Droid Life

Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ Now Available to Purchase on All Major Carriers

Tim — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:51:01 +0000

Samsung's latest, the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, are now available to purchase through all of America's major carriers. Not only can you buy the devices through Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, but you can also find them on Best Buy and US Cellular. Each device features a 5.7" QHD Super AMOLED display, Exynos processor, 4GB of RAM, 16MP rear-facing camera, and plenty of features backed into Samsung's TouchWiz skin. For a more in-depth look at the Galaxy Note 5, check out our hands-on and first impressions video below. For those who have made their decision, follow the links to pick up your device. Galaxy Note 5

Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint

Galaxy S6 Edge+

Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint

If you pre-ordered this device, you should already be enjoying your new phone. Tell us in the comments how it's treating you so far.

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Samsung's 'Ultimate Test Drive' for iPhone Users Lets You Make the Switch for 30 Days

Tim — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:38:39 +0000

For those of us currently using an iPhone, but were thinking about trying out one of the new devices from Samsung, the company has kicked off the Ultimate Test Drive event. For 30 days, you can try out a Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, or Galaxy Note 5, all for the price of a single dollar and zero obligation to buy. To sign up, you will need to have you iPhone handy, plus a credit card for the $1 charge. Once you are registered, a Samsung rep will send out your choice of device, giving you 30 days to try it out however you see fit. If you are not happy, simply send the phone back with the prepaid label. If you love it, keep the phone and Samsung will charge your credit card. New to Android? Don't worry, Samsung has written a spiffy guide that goes along with your phone to help you get the most out of your experience, just to be sure you don't miss any exciting features. After peeking through the Terms and Conditions, it might be a good idea to try out the Test Drive, return the device, then buy one through another means if you enjoy it. Samsung looks to be charging $820 for the Galaxy S6 Edge if it is not returned. That's quite a premium compared to how much you can find it for online. If you do own an iPhone, do any of these new Samsung devices at least make you curious about trying them out? Register Here

Moto 360 (2015) Spotted in the Wild Multiple Times

Tim — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 08:39:19 +0000

According to one user on reddit and one on Google+, the Moto 360 (2015) is out in the wild in the city of Chicago, the hometown of Motorola's US headquarters. It appears two versions of the watch have been spotted, one an all-black model with Black leather straps, and another with a Cognac band and Rose Gold casing. Neither person who spotted these devices decided it would be a good idea to talk to the wearers, but given the lugs seen on the device, and the power button placed in the 2 o'clock position, they knew they should start snapping PI-like photos to share on the web. As we can see in the photos, the black bar (aka flat tire) is still present, likely storing the same ambient light sensor as last year. Other than that, these photos match up nicely against all of the previous leaks we have seen for the device. We still don't exactly know when Motorola plans to announce new Moto 360, but with employees walking around Chicago with it, we must be close.

Via: reddit | +Gerrit Gödecke

First OnePlus 2 Update With Stagefright, Battery Improvements Starts Rolling Out

Kellen — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 08:27:46 +0000

OnePlus is pushing out the first OnePlus 2 update today with an included Stagefright patch, battery improvements, and a handful of other bug fixes. The update is rolling out over-the-air (OTA) to OnePlus 2 units as OxygenOS 2.0.1 and will start gradually in India before hitting the rest of the world. Well, I don't know who else in the rest of the world owns the phone, but that's what they are telling us. Here is the full list of changes:

Added a patch for the Stagefright security exploit
Improves battery performance
Improves user interface logic and coherence
Fixed an issue with pinch-to-zoom in Google Photos
Fixed an issue where Dark Mode would cause instability in certain apps
Fixed an issue related to import/export of contacts stored on SIM card
Additional support for global carrier APNs
Other improvements and bug fixes

Let us know if you get it and if you see battery improvements.

Via: OnePlus

Download: Android Marshmallow Preview 3 OTA Updates

Kellen — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 07:40:55 +0000

After issuing a quick update to build MPA44I (well, new images) that followed the initial release of the Android 6.0 Marshmallow Developer Preview 3, Google is now starting to roll updates out over-the-air (OTA) to compatible Nexus devices. We have a running list of the .zip Preview 3 OTA updates for your Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player (soon) below, in case you either didn't get prompted to update your device or didn't feel like messing with the factory image files. We'll update this as we have more.

Nexus 5 - [MPA44I from MPZ79M, 193MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 - [MPA44I from MPZ79M, 394MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 - [MPA44I from MPZ79M, 399MB] - Download Link
Nexus Player

For instructions to sideload using adb, check here. For instructions on how to grab an OTA file, check here. Cheers Justin, Drew, and Scorpion_Ibm!

It's 2015, Why Do All Android Phones Still Include a "But"

Kellen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 14:48:14 +0000

The year is 2015 and we still don’t have a perfect smartphone. I’d argue that there isn’t even a phone that is all that close to being perfect. I’m not saying that all of today’s phones are bad, because most are very, very good and you will probably be satisfied with whatever you choose. But every single one of them includes a big “but.” Hear me out. Over the past few years, we have seen display technology from Samsung that looks more life-like than your TV and is mindblowingly good. We have seen processors reach PC-like power and efficiency levels. RAM is insanely fast. The Galaxy Note 5 has 4GB of it, people. 4GB. Storage is also faster than ever before. We even have fast wireless charging now! Cameras are reaching point-and-shoot territory. No, smartphone cameras are coming close to eclipsing some point-and-shoots. Metals are being used. Glass is too. Phones look like high-end watches or jewelry, yet do more than a computer in many instances. Technology is, well, pure awesome right now. So why is it that every single Android manufacturer can’t make us the perfect phone. Why isn’t there a perfect option right now? I bring this up because not only am I trying to figure out what my next phone should be, but I seem to have run into a number of friends over the last week that are looking for advice on their next smartphone purchase. What do I tell them? I tend to hesitate, toss out a phone or two based on my general thoughts about what they might want, and then finish each phone’s description with a “but” followed by an explanation of what’s wrong with it. That’s sort of sad. It seems like there should be a phone, in 2015, that doesn’t have any drawbacks. There should be a phone that I can emphatically say, “Buy this now and you will not regret it.” But, there isn’t. Walk with me through these and tell me if I’m wrong. Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge: Great phones with the highest-end specs, beautiful designs, class-leading cameras, and a list of features that almost no other phone can come close to comparing to! But, they have terrible battery life, have seen severe performance dips after recent updates, don’t have SD card slots or removable batteries, and aren’t waterproof or resistant. They also run Samsung’s mostly awful TouchWiz on top of Android. Galaxy Note 5: The best specs on the planet with an equally impressive design and some really nicely improved S Pen features. But, Samsung ditched the SD card slot, shrunk the battery while making it non-removable, killed the IR blaster, and forgot that people in countries outside of the US, might like this phone. Oh, it’s also huge. Moto X Pure Edition: It runs a “pure” Android experience along with Motorola’s awesome suite of software, can be customized to your liking, has an SD card slot, a camera that Motorola finally took seriously, and is going to be sold unlocked at a hell of a price! But, it’s huge, doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor, and is going to be sold unlocked and out of the eye (and reach) of typical US customers. I also don’t know if we can trust Motorola when they say its camera will finally be good. They’ve never made a phone with a decent camera, let alone a best-in-class shooter. Moto X Play: “Hey, Motorola here. We made this really sweet budget-friendly phone with mostly premium specs, but, this is us giving you the finger, US customers. You are never buying one.” OnePlus 2: The price is awesome, as are most of the specs and premium materials used in the build. But, OnePlus decided for you that you don’t need NFC or an SD card slot, plus you’ll never be able to buy one, thanks to a f*cking ridiculous invite system that is 4 million people deep. LG G4: Pretty good specs for the most part and a really, really good camera. But, it’s made of cheap-feeling plastic and terrible faux leather, is a pretty big phone, has the worst Android skin in the business, and has the software support of LG, which is not something to brag about. Nexus 6: It runs Google’s vision for Android. But, it’s a whale, has an average camera for a 2015 smartphone, and…did I mention that it’s a whale? Sony has phones that have some really good things going for them (like best-in-class battery life and smaller high-end models), but they aren’t ever available in the US, almost always have below-average or average cameras, and look like their predecessors from 3 years ago. The next new Nexus phone or two could come with few compromises, but I would imagine they won’t have SD card slots, could be tough to get a hold of (unless Google goes the carrier route again), and will more than likely have piss poor cameras. Now, as I mentioned in the opening, almost all of these phones are more than capable and are the best line of phones we have ever seen. Some of these phones are borderline great on a number of levels. But, they all have pretty serious flaws that I just mentioned. Some of these things are dealbreakers for our readers, myself, and my friends and family. And trust me, I’m not the only one thinking this. Every time a new phone is announced, our comment sections get filled with all of the items I mentioned here for each phone. It’s 2015. Why don’t we have a perfect smartphone yet?

Here are 21 Interactive Watch Faces to Get Your Android Wear Watch Ready

Kellen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 13:18:03 +0000

The next Android Wear update to hit your smartwatch will introduce interactive watch faces. These new faces will allow you to interact with your watch like never before, meaning you will be able to tap on them to quickly view the weather or your calendar or even launch an app. The watch faces could allow you to toggle between steps taken, calories burned, change dials that show, or tweak a watch face’s HUD, depending on the app. To help get you ready for all that interactivity, Google has posted a collection of the watch face apps they partnered with to launch the new feature. There are 21 in total, but I’d imagine others will get their watch faces ready as quickly as possible now that the new API is available. Keep in mind that none of the new interactive features work until you receive the next Android Wear update, which will slowly rollout over the coming weeks. You’ll find all of the new watches and the link below. Play Link

Google Photos Now Helps You "Rediscover Photos From the Past"

Kellen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 12:37:14 +0000

A new update to Google Photos is rolling out that should help you re-live your past through pictures. The update will notify you of moments or events from the past through cards in the app's Assistant. The cards could be from a "trip this time last year" or as a collage of photos from a time long ago where you and bunch of friends shotgunned Busch Light at a gravel pit, around a fire of burning pallets, with Ruff Ryders Anthem playing out of Brett's jacked up Chevy. Ahhh, youth. The feature is opt-in, so if you don't want to rediscover the past, you don't have to. The update is rolling out slowly on Android, but should be available on the web and iOS immediately. Play Link

Via: +Google Photos

Google Adsense for Android Gets New Logo, Full Material Makeover

Kellen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 11:58:49 +0000

The Google Adsense application for Android just got its big update to Material Design. The app is now as "fresh" as can be with new logo and move away from the days of Jelly Bean hamburger menus. Outside of the new look (which can be seen below), Google also added custom date ranges, a bunch of new reports, new metrics, and translations for Hindi and Malay. For those grabbing pennies on the daily with Adsense, be sure to update. What's New

New logo and fresh look with Google’s material design
Custom date ranges
New reports: ad sizes, types and networks, targeting and bid types
New metrics: impressions, impression RPM and CTR
Hindi and Malay translations
Bug fixes

Play Link

Google Translate Launches for Android Wear, Supports 44 Languages

Tim — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 10:57:32 +0000

Thanks to the new Android Wear update announced this morning, set to roll out in the coming weeks, all smartwatch owners will find Google Translate preinstalled on devices, even if you don't have the app on your smartphone. With this addition, users can speak a phrase into the watch, then receive instant translation in 1 of 44 supported languages. To use Google Translate, speak your phrase into the watch, then flick your wrist over for the other party to read. Then, they can reply in their native tongue, with the watch showing you just what they said with another flick of the wrist. And don't worry, the software can automatically detect which languages are being spoken, so no buttons need to be pressed during the conversation. Since this is part of the Android Wear 1.3 update, don't expect to see it until you receive the official OTA, set to launch in the coming weeks.

Via: Google

Rumor: Samsung to Launch Galaxy Note 5 Active on AT&T in November

Tim — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 10:14:47 +0000

According to an unnamed source of PhoneArena, Samsung and AT&T are working together to launch a Galaxy Note 5 Active onto the network this November. We know, it sounds ridiculous. As most of you likely know, the Active moniker deployed by Samsung defines a device's rugged and tough design, capable of taking drops and even going for a swim thanks to water resistance. Until today's rumor surfaced, it was thought the Active lineup would stick to the Galaxy S series of phones, as no Note device has ever been turned into an Active before. However, if the rumor turns true, we are looking at a Note 5 that is substantially thicker -- thanks to a reported 4,100mAh battery -- and taller due the shock absorbent casing around the phone. Now, before you brush this off as fan fiction, declaring to yourself that Samsung would not attempt to create this phone because there is no need for it, take a look at the Galaxy S6 Edge+. Was there a need for that phone to be created? Be honest with yourself. The answer is "no way." Taking that into account, this is Samsung we are talking about, and if there is an avenue to increase sales of a device, you bet Samsung will strike at it. All other internals will likely be the same, just as they are on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Active. We will get the same display, processor, and camera.

Some consumers love the Active lineup, as it truly grants you the ability to be rough with your phone. If your kid wants to play with it, bite it, or throw it, the device will be fine. You can snap underwater pictures, or go camping and leave it in the dirt. The idea of an Active lineup makes sense. PhoneArena's source states the device will be available starting November 8 on AT&T. No pricing was detailed by the source, though. Now, if Samsung was to launch a Galaxy Note 5 Active this year, would you be interested? Share your opinion down below.

Via: PhoneArena

LG G Watch R Finally Gets WiFi Support in Latest Android Wear Update

Kellen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 10:00:36 +0000

Back in May when Google said that an update to Android Wear would introduce WiFi to almost all of your favorite smartwatches, there was plenty of excitement to be had at the added functionality in brought that no longer required a constant Bluetooth connection to a phone. Of course, LG G Watch R owners were not a part of the original WiFi party, as the watch was left off of the initial list of devices scheduled to receive WiFi. But LG did promise that an update would arrive at some point in Q3 with WiFi on board. As it turns out, they weren't messing around. In today's announcement from Google about interactive watch faces coming to Android Wear, they also announced that the G Watch R would finally get its WiFi. Yay!

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Via: Android Developers

Android Wear Update Introduces Interactive Watch Faces

Kellen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 09:48:14 +0000

This morning, the Android team announced a new update to their Android Wear platform that introduces interactive watch faces. An interactive watch faces gives developers the opportunity to bake in more advanced features and information to watch faces with fewer taps. Now, as Google points out, "with just a tap" your watch face can "change its design, reveal more information, or even launch a specific app." In the examples below, you can see how a watch face could have shortcuts to steps, weather, calendar, missed calls, etc., all that can be quickly launched with a tap. You could also use taps to toggle between items like calories burned, steps, or distance with a fitness watch face.

This update is also introducing device-to-device communication, with apps like Together (pictured above) that allow you to share pictures, emoji, and activities from one watch to another. The update is rolling out to Android Wear watches in the coming weeks. Developers, be sure to check out info on the new Interactive Watch Face API that launched today.

Via: Android Blog

Sony's SmartBand 2 Features Advanced Heart Rate Sensor, Can Judge Stress Levels

Kellen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 09:01:55 +0000

Sony took the wraps off its new SmartBand 2 this morning, a health and lifestyle fitness band that will launch in September for around 119 EUR. The goal of the new SmartBand 2 is to not only look appealing with its variety of colors, but to provide "full-scale insights about your fitness, well-being, and stress levels."

Sony included an accelerometer and heart rate sensor to monitor pulse and heart rate "variability," which they think allows them to "gauge overall fitness, excitement and stress levels throughout the day." That's a pretty bold idea to grasp, but hey, the more data crunching in wearables we can do, the better, in my opinion.

The new SmartBand 2 automatically tracks activities (walking, running and "other" workouts), keeps track of it all in the Lifelog companion app, and may even help you rest better with sleep insights. It will also vibrate your wrist and ping you with LEDs for calls, messages, Tweets, and emails.

You can fully charge the SmartBand 2 in around an hour. It should last around 2 days on a single charge.

Interested?

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Via: Sony

Bing's "Snapshots on Tap" is a Take on Google Now on Tap

Kellen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 07:51:24 +0000

Google Now on Tap is one of those features that can't get here soon enough. As a refresher, Now on Tap makes Google Now smarter and more present by allowing Google to scan your screen to present you relevant information when you need it, without the need to leave that screen. It's like an on demand service that could bring you movie show times when in an email string with a friend who wants to catch a flick or restaurant reviews after your sister mentions a specific lunch spot in a text conversation. Unfortunately, it's still not here even though Google first announced it back in May at Google I/O. We are expecting it to launch with Android 6.0 Marshmallow later this year. As we wait for that to arrive, Microsoft has snuck in with a similar release of its own through the official Bing app. An update today introduces "Snapshots" or "Snapshots on Tap," which as the name suggests, is a lot like how Google's Now on Tap should work. With the new Bing app set as your default home long press or swipe up (replacing Google Now), you can now allow Bing to scan your screen and then attempt to present you with useful information. I've had it bring up Wiki pages for Instagram users, ask if I want to play music through Spotify from Eminem, and even brought up travel booking options. It's not 100% awesome, but it does get you into the idea of an on tap experience today. Play Link

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BlackBerry Venice Said to Launch on All Four Major US Carriers in November

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 16:02:28 +0000

According to @evleaks, the Venice, an Android headset produced by BlackBerry, will hit all four major carriers in the US this November. Back in June, it was first reported that BlackBerry wanted to release an Android phone, and now, we have GIFs and leaked promo materials flooding the web, lending more credit to the previous reports. In the latest leak, we get a few additional looks at the device, even though back in early July we got a fantastic render posted by @evleaks. The newest render is a bit more head-on, giving us a sense for what we can expect to come pre-loaded on the device. For apps, there are your typical Google applications, as well as Google Play, allowing you to download whatever you would like.

As for the design, the phone features a sliding display, and when it is slid up, it reveals a full QWERTY keyboard. "OG" DROID, you must be loving this. A front-facing speaker also looks to grace the frontside, with a camera featuring OIS in the back. Today, @evleaks tweeted a leaked GIF, teasing the design of the upcoming device. If the BlackBerry Venice does indeed launch on all four major US carriers this November, will you be tempted?

Eye candy. pic.twitter.com/GtJwOfOus8

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 19, 2015

Via: @evleaks [2] [3]

Deal: Grab These Jarv Nmotion PRO Bluetooth Earbuds for $29.99

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:32:46 +0000

On the DL Deals Store, you can grab a set of Jarv Nmotion PRO Bluetooth Eardbuds for $30, regularly priced at $70. Featuring APTX technology for "seamless streaming" of CD quality audio from any Bluetooth device, this ultra-light headset will offer up to 6 hours of playtime on each charge. The headset also features low power consumption, improved connectivity, a secure fit for walking/running, and holds a Bluetooth connection from up to 33-ft away. Follow the link down below to pick them up. Features

Outstanding rich sound
APTX technology for seamless streaming of CD quality audio from any Bluetooth device
Ultra-light, seemingly weightless design
Snug, secure fit for walking, running & working out
Solid Bluetooth connectivity from up to 33-ft away
Lower power consumption, improved connectivity
Up to 6 hours of playtime on each charge

Deal Link

Verizon HTC One M9 Receiving Android 5.1 Tomorrow, Includes Stagefright Patch

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 14:49:36 +0000

HTC's Mo Versi took to Twitter this afternoon, confirming that the One M9 on Verizon will begin to receive its Android 5.1 OTA update starting tomorrow. Included in the update is a patch for Stagefright, as well as the enabling of bands 3 and 7 for roaming. Are you the owner of a One M9 on Verizon? Then you best be on the lookout tomorrow.

Via: @moversi

Republic Wireless Soon to Roll Out Cell to WiFi Handover Updates

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 14:17:20 +0000

Back in July, Republic Wireless began testing "Salsa" with customers, a codename for the Republic Labs #2 project. The project was for testing cell to WiFi handover, and now, testing appears to be complete, with Republic Wireless set to begin rolling out the feature to users over the next week. During testing, Republic Wireless states they had 1,800 folks helping and providing feedback, ultimately seeing improved voice offload by at least three percentage points. What this means, simply, is that more calls were placed over WiFi than cell. And for Republic Wireless, this is a good thing.

Three points may not sound like a lot, but every minute of additional time spent on WiFi helps us continue to offer services like our more-popular-than-ever $10 Talk & Text plan. How? Because it costs us more to power your calls on cell than your calls on WiFi — and we are committed to maintaining great pricing for our members, however we can.

Owners of a device on Republic Wireless, DEFYs and 2nd Gen Moto Xs running Kit Kat excluded, should see an update hit their device soon. For additional information on the updates, look here.

Via: Republic Wireless

Lara Croft GO Coming to Android on August 27 for $4.99

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:58:29 +0000

If you were a fan of Hitman GO, the puzzle-like game from Square Enix, you will be happy to learn that a new title, Lara Croft GO, is set to hit Google Play on August 27 for $4.99. In this game, modeled with the same type of gameplay seen in Hitman GO, you move your character a single space, ultimately trying to reach the end of a level. In these levels, other pieces of the board will try to harm you, so you must use your brain to outplay the obstacles and achieve objectives. The game is set to launch onto Google Play August 27 for the price of $4.99. As soon as Lara Croft GO is live, we shall let you know.

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Via: Square Enix

Best Buy Hosting Clearance on Nexus 9 Tablets, 16GB Model for $359 (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:05:06 +0000

For anyone looking to scoop up a tablet, Best Buy is now listing all Black variants of the Nexus 9 as "clearance items," marking them down from $40 to $48. For your standard 16GB model in Black, the price is set at $360, down from its usual price of $400. For 32GB in Black, your price is $432, down from the MSRP of $480. Do note, the Lunar White models are not currently listed as clearance, and neither of the tablets on sale feature LTE connectivity. These are the bare-bones, WiFi-only models. The Nexus 9 is still a solid purchase decision in the tablet category, but may soon be replaced by whatever comes during the holiday season. We may not get a new Nexus tablet from Google this year, but there is never a lack of choices in the category. If a Nexus 9 suits your needs, follow the links below. Update: If you would like to save a bit extra, Amazon has the same tablets on sale, with the 16GB priced at $336.86 and 32GB priced at $364.90. Thanks for the heads up, Damian! Best Buy Links: Nexus 9 16GB Black | 32GB Black

Cheers jstew182!

Manage Your Project Fi Account on Any Android 5.1+ Device Thanks to App Update

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 11:00:55 +0000

For users on Project Fi, the official application found on Google Play has been updated, now supporting all Android devices running 5.1+. The Nexus 6 is still the only Project Fi compatible device, but with this update, users can at least manage their account on other devices with the app installed. In addition to that change, users will benefit from an improved International roaming experience, with "more reliable" country detection. Google also states improvements to activation and connectivity have been made. Check out the changelog below, then go grab it. What's New

Account management from devices other than your Nexus 6! The app now works on any phone or tablet running Android 5.1 and up. More info here: https://goo.gl/9FR6UH
Improved international roaming experience - more reliable country detection for a better Project Fi experience when you’re traveling!
Improvements to activation and connectivity experience

Play Link

Via: +Justine Rivero (Invite Needed)

Deal: Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 Car Charger for $9.49 With Discount Code

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 09:49:09 +0000

Thanks to a promotional code we have handy, you can pick up an Aukey Qualcomm-certified Quick Charge 2.0 car charger for the price of just $9.49. With a list price of $50, and already heavily discounted, the promotional code takes off an additional $7.50 from the sale price. It's a steal. The charger features two ports, one for QC 2.0 and the other a more standard voltage, capable of charging two devices, even iOS. Once added to your cart, simply input the promotion code listed below, then you will see your price drop to under $10. For owners with a compatible device, it's certainly worth the price. Promotion Code: ZSBP8QMP Amazon Link

DEAL: New Unlocked Galaxy S6 for Just $469

Kellen — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 08:45:53 +0000

Looking for the best price on a Samsung Galaxy S6? This is it. A current daily deal going on over at eBay for an unlocked GSM Galaxy S6 for $469 is about the best price we have seen to date. Remember, this phone launched at most US carriers for close to $700, so we are looking at over a $200 discount. This is the international unlocked model of SM-G920i and works great on either AT&T or T-Mobile. This is an unlocked GSM phone, so don't expect it to work on Verizon or Sprint. The deal includes 32GB black, white, gold, and blue models, all for $469, along with free shipping. Deal Link

Pocket Casts Updated With 'Nearby' Tab for Easy Podcast Discovery

Tim — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 08:30:04 +0000

The Pocket Casts application for Android, or Pocket Cats as I like to call it, received a major update on Google Play this week, introducing a "Nearby" tab for a more personal podcast discovery experience. Now, when you and fellow users are close to one another, and both users have this feature enabled, you can share your favorite podcasts, all without saying a word. But talking to strangers is sometimes good, so don't rule that out completely. If you are not already using Pocket Casts, Ron made a pretty good case for why people should be, citing the app's hard-working developers and timely updates. Back in March, the app received a complete makeover to Material Design. To top it all off, Pocket Casts lists a few bug fixes and optimizations in the official changelog on Google Play. If you love podcasts, such as The Droid Life Show, go grab it. Play Link

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Via: Shift Jelly

Google Posts Newer Android 6.0 Preview 3 Builds of MPA44I

Kellen — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 08:08:35 +0000

Last night, Google posted new image files of the Android 6.0 Marshmallow Preview 3 for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player as build MPA44I. We aren't sure why the sudden update was released, but they must have found something needing immediate attention. The preview build was MPA44G. You can grab the files at the download link below for each device. You’ll find factory image flashing instructions here. Download Links If you don't want to flash these images, hang tight and we'll do our best to get you over-the-air (OTA) links as they roll out.

Is Verizon Supporting Samsung Pay? They are Still "Evaluating" It.

Kellen — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 07:29:47 +0000

Quick, take a look at this Samsung Pay website, scroll to the section in the middle that lists partners, and tell me who is missing. It's obvious, isn't it? Verizon is missing. Since Verizon is missing and the world just realized this fact yesterday, the internet got caught up in a series of "Verizon isn't supporting Samsung Pay!" stories. Of course, those stories were developed from Twitter conversations with social media support handlers, which aren't exactly go-to spokepersons for either Verizon or Samsung. And because of that, their word isn't exactly the one you should go on. We reached out to Verizon yesterday to get an official statement and were told basically what we expected to be told, that they are still evaluating the service. Here is the statement:

We are in the process of evaluating Samsung Pay and we will keep our customers updated on any news regarding the service.

See. No where does that say, "We, Verizon, are not supporting Samsung Pay." Nope, it says that they are "in the process of evaluating" it. If you have followed this industry over the years, you know that Verizon is often slowest to jump on board with just about anything new. They have become famous for snail-like testing processes of new phones, new services, and maybe more importantly to this topic, mobile payment systems. So, look, Verizon is more than likely going to get all up in the Samsung Pay train before this all plays out. If you are looking to compare this to the Google Wallet situation, you probably shouldn't. They had their Google Wallet battle for years because they had their own product to push. With Samsung Pay, I'm not seeing a reason for them to not be a part of the program. This just seems like a similar situation to the one we saw play out with the Nexus 7 LTE years ago, where Verizon wouldn't activate them because they hadn't passed all of their testing procedures. Verizon is probably still just testing the damn thing, as they said in their statement. Also, they have over a month to still test and sign off. Remember, Samsung Pay doesn't launch in the US until September 28. If we get there and Verizon is still "evaluating," let's revisit this topic.

Android Auto Updated to Version 1.2, Includes Slightly Tweaked UI for Home Screen

Tim — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:23:52 +0000

An update to version 1.2 for the Android Auto application on Google Play will result in users seeing an updated UI on head units, one which lends a bit more functionality to those who listen to music or use navigation from the Home screen. Following the update, an arrow icon will appear on your Navigation card on the Home screen, and a Pause or Play button will appear on Music cards. Basically, if you are using those apps, but are currently on the Home screen, these will allow you quick access to features within the application. In addition, the cards for these apps have been slightly enlarged. In the changelog, Google also states the update includes "bug fixes and improvements." If you rock Android Auto in your vehicle, go grab the update. Play Link

Deal: Get a Secondary, Private Phone Number With Added Security for $50

Tim — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:34:03 +0000

On the DL Deals Store, you can pick up your very own secondary phone number, offering much more than just an alternate line for people to contact you. With a Hushed Private Phone Number, priced at $50, you can place calls and send text messages from a private number without any monthly fees, keeping yourself off the books completely. During setup, users can choose from 100's of different area codes from the US and Canada, and apply a custom voicemail. From inside the application, your contacts can be managed, or set up call forwarding settings. The goal of this service is to allow you the ability to talk to whoever you want, with no one else knowing about it. If that is your type of thing, then by all means, check it out. Although, if a secondary number is all you are after, then Google Voice is always a solid option. Features

Use included credits towards a combination of 1100 SMS or 500 phone minutes per year (North America 365 Plan)
Make calls & send texts from a private phone number without monthly fees
Choose from 100’s of area codes across the US & Canada
Manage your communication from a single app
Access one lifetime number per account
Customize your voicemail
Set up call forwarding settings
Utilize Wi-Fi or data while you chat so you don’t incur service charges

Deal Link

Moto X Play Hits Canada on Friday, Looks All Sorts of US Compatible Though

Kellen — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:14:15 +0000

The Moto X Play, Motorola's battery beast that is avoiding the US like Sepp Blatter after an election, arrives in Canada this Friday, August 21! That's noteworthy for US customers because it appears - at least according to Motorola's spec sheet for the phone - that the X Play will work perfectly on your favorite US GSM networks. Here are the supported bands:

XT1563
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1700 (AWS), 1900, 2100 MHz)
4G LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28)

See, we have all of the correct GSM bands, but we also have T-Mobile's LTE bands of 2, 4, and 12, along with AT&T's of 2, 4, and 17. Priced at around $299, this is one of those phones that you might want to strongly consider, assuming we can find a way to get it across that border. With its 5.5-inch 1080p display and massive 3630mAh battery, this phone should go and go and go without needing to be charged. Couple those two specs with a new 21MP camera, 16GB of storage (with SD slot), Turbo Charger-readiness, water resistance, and a sleek Moto-esque design, and you have one heck of a budget-minded phone that doesn't skimp (hear that, OnePlus?). Stay tuned as we try and figure out a way for you to be able to buy this phone, without paying ridiculous import pricing. Also, remember to avoid the UK and European models, as they don't support US LTE bands at all. You want model XT1563 of the Moto X Play. Give me.

Via: @Motorola_CA | Motorola

Humble PC and Android Bundle Nets You Seven Playable Mobile and Desktop Games

Tim — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:24:53 +0000

The latest Humble Bundle available is a mixture of PC and Android games, titled the Humble PC and Android Bundle. Inside, users who pay more than the average price -- currently set at just $2.70 -- receive seven playable titles on both desktops and Android devices. After about a week, more games will become playable as they are announced. For games, this collection is offering Crimsonland, Neverending Nightmares, Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians, FOTONICA, TinyKeep, Crowntakers, and Monster Loves You. In total, the collection is valued at over $100, all currently redeemable for a little under $3. And do note, you can have your money funneled directly to two different charities, the American Red Cross and Electronic Frontier Foundation. It's a win-win. If the bundles feel good to you, follow the link below. Humble Bundle Link

Verizon Galaxy S4 Gets Stagefright Patch, Bunch of Bug Fixes in Update

Kellen — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:18:51 +0000

Stagefright patches continue to rollout to most of Samsung's phones, with older models now getting in on the party. Verizon's Galaxy S4 is the latest, thanks to an update that also includes more bug fixes than I can even list out. The update will land on your phone as build VRUGOF1 and can be pulled by heading into Settings>About phone>Software updates>Check for updates>Download now. The full changelog can be viewed at the link below.

Via: Verizon

Fossil Intros Intel-Powered Android Wear Smartwatch

Tim — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:49:36 +0000

Today at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), Fossil announced a new Android Wear smartwatch, powered by an Intel mobile processor. Fossil kept details, such as specs and availability tightly guarded, but the public can expect to see the device launch around the holiday season. The watch appears to be similar to the Moto 360 in overall design, with the exception of the lugs. A power button looks to be in the same 3 o'clock position, and sadly, a black bar rests at the bottom of the display, the same as is seen on the Moto 360. Other than that, buyers can expect leather bands, with Silver or Gold bezel and bodies. Fossil's want to release a wearable is no shocker, as they were announced as an early partner of Android Wear, but that was back in March of 2014. We certainly were not expecting to wait this long for an actual device. With TAG teasing their device, and now with Fossil launching their own, are you excited for a new lineup of fashion-first Android Wear devices?

Via: Engadget | Gizmodo

Video Comparison: Galaxy Note 5 vs. Galaxy Note 4

Kellen — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:05:42 +0000

With our Samsung Galaxy Note 5 unboxing out of the way, we're moving onto a Galaxy Note 5 vs. Galaxy Note 4 comparison, since I'm sure many Note 4 owners are contemplating an upgrade to the new beast. While the Note 5 has some significant changes from the Note 4 (both good and bad), I would argue that the overall package is quite impressive compared to any phone. As you will see in the video and images below, these two phones still look quite similar yet are very different at the same time. They have their large QHD displays, S Pens, and Note-clusive software packages, but they differ in that the Note 5 is very much a large take on the Galaxy S6. It features plenty of glass, as well as a full metal frame. It also has a truly ergonomic feel to its backside, thanks to subtle curves on each edge. Gone is the faux leather, in is an ultra premium build. Of course, we can't talk about the Note 5 without mentioning its missing SD card slot, lack of a IR blaster, and non-removable battery. Those three things missing might be dealbreakers for some. Here is our Note 5 vs. Note 4 comparison.

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RootMetrics: 4th Consecutive Overall Network Performance Award Goes to Verizon

Tim — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 10:34:22 +0000

RootMetrics, a 3rd-party independent researcher, released its findings for the first half of 2015, detailing a pretty big win for Verizon. For the 4th consecutive time, Big Red has earned top honors across the nation for overall network performance, topping the charts in 47 states across the United States. In total, Verizon walked away with 110 awards, with AT&T grabbing 68. Bringing up the rear is T-Mobile with 27 and Sprint with 7. These awards are based on various categories, such as Network Reliability, Network Speed, and Data in differing markets across the country. On the RootMetrics site, you can view detailed reports from each part of the country that was tested, as well as who the best carrier is within that general area. Verizon's Chief Network Officer wanted to share the news personally, posting a video onto Verizon's blog, and even took a little dig at T-Mobile. You can watch that below.

Via: RootMetrics | Verizon

Deal: Moto 360 With Metal Band Just $149 at Best Buy

Kellen — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 09:57:07 +0000

A few weeks ago, Motorola and its retail partners dropped the Moto 360 to its lowest price yet at $149 for leather band models and $199 for metal band models. Today, Best Buy took it a step further and dropped metal band versions to $149 as well. That's a pretty substantial discount, especially when you consider the fact that Motorola is still charging $199 for metal variants. Keep in mind that a new Moto 360 could be here any day. We've seen it cruise through the FCC and show up accidentally on Motorola's Instagram account. But if you want a great deal on what is still the best looking Android Wear watch on the market, now would be the time. Best Buy Link

Cheers Marc!

Google and TP-LINK Intro OnHub WiFi Router for the Home

Tim — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 09:55:56 +0000

This morning, Google announced a partnership with TL-LINK, introducing the OnHub WiFi router, made specifically for residential homes. The router is no ordinary box with blinking lights, usually needing to be reset every now and then due to unresponsiveness. Instead, this is a "smart router," featuring over-the-air updates, an app to control it, and much more. Inside the OnHub application, users can view how much data their home uses on how many devices, plus, the master of the house can set Priority devices, potentially leading to fewer dropped signals for your most used devices. In addition, the OnHub router features a circular built-in antenna for better signal coverage inside any given space. For specs, the OnHub features 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, and includes "next-generation technologies" like Bluetooth Smart Ready, Weave, and 802.15.4. This essentially future-proofs the router, meaning you won't need to replace it anytime soon. And with OTA updates and 4GB of onboard storage, your router will come out of the box, and remain smart. The OnHub is priced at $199 and comes in either Blue or Black. Pre-orders are now live on a long list of retailers. Will you be picking one up? Buy Links: Google Store | Amazon | Newegg | Fry's | Walmart | TP-LINK

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Via: Google

Samsung's Fast Wireless Charger Costs $70

Kellen — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:00:41 +0000

Samsung's new fast wireless charger that was introduced alongside the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ will cost $69.99, according to Samsung's online store. The chargers aren't yet available and are listed as "coming soon," but they will be available in either black or white once the company has them in stock. That price is kind of insanely expensive for a wireless charger, but I can't say that I'm shocked to see it given that this is the first time we are seeing fast wireless charging in a phone and charger. Still, when you can head over to Amazon and buy a fully capable Qi wireless charger for $20, you have to wonder if the tech behind this fast charging is really worth over 3x the price. Any takers? I'm certainly interested. Fast charging has been one of my favorite tech introductions in recent years, so it seems only logical that I consider making the move to fast wireless charging. Then again, I would need to make the Note 5 or S6 Edge+ my daily phone. Choices are tough...and expensive.

Via: Samsung

Cheers Derek!

FYI: Project Ara is Delayed Until 2016, Might Arrive in US First

Kellen — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 07:42:29 +0000

Back in January, the folks behind Project Ara, Google's modular smartphone platform, told us that they planned to launch in 2015 in Puerto Rico out of a food truck of sorts. Well, it's mid-August and those plans have changed. Last week, the Project Ara Twitter account awoke after a couple of months of silence to announce that they were "recalculating" their launch out of Puerto Rico. Then yesterday, they Tweeted that they will likely arrive in the US instead, with new locations being announced "soon." As it turns out, "soon" will be 2016. Why? Because "Lots of iterations...more than we thought." So while there aren't many details, the basics are there. Project Ara is delayed until at least 2016, won't launch in Puerto Rico after all, and will probably end up in the US to kickstart the modular phone revolution. We'll keep you updated as we have more.

Via: @ProjectAra

Galaxy Note 5 Unboxing and First Impressions!

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:53:28 +0000

Samsung has done the Galaxy Note 5 launch right. Instead of announcing the phone and then making us wait a month or more before we could buy it, they announced it and then made it almost immediately available for pre-order with an in-store arrival date of just a week later. For many, pre-orders have already arrived on doorsteps. This is how all phone launches should be done, if you ask us. Now that we are back from Samsung's NYC event and have one in house, it's time to get to reviewing it. First, we thought we would do a quick Galaxy Note 5 unboxing to get the juices flowing. This way, you all get to see the beginning of our journey with this phone as a daily deivce, another tour of it in an environment not filled with a few hundred other journalists, and if our impressions have changed within the last few days. So, this is our unboxing and first impressions of the Galaxy Note5!

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T-Mobile Skipping Galaxy Note 5 Pre-Orders, Purchase Device Starting Tomorrow

Tim — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:43:40 +0000

T-Mobile's CEO, the one and only John Legere, announced today through Twitter that the company would be skipping the pre-order process entirely for the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, and instead, will accept orders for the device beginning tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6am PST. Once your order goes through, Legere states that T-Mobile will ship your device, "ASAP." Samsung made a great move, making this device available shortly after announcement, allowing the hype to continue and not die out. Those who ordered the phone through AT&T and Verizon are already receiving their orders, delighting many who had hoped Samsung would not wait long to launch the device following the unveiling. To learn more about these new phones from Samsung, check out our coverage from the unveiling here. Will you be purchasing one of these devices?

Via: @JohnLegere

Official Android Marshmallow Statue Reveal

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:40:55 +0000

We know that you have been keeping up with all of today's Android 6.0 Marshmallow talk, including our ongoing list of "What's new," the new boot animation, behind the scenes video of the name unveiling, download links for the latest preview, and the new wallpapers, but there was still one item we have all been waiting for - the official statue reveal video. That video is now live. It features a bunch of Googlers waiting around for the statue's sheet to be pulled, so that they can all snap pictures and snack on whatever the treat is underneath. Even with their factory screen protectors on, Googlers always seem to enjoy the occasion. Mmmm, marshmallows.

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Google Intros Dedicated Hangouts Webpage for Calls and Messages

Tim — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 14:13:17 +0000

Google now has a dedicated web URL for Hangouts users, with the service now residing at https://hangouts.google.com/. Here, you can access all of your chat information, start up new messages, find contacts, and place calls through the service. It's basically a glorified extension, something that already exists inside of Gmail and for Chrome Browser users, but hey, more choices! In the navigation drawer, you can find links to where you can download Hangouts for your chosen platform, such as Chrome OS, iOS, and Android. Although, if you are reading this, I assume you are on Android and already have Hangouts installed. Go play with it. It's pretty. Google Hangouts

Weather Network Launches Live App for Android TV

Tim — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:09:49 +0000

The Weather Network launched an official application for the Android TV platform today, bringing live weather and even traffic updates directly to your HDTV. The app displays a forecast when not in use, giving you accurate information at a glance. When the app is opened, you can view detailed weather information as close as 0.6 miles of where you are using a US zip code. Other features include radar and traffic flow maps, allowing users to keep an eye on local traffic conditions, as well as a Voice Control functionality that grants you access to weather, videos, photos, and other features by using your gorgeous speaking voice. The app is free to download from Google Play directly to your Android TV set-top box, so have at it.

Features

IP targeted localized forecasts: Available for both the Live Channel and interactive app, personalized and localized forecasts are available, showing current and upcoming weather conditions.
PointCast technology: Available for both the Live Channel and interactive app, PointCast technology provides weather information as close as 0.6 miles of where you are using a US zip code.
Enhanced weather content: Current, Hourly, 36 Hours and 14 Day forecasts are provided for a user’s favorite locations.
Video gallery: A collection of video on demand clips, including a Global Force of Nature video series, showcase images of the latest active and major weather events happening around the world.
Weather, Radar and Traffic Flow maps: With support from pan and zoom functionality, users can keep an eye on up-to-date weather, radar and traffic maps.
Voice control: Using simple voice commands, weather, videos and photos are searchable via voice activation.

Play Link

Download: New Android 6.0 Wallpapers (Marshmallow Preview 3)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:44:58 +0000

In Preview 3 of Android 6.0, Google included a handful of new wallpapers, all of which we have for you below. Some of the new wallpapers will look like releases from the past because of their aerial views, but Google also mixed in new colors and textures into many. There are 9 wallpapers in total. You'll find four of them below, along with a .zip full of all 9. To see the rest of the changes we have found so far, be sure to check out our What's New in Android 6.0 post. Download Link

How to: Turn on System UI Tuner in Android 6.0 Marshmallow Preview 3

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:17:43 +0000

The System UI Tuner that was first introduced in Android M's preview 1 and 2 is back again in Android 6.0's preview 3, only it's not as easy to find as it once was. In fact, Google has completely hidden the setting unless you perform a secret action to enable it. To enable System UI Tuner in Android 6.0 Marshmallow preview 3, pull down your notification shade and long-press on the Settings gear icon for up to 5 seconds. Once you let go, you should see a pop-up with the message "Congrats! System UI Tuner has been added to Settings." And as that message suggests, you can head into settings, scroll to the bottom, and find an option for System UI Tuner. With it enabled, you can then tweak your quick toggle tiles, add or remove items from the status bar, and even enter Demo Mode.

To turn it back off, tap the action overflow menu from within the System UI Tuner section and choose to turn it off. You can also long-press on the Settings icon again for 5 seconds. To read up on the System UI Tuner, be sure to check this post of ours.

Cheers @synergetikinc!

What's New in Android 6.0 Marshmallow Developer Preview 3 (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:45:11 +0000

As I'm sure you saw, Google announced that Android M is now officially Android 6.0 Marshmallow. They even have a new statue to celebrate the naming. But even though we have a name and build number, we are still in the developer preview stage before this goes stable and to your non-Nexus Android device. The latest preview is developer preview 3 (now available for download), which Google has said is a "final incremental update." Because of that, we aren't expecting a need for a bunch of hands-on posts with major changes like we did with preview 1 and 2. Instead, we'll try to gather it all in this single post with updates as we find more. Here we go.

First things first, but yes, they have changed the version number in the latest developer preview to 6.0. It said "M" up until today, so that's cleaned up. As for the Easter Egg that we always look for, it's still just the shruggy face (¯\_(ツ)_/¯) that we saw from preview 1 and 2.

If you have the System UI Tuner enabled and settings tweaked, Google is letting you know by adding a wrench icon next to the Settings icon in the notification shade.

Note: The System UI Tuner has been hidden in this preview and is no longer listed in your Developer Options. If you want to enable it, you need to long-press on the Settings icon in the notification shade for a few seconds. Once you let go, you will see a note saying that you have enabled it. From there, you can head into system settings, scroll to the bottom, and find the SystemUI Tuner menu. To turn it back off, grab the action overflow menu from within the SystemUI Tuner area and toggle it off. Full instructions to turn it back on or off can be found here. Here is the pretty new boot animation:

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Update 1: Here are the new wallpapers introduced in this build. [Download Link]

More coming...

Huawei Nexus Gets Case Schematic Render Treatment

Tim — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:24:38 +0000

Just last Friday, we may have got our first glimpse at what to expect from the LG-made Nexus device for 2015, followed by an actual photo of the supposed device this morning. Now, the same is being done for the Huawei-made Nexus smartphone, as 3rd-party renders have been made from measurements sent out to case manufacturers. From what we know, detailed by countless reports and rumors, the Huawei Nexus will be larger than the LG Nexus, featuring a reported 5.7" QHD display, plus a fingerprint reader on its backside (same as the LG Nexus). Along the bottom, a USB Type-C port sits, with dual front-facing speakers gracing the face of the phone. And for anyone who keeps track, the 3.5mm headphone jack appears to be on the topside. Other than that, the device looks rather bland, somewhat reminiscent of an older iPhone -- at least to our trained eyes. With the leaks happening left and right, and with Google making Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" completely official, we should be close to an unveiling. Real close.

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Via: uSwitch

Here is the New Android 6.0 Marshmallow Boot Animation!

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:16:38 +0000

Here is the brand new Android 6.0 Marshmallow boot animation! Ooooh. Awwww. And back to digging into what's new. Update: We are compiling a list of Android 6.0 preview 3 changes here!

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Developer Preview 3 Now Available! (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:34:26 +0000

UPDATE 8/19: Google has already posted even newer images. Find them here.

Google just made Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" official, but along with that news, they also released the final M Developer Preview (MPA44G) for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 9. The images are up, but there will also be over-the-air (OTA) updates for those not interested in flashing images. You can grab the files at the download link below for each device. You'll find factory image flashing instructions here. Download Links Note: The update is likely nothing major, as Google states the following.

Developer Preview 3 is the final incremental update to the Android M preview platform that was originally released in May 2015. The update includes final APIs and the official Android 6.0 SDK, as well as near-final system images for testing your apps. The updated system images bring a variety of fixes and enhancements across the system, including those related to issues reported by developers through the external issue tracker.

Update: We are compiling a list of changes here!

Android M is Marshmallow! (Updated: Android 6.0 Too!)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:23:15 +0000

Yeah! Android M is now official as "Marshmallow!" It's also Android 6.0! Well, we guessed that right. Update: Shortly after the statue unveiling, Google also told us that Marshmallow will be known as Android 6.0. Starting today, the final Developer Preview has been released along with the official Android 6.0 SDK. The new preview will rollout over-the-air (OTA) or can be flashed through factory images. Update 2: Here is the new boot animation!

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Update 3: Here is the behind the scenes footage of the new statue!

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Update 4: We are compiling a list of changes here!

Update 5: Here is the official statue reveal.

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Via: +Alex Ruiz | @Tojiro | Android Developers Blog

DL Favorites: Gallery Apps

Ron — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:10:21 +0000

DLF, or Droid Life's Favorites, 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 gallery apps. Even though we call the tiny computers in our pockets "phones," I like to think of them as communications devices. I use my "phone" almost exclusively as a means of communication. Sometimes I use my voice, sometimes text, sometimes I'm receiving messages from others, and a lot of the time I'm taking, viewing, and sending pictures. Below are my favorite apps to view and organize my pictures and videos.

Google Photos

It should come as no surprise that my favorite way to view my photos and videos is with Google Photos. Google Photos is more than a gallery, of course, allowing you to upload all of your photographs to the cloud for free at high quality or you can pay to upload everything in full quality and pay for the Google Drive storage you need. It's a fantastic deal, but that alone would only make it comparable to all the other photo services out there. Google Photos isn't like everything else, though; Google Photos is magic. I've spent hours and hours organizing my photos in Dropbox only to find a month later that even more organization is needed and it's still difficult to find the picture I really want to see. Google Photos solves all of those problems and more. To try and put it lightly, Google Photos is one of the best products to come to market in the last ten to twenty years. That's how good it is. So what makes Google Photos so good for browsing and organizing? In order to browse photos you usually have to decide what you're looking for specifically and then find it based on how it's organized. Most people probably organize their photos based around date and then maybe break photos into folders for location or events or months. With Google Photos you don't have to do any of this. Just tap search and select what you want. Want to find pictures of dogs? Type dog. Pictures of your sister? Tap her picture under the people section. Pictures from your vacation in 2004. Type vacation 2004. It's that simple and yes, the vast, vast majority of the time it really works. Are you a photographer who shoots in RAW? Google Photos will actually show you those files, something the competition (read Dropbox) doesn't do on mobile or web. If for some reason you've been holding back and haven't tried Google Photos, stop what you're doing and start using it. I would still recommend keeping a second copy of everything (either by also using something like Dropbox or remembering to download a copy of everything new every so often if you have lots of free time), but make Google Photos your primary photo solution now. Play Link

Focus

Maybe you like Google Photos and use it, but you want a way to browse and categorize photos on your phone locally for a specific project. Or maybe you just hate the cloud and want to sync your photos locally but still have a nice way to browse and organize photos. If that's you, take a look at Focus. Focus is a brand new gallery app that automatically organizes your photos for you under tags. It defaults to using tags like Camera, Videos, Download, Instagram, etc. but you can add tags like Family, Art, Food, Nature, Travel and more. Focus also allows you to view full EXIF data for photographs. In addition to this, if you unlock the Premium features for $3.79 you can add custom tags to your photos for organization (think Gmail labels for your photos). This is vastly superior to folder organization because you can label a photo with multiple tags. For example, I can label a photo from my brother's birthday party with "Calvin's Birthday Party 2014" and "Calvin" and "Cake" and then find that photo with any of those tags. Focus has a few other great Premium features. Focus lets you set a passcode for the app for when you want to show a friend a photo without having to hand over all of your photographs. You can even manage your tags so that the app only shows you the tagged photos, or collections, you want to see. So, for example, if you never want to see screenshots you can remove those from the normal gallery view. Premium also unlocks a night mode and gives you access to future features like Google Photos integration. Focus is free on the Google Play Store. Play Link

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Between Google Photos and Focus you should be able to organize your photos in a breeze. Let us know in the comments how you organize your photos.

Giveaway: $300 in Google Play Gift Cards Up for Grabs!

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:20:28 +0000

Apologies for us not hosting a Google Play gift card giveaway in a while, but with smartphone release schedules getting moved around this year, we have been a bit busy. To make up for it, we're going pretty big this time around with $300 in gift cards for 18 different winners. This is probably our biggest gift card giveaway to date. Well, we have given away $300 before, but not to 18 different people. This time, we are handing out 10 $10 gift cards, along with another 8 $25 gift cards. Your chances of winning are better than they have ever been. The contest runs from right now until tomorrow morning. When it finishes, we'll email winners and then send over redemption codes. Within minutes of being chosen, you can begin enjoying free cash. As always, we went with Rafflecopter to manage the contest. There are a number of ways to enter, so choose which way you find easiest. The more you enter, though, the more chances you have to win. Ready?

Giveaway

Prizes: We have 10 (ten) $10 Google Play gift cards and 8 (eight) $25 Google Play gift cards for 18 winners. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: Our 18 winners will be chosen at random tomorrow morning (August 18) at 10AM Pacific.

AT&T's $60 GoPhone Accounts Gain 4GB of Usable Data in Canada, Mexico

Tim — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:03:43 +0000

For AT&T customers using the $60 a month GoPhone plan, the carrier is making the 4GB of high-speed data on your account usable for travel in the countries of Mexico and Canada. Not new, but definitely noteworthy, when users pay with Auto Refill, they also save $5 on their monthly bill, bringing the total to $55 a month for 4GB of high-speed data in the US and across the border on both sides. These GoPhone accounts also feature AT&T's Rollover feature, where unused data amounts carry over for a 30 day period. Lastly, if you don't plan on traveling to Canada or Mexico, but do know people there, AT&T is adding unlimited talk and text to mobile and landlines inside those countries. Check it out.

Via: AT&T

Forget the Renders: This is Probably the LG Nexus 5 (2015)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 07:09:45 +0000

Prior to the weekend, renders of the LG Nexus 5 (2015) surfaced that were allegedly created by schematics given to case makers. We wouldn't normally get too excited about these had they arrived via case maker hawking their latest products, but they were created instead by tech websites looking to provide imagery of the device sans case in its potentially real form. Yesterday, a new image surfaced that is in no way a render. This image, as far a we can tell, is of the actual device in the wild, in someone's hand. What we have here is a white LG Nexus 5 (2015) with "NOT FOR SALE" note burned into the body just above the "NEXUS" logo. While this isn't the greatest picture ever taken, it's far from the worst when it comes to blurry cam leaks. The phone looks identical to those renders from last week, only a bit more polished. We have the camera nipple/hump, fingerprint sensor situated just below it, and a flash with laser autofocus set off to the top left. The phone's finish appears to be a matte white, similar to what we saw on the original Nexus 5 and Nexus 9. It's clean, simple, and completely Google. And is it just me, or does that sticker say LGH791? Is that our model number? Other thoughts?

Via: +Inno Yudha

Cheers Marco, Markus, Reyad, Aaron, R, and everyone else!

Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+

Kellen — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 20:22:22 +0000

On this episode of the DL Show, we're talking Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ for sure, now that each phone is official and Tim spent some time with them. We'll react, discuss our favorite parts of each, if we are considering one, etc. We also want to talk the latest in Nexus rumors, possible Moto X Pure Edition and Moto 360 (2nd gen) whoopsies from Motorola, what Android M will be, and more. We will kick the show off live at 2:00PM Pacific (5:00PM Eastern).

Don't Miss These Android Stories: August 14, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 16:30:02 +0000

What a damn week. I thought last week was busy, but man, all sorts of amazing things popped up this week. Not only did Tim spend a bunch of time with the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ after Samsung announced them, but they teased their new round watch, Motorola whoopsied on the new Moto 360 and Moto X Pure Edition, we got Hangouts 4.0, I reviewed the new Moto G (3rd gen), we saw what will likely be the LG Nexus 5, and listened to Larry Page tell us that Google is now run by Alphabet (or something). Crazy. To catch up on the week that was before we get into a half-dozen or so reviews, jump below.

WATCH: Droid Life Show episode 89 [Subscribe]
GALAXY NOTE 5: Hands-on tour | Pre-orders | Specs | Intro video.
Galaxy S6 Edge+: Hands-on tour | Specs | Fast wireless charging.
Samsung Pay launches on September 28.
This is the Samsung Gear S2 round watch. And one more time.
Motorola probably just teased the new Moto 360, on accident.
They also just told us the release date of the Moto X Pure Edition, on accident.
Review: Moto G (3rd gen) is a great little phone.
Nexus: This is probably what the LG Nexus 5 (2015) looks like.
Android M: What's it gonna be?
AT&T introduced slightly tweaked Mobile Share Value plans today.
Fallout Shelter is now on Android.
Huawei Watch might finally be here.
Jaybird announced new X2 headphones.
Free: $90 in free apps from Amazon right now.
Poll: Which new phone are you buying?
No Snapdragon 820 until 2016.
Stagefright: Here are the new patches for Nexus devices. (They may or not have worked.)
Question: Thoughts on Hangouts 4.0?
Google is now Alphabet. Sort of.

All-Way burger FTW.

Enter the Double Nexus Giveaway and Win a Nexus 6 and 9

Tim — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 15:46:55 +0000

Over the course of the following month, you have the opportunity to enter for your chance to win both, a Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, from the DL Deals Store. To enter is simple. All you need is a valid email address (how the winner will be contacted), and to gain additional entries, you can tweet the contest or share with your friends. Once the contest ends, we will reach out to our one lucky winner of both devices. For complete instructions on how to enter, read below. How to Enter

Submit your email address and click ENTER NOW (Make sure it’s valid as this is where we’ll contact the winner)
After entering your email address above, share on Twitter for additional entries. The more your friends and followers enter, the more entries you receive. Good luck!
Be sure to register with a valid email address so we can contact you if you win
Limit one registration per person – registering more than one email address will result in disqualification from this giveaway

Follow the link below and get to it. Giveaway Link

Did Motorola Just Tease the New Moto 360 on Instagram?

Tim — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:43:55 +0000

It's not a stretch to say that many people have been waiting on the arrival of the next Moto 360 from Motorola. After what appeared to be a massive leak in March from Lenovo's CEO, to FCC filings just a couple of weeks ago, we should be pretty close to an official unveiling. Today on Instagram, Motorola posted a short clip featuring a Moto 360 with an unreleased design, but identical to the one detailed back in March. It features the Power button on the top right side of the bezel, as well as lugs to connect the bands. Looking back into previous Moto 360 posts on the account, Motorola has been very good about renders they use for the device, so a slip up like this makes us very curious. Also featured in the video is a "flat tire" or black bottom portion of the display, where last year Motorola placed the ambient light sensor. It is hard to tell from the previous leak whether this black portion will return this year, but it seems many of us hope that it does not. We have placed Motorola's snippet video onto YouTube, just in case they decide to pull the post. What do you think? Did Moto really just give us our first glimpse at the new Moto 360?

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Via: @Motorola

Cheers Samuel!

Google Play Services 7.8 Rolling Out, Includes Mobile Vision API and Nearby Messages API

Tim — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:49:04 +0000

Google Play Services 7.8 is now rolling out for developers, continuing its mission in allowing developers to "build better apps." In this release, Google has new APIs that focus on its previously released Nearby Connections API, as well as a new API called Mobile Vision. In the Mobile Vision API, developers can use the Face API to build applications that not only detect faces, but can recognize if a subject is smiling or not, and to what degree. Smiles are measured from 0.0 to 1.0, with a frown being 0.0 and a full teeth-grinning smile rated at a 1.0. In the below video, Google's Magnus Hyttsten shows a great example of this Mobile Vision API in action. Also included in the Mobile Vision API is a Barcode API, allowing applications to read barcodes during a live video. In addition to Mobile Vision, Google introduced the Nearby Messages API, an extension to the existing Nearby Connections. With this, developers can create a bridge via WiFi or Bluetooth signals to multiple devices, allowing them to share a stream of information to one another. Are you a developer? Check out Google's video below, as well as the complete announcement on the Android Developers blog.

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Via: Android Developers

Robinhood, the Free Stock Trading App, Hits Google Play

Tim — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 10:56:04 +0000

Robinhood, the free-to-use stock trading application once only available for iOS, is now downloadable on Google Play. Robinhood axes the necessity to pay firms to manage your financial transactions, putting you in the driver seat of real-time market data and quotes. Containing a wonderfully Material design, the app makes tracking of stock simplistic with color schemes, indicating the opening and closing of markets. Users can generate their own watchlists from historical data and detailed charts, all protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Even if you are new to trading, the app goes to great length to educate its users on benefits, potential risks, and other factors governing the market. While trading fees won't apply, SEC & FINRA regulatory fees may apply in certain transactions. Interested parties can head over to Google Play and download the app now. Just be ready to fill out a lot of information to get started. Play Link

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This Could be What the LG Nexus 5 (2015) Will Look Like

Kellen — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:03:46 +0000

Long before devices ever fully materialize in public form, case makers get detailed dimensions and "schematics" of them to help build accessories that are available just as the phones they are made for, launch. We see this made public all the time thanks to companies who post teaser imagery of their upcoming cases, even though the phones they were built for haven't been announced. The media gets all giggly and hypebeasty about it, claiming "Leak! Leak! Leak!" yet they often times only represent a shape of what the phone could be and rarely show a leak of the actual phone. And that brings us to today's topic, the LG Nexus 5 (2015). This phone hasn't actually been confirmed on any official level. Right now, all we really have to go on is a codename and some wishy-washy stories out of Korea, yet the following set of images and video claim that the phone could look like what you are seeing here. This is not the actual phone, but these are renders based off of those previously mentioned schematics that are provided to case makers. So what we are getting is the shape of the phone, along with placement of speakers, fingerprint sensor, camera, and flash. This should also show us where things like the headphone jack, SIM tray, mics, and USB Type-C port will sit. So while this isn't the phone, it could look very similar. Case makers do need to know exactly where everything is located on a phone so that their cases fit properly. I'm not ready to throw money down on this being the best look at the phone yet, but it's probably as good as it's going to get until the phone gets closer to a launch later this year. Thoughts?

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Via: uSwitch

OxygenOS 1.0.2 Update for OnePlus One Includes Stagefright Fix

Tim — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:51:30 +0000

For anyone running OxygenOS on the OnePlus One, the company highly recommends that you flash the latest update to 1.0.2, containing a patch for the Stagefright exploit. Once installed, you will no longer need to worry about malicious MMS messages compromising your device. Of course, users will need to flash this update themselves via a recovery, but OnePlus has made the files easily accessible for those who need to perform it. If you need a step-by-step guide on flashing this update to the OnePlus One, you can find that here. And in case you wondered, OnePlus states you do not need to reset your device upon flashing. Head on over to the OP Forums to grab the zip file and zip.md5.

Via: OnePlus Forums

"What's Android M Gonna be?" - We Might Find Out Very Soon.

Kellen — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 07:46:40 +0000

What does the "M" in Android M stand for? WE DON'T KNOW. But we might soon! Googlers Nat and Lo gave us this fun little jingly video this morning, teasing that we might find out within the next week. The description under the clip says "Here’s a little musical hint about our next episode," so since they tend to do weekly videos, next week is a good bet. Keep in mind that if they are preparing the next name and statue, that also means that stable Android M will be out, or at least the final preview. Then we move towards the release of new Nexus devices and a whole new wave of updates that will take months and months to arrive on your favorite phones. Fun! My official guess is Marshmallow. What's yours?

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AT&T Introduces New Mobile Share Value Plans - Drops Some Prices, Tweaks Some Numbers

Kellen — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 07:33:53 +0000

This morning, AT&T unwrapped changes to their Mobile Share Value plans, changes that decrease prices here or there, while bumping up data in others. Some of the changes are also just in-between moves that land in the middle of older plans that are now gone. Mobile Share Value plan options like 1GB ($25) or 3GB ($40) data buckets are now gone and have been replaced by a 2GB $30 option. The 6GB $70 option is gone as well and has been replaced by 5GB for $50. I'll let you decide if that's a deal or not. AT&T also bumped up the $100 data option from 10GB to 15GB and dropped $10 off their 20GB plan, leaving it at $140. This is how AT&T explained it to us:

300MB for $20 – No changes here for our customers who just need a small amount of data.
2GB for $30 – This replaces our 1GB and 3GB plans for $25 and $40, respectively.
5GB for $50– This replaces our $70 for 6GB plan.
15GB for $100 – This is the big one. For $100 you get 15 GB instead of 10GB. This also includes unlimited calling talk/text to Mexico and Canada at no additional cost
20GB for $140 – This replaces our 20GB for $150 plan. Calls / texts to Mexico and Canada included.
25GB for $170 – This is a new option, great for small businesses with multiple lines.
If you need even more data, 30GB, 40GB and 50GB plans are also available. And for business customers, plans up to 200GB are available.

And here is a look at how some of the new plans look with their specific line access fees:

Still confusing. The new plans go live tomorrow.

Via: AT&T

Verizon Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, Tab 4 10.1 Get Updates to 5.1.1 With Stagefright Patches

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:53:07 +0000

Verizon is pushing a handful of Android 5.1.1 updates this afternoon to the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, and Galaxy Tab 4 10.1. Those updates, as you might have guessed, also include "Android security patches" for Stagefright. Outside of the security stuff, the 5.1.1 update for the Galaxy S6 and Edge adds caller name ID to Advanced Calling 1.0, fixes a bunch of bugs, lets you turn the parallax wallpaper mode on or off, and adds a quick camera exposure setting. Hopefully, it doesn't completely destroy the phone's performance like the T-Mobile 5.1.1 update did. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are looking at builds of G920VVRU3BOG5 and G925VVRU3BOG5, respectively. Verizon posted the changelogs for them today, so I would imagine that the updates will begin rolling out tonight or tomorrow. As for the Galaxy Tab 4 10.1, you are looking at a build of T537VVRU3BOG1 and all sorts of new changes. To see them all, check through the changelog below.

Via: Verizon [2] [3]

Fallout Shelter Now Available on Google Play

Tim — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:21:49 +0000

After a long wait, users on Google Play are crying out, "Finally!" as Fallout Shelter is now officially available on Google Play. Priced at completely free to download, players attempt to create the ideal post-nuclear Vault for "dwellers," which are people who live in your underground Vault trying to escape the elements above ground. As the leader, you are tasked with pretty much everything to keep the Vault habitable. You will need to fix up and upgrade your Vault, send dwellers outside to gather supplies, and even arrange relationships to help populate what is left of the world. Yes, it's an odd game, but totally fun. Fallout Shelter is free to download, but does feature in-app purchases. These IAPs are priced from $0.99 to $19.99. Go grab it! Play Link

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Amazon Giving Away $90 Worth of Free Apps and Games

Tim — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:03:50 +0000

Amazon is giving away $90 worth of paid apps and games this week, and they are not garbage titles, either. For a limited time, you can pick up Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Goat Simulator, and Scribblenauts Remix for the price of absolutely nothing. Other apps available for free are Ultimate Hangman HD, Mind Games Pro, Doodle Creatures, Fruit Ninja (5th Anniversary), Bridge Constructor, Trainyard, Photo Lab Pro, and many more. To download these games, you will need the Amazon Appstore installed on your device, but that's a small price to pay in order to get a few of these games for $0. Worth it. Follow the link below to get started. Amazon Link

Here is the Samsung Gear S2 on Wrist

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 14:57:24 +0000

This afternoon, just as Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, and Gear S2 talk had begun to calm, Samsung posted a fashion forward lookbook of all the products. We can admit that we don't necessarily need more beauty shots of the two phones from earlier, but Samsung did toss in a couple of new shots of their round smartwatch on wrist and in hand of a couple of models. Who doesn't want more unreleased product imagery? The images don't necessarily tell us anything new in terms of features or tech, but they do show a better shot of the band and overall design. It's sleek, that's for sure. By no means does it look ridiculously oversized, like some of the previous smartwatches released in the wild. One shot shoes a silver watch body with white strap, while the other could include a black strap, though it's impossible to tell since the photo is in black and white. Overall, the watch looks nice. Unfortunately, this thing will probably be tied exclusively to Samsung devices, so those without a Galaxy device won't have a chance at owning one anyway.

Below are the full images without the models cropped, for those interested. If you want even higher-res goods, hit up the source link for the full lookbook.

Via: Samsung

Thursday Poll: Which New Phone are You Buying?

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 13:14:34 +0000

Within the last month, we have been introduced to four new flagship phones - the Moto X Pure Edition, OnePlus 2, Galaxy Note 5, and Galaxy S6 Edge+. While those phones will either be here in days or a couple of weeks, we also are expecting new Nexus devices within the next few months. Toss in the iPhones that should be here next month and this really is a pretty incredible time to be in the market for a new smartphone. We'll have time for official reviews of each as we receive them to hopefully help you decide, but if you were deciding today, which phone would you buy? [poll id="374"]

Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ Pre-Orders are Now Live!

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:30:29 +0000

Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are now live! Samsung said it would make them available today by 3PM Eastern and they delivered. We have links to Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile devices below to save you a Google search and a few clicks. Keep in mind that T-Mobile is the only one that isn't actually doing a pre-order, but if you at least pre-register before August 21, they will give you a free year of Netflix after buying one of the two phones before September 30. Everyone else will let you pre-order. Most also have promo offers accompanying the devices for a short period of time. Get after it. Verizon:

Galaxy S6 Edge+
Galaxy Note 5

AT&T:

Sprint:

Pre-order for either device

T-Mobile:

Pre-register for either device

Best Buy:

Galaxy S6 Edge+
Galaxy Note 5

Samsung Teased Its New Gear S2 Round Smartwatch Today

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:15:39 +0000

That right there, is the new Samsung Gear S2, the Korean company's next round smartwatch that will be unveiled on September 3 in Berlin at the IFA conference. Samsung showed a quick teaser video of the watch today, during its Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ event. I don't want to say that it stole the show, but it sure has people talking. The video was quick, but it showed a new UI (probably Tizen-based) that looks more Apple Watch-ish than Android Wear. It's heavily black, with round icons that sure mimic that terrible app launcher screen from the Apple Watch. Samsung did show that the apps can be accessed via rotating bezel, which could be a play on Apple's rotating digital crown. The video also showed the watch taking a heartbeat, timing a workout, motivational prompts to move, weather, world clocks, and a handful of watch faces. As for the body, we don't exactly know if this is what the watch will look like. My guess is that it will closely resemble the round metallic watch seen here or Samsung wouldn't have even bothered to include one at all. The watch appears to be made of metal, doesn't have much bezel, and is 100% round. It looks tightly put together, unlike LG's Watch Urbane, which is a disgusting monster of a timepiece, and might look quite clean on wrist. Here are a bunch of screenshots from the clip:

If you would like to watch it yourself, head to the 1:13:29 mark in the video below.

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Well, what do you think?

Look at This Silly Detachable QWERTY Keyboard for the Note 5 and S6 Edge+

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:47:57 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are going to have all sorts of official accessories available to them upon launch. So far, Samsung has announced fast wireless charging pads, fast charging battery packs, clear view cover cases, clear covers, glossy covers, S View covers, Flip wallets, and even Glitter covers. See, there are a ton of options. But one in particular gave us a chuckle while bringing back memories of the days when Blackberry once dominated. It's the detachable QWERTY keyboard cover. Yes, it's real. Samsung has produced this detachable keyboard cover for both the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+, suggesting that it would be great for those "lengthy chatting sessions, emails and social media updates." It has also been "designed for heavy-duty typing" and gets a "dedicated UI when on the front" of the phone. Plus, when you are done, you can swap it around to the back to keep it out of the way. It even has physical navigation buttons that sit atop physical navigation buttons. Homebuttonception. I don't know what to say, really. It's a detachable keyboard! I'm both amused and sort of feeling a need to take it for a spin.

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ Tour

Tim — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:29:01 +0000

Announced this morning alongside the Galaxy Note 5, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S6 edge+, another device for those who enjoy larger displays. This device features identical specs to the Galaxy Note 5, with its 5.7" QHD Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7420 64-bit octa-core processor, 32GB and 64GB of internal storage, 4GB of RAM, 16MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera, 3,000mAh non-removable battery, with TouchWiz running atop Android 5.1.1. In-hand, the S6 edge+ is exactly like the first Galaxy S6 edge, but larger. With the 5.7" display, I found this device somewhat odd to hold, especially since the edges of the display are so thin. On the Galaxy Note 5, this design is reversed, with the edges curving on the back, allowing for a much more comfortable grip of the device. The S6 edge+, however, feels like the exact opposite. Sadly, this device holds no real value over the Galaxy Note 5, unless you truly want those "edge" features. The device comes equipped with Edge Display and People Edge, but from what I found during my review of the Galaxy S6 edge, these features don't exactly offer much in terms of value. For its size, an S-Pen would have made sense to me, but if we are talking about just a purely larger Galaxy S6 edge, I struggle to find the point. Check out the full gallery of photos below, then watch the hands-on video. If you have any questions, shoot them below.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Tour!

Tim — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:47:27 +0000

We are live from Samsung's Unpacked 2015 event, and we just got done playing with the new Galaxy Note 5. The device is set to launch in the US next month, with pre-orders beginning this week for those interested. For specs, the Galaxy Note 5 features a 5.7" QHD Super AMOLED display (518ppi), Exynos 7420 64-bit octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 16MP rear-facing camera with OIS, 5MP front-facing camera, 3,000mAh non-removable battery, 32GB and 64GB storage options (no microSD), microUSB port, and "fast wireless charging," with Android 5.1.1 running underneath TouchWiz UI. In-hand, I must say, Samsung has me believing in large devices once again. While the display is rather large at 5.7", the phone's footprint in my hand feels much better than that of the Galaxy Note 4, as Samsung was able to slim down the body quite a bit. The exterior is much like the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, featuring metallic framing and glass, giving the Galaxy Note 5 a super premium feel while in-hand. As for what's new, the list is not that long. Yes, the device has an updated design and a bit of updated hardware, but that's about it. Hardcore Note series fans will likely be left frustrated, as removable batteries and expandable storage have long been calling cards of the Note lineup. With the removal of both of those key features, we will see just how loyal Samsung buyers truly are. Sadly, representatives of Samsung state the Silver model I fell in love with may not come to the US, but that Gold Platinum and White will be available. Check out our hands-on video below and gallery of photos, then let us know in the comments if you are picking this device up. If you have any questions, shoot them below.

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Video: Official Introduction Videos for the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:33:24 +0000

Our hands-on coverage of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ will be here shortly, but until then, feel free to watch Samsung's recently uploaded official introduction videos for each device. These clips walk you through the differences between each and their predecessors, what their stand-out features are, and what makes each design unique. Once you finish these, feel free to check out the list of carriers selling the device next week (with pricing too) and also the specs for each phone (Note 5 specs, S6 Edge+ specs). Then, it's time to weigh in. What are your thoughts so far on each phone? Galaxy Note 5

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Galaxy S6 Edge+

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Sorry, Verizon Unlimited Data Users, You Still Can't Upgrade Cheaply

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:09:33 +0000

Verizon's new "The Verizon Plan" is now live and available for those interested in a simplified S-M-L-XL approach to voice and data service. We've talked a lot about it over the last week, even sharing exclusive details that were unavailable until today. But even with the info we were privy to, there was one subject we did not yet have an answer to that many having been on edge about - how does this all affect unlimited data users? The subject was brought up because Verizon has insisted since announcing the new S-M-L-XL plans that if customers wanted to keep their current plans and still upgrade, they could without moving to the new plan. That news excited the hell out of unlimited data users who for all of these years have had to pay full retail for phones in order to keep their plans alive. Could Verizon be giving in to the handful that are left? Sorry, no. While there are situations where customers get to keep their current plans, upgrade to new phones at a discounted rate, and sign a new contract, unlimited data users cannot. According to a FAQ dedicated just to unlimited data users, Verizon states the following:

I have unlimited data on my account. Do I need to change to The Verizon Plan if I want to get a new device? No, you're not required to switch to The Verizon Plan when you get a new device; however, you'll only have the option to keep unlimited data if you pay the retail price for your new device. When you upgrade to a phone at a discounted price, you have the option to choose from either a voice plan with a standalone data package or The Verizon Plan.

There you have it. In order to keep your unlimited data plan, you still have to pay full retail.

Via: Verizon

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ Specs (Official)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:31:29 +0000

Next Friday, August 21, you will be able to buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ from all of these carriers. For those who skipped on the regular S6 Edge because of its somewhat smallish size, now you have the oversized option to hopefully satisfy your dual-edged needs. Samsung, like with the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, didn't hold back here. We have glass and metal, the newest Exynos octa-core chip, fast storage, fast wireless and regular charging, plenty of RAM, sizable battery, what we are assuming will be the new best display in any smartphone, high-end camera with OIS and a unique dual-edge design. Yep, this is as good as it gets for today's mobile standards. Well, this and the Note 5.

Galaxy S6 Edge+ Specs

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Gallery

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:28:52 +0000

Next Friday, August 21, you will be able to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 from all of these carriers. I'm sure many of you will, because well, the Note cult is strong and Samsung is the best in the business at making oversized devices. But for those on the fence, we have for you below the official set of specs for the device. Samsung, like with the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, didn't hold back here. We have glass and metal, the newest Exynos octa-core chip, fast storage, fast wireless and regular charging, plenty of RAM, sizable battery, what we are assuming will be the new best display in any smartphone, high-end camera with OIS and an S Pen. Yep, this is as good as it gets for today's mobile standards.

Galaxy Note 5 Specs

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Where and When to Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ in the US

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:07:59 +0000

Samsung is done with its Unpacked event, where it just unveiled the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Now, after months of leaks leading up to this moment, it's time to talk about where and when you can buy either phone. According to Samsung (and now all of the carriers individually), both phones will be available on August 21 (next Friday) with pre-orders opening at many locations today, August 13. Below, we have (and will continue update) info from each carrier below, including pricing and when exactly you can walk in and get your hands on each.

AT&T

Both phones can be pre-ordered starting today (August 13) at 3PM Eastern and will arrive August 21 in stores. Galaxy S6 Edge+ pricing:

32GB Two year pricing: $299.99 ($814.99 without a contract)
64GB Two year pricing: $399.99 ($914.99 without a contract)
Next pricing: 32GB (Next 24 - $27.17; Next 18 - $33.96; Next 12 - $27.17)
Next pricing: 64GB (Next 24 - $30.50; Next 18 - $38.13; Next 12 - $45.75)

Galaxy Note 5 pricing:

32GB Two year pricing: $249.99 ($739.99 without a contract)
64GB Two year pricing: $349.99 ($839.99 without a contract)
Next pricing: 32GB (Next 24 - $24.67; Next 18 - $30.84; Next 12 - $37)
Next pricing: 64GB (Next 24 - $28; Next 18 - $35; Next 12 - $42)

Promos:

TV Bundle Offers: For a limited time, DIRECTV and AT&T U-Verse TV customers who switch their wireless lines to AT&T will receive a $300 bill credit for each line they port in when they buy a Galaxy S6 edge+ or Note5 on AT&T Next for that line. Customers who also trade-in an eligible smartphone will get an additional credit or promotion card for $200.
AT&T Samsung Buyback Offer: Current customers who upgrade to or buy a Galaxy S6 edge+ or Note5 on AT&T Next are eligible for a minimum $200 trade in value as an instant credit or promotion card on an eligible smartphone trade-in.
Switcher Offer: New customers that switch to AT&T from another carrier and purchase the Galaxy S6 edge+ or Note5 on AT&T Next will receive a $100 bill credit and $200 buyback credit when they trade in a smartphone.

Verizon

Both phones can be pre-ordered starting today (August 13) at 3PM Eastern. Verizon didn't say if they will arrive August 21, but I'd imagine they will. Galaxy S6 Edge+ pricing:

32GB: $32 per month for 24 months; $768 full retail
64GB: $36 per month for 24 months; $864 full retail

Galaxy Note 5 pricing:

32GB: $29 per month for 24 months; $696 full retail
64GB: $33 per month for 24 months; $792 full retail

Promos:

For a limited time, trade in any smartphone and get a minimum $200 when purchasing a new Samsung Galaxy S6 edge + or Note5. Trade-in must be in good working condition. Additionally for a limited time, bring your number to Verizon and get a $100 bill credit within 2-3 bill cycles for each new smartphone purchased and activated.

T-Mobile

You can pre-register to learn more about each device today, but the phones arrive August 21 in stores. The Note 5 will be available in Black Sapphire and White Pearl. The Galaxy S6 Edge+ will be available in Black Sapphire and Gold Platinum. Galaxy S6 Edge+ pricing:

JUMP! On Demand: 32GB Galaxy S6 edge+ for $0 upfront and just $28.50 a month (for 18 months)
EIP: $0 down and $32.50/23 months + $32.49 for 24^th month, FRP: $779.99

Galaxy Note 5 pricing:

JUMP! On Demand: 32GB Samsung Galaxy Note 5 for $0 upfront and just $25 a month
EIP: $0 down and $29.17/23 months + $29.08 for 24^th month, FRP: $699.99

Promos:

If you pre-register here by August 20, and then buy a Note 5 or S6 Edge+, you get a free year of Netflix.

Sprint

Both phones can be pre-ordered starting today (August 13) at 3PM Eastern and will arrive August 21 in stores. Galaxy S6 Edge+ pricing:

Galaxy Note 5 pricing:

Promos:

A guaranteed $200 minimum credit when they trade in a working smartphone.
Early upgrade at 12 months.¹
Free Samsung Galaxy Tab® 4 7.0 with activation and a new two-year service agreement.

NVIDIA SHIELD Gains Support for Seven New Games on Google Play

Tim — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:00:46 +0000

Seven new games for NVIDIA SHIELD owners are available for download through Google Play today, a few of which were downloadable for other regular smartphones and tablets, but were not supported on the Android TV platform. The list of games includes This War of Mine, Killing Floor: Calamity, Windward, Pure Pool, Flyhunter Origins, Xenowerk, and Twin Runners 2. They range in price from $0.99 all the way to $14.99, but you can rest assured you will be getting a solid game for your shiny NVIDIA SHIELD and HDTV. The one I highly recommend is This War is Mine, priced at $14.99. In this game, you dodge daylight snipers, while upgrading and building a refuge in an apocalyptic world. At night, dare to venture outside your safe house to find supplies you and your comrades need to survive. If you need a few more titles to get a bit of good use out of that SHIELD and SHIELD Controller, follow the links below and see if anything interests you. Play Links: This War of Mine | Killing Floor: Calamity | Windward | Pure Pool | Flyhunter Origins | Xenowerk | Twin Runners 2

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Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ Have Fast Wireless Charging, Full Charges in 120 Minutes

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:40:27 +0000

The sleeper announcement out of Samsung's Unpacked event has got to be the fact that the new Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ not only feature fast charging, but they are also the first devices on the planet to feature fast wireless charging. Yes, you read that correctly. Thanks to a new wireless charger from Samsung, and embedded wireless charging technology in each phone, you can wirelessly charge each in 120 minutes. For comparison, a regular hard-wired fast charger can charge each in 90 minutes. And that's with their big 3000mAh batteries. Not bad, right? The wireless charger will be sold separately. As soon as we know pricing, we'll be sure to let you know.

Via: Samsung

Samsung Pay Launches in the US September 28, Beta Trial Opens August 25

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:30:34 +0000

Along with its announcement of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, Samsung also announced a starting date for its mobile payment system, Samsung Pay. The service finally arrives in the US on September 28, but there will be a beta trial period for select users that opens on August 25. If you live in Korea, well, you get to start using Samsung Pay as early as August 20. At launch, Samsung Pay will be compatible with the new Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, along with the previously released Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. The Note 5 and S6 Edge+ will come preloaded with the software, while the regular S6 and S6 Edge will see a software update in mid-August to enable it. As a recap, Samsung Pay could be the real future of mobile payments in that it can make payments through NFC or through Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST), which allows it to work through regular credit card terminals. MST emulates a credit card swipe, opening it up to almost any payment terminal. At this time, Samsung is working to "expand its partnership ecosystem" and "anticipates working with payment networks such as, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa, major banks including Bank of America, Chase, U.S. Bank and key financial partners including First Data, Synchrony Financial and TSYS to extend Samsung Pay to the U.S." Who is ready for Samsung Pay? (Me!)

Press Release

Samsung Announces Launch Dates for Groundbreaking Mobile Payment Service: Samsung Pay

Simple and Safe, Samsung Pay Works Virtually Anywhere You Can Swipe Your Card
SEOUL – August 13, 2015 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., unveiled today that Samsung Pay, a secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service that can be used to make purchases nearly everywhere cards are accepted, will launch in Korea on August 20 and in the U.S. on September 28. Samsung plans to roll out the service in the U.K., Spain and China, with partners to be named in each market. Speaking at a Samsung event in New York where it unveiled its newest flagship devices – the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5, JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics said, “With the launches of these exciting new smartphones, we will open a new era of mobile payment. This is Samsung’s brave step forward to enhance our mobile experience. It is easy, safe, and most importantly, available virtually anywhere you can swipe a card, in most cases without new costs for merchants, from day one.” Samsung Pay will be preloaded on select Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 devices and a free software upgrade will be rolled out beginning mid-August, to enable Samsung Pay on Galaxy S6 and S6 edge devices in the U.S. and Korea. Select U.S. users of Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Note5 will be able to participate in a beta trial from August 25 ahead of the September 28 launch.

SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.

SAFE: Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments and reduce the security risks inherent to plastic cards.

VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE: With Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies, Samsung Pay works with most existing point-of-sale (POS) terminals. That means it’s the only mobile payment service that works virtually anywhere you can swipe your credit card or debit card.

“The future of mobile payments has arrived,” said InJong Rhee, EVP of Samsung Electronics, Global Head of Samsung Pay. “We are partnering with card networks, issuers and acquirers, and Samsung Pay will also be the first to support contactless payment for store-branded credit cards. The list of partners will only grow.” Extensive partnership ecosystem Samsung Pay continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers. Samsung anticipates working with payment networks such as, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa, major banks including Bank of America, Chase, U.S. Bank and key financial partners including First Data, Synchrony Financial and TSYS to extend Samsung Pay to the U.S. Samsung anticipates working with all major Korean card companies including Samsung Card, Shinhan Card, KB Kookmin Card, Hyundai Card, Lotte Card, NH Nonghyup Card, BC Card, Hana Card, Woori Card and Citi Card. "We leverage our unique technology and capabilities to provide our customers with seamless, differentiated experiences, giving them more flexibility and choice for how to pay," said Tony Prentice, vice president of mobile payments at American Express. "As part of that strategy, we are excited to work with Samsung to offer Card Members a new, innovative way to pay in-store with an American Express Card on their Samsung devices." “Emerging technologies are impacting the way our nearly 18 million active mobile customers pay for everyday items, and we’re focused on delivering new solutions to help simplify their financial lives,” said Michelle Moore, head of digital banking at Bank of America. “Samsung Pay is a great example of this commitment, allowing customers to do more with their mobile devices and manage their finances when, where and how they want.” “Samsung Pay will give our customers another convenient way to pay with their Chase cards,” said Gavin Michael, head of Digital for Chase. “Discover’s focus on simplicity and versatility aligns with Samsung Pay’s innovative use of technology,” said Diane Offereins, Discover’s president of payment services. “Offering this new payment service continues to enhance the convenience and mobile experience we’re providing to our customers.” “First Data is proud to collaborate with Samsung on the launch of Samsung Pay and we look forward to working together to bring a powerful solution to the marketplace,” said Barry McCarthy, Executive Vice President, Network and Security Solutions, First Data. “We have a history of driving innovation in payment technology through close collaboration with all parts of the payments ecosystem. Our work with Samsung, as well as our other partners in mobile payments, enables more powerful connections between merchants, issuers and consumers.” “As consumers increasingly rely on their mobile devices in their everyday lives, MasterCard is pleased to partner with Samsung to bring Samsung Pay to our cardholders around the world. Using advanced tokenization technology from the MasterCard Digital Enablement Service, we’re delivering a digital payment experience that is both simple and secure, and includes all the benefits and guarantees of a MasterCard transaction,” said Cheryl Guerin, Group Executive, MasterCard. Margaret Keane, president and CEO of Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF), the largest provider of private label credit cards in the U.S.[1], noted, “This is great news for our customers who will enjoy the benefits our cards offer when they choose to make easy and secure mobile payments with Samsung Pay. It is also important for many of our retail partners who can use their existing point of sale devices to deliver secure mobile payments and a seamless customer experience at more than 300,000 locations.” [1] Based on purchase volume and receivables according to issue number 1,062 of “The Nilson Report,” dated April 2015 (based on 2014 data). “We expect the adoption of mobile payments to change the payments landscape,” said Gaylon Jowers, Jr., senior executive vice president, TSYS. “We are excited to be on the leading edge in collaboration with industry stalwarts like Samsung through technologies like Samsung Pay.” “Being one of the first to offer our consumer and business customers Samsung Pay is a great example of our focus on Innovation at U.S. Bank and Elavon,” said Dominic Venturo, chief innovation officer at U.S. Bank. “U.S. Bank customers with qualifying credit or debit cards will be able to pay with their Samsung device using Samsung Pay; and our U.S. Bank and Elavon merchant customers will be able to accept the point of sale transactions right away. This is an important step in the continuous evolution of payments and consistent with providing our customers the ability to do business with us how, when and where they want." “Instantly on day one, because of MST technology, Samsung Pay will be accepted almost anywhere consumers can pay today,” said Jim McCarthy, Executive Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Visa. “We see this as a huge step forward for consumer choice and payment security.” About Samsung Pay Samsung Pay is a simple, safe and available virtually anywhere you can swipe your card mobile payment service from Samsung Electronics. Combining NFC with Samsung’s proprietary MST technologies, Samsung Pay provides consumers a way to pay nearly anywhere you can swipe a card at millions of merchant locations worldwide. Samsung continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem for Samsung Pay to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers while enabling an easy and safe payment experience.

Samsung Announces Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+, Available August 21

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:16:47 +0000

Samsung just made the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ official at press events in both London and New York City. Both phones are available across the US on August 21, with pre-orders opening today. Also, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and Samsung Experience Shops at Best Buy will have previews of each phone available starting tomorrow. As expected, the phones feature big 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED displays, but the S6 Edge+ has curves or dual-edges on its screen. They each have 4GB RAM, Exynos 7420 octa-core processors, 16MP cameras with OIS (f/1.9), 5MP front cameras (also f/1.9), fast charging and fast wireless charging, and run Lollipop. Samsung is also launching Samsung Pay with these two devices in the US on September 28 and in Korea on August 20. More coming!

Specs

Press Release

Samsung Remains Ahead of the Curve with Bold, Big Screen Smartphones

Galaxy S6 edge+ features a dual edge display for ultimate multimedia experience; Galaxy Note5 takes multi-tasking on mobile to new heights with an integrated S Pen

Available in the United States on August 21, with preorders beginning today, August 13, at 3 p.m. EDT
NEW YORK, August 13, 2015 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., announced today the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5. Both devices represent Samsung’s commitment to the big screen smartphone market, which Samsung boldly pioneered in 2011 with the original Galaxy Note. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 blend form and function with industry leading features, including: Samsung’s best screen technology, Samsung’s most advanced camera for high quality photos and videos, fast wireless and wired charging, and an incredibly powerful processor. With increased 4GB RAM, both phones enable users to enjoy more seamless multi-tasking. With its curved 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen, the Galaxy S6 edge+ makes the edge experience even better and provides a more immersive multimedia experience. The thinner, slimmer and newly-designed Galaxy Note5 has a refined, next generation S Pen and multi window capabilities for a more productive smartphone experience. Samsung Pay, Samsung’s simple and safe mobile payment service, will launch in the U.S. in September and will be available virtually anywhere you can swipe your card1. Protected by Samsung KNOX, fingerprint verification and digital tokenization, Samsung Pay works with both MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) and NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies, bringing consumers closer than ever to a world without wallets. “At Samsung, we believed in the promise that big screen smartphones could actively address some major consumers pain points by providing users with a better viewing experience and more productivity on-the-go,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “With the launch of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5, we’re reemphasizing our commitment to bold, fearless innovation that meets the needs of our consumers.” Galaxy S6 edge+ – best for multimedia With the Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung is bringing everything consumers love about the S6 edge to a bigger screen in a slim and thin form factor. Beautiful and intuitive, it uses the dual edges as a shortcut from any screen to users’ top contacts and apps. ‘Apps edge’ allows users to access their favorite apps by just swiping the edge display. ‘People edge’ helps users quickly find their favorite contacts and send messages, or give a call directly from any screen. Galaxy Note5 – perfect for multitaskers The Galaxy Note5 is a stunning upgrade to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Note line – more powerful than ever. Inspired by the design legacy of the Galaxy S6, it ergonomically fits in one hand with a narrower bezel and curved back which makes it easier to use the phone with one hand. Engineered to help people get more done, faster, the Galaxy Note5 includes an all new S Pen that feels more solid and balanced in the user’s hand, offering improved writing capabilities and a variety of practical tools. A unique clicking mechanism pops the S Pen out with just one quick click. Users can now quickly jot down ideas or information even when the screen is off. The ‘Air Command’ feature gets more intuitive and practical as well; now the icon hovers for instant access to all of S Pen tools from any screen at any time. Users can also annotate on PDF files or capture a whole website from top to bottom with Scroll Capture. Powerful Core Galaxy Features Both the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 feature unprecedented multimedia capabilities through Samsung’s industry-leading 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display. As social networking becomes more ubiquitous, consumers expect to share the moments of their lives through video. On both the front-facing and rear-facing cameras your videos will be steadier and smoother with the added Video Digital Image Stabilization. Video Collage Mode allows users to record and edit short videos easily in various frames and effects. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 also feature 4K Video filming which can be displayed on a 4K TV, as well as full HD Live Broadcast, which lets users instantly stream video straight from the phone to any individual, group of contacts, or even the public through YouTube Live. Anyone who receives the YouTube link from a Galaxy S6 edge+ or Note5 user is able to enjoy live broadcast from his or her smartphone, tablet, PC or Smart TV. Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 users will also benefit from Samsung’s advanced camera system, including Quick launch (double-click the home button to launch the camera from any screen), Auto Real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and brand-new filters. Both devices feature Ultra High Quality Audio (UHQA) to upscale audio streams and files for richer, high-quality sound. UHQA is supported over Bluetooth on Samsung’s next generation wireless audio accessories, including the Level On Wireless Pro. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 feature Samsung’s built in, fast wired and wireless charging technology which is compatible with virtually any wireless charging pad available today. Samsung’s newest devices are further upgraded to support SideSync 4.0, which offers both wireless and wired PC-smartphone integration for seamless connection across devices2. Thanks to auto-detection and an ultra-quick setup, users can instantly connect their Samsung device to their PC or tablet to easily respond to text messages, answer phone calls or access and share files and data. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 are built on the upgraded Samsung KNOX, end-to-end secure mobile platform, offering defense-grade features for real-time protection from potential malicious attacks. Both devices are also ready for immediate enterprise adoption, with market-leading MDMs and KNOX enhancements. Right out of the box, Samsung KNOX takes security to the next level. In the U.S., the Galaxy S6 edge+ will be available in Black Sapphire and Gold Platinum, and the Galaxy Note5 will be available in Black Sapphire and White Pearl – in 32GB and 64GB memory options3. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless will carry the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5. The devices will also be available at Samsung Experience Shops at Best Buy, as well as Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Costco Wholesale, Inc., Sam’s Club, Target and select Walmart stores. Carriers and retailers will confirm specific pricing and availability. Consumers can get an exclusive first look at both devices at more than 7,000 participating AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and Samsung Experience Shops at Best Buy locations across the U.S. starting tomorrow, August 14. The full list of participating locations is available at www.samsung.com/onebigdecision. For more product information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com or www.samsung.com/galaxy About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. We employ 307,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, please visit our official website at www.samsung.com and our official blog at global.samsungtomorrow.com

LIVE: Samsung Unpacked Galaxy Note 5 Event!

Kellen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 06:43:58 +0000

Samsung Unpacked is this morning! After weeks and weeks of leaks, we finally get to put our hands on the new Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+! Tim is on the scene in New York City for the in-person festivities, but we are still doing a live blog right here to make this a full-blown community event like we always do. Below, you will find a live blog and live stream (once Samsung posts the link) to get you all of the info as it rolls out. Once the live blog wraps, expect plenty of hands-on coverage of each device. We'll have video tours, pics galore, and will be able to answer any questions you have about each. We know the Note cult is still strong around these parts and want to make sure you leave this morning satisfied. The event starts at 8AM Pacific (11AM Eastern). Ready? [responsive_vid]

LG Extends $100 Visa Gift Card Offer for LG G4 on Verizon to End of August

Kellen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:57:44 +0000

LG told us today that its exclusive promotion through Verizon that gets you into a free $100 Visa prepaid card when you buy an LG G4 has "exceeded expectations" and has been extended through the end of August. The deal was originally supposed to end today, but you now can take advantage through August 31. Verizon's site doesn't show the extended date just yet. LG's, on the other hand, has already been updated to show the extension. Anyone take up LG and Verizon on their offer? Verizon Link | $100 Visa Offer

Deal: Lifetime Subscription to SkyHub Cloud Unlimited Backup for $89

Tim — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:11:11 +0000

For a limited time on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a lifetime subscription to Skyhub Cloud Unlimited Backup, priced at $89 down from a whopping $600. With this subscription, users get unlimited, automatic backup for three computers, with the ability to add smart devices, disc drives, and thumb drives. As long as your subscription lives on, you get unlimited storage, meaning you can backup whatever you may want or need. In addition, you can rest assured that your data is stored securely thanks to the service's advanced encryption. If you need more cloud storage, check it out. Features

Get unlimited, automatic backup for 3 computers, add more to your account anytime and backup all your devices, discs & thumb-drives
Back up as much data as you need—there’s no catch!
Quickly & easily get set up
Rest assured that all your data is secure thanks to the advanced encryption security
View your backed up files on the web, iPhone, iPad & Android
Score the best deal on the web!

Deal Link

Reminder: Samsung Unveils the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ Tomorrow Morning!

Kellen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:17:04 +0000

Just a quick reminder, but we wanted to make sure you set your alarms tomorrow morning so that you don't miss the Samsung Unpacked event. This event is almost guaranteed to showcase the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, but there is an outside chance we see a new round watch as well. The Samsung Unpacked live stream kicks off at 8AM Pacific (11AM Eastern). We will have both a live stream and live blog embedded on the site in the morning, plus Tim will be on hand in New York City for hands-on time after everything wraps. The whole gathering should be a fun way to kick off the morning and get the Note cult back up and running. Oh, and if you missed our exclusive pictures of the Galaxy Note 5 from last week, along with a list of its specs, be sure to check out this post.

Huawei Watch is "Right Around the Corner"

Tim — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:05:26 +0000

Huawei's Android Wear-powered wearable, the Huawei Watch, is officially right around the corner. As shown on a dedicated webpage where anyone can register to be notified of its availability, the smartwatch will soon hit the market after what feels like months of waiting and speculation as to whether it would ever actually launch. Previewed all the way back in February during MWC, we know the Huawei Watch will likely target the high-end of the smartwatch market, pitting itself against the LG Watch Urbane and the hopefully upcoming Moto 360 V2 from Motorola. While "right around the corner" could mean basically anything, it's a safe bet we are likely just a few weeks away from official availability. At least, we hope so. Is this the Android Wear smartwatch you have been waiting for?

Via: Huawei

Cheers Richard!

HTC Desire 626 Coming Soon to Verizon, Desire 526 Available for $120

Kellen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:21:35 +0000

Verizon added two new low-end HTC devices to its line-up today in the Desire 626 and Desire 526. Actually, they have had the Desire 526 for over a month, but are just now publicly talking about it. The Desire 626 is new, though, and will arrive "in the coming weeks. HTC announced each device back in mid-July as part of a line-up of new low-to-mid-range offerings that they hope will help restore some profitability. Neither phone will blow your mind in terms of specs, but they are extremely affordable and might be a decent option for those going the prepaid route or who don't have a lot of cash to blow on a new phone. The Desire 626 is the best of the two with its 5-inch 720p display, 8MP camera, and 2000mAh battery. Verizon didn't give us pricing, but I'm guessing it'll be south of $300, maybe even closer to $200. The Desire 526 has a 4.7-inch qHD display and 8MP. It currently retails for $120, but Verizon seems to have already discounted it to $90.

Via: Verizon

Google Launches Android Experiments, a Showcase of Inspiring Android Projects

Kellen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:59:28 +0000

Today, Google launched a new initiative called Android Experiments. The goal with Android Experiments is to showcase many of the "inspiring projects on Android," but also to invite other developers to submit their projects and experiences to be a part of this new gallery of sorts. As of right now, Android Experiments contains 20 projects that focus on things like the camera, Android Wear, and "hardware hacks." You'll see some of Googler Roman Nurik's work (Form Watch Face and Muzei), along with games and other watch faces. All of these experiments were build with the Android SDK and NDK and are open-sourced, so that future developers can dig inside to see how the magic was made. You can check out all of the Android Experiments at this site.

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Via: Android Developers

Twitter Removes 140-Character Limit From Direct Messages

Kellen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:20:26 +0000

Two months ago, Twitter told us that it would soon be removing its 140-character limit from direct messages. Today, they came through and actually did remove it. Now, when you send private messages to another user, you can go on and on and on and likely never run out of room, unless you happen to have more than 10,000 letters to type. The 140-character limit does still live on in regular Tweets, though, so don't take to Twitter today hoping to post a book to your timeline. Again, this limit change only relates to direct messages. The new limit removal starts rolling out today on Android, iOS, twitter.com, TweetDeck, and Twitter for Mac.

Via: Twitter Blog

Moto X Pure Edition Will be Available Starting September 3 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:46:27 +0000

Motorola, via Twitter, just announced that its new flagship phone for 2015, the Moto X Pure Edition, will arrive September 3. Previously, Motorola would only state that the phone was coming in September, which left a few of us worried that it might not arrive until the end of the month. With September 3 now set in stone, you only have three more weeks to wait. You have to be excited, right? As a recap, the Moto X Pure Edition (also known as the Moto X Style outside of the US) is essentially the 3rd generation Moto X. It features a 5.7-inch QHD LCD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 21MP camera, 3GB RAM, 16GB/32GB/64GB of internal storage plus microSD support, 3000mAh battery with Turbo Charging, Lollipop, and front facing stereo speakers (full specs). It will also be customizable through Moto Maker with a number of options, including leather and natural backs. You can view most of the options here. The phone will cost just $399 to start and will be fully unlocked, with support on all of the major US carriers. Yes, that includes Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Keep in mind that this phone won't be sold through carriers and will instead only be available at places like Amazon, Motorola's site, and Best Buy. Motorola is going with the direct-to-consumer approach with this phone to help cut down costs and make sure updates are available quicker by cutting out the middle man. It's an approach not typically used by companies like Motorola, but it's one we all need them to succeed in. If Motorola can win with direct sales, it could mean cheaper and better unlocked phones from other companies down the road. Are you going with the new Moto X Pure Edition or are you waiting for something else? Update: Motorola deleted that Tweet for some reason. Here is a screenshot of it.

Here is our quick tour of the Moto X Pure Edition from the phone's launch event.

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More: Motorola

Snapdragon 820's Adreno 530 GPU Detailed by Qualcomm, Coming in 2016

Kellen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 08:50:01 +0000

This morning, Qualcomm provided early details on the GPU and ISP that will be featured in their next flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 820. When the 820 arrives next year (1H 2016) it will sport a new Adreno 530 GPU and 14-bit Spectra image signal processing (ISP) unit that show solid improvements over previous generation products. Qualcomm also announced that another new GPU, the Adreno 510, will be featured in upcoming Snapdragon 620 and 618 processors, both of which should arrive in phones before 2015 ends. Here are additional specifics on the Adreno 530 and 510:

Up to 40 percent lower power consumption and 40 percent faster performance for both graphics and GPGPU compute when compared to the Adreno 430;
Leading-edge capabilities in graphics and compute APIs including OpenGL ES 3.1+AEP (Android Extension Pack), Renderscript, as well as the new OpenCL 2.0 and Vulkan standards. Vulkan minimizes driver overhead and enables multi-threaded performance on mobile and embedded platforms;
Support for 64-bit virtual addressing, allowing for shared virtual memory (SVM) and efficient co-processing with 64 bit CPUs;
Improved fine-grain power management, new rendering, compositing and compression techniques to enable higher performance at lower power consumption and reduced DRAM bandwidth;
Up to 4K HEVC video support at 60fps over HDMI 2.0 to Rec. 2020 ultra-high definition (UHD) displays and TVs;
Improved Qualcomm® EcoPix™ and Qualcomm® TruPalette™ support for longer battery life and superior pixel quality; and
Software compatibility between Adreno 530 and Adreno 510.

And here are additional details for the new Spectra ISP found in the Snapdragon 820:

Superior image quality, with more natural skin tones via advanced, 14-bit dual ISPs supporting up to 3 simultaneous cameras (e.g. one facing the user, and two rear facing), and up to 25 megapixels at 30 frames per-second with zero shutter lag;
Improved photos with Qualcomm Spectra ISP’s flexible hybrid autofocus framework and multi-sensor fusion algorithms supporting next generation computational photography;
Improved power efficiency when compared to previous generations, better noise immunity and higher throughput via advanced compression techniques and use of the latest MIPI serial C-PHY interface; and
Next generation Computer Vision and other use cases via direct-to-DSP raw bayer data streaming and pre-processing capabilities.

While the big news here is talk of the Adreno 530 in next year's Snapdragon 820, don't overlook the Adreno 510 in the Snapdragon 620. While nothing is confirmed, there are rumors circulating about suggesting that the new LG Nexus phone will run a Snapdragon 620.

Press Release

Qualcomm Introduces Next-Generation GPU Architecture and Image Signal Processor for the Ultimate Graphics and Mobile Camera Experience

–New Custom Adreno 5xx GPU and Qualcomm Spectra ISP Bring the Most Advanced Visual Processing Technology to Snapdragon Processors–
(Los Angeles), SIGGRAPH 2015, Aug. 12, 2015 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI), has introduced its next-generation visual processing technology with new versions of its graphics processing unit (GPU) and image signal processing (ISP) unit, to deliver significant advancements in performance, power efficiency and user experience to Qualcomm®Snapdragon™ processors. The new Qualcomm® Adreno™ 5xx GPU architecture delivers increased speed and efficiency over the previous generation and supports stunning high-definition mobile graphics while introducing general-purpose compute co-processing for exceptionally low power consumption. The first two GPUs available on the new architecture, the Adreno 530 and Adreno 510, will be available integrated within the forthcomingSnapdragon 820 and Snapdragon 620/618 processors. In addition, Snapdragon 820 will also debut the new 14-bit Qualcomm Spectra™ image signal processing (ISP) unit, designed to support superior DSLR-quality photography and enhanced computer vision. Devices based on Snapdragon 820 are expected to be available in 1H 2016. Qualcomm Snapdragon, Qualcomm Adreno and Qualcomm Spectra are products of QTI. “We’re significantly enhancing the visual processing capabilities of Snapdragon to support next-generation user experiences related to computational photography, computer vision, virtual reality and photo-realistic graphics on mobile devices, all while maximizing battery life,” said Tim Leland, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Qualcomm Spectra ISP, together with our Adreno 5xx-class GPU, brings an entirely new level of imaging to smartphones, and is designed to allow Snapdragon-powered devices to capture ultra-clear, vivid photos and videos regardless of motion and lighting conditions and display them with the color accuracy that nature intended. In addition, as emerging growth segments such as automotive demand more immersive visual experiences, Snapdragon 820 will enable the next generation of infotainment, computer vision and advanced processing for instrument clusters.” Designed for scalability, the Adreno 5xx architecture is the foundation of Qualcomm Technologies’ next-generation custom GPUs and is the successor to the Adreno 4xx family. Newly integrated within the Snapdragon820, the Adreno 530 is the highest-performance GPU ever designed by Qualcomm Technologies, providing superior experiences with:

Up to 40 percent lower power consumption and 40 percent faster performance for both graphics and GPGPU compute when compared to the Adreno 430;

Leading-edge capabilities in graphics and compute APIs including OpenGL ES 3.1+AEP (Android Extension Pack), Renderscript, as well as the new OpenCL 2.0 and Vulkan standards. Vulkan minimizes driver overhead and enables multi-threaded performance on mobile and embedded platforms;

Support for 64-bit virtual addressing, allowing for shared virtual memory (SVM) and efficient co-processing with 64 bit CPUs;

Improved fine-grain power management, new rendering, compositing and compression techniques to enable higher performance at lower power consumption and reduced DRAM bandwidth;

Up to 4K HEVC video support at 60fps over HDMI 2.0 to Rec. 2020 ultra-high definition (UHD) displays and TVs;

Improved Qualcomm® EcoPix™ and Qualcomm® TruPalette™ support for longer battery life and superior pixel quality; and

Software compatibility between Adreno 530 and Adreno 510.

Introduced with the Snapdragon 820, Qualcomm Spectra ISP is Qualcomm Technologies’ most advanced dual-imaging signal processing unit to-date, integrated and designed to provide best-in-class camera image quality and end-user benefits, including:

Superior image quality, with more natural skin tones via advanced, 14-bit dual ISPs supporting up to 3 simultaneous cameras (e.g. one facing the user, and two rear facing), and up to 25 megapixels at 30 frames per-second with zero shutter lag;

Improved photos with Qualcomm Spectra ISP’s flexible hybrid autofocus framework and multi-sensor fusion algorithms supporting next generation computational photography;

Improved power efficiency when compared to previous generations, better noise immunity and higher throughput via advanced compression techniques and use of the latest MIPI serial C-PHY interface; and

Next generation Computer Vision and other use cases via direct-to-DSP raw bayer data streaming and pre-processing capabilities.

More: Qualcomm

Deal: Purchase a Nexus 9 16GB for $289 From Expansys

Tim — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 08:17:22 +0000

Expansys is currently hosting a deal that grants online shoppers the chance to pick up a Nexus 9, 16GB in Indigo Black model, for the low price of $289.99. Over on the Google Store, this same tablet is priced at $399, so you are looking at a total savings of over $100. The Nexus 9 is still a solid option at the $289 price point, featuring a high-res 8.9" QXGA (2048 x 1536) display, 64-bit Tegra K1 processor, 8MP rear-facing camera, 2GB of RAM, 6,700 mAh battery, and runs the latest version publicly available of Android. Of course, Nexus devices are always fun to tweak with, and loading up Android M is always a possibility if that interests you. Follow the below link to take advantage of the savings. Expansys Link

Jaybird Announces Jaybird X2 Bluetooth Headphones, With 8 Hour Battery Life (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:42:49 +0000

Jaybird, a company that most would probably consider to be the best at making active Bluetooth headphones, announced a new product today called the Jaybird X2 as the follow-up to the largely successful Bluebuds X. The new X2 is available starting today from Best Buy and Jaybird's website for $179. The improvements from the Bluebuds X to the Jaybird X2 are everywhere (Edit: Read updates below). This new model has three sizes of Comply Sport memory foam ear tips (previously an aftermarket accessory), enhanced audio, up to 8 hour battery life, an architecture called SignalPlus that should eliminate interference, and a carrying case that actually holds all of goodies that come with the X2. Jaybird X2 also gets software updates, is still very sweat-resistant, and includes Secure Fit, Jaybird's "patented redesigned ergonomic ear fins." The Jaybird X2 comes in a variety of colors this time around, including Storm (white), Charge (neon), Fire (red), Midnight (black), Ice (blue), and Alpha (green). If you own the Bluebuds X, like I do, I would imagine that you are contemplating the upgrade. I know I am. The Bluebuds X are the best sport Bluetooth headphones I have used to date. The improvement in battery life alone is a big deal, let alone the improved audio that was already best in class. Update: We've got a chat planned with Jaybird today to talk through the improvements. I'll update this post as I have more. Update 2: Alright, so after some confusion over how the new Jaybird X2 differs from (or betters) the original Bluebuds X, we've had a chance to chat with Jaybird to find out. Basically, what you are looking at is a component revamping that modernizes everything and upgrades the quality. So even though the specs all look very similar on paper, the reality is that you are getting brand new parts for 2015 instead of parts made for 2013. Jaybird told me that the new battery can probably squeeze out more like 9 hours of life, but will most definitely hit that 8 hour mark. They also include redesigned ear fins that should be more comfortable. As we mentioned, they even included the Comply Sport tips, which are a $10+ upgrade. So while nothing stands out as being dramatically different on paper, you are getting brand new parts all around that should equal an upgraded product. Best Buy Link ($179)

Download: Nexus OTA Stagefright Patches (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:28:41 +0000

Update 8/13: We now have all available files below.

Last week, Google released factory images for most of its Nexus devices that were supposed to address Stagefright vulnerabilities. While those images are there for the flashing and will get you all patched up, we know that many of you like to wait for over-the-air (OTA) updates to hit your devices. If you are still waiting for those and are willing to sideload the updates instead, we are compiling them in a list below. Before long, we should have .zip files for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi, Nexus 9 WiFi and LTE, and Nexus 10. We will continue to update this post as we have more URLs.

Download Nexus Stagefright patches:

Nexus 4 - [LMY48I from LMY47V, 20.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 5 [LMY48I from LMY48B, 10.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (T-Mobile) - [LYZ28J from LYZ28E, 24.8MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 6 (Project Fi) - [LVY48E from LVY48C, 25.1MB] - Download Link (Cheers kevlar!)
Nexus 6 - [LMY48I from LMY47Z, 24.6MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi - [LMY48I from LMY48G, 10.3MB] - Download Link (Cheers Neil!)
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [LMY48L from LMY47V, ] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 9 WiFi - [LMY48I from LMY47X, 22.9MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 LTE - [LMY48I from LMY47X, 22.5MB] - Download Link
Nexus 10 - [LMY48I from LMY47V, 18.5MB] - 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.

Deal: Purchase the "Learn-by-Example" Android Developer Course for $19

Tim — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:40:21 +0000

On the DL Deals Store, you can grab the Learn-by-Example Android Developer Course, usually priced at $200, for a price of just $19. This course includes 59 lectures with 11+ hours of content, sure to bring you up-to-speed on developing for one of the world's most rapidly expanding mobile operating systems. Inside, users will learn how to operate with available APIs, such as the YouTube API and Google Maps API, allowing to create unique, yet useful applications for others to download. In addition, you will gain much-needed experience working inside Android Studio and Eclipse ADT. If becoming a developer of Android applications is on the agenda, check it out. Features

59 lectures featuring 11+ hours of content
Build 10 working Android apps
Learn the technologies & APIs essential to Android development
Use the Junit testing framework to build a news reader app
Utilize the Google Maps Android API to build a directions application
Use the YouTube API to create a YouTube app
Experience using Android Studio & Eclipse ADT
Includes royalty-free source codes
Receive a certificate of completion

Deal Link

Moto G (3rd Gen) Review

Kellen — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:17:02 +0000

It's not that we are too good for them or don't see their importance, but we typically don't review mid-range Android phones like the Moto G (3rd gen). We tend to stick to the high-end guys, the ones that most of our readers get all sorts of opinionated about after flocking toward with wads of cash. But there is something different about the new Moto G. Not only is it the 3rd version of Motorola's most successful phone of all time, but it's also impossible to ignore. This is a sub-$200 phone that bests many $400 and above phones in performance, battery life, and style. Since receiving a review unit a couple of weeks back, I've spent enough time with and without the new Moto G (3rd gen) to share some final thoughts. And while this is a step out of our comfort zone, I think you'll see why after reading this that we decided this one was worth a deeper look. This is our Moto G (3rd gen) review.

What's awesome about it?

Battery Life Phones that have great battery life will always have a special place in my heart. I loved the OnePlus One because of its two-day battery life. The Xperia Z3 Compact ranks up there in my favorites as well for the same reason. And now, you can add the Moto G (3rd gen) to the list. With its ultra-efficient Snapdragon 410 (quad-core) processor, 5-inch 720p display, and 2470mAh battery, this phone just goes and goes and goes. Even with the phone running on AT&T and at my house, which happens to be an AT&T black hole of signal death, this phone, on LTE only, easily gets through an entire day with solid use (14-16 hours with a terrible AT&T signal). Turn on WiFi and it might last for days.

In fact, the standby time on this phone might be the craziest thing I've ever seen in a smartphone. I'm pretty sure that I turned this phone on for the first time after returning from NYC a couple of weeks back, charged it, connected to WiFi, and then didn't touch it for 3 or 4 days, yet it still somehow had most of its battery left. Today, I woke up at around 5:45AM, grabbed the Moto G (with WiFi on), caught up on news, then went for a 30-minute run (using GPS the whole time), and am now sitting here at 12:30PM with almost 70% remaining (1.5 hours of screen on time). That's insane! The Galaxy S6 would have asked me to recharge it at least once in that amount of time. Design The new Moto G is an obvious member of the Moto family. The design, while different in many aspects, is still very much a Moto G. Take a look at the picture below to see what I mean, but also to see how the line has evolved over the last couple of years. It's simple, clean, and starting to become somewhat iconic at this point. Someone tell HTC that this is how you evolve smartphone design. Holding this phone reminds me a lot of the original Moto X in that its curves melt into your palm, all areas of the screen are reachable with one handed use, and it isn't so thin that it becomes difficult to hold. There is a slight texture to the (replaceable) back side, along with a somewhat sticky phone frame that both help it from slipping around in your hand. The power and volume button places are in their proper spots and not at all confusing. And the camera housing, with dimple, and flash add some much needed flair. Overall, this phone is refreshing in that it's not an oversized behemoth, but it's just big enough that it feels like a 2015 phone.

Personalization As an added bonus, Motorola added the new Moto G (3rd gen) to their Moto Maker service, which means you can customize a Moto G at no extra cost and receive it within a few days. This isn't the full Moto Maker treatment that accompanies the Moto X package, but you do get to choose a white or black front and from 10 different accent and back colors. You can even choose to engrave it or double the RAM and storage, though the RAM and storage upgrade will cost you extra. Still to this day, no one is doing customization like Motorola. That's too bad because personalization of a phone has become one of our favorite things to do with new Moto phones.

Camera This isn't the best camera you will find in a phone, but it might be the best you will find in a $200 phone. Motorola, a company that almost always disappoints in the camera department, appears to be figuring things out. Not only did they express a major desire and focus for putting out the best smartphone camera around in the new Moto X Pure Edition, they seem to have spent some quality time with the Moto G's shooter as well. You are looking at shots taken with a 13MP f/2.0 camera that includes pretty quick auto focus, 1080p video, slow motion shooting, burst mode, and auto HDR.

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

As you can see, the phone gets a little aggressive with the auto HDR, but it is quite capable of taking some decent shots more often than not. I went for a run this past weekend with the phone, along Portland's waterfront, and captured all sorts of photos that I'd be happy to share publicly. I also took some indoor, semi-lousy-lit photos of my son that are more than acceptable. Sure, the camera doesn't have OIS, but again, for a camera from Motorola that is inside a sub-$200 phone, I don't know how you could complain about it. Performance When you talk mid-range phones that cost under $200, you don't necessarily expect them to perform as good if not better than some high-end phones. The Moto G (3rd gen) is the exception for now. Even though it runs a Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor, this phone just flies around without a hiccup or stutter. While it may not be the king of gaming or video consumption with its Adreno 306 GPU and 720p display, it does everything else as good as more expensive phones. Motorola has fine-tuned this experience on the back-end so nicely, that I'd be shocked if you used this phone for a week and came back frustrated with its performance. The camera fires up instantly with Motorola's twisting gesture, the phone awakes immediately when picked up through Moto Display, and it opens apps/settings/Google Now/etc. right when you ask it to. If I didn't know that this phone ran one of the lower-end Snapdragon processors, I would have thought that Motorola snuck in something more premium.

Software As has been the case since dating back to the original Moto X, Motorola is continuing to push a "pure" Android experience that is accompanied by their own suite of Moto software on the Moto G (3rd gen). Everything here is as Google would want it, but then Motorola adds on pure awesomeness, like Moto Display, Actions, and Assist. We've talked on countless occasions about how Moto Display is one of the few game-changing software add-ons introduced in years, so we won't bore you with that here. Just know that it's as good as ever, even with the LCD display in the Moto G. The phone comes loaded with Google's launcher, the stock dialer and app drawer, familiar notification and quick settings shade, and system settings are in the right place. If you know Android, at least the stock kind, everything is where you expect it to be. Because of that, and because Motorola has become increasingly good at tightening up performance, the software experience is one of the best (if not the) in the business even on a mid-range phone like this. I don't really know what else to say, other than, this is how Android is supposed to be. This is the proper way to improve upon Google's mobile operating system.

If you were looking for one missing feature, it would be Moto Voice, which is Motorola's software that allows you to control phones with your voice. I would imagine the lack of Voice has to do with the processor setup and am not surprised that it's not there. But when your friend who owns a Moto X starts talking to their phone, don't be shocked that you can't emulate their performance. Price $179 is the starting price of this phone. Not with a contract. It just costs you $179 and then you get to connect it to AT&T or T-Mobile service. If you want to double the RAM and storage from 1GB to 2GB and 8GB to 16GB, it'll cost you another $40. The model I'm testing for this review is the upgraded model that runs $219. $219! Come on! This almost seems like a lie or some giant scam that you can buy a phone this good for this cheap.

What's not so awesome about it?

Display At $179, I didn't expect the new Moto G to have the best display ever made. In fact, I don't even think it's bad as a 5-inch 720p LCD panel. But I have to be honest in telling you that this isn't going to be the best display you have ever used. And you know what? Who cares. The viewing angles on it are fine, the colors are accurate and just punchy enough, and it clearly consumes little power with heavy use, so it is what it is. It's not great in super bright sunlight, but it is very responsive to the touch. It's a fine display, it's just not a best-in-class display.

No NFC or Quick Charge 2.0 The new Moto G doesn't have NFC or Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology. I can live without NFC, but felt the need to point out the lack of it in this phone, since it's clearly a super hot topic right now. As for the missing Quick Charge 2.0, this is a tough one to stomach. Even though this phone will easily last you through a day, quick charging a phone is something that has become such a deeply engrained part of my life, that it frightens me a bit to use a phone without it. It takes a couple of hours to charge this phone. Phones with QC 2.0 take under an hour in many instances. That's a huge difference! If you were ever to get stuck in a situation where you needed a quick bit of juice to last a few hours, you probably aren't getting it here. If you buy this phone, just charge it overnight, please.

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Should you buy a Moto G (3rd gen)?

What's your budget? Is it $200? Then yes, you should probably buy the Moto G (3rd gen). Head over to Motorola's site at the link below and customize the hell out of one. I can't think of another phone at this price that can top this one. The camera is solid, its performance is better than many flagships, and the battery life is on rockstar levels. You can buy the new Moto G (3rd gen) from Motorola or Amazon, starting at $179.

New Moto Hint Now Available From Motorola for $129.99

Tim — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:13:31 +0000

Motorola's new and improved Moto Hint is now available on the company's website, priced at $129.99. When compared to last year's model of the Moto Hint, the latest version features much-improved battery life, with the packaging claiming up to 70% additional talk-time. The new model has been available through Best Buy since mid-July, but now, Motorola is highlighting all of the changes directly on their site. Other changes include an updated design, which should lead to a more snug fit inside of your ear. The Moto Hint features noise reduction, echo cancellation, and pass thru audio technology. In total, there are six variations to choose from, with the options being dark canvas, light canvas, walnut, bamboo, brown leather, and black leather. Want it? Go grab it now on Motorola's website. Motorola Link

OnePlus 2 Now Available for Purchase, But You Need an Invite

Tim — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:02:55 +0000

The OnePlus 2, the long awaited sequel to last year's OnePlus One, is now available for purchase. However, as most of you should already know, you can't head over and purchase it quite yet, unless you have an invite to do so. Ahead of launch, OnePlus stated they would have much more inventory on-hand then they did last year, so here's hoping those of you on the 3 million+ waitlist won't have to wait for months to receive an invite. Once you do receive an invite, two models are available to choose from. One features 64GB of built-in storage, plus 4GB of RAM, priced at $389.99. The other features 16GB of storage and 3GB of RAM, priced at $329.99. We played with the OnePlus 2 quite a bit a couple of weeks ago, so check out the below hands-on video. Are you buying the OnePlus 2? OnePlus 2 Link

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New Entry-Level Snapdragon Processors Detailed by Qualcomm

Tim — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 12:34:46 +0000

This week, Qualcomm quietly detailed two new, entry-level chipsets for smart devices. The Snapdragon 212 and Snapdragon 412 are successors of the Snapdragon 200 and Snapdragon 400 lineup, with not much new inside except for higher clock speeds and slight optimizations. The Snapdragon 212 is an unchanged 28nm quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, featuring a top speed of 1.3GHz up from 1.1GHz. Other details, such as its LTE connectivity, Adreno 304, and support for 802.11n WiFi remain in place. As for the Snapdragon 412, it is a 28nm ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core processor for mid-range smartphones and tablets. With a clock speed of up to 1.4 GHz per core, memory bandwidth also saw an increase to 600MHz from 533MHz. This processor includes support for LTE connectivity, FHD displays, 13MP+ cameras, Quick Charge 2.0, and Adreno 306 graphics. There is no word currently on what devices we may see these chips in, but with many OEMs focusing heavily on developing markets and budget-friendly devices, it likely won't be long until these hit the streets somewhere in the world.

Via: liliputing

LastPass for Android Devices Now Free

Tim — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 11:05:05 +0000

LastPass, a password management service available on phones, desktops and tablets, announced today that the service will now be free to signup for on Android smartphones and tablets. The free account includes data sync across any amount of devices, as long as those devices stays within the same product category. For example, if you sign up on a tablet, you can only sync data to other tablets. LastPass includes management for online files, as well as helps protect users browsing the web. The service can be upgraded to LastPass Premium ($12 a year), which includes unlimited syncing across any devices you may have. Premium also includes a Shared Folder for sharing data with other people.

We want to ensure that LastPass is accessible for all users, including mobile-only users who need help managing their passwords and apps. Wherever you get started, you can use LastPass on that device, and any others of the same device type – desktops, smartphones, or tablets – for free!

There is a 14 day trial of Premium available on the LastPass website, but if you are comfortable with sticking to the free version, go give it a shot. Play Link

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Via: LastPass Blog

Question of the Day: Thoughts on Hangouts 4.0?

Kellen — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 10:53:57 +0000

Now that you have spent a solid 24 hours with the new Hangouts 4.0, we want to know if it is all that you ever dreamed of in a messaging application. Or, did it at least address any number of issues you had with it to help give it some consideration in your daily life? I feel like we had been talking about this version of Hangouts 4.0 for weeks upon weeks leading up to yesterday, thanks to an early Android sneak peek followed by the official release of 4.0 to iOS. We have really known what to expect, but it's all a reality now. The newly polished Material Design exterior, the simpler conversation view with FAB, improved group messaging for Google Voice users, outbound caller ID in the Hangouts Dialer, voice actions support for Android Wear, etc. are all here. I can tell you that I am somewhat pleased, but the app still lacks one major issue. This Hangouts 4.0 build also seems a bit sluggish to me as well, even though it is supposed to be faster than ever. My biggest complaint is that Google hasn't enabled access to the slideout navigation menu from just anywhere. For example, in Google Play, I can always swipe from the left edge and access the nav menu to switch accounts or jump to My Apps. I want to do that with Hangouts because I switch counts all of the time. Currently, and as was the case previously, I have to tap the back arrow in the top left corner to exit a conversation, before being able to then swipe from the left edge to access the nav menu. That's an unnecessary and often times infuriating extra step. As for the slowness, this also relates to account switching. Has anyone else noticed that when changing accounts, Hangouts now spins for a second and then tells you that you are now signed in to your new account? I don't recall it doing that previously or being this slow. Or maybe it's just the new prompts that make it seem slower? I do like the new look and FAB and conversations view, but Hangouts still has some work. We're getting there, though. So, what do you think? Is this a major improvement? Do you love Hangouts again? Or are you still using something else?

Rite Aid Stores Accepting Google Wallet Starting August 15

Tim — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 09:29:13 +0000

Announced by Rite Aid this morning, the pharmacy chain will now accept Google Wallet and Apple Pay mobile payments nationwide beginning this upcoming Saturday, August 15. For quite some time, Rite Aid did not accept Google Wallet and Apple Pay, as it breached a reported exclusivity deal it has through CurrentC, the mobile payments solution sponsored by a consortium of retailers. These deals are expiring, meaning we could see this same move at other retailers in the near future. Ken Martindale, CEO of Rite Aid stores and president of Rite Aid Corporation states, “By accepting mobile payments, we’re able to offer Rite Aid customers an easy and convenient checkout process, which we know is important to them. Investing in mobile technologies is just one piece of Rite Aid’s evolving digital strategy and we will continue to explore, test and implement innovative technologies that will help us to better serve our valued customers.” Rite Aid, in the statement, declared the forthcoming Android Pay service will also be accepted.

Via: Rite Aid

theScore FINALLY Gets Accounts and Multi-Device Syncing

Kellen — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 09:07:03 +0000

As a massive sports fan, I can't go more than an hour or so without grabbing my phone to check the latest top news stories. After ditching ESPN's (whatever-they-are-calling-it-today) news app years ago, I settled on theScore, because it was quick with alerts, had a decent UI, was constantly updated, and again, wasn't a part of ESPN's hypebeastness/Tebow/Manziel/(insert other obnoxious, non-headline-worthy story) agenda. But while I'm a fan of theScore, it has also been missing one critical feature that ESPN's has had since day one - account syncing and saving across devices. I tend to switch devices on a regular basis, but with theScore, that meant having to setup all of my favorite teams and alerts each and every time. In 2015 (or 2014 or 2013 or even 2012), that's kind of ridiculous. How has this app not had any sort of syncing? Well, beginning today, it does. theScore announced this morning that it has added in user accounts that allow you to synchronize favorite leagues, teams, players, and alerts across multiple devices. These settings also "follow you everywhere," so as you change devices, you aren't asked to set everything up again. YES. FINALLY. Play Link

Via: theScore

AT&T Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 Active Receive Stagefright Updates

Tim — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:28:31 +0000

For those who still use a Galaxy S4 or Galaxy S4 Active on AT&T, your Stagefright security patch update is now ready to download and install. Once installed, you should no longer have to fear the MMS vulnerabilities that Stagefright brought to light. The new build numbers are as follows:

AT&T Galaxy S4 – LRX22C.1337UCUGOC4
AT&T Galaxy S4 Active – LRX22C.I537UCUCOC7

To check for updates on your phone, head into Settings>About device>Software update.

Via: AT&T [2]

Nexus 6 on T-Mobile Gets Its Own Stagefright Factory Image as LYZ28J

Kellen — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 07:45:56 +0000

Last week, shortly after Google announced a new monthly update schedule of security patches for Nexus devices, the search giant posted factory images that contained Stagefright patches. The initial set of patches dropped in as Android build LMY48I, which was the proper build almost all of the Nexus devices outside of non-T-Mobile and non-Project Fi Nexus 6s. Last night, Google posted the specific factory image for the Nexus 6 on T-Mobile as build LYZ28J. You can grab the factory image at the link below, but if you would rather sideload the OTA .zip, we have that for you here. Factory Image | Binaries Instructions for flashing a factory image can be found here.

Pushbullet Adds End-to-End Encryption for Notification Mirroring, Universal Copy/Paste, and SMS

Kellen — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 07:34:13 +0000

Pushbullet announced this morning that its file-sharing/messenger/notification-mirroring application now supports end-to-end encryption. That means your data is encrypted "before it leaves your device, and isn't decrypted until it is received" by another of your devices. In the past, Pushbullet used https to help create a secure connection, but this E-2-E solution makes your data about as private as it can be. Now, not even Pushbullet gets to see your unencrypted info. To setup end-to-end encryption, head into Pushbullet settings on your phone and tap on "End-to-end encryption. From there, you will be asked for a password that needs to be the same on each device you enable E-2-E from. Pushbullet claims that they don't know your password and that it is used to "derive a key that's used to encrypt your data." That's it. Your password isn't even stored. As of today, E-2-E in Pushbullet is available on versions Android v16.5.4+, Chrome v264+, and Windows desktop app v360+. It will arrive on iOS in that app's next update. The update is already available on Android. Play Link

Via: Pushbullet

Alphabet is the New Google...If That Makes Sense - Sundar Pichai is Google's New CEO!

Kellen — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 14:14:56 +0000

OK, hang with me for a moment as I try to explain what Google's Larry Page just announced. Through the official Google blog, Larry announced that he (as CEO) and Sergey Brin (as president) are creating a new company called Alphabet. That company, should basically be thought of as you once thought of Google. In fact, Alphabet "will replace Google Inc. as the publicly-traded entity and all shares of Google will automatically convert into the same number of shares of Alphabet." With me so far? Google is now a company underneath Alphabet, as are Life Sciences, Calico, X lab, Ventures, Capital, and Wing. The new Google is "a bit slimmed down, with the companies that are far afield of our main internet products contained in Alphabet instead." In other words, Google gets to operate as the internet god, while the rest of Google's initiatives are fully separate under Alphabet. Still with me? With Page and Brin now running Alphabet, someone needs to take over as the CEO of Google. That man, as you probably guessed, is Sundar Pichai. His growth in the company has been quite impressive and Page had a whole bunch of fantastic things to say about him in the blog post explaining Alphabet. I'll let you read that all there if you'd like. What does this mean for Android and Chrome? Good question! Neither was mentioned even once in the post, so we are more than likely about to learn all of that over the coming days. Until then, feel free to speculate away. In short, Alphabet is now Google, sort of. Alphabet is a new company that overseas all of Google's products so that Google itself can get back to focusing on internet. You can visit Alphabet's site at abc.xyz. Annnnnnd...your thoughts are?

Via: Google

Download: Nexus OTA Stagefright Patches (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 13:55:19 +0000

Update 8/13: We now have all available files below.

Download Nexus Stagefright patches:

Nexus 4 - [LMY48I from LMY47V, 20.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 5 [LMY48I from LMY48B, 10.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (T-Mobile) - [LYZ28J from LYZ28E, 24.8MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 6 (Project Fi) - [LVY48E from LVY48C, 25.1MB] - Download Link (Cheers kevlar!)
Nexus 6 - [LMY48I from LMY47Z, 24.6MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi - [LMY48I from LMY48G, 10.3MB] - Download Link (Cheers Neil!)
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [LMY48L from LMY47V, ] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 9 WiFi - [LMY48I from LMY47X, 22.9MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 LTE - [LMY48I from LMY47X, 22.5MB] - Download Link
Nexus 10 - [LMY48I from LMY47V, 18.5MB] - Download Link

New Details on Verizon's New "One Plan. Four Sizes": Keeping Current Plans, Upgrades, and Other Data Options

Kellen — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 13:19:04 +0000

On Friday, Verizon surprised most of the wireless industry with an announcement of new S-M-L-XL data plans and a move away from 2-year contracts for new customers. Now that the dust has settled a bit and we move closer to their August 13 launch, we have some additional information to share that should clear any remaining questions up, courtesy of our sources.

Current Customer Upgrades

Our current understanding is that current customers will have two options when they are ready to upgrade. The first, and the one Verizon will try and push them towards, is to go with the new S-M-L-XL plan and upgrade to a new device through the new device payment plan. If that doesn't sound appealing, current customers can "keep their (current) plan and upgrade, add a line, or move up or down within the plan." Should you decide to upgrade phones, Verizon will try their best to get you into a device payment plan. "After evaluating alternatives," and should none of those sound like your best option, they will let you sign a 2-year contract with subsidized pricing.

Changing to New Plan

If you decide to change to the new S-M-L-XL plan, your line access fee will change depending on your current phone status. If you purchased a phone with device payments, at retail price, are upgrade eligible, switch from prepaid to postpaid, or brought your own device, you will pay a line access fee of $20, which is the price Verizon announced last week. If you purchased a phone at a discount (subsidized price) and are not at your upgrade date, Verizon will charge you a $40 per month line access fee because that phone you bought was at a "deeply discounted price." Thankfully, once you hit your upgrade date, Verizon will automatically drop your line access fee from $40 to $20.

Additional Data Options

S-M-L-XL is Verizon's attempt at simplifying the entire wireless service process. For the most part, they have done it with four data buckets and a flat $20 line access fee. But what if you want more than 12GB of data (XL package)? Well, Verizon has options for you. They are as follows:

20GB - $120
25GB - $175
30GB - $224
40GB - $300
50GB - $375
60GB - $450
80GB - $600
100GB - $750

The Name

Verizon is apparently officially calling these new plans "One Plan. Four Sizes." But they may also refer to as "The Verizon Plan."

Cheers the rooster!

Google Announces Plan to Bring Vulkan 3D Rendering API to Android

Tim — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 13:11:30 +0000

Today at SIGGRAPH 2015, Google announced plans to bring the Vulkan 3D rendering API to Android. Ultimately, this move will give app developers more explicit control over rendering a scene. Vulkan provides applications direct control over GPU acceleration for maximized performance and predictability. In a blog post on the official Android Developers page, Google states, "Vulkan is being designed from the ground up to minimize CPU overhead in the driver, and allow your application to control GPU operation more directly." Like OpenGL ES, Vulkan is an open standard for 3D graphics and rendering maintained by Khronos. As end users, this introduction of this API won't mean too much until developers have time to begin building with it. But when they do, we should see performance increases when running games that require heavy lifting from the GPU. Google states this initiative is still under development, but developers will be able to find specifications, tests, and tools once they are released at over on the Khronos website.

Via: Android Developers

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4, AT&T Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge All Get Stagefright Patches (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:22:12 +0000

Samsung continues to dominate in pushing out Stagefright patches before any other Android OEM. After handing out updates to a variety of its devices through Sprint and AT&T at the end of last week, they added the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4 and AT&T Galaxy S6/S6 Edge to the list late this morning, along with the Verizon Note Edge and Note 4. The new build numbers are as follows:

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4 - N910TUVU1COG2
T-Mobile Galaxy S5 - G900TUVU1FOG6
AT&T Galaxy S6 - G920AUCU2AOF3
AT&T Galaxy S6 Edge - G925AUCU2AOF4

To check for updates on your phone, head into Settings>About device>Software update. Update: Add the T-Mobile Galaxy S5 to the list.

Via: T-Mobile | AT&T [2]

Cortana Can Technically Replace Google Now on an Android Device

Tim — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 11:50:57 +0000

Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant, can now replace Google Now on an Android smartphone, technically. While complete integration is not there, users can set the default app used to Cortana for when you long press or swipe up on the Home button. This will allow you to use Cortana in a more seamless way, with setting timers and asking questions made a bit easier. Cortana as an app is a lot like Google Now or Apple's Siri. With it, users can check flight statuses, news, weather, or even get nearby showtimes for movies. In order to get this running, you will need the latest update to Cortana, which is only available to those inside of Microsoft's group of testers. The Cortana app has yet to hit Google Play officially. If you would like to try Cortana out for fun, you can find an earlier build of the Cortana APK for Android right here.

Via: PC World

OnePlus 2 Shipments to the US and Canada Delayed 2-3 Weeks

Kellen — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:57:14 +0000

The OnePlus 2 will be available for purchase starting tomorrow, August 11, assuming you have an invite. While that's great news for those interested in the device, customers in North America (US and Canada specifically) will have to wait a couple of extra weeks in order to receive their orders. According to a post to OnePlus' official forums, OnePlus has announced that a 2-3 week delay has hit shipments to the US and Canada. They insist that you will still be able to order your phones tomorrow, but you won't get them until a couple of weeks after shipments to Europe. OnePlus is blaming "production schedules" on the delay.

Via: OnePlus

Deal: Purchase a PNY 128GB MicroSD Card for Just $52 on Amazon

Tim — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:43:02 +0000

For a limited time over on Amazon, you can shop the site's sale on PNY memory, where you can grab a 128GB microSD card for just $52. Down from $100, this card allows you to max out most flagship devices' storage with countless photos, videos, documents, or whatever else you may want. If 128GB may be a little too much, there are plenty of other options, including cards for 16GB, 32GB, and even 64GB, all heavily discounted on Amazon. If you need a bit of mobile storage, follow the link below. Amazon Link

Google Voice Group SMS Receiving Works in Hangouts 4.0, Composing Will "in a Future Release" (EDITED)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:03:08 +0000

If you are a Google Voice user, then you have to be excited about the fact that you can now receive group SMS through Hangouts on Android, the web, and iOS. As Google Voice's Alex Wiesen puts it, this has been a "top feature request for Google Voice users for years." With that said, the entire process isn't quite complete, even with today's update. According to Wiesen, group SMS through Google Voice and Hangouts is a 2-part process. The first part, which was included in today's Hangouts 4.0 update, enables receiving of group SMS everywhere I just mentioned. But part 2 needs to wait until Hangouts 4.0 is fully released to everyone. Once that happens, Google will turn on the ability to compose a group SMS as well. ~~With staged rollouts of app updates like this, Wiesen says that composing of group SMS should arrive "within days."~~ EDIT: I obviously read Alex's post wrong. Receiving group SMS is coming in Hangouts 4.0 and will rollout to all over the coming days as the 4.0 rollout finishes up. The ability to send a group SMS is a part of a future release. Sorry for the confusion. We are almost there!

Via: +Alex Wiesen

HTC One M8 Apparently Won't Get Sense 7 Until Android M

Tim — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 09:36:41 +0000

Over the weekend, owners of the One M8 learned some frustrating news, as HTC's Mo Versi tweeted that the Sense 7 update will be tied directly to the release of Android M. Back in April, HTC UK declared on Twitter that Sense 7 would roll out in August. From what we can gather, it appears HTC will not be updating the One M8 to Android 5.1, and instead, will wait for Google to ship out final code of Android M to OEMs and then bake Sense 7 into that. For users, this is bad, as HTC was once extremely transparent on updates, even promising updates to the latest versions of Android within 90 days. Even though waiting for Android M is not a bad thing technically, Android 5.1 included a few important security fixes for Android, as well as battery optimizations. To skip over it completely comes off as a weak move, in the eyes of consumers. Sense 7 is currently available on the latest device from HTC, the One M9. It appears One M8 owners will need to show a bit more patience until they receive it, especially if it means having to wait for Android M. Strap in, folks, it could be a long ride.

Via: @moversi

Verizon Galaxy Note Edge Receives Stagefright Patch Via Update (Updated: Note 4 and S5 Too)

Tim — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:31:17 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy Note Edge on Verizon is set to receive its Stagefright patch via an update this week. Once updated, users will no longer need to worry about malicious MMS messages destroying your world. If you own another device on Verizon, it's likely a safe bet we will see Stagefright patches rolling out quite often this week, as Sprint and AT&T already began their mass updating push last week. If you have yet to do so, go grab that update, Note Edge owners.

UPDATE: Verizon's Galaxy Note 4 appears to be receiving the update too. (Cheers @arjukgandhi, @BucWild007, and @Nemo_Aeternamn!)

Update 2: Both the Note 4 and Galaxy S5 on Verizon got the update yesterday.

Via: Verizon [2] [3]

Hangouts 4.0 for Android Rolls Out Today! (Updated: APK)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 07:43:53 +0000

Oh boy, Hangouts 4.0 is official and rolling out today on Android. Google decided that Monday morning would be a great time to announce the big news and we couldn't agree more. The update introduces Material Design to the app, makes it simpler with a FAB compose button, allows you to attach pictures and stickers and fun things easier, and should be faster all around. Outside of the design, Google added in group MMS in Hangouts using Google Voice(!!!!). They also made it super easy to send Hangouts messages through Android Wear with your voice and brought back custom status messages. This is a big one. Here is the full list of changes according to Google:

Hangouts is sleeker. Now updated with material design, Hangouts has a new look and feel: items respond to your touch in more intuitive ways and transitions between tasks are more fluid.
Hangouts is simpler. The new Compose button makes it easier for you to start a new group or conversation. Our streamlined contacts list helps you find the right person quickly. And attachments have been revamped and simplified, so sharing—of emoji, GIFs, your location, even multiple photos at once—is a snap.
Hangouts is faster. Whether you’re sending a quick message or video chatting with family, you don’t want hold-ups. We’ve been obsessively fixing bugs and speeding up message delivery to make Hangouts faster and more reliable. Bonus: less battery consumption.
Make affordable calls from the Hangouts Dialer, now with Outbound Caller ID (so your friends won’t get any more calls from the great “Unknown”).Use Hangouts on Android Wear when you really have an eye on the time (just say, “Ok Google, send a Hangouts message,” into your watch).
Receive and reply to group MMS messages in Hangouts using Google Voice.
Use Hangouts on Android Wear when you really have an eye on the time (just say, “Ok Google, send a Hangouts message,” into your watch).
And if you’re not around but want friends to know what’s on your mind? Custom status messages are back.

The update hasn't hit Google Play just yet, but once it does, we'll be sure to share that .apk. Play Link Update: Update just went live on Google Play!

UPDATE 2: DOWNLOAD LINK (APK v4.0.100147489_22534506)

Update 3: Here are some additional details on group SMS as a Google Voice user.

Via: Google Blog

Stagefright and Security

Kellen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 19:00:50 +0000

On episode 88 of the Droid Life Show, we assemble to talk the latest in Stagefright and what Google, manufacturers, and carriers are doing about security on Android going forward. We'll also walk through Verizon's new data plans, Tim's time with Project Fi, and more than likely debate the importance of NFC in 2015 and beyond. There were a handful of hot topics this week that really grabbed reader attention, so we'll do our best to run through them all in this show. We will kick the show off live at 12:30PM Pacific (3:30PM Eastern).

Don't Miss These Android Stories: August 8, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:30:05 +0000

We had a blast this week debating the importance or usefulness of NFC, sharing our experience with Project Fi, and taking a look at our exclusive Galaxy Note 5 pictures, which are the best you have seen to date. We also sat down for another DL Show, cringed at all of the security news relating to Stagefright, saw a bunch of leaks (Nexus, Xperia SZ5, etc.), and even laughed at a hilarious video involving Apple fanboys getting excited about Android. It was a busy week, but things are only going to get busier in the coming weeks. Be sure to catch up everything that was through the handy list of the best stories below. If you couldn't follow along during the week, this is the best way to recap.

WATCH: Droid Life Show, episode 88 [Subscribe]
Stagefright News: Google, Samsung, LG, and Motorola talk updates.
Exclusive: Galaxy Note 5 pictures.
Verizon announced brand new data plans, also killed 2-year contracts.
What it is like to spend a month with Google's Project Fi.
OnePlus 2: And here is what OnePlus had to say about the lack of NFC in the 2
NFC: Near Future Consternation [Opinion]
Factory images: Here are the Stagefright updates for Nexus devices.
This could be the new Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact.
These two new Sony phones look great, but you won't be able to buy them.
Is this the Huawei Nexus?
Here is the Nexus 6 with a fingerprint scanner.
HTC is having a rough week: About to cut workforce, and spammed unwanted ads to customers.
Apple is hiring engineers to build "exciting new mobile products" on Android.
Speaking of Apple, this Apple fanboy video is hilarious.
Here are the latest Android distribution numbers.
App Deals: This week's list!
The Moto Maker options for the new Moto X Pure Edition.
FYI: The OnePlus 2 doesn't work on Verizon.

Best burger spot in your home town is...?

Deal: Get $25 Off NVIDIA SHIELD + Remote Bundle From Amazon and Best Buy

Tim — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:26:20 +0000

For those with the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV set-top box on their wish list, now may be a good time to pull the trigger. Through NVIDIA's dedicated store online, or through Amazon and Best Buy, you can save $25 when purchasing a SHIELD bundle, which includes a SHIELD Remote. Regularly priced at $250, the 16GB SHIELD bundle can be purchased for $225, or the Pro 500GB bundle (usually $350) can be had for $325. For more info on SHIELD, check out our full review here. Purchase: NVIDIA Link | Amazon Link | Best Buy Link

Motorola on Stagefright: New Phones Have Patch, Working on Updates for Current Phones (UPDATED)

Kellen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 12:22:06 +0000

With Google, Samsung, and LG all weighing in with their plans to address not only the Stagefright vulnerability, but also security going forward on Android, we reached out to Motorola to see what they plan to do. In short, like the rest of the manufacturers of the world, they take the security of their customers "extremely seriously." In a statement sent to Droid Life, Motorola said that all of their new phones announced last week "will have the StageFright patch integrated into the software." The new Moto G (3rd gen) will get the patch "soon." As for their current crop of phones, they have already begun "working to integrate, test, and deploy the patch" for "many" of the devices that recently saw updates to Lollipop. Here is the full statement:

“We take the security of our customers extremely seriously. We applaud Google's efforts to work with the carriers and handset manufacturers to enhance security in the Android ecosystem, and we look forward to working with them to help make this happen. All of our products announced last week will have the StageFright patch integrated into the software. We've also begun working to integrate, test and deploy the patch in many of our recent Lollipop upgrades for current products. The patch will also be included in the M upgrade.”

Obviously, they didn't provide us with any sort of exact time frame for release to phones like the current Moto X (2nd gen), DROID line, or older Moto G and E models. So far, though, Samsung and Google are about the only two to release patches. Security on Android...good luck!

UPDATE: Motorola has now posted a support page detailing their plans. Below, we have the full list of devices they plan to patch, when the testing will begin, and how you can temporarily protect yourself without the patch. Here are the devices that will get updates:

Moto X Style (patched from launch)
Moto X Play (patched from launch)
Moto X (1st Gen, 2nd Gen)
Moto X Pro
Moto Maxx/Turbo
Moto G (1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen)
Moto G with 4G LTE (1st Gen, 2nd Gen)
Moto E (1st Gen, 2nd Gen)
Moto E with 4G LTE (2nd Gen)
DROID Turbo
DROID Ultra/Mini/Maxx

When will your phone receive the patch?

We will begin delivering software to our carrier partners to test starting August 10th for the phones listed above. Many carriers have unique requirements that result in unique variants of software. As a result, there are over 200 variants of software that we are working to patch, test and deploy to our carrier partners for their testing and approval. We are prioritizing our deployments of the patch to the largest groups of consumers first and working closely with our carrier partners to make the patch available as soon as possible. We will update on our progress as more information becomes available. As soon as a patch is ready you will see a notification on your phone to download and install the update. We encourage everyone to periodically check if they have the latest software by checking in Settings>About Phone>System Updates.

What can you do to temporarily protect your phone and stop MMS from automatically downloading?

Messaging: go to Settings. Uncheck “Auto-retrieve MMS.”
Hangouts (if enabled for SMS; if greyed-out, no need to take action): go to Settings > SMS. Uncheck auto retrieve MMS.
Verizon Message+: go to Settings > Advanced settings. Uncheck Auto-retrieve. Uncheck “Enable weblink preview.”
Whatsapp Messenger: go to Settings > Chat settings > Media auto-download. Disable all video auto downloads under “When using mobile data,” “When connected on Wi-Fi” and “When roaming.”
Handcent Next SMS: go to settings>Receive message settings. Disable auto retrieve.

Friday App Sales: Final Fantasy Series, 4 Player Reactor, SunVox, and More

Tim — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:52:45 +0000

Over on the Google Play store, shoppers can pick up a solid list of apps and games for a discounted price, including a few of the Final Fantasy series titles. In that grouping is Final Fantasy III, IV, V, VI, and Tactics. Square Enix has them listed at 50% off the original price, so that's a score for RPG fans. Also on sale is 4 Player Reactor, a game I find myself playing with friends all of the time at restaurants and bars when I am waiting for my order. Inside the game, there are various challenges you and friends race to complete first. Priced at only $1.99, it's a good deal. See the full list of apps and games on sale below.

Friday App Sales

Ikaruga ($3.20)
4 Player Reactor ($1.99)
Dropsync PRO Key ($2.99)
A Better Camera Unlocked ($0.99)
AutoBoy Pro Unlocker ($0.99)
Dragon Quest VIII ($12.99)
Final Fantasy III ($7.99)
Final Fantasy V ($7.99)
Final Fantasy IV ($7.99)
Final Fantasy VI ($7.99)
Final Fantasy Tactics: WotL ($9.70)
Secret of Mana ($3.99)
SunVox ($2.99)

Go support some developers!

FYI: Verizon Killed the 2-Year Contract With Its New S-M-L-XL Data Plans

Kellen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:44:16 +0000

Verizon is done with 2-year contracts. That also means they are done with subsidized (discounted) phones in exchange for you signing up for two years of service. Starting August 13, Verizon's new S-M-L-XL plans are your option when you decide to become a Verizon customer ~~or upgrade from your current phone~~. Verizon is now fully invested in device payment plans separated from service costs. According to Verizon's press release for their new plans, "All new customers, and existing customers who want to move to the new plan, will buy or upgrade to new smartphones using Verizon's device payment option, formerly known as Verizon Edge, or by paying the retail price." In other words, if you sign-up for new Verizon service or upgrade when your current plan is done to one of their new plans, you won't have the choice of a subsidized phone. If you want a new phone to go with your plan and service, you can either pay full retail for one or sign-up for their new device payment plan. On that note, Verizon is also killing off Verizon Edge. While details are scarce on what the new plan will be called or if it differs from Edge, my guess is that it'll just be a generically branded 24-month device payment plan. Edge already changed from an early upgrade plan to a 24-month payment plan months ago, so it may go completely unbranded going forward. All make sense? Starting August 13, Verizon is going the T-Mobile route by moving away from 2-year contracts. Update: In case you needed some clarification, we have this from Verizon--

New customers will only have the option to pay retail price, or via the device installment plan. And you are correct, the Edge name is going away. Customers who choose the new plan device payments will still spread the cost of their phone or tablet evenly over 24 interest free months, and they will be able to upgrade anytime once the device is paid in full. Customers also own the device after it has been paid in full – there’s no requirement to turn it in when they upgrade.

EDIT: We've received information that clarifies how the upgrade process will work for current customers. According to information sent to us by sources, current customers can move to the new plan or keep their plan and upgrade, add a line, or move up or down within the plan. Verizon isn't forcing current customers onto the new plans just yet. Additional information can also be found at this post. The post has been edited to reflect this information.

Verizon Tries to Simplify Plans With S-M-L-XL Data Plans

Kellen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:28:26 +0000

Verizon announced this morning that it is simplifying its data plan strategy with the introduction of new S – M – L – XL options. The options include set amounts of data, coupled with flat $20 line access charges. So instead of having to figure out your line access charge and whether or not it includes a discount and/or how much that discount is, you now just focus on the data amount you and you family needs. According to the press release, you are looking at Small ($30/month for 1GB of shareable data), Medium ($45/month for 3GB of shareable data), Large ($60/month for 6GB of shareable data), and X-Large ($80/month for 12GB of shareable data) data buckets. That data can be shared with as many lines as you have on your account. Since each line is $20, take that times the number of lines you have and add it to the data bucket price you have chosen to get your total bill (before taxes and fees). For example, a family of 2 with 6GB of shareable data would be $100 (2 lines at $20 per + $60 for 6GB shareable data). If you have a family of 4 and share 12GB of data, you are looking at $160 (4 lines at $20 per + $80 for 12GB shareable data). If it's just you and you want 3GB of data, your bill would be $65 per month (1 line at $20 + $45 for 3GB data). Make sense? Other notes:

Each line comes with unlimited talk and text
If you need additional data during the month, it will cost you $15 per GB
If you need more than the 12GB XL package, you can ask Verizon about additional options
Tablet and Jetpack lines are $10 per month
Connected device lines (like smartwatches) are $5 per month
Verizon killed off the 2-year contract
If you are a current More Everything customer, you can stick with your plan until the end of your contrat

The new plans are available starting August 13.

S – M – L – XL: Choose the Right Size on the Nation's Best 4G LTE Network
August 7, 2015
Verizon Simplifies Data Choices to Match Customer Lifestyles
NEW YORK – Shopping shouldn't be complicated. That's why so many things in our lives come in familiar sizes, from small to XL. Whether it's your morning coffee, your favorite t-shirt, or even how many scoops you'd like on an ice cream cone, those are common options we know and understand. Verizon is now making it just-that-easy for customers to choose wireless service on the nation's best 4G LTE network. Beginning August 13, our newest plan will offer four easy sizes of data to match how you use wireless service. The new data options come in sizes just like other things you buy:

Small: $30/month for 1GB of shareable data

Medium: $45/month for 3GB of shareable data

Large: $60/month for 6GB of shareable data

X-Large: $80/month for 12GB of shareable data

And, each size comes with unlimited talk and text, with extra data for just $15 per GB. Customers who need even more data can talk with their Verizon Wireless representative for more details. "Choosing a wireless plan is now easier than ever. You said you don't want to have to do a lot of math to figure out your best options, and we heard you," said Rob Miller, vice-president of consumer pricing for Verizon Wireless. "So a plan with small, medium, large and x-large choices makes sense for the way people actually use their wireless service." Plan Access Plus Line Access Plus Equipment Equals a Great Experience Verizon is further simplifying by streamlining monthly line-access charges. On the new plan, every smartphone line is $20 per month, tablet and Jetpack lines are $10 per month, and connected device lines for devices like smart watches are $5 per month, all the time. Customers always get the best options and don't have to hunt for – and calculate – special discounts to get the best prices. And the S-M-L and XL data options can be shared among up to 10 devices. All new customers, and existing customers who want to move to the new plan, will buy or upgrade to new smartphones using Verizon's device payment option, formerly known as Verizon Edge, or by paying the retail price. "We were the first to introduce shared data plans more than three years ago, and our S-M-L-XL options build on that success using the insights our customers have provided since then. If you send just a few emails and watch your Facebook friends a little, that's a Small. If your whole family is watching video clips all the time, we'll serve up an XL," Miller added. Over the next few months, Verizon customers will also see a simpler and more streamlined bill, making it easier to see and understand monthly charges.
####

Via: Fierce Wireless

Microsoft Translator Hits Google Play, Supports Android Wear

Tim — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:13:26 +0000

Microsoft has been doing big things for the Android platform, and frankly, it's about time. This week, the company launched Microsoft Translator onto Google Play, giving users instant access to translations in 50 languages. Not only is it a solid app for your smartphone, but Microsoft also baked in Android Wear support, giving you the flexibility to use it whenever and however you see fit. The app is straightforward enough. Speak into the app and it will deliver instant translations. If you do not know how to pronounce a word, the translator can speak it for you, so as not to embarrass yourself in a foreign country. If you happen to be in a noisy environment, you can just show your phone to the person you are attempting to communicate with. The same can be done on your Android Wear watch. Speak into it, then receive your desired translation. It appears all of the major languages of the world are supported. This includes Spanish, Russian, Arabic, French, Urdu, Hebrew, Greek, German, and a ton more. If you would like to run this app in conjunction with Google Translate, you should be able to communicate with almost any person on the planet, all thanks to your smartphone. Go try it out. Play Link

Moto X Play Already Up for Pre-Order at Clove UK, Forget US Compatibility Though

Kellen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:02:39 +0000

The Moto X Play, Motorola's new mid-range device that might be the battery king of the world, is now up for pre-order at Clove UK, with an expected ship date of around August 25. That's only a few weeks away, in case you didn't realize that we were already a week into August. At a price of £225.00, US customers are looking at roughly $348 should they decide to import one, because as you may recall from Motorola's announcement of the X Play - it won't be coming to the US any time soon. That's a pretty incredible price for a phone with a 5.5-inch FHD display, 21MP camera, 2GB RAM, octa-core processor, and massive 3630mAh battery. Sure, the processor is mid-range-ish as a Snapdragon 615, but I'm guessing Motorola has fine-tuned the experience quite nicely with that chipset. This should be a hell of a phone. With that in mind, I have bad news. This phone doesn't support any of the important 4G LTE bands here in the US. The listed bands from the official spec list and on Clove's site are 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 41. In order for this to work in the US as an unlocked GSM phone, we need to see band 4 at a minimum, but band 17 is almost more important if you wanted to use the phone on AT&T (compare to our US cellular band cheat sheet). In short, no band 4 and 17 makes this phone almost worthless here in the US, unless you don't mind hanging on AT&T's HSPA. Thanks, Motorola, for deliberately killing US fun!

Via: Clove UK

LG Joins Samsung and Google in Monthly Security Update Initiative

Kellen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:33:03 +0000

In a statement issued to Wired, LG confirmed that it will join Samsung and Google in attempting to send out monthly security updates to its Android devices. The move is in response to the Stagefright vulnerability that was made public last week, which has left almost every Android device susceptible to pretty serious attacks through MMS. LG said that it will provide monthly security updates to carriers who can then make them immediately available to customers. While that sounds like a positive step, just keep in mind that the word "carriers" was involved there and we all know how terrible carriers are at pushing out updates. Here is the statement:

“LG will be providing security updates on a monthly basis which carriers will then be able to make available to customers immediately. We believe these important steps will demonstrate to LG customers that security is our highest priority,”

Good for LG, Samsung and Google to finally take security and updates seriously, but until we actually see this happen swiftly, we'll remain skeptical of the entire idea. I hate to be like that,. but we've been told for years that manufacturers and Google and everyone else involved will push updates quicker to customers, yet haven't seen any of it come to fruition.

Via: Wired

Samsung Reportedly Testing Tablet With Massive 18.4" Display

Tim — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:30:05 +0000

According to a leaked inventory image, Samsung is working on a new tablet, featuring a display size of a whopping 18.4". Set to be tested in South Korea, with all seven of the prototypes to be destroyed upon completion so as not to be leaked, it is shown via the list that each unit costs roughly € 465. If this device does see the light of day, it will easily be Samsung's largest tablet to ever launch publicly, with the biggest currently being the Galaxy Tab Pro at 12.2". It is also possible that when and if we see this tablet hit the market, it will be advertised to overseas countries and not the US, as many markets outside of America use tablets as their primary means of media consumption, and not a TV. Regardless, 18.4" is certainly big, even for Samsung. Would you be interested in such a monstrous device?

Via: No Where Else

Reserve Your Very Own Pebble Time Steel for Only $249

Tim — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:27:20 +0000

The Pebble Time Steel is now open for reservations on the Pebble site. Priced at $249, the Pebble Time Steel is the more premium version of the Pebble Time, which we reviewed not too long ago. The device features a stainless steel body, complete with color e-paper display, able to be purchased in a variety of colors. The one pictured above is the Gold trim and Red leather combo. There are also metal band models, priced at $299. Pebble states on the website that orders should ship in 6 to 8 weeks. If it were me, I might wait until Motorola drops the next Moto 360, then decide. But that's just me. Picking yourself up a Pebble Time Steel? Reserve Here

Deal: $60 Helps You Build Your Ultimate Smartphone Repair Kit

Kellen — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 13:33:50 +0000

We don't always recommended that readers crack open their phones or tablets and attempt to repair them without a professional, but if you are careful and decide that you need to, owning the proper tools is essential. The folks at iFixit are about the best in the business at fixing the tech we use, so when they put together bundles of tools to get you going, they are worth a look. On the DL Deals store for the next couple of days, you can purchase iFixit's Pro Tech Screwdriver & Jimmy Bundle. The bundle includes a 15-piece screwdriver set (list of bits at the link below) that should cover just about every random screw you could run into with a smartphone open. You also get the "Jimmy," which is an opener/blade that slips between the gaps on phones or tablets, helping you pry them open carefully. The bundle runs just $59.95 for the next 4 days. Deal Link

Deal: Unlocked Galaxy S6 Edge 32GB for $550 on eBay

Tim — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 12:46:53 +0000

Over on eBay, you can purchase a new unlocked Galaxy S6 Edge 32GB model in Black Sapphire for just $550. eBay lists this as being $450 off its retail value, but that is not exactly correct. On T-Mobile you can purchase this same device for $680 or on AT&T for $815. Regardless, you are still saving money on a great device. Included with the price is free shipping, on top of the unused, unopened device. This is not factory or manufacturer refurbished. The GSM unlocked nature of this phone will allow you to connect to most or any GSM carriers in the US. This includes T-Mobile, AT&T, metroPCS, Net10, and Ultra Mobile. When reviewing the Galaxy S6 Edge, we came away insanely impressed with the phone's display and camera, but wish it featured a bit more thickness so as to allow for a larger battery. If interested, go grab it before they are all gone. eBay Link

Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact Supposedly Make First Appearances

Kellen — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 11:20:51 +0000

To say that the Sony Xperia Z4 (or Z3+ or Z4v or whatever the hell Sony is calling it today) was a disappointment, is probably a gross understatement. Because of the lack of anything remarkable with that handset, most ignored it and instead set sights on what would hopefully be a news-worthy follow-up, a phone that we all assume will be called the Xperia Z5. In a series of purported leaks from @ViziLeaks, we may have our first looks at not only the Xperia Z5, but it's little brother, the Xperia Z5 Compact. In the image above, we are seeing two blocky, black rectangles thought to be each phone. The Xperia Z5 is on the left and the smaller brother, the Xperia Z5 Compact, is on the right. Not much can be taken from this photo, other than the fact that Sony forgot to include USB Type-C, even though Google wants to make it the standard for Android going forward. The phones also look all sorts of uninspiring in terms of design. And that brings us to the two images below, which show the sides of each device, along with their screens on and talk of fingerprint sensors embedded in power/lock buttons.

On the screen of the Z5 Compact, you can see a tutorial telling a person to press their thumb to the power button, so that the device can learn the thumb's fingerprint. On the bigger Z5, you can see the setup with presses of a thumb has already begun, similarly to how Samsung and Apple do their setups.

Both devices could arrive at the tech world's IFA conference next month in Brazil. Excited? This is Sony we're talking about here.

Via: @ViziLeaks

HTC to Cut Jobs and Product Lineup as Shares Fall

Tim — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 11:17:25 +0000

HTC is looking to rebound after a rough first half in 2015. Told to reporters by the company's Chief Financial Officer Chialin Chang, HTC is soon to cut its workforce and scale back on products, focusing more heavily on high-end devices to compete with Samsung and Apple. "The cuts will be across the board," she states. "They will be significant." HTC shares have fallen a little over 50% so far this year, as the company was hit hard by its competition in not only North America, but emerging markets as well. According to Chang, HTC currently holds 20% of the smartphone market in emerging markets, such as India. Even with HTC making moves to stop the bleeding, industry analysts don't project positive outcomes for the company, at least for the time being. Analyst Calvin Huang of Taiwan's SinoPac Securities wrote recently, "We believe HTC will keep losing share in the smartphone market and will keep losing money." Chang states that the cost reductions at HTC would extend to the first quarter of next year.

Via: Reuters

Report: LG-Made Nexus to Come Loaded With Android Pay This Year

Tim — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 09:59:03 +0000

According to one report, the next Nexus device from LG, said to launch this October, will ship with Android Pay. Should this surprise anyone? No, not really. Android Pay was detailed in-depth during this year's Google I/O, usually foreshadowing an eventual launch with the next version of Android, which will almost certainly come preloaded on any next Nexus devices. Android Pay is your typical mobile payments service. Inside, users can sync credit cards, debit cards, and even loyalty rewards cards, with buyers able to utilize any of these at supported terminals that feature NFC compatibility. Android Pay is not only for brick-and-mortar, though, as application developers can also build in Android Pay support, allowing users to spend money directly through Android Pay on almost any platform. A few applications already confirmed for support are grubHub, OpenTable, and Newegg. LG is reported to be working closely with Google to fine tune Android Pay for the upcoming device, but it is not detailed if LG will also be building in a fingerprint reader for the device. If this next Nexus is to be touted as the next-gen mobile payments machine, then we would assume a fingerprint reader is a must. All we have for specs are unconfirmed rumors, but things are shaping up quite nicely. Basically, the Nexus from LG is thought to be a smaller, somewhat Nexus 5-like device with possible 1080p display and Snapdragon processor, while the Huawei-produced Nexus will feature a larger, 5.7" QHD display and Snapdragon SoC. Are you ready to dive headfirst into Android Pay later this year?

Via: Business Korea

HBO NOW, Among Others, Now Supports Chromecast

Tim — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 08:44:14 +0000

HBO Now, the standalone HBO streaming service that requires no ties to a cable provider, received an update this morning to allow for Chromecast support. Now, instead of watching your favorite shows such as Eastbound & Down and Game of Thrones, or fantastic movie titles like Jersey Boys on a tiny display, you can cast them to the big screen HDTV in your living room. The update also includes updated performance tweaks, plus the app has added the ability to send users push notifications. These notifications will likely be used to recommend shows and movies to users. If HBO Now does not interest you, then you will be happy to learn that a gang of other apps received Chromecast support this week as well in Google Play. The list of newly supported Chromecast apps are FitFlap, Catch Phrase Blitz, Pixlr, Watch Food Network, Watch Travel Channel, and Pokemon TV. The HBO Now update is now live on Google Play for all to download. Play Link

You Decide: Is This the Huawei Nexus?

Kellen — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 08:23:34 +0000

We're getting closer to Nexus season, which means purported leaks of upcoming devices are going to surface more often. Take today for example, where we have a new video of a device that the internet wants you to believe is the upcoming Huawei Nexus, aka "angler." Is it? I don't think anyone actually knows outside of Huawei and Google, but there are some things worth discussing here. First, the device has that matte black finish that Google is quite fond of. This is obviously some sort of prototype phone, but even prototypes tend to use materials you would see in final builds. Second, the shape of the camera sensor looks identical to the sensor found on the LG Nexus 5 from a couple of years back. Why on Earth would Huawei use a similar design to an LG phone? Great question! Then again, if this is a Nexus, it's technically Google's phone, so it can look however Google wants it to look. Third, the overall shape of the phone, along with the placement of the fingerprint sensor looks a lot like Huawei's Ascend Mate 7, only with a Googley flair. And with Huawei thought to make a Nexus, well, this could be it, I guess. So what's weird about this? The video is ridiculously terrible and low-res (Who shoots video in 240p?), so you can't make much out in any fine detail. There is a word at the bottom of the phone that is tough to make out, but could be "porsche" or something along those lines. There is also a weird-looking PIN setup near the bottom, where we would expect to see a USB Type-C port. And that's about all we can make out. I don't know if this is a Huawei Nexus. It could be. It also might not be. You decide.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Nowhere Else

Apple Needs Developers to Build "Exciting New Mobile Products" for Android

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:00:46 +0000

A fresh job posting from Apple potentially shows signs of Android life inside 1 Infinite Loop that doesn't involve Apple Music. The job listing is for an "Applications SW Engineer" whose job is to help Apple "bring exciting new mobile products to the Android platform." Ooooooh. 9to5Mac, who first noticed the posting, seems to believe this is for a position outside of the development of the Apple Music Android app, since development of that app should be well underway with its expected arrival time of this "Fall." While no one knows for sure, there is always a chance that Apple has realized it can grow its brand by offering up some of its other ~~popular~~ house-made apps, like FaceTime, Apple Maps, its brand new News app on iOS 9, or Safari. Then again, Apple probably doesn't care if you use their free services on Android, as they would rather you buy their devices and use them. Apple Music makes sense cross-platform because there is a cost associated with using it. Hmm. What do you think? If Apple were to introduce other apps on Android, what would it be? Or better yet, are there any of Apple's apps that you wish were on Android?

Via: Apple | 9to5Mac

This Nexus 6 Prototype With Fingerprint Reader is Neat

Tim — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 15:35:23 +0000

If you own a Nexus 6, you are likely familiar with the dimple on its backside. We have known since this past January that this dimple was supposed to be a fingerprint reader, according to ex-Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside, and now (in August), we have a few pictures of what might have been, thanks to a leak from Weibo. As we can see, the dimple would have housed a black or dark gray fingerprint reader, with the Motorola logo still appearing on its exterior. It is said that due to Apple's purchase of AuthenTec, Motorola did not want to sacrifice user experience with a less-than-stellar fingerprint reader, so they opted to axe the idea altogether. There is no doubt that fingerprint reading is becoming a big feature for new flagship devices, and it is reported we should see the feature on both of the upcoming Nexus devices later this year. After all, one of Android M's key new features is native support of fingerprint scanning. While fingerprint readers can be quite nice, they do need to be implemented correctly for users to actually benefit. For example, requiring a user to slide their finger across a strip is not fun. Instead, like on the Galaxy S6 and OnePlus 2, you should only need to place your finger down for a second, and the device will unlock. That's the way it should be. Are you excited for pretty much all new phones to come equipped with a fingerprint reader?

Via: G for Games

Deal: Charge All Your Devices With the Exocharge 3-Port USB Car Charger for $15

Tim — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:43:01 +0000

In need of stepping up your in-vehicle device charging game? Thanks to the Exocharge 3-Port USB Charger, available on the DL Deals Store for just $15 with free shipping, you can charge up to three devices simultaneously. According to the product's description, this 3-port USB charger deploys "rapid charge" technology for ultra fast power. While we doubt it is anything like QuickCharge 2.0 from Qualcomm, you can probably rest assured knowing your devices will charge in a timely manner using this charger. This deal ends in four days, so if you would like to take advantage, have at it. Features

Charges any USB-powered mobile device
Powers three devices simultaneously
Employs rapid charge technology for ultra-fast power
Built w/ a sleek aluminum body

Deal Link

Android 5.1.1 "LMY48I" Factory Images Arrive for Nexus 4, 5, 6, 7 (2013), 9, and 10

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:28:17 +0000

Moments after pushing Android 5.1.1 "LMY48I" to AOSP, Google went ahead and made factory images of the new build available as well. We are currently seeing factory images for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi, Nexus 9 WiFi and LTE, and Nexus 10. As a reminder, this update patches the Stagefright vulnerabilities made public last week and is a part of Google's new monthly security update program. Over-the-air (OTA) updates will likely start rolling out tonight, so stay tuned for those files. In the mean time, you can grab the factory images for your devices at the link below. To flash a factory image to a Nexus device, hit up this link. Factory Images Link | Binaries

Google Fiber Officially Coming to San Antonio, Texas

Tim — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 13:19:02 +0000

San Antonio residents, your week is starting to look up. Today, Google announced that Google Fiber is officially headed to San Antonio, Texas, with Google currently in the Design stage of the process. Once Design is complete, Construction begins, followed by Sign-Up and Installation. There is no timeline yet for when all of this will be said and done, with customers using their new Fiber service, but at least you all know it has begun. If you live in Portland, OR, then you will know the pain of Google taking its sweet time in the "Exploration" process. For an in-depth look at Fiber and its pricing, see our post here. Happy San Antonio, peeps?

Via: Google Fiber

Does the OnePlus 2 Work on Verizon? No.

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 13:12:04 +0000

I know that most of you know/knew the answer to this question, but it's become obvious to us over the past couple of weeks that not everyone is clear on the situation involving the OnePlus 2 and Verizon. Does it work on Verizon? Will it ever work on Verizon? Why doesn't it work on Verizon? The short answer is, no, the OnePlus 2 does not and will not ever work on Verizon. The phone doesn't support the frequencies or network bands that would allow it to function on Big Red's network. Here are the official network bands supported by the OnePlus 2, pulled from their official specs list:

GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz
WCDMA: Bands 1/2/4/5/8
FDD-LTE: Bands 1/2/4/5/7/8/12/17

See anything missing? (Feel free to reference our US wireless band cheat sheet.) First of all, there isn't a mention of CDMA2000, which is the network technology that powers Verizon's 3G network and is the backbone that allows you to make/receive phone calls. Outside of that missing tech, the phone is also missing Verizon's LTE band 13. Now, Verizon does use band 4 in markets where they have deployed XLTE, but it is band 13 that has the LTE reach across the nation and that you typically connect to. The OnePlus 2 is sold as an unlocked phone that is capable of connecting to GSM networks, which are typically thought of as the more "open" type of wireless network. Adding CDMA compatibility probably would have driven the cost of the phone up, as well as the testing time. So there you have it. The OnePlus 2 does not and will not work on Verizon.

Samsung Will Also Start Issuing "Fast Tracked" Monthly Security Updates

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:59:56 +0000

Today has been all about security on Android. First, we saw Samsung and Google prepare "Stagefright" updates for a number of devices, followed by an announcement that Google would begin pushing monthly security updates to its Nexus line. Samsung, in a separate post, has announced a similar initiative. The Korean electronics giant announced a new "Android security update process" that fast tracks known security patches over-the-air (OTA) to devices. The updates could rollout as often as each month, thanks to the help of carriers and other partners. For example, Samsung has fast tracked updates to a number of its Galaxy devices just a week after the Stagefright vulnerability was made public. Outside of Samsung, only Google has prepared updates that we know of. This new process will take a bit of time to get fully accepted by all partners, but so far we have seen Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T on board.

Via: Samsung

Runtastic Acquired by adidas Group in € 220 million Deal

Tim — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:51:52 +0000

A deal has been struck between adidas Group and Runtastic, with adidas acquiring the fitness-centered app for € 220 million. The acquisition will allow Runtastic to develop and introduce many new features for its users, a community with millions of people. In a blog post announcing the deal, Runtastic's CEO states, "With our new partner, we’ve found the perfect match when it comes to taking our business to the next level and ultimately serving our community members in even better and smarter ways." Moving forward, not much will change for users, as the team will remain its own entity inside of adidas Group. Although, access to funds should allow for quicker development of new features. Runtastic is one of the most popular apps downloaded on Google Play for running and tracking workouts, and with this announcement, you can expect it to only get better. If you have not tried it out, give it a go. Play Link

Via: Runtastic

Google Adds Easy Notes Exporting From Keep to Docs on Android, Slides Sharing in Hangouts

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:00:01 +0000

Google is issuing a couple of updates today that involves Google Keep and Docs, along with Google Slides and Hangouts. The Google Keep update is simple in that Android users will now be able to easily export (copy) any notes to Google Docs with the touch of a button or two. The GIF above demonstrates this, in case you were wondering how it'll work. Basically, long-press on a couple of notes to select multiple, then look for the action overflow menu in the top right corner. With Google Slides, Google has added in easy presenting to video calls through Hangouts on Android. By tapping on the "present" button in a Slides presentation, users should see an option to present to a video call. From your Android device, you can then advance slides, view speaker notes, and use the built-in timer. Play Links: Google Keep | Google Slides

Present to anyone, from wherever you are.
Google Slides helps you share your big ideas with the world, but sometimes presenting these ideas can be challenging. Last month Slides added support for Chromecast and Airplay, which made it easier to project your slides on the big screen. Today, there’s another new way to share your work: easy presenting to video calls. Now teammates, partners and clients can see your ideas, even if they’re on the other side of the planet.
As you get ready for the big meeting, all you need is your Android phone or tablet. With one tap of the present button, you’ll see the option to present to a video call. Meetings that are scheduled on your calendar will automatically be listed, so you can be up and running in no time.

You’ll also get a handy look at who's on the call before you start presenting. Once you’re ready to rock, you can use your mobile device to advance slides, view speaker notes and stay on track with a built-in timer.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Google

OpenSignal Posts 2015 Android Fragmentation Report

Tim — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 10:50:13 +0000

Note: Every year, OpenSignal publishes an Android Fragmentation Report, detailing a few conceptions about the relationship between how many different devices there are on the market to how this makes developing for Android more difficult. Everything from OS fragmentation to screen size fragmentation is measured, but in actuality, Google has released countless tools for developers to minimize any hardship there is to get an app working on any and all supported Android devices. Long story short, we enjoy these reports for the pretty graphs detailing all of the phones, not the misleading talk on how Android is a fragmented mess and is scaring developers away. Enjoy.

Fragmentation is an interesting word to Android users. It used to represent how bad Android was with regard to OS updates and app development, but it's really just the nature of having a free OS available to any OEM that wants to use it. Yes, Google does its best at making updates readily available for OEMs who want to implement them, and powering developers with tools to create the best apps they can regardless of a device's screen size, but according to the latest Android Fragmentation Report posted by OpenSignal, there is still a long ways to go. Disclosed in their findings, over the span of a year from August 2014 to August 2015, over 24,000 different Android devices can access Google Play and download apps, making application optimization a possible struggle for developers. In 2013, there was only about 12,000 devices, meaning "fragmentation" has doubled in just two years. The above graph allows us to visualize just how complex of an ecosystem we are working with. At the top, we have Samsung with the Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy S5 holding a substantial amount of the smartphone market. Currently, Samsung accounts for nearly 40% of the Android smartphone market.

Going beyond the device fragmentation, "Brand Fragmentation" is also a subject OpenSignal touches on. As detailed in the graph, there are nearly 1,300 distinct Android manufacturers, with Samsung owning the majority, and LG, Sony, Motorola, as well as HTC filling out the field. In 2012, Samsung held nearly 50% of the total market, but thanks to hundred of competitors now in emerging markets creating mid-range devices, Samsung's number has been drawn back quite a bit to under 40%.

Of course, what good would an Android Fragmentation Report be if there was no detailed comparison to iOS. The iOS chart shows there is basically only two version of iOS to choose from, iOS 7 and iOS 8, while on the other hand, Android has nine versions currently running in the free world. Just as we saw in the latest Android Distribution numbers, Kit Kat remains on top, running on 39% of phones, with Lollipop (the latest and greatest version of Android), running on just 18% of phones. These graphs may seem complex, and even a little scary, but as an Android fan, the one thing I enjoy most about Google's mobile OS is the freedom of choice I have to choose whichever device suits me best. There are the high-end devices, mid-range devices, and entry-level phones, with every possible option in between, meaning that no matter your income level, where you live, or your lifestyle, there is an Android device that likely suits all of your needs and wants.

Via: OpenSignal

Going Forward, Nexus Devices Will See Monthly Security Updates - First Up are the Nexus 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 10:08:12 +0000

Earlier this morning, we told you that Google would be pushing updates to its Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 phones in an attempt to patch the Stagefright flaw that became public knowledge a week ago. As it turns out, Google will actually begin pushing updates to the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, and Nexus 10 today, updates that are the first in an on-going monthly security update package that was just announced. Google states via its official Android blog that from this week on, Nexus devices will receive regular over-the-air (OTA) updates each month that are focused on security. These updates are in addition to the typical platform updates. This month's update contains security fixes for "issues in bulletins provided to partners through July 2015," which of course, fixes the Stagefright issues that shocked our world last week. These security updates will also be released publicly through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Finally, "Nexus devices will continue to receive major updates for at least two years and security patches for the longer of three years from initial availability or 18 months from last sale of the device via the Google Store." In short, Google is now pushing security-related updates to Nexus devices on a monthly basis.

Via: Android Blog

AT&T Pushing Stagefright Update to Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4, and Others

Tim — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:35:50 +0000

A gang of Samsung devices on Sprint, plus two Nexus devices are receiving Stagefright patches this morning, but the fun does not stop there. AT&T looks to be doing the same, pushing a "device security enhancement" update to the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S6 Active, Galaxy S5, and Galaxy S5 Active. The updates are as follows:

Galaxy Note 4 (N910AUCU2COC6)
Galaxy S6 Active (G890AUCU2AU2AOF4)
Galaxy S5 (G900AUCU4BOF3)
Galaxy S5 Active (G870AUCU2BOF3)

To check for these updates, head into Settings>System update>Update now.

Via: AT&T [2] [3] [4]

Deal: Refurbished Chromecast for Just $20 at Groupon

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:33:07 +0000

Google's Chromecast is available from Groupon for the next couple of days at the low price of just $20. This is a "manufacturer" refurbished dongle, but do you really care? $20 for a device that attaches to the back of your TV for streaming of almost all the things is a heck of a deal. We are expecting Google to bring us a new one this quarter, but still, this is a good deal if you don't already own a Chromecast or need an extra for another TV. Deal Link

Cheers DaMoJo!

Sprint Pushing Stagefright Patches to Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S5, and Note Edge

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 07:05:28 +0000

Not only is Google pushing out a Stagefright patch to its Nexus line today, but Sprint and Samsung are pushing out patches to four devices as well. The Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S5, and Galaxy Note Edge are all seeing updates today that should secure your phone from malicious MMS. The updates are as follows:

Galaxy S6 (G920PVPU2BOGA)
Galaxy S6 Edge (G925PVPU2BOGA)
Galaxy S5 (G900PVPU3BOG1)
Galaxy Note Edge (N915PVPU4COG1)

To check for these updates, head into Settings>System update>Update now.

Via: Sprint [2] [3] [4]

Nexus 6 and Nexus 5 Receiving Stagefright Patch Today as Build LMY48I (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 06:59:18 +0000

Google is pushing a patch for the Stagefright security flaw starting today to the Nexus 6 and Nexus 5, at least according to Sprint. The new version of Android will roll out as build LMY48I and appears to only be headed to phones to patch Stagefright. As we have factory images, .zip files for the update, or more info, we'll be sure to pass that along. If the update pops up on your phone, be sure to grab that OTA URL by following these instructions. Update: Google announced that Nexus devices will receive monthly security updates going forward. That new initiative starts today with not only the Nexus 6 and 5, but the Nexus 4, 7, 9, and 10 as well. More details here.

Via: Sprint [2]

Here Come the Galaxy S6 Price Cuts: T-Mobile Drops $100 Off 32GB Models, $200 Off 128GB Models

Kellen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 06:48:03 +0000

After reporting another somewhat disappointing quarter, Samsung said that we could see price cuts to its flagship phones, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Either the T-Mobile version is the first in line to receive those cuts or T-Mobile just feels like giving you and I solid discounts on a phone that is the best you can buy. Last night, T-Mobile slashed $100 off the 32GB and 64GB models of both the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, but took it a step further when they dropped $200 off the 128GB models. So you can buy a regular Galaxy S6 with 32GB of storage for as little as $579 or go bonkers on storage and grab 128GB for $659. The S6 Edge now starts at $679 for 32GB models and goes up to $759 for the 128GB model. Skip the 64GB, folks, the better deal is with 128GB. We'll monitor the other carriers and let you know if they follow suit. T-Mobile Links: Galaxy S6 | Galaxy S6 Edge

Cheers Anthony!

Genius App Released to Google Play, Find All Your Song Lyrics and Meanings in One Place

Tim — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:45:24 +0000

Genius, a go-to website for song lyrics and deeper lyrical meanings, now has its very own Android app available on Google Play. With it, you can see exactly what your favorite artists are saying during songs, and we can finally conclude that Taylor Swift is singing, "star-crossed lovers," and not, "Starbucks lovers." Genius allows for users to play embedded tracks and browse lyrics simultaneously, while also browse songs that are featured on current hot lists. This is helpful for those who hear a song, but don't know the artist or title. The search function allows for users to search by artist, album, song title, and actual lyrics of the song. What makes this service special are the artists themselves. On some titles, the actual performers or writers will give a detailed description into the meaning of the song. If you ever pondered what Eminem meant when he said, "I'm beginning to feel like a Rap God," he explains it right on the song's landing page. The app is completely free to use, just like the website, so go grab it. Features

Simultaneously play songs and read lyrics
Browse the hottest songs and posts on Genius
Get the facts behind the tracks with verified annotations from top artists and producers
Enjoy a rich media experience with videos, audios, and of course GIFs (our fave)

Play Link

Deal: Android-Powered Avy Smart Speaker and Media Center for $170

Tim — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:32:33 +0000

On the DL Deals Store, buyers can save 15% on a Avy Smart Speaker, powered by Android and Bluetooth. Priced at $170, down from its usual price of $200, this speaker features access to Google Play, allowing you to download all of your favorite music apps on a sound system that can handle them. Not only can you listen to music, but Netflix and YouTube is also supported, or any other app you can find needing speakers and a display. Imagine it being a tablet with really big speakers attached. Featuring a rechargeable battery, users can get up to 7 hours of audio playback on a single charge, but not only that, a front-facing camera and microphone are built-in, meaning you can Skype or video chat with whoever, directly through the device. Fancy. If this device interests you, follow the link below. Features

Stream music w/ Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or play locally
Take the lightweight, rechargeable speaker anywhere
Watch videos directly from Netflix, YouTube, etc.
Mirror Avy to a bigger screen w/ Chromecast or HDMI
Enjoy high-quality sound from the powerful speakers & fine-tuned amplifiers
Play up to 7 hours of audio on a single charge
Stay in touch via Skype w/ the front-facing camera, built-in microphone & dedicated 2/3D video processing
Benefit from the convenience of physical keys & the remote control

Deal Link

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Chris Lacy Sells Link Bubble (and TapPath), Gives It One Last Big Update With Material Design

Kellen — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 14:16:27 +0000

Link Bubble and TapPath, two creations from Action Launcher developer Chris Lacy, have a new owner as of today. Lacy announced the news via his own blog The Blerg, stating that in order for each to succeed (Link Bubble in particular), they will need a "lot more resources and know-how" than his "indie company" possesses. The new owner was not named, but is some sort of a US-based startup that is "in stealth mode" at the moment. Lacy mentioned that when they announce the news "on their own schedule," this is something to get excited about, especially if you are a Link Bubble user. To celebrate the occasion, Link Bubble is receiving its biggest update ever with a material design overhaul, colored toolbars, custom domain redirects, translations for a handful of languages, and a bunch of bug fixes. The update is now live. As a recap, Link Bubble is the app that lets you tap on links and load them in the background, so that you can continue doing as you please without sitting around, waiting for apps or URLs to load. TapPath, on the other hand, wanted to make sharing and opening links more customizable. Each app introduced some pretty interesting ideas that a bigger development outfit could certainly expound upon. Lacy noted that existing users get to keep their purchases even though the apps are with new management. In fact, you shouldn't see a chance at all in your Link Bubble and TapPath usage. Play Link

Via: Chris Lacy

My Experience Using Project Fi for One Month

Tim — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 13:42:31 +0000

I just received my second statement for Project Fi since signing up on July 2. The total? Only $20.21. Thanks to Project Fi's Unused Data Credit, the unused portion of the $50 I paid at the start of service for 3GB of data is refunded onto my next month's bill, saving me quite a substantial amount. At signup, I opted for the lowest tier they offer to start, which is 3GB, but found through the Project Fi app that I wasn't using all that much, so I dropped my monthly allotment to just 2GB. With Project Fi, you pay for what you use, and if you happen to go over, Google won't pull your teeth out -- simply up your allotment and pay for it at the end of the month. I am fortunate to have a job where I sit next to a WiFi hotspot all day long, so I am not the best example of a person who goes through a ton of data each month. However, with how simple Project Fi is to understand in terms of billing, anyone can master it within 5 minutes. After a month of regular usage on the network, I have a pretty good understanding of what to expect from Google's Project Fi, so allow me the time to share my story with you.

Setup

After waiting a few weeks and finally getting my invite to Project Fi, I went ahead and had them send over a Welcome Kit. The kit includes your Project Fi SIM card, a set of headphones, portable battery bank, and Nexus 6 case. I already had a Nexus 6 on hand, so I didn't have to shell out for one at the start of usage. Getting set up was insanely easy and straightforward. To start, everyone pays the base $20 for unlimited talk and texts. Then, a flat rate of $10 per GB is added on top. For example, if you want 3GB of data, your monthly bill will be $50. If you don't use all of your data, you receive an Unused Data Credit on your next statement. When activating service, you will choose your number on Project Fi (if you opt for that), how much data you will want each month, and then you enter in a credit card to be billed each month. Through the dedicated app, all of this editable, except for your phone number. That stays the same. Once activation is all said and done, you are ready to use your phone.

Pricing

When compared to other carriers' pricing, Project Fi is highly competitive. Let's break it down quickly. $20 a month is your base price (aka line fee), no matter what. That nets you unlimited talk and text. Each 1GB of data you consume costs $10. No matter how much or how little you use, it will always be $10 for a GB. Need 10GB a month? That's $100. Need 3GB? That's $30. Compare this to Verizon or AT&T. We recently wrote a post, detailing how much your monthly bill is on a single line with 3GB of data. Included in those prices usually are device loan programs or insurance, so for the sake of clarity, let's just assume you own your device outright and are not making monthly payments for it. On Verizon, a 3GB plan is priced at $50, with a line access fee of $25. That's $75 a month. AT&T is not much better. Your 3GB will cost $40, with a line access fee of $25, equalling $65. On Project Fi, for 3GB of data, your price will $50, plus a couple dollars for taxes and fees. Sprint and T-Mobile are the only two carriers coming close to this, with T-Mobile pricing 3GB of data at $60 with no "line access fee," but technically unlimited throttled data after your 3GB is used up. Sprint is a tad different, as it implemented the All-In plan, which is $80 a month for unlimited everything. The All-In plan also factors in the lease price of your phone, all under one price. As I stated, Project Fi simplifies this process to the barebones, which to me, is very much welcomed. When you near your data usage limit, Fi will notify you through the application, asking whether you would like to add more data. There is no fee for this or any type of funny business.

Service

Google asks that you keep your WiFi on whenever using your Nexus 6, as the service will automatically connect you to any open WiFi hotspot it can find. Although, Google notes that they test each connection to be fast, and pass all information through a VPN for data security. When not in range of WiFi, your phone will fall onto a cell tower; either T-Mobile or Sprint. Through the duration of a month, I ran speed tests here and there, and then checked the details to see if I could pinpoint which network I was running on. From my findings, I mostly ran on T-Mobile towers and had great speeds. There was one time I went to the Oregon Coast, which had me at crawling speeds, but that's just part of the coastal experience.

To be honest, I was half expecting my experience with data speeds to be rather poor, given where I live. I have ran T-Mobile phones and Sprint phones before, never coming away impressed with connection. But on Project Fi, speeds were solid as long as I was not inside an elevator or walking my dogs through the woodland parks. On average, I was seeing about 20Mbps download and 5Mbps upload. For most people, that should be more than fine. The thing everyone needs to keep in mind is, my experience will likely differ greatly from yours, as where you live and your connections are not the same as mine. I can only attest for my experience with the service, and for me, it was solid. On the Project Fi website, a coverage map can be viewed to see if you live in an area where Fi will be a viable option for you. And be sure to check spots where you travel to frequently as well. Usually, I enjoy the security of having a carrier with nationwide coverage, as I do a bit of traveling. But since Google utilizes T-Mobile and Sprint, I can rest assured that I am either going to have WiFi, or can find a bit of service. There were no times when I was completely out of signal, left stranded on the side of the street, cursing Google's name. As for the transition from cellular data to a public WiFi hotspot, then back onto cellular, my experience was limited. When I was paying attention, this only happened one time when I ventured into a Target. I saw my Nexus 6 automatically connect to the network, and that was it. I was able to check Instagram and Twitter with no trouble. When I left Target, I was back on Fi cellular data. That is how seamless it should be, but I was surprised I did not see this happen more often. For example, when I go into a Starbucks or place I know there is WiFi, I expect to be automatically connected, but I was not. Connecting myself is no big deal, but this was supposed to be one of the big draws to the service. This feature could see improvement in the future, but who knows. Maybe Fi was not connecting me because they did not think it was secure or "open." Below you can view my speeds from tests I ran around the Portland, OR area.

Support

Inside the Project Fi application, getting answers to your questions is one call away. Sure, you can call your current carrier anytime you want, too, but something about it being Google makes me a bit more confident in the support I will receive. Before you call or email, you get an estimated wait time, allowing you to choose if it's a good time to seek support or not. Over the course of a month, I never saw the wait time surpass 1 minute, so that's a good sign. Of course, we don't know exactly how many people are using Project Fi currently, but since the service is still relatively new, support should continue to be excellent. There is also an official Google+ community for Fi users, currently serving a little under 5,000 members. Here, you can get answers from fellow Fi users, or even post feature requests for the future. There is a dedicated FAQ section, containing answers to all of your basic questions that don't require one of Google's reps to help you.

Devices

The only issue I have with Project Fi is not with the service itself, but with the phone I am required to carry in order to use it. Right now, Project Fi is exclusive to the Nexus 6, and if you don't care much for a 6" device, then you may not enjoy yourself. Personally, the Nexus 6 is not my choice of phone, and I wish other phones were compatible, but my guess is that Google will bring support for Project Fi to any upcoming Nexus devices released later this year. If you don't want to use a Nexus 6, stay off of Fi, but don't be afraid to request an invite if the service interests you. Your invite won't expire. Once we have more phones that are compatible, I could see this service really catching on.

Conclusion

After a month, my conclusion is, I don't want to use the Nexus 6 anymore. Project Fi has treated me well, and I do enjoy using it, but my hope is that Google will allow for new Nexus devices to run on the network. My bet is that they will. However, until that time, the Nexus 6 does not fit into my lifestyle. As for Project Fi itself, the service could not be more easy to use and consumer friendly. There are no surprises each month, and you pay for what you use. There's no rollover data crap or insane overage charges. It just works. One could argue Google tends to oversimplify services, but in an industry filled with small text and hidden fees, Google is a welcomed competitor in the space. If you currently own a Nexus 6, there is no harm in trying a month out. But again, if the Nexus 6 is not a device you want to be toting around, just wait until more devices hit the market that are compatible.

OnePlus 2's Invite System "Hacked," OnePlus Says They Were Already Monitoring Suspicious Behavior

Kellen — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 11:48:35 +0000

Not hacked as in, your life is about to be ruined by identity theft or credit card fraud, but hacked as in a couple of "crafty" users were able to figure out ways to cheat the list and move themselves far up the position rankings using clever scripts. That's right, the OnePlus 2 invite reservation system has been messed with, openly, which has more than likely affected your position in line on some level. The original tinker posted about his trickery to Medium yesterday, but notified OnePlus of the issue at the same time to get everything patched up. He then went about "hacking" the system again shortly thereafter through another method to prove that the system is still far from perfect. Fun, right? OnePlus responded to to everything today, claiming that they "knew this was possible" and that they have "been monitoring the list for such behavior." They say that "it's not too widespread" and have "already implemented a few measures on our end to limit it." Finally, before any actual invites go out, they plan to "fine-comb the list for fraudulent entries." That sounds like a hell of a job, considering there are some 1.8M people on the list. In other words, even if your spot dropped from around the 12K mark to 66K mark within the last week, you may still have a chance at getting the device in a timely manner.

Via: OnePlus | @JakeCooper [2]

Near Future Consternation [Opinion]

Ron — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 10:30:06 +0000

A lot of people seem to be upset that the OnePlus 2 does not have NFC. As we all know, OnePlus likes to talk a big game. They are the ones who "#neversettle," after all. But how can this flagship killer actually kill flagships without NFC? Why not just include it? Here's the thing - Near Field Communication, or NFC as the kids are calling it these days, simply doesn't matter in 2015. I want you to come with me on a journey back to yesteryear. No, literally, think back to 2014. Everyone thought that once Apple added NFC to the iPhone, NFC would become a big deal. The teens would be bumping their phones to exchange contacts, every single store in America would support mobile payments, and all of the big issues plaguing our country would be solved. Well, it's been almost a year since NFC was added to the iPhone exclusively for contactless payments and you can still hardly use it anywhere. Even major businesses like Starbucks are continuing to use barcodes for payment like it's 2011. And it isn't just Apple's problem. While Android phones have been able to pay for things with Google Wallet and myriad of other services, most stores still want a credit card. But isn't this all going to change in October when stores are going to be held liable for fraudulent transactions if they don't have chip and pin systems in place? That will almost certainly increase the chances that merchants will upgrade to hardware that also supports NFC payments, but experts believe only half of banks and merchants will have the new systems in place by October, and only 70% of credit cards and 40% of debit cards will have microchips. If those estimates are accurate then the roll out will be relatively fast, but it won't be complete for a long time. Think of it like getting the latest version of Android - it will come eventually, but don't expect every device to get it right away (or ever). And sure, you can use NFC for all sorts of fun things like transferring content from your old phone to your new phone (which is really only useful if you have multiple Google accounts, otherwise signing in on the phone is just as good) or send information and actions quickly to your phone, but again, these things are rarely used and are unlikely to become popular in the US without Apple opening NFC to developers. So let's get back to the OnePlus 2. Should we really be upset that a phone that costs a little over $300 off contract, has top tier specs, great design, a fingerprint sensor, mute switch (finally!), and a reportedly good camera doesn't have NFC? Probably not. Could they have just thrown it in for fun? Sure, but why bother when the main reason to use it, contactless payments, isn't going to be prevalent for at least another year? Why not use resources towards other innovations like being able to reach in your pocket and slide a switch to mute your phone (seriously - after fingerprint sensors this needs to be on every phone)? Even if NFC becomes a huge deal over the next year -- which, again, it probably won't -- you'll be able to buy a new OnePlus 3 at an insanely low price in a year that will probably have NFC when it matters. Of course, if it's really that big of a deal you can always buy a different phone that settled for a different set of compromises too.

HTC Themes App Showing Lovely 'Fantastic Four' Ad to One Owners

Tim — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 09:22:36 +0000

We tweeted about this yesterday, but thanks to the latest promotion from HTC's Theme app, displayed in the notification bar via a push notification, most One device owners should know exactly when Fantastic Four will hit theaters. The promoted theme will deck your phone out in a Fantastic Four wallpaper and icons, but apparently, a few owners are not very appreciative of the thinly-veiled advertisement. The simple fact is, we all saw this coming. It was announced a short time ago that users would begin to see promotions through the BlinkFeed software, and there was already the promoted apps widget to help users discover new apps. HTC promoting apps, movies, and other various things just isn't all that surprising. And really, if you are a fan of Fantastic Four, it's a win-win. The theme is free to download and apply, but if you found yourself annoyed by a push notification (and you likely have), you can disable them from inside the Settings menu on the device. Themes is an extension of Sense Home, so if you would like turn off notifications, you will need to disable notifications for Sense Home (Settings>Apps>Sense Home). Anyone excited for Fantastic Four this weekend?

Via: reddit

Here is the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 in Hand

Kellen — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 08:14:35 +0000

Samsung will show us the brand new Galaxy Note 5 at a press event in New York City, next week. As we inch closer to that unveiling, we continue to see the phone via leak here or there, and even in what we are assuming are official press renders. Thanks to sources of ours, here's another to add to the list. What you are seeing here is the Galaxy Note 5 in the flesh, in hand. It looks a lot like a bigger Galaxy S6 with its metal frame and glass panels, but it differs in that the back has an Edge-like curve to it, likely to make it easier to hold. We are seeing the S Pen slot on the bottom (which we are told is spring loaded), regular USB port (not USB Type-C), single bottom speaker and headphone jack, and some crazy thin bezels surrounding the display. In terms of specs, we are being told that the phone has 4GB RAM, no SD slot, 32/64/128GB storage options, and a 3000mAh non-removable battery.

Finally, in the top image, we are seeing a new menu for Air Command that includes options for Action memo, Smart select, Screen write, S Note, Settings, and Instagram. That Instagram icon is interesting in that this could be Samsung allowing you to customize an Air Command shortcut or maybe it's simply showing a previously used app (Edit: It is customizable). Either way, we're all for Air Command growing its feature list. What do you think? Is this your next phone?

Deal: Buy ZeroLemon's Galaxy S6 3500mAh Slim Battery Case for $29

Tim — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:07:30 +0000

Regularly priced at $40, you can pick up the ZeroLemon Slim Battery Case, made specifically for the Galaxy S6, for just $29 on the DL Deals Store. These cases allow you to keep your device charged while on the go, plus offer a certain amount of protection if you should drop your phone, thanks to the TPU case. According to the numbers, this ZeroLemon case provides 125% additional charge for your Galaxy S6, bringing your battery level to around 6,000mAh. And thanks to the case's slim profile, your device is still easily portable, with not much added weight or girth. On the case, LED indicators will make you aware of the case's charge level, keeping you on top of how much juice you have left. If you need some extra juice for your Galaxy S6, check it out. Features

Includes a removable 3500mAh battery for a boost to any USB-capable device
Gives an additional 125% charge to your Galaxy
Fits easily in your hand or pocket w/ its super slim profile
Sustains significant drops & everyday abuse w/ its sleek, durable TPU case
Indicates charge level w/ four LED lights

Deal Link

Android Distribution Updated for August 2015, Lollipop Jumps to 18%

Kellen — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 15:37:31 +0000

Google took the month of July off, but today, went ahead and updated the Android OS distribution numbers for August. In the two months since they last updated, Lollipop has seen a sizable jump from 11.6% to over 18%. Other than that, there hasn't been much movement. KitKat barely moved up to 39.3% (from 39.2%), while Jelly Bean (37.4% to 33.6%), Ice Cream Sandwich (5.1% to 4.1%), and Gingerbread (5.6% to 4.6%) all dropped. You can see June's numbers here.

Via: Android Developers

Chrome Beta for Android Updates to V45 With Custom Tabs, Updated Media Controls and Bookmarks

Kellen — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 15:10:46 +0000

Google is pushing an update to Chrome Beta (v45.0.2454.21) this afternoon that introduces a couple of tweaks, along with a feature called "Chrome Custom Tabs." Chrome Custom Tabs are better explained by Google here, but basically they allow customization in Chrome tabs by developers (toolbar color, enter/exit animations, custom actions to overflow menu). We're still waiting for the update to arrive, so once we have it, we'll see if we can't show you a better visual representation of Custom Tabs. The new build updates media playback controls and the bookmarks interface, and also fixes bugs. What's New

Chrome Custom Tabs
Updated media playback controls
Updated Bookmarks interface
Better logging for feedback reports
Barrels of bug fixes and performance improvements.

Play Link

Via: Chrome Releases

Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ Renders Have Arrived

Tim — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 14:54:47 +0000

This past weekend, @evleaks posted the above press renders to his Twitter account. They are of the upcoming Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Not only do we get a solid look at what to expect from the exterior, but Evan also posted along a few specs for the Galaxy Note 5. According to the tweet, we may see the Galaxy Note 5 feature a 5.66" QHD display, Exynos 7420 processor, 4GB of RAM, 16MP back-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera, and run Android 5.1.1 at launch. One thing missing from the list is a microSD card slot, which aligns with previous reports we have posted. As we can see from the renders, the Note 5 looks similar to the Galaxy S6, but of course, is larger and features a S-Pen stylus. The S6 Edge+, on the other hand, is really just a larger Galaxy S6 Edge. We are coming up on August 13, the date Samsung has scheduled to unveil these two new devices in New York City. We will be on-hand in NYC to bring you all of the coverage.

Via: @evleaks (2)

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 on Sprint Gets Update With Stagefright Fix, Android 5.1.1 Too

Kellen — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 14:06:20 +0000

The Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is getting an update today that introduces a fix for the Stagefright security flaw that shocked the Android world last week. To date, this is the first phone to get this fix that we are aware of, though you should expect a whole bunch of other updates to arrive over the next few weeks. The update weighs in at around 615MB, so we're talking about a substantial update here that also brings the phone up to Android 5.1.1. The full changelog is below.

Android version 5.1.1, Lollipop OS Upgrade
Message Waiting Indicator fix
Security fix (Stagefright)
Misc. bug fixes.

As a recap, the Stagefright bug allowed someone with your phone number to send you an MMS that when played (potentially without you even knowing in the background) could access all sorts of private information. It affects most Android devices, and unlike most security findings on Android, is actually quite serious. We can't help but applaud Samsung and Sprint for pushing this out. They managed to beat Google, who has yet to send any sort of patch to any of its Nexus line.

Via: Samsung | +Matthew Yee-Fong

This Video is Funny, If You Like Laughing at Apple Fankids

Kellen — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 12:43:33 +0000

What happens when you load up a fake iPhone with Android, tell people that it's running iOS 9, and ask for their reactions? You get the best of Apple fankids talking about how everything is awesome because Apple made it. It's the best kind of comedy for smartphone nerds, just like when Jimmy Kimmel has people react to the "new" iPhone that is really just last year's iPhone. People say ridiculous things because in their minds, Apple can do no wrong and always does everything right. Why is this better than Android? "I dunno, Apple is so chill," says one of the participants. This version of Android on a fake iPhone is also apparently so much better because it's "just a lot faster and smoother." Mmhmm, I'm sure it is. Even an admitted "Samsung fanboy" in the clip is amazed by its beauty (poor TouchWiz). But in the end, at least one person says that this is the best because "I just think Apple is always better." And that's that.

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Deal: Best Buy Slashes Fire TV Stick to $25 Today Only ($15 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 12:16:08 +0000

Amazon's Fire TV Stick is today's deal of the day through Best Buy with a $15 discount that drops the price to $25. If you wanted to get into the dongle-to-streaming game and have yet to buy a Chromecast, this deal gets you there even if it is through Amazon's option. With the Fire TV Stick, you plug the HDMI-ready dongle into a port on your TV or display, connect to WiFi, then stream music, movies, and all sorts of other content through partners like Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, Pandora, and ESPN. You can even game on the Fire TV Stick. Amazon says the Fire TV Stick comes with 4x the storage and 2x the memory of Chromecast, so if you are a Chromecast owner, this might even be a nice little upgrade. Best Buy Link

Reservations Open for Liquidmorphium Turing Phone, Starts at $610

Tim — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 11:39:31 +0000

Turing Phone, known as the world's first liquid metal-frame smartphone, is now open for reservation. Liquid metal, you say? Turing Phone is comprised of Liquidmorphium, a new metal "stronger than titanium or steel," that is unbendable and dissipates shock more efficiently than what you see from your standard smart device. Not only does Turing Robotic Industries (TRI) promote the device's unique look, but also touts security of the device as a headline feature. The Turing Phone deploys end-to-end decentralized authentication for establishing secure networks to exchange data. Did I mention it features a IPx8 waterproof rating, too? IPx8 is a submersible rating, allowing for up to 30 minutes of immersion at 30ft/10m. As for internals, the device features a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, NFC, LTE connectivity, 5.5" FHD display, 13MP rear-facing camera, 8MP front-facing camera, 3,000mAh battery, 3 different storage options (16/64/128GB), and runs Android 5.1 with a "Æmæth UI" skin. With its unique look and list of specialty features, we are sure you want to know the price. The 16GB model can be purchased for $610, 64GB for $740, and 128GB for $870. You can also choose a colorway that best suits your tastes, with Cardinal, Beowulf, and Pharaoh all available through the reservation process. Right now, there is no official release date for the phone, and do note, this is a reservation process, not a pre-order. TRI isn't taking your money just yet. Sound fancy enough for you? Reserve Here

Here are Moto Maker's Options for the Moto X Pure Edition (2015)

Tim — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 10:59:22 +0000

The Moto X Pure Edition is set to launch in September here in the US, but if you want to get a head start on the many ways you can customize the device through Moto Maker, the below image can help. As shown, there will be four leather options, four wood options, and 10 CSR + Pattern options. For leather, customizers can choose between Red, Natural, Cognac, and Black, while those fond of wood can have either Bamboo, Walnut, Ebony, or Charcoal Ash. Accents for the device will also be available, with Silver, Dark Gray, Champagne, Red, Pink, Lemon Lime, and Royal Blue all being good options. Something new, which was not available on last year's Moto X, are differently colored Anodized AL frames. There is Silver, Dark Gray, and Champagne. You will also be able to choose between a White and Black frontside. The Moto X Pure Edition starts at $399, capable of running on any US carrier. A few of these customizations will likely bump up the price of your phone, but in the grand scheme of things, it will still be a killer price for a flagship device. Will you be customizing your very own Moto X Pure Edition when released?

Via: @P3Droid

Amazon Echo Now Available at Staples, Priced at $179

Tim — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 10:02:33 +0000

The Amazon Echo is now available through Staples, priced at $179.99, the same price you can get it on Amazon for. If you are a frequent Staples buyer, than you can benefit from the company's 5% back for Rewards Members, plus free shipping. Although, Amazon has Prime shipping, so it's doubtful shipping is a deal breaker. Echo is Amazon's voice-powered assistant, perfect for answering most of your questions and playing your favorite tunes. She can be an egg timer, storyteller, and even give you the latest sports scores. Although, I have found her ability to answer questions quite limited. She can give you the population of Paris, France just fine, but she can't answer the population of Mexico City, Mexico. If you own an Echo, how do you like it? I find myself using it as a kitchen timer more than anything. Staples Link

OnePlus Co-Founder Talks NFC Backlash, Another "Amazing" Phone Coming Later This Year

Kellen — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 09:20:45 +0000

OnePlus co-founder, Carl Pei, sat down with USA Today over the weekend for a short interview that touched on a number of subjects from the company's early beginnings to its new phone and beyond. Two topics stood out to us, though - one as a response to the backlash heard over the company's decision to leave out NFC in the OnePlus 2, and another that talks of a new OnePlus phone coming later this year that will be "amazing." Carl was asked about OnePlus not including NFC in the OnePlus 2 and why that decision was made. He said he thinks the "entire issue of NFC is overblown" and that "very few people are using" it. Because of that, they cut it out - "it's as simple as that." Expounding on the idea that no one uses it, Carl suggests that because NFC may not be a thing for another 12-18 months, that you won't need NFC in a device today. He also mentions that in those 12-18 months, "people will have moved on to the next device," which we are assuming means a OnePlus 3 or phone from another manufacturer that has NFC? That's kind of an odd statement, if you ask me. While I appreciate the honesty here, I can't say that I'm exactly excited about that kind of approach. When your company's motto is "Never Settle" and the tagline for your 2015 phone is "2016 flagship killer," you are basically saying that your phone won't have a feature that will likely be big in 2016, which you realize to be the case, yet still left it out. Because of that, you are also asking your customers to settle for the time being. On a semi-related note, Pei did briefly touch on the subject of the near future, which includes another OnePlus phone. He said that it "may or may not be" higher spec'd than the OnePlus 2 and that the first words out of his mouth when seeing it were "Holy sh*t that's going to be my daily driver." Umm yeah, so the OnePlus 2 is great and all, but the next phone might be even better. I don't know what to tell you anymore. But hey, hopefully we'll have a OnePlus 2 review unit soon! Maybe.

Via: USA Today | @getpeid

AT&T Now Offers a TV/Mobile Bundle, $200 a Month for 10GB of Shareable Data Among 4 Devices

Tim — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 09:05:46 +0000

AT&T announced the first offering of its kind this morning, coupling mobile and TV bills into one single plan. The plan attempts to make paying your bills more simple (and cheap), but for the GB hungry wireless consumers, it may not be very beneficial. For $200 a month, customers can get up to four TVs connected to HD and DVR-ready TV service, grouped with four phone lines with 10GB of data shareable among the lines. According to AT&T, this deal could save consumers $600 or more annually. The TV service is powered by DIRECTV, with four different tiers available to consumers at varying promotional prices. For the first 12 months, the plans range from just $50 a month, all the way up to the "DIRECTV Premiere or U-verse U-450" for $125 a month. Customers who group a TV and eligible phone plan into a single bill are gifted a $10 bill discount, according to AT&T's press release. If you keep both services for a full year, that's an annual savings of $120 a year.

In select markets, AT&T is even offering customers the ability to group high-speed Internet. Starting at an additional $30 a month, users can access 6Mbps Internet, all the way up to 45-75Mbps speeds for $50 a month, on top of the $200 TV+Phone plan. As you can see, AT&T is wasting no time in highlighting its DIRECTV service, as the two officially merged back on July 24. You can expect to see plenty of promotion for this plan in the near future. Share your thoughts below on bill bundling, and if you think 10GB among four smart devices is viable for American families.

Via: AT&T

Sony Announces Two Phones Worth Paying Attention to, the Xperia M5 and C5 Ultra

Kellen — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 07:37:04 +0000

At the stroke of midnight, last night, Sony announced two new phones for "emerging markets" that I think many of you hope make it far beyond and into bigger markets. The two phones are the Xperia M5 and Xperia C5 Ultra. I would suggest to you that the Xperia M5 is the more appealing of the two because of its supposedly great new camera and smaller body, but the C5 Ultra's non-existent side bezel almost looks too clean to be real - except that it is - and is just as interesting. Each phone sports a 1080p display, thin body, MediaTek octa-core processor, and some unique camera setups. Sony is referring to these as "super mid-range" type phones, but they really could pass as flagships for the most part. It's unfortunate that most of us will never have a chance to buy either, because they really do sound quite appealing on a number of levels.

Xperia M5

As a fan of the Compact line from Sony, I can almost guarantee to you that I will somehow, some way, try to find this phone. If I have to import an Xperia M5 from across the globe, I will. Why do I say that? Because this phone sounds like the ultimate package for those of us in need of a device that isn't extra large. The Xperia M5 features a 5-inch 1080p display, 2.0GHz MediaTek Helio X10 octa-core 64-bit processor, 3GB RAM, 16GB internal storage (plus 200GB SD card support), 2600mAh battery, Android 5.0 (what?), IP65 and IP68 water/dust rating, and a brand new 21.5MP camera that is supposed to be bonkers. Bonkers as in good. Oh, it also has a 13MP front camera. The camera on this phone has a 5x Clear Image Zoom, shoots 4K videos, and is supposed to be insanely fast to focus and snap photos. Sony is talking up the camera on this phone like it could be one of the best in the business, which is something we should expect from the company that basically supplies everyone with smartphone camera sensors. The phone should also last up to 2 days on a single charge and again, is the phone for those in need of a normal sized phone. It will be available in black, white, and gold.

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Xperia C5 Ultra

The C5 Ultra, as you can see below, is quite unique in that it has almost zero side bezel. It's a crazy look for a phone, and one that should be an interesting test to see if we really need this little bezel in a phone. Other than its unique look, the C5 Ultra sports a 6-inch 1080p display, 13MP front and rear cameras, 2930mAh battery, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (plus 200GB SD support), Android 5.0, and a 1.7GHz MediaTek MTK6752 octa-core 64-bit processor. It's a big ol' phone, but with that little bezel and a 8.2mm thick frame, it might not be terrible to use. It will come in black, white, and green.

Each phone is arriving "selected countries across emerging markets" starting in mid August. Full product details: Xperia M5 | Xperia C5 Ultra

Via: Sony

Download: 25 Wallpapers From the OnePlus 2

Kellen — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 11:19:40 +0000

The OnePlus 2 may not arrive until August 11, but one of their lead OxygenOS designers just handed out the phone's wallpapers ahead of time to "keep the hype up." There are supposed to be 27 wallpapers in the bunch, but we're only counting 25. Still, here are 25 free wallpapers that will probably look good on any device, not just the new OnePlus 2. Below, we've put together a mini preview of the lot, but if you head through the download link, you can grab a .zip of all of the papers in full resolution. You may not be interested in the OnePlus 2, but who can say "no" to hot wallpapers on a Saturday afternoon? Download Link

Via: OnePlus

Deal: Buy a Verizon LG G4 Through August 12, Get $100 Visa Prepaid Card

Kellen — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 11:04:59 +0000

Verizon and LG have teamed up to offer yet another deal on this year's LG G4. If you buy LG's newest flagship at "eligible" Verizon shops from today through August 12, you can grab a $100 Visa prepaid card with it. I'm not seeing any limitations as far as how you have to buy it. In other words, I believe that you can buy it on contract, through Edge, or pay full retail and still get the $100 back. Verizon and LG are requiring that you buy the leather black, metallic gray, or ceramic white models, but those are the only three they sell anyway. Once purchased, the rebate site below will help you claim your prepaid card. Links: Verizon LG G4 | Rebate Site (Terms)

Cheers M!

Moto X Pure and Samsung's New News

Tim — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 18:31:17 +0000

It was an insanely busy first half of the week, taking Kellen to San Francisco to go hands-on with the OnePlus 2, then all the way to New York City for Motorola's event and then back. We got a few new phones to talk about, including the Moto X Pure Edition, so this show is sure to be a lively one. In addition to announcements from OnePlus and Motorola, we will discuss Samsung's upcoming press event on August 13 in New York City and what we can likely expect from that. We will kick the show off live at 12PM Pacific (3PM Eastern).

Don't Miss These Android Stories: 7/31/15

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 15:15:11 +0000

Wow, what a week this was. From OnePlus 2 and new Motorola devices to confirmation of Samsung's arriving in a couple of weeks, the summer just got busier than expected. We also found out about a pretty scary security hole in Android that affects almost all devices, saw lots of evidence of a new Moto 360, and finally answered your questions from last week's Q&A session. Be sure to catch up on everything, because there was a lot going on. From hands-on time with numerous devices, to specs lists, to missing features, pricing and availability, you'll want to know all that happened as we move forward into review periods. You may have a new phone in your future and this is the time to learn everything about what's on the horizon. Everything you need to know is linked below.

WATCH: DL Show episode 87. [Subscribe]
Opinion: Motorola needs to succeed with the new Moto X.
Moto X Pure Edition: Hardware tour | vs. Moto X (2nd gen) | Carriers | Confusion.
Unboxing: New Moto G (3rd gen)!
Specs: OnePlus 2 | Moto X Pure Edition ("Style") | Moto X Play | Moto G (3rd gen).
OnePlus 2: Software | Hardware | vs. OnePlus One | Price
OnePlus 2's fingerprint scanner is super fast.
Galaxy Note 5: Samsung is hosting an event on August 13.
Nexus: Is this our first look at the LG Nexus' backside?
Poll: OnePlus 2 or Moto X Pure Edition?
Poll: Would you buy a phone without NFC?
New Moto 360 likely stopped off at the FCC this week. As did its charger.
Android M Preview 3 has been delayed.
NVIDIA issued a recall on the SHIELD Tablet.
Samsung watch: Will have a rotating bezel.
Weekend app sales.
Angry Birds 2 (yes, 2) is now available.
Verizon lit up six new XLTE markets this week.
YouTube and Google+ break-up.
Stagefright vulnerability is actually scary and probably affects your phone.
Q&A: Our answers from last week's questions.

If we don't show up on Monday, look for the puddle of DL pink melted all over Portland, aka the new desert.

Reminder: Last Chance to Get Lifetime Sticky Password Premium Subscription for $30

Tim — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 14:19:00 +0000

Time is running out to pick up a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password Manager for a discounted price on the DL Deals Store. Regularly priced at $60, your subscription will only cost $29.99, a solid 50% discount. With Sticky Password Manager, users can create strong and unique passwords whenever they are needed, managed under a single account. When visiting trusted sites, your passwords will be loaded automatically, meaning you will no longer need to remember multiple passwords for different sites. Ultimately, this should lower the time spent logging in, as well as freeing up a bit of your mind's password storage locker. Created by the team behind AVG Antivirus, Sticky Password offers "unbeatable security," plus an intuitive interface supported across all devices. If a password manager is on your shopping list, follow the link below. Features

Strong, unique passwords, whenever and wherever you need them
Automatically log-in to recognized sites
Created by the team behind AVG Antivirus
Choose between cloud-based or local storage
Fill out forms instantly
Unbeatable security
Support for all your devices
Intuitive interface
Does not interfere with/interrupt day-to-day activity unless needed

Deal Link

Friday App Sales: Goat Simulator Z, Fotonica, F1 Challenge, and More

Tim — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 13:50:50 +0000

If you don't have any plans for the next couple of days over the weekend, a few of the apps and games currently on sale through Google Play may help pass the time, such as Goat Simulator Z and Fotonica, just a couple of the games available at a discounted price. In addition to those two titles, you can pickup Abs Workout Pro and Abs Workout II Pro if getting in shape this weekend is on your list. Not only are there health-focused apps available, but the couch potatoes among us can grab God of Light HD and Neuroshima Hex, if lounging and playing a few games sounds more fun. Check the full list of app sales below. Friday App Sales

Grim Legens ($1.99)
Kiwanuka ($1.49)
Neuroshima Hex ($0.99)
Cash Organizer ($4.95)
F1 Challenge ($1.00)
WeatherPro ($0.10)
Smart Alarm ($1.62)
Alarm Clock Pro ($0.99)
Abs Workout Pro ($0.99)
Abs Workout II Pro ($0.99)
HIIT Interval Workout Pro ($0.99)
Hourly Chime Pro ($0.99)
REDDEN ($1.28)
God of Light HD $0.99)
FOTONICA ($0.89)
Goat Simulator GoatZ ($3.29)
TSF Launcher 3D Shell ($5.99)

Go support those developers.

Textra and Chomp SMS Issue Updates That Could Stop Stagefright Attacks

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 13:34:51 +0000

On Monday, a pretty serious security vulnerability in Android's Stagefright was exposed, one that has left almost all Android phones susceptible to an attack. Of course, at this time, the vulnerability has been kept under wraps and supposedly only shared with Google and OEMs to hopefully get it patched. Unfortunately, patching Stagefright takes a system update that has yet to arrive on anyone's phone. In other words, even though the vulnerability is known by Google and they have patched things on their end, we are all potentially open to attacks. To hopefully help stop attacks, a couple of popular SMS apps on Android have issued updates. Both Textra and Chomp SMS (apps are owned by the same company) received updates today that attempt to stop video MMS messages from automatically running, which is a part of the issue with this Stagefright exploit. Who knows how successful their tweaks could be with a malicious MMS received, but any attempt by a company to help stop an attack is a good thing in our eyes, especially while we wait what could be months for OEMs and Google to push out patches. If you use either app, feel free to grab their latest updates. Play Links: Textra | Chomp SMS

New, Simplified Invitation Settings are Rolling Out to Hangouts

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 10:43:30 +0000

Googler Jordanna Chord announced via G+ yesterday that they are rolling out new invitation settings to Hangouts over the next day or so. These new settings should "make it easier for folks to communicate," but from what we can tell, they are really just a simplified version of the current settings. That will surely help making communication easier, but it will hopefully make controlling your settings less of a pain. You can see a preview of the new settings below, assuming you haven't received what we can imagine is server-side switch to them on your phone or tablet. The image shows everything bundled together, with a "Recommended" button helping you take Google's advice on how your invitation settings should work. Otherwise, you can go "Customized" and pick and choose how you receive invitations for chats. Anyone seeing the new settings?

Via: +Jordanna Chord

Android M Preview 3 Release Delayed as Google Works on "Near Final" Build

Tim — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 10:34:24 +0000

The next official build of Android M, Preview 3, may see a bit of delay in release, according to the public Android M Developer Preview community on Google+. As stated by a moderator in the community, "We want this to be a near final release to test your apps on, but we need a little more time to get it out to you." Preview 3 was previously scheduled to be released around late July. The last update we received for Android M was Preview 2. That update rolled out via OTA and download links back in early July. There is no exact timeframe given for when to expect the next preview build, but Google appears to be hard at work to make sure it is the best one yet. Once made available, we will let you know how you can load it onto a device. Are you currently running Android M on one of your Nexus devices? How are you liking it?

Via: +Android M Developer Preview

NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Updated to Android 5.1.1, Includes Performance Improvements

Tim — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 09:10:46 +0000

If your SHIELD Tablet was not affected by this morning's recall, you can now enjoy the newly released Android 5.1.1 update. Inside, owners should see performance optimizations across the board, with NVIDIA forum members already praising the new speeds they are seeing. The official changelog lists stability and performance improvements, plus system-wide optimizations and fixes, including audio. Go grab that update and enjoy, if you were not affected by the recall. If you were, you still have to update the device, but then you should probably not use the device.

Via: NVIDIA

YotaPhone 2 Not Coming to the US After All

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 08:45:16 +0000

The YotaPhone 2 isn't coming to the US. Even though it saw a bit of support through an Indiegogo campaign aimed at bringing it stateside, problems manufacturing the phone have caused a delay that hasn't made it worthwhile to ship. Because of these delays, Yota Devices is worried that by the time US customers get their phones, the new 2016 YotaPhone will be ready. So what happens now? Well, only about 500 people backed this thing, so this isn't really that big of a deal. If you were one of those 500 or so people, you have two options. The first is to take the international variant of the phone that lacks 4G LTE and go about your way. If you don't feel like wasting $500 on an HSPA+ phone, you can grab a refund at some point, once Yota figures out how to refund you. If you backed the YotaPhone 2, you should have an email describing all of this. Be sure to check your inbox and consider which option to take.

Via: The Verge

NVIDIA Issues Recall for SHIELD Tablet Units Purchased Between July 2014 and July 2015

Tim — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 08:36:57 +0000

A recall has been issued by NVIDIA for the SHIELD Tablet, possibly affecting anyone who purchased the device from July of 2014 to July of 2015. The issue surrounds the battery used in the device, as it has been found that in some cases, it can overheat and become a fire hazard. To correct this issue, NVIDIA is offering free SHIELD Tablets to anyone who owns an affected unit. To see if your tablet is affected, you will need to grab the latest software update, bringing your device up to Android 5.1.1. Inside that update, NVIDIA baked in a tool owners can use to see if their device is at risk. Once you have updated, go into your Settings menu, then select About Device at the bottom. From here, hit "Status," then tap your finger on the Battery portion -- the device will automatically inform you if it is at risk or not. If the battery category shows B01, your device is not affected. If it shows Y01, your device needs to be replaced. Once you send NVIDIA your information through their dedicated claims site, and everything gets approved, your new tablet will be on its way. Take this time to back-up any important information you have on the device, then it is probably a good idea to turn it off and just leave it. After checking my tablet, it appears I have to send mine in, but hey, NVIDIA is replacing the affected units with brand new tablets, so I can't complain. Is your SHIELD Tablet affected by the recall? Begin Your Claim Here

Via: NVIDIA

OnePlus 2's Invite List Eclipses 1 Million People

Kellen — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 16:12:45 +0000

According to the OnePlus website, the list of folks asking for invites to purchase the OnePlus 2 has hit over 1,000,000 registrations. Unveiled this past Monday, we have seen a mostly positive reaction to the device, though, it seems many people hoped the device would feature NFC. Now, if you happen to be on this list, don't be too worried about not receiving your device in a somewhat timely manner. As claimed by OnePlus before the device was announced, they will have 30 to 50 times the amount of stock than they did last year. This is a good thing. As a reminder, the OnePlus 2 features a 5.5" 1080p display, Snapdragon 810 processor, USB Type-C, 3,300mAh battery, 4GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, and starts at only $329. Are you on the invite list?

Via: OnePlus

WWE Network App Just Hit Android TV, Brother

Tim — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 15:15:39 +0000

A new app catered to wrestling fans hit Google Play this week for Android TV owners, being WWE Network. With it, and the subscription that is needed to use it, you can watch all of your upcoming WWE events, as well as take a step back through time and re-watch all of your favorite events from history. With a WWE subscription, you gain access to all of the upcoming pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania, plus 24/7 scheduled and live programming. If you have yet to sign up, WWE is offering one month free trial of the service. I cannot confirm if any Hulk videos are on WWE's servers anymore, but you never know. Tell me, can you smell what the Rock is cooking? Play Link

Deal: Pay What You Want for This Game Developer Bundle

Tim — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:40:51 +0000

Over on the DL Deals Store, you can name your own price for the Game Developer Bundle, listed at a value of over $500. Inside, hopeful game developers can gain access to the Non-Coder's Guide to Game Development, plus a Unity 3D Game Development course bundle. Each bundle, with 3 available in total, includes hours upon hours of content and courses, hopefully steering you in the right direction of game development. To claim all three courses, you only need to beat the average price, currently listed at under $7. Seriously, just $7. If you choose to pay under the average price, you will be limited to just the 1st course, the Non-Coder's Guide. As an added bonus, anyone who purchases the bundle is entered to win a Samsung 50" 4K TV and your choice of media device player. If game development is your calling, check it out by following the link below. Deal Link

Google to Seed New Version of Google Glass to Select Industries

Tim — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:50:18 +0000

According to sources of the Wall Street Journal, a new version of Google Glass is already out in the wild, soon-to-be worn by select professionals in the fields of healthcare, manufacturing, and energy. This new version will not be made available to the public, but an updated model for the public could be at least a year away, according to those familiar with Google's plan. The new version of Glass is unlike the previous Explorer model we are all familiar with. Instead of a wire going across your face, holding the prism in front of your eye, this new model features a button-and-hinge system, allowing users to attach the mini computer to any pair of glasses they own. It is stated that Google is currently working with software developers to boost features of the device for the businesses it will serve. Google Glass was launched as an Explorer Program for $1500, certainly stopping most average Android fans from picking one up. But don't worry, you didn't miss much. Sources claim Google is still committed, however, to releasing an updated model for the public. We may be a ways away from seeing it, but does an improved Google Glass V2 excite you?

Via: Wall Street Jounal

Samsung May Cut Galaxy S6 Pricing as Sales Disappoint

Tim — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 12:32:13 +0000

With 2nd quarter figures now available, Samsung may soon cut the price of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in hopes to boost sales after a somewhat disappointing quarter. It is reported that one issue surrounding Samsung's poor mobile performance last quarter was the company's inability to produce enough Galaxy S6 Edge devices for consumers. However, analysts claim it only proves Samsung does not command as much brand loyalty as Apple does. Samsung reported a 4 percent fall in profit from Q1, resulting in a lower stock price and investors becoming upset. Now, Samsung will need to push the Galaxy Note 5 that much harder after its unveiling on August 13, so as to make up a bit of ground lost in Q2. Although, according to one analyst, fund manager Park Jung-hoon at HDC Asset Management, "I don't think there's much to expect from Samsung in the third quarter." Samsung claims they expect to see smartphone shipments rise in Q3 from those in Q2, but profits to not jump dramatically as price cuts for the Galaxy S6 will aim to boost sales. This move is good news for potential buyers looking to score a deal, but it does not help Samsung's bottom line. Down in Cupertino, Apple is probably feeling like a Puppet Master right now, forcing Android OEMs to announce their devices ahead of the iPhone 6s unveiling. Samsung had reportedly planned to announce the Galaxy Note 5 in September, as it always did during IFA, but multiple reports claimed that a jump in the date was due to Apple. The same might be said for Motorola, as the company announced the Moto X Pure Edition for the US just two days ago, but with availability not starting until an unknown date in September. Regardless of all the battling going on, consumers will have a ton of phones to choose from in Q3 and Q4.

Via: Bloomberg | Reuters

Android Developers Get Two New Ways to Beta Test Apps

Kellen — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:31:06 +0000

Two years ago, Google introduced beta testing for Android app developers that allowed them to open new features and versions of their apps to users through closed groups on Google+. That beta testing method, even though it can be quite finicky, has apparently been enough of a success that Google has decided to expand upon the beta testing methods available to developers. Today, they are introducing open betas and closed beta that only require emails. With open betas, developers are giving access to "any user who has the link" to their beta app the chance to be a tester. That's an incredibly simple way to get people into beta testing, which is awesome. With closed betas that require email addresses, you get more control over who tests your apps, but without the need to deal with Google+. Both options sound like fantastic additions to the Android beta testing program:

Open beta – Use an open beta when you want any user who has the link to be able to join your beta with just one click. One of the advantages of an open beta is that it allows you to scale to a large number of testers. However, you can also limit the maximum number of users who can join.
Closed beta using email addresses – If you want to restrict which users can access your beta, you have a new option: you can now set up a closed beta using lists of individual email addresses which you can add individually or upload as a .csv file. These users will be able to join your beta via a one-click opt-in link.

As you see developers introduce some of these methods, be sure to let us know. Otherwise, how many of you have had a the chance to beta test an app?

Via: Android Developers

Samsung Confirms Rotating Bezel on Upcoming Tizen-Powered Smartwatch

Tim — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 10:53:37 +0000

The Gear A, aka Orbis, was detailed this morning during Samsung's Tizen Developer event, with confirmation that the smartwatch will feature a rotating bezel. This bezel will allow for users to zoom in on things, zoom out, and even interact with games made for the Tizen OS on wearables. Other specs previously reported include an display resolution of 360 x 360, Exynos 3472 dual-core processor with 768MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, and a 250mAh battery. While this device sounds pretty sweet, remember that it's most likely the smartwatch will only be pair-able with Samsung devices, given it is running Tizen. This is also the case for previous Gear wearables. Samsung has an event scheduled for August 13, where we expect to see the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, so it's completely in the realm of possibility that we will see the Gear A unveiled there.

Via: SamMobile

Android Auto Coming to Most 2016 Volkswagen Models

Tim — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 09:57:50 +0000

Android Auto, Google's OS extension built specifically for automobiles, will now be available in most 2016 models from Volkswagen. While entry-level VW models will still feature a more basic head unit, basically any model with a higher trim level will feature the company's App-Connect, allowing for integration with Android Auto, Apple's CarPlay, and MirrorLink. On top of App-Connect, VW's Car-Net system is built directly into the vehicle, focusing on 3 key elements - Security & Service, Guide & Inform, and App-Connect. Buyers will receive a 6-month trial of Car-Net for absolutely free, but after that trial period, a monthly cost begins. Month-to-month, the Car-Net service is priced at $18, offering what looks to be many more features for iOS users than Android. For example, there is an iOS app that ties directly to the Apple Watch, allowing them to check their fuel, remotely unlock and lock doors, and more. For Android Wear users, we get nada. This app will be available later in the year, if you were curious. In terms of which models you can expect to see App-Connect featured in, rest assured you will find it in the Beetle, Jetta, Golf, Passat, CC, Tiguan, and others. For a more full look at models, check here. If you were planning on picking up a new VW anytime soon, be sure you tell the salesman you want Android Auto.

Via: Volkswagen

Rovio Releases Angry Birds 2 to Google Play, Complete With Magic Spells and Boss Piggies

Tim — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 08:48:54 +0000

Angry Birds 2, the long awaited sequel to the original Angry Birds, is now available on Google Play for all to experience. Rovio made folks wait a few solid years for this release, and if the Google Play and iTunes ratings are any indicator, it appears the publisher did a solid job. Much like the original and all of the following variants, your main goal is to destroy structures made by piggies. At the beginning of each level, you were given a lineup up different birds to use, but now, it appears you must earn different "cards" of birds to use their various powers to destroy the homes of pigs. These cards can be used in any order you see fit, making the game more of a strategy title than just a plain slingshot game. Rovio states in the game's description that it is completely free to play, but there are in-app purchases for those who choose to use them. They range in price from $0.99 to $99.99. These IAPs are likely used to boost your spells or to give you a limited amount of powerful cards for you to knock down piggy structures with. Go check out this sequel, then let us know what you think in the comments below. Play Link

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These are the 10 Ways You Could Win a Free OnePlus 2

Kellen — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 08:25:20 +0000

Now that the OnePlus 2 is official and arriving August 11 (be sure to see our hardware tour), the company is giving its biggest fans chances to win free phones. Through a contest of sorts under hashtag #WWYDFT2 ("What would you do for the 2?"), OnePlus is asking fans to complete any of 10 different tasks, film and submit the tasks being completed via the source link below, and then hope that enough people vote for them. If their submissions receive enough votes, they could win one of 22 handsets that are being given away. Some of the tasks are quite silly, like pimping your ride with a OnePlus theme, creating a OnePlus Bat-signal and blasting it in your city, or organizing a flash mob with at least 50 people. Others involve writing a poem or song about the OnePlus 2, creating an app for OnePlus fans, or finding ways to contribute to a local community project using tech. The contest runs for another 5 days, with winners being announced on August 5. If you want a chance to win, you should probably get your videos in soon to help gather votes. All of the details of the contest can be seen at the link below.

Via: OnePlus

Motorola Updates Moto App on Google Play, Brings Auto Location and Activity Adjustment

Tim — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 15:50:37 +0000

An updated version of the official Moto app from Motorola is available to download on Google Play, bringing a feature perfect for those who attend the movies every once in a while. With the update, Moto 3.0 adjusts to both places and activities. For example, if you head to the movie theaters, you can set that location for the device to recognize, and it will automatically silence itself for the duration of your stay. The update is now live on Google Play, so if you have a supported device, go grab it. Play Link

Sprint's New Family Share Pack Gets You 10GB of Data for $100

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 15:26:16 +0000

Sprint is still doing whatever it can to try and compete in the US wireless industry, which really just means that they are continuing to drop the prices on their plans in hopes of convincing you to switch to their network. This morning, the Beckham-friendly carrier announced a new family plan that includes 10GB of shared data for 4 lines at just $100 per month. If that's not enough data, they are also making a 40GB plan available at $120 per month. This new Family Share Pack is only available for a limited time and appears to only be available to those switching to Sprint from another carrier. In other words, Sprint doesn't care about its current customers. Also, keep in mind that the plan pricing is $100 (10GB) or $120 (40GB), but you also have to lease four phones at $20 per phone per month. So the plan pricing may be $100, but your bill is actually somewhere around $180 per month. That's still fairly cheap. However, this is really just Sprint waiving the line access fee for new customers. Whatever it takes to save some money. This new plan arrives this Friday.

Via: Sprint

Does This Backside Belong to LG's Upcoming 'Bullhead' Nexus?

Tim — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 13:39:52 +0000

According to Twitter leaker @OnLeaks, the below image is of the backside cover from the upcoming Nexus device produced by LG, codenamed Bullhead. As a brief backstory, there are two Nexus devices rumored to launched later this year; one from LG (Bullhead), and the other from Huawei (Angler). Besides a few reports here and there, there has been little to no tangible information regarding the LG-made Nexus device to seen, but this could be our first visual of the device's back cover. From what we can see, and as it is reported, this is a very raw drawing of what we could eventually see. As of right now, it appears we can expect a camera (duh), LED flash (duh), and what could be a fingerprint reader. With fingerprint support being built natively into Android M, it only makes sense Google would want this feature highlighted in any upcoming Nexus smartphones. What makes this design rather funky are the two large holes on the backside, obviously. There is speculation the second opening could be for the fingerprint reader, or it's possibly where a logo will be placed. At this point, who knows. Another thing we can see from this image is the button placement. Both the volume rocker and power button appear on the same side, just as it is on the Nexus 6. Rumored specs for the Bullhead device are a 5.2" display, 2,700mAh battery, and Snapdragon 808 processor. We know it's early, but what is your take? Interesting looking?

Via: @OnLeaks

Wednesday Poll: Would You Buy a Phone If It Lacked NFC?

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 12:35:16 +0000

The OnePlus 2 doesn't have NFC, did you know that? Of course you did, because it's all anyone can say in the comments when telling others why they aren't buying one. OnePlus supposedly thinks that no one uses NFC, even though we are finally at a time where Apple has given in and begun using the tech to try and make mobile payments a major deal. OnePlus...they don't care. Why include the tech when no one uses it? (Because it probably costs pennies to include a damn NFC chip, that's why. Add a freakin' dollar to the price of your "flagship killer." We'll all pay to have a phone that isn't crippled in the NFC department.) Anyways, we are with most of you in that it seems quite ridiculous that OnePlus made an NFC decision for us based on who knows what kind of evidence of use. All I know, is that I like to make a mobile payment or two here or there and am disappointed that this phone, which should be incredible, won't ever be able to. So now we want to see votes. Would you buy a phone (could be any phone, not just the OnePlus 2) if it lacked NFC? What if the new Moto X or Galaxy Note 5 didn't have NFC, would you still consider them? [poll id="373"]

Google Search Now Shows 'Popular Times' For Businesses

Tim — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:09:26 +0000

With so much excitement yesterday morning, we missed this gem recently announced for Google Search users. Now appearing in search results when you place an inquiry for a business, you will be shown Popular Times for said business, hopefully leading you to not wasting time in long lines or crowds. After taking it for a spin on a few places by my home (Best Buy, Target, and McDonald's), it seems to work just fine, displaying to me which times these businesses are most busy. To see these times, when you go onto a store or business's search result page, scroll down a little bit until you see the graphs. Once there, you can swipe left or right to see which day of the week you want. These changes have already rolled out to Google Search, so go check it out. Play Link

Via: +Google

Deal: Buy 2 Chromecast Dongles and Save $15 on Google Store

Tim — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:15:04 +0000

For who knows how long, you can save $15 when you buy two Chromecast dongles over on the Google Store. Regularly priced at $35 a piece, bringing the price of two to $70, this deal means you only need to pay $55 for the pair. Alongside this solid deal from the Google Store, Amazon is offering up a $10 Amazon gift card when you purchase the dongle from their store. The product is also listed at $5 under retail, so it's deals on deals today for Chromecast. If you need yourself one of these dongles, follow the links below. Google Store Link | Amazon Link

Samsung Begins Mass Production of Industry’s First Mobile Image Sensor With 1.0μm Pixels

Tim — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:59:40 +0000

Announced this morning, Samsung has begun mass production of the industry's first mobile image sensor using 1.0μm pixels. The cut in size will allow for a 16MP sensor with a height decrease of 20%, compared to Samsung's current 16MP module using 1.12μm pixels. This ultimately means you can have a superior camera sensor, even in a very thin device. Titled the S5K3P3, this sensor utilizes Samsung's proprietary ISOCELL technology, the same found in the Galaxy S6. Samsung first introduced ISOCELL back in late 2013, making its debut in the Galaxy S5. ISOCELL deploys a minute barrier surrounding individual pixels, leading each pixel to feature increased light sensitivity, higher color fidelity, and a 30% decrease in crosstalk (which reduces image noise). According to the Samsung, the sensor is now ready for use by OEMs to work into their smartphone designs. If other companies besides Samsung decide to use it, this is big news for consumers. As it is, the camera found on the Galaxy S6 is top-tier, and with it decreasing in size, we could see a few very cool device designs in the future. With the Galaxy Note 5 just around the corner, it's quite possible we will see this new technology baked inside.

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Google Translate Gets 20 New Languages for Visual Translations, Speeds Up Voice Translations

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:48:09 +0000

Thanks to an update, Google Translate now supports 20 more languages through its visual translation feature, giving it a total of 27. Also, the update speeds up and smooths out real-time voice translations, even when you have a poor network connection. The new languages supported in visual mode are Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Filipino, Finnish, Hungarian, Indonesian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Swedish, Turkish and Ukrainian. Google added one-way translations from English to Hindi and Thai, as well. As for the new speedy performance, Google knows that many of the countries where you would need Translate don't have the most reliable wireless networks. So with this update, they focused on making sure your conversations are as fast as ever, if if your connection isn't. Play Link

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Via: Google Blog

We All Need Motorola's Direct-To-Consumer Approach With the New Moto X to Succeed

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:10:43 +0000

Whether or not you plan to buy the new Moto X Pure Edition when it arrives in September, you should be rooting for Motorola to sell record numbers of them. This new direct-to-consumer approach from a brand like Motorola is something that could help continue to change this industry for the better if it were to succeed. Sure, there are pretty substantial benefits to be had here in the short run if you buy their new flagship, but we could all see some real benefits in the long run. I talked about the reasons for buying an unlocked phone recently, almost all of which were touched on yesterday from Motorola. Motorola spoke of a phone experience through the new Moto X that is free of carrier interference, which means a phone that doesn't have bloatware. It also means a phone that can be updated much quicker, because Motorola doesn't have to go through those long, drawn-out carrier approval processes. Instead, they can do all of the testing on their end and update the phone when the software is ready. Of course, the benefits here are much deeper than software. Motorola has now cut out the middle man by selling these phones directly to you and I, so that has allowed them to lower prices. The new Moto X Pure Edition, with those specs, is an absolute steal at $399. Think if Google hadn't partnered up with carriers this time around for the Nexus 6 - how cheap would it have been?

Speaking of the Nexus 6, Motorola more than likely took what they learned there in terms of network connectivity and applied it to the Moto X, giving it what may be its most important feature - complete carrier freedom with all US carrier band support. There aren't many phones on the planet that just work on all carriers, but again, Motorola was likely able to do this so easily because they ditched carrier partnerships with this phone. They also understand that the market is changing and people want to be able to switch carriers often to find the best deal for them. All of that is available to you in the short run, because for the first time I can recall, the US has a flagship phone that is affordable, completely unlocked, and will ship directly to you. That's all great, of course, but as I mentioned in the opening, we should all be rooting for this to be a huge success so that this industry well take notice. If Motorola were to succeed, who knows, but maybe in a few years Motorola won't be the only big brand selling directly to you and I. Maybe Motorola won't stand alone with unlocked flagships that work everywhere, yet won't break the bank. Maybe Motorola won't be the only company letting you customize your phone or get updates without carriers getting in the way.

Verizon Lights Up XLTE in Six New Markets

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:19:40 +0000

Depending on how long you have been reading DL, you may recall a while back when we would write up weekly announcement posts of when new 4G LTE markets would light up across the US. Seeing as how it's mid-2015, those posts don't happen anymore, as Verizon's rollout of LTE was complete some time ago. Now, we have Big Red lighting up XLTE, aka their AWS spectrum (band 4 LTE), available in six new markets according to today's announcement. The new markets for XLTE are Carlsbad, NM, Coos Bay and North Bend, OR, Corbin, KY, Jackson, MS, Selma, AL, and Stevens Point, WI. For those of you new to XLTE, it is Verizon way of boosting customer bandwidth on cellular networks, which is now a little over a year old. Check out the list of new markets below, then share your stories of a time when you remember the world before LTE in the comments below. New XLTE Markets

Carlsbad-Artesia, NM
Coos Bay-North Bend, OR
Corbin, KY
Jackson, MS
Selma, AL
Stevens Point-Marshfield, WI

Via: Verizon

Motorola "Smart Watch" Hits FCC, Presumably the Next Moto 360

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:01:11 +0000

According to a published filing on the FCC website, it appears a possible sequel to last year's Moto 360 smartwatch from Motorola just went through its paces. With test reports filed for Bluetooth and WiFi (802.11b/g/n), and the details stating that testing took place on a "smart watch" for Motorola Mobility, evidence suggests we may not be too far away from the company's followup wearable. Not long ago, a possible charger for this device also went through the FCC. In the documents filed, it is written that the regulatory information is embedded electronically. This same method was used on last year's Moto 360. A user will need to head into the Settings menu to view the Identification Label, which is unlike the case on smartphones. Of course, Motorola also filed a confidentiality request letter, so there are no photos of the device, renders, or anything too telling for us to drool over. We may not have gotten the new Moto 360 this morning at Motorola's event, but we're getting closer.

Via: FCC

Cheers Nicolas!

Google Contributor Now Open to Public, Support Websites and See Cat Ads

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:32:04 +0000

Google Contributor, the service that allows you to pay a monthly fee to browse the worldwide web somewhat ad-free, is now available for anyone to use. To break it down, depending on how much money you contribute per month, you will be served fewer advertisements on sites that are enrolled. We took Contributor out for a spin not too long ago, concluding that the service is pretty awesome. Sites that use Google's ad services, like AdSense, see a small portion of your monthly contribution in their account, making it a win-win for users. Kellen said the following in his writeup on Contributor.

Right now, I’m paying $10 per month and am already seeing a lot less ads. Of course, we all know that ad-block is free, but to website owners like me, ad-block is a pretty horrible product that only hurts our opportunity to keep producing content that is free to consume. I personally, am now enjoying the fact that ads in my browser are reduced on the sites I visit regularly, except I’m doing it while still helping these sites.

From what I can see, the pricing has not changed. You can choose between $2, $5, and $10 monthly contributions. The more you spend, the less ads you see. What I did notice is that Google Apps accounts are not supported. You will need a regular Gmail account to get started. As Kellen stated, ad-block is free, but running a website and producing content is not. Not by a long shot. Google Contributor can help you support the sites you love, while blocking ads that annoy you. If you are interested, follow the link below to sign up. Google Contributor

Via: @mattcutts

Choose One: Moto X Pure Edition (2015) or OnePlus 2?

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:34:23 +0000

We have two new flagship phones to ponder this week, and it's only Tuesday. Last night, relative newcomer OnePlus announced the OnePlus 2, with its 5.5" FHD display, Snapdragon 810 processor, USB Type-C, and fingerprint reader, declaring it as the "2016 flagship killer." Early this morning, we have veteran OEM Motorola, introducing the Moto X 'Style', branded as the Moto X Pure Edition for the US. It features a 5.7" QHD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, and 21MP rear-facing camera. Both phones are reasonably affordable, with zero carrier involvement needed to buy one. The OnePlus 2 starts at just $329, while the Moto X Pure Edition will retail for $399, with additional storage upgrades costing a bit more. In comparison to flagship phones from Samsung, this $300-$400 range is extremely tempting for buyers, as the idea of no two-year commitment on a carrier to even afford the device is quite promising. Each phone offers a few software tweaks on top of stock Android 5.1.1, meaning there are no custom skins to be found. Again, this is great news for Android fans. If you had to choose, for the sake of this poll, which device would you purchase?

[poll id="372"]

Moto G (3rd Gen) Unboxing and Quick Look!

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:59:35 +0000

We may not have taken home a new Moto X Pure Edition after today's Motorola product launch event, but they didn't let us walk out the door empty handed either. Motorola tossed us a brand new Moto G (3rd gen) to start testing as we await the arrival of their 2015 flagship. With this new Moto G, we get upgrades in all the right places (battery, 4G LTE, storage and RAM, cameras, processor, and waterproofing), but with a price that has mostly stayed the same. The phone starts at $179 and goes up to $219, depending on your storage choice. Speaking of choice, Moto Maker is now a part of the Moto G package as well! You can customize all sorts of items, too, like the back and accent colors, storage/RAM, and more. Mid-range phones aren't typically something that we review, but after doing this unboxing and feeling the quality of this smallish phone in hand, I'm sort of tempted to give it a go. While I figure that out, be sure to see it in action.

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If you would like to buy the new Moto G (3rd gen), head over to Motorola's store.

Send Your WhatsApp and Viber Messages With Voice Instead of Thumbs

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:14:22 +0000

Tired of using your thumbs like a Neanderthal to send messages to friends via your favorite 3rd-party messaging apps? Well, Google now wants you to use your beautiful speaking voice, allowing you to speak exactly what you want sent through messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat. The idea is pretty basic. On your home screen, say, "Ok Google, send a WhatsApp message to Kellen: You partying in NYC with Diddy tonight?" With that command, the Google app will instruct WhatsApp to send the message to that specific contact, and then you are all done. The same can be done for Viber, WeChat, Telegram, and NextPlus. In order to get this going, you will need updated apps from Google Play, but once you have them, it should all work seamlessly with zero issues. Try it out and give those hard-working thumbs a break. Play Links: Google | WhatsApp | Viber | WeChat | Telegram | NextPlus

Via: Google

Moto X Play Specs (Official)

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 10:03:38 +0000

Announced for International markets alongside the Moto X Pure Edition and Moto G (3rd Gen), the Moto X Play is the mid-range device between the other two. It features a Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor with 2GB of RAM, 5.5" FHD 1080p display, and a 21MP rear-facing camera. Keep in mind that the Moto X Play will not be headed to the US by any means. Motorola stated in a press release that they have something else planned for us later in the year. Here are the official Moto X Play specifications.

BASIC PARAMETERS

Colors: 14 different backs, varying from market to market Dimensions: 148.00 x 75.00 x 8.9-10.9mm Weight: 169 grams System: Android 5.1.1 “Lollipop” CPU: Motorola Mobile Computing System, 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-core CPU, Natural Language Processor, Contextual Computing Processor GPU: Adreno 405 with 550 MHz GPU RAM: 2GB Storage: 16GB, 32GB + microSD card slot for 128GB max storage Battery: 3,630mAh Water Protection: Yes

CONNECTIVITY

Connectivity:

GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100 MHz)
4G LTE (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 41)

Wi-Fi: 802.11a/g/b/n (dual band capable) Bluetooth: Bluetooth version 4.0 LE Positioning: GPS antenna

PORTS, SLOTS, BUTTONS AND INDICATORS

Ports Data & Charging: Micro USB, 3.5 mm headset jack NFC: Yes Buttons: Power Button, Volume Rockers, On-screen buttons SIM: Nano-SIM

DISPLAY

Size: 5.5-inch Resolution: 1080p Full HD, 403 ppi Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3

CAMERAS

Sensor: 21 Megapixel Features: Slow motion video, 4X digital zoom, Burst mode, Night mode, Auto HDR, Panorama, Quick Capture, Tap anywhere to capture OIS: No Laser Focus: No Flash: Colour Correlated Temperature (CCT) flash with dual LEDs Aperture: f/2.0 aperture Front Camera: 5 Megapixel Video: 1080p HD, 30fps (MPEG4, H.264)

AUDIO

Speakers: Front-ported Microphones: Dual-microphone

Moto X Pure Edition Does Indeed Work on All US Carriers, Including Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:48:06 +0000

During today's live press event from Motorola, the company announced that its new Moto X Pure Edition was an unlocked phone that worked on all of the major US carriers, including Verizon. People were excited at the thought of buying a phone for $399 that could be taken to any carrier of choice. That excitement died quickly, though, when Motorola posted official specs for the phone and left out any mention of Verizon's CDMA bands or its LTE band 13. As it turns out, that was a mistake on their part. The specs have now been updated to include all supported bands. We included them below, but you can see for yourself at Motorola's site and our official specs list. Moto X Pure Edition wireless bands:

UMTS GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ (800, 850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
4G LTE (B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41)
CDMA (800, 850, 1900 MHz)

Quick Comparison: Moto X Pure Edition (2015) vs. Moto X (2nd Gen)

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:31:28 +0000

Shortly after running through a quick hand-on tour with the new Moto X Pure Edition, I had a chance to whip out the Moto X (2nd gen) and film a quick side-by-side comparison. Next to one another, these phones look almost identical outside of their size. That's the first thing that stands out - how big the new Moto X is. I wouldn't call it the most awkward-to-use phone by any means, but it's definitely up there in the size department. Other than that, you get nice upgrades from one year to the next like you would expect, which means a QHD display, 3GB RAM, 21MP camera, new Snapdragon 808 processor, and microSD support. Take a look at the short video below, then let us know if you plan to upgrade from one Moto X to the next.

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Moto X Pure Edition (2015) First Impressions and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:05:25 +0000

What does Motorola do to try and upstage the madness that was OnePlus' unveiling of the OnePlus 2, yesterday? They gave us three phones! Or four. Or...we're all confused. One thing is for sure, Motorola is releasing a US flagship phone called the Moto X Pure Edition, which is known everywhere else in the world as the Moto X Style (see, confusing!). While the phone won't be out until September, we spent a good amount of time with it this morning. We walked through all of the Moto features, like Voice, Display, Assist, and Actions. Yep, they are all in the "Pure Edition," even though others are incorrectly reporting that Motorola has stripped that out. We fired up the camera in the poorly lit demo room (nothing to report from that bad of a lighting situation) and snapped some quick pics. We looked at a variety of colors, all of which will be available for you to choose from. We experienced the Pure Edition for as long as we could. Overall, the phone feels and looks like a bigger version of last year's Moto X (2nd gen). You get Moto Maker customizations, have an identical design, and that same lovely close-to-stock Android experience that we all enjoy. I can't say that I was blown away by the phone because it was so similar, but it certainly didn't turn me off. I'm sure it'll be a fine phone when finished and available, especially at its more-than-reasonable $399 starting point. Unfortunately, since the phone won't be out for another month or two, our time was limited. For now, enjoy the quick hands-on video below.

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Moto G (3rd Gen) Specs

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:45:42 +0000

The Moto G (3rd Gen) is now official, available starting today through Moto Maker. Priced at just $179, this is Motorola's affordable handset, that also delivers for those who enjoy naming off specs. While it may not stack up too high against flagship devices, there is a massive market for budget-friendly smartphones across the world. Available through Moto Maker, buyers can choose to customize the device with various different colored backs and fronts. In addition, note that depending on which storage size you choose will directly affect how much RAM the phone has. Here are the official Moto G (3rd Gen) specs.

BASIC PARAMETERS

Colors: Customizable through Moto Maker Dimensions: 142.1 x 72.4 x 6.1-11.6 (curved) mm Weight: 155 grams System: Android 5.1.1 “Lollipop” CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 (MSM8916) processor with 1.4 GHz quad-core CPU GPU: Adreno 306 with 400 MHz GPU RAM: 1GB or 2GB, depending on storage option selected Storage: 8GB and 16GB + microSD slot for 32GB max space Battery: 2,470mAh Water Protection: IPX7 rating (1 meter of water for 30 minutes)

CONNECTIVITY

Connectivity (by Model): Moto G - GSM (XT1540)

LTE (2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17)
UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 1700/AWS, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Moto G - ACG, Republic Wireless, Sprint Prepaid, US Cellular, Virgin Mobile (XT1548)

LTE (2, 4, 5, 12, 17, 25, 26)
UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 1700, 1900 MHz)
CDMA (800, 850, 1900 MHz)
TD-LTE (41 TD2500)
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz) Bluetooth: Bluetooth version 4.0 LE Positioning: GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou

PORTS, SLOTS, BUTTONS AND INDICATORS

Ports Data & Charging: Micro USB, 3.5 mm headset jack NFC: No Buttons: Power Button, Volume Rockers, On-screen buttons SIM: Micro-SIM

DISPLAY

Size: 5-inch Resolution: 720p HD (1280 x 720), 294 ppi Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3

CAMERAS

Sensor: 13 Megapixel Features: Auto focus, Quick Capture (twist wrist to launch camera), Tap anywhere to capture, 4X digital zoom (drag to zoom in/out), Slow motion video, Burst mode, Auto HDR OIS: No Laser Focus: No Flash: Dual LED Color Correlated Temperature (CCT) flash Aperture: f/2.0 aperture Front Camera: 5 Megapixel Video: 1080p HD video, 30 fps (MPEG4, H.264)

AUDIO

Speakers: Single loudspeaker, earpiece Microphones: Dual-microphone

Such Confusion. Moto X Pure Edition is the Moto X for the US, Style and Play are Not

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:30:38 +0000

Motorola is done with their big 2015 product launch event, but I can tell that there is some confusion surrounding all of the products, particularly those that are coming to the US. Let's see if we can't help explain the situation here. As a recap, Motorola announced the Moto X Style, Moto X Play, and Moto G (3rd gen). They also at the same time announced the Moto X Pure Edition, but part of that conversation happened off-air, directly to press and not to you, our dear reader. So here is the deal. The Moto X Style and Moto X Pure Edition are the same phone. The Moto X Pure Edition is the version that is coming to the US and will be sold unlocked for $399 through Motorola's site, Amazon, and Best Buy. The Moto X Style is the international variant. If you are comparing specs for the two and see missing LTE bands from one to the next, it's probably because one is the international variant (Style) and the other is for the US (Pure Edition). Make sense? Again, they are the same phone just with confusingly different names. EDIT: Someone in the press keeps spreading false information about the Pure Edition being a 100% stock Android experience that lacks Motorola's suite of software. That is 100% incorrect. I played with the Pure Edition today for 40 minutes and it contains all of the Moto software you know, like Voice, Display, Actions, and Assist. Like last year's Moto X (2nd Gen) "Pure Edition," this is simply the name of the unlocked US model. Trust me, all of the software you actually like from Motorola is still there. Also, the Moto X Play is not coming to the US at this time. That's really all Motorola would tell us about it. The Moto G (3rd gen) is available all over the place in a number of countries, including the US, starting at $179. Finally, the image below shows you that the Moto X for the US is indeed just called the Moto X Pure Edition and carries a model number of XT1575. Because we might go insane without a "3rd gen" or year attached to it, we may start referring to it as the Moto X Pure Edition (2015). Or you could call it the Moto X Pure Edition (3rd gen). Whatever works for you.

Moto X Pure Edition "Style" Specs (Official)

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 07:46:23 +0000

For those curious, Motorola has added the full rundown of specs for the Moto X Pure Edition (also known as the Moto X Style) to its website. This list does not offer anything we did not already know, but use this for future reference when September rolls around and you are contemplating on picking one up. The Moto X Pure Edition will hit the US through Moto Maker and various online retailers starting at $399. Here are the official Moto X Pure Edition specs.

[table id=29 /]

Motorola Announces Moto X Style, Moto X Play, and Moto G (3rd Gen)

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 07:08:27 +0000

Motorola took the stage in multiple cities this morning, announcing three new smartphones for the global market. We have the Moto X Style, Moto X Play, and Moto G (3rd Gen). To break it down, the Moto X Style (known as the Moto X Pure Edition in the US) is a flagship device, featuring top tier specifications, with a price to match the specs. However, it is stated the Moto X Style is priced $200 to $300 lower than other 2015 flagship devices on the market. In the US, it will start at $399. The Moto X Play is for countries outside of the US, also priced exceptionally well, featuring a massive battery and 1080p display. Lastly, there is the Moto G (3rd Gen), with a very low price, on sale starting today for just $179. Read on below to see all of the launch details.

Moto X Style

The Moto X Style is a Pure Edition (it's actually called Moto X Pure Edition in the US), Unlocked with universal LTE, capable of being connected to any US carrier. For specs, it features a 5.7" QHD display, 21MP rear-facing camera (stated to the be the best Motorola has ever produced), Snapdragon 808 processor, microSD card slot, stock Android with minimal Moto software tweaks, 5MP wide-angle front-facing camera, NFC, and the world's fastest battery charge time. When launched, the Moto X Style will be available directly from Motorola, Best Buy, and Amazon. Purchasing this device will be a direct, end-to-end Motorola experience, meaning no middle man (carriers) taking money. The Style will be available in a number of colors and options thanks to availability through Moto Maker. The Moto X Style (and Pure Edition) will go on sale in September, priced at just $399.

Moto X Play

The Moto X Play is a mid-range device, not scheduled to be released in the US. It features a 5.5" 1080p FHD display, Snapdragon 615 processor, massive 3,630mAh battery, 21MP rear-facing camera, 2GB of RAM, microSD card slot, and 4G LTE connectivity. The X Play also features water resistance, but probably should not be submerged for too long. As stated, this device is not coming to the US. Motorola claims they will, "have more choices for you (US consumers) later this year."

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Moto G (3rd Gen)

Motorola's affordable handset line is back, this time bringing new features to improve the overall value of the device. For specs, the Moto G (3rd Gen) features a 5" 720p HD display, Snapdragon 410 processor, 13MP rear-facing camera, and IPX7 water resistance. Motorola is bringing the Moto G (3rd Gen) to Moto Maker, allowing anyone to customize the phone's exterior however they see fit. The device is on sale starting today, priced at just $179. Moto G (3rd Gen) Purchase Link

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Share your thoughts on Motorola's new lineup of phones below.

Via: Motorola

HTC Hosting Summer Sale, 40% Off Nexus 9 and 25% Off One M9

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 05:40:55 +0000

Ending directly before midnight tonight, now is your chance to score a device from HTC at a discounted price. Possibly looking to take a bit of wind out of OnePlus and Motorola's sails, HTC has slashed prices on a few of their devices, including the Nexus 9, One M9, and Re Camera. To be exact, while supplies last, you can pick up a Nexus 9 for 40% off, a One M9 for 25% off, Re Camera for 50% off, or all accessories for 50% off. Currently, the Nexus 9 32GB is still in stock, in both Black and White, listed at just $287. Considering its usual price of $480, that's a bargain. There's a few crazy good deals, so if HTC is the brand you are sticking with, follow the links below. HTC Links: Nexus 9 | One M9 | Re Camera | Accessories

Motorola Announces the Moto G (3rd Gen)!

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 04:56:46 +0000

Motorola is set to kick off a big 3-city press event in just over an hour, an event that we assumed would be the moment for them to make the Moto G (3rd gen) official. Well, Motorola India scooped them on that portion of today's events. The Moto G (3rd gen) is now official. Not that this phone is any sort of surprise after the three dozen leaks over the past couple of weeks, but this is what we know to be the truth. The phone sports a 5-inch HD (720p, 294ppi) display, IPX7 waterproofing, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, quad-core processor, 4G LTE, microSD slot, "long lasting battery," and has swappable, colorful Shells to go along with its white or black colorways. The rest of the official details should be up shortly.

Via: @MotorolaIndia

Motorola 2015 Event Live Blog!

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 04:31:19 +0000

With OnePlus now less than 24 hours behind us, it's Motorola's turn to take the stage and give us what's next for 2015. We know a Moto G (3rd gen) is coming, thanks to Motorola India outing the entire device this morning a bit early, but will we also see a new Moto X (3rd gen) and Moto 360? Maybe two Moto X phones? I hope the answer is "yes" to all of that. Motorola is hosting press events in New York City, London, and Sau Paulo this morning at 9AM Eastern (6AM Pacific). We aren't sure just yet if they are going to live stream it (Update: Live stream added!), but should they decide to provide us with a link, we'll be sure to add it here. Otherwise, I'm here, in NYC, ready to liveblog it out for all of you. Any last guesses or predictions? [responsive_vid]

OnePlus 2: Software Tour!

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:53 +0000

We're continuing on here with this massive barrage of OnePlus 2 posts by taking a look at the phone's software. As we mentioned in our hardware tour video, the OnePlus 2 runs OnePlus' new OxygenOS 2.0, which has all sorts of upgrades over the 1.0 version that came on the OnePlus One. We actually joked a bit about v1.0 not really being much of a skin, but this 2.0 has plenty of goodies to help it stand out. Think of the way Motorola does Android and you will have a pretty good idea of how OnePlus approached Android with this phone and v2.0. The skin comes off as almost pure stock Android, but OnePlus added in gestures, all sorts of controls over the phone's navigation buttons (like long presses and double taps), icon pack support, a dark theme, a home page called Shelf (with recently used apps and contacts), and more. Give the video a quick look and then let us know if you like this approach to Android better or Motorola's.

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Additional OnePlus 2 coverage:

OnePlus 2 vs. OnePlus One: Quick Comparison

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:52 +0000

This day wouldn't be complete without a quick comparison of the OnePlus 2 to the original OnePlus One, would it? We have that for you below. In this short video, we didn't spend time running through benchmarks or showing you the major software differences (we'll save that for our review) from one phone to the next. Instead, we really just wanted to show you a side-by-side hardware and design comparison to get the ball rolling. You can see that these phones still look very similar, but the OnePlus 2 has been given the premium treatment with a metal frame, some added weight, an upgraded camera, and a fingerprint scanner that doubles as a home button. Next to each other, the untrained eye may not be able to tell the difference, but there are indeed plenty of changes for this year's OnePlus phone. OnePlus One owners, is this enough of an upgrade?

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Additional OnePlus 2 coverage:

OnePlus 2 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:45 +0000

For those obsessed with the little details about new phones, like the OnePlus 2, we have the full specifications list for you below. These are the exact details given to us directly from OnePlus, so there shouldn't be any errors here. You'll find the dimensions, all supported wireless bands, specifics on the cameras, supported video and audio types, pixel density in the display, weight of the phone, and the goodies you'll get in the retail box when your phone arrives. Yep, these are the official OnePlus 2 specs.

OnePlus 2 Specs

[table id=6 /] Additional OnePlus 2 coverage:

OnePlus 2 Fingerprint Scanner: This is How Fast It Is

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:34 +0000

OnePlus made a big deal about the OnePlus 2's fingerprint sensor during the lead-up to the phone's unveiling, calling it "refined and lightning quick." Since we spent some time with the phone, we decided we should thoroughly test it and see how good it really was. To say that we came away impressed is probably an understatement. For one, I used a OnePlus 2 with a fingerprint lock on it for a good hour today, testing it with my thumb over and over. Not once did it error out and ask me to re-try. Seriously, not once, and I probably used it close to 100 times. Second, I found it extremely handy to be able to unlock the phone using the fingerprint scanner even with the phone in locked, screen-off state. What I mean is that you don't have to wake the phone in order to unlock it with your fingerprint. Watch the video below for that to make more sense. I don't know that I can say just yet who has the best fingerprint scanner, but this one certainly seems to be up there.

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Additional OnePlus 2 coverage:

OnePlus 2 is Official Starting at $329, Available August 11 Via Invite

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:32 +0000

The OnePlus 2 is now official. You likely just got done watching the livestream, but we now have for you the official details, including hands-on videos of the hardware, software, fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C, and how it compares to last year's OnePlus One. The phone, as you know, is quite the high-end beast, with top notch specs all wrapped in a package that is more than reasonably priced. OnePlus is giving us two models of the OnePlus 2, a 16GB model with 3GB RAM that is priced at $329, along with a 64GB model with 4GB RAM that is priced at $389. The rest of the specs for this phone include 5.5-inch FHD (1080p) display, 3300mAh battery, Snapdragon 810 processor, 13MP (f2.0) camera with OIS and laser autofocus, 5MP front camera, previously mentioned USB Type-C port and fingerprint scanner, 4G LTE, mute switch, and Android 5.1.1 underneath OnePlus' OxygenOS 2.0. The OnePlus 2 will be available via invite beginning August 11 with 64GB of storage for $389. The 16GB model for $329 will be available "later." Who wants one?

Additional coverage

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Press Release

2016 Flagship Killer Unveiled: Meet the OnePlus 2

OnePlus Doubles Down on Design, Power and Innovation for the OnePlus 2, from $329
SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2015 - OnePlus, a global technology startup, today announced its latest flagship product, the much anticipated OnePlus 2. Following the global success of last year’s OnePlus One, the latest offering reaffirms OnePlus’ commitment to the highest level of craftsmanship in the industry today. The OnePlus 2 boasts top of the line specs, one of the best cameras on the market, beautiful design and the adoption of state of the art technology. “From day one, we’ve prioritized our product and our community above all else - we carefully listened to our users’ feedback and incorporated suggestions in building the OnePlus 2.” said OnePlus Founder and CEO, Pete Lau. “We chose premium materials, the highest performing components and forward thinking technology to make this an unparalleled user experience.” Specs that Impress The OnePlus 2’s aluminum-magnesium alloy frame and jewelry-grade stainless steel accents encase a vibrant, full HD 5.5” IPS LCD In-Cell display. The OnePlus 2’s display outperforms in direct sunlight with 178 degrees of crystal clear viewing angles. Noticeably more solid and durable, at just 175 grams, the OnePlus 2 is easy and natural to hold. A 3300mAh lithium polymer battery powers the device throughout the day, and as a dual-sim device the OnePlus 2 simultaneously supports two Nano SIM cards with 4G LTE capability. The 64-bit Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 810 SoC is the fastest processor on the market. With up to 64GB of storage and eMMC 5.0 flash memory, the OnePlus 2 is lightning quick. Paired with up to 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, the OnePlus 2 powers all your apps, games and videos. Capture Your World The OnePlus 2 puts extraordinary digital photography power right in your pocket. The 13 megapixel rear facing camera boasts 6 physical lenses, powerful dual LED flash, and f/2.0 aperture. Perhaps most impressive is the sensor, which contains large 1.3 µm light-collecting pixels to deliver low-light shots like you haven’t seen before. The OnePlus 2 camera has been engineered for improved clarity and stability, accomplished with the addition of an advanced Optical Image Stabilization system. Rear mounted laser technology sharpens and focuses the camera in just .33 milliseconds and the wide-angle 5 megapixel front-facing camera ensures every angle is covered. Carefully Crafted The OnePlus 2 is a continuation of the smooth curves and clean lines that defined the OnePlus One. A striking yet subtle floating display and metal chamfered edges add elegance and solidity to the outer frame, also making the OnePlus 2 easy to hold and comfortable in the hand. In addition to OnePlus’ signature Sandstone Black, consumers now have access to a range of covers including actual wood built Bamboo, Black Apricot, Rosewood and even Kevlar. Ahead of the Curve Equipped with a USB Type-C charging port, OnePlus is paving the way for the adoption of USB Type-C technology, the latest in charging and data transfer. Taking it one step further, the OnePlus charging cable uses patented technology making the Type-A side reversible as well. The OnePlus 2 is equipped with a fingerprint scanner, adding premium security and convenience. Users can now wake and unlock the device with one of five stored fingerprints in less than half a second. Additionally, the OnePlus 2 features an alert slider for quick access to custom notification settings. Unprecedented on an Android device, the alert slider can silence the device with a simple click. Innovative operating system – OxygenOS The OnePlus 2 is the first device in the world to ship with OnePlus’ own operating system, OxygenOS. “With the OnePlus 2, we're making a bet on the future, and doubling down on a holistic product experience,” said OnePlus Co-founder, Carl Pei. “We're excited for what our fans have to say.” OxygenOS, based on Android 5.1, is a refreshing take on the pure Android experience. Subtle customizations like on screen gestures, dark mode, the ability to switch between hardware and capacitive buttons and toggle quick settings are baked in throughout the OS. Loaded with custom apps including Camera, Audio Tuner and File Manager, OxygenOS delivers a light, secure take on Android. Pricing and availability The 64GB OnePlus 2 will be available with an invite in the United States and European Union starting August 11 for $389. The 16GB OnePlus 2 with 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM will be available later for $329. Fans can visit one of nine pop up experience centers located around the world on July 31st to sign up for an invite and be one of the first in the world to see the OnePlus 2. Users can also tune in to OnePlus’ social media channels starting August 1st for a chance to get an invite. About OnePlus OnePlus is a technology startup committed to bringing the best possible technology to users around the world. Created around the mantra, “Never Settle”, OnePlus creates exquisitely designed devices with premium build quality and high performance hardware. For more information, please visit oneplus.net.

OnePlus 2 and USB Type-C: We All Need This Now

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:22 +0000

USB Type-C, get used to hearing us talk a lot about it. This is more than likely going to be the new standard for charging, transferring data, and adding accessories to phones for the foreseeable future. OnePlus and the OnePlus 2 are one of the first to adopt it in a smartphone, and that my friends, is a big deal. I say that because I want this now. Now now. In my time with the device, I couldn't help but spend a couple of minutes just plugging the OnePlus 2's cable into its USB Type-C port, then pulling it out and flipping it over so that I could plug it in again before flipping it over, and plugging it in again. I seriously did it 25 times and had the silliest grin on my face the entire time. REVERSIBLE CABLES, PEOPLE. Oh, OnePlus also told me that they plan to sell these cables at cost, so you should be able to buy them for around $5. Check it out.

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Additional OnePlus 2 coverage:

OnePlus 2: Hardware Tour!

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:12 +0000

Now that you have seen the OnePlus 2 unveiling event come to a close and probably read through our announcement post and official specs list, it's time to see the phone in action. We had a chance to play with the device for a lengthy period of time today and have put together all sorts of videos for you to feast your eyes upon. Our OnePlus 2 coverage is here. In the video below, we walk through the hardware in hand, talk specs, how it feels with that sturdy metal frame, and preview the next post, which is our software tour. If you want the short version of the video, I'll just say this - OnePlus seems to have made a really, really nice phone here at an incredible price. I can't wait to get more time with it.

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Additional OnePlus 2 coverage:

OnePlus 2 Styleswap Covers: Here are Your 5 Options

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:04 +0000

With last year's OnePlus One, OnePlus wanted to make the phone somewhat personal by selling StyleSwap covers that could be hot-swapped onto the back of the phone. Unfortunately, the design of the phone didn't exactly make that the simplest or safest process, so the idea didn't fully pan out. With the OnePlus 2, OnePlus is ready to make StyleSwaps right and is giving you five different choices in materials to choose from. The StyleSwap covers, which will be sold separately ($26.99 a piece), include material choices of Sandstone Black (like last year's One), Kevlar, Black Apricot, Rosewood, and Bamboo. You can see a clean shot of each below.

Additional OnePlus 2 coverage:

OnePlus 2 Unveiling Live Blog!

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 18:36:01 +0000

The OnePlus 2 will finally be unveiled tonight! While we have seen a couple of significant leaks over the past couple of days, we still don't know price, when the phone will be available for you to buy, and a handful of other minor details. Actually, even with those few leaks (including today's big one), I get the feeling that there are some surprises in store. Tonight, at 7PM Pacific (10PM Eastern), OnePlus will take the stage to unveil their new flagship. We thought that OnePlus would livestream the event on YouTube, but it appears that the only way to watch it is through their official launch Android app. You can download it here. If that changes, we'll be sure to update this post with an embedded video. If anything, our liveblog is included below. Ready to see what OnePlus has in store? UPDATE: ALL THE ONEPLUS 2 STORIES YOU NEED TO SURVIVE.

Official: Samsung Hosting Event on August 13 at 11AM in New York City

Tim — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:00:03 +0000

Well, it appears the rumors were true. We received the above invite in our inboxes today, asking us to join Samsung in New York City on August 13 at 11am Eastern for the likely unveiling of the Galaxy Note 5. In addition to the Note 5, we are also expecting to see the Galaxy S6 Edge+, basically a larger model of the Galaxy S6 Edge. To top it off, it is possible Samsung plans to release Samsung Pay for North America, and also unveil their round smartwatch powered by Tizen. It should be quite the event. The invite image features what looks like the bottom-side profile of a Galaxy S6 Edge, just to my eyes. Whatever exactly it may be, there are definitely some rounded curves going on. Mark your calendars for August 13 at 11am Eastern (8am Pacific). To stream the event that morning, follow Samsung Mobile's YouTube account.

Operating System Warnings May Soon Come to Your Boot Screen

Tim — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:44:56 +0000

According to a Google support page, a small change should be hitting select Android devices in the future, most likely Nexus devices, one which will inform you if your smartphone or tablet is secure for using. Upon boot, if you happen to be an OS tinkerer and flash custom OS images, you may see one of the follow warnings. A Yellow warning will inform you that your device has loaded a different OS, allowing you to either dismiss the warning or instructing you to follow a link that gives instructions on how to flash the stock image file for your device. An Orange warning means the device software can't be checked for corruption. The same options are offered - you can either dismiss and continue using your phone, or flash a stock image. A Red warning, which looks somewhat scary, indicates the device is corrupt and "can't be trusted."

Of course, if you tinker, then it is likely that all of these warnings will be seen from time to time and you won't need to worry about it. However, if you do not tinker, and you somehow come across these warnings, it may be a good idea to go ahead and flash a fresh image to your device, just to be safe. It is reported that these changes may come preloaded with Android M, but that has yet to be confirmed by Google. Regardless of when it comes, it is nice of Google to be proactively looking out for users, even if they will likely cause a bit of annoyance for frequent custom ROM flashers.

Via: Android Police | Nexus Support

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 31 Answers

Tim — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:31:26 +0000

Don't worry, we didn't forget about Volume 31 of the DL Q&A Sessions. Early last week, we asked our lovely community to send in their questions, and you didn't disappoint. We had a ton of fun questions to go through, many of them focusing heavily on what is in store for the near future. Below, we go over what we want to see from the upcoming Nexus device(s), what needs fixing in Android Wear, what Apple products we are guilty of using, and what we would be doing if Droid Life never existed. Check out all of our answers to your questions below. Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim, and R is Ron.

Do you think BlackBerry's upcoming Android-based smartphone will strengthen the perception of Android's commitment to security?

K: Who? T: No, not really. While I believe Android is already pretty secure, at least for me, BlackBerry is likely implementing their own goodies to strengthen Android at its core. Most Android users will not see this, as it will be limited to BlackBerry handsets. So, like, 5 people will benefit from any BlackBerry does. R: Nope. It's a totally separate product by a separate company that is in the process of dying. I doubt many people even know about the upcoming phone much less care about it or what it means for Android's security. That's not a bad thing either - it doesn't mean anything unless 1. it's actually more secure and 2. Google integrates it into Android itself.

What do you think needs to be improved in Android Wear?

K: If you were listing top 5 things, battery life would be listed in all 5 lines. After that, the voice dictation and action stuff all needs improved. Maybe the Moto 360 is just terrible at it, but I always find myself having to repeat command after command. T: Battery life, of course. Beyond that, little random jank things, like stuttering transition animations. I hate that. I want buttery smooth. R: The big thing I would like to see for Android Wear is watches for women. Women tend to have smaller wrists and women's fashion tends towards smaller sized watch faces. That means compromising with the battery size and screen size, but it's doable. Right now most Android Wear OEMs are ignoring half of the population, which is bad for business on the one hand and bad for society on the other. Women want to have smart watches too, they just want them to be fashionable and look like they were designed for their bodies. After that, keep making the software better, improve battery life, and bump up the resolution.

Which Apple products are you guilty of using and why?

K: I use Apple computers exclusively. Was a Windows guy forever, but then made the switch 3 or 4 years ago. Haven't found a reason to go back. I also use an Airport Extreme/Express setup for my home WiFi. Otherwise, I do actually go for runs often with an iPhone 6, just because the phone is nice and light. T: At home in the office I use a beefed up Mac Mini for daily usage, and when traveling, I use a MacBook Pro. You won't see me with an iPhone or iPod, but I do enjoy Apple's computers. R: I use an iPhone 5c as my carry device and a MacBook Air for writing and photography. I use the 5c because iOS fits my needs better than Android does. Essentially, I'd rather have new apps sooner than new OS features and I prefer how iOS works most of the time. Also things like iMessage have become integral to the way I communicate with my loved ones. Could I just use SMS? Sure, but why go back to the stone ages? And no, I don't have the energy to convince people to use Google Hangouts. I use the MacBook Air because it's lightweight, beautifully crafted, and it has the software I like to use to edit photographs (Lightroom and Pixelmator).

Best tablet on the market right now?

K: I feel like we answered this recently, but probably the Nexus 9. But really, tablets are kind of a dying tech these days for consumers. Just buy a small laptop. T: For me, it's either the SHIELD Tablet from NVIDIA or Venue 8 series from Dell. Both are solid choices. R: I like the latest iPad Air quite a bit, though I'm still "struggling" by with my 3rd generation iPad. On the Android side I really like the Nexus 9 and Shield.

What's the longest any of you have had to stay "unplugged"?

K: I (fortunately) haven't gone long enough that phones have been dead for days or anything, but I've certainly had a couple of long nights with the Moto X, where the phone was dead by 11PM and I was without any form of communication for 3+ hours. That's never fun. T: Sadly, the longest I go "unplugged" these days is about 8 hours when I'm snoozing at night. Even when I'm on vacation, I have my phone because I use it as my main camera. Sure, my girlfriend hates me for it, but having quick access to Google Maps and Search is important for me, even when traveling. I need to go camping or something just to completely unplug. R: I stopped using all social media for Lent a couple years ago. That was an incredibly refreshing time for me. I love social media, but I'll admit it has affected the way I think in ways that are not always beneficial and it has definitely limited my ability to stop and reflect as easily. Sounds like I need another break!

You're locked down; only ONE device for TWO years on ONE carrier. What, who, why?

K: Ugh, such tough. Maybe the G4 right now, on AT&T, just because of its battery life and AT&T's decent network. I love the S6, but it's battery life is beyond terrible, as is performance for me lately with 5.1.1. T: Two years? Who could ever use the same phone for two whole years? That's impossible. But if I had to, I'd go with a Galaxy S6 on AT&T. Solid network whenever I am on it. As for the choice in phone, I would be choosing it for the camera, mostly. Sure, battery life could be better, but whatever. It'd be a good phone for two years, I'm assuming. R: This has been my situation for years. My plan right now is to get an iPhone 6s on Verizon because I prefer iOS and Verizon has great coverage. If I were going to switch to Android today I would probably heavily consider waiting for the Note 5 on AT&T or Verizon. For coverage reasons alone I think AT&T and Verizon are the only options unless you get great service from Sprint or T-Mobile in your area and never, ever travel. As for the phones, I've stated why I like iOS already. The Note 5 probably won't be the perfect Android phone we've always been dreaming of, but I think Samsung has been able to get the closest this year and I expect the Note 5 to deliver. I'd also consider the OnePlus 2.

Do you think Android version M will roll out quicker and with less issues than Lollipop?

K: Doubtful. Well, it might be OK, since it's not a massive change from Lollipop like Lollipop was from Jelly Bean. It could be better. It will be better, just because everyone's phones will finally stop being as buggy. Maybe. Hopefully. T: I sure do hope so! Lollipop was pretty much garbage when first released, but it seems to be getting better. I'm running Android M on the Nexus 6, and besides a few app crashes here and there, it seems pretty stable. Here's hoping Google doesn't screw us. R: Lollipop rolled out very quickly for a new version of Android despite all the major bugs. I expect M will roll out at a similar pace assuming all things stay the same. It took a lot of work for OEMs to get Lollipop to work on their devices. If M is a lot more stable then it may take less work, but it's still a substantial amount of work.

What are you really looking for from the 2015 Nexus smartphone(s)?

K: I hope the rumors of a Nexus 5 (2015) from LG are correct. I would love for it to be similarly sized to the 2013 Nexus 5 as well. We need normal sized phones. We really do. Not all of us like whales. T: I want a revamped Nexus 5 from LG. I don't need a 6" display. I just don't. Something with a 1080p display is fine, big battery, good camera, and fingerprint reader. Is that so hard, Google and partners? R: The same things we look for every year, Pinky: availability on every major carrier, great handset design, a great camera, and a fingerprint reader for security. I think we'll get two or three of those this year.

If you weren't doing Droid Life, what field would you be in?

K: I would probably shoot for something in sports. I can't tell you what, but either with a pro sports team or marketing outfit that supports a sports team or athlete. I'm kind of a sports freak outside of tech. T: I would work for Nike, looking for better ways to squeeze every penny out of hypebeast consumers. I would introduce Yeezy-colored Jordans, Flyknit Jordans, Flyknit Foamposites. You know what, just Flyknit all the things, I don't care. And if Nike won't hire me, then I would probably be playing guitar in a very unsuccessful metal band in the Bay Area, barely scraping by day-to-day on Cup-a-Noodles and last night's flat beer. It's a tough life, but I'm an artist and I must spread my voice across the lands. R: Droid Life has always been a side project for me. In my day job I work for a computer consulting company as well as lead worship for my church. I'm also in the process of launching a photography business. So probably the same thing: multiple jobs to meet my desire to work on lots of fun, creative projects.

More Reported Galaxy Note 5 Photos Released, No USB Type-C

Tim — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 13:15:33 +0000

Thanks to the latest images released to the web, we may have an even better look at the upcoming Galaxy Note 5 from Samsung than the ones posted just last week. While we got a good look at its frontside and display in the previous images, the latest pictures show the device from all angles, giving us a real good idea at how Samsung is working its new hardware design language into the device. When looking at its bottom, we can see the S-Pen stylus tucked neatly -- or flush -- with the device, with the phone's speaker sitting right next to it. Unlike, the Galaxy Note 4, which had the speaker on its backside, the Note 5 will be exactly like the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, with the speaker on the bottom. Also pictured is a microUSB port, and not a USB Type-C port. This is saddening, after a few reports claimed the Galaxy Note 5 would indeed feature this technology. On the topside, it appears we have a slot for the SIM card, and maybe a bit of expandable storage, but details regarding this are unclear. Looking at the backside, it appears Samsung has shaped it to resemble the Galaxy S6 Edge's frontside. The added curve will allow for users to grip the large device more properly, possibly leading to fewer drops. Pictured in-hand, it does look rather cozy. Also on the back is the camera and heart rate monitor, all of which should be the exact same as found on the Galaxy S6. According to a new leak from GSM Arena, the Galaxy Note 5 should launch with 4GB of RAM, coupled with an Exynos 7422 SoC. This intel matches up nicely with a report from mid-July, stating the same. Reports claim the device will be announced on August 12 or August 13 in New York City, launching shortly thereafter. Excited?

Via: Nowhere Else | GSM Arena

New Moto 360 Wireless Charger Stops Off at FCC

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 12:46:02 +0000

A new Moto 360 smartwatch has yet to surface in any capacity, but I think it's safe to say that we all expect Motorola to release one at some point within the next few months. If an FCC filing for a wireless charger that charges a "Motorola smart watch" of theirs is any indicator, maybe we'll see the new watch at tomorrow's event, or at the very least, within the next few weeks. A device from Motorola under the FCC ID IHDT6UA3 arrived today, with a round base that holds regulatory information on its bottom, just like the charger that came with last year's Moto 360. In a separate document outside of the label placement, the FCC refers to this as a "wireless charger" that was used to test a "Motorola smart watch" at 0%, 50%, and 90% levels. Ready for the next round of Android Wear devices?

Via: FCC

Cheers Justin!

Rumor: Moto X (3rd Gen) to Feature 3600mAh Battery, 21MP Camera, MicroSD Slot

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:07:21 +0000

While the new Moto G has leaked more times over the last few weeks than we can count, the Moto X (3rd gen) has done a pretty good job of remaining mostly out of sight. Tough to tell if that's because Motorola is only going to give us a new Moto G and save the Moto X for later this summer or if there are fewer in the wild to be leaked. Either way, you know we are excited to see this year's flagship from Motorola, since the last two from the Lenovo-owned company have topped our charts the last two years. If today's rumor out of HelloMotoHK - the group who stays as close as anyone to the Motorola beat - is true, you should be excited too. According to a post of theirs to G+ this morning, the new Moto X (3rd gen) could sport a 5.5-inch FHD display (1080p), 21MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, microSD slot, Android 5.1.1, Snapdragon 808, and a whopping 3600mAh battery. Boom. I know that a few will question the decision to go FHD (1080p) instead of QHD, but personally, I'd take FHD if it means full two-day battery life. And with an efficient processor from 2015, along with that battery powering a 1080p resolution, this could be the battery king. Assuming previous leaks are correct, the new Moto X looks like this. You ready?

Via: +HelloMotoHK

Victory: Google Decoupling Google+ and YouTube

Tim — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 10:41:09 +0000

In a blog post published this morning, Google states that with Google+, a few things could have gone better. "While we got certain things right, we made a few choices that, in hindsight, we’ve needed to rethink," Google admits. If you happen to use YouTube and Google+, then you will know that statement could not be more true. Before the changes that are set to take place, setting up a YouTube account attached to a Google+ profile, especially if you are a Google Apps user, was beyond ridiculous. And please, let's not get started on the YouTube comments section regarding the involvement of Google+ and your need for a profile attached to your existing Google account. Beginning now and progressing into the near future, Google is taking steps, alongside YouTube, to detach Google+ from a few of its services. Now, Google+ will be used more as a place to view topics you are interested in, instead of a full blown social network where you go to view photos and see where your friends are. These changes have already begun taking place, as Google has removed most photo features from the social network, releasing a dedicated Photos service for all users, separate from Google+. Google states that by moving a few of these features, it will create, "a more useful, more engaging Google+." Moving forward, as time goes by, we will begin to see a reshaped Google+ experience, one more catered to sharing interests with friends and family, untied to the rest of your Google profile. More importantly, let's talk YouTube. In the coming months, YouTube states that users will be able to completely unlink their Google+ profile from their YouTube account. This means that when you want to create a YouTube account, comment on videos, or upload a video, you will not need a Google+ profile. All you will need is your primary Google account, which will remain unsearchable on the worldwide web. In addition to that major change, YouTube has a few key changes that will take affect immediately. First, any comments you make on YouTube will only be shared on YouTube, not on Google+. Also, YouTube has improved the ranking system that reduces the visibility of junk comments, leading to more intelligent conversations between viewers. If you are a creator, however, the ability to moderate comments and block people is all staying the same. No changes there. Do note, if you like the integration between Google+ and YouTube, you may choose to keep it and nothing will change. The choice is entirely yours. To get more detailed information on what exactly these changes mean for your Google+ and YouTube account, follow the below links.

Via: Google | YouTube

LG Intros 'Gentle' Flip Phone Featuring Lollipop, Likely Not Headed to US

Tim — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 09:56:27 +0000

I knew that one day, the large phone craze would die, and everyone would be rushing out to find the smallest phones they could. With the introduction of LG's latest, the Gentle, it might be safe to say those days are actually upon us. Not. Jokes aside, announced for Korea, LG has a new flip phone, powered by Lollipop, complete with a quad-core processor and 3.2" LCD display. The exterior of the flip phone features a leather-like material, offering a premium feel in-hand. When you flip the device open, the 3.2" display (480 x 320) greets your eyes, plus a somewhat familiar Android look. Of course, it runs an LG custom skin, and not vanilla Android. Other specs include a 3MP camera, 1GB of RAM, 1,700mAh battery, 4GB of storage, microSD slot, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE. Priced at 20 million won, which is a little under $200 in the US, it is unlikely we can expect to see this device hit US carriers. And even if it did come, would you be interested?

Via: LG

Here are High-Res Photos of the OnePlus 2

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 09:37:24 +0000

The OnePlus 2 will arrive tonight, but most of the details were just spoiled thanks to a "beta tester" over at XDA. This tester says that he has had the phone for a week, thinks the design is ugly but well crafted, has a "not quite" sensitive fingerprint sensor, and prefers the OnePlus One. Well, then. In better news, he provided all sorts of high-res photos of the device, so that you can at least all form your own opinions on its looks. As for the other issues he mentions, most sound like problems that can be fixed with some fine-tuning before the phone is available to regular consumers. Ready to see the goods? Oh, first, he also says that the camera has optical image stabilization (OIS) but isn't a Sony sensor, and has a thicker body (assuming he means thicker than last year's One). We noticed a new slider-like button on the side of the phone as well, which we are hoping is like Apple's silent switch on the iPhone.

As a fan of the first OnePlus One, I've got to admit that this phone looks great. While I'm not exactly loving the fingerprint sensor on the front, it is what it is. I've lived with it on the Galaxy S6 just fine. Overall, it looks like a refined OnePlus One, but with some upgraded specs. Give me. Thoughts?

Via: XDA

Pretty Serious Stagefright Security Flaw Found on Android, Probably Affects Your Phone

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 09:23:56 +0000

This morning, Forbes relayed a potential serious security flaw in Android, first discovered by Zimperium zLabs, that could affect your phone. The flaw is found in Android's Stagefright, a multimedia tool at a deep system level. According to this research, a simple MMS (multimedia text) sent to your phone could open up your phone to audio/video recording, but also give a hacker access to your photos or Bluetooth. In order to gain that kind of access, they may only need to know your phone number. Zimperium zLabs suggests that some 950 million Android devices are in danger of this bug. Yep, this security bug is actually a pretty big deal. They sent several vulnerabilities related to this to Google months ago and Google has already confirmed them and added patches to Android (7 in total to date). The problem is, we don't know which devices have been patched or not. For one, Google hasn't even confirmed that its own Nexus devices are patched, so you can imagine (and probably assume) that your Samsung, Motorola, LG, HTC, etc. non-Nexus phone isn't patched either. As I mentioned, the vulnerabilities exist in Stagefright and can be accessed by a simple MMS to you or I. That MMS may not even need to be opened in order to do its damage. Some apps, like Hangouts, pre-load (if you will) MMS messages to make them quickly accessible to you, which then allows these vulnerabilities to be exploited without you even knowing. In other situations, if you opened a bad MMS, you would trigger it. Forbes reached out to all of the major manufacturers and none have commented on the status of their phones. Again, assume they haven't patched anything. So what does this mean for you? I wish I had solid advice, but this is one of those situations where a bad MMS could potentially get a hold of information on your phone until it receives a patch. Zimperium zLabs hasn't posted the full details on this exploit (they may never) and claims to be the only ones who know exactly how it works, if that gives you any sense of peace. Of course, they plan to talk more about it at this year's Blackhat and DEFCON conferences in Vegas in a couple of weeks. We'll share new info as we have it.

Via: Forbes

Cheers John!

Samsung Announces Desktop Monitor With Built-In Qi Wireless Charging

Tim — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 08:28:05 +0000

With the introduction of more technology over the past few years, it seems that our desks are becoming more cluttered than they have ever been. We simultaneously need smartwatch chargers, chargers for phones, tablets, and heck, maybe even a charger for Google Glass. The point is, it's a messy situation. However, thanks to the introduction of a new desktop monitor from Samsung with built-in Qi Wireless Charging, you can begin to fight the clutter. The SE370 monitor comes in two sizes, 23.6" and 27", featuring one of the most readily available wireless charging standards available directly in its base. Naturally, if you own a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge, charging your device via this desktop computer monitor will not be an issue. In terms of monitor specs, it does not sound like the most high-end of models, but does feature 4ms response time, a resolution of 1920×1080, 1000:1 contrast ratio, Windows 10 certification, and plenty of different preset modes for energy efficiency and more power-hungry game settings. Samsung has yet to provide final pricing or a release date, but does this concept interest you? It certainly is clever, if you ask us.

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Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Moto G (3rd Gen) Gets a Quick Early Unboxing

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 07:44:43 +0000

Hey, Motorola, got any plans outside of the Moto G (3rd gen) tomorrow? Hope so! Thanks to another premature leak by another wireless carrier outside of the US, we know even more about Motorola's new mid-range offering. Through an unofficial unboxing of sorts, we get a look at the new Moto G's box, swappable back covers, and front sticker (with specs). From the images we have included in this post, we are getting additional confirmations that that the Moto G (3rd gen) will be IPX7 waterproof, come equipped with 4G (hoping that means LTE), 16GB of storage (8GB likely too), 13MP/5MP camera combo, 5" HD display with Gorilla Glass, 1.4GHz quad-core processor, and dual SIM slots in some countries. It sounds like a nicely upgraded Moto G. Assuming Motorola does keep that $179 price point we exclusively reported last week, this should be another success story for Motorola globally, in emerging markets.

The expectation is that Motorola will unveil this phone tomorrow, along with Moto Maker access in select countries, but also make it available immediately.

Via: Vendas Itabuna Cellular | HelloMotoHK

Cheers Lucas and Rashad!

T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Get Updates With Battery Improvements

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 07:08:23 +0000

T-Mobile is pushing updates to its Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge variants this morning, both of which appear to be bug fixers after the 5.1.1 update that arrived a couple of weeks back. And actually, each is listed as including "battery improvements" along with other various fixes. The S6 Edge is also getting a "cocktailbar error fix." The S6 Edge update is rolling out as version G925TUVU2COF8. The regular S6 is G920TUVU2COF8. Each update weighs in at around 103MB if coming from the previous 5.1.1 build. If you didn't take that last 5.1.1 build, your update will be north of 635MB in size. (Here's to hoping this includes some sort of performance enhancement too.) To grab the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software update.

Via: T-Mobile [2]

Reminder: OnePlus 2 Arrives Tonight, New Motorola Goodies Tomorrow

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 05:43:37 +0000

As a reminder to kickstart the week, we wanted to make sure you all realized that OnePlus is going to unveil the OnePlus 2 tonight via streamed event that will also be done in VR through a companion Android app. But also, don't forget that Motorola has goodies to unveil tomorrow morning. Here are the details.

OnePlus 2 Event (Today)

Live streamed event starts at 7PM Pacific (10PM Eastern).
We will post the livestream later in a liveblog as we have it.
Event will be streamed, but if you have a VR headset, download this app.
The invite reservation list for the phone is now open.
This is what the phone looks like.

Motorola Event (Tuesday, July 28)

Live streamed event starts at 6AM Pacific (9AM Eastern).
We will be on the scene with a liveblog and livestream as well.
We are fully expecting to see the new Moto G (3rd gen). The new Moto X (3rd gen) could arrive as well, just don't be shocked if it isn't. Who knows about a new Moto 360 or new DROIDs.
To read up on the latest of the new Moto X (3rd gen) hit up this link.
To read up on the latest of the new Moto G (3rd gen) hit up this link.

Any last minute predictions? #OP2MOTOTOUR

Instagram is Rolling Out a New Quick Edit Screen on Android

Kellen — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 12:52:50 +0000

I went on a hike this morning and took some photos to post to Instagram. As I loaded up the app (v7.3.0), I noticed a new screen that seemed a bit different after choosing/taking a photo. You can see what I'm talking about in the image above (and video below), which appears to be a new quick edit/filter screen. In previous builds of Instagram, after you chose or snapped a new photo, you were asked to crop before editing in a screen that listed out filters at the bottom, along with some other controls. In this new screen, you skip right past the edit screen and onto a page that lets you swipe across the screen to quickly adjust filters, before adding comments and tags. If you would like to get deeper into editing tools, an "Edit" button in the bottom left of your photo will get you there. There is also a button for tagging people in the opposite corner. This new quick posting screen seems to show a handful of nearby locations that you can scroll through as well, along with a simpler caption box. This update seems to be rolling out via server-side update. We were also able to get one device switched to this new UI after clearing data on the app. Feel free to test for yourself by updating your app or sideloading via the .apk below. Play Link | Download Link (.apk)

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OnePlus 2 Invite Reservation List Now Open, VR Launch App Hits Play Store

Kellen — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 08:08:17 +0000

Two hours ago (at the time of this posting) on a Saturday, OnePlus decided to open up a registration list for invites to purchase the OnePlus 2. Hopefully, you saw the posting minutes after it went live, because the list is already closing in on 20,000 people. As many of you know, in order to purchase a OnePlus 2, you will need an invite. This list, is like a back-up for those who don't have exclusive access to early invites or who don't feel like participating in OnePlus' social experiments. Still, this may be the only way that many of you can get an invite, even if it is already 20K people long. Keep in mind that OnePlus has said to expect 30-50x the inventory at launch, so this list should run quicker than it did last year. To put your name in the reservation waiting list, hit up this link and quickly scroll to the bottom.

On a semi-related note, the OnePlus 2 will be officially unveiled on Monday through a streamed press event. If you took up OnePlus on their free VR cardboard offer, you can stream the event in VR through a recently released Android app. In fact, the app just popped up on Google Play last night. Be sure to grab it below. Play Link

US Cellular Expects the Moto G (3rd Gen) to Retail for $179

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:51:48 +0000

The new Moto G (3rd gen) is no secret at this point. We've seen renders, mentions on Motorola's site of Moto Maker options, promo videos, and hands-on time with the phone all within the last week. There are still some questions, though, one of which involves price. How low will Motorola go with the new Moto G? Will they stick close to the 2nd generation's $179 price point? According to a source of ours, that's exactly where Motorola plans to land. US Cellular is loading up the new Moto G in its internal systems under SKU 186978 and with a price of $179.99. That is without a contract of course, since the draw to the Moto G is its decent specs and bargain bin price. If the price sticks and Motorola includes 4G LTE this time around, we are talking about a heck of a deal. I mention the 4G LTE because the 2nd gen never did get LTE and was instead a 3G-only phone priced at $179. $179 sound like a good price to you?

AT&T and DirecTV Officially Merge

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 13:53:55 +0000

The FCC gave AT&T and DirecTV the thumbs up to merge today. The deal, which had been under review since May of last year, makes them the biggest pay-TV company in the US by pushing them ahead of Comcast with more than 26 million customers. What does this mean for AT&T's wireless customers? Not much. This is really all about creating a massive TV company, since the wireless side of things is slowly maturing. I guess AT&T could offer up bundles of wireless service and DirecTV, but this move doesn't exactly mean your plans or pricing will change in any meaningful way. Happy Friday.

Via: Reuters

Deal: ZeroLemon 20,000mAh SolarJuice Battery Pack is Back and Just $49

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 13:29:29 +0000

One of the better DL deals we have featured over the past few months has been the ZeroLemon 20,000mAh SolarJuice battery pack because of its massive capacity, but also because it's durable, can charge two devices at a time, and can re-charge using the damn sun. The sun! To head into the weekend, we thought would share the fact that it's back and at its $49 price. That's a pretty solid deal on a battery pack that could charge your phone over and over and over again. As a recap, the ZeroLemon SolarJuice charges through a typical wall outlet or via a powerful 1.2W monocrystalline solar panel. It has dual outputs for charging two devices at a time, is quite compact for a 20,000mAh battery pack, should have a 1,000+ recharge life, and outputs at 2.1 and 1A. Deal Link

Enjoy a Free Movie Rental on Google to Celebrate Chromecast Turning 2

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 12:02:11 +0000

The Chromecast is turning two! Crazy to think that Google's little dongle (mind out of the gutter) has been around for two years already. I can't really think of another gadget in recent memory that has made such a difference at such an affordable price. $35 out of your pocket and you have the ultimate streaming machine. Anyways, to celebrate the birthday, Google is giving away a free movie rental. Details on this free rental offer and how you can redeem it can be found here. The movie selection can be found here.

Via: +Chrome

Cheers Marco!

LG to Introduce "Super Premium" Phone Later This Year as G4 Sales Disappoint

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 09:52:25 +0000

LG's G4, which we happen to be pretty big fans of here at Droid Life, hasn't exactly been the smashing success that LG had hoped, according to Korean news outlet ETnews. Because of its lackluster sales, the company is currently trying to figure out a time to launch a new "super premium" smartphone before the year ends. In recent years, LG has given us a flagship in Q2, then related models to that flagship to fill up the next 12 months. But because of mounting pressure in the smartphone industry and because Samsung and Apple are still kings with major phones in the pipeline, LG is going to introduce another flagship this year. We aren't sure what "super premium" means in comparison to the LG G4 (which must be just "premium"), but I would imagine that LG will bring something with higher end materials. The G4 already packs incredible specs, so the next logical step is to up the design and turn to metals, like everyone else has done. LG G4 owners, feeling like you just got punched in the gut? Or are we all excited to see what LG can do in this "super premium" category?

Via: ETnews

Google Play Games Sale Slashes Prices Up to 90% - Monument Valley, Limbo, Hitman GO Included

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 09:10:52 +0000

Google is currently hosting a games sale on Google Play that has cut prices on select games up to 90%. Games included in the deal are big titles like Monument Valley ($0.99), Game of Thrones ($0.60), LIMBO ($0.99), Hitman GO ($0.75), Goat Simulator ($0.99), The Room Two ($0.69), and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars ($0.99). The deal is live through July 27, so be sure to grab as many as you can over the weekend. Some of the prices have dropped to as low as $0.19. Play Link

YouTube Gets a Redesign on Android, New Video Creation Tools

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 07:53:24 +0000

Notice anything different about your YouTube app this week? You should have received an update to YouTube within the last day that introduced a new 3-tabbed design to make it "easier than ever to find videos you love." The new app ditches the slideout navigation menu for three tabs or columns of Home, Subscriptions, and Account. Those names are pretty self explanatory, but the basics are you get to explore and discover videos with recommendations on your Home, find the latest from your subscriptions on the Subscriptions page, and check out your own account or upload new videos in the Account page. Google also tossed in new creation tools for trimming footage, tinting images, adding music, etc. The app is slick, fast, and easy to navigate, it's just surprising to see Google continue to change up its design language. Is this the beginning of the end for the slideout drawer? Obviously, that all depends on the application. Play Link

Via: YouTube

Honda Puts Android Auto in New 2016 Accord

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:59:48 +0000

Honda announced this afternoon that its brand new, 2016 Accord will be its first model to feature Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay. Not only that, but Honda says that this new Accord is "among the first high-volume cars" in the marketplace to feature both smart auto software packages. The new Accord is the "highest tech Accord yet," not only because of the Android Auto integration, but because of its 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and Honda Sensing system, which is a package that provides collision warnings, lane assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be available in EX and above trims starting in August.

Via: Honda

Deal: QuickLock Smart Padlock Drops to $49

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:37:39 +0000

The QuickLock smart padlock has dropped to just $49 in the DL Deals store (a 18% discount). With this lock, you get smart functionality like the ability the unlock it without a key. You can unlock it via smartphone and app, special fob or ring, NFC key (up to 50 of them) or card. You can even add on multiple users, so you don't have to worry about making keys for all parties needing access. The QuickLock charges via microUSB cable, but should last for up to two years on a single charge, and is made of die cast zinc alloy. Deal Link

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Here are the QuickLock's details:

Made of die cast zinc alloy, rendering it virtually indestructible
Allows for one-click or one-swipe access via a fob or ring (sold separately), a card, or smartphone
Includes convenient access for multiple people: works w/ up to 50 wireless NFC keys & an unlimited number of phones
Prevents having to remember combinations or locate keys for your locks
Provides battery life for up to two years on one charge
Charges via a micro USB cable

The deal is live for just 5 more days.

Google Voice Voicemail Transcriptions are Now Dramatically Better

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 14:32:15 +0000

Just over a year ago, Google asked Google Voice users for help in improving their voicemail transcription service because it often produced "humorously intelligible" results (see above). Today, the company reported back saying that thanks to participant help, they have been able to reduce transcription errors by 49%. And as a part of that announcement, Google has announced an improved voicemail system for Google Voice and Project Fi that delivers far more accurate transcriptions. As a Google Voice or Project Fi user, you don't have to do anything special in order to experience the new system. All you have to do is continue to use either service. Yay for improvements that don't ask you to do a thing. If you want to sign-up for Google Voice (yes, it still exists and accepts new users), head here.

Via: Google Blog

Whoops! Here is the Promo Video and Specs for the Moto G (3rd Gen)

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:37:49 +0000

Motorola needs next Tuesday to get here in a hurry, because if this leak barrage goes on any longer, they aren't going to have anything new to announce. This afternoon, Brazilian retailer Americanas felt it was OK to go ahead and post an entire overview video of the yet-to-be-announced Moto G (3rd gen). The video walks through all of its meaningful specs, but they also included them in the description, in case there was any confusion. Thanks to this video, we know that the new Moto G has a 5-inch HD (likely 720p, but there is mention of "full" in the translation) display, 1.4GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, 8GB or 16GB of storage, micro SD slot that holds 32GB cards, 4G LTE, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, IPX7 waterproofing, and Android 5.1.1. It's probably safe to say that you can ignore that Swiss listing from earlier in the week. No mention was made about the Moto Maker stuff we saw earlier today, only that the phone will have swappable back covers in a variety of colors. In the video's description, we get this translation:

Surprises abound to the new generation of Moto G, one of the most beloved smartphones from Motorola. The new line of Moto G is available on models Moto G 3rd Generation Color HDTV , Music, Cabernet, Navy Blue and Pink. Get ready for this powerful configuration: Lollipop Android 5.1.1 , 4G speed technology , full HD screen 5 -inch , 410 Snapdragon processor Quad Core 1.4GHz , 8GB of internal memory for the basic 16GB version or the other , rear camera of 13MP and 5MP front .

And now to the video:

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Because it'll be pulled momentarily, feel free to watch it here as well.

Cheers João Victor!

And Now We Have Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ Pictures!

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:14:55 +0000

The leak game is strong this week. After seeing photos of the OnePlus 2 and the Moto X (3rd gen), we now have photos allegedly of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Their boot screens and potential size certainly lead us to believe that these are the devices we expect to see very soon. So other than the fact that we have pictures of each phone, have we learned anything new? Not really, no. This is about what we expected from these two phones. One of the photos of the S6 Edge+ shows a model number of SM-G928A, which we talked about as being the AT&T version of the phone. That's really it in terms of new info. Still, photos! With the Galaxy Note 5 photos, we see a phone that looks a lot like previous Notes, only with a glossier, Galaxy S6-like shine. I think it's safe to assume that the Note 5 will be a mostly-bigger Galaxy S6 with a new S Pen.

As for the Galaxy S6 Edge+...it's a big Galaxy S6 Edge. This is one of those "We made it bigger because big." type of things.

Thoughts? Note lovers - this has to get you somewhat excited, right?

Via: MobileFun

Google Keep Update Makes It Even Easier to Create a New Note, Edit Labels

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 11:35:02 +0000

Google Keep received an update yesterday (that is now rolling out to everyone) that rid the app of a floating action button (FAB) and introduced a bottom toolbar that allows you to quickly launch into a new note, minus the extra click required with a FAB. Can you see the difference in the photo above? It's actually quite lovely. You no longer have to press the FAB and watch the animation spring up of your options for notes, before choosing one. Now, you just open the app, look at the bottom of the screen and tap on the type of note you would like to take. It's a subtle change that actually makes the app much simpler to use (in a good way). Outside of that change, the app now has a toggle in the top right for switching from grid to single-column view. This single button replaces the menu button that launched a menu that allowed you to switch. In other words, this should have been a toggle all along. Finally, in the slideout nav menu, you will find buttons that allow you to both edit labels and add new ones. Play Link

Google Might Let You #PayWithAPhoto Starting July 29 (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 10:53:47 +0000

On July 29, Google is going to let you pay with a photo. We don't know how, but their Google Photos service is involved on some level. According to the below video and various social network shares, it looks like restaurants or specific retailers could be involved. For example, maybe Google, in partnership with a waffle shop, could let you get free waffles by taking pictures of waffles. I have no idea. Either way, Google will tell us on July 29...maybe through a photo...of food. Guesses?

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Update: Just a heads-up on what this is really all about. Google has told us that a Google Photos-inspired food truck is rolling through NYC, Portland, Los Angeles, and Austin starting on July 29. That truck will host contests that involve using Google Photos' search feature to find photos of specific items on their devices. If they can locate photos in their libraries within a certain time, they have the opportunity to win things. To #PayWithAPhoto, the contestant has to show a photo of a specific search term to the Google food truck, where they will then be rewarded with a prize. Get it? Here are the dates and locations for the New York stop:

Wednesday, July 29 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: DUMBO (Pearl Street & Water Street) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Astor Place
Thursday, July 30 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Wall Street 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Flatiron District (17th Street & 5th Avenue)
Friday, July 31 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Chelsea 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.: St. Mark’s Place
Saturday, August 1 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Midtown East (51st Street between Park Avenue & Madison Avenue) 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.: West Village (Christopher Street & 7th Avenue)
Sunday, August 2 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Flatiron District (25th Street & Broadway) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: SoHo (Hudson Street & King Street)

Via: @GooglePhotos

Moto G (2015) Moto Maker Colors, Storage/Memory Options Outed on Motorola's Site

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 09:22:03 +0000

Motorola slipped up briefly yesterday when it activated a Moto Maker page dedicated to the new Moto G. We had previously heard that Motorola would add the Moto G to its customization service, but this essentially confirms it. Of course, the page was pulled long ago, just not before a reddit user captured the details. According to this "leak," if you can call it that, Motorola is officially calling this the Moto G (2015) instead of the Moto G (3rd gen). The phone will have Moto Maker options that include white or black fronts, at least 10 back housing colors, and another 10 accent colors. Users will be able to choose from an 8GB model (more than likely with 1GB RAM) or a 16GB model with 2GB RAM. Like with other Moto Maker products, buyers will be able to choose a custom wallpaper to match their design, as well. Also, this is the new slogan for the new Moto G and its customization: "The new Moto G exactly the way you want it. Choose your front and back colors, storage and memory, and more." And here is the info that Motorola posted:

The Moto Maker site for the new Moto G was hosting here briefly, but again, has since been pulled. We don't yet know pricing. With that said, Motorola has priced the Moto G quite low in the past, so don't be shocked if this is a solid mid-range offering at a very appealing price.

Via: reddit

And Now the Moto X (3rd Gen) in White and Gold

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 08:06:10 +0000

After yesterday's Moto X (3rd gen) "leak" barrage, I know you aren't satisfied. You want more, don't you? It's OK, I do. How's this? The folks at HelloMotoHK posted this image to their G+ page last night, calling it the "X³," which of course means Moto X (3rd gen). The phone features a gold metallic frame, along with a white backside and the camera/dimple housing that appears to be the trend of the year for smartphone design. We see the headphone jack up top, along with a SIM tray, both of which are in the same spots as they were on last year's model. And yep, that's pretty much it. My guess is that Motorola is adding a new gold frame color option to Moto Maker, joining the light and dark greys of last year. As of now, rumors suggest that Motorola has gone with a 5.5-inch display, making this the biggest Moto X yet. All of the images accompanying leaks show a phone that looks a lot like previous Moto X models, only with a touch more refinement and that previously mentioned camera/dimple housing. It looks nice, just not all that different.

Via: +HelloMotoHK | Weibo

NVIDIA SHIELD Portable Gets Its Android 5.1 Update, Adds Chromecast Support

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 07:47:03 +0000

NVIDIA SHIELD Portable, the all-in-one portable gaming system, received its update to Android 5.1 today. According to NVIDIA, the update is "optional," but I'm not sure why you wouldn't want this. After the update, users will see the "latest" version of Android, a Play Books bug fixed, and the removal of Sonic 4: Episode II, Expendable: Rearmed, and the OG Android Browser. That's not all, though. NVIDIA is adding in Chromecast support, killing off Miracast, and updating Twitch to the latest version. The update should be live now, so jump into Settings>About device to grab it. The full details can be found at the link below.

Via: NVIDIA

Shots of Huawei Watch Retail Packaging Arrive, Looks All Sorts of Premium

Tim — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:12:26 +0000

Huawei still has yet to provide a release date and price for the Android Wear-powered Huawei Watch, so until then, we will continue to drool and wish Huawei could hurry up and release it to the masses. In the latest leak, it appears images of the smartwatch's retail packaging have been posted online, with a working unit inside. Could we hope this means the rumors of it launching in September or October are wrong? Anything's possible at this point. In terms of watch packaging, this looks pretty solid. The exterior looks like a faux leather, which oozes luxury. Inside, we have more faux leather, this time in white, with two golden pegs sitting on each side of the device. The central piece you see inside can be lifted, allowing you to take the watch in and out of the packaging. Honestly, this box looks nicer than packaging I have seen from my own analog watch purchases, so keep it up, Huawei. When compared to other smartwatch packaging, like the Moto 360 and ZenWatch, you can tell Huawei will market this as a truly premium smartwatch experience. Of course, if we receive any information at all about pricing or when we can expect this device to hit the market, we will keep you posted. Until then, let us know in the comments if the Huawei Watch is still on your wish list.

Via: HD Blog

Deal: Grab a Few ilumi Bluetooth Smartbulbs for $49 a Pop

Tim — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 15:22:24 +0000

For a limited time on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a ilumi Bluetooth Smartbulb, or multiple of them, each priced at $49. Considering these bulbs were priced $90 at launch, grabbing them for $50 is a solid deal. With these bulbs, like other smartbulbs, users can control colors and mood settings directly from a smartphone. Users can also set up pulse shows when the bulbs are synced to music, turning your home into the ultimate rave station. The bulbs offer a ton of neat tricks, all programmable for those who want to take the dive into LED bulbs. And plus, it's better for the environment. Follow the link below to pick a few up. Features

Sync ilumi to pulse w/ the beat of your music
Wake up naturally with a scheduled sunrise lighting effect
Create, save & replay your favorite lighting scenes
Choose from millions of colors
Program your light to make it look like someone’s always home
Let your light guide you, turning on & off as you move from room to room

Deal Link

Is This Our First Look at the Front of the Moto X (3rd Gen)? (Updated: More Pics!)

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:37:21 +0000

Next Tuesday, Motorola is going to show off new products to us at an event in New York. Some of us think we'll only get a new Moto G (3rd gen), while others are hopeful that a new Moto X (3rd gen) will join the party as well. For those on the new Moto X wagon, we present to you the photo below, which is purportedly of the front of the device, fitted with all the marks necessary to get someone fired. Is it the real deal? I don't know, but I kind of hope so. The photo comes courtesy of a guy on G+ named Paul Faz, who included accompanying text of "Moto X 3rd generation front flash." That does appear to be a flash in the top right corner, and yes, early rumors for the new Moto X did suggest that it may have a front-facing flash. Paul did mention in the comments of his G+ post that the display is 5.5-inches on this phone, ~~but that there may be a second phone joining it called the "Moto X Sport" with a 5.2-inch display~~. (Edit: Paul more than likely is just passing on internet rumors, so I wouldn't buy into what he's dropping. He grabbed this photo from another location.) Other than that, we are seeing a similar shape to the past couple of Moto X phones, though hopefully the front speakers are actually stereo this time around. There is little bezel, a familiar boot animation, and what is more than likely some shine off of a metal frame. You tell me - does this look like what could be the front of this phone or any of these phones?

Update: And would you look at that, more pictures! This time courtesy of this Peru Android Facebook page. According to this page, Motorola may have included a fingerprint sensor in the bottom speaker (would require a swipe), though I have my serious doubts about that being possible. We are seeing that front flash again too! Moto, here we come.

Update 2: And another, now in white and gold.

Via: +Paul Faz

YouTube App Will Display Vertical Videos 'Properly' When in Fullscreen Mode

Tim — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:16:17 +0000

People don't like vertical videos. Boo-hoo. They may be a bit of an eye sore, but to help combat the way they look on mobile devices, the YouTube app for Android will now show vertical videos properly when you go into fullscreen mode. As an example, when you hit the fullscreen button while in portrait mode, the app will zoom in on the video, taking up the full portion of your display with the video. No black bars, or anything like that from now on. The app update is rolling out on Google Play, but thanks to staged releases, but be shocked if you don't see it yet. Once updated, the next time you come across a vertical video on YouTube, you'll survive the horror. Play Link

Another Report Claims Samsung Will Announce the Galaxy Note 5 on August 12 or 13

Tim — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:54:08 +0000

Last week, SamMobile, who is a go-to source for Samsung information, reported that Samsung would unveil the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ on August 12 in New York City. Coming straight from Korea's Business Korea this morning, the date could be pretty much solidified as either the 12th of August or 13th. To be clear, the first claim was for August 12, and now Korean sources claim August 13. It's possible that all sources mean the same day, but the mixup is from the time zone differences in the US and Korea. From the US Pacific time zone to South Korea, the difference is 16 hours ahead. So, that means, our August 12 is their August 13. Make sense? Along with reference to this "early release" from Samsung, it seems people can't help but mention the important role Apple is playing. With Samsung looking to beat Apple to market, before they release the iPhone 6S or whatever they will call their next lineup, Samsung is actually leaving themselves open to a poor performing holiday season, which is a time Apple is known for dominating. As general consumers, we don't exactly care when the device is launched, especially if it is some ploy to beat Apple, but it's looking safe for you to pencil August 12 on your calendar as Samsung Day.

Via: Business Korea

Chrome for iOS Gets Another Cool Gesture Not in the Android Version

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:44:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, we highlighted this really cool swiping gesture in the iOS version of Chrome that allowed you to swipe down to refresh (like in Android), but also close or open a new tab. It's super neat and we weren't able to hide our jealousy at the time. While we still wish Google would find a way to add that functionality into the Android version, an update to Chrome on iOS that was released today adds yet another gesture we wouldn't mind having on this side of the mobile world. The Chrome team, through v44.0.2403.65 of Chrome for iOS, added in swipe gestures for going back or forward in the browser. You can see the action below, which is different than iOS' system-level back gesture that can take you back a screen. This appears to be a special gesture built into the edges of Chrome that allows you to go back or forward a page. Neat, right? No more hunting out those tiny back or forward buttons.

Via: Chrome Releases

T-Mobile Intros Advanced Messaging for a Better Texting Experience

Tim — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:19:25 +0000

T-Mobile announced Advanced Messaging today, built on the Rich Communications Services (RCS) standard. Moving forward, phones on the T-Mo network that have this feature enabled, which is doable on older phones via a software update, gain richer features through text messaging. For example, better group messaging with real-time chat, delivery and read receipts, plus the ability to share larger files. Much like you see on 3rd-party apps and services from Facebook and Google, users can see when friends are replying to messages, making for a more personal messaging experience. Advanced Messaging will work across all devices (as long as they're supported), OEMs, operating systems, and wireless operators. T-Mobile also took this time to throw a light jab at the competition, stating, "For now, this is something you can only get at T-Mobile— though I expect our announcement will be a wake-up call for the old carriers to get moving with RCS, so customers can enjoy these next-gen services working across wireless providers." Right now, only the Galaxy Prime from Samsung has Advanced Messaging, but soon, the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S6 will also feature it. In the coming months, T-Mobile states nearly a dozen more devices will feature Advanced Messaging. Features

Rich 1 on 1 and group messaging, including near real-time chat
See when others are typing, when your message is delivered and even read
Share high-res photos and videos up to 10 MB just as you would a regular text message
And T-Mobile Advanced Messaging is built to work across all devices, makers and operating systems—and wireless operators.

Via: T-Mobile

DEAL: Unlocked AT&T Galaxy S6 Edge for Just $599 ($215 Off)

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:51:16 +0000

The best deal we have seen to date for the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge popped up at eBay last night and is still going strong. For just $599, you can have Samsung's uniquely-designed, double-edged phone. This is the AT&T model with 32GB of storage that would run you $815 if you bought it outright from AT&T. A $215 discount is a substantial one in my book. This phone is brand new, but has apparently been opened so that the seller could unlock it. It's also "unlocked" and ready for use on other GSM carriers, which could mean that it'll work fine on T-Mobile, though it does seem to be missing T-Mobile's 1700 band. The deal includes both white or black models and free shipping. eBay Link

Sony Launching "Concept for Android," Stripped Down OS With Key Sony Features

Tim — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:01:02 +0000

For just 500 Xperia Z3 owners in Switzerland, Sony is introducing its Concept for Android project, a concept OS that brings a stripped down version of Android 5.1 to users, with popular Sony features built directly into the OS. To put it simply, it's vanilla Android, with a few extra tricks. This project is labeled as a way for Sony to test features in a smaller, controlled group, allowing for quicker fixes to go out to the public. If all goes well, and the project is a success, Sony states it would like to make Concept for Android available in markets across the globe.

As we look to shift towards a model that allows for the creation of experiences with real user input, whilst adopting more transparent and open workflows. We believe this will eventually enable us to respond to your needs quicker and easier.

To me, the above quote from the blog post screams, "our custom skin is a total pain in the a**." And if you ask me, custom skins do make things a bit harder on the OEMs, especially in terms of getting updates out to users in a timely manner. If Sony took the route of Motorola, axing the custom skin completely, focusing on key features that help separate their devices from the pack -- such as Moto Display -- it's a safe bet that users would jump for joy. Now, as stated, this tiny initiative is only available to 500 Xperia Z3 owners in Sweden. Fingers crossed it all goes well and this Concept for Android project heads across the pond soon.

Via: Sony Mobile

Comparison: Verizon vs. AT&T vs. T-Mobile vs. Sprint Data Plan Pricing

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:10:36 +0000

We get asked often to breakdown the costs associated with each major US wireless carrier in some form of a comparison. The task is not exactly simple, since each carrier uses its own tricks, sets of fees, data packages, and random charges to come up with a monthly bill that pads their pocket. It's not all that straight forward, which is probably exactly how the carriers prefer it to be. They probably don't want someone like us (or you) finding ways to quickly compare their plans to the competition and then making an educated decision on which is the best for you. Still, we gave it a shot. Well, we at least tried to break it all down into a simple comparison, one that is going to include more asterisks than you will probably know what to do with. Below, we have an image with two sections that attempts to tackle two different scenarios. The first is a carrier comparison of the cost of a single line if a person were to buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 32GB through each carrier's monthly payment plan and sign-up for 3GB of data. The other includes the cost associated with 4 lines, that same Galaxy S6 32GB on a monthly payment plan, and a 10-12GB data plan. Take a look, then let's talk about what we are seeing.

SIMPLE COMPARISON

EXPLANATION

PHONE PAYMENT PLANS: In each (both single line and 4-line) comparison, we went with each carrier's 24-month payment plan. Verizon's is EDGE, AT&T's is AT&T Next 18, T-Mobile's is just a 24-month payment plan, and Sprint's is a 24-month lease (it's the only option). We didn't go with a 2-year contract in any situation because carriers seem to be moving away from 2-year contracts. INSURANCE: For each, we took the price of each carrier's similar insurance and equipment protection plan that includes coverage for theft, loss, and damage. Obviously, depending on your needs for insurance, this price could vary per carrier. SINGLE LINE DATA PLANS: We used pricing from Verizon's MORE Everything, AT&T's Mobile Share Value, T-Mobile's Simple Choice, and Sprint's All-In (single line). In the single line comparison, understand that T-Mobile's is technically a 3GB "unlimited" data plan that still allows you to access data after using up 3GB of 4G LTE data, it's just severely throttled. Sprint, on the other hand, doesn't offer a 3GB plan. They only offer their new All-In plan for single-line customers, which is technically "unlimited" with some pretty serious throttling limitations depending on where, when, and how you are consuming data. 4-LINE DATA PLANS: We used pricing from Verizon's MORE Everything, AT&T's Mobile Share Value, T-Mobile's Simple Choice, and Sprint's Shared Data Plan. Verizon and AT&T both offer 10GB plans that act as data buckets, while Sprint only has 8GB, 12GB, or 20GB buckets. T-Mobile doesn't do data buckets, so their family plan with 3GB per line (to get to 12GB) is what we went with. Keep in mind that they are currently running a limited time deal for 4 lines and 10GB per line at just $120. This plan could stick, but since it's technically a limited time deal, we didn't use it in this example. LINE ACCESS FEE: All carriers except for T-Mobile charge customers a line access fee for each smartphone that is activated. Depending on the amount of data you choose, your line access fee changes. The more data you pay for, the lower your access fee can be. Also, you get a line access discount when signing up for a payment plan. In the single line example, Verizon and AT&T end up charging you $25 per line, while Sprint and T-Mobile don't have single-line access fees. In the 4-line example, AT&T and Verizon access fees drop to $15 per line, while Sprint adds one that is also $15 per line.

NOTES

OTHER FEES: We gave you the most basic breakdown in the image above, so keep in mind that there could be all sorts of additional charges depending on your priorities or the carrier.

All carriers: We obviously didn't include regular fees that could be included with your monthly bill.
Verizon: Big Red actually doesn't have that many other fees, unless you want to switch insurance plans or add on a coach. Seriously, they are attempting to trick people into paying a $7 monthly fee for some kind of "coach."
AT&T: Starting August 1, is going to start charging a $15 activation fee with AT&T Next, which would drive up the cost upfront when buying a new phone, especially in the case of a 4-line plan.
T-Mobile: T-Mobile (at least online) charges you for $15 SIM Starter Kits when signing up for new service ($60 for 4 lines). If you want to upgrade often and don't go with T-Mobile's lease program (JUMP! On Demand), you have to pay $10 per month for JUMP!, which allows you to upgrade more quickly. Keep in mind that JUMP! includes equipment protection, so if you remove the insurance price above and swap it for JUMP!, you are only looking at a $2 difference per month.
Sprint: Sprint charges you a $36 per device activation fee, which is kind of insane, even if on their lease program. If you want to upgrade early, they also charge you $10 per month, similarly to how T-Mobile does with JUMP!, although, Sprint still charges you separately for insurance. When you start adding up activation fees and insurance plus upgrade monthly fees, Sprint becomes the king of nickel-and-diming.

PROMOS: Carriers tweak pricing and options all of the time, so we went with what seem to be their standard options at this time that aren't here temporarily.

Verizon: Verizon's 10GB for $80 plan seems to come and go, but this last time, it seems to have stuck around longer than usual. With that said, they could kill it again for another few months.
T-Mobile: This was mentioned above, but as of today, T-Mobile's $120 family plan that includes unlimited talk and text, along with 10GB per line for 4 lines is the best deal. But again, it's potentially only here for a limited time, so we couldn't use it for our example.
Sprint: Sprint has been running a 20GB of shared data for $100 for a while now. In our example, we tried to keep this all close by going with a 12GB plan, but clearly the extra $10 spent to get into 20GB is the way someone should go.

CONCLUSION

This simple comparison doesn't cover every single scenario, because as I mentioned in the opening, all of these carriers do things a bit differently. This was an attempt to grab similar plans from each and then show you how they match-up in the simplest of terms. You could add on services or protection plans or upgrade plans or sign contracts or bring your own phone and this would all change. Some carriers also have benefits over others that they don't charge you for, like T-Mobile's free usage in Mexico and Canada. So again, this wasn't meant to cover it all - it was a starting point to hopefully get you thinking and comparing on your own. With that said, as you may have guessed, Sprint is almost always the cheapest on a base level. That's largely in part because of their wonky lease deals and attempts at grabbing your attention while the rest of the industry continues to reel in customers. T-Mobile is close behind them in terms of pricing, mostly because of promo deals like their new family plan. Overall, though, if you want to access the two best networks - Verizon or AT&T - you are going to pay more. That shouldn't shock anyone. Verizon and AT&T can be the most expensive because they can back it up with service.

Sprint's Galaxy Note 5 UA Profile Reportedly Leaked, Suggests MicroSD Card Slot

Tim — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 08:55:45 +0000

It's been called the controversy of our lifetime, as it has been reported multiple times that the Galaxy Note 5 would not feature a microSD card slot. However, thanks to a leaked User Agent Profile for Sprint's Galaxy Note 5 (SM-N920P), the device could feature a slot for expandable storage, supporting up to 128GB of extra space. Though, for the record, UAPs can be used to simply hold a place for upcoming devices, complete with un-finalized specs and other misleading information. For instance, the specs listed in this UA Profile sound a bit similar to those of the Galaxy Note 4. As the saying goes, nothing is confirmed. Other specs listed include a QHD display, 16MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera, 3GB of RAM (not 4GB as reported earlier), and 32GB of onboard storage. No SoC is listed, but much like the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, it would be safe to assume an Exynos processor will be onboard. An identical UAP is posted for the Galaxy S6 Edge+, too, but since text on both pages are identical, there is not much to see. According to reports, Samsung will announce the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ on August 12 or August 13, with release taking place just a week and a half afterwards. We are close, folks. As you can see, information has been changing like crazy, so really, it could all be bogus in the end. The only way to know for sure is to wait for Samsung to announce the darn thing.

Via: Pocketnow | Sprint [2]

Well, This is the OnePlus 2.

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 07:38:20 +0000

Thanks to Chinese wireless regulator Tenaa, you are looking at what should be the OnePlus 2. Yep, that's it, the brand new "flagship killer" phone from OnePlus leaked or outed in full before the company had a chance to do the honors. What do you think? Wait...is that...Sandstone Black? Lord, help us! My prayers have been answered. I love me some Sandstone Black. This is going to sound like words spoken from a crazy person, but seriously, Sandstone Black everything. This, along with the Horween leather on the Moto X, is the best damn texture you can have on a phone. Give me more Sandstone Black. Give it to me. OK, with that out of the way, let's talk about what else we are seeing. Well, that sure looks like a home button or at least the fingerprint sensor that OnePlus promised us. These images don't necessarily confirm that we are looking at an actual home button, but we certainly know exactly where OnePlus wants you to place your finger to unlock your phone. On a related note, it looks like OnePlus has ditched the capacitive buttons because of that fingerprint sensor and will instead just go with on-screen navigation buttons. That's find by me. Unless, of course, that is a home button and they plan to flank it with Back and App Switcher buttons... As for the rest, we have a phone with a similar overall look to last year's OnePlus One. The back looks a lot like the One, but we are seeing a camera housing that contains an extra sensor. Is that some sort of laser autofocus, similar to what we have in the LG G4? Could be. Finally, on the sides, we have a matte black finish with volume and power buttons, along with what I'm assuming is a SIM tray. Or is it a SIM tray? That almost looks like a fourth button. Did OnePlus give us a dedicated camera button this time around? Outside of that home button (which I can certainly learn to love - right, Samsung?), I'm liking the look. It's clean, simple, and is said to be smaller and more compact that the original OnePlus One. Sign me up.

Via: Tenaa | Anzhuo

Reminder: Last Chance to Win Your Choice of Android Phablet

Tim — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:48:39 +0000

Phablet. We don't exactly care for that word, especially since most flagship devices this year could be labeled as such by size standards, but nevertheless, you can win your choice of Android phablet through the DL Deals Store. But hurry, there is only one day left to enter. In order to enter, all you need is a valid email address. This email will be used to contact you if you win. Once you sign up through the Deals Store, with that valid email, hit "Enter." To gain more entries, which will help your chances, you can follow DL on Twitter or Google+, or share the giveaway via Twitter or Google+. Take a look below at the phones you can choose from if you win. Choose Your Prize

Google Nexus 6
LG G4
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
OnePlus Two
LG G Flex 2

If one of those phones interest you, enter below and good luck. Enter Here

This Icon Pack is Hot: Artius

Tim — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:28:09 +0000

People may disagree with me, but ever since Dave Kover -- also known as kovdev -- stopped slinging icon packs onto Google Play, it's sometimes a struggle to find a new pack I want to deck my phone up with. Thankfully, there appears to be new talent popping up all over the place, and an icon pack called Artius from Shamrock Studios suits my needs quite well. Inside, there are over 1,000 icons made in high definition, looking super crispy on my phone's large QHD display. The styling is boxy, giving off a Tersus-like vibe, in my opinion. Even with the slight tilt and shading near the top, the icons are simplistic and minimal, offering just enough for you to figure out what you are looking at. My one issue, which will likely be addressed, is the lack of a better Instagram icon. Sorry, but I need me my deluxe Instagram icon. One thing I most enjoy about many new icon packs is that they feature a ton of great wallpapers, on top of fantastic icons. This pack is no exception. Inside the app, 20 cloud-based wallpapers are there for your applying, all of which look to compliment the icons. All of this for the price of $2. Not too shabby. Play Link ($1.99)

Pixate Joins Google's Design Team, Offers Studio Service for Free

Tim — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:22:01 +0000

Pixate, a desktop platform offering designers an easier way to create great-looking applications, has joined the Google design team. To celebrate, the Studio service from Pixate is now being offered for free, with a slash in pricing for the company's cloud-based services as well. As of right now, no dollar amount has been placed on this acquisition, but since Google is always trying to help developers create better apps for users, even those on iOS, they can spend whatever they see fit if you ask me. In a piece posted to the Pixate blog, CEO Paul Colton states, "Our small team at Pixate has some really big ideas, and with the help of Google we’ll be able to bring those ideas to the design community at scale. We’ve become an essential part of the workflow for tens of thousands of designers, and are excited about expanding our mission at Google to reach millions of product teams worldwide." If you are an app design, you can download Studio right now, for free.

Via: Pixate | Google

Moto G (3rd Gen) Might Have Been Fully Outed Thanks to Retailer Listings

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:41:27 +0000

Motorola is hosting an event on July 28 in New York, London, and Brazil that will more than likely be used to showcase a new Moto G (3rd gen). The leaks for this phone have been everywhere dating back a good month or so, but we received the biggest of them all today, thanks to a ~~German~~ Swiss retailer. In fact, I think we now know just about everything we needed to know about this phone, outside of potential Moto Maker customizations, assuming this retailer isn't just filling up a spec sheet with information based off rumor and speculation. So what do we have? According to ~~German~~ Swiss retailer Digitec, the pictures here are of the white and black models of the new Moto G (3rd gen). The phone will sport a 5-inch FHD (1080p) display, stereo sound, 2070mAh battery, 1.7GHz Snapdragon 615 processor, Adreno 405 GPU, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage (with microSD support), 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and Android 5.0 Lollipop. All of that sounds about right, outside of the battery and Android 5.0. A leak from earlier this week showed a sticker on the front of a supposed Moto G (3rd gen) that read 2470mAh for the battery. We are also fully expecting Motorola to ship Android 5.1 or 5.1.1 on this phone. A phone that we believe to be the new Moto G (3rd gen) has surfaced in three separate filings at the FCC in recent weeks, showing models ready for Verizon, Sprint, and GSM carriers as an unlocked phone. What do you think? A 5-inch 1080p phone with a decent processor for Moto G pricing could be some kind of a deal.

Via: Engadget | Digitec [2]

AT&T Raising Upgrade Fees to $45, Will Add $15 Activation Fee to Next and BYOD Customers on August 1

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:28:45 +0000

According to sources, AT&T will raise its activation/upgrade fees for customers when signing one and two-year contracts, but also add-on an activation fee for AT&T Next and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) customers, starting August 1. The new activation/upgrade fee for one and two-year agreements is raising from $40 to $45, which gives AT&T the highest activation fee in the industry (Verizon is still at $40 for now). Going forward after August 1, should you choose to sign-up for a new contract to receive a discounted phone, you will pay $5 more than you used to. In related news, AT&T Next will no longer be a zero-out-of-pocket installment plan. Come August 1, customers who are new to AT&T Next will have to pay a $15 activation fee when they pick up a new phone. This $15 fee also applies to those who bring their own device (BYOD) and sign-up for a new line of service. Current AT&T Next customers who have an active installment plan prior to August 1 will not be charged the $15 fee on their next upgrade. AT&T has said that this "waiver" is subject to change. In other words, you may not have to pay the $15 fee at your next upgrade, but don't be surprised if you have to after that. It's now July 21, so if you need to upgrade, now would be the time.

Nokia Reported to Sell Off HERE Maps Division to German Automakers

Tim — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:24:59 +0000

HERE Maps, Nokia's own map platform for smartphones and vehicles, may soon be in the hands of German automakers. According to sources, private acquisition meetings between Nokia and a consortium of Germany's top automakers will lead to the selling of the HERE division. As it is reported, the consortium consists of BMW, Audi, and Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz. Reports claim the deal could go through by the end of this month, but of course, the deal could also fall through. It is reported that the deal could be worth a little under $3 billion if Nokia decides to sell the division. While we in the Android world seem mostly concerned with Google Maps and Android Auto, drivers in Europe and those who import vehicles could see the affects of this potential deal in the coming future. We will keep you posted on what happens.

Via: Bloomberg

Report: Moto G (3rd Gen) Will Feature IPX7 Water Resistance

Tim — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 10:08:25 +0000

According to the latest photo leak, showing off the plastic screen protector on the frontside of the upcoming Moto G (3rd Gen), Motorola's new budget-friendly smartphone will feature a bit of water resistance, coming with a rating of IPX7. This rating is not good for those who may want to go swimming with their phones, but if you happen to get a few splashes of liquid on the device, you should be just fine. Technically, an IPX7 rating should allow for incidental exposure to water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, but it would be a good idea not to allow that to happen. A previous leak also pointed to possible water resistance for the Moto G (3rd Gen), so this photo lends much credit to that report. Also posted on that plastic cover are a few specifications, including 4G LTE connectivity, 13MP rear-facing camera + 5MP front-facing camera, 2,470mAh battery, microSD card slot, and quad-core processor. All of this information was previously leaked, so there's nothing too crazy. Will the IPX7 rating influence your purchase of the Moto G?

Via: Mobile Syrup

Sprint's Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ Join the FCC Party

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 09:17:49 +0000

Last week, we saw almost every single US carrier variant of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ stop off at the FCC outside of those headed to Sprint. Who knows why America's 4th largest carrier was left out, but all is good in the world now. This morning, both phones showed up at the FCC under model numbers SM-N920P (Note 5) and SM-G928P (S6 Edge+). Information in the documents attached to the filings didn't give us anything new in our brief scans, other than these are indeed headed for Sprint. Then again, the model numbers ending in "P" gave that away. Here are the label images that show the basic shapes of each phone, along with all of the bands tested for Sprint's network.

You can see the rest of the FCC filings for each carrier variant here.

Via: FCC [2]

Summer 2015 Android Mini Collectibles Released, 2-Pack for $20

Tim — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 08:24:03 +0000

Two new Android Mini collectibles have been launched to the Dead Zebra shop, courtesy of Andrew Bell. Titled Summer 2015, these yellow Bugdroids represent gorgeous days at the beach, and the unavoidable truth that sharks are real, and do sometimes enjoy the taste of human flesh. Sorry, that was morbid. This Summer 2015 pack is priced at just $20 for the two piece set, ready to be added to your growing collection that your significant other doesn't quite understand. But hey, this is your hobby, so if they don't like it, tell them to step off. You can pick up these two minis, that almost look like little Minions, on the Dead Zebra ship right now. Dead Zebra Link

Via: Andrew Bell

DROID Turbo Getting Minor Update to 23.11.39, Soak Test Set to Start

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:30:41 +0000

Even though the DROID Turbo only began receiving an update to Android 5.1 three weeks ago, another update for the phone is ready this morning. A number of our readers received an invite to a soak test for the update through Motorola's Feedback Network last night and at least one non-soak tester already received it this morning. The update appears to be software version 23.11.39, which must be minor knowing the original Lollipop update was 23.11.38. A changelog on Verizon's site lists out all of the changes that came with Lollipop, so my guess is that Verizon and Motorola will stop that original update and instead push this new version to everyone. They must have caught a bug that is fixed in this new build. I should point out that this new changelog once again mentions multi-user and guest mode as being included, but that would shock me. To pull the update, head into Settings>About phone.

Cheers Steve, P, A, J, J, A, C, J, J, N, B, and S!

AT&T Suspended Moto X (1st Gen) Android 5.1 Update

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:02:49 +0000

AT&T isn't telling us what the deal is, but according to their support page for the Moto X (1st gen), the Android 5.1 Lollipop update for the device has been suspended. The update originally began rolling out on July 8 to those outside of a soak test of the update, then was supposedly available to be pulled on July 17, but now, things seem to have changed. AT&T has only said that they "apologize for any inconvenience" and that they are "working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible." Tough to say if there is an issue with the update that has already landed on most of your phones or if they are just having a problem delivering it. We'll update this post as we have more.

Via: AT&T

NFL Game Pass Brings All Football Games On-Demand to Your Smartphone, But They're Not Live

Tim — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 16:25:25 +0000

Professional sports and your local cable provider -- the relationship is essentially built to screw the customer, unless you are willing to pay crazy money for a subscription to view all of the NFL's telecasts live. Sure, a few games will be on the big stations like Fox and CBS, but if you happen to live in an out-of-market territory from your favorite team, forget about it. With that being said, starting this upcoming season, the NFL is sort of getting with the times, bringing true, on-demand streams for all games, no matter where you are with Game Pass. Although, be aware of one major catch. Game Pass brings all 256 regular season games directly to your smartphone or HDTV via connected set-top box, but the major issue is that these games will not be live. According to the Game Pass website, the only live games will be from the preseason, and those are about as important as a piece of bologna. Still, if a viewer chooses that watching the game live is not a deal breaker, the ability to view the game in its entirety in HD, from anywhere in the US, is a bonus. Right now, no pricing has been announced for Game Pass, but non-live streaming of past football games can't be that expensive, right? And here I was, thinking I could start cutting my Comcast cords.

Via: NFL

Deal: Buy a Samsung 4K TV, Get a Galaxy S6 Free

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:38:40 +0000

A current Galaxy S6 promotion through Samsung could land you a free phone after you purchase one of their 4K TVs. From now through August 1, if you buy select Samsung 4K TVs, you can fill out a short form through Samsung Promotions that will get you into a free 32GB Galaxy S6 on your carrier of choice. At this time, Samsung is asking that you buy a TV under one of these model numbers - JS9500, JS9100, JS9000, JS8500, JS850D, or JS8600. If you plug those into Amazon, you get prices that range from $9,000 down to $1,500. If you are buying a $9,000 TV, I'd imagine that you could sneeze and buy a Galaxy S6 while your butler wipes your nose with gold plated tissue, but if you buy a $1,500 TV, a free $600 phone doesn't sound like a terrible deal. If you buy one of those TVs before August 1, you have until September 1 to redeem your free phone. Here is an Amazon link to that $1,500 48-inch 4K LED TV of theirs that I mentioned.

Via: Samsung [Terms]

ZTE Launches 5.7" Boost Max+ Onto Boost Mobile, Priced at $199 Off-Contract

Tim — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:08:50 +0000

This week, a new device is available from ZTE on Boost Mobile, called the Boost Max+. The Max+ features a 5.7" HD IPS display, powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM. Available on Boost Mobile's website for $200 off-contract, the phone also features a 8MP rear-facing camera, 16GB of onboard storage, LTE connectivity, 3,400mAh battery, and Android 5.1 out of the box. As you can see in the header image above, the phone appears rather thin, although, on the frontside, we can also see capacitive keys made in the Kit Kat styling. With the phone launching with Android 5.1, keys made with updated Lollipop styling would have been a nice touch. As of right now, the only color available appears to be the Champagne Gold model. Folks can head over to Boost Mobile's website and purchase the device right now, priced at $199.

Via: ZTE

ZNAPS Racks Up $400K on Kickstarter in Days, It's Like MagSafe for Your Phone

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:12:24 +0000

What happens when you love Apple's MagSafe technology so much that you decide you must apply it to charging a phone? You get ZNAPS, a Kickstarter funded product that wants to make charging your phone easier than ever. It's basically a MagSafe like charging plug that sits in the charging port of your phone, so that you can quickly charge a device without having to think about it or actually plug anything in. The GIF above shows ZNAPS (Who comes up with these things?) best in action. As you can see, it's like a 2-part system. One part is the plug that attaches to your phone at all times in order to make this at all worth while. The other part is an attachment that bridges your phone's charging cable and the plug that is inserted into your phone. With plug inserted and ZNAPS attachment on the end of your cable, you can quickly, through magnets, charge your phone by flipping the charger any which way. It's kind of a cool idea, right? Clearly, a number of people think so, as the project kicked off last week and has already eclipsed the $400K funding mark. In case you were wondering, the ZNAPS team originally only asked for $94K to get started. What are some other benefits?

It unplugs or plugs without any effort, since all is powered by magnets.
It adds a level of waterproofing to your charging port, since it seals with rubber.
Works with cases!
It has a charging indicator.
You can still transfer data through it to a computer.
The ZNAPS team says it supports Quick Charge 2.0.

The ZNAPS adapter can be bought for both Android and iPhones, costs "about" $9 for a single connector and adapter, and could ship by November of this year. If you would like to back this project, which is already fully funded and will move towards production, hit up the source link below. I'll be over here on Team "No, I don't ever want a nub hanging out of the bottom of my phone."

Via: Kickstarter

Cheers Ted, Charles, and Bjorn!

Edit: Tweaked title - didn't mean to crush the party so harshly based on my own OCD tendencies.

Latest Humble Bundle Snags You Metal Slug and Other NEOGEO Titles for a Few Bucks

Tim — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 13:25:00 +0000

Humbles Bundles, one of the best way to get loads of games for a great price, while also helping out charities, has been updated with new games this week. In this bundle, users can get hands-on with NEOGEO titles, including a few of the Metal Slug variety, for only a few dollars. As of this moment, the average price, which is the price needed to be paid in order to get all of the games and all future games of the bundle, sits at just $4.54. Beyond the three Metal Slug titles included, those who pay the average or more get Blazing Star, The King of Fighters '97, and Samurai Shodown II. A portion of this bundle's proceeds will go directly to the American Red Cross. Humble Bundle Link

Google+ Photos Begins Shutting Down on August 1

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 13:03:20 +0000

Because Google introduced Google Photos back at Google I/O as their only photo service going forward, they will begin shutting down all that once was Google+ Photos. On August 1, Google will kill the Google+ Photos app on Android (web and iOS thereafter) and recommend that you install the new Google Photos app should you want to continue using Google's photo service. Of course, even if you don't switch over to Google Photos, all of your photos from Google+ Photos will live on the background until you decide to make the switch. What about the photos you shared through Hangouts or Blogger? They will apparently still exist through Picasa. Seriously, Picasa.

Via: Google+ [FAQ]

Pebble Time is Now Available From Best Buy

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:09:51 +0000

If you had your sights set on the Pebble Time as your first/next smartwatch but missed out on the Kickstarter campaign, you can now head over to your local Best Buy or hit up Best Buy's website and buy one. Priced at $199, you get a smartwatch with industry leading battery life, a color e-paper display, compatibility with Android and iOS (limited), and a unique user interface that differs from Android Wear and Apple Watch. Best Buy has red, white, and black models available online, but you may want to check with your local store for specific color availability. We reviewed the Pebble Time and found the battery life, user interface, water resistance and band to be quite lovely. On the other hand, the low-resolution display and childish (or cheap) design were a bit disappointing. If you are an Android user, this is a watch to consider if you need long battery life. If you are an iPhone owner, you should probably look elsewhere, as the functionality is quite limited on iOS. Best Buy Link

Via: Pebble

ASUS ZenWatch Drops to $129 From $199 on Google Play

Tim — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:05:39 +0000

The ASUS ZenWatch, first released in November of last year, had its price slashed over on the Google Store this week, from its original $199 price to just $129. Featuring a 1.63” AMOLED display, Snapdragon 400 processor, and 1.4Wh battery, the ZenWatch is a solid Android Wear device, even allowing users to test their heart rate by holding the side of the device. The $129 is a great price, just in case you needed more convincing, as the smartwatch is also priced at $149 on Amazon. So, Google has the best price for you. Although, you should know that the ZenWatch 2 has been announced, and should be available quite soon. For a closer look at the ZenWatch, watch our hands-on. Store Link

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 31

Tim — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 11:07:01 +0000

It has been more than a month since our last Q&A Session, so we know you all probably have a ton of questions, just waiting to be answered by the DL staff. During these sessions, you can ask us about anything Android-related, about upcoming events, or anything else you have on your mind. If you need a bit of help thinking of subjects, just know that we will soon have new devices from Motorola, and possibly two upcoming Nexus devices. So, yeah, there's a lot going on. 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.

Adobe Updates Lightroom Android App, Cut and Paste Image Edits Included

Tim — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 10:23:11 +0000

An updated version of Lightroom is hitting Google Play from Adobe, bringing a solid list of new features, in addition to a very long list of bug fixes. For new features, Adobe added in the ability to edit images faster by copying previous adjustments, then simply pasting them onto new photos. This should save some time in the editing department, as long as your goal is the same edit for each photo. On top of faster image editing, finding your favorite photos has been made easier, thanks to the new Segmented view in the Collections portion of the app. This view allows for a "different way to engage your photos," meaning users can now save select photos to this section for quicker discovery. View the official changelog below. Once you are done learning up, go grab it on Google Play. What's New

Edit images faster by copying image adjustments and pasting them onto another photo
Crop the perfect photo with a re-designed experience on your Android device that enables you to quickly adjust, align and auto-straighten.
Easily find your favorite images! The new Segmented view in Collections give you a different way to view and engage with your photos.
Raw file support for the Panasonic Lumix CM1 Communication Camera

Play Link

Via: Adobe

This Inbox Swipe Gesture is One of My Favorite Little Things

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 09:26:10 +0000

For months, I've been using Google's Inbox as my email app of choice. While I fully understand that this app or its approach to email is not for everyone, as someone who spent just as long with Mailbox before Inbox, I have fully embraced email clients that turn your inbox into a task manager. I actually feel like I get more done, respond to emails much quicker than in the past, and generally, find myself grunting and groaning far less when a new message appears. With that in mind, there are little things (like this and this and this) about Google's Inbox that have helped make this my favorite email app. One of those is this really subtle swipe gesture that gets you in and out of emails or bundles. You'll see it in the GIF below, but basically, this gesture can be a natural extension of how you already use the app. For example, as you scroll through a long email, your thumb can simply continue that swipe up motion to get you out of the current email and back to the last screen (assuming you don't feel like replying). Or, if you are scrolling through a list of bundled emails, the same idea applies - continue swiping up until it swipes you back to your main inbox. The gesture also works if you swipe downward from the top of an email or the top of a bundle.

I love this gesture so much because it really is just an extension of a motion that you are already completing when using the app. You don't have to think about it or switch swipe directions. It also allows you to avoid having to find your phone's back button, since even in 2015, phone manufacturers can't seem to settle on a damn arrangement (we're mostly looking at you, Samsung). This gesture was at one time in Google Play app listings where you were viewing descriptions and "What's New" for apps, but Google seems to have removed it for whatever reason. This is one of those little UX touches that really makes an app standout. I hope Google considers adding this to the standard Gmail client, brings it back to Google Play, and finds ways to integrate it into other apps as well.

Motorola Quietly Releases Moto Hint (2nd Gen), Better Battery Life and Improved Design for $130

Tim — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 09:10:56 +0000

Motorola has apparently been hard at work behind the scenes, designing and quietly launching an updated Moto Hint earpiece accessory. The Moto Hint is a little earbud, originally launched last year, that syncs up to your smartphone for placing and taking calls, delivering information hands-free (directions home and phone notifications), and the ability to send text messages without lifting a finger. To get an overall sense of what Hint is, view our video tour. According to its listing on Best Buy, the Moto Hint (2nd Gen) features Bluetooth 3.0 + EDR technology, an improved design for enhanced audio, in addition to advanced voice control. Most importantly, however, is Motorola's claim right on the box of 70% more talk-time over the 1st Gen model. As we can see in this shot of the updated retail packaging, Motorola has spruced it up a bit, highlighting new attributes of the device on the lower portion of the box. If you would like to pick up one these updated Hint earpieces, you can shop for one on Best Buy's website right now. Unlike the previous model that held a price of $149.99, the new Hint is priced at just $129.99. And just in case you liked the old model, you can pick one up via Motorola's website for a discounted price of $79.99. Thoughts? Best Buy Link

Via: +Josue Joseph

Samsung Announces Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 and 8.0 With Impossibly Thin 5.6mm Frames

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 08:05:05 +0000

Samsung announced new flagship-level tablets this morning as the Galaxy Tab S2 in 9.7-inch and 8.0-inch variants. Each features gorgeous new Super AMOLED displays with resolutions of 2048x1536, octa-core processors, 3GB RAM, 8MP cameras, 32GB or 64GB of storage (with microSD support), Android 5.0 Lollipop, big batteries, and WiFi or LTE configurations. All of that is somehow housed in a body that is just 5.6mm thick. According to the press release, these tablets product 94% of natural tones "to show true-to-life colors." They also include fingerprint sensors, Samsung's multitasking software, most of the software from the Galaxy S6 (like Smart Manager), and free 100GB of OneDrive storage for two years. Samsung says to expect these tablets to hit global markets starting in August. No pricing was given.

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Tab S2, the Essential Tablet for Experiencing Digital Content
July 20, 2015
Latest Galaxy tablet combines advanced personal visual device with unmatched mobility
SEOUL, South Korea – July 20, 2015 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today announced the global launch of the Galaxy Tab S2, the most immersive Samsung tablet to-date. Samsung’s newest Galaxy tablet continuously delivers a stunning Super AMOLED display perfectly optimized for reading and viewing any type of digital content. The Galaxy Tab S2 is stylishly designed with the thinnest and lightest metal frame of its size on the market and packs powerful performance features to offer enhanced usability, empowering users with new and improved choices in productivity and multitasking. “The Galaxy Tab S2 is not only our thinnest and lightest tablet of its size ever, it also gives users quick, easy access to a wealth of superior viewing and productivity features,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics. “We believe the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is the most complete personal visual device designed for consumers to carry and use anywhere.” Newly Optimized Super AMOLED Display for the Best Content Viewing At just 5.6mm thin and only 389g (9.7 -inch) and 265g (8.0 -inch) weight*, the Galaxy Tab S2 is perfectly designed for reading and consuming content due to its stunning Super AMOLED Display. By recreating the same viewing experience of browsing through traditional print media, the Galaxy Tab S2 also makes it comfortable to read digital content, including e-books, magazines, webpages and newsfeeds. This reading-optimized ratio allows the user to enjoy a seamless reading experience without unnecessary scrolling. The tablet also presents deeper contrast and more precise detail to provide a best-in-class reading experience with the Super AMOLED display delivering 94% of natural tones to show true-to-life colors (Adobe RGB color standard). Users can now enjoy galleries of vividly detailed photos and effortlessly shop online while viewing the most accurate images on the Galaxy Tab S2. In addition, the Galaxy Tab S2 continually offers its advanced screen technology to display bright and natural content for a more comfortable visual experience. Adaptive Displayintelligently adjusts gamma, saturation, and sharpness based on the application, the color temperature of the viewing environment and ambient lighting. Also, Reading Mode modifies the screen’s brightness level to help users to read content for longer periods of time without straining their eyes. Packaged within the world thinnest and lightest metal tablet frame of its size, the Galaxy Tab S2 is portable enough to easily carry around all day. Also, the fashionable and stylish design is suitable for any purpose or setting, so user can enjoy the best viewing experience anywhere, anytime. Ultimate Productivity and Connectivity Features for Users On-The-Go The Galaxy Tab S2 delivers unmatched mobility to cater to high-efficiency users seeking maximized productivity. The tablet comes fully equipped and preloaded with Microsoft Office Solutions** for ultimate productivity on the road, such as creating and editing documents, while conveniently storing up to 100GB of files on the cloud via OneDrive for two years for free. Also, it’s compatible with the advanced Book Cover Keyboard that delivers the same convenience of a standard PC keyboard with a built-in trackpad for executing tasks on-the-go.*** For enhanced manageability, the Galaxy Tab S2 is built with a touch-enabled Fingerprint Scanner for hassle-free authentication. A built-in advanced security sensor now offers easy access to the personal device with a simple press against the home key. For the most streamlined device management options, the Galaxy Tab S2 features Smart Manager which displays the device’s settings automatically, including battery power levels, storage and RAM availability for users to efficiently manage their devices. It is also pre-installed with anti-malware for an extra layer of protection. In addition, the Galaxy Tab S2 offers Multitasking, allowing users to view and run two apps simultaneously. Also with Pop-Up Window, users can easily navigate between multiple apps at once. The Galaxy Tab S2 also provides an improved storage structure that makes locating files simpler than ever. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 will come in a variety of connectivity, storage and size options: 9.7-inch and 8.0-inch versions with Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi and LTE, available in 32 or 64GB with MicroSD up to 128GB. It will be available in global markets, starting from August, 2015.

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: 7/17/15

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:48:15 +0000

Shortly after Google I/O ended, I told myself that it was time to settle into the Android M preview, relax for the summer, and not think about the craziness of the Fall for a few weeks. That was foolish. Samsung more than likely moved up their Note 5 event (because of Apple) and Motorola is ready to rock out with the new new in just over a week. Our Summer is no longer relaxing - it's all business. And you know what? I wouldn't want it any other way because this is the fun stuff. Over the last week, we saw signs of all of this, grabbed an invite from Motorola to their event on July 28, are also getting ready for the OnePlus 2 on July 27, and found the realness at the FCC for a number of new phones. Be sure to catch up on it all below.

Motorola event: New Moto goodness arrives on July 28.
New Moto X: This could be it, along with the new Moto G | Other pics.
Look at all this new Motorola goodness at the FCC.
Note 5 event: Could be unveiled on August 12.
Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are all over the FCC | Specs.
Download: Cortana for Android.
Poll: Huawei or LG Nexus?
These could be some of the Huawei Nexus specs.
This is how the OnePlus 2 invite system will work.
Question: What are the uncommon apps you use regularly?
ZTE Axon: ZTE announced a crazy-good sounding phone this week called the Axon.
Goodbye, SIM cards: Apple and Samsung are close to joining the e-SIM movement.
Marshall announced this really pretty phone, that you won't buy.
Samsung Pay is finally close!
Amazon Prime Day pretty much sucked.
T-Mobile announced a pretty cheap deal on their Family Plan.
We broke news on visual voicemail coming to Android M.

Beer.

Deal: Moto Hint is Now Just $80 ($70 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:21:18 +0000

Motorola's Moto Hint, the little earbud Bluetooth headset thingy that can be used to access some of the Google Voice search and Moto Voice stuff you regularly use on your Moto X (or DROID), has dropped to just $79.99 on Motorola's web store. Originally priced at $150, this earbud lets you ask about the weather, your upcoming schedule, directions to a location, or call someone without needing to touch your phone. It can actually be paired with any Bluetooth enabled smartphone for calls, but you get the full experience when paired with a Motorola device. I spent some time with the Moto Hint a few months back and came away impressed by some things (fit, finish, look, battery life and case, etc.), while others left me looking elsewhere (volume is way too low when maxed out) for a Bluetooth experience in the $150 price range. But with the Hint at just $80, it's probably now worth considering. If you want a Bluetooth headset that won't make you look like the guy in the cheap suit at Starbucks talking loudly on a hands-free call, this is one to consider. The Moto Hint also comes with leather, wood, or fabric accents. Classy. Motorola Link

[responsive_vid]

Cheers Scott!

Zooper by Beard 3 is Probably Your Next Zooper Pack

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:07:32 +0000

The Zooper by Beard series has always been one of the best, so it's no surprise that the newly released Zooper by Beard 3 has already taken over our home screens. Featuring around 30 different clock widgets for a single dollar, I'm not sure there is a better value in customization. In this release, vibrant colors seems to dominate, but it's summer and the brightness is actually kind of a nice change at the moment. There are pinks and bright blues and greens, all that seem based off of the Material color palette. The clocks vary from those which are minimal and text heavy to those that have weather and dates. You'll find rectangular designs, plenty of flatness, shadows here or there, and squirrels. (Who doesn't love a good squirrel?) As a reminder, you will need Zooper Pro in order to apply these. #beardshit Play Link ($1.00)

Cheers Jim G!

I Love Google for Removing the “Saving Screenshot” Animation in Stock Android

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:10:03 +0000

If you watch the animation above and are addicted to the little details of Android (read: crazy, batsh*t anal), you should see something wonderful - the lack of a "Saving screenshot..." animation in between screenshots, which I'm pretty sure Google did away with when they introduced Lollipop. Either way, I can't thank them enough for it. Sure, it's a small detail that most wouldn't notice, but if you have ever taken a series of screenshots, you will know how much of a nuisance that little animation can be, especially if you like them to be as clean as is possible. You either have to wait for the animation to disappear between shots (breaking: impatient people hate waiting), or it often forces you to re-take a screenshot because you snapped one too quickly and are blessed with the message of "Saving screenshot..." at the top. To this day, even on the Galaxy S6 in the GIF below, most Android phones tell you in the status bar that they are "Saving screenshot..." just after snapping one. And keep in mind that the Galaxy S6 is running Android 5.1.1. Google has done away with this in stock Android and instead just shows a new notification that represents a screenshot. As you snap more, nothing changes up top - you just get a single screenshot icon even if you snap 10 in a row. Ahhh, the little things.

Cortana for Android Leaks Early, Available for Download

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:29:23 +0000

Microsoft was supposed to release the Android version of Cortana by the end of this month as a companion app to Windows 10 PCs. That may even still be their official plan. However, the app leaked today and is installable on just about every Android device. Cortana is a bit like Siri or Google Voice search in that you can ask it about events or to help you find restaurants or how your favorite sports teams are doing. You can also have it track your flights, check the weather, tell you news, and display showtimes for movies at nearby theaters. You can customize many of those categories, as well, by adding in your favorite teams, news categories, food types, and cities. We're playing with it now to see if it's any good. While we do that, feel free to get after it with us. You can grab the .apk file below and sideload it. Download Link

Via: PocketNow

It's #WorldEmojiDay! What's Your Go-To Emoji?

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 09:44:51 +0000

??? It's World Emoji Day! Trust me, I'm with you in wondering why that's a thing ?, but hey, it is. Embrace it or it's going to be a long day on Twitter, my friends. So, to show our support, let's all share that go-to ? emoji that you seem to use over and over again. You know you have one. It's the emoji that's so convenient as it sits in your recently used list that you can't help but tap it, even though deep in that emoji mind, you really wish you had the ❤ to branch out and be more creative like that friend of yours who always seems to have the perfect emoji for every situation. "Dammit, ??? wave emoji in our beach conversation! Why didn't I think of that!" you constantly find yourself saying. It's OK, the ? tongue face was cute...for the fifth time today. "Wait, I just typed out 'peace' but he went ✌!" It's ?, one day you'll figure out that emoji are great word replacements. That is the point after all. Come ?, today. This is the day. What you got. ?

Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ All Over the FCC This Week (Updated: Sprint Too)

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 08:50:37 +0000

You know that report about Samsung moving up the launch date of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ to give them some breathing room ahead of Apple's next iPhone unveiling? I wouldn't be shocked at this point if Samsung really has decided to release these two new phones earlier than originally anticipated. Yesterday, a Samsung phone under model number SM-N920 showed up at the FCC for almost every single major US carrier. We've got listing for T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, just not Sprint (UPDATE: Sprint is live). If that wasn't enough, we are also seeing listings for another model number of SM-G928 that is largely thought to be the Galaxy S6 Edge+, a bigger version of the original S6 Edge. In case you were wondering why those model numbers mean anything, it's because they are continuations of previous Samsung model number schemes. The Galaxy Note 3 was SM-N900 and the Galaxy Note 4 was SM-N910. It certainly makes sense that the new Galaxy Note 5 would drop in as SM-N920, right? As for individual carrier models, we have listings for the SM-N920T (T-Mobile), SM-N920A (AT&T), and SM-N920V (Verizon). With the Galaxy S6 Edge+, we have model numbers of SM-G928T (T-Mobile), SM-G928V (Verizon), SM-G928A (AT&T), and SM-G928R (US Cellular). The original Galaxy S6 Edge was SM-G925, in case you were wondering. If that info wasn't enough, take a look at this label location image of the SM-920, which is the Note 5.

And here is the SM-G928, which is the S6 Edge+.

Of course, all of the LTE bands for each carrier are present in the filings. It's all there. These are your next flagship Samsung phones. Here's to hoping we really do see them on August 12. We're close! Update: Sprint variants of the Galaxy Note 5 (SM-G920P, FCC) and Galaxy S6 Edge+ (SM-G928P, FCC) showed up this morning, July 21.

Via: FCC [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] | Blog of Mobile [2] | GforGames

Verizon Messages Gets a Big Material-ish Update (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:38:28 +0000

Verizon Messages (or is it Message+?) received an update this morning that introduced the app to the idea of Material Design. ~~Well, it at least added some vibrant colors, a FAB that probably doesn't exactly match up to Google's vision for a FAB, and a slideout drawer with...well I'll just stop~~. Verizon Messages (or again, is it Message+?) got a big update! I hear good things about the app...Verizon customers do use it from what I understand. So yeah, grab that update and enjoy Verizon app designers' take on Material Design. If anything, it's an improvement over the app's former Gingerbread styling. Update: Updated imagery with screenshots from the actual update, not the old ones featured on the Play listing. As you can see, the setup for the app is much different now. It still has a FAB and slideout drawer, but Verizon has gone with a column approach that allows you to swipe between things like your messages list, photos and videos sent or received, eGift cards, contacts, etc. The slideout menu has also been tweaked and is much cleaner. Play Link

Cheers Terry!

Snoozing Items in Inbox is Now More Convenient Than Ever

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 16:23:38 +0000

Google has become really good at keeping track of and highlighting important emails in Inbox that have to do with reservations (flight, hotel, restaurant, etc.), calendar invites, and package tracking updates. These types of emails show up with imagery and shortcuts to accessing the information you care most about, like full trip bundles. But what if you wanted all of that automation to continue, along with a bit of added, precision control on your end? Let's say, instead of wanting to dig through a bundle or search for package tracking, you could tell the package tracking email or hotel reservation to appear automatically, just as you need it? Starting today, you can. Through the latest version of Inbox, you can swipe left to snooze select emails and quickly tell them to snooze to much more convenient times. For example, restaurant reservations can be told to snooze until an hour before your dinner. Your flight reservations will see an option to snooze until the day before you board the plane. Your hotel reservations can be snoozed until the day you check-in. That way, those important emails re-appear at the top of your inbox just in time. The new snooze options show in the snooze pop-up box for the following types of emails:

Package tracking updates
Restaurant and event reservations
Calendar invites
Flight confirmations
Hotel reservations
Rental car reservations

And this is what the action looks like.

Via: Gmail Blog

Moov Now Fitness Tracker Announced With 6-Month Battery Life, Only $60 for Limited Time

Tim — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 16:00:09 +0000

Back in early 2014, we got our first look at the original Moov. It's a simple, yet powerful device, designed to track your every move, and make you better at fitness in general. Now, we have a new Moov, called Moov Now. This little wearable is smaller than the original, featuring a battery said to last 6 months. Yes, that's half a year. The Moov Now is able to track everything the previous model could, including cycling, boxing and swimming, but is now also able to track your sleep and daily activity. This includes walking and things of a not-so-athletic nature. Of course, Moov Now is linked up via a smartphone application, available for both Android and iOS devices. For a limited time, you can pick up Moov Now for just $60 through the company's dedicated pre-order page. If tracking fitness is your thing, this could be a great little gadget. Pre-Order

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Via: Moov

Question of the Day: Uncommon Apps You Use Regularly That Might Surprise Someone?

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:28:02 +0000

Forget all of the Google apps you use all day every day. Forget Instagram, Facebook, Hulu, the official Twitter app, ESPN, and Netflix. In today's question of the day, we want to know about all of the other apps you use on a regular basis - the uncommon apps, the third party alternatives, and those that may surprise someone. It could be a mail alternative like Mailbox because you don't like Gmail. Or maybe you hate Google Photos, so you use QuickPic. Since the official Twitter app is a confusing pile of meh, I can imagine that plenty of you use a Twitter alternative - which one do you use? Is there a particular file manager that you have settled into? What about a fitness tracker? To help kick it off, here are a few of the uncommon apps I use regularly.

Diaro: This is a fantastic cross-platform journaling app that may have a silly name, but makes up for it by having a modern UI, web access, syncing, and the ability to attach multiple photos to an entry. I don't know why every single journaling app decided that people would only want one photo attached to an entry, but it's the most ridiculous limitation I've ever seen. I ditched them all a year ago for Diaro because of that simple functionality and never looked back.
Sunrise: Of course, Microsoft owns this company now, but before that happened, I had fully committed to Sunrise as my calendar of choice. The UI can be a little wonky at times, but I love it because I can attach all sorts of other apps to it. For example, I get invited to all sorts of events through Facebook, yet I don't use Facebook. Those event invitations show up in my Sunrise calendar, where I can respond without having to open Facebook. It also tracks my favorite artists and when they are playing in Portland through a Songkick integration and even gives me the Portland Timbers calendar. Like Diaro, it also has great cross-platform action.
Others I've mentioned before: Cabinet Beta as my go-to file manager, Fenix as my Twitter app, Plex as my media manager, and UP as my fitness platform of choice.

Your turn - give us a couple of potentially uncommon apps that you use regularly.

Deal: ExoMount Touch Universal Car Mount for $20, Free Shipping

Tim — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:21:46 +0000

Having our phone in the car is sometimes very important, as many people use smartphones as their main GPS system and source of in-car entertainment. With the ExoMount Touch Universal Car Mount, priced at only $20 on the DL Deals Store, you can mount your phone of any size directly into a vehicle, making usage of the device much safer than having it just in your hand. With one touch, users can attach and release a smartphone from the mount, which is mountable to any flat, smooth, textured, curved, or rounded surface. The mount easily rotates and swivels 360 degrees, meaning no matter what, you can find a sweet spot for looking at your phone. This mount is rated quite nicely on Amazon, so check it out. To pick up this car mount for your phone, follow the 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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US Cellular Will Beat Your Verizon or AT&T Contract Price or Give You $50

Tim — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:45:30 +0000

US Cellular is feeling confident in their offerings to mobile customers, now guaranteeing that they can beat the prices of both Verizon and AT&T. If they can't, you will receive a $50 promotional card to spend however you see fit. To get started, all you need to do is bring in your wireless bill to a US Cellular shop, and they will take care of the rest. If you end up switching from either AT&T or Verizon to a Shared Connect plan with Installment Pricing and Device Protection, US Cellular will pick up the cost 100%. This deal is available to personal customers and businesses, with well qualified buyers only paying taxes at the point of sale. Following that initial cost, $20 a month for your new smartphone will be tacked onto your monthly bill. All of this, of course, is dependent on you porting your existing number from either Verizon or AT&T. But again, if US Cellular can't match their price, you get $50. If you are currently unhappy with your wireless provider, check it out.

Via: US Cellular

Report: Apple and Samsung May Help Mobile Industry Kill the SIM Card

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:29:38 +0000

A report out of the Financial Times suggests that the GSMA, an organization representing the "interests of mobile operators worldwide," is in "advanced talks" with Apple and Samsung to potentially help make an electronic/embedded SIM the standard for mobile phones, including smartphones. The idea behind an E-SIM is that it would act as an embedded SIM in phones, leaving you open to freely connect to carriers of choice without the hassle that is typically associated with signing up for new wireless service. With an embedded SIM, switching to a new wireless carrier or signing up for service with a new phone wouldn't require that you seek out a new SIM card for that particular carrier. Instead, you would have a SIM embedded inside the phone that is capable of connecting to a variety of wireless partners. It may also make it easier to switch between carriers and their plans while avoiding contracts. If you have owned an unlocked phone at any point in your life and tested it on more than one carrier, you know how frustrating and/or time consuming the process of switching can be, largely in part to the difficulty it can be to secure a new SIM card. Apple currently places specially designed SIM cards in some of their iPad models that allow customers to switch between a couple of carriers without the need to swap SIMs. This isn't exactly an embedded SIM, but the idea is similar. Keep in mind that even if the industry moves towards adopting an embedded SIM, it could take years before your next phone includes one. Not only do carriers have to sign off on it, but so do manufacturers. Still, having Apple and Samsung on board is a big step in the right direction. Today's report also mentions that networks like AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Whampoa, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone are on board.

Via: Financial Times

Marshall Announces Its Own Smartphone Called London, Pre-Order Up for Under $600

Tim — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:19:48 +0000

Marshall, notably known in the music world for producing high-grade audio equipment, is releasing its very own Android smartphone. Focusing on their love for audio, the London device features somewhat mid-range specs when compared to flagship models of 2015. Inside, a Snapdragon 410 processor and 2GB of RAM will power your apps and games, while a 4.7" HD display sits on the frontside. London also features two front-facing speakers, an 'M' button on its topside for quick access to your locally stored music files, dual headphone jacks for jamming out with your partner in crime, and a scroll wheel for precision volume control. As a note, each headphone jack has its own independent volume control, just in case not both of you want to go deaf listening to a bit of Cannibal Corpse. London is juiced by a removable 2,500mAh battery, and does feature expandable storage via microSD card slot. Much like Sony did with its Walkman device that costs over $1,000, Marshall has built in special audio processing technology, hoping the true audiophile consumers out there can appreciate their music while on the go. This tech includes a highly upgraded Wolfson soundcard, global equalizer, and Bluetooth aptX audio. All this runs on top of Android 5.0.2. The London is available for pre-order right now on Marshall's website. When the price is converted to US dollars, it comes to a little under $600. For a prestigious name like Marshall, that does not seem all that bad. Everything I have owned from the company, including half cabs, full 4x12 cabinets, and headphones have all featured amazing quality. It's safe to assume their smartphone will also be built with this attention to detail. According to Marshall's site, orders are expected to ship in mid-August, and as a free gift, a pair of Monitor headphones are included with your purchase. For those curious, the Monitor headphones are the pair I use during The DL Show, and whenever I go out and walk my dogs. I enjoy them very much. Interested?

Via: Marshall

Here are (Supposed) Fresh Photos of the 3rd Gen Moto X and Moto G

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:59:20 +0000

Now that Motorola has set July 28 as the day they plan to break up the relationship between you and your current phone, don't be surprised if a wave of leaks crashes down onto the interwebs, revealing bits and pieces of their plans. We would be shocked if a new Moto G (3rd gen) isn't on hand, but are also crossing fingers over the idea that a new Moto X (3rd gen) could join the party as well. While nothing is confirmed, a fresh set of pictures that are allegedly of each device popped up last night to kickstart the fun. Over on G+, a Brazilian user by the name of Roger Pretto, who claims to work for Lenovo, posted a picture of a device that he referred to as the "Moto X 2015." He also mentioned that this phone's camera and battery "had a top upgrade." The device can be seen below. Look familiar? Yep, it looks just like a couple of the phone back plates we saw earlier in the week, though previous reports indicated that this backside design might be reserved for a new DROID.

I've got to admit that this whole situation is quite confusing. This phone looks like a mash-up of two of the backsides we saw previously. It looks like a mix of one of the supposed DROID phones and the new Moto X. I'm seeing the elongated camera and dimple housing from the supposed new Moto X, but the frame and shape of what we thought was a new DROID. Also, is that a removable back? And is it just me or does this look exactly like a Galaxy Nexus? On a related note, Mexican site Xataka posted a series of images that are said to be of the new Moto G (3rd gen). The photos look a lot like previous leaks, plus show an About screen with model number XT1542 and the name "Moto G." Since this isn't a Moto G that has been officially announced by Motorola, I think it's safe to say that this could very well be the 3rd gen model.

This new Moto G (3rd gen) is thought to sport a 5-inch 720p display, 13MP rear camera, Snapdragon 410 processor, 8GB or 16GB storage, 2470mAh battery, and be waterproof. Looking forward to July 28?

Via: +Roger Pretto | Xataka

AT&T HTC One M9 Android 5.1 Now Available for Download

Tim — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:35:47 +0000

The One M9 from HTC on AT&T is receiving an update to Android 5.1 this morning, just as HTC's Mo Versi said it would. Although, he did say this would happen yesterday, but hey, as long as it's here now. Inside, Android 5.1 brings plenty of bug fixes, but also on the changelog is Android Factory Reset Protection, plus performance improvements. Versi also stated this update includes camera enhancements, which is always a good thing. The update size is listed at just under 1GB, so make sure you have WiFi on and functional. To download, head on into the Settings menu of your device, then select About Phone. There, you should see Updates. Or, wait for the OTA update notification to hit your phone.

Via: AT&T

Plex Releases Material Design Update to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:50:13 +0000

An update is rolling out for Plex over on Google Play, bringing tons of Material Design upgrades inside. Once you start it up, the overall UI will look and operate a bit smoother, including upgraded media preview screens. In addition, multi-part video playback has been added in, which has been long-requested, according to Plex. For Android TV users, Plex has built in channel searching, plus sorting and filtering capabilities. The update is now available on Google Play and will soon rollout to the Amazon Appstore. Play Link

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Via: Plex

HTC Loses Grip on Original Fitness Band, has Other Fitness Goals in Mind for Later This Year

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:46:42 +0000

Earlier this week, we uncovered a Bluetooth SIG listing for an HTC fitness product of some sort that may have been their now-delayed Grip fitness band. We took that as a sign of it still launching after missing its original Spring release, but at this point, it doesn't really matter. HTC is apparently going to unleash an entire product portfolio for health and fitness later on in 2015 and the Grip as we knew it is history. According to a statement sent to Engadget, HTC says that it has "decided to align Grip" with that previously mentioned product portfolio that will arrive "later this year." They didn't say what that product portfolio would include, but I would imagine there will be some form of a fitness tracker. Maybe we should play a game of "Which random product categories or health gadgets can HTC get into between now and the end of 2015?" To round out a fitness portfolio, I'm thinking a WiFi scale and some all-metal sweats, with built-in BoomSound Bluetooth pockets and an "HTC" black bar running down each leg. They should also release a bike. Who wouldn't want an HTC bike? I'd also like to see an HTC refrigerator that has an embedded scrolling BlinkFeed screen with the latests ~~ads~~ deals on fresh produce (opt-out, of course). What else...

Via: Engadget

OnePlus 2 Invite System Should be Less of a Disaster This Time

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 09:50:52 +0000

The original OnePlus One is without a doubt one of my favorite phones of all time (review). It was so good last year, that it made it into our top 5 phones of 2014 list. The phone had class-leading battery life, an insanely low price point for the specs it delivered, a powerful CyanogenMod skin, and one of the most unique textures ever applied to a phone, one that I wish others would copy. Because of the impression left on my mobile mind from the OnePlus One, I'm generally super excited to take the new OnePlus 2 for a spin. Of course, when you are talking OnePlus and buying phones, you have to consider the idea that you may not just be able to turn around and buy one the day they launch. We know that OnePlus is bringing back an invite system for the OnePlus 2, but in a blog post today, the company has announced changes that they hope will make it easier than ever to navigate. According to OnePlus, there are a number of changes to the invite system this time around. First, the company has more confidence than ever in their products, which means they should have 30-50x more inventory at launch than last year. We aren't sure what that launch number was, but if we are talking 30x10,000, this is a significant increase. Invites are still going to be a part of the process, along with invites that you can share with your friends. OnePlus says that these sharable invites will arrive much faster this time around, so that you and your friends can take advantage. Finally, for those who miss out on the initial launch, don't have friends with invites, or would rather not spend your days on OnePlus' forums or social media channels, OnePlus says there will be a reservation list that you can add your name to. All you will have to do is add your name to the list, then sit back and wait for an invite to arrive. They are going to prioritize their "early forum supporters" in this list. These changes all sound good on paper, but I think the big key is for OnePlus to have enough at launch. Once that launch happens with 30-50x the inventory of last year, it could make invites much more easy to come by.

Via: OnePlus

Samsung Pay Trial Kicks Off in Korea in Preparation for Full Rollout

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 08:30:17 +0000

Samsung Pay, arguably one of the most noteworthy features of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge because of its ability to make payments at both NFC and traditional credit card terminals, is getting ready for prime time. Samsung kicked off a trial for select customers in Korea yesterday in preparation for the payment service's full rollout to countries like the US. When the S6 and S6 Edge were announced, the early word was that Samsung would try to launch Samsung Pay in July (which technically they have done). Rumors since have suggested that Samsung pushed back Pay's rollout to September as an opportunity to pair it with the launch of the Galaxy Note 5. September made sense if there was going to be a delay, since Samsung often debuts their new Note device for the year in early September. With that said, new rumors have hinted at a possible mid-August unveiling for the Note 5, so that Samsung can get its new Note out before Apple has a chance to announced new iPhones for the year. If Samsung is opening up a trial for Samsung Pay right now and they actually have moved up the launch of the Note 5, maybe August is a more likely timeframe for access to Pay on your Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

HBO Now Available Today on Android and Amazon Fire Devices

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 08:05:10 +0000

HBO NOW, HBO's internet-only service that doesn't require a cable subscription, arrives on Android and Amazon Fire tablets starting today. That's not all, though. If you download the app to your phone or tablet, HBO is tossing in a free 30-day introductory trial of HBO Now that can be accessed through Google Play or the Amazon Appstore. As a recap, HBO NOW allows you to subscribe to HBO without needing to also have a regular cable subscription. For $14.99 per month, you can access all of HBO while ditching Comcast or any other cable subscriber. The service can be accessed via computer, but also via Apple and Android devices. Chromecast (or Google-Cast), Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Fire TV Stick will get access "soon." The app doesn't appear to be live yet on Google Play, but you can sign-up for HBO NOW here.

Via: HBO

Google Clock Update Brings Darker Blues, Brighter Reds

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 07:54:04 +0000

The Google Clock, which just recently decoupled itself from stock Android to nestle-in to the Play store, received an update this week that introduced "more neutral colors." I'd call them dark blue and bright as hell red, but neutral works too, I guess. Below, you can see the differences between the new and old colors. Along with the new color scheme, Google fixed a "duplicate provider installation" issue and another that involved the timer button. The update drops in as v4.0.2. The update should be live now for all to download. Play Link

New / Old

Cheers Nick!

Motorola Hosting Event July 28, Says "Your Relationship Status is About to Change"

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 06:10:37 +0000

This little event invite just showed up in our inbox from our friends at Motorola. It looks like the Lenovo owned company out of Chicago has something to announce on July 28 in NYC. The invite says specifically that "Your relationship status is about to change," followed by an "XOX, Moto." Is that a hint at a new Moto X? Seems a bit early for Motorola to be announcing a new Moto X. Maybe a Moto G? Maybe a new Moto 360? The last two years, Motorola gave us its next flagship towards the end of August or early September, so again, this all seems a bit early. Thoughts? Update: Motorola has opened up a dedicated page for the event that can be seen here. It appears they are not only hosting events in NYC, but in London and Sau Paulo as well. The storyline here is that we are in relationships with our phones, but Motorola thinks they can make that relationship better.

#HYPE Kill? "All" Snapdragon 810 Phones are Already Using V2.1, Says HTC

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:15:57 +0000

Let the Snapdragon 810 drama continue! According to HTC's Jeff Gordon, king of the subtweet, all this chit chat about a newer Snapdragon 810 v2.1 being used by companies like OnePlus as a differentiator to help separate their phones from the 810's history of melting faces isn't exactly accurate. Gordon says via Twitter that Qualcomm told him "virtually all" manufacturers who have announced devices with the Snapdragon 810 "are currently using v2.1." In other words, the One M9, which at one time wanted to melt your face off, is running the same V2.1 that OnePlus insists will be cooler than ever. So yeah, the Snapdragon 810 v2.1 that is in the OnePlus 2 is the same 810 that has been in almost all of the previous 810 phones before it. One thing to keep in mind here is the fact that phones with the 810 inside have varied (sometimes greatly) in their heat output and performance. The M9 has always been fine in terms of day-to-day performance, yet certainly has history in the heat department. The G Flex 2 didn't ever get all that hot for us, but it was terrible when it came to daily performance. And the Xperia Z4 or Z3+ or whatever Sony wants to call it today, is apparently a disaster when you do something as mundane as using the phone's camera. I guess if you are a OnePlus fan, you better hope OnePlus really has taken its time in getting this chipset to work perfectly with the OnePlus 2. We'll find out in less than two weeks if they have.

Zero Punctuation: Hatfall Will Make You Rage, But It's Fun

Tim — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:28:56 +0000

Over on Google Play, Defy Media published Zero Punctuation: Hatfall, a fast-paced game about a single thing -- putting on hats. Now, it's not as simple as putting on a hat, as the game is made up of a bunch of mini games, each getting harder as you progress through the stages. In the mini games, you move your character from left right, placing him under the shadow of a hat as it falls to you. Although, be careful, as it's not always a hat falling. It could be a fridge or spear, which kills you, forcing you to start over. Like other games of this nature, it takes a bit to learn the steps to complete each mini game, but with time, you can master it. And, with the more hats you collect, the more fun stuff you can purchase in the hat store. Hatfall costs just $2 on Google Play, and if you go look at the reviews, it is mostly loved by all who play it. Go snatch some hats. Play Link ($1.99)

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Giveaway: Win a 200GB SanDisk MicroSD Card!

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:37:53 +0000

Remember SanDisk's sort-of-insane 200GB microSD card that became available a couple of weeks ago? We are about to save one of you $240, thanks to SanDisk, who has offered up a 200GB card as a giveaway prize to one of our readers. A recap of SanDisk's 200GB microSD card:

Store up to 20 hours of Full HD video
Now you can transfer up to 1200 photos in just one minute. It offer a premium transfer speed up to 90MB/s
With the world’s first 200GB microSD card, you can immerse yourself in the here and now with no worries about running out of room for all the high resolution videos and photos, music, movies and other files you want to shoot, save and share.
This memory card features Class 10 video rating for high-quality video recording, so you can capture Full HD without dropouts and stuttering.
SanDisk imaging cards are tested and proven to keep working in challenging conditions. They’re waterproof, X-ray proof, magnet proof and temperature proof to keep your card safe.

The contest will run like all of our contests - through a Rafflecopter widget with simple modes of entry. We'll pick our winner on Friday!

Giveaway

Prize: 1 (one) SanDisk 200GB microSD card for 1 (one) winner. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: We'll choose our 1 (one) winner on Friday, July 17, at 2:30PM Pacific.

Deal: Infinite Skills Android Developer Course for Just $19, Down From $100

Tim — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:34:52 +0000

Featuring nearly 10 hours of content, including over 100 lectures, the Infinite Skills Android Developer Course can be purchased on the DL Deals Store for just $19, down from its listed price of $100. With this course, which requires no previous programming knowledge, users can learn about media playback, device camera access, and device sensors, all for building the best Android app you can. Inside the course, students can work alongside and interact with the instructor, allowing you to maximize your learnings. Upon completion, you shall receive a certificate, which should make you feel pretty good about yourself. To grab the deal, follow the link below. Features

Over 105 lectures and 9.5 hours of content
Learn skills required to build an Android app
No programming knowledge required
Receive a certificate of completion
Learn about media playback, device camera access, device sensors, and more
Work alongside and interact with the instructor to maximize your learnings
Working files included

Deal Link

Project Fi Nexus 6 Android 5.1.1 (LVY48C) Factory Image Posted

Tim — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:31:29 +0000

For anyone who purchased a Nexus 6 directly through the Project Fi program, or already own a Nexus 6 running on Google's wireless network, factory images for Android 5.1.1 (build LVY48C) are now live on Google's site, just for your potential backup needs. Sometimes, in case you fancy yourself a tinkerer, it is good to have a factory image kept somewhere safe, you know, in case you do something bad to your phone's software. Or, if you have yet to receive the OTA update, this image will bring you up to date. Need some assistance flashing it? We got you covered. Factory Image Link (Project Fi Nexus 6)

Wednesday Poll: LG or Huawei Nexus?

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:21:32 +0000

Even though absolutely nothing has been confirmed, the world is pretty set on there being two Nexus phones this year - one from LG and another from Huawei. We have codenames for each - "bullhead" as the LG phone, "angler" as the Huawei phone - along with countless reports all claiming to know the details of each. Well, the Huawei reports are everywhere. We have yet to hear much on the LG front. Still, the hype is real right now. People can't stop thinking about the next Nexus phone(s). At this time, the Huawei Nexus is thought to be the bigger of the two, with a 5.7-inch QHD display and premium body. The LG Nexus is a mystery, but we all hope it is somehow a 2015 version of the original Nexus 5, which would be a smallish phone by today's standards, yet fully welcomed in a world full of whales. We want to know for today's poll, which would you most like to see/buy/molest? Would you go LG Nexus or Huawei Nexus? [poll id="371"]

Samsung's Gear A Smartwatch Sounds Great, But It Likely Runs Tizen

Tim — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 11:16:01 +0000

Samsung's rumored luxurious round smartwatch, codenamed Orbis, known as Gear A, had its specs revealed by the good folks at SamMobile this morning, painting the picture of quite a device. However, before you get too excited, do note that we expect the Gear A will run Tizen, not Android Wear. For specifications, the Gear A is reported to feature a completely round Super AMOLED display (360 x 360), Exynos 3472 dual-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz, Mali-400 MP4 GPU, 768MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, GPS, and a 250mAh battery. It will also feature Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. On top of specs, it has been reported that the smartwatch will feature a rotatable bezel ring for navigating part of the watch's UI, in addition to a digital crown. The digital crown, as you might know, is also featured on the Apple Watch. This smartwatch is expected to be announced during Samsung's Galaxy Note 5 event, penciled in currently for August 12. We're getting close, folks.

Via: SamMobile

HTC Announces Line of "Affordable" Desire Phones for US

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 09:47:30 +0000

HTC announced four new LTE-equipped phones this morning that are all bound for the US (two of which we saw at the FCC). In fact, the phones - Desire 626, Desire 626s, Desire 526, and Desire 520 - are headed for just about every major carrier you can think of, including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Cricket, Boost Mobile, MetroPCS, Sprint, and Virgin Mobile. I should clarify that in saying that some phones will go to this or that carrier - they aren't all going to all carriers. The phones are being marketed as "premium" yet "affordable." Of course, leave it to HTC to call something affordable and then forget to tell us the price. As for specs, the Desire 626 is the best of the bunch and is headed to Verizon. With its 5-inch 720p display, Snapdragon 210 quad-core processor, 2000mAh battery, 1.5GB RAM, 16GB storage (with SD card slot), and 8MP camera, HTC better have a sub-$250 price. I say that because phones like the Huawei P8 Lite, which have arguably far superior specs, cost just $249 at Amazon. The 626s also has a 5-inch HD display, but the 526 and 520 have 4.7-inch and 4.5-inch displays that HTC is giving out resolution info on. They all have 8MP cameras as well. All of these new Desire phones include HTC Sense 7, BlinkFeed, and Themes. As each is announced individually by carriers, we'll be sure to share that info. Update: HTC finally sent us all of the info, including official imagery. The Desire 626s and 520 are headed to Cricket. The Desire 626 and 526 will go to Verizon. AT&T will get the Desire 626 as well. T-Mobile and Sprint are each getting variants of the 626s.

HTC MAKES PREMIUM SMARTPHONES AFFORDABLE WITH NEW HTC DESIRE® LINEUP

New HTC Desire smartphones make flagship features and stand-out design affordable and broadly available at prepaid and postpaid carriers beginning this month
Bellevue, WA – July 15, 2015 – HTC America Inc., a leader in mobile innovation, announces the release of four new HTC Desire LTE smartphones – the HTC Desire 626, HTC Desire 626s, HTC Desire 526 and HTC Desire 520 – designed to make premium smartphones affordable and accessible to all. HTC brings many of the same features found in its flagship HTC One^® M9 to a premium and modern design that will withstand the test of time. “At HTC, we don’t think you should have to sacrifice or settle if you are looking for an affordable smartphone. That is why we are bringing the absolute best affordable smartphones to market with the HTC Desire lineup,” said Jason Mackenzie, president of HTCAmerica. “Our Desire smartphones bring the premium experiences, performance and style of our flagship smartphone at an incredible price.” Bold, personal design meets high performance The new HTC Desire smartphones represent the intersection of modern style and performance. The seamless construction combined with the latest in color combinations delivers stand-out style that will continue to look great over time. The HTC Desire 626 and HTC Desire 626s have a 5-inch screen and come in an array of dual color combinations, including Marshmallow White, Gray Lava, Blue Lagoon, Marine White and White Birch. The HTC Desire 526 has a 4.7-inch screen and comes in Stealth Black, and the HTC Desire 520 has a 4.5-inch screen and comes in Steel Gray. Personal style isn’t only on the surface. With HTC Sense® 7, the new HTC Desire smartphones can be customized with HTCThemes, HTC BlinkFeed® and HTC Sense Home applications. HTC Themes pull color and textural elements from a favorite photo to modify the look of apps, color scheme and home screen.HTC Themes also provides an opportunity to create and share a theme with the HTC community, or just browse and download one created by other HTC users. The HTC Sense Home is an intelligent widget that automatically curates apps based on usage and location. It is contextually aware of location, time of day and preferred apps at home, work or on the go. While exploring a new city, HTC BlinkFeed intelligently recommends restaurants near you and recommended by friends during mealtimes. As LTE devices with quad-core processors, the HTC Desire 626, HTC Desire 626s, HTC Desire 526 and HTC Desire 520 offer speedy uploads and downloads while keeping up with multitasking between apps. A 2000 mAh battery and expandable memory further enhance the power of the new HTC Desire line. A better way to relive favorite memories The HTC Desire 626 and HTC Desire 626s’ 5-inch, HD 720 pixel screen beautifully displays photos, video and multimedia content with an immersive smartphone experience. HTC One Gallery syncs with Facebook, Flickr, Google Drive and Dropbox accounts and brings photos together in a single location to make finding, searching and viewing easier than ever. Zoe^®, a signature HTC app that comes preloaded, makes it especially easy to share visual stories of experiences with friends and family in a more dynamic way. Zoe Highlights combine favorite photos and video with music to bring the experience to life. TheHTC Desire line comes with an 8MP primary camera and video captured by HD 720p video recording capabilities. The HTCDesire 626 has a 5MP front-facing camera while the HTC Desire 626s, HTC Desire 526 and HTC Desire 520 come with a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Availability The HTC Desire 626, HTC Desire 626s, HTC Desire 526 and HTC Desire 520 will be widely available in a variety of colors from major prepaid and postpaid U.S. wireless providers including AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS, Sprint Prepaid, T-Mobile, Tracfone, Verizon Wireless and Virgin Mobile USA. Each provider will confirm the colors and models it’s carrying, beginning this week and through the coming months. Follow @HTCUSA and visit for more information.
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Huawei Nexus Specs to Include 5.7" QHD Display, Snapdragon 820, and Fingerprint Reader

Tim — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:41:04 +0000

Pro leakster @evleaks is at it again, posting on Twitter possible specifications for the upcoming Huawei-made Nexus device made in partnership with Google. According to Evan, the device will ship in Q4 of this year, featuring a 5.7" QHD display, Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 820 SoC, metal (aka "premium") body, and fingerprint reader. These specs accompany the countless reports declaring Huawei is indeed making a Nexus device with Google, so at this point, it's only a matter of time until we finally see it. Usually, from what we have seen in previous years, possible images could hit the web a couple of months before its release, but it's only mid-July. We still have a ways to go before anything is official. Also, it seems information regarding this upcoming Huawei Nexus device is bountiful, yet reports supporting LG and Google teaming up again seem rather hard to come by. Not that it is not happening, but the hype seems solely built around the Huawei device only at this moment. If Huawei is truly making the larger 5.7" Nexus, can we expect LG to produce a smaller, closer to 5" Nexus? If so, which one are you more interested in?

Via: @evleaks

DEALS, DUDE: It's Amazon Prime Day! (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 06:51:02 +0000

Just a quick reminder, but yep, today is Amazon Prime Day. It's not only a day to celebrate Amazon's birthday and its Prime members, it's also a day that Amazon says will have more deals than Black Friday. That's a pretty bold statement. However, after looking through some of the day's lightning deals, it's safe to say that they may come close to besting that other big shopping day. We would attempt to give you the ultimate Prime Day list of deals, but that would take a day's worth of work, because some of these deals are only available as lightning deals and are then gone within minutes. So, your best bet is to hit up the Amazon link below, find sections on Amazon you are interested in, and then plan your day around the deals you might attempt to jump on. We'll also do our best to add good deals to the bottom of this post as we see them. Amazon Prime Day Link | Electronics Deals

Deals:

Amazon discounted FireTV Stick to $24, Kindle to $49, Kindle Fire HD7 to $79, Fire HD 7 Kids Edition to $129. [LINK]
Amazon Echo for $129.99. [LINK]
Audio Technica ATH-M40x for $79. [LINK]
Automatic Car Adapter (2nd gen) for $79.95. [LINK]
Nexus 6 for $399 (deal live at 8:50AM). [LINK]
CHOE Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 adapter for $11.03 (8:50AM). [LINK]
Lumsing 6000mAh Portable Power Bank for $11.99 (8:50AM). [LINK]
HTC One M9 unlocked for $105-off (10:50AM). [LINK]

(These deals are going to sell out quickly, and we don't have time to continually update the list. Apologies if you get there and they are gone.)

Pushbullet Adds Full SMS Support on Desktop

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 06:18:20 +0000

This morning, Pushbullet introduced full SMS support to your desktop as an extension of the already useful feature from your phone. And we're talking full full, as in, you can carry on conversations from one computer to the next, because everything is synced. You'll find message history, threads, and an experience that really acts like an instant messaging app. This updated SMS experience is available now on Chrome and in the Windows app, but does require syncing with phones running Android 4.4+. Also, Pushbullet told me that they "don't support MMS from computer at this point (you can see MMS though)." Play Link

Via: Pushbullet

Google Intros Nearby APIs for Android, Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons

Tim — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:17:45 +0000

Google introduced two things earlier today, being Nearby APIs which will enable enhanced device-to-device communication -- even with iPhones -- and Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons for everywhere you may go. First, let's talk about the Nearby APIs. Already in development and deployment through apps such as Trello and Pocket Casts, this feature allows developers to build in real time sharing options via a smart device's Bluetooth or WiFi connection. As an example, if you and your team utilize Trello, you can share boards with each other if you are close by, all through a single press of a button. As shown in the header image, you simply press "Share Board Nearby," and off it goes to another user. As another example, Pocket Casts lets you see and share your list of favorite podcasts with other users around you. Say you are friends with Ron Offringa, and you want to see what he has been listening to. You hit on "Nearby" tab at the top of the page, then view whatever it is he may be listening to. And the same can be done by him to view your tastes in podcasts. These changes are available to all developers using Google Play Services 7.8. Second, there is Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) beacons. Google wants to connect the world, allowing for easier access to information by anyone who owns a smartphone. These beacons, called Eddystone, can go basically anywhere, containing whatever data the developer wants to program into them. For example, if you come to your bus stop, it can display arrival information for your bus on a smartphone. If your usual bus happens to be running late, it could even give you an alternative method to get home. These beacons can even go in your home, displaying on your phone whatever might be on TV at the time, if it matches up with shows you watch. And as a last example, say you head into a restaurant, a beacon could notify you of delectable menu items. In the below video, Google goes over what these BLE Beacons are all about. Info from these beacons, plus the Nearby API for improved phone-to-phone communication, will be hitting your smartphone soon.

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Via: Android Developers [2]

Twitter to Rethink 3rd-Party Developer Strategy, May Soon Welcome Them Back With Open Arms

Tim — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 14:51:47 +0000

If you are an Android user who also scrolls through Twitter from time to time, it is possible you do so on one of many 3rd-party applications built for the service. Back in early to mid-2013, Twitter began a war on 3rd-party developers, limiting the amount of information an app could gain from the network, and even going so far as to limit the amount of users an app could have thanks to "login tokens." Falcon Pro, one of the more popular clients, was severely hindered by this move. Now, with Twitter in search of a new CEO, it appears the company has come out and said this move was a "strategic error," and may soon welcome developers back to the platform. Twitter's Evan Williams, co-founder and board member, stated in a recent discussion that the move to block 3rd-party development was, "One of our strategic errors we had to wind down over time. It wasn’t a win/win for developers, users and the company." Moving forward, Twitter wants to become a real time information network, and with a need to grow revenue to keep investors happy, the company may soon allow for a more open platform for developers to work on, as long as Twitter can get a cut. "Twitter should be more of a platform than it is," Williams continued. "There are a lot of things going on. New products, new source of revenue." As an avid Twitter user, I only use 3rd-party applications released to Google Play, as I find the official Twitter app to be quite poor in terms of features I want. I use Fenix, personally, but as stated previously, there is a gang of apps to choose from. From a user's standpoint, should Twitter's welcoming of 3rd-party development be celebrated, or is too late?

Via: Business Insider

Deals: REMXD On-Ear Headphones for $36 and Air-Fi Metro2 Headphones for $48

Tim — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 14:18:46 +0000

Two deals on the DL Deals Store can get you rocking very quickly, with the Air-Fi Metro2 stereo Bluetooth headphones and REMXD On-Ear headphones on sale, plus free shipping. Regularly priced at $50, the REMXD On-Ear headphones feature a large 33-foot range via Bluetooth to your smart device, meaning you won't need your phone attached to the hip in order to listen to your jams. The headphones allow for making and receiving calls, plus feature built-in controls for audio playback. As for battery life, the REMXD headphones feature 15 hours of listening time or 160 hours of standby time with a single charge, which should be plenty of juice to get you through your next gym routine. Priced at $36, they can be purchased by following the link below. Features

Enjoy the 33-ft Bluetooth range capability
Answer calls, adjust volume or switch songs w/ controls located on the headset
Customize the fit w/ the adjustable headset
Utilize the simple controls right on the headphones to easily change tracks & set your volume
Get 15 hours of listening time or 160 hours of standby time on one charge

Deal Link

Air-Fi Metro2 Headphones

Regularly priced at $60, the Air-Fi stereo headphones can be had for just $48, featuring 'crystal clarity' and impressive bass tones. Thanks to their compact design, they offer great portability for those who would like to use them during a run or at the gym, featuring 'all day listening' with 5+ hours of battery life. A built-in microphone and controls allow you to make and receive phone calls, as well as control audio playback from your connected smart device. Included with the headset is a protective case, plus 3 sets of eartips and ear fins. Features

Listen to your favorite tunes w/ crystal clarity & impressive bass
Carry these compact headphones anywhere
Enjoy all-day listening w/ 5+ hour battery life
Block outside noise w/ in-ear design
Utilize the built-in microphone & controls to make phone calls, adjust the volume & initiate music playback
Connect w/ advanced Bluetooth 4.0 technology & multipoint functionality
Get maximum comfort & convenience w/ protective carrying case, 3 sets of eartips & ear fins

Deal Link

ZTE Announces the Axon, 5.5" QHD Display and 4GB of RAM for Just $450

Tim — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:44:38 +0000

ZTE announced a new smartphone called Axon this afternoon, scheduled to hit the US market very soon. Now, brace yourselves, as this phone may leave you somewhat breathless once you hear what specifications it is packing. For starters, it features a 5.5" WQHD display (2560 x 1440), Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, Android 5.1, dual rear-facing cameras (13MP + 2MP and 4K shooting capability), and a 3,000mAh battery. And yes, this phone actually exists, unlike those "dream phones" you see on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Other specifications include Gorilla Glass 3 to protect that 5.5" display, 32GB of internal storage, Quick Charge 2.0 compatibility, Unlocked LTE connectivity for GSM networks here in the US (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.), 8MP front-facing camera, Hi-Fi AudioPlayback, and more. The Axon is available in three colors - Phthalo Blue, Ion Gold, and Chromium. Priced at just $449, some may think this device is simply too good to be true, but don't worry yourself, it is available right now for pre-order on ZTE's website, and will soon hit Amazon, Newegg, and eBay. And, when you pre-order, a free clear TPU case is included. Pretty sweet phone, right? Pre-Order

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2015 Phone Design.

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:32:37 +0000

Welcome to 2015, where your brand new phone will probably look like that guy's brand new phone and your mom's brand new phone and your co-worker's new phone and the bus driver's new phone and the homeless guy's new phone, all of which are made by different manufacturers. Design. Such design. Good job, OEMs.

T-Mobile Goes Uncarrier Amped on the Family Plan - 4 Lines and 10GB Per Line for as Little as $120

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:03:36 +0000

T-Mobile continued its Uncarrier Amped movement this morning by going after its own family plan. Starting tomorrow, T-Mobile customers will be able to choose a new family plan that can get a family of four up to 10GB per line for just $120. The deal works like this. The first two lines that sign-up for a family plan get 10GB of 4G LTE data each at $50 per line (so $100). From there, each line you add on costs $20, but that includes another 10GB of data and unlimited talk and text. If your brain is doing the math, then you are probably wondering how we came up with $120 for a family of four. That's a promotional price currently set by T-Mobile for a limited time. A family of four would normally run $140, but T-Mo is tossing in the 4th line for free at this time. Keep in mind that each line gets 10GB of data, which totals 40GB for the family, but there isn't data sharing here. Each line gets 10GB - this isn't a 40GB bucket to be shared. Carriers like Verizon and AT&T are into the bucket thing. Of course, this wouldn't be a T-Mobile announcement without taking a look at how this deal compares to one of the big two carriers' equivalent plans. This time around, T-Mobile focused on Verizon's 10GB bucket, that would cost a family of four $140. That's 10GB total to be shared with the family, not 10GB per line like with T-Mobile's deal. They also tossed in pricing for a 40GB bucket as well, to show its enormous $360 price tag.

The new family plan goes live tomorrow, so if you are already in one of their 2.5GB/line family plans, feel free to switch over.

Via: T-Mobile

AT&T HTC One M9 Update to Android 5.1 Approved for Rollout, Brings Camera Improvements

Tim — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:00:51 +0000

According to HTC's Mo Versi, the Android 5.1 update for AT&T's One M9 has received technical approval, meaning all owners will see it begin to rollout soon to their devices. Inside, users can expect to see improved camera performance, as well as the changes that Android 5.1 has over Android 5.0. Of course, with Sense running on top, a few things may go unnoticed, such as system toggle UI changes. Versi states that the rollout is scheduled to begin tomorrow on July 15, so get your phones ready for it.

Via: @moversi

Report: Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus Unveiling Set for August 12, Release on August 21

Tim — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 11:21:14 +0000

A date has been reportedly set for the announcement of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, scheduled to be unveiled on August 12, then going on sale a week and a half later on August 21. The push-up in unveiling and release is said to be in relation to Apple, as Samsung wants to hit the market before Apple has time to announce any new iPhones. Both, the Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus, are larger-than-average devices, but both offer something quite different. Of course, the Note 5 is for those who enjoy having a stylus onboard, plus all of the in-house software Samsung bakes in to make a stylus useful for buyers. The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, on the other hand, is basically just a larger S6 Edge, with 3GB of RAM and Exynos 7420 processor. SamMobile again claims that the Galaxy Note 5 will not feature a microSD slot, as in there will be no expandable storage, leading the device to be sold in storage tiers, exactly how we see the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge sold today. If you want more storage, then you have to pay. On top of these two phones, Samsung will announce availability of Samsung Pay for North America, a mobile payments platform Samsung device owners have been waiting for since the launch of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. August 12 falls on a Wednesday, so go ahead and pencil this event down on your digital calendars.

Via: SamMobile

Android M Feature: Floating Toolbar for Text Selection is Showing Up More and More

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 10:36:30 +0000

During the Android M introduction portion of the Google I/O keynote in May, Google talked briefly about better text selection and a floating toolbar that accompanied it. Since then, though, we haven't seen it implemented in that many places, so we had not yet really mentioned it. Now with the Android M Preview 2 out, it seems that the handy little feature is showing up more and more. As a recap, Google introduced a floating toolbar for when you select text. This floating toolbar shows itself just above the text you are selecting, so that you can quickly select all, copy, share, etc. without having to reach all of the way up to the top of your phone or tablet. The floating toolbar even includes an action overflow menu that allows you to search the web with the text you have selected. But not only does it make cutting, copying, selecting all, and searching easier, Google also made it easier to select specific text or words while dragging. Instead of having to go character by character to select a word, Google now jumps the selection tool out to the end of words, since most typically select entire words rather than a couple of characters at a time. Sometimes it's the little things that add up to a great experience.

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Be sure to catch up on all of the other new Android M features!

Android M Feature: Voicemail Tab in Dialer App, Listen to Your Voicemails on the Fly

Tim — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 10:09:58 +0000

You call your voicemail, type in your password, wait for the slow voice on the other end to read out the options, listen to voicemail, press "7" to delete it, then hang up and hope that little voicemail notification disappears and never returns again. This is the basic steps to working voicemail. Sure, there are other ways to go about it, but thanks to a new feature in the Preview 2 build for Android M, which began rolling out to Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 owners who had Preview 1 installed, managing your voicemail has never been easier. If you happen to be running Preview 2, open up your Dialer app. On the right side, a new tab with a voicemail indicator should be there. Inside, a preview of your voicemails will be listed out, each of them able to drop down into their own separate card. On the card, you can listen to the voicemail, delete it, call back whoever left the message, text the contact, view the call details (time it took place, date it happened, etc), and add the contact to your contacts list. Do note, if you use Google Voice to handle all of your incoming and outgoing calls, your voicemails should already be handled through the Voice app or from your email associated with the account. For me, I am running Project Fi on my Nexus 6, so any calls I receive and voicemails I get are handled directly through my Google account. As of right now, since this is only a Preview build of Android M, we don't know exactly how voicemail managed by your carrier will sync with this new Android M feature. However, in the Settings menu for the Dialer app, a "setup" section is dedicated under the voicemail options. All features shown in these preview builds are subject to change, but we do hope Google decides to keep this one intact. As of right now, it works like a dream.

Be sure to catch up on all of the other new Android M features!

Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Now Receiving OTA Update

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 09:38:16 +0000

The massive 2GB update for the Verizon Galaxy Note 4 that we told you about last week is now rolling out over-the-air (OTA). The update was originally only available via Kies, but readers of ours are now seeing it pop-up for installation. Curious what's in a 2GB update? Not much it seems. The update is VRU2BOF1, but it only includes Exchange Active Sync fingerprint authentication, preloads Milk Music on your home screen, and auto installs Galaxy Apps. Yeah, that sounds like a bunch of "No thanks, Samsung." The update could be live for all, so feel free to head into Settings>About phone>Software update>Check for updates.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Justin!

Moto G (3rd Gen) to be Customizable on Moto Maker, According to Leak

Tim — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:52:48 +0000

Evan Blass, better known on Twitter as evleaks, has reawakened to give us info regarding the upcoming Moto G (3rd Gen) from Motorola. According to Evan, the new Moto G will be customizable through Moto Maker, which is Motorola's online custom shop for smartphones. Currently, only the Moto X (2nd Gen) and Moto 360 are customizable via the service, and if the Moto G does in fact hit Moto Maker, it would be the first mid-range (non flagship) smartphone you can customize. Along with the info, Evan posted a photo of a few options you can expect to see when the device is available on Moto Maker. As we can see, there are plenty of backplate color options to choose from, but as of right now, it looks like plastic is your only option - no leather, no wood. You can also change the back strip piece that folks seem to be on the fence about, as well as the front color to Black or White. Currently for the Moto X, you can also decide how much internal storage you would like, but for a mid-range phone, we don't know yet if Motorola will offer that level of customization. We will have to wait and see what Motorola officially offers at time of announcement. Ready to get your customization on?

Via: @evleaks

This Could be the New Moto X (3rd Gen), Plus Other New Moto and DROID Phones

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:28:33 +0000

Yesterday, the folks at HelloMotoHK gave us a look at what they described as the back cover to a new DROID phone from Motorola. This morning, they posted at even bigger image, this time with four different phone backs said to be of (in order, left-to-right) a new DROID Mini, Moto G (3rd gen), the DROID from yesterday, and the new Moto X (3rd gen). While we have no proof as to what any of these phones may or may not be, one thing is for sure, Motorola appears to have settled on a similar design theme for 2015. If we look to the far right at the phone said to be the next Moto X, we are certainly getting a phone that looks a lot like the last couple of Moto Xs, only with that new single metal piece that houses the dimple and camera. This is that design theme I was referring to that all of these phones seem to have in common. Outside of that, we are seeing a metal frame around the outside of the phone, along with that swooping boat neck-like top that features the headphone jack. The backside looks like a grippy matte black and the power and volume keys are in the same spot they were last year. That's pretty much it. As for the new Mini and DROID, well, I don't see how this "Mini" is any sort of mini. It looks to be the same size as yesterday's DROID and bigger than what should be the new Moto G. Otherwise, it too has a design and texture on its back that could very well be something we would see in a DROID branded phone. With the supposed picture of the Moto G (3rd gen), we are seeing a phone that looks like the black version of the white model we saw leak a couple of weeks back. Overall, this style is familiar to the last couple of Motorola lines, so I wouldn't say it's disappointing or super exciting, either. I liked the last couple of Moto Xs (obviously) and wouldn't be mad if this was the new version. In the end, all we really want us a similar Moto X to last year's, only with a real camera inside. But then again, that's always been the complaint about Motorola phones and they have yet to deliver. Thoughts?

Via: +HelloMotoHK

MKBHD Gives Us the First Photo Taken With the OnePlus 2

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 07:41:51 +0000

OnePlus may have told us that they plan to stop the (t)rollout of features for the OnePlus 2 until the phone's unveiling on July 27, but that doesn't mean there aren't ways for them to keep it in headlines. Take today's appearance as an example, which comes courtesy of Marques Brownlee, the man you probably know as MKBHD. Marques has a OnePlus 2 at the moment and posted what may very well be the first public photo taken with it. The photo is somewhat of a macro of a viewer with cityscape in the background. Of course, we get to see the fine details of the viewer as the point of focus, along with the soft bokeh in the background. While I'm no photographer or image analyzer, I personally think the photo looks good enough and doesn't appear to be heavily processed in a bad way, like we saw with photos taken on HTC's One M9. It comes off a bit yellowish or warm, but that could be from the lighting at the time and location this photo was taken (at least I hope that's its excuse). If you zoom into something like the actual binoculars, details are preserved long enough for a phone camera, in my opinion. Outside of the actual photo, though, the EXIF data from the image does reveal some new info. This photo was taken at a 13MP resolution (4:3 ratio) and f/2.0. Who knows if Marques tweaked anything before he shot it or if he left it in auto, but f/2.0 certainly isn't the f/1.9 we saw on the Galaxy S6 or f/1.8 from the LG G4. The 13MP resolution doesn't bother me, but I'm sure people will point out that others in the industry are settling into 16MP and 20MP shooters.

Finally, we are getting confirmation on the model number we spotted a couple of weeks back. The OnePlus 2 is indeed the A2001. Here is the full resolution photo, along with download link.

Download Link

What else? Photogs in the building, please weigh in.

Via: +MarquesBrownlee

Nexus 9 OTA Link for Android M Preview 2 Now Available

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 16:38:06 +0000

UPDATED: Nexus 9 link added.

Now that the Android M Preview 2 is out, and Google has confirmed that they are sending these out over-the-air (OTA) for those already on Preview 1 who don't want to flash factory images, we thought we may as well capture the .zip files for those interested. We will update the list as we have more.

Download Android M Preview 2 updates:

Nexus 5 - [MPZ79M from MPZ44Q, 182MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 - [MPZ79M from MPZ44Q, 330MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 - [MPZ79M from MPZ44Q, 344MB] - Download Link
Nexus Player

For instructions to sideload using adb, check here. For instructions on how to grab an OTA file, check here.

Nexus 6: Cheers burkett375!

Nexus 5: Cheers Samuel, Scott and Andreas!

Nexus 9: Cheers Nick!

Reported Android Wear Update to Bring Interactive Watch Faces, Watch-to-Watch Communication

Tim — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 14:25:22 +0000

As reported by Phandroid, an update is coming to Android Wear, bringing with it a couple of highly notable features. First, a basic change in the UI will allow users to perform a single tap on the device's display, resulting in windows sliding in from the right. For example, inside of an app, a tap could bring up new dialog for users to consume, such as health info via Google Fit. On the home screen, certain watch faces that are not yet released would allow for interaction. If a watch face shows weather, you could tap on it, then it will display different time zones, battery info, or other information. More interestingly, this reported update would also bring a new watch-to-watch communication method. As you may be aware, the Apple Watch allows users to send doodles and heartbeats to one another, increasing, in a rather odd way, interaction between smartwatch owners. The update for Android Wear will also bring the ability to share doodles and messages to fellow Android Wear users, just like on the Apple Watch. Beyond just doodles, we could see sharable Stickers, Emoji, and Photos. The below images were posted alongside the report from Phandroid, detailing what users can expect from the upcoming update. Currently, there is no timeframe for when we can expect this change.

Via: Phandroid

Deal: $23 ChargeIt! USB Wall Adapter Charges 3 Devices at Once

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 13:59:28 +0000

How many times have you had to battle a loved one over an outlet or USB cable to charge your phone? With the ChargeIt! US wall charger, you can charge up to 3 devices at a time through a single outlet, with one grabbing juice through a built-in USB cable. The ChargetIt! should also be able to provide faster charging through its 2.4A port. At $23, which is a solid discount from the full $50 retail price, you get a solid travel buddy that would be a solid charger for highly-trafficked areas in your home. Deal Link Here are some of the specs and features:

Simultaneously charge three devices: two w/ USB & one w/ micro USB
Power your Android or micro USB-capable devices w/ the built-in 15”L cable
Benefit from a powerful 15 watt output
View charging progress on the status LED that glows red while charging & green when complete
Use any wall outlet to get charging
Protect your devices from electricity surges, overheating & more
USB 1 Output: 5V/1A
USB 2 5V/2.1A
Micro-USB cable output 5V/2.4A
Maximum power output: 3A, 15W

ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 Hits Best Buy for $199, 64-Bit Intel Processor and "2K Display"

Tim — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:50:01 +0000

ASUS' shiny new ZenPad S 8.0 is available on Best Buy's website this week, featuring a lovely price tag of just $199. With its 8" QXGA display (1536 x 2048), this tablet is powered by an Intel Z3530 quad-core 64-bit processor and 2GB of RAM, with Android 5.0 "Lollipop" running on top. On the backside of the tablet, there sits a 5MP camera, while a 2MP shooter decorates the frontside. Other specifications include 32GB of internal storage, microSD slot for expandable storage, and front-facing speakers. Naturally, ASUS has a custom skin running on top of Lollipop, giving off a TouchWiz vibe, at least to my eyes. A cheaper version of the ZenPad is also available, priced at just $99. It features a 7" display (1024 x 600), 16GB of storage, a slower Intel processor, and 1GB of RAM. But hey, it's only $99. Both of these devices are now available on Best Buy. Best Buy Link

Is This the Back Cover for a New Motorola DROID Phone?

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:37:21 +0000

Ready to get a peek at one of the new Motorola phones, maybe even a new DROID? According to HelloMotoHK, a group who stays close to the Motorola beat, the photo below is of a new Motorola DROID phone. That of course, also means a new Verizon phone. The phone part below is a shell or back plate of an unfinished or not-put-together phone, but we are seeing a design that looks like those leaked Moto G (3rd gen) renders from a couple of weeks back, along with a variety of other unconfirmed leaks. I think it's safe to assume that Motorola is going with a design for 2015 that incorporates a vertical metal housing alongside its phones' back plates that holds the camera, flash, and dimple. This particular phone looks a lot like a combination of last year's Moto X and a DROID Turbo. You can see a metal housing around the outside of the body, along with a covered branding at the bottom that looks a lot like where Motorola put the "DROID" logo on the Turbo (see top image for reference). The triangular design also sort of evokes that robotic or futuristic styling of the DROID brand.

New DROID (left) vs. Moto X (right)

No other details were provided with the image, but if you see something we missed, be sure to drop it in the comments below. Otherwise, what do you think of the shape? Again, it looks a lot like the back of a Moto X, which has always been a joy to hold.

Via: HelloMotoHK

Unlocked Galaxy S6 Receiving Android 5.1.1 Update

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:20:18 +0000

The rollout of Android 5.1.1 to unlocked Galaxy S6 models picked up over the weekend. This update first started rolling out to unlocked models in India a week or so ago, but now is hitting devices in additional countries, like here in the US. At least that's the case with my unlocked Galaxy S6 (SM-G920I). I would assume this is available for the Edge variant as well. The update above, which ends up as G920IDVU2COF8, showed up as a whopping 609MB file that took some time to install. Overall, there isn't much to the update outside of quicker exposure controls in the camera, alphabetical sorting in the app drawer, and the ability to remove those stupid S Finder and Quick Connect buttons in your notification shade. The the rest should be bug fixes and other improvements here or there. To grab the update head into Settings>About device>Software update.

Report: Galaxy Note 5 Confirmed to Feature 4GB of RAM, Exynos 7422 SoC

Tim — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:04:20 +0000

According to the good folks at SamMobile, a few specs for the Galaxy Note 5 have been confirmed by sources. As reported, the Note 5 will feature 4GB of RAM - aligning with the announcement of Samsung's manufacturing of said memory - as well as Samsung's new Exynos 7422 SoC. A large amount of RAM is surely welcomed, but the Exynos 7422 should also have Note fans excited. This particular SoC features a single-chip solution, combining an Octa-core 64-bit CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and Shannon 333 LTE modem all into the same package. In terms of performance, the Galaxy Note 5 is lining up to be absolutely dominant in benchmarks. Additional reports declare that the Note 5 will feature a 5.67" Super AMOLED QHD display, on top of a reworked design - much like we saw with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. As for the Note 5 not featuring a microSD slot or removable battery, that information is currently up in the air until we have official details from Samsung or a reputable leak happens. The truth is, until a phone is official, all potentially "confirmed" specs need to be taken with a whole salt shaker. We are nearing the device's unveiling, reported to be around mid-August, but in the comments section below, list out what would make the perfect Note 5 for you. Feel free to include ludicrous wishes, such as stock Android instead of TouchWiz.

Via: SamMobile [2]

HTC's Grip Fitness Band, the One You Assumed was Cancelled, Might Almost be Here!

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 10:55:49 +0000

Everyone remember the HTC Grip? No? Vaguely? The HTC Grip was the fitness band that HTC introduced during their One M9 keynote at MWC. The band was made in partnership with Under Armour and should have launched at some point in the Spring. At least, that's what HTC told us to expect and is still today what their website for the Grip says. Of course, we are in the middle of the Summer now, so it's probably time for HTC or someone to update that. I've got to be honest in saying that I assumed that this HTC Grip was either out already and no one knew, or it had been cancelled. Then again, Razer's Nabu saw a year-long delay before eventually launching. Maybe fitness bands are hard? Anyways, I bring it up today because it appears to have stopped off at Bluetooth SIG for certification within the last couple of days. The product is a "fitness band" made by HTC that was created at some point around March 4, according to this listing. That certainly makes sense, since the HTC Grip was announced on March 1.

As a recap, the HTC Grip is a fitness band that connects to Android or iPhones via Bluetooth, has a built-in GPS, is powered by Under Armor Record (UA's fitness and social platform), and should last up to 2.5 days on a single charge, but only 5 hours with GPS enabled. It could be a decent fitness band, assuming it isn't two years late to the party.

Via: Bluetooth SIG

Cheers Justin!

Huawei Watch Stops Off at FCC, Wonder If That Means It's Finally Ready

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:30:31 +0000

The last time we heard about the Huawei Watch, one of the best looking Android Wear devices to date, we were told to not expect it until September or October. For a device first unveiled on March 1, that late of a release seems like a massive delay or push-back. This weekend, the Huawei Watch stopped by the FCC, which could be a sign that the smartwatch is finally ready, maybe even a bit earlier than anticipated. As you can see from the FCC info screen and table below, Huawei isn't even attempting to hide what this product is. This is most definitely the "Huawei Watch," with FCC ID QISMERCURY and hardware version EB1MERCURYM. I think it's safe to say that the codename for this watch was "MERCURY" at one point. We aren't learning anything new here, since the device was already shown to us back in March. These FCC docs do confirm that the watch still has a 300mAh battery and 802.11b/g/n WiFi, though. Still interested?

Via: FCC

Cheers Justin!

Nexus 5 OTA Link for Android M Preview 2 Now Available

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:05:44 +0000

UPDATED: Nexus 5 link added.

Download Android M Preview 2 updates:

Nexus 5 - [MPZ79M from MPZ44Q, 182MB] - Download Link (Cheers Samuel, Scott and Andreas!)
Nexus 6 - [MPZ79M from MPZ44Q, 330MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9
Nexus Player

For instructions to sideload using adb, check here. For instructions on how to grab an OTA file, check here.

Cheers burkett375!

Here Comes Motorola's Next Line-Up of Phones All at the FCC

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 08:57:48 +0000

Last week, we told you about a new Motorola device that had stopped off at the FCC looking like the company's next unlocked flagship phone. It featured a body bigger than the DROID Turbo, supported turbo charging, 802.11ac MiMo WiFi, LTE Advanced, and almost all of the US LTE bands outside of Verizon's. We speculated that it is the rumored 5.5-inch QHD device currently hiding under codename "Kinzie." This morning, after looking through a couple of other recent Motorola FCC filings that could be new Moto G, E, or DROID line variants, we're pretty sure we found the Verizon equivalent to the phone above. Well, it may be even better than that. Let's talk briefly about them all.

Motorola "Kinzie" for all carriers (FCC ID IHDT56UC1)

The phone we covered last week fell under FCC ID IHDT56UC2, so it would make sense that an identical phone could be UC1, which we are seeing here. This phone sports the same exact dimensions, LTE-A, MiMo WiFi, and turbo charging, but differs in that it also includes support for Verizon. What makes this phone really interesting, though, is the fact that it also seems to be ready for every single other US network, along with Verizon. The "UC2" we saw last week lacked Verizon, but this phone is ready for AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. That's shocking because we tend to see phones with support for Verizon's network lack bands for those from other carriers. The only Motorola device I can think of that currently works everywhere, is the Nexus 6. I don't know exactly what this phone is, but it sounds like this year's flagship from Motorola, one that is fully unlocked and ready for whichever carrier you like.

Moto G (3rd Gen) or new DROID? (FCC ID IHDT56UB1)

Dropping things down a notch, we also stumbled upon a phone that could either be a new Moto G (3rd gen) or new DROID Mini-like device on its way to Verizon. I say that because this phone must be a mid-ranger. It has all of the band support it needs for Verizon, but it doesn't have 802.11ac WiFi, which almost all flagship phones have these days. It has a removable back, as well, which is a common feature for the Moto G and Moto E series, since Motorola likes to offer up some customization on those through interchangeable backs. The "UB1" was not tested with a Turbo Charger. This phone is also smaller than the phone above, but is close to the Turbo in size, which could drop it in around the 5.2-inch range. I'm guessing it could be some new DROID model, because it seems to big to be the new Moto G, which I'll get to in a second. I'm not sure why Motorola and Verizon would team up for a mid-range DROID phone, unless again, it's marketed like the DROID Mini was.

Moto G (3rd Gen) for Sprint? (FCC ID IHDT56QG6)

Finally, a similar phone to the mid-ranger above appears to be headed to Sprint. This phone is smaller than both of those mentioned above and lacks 802.11ac WiFi, but does have a removable back. My guess is that this is most definitely the new Moto G (3rd gen). It's dimensions match up almost identically to last year's model.

More FCC fun on the way!

Via: FCC [2] [3]

Cheers Justin!

Comcast Intros Stream TV Service for Broadband Customers, Costs an Extra $15/Month

Tim — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 08:45:47 +0000

With TV streaming services popping up all over the place, it only seems natural that another ISP would want to get in on the action. This morning, Comcast announced Stream, an add-on package available to existing broadband customers, priced at an additional $15 per month. Inside, users can access live TV from roughly a dozen major networks, including all of the major broadcast stations. An HBO package can also be thrown in, for another $15 a month. Stream needs to be coupled with an Internet package, so whatever you pay for your Internet, tack on an additional $15 to $30 a month, and there is your price for Stream. Stream can be watched via your smart device or laptop, but right now, it's not quite ready for primetime. Comcast states Stream will first be available in Boston, MA by the end of this summer as a beta test, then will rollout to Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA. If all goes well, Stream will cover most of Comcast's footprint in the US by early 2016. As someone who has thought about cutting the cord, it is interesting, but I'm always afraid of missing out on my live sporting events that is included with my TV package.

Via: Comcast

AT&T Galaxy S6 Active Gets First Update

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 07:13:16 +0000

The AT&T Galaxy S6 Active began receiving its first software update over the weekend. The update, which weighs in at 146MB and as software version G890AUCU2AOF3 (or "OF3"), only includes "Find My Mobile with Reactivation Mode." That's it. There could be some bug fixes in there as well, but AT&T isn't telling us. The update is still Android 5.0.2 and should be available if you cruise into Settings>About device>Software update>Check for updates. Here are the details, according to AT&T:

Android version: 5.0.2
Baseband version: G890AUCU2AOF3
Kernel version: 3.10.61-4969613 dpi@SWDD5615 #1
Build number: LRX22G.G890AUCU2AOF3
Upgrade file size: 146MB

Via: AT&T

Cheers Scott!

Sprint Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Get Minor Updates, Note Edge Gets Android 5.1

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 07:05:27 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, along with the Galaxy Note Edge on Sprint are all receiving updates this morning. The S6 and S6 Edge are only expected to see "various bug fixes and enhancements" in their minor bumps, but the Note Edge is jumping from Android 5.0 to 5.1. After the update, the Galaxy S6 will land on software version G920PVPU2BOFE, while the S6 Edge will be on G925PVPU2BOFE. As for the Note Edge, you are looking at a software version of N915PVPU4COFE, post update. Sprint's changelog doesn't mention new features with the 5.1 update for the Note Edge, but on stock Android, we did see easier/quicker WiFi and Bluetooth management, plus HD Voice integration and device protection. Tough to say if any of that made it into this phone, since Samsung does as it pleases with Android. To grab the updates, head into Settings>About phone.

Via: Sprint [2] [3]

Don't Miss These Android Stories: 7/10/15

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 15:20:28 +0000

What a week, right? We got Android M Preview 2, I've found love for the Nexus 6 again, DROID Turbo owners are basking in Lollipop sweetness, and T-Mobile really wants you to travel to Canada and Mexico. But not only that, we had new rumors surrounding the Galaxy Note 5, new Motorola phones to keep an eye on, and fresh OnePlus 2 specs to talk about.

Below, as is always the case on Fridays, you will find a recap of all of the biggest stories in case you missed anything.

Video: Android M Preview 2 Tour!
Android M Features: All of the new Android M Preview 2 features.
Download: Android M Preview 2.
I like the Nexus 6 again...I really do.
T-Mobile: New Uncarrier Amped is free talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada.
Galaxy Note 5 may arrive in August because Samsung is scared of Apple.
DROID Turbo owners weigh in on life with Lollipop.
OnePlus 2: All sorts of new details, thanks to AMA.
Another report suggesting Huawei is making the next Nexus phone.
Action Launcher 3 introduces the Quickbar this week - it's pretty sweet.
Instagram finally gets 1080x1080 pictures. Finally.
Free: Fleksy keyboard drops price, is worth a look.
Icons: Sunshine Icons are nice.
Motorola: Flagship-like Motorola phone hits the FCC!

Try not to melt out there.

Here is Another Report Claiming That Huawei is Making a Nexus Phone

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:57:06 +0000

Back in March, we first heard a rumor that Huawei was making the next Nexus smartphone (or at least one of them). We leaned towards believing it at the time, because a source of ours gave us the equivalent of a virtual wink when asked about it. Since that initial report, we have seen at least three others, all claiming to have heard similar stories. In case you needed another, take yesterday's report from The Information's Amir Efrati as the fifth in the past four months to suggest that Google and Huawei are holding hands in Nexus land. Efrati has a solid track record when it comes to Google-related inside info, so I wouldn't take this latest report lightly. If you were looking for juicy new details, though, you won't find them here. This new report simply mentions that Huawei will become the "first mainland China" manufacturer to get Nexus making duties. It also talks about Huawei using this partnership with Google to make better phones going forward. So, yeah, Huawei Nexus! (Again.)

Via: The Information (subscription)

Video: Android M Preview 2 Overview!

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 12:18:39 +0000

Yesterday, Google gave us an updated Android M Developer Preview 2 that had a good handful of tweaks and changes that we pointed out through a series of Android M feature posts. But since we realize that not everyone wants to read through each individual post, we went ahead and put together a quick video of each of the changes in action. In the clip below, you'll see the tweaked app drawer, new Storage and Memory areas in settings, fully-featured System UI Tuner (with status bar options!), and how you can quickly delete screenshots. None of this stuff is game-changing or even ground-breaking, but it certainly adds some polish to that original preview. Should we find other little goodies, we will be sure to pass along that info.

[responsive_vid]

Here is a Reversible Micro USB Cable on Kickstarter, Just in Time for USB Type-C

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:53:33 +0000

With the next round of flagship phones from OnePlus, Google, and Samsung almost upon us, we are about to usher in an era that ditches the microUSB port in favor of the much more user-friendly and feature-rich USB Type-C. USB Type-C is not only reversible, but it also transfers data and power faster, while acting as an extender for all sorts of dongles. It's going to be awesome when our phones have USB Type-C ports. But what about current phones that won't ever be able to access the fun that is a reversible UBS Type-C? Well, they could turn to this newly launched Kickstarter for a product called the Micro-Flip, which is a reversible microUSB cable. The campaign kicked off this week, jumping out to a early $7,000 in funding within a few hours. It hasn't moved much in the last 24 hours, but with a funding goal of $15,000, it could get there in a matter of days depending on how the tech crowd reacts to it. The Micro-Flip doesn't offer any additional features outside of being reversible, but that may be enough of a reason for some of you to buy it. I have seem some concern over at reddit from folks who think this could put too much pressure or odd angles on your phone's microUSB port if used enough times, and that it may reduce the port's life. That would not be good for obvious reasons. The Micro-Flip can be had for as little as $12. Its creators hope to close funding by mid-August before shipping in October.

Via: Kickstarter

Here's Another Mystery HTC Device at the FCC on Its Way to Verizon

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:14:25 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, we noticed two new HTC smartphones that had stopped off at the FCC on their way to Verizon. Today, another revealed itself, and yes, it's also on its way to Big Red. What Verizon and HTC are doing with three new phones is beyond me, but that is the scenario here. The newest phone to show itself is, again, a "smartphone" under FCC ID NM80PM9300. If that sounds familiar, that's because one of the other devices dropped in as NM80PM9400. The third from a couple of weeks back was NM80PM3100, so it's not fitting our scheme here. In this new filing, we are getting a bit more information, though, and that's by way of a model number attached to the FCC label. That model number is HTCD200LVW (VW for Verizon Wireless). After looking at the "D200" section and also the fact that this phone doesn't even have 802.11ac WiFi, I'd be willing to guess that this, like the other mystery phone, is a mid-ranger - maybe even a new Desire model.

If you needed further confirmation that this is a Verizon phone, look no further than the chart below that shows all of Verizon's bands (both CDMA and LTE) being tested. Yep, this is a Verizon phone.

Move along.

Via: FCC

Verizon's LG G3 is Getting an Update Today, Hopefully to Fix All of Its Many Issues

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 07:46:25 +0000

The LG G3 on Verizon did not benefit from Lollipop. Sure, everything on the phone looks prettier without KitKat, but that prettiness, unfortunately, has also meant having a phone that hardly performs normal (and critical) smartphone functions. Don't believe me? Go look at Verizon's community forum for the G3. It's all lawsuit threats, complaints about this or that bug, and users asking how they can go back to Android 4.4. Almost immediately after the phone received its update to Android 5.0, the complaints started. Here we are almost three months later and they haven't even slowed. With that said, I may have good news, frustrated G3 owners. An update is ready to rollout to your phone! Verizon approved the update yesterday during all of that Android M madness, so we are just now sharing. But yes, this update is ready as VS98524B or "24B." The changelog speaks of Bluetooth, Interruptions, and Advanced Calling tweaks that you probably do not care one bit about. If this update doesn't also include a massive amount of bug fixes, then it is a complete failure. Go grab the update and then tell us if your phone is stable again for the first time in three months. To try and pull the update, head into Settings>About phone>Check for updates.

Via: Verizon

Report: Samsung Will Release the Galaxy Note 5 in August, Because Apple.

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 07:27:25 +0000

The Wall Street Journal reported late last night that Samsung is going to move up the launch of the Galaxy Note 5 because it wants a cushion between the launch of its next flagship and the refreshes that Apple will likely introduce in September. The phone will now be unveiled (and potentially launched) in mid-August instead of during September's IFA conference, which has long-been the spot for Samsung to give us a new Note. As a recap, the Galaxy Note 5 is largely thought to feature a USB Type-C port and no micro SD slot. Most of the rest of the features are still a mystery at this point or are fluffy rumors floating around forums. Samsung is also expected to finally debut Samsung Pay alongside the Note 5. I wouldn't be opposed to an early release, that's for sure. The summer can often be painfully long without smartphone releases, so yes, bring it on, Samsung. Also, the Galaxy Note 4 (our review) was a fabulous device that should only get better, assuming Samsung takes the focus it put into the Galaxy S6 and drops a bucketload of it on this new Note.

Via: Wall Street Journal

New Inbox Widgets Let You Quickly Set Reminders or Compose Emails

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 16:02:03 +0000

According to Inbox by Gmail G+ page, a recent update to the Inbox on Android app introduced two new widgets - one for setting reminders and another for composing emails. The widgets are indeed on my phone after a recent update (at least I think that's when they showed up) and I could see them coming in handy. For one, both the reminder and compose widgets can be dragged into a folder or in the app dock, just like an app icon. With that functionality, you don't have to just set them on your home screen. They are still added as if they were widgets, but again, they really just function like an app shortcut. With each on a home screen, you get to setup which Google account they attach reminders to or compose emails from, assuming you have more than one Google account. Once that has been set, a simple tap launches a compose window or new reminder prompt. Check 'em out. Play Link

Via: +Inbox by Gmail

New OnePlus 2 Details: 3300mAh Battery, LTE Bands, Priority Invite System

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 15:08:23 +0000

The OnePlus crew sat down for an AMA over at reddit this morning and ended up answering a whole bunch of questions about the upcoming OnePlus 2, meaning they revealed new details that we had not yet heard. For one, we now know the battery size, that the phone will be smaller than the original OnePlus One, which LTE and GSM bands will be supported, and when you can get one through the invite system. They had four OnePlus members in the AMA, so it took a bit to get through it all. Below, in quick bulleted format, you can see the most revealing answers they gave. There were also some comments one OxygenOS and fixes they have been working on for the original OnePlus One, but we focused on the new device. This is what we know now:

Phone size: OnePlus 2 is smaller than the original OnePlus One.
Battery: Larger 3300mAh battery.
Navigation buttons: Will they be on-screen or capacitive or option for either? "We have a solution in place that will satisfy everyone."
Network bands: US GSM model (GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/8 FDD-LTE: Bands: 1/2/4/5/7/8/12/17)
Network bands: Europe GSM model (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/5/8 FDD-LTE: Bands: 1/3/5/7/8/20)
Keynote viewing: There will be options for watching with or without VR.
Colors: "This year StyleSwaps are gonna be much much better." - when asked if Sandstone Black will be back.
Invite system: Early supports will be prioritized this time around.

Add all of that to the Snapdragon 810, 4GB RAM, less-than-$450 price tag, and USB Type-C and you have a pretty great sounding phone.

Via: reddit

Cheers flosserelli!

Android M Feature: You Can Delete Screenshots From Their Notification Previews!

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:12:37 +0000

Look! A delete button in a screenshot notification preview on stock Android! I know that OEMs like Samsung built in this option long ago, but in the new Android M Preview 2, Google has added it as well. So, after spamming off screenshots, you can share or delete them. That is all.

Be sure to catch up on all of the other new Android M features!

Android M Feature: The System UI Tuner Now Lets You Shut Off Icons in the Status Bar

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:00:01 +0000

Remember the System UI Tuner that showed up in the original Android M Preview? You know, the hidden developer option that would allow you to tweak the settings toggles in the notification shade? It's back in the Android M Preview 2, only more powerful than ever. First off, in order to change these settings, you need to enable the System UI Tuner, which can be done by heading into Developer options and then toggling on "Show SystemUI Tuner." Once there, back out to the main settings menu and you should see the System UI tuner situated below "About phone." Ready? So, we still have the quick settings options where you can drag and drop, rearrange, add/remove tiles. It seems to be a bit more stable this time around as well, so feel free to tweak away.

Where this gets really cool, is in the "Status bar" section. This area allows you to hide or show all of the icons that may show up in your status bar, from WiFi icons to do not disturb and alarm icons to the cellular data signal icon. Seriously, that annoying Bluetooth icon that you wish would go away even though you have Bluetooth enabled, can be turned off! How awesome is that? Finally, we now have the option to show an embedded battery percentage in the battery icon when the phone isn't charging. That means that you no longer have to swipe down the notification shade twice to see the battery percentage of your phone. There is another setting for "Demo mode," but after enabling it, I couldn't tell you what it does.

[responsive_vid]

Be sure to catch all of the other new Android M features!

Android M Feature: Google Cleans Up "Storage & USB" Menu, Adds Quicker File Manager Access

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:32:32 +0000

In the Android M Preview 1, Google introduced a tweaked Storage manager to simplify the experience from preview Android builds. In the new Android M Preview 2 they went ahead and continued the overhaul, this time going with a very minimal styling that also gives you quicker access to Android's built-in file manager. They also renamed the setting to "Storage & USB." As you can see in the screenshots below, when accessing the internal storage section, the colors and segmented meter for which types of files are taking up storage are gone. Now, you just have a single bar to show you the total storage being used, along with simple text at the top of the section to clearly tell you the amount of used space and total space. From there, you have familiar sections for things like Apps, Images, Videos, Audio, and Other. You can tap on each one like you could in previous Android builds, but something about this revamped section seems quicker to access the filer manager. If you tap on Images, you quickly load into a folder containing images. You can do the same for videos or audio as well. For whatever reason, Google removed the Downloads option. One other new change is the Explore option at the bottom of the list, which brings you into the internal file manager. From there, you can browse all of the files on your internal storage pretty easily.

One thing I found interesting is the fact that its now called "Storage & USB," but if you tap on it, you are taken immediately to your internal storage manager. My guess is that if you have USB storage attached (or maybe even an SD card inserted), you will be given the choice as to which you would like to access. I'll see what I can do to confirm this. More coming!

Be sure to catch all of the other new Android M features!

Android M Feature: Google Gives Memory It's Own Setting for Quick Access

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:19:16 +0000

In the original Android M preview, Google added in a Memory management setting that was tucked inside the Apps section. In this Memory setting, you could see how much RAM your system or individual apps were using based on 3/6/12-hour increments up to 1 full day. It was a handy feature for those looking at system hogs, but unfortunately, unless you knew to look in Settings>Apps>Advanced>Memory, you probably didn't know it existed. In the new Android M Preview 2 that just dropped, Google has pulled this Memory manager out from the depths of settings hell, and given it a prime spot in the general settings menu. Just under Battery and above Users, you will now see Memory. They also cleaned up the UI quite a bit, making it much easier on the eyes. Thanks, Google.

Be sure to catch all of the other new Android M features!

Google Includes Google Now on Tap in Android M Preview 2...Sort Of

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:10:16 +0000

We didn't think Google was going to bring out Google Now on Tap until the final preview build of Android M was released, but in this new Preview 2, they appear to be gearing up to let us either test it or are just setting up for that final preview. We say that because we are seeing a setting to enable and then opt-in to Google Now on Tap as I type this. In order to access the option, long press on your home screen running the M Preview 2, choose "Settings," then "Now cards." From there, you can toggle Now on Tap to "on," before it will ask you to "Opt In On Tap!" See the screenshots below to see how this whole setup looks. After that, well, you would think that you would have access to Google Now on Tap, but we aren't able to get it to work just yet. A long-press on the home button in any screen still shows us the "Cards about the screen you were just viewing aren't available in this release" message from Preview 1. We'll keep playing around with it to see if we can get it to work. It could also be that we need Google to green-light it.

Cheers PC_Tool!

Be sure to catch all of the other new Android M features!

Download: Android M Preview 2 OTA Updates

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:51:16 +0000

UPDATED: Nexus 9 link added.

Download Android M Preview 2 updates:

Nexus 5 - [MPZ79M from MPZ44Q, 182MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 - [MPZ79M from MPZ44Q, 330MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 - [MPZ79M from MPZ44Q, 344MB] - Download Link
Nexus Player

For instructions to sideload using adb, check here. For instructions on how to grab an OTA file, check here.

Nexus 6: Cheers burkett375!

Nexus 5: Cheers Samuel, Scott and Andreas!

Nexus 9: Cheers Nick!

Android M Feature: Google Already Tweaked Preview 1's Odd App Drawer

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:39:20 +0000

We are just now diving into the new Android M Preview 2 that was released moments ago, but already, some things are standing out that have been tweaked. Everyone remember the vertically scrolling, alphabet-heavy app drawer that was included in Preview 1? Google already changed it quite significantly. We aren't sure if they changed it over the criticism others placed upon it, or if that was simply a test of one layout before another test of a newly tweaked layout began. So what changed? Not much, but it does seem more cleaned up. It still scrolls vertically. We also still have the four more recently used apps at the top of it. We even have a search box, so that you can quickly locate apps. What we don't have are the odd groupings of apps into alphabetical categories. Instead, we have a much more traditional looking app drawer that is always 4-apps wide. You can still quick scroll by letter if you grab the right edge, but you no longer have those letter indicators throughout the left side. You can see a comparison of the two above, with the Preview 2 drawer on the left and the original Preview 1 drawer on the right. On a related note, the widget picker now has a quick scrolling option for finding widgets alphabetically. Just grab along that right edge and then swipe up or down to find the right widget. What do you think of the small changes?

Be sure to catch all of the other new Android M features!

Android M Developer Preview 2 Now Available! (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 11:34:04 +0000

Go! Go! Go! The Android M Developer Preview 2 is now available for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player. The Nexus 5, 6, and 9 are getting build MPZ79M, while the Nexus Player gets MPZ79N. These, like previous previews, are in the form of a factory image that requires adb in order to flash if you want them immediately. However, Google does appear to be pushing over-the-air (OTA) updates to preview 2 for those on preview 1. Feel free to check in Settings>About to see if the update is live for you. If it's not there yet, Google says that it should show up "within a few days of availability." Links: Preview 2 Changes | Downloads UPDATE: We are compiling a list of the Android M Preview 2 OTA files here. UPDATE 2: we are also compiling a list of the new features or tweaks, all of which can be found here. For instructions on how to flash these factory images, hit up this post. This is what Google had to say about this update:

Android M Developer Preview 2 is an incremental update to the Android M preview platform that was originally released in May 2015. The update includes a variety of enhancements and bug fixes made across the system, including those related to issues reported by developers through the external issue tracker.

As for what's new, Google added a whole batch of permissions changes, but that's all they are really telling us. In terms of issues, they actually did include a list of known bugs, but none of them are all that critical to day-to-day functionality from what we can tell. To view the full list hit up the Preview 2 link above. Here is a short list:

Android Platform Changes:

Modifications to platform permissions including external storage, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth location, and changes to contacts/identity permissions. Device connections through the USB port are now set to charge-only mode by default. To access the device, users must explicitly grant permission.

API Changes:

Updated Bluetooth Stylus APIs with updated callback events. View.onContextClickListener and GestureDetector.OnContextClickListener to listen for stylus button presses and to perform secondary actions.

Updated Media API with new callback InputDevice.hasMicrophone() method for determining if a device microphone exists.

Fixes for developer-reported issues:

TextInputLayout doesn't set hint for embedded EditText. (fixed issue)

Camera Permission issue with Legacy Apps (fixed issue)

Finally, Google is including Google Play Services 7.6 in the update.

More: Android Developers Blog

Google Makes Editing and Reviewing Easier in Docs, Sheets, and Slides on Android

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 11:11:57 +0000

During yesterday's #updatewednesday, where we didn't see the update to Hangouts 4.0, we did get updates to Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets that should improve the experience for those who spend days in documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Google made it easier for users to edit titles or rename files directly from the overflow menu, added the ability to change slide layouts to predefined layouts on mobile, and gave people the commenting power when in "Office Compatibility Mode" in the Docs app. Here is the full list of changes:

People can now edit document, spreadsheet, and presentation titles directly from the overflow menu in the top right corner of each app, making renaming files faster and simpler.
Within the Slides app, individuals can now change the layout of an existing slide to one of several predefined layouts, allowing them to update presentations on mobile more effectively.
People can now reply to comments when working in Office Compatibility Mode in the Docs app. In addition, when in OCM, suggestions and comments now appear in the Comments panel in the order they were made—rather than as all comments first and all suggestions second.

Play Links: Docs | Sheets | Slides

Via: Google Apps Updates

Tip: You Can Now Drag & Drop Photos Into Hangouts in Gmail and the Chrome Extension

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 10:23:55 +0000

Mayur Kamat, the product manager of Hangouts and Google Voice, shared some non-Hangouts 4.0 news with us this morning that still should bring some of you some pleasure. You can now drag and drop photos in Hangouts conversations in Gmail and the Chrome extension! I'm trying not to overdo my excitement here, but if any of you have ever tried to share photos in a Hangouts conversation, you know that this is a big deal. Before today, if you dragged a photo into a Hangouts conversation, it would wipe out your entire page, replacing it with a massive preview of that image in your browser. In order to share, you had to tap the little photo sharing icon, then drag and drop to that window. It was tedious, at best. Sooooo, as Kamat mentions, all you need to do is refresh your Gmail or reload your Chrome extension and the drag/drop goodness should start working.

Via: +Mayur Kamat

I'm Using the Nexus 6 Right Now...and Dammit, I Kind of Like It

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:50:49 +0000

I reviewed the Nexus 6 some eight months ago now, saying that it was the best Nexus yet and that everyone should try to get their hands on it at some point to see if they could handle the whale-like size. That was one of the last times I spent serious time with "shamu," because for me, this big of a phone is just too much to handle. And not only that, but the Galaxy S6 arrived shortly after, a phone that I still would consider to be the best phone you can currently buy. Over the last couple of weeks, though, something happened to my T-Mobile Galaxy S6. It has become a total lagfest of a disaster that needs constant reboots and RAM wipes and task kills in order to function. I don't know why this is happening, but I'm leaning towards blaming the Android 5.1.1 update that it received in mid-June. My unlocked Galaxy S6 that is still on 5.0.2 seems to be fine. Because of the recent frustrations that the Galaxy S6 gods have pushed down upon me, I've found myself firing up a Nexus 6. I couldn't tell you what brought me this way instead of to the G4 or Moto X or variety of other phones on my desk (that's a lie, I'm about to tell you why), but this is where I'm at. And you know what, as big of a sea creature as this may be, I'm kind of liking it at the moment. Like, really liking it.

Give me stock Android every single day, bruh.

Samsung did its best to tone down TouchWiz on the Galaxy S6, but there is nothing like stock Android. The Nexus 6, with its Android 5.1.1, runs so incredibly well, without a stutter or, as Tim would put it, jank. The animations and transitions and swiping gestures all look so good and are so fast. We know that Google built Lollipop with the Nexus 6 in hand, but man, it's so obvious when you use this phone for five minutes. The little things like notification expansion in the notification shade or lock screen work like they are supposed to. You don't need extra swipe ups or downs or taps like you do in TouchWiz or on whatever garbage LG skin is on the G4. The settings aren't in some odd place, buried underneath pages or other settings that are impossible to find. And let's not forget about how much Google seems to have improved features like Ambient Display, which is their take on Motorola's Moto Display. It actually works properly and regularly now! Notifications that come in with your screen off show up and give you info, unlike on the Galaxy S6 or G4. You know how much I love Moto Display, so to have something like this back in my life has been such a reminder of how little tweaks to Android phones can make such a big difference in experience. I haven't even mentioned the fact that this is already running the newest version of Android 5.1.1 because that's sort of a given with Nexus phones, but hey, it's important. It's also really important when you think about what I just said about the T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and the fact that I think its recent update has taken its toll on the phone. With this Nexus 6, I'd expect an update pretty quickly to address any issues that came in the last update. With that Galaxy S6, who knows when it'll get its next update. The Nexus 6 has basically already received four or five updates since its November launch to address bugs. That's incredible.

This hardware is nice.

A whale is a whale, but I'd be lying if I couldn't admit that the hardware that Motorola has built here is top notch. From the soft touch back to the metal frame to the dual speaker setup on the front to the ergonomics of its body, this phone feels great in your hand. It feels like a premium device. Again, it might be too large of a device for 50% of the world, but there is no denying the quality. And look, they even managed to put the power and volume buttons in non-annoying places. How about that, HTC and LG?

The camera is fine...it'll do.

If I'm going to spend some serious time with the Nexus 6, the hardest part (outside of curling a 5lb phone every time I need to use it) will be leaving the Galaxy S6 camera behind. That camera, as we have said on numerous occasions, is the best in the business. But the Nexus 6 camera is quite capable. I said as much in my review and would tend to stand by that idea even today. It's not ultra fast, but it can take a good photo. When you need a picture of a crab tater tot in low light, it can deliver good enough results. With a phone like the Moto X, you go in knowing that your photo will suck. With the Nexus 6, you at least can have confidence in knowing that there is at least a chance.

Extra goodies are a big deal.

Beyond the stock Android experience and nice hardware design, I can't help but think about the other goodies here that make this phone a joy (at least at the moment). I'm talking about turbo charging, wireless charging, front facing dual speakers, a beautiful QHD AMOLED display, on-screen navigation buttons, and a phone that is fully unlocked, with support for almost every damn carrier on the planet. It's even ready for Project Fi...assuming Google likes you enough to send you an invite.

So...

So is this my new "best phone you can buy today?" No. Come on. It's still a whale. But dammit, I like this whale right now. I went back and read my review and still feel like I did then all these months later. This phone is fun to use because it's so big. It's also a pain in the ass at times, because it's so big. But with stock Lollipop running this good, while other OEMs muck up Android with their different variations of lag-by-bloat, this phone is worth another look still today.

LG Announces the G4 Beat, a Decent Mid-Range Phone That Hates the US

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:19:39 +0000

Late last night, LG announced the G4 Beat, the "newest variant of its widely praised LG G4 flagship smartphone." The G4 beat, like others in the mid-range category from LG, sounds like a decent device, except that it won't ever come to the US. This is a phone destined for Europe and Latin America and other "key" markets. The G4 Beat sports a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display, Snapdragon 615 (octa-core) processor, 4G LTE, 8MP (or 13MP depending on market) camera with Laser Auto Focus and Color Spectrum Sensor, 5MP front camera, 1.5GB RAM, 2300mAh removable battery, and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. See, not bad for a mid-ranger. The phone comes in silver, white or gold, and looks a lot like the regular G4, only smaller. Yes, that still-can't-get-used-to back button situation is included. Interested? Move to Canada.

LG G4 BEAT DELIVERS PREMIUM DESIGN, SUPERIOR FEATURES IN A MID-TIER PACKAGE

Advanced Display, Advanced Camera and Striking Design Come Together to Create an Exceptional Phone Without the Exceptional Price
SEOUL, July 9, 2015 ― LG Electronics (LG) officially unveiled its newest variant of its widely praised LG G4 flagship smartphone. The LG G4 Beat1 retains the best features and functions of the LG G4, delivering value without compromising performance or usability. The LG G4 Beat will make its debut this month in key markets in Europe and Latin America, including France, Germany and Brazil before rolling out globally in markets such as Canada, India, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and Turkey, among others. The LG G4 Beat comes with a 5.2-inch Full HD IPS Display, which is clearer, sharper and more responsive than anything offered by LG before in this category. A powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 615 processor running eight cores at 1.5GHz with integrated 4G LTE delivers an optimal balance of power, performance and battery life. LG G4 Beat’s camera features are equally as impressive as the hardware. On the back is a 8MP camera 2, supported by LG’s exclusive Color Spectrum Sensor and Laser Auto Focus. Manual Mode, one of the most acclaimed features in the G4, allows full creative control over every detail in each shot. LG also enhanced the 5MP front-facing shooter with Gesture Interval Shot to allow users to take four consecutive selfies with a single hand gesture, increasing the odds of capturing that perfect shot. “Too often, mid-tier phones sacrifice overall usability in order to include that one killer feature,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Our goal with the LG G4 Beat was to create a phone that was not only well- balanced in terms of display, camera, performance and design but delivered terrific value and satisfaction.” Highlights and Features of the LG G4 Beat are:

High Performance Multimedia made possible by a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 615 Processor with Octa-Core performance and speed, which can handle Full HD 1080p playback at 60fps and capture at 30fps.

Color Spectrum Sensor to measure the exact RGB and infrared values of ambient light and objects, resulting in colors that are truer to nature.

Manual Mode to give users fine control over every detail of a shot, including shutter speed, ISO, exposure and white balance.

Gesture Interval Shot improves on the original Gesture Shot by increasing the chance of getting that perfect shot even under challenging conditions. Prices and details of availability will be announced locally at the time of launch.

Key Specifications:

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 615 Processor

Display: 5.2-inch Full HD IPS LCD (1920 x 1080, 423ppi)

Memory: 8GB eMMC ROM / 1.5GB RAM

Camera: Rear 8MP LDAF (13MP in Latin America) / Front 5MP

Battery: 2,300mAh (removable)

Operating System: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop

Size: 142.7 x 72.6 x 9.85mm

Weight: 139g

Network: 4G LTE / HSPA+ 42.2Mbps (3G)

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g, n / Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / A-GPS / Glonass / USB 2.0

Colors: Metallic Silver / Ceramic White / Shiny Gold

Other: In-Cell Touch / Color Spectrum Sensor / Gesture Interval Shot / Full HD 1080p Video

# # #

Facebook is Giving You More Control Over Your News Feed, Just Not a Default "Recent Posts" Setting

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:38:24 +0000

Facebook announced this morning that it is ready to give you more control over what shows up your feed on a daily or hourly basis. The social network wants to "show you the stories that matter most," but because algorithms can only do so much, they want you to fine-tune the whole experience through new News Feed Preferences. Starting today on iOS, then Android and desktop in who knows how many weeks, you will see a new News Feed Preferences screen that gives you options for prioritizing people to always see first, another two for unfollowing or reconnecting with people, and even one for discovering new pages. The video below shows you how this simple interface will work, but basically you get screens with your friends or recently unfollowed foes that can be quick tapped for multiple selections. If you prioritize someone, their posts will show up at the top of your feed with little stars next to them as proof that they are a priority.

Of course, Facebook refuses to let you set the option we all want as the default - Recent Posts. For whatever reason, Facebook views algorithms and fine-tuning as king over the simple idea that you may want to read things in order that aren't randomly at the top of your feed from three days ago. Again, these new customizable options are available on iOS today. Android users, whatever.

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Via: Facebook

T-Mobile Uncarrier Amped 2: Talk, Text, and 4G LTE in Canada and Mexico at No Extra Cost

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 06:35:13 +0000

T-Mobile's Uncarrier Amped is back this morning with an announcement called "Mobile without Borders." What's that, you ask? According to T-Mobile, their Simple Choice plans now include talk, text, and 4G LTE data without extra cost when in Mexico or Canada. This is a "first-of-its-kind" move, because US carriers tend to rob you of every last penny when you take your phone across one of this country's borders. So how does this all work? Well, we are diving into this as deeply as we can today to try and explain all of the quirks (if there are any), but the basics are this. Starting July 15, calls and texts to, from, and between the US, Mexico, and Canada are included in the "latest" Simple Choice plans at no extra charge. If you are already a Simple Choice customer (prepaid or postpaid), you can opt-in online, by phone, or in-store by switching over to one of the new plans that is a part of "Mobile without Borders." You can use 4G LTE data when in Mexico or Canada as well, with data coming straight out of your plan, not through some add-on package. At this time, you won't be able to pull from your Data Stash when in Mexico or Canada, but T-Mobile says that you will be able to later this year. Wondering where exactly in Canada and Mexico this will all work? Here you go. This is a list of cities/areas.

And here is T-Mobile CEO John Legere talking about it all. The video is lengthy, probably includes swearing and bad hair, and may or may not be worth a watch. It's up to you.

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Again, we'll see what we can find out. Where are the footnotes? What's the difference between the new Simple Choice plans coming July 15 and the current ones? That sort of thing.

Via: T-Mobile

Chromecast Gets an Ethernet Adapter for Those Spotty WiFi Rooms in Your House

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 15:23:04 +0000

You know how your Chromecast is tucked behind your TV, in a basement family room, far away from your wireless router, and so its connection typically isn't the best? Google wants to fix that with a power source for the Chromecast that doubles as an ethernet adapter. The accessory popped up today on the Google Store, but has since sold out (or was pulled by Google). Assuming it shows up again with stock, Google wants $15 for it. That's not a terrible price for a power/ethernet adapter, but it seems a bit crazy knowing that the actual Chromecast unit runs just $35. Anyone interested? If so, we'll be sure to let you know when it's back in stock. Google Store Link

HTC Vive Experience Hits the Road, First Stop is San Diego July 9-12

Tim — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:06:43 +0000

For fans of virtual reality, HTC is sending its Vive VR headset on tour across the country, with its first stop planned to be San Diego on July 9 through 12. When the Vive truck rolls up, you can play with Vive, and see what all of the fuss has been about. Coinciding with Comic-Con, which is also taking place during this time in San Diego, HTC invites anyone to come see a few Vive demos, and experience the platform first-hand. We don't have an official address for where the truck will be, but we can safely assume it will be somewhere around the Comic-Con event. Also, HTC Vive now has a Twitter account so you can stay up to date on everything Vive.

Google Messenger, Google's Good Messaging App, Got New Features Today

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 13:37:42 +0000

Google's Messenger application, the messaging app with an modern UI that they actually update regularly with awesome features (looking at you, Hangouts), received an update today that, well, introduces awesome new features. In the update, which drops in as v1.4.044, you will find stickers (plus sticker pack add-ons) and the ability to share your location. You will find both the stickers and location sharing options through the attachment button. A swipe up in the sticker screen will expand your sticker selection to a full screen experience that gives you the opportunity to add on additional sticker packs. If I'm being honest, I can't help but give Google a thumbs up for these - most are well done and just silly enough to make them useful and fun. The stickers send as MMS with animations.

As for the location sharing, Google is letting you quickly share your exact location or you can swipe up to an expanded map view with search and location selecting. The locations share as an MMS with a clickable images of the map, plus a link that will open the location in Google Maps.

You can update through Google Play or via .apk below. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Verizon Galaxy S5 Gets Minor Update

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 12:30:45 +0000

Verizon's Galaxy S5 variant is receiving an update today to version VRU2BOE1. The update is minor, as the title of this post suggests, only bringing with it the Galaxy Apps store (bloat!) and fingerprint scanner unlocking for Microsoft Exchange accounts. That's it! The update appears to be live for most, so feel free to check for it in Settings>About phone>Check for updates. You will find the official update document below, but we should point out that this document is dated 6/29/15, while a document of an older build (VRU1BOD5) that your phone might already be running is dated 7/7/15. Who knows what Verizon is doing there. In the end, BOE1 seems to be the version hitting phones today.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Jake, Mike, and Max!

T-Mobile's Next Uncarrier "Amped" Announcement Arrives Tomorrow Morning

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 12:13:58 +0000

T-Mobile will continue its Uncarrier Amped! initiative with a new announcement tomorrow morning at 9AM Eastern (6AM Pacific). The carrier is hosting a call for media who want to join CEO John Legere and COO Mike Sievert in a Q&A session. If you follow them on Twitter, you can also hear the news as it is announced. The media alert that we just received doesn't give any hints as to what we can expect, only that it is "industry-rattling." Oooooh. After adding to their JUMP! program with JUMP! On Demand, I would imagine this will be another previously announced Uncarrier move, only with a twist. Stay tuned for more.

Via: T-Mobile

Sony Launches Live Screen Sharing App for Select Devices, Stream Live to Twitch and YouTube

Tim — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 11:49:07 +0000

A new app called Live Screen Sharing for select Sony devices is now available on Google Play, granting users the ability to livestream gameplay from mobile games directly to Twitch and YouTube. Why is this cool? Because who knows, maybe you could be the next PewDiePie. Upon running the app on top of a game, you will see a hovering control board for getting your livestream going. Depending on whether you opt for Twitch or YouTube, the layout will change. Overall use is simple -- there is a Broadcast button, Record to Device button, Mic button, Video button to enable the front-facing camera to capture your beautiful mug, and a Settings button. In order to get your livestreams up and running on YouTube, make sure you enable your account to do so right here. If your account is in good standing, you should have no issues. The only other problem stems from Sony's device requirements, which currently sits at just the Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z4, unreleased Xperia Z4v, and Xperia Z4 Tablet. Boo. If you own a compatible device, check it out, then report back to us. Play Link

Via: Sony

The Force is Strong With This One: Official Star Wars App Released to Google Play

Tim — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 09:52:54 +0000

Disney, masters of the Star Wars universe, launched an official Star Wars app for Android onto Google Play this morning. Inside, Star Wars fans can track franchise news, watch official videos, play with a Star Wars soundboard, and so much more. As you can see from the above header image, I became pals with Yoda thanks to the Selfie feature in the app, but I could also hang out with Vader or a Stormtrooper, on a variety of different Star Wars locations. In addition to selfies, you can browse a complete catalog of Star Wars-related GIFs, perfect for any moment you may come across. These GIFs can be shared via the app, naturally. The Star Wars app also features a mini game-like Force trainer where you can hone your Jedi skills. Users can select a color scheme for the app, too, with options between Droid Blue, Empire Red, or Rebellion Green. Overall, the app is perfect for any Star Wars fan, so go ahead, download it you must! Play Link

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Verizon's Galaxy Note 4 has a 2GB Update Available Through Kies

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 09:49:33 +0000

If you own a Galaxy Note 4 through Verizon and feel like grabbing an update a bit early, feel free to plug in to a PC and get busy in Kies. According to readers of ours, a massive 2GB update is available as build N910VVRU2BOF1. It's still Android 5.0.1, though, so don't go in thinking this is a magical excursion into 5.1. So far, we aren't seeing anything notable after updating. In other words, we have no idea what the hell the 2GB is coming from. As we get an official changelog, we'll update this post and pass along the good word. If you see the update and notice anything new, let us know. You can grab Kies from Samsung here.

Cheers Justin V!

Deal: Grab a 18mm Champagne Gold Moto 360 From Best Buy for $199

Tim — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 08:44:47 +0000

Over the next 15 hours, or until supplies run out, you can pick up a 18mm Moto 360 in Champagne Gold for just $199 on the Best Buy website. Do note, with its 18mm bands, this watch is designed for those among us with petite wrists. If you need something bigger, look for a smartwatch with 22-24mm bands. Regularly priced at $229.99, buying one for $199 is $30 in savings, which may not equal much, but it's a solid deal for those in the market for a smartwatch -- especially a Gold one. However, with a new Moto 360 likely right around the corner, it may be best to wait for one with updated internals. Head on over to Best Buy to grab the deal. Best Buy Link

Cheers Brandon!

AT&T Moto X (1st Gen) Android 5.1 Lollipop Update is Rolling Out Today

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 08:12:58 +0000

We told you yesterday that the Moto X (1st gen) on AT&T was primed for a soak test of Lollipop at some point this week, with invites arriving in the inboxes of our readers. You may as well forget that we had that conversation, as AT&T updated its support pages for the device this morning, stating that Android 5.1 Lollipop is rolling out to all today. Well, it could just be in small batches with a greater rollout happening over the next few days, but because AT&T is now talking about the update publicly, we tend to believe that it's ready for everyone. After the update, you are looking at system version 222.26.1, which weighs in at 701MB. It's a big one. In order to try and pull the update, head into Settings>About phone>System updates. If you are new to Lollipop, be sure to check out this tour of Android 5.0 on a Moto X (2nd gen). While not the same phone, the update and experience are largely the same.

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Via: AT&T

Fleksy Keyboard is Now Free, Time to Give It a Try

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 06:55:03 +0000

Fleksy, a keyboard that relies on prediction and gestures to speed up the typing process, dropped its price tag today and is now free. If there was ever a time to give it a shot, now would be it. For those who already bought it, Fleksy says they are gifting $8 in free themes and extensions to thank you. We showed all sorts of love to Fleksy a couple of years back. In fact, I was using it as my daily keyboard for a very long time, but eventually found myself more comfortable with Google's keyboard as they continued to improve its look and accuracy. But Fleksy is back on my phone for now, just to see if it has improved or if the experience better fits me now. What is Fleksy? As I mentioned in the opening, it relies on prediction and swiping gestures to get work done. You can blindly type out words, then swipe to the right as Fleksy autocorrects. If it autocorrects wrong, a swipe up or down will get you to another suggested word. Two swipes to the right get you a period, but a swipe back fully deletes a word. Confused? Trust me, it's not that bad. Once you walk through the tutorial and use it for a day or two, I think you'll get used to it. That's not to say that it doesn't take quite a bit of getting used to, but it can be a really solid keyboard once you do. Keep in mind that it doesn't have gesture/swipe/trace typing. It also has one of the cleanest styles you will find in any keyboard. I'd actually argue that it's the best looking of any Android keyboard out there. It has themes too, plus "extensions" like a GIF keyboard or number row add-ons. Play Link

Via: Fleksy

Hooks is the One Notification App to Rule Them All

Tim — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 16:13:59 +0000

Trying to keep track of new movies, TV shows, weather, and everything else in life can be sometimes a real pain. Thanks to a new app available for Android called Hooks, you can notified about a great deal of things, all from one single application. For example, you can set notifications for when a new episode of Game of Thrones airs, or when a new Quentin Tarantino movie is released. Additionally, users can set alerts for upcoming weather in the area, track incoming packages from a large amount of couriers (FedEx, UPS, etc), and a ton more. These examples don't even break the surface of what kind of notifications you can receive. On top of the usefulness, the app looks and feels great, utilizing Material Design to the fullest. Adding notifications is smooth and seamless, thanks to the floating action bar. The dedicated pullout bar lets you access existing notifications, as well as Favorites. If you need help in the notification game, grab Hooks right now. Play Link

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DEAL: A Whole Bunch of Motorola Products are Discounted Significantly With This Coupon Code

Kellen — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 15:31:43 +0000

Motorola, through its MotoMakers program (a small group of their biggest fans), is hosting a massive sitewide sale on almost all of their current products. Each of their MotoMakers has been given a special coupon code that can be used to grab pretty significant discounts on items like the Nexus 6, Chromecast, Moto Hint, TurboPower chargers, Moto 360 bands, and wireless headsets. Some of these products, like their best Bluetooth headsets, are almost $50 off. The Chromecast is $10 off. Moto 360 leather bands and TurboPower chargers are almost $10 off. Seriously, these are a bunch of good deals. We aren't sure how long these will last, but we have a coupon code for you below, thanks to a friend of the site, that will get you the discount. We also listed a few of the deals, but you will want to cruise around, because there are likely many more. A few of the deals:

Nexus 6: $479.00
Chromecast: $24.50
Moto Hint: $104.99
TurboPower 15 Charger: $24.49
TurboPower Car Charger: $20.99
Moto 360 Stainless Steel Band: $55.99
Moto 360 Leather Band: $20.99
Moto 360 Charging Dock: $27.99
Boom Wireless Headset: $41.99
Sliver II Wireless Headset: $90.99
Whisper Wireless Headset: $104.99

Motorola Link COUPON CODE: MOTOMAKERMATTHEW

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Releases The Met App for Android

Tim — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:57:54 +0000

Headed to The Met soon? For Android folk, The Metropolitan Museum of Art released its official application, bringing us up to speed with the good people over on iOS. In the app, users can see what's taking place at The Met, including exhibit and events, plus additional information for each piece currently there. The app also features maps to help you navigate your way around the complex, complete with legend for exhibits, events, and artwork. While browsing, users can 'favorite' pieces inside of the app for later viewing or sharing with friends. The app also provides recommendations if it is your first time at the museum. If The Met is on your to-do list, then grab the app from Google Play by following the link below. Play Link

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Action Launcher 3 Update Introduces Quickbar, a Customizable Google Bar for Your Home Screen

Kellen — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:27:08 +0000

Action Launcher 3 received an update today that includes one major new feature that gives your home screen more power and control than ever - the Quickbar. With the Quickbar, you get to take the Google Search bar that sits on your home screen and customize the hell out of it. That means you can add app shortcuts to it (like Google Play, music apps, Instagram, etc.), menus full of favorite contacts or settings, and buttons for pulling out your side drawer. You can even customize how the Google Search function operates when tapped (voice, overlay, or the Google app). There are presets to get you going, but you can fully customize the shortcuts and order of them as you so choose. I've got to be honest - the new features that Chris Lacy has added to Action Launcher 3 over the past couple of updates have really got me considered a switch off of Nova. The update is live now. Play Link

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Report: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Won't Feature a MicroSD Card Slot

Tim — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:13:15 +0000

When potential buyers learned the Galaxy S6 would not feature a microSD slot, it's possible they quickly looked elsewhere to fill their smartphone needs. Samsung has long championed removable batteries and SD card slots, but with its latest flagship device, it looks like the company is headed in a different direction. Now, with the Galaxy Note 5 just months away, folks may want to embrace the idea that it, too, won't feature a removable battery or expandable storage. As detailed by SamMobile, Samsung included the fastest internal storage system available in the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, called UFS 2.0 (Universal Flash Storage). When directly compared to eMMC 5.0 memory found in competitor flagships, performance of UFS 2.0 proves its worthiness for most users on the market. Couple this inclusion with Samsung's need to slim down design of its smartphones, it may have become an easier choice to simply axe the microSD slot altogether. For the Note 5, we can likely expect the same thing. Samsung will want to keep it slim, staying to true to the design standards they introduced on the Galaxy S6, but not only that, UFS 2.0 utilizes a separate memory controller (data transfer management), different than the kind used by eMMC 5.0 memory. Coupling UFS 2.0 and a memory controller used for a different solution may prove to be too large of an obstacle to even attempt, lending more credit to the idea that Samsung is leaving expandable storage in the past. Lastly, look at Apple. Since the beginning, Apple has sold iPhones and iPads with differing memory tiers. You want more storage on your iPhone? You pay a premium to the manufacturer -- no slapping in a cheap microSD card you got off Amazon during a flash sale. Samsung introduced this new structure to the Galaxy lineup earlier this year, and from what we can tell, the company had zero issues selling millions of phones across the globe. In the long run, for Samsung, it becomes cheaper and more profitable to cut expandable storage support from smartphones. If the Galaxy Note 5 does launch with no removable battery and zero support for expandable storage, would you care?

Via: SamMobile

Celebrities Don't Need Tinder to Get Laid, 'Verified Profiles' Added Anyway

Tim — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:37:14 +0000

The same as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, Tinder is bringing Verified Profiles to its service. If you don't already know what Tinder is, it's a dating service where you swipe left (no) and right (yes) on potential mates. It's a simple idea, but Tinder has become an important tool for those who shy away from meeting attractive strangers in real life. The Verified Profiles will be used to allow celebrities, athletes, and other notable members of our society to stand above the rest of us regulars. When you view these verified profiles, a single blue checkmark will be placed by their photos, letting you know not to expect any reciprocated feelings of attraction. This change is rolling out now to Tinder, so be on the lookout for a few celebs in your area. If you reside in Montana or one of the Dakotas, you may not see any Verified Profiles during your usage of the Tinder service. Best of luck on your hunt for a lover, friends.

Via: Tinder

Watch the Official Gameplay Trailer for Star Wars: Uprising RPG

Tim — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:30:42 +0000

We still don't have an official launch date for Star Wars: Uprising, except for sometime in Fall, but that won't stop me from getting excited for the upcoming role-playing game from Kabam. Set between Episode VI and The Force Awakens, you design and equip your own character, then set out to become the hero the Star Wars galaxy needs. During gameplay, players will link up with friends to create allies, then battle the Empire in real-time co-op battles within sectors. Some of the battle locations revealed so far are Hoth, Cloud City, and Burnin Konn. If you are a Star Wars fan, this should be a fun title to consume your time, given its launch a bit ahead of the theatrical release of The Force Awakens. Excited for Episode VII? I am.

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OnePlus 2 Will Have 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM

Kellen — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:15:37 +0000

I can't tell what the bigger announcement is from OnePlus, that the OnePlus 2 will have 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM or that they are done with this obnoxious (t)rollout of features until they unveil the phone on July 27. I'm leaning towards the latter. Actually no, I'm fully invested in the latter. OnePlus may have made a heck of a phone last year in the OnePlus One (our review), but my lord, they are the most obnoxious company on Earth with this #hypetrain garbage they continually vomit to keep their name in headlines. So, yay for no more feature puke! With that out of the way, yes, the phone will have 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM. Why? Because the Snapdragon 810 processor can take advantage of it and because it's easy on batteries. It's also faster than LPDDR3 RAM, so there's that. As a recap of the OnePlus 2 thus far:

Via: OnePlus

Deal: Buy a Galaxy Note 4 at Full Retail, Get $200 Rebate From Samsung

Kellen — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:03:44 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will more than likely be introduced in two months at Berlin's IFA conference. If you don't care and would rather have last year's Galaxy Note 4 at a discounted rate, then well, Samsung has a deal for you. If you buy a Galaxy Note 4 between today and July 26 at full retail, they will send you a rebate check of $200. According to Samsung's dedicated site for this promo, the deal does not include the Note 4 from Sprint or US Cellular, but that should mean that T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T models are fair game. As long as you buy the phone from a "participating carrier or national retailer of your choice," you should qualify for the $200. Of course, we can't find a list of who those carriers and retailers are, so you'll need to check with potential retailers before diving in. At the link below, you can submit your information to get the ball rolling on your rebate post-purchase. Samsung says it should take about 8 weeks for your $200 check to ship. That's not a bad deal. For example at Verizon, you would spend $699, but then receive $200 in the form of a check. $499 for a Note 4 is a good price. Samsung Promo Link (official rules)

NVIDIA SHIELD Receives Update, Includes Improved WiFi and Controller Connectivity

Tim — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 09:50:56 +0000

A small, but nice update is rolling out to NVIDIA SHIELD owners, bringing "improved WiFi and Controller connectivity." In addition, performance has been optimized for newly released apps, including Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Never Alone, and Q.U.B.E. Director's Cut. Other apps are now also available, such as FOX News (yuck), and Qello Concerts. This update is available for all to download, starting right now. Do you own a SHIELD? Enjoying it so far?

Via: NVIDIA

Samsung Q2 Profits Slide Again, Galaxy S6 Supply Shortages Blamed

Tim — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Samsung was looking for big numbers in Q2 this year, hoping the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge would carry the manufacturer solidly into the second half of 2015, but with its Q2 earnings guidance released, it appears early supply shortages hindered higher profit possibilities. According to the guidance, overall Q2 expectations have been lowered, but that does not mean Samsung had a rough quarter. Although, industry analysts would usually argue that point. Samsung's estimates operating profit falling by about 4% from last year to $6.13 billion, with sales reaching about $42.5 billion. This time last year, Samsung posted $6.25 billion in operating profit. The saying goes, "you're either growing or you're dying," and with Samsung's numbers falling year-over-year, even while not at a staggering rate, the industry seems worried. Samsung will continue to have a target on its back from overseas competitors, such as Xiaomi and Huawei, so the company will likely market the upcoming Galaxy Note 5 to great lengths to make up for any lost ground. Detailed earnings information for Q2 will be released later this month.

Via: Samsung | The Wall Street Journal

Moto X (1st Gen) on AT&T Gets Its Lollipop Soak Test

Kellen — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 07:45:49 +0000

Last week, Motorola told us that the Lollipop update for the AT&T Moto X (1st gen) was almost ready for your phone, they were just waiting on AT&T to give it the green light. AT&T must have signed off on it yesterday, because soak test invites for an "early preview of a new software release" went out to Motorola Feedback Network members. That software is Android 5.1, of course. Assuming the test starts today or tomorrow and goes well, the rest of you could have the update on your AT&T Moto X (1st gen) within the week. The last couple of Lollipop updates for devices like the Moto X (2nd gen) and DROID Turbo on Verizon pushed out to all quite quickly after the soak test started. We'll keep you updated on the status of the update.

Cheers C, B, A, S, D, and D!

Gmail Google Now Package Tracking Card is Showing Up for Some Google Apps for Work Users

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:22:39 +0000

NOTE: Holy confusion hell. Google Apps or Google Apps for Work is not your regular Gmail. Google Apps for Work is a paid suite of Google services for businesses, basically, that gives you access to Google services, but with a custom domain, like kellen@droid-life.com. We aren't talking about package tracking cards from your Gmail (kellen@gmail.com) account - that feature has been there for months if not years. We are talking specifically about Google Apps or Google Apps for Work users in this post.

If you have attached your life to a Google Apps account (like a Google Apps for Work account that uses a domain - ex: kellex@droid-life.com), you are probably well aware of its many limitations when it comes to newly introduced services or features by Google. Apps like Inbox launch first without GApps support, which can be frustrating for those who think they are on the cutting edge of technology, but are often held back by the type of Gmail account they use. One of the longest standing delays in features for Google Apps users has been full Google Now support. What I mean is that Gmail Google Now cards still to this day do not work with GApps accounts. These are cards that are created based off of emails received in your inbox, like packaging tracking cards from shipping notices or hotel, flight, and restaurant cards that created from confirmation emails. Google even states on their Google Now support pages that "Some features, such as Gmail Now cards, aren't available when using Google Now with a Google Apps account." Sucks, right? Well, we have good news! Things seem to be changing without a word out of Google. Our very own GApps machine, Tim, has seen the package tracking card within the last week, as has another reader. Look at the image above! We aren't sure if Google will make this news official in the near future or if they are just leaving it for all of us to discover on our own. We also haven't been able to confirm if the other Gmail Google Now cards are showing up, but this is at least a great start. Other Google Apps users who also use Google Now, noticed any new cards lately?

Cheers Dominick!

DROID Turbo Owners, How's Lollipop Treating You?

Tim — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 14:52:41 +0000

Last week, the DROID Turbo was updated by Verizon and Motorola to run Android 5.1, after a very long wait by owners. Given that the Turbo was running Kit Kat up until last week, Turbo owners are still probably getting used to all of the changes inside Lollipop, and we want to know how it's going for you so far. We have seen various reports from owners on reddit and XDA, claiming that battery life has been slightly affected after the update, with standby times becoming shorter thanks to Lollipop. Although, a few folks claim a factory reset will fix any battery issues. Either way, let's hear how Lollipop is treating you down in the comments section.

Best Deal Yet: Unlocked Galaxy S6 for $499 (Black, Gold, White, or Blue Available)

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 14:06:26 +0000

The best deal we have seen to date for a brand new Samsung Galaxy S6 just popped up over at eBay. For just $499, you can own an unlocked GSM Galaxy S6 in black, white, gold, or that brilliantly bright blue that has yet to make its way to any US carrier. This is model SM-G920F, which is one of the two unlocked international models of this year's flagship from Samsung. It should work without a hiccup on AT&T, but should also have no issues on T-Mobile. I'm currently using SM-G920I (the other international model) and have had great service on both carriers. At $499, you are looking at a significant discount when compared to the full retail prices that AT&T and T-Mobile charge you. T-Mobile and AT&T want $680 and $685, respectively. Free shipping is included. eBay Link

Deal: Lifetime Plan to SplashID Pro Data Management for $25

Tim — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 13:27:49 +0000

Somehow always misplacing or forgetting your most valuable information? Well, on the DL Deals Store, you can grab a lifetime plan to SplashID for just $25, valued at $100, giving you access to the same data management service that UC Davis, Adobe, and even Johns Hopkins uses. With SplashID, users can sync records to the cloud to generate backups of important information. This info can be web logins, passwords, credit card information, and much more. The service is accessible via phone, tablet, desktop app, or a browser, meaning that wherever you are, your secured data is with you. If you are in need of an online data safe, follow that link below. Features

Use SplashID on a phone, tablet, desktop or browser
Sync your records w/ the cloud, Wi-Fi or no sync at all
Get automated backups
Securely download & restore any of your last 5 backups anytime
View the SplashID dashboard for feedback on record security
Share SplashID records securely w/ other SplashID users & even non-users

Deal Link

This Icon Pack is Hot: Sunshine Icons

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 12:53:39 +0000

Need some more Material Design in your world? Sunshine Icon Pack is a set of icons that is not only free, but one that should turn almost all of your icons into Material Design beauties. This is an icon pack that is straight forward in its approach, which is to adhere to Google's latest Material Design guidelines and palette. Icons are familiar, yet refreshing and new, plus there are all sorts of color options for some of the most popular icons, like Hangouts, the dialer, or the camera app. This pack features over 1,000 icons, a handful of wallpapers, an icon request tool, and options for applying it to all of your favorite launchers. So far, I have found few apps on my phone that aren't converted over to this Material Design look. If you like a stock Android appearance on your home screen, this is an excellent way to do so while adopting Google's vision for Android across all of your icons. Play Link

Instagram Rolling Out 1080px Photos to Your Timeline

Tim — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 11:51:55 +0000

Big news for Instagram fans this morning, as a spokesman for the company confirmed plans to roll out support for the uploading of 1080px photos to the service. As most users on Android are likely aware, Instagram resizes your photos to just 640x640, but with our smartphones featuring more powerful image sensors than they did a few years ago, the uploaded photos never quite match the original photos in terms of quality. Instagram did not state when the update will be rolled out to users everywhere, but the first batch of users should start seeing a crispier feed starting today. It could be a subtle backdoor change, or could take a complete app update, but we don't know the exact specifics quite yet. I am currently running version 7.1.1 and may be seeing a bit higher quality of photos, but to the human eye, it is a bit hard to tell. Let us know if your IG feed is looking better today. Edit: Clarified to 1080px.

Via: CNET

HTC Posts Unaudited Q2 2015 Results, $166M Net Loss on $1.07B of Revenue

Tim — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 10:51:21 +0000

HTC posted its unaudited Q2 results for 2015 this morning, foreshadowing more bad news for the struggling Android OEM. Preliminary results show HTC at an operating loss of $166 million on $1.07 billion of unaudited revenue for Q2. Net loss before tax is right around $256 million, and after tax its $260 million. The unaudited numbers should match up nicely against HTC's predictions from April, which suggested the company would see a 29% revenue decrease year-over-year. Sadly, with what appears to be a solid amount of effort to promote its One M9 device, HTC can't seem to catch a break. These numbers likely won't help the company fight off possible acquisition rumors, much like the one we saw involving ASUS. However, with a new CEO at the helm as of this past March, there is still time to change things around. If we know anything about HTC, it's that they will continue to fight. We will have to wait and see HTC's finalized numbers, but things are not looking too good as of this moment.

Via: HTC

Sprint Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5 are Getting Updates Today

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 09:59:23 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5 on Sprint are both receiving minor updates today that include "Reactivation Lock updates." That's it, though, there isn't anything included, at least according to the changelogs posted to Sprint support. The Galaxy Note 4 will end up on software version N910PVPU3BOF5, while the Galaxy S5 will end up on G900PVPU3BOF6. Yep, that's it.

Via: Sprint [2]

Forget Black Friday: Amazon Introduces Prime Day, Global Shopping Event Exclusive to Prime Members

Tim — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 09:48:10 +0000

To celebrate its 20th birthday, Amazon has a special treat coming for Prime members. According to a press release, this one-day event, called Prime Day, will host more deals than that of Black Friday, where shoppers can take advantage of numerous online Lightning Deals, Deals of the Day, and receive Prime's fast, 2-day shipping for free. Exclusive to Prime members in the US, U.K., Spain, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Canada and Austria, the event is set to kick off on July 15 at midnight. At that time, users on Amazon will see new deals firing up every 10 minutes. As for what sort of deals we can expect, Amazon does not offer in specifics. However, categories will likely include electronics, toys, clothing, sports, and outdoors items. Amazon claims this day will be a bigger shopping event than Black Friday, and to pull that off, we would expect the company has some crazy deals planned. If you still are on the fence about a Prime membership, now would be a good time to sign up. And don't worry, even if you are on a free 30-day trial, you are eligible for the deals. Start the countdown.

Via: Amazon

OnePlus 2 Will Cost Less Than $450

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 08:49:20 +0000

Week 3 of the OnePlus 2 feature/announcement (t)rollout! According to OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, the phone will cost less than $450. More specifically, he can "promise that the OnePlus 2 will be priced under 450 USD." So, $449.99? As a recap of the (t)rollout, we currently know that the OnePlus 2 will feature USB Type-C, run a Snapdragon 810 (that won't melt your face off), and will be unveiled on July 27 in virtual reality.

Via: +OnePlus

Watch the Official Trailer for Telltale and Mojang's Minecraft: Story Mode

Tim — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 08:42:30 +0000

Telltale Games, the publishers of interactive story games from The Walking Dead to Game of Thrones, released a full trailer for its upcoming game made in partnership with Mojang, the creators of Minecraft. The game is called Minecraft: Story Mode, putting you in the shoes of Jesse, as he and his group of friends set out on a journey to save their little block world from total destruction. Telltale set out to create their own interpretation of the Minecraft universe, while sticking to what makes Minecraft so popular among audiences of all ages. In the Story Mode game, you won't find anything that can't be done in the full blown PC/console game, giving players that authentic feel. There are piggy pets, portals to the Nether, and of course, mobs! The full story description can be seen below.

Players will control protagonist Jesse throughout the season, as portrayed by actor Patton Oswalt. Jesse and his group of friends revere the legendary Order of the Stone; four adventurers who slayed an Ender Dragon. The Order is the very best at what they do: Warrior, Redstone Engineer, Griefer, and Architect. While at EnderCon, Jesse and his friends discover that something is wrong... something dreadful. Terror is unleashed, and they must set out on a journey to find The Order of the Stone if they are to save their world from oblivion.

The game is set to launch "soon," according to Telltale's YouTube page. Once released, we will let you know.

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Mystery Motorola Phone Hits FCC, Looks Like an Unlocked Turbo Charging Flagship

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 07:59:01 +0000

A mystery Motorola phone stopped off at the FCC (ID IHDT56UC2) a couple of days ago looking like a phone that could be the company's next unlocked flagship. I say that because the phone is slightly bigger than the DROID Turbo, supports almost every single LTE band (sans Verizon's), 802.11ac MIMO WiFi, carrier aggregation (LTE Advanced), and works with Motorola's Turbo Charger. There have been rumors floating about recently suggesting that Motorola may introduce a phone with a 5.5-inch QHD display, which would fit the description of a phone that measures in slightly bigger than the Turbo with its 5.2-inch display. In fact, a benchmark of a Motorola phone under codename "Kinzie" said specifically that Motorola has a phone with a 5.5-inch QHD display. Take a look at the measurements of the phone below. This Motorola phone under model number "5137" sports measurements of 153.6x75.3mm and a diagonal length of 161.8mm. The DROID Turbo weighed in at 143.49x73.33mm and a diagonal length of 154.49mm. See, slightly bigger. (Also, side note, but the diagonal measurement is not of the display, so don't try to convert that to screen size. It's a measurement of the top corner of the phone to the opposite bottom corner.)

Outside of measurements, we are seeing support for LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 25, and 41. It also supports GSM bands 2, 4, and 5, which should make this perfect for either AT&T or T-Mobile. Seeing Sprint LTE bands in there is a bit odd, though, because we couldn't find any mention of CDMA compatibility. Update: Not to get too wild on the hypebeasting, but a couple of readers pointed out that the with the Sprint LTE compatibility here, we are venturing into that whole realm of Project Fi compatibility. Just a thought.

As I mentioned above, we are also seeing testing for MIMO WiFi and LTE Advanced, so this phone should be really fast when you attempt to download almost anything. Qualcomm introduced carrier aggregation (LTE-A) with the Snapdragon 800 line, so there is a pretty good chance that this phone is running either the Snapdragon 808 or 810. In terms of sneaky lit tidbits tucked inside these FCC docs, we may have stumbled onto a couple of things. First, the phone was tested with one of Motorola's Turbo Chargers, so we know it supports Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology. With that said, the FCC actually tested the phone with 3 separate chargers. One is a regular Motorola AC adapter, another is the Turbo Charger (SPN5864A), and the third is a mystery, but does have a model number similar to the Turbo Charger. We did a search for it (SPN5886A) and came up empty. Perhaps, Motorola has an even better (or just smaller) Turbo Charger in the works for this year's line of phones. On a related note, we found mention of the battery as model FX30, but like with the charger, came up empty through searches. Also, the FCC ID information has been tucked inside the phone's Settings menu, which the FCC says can be accessed by heading into Settings>About Phone>Regulatory Information. Finally, and don't put too much into this, but I did find mention of a microSD card in one of the testing configurations. So keep open the idea that Motorola may give us a microSD card slot once again. If we find more, we'll update this post.

Via: FCC

Cheers Justin!

T-Mobile and Sprint Leasing Updates

Kellen — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:32:39 +0000

Today is a holiday for many, but we still wanted to get together for a quick DL Show before you all head into the long weekend. This is episode 86, an episode that will run through the recent drama between T-Mobile and Sprint, their lease programs, all of the Lollipop updates from Motorola that finally began rolling out, what may be the new Google Glass, the latest on the OnePlus 2, the newest apps, and more. We will kick the show off live at 9AM Pacific (12PM Eastern).

Don’t Miss These Top Android Stories: 7/3/2015

Kellen — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:00:34 +0000

While you get ready for your long holiday weekend, take a few quick moments to catch up on all that was Android during the past few days. A whole bunch happened this week, including another juicy CEO battle that involved Sprint and T-Mobile. Outside of the drama, we also started breaking down lease programs, reviewed the Galaxy S6 Active and Pebble Time, watched Motorola update the DROID Turbo to Lollipop (seriously, it happened!), listened to OnePlus confirm new specs for the OnePlus 2, asked you what the perfect smartphone size is, and sat down this morning for DL Show episode 84. If you missed anything, jump below.

Watch: The Droid Life Show – Episode 84 [Subscribe]
Review: Galaxy S6 Active
Review: Pebble Time
DROID TURBO LOLLIPOP.
Explained: A deep look at T-Mobile's JUMP! On Demand lease program.
Sprint's new lease program was announced with shady video throttling.
In less than 24 hours, Sprint removed that throttling after backlash.
Sprint's CEO Marcelo Claure went into full meltdown mode this week.
Poll: Perfect smartphone size?
We may have uncovered the new Google Glass at the FCC.
Motorola rumors: These two phones may be on their way to Verizon.
This could be the Moto G (3rd gen).
OnePlus 2: Might come in 3 models | Fingerprint scanner
Poll: Silent, Vibrate, or Sound?
Is this Blackberry's new Android phone?
Hacked: You should change your Plex password.
Pushbullet got its biggest update ever.
Thanks to LG Chem, your next smartwatch's battery life should be much better.
Hangouts 4.0: Already on...iOS.

Be safe out there this weekend!

Friday App Sales: Lifeline, Machinarium, Clockwork Tales, and More

Tim — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 10:52:19 +0000

Since a few of you may be enjoying a longer weekend than normal, you may need a few new apps or games to keep you busy. Thankfully, developers and publishers know this, so quite a few titles are on sale through Google Play, bringing you cheaper access to fun games and apps. For gamers, you can grab Machinarium for just $2.49, a classic little platformer that features fun graphics and intriguing gameplay. Also available are Civilization Revolution 2, Lifeline, and quite a few RPG titles from overseas for just $1. Check out the full list below. Friday App Sales

Clockwork Tales Full ($1.99)
GoneMAD Music Player ($1.99)
Lifeline ($0.99)
Machinarium ($2.49)
Warhammer 40,000: Carnage ($0.99)
Civilization Revolution 2 ($4.99)
Vion Icon Pack ($1.30)
Star Traders 4X Empires Elite ($1.99)
Chainsaw Warrior ($0.99)
Minuum Keyboard ($1.99)
RPG Journey of Kreisia ($0.99)
RPG Symphony of Origin ($0.99)
RPG Soul of Deva ($0.99)
RPG Soul Historica ($0.99)
AntiVirus PRO Android Security ($8.99)
King of Dragon Pass ($4.99)
Sparkle ($0.99)
Sparkle 2 ($2.99)
Azkend 2: The World Beneath ($0.99)
Azkend ($0.99)
Trouserheart ($0.99)
Reading Trainer ($2.99)
Genius Scan+ PDF Scanner ($2.99)
PRO Voice Navigator IGH ($1.00)

Go support those developers!

Last Chance Deal: Mpow Intelligent 3-Port Car Charger Just $13.99

Kellen — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 10:38:41 +0000

A good car charger is something everyone should have. The problem is, it's tough to figure out which ones are actually good and which ones are cheap garbage. The Mpow 3-port intelligent car charger that is in its final days on the DL Deals store should be one to consider. You can pick up this compact charger for just $13.99 for the next 5 days. As a recap, the Mpow 3-port charger supports both 12V and 18V input, identifies which types of devices you connect to power them correctly, and will shut down charges in order to prevent damage to your battery or device. It also has 3 ports, of course, so you can charge up to two tablets and a phone at a time. The Mpow 3-port intelligent charger has a close-to-5-star rating over at Amazon. 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

BlackBerry 'Venice' Render Leaked, Headed for AT&T

Tim — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 08:43:50 +0000

Reports have surfaced numerously this year, pointing to the possibility of BlackBerry releasing an Android device. This morning, the idea became very real, as Evan Blass, once known as evleaks, leaked a press render of Venice, BlackBerry's device running Google's mobile OS and complete suite of apps. As we can see in the render, the device looks rather elegant, featuring a rounded front display, complete with microUSB, headphone jack, and good-sized speaker. As a kicker, though, the display can slide up, revealing a full keyboard for those who need one. Venice seems to be the perfect blend of modern design and a throwback to when BlackBerry ruled the world of smart devices. According to Evan, the Venice will be hitting AT&T's network, but there is no timeframe for the release. As shown in the render, the device looks to be running all of Google's applications, meaning the device will likely have access to Google Play. For potential buyers, this is a good thing. When more info is made available, we will update you. Interested in a BlackBerry smartphone running Lollipop?

Via: @evleaks [2]

HTC Pulls Out the Old "Blind Test" in Latest Ads, and HTC Wins Every Time!

Kellen — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 07:40:21 +0000

I know that most of you are all off observing freedom, but we have marketing news to report. Yes, marketing news! HTC is back doing commercials to promote phones, though this time, Robert Downey Jr. isn't involved and on the set of something where he clearly would rather be doing something other than promoting HTC products. This time, it's all about the blind tests. Oh boy, because blind testing is always a go-to when every single other marketing attempt you imagined failed miserably. So how'd it all go? If you guessed that HTC wins every time, you guessed right! First up, we have the speed tests. Get your timers ready!

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And then..."Oh! Oh, baby!"

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Finally, there is nothing like a selfie test, club kids.

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And then in the UK, this is how HTC is spending marketing dollars.

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T-Mobile's JUMP! On Demand Leasing Program: How It Actually Works

Kellen — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:30:05 +0000

Smartphone leases seem to be the hot topic of the moment, thanks to a public battle between the CEOs of T-Mobile and Sprint. They also seem to be confusing to many, including those in this industry. What's the difference between T-Mobile and Sprint leases? Do you own your phone or not on a lease? What happens at the end of your lease? Can you buy the phone or do you have to return it? How do upgrades work? Is a lease a good or bad thing? There is a lot to talk about here. To try and make this all as simple as is possible, we are going to take some time to go through T-Mobile and Sprint's lease plans, hopefully to give you some sort of comparison of the pros and cons of each. Since T-Mobile's appears to be a decent deal for those who like to upgrade often, we'll start there.

The Basics

With T-Mobile's JUMP! On Demand (JOD), well qualified buyers can grab a new smartphone with $0 out of pocket upfront, then pay for that phone with equal monthly payments on an 18-month lease. With JOD, you also get to upgrade up to 3 times per year without having to pay anything upfront, which means no upgrade fees. You do have to trade in your current device each time, though. If you ever make it to the full 18-months, you can pay off the rest of your phone or trade your current phone back in for a new one and start the cycle all over again. Keep in mind that you also have to pay for service, which happens to be a postpaid Simple Choice plan priced at $50, $60, $70, or $80 per month. Your basic bill would boil down to the monthly payment on your phone lease plus your Simple Choice cost.

Who is this program for?

First and foremost, this is for people who want to use the newest phones at all times without having to pay full retail, but also don't mind a monthly phone payment. This is for people who like upgrading up to 3 times per year. With that said, if you don't want to upgrade but once every two years (well, 18 months), this plan will also work for you because it actually ends up being cheaper than the regular JUMP! program and comes close to being a monthly device payment plan. You see, you don't have to pay the $10 participation fee like you do with regular JUMP!, but you can upgrade 3 times per year (if you want). That's a significant savings. Just keep in mind that at the end of 18 months, if you choose to keep a phone, you'll have to pay the difference in your total payments and the full retail cost of the phone to own it outright. Thankfully, if you go that route, there isn't a weird mark-up - you pay exactly the total of what the full retail is of the phone you are buying.

What's up with payments? Do they count towards the cost of the phone?

That's exactly how it works. Each payment you make counts towards the cost of the phone you are leasing. Let's say you choose the Galaxy S6, which costs $28.33 per month. After 18 months, you would have paid $509.94 toward that phone. If you decide to keep that phone when 18 months is up, you would then pay the difference in that $509.94 and the full retail cost of the phone ($679.92), which is roughly $170. You could then walk away with your phone, owning 100% of it.

But wait, why would I keep a phone for the full 18 months with this program?

I don't know why you would do that. The whole point of this program is for you to upgrade all of the time and have new phones without ever having to pay for anything upfront. Maybe you don't want to pay that ridiculous $10 per month fee to be a part of the regular JUMP! program, yet love the phone you have, so you are in JOD? That could be an option. With JOD, you could just pay a normal monthly payment without extra fees, never take advantage of the upgrades, then just swap out at 18 months, all while saving $180 in JUMP! participation fees.

What phones are available in JUMP! On Demand?

Currently, the iPhone 6, iPhone 6Plus, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy Note 4, and LG G4, but T-Mobile says more will be added over time.

How do upgrades work?

When you are ready to upgrade, all you have to do is walk into a participating T-Mobile store, hand them your current phone, and sign a new 18-month lease on a new phone. You don't have to pay anything upfront or to upgrade. You just have to make sure your current phone is in good condition. Keep in mind that most phones are going to carry different costs. So as you jump from one phone to another, your monthly cost could change. For example, T-Mobile is currently running a $15 promo monthly price for the iPhone 6, but should you jump to another phone like the Galaxy S6, your monthly payment will jump to $28.33 from $15. Sprint's CEO thinks this is shady, but it's not. It's promo pricing. You can do this up to 3 times per year.

So why are people complaining about you never actually owning a phone with this program?

Well, that's one of the typical complaints you also see with people who debate leasing a car vs. buying one. It's up to you to decide if you care about ever actually fully owning a phone or if you would rather just keep swapping out for new phones all of the time. With a lease program, the hope is that you will continue to swap for new phones all of the time to get you to continue to swap and sign 18-month agreement after 18-month agreement. It could be a never ending cycle that keeps you with T-Mobile. For example, if you pay for a phone for 6 months, then swap it for a new phone, you will sign another 18-month lease on that new phone, which then wipes out the 6 months of payments you just coughed up. So as you continue to swap and swap and swap, you also continue to make payments upon payments that never actually add up to you owning anything outright. Can you live with that? Again, you have to decide if you are the type of person who wants a new phone all of the time without paying full retail or if you are the type of person who wants to feel like they spent their money on something and actually own it in the end. I typically look at phones like cars - they are a monthly expense, but one that I don't typically hang on to for long. If I want a new car every couple of years, and I've accepted the fact that this is going to be a monthly bill for the rest of my life, I would lease one. If I want a new phone every few months without having to fully pay them off, leasing is also probably the best choice.

What about phone insurance?

Actually, this is one of the better parts to JUMP! On Demand. You see, with the regular JUMP! program from T-Mobile, T-Mobile forces you into paying an extra $10 per month to be able to upgrade at any time, with that $10 cost also covering the price of Premium Handset Protection and Lookout Mobile Security. With JUMP! On Demand, you don't have to pay that extra $10 fee to be a part of the program and upgrade whenever you want. So, if you are the type of person who never buys handset protection, then with JOD, T-Mobile isn't forcing you into paying an unnecessary $10 each month. But, should you want some protection, you can add it on for $8 per month. So in the end, even if you wanted Premium Handset Protection, it'll only cost you $8 per month instead of $10. You are saving $2 per month with JOD over the regular JUMP!.

What if I cancel mid-way through?

Since you signed an 18-month lease, you would have to pay the remaining payments and return the device to T-Mobile. If there is good news here, it's that you don't have to pay T-Mobile for the remaining value of the phone, only the remaining payments.

Where can I sign up for JUMP! On Demand?

At this time, only in participating T-Mobile stores.

Wait, isn't this basically just like me signing a good ol' wireless contract?

Actually, yes, it is. However, this is a little different in that your wireless service and phone payment are separated into separate columns on your billing statement. So even though you are signing up for 18 months worth of payments (which means 18 months of service in reality), you know that at the end of that 18 months, you can wipe out the device payment portion if you choose and just pay for service. Our biggest gripe with contracts in the past was how carriers were hiding subsidy costs in their service prices and would charge them even if you owned your phone outright. With JOD, you don't have those hidden subsidy costs necessarily.

So is it worth signing up for?

Well, if you like upgrading a lot, then yeah, it probably is. It's certainly a better deal than the regular JUMP!, which forces you to pay an extra $10 a month that many of you would rather hang on to. It doesn't cost anything upfront or to upgrade. The only spot some of you will hesitate at is that whole "never actually owning" a phone part. So you have to decide if you would rather swap out for new phones all of the time and just accept life with a phone payment, or if you want to end up owning phones outright. And even if you do want to own them outright, this is still probably a decent deal, since you can pay for the phone at the end of 18 months anyway.

And that's it for now. As we see other areas to tackle, we will do our best to add to this post. Questions? Sprint's All-In plan is up next.

Water-Resistant Deals: VOXOA Bluetooth Earbuds for $65 and Rage Bluetooth Speaker for $35

Tim — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:41:45 +0000

With summer in full swing, you might find yourself surrounded by water from time to time, meaning it would be helpful if you had a few water-resistant gadgets surrounding you. On the DL Deals Store, two deals should help you out quite a bit, VOXOA Bluetooth Earbuds for $65, and a Rage Bluetooth Speaker for just $35. For anyone who gets really active during a workout, or if you take runs on the beach, the VOXOA Bluetooth Earbuds were designed just for you, featuring water-resistant nano technology to keep your buds safe from the elements. With a built-in high-capacity battery, users can get up to 6 hours of audio playback on one charge. Thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity, you can also control music playback, take calls, and sync with multiple devices simultaneously. Over on Amazon, these earbuds are priced at $90 with a solid 4-star rating. Not too shabby. If interested, follow the link below. Features

Listen to up to 6 hours of straight audio on each charge
Get CD-quality music w/ expansive bass & audio enhancement
Fuel your workouts without worrying about loose wires getting in your way
Wear as your sweat or in the rain thanks to the water-resistant nano technology
Manage calls & skip songs w/ built-in controller
Connect w/ multiple devices simultaneously
Make & take calls w/ outside noise reduction technology

Deal Link

Rage Water-Resistant Bluetooth Speaker If lounging by the pool and jamming out to tunes is more your style, check out the Rage Bluetooth Speaker. With its own resistance to drops, splashes of liquids, and dust, it should keep on rocking in the harshest of times. With its built-in battery, users can get up to 4 hours of music playback while at full volume. If you have a device not capable of Bluetooth, this speaker also comes with an auxiliary cable for hooking up the tunes old school style. If you are out camping or hiking, the device features a clip for attaching the speaker onto almost anything, such as belt loops, tent polls, or bags you carry around. Check out the full feature list, then follow the link below to purchase. Features

Small, compact, & lightweight design
Resistant against drops, splashes, & dust
Perfect for blasting tunes during strenuous physical activities or in rugged conditions
Loud, clear audio regardless of whether it’s operating inside or outside
Includes an auxiliary cable for non-Bluetooth devices
More than four hours of straight play time per charge at full volume
Attaches to bags, belt loops, & virtually anything that can accommodate a clip

Deal Link

Deal: SlickWraps Hosting 40% Off Sale Site-Wide to Celebrate Freedom

Tim — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:53:24 +0000

To celebrate the 4th of July, SlickWraps is hosting a site-wide sale, allowing customers to take 40% off what appears to be any product they currently sell. This could be a skin for your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or even gaming console. Anything goes. For most devices, SlickWraps has a ton of material variety to choose from, but not only that, each material comes in different colors. The customization level for almost any major device on the market is quite high. If you want wood on your Xbox One, they got it. If you want to bedazzle your Nexus 6, they got it. Follow the link below to find what you want, then enter promo code FIREWORKS. SlickWraps Link

Cheers Dustin!

Speakaboo's 'Thomas’s Musical Day for Percy' is Google Play's Free App of the Week

Tim — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:15:34 +0000

Over on Google Play, Speakaboo's family-friendly Thomas's Musical Day for Percy is available for free, regularly priced at $5. The app is an interactive read-along for children, introducing them to one of the world's most famous trains, Thomas the Tank Engine. Young readers join Thomas as he explores the sights and sounds around Sodor to put on a special surprise music show with Percy, who has broken his whistle. Sad times. The story combines animation, read-along text, and touch-screen interactions to improve reading comprehension. Do note, if you follow the Play Store link below, the app will show as $4.99. To get it for free, follow the Redeem Link listed below. Redeem Link | Play Link

Download: Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi Android 5.1.1 LMY48G Update

Kellen — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:10:41 +0000

The brand new Android 5.1.1 (build LMY48G) update for the Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi that first serviced via factory image earlier in the week is now available for download as an over-the-air .zip from Google. Yep, you can sideload this little guy as long as you are coming from LMY47V. For instructions to sideload using adb, check here. You can download the file through the Google link below. Download Link [LMY48G from LMY47V, 18MB]

Cheers Charles!

Pushbullet Pushes Fixer Upper Update to Android, Windows, and iOS Users

Tim — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 11:14:37 +0000

After receiving its largest update to date, the Pushbullet team has taken the community's feedback and worked up a slight fixer upper update, and is now pushing it to users on multiple platforms. There's nothing major, but for Android users, there is a new share screen, allowing users to share to any of their connected devices with just one tap. The update is being pushed to Google Play now. Other various fixes are out for Windows and iOS users, plus changes for those who use the Pushbullet browser extensions. You can view these fixes by following the via link below. Be sure to pick up these updates. Play Link

Via: Pushbullet

Mystery Google Product Hits FCC With 5GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi, Bluetooth LE, Model Name "GG1"

Kellen — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 11:07:52 +0000

Here's a fun way to get the morning started and your brains moving. According to an FCC filing that went live yesterday, Google has a new product in the works under FCC ID A4R-GG1. This product...is a mystery. I thought about using a picture of a Chromecast at the top of this post because part of me wants to believe that this could very well be the new Chromecast that sources of ours said to expect in Q3. But if you read through the various documents in this filing, it could also be some sort of wearable. In fact, it might just be a new Google Glass. The device isn't categorized like most devices we see go through the FCC. Most are labeled as a smartphone or wearable, etc. This one is labeled as "BLUETOOTH & DTS/UNII a/b/g/n/ac" with model name "GG1." Forget the random category name, but is it foolish of me to think that "GG1" could mean Google Glass? After cruising through some of the tests and trying to find any hint as to what this may be, we were able to find that this device supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi in 2.4GHz and 5GHz. It also has Bluetooth LE and rechargeable, non-removable batteries that can't be accessed by you and I. The product comes with an AC charger and USB cable that when connected to a PC, can provide a "path for charging and data transfer." Outside of those features, we should point out that the FCC label is an e-label, meaning it's not actually on the product, it's instead embedded in the software of the device. To access it, the FCC's Label & Location document explains that you need to "navigate to the settings menu," select regulatory information, and then "scroll left and right to view device e-labels." Below is a picture of that e-label.

I don't know about you, but that rectangular box above looks a lot like a screen from Google Glass. So is it a new Google Glass? Again, this product is still a mystery. Google and the FCC have done a wonderful job of keeping any really revealing information secret. I do think that the name "GG1" could mean Google Glass and that the FCC information showing up in a black rectangle shape as an e-label that is only accessed via swipe gestures in a UI fits that idea. You certainly can't swipe around on a Chromecast. But I'm also wondering why Glass needs 802.11ac WiFi, with 2.4GHz and 5GHz support. A new Chromecast would benefit from the 5GHz more than Glass. But then again, this device has rechargeable batteries, which doesn't necessarily make sense for a Chromecast. This device strikes me as something that is portable and that connects to another device via Bluetooth. I'm still not sure it's a new Glass, though. Then again, the Wall Street Journal claimed back in April that a new one would be out soon. Thoughts?

Via: FCC

Cheers Justin!

Chevy Intros 'Active Phone Cooling' Tech for Models With Wireless Charging

Tim — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 10:01:37 +0000

Chevrolet introduced new technology for phone lovers this morning, bringing a system called Active Phone Cooling that will cool your smartphone while it wirelessly charges inside of your vehicle. During testing, Chevy engineers discovered that in a few cases of extreme heat inside a car's cabin, a phone would suspend charging or shut off completely. To help combat this problem, APC delivers chilled air directly from the vehicle's air conditioning and ventilation system, allowing the phone to stay cool, even in hot environments. The system only runs when drivers turn on the HVAC system. As for which models of Chevrolet will feature APC, you can find it in the 2016 Volt and Cruze, as well as 2016 Impala and Malibu models.

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Via: Chevrolet

Plex Forums and Blog Hacked, User Credit Card Data Said to be Unharmed

Tim — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 09:19:38 +0000

Plex announced a server breach yesterday, one which allowed a hacker to access its forum and blog server. Through this breach, the hacker could access IP addresses of users, private messages, email addresses, and encrypted forum passwords. The email below was sent out to all Plex users who hold a forum account. It details what happened and the steps Plex has taken to ensure your account is secure following the breach. Plex states that user credit card data is not stored on their servers, so we can be thankful for that. For now, all Plex needs you to do is change your password, and that should keep your data safe moving forward. If any additional statements are made by Plex, we will update this post. In the meantime, make sure to change those passwords.

Via: Plex

AT&T Pushes 'McAfee Factory Reset Protection' Firmware Update to LG G3

Tim — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 08:35:07 +0000

AT&T is pushing an update out to LG G3 owners, but don't all start jumping for joy just yet. The update is listed as Android 5.0.1, meaning you won't see Android 5.1 magically appear. According to the changelog, there is only one thing being updated, and it's basically bloatware. As listed, AT&T is bringing McAfee Factory Reset Protection. Once updated, this should mean users will be prompted to enter in a password before a factory reset can take place, giving owners peace of mind that strangers can't reset their phones without some type of protection. Of course, if it was my phone, McAfee would already be disabled. G3 owners on AT&T, be on the lookout.

Via: AT&T

Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure had a Bit of a Meltdown on Twitter Last Night, Goes After T-Mobile's John Legere

Kellen — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 08:30:03 +0000

As you all know by now, Sprint introduced a new plan this week called "All-In" that's basically them trying to usher back in the subsidy model of wireless carrier pricing. They bundle the price of a phone with service, just like wireless carriers have done for years but are now moving far away from. Of course, leave it to Sprint to try and re-invent subsidies when no one wants them. Not only that, but the plan included this insanely offensive and quite sneaky video streaming data "limitation" that they have already (sort of) backed away from. It's mostly a mess of a smartphone plan that also includes a human being having to deal with Sprint's network on a day-to-day basis. To make matters more comical, T-Mobile CEO John Legere took to Twitter yesterday to share his thoughts on the plan. He, as you could have guessed, thinks it's a "miss" and that you should all #sprintlikehell from it. Again, shocker, John Legere is talking sh*t about a competitor. That's not the story here. This became a hilarious piece of news when Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure actually responded to Legere's Tweet in full meltdown mode. Here, take a look. https://twitter.com/marceloclaure/status/616456296758439936 https://twitter.com/marceloclaure/status/616456531412955136 https://twitter.com/marceloclaure/status/616456792919384064 https://twitter.com/marceloclaure/status/616457064790028288 Yikes. So let's talk about what Claure is attempting to say and why he's mostly clueless. T-Mobile's new JUMP! On Demand program allows you to lease a phone at a set monthly amount with the option to upgrade phones at up to 3 times per year. Claure keeps referring to this as a "fake" deal that starts you out at $15 per month on a phone before then jumping you up to $27 per month when you upgrade. He thinks this is "misleading" and that Legere is trying to "trick" people. Except, well, T-Mobile isn't doing that at all. That $15 per month price is a limited time promotional price for the iPhone 6. T-Mobile is 100% clear about this. Look at the chart below that they sent us with pricing for all of the phones included in this JUMP! On Demand plan. See, "limited time." And also, the rest of the phones included in the plan are priced if you took the full retail of the phone and divided it by 24 payments (even though the lease is for 18 months). This isn't a trick. It's as clear as can be.

T-Mobile kicked off a new plan and is doing a short-term promotional deal on the iPhone 6 at $15 per month to try and get people to buy in. Almost every company does this sort of thing. It's called marketing. So yes, if you upgrade from that phone, your next phone won't be $15, it will be whatever the regular price is for the phone you upgrade to. Why? Because that is a promotional offer on the iPhone 6 to generate some buzz for this plan. If you buy a Galaxy S6 and upgrade in a month to a Galaxy S6 Edge, your payment will be different, but only by a couple of dollars because only the iPhone 6 is on the promo deal. This is all pretty simple. Marcelo Claure, I get that you are frustrated, but dude, if you are going to come to battle, at least know what the hell you are talking about first. Don't bring this weak sauce. And now we wait for Legere to respond...if he even thinks it's worth it. Update: Here is the response from Legere. And hey, thanks for the retweet! https://twitter.com/JohnLegere/status/616651657246584833 https://twitter.com/JohnLegere/status/616652472430366721

Via: @MarceloClaure

Wednesday Poll: Sound, Vibrate, or Silent?

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:17:03 +0000

You can tell a lot about a person by the volume status of their phone. OK, I just made that up, but I am curious as to how everyone typically keeps there phone when it comes to volume settings. An internal polling of the DL crew showed varying results, with some going sound-on all of the time, while the rest were split between full silence and vibrate-only. So today's poll is simple - sound, vibrate, or silent? [poll id="370"]

For Those About to Rock: AC/DC Streaming Hits Google Play Music

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:58:51 +0000

Fans of AC/DC will be happy to learn that the band's complete discography has hit Google's servers, available for streaming via Google Play Music right now. The classics are all there, including Highway to Hell, Back in Black, and High Voltage. As listed in Google Play, if you'd like to do more than stream, but you want to own them on Google's servers, most of the albums are priced at just $7 a pop. Steals on steals! Let there be rock! Google Music Link

Cheers Alex!

Moto X (1st Gen) Android 5.1 Update Hits Verizon Labs Next Week, Also Awaiting AT&T Approval

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:53:33 +0000

According to Motorola's David Schuster, the man with all of the update knowledge, Moto X (1st Gen) owners on Verizon and AT&T don't have too much longer to wait in receiving the Android 5.1 update. As stated in a Google+ post, the update is set to hit Verizon's testing labs next week, and Motorola is currently waiting for AT&T's lab approval. AT&T has been testing the update in their labs for the past week. So, with this news, we learn things are moving along nicely, but Verizon does seem to take their time with updates. There is no solid timeframe, but the added transparency is always nice to see from manufacturers and carriers. We'll keep you posted.

Via: +David Schuster

Deal: $29 for This 3500mAh ZeroLemon Slim Battery Case for Galaxy S6 and Edge

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:06:48 +0000

Battery life on the Samsung Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge isn't something you will be bragging about any time soon. It's borderline bad, actually. But these phones happen to have the best displays and cameras in any mobile phone, along with a hell of a premium build, so it's hard to argue against anyone interested in buying one. With that said, we know that battery life is a top 3 category for some, especially those who aren't near a charger all day long for quick re-fills. For those people, we give you the ZeroLemon 3500mAh Slim battery case at just $28.99. With this case, you not only get quite a bit of protection, but you also get an extra 3500mAh of juice that can be used once your initial charge runs out. The case will add some thickness, but since the phone is quite small, it shouldn't be unwieldy. Companies like Mophie have made these types of cases famous, but they also charge a $100 premium for most. At $28.99, this is a pretty good deal. Deal Link

Verizon Rolls Out Android 5.0 "Lollipop" to Galaxy Note Edge

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:07:01 +0000

The Galaxy Note Edge from Samsung on Verizon is receiving its update to Lollipop, but do note, it is labeled as Android 5.0, not Android 5.1. Inside, users should see big changes to TouchWiz and other various features, including new animations and transitions between application windows. In the changelog, Verizon lists basic interaction changes, replacement of Blocking mode to "Do Not Disturb," lock screen and notification enhancements, and of course, the introduction of the floating action button. Oh, what joy Note Edge users should have relearning how to use their phone now with Lollipop on board. The update is now live for all, so head out and grab it. For additional info on what's new in the update, follow the via link below for the complete changelog.

Via: Verizon

Verizon Says Android 5.1.1 LMY47Z is Ready for Its Nexus 6

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:27:18 +0000

If you own the Verizon-branded Nexus 6 and have not yet received the update to Android 5.1.1 (build LMY47Z), get ready, because Big Red has approved it for rollout. This is the same build that already rolled out to Sprint and US Cellular models. It's a minor bug fixer. To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Justin!

LG Offers Up Free Leather Back, Charging Cradle, and Extra Battery to G4 Buyers

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:08:22 +0000

For those who picked up a LG G4, the OEM is offering up a few free goodies, including a free leather back cover and extra battery. More specifically, for those who enter their proof of purchase and other information needed to verify ownership, you can receive your choice between one of five different leather back colors, an extra battery, and a battery charging cradle. That's a value of $140, all for free. LG has set up a designated site for those who wish to take advantage of this offer, which can be found here. Of course, LG has a few legal details you should look over, just to make sure you qualify. You will need to have purchased the device from an authorized retailer, and it can't be refurbished or unlocked. Further qualifying details can be viewed here. If you purchased a G4 already, or plan to pick one up, now would be a good time. This promotion ends July 31.

Via: LG

Snapchat Update Brings New Functionality, Customization of BooR Code

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:25:22 +0000

Snapchat is in the process of receiving an update this morning, bringing reworked functionality for fans of the app. Before the update, users would need to hold down their finger to view incoming snaps and stories. But now, all you need to do is tap on the snap and it will play automatically, no holding needed. In addition to easier viewing, users can customize their Snapcodes (BooR code) with selfies, bringing a more personal touch to those who wish to friend you on the network. You can also share your Snapcode directly from the app, making the process of adding friends easy. Have a look at the changelog, then follow the link below to grab the update. What's New

Tap To View — Now it only takes one tap to view a Snap or Story.
Improved Snapcodes!
Tap your Snapcode to add a selfie!
Add by Snapcode — Screenshot a friend's Snapcode, then go to Add Friends to add them!
Share your Snapcode — Export your Snapcode directly from the app.

Play Link

Buy a HTC One M9 Through Verizon, Get $100 in Google Play Credit

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:00:36 +0000

Beginning today and concluding on 8/31, anyone who purchases a One M9 from HTC through a Verizon retailer will be gifted a $100 in Google Play credit, which is a solid bonus for anyone with a growing wish list on the Play store. Once purchased, all HTC requires is proof of purchase and your device's IMEI, then a $100 Google Play code will be emailed to you. This information can be deposited here, but the site has yet to go live. Easy enough, yeah? We don't usually see such a great bonus, unless a company really needs to start moving product. But hey, if the One M9 is the phone of your dreams, you might as well get a ton of apps and movies with it. This deal can be redeemed via Verizon's website or at any Verizon retailer. Verizon Link

Via: HTC

Motorola Left Out Guest Mode and Multi-User Support in Your DROID Turbo's Lollipop Update

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:35:24 +0000

With Android 5.0, Google introduced support for guest accounts and additional users on phones. This is the type of feature that may not be of use to everyone at all times, but it certainly is a welcomed addition to a maturing platform, as it's there for those who need it. When Google pushed Android 5.1 a few months after 5.0, they didn't remove the feature. Although, if you are a DROID Turbo owner who recently updated to Android 5.1 (it's rolling out now to all by the way), you are probably wondering where it is. According to numerous readers of ours who have received the update either through the soak or today's official rollout, Guest mode and multi-user account setup is no where to be found on the DROID Turbo post-update. While we don't have a Turbo in house to check ourselves, we had readers not only look throughout settings, but also perform a search through Lollipop's new settings search functionality. It's not there. If you tap on your avatar in the notification pulldown, which would normally be a way to quickly switch users in Lollipop, users are being greeted with a pop-up G+ contact card of themselves. We have also been told that members of the soak test have taken to Motorola's forums to express their disappointment in this feature being left out. The whole situation is odd because Verizon listed it as a feature on the phone in their changelog for the update. The images below are clearly from the Turbo too, because the Turbo has capacitive touch buttons that won't show in screenshots, just like we are seeing here:

Motorola, on the other hand, did not list it. Here is the feature in action on a stock Android device, which is basically what the DROID Turbo is.

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Tough to say why it's gone or if it'll arrive in a later update. But for now, if you were hoping to take advantage of Guest mode or setup accounts for additional users on your Turbo, you are out of luck.

Cheers Renzo, Jay, and James!

Moto 360 is Now Just $149

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:25:50 +0000

Motorola and Google both dropped the price of the Moto 360 today to $149. That's a $100 discount and could be a sign that it's time to kill off all remaining inventory before the new 2nd generation model arrives. We have seen the price jump up and down over recent months, but this price cut has happened without asterisks, footnotes, or banners that mention this as being temporary. Is the Moto 360 still a good buy at $150, even though it's about to be replaced? $150 is a $150, so it's not like we are talking about spending pennies here. With that said, it's a solid smartwatch for a 1st generation device. It has started to show its age (that damn OMAP processor) recently, but still gets the job done. And hey, it also has Android 5.1.1 now! Look at it this way - you know what you are getting when you buy a year-old, first-gen product that is about to get replaced by a new, upgraded model. It'll work, but there could be some jealousy in a few weeks. Then again, the new model won't be this cheap. Links: Motorola Store | Google Store | Amazon

Cheers Alex!

Deal: Unlocked AT&T HTC One M9 From eBay for $449

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:13:25 +0000

Just tossing it out there for those in need of a cheap phone - HTC One M9 (AT&T model) for $449 today from eBay. This is an unlocked AT&T unit and is "manufacturer refurbished," so it'll probably work best on AT&T, though it could work decently on T-Mobile. Our review of the HTC One M9 is here. Free shipping is included. eBay Link

Highly Anticipated Out There: Ω Edition Update Now Available on Google Play

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 09:30:29 +0000

Out There, a game putting you out to the furthest reaches of space, just received its much anticipated Ω Edition update. This is a free update the developer has released, so for anyone who already purchased this title, you can go grab it now on Google Play. Inside, the game looks much different, with updated graphics and illustrations, helping to bring this adventure story to life. If you have never played, our protagonist is an astronaut that gets lost in the far reaches of space. Using advanced human technology, learned alien technology, and a bit of good ol' fashion luck, your only hope is to befriend alien species on various and solve an ancient mystery. To play, you go from star system to star system, mining ore to build new technology, and trying not to run out of fuel. As you visit different systems, you will encounter random events that require your thought, as the right move may prove extremely rewarding, while the wrong move could blow your space ship to bits. As you progress, the odds of acquiring new space ships and technologies greaten, but again, you have to play slow and methodical to make it that far. While the update to the game looks fantastic, I have found that action buttons are a bit broken. This will likely require a hot fix from the developer, so don't get too worried if you download the update and things are not going perfectly. It's a big update, so things are bound to break. If you love space exploration, and a bit of mystery, check it out on Google Play. Play Link

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Android 5.1 'Lollipop' Update for DROID Turbo Now Live

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 09:25:08 +0000

The update of all updates is finally available for DROID Turbo owners, that being the update to Android 5.1 Lollipop. It's been a long time coming, and frankly, I'm sure a few owners figured it was never coming. We are seeing loads of happy Turbo owners reporting from across the country that their device is receiving the update, so it is safe to say Lollipop is now live for all. Turbo owners, the day has come. To see a full list of changes, look here.

Cheers Mark, Ray, Klob, Ron, Mano, and everyone else who sent this in!

OnePlus 2 Stops Off at Bluetooth SIG, Might Come in 3 Models

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 08:52:17 +0000

The OnePlus 2 will be unveiled on July 27 to the world through a virtual reality presentation that is sure to be something to tell your children about. (Whoa, Kellen, what's with the heavy sarcasm this morning, bruh?) As we close in on that day, OnePlus is guaranteed to unapologetically hypebeast the hell of the phone by revealing one feature at a time, all the while remaining in headlines and relevant. We're deep into the (t)rollout of features and loving every second of it! (Sarcasm bath x2.) But because we lack patience, we will also be on the hunt for details that we can unearth on our own, like this filing that showed up at Bluetooth SIG. These filings always lack fine details, but if we are reading this correctly, it appears as if OnePlus is planning to have three models of the OnePlus 2. If you look at the Product List table in the screenshot below, we are seeing model numbers of A2001, A2003, and A2005. The A2001 has actually popped up in benchmarks in recent months, showing a phone made by OnePlus that runs a Snapdragon 810 processor and has 3GB RAM. As you all know, OnePlus announced that the OnePlus 2 would run a Snapdragon 810. Also, keep in mind that the original OnePlus One fell under model number A0001. So what would three models mean? It could be that OnePlus is separating out storage options into separate model numbers. For example, we could have 16GB of storage in the A2001, 64GB in the A2003, and 128GB in the A2005. Or maybe we are looking at model numbers to separate finishes on the phone, like specific numbers for wood backed phones or those with plastic. That's pure speculation on my part, but potential possibilities. Thankfully, July 27 isn't far off. Thoughts?

Via: Bluetooth SIG

Cheers Justin!

YouTube App for Android and iOS Now Supports Playback at 60fps

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 08:32:40 +0000

The official YouTube application for both Android and iOS flipped a switch this morning, allowing mobile viewers to watch select videos in 60fps. I say select videos, since not all videos on YouTube are uploaded at 60fps. However, there is a healthy selection of content creators who upload in high resolution and frame rate, so finding high quality content to consume on your mobile device should not be an issue. If you have been paying attention, the YouTube app has become quite the little data hog for mobile users, allowing you to watch videos in 1440p, and now 60fps. If you happen to be on a limited data amount per month, you may want to stick to 480p or 720p streaming while on a carrier network connection, just to make sure you don't hit your data cap too fast in one month. On WiFi? Then stream away! The change was likely server side, so no updated app is needed. Go check out some 60fps action on your device. Here is one of our videos in 60fps to get you started.

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Via: @YouTube Creators

Sprint's HTC One M9 Gets Android 5.1 Today, LG G4 Gets Minor Update

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 07:16:08 +0000

Earlier in the week, HTC told us to expect an Android 5.1 on the Sprint One M9 come July 1. This morning, they delivered on that promise. The update will arrive as software version 2.6.651.11. Sprint didn't bother to list out much in their changelog, only that this is 5.1. I would imagine HTC might sneak in some camera improvements and other little tweaks to Sense. If you get the update, be sure to let us know. Meanwhile, the LG G4 is receiving a minor update that improves "Reactivation Lock" and lands as software version LS991ZV5.

Via: Sprint [2]

Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge on Verizon Receive Minor Updates

Kellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 07:08:41 +0000

Verizon began pushing a new update to the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge this morning, an update that adds security improvements to Samsung's Reactivation Lock. The update also added in roaming support for Puerto Rico. And that's it! The update is incredibly small for each phone, takes 10 minutes to install, and is still Android 5.0.2. Build numbers post update are VRU2AOF1 for the Galaxy S6 and VRU1AOE2 for the S6 Edge. The update appears to be live for all, so feel free to jump into Settings>System updates>Check for new system update.

Via: Verizon [2]

Cheers John, Jody, and Michael!

Sprint Already Dropped That Ridiculous Video Streaming Throttling "Limitation" From Its New All-In Plan

Kellen — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 18:51:10 +0000

This morning, we told you about Sprint's new All-In plan that included the most ridiculous footnote in recent memory, a footnote that sneakily revealed to customers who bought into this plan that Sprint would throttle all of their video streaming to 600kbps. As you can imagine, the world clowned on Sprint for this move, because well, it was a dirty, dirty move in a day where video streaming is a major part of the mobile data experience. Tonight, Sprint has already caved to customer complaints and removed the "limitation." I'd give them credit for removing this insanely bullsh*t cap so quickly, but the fact that they tried to slip this by everyone removes them from any praise for the time being. Their CEO, Marcelo Claure, had this to say about the sudden change of heart:

“At Sprint, we strive to provide customers a great experience when using our network,” said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. “We heard you loud and clear, and we are removing the 600 kbps limitation on streaming video.” “During certain times, like other wireless carriers, we might have to manage the network in order to reduce congestion and provide a better customer experience for the majority of our customers.”

Wait a minute, so you still plan on throttling? You "might have to manage the network in order to reduce congestion?" I give up. This is Sprint, folks. This...is Sprint.

Via: Sprint

Here is a Peek at Facebook's New Android Tablet UI

Tim — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:49:07 +0000

Thanks to reader Mike, we have our first look at an upcoming change in the Facebook app's UI for tablet devices. Just as we saw for smartphones, Facebook is switching things up, making a more compact, yet easy-to-view- interface for users of the service. As it is for most users right now, the top links to your Newsfeed, People, Messages, Notifications, and slide-out menu are dragged across the entire display. Once this new UI hits your device, you will find all of these links nestled together in the top right, as well as a more card-like view on your Newsfeed. This should make for easier browsing among your friends' status updates. If history proves anything about Facebook app updates, changes to the UI are mostly done server side, meaning that even if you are running the latest build of the app, you may not see the changes. It's a really lame thing to do by Facebook, but hey, it is what it is. Take a look at the photos below, then share your thoughts on the updated UI below. Is it something to be excited over?

Cheers Mike!

Deal: Android Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock for $48, 50% Off Retail

Tim — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:44:04 +0000

Everyone needs a good alarm clock. If you are like other people, you might use your Android device as an alarm clock, but really, shouldn't you have something a bit more proper? On the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a Android Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock for $48, down from its usual price of $100, perfect for turning your basic Android smartphone into a beasty alarm clock at night. The device is simply an attachment for your phone, but is a nice looking alarm of sorts. It features a 2.25" mono 10-watt speaker, capable of waking even the soundest of sleepers. The Hale Dreamer features a few special touches for when your device is hooked up. For example, if someone calls you, the machine will auto reply with an SMS saying, "call back later," or another phrase. You can also utilize it as a speakerphone for taking calls. If you need to step up your alarm clock Android game, check it out. Features

Customize & program who and what warrants being awoken
Set specific callers to ring & others to remain silent
Send an auto SMS asking the caller to reply “e” for emergency or kindly, “call back later”
Utilize the real-life snooze button & highly customizable alarm features
Use as a speakerphone
Accommodate any size phone, even with a case
Enjoy amazing sound quality from a 2.25" mono 10-watt speaker

Deal Link

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Here Comes Android 5.1 for the Moto X (2nd Gen) on AT&T

Kellen — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:01:48 +0000

Funny story here. AT&T just updated their Moto X (1st gen) support page to show that the device is getting an update to Android 5.1 starting today. While that would be fine and all, we have to point out that it appears they updated the wrong page. The Moto X (2nd gen) is actually the phone getting the update. Why would we say that? Well, because the "Verifying the Update" section on the support page details a phone under codename "victara," which is the 2nd generation Moto X. The 1st generation Moto X actually carries the codename "ghost." So yeah, even though you will probably see others report that the Moto X (1st gen) on AT&T is getting updated to Android 5.1, it's not. The 2nd generation version, which is currently going through a soak test, is the phone getting the update. Again, XT1097 is getting updated to Android 5.1, not XT1058. The new software build is 23.16.2 and weighs in at around 507MB in size. AT&T says that you will need a WiFi connection in order to grab it. Be on the lookout through Settings>About phone>System updates.

Via: AT&T (but they'll likely fix it soon)

Facebook Messenger Payments Available to All in the US

Kellen — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:50:23 +0000

Facebook jumped into the mobile payments game back in March when it introduced payments through Messenger. At the time, they would only acknowledge that the service would launch within a few months, but that all changes today. Facebook Messenger users in the US can now send money to their friends and family and ~~drug dealers~~ acquaintances. In order to send money to another person, you will need the Messenger app installed on your phone (for real!). After that, start a conversation with someone and look for the dollar sign at the bottom of the conversation window, buried between smiley faces and the "..." button. Tap on that, enter an amount, and then hit send. If you don't already have a debit card added, you will be prompted to do so. Fill out the debit card form and be on your way to settling up. And that's it.

Via: http://www.droid-life.com/ Facebook

Tuesday Poll: What’s the Perfect Smartphone Display Size?

Tim — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:49:30 +0000

Last year, we posed this same question, asking which display size our community preferred. Taking a look at the results, we find that the majority of our readers prefer a 4.6"-5" display, with the aforementioned range dominating the field at 55%. Interestingly enough, we asked that question before the release of Shamu, aka the Nexus 6, with its 6" display. Now, with that device and other phones available with monstrous-sized displays, we should see a different outcome to the same question, given that we surely do have a few Nexus fans here. As for me personally, I like an easily manageable 5" display size. If I need something more, I'll just grab a tablet. I don't want to stretch my fingers anymore than I have to. For this poll, select your preferred display size range, then comment below with your perfect size. If you see your size posted already in the comments, vote it up.

[poll id="369"]

Verizon: DROID Turbo Lollipop Update Goes Live Tomorrow (Updated: List of Changes)

Kellen — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:17:00 +0000

With the DROID Turbo's Android 5.1 Lollipop update arriving via soak test to members of the Motorola Feedback Network, the rest of you are probably wondering when the update will be available to your phone. The answer - starting tomorrow. Verizon pinged us moments ago, stating that the "actual push will begin tomorrow afternoon" for update 23.11.38. Of course, that doesn't mean everyone will see the update pop-up on their phones. Instead, the update will rollout in phases, but you can always manually check to see if it's available through Settings>About phone. Motorola posted a full changelog for the update that can be found here. Verizon has not posted theirs, but we should have it later tonight or in the morning. IT'S HAPPENING. Also, here is a video we did of the original Lollipop update for the Moto X (2nd gen). If you haven't been keeping up on all that is new in Android 5.0+, this is a good video to check out.

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UPDATE: Here is Verizon's changelog.

UPDATE 2: Verizon had to tweak the changelog after the update went live because it included features that weren't actually included in the update. Here is the newest list that should be correct. [Verizon]

Sprint Intros “All-In” Wireless Campaign, $80/Month Nabs You Plan, Device, and Throttled Video Streaming (Updated)

Tim — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 10:56:58 +0000

Sprint has a new campaign to get potential customers excited about wireless plans. Titled All-In Wireless, Sprint offers a single $80 a month agreement that features the plan and a smartphone, all for one price. To break it down, users pay $60 a month for unlimited talk, text, and data, plus an additional $20 a month to lease one of Sprint's most popular smartphones. There is a one-time activation fee of $36, and it will help if you are a well-qualified buyer. In the footnotes of the press release, Sprint also details the treatment your data goes through, which does not sound too pleasant. As noted, "to improve data experience for the majority of users, throughput may be limited, varied or reduced on the network." This leads to streaming video speeds being limited to just 600Kbps at all times, which will definitely affect playback. Additionally, "Sprint may terminate service if off-network roaming usage in a month exceeds: (1) 800 min. or a majority of min.; or (2) 100MB or a majority of KB." These are things to keep in mind. Sprint has a fancy new ad campaign to celebrate, starring none other than David Beckham.

Sprint will promote All-In Wireless with advertising featuring international sports star and entrepreneur David Beckham. In the ads, Beckham goes from store to store, asking for a simple wireless plan with a consistent monthly cost. He is met with confusion and frustration at every stop – until he gets to a Sprint store, where he is offered All-In Wireless.

The ad premiers tonight during the US Women's World Cup match, so that's cool. But if you don't want to wait, we have placed an extended version below.

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Update: Sprint already announced that they are removing the 600kbps cap. Comical. You can read more about it here.

Via: Sprint

Tip: Don't Forget to Hide the Android Wear Watch Faces You Don't Want to Deal With

Kellen — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 10:12:24 +0000

You know how your Android Wear watch came with a whole bunch of pre-installed watch faces that you can't get rid of, most of which you wouldn't be caught dead with on your watch in public? Guess what? You can hide them! I know that hiding is much different than uninstalling or removing, but at least you can shrink down that ever-growing list of watches on your watch to those that you actually like. To hide watch faces on your watch, head into your Android Wear companion app, tap on the "more" button in the "Watch faces" section, and then start hiding each individually by tapping on their menu buttons and choosing "Hide on watch." Boom! Unwanted watch faces, now hidden on your watch. Here are some pictures to help with this simple process.

Still a fan of your Android Wear device? Feel free to share any of your favorite watch faces in the comments.

Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Q.U.B.E. Director's Cut, Never Alone, and Funk of Titans Launched for NVIDIA SHIELD

Tim — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 09:00:34 +0000

Owners of the NVIDIA SHIELD have four new game titles they can check out this morning on Google Play, one of which may lead to rumors surfacing that Half-Life 3 is actually confirmed. Continuing its push to bring console and PC-class gaming titles to the Android TV platform for its consumers, NVIDIA announced the availability of Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Q.U.B.E. Director's Cut, Never Alone, and Funk of Titans. I don't believe I have to explain too much about Half-Life 2, but as for what you do need to know, it requires a game controller and is currently exclusive to SHIELD and the SHIELD Tablet. Priced at $7.99, it's the classic you all remember. Other games include Never Alone, a game I had previously never heard of before, but it looks absolutely fantastic. Set as a puzzler, you play as a young child who is friends with an arctic fox. You two set out across a snowy landscape, meeting interesting characters, hoping to solve the case of an eternal blizzard that threatens the planet's existence. It sounds intense, looks intense, and that fox is adorable. To grab one of these titles, hit the links below. Do note, not all may be live in Google Play just yet, but keep checking back periodically. It takes time for some titles to populate Google's servers. Play Links: Half-Life 2: Episode Two ($8), Q.U.B.E. Director's Cut ($10), Never Alone ($15), and Funk of Titans ($5) Half-Life 2: Episode Two

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Q.U.B.E.

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Never Alone

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Funk of Titans

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Verizon LG G4 Update Live, Brings Enhanced Advanced Calling

Tim — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:49:25 +0000

An update is rolling out for the LG G4 on Verizon, bringing a few features to owners, but nothing all that special. The software version is labeled as VS98611A. Included is an enhanced Folio display while a call is taking place, an updated consistency for displaying contacts and non-contacts in the Dialer app, and an enhanced Advanced Calling feature. That's it. If you rock the G4 on Big Red, keep your eyes open for the notification to download the update.

Via: Verizon

Sprint Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Receiving Update to Android 5.1 Today

Kellen — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 06:33:46 +0000

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge variants on Sprint are receiving an update to Android 5.1 this morning, according to Sprint support. The updates are quite large in size, hovering around 563MB for what we thought would have been a minor upgrade. After the update, users should expect to see minor UI enhancements throughout, factory reset protection, performance improvements, and "new and/or enhanced features." The Galaxy S6 will be bumped to software version G920PVPU2B0F7, while the S6 Edge will end up on G925PVPU2B0F7. The update appears to be live for at least one of our readers, so feel free to check through Settings>About device.

Via: Sprint [2]

Cheers Steven!

Pushbullet Receives Biggest Update Ever, Basically Becomes the Ultimate File-Sharing Messenger App

Kellen — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 06:25:21 +0000

The folks at Pushbullet pushed out a massive update today across all of their apps. In fact, they are calling this their "biggest update ever." That's a bold statement for an app that we can't stop writing about because each update seems to be awesomeness big. This time, though, things really are taking a turn towards the new, as the app is more organized than ever, almost in a messenger-like way. On Android and iOS apps, Pushbullet is now organized by where your file shares came from, meaning you have columns for Friends, Me, and Following. In the Friends section, this is where you have everything sent to and from a friend, so you have history and the ability to have further conversations (see, like a messenger app). The Me section is all of the stuff sent to yourself and all of your own devices. The Following section is a list of all of your channels. It's pretty great, especially if you use Pushbullet to send and receive files to/from others.

Outside of mobile apps, the Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera extensions also make sending and sharing links with friends easier, but you can also pop-out windows to continue conversations. The Pushbullet team made all of this more reliable as well, so if something goes wrong in the middle of a share, these extensions should now tell you. Finally, the Pushbullet Windows app and website received makeovers with all of the stuff we just mentioned. Also, the website has drag & drop of as many files as you can force yourself to send. Below, you can see a short video of the new Windows app in action.

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The updates are live. Go grab them! Play Link

Via: Pushbullet [2]

Lollipop is Finally Coming to the DROID Turbo. (Updated: Soak is Live!)

Kellen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:21:11 +0000

Motorola says so. The soak test kicks off today, according to multiple readers of ours. Yep, the DROID Turbo is actually about to get Android 5.1 Lollipop. We'll update this as we have more. https://twitter.com/Motorola/status/615660232333750272 Update: The soak test is well underway as build 23.11.38! Share your thoughts in the comments! For those not a part of the soak test, send out those positive thoughts. The last thing we want is an issue to pop up and all parties needing to start over.

Update 2: Here is the full changelog for the update.

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. 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 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. It will also intelligently react when you use the Approach gesture under Moto Actions.Android Lollipop also 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.
Chop Twice for Flashlight	Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it). Moto Actions let you turn the flashlight on or off with two chopping motions - without waking or unlocking your phone.
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.
Device Protection	Lost or stolen devices will remain locked until you sign in with your Google account, even if reset to factory settings. Note that you must either add a Google account on the device after the upgrade or reset your device to enable Device Protection. A Pin , password or pattern screen lock will also ensure your device is fully protected.
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. 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.
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.

If the test goes well, Motorola's David Schuster says that the update should start for all later this week.

Verizon's Motorola "Kinzie" Shows Up at GFXBench With 5.5-Inch QHD Display, Snapdragon 810

Kellen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:20:54 +0000

Motorola has done a pretty good job in recent years of keeping their upcoming flagship smartphones under wraps. Sure, we see a leak here or there that gives us a clue or two, but never anything like how HTC phones see full reviews before they are even announced. Motorola has been able to hide most of the details of their last few phones up until the last minute. But as we inch closer to a potential late August-early September launch of a new Moto X, puzzle pieces are starting to arrive. Remember back in May where I told you to keep an eye on Motorola model numbers XT1585 and XT1578? Well, they are back in headlines today, thanks to a benchmark that showed up over at GFXBench. The specific device that showed up is the XT1585, which is carrying a codename of "Kinzie." The benchmark reveals a phone that has a 5.5-inch QHD (2560x1440) display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, Adreno 430 GPU, 3GB RAM, 21GB storage (which probably means 32GB), 20MP rear camera, 4.8MP front camera, and Android 5.1.1. Sounds decent, right? Here is the benchmark.

Now, we are calling this a Verizon phone because of a purported leak through reddit from the same person who gave us those model numbers so long ago. According to this redditor, the "Kinzie" is set for launch on Verizon. He describes the phone similarly to what this benchmark shows. On a related note, since his mention a month ago of the "Kinzie" seems somewhat legitimized by this benchmark, we should point out that he also attached the name "Clark" to Motorola phone XT1578. That phone is also supposedly coming to Verizon with a Snapdragon 808 on board. Industry pundits think that the "Clark" may end up as the new Moto X (3rd gen), while the "Kinzie" may end up as new DROID. I can't say that I have a feeling for either, but I'd be willing to buy into that idea. What about you?

Via: GFXBench | WinFuture | reddit

Moto G (3rd Gen) Showcased in Leaked Press Renders

Tim — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:14:27 +0000

New images of the Moto G (3rd Gen) have hit the web, showing off its new backside design, but an overall unchanged frontside. The images are press renders, posted by TechnoBuffalo, giving us a possible best look yet at the upcoming mid-range device from Motorola. Besides what it looks like, not much is known about the phone, including specs and release information. It is rumored the Moto G will feature a 5" HD 720p display, Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 13MP rear-facing camera. On the backside, we see Motorola has a plastic-looking piece going vertically up the housing, giving the phone a rather unique look. Why Moto did this, we do not know. Could it be a button? Possible, but rather unlikely. Early reports suggested that the Moto X (2nd Gen) would feature a button, but it turned out to be just an odd design. Share your thoughts on the new design below. Is this what we should expect from the new Moto X, as well?

Via: TechnoBuffallo

Verizon's Moto X (2nd Gen) Gets Approval on Android 5.1 Update, Ready for All

Kellen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:06:04 +0000

The soak test of Android 5.1 for the Moto X (2nd gen) on Verizon must have gone well, because Verizon approved the update (version 23.16.3) for all this afternoon. They posted release notes for the update to their support site, which is almost always a sign that they are about to press "Go!" on the rollout. As a recap, in Android 5.1, you get easier controls over WiFi networks and Bluetooth connections through quick toggles, new Interruption controls, tweaked volume control access, and factory reset protection. If you were hoping for VoLTE, HD Voice, and simultaneous voice and data, you will be disappointed. None of that made it into this update for some reason. To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone. If it's not there, expect it within the next day or so. Let us know if you get it!

Via: Verizon

LG Chem Intros Hexagonal Batteries for Smartwatches

Tim — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:02:02 +0000

To better fit round smartwatches, LG Chem has introduced hexagonal batteries, granting a larger capacity given their shape. Instead of a little square or rectangular battery inside of your round watch, a battery featuring a roundish shape can fit better inside, delivering more juice to end users. As of right now, LG has not named any customers for this new technology, but there are plenty of OEMs diving into wearable technology. For future buyers of a round smartwatch, ones which may hold this LG battery inside, you should see extended battery life when compared to other round smartwatches currently on the market. This is exciting news for smartwatch fans, and hopefully, this innovation does lead to happier customers.

Via: Engadget

Hangouts on iOS Just Got Updated to V4.0 - Bring on the Android Version (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:38:05 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, we saw Hangouts version 4.0 leak for Android as a completely revamped application in terms of user experience. We still haven't seen the update arrive on our favorite mobile platform, but it did hit iOS this afternoon. Actually, v4.0 that looks almost identical to that Android leak showed up on our iPhone 6, giving us all sorts of hope that the Android version isn't far behind. Below, you will see a series of screenshots from the application that should look quite familiar if you saw that v4.0 leak for Android. First, the conversation experience is quite similar. You have a bottom row of icon shortcuts for image attachments, launching the camera, stickers, and location sharing. Also, as you type a message, the send button appears almost like a floating action button, splitting the input box and conversation.

When navigating the app, we do have some differences, most notably in the number of columns. On v4.0 for Android, we saw almost everything buried in a slideout navigation drawer, whereas on the iOS version, you have four shortcuts for Contacts, Favorites, Hangouts, and Calls. This likely differs because this is an iOS design guideline.

We are seeing an option for setting your status (which is supposed to come in v4.0 for Android), plus there is a FAB throughout the app for starting a new conversations. Punching that FAB doesn't give you the options like we expect on the Android version, but it's still there, for whenever you'd like to start something new and then choose from contacts.

Maybe #updatewednesday will bring us this bundle of joy? Update: Two Googlers on the Hangouts team posted to Google+ about the update, but would only say that it's either "coming soon" or "in the works."

Sprint HTC One M9 Approved for Android 5.1 Update, Rollout Begins July 1

Tim — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 13:38:25 +0000

According to a tweet sent out from HTC's Mo Versi, the One M9 on Sprint has received technical approval for an update to Android 5.1. The update is scheduled to begin rolling out to owners on July 1, and folks should be happy to know that it includes "camera improvements." On top of fixes for the camera, users should also expect to see slight improvements to the battery, but we will need to wait for an official build number and changelog to get the skinny on what exactly is new. On July 1, be on the lookout. If you own a One M9 on a different carrier, we will keep you posted if info is released.

Via: @moversi

Pebble Time Review

Ron — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 12:43:55 +0000

The Pebble Time is an important product for a few reasons, but the most important is that it is the only serious contender for the space on your wrist besides Android Wear and Apple Watch. For most users, Android Wear and Apple Watch make more sense on their respective platforms. Really, the only reason the Pebble Time exists is because the original Pebble did a lot of what many users wanted in a smartwatch far before Android Wear and Apple Watch were a thing nerds argued about and normal humans looked at briefly as they passed through their mall. Now that Android Wear and Apple Watch are here, though, can Pebble stay relevant with the Time? This is our Pebble Time review.

The Good

The User Interface Designing a fun to use, beautiful user interface is incredible difficult, but I think Pebble did a great job with this. They took a technology that Amazon has managed to make feel exhaustively slow and made it display text and iconography in a magical way. Text and icons fly on and off the screen, watch faces smoothly animate, and while the colors are limited, they feel native to the device. In short, the user interface feels delightful to use. The new timeline interface is great, particularly if you schedule a lot of your life. With a simply press of the bottom button I can see what's coming up next in my schedule, when and where. I can press the middle button when an event is at the top to see even more detail and with a press or two of the left button I'm back at right now with my watch face. I think that mental model works really well. Even if you don't schedule anything you can use timeline to see upcoming weather and sunrise/sunset times. Water Resistance This may not be the most important feature to everyone, but I think it's really nice to have a smartwatch that I don't have to worry about taking off. Being able to just jump in the pool or rinse off after a run is pretty freeing. It's also nice to know that if you have an Android phone and a Pebble Time you can still send voice replies to texts while you're in the pool. Life changing? Maybe not, but definitely convenient. Battery Life Pebble still promises up to seven days of usage with the Time. My original Pebble never lasted for seven days and the Time still doesn't either. With normal usage I think it's safe to expect three to four days of battery life, which is definitely better than any other smartwatch available on the market. With that battery life come plenty of trade offs, but it's there if that's more important than, say, legibility. The Band The band on the Pebble Time is great. It feels like it's a slight revision over the original with more flexibility. I liked the band on the original and I like this one too. The really nice thing about the band is how easy it is to remove. Pebble added quick release pins, which means you can very easily slide the pins out and replace the band with something else. Normally you need a removal tool to swap these out and you will probably want one if you're going to put a normal watch band on your Pebble Time, but at least the stock one removes easily.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

The Display Resolution One of my biggest complaints with the Pebble and Pebble Steel was that the display had too low of a resolution. Pebble tried to make that work to their advantage by featuring iconography and watch faces that looked like they could have been taken from a Sega Genesis, but on any watch face that features a second hand (an important feature to many, including myself) it just looked bad. I don't want to see pixels in 2015 and neither should you. The Time does not fix this issue at all, featuring a still too low for this age resolution screen of 144 x 168. While many watch faces look fine at this resolution (especially if they feature larger elements that don't have many angles), classic watch faces and smaller information elements like the date or weather just look bad. Pebble uses a good font so everything is legible, but you never get the sense that this is something that is designed to look good, which brings us to the rest of the hardware. Color Display Pebble Time features a colored e-paper display (64 colors to be exact). This is an improvement over the previous displays in the right lighting, but its also a detriment in the wrong lighting. Because lighting is such a huge factor with e-paper displays, there are times when colors work against legibility on the Time. With the backlight on in the right lighting it makes watch faces look much more appealing and adds to the experience by allowing users to more easily differentiate different parts of the watch faces when allowed by the face designer. One of my favorite watch faces, TH3, allows you to change the color of the hour, minute, and second hands as well as the color of the dials, day, and date. That kind of customization is great, especially with colors, but I found myself limiting the colors I used because so often some of them made the face harder to read due to lighting. The Hardware I don't want to say the hardware on the Pebble Time is bad, because it isn't. It's fine, but compared to something like the Moto 360 or the Apple Watch, its glaringly cheaper between its plastic body, dim, low resolution screen, and large bezel. While the battery life makes the Pebble Time a better fit for users who want longer battery life than the competition can offer, I wouldn't wear the Time when I'm going to a function where I want to look good. Is that a problem for Pebble? Perhaps not if the Pebble was marketed more as a fitness device, but much like the original Pebble I don't always feel comfortable wearing it in public because I'm not confident in its looks. It's not just that it's obviously made out of plastic, but also that it doesn't look serious. I usually wear a $50 Seiko watch. It doesn't look expensive, but it does look like a serious watch whereas the Pebble looks like a toy I got out of my cereal box.

Pebble Time App The Pebble Time app for iOS is useful for finding watch faces and apps, although it is a drag to use since it's essentially a web wrapper. The Android app features a lot more functionality, but browsing apps and faces is still not as good as it should be. With the Android app you can set a default music player (which should be Google Play Music unless you're a monster) and even canned responses for replying to messages. Apps Pebble has a small ecosystem of apps that allow you to use your watch instead of your phone, but like most things on the Pebble the functionality is limited. This isn't always Pebble's fault, but rather a limitation of what you can really do on a device this size. The best apps, not surprisingly, are fitness related, although there are some decent check list apps out there as well. Essentially, if you want to use a lot of apps on a smartwatch look elsewhere. Watch Faces There are some good watch faces for Pebble, but the vast majority of them are garbage. That's to be expected when you have a free-for-all with the content created. The vast majority of apps on iOS and Android, for example, are garbage, too. I found myself using TH3, Revolution, and FIWatch most of the time.

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Voice Replies In their launch video Pebble revealed a new voice feature which allows Android users to send replies to certain notifications with their voice (Pebble has promised this will come to iOS in a future update). Voice replies worked decently in my experience, but the lack of integration with Google Now or Siri (something Pebble says they're experimenting with) means this is a function that will enjoy little use from most people. It’s also not nearly as quick and easy to use as demonstrated. To use voice replies you press the middle button on a notification, select Reply, and select Voice (note: some Google apps like Hangouts require that you have Android Wear installed in order to use this feature). Pebble will then say that it is listening and you can dictate your response. After dictating, the Pebble will transcribe the response and display it to you before sending. If you’re good with the response you can press send. I adore the send animation (a paper airplane flying away). Several times I tried to send a reply it would say that an error occurred, but whenever I retried it would get it right. Some responses took longer than others to transcribe, but that’s par for the course for transcription. Every time it worked, however, the transcription was accurate. For Voice Replies to be truly useful, Pebble should have implemented their own phrase to initiate a reply. As it stands you have to press too many buttons just to get to voice reply and then hope that it all works after that. At the bare minimum Voice Reply should be accessible with a long press of a button. Right now it's just not seamless enough.

The Not-so-Good

Display Brightness The display brightness on the Pebble Time is abysmal. On my drive home today my wife was calling me. The Time started vibrating and it was displaying who was calling, but I couldn’t see who it was. I shook my wrist, thinking the brightness might increase enough so that I can read who was calling, but to no avail. Finally I just looked at my phone, which was plenty bright so that I could see it was my wife and I answered the call. There have also been plenty of times when the watch is simply illegible, especially in low light conditions. When you turn the light on in dark conditions the screen is easy to read and in direct sunlight it's legible, but in low light and at various angles it is incredibly difficult to read. When I walked my dog this morning I was able to see the display fine, even in the shade, but in the office and on the drive into work it was very difficult to read, even with the back light on. Display Glass There are two problems with the glass. First, the glass is a smudge and fingerprint magnet. I'm constantly having to swipe the screen to improve its already abysmal legibility. Second, the glass is super reflective, which again, makes legibility difficult in certain scenarios. That's going to happen with any object with a glass face, but it affects the Pebble Time even more than it ought to. Display Lamination Wow, Ron, you sure are talking about the display a lot. Yes, because it's the most important part of this product and it's not very good. On top of the poor resolution, brightness, glass, and endless bezels, the display is not laminated very close to the glass. Why does this matter? I want to look at my watch from multiple angles. When I'm typing with my Seiko I can move my wrist just a bit to quickly see the time. With the Pebble, I have to move it even more. Now granted, the screen brightness has a huge impact on legibility already, but if the display was laminated closer to the screen it was save me some millimeters when I need to glance at my wrist.

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The Verdict

So who should buy this watch? Most people should pass on this watch. If you use an iPhone you should absolutely not get the Pebble Time because none of the advanced features work on iOS yet and they may never work. If you have an iPhone, get an Apple Watch; you'll be much happier. If you use an Android phone then the only reason you should get the Pebble time is if you want a smartwatch that lasts longer than Android Wear watches and you're always in very well lit rooms or very dark rooms. In other words, most Android users would probably be happier with an Android Wear watch. I enjoyed using the original Pebble, especially when I just wanted to know why my phone was buzzing, but it didn't age well (mostly due to the plastic screen), I couldn't wear it when I needed to look nice, and it didn't integrate with my iPhone very well. The Time doesn't solve any of those problems. Even though the Time is more capable on an Android device, the realities of using an e-paper display make it so difficult to recommend, especially when you get get an Android Wear watch that will look just as good for less money or better for the same or a little more money. If Pebble had increased the resolution, changed the display technology or dramatically improved it, and worked with Google to make Google Now integration work then they may have had a compelling product, but as it stands it feels like Pebble just wasted their time for the past year. They had their opportunity and they did pretty well despite the limitations of the first Pebble, but I don't think e-paper screens are the future of smartwatches, which means Pebble probably won't be a part of that future either.

Android 5.1.1_r6 Heads to AOSP as Build LMY48G, Factory Image of It Posted for Nexus 7 (2013)

Kellen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:43:22 +0000

Google just posted Android 5.1.1_r6 to AOSP this morning as build LMY48G. Shortly after that happened, they posted a factory image of LMY48G for the Nexus 7 (2013). This new version is likely just a bug fixer, but it could also mean another round of updates for all of our favorite Nexus devices. We'll keep you posted if anything changes.

Via: AOSP | Google

Samsung Galaxy S6 Active Review

Kellen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:35:38 +0000

What happens when you take the best Android phone you can buy today and toss a protective shell on it, enlarge its battery, and make it waterproof? You get the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active, an AT&T exclusive that is aimed at the "active" crowd who enjoys working out, has a job that requires a tougher phone, or those who want a little extra protection around a phone without giving up flagship-level specs and experiences. I've spent the last couple of weeks with the Galaxy S6 Active, taking it on daily runs and a couple of hikes, to try and put it through what I would consider to be "active" tests. I also used it as a daily phone for checking email, messaging, cruising YouTube, playing music, and running my favorite apps, which is the way most will use it, since most of us aren't working out or smashing our phones with hammers 19 hours a day. I didn't drive over it with a car or throw it off of a building, because well, that's just stupid. I used it like an active person would. This is my Galaxy S6 Active review.

About this review

Before we get into this, understand that this review is going to be much shorter than a typical review of ours. After all, this phone really is just a Galaxy S6 with a bigger battery and water/dust/shock-proofing. There are some obvious design tweaks, new buttons, and no fingerprint scanner, but the processor, display, camera, and software are all identical to the other Galaxy S6 phones. So we won't be talking about those areas, necessarily, because well, we wrote up a massive Galaxy S6 review that touched on all of them. So if you want to catch up on all of those areas, be sure to read our Galaxy S6 review. In this review, we'll focus on what has changed from the S6 to this Active version. We'll talk design, using the phone, battery life, and whether or not this would be a good phone for the active crowd, a regular person, or both. Ready?

Design The design of the Galaxy S6 Active certainly wants you to believe that it is ready for battle. It sports a metal-esque outer protective frame with exposed screws, noticeable texture throughout its body and sides for extra grip, and a camo paint job on some models. Nothing screams "Active!" like camo, right? I wouldn't necessarily call this phone pretty, but "manly" would pass. This phone wants you to think it can withstand a punch or drop or hammer smash and it probably can. Not that I took a hammer to this review unit, but I'd imagine that if this phone dropped from your hand to a hard surface a number of times, it would survive them time and time again. In fact, AT&T claims that this phone "Meets U.S. Mil-STD-810G for water-resistance and to withstand dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, and high altitude." See, it's pretty tough. In terms of size, the Galaxy S6 Active is slightly taller, wider, thicker, and heavier than the regular S6. The size and weight differences are due to the fact that it sports a bigger battery and has a protective layer around. I wouldn't call this phone "big" when compared to something like the Galaxy Note 4, but if you go from regular S6 to this, you will notice a difference in the size. Outside of the appearance, this phone differs from the regular Galaxy S6 in that it has three physical navigation buttons and an additional "Active" button above the volume rocker on its left side. I am in no way a fan of this navigation button setup. I can get used to a single, physical home button on the Galaxy S6, but having to fully press a back and app switcher is just not an enjoyable experience. It adds extra time when you want to do something as quick as going back a screen or hiding the keyboard. And not only are they not fun to use, but they look pretty ugly as well. Seriously, look at the random symbols and design of these things. And look, physical buttons aren't a deal-breaker when you look at the rest of the package here, it's just that I would 10 times out of 10 prefer the regular Galaxy S6's setup over this.

As for the "Active" button, you get an additional button that can be programmed to quickly launch apps. I don't know why this has anything to do with a person being active or not, but it's there and does indeed open apps quickly. You can set it to open one app on a short press, along with a second app on a long press. For the most part, you need your phone awake and unlocked in order to take advantage of this, but you can tell it to allow these presses to work with the screen locked too. I used the button all of two or three times I think. I could see how this could be useful, but in the way I use my phone, I just didn't see a need for a new button. Overall, the phone isn't the ugliest phone on the planet, but it's not exactly a looker either. With its combination of ruggedness and odd button designs, it's neither modern nor industrial. It's kind of a mix of "Hey, I think I'm tough so I need a tough-looking phone" and "Dude, at least my ugly phone will survive if I drop it in the toilet." But hey, maybe you don't care what your rugged phone looks like as long as it can survive some hurt. After all, that is sort of the point here. Using the phone If you talk about a software experience on the S6 Active, outside of its "Active" button and the lack of a fingerprint scanner, it's identical to the regular S6. This is the same supposedly toned-down TouchWiz, same notification pulldown and lock screen, the same settings experience, the same stock apps, and you even have the double-tap-home to quickly launch the camera. I really couldn't tell you a difference between the two. Now, if you talk about in-hand, hardware use, it does differ. As I mentioned above, the phone is slightly larger and heavier, plus it has that new Active button. As a runner, I tend to run with my phone in hand, so that I can quickly control apps, check my run stats, etc., and so I noticed the change in thickness when going from the regular S6 to the Active over the last couple of weeks. I got used to it, though, and those extra grippy spots throughout the phone's frame really help.

What I didn't care for, is that new Active button. Not that I don't see a use for it, but because it was added, Samsung had to slide the volume rocker down the side of the phone a bit. Because of this adjustment, I found that I was constantly accidentally adjusting the volume when I didn't want to be. With the regular S6, the volume rocker is placed up high so that it is out of the way when holding your phone. On the S6 Active, that damn volume rocker is exactly in the place where I hold my phone with a full grip. This silly move is as comically bad as the one HTC made with its volume rocker/lock button setup on the One M9. Samsung, for whatever reason, also tossed the headphone jack back up on top of this phone, even though they moved it to the bottom on the regular S6. As you probably know, I'm always going to be on #teambottomjack and so this move doesn't make me happy. With a top headphone jack, the cord on your headphones is constantly in the way, making for a hell of a frustrating experience, especially when you are out doing something active, like running. This phone isn't a disaster to use or anything, it's just that Samsung made some small tweaks that unfortunately, hurt the overall experience when compared to the regular S6. Battery Life How pissed were you when you saw that the S6 Active had a bigger battery (3,500mAh) than your recently-purchased regular S6 (2,550mAh)? Hold that thought, because it's going to get worse. In my time with the S6 Active and its massive 3,500mAh battery, I came away incredibly impressed by the fact that this phone can easily pull you through a heavy day, yet Samsung hardly increased size or weight.

During my testing, with over two hours of screen-on time each day (a mix of WiFi and LTE), I could have easily hit the 25+ hour mark without needing a charge. Since I live in an AT&T black hole of signal death that destroys all batteries, that's pretty incredible battery life. For a normal user, with a good AT&T connection, I could see this phone getting you well into a second day. Even on days where I went straight terrible LTE connection, I was pushing to 20+ hours of use. After having spent the last couple of months with an S6 and its mediocre battery life, I can't tell you how refreshing it has been to use a phone that doesn't need to take advantage of fast charging twice per day. If there was ever a time for a company to release a "MAXX" version of a phone, it would be Samsung doing a Galaxy S6 MAXX, that kept everything about the regular S6 the same, outside of a slightly thicker body that could house this big of a battery.

The Active side As an "active" phone, this phone totally passes the test. As I mentioned, I took it regularly on sweat-filled runs, packed it around on hikes, dropped it a couple of times, tossed it regularly in the bathtub to confirm that it can withstand some water, let my son throw it around the house, and even spit beer all over it (on accident). I never felt like this phone was going to be in trouble. Not only does the battery last forever, but I always felt a sense of security while using it. If I was in a situation where it could drop or I might spill on it, I wasn't worried. I can't say the same for my regular Galaxy S6.

Camera Samsung tossed the same 16MP camera into the S6 Active as was used in the regular S6. Since the camera used in the regular S6 is considered by many (including us) to be the best in the business, I can't imagine you will be disappointed in this area. The UI is the same. The quick launch shortcut is the same. The speed of the focus and shutter are the same. It's awesomely the same. If you want differences, you'll find it in the pre-loaded Sports and Aqua modes. The Sports mode you can download on the regular S6, but the Aqua is (for obvious reasons) exclusive to the Active line. In this mode, you are basically just activating the Active and volumes buttons as your shutter and video record, respectively, when underwater Here are some samples that I captured.

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

Other notes

No fingerprint sensor: Nope, no fingerprint sensor on this phone. Most of you probably don't care, but this is one of the differences from the regular S6, which does impact the level of convenient security that we bragged about in our S6 review.
Performance: Thanks to that Exynos 7420 processor and 3GB RAM, this phone is absolutely fine in terms of performance. It's fast, apps load and switch quickly, the camera fires right up when you want it to, and it reboots in a hurry should you need to bypass Samsung's memory leak.
Storage: This phone comes with 32GB of storage and that's it. There isn't a microSD slot and you don't have options for more storage in more expensive models. Hopefully, 32GB is enough for you.
Fast and wireless charging: This phone features both wireless charging (both standards too) and fast charging. Trust me, you'll need the fast charging on a battery this big. Well, you'll need it when you actually end up charging this battery beast.
AT&T exclusive: We hate carrier exclusives, but this Active line has been exclusive to AT&T for years now. It won't shock anyone that you can only buy this phone through AT&T, it's just too bad, because there are plenty of customers of other carriers that could benefit from this phone.

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Final thoughts

The Galaxy S6 Active is for the most part, a really great phone. It has almost all of the good stuff from the Galaxy S6, yet is also equipped with a massive battery that will last you more than a day, and can withstand some water and rough play. The camera on this phone is awesome, as is the display. If you want some negatives, I'd say that the design itself is quite ugly, but that's my personal opinion. I don't like the button setup either. But really, the biggest downside here is that this phone is an exclusive to AT&T. Options like this need to be available to more people, especially when this phone specifically addresses some of regular Galaxy S6's biggest weaknesses. I'd pick up a Galaxy S6 Active if I really needed a phone that was super tough and water resistant, because it's every bit as good as the regular Galaxy S6 in the other areas that matter.

OnePlus 2 to Feature "Refined and Lightning Quick" Fingerprint Scanner

Tim — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:10:36 +0000

Leading up to July 27, the date set for the unveiling of the OnePlus 2, OnePlus has shared yet another juicy specification detail with fans. As announced, the device will feature a "refined and lightning quick" fingerprint scanner, bringing added security to users of the OnePlus 2. According to OnePlus, the scanner featured in the device will be faster than Apple's TouchID, which is quite fast. However, Samsung's implementation of fingerprint reading is also fast on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, so we will just have to wait and see who reigns supreme in the fingerprint scanning category. As posted on OnePlus' forum, "On the OnePlus 2, one quick tap takes you right to your homescreen. With the ability to store up to five fingerprint profiles, it’s fast, it’s safe, and it’s secure." Again, July 27 is the date to mark on your calendar. We can assume by then we will basically know everything about the device, besides what it looks like. Unless a leak occurs, which is also possible. Excited?

Via: OnePlus

LG Tribute 2 and LG Volt 2 Now Available From Boost Mobile

Tim — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 10:22:31 +0000

Two new mid-range devices launched onto Boost Mobile today, the LG Tribute 2 and Volt 2. Being sequels to last year's models, both devices feature rear-facing keys, and a bit of updated specifications. The Tribute 2 features a 4.5" IPS display (854x480), Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB of RAM, 5MP rear-facing camera, LTE connectivity, 8GB of onboard storage with microSD slot, and runs Android 5.1 out of the box. As for the Volt 2, this phone has a 5" HD (720p) display, Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear-facing camera, LTE connectivity, microSD card support, 2,540mAh battery, and also runs Android 5.1. For pricing, the Tribute 2 is just $99 off-contract, while the Volt 2 is $149.99. If you are a Boost customer, those prices for this much phone seems like a pretty solid deal. If interested, they are on sale now and can be found by following the link below.

Via: Sprint

Google Teams Up With FRA to Include Railroad Crossings in Google Maps

Tim — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 09:08:49 +0000

According to The New York Times, Google and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will announce a partnership today that will lead to the inclusion of all grade crossings in the United States via Google Maps. The FRA's hope is that this addition to Maps will bring down the amount of accidents that happen at crossings, which spiked last year by 9%. In total, there are over 200K crossings in the US, with roughly 2,000 accidents taking place each year at these locations. With the help of new audible and visual warnings while users have voice navigation turned on, Google Maps can hopefully have a direct impact on the number of accidents. There is no word on when these changes will be made to Maps, but once Google and the FRA make the official announcement, we should have a good idea as to when you can expect it. Anything that makes driving safer is a plus in our book.

Via: The New York Times

T-Mobile's JUMP! On Demand Program is Now Live at T-Mobile Stores

Kellen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 08:22:20 +0000

That's right, T-Mobile's new JUMP! On Demand (JOD) program is now live in-store for those interested in buying into a program that lets you upgrade up to three times per year. Announced last week, JUMP! On Demand is a lease program that breaks a phone's cost down into 18 equal monthly payments with zero down upfront. Once you are in JOD, you can swap out for a new phone up to three times per year without having to pay to upgrade. If you don't upgrade, at 18 months you will have the choice to either trade in again or buy the phone for the remaining balance of what it would cost at full retail. According to T-Mobile, there isn't an extra mark-up at the end - you pay the difference between the phone at full retail and however much you paid during those 18 months. Current phones in the program are the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 4, LG G4, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. If you would like to see monthly pricing for each, you can find that here. You can get more general info at T-Mobile's site or stores. We also have a breakdown for you here. Interested?

The Latest on Motorola 5.1 Updates for Moto X, Moto E, and Moto G

Kellen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 06:36:10 +0000

Late on Friday, Motorola's David Schuster dropped another handful of status notes on Android 5.1 updates for his company's line of devices. The weekend has now passed, and most of the world checked out by the time Schuster shared the info, so here is the news to catch everyone up.

He confirmed that the Verizon Moto X (2nd gen) is indeed going through a soak test of Android 5.1. Of course, we already confirmed as much. If all goes well, though, the update should start this week for everyone.
Soak test for the Moto G (1st gen) LTE to Android 5.1 started in the US.
Soak test for the Moto E (1st gen) to Android 5.1 is resuming in Brazil and India.
Related, but not from Schuster: Invites to a soak test of Lollipop for the AT&T Moto X (2nd gen) went out on Friday afternoon.

As a recap, the DROID Turbo also should have started last week, so assuming that goes well, the update could be available to the rest of you within the next week. I do not believe Motorola has actually begun that test yet, though. We'll keep you posted there.

Via: +David Schuster [1, 2]

Cheers B, B, and J!

Don't Miss These Top Android Stories: 6/26/2015

Tim — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 15:40:08 +0000

I don't know about where you all are, but here in the Portland, OR area, it's hot! Too darn hot! Looking back, we had a great week, posting up our full NVIDIA SHIELD review, going hands-on with always-on apps for Android Wear, and OnePlus announced the official unveiling date for the OnePlus 2. In other exciting news, DROID Turbo owners may rest a bit better, knowing that Lollipop will likely soon be hitting their devices. Additionally, we got what could be our first look at the Moto G (3rd Gen), Project Fi hopefuls can now check the status of their invite, and a Material Design theme was released for the Galaxy S6. Did you miss something good? Have a look below.

Have a solid weekend, y'all!

Google to Stop Development and Support for Android Developer Tools (ADT) in Eclipse at End of 2015

Tim — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 13:51:42 +0000

Google announced big changes for developers today in a post to the official Android Developers blog, stating the company is to stop development and support for Android Developer Tools (ADT) in Eclipse at the end of this year. Over the next few months, Google will continue to improve upon Android Studio, its new go-to for app development. For developers, this means that it is time to migrate any existing Eclipse ADT projects into Android Studio. As Google notes, this process is very simple - File, New, Import Project in Android Studio. As stated in the post by the Android Developers team, "We are focused on Android Studio so that our team can deliver a great experience on a unified development environment. Android tools inside Eclipse will continue to live on in the open source community via the Eclipse Foundation." If you develop, it's time to migrate.

Via: Android Developers

Deal: Grab a Cute Andru Chill USB Charger for Just $15, Free Shipping

Tim — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 12:34:34 +0000

Over on the DL Deals Store, you can grab a Andru Chill USB Charger for just $15, down from its usual price of $25. We have covered these Andru chargers before, since they feature an adorable little Bugdroid character, and this is a good chance to score one below their MSRP. This little Bugdroid charger features moving arms and antennae, plus light-up eyes while your device is charging or in standby mode. Included with the charger is its own little stand, plus a cable for the actual charging of a phone. If you have always wanted one of these little guys, hop on it. Features

Moveable arms & flexible antennae
Light-up eyes (blue while charging, green on standby)
Soft & smooth white finish
Comes w/ his own stand & cable
Cute & small at 2.5 inches tall
Works w/ Apple accessories or any USB-capable devices; you just need to provide your own USBcable

Deal Link

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How to: Use Always-On Apps With Android Wear

Kellen — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 12:01:35 +0000

This morning, Google shared with us a list of recently updated apps that can all take advantage of Android Wear's new always-on apps feature in 5.1. The feature is useful in situations where you may want to keep information from an app up on your screen, but you don't necessarily want it blasting out in full color and brightness, eating up that tiny watch battery. Always-on apps allow you to take advantage of your watch's ambient or always-on mode, where your watch can dim itself to a black-and-white-heavy screen that conserves battery without fully turning off your display. By allowing apps to use this low-power mode, you could do things like keep your boarding pass up on your watch until the moment you need it, leave running information on display without having to dig for the running app while moving, or quickly view a shopping list. As more apps build in always-on functionality, I think we will all find this new feature to be incredibly useful. For now, we want to make sure you all know how to activate it and have put together this quick tutorial.

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Google Opinion Rewards Updated, Now Available in Brazil and Mexico

Tim — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:23:29 +0000

Just yesterday, we went over the benefits of Google's Opinion Rewards app. You answer surveys, Google gives you Google Play credit to spend however you want. It's a win-win. Today, the app received an update in Google Play, allowing even more people to join in on the action. Once the update is applied, Google users in Brazil and Mexico can begin taking surveys, earning money for questions they answer. The app update is now available to all, so go grab it and start earning that money. Play Link

Moto X (2nd Gen) on Verizon is Indeed Getting Android 5.1 Lollipop Via Soak Test

Kellen — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:00:10 +0000

Remember that soak test for a "preview of a new software release" for the Verizon Moto X (2nd gen) that was supposed to begin last week? It started today. You know how we assumed it would be Android 5.1 Lollipop? It is. In fact, it's Android 5.1, system version 23.16.3, and is roughly 500MB in size. Assuming this soak test works out OK for testers, it shouldn't be long before Verizon and Motorola start a slow rollout to the rest of the owners of this phone. If you want to check out the full changelog for the update, you can find it here. For those who are a part of the soak, enjoy those beautiful animations.

Cheers K, N, R, J, M, B, M, and everyone else!

Friday App Sales: NHL 2K, Chainsaw Warrior, XCOM: Enemy Within, and More

Tim — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:52:56 +0000

A great looking list of apps is available on Google Play for discounted pricing this week, meaning you may not have to be too bored over the weekend. 2K Games has XCOM: Enemy Within, WWE 2K, and NHL 2K listed at sale prices, plus other games like Surgeon Simulator and FOTONICA are also on sale for just a couple of bucks. If gaming isn't your thing, a few utility apps are also on sale, with Minuum Keyboard, System Tuner Pro, Super Backup Pro, and File Expert Pro Plugin also priced at a discount. Check the full list below. Friday App Sales

Field Recorder ($1.89)
Templar Assault RPG Elite ($0.99)
NHL 2K ($2.99)
Chainsaw Warrior ($0.99)
Minuum Keyboard + Smart Emoji ($1.99)
XCOM: Enemy Within ($4.99)
WWE 2K ($5.99)
FOTONICA ($0.99)
File Expert Pro Key Plugin ($2.99)
Vampires: Todd and Jessica ($0.99)
Super Backup Pro ($0.99)
System Tuner Pro ($2.83)
Deep Dungeons of Doom ($1.99)
Surgeon Simulator ($1.99)
Stopwatch and Timer+ ($1.09)

Go support those developers.

Google Lists a Few Helpful Always-On Android Wear Apps, Including Runtastic and GolfShot

Tim — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 09:48:52 +0000

In a blog post to the official Android site, Google details a few always-on apps for Android Wear that can benefit smartwatch users whenever they may be needed. Apps such as MapMyRun, Delta Airlines, and GolfShot can keep you informed at all times, while also not blowing your battery life out of the water. To get started with always-on apps through Android Wear, first make sure you have it enabled under your settings menu. Then, place your palm over the device while the app is running, or wait for the screen to timeout. You will see your colorful app turn to black and white, meaning it is now always-on. In a few cases, having an always-on app can be very helpful, such as when you go for a run or are at the airport. If you are taking a jog around the block, apps like Endomondo and Runtastic can be left as always-on, meaning that while you are running, you can easily glance down at your watch and see all of your data, without having to turn the watch on with a flick of the wrist.

Maybe you are at the airport? Apps from Delta, American Airlines, and KLM can be left on, making sure you can quickly access your boarding pass while getting roughed up by the TSA. In addition, they can show you flight status, gate number, and seat information all from the wrist, keeping your phone safely in your pocket. If you are looking for a few new apps for Android Wear, Google has a little curated selection on Google Play right here. Update: Here is a full video tutorial on how to use always-on mode.

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Via: Android

Android 5.1 Available to All With a Moto X (2nd Gen) Pure Edition

Kellen — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 07:58:51 +0000

According to Motorola's David Schuster, master of the update on updates, "full deployment" of Android 5.1 to the US Moto X (2nd gen) "Pure Edition" has begun. The update is available to those on builds 22.21.11.victara_tmo.tmo.en.US and 23.11.14.victara_tmo.tmo.en.US. For those of us on that really early build of 23.1.28, well, who knows if we'll ever see an update. To grab the update, head into Settings>About phone and hammer on that "System updates" button.

Via: +David Schuster

DEAL: Moto 360 for as Little as $149 at Woot

Kellen — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 07:14:29 +0000

Would you pull the trigger on your first Android Wear smartwatch if it was the Moto 360 and you only had to pay $150? That's the scenario in front of you today, thanks to a deal from Woot. The Moto 360, which is probably still the best looking smartwatch to date (and just received Android 5.1), can be had for $150 with a leather band or $180 with a metal band. At retail, the Moto 360 with a leather band normally runs $250; with a metal band, you are looking at $300. Not a bad deal. The deal includes a 1-year warranty from Motorola. Woot Link

Cheers Kevin, Justin, Jeff, duke69111, R Wayne, and everyone else!

DROID TURBO SOAK TEST STARTING. This is Not a Joke. It Better be Lollipop.

Kellen — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 19:19:41 +0000

It's coming! The wave of emails in our inbox all suggest that the DROID Turbo is about to get a new update. A number of our readers have been invited to "participate in an early preview of a new software release" through Motorola's Feedback Network. Of course, the invite doesn't mention Android 5.1 Lollipop, but this has to be it. It has to be, right? Please just be. Excitement. We will update this post as we have more.

Cheers J, A, J, E, N, A, J, A, and everyone else!

So Much Jelly: Look at This Neat Trick for Chrome Users on iOS

Tim — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:55:07 +0000

Over on the official Google+ page for Chrome, the team showed off a neat trick for iOS users, one which makes us, faithful Android fans, a wee bit jelly. As shown in the above GIF, when a user pulls down on a tab, they can slide their finger ever so slightly to select between adding a new tab, refreshing the current tab, or closing the tab. Dang, that's nice. Sometimes, the teams over at Google rollout features such as this to iOS first, but then soon release it for Android. Chrome for Android recently received an update, allowing users to pull down a tab to refresh it, so we are close to this level of functionality. If we see something like this released for Android, we shall let you know.

Via: +Chrome

Activision's Geometry Wars 3 Hits Google Play for $5

Tim — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:00:44 +0000

From publishers Activison, Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is now available on Google Play for $5. In this game, you control a tiny ship of sorts, shooting various shapes that want to destroy you. When you blow up a ship, they drop emerald green coins, and these coins are used to multiply your score and give you a better weapon. As you progress, the game gets increasingly difficult, with faster enemies, and even bosses. While the gameplay is nice and notable, it's the graphics and usage of geometry that fans enjoy about this franchise of games. With dark backgrounds and bright ships, everything looks fantastic when being blown into smithereens. The game will cost you $5 out of pocket, but there are zero ads and zero IAPs. If you like Geometry Wars, it's a must. Play Link ($4.99)