Black Ballistic Nylon model will also be available for $249.99 with new two year activation or $27 per month on Verizon Edge.

And being a DROID Turbo customer has its perks.

Get $100 or more when you trade in your old smartphone and purchase a DROID Turbo by Motorola with new two year activation. Trade-in must be in good working condition.

From launch until the end of this year, upgrade and activation fees are being waived for customers who purchase the DROID Turbo. Waived activation and upgrade fees will be credited to the customer’s bill, and may take up to two billing cycles to process.

Verizon Edge pricing is also available for DROID Turbo – and from launch through the end of the year, Verizon has a special early upgrade to Edge for anyone who upgraded prior to July 1, 2014 and wants to purchase the smartphone

DROID Turbo customers who experience a damaged screen during their 2 year contract can replace it once for free. Customers who purchase through Verizon Edge are also eligible.

Upgradable to Android 5.0 Lollipop

Strength

Think about what you put your phone through on a daily basis – it’s in your pocket with loose change, tossed into a purse with keys, sat upon if it’s in your back pocket and the accidental splash when it’s just one of those days. The DROID Turbo is designed with all that in mind with its Ballistic Nylon or Metalized Glass Fiber reinforced with DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber, scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3, and water-repellent nanocoating protecting the inside and out against spills.

Endurance

That “low battery” alert is something many of us dread, and it usually happens at the worst times. DROID Turbo has a battery that lasts up to 48 hours, so that means it’ll be a while before you see that low battery alert.

Eventually, the alert will appear, but it might be at a time when you don’t have the time to do a full charge of your phone. Only having a few minutes before heading out with friends, layovers in between flights, and many other countless scenarios – we’ve all been there.

The new DROID comes with a turbo charging feature so when you’re low on battery, a 15 minute charge can get you up to 8 hours of use. DROID Turbo comes with the Motorola turbo power charger in the box at no additional cost. And for added convenience, the new DROID is wireless charging capable.

Intelligence

A smartphone is exactly that, a smart phone. And DROID Turbo has smart features that make the most used features on the phone better. Moto Display wakes up the phone to show the time and notifications when you reach for the phone. You can also wave your hand over the screen to dismiss a phone call or silence an alarm. The Droid Zap app has also been enhanced with the Zap Zone feature that makes it easy to share pictures and videos with nearby friends you invite to your zone. Plus, Zap to TV uses Google Chromecast to create a slideshow on a big screen.

Smart features like these are best paired with a powerful processor. DROID Turbo has a 2.7GHz quad-core processor and has 3GB of RAM for multi-tasking and running your favorite apps very smoothly.

Detail

DROID Turbo has a 21-megapixel camera with 4K video capture and features a 5.2-inch Quad HD display meaning you will want to show off your photography to friends any chance you can whether it be in person or on social media. And when a picture moment happens you want to be fast enough not to miss it. Quick Capture feature lets you twist your wrist twice to launch the camera – no need to press any button or unlock any screens.

T-Mobile Reaches LTE Coverage Goal Ahead of Schedule, Reaches 250 Million People

Kyle — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:32:51 +0000

No one can accuse T-Mobile of resting on their laurels. Ever since CEO John Legere kicked things into high gear after a failed merger with AT&T, the carrier has made consistent improvements to its service and services. The latest development: T-Mobile's LTE network now reaches 250 million Americans, a milestone that comes "months ahead of schedule." The expanded network, on track to sail past the 280 million mark by mid-2015 and top 300 million by 2016, is part of T-Mobile's accelerated rollout of 700 MHz and 1900 MHz PCS and AWS spectrum. The carrier also plans to broaden Wideband LTE, aiming for 26 markets by the end of this year. It is no wonder that T-Mobile recently had the biggest quarter growth in its history - the network is looking more and more attractive every day.

Via: T-Mobile

Review: djay 2 for Android, Now Available on Google Play

Ron — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:17:59 +0000

Beginning in 2006 Algoriddim began developing professional-grade DJ software for the Mac. By 2011 Steve Jobs was using djay for iPad to demonstrate that mobile devices are not just about consuming content, but creating things. Now, Algoriddim is bringing its award-winning software to Android phones and tablets. Using the app The app is easy to pick up and start messing with. You can tap the music note above one of the digital platters to add a song on each platter. The needle moves responsively, letting you skip ahead in the track like a real record. Swiping over the record allows you to scratch it against the needle or scan through the track. The side bars next to the platters adjust the BPM, which can also be set manually by tapping the BPM at the top and then tapping to the beat. Pressing Sync sets the track to the BPM of the other to allow for a more seamless transition between songs with different beats. Below the BPM levels you can set the levels for the low, mid, and high levels of the track as well as the gain, add different effects on top of the track, set loops, and add cue points. When a track ends the app transitions the volume from one track to another automatically. Most of the time I found myself setting up a playlist using Automix, which automatically selects tracks to add and transitions between them. This is perfect if you have a bunch of tracks on your phone that you want to just play in the background, sort of like Genius on iTunes. The app also includes transition tracks like sirens and scratches to transition between songs differently. Just using the app on your phone is incredible, but for professionals it takes on a whole new level when you realize that you can use this app with professional DJ equipement like the Reloop Beatpad. With the reloop you get physical controls for music playback, play different effects, and a jog wheel to browse through tracks. Combined with the Beatpad, djay distinguishes itself as a true professional's tool with incredible portability.

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Music Library On iOS, Algoriddim was able to tap straight into users' iTunes libraries to add tracks. Unfortunately, there isn't a way to do that with Play Music on Android. In Play Music you can download tracks for offline playback, but the files are inaccessible to the user (even files that you uploaded yourself). If you want to use your own music files you'll have to copy them onto your phone's storage manually (djay supports mp3 and aac files). If you have any music that you've purchased from Amazon over the years you can use the Amazon Music app to download those songs onto your phone and djay will read them without issue. The good news is that Algoriddim has worked out a partnership with Spotify, enabling users with Spotify Premium accounts to access all of their artists, albums, and playlists in the app (a seven day free trial of Premium is available to all djay 2 users). The huge advantage here is that this makes it far easier to share a playlist between DJs and friends. When I got married in 2012 I had to send our DJ an extensive playlist (and more importantly, a do not play list). Using Spotify makes that whole process so much easier, especially for DJs using Algoriddim's software. My favorite thing about using Spotify, however, is the Match feature. While you have a song going, on the other side of the table you can que up your next song using the Match section in Spotify. Match will list up to 20 songs that matches the vibe of your current song, allowing you to either select from a classic follow up tune or try out a new song that Spotify suggests.

Who is this for? I think a big question for our reader is who is this app for? Well, if you're a djay with an Android device then this app is definitely for you. If you're like me and you're regularly asked at gatherings to get some music going, then this app is also perfect for you. If you're the kind of person who loves the convenience of digital music but misses the human side of things, this app is a great way to bring that back into your life. djay 2 for Android is available for a limited time at the low price of $2.99 on the Play Store and Amazon Appstore.

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Pushbullet Update Brings Material Design, Easier Filters and Notification Toggling

Kellen — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 06:45:10 +0000

Pushbullet received another huge update this morning, this time with a fresh coat of Material Design paint. That's right, the app has been completely made over to adhere to Google's new design guidelines. As one would expect, it looks beautiful. But that's not all, Pushbullet also introduces easier filters of previous pushes, searching, clearer language settings, streamlined push screens, and all sorts of little design highlights that you will notice as you scroll around the app. Here are some of the changes, explained by the Pushbullet team:

At-a-glance look at pushes from yourself, your contacts, or your favorite channels. Whether you want to see all of your recent channel pushes, or you are looking for that tiger selfie one of your friends sent you. We got you covered. Oh, and the tiger selfie was from Bob. It’s always from Bob.
Convenient search for devices, friends, or channels. If you are a Pushbullet user you are probably incredibly good looking and have hundreds of close friends. With your schedule so jam-packed with awesomeness, you don’t have time to find things by scrolling. We’ve made this easier by baking search right in.
Clearer language for settings. Language is clearer so you know exactly what you are enabling or disabling. We also made some of it more accessible so you can find what you’re looking for.
One screen. All the options. We get emails from users day in and day out asking how to find certain settings. It shouldn’t be that hard. We’ve made it simple with this update by putting them all in one place. We also reorganized them so things are where you expect them to be.
We streamlined pushing to just one screen. When you share something from another app we will keep you in that app just like before, disrupting you as little as possible. If you are in our app, you can push full-screen, to use every pixel of your 6 inch “phone”. And if you make a mistake and select the wrong photo, you can change it easily.
There are dozens of other tiny details all throughout the app. We added floating action buttons, subtle scaling effects, dynamic color theming, status bar dimming, a complete revamping of our iconography, and more to bring a level of polish and care we are extremely proud of.
Our new drawer enables quick access to channels, settings, and more. Another common request has been the ability to easily turn our awesome notification mirroring on or off which is now possible right from the drawer.

Play Link

Via: Pushbullet

DROID Turbo Lands on Verizon's Testman Page, Consider It Official

Kellen — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 05:06:20 +0000

The DROID Turbo is now official. Well, Verizon still hasn't announced the phone - they are expected to later today - but their own Testman site (staging area for new products) is already showing the device, with name, and a couple of specs. As you can see from the image above, the DROID Turbo will indeed support Turbo Charging, have 48-hour battery life (thought to be 3,900mAh), and run a 2.7GHz quad-core processor (Snapdragon 805). It also looks exactly like the device that has leaked left and right over the past couple of months. The only thing we need now is pricing and a purchase date. Sources of ours have said that the device will launch in stores on October 30 at $199 on-contract or $599 at full retail. We should know shortly.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Brandon!

The DROID Turbo Launch is Getting Weird, Thanks to Gargoyles and James Franco

Kellen — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:37:29 +0000

The DROID Turbo should be unveiled officially tomorrow. Until that happens, though, Verizon, Motorola and the @DroidLanding Twitter account are doing their best to get weird. In two teasers posted today for the phone, we didn't learn anything new, only that James Franco is now a found-footage star who posts sponsored Tweets for the DROID brand and that the Turbo may have something to do with Gargoyles. Yep. Again, things are getting weird. Really weird.

Microsoft Hands Out Unlimited OneDrive Storage to Office 365 Customers

Kellen — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:45:21 +0000

Microsoft announced today that Office 365 customers will soon have access to unlimited OneDrive storage. Yes, unlimited. With plans as low as $6.99, this might be one of the best cloud storage options you will find. In fact, one of our readers already received an email from Microsoft that said he will be one of the first and that they are adding 10TB of storage to his account as they ramp up to fully unlimited. 10TB. The goal is for Microsoft to give all Office 365 Home, Personal, and University customers unlimited storage, but it might take a couple of months to complete. If you don't feel like waiting for a few months, you can put your name in to hopefully get on the front of the list here. In case you were wondering, Business customers will be upgraded as well, but it might take some time. To keep an eye on status, check out the Business 365 roadmap. You can read more about OneDrive's new unlimited storage for Office 365 customers at the link below.

Via: OneDrive

Cheers Scott!

Piktures is a Beautiful Gallery App With Elements of Material Design

Kyle — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:32:14 +0000

Photos, Google's premiere gallery app, is serviceable, but quite basic. If you are looking for a photo organizer with a bit more visual flair, Piktures deserves a look. Dubbed a "gesture-based" gallery app by its creators, Piktures organizes your photos with style. Pics from albums, which are accessible via a swipe to the left, are arranged in a scrollable grid view. A dedicated button slickly arranges your photos and videos in a calendar view. And tapping to the right yields sorting filters like file type and location. Piktures has few management tools to speak of, although you can resize photos, set them as wallpapers, and sort by cities. The developers evidently devoted a lot more time to the design, which has touches of material design throughout. The header photo representative of the album you're viewing fades as you scroll through images, for example, and the transition to calendar view evokes a flipping card. If you would like to give it spin, Piktures is free and without ads on the Play Store. It is definitely a gallery app to look into. Play Link

Dell Venue 8 7000 Series Tablet Reported to Ship Near End of November

Tim — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 13:35:21 +0000

Back in September, Dell unveiled the Venue 8 7000 Series, a tablet featuring a design we found quite appealing. The question has been, when will folks be able to buy this device if they too enjoyed the looks of it? Well, according to a webpage dedicated to folks who are able to claim a free Dell Venue 7000 Series tablet with a coupon code, their tablets will begin to ship at the end of November, which could mean that for those who want to buy it from a retailer, they too could also be looking around the same time frame for availability. Not only did Dell give us a possible hint at a timeline for launch, but in the fine print, they may have also snuck in the tablet's price. Included on the page is the following text - "Voucher for one (1) Dell Venue 8 7000 series tablet worth $499." If the tablet does in fact launch with a $499 price tag, at the end of November, are you interested or has the Nexus 9 won over your wallet?

Via: Blog of Mobile | Dell

Google: You Would Probably Like a Phablet if You Tried It

Kyle — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 13:01:13 +0000

According to Google's Vice President of Engineering David Burke, you might like a phablet if you tried it. That's what CNET, one of the handful of publications invited to Google's campus last week for the purpose of demoing Lollipop and the new Nexus devices, gleaned from an interview of Google execs, excerpts of which were published yesterday. Responding to a question about the Nexus 6's larger-than-average size, Burke estimated that somewhere around half of people would prefer a larger phone if they used it for an extended period of time. "If you gave them a phablet for a week, 50 percent of [consumers] would say they like it and not go back," he told CNET. That's not to suggest bigger smartphones are for everyone - Google is keeping the Nexus 5 around for just that reason, said Burke, but the comment raises an interesting point - have many of the people opposed to larger devices had a chance to test one for themselves? I think the answer depends largely on the framing of the question. In developing countries, phablets derive popularity from the perception that they are, as the portmanteau suggests, all-in-one devices; buying a big phone negates the need for a tablet, which saves money. In the United States, though, where disposable incomes are higher and devices like the iPad and iPhone have managed to healthily coexist for years (excepting recent trends), ideas about larger handsets are different. I think people appreciate bigger displays, but only to a point; when the line between handset and tablet begins to blur, many folks would rather use a dedicated device that does not concede size and functionality for portability. That is not to say phablets do not have their use cases. But I doubt many would agree that 6-inch screens offer a better movie-viewing experience than 10-inch screens, or that word processing is easier on a Windows Phone than a Surface. By definition, phablets can never be more than compromises - fantastic compromises in some cases, but compromises all the same. Is there truth to Burke's statement? In some Asian and European nations, probably. In the United States, though, where premium tablets like the Microsoft Surface continue to enjoy measurable success, consumer preferences are clear: phones of a reasonable size, and tablets separately.

Via: CNET

AT&T Confirms LG G Watch R Will be Available Through Its Retail Locations

Tim — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 12:01:07 +0000

With LG announcing global availability for the G Watch R beginning in November, AT&T confirmed today that the company will carry the Android Wear device in-store, with pricing and an exact launch date coming at a later time. We went hands-on with the G Watch R just last week, coming away rather impressed with the overall build quality LG included with the watch. From what we have seen so far in our comments section on G Watch R posts, this watch is certainly on a few of your holiday shopping lists. Once AT&T updates availability with a date and time, we will let you know.

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Via: AT&T

FitBit Announces the Charge, Charge HR, and Surge Fitness Bands

Kyle — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 11:19:48 +0000

Reports of FitBit's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Sure, the Force may have suffered a manufacturing snafu at launch, but its replacements, the One and Flex, seemingly sold well enough to justify follow-ups. FitBit announced three new bands today: the Charge, Charge HR, and Surge. The incipient wearable scene is becoming increasingly crowded, which is probably why FitBit's new products share competitive pricing in common. All also tap into FitBit's mobile app for activity, sleep, and workout recording. Otherwise, hardware and specific capabilities vary by model. The Charge is the cheapest new FitBit of the three at $129.95. Like the Force before, it sports an OLED display for stats tracking and caller ID. Its frame is water resistant, and it features up to 7 day s of battery life. The $149.95 Charge HR is slight step up. The acronym, as you might have guessed, stands for "heart rate" - the band features PurePulse, FitBit's proprietary optical monitor. The Charge HR measures heart rate 24 hours a day and logs the stats alongside activity information on the FitBit app. Battery life takes a slight hit, though - the Charge HR lasts 5 days without a recharge. The Surge is FitBit's new flagship, and appropriately carries a flagship sticker price: $249.95. Quite a bit thicker than the Charge and Charge HR, it expands the functionality of the display (LCD) to include text alerts, music controls, and watch faces. The Surge also packs a lot more sensors for more accurate measurement: GPS, 3-axis accelerometers, a gyroscope, a compass, and an ambient light sensor. Most impressively, FitBit estimates its battery at 7 days. The Charge launches this year in black and slate colors (blue and burgundy are on the way), but the Charge HR and Surge won't be available until early 2015. FitBit took the opportunity to announce expanded APIs. Developers interested in tapping into heart rate and GPS data from the devices can hop over to FitBit's forum for more information. [responsive_vid]

Via: FitBit

Motorola Sets up Lollipop Update Tracking Page

Tim — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 11:02:08 +0000

Following directly after the announcement of Lollipop by Google, Motorola was quick to announce upcoming updates for most of its devices. Included in the list of supported devices are of course the first and second gen. Moto X phones, as well as all of last year's DROID units. For those among us who need a more visual representation of what is coming to Motorola device owners, Moto has set up a special tracking page for the Android 5.0 update. Not only are users able to see what version of Android their phones are currently running, but Motorola provides a dropdown menu to show information for carrier-specific units. In general, any Motorola device owner can use the page, not just those looking to keep an eye on Lollipop. You can check out your status by following the link below. Motorola Link

Cheers Droid Ronin!

LG G3 Gets Lollipop Before the End of the Year

Tim — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 10:00:29 +0000

Users of the G3 from LG, your time is to soon come. LG Germany confirmed through its Facebook account that the G3 will receive the update to Android 5.0 sometime in Q4 of this year, meaning most G3 owners should be basking in the Lollipop goodness by the end of this year. While no exact date is given, it appears that many companies are realizing the importance of Lollipop in relation to their customers. People want this update. Samsung was seen teasing the update for the Galaxy Note 4, while both Motorola and HTC have promised updates soon for their flagship phones. Not only are companies seeing the importance, but we also have Google to thank for releasing the Android L Developer Preview a few months ago, allowing manufacturers and developers a chance to receive code for the OS before its official announcement. From a customer standpoint, fast adoption of updates is something we would have liked to see years ago, before all of the "Android Fragmentation" nonsense set into the minds of outside users. Regardless, G3 owners, get excited for your upcoming update to Lollipop.

Via: LG Germany | Android Central

Retailers in US Block Apple Pay, Which Also Blocks Google Wallet

Tim — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 09:02:57 +0000

Over the weekend, news broke that many retailers across the US were not supporting Apple Pay, shutting down their wireless payment terminals to anyone looking to use them. Unfortunately, and apparently unknown by many, this move by retailers does not just hurt Apple Pay users, but also effects Google Wallet users as well. While the number of Google Wallet users may not compete with the amount of people who plan to jump on the Apple Pay train, Wallet users have not been met with many issues surrounding the service until Apple announced and released their own NFC-based payment system. Now with Apple Pay released, it appears that huge retail chains, such as 7-Eleven, Walmart, and Best Buy will soon launch their very own mobile payment app, meaning that they now have motivation to simply shut out all competitors from their stores. The list of retailers planning to launch their own payment system, called CurrentC, continues to grow, but already confirmed for it are Gap, 7-Eleven, nearly all US gas station chains, Bed Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, Wendy's, and more. The reason for retailers moving forward with CurrentC, is that with their own payments system, the stores can avoid all credit card processing fees. We used to joke back when Google Wallet was still young that if Apple would hurry up and implement NFC technology, retailers would be more on board for supporting wireless payments. Thanks to Apple, retailers may have just effectively killed Google Wallet for many users across the country.

Via: The Verge

Reminder: OnePlus is Doing One Pre-Orders Right Now

Kellen — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:54:36 +0000

As a quick reminder, OnePlus is doing pre-orders for their One smartphone, right now. They initially planned to hold pre-orders for an hour, but due to demand and their struggling servers, they have extended the pre-order period to a full three hours. So, as I write this post, you have just over two hours left to get in an order. While OnePlus may have made a number of silly mistakes over the last few months, there is no denying that the One is a great phone. In our OnePlus One review, we couldn't stop talking about how solid it was, even with its extra large body. The combination of battery life, performance, close-to-stock Android, camera, and build are almost unmatched, especially at its insanely low starting price. If you still want in on the original OnePlus phone, now is your chance to avoid that damn invite system. On a related note, OnePlus hasn't said when these pre-orders will ship. OnePlus Pre-Order Link

Amazon Announces the $39 Fire TV Stick, a Chromecast Competitor Temporarily on Sale for $19

Kellen — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:20:09 +0000

This morning, Amazon announced a new Fire TV product that aims to compete with Google's Chromecast, called the Fire TV Stick. The device sports a dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, MIMO WiFi, and double the storage of the Chromecast, while still maintaining that same smallish dongle design that plugs directly into an HDMI port on the back of your TV. It also comes with a remote and companion app for navigation. The Fire TV Stick is available for pre-order today and will ship November 19. It retails for $39, but if you are an Amazon Prime member, you can pick one up over the next 2 days for $19. The point of the Fire TV Stick is a lot like the Chromecast - it gives you quick and easy access to movies, photos, TV shows, music and games at an affordable price. You will find access to services like Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, WatchESPN, NBA Game Time, Prime Music, Pandora, Spotify, and more. You can use voice search to find things, mirror your device's display, and get info on whatever you are watching through Amazon's X-Ray service. Again, it's just like a Chromecast for the most part, though it might be a little more powerful. Amazon Link

Via: Amazon

Review: Inbox by Gmail

Ron — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 19:44:20 +0000

Gmail has looked like Gmail for a very, very long time. It looks stark and minimalist to a flaw. With the onslaught of third party Gmail apps like Sparrow, Mailbox, Acompli, and Boxer it seemed like Google was going to become a dumb pipe for these smarter Gmail apps. Then came Inbox. Inspired by Mailbox Inbox isn't so much a reimagining of email as it is a copy of Mailbox with a few added features and a (much needed) coat of paint. Like Mailbox, Inbox is centered on the idea that your emails should be treated like a to-do list. When a bill comes in you can open it and pay for it, or snooze it until your next pay check, or archive it because you're pretty sure Time Warner Cable finally figured out how auto-pay works. Inbox also requires an invitation, much like Google+ and, you guessed it, Mailbox. It's not clear why Inbox requires invitations since the product is very polished and Google has no lack of servers. You can request an invitation by emailing inbox@google.com or have a friend send an invitation your way. Once you receive an invitation, your access is granted by signing into the mobile app. Right now Inbox only supports normal Gmail accounts, but Google Apps account support should be coming in the future. Unlike Mailbox, Inbox launched with apps for iOS (iPhone only), Android, and Chrome (that's right, Inbox will not work in Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer - maybe that's the reason for Blink). The apps all feature the same overall design with a few idiosyncrasies. On All Apps Inbox's main innovation in your inbox is that it surfaces content to your inbox. So, if Kellen emails me a picture of him and Tim enjoying a beer together, Inbox will show me the title of the email and a preview of its text, but right below that it will show a thumbnail of the image. Tapping or clicking on that image opens the image directly so that you can access content right away. The same applies for any kind of attachment, which is a huge help for quickly getting to the content you want, not the email and then the content. Inbox also allows you to pin messages to your inbox. With pinned messages you can mark all others as done or just filter your view to only your pinned items in order to focus in on things that are more immediately important. Inbox also features filtering options, now called bundles, that Gmail introduced last year (yes, you need to turn them off again if you don't want to use them). All of the apps feature the ability to turn emails into reminders which sync with Google Now (but oddly not with Keep, almost certainly because Google Now is available on iOS and Keep is not).

Chrome Inbox is a bit more powerful in Chrome than on mobile because it supports Gmail's keyboard shortcuts (J and K to move through messages, O to open, E to archive, F to forward, / to search, . to move a message to a folder, and C to compose). Unfortunately, there are not shortcuts to open the side menu or to snooze, but Google may add some soon. Inbox in Chrome also has built in Hangouts integration (similar to that found in Google+), which will launch the app if it's installed or open the chat window in that tab if not. Android and iOS The app is almost identical on Android and iOS, with the major difference being that the iOS app is slower and slightly more difficult to navigate. Both feature the same Material design with a hamburger menu, location label, and search button adorning the top navigation bar. Tapping compose brings up the options to compose an email, create a reminder, or email your most popular correspondents (on Android your current location in the app fades out in the background except for the top nav bar, on iOS everything grays out including the nav bar). Opening the side menu reveals your Inbox, Sent, Done (archived), bundles, and other folders (on iOS the Settings and Help & Feedback buttons are at the very bottom while on Android those buttons are pinned to always show). Both apps feature pull to refresh, with the iOS app lowering your content to reveal the animation and the Android app lowering the animation on top of your content, each iteration representing design standard on their respective platform. The iPhone 5c, Moto X (2013), and Note 4 all show the same amount of information (5 normal emails) while some larger screened devices are able to fit in more (for example, the iPhone 6 is able to display 6 emails and Android tablets are able to display upwards of 8 messages). Once messages have been archived the only way to move them back into your inbox is to open the message and tap the check mark or tap and hold to select the message and then select the check mark. Compared to Mailbox, which displays a physical hierarchy that is maintained throughout the app with snooze on the left, inbox in the middle, and archived on the right, this process of organizing emails between locations feels tedious. A simple swipe from right to left to return a message to the inbox is far faster, but Inbox still gets the job done. There are three major differences between the iOS and Android apps that make the Android app better and faster to use. The first is selecting multiple messages. You can tap and hold to select multiple messages from any view. For whatever reason the iOS app takes about 2.5 seconds to select your first message while the Android app is consistenly under a second (I tested this on my iPhone 5c and my wife's iPhone 6). That alone makes the iOS app feel annoyingly slow when you have to select multiple messages (which is admittedly rare). The second is accessing the side menu. On the Android app you can slide the side menu out by dragging from the left edge of the screen to the right, even if there's a message below your finger (just like in every other modern Android app). On iOS a swipe from the edge will initiate the archive gesture (unless you're in Done or Snooze, then the message will wiggle as a reminder that Mailbox's gestures are better).The only way to access the side menu on iOS is by swiping on top of the navigation bar or tapping the hamburger button. The third difference is that the iOS app does not support the swipe from the left edge of the display to go back, meaning you have to tap the X to close an open message; on Android the back button is the fastest way to return to the last location.

Inbox or Mailbox After spending a lot of time playing with Inbox and using it as my full time Gmail app I have to say that I still prefer Mailbox, especially if your workflow includes OS X. Mailbox for OS X is so much faster to use than Inbox in Chrome. Emails can be archived or snoozed by swiping over them with the mouse or with the arrow keys. You don't ever have to leave the keyboard when using Mailbox, which also makes it much faster to use. ⌘N creates a new message, / starts a search, ⌘Number gets you into Snooze (2), Lists (3), Archive (4), etc. If Inbox had the ability to archive and snooze messages that easily then I would call it a draw, but with Mailbox's native OS X support it's the clear winner. If you're on a PC then I would probably use Inbox simply because it's prettier than Gmail with the same functionality. If you never use a computer to use your email then it comes down your personal preferences for the apps. I think Inbox is prettier than Mailbox, and if you're on Android then it will feel far more native than Mailbox does. If you're on iOS or need a unified inbox, however, I would stick with Mailbox. While Gmail promises that Inbox is just a side project, I really hope that Inbox becomes Gmail. It's prettier, better designed, and fun to use. It may be a pretty heavy rip off of Mailbox (what modern Gmail app isn't?), but it works well and the added features of pins and reminders set Inbox apart as potentially more helpful for organizing your emails as a to-do list than Mailbox.

Nexus 6 Cruises Through the FCC

Kellen — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 09:08:00 +0000

With an October 29 pre-order date on the horizon, we were starting to wonder if and when the new Nexus 6 was going to stop by the FCC seeking approval. Thankfully, that happened yesterday, so we should be good to go on Wednesday. The device showed up under two listings with Motorola's FCC ID attached (which makes sense since Motorola submitted them): IHDT56QD1 and IHDT56QD2. The differences in the two listings are likely because there are two models of the Nexus 6: XT1103 (US variant) and XT1100 (international variant). In the second listing, a declaration of product equivalence notes that this is the same phone as the IHDT56QD1. Also, you will see below that the second listing (IHDT56QD2) does not have CDMA2000 support, which is true of the international model. Now, we should point out that the word "Nexus" isn't mentioned anywhere that we can find, nor are there photos, but we are seeing enough information here to confidently say that this is indeed the Nexus 6. First, if you look at the device measurements, they match up to the Nexus 6 measurements almost exactly. The FCC listing shows a devices that is 159.4mm x 83mm. If you look at the Nexus 6 on Google Play, you will also find a device that is 159mm x 83mm (159.26x82.98mm to be exact).

We are seeing a device that supports LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, and 41, CDMA2000 BC 0/1/10 (Verizon and Sprint), and GSM bands for T-Mobile and AT&T. This has it all, just like the Nexus 6, which no other device on our radar can lay claim to. If that wasn't enough, it also has wireless charging. Again, we should be good to go on Wednesday!

Via: FCC [2] | reddit

Cheers Tony!

Here is the DROID TURBO in Its Retail Packaging, Turbo Charger Included

Kellen — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 07:59:34 +0000

The DROID Turbo should be here next, at least according to a countdown currently running on Verizon's DroidDoes.com site for all things DROID. To show you additional proof that the phone is days from an unveiling, we now have pictures of it in retail packaging, courtesy of MotoFirmware.com. And yep, that looks like the DROID Turbo in classic "DROID" style packaging. Oh, and there is a Turbo Charger in the box, just like we said there would be in our "everything you need to know about the DROID Turbo" post. As an added note, sources of ours have told us that the phone will like be priced at $199 with a 2-year contract or $599 at full retail. Not much else to say other than, next week should be fun.

Via: @motofirmware

More Than 3 Invites This Weekend

Kellen — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 20:36:06 +0000

On episode 71 of the Droid Life Show, we recapped Android 5.0 features and highlights that we talked about over the last week, launch dates and pre-orders of the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, news on the DROID Turbo, the beauty that is Google's new Inbox, react to the G Watch R that is now in house, and finish with a couple of reviews for the Galaxy Alpha and Xperia Z3 Compact. It was a full show for a daytime show, so you won't want to miss it. By the way, we are toying with the idea of running the show much earlier in the day going forward, instead of our previous 6PM Pacific time slot. Feel free to weigh in through the comments with your thoughts on that.

This Week in the Life of DROID: 10/24/2014

Tim — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 16:11:34 +0000

Another week comes to a close at DL, but don't worry, we will be back soon enough. There was a ton of exciting news this week, mostly involving Google's announcement of Inbox, as well as us digging through the latest build of Lollipop made available to developers. Lots of goodies to be seen in there. We also posted up reviews for the Galaxy Alpha and Xperia Z3 Compact, so be sure to check those out. Here are the highlights in case you missed anything!

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 71 [Subscribe]
Review: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Alpha.
Video: LG G Watch R unboxing and hands-on.
Lollipop Features: Chrome Tabs in App Switcher | New Printing UI | Enhanced Android Beam | Pinning Apps
How To: Store music on Android Wear for offline playback.
DROID Turbo photos hit the web.
Google announces Inbox, we take it for a spin.
Nexus 6 pre-orders go live October 29.
Google Play Music received a massive update.
Android Wear devices got a big ol' update.
Sundar Pichai just took over all of Google's core product business.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Friday App Sales: Grand Theft Auto Series, World of Goo, Hitman GO, and More

Tim — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 15:37:10 +0000

A ton of great games are available through Google Play for a discounted price this week, such as true classics like GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas. If you think you might have a few hours to kill over the weekend, there are no better time wasters than that. However, if shooting up cities is not your modus operandi, Hitman GO may be more to your liking. In terms of puzzlers, it is one of our favoties. To top it off, World of Goo is available, RBI Baseball 14 (go Giants!), the Great Little War Game franchise, and many more. Take a look at the full list below. Friday App Sales

World of Goo ($0.99)
GTA III ( $2.99)
GTA: Vice City ($2.99)
GTA: San Andreas ($3.99)
Hitman GO ($1.99)
Battery Widget Reborn ($0.99)
Great Little War Game ($0.99)
Great Big War Game ($0.99)
Great Little War Game 2 ($0.99)
Royal Envoy ($0.99)
Around the World 80 Days ($0.99)
Call of Atlantis ($0.99)
Paperland Pro Live Wallpaper ($0.99)
Barcode Scanner Plus ($1.50)
Camera ZOOM FX Premium ($1.99)
Braveland ($0.99)
RBI Baseball 14 ($1.99)

Go support those developers!

Larry Page Reassigns Sundar Pichai, Now Manages Most of Google's Products

Tim — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 15:13:34 +0000

According to a report out of re/code, Larry Page, CEO of Google, has placed Sundar Pichai in control of essentially the entire core Google business. Sundar, who has grown from head of Chrome to managing the Android business in Mountain View, will immediately take on additional roles, but an official title change at Google is yet to come. Ready to hear what Sundar has on his plate? Let's get started. Currently, Sundar has been the head of Android, Chrome, and Google Apps for quite a while. Now, he will oversee the following departments - Research, Search, Maps, Google+, Commerce and Ads, and Infrastructure. The executives that handle these departments used to report directly to Larry Page, but now, Sundar will be their go-to guy. How can one man oversee all of these projects? That's easy, he's obviously Superman. No one would argue that Sundar's overtaking of Android and Google Apps has been a good move by Larry Page. With Larry removing a few of these responsibilities from his own agenda, it is stated in an internal memo that he will now focus more on Nest, Calico, Google X, corporate development, legal, and ad sales. Guess we will be seeing much more of Sundar at Google in the future.

Via: re/code

Nest Acquires Revolv, the Universal Smart Home Automation Hub

Tim — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 12:25:39 +0000

It appears that Nest is putting more of its Google money to good use, announcing the acquisition of Revolv, the universal smart home automation hub. Revolv allows users to automate certain functions of their home, in the form of a $300 device. However, as announced by Nest, the device will no longer be made available to new customers. The exact terms of the deal were not made public, but in a phone interview with re/code, Nest's co-founder stated, "We are not fans of yet another hub that people should have to worry about. It’s a great team, an unbelievable team. There’s a certain amount of expertise in home wireless communications that doesn’t exist outside of these 10 people in the world." In addition to the acquisition news, Nest also announced new partners in the "Works With Nest" program, which brings more value to Nest owners. Here are the newly compatible platforms.

ivee - This voice-activated home assistant lets you know when a Nest energy rush hour is about to start or finish.
Life360 - The family app that’ll let Nest know once everyone’s gone for the day so you don’t waste energy heating an empty home.
Pebble - Change the temperature and set your Nest Thermostat to Home or Away from your Pebble wristwatch.
Rachio - If Nest Protect senses smoke, the Rachio controller can automatically turn on sprinklers around the house.
SNUPI Technologies - With WallyHome, the wireless sensor system for your home, your Nest Thermostat knows not to heat or cool an unused room.

It appears that Google's overall strategy to take over your home's automation needs is coming to fruition through the form of various purchases. It is an exciting time to be interested in that field, and likely, we could see Nest and Google offer a automation hub of its very own down the road.

Via: Nest | re/code

You can Now Invite Three Friends to Use Inbox

Kellen — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:54:41 +0000

That's right, you can now invite your friends to use Inbox, Google's new email service. If you are already in, open the mobile or web apps, tap the compose button, and you should see a "golden ticket" with an "Invite to Inbox" note attached. Tap the golden ticket and then send to a friend using their email address. Google is giving current Inbox users three of them, so choose wisely.

Via: @inboxbygoogle

How to: Store Music on Android Wear for Offline Playback

Kellen — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:07:27 +0000

With an update to Android 4.4W.2, Android Wear now supports music playback while offline, which is a fancy way of saying that it is not connected to your phone. This is a pretty useful new feature, as you can pair your watch with a Bluetooth headset, leave your phone behind, and enjoy music on the go (it's great for workouts where you don't want to lug your massive phone around). Since many of you are now receiving this new 4.4W.2 update, we thought it was time to walk you through the steps on how to setup this new functionality. The entire process can be a bit tricky, and is also insanely slow, so let's talk it out together.

Instructions

1. Set aside 3 or 8 or 15 hours of time, because this takes forever. I'm only semi-kidding. 2. Update to the newest Google Play Music and make sure your Android Wear device is on 4.4W.2. 3. Decide which music you want to download in Google Play Music. 4. Download it.

5. Head into Google Play Music settings and check the box for "Download to Android Wear." 6. This will then transfer any stored Play Music that is on your phone, to your Wear device.

Note 1: The process of transferring music to your Wear device happens automatically - you do not have to initiate the transfer. As long as you have the box checked that we mentioned in step 5, the music starts moving once it has been fully downloaded to your phone. Note 2: From what I can tell, there is no way to specify which music you want to transfer. The option for transferring simply says that downloaded music will bed stored on Wear for offline playback, which sounds to me like it plans to move it all over. That's bad news for anyone with more than 4GB of music stored on their phone, as most Android Wear devices only come with 4GB of storage. Hopefully, we see more control here soon. Otherwise, you may have to constantly tweak the downloaded music on your phone in order to continually change it on your Wear watch. Best to create a running or workout or on-the-go playlist, and just download that.

7. Depending on how much music you want to transfer, this is where the wait comes in.

Note 3: You first have to download the music to your phone. Once that completes, the automatic transfer begins happening from phone to Wear device, which takes a while. A 15-track album just took about 10-15 minutes to complete between my new Moto X and G Watch R.

8. Once that completes and your Wear watch tells you so, it's time to disconnect from your phone and test! 9. With your watch disconnected from your phone, you need manually launch Play Music. 10. Tap the screen to enter the menu, scroll down to Start..., and then Play Music.

11. You should now see the music you transferred over with a "Play" button. Tap it and start listening.

12. If you don't have Bluetooth headphones attached, your Wear device will tell you to connect or set them up. 13. An audio device screen will allow you to go directly to settings to do so. Press the green check to start. 14. Search for your Bluetooth device in the list of available devices, tap on it, and following the pair prompts.

15. Once connected, you may need to jump back up to step 10 and repeat. 16. Enjoy!

GO SMS Updated to 6.0, Material Design in Tow and Free This Weekend

Kyle — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 10:55:47 +0000

Lollipop may be at least a few weeks out, but a few diligent developers have already begun incorporating elements of the Android update into their applications. The GO SMS team is the latest to do so, releasing GO SMS 6.0 with a UI inspired by Material Design. The visual refresh, intended to make the interface "simpler and easier to use," has been met with consternation by some who feel it sacrifices useful functionality in favor of form. Fortunately, folks can make that determination for themselves this weekend - in celebration of the update, GO SMS Pro is free until October 26 (normally $6.99). To activate your Pro account, download the app from Google Play. Then, open the app and navigate to Menu > Settings > About > Enter Activation and use the code "appsales". Play Link Update: The promo code does not seem to be working. We are investigating the issue.

Deezer Acquires Stitcher, Eyes Global Podcast Domination

Tim — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 10:27:27 +0000

Deezer announced the acquisition of Stitcher this morning. For those unfamiliar, Stitcher is one of the most well-known services available that provides users a way to listen to their favorite audio streams from around the world, including The DL Show (selfless plug) while on-the-go. Under the Deezer umbrella, Stitcher plans to scale its business globally, allowing even more people to use the service. Deezer, which is a premier global digital music streaming service, will undoubtedly use Stitcher's already impressive traffic to increase reach of its own business in the podcast world. No dollar amount was announced alongside the press release, but we are sure it was not a cheap purchase. As for Stitcher users, you have nothing to worry about. According to Stitcher, the service is not changing or going away, so users can continue to listen to The DL Show or anything else they fancy. Full information has been placed below for those interested.

Deezer Acquires Stitcher, the Leading Talk & Entertainment Radio App Deezer to integrate talk and entertainment into streaming experience, leveraging Stitcher¹s 35,000+ shows and prominent auto presence
OCTOBER 24, 2014 SAN FRANCISCO Deezer, the premier global digital music streaming service, today announced it is acquiring Stitcher, the leading provider of personalized Internet talk radio and award winning mobile products. The acquisition allows Deezer to become a truly global on-demand audio provider, offering consumers over 35 million music tracks and 35,000 radio shows and podcasts. Stitcher currently carries eight out of the top ten terrestrial radio shows and features content from over 12,000 content providers, including NPR, BBC, Fox News, Wall Street Journal, This American Life, Marc Maron, CBS Radio News and others. Streaming talk content continues to grow in the US, with approximately 39 million Americans having listened to an audio podcast in the past month and 30 percent of Americans having listened to a podcast according to Edison Research. "Almost every music listener listens to some form of talk radio, whether it is news, entertainment or sports," said Daniel Marhely, Founder of Deezer. "We see the ability to deliver better talk streaming solutions in the same way that we are doing in music to super serve the needs of our global audience of 16 million users and growing. The acquisition of Stitcher helps us realize this opportunity." Deezer will further expand its distribution into the automotive entertainment market where Stitcher is already enabled in more than 50 models, including BMW, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar and Mazda vehicles and was an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto launch partner. "Deezer has become a market leader by meeting the different and unmet needs of music consumers around the world," said Noah Shanok, Chief Executive Officer of Stitcher. "We look forward to continue to evolve our leading offerings and deliver the most complete and best digital audio experience for listeners everywhere." Deezer will continue to support Stitcher's award winning mobile products, where Stitcher has the number one rated podcast app on Android and the second most popular app on iOS behind iTunes. About Deezer Deezer is the first truly worldwide digital music streaming service in over 180 countries, with 16 million monthly active users and 5 million paid subscribers worldwide. Deezer is at the forefront of a music revolution, allowing fans instant access to the largest music catalogue in the world, with more than 35 million songs and 30,000+ radio channels on any device. Combining the best of man and machine, Deezer¹s global editorial team searches for the best music around the world and its algorithmic recommendations help fans discover music they will truly love. Deezer is available on your favorite device, including smartphone, tablet, PC, laptop, home sound system, connected car, smart TV or Xbox. Launched in 2007, Deezer is a privately-held company, headquartered in Paris with offices in San Francisco and around the world. Deezer is currently available as a free download for iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows devices or on the web at deezer.com globally outside the US.

Rockstar Celebrates Ten Year Anniversary of San Andreas, Puts All GTA Titles on Sale

Tim — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 09:22:04 +0000

To celebrate the ten year anniversary of San Andreas - seriously, it's been ten years already - Rockstar Games is hosting a sale through the Android, Amazon, and iOS platforms, bringing deep discounts to all three available Grand Theft Auto titles, including GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas. To sum up the GTA series in only a few words, all you need to know is that it is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. The games put you into an open world as a different main character each time, making you complete objectives, collect weapons, steal cars, and basically become king of the world. If shooting up towns on your mobile interests you, you best go grab them right away. Play Links: GTA III ($2.99) | Vice City ($2.99) | San Andreas ($3.99)

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Via: Rockstar

Galaxy S5 Reported to Receive Lollipop Update in December

Tim — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 08:40:01 +0000

According to sources of SamMobile's, owners of the Galaxy S5 may not have to wait too long to see Android 5.0 hit their devices. As stated by the source, Lollipop should arrive for Samsung's flagship device in December, but that is no guarantee that it will come to all markets within that time frame, especially when the update would need to be approved by our carriers. Given how many devices Samsung must focus on in terms of updates, across countless countries, it is no shock that the company is not able to come out and give any hard estimations, unlike HTC and its 90 day promise. If you do not remember right off, a video of Android L on the Galaxy S5 was shown off not too long ago. Needless to say, it looks a lot like TouchWiz, and not so much Material Design.

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Via: SamMobile

LG Announces Own NUCLUN Octa-Core Processor, New G3 Screen Phone Running It

Kellen — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 07:40:17 +0000

Yesterday, pictures of an unannounced LG phone codenamed "Liger" surfaced, along with benchmarks to showcase the phone's LG-made processor, a chipset that has been running under the codename "Odin" for some time. To get out ahead of any additional leaks, or because that leak was perfectly timed and orchestrated, LG finished off the day by announcing both the phone and processor. The phone is called the LG G3 Screen; the processor is the company's first in-house made chipset known as NUCLUN. The processor, again is LG's first mobile application processor, employs four 1.5GHz Cortex A15 cores for high performance and four 1.2GHz Cortex A7 cores for "less intensive processing." Do the math and you get an 8-core chipset that will be used in high-end smartphones. If you were worried about LTE connectivity, just know that this chipset supports LTE-A Cat.6 networks, so it's ready for prime time. LG says that this NUCLUN processor is all about "high performance and low energy consumption." As for the phone, you are looking at a device running the NUCLUN, but also with a 5.9-inch Full HD IPS display, 32GB internal storage, micro SD slot, 2GB RAM, 13MP rear camera with OIS+, 3,000mAh, and Android 4.4. This is like a bigger version of the LG G3, but with a lower resolution display. LG did not mention release information for the G3 Screen.

LG INTRODUCES COMPANY’S FIRST MOBILE APPLICATION PROCESSOR

LG’s Octa-Core NUCLUN Processor Delivers LTE-A Cat.6 Support and Enhanced Capabilities Optimized for High-end Smartphones
SEOUL, Oct. 24, 2014 ― LG Electronics (LG) unveiled its first mobile application processor (AP) featuring eight-core architecture and LTE-A Cat.6 network capability for high performance and low energy consumption. The new AP, named NUCLUN, will make its debut this week in the “G3 Screen”, a smartphone developed specifically for the Korean market. NUCLUN (pronounced NOO-klun) was designed using ARM big.LITTLE™ technology for efficient multi-tasking capabilities. The AP employs four 1.5GHz cores (ARM Cortex-A15) for high performance and four 1.2GHz cores (ARM Cortex-A7) for less intensive processing. The number of performing cores can be adjusted based on the requirements of the task for maximum processing power or maximum energy savings. NUCLUN is designed to support the next generation of 4G networks, LTE-A Cat.6, for maximum download speeds of up to 225Mbps while retaining backward compatibility with current LTE networks. “NUCLUN opens up a new chapter in LG’s history of innovation in the mobile industry,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “With this in-house solution, we will be able to achieve better vertical integration and further diversity our product strategy against stronger competition. NUCLUN will give us greater flexibility in our mobile strategy going forward.” As LG’s first smartphone equipped with NUCLUN, the G3 Screen inherits the design language, camera and UX features of the popular LG G3. The G3 Screen boasts an expansive, 5.9-inch Full HD IPS display and high fidelity 1W speaker for the ultimate smartphone experience. As the largest smartphone designed for LTE-A Cat.6 networks, the G3 Screen will deliver download speeds three times faster than regular 4G LTE networks for a truly smooth and satisfying multimedia experience. Key Specifications:

Chipset: NUCLUN Octa-Core (1.5GHz Quad-Core + 1.2GHz Quad-Core)

Display: 5.9-inch Full HD IPS

Memory: 32GB eMMC / 2GB RAM / MicroSD slot

Camera: Rear 13MP OIS+ / Front 2.1MP

Battery: 3,000mAh

Operating System: Android 4.4 KitKat

Size: 157.8 x 81.8 x 9.5mm

Weight: 182g

Network: LTE-A Cat.6

Colors: Black / White

# # #

Sprint to Launch 17 New 4G LTE Markets on October 28, Including Denver

Kellen — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 21:27:17 +0000

Sprint went ahead tonight and quietly announced 17 new 4G LTE markets that they plan to fully light up by October 28. Well, their 4G LTE market list was at least updated with 17 new markets, along with a new "October 28" date (even though today is only October 23). We can only assume that the change means they plan to make these markets live on that day. The new markets cover areas in all corners of the US, from Colorado to Wisconsin to California to Kentucky to New York. The biggest of the new markets is Denver, followed by Sacramento. The rest can be found below.

Champaign/Urbana, IL
Denver, CO
Elizabeth City, NC
Florence, SC
Glen Falls, NY
Grand Forks, ND
Kingston, NY
Marinette, WI
Muscatine, IA
North Wilkesboro, NC
Oak Harbor, WA
Ogden/Clearfield, UT
Outer Banks, NC
Pendleton/Hermiston, OR
Richmond/Berea, KY
Roseburg, OR
Sacramento, CA

Via: Sprint

Nexus 9 and Player Pre-Order

Kellen — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:49:37 +0000

On today's episode of the Droid Life Show, we plan to recap the craziness of the last week. Shortly after Tim and I got together for a special DL Show last Wednesday, Google opened up pre-orders for the Nexus 9 and Player, but also pushed out a brand new Android 5.0 preview build. As you now know, we spent the last several days talking about all that is new and awesome about Android 5.0. We also went wild over pre-orders for the new Nexus devices, their accessories, and impending launch dates. Outside of Nexus and Lollipop news, we also have news on the DROID Turbo front, reviews in for the Galaxy Alpha and Xperia Z3 Compact, a new email app from Google, and more. This should be a packed show, as always. Join us! We are live this afternoon at 3:00PM Pacific (6:00PM Eastern).

Inbox Invites Rolling Out Now!

Kellen — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:24:12 +0000

Here they come, Inbox invites are rolling out now from Google! Check your inboxes! Everyone get them? Once you do, to activate, you need to have the invite email in your inbox, install the app, then sign-in using the email address that you received the inbox invite to. It should then scan you inbox for the email, which includes a code that will activate the app for you. If it doesn't, then scroll to the very bottom of your invite email and find the code. In the app, you will see an area to input that code. As a reminder, Inbox does not work with Google Apps accounts just yet. Even though you may receive an invite through a GApps account, it won't work. Good luck! Update: Google confirmed that this 2nd wave is rolling out. If you didn't get one, I can't imagine you will have to wait much longer for the next wave. Play Link

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Deal: The Name Your Own Price Game Design Bundle, Unlock All Parts for Just $6.45

Tim — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:50:22 +0000

A name-your-own-price bundle recently hit the DL Deals store, one which will have you programming your very own games for very little upfront cash. In the bundle, buyers have access to four separate sections - Becoming a Unity 3D Power User, Pro Video Game Art School, Customer Engagement with Gamification, and tutorials on Crafting Hans-Painted Textures. The way the bundle works is much like a Humble Bundle. Up to a certain amount, which at the current minimum is $6.45, users have access to two sections. Once that minimum is paid, you get access to all of the aforementioned courses. In total, there are 397 lectures to sift through, which should have you programming, as well as designing, the next blockbuster mobile games for our platform. Please, we need more games on Android. Check out the link below if you are interested. Deal Link

BulkyPix Publishes Felllice to Google Play, Live the Life of a Cell

Tim — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:32:21 +0000

A new game from one of my favorite publishers hit Google Play this morning, titled Felllice. In the game, you play as a small cell, who must eat other cells to get bigger, while not being destroyed by larger cells. The look of the game is quite plain, consisting of just white circles on a black background or vice versa. You move your cell to consume cells of smaller proportion, then simply move your wait up the food chain. Different cells react differently to you, which mixes up the gameplay very well. The game is priced at $2.27 currently on Google Play, while featuring no IAPs. Play Link ($2.27)

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Rovio Launches RETRY, a Game That has Nothing to do With Birds

Tim — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:36:39 +0000

Brace yourself, you might be in for a shocker. Rovio, the company who beats you over the head with countless renditions of its one hit wonder Angry Birds, released a new game this week that has absolutely nothing to do with birds or pigs. Say what?! The new game, called RETRY, is a funny little airplane game that tests how good of an aviator you are. You tap on the screen of the your phone to make the plane fly, while also trying to collect coins and not crash into the ground or hillside. The overall goal is to not crash, collect coins for upgrades, and then land perfectly. Surprisingly, this game does not make me feel like punching a wall just yet, but with its addictive nature, coupled with the fact that you might crash a lot, that time may come. Price? Free. IAPs? You betcha. Play Link

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Sony Smartwatch 3 Now Available for Pre-order at Verizon

Kyle — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:45:07 +0000

If you are in the market for an Android Wear device and none of the circular options strike your fancy, Sony's SmartWatch 3 seems like a smart choice. Availability was hazy for a while, but this morning, Verizon began offering pre-orders with an estimated ship date of October 30. The SmartWatch 3 got a shout-out from Google today for being the first Android Wear smartwatch with built-in GPS, which athletes who prefer to leave their smartphones at home during workouts will surely appreciate. It is otherwise comparable to other peripherals in its class, featuring a body rated IP68 and a 1.6" 320 x 320 LCD display. The SmartWatch 3 is $249.99, and will be available on Google Play soon. Verizon Pre-order Link

Via: Sony

LG G Watch R Unboxing and Tour

Kellen — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:12:28 +0000

The other round Android Wear smartwatch is now in house at DL HQ. Or as LG would put it - the only fully round smartwatch. That's right, the LG G Watch R is here and already on wrist after we filmed a quick unboxing and first impressions video. With its use of premium materials and upgraded specs over the original G Watch, LG is aiming at Motorola's round effort, the Moto 360. Can it stand up to what we consider to be the best Android Wear watch on the planet? Let's start to find out. As is noted in the video below, this is the first time that we have had our hands on the G Watch R. The watch was first unveiled at IFA back in early September, but that's an international event that we typically do not attend and missed out on a first look. As you can imagine, we having been itching to get this little guy in our possession, so that we can put it through a round of testing, comparisons, and enough use that we can give you all a review before it lands stateside. To recap, the G Watch R houses a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, 1.3-inch Plastic OLED (P-OLED) display (320x320), 410mAh battery, IP67 dust and water resistance, heart rate monitor, and comes in black. It charges through pins, like the original G Watch, with an included dock. My initial thoughts are that this watch has been finely crafted for the most part. The design, while not a watch design or color I would typically choose, is greatly improved over almost all of the other Android Wear watches. I can't say that I personally prefer the look over the Moto 360, but there is no denying that LG has built a solid looking watch, that actually looks like a real watch and should appeal to many.

It uses stainless steel to create a sturdy body that looks and feels premium, along with a calf skin leather strap. The calf skin strap feels incredibly cheap out of the box, but I am hopeful that it will soften up and feel better over time. The watch is bigger than I had imagined it would be. However, I should have expected it since LG included all of that bezel around the round P-OLED display. Unlike the Moto 360, the watch strap isn't attached directly to the round body either. LG has instead extended arms out from the round body as holders of the strap, similar to what you would find with most watches. I have yet to dive into performance, but my gut tells me that this watch is going to be really impressive in terms of touch sensitivity, responsiveness, and battery life. Like the original G Watch, the G Watch R has an always-on display because it is able to sip battery, thanks to the new Snapdragon 400 processor inside. Overall, I am excited to give this watch a spin to see how LG's take on a premium, round smartwatch stacks up to the Moto 360. Check out the unboxing and initial impressions video below (quick Moto 360 comparison included), then sound off in the comments.

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SwiftKey Gains Themes Inspired by Material Design, Available Now Through Google Play

Kyle — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:00:34 +0000

Users of SwiftKey, the extremely popular third party keyboard, can apply newly updated themes inspired by Google's latest Android release, Lollipop. Material Dark and Material Light are the first two in a promised series of Material Design-inspired skins. They largely mimic the look of Lollipop's stock keyboard, but feature thoughtful touches like a numerical row, "@," "#," and "&" buttons, thin boundaries around keys, and bright outlines in the number pad. The result, in my opinion, is quite sharp. The designs can be purchased for $0.99 each. SwiftKey itself is free on Google Play. Play Link

Via: SwiftKey

LG G Watch R Will See Global Availability in November

Tim — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:34:14 +0000

Remember the G Watch R from LG? The one that looks like a souped up G Shock? Well, the company sort of announced global availability this morning, which will begin overseas in early November, followed by North America and other territories shortly after. Many folks have been waiting to get their hands on the G Watch R after LG announced the device, right around the time the Moto 360 went on sale from Motorola. LG's claim to fame for the G Watch R is that it features a full circle display, unlike the Moto 360, which features a small black bar on the bottom of the display to fit in an ambient light sensor. Besides its full circle display, the G Watch R features a Snapdragon 400 processor, 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, 410mAh battery, various sensors, and is water and dust resistant.

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On your wish list?

LG G WATCH R, NEW BENCHMARK FOR WEARABLES, BEGINS GLOBAL ROLLOUT

Newest Android Wearable Delivers Smart Capabilities in Classic Watch Form Factor
SEOUL, Oct. 24, 2014 ― LG Electronics (LG) announced today that its newest Android wearable, LG G Watch R, will be available for purchase at retail sites throughout Europe including countries such as France, Italy, Spain and the UK in the beginning of November, followed by key markets in North America, Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) soon after. Customers in select markets will also be able to purchase G Watch R on Google Play in the weeks ahead. The LG G Watch R made its world debut at IFA 2014 to much interest and with its stylish looks and smooth, speedy performance, became one of the show’s most mentioned new products. The world’s first watch-style wearable to feature a fully circular Plastic OLED (P-OLED) display, the G Watch R was inspired by classical and premium timepieces. The 1.3-inch circular P-OLED display takes advantage of every pixel, producing images with stunning color and accurate viewing at all angles even under bright sunlight. Designed and built to last, the LG G Watch R features a classic design encased in durable stainless steel and aluminum powered by a 410mAh battery, the largest in an Android Wearable to date. Like the original LG G Watch, the G Watch R delivers optimal performance through its powerful but efficient 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 400 processor with 4GB of storage and 512MB of RAM. With an Ingress Protection rating of IP67, the device is completely protected from dust and water resistant for up to 30 minutes at a maximum depth of one meter. The G Watch R, designed with personalization in mind, is compatible with any 22mm wide watch strap. The LG G Watch R offers six new pre-loaded watch faces and improved power savings in ambient mode. The update to Android WearTM OS will add even more features and functionality to G Watch R such as offline music playback. Updates will be performed seamlessly through the smartphone with the owner’s permission. “While the original G Watch was designed to be a no-nonsense, pure Android Wear device, the G Watch R was developed with a more aesthetic eye,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The G Watch R represents LG’s commitment to meld form and functionality together in perfect harmony and to create a device that not only looks great but more importantly, offers technology that makes life more convenient.” Prices and additional purchase details will be announced locally at time of availability. For more product images and videos, please visit www.lg.com/global/gwatch/r.

LG Liger Pictures and Benchmarks Leak, Suggest Odin Processor

Kyle — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:09:21 +0000

Something many phone manufacturers are wont to do is make lower-end, derivative versions of their flagship devices for developing markets. LG is no exception, as proven by leaked images and benchmarks of the Liger. An item of particular notes it the Liger's LG-designed Odin processor, an octa-core design featuring four Cortex A15-cores alongside four Cortext-A7 in big.LITTLE configuration. The handset is otherwise unremarkable, borrowing the G3's design language and sporting a 5.9" 1080p display, 2GB of RAM, 16/32GB of storage, 13MP camera with laser auto focus, and 3,000mAh. It is probably safe to say that the Liger is destined for international markets at an affordable price point. Obviously, no word on availability. You can bet, however, that Napoleon Dynamite will be grabbing one, give the phone is bred for its skills in magic. Full gallery below.

Via: GSM Arena

Download: Seasonal Backgrounds From New Google Calendar App

Kyle — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:40:26 +0000

Of all of the Google apps reworked to incorporate elements of material design, Calendar may be the slickest. It adopts the design paradigms of Android 5.0 Lollipop - bold colors, hovering widgets, and drop shadows - to great effect. That work extends to the in-app backgrounds; best viewed in tablet mode, each month features gorgeous artwork. It would be a shame if the the images Googlers worked so hard to render remained locked within the Calendar app behind your monthly agenda. Thankfully, the good folks at AmongTech managed to extract and package all 12 for download. To apply to your own home screen, download the zip file from the link below, then extract right onto your own device. They will appear in your Gallery, easily settable from there. The papers make excellent home screen backgrounds, I must say. Download Link

Via: AmongTech

République Released to Google Play, a Stealth Action Title Priced at $2.99

Tim — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:15:38 +0000

A game suited for the stealth action and puzzle lovers is now live on Google Play, one which you may already know the name to. The game, titled République, appears to be pretty popular among iOS and PC gamers, but this is the first chance Android gamers have had the luxury of playing it. In the game, you receive a call from a young girl named Hope, who is being held captive in a futuristic totalitarian state. Using the advanced security and surveillance system in the compound, you must help Hope escape, using any means necessary to dispatch of guards, as well as solve puzzles. The game features fantastic graphics for capable devices, such as the SHIELD Tablet from NVIDIA. As a note, the developer states you should run the game on a newer device, with at least a dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. With most devices being shipped with way more than that, you should not have a problem. And for those concerned about storage, this game weighs roughly 1GB, so make sure you have the extra room. I highly recommend the title if you were interested. Play Link ($2.99)

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Google Announces Android Wear 4.4W.2 With GPS and Offline Music Support, New App Categories in Google Play

Kellen — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:00:59 +0000

Two days ago, Motorola announced that a big update was rolling out to the Moto 360 that included a handful of useful tweaks to Android Wear. The LG G Watch received a similar update. In case you missed it, the update was to version 4.4W.2, which is one of the two big updates we are expecting to see from Google for their wearable platform before the year ends. Today, Google made the update official. Thanks to the update, Android Wear now supports watches with GPS units, like the Sony Smartwatch 3. That means you can take off for a run or bike ride without your phone and your watch will still track all of your happenings (route, distance, speed, etc.). Along with GPS support, offline music support is included as well, so that again, if you disconnect from your phone, can still listen to music while on the go (with Bluetooth headphones too). The latest Google Play Music update now shows an option for storing music on your wearable. Speaking of the Sony Smartwatch 3, Verizon has pre-orders up for the device, but you will soon be able to buy it off of Google Play as well. Of course, you already knew that. To help you take advantage of all of this new goodness, Google also announced that they have new Android Wear categories on Google Play. You will find app listings for things like health and fitness, travel, productivity, and social.

Via: Android Blog

Sprint Doubles Lowest Data Tier to 1GB for $20 per Month

Kyle — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:26:49 +0000

True to his word, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure has wasted no time introducing "disruptive" plan pricing. Just a few months ago, the Now Network doubled data for capped customers, and began offering an unlimited plan for $60 per month. Apparently, the carrier has a few more tricks up its sleeve. The company announced yesterday afternoon that it would double its lowest, $20 per month data tier to 1GB. Sprint points out that its entry-level data option is now unequivocally larger than two of its competitors, three times the data limit on a comparable plan by AT&T (300MB) and twice what Verizon offers (500MB), in fact. Of course, $20 represents only the base price - it applies to Sprint Family Share Pack customers, who can add subsidized smartphones and tablets at the cost of $25 per month and $10 per month, respectively. But it just became a much better proposition. The price is compelling, but Sprint still lags behind its competitors in terms of speed. When Claure took over as CEO in August, he was rather candid: “When you have a great network, you don’t have to compete on price. When your network is behind, unfortunately you have to compete on value and price.” Hopefully, a network overhaul is next on his to-do list.

Via: Sprint

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Review

Kellen — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:00:50 +0000

I love Sony's current approach to smartphones. They start with a flagship phone that has top tier specs to compete with anyone. But then to compliment that phone and appease those of us who don't like oversized phones, they release a smaller, "compact" version that doesn't lack in any department. These "compact" phones are flagship-level devices, unlike the "mini" phones that LG and Samsung tend to release each year as alternatives to their own flagships. As you all know, I can't stand the trend of smartphones these days, which is to constantly make everything as big as possible. (No, folks, bigger is not always better.) Sony gets that. And this year, they are proving that by releasing the Xperia Z3 Compact, a smaller, but equally impressive version of the Xperia Z3. The Compact line from Sony is not new to me, as I tested the Z1 Compact earlier this year for a month or so. All I can say after using both it and the Z3 Compact is that I wish more manufacturers would do similar things with smaller phones. They feel amazing in hand, can be used with one hand, and are a fantastic option. Let's talk about this particular model in more detail. This is our Sony Xperia Z3 Compact review.

The Good

Hardware, Specs, and Design As I mentioned in the intro, Sony is doing things with smaller phones that I can really appreciate and get behind. With their Compact series - Z3 Compact included - they are using high-end flagship-level specs in phones that aren't oversized and are instead packed into bodies that are made for one-handed use. With the Xperia Z3 Compact, you are looking at a 4.6-inch HD TRILUMINOS display (1280x720), 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, micro SD support up to 128GB, 20.7MP Sony camera, water and dust resistance (IP65 and IP68), and a 2,600mAh battery packed into a body that is just 129g and measures 127x64.9x8.6mm. It's small, yet powerful. The materials used are premium, buttons are placed perfectly, and you almost never need a second hand to operate it. The power button is easily differentiated from the volume rocker by touch, as is the dedicated camera button. Sony even surrounded the device with a soft, gel-like padding that adds cushion to the device where it needs it the most. I'm not saying that the Xperia Z3 Compact is going to withstand a pocket drop to a corner, but it might. There is protection there.

In terms of in-hand feel, the Xperia Z3 Compact is a joy to hold. It really is the perfect size for one-handed use. Also, previous Sony phones bothered me because they had sharp edges between panels, but those seem to be gone with this phone. The Z3 Compact is smooth, yet grippy, and almost has a soft feel to its edges and backside. As you can see, I went with the red/orange version to spice things up a bit and am glad I did so. There are black, white, and tealish green versions as well, in case you also want to pick this phone up and ditch the world of bland. The red/orange model I have is extremely bright, really pops that color, but is also classy at the same time. I can't say that anyone has complimented my phone in public, but no one has laughed at it either. Overall, the Xperia Z3 Compact is built the way all phones in 2014 should be built - with premium materials, a shape that fits your hand, and water and dust resistance.

Battery Life Before we picked up the Xperia Z3 Compact, all we were hearing was that this was the battery champion of the year for Android phones. As you can imagine, after coming from the new Moto X and its average battery life to this phone, I was really excited to see how long I could push it before needing juice. I think it's safe to say that you are never going to need a charger throughout a day with this phone. On most days, I found the phone with 20-30% remaining after 17 hours of use and over 2 hours of screen-on time. On at least one day, I had around 4 hours of screen-on time, forgot to plug the phone in at night, and still had 20% left the next morning. I may not be seeing a full 2-day battery life like some are claiming to have seen, but I bet I could come close.

There are some ways you could easily get there, though. Sony, to me, is the champ of battery extension and power management. What I mean is that they include so many different types of power management settings that you can completely customize the way your phone sips power. You can let everything run or you can choose from at least three different types of battery modes. For most of my testing, I left the stamina modes off, but once I started utilizing them, the battery on this phone just wouldn't die. Thankfully, you can tweak each so well that you really won't lose much in terms of performance or connectivity either. Sony will even tell you if unused apps are harming your battery life or if frequently used apps need to be dealt with. Again, Sony is the king of power management, I just wish other manufacturers would follow their lead.

Display At 4.6-inches and a 720p resolution, you wouldn't expect to like the Xperia Z3 Compact's display, especially after coming from devices like the Galaxy S5, LG G3 and new Moto X. But you know what? I actually really like this display, maybe even more than the Moto X and LG G3's. Colors are super clean and clear, accurate, and much more pleasing to the eye with their cooler tone that some of the others. Take a look at the photos below with those four devices maxed out on brightness. You could argue that when looking directly at all four, the Xperia Z3 Compact might be the best of the bunch, which is saying a lot with the Galaxy S5 sitting there. Now, viewing angles aren't great, which is something Sony has struggled with for years.

But outside of that, I'm a fan. Brightness levels go from extremely high for outdoor viewing to incredibly low for those night time email checks. Also, the Xperia Z3 Compact utilizes an Adaptive brightness adjustment, rather than Auto, which is a fancy way of saying that it is a much more customized brightness experience, set by you initially, and then adjusted for automatically from there. This is a really nice 720p panel, for the most part.

Macros for fun.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Camera I have a love-hate relationship with the camera on the Xperia Z3 Compact. On one hand, you have a camera that is capable of taking some of the best mobile photographs I have seen a mobile phone take. It can be awesome, just wait until you see the samples below. But on the other, you have an insanely slow shooter that might miss the perfect shot more often than it captures it as it takes time to load, focus, and eventually, snap the shot. Also, don't even consider shooting video with this thing, unless you are prepared to wait and wait and wait for it to switch itself over to video mode.

From a software standpoint, Sony is doing a lot. Out of the box, the Z3 Compact comes with 18 different shooting modes or apps (another 20 or so that can be downloaded), some of which are quite good, others that you can probably skip over. The camera can broadcast live video to YouTube, capture slow motion video, 4K video too, use the front and rear cameras to snap dual shots, do a bunch of weird augmented reality effects, and even defocus the background of shots to bring home the bokeh. It even has a full manual shooting mode for the photogs in the building, but I typically just shot everything in Superior Auto mode. The controls are simple and in the places you would expect them to be, with shortcuts for the gallery (top right corner) and settings menu easily available. Overall, the software experience is solid, but nothing new, which isn't exactly a bad thing. So what about samples? Well, let's take a look at some.

See, pretty solid photos. The Xperia Z3 Compact really captures macros and landscapes well, two types of photos that I tend shoot more often than any other. If that oyster picture doesn't look refreshing and make you crave seafood, then I can't help you. :) But from the depth captured in that simple coffee picture to the brilliant sunset in Vegas to that bright red, almost pinkish water faucet (it really is that color), the Z3C camera just comes off so versatile. Low light shots also come out acceptable for a smartphone camera, even though I don't have any great examples to show you, since most are of my 11 month own son. One picture type missing would be action shots. The Z3C camera can capture some movement, but as I mentioned above, can be so slow at times that you just never know what you might end up with. Overall, the quality of the photos that this phone takes have won me over and I eventually just came to terms with its slowness. I think you could do the same if your photos came out looking like these.

Software and Performance We talk a lot of trash about Samsung's TouchWiz, but I would be lying if I told you that Sony's skin was any better. In fact, because I have experience with a couple of other Sony phones, I knew better than to ever use the Xperia Z3 Compact with Sony's launcher or keyboard. From the minute I added my Google accounts, Nova Launcher was one of the first things I installed, as was the Google Keyboard. Unfortunately, those didn't exactly improve the full software experience or eliminate all of the performance issues, but it certainly helped.

Sony's skin just looks dated, for the most part. It's not minimal or flat, nor is it bright or refreshing. The skin is filled with greys and subtle color accents in most places, but then randomly blacked out in others. There are often times too many settings for simple things like personalization or in the camera. Sony even put this non-removable and completely obnoxious shortcut to a "What's New" app next to the Google Search shortcut that is accessed with a swipe up on the home button. I don't even know what this app is for, but I want it gone forever. Sony also tries to follow the multi-tasking trend by including a set of floating apps that hover over current tasks in mini-app boxes. There are apps for a calculator or timer or mini-browser, but I rarely found a need for them. Plus, apps like that are great on bigger screens with high resolutions, not so much on a smallish 4.6-inch display with a 720p resolution.

And the lag...my lord, the lag. As a reminder, the Xperia Z3 Compact is powered by 2GB RAM and a Snapdragon 801 processor - there shouldn't be lag. But a simple task like swiping up from home into Google Now isn't smooth. If you want to take a picture in a timely manner, good luck, as the camera is beyond slow to load. And don't even try to record a video or stopping one without waiting through a 5 second loading period on each end. Even interacting with notifications is slow. If an email comes in and I tap the "Delete" button in the notification shade, there is a solid second some times before that notification goes away. Now, I don't know that I would say, "Don't buy this phone because of the lag!" but it has certainly been something that I have noticed from day one. Look, this phone performs well enough 90% of the time, it's just that when you compare it to a phone like the new Moto X that stutters, well, never, you can see how one would be put off by the performance. It's not all bad, though. As I mentioned earlier, the battery and power management settings are awesome and should be utilized by anyone with this phone. Sony is also doing really nice things with audio (ClearAudio+), media sharing (DLNA, screen mirroring, DUALSHOCK support, etc.), and they even included a double-tap-to-wake when the phone is asleep. Overall, the Xperia Z3 Compact is bloated with too many of Sony's apps that most will never use and is hampered by a stuttering and dated skin. Sony, like Samsung, is in need of an Android skin intervention.

The Not-so-Good

Availability and Price As much as I may like the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, in the end, it all means very little because most of the world will either not know it exists or ignore it because there aren't many ways to buy it. At this time, the only way US customers can buy the Xperia Z3 Compact is through Sony's online store at a full retail price of $529. Before that, you had to import the device from the UK and pay even more. No US carrier has announced plans to carry this phone, so you likely won't ever be able to buy it at a discounted rate or with a payment plan. That's unfortunate, as this device would probably be an awesome fit for many of you.

Video

Unboxing

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vs. iPhone 6, Galaxy Alpha and Moto X

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Gallery

The Verdict

I really like the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. It probably isn't my favorite phone of 2014, but it has been (mostly) a pleasure to use, thanks to its perfect size, awesome battery life, and impressive display. Its camera is capable of taking some really nice photos too, the performance issues I mentioned above aren't deal breakers, and features like water and dust resistance help place it up there with the other flagships of 2014. By all means, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is a winner that Sony should be proud of and fans of small phones should consider. In the end, if you want to spend $529 on this phone through Sony's store, you won't regret it. Just don't wait around for it show up cheaper at a carrier near you.

Sony Xperia Z3v Now Available From Verizon for $199

Kellen — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:42:00 +0000

Sony's latest flagship has officially reached US soil - the Xperia Z3v is now available from Verizon for $199 on-contract, $24.99 with Edge, or $599 at full retail. The device features a 5.2-inch FHD display, 3,200mAh battery, 20.7MP camera, 32GB internal storage, micro SD support up to 128GB, a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, and wireless charging. The phone runs Android 4.4 "KitKat" and comes in either black or white. This is easily Sony's most impressive smartphone yet, with industry leading battery life, a much-improved display over previous efforts, on-screen navigation buttons, and a guarantee from Sony that it will receive Android 5.0 "Lollipop." If you have been waiting patiently for Sony to arrive in the US with a current flagship, this is one you should be excited about. Planning to pick up the Z3v?

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Via: Verizon

Deal: Active Wrap Bluetooth Headphones for $24, Free Shipping

Tim — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:13:44 +0000

A soon-ending deal taking place in the Deals Store can land you a set of Active Wrap headphones for just $24, plus free shipping. The Active Wrap headset is Bluetooth powered, which makes pairing with an Android device incredibly easy. For those who experience lackluster battery life from their current workout headsets, the Active Wrap promises 8 hours of music playback, which should be able to get you through any type of workout. The unit also features a built-in microphone, built-in noise canceling technology, and much more. With a price of only $24, down from $49, it is a pretty good deal if you have been in the market. And free shipping? Score. Features

Wireless bluetooth design
Comfortable, lightweight fit for all day use
Compatible with nearly any bluetooth enabled device
Built in microphone
Built in noise-canceling technology
Battery supports 10 hours of talk time and 8 hours of music playback

Deal Link

DROID Turbo Photos Hit the Web, Again Confirms QHD Display and 3GB of RAM

Tim — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:32:54 +0000

Pictures of the DROID Turbo are hitting the web, ahead of its unveiling by Motorola and Verizon next week. Thanks to many leaks, we already know everything we need to know about the Turbo, including the fact that it will sport a 5.2" QHD display, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, 21MP rear-facing camera, and a 3,900mAh battery. Up to this point, we have only seen the device through renders and poorly taken shots of its casing, but now we can finally see the device in its full state, complete with frontside and backside shots. We even get a look at its QHD display turned on. The Droid Does countdown currently sits at 5 days and 20 hours. If the Turbo is the phone you have been waiting for, you are so very close to its unveiling.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha Review

Tim — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 14:55:01 +0000

After being announced by Samsung, the Galaxy Alpha was a device we saw unexpected excitement for. Maybe it is the new design language Samsung implemented for the hardware, or the fact it features decent specs in a smaller package, but many people across the web seemed interested in the device, so we decided to pick one up and try it for ourselves. Having spent my time with an iPhone 6 before the Galaxy Alpha, the smaller size was no big deal, as I was already accustomed to a display smaller than 5". However, making that jump between iOS and Android was a weird one, as the operating systems are certainly very different from each other, but it felt great to be back on Android. Plus, given that a few in this industry labeled the Galaxy Alpha as an "iPhone Killer," I was excited to see if the phone could live up to that hype. This is our Galaxy Alpha review.

The Good

Design I have no problem in stating that the Galaxy Alpha is Samsung's best looking hardware since ever. It is that hot. With a graceful touch of real metal surrounding its outside, coupled with the soft touch plastic along the back, the Galaxy Alpha is a real joy to hold and carry around. The size is completely manageable, which seems like such a rare thing these days in the Android world. While all of the top Android devices this year sport more than 5" displays, the Galaxy Alpha is perfect for those who don't need all of that extra screen space. To say that I hope Samsung continues the Alpha's trend of design, including with the upcoming Galaxy S6, would be an total understatement.

Display Alongside the overall design and materials used to create the device, the display is probably my next favorite thing featured on the Galaxy Alpha. While it is only a 720p Super AMOLED panel, it looks gorgeous. Colors displayed are bright and crisp, allowing games to look exceptional, with photos and videos also appearing to have substance. Samsung's displays are always top notch in my opinion, and the Galaxy Alpha is no exception. One nice touch is Samsung's bright wallpapers included on the phone, which show off the display's abilities quite well. For me, the Galaxy Alpha proves that we still don't need QHD displays on our smartphones. FHD and HD displays do just fine for almost all use cases.

Macros for fun.

Somewhere in the Middle

Specs The Galaxy Alpha features a handful of great specs, while the rest are sort of drab. The phone features a 4.7" HD Super AMOLED display, 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 12MP rear-facing camera, 2.1MP front-facing camera, Bluetooth 4.0, 32GB of storage, 4G LTE connectivity, a fingerprint scanner, 1860mAh battery, and runs Android 4.4+ with Samsung's TouchWiz skin on top. On paper, those specs sound legit for a smaller, cheaper device. However, after my review time, I find that hardware featured on a smartphone is only as good as the software allows it to be. In the case of Samsung, we have yet another handset hindered by endless amounts of TouchWiz, and for the umpteenth time, we come away disappointed. To read more about my hopeful disappointment, skip to the Performance section.

Camera The 12MP shooter on the Galaxy Alpha is pretty good, but having used the iPhone 6 right before the Galaxy Alpha, my initial reaction is sort of skewed. I mean, the Galaxy Alpha has a good camera, but for an Android phone. In the grand scheme of things, it is only so-so, and when compared to the LG G3 or Galaxy Note 4, it does not compete. However, the Galaxy Alpha is not marketed as a direct competitor to those phones, so with that in mind, I was somewhat impressed by the small shooter. Where the camera excelled was in abundant natural lighting (go figure), but the sensor struggled with night time shots. I attempted to take multiple shots of my dogs running during the day, but they ended up looking like blurred messes, so I have not included those shots. To conclude, stay away from night shots and fast movement, but don't be afraid to go for macros in good lighting and landscapes.

Full resolution: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Battery Battery testing seemed great at the beginning of my time with the Galaxy Alpha. However, I quickly found that after a few days, the battery was not giving me nearly what I had initially saw, so for the fact that my experience was so inconsistent, and that really is the last thing you want to see on a phone in terms of battery life, I have to score it low on this review. If you don't play many games or do a lot of web browsing, the phone should easily get you a solid 10-12 hours of use, but being the power user that I am, I found myself plugging in for a charge around 6pm every night. I like to take a lot of pictures, browse sites, play games, and scroll through Instagram and Twitter. Every user should be able to do that without seeing a huge damper on their battery life, but with the Galaxy Alpha's small 1860mAh battery, it just was not cutting it for me. Again, coming from the iPhone 6 and LG G3, the Galaxy Alpha was not fitting to my smartphone usage, so I was not pleased with my experience.

The Not-so-Good

Performance At first boot, the Galaxy Alpha was impressive in the performance department. Ultimately, that performance did not last. After playing a few games and running Chrome Beta on top of Google Maps, the stuttering and epically long pauses after pressing the home button took its toll on my patience. However, if your job is to test a device, pushing it to its limits, then you will definitely be able to do so. As for the average consumer, I think the performance will suit many people's needs, allowing for minimal multitasking and decent game playing. Since the device is not marketed as some ultra powered beast, then we can't knock the phone for not performing like a top tier flagship. While I had hoped for more, taking the Galaxy Alpha's gorgeous looks into consideration, I found myself wishing I had my G3 or new Moto X back. My main concern was how hot the device got during certain times of the day. While playing games, the phone would not reach an insane temperature, but it was when I was out and about, browsing the web or using GPS that the phone got very hot to the touch. So hot that an immediate dismissal of all apps and a reboot was necessary to calm it down. I mean, really, that is not the type of experience I expect from any smartphone, regardless of price or specs. Availability The Galaxy Alpha's biggest foreseeable issue is availability. As of right now, you can only purchase the device through AT&T, and as we have seen many times before with carrier exclusives, don't plan on seeing them in the hands of many consumers. Priced at $199 on a two year contract, the package you receive for that type of cash is simply not worth it in my eyes. This is a $99 or cheaper on-contract device, without a doubt. Clearly AT&T thinks the hardware is good enough to charge you a premium for it. Software Samsung is back again with yet another smartphone filled to the brim with TouchWiz software. While it does seem that Samsung is refining its TouchWiz offering, it is by no means getting smaller. There are settings for everything, as well as additional features that you won't find on any other Android device. Special swipe gestures, Multi Window, Toolbox, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Touch Sensitivity, Quick Connect, S Finder, Smart Stay, and the list goes on and on. Our feelings on TouchWiz are no secret; we really can't stand it. Instead of adding value with additional features, phones end up feeling burdened by the bloat that is TouchWiz. While we hate to toot that Motorola horn anymore, we do enjoy their take on software additions much more than Samsung's. In terms of which features we recommend, I could see myself actually using Multi Window and Toolbox. That's it. Everything else? It can be removed with the quickness.

Fingerprint Scanner The Galaxy Alpha is listed as featuring a fingerprint scanner. Wanna bet? After countless reboots and data wipes, mine never decided to work, so that's some jank straight out of the box.

Video

Galaxy Alpha vs. iPhone 6 vs. Xperia Z3 Compact

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Unboxing

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Gallery

The Verdict

The Alpha could have been a real contender, however, its exclusiveness on AT&T, coupled with poor performance and average battery life should keep most buyers away from it. If Samsung wants to make a real "iPhone Killer" device, all they need to do is remake this same exact hardware, but throw in a bigger battery and improve upon TouchWiz's jank. Seriously, it might be perfect then. In our eyes, they could even get away with overcharging for it if the performance was not so held back by the huge amount of TouchWiz featured on the phone. In conclusion, I absolutely love the design and feel of the Galaxy Alpha, but the software and performance struggles killed my experience after the first few days. I am hoping that the Galaxy Alpha 2 sees a big performance boost.

A Video Tour of Google's New Inbox by Gmail

Kellen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 14:28:33 +0000

Inbox is Google's new take on email, but as many of you have already noticed, the app is a lot like Mailbox, a popular email app that helps make you more productive by turning your inbox into a task manager of sorts. Both are pretty awesome. Both are also very different ways of attacking email, though. To use either, you really need to look at your inbox in a different way, which for some of you, may be too much to ask. Since we received an invite for Inbox, we decided that we should show you how it works. If you decide to take Inbox for a spin at some point (assuming invites become available in the near future), then we want you to know what you are getting yourself into. Because again, this isn't the typical email setup where you receive all emails into your primary inbox, many of which fill up that inbox and make you feel like an unproductive slug. These apps want you to be more organized by not only automatically separating emails into pre-set categories, but also by allowing you to tell some to return at a later date, time or specific location. You can swipe away multiple emails at a time, snooze them, pin them as important, and even attach reminders to them. This is pretty awesome stuff if you are a task managing freak. Oh, the app is insanely beautiful as well. Material Design is the star, which means there are glorious animations everywhere. You need an app like this in life, even if it's just to look at. To see Inbox in action, and to hopefully help you understand the words I just spit, check out our 11-minute tour below.

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*Sorry, folks, we do not have any invites to give out. Googlers and special Googler friends are about the only people with invites at this time. If we had them, trust us, we would do our best to start sharing them.

Google Now Alerts Card Showing Local Police Activity for Users

Kyle — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:44:31 +0000

Google Now, the prescient digital assistant, earlier this month and last began reminding users of important stuff like voter registration and deals on airfare. Hot on the heels of those additions, another soon-to-be-indispensable card has begun popping up for users - information about local police activity. A few folks on reddit managed to capture the card, which seems similar in appearance to the "alerts" card that appears for weather and emergency cell broadcasts. It gives just a snippet of text, the full body of which can presumably be read in your web browser of choice. Note that the difference between the two screenshots is the result of different Search app versions; the newer Search is on the right, the older on the left. The rollout does not seem to be the result of an app update, so we are assuming it is a server-side switch. Let us know in the comments if the card has appeared for you.

Via: Reddit [2]

Deal: TYLT Phone Cases Discounted to $10 (Normally $35 - $50) Through October 30

Kyle — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 12:34:00 +0000

People buy phone cases for lots of different reasons, most commonly to restyle a handset's exterior and to protect (or at least attempt to protect) it from nicks and scratches. Whatever the objective, covers unfortunately do not come cheap; you can typically count on shelling out $25 and up for reputable brands. That's why TYLT's October promotion, which runs through the 30th, seems like such a steal. TYLT's cases usually retail between $35 and $50 , but are on sale for just $10 through the end of the month. Plus, shipping is free to customers within the continental United States. The accessory maker, perhaps better known for its premium charging gear, manufactures cases for a menagerie of devices. Among them are the Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Mega. In need of a decorative and protective cover? Might as well save a few bucks and grab one now. TYLT Link

Google Earth 8.0 Hits Google Play, New 3D Rendering Tech And Refreshed Maps in Tow

Kyle — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 11:59:00 +0000

It has been quite some time since the last major Google Earth update, and the Android app was really beginning to stagnate. Allaying fears of abandonment, Google today released a new version, Google Earth 8.0, that introduces a revamped rendering engine, better maps, and slight UI enhancements. The biggest improvement by far, Google claims, is the new 3D rendering technology. Representing the first engine overhaul since Google Earth's inception, the change should result in sharper and more fluid animations while zooming around 3D buildings, structures, and topography. Other tweaks regard mapping data. Historically, Google Earth has not received road and places information as quickly as Google Maps, but now the two are synced. Labels should be easier to read, thanks to a few color and contrast tweaks. For amateur cartographers, Google Earth has also gained the ability to import KML files from Google Drive. Predictably, the update is rolling out in stages. If you have not downloaded Google Earth to your device, though, follow the link below to install it. Play Link

Via: Google

A Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Developer Edition is Coming Soon

Kellen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 11:38:20 +0000

Motorola may have disappointed many of you when it decided against making a developer edition of the brand new Moto X (2nd gen) for Verizon, but Samsung is giving it us in the form of the Galaxy Note 4. That's right, a Galaxy Note 4 Developer Edition that will work on Verizon's network is officially "coming soon," according to Samsung's website. The device isn't listed with a price at this time, but if you click the "Add to Cart" button, you will see a price of $662.53. That's a solid $30 cheaper than Verizon is selling the non-dev edition for. That price may not be final, though. So, if you want a device made for tinkering, that has an unlockable bootloader, and works on Verizon, this may be your only phone of choice. Oh wait, the Nexus 6 is coming to Verizon.

Via: Samsung

Cheers Eric!

EYE Experience Update Rolling Out Now to HTC One (M8) on Verizon

Kellen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:55:31 +0000

The HTC One (M8) on Verizon is receiving its EYE Experience update right now, according to at least two of our readers. HTC was expecting the push to happen today, so it appears as if Verizon came through on their end. The update, for those new to the EYE Experience, introduces better face tracking of multiple people in a room, screen sharing, Split Capture feature (combination of simultaneous photos and videos taken with both cameras), Crop-Me-In mode (ignore this one), Voice Selfie (selfie explanatory), and more. To check for the update, head into Settings>Phone update>Check for update. The update is 210.5MB in size. Here are the full details on the new HTC EYE Experience:

HTC EYE Experience: Designed for you It’s not just about the hardware though. The HTC EYE Experience takes mobile imaging software into a new league with unique features guaranteed to make you look your best. Taking video chat and conference calls to a new level of quality and performance, The HTC EYE Experience’s face tracking keeps you perfectly framed at all times. And because staying in touch means more than just talking to a single person, up to four people in the same room can also be tracked comfortably, with each face cropped and positioned on the screen for maximum clarity. So enjoy the freedom and flexibility of services like Skype without worrying about exactly where you or your friends are standing, as the camera will follow everyone. Want to share even more on the move? The option of screen sharing brings desktop functionality to smartphone-based video chat for the first time. The HTC EYE Experience opens up a new world of creative opportunity, thanks to the new Split Capture function. Combining simultaneous photos and videos taken on the front and back cameras into one split-screen image or video, this creates a new selfie experience, allowing you document your journey and your reaction without relying on thumbnail views. Crop-Me-In places you at the heart of the action by cropping you from the image or video taken with the front-facing camera and positioning it within the scene captured by the main camera, opening the door to more extreme, exciting selfies and videos. Voice Selfie removes the need for awkward hand contortions by enabling you to trigger the shutter release with a simple command. Simply “say cheese” as soon as you’ve struck the perfect pose or trigger the video recording with “action” or “rolling” commands. Popular additions to the HTC Desire 820 are also included in the HTC EYE Experience such as face fusion, the feature that allows you to merge your face with that of a friend or celebrity for a completely original look and Live Makeup, where you can set the desired level of skin smoothing and preview the effect in real-time before the image is captured.

Cheers Michael and Ismael!

Google Announces "Inbox," A New Email Experience to Help You Get Things Done

Kellen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:15:43 +0000

Google just announced a brand new email experience called Inbox. Inbox, created by the Gmail team, is an email app that bundles similar emails together so that you can quickly swipe them away. Inbox will highlight important info from messages, like flight itineraries, event info, photos or documents, so that you may not even need to fully open them at this particular moment. Inbox also lets you set reminders, snooze items, and may even assist you along the way by providing useful information for tasks it sees that need to get done. It sounds a lot like Mailbox, which is awesome, because I have given my life over to the task-oriented approach of Mailbox. Return to Google, I may. Here are some of the features you will find in Inbox, according to Google:

Bundles: stay organized automatically Inbox expands upon the categories we introduced in Gmail last year, making it easy to deal with similar types of mail all at once. For example, all your purchase receipts or bank statements are neatly grouped together so that you can quickly review and then swipe them out of the way. You can even teach Inbox to adapt to the way you work by choosing which emails you’d like to see grouped together. Highlights: the important info at a glance Inbox highlights the key information from important messages, such as flight itineraries, event information, and photos and documents emailed to you by friends and family. Inbox will even display useful information from the web that wasn’t in the original email, such as the real-time status of your flights and package deliveries. Highlights and Bundles work together to give you just the information you need at a glance. Reminders, Assists, and Snooze: your to-do’s on your own terms Inbox makes it easy to focus on your priorities by letting you add your own Reminders, from picking up the dry cleaning to giving your parents a call. No matter what you need to remember, your inbox becomes a centralized place to keep track of the things you need to get back to.

Inbox is currently an invite only ordeal, but you can email inbox@google.com to get on the list for an invite. Or, if your friends were invited, they can invite you. Inbox will exist on the web, but also has Android and iOS apps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzNTjpUMOp4

Via: Google

No, Google Didn't Just Confirm that Android 5.0 is Coming November 3 to Anything Outside of the Nexus 9 and Player

Kellen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:29:39 +0000

I know that we are all excited for the launch of Android 5.0 "Lollipop" and for Google to begin pushing over-the-air updates of it to the Nexus family of phones, but we all need to try and relax a bit. Today, because of a new note posted to the Android Developer Console, the world now assumes that Google has told us to expect updates to begin on November 3. Except, well, they didn't tell us that at all. Below, you will see the screen that we pulled from the Developer Console, which is the note being passed around today as a purported confirmation of all things Android 5.0 arriving for all sorts of Nexus devices on November 3. In short, it says that developers should be sure to test and publish updates to apps to get ready for a consumer launch of Android 5.0 on November 3.

Here is the deal, though - they said this a week ago through the Android Developers blog when they announced availability of the Android 5.0 SDK. In fact, if you click the "Learn more" link in the Developer Console that accompanies this note, it takes you to that blog post, which says exactly what this note says. Yet for some reason, no one freaked out then. Here is the exact wording from that blog post:

Starting November 3rd, Nexus 9 will be the first device available to consumers that will run Android 5.0. Therefore, it is a great time to publish on Google Play, once you've updated and tested your app. Even if your apps target earlier versions of Android, take a few moments to test them on the Android 5.0 system images, and publish any updates needed in advance of the Android 5.0 rollout.

Again, we are seeing "consumers" and "November 3" and "Android 5.0" and "publish any updates." And that's true, consumers will see Android 5.0 on November 3 because that's the day that the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player arrive. That's all it says! Twice! I see no mention of any other Nexus device outside of those two. Will over-the-air updates of Android 5.0 arrive for other Nexus devices on November 3? They sure could. I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Will Android 5.0 hit AOSP on November 3? Probably. I'm just saying that Google did not confirm anything today outside of what they told us a week ago. The consumer launch of Android 5.0 is November 3 because the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player launch on that day running Android 5.0.

Video: Android 5.0 Feature - Chrome Tabs Become a Part of the App Switcher

Kellen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:02:16 +0000

When you first boot a device running Android 5.0 "Lollipop" and open Chrome Beta, a pop-up will introduce you to the idea that your Chrome Beta tabs will now be a part of the app switcher UI. That might sound cool on the surface, but unfortunately, the implementation isn't great yet. Thankfully, you can easily turn this feature on or off until Google (hopefully) adds back some of the functionality that goes missing with this option turned on. Let's talk about how this all works. With Chrome Beta as a part of the app switcher, you get individual cards in the app switcher that represent each tab you have open at the moment. If you tap the app switcher button, you can then choose specific tabs to open, which is useful if you happen to be in another app before deciding that you now want to jump back into a specific Chrome tab. That's about the only reason I can see this being useful, though. I'll try to explain what I mean. With Chrome Beta merged into the app switcher, Google (for whatever reason that I cannot figure out) has taken away the tab button with open tab count that sits at the top of the app, up next to the menu. They also killed off the swiping gesture at the top of the app that lets you jump between currently opened tabs. These are two of the most useful items in Chrome, if you ask me. But with Chrome a part of the app switcher, you now have to tap the app switcher button, then potentially scroll through all of your recently used apps, until you find the tab you want to go into. That seems like too many steps for something as simple as switching tabs. As I mentioned in the opening, thankfully, you can turn this integration off pretty easily. To toggle this option on or off, head into Chrome>Settings>Merge tabs and apps, and then flip the switch. Keep in mind that this is also only in Chrome Beta for now, but I would assume Google plans to add this functionality into Chrome stable before long. When that happens, I hope they add back tab functionality within the app. A combination of tabs in the app switcher and the same tab functionality we already love within the app would be awesome. Watch the video below and then tell us what you think about this "feature."

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Here are the rest of our Android 5.0 feature highlights.

Microsoft Garage Publishes Three New Apps Onto Google Play

Tim — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:55:49 +0000

The Microsoft Garage team, the company's haven for "uber geeks," released three application onto Google Play this week for Android devices. We now have a voice recognition app for Android Wear, a lock screen replacement app for your smartphone, and a note sharing app for those who like to travel. The first app, called Torque, is installable on any Android Wear device, replacing the need for you to say "Ok Google" whenever you need to make a query. Instead, simply twist your wrist, ask your question, and then receive your answer from Microsoft's Bing engine. While it comes off as peculiar that anyone would want Bing on their Android Wear device, Microsoft's team actually had a great answer for why they decided to focus on this project. Ronette Lawrence, principal product planner with Microsoft’s Digital Life & Work Development, stated, "We live in a services world now. Software has evolved from something that needs to be specific by device, to largely Web hosted and cloud supported — and we think the device someone uses shouldn’t matter. We want to bring better experiences to whatever device they choose to use." Next up is the Next Lock Screen app. According to Microsoft's video for the application, Android is rather hard to navigate. This lock screen, built for fast-paced professionals, places everything a busy corporate professional like you would need right on your lock screen. For example, it will place phone numbers for direct dialing, important application shortcuts, as well as calendar events that you need reminding of. While it seems to take away any form of privacy, which is what a lock screen is usually for, it does feature a well laid out design. Finally, we have Journeys & Notes. This app allows users to create notes and stories based on where they are, then share them with others that are at the same location. For example, if you travel to the Grand Canyon, you can place a virtual note at that location, telling the next person that comes along a special place to shoot a photo or any other tip you can think of. The same goes for your commute or daily walk around the park. Anything you feel like sharing with others through this app is a thumbs up. To me, it is kind of like Foursquare, but more for checking into your travel destinations and using the app more like a journal. If you can get a ton of your friends using this service, it might be pretty cool down the road. All three apps are free on Google Play, featuring zero IAPs. Go check them out by following the links below. Play Links: Torque | Next Lock Screen | Journeys & Notes Next Lock Screen

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Journeys & Notes

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Via: Microsoft

HTC One (M8) Owners on Verizon, EYE Software OTA Update Should Arrive Tomorrow

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:08:15 +0000

According to Mo Versi, HTC's VP of Product Management, the company has received technical approval from Verizon for an update that is set to hit One (M8) devices tomorrow. The update includes EYE software which was detailed at the launch of the Desire EYE. To be specific, users should see new settings while in the camera application, including one which will allow you to shoot pictures simultaneously out of the front and rear facing cameras. Other features include face tracking for up to four people at the same time, improved selfie capturing, as well as a Crop-Me-In option. Exact details on what to expect can be found in our writeup here. This same update hit owners of the T-Mobile One (M8) late last night, so it is nice to see Verizon not lagging too far behind in the updates department. The EYE software should hit most of HTC's top tier devices in the next couple of months. One (M8) owners, be on the lookout tomorrow afternoon.

Via: @Moversi

Android Wear Update 4.4W.2 Rolling Out to Moto 360

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:29:30 +0000

It appears as though the same update which hit the G Watch from LG today is now rolling out to owners of the Moto 360. Inside the update, which is numbered 4.4W.2, users should expect to see support for offline music playback, GPS support (for compatible devices), and bug fixes. Motorola has posted a full changelog through its blog, which we have placed right below. Included are a few cool features, such as an auto turn off of Ambient Mode, Mood Lighting, tweaks for the user interface, and much more.

Smart Battery Saving - When your battery hits 15%, your Moto 360 will turn off ambient mode, so you don’t have to remember to.
Timely Time Checks - Moto 360 will synchronize the time with your phone more often to make sure it is up to the minute.
User Interface Tweaks - We observed with consumers that there are many times where you want to use your Moto 360 as truly a classic watch—a beautiful way to see the time. A new gesture now lets you see the full watch face without permanently dismissing a notification. Just touch the top of a notification and swipe down. You’ll see the notification again when you have another high priority notification.
Mood Lighting - Moto 360 will adjust to the lighting of the room while charging, so that it isn’t too bright or too dark.
Readying the wires for Bluetooth - There are a couple of under-the-hood enhancements that will pave the way for connecting Bluetooth headsets to the watch.
Bug Squashing - As usual, bugs are squashed to enhance the overall user experience.

If you own a Moto 360 smartwatch, be on the lookout tonight.

Via: Motorola

Cheers John and Zach!

DL Deals Giveaway: Pick Your Android Phone of Choice, Now Includes the Nexus 6

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 14:51:02 +0000

Update: We wanted to point out that the contest now includes the newly announced Nexus 6. Over at the DL Deals site, you will find a contest running that (in about 2 months) will reward one of you with a free Android phone of choice. It's as simple as ever to enter - create an account there and click the "Enter" button. That gives you a single entry, but you can grab another six entries if you share the contest through social sites. The phones to choose from should you win are:

The Galaxy Note 4
The Moto X (2nd gen, newest model)
The HTC One (M8)
The LG G3
The Galaxy Note Edge
The Nexus 6

The contest ends on 11/9 with a winner being chosen on 12/8. Contest Link

Love The Simpsons? Every Episode Now Available Online, Streamable Through FXNOW App

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 14:20:35 +0000

For fans of Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, Maggie, and Santa's Little Helper, you can now access every episode of The Simpsons directly online or through your mobile device through the FXNOW app on Google Play. The launch of Simpsons World has been a pretty big deal online, given that access to every single episode has really only been possible by purchasing DVDs, or subscribing to Hulu, but that only allowed access to select seasons. If watching all of those older episodes interests you, and you have a cable subscription that allows for using the FXNOW application, go grab it off of Google Play. Play Link

Via: Simpsons World

Tuesday Poll: Nexus 6 on Which Carrier?

Kellen — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 14:05:39 +0000

Google has done something with the Nexus 6 that we weren't sure we would ever see - compatibility and availability with every major wireless carrier in the US. In case you missed the wildness of last week's Nexus 6 announcement, just know that you should be able to buy the new Nexus phone and use it on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon. Yes, that says "Verizon." We don't have pricing or launch dates from many of the carriers (T-Mobile says November 12), but all have confirmed in some way or another that they plan to carry the phone. Verizon confirmed directly to us, even though they didn't issue a press release. So now that you got your wish - carrier choice with a Nexus phone - it's time to tell us which carrier you plan to use the Nexus 6 on. [poll id="338"]

PhotoMath Coming to Android in 2015, Does Math Homework for You and Shows Work

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:02:04 +0000

A new application called PhotoMath is making the rounds this morning, as it is now available for iOS and Windows devices. Sadly, it won't launch onto Android until sometime in 2015. But until then, kids and adults of all ages who struggle with math can look forward to its release, as the PhotoMath app is set to do all of your homework for you. The app could not work more simply. If a math problem is written on a piece of paper, just point your camera at the problem, then PhotoMath will solve it instantly on the display. Not only does it show you the answer, but you can have the app display exactly how it got to the answer, breaking down the steps it takes to solve it. So, in some way, at least it can be a teaching tool with that feature. While many problems could arise from an app like this in the classroom, it will be up to the schools and teachers to be more vigilant when it comes to students and cellphones. Will every child download this immediately? Yes. Will this app be the bane of every teacher's existence? Undoubtedly.

Via: Engadget | TechCrunch | PhotoMath

Samsung Tweet Hints at Lollipop Update for Galaxy Note 4

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 11:40:44 +0000

A tweet recently sent out from the official Samsung Mobile account may hint at an update to Android 5.0 for the Galaxy Note 4. The thing is, it is no shocker that Samsung's newest flagship device would eventually receive an update to Lollipop, it's only a question of when. With Google loading up servers with its final code for Lollipop, OEMs such as Samsung, HTC, and LG will begin working to bring the latest update to all of its top devices. However, this process takes time. HTC is the only company to ever promise a delivery date, which is 90 days after they receive final code from Google. For Samsung, and the huge list of devices they support, that delivery window is probably a bit wider. However, with the Note 4 launching so close to the release of Lollipop, maybe new Note 4 owners won't have to wait too long. If anymore murmurings take place, we will let you know.

Via: SamMobile | @SamsungMobile

Nova Launcher Beta Updated in Google Play, Brings Lollipop Animations

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:58:00 +0000

A new update is available for Nova Launcher Beta through Google Play, bringing a few Lollipop features which can make any Android version user feel as if they are running Google's latest. The new animation can be found for opening folders, which goes on top of the already existing window animation which slides up from the bottom of the display. In addition, a Lollipop scroll indicator is included, as well as updated icon themes for the Calculator app, Contacts app, Downloads, Email, and many more. Here is the full changelog. What's New

Lollipop Circle Folder Animation (Settings - Folder - Transition Animation)
Lollipop Scroll indicator (Settings - Desktop - Scroll Indicator)
Lollipop Icon Theme for Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Downloads, Email, Dialer, Settings and SMS (Settings - Look Feel - Icon Theme)
Preview of scroll effects in Settings
Optimizations and fixes

If you are already signed up for the beta, go grab it. If you are not, you can join the beta program here. Play Link

Cheers Louie and Damian!

LG G Watch Update 4.4W.2 (KNX01Q) Brings Offline Music Support

Kyle — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:19:34 +0000

Remember those Android Wear improvements that Engineering Director David Singleton outlined last month? According to reports from reddit users, it seems a few are coming to fruition in the form of an over-the-air update for G Watch units. The first of two planned Wear updates before the end of this year, firmware 4.4W.2 (build KNX01Q), introduces offline music playback and GPS support. For the G Watch, that translates to the addition of a "Play Music" button and Bluetooth selection menu for switching devices during music playback, however, there does not seem to be a way to transfer music between the watch and a connected smartphone yet. The G Watch lacks the hardware to take advantage of GPS distance and speed tracking, of course, but that support is intended for the as-yet unreleased Sony Smartwatch 3. Assuming all goes well, we can probably expect other Wear devices to receive the update soon. Before that happens, we are expecting clarification from Google regarding music transfer. Next on the horizon? Downloadable watch faces. That is an update we are eagerly anticipating.

Via: Reddit

Google Adds Support for Security Key, an Easier Two-Factor Authentication Standard

Kyle — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:40:43 +0000

Security-conscious users, rejoice; Google has launched support for Security Key, an open-source platform that relies on hardware to generate security codes used by Google's two-factor authentication. If data breaches of increasing severity have taught us anything, it is that passwords are an imperfect form of security. Savvy users who have known this for years long ago adopted measures to better protect themselves against hacks. But these extra steps have, more often then not, come at the sacrifice of convenience. That is where Security Key differs. Two-factor authentication with services that tap into the open standard is as easy as plugging in compatible hardware before entering your password - no need to dig out your smartphone and generate a security code every time you want to check your e-mail. Sadly, Security Key is simpler in theory than in execution; only a select number of USB peripherals have been certified for use, and Google is only supporting the standard on newer desktop versions of Chrome. Still, plugging in a USB dongle you can keep on a keyring sounds infinitely easier than what two-factor authentication currently requires.

Via: Google

Google Play Music Update Brings Songza Integration

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:08:55 +0000

After purchasing Songza earlier this year, a company which created "contextual expert-curated playlists to give you the right music at the right time," it appears that Google is ready to unveil the work it has done to integrate the service into their own music platform, Google Play Music. From what has been announced, the integration is somewhat minimal, but users will see a big difference in the Listen Now section of the application. Once the application is updated on your device, you will see many more "expertly curated" playlists that are suited to time of day, weather, activities, and the date. Given Google's love for offline music playback, these playlists will also be cacheable to your device for when you have no data connection. To top it off, playlists are completely customizable, just as they have been in Play Music for some time. This is also the Material Design makeover you have been waiting for. The update is now live in Google Play for all to download, or you can sideload it with the APK we have included. Play Link | APK Download (v5.7.1717)

Via: Android

Contest: Win a $25 Google Play Gift Card From Droid Life, Because Free.

Kellen — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:02:02 +0000

As I began the day - morning coffee brewed, Nature's Path chewy granola bar beside it - I sat down at my computer ready to check all the happenings that occurred in the Android world since I last looked around 11PM last night, only to be greeted with an unfamiliar message on my computer - "The batteries in your Magic Trackpad are low." Oh, really? The batteries, in the Magic Trackpad that I haven't touched in months, are low. OK, then. I initially brushed it off and figured I would just let the thing die, but after a second look I noticed something poking out from under its metal body. Wait a minute, I thought, that black rectangular cardboard with rounded corners and white text looks familiar. Really familiar. Oh! Those are Google Play gift cards hidden under there! Flipping them over I then realized that they were unused. Unused! And what do we do around these parts with unused Google Play gift cards? Well, we give them away, of course. So yeah, today, we have two $25 Google Play gift cards to give away to a couple of DL readers, with winners being chosen before the day is up. If you do one thing today, thank my unused Magic Trackpad for sending me a sign, suggesting that we give away free things. Thank you, unused Magic Trackpad.

Contest

Prizes: Two (2) $25 Google Play gift cards for two winners. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: Today at 4PM Pacific, we will choose our two winners.

Nokia HERE Maps Beta Now Available for Download by All

Kyle — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:29:53 +0000

After enjoying a brief period of exclusivity on the Samsung Apps Store, Nokia has made the Android version of its HERE mapping application available for everyone with a compatible smartphone. Although HERE has not yet shed the "beta" label, the app seems quite polished; when we tested the APK that leaked last month, our favorite features - extensive offline support and speed limit monitoring, mostly - worked flawlessly. Other HERE capabilities include turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic info, and public transport maps and directions. Not all function without issue, though. For instance, Nokia notes that "cache cleaning" apps wipe navigational voices. A few bugs clearly remain, but isn't that what beta testing is for? HERE requires Android 4.0+, and is available for download from Nokia's website. HERE Download Link

Via: Nokia

Nexus 9 Keyboard Folio and Magic Cover Available on Pre-Order From Amazon With Prime

Kellen — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 07:13:22 +0000

Amazon added two official Nexus 9 accessories to its line-up last night, the Keyboard Folio and "Magic" Cover. They are priced at $129 and $39, respectively, just like they are on Google Play. If you were looking to fit your pre-ordered Nexus 9 with some protection or productivity add-ons, now would be the time to get your order in. Amazon expects to "release" both by November 3. There is always a chance that Google will ship pre-orders of the HTC Nexus 9 placed through Google Play a day early and those who purchased the new Nexus tablet will celebrate. However, at this point if you are an Amazon Prime member, Amazon is still looking like the best place to order the Nexus 9, assuming Amazon can ship out orders right on time. With free 2-day or super cheap 1-day shipping, I'm not sure you will get the device faster from any other retailer. Both of these accessories fall under Prime as well. Amazon Links: Keyboard Folio ($129.99) | Magic Cover ($39.99) | Nexus 9 ($399)

Cheers Vala!

Botanicula, From Makers of Machinarium, Hits Google Play for $4.99

Tim — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 16:15:06 +0000

Fantastic, another game from the makers of Machinariumanam that I have no idea how to pronounce. The newest game, called Botanicula, has been published to Google Play for the price of $4.99. In this title, you take control of a little group of forest-type flower creatures, navigating a world that looks quite treacherous. Using each character's ability, you will lead this group of misfits through a gorgeous world, avoiding baddies who would love nothing more than to destroy you. Much like Machinarium, the artistic style of the game stands out the most. While the world is dangerous, it gives off a very pleasant vibe, with bright glowing colors. If there were not so many things trying to eat you, I wouldn't mind taking a vacation there. If paying $4.99 for the game does not completely turn you off, go check it out. Play Link ($4.99)

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Google has a Guide to Help You Move From Your iPhone to Android

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:54:06 +0000

Shortly after Apple announced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the company opened an official set of instructions through their support site that was focused on helping Android users migrate over to iOS. Apple news outlets (and heavily Apple-influenced general tech sites) thought this was huge news, for whatever reason. It was embarrassing. Forget the fact that Apple probably should have created this years ago as Android began stomping all over its market share, the Apple media shills (some random Android sites as well) decided that Apple had finally created this how-to guide because they were now expecting Android users to flock to the new bigger iPhones. Silly, I know. Anything for a good headline! Well, Apple fan sites and soon-to-be-leavers of that painfully closed ecosystem, Google created a guide as well! Yessir, shortly after announcing Android 5.0 "Lollipop," Google put up an entire guide on how you can easily switch over from iOS to Android. You won't see this make headlines for two days like Apple's guide did, but that's fine by us. And so you know, we purposefully skipped the dirty clickbait headline that was tempting us as this post was being put together. So what does Google suggest you do as you make your way over to the promised land of smartphone operating systems? It's all pretty simple, actually. Google targeted four categories to help make the transition easy enough: Photos and music, contacts, setting up email and messaging, and finding your favorite apps. There are instructions for uploading photos through the Google+ Photos app and transferring over your iTunes library through Google Play Music. They provide step-by-step instructions for dealing with your contacts in iCloud as well. Google even mentions that you should have no problem finding all of your favorite apps on Google Play, as well as some new ones. Oh, and don't forget to turn off iMessage! The full guide can be found at the source link below, sans clickbait.

Via: Android

Material Wallpapers App Brings Even More MD Hotness to Your Phone

Tim — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:01:46 +0000

A new wallpaper application called Material Wallpapers, available on Google Play for the price of free, brings even more Material Design loveliness to your smartphone. We noticed that when we posted up the official MD wallpapers from the Nexus 5 last week, not many of you were impressed with the nature pictures and wanted more CG images. With that noted, this pack should be more to your liking. The wallpapers do a good job at recreating that Material Design feel, while also adding in the entire set of official papers, too. It's fun for the whole family. As stated, it's free. What's to argue about? Go check it out. Play Link

Android 5.0 Feature: Printing UI Completely Re-Done, Print Preview Added

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 14:47:46 +0000

In Android 5.0 "Lollipop," Google included a brand new printing UI that now shows you a print preview before you either print a document to your local printer, save as a PDF to your device, or save to the cloud. You can manually select and de-select individual pages as well. These may seem like a small changes, especially to those who rarely print anything and hold an actual piece of paper these days, but the UI is incredibly well done and is yet another example of how far smartphone operating systems have come. With the previous printing UI, the only screen you would see was a pop-up that asked for you to choose from a handful of pulldown menus and settings. It worked. It got the job done. But again, this new UI with full print previews, a Material Design layout, the option to select or de-select specific pages, and more, is pretty nice. These little things are adding up to Lollipop being our favorite Android release yet. Here are the rest of the Android 5.0 feature highlights we have covered so far.

Meow, Lucky Lucy the New Halloween Android Mini Launches Tomorrow Morning

Tim — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:52:32 +0000

A new Android Mini from Dead Zebra is set to launch tomorrow morning, celebrating one of the best holidays ever, Halloween. The Mini is called Lucky Lucy, and she is a black cat with the unlucky number "13" painted on her tummy. Lucy is priced at just $10, but buyers will be limited to 2 per household. The limited supply is no surprise, as these special holiday editions are always produced in lower numbers and sell out quickly. Hoping to buy? You will need to be here tomorrow morning at 8am Pacific.

Via: Dead Zebra

LEX, a Really Fun Time-based Word Game for $0.99

Tim — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:03:21 +0000

A game featured on Google's 99 games for $0.99 list has caught my eye, called LEX. The game is word-based, which has you finding as many words as possible in a limited amount of time. The quicker you find words and dispose of the bombs attached to the letters, the further you will go and the higher you will score. The game's excellent UI and graphics keep the experience fresh, while the music associated with the gameplay keeps you on the edge of your seat. As time runs lower, the music gets more intense, leading you to feel anxious about finding words in the jumbled mess. Thankfully, after your $0.99 purchase, the game features no IAPs or pay-to-win aspects. If you enjoy word games, this is a great one. Go check it out. Play Link ($0.99)

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The Missing App Gap Between Android and iOS

Ron — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 12:45:44 +0000

After reading Kellen's iPhone 6 review and discussing the lack of an app gap on the Droid Life Show, I thought I should revisit my conviction that there were still some apps that could not be found or matched on Android. It had been about a year since I last checked for certain kinds of apps and my tastes have changed some, so I figured I should take a look. To my delight, I discovered that eight of the apps that I love to use that I thought were iOS only are now either available on Android or have comparable counterparts from another developer.

1. Tweetbot - Talon and Fenix Tweetbot is my favorite Twitter app that I've ever used (and I've used a lot of Twitter apps). Tweetbot has timeline sync, user and keyword muting (way before the official app even conceived of the idea), drafts, translation, streaming, etc. It's a fantastic app that values the little touches. For example, Tweetbot has featured a "Use last photo taken" option for years and inlcudes swipe gestures to quickly favorite or retweet a tweet. There have been Twitter apps on Android that have had some of these features in the past, but it wasn't until recently that developers stepped up their game with features and design. Falcon Pro was the first app to really feel native to Android and include a plethora of features, but it wasn't long for this world. Talon and Fenix have been my favorite Twitter apps to use on Android. Both have extremely similar UIs and feature sets. I prefer reading Twitter in Talon because it has the option to jump to the top of your timeline towards the bottom of the screen whereas Fenix jumps to the top by tapping the top of a column, which is far less usable on 4.x" devices. For composition, however, Fenix has the edge between a swipe gesture to compose and faster access to quoting tweets with a comment. Talon also supports themes, which means you can customize the look of the app (although I ended up sticking with a stock view). Note: Talon is no longer available for purchase on the Play Store because they recently reached their token limit. If you already purchased Talon then the link will still work, but otherwise take a look at Fenix.

2. Fantastical - Today Calendar There have always been plenty of third party calendar options on iOS, but Fantastical has always been my default. While it isn't quite as flashy as Calendars 5 or Sunrise or x, it has the full month view with events underneath view that I loved about iOS 6's calendar app. In my opinion, any calendar app that doesn't have that view as a default option just doesn't work for me. Fantastical not only has that view as its default (it also has a week view for you monsters out there that prefer that view), but it has Reminders integration (which would be more helpful if Reminders actually, you know, reminded you about things consistently) and, most importantly, it parses text as you type (so 'Lunch from 1pm to 2pm at Corky's" creates an event titled 'Lunch' with those start and ending times as well as Corky's as the location). Today Calendar doesn't have integration with a reminder app or text parsing, but it does have a month view with details below and a gorgeous Material design. The app has beautiful animations, a translucent widget, and color options. With a text parser it would be perfect, but for my usage it's functional and beautiful.

3. Mailbox (iOS) I still use the stock Mail app for my work email, but when I want to feel like I'm getting things done (Copyright DavidCo, 2001) I use Mailbox. There are plenty of other competitors out there now with their swiping gestures and their cutesie Inbox Zero euphemisms, but Mailbox has always felt right to me. It's the first email app on iOS that made archiving fast and easy (although the lack of archive actions from the lockscreen and notifications is taxing) and that made me ask a really important question: when should I deal with this email? By treating my email as a to do list I've been able to reach Inbox Zero (the original version that Merlin aspired to) every day and shoot emails into the future. Do I sometimes just delay the inevitable when I do that? Of course, but I also often shoot an email into a time and date when I want to deal with something, and when that happens I feel like I was able to get something... accomplished. Mailbox works great on Android. I especially love when something comes in that I can archive straight from the notification shade. If you're still using the Gmail app and haven't given Mailbox a try, I'd encourage you to take a look. Gmail has swipe to archive, but you haven't really lived until you schedule to see your Verizon bill the day after pay day.

4. Safari - Firefox I love Safari on iOS. There, I said it. Sure, I could use Chrome and sync my tabs and favorites, but I really don't use those on my phone. Most importantly, Chrome has never performed well for me (on iOS or Android). Firefox, on the other hand, works well. I'm not a huge fan on Firefox's open tab view, but I do love that it renders pages quickly, scrolls responsively, and most importantly, knows how to double tap to zoom over text properly. If you haven't tried Firefox in a while, give it a shot (I wrote up a lengthier review of its last major overhall here).

5. Vesper - Evernote There are a million note taking apps for iOS (No, I'm not exaggerating. Just do a search on the App Store so you can see all the apps that are tangentially related to text input.), but my favorite is Vesper. It doesn't have a Mac, iPad, or web app (yet, at least in the case of the Mac), but it does let me type out my notes, write articles, scribble down band names, append images to my notes, and organize notes by tags with Emoji. There are note taking apps out there that do more, but Vesper works for me and my taste. Android has seen an increase in note taking apps as well. This was one category that seemed to be ignored by developers even a year ago. That being said, the only app I would consider recommending is Evernote. Not only does Evernote have pretty much every feature that someone could want in a note taking app, but it has a beautiful design. There are cleaner, simpler note taking apps out there, but Evernote takes the cake for features and design in my opinion.

6. Over (iOS) There are plenty of image editing apps that are still iOS-only, but my favorite app, Over, is cross-platform. Over lets you add text in a multiplicity of fonts over an image (get it?). I love the font choices and the app is as easy to use as it is beautiful. If you ever have a need to add text over an image, take a serious look at Over.

7. Day One - Flava (iOS) Day One is one of my absolute favorite apps for iOS and OS X. It's a journaling app from Bloom. The app features Dropbox and iCloud sync, photo integration, reminders, calendar views, weather detils, Markdown support, passcode lock, location details, inspirational quotes, and the option to publish journal entires (which require a link for privacy). Journey, an app made by 2appstudio, is a complete rip off of Day One. Don't believe me? View both websites. Day One was originally released in 2011 on iOS and OS X, while Journey was only released in July of this year. Journey not only ripped off the features of Day One, it copied the design of the app and even the website. DayJournal, an app by The Apps Pod is an equally shameful ripoff, although the developer was lazy enough to not copy Day One's website. If you're looking for a full featured journaling app on Android (and iOS and Chrome) that isn't from a developer with blatantly compromised morals, consider Flava by Greenmonster. Flava identifies itself as a journaling/note taking app, but it feels more like a social network for yourself (Path specifically). Entries can be something as simple as text, a picture, a location, what you're listening to, how you're feeling, or all of the above. It has a modern, clean design and it's free to try. If you hit the 250 MB cap, want to add multiple photos, or x then you'll need to pay through an in app purchase.

8. Overcast - Pocket Casts (iOS) I listen to a lot of podcasts, so it's important to me that my podcast player looks nice and works well. I used Downcast for a couple years because it was a flawed best, but Marco Arment's Overcast blew Downcast out of the water for me. The app has a creamsicle color palette, smart playlists, podcast recommendations (powered by Twitter), sync, a web app, background downloads, and most importantly, Smart Speed and Voice Boost. Voice Boost equalizes the EQ and maximizes the volume, which is especially helpful on low-quality shows. Smart speed reduces the length of silences, making shows run faster without sacrificing voice quality. While there isn't an app with all of those features on Android, Pocket Casts comes close with a beautiful design and plenty of controls to ensure you're able to listen to podcasts the way you want to. Pocket Casts also has an iOS app, so if you're one of the many Android phone/iPad people out there, you can keep up with your shows on both devices. Pocket Casts supports Chromecast on the Android app and AirPlay on the iOS app so you can shoot your shows to a TV if you're so inclined. My favorite thing about Pocket Casts, though, is definitely the clean, album-art-centered design. It reminds me of a wall of LPs that I always wanted. Are there still apps that release first on iOS or stay exclusive to iOS? Yes, but that is becoming more and more rare every year. While I don't expect Android first development to become a thing any time soon for mainstream apps, I also don't expect iOS-only to continue outside of niche apps and developers.

Video: Android 5.0 Feature - Power of Android Beam in the Share Menu

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:00:09 +0000

Back when the Android L preview was first released, we told you how excited we were that Android Beam was now included in the share menu. With Android 5.0 "Lollipop" official and up and running on our Nexus 5, we wanted to show you exactly why it is that we are so excited. In short, it makes sharing almost anything (more than just photos and links) in between devices so much easier. As noted in the post from a couple of months back, adding Beam to the share menu removes one of the awkward steps when trying to share something between two devices. Instead of initiating a share through Beam by first tapping devices together, then following up a finger tap on the screen, you can now initiate the share through the share menu, and then follow through by simply tapping the devices together - there is no additional finger press. Beyond ease of use, adding Beam to the share menu eliminates the need for the item you want shared to be on your screen. For example, you could be looking at a list of files in a file manager, tap the menu of the file you want to share, choose "share" in the share menu, and then Beam that specific file with a tap of two phones. In the past, I'm not sure there was even a way to initiate a share like that. Also, yes, you can share files like APKs. To see the new Beam in action, check out our video below.

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Here are the rest of our Android 5.0 feature highlights.

AT&T Confirms Galaxy Mega 2 Launch for October 24

Tim — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:35:36 +0000

AT&T announced availability for the Galaxy Mega 2 from Samsung this week, which will begin on October 24 for $149.99 on a two-year contract. The device is for those who enjoy the larger type of devices, as the phone features an enormous 6" HD display. Other specs include an 8MP rear-facing camera, 2,800mAh battery, Snapdragon 410 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, Bluetooth 4.0, LTE connectivity, Samsung's long list of software, and runs Android 4.4+. As mentioned, the device launches on AT&T October 24, and will be a more affordable option over the Galaxy Note 4, minus the stylus. Interested?

Via: AT&T

Nexus 6 Pre-Orders Go Live on October 29

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:04:26 +0000

Nexus 6 pre-orders open up on October 29! That's the latest in the Google Play listing for this year's Nexus phone. Last week, Google would only tell us to expect pre-orders towards the end of October, with shipment happening at some point later in November. Now you have a specific date to mark on your calendars. Play Link

Pre-orders Go Live for the OnePlus One Next Monday, But You Only Have One Hour

Tim — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 09:39:33 +0000

The OnePlus One, a device which we reviewed back in July, now finally has a date set for pre-orders, October 27. OnePlus has decided to introduce its own pre-order system, which for only a single hour, will allow anyone to order the phone through PayPal. While OnePlus is only opening a small ordering window, anyone can now go to the OnePlus pre-order website and "prepare their shopping cart." This means, OnePlus would like to avoid any type of heavy traffic clusterf*** during this hour-long window, so they recommend having your device selected and your PayPal information ready to go when the clock strikes 8am Pacific on October 27. However, do we actually recommend this device anymore? While the phone does feature healthy specs and a great camera, the company that makes it has shown us time and time again that if they have a chance to do something wrong, they most likely will. Many companies that are new which see a large demand for a product they sell do sometimes run into problems, but as OnePlus grows, we hope to see a decrease in issues. If anything, OnePlus' failures to meet such a high demand might be a sign at just how good the One phone is. If no one was excited for this device, then the company might see much smoother sailing. At least, that's my perspective on it. If pre-ordering this device interests you, head to this page and prepare yourself. Will you take the plunge with OnePlus?

Via: OnePlus

Video: Android 5.0 Feature - Screen Pinning Apps

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 09:11:04 +0000

Our series of Android 5.0 "Lollipop" feature highlights (view them all) continues this morning with a look at Screen Pinning, which is a way for you to share a specific screen or app with someone while not giving them full access to your phone. The idea is that you may have something to share on your phone and are considering handing it over to a person with you, but you likely do not want a home or back button press to allow the person you are sharing with to see what else you might be working on. To access Screen Pinning, you first need to turn it on by heading into Settings>Security>Screen Pinning. Once turned on, you can begin pinning things by touching the app switcher, scrolling up a bit to show the bottom of the first app's card, and then touching the "pin" icon. I should point out that in order to pin a specific app, you need to first open that app, so that it shows up first in your list of recently used apps. Make sense? Once you tap the "pin" icon, your phone will show a pop-up confirming that you want to pin your screen. You can say "Start" or "No, thanks," but also set a pattern that fully locks out the person you are sharing your phone with.

To unpin an app, simply long press both the back and app switcher buttons at the same time. If you are running Android 5.0 on your Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 (2013), feel free to give it a spin.

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Here are the rest of our Android 5.0 feature highlights.

Nexus 6 and Galaxy Note 4 Size Detailed in Hands-on Video

Tim — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 08:47:03 +0000

The Nexus 6 from Google and Galaxy Note 4 from Samsung are large devices. There is no getting around that. But just how large are these two handsets when sitting next to one another? Thankfully, the folks over at Carphone Warehouse have answered that question for us, posting a video of the two devices working alongside one another. As we can see, both phones are large, with the Nexus 6 sporting a nearly 6" QHD display and the Note 4 sporting a 5.7" QHD display. The man in the video also talks about Lollipop, performance, and the camera on the Nexus 6, basically stating that while other Nexus camera experiences have completely sucked, the camera on the Nexus 6 might not be too terrible. Of course, they speak briefly about the Note 4 and all of its proprietary software as well, reminding you to plan on spending a few hours on getting used to everything your new phone can do in terms of features. Check out the full video below, and let us know if one of these behemoths will be your next smartphone.

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Cheers Eric!

Another Picture of the DROID TURBO Surfaces

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 08:08:06 +0000

We already told you everything there is to know about the DROID TURBO outside of its price. But, because you are all ridiculously excited about this phone (can't say I blame you either), how about another picture of it? Thanks to the supposedly-still-retired @evleaks, we have a multi-angle press render that shows the phone in both black and red, the two colors that will be available at launch. It looks, well, like a DROID. You can clearly see the KEVLAR-inpsired back covering, centered camera with dual-flash, side buttons for power and volume, and that really oddly warped bottom of the back plate. We also get another look at the front, with centered camera and capacitive navigation buttons. Yep, it's a DROID. If you were looking for a DROID that can redeem the brand after years of mostly disappointments, the DROID TURBO probably is the DROID you have been looking for. The TURBO will be officially unveiled on October 28.

Via: @evleaks

Gmail 5.0 Will Add 3rd Party Email Support, Including Yahoo and Outlook

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 07:23:37 +0000

When Google pushes out Gmail 5.0, an update that will for sure include a full Material Design makeover, another accompanying feature may end up being the star of the show for many. How would you like to access your third party email accounts through the Gmail app? According to the Gmail 5.0 app that we just poked around inside, the app is going to support Yahoo, Outlook and "more" email services very soon. The new Gmail 5.0 app surfaced through the Nexus 4 ROM we referenced in a post earlier this morning about Google Play Music's upcoming makeover. After opening the app for the first time, you are greeted with a welcome page and video that was first reported by Android Police. That video walks through the all new Gmail design, but finishes by showing off support for Yahoo and Outlook addresses. In other words, you multi-account users who want to use a single app for email will soon have another option. It's tough to tell when the update will arrive, but November 3 is a likely choice, since that is Nexus 9 day. And again, the new Gmail 5.0 is available through that Nexus 4 ROM, it just may not be the most secure app on the planet. You can install it if you'd like, I just won't recommend doing so.

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NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Receiving Update to 1.2.1, Improves 5GHz WiFi Performance

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 06:13:33 +0000

NVIDIA is pushing a new update to their ultimate gaming slate, the SHIELD Tablet, as version 1.2.1. The update is pretty minor, according to the changelog, but does improve WiFi performance on the 5GHz band, fixes a charging issue, and adds some optimizations for encrypted devices. Again, it's minor. Changelog

Improved WiFi performance on 5GHz band
Performance optimizations for encrypted devices
Fixed intermittent charging issue

Via: NVIDIA

This is Google Play Music 5.6.1640 With a Material Design Makeover

Kellen — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 05:56:31 +0000

By the time Android 5.0 "Lollipop" officially arrives for the world to use with the Nexus 9 on November 3, I would imagine that Google will flip the switch on a number of massive updates to its core Google apps. We are talking design overhauls of Gmail, Maps, Drive, and Google Play Music with Material Design. But, since we know that many of you would rather not have to wait another couple of weeks to see what's in store, we thought we should point out that a number of the new re-made apps have surfaced through a leak that has been incorporated into a Nexus 4 ROM. That's right, someone leaked a ROM from the Nexus 6, which included all of the refreshed Google apps, like Play Music. So yeah, this is what Google Play Music 5.6.1640 looks like. How pretty is this? The update will refresh the entire look of the app, incorporating the Material Design guidelines that were introduced back at Google I/O and then updated last week with the announcement of Android 5.0. Buttons float (including a big "Play" button on album and playlist pages), album art is huge, the status bar is now pulling in the orange from the app, and there are beautiful animations everywhere.

While we wouldn't necessarily recommend that you install this app, or any of the others we will try to show you throughout the day, just know that they are out there. We pulled them from this Nexus 4 ROM over at XDA. I'm saying that you may not want to install these, because the signatures of the .apk files are conflicting with currently installed versions of the same apps ("An existing package by the same name with a conflicting signature is already installed."). That could mean that whoever leaked these needed to repackage the apps and re-sign them to protect their source, which would then mean that they may be less secure. Proceed with caution, please. More to come! Edit: Tweaked title a bit. As you all noted, it's not exactly the full Material Design makeover.

"Nexus Special" Won the Pennant

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 22:52:18 +0000

With Google launching the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Lollipop, there was no way we were not going to have a special episode of The Droid Life Show. Unfortunately, the team was shorthanded that evening, so only Kellen and I were able to talk about all of the greatness which took place earlier that day. During the show, which lasts a little over an hour, we discuss our take on the Nexus 6 (size, price, availability), Google's partnership with HTC to release the Nexus 9, topped off by announcing the death of Amazon's Fire TV thanks to the Nexus Player.

This Week in the Life of DROID: 10/17/2014

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 18:00:32 +0000

This week was Nexus Week, so as you will see below, pretty much all of the big time news that came across the wire is about Google's new devices. Of course, there was a good bit of the DROID Turbo making the rounds, as well as a special Nexus episode of The Droid Life Show. Moving forward, you can expect a whole lot of news surrounding Lollipop updates, Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 availability/reviews, and so much more. It is easily our most favorite time of the year. Here are the highlights in case you missed anything.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Nexus Special [Subscribe]
Google announces the Nexus 6.
Google announces the Nexus 9, pre-order now live.
Google announces the Nexus Player, pre-order now live.
Google unveils Android 5.0 aka Lollipop.
Comparison: Nexus 6 vs. Nexus 5 vs. Nexus 4 vs. Galaxy Nexus.
Comparison: Nexus 6 vs. iPhone 6 (6 Plus) vs. Moto X vs. Galaxy Note 4.
A look at the pricing history behind Nexus phones.
Here are the Lollipop wallpapers for you to download.
In case you were confused, yes, Verizon will carry the Nexus 6.
Updated developer previews of Lollipop now downloadable.
Lollipop Easter Egg is a Flappy Bird clone.
Here is everything you need to know about the DROID Turbo.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Video: Android 5.0 Feature - Managing Notification Access, Do Not Disturb Mode

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 17:14:18 +0000

Notification controls and Do Not Disturb mode are huge parts of Android 5.0 "Lollipop." You can now fully control specific apps and when or how they show you information. Couple notification control with a newly introduced Do Not Disturb mode and you have pretty advanced controls over the information that shows up on your device. Like in the Android L previews, Lollipop allows you to control individual apps' notifications. You can tell select apps to fall under "Priority" or "Sensitive" categories, or block them altogether. Priority notifications show at the top of your notifications list, but also will still come through if you switch your phone over to "Priority" Do Not Disturb mode. Sensitive notifications attempt to hide information when your device is locked. This could mean that you would need to tap on a notification in order to see what it has to show you. Setting an app to "Block" means exactly as it sounds - you are blocking that app from sending you notifications. Notification settings for apps can be accessed by long-pressing on a notification that comes in and then tapping on the Info button that appears. You can also head into Settings>Sounds & notification>App notifications to see a list of all apps that can be tweaked to your liking.

As I mentioned at the top of this post, when you couple notification management with Do Not Disturb, you can really customize the way your phone shows you information. For example, you may want to specify select applications as "Priority," so that even if you are in DND mode, you will still see notifications from those apps. Speaking of DND mode, it works a little different in this mostly-final build of Android 5.0. By pressing your Volume key, a pop-up arrives that lets you not only adjust your phone's volume, but also choose between "All," "Priority" or "None" modes. With "All" activated, your phone will send you all notifications. With "Priority" activated, your phone will only send you notifications from apps flagged as "Priority." "Priority" mode can also be set to run indefinitely or for a select amount of time. Finally, "None" means that no notifications will get through, not even those marked "Priority." As you can see, Google is finally giving you all sorts of new control over your phone. To see it in action, check out the video below.

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Here are the rest of our Android 5.0 feature highlights.

Video: Android 5.0 Feature - Setting Up Guest and Multiple Users

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:54:29 +0000

In Android 5.0 "Lollipop," users can finally setup Guest accounts and additional user profiles on phones, similar to what has been available on tablets for some time. Whether you need to hand your phone to your friend for a quick call or email because their phone died earlier in the day, or because you have kids that are constantly asking for some time with your phone to game, know that your main profile will remain safe and untouched at all times. Setting up Guests or additional accounts is pretty easy for the most part. You can access additional users through a Users option in Settings or by tapping on your Profile icon in the quick toggles notification pulldown. The Guest account access can be wiped each time someone logs in, which is nice because Guests can add accounts, download apps, and even place calls if you let them. On the flip side of that, you have more permanent accounts that your friends, family, or kids could setup. These accounts are setup almost like if the person in charge is setting up a new phone. A "Welcome" screen walks them through setup, asks for Google account information, and even asks for permission to access location and such. These users can download apps, add additional accounts, and use voice and SMS services. To see Guest and secondary accounts in action, we have a video walk-through below.

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Here are the rest of our Android 5.0 feature highlights.

Video: Android 5.0 Feature - Setting Up Trusted Devices

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:28:50 +0000

Motorola has been doing this really cool thing for a couple of years now called Trusted Devices. The idea behind a trusted device is pretty simple (our tutorial on the Moto X) - when you have select Bluetooth devices paired to your phone, you can tell your phone to let you bypass a secure lock screen without having to enter a PIN, password, or pattern. It could be a watch that you wear with your phone all day, so that your phone remains mostly unlocked when with you. Or it could be your car, for example, which would allow you to skip by your lock screen security to make for easier (and safer) access while on the go. But, if you were to disconnect from those trusted devices (lose your phone at a bar), your phone would then revert back to being fully locked by that pattern, PIN, or password to protect your information. Make sense? Google added Trusted Devices to Android 5.0 "Lollipop." This is awesome news because it should mean that in the future, all Android phones running Android 5.0 or higher will have access to this super convenient feature. Google takes Trusted Devices to another level by adding in NFC sticker support, as well as your face. The face stuff is basically just Face Unlock, a silly feature that allows you to unlock your phone with facial recognition. NFC stickers, on the other hand, make for an interesting use case. As you will see in the screenshot below, an example use would be putting an NFC sticker that's "trusted" in the dock of your car, so that each time you set your phone on it while driving, the phone will remain unlocked. Pretty cool, right? To see Trusted Devices in action on Lollipop, check out our video below.

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Here are the rest of our Android 5.0 feature highlights.

Video: Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Quick Tour

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:07:36 +0000

This morning, a close-to-final Android 5.0 "Lollipop" was released for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013), so as you can imagine, we flashed it immediately to start looking for new features, test out performance, and drool at all of the Material Design. While this isn't technically "final," all of its APIs are final, so this is likely the last preview we will see before over-the-air updates are made available in the coming weeks. One would hope that most of the early bugs have been squashed. So, what are we looking at in terms of differences between this and the previous preview builds of Android L? Polish. So much polish. This new Android 5.0 preview build is so buttery smooth and fast, that I wish you could all take it for a spin. If you own a Nexus 5 or 7 (2013) you can, but the rest will have to wait a bit. And if you own either of those devices, this may be worth flashing, unlike the previous previews. In fact, this is me basically tell you to flash it now. You need to experience this. From new Material Design-inspired animations throughout, to the new Google Now and Search, to the way notifications are handled, we are having an absolute blast using this preview. To see a quick overview of it in action, check out the clip below. Then, stay tuned for a our series of feature highlight posts that are about to flood in.

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Here are all of our Android 5.0 feature highlights.

Deal: Ending Soon, iLumi LED Smartbulb for $79

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:33:01 +0000

Have you ever watched Shark Tank? I love that show. If you do watch it, maybe you saw the following product called iLumi LED Smartbulb, which ended up being backed by Mark Cuban himself. Now, the product is available to the masses, bringing complete control over the lighting in your home. Usually priced at $90 a bulb, you can grab a iLumi bulb for just $79. As for features, iLumi allows for music sync, which will pulse your lights to the beat of music. Perfect for parties, right? A vacation mode will make your house look occupied while you are gone, making sure no creepers decide to enter your home while you are away. Finally, an upcoming Torch mode will guide you from room to room as you move through them, which sounds insanely cool. The bulbs are controlled right from your smartphone over Bluetooth via an application, with all of their power being consumed right from the outlet. However, you won't see a huge spike in your energy bill.

Features

Music Sync – Pulse your light to the beat of the music
Rise & Shine – Wake up naturally with a scheduled sunrise to start your day
Scene Snapshot – Create, save, and replay your favorite lighting scenes with one touch
Vacation – Let your light make it look like someone’s home, even if you’re not
Torch – Let your light guide you, turning on & off as you move from room to room (coming soon!)
Individual Or Group Control – Control your ilumi Smartbulbs individually or as a group with built in Bluetooth LE wireless meshing
Extremely energy efficient – These bulbs lasts up to 20 years

The below Shark Tank clip sums up my initial take on Ilumi - "It's $90 a light bulb? Wow." Here is a chance to score one for cheaper if they interest you. Deal Link

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Friday App Sales: Parallax Icon Pack, SunVox, Shadowrun Returns, and More

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:56:56 +0000

The weekend is finally upon us. If you need a few new apps and games to keep you busy over the next couple of days, check out the new deals list we have compiled below. In the list, you will find a few great titles, including Shadowrun Returns, SunVox, Meganoid 2, BusyBox Pro, and many more. If this list does not interest you, Google also made an entire section on Google Play where you can find 99 games priced at just $0.99. It is a very good list if spending a dollar on a game title doesn't scare you. See the whole sales list below. Friday App Sales

Reactable Mobile ($4.46)
Meganoid 2 ($1.26)
Parallax Icon Pack ($1.01)
AppMonster Pro Backup Restore ($1.25)
SunVox ($2.99)
BeFunky Photo Editor Pro ($1.99)
ABBYY TextGrabber + Translator ($1.99)
BusyBox Pro ($1.80)
Abs Workout Pro ($0.99)
Shadowrun Returns ($2.49)
Minuum Keyboard ($1.99)
Facetune ($0.99)

Go support those developers!

Friday Poll: What do You Primarily Keep on Your MicroSD Card?

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:03:56 +0000

Thanks to numerous polls we have conducted in the past, we know where on the list of importance your phone having a microSD card is; extremely high. In fact, we have many readers who will apparently skip a device entirely if it does not feature expandable storage, but for others, it is much less of a deal breaker. With Google and Motorola releasing the Nexus 6 with only two models, a 32GB and 64GB storage option, the lack of a microSD card slot may be a big deal. For the larger 64GB storage option, the price goes up another $50 to $699, which could be a deterrent to a few potential buyers. Keep in mind, 32GB of onboard storage will likely leave you with 22-27GB depending on the size of the system. To make this short, we want to know what you need all of that additional microSD storage for. Do you need to have your music library with you at all times, unwilling to use precious data to stream it? Do you need countless photo galleries on your person at all times? Do you enjoy downloading large file games to your device? The question is, what has you folks absolutely needing a microSD card on your phone? In the comments, please feel free to elaborate on your particular situation.

[poll id="337"]

Yes! The "Clear All" Notifications Button has Returned in the Latest Android 5.0 Build

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:41:59 +0000

That's right, in the latest Android 5.0 "Lollipop" preview build that went live today, Google brought back the "clear all" notifications button. If you weren't running either of the previous Android L previews, then you likely do not care at all. However, if you did, you already realize how big of a deal this is. Having to individually clear away 10+ notifications after not looking at your phone for a lengthy period of time is not fun. Thank you, Google. Thank you for bringing it back.

Intel-powered Samsung Chromebook 2 Pre-order Available on Amazon, Priced at $249

Kyle — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:55:40 +0000

Chromebooks generally sell well, but Samsung's Chromebook 2 may not have done as well as the company had hoped it would. Perhaps the aging Exynos 5 Octa processor or questionable build quality left consumers unimpressed. Whatever the reason, the Korea-based electronics maker is making another go of it with a new and improved Chromebook 2 model that ditches ARM for Intel silicon. Unlike the version released earlier this year, the revised Chromebook 2 packs a fanless Intel Bay Trail processor. That upgrade comes at the unfortunate expense of RAM and display quality - 2GB compared to 4GB in the ARM variant, and a 1366 x 768 screen versus Full HD, but Samsung did not skimp elsewhere. The Chromebook 2's sides, USB ports, and display have been reinforced by metal. Not all developments in the design department are positive, though. The Chromebook 2 retains the bizarre stitched leather with silver highlights of its predecessor. Unique to the Chromebook 2, Google Help is an Amazon Mayday-like video support app. Representatives will be available to assist with any Chrome OS issues users may encounter, so long as they call business days between the hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. For a device with up to 9 hours of battery life at $250, the Chromebook 2 is not necessarily a bad purchase. Truthfully, though, there are better options out there at only slightly higher prices. Amazon Link

Via: Chrome Story

Pre-order a Nexus 9 From HTC, Ships October 31

Kyle — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:27:21 +0000

If you needed another storefront from which to order a shiny new Nexus 9, HTC itself should do you quite well. The manufacturer began accepting pre-orders for the 16GB and 32GB Wi-Fi variants earlier today, with the choice of either black or white outer casing. Interestingly, HTC is the only retailer so far to offer a ship date of October 31. That is not to say it is the best place to buy the Nexus 9, as Best Buy might suit your fancy, and Prime members will probably favor Amazon, but given how inconsistent Play Store deliveries can be, HTC might prove to be a little more reliable than some of the competition. That is, of course, barring any supernatural interference.

Via: HTC

Google Search 4.0.26 Introduces Multi-Account Support, Material Design UI

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:20:28 +0000

Google Search is going to receive a massive update to version 4.0.26 in the near future that not only brings a full Material Design make-over, but we are finally getting multi-account support! As you can see from the screenshots, the new UI in Google Now is beautiful. Some cards have big, bright and colorful headers. All of the menus have been redone, some with floating buttons to create new items like Reminders. The hamburger menu up top has slid out from the edige and includes that mesmerizing new rotating arrow animation. But maybe more importantly, when you slideout that side menu, you can switch between accounts. For those of us who use multiple Google accounts per day, this is insanely huge news. You can now setup multiple Google Now profiles, in a way. Also, the new Google Search brings some new features to the Google Now Launcher, like a white home button and a new white-backed app drawer. Note: The update to 4.0.26 was included in the new Android 5.0 "Lollipop" build that was released for the Nexus 5 today, so unfortunately, not everyone can have it. In fact, I have posted the .apk for it below, but it doesn't seem to be working on anything not running Android 5.0. Both Tim and I experienced nothing but force closes after installing it. If you want to take it for a spin, feel free to install it and the newest Google Now launcher .apk. Just be warned that things likely won't work. Download Links: Google Search 4.0.26 | Google Now Launcher 1.1.1

Google Updates Material Design Guidelines, Provides Downloadable Assets for Developers

Kyle — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:06:15 +0000

As we inch incrementally closer to the final release of Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google has provided developers with updated tools needed to leverage new APIs and conform with top stylistic practices. In the case of the former, the search giant seeded the SDK this morning. In a separate blog post today, Google turned its attention to aesthetics. The material design guidelines had not been updated since June, a fact of which Google was keenly aware. The updated pages reflect feedback from the community, Design Advocate Roman Nurik said, and include a list of downloadable resources to help make incorporating touches of material design easier. Among the assets are sticker sheets compatible with a variety of design software, a new icon library, updated color swatch (i.e., palette) downloads, and updated wireframe files (used in designing UI). Nurik hints at more changes to come, which considering the window of time between now and the ship date of the first device running Lollipop is not too surprising. Still, you can bet that material design is largely set in stone at this point. Here is hoping that developers choose to adopt it in large numbers.

Via: Google

Yes, Verizon Will Carry the Nexus 6.

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 11:46:54 +0000

Shortly after Google and Motorola announced the Nexus 6, AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular, and T-Mobile all confirmed that they would carry the device. T-Mobile even gave us a date of November 12 and a full retail price of $649, which matched Google's. But what about Verizon? They have remained quiet since Wednesday, leaving many of you with questions. We reached out to Big Red today to see what we could find out and they confirmed to us that they would be carrying the Nexus 6. They were not able to provide any other details, though, so if you have questions about activating the phone or pricing or software updates, we don't have those answers at this time.

Nexus 9 Keyboard Folio Will Run $129, Cover Case in Multiple Covers for $39

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 11:33:50 +0000

Two official accessories for the HTC Nexus 9 showed up on Google Play today, along with pre-orders for the device. First, we have the Keyboard Folio, an attachable case that protects your Nexus 9 when traveling, but opens up as a full-blown keyboard. It runs $129. Second, we have the official Cover case for the newest Nexus tablet, a case that folds in multiple ways to provide you with different viewing angles. The Cover will be available in four different colors schemes for $39.99. Play Links: Keyboard Folio ($129) | Cover ($39)

Nexus 6 and Sony SmartWatch 3 on Google Play, Remain Unavailable for Time Being

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 11:27:25 +0000

The Nexus 6 from Google and SmartWatch 3 from Sony are now live on Google Play, but for the time being, they are unavailable for purchase or pre-order. As of this morning, it is not exactly clear when these devices will be available to the masses, but with the pages going live on Google Play, and the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player pre-orders going live, it should be soon. Google stated when the Nexus 6 was announced that pre-orders would be available sometime in "late October." The Nexus 6 price starts at $649.99 in both Blue and White for 16GB, while Sony's take on Android Wear is priced at $249.99. If you are interested in either of these devices, we recommend bookmarking these pages and keeping your eyes peeled. Play Links: Nexus 6 | SmartWatch 3

Nexus 9 Pre-Order Now Live on Google Play!

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 11:18:58 +0000

Pre-orders for the new HTC Nexus 9 went up at Amazon last night and Best Buy this morning, but if you were holding out for the official Google Play pre-orders to open, that time is now. You can buy it with 16GB and WiFi-only connectivity in white or black ($399), or with 32GB and WiFi-only in black or white ($479). The tan 32GB WiFi-only model is showing as "coming soon," as is the black 32GB LTE model. Play Link

Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Easter Egg is a Flappy Bird Clone.

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 11:08:39 +0000

Once you have Android 5.0 "Lollipop" up and running on your Nexus 5, you need to jump through to the About screen and check out the newest Easter Egg. It's a Flappy Bird clone. Not even kidding - you can play Flappy Bugdroid as much as you want.

Nexus Player Available for Pre-order on Google Play, Priced at $99

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 11:06:45 +0000

The Nexus Player, Google's first commercially available Android TV-powered set-top box, is live on Google Play for pre-order. As of right now, it states that shipments are not expected to leave the warehouse for another 3-4 weeks, but that could chance at any time. Buyers may also want to grab the compatible Gamepad controller, priced at an additional $39.99. Go grab it. Play Links: Nexus Player | Gamepad Controller

OTA Update Live for DROID MAXX, Ultra and Mini, Brings Preparations for VoLTE

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 10:44:05 +0000

The update which went out to soak testers earlier this week is now live for all DROID MAXX, ULTRA, and Mini owners on Verizon. The update prepares the lineup of devices for Advanced Calling 1.0, aka VoLTE on Big Red's network. In addition to preps for Advanced Calling, Verizon and Motorola included bug fixes for a duplicate message error in the stock messaging client, as well as an improved UX in the visual voicemail client. If you own one of these three devices, check your phones throughout the day and weekend to pull it.

DROID MAXX and ULTRA

DROID Mini

Via: Verizon [2]

Download: Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Wallpapers From the Nexus 5, Sounds Too

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 10:40:02 +0000

Want the shiny new wallpapers that Google included with Android 5.0 "Lollipop" on the Nexus 5? We have them for you below, thanks to the latest Android L Preview images that dropped this morning. Also, if you want all the new sounds, including ringtones, notifications, and alarms, we have those below too. We are digging through the rest of the preview system dump, so hang with us. Wallpapers: Download Link (15MB .zip) Sounds: Download Link (3MB .zip)

Nexus 9 Pre-Orders Open at Best Buy, LTE Model Included

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:26:41 +0000

Best Buy pre-orders for the HTC Nexus 9 are now open as well! You can choose between all three models - 16GB WiFi ($399), 32GB WiFI ($479), or 32GB LTE ($599). You also have color choices of white or black. Get after it! Best Buy Link

Cheers Robert!

Updated Android 5.0 Developer Preview Builds Available for Download

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:19:47 +0000

Final builds of the Android 5.0 developer preview are now available for download, containing updated APIs which are in the final build of Lollipop that will be rolled out to most Android users. The developer previews have been very important for the ecosystem, allowing third party developers besides just Google to update applications to be more inline with Mountain View's new design guidelines. Material Design is quite the upgrade over Jelly Bean and Kit Kat, so preparing developers for the massive changes has been a top priority for Google. The preview builds are downloadable by owners of the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7, so if you have been following in on the fun with the developers, or you are a developer yourself, go grab 'em. Download Link Edit: Google's site is all sorts of broken. Here are direct download links - Nexus 5 | Nexus 7 (2013) Here are instructions on how to flash those image files.

Via: Android Developers

Cheers Cary!

Android 5.0 "Lollipop" SDK Now Available

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:18:23 +0000

Go get the Android 5.0 "Lollipop" SDK - it's available! Android SDK Link

Check Out Drone: Shadow Strike on Google Play, Because America

Tim — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 08:41:53 +0000

A game called Drone: Shadow Strike is available on Google Play this week, bringing 24+ missions and 280+ challenges to those brave enough to pilot an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). Inside the game, players are able to choose from seven different types of drones, from prototypes to in-service aircrafts, with your main objectives being Defend, Survive, Attack, and Escort. You will use your UCAV's four different tiers of weaponry to eliminate your targets, highlighted by cannons, guided missiles, rockets, and free fall bombs. While completing missions, and doing a fine good job at it, your rank will be promoted, allowing you to go from Airman Basic to Master General should you be up to the challenge. The developer states on Google Play that the game will continue to receive more updates for missions, so if piloting a drone interests you, check it out. The game is free to download, but of course, does feature IAPs. Play Link

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Deal: New Moto X on Verizon is $49.99 for a Limited Time

Kellen — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 07:39:45 +0000

Today through October 20, Motorola is hosting a deal on the Moto X (2nd gen) for Verizon that will save you $50 on a new 2-year contract. At $49.99, you can custom make the new Moto X cheaper than any other model. Full Moto Maker customizations are available as well at no charge, outside of the Natural and Leather backs that each carry a $25 premium. Still, this is the lowest price you will likely find unless you buy it through Amazon, but then you wouldn't be able to customize it. If you haven't, be sure to read our Moto X (2nd gen) review. Motorola Link

Video: Testing the Motorola Turbo Charger With a Moto X (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 17:36:33 +0000

Motorola's Turbo Charger is finally shipping after pre-orders first went live back in October. As you would expect, we picked up a couple to test out the supposed 8 hours of juice in 15 minutes claim that Motorola told us during the new Moto X (2nd gen) unveiling. For those not familiar, the Turbo Charger takes advantage of Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology, which allows a depleted battery to grab a substantial amount of battery power within a few minutes. As you can imagine, being able to charge your device to a decent percentage in a few minutes could really come in handy, especially at the end of a long work day that is about to get longer. The Turbo Charger works officially with the Moto X (2nd gen) and Nexus 6. It will work with the DROID TURBO as well, but that phone isn't exactly official yet. The DROID TURBO and Nexus 6 should include a Turbo Charger in the box, whereas with the new Moto X, you will have to fork out $34.99 for one. Other devices that should work with the Turbo Charger because they support Quick Charge 2.0 are the HTC One (M8), Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z3, and Xperia Z3 Compact. To see the full list, head over to Qualcomm's site. So, how did our test go? You will have to watch the video to find out. Update 1: For those who don't want to watch the whole video, I'll just tell you that I charged the Moto X from 8% to 36% in 15 minutes. In a second test, I saw similar results, with an 11% charge jumping to 36% again. For the sake of comparison, I also ran the battery down a third time to 8% and then used the regular charger included with the Moto X. The phone charged to 23% in 15 minutes. So, there you have it. Update 2: I ran my Moto X down to 9% for a third test, switched outlets, and used the Turbo Charger again for 15 minutes and got to 38%. Update 3: For a fourth test, I ran the Moto X down to 9%, turned it all the way off, plugged in the Turbo Charger to another new outlet, charged for 15 minutes and got to 37%. So after four tests, with the phone on or off, I'm getting the exact same results. I may, for the sake of testing purposes, open up a brand new Turbo Charger and see if anything changes. At this point, though, the extra 10% you get with a Turbo Charger vs. the regular charger that comes with the Moto X, may not be worth the $35 price tag.

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Deal: Become the Ultimate Game Developer for $49 With This Bundle

Kellen — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 17:04:38 +0000

How would you like to make the next Flappy Bird or Granny Smith? What's that, you have absolutely zero developing games? You need not worry, my friend. Through the DL Deals store, you can pick-up the Ultimate Game Developer Bundle for just $49, a 95% discount off the suggested price of $989. Seriously, that says 95% off. 95%. So what do you get and how will this bundle make you a game developing beast? There are 7 courses, 30+ hours of training, and over 100 lectures that should teach you all there is to know. The courses include topics like an intro to game design with Unity3D, creating your first game with Stency, HTML5 game development for beginners, creating puzzle games, learning Android app development from scratch, and of course, how to make the next simple flappy game.

The deal and set of courses are only available for just over a week, so be sure to get in on it.

Deal Link

Nexus 9 Pre-Orders Open at Amazon

Kellen — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:33:57 +0000

Pre-orders for the HTC Nexus 9 may not open at Google Play until tomorrow, but Amazon has it available already. For $399, you can have the 16GB version, or for $80 more you can double that to 32GB. The device is available with Prime shipping and says it will be released by November 3. I hate to say this, but you may get your Nexus 9 faster through Amazon than Google Play, with free or super cheap Prime shipping. Amazon Link

Atari Brings RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:23:05 +0000

Atari has published RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 to Google Play for Android devices, allowing players the opportunity to become the world's best roller coaster creator. In the game, you play as an amusement park owner who must build the greatest park the world has ever known, and the game gives you plenty of coasters and attractions to do so. While building your dream park, you will need to keep folks in attendance happy. If lines are too long, rides are too intense, or the park has no bathrooms, people won't be very impressed. To sum it up, you need to use your skills to create things that everyone will love, while also making it a safe and exciting experience for the people who pay to enter. In terms of being a simulation game, the process is quite intense. The best part? It's free to download from Google Play, but beware the IAPs. Features

Intuitive RollerCoaster Editor.
20 pre-designed coasters.
Customize your theme park with different attractions, restaurants, businesses, concession stands, hotels and decorations.
Play a Slots mini-game within your park.
Unlock new materials to construct cooler, faster and taller coasters.
Grow your economy by creating the ultimate amusement park.
Share roller coaster blueprints.
New content and features released all the time.

Play Link

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History of Nexus Phone Pricing - Why the High Price for the Nexus 6?

Kellen — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:58:14 +0000

You are standing in a carrier store, staring at a mystery phone on a shelf that sits next to the Galaxy Note 4 and LG G3. Like those phones, it has top tier specs, including a 6-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 805 processor, 13MP camera with optical image stabilization, premium metal build, and is made by Motorola. It looks gorgeous and feels amazing in hand, even for a big device. Those other phones cost anywhere from $599 to $825 without a contract (depending on the carrier), or between $199 and $299 with one. After toying with all three phones for a few minutes, you decide that the mystery Motorola device might be the phone for you. So how much are you willing to pay for it? What if I told you that it was $649 without a contract? Would you be offended by that? As you probably figured out, I am talking about the Nexus 6. In a few weeks, you will be standing in your local carrier store in this sort of situation, trying to decide if the Nexus 6 is better than devices like the Galaxy Note 4 or LG G3 or HTC One (M8). And while on paper it certainly matches up nicely to all current phones, even besting many of them, I get the feeling that the price is going to be a sticking point when making a decision about it. Yesterday, Google announced that the Nexus 6 would be available in November through Google Play with a full retail price of $649 if you want 32GB of storage, or $699 if you want 64GB. They also announced for the first time in the history of the Nexus platform that the device would be sold at all major US carriers, but that we would have to wait to hear their pricing models. There are a couple of items here to talk about, but let's first talk about carriers. T-Mobile told us that on November 12, we can buy a Nexus 6 for $0 and with 24 monthly payments of $27.08. Do a little math there and you come up with $649, which matches Google's pricing. But what about the rest of the crowd? One could assume that there will be both on-contract and off-contract pricing. However, we have no idea what AT&T and Verizon will come in at. Are we talking Galaxy Note-like $299 on-contract pricing, with an off-contract price pushing $825, which is where AT&T has priced the Note 4? Or will carriers stick to the $649 and $699 off contract price to match Google Play, and then decide to either go $199 or $299 with a two-year contract? We will hopefully know soon enough. On the flip side of this equation, we have had a lot of conversation surrounding the pricing of the Nexus 6 as being higher than normal for a Nexus phone. Is it high, though? After looking back at the history of Nexus phone pricing, I would tend to argue that it is a bit higher than normal. Take a look at the chart below.

As you can see, Google has typically sold phones through Google Play at much cheaper than if you were to buy similar phones through a carrier. For example, T-Mobile and Sprint each sold the Nexus 5 with 16GB of storage for $449 at full retail. T-Mobile actually admitted that that was the price they paid for the phone, so that's why they were selling them at $100 more than Google ($349). In other words, Google was either taking a hit when they sold you a Nexus 5 through Google Play or LG was cutting them some sort of deal since they partnered together to make the phone. Or you could look at the Galaxy Nexus when sold as either a GSM unlocked phone or as an LTE variant through Verizon. Google sold the Galaxy Nexus directly for $399, whereas Verizon wanted $699 for it without a contract, or $299 with a 2-year deal. Granted, Verizon's version had an LTE chip inside it that was still a new technology, but is anyone really buying the idea that an LTE chip added $300 in value to that phone? I'm not. So what's the conclusion here? Well, I have a couple of thoughts. First, the Galaxy Note 4 runs $699 off-contract at Verizon, $749 at T-Mobile, and $825 at AT&T. The Nexus 6 is almost identical to it in terms of specs, outside of the slightly larger display. One could argue that Google is once again taking a slight hit on the Nexus 6 to undercut the competition or has at least negotiated a better price out of the gate. And keep in mind that the phone is made by Motorola, a company who released the new Moto X at $99 and $499 to try and undercut the competition. My other thought is that the sticker shock you all have (including myself) is somewhat warranted. At one point, we were all under the impression that with the original Nexus 7, Google was willing to make almost zero profit on sales of the device because they wanted people to buy into their ecosystem instead, which had a potentially larger return in the grand scheme of things. But with the Nexus 6, T-Mobile already outed the fact that they are selling you the phone for $649, the same price as Google, which is likely what they are paying for it. In other words, Google isn't taking a hit this time around to get you into their new phone for cheaper. Now, we don't know why that is. Maybe Google has decided that it wants to make more of a profit from device sales going forward. There isn't anything wrong with that, it's just that we aren't used to Google doing that. Or maybe the carriers said, "No, Google, you don't get to undercut us through your own store if you want to play ball with us. This is a team game." One thing is certain, though, the Nexus 6 will be available for the first time at your carrier of choice, which is a win for everyone. Just keep in mind that new beginnings often times mean changes and trade-offs, whether you asked for them or not.

Google Posts Q3 2014 Earnings, Revenue Up 20% Year Over Year

Tim — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:02:07 +0000

Google hosted its Q3 2014 earnings call today, announcing yet another strong quarter for the Mountain View champion. With revenue for the company up 20% year over year, at $16.5 billion, Google's CFO Patrick Pichette states, "We continue to be excited about the growth in our advertising and emerging businesses." Other important financial stats for your mathematical wizards include a GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2014 of $3.72 billion, or 23% of revenues, GAAP net income (including net loss from discontinued operations) in the third quarter of 2014 at $2.81 billion, and site generated revenues of $11.25 billion, or 68% of total revenues, in the third quarter of 2014. As of September 30, 2014, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities is listed at $62.16 billion, with a total headcount of Googlers currently sitting at 55,030 world wide. All in all, it was a solid quarter for Google's books.

Via: Google Investor Relations

Archos Throws Hat Into Virtual Reality Ring With VR Glasses, Priced at $29.99

Tim — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 14:17:46 +0000

A new competitor has stepped into the virtual reality ring, albeit a very surprising one. While Samsung will likely introduce the Gear VR headset with a premium price tag, Archos has introduced the VR Glasses, which take a lower price point route at just $29.99. Much like all other VR headsets, users will place their device (optimal device stated by Archos features a 5" 1080p display and quad-core processor) into the headset, then strap it to their head. After that, a number of games, videos, and other applications will allow you to escape real life, transporting you into a world of virtual reality. Virtual Reality is still a growing platform, but with manufacturer support booming thanks to Samsung, Facebook, and Oculus, it's only a matter of time until developers catch up with amazing content for these headsets. VR Glasses will be available this November through Archos' online store and in a number of retailers. Interested?

ARCHOS VR Glasses: Jumping Into the Mobile Virtual Reality World

Available in November, starting at $29.99, ARCHOS VR Glasses create immersive experiences for smartphone users
Denver – October 16, 2014 – ARCHOS, a pioneer in Android™ devices, announces developing its wearable technology with ARCHOS VR Glasses. Immersing users in a virtual reality environment, the French company keeps on making cutting-edge technology universally available. Consuming content in a whole new way “Consuming digital content has gone through lots of revolutions lately. Virtual Reality is another one that we help sharing with people by providing high quality yet attainable devices” says Loïc Poirier, CEO of ARCHOS. Coupled with a smartphone (up to 6 inch, all operating systems including Android, Windows Phone and iOS), ARCHOS VR Glasses will:

Transform gaming and more with the upcoming ARCHOS Bluetooth game controller

Turn videos into 360° 3D videos and allow users to be a real part of them

Make it possible to achieve Icarus’ dream and feel like flying thanks to drones

Send people to time travel to ancient Egypt, actually giving the feeling of being there

Compatible with all Virtual Reality applications (more than 100 as for now), ARCHOS’ latest wearable product is also made to free users from reality thanks to its lightweight yet robust material. With the upcoming ARCHOS Video Player update, users will also enjoy 3D videos in a stereoscopic mode on their mobile, creating the illusion of seating in a 3D movie theatre. Optimum requirements for an immersive experience are a full HD 5” smartphone with quad core processors (or higher) and motion sensors such as an accelerometer and a gyroscope. ARCHOS VR Glasses will be available in November, starting at $29.99 from www.archos.com and its usual retailers. For more information about ARCHOS’ entire selection of smartphones, tablets and connected objects, visit us at www.archos.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Sony Confirms Lollipop Update for Entire Xperia Z Device Lineup

Tim — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:41:14 +0000

Sony confirmed an update for all existing devices in the Xperia Z lineup today, one which will bring Android 5.0 to the large list of devices sometime in the future. Included in this list will, of course, be the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z Tablet, and many more. The updates will begin to rollout starting in the beginning of 2015, according to Sony. The company also elaborated that the newest devices, such as the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 variants should see the update first, but all owners will eventually see Lollipop on their Sony-made tablets and phones. Here is a brief statement included in Sony's blog post.

We’ve been working hard to bring this major update to as many of our Z Series devices as we can, as quickly as we can. We’re really excited about the new Sony features & functionality and the improvements we’ve made to the user experience – and we’ll be sharing more soon.

Via: Sony

Google Introduces Nearby Multiplayer to Google Play Games for Developers

Tim — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 12:11:32 +0000

A new feature has been introduced to developers by Google, which will allow you and your friends to compete side-by-side in select games in the upcoming future. The introduction is of Nearby Multiplayer in Google Play Games, which will allow developers to create challenges and cooperative experiences based on the locations of you and your friends. The ability is sync two players simultaneously in the same game based on location is a big step for the growth of gaming on mobile devices, so we can't wait to see what developers do with this opportunity.

Via: @AndroidDev | Google Developers

So Long, Oregon and Mountain Added to Humble Bundle 9

Kyle — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 11:28:27 +0000

The folks over at Humble Bundle have added two new titles today, called So Long, Oregon and Mountain, to Humble Mobile Bundle 9 for all users. Neither are standouts, exactly - Mountain is less a game than an ambient wallpaper, and So Long, Oregon, is side-scroller with middling reviews, but who can complain about added value without a hike in price? Obtaining all games costs the $3.38 right now, money which goes toward funding worthy charities and hardworking developers. Donors who previously contributed to grab the original six titles are, as always, entitled to complimentary downloads of the new additions. Still included in the pack are Syberia, Neuroshima Hex, Bardbarian: Golden Axe Edition, Leo's Fortune, Out There, and First Strike. A new Humble Mobile Bundle drops October 16. Humble Bundle Link

Moto Voice Receives Minor Update, Improves Responsiveness and Moto Hint Performance

Kyle — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 09:52:38 +0000

Like Touchless Control? How about faster and more precise touchless control? If you own a newer Motorola (i.e., released within the past year or so) smartphone, you get your wish. A minor Moto Voice update is rolling out today with "improved responsiveness" for commands and "improved performance" when paired with the Moto Hint. Specifically, you should notice the calling command, PIN code command, and YouTube commands register a bit more accurately now. Otherwise, Motorola squashed a few bugs and fixed an annoying force close issue. If you have not already, you can grab the revised Moto Voice application through the Play Store. Play Link

Jawbone Debuts UP App with Activity Tracking for Android Wear and "Select Phones"

Kyle — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 09:29:22 +0000

Fitness tracking is evidently a great use case for smartwatches. Problem is, nascent platforms like Android Wear are, at least until the debut of Google Fit with the finalized version of Android 5.0 Lollipop, utterly lacking in that department. Thankfully, there are companies like Jawbone to fill the gap in the interim. The standalone UP app packs all of the social and logging features of the Jawbone UP/UP24 companion app, a godsend to folks interested in a fitness tracking solution without the $129 requisite peripheral. For the uninitiated, Jawbone's approach to wellness is pretty holistic - the app features modules like a nutritional database, personalized goal logger, social media streams, and more. UP's headlining feature, activity tracking, is present. Using the accelerometer in either a paired Android Wear device or "select phones," the app measures your sleep and exercise, making intelligent suggestions for improvement based on trends. Interested in giving UP a try? It is a free download on Google Play. Play Link

Cheers Jerry!

Apple iPad Event Live Blog!

Kellen — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 09:00:32 +0000

I know that you all have a hangover from yesterday's wave of Nexus and Lollipop announcements, but our work is not done. There will be more Nexus and Lollipop news today, guaranteed. However, before we get back on that train, we first have a live blog of another Apple event to get through! That's right, one of our favorite collaborations in the world is happening once again - live commentary between the DL staff and readers during an Apple product unveiling. Few things are as entertaining as this. So, here is the deal. Apple is likely going to announce new iPads, new Macs (iMacs and Mac minis?), and hopefully, a stable release of Yosemite. That certainly doesn't sound all that interesting to Android enthusiasts, but trust me, we always make it a good time in our chat (which is embedded below). Unintentionally hilarious things will be said (and mocked). There will be misleading slides galore. Invention will arrive. Reinvention too. Magical-ness. Yes. The event kicks off at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). Apple will stream the happenings live at their site, which you need Safari or an Apple device to watch. Join us!

Hands-on Video and Pictures of the Nexus 9 in Use Hit the Web

Kyle — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 08:50:20 +0000

The recently announced Nexus 9 may not go up for pre-order until tomorrow, but picture and videos of the HTC-made tablet in action have already begun to emerge online. SChannel, the Vietnamese YouTube channel of Sforum, published an overview of the device this morning. The narrator compares several aspects of the Nexus 9 to the 1st generation iPad Air, saying the body is similar in heft, but more compact and lighter than Apple's offering. The Nexus 9 also apparently feels solidly constructed, thanks in large part to the aluminum buttons and edge. And the display's quality is reportedly good, if bordered by a bezel that's a tad too thick. The video producer's impressions of the camera and BoomSound were less glowing. The few sample shots he took with the 8MP rear-facing camera look a bit dim and washed out, and he lamented the fact that the stereo speakers were "not as noticeable" as the HTC One (M8)'s pair. Android 5.0 Lollipop is mentioned, albeit briefly. The experience is probably an unfinished one - the finalized version of Lollipop is forthcoming - but the narrator says the software flies. He focuses on a few touches, like a new, paired-down app drawer and the revamped multitasking UI. Besides the video walkthrough, a blogger has posted images and an initial review of the Nexus 9 on Tinhte. These are less revealing, but do include shots of the Folio Keyboard case. Are you pre-ordering the Nexus 9 tomorrow?

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Via: Tinhte | Schannel | Android Police

NVIDIA Teases Lollipop for SHIELD Tablet, No Time Frame Set

Tim — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 08:29:34 +0000

Through the official Tegra account of NVIDIA, the company teased the readiness of the SHIELD Tablet for an upcoming update to Android 5.0, Lollipop. While no time frame is stated within the tweet, NVIDIA has a great track record of updating devices quickly after final code drops from Google. NVIDIA hardware such as the SHIELD Tablet, SHIELD Portable, and Tegra Note 7, all essentially run stock Android with few minor tweaks to the overall system. This allows NVIDIA to push out updates to customers with lightning speed when compared to other devices that feature heavy manufacturer skins. When a date is released for when SHIELD Tablet owners can expect to see the update, we will inform you.

Via: @NVIDIATegra

Comparison: Nexus 6 vs. iPhone 6 (and Plus), Moto X, Galaxy Note 4, and More

Kellen — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:53:50 +0000

Yesterday, during the madness that was Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Lollipop day, we put together a quick comparison of the new Google phone to its predecessors. The point was to show how far we have come over the years, both in terms of specs, price, and size. But what about the rest of the smartphone world? How does the Nexus 6 stack up to the new iPhones (6 and 6 Plus), Galaxy Note 4, Moto X, LG G3, Galaxy S5, and HTC One (M8)? Well, we have that info for you below in one of our classic charts. On paper, the Nexus 6 is truly a beast. It tops the charts in almost every category, thanks to its next-gen specs like the Quad HD display being used, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, camera with OIS, big ol' 3,220mAh battery, and use of premium materials in the build. Again, that's just on paper - we will have to wait until we get the phone in hand to decide if it is a better overall device that you should consider. As you run through each column, comparing the Nexus 6 to the others, be sure to focus on the dimensions and weight categories, another area that this phone (maybe unfortunately) tops the charts in.

Here is the full list of official Nexus 6 specs.

Special Nexus 6, 9, and Lollipop Edition

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 22:39:24 +0000

Today, well, was a massive day for Android fans. We got not only Android 5.0 "Lollipop," but three new Nexus devices as well (Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player). So because there is much to talk to about and scheduling conflicts are stopping us from running the Droid Life Show at our regular time tonight, we are doing an early special episode! Yes, the DL Show will go on, only it's happening in a few minutes with little notice to you all. Thankfully, you can subscribe to us in a number of ways below, so that you shouldn't miss a thing. So yeah, at around 3:45PM Pacific (6:45PM Eastern), we will be talking all things Android 5.0 and Nexus.

Daddy Long Legs Game Crawls Onto Google Play, But Does Not Crawl Very Far

Tim — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 15:03:25 +0000

A game called Daddy Long Legs hit Google Play recently, escaping my attention thanks to all of the craziness which has taken place thanks to Google and new Nexus devices. Regardless, we can talk about it now, and the game is very cool. In the game, which is one of the more straightforward titles you will ever play in your life, you are a spider who is simply trying to walk as far as he can without toppling over. Of course, your legs are super long, so moving them perfectly in sync for perfect forward steps is somewhat of a chore. However, a chore does not properly describe the difficulty of Daddy Long Legs. The game has a very addictive quality to it, as each time you think you have mastered the perfect stride, you fall over and have to start all over. There are plenty of fun achievements and leaderboards in the game, so while the gameplay may seem boring, it is far from. Daddy Long Legs is free to download, but there is a single IAP in the game to remove the banner ad featured on the top of the screen while playing. Play Link

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Wednesday Poll: Are You Buying a Nexus 9?

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:33:15 +0000

Google revealed three new Nexus devices today, one of which we have already asked if you plan to buy. That would be the Nexus 6, Google's new flagship phone. But what about today's newly unveiled tablet, the HTC-made Nexus 9? Are you planning to buy one when they go up for pre-order on October 17? As a recap, the Nexus 9 runs a 2.3GHz dual-core 64-bit Tegra K1 processor and sports an 8.9-inch (2048x1536) display, 2GB RAM, 8MP camera, 16GB or 32GB of storage, and 6,700mAh battery. It also comes in three colors (black, tan, and white), is wrapped in a soft grip coating and has brushed metal sides. This a premium tablet. But a "premium" tablet typically carries a premium price tag, a fact that the Nexus 9 sticks to. For a 16GB model, you are looking at a price of $399. If you want 32GB of storage, you are looking at $479 for the WiFi-only model or $599 for the LTE-ready version. So, are you buying a Nexus 9? If you are, which color? [poll id="336"]

Wednesday Poll: Are You Buying a Nexus 6?

Tim — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:22:53 +0000

New Nexus days are always exciting in the Android universe, as users get a peek as to what Google's vision for Android truly is at that select point in time. It has evolved quite significantly over the past few years, and we think the Nexus 6 is a fine addition to the family of Nexus devices. The Nexus 6 features monster specs, packing a 5.96" QHD display (2560 x 1440), Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera with OIS, 2MP front-facing camera, 3220mAh battery, and runs the latest version of Android, Android 5.0 Lollipop. For the 32GB model, full retail price is listed at $649, while the 64GB model is priced at $699. While these full retail prices might seem high when compared to past Nexus devices such as the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5, Google looks to have done their absolute best when working with Motorola to deliver a truly premium Android experience. And of course, the device will be available on all four major US carriers at a subsidized price. With that said, it's not like you absolutely have to shell out $649+ for a new phone. One question remains, are you buying one?

[poll id="335"]

Nexus 6 vs. Nexus 5 vs. Nexus 4 vs. Galaxy Nexus

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:34:41 +0000

The Nexus 6 is by all means a beast in terms of next-gen specs. It has everything a next-gen flagship device would have - Snapdragon 805, Quad HD display, 13MP camera with OIS, 3GB RAM, up to 64GB of internal storage, a massive battery, and connectivity almost anywhere in the world. This might be the first time that we have seen a Nexus device arrive as the king of the hill, at least on paper. In the past, Nexus devices either seemed a processor behind or were missing a crucial spec or lacked something that other phones all seemed to have. That certainly isn't the case this time around. And that got us thinking - what does the Nexus 6 look like when stacked against the two previous Nexus phones, the Nexus 5 and Nexus 4? It, of course, tops them in almost every category, since it is the new kid on the block. But it is still interesting to see how far we have come. Remember when the Nexus 4 completely lacked all LTE connectivity. Well, the Nexus 6 supports a full 12 LTE bands. Update: Because you asked for it, we added in the Galaxy Nexus. To see the full comparison, check out the chart below.

Nexus 6 to Gain WiFi Calling on T-Mobile in Early 2015

Kyle — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:27:46 +0000

In case T-Mobile's Un-carrier 7.0 event did not make it clear, the wireless carrier is extremely committed to WiFi calling. Lest you were concerned the Nexus 6 would not support the carrier's much-vaunted feature, you can now rest easy. T-Mobile has confirmed in a press release that the Nexus 6 will gain support for WiFi calling in early 2015 after an over-the-air update. T-Mobile said "enhancements" in Android 5.0 make adding the feature possible, which may explain why the Nexus 5 was never supported. Since it is set to receive Android 5.0 soon, though, that opens the possibility of a retroactive update. There are of course no guarantees, though, until we hear official word.

Via: T-Mobile

Lollipop Lawn Statue Unveiled at Googleplex

Kyle — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:49:37 +0000

As customary since Cupcake, Google erected a statue on its Building 44 campus lawn to mark the unveiling of its latest major Android revision. Appropriately for Android 5.0 Lollipop, the sculpture is of Bugdroid, the Android mascot, making a "Peace" sign and holding the stem of a massive lollipop. It will be displayed proudly among the other statues, including those for Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich, Froyo, Eclair, Kit Kat, and Jelly Bean. Your arrival is welcomed, Lollipop.

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Google Reveals Keyboard Folio Case, First Official Nexus 9 Accessory

Kyle — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:32:55 +0000

For those who plan to use the Nexus 9 for work in addition to play, a keyboard case of some kind is a necessity. In anticipation of that need, Google revealed the Keyboard Folio accessory, the same one that leaked a few weeks back, alongside the tablet. There is not anything particularly remarkable about the Keyboard Folio, but it has plenty of nifty-sounding bells and whistles. It attaches to the Nexus 9 with magnets and pairs with NFC. It will need to be charged via microUSB, but Google says the battery should last around five months of use between charges. While I hesitate to call it compact, the case measures thinly for a fully mechanical keyboard - 5mm at its thickest. Its dimensions are 320 x 228mm. When the keyboard is not in use, the Folio functions as a standard protective case. It can fold into a vertical stand for tabletop use, and automatically wake up or lock the Nexus 9. Availability and pricing have yet to be revealed.

Via: Google

This is How the Android L Casting Call Ended.

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:15:27 +0000

Maybe next, next, next time, Oreo. "Muffins!"

Finalized Android 5.0 SDK Lands October 17 for Developers

Kyle — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:00:40 +0000

Building apps to support the new features of an updated operating system is hard when you do not have access to the requisite SDK. That is sort of the situation with Android 5.0 at the moment. A preview SDK was made available a few weeks ago, but it is getting a bit long in the tooth. Luckily, Google announced today that the final Android 5.0 SDK would be released on October 17, coinciding with the release of the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player. You may recall from this past summer's Google I/O keynote that Android 5.0 Lollipop packs a ton of new functionality for developers to tap into, including more than 5,000 APIs. Hold onto your butts.

Via: Google

What's New in Android 5.0 Lollipop

Tim — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:51:21 +0000

With Android 5.0, aka Lollipop, now official from Google, we need to go over the features that make this update to the mobile platform we all love so special. Whether it be the completely reimagined user interface in Material Design, to the enhanced notifications users will view from now on, there have been major changes done to Android, so let's get started. Below, we go over exactly what makes Android 5.0 so new. Material Design Material Design is a "bold, colorful, and responsive" update for Android's interface, previously made available via a developer preview back at Google I/O. As we have seen, Material Design features very bright colors, natural motions when buttons are pressed, and new typography. In terms of the biggest change to Android in Lollipop, it's Material Design. Enhanced Notifications With Lollipop, users can now view and reply to certain notifications via the lock screen, while also keep select applications' notifications safe from a stranger's wandering eyes. A new Priority Mode which is accessible through the volume button will enable users to choose favorite people and apps to receive notifications from at any given time, while silencing all others to not be bothered. You can also schedule a recurring downtime like 10pm to 8am where only Priority notifications can get through. With Lollipop, incoming phone calls from friends won't interrupt whatever you are watching, but if you choose to answer, you may do so. No more playing mobile games and getting disturbed by an incoming phone call. Better Battery Life A new "Battery Saver" feature will extend your device's life by up to 90 minutes, while a new "estimated time left to fully charge" will display the time left to completely charge your Android device on the lock screen. Multiple Device Sharing Guest accounts and multiple account support is now available for Android phones, which was previously available for just tablets. Now, users who forget their phones can log into any other Lollipop device to check emails, messages, and more. For families, user accounts allow multiple users to share a phone, but not all of its stuff. Finally, Screen Pinning allows you to pin your screen so another user can access just that content without messing with your other stuff.

New Quick Settings There are new Quick Settings for users of Lollipop, including one for flashlight, hotspot, screen rotation (finally!) and cast screen controls. There are improved toggles for WiFi, Bluetooth, and Location. Users can also manually adjust the brightness of your screen, and Nexus 6 users can take advantage of the ambient light sensor to automatically adjust the brightness. Better Connectivity Lollipop features improved network handoffs resulting in limited interruption in connectivity, as well as improved network selection logic so that your device connects only if there is a verified internet connection on WiFi. For an easier time with Bluetooth, more power-efficient scanning for nearby Bluetooth low energy devices like wearables or beacons has been included. ART (Android Runtime) The Android Runtime, known as ART for short, is a completely rebuilt runtime for the OS, bringing 4x performance improvements and a smoother UI for complex, visually rich applications. ART features support for 64-bit devices and will ship with 64-bit native applications such as Google Play Music, Chrome, Google Maps, and many more. Improved Media Lower latency audio input ensures music and communication applications have strict delay requirements to provide a very realtime experience for users. The addition of USB Audio support means you can plug USB microphones, speakers, and a plethora of other USB audio devices like amplifiers and mixers into your Android device for rocking out. For lovers of photography, a wide range of new professional photography features for Lollipop will allow you to do the following:

Capture full resolution frames around 30 fps
Support raw formats like YUV and Bayer RAW
Control capture settings for the sensor, lens, and flash per individual frame
Capture metadata like noise models and optical information

Support for Android TV Lollipop brings complete support for Android TV, Google's platform built for your living room. Users receive personalized recommendations based on previous watching habits, downloads, and searches. Android TV also features support for using a full-size gaming controller with the system to experience Android gaming at its finest on the big screen in your house.

68+ Languages Supported 15 languages have been added to the list of supported tongues, including Basque, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese (Hong Kong), Galician, Icelandic, Kannada, Kyrgyz, Macedonian, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Sinhala, Tamil, and Telugu. Improved Device Setup A feature many might have been clamoring for is also available, labeled as Tap & Go. If you purchase a new Android device, all you need to do is tap your old and new phones together, which will instantly set up your new device. This is done through NFC. Included in the set up is your Google account, Android apps from Google Play, and certain system settings. More Here is a generalized list of even more features Lollipop brings.

Ok Google: Even if your screen is off, you can say “Ok Google” to get quick answers, send a text, get directions and more.
Tap & pay: Easily manage multiple payment apps by quickly switching between them.
Print preview and page range support.
Revamped display for battery, Bluetooth, data usage, and Wi-Fi settings and new search functionality.
New device level feedback for Nexus devices in Settings > about phone > send feedback.
Share option menu adjusts based on your usage.
Where supported by the hardware, your device will wake up as soon as you pick it up or tap the screen twice.
Improved hardware keyboard accessory support including support for multilingual, emoji input, search key, and improved app and system key chords.

We can't wait to get our hands on the fully baked version of Android L. Feel free to share your thoughts on your favorite feature, as well as what you had hoped to see from Lollipop.

Via: Google

Nexus 9 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:33:32 +0000

Now that you have seen the official Nexus 6 specs, let's talk about all that is officially inside the HTC Nexus 9. Like we mentioned earlier, it has an 8.9-inch 4:3 display with a ratio of 2048x1536, 2.3GHz dual-core 64-bit Tegra K1 processor, 2GB RAM, front facing BoomSound speakers, rear 8MP camera, 16GB or 32GB of storage, and a massive 6,700mAh battery. It's also wrapped in a soft grip backing, with brushed metal accents along its sides, and comes in three colors. It is one hot tablet. To see the rest of the dirty details, jump below.

SCREEN

8.9" IPS LCD TFT, 4:3 aspect ratio, QXGA (2048x1536)

SIZE

153.68 mm x 228.25 mm x 7.95 mm

WEIGHT

WiFi: 14.99 ounces (425g) LTE: 15.38 ounces (436g)

CAMERA

Rear Camera: 8MP, f/2.4, 29.2mm focal length (35mm equiv), Auto-focus, LED flash Front Camera: 1.6MP, f/2.4, 26.1mm focal length (35mm equiv), Fixed-focus, no flash

AUDIO

Front-facing stereo speakers, complete with HTC’s BoomSound™ technology

MEMORY

16, 32 GB eMMC 4.51 storage (actual formatted capacity will be less)

CPU

NVIDIA Tegra K1 - 64 bit; Dual Denver CPUs @ 2.3 GHz

GPU

Kepler 192-core GPU

RAM

2GB LPDDR3

WIRELESS

Broadcom 802.11ac 2x2 (MIMO)

NETWORK

Quad-band GSM, CDMA, Penta-band HSPA, 4G LTE

POWER

6700 mAh Wifi Browsing: Up to 9.5 hours LTE Browsing: Up to 8.5 hours Video Playback: Up to 9.5 hours Wifi Standby: Up to 30 days LTE Standby: Up to 30 days

SENSORS

GNSS support for GPS, GLONASS, and Beidou Bosch gyroscope and accelerometer AKM magnetometer & hall effect sensor Capella ambient light sensor

PORTS AND CONNECTORS

Single micro-USB 2.0 for USB data/charging 3.5mm audio jack Dual front-facing speakers Dual microphones, top/bottom

OS

Android 5.0 Lollipop

Google Announces the Nexus Player, an Android TV Reference Device

Kyle — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:11:00 +0000

As you may be aware, Google announced a ton of cool stuff today. Much of it had been rumored for months, though, so the unveiling of the Nexus Player came as somewhat of a surprise. Essentially an Android TV reference device, the Nexus Player is a $99 set-top box made in collaboration with Asus. It packs a 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, a Bluetooth 4.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi radio, 8GB of storage, and a microUSB port. It ships with a microphone-equipped remote for voice search and navigating around the UI, and hooks up to your TV via HDMI. Following in the footsteps of Amazon's Fire TV, Google is making a play (pun intended) for gaming. The Nexus Player sports a powerful PowerVR Series 6 GPU, and supports an official gamepad accessory that will retail separately for $39. As Google demonstrated earlier this year at I/O, Android TV will support a bevy of entertainment apps at launch. The operating system also has built-in support for Google Cast, meaning screen mirroring and casting should work without a hitch. Pre-orders for the Nexus Player begin October 17. Brick-and-mortar buyers will have to wait until November 3.

Via: Google

Nexus 6 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:07:56 +0000

You want the official, official specs for the new Nexus 6? Here they are. On a high level, we are looking at a 5.96-inch QHD AMOLED display, 13MP rear camera with optical image stabilization, Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor with Adreno 420 GPU, 3GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB of storage, wireless charging, 3,220mAh battery, Android 5.0 "Lollipop," and a body that is 10mm thick. What about connectivity? All of that and more can be found below.

SCREEN

5.96-inch AMOLED, 1440x2560 (493 ppi), 16:p aspect ratio Corning Gorilla Glass 3

SIZE

82.98mm x 159.26mm x 10.06mm

WEIGHT

6.49 ounces (184 grams)

CAMERA

Rear camera: 13 MP IMX 214 Image Sensor f / 2.0 aperture Optical Image Stabilization Ring flash with dual LEDs 4K UHD video capture 2160p (4K) UHD, 1080p HD and 720p HD video capture modes (30fps) 4X digital zoom HDR+ Panorama, PhotoSphere and Lens Blur Front camera: 2MP

AUDIO

Stereo front facing speakers; 3.5mm headphone jack with 4 button headset compatibility

MEMORY

32GB, 64GB

CPU

2.7GHZ Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 805 - Quad Core (APQ 8084-AB)

GPU

Adreno 420

RAM

3GB RAM

WIRELESS

Broadcom 802.11ac 2x2 (MIMO)

NETWORK

Americas SKU: (XT1103) GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz CDMA: Band Class: 0/1/10 WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/8 LTE: Bands: 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/25/26/29/41 CA DL: Bands: B2-B13, B2-B17, B2-29, B4-B5, B4-B13, B4-B17, B4-B29 Rest of World SKU: (XT1100) GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz CDMA: not supported WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/6/8/9/19 LTE: Bands: 1/3/5/7/8/9/19/20/28/41 CA DL: B3-B5, B3-B8

POWER

3220 mAh Talk time: up to 24 hours Standby time up to 300 hours Internet use time up to 8.5 hrs Wi-Fi, 7 hrs LTE Qi wireless charging built-in Turbo charger gives up to 6 hours of power in 1 minutes

SENSORS

Accelerometer, Gyro, Magnetometer, Prox, Ambient Light Sensor, Haptics, Hall effect, Barometer

PORTS AND CONNECTORS

Micro USB Single nano SIM Power and Volume key on Right Hand Side of the device 3.5mm audio jack

OTHER

Water resistant

OS

Android 5.0 Lollipop

COLORS

Midnight Blue, Cloud White

Android 5.0 Coming to Moto X (Both Models), Moto G, Moto E, and Last Year's DROIDs

Kyle — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 10:47:56 +0000

Motorola may have had a hand in crafting one of the first devices to run Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box, but that thankfully doesn't mean the manufacturer isn't committed to its existing product lineup. In a blog post today, Motorola confirmed both the older and newer Moto X and Moto G, Moto G with LTE, Moto E, and all three current-generation Droid smartphones - the Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini - will receive an upgrade to Lollipop. The updates are probably a ways out, seeing as the Android 5.0 SDK doesn't drop until October 17. If history is any indication, though, you can expect an incredibly fast turnaround time.

Via: Motorola

And Here is the Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Unveiling, Including a Twerking Lion

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 10:37:22 +0000

Best. Android. Reveal. Video. Ever. Android 5.0 is Lollipop. And for the GIF lovers, a special treat below.

The Official Promos Videos for the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 (Nexus Player Too)

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 10:18:34 +0000

The Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player are beyond real at this point, even if you can't buy them yet. Soon, though, soon. For now, you just have to drool over Google's imagery, including the two new promo videos they just uploaded for each device. Each video walks you through the design of the device being featured, covers specs, talks weight, Lollipop, and genuinely makes you want to hold and caress them in your arms for a few minutes. Well, maybe not the caress part...or holding...how about poking? Either way, watch the clips and continue to tell us what you think.

Nexus 6

[responsive_vid]

Nexus 9

[responsive_vid vid_url="yYHY3MFiq1o"]

Nexus Player

[responsive_vid vid_url="rqFdNvxLjCY"]

Android 5.0 Lollipop Update Confirmed for Nexus 4, 5, 7, 10, and GPE Devices in Coming Weeks

Tim — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 10:17:55 +0000

The new Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 from Google will of course feature Android 5.0 Lollipop, but anyone who still rocks any other Nexus device has been holding their breath, waiting to see if Google planned to shower them with updates as well. Today, good news comes for owners of the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and any Google Play Edition device. Android 5.0 is confirmed for you in the coming weeks. Now, keep in mind, it does state below that the updates will be "in the coming weeks." This means you should not start bashing the Check for Update button quite yet, as a mass rollout will be quite evident and we will inform you of when it is live for each device.

Android 5.0 Lollipop, which comes on Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player, will also be available on Nexus 4, 5, 7, 10 and Google Play edition devices in the coming weeks.

Nexus 4 owners, you surprised?

Via: Google

Nexus 6 Coming to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular in November

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:57:36 +0000

Now that the Nexus 6 is official and all details are known, you probably want to know when and where you can get one, right? For the first time in the history of a Nexus device, the phone should be easy to get at every major carrier, assuming you either want to sign a contract or pay a pretty hefty full retail price. According to Google, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular will all carry the device, but you you will be able to get it through Google Play and Motorola's store as well. The Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order at the end of October, with shipments going out in November, maybe as early as November 12. The off-contract, full retail price will start at $649. We have to assume that that price is for the 32GB model. ~~We do not yet know the price of the 64GB model~~. Edit: 64GB model is $699. Here is the official availability statement from Google:

Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order in late October and in stores in November—with options for an unlocked version though Play store, or a monthly contract or installment plan through carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon. Specific carrier rollout will be subject to certification completion and will vary.

Here is the official availability statement from Motorola:

Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order through the Google Play Store in late October starting at $649. There are two colors to choose from - Midnight Blue or Cloud White - and two memory options - 32GB and 64GB. Nexus 6 will also be available on motorola.com and through carrier partners starting in November. You’ll hear from our carrier partners soon with additional pricing and availability information. In all, Nexus 6 will come to 28 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America starting later this year and as we head into Q1.

AT&T confirmed that they will carry the phone, but offered no pricing or availability. T-Mobile told us to expect the phone on November 12 at their stores for $0 down and $27.08 a month for 24 months. US Cellular only told us to expect the phone in November. We will update this post once we get official word from Sprint and Verizon. Update: Sprint confirmed that they are carrying it, but would only offer availability of "coming weeks." Here are the official Nexus 6 specs.

This is the HTC Nexus 9, Now Official and 64-Bit Ready

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:36:51 +0000

The Nexus 9 is also now official, and yes, HTC has made it. The Google-HTC reunion is real! As mostly expected, the Nexus 9 is beautifully designed with a soft grip back and brushed metal sides. It comes in black, tan, or white, in case you need to get freaky, houses an 8.9-inch LCD display (4:3 ratio, 2048x1536), BoomSound front speakers, and a 64-bit processor. You have a 6,700mAh battery inside, along with 2GB RAM, 16GB or 32GB of storage, 8MP rear camera, and Android 5.0 "Lollipop." The Nexus 9 will be up for pre-order on October 17, starting at $399 for the 16GB WiFi model. There will also be 32GB WiFi and LTE models at $479 and $599, respectively. Here are the official Nexus 9 specs.

Google Announces Android 5.0 Lollipop

Tim — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:17:44 +0000

After being teased and released through a developer preview at Google I/O this year, Android 5.0 aka Lollipop has been made official by Google this morning. Over 5,000 developer APIs have been released alongside the updated OS, and of course, users will begin to see Material Design take over their devices through applications and system settings. Android 5.0 will come preloaded on the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, while other devices will have to wait just a little bit before updates roll out. However, Motorola has already confirmed that the new Moto X, old Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E will receive the updated to Lollipop.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Google

This is the Nexus 6, and Yes, It's Coming to Verizon

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:17:06 +0000

Google just made the Nexus 6 official, and we thought it was only proper to give it an entire post just for itself. As was reported numerous times, the device is a massive whale, with a 6-inch display and is made by Motorola. It looks exactly like the renders we created for you a few weeks ago. The device also sports a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, Adreno 420 GPU, 13MP rear camera with OIS, 3,220mAh battery, 32GB or 64GB of storage, dual front facing speakers, wireless charging, and runs Android 5.0 "Lollipop." It even supports Motorola's Turbo Charger, which can give you 6 hours of juice in just 15 minutes. The device comes in either Midnight Blue or Cloud White. The Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order later this month, with shipments going out in November. It will be sold on-contract through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon. Seriously, that says Verizon. Motorola says that the Nexus 6 starts off-contract at $649 for the 32GB model and jumps to $699 for 64GB of storage. Woof. Here are the official Nexus 6 specs.

Google Announces the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player - Android 5.0 "Lollipop" Too

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:09:18 +0000

It's official! Google just announced the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and the Nexus Player. MORE COVERAGE:

Everything you need to know about the Nexus 6.
Official Nexus 6 specs.
Nexus 6 availability - AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Google Play, and Motorola's store for $649.
Everything you need to know about the Nexus 9.
Official Nexus 9 specs.
Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 promo videos.
Android 5.0 "Lollipop" announced!
Nexus Player details.

Via: Google

Androidify Update on Android L Day, Nexus 6 Accessory Included

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 08:58:52 +0000

Google's Androidify app received an update today, likely because Android L ("Lollipop") will be unveiled later on along with a new campaign surrounding the customizable Android character app. The app has been redesigned, is much more share-friendly, and has new options to make the perfect version of you...as Bugdroid. One of the new accessories - because we are buying into the hypebeast today - looks a lot like the soon-to-be-announced Nexus 6. You can see it on the character I created in the image above. It resembles a Moto X, the phone the Nexus 6 is designed around, with that back dimple and camera placement. Yep, I would say that that is it. You can grab the new version of Androidify through the Play store; no need for an APK sideload this time. Play Link

HBO Web-Only Subscription Coming Next Year, Prepare to Ditch Your Cable Provider

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 08:34:55 +0000

During an investor presentation this morning, HBO CEO Richard Piper told reporters that his company will launch a web-only subscription service at some point next year. Currently, you need a cable subscription in order to have HBO, so as you can imagine for those who ditched the cable box long ago or want to in the near future, this is huge news. With a web-only subscription, you could subscribe to HBO by itself, without needing a full-blown cable package. He didn't mention pricing or any other information, like if "web-only" means access through HBO GO apps as well, but one can dream. He did say that the web version would be a "stand alone, over the top" version of HBO, if that helps get you excited. You should already be excited, though. We may be getting closer and closer to a world without overpriced cable subscriptions. Currently, web services like Netflix run $7.99 per month - could we see an HBO subscription around that same price?

Via: Gizmodo

Sony Xperia Z3 Pre-order Now Open at T-Mobile

Tim — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 08:30:18 +0000

The Xperia Z3 from Sony is now available for pre-order through T-Mobile here in the US, with general availability beginning October 29. Packed with great specs and a design that many seem to favor, American consumers have always had a hard time getting their hands on good devices from Sony. Hopefully now, with the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3v (Verizon) officially launching in the States, anyone who chooses Sony over its competitors is free to do so. The Xperia Z3 on T-Mobile features a 5.2" Full HD display, waterproof design, 20.7MP rear-facing camera, Snapdragon quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and runs Android 4.4+. To top it off, for a limited time, if you order the Xperia Z3 through T-Mobile, customers get a free copy of DRIVECLUB for the PlayStation 4. Righteous. Pre-order Link

Via: T-Mobile

Motorola Nexus 6 Listing Shows Up at AT&T

Kellen — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 05:58:39 +0000

See that? That would be a listing for the Motorola Nexus 6, already on AT&T's site before Google has officially announced the phone. Now, before you freak out about the price and the fact that AT&T is using the LG G Vista as a placeholder, just realize that we are only talking about the name of the phone showing up on AT&T site as being important. That price is likely not the price of the Nexus 6 on-contract. In fact, that is the price of the LG G Vista, so since AT&T is using an image of that phone as a placeholder, the chances of them carrying over the price as well are pretty good. It was probably a cut and paste job of phone listings to get something going for the Nexus 6 listing. Again, the price means nothing. With that said, AT&T has essentially killed off the listing for the LG G Vista to prepare for the Nexus 6. If you cruise through the maze of screens to get to a listing of LG phones and click on the LG G Vista, you won't find the LG G Vista. No sir, you will be redirected to a page that will eventually be for the Nexus 6, but that, for now, redirects to a listing of Motorola phones. Check the image below, which is the URL currently set for the G Vista, as seen as I hover over the listing of it. Yep, that says "/motorola/nexus-6.html" as clear as possible. Also, if you cruise through to the LG G3 Vigor listing on AT&T's site, that is where you see the image at the top of this post, which actually says "Motorola Nexus 6" in the recently viewed section. I don't want to call it a "confirmation," but how much more info do you need? AT&T has clearly begun work on the listing for the Nexus 6 on their site because they plan to sell the Nexus 6. While we still don't know what the price will be, I think it's obvious that they are going to carry the phone. Today is going to be fun.

Via: AT&T | Android Police

Google is Dogfooding a "Reader Mode" in Chrome Beta 39

Kellen — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 18:30:20 +0000

Google pushed an update to Chrome Beta this evening, bringing it up to build 39.0.2171.25. The update's changelog says only that it introduces "bug fixes and performance improvements," but a new future feature may have presented itself on accident - Reader Mode. If you open up a site, like Droid Life, and tap the top right menu-pulldown, you may see an option under "Request desktop site" that says "Reader Mode." As you can see from the screenshot above, the feature has a dog paw next to it, which likely means that Google is dogfooding (testing) it internally and didn't mean to make it public. I was initially able to see the option, but it has since disappeared. Tim, on the other hand, is still seeing it. I asked two others who saw the update, both of which have not see the option for Reader Mode. So what is Reader Mode? Well, it is as the name suggests - a mode that makes web pages easier to read, almost like a basic text mode. Once you switch to Reader Mode, you can flip between dark, light, or sepia modes, and even adjust font size. It's tough to tell when this feature might go public, but for now, feel free to update and then check to see if the option is there. Play Link | APK Link

Fancred, a Social Network Based on Your Love for Sports

Tim — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:37:17 +0000

A social network built entirely around sports called Fancred has finally arrived for Android, after making the rounds on iOS and the web. The service is geared towards super fans who love going to games in person, allowing users to share photos, top plays, and check out all of the latest news surrounding their teams. Besides sharing tons of selfies at the park, users can also check-in at parks, and judge your fanship with the "Fancred Score" which is based on a 1-100 system. When you post more GIFs, videos, and pictures, your score will reflect this. The service is free to use. If you have the need to share your sports experiences with the world, go check it out.

Features

Capture your gameday photos, especially those selfies with friends.
Where ya at? Check-in at the stadiums and events you attend.
Share the articles you read, the videos you watch, and all of the GIFs. GIFs are awesome.
The Fancred Score 1-100 scoring system that increases whenever you post or interact with others.
There are more than 2,700 team tags on Fancred.

Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Tuesday Poll: How Often do You Use Voice Search?

Tim — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 14:54:44 +0000

Google published a survey this week which it commissioned through Northstar Research. The goal was to find out not only how often users in different age categories used voice search, but how they used the service itself. The study also asked users what they would like to see search do more of in the future. Funnily enough, wishing they could order pizza ranked highest among young users of voice search. In the study, it was found that 55% of teens and 41% of adults use voice search more than once a day. But, how do the two categories differ in use of the service? Teens, on one side, focus on using their voice to call friends, ask for directions, help with homework, and play songs. Adults on the other hand, use voice search primarily for voice dictation, asking directions, checking the time (however odd that sounds), and to make calls. A whole ton of neat things were discovered in the research, so we recommend you check out Google's official blog for more information. In the meantime, we want to run a poll of our own. How often do you use voice search on your Android device? Once you answer, feel free to throw in the comments what things you use voice search the most for.

[poll id="334"]

Google Just Teased the Name of Android L...Which is Android 5.0

Kellen — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:26:38 +0000

The teasing begins! Lemon Meringue Pie? Lava Cake? Lady Finger? Lemon Drop? Even Licorice makes several appearances. Who didn't show up? Lollipop, of course.

Skype Launches First App Since Skype Itself, a Video Chat Service Called Qik

Tim — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:03:02 +0000

Skype, the service that practically made video messaging mainstream for this generation, has released its first app since, well, the invention of Skype itself. The app is called Skype Qik, and to be completely honest, it is much like Stories from Snapchat. Users share short videos of themselves with friends and family around the globe, with the ability to go back and forth all from your existing Skype account. Once you are synced up with Qik, you create private groups of friends. Then, as mentioned, you can send each other video messages, thumbs-ups, smileys, and more. In addition, you can erase your messages and videos from the group discussion, just in case you accidentally embarrassed yourself. However, Qik makes it very clear that friends can save your videos and messages before you get a chance to delete them if they have the chance to do so. The app is completely free to use, so if you happen to have a lot of friends who enjoy sharing these types of videos, check it out. To me, it's just another app to go along with Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and countless others.

Features

Create groups in a flash: grab a bunch of friends from your phone’s address book and start a private chat.
Pre-record and send video clips (Qik Fliks): can’t respond right away? Thumbs-ups, smileys and more, starring you.
Erase your message and it disappears from the conversation.
Keep it fresh—messages are automatically erased from Qik after two weeks.
Start a conversation any time—no login, usernames, or passwords needed.

Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Screenshot in Chromium Issue Tracker Suggests the Next Version of Android is "Lollipop"

Kyle — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:34:18 +0000

The designer of the Googleplex Android statues trolled Google+ yesterday with licorice. Developers contributing to AOSP have for months been referring to the next version of Android as LMP, presumably "Lemon Meringue Pie." In light of a new accidental leak, though, both references to possible Android L names appear to have been red herrings. Before being promptly removed, a device screenshot posted by a Google developer in the Chromium issue tracker revealed a lollipop-shaped debugging icon. That likely settles it, then: Google will probably reveal Android L as "Lollipop" tomorrow, and commemorate it with a new lawn ornament. Any predictions for the next version of Android? I'm sticking with "Marshmallow."

Via: MyCE

Samsung Reported to Partner With Facebook to Create New Phone

Tim — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 11:59:54 +0000

According to Korean media outlets, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg recently held meetings with Samsung to discuss future projects. Concluding as a "win-win" meeting for both parties, it is being reported that Facebook may have found its next hardware partner in Samsung. While neither side has confirmed any type of project that they are collaborating on, this won't be the first time the companies have worked together. As you may recall, Samsung's upcoming Gear VR headset was created in partnership with Oculus, which is currently owned by Facebook. Facebook's last phone, the HTC First, could go down as one of the industry's biggest blunders, reportedly selling even fewer units than the HTC ChaCha. In addition to a possible phone, Facebook may look to partner with Samsung to pre-install FB software on Samsung devices, such as the official Facebook app and Messenger app. If this plays out, and a new Facebook phone is produced by Samsung, it either proves that it really is "third time's the charm" or both companies are completely blind as to what the public wants in a phone.

Via: SamMobile | G for Games | Korea Times

DROID Ultra, MAXX, Mini Soak Test Rolling Out, Brings VoLTE

Tim — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 11:01:55 +0000

Users of the DROID Ultra, Maxx, and Mini report an incoming soak test from Motorola, one which brings Advanced Calling 1.0, also known as VoLTE for Verizon's network. Usually, once the soak test rolls out and is successful, the firmware is sent to all owners of the aforementioned devices across the network. If VoLTE is a feature you have been looking to take advantage of on Verizon, then be on the lookout soon. Here is the email being sent out to participants.

Hi XXXXX. Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. This invitation is not going to everyone. We are reaching out to you because we have an exclusive testing opportunity for select DROID MAXX/ULTRA/MINI owners. This opportunity is first come first serve. If you are interested please click this link: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX This link is uniquely tied to this survey and your email address (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX). Please do not forward this message and please do not share this or any communication about this invitation online or with others. Thanks for your participation! Tom Motorola Owners' Forum Motorola Feedback Network

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

DROID TURBO: Everything You Need to Know

Kellen — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:41:16 +0000

The DROID TURBO will officially be unveiled on October 28 by Motorola and Verizon. We know that because that's what Verizon has told us through their DroidDoes.com site. We know what the phone looks like, thanks to an image (accidentally?) posted through @DroidLanding that was quickly deleted. We were pretty sure we also knew most of the specs after seeing the user manual for the device surface at the end of last week, along with a tip about the battery size. We know a lot about the DROID TURBO already. Well, we are hear to tell you the rest. Ready?

Full specs

Display: 5.2-inch QHD with Gorilla Glass 3 (2560x1440, 565 pixels per inch)
Processor: 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 (Quad-core)
RAM: 3GB RAM with 64-bit access
Storage: 32GB
Camera: 21MP with dual LED flash (4K video capture, Quick Capture gesture, Highlight reel)
Battery: 3,900mAh hour (48 hours of power); wireless charging
Accessories: Includes Turbo Charger (8 hours of charge in 15 minutes)
Connectivity: 4G LTE and XLTE-ready, with VoLTE and Advanced Calling 1.0 coming within 30-90 days of launch (Advanced Calling 1.0 required for simultaneous voice and data)
Durability: Water repellent (coating guards against everyday spills and up to 20 minutes in a downpour), scratch resistant
Body: Metallized Glass Fiber (MGF), rear cover reinforced with layer of Kevlar
Moto Apps: Moto suite including Moto Voice, Actions, Assist, and Display; Moto Migrate
Exclusive Zap Apps: Zap Zone, Zap to TV, Zap with Voice
Colors: Metallic Red and Metallic Black

As you can see, this is indeed a device worthy of the DROID name. It packs next-gen specs across the board, like its Snapdragon 805 processor, QHD display, 3GB RAM, and massive battery. It certainly looks like a DROID with its Kevlar back and metallic design. It also should run a lot like the new Moto X, with mostly stock Android coupled with the Moto suite of apps like Voice, Display, Actions, and Assist. Verizon and Motorola are also tossing in a DROID Zap suite of apps as well, to give owners of the TURBO an exclusive sharing experience. With Zap Zone, you use your phone to create a "Zone" for quickly sharing pictures between friends. With Zap to TV, you can create instant slideshows using your Chromecast. With Zap With Voice, you can capture a screenshot of your phone by saying, "OK, DROID TURBO, Zap my screen." The only thing we need to know now is the price of this phone. With the Moto X priced at $99 on-contract, could we see the TURBO at $199 on-contract? We will know that last bit on October 28.

Verizon EDGE and MORE Everything Changes Coming October 16 - 24 Payments, 75% Paid Off to "Edge Up," $15 Line Discount

Kellen — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:09:41 +0000

On October 16, Verizon has a few changes to introduce to its Edge monthly device payment plan and a couple for its MORE Everything plans. According to multiple sources, we are looking at a bump from 20 to 24 monthly payments on Edge, a higher percentage of the device needing pay-off before an upgrade can occur, and bigger per line discounts if on Edge. Verizon is also adjusting its single line plans, moving them back to their original $60 and $75 price points. Below are the details. Verizon EDGE changes:

Number of payments moving from 20 months to 24 months
Customers must pay off 75% of their current phone to upgrade (was 60% previously)
Or customers can upgrade after 18 months, which ends up being 75% (was 12 months previously)
500MB to 8GB plans now receive a $15 per line discount with Edge (was $10 previously)
8GB and above plans still receive the $25 discount (no change)

A couple of items to think about with this change - 1) You now have to pay more off in order to upgrade, and; 2) Your monthly payment amounts will be reduced. If you liked upgrading more often, this isn't great news. If you don't upgrade often and want lower monthly payments, well, then this isn't bad news. MORE Everything changes:

New plan - $20 500MB plan, with unlimited talk and text; $15/250MB overage; eligible for Edge discount
$60 1GB plan, with unlimited talk and text; $15/500MB overage; includes hotspot; $15 Edge discount
$75 2GB plan, with unlimited talk and text; $15/1GB overage; includes hotspot; $15 Edge discount

There you have it. Expect to see the changes on Thursday.

SnapLock App Will Enhance Your Lock Screen Experience

Tim — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 09:40:17 +0000

An application called SnapLock is making the rounds through Google Play, thanks to its upscale design and straightforward ease of use. The app replaces your existing lock screen, bringing a more simplified yet feature-packed experience, while still offering a way to secure your device. For starters, users can select their own app shortcuts on the lock screen, but the application automatically places your most-used apps for you, as it did with mine which you can see in the header image above. Clearly, I use a lot of Instagram and Chrome. A neat swiping gesture unlocks the device when you are holding an app shortcut, which then flings you into the desired app. Besides shortcuts, alerts from apps you want will appear on the lock screen as pop ups, allowing you to handle business on your phone without the need to unlock it if you so choose. Finally, a few 500px wallpapers have been included with the app to choose from, which being a more polished look and feel to your lock screen. Features

Alerts from your favorite apps will appear immediately on SnapLock
SnapLock learns your most-used apps and pre-sets shortcuts automatically to the lock screen for fast access
Select one of the included 500px works of professional photographers as your lock screen
SnapLock was made with the latest Android version in mind for the best user experience

The app is completely free to download and features no IAPs. Score. Play Link

Report: Nexus Tablet and Smartphone Will Be Unveiled Tomorrow, Retail in November

Kyle — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 09:15:22 +0000

Months of anticipation may culminate in a blog post tomorrow. According to a report from Forbes, Google is preparing to officially unveil the HTC Volantis and Motorola Shamu - aka the Nexus 9 and Nexus 6 - sometime during Wednesday of this week. The company is expected to announce details regarding pre-ordering. According to the publication's source, the Nexus 9 will be the first device to run Android L, implying the tablet will launch before the Nexus 6. It will debut in two configurations: a model with 16GB of storage for $399, and a version with double the storage (32GB) and LTE connectivity for $499. Pre-orders are expected to go live October 17, with an anticipated retail date of November 3. The specifications are in line with leaks. The Nexus 9 will sport a 8.9-inch 2048 x 1440 display, a "brushed aluminum" frame, two cameras (8MP rear-facing, 3MP front-facing), a 64-bit Tegra K1 processor, and stereo BoomSound speakers. A foldable magnetic tablet case will reportedly be revealed alongside the new devices. So, anyone planning on pre-ordering a Nexus 9 this week if everything pans out?

Via: Forbes

Google Begins Charging for Shopping Express As It Expands to More Cities and Stores

Kyle — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:39:25 +0000

Google never said Shopping Express would remain free forever; only while the same-day delivery service was in "beta" would the search giant guarantee gratis shipping. Now, Google has announced tiered pricing alongside a long-anticipated expansion of Shopping Express to more cities and retailers. Shopping Express memberships now start at $10 per month, $95 per year, or $4.99 per eligible order. That is comparable to competing service Amazon Prime ($8.25 per month or $99 per year), but concededly without the perks, like video and music streaming, that accompany Amazon's offering. That said, Google has never positioned Shopping Express as the gateway to an ecosystem, relying instead on the convenience of same-day shipping to attract customers. It remains to be seen whether or not that strategy will prove successful. Shopping Express has also expanded to Chicago, Boston, and Washington, D.C., encroaching on Amazon's same-day delivery regions. The aforementioned new merchants include 1-800-Flowers, Barnes & Noble, Nine West, PetSmart, Vitamin Shoppe, and Sports Authority, among others. In addition, Shopping Express now handles alcohol deliveries in the Bay Area for customers over 21 years of age. If you live in an eligible city, the first three months of Shopping Express are free. So assuming Shopping Express continues to grow, would you be willing to pay extra for it?

Via: Google

Nexus 6 Makes New Appearance

Kellen — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 07:35:57 +0000

Over the last few weeks, multiple press outlets - including us - told you that the new Nexus from Google, a device that will be called the Nexus 6, looks like a blown up version of the Moto X (2nd gen). We told you that for a reason, because that's exactly what it looks like. If you needed additional proof, here is a render that surfaced via @evleaks this morning. The device, as is obvious, looks exactly like the new Moto X, but has seen a button shift slightly down the side to make for easy touching on the larger body. We are also seeing a really clean look at what should be Android L (Lollipop), along with a revamp of all sorts of icons that match up to Google's current icon trend send with Play Newsstand and the new Play Store 5.0. What do you think?

Via: @evleaks

Cheers Jes, Damian, and Osaz!

DroidDoes.com is Back and With a Countdown to the Launch of the DROID TURBO

Kellen — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 23:44:27 +0000

The DROID TURBO has a launch date - October 28. According to Verizon's Droid Does website that just went live with a new countdown, we have 14 days and 9 hours or so before "all will be revealed." If you need help with the math, that actually puts us at 12:00PM Eastern October 28, or 9:00AM Pacific. You have two weeks of waiting left. Thanks to a leak of the device's user manual and multiple tips from our sources, we are pretty sure that we know just about all there is to know about the new DROID outside of its price. It has a 5.2-inch QHD display, 3GB RAM, a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, 21MP camera, 32GB internal storage, and a massive 3,900mAh battery. This might be the rebirth of the DROID brand, as this is by all means going to be one of top devices on the market in terms of specs. Oh, and the image below which we took from the Droid Does site, looks exactly like the accidental TURBO Tweet from last week. We have a big couple of weeks upon us!

Via: Verizon

Cheers Robert, Adam, Maximus, and @Jawrduhn!

Check Out These 3 New Android Ads, Starring Androidified People and a New Slogan

Kellen — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 23:17:44 +0000

Android L, which we believe will be called Lollipop, will likely arrive on Wednesday along with a massive marketing campaign to help promote the platform. From what we can tell, that marketing campaign will feature Androidified people of all types, coupled with the slogan "be together. not the same." Clearly, Google wants the world to know that everyone can use Android, not just nerds or elitists or hipsters or the rich or poor. It's a platform with devices for everyone. Ads for this new campaign began surfacing tonight, with a number of reddit users finding the individual video files and posting them for the world to see. We have included all three that are currently known below. Let us know what you think!

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Via: reddit

South Park Pinball Tables Teased Before Release Later This Week

Tim — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:08:30 +0000

Zen Studios announced the addition of newly themed tables coming to the Zen Pinball HD application in Google Play this week, centered entirely around the world of South Park. In total, two new tables with be featured, "South Park: Super-Sweet Pinball” and “South Park: Butters’ Very Own Pinball Game." Throughout these new pinball tables, you will take on Coon and Friends as Professor Chaos, as well as help Al Gore go up against the evil ManBearPig. The South Park tables are set to launch October 16, right in Google Play. You can keep your eyes on the Google Play link below to know right when it happens. Play Link

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Via: Zen Studios

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 24 Answers

Tim — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:54:30 +0000

Last week was too hectic to get our Answers up from last week's DL Q&A Session, but don't worry, we did not forget about it. We received a ton of great questions, as always, so the DL crew has gone over them and answered a few to the best of our abilities. It seems there is still a lot of focus on validity of wearable technology, especially how it will integrate with current fashion standards. We were also asked our opinion on whether the Note Edge from Samsung will see much success. Our short answer? Nope. Take a look below at the full responses below.

Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim, and R is Ron.

What are your go-to brands for technology? (TVs, monitors, cameras, speakers, fitness trackers, etc.)

K: When it comes to TVs, I have been an LG guy for years. I also just picked up this bad boy to replace my dual monitor setup - greatest decision ever. Outside of that, I tend to buy what is rated or reviewed well. I have Sonos speakers throughout my house, Jawbone UP24 for a fitness tracker, and Apple computers. T: For TVs, I have been rocking the high-end Vizio sets for a bit, and I love them. The design of the set interests me the most. Computers are usually Mac, but I have a Windows PC for gaming. For computer monitors, I find myself sticking to either Samsung or ASUS. Camera is a Nikon, speakers are Marshall, and I don't track my activity. I'm lazy, so no tracking needed. R: TV is a Vizio (yes, I finally have a TV from this century), monitor is a Dell, and camera is a Fujifilm X Series (although I love my Yashica MG-1 for film).

If you could pick one company to introduce a MotoMaker-like service for its devices, which would it be?

K: Can I just keep it as Motorola? They are the only company that designed a phone that could really benefit from the natural and leather materials. Well, Samsung could do it pretty easily with their replaceable backs; HTC can’t because of that unibody metal construction. So, maybe Samsung, but their phone designs just aren’t great and I wouldn’t buy one heh. T: If I had to choose one, I would go with LG, only because I would love a custom leather LG G3. That would be hot. R: I think I would pick Sony. They're already good at having color options, but their colors just aren't that great.

Does Android Wear have a real future, or is it just a gimmick?

K: As of right now, it’s in beta and definitely has a future. In fact, Android Wear has uses, people just need to understand that Android Wear isn’t supposed to replace your smartphone, it’s supposed to be an extension of it that is only there to provide you with information or quick replies/actions to items. It already does that now. T: I think a few people are too focused on what Android Wear can't do. Would it really be practical for your smartwatch to do everything your smartphone can do, such as browse Twitter and play games? Instead, I see it as a simple extension of your phone on your wrist. It's perfect for notifications and Google Now cards, so I actually don't mind the way it is right now. I'm sure Google has plans for it down the road, but I'm in no hurry. R: Like I've said a million times, I think Android Wear, like most other smart watches, is good at notifications and controlling media, but not much else. Until someone finds a way to use that space in a unique way then I think it will remain limited to those types of functions.

Do you think the Samsung Note Edge will ever gain more than a niche following?

K: Go away, Note Edge. Go away now. T: Absolutely not. R: No.

What strategy do you think Motorola needs in order to be able to compete with the likes of Samsung and LG, as far as sales go?

K: Marketing. Spend billions in marketing and you will be fine. Everyone makes good phones these days, but Samsung has spent so many billions of dollars over the years, that people only know about them and Apple. Motorola doesn’t have billions to spend, so, good luck, Motorola. T: Unless Motorola has an app that lets me track the movements of my favorite professional sports player, and sponsors the entire sport that said professional plays, then they might always be a step behind Samsung. However, you don't need to sell as many phones as Samsung does in order to be successful. The Moto G is their most successful phone, according to them, and it's not competing with anything from Sammy or LG. It's all about knowing your audience, and it looks like Moto found theirs overseas. R: Consistently release software and hardware innovations that set them apart from Samsung and LG. They did that last year and everyone copied them; this year they updated the specs.

So far, what is your 2014 phone of the year?

K: Probably the new Moto X. After going between it and the LG G3 and the Xperia Z3 Compact, it’s just unmatched in terms of in-hand feel and performance. Plus, dat leather. T: I have to go with the LG G3. It's been my tried-and-true since it launched earlier this year. 2nd place goes to the Moto X. R: There isn't an Android phone that I love this year. I don't like the Moto X's hardware design, HTC remade the One and didn't add much to it, Samsung is still pumping out the same plastic garbage and garbage skin, LG has a nice phone with bad looking software and bland hardware, and Sony has a bad looking skin that affects performance and terrible color options on their phones. TL;DR - I'm looking forward to seeing if things change next year.

What does the ultimate future of wearable tech look like? Is it Glass? Android Wear?

K: I hope it doesn’t involve head gear, ever. Make watches better or improve upon the idea behind Motorola’s Moto Hint. Discreet wearables that help you are the only areas I want to see grow. I don’t want people to see my technology. T: Unless they can put an HUD-like display into the frames of glasses, without making me the center of attention in a public place, then I will stick with the advancement of smartwatches. So far, I really enjoy the Moto 360, and I would enjoy to see more classy designs from Moto and other design companies. R: We don't know yet. I don't think we've seen a compelling universal application for wearables yet outside of health and notifications.

Can you tell us something about yourselves that we don’t know?

K: Grew up in Whitefish, MT, one of the great mountain resort towns in the country and have never skied or snowboarded in my life. Weird, right? I also have two Persian cats named Batum and Rodgers. They are bosses. T: I have an undying love for Godzilla and xenomorphs, so much so that I have to own anything having to do with either of the two. I also play guitar as a hobby, so anything having to do with music and collecting instruments is a fondness of mine. Oh, and according to a rumor circulating, I have six webbed toes on each foot and my great-great-great uncle invented the post stamp. R: I lead worship for the contemporary service at an Anglican church.

AT&T Introduces New International "Passport" Plans, None of Which are Cheap

Kellen — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:35:28 +0000

Traveling abroad? AT&T introduced three new international travel plans today, all under the name Passport. The plans, well, aren't great deals, but they are the only options you have if you want AT&T service when visiting another country. The plans start at $30 per 30 days and go up to $120, depending on the type of service you want. The Passport ($30), Passport Plus ($60), and Passport Pro ($120) can be added to your current postpaid plan and expire in 30 days. In other words, you do not have to call AT&T when you return from your trip in order to make sure you do not get charged for another month of service. How nice of AT&T. The plans differ in price (obviously), but that price difference affects the prices you pay for data and calls when out of the country. With the $30 Passport plan, you pay a whoppin' $1.00 per minute of talk and $0.25 per MB of data used over your allotted 120MB. With the Passport Plus, the talk price goes down to $0.50 per minute and $0.20 per MB, plus you also get 300MB of data to use up front. With the Pro plan, the talk price drops to $0.35 per minute and the data price to $0.15 per MB, while the data bucket maxes at 800MB out of the gate. We should point out that each plan comes with unlimited messaging (text, picture and video), along with unlimited WiFi access at "participating hotspots" in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and Mexico.

Via: AT&T

Of All Companies, Microsoft Released a Keyboard for Android Wear

Tim — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:41:45 +0000

An unlikely company is testing the waters of Android Wear app development, and quite surprisingly, their work is actually pretty cool. Microsoft has released an experimental keyboard application for Google's smartwatch platform, one which focuses entirely on handwriting. While the idea of handwriting on such a small screen may seem ridiculous, as you can see in the video posted above, it looks to work quite well. Letters, special characters, and even smileys are supported through the keyboard. As noted, the keyboard is still in experimental development phases, but users can download and install the apk via an adb method if they so choose. Once you download the zip file from Microsoft, there is a complete installation instruction list inside. Thoughts? Download Link

Via: The Verge | Microsoft

Android Statue Creator is Trolling Everyone by Talking About "Licorice" as He Travels to Google HQ

Kellen — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:21:34 +0000

We probably spend far too much time each year debating the potential name of the next version of Android. Because Google decided long ago that they would name each new version (that they deemed worthy of a name change) after something sweet and delightful in an alphabetical order, it has become a competition to see who can get it right, find the name first in Google code, or simply throw out the most random treat starting with the current letter. As you all know, the current letter is L, and as of Google I/O, we have a preview build for Android L that continues to tease us on a daily basis. It begs for us to guess at what it might stand for. It wants us to proclaim that we know the meaning of "L." So far, there have been zero hints. Is it Lollipop? Is it Lemon Meringue Pie? Is it something else? Over the weekend, the creator of the famous Android statues that represent each Android version on Google's front lawn, Giovanni Calabrese, started Tweeting about an upcoming trip to Google HQ that would involve working on the current set of statues along with a special project. He then couldn't help but mention Licorice over and over again. As he cruised through the TSA, he talked about boxes of Licorice. He then, apparently, handed out boxes of Licorice to TSA agents. The guy likes Licorice. So what does that mean to the internet? Android L is going to be called Licorice! Or it isn't. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

The man works on super secret Android projects for Google. He knows people know who he is. He knows that people follow him on all sorts of social media because of what he does. He knows that if he starts teasing Google lawn sculptures, that you will all freak the hell out. What better way to hype your special sculpture business than by getting the entire Android fanboy army talking about you for an entire week? Clearly, he has done this.
Do you really think he is going to out the name of the next version of Android before Google can? If Google wanted Android L's name to not be a secret, they would have told us the name at I/O. Instead, they left us hanging, probably on purpose, because that's what Google does. Last year, they partnered with KitKat after trolling us all for months with a Key Lime Pie codename and icon. They appear to be doing it again this year with a Lemon Meringue Pie icon and codename. If last year is anything to go by, it seems likely that they have a surprise ahead. Why would Giovanni Calabrese get to spoil that surprise?
Also, talk about a way to ruin your relationship with one of the biggest companies in the world, by outing the name of the next version of Android after it had been kept under wraps this entire time. Seems risky and weird, right?
Keep in mind that the whole point of the statues this guy makes, is to unveil the name of the next version of Android. Google did it with KitKat. They did it with Jelly Bean. They did it with Ice Cream Sandwich. And they did it with Gingerbread. Since we don't know that name yet, I kind of doubt that Mr. Calabrese was given the green light to do so on Google+.

If there is anything to take from his posts, it's that he is traveling to Google HQ this week to work on the current lawn sculptures. That means he is performing maintenance on the current statues, but it could also mean that it's time for the unveiling of something new. He does mention that a "secret surprise project" is involved. But again, that brings us back to this whole "Licorice" thing - does Giovanni want to ruin his "secret surprise project" with a hashtag for some candy? Probably not. My money is still on Lollipop. Yep, I'm betting on Lollipop.

Via: +Giovanni Calabrese

Cheers Tony!

Sony's Entwined Challenge on Google Play, Available for $0.99

Tim — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 10:28:31 +0000

For the lover of all things Sony and PlayStation, a title which recently hit Google Play will certainly interest you, called Entwined Challenge. Based on a game which is available for the PlayStation 4, Entwined tells the tale of a bird and fish, who work together to become an even more gorgeous creature. In this mobile version, you use your fingers to steer both creatures, passing checkpoints and collecting goals. The overall point is to have both creatures move perfectly in-sync, racking up as high of a score as possible. The further you go, the better chance you have at evolving your creatures. Featuring great music and a very intriguing artistic design, this game should be on your list. Priced at only $0.99, you can't go wrong. Play Link

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OnePlus Partners With JBL, Intros the E1+ Earphones

Tim — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:15:15 +0000

This morning, a partnership was announced between OnePlus, makers of the One, and audio pioneering company JBL. Together, they are set to bring the new E1+ earphones to the market, available later this month through the company's website for an unknown price. Specifically "crafted to enhance the powerful sound of the OnePlus One," the earphones feature 9mm JBL drivers with PureBass technology, allowing for a full sound right inside of your ear. No price has been announced, which is odd, but OnePlus states they will be available this month.

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Via: OnePlus

DL Deals Giveaway: Pick Your Android Phone of Choice

Kellen — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:01:17 +0000

Over at the DL Deals site, you will find a contest running that (in 2 months) will reward one of you with a free Android phone of choice. It's as simple as ever to enter - create an account there and click the "Enter" button. That gives you a single entry, but you can grab another six entries if you share the contest through social sites. The phones to choose from should you win are:

The Galaxy Note 4
The Moto X (2nd gen, newest model)
The HTC One (M8)
The LG G3
The Galaxy Note Edge

The contest ends on 11/9 with a winner being chosen on 12/8. Contest Link

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Now Available in the US Via Sony's Store for $529

Kellen — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:33:12 +0000

Sony's Xperia Z3 Compact, a flagship type phone in a much smaller than normal body, is now available for purchase in the US as an unlocked device for $529. Sudden availability is a little surprising, if I'm being honest, as Sony tends to take their sweet time bringing newly announced phones to our shores. While we weren't expecting the Z3 Compact to arrive at a carrier near us, the phone as an unlocked model seemed like something that wouldn't be arriving for months. Thankfully, our gut feeling was wrong there, because this is an awesome little phone, for the most part, especially if you are into smaller phones. As a recap, the Xperia Z3 Compact is a flagship-level phone that lives in a smaller body, typically reserved for phones with a "mini" tag attached. The Xperia Z3 Compact is no "mini" though, as it features a Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM, 20.7MP camera, water resistance, and supposed 2-day battery life. If it has one downside, it would be the 4.7-inch 720 display, but I can tell you that after using it for a few weeks now that I have no complaints. The biggest selling point of the Xperia Z3 Compact for me has been the size. "Compact" in this case does indeed mean smaller, but again, this isn't a "mini" like you would get from Samsung. The Compact is every bit as powerful as its bigger sibling, the Xperia Z3, it just has a smaller display and a smaller, much more manageable body. This phone feels great in hand, looks great, and for the most part, performs well. I'll have my Xperia Z3 Compact review up within the next day or so, but I can tell you now that I have mostly great things to say about this phone. Check out our unboxing and how it compares to the new iPhone 6 before then. To buy the Xperia Z3 Compact in any of four colors (orange, green, white, or black), hit up the link below. The device should work just fine on both AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Sony Link

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Sony Xperia Z3 Arrives at T-Mobile on October 29

Kellen — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:17:44 +0000

Can you believe it? A Sony flagship phone is coming to two different US carriers around the same time and well before that phone is too old for anyone to care about it. The Sony Xperia Z3 is officially coming to T-Mobile on October 29 for as little as $0 down and $26.25 monthly payments. If you know that the Xperia Z3 is the phone for you, feel free to pre-order on October 15. As a recap, the Sony Xperia Z3 sports a 5.2-inch 1080p display, 3GB RAM, 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3,100mAh battery that is industry leading, 20.7MP camera, hi-res audio and digital noise canceling, water resistance, and support for T-Mobile's 4G LTE network. This phone, by all means, is a top flagship for 2014, especially if you are looking for a battery champion. Interested? If not, the smaller-yet-still-as-awesome Xperia Z3 Compact is available today as an unlocked phone.

Sony Xperia® Z3 Coming to T-Mobile’s Data Strong Network

Un-carrier to launch Xperia Z3 pre-sale kicking off Oct. 15, giving customers the chance to get Sony’s latest premium waterproof smartphone BEFORE launch
Bellevue, Washington — October 13, 2014 — Why settle for good when you can have great? And by great, we’re referring to the Sony Xperia® Z3, which T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS) today announced will be available at participating stores nationwide and online for $0 down (and $26.25 a month for 24 months) starting October 29. Eager customers that just can’t wait until launch to secure their device can take advantage of T-Mobile pre-saleonline, which will open starting October 15 at 12:00 a.m. PDT. This means that customers will have their Xperia Z3 shipped to them—and could receive it—BEFORE the national launch. The Sony Xperia Z3 is the latest addition to the Un-carrier’s extensive selection of high-end smartphones. Sporting a stunning 5.2-inch screen, a top-of-the-line processor and with up to two days of battery life, the Xperia Z3 is uniquely designed for streaming movies, music and more on the nation’s fastest 4G LTE network. “Our Data Strong™ network was built to support devices that can do it all, and the gorgeous Sony Xperia Z3 is no exception,” said Jason Young, Senior Vice President, Marketing at T-Mobile. “From the mind-boggling content experience with vivid colors and sound, to 4K video recording and more, the Xperia Z3 and T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G LTE network are a perfect pair.” Being restricted by data overages is a thing of the past for Un-carrier customers – T-Mobile is the only place customers can get the Simple Choice plan with unlimited talk, text and web on the fastest nationwide LTE network in addition to out-of-this-world benefits including unlimited international data and texting in 120+ countries, no domestic overages and unlimited music streaming with Music Freedom. And now with Wi-Fi Un-leashed, Un-carrier customers get the benefit of Wi-Fi calling and can use every Wi-Fi connection like it’s a T-Mobile tower for crystal-clear Wi-Fi calling. Sony Xperia Z3 Features:

Waterproof, super-slim and ultra-light design

Up to two days of battery life powered by a 3100mAh battery

Shoot videos in 4K with a 20.7MP rear-facing camera with Steadyshot™ technology and a 25mm wide-angle lens

Ultra-bright TRILUMINOS™ Display powered by X-Reality for mobile for vivid colors and an unrivalled entertainment experience

Superior sound with Hi-Res Audio, DSEE HX and Digital Noise Cancelling support

One of the first smartphones with PS4™ Remote Play

For more information, please visit https://explore.t-mobile.com/sony-xperia-z3. Device Pricing for Well-Qualified Customer: $0 down + $26.25/month x 24/mos. If you cancel wireless service remaining balance on phone becomes due. Total price $630.00. 0% APR; O.A.C. Taxes & fees addit'l. See T-Mobile.com for device and offer details. Waterproof in fresh water for up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. All ports must be firmly closed. Battery life based on multiple battery performance testings conducted between July and September 2014 in a laboratory under an active use conditions reflective of the Typical Smartphone User by Sony Mobile Communications AB. For more information go to: www.sonymobile.com/testresults. PS4™ Remote Play functionality available on Sony Xperia Z3 starting November 2014. PlayStation™4 System, DUALSHOCK® controller, Sony Entertainment Network account and high speed internet connection required. Some games may not support this feature.

Walks With the Dead This Weekend

Kellen — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:18:07 +0000

The team gathered on Wednesday evening for episode 70 of the DL Show, a show that focused on the press event from HTC that took place earlier in the day. HTC, for those who missed it, announced their GoPro competitor called RE, along with a new phone with a 13MP front camera. It was an interesting press event, to say the least. After jumping through HTC talk, it was on to the latest in the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 sagas, new leaks for the DROID TURBO, our iPhone 6 review, and more! As always, the show was a lot of fun. Want to join in on the fun? We are live Wednesday evenings at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern).

This Week in the Life of DROID: 10/10/2014

Tim — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 16:01:44 +0000

Both HTC and Sony had events this week, meaning there was no shortage of good things to discuss this week in the world of Android. HTC unveiled the Desire Eye, a smartphone featuring 13MP front and rear-facing cameras, while Sony announced the Xperia Z3v for Verizon. Fancy. The DROID Turbo made itself known throughout the land as well, thanks to the Droid Landing Twitter account posting a picture of the device. In addition, a user manual was leaked for the device, detailing a whole bunch of specs and info. If you are more interested in Nexus news from Google, there was also plenty of information surfacing on the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 this week, all of which we covered below. Here are the highlights in case you missed anything.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 70 [Subscribe]
Hands-on: HTC Desire Eye.
Hands-on: Sony Xperia Z3v.
25+ Tips & Tricks: Moto X (2nd Gen)
Eyes-on: HTC RE Camera.
This is the DROID Turbo.
DROID Turbo user manual leaked, details all sorts of goodies.
The DROID Turbo is to feature a 3,900mAh battery. Woah.
Nexus 9 stops by the FCC.
Google released Google Play version 5.0, download it here.
Report claims the Nexus 6 will arrive next month.
Nexus 9 to embody HTC's new commitment to tablet market.
No HTC wearables coming in 2014.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Friday App Sales: The Room Two, Fist of Awesome, Minuum Keyboard, and More

Tim — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 13:49:25 +0000

A new collection of applications is available on Google Play, on sale for a limited time for all to enjoy. There are a few great games, such as The Room Two and Fist of Awesome for $1, so if you have yet to check those titles out, hurry up and do so. In addition, rooters should be able to find a use for the discounted BusyBox Pro app at $1.80, while workout enthusiasts should enjoy a bit of Abs Workout Pro for only $1. The full list can be seen below.

Friday app sales

ReactionLab 2 ($1.79)
BIG Launcher ($2.50)
BusyBox Pro ($1.80)
Ingenious - The Board Game ($0.99)
Abs workout PRO ($0.99)
Shadowrun Returns ($2.49)
Minuum Keyboard ($1.99)
The Room Two ($0.99)
Fist of Awesome ($0.99)
Talisman ($3.22)

Go support those devs!

Friday Poll: Capacitive or On-screen Buttons?

Tim — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 12:35:46 +0000

With two big-time devices, the DROID Turbo and Galaxy Note 4, set to hit the market soon, both featuring capacitive buttons, we feel like it is a good time to see how you all feel about the capacitive button vs. on-screen button debate. It seems as though Samsung's lineup and Motorola's DROID product line will feature capacitive buttons for the time being, as both companies appear reluctant to adopt Google's on-screen button configuration which has been widely adopted by all other OEMs. Heck, even HTC finally started using on-screen buttons last year on their flagship phones. While Samsung takes the capacitive arrangement a bit further, featuring a hardware Home button as well, we are more curious how you feel about a phone such as the DROID Turbo featuring capacitive and not on-screen buttons. Would that stop you from purchasing the device? Would on-screen buttons make the next DROID simply irresistible? With Motorola's Nexus 6 aka Shamu featuring on-screen buttons, will you have a hard time deciding between the two? Let us know your thoughts on capacitive vs. on-screen buttons below.

[poll id="333"]

Galaxy S4 on Verizon Gets Update With Knox 2.0, Connectivity Improvements

Kellen — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:40:38 +0000

A new update for the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon has been approved for rollout as build VRUFNG6. The update includes Samsung's Knox 2.0 for enterprise, Kids Mode controls, a renaming of Isis Mobile wallet to Softcard, and a bunch of bug fixes like better connectivity with Bluetooth. And yep, that's pretty much it. We haven't heard from any readers yet who have received the update, so the rollout may be slow. Well, either that or no one is excited enough to tip us off to it. To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software updates>Check for updates.

Via: Verizon

Epic of Kings Coming to Android in 2015, Optimized for NVIDIA Hardware

Tim — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:13:55 +0000

A new game is set to launch sometime in 2015 for iOS and Android device, harnessing the power of the Unreal Engine. Titled Epic of Kings, you play as a hero (who does not want to be called a hero), searching across the land to destroy all of the evil forces which plague his world. Utilizing the computing power of the SHIELD Tablet from NVIDIA, users will be treated to an immersive combat mode, intuitive controls, and stunning console-grade graphics. Besides 2015, no timeframe is known for when we can expect to see this launch, but we will keep you posted.

Acorns Hits Google Play, Invest Your Spare Change and Become the Next Wolf of Wall Street

Tim — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 10:08:02 +0000

A new app called Acorns hit Google Play this week, which could earn you big time cash using the rounded up leftover spare change from each purchase you make. Once you have made your Acorns account and linked your bank accounts, purchases you make are then rounded up to the nearest dollar. The rounded up change is then placed on the market in low ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), allowing Acorns to do all of the work for you. The overall goal of Acorns is to "buy low, sell high," with a big focus on diversification across multiple asset classes also in place. After signing up myself, I can tell you that the process of registering is somewhat of a chore. First, you should know that when you are dealing with the potential of earning real money, Acorns needs to have all of your legal information. This includes your full name, DOB, SSN, bank account information, possible tax information, full address, and much more. This is all used for when you hit it big on the market and decide to transfer those earned funds to your bank account. The tax man will need his slice of the pie. Besides signing up, the app could not be easier to use. Investing is made automatically and based on experts' recommendations. There are fees and a monthly charge made, but in comparison to commissions made from the big investment houses, it's rather small. In total, after you invest, $1 is taken from your balance each month. In addition, a fee ranging from .25% to .5% per year of the total assets in your account is charged. If becoming a less than part-time trader interests you, or you want to teach your kids the importance of compound interest investments, check it out on Google Play. Play Link

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This is the DROID TURBO. (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 09:23:46 +0000

Thanks to @DroidLanding, the official Droid teaser account, we now have an official picture of the DROID TURBO. The picture was Tweeted with no comment or name attached, but you and I know what it is. From what we have gathered so far, the DROID TURBO will sport a 5.2-inch "Ultra" HD display, 3,900mAh battery, wireless charging, 21MP Camera, 3GB RAM, and Snapdragon 805 processor. This might very well be the first stand-out, top tier DROID device we have seen in years. Sources of ours told us to expect the phone on October 30. Update: Annnnnnd the Tweet has been deleted. Thoughts?

Via: @DroidLanding

Kovdev's Audax Icon Pack Released to Google Play for $1.99

Tim — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:50:53 +0000

The kovdev team is back again with another icon pack, this time tackling their vision for what round icons should be. If you did not already know, kovdev is headed by Dave Kover, who you might catch around the DL sphere from time to time. He has been pumping out quality icon packs and themes on Android for quite some time, such as Nox and Stark, so we always get a little giddy when he releases new work. His newest pack is called Audax, and as you can see, it is a circle-based pack. While countless circle packs were hitting Google Play earlier this year, it appears that kovdev would rather take their time, meticulously going over each icon to make sure they were just right before finally being released to the public. If you ask us, the wait is worth it, considering this pack could reinvigorate the freshness of circles on your home screen. In total, users will have access to 2000+ icons and plenty of cloud-based wallpapers which you can download to your device. For those who may download and use with one of your custom launchers (most 3rd party launchers are supported), kovdev recommends bumping up your icon size to 130%, which gives off the Google Now Launcher (GNL) feel and experience. Priced at just $1.99, users can also expect to see updates going well into the future for this icon pack, so go check it out and let Dave know what you think in the comments below. Play Link ($1.99)

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LG G3 "Bump" Gives You Fully Working TWRP Recovery on All Variants

Kellen — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 07:48:09 +0000

If you own an LG G3 - we are talking any variant - and are into custom recoveries, ROMs, that sort of thing, then you should probably have already installed Bump. Created by Team Codefire, Bump allows you to boot into a full TWRP custom recovery and flash ROMs as you please, sort of like if you had a full bootloader unlock. As I just mentioned, this should work with all carrier variants (including Verizon's), you just need to be rooted first (and work through a little adb with a recovery.img). According to the Bump thread over at XDA, this unlock allows you to flash ROMs much more freely than before, meaning they only need to be compatible with your particular carrier. The particular ROM you are using also needs to have been "Bump'd," but Team Codefire assures us that "most ROMs you'll want to download will be pre-Bump'd." To get into the full instructions, warnings, etc., we will direct you to the source links below. Feel free to watch the video, though, to get a feel for how this works.

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Via: XDA [Verizon thread]

Cheers Phil, Justin, Matt and Matt!

Video: Google Play 5.0 Tour!

Kellen — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 21:48:41 +0000

You already downloaded Google Play 5.0, right? No? Go do it right now, then return to this post. So yeah, Google Play 5.0 is here, it's filled with Material Design, the colors for each category have all been re-done, and there are beautiful new animations that will mesmerize you. We saw a lot of this Material Design update when we got 4.9.13, but this polishes everything up and gets us ready for Android L. Even some simple things have changed for the better, like the "What's new" sections after app updates that are now highlighted through a background color and new notifications icons after updating apps. To show all of the major differences, we took 5.0 on a quick tour, just like we did with 4.9.13. The structure of the Play store hasn't changed, but you can't help but notice all of the new colors and animations as you flip through it. Check it out!

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Download: Google Play Version 5.0 With Material Design

Tim — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 18:38:43 +0000

Previewed not too long ago, version 5.0 of Google Play that features Material Design is sneaking onto the web, ahead of an official launch from Google. If waiting for the update to hit your phone does not sound like fun, you can download and sideload the apk file from the links below. Download Link [mirror] Update: We took the new Google Play 5.0 for a spin, should you want to see what's new!

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Cheers Jared!

Square Enix's Dragon Quest II Lands on Google Play for $4.99

Tim — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 15:36:07 +0000

Square Enix keeps it rolling this week, with the launch of Dragon Quest II to Google Play for $4.99. The title, a sequel to Dragon Quest, which was also made available on Google Play recently, puts you in the shoes of the young prince of Midenhall, a descendant of the legendary warrior Erdrick. In the game, you must set out to find the two other heirs to the heroic bloodline so that "together they might defeat the nefarious Hargon and restore peace to their world." You will find plenty of old school graphics and music inside the game, which matches perfectly with your swords and weapons of 8-bit ferocity. Can't go wrong with an old school RPG title like this. Head on over to Google Play and grab it for $4.99. Play Link ($4.99)

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Wall Street Journal: Nexus 6 "Shamu" Arrives This Month

Kellen — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:28:46 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, who received information from three sources, Google is going to release the Nexus 6 this month. At least two of those sources confirmed that the device will be made by Motorola and sport a 5.9-inch display. They also mentioned the codename of "shamu," which we have heard time and time again over the last couple of months. That's about all the report says. If you have been following along, multiple reports have echoed this news - that Motorola is making the Nexus 6 under codename "shamu," a device that sports an almost-6-inch display. The image above was created by us to mimic what we believe the phone's backside will look like. If you want to see it in white, head over to this link. No news on pricing or an actual release date was given, but we keep hearing October 15 or 16 as possibilities. Yes, that would be at the same time that Apple plans to announce new iPads.

Via: WSJ

Xperia Z3V Gallery and Hands-on

Dave — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:16:40 +0000

Today at a NYC press event, Sony revealed their next partnership with Verizon Wireless with the announcement of the Xperia Z3v. This new device comes with a bevy of impressive features including a 3200mAh battery with wireless charging and Remote Play capability. The press event to unveil the device was filled with motivational videos and talk about empowering the next generation of users to be able to connect, create and share moments. There were live demos on stage and they even gave us a release date (which Android manufacturers usually have trouble with). But is the device worth all the fanfare? The Sony Xperia Z3v contains a 5.2" FHD display, 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage (with micro SD slot support up to 128GB), 20.7MP camera, and a 3200mAh battery with wireless charging built-in. I spent a good 30 minutes playing around with the Z3v; holding it, taking pictures of journalists (and of the phone itself), using it and admiring it. They had a booth exclusively to show off pictures taken by the device, touting how great the camera is. After looking at the shots I was able to take with it, I was not impressed. I would consider the room to be poorly lit, so it might be better in outside shots. The device feels premium and well-built, but slippery and not as comfortable as some other phones like the HTC Desire Eye or the Moto X. It's a great effort from Sony, given their minimal US presence and they've packed in some awesome features. Question of the day is, would you pick this over another phone like the Moto X or Note 4 or DROID Turbo? I know what my answer is, but we'd love to hear yours in the comments below. Check out our hands-on video and gallery below!

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Samsung Protection Plus Mobile Elite Plan Will Fix Your Device for $99+

Tim — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:06:59 +0000

Owners of the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3, and Galaxy Note 4 can purchase additional insurance for their devices straight through Samsung this week, granting accident forgiveness starting at just $99 and up, depending on your device. The replacement plan covers cracked displays and liquid damage, with the ability to make 3 claims within a two year period. In addition, an extended warranty covers mechanical damage for 1 year after the manufacturer's warranty expires, giving you a bit more protection for your device. For $99, Galaxy S4 and S5 owners can gain access, but for the larger phones, which include the Galaxy Note 3 and Note 4, the price goes up to $129. Full details can be viewed below.

Features

2 yr extended warranty coverage from the DOP
Accidental Damage: Cracked Displays or Liquid Damage 3 claims in 2 years covered
Extended Warranty covers mechanical damage after the 1 year limited warranty expires

Interested? If you are, follow the links below. Galaxy S4/S5 Plan ($99) | Galaxy Note 3/Note 4 Plan ($129)

Via: Samsung | SammyHub

Moto Camera Update Introduces Remote Shutter From Android Wear Devices

Kellen — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 13:57:09 +0000

Motorola issued an update to its Motorola Camera app this afternoon, bringing with it a remote shutter control through Android Wear devices. Yes, you can now prop your phone up, step away from it, and snap photos after a short 3-second countdown on your Moto X (2nd gen), Moto X, or DROID phone. The update also introduces improvements and bug fixes, while making it compatible with Kit Kat. Wait, what? The update is live - go grab it! What's New

Remote shutter control for Android Wear watches
Performance improvements and bug fixes
Updated application will be compatible with Android™ KitKat®

Play Link

Sony Smartwatch 3 Headed to Verizon Sometime "Soon"

Tim — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 12:39:49 +0000

At today's Sony event in New York City, there was more news besides the announcement of the Xperia Z3v for Verizon. In addition to the new smartphone set to hit Verizon's network, Sony also announced that the Smartwatch 3 would be available from Big Red, but no other time frame besides "soon" was teased. The Smartwatch 3 runs Google's Android Wear OS, capable of syncing with Android devices, displaying Google Now cards and notifications. Neither Verizon or Sony have announced specifics on availability or pricing, but we will be sure to keep you posted.

DROID TURBO Will Have a 3,900mAh Battery

Kellen — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:38:18 +0000

An image in a listing posted up at TaoBao, a Chinese shopping website like eBay or Amazon, just gave us the official size of the battery in the yet-be-announced-but-all-sorts-of-leaked DROID TURBO. We pointed out through an FCC listing that the battery in the device fell under model number EQ40, which we assumed meant it would be large like last year's DROID MAXX, a device that used a 3,500mAh battery under the model number EU40. Assuming this listing is correct and this is the EQ40 that will be featured in the DROID TURBO, you are looking at a device with a 3,900mAh battery. That, my friends, is huge. With a battery that size, you should have no trouble getting through two days of use. Couple that massive battery with its 5.2-inch UHD (or QHD?) display, 3GB RAM, 21MP camera, Moto suite of services, and (hopefully) mostly stock Android, and you may have the best DROID in years. The DROID TURBO has not been announced yet, but sources of ours told us to expect it by October 30, with an announcement on the 28th or 29th.

Via: @owen199208211

Verizon to Carry Sony Xperia Z3v on October 23 for $199

Kellen — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:29:53 +0000

It's official - Verizon is going to carry the Sony Xperia Z3v on October 23 for $199 on contract. This is the Xperia Z3 that was announced at IFA, but with a couple of new features, like wireless charging and a slightly bigger 3,200mAh battery. Overall, you are looking at a 5.2-inch FHD display, 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, micro SD slot expandable to 128GB, 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 20.7MP camera, and amazing battery life. Of course, this will run on Verizon's LTE network and is also still waterproof. Folks, this is your chance to get in on the Sony game without the phone being months and months old. Typically, when Sony announces a new flagship, we don't see in stateside before everyone has moved onto other devices. This time, you can pick up the Xperia Z3v while it is still fresh and new.

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Sony’s Xperia® Z3v Flagship Smartphone to Launch in U.S. at Verizon Wireless

Latest addition to Xperia Z3 series features best of Sony ecosystem to deliver long-lasting battery life and gaming through PlayStation®4 Remote Play1, all in a beautifully designed waterproof2 smartphone; Available nationwide October 23
NEW YORK, NY — Oct. 9, 2014 — The wait for a Sony smartphone on the nation’s largest wireless carrier network is over. Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) and Verizon Wireless today announced that Sony’s Xperia® Z3v smartphone will be available in the U.S. at Verizon Wireless. The premium Android™ 4G LTE waterproof smartphone is engineered for users to connect, create and share on-the-go with Sony’s innovative camera, sound and display technologies. Starting this October 23, 2014 , Verizon customers can purchase Xperia Z3v from Verizon online and at participating stores nationwide. “Our industry-leading 4G LTE network is what our customers have come to rely on when they want to experience first-class products and unique experiences on their mobile devices,” said Jeff Dietel, Verizon Wireless Vice President of Marketing. “The opportunity for Verizon customers to connect with Sony’s broad ecosystem of mobility products – including the Z2 Tablet and the new Z3v smartphone – backed by unparalleled content, is exactly what we want to bring to market.” Where Design Meets Engineering Xperia Z3v is how a premium smartphone should look and feel. Elegant and durable by design, Xperia Z3v’s sleek build features aluminum sides and a conveniently placed power button. With its tempered glass panels on the front and back and the highest level of waterproofing in a smartphone2, Xperia Z3v is built to withstand life’s surprises so you don’t have to give a second thought to what’s around the corner. Boasting more than a day’s charge3, battery performance is superior on Xperia Z3v and, as a first in a Sony smartphone, Xperia Z3v offers the convenience of embedded wireless charging, using the latest inductive ‘Qi’ technology. To make sure Xperia Z3v keeps up with you when you’re on the go, improved power management features like Battery STAMINA mode and Ultra STAMINA mode help ensure efficient power consumption and a longer-lasting battery life. The Power of Sony in a Smartphone Xperia Z3v delivers an unrivaled entertainment experience leveraging Sony’s expertise in TV and audio. Watch videos in vivid clarity on its 5.2-inch 1080p Full HD TRILUMINOS™ display for mobile with Live Color LED powered by X-Reality™ for mobile and listen to the sound as it booms through the stereo speakers with S-Force™ Front Surround. Embrace your inner audiophile, listening to music as the artist intended with Hi-Res Audio or use the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE HX) to upscale the sound fidelity of your favorite MP3 or AAC music tracks, as well as your playlists on Sony’s cloud cloud -based digital music servicebased digital music servicebased digital music service based digital music servicebased digital music servicebased digital music servicebased digital music servicebased digital music service based digital music service based digital music servicebased digital music service based digital music servicebased digital music service based digital music service based digital music servicebased digital music service , Music Unlimited4, to near High-Resolution quality. Tune out the world to enjoy your music through Sony’s Digital Noise Cancelling technology when paired with a compatible headset.5 Capture memories in stunning detail through the combination of the rear-facing 20.7MP camera with 1/2.3” Exmor™ RS for mobile image sensor, BIONZ™ for mobile processing engine and wide-angle 27mm G Lens. Additionally, video clips can be shot and shared in 4K resolution, giving you the power to future-proof your precious memories and moments. Xperia Z3v builds on an already impressive camera experience by empowering users to unleash their creativity with several preloaded Xperia camera apps. Use your front and rear-facing camera simultaneously to create one image with Face in, so you’re not only sharing the moment you’re made to be a part of it. Film different angles using multiple Xperia or Sony devices at the same time using Multi-camera. Storing all that content is a snap, too, thanks to 32 GB of internal memory and a slot for a microSD storage card up to 128GB. Game Ready Sony has engineered a revolution in gaming technology and made Xperia Z3v one of the first smartphones in the market with the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) Remote Play. With PS4 Remote Play, you can use your Xperia Z3v to remotely connect to your PS4 to play its games, when the living room TV is in use. Simply connect your Xperia smartphone to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi® and use DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller6 with the GCM10 Game Control Mount6 to continue playing PS4 games anywhere at home on Xperia Z3v. “Drawing from Sony’s expertise in gaming, music and movies, Xperia Z3v is a powerhouse of mobile entertainment designed to enrich and enhance every aspect of a user’s day,” said Ravi Nookala, President, Sony Mobile Communications North America. “Delivering experiences that only Sony can offer, Xperia Z3v takes everyday demands head on delivering a longer lasting battery and durability.” An ecosystem of accessories To complement the Xperia Z3v, an entire host of accessories will be available at Verizon, to enhance your smartphone experience:

SmartWatch 3 ($249.99) – Sony’s latest generation SmartWatch, powered by Android Wear

CPW5 Wireless Portable Power Supply ($59.99) – Experience the latest in technology with Qi, a wireless portable charger

DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller ($59.99) and GCM10 Game Control Mount ($39.99)– Turn your Xperia Z3v into a PS4™ Remote Play gaming powerhouse

Availability Xperia Z3v will be available for purchase nationwide at Verizon Wireless October 23 for $199.99 with a new two-year activation. For a limited time, customers who purchase the Sony Xperia Z3v smartphone can get $200 off a Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet. And beginning today, Verizon customers can register for more information about Sony’s Xperia Z3v smartphone at http://www.verizonwireless.com/sonyxperiaz3v. For a full list of specifications, visit http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-z3v/.

Massive Update Rolls Out to Words With Friends, Brings Revamped Look

Tim — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:05:37 +0000

Words With Friends, the game that pits two friends against each other in a game of Scrabble, received a massive update this morning. Zynga has pushed big changes to the app, giving it a complete makeover, more social network integration, and more details into the type of player you are. Besides the face lift, which brings a very flat feel to the entire app, Zynga has enabled a word-of-the-day feature, which should help boost your vocabulary ever so slightly with each passing day. In addition, Zynga allows users to track their stats across their career. I can vouch for this as I have been playing since 2010, and all of my stats appear to be intact and ready for digesting. Nice touch, Zynga. The update is available on iOS and Android devices today, so go grab it. Play Link

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Snowball, a Universal Inbox for All of Your Messages

Kyle — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 10:10:47 +0000

Snapchat. Facebook Messenger. Hangouts. Many of us deal with these chat apps and more on a daily basis, but having to navigate through multiple interfaces to send messages through each is, to put it lightly, less than optimal. Snowball, a startup backed by Google Ventures, attempts to minimize the juggling by displaying messages from various apps in a single, e-mail inbox-like interface. Accessible via a floating icon which evokes Facebook's Chat Heads, a pop-up list of your messages, ordered chronologically, makes keeping track of conversations across platforms a little bit easier. The app is not without its limitations, though. Snowball does not plug into messaging apps directly, as tapping on a message to respond will kick you back to the associated app. Basically, Snowball does not really serve any other purpose than consolidating a few notifications right now. That may change in the future, but any advanced functionality would require the unlikely cooperation of third parties. Snowball is free on Google Play. It's currently in beta, supports Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, WeChat, Line, Slack, and the default SMS app. Play Link

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Google+ Adds Support for Polls in Posts

Kyle — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:40:03 +0000

Eliciting feedback from a large group of followers has never been the forte of any social network, but Google is alleviating a few pressure points with the introduction of polls to Google+. Polls work exactly as you would expect. They are embeddable within posts and they can contain a number of mutually exclusive choices for respondents to select, up to five in total. The appearance of individual polls are somewhat customizable - you can change background images, for example - but the templates are rather rigid, probably to maintain a degree of consistency across the web and mobile. Speaking of mobile, Google says polls will roll out to the Android users in the coming days, simultaneous with the web. The Google+ app on iOS will gain support "soon." So, who is looking forward to wading through hundreds of "Which Android device should I buy?" polls?

Via: Google

HTC Zoe Exits Beta, Gains RE Camera Integration

Kyle — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:15:07 +0000

As HTC promised during its Double Exposure event yesterday in NYC, the company's Zoe video-sharing and photo-editing application has received an upgrade that broadens the range of compatible devices. In addition to expanding the number of supported handsets beyond those running Sense 6, the graduation from beta to version 1.0 brings a few welcome, if minor, improvements. A new "content engine" makes previewing clips and images easier, and all the functions of the upcoming RE Camera have been fully integrated. The update will roll out through Google Play starting today. Most of my Android devices are showing as compatible, but your mileage may vary. Play Link

Deal: Get Your Hacks on With The Elite Android Hacker Bundle for $39

Tim — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 08:57:58 +0000

Taking place in our DL Deals store is your chance to become the Android hacker you always knew you could be. Usually priced at $503, The Elite Android Hacker Bundle features hours upon hours of online courses, lectures, and in-depth teaching that will leave you with a complete understanding of how to build Android applications, then to penetrate them. Over the 7 courses you will gain access to, you will learn how to build basic Android apps so as to gain a better understanding on how they function, a course on everything Java, hacking Android and penetrating the system 101, Java Essentials for Android, as well as Android Development for Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced students. The overall goal is that by the time you are done with these courses, you can build awesome applications, as well as destroy them. So what's included in the Bundle? After purchase, buyers receive Lifetime access to 7 actionable online courses, 508 total lectures, and 60+ hours of content that should leave you with a deep knowledge and understanding of Android. Deal Link

New Hangouts Chrome App With Floating, Bubbly Interface Arrives - For Windows and Chrome OS

Kellen — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 08:21:28 +0000

Google released what appears to be a really attractive new Hangouts app for Windows and Chrome OS this morning. Sorry Mac OS X users, you got left out this time. It floats your conversations to the side of your desktop in bubbles, sort of like Facebook's Chat Heads, keeping them out of the way, but also easily accessible. You will have easy access to your full contact list or currently running conversations with notifications and syncing across all platforms. The app even has full video and voice calling features, all of which is available from your desktop. Looks neat - wish I could test it myself. Have fun, Windows and Chrome OS users! Hangouts Chrome Extension

Via: Chrome Blog

HTC One (M8 EYE) is Official in China With a 13MP Rear Duo Camera

Kellen — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 08:09:51 +0000

During yesterday's press event in NYC, we were expecting HTC to give us upwards of three products - the Desire EYE, RE camera, and a new HTC One (M8 EYE) that included a 13MP Duo Camera setup. We got the first two, but for whatever reason, the new One (M8) model didn't make the cut, even though HTC seemed to have teased it the day before. Clearly, that wasn't a tease at all, just a message to literally focus on the date only. I have good news, though! The HTC One (M8 EYE) is now official...in China. It does have a 13MP Duo Camera, HTC's EYE Experience software, BoomSound, and that same metal body you know from the original One (M8). According to the HTC China site that posted up this news, the camera will also feature some sort of 3D stereoscopic imaging. It will be available October 15 - again, in China.

Via: HTC China | AndroidOS.in

HTC RE Camera Gallery

Dave — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 07:24:04 +0000

At their Double Exposure event yesterday in NYC, HTC announced the Re Camera. This inhaler periscope-shaped device is actually a handheld camera device that will be able to record life events and interface with your mobile devices. It doesn't turn off or have a viewfinder, but it does come with a button. The whole idea is that you are able to pay more attention to what you are recording and less to the device that is doing the recording. Tap the button to snap a picture or hold it down to record. Re has a 16MP, ultra wide angle 146-degree shooter that can snap stills or record 1080p video at 30fps. It can also record 720p slow motion videos at 240fps. You will find Bluetooth 4.0 inside, an 820mAh battery, WiFi, 1/4-inch tripod connection, Ip57 dust and water resistance, and compatibility with iOS7+ and Android 4.3+. What's really intriguing about Re is its ability to connect with your device. You'll be able to have a remote viewfinder and control the camera directly. We witnessed a quick demo of the remote viewfinder in action and there does appear to be a slight delay in what you are recording and when you are seeing it on the screen. This is something that should be expected with a wireless streaming solution and might even see improvements via software updates. After seeing some of the accessories that will make camera useful for different life activities, it's obvious that they want to capture some of the GoPro market. What are your thoughts? Is this $200 device a must-have and will you be getting one later this year? Check out the gallery below.

Does Anyone Care About the iPhone 6?

Kellen — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 23:10:57 +0000

The crew is back tonight for episode 70 of the Droid Life Show. With HTC doing their thing today on stage in NYC, we will undoubtedly have opinions on what went down. Outside of that, there are plenty of Nexus rumors floating around to talk about - both Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 - along with new happenings on the DROID TURBO front, the fact that we could see Android L within a week or two, early thoughts on the Xperia Z3 Compact, increased Moto 360 battery life, apps and games of the moment, our final thoughts on the iPhone 6 (in case anyone cares), and potentially a whole bunch more. We are live tonight at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

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HTC Desire Eye Hands-on

Dave — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:29:22 +0000

HTC made it official today with the announcement of the HTC Desire Eye. This device is packing a 5.2" FHD display, Snapdragon 801, 2GB RAM, and comes with Android 4.4.4 right out the box. Of course, the defining feature of the Eye is its dual 13MP cameras. That's right, both the front facing camera and back shooter are sporting the higher resolution. They've created what I overheard one rep say, "the ultimate selfie-taker." I spent a good ten minutes playing with the camera, including the Split Capture feature, which is a part of the new EYE Experience for HTC's cameras. The front facing 13MP camera is definitely heads above any other Android device that I've handled. The Desire Eye is also rated IPX7 on the waterproof scale, features BoomSound speakers, 2,400mAh battery, and a microSD slot for cards up to 128GB in size. Check out the quick hands-on gallery and video below!

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Material Design Updates and Support for New APIs Come to Chrome Stable

Kyle — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:00:58 +0000

Not everyone prefers to live on the bleeding edge. That is why Chrome users who favor reliability over experimental changes undergo a waiting period of a few weeks until said changes can be incorporated safely. Well, the waiting may not have been worth it this time. An update bumps Chrome for Android up to version 38, but perceptible changes are few. Material design tweaks, new battery and orientation APIs, and "lots of bug fixes and performance enhancements" are the only improvements mentioned by name in the official changelog. Still, if behind-the-scenes work was substantial enough to merit a new version number, the latest Chrome is probably worth downloading. Play Link

Via: Google

HTC's New EYE Experience Comes to the One (M8), One (M7) and Others in the Coming Months

Kellen — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 15:23:09 +0000

Outside of the Desire EYE and RE camera, HTC also announced a new camera experience for its range of HTC phones that will arrive over the coming months as a software update. It's called the EYE Experience. The Eye Experience includes face tracking of up to four people at a time, smartphone-based screen sharing, new Split Capture function, improved selfie experiences (of course), a really silly Crop-Me-In option, and something called Face Fusion, which merges your face with another to create supposedly funny photos. HTC said today that the EYE Experience will arrive on devices like the One (M8), One (M7), One Mini, One Mini 2, and One Max over the coming months. To read more about the Eye experience, hit up the press release below.

HTC EYE Experience: Designed for you It’s not just about the hardware though. The HTC EYE Experience takes mobile imaging software into a new league with unique features guaranteed to make you look your best. Taking video chat and conference calls to a new level of quality and performance, The HTC EYE Experience’s face tracking keeps you perfectly framed at all times. And because staying in touch means more than just talking to a single person, up to four people in the same room can also be tracked comfortably, with each face cropped and positioned on the screen for maximum clarity. So enjoy the freedom and flexibility of services like Skype without worrying about exactly where you or your friends are standing, as the camera will follow everyone. Want to share even more on the move? The option of screen sharing brings desktop functionality to smartphone-based video chat for the first time. The HTC EYE Experience opens up a new world of creative opportunity, thanks to the new Split Capture function. Combining simultaneous photos and videos taken on the front and back cameras into one split-screen image or video, this creates a new selfie experience, allowing you document your journey and your reaction without relying on thumbnail views. Crop-Me-In places you at the heart of the action by cropping you from the image or video taken with the front-facing camera and positioning it within the scene captured by the main camera, opening the door to more extreme, exciting selfies and videos. Voice Selfie removes the need for awkward hand contortions by enabling you to trigger the shutter release with a simple command. Simply “say cheese” as soon as you’ve struck the perfect pose or trigger the video recording with “action” or “rolling” commands. Popular additions to the HTC Desire 820 are also included in the HTC EYE Experience such as face fusion, the feature that allows you to merge your face with that of a friend or celebrity for a completely original look and Live Makeup, where you can set the desired level of skin smoothing and preview the effect in real-time before the image is captured. ... HTC EYE Experience features will roll out to the following models (full feature list to be confirmed at roll-out): HTC One (M7), HTC One (M8), HTC One E8, HTC One mini, HTC One mini 2, HTC One max, HTC Desire 816, HTC Desire 820 and HTC Butterfly 2 in the coming months.

HTC Announces Desire Eye, Improves the Quality of Selfies With 13MP Front-facing Camera

Kyle — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 15:01:31 +0000

HTC unveiled the Desire Eye this afternoon at the company's Double Exposure event in New York City. HTC has differentiated the Desire Eye from the competition in an interesting way, as the undoubted highlight of the smartphone, which sports a water-resistant plastic body and removable battery, is the 13-megapixel front-facing camera with dual-LED flash. The array, capable of capturing 1080p video and bordered by a dedicated microphone, is intended specifically to capture high-quality "selfies." It is a first for a smartphone, HTC was eager to note. The Desire Eye does not cut many corners. A Snapdragon 801 processor paired with 2GB of RAM drives the smartphone, which features a 5.2-inch 1080p display. The Desire Eye retains HTC's much-lauded BoomSound technology, and internally packs 32GB of storage, a microSD slot, and a 2400mAh capacity battery. The rear-facing camera matches the front shooter spec-for-spec, including the dual-LED flash and dedicated microphone. HTC has tried to leverage the pair of high-quality cameras in logical ways. Snapping a selfie is as easy as raising the phone and issuing a voice command. The Eye Experience app includes a Split Capture mode, which takes a photo with both cameras at once and merges them together. Another feature, compatible with all video conferencing apps, keeps up to four faces in focus at once. The Desire Eye is set to debut exclusively on AT&T this month.

Via: HTC

AT&T to Pay $105 Million in Shady Bill Charges Settlement

Tim — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:51:06 +0000

In court, today was a bad day for AT&T. In one of the largest phone cramming settlements to date, the wireless operator has been ordered to pay a total of $105 million, much of which will go back to customers who were being charged roughly $9.99 a month for things like mobile ringtones, horoscopes, and love tips. $80 million of the settlement will be paid to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), $20 million in penalties and fees paid to 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as $5 million to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, speaking on the settlement, highlighted the ultimate point, that consumers should not be charged for things they did not authorize.

I am very pleased that this settlement will put tens of millions of dollars back in the pockets of consumers harmed by AT&T’s cramming of its mobile customers. This case underscores the important fact that basic consumer protections – including that consumers should not be billed for charges they did not authorize - are fully applicable in the mobile environment.

It was found that AT&T was profiting at least 35% of the charges it imposed on its customers through the phone cramming. In other news, if you believe you were the victim of AT&T's phone cramming, the FTC has set up an online refund application form which will allow you to apply to receive your money back. The following info was taken from this online application.

AT&T Mobility, LLC, has agreed to settle allegations that it charged mobile customers without their permission for third-party services like ringtones, wallpapers, and text message subscriptions for horoscopes, flirting tips, and celebrity gossip. Current and former AT&T customers who paid for unauthorized third-party charges after January 1, 2009 may apply for refunds.

Via: The Verge | FTC

DROID TURBO User Manual Leaks (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:21:37 +0000

Forget whatever HTC just announced for a second, the DROID TURBO user manual appears to have just been leaked by MotoFirmware. We are still digging through its contents now, so if you don't want to wait for us to update this post, feel free to jump into it through the link below. Update: First of all, the design matches up to what we had seen and heard about from sources. The centered front camera is the identifier here, along with those capacitive navigation buttons. We are also now finding specs listed, included an 5.2-inch "ultra high-definition display," "high-capacity long lasting battery," 21MP rear camera, Qi wireless charging, and support for Motorola's Turbo Charger. Actually, the Turbo Charger is included with the device. I would be lying if I didn't mention that the display size was a bit of shocker. Most of us thought that we would get a 5.5-inch QHD display, even though some benchmarks hinted at 5.2.

Update 2: Like last year's DROID family, we are seeing support for the best features from this year's Moto X, including the entire Moto suite of apps like Moto Voice, Display, Actions, Assist, and Connect. The device is running mostly stock Android again as well.

Update 3: Here is a tiny picture of the backside.

Update 4: Eventually, this site (http://www.motorola.com/mydroidturbo) will be loaded with DROID TURBO info.

Via: MotoFirmware (PDF)

HTC Unveils RE Camera, Available by the Holidays for $199

Tim — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:17:12 +0000

This afternoon in New York City, HTC unveiled its RE Camera, a competitor to the GoPro line of portable action cameras. Priced at $199, but not available until sometime around the holidays, the RE Camera is aimed at users who want to record everything. From walks on the beach to skydiving, RE Camera is always on, allowing users to record 1080p video, snap 16MP photos, and shoot slow-motion video as well. Built to look like a mini periscope, the RE Camera is ultra portable and lightweight, with the ability to attach to clothes, backpacks, and tripods. HTC announced a gang of accessories for the RE, including head mounts, suction mounts, bar mounts, clip-on mounts, and more. Controlling the RE Camera is done all through your smartphone, as HTC is set to release matching Android and iOS applications which will appear at a later time. From the apps, users can record and pause videos, set time lapse videos, and snap pictures.

Specs

16MP sensor shoots 1080p 30fps HD videos
820 mAh battery
32MB ROM/256MB DDR RAM with microSD
Rated IPX7, no case required
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) with microUSB port

The RE will be available through Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Best Buy, Amazon, and HTC's website at a later date for $199. However, pre-orders are now taking place at HTC's website here. Would you choose a RE over GoPro?

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Humble Mobile Bundle 9 Hits the Web, Includes Leo's Fortune and More

Kyle — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:36:46 +0000

It is that time again, as the Humble Mobile Bundle got its 9th refresh today. The latest iteration of the philanthropic gaming collection includes the much-lauded Leo's Fortune, among a few other great games. For the uninitiated, the Humble Bundle is an opportunity to altruistically obtain a bunch of games on the cheap. Typically split into two pricing tiers - the first for any contribution and the second for a higher price based on the amount of the average donation - a majority of what you pay goes to charity and the respective developers. Syberia, Neuroshima Hex, and Bardbarian: Golden Axe are included in this bundle's first tier. Rounding out the "premium" tier is the aforementioned Leo's Fortune, plus Out There and First Strike. As of publication time, all six will set you back a measly $2.85. More games are on the way, but a new bundle lands October 22. Best act soon if you find these titles appealing.

Via: Humble Bundle

Endomondo Sports Tracking Comes to Android Wear and Samsung Gear S

Tim — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:03:07 +0000

Users of Endomondo can now access all of their tracking data through Android Wear this morning, as the development team has officially pushed Wear support to Google Play and for Samsung's Gear S smartwatch. The application will allow users to track their sports activities across three pages, where your finger swipes act as the method of navigation. In total, users can track their speed, distance, and workout duration. Each feature included can be started by using your voice on Android Wear, such as "Start a run," or "Start a bike ride." Users can go grab the updated Endomondo app in Google Play right now. Play Link