Droid Life

Tip: Google Opinion Rewards is Still a Great Way to Earn Cash to Pay for Apps

Kellen — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:36:06 +0000

Back in November of 2013, Google introduced an app called Google Opinion Rewards. We haven't talked about the app much since, but because it has become a great source of funding for app purchases (like icon pack hotness), we figured it was time for a reminder that it exists. A lot has happened in two years, plus many of you are new around these parts and may not have known that Google was even doing a rewards/survey app that you could earn cash from. As a recap, Google Opinion Rewards is a survey app from Google that pays you for filling out short surveys. All you need to do is download and install the app, then fill out some basic info about yourself. Once you are setup, surveys randomly show up here or there focusing on a variety of topics. Some are single question surveys, while others can be four or five deep. When you complete a survey, Google will reward you with Play store credits. I can't say that I have seen multiple-dollar rewards from a single survey, but don't be surprised if you start building up a nice little credit pile after answering a few surveys worth $0.40 a piece. For those not new to the service, I'm curious - how much have you earned from Opinion Rewards? We were talking about it today and Tim is dominating me with earnings right around $41. I'm closing in on $20. Anyone hit the $100 mark yet? Play Link

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Deal: ZeroLemon ToughJuice 30,000mAh Battery Pack for $60, Down From $100

Tim — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:05:30 +0000

For a limited time, you can grab a ZeroLemon ToughJuice 30,000mAh Battery Pack for just $60 on the DL Deals Store, down from its original price of $99.99. With 30,000mAh of juice, users should have zero issue getting multiple charges for their smartphone or tablet from this pack. The device itself features four USB ports, allowing you to charge four devices all at once, at top speed. And with a double layer "anti-shock" soft shell, it should keep on ticking even in the most extreme of environments. If interested, follow that link below. Features

Premium li-polymer battery cells
Quad USB port w/ total 6A charging to simultaneously charge four devices at top speed
Enormous 30000mAh capacity
Double layer antishock softshell & hard plastic material to disperse extreme shock

Deal Link

Decent Deal: $499 for a Brand New Unlocked LG G4

Kellen — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:55:32 +0000

A deal running since yesterday over at eBay has the LG G4 priced at just $499. That's a solid price on a phone that is arguably as good as Samsung's Galaxy S6 in most categories and may beat it in some (battery life would be an example). Verizon wants $550 for it, while T-Mobile and AT&T each want $600 and $630, respectively. The phone is brand new, unlocked, and ready for use on your favorite GSM networks. The bands listed show that it should work perfectly on AT&T (or Cricket), but should also work well on T-Mobile. The phone comes with 32GB of storage, plus that lovable microSD card slot for more (You could toss in the 200GB card from Amazon). At this time, the grey model is sold out, but both white and gold are available. Free standard shipping is also included. eBay Link Be sure to read our LG G4 review.

Silly: Tindog Brings the Excitement of Tinder to Your Forever Friend's Paws

Tim — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:34:13 +0000

Most people here are likely aware of an app called Tinder. It's pretty popular among the younger, single crowd. The app acts as a game of Hot or Not, and if two people mark each as Hot, they are allowed to communicate back and forth, potentially leading up to a date. Given how progressive we as a society are in 2015, it was only a matter of time until this app broke the species barrier, and now, Tindog is available for all dog owners on Google Play. The functionality of Tindog is exactly the same as Tinder. You sign yourself (the dog owner) up via a Facebook account or email address, then create your dog's profile. You can upload pictures, a cute little bio, and then get to searching. If you find a dog you think would be a fun match for your furry companion, swipe right. If they won't be a good match, swipe left. If both owners swipe right, you can communicate and set up a playdate. Owners are also recommended to create little bios for themselves, hopefully limiting the creep factor. A nice touch is the ability to mark yourself as a "couple," meaning whoever you talk to won't think you yourself are trying to hook up, too. The app's usability relies heavily on there being users near you, since having a doggy playdate wouldn't be much fun if owners lived 100 miles apart. When I first started searching, I only had a few users around me, but as of last night, there was a solid collection of people in my area that had signed their pets up. If you want to socialize your pets just the way you socialize yourself, by using an app, then check out Tindog. It's actually kinda fun. Play Link

OnePlus 2 Unveiling Set for July 27, Will Take Place in Virtual Reality

Tim — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:09:49 +0000

OnePlus has an official date set for the unveiling of the OnePlus 2, that being July 27 at 7pm PT. As added twist, though, OnePlus won't be doing anything conventional, like a Broadway show or something like that. Instead, OnePlus will host its event in virtual reality, streaming it for all to view with a OnePlus Cardboard headset. In the announcement, OnePlus states they have tweaked the existing Cardboard unit for OnePlus owners, making it simple and fast to assemble. OnePlus does not specify if it is meant solely for OnePlus devices, but we would imagine it won't be. This Cardboard unit will be used to give viewers the sense that they are right next to the OnePlus team when they unveil the OnePlus 2, which could make for a special experience.

A VR launch lets you stand right next to our team and our fans as we unveil our new flagship. You’ll be able to look around as you check out the phone in a new way and maybe even find a few hidden Easter eggs. It’s a new way of thinking about a product launch. We aren’t talking at you; we are talking with you.

Of course, we hope OnePlus also simultaneously streams a regular feed, allowing the folks who don't care about VR to watch it normally. If you are interested in snagging a free Cardboard unit from OnePlus, keep your eye on this page here. More details will be made available soon. So, mark July 27 on that calendar of yours.

Via: OnePlus

Cartoon Network Launches 'Formula Cartoon All Stars' Racer to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 10:48:23 +0000

Cartoon Network has a new game on Google Play this morning, called Formula Cartoon All Stars. This game is a cart racer, taking some of your favorite cartoon pals, putting them in carts, and making them race each other. It has everything you could want in a cart racing game, such as Nitro boosts, traps you can set for other racers, and the ability to customize your cart however you see fit. As you race around a track, you can pick up packages that contain power ups and weapons to use on other racers, giving it a real Mario Kart feel. The one downside is that this game costs $4 up front to download, plus features IAPs. Purchases can be made to "unlock or buy additional in-game items with real money to enhance game play." Not only that, but Cartoon Network also notes, "this app may contain ads that feature other products, services, shows or offers from Cartoon Network and our partners." So you are paying $4 for a game, and still have to see ads and IAP options. Sort of upsetting, but if cart racing is up your alley, the gameplay looks pretty good. You can find it on Google Play by following the below link. Play Link ($3.99)

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Amazon Opens Up Alexa Voice Services to Third Party Hardware Makers

Tim — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 09:56:59 +0000

Alexa, the software that powers the Amazon Echo, is being opened up to third party hardware makers. To be technical, the name is Alexa Voice Services (AVS), and Amazon is getting the ball rolling by throwing out ideas that hardware makers could implement for end users. For example, a movie ticket machine that lets a moviegoer say "Buy six tickets for the next showing of Jurassic World.” Or maybe a home sound system that lets users turn on music just by saying “Play my barbeque playlist on the back deck.” Sounds fancy, right? Amazon states that integrating AVS will be completely free, and all it takes is a couple lines of code. The prerequisites for hardware will be a speaker, an Internet connection, and a microphone. It's probably only a matter of time until we see Alexa all over the place. If you are a developer or work for a hardware maker, you can sign up here.

Via: Amazon

These are the Phones and Prices for T-Mobile's JUMP! On Demand (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 09:44:47 +0000

T-Mobile's new JUMP! On Demand program is all the rage this morning, with smartphone lovers excited over the idea that they could trade in phones for the new hotness up to 3 times per year. But some of you may be wondering which phones are a part of the program and how much they will cost. We have that info for you now to get you ready for June 28, the day this new upgrade program kicks off.

Phones and Pricing

According to T-Mobile, the first set of phones that are a part of JUMP! On Demand are the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 4, LG G4, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. In other words, all of the best new phones that you would probably be interested in a part of it. T-Mobile also says to expect more phones in the future. So those are the phones, how much will they cost per month? Take a look at the image below.

Understand that JUMP! On Demand (JOD) is a lease program; this isn't the same as the original JUMP!, which is an equipment installment plan. With JOD, you are paying a monthly payment for 18 months with payments counting towards the cost of the phone. That means if you were to not upgrade a phone during the 18-month period, there is going to be a "final payment" due to make the phone yours, since you won't actually pay off the phone in 18 months. For example, a Galaxy S6 at $28.33 for 18 months totals $509.94, but the full cost of a Galaxy S6 is normally $679.92. At the end of your 18-month period, you would still owe some cash to T-Mobile if you wanted to own your Galaxy S6 outright. The exact wording from T-Mobile is, "if you want to own your smartphone, simply pay the remaining lease payment and device purchase option price anytime." Make sense? ~~I'm looking for clarification on what "device purchase option price" could mean and will update this post as I have it~~. Update: T-Mobile got back to me and clarified that at the end of a lease if you decide to buy the phone, you will only pay the remainder of what the normal retail price would be. In the example above with the Galaxy S6, at 18 months, you would have paid $510, but the Galaxy S6 retails for $680. You would owe another $170. I was concerned that the "device purchase option price" would be higher in JOD to discourage you from buying the phone after a lease, but that doesn't appear to be the case at all. The point, though, is for you to never get to that 18-month mark and instead just keep upgrading phones and signing new 18-month lease deals. If you don't plan on upgrading all of the time, then this may not be the plan for you, unless you don't mind paying off the rest of the phone after the 18 months is up.

JUMP! On Demand vs. JUMP!

Here is another image showing how this differs from the regular JUMP! plan.

The differences here are pretty clear, right? With JOD, you don't have to pay the $10 monthly fee, plus you can upgrade at any time, up to 3 times per year. Your monthly payments will be lower on JOD and you can upgrade more often. Assuming you aren't into keeping phones for 2+ years and always want something new, JOD might be your better choice here. Still interested?

Via: T-Mobile [PDF]

Material Design Theme Released for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge

Tim — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:52:45 +0000

A new theme based off Material Design is available this morning to users of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. The theme can be applied directly from the Themes Store or your Samsung device, and if you are a fan of Lollipop and vanilla Android in general, this theme should excite you. Most traces of the TouchWiz coloring have been wiped out, being replaced by more subtle, neutral tones. And frankly, this makes us happy. In total, quite a few apps look different once the theme is applied. You will see a new Dialer, Messages, Lock screen, and Calendar for starters. Most importantly, your notification shade will be changed up drastically, and the Settings menu will look much better. To download this theme and apply it to your phone, open up the Themes Store on your Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge, locate the What's New section, then select the "Material" theme. Once located, simply hit Apply. The theme will set itself and you are all done. No reboot or anything are required. Cheers to Samsung for allowing this.

SanDisk's 200GB MicroSD Card Now Available

Kellen — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:11:44 +0000

Back in March, days after Samsung announced the Galaxy S6 without an expandable storage slot, SanDisk unveiled its new 200GB microSD card. They told us at the time to expect the "world's highest capacity" card at some point in Q2 of this year. Well, here we are in Q2 and the card is available at retailers like Amazon. Of course, this much storage will cost you. The price was supposed to start around $399, but Amazon has the little guy for $240. I don't know that I would call that a "deal," though that's much easier to swallow than the original price quote. With a card like this, you could technically hold up to 20 hours of full HD video or transfer 1,200 photos in a minute with theoretic speeds of 90MB/s. Any takers? Amazon Link ($240)

FREE: Amazon is Giving Away $50 in Apps Today

Kellen — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 07:49:27 +0000

Hey, you, interested in some free sh*t? Amazon has $50 in apps for you to consume at no cost for the next week. Well, the cost is that you will need their Appstore installed on your phone, but you may not mind since they are giving you all of this fun for free. The bundle of free apps includes titles like Weather Live ($1.99), The Bard's Tale ($2.99) and Trouserheart ($2.99), AVG AntiVirus Pro ($11.99), and Table Top Racing ($2.97). This may not be the best app pack we have seen to date, but there are certainly some decent games in there that will help you kill some time. To download the Amazon Appstore, head over to this link. Once you are done, hit up the link below for this week's bundle of free apps. Amazon Link

T-Mobile Announces Jump On Demand, Letting You Upgrade "When You Want" Up to 3x Per Year (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 07:20:59 +0000

T-Mobile kicked off Un-carrier Amped! this morning, just as they promised. The first announcement in what should be a series of new initiatives, involves JUMP!, the device-payment upgrade program T-Mobile introduced back in 2013. Starting June 28, T-Mobile customers can join JUMP! On Demand and upgrade whenever they want, without fee, up to 3x per year (12 months). The new program works like this. T-Mobile will hand you a new smartphone with zero out of pocket costs. You agree to pay for it monthly, just like any other device payment plan. But when you decide you want a new phone, T-Mobile will let you get one at any time, up to 3 times per year. All you have to do is head into a T-Mobile store and swap out your current phone for a new one. Your phone will go through a "quick three-point check-up" to make sure it is still in good working condition before letting you grab the new device. Unlike regular JUMP!, JUMP! On Demand doesn't include a $10 monthly fee, so the program is essentially free outside of the cost of the phone per month. If you want device protection/insurance, you can have that for $8. This new payment plan appears to be an 18-month lease rather than the typical 24-month plan most of you are used to. We don't have pricing yet, but it sounds like T-Mobile is basically leasing you the phone for 18 months with monthly payments that likely don't add up to the full cost of the phone. So at the 18-month mark, if you don't want to upgrade to a new phone, there will be a "final payment" for you to make to pay off the remainder of the phone. Once you do that, the phone is yours to keep. You can also pay off the cost of the phone early. We are still waiting to see if all of their phones are included in this plan. We will update this post as we have that info. Update: Here are the list of phones that will be eligible for JUMP! On Demand at launch along with their monthly costs.

iPhone 6, iPhone 6Plus, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy Note 4, LG G4

Update 2: Here is a more detailed look at pricing, the phones, and how it compares to regular JUMP!. And here is CEO John Legere sounding off. Yes, there is profanity involved.

Via: T-Mobile

Note: Edit made to the 18-month payment section, explaining that this is really an 18-month lease, with final payment due at the end of the 18-month period should you choose not to upgrade.

On-Screen or Physical/Capacitive Navigation Buttons - Which is Better?

Kellen — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 15:44:55 +0000

Over the last couple of years, if you asked me which navigation button setup I preferred on a phone - on-screen or physical/capacitive - I wouldn't have hesitated to say "on-screen for life, my brothers and sisters." Google has fully convinced me that navigation buttons should be a part of the phone's software, not hardware. At least, I thought they had fully convinced me. After having spent the past few months caressing a Galaxy S6, calling it the best phone you can buy, and poo-pooing most of the others, I'm now having this awkward internal debate with myself. Which setup do I actually prefer at this point? I don't know. After Google introduced us to on-screen buttons for phones with the release of Ice Cream Sandwich (don't you dare bring up Honeycomb), I was instantly hooked. They gave you this immersive experience while using your phone that we didn't have prior, but they also made navigating a phone so quick, because you didn't have to physically press a button or leave your display as you reached for the bottom chin of your phone. And you could swipe up for Google Now! Damn, do I love that gesture. But then Samsung went ahead this year and added in the best mobile fingerprint scanner and the quickest camera launching shortcut known to man in their physical home button. I now can't put down the stupid Galaxy S6. It's so pretty. And good. And shiny. I don't even mind the button setup that I swore off so long ago. What is happening. Of course, on-screen buttons have their issues, as do physical/capacitive setups. I know, because I see them listed out in the comments through never ending debates like the one I'm having right now with myself. So let's do this - how about I list out the good and bad for each and then we try to settle this together? (Good luck.)

On-screen Buttons

Good: They give you an immersive experience, especially now that the navigation area can be fully transparent or take on the colors of the apps you have open. Software tricks like these, when implemented correctly, really add a level of polish to a phone.
Good: Buttonless is prettier. Without buttons jutting out from the front of your phone's surface, you get a clean glass experience that to me, looks so good.
Good: Gestures! That gesture to swipe up into Google now is the best, especially for those of us who use 3rd party launchers and can't just swipe-over like you can in the Google Now Launcher. It also makes accessing ol' Google easier than ever.
Good: Flexibility on a number of levels. For one, Google is showing us with Google Now on Tap that they can enable things like long-presses in on-screen buttons that add functionality. But not only that, companies like LG have given users the opportunity to customize the arrangement and number of buttons that appear in the navigation area. While I prefer the standard Back-Home-App Switcher, I can see why someone might add a menu button or notification pulldown shortcut.
Good: On-screen buttons are essentially future proof. What I mean is that as Google continues to change the look of their on-screen buttons, phones with on-screen buttons have a better chance at being current. Take the DROID Turbo as an example of why you wouldn't want to use capacitive buttons. It was released with KitKat a few weeks before Google released Lollipop. With Lollipop, Google changed the theme of the buttons to the Playstation-ish theme you are seeing on the Moto X above. The DROID Turbo, assuming it gets Lollipop some day, will forever have pre-Lollipop buttons. And what if Google decides that Android doesn't need an app switcher and needs a dedicated search button or something? Sorry, DROID Turbo users, you get to keep your app switcher.
Good: On-screen buttons leave manufacturers the opportunity to trim up a phone's chin or add additional features to it. Forget the LG G4 and its massive chin and instead consider that I'm referring to the Nexus 6, HTC One series, and Moto X. With the Moto X, Motorola created a chin area that is absolutely tiny, which means the overall phone size is reduced. With the Nexus 6 and One series, Motorola and HTC were able to add in secondary speakers that give you a stereo experience. If you have physical or capacitive buttons, it becomes tough to shrink the size of an area or add in extra functionality outside of a fingerprint sensor.
Good: You don't have to physically press down a button.
Bad: They take up precious pixels. Your Quad HD display with on-screen buttons has less usable resolution almost all of the time than the Quad HD display on the phone with physical/capacitive buttons. That on-screen bar that houses your buttons is a part of the screen, so it's stealing pixels. Sure, you can hide them and get all the pixels during movie or game playback, but not necessarily during your Gmail or Hangouts sessions.
Bad: Few things bug me more than when I'm looking at a picture in the gallery and the on-screen buttons think they are doing me a favor by hiding. That drives me nuts because in order to leave that screen (go back or home) I have to tap the damn screen again to make the buttons appear. Ugh, extra steps.

Physical/Capacitive Buttons

Good: With the Galaxy S6, you get that amazing quick launch camera double-tap magic. It's the fastest way to launch a smartphone camera that we have come across and appreciate every ounce of brain-sweat that went into the idea. But physical buttons in general give you opportunities like that to customize actions that on-screen buttons may never have.
Good: A physical button, at least in the case of the S6 (and iPhone), can be used as a fingerprint sensor that really adds a level of security to your phone that doesn't impact experience. If Google wants to implement fingerprint scanning into a stock Android phone that has on-screen buttons, it's going to have to do it somewhere else in the hardware of a phone that may not be as convenient.
Good: You get all the pixels! Since your buttons aren't on-screen, you never have to worry about them needing to hide - you always get to put to use every single pixel on that big, beautiful QHD display of yours.
Good: Your buttons are always there. I mentioned how much I hate having to tap the screen in the gallery or YouTube or other areas with on-screen buttons in order to show buttons that have been hidden temporarily for a full-screen experience. With physical or capacitive buttons, your buttons are always there for the pressing.
Good: With separated button and screen areas, there won't ever be much confusion when you try to operate your phone. Look at the picture at the top of this post to understand what I mean. With the LG G4, you actually have two sets of software-powered navigation areas sitting on top of each other. The app dock there has swiping gestures built into it, just like the home button, so I often find times where I swipe one and mean to swipe the other. With the Galaxy S6's setup, that never happens because of that hardware separation. With hardware buttons, you also should experience far fewer accidental presses.
Bad: Physical buttons tend to provide a slower experience than those that are on-screen. With capacitive, the experience is largely the same, but it's almost always easier to slide your finger over a button and have it sense a touch rather than you having to physically compress it.
Bad: As I mentioned above, your physical and capacitive buttons are there for life. If Google changes the look of buttons in the next version of Android or swaps one out for something new, you don't get to participate in the fun when we geek out about it. Related, but if companies like Samsung do this insanely stupid thing where they swap the Back and App Switcher button, you just have to deal with it.
Bad: This is obviously a personal taste thing, but a physical button on the front of a phone just doesn't let it look as clean as a phone that is buttonless. I don't care how fancy and gold that button may be, Samsung.
Bad: Look at the picture of the Galaxy S6 Active above - holy disaster.

Wow. Look at that list. So what's the conclusion? Well, I think I still mostly prefer on-screen buttons because of their flexibility, aesthetic they give to a phone, and their ease of use. They are also the standard that Google has tried to set for how they envision Android working, which is always something we strongly take into consideration. Not that Google is always right (Hello, Lollipop volume controls!), but this is one of those areas they seem to have gotten right. That doesn't mean I don't see all sorts of value in having the button setup of a phone like the Galaxy S6. I love this phone's camera quick launch shortcut and fingerprint sensor. I also love the dedicated area for operating my phone that often hides when I'd rather it be present on phones with on-screen buttons. I have easily been able to adapt to this phone's button setup and don't regret for a second calling it the best phone you can by right now. In the end, it's on-screen buttons for me 99 times out of 100. But should a phone like the Galaxy S6 come along with a physical/capacitive button setup done correctly, I won't have a problem giving it some run.

Giveaway: Win Your Choice of Phones in the 'Choose Your Own Android' Giveaway

Tim — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 15:02:10 +0000

We have another giveaway taking place on the DL Deals Store, where you can choose which phone you want. Of course, you can't have any phone, you will have to choose between a predetermined lineup, full of some pretty sweet devices. Up for grabs is a Nexus 6, LG G4, G Flex 2, OnePlus 2, and Galaxy Note 4. These are some good devices, although we don't yet know if the OnePlus 2 will be awesome. Either way, we are sure you will be happy if you end up winning. To enter, all you need is a valid email address, as that is how you will be contacted in the case you are the winner. For more entires, you can share the contest to your social channels. Once you are all done with that, you are good to go. The contest closes 7/8/2015 at 11:59 PDT.

Enter below and good luck. Deal Link

This is My Android: Tim Edition (June 2015)

Tim — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 13:06:53 +0000

When you review Android devices for a living, constantly switching phones and carriers, I have found that I have a particular setup that I continuously go back to on each one, as it is what I have become familiar and comfortable with. Once the review process is over, I attempt to get rid of most signs of an OEM's custom skin, such as TouchWiz or Sense, so the first thing I will do is load up a 3rd-party launcher. To make that 3rd-party launcher really pop and my own, I download a few of my favorite icon packs, which is quite a few. Adding these icon packs to my device also brings a ton of different wallpapers that I can choose from, giving me plenty of options in the customization department. In the following post, I will go over my current setup, including which phone I use as my daily driver, what launcher I use, some of my favorite wallpapers, and icon packs. Hopefully this post can help you find some apps, widgets, or wallpapers you would like to try out. This is my current daily Android setup.

Phone - Galaxy S6 So far in 2015, I have been fortunate enough to try all of the top flagship devices from most of the manufacturers. This includes the LG G4, One M9 from HTC, Galaxy S6 Edge from Samsung, and the regular Galaxy S6. Through my experiences which each of these phones, I have decided that I would use the Galaxy S6 as my daily driver. For me, all I really look for is a great Android experience, and the Galaxy S6 delivers that for me. Sure, the battery could use some help, but the display is gorgeous, camera is legit, and it looks incredible. To date, the Galaxy S6 may be my favorite overall Android device, though it currently holds that spot with the Moto X (2nd Gen). Side note: I cant wait to see what Motorola is cooking up for 2015. All of the other phones I mentioned are good in some cases, but when valuing the overall experience, the Galaxy S6 from Samsung does it for me.

Launcher - Nova Launcher We get asked this all of the time, so allow me to settle the discussion once and for all. Kellen and I both use Nova Launcher, period. Sometimes, and very uncommonly, you may see either of us use the Google Now Launcher, but for the most part, given its ability to be highly customized, we stick to Nova Launcher. Nova allows for the usage of 3rd-party icon packs, but not only that, settings for the home screen, app drawer, and gesture controls can be set however we like them, granting us power over how we want our phone to look and essentially operate. In the settings menu of Nova, you can tweak desktop, app drawer and dock appearance, badge counts for icons, gesture controls, and even backup or import your settings from another launcher. If you take the look and customization of your phone seriously, you have to use Nova. And before you ask, yes, buy the Premium unlock. It's worth every penny. Play Link

Widgets - Google Now, Timely, Sound Search I have never been a big widget guy, but I do use a few that I find to be useful. Interestingly enough, people could argue that two of the three widgets I use are basically obsolete, but habit is a powerful thing. I am used to having Sound Search on my home screen, even though I could simply tap the mic button to launch Google Search and find a song that way. Something about the way Sound Search works, I just like it. It keeps my songs in order of date recognized, and to me, that's cool. As for having a Google Now widget on my home screen, it's nice since Nova Launcher doesn't allow you to swipe into Google Now, such as it does with the Google Now Launcher. I can see all of the same info, without opening up Google Now. And if I see an article I want to check out, I hit the box. It's easy. Now, a ton of people, and I do mean a ton, always ask what the clock widget I use is. It's Timely. Timely was acquired by Google not too long ago, but I still like it. I enjoy the widget for the app, as it is clean and easy to read, no matter which wallpaper I have applied. It acts as my alarm clock, stopwatch, and timer. It's just a solid clock app. Play Links: Google | Timely | Sound Search

Icons - Iride UI Hipster If icon packs were a drug, I would have checked into rehab years ago, but thankfully, that isn't the case. I can download all the icons packs and no one would even care. But as I have been switching through devices, I find myself downloading this one in particular, given its close resemblance to the stock Android icons, with a bit of color editing. For someone who enjoys vanilla, but with a pinch of something else, Iride UI Hipster is a great choice. This pack comes with 3000+ icons in Full HD, which is good when your phone's display is QHD. Even when you bump up the icon's size to 130% via Nova Launcher's "Look and Feel" menu, the icons still look crisp. One touch on the developer's part that I appreciate is the inclusion of multiple colors for the same icon. For example, the dialer icon and camera icon have multiple color choices to choose from, really letting you decide how you want your device to appear. As an end user, I appreciate that. Iride UI Hipster is available on Google Play for a little over $1. For access to all of these icons, plus the big pack of wallpapers to go with the set, you definitely get your money's worth. Play Link

This post is part of our This is My Android series. You can view Kellen's from June right here. As time goes on, we will switch phones, and tastes in widgets and icon packs will evolve. When that happens, you will see more of these.

Wednesday Poll: Who is Your Current Wireless Carrier?

Kellen — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:41:58 +0000

It's that time of year again, where we check-in to see which wireless carrier you are all currently signed up with. When we asked this same question almost a year ago, 60% of you were still with Verizon, while T-Mobile had managed to attract almost 20% of the community. AT&T, Sprint, and various prepaid options made up the other 20% or so. With T-Mobile still making Uncarrier moves, AT&T attempting to ~~copy~~ match them offer-by-offer, and a variety of prepaid options posting insanely good monthly deals, we want to know if Verizon is still holding onto your business. After voting, be sure to tell us why you are where you are. Is it all about coverage? Pricing? What? [poll id="368"]

Google Updated Its Google Play Developer Program Policies Today, Here are the Changes

Kellen — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:23:15 +0000

Google just pinged us to point out that they made some changes to their Google Play Developer Program Policies this morning. While we aren't developers, we still thought everyone should be aware of the changes. So, here they are.

You will find a new Sensitive Events policy that doesn't allow someone to make an app to capitalize on or lack reasonable sensitivity towards a natural disaster, atrocity, conflict, death, or other tragic event.
Google tried to clarify the Impersonation or Deceptive Behavior policy in a fancy bulleted format.
The Paid and Free Apps section (which is the payment policy) has been clarified as well.
They also told us that "To ensure a secure and consistent customer support experience to our users, we’ve introduced a provision which governs the transfer of in-app virtual currencies purchased in an app."
And finally, they "specified that apps should not harm, interfere with, or improperly access application programming interfaces (APIs)."

You can read the rest of the updated program policies at the source link below.

Via: Google Play

Facebook Messenger No Longer Requires a Facebook Account

Tim — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 11:01:30 +0000

Facebook Messenger no longer requires a Facebook account to sign up and use for those who reside in Canada, United States, Peru and Venezuela. Upon opening the app, all you need is a phone number, name, and picture. From there, you can chat with all of your buddies on Facebook, with you not even needing an account. Clutch. Of course, having a FB account benefits Messenger users quite a bit, as conversations can be carried over multiple devices and desktop computers, but if your smartphone is your main form of communication, this should serve you well. This change is currently rolling out now, so be on the look out if it interests you. Play Link

Via: Facebook

Google is Now Showing the Status of Your Project Fi Invite

Kellen — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 10:53:25 +0000

Hey, look, my Project Fi invite status! Wait...what? Even though I was probably one of the first three people on the planet to sign-up for the service, already own a Nexus 6, am a nerd at heart who likes to test things, and live in a metro area that T-Mobile is excellent in, I'm still completely in limbo? Sure makes sense. To the rest of you, maybe you will have better news on the newly launched status indicator for Fi. Tim's says "3-4 weeks." Others are seeing that as well. Me, not so much. Thanks, Google! Check your status here.

Cheers @chris_manuel86!

Kenwood Launches DDX9902S and DDX9702S Android Auto Units, Priced at Under $1K

Tim — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 09:56:42 +0000

Back in January during CES, Kenwood introduced its DDX9902S and DDX9702S multimedia receivers, featuring CarPlay software from Apple and Android Auto from Google. These units are now shipping to retailers, according to Kenwood's announcement this morning, with the suggested retail price set at $900-$950. Currently, the DDX9902S appears to be on Amazon for just $750, capable of running both Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto. If you are looking for a solution to your car's infotainment needs, $750 is not a bad price, plus whatever it costs to install the unit. Personally, I have rocked a Pioneer unit in my vehicle for about a month now, so be on the look out for a full Android Auto review sometime soon, which may help you decide if you should take the leap into Google's OS for cars. Do you already have Android Auto installed in your vehicle? If so, tell us what you think about it.

Via: Media Wire

Why is Android Still the Second Platform Developers Work On?

Ron — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:58:25 +0000

Every year we see the same promise: this is the year that Android-first development will become a reality. At the same time we see big companies like Instagram repeatedly introduce new apps that are iOS-only. Android has been able to tout more market share than iOS for quite some time, but that doesn’t seem to have translated into app developers releasing Android apps at the same time as their iOS counterparts, much less Android-first. Over the past few weeks I've been talking with developers and researching why this is still the case.

Limited Resources

We see example after example of apps and new features launching on iOS before Android from large companies like Instagram, Facebook, Nike, and even Google. Usually these companies can't claim that they don't have the resources or enough potential users of their product, but what about smaller independent developers? NeuBible is a Bible app from Kory Westerhold and Aaron Martin. NeuBible entered a relatively crowded market of Bible apps on iOS, many of which are free. I don't know if NeuBible will be a financial success, but I can say that within seconds of using the app it became my default Bible app on iOS. The one word that precisely describes my experience with the app: delightful. NeuBible, like so many other apps, launched on iPhone first, but unlike many other apps, came with a promise to come to Android soon. Westerhold says that he and Martin had planned on releasing NeuBible for iPhone, iPad, and Android, but the massive costs of development forced them to start with iPhone only (the duo actually paid for the app's development out of their own pockets - a testament to how passionate they are about the app!). Westerhold was quick to point out that NeuBible didn't launch iPhone first because he doesn't like Android. Quite the contrary; he actually thinks NeuBible's aesthetic fits Lollipop even more than it does iOS 8 and loves using the Nexus 6 and Moto 360. Despite his love for Android, he and Martin were hesitant to launch on Android first: "Everything we've read, every number we've seen shows that it's really difficult to get people to pay for apps on Android. We didn't think we could release a paid app on Android and create something sustainable enough to fund further development." Westerhold isn't the only developer concerned about the costs associated with Android development. Dave Feldman, co-founder of Emu, a third party messaging app, actually bucked the trend of iOS first and launched Emu on Android in late 2012. By April of 2014 Emu was pulled from the Play Store and launched on iOS. Developing Emu for Android hit a lot of issues working with SMS/MMS, dealing with Eclipse, and, of course, device fragmentation. Feldman told TechCrunch, "We were finding Android in general to be a slower platform to move on. There’s more time spent dealing with fragmentation bugs. There’s more time spent dealing with testing and debugging, and we would rather spend that time building new functionality." According to Feldman issues they faced with fragmentation were particularly perplexing: "On a Galaxy S4 with Samsung’s Multi-Window feature enabled, Emu’s popup windows are squished by the keyboard. This doesn’t happen on the Galaxy S4 sold by Google, without Samsung’s software modifications; or with the Multi-Window feature on the Galaxy S3. We’ve investigated, but because it relates to Samsung-specific functionality, we probably can’t fix it without direct cooperation from them." and... "On some Galaxy Nexus phones, when you’re listening to Pandora and get a notification sound from Emu, Pandora’s volume drops. This doesn’t happen with other apps’ notifications, nor does it happen with streaming apps other than Pandora, nor does it happen on any other device." Cameron Henneke, the developer behind GQueues, had a very different experience than the folks developing Emu. GQueues was originally just a web app, but in 2013 Henneke released iOS and Android apps. While Henneke had some previous experience developing games on iOS, this was his first Android app. So of course there was a huge learning curve and massive fragmentation issues that made him curse Andy Rubin, right? It turns out Henneke managed to develop the Android version faster than the iOS version (about 870 hours to develop the Android version versus 960 hours on the iOS version). So what can we conclude from these very disparate results? Depending on the kind of app you're making it might be far more difficult to launch on Android, or it might actually be easier. There are enough variables between funding, the size of the team, skill set, etc. that make it impossible to say developing for iOS first makes sense for everyone, but it certainly might make sense for a small team with limited funding.

Is it really that easy to make money on the App Store?

One of the big reasons often cited for app developers going to iOS first is that the App Store is where the money is. Android users are cheap and iOS users can't stop spending money on apps, right? That idea has certainly been promulgated by plenty of people and it certainly has been backed up by analysts, but is it really that easy to make money on the App Store? The economy of the App Store appears to be in flux. Independent developers are finding it more difficult to make enough money on the app store to sustain development, even with plenty of good press about the app. The race to the bottom for pricing apps is beginning to take its toll, forcing independent developers to adjust their monetization model. Independent developer Marco Arment's apps Instapaper and Overcast are fantastic examples of what pricing models used to work in the App Store and what the reality is today. When Arment first launched Instapaper on the App Store in 2008 he sold it for $9.99. On July 16th, 2014 Arment released Overcast, his third major iOS app. Overcast is available for free with a $5 in-app purchase to unlock features like Smart Speed and Voice Boost. Arment said the following about making Overcast free with IAP: "I'm not that confident in the market for a paid-up-front app anymore, especially because I wanted to charge a good price for it. ... If I launched today in the App Store I'm sure my day one sales at $5 would be decent, but, first of all, I know I got way more people [to try my app with] this model than I would have with [the paid up front] model. Second of all, I know over time that [the paid up front model] would be very hard to sustain because once the initial PR is over, and once all your friends and all your blog readers have bought it, and once everyone who's going to write about it has written about it, then the sales of every app just tail off like crazy. They just drop. If you look at the graph it looks like a roller coaster. ... If your app is paid up front that happens faster and it happens more severely. "I've seen this happen. Instapaper was that model the entire time I owned it. It's still that model today. I know that model very well. ... I also know that in today's App Store in a competitive category where I don't even have the most features and people are very, very picky with what they want and what they don't want, I knew that a $5 paid up front app was not a good long-term solution. ... I saw with Instapaper there were so many people who I would come in contact with (in real life even, even family friends) ... still using Instapaper Free, even two years after I discontinued it. There are so many people who ... don't pay for apps." Jared Sinclair, developer of apps like Riposte for App.net, Timezones, and Unread, faced these market pressures in particular with Unread. Unread was a well designed iOS RSS reader that launched at the sale price of $2.99 before being raised to $4.99. Sinclair worked tirelessly on the app: "I estimate that I worked sixty to eighty hours a week every week from July 2013 up until the launch of Unread for iPhone Version 1.0 in February 2014." The app was covered by prominent Apple blogs and was even featured in the App Store. Despite the great coverage, hard work, and great app, Sinclair only made about $21,000 after taxes and expenses. Eventually Sinclair decided to sell Unread. His latest app, Time Zones, is free on the App Store with advertisements, though a $4.99 in-app purchase makes Time Zones ad-free. John Gruber of Q Branch (and, of course, Daring Fireball and The Talk Show) recently opened up about why he and his colleagues raised the price for Vesper, the note taking app that I'm using to write these very paragraphs. Vesper launched in the summer of 2013 for $4.99, but had been on sale for $2.99 from the summer of 2014 until this winter. With the release of iPad support for Vesper Q Branch decided to raise the price to $9.99. John Gruber explained the pricing change, saying: "Put another way, we’re going to charge something sane or die trying. We tried following the iOS App Store trend by pricing Vesper at just $2.99 for months. It didn’t work. Prices like that are not sane, and not sustainable, at least for well-crafted productivity apps. So Q Branch is drawing a line in the sand, and we hope other iOS developers will follow." These developers are attacking the same problem from different perspectives. Arment and Sinclair saw the trend in the App Store towards free with in-app purchase and adapted the pricing models for Overcast and Time Zones accordingly. Q Branch, on the other hand, is trying to reverse the trend. Both models are compelling, and more importantly, both models point to the realities we've seen on the Play Store for some time.

What Kinds of Apps Are Successful on Android?

While Android may not be known for being the platform that many developers work on first, it is a platform that has a vibrant development community with plenty of developers that are able to make a living from their Android apps. The key is finding the right app category and the right business model. AgileBits is a great example of a developer that was primarily Apple focused, but recently brought 1Password to Android in full force. To be clear, AgileBits had an Android version of 1Password as far back as 2010, but the app only allowed users to read their usernames and passwords, not add any new credentials (or any of their other more advanced features). The app stayed in that condition for almost four years before being relaunched in the summer of 2014 with a complete redesign to better match Android's aesthetic and add full functionality to the app. "We wanted the app to be accessible to everyone," says CEO Jeff Shiner. “We know many people have multiple devices on different platforms. We want them to be able to secure their passwords everywhere from an app that feels like 1Password, but that also feels native to the platforms they use, whether they be OS X, Windows, iOS, or Android.” Part of making the app accessible to everyone meant AgileBits changing their monetization strategy. Starting with their Android release AgileBits made 1Password completely free to use with a one time $9.99 in-app purchase to unlock pro features (the iOS app soon followed suit with the same pricing strategy). Users are able to try the premium features in the app for 30 days before it reverts to read-only functionality. The most famous example of a developer succeeding on Android is Shifty Jelly. Shifty Jelly, which is behind the popular podcast client Pocket Casts, hasn't been successful on Android just recently either. Way back in December of 2011 Shifty Jelly's Russell Ivanovic reported that the company was making the majority of their sales for Pocket Casts on Android. By 2013 Ivanovic reported that Pocket Casts had sold 5 copies on Android for every copy they sold on iOS. What made Pocket Casts successful on Android where other apps have failed? I think the major reason is that Shifty Jelly made a killer podcast app on a platform that was in desperate need of a decent podcast app. Google provided Listen for a few years before discontinuing it in late 2012. Listen was never a good podcast app, but it was good enough to get the job done. Pocket Casts, on the other hand, was a great podcast app and has continued to iterate and improve to the point where I consider it to be the only podcast app to consider on Android. The other reason I think Pocket Casts was successful is that it is sold for a fair price. Though that price has shifted over the years, it was high enough to support development and the expansion of Shifty Jelly's team, but low enough that it seems reasonable to many. Pricing is always a tremendously difficult part in releasing and selling an app and Shifty Jelly did well in this regard. Shifty Jelly shows that there is absolutely a market for paid apps on Android, but you have to make something that people want and sell it at a fair price. Determining those factors is incredibly difficult, but that's been the reality on iOS and Android for years now. The days of selling software for $50 are gone. Freemium and cheap paid apps are here to stay as are the millions of users for each platform.

Does it really matter?

For smaller development teams the cost of supporting Android up front may be prohibitive, but there is simply no excuse for large companies like Facebook who have large development teams and effectively endless resources to bring their products to both platforms simultaneously. Companies like Shifty Jelly make it clear that success can be found on the Play Store just like it can be found on the App Store, but developers for both ecosystems need to be cautious with pricing in order to maintain enough income to continue development. But what about for users? Does it really matter that Android users tend to get apps later than iOS users? This is a tough question to answer because it varies by experience and priorities. Having lived on iOS for the past four years I can say that I've enjoyed having access to pretty much every app I want, but I also can't think of many apps that I can't get on Android. I can, however, think of plenty of features and options that I can't get on iOS. While it's not an intended compromise, I do think that is the compromise users have to consider. What's more important to you: having the latest apps first or having the best features first? Most of Android's best features eventually make it over to iOS and most of iOS' best apps eventually make it over to Android too, so which do you want first?

Microsoft Launches Office Suite of Apps to Google Play for All to Download

Tim — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:49:57 +0000

The Microsoft Office suite of apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are now out of Preview for Android smartphones, downloadable by all over on Google Play. Previews for each app were made available back in mid-May, but apparently testing went so well, public builds are now rolling out. According to the Office team's blog post, during the preview period, the apps were tested on over 1,900 different Android phone models in 83 countries, with thousands of users providing feedback. Even a few of the user-requested features, such as easier syncing to Google Drive and Box, have been built-in to these builds today. If you are looking for the tablet Office apps, you can find those here. For all of your Microsoft Office needs, head on over to Google Play now. Play Links: Office | Excel | PowerPoint

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Via: Office

IFTTT Introduces the Android Battery Channel to Help You Conserve and Track Battery Life

Kellen — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:44:03 +0000

If This Then That, better known as IFTTT, introduced a new Android Battery channel today to help all of us better manage battery life, trigger related actions when our phone is charging or not charging, and maybe even squeeze out a bit of extra juice when we are in the danger zone. The channel is live through the web, but does come in an update to the Android app as well. With the Android Battery channel, you can cook up recipes that do simple things like send you an email or SMS whenever your battery gets low. If that seems silly, think about something like having your phone automatically turn off WiFi or Bluetooth as your phone hits a certain percentage. Or maybe you just want your phone to send a notification to your Android Wear device as its battery dwindles. You could even go as far as to have the lights in your house blink when your battery has about had it. Forget battery life for a second, though, and think about other triggers. Like, say you plug in your phone every night before you go to bed - you could have an IFTTT recipe that then turns the temperature down in your home the minute that happens. You could also have it turn the temperature back up when you unplug in the morning. Outside of the Android Battery channel, the update brought with it Trello and Weebly channels, recommendations in your feed, and 2-factor authentication. Play Link | IFTTT Battery Channel

Qi Wireless Charging is About to Get a Whole Lot Faster

Kellen — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:13:12 +0000

The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced this morning that a new Qi wireless power standard specification "paves the way for fast charging of mobile phones." In other words, wireless charging will soon have fast charging capabilities, similar to what is found in devices currently equipped with Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology. I'll say that again - wireless charging is about to be fast, just like turbo or fast charging is. The new specification makes it possible for wireless chargers to deliver 15 watts of power to phones, which means decreased time required to charge. Those who currently own wireless chargers know that this is insanely good news, since current wireless chargers are far less than quick and not even in the conversation of fast. Any improvement is welcomed, but the WPC makes this new spec sound like it could be just as fast as wired fast charging, where a phone can reach 60% charge in as little as 30 minutes. Oh, the news only gets better. According to the WPC, the new Qi specification will apparently be backward compatible with all existing Qi products. I would assume that they mean phones that are Qi-compatible. My guess is that you will still need to buy a new fast Qi charger to take advantage. How exciting.

WPC Increases Power, Improves User Experience with New Qi Wireless Power Standard Specification

Latest Update Paves the Way for Fast Charging of Mobile Phones
PISCATAWAY, N.J., June 23, 2015 – The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the driving force and leader in the global adoption of wireless power technology, today announced that the latest version of the Qi specification now makes it possible to deliver 15 watts of power to mobile phones that support wireless fast charging. This Qi fast charging feature enhances the charging experience by decreasing the time required to wirelessly charge devices. Several manufacturers already offer wired fast charging for their devices, providing as much as 60 percent charge in as little as 30 minutes. The latest Qi specification empowers them to extend this speed to wireless charging as well. Once again this is a first in wireless charging, creating more choice for consumers in the eco system of Qi-compatible products, an ecosystem that already offers the largest choice in wireless chargers, addressing the many different needs of consumers at home and on the move. “With a deployed base of well over 50 million units, hundreds of registered products and users all around the world, we understand the importance of a specification that supports innovation,” said Menno Treffers, chairman of the WPC. “This release marks an important milestone for Qi, introducing the first higher power class and paving the way for our members to address more demanding applications with products that work seamlessly with the installed base of Qi-compatible products.” In addition to the new Qi specification, the WPC also approved the test procedures and tools needed to verify that fast charging products are compliant with the new Qi specification, as well as being backward compatible with all existing Qi products. The new specification is initially available only for members of the Wireless Power Consortium. It will be made available as a public document at a later date.

Cheers Jigga_Z!

Deal: Purchase a Nexus 9 LTE 32GB From Expansys for Just $380 ($120+ Off)

Tim — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 15:40:59 +0000

For who knows how long over on Expansys, you can purchase a new Nexus 9 LTE tablet with 32GB of storage for just $379.99. Considering Google sells a similar LTE model on the Google Store for $599 and Expansys normally wants $499, this is a pretty sweet deal. The Nexus 9 is powered by a 64-bit Tegra K1 processor and 2GB of RAM, featuring a very nice 8.9" QXGA (2048x1536) display, 8MP rear-facing camera, and 6,700mAh battery. Given it is a Nexus, it should be one of the first devices to receive an official update to Android M upon its release, so that's exciting. Plus, this is the LTE variant, meaning you can slap a SIM card in there and do your browsing from wherever, no WiFi needed. To take advantage, follow the link below. Expansys Link Edit: This international variant doesn't appear to support AT&T's band 17 LTE, just FYI. It also won't work on Verizon.

Tip: Play Music Update Gives You Specific Control Over Music That Goes to Your Android Wear Device

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 15:14:23 +0000

Tucked away inside the newest update to Google Play Music (v6.0.1942S) are greatly improved controls over the downloaded albums or playlists that sync with your Android Wear device, should you have one connected. A user over at reddit noticed that after updating, you no longer just have the all or nothing option, where the check of a box told Play Music to either send every single thing you have downloaded to your watch (starting with the most recent) or your watch gets nothing. Instead, you can tell Play Music which albums and playlists you want sent over. As you can see from the screenshots, there is a new "Manage Wear downloads" option underneath the box to "Download to Android Wear." If you open that setting, you are taken to a page that shows the storage state of your Android Wear watch, along with the playlists or albums you have downloaded that are up for transferring over. The list also shows the size of each album or playlist to help you better manage Wear storage. In order to send an album or playlist, all you have to do is tap on it. If you don't want something, tap it again. Thank you, Google.

Via: reddit

Monument Valley Ida's Dream Will be Free to Download on June 25

Tim — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 15:04:45 +0000

The somewhat new title for the Monument Valley franchise, Ida's Dream, is set to rerelease on to Android and other platforms on June 25, for the price of absolutely free. Previously, this DLC was made available through a limited (Red) campaign promotion, but now, everyone who missed out on the previous opportunity to download it can now access it. Ida's Dream continues Monument Valley's puzzle spectacle, placing you in gorgeous worlds filled with odd-looking creatures and challenging obstacles. According to ustwo’s Director of Games Neil McFarland, "This is content that people haven’t been able to get, or just missed out on, and it’s just really good that we’re completing it now for the majority of players." Ida's Dream relaunches on multiple platforms, including Android, on June 25. You will need to have purchased the original Monument Valley, which is linked below. Play Link

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Via: TechCrunch

Play Music Update is Live With New Navigation Drawer, Free Streaming

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 14:12:30 +0000

This morning, Google announced that Play Music would be receiving an update (v6.0.1942S) that introduced free, ad-supported radio for those who aren't paying $10 a month for All Access. That update is rolling out now and we have the .apk should you want to update today. In the update, not only do you have the option to listen for free to curated playlists, but Google is also tweaking the layout of things a bit. The biggest change you will see is in the slideout navigation drawer that includes options of Listen Now, Top Charts, New Releases, My Library, and Browse Stations. What's different there? Well, Playlists has been moved under My Library, Radio sort of became Browse Stations, and Explore is broken out into two categories of Top Charts and New Releases. Browse Stations should probably just still be "Radio," but who am I to decide such things? In that new section, though, you do get more of a "browsing" like experience. In the the former Radio section, you used to see your stations, along with recommendations, but that's now all under My Library.

Also, if you were wondering what the ad-support radio looks like, we have images below. Not only will you get video ads before starting up some radio stations, but you will see ads in the app on radio pages. You also only get a limited number of skips in playlists, just like other free streaming services. Update: Google also added more controls over what albums and playlists are sent to your Android Wear device. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

NVIDIA SHIELD Review

Tim — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 13:48:45 +0000

NVIDIA's SHIELD set-top box is quite the little machine. A few of you may already have it in your home, given that it first became available back in late May, but just like smartphones, we like to take our time living with this tech in our own home, making sure we know the whole story before rushing to post a complete review. I have been living with SHIELD hooked up to my TV in the living room for a little under a month now, and while most of my experience has been fantastic, it's not NVIDIA's hardware that causes issues for me at times; it's Android TV. In the review below, we will go over the benefits of buying a SHIELD over a basic Nexus Player, plus the ups and downs of living with Android TV. This is our NVIDIA SHIELD review.

The Good

Specs The SHIELD features a Tegra X1 processor with 3GB of RAM, plus 16GB of onboard storage. If you opt for the Pro model, you receive 500GB of storage, containing a hybrid HD with spinning hard disk and small amount of flash memory to help with performance. For ports, SHIELD has 2 full-size USB 3.0 slots, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 4K (UHD) copy protection, 2.0 micro-USB for ADB, Bluetooth 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 ac - 2x2 MIMO WiFi connectivity, and a Infra-red port for Logitech Universal remotes. In terms of an Android TV set-top box, not much compares to SHIELD currently on the market.

Hardware At least from my experience, NVIDIA has never skimped when it comes to hardware. Everything from their tablets (SHIELD Tablet) to hand-held gaming consoles (SHIELD Portable) feel very premium, with SHIELD being no different. It's slightly heavy, with the look of brushed metal on part of its exterior, but thankfully, this isn't a device you have to carry around with you. Once you have it placed on your desk or wherever in your living room, it will likely stay there, looking good. It features a unique design, with edges and points on its topside, plus that shiny NVIDIA Green illumination when powered on. It's a good looking unit. Accessories Like other SHIELD devices, the SHIELD Android TV has a few accessories available to it, those being a SHIELD Remote and a SHIELD Stand. The SHIELD Remote is much like the remote you would find with the Nexus Player, but NVIDIA went above and beyond in terms of capability. With SHIELD Remote, folks who wish to watch their shows in privacy can hook up a headset directly to the remote for audio via a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack. This way you don't have to wake up your spouse or kids who are sleeping upstairs while consuming your content. The SHIELD Controller, included with the purchase of SHIELD, also features a headphone jack. The SHIELD Stand is rather basic, allowing you to prop up SHIELD, much like you could a Xbox 360. It features a light adhesive on its bottom side, as to make sure it never falls over during an earthquake or getting bumped by something. This adhesive can be pulled up and moved, remaining sticky and not leaving marks. The SHIELD Controller that is coupled with SHIELD out of the box is the same controller that launched alongside SHIELD Tablet. The only real difference is that it features Lollipop style buttons instead of Kit Kat on the frontside for Home, Back, and Start. It's a well-built gaming controller, complete with triggers, bumpers, d-pad, joysticks, and long-lasting battery. The battery is charged via a microUSB port on the controller's topside, right next to the headphone jack. Folks may ask, why did NVIDIA include a SHIELD Controller with SHIELD and not just a SHIELD Remote? Well, that's simple. During a briefing, NVIDIA states that they want buyers to receive the full experience, no matter which model of SHIELD you get. SHIELD Android TV is meant to be experienced with a full game controller, given that its main purpose, at least in my eyes, is gaming.

Each of these accessories can be purchased separately, and additional SHIELD Controllers can be bought as well. The SHIELD Remote is priced at $50, SHIELD Stand at $30, and extra SHIELD Controllers cost $60.

Gaming and Performance Most of my excitement surrounding SHIELD was the gaming aspect. Sure, you can play games built for compatibility with Android TV, but let's be real, not all of those are awesome. Announced alongside SHIELD was the release of DOOM 3: BFG Edition, The Talos Principle, Miami Hotline, and Luftrausers. Now these games are what I'm talking about -- games built specifically for those with gaming controllers, played on the big screen TV in your living room. Thanks to SHIELD's computing power, shooting my way through DOOM 3, plus the older DOOM and DOOM II was really great, and with NVIDIA testing controls and playability themselves, controllers work without a hitch during gameplay. For users of GameStream, don't worry, it's baked into SHIELD as well. GameStream allows you to stream your compatible PC games via your home's Internet connection to the HDTV in your living room. First introduced with SHIELD Tablet, you will again need to make sure you have all of the necessary tech to make it work. And for the Twitch streamers among us, NVIDIA Share is available, allowing you to stream your gameplay directly to Twitch while you play. For gamers who love to share their experiences, it's a big advantage over anything else on the market. Beyond just gaming, whipping through Android TV's menus is a breeze, with no signs of jank or lag. Everything runs smoothly at 60FPS. With the Tegra X1 and 3GB of RAM, you would really hope not to see any performance hiccups, and thankfully during my living experience, I didn't notice any issues in the performance department. As long as you have excellent Internet speeds, everything should download smoothly, run phenomenally, and look fantastic.

GRID Alongside games released natively for Android that you can download straight from Google Play, NVIDIA has something special for those who want to take gaming to that next level, and that's Full HD game streaming from GRID. No longer in beta, GRID allows you to stream games via dedicated servers over a high-speed data connection. To NVIDIA, a high-speed data connection equates to a recommended 5-10 Mbps for 720p streaming and 30-50 Mbps for 1080p. To get those speeds, I would recommend hardwiring SHIELD to your router, just to make sure you don't have to worry about an inconsistent WiFi connection. As for which games are available for streaming, currently there is Batman: Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum, GRID and GRID 2 (racing games), Borderlands, Homefront, F.E.A.R. 3, Dead Island, and a boat load of LEGO titles. NVIDIA adds new titles to GRID regularly, so don't worry about running out of titles to play. Honestly, I don't like to buy every game that is available for whatever console I own. GRID allows me to play these games free of charge and even saves my progress on a server via my account. As a consumer, this is a ton of value included with my initial purchase of SHIELD, so anything that is included along with that purchase is icing on the cake to me.

I stress the issue of gaming to potential buyers of SHIELD because if you are interested in buying this box, yet don't plan on playing any games, what's the point? Sure, if you want a super glorified $199+ Android TV box, go for it, but in actuality, this is a specialty device with a somewhat limited market. Yes, the gaming industry is huge and mobile gaming is growing like crazy, but how many people really want to play their mobile games on a HDTV? A SHIELD buyer needs to want to play AAA gaming titles in the living room, with a controller in-hand. NVIDIA already has more gaming titles lined up, so if you take gaming seriously, SHIELD is really your only option for the living room in the Android TV space. 4K (UHD) Capability Unlike other Android TV boxes, SHIELD is essentially future proof. It features the ability to playback 4K content, something that other boxes cannot do. Now, as of today, 4K content is extremely limited, but it is really only a matter of time until it is mainstream. 4K TVs are becoming more affordable, and with this, the demand for 4K content will grow. As we already see, Netflix produces a TV series in UHD, which looks fantastic when being streamed on SHIELD. I thought Kevin Spacey in House of Cards was already a good looking guy, but in 4K, he's super handsome. Beyond limited content, unless you want to stream 24 hours of MKBHD YouTube videos, the simple fact that SHIELD supports 4K is important. In a world where whatever we buy seems outdated the second we open the box, SHIELD will at least be able to keep up with the change from Full HD over to 4K as it becomes more popular among movie/TV studios and content creators. Note: NVIDIA provided a 4K TV to me for this review. Updates Straight From NVIDIA Just like previous SHIELD devices from NVIDIA, updates for these units and accessories come straight from the company; no waiting for carriers or any of that nonsense. In my experience, NVIDIA takes the update game extremely serious, always trying to provide the latest build of Android to their customers, while still baking in special features. Since having SHIELD in my home, it has received a few updates that focus on making it perform better during streaming. If updates are important to you, as they should be, SHIELD seems set to receive updates well into the future.

Somewhere in the Middle

Android TV Software Android TV has been available for quite some time, but it still has some growing to do. The basic operation of it is simple enough, complete with scrolling and clicking, but I feel it is missing something. Maybe if I could hook my cable box up through Android TV to get some type of overlay, that could be sweet, but sadly, this is not the case. Instead, on my TV, I have to switch inputs from my cable box to see my SHIELD content. Once loaded up, Android TV is very minimal. You can access Play Movies and Play Music, plus download third party apps like MLB.TV, Netflix, and Hulu Plus, but one of my main issues was Google Play. Before the recent Android TV update, browsing through whatever titles were available on Google Play wasn't quite possible. You either had to load up the apps from your desktop and send them to Android TV, or hope the app was popular enough to be listed on the front page. Now with the update available, browsing all apps is possible, it's just that there seems to be a lack in the Android TV app ecosystem as a whole. It's growing, but still lacking. Everything you probably need is there, such as Netflix and Hulu -- HBO Go is on the way -- but a first time user of Android TV may be left a little bored with the lack of features.

Now, besides an unknown longing for something more, Android TV is a nice, simple platform for watching YouTube videos and movies already in your Play Movies library. Given that it is tied to your account, accessing your already-owned content is very easy, and thanks to the built-in Voice Search function, finding whatever you want is made very easy. Don't get me wrong, Android TV is nice, but I think it could be better. Pricing and Availability SHIELD is priced very well, if you plan on using it to its full potential. For the 16GB model, capable of only holding a few games, you are looking at a $199 price. This includes a SHIELD Controller, access to GRID game streaming, plus a promotion for $30 in Google Play credit and 3 free months of Google Play Music. For an extra $100, you can go the Pro model, featuring 500GB of onboard storage. Included with the Pro is also a SHIELD Controller, $30 of Google Play credit, 3 months of Google Play Music, and a copy of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel upon its release. So, in my opinion, if you are thinking SHIELD, then you have to go Pro. All that storage will really come in handy, allowing you not to worry about taking up too much space with games you don't play. One of my issues with the pricing is not of the unit itself, but with its accessories. For an extra $50, you can buy a SHIELD Remote, or for $30, a SHIELD Stand. While the stand is nice, it's a piece of plastic that you stick your SHIELD into. It looks cool, but $30? Damn. $50 also seems steep for SHIELD Remote. Instead of including Borderlands and 3 free months of Google Play Music, why not throw in a SHIELD Remote and Stand for Pro model buyers? Or maybe a complete SHIELD Bundle option for those who don't want/need Play Music and Borderlands? Even more crazy, why not offer a SHIELD coupled with a SHIELD Remote for just $150, then make people purchase a SHIELD Controller separately if they decide they want to game with the device? There are a few different ways NVIDIA could have gone about the pricing for SHIELD, and in the long run, they probably chose right, but as a consumer, I would have liked to see a few more options. And seriously, $199 for just 16GB of storage? At least make it 32GB, NVIDIA.

The Not-so-Good

Bugs Here and There I, along with our friend Dave Kover who owns a Pro model of SHIELD, have come across a bug or two during our time with SHIELD. It's nothing crazy, but they do exist, and so far, have been the only damper on my time with the device. For me, at times when I don't place the device into Sleep mode and leave it, I will come back to it and the picture will be extremely distorted. This will force me to restart the box, then all seems well. Again, this only seems to happen when I leave the device sitting for a while and not placing it in Sleep mode. Dave, on the other hand, ran into an issue with the connectivity of his SHIELD Controller. After starting playback on a video, the SHIELD Controller will turn off (disconnect), and then when he presses the SHIELD button to turn on the controller, it won't sync back up with SHIELD. This also resulted in him having to restart his box. These are not insane bugs, all of which are likely fixable by NVIDIA in an update, but don't go into SHIELD thinking you will have a flawless experience, and then when something happens you freak out and think your unit is broken. Bugs happen.

Video

Hardware Overview and Software Tour

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Verdict

In my opinion, SHIELD is the best set-top box you can get on the market today. It delivers everything the competitors have, and then some. Sure, that initial cost might seem high at first, but in the long run, you have a future proof box that delivers your HD movies, music, games, and 4K content. That's a lot to ask for, all for starting at $199. The only real reason you should opt for something less is because you think you won't need all of the gaming features. I mean, c'mon, it comes coupled with a game controller. If games aren't your thing, then there is no need for it, and maybe a Nexus Player or Smart TV with Android TV baked in would be a better fit. But if you want to turn your TV experience up to 11, SHIELD is the way to go.

"Undo Send" Comes to Gmail on the Web, Likely Coming to Mobile Apps Soon

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:29:57 +0000

Back in May, Google introduced an "undo send" button to Inbox, both on the web and in mobile apps. The feature wasn't new to many of us, as it had been baked into Gmail for much longer, but only as a "Labs" option for those who knew it existed. Yesterday, that all changed when Google brought "undo send" out of Labs and into general settings on Gmail for the web. Yes, friends, you can now "Whoops!" and un-whoops on Gmail on much more stable terms. Or for some of you, for the first time now that the setting isn't hidden away. Not familiar with "undo send?" This is Google realizing that some times, people might have clicked "send" a bit early or sent something to the wrong person, realizing it a few seconds after the fact. With "undo send" you can tell Gmail to give you up to 30 seconds to decide whether or not you want to call back an email.

This feature isn't currently in Gmail apps, but I would imagine it will be here soon. After all, the option is in the Inbox app already. To enable "undo send," head into your Gmail settings General tab.

Via: Google Apps Updates

Deal: Moto Hint Drops to $99 This Week Only ($50 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:12:12 +0000

Motorola introduced a new deal for the week this morning that features their discreet Bluetooth earbud, the Moto Hint. At $99, this little gadget can yours. That's a $50 discount, in case you were wondering. We took the Moto Hint for a spin back in October of last year, finding that the idea behind the Hint is quite interesting even if it falls a bit short of our expectations. While it may not be the ultimate in-ear assistant that Motorola was hoping it would be, it's not terrible as a Bluetooth headset, especially if you are like me, and don't want to be the guy seen walking around with a Bluetooth headset in his ear at all times. As a recap, the Hint is a tiny earbud that allows you to not only place and receive calls, but also ask it commands like you would your phone. You could ask for the weather or directions, but also hear notifications as they come in. It automatically turns on or off as you put it in or take it out of your ear, charges through its carrying case, and comes in a variety of textures and colors (wood, leather, etc.). Motorola Link ($99)

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Cheers David!

T-Mobile's "Un-Carrier Amped!" Kicks Off Thursday, Amping of All Things Uncarrier Incoming. Such Amp.

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 11:57:36 +0000

On Thursday, T-Mobile is kicking off a new initiative called "Un-Carrier Amped!" Yes, the exclamation point is included in the branding for this thing. The plan is for T-Mobile to amp up many of their previously introduced Uncarrier moves, "making them even bigger, even better, even ballsier." Profanity also incoming! Fat jokes too (unconfirmed). T-Mobile is only teasing "Amped!" for now, telling us to "stay tuned." Oh, they did launch a site dedicated to amping of things, which you can see here. Guesses?

Instagram 7.0 Adds New Explore Page, Makes Search Actually Useful (Updated: APK)

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 09:51:03 +0000

Instagram is pushing a major update to version 7.0 today that introduces an all-new Explore page, along with search functionality that is actually useful. In the new Explore page, users will find "trends as they emerge in real-time," trending tags and places, and new curated collections of things like extreme athletes or musicians, "glimmering islands," architecture, etc. Instagram wants you to not only find the hot happenings near you, but also those around the globe as they are happening. So much happening. As for the new search, well, it sounds like you might finally be able to find things for once. You can now search through places to - as Instagram suggests - potentially scout out the next vacation spot or peer inside a trendy restaurant. The new search also lets you search across people, tags, and places all at once.

The new Explore is only available in the US for now, but search is here for everyone. The 7.0 update is rolling out on iOS and Android today. Play Link | Update: Here is the .apk file.

Via: Instagram

Google Play Music Gets Free, Ad-Supported Radio Streaming in US

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 09:16:25 +0000

Google just announced that Google Play Music now has free, ad-supported radio streaming in the US. That means anyone can login to Play Music, pick a curated playlist, and enjoy free tunes. The lists could be workout jams, those made to help you wake up happier, something to boost your energy, or hits that will help you wind down for the night. Google has a "team of music experts" who craft each station song by song, "so you don't have to." The free streaming service is available today on the web at music.google.com and will rollout to Android and iOS later this week. Play Link

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Via: Android Blog

Dropbox Update Brings Redesign, New Features Like Faster Search

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 08:49:13 +0000

Dropbox on Android received a big update today that ushers in a new design for the storage app, along with a handful of new features. In the redesign, Dropbox is giving you a taste of Material Design, with FAB, new slideout drawer, and cleaner UI. As Dropbox states, the "fresh look" is "right at home on the latest versions of Android." As for new features, Dropbox has added in the ability to take a photo from within a folder, should you want to save a photo directly to that folder. This could be really handy for not only snapping photos of events or gatherings, but also for those who snap photos of bills or other documents. They also improved search and made sharing controls more consistent across the app. Here are the new goodies outside of the redesign, according to Dropbox:

Put photos where you need them. We’ve added a “plus” button that lets you take a photo right from the folder you want to save it to. Want to share whiteboard notes from a meeting with everyone? Just go to a shared folder, snap a photo, and upload it directly. Best of all, photos you take using the “plus” button will go straight to Dropbox, bypassing your gallery and saving space on your device.
Find stuff faster. Our new search icon — located in the top menu — helps you find just what you’re looking for (and you can search within documents too). We’ve also made browsing easier. Now you can swipe left and right to easily navigate through folders on the go.
Take action on files. We’ve put key sharing controls — and common file actions like favoriting, moving, and renaming — in the same place across the app. Whether you’re in your file list or previewing a document or photo, just go to the info pane to take action. You’ll also see richer info like file and folder locations, modification dates, and shared folder members in the file list.

The update is rolling out slowly over the coming days on Google Play. Play Link

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Via: Dropbox

Todoist Launches Material Design Update to Google Play, Includes New Tablet Interface

Tim — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 08:39:45 +0000

Over on Google Play, a big update for Todoist, the to-do list and task list organizer app, is now available for all to download. Inside, the developers have completely reworked the application, bringing plenty of Material Design changes, including wonderful animations and transitions. Not only does the app look and behave much differently from before, but new features are also packed inside of the update. According to the changelog, various color themes have been added in, allowing users to set one for any mood you may be in. In addition, you can turn a new task into a sub-task during quick-add, add collaborators while creating a new project, Intelligent quick-add with natural date recognition, and much more. And for all of you tablet owners, a redesigned interface has also been baked in, giving off much more info during a quick glance. If you use Todoist to take care of your business, head on over to Google Play and grab this update. Play Link

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Via: Todoist

AWESOME DEAL: Motorola Turbo Charger Back at Groupon for $9.99! (Hurry!)

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 07:48:13 +0000

The last time we posted this deal, it sold out in about an hour. You should probably hurry this time. Motorola Turbo Charger at just $9.99 (re-certified version) or $14.99 (brand new). This normally sells for $35. GO. If you don't know why you need this, read this story. Deal Link

Cheers Thomas!

Amazon Echo is Now Available to All at $179

Kellen — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 07:34:57 +0000

Amazon's personal assistant/kitchen buddy/media streamer/news updater/joke teller/home controller that is manipulated by voice, the Amazon Echo, is now available for all to purchase at the price of $179. The cylindrical speaker will ship on July 14. Not familiar with Echo? Here's the story. Echo was introduced in November to Prime members in very limited supply at $99 as a voice-activated assistant that includes a speaker, allowing it to double as a media player in any room. You had to sign-up to show interest in Echo, but Amazon didn't exactly let you order it right away. At first, they only let you request an invite to purchase and would notify you if selected. Soon after that, they let almost any Prime member order one, with shipping estimates months and months out. For example, Tim and I ordered Echo some time in early January, but neither of us actually received units until last month. So what does Echo do? A lot of the stuff I mentioned in that intro, but it also does a lot more. You control Echo completely with your voice by starting commands with, "Alexa" or "Hey, Alexa." From there, she awakens and is ready to play hits from Pandora, shuffle Raekwon from Amazon Music, set alarms, add items to shopping lists on Amazon, check your calendar (yes, it connects to Google Calendar), and control things around your house ("turn off the lights"), assuming you have the products equipped for Echo to do so. Echo (why aren't we just calling it Alexa?) can also check in on your favorite sports teams, read books aloud from Audible, answer questions about almost any topic, tell you measurement conversions while in the kitchen, explain weather forecasts, and even connect to IFTTT, opening up its world of capabilities beyond what I have time to list. You can even tell Alexa to turn the volume up or down, skip tracks, etc.

It ships with a remote, in case you aren't as interested in using your voice all of the time. There are companion apps on Android and iOS for setup and that also show you a history of what you have been doing with Echo. At $99, Echo was easily worth the investment. It's a decent room-filling speaker, has a cool-enough design, and really is perfect when in the kitchen for doing something as simple as running a timer. At $179, it's still probably worth it. The speaker is far better than most Bluetooth speakers that carry a $199 price, plus it does all of this extra stuff. Not only that, but Amazon is constantly adding new features to it on a monthly basis it seems. So there you go, Echo is now available. Amazon Link

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Beautiful 'Time Store' App Updated With New Watch Faces, Features

Tim — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 15:57:41 +0000

The Time Store app in Google Play received an update over the weekend, bringing additional watch faces for users to play with, as well as new features when applying a face. If you haven't heard of Time Store, know that the app lets you scroll through different watch faces, some of which are free to use, others being $0.99, but the idea is that it's your one-stop shop for Android Wear watch faces. As for new features, when applying any of the various watch faces offered, the user can now select to show or hide a battery percentage ticker on the face, something which was not available before. You can also choose to hide the logo, date, and choose between a sweeping or non-sweeping second hand. For new faces, included in the update are Oliver, Tittan, and Chaccka. From what I have seen so far, all of the faces look very well made, fitting perfectly on my Moto 360. As an added note, this app is extremely fun to play with, full of gorgeous scrolling animations and luxurious transitions. Adjectives. If you rock an Android Wear device, check out Time Store. Play Link (Premium - $4.99)

Deal: Avantree Bluetooth Stereo Earbuds for $30, Extra 10% Off With Coupon Code

Tim — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 15:00:53 +0000

Over on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a pair of Avantree Bluetooth Stereo Earbuds for just $30, regularly priced at $50. These earbuds are able to connect to your smartphone for audio and call playback, complete with a "small and stylish" design. These little buds are able to playback audio for up to six hours, with charging done via a USB cable. According to Avantree, these buds feature incredible sound from built-in in-ear drivers. If you need some decently priced Bluetooth earbuds, hop on it. Features

Bluetooth stereo headset w/ microphone for music & calls
Incredible sound direct from in-ear drivers
Small & stylish design
Auto-switching functionality to transition between music & calls
Perfect for gaming, chat & VoIP (Skype, MSN, etc)
Up to six-hours of continuous music playtime on one charge

To get an additional 10% off your purchase, enter code EARBUDS10. Deal Link

Deal: Verizon Moto X (1st Gen) is Just $110 at eBay Today

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 14:49:04 +0000

Should you buy a Moto X (1st gen) on Verizon, knowing that the 3rd gen model is more than likely arriving in the next couple of months? Not unless you really need a phone to get you by for eight or nine weeks. Sure, it's still probably a decent phone, but it is approaching that 2-year-old mark where phones magically start figuring out ways to shut down so that you'll upgrade to something newer. But hey, if you need a phone to get you by for a minute, this isn't a terrible option. eBay is currently selling a manufacturer refurbished Moto X (1st gen) for $109 without a contract. It should have Lollipop in a couple of weeks too...maybe. Free shipping! eBay Link

Mystery HTC Phone on Its Way to Verizon Stops by FCC (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 13:58:16 +0000

A random HTC device stopped by the FCC today, looking all sorts of ready for Verizon. To be honest, though, I have no idea what this phone is. The FCC (ID: NM80PM3100) calls it a "smartphone" and says that it has support for all of Verizon's typical CDMA and LTE bands, along with a couple of GSM bands for global roaming, but those are the only details we have. Could this be the One M9+ on its way to the US? Eh, maybe. Is it another budget HTC device, like the Desire 612? Could be that too. Is this something completely new from HTC that we haven't even been tipped to? That would be something. Below, you will see a table from the filing that lists out the fact that this is a smartphone, but it also walks through the bands. One interesting note in the "Remark" section mentions that this phone has "two kinds of battery option" and maybe even two types of LCD panels from two different manufacturers. Because of that, the FCC had to do extra testing for each battery and LCD, making this filing quite the long read.

It does sound like this phone will have a removable back cover. The label location page shows that the FCC label, which is located on the battery, will be visible to users as they install the SIM card. I can't think of another way that a giant FCC label on a battery would be visible unless the cover is removed. So now you have to wonder if that also means removable battery, especially with the FCC needing to test a couple of battery types.

Any guesses as to what this phone may be? Anything we are missing in the filing? Update: A couple of readers noticed that this phone doesn't support 802.11ac WiFi, which means it is more than likely a budget handset. Update 2: We found another mystery HTC device that ran through the FCC (ID: NM80PM9400) today on its way to Verizon. This one might also be a budget phone. We aren't seeing GSM global support at all here or 802.11ac WiFi. I can't see a flagship Verizon phone missing either of those.

Via: FCC [2]

Humble BulkyPix Bundle Features Type:Rider and Joe Dever's Lone Wolf, Average Just $3.85

Tim — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 13:31:06 +0000

Over the next six days, you can pick up the latest Humble Bundle, featuring a great collection of games from publisher BulkyPix. Inside, buyers can gain access to Joe Dever's Lone Wolf, Type:Rider, Jazz: Trump's Journey, Meltdown, and more. Currently, the average price, which unlocks all of the games, is at just $3.85. Considering that these games individually in Google Play would cost over $50, that's a great deal. Any amount over that price can be sent directly to Humble Bundle's partnered charity, or the developers, depending on how you want it split up. This Humble Bundle directly supports the Prevent Cancer Foundation. If you need a few new games, and want to help a great cause, get on it. Humble Bundle Link

Swarm Gets Mayorships, Like It had When It was Relevant as Foursquare

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:59:40 +0000

Foursquare used to be this social check-in app that friends and fellow Foursquarians took to to not only share their locations, but also because the whole experience was one big game where the world competed against one another. You wanted badges for checking in at certain types of restaurants and you wanted to be the mayor of your most-visited spots. Then one day, Foursquare punched itself in the face one-too-many times and decided it wanted to be Yelp, so it created this silly companion app called Swarm that was supposed to replace the check-in portion of Foursquare. Unfortunately for Foursquare, the check-in portion of the app was all that really mattered to anyone. They liked the game and badges and mayorships. They didn't need Foursquare to be Yelp. Unfortunately for users of Foursquare who now had to use Swarm for the check-in stuff, there was a quick realization that Swarm as a check-in app was pretty crappy. Why? Because Foursquare removed all the stuff that made checking in fun - the game, badges, and mayorships. Here we are just over a year since Swarm was created and Foursquare is finally bringing back all of the things that matter. Badges (or "Stickers") were brought back a couple of weeks ago. Today, Foursquare is giving us mayorships again, mayorships that you compete for on a global basis, not just with your friends. Here is how they work:

The rules are simple: you’ll be the Mayor of a place if you’ve checked in more than anyone else in the last 30 days. Only 1 check-in per day counts and ties go to the reigning mayor. We’ve been tallying all of your check-ins from the past month, so go see if you’ve already proven yourself worthy of the Mayor crown at your local spots.

About time. Anyone care? Play Link

Via: Foursquare

This Icon Pack is Hot: Glif

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:19:46 +0000

You need your weekly fix of icons, don't you? This week's hot icon pack is called Glif. I don't think there is any hiding the fact that this icon pack is a playful take on an old-school comic book. Each uniquely designed icon sports black outlines, slightly washed colors, and a "glistening" white stripe. At this time, Glif is still very much a work-in-progress. After an update that was issued last week, the pack is closing in on 400 icons, so we are obviously a long way from the 3,000+ that other packs contain. Still, the designer (onyxdev) seems to be incredibly focused on getting out as many icons as he can and is openly accepting submissions for icons you need themed. Glif also features a whole bunch of retro-styled wallpapers, support for your favorite launchers, and a buttery smooth dashboard app. Play Link ($1.23)

Sony's "Thinner Than Your Smartphone" 55-Inch 4K LED TV With Android TV is Now Up for Pre-Order

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 11:43:05 +0000

At this year's CES, Sony unveiled a TV that got more traffic than just about every other TV I found myself in front of throughout the week. The popular TV was Sony's 55-inch 4K "Ultra-Thin" LED model that ran Android TV. People couldn't stop from halting in front if it to take a picture because it is insanely thin. Seriously, it was so crazy thin that even we (non-TV guys) stopped with mouths dropped to take a couple of pics (that we of course can't find now). Sony claims the TV is thinner than your smartphone or pencil at "approximately" 0.2-inches. It also runs Android TV, so you get access to Google Play and many of its apps, is Cast ready, and has a "vanishing edge" screen. Really, though, all of us only care because of how thin this bad boy is. Look at the pic below and try to tell me you aren't at least somewhat impressed. We're talking about it today because it's now up for pre-order at Amazon for $2500. Yes, it's expensive for a 120Hz TV, but Samsung's new TVs are hovering right around that price point as well. (It should be at Best Buy before long as well.) Any takers? Amazon | Best Buy

OnePlus Confirms Second Flagship Will Feature USB Type-C

Tim — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 11:24:36 +0000

Over on Twitter, OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 2 will feature USB Type-C, possibly making it the first Android flagship device released with the feature. There is no confirmed release date for the device yet, but OnePlus seems rather confident in this fact, according to the tweet. "We want to lead the way in power connectivity," the company tweets. And yes, if they do include USB Type-C, they would be leading the way. Currently, the only other device rumored to launch this year with Type-C is the Galaxy Note 5, but that won't be announced until September during IFA, most likely. As we inch closer to an official unveiling and release, you can rest assured that OnePlus will continue to share additional details and specs for the OnePlus 2. Interested in what OnePlus brings to the table in 2015?

Via: OnePlus

Deal: Buy a 64GB Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge at Full Retail, Get $100 Rebate From Samsung

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 10:59:53 +0000

T-Mobile is currently offering a free storage upgrade on Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge purchases that doubles your 32GB to 64GB or 64GB to 128GB at no extra cost. That's a great deal and all, but Samsung may have just sweetened the deal for those who are actually interested in purchasing the 64GB version of the phone from T-Mobile. They are also offering a solid $100 off for those who buy the phone from other carriers. Samsung's "Ultimate Upgrade" promo that kicked off this weekend runs from June 21 through July 5. With this promo, Samsung will send you a $100 rebate should you buy a 64GB Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge at full retail "at the carrier or national retailer of your choice." The point is to make up the $100 difference in 32GB and 64GB models. You see how this could be an incredible deal for T-Mobile customers? T-Mobile is already upgrading you to 64GB at the price of the 32GB, but if you buy the phone out-right, you are then getting $100 from Samsung as well. So you could land a 64GB model from T-Mobile for $579. Not bad, right? We cruised through the rebate details and don't see any mention of T-Mobile models being excluded. For the rest of you who aren't interested in phones from T-Mobile, you are still eligible for a $100 rebate if you buy either the S6 or S6 Edge at full retail.

Via: Samsung

Cheers @shojus!

T-Mobile Offers Free Memory Upgrade for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Buyers Starting Wednesday, Get 128GB for 64GB Price

Tim — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 10:30:42 +0000

Starting on Wednesday (6/24) and ending on Saturday (6/27), folks who have yet to pick up a shiny new smartphone can grab a Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge with a free memory upgrade on T-Mobile. With this free upgrade, buyers can get a 64GB unit for the 32GB price, or a 128GB model for the 64GB price. That's quite a bit of savings, plus a great idea given that neither device sports expandable storage. The deal is valid in-store and on the web, so starting Wednesday, check it out if you need a new phone. T-Mobile Links: Galaxy S6 | Galaxy S6 Edge Note: Samsung is also hosting a $100 rebate promo for those who buy the phone at full retail. If you grab the T-Mo S6 or S6 Edge with 64GB, you should be able to take advantage of this extra discount.

T-Mobile Galaxy S5 Now Receiving Android 5.1.1 Update

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 09:59:10 +0000

The T-Mobile variant of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is now receiving an update to Android 5.1.1, build G900TUVU1FOF6. This update gives T-Mobile yet another of their phones the newest version of Android. A week ago, they posted a similar update for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. So what's new in this update? T-Mobile added 5.1.1's new anti-theft feature, which forces you (or someone who stole your phone) to login to your Google account even after a factory reset. The rest of the update should be Lollipop stability improvements and bug fixes. T-Mobile claims that the update is 695MB. That seems excessive for such a minor update. Let us know if you get it!

Via: T-Mobile

Google Intros 17 New Watch Faces for Android Wear

Tim — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 09:38:00 +0000

Google introduced 17 new watch faces for Android Wear users today, a few of which are from makers you have probably heard of before. Starting today, you can download an official Hello Kitty and Angry Birds watch face, or even a Terminator Genisys face. While faces from big-name publishers are cool, we care a bit more for the designer-type watch faces. One which really caught our eye is the Kevin Tong "Robot" collection, which is customizable with plenty of different moving robots. All of the new faces are now available on Google Play, and we are sure there is something for everyone. Check out the new faces right here.

Via: Android

Sony Releases Android M Developer Preview for 12 Xperia Devices

Tim — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 08:30:09 +0000

Sony has shocked a few people this week, including myself, releasing an Android M Developer Preview build for a total of 12 Xperia devices. In a blog post, Sony goes over the importance of preparing for the official Android M launch, giving developers time to test apps and play with new APIs. To be exact, the Android M preview has been released for the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia E3, Xperia M2, Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia T3. In terms of device support, this is pretty impressive considering you don't see any other OEM allowing for this. Flashing Android M does not look to be overly complicated. All you will need to download is the file itself, binaries, and then verify your apps upon completion. Do note, Sony stresses that these builds are not meant for daily usage. You will need an unlocked bootloader, and in addition, the modem and the camera have not been implemented. Now, if someone could go ahead and convince Samsung, LG, HTC, and Motorola that this is a cool thing, we're in business.

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Via: Sony

This is Likely the New Moto G (3rd Gen) With Tweaked Design, 13MP and 5MP Cameras

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 08:26:55 +0000

Over the weekend, a random leak of what appears to be the new Moto G (3rd gen) showed up in a 2-minute video and series of pictures. The unit made public is clearly an engineering test model that lacks most Motorola branding, but does have all sort of identifiers to help Motorola track down whoever's unit this was supposed to be. The video shows, through a variety of benchmarks, all of the phones specs, along with the shape that the phone may take on when it's finalized. According to this video, we are looking at another 5-inch 720p display, Snapdragon 410 (MSM8916) processor, 1GB RAM, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, Android 5.1.1, and LTE connectivity. It looks, well, a lot like last year's Moto G only it has a redesigned back panel that features a silver panel that houses the Motorola dimple, camera, and flash. We have seen this same shape leak in purported pictures of the new Moto X (3rd gen) as well. Assuming Motorola sticks to the same Moto G formula as it has for the past couple of years, this phone should be well-priced at under $200. This phone will likely launch around the time of the new Moto X.

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Pebble Time Pre-Orders Now Open at Best Buy

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 07:43:47 +0000

Pebble Time, the new ~~kids toy~~ smartwatch from Kickstarter darling Pebble, is now available for pre-order from Best Buy. With Kickstarter orders almost all fulfilled, it's time for everyone else to get in on the fun that is this new colorful e-paper experience. At $199, the Pebble Time in red, white, or black can be yours. According to Best Buy, shipping should happen on or around July 20, in case you were wondering when your pre-order might arrive on your doorstep. As you can tell, we have a Pebble Time in house. Our man Ron will soon be taking on review duties since he is well-versed in the world of Pebble, so stick around for that. What I can tell you from my short time with this watch is that the overall feel is very much like the original. It's unapologetically plastic and probably isn't going to convince anyone that it is a $200 smartwatch, especially when you compare it to something like the $200 ZenWatch that is more powerful, has a stainless steel body with hand-stitched leather strap, and a touch screen. But Pebble is relying on its new UI to blow minds, along with 5-7 day battery life from its color e-paper display. Can it compete with the touchscreen options powered by Google or created by Apple? Only time will tell (lulz). Best Buy Link

Moto X (2nd Gen) "Pure Edition" Getting Another New Android 5.1 Update

Kellen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 07:19:31 +0000

After announcing that it was pushing a soak test and another Lollipop update to a couple of Moto X (1st gen) units over the weekend, Motorola also snuck in a new 5.1 update to the Moto X (2nd gen) "Pure Edition." I'm not sure why they didn't take to G+ or any other outlet to announce the news, but it is indeed happening. The odd thing here is that comes about a month after Motorola supposedly already pushed an update to this version of the Moto X (2nd gen). If you are currently running one of the various 5.1 builds out there for this phone, like 23.1.28 or 23.11.14, you may not be able to pull this (I certainly can't). It seems like this update may be for those coming from KitKat rather than those of us who picked up early soak test builds of 5.1. It's really tough to tell, especially without word from Motorola. I can't keep up anymore...anyone seeing this update? Can you tell us what version of Android you were running prior to this update?

Via: Motorola

Cheers Brandon!

Unlocked Moto X (1st Gen) Now Getting Lollipop in the US, Here are the Changes

Kellen — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 08:05:59 +0000

Wednesdays are known as "#UpdateWednesday" around the Android world, thanks to Google rolling out update after update to their apps and services each week on hump day. Fridays may now be taken as well, as Motorola seems to have adopted the end of the week as their opportunity to push updates to their line of smartphones. Quick, someone come up with a clever name for it outside of "UpdateFriday." Yesterday, Motorola not only kicked off a soak test for the Verizon Moto X (2nd gen) that should end up as an update to Android 5.1.1, they also started the full rollout of Android 5.1 (build 222.21.15) to the unlocked Moto X (1st gen). According to Motorola's David Schuster, a man who has quickly become the official voice of Motorola's update schedule, "full deployment of the 5.1 Android Lollipop upgrade" is go in the US, Brazil and Rogers (Canada). Again, this is the unlocked version of the Moto X, so don't go checking for updates on your Verizon or AT&T models. Those are likely still going through testing and could be a bit. Here is the pop-up you will see when the update hits your device. Also, feel free to check for it in Settings>About phone - it may very well be ready for all owners of the unlocked model in the US.

The full changelog for the update can be found below.

Material Design	You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device - from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets.
Notifications UI & Priorities	In order to alert you to the most timely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved: Notifications will appear on the lockscreen and are intelligently ranked by type and who sent them. You double-tap to open one, swipe left or right to clear one, or clear all notifications from the bottom of the list. You can set the priority and privacy of notifications for each application. Very high priority notifications will pop up briefly over other applications so that you can take action. When you dismiss a notification on one device it will be dismissed on your other Android devices, if they are connected to the Internet. You can further tailor how notifications behave with the new Downtime and Ambient Display settings (see below). You can block interruptions until your next alarm. This choice will show only when you have an alarm set within the next 12 hours. It will prevent you from missing an alarm when you choose ‘No interruptions’. You can choose to enter a scheduled downtime early. For example, if you are going to bed early and change your notification settings, you can choose “Until your downtime ends”. This option will be visible when within 4 hours of the scheduled start of your downtime. Adds icons to the volume settings panel that match those that will show in the status bar (None, Priority). You can now alter notification volume controls while media is playing. With the volume controls showing, a tap on the bell icon will bring up notification volume controls.
New Interruptions & Downtime Settings	You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend.
Recent Apps (Multi-tasking)	The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks.
Moto	Your Moto phone adapts to you, not the other way around. Moto now incorporates Motorola Assist, Motorola Active Display, Moto Voice (Touchless Control), and Moto Actions.
Moto Display and Ambient Display	While your phone’s display is off, Moto Display will continue to surface relevant notifications to you using the low-power Contextual Computing Processor. Android Lollipop now includes a similar feature, called Ambient Display, that displays notifications like those shown on the lockscreen. If you prefer to try the new Ambient Display feature, you can uncheck the Moto Display setting in the Moto app. Note: Ambient Display does not use Motorola’s low-power core and will turn on more of the display, so battery life may be impacted. The Moto Actions Approach gesture will not wake Ambient Display.
Moto Assist and Downtime	Moto Assist integrates the new Downtime feature within Android Lollipop to control when you don’t want to be disturbed. Moto Assist also now uses the new Interruptions settings so that you can customize exceptions, such as letting only people on your starred contacts list get through.
Flashlight	Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it).
Quick Settings	You can quickly select different Wi-Fi access points or different paired Bluetooth devices with a new pull-down menu on each tile. Conditional settings tiles that only show if you use the feature - like “Invert Colors” or “Hotspot” - can now be hidden via a long-press on the tile.
Share your Device	You can now set up multiple user accounts on your phone. Guest mode is enabled by default. You can give calling and text privileges to other users of your device, or restrict them as you like in the Users menu under Settings. Note that the personalized Moto experiences (Moto Assist, Moto Voice, Moto Display, Moto Actions) and Motorola Connect are for the owner account only. The Motorola Camera and Gallery applications support multiple user accounts.
Pin a view/app	Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can ‘pin’ a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone.
Battery	The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life.
Smarter Internet Connections	With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.
Performance	Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space.
Smart Lock (Trusted Devices)	Android Lollipop adds native support for allowing trusted devices to keep your phone unlocked (such as your Moto 360, a Bluetooth car kit or headset, etc.). Smart Lock replaces the prior trusted device capability in your Motorola phone. Note that you will need to add your trusted devices back after the transition to Lollipop in the Security settings menu under Smart Lock.

Via: +David Schuster | Motorola

Cheers Matt, Matt, Ryan, Stephen, and everyone else!

Best Phones Today

Kellen — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 19:12:29 +0000

Welcome back to another episode of the Droid Life Show! On episode 85, we'll talk through a number of current topics that were touched on throughout this week, including the best phone you can buy today, upgrade preferences of our readers, Android Wear's 5.1 update, OnePlus 2 news and rumors, and even find time to complain about the way OTA updates work. There are bound to be other fun topics as well, like the best apps of the week, so join us live!

Don’t Miss These Top Android Stories: 6/19/2015

Tim — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 15:50:41 +0000

We are wrapping up this week at DL, but before we go, we need to leave you with all of this week's top stories. A lot happened, you know. Nest introduced the Nest Cam and Nest Protect (2nd Gen), OnePlus told us which processor their upcoming phone will run, and AT&T got fined $100 million for throttling unlimited data plan customers. In a tad bit more exciting news, a reported Huawei UK employee confirmed the OEM's plans for producing a Nexus smartphone this year, the Moto 360 is receiving its Android 5.1.1 update, a big ol' hoopla was made over Samsung's keyboard security, and we managed to sit down long enough for Episode 85 of the Droid Life Show. We're so close to Episode 100, we can almost smell it. Miss anything from this week? Don't worry, we have you covered below.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 85 [Subscribe]
How to: Setup and use WiFi on Android Wear.
The best Android phone you can buy today.
3 Apps: Here are 3 Android apps we think are worth the download.
OnePlus 2 to feature Snapdragon 810 V2.1, will cost more than $322.
ASUS ZenFone 2 bootloader unlocked.
AT&T fined $100 million by the FCC.
Google: Huawei UK employee reportedly confirms Nexus plans.
Tip: Skip the Android Wear setup tutorial.
Moto 360 finally receiving Android 5.1.1 update!
In the future, Google wants your to stream apps, not download them.
BitTorrent launches Shoot, a phone-to-phone sharing app.
Razer acquires Ouya, the struggling micro console.
Google releases its Clock app to Google Play.
HTC: Promotions inside BlinkFeed made official.
Pushbullet intros Portal app.
Nest intros Nest Cam and new Nest Protect.
Nest 5.0 app now available on Google Play.
Razer Forge TV hits Google Store for $149.
T-Mobile: Rumors suggest Comcast may acquire T-Mobile, but Comcast denies it.
Samsung acknowledges keyboard vulnerability, will issue fix soon.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Friday App Sales: Baldur's Gate, KEMCO Lineup of Games, FaceLock Pro, and More

Tim — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 14:56:37 +0000

To keep you busy over the weekend, a massive list of apps and games is available on sale through Google Play, with most of the bunch being RPG games from publisher Kemco. In total, there's over 10 RPG games to choose from, all priced at just $1. If those RPG titles are not your style, you can pick up Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition for a little over $4, down from its usual price of $10. In addition, Talisman can be picked up for $1, as well as Threema and Sentinel 4: Dark Star, all for a dollar. See the full list below.

Friday App Sales

Wave ($0.99)
Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition ($4.05)
FaceLock Pro ($1.99)
Sentinel 4: Dark Star ($0.99)
Danmaku Unlimited 2 ($0.99)
Paper Artist ($1.79)
Talisman ($0.99)
RPG Chrome Wolf ($0.99)
RPG Grace of Letoile ($0.99)
RPG Fortuna Magus ($0.99)
RPG Seven Sacred Beasts ($0.99)
RPG Fanatic Earth ($0.99)
RPG Link of Hearts ($0.99)
RPG Illusion of L'Phalcia ($0.99)
RPG Infinite Dunamis ($0.99)
RPG Covenant of Solitude ($0.99)
RPG Eclipse of Illusion ($0.99)
RPG Destiny Fantasia ($0.99)
RPG Bonds of the Skies ($0.99)
RPG Shelterra the Skyworld ($0.99)
RPG Revenant Saga ($0.99)
RPG Chronus Arc ($0.99)
RPG Asdivine Hearts ($0.99)
Threema ($0.99)
Colin McRae Rally ($0.99)
Talisman Prologue ($0.99)

Go support those devs!

Soak Test for Moto X (2nd Gen) on Verizon Starting, Probably Android 5.1

Kellen — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 14:15:26 +0000

A soak test to preview "a new software release" for the Moto X (2nd gen) from Verizon is starting this weekend (maybe even this minute), according to a number of our readers. The update should be Android 5.1, which is good news for those who have had a rough go of it since receiving the update to 5.0 back in late 2014. Assuming the update does well during the test, the rest of the Verizon Moto X (2nd gen) community should be receiving it in no time. Typically, if a test is successful, the update rolls out publicly within a week or so. Anyone receive the update? Let us know any info you can.

Cheers J, M, and K!

Deal: Intocircuit 15,000mAh Power Castle External Battery for $35

Tim — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 12:18:37 +0000

Own a smartphone or other device with not-so-great battery life? If so, you can pick up a Intocircuit 15,000mAh Power Castle external battery for just $35 on the DL Deals Store. Regularly priced at $130, this power bank features a brushed metal exterior, capable of charing two devices simultaneously. This external battery utilizes a feature called "SmartID," allowing it to recognize the type of device it is charging. This results in the best charge rate possible for any device. And thanks to its compact size, the bank appears to be very portable. In need a big ol' battery pack? Follow the link below. Features

Charge two phones at once w/ dual USB ports without inhibiting charge speed
Ensure smart recognition of devices for optimized charging efficiency & speed
Utilize SmartID technology to charge depending on type of phone (iPhone 5S gets almost 7 charges!)
Use w/ almost any mobile device
Ensure maximum portability thanks to the battery’s compact size

Deal Link

Deal: $209 for This Refurbished Verizon Moto X (2nd Gen)

Kellen — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 11:54:54 +0000

Motorola may be failing miserably at providing Lollipop updates to its line of flagships from 2014, but that doesn't mean their phones aren't still worth a look at the right price. For example, you can grab the Moto X (2nd gen) on Verizon for just $209.99. That's a crazy good deal on any phone, let alone the phone we called 2014's best. Now, keep in mind that the phone is manufacturer refurbished, so it's not "brand new." Still, $200 for this good of a phone that will certainly get Lollipop in the very near future is almost a no-brainer if you need a new, cheap phone. This deal includes 16GB black, white (might be bamboo), or "red" (might be football leather) color choices. Free shipping is also included. eBay Link

How to: Setup and Use WiFi on Android Wear

Kellen — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 11:21:11 +0000

The Android 5.1.1 update for Android Wear introduced what I would consider to be the most important new feature since the platform launched. I'm talking about WiFi connectivity of course, which lets you have some freedom from your phone and the Bluetooth connection that previously tied phone to watch. With WiFi connectivity on your watch, you could leave your phone on the other side of your house or office, lose that Bluetooth connection, yet still sync notifications to your wrist. You still get to interact with notifications, respond to messages via voice, and launch Google voice actions. This really is one of those game-changing type features because it allows your watch to be less reliant on having your phone nearby at all times. And with that in mind, we thought we should walk through the setup process for WiFi on your smartwatch because the process isn't as straight-forward as one would hope. There are things like Cloud Sync and "Automatic WiFi" involved, none of which you would probably think to look for without being told. Thankfully, once you have WiFi ready to go, it's one of those things that you can set and forget, as the hand-off from Bluetooth to WiFi should happen automatically going forward. In the video below, you will find the instructions in a step-by-step format. Let us know if you have any questions.

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ASUS ZenFone 2 Bootloader Unlocked Thanks to Developers

Tim — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 10:45:17 +0000

Anyone holding off on picking up a ZenFone 2 from ASUS because it shipped with a locked bootloader now has reason to celebrate going into the weekend. As reported directly on XDA, the ZenFone 2's bootloader has been unlocked by developers, with instructions for you to perform the method released. The instructions for flashing look pretty simplistic. With a few adb commands and a single download, you will be unlocked and good to go in no time, although be aware that the poster does lay out a few cautions for potential flashers. Now that the bootloader is unlocked, it opens up the doors for third party developers to get to work on additional software for users to flash. Good times ahead. If you rock a ZenFone 2, or plan on picking one up, have at it.

Via: XDA

OnePlus Releases Beta Fix for Touchscreen Issues on OxygenOS, Requires the Flashing of Zips

Tim — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 09:46:00 +0000

For anyone who rocks the OxygenOS custom ROM on the OnePlus One, a fix has been made available for a reported touchscreen issue, but OnePlus notes this is just a beta fix. Issues may still occur. The process seems rather simple enough, as it involves just downloading and flashing two separate zip files. Although, you do need .Net 4.5 downloaded and you must be running this on a locally installed version of Windows 7 or Windows 8. No Mac support. Of course, OnePlus' lovely customers took to the comments section to deliver a few memorable statements. One forum user asks, "People actually use this ROM?" Another says, "Thanks for update, it could be a bit faster, but OnePlus is OnePlus. You guys always work well after users hatred comments." Ah, the Internet. Wonderful place we have here. To download the zip files needed for this operation, follow the via link below and be sure you are running a custom recovery.

Via: OnePlus

Samsung's QuickPanel Restore App Brings Missing System Toggles Back

Tim — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 08:35:02 +0000

If your Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge device fell victim to a system toggles bug that Samsung has yet to explain, there is now a fix available. According to a few users in forums and on social media, system toggles for mobile data, mobile hotspot, and private hotspot simply disappeared one day, and Samsung stated they were working on a fix. The fix is pretty cool, though. You download the QuickPanel Restore app from Galaxy Apps, run it, it fixes the issue, then it asks you to uninstall it. Once the app has completed its job, your system toggles should have returned, and then you will have no need for it. Even though the fix is neat, we wish Samsung would explain what happened in the first place. To grab this app and bring back those valuable system toggles, click the following link from your Galaxy device. Galaxy Apps Link

Via: SamMobile

This Week's Free Google Play Kids App of the Week is Toca Hair Salon 2

Kellen — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 16:34:40 +0000

Last week, Google started a new "Free app of the week" program for the newly launched family section of Google Play. They started off with a Daniel Tiger game, but have now followed that up with a game called Toca Hair Salon 2. It's a $3 game, so if you have kids, you may want to give it a look. In the game, kids get to style the heck out of people's hair, run their own salon, and choose from six different characters. Fun times. Play Link

Double Deal: DASH A Bluetooth Soundbar Speaker for $99, or the Complete 2015 Learn to Code Bundle for $59

Tim — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:35:12 +0000

Sound is important. You know, if you are trying to listen to something, you will need some sound. It's basic science. Over on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a DASH A Bluetooth Soundbar Speaker for $99, 50% off its usual price of $199. This soundbar is not like the one that may be hooked up to your TV in the living room. It is small and portable, allowing you to transport it to wherever you may need it. It features wide-range playback, coupled with rare-earth neodymium drivers. Any Bluetooth device you have can be synced up, such as a smartphone or tablet, and with its hefty built-in battery, you can enjoy up to 10-hours of audio playback. Features

Features wide-range playback w/ custom, rare-earth neodymium drivers
Pairs effortlessly to any Bluetooth-enabled device
Also connects via included audio cable
Pumps powerful bass
Provides 10-hours straight of playback
Sits less than 3/4" high, disappearing below your mobile devices for unobstructed viewing
Takes calls via speakerphone w/ noise-cancelation

If this portable sound bar piques your interest, follow that shiny link below. Deal Link

Complete 2015 Learn to Code Bundle Taking place over on the DL Deals Store, you can grab the Complete 2015 Learn to Code Bundle for just $59, with a value of the bundle set at over $1,000. Inside, buyers receive 8 courses in total, ranging from classes on website building and Ruby on Rails, to HTML and Python training. Each course is filled with countless lectures, plus hours of content for you to go through. If you are taking development seriously, this would be a good bundle to grab. In total, there is over 76 hours of content, meaning you shouldn't come away bored after getting started. To start, for most of the courses, all you need is an Internet connection. You don't even really need past experience, but for a couple of the classes, a bit of background is recommended, but not required. If this deal interests you, click the link below. Deal Link

Deal: Unlocked Galaxy S6 is Just $529 Today at eBay

Kellen — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:11:28 +0000

A featured deal popped up at eBay this afternoon that includes a brand new, unlocked Samsung Galaxy S6 with 32GB of storage for just $529. That is a hell of a deal for a phone we just dubbed the best Android phone you can buy. This is model SM-G920F, which is one of the unlocked international variants. The other is the SM-G920I. This model should work without a hiccup on AT&T, but should also work well on T-Mobile. I have the G920I as an unlocked Galaxy S6 and have used it on T-Mobile. Both appear to have similar, if not the same, bands. As for the price, well, this is almost $200 lower than the AT&T and T-Mobile full retail prices. Since it should work on both carriers, this is a tough deal to pass up if you are in the market for a new phone. eBay Link (free expedited shipping included)

Cheers Joe!

The Best Android Phone You Can Buy Today

Kellen — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:30:14 +0000

Every week, at least three or four or twenty people ask us in some way or another, "What phone would you recommend I buy?" In reality, they just want to know what the best Android phone is that they can buy today. I get why we get asked. After all, we handle every new flagship under the sun. Since there are so many good phones these days, the decision hasn't become any easier in recent years. Before, though, we use to worry about whether or not a phone could last two years. Now, the criteria is much more specific. People want to know which phone has the best camera or the best battery life or the best display. What's the storage situation like? Is it made of metal or cheap plastic? How often does it get updated? Rather than try and answer all of those questions in individual emails, we thought we may as well just put our thoughts out there every so often, so that everyone can see what we think the best Android phone is that you can buy. Don't worry, though, we'll keep this simple and to the point. You have other things to do. Ready?

The best Android phone you can buy today is the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Why? Because it comes the closest to ticking all of those boxes we just mentioned. The Samsung Galaxy S6 has the most premium build and design of any current phone with its glass front and back, metal frame, and jewel-like color options. It feels amazing in hand, is incredibly thin yet easy to hold, and actually might impress someone if you laid it down on a table. Outside of its looks, the Galaxy S6 is also about as future-proof as a phone can get and has a number of "best in class" features to brag about. The Galaxy S6 features the best smartphone display on the planet (5.1-inch QHD Super AMOLED), along with arguably the best smartphone camera on the planet (16MP with OIS). It uses Samsung's latest Exynos 7420 64-bit octa-core processor, which is no slouch in the performance or gaming departments, one of the best fingerprint sensors around, the fastest internal storage currently in mobile phones, and supports both of the wireless charging standards. Oh, it also supports fast charging, so you can charge your phone up in minutes instead of hours. All of that combined with Samsung toning down the skin they place atop Android and you have a phone that is going to be hard for anyone to beat. It's premium. It's fast. It's the best at almost all of the things that matter in a smartphone, What's wrong with it, though? OK, so every phone still has its flaws and the Galaxy S6 is no different. It's not waterproof or resistant, doesn't have its famous removable battery anymore, and lacks a micro SD card slot. Samsung also isn't the fastest at updating its phones, but so far, they seem to be on top of Galaxy S6 updates. Battery life on the S6 is pretty poor too. With that said, if you can live without the waterproofing, a removable battery, and SD card slot, this is the best phone available today. Be sure to read our Galaxy S6 review to learn all there is to know about color trickery.

A close runner-up is the LG G4.

Why? The LG G4 falls just shy of the Galaxy S6 because of a couple of key areas, but outshines it in a couple of others too. First, the LG G4 lacks that premium build and feel of the Galaxy S6. It's not metal, filled with glass, and doesn't trick your mind with cool color-changing tricks. It's not that the LG G4 is ugly, but even with its leather options, this phone comes off as another hastily designed and built, big and plastic Android phone. LG is also about the worst in the world at updating its Android phones, so should you buy the G4, you could be without current software for months longer than the rest of us. All of that in mind, understand that this is a phone with few faults. It has an insanely good 16MP camera that may be as good as the Galaxy S6's. Some would argue that it's better because of its full manual controls. It also sports a greatly improved 5.5-inch QHD LCD display, plus has a removable battery and micro SD slot. And as I just mentioned, it has leather back options that can be hot-swapped to your current mood. Yay for leather! Is there any way you would choose it over the S6? If I needed to be able to swap batteries on the fly and insert a micro SD card into my phone and also hate all things Samsung, then yes, I would consider it. Otherwise, it's pretty tough to go with the G4 over the S6. Be sure to read our LG G4 review to get the full scoop on LG's 2015ness.

If you can't stand either of those phones, go with the Nexus 6.

Why? Look, some people can't stand Samsung, while others don't want anything to do with whatever LG is baking into its software experience. For those, we give you the Google phone, which just so happens to currently be the Nexus 6. The Nexus 6 may be a whale and impossible to use unless you have three hands, but it still gets updates the fastest, has a capable camera, really solid build and design from Motorola, and can take advantage of all that Android has to offer. It will be one of the first phones to get Android M later this year as well. What's wrong with it, though? It's codename is "shamu." That's Google being clever about the phone's size, which cannot be understated. This phone is huge. Other than that, there isn't much to hate about the Nexus 6, especially now that you can buy it for $499 at most places and use it on every single major carrier in the US. Be sure to read our Nexus 6 review to see a free preview of Free Willy 8.

3 Android Apps Worth Downloading - Periscope, Walloid Pro Wallpapers, Microsoft Hyperlapse

Tim — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:00:21 +0000

We are back again with 3 Android apps, not games, that we think are worth your time if you have not yet already downloaded them. During these posts, we like to showcase a few popular apps, as well as maybe not-so-known apps that deserve a bit of limelight. This week, we are taking a look at Twitter's Periscope, Microsoft's Hyperlapse, and the Walloid Pro HD Wallpaper apps. Each offers something very different, naturally, so be sure to look below and learn more about them if you have yet to try them out.

Periscope

We have one person on the DL staff that doesn't much care for Periscope and Meerkat, or any other livestream app for that matter (cough, Kellen, cough), but I appreciate Periscope and what it does to bring real-time events taking place directly to another person's smartphone. Linked directly to your Twitter account, users can stream live video over the Internet to anyone who follows them. For example, if I was rummaging through kicks at Foot Locker, demonstrating at a political rally, or just doing something spontaneous and adventurous, I could send video of my experiences directly to you. It's all about sharing whatever you want with people from across the globe. Periscope is free to download and use, but you do need a Twitter account. But those are free, too, so nothing is holding you back from seeing what others are sharing, or sharing a little bit of your own. Play Link

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Walloid Pro HD Wallpapers

Wallpapers! Seriously, we can never have too many wallpapers, and thanks to the app called Walloid Pro, I get access to wallpapers from all of my favorite phones and custom ROMs in a single place, all in HD quality. When you open the app, you can choose which source you want to see wallpapers from. For example, you can view all stock wallpapers featured on various HTC or Samsung devices, or you can access wallpapers from custom ROMs such as CyanogenMod and Paranoid Android. Walloid Pro costs just a couple of bucks, but if paying ain't your style, there is a free version available right here. But if you like the work, which I think you will, help the developer out. Play Link ($1.99)

Microsoft Hyperlapse

While we still wait for Instagram to launch its own Hyperlapse app onto Google Play, even though they are clearly too busy rolling out ads to feeds, Microsoft has a solution of their own called Microsoft Hyperlapse. And you know, it's actually pretty great. It's a basic app, but extremely functional for how minimal it is. To get started, you can record a new video or import from your gallery. If you decide to record a new video, simply click "record." The video will begin recording at 4x speed, which means for every 4 seconds in real life the video will be 1 second long. For some basic arithmetic, let's say your video is 1 minute long in real time. That means your hyperlapse will be 15 seconds long. Anyway, you can record whatever you like, and the point is to turn your long video into an action-packed condensed version. Once you are done recording, you can choose how sped up you would like the video. You can choose from 4x, 8x, and 16x. Pro tip, 16x is the fastest. Now, this app is still in beta, so to download, you will need to follow these instructions carefully to get it. First, join this Google+ community. Then, click this link to become a tester. Then, and only then, will you be able to find the app on Google Play to download it. Play Link

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Have some apps you think we should check out? Well, send them in!

Deal: Pick Up a Moto G (2nd Gen) on Amazon for Just $140

Tim — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:37:54 +0000

Taking place over on Amazon, you can grab a Moto G (2nd Gen) for just $140, down from its usual price of $180. The deal is available for both the White and Black models of the device. While the Moto G isn't the most overpowered phone with crazy specs, it is a great phone that can be purchased unlocked for an even greater price. The Moto G features a 5" HD display, Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor, front-facing stereo speakers, 2,070mAh battery, 8MP rear-facing camera, and HSPA+ radios. Before you ask, no, it does not feature 4G LTE connectivity. If you need a little phone for whatever reason, follow the link below to take advantage. Amazon Link

OnePlus on Rumors: OnePlus 2 Will Cost More Than $322, Phone's 810 Won't Melt Your Face

Kellen — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:48:39 +0000

Yesterday, OnePlus announced that the OnePlus 2 will run a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 chipset. Thanks to the controversially hot (not "hot" in a good way, folks) year that the Snapdragon 810 has entertained, you can't blame fans for sharing their disappointment in the news. OnePlus attempted to address those concerns in another post to their forums, this morning, while also speaking on rumors of a random price that has floated about the dark tunnels of the interwebs. According to OnePlus, the Snapdragon 810 is "much more powerful than its younger counterpart, the 801." (Get out of town!) It's also more expensive. (You don't say!) And thus, because of the better performance and spike in cost, the price of the OnePlus 2 will "certainly be higher than $322." Where did that random $322 price come from? Some random hole on the internet, as far as we can tell. But OnePlus has seen that number in headlines, so they used it in their blog post. The original OnePlus One started at $299 for 16GB of storage and jumped to $349 for 64GB of storage. If the OnePlus 2 is going to cost more than $322, don't be surprised if it starts around $400. In fact, CEO Pete Lau told us back in May to expect a starting price of around $400. As for the face melting heat news, OnePlus once again mentioned that they have "taken precautions" and think the 810 will run much cooler than you expect it to through the special care they have given the phone with the help of Qualcomm.

Via: OnePlus

T-Mobile Adds 2GB of Mobile Hotspot Data for Unlimited Plan Users

Tim — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:28:05 +0000

For customers on an unlimited data plan, T-Mobile confirmed to Fierce Wireless this week that they have automatically added 2GB of data for mobile hotspot usage, allowing customers to use it however they feel is best. For $80, folks on the unlimited plan already had 5GB allotted for mobile hotspot usage, but now, unlimited users get 7GB. This change was first rumored by TmoNews back on June 7, and when speaking to Fierce Wireless, a T-Mo rep stated, "Yes, we've enabled mobile hotspot benefits on all active data plans." So, it's already there for all of you who pay the $80 a month. Have at it.

Via: Fierce Wireless

Report: Google Wants a Future Where You Don't Have to Install Apps

Kellen — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:55:40 +0000

According to a report out of The Information, Google is secretly working towards a future where you don't have to install apps on your phone anymore. Instead, users will be able to stream them, if you will, which Google hopes makes accessing services and accomplishing tasks easier. Assuming you have an internet connection of some sort at all times, there is actually some potential here, as long as you love all things Google. This report claims that Google bought a company called Agawi last fall. Agawi, as you are probably already guessing, specialized in streaming apps from the cloud to mobile devices. Before it was acquired by Google, Agawi had companies like NVIDIA as its clients. While we aren't sure what that relationship entailed, one could imagine that it potentially involved NVIDIA's GRID gaming service, which is a game-streaming experience that doesn't require users to install games, yet they can play with low latency as if they had. Google is said to have acquired Agawi to bring back some power to Google Search that they may have lost by native apps. That could mean that they want you to be able to search for "Facebook" in search and then access it immediately through a web interface that is as powerful as an app. The vision there is quite murky, but a streaming or cloud version of an app that is accessed via Google services, would indeed bring back some of what Google has lost in recent years. On a related note, this acquisition of Agawi could also just be a way to do something as simple as allow you to try apps before you buy them. By streaming a trial version of an app, you would be able to give it some run without having to download it to your device. This could make it easier for developers to convince you that you should spend money on their apps or games. While I hadn't envisioned a life without app installs, I also can't say that I wouldn't mind not having to install every single thing on my phone. We do have incredibly fast WiFi and mobile data connections these days, why not use those for faster access to things we want? Something to think about.

Via: The Information (subscription)

Samsung Releases Full Statement on Keyboard Vulnerability Issue, Fix Incoming

Tim — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:28:08 +0000

Thanks to publicity surrounding a vulnerability found in the way Samsung updates its language packs on the stock keyboard app, powered by SwiftKey, a fix is incoming for those who find tinfoil hats fashionable. As we went over in our exploit breakdown, the chances of becoming a victim to this vulnerability seems extremely low, and as declared by Samsung in a full statement released today, there has been zero cases of this happening among device owners. In a big blog post, Samsung goes over what happens when devices become at-risk, and as already stated, the vulnerability "requires a very specific set of conditions for a hacker to be able to exploit a device this way." To combat any would be hackers, Samsung shall release a security policy update in the next few days that will rollout to all vulnerable devices.

The likelihood of making a successful attack, exploiting this vulnerability is low. There have been no reported customer cases of Galaxy devices being compromised through these keyboard updates. But as the reports indicate, the risk does exist and Samsung will roll out a security policy update in the coming days. Samsung KNOX has the capability to update the security policies of our devices, over-the-air, to invalidate potential vulnerabilities caused by this issue.

Thank goodness this is over.

Via: Samsung

5 Android Wear Watch Faces to Try: 70s, Minmo, Mustache, SpecOps, and Candy Shop

Kellen — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 08:55:19 +0000

When I look for an Android Wear watch face, I try to find those that remind me of traditional watch faces or at the very least, fit nicely onto a round display to make the device on my wrist feel less futuristic and more classic. It's not that I don't appreciate the technology behind a smartwatch, it's just that I want the watch on my wrist to look like a watch first before getting to all the extra notification, fitness tracking, and other stuff. Once I find a watch face I like, I tend to stick with it for a while because I feel like there are few really classy options out there on Android Wear. I don't know why, but watch face makers seem to want to cram as much crap into these things as is possible, when they really should be doing the opposite. A watch, at least an analog watch, should show you the time and date, and then maybe a battery percentage to keep you informed throughout the day. The rest of the stuff is just getting in the way of a great looking watch. So after spending some time recently to see what's new in the Android Wear watch face world, here are five I think you will appreciate.

This watch face is called 70s, and it is without a doubt, my favorite watch face of the moment. There aren't a bunch of fluffy options to tweak, it just looks great as an analog watch. It has hour, minute, and second hands, along with right placed day-date ticker. There are no digits on the markers, as this is a true analog experience where you actually have to know how to tell time. It comes in orange, green, blue, or purple, but I keep finding myself settled into this orange version. It's 100% free. Play Link (free)

Mustache is probably the most feature-rich of the watch faces I'm listing here today, but those features are all actually quite good. Mustache shows you both digital and analog times (though I wish you could turn the digital clock off), along with battery meters for both your phone and the watch. You can change it to a light or dark theme, or even have it automatically switch from one to the other depending on the time of day. You can select from a number of badges (I went with the anchor), chose a 24H clock, and tell it to show bigger digits when in ambient mode. This is a great minimal watch face that still manages to pack in the right kinds of features for a smartwatch. Play Link (free)

This watch is called SpecOps because I'm assuming it is based off of a military-style watch. I like it because it's clean, has hour and minute markers to help you quickly tell the time, but also includes a day-date ticker. It has dark or light skins, but I prefer the dark based on the location of the day-date. Like the 70s clock, this doesn't have a bunch of special features, it just tells the time and shows you the date. Play Link ($0.99)

MinMo has been a great watch face for months now. It has both dark and white themes, though the white faces on the Moto 360 never seem to look great to me, so I tend to stick with the darker options. This is a minimal analog clock, but does show you battery percentage and day-date to add some depth. You can also tell the second to hand to sweep or tick, depending on how you like a watch to look. Play Link ($1.49)

Candy Shop is kind of a silly, but some times you just need some color in your life. It has both digital or analog faces, dark or white themes, and options for battery and day-date. As colorful as its markers and hands are, it still looks really clean. Play Link ($0.99)

Any other favorite watch faces we should try?

Google's Clock App Lands on Google Play for All to Install

Kellen — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:49:26 +0000

The stock Clock app from Google, with all its Material Design goodness, is now available for all to install on Google Play. This Clock app has been updated regularly over the years as new version of Android have been introduced. It has always seemed like one of the first places Google goes to test new design ideas. With this Clock, you get the full Material Design treatment, like rippling touches, smooth transitions, floating buttons with subtle shadows, and cute little animations. You also get the full Clock experience, like multiple alarm management, timers, stopwatches, the ability to connect with Android Wear to snooze/dismiss alarms, and the classic stock digital and analog widgets. Play Link

Tip: Save Yourself 2 Minutes of Hell by Skipping the Android Wear Intro Tour

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:17:13 +0000

If you own an Android Wear device, you know how finicky the device can be, especially if you have even considered switching it to a new phone. In fact, every time I try to attach an Android Wear watch to another phone (or attempt to trick it into pulling an OTA), I have to factory reset it. It's a massive pain in the ass to me, but then again, most people probably won't be switching their watch over to another phone as regularly as I do. But let's say you do switch more often than any normal human should. You probably can't stand the tutorial that pops up each and every time you reset your watch, right? You know, the frustrating-to-navigate tour that includes confusing swiping instructions and a random temperature screen that still isn't even a real thing. Guess what? You can skip it! Google isn't exactly up front about telling you how to skip the tutorial, but the option to is certainly there. When you see the first card show up that says "Swipe up to get started," don't swipe up. Swipe to the left instead and you should see a big ol' "Cancel Tutorial" button. Tap that and move on with your life. You're welcome.

Deal: Lifetime Subscription to 1TB of Dripbit Online Backup for $55

Tim — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:29:55 +0000

In need of 1TB of online backup space? Well, taking place on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a lifetime subscription to Dripbit Online Backup for just $55, valued at $480. With this lifetime subscription, you have access to private, military-grade AWS 256 encryption, perfect for storing all of your precious files. To access these files, there is no need to download them, as a built-in editor allows you to make whatever changes you need while established to a secure connection. For folks on the go, an Android mobile app lets you access your goods wherever you are, and any web browser can be used for access. If 1TB of lifetime cloud storage interests you, for just $55, click that link below. Features

Access & edit your files without re-downloading them from the cloud
Keep your files private w/ military-grade AWS 256 encryption
Enjoy super fast connections
View & download your files from any web browser
Use on the go w/ iOS, Android & Windows apps

Deal Link

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Nest 5.0 App for Android is Now Available, Will Replace Your Old Nest App

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:09:37 +0000

During today's Nest event, Tony and the boys announced that a new Nest 5.0 app would arrive on both Android and iOS. If you are at all a Nest fiend like me, then you have been checking constantly since the event wrapped for an update to the app. As it turns out, all of that checking for an update was a waste of time, because you actually have to install a brand new Nest app. Let me say that again - the old Nest app can be uninstalled and you will need to install the new Nest app. I know, this isn't typically how big updates go, but that's what we're working with here. The new Nest app is now just called "Nest" instead of "Nest app" like the original. The new icon for it also has a bit more gradient and shadow, for those paying attention. As a recap, the new Nest 5.0 app is a big deal. Not only does it feature a brand new UI and support for the Thermostats and Protects, but it brings in your Dropcams as well (the new Nest Cam too). So now, all of your Nest products live under a single app. Here is the list of new features:

Home Screen – Each Nest Thermostat, Nest Cam or Dropcam has its own spot, while all your Nest Protects roll up into one icon. You can also see live video previews of all your Nest Cams on the home screen so you can get a quick glance of different rooms.
Nest Learning Thermostat – It’s now easier to get to and use popular thermostat functions like Energy History, Heat/Cool mode and schedule.
Nest Protect – Provides access to Safety Checkup, which lets you test all your alarms from the app, and App Silence lets you hush false alarms from your phone.
Nest Cam and Dropcam
- Nest app offers new enhanced features for phones, including zoom and enhance, which adjusts to give you a sharper view.
- Talk and Listen is now easier to use. Just hold down the icon and start talking, just like a walkie-talkie.
- If you have a subscription to Nest Aware with Video History: The Nest app provides a summary of captured events, making it easy to spot moments in your Video History when your camera sensed motion or sound. You can easily skip among events or jump 30 seconds at a time.
- Dropcam Pro and Dropcam HD can now be accessed from within the Nest app.
- If you have a Nest Cam and Nest Protect in the same room, you’ll see a camera button when you get a smoke or CO alert on your phone. Tap the button and you’ll immediately be taken to a live view of your home, so you can see what’s going on. Nest Cam will also record a clip of what happened, even if you don’t subscribe to Nest Aware with Video History.

Again, this is a brand new app that requires a full install. The old Nest app, well, feel free to get rid of it. Play Link

AT&T Slapped With $100 Million Fine From FCC for Throttling Data Speeds and Not Telling You About It

Tim — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 14:23:07 +0000

Announced this morning, the FCC is coming down hard, like, really hard on AT&T. For "misleading consumers about unlimited data plans" and "violating transparency obligations," the FCC is fining AT&T to the tune of $100 million, the single largest fine ever tossed out by the commission. Ouch. During the period of the FCC's investigation, it is alleged by the commission that AT&T severely throttled the data speeds of customers with an unlimited data plan. Not only that, but AT&T did not notify customers of what was taking place on the backend. According to the FCC, the slowing down in data speed rendered applications unusable by device owners. Here is a small excerpt from FCC's press release announcing the fine for AT&T.

In 2011, AT&T implemented a “Maximum Bit Rate” policy and capped the maximum data speeds for unlimited customers after they used a set amount of data within a billing cycle. The capped speeds were much slower than the normal network speeds AT&T advertised and significantly impaired the ability of AT&T customers to access the Internet or use data applications for the remainder of the billing cycle.

To sum up the transparency section, the FCC is charging AT&T with violating the 2010 Open Internet Transparency Rule by "falsely labeling" these data plans as unlimited and by failing to inform customers of what the maximum speed they would see under the carrier's Maximum Bit Rate policy. Of course, AT&T came out and announced they will fight these assertions vigorously.

We will vigorously dispute the FCC's assertions. The FCC has specifically identified this practice as a legitimate and reasonable way to manage network resources for the benefit of all customers, and has known for years that all of the major carriers use it. We have been fully transparent with our customers, providing notice in multiple ways and going well beyond the FCC's disclosure requirements.

$100 million is a ton of money, even for a major player such as AT&T. But hey, if you attempt to screw the consumer, you best be prepared to pay the price.

Via: Engadget | FCC

Obnoxious Feature-by-Feature Rollout Begins Now: OnePlus Confirms Snapdragon 810 V2.1 for OnePlus 2

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:45:07 +0000

Last year, as OnePlus prepared to launch their first phone, the OnePlus One, the company announced a new feature or two on a weekly basis to try and stir up a constant stream of press. It was an obnoxiously smart move for a company who likely has the tiniest of marketing budgets. The idea is that you announce a new feature each week, hypebeast the hell out of it on forums and social networks, and then watch as all of the little tech blogs cover it, helping spread the word to the masses. The strategy proved to be a success, as the company sold a million phones last year without spending much if anything. With the OnePlus 2 almost upon us, prepare yourselves for round two. The (t)rollout of features has already begun with a confirmation of the phone's processor. In a post penned by CEO Pete Lau on the OnePlus forums, Lau announced that their new phone will run Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor (MSM8994-v2.1). The v2.1 is a slightly newer version of the controversially warm Snapdragon 810, which is said to run cooler and has been featured in devices like the Xperia Z4 and Xiaomi Mi Note Pro. Unfortunately for talk of a this being a cooler version of the 810, I should point out that the Xperia Z3+ and Xperia Z4 have already seen plenty of heat-related drama. OnePlus claims that they worked closely with Qualcomm's engineers to get this right. They also mentioned that their OxygenOS skin has been optimized to "work beautifully" with the 810. As a recap on the Snapdragon 810, this is Qualcomm's flagship 64-bit processor for 2015. It's featured in the G Flex 2 and HTC One M9, but was passed on by Samsung in the Galaxy S6 because of those oft-referenced overheating issues. The processor supports 4K streaming video, allows phones to snap incredibly fast photos, and games like a beast (when it's not overheating) thanks to its Adreno 430 GPU. Get ready for more features...one by one.

Via: OnePlus

Moto 360 is Finally Getting Its Android Wear Update to Android 5.1.1

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:46:04 +0000

According to Googler Wayne Piekarski, a developer advocate who focuses on Android Wear, the big Android 5.1.1 update for the Moto 360 is finally ready. The update will start rolling out to units today, but as you are all well aware, these updates take time to reach everyone. The update will hit only a handful of devices today before gradually increasing its reach over the next few days or weeks. After hearing a couple of weeks ago that the update was still in testing as Google and Motorola tried to improve performance, we weren't sure how much longer we would all have to wait. So, yeah, this is great news! As a recap, here are some of the big new features:

Always-on screen, always-on apps: Most Android Wear watches include an always-on screen—no tapping, twisting or shaking required to see what time it is. Now we’re expanding this option to apps, so they can stay visible as long as you need them, instead of disappearing when you drop your arm. Perfect for running, navigating, or grocery shopping!
New launcher & Wrist gestures: Now you can access your apps and contacts by simply swiping left from the watch face. Android Wear also now responds to specific navigation gestures so you can scroll between cards with a simple flick of the wrist. Learn more with our YouTube video.
Draw emojis: In response to texts, instant messages, or emails, you can now send emojis to your contacts by drawing them on your watch screen. The watch will recognize the emoji you drew and send it via whichever messaging app you’re using. Give it a try by selecting “Draw emoji” whenever you’re replying to a message!
Heads-up notifications: Incoming notifications like text messages will now appear on-screen even when you’re looking at something else on your watch, like directions or fitness stats, so you won’t miss anything important.
Switching watches made easier: The Android Wear companion app now lets you pair your phone with more than one watch at a time - ideal for swapping watches to match your style.
Change your font size: Want to see more text on your watch screen? Or less? You can now adjust the font size from your watch’s settings.
Lock your watch’s screen: Want to lock your watch’s screen when you’re not wearing it? Turn on the new “Screen lock” feature from your watch’s settings. When enabled, if your watch detects you’re not wearing it (or it loses the connection to your phone) for a period of time, then your specified swipe pattern will be required to unlock it.

To see a tour of the new Android 5.1 features, check out the video below. Let us know if you see the update!

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Via: +Wayne Piekarski

Cheers Carsten!

Android 5.1 Soak Test Rolls Out for Moto X (1st and 2nd Gen) in Select Markets

Tim — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:39:46 +0000

In a recent post to Google+, Motorola's David Schuster states that soak tests for Moto X (1st and 2nd Gen) devices are currently rolling out in select markets, and that if all goes well, a broader rollout should come next week. In his post to G+, Schuster lists each market the soak is available in, and currently, North America is not listed for either device. Of course, unless you have an Unlocked model, you will have to wait for carrier testing and certification anyway, so we may still have a ways to go before official updates begin to hit devices. If you are curious about which exact markets are seeing the soak tests, here are the lists. Moto X (2nd Gen) - Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Singapore and Sweden. Moto X (1st Gen) - Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and United Arab Emirates. As more info comes in, we will be sure to share it with all of you eager Moto X owners.

Via: +David Schuster

Nest Cam and 2nd Gen Nest Protect Now on Google Store

Tim — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:34:52 +0000

The new Nest Cam and Nest Protect (2nd Gen) are live on the Google Store. For those interested, the Nest Cam can be purchased for $199, and the Nest Protect for $99. For additional details on each product, read our writeup here. Note: The original Nest Protect has been discounted to $79.99 on the Google Store. Google Store Links: Nest Cam ($199) | Nest Protect 2nd Gen ($99)

Nest Introduces New Protect and Cam, Updates Software for Thermostat and Apps

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:29:57 +0000

Nest just exited the stage at their scheduled press event for today, announcing all sorts of new stuff that Nest fans will most certainly enjoy. They refreshed their entire product line, in case you were wondering. That means they showed off the all new Nest Cam, a 2nd generation Nest Protect, new software for the Thermostat, and a brand new app for Android and iOS. I'll try and recap the big stuff, but I highly recommend you dive into the press release below, because there is more stuff in there than I can even talk about without spending my entire day on Nest. First, we get the Nest Cam, which you know a lot about, thanks to us. It's a slimmed down, upgraded Dropcam that also has a magnetic base with tripod attachment hole, full 1080p video, improved motion alerts and night vision. With Nest Aware, Cam owners can subscribe for a monthly fee to gain access to video history, alert summaries, clips & timelapses, special activity zone configuration, and advanced motion sensing. With the new Nest Protect (2nd gen), we get a new design that is 11 percent smaller than the original, split-spectrum sensor, 10-year product lifetime, ability to silence via application, safety checkup via app, automatic sound check of the Protect's horn once per month, and easier installation. Hopefully, they fixed all of the false alarm issues they had with the original. The new Nest Thermostat 4.5 software will start rolling out to customers today, with new features like safety temperature alerts (if your home gets too hot or cold), alerts from your Nest Protects, an emergency shutoff, and improved support for multi-zone homes. As for the new Nest 5.0 Android and iOS app, you get a new home screen and UI that shows your Thermostat, Protects, and Dropcams or Nest Cams. Yes, cameras in the Nest app! The Nest Cam is available today for $199, along with the Nest Protect (2nd gen) for $99. The Android app should be available today on Google Play. To dive deeper into the products and the features I just mentioned, hit up the press release below. Nest Cam: Best Buy | Amazon | Nest | Google Nest Protect (2nd Gen): Best Buy | Amazon | Nest | Google

Nest Refreshes Entire Product Line

Nest Cam and Nest Protect Completely Redesigned, Nest Learning Thermostat Gets Software Update and New Features, One Nest App for All Products

Home Insurance Companies Offer Discounts for Nest Customers
Palo Alto, California — June 17, 2015 — Nest Labs, Inc. ( www.nest.com ), architect of the thoughtful home, today announced sweeping refreshes and redesigns across the company’s entire product portfolio with the introduction of Nest Cam, the second generation Nest Protect, new features for the Nest Learning Thermostat, and a brand new app.

Nest Cam - With full high-definition (1080p) video quality, a versatile stand, and improved motion alerts and night vision, the new Nest Cam allows people to keep an eye on what they care about from anywhere. And beginning next month, Nest Cam will be available in Europe.

Nest Protect - The second generation Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm is the first residential alarm to offer a custom, Split-Spectrum Sensor that uses two wavelengths of light to look for different types of fires. Also, Nest Protect alarms can now be silenced from your phone.

Nest Learning Thermostat - The best-selling Nest Learning Thermostat is getting even better, now notifying customers when temperatures drop to help avoid frozen pipes and adding new integrations with other Nest products.

Nest app 5.0 - The redesigned Nest app 5.0 brings together all three Nest products, across multiple platforms, for the first time, making it easier to access and control Nest products.

“At Nest, we always wanted to build more than a thermostat,” said Tony Fadell, Nest chief executive officer. “Our vision was to create a thoughtful home – a home that takes care of itself and the people in it. Five years later, all the pieces are in place. We’ve built a portfolio of best-in-class products that each stand on their own while doing more together. More than 9,000 developer partners are using the Works with Nest developer program to help seamlessly integrate everything from washers and dryers to cars with our thermostat, smoke alarm and camera. And we’re working with energy and insurance partners to bring more value to our shared customers. Nest products are used in 190+ countries, across multiple platforms, and available wherever people shop. The result? Energy saved, lives spared, and countless memories recorded and shared.” Nest Cam With live video streaming to a phone or computer, Nest Cam gives people peace of mind and the ability to stay connected to the things they care about. The all-new Nest Cam builds on the Dropcam features customers love, adding better video quality and a new design to make it even easier to keep an eye on your home. Nest Cam will be available for the first time in Europe, specifically in Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands and the U.K. New Features:

New design - The new stand’s magnetic base can stick to metal, be mounted to the wall or screwed onto a universal tripod. It can twist around, bend at an angle, or be mounted upside down. The stand incorporates a rare-earth magnet and ¼ inch, 20-screw mount, so you can securely place it in even more locations. Its body design provides three degrees of freedom so customers can capture the view they want.

Video quality - Nest Cam delivers crisp 1080p HD over Wi-Fi so customers can see the finest details across the room.

Secure streaming - Stream and store video content with a unique 2048-bit RSA key and securely transmit using a 128-bit SSL connection.

Improved Night Vision - Eight high-powered infrared LEDs and new algorithms improve Night Vision and motion detection. Other home cameras give you a spotlight view at night, but Nest Cam lets you see the entire room. And because Nest Cam’s sensors know the difference between a flashlight and sunlight, Night Vision won’t get confused and switch to day mode every time a bright light passes in front of the camera. That can be hugely helpful if an intruder turns on a flash light, or if headlights flash across your window.

Nest Aware with Video History - Customers can subscribe for an additional monthly fee to gain access to:

Video History - Scroll through 10 or 30 days of content depending on your subscription choice so you have extra time to see what happened and save the stuff you want to remember.

Alert Summary - If something happens, you don’t have to dig through hours of video to find it. Nest Aware with Video History highlights the moments when there is motion or sound and shows you what happened.

Clips & Timelapses - Make, save and share up to three hours of clips.

Activity Zones - Create custom Activity Zones around areas of interest - such as a door - so you can be alerted of any activity in a specific area.

Advanced motion sensing - Nest Cam uses the power of the cloud to provide more accurate alerts and detect areas where common false alarms occur, like ceilings.

Nest Cam + YouTube Together with YouTube, Nest is piloting the ability for YouTube creators to stream directly to YouTube Live from Nest Cam, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite personalities. Initial participants include:

Unbox Therapy - Lewis Hilsenteger has built a subscriber base of more than two million by sharing the unboxing process of a wide range of consumer electronics products. Lew will use Nest Cam to set up a live stream of his production studio.

Devin Supertramp - Devin Graham is an American videographer who produces adventure and extreme sports videos. His channel has more than three million subscribers. Devin will use Nest Cam to give his viewers a live look at the preparation that goes into his amazing stunts.

iJustine - Justine Ezarik is a techie, gamer, vlogger and a top personality on YouTube with more than three million subscribers across her channels. Justine plans to use Nest Cam as a way to live stream some of her special events.

“I bought a Dropcam a few months ago and used it to set up a public live stream of my office on my website,” said Lewis Hilsenteger, the creator of Unbox Therapy. “The response was overwhelmingly positive - my audience loved having a behind-the-scenes view of my production studio. And now, being able to stream directly from the new Nest Cam - in full HD - to my YouTube channel means that it will be even easier for Unbox Therapy subscribers to get that inside look without having to leave YouTube.” In addition, Nest has enabled some of the most popular camera feeds to stream directly to Nest’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/nest) so people can see live video of everything from puppies to scenic landscapes - all in one place. Nest Protect According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), 60 percent of fire deaths in the U.S. happen when there’s no smoke alarm or the smoke alarm failed to operate. The second generation Nest Protect has new features to help people know the alarm is working and running safely, and it now has up to a ten- year product lifetime. Like the first generation Nest Protect, it does more than just sound an alarm. It speaks to you, telling you what and where the problem is. New features:

New design - The second generation Nest Protect is 11 percent smaller and sits more flush against the ceiling or wall. It has a stainless steel screen with tiny hexagonal holes designed to let in smoke for assessment while keeping everything else out. And the light ring now shines even brighter for a better Pathlight.

Split-Spectrum Sensor - Inside the new smoke chamber, Nest Protect uses two wavelengths of light to look for both fast- and slow-burning fires.

App Silence - Nest Protect warns you of danger, but if everything’s under control, you might not need that sound anymore. Now you can hush false alarms from your phone or tablet using the new Nest app.

Up to 10-year product lifetime - Nest Protect’s updated sensors provide customers with a new, longer product lifetime of up to 10 years before the device needs to be replaced.

Safety Checkup - The NFPA recommends you test your alarms once a month. Now, you can test the sensors, power, Wi-Fi connection, horn and speaker on all your alarms, right from your phone.

Sound Check - Once per month, Nest Protect automatically tests the speaker and horn - quietly and quickly - using a built-in microphone.

Easier installation - A redesigned backplate helps get Nest Protect level when placing it on your ceiling or wall, and an easy-to-open battery door makes battery replacement easier than ever. Nest Protect also includes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to improve pairing during setup.

New feature for both first and second generation Nest Protects:

Whole Home Nightly Promise - Nightly Promise shows you Nest Protect’s sensors and batteries are working with a quick green glow after you turn off the lights, or a yellow glow if Nest Protect needs attention. Now, instead of only indicating the status level of the Nest Protect in the room you’re in, Nightly Promise will indicate the status of all Nest Protects throughout the home so you can sleep safe and sound.

Safety Rewards: Save money by being safe Just like a car alarm can reduce your car insurance premium, having a Nest Protect can reduce your home insurance premium. Building on the success of Nest’s energy partner program, Nest is partnering with forward-looking home insurance companies to help people stay safe while saving money on their insurance policies. Four out of five firefighters would trust Nest Protect to protect their homes, and insurance companies know that Nest Protect can keep families safe from smoke and carbon monoxide. They’re working with Nest to give eligible customers a Nest Protect for less - or even at no cost. Additionally, through Nest Safety Rewards, a participating Nest insurance partner may give you a discount on your annual premiums. Customers who elect to participate in Safety Rewards can share basic summarized information with participating insurance companies to verify that their Nest Protects are working. Specifically, once a month, Nest will tell a participating customer’s insurer if:

Nest Protect’s batteries are charged

Its sensors are working

Its Wi-Fi connection is good

These monthly reports do not include whether the alarm went off, and even if a customer’s Nest Protect temporarily loses power or Wi-Fi connectivity, it won’t impact the benefits Nest’s insurance partners offer through Safety Rewards. And of course, customers can opt out of Safety Rewards at any time from within the Nest app or by contacting their insurance company. American Family, a multi-line insurer based in Madison, Wisconsin that operates in 19 states, and Liberty Mutual Insurance, the third-largest property/casualty insurer in the U.S, are the first insurance partners to provide offers as part of Nest Safety Rewards. Customers can enroll with American Family in Minnesota starting today and with Liberty Mutual Insurance in Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin starting this summer. Both American Family and Liberty Mutual Insurance are exploring plans to expand the program to additional markets. Visit www.nest.com/insurance-partners to sign up for Nest Safety Rewards or to learn more. Nest Learning Thermostat software 4.5 The Nest Learning Thermostat is adding new features to both first and second generation products, and also has a new integration with Nest Protect to help keep Nest customers safer and more comfortable. New features:

Safety Temperature Alerts - Nest now sends a message to your phone if your home gets too hot or too cold. So you’ll get a notification if your pipes could freeze or a pet could overheat. When the temperature returns to normal, Nest will let you know.

Nest Protect Emergency Alerts - If you have a Nest Protect at home, you can now see smoke and CO alerts right on your thermostat. The more places you see an alarm, the more chances you have of catching a problem early.

Nest Protect Emergency Shutoff - Some heating systems can be a source of CO leaks. Others can make a fire worse by spreading smoke throughout your home. Now your Nest Thermostat and Nest Protect can work together to turn off your forced air heating/cooling system in a smoke or CO emergency.

Improved multi-zone homes - Control up to 20 thermostats, per home, from within the app. The thermostats will work together to save energy and coordinate Auto-Away.

Nest app 5.0 For the first time you can control all of your Nest products from a single app. The fifth generation Nest app for your phone, tablet and computer has a new look and added features that make it easier to control all your Nest products, and your existing Dropcams. Customers can use the Nest app in any browser and on both Android or iOS devices (iOS 8.0+, Android 4.0+). Key Features

Home Screen - Each Nest Thermostat, Nest Cam or Dropcam has its own spot, while all your Nest Protects roll up into one icon. You can also see live video previews of all your Nest Cams on the home screen so you can get a quick glance of different rooms.

Nest Learning Thermostat - It’s now easier to get to and use popular thermostat functions like Energy History, Heat/Cool mode and schedule.

Nest Protect - Provides access to Safety Checkup, which lets you test all your alarms from the app, and App Silence lets you hush false alarms from your phone.

Nest Cam and Dropcam

Nest app offers new enhanced features for phones, including zoom and enhance, which adjusts to give you a sharper view.

Talk and Listen is now easier to use. Just hold down the icon and start talking, just like a walkie-talkie.

If you have a subscription to Nest Aware with Video History: The Nest app provides a summary of captured events, making it easy to spot moments in your Video History when your camera sensed motion or sound. You can easily skip among events or jump 30 seconds at a time.

Dropcam Pro and Dropcam HD can now be accessed from within the Nest app.

If you have a Nest Cam and Nest Protect in the same room, you’ll see a camera button when you get a smoke or CO alert on your phone. Tap the button and you’ll immediately be taken to a live view of your home, so you can see what’s going on. Nest Cam will also record a clip of what happened, even if you don’t subscribe to Nest Aware with Video History.

Availability

Nest Cam is available for purchase today with a suggested retail price of $199. It will begin shipping this month.

Nest Aware with Video History can be purchased as a 10-day or 30-day subscription for $10 or $30 per month, respectively.

Nest Protect is available for purchase today for a suggested retail price of $99. It will begin shipping next month.

Nest app 5.0 is available now in the Google Play Store and iOS App Store.

Nest Learning Thermostat software 4.5 will begin rolling out today and will take up to two weeks to reach all Nest customers.

Nest Cam and the second generation Nest Protect are available for purchase now at www.nest.com, as well as from a range of retail partners, including Amazon, Best Buy, Google Play, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target in the U.S. The Nest Aware with Video History subscription is available exclusively at www.nest.com or through the Nest app. Nest Protect, Nest Cam and the Nest Aware with Video History subscription will also be available in Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, Netherlands and the U.K. this summer. Finally, starting today, customers in markets where Google Fiber is available - Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; and Provo, Utah - who sign up for Fiber can purchase up to three Nest Thermostats for $200 (regularly priced at $249) with installation included. Visit google.com/fiber/nest for more information. About Nest Nest’s mission is to create a home that’s thoughtful - one that takes care of itself and the people inside it. The company focuses on simple, beautiful and delightful hardware, software and services. The Nest Learning Thermostat™ and Nest Energy Services keep you comfortable and address home energy consumption. The Nest Protect: Smoke + Carbon Monoxide™ alarm helps keep you safe while Nest Cam™ keeps an eye on what matters most in your home. Nest products are sold in the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands and are installed in more than 190 countries. The Nest Learning Thermostat has helped save three billion kWh of energy to date. The Nest Developer Program, Works with Nest, makes it possible for Nest devices to interact with other products in your home to do even more. For more information, visit www.nest.com.

Razer Forge TV Now Available on Google Play for $149, Includes Game Controller

Tim — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:20:24 +0000

Forge TV, Razer's own Android TV-powered set-top box is now available through the Google Store. Priced at $149, buyers get the actual Forge TV box, coupled with a Serval Gaming Controller. The Forge TV is a rather small unit, featuring just a single HDMI port, gigabit ethernet port, and USB port. When compared to something like the SHIELD from NVIDIA, it's lacking just a little bit in the hardware department. However, the included Serval controller can be attached to smartphones, providing mobile gamers a new way to enjoy their playtime while on the go. The Forge TV bundle is priced at $149, the same as it is over on Amazon. If you have been meaning to pick one up, but were just waiting for the right moment, go for it. Google Store Link ($149)

Samsung Updates Game Recorder+ App to Allow for Game Audio Recording

Tim — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 10:48:25 +0000

Fancy yourself a gameplay commentator? Well, thanks to this new Game Recorder+ app from Samsung, made specifically for high-end Galaxy devices, you can record your mobile gameplay, with your beautiful face and voice on top, then upload it directly to YouTube. The app was published to Google Play last week, but thanks to a quick update available now in Google Play and the Galaxy Apps store, users can record audio directly from the game, not just audio taken from the device's microphone. So, if you hate your voice, no worries there anymore. Surprisingly, I never even knew this app hit Google Play, and honestly, it kinda kicks ass. There are a ton of games I have wanted to record myself playing, and now, that task is super easy with this app. For example, I can play scary games, give walkthrough tips on puzzler games, and even provide me comedic talents to games that totally suck. Samsung states that every game is compatible, as long as it is downloaded from Galaxy Apps and Google Play. But no, no applications are recordable, only games. If you don't see a game you have installed listed in the Recorder+ app, you can manually set it yourself. When running, the app boosts the memory allotment for apps, making sure you don't experience any jank or lag during your gaming session. As for what devices are supported, Game Recorder+ is supported by the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, and Galaxy S4. As of right now, no Galaxy S6 Active or any tablets. Play Link

Via: +Samsung Mobile | Samsung

Nest Cam Will Cost $199, Up for Pre-Order Now at Best Buy

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 09:45:22 +0000

Not that you doubted our exclusive report on the Nest Cam, but it's all now confirmed prior to today's Nest event, thanks to Best Buy.The Nest Cam will go up for pre-order today at $199 at places like BBY. We would assume that Amazon, Google Store, and Nest's own store will sell them as well. Like the Dropcam, which Nest owns and seems to have based this device on, this is a wireless IP camera (for security or spying on pets, etc.) that comes with a free companion app, so that you can view footage from your mobile device. It sends out notifications to your phone for motion or sound detection, records in 1080p, lets you see at night with infrared night vision, has 8x zoom, 130-degree field of view, allows you talk two-ways, and includes wall-mounting hardware. Nest Cam owners will also have the option of adding cloud recording, so you can go back and really see the dirty things your pets are up to. As you will see in the images below from Best Buy's website, the new Nest app we first showed you is indeed on the way. You will be able to add your Dropcams and this Nest Cam to it, so your days of managing both Nest and Dropcam apps will soon be behind you. Best Buy Link (Model: NC1102ES)

Cheers @htowngator!

Report: Huawei Employee Confirms Nexus Plans, to Launch Later This Year

Tim — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 09:17:37 +0000

Even though alleged specs have been floating around for what seems like months, any type of actual confirmation regarding a Huawei-made Nexus device has been rather limited. However, we have new information this week, as a Huawei UK employee has anonymously reached out to the International Business Times, reportedly confirming the company's partnership with Google in creation of a Nexus smartphone. Previously known as codename 'angler,' the device is said to launch later this year, featuring a 5.7" QHD display. Unfortunately, the unnamed employee did not give any exact details about the device, minus the exception that it is indeed, a real thing. As stated by the source, through the release of a Nexus phone, Huawei can set its sights on the western market, as it already claims the number one spot in China in terms of smartphone makers. Introducing a new company in the US by way of the Nexus program would not be a bad idea at all, at least in our opinion. Sure, Huawei is known well among the tech geeks here, but most general consumers in the US may be unaware of the company. Still, with timeframes like "later this year" and other ambiguous info floating around, we probably still have a few months to go before we see any real details. If the rumors become true, and Google releases two Nexus smartphones -- one from LG and one from Huawei -- which company would you be leaning towards if you were to be in the market?

Via: BGR | IBT

I Need a New Zooper Widget, Got Anything Good?

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 09:14:23 +0000

Yesterday, I spent a good hour looking through the world of Zooper widgets featured by users on Google+ in hopes that I would find something to occupy my home screen and also share with you. Let me tell you right now that I don't recommend any of you attempt this. It's painful. Google+ was once a great place to share your home screen setups, but now you get the same handful of users sharing their same creations in 25 different communities, rendering G+'s search functionality almost worthless. Instead of creating that level of headache for a second straight day, I figured I may as well just ask the greatest Android community on the planet for their help. Yes, I'm talking about you. And yes, I'm using you...in a way. But look, this is me using you for the greater good of the personalization community. By me asking for you to recommend Zooper widget skins in the comments, you all get to see all of the awesome recommendations that each other recommend (if that makes sense). This is all sorts of win-win for all of us. You give me inspiration through your awesomeness, and we all benefit from the awesomeness of each other's awesomeness. So, got any good Zooper widget skins that you would recommend? Feel free to drop them in the comments! (On a related note, I'm currently using Ana Zooper skin and the newly released Glif icon pack.)

Say It Ain't So: Deutsche Telekom Wants to Sell T-Mobile to Comcast (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 08:20:44 +0000

As a T-Mobile customer, try to think about the worst thing that could ever happen to the company you pay each month for wireless service? Oh, come on, that's easy - the worst company on Earth could buy T-Mobile. And that's the news today, according German outlet Manager Magazin. Sources suggest that Deutsche Telekom, the company that owns T-Mobile US, wants Comcast to buy T-Mobile. Ugh. UGH. Deutsche Telekom is apparently in talks with several potential buyers, one of which is Dish. They consider Comcast to be the most "attractive buyer," though, because they are financially stronger or some garbage. All I know is that Comcast is evil and the thought of them owning T-Mobile is a tough one to swallow. Everyone declined to comment or was not reachable, of course. Meh. Update: A "source familiar with Comcast's thinking" told ArsTechnica that Comcast is not interested in buying T-Mobile. Note: That clickbait image is from Kim's T-Mo Super Bowl commercial. It's related, sort of.

Via: Reuters

Cheers Rashad!

About All This 600 Million+ Samsung Owners and Swiftkey Users Security Flaw Stuff (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 06:36:46 +0000

Yesterday, a report stole headlines with talk of 600 million+ Samsung devices being vulnerable to a security flaw. The security flaw was tied to Samsung's use of Swiftkey's keyboard technology in most of their phones, including the recently launched Galaxy S6. The headline certainly looks scary, but understand that the chances of your phone being hacked are pretty damn slim. This also isn't a Swiftkey issue, in case you were wondering, it's a slow carrier update rollout or Samsung issue. So the security vulnerability goes something like this. Your Samsung phone goes through a language update for its stock keyboard (which again, is powered by Swiftkey). During this process, a sneaky little hacker looks over your shoulder, notices that you are dumb enough to attach yourself to an insecure (or "rogue") WiFi network that he/she likely setup to do hacker things on, and then starts doing hacker things that involve "modifying upstream traffic" while you update to gain access to your phone. Assuming all of those steps align and are timed precisely as you update, this hacker could then access your GPS, camera, or microphone, install malicious apps, eavesdrop on calls, and attempt to access your pictures and text messages. Not to downplay the security bug, but man, that sounds like a lot of sh*t aligning at once (a perfect storm of sorts) in order for someone to hack your phone. Still, it's an issue. So who is at fault and is anyone going fix this crap? Probably everyone, and yes. Samsung was apparently notified of the issue months and months and months ago by NowSecure, the group who identified the vulnerability, and claims to have sent patches to carrier partners. Of course, carriers are slow at rolling out updates or Samsung is lying through their teeth, so phones as recently as last week were tested and exploited. That's not good. We can only assume that updates are coming. They should be coming. Please, Samsung, just come out and say that they are coming. What does Swiftkey have to do with this? Not much, actually. Swiftkey, in a statement posted this morning, says that Samsung is really at fault here for the way they have implemented Swiftkey's keyboard technology in their phones. Still, they are working with Samsung to fix this issue, assuming Samsung hasn't already fixed it. As for the consumer apps from Swiftkey, you have nothing to worry about. This issue has nothing do with the Swiftkey keyboard apps on Google Play or the App Store - it's a Samsung keyboard thing. Wrap-Up First off, people not familiar with Swiftkey are reporting all over the place that the "Swift keyboard" on Samsung phones is vulnerable. Just know that these fools mean Swiftkey, except that we just told you Swiftkey isn't the problem, it's how Samsung integrated their tech into their stock Samsung keyboard. Second, there is an issue here, but it would be insanely difficult for your phone to get hacked. Carriers supposedly have a fix, though, so we can only assume they will now push this bad boy through faster now that it has made headlines for two days. Finally, until you get a security patch (which we will do our best to post about as it rolls out), stay off of insecure, "rogue" hacker-friendly public WiFi hotspots and networks. Seriously, why would you want to hop on one of those anyway? And if you do, don't update the language pack on your Samsung phone. All good? Update June 17: Samsung had this to say.

"Samsung takes emerging security threats very seriously. We are aware of the recent issue reported by several media outlets and are committed to providing the latest in mobile security. Samsung Knox has the capability to update the security policy of the phones, over-the-air, to invalidate any potential vulnerabilities caused by this issue. The security policy updates will begin rolling out in a few days. In addition to the security policy update, we are also working with Swiftkey to address potential risks going forward."

So all of that non-sense about them patching it ages ago and carriers being slow was well, non-sense. Samsung hasn't issued anything. But, now they will, since it got enough publicity! That's kind of scary and embarrassing if that's truly how they operate with security vulnerabilities.

Via: Swiftkey | Wall Street Journal | NowSecure [2]

Deal: Get a Bayit Smart Wi-Fi Socket for Just $40, Free Shipping Included

Tim — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 16:11:52 +0000

Over on the DL Deals Store, you can currently pick up a fancy new Bayit Smart WiFi Socket for just $39.99, down from its usual price of $55. As shown off during this year's CES, the Smart WiFi Socket allows owners to place timers on individual home appliances, hopefully leading to less energy used, saving you money in the long run. In case you were curious about what appliances are compatible, the answer is simple -- any and all appliances. If it plugs into the wall, Bayit works. Setup is relatively quick and painless, taking roughly 2 minutes to connect the device to your WiFi connection at home. Once set, you can program schedules and timers for your appliances to turn on and off automatically. If this interesting little gizmo strikes your fancy, follow that link below. Features

Use with fans, heaters, lamps, TV’s—any home appliance
Set up quickly w/ intuitive, 2-minute process
Set schedules & set timers to turn devices on-and-off automatically
Cut your energy bill by setting your devices to turn off when you’re gone

Deal Link

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This Supermassive Black Hole Live Wallpaper Looks Sick

Tim — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 15:37:39 +0000

If you are a bit of a space nut like myself, and find yourself thinking about black holes and different dimensions, might I suggest you check out this Supermassive Black Hole live wallpaper from Maxelus? This is the same team of developers who released other well-known live wallpaper apps such as Planet Packs, Tornado 3D, and Asteroids Pack. Once applied, you can choose from quite a few different preset scenes, including Inferno Clouds, Pegasus Galaxy, Banelord Nebula, and Sandstorm Galaxy. Each has its own set of characteristics that change color and show different forms. Of course, none of that matters, as you see it all sucked down into the black hole. The app also features a gyroscope, allowing you to see different angles when you tilt your device. Although, I disabled this setting because I found it distracting. This wallpaper only costs $1.95, but does ask for an IAP permission. However, after looking through the app, I don't see anywhere to make a purchase, so who knows why that permission is asked for. If you buy the app, you get full access to settings and themes. And before you ask, I am using it on a Galaxy S6 and I am not noticing any crazy changes in battery life. This isn't 2011, people. Check it out. Play Link ($1.95)

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Cartoon Network Releases Blamburger for Android, a Game Centered Around Clarence

Tim — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 14:05:57 +0000

Clarence, the lovable young boy who turns even the darkest of times into happy thoughts on Cartoon Network's show of the same name, is the star of his very own mobile game now. In the game, titled Blamburger, you are tasked with creating yummy hamburgers for Clarence and his friends to eat. While you can go ahead and make any type of burger you want, there are special recipes you can follow to get bonus points, unlocking new ingredients and recipes for you to try. However, be careful to watch for falling sticks of dynamite. If you get hit, you get no points for your current burger. The overall goal is create mile-high burgers made of specific ingredients. There are also shiny ingredients that speed up the fall of objects, including dynamite, which you will need to watch out for. Although, if you don't get hit by a boom stick, you get a 4x bonus for 5 seconds. The game is fun, and if Clarence happens to be one of your guilty pleasures (I'm guilty of this), then go check it out on Google Play. It is free on Google Play and features no IAPs. Play Link

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Tuesday Poll: How Often Do You Upgrade Phones?

Kellen — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 13:31:25 +0000

It's 2015 and almost all of your options for upgrading to new phones while keeping unlimited data through places like AT&T or Verizon have been killed off. I would imagine that in order to upgrade these days and not fork out $600 up front, many of you have decided to give up on unlimited and either sign a new contract or go with a device payment plan. This is the unfortunate and sad world we live in. Because of this potential change, there is a chance that many of you are upgrading at much different intervals than you have in the past. When we asked you two years ago how often you upgraded, the majority of you said, "Every 2 years." Then last year, we asked the same thing and you either all won the lottery or decided that smartphones were worth spending cash on and said "whenever I see a new phone." Today, we want to see if anything has changed. Are you still upgrading whenever you want or are you waiting for your specific upgrade dates through payment plans or contracts? [poll id="367"]

Here is Your Reference Guide for Building Material Design Into Apps

Kellen — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 13:23:10 +0000

Material Design strikes me as being intimidating as hell. From understanding its varying concepts to actually building them out in app form through complex transitions and layers doesn't seem like the simplest of tasks, even for the most advanced developer and designer. Then again, I'm not an advanced developer or a designer, so it could be that Material Design is a breeze to figure out and implement and it's just way above my pay grade. Whatever the case may be, Google wants to help everyone understand Material Design concepts and ideas through an Android version of Topeka, which is like a reference design of many Material Design implementations in an app. Topeka was previously a web app that showcased Material Design, but this new Android version that is open-sourced on GitHub should get you all familiar with Google's vision for MD. If you are a developer, you should head over to the source link below to see more on Topeka and how you can use it to better your apps. you will find recommendations for transitions, animations, and FAB placement, three things I'm not sure any of us can say we have seen presented consistently by anyone over the last year.

Via: Android Developers

dbrand Unveils New Bamboo Skin, Celebrates With Store-Wide 25% Off Sale

Tim — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:45:41 +0000

For those of you who may want to change up the look of your smartphone, dbrand has a fancy new skin for you to check out, which could turn your plastic or metal smartphone into a elegant, wooden piece of art. dbrand has partnered up with 3M to get the look and feel of real bamboo made into a skin, with buyers able to apply it to many different smartphones, tablets, and even laptops. To celebrate the launch of the bamboo skin, dbrand is hosting a site-wide 25% off sale on everything. No coupon codes are needed, but if you are interested, you only have 24 hours to get in on the sale. For most smartphones, the skin is priced at $18 for the entire device. That's front, back, and side skins. If you only want a single piece, it's about $5 a pop for whatever phone you have. To take advantage of the sale, or to check out what your phone would look like bathed in bamboo, follow the via link below.

Via: dbrand

BitTorrent Launches "Shoot," a Phone-to-Phone Photo and Video Sharing App

Kellen — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 11:39:34 +0000

How often have you been with friends or at a party or with someone else who wants a copy of the picture you just took on your phone? And how often have you cringed at thinking of a quick way to get that photo to them? There is email or a social network or Android Beam (lulz!), none of which are really all that quick or efficient, especially when sending multiple files. BitTorrent wants to be your option with their new app called Shoot. With shoot, which will need to be installed on each device, you get to be either the sender or receiver. As the sender, you get to choose which photos or videos you want to send through a simple, modern app gallery UI. As a receiver, all you need to do is tap a receive button and then scan a QR code from the sender. The video explains it better, but basically, the sender taps a big "Send" button, selects photos/videos, and then confirms the selections. Once complete, a QR appears on the sender's device, which the receiver can then scan. Once scanned, the photos or videos should start transferring immediately from sender to receiver. Simple, right? The app is free to use for the most part. Senders can perform 3 sends for free, but are then charged a 1-time $1.99 fee to unlock unlimited sends. For receivers, the app is always free. Play Link

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Via: GetSync

Cortana Beta App to Launch in July for Android as Companion to Windows 10 PCs

Tim — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 11:26:33 +0000

The Cortana Beta app for Android users is set to launch in early July, according to the latest word from Microsoft. The app will be released as a companion app to owners of Windows 10 PCs, allowing users to ask Cortana to set reminders and get answers to questions. As far as we know, anyone and everyone will be able to signup, as Microsoft says nothing about a private or closed beta. Think of it like Microsoft's Hyperlapse app. It will be a fully working app, but some features may not work properly. Now, Microsoft's post doesn't exactly state that you will need a Windows 10 PC to operate the app, but we doubt it. Instead, you might be limited in terms of what you can do with Cortana, but she will still likely be able to give you reminders about calendar events and give you answers to your search inquiries. Ready to go hands-on with Cortana? As soon as it's available, we will let you know.

Via: Windows

Twitter Adds Auto-Play Option for Videos and GIFs

Kellen — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 11:20:19 +0000

Soon, as you scroll through your Twitter feed, you will be welcomed by moving images and auto-playing videos as a part of Twitter's continual drive to make watching videos easier than ever on their platform. The company announced today that this "more seamless video experience" has arrived on iOS, with Android expected to get the same experience before long. We are talking about auto-play of Vines, GIFs, and native videos, of course. Twitter is trying to find ways to reduce the number of taps it takes to get you to the content you need, so auto-playing them all seemed like the next logical step. Sure. For those with sh*tty data plans that involve insanely overpriced data buckets, Twitter is building in controls to help you avoid running out of data and coughing up more cash to the evil wireless carriers of America. You will be able to turn off auto-play if you want, or you could tell it to only happen when on WiFi. Oh, and what about audio? It won't auto-play, but a twist of your device to landscape or a tap on the video will instantly kick on the tunes. Again, the auto-play addition is available on iOS today, but is only "coming soon" to Android.

Via: Twitter

HTC Device Owners, Prepare to See "Promotions" in BlinkFeed

Tim — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 10:03:00 +0000

Back in May, a report surfaced that HTC was attempting to implement paid promotions (aka ads) into BlinkFeed. Today, that news becomes official, as the company has announced the changes being made in a post on its website. In the post, HTC goes over everything you need to know about what is changing inside BlinkFeed, but basically, users in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Taiwan, and China will see a limited amount of paid promotions from companies such as Yahoo!, Twitter, and HTC itself. These promotions will showcase useful and exciting applications you can download, as well as new accessories from HTC. As of right now, the rollout is in pilot mode, meaning HTC is just testing the waters. More importantly, HTC states they are working on an opt-out feature for those who are completely uninterested in seeing promotions. As stated in the company's post announcing the promotions, "We will be implementing a way for you to opt out of receiving these promotions, but we hope that displaying native and limited promotions in this way will help you discover new and useful apps and/or products and services."

There are worse things than a few promotions inside BlinkFeed, and given they are native, they should blend seamlessly into the service. You may not even notice them. Thoughts?

Via: HTC

Pushbullet Introduces Portal, an Awesome Way to Transfer Files to Your Devices

Kellen — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 09:20:49 +0000

Say "hello" to the next app you are guaranteed to install. It's called Portal and it's from the creators of Pushbullet, one of our favorite apps. Portal has one goal, which is to make transferring files to your phone or tablet as seamless and easy as possible. After playing with it for two minutes, I can tell you right now that I will now use this multiple times throughout the day. So how does Portal work? It's pretty easy. Install the Portal app (Play link), connect your phone to the WiFi network your computer is on, and then head to portal.pushbullet.com. From there, you will see a QR code that needs to be scanned. To scan it, open the Portal app on your phone, scan it, and then your computer will be connected to your phone via WiFi. To transfer files, simply drag and drop them into the tab you have open at portal.pushbullet.com. The files will then transfer quickly using your WiFi network and show on your phone in the Portal app instantaneously. The Pushbullet team says they have been testing files as large as 1GB, so you shouldn't really have any limitations here. What else is awesome about Portal?

To find all of the files you have transferred to your phone, open the Portal app. Not only will they all be listed there, but you can tap on each to open or quickly share them via share button.
All of the files save into a Portal folder on your phone, so if you would rather find the files in your favorite file manager, you can do that too.
You can even move the Portal file to an SD card.
As an added bonus, Portal is integrated into Android, so you will find the files through the built-in Android file browser
If you use Chrome on your computer, you can drop entire folders and Portal will transfer them.

Ready to take it for a spin? Watch the video below, then hit up the two links you'll need to get going. Portal Links: Android App | Web App

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Via: Pushbullet

Need Money? Google is Now Paying Those Who Help Find Bugs in Android

Tim — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 09:01:45 +0000

This morning, Google introduced the Android Security Rewards program, aimed directly at making Android a safer platform for all users. As of this moment, Google is specifically looking for vulnerabilities affecting the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, and if you happen to find something, you could get paid quite handsomely. Unfortunately, you won't become a millionaire overnight by helping Google find and squash bugs, but if you find a critical bug, you could see up to $2,000, and even more cash -- up to $8,000 -- if CTS tests and patches go through cleanly. That's a nice little chunk of change. Here are some details about the new Android Security Rewards program.

For vulnerabilities affecting Nexus phones and tablets available for sale on Google Play (currently Nexus 6 and Nexus 9), we will pay for each step required to fix a security bug, including patches and tests. This makes Nexus the first major line of mobile devices to offer an ongoing vulnerability rewards program.
In addition to rewards for vulnerabilities, our program offers even larger rewards to security researchers that invest in tests and patches that will make the entire ecosystem stronger.
The largest rewards are available to researchers that demonstrate how to work around Android’s platform security features, like ASLR, NX, and the sandboxing that is designed to prevent exploitation and protect users.

If you happen to work in the security field, follow the via link below to learn everything you need to know to get started.

Via: Android Rewards | Google

Google Adds Nutrition Info for Popular Restaurant Chain Items

Kellen — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:53:26 +0000

In a behind-the-scenes update, Google recently added nutrition info for menu items on some of the most popular restaurant chains you frequently visit. From McDonald's or Wendy's to TGIFriday's or Chipotle, all you need to do is search for the restaurant name and "nutrition" on your phone ("chipotle nutrition") and Google will give you the restaurant's entire menu, along with listings of items and a quick calorie count. If you want to see more info, like the fat breakdown, carbohydrate count, or sodium levels, simply tap on an item and Google will load it for you below the menu. Menus can be swiped through to access additional entries or you can tap on the "Full menu" dropdown to switch menu categories. So there you have it, quick access to information that reminds you to go for a 5-mile jog, at your fingertips.

Via: +Google

Sony Xperia Z4v is Coming Exclusively to Verizon This Summer With Solid Upgrades

Kellen — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 06:35:34 +0000

It looks like a version of Sony's new Xperia Z4 will indeed make its way to the US this summer as the Xperia Z4v, a Verizon exclusive. The Xperia Z4v is a lot like its cousin, only it includes a slightly thicker body, slightly bigger battery, and wireless charging, which shouldn't surprise anyone, since that's exactly how the Xperia Z3v differed from the Xperia Z3. Oh, it also has an upgraded QHD display over the regular Z4's FHD display. As for the rest of the specs, you are looking at a 5.2-inch Triluminos QHD display (2560x1440), Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, 32GB storage (with micro SD support), 3,000mAh battery, Quick Charge 2.0 support, wireless charging on both Qi and PMA standards, 20.7MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, and 3GB RAM. the phone runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. The Xperia Z4v will arrive at Verizon "this summer" in black and white colorways. No pricing info was announced today.

Experience the Freedom to Play with Sony's Xperia® Z4v Smartphone Coming to the United States Exclusively on Verizon Wireless
Combines best-in-class entertainment and technology in a beautifully designed waterproof(1) smartphone ideal for PlayStation® Gaming NEW YORK, June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Mobile Communications ("Sony Mobile") and Verizon Wireless today announced that the Sony Xperia Z4v smartphone will be available in the United States this summer exclusively from Verizon Wireless. The premium Android™ 4G LTE waterproof(1) smartphone is here to give you the freedom to play – delivering unrivaled entertainment experiences and innovative camera technologies along with powerful battery performance(2). "The Sony Xperia Z4v continues a tradition of high-quality smartphones that have the best of entertainment with Sony movies, PlayStation gaming, and in-demand features like a powerful battery, all on the largest and most reliable 4G LTE network in the United States," said Jeff Dietel, vice president, Marketing for Verizon Wireless. "This combination of a great network and a great device makes it easy for customers to explore and enjoy what wireless connectivity can bring to them where they live, work and play." Designed to Perform We know life can be tough on your smartphone. Designed with durability in mind, the slim-framed Xperia Z4v is dust-tight and waterproof, featuring tempered glass panels – so you won't get held back by a slip or spill. With impressive performance, Xperia Z4v powers through whatever life throws at it and keeps you up to speed with the latest in entertainment. From 4K recording to gaming, Xperia Z4v's powerful, ultra-fast Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 810 processor with X10 LTE and 64-bit octa-core CPU lets you enjoy a universe of your favorite entertainment in an uncompromised, fluid, and lightning-fast experience. Need to do two things at once or find something online? This impressive processor helps to enable multitasking and fast-paced web browsing while delivering a seamless UI experience. With 32GB storage and up to 128GB SD storage, enjoy unlimited entertainment possibilities in the palm of your hand. Best-in-class entertainment in a smartphone For gamers, the Xperia Z4v allows you to break away from your TV and continue your PlayStation®4 (PS4) gaming anywhere in your home via PS4 Remote Play(3). Simply connect your Xperia smartphone to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi® and use your DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller(4) to play full versions of your favorite PS4 games directly on your phone. Additionally, users can stream Spotify while playing PS4 games without ever having to hit pause – simply control the music on your PS4 using your Xperia Z4v with Spotify Connect. Hear the difference of the Z4v with your own ears. Discover the nuances of your favorite artists with studio quality sound captured by Hi-Res Audio and increase the sound fidelity of MP3 or AAC music tracks to near High-Resolution quality with the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE HX). Also equipped with LDAC support, the Z4v allows you to transmit your favorite Hi-Res Audio tracks over Bluetooth. Together with the Snapdragon 810's Fluence™ technology, Sony's rich audio expertise and first-on-market Automatic Headset Optimization, your Xperia Z4v automatically adjusts audio settings according to the headset style you're using for the most immersive sound experience. Xperia Z4v also brings movies to life in vivid detail with the 5.2-inch Full WQHD TRILUMINOS™ display for mobile featuring Live Color LED powered by X-Reality™ for mobile, creating a wider palette of rich, natural colors and enhanced color depth and gradation without the risk of oversaturation. Additionally, you can maintain increased brightness and contrast with the Z4v's power-efficient smart adaptive display. Take your entertainment with you on-the-go with high-powered battery performance that helps you power through it all, with up to a full day of charge(2). Xperia Z4v features a high-density 3,000 mAh battery and a power efficient display with Memory on Display. Xperia Z4v also offers Battery STAMINA mode and Ultra STAMINA mode to enable efficient power consumption that maximizes battery life. For fast and easy charging, Xperia Z4v features Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 2.0 which offers re-charging up to 75% faster(5), embedded wireless charging with the latest inductive 'Qi' and PMA technology, and a capless USB port for added convenience. "With the coming Xperia Z4v launch, we are delivering on our commitment to bringing the latest and greatest Sony smartphones to the US," said Ravi Nookala, President, Sony Mobile Communications North America. "Our Xperia Z4v offers US customers the most fun mobile experience around with features that give them the freedom to play." Superior Camera Technology Whether you're snapping a group photo or taking a quick selfie, Xperia Z4v lets you take the perfect shot anytime, anywhere. Utilizing Sony Electronic's Cyber-Shot® and Handycam® technologies, Xperia Z4v offers superior camera performance on both the 20.7 MP rear and 5 MP front cameras. With the high-sensitivity Exmor RS™ image sensor and high ISO, you can capture high-quality portraits, even in low lighting. Take full advantage of the front-facing camera's 25 mm wide-angle lens to fit more into your selfie pictures – without distortion at the edges. With 4K video recording capability and SteadyShot™ with Intelligent Active Mode, you can document memories in brilliantly detailed high quality video. Xperia Z4v continues to build on our previous generation's already impressive camera experience by expanding the ecosystem of camera capabilities and empowering users to unleash their creativity with 15 preloaded Xperia camera apps such as Timeshift burst and Video, picture-in-picture, and self-styling portraits. Availability Xperia Z4v will be available this summer in black and white color options and as part of the Made for Xperia offering at Verizon, customers will have a selection of protective cases from leading accessories brands like Incipio®, Tech21, OtterBox®, and Case-Mate available for purchase in-store and online. Verizon customers can sign up online for more information about Xperia Z4v smartphone. For a full list of specifications, visit www.XperiaZ4v.com.

DEAL: Nexus 6 32GB for $440 on eBay!

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 19:05:56 +0000

Whoa. $440 for a brand new 32GB Nexus 6? You may want to jump on this deal at eBay before the "limited quantity" is gone. The deal has been live for a couple of hours, and with that price, it may not last long. This is version XT1103, which is the US model that will work on every major carrier here. It comes in a factory sealed package and in midnight blue. At $440, you are looking at a discount of $210 off the original $650 price. Granted, Google has slashed the price to $500 in recent weeks, so the discount isn't quite as good as it would have been a month ago. Still, $60 is $60. Free shipping is included. EBAY LINK

Cheers Scott!

This is My Android: June 2015

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 16:33:21 +0000

After kicking off our "This is My Android" series in February with the Moto X (2nd gen), I told you that it probably wouldn't take long before I found a phone to replace it. I didn't say that because the Moto X was aging or falling out of favor with my pants pocket, it's just that I knew what was on the horizon - the Samsung Galaxy S6. Shortly after Samsung's new flagship launched and found its way onto my desk, I knew almost immediately that this was the phone that would replace the Moto X. So today, this is my Android, the Galaxy S6.

June 2015

Phone: Samsung Galaxy S6 (Unlocked)
Launcher: Nova Launcher (Prime)
Icons and Wallpaper: Polycon, Ponoco
Widgets: Samsung clock, Sunrise
App recommendations: AfterShip, Google Photos

Why? You will hear this in greater detail in the video below, but the reasons the Galaxy S6 has become my phone of choice is because it has the best mobile camera in the business, was built to be the most future-proof phone in recent memory, and is available as an unlocked device that provides me with more flexibility than a carrier-tied model can. The camera tops my reasons for owning the Galaxy S6 because of all the things many other phones do equally as good as the S6, I don't think any best it in the camera department. What I mean is that most (if not all) phones nowadays are fast, reliable, and premium. But few phones actually have a great camera. In fact, I would argue that only the Galaxy S6 and G4 can be taken seriously as great mobile phone cameras on Android. Since I have a 1.5 year old at home that I take dozens of pictures of, I not only need a fast phone, but I need a camera that is even faster, yet takes amazing photos. This phone does just that. Outside of the ridiculous camera, I know that the Galaxy S6 was built to last with its metal frame, advanced processor/RAM/storage, and payment system (Samsung Pay) that, at least on paper, is better than everyone else's. The phone feels amazing in hand, but I can also hold this phone knowing that it won't be dated in one or two years as new phones arrive. This phone, has the best of the best inside of it. Finally, because this phone can be purchased as an unlocked, carrier-free phone, it wins major points with me. You know how I feel about unlocked phones, right? Then there isn't anything else to say here. Setup My setup since the last video hasn't changed much, but as is noted in the bulleted list above, I am currently using Polycon icon pack, with a custom-tweaked Ponoco wallpaper. To hear the rest of the setup, hit up the clip below.

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That's my Android, what's yours?

Google Maps Now Warns You If Your Destination Will Close Before You Get There

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 16:06:13 +0000

A Google Maps update that is rolling out to all today adds a new warning that appears if you are considering navigating to a location that is closing soon. The new warning will actually tell you that you won't make it before the place closes, hopefully saving you a wasted trip. Another new addition, thanks to the update, adds car rental reservations you have from Gmail should you do a search for "my events." The update appears to be available to all, but we have the .apk below if you want to sideload it. What's New

Receive a warning when you are about to navigate to a place that is closed at time of arrival.
Searching for 'my events' now also shows car rental reservations from your GMail, in addition to flights and hotels.
Bug Fixes

Play Link | Download Link (.apk)

Deal: Buy This Android Game Developer Bundle for Just $50

Tim — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 15:32:09 +0000

Taking place over on the DL Deals Store, you can grab this Android Game Developer Bundle for just $50, which is valued at over $650. The bundle includes six courses in total, providing users the knowledge and opportunity to become a mobile developer. Inside, buyers will find more than 50 hours of work to complete, covering everything from game re-skinning courses to Unity3D C# game development courses. If building the next hit Android game was on your bucket list, this might be a good place to start. As a note, a bonus deal is taking place for the ZeroLemon 18W Quick Charge 2.0 wall charger for just $15. Regularly priced at $30, if you need a new Quick Charge compatible charger for your devices, this is a good deal. If you are a new developer, follow the link below to get started. Deal Link

Giveaway: Win 1 of 3 Lifetime Plex Passes From DL and Plex

Tim — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 14:01:38 +0000

We have partnered with Plex, the service that allows you to stream your video, music, and photo library across the web via a dedicated media server onto Android devices, to give away 3 Lifetime Plex Passes. These passes are valued at $149, granting you a lifetime membership to Plex and use of its servers. Personally, as a big fan of Android TV and the Plex app on NVIDIA's SHIELD, storing a few of my movies on Plex makes watching whatever I want easy. And since Plex is available on all of my Android devices, tablets included, it doesn't matter where I am to enjoy my content. Also, if you follow Plex news, you should know that they have been rolling out new features left and right. Want to win a Plex Pass? Let's do it.

Contest

Prizes Three (3) Lifetime Plex Passes. Each valued at $149. How to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners Three winners will be chosen randomly at 10am PST on June 16.

If you want to learn more about Plex, head over to their site here.

You Should Probably Change Your LastPass Master Password

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 13:26:05 +0000

Last Friday, the folks at LastPass, keepers of the password on all sorts of platforms, noticed "suspicious activity" on their network and decided to go ahead and shut down that noise down. (Thanks!) Wait, though, suspicious activity? What does that mean? According to LastPass, that means that l33t hax0rs (hackers) were able to grab "account email addresses, password reminders, server per user salts, and authentication hashes." Yikes. Thankfully, they have found no evidence of user vault data being taken, which is awesome news, since that's where all of your passwords for other websites are stored. As a recap - LastPass was hacked on some level and the responsible party was able to gain some information from your account. The good news is that your actual passwords that LastPass stores were not compromised and you should be good. With that said, LastPass is recommending (and prompting) that everyone change their master passwords (especially those weak ones like "12345" that you use for your luggage). LastPass will also now require users who login from a new device or IP to first verify accounts by email, unless they already have multifactor authentication enabled. You do not need to change passwords on other sites, because again, your user vault data wasn't taken. You can read more about the "suspicious activity" at the source link below.

Via: LastPass

Amid Struggles, "The People's Console" Ouya Acquired by Razer

Tim — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:30:09 +0000

Razer, the company set to soon launch its own Forge TV set-top box powered by Android TV, reportedly acquired Ouya this week, but neither company has announced the deal officially. The confirmation comes from MESA Global, who posted on its website that the deal was finalized between the two companies, with MESA acting as the "exclusive financial advisor" to Ouya. Without a doubt, Ouya has been struggling. Since launch, the console has had difficulties convincing potential buyers to take the plunge into micro-console gaming, with the same going for developers. As of right now, Ouya features a little over 1,100 titles on its marketplace for gamers, but with no access to Google Play, there is only so much work 3rd-party developers can do to get people excited. According to Venture Beat, the price of Ouya may be around $10 million to buy out debt holders. For a company that launched on Kickstarter, becoming one of the most highly backed products ever, $10 million may be a pretty sweet deal for Razer. Since neither company has confirmed the news, we can't exactly say what Razer's plan for Ouya is. Forge TV runs Android TV, so access to games and apps is already taken care of, so why Razer wants Ouya is a big question mark as of this moment. Once Razer or Ouya makes it official, we will update this post.

Via: Venture Beat | MESA Global

Facebook Launches Moments App to Google Play, Private Photo Sharing Made Easy

Tim — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:16:55 +0000

Facebook launched another standalone app this morning, called Moments, which allows private sharing of photos between friends or groups of specific people. This app can be used in a few cases, but most notably, if you and your group of friends do something together, now only the best photographer of the bunch needs to worry about snapping shots. At the end of the day, all you need to do is select which photos to share privately, choose who to share with, then you are done. Another case is weddings. If a group of people are snapping shots, all of the photos can be found in the same exact place, allowing anyone and everyone to grab photos whenever they want. As long as they are shared with you, you have access to them. Inside Moments, Facebook has built a bit of facial recognition technology inside, allowing the app to automatically see which friends are in your photos. From there, you can choose to share your shots or not. The app is entirely standalone from the Facebook app, so if you would like to try it out, go grab it on Google Play. And for any iOS users, it's available on the App Store, too. Play Link

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Telltale Announces The Walking Dead: Michonne Mini-Series, Will Launch This Fall

Tim — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:35:05 +0000

Telltale Games announced a new episode for The Walking Dead fans this morning, one which puts you in the shoes of Michonne, the samurai sword-wielding zombie slayer. Over three episodes, players will take a look at Michonne's story, taking place between issues #126 and #139 of the comic book series. As detailed by Telltale, Michonne's "complexity and range make her an ideal lead for the compelling interactive drama." Given its tie-in with the comic books, this should be a fun look into the story behind one of the story's most popular characters. Now, if only they got Danai Gurira to do the voice in the actual game. To play this mini-series, you are required to at least own the first episode of The Walking Dead: Season Two, so if you need this expansion, be sure to pick that up in time.

Via: Telltale Games

AT&T Nexus 6 Should be Receiving Its Android 5.1.1 Updated (Build LMY47Z)

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:28:58 +0000

At the end of last week, AT&T posted news of an update to Android 5.1.1 for the Nexus 6 that jumped the phone to build LMY47Z. Current owners of the device are starting to see the update pop-up for installation as of this morning. That's the same build that was sent to Sprint and US Cellular models, though we aren't sure if this update is specific to phones running an AT&T SIM or not, or if this really is for the AT&T-branded version. With 5.1.1, Google start releasing specific builds for phones running on certain carriers, but there is a chance that phones with AT&T SIMs are simply jumping from LMY47I to LMY47Z through a currently available update. Then again, the current .zip file that takes the Nexus 6 from LMY47I to LMY47Z is roughly 100MB in size, but AT&T says that this update is 81MB. Keep in mind that Google has yet to post a factory image with any sort of note that the update is "AT&T only." AT&T Nexus 6 folks, get your update yet? Feel free to grab that OTA URL with these instructions and then get back to us.

Via: AT&T

Cheers Eric!

Motorola Drops No-Contract Moto X (2nd Gen) to $299, Offers Free Trial Program for 30 Days

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:09:31 +0000

Motorola just announced a limited-time deal on the Moto X (2nd gen) that gets you the phone for $299 (after $50 rebate), but also lets you try it for up to 30 days "risk free." They are attaching this deal to the idea of people buying phones without a contract, so if you buy any of their models without signing a contract through a carrier, you get it for as little as $299. The deal includes custom-made phones through Moto Maker, along with a free trial program for those who want to test the phone a bit before committing. If you buy a Moto X off-contract, Motorola will give you 30 days to test it, including a do-over should you not like the original Moto Maker design you chose. Finally, if you don't want to pay the $349 up front, they also have 6, 12, and 18 month payment plans that require $0 down. Here are some of the details provided to us through a post on Motorola's blog:

With that in mind, we’re offering you the opportunity to customize and try a new Moto X for 30 days, risk free at a new off-contract price of $299** (after $50 rebate). To try one out, simply design and order your device at motomaker.com and activate it on a no-contract plan. If you don’t love your Moto X, simply ship it back to us for free any time in the first 30 days. No hidden fees or restocking charges — and if your Moto X didn’t turn out how you envisioned, we’ll even give you one “do-over” for another shot at designing your Moto Maker creation. If you love it, keep it and get a $50 discount off the purchase price**.

The rest of the details can be found at the Motorola link below. You can also now buy black or bamboo versions of the unlocked GSM Moto X at Amazon for $299. Motorola Link

Via: Motorola

Saygus V2 Will Ship Some Day, Founders Party at E3 and Launch Indiegogo Campaign for Now (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 09:42:48 +0000

Saygus and its supposedly-existent, oft-delayed "world's most advanced" smartphone, the V2 (or V-SQUARED), stopped off in early buyers' inboxes this morning to update everyone on potential shipping times. Well, that's being optimistic, as the email dances around virtual mailboxes with talk of "two SIM cards!" and "Android 5.1!" before "grumble grumble grumble...we'll ship soon!" The email specifically states that we "are approaching time for you to receive your V-SQUARED and will notify you of your shipment soon!" There is also a mention of a production partner change that was supposedly shared with us, though I don't recall anything about such a major change in the last delay email. All I remember was something about "quality assurance and network testing," not completely switching to a new partner to manufacturer the phone. Hey, who's keeping track of such details? The email was also used as a means to announce a new Indiegogo campaign to fund future sales of the phone or as "another vehicle to let people know about" it or something. That campaign is now live. While we typically crack jokes about Indiegogo campaigns, this one might actually prove to be useful. If you scroll down to the bottom where it says, "The Plan," we may now know exactly when these phones, that were supposed to ship in March, will actually ship. According to the V-2's Indiegogo campaign, which somehow has 1,431 backers in 22 minutes time (and how is that possible?), we are looking at a "Fall 2015 shipment." Yep, this schedule says that they essentially took everyone's early adopter money to finally manufacture a real prototype, then spent three months dealing with partners who could make it, and will take June and July to "finalize tooling" before ordering parts. In August and September, they will test the phone and then ship it at some point in the Fall. So we have gone from March to "Fall." Awesome. To add to the awesome story of the Saygus V-SQUARED, a separate email - sent moments before the hardly-informative shipping email - invited early buyers to a 2-day VIP party at E3, hosted with your funds by the Saygus founders! Yeah, bruh! Party with the Saygus founders and YouTubers at E3 in a swanky penthouse! Have you requested a refund yet? You probably should. Update: This whole thing is hilariously sketchy. It's pretty obvious that they took their 1,400+ backers from January and talked Indiegogo into letting them add them to this campaign to make it look like they had instantly taken in $800,000+ in a matter of minutes. All of the backers are listed as "Anonymous" and were added two days ago, before the campaign was even live. The campaign is also, of course, a "flexible funding" campaign. In other words, Saygus gets your money even if they never get fully funded or actually create the "world's most advanced phone." Update 2: Saygus says via Twitter that their "loyal pre-register customers" will get their phones prior to the Indiegogo campaign timeline. They are also claiming that the phone will ship with USB Type-C, except that the campaign makes no mention of it.

NVIDIA SHIELD Receives 1.2 Update, Includes 4K Picture Sharing and GameStream Enhancements

Tim — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 08:39:43 +0000

The SHIELD Android TV set-top box from NVIDIA is receiving a big update this morning, labeled as upgrade 1.2. Inside, owners who have a 4K TV in the living room can now share photos with super high resolution directly from the Photos & Videos app. NVIDIA also baked in enhancements for SD card auto-move settings, improvements for GameStream (PC game streaming over home network), notifications for low battery on SHIELD Remote, plus an update for the SHIELD Remote that should make the accessory a bit more snappy. Lastly, streaming performance for apps such as Netflix and Google Play Movies has been included. Check out the full changelog below, then go grab it. Unless you are busy at work. Then you will have to wait until later. What's New

Share your pictures in 4K on Ultra HD TVs with the Photos & Videos app
Delivers enhancements for SD card auto-move setting
Optimizes streaming experience for Google Play Movies and Netflix
SHIELD Accessories Upgrade for SHIELD Remote for snappier response
Adds notifications for low battery on SHIELD Remote
Delivers enhancements for NVIDIA GameStream (requires update to GeForce Experience v2.25 beta or later)

Did you recently receive your SHIELD in the mail? How are you liking it?

Via: NVIDIA

ASUS Didn't Say They Talked to HTC About a Merger, But HTC Wants You to Know They Didn't

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 08:32:26 +0000

Last week, ASUS admitted during an investor call that internally, they had tossed around the idea of trying to acquire HTC. That's it, though, they just threw out the idea at a board meeting or something before moving on to other matters. They even followed up the brief mention of an acquisition by saying that they were unlikely to even attempt such a thing, because they ~~aren't interested in buying companies on their deathbeds~~ like to grow organically. We thought the story was done there because it's almost a non-story, but HTC decided that it needed to make a bold statement on the matter. HTC said that it "has not made any contact with Asus regarding this matter, and it will not consider a merger with Asus." OK! They continued with, "As an international brand, HTC will continue to design world-class innovative smart devices through its pursuit of brilliance brand promise." There, you see, HTC isn't interested in your ASUS acquisition chatter. On a related note, HTC's stock rose by 10% following all of that acquisition chatter.

Via: HTC | Reuters

These Icon Packs are Hot: Polycon and Elun

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 07:49:31 +0000

What do you say we start off the week with a couple of icon packs to freshen up your home screens? After taking a mini break from icons that we consider hot, we get the feeling that a number of you missed this little ongoing feature of ours. So, we'll try to be better about sharing the best in Android customization. To kick things up again, we have two icon packs that are well worth the effort of installing. The first is called Polycon, a Material Design-heavy icon pack that brings a new flavor to the abundance of Material packs. After that, we wanted to draw some attention to an old favorite called Elun. We first showed you Elun almost a year ago, but it deserves a second look today, if anything, just to support the developer. Remember that icon pack we featured last week? As it turns out, the icon designs there may have been completely lifted from Elun, only sporting a new color scheme. That's not exactly something we like to see, especially when it comes to the icon world, where your original designs and hours of hard work are what help you stand out. So if you feel like spending a buck to support the cause, give Elun another look. You can read all about the back story here. Here we go!

Polycon

These icons, at least to me, seem much more compact than most Material Design icons while showing some playfulness or freshness, and a simplicity that is enough to look good in almost any setup. You know just by looking at these icons that they were custom made for Material Design, but yet they still feel very new. The colors used are from the Material Design color palette, so you should have no problems matching this up to the rest of the colors on your current theme. The pack includes a set of custom wallpapers and should work on just about every major launcher. Oh, and did I mention that it's all free? Play Link

Elun

This is what I wrote about Elun a year ago: "This pack meets my needs at the moment because round icons are just my thing right now. Beyond being round, the icons are fully flattened, aren’t going overboard with neon colors or shadows, and give you more than enough alternative color options for some of the most used apps out there, like the dialer, camera, or Hangouts. The icon pack is simple and classic, utilizes 'stock' colors, and would work well with almost any setup." There are over ~~2,200~~ 3,100 HD icons and 31 HD, cloud-based wallpapers that work perfectly with the scheme. All of your favorite launchers are also supported, plus the wallpapers work with Muzei. Play Link ($0.99)

T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Receiving Update to Android 5.1.1

Kellen — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 06:52:42 +0000

Both the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge on T-Mobile are receiving an update today to Android 5.1.1. The build drops in as G920TUVU1AOF6 for the regular S6 and G925TUVU1AOF6 for the S6 Edge. The update also weighs in at 630MB and 635MB, respectively. So what's new? The only "new" feature is Google's anti-theft protection for Android, which forces users to login to their Google's accounts even after factory resetting. This step should make it quite difficult for those considering stealing your phone and then wiping it clean before either using the phone or re-selling it. The rest of the update should fix who knows how many bugs from earlier builds of Lollipop. T-Mobile lists that the update improves the following:

Black boxes in email is resolved
Camera LED flashlight is resolved
Check for Amazon error is resolved
Failed to reboot – error message is resolved
Fingerprint scanner improvements
Various bug fixes and device improvements

I can't help but think the bulk of that 630MB file is tied to that last bullet point. A number of users are already receiving the update, so if you would like to pull it, head into Settings>About device>Software update.

Via: T-Mobile [2]

Cheers Jason and enigmaco!

Don't Miss These Top Android Stories: 6/12/2015

Tim — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 16:23:44 +0000

Another week in the books here at DL. This week, Apple took the stage at WWDC and ruled most of Monday, but Google capped the week off with the announcement of YouTube Gaming, set to launch later this summer. As a gamer myself, I am highly interested. Other big news from this week included our exclusive unveiling of Google's upcoming Nest Cam, an unboxing of the Galaxy S6 Active, Motorola finally shedding some light on the DROID Turbo Lollipop update status, a major Hangouts 4.0 leak, and maybe shockingly to some, but we sat down for Episode 84 of the Droid Life Show. If you happened to miss any of this week's action, we have the goods for you below.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 84 [Subscribe]
Video: Galaxy S6 Active unboxing and hands-on.
Google announces YouTube Gaming.
Nest: This is Nest Cam and the update Nest app for Android.
Volume 30 answers for the DL Q&A Sessions.
Google Search is now location aware.
Apple: Our take on what Apple announced during WWDC.
Apple Music to launch on Android.
Hangouts 4.0 screenshots leaked, looks sick.
Dang it: Huawei Watch launch postponed until September or October.
Here's what Lollipop on the DROID Turbo looks like, but you can't have it.
Upcoming Samsung smartwatch to offer mobile payments method.
Motorola said to "bring it" on the Moto X (3rd Gen) camera.
HTC: ASUS had internal discussions about acquiring HTC.
Google launched an online tool to help you decide which smartphone you should get.
Motorola: Lollipop update for DROID Turbo still in lab testing.
Galaxy Note 5 reported to feature USB Type-C port.

Have a fun-filled weekend, folks!

Amazon Echo Now Supports IFTTT Recipes

Tim — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 15:44:16 +0000

Fond user of IFTTT? Happen to own an Amazon Echo? Well, you're in luck. The Echo assistant from Amazon now supports IFTTT recipes, allowing for a multitude of things to be accomplished with just your voice. For example, if you need a physical copy of your grocery list, ask Alexa what's on the list, and IFTTT can then automatically send it to your HP ePrint printer. Fancy, yeah? If you need some more ideas, how about adding all of your Alexa "to-do" lists to Evernote, or even saving all of those cool song names Alexa plays you to Google Drive? There are a ton of recipes to choose from, and if there is one you don't see, you can create it yourself. Loving that Amazon Echo of yours?

Via: IFTTT

Deal: $17 Smart Micro USB Charger Tells You How Fast Your Phone is Charging

Kellen — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 15:41:10 +0000

If you are the type of person who has dozens of different phone and tablet chargers lying around your house after collecting devices over the years, you have probably run into situations where you thought your phone with this cable or that adapter wasn't charging as quickly as it should. With the help of today's DL Deal, the Smart Micro USB Charge Kit ($17), those combinations of adapter and cable that cause slow fill-ups could be a thing of the past. The Smart Micro USB Charge Kit acts as a middle man between your phone and wall adapter to try and tell you if your phone is getting a full amount of juice as it charges. It ranks your charge like a cell phone signal, with a 5 bar rating. It's as if it's measuring signal strength to let you know if your phone is getting the best connection to your charger. The idea here is that the better the connection, the faster your phone charges. It's $17 for a limited time if you are interested. Deal Link

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Samsung Galaxy S6 Active Unboxing and First Look!

Kellen — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 15:11:49 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is available today at AT&T stores and online, in case you forgot. We have one in house! Since the Galaxy S6 Active is really just a Galaxy S6 in a rugged shell and with a larger 3500mAh battery, we do plan to put it through some tests and to review it, but the review might be on the short side. The display, performance, camera, and software experience really should be identical to the original S6, so that leaves us a couple of areas to focus on and get back to you in a hurry. Of course, we want to see how long a 3500mAh battery can last in a Galaxy S6. I think it's safe to say that we have all been a bit disappointed in the battery life of the regular S6 and S6 Edge. At 3500mAh, this phone should (we hope) be able to push through an entire day. It has been some time since I have experienced battery life like that and am genuinely looking forward to not having to fast charge twice a day. Outside of the battery, we want to see how "active" this phone really is. We'll throw it in some situations that involve water, take it on some sweat-filled runs, drop it a lot, drop it some more, and also make sure its camera is still as good as it is on its siblings. This should be a fun review. First, let's unbox it and share some first impressions!

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Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 30 Answers

Tim — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 14:25:20 +0000

This past Monday, we hosted Volume 30 of the DL Q&A Sessions. At that time, we invited you to send in any question you could think of, whether it be Android related or not, and this afternoon, we have the answers for you. Questions asked by our community focused on the upcoming Galaxy Note 5, more specifically about the possibility of it featuring a microSD slot and removable battery, as well as how the DL crew spends it time while traveling and not sitting at the desk in our hotel room writing up a ton of posts. Check out all of our answers to your questions below. Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim, and R is Ron.

With Android M introducing support for fingerprint scanners, and USB Type-C right around the corner, what tech are you looking forward to the most as a standard feature for 2016 flagships?

K: USB Type-C for sure. While native fingerprint support should make it easier for everyone to implement that type of security, USB Type-C makes charging faster, plugging in cables stress-free, and potentially brings a level of extension from your phone to other technologies (via dongles) that we haven't seen before. T: For me, it's USB Type-C. Finally, I don't have to struggle trying to stick in the charger upside down or right-side up. Let me plug it in however I want! Sure, fingerprint sensors are legit, and Samsung did it right, but gimme that Type-C immediately. R: Fingerprint scanners are the big one for me. Most people don't secure their phones even though they should. Having a fingerprint reader that works well makes people want to use it and increases security. People need to secure their phones. I hate typing in a pass code as much as the next person, so having a fingerprint reader on my next phone is a must.

What do you guys see Google doing with Hangouts in the future?

K: Two years ago it was the future - now, I have no idea. It hasn't changed much recently in terms of functionality. The app looks bad and is frustrating to use. Group messages still don't work and Google recommends you use another app for that. The full Google Voice integration still hasn't arrived in any form. So I don't know. It's too bad, because iMessage still puts Hangouts to shame and shouldn't. T: They need complete and total Google Voice integration. On that same note, Voice needs to figure out how to deal with group messages. I feel like I'm stuck in 2008 dealing with people's iMessage group chats. Frustrating. So, yeah, make it look better and kill Google Voice. R: We've seen some leaks of version 4.0 so that tells us what they'll do with the UI soon. I don't expect Hangouts to change much beyond small iterations. It's a good product that I enjoy using (although less so on OS X).

Whenever you guys travel for an Android phone/device release, is it all about the event or do you get in some serious or not-so-serious fun?

K: We definitely get in the fun. The event is, obviously, the main focus initially, but once that wraps and we get our coverage done for the day, we tend to find awesome food, good cocktails, and relax. During CES and I/O, we always try to do a special dinner in celebration, if you will. T: Once the daily coverage is over and it's time to relax, I always try to find some good food and a chill spot to kick my feet up. Doing live blogs and tons of posts can get pretty overwhelming, so when it's time to play, we play hard. Plus, it's nice being in new areas and traveling around. Always fun to meet new people and explore the cultures of each city. R: I've only ever been to one event and it was definitely all about the event. It was really cool to see people whose writing I love and respect, so that part was fun.

Your top 3 movies of all time?

K: I thought this would be easy to answer, and I'm now struggling. Number 1 has always been Predator. It's combination of bad ass-ery, Arnold in his prime, the jungle and camo and boobie traps and big ol' guns, and the most awesome alien ever that hunts things for sport, makes it an easy list topper for me. After that, it's probably some mix of Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight, The Road Warrior, and Spaceballs. That's 5, I know. I cheat. T: What an impossible question to answer. I'm a total movie freak. As of right now, I can attempt to give you a Top 5, but it seems to change day-to-day. Right now it would be Interstellar (I'm reading The Science of Interstellar currently), Donnie Darko, Spaceballs, Drive, and Black Hawk Down. But again, I could swap some of those out with other movies, such as Amadeus, Dances With Wolves, Godzilla 1985, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, and tons of others. R: I chose these based on what I like to rewatch in case you're wondering about my criteria - The Empire Strikes Back, Mean Girls, and Inglorious Bastards.

What do you think of Sony's total lack of interest in the US market?

K: It's been that way for years, so there isn't much to say. They don't have any good carrier partners here and so they can't make money here. They tried with both Verizon and T-Mobile, but it was probably way too late. It's too bad too, because their phones are quite good. T: To me, it's welcomed. I must be one of the only peeps who really doesn't care for Sony's smartphone designs or software. Just don't care for any of it. It would be nice to have a few more players in the game, but Samsung, LG, and Motorola are keeping me happy as a consumer, so it's fine. R: Their whole phone division is probably going to go the way of the dodo. They were big internationally for a long time, but the carriers in the US are just ruthless with their demands. It took forever for us to stop seeing carrier variants of flagship devices (and sometimes we still see them!). I don't think they lacked interest as much as they lacked the control they wanted.

Can the Cavs overcome the loss of Kyrie Irving and win the Finals?

K: Doubtful. They showed heart by going up 2-1, but last night, they looked terrible and got beatdown by 20 at home. With LeBron resting for 3 minutes, the Warriors put the game away quickly in the 4th quarter after the Cavs came storming back. LeBron is great, but I don't know that he's great enough to beat the Warriors by himself. T: After last night's performance, I don't see the Cavs being able to come back and win it. The Warriors find a way to win. Look at their season record. That's a team that finds a way to win, no matter what. Super impressive. Terrible what happened to Kyrie, though, especially in Game 1. Doesn't seem fair to me.

Do you think the Samsung Note 5 will feature a removable battery and microSD slot?

K: No. Samsung now wants to raise those margins, just like Apple. T: Sadly, Samsung just discovered that they don't have to have removable batteries or a microSD card, and people will still buy the crap out of their products. Sure, we would love to see them in the Note 5, but Samsung is changing up their designs so drastically that it's possible no removable battery or microSD card will be featured. If anything, just hope there's a slot for storage. But don't bet on any removable battery. R: I hope so. I could see Samsung saying fast charge and the cloud are the way of the future and I could also see Samsung saying that the Note is their phone for people who want it all. Anything is possible; nothing is confirmed.

Do you think HTC should drop the One series and create a new flagship?

K: 100% yes. The One series has been a colossal failure. It was a neat idea 3 years ago, but it hasn't helped stopped this company's nose-dive into irrelevancy. It's time to start over one last time, HTC. T: HTC should do the exact opposite of what they are doing now and maybe we can see some success. Don't stop innovating on design because select press loved the crap out of the One M7. It seems they got super cocky with how much love they received, then decided they didn't have to try so hard. Incorrect, HTC. You have to keep evolving in this industry! R: I think HTC needs to either close up shop or get serious and really innovate. The only way they can survive long term in the phone market is if they truly differentiate their products with an incredible experience. It may be good to drop the One name when they're ready to make a splash. If not, then they should give up while they're ahead. HTC was my favorite phone OEM for years, but lately they've just been phoning it in.

What phone do you run as your daily driver and what carrier do you use?

K: Been on the Galaxy S6 since it landed in my lap. I can't put this phone down - it is that good. T: I am currently on a Galaxy S6 with Verizon. My backup is a Galaxy S6 Edge on T-Mobile. I love both of them very much. R: iPhone 5c in blue on Verizon. Why Verzion? Because I like having coverage. Why did I get the 5c? My thoughts are here. What will I be getting next? Probably an iPhone because having the best apps first is more important to me than the best OS features first. Plus Google makes it super easy to use their services on an iPhone. I'm thinking 6S Plus, but we'll see what happens. For those of you thinking "I knew he wasn't going to switch!" You're right. If you can determine any other decision I will make let me know. Maybe open up a fortune telling business because that is valuable. Honestly, my plan was to get the Note 5, but my priorities changed after my experience with the S6. I still love Google and Android and I recommend Android phones to friends and family all the time, but I prefer iOS personally.

Want to See Lollipop on the DROID Turbo?

Kellen — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 14:07:58 +0000

The DROID Turbo still doesn't have Lollipop. You knew that, of course, because Motorola told us yesterday that the update is still in the lab going through final testing. Still, that hasn't stopped Verizon from updating its Turbo listings and support pages to show that the phone probably should have had Android 5.0.2 or 5.1 at some point within the last week. Take for example the DROID Turbo simulator, which now shows you step-by-step guides for doing almost everything on your phone with it running Lollipop. From unlocking the phone and placing calls to accessing that brand new Lollipop notification shade, it's all there. That white app drawer icon, those light-themed settings, the new dialer - all of it. Seriously, even Verizon thinks this phone should have received the update already. To see Lollipop in action on the DROID Turbo, hit up that source link. You may as well get any taste of the sweetness as you can at this point.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Dave, Matthew, and Tony!

YouTube Gaming is Google's New Twitch Competitor, Launches This Summer

Kellen — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:25:24 +0000

Remember when reports surfaced in 2014 suggesting that Google had purchased Twitch for a cool $1 billion? That, of course, never actually happened, but Google knows how important live streaming of games is to the future of gaming and its ability to monetize it all. This afternoon, Google announced a service called YouTube Gaming, which yep, is their Twitch competitor. With YouTube Gaming, you will get dedicated pages for your favorite games (more than 25,000), so that you can find the best videos related to those games. There will be live streams of those games being played by your favorite gamers, notifications when those happen, and recommendations all based off of those favorites. Google is also building an "improved live experience" that makes it "simpler to broadcast your gameplay to YouTube." YouTube Gaming launches this summer on the web, Android, and iOS. You can access YouTube Gaming here and sign-up to be notified about its launch.

Via: YouTube | @YouTubeGaming

Pebble Time Pre-Orders for Non-Backers Set to Begin June 22 Through Best Buy

Tim — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:18:37 +0000

The Pebble Time, the second-generation smartwatch from maker Pebble, is set to go up for pre-order on June 22 for those who did not back it on Kickstarter. To make it sort of fancy, Pebble is teaming up with Best Buy to accept pre-orders through the retailer's website, with orders shipping out shortly after that date. If you are not in the US, you can order directly through Pebble's site, but for everyone else, you need to use Best Buy. Why this exact choice was made, we do not know. For those planning to pre-order, Pebble Time will be priced at $199. As for the Pebble Time Steel, Pebble states that more ordering information will be available shortly, but nothing official yet.

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Via: Pebble

The Slider Lives: Blackberry Wants to Release an Android Phone

Kellen — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:05:40 +0000

According to a report out of Reuters, Blackberry might put Android in an upcoming phone. Let me say that again - Blackberry is going to make an Android phone. The report cites multiple sources, so this doesn't appear to be a random rumor. Blackberry is said to be making this move to pivot to focus on software and device management, which really means they hope to put their secure technology on rival operating systems. This Android phone could be the first to showcase that integration and help build confidence with others who want to appeal to enterprise users. The phone could launch in the Fall as a slider. Some of you are probably familiar with the ancient concept of a slider, which is a combo device that features both a touch screen and hidden keyboard that can slide out. I say that sarcastically of course, because sliders became extinct years ago after being wildly popular on phones like the one that helped start this site, the original Motorola DROID. Anyone who has tried to create one in recent years has seen it fail almost immediately because people don't want physical, bulky keyboards that add weight to phones. If Blackberry creates an Android phone that is a slider, are you interested? (Is it weird that I'm laughing as I type that?)

Via: Reuters

ASUS has Talked Internally About Buying HTC

Kellen — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 09:19:26 +0000

ASUS has talked about buying HTC, at least internally, according to Reuters, who spoke with the company's CFO. Of course, that bit of news is making headlines this morning, and not the follow-up statement which essentially said that ASUS is unlikely to make such a move because they depend on "organic growth" rather than growth by acquisition. Think about that, though. HTC was the king of Android four or five years ago with a stock price of around NT$1300. Today, they can't sell a phone (even their flagships), have entered into really confusing new product categories that they are unlikely to succeed in, and have watched as their stock has plunged to a 12-year low. As of right now, they sit under NT$80 and are showing no signs of slowing there. That, my friends, is an epic collapse. I just did a search for "HTC stock plunge," and results pop up for 2012, 2013, 2014, and of course, 2015. Every single year since 2011, we have seen this company nose-dive, with executives and shareholders jumping ship faster than Warriors bandwagon fans after they went down 2-1 to the Cavs the other night. Should ASUS buy them? I don't know that I would.

Via: Reuters

Tip: How to Get Rid of "Invert Colors" Quick Settings Tile on Your Moto X

Kellen — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 08:37:18 +0000

This might be the most random of posts, but because a number of you are noticing a new "Invert Colors" option in your quick settings pull-down on the Moto X (2nd gen) within the last day, we wanted to touch base on the topic. Yes, for whatever reason, a number of you started seeing the button yesterday and are wondering why it's there and how you can get rid of it. While we don't know why it is randomly showing up for users who have never touched the option before, we can at least help most/some of you get rid of it. Edit: It sounds like all sorts of devices with Lollipop are seeing this tile appear randomly, not just the Moto X. If you see it and want to get rid of it, follow the instructions below. If you are running Android 5.1 (ducks), all you need to do is long-press on that Invert Colors tile and then choose "HIDE." It will then be gone until you enable the setting, which can be found in your Accessibility options. If you are not running Android 5.1 (probably most of you), just don't touch the setting and it should go away...maybe in a month or so. Actually, you can trick your phone into turning them off by manually setting the date back 1 month and 1 day, tapping the toggle twice, then switching back to automatic time set, and they should disappear. Again, we don't know why Invert Colors is randomly showing up on Moto Xs across the globe today, but it is. Thankfully, you can get rid of it.

Cheers Clay!

Awesome Deal: Motorola Turbo Chargers for $9.99!

Kellen — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 07:33:51 +0000

You know how much we love Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology, right? Using a Turbo Charger on the Moto X (2nd gen), then Nexus 6 and Galaxy S6 and now LG G4, has been game-changing in our eyes. Quickly charging phones, especially ones that can't seem to figure out how to last through an entire day, is the type of innovation that changes the way you use your phone - in a good way, of course. Unfortunately, many of the Quick Charge 2.0 or "Turbo Chargers" made by manufacturers, like Motorola, are never cheap. They charge a premium for this little guys. The 3rd party, random brands, offer inexpensive chargers, but I've always felt that you never know exactly what you are getting yourself into with those and tend to stick with those made by the big dogs. And that brings us to today's deal on Groupon. The Motorola Turbo Charger can be had for $9.99! This tank typically runs $35, so we are talking a 70% discount on an official, brand new Motorola Turbo Charger. You know what to do. Groupon Link

Cheers Garrett!

Let Google Help You Decide Which Android Phone is Best for You

Tim — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:36:24 +0000

For some, picking the perfect Android phone may prove somewhat difficult, given the insane number of choices out there on the market. Thanks to a new tool from Google, picking a device right for your lifestyle may not be so difficult, as the tool asks for what you look for most in a device, then lists devices suited for those needs. For example, if you play a ton of action shooter games and want to take great pictures, Google will suggest the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S6, while others who want a bit more fit and on-the-go will be recommended the DROID Turbo. Whatever your lifestyle may be, there's a perfect Android phone for you. In total, there are 12 categories to help pinpoint what your needs are, and inside, a list of the most important aspects of that category are listed. It is up to you to determine what you really need from a smartphone. Once you have chosen your needs, all Google needs to know is which carrier you want the device on. If you like what you see, Google lists purchase links directly on the page. If you are either in the market or just want to have some fun looking at phones, check out Google's online phone finder tool right here.

Via: Android

Free Version of Threes Now Available on Google Play, Powered by Ads

Tim — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 14:57:27 +0000

If you never checked out Threes, the game that launched many clones like 2048 into popularity, it is now available for free over on Google Play. Two versions are currently available, one that you still pay for featuring no ads, and a free version that allows you to play the game in its entirety, but with the occasional advertisement to help boost the amount of plays you get. To explain, you start out with a fixed number of plays. Once you run out, you have to watch an ad to get more plays. This process is repeated until you are done playing. Of course, if watching ads in exchange for plays sounds lame, you can still buy the paid version for just $3. Seriously, if you have not even tried Threes, go grab it. It's free. Play Link

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Twitter is Removing 140-Character Limit in Direct Messages

Kellen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 13:41:14 +0000

Twitter's CEO just quit (or was forced out - who knows), in case you were interested in executive shake-ups at big tech companies. If not, then let me direct your Twitter attention to a new announcement by the Twitter staff to developers concerning a lifting of the 140-character limit in direct messages. On the Twitter Community portal, Twitter staff made the change public while providing recommendations for app developers to follow in order to make sure their apps and services can handle longer format messages before they flip the switch. That's right! No limit when having conversations through direct messages come July on Twitter! Somewhere, Master P is makin' 'em say uhhh. As for how this impacts you and I, well, it doesn't other than the fact that we will soon be able to send longer direct messages without limitation. Thanks, Twitter.

Via: Twitter Community

Deal: Pay What You Want for This Mobile-First Developer Bundle

Tim — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 13:03:00 +0000

Currently over on the DL Deals Store, you can pay what you want for a 10 course Mobile-First Development Bundle, ranging in topics from Swift Programming to HTML5 Projects. The way it works is pretty simple. For whatever price you want, you get access to two courses - Monetize Your App and the Complete Android Lollipop Development Course. If you beat the average, set currently at $6.94, you gain access to all 10 courses. If you want to be really special and sit atop the leaderboard, that price is $101. Be aware, if at any point you are on the leaderboard, not just on top, you gain 5 entries into an exclusive giveaway that can win you $700 towards any Apple product you want. A portion of proceeds support charity, with over $3,000 raised already for Creative Commons, a nonprofit organization that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools. If development is up your alley, the price can't be beat. Check out the link below. Deal Link

Level Money Update Introduces "Flexible Money Management"

Kellen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:45:07 +0000

On a basic level, Level Money is an app that attempts absorb your life's financial picture to tell you how much money you have to freely spend each day, week, or month. In an update released today on Android, Level Money now has a Flexible Money Management feature for those who may not have steady income or whose bills change from month to month. Think servers or commission-based jobs or those with flexible work schedules who take in cash at varying intervals. With Flexible Money Management, Level tries to "automatically adjust the amount you can spend when bills" or income fluctuates. The goal is still for Level to tell you how much money you have to spend, but with this new feature, a lot of the work should be taken out of it for those with not-so-typical schedules. This is Flexible Money Management:

Set the frequency of income and bills to anything from weekly to yearly
Let Level deal with income and bills that arrive randomly
Spread commissions or bonuses over multiple months
Let Level automatically adjust the amount you can spend when bills fluctuate
Create bills to capture a wide range of expenses you want monitor
See income and bills that Level predicts for you
Have credits that come in each month increase your spendable cash

Play Link

Google Slides Updated With Chromecast Support

Tim — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:00:19 +0000

Google Slides received an update this morning, bringing support for the Chromecast HDMI dongle. Once updated, users can send their slide presentations straight to an HDTV, while the smartphone then becomes a remote for controlling playback. This update is perfect for those of you who perform presentations at board meetings or at your local library. Just make sure you bring your Chromecast with you and get it all set up over the WiFi network at wherever you will be presenting. iOS users can also join in on the fun, as the app for iPhones and iPads now supports AirPlay. Play Link

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Via: Google

Cyanogen Teams Up With Playphone Game Store in Emerging Markets

Kellen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 11:50:30 +0000

This morning, Cyanogen and Playphone announced a new partnership that would allow Cyanogen to distribute the Playphone Game Store in "key international markets." Not familiar with the Playphone Game Store? Playphone has created a "social game store" that delivers Android games to international markets including Southeast Asia, Latin America, North America, and Europe. They have a new strategic focus on emerging markets, which is where the Cyanogen partnership comes into play. As Cyanogen focuses on bringing Cyanogen OS to "some of the fastest growing markets," a distribution agreement with Playphone gets many popular gaming titles in their customers' hands. If you look at the Playphone website, it's pretty obvious that they have a decent catalog of games that would appeal to almost any market. Titles like NBA Jam, Cut The Rope 2, Tetris, and others are featured on their front page. I don't know that Playphone gets the latest releases as quickly as Apple or Google's stores will, but for markets without access to either, this is an option.

Via: BusinessWire

Motorola on DROID Turbo Lollipop Update: Still 5.1, Still in Lab Test Cycle Too

Kellen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:39:54 +0000

So, about that DROID Turbo update to Android 5.1. Because the Internet is going absolutely nuts over its seemingly late arrival, and because there is all sorts of random rumor and speculation floating about causing mass confusion, largely fueled by Verizon updating the phone's listings with mentions of "Android 5.0.2," Motorola's David Schuster took to Google+ to set the record straight. According to Schuster, the update will indeed still be Android 5.1 when it rolls out. Motorola is still in the "lab test cycle" at the moment, so it's probably safe to assume that the update needs more time to bake before it's ready for your phone. In other words, an update showing up this week is probably unlikely. Here is the full quote:

Hey, I wanted to give a quick update on our progress on the DROID Turbo 5.1 lollipop upgrade since there seems to be A LOT of inaccurate information out there. We are still in the lab test cycle and things are looking good. We have not provided a launch date yet, but I will let you know as soon as the update is available.

Via: +David Schuster

Tip: Chrome Beta 44 Flag Gives New Tab Screen Icons Instead of Thumbnail Previews, Looks Great

Kellen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:11:07 +0000

Tucked inside the latest Chrome Beta for Android (v44.0.2403.30) is a Flag that turns the thumbnail previews on your "New Tab" screen into icons. You can see it in action in the shot above. How clean is that? On the flip side, you have the default setting pictured below, which shows those thumbnails, to let you know where you last left your most recently/often visited sites. At first glance, I wasn't a fan of the icons, because I kind of like seeing previews of sites. But after using it a couple of times in a new tab, I realized how useful icons are. Not only do they let you quickly identify the sites, they also allow your screen to show more results. In the shot below, the previews are giving me two full previews along with two cut-off previews. With the flag flipped on for icons, I can get up to eight, non-cut-off shortcuts to my favorite sites. I like it. To turn on this flag, you will need Chrome Beta 44 (Play Link). Once installed, in your URL bar, type in "chrome://flags" and hit enter. Once there, do a "Find in page" for "icons" and you should see an option for "Enable large icons on the New Tab Page." Flip the pull-down menu from "Default" to "Enabled," re-launch Chrome Beta, and boom! Enjoy. Which do you prefer?

Via: reddit

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Reported to Feature USB Type-C Port

Tim — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 09:46:39 +0000

USB Type-C, the latest hardware feature everyone in the tech world is clamoring for, may be featured on the upcoming Galaxy Note 5 from Samsung. Type-C offers a few advantages over the typical microUSB ports you see on the bottom of current Android smartphones. For staters, data transfer speeds are much higher, allowing you to send and receive files through the port at 10Gbps. In addition to a higher transfer rate of data, charging also becomes faster, too. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, there is no right way to plug it. Unlike microUSB that has an up and down side, Type-C can be plugged in either way, sparing you any confusion and wasted time trying to plug it in incorrectly. At this moment, Type-C is featured on the new MacBook from Apple, and the Chromebook Pixel 2 from Google. So, unless Google with its new Nexus or another OEM throws in USB Type-C on an upcoming phone, it appears Samsung may be the first to adopt Android's support of it. Not only that, but Type-C support was just announced for Android M during Google I/O, and unless Samsung was planning on a miracle, we don't think there is anyway the Galaxy Note 5 is launching with Android M. This leads us to believe that either Samsung has possibly worked some way to get Type-C working with later builds of Lollipop, or the Note 5 will in fact not launch with USB Type-C. Guess we will find out in September during IFA when Samsung is supposed to announce the device. Excited?

Via: SamMobile

Verizon Moto E (2nd Gen) Receiving Update to Android 5.1 Lollipop

Kellen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 09:36:54 +0000

Android 5.1 is rolling out to a Motorola device on Verizon! Yes, the Moto E (2nd gen) is now receiving the update! It might not be the Turbo or MAXX or other flagship-level phones receiving the goods, but hey, at least something is getting it. The update, according to one of our readers, is arriving in two parts as build 23.11.17. The update improves some UI elements, like easier choose and connect for Bluetooth and WiFi in the quick settings pull-down. The "Interruptions" controls are also tweaked slightly and Factory Reset Protection has been added. The update should be rolling out now, so head into Settings>About phone and try to grab it.

Via: Verizon

Cheers @njbuzz19!

Rovio's Angry Birds Fight! Now Available in US, a Mix of Avian Mortal Kombat and Bejeweled

Tim — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 08:39:57 +0000

Rovio has a new game available on Google Play for players in the US, titled Angry Birds Fight! In this game, which looks like a mashup of Mortal Kombat and Bejeweled, you rank up characters through various color matching puzzle levels, then fight other players with your characters in real-time. These players are all around the world, as Rovio has created a global bird-fighting network for people to enjoy. As you progress through the game, you travel to new islands, fight crazy-new pig monsters, and add legendary weapons to your inventory for whoopin' bird booty. Of course, being Rovio, the game is littered with IAPs. They range from cheap ($1.12) to stupidly expensive ($84.87), so keep an eye on your kid if they decide to start playing. The IAPs are used to upgrade weapons and power-ups. Features

Challenge the rest of the world to outrageous puzzle battles!
Fight your way to the top in the all-new global fight rank system!
Explore new islands, fight new Pig Monsters, and wield new legendary weapons!
Enhance your weapons and unleash their full power upon your opponents.
Keep an eye out for new, limited-time events coming soon!

Play Link

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Verizon Updates DROID Turbo Specs to Show Phone has Lollipop, Except It Doesn't (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 08:09:25 +0000

A rumor floating about the interwebs over the last week suggested that the DROID Turbo would finally receive its update to Lollipop yesterday, June 10. That didn't happen, obviously, but Verizon was clearly, at one point, thinking that June 10 sounded like a good idea because last night, they updated the specs for the Turbo to show that the phone runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. There are a couple of things to talk about here. First, the Turbo didn't receive 5.0.2 yesterday - that much is true. A new date may be June 12, though like the rumor for the 10th, things can always change last minute, so don't get too set on it. I would imagine that we will get word on the update any day or Verizon wouldn't be updating the phone's listings to show that it runs Lollipop. Second, what the hell, 5.0.2? Motorola told us to expect a jump straight from KitKat to Android 5.1. Has something changed? Sources of ours yesterday actually told us that the update that has been approved is Android 5.0.2, not 5.1. We haven't been able to receive a second confirmation on that, so expect one or the other, just don't be shocked if it ends up being 5.0.2. Update: Here is a list of "release" software for Motorola phones, which clearly shows the "quark" as having a 5.0.2 build ready. The "quark" is the DROID Turbo. Again, though, we were promised 5.1, but don't be surprised if it's 5.0.2.

Update 2: Motorola chimed in this morning with a status update because this whole situation has gotten completely out of hand. According to David Schuster, the update is still in lab testing and will still be Android 5.1. They will let us know when the update is ready. Verizon Link

Cheers Tony!

Since Google I/0

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:20:24 +0000

We are still alive! Well, you know that because we keep posting all that is happening in the world of tech, but if you are a fan of the DL Show and have been wondering what happened to the actual show, then you might have thought that we were kidnapped, or something. Today, though, we are back! On the show, we actually have like 1,007 topics to cover because we haven't been on air since before Google I/O. Kind of crazy, right? We also had Apple's WWDC this week and a whole bunch of stuff in between. We'll try to hit on the biggest events of the last month, so that you aren't overwhelmed and/or bored. At 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern), we will be live.

This is the Nest Cam and the New Nest App for Android

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:55:33 +0000

You know that story from earlier today that suggested Nest may unveil a new wireless camera at next week's event? This is the camera. This is the Nest Cam. As you can see from the image above, it looks quite similar to a Dropcam, which would make sense, since Nest now owns Dropcam and has access to their hardware, molds, etc. The Nest Cam, according to our sources, has been in testing for months in disguise as a Dropcam Pro, only with Nest branding on the front in place of the word "Dropcam." You can see an image of a test unit here. The new unit appears to have been slimmed down quite substantially to a much more modern and sleek body that should fit quite nicely on a shelf. Dropcams were never the most beautiful piece of technology in your house, but the Nest Cam certainly changes that some. Nest has been slowly rolling out new features to test units, like full 1080p video streaming (likely recording too) and a simpler setup process that involves Bluetooth and QR codes. As you may recall from the FCC filing we saw this morning, the new Nest wireless camera does indeed have Bluetooth, which we suggested would be used to setup new cameras. There could also be other new unique features to Nest Cam that we haven't been made aware of. Here is another look at the Nest Cam.

On a related note, the Nest app is about to receive a major overhaul that also brings together Dropcam and Nest products. The new app is getting a UI makeover that looks quite modern, has a slide-down menu (yes, down), and a new button-heavy interface. But maybe more importantly, the new Nest app has the ability to show you Dropcam cameras and their status. The app will also (of course) let you control your Nest Thermostat and Protects, making the Nest app a hub for controlling all of their products.

We don't know anything about pricing or availability. Next week should be fun, though.

Deal: 128GB Lexar MicroSD Card With USB 3.0 Reader is Just $73

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 16:48:08 +0000

Looking for a fresh deal on a 128GB microSD card for your non-Galaxy S6? Amazon recently dropped the price of the Lexar 128GB UHS-1/U3 card that is coupled with a USB 3.0 card reader. The combo runs just $72.99, which is a steal. Both Samsung and SanDisk's 128GB cards cost more than $73, and neither comes with a USB 2.0 reader. If you don't want the full 128GB card, they also have a 64GB combo that is only $42.99. Prime shipping is included. Amazon Link

Cheers Scott!

HTC One M9 Global Software Update Brings Camera and Battery Life Improvements

Tim — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 16:10:12 +0000

HTC announced today that it has a global software update rolling out in select territories and markets for the One M9, bringing a gang of fixes for the device. As of right now, HTC states this update is rolling out in European markets, so we Americans will need to wait a bit longer. Inside a blog post, HTC details fixes they are bringing for the rear-facing camera, including a greater auto-exposure balance algorithm to improve overall dynamic range. This means images should appear more detailed and balanced, especially in bright lighting conditions. These same fixes will be applied for shots taken in darker light as well, with HTC promising more detailed and truer-to-life colors. As for the battery, the company states that they are working to lower the outer temperature of the device while it is charging. And lastly, overall performance increases for the battery are featured, plus optimizations when certain power-hungry apps are active, such as Facebook and Hangouts. These updates tend to take a bit of time to reach the states, as they must go through carrier approval and testing. HTC has not given any type of promise or 90 day guarantee, but you can rest assured that they are working hard to get it out to everyone as soon as possible.

Via: HTC

Hangouts 4.0 Leaks, May be the Major UI Update We Have All Been Waiting For

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:35:37 +0000

Google Hangouts, one of the most disappointing and frustrating apps of Google's to use over the years, might finally be getting the UI overhaul we have all been waiting for. According to Android Police, who claims to have received Hangouts v4.0 a wee bit earlier than Google more than likely had hoped, the new user interface is quite improved. After looking at the screenshots they grabbed of the app, I would tend to agree. As you all know, Hangouts in its current state is a disaster. It's frustrating to use at best. There is this really awkward 3-column layout as your main screen (if you have Hangouts Dialer installed) that seems all sorts of unnecessary, an odd way to create conversations (especially group conversations), and a painful amount of steps are required to do certain simple tasks, like change accounts. So what's new in Hangouts 4.0? The UI is now much more polished than ever before. You now have a single-screen that shows you a list of conversations, along with a FAB that allows you to quickly create new ones (with recently contacted folks too), launch video calls, or create a group chat. Inside conversations, messages now have rounded corners, you have dedicated buttons for attachments like emoji, pictures, camera, stickers, and location sharing, and you can even set your status. It looks miles better in v4.0 than it does in v3.3, which is what you all have now. We have no idea when Google will release this, but hopefully, it's soon.

Via: Android Police

Deal: Mpow 3-Port Intelligent Car Charger for $14, Free Shipping

Tim — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:28:52 +0000

Plan on taking a road trip with the clan, but worry about someone's phone running out of juice? Well, you can pick up a Mpow 3-Port Intelligent Car Charger for just $14 on the DL Deals Store, allowing you to charge three smart devices simultaneously. What makes this little charger "intelligent" is its ability to identify connected devices, then charge them at full speed. No, it's not Quick Charge 2.0 compatible, but better than other car chargers you might find at Best Buy. And as you can see on Amazon, this little charger is rated quite nicely, priced at about $16. If this little gizmo would be useful for your car, have at it by following the link below. Features

Supports both 12V &18V input for optimized charging for smartphones & tablets
Identifies connected devices & charges at full speed
Fits snuggly into most cars’ sockets
Crafted in a compact .5" design
Charge 2 tablets & 1 smartphone at the same time

Deal Link

Gmail Update Brings Oauth Support for Yahoo and Microsoft Accounts

Tim — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:07:00 +0000

An update for Gmail is shipping out via Google Play, bringing added security for users loading up their Microsoft and Yahoo email accounts through Google's client. This support allows users of Yahoo and Microsoft to take advantage of security features such as two-step verification and account recovery. For those of you who are conscious of security, this is big news. To grab the latest update, head on over to Google Play. Play Link

Via: Google

Google Wants Your Thoughts on Google Voice in This Survey to Help Them "Prioritize Features"

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 14:40:55 +0000

Over two years ago now, Google told us that Hangouts was the future of Google Voice. I don't know what kind of future they envisioned at that time, but Google Voice is still functioning today almost exactly as it was then - as is Hangouts. Now we also have Project Fi added to the whole equation, so the "future" is still mostly uncertain for one of Google's services that is arguably one of its most innovative, even if the company has neglected it for years. According to a survey that was made available to all Google Voice users today, it seems that maybe Google still isn't sure where they should take Voice. Through this survey, which can be accessed by logging in to your Google Voice account (or through this support thread), Google is trying to figure out "how people use Google Voice," so that they can "improve Google Voice and prioritize features." The questions in the survey focus on how your Google Voice is setup, if you use it for SMS and/or calls, where you access it from, what you like and dislike about it, and which features are the most important. Google says that the survey should only take about 10 minutes to complete. If you take the survey, you will have the chance to win a free Chromecast, as well. You tell us, how can Google improve Google Voice?

Cheers Nick!

Android Auto to Launch Inside Later 2016 Cadillac Models

Tim — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 11:49:34 +0000

Later in the 2016 model year, Cadillac intends to launch Android Auto inside its vehicles, while having Apple's CarPlay ready right at launch. These vehicles should be at dealerships this summer, including the all-new Escalade, plus CTS and XTS vehicle lineups. Even though CarPlay is getting the initial love, Android Auto brings great features to drivers, set on top of Cadillac's own CUE infotainment system. Google's OS for vehicles is mostly centered around Google Maps and Google Play Music, with additional apps launching all of the time. As of this moment, most of the apps available are catered towards listeners of podcasts and things of that nature. On top of the Android Auto implementation, set for later in the 2016 model lineup, Cadillac is improving its own CUE system, with a faster processor allowing for quicker start-up times and improved voice recognition. As time goes on, we can expect to see plenty more carmakers begin to implement these systems directly into purchasable vehicles. For consumers, that kicks ass.

Via: General Motors

Nest May Introduce a New Wireless Camera at Next Week's Event (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 11:02:26 +0000

UPDATE: Here is our exclusive story on the Nest Cam and its new Android app.

Nest has an event planned for next week, but up until today, a potential focus for the Google-owned smart home product maker was mostly unknown. Sure, we all assumed that a new product of some sort would be on hand, but no one was sure if it would be a new thermostat, something from Dropcam (a company Nest owns), or the introduction of a new product category altogether. According to an FCC filing from "Nest Labs Inc.," we may see a new camera. An FCC listing under ID ZQANC11 that was posted May 28, specifically mentions that Nest has a new wireless camera in the works. This is an IP camera that appears to work over both WiFi (802.11b/g/n) and maybe even Bluetooth as well. Bluetooth could just be for connectivity for setup, though.

Pictures of the product aren't revealed in the filing and won't be until November of this year. That means we should see this product publicly at some point between now and then, likely at next week's event. With that in mind, take a look at the FCC label placement (below) for the product, which is "located on the bottom of the device." That sure looks like a perfectly round circle to me. Dropcam cameras have perfectly round bottoms. Will Nest give us a new Dropcam product? They haven't since they bought Dropcam a year ago. Maybe now is the time?

What do you think? Are we getting a new Dropcam product? Maybe something else too?

Via: FCC | 9to5Google

Cheers Steve!

theScore eSports App Receives Update That Counter-Strike Fans Will Love

Tim — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 10:08:08 +0000

theScore's standalone app for eSports received an update this morning in Google Play, bringing live scoring and stats for all of your favorite Counter-Strike: Global Offense (CS:GO) teams. Notifications for when your team or favorite player is about to play are available, in addition to notifications when a match has ended with a final score. If you follow CS:GO on the competitive level, it doesn't get much sweeter. On top of the CS:GO action, general performance enhancements have been added in, making the app more stable and reliable. If you love Counter-Strike, go grab the update. Play Link

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Huawei Watch Delayed Until September or October...Ugh

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 09:23:41 +0000

The Huawei Watch, a wearable that most considered the darling of MWC (which was in February, by the way), is now delayed until September "at the earliest." We may not see this round beauty until October, according to He Gang, the head of Huawei's smartphone division. Why the delay? There have been problems with Android Wear, or maybe better put, Huawei figuring out a way to create a watch that can work in both China and the rest of the world. As you know, Android Wear is completely controlled by Google, but Google and its services aren't exactly available in China, which is the issue. At least that's the issue that a report out of China is suggesting. It's not clear if that means Huawei is going to create separate versions for China and the rest of the world, or if they are finding a way to make a single watch work everywhere with some work-arounds. I can't help but think that a delay for this watch, which again, was first unveiled in February and now won't lunch until September-October, is going to make it a difficult sell. We should see a new Moto 360 and Samsung's round watch before Huawei can get their watch out the door.

Via: Want China Times

LG G4 on T-Mobile Also Receiving Surprise Automatic-Installing Update Today

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 08:47:09 +0000

Just yesterday, the AT&T LG G4 received an update that automatically installed itself without user permission. As you can imagine, that pissed some people off, especially those who assume the update is nothing more than a root killer. Today, a similar situation appears to be in the works for the T-Mobile variant of the LG G4. Readers of ours, as well as those in various forums, are reporting that a mysterious update is automatically installing and rebooting their phones. Not good. The update, according to T-Mobile, is "mandatory" and "improves software stability." It rolls out as build H8111Oh and is apparently a hefty 174.10MB in size. There isn't a changelog other than the mention of it being mandatory and improving stability. Anyone else see this update without your approval?

Via: T-Mobile

Cheers David!

Want to Win a OnePlus 2? Here are Two Contests to Enter

Tim — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 08:40:15 +0000

OnePlus is giving three grand prize winners an all-expenses-paid trip to Hong Kong, while also hand delivering an all-new OnePlus 2 if you have the skills needed to win. In two separate contests, you either create and publish on YouTube a detailed video about your "OnePlus Story," or share the best photo you can on Instagram taken on a OnePlus One with no editing whatsoever. Two grand prize winners will be selected from the video contest, while just one is chosen from the photo contest. To sum up the video contest rules, you will need to publish a video shot in landscape mode with a resolution of nothing less than 1080p. Although, OnePlus states 4K is preferred. The OnePlus team will choose 10 finalists from the group, then forum members will vote who wins the grand prize. For the Instagram contest, you need to take the best shot you can using no editing or filters. Just pure digital photography skills. Do note, you can use your OnePlus One's built-in settings adjusters; just no coloring filters. You will be asked to send in the original file if chosen as a winner. 10 finalists will be selected based on popularity aka "likes" on Instagram. Then, forum members will choose a grand prize winner. So, if you don't have a OnePlus One or don't think you can get enough friends to "like" your photo on Instagram, you may be screwed. If you win either of the contests, your calendar will need to be clear on or around June 28, 2015. That's when you fly out to Hong Kong. Think you have what it takes? Best of luck.

Via: OnePlus [2]

Google's New Location-Aware Search is Rolling Out and Awesome

Kellen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 08:17:20 +0000

Ever been in front of a restaurant and wondered when it opened, but didn't want to bother with pulling out your phone, searching for its name in an app, then scrolling through information to find out its business ours? Or maybe you were standing in a park, looking at a monument and wondering just how tall that statue was? What about that lake in front of you, how deep is it? Google can answer questions like these for you, even if you don't know the name of the restaurant, park, monument, or lake. With their recently launched (and unannounced) location-aware search, you can ask Google things about items nearby and based on your location, will give you answers. Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land was at a conference in Paris yesterday where Google was showing off the new location-aware goodness and captured some of the examples in videos that were posted to Twitter. Here are some of them: https://twitter.com/dannysullivan/status/608305319748464642 https://twitter.com/dannysullivan/status/608304520897134592 https://twitter.com/dannysullivan/status/608303740840493056 https://twitter.com/dannysullivan/status/608302290638893056 How cool is that? Google has yet to officially announce any of this, so all of the details surround it are somewhat of a mystery. Still, feel free to give it a try today as you move about your town or city.

Via: Search Engine Land

Lollipop Updates for Moto X (1st Gen) May Come in Couple of Weeks, If All Goes Well

Tim — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:24:11 +0000

American owners of the Moto X (1st Gen) may now start getting a bit excited. According to Motorola employee David Schuster, who posts quite often on the Motorola update process on Google+, if all goes well with an upcoming soak test (slated to release later this week), a full rollout of Lollipop should start up the following week. As posted by Schuster, "We have addressed an issue we found in a previous soak test and should start full soak testing in the US and Brazil for retail later this week. If all goes well, full deployment can happen the following week." Of course, carriers play a big role in this process for owners of the device. Schuster touches on this with, "We are in a number of the carrier labs now so we don't anticipate issues in getting the upgrades deployed." So, it appears Moto X (1st Gen) owners have a reason to be happy. It's coming, folks.

Via: +David Schuster

Cheers Tony and Albert!

Motorola CMO: Company to "Bring It" With Regard to Moto X (3rd Gen) Camera

Tim — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 15:30:09 +0000

With zero offense meant to Motorola, given that the company is known for making fantastic hardware as a whole, the cameras found in its flagship devices, notably the Moto X (1st Gen and 2nd Gen), have been rather unpleasant to use during most shooting circumstances. Even though Motorola has worked hard to update its camera software via firmware updates and camera app updates, the shooters just aren't all that good when compared to other offerings on the market. On Twitter yesterday, Motorola's CMO Adrienne Hayes, says the company is working hard to change that this year, stating, "We know we need to improve here and are definitely going to 'bring it.'" When asked if Motorola would work to bring an advanced manual camera mode to the next flagship, plus improve on imaging as a whole, Hayes replied with, "We absolutely can and we absolutely will this year." It always seems easy to tell people what they want to hear, especially on social media, but until we see results with the release of a rumored Moto X (3rd Gen) that features a seriously improved camera, Samsung and LG have little in terms of competition when it comes to mobile photography in the Android hardware ecosystem. If you did not buy a Moto X (2nd Gen) from last year due to reviews claiming the camera was not that good, would a better camera tempt you in considering this year's model? Share your thoughts on Motorola's camera situation below.

Via: @purplehayez [2]

Cheers Nick!

Moto X (3rd Gen) Rumors and Leaks are Floating About, Here is a Quick Recap

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 14:52:22 +0000

Now that flagships from Samsung, HTC, and LG are available or purchase, it's time we look at what's coming from Motorola, since they tend to introduce new Moto X phones around the end of August. With the purchase of Motorola by Lenovo now complete, this year should be especially interesting for the Chicago-based smartphone maker, if anything, to see how Lenovo treats one of its new outlet's product launches. Rumors have begun to emerge within recent weeks, though you should take all of it in stride, as Motorola leaks in recent years have rarely been accurate. With that said, it's time to start acknowledging some of this stuff, so that we can hopefully start to piece it all together over the next few months as we close in on the release of the Moto X (3rd Gen). First, model number XT1542 is one to keep an eye on. The number has popped in supposed benchmark screenshots, along with references to a 5.2-inch QHD display (2560x1440), 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 4GB RAM, and a Snapdragon 810 processor (with Adreno 430 GPU). Those numbers, of course, differ from the set of numbers that popped up over on reddit a month or so ago. Then, we saw numbers of XT1578, XT1585, and XT192A. Additional rumors suggest that there may actually be two Motorola devices, one with a 5.2-inch display and another with a 5.7-inch QHD display, though that information is completely unconfirmed. Finally, a rumor floating about today is attempting to suggest that the images below represent a phone that will be outfitted with a fingerprint sensor. See that missing square space in the middle of the phone? I guess that could be for a fingerprint sensor. Then again, Motorola COO Rick Osterloh told CNET in March that he wasn't a fan of fingerprint sensors. If the guy in charge of making Motorola's next phone isn't a fan of fingerprint sensor, then I kind of doubt that this phone's empty square box is for a fingerprint sensor. Just saying.

And that's it for now. We know that Motorola will have a phone for us towards the end of this summer, in order to keep with their yearly Moto X schedule. Other than that, again, take all of this as rumor and speculation, not fact. https://twitter.com/rosterloh/status/580852300698267648 If you know anything, be sure to drop us a line.

Via: G for Games | GSM Arena | My Drivers | CNET

Reminder: One Day Left to Enter the "Choose Your Own Premium Android" Giveaway

Tim — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 14:32:58 +0000

As a friendly reminder, you now have one day left to enter the Choose Your Own Premium Android giveaway on the DL Deals Store. If you win, you get to choose between either a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, LG G4, or Huawei P8. Each device features pinnacle specifications for a smartphone, and would easily make any recipient quite happy. Entering is quite easy. All you need to do is login to the Deals store with a valid email address or your Facebook account. Once logged in, click "Enter," then you are all done. To gain more entries, which will increase your odds ever so slightly in winning, you can choose to share the giveaway on Twitter or Google+, or even follow us on Twitter or Google+. The choice is up to you. If you want a chance at winning a flagship device of your choice, follow that link below. Enter Here

This Icon Pack is Hot: Slou (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 13:31:27 +0000

Update 2: The Slou dev has responded and stands by his work. As we mentioned, we aren't the icon police, so I'll let you make your own decisions after reading his rebuttal. Update 1: After featuring this icon pack, the origin of it was brought into question. We are not the icon police, so I'll let you read the accusation and make your own judgement. The Play store link to this pack has been removed.

I know that we have been quiet on the hot icon pack front, but I think we are going to make up for it with today's feature, Slou. This is hands-down, one of the most complete, unique, and purchase-worthy icon packs I have seen in months. As you can tell from the images in this post, Slou is as far removed from stock colors and shapes as you will get. It's sharp, boxy, has borders, and a color palette that is dark, yet refreshing. It's that combination of uniqueness in shape color and detail that make this such a good pack. Well that, and the fact that there are over 3,000 icons to choose from, 20 wallpapers, and support for all of your favorite launchers. Slou is subtle at times, because of the tone of its colors and vintage aura, yet somehow manages to stand out with some depth through its borders, shape, and icon identifiers. Many icons have multiple alternatives and color choices, there is icon masking for the random icon you have that isn't in the pack, and the whole thing sees weekly/biweekly updates. Seriously, this icon pack is hot (and 50% off). Play Link ($0.99)

3 Android Games Worth Owning: DOOM 3: BFG Edition, Does Not Commute, and Sunburn!

Tim — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:54:41 +0000

There are a lot of new app and game titles on Google Play, and just in case you may have missed a few of the good ones, we enjoy listing them in these posts so you all stay up to date on the hotness. In this post, we highlight three of my latest favorite games available on Google Play, those being DOOM 3: BFG Edition, Sunburn!, and Does Not Commute. Check out these 3 Android games that are worth owning.

DOOM 3: BFG Edition

In partnership with NVIDIA, as to highlight it on the Android TV platform and SHIELD set-top box, id software's classic FPS games DOOM, DOOM II, and Doom 3 are available on Google Play as the Doom 3: BFG Edition, bringing all of that monster-killing action you loved years ago to your HDTV. The game plays stunningly on SHIELD, with smooth controls, plus the same gore you grew up with. To play, you will need a compatible device, and as of right now, that is just the SHIELD box, or a SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Controller from NVIDIA. Not everyone may be interested in investing in Android TV box, and that's just fine. But, if you thought the platform didn't offer anything exciting, think again. The DOOM 3: BFG Edition is priced at $9.99 on Google Play, complete with the 3 complete DOOM titles inside. Play Link ($9.99)

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Sunburn!

Sunburn!, one of the latest games from Noodlecake Studios, has been loaded up on all of my devices since its release. Taking place in Space, you are commander of a mission-gone-wrong, as your crew is trapped in space with nothing left to do, but die. Your goal is get to your crew members, then gracefully jettison you and your mates into a neighboring Sun. As missions go on, the act of getting to your crew grows harder, given the number of asteroids in your way, orbiting planets, and more. And of course, your fuel is constantly getting low as you fly around getting to your friends. Sunburn! is priced at just $2.99, and there are no IAPs. Play Link

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Does Not Commute

Mediocre, the makers of the all-time great Granny Smith, recently released Does Not Commute onto Google Play. In the game, you control various drivers going about their days, maneuvering all of them to make sure they don't crash into each other. As you progress through the chapters, the amount of vehicles you must keep from colliding into each other grows quite high, making it a seriously challenging game for those with little patience and bad memory. The game is free to download, but does feature an IAP to allow for saving within a given level. Play Link

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If you happen to know of any games we should feature, feel free to send them in.

Deal: LG G Watch (Refurbished) for $50 on eBay

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:17:44 +0000

The LG G Watch may be one of the original Android Wear devices, meaning it's old, plain looking, and probably no where near your best option for a smartwatch, but at $50, you might want to think about it. Since smartwatches are one of those items that no one has been able to convince us is a necessity in life, these are the times that actually make sense for purchasing one. What better way to test out a new product that you may or may not need than when it has been discounted to pennies? Over at eBay, a listing for a "manufacturer refurbished" G Watch is live, but maybe not for long. At $49.99, with free shipping, this little guy will likely sell out in a hurry. If interested, hit that link below. Our LG G Watch review. eBay Link

Cheers Cameron and Daistaar!

AT&T LG G4 Receiving Surprise Update, Some Say Its Auto-Updating Without Permission

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:09:27 +0000

The AT&T LG G4 is receiving its first update this week as software version H81010E. The update appears to be pretty minor at just 26MB and with only one change noted by AT&T, which is "AT&T Address Book enhancements." The odd thing about this update is the fact that a number of users are complaining that the update is installing without their permission. Users at both reddit and XDA are claiming that their phones are rebooting and installing new software, though few saw a pop-up or information about it. I took a look at AT&T's instructions for applying the update and they do actually make it sound like this is all happening automatically, which is not OK. They do mention that there should be some sort of notification about the update, but that your phone will automatically restart once it has finished downloading without a need for approval. Here is the official info about the update:

Android Version: 5.1
Software Version: H81010e
Baseband Version: MPSS.BO.2.5.c3-00070-M8992FAAAANAZM-1.19025.1
Kernel Version: 3.10.49
Build#: LMY47D
File Size: 26.5MB

Anyone else receive this update? If so, did it happen automatically or were you prompted to with information about it?

Via: AT&T

Cheers Jeff!

Google Play's "Family" Category is Live for Apps, Movies, and Books

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 11:45:07 +0000

During Google I/O, Google announced a new "Family" category for Google Play that would help parents direct their kids to content suited best for them. These new family sections, which are now live on the web version of Google Play (or are just now being highlighted), feature filters for age and interests, but Google also plans to push through a better ratings system and feature special pages for top kiddie characters, like Peppa Pig. You will see filters like "Ages 5 & Under," or Brain Games or Pretend Play in the apps section. Searches from within the Family categories are supposed to limit themselves to within the Family categories, but a search for "Predator" in the family movies section gave me quite a bit of content not suited for the little ones. Most of the stuff that Google promised at Google I/O hasn't arrived just yet. Give it a couple of weeks and we should have the full family rollout, along with family sections in the Google Play app. If you are a parent looking for more information on how Google Play identifies and filters family content, check out their Parent Guide. Play Links: Family Apps & Games | Family Movies & TV | Children's Books

This is What Trip Bundles Look Like in Google's Inbox

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:38:07 +0000

During Google I/O, Google pushed an update to Inbox that introduced the always-useful "undo send" button. While "undo send" stole headlines because it is a feature that you will all one day appreciate, another new feature was overlooked by many that may be equally important for those who travel frequently. That feature is called Trip Bundles, and Google took a minute yesterday during WWDC to talk in greater depth about what it is and how it can work for you. With Trip Bundles, Google tries to intelligently bundle together any information in your inbox that is related to an upcoming trip. This could be flight, car rental, restaurant, and/or hotel information. You likely receive multiple emails related to each one, so in a Trip Bundle, you'll find that information bundled together with overviews of each, so that you can quickly pull important information from it. In a bundle, as you can see from this bundle (below) that was created for my trip to San Francisco for Google I/O, Google presents to you a card with a list of all of the reservations you have related to your trip. For me, it has my flight to and from San Francisco, plus hotel and dinner reservation info. I can tap on each item to see an expanded view. In the flight card, I get departure time, terminal and gate info, how long the flight will last, and even my confirmation number. It will even update automatically if I receive a notification that the flight has changed or is delayed. That way, as I check in to my flight or make my way through security, I know exactly what I need to know at all times without having to dig through my inbox.

Below the overview card, you will see all "related emails" listed in case you still need to find a specific email. Inbox is also smart enough to know to show you the most up-to-date info as it rolls in. Trip Bundles can be accessed in the slideout menu under "Trips."

Via: Gmail Blog

Snapchat Brings Ability to Switch From Front and Rear-Facing Camera While Shooting

Tim — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:33:45 +0000

An update rolling out to the Snapchat application is bringing a bit more camera functionality. After the update, users can do a simple double-tap on their screen to flip back and forth from the front and back-facing camera while shooting a video. This should help really create a great scene for your selfies or whatever it is you shoot on Snapchat. In addition to the new shooting ability, Snapchat has added in a login verification method. When you attempt to login to your account via a new phone, Snapchat will send out an SMS verification code to make it is really you trying to access your goods. If you still happen to use Snapchat, go grab the update. What's New

Double tap the screen while recording a Snap to switch between the selfie and rear-facing cameras!
Login Verification — when you log in to Snapchat on a new device, we can send you a SMS code to make sure it’s you! Turn on this feature in Settings.
Battery filters — add a little something to your Snaps when you’re all juiced up or low on battery

Play Link

T-Mobile Re-Approves Lollipop Update for LG G3, Will Roll Out Shortly

Tim — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 09:44:38 +0000

Back in early April, T-Mobile began rolling out a Lollipop update for the LG G3. Sadly, the update must have sucked, because T-Mobile quickly pulled it from servers, not allowing anymore users to update to it. Now, in almost mid-June, Lollipop is officially back, according to T-Mo's Des Smith. In T-Mo's software center website, the G3 was listed as under "T-Mobile Testing," and now, the update has been approved to roll out. Des does not specifically mention when, but just says it will be "available soon" and "stay tuned." Much transparency. G3 owners, keep your eyes peeled for it.

Via: @askdes

Deal: Motorola Slashes Nexus 6 by $150 for Limited Time

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 09:12:06 +0000

Google, Amazon, and Best Buy all recently dropped the Nexus 6 by $150 to $499. We don't know if that price drop is temporary or not, but Motorola seems to be on board with the deal. From today through June 23, you can buy the Nexus 6 in 32GB or 64GB at $150 off. You can even finance the discounted phone for 12 months if you don't want to pay for it all up front. The Nexus 6 may be a whale, but it's a whale that is controlled by Google. In other words, you can never go wrong with a Nexus. Here is our Nexus 6 review from a few months back. Motorola Link

Machinima Launches App to Bring Fans and Content Creators Together

Tim — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 09:05:13 +0000

Machinima, an online entertainment network with content creators covering a wide variety of topics, released an official application onto Android and iOS this morning, hoping to bring the creators and superfans together in a meaningful way. The app is based on creating a community between Machinima's partners and the fans of their network. Content creators will upload stuff, such as photos and videos, and fans can follow their favorites, "Like" photos, or even award people with what appears to be a "Bacon +1." From the app's feature list, it looks like the fan base will have most of the hard work, as it is up to them to make the community worthwhile. Fans can create memes, GIFs, and videos to share among themselves, hopefully sparking a bit of viral entertainment inside of the app for others to enjoy. If you are a superfan of the Machinima network, go check it out. Play Link

Deal: LG G4's $70 Leather Backs are BOGO Right Now

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 07:54:54 +0000

Picked up an LG G4 in plastic, but want to experience the world of leather on a smartphone? Or maybe you bought a leather version, but want a different leather color for those special occasions? Whatever the reason, a newly launched deal by LG for leather back covers is here for you to pounce on. From today until June 30, LG G4 leather back covers are buy one, get one free (BOGO). The covers run $69.99 individually, so two for $69.99 seems like a decent deal. Free shipping is included. They currently list blue, orange, pink, red, and yellow leather options. Some are only on pre-order status at the moment, so you may not receive your order until later in the month, depending on the colors you choose. LG Link

Apple's iOS 9 Feature Announcements - Raising the Bar or Playing Catch-Up?

Kellen — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 07:34:44 +0000

Apple's WWDC keynote yesterday morning included loads of announcements involving the new versions of OS X, iOS, and the Apple Watch's watchOS. Over the last couple of years as Apple has updated its platforms, you tend to see Android enthusiasts giggle and roll their eyes at the features Apple shows off, because Apple talks about everything they make as if it were truly revolutionary or something no one else in the tech space had done before. With the unveiling of iOS 9, we witnessed the same song and dance, except Apple seems to be a lot more self-aware these days. They make fun of themselves more than ever, while also trying to improve their products without all the excessive ego and grandstanding as if they were first. And don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of ego, it just seems to have toned down within the last year. Or maybe it's because Phil Schiller didn't take the stage yesterday. Whatever it is, Apple has become somewhat less obnoxious. All of that aside, Apple did talk through a bunch of new features for iOS 9. Some of it was new. Plenty of it was stuff you have seen before. So let's talk about it and see if any of it matters to you and I, the Android user.

Apple's new "News" app

It's a news app. How excited can anyone really be over a news app? Apple's tries to be unique in that the app supposedly looks great and shows you immersive stories from top news sources, based on topics you are most interested in. The more you read, the more it tries to learn from you and give you better suggestions for reading. It has been fine-tuned for either phone or tablet, includes photo galleries and videos, and is interactive. Look, there are lots of news apps out there, especially on Android. Go try Google's Play Newsstand app and tell me it isn't one of the most fluid and gorgeous apps you have ever used. It also has been optimized for phones or tablets (or any screen), uses incredible transitions, allows you to customize the news you get, subscribe to individual sources, and read through your magazine subscriptions. Flipboard is also still a thing. So yeah, good news apps are easy to come by. Apple's might be good, but news apps aren't exactly an area that anyone was asking to be fixed.

The new Notes app

The new Apple Notes app has been given a new lease on life with new features like, photos in notes, checklists, and URLs in notes. Wait, seriously? This app had none of that previously? Those seem like super standard note-taking features in 2010, let alone 2015. The app does finally sync everywhere, thanks to iCloud integration, lets you doodle in white spaces, and can be launched from new places through the Share button for quick notes. It's a note taking app. Like the News app, there are dozens of good ones like it. Google's Keep, which is kind of a lousy app compared to Evernote or Wunderlist, does just about everything Apple announced today, outside of the doodling.

Transit directions in Apple Maps

Holy sh*t, transit directions today? Google introduced this in 2011. TWO THOUSAND ELEVEN. It's 2015. And I know that Apple Maps has had a more-than-rocky start, but damn. I guess, at least they have them now! ...for those few people who use Apple Maps... Oh, they also included nearby recommendations or places you may want to shop or eat. Google gave us this in Google Maps a year ago.

Apple introduced Apple Wallet today, which as far as I can tell, is just a re-brand of Passbook. The new stuff here is the fact that you can add Kohl's Charge and JCPenney credit cards, along with reward cards for Dunkin' Donuts, DD perks, Walgreen's Balance Rewards, and MyPanera. They are also adding a double-click option to launch Apple Pay when at the lock screen for quicker payments. Google Wallet does most of that stuff, but at this point, we are getting down to companies working individually with either Apple or Google to gain support in their wallet apps. Google is behind here, obviously. Also, if you want to pay for something with Google Wallet, you can just tap the phone to the terminal and it'll quickly open Wallet.

CarPlay's big update

CarPlay is getting a substantial update that most importantly, allows you to connect to your car and launch CarPlay without a cable. Cables be damned! That's huge news from a convenience standpoint, except that Apple would only say that the feature is coming in "future cars." Also, CarPlay will play audio messages in the voices of the people who sent them, let you use your car's knobs to control it, and allow apps developed by car manufacturers to run within it. All of that could come to Android Auto at some point down the road, but as of now, Apple has the leg up here.

Multi-tasking on iPad!

Apple is bringing multi-tasking to the iPad through a suite of new features. The first is called Slide Over, and while Apple is careful to not reveal too much about it, it basically sounds like a way to slide over an app through a notification to quickly interact with before sliding back away. With Split View, you get as the name suggests, a split view with two apps running at the same time. Finally, there is a Picture-in-Picture mode that lets you watch a video on top of whatever you are currently working on. You can drag the movie window around, resize it, pause or play, and eventually stop it. Multi-tasking has been around on Android for years through custom skins from Samsung and LG. Google, though, has yet to implement a multi-tasking feature of any sort. The Android M preview has it baked in, behind-the-scenes, in barely working form that Google won't even acknowledge, so it's tough to give Google credit for getting there first. But again, Samsung phones (like my Galaxy S6) can do multiple apps at a time or picture-in-picture with no issues. So multi-tasking isn't new, but we are still waiting for Google to get with the program and create their version or at least make it stable enough to use on stock Android.

Improved iPad Keyboard

Apple improved the keyboard on iPad in iOS 9 to include a shortcut bar with user-specified shortcuts to tools (like bold, italics, underline, copy, paste, etc.), added a two-finger gesture that turns the keyboard into a massive trackpad, and included keyboard shortcut support for wireless keyboards. I'm all for improved keyboards, especially since the Google Keyboard on tablets is pretty lousy. If there is one thing that keeps me from using a tablet regularly, it's the typing experience. As for that gesture trackpad move, I could actually see this coming in handy when trying to select text, especially if the keyboard can instantly recognize the gesture. This could be one of those little things that makes a huge difference. The Google Keyboard is by far my favorite phone keyboard, but again, it could probably learn a thing or two from Apple when it comes to tablets.

Siri, smarter than ever

Siri, in iOS 9, is now aware of what you are doing and where you are, so it can serve you relevant information when you need it. Think of Google Now, except Apple will tell you that you haven't sold your privacy soul to have this feature. First, you have a more powerful Spotlight search that is powered by Siri. As you search for contacts, stocks, sports, vacation spots, or attempt to calculate something, you should get better results. For those who know Spotlight and search in its current state, you probably know how worthless it is. So yeah, this is an improvement. Second, Siri and search attempt to help you automatically as you progress through a day. It could be by showing you shortcuts to contacts you are about to meet with, apps you use at this time every day, nearby places to eat/drink/shop, or news based on your location. Finally, Siri is attempting to take on Google Now and Now on Tap by being contextually aware of what you are doing. When you are creating an email or message or calendar invite, iOS 9 tries to suggest people that you would typically include. Those suggestions could be based off of something as specific as the subject line of an email. If you get an email with a flight or restaurant reservation, iOS 9 can automatically create an event on your calendar. iOS 9 also now recommends when you should leave for appointments, can pull up caller ID for unknown callers if it sees the number in an email, and will let you set reminders for something as specific as the info in a text message, by saying something like, "Remind about this later." Game changing stuff? It's pretty big and probably the biggest announcement of yesterday for iOS 9. Google Now does a lot of this stuff now, as does Gmail and Google Calendar. Google Now on Tap will do the rest in Android M. Apple still has a lot of catching up to do with Google in terms of the AI-contextual-aware-we-know-you-better-than-you department, but this is a major step forward for them.

Other stuff

Apple also announced improvements to battery life (up to an hour longer on your iPhone), performance improvements, and new security measures, like 2-factor authentication. Google improves these with each release, just like every software company should do with new versions of their apps or firmware.

Bottom line

If anything, WWDC and Google I/O are reminders that the smartphone world is quite mature. No longer are new versions of mobile operating systems guaranteed to be the big jumps that we once saw. Each company is now targeting problem areas and crossing off features here or there that they have yet to implement but are well aware of. There are few differences in what Google and Apple are doing these days, it seems. They squash bugs, improve this or that (usually security, battery life, and performance), and hopefully introduce the next big thing every other year, like Google Now on Tap or the new Siri.

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Android 5.1.1 Update Rolling Out to Sprint LG G Flex 2

Tim — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 15:38:08 +0000

The G Flex 2, LG's latest smartphone with a drastically curved display, is now receiving an Android 5.1.1 update on the Sprint network. Android 5.1.1 brings mostly bug fixes for users who were already on Android 5.1, so if you do get the update, don't get too excited. On top of the firmware update, LG also included Factory Reset Protection. This feature bumps the level of security owners have with their devices, as anyone who attempts to trigger a factory reset will be met with a Google password prompt for the account in question. Only the owner of the device should know this password, given it is tied to your Google account, so it does assist in keeping your smartphone safe. If we have G Flex 2 owners here, go grab it.

Via: Sprint

Deal: Buy a Sound Kick Bluetooth Speaker for $50, Guaranteed Delivery Before Father's Day

Tim — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 15:00:43 +0000

Running out of ideas for a Father's Day gift? Does he enjoy jamming out? If so, you can pick up the Sound Kick Bluetooth Speaker on the DL Deals Store for just $50, down from its regular price of $100. To make sure your dad receives the gift on his very special day, guaranteed shipping within 1-2 business days is included, meaning you will definitely receive the item before Father's Day (6/21). The Sound Kick features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to wirelessly enjoy your music for up to 7 hours before recharging is needed. Music playback and volume can be controlled directly from the speaker, or from the device you are streaming from. In addition to Bluetooth, you can also quickly connect any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack. You will also be happy to see that the Sound Kick speaker is rated very highly on Amazon, priced at just under $100. So for $50, this is a pretty good deal. If you think Daddy-O would enjoy this speaker, follow that link below. And remember, it comes with guaranteed delivery before Father's Day, as long as you order before 12am tonight. Features

Enjoy up to 7 hours of playtime with the built-in rechargeable battery
Stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth
Control the volume & playback functions directly from the speaker
Quickly connect to any device w/ a simple line-in option that works with a standard headphone jack
Enhance your playlist w/ full sound, natural bass response, vocal clarity & UQ3™ spatial enhancement
Charge your mobile devices w/ the USB power port even while Sound Kick is running on battery power

Deal Link

LG G4 Gets a Teardown, Receives Impressive 8 out of 10 Repairability Score

Tim — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 14:45:03 +0000

The folks over at iFixIt are back with yet another teardown, this time with LG's latest flagship device, the G4. In the teardown, iFixIt notes the G4's high repairability score, but more than that, it allows the average consumer to take a look at what actually makes up their phones. In the G4's case, it really isn't all that much. In the photos, we see that only a few screws hold the entire device together, with most of the modules able to detach with the right set of professional tools. We get a good look at the G4's 5.5" QHD display, 16MP rear-facing camera with OIS, and 3,000mAh removable battery. To get a little context on the impressiveness of the G4's repairability score, the One M9 from HTC received a 2 out of 10, and the Galaxy S6 Edge from Samsung got a 3 out of 10. With a solid 8 out of 10 from iFixIt, tinkerers should be quite fond of their LG G4. Did you pick up a G4? How are you liking it so far?

Via: iFixIt

FYI: Last Week's Verizon Galaxy S6 Edge Update Also Fixed That Nasty Screen-Rotation Bug

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 14:22:54 +0000

Verizon didn't bother to mention this in the changelog for last week's update to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, but the update also included a fix for that nasty auto-rotate bug that broke almost everyone's phone at one point or another. A couple of our readers noted the fix to us, but you can find examples in Verizon's community forums as well of users who are able to fully enjoy their phones again after receiving the update. As a recap, a number of early adopters of the Galaxy S6 Edge were finding that their phones would stop auto-rotating after varying amounts of use. No one has ever really been able to pin down the exact reason, but some think it has to do with Fast Charging. Reboots and factory resets couldn't fix the problem, so carrier stores were allowing users to swap out devices, assuming they were still within their 2-week grace period. For those who missed out on swapping within 14 days at places like Verizon (or who didn't want to mess with direct Samsung replacements), they have been stuck with phones that haven't been able to rotate. Now, after weeks of no auto-rotation, users who have updated have fully working phones again. Yay!

Cheers Robert!

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 30

Tim — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:36:18 +0000

There is a ton of action taking place in the world of Android and mobile tech in general, so what better time to field any questions from our community than right now? Google introduced Android M and Android Pay during Google I/O just a short time ago, so maybe you have questions about it? Or maybe you would like our take on Apple's latest unveilings during WWDC? Heck, we would even love to discuss this year's NBA Finals with you. As long as you agree that there were some seriously blown calls during Game 2. Don't be shy, ask whatever you would like. Shoot those questions below in the comment section, and then on Friday, our team will choose the best ones to tackle. To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Monday Poll: Android Fans - Are You Considering a Switch to Apple Music?

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:28:07 +0000

Apple Music is official and coming to Android. For die-hard Android users like those who hang out here at DL all day, every day, you are for the first time, going to have a choice of a new service that involves Apple that won't force you to leave Android. That's kind of nuts if you think about it. So here is the question - are you now considering a switch to Apple Music when it launches this Fall? Some of you may be asking back, "Why would we do that?" For a couple of a reasons. If you look at the entire service, Apple Music may not be all that terrible, other than the fact that it's Apple who is controlling it. For example, the music library that Apple has access to is easily the best in the business. From exclusive albums or tracks to early pre-orders and releases, no one has as many as Apple. No one gets everything first, like Apple does. Beyond that, Apple is allowing you to sign-up up to six members of your family with Apple Music for just $14.99. Individual subscriptions at almost every other music service will run you $9.99. Apple's is also $9.99 individually, but think how much money you will save by letting the whole family in for a total of $14.99? And that way, you don't have to share your Google account between devices, like my wife and I do to both access our Google Music subscription. Finally, if you look at that screenshot, Apple seems to have followed Android's app design guidelines as well. This doesn't just seem like an iOS port - they may have actually cared about the experience. Tell us, are you considering the switch toe Apple Music? If so, why? [poll id="366"]

Apple May Have Another Android App in the Works to Help You Migrate to iOS

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:14:50 +0000

Apple Music doesn't appear to be the only Android app that Apple is currently working on. According to the iOS 9 features list just posted to Apple's site, Apple is working on an app that will help Android users easily migrate over to iOS, assuming they would want to make the switch. The app will "wirelessly switch" users from an Android device to a new iOS device, securely, of course. The app brings over "contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars, wallpaper, and DRM-free songs and books." Apple says that it will even help you rebuild your app library by suggesting apps for download from the App Store. Once the transfer has been completed, Apple will then recommend that you recycle your Android phone for free at the Apple Store. (You should be shaking your head at that idea, just as I am.) We could find the app on Google Play or Apple's App Store, so it could be that it will be available closer to this Fall's iOS 9 launch. Still, that's two Android apps in one day for Apple!

Via: Apple | @brandonminiman

Can We Get a Better Digital Assistant Without Violating Our Privacy? [Opinion]

Ron — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:40:45 +0000

AI, or artificial intelligence, is an old idea, but it's still probably the most important technological leap that we've yet to make. We've been inching closer with things like Google Now, Siri, and Cortana, but we are still so far away. As we inch closer, though, there's an implementation battle happening. The question we have been asking for the past few years is whether Google will get better at design faster than Apple will get better at web services. I think the new question we need to wrestle with is, can Apple make better apps and services without violating our privacy faster than Google can do so by hoarding all of our information and possibly violating our privacy? Apple introduced us to the idea that we could have a personal, intelligent assistant with us on our phones with Siri in 2011, but Google took things a step further in 2012 with Google Now. With Siri, we could ask our phones for information and to do things for us, but Google made it so that our phones (or more accurately Google's servers) would do things without us even asking for them. When Now works properly it is brilliant, but when Google pretends to not know something about you it can be incredibly frustrating. When I was reviewing the Galaxy S6, I told Google Now to call my wife. It asked me who my wife is. Google doesn't know a lot of things about me, but Google absolutely knows who my wife is. There's a plethora of information indicating who my wife is on Google's servers, but with this request Google pretended it didn't know. To make matters worse, Google asked me if I wanted it to remember that she was my wife; I said yes, but the next time I asked Google to call my wife it asked who she was again. Granted, that may be a bug, but it's built on a foundation where Google is still pretending to not know much about us. I get it. Google doesn't want to seem any more creepy than it has to to stay competitive. Most people don't realize just how much information companies like Google and Facebook have about us. When Google first unveiled Now there was a bit of shock. How can they know about this kind of stuff? They know where I work and when I should leave? Is this not violating my privacy? Then most users settled in and let Google take control, because for most people convenience is more important than privacy. For a long time I have been assuming that Apple's future may be in trouble, not because they will stop making amazing products, but because of their stance on privacy. Then WWDC 2015 happened. Apple announced a bunch of Siri integration that does a lot of predictive work to guess what information you might need or want and all of it is done without storing your data in the cloud. It's nothing short of astonishing, not because of the features, but because they are doing this without a gigantic database of information about you. Throughout the WWDC keynote, Apple announced several new features and ended with the refrain, "You're in control." It's another obvious shot at Google, but I think it's an important one. While Google has made it much easier to control what personal data of mine they retain to use their services, I honestly had never considered if Google could make just as powerful of services without my information. I was assuming it was impossible until now. I still think it's incredibly difficult, but maybe we can keep control of our data and still have incredibly helpful AI, too. I think Google Photos is Google's first way of showing how they can use their search technologies to actually make a superior product without tying it into the rest of Google. Photos shows incredible reserve on Google's part because they recognize that privacy is a huge obstacle they face with maintaining trust with their users. I don't think Google is going to do that with products like Now, though. The opportunity to leverage our information to make better educated guesses about what we need is too great. Apple has always been more privacy focused than Google (and even privacy focused as a means to communicate a competitive advantage against the search giants), which is good for consumers, but ultimately bad for them if Google gets there first and is able to convince the vast majority of users that trading their information for features is a fair exchange. Part of me thinks that it is absolutely fair, but the other part of me wants to see Apple meet Google's challenge and create something that is just as capable of helping me without me having to trust someone to keep my information safe on their servers. We need that kind of assistant so that we can live more present lives that allow us to use technology when it's appropriate and let it work for us in the background otherwise. The question is, can we get there with our privacy still in tact?

Apple Music is Coming to Android This Fall

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:22:10 +0000

Apple's WWDC kicked off today (our live blog has been touching) and outside of the typical Android jabs that accompany their keynotes, they also announced something that Android users can actually use. Apple Music, the company's new music service, is coming to Android. Seriously, it'll be here this Fall. The service launches globally on June 30, but again, not on Android. The initial rollout will be on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac, and PC, with Apple TV and Android getting access later on. As for pricing, you are looking at $9.99 per month, or you can do a family plan that gives you service for up to six family members for just $14.99 per month. Apple will offer a free 3-month trial when the service first launches. So why should you even consider signing up for it? Well, Apple does have access to a big music library. The Music service also has a radio feature, something called Connect (artists can share photos, backstage happenings, lyrics, or whatever they want directly with fans!), and can curate music for you. That's it. Tough to tell if it'll be any better than Spotify or Google Play Music until we get to spend some time with it. Be sure to vote in our poll and tell us if you plan to switch to Apple Music.

Introducing Apple Music — All The Ways You Love Music. All in One Place.

Worldwide Debut June 30
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today unveiled Apple Music™, a single, intuitive app that combines the best ways to enjoy music — all in one place. Apple Music is a revolutionary streaming music service, a pioneering worldwide live radio station from Apple broadcasting 24 hours a day and a great new way for music fans to connect with their favorite artists. Apple Music combines the largest and most diverse collection of music on the planet with the expertise of world-class music experts who have programmed playlists for your iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, Mac®, PC, Apple TV® and Android phones.* Apple Music will be available starting on June 30 in over 100 countries. “We love music, and the new Apple Music service puts an incredible experience at every fan’s fingertips,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “All the ways people love enjoying music come together in one app — a revolutionary streaming service, live worldwide radio and an exciting way for fans to connect with artists.” “Apple Music is really going to move the needle for fans and artists,” said Jimmy Iovine. “Online music has become a complicated mess of apps, services and websites. Apple Music brings the best features together for an experience every music lover will appreciate.” Apple Music Apple Music is a revolutionary streaming service and app that puts the entire Apple Music catalog at your fingertips across your favorite devices. Starting with the music you already know — whether from the iTunes Store® or ripped CDs — your music now lives in one place alongside the Apple Music catalog with over 30 million songs. You can stream any song, album or playlist you choose — or better yet, let Apple Music do the work for you. Curation is the soul of every playlist created on Apple Music. Apple has hired the most talented music experts from around the world, dedicated to creating the perfect playlists based on your preferences, and they become better curators the more you listen. The “For You” section of Apple Music provides a fresh mix of albums, new releases and playlists, which have been personalized just for you. In addition to human curation, Siri® is also dedicated to helping you enjoy great music and have fun with Apple Music. Ask Siri to, “Play me the best songs from 1994,” “Play the best FKA twigs song,” or “What was the number one song in February 2011?” Apple Music Radio Beats 1℠, Apple’s first ever live radio station dedicated entirely to music and music culture, will broadcast live to over 100 countries. Beats 1 is a 24-hour listening experience led by influential DJs Zane Lowe in Los Angeles, Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenuga in London. Listeners around the globe will hear the same great programming at the same time. Exciting programs on Beats 1 will offer exclusive interviews, guest hosts and the best of what’s going on in the world of music. Apple has also redesigned radio with human curation taking the lead. Apple Music Radio gives you stations created by some of the world’s finest radio DJs. The new stations range in genres from indie rock to classical and folk to funk, with each one expertly curated. With membership, you can skip as many songs as you like, so you can change the tune without changing the dial. Apple Music Connect Artists and fans now have an incredible way to connect with one another directly in Apple Music with Connect. Through Connect, artists can share lyrics, backstage photos, videos or even release their latest song directly to fans directly from their iPhone. Fans can comment on or like anything an artist has posted, and share it via Messages, Facebook, Twitter and email. And when you comment, the artist can respond directly to you. Pricing & Availability Starting on June 30, music fans around the world are invited to a 3-month free membership, after which a $9.99/month subscription fee will apply. There will also be a family plan providing service for up to six family members available for just $14.99/month. Requires initial sign up. At the end of the trial period, the membership will automatically renew and payment method will be charged on a monthly basis until auto-renewal is turned off in account settings. Family plan requires iCloud® Family Sharing. Seewww.apple.com/icloud/family-sharing for more information. *Apple Music is available on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and PC starting June 30. Apple Music will be coming to Apple TV and Android phones this fall. Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, the Mac and Apple Watch. Apple’s three software platforms — iOS, OS X and watchOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

WWDC 2015 Live Blog! Incredible. Beautiful. Fantastic. Great. Amazing.

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 09:01:33 +0000

Apple'S WWDC 2015 is happening this morning, in case you didn't already know. WWDC doesn't stand for "What Would (Jesus) Do (in) Charades" or "Willy Wonka Dots Candy" or "Where's Waldo, Dammit, Come'on!" It stands for "Worldwide Developer Conference." Forget the fact that Apple is using two Ws out of Worldwide, which is one word, and focus on the fact that we shall once again live blog the hell out of the happenings. Yes! Another DL Apple live blog is upon us. I don't need to explain why we cover these events, do I? Good. So what is Apple going to call amazing, great, beautiful (x100), extraordinary, phenomenal, wonderful, gorgeous (x5), magnificent, exciting, amazingly remarkable, incredible (x26), advanced, and magical, this time around? According to the Apple blogs of the world, Apple should give us a new music service, that won't be revolutionary by any means and will cost the standard $9.99 per month. Apple will try to trick you into thinking it's great and different by offering exclusives on albums from their friends like Beyonce, Drake, and U2 (lulz). Of course, those exclusives only hang around for so long because record labels like to actually sell albums in lots of places. It'll basically be a re-branding of Beats Music...with some temporary exclusives...yeah. We should see iOS 9 and whole bunch of Android features from KitKat. KitKat came out a long time ago, so I couldn't tell you what that means. Then, Apple will bring the heat with a watch SDK for Apple Watch. It'll let apps run faster, since right now, you can't do anything with a 3rd party app on Apple Watch without buffering for a good minute. But the iOS 9 and Watch SDK probably won't actually be out for months, so don't bother getting excited about it now. Fun, right? The event kicks off at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). If you want to watch it, you'll have to use an Apple device or install Safari. You can watch it here. We will also live blog the event below. There will be commentary, snark, giggles, and, more snark. Join us!

Report: New Samsung Smartwatch Will Offer Mobile Payments

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 08:36:22 +0000

According to a report out of Electronic Times, Samsung's next smartwatch will have NFC so that the Korean manufacturer can extend its payment system from phone to wearable. The current target for release is "second half of the year," but I would imagine a new watch with payment capabilities will launch alongside the Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung Pay in September. If you follow the smartwatch scene outside of Android, then you know that one of the Apple Watch's best features is its connectivity with Apple Pay, where users can quickly pay for items with their watch instead of having to fish out their phone from a pocket or purse. Should Samsung extend payments from Samsung Pay to watches, you should see a similar experience. Then again, the biggest feature of Samsung Pay is its ability to pay at almost all regular credit card terminals, so adding NFC to a watch is somewhat limiting, in that you would only be able to use it in stores that have NFC-ready terminals. Either way, simplifying payments is the new name of the game. While I can't imagine any of us ever leaving our wallets at home, a world where you need to use them less and less could be here very soon. As a reminder, the next Samsung smartwatch should be round. Assuming they take the same approach to quality with this watch as they have with the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, it could be a fantastic device.

Via: Reuters

OnePlus One is Now Permanently $249, "Free" Dropbox Pro Subscription Included With 64GB Model

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 08:04:12 +0000

A week ago, OnePlus announced that their first phone, the OnePlus One, would see a flash sale-like $50 discount for a week. Since that "experiment was a great success," they have decided to drop the price permanently by $50 to $249 (16GB) and $299 (64GB). Even though this phone is over a year old, that's still a heck of a price for a phone this good. On a related note, OnePlus also announced that Dropbox is a new partner. Thanks to this new partnership, a new bundle that includes a "free" year of Dropbox Pro and a 64GB OnePlus One can be purchased starting June 10 for $349. I put free in quotes there because it's not exactly free. The 64GB now starts at $299, so technically, the Dropbox Pro account is costing you $50. A year of Dropbox Pro typically runs $99, so you are still receiving a $50 discount, but again, I don't know that "free" is the right term here. So, there you go. Anyone interested, even with the OnePlus 2 arriving within the next couple of months? You can buy the OnePlus One here.

Via: OnePlus

Samsung Galaxy S6 Active Specs (Official)

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 07:54:18 +0000

Samsung and AT&T unwrapped their latest Active exclusive this morning with an announcement of the Galaxy S6 Active. The phone is the latest in the Active line that has been an exclusive for AT&T dating back to the Galaxy S4. For those new to the Active line, think of it as a phone that is every bit as good as the current flagship (the Galaxy S6) except that it was created for an active life style. The phone is dustproof, and water and shock resistant, comes in camo colorways, and should be able to withstand drops, scrapes, and bangs. The phone still features the 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, cameras, and Exynos 7420 from the Galaxy S6, but again, has been given some rugged strength. Oh, Samsung also tossed in a massive 3500mAh battery. The full specs are below.

Galaxy S6 Active Specs

Display: 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED (577ppi)
Processor: Exynos 7420 64-bit octa-core
Storage: 32GB
Cameras: 16MP rear; 5MP front (wide-angle)
Battery: 3500mAh; wireless charging and Fast Charging
Water and Dust Resistance: IP68
Network: 4G LTE; HD Voice
Software: Android 5.0.2 Lollipop
Other: Shock resistant case; Activity button
Colors: Camo White, Camo Blue, or Gray

AT&T Finally Announces the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active With 3,500mAh Battery (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 06:38:13 +0000

Well, they sort of did through YouTube. Unless they pull this video, we will go ahead and assume that the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is now official for AT&T. As we expected, this is very much a Galaxy S6 only with an "active" body and special set of features. It still includes a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display (577ppi), Samsung's Exynos 7420 octa-core 64-bit processor, 32GB internal storage, and 16MP/5MP cameras. But, it does also feature a big ol' 3500mAh battery and a quick launch action button on its left side, so you can quickly pull up a flashlight, compass, or other goodies from the phone's "Activity Zone." The GS6 Active is rated IP68 for water resistance and dust proofing, comes with camouflage designs, should withstand a drop or ten, thanks to its protective casing, and runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. From what we can tell, the phone does not include a micro SD slot or removable battery, but that shouldn't surprise you. We are still waiting for AT&T to post the press release with details on availability and pricing. We will update this post when that happens. Update: AT&T has a landing page created for the device that only mentions it as "coming soon." It does confirm that wireless charging is on board. Update 2: The details are in. The Galaxy S6 Active is available this Friday, June 12, online or in AT&T stores. The phone comes in Camo White, Camo Blue, or Gray (no camo!) for $199 with a 2-year contract. If you for at AT&T Next plan, you will spend $23.17 per month for 30 payments with Next 24, $28.96 for 24 payments with Next 18, or $34.75 for 20 payments with Next 12. Update 3: Your Galaxy S6 Active specs.

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Chrome's Touch to Search is Awesome, But No, It Isn't Google Now on Tap

Kellen — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 11:05:44 +0000

Just over a week ago, Chrome for Android received an update to version 43.0.2357.78 that included a feature called Touch to Search. If you have used the Chrome Beta within the last several months, you know exactly what this feature is. If you haven't, well, you have probably emailed us within the last couple of days thinking that Chrome is now capable of doing the recently announced Google Now on Tap magic that was introduced at Google I/O. We get why you would think that, because Touch to Search is quite awesome, but no, it's not exactly Now on Tap. Still, let's talk about! Google Now on Tap is a feature coming to Android M at some point in the near future that allows you to long-press your home button to launch Google Now wherever you are. Google Now then either listens for a command or examines your screen to bring up relevant information. It's a pretty game-changing type of addition to Google Now that we can't wait to show everyone in greater detail. But again, that's for Android M only at this time and isn't even functioning at the moment in the M developer preview. It is still very much a "coming soon" add-on. With Touch to Search in Chrome, you get an experience that allows you to tap on any word on a page in Chrome and then search for it without ever leaving Chrome. It's super handy and useful because you get to find quick info without ever actually leaving Chrome or the page you are currently on. In the video below, you can see it in action. To enable or disable it in Chrome, head into Menu>Settings>Privacy>Touch to Search. Enjoy!

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Chrome Colored Toolbars May be Coming Without the Need to "Merge Tabs"

Kellen — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:09:49 +0000

Back in Chrome Beta 39, Google introduced one of our favorite features to Chrome that was unfortunately, only available in select situations, and on select versions of Android. We are talking about colored toolbars, of course. When first introduced, colored toolbars (assuming a website enabled them) could only be viewed when a phone or tablet was running Lollipop and if the tabs were merged into the app switcher. We have talked about how terrible this whole merging of tabs thing is in its current state, but had hoped all along that Google would tweak the way it worked to make it easier to switch between tabs when enabled. I don't know if they will ever do that bit, but one thing seems to be happening in the latest Chrome Beta that was a merged-tabs-only feature. Look at that image above. See it? Yes! Unmerged tabs with colored toolbars! A reader of ours noticed Droid Life pink popping up on his phone, which didn't have tabs merged (probably because his Moto X had yet to receive Lollipop and merged tabs is a Lollipop feature). We checked ours and noticed some colors appearing here or there before going away, but weren't sure what to make of it. And then! We got them to stick, sort of. You can see them in action in the GIF below. So what's happening? Good question. To get them to appear, you need the newest version of Chrome Beta and a website that has colored toolbars enabled. Ours is a good place to start. With a tab open, open another tab for another website. Let that website load and then swipe back over to Droid Life. Boom! Pink! So much pink. (We were able to replicate this on two Galaxy S6s, an Xperia Z3 Compact, and our reader's Moto X (2013).) So is this finally a feature for those who ~~aren't weird as hell~~ don't merge tabs? That we do not know. This could just be a bug that's allowing colors to shine through temporarily. The status bar isn't even changing colors as it should. Our hope, is that Google is enabling this for those who ~~aren't weird as hell~~ don't merge tabs and we have just stumbled into early work on it. Please be real, you all need more pink in your lives.

Cheers blakjakdavy!

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: June 5, 2015

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:47:31 +0000

As Rebecca Black once so elegantly stated, "Yesterday was Thursday, today is Friday." Yes, sadly, it's the end of the work week here at DL, but we had a lot to talk about. With Google I/O all wrapped up, we featured a ton of Android M tips and tricks, plus talked a bit about NVIDIA's Android TV set-top box SHIELD. On top that excitement, Ron gave us his take on Google Photos in his latest opinion piece, ASUS announced the ZenWatch 2 with zero theatrics, Motorola declared the Android 5.1.1 update for the Moto 360 "not quite there yet," and TAG has a name for its $1,400 Android Wear smartwatch. Below, you will find the list of this week’s top Android and mobile-related stories.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Deal: ExoMount Touch Universal Car Mount for $20

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:21:35 +0000

The ExoMount Touch car mount is currently slashed to just $19.99 in the DL Deals store. That’s roughly $10 off the full price, and still cheaper than Amazon. That’s a solid deal for those of you looking at car mounts for your oversized smartphones. The ExoMount features a one-touch attach and release setup for phones, able to fit even the big boys such as the Galaxy Note 4 and Nexus 6. With a 360 degree swivel and easy rotator, you should have zero issues setting this up nicely in your car. If the ExoMount is the perfect little accessory for your vehicle, follow that link below. Features

Attaches & releases your smartphone with one touch
Mounts to any flat, smooth, textured, curved, or rounded surface
Attaches to more than just the car; use on a desk or wall
Easily rotates & swivels 360 degrees
Sleek & clean design
Installs in less than a minute
Washable & reusable suction cup
Works w/ a wide-range of devices

Deal Link

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HTC Will Actually Innovate With Next Year's One Instead of Mailing It In Again

Kellen — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:27:49 +0000

The HTC One M9 is without a doubt, the most disappointing phone I have touched in years. HTC had a short list of items to address from 2014 to 2015 to make an almost-perfect phone and essentially failed at all of them. As I said in my One M9 review, I have no idea what the hell HTC spent the last year working on. What I do know is that your company has completely screwed up (maybe given up too), when your flagship phone from the previous year is better than your flagship phone for this year. You also know things are bad when you spend the weeks leading up to the release of your hand-picked media reviews, reminding everyone that once the phone hits customers' hands and all of the early bloated benchmarks are public, you will throttle the phone down to not melt anyone's face off. After apologizing to shareholders for the company's poor performance for the fourth straight year (stock price has dropped from NT$1300 in 2011 to under NT$100), CEO Cher Wang essentially admitted that it's time for her company to do something different going forward and try not to repeat the past few years of mistakes. Wang told shareholders that HTC would launch a "hero product" in October to help boost their smartphone segment, but that they would also make significant improvements in innovation and design for their flagship phone for 2016. In other words, the HTC One M10 might not suck. Well, there are no guarantees, but it sounds like HTC will at least put some effort into next year's phone. That's good news for those who don't want to see HTC exit the smartphone market with their tails between their legs. And I'm not saying they should exit this arena, but when you look at the decline from 2011 to now, and also take a look at the embarrassment that is the One M9, you have to wonder why they continue to hang around. How much further downward can you go before it's time to give in? As for other HTC news, the company will not renew the contract of Robert Downey Jr. That, my friends, is terrible news. We will no longer get these glorious, "Someone just hand me this stupid phone already so I can fulfill my contract and move on" ads. Does anyone have any confidence in HTC at this point?

Via: Taipei Times

Friday Poll: What Version of Android is Your Phone Running?

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:57:28 +0000

Earlier this week, Google updated its Android distribution numbers, showing that only a small group of users, at about 12%, are running the latest version of the OS available. Lollipop was released last year, and now that we are creeping towards the half of 2015, we would have hoped to see that number a bit higher. Regardless, there are a lot of versions of Android still out in the wild, with plenty of 'mid-range' and even some 'high-end' models of phones running Jelly Bean and Kit Kat. Our question today is, what version of Android is your current smartphone running? To see what version of Android you are on, head into Settings, About Phone, Software Info, then you should see exactly what your phone is running.

[poll id="365"]

Is AT&T Hinting at a Galaxy S6 Active Announcement on Twitter?

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:31:10 +0000

Even though we already know everything about the Galaxy S6 Active itself, AT&T has yet to come out and officially announce the device, complete with availability and pricing. But finally, it appears the company is ready to awaken the hypebeast on Twitter, possibly teasing an upcoming announcement for the device in a tweet sent out yesterday morning. In the tweet, AT&T states, "Only one thing is missing from your workout. It's almost time to activate your full power." We added in the italics ourselves, since adding emphasis to the word "activate" is rather important. In the photo accompanying the tweet, a phone is being held, but is blocked out. Is it a S6 Active being hidden? Our guess is, more than likely. Given the S6 Active's water and dust resistance, it is no surprise that AT&T would assume that this device is the best workout companion a person could ask for. You can drop it, sweat on it, and everything should continue to work normally. So, yeah, Galaxy S6 Active coming soon to AT&T.

Via: @ATT

Cheers Theon Greyjoy!

Minecraft: Pocket Edition Update With Player Skins and Fishing is Now Available

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:20:57 +0000

Last week, an update for Minecraft: Pocket Edition was teased by the Mojang team, and this week, the update is available for all to download on Google Play. Inside, players can now customize their character's skin, allowing for a more entertaining walk through the caves. Players are given a few free skins, while other skins can be purchased via IAPs. You can also upload your own skin via the web, then apply it for free. On top of skins, boats with space for two have been added in, letting you take your wolf pup friend on a boat ride. Squids have been added, in addition to cave spiders, bats, and even adorable baby zombies. Check out the full changelog below, then have at it. What's New

Multiple language support.
Boats with space for two! Take your pet for a pleasant ride.
The ability to throw stuff from boats, including snowballs and eggs.
Fishing! Now you can fish for fishies!
Squids!
Spider jockeys!
Cave Spiders!
Bats!
Adorable baby zombies!
Weird chicken jockeys!
Edible clownfish. Yum!
A fancy new World Edit screen so you can rename worlds, change game modes and do other things.
Creative players can no longer be set on fire. Controversial.
We’ve stopped cheeky chickens from walking on water.
Animals can no longer breed without touching each other ooh err.
Drinking milk now removes mob effects.
Ridiculous amounts of bug fixes.
More cool things that you should discover for yourself.

Play Link

Amazon Echo Can Now Read Books to You Thanks to Audible Support

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 10:10:16 +0000

Amazon Echo, the company's voice-activated assistant of sorts, can now read audiobooks to you thanks to newly implemented Audible support. If you have a little library of ebooks piled up in your Audible account, you can get started by saying, "Alexa, play the audiobook 50 Shades of Grey." To celebrate this most joyous occasion, Echo owners can grab two free audiobooks from Audible for listening. All you need to do is download the Audible app. How It Works

Start any book you own with "Alexa, read [Audible book title]"
Resume the current book you're reading by saying "Alexa, read my book."
Control playback with "Alexa, go back/forward."

And that's it. If you have an Echo, go make Alexa read you War and Peace. On that same note, does anyone here own an Echo?

Via: Amazon

Square Enix Publishes Final Fantasy Tactics: WotL to Google Play for $14

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 09:36:11 +0000

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, a hit game from Square Enix, is now available on Google Play for the price of $13.99. In this Final Fantasy game, players are greeted to a tactical, turn-based RPG, where you must build up your character in order to take on bigger baddies. Each level appears on a boardgame-like map, and various warriors with different skills fight to take control. Honestly, since I have zero experience with it, I would say it looks somewhat similar to old Pokemon games, given the turn-based "attack" or "reequip" commands. To get an idea of what you are in for, watch the super old trailer below. So far, all reviews are 5 stars, so it must be pretty epic. Play Link ($13.99)

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HTC Shows Off 24ct Gold One M9 to Celebrate Soccer Championship

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 08:29:06 +0000

For the past couple of years, HTC has made Gold variants of its flagship device, usually for some special occasion. Apparently, 2015 is no exception, as the company revealed on its Twitter account a new 24ct. Gold One M9, celebrating the UCL Final in Europe. That's soccer, just in case you did not know. According to HTC, the device will be super limited, but given its gold exterior, you can be sure that it will be priced out of most consumers' range anyway. And seriously, if I was paying a few thousand bones for a gold phone, I might expect a better camera. Throw your Goldmember memes down in the comments section below, then share your thoughts on whether you think it is good business for HTC to continue its gold phone-making ways.

Via: @HTC

Nest Hosting Press Gathering on June 17, Rumored to Launch First Product Since Google Acquisition

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:00:13 +0000

Invites are being sent out, inviting members of the media to join the Nest team on June 17 for a press conference. While the invite does not exactly hint at anything in particular, it is speculated that the company will announce their first product since being acquired by Google a little over a year ago. As of right now, Nest offers a smart smoke detector and thermostat, but the latest rumors suggest that Nest may be looking to break into the audio category. Whether it is with smart home speakers, or maybe even an Amazon Echo-like device powered by Google Now, we will be sure to let you know what happens on June 17. What would you like to see Nest announce?

Via: The Verge

Facebook Enhances Location Sharing Options Inside of Messenger

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 15:28:52 +0000

Facebook introduced changes it is making to Location Sharing within the Messenger app today, bringing a more customized experience for what exactly you are sharing. Before, when you wanted to share your location, you just shared a basic pin on a map with where you were. Now, you can set a meeting place, send a map with directions, and plenty more. Once the location button is selected, a user can decide what they would like to share. For example, if a friend asks where you are, you can give them a specific location or a general area. If you would like to set a meeting spot, you can search by address, gather a map of the location, and then share it as a separate message through Messenger. According to Facebook, nothing about the way the app tracks your location is changing, though. As stated specifically in the blog post, the app's location feature does not run in the background, and only when a user taps on the location button will it gather the necessary information. If trying out this new feature interests you, keep your eyes on Google Play for the update. Play Link

Via: Facebook

Android 5.1.1 Update "Not Quite There Yet" for Moto 360

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 14:50:53 +0000

According to a tweet sent out yesterday from Motorola's official Twitter account, in response to a question about the availability of the Android 5.1.1 update for the Moto 360, the company states that the update is "not quite there yet." To elaborate, it seems performance of the device has been somewhat impaired after receiving the update, leading Motorola to work closely with Google on getting the issue fixed up before it is sent to all device owners. The Android 5.1.1 update has begun rolling out to other devices, but as Motorola works out the kinks of the update, Moto 360 owners shall need to remain patient. At least Motorola opted for a bit of transparency regarding this update. Now we just need official word on Lollipop for the DROID Turbo.

@davidcstevens_ Performance is not quite there yet. We’re working with Google to ensure the software works great on #Moto360. Thanks.
— Motorola Mobility (@Motorola) June 3, 2015

Via: @Motorola

Father's Day Deals: $50 Off HTC RE Camera, 50% Off HTC Accessories When You Buy Three

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 13:49:30 +0000

If you happen to be in need of a Father's Day gift, HTC is hosting a Hot Deal on its RE Camera and select accessories. For a limited time, you can get a RE Camera for $50 off, bringing the total down to just $150. Not a bad deal for the little periscope shooter. For accessories, HTC is placing items at 50% off when you purchase three or more. For example, if you buy a Dot View case, Car Kit, and Rapid Charger, your total will only be $67, instead of over $120. Lastly, HTC is offering 50% off HTC Print Studio card packs. If you want to save memories forever, apply the code DAD at checkout, then save 50% on the order. If you don't have the Print Studio app already, you can download it here. If Dad happens to own an HTC device, or you have one and want to take advantage of the deals, follow the link below. HTC Hot Deals Link

Google Photos: Privacy Nightmare or Memory Bliss? [Opinion]

Ron — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 13:11:50 +0000

Google announced a lot of neat things at Google I/O last week, but the most news worthy item, in my opinion, has by far been Google Photos. The app/service is stunning for its ability to not only store all of your photos and videos for free, but also for creating animated GIFs, highlight videos, collages, and most importantly, letting you search through your images based on the content. It's an insanely great product, but all of those features have been decried by some of the media over privacy concerns. Sure, Google lets you search through all of your photos based on the location, people in them, objects in them, etc., but that just means Google will be selling advertisements based on your photos, right?

Google Photos does a lot of really great things. First, you can upload your entire library of photos and videos for absolutely free. Have 1 TB of photos? Free. 1 GB. Free. In a world where Apple charges users $2 per month for an additional 15 GB of iCloud storage, free is pretty amazing. Of course, free has its limits (16 megapixel images and 1080p video), but for the vast majority of users, Google Photos will more than get the job done for free. If you are a professional photographer or you just want to have full quality copies of your images on Google's servers, then you can upload at full quality using your Google Drive storage (which is super cheap at $2 per month for 100 GB and competitive at $10 per month for 1 TB).It's not just all the storage that's a big deal, though. The problem with pretty much every online photo service is that they let you get all of your stuff up there, but it's still up to you to organize and catalog it. Some people like that (I used to love adding metadata to my iTunes library), but with pictures and videos, you are dealing with a ton of data that isn't quick to categorize because it is not obvious how to do so. Should you organize photos by date, location, event, or just scroll until you find something? Google takes care of this for you by giving you the power of Google Search for your photos. You can search for the place you took a photo, person in it, a particular object, or the date, making the task of finding photos so much easier. Google also makes GIFs out of burst shots, which brings life to moments that otherwise made me want to try and pick the best shot and lose the rest to the ether. It's not all GIFs and rainbows, though. There are videos, too. Google Photos automatically makes compilation videos that you can edit with different music and clips. During the upload of my priceless memories, Google made a music video out of the videos I took Christmas morning two years ago. I sent it to my family, which illicited responses like "I just died. I watched it three times," and "I'm tearing up in public. This is too good." I think I removed one clip and adjusted the music. Google did the rest. I would have probably gone back to watch those videos again, but I wouldn't have put them together like that and I probably wouldn't have felt compelled to share them with my family, which means those moments, despite their documentation, would have been mostly lost to them. That's the key to realizing what Google is offering here. It isn't just free (or affordable) storage. It isn't just a pretty app. It isn't just the ability to quickly and easily categorize your photos. It's the ability to relive and share memories in a way that requires little to no effort on my part at tremendous reward. No one else is offering this. Not Apple, not Samsung, not Dropbox, not Microsoft, or any of the myriad of failed and purchased photo services. Google nailed what Photos is about. Go take pictures and we'll bring those moments back to life. Now, the big question - Are there privacy concerns associated with giving a search engine/advertising company all of your precious memories? There has been a ton of speculation and outcry about using Photos, especially from the Apple community. Recently, Tim Cook railed against Google Photos, saying, "I'm speaking to you from Silicon Valley, where some of the most prominent and successful companies have built their businesses by lulling their customers into complacency about their personal information. They're gobbling up everything they can learn about you and trying to monetize it. We think that's wrong. And it's not the kind of company that Apple wants to be. ... You might like these so-called free services, but we don't think they're worth having your email or your search history or now even your family photos data-mined and sold off for God knows what advertising purpose. And we think someday, customers will see this for what it is." Ignoring that Cook incorrectly alleges that Google is going to advertise against your photos, he has a good point, right? Google is just out there trying to trade our personal data for services instead of selling them to us for an honest dollar like Apple does. Except for one small detail: the kind of services Google is offering can't be purchased for money. No one is selling something like Google Now. You know why? It's not because Google has all the good engineers on their payroll. Apple can't sell you something like Google Now because Apple doesn't have access to your data and they never will. You need personal data to have something like Google Now, where a computer uses information it already has about you to guess what other information you might like to see without you asking for it. You would certainly never see anything like Now on Tap, because that would violate the users' privacy (maybe you could see a local version of Now on Tap that never leaves your device like fingerprints on iOS, but that may limit its use too severely). Let's take these privacy fears seriously for a moment, though. Google is not planning on using this information to sell advertisements, but let's suppose they did decide to sell advertisements against photographs using their free tier. What would the result be? Google would use that information about your photos to sell you targeted advertisements. You would then have advertisements based on a huge swath of information about you. Creepy? A little, but also potentially very useful. Google would know, for example, that every year you have a family trip to Georgia. Maybe shortly before that trip, Google shows you advertisements for ticket deals. Google would know that you have been taking pictures of different houses as you go house shopping and shows you advertisements for realty agencies, or furniture, or moving companies. Again, creepy? A little, but potentially helpful and certainly superior than seeing random advertisements that have nothing to do with anything you care about. There will always be products that are sold for money and others that are sold for your information. The question is, who do you trust? Are you willing to see more personalized advertisements in exchange for being able to just type vacation 2007 and seeing all those photographs instantly without any organizational work on your part? Right now you are not even seeing ads for that, but that's the "nightmare" future we are worried about. Google is not using this information to track you down and kill you; they are selling advertisements. Personally, I think there is value to seeing advertisements for things that I actually like. When I watch Broad City on Hulu, I see ads for the Lexus IS and some Mountain Dew energy drink. I feel like those are for slightly different demographics (although admittedly I love the grill on the IS and my wife and I dance whenever that song comes on from the Mountain Dew commercial, so maybe Hulu knows me better than I know myself). A good advertisement might get me to buy something, or at least consider it or make me feel nice things about a company (which is not a person no matter what our government says). Having better ads that are actually appropriate for me sounds like it might be a good thing, especially on top of these computing services that know me and can help me get things done faster and better than I ever could before. I hope Google doesn't ever sell advertisements against my photos. I'd rather those stay private forever, but I would definitely consider having those advertisements so that I can instantly find a picture and have compilation videos made for me to relive my favorite moments. That's worth a lot to me. Let us know in the comments if you are using Google Photos. If you are, what do you like about it? If not, is it because of privacy concerns or are you just happy with another product? If you're not backing up your photos, shame on you.

Doom 3: BFG Edition Now Available on Google Play, Includes DOOM and DOOM II

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 12:09:50 +0000

id Software's DOOM 3: BFG Edition is now available on Google Play for select devices. By select devices, I mean the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV box or the SHIELD Tablet. Inside, you can 'relive the nightmare' that is DOOM 3, as you take on Hell beasts during your stay on the planet Mars. The BFG Edition also contains access to the ultimate FPS classics, DOOM and DOOM II. These are the original games, made to perform flawlessly on Android devices with a game controller. Having played almost entirely through DOOM II the past few days and a bit of DOOM 3 on my SHIELD Android TV, I can tell you that these games play phenomenally, with zero hiccups in performance. Experiencing DOOM on an HDTV is almost a dream come true, especially if you remember playing these titles on old PC computers back in the day. We've come a long way. DOOM 3: BFG Edition is priced at $9.99, featuring zero IAPs. But again, please note, you will need a SHIELD Android TV box or SHIELD Tablet with a SHIELD Controller to download and play. We are currently waiting on word to see if this title will be made available to additional devices in the future. Play Link ($9.99)

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Todoist Announces Integrations for Evernote, Google Calendar and Github

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 11:46:02 +0000

Todoist, the highly popular task list and to-do app, announced new integrations with Google Calendar, Evernote, and Github this morning, bringing more functionality to users of the service. Thanks to instant synchronization, your tasks can be placed directly on Google Calendar, meaning it may be more likely you will take care of them with intelligent reminders. For example, once synced with Google Calendar, your agenda will pop up in Google Now, making sure you don't miss anything. With Evernote, you can turn your notes into tasks, and once you have completed the task on either platform, Todoist and Evernote will mark it as done. To learn more about these new integrations, check out Todoist's blog.

Via: Todoist

Star Wars: Uprising to Launch This Fall, Set Between 'Return of the Jedi' and 'The Force Awakens'

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 10:19:47 +0000

Game publisher Kabam has teamed up with Disney and Lucasfilm to create Star Wars: Uprising, a game set between the events that take place in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Following the Battle of Endor and the death of the Emperor, players of this RPG will create unique characters, learn countless abilities, and collect Star Wars gear to rank up and build the ultimate warrior in the galaxy. Fans who want a bit of Uprising action now can head over to the official site to pre-register. According to info there, a beta for the game will be released in a couple of weeks. More Star Wars, please.

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Hitman: Sniper Now Available on Google Play for $4.99

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:20:35 +0000

An epic new game from Square Enix is available on Google Play, Hitman: Sniper. Priced at $4.99, you assume the role of Agent 47, sitting overlord on a hillside, picking off high-profile targets with a sniper rifle one at a time. As you play, your shooting skills will be tested, since your shot will need to compensate for movements of the target. But, if you get good, you will soon collect blueprints for more powerful rifles, hopefully making the game a bit easier to master. In total, there are 13 rifles to build. According to the game's description, your contracts will evolve, making the same level different in a number of ways. You will need to complete stealth kills, creative kills, and much more to earn style points. The game costs $5 up front, and does feature IAPs inside for boosting weapons more quickly. Play Link ($4.99)

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Deal: Purchase a Moto X (2nd Gen) on AT&T or Verizon at Best Buy for $299 Off-Contract

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 08:43:39 +0000

For a limited time, 3 days to be exact, Best Buy is hosting a Gifts for Grads sale through its website. During this promotion period, customers can grab a brand new Moto X (2nd Gen) 16GB off-contract for just $299 on either AT&T or Verizon. For folks who would buy this device directly from the carrier, that's about $150 in savings. Sadly, only the Black Resin model is available, so there is no leather or additional colors for a lowered price. And even though the Moto X (2nd Gen) is aging, it seems to be aging somewhat gracefully, running Lollipop and should even see Android M at some point in its life. It's not a bad phone for $299. Check it out. Best Buy Links: Moto X (Verizon) | Moto X (AT&T)

Via: Best Buy Grad Sale

HTC Announces the One ME for China, 5.2" QHD Display and MediaTek X10 Processor

Tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 08:01:25 +0000

HTC announced yet another smartphone for China late last evening, this time being the One ME. Very similar looking to the One M9+, this device also features an oddly-placed fingerprint scanner, in addition to very similar specs. The One ME comes with a 5.2" WQHD display, MediaTek helio X10 octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of onboard storage, front-facing UltraPixel camera, 20MP rear-facing camera, 2,840mAh battery, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1, microSD slot for up to 2TB of storage, and runs the Sense skin on top of an unspecified version of Android. When looking at the specs of the One ME and One M9+, the only real difference is that the One ME features no Duo Camera. It has a more standard look, featuring just a single back shooter. At this time, the One ME is bound for Chinese markets, with no apparent plans for the US. But hey, things could change.

Via: HTC

If You Own an Android TV Box and Game Controller, Pick Up Hotline Miami Right Now

Tim — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:06:30 +0000

Launching alongside SHIELD, NVIDIA's Android TV set-top box, Hotline Miami is currently my favorite game for the Android TV platform. To play the game, a controller is needed as you assume the role of an antihero who battles Miami's underworld of crime lords in the late 80s. As you will quickly find out, your thinking cap will come in handy, as you must plot out the best way to clear buildings full of baddies, and needless to say, this game isn't rated "Mature 17+" for nothing. Players can choose whether to go in guns blazing, as there is a very large arsenal for you to choose from. You can pick up shotguns, machine guns, machetes, and even beer bottles to hurl at your enemies. Although, I choose the more stealthy approach, waiting for thugs to walk past me, then blindsiding them with a baseball bat to the face. It helps keep the dogs and other enemies from being aware of your presence. The game probably won't win any awards for insane graphics, but that is part of the charm. It reminds me a lot of the old, top down scrollers, such as the first Grand Theft Auto game. If anyone here was a fan of the movie Drive, then the soundtrack featured in Miami Hotline will make you very happy, as it really helps set the mood while you are murdering and getting blood all over your clothes. Do note, this appears to be an official port of the PC game, but thanks to its developers, the controls through a dedicated controller are amazing. And if you have a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, you can find it on Amazon as well, instead of Google Play. Priced at $4.99 with zero IAPs, this game has my official seal of approval. Play Link ($4.99)

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Android M Feature: Quickly Uninstall Apps From Home Screens

Kellen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 15:26:55 +0000

This may seem like an incredibly minor change for Android M, one that probably doesn't really deserve a write-up, but dammit, I appreciate the hell out of it. For far too long have I found myself annoyed at having to go find an app in the app drawer to then uninstall it through a long press-and-drag to the top of the screen, rather than use the shortcut to it that is already on a home screen. Others who uninstall apps often know exactly what I'm talking about. Well, you can now quickly uninstall apps in Android M by using their shortcuts on home screens. Boom.

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

Deal: MMOVE Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds for $32, Down From $150

Tim — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:15:32 +0000

Thanks to a deal taking place through the DL Deals Store, you can grab a pair of MMove Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds, priced at just $32, down from their regular price of $150. That's 78% off. These earbuds feature sweatproofing, leading them to be the perfect, yet affordable gym buds. In addition, an on-screen indicator helps you keep track of battery life, but they should last roughly 6 hours per charge. Two devices can be connected simultaneously, allowing the user to have an MP3 player and smartphone going at the same time, but we doubt anyone here owns a dedicated MP3 player anymore. At least, we hope not. If these buds interest you, follow that link below. Features

Wear them while you workout thanks to the sweatproof, durable design
Keep track of the battery status w/ the on-screen indicator
Get maximum comfort w/ a choice of sizes & types of hooks
Enjoy clear, isolated sound w/ CVC® 6.0 Noise Reduction
Listen for up to 6 hours without recharging
Control volume & song choice, take or reject calls & more w/ on-ear controls
Connect 2 devices simultaneously, like your MP3 player for music & phone to take calls!

Deal Link

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Samsung Pay Launch Pushed to September, Likely to Debut With the Note 5

Kellen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:01:34 +0000

When Samsung made Samsung Pay official on the day they announced the Galaxy S6, they told us that the payment service would arrive at some point this summer, maybe as early as July. Shortly after that announcement, rumors surfaced suggesting that we should actually set our sights on September as the launch month, which depending on the day, still would technically be "summer." A new report this afternoon out of Bloomberg suggests that Samsung Pay has actually been delayed until September to launch alongside the company's next flagship phone, the Galaxy Note 5. According to Bloomberg, Samsung EVP Rhee In Jong said during an investor call today that Samsung Pay would debut in conjunction with the company's next high-end mobile device. He didn't specifically call it the next Galaxy Note, but September (around the IFA conference) has been the launch month of the Note series for years now. While the push to September is disappointing, I'm just worried now that if Samsung Pay is going to arrive alongside the Note 5, does that mean Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge owners are going to have to wait even longer?

Via: Bloomberg

Comet Smartphone Scam is Fooling People Out of $200,000+

Kellen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:53:14 +0000

You shouldn't back the Comet Smartphone because it's a scam.

A phone with fins. Think about it. Oonce oonce oonce oonce. Keep thinking about it. "Yo, I'm knock-off Alien from Spring Breakers, and this phone floats!" Oonce oonce oonce oonce. Technology. Oonce oonce oonce oonce. (Insert model to distract you as she talks about dual camera mode, a feature that is at least two years old.) Oonce oonce oonce oonce. Wub wub wub. "Hey guys, I'm the CEO, and this phone, which will never ever launch (at least not in its presented form or after four or five years worth of excuses as to why it hasn't), is the future. It's called Comet Smartphone." That's more or less the way the promo video for this hilarious new Kickstarter product goes down, a promo video that you will promise me you are about to watch. Seriously, promise now. Prepare to have your mind dubstepped into numbness and dumbness. This, folks, is the Comet smartphone, and it is the latest Kickstarter project that is more than likely 100% fake. I'm actually surprised that it didn't start on Indiegogo, since you can basically rip people off unapologetically there without a need to even see full funding. (And if it's real, with that imaginary $100K budget and team of engineers, good for phones with fins and Alien and Miami and oonce!) Enjoy. UPDATE: To read up on the latest in this scam, check out this post on why you should never back a crowdfunded phone. The basics are this - this is a scam that we told you about from day 1. Since, the company has stopped providing updates on the status of the phone, lied about changes in specs and shipping and release schedules, and according to comments on the Indiegogo page (yes, they eventually switched to Indiegogo to rip people off) are taking their sweet time providing refunds. Stay far from the Comet smartphone scam.

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Via: Kickstarter

Slack App Updated to Version 2.0, Includes Updated UI and Enhanced Notifications

Tim — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:12:38 +0000

Slack, the communications app built specifically for large teams working towards a common goal, just received a big ol' update to version 2.0. Inside, the left and right drawers have been removed, being replaced by a more simplistic tabbed navigation UI. From these tabs, you can quickly access your channels, DM's, starred items, and mentions from within a conversation. Users will also see a "Jump to..." search bar, providing a point of access to whatever you are looking for inside of the app. A new UI for switching between teams has been added, as well as a refined notifications experience. If you, your company, team, or anybody you know rocks Slack, get on it. What's New

The left and right drawers have been dropped in favor a simpler tabbed navigation. Tabs provide quick access to all your channels, direct messages, starred items, and mentions.
Know exactly where you want to go? Quickly “Jump to…” any channel, group, or direct message.
Constantly switching between teams? Simply select your team from the top dropdown and off you go.
A much refined notification experience, with notifications grouped by team.
A shiny new button floats attractively in the bottom right corner of the channels list for quickly locating or creating channels, DMs or groups.
Search functionality has been greatly improved with the ability to open search results in a new “archive viewer” so you can see the full context of a message result.

Play Link

Via: Slack

Samsung Galaxy S6 Android 5.1.1 Update Previewed in Video

Tim — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:04:10 +0000

Thanks to the folks at SamMobile, owners of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge can get a look at what to expect once Android 5.1.1 hits their device. As detailed in the video below, Samsung brings a few tweaks to users, including a new manual exposure setting inside of the camera app, a feature which was not there before. Unfortunately, it does not appear RAW support is in the build featured in this video. For International GS6 owners, Samsung added in an A-Z app sorter, a feature that US owners do have. In addition, users can enable and disable the Parallax-like effect when selecting wallpapers for the home screen. Currently, there is no timeframe for US models of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge to receive the Android 5.1.1 update. Take a look at the video below, then let us know what you would like to see Samsung bring to the next build.

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Via: SamMobile

T-Mobile Pushing Lollipop Update to Sony Xperia Z3

Tim — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:03:57 +0000

T-Mobile is shipping out its Android 5.0 update to the Sony-made Xperia Z3, bringing Lollipop, Band 12 support, VoLTE improvements, and device stability. Once booted up, users will experience Material Design, lock screen notifications, and so much more. To be exact, Xperia Z3 owners will see Android 5.0.2, build number 23.1.C.0.385. The Band 12 support allows users to take advantage of a stronger LTE signal in select areas where it is available. Xperia Z3 owners on T-Mobile, go grab it.

Via: T-Mobile

Motorola's TurboPower 15 Car Charger is Quick Charge 2.0-Ready

Kellen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:29:49 +0000

This morning, Motorola announced a new Quick Charge 2.0 product to their line-up that helps you turbo charge on the go in your car, the TurboPower 15 Car Charger. Like their Turbo Charger, you can technically receive up to 8 hours of battery juice in just 15 minutes time with the TurboPower 15 Car Charger. Within the last year, Motorola became one of the first phone manufacturers to dive head first into the Quick Charge 2.0 game through their Turbo Charger. All of their flagship phones from last year support quick charging, including the Moto X (2nd gen), Nexus 6, and Lollipop-less DROID Turbo. We've talked about how big of a deal quick charging is enough times that I'm sure you don't need me to go through it again, right? This little car adapter runs $29.99 and is available today and should work with Quick Charge 2.0-ready devices, not just Motorola's line-up. Motorola Link (Keep in mind that Amazon has very similar products for as little as $10.)

Huawei Hosting Anniversary Deal: $50 Off Orders, Free $100 Speaker and Case, and More

Kellen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:09:57 +0000

Shortly after Huawei announced the new P8 Lite and we unboxed it, the Chinese smartphone maker posted an anniversary deal that lasts for the next 72 hours and is 100% worth looking at. The deal lands you $50 off your entire order just for ordered one of their phones (P8 Lite, Ascend Mate2, or Snapto), a free $100 Bluetooth speaker, $50 free airtime card with Net10 Wireless, and a free case, should you choose the new P8 Lite. According to Huawei, you are looking at a total savings of over $200. Again, the deal is only live for 72 hours, so get to it. Huawei Deal Link

Samsung Posts Complete Galaxy S6 Active Specs and Manuals, Still No Announcement From AT&T

Tim — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:08:46 +0000

Without any official announcement from AT&T or Samsung yet, the Galaxy S6 Active is now up on Samsung's site, just waiting for people to acknowledge it. Last night, more photos of the device hit the web, but thanks to Samsung's website, we now have full specifications and user manuals for the phone that details everything we may want to know. For specs, the GS6 Active features a 5.1" Super AMOLED QHD display (same as on the Galaxy S6), an Exynos octa-core processor, 32GB of onboard memory, no expandable storage, a non-removable 2,550mAh battery, 16MP rear-facing camera (with special underwater shooting mode), and Android 5.0+ out of the box. If you are feeling a bit active on a weekend, the device also has an Activity Zone app, capable of relaying Barometer, Weather, Compass, and S Health information, conveniently accessible via a dedicated button in the top left hand corner of the device. This Active button is also customizable in what it can perform. And yes, the phone is waterproof. According to the manual, the S6 Active is water-resistant and dustproof at an IP68 rating, relating to 1.5 meters of submersion for 30 minutes. Again, without any word from Samsung or AT&T, we have no idea when to expect the device, or for how much. As soon as it is made official, we will let you know. Thinking about getting an Active?

Via: Samsung

Video: Huawei P8 Lite Unboxing and First Impressions

Kellen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 08:15:19 +0000

As you now know, Huawei's announcement for today was for the Huawei P8 Lite, their new affordable unlocked phone for the US. The phone starts at just $249 yet includes mostly solid specs (HD display, 13MP camera, octa-core Qualcomm processor, etc.). It also comes in a couple of colors and should work perfectly on AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE networks. The total package here is quite nice for the price, but Huawei had better be ready to compete with companies like ASUS, who are also dealing unlocked phones with solid specs at low prices. We have had a chance to kick it with the P8 Lite a couple of times now, including the unboxing you will see below. My takeaway at this point is this. You get a phone that feels great in hand, thanks to its smallish 5-inch display and premium-like design. It performs well, is capable of taking good pictures, and really is a great package at that price. The problem here is the fact that the phone runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat out of the box. Seriously, it's June 3 and a phone is launching without Lollipop (ignore the faux-Lollipop navigation buttons, they are a trick). We don't know if or when this phone will be upgraded, so should you buy it, well, you might be stuck with the old for longer than you might want. That's a serious item to take into consideration. Below, you will find our unboxing and initial set of impressions. You can buy the Huawei P8 Lite at Amazon today.

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Huawei Announces the P8 Lite, a $249 Unlocked Phone for the US

Kellen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 07:02:50 +0000

Huawei announced a new phone today for the US, the unlocked and inexpensive Huawei P8 Lite. As the name suggests, this is a slightly trimmed down version of their flagship P8, at least in terms of appearance. The Huawei P8 Lite is available starting today from retailers like Amazon, B&H Photo, GetHuawei.com, and Target.com for the price of $249. This is an unlocked phone, so we are talking $249 without a contract - you pay for it and it is yours. Huawei is doing a couple of innovative things around service with the P8 Lite, including a 2-year warranty with the phone and an option to finance it, even though it does run just $249. So why buy the P8 Lite? Well, it carries pretty decent specs for a phone with that low of a price. You have a 5-inch HD (720p) display, 2GB RAM, 1.5GHz Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2200mAh battery, LTE connectivity on AT&T and T-Mobile, 16GB storage with micro SD support up to 32GB, and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Yes, it runs KitKat, unfortunately. And I actually have no idea if or when this little guy will see Lollipop.

We have an unboxing and first impressions video on the way, so stay tuned for that. As I mentioned, the phone is already available from Amazon here. (Other links: B&H Photo | GetHuawei.com)

Huawei Brings Great Design within Reach with New Unlocked P8 lite Smartphone

New unlocked purchase benefits make P8 lite and other Huawei unlocked devices even more attractive
PLANO, Texas [June 3, 2015]: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology solutions provider, today launched the Huawei P8 lite in the U.S., making it possible for U.S. consumers to have premium design and features at an accessible price. Available for just $249.99 USD, the P8 lite will be available as an unlocked device, giving consumers the option to take their phone to the network* of their choice. "With a perfect balance of style, functionality and value, the P8 lite gives consumers a premium yet easily accessible device and experience,” said Mr. Zhiqiang Xu, President of Huawei Device USA. “We are expanding our smartphone, wearable and tablet portfolio to meet U.S. consumers’ needs and are committed to delivering the right devices at the right prices with a tremendous consumer experience.” Accessible Design With design and craftsmanship inspired by the company’s premium global flagship devices, Huawei P8 lite’s ultra-slim 7.7mm profile and thin bezels make it perfectly compact and well balanced in the hand. Demonstrating sophisticated design and quality craftsmanship, the metallic appearance of the phone’s back panel is achieved through a layered design of contrasting hues and a hand-crafted satin coating that feels smooth to touch, but glimmers in direct light. Accessible Technology The P8 lite isn’t just beautiful— it’s also elegantly functional. The 5-inch HD Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 display is designed for visual clarity and utmost durability. The 13 megapixel rear camera has built-in low light and autofocus capabilities which, along with the multi-frame noise reduction algorithm, ensure photos are clearer and brighter. In addition to the solid camera performance and streamlined design, the Huawei P8 offers:

5.0-inch 720p HD screen

Powerful Octa-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 615 processor

Ultra-fast 4G LTE connectivity with support for all US GSM LTE bands

Intuitive and easy-to-use Emotion UI 3.0 interface

2200mAh battery with ultra-power saving mode

Unique photo capture options including:

All Focus: Change the focal point of saved images

Ultra Snapshot: access the camera instantly, even from sleep mode

5 megapixel front-facing camera

Dual-SIM/SIM+Expandable MicroSD up to 32GB

Transforming the Unlocked Experience With the launch of the P8 lite, Huawei is transforming consumers’ unlocked purchase experience. While more than 42 percent1 of consumers use or intend to purchase an unlocked device, there are still significant barriers that give consumers pause or reason to lack confidence. Among the leading roadblocks to purchasing an unlocked device are concerns about after-sales service, phone price and sales channels2. Huawei is addressing all of these concerns by introducing new benefits throughout the unlocked device purchase process. Huawei is introducing a new two-year warranty on unlocked smartphones launched this year, including the SnapTo, introduced in April, and the all new P8 lite. Consumers need only register at GetHuawei.com to receive the warranty’s benefits for an extended term. The two-year warranty joins Huawei’s already strong commitment to post-purchase support, with local customer service, localized repair and a variety of contact channels for consumers. Though the unlocked purchase model provides more freedom and choice, there is still an upfront cost for the device. Huawei is removing device sticker shock and giving consumers more flexible payment options by partnering with financial services leader Affirm. Now, consumers who purchase devices on www.GetHuawei.com have the option to select fixed installment plans of three, six and 12-months at the point of sale for device purchases of $99 or more. And once a purchase is made, consumers can have the confidence that it will arrive as promised and with easily accessible customer support thanks to Huawei’s partnership with trusted fulfillment provider Amazon. “With the introduction of new unlocked benefits and with close collaboration from our valued partners, Huawei is taking the next step forward to make buying a quality unlocked device worry-free for consumers,” said Xu. “At Huawei, we are committed to not only delivering great devices at the right price, but also the services and support that let consumers purchase our products with confidence.” Availability P8 lite is available beginning today, June 3, through Huawei’s ecommerce site, GetHuawei.com, Amazon.com, B&H in-store and online, Fry’s Electronics in-store and online, Target.com and various dealer networks. P8 lite will also be coming soon to BestBuy.com and select Best Buy stores. In celebration of GetHuawei.com’s one-year anniversary, consumers who are registered or register on the website between June 3 and June 6 will receive promotional incentives good for discounts on select products, including the newly launched P8 lite, Mate2 and SnapTo. For more information about the P8 lite, visit .

Deal: Nexus 6 Drops to $499 at Best Buy and Amazon Too

Kellen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 06:03:47 +0000

Yesterday, Google surprisingly dropped the price of their flagship Nexus 6 by $150 on the Google Store. We assumed that the deal was a temporary, short-team thing that was exclusive to the Google Store. While the price slashing may be temporary, the deal is not exclusive to Google and has already been matched at other places you should be quite familiar with - Amazon and Best Buy. If buying the Nexus 6 from the Google Store didn't seem all that appealing or you have Amazon or Best Buy gift cards to blow through, now is your chance. The Nexus 6 can be had for as little as $499 (32GB) at either spot. The 64GB model has also been discounted by $150 as well, dropping it to $549. Free shipping is included at all three places, but Amazon does have Prime shipping for those who are members. Amazon Link | Best Buy Link

Cheers Robert!

Deal: Nexus Player is Just $59 at Amazon ($40 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 19:10:01 +0000

Google's Nexus Player, the first Android TV device, is currently just $58.96 through Amazon. The device is sold and shipped from Amazon, and also includes Prime shipping for those who are members. The Nexus Player normally retails for $99, so yeah, you are looking at a solid $30+ discount. If interested you may want to hurry, there is no telling how long the deal will last or if Amazon has many in stock. Also, if you want a Gamepad bundled with the Player, you are looking at $97.96. Amazon Link

Cheers Luis!

And Here is the Non-Camo Version of AT&T's Galaxy S6 Active

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 16:23:49 +0000

After showing us supposed photos of the yet-to-be-announced Samsung Galaxy S6 Active on its way to AT&T, @evleaks has returned this afternoon with a fresh photo of the device. This time the camouflage is gone in favor of a much more traditional back which Evan refers to as being a bit more "tasteful." I don't know that there is anything tasteful about a rugged phone, designed to withstand the elements through blocky protective gear, but it is at least a little less obnoxious. The Galaxy S6 Active feels like it should have been announced weeks and weeks ago, yet still isn't official as of June 2. I do know that AT&T has teamed up with Spartan Race to launch a new "exclusive" Samsung Galaxy device at events in Breckenridge on June 13, Dallas on June 20, and Palmerton on July 11 and 12. If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the phone being announced within the next 11 days. Interested in this year's Galaxy S6 Active? If it's at all like the last two Galaxy Active devices, it should be every bit as good as the regular Galaxy S6, only as a rugged beast.

Via: @evleaks

T-Mobile Extends #NeverSettle Trial for Verizon Customers to June 26

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 16:00:44 +0000

T-Mobile's #NeverSettle campaign, aimed directly at taking customers away from Verizon, is being extended to June 26. As recently tweeted by T-Mobile's fearless leader John Legere, "...customers want better. They want T-Mobile!" The Never Settle trial is pretty straightforward. If you are a Verizon customer, head on into T-Mobile or their website, select a plan, port your number, and give the carrier a spin for 14 days. If you don't like it, port your number back to Verizon, reactivate your account, and turn in the device you chose on T-Mobile. If you do end up liking it, T-Mobile will pay your early termination fees or any unpaid phone balances with a prepaid Visa card. They have a limit on how much they will pay, though, which is $650. At that time, you will also trade-in your old Verizon phone. Any Verizon customers try this campaign out? On that same note, please, let's not get carried way in the comments about how Verizon is this and T-Mobile is that. We already know, folks. Stay classy.

Via: @JohnLegere | T-Mobile

Android M Feature: "Peeking" is the New Name for Heads-Up Notifications

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:21:47 +0000

A good word to describe Android M would be "control." Android M may not give users the big, sweeping UI changes and feature introductions of Lollipop, yet instead focuses on giving users more control over their phones. From controlling app permissions to the way settings and quick toggles show, the Android team is really letting your Android phone be customized to your liking. Another area that they are giving you additional control over can be found in the "Apps notifications" area in Sound & Notifications. Here, we'll find a new option in addition to blocking and priority toggles that were first introduced in Lollipop. It's listed as "Allow peeking," with peeking as the new name for Lollipop's heads-up notifications. That's right, the new name for heads-up is "peeking." With peeking control, you are able to turn off the notifications that pop down from the top of the screen over the top of your current screen (as seen in the GIF above). Previously, if a developer built in heads-up or peeking notifications, you were at their mercy and had to deal with them if enabled. Now, the control is in your hands. Ahhh control.

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

Developer Finds Way to Enable WiFi on G Watch R

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:15:04 +0000

It was reported late last month that G Watch R owners would eventually receive WiFi support via an update later this year in Q3. Thanks to a bit of hackery and wizardry, a third party developer on XDA has successfully flashed necessary files over from LG's Watch Urbane to get WiFi up and running on the G Watch R. According to the developer, everything appears to be working well, with minor hiccups performing voice commands. In order to get WiFi running on your own G Watch R, you need only follow a few somewhat simple steps. Although, do note you will need a custom recovery and the required zip files to get this working properly. If you already have a custom recovery installed, you need to make a backup of your current system, install a custom kernel, reboot back into recovery, flash a provided zip file, and then reboot the device. Yup, it's that easy. Much like all of those custom ROM files we would post back in the day, please refrain from attempting any of these procedures unless you are comfortable with flashing custom recoveries and zip files. Follow the below link to get started.

Via: XDA

Motorola Atrix HD Owners Won't See Kit Kat Update, Offered $100 Discount on Moto X as Apology

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:09:09 +0000

Sad day for Atrix HD owners on AT&T, as Motorola confirmed today that the company shall not be delivering a Kit Kat update to the device, instead, leaving it to fade into the history books on Jelly Bean. The last timeframe publicly made by Motorola for the update to roll out was for Q3 of 2014, and as you may have noticed recently, it's now June of 2015. But hey, it's not all bad news. Motorola has issued an official apology on Google+, and to help all of you Atrix HD owners pick up a device running a newer version of Android, the company is offering a discount on a brand new Moto X Pure Edition. A Moto X Pure Edition starts at $499 on Motorola's website, and if you are eligible, you can get one for just $399. If you don't want a Moto X, Motorola is also offering a Motorola Whisper for $49.99, usually priced at $149.99. So, are you eligible? Here is Motorola's criteria for determining eligibility.

Any consumer who purchased an Atrix HD for use on the AT&T carrier network (excluding developer editions) is eligible to receive the coupon code. The consumer must provide a first and last name, a valid email address, last four digits of Atrix HD IMEI, and EITHER of the following: last four digits of Atrix HD phone number OR the Atrix HD 10-digit serial number.

Do we have any ticked off Atrix HD owners here? If so, shall you be taking Motorola up on their offer of a discounted Moto X, or shunning them altogether and going a different route?

Via: +David Schuster | Motorola

Sprint Prepaid Adds "Rolling" Data for All Plans, Data Never Expires

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:53:59 +0000

Sprint announced this morning that all of its prepaid plans will now included "Rolling" or "Monthly Rolling Data," which is just like AT&T's Rollover Data and T-Mobile's Data Stash. Well, at least in its basic form. With Monthly Rolling Data, customers get to rollover any unused data that they paid for, making it available the following month. Where Sprint differs is in the length of time you get to keep your rollover data. AT&T gives you a month (30 days) and T-Mobile gives you a year, but Sprint says you get to keep unused data forever or until you use it. Sprint is also letting you max out at up to 30GB of rolling data. Sprint's Prepaid Rolling Dat (how many names do we have here?) are only available at Best Buy. There are three options that included unlimited talk and text, along with varying amounts of data depending on price. At $35 you get 1GB of data, and at $45 and $55 you get 3GB and 6GB of data, respectively. For more info, head over to Best Buy's site.

Via: Sprint

Giveaway: Win 1 of 2 Nexus 6 32GB, You Pick the Color (Update: Winners Chosen)

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:49:21 +0000

With Google putting the Nexus 6 on sale through the Google Store, let's celebrate by giving away two Nexus 6 32GB phones! If you win, you choose the color. The Nexus 6 is still a great option for those who love unlocked, powerful devices. If you own a Nexus 6, you can even flash the latest Android M developer preview build, allowing you to experience the latest and greatest Android features before anyone else. Let's do this.

Contest

Update: We have our winners! Congrats to Matt W and Eric Y! Prizes: Two (2) Nexus 6 32GB smartphones. Winners will choose which color they receive, Blue or White. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: Our two (2) winners will be chosen randomly on Thursday, June 4, at 10am Pacific.

Giveaway: Win 1 of 4 IKEA Wireless Chargers from Droid Life!

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:28:38 +0000

Just before Google I/O, we told you that IKEA had begun selling their series of wireless charging pads, lamps, and other accessories in the US. We also told you that we may or may not have a few to giveaway, which as you can tell from this post, is about to happen. After a quick trip out to the Portland IKEA, we came back with three extra single-spot charging plates (Nordmarke), along with a bigger three-spot charging plate. All will work just fine with your wireless charging-capable device, like a Galaxy S6, Nexus 6, or Nexus 5. They should look quite snazzy in your home as well, since IKEA built these to blend in with furniture, not look like a piece of cheap technology, which I would argue is the approach most wireless charger makers take. We have four in total to giveaway. All you need to do is follow the steps in our Rafflecopter widget below. As always, you can do one or all of the modes of entry - the more you do, the more chances you have to win. Ready?

Giveaway

Prizes: Four (4) IKEA wireless chargers to four (4) winners. Three (3) winners will get the single-spot Nordmarke charger, one (1) will get the three-spot Nordmarke charger. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: Our four (4) winners will be chosen tomorrow, June 2, at 1PM Pacific.

Deal: Striiv Fusion Activity & Sleep Tracker for $60, Down From $100

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:24:14 +0000

Your time to grab a Striiv Fusion activity and sleep tracker wearable device for just $60 on the DL Deals Store is running out. With Striiv Fusion, users can tracks their steps taken and calories burned, plus wake up with a soft vibrating alarm built directly into the device. In addition to those features, the Striiv Fusion also tracks your sleep quality and duration, giving users insight into their sleeping routine. Of course, the Fusion also offers notifications for text messages, emails, incoming calls, weather notifications, and more when paired with your smartphone. The Striiv Fusion comes with three different color bands - Black, Red, and White. That way it can go with whatever outfit you are rocking. If you are interested, hit that link below. Features

Track steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled & active minutes
Track sleep quality & duration
Wake up to its vibrating alarm
Receive text messages, emails, incoming calls, weather notifications & more
Wear it anywhere; made of ion-hardened glass for protection and durability
Includes 3 band colors for a touch of style

Deal Link

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SoundHound Announces "Hound" Personal Assistant App

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:44:28 +0000

Looking for a personal assistant app on Android outside of the combination of Google Now and Google Voice Search? SoundHound introduced an app today called Hound that wants to be just that. It's currently an invite-only service, but if their promo video is to be believed, this might be a solid option, especially if it can really keep up with natural language the way it claims to. Hound, as you will see in the video below, does the standard assistant stuff like tell you the weather when asked, place phone calls, send text messages, find directions, and check the stocks from your favorite companies. It can even tell you a song that's playing in the background or let you launch interactive games, like Blackjack. But where Hound could stand out, is in its ability to understand you when speaking naturally. By understanding the way you would normally talk or with criteria you would typically include when searching for something, Hound could accomplish complex tasks. SoundHound uses an example of a person asking where the Golden Gate Bridge is located, then following that question up with another to "Show me a pet friendly hotel near there with 3 or more stars under $200 excluding bed and breakfast." Hound is supposed to be able to understand both context and details, so you could potentially run off a series of related questions and get back answers. Hound is again, invite-only at the moment. To request an invite, either install the Android app or head over to the Hound website. Play Link | Hound Website

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Report: Samsung to Launch 'Galaxy S6 Plus' in Coming Weeks, a 5.5" Galaxy S6 Edge

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:42:59 +0000

According to SamMobile, Samsung is gearing up to launch a Galaxy S6 Plus device, simply being a larger Galaxy S6 Edge with a 5.4" or 5.5" display instead of the original 5.1" display. In addition to a larger QHD Super AMOLED panel, the device is also reported to feature a Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor; not the Exynos processor found in all models of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. As for other specs, the S6 Plus is said to feature 32GB of onboard storage, and the same 16MP rear-facing camera as found in the S6 Edge. Right now, availability or pricing is unknown for the device. To go along with this news, SamMobile reports that the Galaxy Note 5 is on track to be announced during this year's IFA. The Note 5 is reported to feature either a 2K or even 4K display, coupled with an S-Pen and Exynos 7422 octa-core processor. Would you be interested in a larger Galaxy S6 Edge with a 5.5" display? Or maybe you are more interested in the Galaxy Note 5?

Via: SamMobile

Act Fast: Nexus 6 in 32GB and 64GB on Sale for $150 Off in Google Store

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 10:35:27 +0000

The Nexus 6 is now currently on sale for $150 off its MSRP through the Google Store, bringing the price of the 32GB to just $499, and the 64GB to $549. In addition, the Smartwatch 3 price has dropped by $50, totaling the device at $199. Have at it! Google Store Link

BlackBerry's BBM for Android Beta Gets Material Design Makeover

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 10:29:29 +0000

Ah, Material Design. It's glorious. The latest high-profile app to receive a Material Design makeover is BlackBerry's own BBM beta app for Android, bringing a UI more consistent for users running Lollipop on their device. Inside, beyond just the updated UI, the BBM team has worked in Private Chats for messaging friends a bit more privately, the ability to edit messages, and a Publish to Feed feature for quicker sharing of status updates. To gain access to this beta, you can sign up right here. Although, it appears to be full at the moment. But don't worry, there's a waiting list you can add your name to. Anyone here actually using BBM? You know, for your CIA missions or anything?

Via: BlackBerry

Deal: Spigen's Nexus 6 Slim Armor is $4.99 ($25 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 10:11:59 +0000

Here is your deal of the day, assuming you own a Nexus 6. Spigen has (for whatever reason) slashed the price of their Nexus 6 Slim Armor case to just $4.99. The case normally runs $29.99, so you are looking at a $25 discount on a case that is both slim and protective. The Slim Armor is made of two parts, a rubberized TPU that is encased by a hard, form-fitting polycarbonate. It also has a kickstand in case you aren't a fan of holding a whale while consuming media. If you want to see how Spigen's Nexus 6 cases look when on device, be sure to check out this video of ours. You will have to pay for shipping, but I'm seeing shipping options as low as $3. So for $8, you could have a sweet deal on a case for your Nexus 6. Spigen Link (Blue, $4.99)

Cheers Marco!

Google Maps Adds Real-Time Transit Info to 4 New Metros, Route Option Summaries

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:48:41 +0000

Google announced today that Google Maps and its real-time transit info is now available in four new metro areas, but also that "relevant journeys are handily arranged and summarized in the app." Google doesn't want you to miss your ride as you guzzle that "last sip of coffee," but should you, these new summaries will help you always find another option. To see what the new summaries will look like, take a look at the images above. As for real-time transit info, Google unfortunately, did not specify which new metro areas would start to see it. They did mention that they are also working with 25+ new partners to make real-time transit info a possibility in the UK, Netherlands, Budapest, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle, though. For those new to real-time transit info, just know that when it is live in your area, transit info in the Google Maps app shows live, with arrival times for busses, metros, and subway systems. As routes are cancelled or delayed, you are able to quickly make decisions on your best possible route. Tough to tell if this is real-time action will arrive via update or behind-the-scenes, but I'm going with the latter.

Via: Google Maps Blog

LG Exhibiting 18" Flexible Display Panel and 6" Active Bending Panel at SID 2015

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:24:19 +0000

LG Display has set up shop at the 2015 meeting of the Society for Information Display (SID) conference in San Jose, showing off its latest advances in display technology. For those curious, LG Display will be exhibiting a few unique pieces of display technology, including an 18" flexible display panel, capable of being rolled up to a radius of just 3cm without affecting any functionality of the display. The company will also be showing off plenty of ultra-large OLED TV panels, but more importantly, LG Display will exhibit a 1.3-inch circular panel, a 5.5-inch curved panel (possibly the same one from the G Flex 2), and a 6-inch active bending panel. The circular panel could inevitably be found on a smartwatch sometime in the future, while the larger 6" active bending panel could one day be found in smartphones. To top off that excitement, the company has developed AH-IPS Plus, which is an advancement in AH-IPS technology for smartphones. This new technology, "improves transmittance by 20~30 percent by altering the liquid crystal material and UV alignment technology, creating a high-resolution display that consumes less power." If anymore exciting news comes out of SID, we will be sure to let you know.

LG Display Highlights Next-Generation Displays at SID 2015
Seoul, Korea (June 2, 2015) - LG Display, the world’s leading innovator of display technologies, will showcase the future of display technology at the 2015 Society for Information Display (SID) conference at the San Jose Convention Center from June 2 to 4. SID is the world's most respected academic association of the display industry, which is comprised of 6.000 leaders in the sector, including executives, academics and researchers, from all over the world. Under the theme of Leading Technology, Great Design & Picture Quality, and Differentiation, LG Display will highlight its exclusive advanced technology and the company’s commitment to deliver the best value to customers. In-Byeong Kang, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at LG Display, will give a keynote speech on “The Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Display Industry” on June 2. He will discuss the future direction of display innovation based on the fast changing IT environment with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G mobile communications. He will also map out the future technology evolution of LCD and OLED displays and prospects for transparent and flexible OLED displays. LG Display will present three invited technical papers on its cutting-edge research, including the fundamental technology of the world’s first 18-inch flexible panel; new OLED technology concepts for large-size Ultra HD OLED TVs; and Advanced In-Cell Touch (AIT) technology for large-sized LCDs among a total of 20 presentations it will conduct at SID 2015. In addition, the 18-inch flexible OLED panel with a curvature radius of 30R, which can be rolled up to a radius of 3cm without affecting the function of the display, will be showcased at the exhibition. The company will exhibit 55-inch, 65-inch and 77-inch UHD OLED TVs, which ushered in the era of large-sized OLED TVs, as well as other OLED products, including a 1.3-inch circular panel, a 5.5-inch curved panel, a 6-inch active bending panel and a 12.3-inch automotive display. LG Display has emerged as the industry leader in the application of the touch embedded technology AIT, which is used in various smartphones and tablets as well as a 15.6-inch notebook display and a 7-inch automotive display. AIT represents a major advancement over In-Cell Touch technology, offering excellent touch functions and a differentiated design advantage with its ultra slim bezel. The company has also developed AH-IPS Plus, an improvement on the conventional AH-IPS technology used in smartphones. The new technology improves transmittance by 20~30 percent by altering the liquid crystal material and UV alignment technology, creating a high-resolution display that consumes less power. LG Display will have an exhibit section to demonstrate to visitors a comparison in power consumption between 5.5-inch FHD and 5.7-inch QHD smartphone displays using AH-IPS Plus with conventional displays of the same size and resolution. The company will also show innovative next generation displays such as a 55-inch high-transparent LCD display with the world’s first 25 percent transmittance, and a 21.5-inch automotive display with 2,000R that can be integrated into the dashboard as a Central Information Display (CID). In-Byeong Kang said “LG Display will strengthen its position as the world’s leading display company with such differentiated LCD technology as IPS and AIT, while OLED technology is playing a pioneering role in creating new markets. The company is committed to putting its best efforts into leading the next-generation of innovative display technology.”

Microsoft Acquires Popular To-Do List App Wunderlist

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:50:01 +0000

Wunderlist, the popular multi-platform to-do list app that seems to get better by the day, was acquired today by Microsoft. Add Wunderlist to the list of companies Microsoft can't seem to keep their hands off in recent months, like Sunrise and Acompli, a list that shows company's "ambition to reinvent productivity for a mobile-first, cloud-first world." According to Microsoft, nothing will change for now for Wunderlist users. The apps will remain free in all existing markets with Pro and Business prices staying the same. Wunderlist, excited as ever because its founders are likely now rich, said that over the next few months they will introduce a "host of new features" and add new partner integrations. As you can imagine, with Microsoft behind them, Wunderlist now has a "massive wealth of expertise, technology and people" to pull from to continue to improve their to-do products even further.

Via: Wunderlist | Microsoft

Amazon Brings GameFly Streaming Service to Fire TV Devices

Tim — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:42:04 +0000

Announced this morning, Amazon is bringing the GameFly streaming service to Fire TV owners, allowing access to various PC titles straight through a broadband Internet connection. This news was delivered on top of Amazon's announcement that the company has added over 600 app titles for Fire TV devices in the past 3 months, beating the likes of Apple TV and Roku in the same timeframe. With GameFly, gamers will be able to access titles such as Dirt 3, Darksiders II, plus the Batman series of games from Warner Bros. At this time, Amazon and GameFly will offer 6 different "game packs," each of which are rentable for $6.99 a month. Amazon states this service is now live for Fire TV device owners. And of course, you should probably own a Fire TV Game Controller if you plan on doing any heavy gaming. Steve Rabuchin, Vice President Amazon Appstore, states that the app selection for Fire TV devices has grown 127% in the past six months, and continues to accelerate. If you were an early adopter of Fire TV, this is great news for you. Update: In case you wanted to view what packs are available, here you go.

Action Pack (7 titles) - $6.99/month includes F.E.A.R. 3, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Red Faction: Armageddon, Red Faction: Guerilla, Mafia II, Sleeping Dogs, and Hitman
Adventure Pack (7 titles) - $6.99/month includes Dark Void, Overlord II, Darksiders, Darksiders II, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Origins
Gamer Pack (16 titles) - $9.99/month includes F.E.A.R.3, Red Faction:Armageddon, Red Faction: Guerilla, Sleeping Dogs, Hitman, Darksiders, Darksiders II, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins, Shank, Shank 2, Dark Void, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Mafia II, and Overlord II
Speed Pack (7 titles) - $6.99/month includes Ace Combat, Dirt 3, GRID, GRID 2, MotoGP13, Ridge Racer Unbounded, and WRC 4
Fun Pack (7 titles) - $6.99/month includes Flock!, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures, LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams – Rise of the Owlverlord, and BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
Lego Pack (7 titles) - $6.99/month includes LEGO Batman, LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, LEGO Lord of the Rings, LEGO Harry Potter 5-7, LEGO Marvel: Super Heroes, and LEGO The Hobbit

Via: Business Wire

Deal: Refurbished, Unlocked AT&T Galaxy Note 4 is Just $399 at eBay

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:09:59 +0000

Samsung probably has a Galaxy Note 5 unveiling lined up for some time in late August-early September, but that doesn't mean last year's Galaxy Note 4 isn't still a heck of a phone (our review). In fact, me, the hater of all oversized phones, loves the Note 4. It's one of those phones that is designed so well and feels so premium, that you can easily forget that it's the size of a Smart car. It has an amazing camera, performs with the best of them, lasts well through an entire day on a single charge, and that display...that display. If you are interested in the Galaxy Note 4, think about cruising over to eBay this morning to check out a deal on an unlocked, manufacturer refurbished model (SM-N910A) that will work on AT&T (T-Mobile for the most part, but is missing 1700 band)). Priced at just $399, you are looking at one of the best prices ever for a Note phone that isn't really all that old. The deal has been running for a day and is almost over, so be quick. eBay Link

Imgur Android App Goes "Native," Gets Redesigned Gallery and Improved Uploader

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 07:48:37 +0000

Imgur for Android received a big update this morning that takes it fully native, "built form scratch and with love." The update also brings with it a redesigned gallery made just for mobile, a new and improved upload experience, and a couple of bug fixes. It's lovely. Go get it. What's New

Our first fully native Android app, built from scratch and with love.
Redesigned gallery made just for mobile that lets you focus most on what matters: the images, comments, and community.
New and improved upload. Create a new post with your camera, saved images, and a healthy dose of your superior storytelling abilities.
Bug fix: you’ll no longer get stuck in an image loop.
Browse by topic to find the posts that interest you most.
Bug fix: you’ll no longer get stuck in an image loop.

Play Link

Via: Imgur

Verizon Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Get First Update With HD Voice, Photo Editor Tweaks

Kellen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 07:18:41 +0000

Verizon and Samsung have readied updates for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge this morning as software version VRU1A0D5. You would be safe in assuming that this is mostly a bug fixer, but there is at least one new feature in the photo editor. That new feature is a drawing mode that allows you to drop over the top of photos using several different brushes, colors, thicknesses, etc. We received this feature back in early May on our international unit, so you should be familiar with it. As for the bug fixes and tweaks, Verizon is moving buttons around in the HD Voice calling screen, Google Wallet now comes pre-loaded, and People Edge (GS6 Edge only) now has a visual cue on the home screen. The rest of the list of bug fixes can be found below for each phone. To grab the update, head into About device>Software update.

Galaxy S6

Galaxy S6 Edge

Via: Verizon [2]

Android M Feature: Light Colored Status Bar Could Mean Dark Notification Icons in Apps

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:43:13 +0000

I know I said we were done with the Android M features for today, but this one just popped up courtesy of Googler Roman Nurik. According to a post of his over on Google+, in Android M, we could see things like notification and system status icons flip from white to dark depending on the app and the color of the app's status bar. If a developer turns on "android:windowLightStatusBar" in the theme of their app, the system will be prompted to switch to a "dark foreground." This is useful in situations like you are seeing above, where a status bar is light and wouldn't show the white notification or system status icons very well. In his post, Roman did mention that there is currently a bug in the Android M preview that only changes the status icons to dark, leaving notification icons white. That will surely be fixed before long for those interested in lighter themes that would look better with darker notification icons.

Via: +Roman Nurik

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

Android M Feature: Google Added a Split Keyboard for Tablets

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:19:32 +0000

This last Android M feature for today isn't exactly a big one, but for tablet owners, it could come in handy depending on how you like to hold your big-screened device and tap out messages or emails. In Android M, Google appears to be ready to introduce a split keyboard. As you can see in the images here, a quick toggle turned to "on" in keyboard settings for the Google Keyboard gives you a keyboard that is much more easy to type on in landscape or almost any large screen. The keyboard breaks into two, making it easier for your thumbs to be the primary key presses without a lot of stress.+ Split keyboards like this have been around for years from third party keyboard makers, but (as far as we can tell) this is the first time Google has done it with its own keyboard. To access the split keyboard, long-press on the comma, then swipe up into settings. From there, choose "Google Keyboard settings," Appearances & layouts, and then Enable split keyboard.

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

Deal: Get a HTC Desire 510 and 1-Year Unlimited Talk-and-Text From FreedomPop for $249

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:01:12 +0000

Over the course of the next 6 days, you can grab a HTC Desire 510 coupled with a 1-year subscription to FreedomPop for just $249 on the DL Deals Store. With FreedomPop, customers receive 500MB of 3G/4G LTE data per month, plus unlimited talk and text. In addition to your basic voice and data plan, you also receive 1 year of visual voicemail, 1 year of tethering, and 1 year of usage alerts. This is all coupled with no contract or early termination fees. The HTC Desire 510 phone features a 4.7" FWVGA display, Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of onboard storage, removable 2100mAh battery, 5MP rear-facing camera, and runs Kit Kat out of the box. Features

Unlimited text & talk, plus 500MB 4G/3G LTE data per month for 1 year ($131.88 value)
1 year of visual voicemail – $30 value
1 year of tethering – $47.88 value
1 year of usage alerts – $23.88 value
No contracts or early termination fees
Sleek, durable design
Free international calling
Dependable performance

If this deal interests you, follow the link below. Deal Link

Android M Feature: Apps Manager is Simpler, Yet Insanely More Powerful

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 15:41:24 +0000

One of those back-end sets of changes in Android M that I think you are going to really love has to do with the new App Manager or "Apps" section in Settings. In previous versions of Android, this section included three columns of "Downloaded," "Running," and "All" apps. These three columns could be navigated easily, but always seemed a bit convoluted. Now, the upfront interface of "Apps" is much simpler, but man, are there are all sorts of new tools and options to tweak should you really want to dive into how your phone runs. For one, the three columns are now gone. Google has simplified everything down into a single column of apps. Downloaded apps and others that may be pre-loaded that you will use regularly will all show in this list, but if you want to see things like "Nfc Servie" or "Print Spooler," you will have to tap the action overflow menu in the top right and tell it to "Show system." You will also see an option for "Advanced," but hold onto that thought as we have a whole bunch of other items to address. Let's first tap on an app to see what has changed in app info pages. We'll use Android Wear for this example.

The first thing you should notice is how clean and simple the app info pages are now. They are no longer broken up into big, extensive sections on a single page that allow you to clear data or defaults or check permissions. Instead, Google has given each section a shortcut which takes you to a new page filled with additional options. When you see all of your new controls, you will understand why Google went this route.

If we start tapping on items, this is where things get fun. As you can see above, you now have a separate page for "Storage" management under this specific app. In there, you will see familiar options for clearing data or cache and how much storage an app is gobbling up. You can check the data usage of an app by tapping on the "Data" option, where you will see a page fitted with a graph, date range, and whether or not it is using data in the background or foreground. If you want to start controlling permissions for a single app, something that is new in Android M, you would tap on the "Permissions" section. In here, as you might expect, you will find quick toggles for turning off individual permissions. Before you dive in a start doing this, remember that most apps aren't currently built to function under this feature, so some may break. And don't worry, Google will remind you.

Should you choose the "Notifications" option, this is where you will find full notifications controls for an app, with toggles for outright blocking to treating as priority or allowing peeking (formerly known as heads-up notifications). The next section would be "Open by default," which is your control page for system defaults you have set for that particular app. One new thing Google has added is "App links," or giving a specific app permission to automatically open select types of links. For an app like Drive, you can see in the third image above that something like "docs.google.com" or "drive.google.com" would have permission to open. Finally, there is a section for battery, so you can see how much battery an app has been using with breakdowns of CPU total, keep awake time, WiFi packets received, and WiFi packets sent.

So those are all of the individual app info page options, but there are even more if you are looking at your list of apps and choose "Advanced" in the top-right menu. In the Advanced section, we now have system controls over app groups or links or permissions, along with a way to force apps out of being battery optimized by the system.

In the "Default Apps" section you will see a list of apps that have defined defaults. In the image above, there are listing for the browser, phone, and SMS app, along with the current default. If I want to change that, I can tap on one and the system will then show me other options that I may want to set as the new default. If you want to control all of the default app links permissions per app on a single page, tapping on the "App links" section will get you there. As you can see in the image above (far-right), this shows me an entire list of apps and whether or not I have associated approved links with them. From there, a single tap gets me into their "Open by default" page to adjust anything I choose.

Now, we also have another way here to dive into mass-permissions control. By tapping on the "App permissions" section under Advanced, you have all of your high-level permissions laid out in front of you. With this, you can tap something like Calendar and then see every single app that has been given access to the Calendar permission. If you don't want an app to have that access, you can start turning them off one by one. Pretty sweet, right?

Finally, you have two more choices of "Ignore optimizations" and "Memory." At this time, the Ignore optimizations section only allows you to tell apps to ignore the system battery optimizations, which could end up ruining your battery life. In the Memory section, you get to see which apps are running, how much RAM is being used, etc. As a geek on any level, this type of control in the Apps manager has to get you excited.

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

Google Intros My Account Page, Your One-Stop Shop for Security and Privacy Settings

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 14:46:49 +0000

To give Google users one simple place to manage everything on their account, the company has introduced the My Account page. Here, users can tweak settings from device activity and notifications, to account history and ad settings. Right on the homepage for My Account, Google describes the page as, "My Account gives you quick access to the settings and tools that let you safeguard your data, protect your privacy, and decide how your information can make Google tools and services work better for you." In addition to all of that, Google even offers a quick Privacy Checkup and Security Checkup, making sure all of you folks are browsing safe out there. If you want to go over all of your settings, check out My Account.

Via: @Google

"Ok Google" Detection From Any Screen Fixed on Galaxy S6

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 13:20:15 +0000

For whatever exact reason, "Ok Google" hotword detection from any screen on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge has been broken for the past couple of months. But according to one Google community manager, the issue has been fixed, and Galaxy S6 users can go back to saying "Ok Google" from whatever app they may be in. It is reported that the cause of the issue stems from Samsung's own voice-reliant S Voice software. Once the fix rolls out to your device, it appears some S-Voice functionality will be limited, but if you had to choose between Google and Samsung's assistant, we would recommend Google. Here is the statement from Google's community manager.

Now, we are happy to share that the "From any screen" function has been fixed for S6 and S6 Edge devices on the Google Search App (GSA), and the fix is actively rolling out to users. To ensure that this feature becomes available to you soon, please ensure that you are running the most up-to-date version of GSA (4.5+). Please note that “Ok Google” from any screen will be available, however remaining compatibility issues mean that turning on the feature will limit the availability of S-voice hotwording to only when the screen is off. Users who prefer to avoid this can turn off “Ok Google” from any screen.

Happy searching, Galaxy S6 owners.

Via: Google Product Forums

Deal: Nexus Player is Just $69 at Best Buy ($30 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:58:13 +0000

Forget the $20 off deal that Google was hosting for the Nexus Player, Best Buy is currently selling the Android TV box for $30 off. We aren't sure how long the deal will last, but at just $69.99, you are looking at a heck of a deal on a device that not only brings you streaming goodness from most of your favorite services, like Netflix, Play Movies & TV, Plex, etc., but it also is capable of playing a number of popular games, like The Walking Dead series from Telltale Games. The deal includes free shipping. Best Buy Link

Cheers Alan!

Giveaway: Win a Nexus 9, Chromecast, and $100 Google Play Gift Card From the DL Deals Store

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:20:23 +0000

A new giveaway is up on the DL Deals Store, giving you a chance to win a brand new Nexus 9 tablet, Chromecast HDMI dongle, and $100 Google Play gift card. Entering is very easy, with all you needing to do is enter an email address. That's it. To help increase your odds of winning, there are a few extra steps you can perform. Once you have entered, you can share the giveaway on Twitter and Google+, plus you can even follow us on Twitter or Google+. But no, you don't need to perform these actions to win. If you want a new tablet, dongle and gift card, enter below. Enter Here

Android M Feature: New Vertically Scrolling App Drawer and Widget Picker are Greatly Improved

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:06:06 +0000

If you flash the Android M developer preview images (our tour!) on the Nexus 5, 6, or 9, one of the first things you will undoubtedly notice is the new app drawer. With a change in direction of how it scrolls, you might be thrown off at first, but trust me, it's not as bad as others have made it out to be. Along with that new app drawer, we are also getting a greatly improved widget picker that makes it much easier to find the widget you intended to find. Let's start first with the app drawer, because well, it scrolls vertically and that is a pretty drastic change from the horizontal scroll you have enjoyed since Ice Cream Sandwich. So, yes, when you pop open the app drawer from the white circle on the home screen, you get a pretty white animation into a drawer that will no longer look all that familiar. It scrolls vertically, showcases alphabetical grouping of apps (with letter indicators), a search bar, and the four most-recently used app shortcuts. As you scroll, the letter indicators knock one-another out of the way and Google tries to smartly combine letters with few app choices into others so that your drawer doesn't look completely empty and awkward. It even uses an endless scroll instead of a paginated approach, so one flick can get you from the top of your drawer to the bottom.

[responsive_vid]

Is the new app drawer ridiculously bad? No. Is it a change from what you are used to? Yep! At first tour, I can admit that I was quite thrown off. But now that I have spent the weekend with it, I am already mostly used to it and no longer get frustrated when opening it. While I would still prefer a horizontal scroll, a vertical scroll won't kill me. Plus, if I start to amass a couple of hundred or so apps in my app drawer, searching, faster scrolling, and categorization might come in handy. If you think about it, outside of the change in direction, this app drawer as greatly improved over the Lollipop release on numerous levels. Outside of the new app drawer, you will find a new widget picker that (as you may have guessed) scrolls vertically too. Along with the vertical scroll, the entire UI has been revamped to make it easier to find the widget you want to find. There are app indicators (with app icons) separating widgets, letting you know exactly which widgets each app is for. In the previous widget pickers, you had big boxes that showed previews of apps set above tiny little identifiers. Finding widgets was a pain in the ass, if I'm being honest. Now, it's super easy to do. Google is also now grouping together widgets on a per-app basis in side-scrolling rows. Overall, I would say that the app drawer and widget picker in Android M have been greatly improved, you just may have to get used to a change in direction.

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

New Humble Bundle Posted With Hellraid: The Escape and More, Average Currently at $2.74

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 11:40:43 +0000

Humble Bundle, the service that lets you pay what you want for games, while also helping out charities, is back yet again with a new set of games for you to check out. Inside this bundle, users can pay whatever price for Timeline: Assault on America, The Ministry of Silly Walks, and Hellraid: The Escape. If you pay more than the average, currently at $2.74, you also gain access to Worm 3, Puzzle Retreat, and Twisty Hollow. As a reminder, if you pay more than the average now, you will get additional games for free next Monday when the bundle is updated. A portion of proceeds from this Humble Bundle support Electronic Frontier Foundation and Worldreader. Go get some cool games and support a few great charities. Humble Bundle

Android Distribution Updated for June 2015 – Lollipop Now on 12.4% of All Devices

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 10:47:51 +0000

Android Distribution numbers have been updated for June, showing a somewhat small increase in the number of devices running Lollipop. Last month, Lollipop was at nearly 10% of devices, and one month later, it sits at 12.4%. It's not a huge jump, but hey, it's an improvement. Jelly Bean and Kit Kat still claim the two largest chunks of the pie, with Kit Kat having a very slight advantage at 39.2% over Jelly Bean's 37.4%. And yes, DROID Turbo owners represent a nice little share of that Kit Kat usage. The rest of the versions of Android all dropped, just like they have been for months. Ice Cream Sandwich is down to 5.1% from 5.3%, and Gingerbread to 5.6% from 5.7%. Froyo is continues to sit at 0.3% devices. Impressive lifespan. Last month’s numbers can be viewed here.

Via: Android

HBO Go, Twitch, FX Now and More Apps Coming Soon to Android TV

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 10:35:45 +0000

Your Android TV will soon have a few more apps to play with, including HBO Go, HBO Now, CBS News, Twitch, and FX Now. As detailed by NVIDIA, Android TV is a growing platform with an already healthy assortment of apps, but soon, more standalone applications will come, making an Android TV set-top box or Smart TV with Android TV built-in an even better purchase. Many of the aforementioned apps already allow for Cast functionality for streaming, but Android TV lacks many standalone blockbuster apps. One large name is HBO, and at this time, you still have to cast from HBO Go to bring any Game of Thrones action to your big screen. However, this summer, HBO intends to launch its HBO Now subscription service for Android users, and hopefully before that, HBO Go will be made available as well for those who already pay their cable provider for access. There are no dates set for the release of these apps onto Android TV, but as more information is made available, we will update you. To see what apps are already available for Android TV, check them out on Google Play. Apps Coming to Android TV

HBO Now
HBO Go
CBS News
CBS Sports
Fox Sports
FX Now
Fox Now
Fox News
EPIX
WWE
UFC
USA Today
Vimeo
Qello
Vudu
Twitch

Via: NVIDIA

Android M Feature: Do Not Disturb Mode Returns With Automatic Rules, Repeat Caller Settings

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 10:29:38 +0000

In the Android L developer preview, Google introduced a Do Not Disturb to Android for the first time, then randomly changed its name to "Interruptions" when it went stable as Lollipop. "Interruptions" never really made much sense as an adoptable or recognizable name, so now in the Android M preview, we are back to Do Not Disturb (hopefully, for good). And with that name change, we have new features and a different setup to it all, so let's talk about it. First of all, Do Not Disturb (DND) mode is now no longer a part of the volume controls. Well, for the most part. Instead of showing options for None, Priority, and All when adjusting the volume, like you saw in Lollipop, the volume slider is now without DND options unless you had previously set some sort of DND mode. If you have, the slider will let you "end" whatever DND mode has been set. Otherwise, volume is volume and DND is a separate entity altogether.

In order to access Do Not Disturb in Android M, you have a quick settings toggle that when pressed, shows you options for "Total Silence," "Alarms only," and "Priority only." "Total silence" and "Alarms only" are pretty self explanatory, but if "Priority only" is throwing you, just think of it as a DND mode that only lets notifications through from apps you set as "Priority" in the notifications control section of Sounds & notifications. Depending on the option you choose, you can set each to stay until you "turn this off" or specify a time through hourly increments. If you need more settings then that, you can tap "More settings" and get into a deeper view of Do Not Disturb. This is also where we are seeing new features arrive.

Once in "More settings," you have two areas to jump into - "Priority only allows" and "Automatic rules." In "Priority only allows," you get a familiar set of settings for DND that let you decide what comes through when in Priority Only mode. There are options for reminders, events on your calendar, or messages/calls from select groups of people. One new entry has arrived with Android M and that's "Repeat callers." Repeat Callers is as it sounds, a feature that lets someone who calls you over and over again a pass through your DND mode as it may be an emergency.

Finally, with "Automatic rules" you get a designated area for setting up automatic DND profiles. There are pre-set rules for Weekend, Weeknight, and Event, to help get you started on automating your Do Not Disturb settings. As you know from Lollipop, these rules try to automate DND by letting you decide set times or days (or based on events) when your phone will remain silent. If none of those work, you can manually setup your own automatic rules based on either time or events. And that's the new Do Not Disturb mode in Android M.

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

TAG Heuer Names Its Android Wear Device, Will be Upgradable as Technology Matures

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 09:47:10 +0000

TAG Heuer, the Swiss watchmaker who has been making headlines with its upcoming $1K+ Android Wear smartwatch, has revealed the name for the device. As stated by Jean-Claude Biver, TAG's CEO, the watch will be called the Carrera Wearable 01, symbolizing the similarities between the wearable device and TAG's current Carrera Heuer 01 watch, pictured above. As previously announced, the watch will indeed run Android Wear, while being powered by Intel silicon. The powerful 'Swiss Made' certification is still up in the air, though, as TAG appears to be ready to go on without it, which may be a big deal for potential buyers. TAG's Biver states, "For a traditional mechanical watch, ‘Swiss Made’ is a reference and criteria of reliability and quality. For a connected watch, Android from Google and Intel Inside are the criteria of quality and reliability.” Even for us American buyers, I would not go so far as to say Android Wear and mobile Intel processors are the criteria for quality and reliability. Quality, maybe, but reliability seems to be pushing it. To me, if I am paying nearly $1,400 for a smartwatch, the hardware better be the selling point, and it better last a long time. To combat the notion that its smartwatch will be outdated in only years, TAG claims the watch will be upgradable as time goes on and technology matures. For example, if you gave the watch as a gift, TAG will make sure the watch will last a lifetime. "We want to be able to change the technology but keep the watch elements. If your child completed their Masters degree, you might want to give them a watch. We want to create something that will stay on your watch for a lifetime, that’s what TAG Heuer does. And as the technology changes, it will change," claims TAG's UK communications manager Alexandra King. TAG's smartwatch is set to release in Q4 of this year, featuring a price tag of around $1,400. As you hear more about it, does it interest you?

Via: Forbes

Android M Feature: Be Gone Terrible Lollipop Volume Controls!

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 08:58:51 +0000

You know how the volume/do-not-disturb combination of things in Lollipop drove almost all of you nuts? Google heard you loud and clear and have attempted to fix the volume situation with Android M. We now have simplified volume controls that actually make sense and work like they used to. As you will see in the video below, you can once again press the volume down button on your phone to take you all the way to vibrate, but another tap then jumps into silent mode, which really is now Do Not Disturb mode (again). That mode makes everything quiet, outside of alarms, which is exactly how it should be and should have been. Outside of the silent mode returning, you can drop down the volume pop-up to reveal quick access to individual controls for media and alarms. Do Not Disturb mode has changed quite a bit, though, so to read through its changes, hit up this featured post.

[responsive_vid]

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

ASUS Announces ZenWatch 2, Comes in Two Sizes With IP67 Rating

Tim — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 08:51:38 +0000

At the annual Computex exhibition for manufacturers, taking place in Taipei, ASUS unveiled the ZenWatch 2. Running the latest Android Wear software, the ZenWatch 2 will come in a variety of finishes, along with a large collection of straps. To start it off, the ZenWatch 2 will come in two sizes, presumably for big and small wrists, with Stainless Steel casing in either Rose Gold, Silver, and Gunmetal. When compared to last year's ZenWatch, there are only a few major differences, but it is clear that ASUS thought quite hard about how they could make the design and usability much better. To start, ASUS added in a dedicated Power button on the side of the device, with ASUS stating that it allows for users to interact with their device in an all-new way. Additionally, the ZenWatch 2 features a water resistance and dust resistance rating of IP67, meaning users can even wear their watches in the shower if they so choose. And lastly, ASUS designed a magnetic charger that snaps onto the ZenWatch 2's backside for quick charging. No more obnoxious dock that renders the device untouchable during charging. As of right now, there is no release information or timeframe for the device, or a price. The original ZenWatch costs $199, so it could be likely ASUS will aim to stick around that price point. The ZenWatch also launched in November, meaning we could have a few months to go before ASUS is ready to launch. Thoughts?

Via: ASUS

Android M Feature: Auto Backups of Apps to Google Drive, Plus Auto Restoring

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 08:33:56 +0000

If you happen to change phones a lot or wipe your device often enough, you probably know that the backup and setup process on Android has been pretty brutal for, well, ever. That should change a bit in Android M thanks to auto backups of all apps installed on your phone. Because Google wants to "ensure a good experience" for those who do setup phones more regularly than others, all of this behind-the-scenes magic will happen without any work from users or developers. According to Google, app data and setting preferences in those apps will be automatically backed up to Google Drive in Android M. On a user side, this option can be toggled on or off at the system level, but on the developer side, developers simply need to decide if they want to limit what data is backed up. That's it. Otherwise, Google is automatically backing up app user data and setting preferences to Google Drive, then encrypting it all. No work is needed from anyone for the most part to make this all happen. The Android M documentation on "Auto Backup for Apps" states that there is no charge to developers or users for the data storage saved, plus it doesn't count towards their user's personal Drive storage quota. During the Android M Preview, users can store up to 25MB of data per Android app. Google says that these automatic backups occur ever 24 hours, but only when the "device is idle, charging and connected to a WiFi network." As for restores, (setting up a new device or uninstalling then reinstalling a backed up app), a "restore operation copies the backed up data into the newly installed app's data directory." As I mentioned, the only thing that need to be configured on the developer is whether or not a developer wants specific files limited from backup. Google is doing the backup automatically for all apps, but developers can decide to exclude files. Keep in mind that Google won't backup temp files or caches. So yeah, auto backups of apps! I can't tell you how excited this makes me as someone who sets up a new device every couple of days.

Via: Google Developers

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

Hey Look, a Nexus 5 With a Fingerprint Sensor!

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 07:15:26 +0000

At last week's Google I/O, Google made a big push in the world of fingerprint scanning for authentication purposes by introduces a fingerprint API in Android M. Going forward, manufacturers who choose to include fingerprint sensors in their phones will no longer have to work around Android and can instead use the native API to make for tighter integration. To show off how fingerprint scanning can work in Android M, Google put out a short video on using your fingerprint to make payments. The video shows you how a payment situation would likely unfold when running Android M, something can more than likely envision without the need to see a video. After all, there have been fingerprint-powered payments on iPhones for some time. But what's interesting about the video is the fact that the presenter randomly pulls out a Nexus 5 that has been outfitted with a fingerprint sensor to show how it all works.

So we are clear, she states in the video that she has a "phone which has been modified to add a fingerprint sensor." In other words, this is not the rumored LG Nexus 5 (2015), but is instead what really looks to us like a red Nexus 5 (2013) with a square fingerprint sensor added up near the camera sensor. There is an odd black bar hiding something under her hand, though. While hypebeasts clickbait title enthusiasts will want to suggest that this is a sneak preview of the next Nexus 5, that's probably pretty unlikely. I guess there is always a chance this could be some early prototype of that rumored phone, but I for one am hoping Google doesn't think that top-rear-centered fingerprint sensors are in a good location and re-thinks that type of setup. Your mind is turning like crazy, though, isn't it?

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Via: reddit

OnePlus One Drops to $249 for the Next 7 Days During Limited Flash Sales

Kellen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 06:50:27 +0000

Last week, OnePlus told us that they were going to shake up the industry come June 1. Today is now June 1 and well, they have slashed the price on the OnePlus One for a limited time each day in a series of flash sales. That is apparently how you shake-up the industry. For those interested in this over-a-year-old phone, this is the deal. From June 1-7, OnePlus will host a flash sale that will drop the price of the OnePlus One by $50. So you will be able to get the 16GB white model for $249 or the 64GB black model for $299. Supplies are limited (of course they are), so you will have to hurry each time the sales go live in order to snag one. Actually, the first sale went live three hours ago and the promo pricing is still listed as active - maybe you won't have to hurry after all. Here are the times that each flash sale will run:

June 1 - 12:00 GMT (8 am EST)
June 2 - 2:00 GMT (10 pm EST -1 day)
June 3 - 12:00 GMT (8 am EST)
June 4 - 2:00 GMT (10 pm EST -1 day)
June 5 - 12:00 GMT (8 am EST)
June 6 - 2:00 GMT (10 pm EST -1 day)
June 7 - 12:00 GMT (8 am EST)

More info.

Google Play Services 7.5 is Packed Full of Goodies

Kellen — Fri, 29 May 2015 15:01:52 +0000

Not only did we get Android M (our tour!) yesterday, but Google also introduced Google Play Services 7.5, which includes all sorts of new goodness like "Smart Lock for Passwords, Instance ID, new APIs for Google Cloud Messaging and Google Cast, as well as access to the Google Maps API on Android Wear devices." See, this is a big time update. Let's talk about some of it. The most important new addition (at least in my opinion) is Smart Lock for Passwords. Google is considering it the evolution of Chrome Password Manager, meaning developers can use a new CredentialsAPI to allow user passwords to be attached to user Google accounts. So as app users jump from device to device or setup new ones and install apps, they should be able to easily login to them. In the end, Smart Lock for Passwords could become your password manager for all things, assuming you trust Google and use Chrome. Details for implementing Smart Lock for Passwords can be found here. Companies like Eventbrite, Instacart, Orbitz, and Netflix are already setup for Smart Lock for Passwords. You can find all of your stored passwords at passwords.google.com. Outside of the password fun, Google is letting developers build-in an app invite system, where their users can invite contacts via SMS or email to use their apps. The image below will give you an overview of how this will all look and play out.

Google Play Services now includes a Maps API for Android Wear as well, which really just means that developers can build in fully-interactive Maps, show current location of the user, etc. onto a watch. And of course, we told you about all of the new Google Cast APIs and changes earlier this morning, all of which are a part of this new Play Services update. The rest of the list of new features is for the developers among us, so if you haven't caught up on it all, be sure to head over to the source link below.

Via: Android Developers Blog

Google Unveils Project Jacquard, a Movement to Bring Touch and Gesture Technology to Clothing

Tim — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:30:04 +0000

Back in early May, the Google ATAP team teased that they would show off new wearables that would quite literally "knock our socks off" at Google I/O. Today, we have that announcement, and it's conductive yarn in the form of Project Jacquard. By weaving in conductive strands of yarn into basically any textile, the ATAP team is able to turn a specific part of your pants or jacket into a touch interface, which leads to end-users controlling functions of a device by tapping or sliding a finger on their clothing. ATAP's idea is that Jacquard will be a blank canvas for clothing designers and developers to work with, allowing them to fit the technology to whatever use they would like. As purely an example, just an idea that I thought of myself, if your phone is in your pocket that is connected to a pair of Bluetooth headphones, and you want to adjust the volume, you could do a quick slide of a finger on your jacket either up or down to control the volume. That could be cool, right? Jacquard is in a very early state, so right now, what we can do with it is still unknown. It will be up to developers and designers to decide how they want to incorporate clothing with sensors inside. Watch the below intro video to see just how Project Jacquard could soon come to clothes or furniture near you.

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Via: Project Jacquard

Android M Feature: Notification Shade on Tablets Moves to Wherever You Swipe From

Kellen — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:28:13 +0000

If you have used a tablet running stock Lollipop, then you probably know that the notification shade situation isn't exactly ideal. Before Lollipop, Google was using two separate pulldowns for the notification shade on tablets, one that would show notifications and another that gave you access to quick toggles. Since those were combined into a multi-layered single notification shade in Android 5.0+, they decided to center it on tablets, no matter where you swiped from. That can be semi-annoying in instances where you may swipe down from say, the right corner of your tablet. It would make sense for the notification shade to pull down where your finger is to give you quick access, but it doesn't on Lollipop - you would have to move your hand over to the center of the screen to access notifications or quick toggles. That is changing in Android M. As you can see from the GIF below, the notification shade now follows your finger swipes, so as you move from one side to the other and swipe down, the notification shade is there for quick actions. It might be a small change, but these are some times the most important when you are talking about fine-tuning a user experience.

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

Google is Launching "Hands Free" Payment Service This Year

Kellen — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:24:23 +0000

Watch the video above and try to tell me that all of those frustrating experiences that often are a part of the payment process in a store haven't happened to you numerous times. From finicky card readers and pens that can't write to broken touch screens and de-magnetized credit card strips, the payment process is actual quite painful. Google is going to try and fix that soon by allowing you pay without using your hands. This morning, the search giant announced "Hands Free," a payment service that lets you pay...hands free. It'll launch as an app later this year as a part of a test in the San Francisco area through select retailers. They aren't sharing a ton of details, but the idea here is that you could walk into a store (McDonald's and Papa John's are the first partners) and pay for goods at the register by telling the clerk that you want to pay with Google. That's it. No phone. No card. No dirty pen that won't write. Just your phone, in your pocket, working magically with the registers in the store to let you pay and walk out. I like it.

Via: Google

Google Launches 'Cast Remote Display' APIs, 'Game Manager' APIs

Tim — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:14:52 +0000

Chromecast has been a fantastic seller for Google, with the company pushing 17 million units since release, and the Cast button being pressed 1.5 billion times. As it has grown older, we have always stated that it only gets better, and with the release of new APIs for developers at this year's Google I/O, that little dongle is becoming even sweeter. Released as beta, Google introduced the Cast Remote Display APIs, allowing developers to create a second-screen experience for select applications, such as games, without the need for mirroring displays. As an example, which is shown in the header image above, you can be playing a racing game on your HDTV, with the smartphone turned into a full-blown racing controller. In addition, the Game Manager APIs for Google Cast have been launched, allowing developers to build better multiplayer apps for the platform. This will lead to possibly more intense boardgames or action games built for more than one player. Seriously, if you have yet to pick up a Chromecast or Cast compatible device, do it.

Via: Google Developers

A Photo Tour of Google I/O 2015

Kellen — Fri, 29 May 2015 10:45:23 +0000

Yesterday, you all sat through Google's 2.5 hour long keynote to get Google I/O 2015 started. If you aren't attending in person, though, that may be all you were able to see from Google's yearly developer conference. Well, unless you tune into a live-streamed session here or there. To hopefully give you a little bit of a glimpse into the whole experience outside of the keynote and a session, we walked the floor and snapped a bunch of pictures of all the creative things floating about. Google always does pretty creative things with the designs for its floor sets, and this year is no exception. In the pictures below, you will see bugdroids of all shapes and sizes, what it looks like when a few dozen developers are taking in the latest from a Googler, the cars that Google rolls in for Android Auto, all of the projects from Google's ATAP, and even a massive playground, filled with swings, teeter totters, and video games. Enjoy!

Deal: Buy a LG G Watch R for Just $99 Through AT&T

Tim — Fri, 29 May 2015 09:59:27 +0000

It appears AT&T is hosting a little sale on the G Watch R from LG this week, pricing the Android Wear smartwatch at just $99. Regularly priced at $249, getting one for $99 and free shipping is a complete steal. It might be a mistake, and if so, you better hurry. AT&T Link

Cheers Charles!

Google Announces Updated Cardboard VR Unit, Enter Here to Win One for Free (Update: Winner Picked)

Tim — Fri, 29 May 2015 09:44:11 +0000

Last year, Google unveiled Cardboard, their insanely simplistic solution to bring VR to the mainstream. Now, as phones are getting larger, they have an updated model of Cardboard they released yesterday during the Google I/O keynote that fits a wider range of devices. As highlighted in the keynote, Google is doing great things with Cardboard, especially in the classroom. A school can receive a class-sized shipment of Cardboard, and with it, teachers can take students around the globe and into the oceans thanks to VR. It adds a new dimension to learning, one which kids truly seem to enjoy. With that said, ready to win your very own Cardboard unit? Head on into the comments section, tell us your favorite thing about VR, then we will randomly select a winner and will ship them the unit we received here at Google I/O. It's almost like you were here with us. Winner will be chosen today at 3pm PST. Update: We have our winner. Congrats to Frank B! Have at it.

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Via: Google Cardboard

Google Rolling Out Family-Focused Section to Google Play

Tim — Fri, 29 May 2015 08:37:07 +0000

Rumored about two weeks beforehand, then officially unveiled yesterday morning during the Google I/O keynote, Google's family-focused section of Google Play is now rolling out to handsets. The all-new Family sections highlight specific apps and games intended for kids and families, but does not stop at just apps. The three sections of Google Play with dedicated Family categories are Apps, Games, and Movies & TV. In addition, the next time your child wants to buy a season of SpongeBob Squarepants, it should be a bit easier for them to find. Instead of searching by show, your child can search by character, allowing them to find content focused on who they love. For example, if they click on Elmo, they will find games and TV shows with Elmo. Other characters include Dora the Explorer, Peppa Pig, Thomas, and even Star Wars characters. Google states these changes will roll out to Google Play over the next couple of weeks. If you don't see the Family section live in you Google Play app just yet, click here to view a curated list of apps you can expect to find highlighted.

Via: Android

Google's Project Brillo Will Indeed Try to Take Over the "Internet of Things"

Kellen — Fri, 29 May 2015 08:00:43 +0000

Somewhat lost in the shuffle of yesterday's Android-filled Google I/O keynote was confirmation from Google that their rumored "Project Brillo" is actually a real thing. Google does indeed intend to become the king of the "Internet of Things" later this year. So what is Brillo? It's a low-level version of Android that manufacturers of smart products can use to get their products easily working with other smart products, helping to connect everything we use. It could be a smart oven or vacuum cleaner or washer or smoke alarm or garage door, all connected on the same platform, so that our world works seamlessly together. As of today, the state of smart products is kind of a mess. Manufacturers and devleopers are forced to make it all, from the physical products to the firmware, and then also try and get everything to work across multiple platforms. With Brillo, this should all be much easier to do for everyone involved.

Google also announced Weave alongside Brillo, which provides "seamless and secure communication between devices both locally and through the cloud." It's built into Android and was developed in partnership with the folks at Nest, so as previous rumors stated, Nest could easily be a hub for IoT. Brillo and Weave will launch later this year, but Google wanted the world to know that they are ready to try this Android@Home-type-thing again. To learn more about Brillo and Weave, head over to this Google site.

Verizon's Moto X (1st Gen) has a Soak Test Incoming, Lollipop? (Updated: Nope!)

Kellen — Fri, 29 May 2015 07:38:30 +0000

A soak test for Verizon's Moto X (1st gen) is about to begin, likely in preparation for the phone's update to Android 5.1 Lollipop. Invites for the test arrived in the inboxes of a handful of our readers, but I should point out that the emails don't seem to specifically mention Lollipop. With that said, what else could it be at this point? The phone is due for some sweetness. Assuming the test starts within the next few days, it could be another few before the update is cleared and ready for rollout on all Moto Xs. If you get the update, let us know! Update: It's not Lollipop. Here is the changelog from Verizon.

Cheers J, K, and Master!

Thursday Poll: What Was Today's Biggest Announcement at Google I/O?

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:15:38 +0000

A lot took place today, and now that the day is somewhat wrapping up, we want to know what you thought was the biggest announcement from the Google I/O keynote. Google took the stage early this morning, then proceeded to announce a ton of new things - the Android M developer preview (available for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player), updated Google Cardboard headset that fits larger phones, Android Pay, Project Brillo to manage the Internet of Things, a family-friendly version of Google Play for the kiddies, an all-new Google Photos app, plus a ton more. Share your thoughts below on what you think the biggest announcement from Google I/O is so far.

[poll id="364"]

Download: Here's the Android M Default Wallpaper

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:39:28 +0000

For everyone here who needs the latest wallpaper from Google, which comes grouped in the Android M Developer Preview, here you go. As you can see, it is in the same style as many of the wallpapers that came along with Lollipop. They are satellite photos that are placed inside of Google Maps, then cropped for Android devices. In my opinion, I really enjoy these types of natural wallpapers. However, I have seen a few people who don't care for them at all. If you like it, have at it. And just so we are all clear, this is the only new wallpaper at this moment.

Android M Developer Preview Tour!

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:18:45 +0000

We have now been running the Android M developer preview on a Nexus 6 and Nexus 5 for the better part of the last couple of hours and are now ready to share some of our findings. While there aren't a lot of big, forward-facing UI changes, there are all sorts of little tweaks everywhere, some that we like, others that we may need to sleep on before we make any bold claims about. In the video tour below, we walk through 10 big changes that you are more than likely to run into. From the new volume controls and do not disturb settings to the vertical scrolling app drawer and the new settings themes, there is quite a bit to take in. Ready?

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Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

Google's Inbox Now Open to All, Update Adds "Undo Send" Button and More

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 15:52:18 +0000

Google's Inbox is now open to everyone! That's right, the task-oriented email application from the Gmail team is there for the taking without the need of an invite. And not only is it open to all, the Inbox crew tossed in a bunch of really great features, most importantly "Undo send." With "Undo Send," you have a brief moment after sending an email where you can say, "Undo! Whoops, I didn't mean to send that!" The video below demonstrates exactly how this works, but the reason for its existence is pretty obvious. Today's update introduces Trip bundles, which take all of your emails about a trip and bundle them together while making the most important info available the second you open Inbox. It also (finally) includes swipe-to-delete, custom signatures, shows reminders in Inbox that you set in Google Keep, and suggests adding a reminder when someone sends you a to-do item. It's a big one. Go get it. Play Link

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Via: Gmail Blog

Android M Feature: Google Announces Native Fingerprint Support

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:33:07 +0000

During the Google I/O keynote this morning, alongside the introduction of Android Pay, Google detailed native fingerprint management inside of Android M, a new feature for the OS. With this feature now native to Android, applications and services will be able to utilize a user's fingerprint for added security, such as when a user makes a purchase on or through the device. For example, if you are browsing Google Play and decide to make a purchase, instead of entering in your password, you can simply use your finger. In addition, when using Android Pay at a supported retailer, you can use your finger to complete the transaction, without the need to enter any passcode. Of course, your hardware will need to feature a fingerprint scanner in the first place, and as of right now, not many flagship devices do. With this added feature, you can expect more OEMs to dive into offering fingerprint readers on their devices. Excited to use your fingers more when purchasing goods?

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Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

This is the Android M Easter Egg ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:32:56 +0000

Haha, Google, so silly. Yes, my friends, that really is your Android M Easter Egg - for the moment. Edit: For those who are finding the "M" hidden as well, we are well aware of it. Tap on it a few times, then long press and you'll get the shruggy face. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Android M Feature: Settings Now Have Dark, Light, and Automatic Themes

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:26:44 +0000

We have had the Android M developer previewed flashed on a Nexus 5 for all of five minutes, but we are already noticing fun little tweaks that Google has made since Lollipop. For one, the bright white settings menu on stock Android has been given a "dark" theme, for those not wanting to be blinded at night when doing some dirty work on their phones. If you unlock the developer options, you should see an option for "Theme" listed. When tapped, you will see options for both "Light" and "Dark" themes, as well as an "Automatic" setting. As you can see in the screenshots above, the dark theme is indeed just a dark version of the light theme you have become accustomed to since Lollipop dropped. As for the "Automatic" setting, I would imagine that with this enabled, your phone will try and detect your situation, to decide if you would rather have dark over light or light over dark. We tried to get it to switch by going into a dark room here in our hotel, but were unsuccessful. If we get it to switch automatically, we'll be sure to update this post. What do you think, though, themes in Android M? I'll take it!

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

HBO Now Coming to Google Play Later This Summer

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 12:47:51 +0000

Announced today on stage at Google I/O, HBO Now is coming to Android later this summer. HBO Now is HBO's standalone subscription plan that allows you to watch your favorite HBO content, without needing a subscription through your cable provider. HBO Now costs $14.99 a month, which is quite the premium price, but with it, you can watch Game of Thrones episodes, Silicon Valley, plus all of the movies HBO has available. In addition to streaming shows and movies onto your device, the app will be Cast ready, meaning you can Chromecast the shows or send them to your Android TV box for viewing on your HDTV. Again, HBO Now is set for launch onto Google Play later this summer, with no exact date set.

Android Feature: USB Type-C Comes to Devices

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 12:46:15 +0000

Without a doubt, one of the biggest announcements out of today's Google I/O keynote from a device charging standpoint was the introduction of USB Type-C support for phones and tablets with Android M. USB Type-C, for those not familiar, is a new USB charging standard that both Google and Apple have adopted with their latest laptop products, but one we were all openly hoping would come to phones. USB Type-C is a new connector shape that is reversible in ports, so the days of figuring out which way to plug-in your charging cable will soon be a thing of the past. But beyond just plugging in your phone or tablet, Type-C intros some useful features when paired with Android M, which you can see below. When plugged in, you could tell your phone to charge or charge another device that it is connected to using its own battery. It can also be used, like regular USB, to transfer files. Google didn't mention today how powerful they will allow USB Type-C to be with Android devices, but companies like Apple are using the ports to connect multiple displays and other peripherals to their laptops, eliminating things like HDMI or VGA ports. In the end, I think we should really all just hope this turns into a standard for all future phones, tablets, and even laptops. The world would be a better place if every device we owned didn't have its own proprietary cable. With this move by Google, we are certainly getting close to that utopia.

Be sure to checkout all of our Android M feature highlights!

NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Hands-on and Impressions

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 12:00:14 +0000

SHIELD from NVIDIA is now available for you to purchase, bringing an impressive Android gaming and Android TV experience straight to your living room. Featuring NVIDIA's Tegra X1 processor and 3GB of RAM, this set-top box is capable of delivering AAA gaming titles for you to play, while also including Netflix Ultra HD (4K) playback capability. On the surface, Android TV on SHIELD is the same easy-to-use OS that runs on the Nexus Player, but NVIDIA has boosted the operating system's performance, including a load of ports and computing power inside of the box. On the backside, the SHIELD features two full-size USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 to display 4K content, 2.0 microUSB port allowing SHIELD to attach to PCs as a storage device, microSD slot for up to 2TB of additional storage, Gigabit Ethernet port, Infra-red port for Logitech Universal remote connectivity, and Bluetooth 2.1 for additional accessories. Beyond just the hardware, NVIDIA has incorporated many software advantages to owning a SHIELD, with the largest being gaming. Included inside of SHIELD is GRID connectivity, NVIDIA's cloud-based game streaming service that allows gamers to stream and play AAA titles directly from remote servers. As of right now, the service is still completely free to use, but it is reported that in the future, NVIDIA may look to charge a monthly price for access to GRID. Of course, SHIELD also features access to Google Play, plus a few new exciting titles announced today such as DOOM 3 BFG, The Talos Principle, and more.

SHIELD is priced at $199 for the 16GB model, coupled with a SHIELD Controller, plus a 4K-ready HDMI cable. For an extra $100, you can purchase the 500GB Pro model, which also comes with a SHIELD Controller, 4K HDMI cable, plus a copy of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. That game is a $30 value, plus the huge jump in onboard storage. If you need that much storage, plus love gaming, the Pro model would be a good choice. For accessories, you can pick up a SHIELD Remote for $50, or a SHIELD Stand to prop your box up for $29. Additionally, NVIDIA has partnered with Google to make the SHIELD an even better buy. When purchased, buyers will receive a $30 Google Play gift card, plus a free 90-day subscription to Google Play Music. Below, I take SHIELD for a spin in my own home, giving you a tour of the device and what it offers your living room. If you need more SHIELD action, our full review is on the way. For those who want access to those awesome new games for Android, follow the links below. Note: Purchase links and Google Play links may lead to dead ends, but be patient. It takes time for things to populate the servers. If you are already sold on the box, you can purchase one directly from NVIDIA here. Play Links: DOOM 3 BFG | The Talos Principle | JuJu | War Thunder | Lauftrausers | Hotline Miami

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Google Maps Goes Completely Offline Later This Year

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 11:50:41 +0000

In an update that is set to release later this year, Google Maps will go completely offline for users on Android. Announced during Google I/O, a Maps user with the updated app can select an area for which they want saved to their device for offline viewing. When offline, Maps still contains all of the same information that an online user sees, such as business locations, ratings for businesses, auto completion for addresses, and even navigation. There is no exact launch timeframe yet, but as soon we know, we will update you.

Google Now on Tap Brings Smart Multi-Tasking to Android M

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 11:22:12 +0000

Part of Android M is a major enhancement to Google Now, Google's smart-as-hell automated assistant service, called Now on Tap. With Google Now on Tap, the new piece to the Now puzzle, you can get Google Now help from almost anywhere with a simple long press of your phone's home button, allowing you to multi-task from any screen without having to leave what you are currently doing. So what kinds of things are we talking about? Get ready, because this stuff is insanely cool. Say someone emails you, asking if you want to see Tomorrowland later this evening, but you want to instantly find out more information about the Clooney flick. With a long press of home, you would get a pop-up at the bottom of the screen that includes all sorts of info about the movie (ratings, related apps, link to trailer, etc.).

Google Now on Tap could also give you dinner information about a restaurant you were talking about in a messaging app or tell you the names of band members that are currently playing in your music app, all without ever leaving your current screen. Pretty cool, right? This new functionality will arrive later with Android M.

Via: Inside Search

Google Details 'Doze' Power Management in Android M, Could Double Standby Time

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 11:16:31 +0000

To keep your device alive for a longer period of time, Google announced the Doze power management system for Android M today at Google I/O. Exact details are still highly unknown, but according to Google, when users are running Android M, their device can last up to twice as long thanks to a higher focus on power management when the device is not in use. This example was provided through a test on the Nexus 9 tablet, not a smartphone. To explain, Doze basically shuts down all background applications during the night, but can still turn on alarms and receive high priority notifications such as Hangouts messages. Doze will come with Android M, which will be widely available in Q3 of this year. We will post additional info on Doze as it is made available.

Google Photos is Official and Available Today, Free Unlimited Storage for All

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 10:59:32 +0000

Google went ahead and made its new Photos app/service official today during the I/O keynote. With Photos, you get the Google+ Photos experience, but as a stand-alone service for all to use, with free, unlimited storage. That's right, you no longer have to use Google+ to get all of the awesome sauce that is Google Photos. With the new Photos apps, you get, as I just mentioned, free unlimited storage for your photos and videos up to 16MP resolution and 1080p. The new app auto-groups things like picture of dogs or faces or birthday parties or other life events. You can quickly multi-select photos with the drag of a finger, then share them to anyone (even if they don't use Photos) through a simple instantly created link. Remember Auto Awesome? It's now called Assistant, and it can be used to auto-enhance photos, but Google will also offer up suggestions of stories and collages.

It all looks fantastic.

The new Google Photos service is available starting today on Android, iOS, and the web. You can find it right here (soon). Update: It is now live on Google Play. Download.

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Via: Google

Google Makes Android Pay Official, Coming to a Phone Near You

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 10:56:23 +0000

As rumors suggested, Google announced Android Pay this morning at Google I/O. With Android Pay, users can sync all of their debit cards, credit cards, and loyalty cards inside one service. At a partnered merchant, users can use tap-to-pay to make purchases through NFC technology, or use the service to make purchases through applications. As of right now, Google has a large handful of partners, such as Best Buy, Whole Foods, and McDonalds, but the list will continue to grow. For applications that will use Android Pay, the list is quite large. There is B&H, Dominos, grubHub, OpenTable, Newegg, and many more. For additional information, read Google's complete Android Pay blog post. We will continue to update this post with additional info.

Via: Android

Android M Developer Preview Will be Available for Nexus 5, 6, 9, and Player (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 10:37:26 +0000

Google has announced a whole bunch of features of the Android M Developer Preview, which we have detailed here. But what about devices? Well, they also announced that it will be available on the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player. They didn't say when, but I would imagine that it will be soon - maybe even this week. As we learn more about availability, we'll update this post. Update: Google says to expect it right after the keynote. Today, is going to be awesome. UPDATE 2: IT'S LIVE! DOWNLOAD FOR EACH DEVICE HERE.

Google Announces Revamped App Permissions for Android

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 10:33:28 +0000

Google has announced a large overhaul for app permissions in Google Play this morning at Google I/O. Moving forward, instead of approving a large list of permissions when downloading apps from Google Play, a user will simply grant apps specific permissions when the app requests for it. For example, in WhatsApp, when the app needs to use your microphone, the app will ask for this permission, which the user can then grant or deny. To take advantage of all of an app's features, users will need to grant access to more permissions. In the future, as apps adopt this, users should no longer need to worry about shady permissions when downloading apps for the first time or application updates. Exciting?

Google Announces Android M Developer Preview, Here is a List of Changes

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 10:11:50 +0000

Google just announced the Android M Developer Preview and thanks to this image that was put up at the I/O keynote, we can see almost all of the new features included. Things like better text selection, custom Chrome tabs, USB Type-C support for phones, crazy improved power management, fingerprint support, Android Pay, revamped volume controls, and direct sharing with contacts are all now included. The M preview will be available on the Nexus 5, 6, 9, and Player. Take a look at the image above and let us know what sounds amazing to you!

Moto X "Pure Edition" Now Getting Android 5.1 Update

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 08:08:13 +0000

According to a whole flock of DL readers who own the Moto X (2nd gen) "Pure Edition," an update to Android 5.1 is rolling out as software version 23.11.14 in the US. This is big news, as Motorola had previously only announced that the update was rolling out in Brazil, with US devices set to receive it later on. This update does wonderful things with notifications, adds a Chop Twice motion for launching the flashlight, improves device protection and the camera, also improves ART Runtime, and more. You can see the full list of changes at this post. In order to check for the update, head into Settings>About phone.

Cheers Brandon, Haley, Sean, Kaushal, and everyone else!

Swiftkey Update Adds New Default Theme, Dashlane Support, More

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 08:00:45 +0000

Swiftkey is pushing a big update to its stable Android keyboard this morning, one that introduces a new default "Carbon" default theme, Dashlane support, and their Swiftkey Hub. If the Dashlane and Hub stuff all sounds familiar, that's because those two features arrived in the beta back in late April. So what is all this fun? The new Carbon theme is a "combination of the Minimal and Material" themes that you have already likely used. Swiftkey thinks it captures the "sleekness and speed" of their keyboard.

With Dashlane support, users of the password app now have integration within Swiftkey, giving them the ability to quickly fill forms "securely" just when they need to. Of course, you need to be a Dashlane user in order to take advantage of this. As for the Swiftkey Hub, it can be accessed through the new "hamburger" menu located at the top left of the keyboard. By swiping it out, you gain easy access to personalization options, the Swiftkey Store, and other settings. The update should be live for all on Google Play today. Play Link

Via: Swiftkey

AT&T LG G4 Pre-Sale Begins Tomorrow, General Availability Starts June 5

Tim — Thu, 28 May 2015 07:59:16 +0000

AT&T has released availability information for the LG G4, announcing that tomorrow, May 29, is the official pre-sale day. For those who want to head into a store and get hands-on, the G4 will be available on June 5 at all retail locations. As for pricing, the G4 can be had on-contract for $199, or through AT&T's Next Program starting at $0 down, followed by 30 payments of $21. And that's for the plastic-backed version. The leather backed model will run you $22.34 a month, or $239.99 on a new two-year contract. Both models can be purchased off contract, with the price set at $629.99 for plastic, and $669.99 for leather. Picking one up?

Via: AT&T

Google I/O 2015 Keynote Live Blog!

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 06:44:21 +0000

Google I/O 2015 is here! The 2-day event held by Google in San Francisco is the ultimate Google gathering. While this is most definitely a developer-friendly conference, where developers of all types can learn to make better use of Google's services and tools, it is also used as a showcase for Google to unveil new products, features for those products, and get all Google-y. As you know from our quick preview post, we are expecting a heavy dose of new Android in the form of Android M, lots of wearable and Android Auto talk, Google in your home, and more. To kick off the conference, Google is hosting a keynote this morning at 9:30AM Pacific (12:30PM Eastern). You can watch it live with us, right here! We have also included a live blog, so that you can chat with the crew and see reactions as Google announces the new new. This should be fun!

Chrome Stable for Android Gets Quicker Checkouts, Touch to Search

Kellen — Thu, 28 May 2015 06:14:15 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, Chrome stable for Android received an update to version 43.0.2357.78 that gave it a couple of features previously featured in the beta channel. Thanks to the update, users can now "quickly and securely" complete checkout forms with help from Google Wallet, plus they can perform Google searches of words or phrases just by touching them. Touch to Search has been in the beta for so long that I had not even realized that it wasn't in stable yet. If you haven't experienced this yet, I think you are really going to enjoy it. All you have to do (once it's turned on in settings>privacy), is tap on words or phrases on a page and Google will start searching for them in a tab towards the bottom of your screen. Here is the full changelog:

Faster Checkout - Quickly and securely complete checkout forms with data from Google Wallet
Touch to Search - Learn more about words and phrases by touching them on your screen.
Bug fixes and speedy performance improvements.

Play Link

Via: Chrome Releases

Stickers Now Available in the Chrome Hangouts Extension

Kellen — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:12:32 +0000

Your kitteh-filled life is close to being complete as of this moment. The Hangouts extension on Chrome now has access to stickers. Go get them.

Cheers Anthony!

Pebble Time Begins Shipping This Week!

Kellen — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:03:57 +0000

Fans of Pebble who backed the company's second Kickstarter adventure, your Pebble Time is about to ship. Announced this afternoon via the Pebble blog and Kickstarter, Pebble states that the first 10,000 units are at distribution centers and will begin their journey into your hands this week. After those go out, shipping will only ramp up until all of their 78,000+ backers have received units. For those who missed the Kickstarter campaign, don't worry, as a pre-order for the Pebble Time will open on Monday, June 22. Who ordered? If so, is yours ready to ship?

Via: Pebble

Android 5.1 Update for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Expected in June, Includes Updated Camera Feature

Tim — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:02:05 +0000

New Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge owners won't have long to wait to receive their Android 5.1 update, as the OTA is scheduled for sometime in June, according to the folks at SamMobile. Inside, owners will receive one of the latest versions of the Android OS, plus a tweak to the camera application. As stated by SamMobile, who are running an unofficial build of the update, the tweak will bring an easier adjustment UI for the exposure level in any given picture. This feature is already available on both devices through the dedicated Pro mode, but when updated, it is said to be easier to use, and more straightforward for endusers. Of course, the June timeline may just be for overseas variants of the phones, meaning US users who purchased their phone through a carrier may have to wait a tad bit longer to receive Android 5.1. Regardless, we will keep you posted on when to expect your update.

Via: SamMobile

Android Auto Coming to 14 Chevy Models Later This Year

Tim — Wed, 27 May 2015 13:47:07 +0000

For fans of American automakers, Chevy is set to bring Android Auto functionality to 14 models offered by the manufacturer, including the Corvette, Camaro, Spark, Malibu, and Tahoe. Synced directly through Chevy's own MyLink infotainment system, the 2016 models will also be compatible with Apple's CarPlay, meaning families with differing platform users can all take advantage of the added benefits. During an event in San Francisco this week, Chevy's Dan Kinney, Director of User Experience stated, "We want to change the way people use their smartphones in their car by making sure drivers keep their hands on the wheel. Voice activation is a critical component here." For anyone who may be soon heading to the dealership in search of a new car, keep this in mind.

Via: USA Today

Verizon LG G4 Arrives June 4, G Pad X8.3 Too

Kellen — Wed, 27 May 2015 13:43:40 +0000

Verizon announced this afternoon that its variant of the LG G4 will go up for pre-order May 28 before arriving in stores on June 4. Priced at $22.91 per month for 24 months through Verizon Edge, or $549 at full retail, Big Red appears to be offering one of the better deals in the industry for this new LG flagship. Be sure to read our LG G4 review if you are considering this phone. Included in today's announcement, Verizon also unveiled the new LG G Pad X8.3 as the next tablet to enter its line-up. The G Pad X8.3 will run $12.49 per month for 24 months with Edge, or $299 at full retail. So what is the G Pad X8.3? That price leads us to believe this is a middle-of-the-road tablet. You get a 1.5GHz unnamed octa-core processor, 8.3-inch Full HD IPS display, dual stereo speakers, 8MP/2MP camera setup, 16GB internal storage with microSD support, and a 4,800mAh battery. Oh, it also runs Lollipop out of the box, so you won't have to hang out with DROID Turbo owners who hate life with Kit Kat. The LG G Pad X8.3 arrives the same day as the G4.

Via: Verizon

Early Upgrades at Verizon are Now a Thing of the Past

Kellen — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:00:23 +0000

Yesterday, Verizon told us that they were simplifying the Edge upgrade and payment experience by getting rid of the plan's requirements that ask you to wait 30 days and pay off 75% of the phone in order to pick up a new phone. The new version of Edge, which goes into affect on May 31, only asks that you pay the phone off in full before upgrading. Sounds simple enough, right? It's simple all right, but it also completely kills off any form of an early upgrade at Verizon. With the old Edge policy that required you to pay off 75% of your phone, you had the opportunity to upgrade within about 18 months assuming you paid your monthly payment and nothing more each month. Should you buy a $600 phone and pay $25 per month, you could upgrade to a new phone six months early without ever paying the full $600 price. Once you hit that 75% mark, you could swap out your phone for a new one without paying an upgrade or activation fee. As of May 31, that all changes. If you want to upgrade to a new phone early, you have to come up with the full $600. Either that, or you just continue to pay your $25 per month payment for 24 months until the device is paid in full and then you can upgrade. See, no more early upgrades with Edge. Of course, the early upgrades haven't just stopped there with Verizon. Back in 2013, Verizon changed their 2-year contract upgrade dates to better "align" with contract terms, which meant a move from 20-month upgrades to 24-month upgrades. So no 75%-paid upgrades with Edge and full 24-month upgrades when you have a 2-year contract. That sounds to me like Verizon has completely abandoned any form of an early upgrade. On the flip side, AT&T has three different Next plans that allow you to upgrade in as little as 12 months (they also have 18 and 24 month plans). T-Mobile has its JUMP! program, which costs you $10 per month, but lets you upgrade at any time, with T-Mobile covering the rest of your device payments up to half of the device's total price. Of course, those plans from AT&T and T-Mobile both require you to trade in your device, while Verizon lets you keep it (but they should, since you paid it off fully). Just something to think about.

Question of the Day: What are Your Google I/O Predictions?

Kellen — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:12:54 +0000

This morning, we shared our thoughts and predictions for this week's Google I/O conference, but those were just that, our thoughts and predictions. We now want to know what you think we'll see or also what you are most looking forward to from Google when they take the stage for the opening keynote. Obviously, you want as much Android as you can take. But are their specific new features or issues that would make you giddy should they find their way into Android M? Do you want a new Chromecast or more cast-ready technologies? Are you hoping for big new Android TV or gaming announcements? What about Android Auto - are you ready for a smart car? Do you just need all things Material Design? Or maybe you just want to see Matias' shirt? You tell us!

A Quick Google I/O 2015 Preview

Kellen — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:02:46 +0000

Google I/O is tomorrow. Oh, you forgot? Well, good fellow, you should probably call in sick tomorrow, because it's going to be filled with awesomeness, once again. I know that as I/O approaches each year, many find themselves saying, "Oh, Google doesn't have much on the horizon this year, so I/O might be a bore." That, would be a terrible mindset almost any day when referring to Google, but that would be even terrible-er(?) this year. This may very well be one of the most jam-packed Google I/O events in years, if any of the reports, leaks, and whispers out of Google are any indicator. I'm not typically into big, bold predictions, but there are some items in particular that I can't wait (and hope) to see Google talk about. Let's run through them in a quick preview to prepare for tomorrow!

Android M and Developer Preview Like last year, we should see a developer preview of the newest version of Android, which Google has already told us will be Android M. They won't tell us what "M" stands for, but I know that many of you have some good guesses. As for what will be new, well, that's a good question. Google hasn't hinted at much, but we should see things like better privacy controls when installing apps, new Smart Lock options or uses, potential battery and RAM improvements (there are two battery sessions and one on memory tooling), new developments in terms of gaming (multi-screen action?), more context aware opportunities, and more. We are also hearing rumors suggesting that Google may build in native fingerprint scanner support. I would imagine we'll see fine-tuning of Material Design with Android, learn how Android M will improve the Android Auto experience, and maybe even some talk of another new approach to updates or at least how long devices will be supported. Further improvements to the backup and restore process would also be greatly appreciated, even over the massive improvements we saw in Lollipop. If anything, we should see the preview go live this week, so that we can all take it for a spin on Nexus phones (and tablets?). Once that happens, you know we'll be walking through all of the new goodies, just like we did last year. New Chromecast The Google I/O schedule doesn't talk much about Chromecast, but I would be shocked if we don't see a new Chromecast 2 in the very near future. I/O would be the perfect time to announce one and show off a device that should have new flexibility and features. Rumors in and out of our inbox have suggested that a tweaked form factor will allow the new Chromecast to not only plug-in to TVs, but to speakers as well, so you can stream audio to just about any speaker you own (since not all are Cast-ready). The new Chromecast will likely stay at the $35 price point of the original. Photos app Back in February, media reports surfaced with word that Google would soon break down Google+ into three areas: Hangouts, Photos, and Stream. Hangouts has already mostly become its own messaging platform and the G+ stream is still the G+ stream, though there may be tweaks there as well to make that more obvious. As for Photos, we have yet to see it fully materialize as its own stand-alone app. That should change at Google I/O. Google should have its all new Google Photos app ready for prime time. Don't be surprised if it shows up as a new app listing on Google Play this week. For the most part, it should be the same app you are already using alongside Google+, but Google may re-brand parts (Auto Awesome becomes Assistant) of it and give it a new polished look. The folks at Android Police have spent a ton of time with it in case you want to see how it looks. Android Auto updates Like wearables, cars are the next big frontier for tech companies. Since Google already dominates the smartphone landscape and was one of the first to smartwatches, they will now spend all sorts of time getting into your next car. We have seen Hyundai adopt Android Auto in their new line-up of cars, but you should expect plenty of new news surrounding the platform at I/O, this week. Google has at least two sessions dedicated to it, but I would imagine we'll see some of the 3-hour keynote tomorrow morning spent on it as well, maybe in relation to the Android M preview. Android Wear announcements (hardware and software?) Google still seems heavily invested in wearables, but without any rumors of new hardware, I don't know that we'll such much other than a big focus on fitness and Google Fit (two sessions related to fitness). There may be an announcement surrounding the next version of Wear, but keep in mind, Google just started (slowly) pushing the recent WiFi-support update within the last week and it has yet to hit most watches. The sessions (four related to wearables) all seem targeted at getting developers to buy into fitness integration or using a wearable as a means of authentication. Maybe we'll finally get release news on Huawei's watch? Maybe Google will give them to attendees, like they did last year with the 360? Please! Voice controls of apps Google is going to teach developers how to add voice controls to their apps at I/O. We know this because there is an entire session dedicated to it. What we don't know is if this is an Android M feature or something that will work retroactively with other builds of Android. Either way, get ready for your voice to take over your phone. App Permission controls A report from earlier in the month talked about Google giving more control over the permissions that are provided to you during app installs. In basic terms, this could mean that you could hand-pick which permissions you give an app as you install it. Last year, Google gave us a simpler, cleaner overview of permissions, but this move would give you serious control over what your new apps can and can't access. Tough to tell if that might break some apps, but leave it to Google to figure all of that out. Also, don't be surprised if this is one of the major new features of Android M. Google Home or Android@Home Like all tech companies, Google is preparing to take over your home and the Internet of Things (IoT). According to a report earlier in the month, Google will (at least in our opinions) revive their Android@Home initiative by creating a new software that can run on low-powered, low-RAM devices that would make your home smarter. The hub of it all could be Google's Nest, but the big deal here is their software (codenamed "Brillo") being provided to smart home product makers to help create a standard for your home to all run as one. This is a big deal if you want your phone to be smarter in the future. WTF is ATAP doing? Google's Advanced Technologies and Projects (ATAP) is going to introduce a wearable that will "literally" blow your socks off. I have no idea what they have in store, but it could be smart shoes or socks (if we are talking "literally") or something else altogether. Whatever it is, it should be weird yet awesome, in a weird-awesome way. VR, because why not? Don't be surprised if Google jumps on the Virtual Reality (VR) train. I'll be sleeping as they talk about it, but others may get all sorts of giddy. Look, I get that companies are always trying to find the next big thing, I just don't buy into it being VR. VR, to me, is like 3D TVs and Google Glass - it sounds and looks cool at first in demos, but probably won't ever actually be that cool in reality. Free stuff! Google always gives out free stuff at Google I/O to attendees. Last year it was a bunch of Android Wear devices. In years past, it has been Nexus phones or tablets, Chromebooks and boxes, and Chromecasts. What will it be this year? This is pure speculation, but I'm guessing the new Chromecast 2 will be gifted, along with an Android Wear watch of some sort (Watch Urbane or Huawei Watch). And if nothing else, maybe Google will hand out Nexus 6s and Project Fi invites to those interested. Join us tomorrow at 9:30AM Pacific (12:30PM Eastern) for the live keynote! It's going to be a long one, so bring water, snacks, and butt cushions.

Android 5.1.1 Factory Image Available for Nexus 6 (Sprint)

Tim — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:56:33 +0000

The Android 5.1.1 factory image for the Nexus 6 on Sprint and US Cellular is now available for download and flashing. If you own this exact device, you can find the link below. Do note, if you have a Nexus 6 not on Sprint or US Cellular, do not attempt to flash this image. Factory Image (Android 5.1.1):

Nexus 6 Sprint, USC Only (LMY47Z)

Instructions for flashing factory images can be found here.

Google to Answer Your Search Inquiries Directly in Search Suggestions

Tim — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:40:03 +0000

In either a full blown app update or simple server-side change, the Google app is reported to become a bit more helpful and quicker in delivering the answers you are looking for. Before the update, when you attempt a search such as "How old is Barack Obama?," you need to hit Enter to complete the search in order to view the answer. Thanks to the update, your answer will appear directly below in the Search Suggestions, with no need to continue to the results page. As another example, you could ask, "What year did California become a state?" Without having to see the results page, Google will tell you the answer right below in the Search Suggestions. It's not a huge change, but definitely something to help speed up the search process. If you see this change hit your phone, let us know in the comments section. Play Link

Via: The Next Web

LG G4 Now Available Online From T-Mobile

Kellen — Wed, 27 May 2015 06:41:06 +0000

T-Mobile told us to expect the LG G4 today and they delivered. You can now purchase the LG G4 from the Uncarrier for $0 with equal monthly payments of $24.99 per month. In case you don't have a calculator handy, that means you will pay $599.76 over that 24-month period. Don't forget that T-Mobile is tossing in a free 128GB microSD card, though supplies are limited. Also, T-Mobile has an exclusive on the brown leather version and they haven't even upped the price on it over the standard grey plastic model. That seems like a deal in and of itself, especially since you could swap it out if you decide you don't like it or it doesn't hold up to the elements. Be sure to read our LG G4 review if you haven't already. T-Mobile Link

Big Update Coming Soon to Minecraft: Pocket Edition, Includes Player Skins and Fishing

Tim — Tue, 26 May 2015 15:15:09 +0000

An update is set to roll out soon to Android, iOS, and Windows Phone owners who play Minecraft: Pocket Edition. Inside the update, the good folks at Mojang are bringing Player Skins, allowing players to customize their appearance inside of the app. Users can upload their very own skins for free, or can purchase bundles of skins for a small price. On top of skins, the developers are bringing sweet fishing spots, boats that fit two (you and your wolf buddy can now float around on the lake), squids, cave spiders, the ability to throw objects from boats, and plenty of bug fixes. The update should be live later this week or early next week for users on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. Want to see everything they are adding in? Here you go. What's New

Multiple language support
Boats with space for two! Take your pet for a pleasant ride.
The ability to throw stuff from boats, including snowballs and eggs
Fishing! Now you can fish for fishies!
Squids!
Spider jockeys!
Cave Spiders!
Bats!
Adorable baby zombies!
Weird chicken jockeys!
Edible clownfish. Yum!
A fancy new World Edit screen so you can rename worlds, change game modes and do other things
Creative players can no longer be set on fire. Controversial
We’ve stopped cheeky chickens from walking on water
Animals can no longer breed without touching each other ooh err
Drinking milk now removes mob effects
Ridiculous amounts of bug fixes
More cool things that you should discover for yourself

Via: Mojang

Deal: Innori 15000mAh Battery Pack for $30, 50% Off Original Price

Tim — Tue, 26 May 2015 14:49:31 +0000

Priced at 50% off of its original suggested retail price, folks can pick up an Innori 15,000mAh Battery Pack for just $30 on the DL Deals Store. With the Innori pack, users can charge their smartphone at least 5 times on a single charge, or charge two devices simultaneously thanks to the dual USB port. In addition, with built-in safeguards, you won't need to worry about any of your devices overheating or short circuiting. Plus, with a built-in LED flashlight, all of your charging can be done in the dark. Spooky. If you need a bit more portable juice for your devices, follow the link below. Features

Power your phone at least 5 times on one charge
Simultaneously charge 2 gadgets at a time w/ the dual USB port
Protect your phone from overcharge, overcurrent, overvoltage & short circuit w/ built-in safeguards
Charge in the dark w/ LED flashlight
View your charging status w/ the LED indicator
Easily transport thanks to the compact, lightweight design

Deal Link

Microsoft to Launch Cortana App to Android Near the End of June

Tim — Tue, 26 May 2015 13:39:05 +0000

In a blog post today, Microsoft announced an upcoming standalone Cortana app, the company's personal assistant currently found exclusively on Windows Phone, for both Android and iOS devices. With Cortana, which is similar to Google Now and Siri, users can ask questions or speak commands, with Cortana delivering answers or reminders for events. For example, you can say, "What's the weather forecast?" and then Cortana will then give you a 5-day overview of the weather. In addition, Cortana can remind you of appointments when you ask it to. Simply say, "Remind me to go to the Doctor next Tuesday at 10am," and sure enough, Cortana will remind you. As of right now, Microsoft states that a few features will be limited, given how much permission Android and iOS grant applications. For example, toggling system settings will not be doable at launch, and the same goes for using your voice to launch specific apps. Microsoft states that the Cortana app for iOS will be available later this year, while Android users can expect launch sometime around the end of June. For those of you who will be upgrading your Windows PC to Windows 10, or for anyone who supports Microsoft's efforts, will you be trying out Cortana? We will let you know as soon as it's available.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Windows

Report: "Bullhead" and "Angler" are Your New Nexus Devices Made by LG and Huawei

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:28:21 +0000

The Nexus 6 and its whale self isn't all that old, but it's time to start talking about what's next for the Nexus program. According to the crew over at Android Police, along with additional information to back up part of their claims in AOSP, we should expect two Nexus phones this year, one made by LG and another by Huawei. Yes, two phones! Sources of theirs have indicated that LG is making a 5.2-inch Nexus phone with a battery roughly around 2,700mAh in size and a Snapdragon 808 processor. That phone is currently resting under the codename of "bullhead." The Huawei phone is said to sport a 5.7-inch display, 3,500mAh battery, and Snapdragon 810 processor, all under the codename "angler." In case you needed some actual proof that the LG device is indeed real, look no further than this AOSP commit, which references a device named "bullhead" that is made by LG. Never heard of an LG "bullhead?" Neither have we, which means this has to be an unreleased phone being tested by Google. As you can see in the image below, that "bullhead" reference is flanked by references to other Nexus devices like "hammerhead" (Nexus 5) and "shamu" (Nexus 6).

As for the Huawei device, we have yet to find actual proof of its existence, but this of course isn't the first time we have heard that Huawei is making a Nexus phone. At least a couple of early rumors have indicated that Huawei and Google are teaming up to launch a phone with a 5.7-inch display and Snapdragon 810 processor. And for those who don't understand the fish-like names, feel free to read up on the history of Nexus codenames here. On a related note, Android Police has been told not to expect a new Nexus tablet this year. I can't imagine that many of you are sad to hear that news. So, a 5.2-inch Nexus made by LG? Have your prayers been answered? If you have any other details about upcoming Nexus phones, be sure to hit us up.

Via: Android Police

Verizon Tweaks Edge Program, Only Lets You Upgrade Whenever Device is Paid in Full

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 11:04:35 +0000

Verizon announced a new change to their Edge program this morning that affects the timing for your upgrades to a new phone when signed up for Edge. Starting May 31, participants in the Edge program will be able to upgrade "at any time after their prior Edge device is paid in full." Previously (and currently until we get to May 31), Verizon has made you wait 30 days and pay up to 75% of the device off before being eligible to upgrade. They also required you to trade in your device at that time when upgrading. Now, they are taking away the 30-day time constraint and making you pay 100% of the phone off, but letting you keep the phone. Everything is much more simple now, only you also don't get to upgrade early anymore. This is a device payment plan that gives you a discount off your line access, and that's it. Well, there you go, today's Verizon news. Edit: Tweaked post to better clarify the trade-in, no-longer-have-to-trade-in change.

Via: Verizon

Deal: Nexus Player Just $79 From the Google Store ($20 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 10:34:32 +0000

Google just dropped the Nexus Player to $79 ($20 off) on the Google Store. At $99, this first Android TV device was already priced reasonably well, but at $79, you are venturing in to impulse buy territory. If you don't already own a Chromecast or Fire TV product, this is worth consideration should you want to make that TV of yours a little bit smarter. Just keep in mind that NVIDIA has its SHIELD unit on the way, and it should be quite the little gaming powerhouse. As a recap, the Nexus Player is Google's first Android TV product. This isn't Google TV, but similar. You connect the Nexus Player to your TV through HDMI, then get a full TV UI that features Google Play, your favorite streaming services, games, and casting capabilities, which means this is like a Chromecast on steroids. You also get a little smart remote with voice search, so that you don't have to use those really difficult-to-maneuver on-screen TV keyboards. Google Store Link

Here are the Factory Image and OTA Files for Nexus 6's WiFi Calling Update "LYZ28E" 6 on T-Mobile (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 10:13:18 +0000

The WiFi Calling update for Nexus 6s running on T-Mobile that began rolling out over the weekend now has a factory image and OTA .zip file from Google as build LYZ28E. This is still Android 5.1.1, of course, but the files may come in handy for those of you running your Nexus 6 on the Uncarrier's network and have yet to receive the update. You can download the factory image here. Instructions for flashing factory images can be found here. Update: Google also just posted the 5.1.0 "LMY47M" (T-Mobile Only) factory image. You can grab it here. If you need the OTA .zip file, you can grab that here (LYZ28E from LMY47M, 126MB). For instructions to sideload using adb, check here.

Via: Google

Hyundai Now Offers Android Auto in 2015 Sonata

Tim — Tue, 26 May 2015 10:00:28 +0000

Android Auto, Google's simplified version of its mobile OS made specifically for cars, is now available from Hyundai. Currently exclusive to 2015 models of the Sonata, dealers can begin updating head units with Android Auto, or current owners can update their units themselves starting later this summer. Android Auto brings access to Google Maps navigation, as well as Google Play Music, allowing drivers to experience an entertaining ride, while also minimizing distractions. Users can perform voice actions, such as "Ok Google, play metal radio," or "Ok Google, call Sarah," which should lead to your hands not leaving 10 and 2 on the wheel as much, fumbling for your smartphone. I have been driving around with Android Auto installed in my car for the past few days, and so far, it is pretty neat. Even though it is very minimal right now, with the essential features such as Maps, Music, and Dialer working just fine, it will be interesting to see if Google and 3rd-party developers make it a more exciting platform. Have you installed a Android Auto unit in your vehicle? What are your thoughts on the system?

Via: Hyundai

OnePlus Says It's Time to "Shake Up" the Industry, Plans Something for June 1

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 09:56:48 +0000

OnePlus has something in-store for us on June 1, at least according to a Tweet sent by the company this morning that talks about shaking up the industry. Does that mean the unveiling of the OnePlus 2 or another price cut on the OnePlus One? I do not know. We do know that the OnePlus 2 is supposed to arrive in Q3 of this year with a Snapdragon 810 and what could be a $400 price tag, but June is not in Q3. You tell me - predictions? https://twitter.com/oneplus/status/603229111352451072

US Cellular LG G4 Pre-Sale Starts May 29, In-Store on June 4

Tim — Tue, 26 May 2015 09:13:46 +0000

The LG G4 is set to launch at US Cellular, with the company marking May 29 as the official pre-sale date, and in-store availability set for June 4. Potential buyers can pick up the G4 for $199 on a new two-year deal, or can opt for the monthly payment plan option, with those plans starting at $29.50 for the plastic back models, and $30.50 a month for the Black leather backed units. If you decide to purchase the device before June 21, LG will gift you a free 32GB memory card, extra removable battery, and battery charging cradle, all of which is redeemable via a dedicated promo site. Stoked to order your G4 soon?

Motorola Drops Moto 360 Price to $150 (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 08:48:39 +0000

We are still under the impression that Motorola is going to announce a new Moto 360 in the very near future, thanks to a Bluetooth SIG listing that showed up a couple of weeks ago. The original Moto 360 went on sale within weeks of stopping off at the Bluetooth verification service last year. If you were looking for an additional reason to believe that the new is near, then the hypebeast in you may want to look at today's price drop of the original on Motorola's site from $250 down to $150. This doesn't appear to be a promotional drop either, as the website simply states that the Moto 360 is "now starting at" $149.99. We saw the price drop to $150 over the weekend at Best Buy, but assumed that was a Memorial Day sale. That doesn't appear to be the case either, since Best Buy still has all Moto 360 models at $100 off today. Update: Motorola's site outside of their Moto 360 landing page says that the $100-off price slashing is a sale that runs through June 9. Sorry, we were too quick in getting this up before they fully updated their full site. Get ready for it. Or if anything, take advantage of this crazy low price on the best Android Wear watch still available. Motorola Link

Here's the Galaxy S6 Edge 'Iron Man' Edition, Apparently NOT Coming to the US

Tim — Tue, 26 May 2015 08:42:20 +0000

Having been teased for the past couple of weeks, the Iron Man edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge has now been completely unveiled by Samsung. Featuring the exact specs as the regular S6 Edge, the Iron Man edition brings a bright Hot-Rod Red and Gold color scheme, with a special Iron Man helmet emblem on the backside. Sadly, this epic device does not appear to be bound for US shores, and will instead be available in South Korea beginning 27, with further availability in China and Hong Kong later in June. We had hoped Samsung would launch the device unlocked here in the US possibly, considering they tweeted about it from their US account, but alas, no love for America this time around. You could always import it, if you really care.

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Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Hiroshi Lockheimer Confirms Android M is Coming This Year, Yearly Big Releases Going Forward

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 08:34:06 +0000

Thanks to a Google I/O session that has since been removed from the conference schedule, we are pretty sure that Google plans to announce Android M as the next release of Android for 2015 later this week. But since that session has been removed along with any reference to "Android M," we haven't been able to say that this bit of news is "confirmed." As of this morning, we can now make it official - Android M is coming this year. During an interview with Fast Company, Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer confirmed that the company has moved to a "yearly cadence of big releases," so since they gave us Android L last year, "this year we'll launch M." He even took the conversation a step further and said that you "can predict what will happen next year," which basically means that Android N is coming in 2016. Nothing else new was necessarily shared in his interview, but wanted to make sure you knew that Android M is coming this year and that you should expect yearly big releases going forward.

Via: Fast Company

Periscope, Twitter's Live Video Broadcasting App, is Now on Android

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 07:56:56 +0000

Periscope is now on Android! I don't know why I'm acting even remotely excited about this bit of news, but hey, it's exciting, right? You can now live broadcast your life to random strangers or friends or the tech journalists who keep telling you that this is a big deal. Fun! Such fun. In all seriousness, Periscope has proven to be a pretty popular platform for needy, attention hungry tweens (and tech journalists). Broadcasting your life or breaking news happening in front of your face or chatting live on video from your phone with all sorts of people is apparently a big deal. You remember Meerkat? (R.I.P., Meerkat.) This is just like that, only backed by Twitter. You can stream live video publicly, chat in real-time with the people ~~stalking~~ watching, replay missed feeds, go private with only select people (Craigslist, do work!), and so, so much more. Play Link

IKEA's Wireless Charging Furniture is Now Available

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 07:43:27 +0000

Included in the series of announcements surrounding the launch of the Galaxy S6 from Samsung, was word from IKEA that they had partnered with the Korean electronics giant to build out furniture that would include embedded wireless chargers. The thought was to help increase wireless charging adoption, but also to add functionality to your bedside table or lamp that would allow you to ditch the ugly chargers sold to you by Samsung and a variety of other accessory makers. The result, unveiled in April, was a series of lamps, tables, and stand-alone wireless chargers that added some style to something as geeky as wireless charging. IKEA told us to expect the entire line-up in the US at some point in "late spring." We must now be in "late spring," because I stopped through the furniture store over the weekend and found a variety of wireless charging options already available, including a couple of night stands, various lamps (one option pictured above), stand-alone chargers, wireless charging back covers for select phones, and kits that let you build your own furniture with wireless charging. If you were interested in IKEA's wireless charging options, now is the time to buy them. (We may or may not have a handful of goodies to giveaway later today.) IKEA Link

LG G4 Available at T-Mobile Starting Tomorrow, Free 128GB SD Card Included

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 07:03:27 +0000

The LG G4 is making its way to US stores! The phone that has clearly won Tim over, will be available starting tomorrow from T-Mobile's online store before arriving in stores on June 3. Priced at $0 down with monthly payments of $24.99, you are looking at a $600 investment that will be well worth it. This is a fantastic phone, easily up there in terms of overall package with the Galaxy S6. Should you buy the LG G4 from T-Mobile, you will get a 128GB microSD card for free, "while supplies last." Also, T-Mobile is claiming to have an exclusive on brown leather, so there's that for the leather fanatics in the building. Not much else to say other than, your time has come. Oh, and have you read our LG G4 review? You should.

Via: T-Mobile

Sony Xperia Z4 Becomes the Z3+ for the Rest of the World, Launches in June

Kellen — Tue, 26 May 2015 06:51:29 +0000

Remember how disappointed you were to not only find out that Sony's Xperia Z4 was essentially a slightly upgraded Xperia Z3 with no drastically improved additions, but that it was also only going to be available in Japan? Assuming you can get past the disappointment of that slight spec bump, we have good news! It's being re-branded for the rest of the world as the Xperia Z3+ and is coming in June! Need a refresher? OK. The Xperia Z3+ includes a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD display, 2930mAh battery, 20.7MP rear Exmor RS camera, 5MP front Exmor R camera, Android 5.0, Sony's upgraded skin, Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 64-bit octa-core processor, 32GB storage, microSD support up to 128GB, 3GB RAM, IP65 and IP68 water and dust resistance (with no USB cap!), and is just 6.9mm thick. So it's like an Xperia Z3 with a newer processor, capless waterproofing, and slightly thinner body. Sound appealing? Again, it launches in June globally, but we have no idea when or if it will come to the US. We also don't know pricing. At least one leaker does think it's coming to Verizon, though.

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Via: Sony

FORM Watch Face is the Newest Roman Nurik Release, All About the Little Details

Kellen — Mon, 25 May 2015 08:52:30 +0000

Roman Nurik, Googler and creator of popular apps like Muzei and DashClock, released his newest creation onto Google Play this weekend. It's called FORM, and it's a watch face based off of the font used for Google's FORM conference. The watch face as a clock is about as minimal as it gets, showing only time (and optional date and seconds), but Nurik built in some nice animations between the Wear companion app and your watch (seen in the video above), along with some other tricks. The app does something subtle yet awesome, which is integrate with Muzei. But not only does it integrate and pull from your current Muzei, it automatically adjusts the colors of the clock by using the dominant colors of the current Muzei wallpaper to give you the perfect clock to go with your wallpaper. (You can read more about how this all works here.) As for the font used, I think you will either love or hate it. Some think it is hard to read, while others think its minimal and awesome. I've found that if you do use Muzei with it, you will find some really cool looks that will help you adjust to the font. The app is free. Play Link

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Deal: Moto 360 is Just $150 at Best Buy ($100 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 25 May 2015 07:23:52 +0000

A new Moto 360 is more than likely right around the corner. Still, if you want the original, which is for the most part the best Android Wear device you can current buy, there are deals to be had. For example, this weekend, Best Buy has slashed $100 off the price of the watch, dropping it to as low as $150. That's for the leather version, of course, but the metal band versions are $100 off as well with a current price of $199. Again, it's closing in on its year anniversary and should be replaced by a new model fairly soon, but as you can tell from the 4.5 star average review at Best Buy, this is a solid little product. After a shaky launch start, Android Wear has turned the Moto 360 into a fine little accessory that is a steal at $150. Best Buy Link

DROID MAXX, Ultra, and Mini All Get Mini Update That No, Isn't Lollipop

Kellen — Mon, 25 May 2015 07:12:23 +0000

Verizon and Motorola are pushing an update to their 2013 line-up of DROID devices, the MAXX, Ultra, and Mini. The update is not Lollipop in any shape or form. It fixes bugs and improves stability. That's it. You are looking at a build number of 24.13.2 when all is said and done. The update was approved on Friday, so you should see it any day if you haven't already. To check for the update, head into Settings>About.

Via: Verizon [2]

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: May 22, 2015

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:56:45 +0000

Next week is a big one, folks. Google I/O 2015. We're expecting Android M talk, news about Android Wear, Android TV, Android Auto, Project Fi, and countless other projects Google has going on. But don't worry, we will be there to bring you all of the breaking stories. As for what happened this week, well, there was quite a bit. ASUS launched the ZenPhone 2 and we took it for a spin, there are a lot of rumors about what Google will announce next week, HTC claims there will not be a Mini version of the One M9, and folks who signed up for Project Fi may be waiting until mid-summer to receive an invite. See, lots of things. Below, you will find the list of this week’s top Android and mobile-related stories.

Have a fun-filled 3 day weekend, folks!

NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Receiving Update to Android 5.1, Includes Display and Camera Improvements

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:26:04 +0000

NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet owners, the day has come. Android 5.1 is now ready for download onto your tablet, bringing a gang of fixes and improvements for the device. To kick it off, Android 5.1 itself brings many bug fixes for Lollipop, including performance improvements and responsiveness upgrades, as well as support for Android for Work. On top of just Android fixings, NVIDIA worked in improved display performance (Global Tone Mapping), and a firmware update for the SHIELD Controller. Lastly, improvements for the camera, audio, LTE modem (for LTE capable models, naturally), and other various fixes are all inside of the update. This might lead to an excellent Memorial Day weekend, indeed.

Via: @NVIDIAGeForce

Cheers Tiago!

Deal Reminder: Last Chance to Pick Up a 2-Year Subscription to NordVPN for $39

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:06:38 +0000

Time is running out to grab a 2-year subscription to NordVPN for just $39 through the DL Deals Store. With NordVPN, subscribers can access secure servers through a public WiFi connection, allowing you to browse safely without fear of evil-doers. As a member, you can access over 43 worldwide servers in 25 different countries. These connections are high-speed, meaning any streaming or downloading of files will not be affected by your VPN connection. In addition, there is no limit on how much data passes through. For a full rundown of features, check out the list below. If a VPN is something you have been thinking about picking up, follow that link below. Features

All data sent through NordVPN’s private tunnels is double encrypted (double data SSL-based 2048-bit encryption).
Secures any Internet connection: public Wi-Fi hotspots, cellular networks & more
Strict no-log policy: your activity is not recorded anywhere
43+ worldwide server locations in 25 different countries for online access anywhere
High speed connections for streaming video and content access
Automatic kill switch shuts down your site as soon as the VPN connection drops, so no data is revealed
All DNS queries stay secure and protected
Secret notes that auto-destroy & encrypted chat function
Connect two devices simultaneously
No limit on data
Web proxy extension for Google Chrome

Deal Link

Nexus 6 WiFi Calling Update Approved by T-Mobile, Should Roll Out Soon

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:11:45 +0000

Breaking news on this Friday. T-Mobile just approved a software update for the Nexus 6, which to the delight of owners, will enable WiFi Calling. We have been following the saga of this update, and according to T-Mo's Des Smith, a handful of owners should see the update this weekend. Once owners receive this update, they will be able to make calls over a WiFi connection, instead of relying on a network. This is usually a feature highlighted very largely by T-Mobile's marketing department, and finally, it's coming to the Nexus 6. Des states that if all goes well, completion of the rollout should take a couple of weeks. You excited, Nexus 6 owners?

Via: @askdes | T-Mobile

Receive a $100 Gift Card When You Pre-Order the LG G4 From Best Buy

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:01:37 +0000

Posted up on Best Buy's website, when you pre-order the upcoming LG G4, you shall receive a $100 gift card to spend on whatever you would like. In order to be eligible, it appears you need to sign up on a new two-year agreement for the device, or be eligible for an upgrade, but as of right now, there are no carrier restrictions. You can pre-order on Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T and still receive the gift card. For those who were intending to purchase the device outright, we can't yet confirm if you will receive the gift card. Note: It appears Best Buy is in the midst of removing the product listings, as they show the release date for each carrier variant. These dates may or may not be accurate, but we at least know for sure that the device launches June 5 on Sprint.

Verizon - June 4
AT&T - June 12
Sprint - June 5

Best Buy Link

Cheers Justin!

LG G Watch R to Receive WiFi Support Via Update in Q3

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 11:24:25 +0000

According to a statement from LG, the G Watch R, which currently does not support WiFi connectivity, should be receiving a Maintenance Release sometime in Q3 of this year, bringing WiFi functionality. This added connectivity allows for cloud sync over WiFi for Android Wear devices, which connects your smartphone and smartwatch via WiFi for syncing data between the two. In the statement, LG claims they have engineers currently working on the patch for the G Watch R. If you are rocking an original G Watch, though, the company states that device was never intended to feature WiFi support.

LG Watch Urbane is the only wearable device Currently shipping with the latest version of Android Wear OS and is Wi-Fi capable out of the box. The original LG G Watch was not designed with Wi-Fi in mind and will not have this capability even after the Android Wear update. LG G Watch R will require a maintenance release after the patch update to Android Wear-access Wi-Fi networks. LG engineers are preparing the patch now for availability in the third quarter.

Q3 is a bit away, but for G Watch R owners, better late than never.

Via: Android World

Microsoft Hyperlapse App Updated, Now Supports Moto X and Other Devices

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 10:22:15 +0000

The Microsoft Hyperlapse app, launched as a beta last week, received an update last evening on Google Play. In the update, support for additional devices has been added, including the Moto X, Moto G (1st and 2nd Gen), and the Galaxy S4. With Hyperlapse, users can create sped up, steady video of adventures, much like you would see from Instagram's Hyperlapse. Of course, Instagram has yet to intro Hyperlapse for Android, so until then, Microsoft has the next best thing. If you own one of the newly supported devices, go try it out. What's New

Bug fixes
Support now includes: Moto X, Moto G1, Moto G2, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4

Play Link

Google Reportedly Adding Fingerprint Authentication in Android 'M'

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 09:23:42 +0000

It is rumored, and sort of confirmed, that Google will announce Android M at next week's Google I/O developer conference. What Google officially plans to announce with Android M is still unknown, but one report floating around claims the company will introduce native Fingerprint Authentication to the OS, bringing an end to third-party OEM solutions. If true, Android M users who own a device with a built-in fingerprint reader will be able to log into their devices and use secured apps without having to type in a password, just as we have now on smartphones such as the Galaxy S6. Furthermore, with Google creating a standard for Android handsets, it should allow many device makers to include this technology in upcoming devices, even if they do not have a history of creating fingerprint readers. Google I/O is only a few days away now, and you can rest assured that the DL team will be on hand for when all of the excitement that goes down in San Francisco. What is your take on fingerprint readers? Convenient? Pointless?

Via: BuzzFeed

Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge 'Iron Man' Edition Launches Next Week

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2015 08:26:50 +0000

Samsung is back this week, teasing the upcoming Iron Man edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge, this time on the company's Facebook page. According to the post, the device will be available starting next week, but sadly, we still don't have official launch details or pricing from Samsung. Given that this image was posted to Samsung's Korean page, it might be safe to assume the device will definitely be available in South Korea, but we are still awaiting official word for the US. The image shows the Iron Man helmet on the backside of the device, but we still can't quite make out the colors Samsung chose for the phone. We do hope they stick with the Gold and Hot-Rod Red, though. If the phone does hit the US, and for a non ridiculous price, would you pick it up?

Via: Samsung Korea

Sprint's LG G4 Arrives June 5, Confirms Free Goodie Package of SD Card and More

Kellen — Fri, 22 May 2015 07:55:34 +0000

A week ago, we told you to expect a sweet little bundle of goodies should you decide to buy an LG G4. That bundle, according to our exclusive report, would include a free 32GB microSD card, extra 3,000mAh battery, and battery charging cradle. This morning, Sprint confirmed the bundle, while also announcing that their variant of the G4 would be available June 5. Sprint's pricing of the device looks about like we expected it to be, with $199 2-year contract and $599 full retail prices. If you choose a monthly payment plan or their "lease" program, you are looking at monthly payments of anywhere from $18 to $25. As for the free goodies, Sprint says that you have a limited time to claim them. The process will happen through a third party site that will be provided to customers at the time of purchase.

Via: Sprint

Waiting on Your Project Fi Invite? You May be Waiting Until Mid-Summer

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 20:10:57 +0000

If you were one of the first to send a request for an invitation to Project Fi, Google's MVNO wireless service, and still have yet to be approved, your wait may be a tad bit longer than you had initially hoped. In an update email sent out to everyone who wants to be a part of Project Fi, Google states that they have received a high number of requests, but need to assure folks will be met with a positive experience. Due to Google's high standards, it may not be until "mid-summer" that everyone receives an invite. Google also states that in the coming weeks, folks will be able to check the status of their invite, hopefully leading to less people checking their spam folders everyday to see if their invite somehow didn't hit their inbox. Below, you can view the email which is seeding out to those who requested an invite to Project Fi. Are you one of the lucky ones to receive a SIM? How are you liking Project Fi?

Hello! Thanks for requesting an invite to Project Fi. We’re really excited that you’re interested in trying our service! Over the past few weeks, we’ve been happy to bring the first customers onto Project Fi and the initial feedback has been very positive. We're sending invites as quickly as we can, while ensuring a high-quality experience. Given the number of requests we’ve received, we currently estimate that it will take until mid-summer to get to everyone. In the coming weeks we’ll have a way for you to check the status of your invite - stay tuned for more information. Thanks again for your interest in Project Fi. We'll get you an invite as soon as we can! --The Project Fi team

Hangouts for Chrome Updated With New UI, Works With Mac OSX

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 15:21:25 +0000

A fancy new version of Hangouts is available for Chrome, supporting a variety of OS users on Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and even Mac OSX. From what we can see, the UI has been updated to match that of the Android look, but with a dedicated lefthand panel for your recent Hangout sessions. According to one Google employee, users on anything but Mac OSX should disable the transparent mode under the settings menu. This should allow you to see all of the new stuff. If you are already using this dedicated Hangouts app on Chrome, you can uninstall and then reinstall to see the changes if it has not yet already been pushed to you. Chrome Store Link

Via: +Mayur Kamat

Cheers Tyler!

QuizUp Intros Big Social Update, Includes Tinder-Like Swiping Feature

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:58:09 +0000

QuizUp, that super fun quiz app you and your friends might have played for a while, but inevitably put down for a break like all of the other blockbuster games, just received a very large "social" update. Inside, the developers have worked in what is essentially a social network. Now, you can select categories you are interested in through the app, then search for people around you who share those interests. Profile photos will then appear, and you can swipe through them until you find someone who you would like to challenge in a quiz. Personally, I can see many people attempting to use this feature to find a date. No, it's not sad, it's totally romantic. There are also updated graphics and improved performance throughout the app. If you want to give the latest update a try, grab it from Google Play right now. Play Link

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Game of Thrones Episode 4: Sons of Winter Hits Google Play Next Week

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:18:50 +0000

Episode 4: Sons of Winter for Telltale's Game of Thrones saga is set to release for Android devices on May 28. If you happen to play on another platform, such as Xbox One, you can expect release on May 27. In this episode, the Forresters are scattered, and no one with allegiance to the family is safe. Up by the Wall, Gared must take a trip North in search of the North Grove. Unfortunately, he may run into a few Wildlings or worse. Down south in King's Landing, Mira is trying to tread lightly in a very complex game of politics and secrets. Of course, Daenerys Targaryen is also in Episode 4, doing her thing in Essos. Episode 4 will be available beginning May 28 in Google Play. And remember, Winter is coming! Below, read the full description of what's taking place in Telltale's rendition of Game of Thrones.

In Episode 4, the fate of the scattered Forresters hangs in the balance, and no one allied with the family is safe. An unexpected meeting offers Rodrik a new opportunity to free Ironrath from its Whitehill stranglehold, but with young Ryon Forrester still held prisoner, his next moves are critical. Gared must abandon Castle Black and venture beyond the Wall in search of the mysterious North Grove, risking encounters with Wildlings and worse. In King's Landing, the population is reeling from a recent royal death, and Mira must step carefully in an increasingly complex game of politics where secrets are traded as currency. Far away in Essos, Asher infiltrates the slave city of Meereen at the behest of Daenerys Targaryen, but will the friendship he holds dear break under the strain of a mission that raises memories best forgotten?

Play Link

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Official HTC Mail App Hits Google Play, Allows for Quicker Updating

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 12:11:51 +0000

Another app has been decoupled from HTC's software builds this week, this time being the official HTC Mail client. The app allows users to link up several email accounts from different providers such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Exchange, all within in the same application. With this move, HTC is able to send out updates much more quickly, rather than having users wait around for OTA updates, making for a better experience all around. Below, you can see HTC Mail's large list of features, and if you own a compatible phone (like a One M9, for example), go grab the app on Google Play. Features

Quickly add accounts with the mailbox setup wizard
Switch between your accounts and folders from the drawer
Tap “+” to compose a new message
Change your message text’s font, color, highlight, indentation and more
Search for messages by subject, sender, receiver or content and all fields
Filter search results by sender, receiver, priority or attachment
Text Reflow auto adjusts content to fit your screen at different levels of zoom
Create meeting invitations without leaving HTC Mail
Support for Exchange ActiveSync policies

Play Link

"Ok Google, Shazam This Track" Right From Your Android Wear Smartwatch

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 11:14:02 +0000

Android Wear users who need to quickly discover music can now do so right from their wrist, thanks to an update in the official Shazam app on Google Play. The next time your phone is paired with an Android Wear watch, simply say, "Ok Google, Shazam this song," then wait for the results. Shazam will use your watch's built-in mic to listen to the track, then display all necessary information right there on your wrist. In addition to track information, if you swipe right after receiving your results, lyrics will be placed on your smartwatch, allowing for a quick singing session. We all know you have a beautiful singing voice. To utilize this new feature, grab the updated Shazam app from Google Play. Play Link

Via: Shazam [2]

Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop" Update Rolling Out to Moto G (1st Gen)

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 10:10:27 +0000

Moto G (1st Gen) owners, your Lollipop update is rolling out. More specifically, Android 5.0.2 will hit your device, bringing all of the Lollipop goodness you would expect. There are enhanced notifications, new animations, and a revamped UI across the board. This update comes a bit more delayed than expected, after a Motorola engineer stated back in January that the update was coming "really soon." Either way, better late than never. For a detailed look at what's new in the update, you can view Motorola's complete changelog. Go grab it.

Via: Motorola

Sling TV Arrives for Android TV, Buy a Nexus Player for 50% Off When You Pre-Pay for 3 Months of Service

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:31:06 +0000

Sling TV, the online TV streaming service, now works with your Android TV. To celebrate, Sling is offering 50% off a Nexus Player purchase for new customers who pre-pay for 3 months of Sling TV service. Already own a Nexus Player? Sling TV is gifting you a free week of trial service, hoping you will cut the cord to your current provider at the end of the week. Sling TV's list of compatible devices continues to grow, currently available on the Xbox One, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android devices, iOS devices, and more. With Android TV now in the works, and with that OS being built directly into new TV sets from major manufacturers (and plenty new set-top boxes on the way), Sling TV may soon become a legitimate option for those who truly wish to cut ties from Comcast or Time Warner. Unfortunately, after looking at Sling TV's channel lineup, those who enjoy many live sports may be left disappointed. Sure, you can watch the NBA Finals and ESPN channels, but many games will likely go missed. If you are already a member of Sling TV, and have an Android TV device, head on over to Google Play and grab the updated app. Do you have Sling? What do you like and what don't you like about it? Play Link

Via: Sling TV | Business Wire

LG G Pad F 8.0 Hits AT&T on May 28, $150 With 2-Year Agreement

Tim — Thu, 21 May 2015 08:42:58 +0000

Announced this morning, the G Pad F 8.0 from LG is set to hit AT&T on May 28, priced at $150 with a two-year agreement. The tablet features an 8" HD+ display, as well as a stylus for taking notes or drawing doodles. If a two-year agreement does not suit your needs, there are other methods of obtaining this device, as AT&T also offers a tablet installment plan. This plan allows for $0 down, with $12.50 monthly payments. The tablet can be placed on a new or existing Mobile Share Value plan for $10 a month. The G Pad F 8.0 runs Lollipop out of the box, and does feature many of LG's proprietary software tweaks, such as QSlide and Dual Window. If the device interests you, you can pick it up next Thursday.

Via: AT&T

Report: Google to Introduce New "Internet of Things" Software at I/O to Take Over Your Home

Kellen — Thu, 21 May 2015 08:30:51 +0000

Next week, Google will debut a new software at next week's Google I/O that the search giant hopes will eventually take over your home, according to a report out of The Information. The Internet of Things (IoT), as we call it, is a smart world around us where everything is connected, from appliances to sprinklers to security systems to your bed. Developing a platform for developers to easily get into IoT is Google's next big move. According to this report, Google will introduce a software or platform that is currently operating under the codename "Brillo." While we still aren't sure if this is Android-based, the group working on Brillo reportedly falls under the Android group, so the chances there are pretty likely. This technology is said to require as little as 64 or 32MB of RAM to work, so we are talking about low-powered electronics, the kind you would find in a world of connected everything. The point here is for Google to give developers a platform to create products on and quickly advance IoT before someone like Microsoft or Samsung can. Like Android in a way, Google could essentially give smart electronics makers free entry into the Internet of Things without having to develop much of their own software. This would also allow more manufacturers of smart products to get into the game with Google. The initial release of Brillo will reportedly be focused on the devices made for your home and should be able to connect with Google's Nest products. Google tried to get into the smart home years ago with Android@Home, but it failed to catch on or may have been ahead of its time. This new Brillo project sounds like Google is buying back into it. That's a smart move, especially since the entire electronics industry is gearing up for an IoT battle.

Via: The Information (subscription)

Still Not Surprised: Saygus has Once Again Delayed the "World's Most Advanced Smartphone"

Kellen — Thu, 21 May 2015 07:48:31 +0000

The Saygus V2 has been delayed once again. You still shouldn't be surprised by this. We have been telling you to expect this over and over again. In fact, we asked you when pre-orders opened if you wanted to bet on whether or not this thing would ship in the 6-8 week timeframe that was originally given. No one should have taken that bet, because it was a sucker bet. A company like this (newish, inexperienced, and who is clearly overpromising to excite a small customer base), who is attempting to take a barely working phone to polished retail unit that's delivered to the masses in two or three months, is setting itself up for failure. Hell, even large companies who actually know what they are doing would struggle with that tight of a window. So yeah, after missing their March shipping date, then emphatically declaring that May 22 would be the official shipping date, Saygus is once again delaying the release of a phone they continue to call the "world's most advanced smartphone." This time, they don't even have an estimate as to when this little guy will begin to ship. I guess they learned after missing two shipping dates that you should stop with the promises. If you are/were a Saygus pre-orderee, you could see this coming. Email communication from the company went silent after they missed that March deadline and told us all to expect the phone on May 22. Within the last week, they started spamming us again with short messages meant to show they are working hard and that things are moving along, but never once did they mention that May 22 was still looking realistic. They have a new website, though! And are planning a big marketing campaign for June! Of course, those who pre-ordered don't give a sh*t about a website or marketing campaign, because they have already spent money on a phone that is clearly not even close to shipping. One of the emails talked about how excited the company was to begin shipping. Another listed out about 100 countries and the cost to ship to each. Then yesterday, after you had all left work for the day and disconnected from email, Saygus announced that they were "ambitious" in this venture and that they have an update on progress, which of course means they are about to tell you that there is another delay. According to Saygus, the phones are on the manufacturing line, but won't ship on time. Of course, that seems like a stretch and lie when you read the next couple of sentences, mentioning that they still need to finalize some quality assurance and do network testing. Seriously, they still need to do network testing. The full email is below for those interested.

Dear V-Squared Customer, As you know, the Saygus team has created the world’s most advanced smartphone and we are ambitious in this venture. We know our customers around the world are excited to receive the V-squared, and we wanted to provide you with an update on the progress. The phones are on the manufacturing line, but will not be ready to ship globally on May 22 as we had planned. We just concluded a review of the status of all critical factors in preparation for shipment. We still need to finalize some quality assurance and network testing so when we put the V-Squared in your hands (which will be soon), it will be the phone of your dreams. Saygus is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality smartphone. Thank you very much for your continued patience. We will update you with more information as soon as available. Best regards, The Saygus Team

Good times.

Deal: Buy Galaxy S6 From T-Mobile This Weekend, Get Free Upgrade to 64GB

Kellen — Thu, 21 May 2015 07:18:27 +0000

T-Mobile customers, don't buy a Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge for the next couple of days! Starting May 23, T-Mobile is hosting a Memorial Day weekend sale that will get you into a Galaxy S6 or Edge with 64GB of storage for the same price as the 32GB model ($80 savings). Again, that's two days away, so resist the urge to buy the best Android phone on the planet until this weekend. The deal runs from Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25. Have you read our Galaxy S6 review? Do it now. From T-Mobile's PR team:

FREE memory upgrade on the new Galaxy S 6 and S 6 edge

T-Mobile subscribers will double up on memory for Samsung’s latest devices—the Galaxy S 6 and Galaxy S 6 edge. The 64GB version of both devices will cost the same as the 32GB versions, an $80 savings! For those who just want a 32GB version, they can get a $50 Visa pre-paid gift card, making it the same price as the 16GB versions. The discounted Memorial Day weekend savings will be available starting Saturday, May 23 – Monday, May 25.

LG G4: 25+ Tips and Tricks

Tim — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:28:08 +0000

We still don't have an official launch date for the LG G4 here in the States, but that won't stop us from continuing to talk about it, and the features it brings to buyers. Because of this, once your shiny new toy finally arrives on your porch, you should be able to open the box up, and know everything you need to know. In case you missed our complete G4 review, be sure to check that out, but we also now have a 25+ Tips and Tricks video for you to consume. This video goes over software features on the device, what you can do to customize the phone, and so much more. LG baked a ton of little tweaks into the G4, so if you were planning to pick one up, definitely give it a watch. The video is rather lengthy, but if you are going to invest in a smartphone of this caliber, we highly recommend that you research up and make sure you know everything there is to know about what you are buying into.

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Deal Reminder: Last Chance to Grab a Box of Android Mini Collectibles and 6" Plush for $20

Tim — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:53:23 +0000

This is your final reminder that time is running out to grab a box of randomized Android Mini collectibles, plus a 6" Bugdroid plush toy, all for just $20 through the DL Deals Store. Inside the box, you will receive 3 different Android Mini figures, that appear to be from the first edition of the collection. On top of the mini figures, you will also receive a 6" plush Bugdroid toy. You can use him as a gift to your kid, or even your dog. I'm sure the ol' pooch will love him. Features

Display your new 3" tall bots inside or outside their boxes
Show off your collection boxed w/ attractive open window packaging
Get excited for these character possibilities: Green, Business Man, Taxi Bot, Yeti, Pinkey, Bear Tag, or Ruby Red
Receive 3 random figures, then collect them all!

Need more minis in your life? Deal Link

Android 5.1.1 Factory Images Available for Nexus 9 LTE and Nexus 5 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:12:18 +0000

Google posted Android 5.1.1 factory images today for the Nexus 9 LTE (LMY47X) and Nexus 5 (LMY48B), leaving the ~~Nexus 7 (2013) LTE~~, ~~Nexus 7 (2012) mobile~~, ~~Nexus 4~~, and Nexus 6 as the only current Nexus devices without them. I would imagine they will be here before long. Once they do show up, we'll be sure to share them. Update: Google just posted images for the Nexus 7 (2013) LTE, Nexus 7 (2012) mobile, and the Nexus 4 all as build LMY47V. Instructions for flashing factory images can be found here. You can grab the latest factory images from Google here.

Google Just Introduced $40 Special Edition Skrillex Cases as Part of New "Editions" Case Program, Confirms World is Doomed by Naming One "Bae"

Kellen — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:19:59 +0000

Google, randomly, just introduced a new program called "Editions" to the Google Store that is a series of creative collaborations with influencers. The collaborations are turning out special cases, like this first one which was made in partnership with Skrillex, king of the wub. For this first Edition, we get three choices of Skrillex themed cases that are available for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, and Galaxy Note 4. The cases start at a whopping $40 and are obnoxiously titled Circuit Bae, Lil Planet, and Space Shield. Seriously, I didn't just make those up. Google actually allowed a case to be called "bae." Someone please just end the world now, this planet doesn't deserve this level of low. Along with the case, you get a companion app with live wallpaper that updates throughout the day by showing you Earth shots from the stratosphere. Of course, it changes at night to show you constellations from your current location. You also get "VIP access" to Skrillex content, like a free OWSLA album and Skrillex updates sent directly to your phone. Google even put a shortcut button on the case that gives you direct access to his YouTube channel. In case you don't want that kind of Skrillex action built into your case, you can customize the button to launch apps or even Skrillex's website! My lord...this just keeps getting weirder. So um, yeah, the cases are available now. They are $40. Google Store Link

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Verizon's LG G Pad 8.3 LTE Gets Lollipop Today

Kellen — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:39:22 +0000

The LG G Pad 8.3 LTE on Verizon is the newest device to receive an update to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. The update will rollout as version VK81035A, for those keeping track. After the update, device owners will get a lot of the fun that Google introduced with this new version of Android, including new navigation buttons, lock screen notifications, Smart Lock (trusted Bluetooth devices, locations, etc.), search in the Settings panel, floating action buttons galore, screen pinning of apps, and multi-user accounts. It's a big update, so make sure you have plenty of battery before attempting to install.

Via: Verizon

ASUS ZenFone 2 Unboxing and First Look!

Kellen — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:11:10 +0000

Even though I'm still fully in love with the Samsung Galaxy S6 and hate to put its pretty glass body down on a table for more than a few minutes because I always need to be touching it, something about this newish trend of super cheap phones with decent specs has finally caught my attention. I feel like I need to invest some portion of my life into the bargain bin to see if life can continue without a hiccup. Or maybe it's that there is too much value to be had out there for me not to experience it. And with that random thought, enter the ASUS ZenFone 2 into my pocket. Yes, we have one in house! This is by all means a phone with a bargain bin price and close-to-premium specs. At $199 and $299 (we went with this model), you really can't beat the value here, which is a package that includes a 5.5-inch HD display, quad-core Intel processor, 4GB RAM, 13MP camera, 64GB storage, Android 5.0, fast charging, and LTE connectivity. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll spend some quality time with this phone to see what it is truly made of. Can a phone with this low of a price and this set of specs win me over on any level? I really want to find out, I really do. This type of phone is more than likely going to be a major part of the future of smartphones, so why not familiarize ourselves with it now. To get the journey started, here is an unboxing and initial impressions video.

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Motorola Updates Camera App in Google Play to Include Manual Exposure Setting

Tim — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:04:15 +0000

An update is rolling out to the Motorola Camera app in Google Play, bringing a few bug fixes, but more importantly, a setting to allow users to adjust exposure levels. Once updated, owners can tweak with the exposure setting, which will lead to either darker shots or brighter shots, depending on which values you select. To use, the camera must be in tap-to-focus mode, then you can slide a ring to adjust the exposure level. All you Moto device owners, go check it out. Play Link

Cheers Chad and Aaron!

Google Play Has Some Great HD Movies on Sale for Under $10

Tim — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:33:39 +0000

A "Blockbuster Sale" is currently going on in Google Play, where you can buy a few sweet flicks in HD for $10 or under. A few of the big titles that pop out to me are Terminator 2: Judgement Day for $7, Hurt Locker for $7, Gladiator for $10, and 3:10 to Yuma for $7. There are a ton more movies than the ones I listed above, so if you want to broaden your digital movie library, while saving a few bucks, check it out. As a note, Google has Godzilla listed for this sale, but the HD price is still set at $19.99, while the SD version is $7. I'm assuming this is a mistake, and they will soon fix this error. Movies

See the full collection by following the link below. Play Link

Oppo Unveils the R7 and R7 Plus, Both Launch in China Tomorrow

Tim — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:25:11 +0000

Two new phones from Oppo were announced this morning, the R7 and R7 Plus. Both phones are extremely thin, measuring in at 6.3mm and 7.75mm thin, respectively. Oppo also baked in its new ColorOS 2.1 UI, but for the R7, it runs on top of Android 4.4, and for the R7 Plus, ColorOS runs on top of Android 5.1. For specs, the R7 features a Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, microSD slot, 13MP rear-facing camera, 2,320mAh battery, and Oppo's ColorOS 2.1 running on top of Android 4.4. The R7 Plus, with its larger 6" Full HD display, features the same processor and same amount of RAM, but comes with 32GB of onboard storage, and a 4,100mAh battery.

Both phones are set to launch in China tomorrow, with International launch planned for mid-June. For pricing, it is reported that these phones will be around the $400-$500 range. Interested?

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Via: GSM Arena | Oppo

Android 5.1.1 OTA Files Now Available for Nexus 4 and Nexus 9 LTE (Edit: Nexus 5 Too)

Kellen — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:22:58 +0000

Update May 20: Nexus 4 and Nexus 9 LTE Android 5.1.1 OTA .zips added. (Edit: Nexus 5 too)

Now that Android 5.1.1 factory images have been posted for a number of Nexus devices, we are starting to see the rollout of over-the-air (OTA) updates to them, namely the Nexus 7 (2012) and (2013), Nexus 10, and Nexus Player. More will arrive soon (Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 4, and Nexus 9), so we are starting to compile a list of them all below. We know that many of you like to sideload updates rather than wait for them to hit your device - feel free to bookmark this one. As we continue to receive new file URLs that are direct downloads from Google, we will continue to update this post.

Download Android 5.1.1 OTA .zips:

Nexus 4 - [LMY47V from LMY47O, 18.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2012) WiFi - [LMY47V from LMY47D, 9.6MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi - [LMY47V from LMY47O, 18MB] - Download Link (Cheers David O.!)
Nexus 9 WiFi - [LMY47X from LRX22L, 401MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 9 LTE - [LMY47X from LRX22L, 409MB] - Download Link
Nexus 10 - [LMY47V from LMY47D, 13.9MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus Player - [LMY47V from LMY47D, 15.3MB] - Download Link

*Note – In order to flash a .zip file in adb, be sure to match up the build number on the file to your current or the update will fail. For example, look at the new build number in brackets followed by the build number that it's coming "from." In your Settings>About screen, you will want to match up to the "from" build number. For instructions to sideload using adb, check here. For instructions on how to grab an OTA file, check here.

Verizon Test Engineer Says DROID Turbo Gets Lollipop in "Mid June," Opens Up About Update Process, Hints at New Moto X

Kellen — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:11:18 +0000

"Mid June." That's the current target for the DROID Turbo to receive its Lollipop update, at least according to a Verizon device test engineer. The Big Red employee opened up on Google+ yesterday with an image of his own Turbo running Android 5.1, which is the version of Android expected to make its way to the current Verizon DROID flagship. He didn't just stop there, though. In fact, Jose Arturo, the Verizon engineer, talked about the reasons for the slowness, bugs they are currently working on, and where Motorola ranks when compared to Samsung and Apple in device verifications. He also tossed in news about potential features in upcoming Motorola phones that should excite many of you. Arturo, in response to a number of people commenting about his Turbo update news, mentioned that the delays we are seeing in the latest smartphones are largely due to Verizon's nationwide HD Voice, VoLTE, and their use of band 4 LTE. Because Verizon wants to make sure that their HD Voice service is "acceptable and does not impact voice quality," things seem to be taking longer than usual. They are continually dealing with the tricky transition between their 3G and LTE networks, adding patches from Qualcomm to help improve this, and also make sure phones are working properly on XLTE, which is band 4 LTE. The slow rollout of the update also may be due to the fact that Motorola is "small potatoes on budget" when compared to competitors, like Samsung or Apple. According to Arturo, delays in software updates are often times the result of "(lack of) funding for test verifications." If that's really the case, the ever-shrinking staff of Motorola and their transition to being a Lenovo company might indeed be the reason Motorola seems to be slower than ever with updates after a couple of years of being the fastest. On a related note, in a post from Arturo from April, we may now know a couple of new features that Motorola is working on for its next Moto X. Randomly, this Verizon device test engineer mentioned in an Android community that Motorola is "bring front facing flash for selfies" and also plans to start including microSD slots again. I can't say that I ever asked for a company to include a front flash for selfie-hour, but we are always going to be fans of microSD slots, especially now that Samsung is moving away from them. Arturo said to expect these features to arrive this summer. Well, then. Update: All of the posts we referenced have now been removed.

Via: +Jose Arturo [2]

Sunrise Adds Wunderlist Integration

Kellen — Wed, 20 May 2015 07:40:57 +0000

Sunrise, the multi-platform calendar app that we are quite fond of around here, received a new integration today for the to-do listers in the building. The Microsoft-owned app added Wunderlist integration to its Android, iOS, and desktop apps, giving you an easier way to not only keep track of your daily calendars and schedule, but also the tasks you need to get done. All you need to do to add Wunderlist into your Sunrise calendar is head into settings and "Add Account." You should see Wunderlist at the bottom of the list as an available add. Once added, all of your Wunderlist tasks that have due dates will now show up in Sunrise as all-day events. Sunrise offered these tips to get the most out of this new integration:

Create tasks directly in Sunrise. Just create a new event and choose one of your Wunderlist lists as the calendar. As soon as the event is created in Sunrise, the task will also appear in Wunderlist.
Change due dates of your Wunderlist tasks by simply dragging and dropping them from one day to another in Sunrise.
Write a task as done in Wunderlist, a checkmark will automatically appear in Sunrise right next to it. Did we already mention we really liked checking tasks off to-do lists?

I do not believe an update is required in order to access Wunderlist through Sunrise. Either way, we have Google Play links below to get both apps if you aren't already using them. Play Links: Sunrise | Wunderlist

Via: Sunrise

These are the Android Wear Watches Getting WiFi Support

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 16:17:33 +0000

The big Android Wear update to Android 5.1.1 is beginning its slow rollout starting today. The update, as many of you know, introduces a bunch of new features, but there is one in particular that is somewhat of a game-changer - WiFi support. With WiFi support, your Android Wear watch can continue to receive notifications and allow you to interact with it even without a direct Bluetooth connection to your phone. That means that if you lost your phone, left it behind on purpose, or walked out of its range, your watch wouldn't be reduced to a feature set that a feature phone would laugh at. But there is one question that has come up a handful of times since Google first announced this update - which watches will actually gain WiFi support? Android Wear manufacturers haven't exactly been that up front in letting us know if their watches have WiFi capabilities, so we were sort of sitting back and waiting for Google or OEMs on an individual basis to let us know. In today's update on the status of the rollout, Google did just that. These are the watches that (at least as of today) will gain official WiFi support:

LG Watch Urbane
Moto 360
Sony Smartwatch 3
Samsung Gear Live

As you may have noticed, the LG G Watch, G Watch R, and ASUS ZenWatch are missing. That's really too bad, especially since the G Watch R was supposed to be the king of Android Wear when it was introduced last summer. If things change from LG or ASUS, we will be sure to let you know, but for now, this is our list.

Via: Google Product Forums

Giveaway: Win a Ticket to Automatic's Google I/O Party!

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 15:54:48 +0000

Automatic, a company that wants you to become one with your car through an adapter and smartphone app, is hosting a party at next week's Google I/O and they asked if we could help spread the word by handing out tickets (10 of them!) to our readers, tickets that will also land you their car adapters. Awesome, right? Company doing innovative things with cars and phones wants you to party with them for free in San Francisco and receive free goods - how can you beat that? The party is sort of like a pre-party for Google I/O in that it goes down the night before Google takes the stage. So on May 27, you can have a little fun before all of the serious stuff takes place and you need to think about code and animations and cloud thingies and compatibility and fragmentation (hah!). There will be "unlimited" drinks (read: open bar), entertainment (like Mario Kart battles), and a bunch of giveaways. Oh, we'll be there too! Interested in attending? Here are the party details.

Who: Automatic is hosting the fun. Be sure to check out their website for more details on their product. When: Wednesday, May 27 at 6:00 pm Where: Harlot, 46 Minna St., San Francisco, CA What: Automatic’s Google I/O kickoff party, " Drive and Dev: Your Car on Apps." Drinks will start flowing at 6:00 pm at Harlot in San Francisco and we'll have an open bar and awesome entertainment. Talk connected car apps with hundreds of other developers building for the future of cars. We’ll be giving away loads of Automatic swag and other great prizes for the best Karting skills this on side of the Bay, so show up early to reserve your spot. *Please note that this event is 21 and over.

Will you be able to attend? If so, then please enter below! We will choose our invite winners on May 22 (Friday). a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deal: Kingston 128GB MicroSD Card Just $70 Today at Amazon, Others 70% Off

Tim — Tue, 19 May 2015 15:41:24 +0000

For anyone who needs a new microSD card or some other type of storage contraption, Amazon is hosting a sweet sale on Kingston products right now for up to 70% off. One deal in particular that caught our attention is the 128GB microSDXC card and adapter for $70, down from its regular price of $195. There are also smaller capacity cards, in case your storage needs are not that extreme, such as this 64GB option for just $25. Many smartphones feature slots for expandable storage, allowing owners to bump up the amount of photos or other data they can keep on any given device. Of course, if you bought a new Galaxy S6, none of these options will work for you. Sorry. If you need a new card, click that link below. Amazon Link

Android 5.1.1 Update for Android Wear Should Start Rolling Out to Devices Today

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 14:28:42 +0000

Back in late April, Google announced that a new version of Android Wear would soon be arriving on your favorite smartwatch with features like WiFi support, emoji drawing, an app launcher, wrist flick navigation gesture, and more. They also mentioned that this new version of their wearable platform would first be available on LG's new Watch Urbane (our review) before anyone else would see it. That bit about it being on the Watch Urbane first certainly seemed to imply that some sort of back alley deal had been made with LG in order to hopefully boost early sales of their new "premium" watch for a couple of weeks. Who knows if it helped, but today, that exclusive on Android 5.1.1 for Android Wear seems to have ended and Google has begun pushing updates to the rest of their smartwatch line-up. According to a post over at Google's product forums, Google has refreshed our memory of the update's features, but also noted that it should roll out "gradually in the coming days and weeks" to all. We have been checking our stash of Android Wear devices (Moto 360s, G Watch R, etc.) for the last couple of hours, ever since Google first posted this news and haven't seen the update on any of them. That doesn't mean it isn't rolling out, though, so be sure to check yours. Below is our video tour of Android 5.1.1 for Android Wear to help refresh your memory on all the new goodness. Anyone get the update?

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Via: Google Product Forums

Cheers Ryan!

Report: Google to Launch Standalone Photo Sharing and Storage Service at Google I/O Next Week

Tim — Tue, 19 May 2015 14:15:51 +0000

According to sources of Bloomberg, Google's rumored standalone photo service, which will be entirely separate from Google+, will launch next week during Google I/O. The service could feature many of the things we know and love about the current Photos service from Google, such as Auto Awesome, but the ties to Google+ will no longer be there. When photos are taken on your device, you will be able to store them in the cloud, and then share them to friends and family if you want. Other than that, there are no additional feature details and no word on how much storage Google will offer yet or anything like that. Google I/O kicks off next week on May 28, with the keynote beginning at 9:30am PST. Are you ready?

Via: Bloomberg

Deal: Unlocked Galaxy S6 for Under $590 With This Code on eBay

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:48:32 +0000

Yesterday, I ranted a little about why I'm such a fan of unlocked phones. One of the reasons I noted had to do with the fact that there are always insanely good deals on unlocked phones to be had, as long as you have a little patience in waiting for them to arrive. Weeks like this were exactly what I was referring to. Thanks to a coupon code, you can nab a brand new, unlocked Galaxy S6 (SM-G920I) in black or white for under $590. That's a crazy deal! That's even cheaper than Verizon is selling the phone at full retail. T-Mobile and AT&T each want at least another $90 over that price. We are talking less than $600 for what I would consider to be the best phone on the planet at the moment and maybe for the foreseeable future. In order to grab the deal, you will need to use coupon code "CDTECH10" at checkout. And actually, that coupon code is good for 10% off $200+ electronics orders, so you could potentially buy all sorts of goodies at really good discounts. The discount does cap at $50, though. eBay Links: Galaxy S6 (SM-G920I, Black Sapphire) | Galaxy S6 (SM-G920I, White)

Cheers Ryan and Apollo!

Reminder: One More Day to Enter for Chance to Win Huawei Watch

Tim — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:34:15 +0000

As a simple reminder, time is running out to enter for your chance to win a Huawei Watch from the DL Deals Store. The Huawei Watch was shown off during this year's MWC in Barcelona, and frankly, it's easily one of the best looking Android Wear devices soon to be available on the market. Entering these giveaways is very easy. All you need to do is head on over to our deals page, sign up (takes less than 1 minute), then enter the contest. To gain more entries, you will need to share the giveaway through your social channels (Google+, Twitter), but that is only if you need more of a chance to win. As a reminder, there is no set release date for the Huawei Watch, but when it is available, our winner should be one of the first people to own it. The giveaway will be closed at 11:59pm (PST) tomorrow night. Good luck! Enter Here

Tweets Now Show in Google Search Results on Mobile

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 11:56:08 +0000

How much more useful would Google Search results be if they displayed real-time content? For example, if you searched last week for information on the Amtrak crash in Philadelphia, it might have taken longer than your patience could handle before a news outlet had any up-to-the-minute information on it that would display as a news result in Google's listings for that search. Starting today, that will no longer be an issue as Google has teamed up with Twitter to add Tweets to search results, giving you real-time info as it happens through the voices of those on Twitter. To see how Tweets will appear, check out the image at the top of this post. The new feature will be available starting today (with a slow rollout) in in English through the Google app on Android and iOS, and in mobile browsers. In the future, Google will add Tweets to search results in other languages and on the desktop. Tweets in Google Search results - good, bad, useful, or will they just clutter up your results list?

Via: Google Blog

Instagram Releases Layout for Android, Intros Structure Tool for Official App

Tim — Tue, 19 May 2015 11:22:42 +0000

A new app from the developers at Instagram launched onto Google Play today, titled Layout, allowing Android users to create nifty collages with their photos. This same app was made available to iOS users not too long ago. To sum it up, you choose photos in your gallery, rotate and mirror however you want, then upload them to Instagram. Very basic, very easy. When making a collage, you can have up to 9 photos selected, plus there is a face recognition tool that will highlight photos with faces in them. Once you have the layout you want, you can save the collage as a single photo to your gallery, sharable through any application on your phone. It's interesting that this simplistic feature could not just be added to the existing Instagram app, but hey, we'll take it. In addition to the release of Layout, Instagram also announced Structure, a tool for Android users to highlight textures and details within a photo. Structure should go live in the official Instagram app via an update sometime today in Google Play. Go check it out. Play Link

Via: @Instagram

Verizon's XLTE Hits 1-Year Anniversary, Adds Six New Markets

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 11:14:27 +0000

Just over a year ago, we exclusively reported that Verizon was going to put to use their AWS spectrum (band 4 LTE) in markets across the country to double the 4G LTE bandwidth of their current network and improve speeds in areas that were starting to suffer from heavy amounts of traffic. We reported then that they would call this major upgrade XLTE. A week after our report, Verizon confirmed the news by launching XLTE in more than 250 markets across the US. So here we are exactly 1-year from the launch of XLTE and Verizon has some info to share, along with a few new markets to introduce. According to Verizon, XLTE is now in over 400 markets, which includes both major cities and rural areas. They have over 40 devices available that support XLTE and its two LTE bands of 4 and 13, including the Galaxy series, DROID Turbo, and iPhones. As for the new markets, there are six of them:

Madisonville, KY
Marshalltown, IA
Martinsville, VA
Meridian, MS
Owensboro, KY
Traverse City, MI

To top off Verizon's celebration, they also put together this infographic that walks through some of the numbers I just mentioned plus some other tidbits about their total number of 4G LTE markets, percentage of the US that is covered by LTE, etc. After you check that out, let us know what your Verizon LTE has been like since they launched XLTE. Are you seeing faster speeds again?

Via: Verizon

Microsoft Office Preview Apps Now Available for Android Phones, Includes PowerPoint, Excel, and Word

Tim — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:58:09 +0000

For all of your Microsoft Office users, Bellevue has uploaded preview apps compatible on phones to Google Play for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Given these are previews, you can't expect complete functionality and perfect performance, but this is a great step forward for smartphone users. Once you have the apps loaded up, you can tweak all of your work on the made-for-mobile apps, then share them through any other compatible application on your phone. To download these apps to your phone, join this Google+ community, then follow the links listed here to become a tester for each app. Once you have followed these steps, you can find the apps on Google Play and download them. Have at it. Play Links: Excel | PowerPoint | Word

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Via: Microsoft Office for Android

YotaPhone 2 Hits Indiegogo - Pre-Order for $525, Estimated to Ship in August

Tim — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:02:51 +0000

The YotaPhone 2, announced all the way back in December of last year, is now up for order through Indiegogo. The company set a goal of $50,000, which was reached and surpassed in a matter of hours. Apparently, folks want the Yota. The YotaPhone 2 is quite unique, featuring dual displays; one always-on 4.7" e-paper screen and one 5" Full HD LCD. Other specifications include a Snapdragon 801 processor, GPS, NFC, 2,500mAh battery, Quick Charge 2.0 compatibility, LTE connectivity, and Android 4.4 out of the box. For pricing, the company is selling the device at a discount for the first 48 hours that the phone is on Indiegogo. If you order now, your price will be $525, and you will also receive a free protective bumper case. For another $50, you can also purchase a PowerBank and Wireless Charger. Gotta have a YotaPhone 2?

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Via: Indiegogo

Lollipop-Less DROID Turbo Now Comes in Fancy New Limited Edition Colors

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 09:51:56 +0000

On May 28, Verizon will add three new color options to the DROID Turbo, a phone that was once the carrier's flagship Android device but feels less and less important these days as current owners of it continue to wait for its big update to Lollipop. But hey, new colors! The DROID Turbo will be available in a new Grey Ballistic Nylon color with choices of blue, orange, or violet accents. The price won't change - you can still buy it for monthly Edge payments of $20.83 or $499 full retail. "Why DROID Turbo?," Verizon asks. Because of Advanced Calling 1.0 (HD Voice and VoLTE), 48-hour battery life, Turbo Charging, and an eventual update to Android 5.1 Lollipop, of course. We have a question, though. How long has Android 5.1 been available? Since March 9! What's today's date? May 19! That seems like a long 2-month+ wait for Turbo owners who were skipped and skipped and skipped over as each new version of Lollipop rolled out over the last seven months. Verizon does assure us that the update will be here "soon." Colors! DROID Turbo Link

Via: Verizon

Combo Deal: Get a Moto 360 and Moto G for Just $299

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 09:31:34 +0000

Motorola is currently hosting a 4-hour combo sale that will land you a Moto G (2nd gen) and a Moto 360 for just $299. That's $129 off, in case you were wondering. The Moto G is the current version, which unfortunately, is a 3G-only device. Still, it's a great value for someone in need of a smartphone who doesn't have a big budget or reason to buy a flagship. The Moto 360 is well, the Moto 360. It's the best Android Wear watch you can buy for now. The deal is only live until 3PM Central, which is 4PM Eastern or 1PM Pacific. Motorola Link

Cheers Barry!

Samsung Flow Beta Released to Google Play, Sync Apps and Tasks Across Multiple Samsung Devices

Tim — Tue, 19 May 2015 08:44:39 +0000

Samsung Flow, first debuted by the company back in November of last year, is now available on Google Play as a beta for a limited number of devices. Flow was created to easily sync multiple Samsung devices, helping owners quickly switch from device to device, without losing any progress they have within any given task. For example, if you are reading an article on the web via your smartphone, then want to switch it over to your tablet for better viewing, you simply press a button and that same article in the exact same spot will pop up on your tablet. This same process can be done through a variety of apps. Sync between devices is handled through dedicated Bluetooth connections, and when you don't have a partnered device handy, you can defer tasks for later. If you are in the middle of a YouTube video, but don't want to strain your eyes watching on your smaller display, simply defer the task for once you are close to your tablet again. A few of the apps compatible with Flow are Twitter, YouTube, SoundCloud, Google Maps, Yelp, Path, and Samsung's Web Browser. Please note, this app has a strict device compatibility list, featuring only newer Samsung devices. As of right now, devices supported are the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge, and Galaxy Tab S series. Have one or more of the compatible devices? Go check it out. Play Link

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AT&T is Moving Away From 2-Year Contracts Starting June 1

Kellen — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:19:39 +0000

Once June 1 rolls around, it's going to be harder than ever to sign-up for a new 2-year contract at AT&T and buy a phone at a low subsidized price. According to multiple sources of ours, the wireless carrier will begin transitioning to a world where contracts are on the backburner and AT&T Next is the option that will be presented to you when it's time to upgrade and your previous contract has ended. In some cases, it will be the only option you have, unless you feel like waiting a few extra days for your brand new phone to arrive. On June 1, AT&T will no longer offer (at least up front) 2-year contracts for service at Local Dealer and National Retail Locations. Your options to upgrade to a new phone and sign-up for service will be through AT&T Next, because the device payment plan approach is what "aligns with what customers want" at this stage in the game. AT&T also feels that AT&T Next simplifies choice and provides additional savings when combined with their Mobile Share Value plans. What if you don't want AT&T Next and would rather sign a 2-year agreement? Local Dealer locations will still technically be able to sign you up for a 2-year agreement via Direct Fulfillment, which is like them placing an order for you in store and then shipping the device to you a few days later. In other words, you wouldn't see your new phone for a couple of days in some cases. You will also be able to sign-up for 2-year agreements at Company Owned Retail locations, customer service, and att.com. Other than that, AT&T Next is your option and will be the option presented to you. On a related note, 2-year agreements will still be available for tablets, basic phones, Internet of Things devices, and in some bundle offers. Of course, the move away from contracts isn't new to the industry - T-Mobile did away with them a couple of years ago. AT&T, like T-Mobile, is just tweaking their money making machine, so that it makes money through device payment plans instead of by tacking on undisclosed device fees into service contracts when you buy a discounted phone through a subsidy. Still, this model, I think most would argue, is better for customers than 2-year contracts. Again, once June 1 comes around, many of the AT&T stores you visit will no longer offer 2-year service agreements with discounted phones. Instead, sales reps will move you to an AT&T Next plan, where you won't have upfront costs for phones, but will have both service and device payments.

ASUS ZenFone 2 Now Available From Amazon for $199 (Updated: More Links!)

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 21:16:26 +0000

ASUS' affordable yet premium smartphone, the ZenFone 2, is now available for purchase in the US through Amazon. It technically wasn't supposed to go live for another couple of hours, but you won't see us complaining about being able to order a phone with this price and these specs a bit early. As a quick reminder, ASUS announced US availability this morning, stating that the phone would be available beginning May 19 at retailers like Amazon, B&H Photo, and Newegg. The phone features a 5.5-inch HD display, 1.8GHz/2.3GHz 64-bit quad-core Intel processor, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2GB/4GB RAM, 3000mAh battery, 16GB/64GB of storage, and connectivity on T-Mobile and AT&T. I listed dual-specs in some places because there are two models to be had here. You have the 2GB RAM version and the 4GB RAM version, with a $100 price difference between them. The 2GB version runs just $199, while the 4GB version is a pretty insanely low $299. With the 4GB/$299 model, you also get a special 18W BoostMaster adapter that can charge the phone quickly in a similar way to Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0. The phone is an unbeatable price, especially for an unlocked phone with this list of specs. And you know how we love unlocked phones. Amazon Link Update: Groupon Link | Newegg Link | B&H Photo Link

LG Announces G4 Stylus and G4c, a Couple of Mid-Rangers to Round Out the Line-Up

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 20:47:20 +0000

This evening, LG announced two new phones to add to the G4 family, the G4 Stylus and G4c. Both should be considered mid-range phones that are supposed to fit a couple of specific niches that aren't addressed by the flagship, G4. The G4 Stylus is a bigger handset with a 5.7-inch HD display, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (with microSD slot), 5MP front camera, 3000mAh battery, and a stylus pen. It comes in both LTE and 3G models, with differences in camera and processor depending on the phone's radio. The LTE model sports a 13MP rear camera and 1.2GHz quad-core processor. The 3G model drops to an 8MP camera, but does have a 1.4GHz octa-core processor. As for the G4c, you are looking a "compact" device with a 5-inch HD display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (with microSD slot), 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2540mAh battery, and LTE. Both phones run Lollipop and look a lot like the LG G4. No pricing was given. We also don't know where or when these phones would launch, but LG did say to expect them in "strategic markets" in the weeks to come.

INTRODUCING G4 STYLUS AND G4c, NEWEST MEMBERS OF LG’S G4 SERIES

More Options Including Many of the Great Features Found on LG G4
SEOUL, May 19, 2015 ― LG Electronics (LG) officially announces two new members of the G4 family, the G4 Stylus and G4c. Both smartphones will begin shipping to retailers around the world in the next several weeks and throughout the month of May. Both exceptionally priced devices share many of the same high-end user experience features found in the LG G4. The G4 Stylus is a 5.7-inch handset, slightly larger than the 5.5-inch display found in the G4. As its name implies, The G4 Stylus includes LG’s versatile Rubberdium™ Stylus, allowing for easy note taking and drawing on the generously-sized screen. Its smaller sibling, the 5.0-inch LG G4c, offers many of the G4’s premium features and styling but in a more compact form factor. Both G4 Series phones feature 13MP or 8MP rear cameras and 5MP front-facing camera for high quality photos and portraits. Other popular LG exclusives such as Gesture Shot, Glance View and Knock Code™ make both devices more convenient, secure and fun to use. The G4 Stylus inherits the super-fast Laser Autofocus feature found in previous G Series smartphones for sharply focused shots even in dim surroundings. HD quality IPS displays with In-Cell Touch technology deliver a visual experience that is far more immersive and responsive than on most other smartphones in this class. “The G4 Stylus and G4c are perfect examples of what we mean by a premium smartphone experience without a premium price,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We are committed to offering consumers in fast-growing markets LG devices that not only deliver performance, but also look good while doing so. Both the G4 Stylus and G4c will surpass customers’ expectations of what an LG phone should be.” The G4 Stylus (available as G Stylo in North America and Korea) will be offered in both LTE and 3G configurations in Metallic Silver or Floral White color options. The G4c is an LTE model only and will come in Metallic Gray, Ceramic White and Shiny Gold. The LG G4 Stylus and G4c are scheduled to launch in key strategic markets in the weeks to come. Prices and participating carriers will be announced locally at the time of availability. G4 Stylus Key Specifications:

Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core (LTE) / 1.4GHz Octa-Core (3G)

Display: 5.7-inch HD IPS (258ppi)

Memory: 1GB RAM / 8GB ROM / microSD

Camera: Rear 13MP (LTE) or 8MP (3G) / Front 5MP

Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)

Operating System: Android 5.0 Lollipop

Size: 154.3 x 79.2 x 9.6mm

Weight: 163g

Network: LTE / 3G

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n / Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / A-GPS / Glonass / USB 2.0

Colors: Metallic Silver / Floral White

Other: Stylus Pen / Laser Auto Focus / Gesture Shot / Glance View / Knock Code™

G4c Key Specifications:

Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core

Display: 5.0-inch HD IPS (294ppi)

Memory: 1GB RAM / 8GM ROM / microSD

Camera: Rear 8MP / Front 5MP

Battery: 2,540mAh (removable)

Operating System: Android 5.0 Lollipop

Size: 139.7 x 69.8 x 10.2mm

Weight: 136g

Network: LTE

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g, n / Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / A-GPS / Glonass / USB 2.0

Colors: Metallic Gray / Ceramic White / Shiny Gold

Other: Gesture Shot / Glance View / Knock Code™

# # #

Humble Mobile Bundle Brings Suite of Artifex Mundi Games, Average Sits at $5.33

Tim — Mon, 18 May 2015 16:07:56 +0000

The newest Humble Bundle to hit the web brings a lineup of Artifex Mundi games, all of which are known for their quality and time-consuming attributes. As a reminder, Humble Bundle allows players to pay what they want for games, plus if you pay more than the average, you get bonus games. As of right now, if you pay under $5.33, you gain access to Deadly Puzzles, Time Mysteries 1, and Clockwork Tales. Looking over on Google Play, each of these games are listed at $4.99. If you pay $5.33 or more, you also get Demon Hunter, Grim Legends, Time Mysteries 2, and Time Mysteries 3. If you are feeling generous, you can pay $9 or more and receive Grim Legends 2 and Enigmatis 2. Depending on how you split it up, a portion or all of the proceeds of your purchase benefits the Prevent Cancer Foundation. So, you get fun games for a great price, and help an awesome cause. Go check it out. Humble Bundle Link

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New AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment is Coming May 28

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:59:05 +0000

AT&T is going to introduce a new AT&T Next option on May 28, according to sources of ours. The new plan, called "AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment," will offer customers who wouldn't normally qualify for AT&T Next a chance to buy new phones, upgrade often, and not worry about signing a contract (because those are going away soon). The new plan, as the name suggests, requires participants to make a down payment of 30% of the device. That 30% is due at the point of sale, with the remaining device price then financed over a 28-month period. Since this is an AT&T Next 12 plan, customers will be able to upgrade to a new phone after 12 months of payments. This new AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment plan really only differs from AT&T's Next 12, Next 18, and Next 24 plans in that it requires customers to pay 30% of the phone upfront. With all of the other options, no down payment is due at the point of purchase. AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment will be available March 28 at AT&T direct channels, as well as retailers like Sears, Fred Meyer, Fry's, and Micro Center. Best Buy stores will get access to the option on June 1 and Apple will get it some time in July. If you want to try and sign-up for this new device payment plan earlier, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and Bestbuy.com may be live as early as May 21.

Deal: One Year of Android Game Design From the School Of Interactive Design for $99

Tim — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:30:41 +0000

The game industry as a whole is a very big one, and the mobile game category in the industry continues to grow and become more of a money maker for publishers willing to put the time and effort into creating premium titles. If you fancied getting into this business, you can pick up a 1-year subscription to the School of Interactive Design to learn all about Android Game Design, priced at just $99 on the DL Deals Store. Regularly priced at a whopping $1500, over the course of a year, you will go from a person with zero experience in development, to someone who can utilize the Unity engine to create games from nothing. Inside the course, you will learn to make games for a variety of platforms, understand 2D game design, use 3D inside Unity 3D, and learn about fundamental Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator features. If this course sounds interesting to you, check out the full syllabus, then follow the link below. Features

Start building a game in just a few hours
Learn to make games for all types of platforms like iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac & PC
Get the most up-to-date information from video game industry veterans
Study game design techniques, graphic design elements & animation
Understand 2D game design w/ GameSalad
Incorporate 3D design using Unity 3D & Maya
Explore the fundamental Photoshop & Illustrator features

Deal Link

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Why I Will Forever Continue to Buy Unlocked Phones

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:08:38 +0000

I love unlocked phones. I really can't see myself sticking with a carrier-branded or locked phone at any time in the near future. In fact, if I have it my way, I'll never buy another for personal use. Unlocked phones are the phones I regular choose as my day-to-day devices because they not only offer incredible value, but they are filled with added bonuses you may not realize unless someone points them out to you. They are the phones for tinkerers, for tech nerds, for early adopters, and also for those looking for the best bang for their buck. This is why.

Network flexibility and value

This story was originally going to be much different than what you are now reading. The original idea was going to focus on why T-Mobile's network still isn't ready for prime time. You see, my wife and I just took a quick trip back to our home state of Montana for a wedding, but after taking a trip their last year with T-Mobile service attached to her unlocked phone, we both realized that we didn't want to experience that type of wireless pain ever again and switched her over to AT&T at the last minute. In case you were wondering, T-Mobile has zero coverage in Montana. Zero. It was at that moment that I changed this topic idea (although, that "T-Mobile sucks" post may still be in the works) to why unlocked phones are perfect for her and I - flexibility. Since my wife owns an unlocked Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, she didn't need to buy a new phone or even enter an AT&T store when we switched her from T-Mobile prepaid to AT&T prepaid. All we did was go on Amazon last Monday, order a GoPhone SIM with 1-day Prime shipping, and follow the simple steps to get her setup the following day when it arrived. We did have to call AT&T after activating to get her phone number switched over, but the entire process was pretty painless. And if you don't need to port a number over, then you are looking at being active within a couple of minutes on a new carrier. So within two days of realizing that she was on T-Mobile and we were about to enter a T-Mobile dead state, we had her up and running on a new carrier with solid coverage for our trip ahead. She even got to keep her old phone and phone number.

As for me, I find that with my unlocked phones, I am constantly jumping between the next big discount prepaid service or whichever seems to give me the best signal in my cave. I've used most of the prepaid options, including Straight Talk, Cricket, T-Mobile, and GoPhone, but had recently settled on T-Mobile because of the coverage at my house. But like my wife, I also needed to go to GoPhone for our Montana trip. So I simply swapped out the T-Mo SIM in my unlocked Galaxy S6 for an AT&T GoPhone SIM I had in another phone. Because most unlocked phones work seamlessly these days on both T-Mobile and AT&T, it really is that easy. Now that I'm home, if I want to go back to T-Mobile, I can. While the network jumping is something that won't come up all that often, it's the fact that you have that flexibility with an unlocked phone that is so valuable. Whether you are taking a vacation or moving or simply want to test out someone else's network for a bit, an unlocked phone gives you the option to do so without needing to buy a new phone.

Faster updates

If you follow us on Twitter, then you will know that we have been giving Motorola and Verizon hell over not pushing out Lollipop updates to the DROID Turbo. With an unlocked phone, you will more than likely never end up with a DROID Turbo, a.k.a. a phone that seems like it's never going to get an important update. With an unlocked phone, because there isn't the need for the manufacturer to go through strict carrier partner testing, updates almost always arrive before anyone else gets them. Look at how easily Google is able to update its Nexus phones when they aren't tied to a carrier. Motorola is also fast at pushing updates to its unlocked Moto X products, as is HTC with its unlocked One variants. Even this Galaxy S6 I have has seen two updates since launch, one that includes fingerprint scanner improvements and important bug fixes that your Verizon Galaxy S6 may not see for months. In a day where everyone is complaining about not seeing Android updates in a timely manner, an unlocked phone is your best chance at shortening that wait time.

They aren't that expensive

For years, one of the negatives almost always associated with unlocked phones is this idea that they are incredibly expensive. That's just not true anymore. Most unlocked phones can be had these days for the same price, and some times even lower, than their carrier-tied brethren. Take the Galaxy S6 for example. You can buy an unlocked Galaxy S6 with 32GB of storage and support on both T-Mobile and AT&T for $636. T-Mobile, on the other hand, wants $680 and AT&T wants $685. "But no one buys phones at full prices!," you say. True. Very few people do. But when you are buying a phone through carriers with a contract, you are essentially paying a monthly payment for that phone that is wrapped up in your bill. If you buy an unlocked phone from eBay or Motorola or HTC or a variety of other retailers, you can finance one and then pay small monthly payments and enjoy the same low monthly costs without that large upfront $600+ bill. Financing one is in many ways the same as using Verizon's Edge or AT&T's Next or T-Mobile's device payment plan. So there are ways to reduce the cost of the newest phones. And should you not want the newest of the new, keep in mind that you can almost always find phones that are less than a year old for rock bottom prices. Right now, you can grab a brand new HTC One M8 or Galaxy S5, which are barely a year old, for under $300. The brand new Moto E 4G LTE is under $150. There are so many deals to be had, that you can no longer use the excuse of "Unlocked phones are expensive."

Exclusive colors and no carrier branding

On a related note, many times these unlocked phones come in exclusive colors that you won't find from a carrier. For now, the Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 or Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge are only available as unlocked phones. In years past, Samsung has released all sorts of colors of phones that often only show up for purchase through unlocked phone resellers. And you know how we hate the fact that carriers like Verizon think it's necessary for them to include two or more logos on the phones they sell? Unlocked phones won't ever have a carrier name attached. Some, like my unlocked Galaxy S6, go even more minimal than that. Notice anything different in the picture below? That's right, it doesn't even say "Galaxy S6" on the back like almost every other Galaxy S6 on the planet. Unlocked also means no weird "4G LTE" logos in your notification bar either. With an unlocked phone, you actually get to feel like you own your phone and aren't just borrowing one from a carrier.

Less bloatware

In most cases, unlocked phones ship with as clean of a build of Android as you will find. Sure, manufacturers still have their skins installed and have made deals with app creators to pre-load your phone with some bloatware, but it's never anywhere near the level our favorite carriers go to. With unlocked phones, you won't find AT&T's garbage navigator app or Verizon Tones or T-Mobile's hotspot service pre-loaded. But should you want any of those, you can almost always find them on Google Play for installation, assuming you are paying for service on one of their networks.

So what are the downsides?

For me, there aren't many. But one big one will deter a number of you, and that's the fact that unlocked phones more than likely won't work on Verizon at the moment. Because of Verizon's 3G CDMA2000 network, you don't have an open network that is begging you to come use it like you do with AT&T and T-Mobile. At some point in the future, when you can buy LTE-only phones that no longer need to access Verizon's 3G network, this will all change. Until then, you are stuck with either AT&T, T-Mobile, or one of many GSM prepaid networks. You may run into network compatibility issues from time to time or at least confusion on whether or not your phone will work with this or that carrier. You will need to do your research to make sure the phone you are about to buy actually works properly with all of AT&T or T-Mobile's bands. Thankfully, we have this really handy US wireless carrier band cheat sheet that will help you figure it out. You also may need to manually input things like APN settings in order for your phone to get full service. APN settings for individual carriers can be found all over the internet, so again, this isn't really something that should stop you. And that's really about it. Unlocked phones all have warranties and support from manufacturers, so there isn't a worry there. There are third party insurance companies outside of carriers that will help you get phone coverage as well.

Final thoughts

I know that buying a phone outside of a carrier can be a confusing task at first, but trust me, with a little research, you should be able to end up with a phone built for you at a great value, that's flexible, works on whichever carrier you choose (for the most part), and should be running the latest version of Android before most. If you have any questions, be sure to drop them below!

Report: Google to Launch Buy Buttons Directly in Search Results in Coming Weeks

Tim — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:24:14 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google will soon launch "buy buttons" directly in mobile search results, allowing users to make quick purchases via partnered retailers when signed into their Google account on a mobile device. These buy buttons are reported to be sponsored and paid for, meaning that not everything you search for will be purchasable. One retailer, reported to be Macy's, is said to be working to become one of the first launch partners for Google. When a buy button is clicked, you will be taken to a dedicated product listing page, where a size or other options can be selected. When you pay, via credit card or other unconfirmed payment type, Google will process the payment on their end, then hand it off to the retailer. It is stated that Google does not share your payment information with the retailer. Depending on the payment type you select will determine whether Google or the retailer will show up on your monthly statement. After your first purchase is made, Google will hold onto your info, making future purchases much quicker. Now, if they intend to tie in Google Wallet, which already has most of my payment information, that would seem to be an even quicker route. But until Google makes this move official, we have little detail to work with. If Google brings more buy buttons to Google Search, is this a good thing in your eyes?

Via: WSJ

ASUS Zenfone 2 Launches Tomorrow in US at Amazon, Newegg for $199 and $299 (Updated: Available Now!)

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:02:47 +0000

UPDATE: BUY THE ZENFONE 2 NOW FROM AMAZON! The ASUS Zenfone 2, a phone first introduced to the world waaaaaaay back at CES in January, is finally arriving on US soil. During a press event that took place this morning in NYC to announce US availability, ASUS said that it would go on sale starting tomorrow for $199 and $299 at retailers like Amazon and Newegg. As a recap, the Zenfone 2 is a high-end-like phone with an extremely affordable price. ASUS is selling it as an unlocked device that should run just fine on AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE networks. The Zenfone 2 features a 5.5-inch FHD (1080p) display that takes up 72% of the phone's front, Gorilla Glass 3, has 2GB ($199) or 4GB ($299) RAM, 16GB or 64GB of storage with microSD slot, 3,000mAh battery with quick charging (60% in 39 mins), 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, and runs Android 5.0 Lollipop. It's also powered by either a 2.3GHz or 1.8GHz 64-bit Intel Atom quad-core processor. The $299 4GB version of the phone comes with the 2.3GHz Intel Z3580, while the $199 2GB version comes with the 1.8GHz Z3560. For that price, you are looking at a hell of a phone. Again, the Zenfone 2 goes on sale in the US tomorrow at Amazon, Newegg, B&H Photo, and Groupon. Any takers? https://twitter.com/ASUSUSA/status/600356271271911424 https://twitter.com/ASUSUSA/status/600355995051753472

Google Intros Literata Font for Play Books Users

Tim — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:51:05 +0000

Google introduced a new font for Play Books users this morning, which should soon be available for all to enjoy. The font is called Literata, made for those who intend to do a lot of reading on their smartphone or tablet, according to Google's tweet. As of right now, we don't see an update in Google Play that includes the font, meaning it could be a server-side change, or Google is just slowly rolling out the update. I'm no font connoisseur, so I can't tell you what the font is based on or anything, but it looks pretty. Sweeping Q strokes and strong, bold lines. Better than Comic Sans, I guess. Play Link

Via: @GooglePlay

The Internet Thinks Verizon's LG G4 is Coming June 4 Because of This Image

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:44:39 +0000

Take a long look at that image of the LG G4. See anything that might give a hint at a potential launch date for it on Verizon? For one, that is the Verizon version of the phone. As hard as that may be to believe because it doesn't have three or four "Verizon 4G LTE" logos all over it, just know that we grabbed the photo from Verizon's G4 landing page. (Breaking news: Verizon's LG G4 only has a single Verizon tattoo!) But if you look close enough to the date in the middle of the lock screen, you should see "Thursday, June 4." Outside of the iPhone and Galaxy S6, Verizon almost always releases new phones on Thursdays, so that's a good sign. Also, the phone is expected to arrive during the first week or so of June on most US carriers, so June 4 being a Thursday and during that first week of the month is actually a good sign as well. So will it launch that day? Maybe. Probably. But it might not. Dates and times and other hints on phone renders have been around for as long as I can recall. Some are right and some are not. With Verizon, you just never know. We see too often their variants of phones launch weeks later than everyone else's, so this could mean nothing or it could be a pre-order date with an open-ended launch window. Maybe Verizon will surprise us and launch the phone that day. I hope they do. This phone is good enough that Verizon customers shouldn't have to wait longer than other carrier customers for it to arrive. Since the G4 is a flagship phone, I'm leaning towards it launching really close to June 4. That's just a gut feeling, of course.

Via: Verizon

See, Best Buy is Already Readying Green Emerald and Blue Topaz Galaxy S6s

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:56:50 +0000

Earlier this morning, we joked about soon-to-be-announced carrier or retailer exclusives of Samsung's Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge. Shortly after we posted that bit of news, readers pointed out the fact that Best Buy already has "new" listings for each phone in 32GB and 64GB variants. We aren't even 48 hours removed from Samsung's announcement of each color's availability and Best Buy is prepared to sell them. Now, these listings are for unlocked versions of each phone, so these aren't exactly the "exclusives" we were referring to. Typically, Best Buy will get an exclusive on a blue version of Verizon's Galaxy S6, or something along those lines. Since these aren't tied to carriers, these don't exactly fall into the scenario we complained about a couple of hours ago. Trust me, though, they are coming. For now, if you were hoping to pick up either of these colors, you'll have to wait a bit. Best Buy's fresh listings are showing as "sold out." Best Buy Links: Galaxy S6 Edge (Green Emerald) | Galaxy S6 (Blue Topaz)

Cheers Reginald!

HTC Shuts Down 'Mini' Lineup of Flagship Phones, Cites Consumers' Ever-Changing Needs

Tim — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:32:54 +0000

Each year for the past two years, HTC has released a Mini variant of its One flagship device. This year, that tradition dies, as HTC has no intentions to release a Mini version of the One M9, or ever again for that matter. As stated by Jack Tong, president of HTC North Asia, the industry is moving towards larger display devices, and the company's roadmap is complimenting that change, according to Tong. During the announcement of the One M9+, a different version of the One M9 with a 5.2" 2K display for overseas markets, Tong stated, "Overall the industry is moving towards new phones over 5 inches in size and our product roadmap is close to that of the industry." Overall, HTC appears to be focusing more closely on a smaller number of devices, limiting efforts, and attempting to create just a handful of phones that everyone could enjoy. If the Mini series was not selling very well, then the move to terminate the line makes complete sense, and is no surprise. Upset by the end of the Mini series? Post your grievances below in the comments section.

Via: Focus Taiwan

Xiaomi's US Accessory Store Opens Today at 7PM Pacific With Cheap Goods Like a $15 Fitness Tracker

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:15:49 +0000

Earlier this year, Xiaomi - maker of all things insanely cheap that happen to look a lot (seriously, a lot a lot) like Apple products - announced that it would begin its move into the US by selling its line of ultra-affordable accessories. Their phones may arrive at some point down the road as well, but for now, they want to get you familiar with their brand by tempting you into picking up things like a $15 fitness tracker, $10 5000mAh power bank, or $80 premium headphones. Today, the temptation officially begins. Xiaomi announced via Facebook that it will open a "beta" accessory store today at 7PM Pacific (10PM Eastern) in the US. The store may only be open for a short period of time as a flash sale, so Xiaomi recommends that you sign-up now, get your payment method set, and be ready to click "buy." Since their products are so ~~cheap~~ affordable, there are limits on some of them. For example, the fitness band and power banks have limits of 2 per customer, while their headphones are limited to 1 per person. They accept Paypal and other credit cards and ship to the US, France, UK, and Germany within 7 working days. From what we can tell, the first few products that will be available are:

10400mAh Mi Power Bank ($13.99) - made with LG/Samsung lithium-ion polymer battery cells, comes with USB cable
5000mAh Mi Power Bank ($9.99) - made with ATL/Lishen lithium-ion polymer battery cells, comes with USB cable
Mi Band ($14.99) - activity and sleep tracker, 30-day battery life, IP67 water resistant
Mi Headphones ($79.99) - semi-open headphones, 50mm diaphragm, 32 ohm low impedance, both on-ear/over-ear cushions

If interested, be sure to sign-up and get ready at the link below. Xiaomi Link

Via: Xiaomi (Facebook) [2]

LG G4 Begins Global Rollout This Week!

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 07:46:49 +0000

Sit down, US consumers. We aren't talking to you. LG announced yesterday that they are beginning the global rollout of their new flagship, the G4. (We reviewed it the other day, by the way, in case you missed that bit of fun.) That global rollout, though, doesn't yet include the US. No sir, LG instead wanted to share word that they are readying things in Hong Kong before moving onto Turkey, Russia, and Singapore. They will then "eventually" launch in most of Europe, North America (that's you!), and a bunch of other places. As for US customers, you (in reality) only have to wait until early June. If you read this post from the day the G4 was announced, you already know that carriers here aren't expecting anything until next month at the earliest. If you don't want to wait until then, feel free to pony up $1,000 over at eBay for an unlocked version.

Via: LG

Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge Now Likely Arriving in the US as Dumb Carrier/Retailer Exclusives

Kellen — Mon, 18 May 2015 07:23:49 +0000

Over the weekend, Samsung announced that two new colors would soon be joining its flagships line-up of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Well, to be correct, these aren't new as in "never before seen" new, they are new as in, you can now buy them new...somewhere. Remember the Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge that were announced as optional colors during Samsung's unveiling of each phone? You know, the two colors of each phone that you were probably going to buy at launch had each been available? They are now available, weeks after you probably already bought your Galaxy S6 or Edge. Samsung didn't say where you would be able to buy these, only that they are now launching globally. My guess is that you will see them across the globe as really obnoxious exclusives at select carriers and retailers, limiting your chances of landing one. In other words, places like Best Buy will hawk the exclusive colorways to you, or Verizon or AT&T, where as carriers like T-Mobile or Sprint or another will be left out of the phone. It happens with every big phone launch. It sucks. You hate it. We really hate it. Early adopters want to punch things because of it. So yeah, these two colors - arguably the best colors of each phone - are now available. Be on the lookout for that Best Buy Graduation sale where they introduce their exclusive new Galaxy S6 colors! (That's not official, by the way, just an assumption.)

Via: Samsung

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: May 15, 2015

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 16:14:21 +0000

It was a big week here at DL, and with Google I/O coming right up, it's only going to get more crazy. This week, we posted up our full LG G4 review, plus did a full unboxing and hands-on with Kellen's fancy new Apple Watch wrist contraption. I think we've lost to the Dark side, folks. In addition to that excitement, we learned LG is giving away a nice little list of goodies away to buyers of the G4, Samsung's "Iron Man" Galaxy S6 Edge is real and is coming, and Verizon is going to buy AOL for $4.4 billion. You know, because AOL is worth that much. Below, you will find the list of this week's top Android and mobile-related stories. Trust us, they're all mucho important.

Review: LG G4.
Video: Apple Watch unboxing and impressions.
Google updated the desktop version of Play Music, and it looks gorgeous.
LG is giving out goodies to buyers of the G4.
Gaming: NVIDIA's GRID cloud gaming service is now streaming games in 1080p 60fps.
Huawei is "unlocking" something on June 2 at special NYC event.
Iron Man: Samsung is teasing its special edition "Iron Man" Galaxy S6 Edge.
Microsoft launched its own Hyperlapse app to Android.
What the? Verizon is buying AOL for $4.4 billion.
HTC may look to monetize BlinkFeed service with ads and sponsored posts.
Samsung's upcoming round smartwatch UI teased in released SDK.
Meerkat is no longer a "beta" app on Google Play.
LG G4 now features Quick Charge 2.0, somehow.
Google Fit receives update, now tracks distance traveled and calories burned.
Samsung: Sammy's Wallet service is shutting down June 30.
RIP, Samsung Gear Live.

Have a great weekend, folks! Go Warriors and go Clippers!

Adult Swim Publishes Tofu Hunter to Google Play, Shoot Down Herds of Adorable Tofu

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 15:43:46 +0000

In the latest game from Adult Swim, you are tasked with hunting and killing tofu. The game is called Tofu Hunter, which is basically a joke on the variety of Deer Hunter-like games available everywhere. In Tofu Hunter, you purchase a wide range of weapons to take down as many tofu critters as possible. The game features special tofu animals that will give you bonus points should you hit them, and also gives you a bonus when you spare tofu does. Different levels requite different guns. If your quota is not very high, you can take a high-powered rifle, or if you need to bag 50 tofu animals, you can take an assault rifle. To me, the game is all about being an over-the-top hunter of sorts, even though you are hunting animals that don't actually exist. They put cute, adorable little faces on the bouncing tofu, expecting you to be a complete animal and murder them all without thinking twice. It's an odd game, but it plays very well. Tofu Hunter is free to download from Google Play, but does feature IAPs which will help unlock guns and special attachments. Play Link

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Friday App Sales: Music DJ Mixer, Table Tennis Touch, Dungeon Crawlers, and More

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 14:36:23 +0000

It's Friday, which may mean you need a few new apps or games to keep you busy over the next couple of days. This week, a few good titles are on sale through Google Play. These titles include the Toca series of games, Dungeon Crawlers, Table Tennis Touch, and Zombie Minesweeper. In addition, a keyboard containing nothing but symbols and emojis can be had for just $0.99, as well as Schedule Planner Classic which helps you organize your upcoming events with precision. Check the full app list below. Friday App Sales

Table Tennis Touch ($0.99)
Dungeon Crawlers ($2.99)
Symbols and Emoji Keyboard ($0.99)
edjing Pro - Music DJ Mixer ($4.99)
Toca Lab ($0.99)
Toca Mini ($0.99)
Toca Cars ($0.99)
Toca Hair Salon Me ($0.99)
Toca Nature ($0.99)
Toca Town ($0.99)
Schedule Planner Classic pro ($2.49)
Zombie Minesweeper ($0.99)
PDF Scanner Pro:Docs Scan+ OCR ($0.99)

Go support those developers!

Deal: Pick Up a Pebble Smartwatch for $89, Pebble Steel for $149

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:03:54 +0000

Were you thinking about picking up a smartwatch anytime soon? If so, a Pebble is always a decent choice, and for a limited time, you can pick one up on sale straight from Pebble. For a limited time, buyers can grab a Pebble for $89.99, down from $99.99, or a fancy Pebble Steel for just $149.99, down from $199.99. That's some pretty good savings right there. This sale will last until the end of Saturday, so if you need a new gizmo for your wrist, check it out. And just so you know, this deal is also being applied to the models on Amazon, just in case you want to take advantage of your Amazon Prime membership. Pebble Links: Pebble Steel | Pebble

Google's "Designed for Families" Reported to Launch at Google I/O

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:02:09 +0000

According to a reported email from Google to app developers, the company may soon release its kid-friendly, family-focused version of Google Play during this year's Google I/O. Previously announced by Google back in mid April, Designed for Families helps curate content made for children and families, such as games and educational applications. Developers are asked to make their submissions for the program before May 28, which is also the keynote day at Google I/O. This leads a few people to believe that Google will highlight this program during I/O. As Google heightens its control over Google Play, and the apps found in the store, it is a good thing that they would want to add a special place for kids and families to find dedicated apps for learning and entertainment. Do we have a few parents here? Shall you be showing this to your kids as soon as it is released?

Via: Phandroid

CBS All Access, FOX NOW, HGTV, and More Apps Now Support Chromecast

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 10:24:38 +0000

A few new apps are supporting Chromecast this week, bringing even more content to cord cutters who utilizes Google's HDMI dongle. The apps with newly added casting support are CBS All Access, FOX NOW, HGTV, Pluto TV, FXNOW, and Haystack. CBS, FOX, HGTV, and FXNOW are all TV shows that you can stream, but Pluto TV is a service which curates over 100 channels of news, music, sports, web and TV shows into a single app. And for anyone unfamiliar with Haystack, it is a news app that picks up on your interests and shows you the happenings from around the globe. If you want to start casting these apps straight to your HDTV, grab them from Google Play by following the links below. Play Links: CBS | FOX NOW | FXNOW | HGTV | Pluto TV | Haystack

Via: Chrome Blog

Noodlecake Launches Sunburn! to Google Play, Gather Your Crew and Jump Into the Sun

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 09:35:47 +0000

Your crew is stranded in space, scattered along neighboring planets. You are the commanding officer of this failed mission, and it is up to you to gather your crew using a jetpack, and then fly everyone into the Sun. What a graceful death that would be. This is the story of Sunburn!, the latest title from Noodlecake Studios to hit Google Play. To scoop up your team members, you press on two sides of the display, powering your jetpack. Once you are away from a planet's gravitational influence, you can steer yourself using maneuvering thrusters. Once on a planet, simply walk around to collect your crew, then launch yourself into the Sun. Featuring 50+ puzzles for you to solve, coupled with very atmospheric music, the game reminds me a lot of Gravity, minus the flying into the Sun part. The game costs $3 to start, but after that, there are no ads and no IAPs. I'm marking this game as a "Tato Top Pick." Play Link ($2.99)

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Android 5.1.1 Update Rolling Out to ASUS ZenWatch, According to Owners (Update: Download Link Added)

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 08:39:37 +0000

According to a couple members of the reddit community, the ZenWatch from ASUS is being updated to Android 5.1.1. At this time, the rollout does not appear to be widespread, so if you have yet to see it hit your watch, don't worry. Android 5.1.1 brings many changes for Android Wear, including WiFi connectivity, always-on apps, usable lock screen, a wrist gesture, and much more. Although, please note the ZenWatch will not support WiFi following the update. Have you seen Android 5.1.1 hit your smartwatch? Let us know about it! Update: If you'd like to update you ZenWatch manually, here is a link to download it. Download Link For a closer look at what Android 5.1.1 will bring to your Android Wear smartwatch, watch our tour below.

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Via: reddit

Samsung Teases 'Iron Man' Galaxy S6 Edge on Twitter

Tim — Fri, 15 May 2015 08:12:16 +0000

Today, Samsung is making that rumored "Iron Man" edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge very official through Twitter. Previously written up, but with no official images to include, Samsung provides a look at the upcoming retail box for the device, and seriously, it looks pretty sweet. The frontside of the packaging includes the Iron Man helmet, and inside, well, we're guessing the phone is in there. At this time, there are no official images for the device itself, but this previous render is said to be pretty close to what customers can expect. According to Samsung, the device will be limited to select markets in select regions, naturally. This means, the phone will likely not be very easy to come by, should you live overseas. However, Samsung has yet to give official pricing and details. At first, I thought this phone might be for true comic book fans, but now that I see the box, I want it. Anyone else interested?

Via: @SamsungTMRW

Snake Rewind Hits Google Play, From the Original Creator of Nokia's Snake

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:39:06 +0000

From Taneli Armanto, the original creator of Snake, partnered with Rumilus Design, Snake Rewind has hit Google Play. In Snake Rewind, you will be transported back in time to the days of yore when everyone rocked a Nokia phone, and the best mobile game they had was Snake. In the original Snake, you would slither around, eat apples, and try not to run into your growing body. If you hit a wall or yourself, you have to start over. Snake Rewind takes this same concept, but brings highly enhanced graphics and new twists, such as new obstacles and power ups for you to utilize. Based over 10 levels, it's the same Snake action, but with added excitement. The game is free to download from Google Play, but does feature IAPs. If you happened to enjoy Snake way back in the day, on your brick phone, pounce on it. Play Link

Deal: Sound Kick Bluetooth Speaker for $50, Down From $100

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 14:48:00 +0000

Ending in six days, you still have time to pick up a Sound Kick Bluetooth Speaker through the DL Deals Store for $49.99, down from its MSRP of $99.99. The Sound Kick features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to wirelessly enjoy your music for up to 7 hours before recharging is needed. Music playback and volume can be controlled directly from the speaker, or from the device you are streaming from. In addition to Bluetooth, you can also quickly connect any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack. You will also be happy to see that the Sound Kick speaker is rated very highly on Amazon, priced at just under $100. So for 50% off, this is a pretty good deal. If this speaker interests you, hit that deal link below. Features

Enjoy up to 7 hours of playtime with the built-in rechargeable battery
Stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth
Control the volume & playback functions directly from the speaker
Quickly connect to any device w/ a simple line-in option that works with a standard headphone jack
Enhance your playlist w/ full sound, natural bass response, vocal clarity & UQ3™ spatial enhancement
Charge your mobile devices w/ the USB power port even while Sound Kick is running on battery power

Deal Link

Sunrise Intros Meet, a Calendar Keyboard for Android and iOS

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 14:09:18 +0000

If you happen to use Sunrise Calendar on your Android or iOS device, meeting up with friends may have just gotten a bit easier, thanks to the introduction of Meet. Meet is a keyboard for Android and iOS, but instead of displaying letters to type with, it displays your calendar events, helping you quickly view and share your available time slots. For example, if a buddy emails or texts you with intentions of meeting up, you can select the Meet keyboard from your available 3rd party keyboard list, select a time when you are available, then share that time with your friend. If your friend also uses Sunrise, they can quickly agree and RSVP to the time, adding it to their own calendar. If they don't use Sunrise, they can still view the calendar event. Meet is now available for users of Sunrise, and if you are not already using it, go try it out. The DL staff has been rocking Sunrise for quite some time now, and we love it. Watch the video below for a good overview of how Meet works. Play Link

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Via: Sunrise

LG is Giving Out Lots of Free Goodies if You Buy a G4

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 12:44:53 +0000

According to one of our sources, LG should be lining up a few free gifts for purchasers of the new G4 smartphone. Likely redeemable by any G4 buyer, regardless of carrier, LG should be gifting a free replacement battery, spare battery charger, and 32GB microSD card when you signup through a dedicated promo website. The promo should run from May 22 to June 21, as stated by our source, allowing most early buyers to grab the free goodies from LG. At this time, we are only aware of this promo for US buyers, and are not sure about International customers. Will free gifts sway you to choose the G4 from LG? Edit: The original post said "wall" charger, but the deal is for a spare battery charger.

Samsung Gear Live No Longer Available to Purchase in Google Store

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 11:18:19 +0000

Samsung's first Android Wear device, the Gear Live, is no longer available for purchase on Google Store. If you really need one, you can still grab it on Amazon for $199. Considering you can pick up a Moto 360 with Leather strap for even cheaper on Amazon ($169), that might be the better option. Bye bye, Gear Live! Store Link

Play Music for Desktop Updated With Material Design Makeover, Rolling Out Today

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 10:28:36 +0000

Google is rolling out a big UI update to Play Music for desktop users today, bringing a ton of Material Design tweaks inside. Once your UI gets updated, you will see a very well laid out interface, complete with animated transitions and slide out navigation bar on the lefthand side. Sporting larger artist and album photos, the overall feel is bright and easy to navigate. Most functionality remains the same, including searching for artists and checking out radio stations. Although, from what I am seeing, you can now rearrange your song queue, just like you can on the Android app version. My browser-based version of Play Music already received the update, so it should be seeding to everyone over the course of today. If you have a subscription to Play Music, check it out here. If you don't have a subscription, now may be the time to grab one. If not, you can see the screenshots below.

Meerkat Sheds Beta Label on Google Play

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 10:15:57 +0000

Meerkat, the app that lets you stream live video directly to your Twitter followers for Android, is now out of beta on Google Play. With this move, it seems Meerkat's developers are happy enough with their work, squashing as many bugs as possible and releasing it to the masses. After playing with it for a few minutes, the app seems quite stable and fluid, with no bugs for me yet. Maybe I will Meerkat something a little later. Of course, the app's rating is still hurting, but hopefully after a few weeks, it will tick up once people re-review it. If you want to give it a try, download the app from Google Play, log into your Twitter account, and start streaming. Play Link

Via: @AppMeerkat

Samsung Wallet Service Shutting Down June 30

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 09:18:46 +0000

Samsung has set a date to shutdown its Wallet service, declaring June 30 as the last day of its existence. Wallet was a lot like Apple's Passbook, acting as a place for Samsung device owners to place their coupons, gift cards, and membership numbers. From looking at reviews on Google Play, the app does not appear to be very loved within the community, and with Samsung Pay right around the corner, which will likely hold all of Wallet's functionality, plus the ability to pay at merchants with linked credit and debit cards, no one should be saddened by this news. Here's a few important details about the shutdown.

Coupons clipped with in the Samsung Wallet will no longer be available after the Termination Date.
Please note that you will still have access to any tickets or reservations by visiting our partner apps after the termination of Samsung Wallet.
All your personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Here is the email hitting Samsung Wallet users.

Samsung Wallet Termination Notice
Dear Samsung Wallet Users, Please take note that the Samsung Wallet will no longer be available as of 2015, June 30th. (“Termination Date”) We are sorry to inform you that the app and its related content will not be accessible after the Termination Date.

Coupons clipped with in the Samsung Wallet will no longer be available after the Termination Date.

Please note that you will still have access to any tickets or reservations by visiting our partner apps after the termination of Samsung Wallet.

All your personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

We appreciate your support for our app! Our Customer Support team (http://help.content.samsung.com) will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for your support, The Samsung Wallet Team

Microsoft Releases Hyperlapse Beta App to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 14 May 2015 08:28:23 +0000

Even though Instagram made "hyperlapse" all the rage on iOS, they still have yet to bring the app to Android, even though the OS completely supports the functionality. Regardless, Microsoft has beat them to the punch, releasing Microsoft Hyperlapse to Google Play in beta form. With Hyperlapse, users can turn long videos into short, action-packed shorts. For example, if you do any hiking, you can have your camera out the whole time, recording a video. Then at the end, compress that long hike into a short 1 minute video, which is sharable on all of your social networks. The software also stabilizes the video, meaning there will be no shaking throughout the flick. The app currently works for the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 (tablet), HTC One M8, One M9, and Sony Xperia Z3. Microsoft states they are currently working to bring the app to additional devices soon. To download, join the Google+ community linked below, become a tester, then download the app to your phone from Google Play. Give it a shot! Google+ Community | Play Link

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FREE: Amazon is Giving Away $110 in Free Apps Today

Kellen — Thu, 14 May 2015 06:08:05 +0000

We are fully aware that most of you do not want to install Amazon's Appstore (or maybe that's just us), but on days like today, it's actually worth it. The massive e-commerce company is handing out $110 in free apps for two days only. Titles like Game of Thrones ($4.99), Five Nights at Freddy's 3 ($2.99), Fleksy keyboard ($1.99), Smart Office 2 ($9.99), Bloons TD 5 ($2.99), and Xtralogic Remote Desktop ($14.95) are all free. There are others in there as well, from photo editors to antivirus apps and Angry Birds games. Again, the deal runs through May 16, so don't hold out for long. Amazon Link

Deal: Moto 360 is Just $130 Today From Woot

Kellen — Thu, 14 May 2015 05:54:00 +0000

Want to own the best Android Wear smartwatch available at a fraction of the cost? Woot.com is currently running a daily deal that has the Moto 360 slashed to $129.99, which is roughly $120 off the full retail price. Now, the watch is "factory reconditioned," so it's not brand new. Still, at that price, this is almost impulse buy territory, especially for someone who has been waiting to get into the smartwatch game. Do keep in mind that we are pretty sure we saw the next-gen Moto 360 stop by Bluetooth SIG the other day, so there is always the chance that the new version will arrive within the next couple of months. The new version obviously won't carry this kind of low price, though, so there is that to factor in as well. The deal is live until Woot.com runs out of inventory, or another few hours passes. You can choose between either black or stone leather bands, plus the watch comes with a 1-year warranty from Motorola. Be sure to read our Moto 360 review if you haven't already. Deal Link

Cheers Omar, Jason, Jamison, Jigga_z, Chris, Ryan, and Cliff!

Giveaway: You Choose Which Phone to Win - Galaxy S6 Edge, LG G4, or Huawei P8

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 15:37:45 +0000

Through the DL Deals store, you now have a chance to walk away with one of three 2015 flagship phones. Within the next 28 days, you can sign up to win the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, LG G4, or Huawei P8. There aren't any tricks or gimmicks here - all you need to do is provide an email address to the giveaway page and click "Enter Now." That's it. You are then entered. Should you want to increase your chances of winning, you can also share the giveaway on Twitter and convince friends and family to enter. The more you get to enter, the more entries you receive. Pretty simple, right? The giveaway runs until June 10 at 11:59PM Pacific. Get your entries in, America! Giveaway Link

Official Google I/O App Updated for This Year's Event on Google Play

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:45:20 +0000

The official Google I/O app received an update today to get it ready for the 2015 event. As you all know, I/O takes place on May 28 and 29 in San Francisco and the app is one of the best ways for attendees and non-attendees to keep up with the action. This app also always serves as a vehicle for Google to show off the latest in Android app design, which still happens to be Material Design. The app is quite robust, giving users control over an agenda and personalized schedule, the ability to watch live streams of sessions and the keynote, and a vector-based map of the conference. For those planning to attend, the app also gives you an option to pre-configure WiFi. Here is the full list of features:

Explore the conference agenda, with details on themes, topics and speakers
Add events to a personalized schedule
Get reminders before events in “My schedule” start
Watch the keynote and sessions live stream
Sync your schedule between all of your devices and the I/O website
Guide yourself using the vector-based conference map
Follow public social I/O related conversations on Google+ and Twitter
See I/O content from previous years in the Video screen
Use the Widget to check your upcoming events directly from your home screen
*Exclusive for In person attendees:* -- Take advantage of facilitated pre-event WiFi configuration

Play Link

Nova Launcher Updated to Version 4.0, Brings All the Material Design Goodness

Tim — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:05:21 +0000

An update is being pushed out to Nova Launcher this afternoon, which should now be live for most users on Google Play. If you have been a part of the Nova Launcher beta program, you should not see too many changes, as this build is merely moving all of those big UI changes into the "stable" version of the app. Inside, users can expect to see switched up settings and dialog menus, plus additional animations. On top of that, there are new icons, bundled wallpapers, and much more. Be sure to grab this update through Google Play, and see why everyone and their mother are still rocking Nova Launcher.

What's New

Full Material Design

All settings screens/dialogs
More animations
Edit Shortcut dialog tinted based on colors of the icon
New icons
Bundled wallpapers

Play Link

Huawei is Hosting an Event on June 2 Where They are "Unlocking" Something

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 12:35:53 +0000

Huawei just sent out a round of invites to a press event for US press that is taking place on June 2. That's the week following Google I/O, in case you were wondering. What's in store? Good question. The invite tells us to "see what we're unlocking next," so I would imagine an unlocked phone of some sort. It could be the P8 for the US or something budget-friendly, although we just got the SnapTo a month ago. If you were hoping for Huawei's rumored Nexus, let's not get ahead of ourselves. This event is taking place June 2, not November, where Google would be more ready to talk about its next flagship phone. Guesses?

Tap an Avatar to See Recent Conversations, Contact Info, and More in New Gmail for Android

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 12:19:51 +0000

Google announced through Google+ today that Gmail on Android is receiving an update that includes a couple improvements all based on user feedback. For one, you can now tap on contact avatars in emails to see a full history, including recent conversations, contact info, and more robust details about the person should there be a Google+ account attached. Items like people you have in common, recent G+ posts, their birthday, place of employment, etc. can all be in there. The update also includes an improved account adding experience for those using non-Gmail addresses. The update is rolling out slowly as usual, but you can sideload the newest .apk below. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Via: +Gmail

Moto E (2nd Gen) 4G LTE Now Receiving Update to Android 5.1

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 12:03:33 +0000

It looks like Moto E (2nd Gen) 4G LTE owners are in for a treat today, as Motorola appears to be pushing out an update to Android 5.1. The update is arriving on phones as build 23.11.15, which is the same version we first outed a week ago when we pointed out the fact that Motorola was on the verge of unleashing a wave of 5.1 updates to a variety of devices. At least one of our readers, along with a number of Moto E 4G LTE owners over at XDA with version XT1527 of the phone are seeing the update pop up. Keep in mind that as far as we can tell, these are not soak testers, they are receiving the update as if it were live and rolling out in stages. We haven't seen the update yet on our Moto E 4G LTE, but will continue to check over the next few days.

Cheers Matthew!

Google Fit Gets Distance and Calories Burned Tracking, Fitness History, Widget and Watch Face, in Update

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 10:57:02 +0000

Google Fit received a feature-packed update today on Android. The update introduces distance and calories burned tracking, along with an improved fitness history, new widget, and a watch face, so that you can always stay on top of your goals. In order to start tracking distance and calories burned, you will need to update your profile information to include gender, height, and weight. Once that step is complete, Google will be able to let you know how far you have gone in a day and estimate the number of calories you burned. With the new fitness history, Google Fit now shows you a timeline of activities that can be grouped by days, weeks or months. Finally, Google added a widget for home screens and a new watch face for those with an Android Wear device. Since fitness trackers always want to know their current status, both of these new additions should help. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Via: Official Android Blog

Deal: Lifetime Dripbit Online Backup Subscription for $55

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 10:40:11 +0000

If you have been on the hunt for a backup solution that won't break the bank, we have one for you through the DL deals store. Dripbit is currently offering a lifetime subscription to their online backup services at a price of $54.99 or 88% off the full asking price of $480. The plan includes 1TB of storage, unthrottled bandwidth for 5 computers, movie streaming to any device, military grade encryption, 24-7 support, and access via your Android device. The deal is live for another 3 days. Features:

Access & edit your files without re-downloading them from the cloud
Keep your files private w/ military-grade AWS 256 encryption
Enjoy super fast connections
View & download your files from any web browser
Use on the go w/ iOS, Android & Windows apps

Deal Link

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Galaxy S6 Update Improves Fingerprint Recognition, Drawing Option in Photo Editor, and More

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 10:30:49 +0000

Our international variant of the Samsung Galaxy S6 (SM-G920I) received an update today that introduces improved fingerprint recognition and accessory compatibility, an enhanced interface for Email, Music, S planner, and other apps, and adds a new feature to the Photo editor. We will have to spend some time with the fingerprint scanner now to see if it has improved, but it was already pretty good. As for the "enhanced" interfaces in Samsung's apps, I couldn't tell you what has changed. I don't use any of them, but after opening up the Music app on updated and non-updated phones, I can't even see a difference. With the Photo Editor, I am seeing a new drawing tool after the update that includes some pretty advanced drawing options from pen or brush types, to color pickers, thickness, and more. It did require me to install the S Pen SDK, though. The update arrives as build VU1AOE3 (still Android 5.0.2) and weighs in at roughly 161MB. This is why we share deals on unlocked versions of phones like the Galaxy S6, because they tend to get updates before any other models. These phones aren't tied to carriers, so Samsung can essentially push updates at will, just like this one. If you own an international variant of the S6 or S6 Edge, be sure to jump into Settings>About>Software update and check to see if your phone is ready.

This is the LG G Pad X on Its Way to Verizon

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:37:05 +0000

Yesterday, retired leaker @evleaks told us to expect a never-before-seen LG tablet on Verizon in the near future. He called it the G Pad X, which sounds a lot like a continuation of LG's G Pad line of tablets that included the G Pad 8.3 LTE. While we still don't know much in terms of specs, price, or a timeframe for release, Evan did post a picture of the device today. In the image above, you can see a tablet that looks a lot like last year's G Pad 8.3, but has a slightly tweaked back design with a faux-metal middle area. We still have the dual-speaker setup and left-corner positioned camera from last year's tablet, along with a front panel that appears to want to hang out in portrait mode. The device is running Lollipop and LG's UX skin. Oh, Verizon managed to brand it twice as well. Still care about tablets? https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/598430800783224832

Reported Photos of AT&T Galaxy S6 Active Hit the Web (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:25:27 +0000

According to photos posted yesterday onto GSM Arena, the Galaxy S6 Active from Samsung is real, and is coming to AT&T, again. Previous renditions of Active devices have hit AT&T, so the idea that the carrier scored yet another exclusive should surprise no one. As we can see in the photos, if they are to be believed, Samsung keeps the overall design of the Galaxy S6 intact, but throws on a massive tank case to prevent any damage to the device should you drop it. Given its Active name, this device should also be water and dust proof. For specs, it is reported that the phone should feature all of the same top-tier specs that are found on the Galaxy S6. That would be a 5.1" QHD Super AMOLED display, Exynos octa-core processor, and 16MP rear-facing camera. One major difference is the inclusion of a 3,500mAh battery, up from the regular 2,550mAh battery found in the Galaxy S6. The camera appears to be in the same spot, but if you will avert your attention to the backside, you can see that Samsung has placed the speaker there, moving it from the bottom of the phone. In addition, navigation buttons have been hardened on the frontside, exactly as they were on previous models of the Active. We have no date or pricing for the Galaxy S6 Active, but apparently, it's coming. Thinking about picking one up?

Updated: @evleaks posted up press renders of the device. I'd say this is it, the Galaxy S6 Active.

Via: GSM Arena

Deal: Nexus 6 Drops to $550 at T-Mobile ($100 Off)

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 07:44:46 +0000

Looking for the lowest price on the Nexus 6? T-Mobile has got you covered. The Uncarrier is currently selling Google's newest flagship phone for $100 off its retail price, which drops it to $550 (32GB) and $599 (64GB). For a whale, that seems like a bargain. And just think, you can take this bad boy to Project Fi whenever Google starts sending out invites to the masses. If you haven't yet, be sure to read our Nexus 6 review. T-Mobile Link

(H/T Android Police)

Deal: HTC One M8 on AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint Just $299 Today Best Buy

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 06:55:21 +0000

At the end of our HTC One M9 review, we told you to skip the phone and instead opt for last year's HTC One M8 should you really love the all-metal design and style of HTC's products. The One M8 is a better phone. It looks better. It has a better camera, even if it is a bit of a gimmick. It has a better display. It's battery life is somehow, confusingly better. And best of all, it's waaaaaaay cheaper. Take today's deal for example, where you can buy a brand new HTC One M8 for AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint at just $299 through Best Buy. That's $299 for a phone at full retail, without a contract or payment plan. You pay $299 and then walk away with a phone that you own. The deal includes "limited quantities" and is only available today, so be quick if interested. Best Buy Link

Cheers Chris!

Verizon's HTC One M7 Gets Lollipop Starting Today, Full Changelog Available

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 06:39:04 +0000

Verizon's HTC One M7 is getting its Android 5.0 Lollipop update today, at least according to a full changelog posted to the company's support site. The update arrives in two parts, but finishes on 6.21.605.3 when all is said and done. After the update, users will see Lollipop's fun, including new notification panel behaviors, an all-new quick settings pull-down, notifications on the lock screen, more control over which apps can send you notifications, new Rolodex-styled recent apps, more power with Android Beam, and more. HTC also tossed their HTC EYE experience into the camera. To grab the update, head into Settings>Phone Update>Check for Update>Download Now.

Via: Verizon

Sprint Says Nexus 5 is Getting Android 5.1.1 "LMY48B" Update This Week

Kellen — Wed, 13 May 2015 06:22:05 +0000

According to Sprint support, the Nexus 5 is set to receive an update this week to Android 5.1.1 build LMY48B (Sprint says it was supposed to start May 11). The update is listed as being nothing more than the update to 5.1.1 with included "security enhancements." Tough to say what those security enhancements are, but in general, the update is expected to be quite minor. LMY48B is a brand new never-before-seen build number for Android, so that's at least something. Assuming Sprint is correct, the update will also be accompanied by a factory image at any moment. We'll let you know when that shows up. Until then, be on the lookout for the over-the-air update and grab that .zip file URL. Here are instructions on how to do that.

Via: Sprint

LG G4 Review

Tim — Tue, 12 May 2015 15:59:43 +0000

As we keep getting deeper into 2015, more flagship devices are being released by all of the big OEM players, and soon, folks will be able to grab the G4 from LG. Even though we don't have an official date from the company yet, we were fortunate enough to grab a review unit from LG while attending the unveiling event in New York City and have spent the last couple of weeks testing out its every feature, to see if it can compete with the likes of HTC and Samsung. The G4 has stiff competition in 2015, mainly from Samsung and its new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge devices. The S6 and S6 Edge have been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, stating its camera and display can't be beat, but after spending almost two weeks with this phone, it is quite apparent that the G4 can easily carve out a space for itself in the ever-changing Android ecosystem. This is our LG G4 review.

The Good

Specs The LG G4 features a 5.5" QHD Quantum IPS display, Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of onboard storage, microSD slot with support up to 2TB of storage, 3,000mAh removable battery, NFC, 16MP rear-facing camera with OIS and laser auto focus, 8MP front-facing camera with gesture controls, Quick Charge 2.0 technology, optional wireless charging, and Android 5.1. On paper, the G4 is a beast. And off paper, the G4 performs exceptionally well, which should be no surprise. Flagship phones like this should all operate and perform smoothly these days, with insanely powered processors and plenty of RAM to keep Android chugging along nicely. There were some questions surrounding LG's choice of the Snapdragon 808 over the controversial 810, but the 808 is flagship level on its own and shouldn't cause any concern for potential buyers. In comparison to the G3 from last year, LG stepped up the device in all major categories, bringing a better display, improved processor, and vastly updated camera tech. All in all, LG spared little expense when looking to create a successor to last year's flagship. Display Being a very large portion of the device, the display used on the G4 is very important, and when you consider the effort LG put into last year's G3 display, which unfortunately fell short in a few categories, the G4 is a major step in the right direction to correct issues buyers had last year. The G3 was somewhat plagued by colors that didn't pop, weak contrast, poor viewing angles, and blacks that never really looked all that black. The G4 features a 5.5" QHD Quantum IPS display, with a resolution of 2560 x 1440, 120% color gamut, 50% increase in contrast, and 30% bump in brightness. When I first saw the G4's display, my eyes could instantly tell this display was better than last year's, as it was apparent colors were more deeply saturated, allowing for a more immersive viewing experience. Thanks to a few preloaded videos on the G4, my eye's initial beliefs were confirmed. Below, there is a photo of the G4 sitting directly next to last year's G3, and a few other high-end phones. On the G3, the white features a yellowish tint, while the G4 has a mostly cooler, white display. When viewing photos and watching videos, these things are noticeable, at least to my eyes. Of course, with such a high resolution, pixels won't be an issue for your eyes, unless you wear a crazy prescription of glasses.

On the subjective side of things, this 5.5" display seems to fit my hand rather well. Although, I don't think I could go any bigger, but that's just me. A display size of 5.5" is great for viewing videos and snapping photos, while also still having enough room in your pocket for you to reach your hand in to grab the device. If you own the G3 and are thinking about upgrading to the G4, you will be happy that you did. On the other hand, if you were trying to choose between the Galaxy S6 and G4, that decision may be rather tough. The 5.1" QHD Super AMOLED found on the Galaxy S6 is extremely bright and poppy, lending plenty of crispness to videos and photos, along with much more accurate colors. To me, it really would come down to design of the phones, and if you need expandable storage. But side by side, your own eyes may not be able to tell to much of the difference between the two.

Macros for fun.

Performance If you have been following the processor news surrounding 2015 flagship devices, you will know that LG's inclusion of the Snapdragon 80 and not the Snapdragon 810 is kind of a big deal, but slightly blown out of proportion. As an average end user, you won't notice much, if any differences performance wise between the 808 versus the 810. Each can handle multitasking and web browsing just fine, while also allowing you to shoot UHD video and view 2K video. They are both high-end processors, that will no doubt handle anything you can throw at them. So for LG to opt to use the Snapdragon 808, I don't believe it fuels the conspiracy that something is majorly wrong with the Snapdragon 810. Qualcomm even said that LG chose the 808 long ago, before there were rumors of overheating issues with the 810. With that being said, during my time with the G4, I was rather happy with how snappy the device was, breezing through apps and streaming videos from the web. When switching between the camera app and Chrome, there is very little delay, and that is a good sign to me. When inside of a game and hitting the Home button, you are directed right to the home screen, with no signs of "jank" or lag. As a smartphone owner, that's all I need. I want a quick phone, with no glitches. And frankly, that's what I got with the G4. Camera The camera found in the G4 is a very important aspect of the device, as LG highlighted it predominantly at its unveiling event. It is a 16MP shooter with a f/1.8 lens that features optical image stabilization (OIS), as well as laser auto focus and phase detection. Now, considering this is a smartphone we are talking about, the camera is incredible. In a recent shootout we did between the G4 and Galaxy S6, the G4 was not only on par with the Galaxy S6, but even beat it out in a few scenarios. In low lighting, I was blown away with the accuracy, detail, and light the G4 was able to bring in, especially at night time. Again, for a smartphone, most shots that it is capable of are very impressive.

Making it a true friend to photography buffs is the Manual Mode. This allows users to tweak individual settings within a shot, such as ISO, white balance, manual focus, and even shutter speed. Shutter speed options have yet to be available on many high-end Android devices, including any from Samsung. With this feature, you can capture light trail shots, such as you would see from experienced professional photographers. Thankfully, the Auto mode on the device is also very good, leaving even poorly experienced photographers with great shots. Ranking the G4's features from best to worst, the camera would easily be #1 on my list as its greatest achievement.

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

Battery Life Before using the G4 for this review, I was using the Galaxy S6 Edge from Samsung. As detailed in that review, the battery life on the S6 Edge was roughly average to poor. On the G4, battery life seems much more stable, which is a blessing for someone like me. I don't enjoy charging my phone twice a day. Charging the S6 a couple of times per day seems a bit extreme, considering what year it is. Hasn't battery tech advanced enough yet to where I don't need to charge my device constantly? Apparently not. Regardless of all that, the G4 lasted me a solid day to day and a half whenever I pulled it off of the charger. Given I have a habit of always plugging my phone in at night, there was a few nights that I didn't need to. I'd go to bed around 11:30pm with about 40% left, so in my opinion, this was phenomenal. Unlike other people, I don't use my phone as much as you would think, since I am usually sitting in front of a computer screen for 10 hours a day. But, I do play games, watch YouTube videos, and mess around with apps quite frequently on my device. Needless to say, I was impressed with the LG G4's battery life, especially when compared to the Galaxy S6 and One M9. As you will see in the screenshots below, I averaged over 2 hours of screen on time while using mostly LTE. And take note, the 3,000mAh battery found on the G4 is removable. *OMG* This phone also supports Quick Charge 2.0, but more on that in a minute.

Expandable Storage and Removable Battery Since Samsung decided to give up on throwing in expandable storage and a removable battery, we have to give credit to LG for sticking with it. These are the things Android power users want. Already coming preloaded with 32GB of onboard storage, the ability to throw in up to 2TB (yes, terabytes) of storage is great for folks who plan on capturing a ton of RAW photos and placing their entire music library on their device. So, yes, the more storage, the better. While I personally don't have the exact need or want to replace my battery to swap in a new one whenever I am low, you can't knock the fact that it may be useful. For example, if you are going on a camping trip or something, all you need is a few extra batteries with you, instead of praying your campground has a outlet or carrying a car adapter with you. There are countless scenarios where a removable battery could be useful, so since it's there, it's great.

Build Quality and Design Unlike the all-metal build of the One M9 and glassy front and backside of the Galaxy S6, LG stuck with plastic on this particular model of the G4. No, it's not super premium, but you know what, it works. Even though the G4 in my possession is mostly plastic, besides the large piece of glass protecting the display on front, the device does feel rather great while in-hand. Thanks to the slight curve to it, the G4, with its broad size, fits quite well in my hand. Coming from the Galaxy S6, that feels pretty small when compared to the One M9, the G4 doesn't feel all that much bigger. Just like the G2 and G3, LG has brought back the rear-facing buttons, allowing the sides of the phone to be quite thin. Personally, I still enjoy this setup, but others may not enjoy it as much. It takes time to get used to, but after a while, having rear-facing buttons is pretty nice. When the phone is in my pocket and I have headphones attached to it, I can press on the buttons from outside of my pocket, controlling the volume. And even though the buttons are on the backside, I don't think I have ever accidentally pressed a button that I did not mean to. Now, beyond the device I have, LG is offering G4 models with leather backs, which I did have a chance to play with during my time in NYC. They look great. At first, I assumed LG would not be able to compete with the quality of leather Motorola uses on the Moto X, but actually, the leather felt pretty good. The actual backside is still plastic, with a leather skin placed directly on top. Again, it does not exactly come off as the most premium thing ever, but it's better than boring ol' plastic, right? LG even has a ton of color options for the leather, including Red, Shale, Blue, and Black. If I had my preference, I would have gone leather all day everyday, but I was given a plastic model. Oh well.

Quick Charge 2.0 and Wireless Charging At first, Quick Charge 2.0, a Qualcomm technology, was not supported on the G4. We know this because LG told us so. Now, still weeks away from its launch, it is suddenly supported, which apparently even took LG by surprise. The addition of Quick Charge 2.0 is a major plus for buyers, as this technology speeds up the charging of the devices battery, meaning you don't need to have it plugged up to the wall forever. In addition, the device features support for wireless charging, which is another bonus for anyone who happens own a Qi wireless charger. Just keep in mind that you will have to buy a separate wireless charging back to enable it. Availability We still don't have exact pricing or availability for the G4, but you can bet to see it on all major carriers throughout the globe. My guess is that it will be priced at around $199 on a two-year contract, with an off-contract price of anywhere from $500 to $650. Given that the device is still just plastic, LG can't go charging a premium for it, like Samsung does on the Galaxy S6. Most US carriers said that the device should launch near the end of May or early June. Once we have official and exact details, this section will be updated.

Somewhere in the Middle

Software When I think of LG's UX software, there are a few words that come to mind - bland, boring, and uninspired. UX 4.0, which comes preloaded on the G4, runs on top of Android 5.1. Interestingly enough, on the software side, it does not appear LG put as much work into the software this year as they did the display and camera found in the phone. It's not that this is a bad thing, but since this device is constantly being compared to the Galaxy S6, it's hard to let it slide. Not only did Samsung upgrade the camera and display tech found in its latest flagship, but they completely reworked TouchWiz, making it actually not so bad to use. When I use the G4, I feel as if I am still using a G3, as the software on both devices are insanely similar. The colors and basic UI are all the same, which at times, can lead to a pretty boring user experience. However, even though the UI doesn't pop and amaze, it's not necessarily bad.

LG did load up UX 4.0 with all of your favorite software additions, such as Q-Slide and Dual Window. However, Dual Window is not all that awesome when compared to Samsung's MultiWindow, but at the same time, Dual Window works perfectly fine. You can have two apps open at the same time, and thankfully, LG does not limit which apps are supported by this feature. During my testing time, I did not find myself needing any of LG's software features, but that's not too surprising, as I don't use any of Samsung's either. Smart Bulletin, which is pinned to your home screen upon first boot up, was the first thing I disabled. It holds LG Health stats, your Calendar events, a music widget, and QRemote access. Again, these features are not something I ever use, but I know for a fact that many LG fans love QRemote, so don't worry, it's there. To sum up the software, I wish LG would have infused more Material Design elements into the overall look. Sure, the Messaging app has a floating action button, but that's not enough for hardcore Android fans like me. It's your basic, run of the mill Android skin, with not a lot going on.

The Not-so-Good

Lollipop Notifications On LG devices that run Lollipop, the company seems to have broken expandable notifications. This same issue was documented in our G Flex 2 review. When you have a notification, such as Gmail or Twitter, they are usually expandable for viewing. On LG devices, however, they are not. On the lock screen, they work just fine. You can expand, compact, and swipe away. Just as it should be. But when your phone is unlocked and you pull down your notification shade, you cannot interact with the notifications. You either swipe away or click on them. Since this is not the way Lollipop was made to work, it's a big time annoyance coming from any phone that works properly. Hopefully LG addresses this issue in a future update. No Fingerprint Sensor or Heart Rate Monitor Sorry to compare this device once again to the Galaxy S6 from Samsung, but I felt it necessary. Samsung nailed it with fingerprint and heart rate tech in the Galaxy S6 this year, but LG didn't even try. Why didn't they try? Well, they never have, besides having heart rate monitors in their smartwatches. With other major smartphones releasing with fingerprint scanners (iPhone 6, Galaxy S6, One M9+), it might have been nice to see LG give it a whirl. In overseas markets, HTC is trying a fingerprint sensor on the One M9+, but since that phone is not dropping here in the US, it matters very little. Using the Galaxy S6 fingerprint scanner allows for added security, but doesn't add an annoying step to unlocking your phone. It's rather seamless. The G4's design does not leave many places to leave a dedicated fingerprint sensor, but it would not surprise me if we saw next year's flagship from LG feature one or both of these technologies built right into the phone.

Video

LG G4 Hands-on and Impressions

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LG G4 vs. Galaxy S6 Edge vs. One M9

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Gallery

Verdict

The LG G4 is a fantastic device, and in my eyes, has no major flaws that should turn away any potential buyers. It is 2015 and there are a ton of great phones on the market, so while Samsung may have brought the "Wow!" factor in the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, LG stepped up their own game, bringing a true competitor to the table. The way I see it, the G4 and Galaxy S6 comparison is purely subjective. Whichever device you think looks best, you should probably get. They will each prove worthy of your daily needs. They have excellent cameras, fantastic looks, and awesome displays. Doesn't get much better than that these days. And should you decide to choose the G4, you get the added bonus of expandable storage and a removable battery, if you care about that sort of thing.

NVIDIA GRID Cloud Gaming Now Streaming in 1080p 60FPS

Tim — Tue, 12 May 2015 15:37:19 +0000

NVIDIA's cloud gaming service, GRID, just got a switch flipped on to allow gamers to stream games in Full HD (1080p) 60 frames per second on supported devices. Previously, games streamed were in 720p, but did not look all that bad. This change will up the quality players see, but does require a bit faster of an Internet connection. According to NVIDIA, users of GRID will need a SHIELD device, naturally, and a connection speed of no lower than 30Mbps. To stream in 720p, a connection speed of only 9Mbps or above was needed. As of right now, roughly 35 games support 1080p 60FPS streaming, but there are more on the way. Do you use GRID? Have you been enjoying it?

Via: ArsTechnica

Deal: Slash $125 Off Moto X Orders When Choosing Walnut or Teak

Kellen — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:16:19 +0000

If you missed out on Motorola's $225-off Moto X deal, they have another ready for you. It's not as deep of a discount, but it does include $125-off and an upgrade to either the Walnut or Teak natural backs. So should you jump on this deal, which runs until May 19, you are looking at $399 for the Moto X "Pure Edition" in Walnut or Teak with 16GB of storage. Not bad, not bad. Motorola Link

Sony Xperia Z4 and LG G Pad X Coming to Verizon?

Kellen — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:00:24 +0000

According to former leaker extraordinaire, @evleaks, the newly announced and mostly underwhelming Sony Xperia Z4 may be on its way to Verizon, along with a new tablet from LG called the G Pad X. Through a Tweet, in typical minimal @evleaks style, all we are told is that these two devices, along with a new iPad mini and the Desire 526 are "coming" to Big Red. No pictures were included. The new Sony flagship arriving at Verizon this year isn't all that surprising, since Verizon has sold a couple of Sony devices in the past, most recently a hybrid version of the Xperia Z3 and Z2, called the Xperia Z3v (our review). Verizon also sold LG's G Pad 8.3 LTE, so a new G Pad would make sense. As a recap, the Xperia Z4 was announced last month with little fan fare. Sony announced the phone for Japan only and wouldn't mention anything about additional country availability at any point down the line. The phone sports a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD display, 2.0GHz Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage with micro SD slot, 20.7MP rear camera, 5.1MP front camera, and 2930mAh battery. It's also waterproof, runs Android 5.0 Lollipop, and is only 6.9mm thick. This is one of those phones that is upgraded in select spots, but we aren't sure if any of them really make the phone stand out over last year's model. Still, it could be a phone worth considering on Verizon should the battery life be as good as last year's Z3 and the camera see drastic improvement. As for the G Pad X, well, this is the first we are hearing of it. Would you consider the Xperia Z4 if it came to Verizon? https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/598114897193472001

Apple Watch Unboxing, First Impressions and More

Kellen — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:10:12 +0000

We have an Apple Watch in house. Yes, yes we do. Why? Because you should know your competition. If we are going to have an opinion on the Apple Watch, we should actually spend some time with one in order to form that opinion, not just get there by reading other reviews or listening to Apple's pitch. So like with the iPhone 6, where Apple admitted that big phones were awesome, we are going to take the Apple Watch for a spin, potentially review it, and then move on. But the goal, as I just stated, is simply to familiarize ourselves with Apple's take on a watch platform. With that in mind, don't expect a whole bunch of Apple Watch coverage around these parts. We aren't an Apple site, so we won't be bombarding you with this stuff. We didn't when we reviewed the iPhone 6 and won't here either. All good? You will survive, trust me. To kick off our Apple Watch coverage, we thought we should at least introduce it to you as we introduce it ourselves, so that means we unboxed it. This also gave us the opportunity to share first impressions and put it up against a couple of Android Wear devices on hand, the Moto 360, G Watch R, and Watch Urbane. In case you were wondering, we picked up the 42mm Apple Watch version, which is the stainless steel model that runs $599. We didn't go with the low-end Sport version or the Edition edition. This way, should the Apple fankids come running to tell us how uninformed or biased we are, they at least can't say, "You went with the cheap one!" And with that out of the way, it's onto the video below. Not only will you get that unboxing we just mentioned, but also talk of the device in hand and on wrist, the materials used and how we feel about them (spoiler: this guy feels really nice), and of course, a quick comparison to our Android Wear friends. Ready? Have at it.

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Nexus 6 on T-Mobile Still Doesn't Have WiFi Calling, Could in 7-10 Days

Kellen — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:50:00 +0000

The Nexus 6 when used on T-Mobile's network still can't utilize WiFi Calling, a feature that the wireless carrier typically loves to brag about as a selling point over the competition. We expected the feature to arrive months ago, but for whatever reason, T-Mobile and Google can seem to get all of the bugs worked out to make it stable enough for you and I. The wait may finally be coming to an end, at least according to T-Mobile product evangelist Des. This morning, Des announced on Twitter that they are still working with Google on a bug that was found over the weekend, but expect that it should be fixed and ready again for testing in about 7-10 days. Assuming this is the final bug, you could be making calls over WiFi on that Google flagship you bought six months ago. Happy? https://twitter.com/askdes/status/598161144596078593

Samsung's Round Smartwatch UI and Specs Revealed in Company's SDK

Tim — Tue, 12 May 2015 11:07:50 +0000

More information is hitting the web for Samsung's upcoming round smartwatch, and just like last time, it's coming straight from Samsung. The company released its SDK for the device this morning, detailing its possible look and specifications. For specs, it is shown that the device will feature 1.65" display, with a resolution of 360 x 360. In addition, the spec sheet shows the smartwatch should feature 2G connectivity, GPS, heartbeat sensor, gyro sensor, acceleration sensor, pressure sensor, and magnetic sensor. More importantly, Samsung's UI for the device has been outlined, as the company hopes to wrangle in developers for its Tizen OS for wearables. From the photos posted, it appears the rotating bezel is quite important to basic navigation and functionality, as spinning it can do a multitude of things. On the main screen, you can twist the bezel to see different screens, such as music controls, emails, and trending news.

It appears the watch could also come with a preloaded gallery app, allowing users to view photos, and also zoom in and out using the bezel. The photos also show off a few watch faces, but at this point, all of that could change, given that these are purely mockups at this point. View the other photos below, then share your thoughts down in the comments section. Does this watch sound cool? With the popularity of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, it is possible that the market for a smartwatch such as this could be rather large.

Via: SamMobile | Samsung

New Moto 360 Likely Just Stopped Off at Bluetooth SIG

Kellen — Tue, 12 May 2015 10:43:09 +0000

The new Moto 360 (2nd gen) may be right around the corner. A device, which certainly looks like it could be the next Moto 360, just stopped off at Bluetooth SIG to receive qualification and to make sure it complies with current Bluetooth licenses and specifications. According to a listing on Bluetooth SIG's website, a product made by Motorola under the design model number BTMW03 was assessed yesterday. Of course, the listing doesn't reveal many details, other than the fact that it is equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 and is a "Motorola Android Device." What we do know is that last year's Moto 360 was listed under design model number BTMW01, which is too damn close to this product's design number to be something completely different. It's also listed as an "Android" device, so we aren't talking about a speaker or headset or Moto Stream audio product. I should point out that the original Moto 360 showed up at Bluetooth SIG in August 2014, days prior to Motorola announcing the device's availability at a private event in Chicago. I don't want to get your hopes up and say that Motorola is on the verge of announcing this one, but you also shouldn't be surprised if they do. Google I/O pops off in a couple of weeks, and last year, the original Moto 360 was one of the stars of the show.

Via: Bluetooth SIG

Cheers Justin!

This Video Will Help You Take Better Photos on the LG G4

Tim — Tue, 12 May 2015 10:08:42 +0000

The LG G4 has a fantastic camera that we have discussed plenty of times. In a new video, LG brings Colby Brown back, the nature photographer, to discuss how to take better photos on the upcoming smartphone. The G4 features a 16MP camera with f/1.8 lens, plus laser auto focus and phase detection. In the video, Colby goes over in detail the Manual Mode found on the device, which allows users to manually tweak ISO settings, white balance, and shutter speed. With tons of different settings to go though, even professional mobile photographers might fall in love with the G4. Will you be picking up the G4? Excited to give the camera shot?

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Deal: DROID Ultra is Amazon's Gold Box Deal Today, Priced at $210

Tim — Tue, 12 May 2015 09:03:46 +0000

Over on Amazon today, a Gold Box Deal has the DROID Ultra priced exceptionally low at just $209.99. Previously sitting at $246.95, an extra price drop makes this device pretty enticing, especially when compared to other devices priced at about $200. The Ultra features a 5" OLED display, Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, 10MP rear-facing camera, the X8 computing system, 2130mAh battery, and has been updated to Android 4.4.4. No, it has no Lollipop, but maybe in the near future? Follow the link below to take advantage of the Gold Box Deal. Usually, supplies are limited, so if you are interested, don't wait around. Amazon Link

Cheers Christopher!

MediaTek Wants to Bring a 10-Core Processor to Your Next Smartphone

Kellen — Tue, 12 May 2015 08:38:35 +0000

MediaTek, an up-and-coming global chipset maker whose silicon was most recently featured in the HTC One M9+, announced its latest creation this morning, the Helio X20. The Helio X20 was designed for flagship-level phones, but it's making headlines because of its unique architecture, which features a 10-core setup. Yep, the hell with octa-cores, we are now 10-coring things. What's with the 10-core setup? Well, the 10-cores are split up into three clusters - a Tri-Cluster if you will - which is one cluster more than most chipsets. Most chipsets are broken up into two clusters these days, with one doing the heavy lifting and the other doing more efficient, less stressful processing. MediaTek thinks that a third cluster could make the entire experience even better, because some times you just need another cluster. Since our phones and tablets are doing more processor-intensive tasks, this gives you an additional cluster to keep on chugging. The structure is arranged as a 1.4GHz quad-core cluster focusing on power efficiency, a second middle-of-the-road power/efficient 2.0GHz quad-core cluster, and a third 2.5GHz dual-core cluster that wants to do the real heavy or "eXtreme" performance stuff. The goal here is like any new processor, to improve efficiency and prolong battery life, while still presenting a high level of performance.

The chipset also has an integrated modem with support for CDMA2000 (Verizon!) and LTE Cat 6. It's supposed to use up 30% less power than its little brother, the Helio X10. MediaTek is using a Mali T800 series GPU as well. With that CDMA2000 support, don't be surprised if you see the Helio X20 in US phones in 2016, since that's when we are expecting this bad boy to start shipping.

Via: MediaTek | Anandtech

Verizon Will Acquire AOL for $4.4 Billion

Kellen — Tue, 12 May 2015 07:25:57 +0000

Verizon announced this morning that it is acquiring dial-up internet king, AOL, for $4.4 billion. Of course, that "dial-up king" comment is tongue-in-cheek, as the company is now known for their digital content and advertising platforms. Verizon hopes to take all of that digital expertise and drive their LTE wireless video and OTT (over-the-top video) strategy. In case you were wondering, Verizon now owns the Huffington Post, TechCrunch, Engadget, MAKERS, and AOl.com. AOL CEO Tim Armstrong will stay on after the deal closes to lead AOL operations. Verizon, well, they will still be Verizon.

Via: Verizon

Moto X (1st Gen) Could Get Lollipop Update in Next "Few Weeks"

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 20:29:01 +0000

Because the level of anger over the lack of a Lollipop update for the Moto X (1st gen) has risen substantially within recent weeks, Motorola's David Schuster took to Google+ today to talk about the status of everything. According to Schuster, they have seen a "lack of support" from some of their partners, thus the reason things have taken so long. "Partners" is a pretty generic term, so that could mean anyone from chipset makers (like Qualcomm) to their various carrier partners who need to approve updates before they can be pushed out. Speaking of pushing out an update, Schuster also mentioned that they are starting a "TestDrive" of the update to the 1st gen Moto X in both the US and Latin America. If things go well there, that could mean "full deployments in a few weeks." Here is his full post:

I know that a lot of people have been asking about the status of the Moto X (1st Gen) Lollipop upgrade. I can see the frustration and in some cases the anger about how long it has taken to get the upgrade deployed. It has been a struggle due to the lack of support from some of our partners but I am glad to announce that we are starting TestDrive in both the US and LatAm. If all goes well we should start full deployments in a few weeks.

Not exactly, "Your update is coming tomorrow!" but at least it's an update on the status of the situation.

Via: +David Schuster

LG G4 Now, Miraculously Supports Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:49:37 +0000

The day that LG announced the G4, we reached out to their PR team to get confirmation on whether or not the phone supported Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology. There were mixed reports floating around on G4 unveiling day, so we wanted to get official word. LG told us that it most definitely did not support Quick Charge 2.0. Instead, they were excited to talk about the phone's semi-quick charge 1.8 capabilities. Today, they have apparently switched stances and are now telling outlets that the phone does indeed support Quick Charge 2.0. LG hasn't confirmed to us, but again, they are apparently telling this to others. Qualcomm has also added a reference to Quick Charge 2.0 being included in the G4 on the G4's product page. Who knows why they were hiding this fact initially. Maybe they were more interested in getting you to pad their numbers by buying replacement batteries instead of Quick Charge 2.0 adapters. I don't know, but what we do know is that the phone does support the tech and in the end, that's a good thing for all of us. Quick Charge 2.0 and Fast Charging are amazing. So there you have it - the LG G4 does have a feature that we called "the future."

Via: Qualcomm | PocketNow

Deal: Final Chance to Pick Up a 4-Year Subscription to ibVPN for $59

Tim — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:46:44 +0000

This is your final reminder that you can grab a 4-year subscription to ibVPN, regularly priced at $381, for just $59 in the DL Deals Store. With ibVPN, subscribers can block web surveillance and would-be hackers, while conveniently choosing from 75+ VPN servers in 39 countries. On top of keeping your happenings on the Internet private and secure, ibVPN can unblock 165+ TV and radio channels worldwide for your consumption, and can unblock VoIP apps such as Skype. If a VPN fits your needs, check out the link below. Features

Block web surveillance & hackers
Choose from 75+ VPN servers in 39 countries, including P2P servers
Stream media w/ no speed loss using SmartDNS solution
Unblock 165+ TV & radio channels worldwide
Enjoy 256-bit encrypted P2P file-sharing & torrent download
Unblock your VOIP apps (like Skype)
Access blocked social media sites, anywhere
Use w/ Windows, Mac, iOS & Android

Deal Link

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Groundskeeper 2 and Highrise Word Heroes Added to Humble Mobile Bundle 12

Tim — Mon, 11 May 2015 14:27:44 +0000

If you happened to pick up Humble Mobile Bundle 12, and paid over the average price, you have two new games waiting for you this afternoon. Highrise Word Heroes and Groundskeeper 2 have been added in, going along nicely with Monument Valley, Spaceteam, Blek, and the other titles that were already available in the bundle. If you did not pick up this bundle, don't worry, it's not too late. The average is currently set at just under $4, and for that price, you are getting some serious value. With hits like Monument Valley and Blek, you would be silly not to grab this deal. Follow the link below to take advantage. Humble Bundle Link

Via: Humble Bundle

Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 (LMY47XZ) Factory Image Now Available Too

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:05:44 +0000

Moments after the OTA .zip for the Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 update was captured, Google went ahead and posted up the factory image for it as well. So for those of you who don't want to "adb sideload" the over-the-air file, you can now flash an entire factory image. Here are the instructions on how to flash a Nexus factory image. Go get it. Factory Image Link (Nexus 9 WiFi)

Download: Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 Update, Build LMY47X (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:35:23 +0000

The Android 5.1.1 over-the-air update is now rolling out to more owners of the Nexus 9 (WiFi version) and the .zip URL for the file has been captured. The update has arrived as a 400MB file and build number LMY47X. If you have not received the update yet, but want to manually update, you can find instructions on how to use "adb sideload" here.

Nexus 9 WiFi - [LMY47X from LRX22L, 401MB] - Download Link

Update: The 5.1.1 factory image for the Nexus 9 is now available too.

Via: +Jason Yates | XDA

These Could be the Model Numbers for Three New Motorola Devices With Quad HD Displays

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 11:10:51 +0000

Add XT1578, XT1585, and XT192A to your list of potential model numbers for future Motorola devices headed to Verizon. That's it, though. Just add them to the list. Where did the numbers come from? Over the weekend, a redditor created an account called AndroidLeaks and posted up those three model numbers, along with what he claims are select specs from each. He supposedly grabbed the information in an "analytics system" that shows the devices being used in and around the Chicago area, where of course, Motorola is based out of. So what do we think we know about each? For one, this person claims that each is headed for Verizon or was at least being tested on Verizon's network. His information shows that each phone is running Android 5.1+ and sports a display with a Quad HD resolution. The resolutions of these displays are either 2368x1440 or 2392x1440. If those numbers look odd because they aren't a full 2560x1440, that's because the app or system pulling this info likely isn't accounting for the pixels taken up by notification areas or the on-screen navigation buttons. Is any of this information real? Tough to say. Guy creates new, anonymous account on reddit, posts information never seen before, uses vague and convenient story to explain the info's origin, and then disappears - you tell me. Here is what we really know about Motorola phones and their potential follow-ups. These are the last seven Motorola devices released on Verizon, along with their model numbers.

XT1028 - MOTO G 1ST GEN
XT1060 - MOTO X 1ST GEN
XT1080 - DROID ULTRA / MAXX
XT1096 - MOTO X 2ND GEN
XT1103 - NEXUS 6
XT1254 - DROID TURBO
XT1528 - MOTO E LTE

The only number close to these supposed new numbers is the new Moto E LTE, which also happens to be Motorola's newest phone. Jumping all the way up to the 1500s for all new phones does seem a bit odd, though. The Moto X 1st gen only jumped from XT1060 to XT1096 when it went 2nd gen. If we get a 3rd gen Moto X this year, that seems out of line. Then again, at 1096, you are running out of room, so maybe cruising into the 1500s for a numbering scheme is the next step. Seeing numbers of XT1585 and XT1578 could mean anything from there being two early prototypes in the wild to their being two models in testing that could see a retail release. As for the XT192A number, well, it's the outlier. With that said, the DROID RAZR from three years ago did drop in as XT912, so that odd 3-digit model numbering scheme isn't completely foreign. Outside of these model numbers, random news outlets are posting rumored specs for the Moto X (3rd gen) that include a 5.2-inch QHD AMOLED display, 16MP camera with OIS, 5MP front camera, Snapdragon 808 processor, 4GB RAM, 3280mAh battery, and Android 5.1.1. Are those numbers believable? Sure, because they are similar to every other flagship phone released this year. Who knows if they are real. Anyways, after all of that, we have three new Motorola models numbers to keep an eye out for and not much else.

Via: reddit

Lollipop-Less DROID Turbo Drops to $499 at Verizon

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 09:51:49 +0000

Verizon dropped the price of the Lollipop-less DROID Turbo this week to $499 off-contract for the 32GB model. If you need more storage than that or want some ballistic nylon in your life, the 64GB is also newly discounted to $549. At that price, you are looking at what should be one of the better deals in tech. The DROID Turbo is a fantastic phone on almost all levels. Unfortunately, we have seen an incredibly slow rollout of its Android 5.1 Lollipop update (read: it has yet to begin), so many of its most loyal followers have been vocal recently over their disappointment in the support it has seen. This is supposed to be Verizon's flagship Android phone, yet it often feels ignored. Still, once it gets Lollipop, this phone will once again be a heck of a phone, only made better by price cuts like this. If you haven't yet, be sure to read our DROID Turbo review. Verizon Links: Turbo in Black or Red | Turbo in Ballistic Nylon

Cheers Stuart!

AT&T GoPhone Plans Get Rollover Data Too

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 09:04:34 +0000

Because AT&T wants to "thank" its GoPhone customers, the wireless carrier is adding Rollover Data to its $45 and $60 prepaid plans starting May 15 at no extra charge. The new feature is available automatically to both new and current GoPhone customers. With Rollover Data, customers get to use unused high-speed data from the previous billing cycle during their current billing cycle. Say you pay for the 4GB $60 plan and only use 2GB this month, then next month you would have 4GB to use, plus an additional 2GB of Rollover Data available at full 4G LTE speeds. Keep in mind that RollOver Data on AT&T only carries over to the next month and then disappears if unused. In other words, you can't bank months and months worth of data, then go H.A.M. on it later down the road with a big 12GB month. Still, extra data on the next month at no added charge is a bonus. Thanks, AT&T.

Via: AT&T

HTC May Look to Monetize BlinkFeed With Sponsored Apps and Promotions

Tim — Mon, 11 May 2015 08:57:54 +0000

According to tweet from @upleaks, along with alleged photo evidence, HTC may soon infuse sponsored apps and HTC promotions directly into BlinkFeed, making it the newest possible source of income for the company. In the photo that was posted online, two screenshots are shown with what end users may see when HTC updates the social network feed service. At the top of the Highlights section, which usually shows trending news and information, HTC will place sponsored ads, such as Clash of Clans, right on top for all users to see. In addition, when not showing ads for apps, HTC will promote its own products, like the RE Camera. As of right now, BlinkFeed is used to show Facebook posts, tweets, top news, and other social happenings from around the globe. If implemented, this would be HTC's first attempt to make actual money from the service, which could lead to a bad taste in the mouth of users. It is unknown at this time if users will be able to disable the ads and promotions. Personally, this move by HTC would not shock me. One M9 owners already receive "suggested" app downloads via the Smart home screen widget, so it could be likely HTC does not stop at just BlinkFeed. To HTC users, do you use BlinkFeed? Would this turn you off from the service?

Via: @upleaks

You Can Now Pre-Register for Soon-To-Be-Released Apps on Google Play

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 08:19:32 +0000

As of the end of last week, Google opened up a new way for developers to hypebeast their upcoming app releases through Google Play. As you can see in the images here, Google is allowing select publishers to put their apps up for pre-registration, so that interested fans can be notified the minute they are released. The first app to do pre-registration appears to be Terminator Genisys: Revolution, from Glu Mobile. A simple click on the "Pre-register" button brings up a window confirming to you that a notification will be sent when the title finally is available. You can unregister as well, assuming you are no longer interested in the app or game. While a handy feature, we'll have to wait and see if developers adopt pre-registration or if it becomes a rarely used feature. I would love to be notified of upcoming games or apps that interest me. If anything, this would provide an extra level of promotion. Play Link

Via: Android Police

You Can Now Root Almost All Galaxy S6 Variants With This 1-Click Method, KNOX Not Tripped

Kellen — Mon, 11 May 2015 07:19:59 +0000

Over the weekend, the Keen team released PingPong Root, which is a 1-click root app for a number of Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge variants. Even AT&T and Verizon models are included. But maybe more importantly, this root method doesn't trip Samsung's KNOX, so things like Samsung Pay (once it goes live) and other security-related features should still work afterwards. If you are at all interested in rooting your Galaxy S6 or Edge, this method is probably your best option at the moment. All you need to do is follow a handful of simple steps, which basically involve downloading an .apk file, installing it, and then telling it to root your phone. There are another couple of simple steps in there that you will find in the video we included below. To get to rooting, head over to this XDA thread.

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Cheers Joey!

LG G4 and Galaxy S6

Kellen — Fri, 08 May 2015 19:40:42 +0000

Today, we are assembling for episode 83 of the Droid Life Show. On tap for topics, we have Tim waxing poetic on all things LG G4, since he is currently the only team member with one in hand. From his first impressions to how he feels about the device now before his review goes out, he'll be sharing it all. We will then talk Google I/O and this week's happenings involving it, our Watch Urbane review, and more. Oh, Ron and his iPhone 5c will also be in the house, so I can imagine that he will want to weigh in on his post about life with the Galaxy S6. Get ready. At 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern), won’t you please join us?

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: May 8, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 08 May 2015 16:00:08 +0000

Things were busy around the DL offices this week. Tim gave you all sorts of awesome comparisons of the LG G4 vs. the competition, Ron went H.A.M. on the Galaxy S6, I reviewed the Watch Urbane, and Google tossed around enough I/O teases that we are starting to put together a vision for this month's I/O gathering. Outside of those big happenings, we looked at more icon packs, pestered Motorola over 5.1 updates, and found another Huawei Nexus rumor to get hot over. See, it was busy. If you missed any of the action, below you will find all of the best Android stories of the week. This is our weekly recap, one that you should try and get a hold of each week.

WATCH: DL Show episode 83 | Subscribe
Camera comparison: LG G4 vs. Galaxy S6 Edge vs. One M9
Video comparison: LG G4 vs. Galaxy S6 Edge vs. One M9
Tour: Android 5.1.1 on the Watch Urbane
Ron vs. the Galaxy S6.
Android M is coming to Google I/O. What should it be called?
Review: LG Watch Urbane
Huawei's Nexus phone may have a 5.7-inch QHD display.
Iron Man: Would you buy an Iron Man Galaxy S6?
Project Fi and Google Voice, this is how it works.
Messenger is the recommended SMS app of Google.
Hand-picked app permissions coming to Android at I/O?
Timeful: Google acquires calendar app to improve Inbox, Calendar, and more.
Third party developers might soon give you "Voice Access" controls to their apps.
Google's ATAP to introduce new wearable at I/O.
This icon pack is pretty ho and hipster: Iride UI is Hipster
Motorola 5.1 updates: Moto X (2nd gen) starts in Brazil | Turbo is meh | More coming.
Pocket Casts is the only podcast app you need.
Qualcomm is doing heavy damage control over the Snapdragon 810 reputation.
Battle: T-Mobile is now going after Verizon customers.
Q&A: Our answers to your questions from last week.

Be safe out there, you never know when you might run into a Sprint user in search of LTE.

SEGA to Remove Select Games From Google Play, Company's High Standards Cited as Reasoning

Tim — Fri, 08 May 2015 14:47:22 +0000

Announced this afternoon, SEGA is set to remove select game titles from Google Play, due to the company's high standards. Apparently, a few of their games just aren't up to snuff, and to combat this, SEGA is simply going to remove the ability for anyone to buy them. Crazy enough, SEGA did not state what titles they are removing. It could be Sonic titles, Jet Set Radio, Virtua Tennis, or anything else. For those of you who own many of SEGA's games, don't worry just yet. According to their blog post, purchasers of games will still have access to them, as long as your device and OS are supported. Other than that, no one will be able to see them on Google Play. Here is a link to SEGA's titles on Google Play. Get 'em while you can.

Via: SEGA

This Icon Pack is Hot: Iride UI is Hipster

Tim — Fri, 08 May 2015 12:25:49 +0000

The weather is really starting to pick up in DL's part of the country, so what better way to celebrate than with a hot icon pack. The pack is called Iride UI is Hipster. No, I don't know what it means, but that's fine. We all love hipsters here, right? What I most enjoy about Iride UI is that they don't take away from the normal shapes you find on most apps. At most, all the pack does is filter the icons through a few shading and coloring effects, making them look a bit grainy. It adds character to the icons, at least in my opinion. On top of the nearly 3,000 icons included in the pack, you also gain access to 30 cloud-based wallpapers, as well as Muzei support. For widget lovers, the developer added in a special skinned analog clock widget, that goes nicely with a few of the wallpapers included. For all of this, the price is set just $0.99. Score. Go check it out. Play Link ($0.99)

LG Watch Urbane Review

Kellen — Fri, 08 May 2015 12:08:27 +0000

It has been a minute since we last reviewed an Android Wear device. That's not because there haven't been decent options introduced since we finished off with the Moto 360, it's just that there isn't much to talk about between any of them. They all have to adhere to Google's standards in the same way, all basically have the same set of specs and features, and are all supposed to run the same version of Android Wear (for the most part). Sure, you get a square display here and a round one there, or GPS in this one and not in that one, but the experience is all pretty much identical. They perform the same because they all use the same RAM and processor, and their batteries all last about as long as the next because they are basically the same size. If you have seen a review of one Android Wear watch, you know exactly how the next one is going to go. If you are considering one, you really just need to decide if you need a smartwatch in your life and if you like the look of any of them. Seriously, that's the state of Android Wear. With that said, we decided to review the LG Watch Urbane because it's trying to be different. The Watch Urbane wants to be premium and worthy of its arguably high $350 price tag. LG put things like coated stainless steel and a fully-round display on it. They included a genuine leather watch band and a marketing campaign targeting the business elite. They even managed to convince Google to give it the newest version of Android Wear weeks before everyone else, likely as a selling point. So because of all of that, we spent the last week with it on wrist and wanted to share some final thoughts. This is our LG Watch Urbane review.

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The Good

Display: The 1.3-inch P-OLED display on this watch is pretty great, easily the best in a smartwatch to date. Colors pop, viewing angles are solid, and LG even lets some color shine through with the display semi-asleep, in always-on mode. This is the best implementation of always-on yet, which is important, because your watch then looks like a real watch at all times.
Battery life: For me, battery life on the Watch Urbane is like every other Android Wear watch - it's just fine. It won't last you a week on a single charge, but with moderate usage, it could go up to two days, or at least a full 18-24 hours with heavy use.
Android 5.1: The best part about the Watch Urbane, outside of the display, has to be Android 5.1. With new features like WiFi connectivity, easy access to apps, individual card swiping, and wrist flicking navigation, Android Wear is really becoming a polished watch platform. Unfortunately for the Watch Urbane, the update is coming to other Android Wear watches shortly, so it's not really a selling point.
Performance: Thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, this watch performs without many hiccups, breezes in and out of apps, and shouldn't hold you back from getting the things done you need to get done on a wearable. I did run into the occasional force close of Android Wear as a system, but that's likely just a software bug that will be fixed before long.

The Not-so-Good

Design: Obviously, design opinion is going to differ greatly from one person to the next, but to me, this watch isn't a looker in a good way. It's big, shiny, and somewhat cheap looking. While the Watch Urbane wants to evoke a sense of luxury, it just comes up short in both rose gold and silver options. From a combination of the really uncomfortable leather band (with contrast stitching from the 90s) to the glossy coating on the watch itself, it's all just a bit cheesy. I can't think of another way to put it. The Moto 360 and G Watch R are much better, more subtle, classy looking watches.
Fit: When I first put on the Watch Urbane, I thought, "Wow, this is smaller than the G Watch R!" But as I put them on wrist time and time again over the last few days, I realized that they are actually about the same size, except that the Watch Urbane looks bigger and more awkward on my wrist. Because of its wide base, it never really seems to fit properly, and instead shows huge gaps between watch body and watch band. Depending on the angle, it looks like a really bad oversized knock-off or Diesel watch that used to be in style years ago. If you compare it to the Moto 360, you will know what I mean, as the Moto 360 was designed to lay flat on everyone's wrist, whether they are small or large. And it's those subtle details in design like that that make this something I wouldn't wear on a daily basis.
Price: At $349, I wouldn't recommend that anyone buy this watch over the Moto 360 or G Watch R. Both of those watches are cheaper, better looking, fit better on wrist, and perform just as good. The Moto 360 has seen recent drops to around $180, with the G Watch R dropping to as low as $249. Both are much better values, but also much better looking watches.

The Verdict In the end, the Watch Urbane wouldn't even be in my top three list of Android Wear watches to consider. It's big, not designed well for a human wrist, doesn't feature anything spectacular over other watches, is uncomfortable to wear, and is more expensive than all of the rest by at least $50. At this point, you would be better off with LG's other watch, the G Watch R, Motorola's Moto 360, or waiting for whatever it is that Motorola brings next.

Huawei-Made Nexus Reportedly Features 5.7" QHD Display, Snapdragon 810 Processor

Tim — Fri, 08 May 2015 10:45:12 +0000

Thanks to a Chinese analyst, we may now know a couple of specs for the upcoming Nexus device, possibly made by Huawei. According to Pan Jiutang, who apparently has "good connections" in China, the next Nexus device from Google will feature a 5.7" QHD display (2560 x 1440), and be powered by a Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 810 processor. For now, that is all of the info that has been thrown out there, but at this point, take most of what you hear with a pinch of salt. We are still months away from any possible confirmation and launch from Google. And with that, we still don't have an actual idea who is producing the phone on behalf of Google. There are reports circulating that it's either LG or Huawei at this point. Furthermore, take note of what Huawei's own CEO of Consumer Business Group stated about QHD displays, saying that they are "nonsense" and "I think it's a stupid thing" in a recent sit down with TechRadar. That seems a little contradicting, but with Google calling the shots and Huawei simply producing the phone, there might be little say for what specs the phone will feature. Who do you want for the next Nexus? LG? Huawei? What do you think about a 5.7" QHD display?

Via: G for Games

Samsung Gear VR for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Now Available For Purchase at $199

Tim — Fri, 08 May 2015 09:37:58 +0000

The Gear VR Innovator Edition, designed to fit the Galaxy S6 an Galaxy S6 Edge, is now up for sale directly through Samsung's website and BestBuy.com. Priced at $199 a pop, buyers can experience Samsung's vision for VR, complete with games, video experiences, and much more. If ordering before you try it out sounds no good, the Gear VR will arrive in-store at select Best Buy locations starting May 15, expanding to additional stores later this summer. Ready to order? Links to purchase on Samsung and Best Buy have been placed below. Picking one up? Best Buy Link | Samsung Link

Dell Venue 8 Tablets Receiving Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop" Update

Tim — Fri, 08 May 2015 09:01:16 +0000

Being one of Dell's best looking devices to ever launch, ever, it was always a disappointment that the Venue 8 7840 launched running Kit Kat. Now, in May 0f 2015, Dell is shipping out a Lollipop update, bringing the tablet up to Android 5.0.2. During the installation process, users will see their devices begin an encryption process that takes a couple of minutes. Upon boot up, your tablet shall now be fully encrypted, but we don't exactly know if that was a necessary step from Dell. Regardless, everything you know and love about Lollipop is inside. There are neat animations, lock screen notifications, and droplet effects. If you happen to own one of these gorgeous tablets, be sure to download that update immediately.

Cheers Alex!

Motorola Reminds Us That the DROID Turbo is Going Straight to Android 5.1

Kellen — Fri, 08 May 2015 07:50:15 +0000

The DROID Turbo still doesn't have Lollipop. It's mid-May. That seems kind of ridiculous for a flagship phone that runs nearly-stock Android. But hey, if we are looking for positives, there is at least one we could toss out there - Lollipop (at least versions 5.0, 5.0.1, and 5.0.2) is pretty damn buggy and you probably didn't want it in early forms anyway. With that said, Motorola and Verizon have got to get an update out to this phone at some point, right? Yes. And they will in the form of Android 5.1. They reminded us of that today, in fact. I say "reminded," because one of their engineers told us of this plan back in March, which if I'm keeping track, was a whopping two months ago. I couldn't tell you why it has taken this long to get this phone to where it should have been long ago. At least we got Motorola to mention its existence this morning. I wonder if our constant pestering had anything to do with it? https://twitter.com/Motorola/status/596682483334275072

Motorola Makes 5.1 for the Moto X (2nd Gen) Official in Brazil, Chop for Flashlight Too

Kellen — Fri, 08 May 2015 07:26:27 +0000

Motorola announced a couple of bits of information last night concerning the Moto X (2nd gen) that you already read about here at Droid Life long ago. So we'll keep this short and use this as a "reminder" post. The Brazil Moto X (2nd gen) is now getting Android 5.1. You knew that, though, because we told you about it on April 21. They also announced that the 5.1 update includes a new "Chop Twice" action that can launch the phone's camera. You also already knew about this because we wrote about it back in March. Motorola did mention that they have been "working on putting the software through carrier and regional testing in other countries," so that means the update is still coming to your US carrier-attached phones. We just don't know when. We do have changelogs for 5.1 updates for the T-Mobile ("Pure Edition") and AT&T versions of the phone, which we hope is a sign that a whole wave of 5.1 updates will arrive before long. OK, move along.

Via: Motorola

Camera Sample Comparison: LG G4 vs. Galaxy S6 Edge vs. One M9

Tim — Thu, 07 May 2015 15:50:21 +0000

After we posted up the camera samples from the LG G4 a few days ago, I began working on a comparison post between the LG G4, Samsung Galaxy S6, and HTC One M9. It is quite likely that someone who is to be soon shopping for a new smartphone will be deciding between one of these three phones, so we took them out into the field, and tested out their cameras. Thankfully, I am no stranger to any of these phones, so I kind of already knew what I was in store for when I began this comparison. We have detailed in our Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge reviews that these two phones feature the camera to beat, as in almost any situation, it is capable of delivering good shots with its 16MP rear-facing shooter with f/1.9 lens and OIS. On the other side of the spectrum is the One M9, featuring a 20MP sensor and no OIS, which struggles to produce a decent shot in almost any setting. The LG G4 is the newcomer, with a 16MP rear-facing camera with f/1.8 lens, featuring laser auto focus, phase detection, and optical image stabilization. LG touts the G4 as featuring one of the best cameras ever put in a smartphone to date, and frankly, they are not far off. After peeking at the results, there are no true surprises. The G4 and Galaxy S6 basically leave the One M9 in the dust, which is a pretty big downer for HTC. You had one job this year, HTC - fix the camera! To my eye, the One M9 is incapable of snapping many shots in a row that don't feature mass amounts of noise or bring in way too much light. From what I see, the One M9 shines in broad landscape shots, but struggles with close up macros, low-lit environments, and anything with a moving subject. Moving on from the mostly disappointing One M9, the G4 and Galaxy S6 are quite comparable. Both devices capture crisp and well-lit shots, all of which you would be proud to share on your social networks. But for me, each has a category or two where they shine exceptionally well. For the Galaxy S6, these categories would be macro, landscape, natural-looking flash photography, and real-time HDR. In my opinion, given the perfect settings for each device, the G4 would only beat the Galaxy S6 at night time and in low-lit environments. With that being said, the LG G4 blows my mind with its ability to take detailed shots in low light, as you can see in this photo here. If I absolutely had to rank from best to worst, which in my mind is completely subjective, I would say Galaxy S6 (best), LG G4 (2nd best), One M9 (absolute worst). Keep in mind, the Galaxy S6, G4, and One M9 offer Pro and Manual modes, allowing more photo-savvy users the ability to tweak ISO, White Balance, Exposure levels, and even shutter speed (G4). With these added settings, a true photographer could make any of these phones work for them, so it's up to the device owner to really make these phones work to their full potential. Please note, most of the photos below won't receive awards in the field of photography, but are produced merely to give potential buyers an idea of what they can expect from their devices. I'm an average guy, taking average photos. In addition, most photos with the exception of two shots, were taken without using HDR. Since the mass majority of folks who utilize their smartphone's camera may not dive deep into Manual Modes and Pro Modes, we were looking for more of a fair comparison basis for all devices. For example, if you quickly pull out your phone looking to snap a shot, this is what you can expect. If you have five minutes to tweak with settings, you can undoubtedly produce something better with each of these phones. But for the sake of comparison, each phone was left on Auto during the majority of this testing. To view the photos, click on the one you would like to enlarge, then click on the image again to advance to the next shot. Shoot all questions below and I can attempt to field them.

LG G4 - Samsung Galaxy S6 - HTC One M9

Outdoor Shaded Lighting / Auto

Outdoor Night / Auto / No Flash

Outdoor Sunny / Auto / Max Zoom

Outdoor Sunny / Auto

Outdoor Sunny / Auto / HDR

Outdoor Shaded Lighting / Auto / HDR

Outdoor Sunny / Auto / Macro

Indoor Low Lighting / Auto / Macro

Indoor Zero Lighting / Auto / Flash Only

Flickr Gets Big Cross-Platform Update to Version 4.0 With Auto-Uploader

Kellen — Thu, 07 May 2015 15:38:31 +0000

Flickr received a massive update to version 4.0 today that introduces an auto-uploader, a new "elegant, approachable" design, easy photo edits, improved browsing, and better searching. The update isn't just on Android, though, instead Yahoo is pushing this overhaul from the web and out to all of their properties, including iOS. If for whatever reason, you aren't a fan of Dropbox or Google+'s auto backup solutions, now would be the time to try out Flickr. Yahoo is giving everyone 1,000GB of photo storage, so you can auto-upload all of the photos on your device for safe keeping. So you know, the photos are all kept private automatically until you tell Flickr to do something else with them. Flickr also attempts to organize all of your auto-uploaded photos, makes it easier to find specific photos, and gives you access to a built-in photo editor. Ready to give Flickr another chance? What's New

Put your free 1000GB to work like never before - auto-upload all your photos and videos to your Flickr camera roll. They'll be private, until you choose to share them!
A timeline view with improved browsing, organization and sharing.
Flickr got a facelift with an all new elegant, approachable look and feel to match your new camera roll.
Unleash your creativity with photo edits straight from your Flickr photos.

Play Link

Via: Yahoo

Google Might Soon Let You Hand-Pick Permissions When Installing Apps

Kellen — Thu, 07 May 2015 14:13:48 +0000

According to a report out of Bloomberg, Google will introduce pretty cool new privacy controls at Google I/O this month, which is a fancy way of saying that they are about to let you pick and choose which permissions are given to an app before you install it. Over the last year, Google has continued to improve the clarity of how app permissions are presented in Google Play, so that users can decide quickly if they want to install an app or not. But if this report is true, you could in theory decide before you install an app if you would like it to access your location or not. Or maybe you don't want it accessing your photos or contacts or microphone or call information. With this change, you would essentially be in control of what an app can access. That's a big deal. Of course, this is just a report without many details, so until Google announces it with additional informaton, the end result could be much different than what we described here. Thoughts?

Via: Bloomberg

Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S6 from an iPhone 5c User

Ron — Thu, 07 May 2015 13:32:06 +0000

For the past two weeks, I have been using the Galaxy S6 and I have loved it. Don't get me wrong - there is plenty I don't like about the phone, but there is so much to love that the annoyances are easy to overlook. Reviewing the Sony Xperia Z3v made me think hard about switching back to Android, but the Galaxy S6 convinced me. This isn't another full review (read our full review here), but rather my thoughts about the S6 as an iPhone user who still loves Android and misses it dearly.

The Good

Display The display on the S6 is stunning. The viewing angles are superb and it can get darker than my iPhone and brighter than it, meaning I can use it in pretty much every scenario throughout the day. I love the little curves on the edges of the display, especially when compared to the slopes of the Galaxy S6 Edge. While I still prefer the curves of the iPhone 6, these curves are delightful in their own subtle way. The display is certainly large, but I can reach the notification tray without risking dropping the device, which is good enough for me. The color accuracy is great, I can't see any pixels, and there is a good balance of bezel surrounding the display. The Body The body of the phone feels fantastic. It's incredibly similar to Sony's Xperia line, which I love. While we are on the subject of comparisons, there has been a lot of talk about the Galaxy S6 looking like an iPhone. It certainly is reminiscent of the iPhone 5, 5c, and 6, but only in fleeting ways. If you have ever picked up an Xperia device I think you will find far more similarities between the S6 and it than an iPhone, between the round metal frame that is flattened on the left and right edges, and the edge-to-edge glass that bleeds into those edges. All of that to say, the phone feels great to hold if just a little too thin.

The Camera The camera on the GS6 is nothing short of stunning as well. Between the toned down software and the helpful modes (especially selective focus), Samsung knocked it out of the park with the camera. Oh, and it launches incredibly fast. Speed isn't everything, but I love knowing that I can have the camera launched in under a second. That said, I have mixed feelings about how Samsung implemented the quick launch feature. It's too easy for the camera to be launched in your pocket, but the feature is too convenient to turn off. The camera takes gorgeous images

Somewhere in the Middle

Hardware Design The camera hump on the back of the phone is alarming at first. I set my phone down multiple times a day and I want my camera to still work great after two years of setting the phone down. I don't want to be worried about the lens cracking or catching or getting dusty. That being said, I've found the lens and the edge around it to be very durable. I would still heavily consider getting a case or a skin for better protection, but I imagine it should hold up fine with normal use. The use of a chrome speaker grill on the top of the phone is disappointing - I strongly prefer the look of Sony's recessed speakers, but the speaker is loud and works fine despite being an eyesore. I also wish Samsung would stop placing their logo on the top of their phones. That little details and the overall shape of the device makes the Galaxy S6 look just like every other Galaxy despite its glass and metal adornments. Software TouchWiz is toned down across the device, but it's still very much present. I was able to hide its more troubling parts with Nova Launcher and Audax, but the fact that things like S Voice still exist is a bit troubling. The phone comes with tons of bloatware installed, some of which can be uninstalled, some of which can be disabled, and some of which you're stuck with. Most annoyingly, Samsung's keyboard insists on re-enabling itself over and over no matter how often I turn it off. Once you disable all the garbage and get everything set up the device flies and feels great to use, but admittedly I'd rather Samsung just leave that junk out of the device in the first place. This is an old complaint, but it's stuff like this that makes me hesitate to recommend a Samsung phone to a friend over an iPhone. Apple cares about their users too much to put this garbage on the phones. I get that Samsung and the carriers get a kick back for adding this software to the device, but is it really worth it? It's an obviously worse experience. Android phones don't have to be the Windows laptops of phones.

Fingerprint Reader Samsung finally implemented their fingerprint reader in the best way possible, but they did so with a thin, wide home button that makes for a poor surface for scans. When the reader works it works quickly and effortlessly. When it doesn't, it's maddening. I seem to have good days and bad days, but more good than bad which is why this is somewhere in the middle. By the second week I was consistently able to unlock the phone with my right thumb, but my left thumb always had trouble, even after redoing the scan setup process. Between the bad days and the limit of four fingerprints to be stored I think Samsung still has plenty of room to grow, but they have me sold on having a fingerprint reader on any phone I buy in the future. Performance The Galaxy S6 launches apps incredibly quickly, shows the multitasking cards instantly, and responds immediately to every tap and swipe. That said, I did see some hiccups. For example, when I would blow up a lot of stuff on Sky Force the frame rate would drop. It's a small detail, but it was noticeable. Then there's the memory management. The Galaxy S6 comes with 3 GB of RAM, but my iPad 3 with a measly 1 GB of RAM keeps tabs and apps open for longer (which is not saying much since it reloads tabs and apps regularly, especially after it upgraded to iOS 7 and 8). From what I've seen the HTC One M9 does not suffer from the same memory issues with indicates that either HTC patched a Lollipop issue or Samsung needs to work on their memory management; either way Samsung needs to fix this issue. Audio Playback I have a commute every day and I'm a worship leader at my church, so I listen to a lot of podcasts and a lot of music, which means the audio experience is very important to me. Some of my complaints here might seem nit picky or obvious, but remember the name of this site is Droid Life, so if there's a place to be nit picky and nerd out on the little details I think this might be it. For whatever reason everyone agreed to using the same 3.5mm headphone jack, but not the same headphone wiring. Why? I don't know, but it is truly maddening. If I plug my Apple EarPods in (yes, I use them and no I don't mind them) then I'm able to hear everything and control play/pause, but I can't control the volume. I can, of course, use Samsung's included headphones (not everyone includes headphones, but they should) or bluetooth headphones, but not being able to use the ones I like (and that fit my ears better) was a mild annoyance. Then there's the volume control. Every time I plugged the headphones in and started playback the volume would be too low, so I would crank it up and then have to tap OK on a pop-up warning me about the dangers of high volume to my hearing. While I appreciate Samsung looking out for my hearing, they clearly have no idea what audio levels are appropriate because they don't know the levels of the audio I'm listening to. For music their safe levels are fair, but for podcasts the audio varies depending on the producer, so the warning is often a moot point. To Samsung's credit, but the second week I stopped seeing this warning. Also I'm completely deaf in both ears (just kidding). When plugging in headphones I had to reset the volume level every time. On my iPhone it remembers the volume level without headphones and with, which is fantastic. I can deal with setting the volume, but it was particularly annoying when I would disconnect the headphones for a moment and then reconnect them a moment later and the volume had reset to a "safe" level.

The Not So Good

Color Options The Galaxy S6 comes in a few colors, but pearl white is the only good looking option. I think the black sapphire is too blue, the gold platinum is too creamy, and the blue topaz is too... topaz. Then there's the Edge's green option. Will anyone get that? Yuck. I love my blue 5c and I wish Apple would bring color options like that to the whole iPhone line, but I also wish Samsung (and other manufacturers) would make their phones in appealing colors. Not everyone likes the bright colors of the 5c, I know, but give me better options than something that is two toned with one good color and one bad.

Battery Life Maybe it's Samsung's software, maybe it's Android 5.0.2, maybe it's the smaller battery, but the battery life on the Galaxy S6 is atrocious. Again, I say this as an iPhone 5c user. The battery in 5c went from getting me through most of a day to getting me to 1 or 2 o'clock after a year and a half of heavy usage. The Galaxy S6, brand new out of the box, usually survived about twelve to thirteen hours. Support for fast charging certainly helps alleviate that in day to day usage (I'm still surprised when I plug the phone in and a moment late it's at 50-60%), but I had higher expectations for a phone of this size. I understand why my tiny iPhone 5c can't get my through a day after a year and a half, but the Galaxy S6? What's its excuse? Maybe a future update will improve the battery life, but as it is I think the Galaxy S6 definitely has disappointing battery life. It isn't bad enough to write off the phone, but it is concerning. Non-Removable Battery Speaking of bad battery life, not having a removable battery makes me worried about the longevity of the battery. The poor life means more charging which means more wear on the battery. Fast charging means I'll be able to get my battery charged fast, but if it discharges too quickly then it really isn't helping me any.

Conclusions

Like we've said plenty of times before, if you're looking for an Android phone this is the one to get. If I had an upgrade right now (and I don't) this device would be at the top of my list. I think the Galaxy S6 will easily be the phone of the year unless Samsung outdoes themselves with the Galaxy Note 5. As for me, I'll be back to my minuscule iPhone 5c until October. Then we'll see what happens.

Straight Talk Ups Monthly High-Speed Data to 5GB if You Bring Your Own Phone

Kellen — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:44:18 +0000

Straight Talk, one of the most popular prepaid wireless service options in the US, announced this week that they are bumping up their $45 from 3GB of high-speed data to 5GB per month should you BYOP (bring your own phone). Also, if you are already a part of Straight Talk, and you brought your own phone with you long ago, you will automatically be bumped up to the new 5GB limit. At $45 and 5GB of high-speed LTE data on AT&T or T-Mobile's networks, I'm not sure you'll find a better prepaid deal. Cricket matches that $45 price and 5GB data cap, but doesn't necessarily provide you with high speeds and instead caps its customers at 8Mbps down. Here is the note that is going out to Straight Talk customers:

Rejoice! You now get more data. As a BYOP customer, you will receive 5GB of high-speed data* on your next refill date. Now you can enjoy 5GB of high-speed data with your worry-free Auto-Refill service. Do not worry, no further action is required on your part - just enjoy!
*5GB High Speed, 64KBPS thereafter
Thanks for bringing your phone to Straight Talk; where you get more of what you deserve today!

Straight Talk owners, how has service been lately?

Via: Straight Talk

Cheers Ryan and @BroskiTV!

DL Favorites: Podcast Apps

Ron — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:49:57 +0000

[DLF], or Droid Life's Favorite, is a series of articles reviewing our favorite apps in a given category. The goal of these articles isn't to extensively review every single option out there and determine which is "the best," but rather to give you a few of our favorite apps in a category. This week we look at Droid Life's favorite podcast app. I listen to a lot of podcasts; twenty-two to be exact. I drive for at least an hour total commuting to and from work and I usually take an hour lunch break, so I always have at least two hours a day to fill with podcasts and music. Because I spend so much time listening to podcasts, it's really important to me that I have a good looking, well designed podcast app. I started listening to podcasts way before Serial made them "mainstream." When I started listening to podcasts on Android my app of choice was Google Listen, an app that Google rarely updated and eventually abandoned. Today there are tons of podcast apps, but only one of them is really worth your time and money.

I love Pocket Casts. I love the developers behind Pocket Casts, I love the design of Pocket Casts, and I love using Pocket Casts. It's the best (Not only in a, "Wow, this app is really great," kind of way, but also in a "You're my best friend" kind of way.). Pocket Casts features Material design with delightful animations, especially the play/pause transition. At first it might be a little confusing where to go to actually listen to stuff once you've subscribed to some feeds. The app defaults to the Podcasts tab, which shows the artwork for all of your shows. If you want to find a specific show and listen to its episode or browse through previous episodes, this is the place to go. If you just want to quickly jump into an episode, though, then the Audio section is where you want to be. Audio lists every single one of your episodes in chronological order. I'm in Audio 90% of the time. The app also has Unplayed, Video, and Downloaded sections, but Audio is probably where most people will spend their time. You can also create an episode filter, which would allow you to set up a custom section say for your favorite shows that you want to listen to as soon as they drop regardless of where you are in another show.

When playing an episode Pocket Casts starts playback with the mini player at the bottom of the display. Tapping on the mini player brings up the full playback controls and show art with a background that matches the coloring of the show art. Swiping from right to left reveals the Up Next section. Up Next is basically a way to create a quick podcast. Usually I'll use this when I'm about to drive somewhere and I want to finish an episode, but I know I'll still be on the road when it finishes. I'll start the episode I want to finish and then tap and hold on the next episode I want to listen to and select Add to Up Next. You can add as many episodes as you want, which I prefer to making playlists (although you can make playlists if you prefer). Swiping from left to right on the album art reveals the show notes for the episode you're listening to. Pocket Casts also allows you to adjust the playback speed, remove silences from a show, and boost the volume. These settings can be applied per podcast or across all shows. When turning on Remove Silences the app will immediately tell you how much time you'll save, which is a nice feature. All of these great features are nice for your phone, but what if you want to listen somewhere else? Shifty Jelly has you covered. Pocket Casts works on Android tablets, the web, and iOS devices. All of those devices sync your episodes and playback times so you can jump between devices without issue. Oh, and it has Chromecast support so you can kick the episode you're listening to over to the TV if you'd like. Now, maybe you're reading this and thinking that you like the idea of listening to podcasts, but you don't know where to start. Let me help! Below are some of my favorite shows to listen to:

The Droid Life Show is our semi-regular show where we discuss the Android news from the week. Usually it's Tim and Kellen, but sometimes I'm able to make it on as well. If you want to get more of our off-the-cuff perspective on the news then be sure to subscribe!
Lore is a new show that explores the strange and supernatural. From vampires to ghosts to elves, Lore has you covered with short, but action packed stories with tons excellent show notes to fill in the details and haunting music to accompany the tales. Be sure to check this one out!
The Christian Nerd is a show by my friend Scott Higa and me. As you may have surmised from the title, we talk about nerdy things like comics and Star Wars from a Christian perspective. It's a new show that we only started this week, but we'll have new episodes every Monday. We'd love for you to check it out.
Game Show is a podcast that features multiple nerdy game shows. My favorite shows that they've done so far have been playing Family Feud from the actual board game from the 70s and Inconceivable, which asks ridiculously nerdy questions about Star Wars, Dr. Who, Marvel and DC comics, Star Trek, etc. to two teams.
The Talk Show is John Gruber of Daring Fireball's podcast. Gruber describes the show as a director's commentary of Daring Fireball, which is an apt description. Ever week Gruber has a guest on to talk about Apple news. While I don't always agree with Gruber's assessment of things, I think he's a really smart guy and I enjoy hearing what he has to say about Apple and his meanderings into things like Star Wars and even baseball.
Tomorrow with Joshua Topolsky is another new show that I really like. It's worth a listen just for the intro music alone. Each show delves into technology and culture topics with a new guest every week.
Turning This Car Around is a show about fatherhood with John Moltz, Jon Armstrong, and Lex Friedman. I'm not a dad, but I know plenty of dads and I served in student ministry for seven years so I like hearing about parenting from these guys' perspectives.
The Dadcast is another fun show about fatherhood and parenting from Nik and Shawn. Every episode features a top five list, like the top five ways to entertain your kids on a rainy day or the top five things you want to say to your kids but shouldn't.
Welcome to Macintosh is a new show that began by exploring Apple's history but has since seemed to pivot to exploring histories of people and things that were a part of Apple's history, but not their history proper. It's a fun show with good music and interesting topics if you like Apple.
You Look Nice Today has been retired for some time now, but whenever someone asks me what podcasts they should listen to YLNT is at the top of my list. The show features Merlin Mann (of Back to Work and 43 Folders fame), Adam Lisagor (of Sandich Videos fame), and Scott Simpson (of Twitter fame) talking about all sorts of random funny things. It's a hilarious show that I re-listen to in its entirety once a year. Begin with episode one and enjoy.

Pocket Casts is far and away the best podcast app in every category conceivable. Seriously, don't even bother looking at the other apps out there. It's not worth your time. There's a reason Pocket Casts is making so much more money on Android compared to iOS: they don't have any serious competition on Android. Even on iOS, where they do have serious competition, they're a serious contender for the best app. If you listen to podcasts on Android, this is the app you need. Go get it. Pocket Casts is $3.99 on the Play Store. Play Link

Lyft is Thrilled to Become a Part of Verizon's Android Bloatware Package

Tim — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:03:45 +0000

Carriers tend to load a ton of applications on Android phones, and for carrier-branded device consumers, there is no way around it. Today, Verizon and Lyft announced a new deal which will have the Lyft app preloaded onto select Android devices through Big Red. Lyft is much like Uber. You open an app, call a car, then get dropped off wherever you want. It's pretty simple. Interestingly enough, this deal won't only benefit (ha!) smartphone buyers. Next week, Lyft drivers will receive discounts on mobile plans, accessories, and family plans through Accelerate, Lyft's premier driver rewards program. According to the press release, "Verizon is firmly dedicated to leveraging advanced technology to power a fast, reliable network for consumers across the country. Lyft and Verizon share the vision of a more efficient, connected future, where a safe ride and reliable technology is available to everyone at their fingertips." So, yeah, if you pick up a select new phone on Verizon, prepare to see Lyft. Then ~~disable~~ uninstall it if you so choose. Note: Verizon reached out to clarify the app install, letting us know that you will indeed be able to uninstall it.

Via: Lyft

AT&T LG G3 Update Brings VoLTE and Uber Bloat

Tim — Thu, 07 May 2015 10:16:01 +0000

An update rolling out to the LG G3 on AT&T is bringing VoLTE capabilities, as well as a little bit of bloatware. Upon boot up after updating, users will see the Uber app preloaded on their device. Yes, this sucks, but you can always disable it if you want. On top of VoLTE and Uber crapware, AT&T is also preloading AT&T Mail. This app works with popular email services, but again, you can disable it if you don't want it. The update should be rolling out now, so be on the lookout, G3 owners.

Via: AT&T

Samsung Pushes Round Smartwatch Launch Date to Let Apple Watch Hype Settle

Tim — Thu, 07 May 2015 09:42:14 +0000

The Gear watch from Samsung that we all want to see, the round one, has reportedly been delayed. Even though there was never a set launch date from Samsung, it is reported from our friends at SamMobile that we should see it launch alongside the Galaxy Note 5 during IFA. According to sources, Samsung's hold on "Gear A" (the device's codename), is to allow the market to settle from the Apple Watch hype. There is no doubt that the Apple Watch has captivated much attention in the tech industry, so for Samsung to hold off and wait for a big device release of their own seems quite logical. One small detail about the watch has been reported, though, concerning navigating the watch's interface. Apparently, the device will feature a bezel ring capable of rotating, kind of like what you see on some regular wristwatches. What rotating the ring will do is currently unknown, but it sounds kind of intriguing. The sad news, which we all know by now, is that this device will likely run Tizen and not Android Wear. So if you don't have a Samsung device, try to contain your excitement.

Via: SamMobile

Deal: Huawei's SnapTo is Just $140 for the Next 3 Hours

Kellen — Thu, 07 May 2015 09:35:28 +0000

Familiar with the Huawei SnapTo? Think of it like a Moto E competitor, only it has slightly better specs like a 5-inch HD display and 5MP camera with flash. For the next 3+ hours, you can buy one on Amazon for the discounted price of $139.99. That's a good $40 off on a phone that not only has an HD display, but 4G LTE connectivity on T-Mobile and AT&T, quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 8GB internal storage (with SD card slot), and 2MP front camera. If you are in need of a replacement phone, a starter phone, or just like discounted smartphones, hurry on over. Amazon Link

Nexus 9 is Getting Android 5.1.1 Today (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 07 May 2015 09:08:08 +0000

#NoTroll Google announced today that it is beginning to push Android 5.1 out to the Nexus 9. After randomly sending out Android 5.0.2 earlier this week, the Nexus 9 will now catch up to most of the rest of the current Nexus devices. We aren't sure if the update is ~~5.1 or~~ 5.1.1, but I'm not sure N9 owners will really care at this point. I think we are all really just glad that the Nexus 9 hasn't been forgotten about. Let us know if you see it! And follow these steps if you want to help us out and grab the OTA file. Update: Over on Google+, Google actually said "Android 5.1.1." So yeah, it's Android 5.1.1. https://twitter.com/googlenexus/status/596343795140194304

OnePlus 2 Will Run a Snapdragon 810, Could Carry $400 Price Tag

Kellen — Thu, 07 May 2015 08:12:15 +0000

As of today, we don't know all that much about the OnePlus 2 other than it will launch in Q3 and be available via invite system. OnePlus has confirmed the name - which is "OnePlus 2" - but has yet to do their slow trollout of feature teasing, like they did with last year's OnePlus One. I'm sure that fun will all start before long, especially with Q3 just around the corner. In an interview (or chat) yesterday on Chinese messageboard, Weibo, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau dropped a couple of new details that may serve as the kick-off for all of that action. During his chat, Lau mentioned that the OnePlus 2 will run Qualcomm's controversial Snapdragon 810 processor and carry a price tag of around 2499 Yuan, which converts to around the $400 USD mark. We wish he said more or gave a definitive launch date, but that's not how OnePlus works. As a reminder, the OnePlus One launched at $299 and $349 price points, so $400 is a step above yet still pretty reasonable. In the mean time, feel free to speculate away as to what the OnePlus 2 might include. Or better yet, tell us what you would like OnePlus to improve upon this time around.

Via: GizmoChina | PocketNow

NVIDIA to End Icera Modem Operations in 2016, Open to Sale of Technology and Operations

Tim — Wed, 06 May 2015 15:57:38 +0000

In 2011, during a heated race between chipmakers to include LTE modems in their application processors, NVIDIA acquired Icera. By incorporating Icera's modem technology into the Tegra lineup of chips, NVIDIA was able to partner with a few OEMs to launch devices here and there, but nothing ever really took off from the acquisition. Now, in 2015, it appears NVIDIA is all but wrapped up with this venture, and is looking to offload Icera to anyone interested in its operations or technology. NVIDIA states, "the company has reshaped its strategy to focus on high-growth opportunities in gaming, automotive and cloud computing applications like deep learning, where its visual computing expertise is greatly valued." With this, NVIDIA will cease operations of Icera in the second quarter of next year, and going forward, NVIDIA expects to partner with third-party modem makers and will no longer develop its own. This news should not be too much of a shock to anyone who has been following NVIDIA, as it was not too long ago when its CEO announced the company would no longer be focusing heavily on smartphones.

Via: NVIDIA

Google to Introduce "Voice Access" at I/O, Giving Users Hands-Free Control of Apps

Kellen — Wed, 06 May 2015 15:33:42 +0000

The more we look at the Google I/O schedule that was posted today, the more information we discover about upcoming features and products. After learning that the ATAP team is going to give us new wearables and that Android M will be around in some capacity, we found another feature called "Voice Access" that might help you control apps in new ways, namely, your voice. According to a session titled "Your app, now available hands-free," Google talks about providing users with a new method of accessing apps that doesn't require much development overhead. That new "method" is called Voice Access, a service that gives "anyone access to their Android device through voice alone." Google plans to highlight simple steps for developers to follow in order to provide an "optimal experience" within apps using this new Voice Access service. That makes it sound like this isn't just a way to launch an app with your voice, but is also a way to control aspects of it, something we haven't seen in the past. Google clearly thinks this new Voice Access service is a big deal, as they are running this session twice during Google I/O. You tell me, have you been wanting more control over your phone via voice?

Via: Google I/O

Deal: Last Chance to Enter to Win a New Chromebook Pixel

Tim — Wed, 06 May 2015 15:05:54 +0000

Here's a heads-up for anyone interested. You have a few hours left to enter for your chance to win a brand new Chromebook Pixel from the DL Deals Store. Featuring a gorgeous 12.85″ touchscreen display, Intel-made processor, back-lit-keyboard, and dual USB Type-C ports, you'd have to be crazy to not want this thing for the price of free. Entering the giveaway could not be more simple. With a valid email address, sign up (follow the link below), then hit Enter. After that, if you need even more of a chance to win, you can share the contest through your respective social channels. In 28 days, one lucky person will be chosen. Follow the link below to get started. Enter Here

Question of the Day: What Will Android M be Called?

Kellen — Wed, 06 May 2015 13:49:06 +0000

With Google all but confirming the announcement of Android M at Google I/O later this month, it's time to decide what we think Google will call it when it goes stable. The "M," assuming Google sticks with the long-standing Android naming scheme, should stand for some sort of sweet treat. It could end up being a big branded piece of candy (KitKat) or a more general term for a category of sweets (Ice Cream Sandwich). Google typically attempts to surprise or trick us by keeping the name guarded up until the last minute, so guessing is always fun. Assuming the mention of "Android M" wasn't just a typo - and we don't believe that it was - we may not know the official name until some time later this year. Our guess is that Google will announce Android M in the form of a preview at I/O, then try and release a stable version, along with the name, at some point in the fall, like they did with Lollipop. Now is the time to place your bets on a sweet name. (Please be Mike and Ike!)

Oculus Rift Launches in Q1 of 2016, Pre-Orders Later This Year

Tim — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:24:40 +0000

Oculus Rift, the VR headset many have been waiting for, finally has a launch timeframe. Sadly, it's not until Q1 of 2016, but on the bright side, Oculus states that pre-orders will be up later this year for all those interested. In the coming weeks, Oculus says they will post software and hardware details of the unit, giving fans insight to what they can expect in early 2016. Taken from the company's blog post, "In the weeks ahead, we’ll be revealing the details around hardware, software, input, and many of our unannounced made-for-VR games and experiences coming to the Rift." Will you be pre-ordering Rift?

Via: Oculus

Qualcomm: Snapdragon 810 Overheating Rumors are 'Rubbish'

Tim — Wed, 06 May 2015 10:56:00 +0000

The Snapdragon 810 processor from Qualcomm has been in the headlines a ton this year, but for all of the wrong reasons. Being Qualcomm's flagship processor, we expected it to be in nearly all of the top smartphones this year, yet it is currently only in two flagship devices, the One M9 from HTC and G Flex 2 from LG. Rumors regarding overheating issues have plagued the SoC, and today, an interview between Qualcomm's VP of marketing Tim McDonough and Forbes gives deeper insight into the story surrounding the issue. According to McDonough, the rumors on the Snapdragon 810 are "rubbish," and to simplify the story, the VP simply asks, "who stands to gain from the rumor?" Of course, there is implication that the timing of these rumors sync up very well with Samsung's release of the Exynos 7420, that powers the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. As we have seen, Samsung's opting to use in-house silicon over Qualcomm's tech has hurt the company's 2015 numbers significantly, as it has had to continuously defend its hardware against negative press, even though Qualcomm claims there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Snapdragon 810 in commercial devices. When speaking to Forbes, McDonough states, "Our point of view is that those rumors happened with the LG G Flex 2 and Qualcomm 810 being first to market with the premium-tier application processor. Then somebody decided to put out some false rumours about that, which is unfortunate but sometimes that’s how business is done. That has forced us to spend a lot of time addressing the false rumors.”

Separately, the use of the Snapdragon 808 processor in the new G4 from LG only fanned the flame, giving more credit to the notion that something was actually wrong with the Snapdragon 810. McDonough had an easy answer for this theory, claiming, "These decisions get made 18 months before a phone shows its face. When we were working with LG on the G Flex 2 and G4, Qualcomm produced the 810 and 808 around the same time. The simple reason is the design goals of the G4 2k experience." The Snapdragon 808 and 810 are quite similar on paper, differing in the GPU used (both Adreno) and memory used. In the 810, the memory is designed to deal with 4K video natively displaying on a smartphone screen, while the 808 lacks this. For LG, using the Snapdragon 808 must have seemed like a better fit on the G4 - not because the Snapdragon 810 has problems. Unfortunately for Qualcomm, we are in May of 2015, and the rumors were successful. There is no going back and saving face at this point. Samsung opted to use Exynos in the Galaxy S6, and the phone seems to be selling like hot cakes. Now would be a good time to focus on what's next, and to solidify relationships with other OEMs for upcoming devices down the road. What is your take on this debacle? Do you think Samsung was behind defacing the Snapdragon 810?

Via: Forbes

Android M Will Debut at Google I/O This Month

Kellen — Wed, 06 May 2015 10:43:19 +0000

Hey, look at that, the next version of Android being mentioned in an official Google I/O session description. Yep, Android M is coming at Google I/O at the end of this month. Seriously, a new version of Android is already here, even though Lollipop is only on 10% of Android devices. The "Android M" mention appears in a session dedicated to Android for Work, yet doesn't talk specifics about Android M. All we have to go on here is the confirmation of its existence and the fact that it will bring the "power of Android to all kinds of workplaces." I would imagine that Android M will be given to attendees as a preview, just like Google did last year with Android L, which ended up being Android 5.0 Lollipop. Fun. Update: Google pulled the "Android for Work Update" session. Whoops!

Via: Google I/O | Android Police

Google's ATAP is Introducing New Wearables That Will "Blow Your Socks Off" at Google I/O

Kellen — Wed, 06 May 2015 09:55:58 +0000

Google posted the I/O 2015 schedule this morning (more on that in a bit) with a session hosted by the ATAP (Advanced Technology and Projects) team that has already caught our attention. The session is titled "Badass and beautiful. Tech and human. Love and work. ATAP." which doesn't tell us much, other than they have some wild, spiritual, and emotional thoughts on technology. But should you cruise into the description of the session, past the Fast and Furious reference, we find out that the ATAP team has new wearables to show off. Shortly after confirming that they have a new Spotlight story to debut, there is mention of "wearables we hope will blow your socks off." I don't think they could make it any clearer that they have new wearables of some sort to debut. What could they be? Well, directly after the "socks off" reference, the session says that they "mean this more literally than you might think." So, does that mean smart socks or smart shoes or smart sandals or some other form of smart footwear that doesn't even require socks? Or was that literal reference also meant somewhat figuratively? From there, the session description talks about breaking the tension between the "ever-shrinking screen sizes necessary to make electronics wearable and our ability to have rich interactions with them." So, smart sandals that have touch screens? That's obviously a joke, but I really am lost at this point. No matter what, we are expecting wearables of some kind from the ATAP team, and that's good news. Predictions?

Via: Google I/O

LoopPay Releases Update to Android App, Card Firmware

Tim — Wed, 06 May 2015 08:54:39 +0000

LoopPay, recently acquired by Samsung, is sending out an update to its Android application, plus its card firmware. The updated app includes gift card and branded credit card support, on top of improved Bluetooth connectivity. LoopPay also worked in a new feature called MultiBeam, which sends out multiple signals to a terminal for a greater rate of acceptance at merchants. Keep in mind, this is important since LoopPay does not use NFC technology, and instead, imitates the act of a credit card magnetic swipe. If you happen to rock LoopPay and its little accessory, head on over to Google Play and grab the update. Play Link

Google Actually Recommends That You Use Messenger for SMS Over Hangouts

Kellen — Wed, 06 May 2015 07:44:49 +0000

For months, we were confused as to why Google created and introduced their own Messenger app when we were all expecting Google Hangouts to become the standard for all messaging needs throughout Google's services. From instant messaging to texting and MMS to in-document chats, Hangouts is supposed to be the guy (or gal). Remember that almost two years ago to the day, Google told us that Hangouts was the "future." It even looked like they would deliver on that statement for a while, after introducing SMS into Hangouts and starting the integration of Google Voice. But again, here we are years later and that future sure is taking its sweet time arriving. After digging around in Google's Project Fi support site last night, I think we now know why Google created their own Messenger app - Hangouts just isn't ready for prime time yet when it comes to SMS, MMS, and group messaging. In fact, Google recommends Messenger over Hangouts. The exact wording from Project Fi support is, "For now, we recommend using Messenger as the default SMS app. There are a few features, like group messaging, that aren't supported in Hangouts yet." So there you have it. Messenger lives because it's actually pretty good at dealing with texting of all kinds, while Hangouts, after all these years, still isn't. If you haven't tried out Google's Messenger for SMS/MMS and group messaging, consider giving it a spin, it's actually one of Google's better apps. It recently got notification quick replies before almost any other app on the planet, now supports GIFs, and has a fancy widget. Play Link

Via: Google Support

AT&T Quietly Removes Hard Throttling Limit on Unlimited Data Plan, Will Only Throttle in Congested Areas

Kellen — Wed, 06 May 2015 07:15:37 +0000

AT&T's grandfathered unlimited data plans haven't really been unlimited for quite some time now. Those who still pay for one know that AT&T throttles the hell out of data speeds on 4G LTE unlimited plans after they reach 5GB of usage per month and doesn't bother to bring those speeds back up until the next billing cycle. We are talking throttling any and everywhere once that 5GB limit is reached, not just if the phone is attached to a congested network. Pretty weak, right? Today, or at least some time since mid-March, AT&T seems to have softened its stance on 4G LTE throttling. Previously, their policy or statement on smartphone customers with "legacy" unlimited data plans noted that 3G/4G smartphones on unlimited plans were throttled at the 3GB mark, but only in congested network situations. It was the 4G LTE unlimited plans that were seeing the hard limit at 5GB, where even on a super fast, un-congested network, they would be throttled until the next billing cycle. This is the exact policy last seen around March 23:

As a result of the AT&T network management process, customers on a 3G or 4G smartphone with an unlimited data plan who have exceeded 3 gigabytes of data in a billing period may experience reduced speeds when using data services at times and in areas that are experiencing network congestion. Customers on a 4G LTE smartphone will experience reduced speeds once their usage in a billing cycle exceeds 5 gigabytes of data. All such customers can still use unlimited data without incurring overage charges, and their speeds will be restored with the start of the next billing cycle.

See how the statement separates the 3G/4G and 4G LTE plans? This is what the statement looks like today:

As a result of AT&T's network management process, customers on a 3G or 4G smartphone or on a 4G LTE smartphone with an unlimited data plan who have exceeded 3 gigabytes (3G/4G) or 5 gigabytes (4G LTE) of data in a billing period may experience reduced speeds when using data services at times and in areas that are experiencing network congestion. All such customers can still use unlimited data without incurring overage charges, and their speeds will be restored with the start of the next billing cycle.

See that? The 3G/4G and 4G LTE plans are now grouped together, with the hard limit on the 4G LTE plans seemingly removed. According to this newly tweaked statement, 4G LTE unlimited data plans are only throttled when in congested areas, but are then eligible to return back to full speeds. Yay. AT&T hasn't actually announced anything, and they probably won't, but if you own a grandfathered or "legacy" unlimited data plan, it sounds like your plan just got better without you lifting a finger. Update: Here is the full statement for the record, since these things get sneakily changed without notice.

Do you have an unlimited data plan? If so, we have information to help you manage your account. In line with common industry standards, we have implemented network management practices to assure that our network resources are used for the benefit of all our mobile broadband customers especially during periods when network demand exceeds available network resources (also known as "congestion"). One such practice applies when a minority of smartphone customers on unlimited data plans using 3G, 4G, or 4G LTE smartphones exceed certain data usage thresholds in a billing period (3GB for 3G/4G smartphones and 5GB for 4G LTE smartphones). When affected by this practice, these customers may experience reduced data speeds and increased latency during periods of congestion as compared to other customers using the same cell site. All affected customers can still use unlimited data without being subject to overage charges, and we will notify customers during each billing cycle when they reach 75% of the applicable usage threshold so they can adjust their usage to avoid network management practices that may result in slower data speeds. Reduced speeds and increased latency may cause websites to load more slowly or affect the performance of data-heavy activities such as high-definition video streaming or interactive gaming. The degree of reduced speeds and increased latency will vary depending on the amount of congestion. Congestion can start and stop over a very short time period (often measured in fractions of a second), further minimizing customer impact. Because the amount of congestion at a cell site can vary significantly, the performance impact for affected unlimited data plan customers may also vary significantly. Standard speeds and latency will resume once the cell cite is no longer congested, or the customer's data session moves to an uncongested cell site. In addition, speeds and latency will return to normal at the start of the customer's next billing cycle. Customers on tiered data or Mobile Share plans are not subject to these network management practices. Likewise, when customers are using Wi-Fi they are not subject to these network management practices. Wi-Fi usage does not count against the customer's applicable usage threshold. Learn more about unlimited data plans and reduced speeds Managing your data usage is easy. Check your data usage anytime by dialing *data# from your smartphone. If you have one of our Mobile Share® plans or our tiered data plans, this information does not affect you. Learn more about our Mobile Share Value plans with Unlimited Talk and Text.

Via: AT&T

Cheers Jerry!

Switching From Google Voice to Project Fi - How It Works

Kellen — Tue, 05 May 2015 21:40:45 +0000

After looking through the Project Fi sign-up process that was posted to reddit earlier today, we came away feeling more knowledgable about a majority of the service's features, but also left feeling a bit worried about how it would play with Google Voice. Because certain features were noted as being left out, we were wondering if Project Fi would even be an option for some of us long-time GV users. Thanks to a great find by one of our readers, we now think we know exactly how Google Voice will transfer over to Project Fi. The biggest thing to understand here is that when you transfer over from Google Voice to Project Fi, you are essentially leaving your Google Voice life behind. Because of that, you get to keep some of the features and lose others.

Transferring your Google Voice number to Project Fi

This is the most important step of it all because you really have no choice here if you want to keep your same Google Voice number, but use Project Fi. As we mentioned earlier, when you join Project Fi, you can transfer your Google Voice number or have Project Fi assign you a new one. Unfortunately, if you choose to have it assign you a new one, you lose your Google Voice number and can't ever get it back. My guess is that because Project Fi is attached to your Gmail account, you can't have two numbers associated with it, so it either needs your Google Voice number or a new one - you can't have two. Google recommends that if you want to keep your current Google Voice number, but don't want to use it with Project Fi, that you transfer it to a different Google Voice account or another carrier for safe keeping. According to Google, transferring your GV number to Project Fi could take 24 hours. Recap: If you have a Google Voice number, in order to keep it and use Project Fi, you either let Project Fi have your Google Voice number or you can transfer it to another Gmail account or carrier. If you don't, you will lose your Google Voice number for good.

Which features are carried over to Project Fi from Google Voice?

Now that you know how to keep your Google Voice number alive while using Project Fi, it's time to see if it's even something you should consider. Because again, Project Fi's feature list differs from Google Voice's. Here are the features and information you get to continue enjoying with Project Fi:

Your voicemail greeting
Your voicemails
Your call history
Your texts
Call forwarding
Call blocking
Caller ID
Short codes
Credits you paid for in US dollars will be transferred over to Fi; credits paid for in another currency will be refunded once you request one.

Which features aren't carried over to Project Fi from Google Voice?

So those are the big features that are coming with Project Fi. Most of that is all the good stuff, especially call forwarding and blocking. But there are still some things that won't make it over that may cause you to hesitate when considering pulling the trigger on Fi.

You can no longer make or receive calls in Google Talk or the Google Voice apps.
You will no longer have a dedicated web portal for accessing text messages and voicemails. New text and voicemail history will also not be saved to Google Voice. If you want these features on the web, you will have to consider using Hangouts with Project Fi.
Call history won't continue to be backed up to Google Voice. Your history will instead just live on your actual phone, in the Phone app.
These settings also aren't available on Fi: spam filtering, call recording, call switch, conference calling on the fly, caller ID (incoming), and outgoing caller ID (anonymous caller ID).
Also, the Google Voice apps and website will no longer be accessible once you sign-up for Project Fi.

We'll have more information on Project Fi shortly, but this should answer most of your Google Voice-to-Project Fi questions.

Via: Google Support

Cheers kevlar!

The Motorola Keylink is Back.

Kellen — Tue, 05 May 2015 17:26:23 +0000

After going on sale in November, selling out within minutes, and then disappearing from Motorola's site for months, the Keylink is now back and available for purchase. I've got to admit that I'm surprised, even with Motorola confirming to us that it would be back at some point. As a reminder, the Keylink is Motorola's little keyfob, key finder, dongle thingy. It attaches to your phone via Bluetooth and the Motorola Connect app, allowing you to find either your keys or your lost phone as long as they are within 100 feet of each other. Not only that, but the Keylink can be used as Bluetooth trusted device for password skipping when it is near your phone. Go get 'em while they are here. Who knows how many Motorola produced this time around. Motorola Link ($25)

Earn to Die 2 Released to Google Play, Run Over More Zombies in This Sequel

Tim — Tue, 05 May 2015 17:00:37 +0000

A sequel to the original Earn to Die is now available on Google Play, titled Earn to Die 2. In the game, which is rather simplistic, you customize vehicles to get you through a zombie apocalypse. These vehicles can be equipped with weapons, all of which should help you get through countless numbers of the undead. Believe it or not, there is an actual plot in Earn to Die 2, which has your character driving his way to the other side of the country, where a rescue boat is waiting to pick you up. Throughout this campaign, you will try new vehicles, equip it with different weapons, and kill as many zombies as possible. The game is free to play, but does feature ads and optional IAPs for items. Do note, these items are not needed to beat the game, but may help your cause in the long run if you truly enjoy playing. Go check it out and run over some zombies. Play Link

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Deal: Final Reminder to Purchase a 3-Year Subscription to VPN Unlimited for Just $19

Tim — Tue, 05 May 2015 16:32:36 +0000

As a friendly reminder, this is your last chance to pick up a 3-year subscription to VPN Unlimited through the DL Deals Store, regularly priced at $65, for just $19. With a VPN, Internet users can browse and download files without fear over security concerns, with dedicated servers encrypting and hiding all of your sensitive data. With VPN Unlimited, users can secure any public WiFi connection they come across, which is perfect for those of who you might be more sensitive to security issues than others. In addition, VPN Unlimited offers online data encryption, unlimited traffic bandwidth, unlimited high-speed connections, as well as a growing selection of servers to choose from in many popular countries. If this deal interests you, follow the link below. Features

Secure public Wi-Fi connection
All your online data is hidden & encrypted
Unlimited traffic bandwidth: no need to worry about your data usage
Unlimited high-speed connection
A growing selection of servers in the most popular countries w/ the most in-demand web resources
Encrypts your data right on your electronic device, using the powerful encrypting algorithms

Deal Link

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Google Posts Android 5.0.2 Factory Images for Nexus 9 WiFi and LTE

Kellen — Tue, 05 May 2015 16:14:14 +0000

And just like we said they would, Google has posted factory images of the Android 5.0.2 "LRX22L" update that is rolling out today to the Nexus 9. Both LTE and WiFi models have files available, so be sure to grab the correct set. You can find them at the source link below.

Via: Google

First Project Fi Invites are Going Out and We Have New Info on Google Voice Integration (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 05 May 2015 16:00:56 +0000

According to at least one user over at reddit, Project Fi invites are starting to arrive in inboxes. We have yet to receive an invite ourselves and haven't heard from anyone else who has, but this user posted up a walk-through of the setup process, all of which would take quite a bit of effort in order to fake. After looking through the images on display, I would tend to believe him, so let's take a look at what we can expect when invites show up. The setup process doesn't reveal anything all that surprising outside of what Google already told us to expect. You get to sign-up if invited, choose a number or bring over your old one, pick a data amount at $10 per GB, pay $20 per month for the Fi basics (talk and text), decide if you need to buy a Nexus 6, confirm address, and eventually confirm that you are ready to rock. That all sounds normal. But if you check the slides that talk about Google Voice integration, things are starting to become more clear. Look at the setup steps below.

Before we get too deep into all of this, understand that we haven't walked through this process ourselves and are only able to go on what we have in front of us. For example, we aren't able to see the "full list" of Google Voice features that are carried over to Project Fi, so we have to base everything on the provided images. But if I'm reading this correctly, this looks to me like if you do not decide to bring over your Google Voice number from the attached Gmail account, Google will give you a new one and release your old one, one that you may have had for years. In other words, your Google Voice number has to come with you or it's gone for good, you can't just sign-up for a new number on Project Fi and also keep your old Google Voice number in limbo, attached to Google Voice and your Gmail account. That could be bad for someone who attaches multiple phone numbers to a Google Voice number, although, this does mention that call forwarding is coming with. So, you may be OK on that front. You also will get to keep your voicemail greeting, voicemails, texts, and history (I'm assuming at the Google Voice desktop site). As for what isn't going to be the same if you take your GV number to Project Fi, you are looking at no more use of the Google Voice app (no complaints from anywhere there), no more Google Voice for texting or voicemail (all through Hangouts in Fi I'm guessing), your text/voicemail/call histories will no longer be saved in Google Voice (assuming that means "new" text/voicemail/calls), and more. Again, we can't see the "full list" that is mentioned here, but there is even more that isn't coming over. I'll let you decide if any of that is deal-breaker material.

Update: Here are the full details about transferring from Google Voice to Project Fi.

Here are a bunch of images of the setup process:

Anyone else receive an invite?

Via: reddit

Comparison: LG G4 vs. Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge vs. HTC One M9

Tim — Tue, 05 May 2015 14:54:12 +0000

The latest flagship devices from Samsung, LG, and HTC have been unveiled. With that, it's time for consumers to begin researching which one will be best for them, as each device offers something quite different. Without question, the G4, One M9, and Galaxy S6 Edge differ greatly not only on paper, but in design as well. The G4 is similar to previous high-end devices from LG and other OEMs, featuring a primarily plastic body, with exception to the leather-backed models. The One M9 continues HTC's tradition of using metal throughout its design, while Samsung took a completely different route, utilizing a ton of glass and metal siding as its materials of choice. Each device runs a different processor clocked at varying speeds, and each also features very different cameras. For your average consumer, the use of a QHD display may not be on the list of deal breaker attributes, but more importantly, buyers will want a good camera, good battery life, and a phone that is not confusing to use. Having spent plenty of time with these devices individually, I can say that each of the three flagship phones are good, but a couple of them do outperform their counterparts in select categories. For me personally, Samsung still dominates the smartphone camera and display side of things, but now with the G4, LG has successfully shown to me that their products are just as good. It may really come down to which phone you think looks better, and of course, if you need a removable battery and expandable storage. In the video below, we go over the differences between each device, what you can expect from everyday usage, and other nuances that give each phone their own characters. If you have a comparison question regarding these phones, throw it down below.

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