Droid Life

Credit Cards Being Charged for Nexus 6P Orders, Should be Time for Shipment (Updated: Shipping Now!)

Kellen — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 07:45:37 +0000

On October 15, Google began charging credit cards for pre-orders placed on one of their new phones, the Nexus 5X. Four days later, on October 19, Google announced that those early Nexus 5X orders were to begin shipping. And sure enough, they did. Last night, pre-orders for the Nexus 6P, the other Nexus phone with a mysterious launch date, made it through to the credit card charging stage and are showing as "Processing" in many cases. I think it's safe to say that shipment is imminent. So if we look at the Nexus 5X's timeline, we essentially went from Thursday credit card processing to Monday shipments. If we go by last night's wave of credit card charges, we could once again be looking at a Thursday to Monday timeline. Nothing is set in stone there, but Google wouldn't be charging cards if it wasn't preparing to ship items - that's how this whole deal works. Keep an eye out for charges and then feel free to cruise into the Google Store to check on your order status. Let us know if anything ships! Update: Some are already shipping - shipping notices are going out! (Cheers Courtland!)

Cheers Damian, Daniel, Taylor, Hasnain, Kenneth, Jon, and everyone else!

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

Tim — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:21:58 +0000

For those hoping to get into Android development, take a look at the Learn-by-Example Android Developer Course on the DL Deals Store, priced at only $19 for a limited time. Inside, buyers get lifetime access to 59 lectures that includes 11+ hours of content, which will guide you to creating 10 Android apps all on your own. During these lectures, you will learn about the API technologies that go into building Android applications, as well as utilizing these same APIs to create apps of your own. Of course, the lectures will also dive into using Android Studio, Junit testing framework, and provides royalty-free source code for you to use. If interested, follow that shiny link below. 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

Fingerprint Cards AB, Makers of the Sensor Found in the Nexus 5X and 6P, was Almost Bought by Samsung

Tim — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:56:46 +0000

The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P feature Android Imprint, the name given to what is the fingerprint reader and software that utilizes it on the latest flagship devices from Google. More interestingly, the maker of the reader hardware itself, Fingerprint Cards AB, was almost acquired by Samsung a couple of years ago for a whopping $650 million. Today, as we can see, that deal never came to be, and now Fingerprint Card AB's technology is not only seen in the Nexus phones, but in the OnePlus 2, LG V10, and the upcoming Robin from Nextbit. If you have yet to experience a fingerprint reader on one of these devices, we can tell you, they are exceptionally good at what they do. The readers detect and read your fingerprint exceptionally fast, thanks to technology built by Precise Biometrics that handles fingerprint recognition and matching algorithms that work beside the sensor. A few years ago, fingerprint readers on Android phones were an absolute mess. Remember having to swipe on a tiny sensor for it to read properly? Yes, thankfully, those days are far behind us. Now, readers on Android devices are just as good as Apple's Touch ID, which was the pinnacle for smartphones for a short amount of time. Imagine if Samsung had purchased Fingerprint Cards AB, instead of opting to go the Synaptics route as we have on the Galaxy S6 and other Galaxy models from this year. We might still be here swiping our fingers to get a reading. Now, this same company is supplying readers for many OEMs, with plenty of more devices featuring it on the way.

Via: The Verge

Minecraft: Story Mode From Telltale Games Available on Google Play for $4.99

Tim — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:29:01 +0000

For those who missed it, Telltale Game's Minecraft: Story Mode is now on Google Play, with the first episode priced at $4.99. In the game, you play as multiple characters who set out to defeat evil forces in their blocky world. Telltale's main effort in Story Mode is to stay true to the Minecraft world, using only graphics and blocks you would normally find in the game. Of course, characters will appear a bit different, as they have been given voices and personalities. With that said, you will create enchanted items, build things, and basically experience a really fancy Minecraft game. As previously mentioned the first episode is $4.99, with future episodes costing money. A season pass can be purchased for $24.99 through Telltale's website. Now go forth and build. Play Link ($4.99)

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iFixit Gives the Nexus 5X Its Teardown Treatment

Kellen — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:59:09 +0000

Like it does with every meaningful flagship phone, iFixit has given its teardown treatment to Google's Nexus 5X. These teardowns, for those not familiar, are a way for iFixit to tell you how easy a phone is to repair, should you buy one and need to fix something down the road, like a broken display, bad battery, etc. These also give the nerd in us a fun inside peek at the phones we use everyday. At the end of this phone murder, iFixit has given the Nexus 5X a repairability score of 7 out of 10, which isn't bad. It scored points for the fact that its components are modular and can be replaced independently, for the most part, and that it only takes a simple Philips screwdriver to work around. It lost points because of its fused display, which means if you break the LCD, you will have to replace both the LCD and the glass to get it working again. Outside of its repair score, the teardown reveals a whole bunch of Qualcomm chips, including the Snapdragon 808 and Quick Charge 2.0 modules. The camera is once again confirmed as the Sony IMX377, a 12.3MP shooter. Finally, the decently-sized 2700mAh non-removable battery almost appears to be removable, but isn't. To get a deeper look inside the 5X, hit up the source link below.

Via: iFixit

Video: HTC One A9 Hands-on and First Impressions

Tim — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:40:57 +0000

We have the One A9 from HTC in-house, and what better way to kick off our coverage than with a hands-on and initial impressions post. Our opinion on the device and HTC as a company has been posted numerous times, most recently here, but I will attempt to cover the device as I would any other. Yes, it looks like an iPhone, but regardless of what it looks like, it's a solid little mid-range device priced at just $399. Why not give it a chance? Upon picking it up, the device is very light, yet it gives off a premium in-hand feel. Its metallic design is complimented by bands and a top portion that matches whichever color the front side is. We were provided a White model, so the top portion on this unit is accented white. It's a nice little aesthetic touch. When focusing only on what HTC did right with this device, there is quite a bit. First, the device comes with microSD card support (something people love), NFC (naturally), a fingerprint reader (yes, the phone features Android Pay support), and the phone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box. It should be noted this is the first device to launch onto the market running Marshmallow that is not a Nexus device. And while the device does run Sense UI, HTC appears to have made their visual changes quite minimal when compared to past renditions. For example, instead of a heavily skinned system toggle UI, we have the vanilla Android theme in the pulldown, which is a fantastic touch for fans of Android. Alongside the bottom, we have a single speaker (no BoomSound except through headphones), microUSB port (no Type-C), and a 3.5mm headphone jack. A few of the downsides, at least in my opinion, was the choice of processor used and non-removable battery size. The One A9 runs a Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor, and features only a 2150mAh battery. Although the battery is small in capacity, the phone does support Quick Charge 2.0, and is future compatible with Quick Charge 3.0 after a future software update. To help future proof this device a bit more, I would have liked to see a Snapdragon 800 series processor, but more importantly, a larger battery. With that said, to keep the device small and to stick to an affordable price, HTC likely had to make these tough choices. While I work to put together a review, watch our hands-on video, then share your comments down below if you think the One A9 is worth the $399 price.

Hands-on

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Gallery

Activating a Nexus 6P or 5X on Verizon: Some Things to Know (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:14:01 +0000

So, you picked up a new Nexus 5X this week or are expecting to receive your Nexus 6P in the near future and want to use them on Verizon, eh? There are some things to know first, as is always the case with unlocked phones that work on Verizon's network. Like with the Moto X Pure Edition and Nexus 6 before it, getting the new Nexus phones up and running may not be the smoothest process depending on your stance with Big Red as a customer and whether or not they plan to certify these devices for use. Let's talk about it.

These phones do work on Verizon.

Yep, they do. Google, as was the case with the Nexus 6, made these phones compatible with every single major US carrier and that includes Verizon. Look at the photo above for proof. That's my Nexus 5X with a Verizon SIM inside and working just fine. If you have active service with Verizon and an active nano SIM card, you can put that SIM in your new Nexus phone, reboot it, and it will connect to Verizon's network. It's really that simple. You don't even have to deal with Verizon to do this. Just swap the nano SIM from your current phone and into your new Nexus.

Don't have an active nano SIM? Uh oh.

This is where things get tricky. Verizon likes to certify everything before they give it an official green light on their network. While Google made the new Nexus phones 100% compatible with Verizon's network, that doesn't exactly mean that Verizon is ready to acknowledge them quite yet in any sort of official capacity. And so in certain situations (where you don't already have an active Verizon nano SIM), you may run into issues getting the phones activated. Situation 1: You are a new Verizon customer who wants to activate a Nexus 5X or 6P. The likelihood of this happening today (October 22) is unlikely. Why, you ask? Because as I just mentioned, Verizon hasn't certified these phones for their network. That means if a Verizon rep were to try and set your phone up on a new account, it would fail because the phones are not yet in their systems as approved phones. Sucks, right? The phones work just fine, but this little tiny activation portion of the setup, where they are basically just activating a SIM for a phone, fails. Situation 2: You are a current Verizon customer and bought a new Nexus 5X or 6P. You own a smartphone, but it just so happens that the phone is older and doesn't have a nano SIM. Instead, you have a micro SIM. You are basically in the same boat as situation 1. You see, you need a nano SIM in order to use one of the new Nexus phones. Since you have a micro SIM, Verizon needs to activate a nano SIM on your account, for your Nexus. But remember, the Nexus phones aren't certified yet for Verizon's network, and so they can't activate that new SIM. Fun!

Are there solutions?

There are some work-arounds, but in reality, your goal is to get a nano SIM activated on your account by any means necessary. Here are some things to try. Solution 1: Go to this Verizon page and test the IMEI on your phone to see if it's "compatible" with Verizon's network. Today (October 22), it'll tell you that it is not, even though it technically is. Basically, this page is a tool to see if Verizon has certified the new Nexus phones or not. If you get the error below, they haven't certified it yet. If you don't get that error and it accepts your phone, then you are good! Feel free to walk into a store and get a nano SIM activated.

Solution 2: Try to convince anyone at a Verizon store to activate a nano SIM in something like a floor model. They can do this, but have probably been told not to. Some store managers or rebel sales reps will do it, but the chances of you finding one are probably pretty slim. Hey, give it a shot, though. You see, by activating a nano SIM for you in a demo phone (even temporarily), you are winning because remember, your goal was to get a nano SIM activated on your account. Once you have it, you have it and can slap that little guy in your Nexus phone and be on your way. Solution 3: Convince a friend or family member with a phone that uses a nano SIM to let you borrow it for a few minutes. Basically, you just need their phone to take into a store or use online to get a nano SIM activated. Once you have an active nano SIM, they can have their phone back and can also put their SIM back in. Then you also now have an active SIM that can be placed inside your Nexus. Solution 4: If you have an active micro SIM, you can cut it down to a nano SIM. It's not a difficult process, but it does require some specific tools that you can get at places like Amazon for a few dollars. Here are instructions for cutting a micro SIM down to a nano SIM.

Will they ever certify these phones?

As of right now, I do not know the answer to this. I've reached out to Verizon to see and will update this post if I hear back. This is a big deal because if they do certify these phones, you won't have to deal with that whole work-around mess. Good luck! UPDATE: I have yet to hear back from Verizon, but Google has updated their 5X and 6P specs pages with the following info and also says that Verizon customers having issues should call the phone number below.

Verizon customers: If you have a new SIM card and are having problems activating it, try restarting your phone. If that doesn't work, call Verizon Customer Care at (800) 922-0204. You'll need your IMEI number, which you can find by going to Settings > About phone > Status > IMEI information.

Give it a go.

Chrome Beta 47 Adds Splash Screens, Auto Dismissing Notifications

Kellen — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:23:45 +0000

Chrome Beta 47 arrived last night for all with a changelog posted to the Chromium blog not far behind it. The update introduces splash screens, better desktop notification management support, and a bunch of security fixes. Splash screens are a new feature that can be added by web developers, so that if a shortcut to a web page has been added to a home screen, tapping on it will load a quick colorful animation, with icon, while the web page is loading in the background. It's a nifty feature that betters the overall polish of a shortcut, but in reality, it's giving you something fun to look at while things load in the background. As for the notification management, the Chrome team has given developers the power to set timers to notifications that arrive via their web pages, so that they will automatically dismiss themselves. Many notifications are time sensitive and so it makes sense that they are not left hanging for hours after becoming irrelevant. The update is live now. To via the full changelog, hit up the source link below. Play Link

Via: Chromium

Instagram Publishes Boomerang App to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:11:53 +0000

A new app from the team at Instagram hit Google Play this morning, called Boomerang. With it, users create interesting forward and backward videos, offering cool effects from whatever you might capture. Boomerang shoots a clip of whatever you want, plays the clip forwards and backwards, then loops it in an attempt to create something unique and interesting. The loop itself is made up of 10 still images, giving the videos a GIF-like effect. These shots can then be posted to Instagram or wherever else you may want to share it. From what I can see, there are no filters, since you can easily share the clip to Instagram and apply filters there. The app is now available on Google Play. Play Link

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Via: Instagram

Swiftkey 6.0 Hits Public Beta, Adds Double-Word Prediction and Revamped Emoji Panel

Kellen — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:42:24 +0000

Swiftkey is pushing a version 6.0 of its popular keyboard this morning to its public beta channel. The keyboard maker is calling it the "biggest launch of new features" since they made Swiftkey free to all last year. In the update, Swiftkey is introducing Double-Word prediction, which is exactly as it sounds. Instead of only offering up single word predictions, Swiftkey is now attempting to "predict the next two words you're likely to type." If you take a look at the image at the top of this post, you can see the idea in action, where Swiftkey has typed out "Swiftkey 6 beta is..." and the keyboard is predicting "out now" as the next two words. Along with the new Double-Word prediction, 6.0 gets a more accessible emoji panel that loads quicker and makes it easier to find the "fire" symbol, since that's the only one anyone needs to use. The settings menu has also been completely overhauled, plus Swiftkey is tossing in a new theme called Carbon Light. The beta should be live now on Google Play, so grab it at the link below. Play Link

Via: Swiftkey (Gotta love broken embargoes!)

Blackberry Priv Specs (Official)

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 19:27:31 +0000

The Blackberry Priv is now up for pre-order in the US for $749. That's kind of a crazy steep price that I can't imagine a whole bunch of people being willing to step up to the plate to take a crack at, but hey, you have all been excited enough about it that anything is possible. With that said, tonight's open pre-orders mean we finally have the full list of specs for this Android-powered security machine. And honestly, they sound freaking amazing. We have a 5.4-inch QHD display, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (with SD support up to 2TB), Snapdragon 808 processor, 18MP rear camera, 3410mAh battery, Quick Charge 2.0 support, wireless charging support with both Qi and PMA standards, and of course, that slideout keyboard that also doubles as a touchpad. Seriously, Blackberry kind of went H.A.M. with this phone. Unfortunately, this is an unlocked phone that only works on AT&T and T-Mobile here in the US. If you were hoping for Verizon support, you will have to hope and wait for Verizon to announce their plans to carry it. The rest of the details can be found below.

Blackberry Priv Specs

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Blackberry Priv Pre-Orders Open in US for $749, Ship November 16 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 19:17:00 +0000

Blackberry seems to have opened pre-orders for their new Android-powered smartphone, the Priv. In the US, you are looking at spending $749 for an unlocked model that will only work on AT&T and T-Mobile. Blackberry notes that orders will begin shipping on November 16. So do we know official specs? We do! You are looking at a "elegant slim design" with a slidout keyboard, 5.4-inch QHD dual-curved screen (2560x1440), Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (SD support up to 2TB), 18MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), 2MP front camera, 802.11ac WiFi, 3410mAh battery with Quick Charge 2.0, NFC, and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The full specs can be found here. Of course, the phone will also bring Blackberry-level security to Android, "colossal" battery life, Blackberry Hub for a unified inbox, Blackberry Calendar, and that slideout keyboard that doubles as a touch pad of sorts. You have all been waiting for this moment - who is pre-ordering? Blackberry Pre-order UPDATE: And Blackberry pulled the pre-order. I guess they weren't quite ready yet.

Cheers Tony!

Wunderlist App Updated With New Design, Marshmallow Goodies

Tim — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:00:57 +0000

The Wunderlist to-do list and tasks app received an update today, bringing with it a completely redesigned look, as well as plenty of features that future proofs the app for Android 6.0 "Marshmallow." For those already running Android 6.0, Wunderlist now allows users to utilize Now on Tap within lists, which brings quick searching through topics on the web right to your fingertips. Additionally, to-dos can be added directly from the notification bar, which is a setting you can toggle from within the app. Wunderlist also notes that they have simplified Quick Add, allowing you to add a to-do with the touch of a button. View the full changelog below, then grab the update on Google Play. What's New

Wunderlist on Android has a new design!
We’ve simplified Quick Add to let you add a to-do at the touch of a button–a big, blue one on your Home Screen.
Add to-dos straight from your notification bar! Enable it via Wunderlist Settings>Account>Notifications>Enable Quick Add Notification, then tap on ‘Add to Wunderlist’ on your notification bar.
With Android Marshmallow 6.0 we’ll ask you for permissions only when we need them.
Got Marshmallow? Use Now on Tap in your lists.

Play Link

Via: Wunderlist

Nexus 5X Receiving Update Today to Build MDB08I

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:31:51 +0000

Nexus 5X devices that are arriving at the homes of Android fans today are receiving a small 42MB update almost immediately out of the box. The build is arriving as MDB08I, which is a build first seen as a factory image earlier in the week. Tough to know what's new in it, but it's likely just a day 1 bug fixer of some sort. If you own a Nexus 5X and haven't seen the update yet and you are currently running build MDA89E, you can download it here from Google. If you need help sideloading OTA updates, hit up these instructions.

Cloud-First Robin Smartphone Pre-Order Now Live, Priced at $399

Tim — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:13:53 +0000

Nextbit's Robin, the cloud-first smartphone that raised over $1.3 million on Kickstarter, is now up for pre-order priced at $399. According to the site where it is for sale, shipment is said to begin in February of 2016, which is quite a few months away. Those interested must choose between a GSM or CDMA model, depending on what carrier you intend to run the device on. There are also two color options, Mint and Midnight. For specs, the device features a Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of onboard storage (plus 100GB in the cloud), 5.2″ FHD LCD display, 13MP rear-facing camera, NFC, Bluetooth, 2,680 mAh battery, dual front-facing speakers, and runs the latest version of Android. Who is pre-ordering a robin? Pre-Order Link

Via: @Nextbitsys

ZTE Announces 64GB Axon Pro for $450, Mid-Range Axon for $330

Tim — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:36:11 +0000

ZTE announced two additional Axon devices this morning, giving buyers even more options when looking through ZTE's current smartphone lineup. Joining the current Axon Pro 32GB model, there is a new 64GB model of the Axon Pro, and a mid-range Axon. Each device is priced quite competitively, with the Axon Pro 64GB priced at $449.98, and the Axon going for $329.98. Each new addition is unlocked, capable of running on GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile. The Axon Pro, the higher-end model, features a 5.5" QHD display, Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, 13MP + 2MP rear-facing dual cameras, 3,000 mAh battery, and Android 5.1.1. The Axon features a 5.5" Full HD display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, the same 13MP + 2MP rear-facing dual cameras, 3,000 mAh battery, NFC, and Android 5.1.1. Each model comes in a variety of colors, including Blue, Gold, and Silver. The phones are purchasable directly through ZTE's website, as well as Amazon and eBay. Amazon Links: Axon Pro 64GB | Axon

Deal Reminder: $40 Gets You Two 3-Port and 4-Port Quick Charge 2.0 Chargers and a Cables

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:04:26 +0000

Just a quick reminder, but the Tronsmart Power Bundle deal we featured a couple of weeks back is about to end over on the DL Deals Store. As a reminder, the deal includes a 3-port Quick Charge 2.0 wall charger, 4-port Quick Charge 2.0 car charger, and a 6-pack of USB cables, all for $39.99. The deal ends in a day, so you may want to decide quickly. Deal Link

Google Shares Two Exclusive Material Design Wallpapers You Haven't Seen Before, Download Them Here

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:11:43 +0000

Yesterday, on Google's Design site, Rachel Been penned an article that shared the story of the art behind the new wallpapers in Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The story talks of the artist's (Carl Kleiner) use of different types of paper, layering, and lighting to create these Material Design beauties...wait a minute. Did I just say paper, layering, and lighting? I did. Wait, you mean the Material Design wallpapers in Android 6.0 aren't just digital creations? They are real compositions of paper that are actual photographs? Indeed they are. How cool is that? The entire blog post on these "paperscapes" lets you in on things like the types of paper used that have "subtle and sophisticated texture." Kleiner also references the "organic" feel to each that is highlighted by "painted surfaces, color pigment powders, floating ink, and the like." It's actually pretty interesting stuff, even if you aren't an art guy or gal. On a related note, the post includes two never-before-seen exclusive wallpapers designed by Carl Kleiner that are available for download. Both are fantastic looking, especially when you, again, realize that these are photos of actual creations made up of paper and texture. Below, you will find small resized versions of each to give you a preview of what you are about to get yourself into. If you want the full resolution versions, you can grab them here (blue) and here (red) or at the source link below.

Via: Google Design

Google is Also Launching YouTube Music on October 28, Yet Another YouTube App

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:10:11 +0000

As a part of its YouTube red announcement, Google announced a new app to the growing YouTube line-up, YouTube Music. Yes, come October 28, we will not only have YouTube, YouTube Kids, YouTube Gaming, YouTube Red subscriptions, and Google Play Music, we will also have a stand-alone music app for YouTube, called YouTube Music. Keeping up with all of that? The Music app attempts to make "discovering, watching, and listening" to music as easy as ever, or maybe at least tries to hide all of the non-music you'll find on YouTube that you may have no interest in. Google states that YouTube Music will "start you on a personal journey through one of the richest music catalogs" with the tap of a single song or artist. The new YouTube Music app will arrive on October 28 when Red kicks off. We'll have more then.

Via: YouTube

YouTube Announces YouTube Red, It's Ad-Free Service With Special Perks (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 10:13:35 +0000

This morning, YouTube announced a new service called YouTube Red. The service has been rumored in the past, but we now officially know what it will offer to users who are willing to pay its $9.99 per month fee. The service kicks of on October 28. With YouTube Red, subscribers get an ad-free experience, whether they are watching videos or streaming music, there will be offline saving of clips, and background audio play on mobile, so you can continue listening to talks or tracks without having your screen on. Oh, it also includes a Google Play Music subscription at no additional cost. On the flip side, if you are a Google Play Music subscriber, you will also receive a free subscription to YouTube Red. Watch the video below, then head over to YouTube to learn more. A FAQ is included at the bottom that includes details about all of Red's features. Edit: Some other notes below.

When watching videos, a Red subscription removes pre-roll, mid-roll, banner, search, homepage, and in-video text ads. Of course, you could still see product placements with YouTubers because Google doesn't have control over that.
In the YouTube app, when saving for offline, you will be able to adjust the maximum space to use, see how much space is being used, and the quality of the video being saved. Videos will remain offline for up to 30 days.
With background audio play, you get what you think you get - the ability to turn your screen off and continue hearing audio from the video you were watching.

Update: Google has posted a blog post detailing the service that includes all of this info, along with news of special original series they created with YouTubers. Update 2: As a part of today's announcement, Google also announced another new YouTube app called YouTube Music. More here.

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Twitter Intros Polls, Rolling Out Now for Android and iOS

Tim — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:30:34 +0000

For those here who always wished they could ask a simple poll question to their followers on Twitter, you may now do so. Rolling out this week to Android, iOS, and desktop users, anyone with a Twitter account can now create a 2-question poll for people to answer. There does not appear to be a limit on who can answer, or what you can ask in the polls, but Twitter stressed in the announcement that the way you answer a poll will remain completely private. Polls can go viral, as users can share them, RT them, quote them, or whatever else the kids are doing these days with the tweets. Polls will stay live on Twitter's servers for 24 hours, then, will shut down. At that point you can access your data. Be on the lookout for an update to your official Twitter app, if you don't happen to use a 3rd-party like the rest of us.

Via: Twitter

Fossil Announces the Q Founder, Its $275 Android Wear Watch

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:49:00 +0000

Without much noise, Fossil unveiled its Android Wear watch this morning. The watch is officially called the Q Founder and is a part of the Fossil Q line of wearable accessories, but we'll just refer to it as the Founder from here on out, to save everyone from another disastrous naming headache in the making. Fossil hasn't provided many details about the Founder, only that it runs an Intel chip and Android Wear. It has a round display, of course, and will be available "just in time for the holiday shopping season" at a starting price of $275. Seriously, that's all we know. They did some sort of "sneak" preview of the Q line for press that clearly didn't involve the tech press, but Mashable was on hand to snap a few photos. Here are two, although, they appear to be showing two different watches (either that or the angle is throwing me off). One (the top image) resembles a chronograph styled watch, with pushers surrounding a crown, while the other looks to just have a crown.

Not bad, right? I can't necessarily say that this is any more beautiful than the Huawei Watch or new Moto 360, but it does look good, if not big. The rest of the Q line includes devices called the Reveler, Dreamer, and Grant. The Reveler and Dreamer are bracelet style devices that can track fitness and send you buzzing/LED notifications. The Grant is an actual watch that is "talking to your smartphone" to relay fitness info and notifications. On the watch face, there are LED lights that will light up to show you activity. Each of these three devices will be available October 25. Any of this sound interesting or are you good with the watches being made by Android phone manufacturers?

Via: PR Newswire | Mashable

Google's Nexus 6P is Now Out of Stock on the Google Store

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:00:59 +0000

Were you able to get in an order for Google's Nexus 6P? If not, I hate to break it to you, but your chance is gone for the time being, at least through the Google Store. Google has apparently sold through their initial inventory and is now listing the device as "Currently out of stock." Interested parties can only join a waiting list to be notified of future inventory refills. That means they sold through all three colors and all three storage options in just a couple of weeks. However, we don't know if they sold millions of them (probably not) or thousands (likely). We also still don't know when original orders will ship, even though the Nexus 5X starting shipping this week. Don't worry, it's not all bad news! Huawei is still selling the phone in Aluminium or Graphite and in all three storage options (32, 64, 128GB) at their own store. So, feel free to place those orders outside of Google's own marketplace. Google Store Link | Huawei Store Link

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Samsung Pay is Now Actually, Officially, Really, No Seriously, Available on Verizon

Kellen — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 07:35:21 +0000

At the end of last week, owners of the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, and Galaxy Note 5 on Verizon began receiving an update that not only brought the latest round of Stagefright fixes, but also made each ready for Samsung Pay. Then on Monday, a direct link to Samsung Pay on Google Play was discovered that allowed these phone owners to install Samsung's mobile payment systems and get to tap, tap, tapping on payment terminals everywhere. And then Samsung said, "No, no, not yet," and pulled it. In an announcement that arrived in our inboxes this morning, Samsung says that everything is now ready and Verizon owners can officially join the party (again). Well, they are telling us that the Samsung Pay link goes live at 12PM Eastern (9AM Pacific) on Google Play, but it's already live and showing as installable on compatible devices. Go get it! Play Link

This is How Blackberry "Secures the Android Platform" With the Priv

Kellen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:26:11 +0000

As Blackberry mentioned today in a blog post about securing Android, they have a "long and storied" history of being able to do so on mobile devices. They lay claim to things like being the first to secure email and other applications and deploy app permissions. Because of that history, they want you to believe that by teaming up with Google for the Blackberry Priv, they will give you a more secure mobile Android platform than anyone else. The odd thing about today's blog post, is that they reference a previous post we hadn't seen before that talks about how they are the ones who actually plan to make Android secure, because as of right now, "it's not protecting your privacy." Yikes. So Blackberry is excited to team up with Google, but it sounds like they also think Android is a sh*t platform when it comes to security. Sounds like the start of a wonderful partnership! Either way, here are the "world-renowned" security ideas they are bringing to Android and the Priv.

BlackBerry’s Hardware Root of Trust, a unique manufacturing process that injects cryptographic keys into the device hardware, providing a secure foundation for the entire platform.
Verified Boot and Secure Bootchain, which uses the embedded keys to verify every layer of the device from hardware to OS to applications in order to make sure they haven’t been tampered with.
A hardened Linux kernel with numerous patches and configuration changes to improve security.
FIPS 140-2 compliant full disk encryption on by default to protect your privacy.
The BlackBerry Infrastructure, a secure distributed global network that transmits petabytes of encrypted data to and from the world’s most powerful leaders and professionals.
BES12, the leading Enterprise Mobility Management platform used by the world’s most powerful governments and corporations.

And look, I'm not trying to go easy on Google and the number of security issues that have been brought up lately, but man, tearing into your new partner seems like an odd first step. I guess Blackberry better really bring it!

Via: Blackberry

Sorry, HTC, I'm Not Buying Your One A9 Message

Kellen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 13:02:33 +0000

HTC wants you to think they are doing "Something special, something different" with their new One A9. Sorry, I'm just not buying any of it. Call me an HTC hater (which I know many of you will), but this is just another Android phone no one will care about or remember in a couple of weeks. Well, you may remember it, just not because of what it can or can't do. You will remember this phone because of its appearance and the non-stop cracks we will all make about its resemblance to the most popular phone on the planet. And that's actually a good place to start with the HTC One A9 - it's appearance. The HTC fankids are still mad at me for this post, where I said that HTC had given up and started making iPhone clones. Of course, today has arrived and they have indeed made an iPhone 6 clone. It doesn't look anything like previous HTC One phones, even though HTC will tell you that it does or that Apple is the one who actually copied them with the all-metal design. It's obvious to anyone not a part of HTC Elevate or with a corporate HTC badge that this phone's design is probably far worse of a copy than what Samsung did to land itself in lawsuits with Apple all those years ago. Look at the photo below that The Verge took. It's funny actually, the One A9 landing page has the quote "Design worth imitating" emblazoned on it. It's almost like HTC admitting to Apple that they were onto something the last two years.

But enough of the design comparisons, since that's the obvious talking point. Let's talk about the rest. HTC was quick to point out during today's presentation that this phone can be bought unlocked, which is typically a good thing. We love unlocked phones. But you see, HTC isn't doing anything new or different here that pushes this industry forward. Motorola did with the Moto X Pure. Google is doing it with the new Nexus phones. Those phones work everywhere and support dozens of LTE bands, along with both CDMA and GSM networks. HTC's One A9, nope. HTC is selling this phone unlocked, just like they have with every single HTC One M phone, meaning this is an unlocked phone that only works on AT&T and T-Mobile. ~~It won't work unlocked on Verizon or Sprint~~. (See edits below) ~~It's basically an international model with limited connectivity, being touted as something special~~. So much for "supporting the carrier of your choice," eh, J-Mac? EDIT: Leave it to HTC to post the wrong set of specs on their official One A9 page initially and also only provide extremely detailed info on this topic to very select press (which we clearly are not a part of). Since this post was published, they have now tweaked the specs to show that the phone, on some level, works on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Of course, the sales page for the phone still says that the unlocked model only works on AT&T and T-Mobile. But hey, if it does actually work on Verizon, there is always a chance you could slap a SIM in and see. If so, good job, HTC! You may have done something right with this phone. HTC has apparently told select media outlets that there are two unlocked models for the US, one that works on T-Mo, AT&T, and Verizon, plus another that works on Sprint, which is what their now-corrected specs page shows. EDIT 2: Nope, it never did work on Verizon, just like we originally said. Another failed promise from HTC. On another unlocked note, HTC says that you can unlock this phone's bootloader and that doing so won't void the phone's warranty. That's good news, since Motorola isn't making the same promise with its Moto X Pure. However, is this really a tinkerer's phone? Like, do you sell phones based off bootloader unlocking anymore? It's a mid-range phone without universal carrier acceptance? Android "techies out there" tend to like high-end phones. They like the best of the best. They sure as hell don't want a fake, entry level iPhone.

At a $399 promotional price, is the One A9 even worth it or a good deal? At $399, it would be something to consider, sure. But again, HTC is very clear in noting that this price is promotional for those who pre-order. In other words, HTC thinks a phone with a 5-inch 1080p display, 2150mAh battery, 13MP camera with OIS, and Snapdragon 617 processor is worth more than $400 and plans to raise the price. They aren't making it obvious whether or not this is the price of the 16GB model with 2GB RAM or the 32GB model with 3GB RAM, but I'm imagining it's the latter. Jesus, it better be. (Edit: They are only selling the 3GB/32GB version here.) Compare this phone and its price to the OnePlus 2, Nexus 5X, and Moto X Pure. Would you buy the One A9 over any of those? They all use higher end processors, deliver closer-to-stock Android experiences, and bigger batteries. The 5X is $20 cheaper, will get Android updates faster, and also has the best Nexus camera to date. The Moto X Pure is the same price, yet has a bigger, better display, higher-resolution and higher-end Sony camera, and can be customized at no extra cost. The OnePlus 2 starts at $70 cheaper and matches or betters the A9 in specs on almost every level. Speaking of updates, HTC is claiming that the unlocked One A9 will get "every Google software update within 15 days of Nexus devices!" I love the enthusiasm with the exclamation mark, but HTC already failed miserably with their last software update promise, and it was six times as long as this new one. Even if HTC can keep this phone up-to-date, how long will that last? Will it last for two years? Maybe until the next One phone takes its place in six months? Or will it last until they apologize for not meeting their promise and then just forget about the promise? Finally, do we even need to talk about the One A9's 2150mAh battery? Hopefully, Qualcomm figured out how to add highly efficient unicorn dust to the Snapdragon 617 or this phone is going to need to take advantage of Quick Charge 2.0 and 3.0 about 3x per day.

I want to think that HTC is still trying, I really do. But after the One M9 and now this, an iPhone clone, I don't even think I can take them serious anymore. That's sad too, because when we talk about history and Android, HTC's past gets brought up time and time again. The One X. The EVO. The original DROID Incredible. Even the One M7. Those phones all have a special place in not only the HTC story, but in Android's. After seeing and hearing everything that was announced today, you have to start wondering if HTC is ever going to be included in the next chapter.

Google Maps Update Brings Gas Prices, Ability to Add Detours During Navigation

Tim — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:31:37 +0000

An update is rolling out to Google Maps on Google Play, bringing with it the ability to check prices of gas at stations near you, as well as the function of adding detours to your trip during navigation. Once updated, users inside of the Maps application can search for nearby gas stations, with the price of gas and the station's name displayed in the results. For example, you will search for gas, and a Shell, Chevron, and BP station will pop up. You can then choose which station to drive to depending on how much you would like to spend. In addition to gas prices, during navigation, users can add custom detour stops, such as a grocery store, gas station, restaurant, or other pitstop to an ongoing trip. This means no more backing out your current navigation in order to search and find whatever you are looking for. The update should hit all users' devices soon through Google Play. Play Link

Via: Google Maps

AT&T and Sprint Confirm HTC One A9 Plans, T-Mobile Probably Will Too

Kellen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:49:41 +0000

The HTC One A9 is coming to AT&T and Sprint for sure, according to announcements from each carrier. AT&T isn't giving out much details, only that they will sell the phone both online and in stores. Sprint, on the other hand, has confirmed a November 6 launch and $20 per month lease for the phone. I'm guessing that T-Mobile will soon announce similar plans, since they are listed on HTC's site as an available carrier if you pre-order the phone. Also, November 6 is the day that the $399 unlocked phone arrives as well.

Via: Sprint | AT&T

HTC Commits to One A9 Updates 15 Days After Nexus Phones Get Them

Kellen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:15:20 +0000

How do you try and win over Android fanboys who might be hesitant to buy your newly announced, mid-range iPhone clone? You tell them to expect incredibly swift updates. And that's what HTC did today during its One A9 announcement. HTC is committing to sending out "every Google software update within 15 days of Nexus devices!" to its unlocked model. That's a big deal. Because software updates have been a constant headache for Android manufacturers for years, this could be something to pay attention to. I don't know that it makes this particular phone any more appealing, but it certainly could if HTC adopts this mindset for future, actual, flagship phones. Can they live up to this kind of promise? For everyone's sake, I hope so. https://twitter.com/HTCUSA/status/656504781196931072

HTC One A9 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:49:31 +0000

HTC announced the One A9 this morning during a livestreamed video that was refreshingly short and to the point and really only lasted about 20 minutes. The phone, as we all expected it to be, is a mid-range phone with decent specs in a package that makes it look like an iPhone clone. It'll be attached to carriers, but HTC is also selling it unlocked through HTC.com with connectivity on GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile (though, the LTE bands on HTC's site don't necessarily show that). Below, we have the full set of specs for you, which show its 5-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 2GB/3GB RAM combos, storage, and 13MP camera with OIS. Sound interesting? It's available for pre-order now at a starting price of $399.

HTC One A9 Specs

[table id=15 /] Edit: HTC updated their specs shortly after we originally posted this. In particular, they updated the storage/memory numbers and the network bands to now show that this phone will work on Verizon and ship in the US with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage.

Hey, Here is the New DROID Turbo 2, Teased Officially by Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:24:23 +0000

The moment HTC got done announcing their low-end HTC One A9 phone, Verizon and Motorola decided to steal their thunder by teasing the new DROID Turbo 2 in a short video clip on Twitter. As you can see in this clip, which tells us "The new DROID is dropping soon," we get to see the back of the phone as it falls gracefully to the ground. If you aren't following their lead here, it's them not only showing you that this phone will have a "shatterproof" display, but that it can withstand drops. Clever. To watch the clip, hit up the Tweet below. When Verizon and Motorola really make this phone (and the MAXX 2) official on October 27, we will be there. https://twitter.com/verizon/status/656505056116781056/video/1

HTC Announces the One A9

Kellen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:10:20 +0000

HTC just made the One A9 official, its latest "One" phone that should take us through the end of the year. Like previous One phones, it has a metal body and comes in multiple colors. It also sports an 5-inch AMOLED display, fingerprint sensor, SD card slot, camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), and HTC's customized Sense skin on top of Android. The phone is (as expected) the first non-Nexus to run Android 6.0 Marshmallow. (Full specs) The phone is available globally during the first week of November. Of course, carriers and locales will announce their own plans for launching it, with pricing. HTC is also releasing an unlocked version on HTC.com as a SIM unlocked phone, with an unlockable bootloader (warranty stays when unlocked too), that ~~should work on any carrier~~ will work on AT&T and T-Mobile. It will be up for pre-order today on HTC's website and will ship November 6. During a promotional period, the One A9 will be available starting at $399.

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BE BRILLIANT WITH THE NEW HTC ONE

HTC delivers a bold new choice for people who want stunning design without compromising on style, performance or personalization: the HTC One A9
NEW YORK – October 20, 2015 – HTC today unveiled the latest addition to the award-winning HTC One family, the HTC One A9. Melding the best of HTC’s acclaimed design and innovation with the latest from Google’s Android, this is a stunning, no-compromise smartphone that stands out from the crowd. Built for people who want a better choice, the HTC One A9 is a smartphone that combines striking design on the outside with the newest features of Android 6.0 Marshmallow with HTC Sense on the inside to create an unrivaled smartphone experience. “HTC is a smartphone pioneer, having delivered the first Android smartphone, the first Windows smartphone, the first 4G smartphone, and the first all-metal smartphone,” said Cher Wang, chairwoman and CEO, HTC. “Today we’re taking that heritage of innovation to the next level, unveiling a phone that stands apart in a market increasingly dominated by a company which controls every aspect of your phone. The HTC One A9 breaks from this trend by offering an incredible design, fantastic performance, cutting-edge software features and the freedom to take full control of your smartphone experience.“ Metalmorphics: A new standard of all-metal design excellence An evolution of the iconic HTC One family design, the HTC One A9 draws on the natural beauty around us, by using rich, striking colors and unique finishes – an approach called “metalmorphics.” New curves, refined edges, and precision-cut ridges on the power button flawlessly combine with the super-thin metal frame giving the phone a natural and lightweight feel. The elegant dual finish, available in a Carbon Gray, Opal Silver, Topaz Gold and Deep Garnet1, is painstakingly brushed with hairline detail and bead-blasted before the sides are polished, giving additional depth and richness that is unique in the smartphone market. Finally, in a stunning fusion of metal and glass, a 5-inch, edge-to-edge, 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4, Full HD AMOLED screen cascades into the metal frame, giving you brighter and more vivid colors for brilliant graphics and gaming, even in direct sunlight. Unleash your inner photographer Your best camera is the one you use whenever the moment strikes, so it should be able to capture stunning shots in any situation. The HTC One A9’s front and rear cameras, coupled with powerful yet simple editing tools, mean epic photos and videos are only a tap away. Its main 13MP rear camera features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which automatically minimizes hand shake and corrects vibrations to give you a crystal-clear picture every time. Meanwhile, the front UltraPixel camera delivers the best self-portraits in any lighting condition, using HTC’s UltraPixel sensor to capture 300% more light than conventional smartphone cameras. With the HTC One A9, no detail is too small. Offering an optional Pro mode to capture the perfect photo without being a photography expert, you can also save photos using RAW capture – a tool used by professional photographers – for an unmatched level of detail and post-shot editing flexibility. Or you can keep things simple with Photo Editor’s one-button enhancement feature, which automatically brightens colors and sharpens edges for unbelievably clear and crisp photos2. Sometimes a still photo just isn’t enough. With the HTC One A9’s Hyperlapse editing tool you can speed up your videos to 12 times as fast for a dramatic time-lapse effect, creating an immersive video that perfectly captures the moments that matter. Speed through your video or use capture mode to edit in slow motion, highlighting those unforgettable memories. Or use HTC Zoe to easily and automatically mix your best shots and videos into one professional-looking highlight reel that can be shared with friends and family to tell the story of any moment from every angle. Awesome audio: music the way it’s supposed to sound Game changing audio has always been core to the HTC One family - the HTC One A9 delivers amazing sound quality, with HTC BoomSound™ integrated into the headset combined with Dolby Audio™ surround technology3, delivering immersive, vibrant sound that matches a live experience in your headphones by taking high-resolution audio to the next level4. With a built-in DAC that delivers audio at 24-bit, 192KHz quality – better than CD quality – it provides a richness and depth like you’ve never before heard from your music collection. A powerful high-output headphone amplifier, with double the output of other handsets, provides more power and dynamic range so you can hear every nuance of your favorite music, videos and games. Optional high-resolution audio certified HTC Pro Studio Earphones deliver both noise isolation and truly immersive sound. Cutting-edge software: Android 6.0 Marshmallow The first non-Nexus smartphone powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the HTC One A9 brings Google’s latest innovations and the simplicity of HTC Sense right out of the box. Combined with a multi-directional fingerprint scanner, Android Pay makes purchasing items as secure and as easy as “tap, pay, done.”5 Google’s Now on Tap feature also intuitively provides contextual information about whatever is on your screen – look up reviews for a movie from a text, hear a song mentioned in a blog post, or book seats at a restaurant from an email, all at the press of the home button. With so many new features, the HTC One A9 has also been designed with all new power-saving capabilities to maximize battery life. Doze automatically turns off power hungry applications when your phone is left idle, such as when charging overnight, while App Standby knows when an app open in the background isn’t being used and shuts it down until you need it again. In addition, the phone’s new processor, AMOLED screen and support for the optional HTC Rapid Charger 2.0, for up to 75% faster charging6 are all optimized to maximize battery life throughout the day7. In real terms this means, for example, that you can play 12 hours of HD video on one charge. Performance designed for the way YOU use your phone Featuring the newest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 617 processor with integrated X8 LTE and 64-bit octa-core CPUs, the HTC One A9 is designed to deliver a perfect balance of powerful performance, fast connectivity and better battery life. With support for epic LTE wireless speeds through next-generation carrier aggregation technology, it delivers more high-definition streaming videos, more pulse-pounding high-resolution audio and more storage in the cloud to hold everything your heart desires. The phone is available in both 16 and 32GB configurations and features expandable memory, supporting up to 2TB in SD card storage, perfect for storing all your apps, games, photos, music and videos. To protect your smartphone, pair it with the HTC Dot View™ II case, available in Obsidian, Deep Garnet, Sea Coral and Turquoise Blue. Its retro-inspired dot matrix cover reveals instant notifications, weather updates, caller ID and more, even while closed, and simple gesture controls bring music, flashlight, radio and voice recording tools closer than ever. The HTC One A9 and accessories will be available worldwide, both at retailers and at htc.com, beginning November 2015. U.S. Availability In the U.S., the HTC One A9 will be available across multiple carriers and retailers. They will announce colors, availability and pricing for their respective channels. In addition, HTC will be making a special Unlocked edition available on www.HTC.com. This edition will be SIM Unlocked and will also allow you to unlock the bootloader without voiding your warranty, giving our customers an even greater level of freedom. And, in order for customers to experience our best-in-class sound quality, this version will come with 6 months of unlimited music on Google Play Music and UH OH Protection, which includes one free replacement within the first 12 months of ownership for a cracked screen, water damage or carrier switch. You can pre-order the HTC One A9 on htc.com today for a special, limited time promotional price of $399.99 and it will be available in Opal Silver and Carbon Gray initially. Deep Garnet and Topaz Gold will be made available in the coming weeks.

HTC is Announcing the One A9 Today, Watch the Event Live Here!

Kellen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:03:43 +0000

The HTC One A9 will arrive officially today during a livestreamed event from the Taiwanese manufacturer at 9AM Pacific (Noon Eastern). HTC has told us that this isn't a "traditional" launch event, so who knows how this will go down. What I can tell you is that we will eventually have our hands-on this thing - stay tuned for that. During this livestream, we are sort of expecting to see a phone that many (including myself) have dubbed HTC's iPhone 6 clone. Call it unfair, but even a quick glance at the phone above should leave you fully understanding where we are coming from. With that said, the specs are rumored to include a 5-inch 1080p display, 2GB RAM, mid-range Snapdragon processor, 13MP rear camera, 4MP front camera (likely UltraPixel), really small battery, and a fingerprint reader. Oh, it should also be the first non-Nexus phone to launch with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. As you can tell from those rumored specs, this is shaping up to be a mid-range phone, unless HTC has some hidden tricks up their sleeves that we just don't know about. Either way, we'll know soon!

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(Nexus Special)

Tim — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 19:20:13 +0000

Today at 1PM Pacific (4PM Eastern), we are hosting a special Monday edition of The Droid Life Show. Why? Well, we have Nexus devices to talk about! Kellen and I have been using the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P over the weekend, and we want to share our experiences so far with Google's latest flagship devices. We also hosted a Q&A post earlier today, and we will be answering your Nexus questions live this afternoon. Get your questions in if you have yet to do so. We will kick the show off live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern).

Report: Samsung May Announce the Galaxy S7 on January 19

Tim — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 16:10:40 +0000

Every year, we see reports, rumors, and leaks claiming that they know when Samsung will announce the newest flagship device. Like clockwork, it seems that each year before CES arrives, reports surface claiming Samsung will introduce a new Galaxy device in January at the annual tech show in Las Vegas, Nevada, but it never happens. This week, a new report has surfaced that states we will see the Galaxy S7 announced on January 19, which is about a week and a half after CES. This is not the first report to claim the next Galaxy is coming in January, as past reports have stated that Samsung intends to launch the device in early February across the globe. If true, mid January for the announcement is quite early compared to the MWC timeframe we have seen in past years for Galaxy devices, but it would not completely shock us. The Galaxy S6 was launched only this past April, which really was not all that long ago. It is still considered to be a top option among new Android smartphone buyers. However, if Samsung goes through with announcing and releasing the Galaxy S7 in early 2016, you may want to hold off on purchasing the Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge. Reports of patent filings and trademarks state that Samsung is working on something quite special for the Galaxy S7, including what could be a display that rivals Apple's 3D Touch found on the iPhone 6S. Looking at the calendar, we are merely months away from January, so who knows.

Via: SamMobile | ETNews

Nexus 5X Android 6.0 Marshmallow Factory Images Now Available!

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:59:19 +0000

Now that the Nexus 5X is shipping, Google posted up Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images for the device. At this time, we are seeing three full images as builds MDA89E, MDA89F, and MDB08I. I'm now wondering if I'm about to get an update on my review unit, since it's running MDB08G. So many builds. Factory Image Link

Sorry, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X Don't Support Quick Charge 2.0 (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:44:54 +0000

Google's new phones, the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, support rapid or fast charging via USB Type-C and are capable of grabbing hours and hours of juice in just a few minutes of being plugged in. Unfortunately, this is not Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 or 3.0 technology, so all of the current QC 2.0 chargers you have been accumulating over the past year or so are basically going to be useless, at least in a fast charging sort of capacity. We hadn't written about this situation until now because we were waiting until we had the devices in hand to put them through proper testing. Google has remained mostly silent on this charging topic, so we really had nothing to go on until we could test them ourselves. With that said, we now have them and have done some preliminary testing that probably won't excite you. While Google announced that each phone would charge quickly via USB Type-C, many of you noticed that no where on any of their product pages do they mention Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0. That of course was a bit confusing, since each phone includes a Qualcomm processor that certainly could support Quick Charge 2.0. Some of you also noticed that they were including chargers with an odd 5V/3A output that we haven't really seen to date. In other words, we all had this feeling that things could be bad and that we were all going to need to buy a whole bunch of new chargers in the near future. So here is what we know.

Samsung Fast Chargers (9V/1.67A): Will charge both the 6P and 5X, but won't rapid charge either. Tested with a USB Type-C to USB A cable from Google.
Motorola "TurboPower 15" (5V/1.6A, 9V/1.6A, 12V/1.2A): Will charge both the 6P and 5X, but won't rapid charge either. Tested with a USB Type-C to USB A cable from Google.
Motorola "TurboPower 25" (5V/2.85A, 9V/2.85A, 12V/2.15A): Won't charge 5X at all. MicroUSB tip can't be removed, so I tested with a USB Type-C adapter. (Couldn't test on 6P.)
Aukey QC 2.0 Powerbank (5V/2.1A): Will charge both, but won't rapid charge either.
OnePlus Adapter (5V/2A): Registers as "charging rapidly" on Nexus 6P. (Couldn't test on 5X.)
Tronsmart Type-C car charger (5V/2.4A): Registers as "charging rapidly" on 5X. (Could't tes ton 6P.)

Obviously, none of these chargers are 5V/3A, so the results here aren't all that surprising. It is a bit odd that those last two chargers are registering as "charging rapidly" on the phones. Since I don't have tools that would test the actual output there, through each of the Nexus phones, I'm sort of assuming that it's not the full wattage that you would get when charging with the official 5X or 6P adapters. And if that's the case, you probably won't see the full "3.8 hours of use in 10 minutes of charging" on the 5X or "7 hours of use in 10 minutes of charging" on the 6P. At this point, if you want fast charging, you are sort of stuck buying Google's official 5V/3A (15W) USB Type-C chargers from Google Play, which of course, are sold out. The problem gets worse, though, when you look and realize that Google isn't even selling a car charge of any type. Like I said, though, the Tronsmart car charger above does register as "charging rapidly," so that could be a decent option until someone makes a real 5V/3A charger. Tronsmart has also told us that their new Quick Charge 3.0 adapter supports 5V/3A and so it could be an option. Anyways, those are our initial findings, in the most generic of forms. Update: I see many of you want to see the current that each charger is pushing. Will update post once I've run the phone down again. Update 2: OK, so here are some numbers that were tested between 55% and 65% battery.

First screenshot is my phone sitting idle using 279mA.
Second is the official LG USB Type-C charger that came with the phone, reaching a max of 2639mA.
Third is an Aukey QC 2.0 PowerBank with a Type-C adapter, reaching a max of 1226mA.
Fourth is an original Motorola Turbo Charger with an official Google USB Type-C cable plugged in, reaching a max of 1197mA.
Fifth is a Hikeren Thunder Charge adapter that claims to be 5V/3A, with a Google Type-C cable, reaching a max of 1962mA.
Sixth is a Samsung Fast Charger with a Google Type-C cable, reaching a max of 1845mA.
Last is a Tronsmart Type-C car charger, reaching a max of 1833mA.

I hope these numbers help on some level to show that the USB Type-C 5V/3A charger that comes with the Nexus 5X definitely seems to be the fastest. Still, some of these other chargers might do the trick on a fairly quick level as well. Update 3: Last one for me, then it's on to the engineers to try and give you even more clarity here. This morning, I started my phone at 40%, gave each charge up to 2% charge, grabbed a screenshot, then wound them back to 40% to do the next charger. Here are the results.

Idle phone: 118mA
Official LG USB Type-C charger: 2642mA
Aukey QC 2.0 PowerBank: 1241mA
Original Turbo Charger: 1314mA
Hikeren 5V/3A Thunder Charger: 1988mA
Samsung Fast Charger: 1961mA
Tronsmart QC 2.0 Car charger: 2511mA

My general conclusions are that it's pretty obvious that the LG official 5V/3A USB Type-C charger that comes with the Nexus 5X pushes the most current and should then charge the phone the best and fastest. That's no shocker of course, because it's the official charger. In this latest round of results, though, I did see the Tronsmart car charger almost equal it in terms of output. At this point, I would say, stock up on Google's official chargers if you can or make due with the chargers you have lying around your house, even the QC 2.0 chargers, because they will still charge your phone. We should see more of these Type-C 5V/3A chargers before long and this period of time where there is a bit of confusion will soon be behind us. Maybe.

Google is Giving Out Instant Project Fi Invites to Celebrate Nexus 5X Ship Day

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:16:58 +0000

The Nexus 5X is shipping today! We aren't sure why the Nexus 6P isn't and also have no idea when it will, but to celebrate half of the new Nexus family en route to your doorstep, Google has opened up Project Fi invites for the next 24 hours. Now is your chance to sign-up for Google's hybrid wireless service that uses both Sprint and T-Mobile networks, along with public WiFi in an attempt to give you a rock solid connection at all times. Tim spent a good month using Project Fi and wrote about it here, in case you were interested. The basics, as a quick recap, are the following. You pay $20 to get unlimited talk and text, then $10 per 1GB of data you use. Project Fi is different from other prepaid services in that you really only pay for exactly what you use, though. So if you sign-up for service and add 2GB of data to your month, you would pay $20 for talk/text and then $20 for the 2GB data. But should you only use 1.4GB of data, that only accounts for $14 of the $20 you spent on data, so Google then credits you $6 to use on your next month's bill. Cool, right? To sign-up, hit up this link. https://twitter.com/projectfi/status/656148570517540864

For Those Who Ordered a Nexus 5X, Your Phone is Shipping Today

Tim — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:02:05 +0000

Announced on Twitter through the official Nexus account, Google says those who pre-ordered the Nexus 5X should see shipping information pop up today. According to the tweet, those who pre-ordered in the United States, Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, Korea, and Ireland should all have their devices in-hand soon. This morning, we posted up a complete unboxing video for both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, complete camera overviews, and a detailed comparison video for those who were still on the fence. Out of curiosity, to those of you who ordered both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, have you received any type of shipping notice? Nexus 5X buyers, have you received your shipping information?

Via: @GoogleNexus

Samsung Pay Now Available on Google Play

Tim — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:11:11 +0000

Samsung Pay, the company's mobile payment app, is now available on Google Play. For owners of compatible devices, this is where you will install updates, view changelogs, and send feedback on the app via Google Play's rating system. At the moment, is seems Samsung is not currently allowing any new users, as downloads have been frozen, at least on our end. We cannot seem to access a compatible list of devices either, but it's safe to assume you will find the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, and Galaxy Note 5 on that list. As a note to Verizon customers who own a compatible device, you should see an update or have already installed one that allows for the installation of Samsung Pay from Google Play. Own a compatible Samsung device? Be sure to grab the app, or any updates that are available. Anyone here loving Samsung Pay as much as we are? Play Link

Reminder: You can Pay for Google Play Items Using Your Fingerprint on the Nexus 6P and 5X

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:03:33 +0000

If you ordered a Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P, don't forget that thanks to Android 6.0 Marshmallow and the fingerprint scanners on each, you can use your fingerprint to pay for goods on Google Play. You will have to enable the option and setup some fingerprints, but once you have done that, password typing will become a thing of the past. With a compatible phone (a phone running Android 6.0 that also has a fingerprint scanner), all you need to do is open Google Play, head into settings, scroll down to the "User controls" section, and you should see a "Fingerprint authentication" option. Check that box and you are ready to go. Also, if you haven't yet watched our video on how amazing the new Nexus fingerprint scanners are, watch it here.

Google Opens Beta for Google Search App on Android

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 08:46:31 +0000

You know how you hate staged rollouts because they drastically limit your chance to ever receive an app update when it first goes live? I have good news that may help increase your chances of winning the app update lottery! Google has opened a public beta for the Google app on Google Play that should get you testing new features well before the rest of the not-so-tech-savvy world. The beta test opened within the last day to users through a Google Now card (pictured below). Once opened, users are able to opt-in and begin testing, assuming Google has a new beta for you to test. If you aren't seeing the card, don't worry, we have the link for you below. For those not familiar with these Google Play beta programs, just know that once you join them, you get updates through Google Play like you have in the past, they just happen to be newer beta versions most of the time. You will still get prompted to update on Google Play, plus you are still using what is essentially the same app. What I mean is that you won't have a separate "Google Beta" app or something, you will still just have the normal Google app, it just so happens to be a beta. Interested? Hit up the link below. Beta Opt-in Link

Via: reddit

We Have the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, What do You Want to Know?

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:49:50 +0000

Hopefully, you woke up this morning and saw all of the fun that went down last night while you caught those zZzZs. No, I'm not referring to the Timbers beatdown of the LA Galaxy, sillies. I'm talking about all of our Nexus coverage! At 1AM, we were allowed to start sharing with you all that we know and understand about the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, and boy did we ever. We unboxed them together. We reviewed the Nexus 6P camera. We then reviewed the Nexus 5X camera. We compared both to all of the proper flagship phones of the moment. And we even showed you just how awesome their fingerprint sensors are. Of course, we didn't drop a review of either on you because no human can properly and thoroughly review a phone of this importance in 48 hours. Well, maybe some can and we just don't know the trick. Either way, those will be along shortly, once we feel we have spent just the right amount of time with each. But now that you know that we have these, we are ready for you - ready for your questions, ready to answer those questions, and ready to test whatever you want tested. So we'll start here, by simply asking to you, "What do you want to know?" Later today, we are hosting a special Droid Life Show where we will share impressions of each, but then also answer the questions you post here. Ready? Go!

The Nexus 5X and 6P Fingerprint Scanners are the Best.

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 01:00:36 +0000

Last week, I wrote an opinion piece that attempted to convince the world that rear-mounted fingerprint scanners were the ideal implementation, not the home button locations that Samsung and Apple have sold you all on over the past couple of years. I took some heat for it, and that's fine. After all, it was an opinion piece and I expect people to disagree with my stance. Now, with that said, I've attached a video below of the Nexus 5X fingerprint scanner in action, along with what I would consider to be proof that this is indeed the best way to do fingerprints. If anything, the scanners Google is using are just that much better than everyone else's. In this clip, you will not only see a couple of dozen unlocks without a single reader error, but I also walk through the fingerprint setup process, which happens to be about the fastest in the business. Most phones with fingerprint scanners ask you to repeatedly tap and adjust on the scanner more times than I care to count, while learning your fingerprint. With Google's readers, you only have to tap six times and it learns your finger perfectly. Don't believe me? Watch the video, get back to me, and then try to tell me that anyone is doing fingerprint scanners better than Google.

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Comparison: Nexus 6P and 5X vs. Moto X Pure, Nexus 5/6, iPhone 6, Galaxy S6, and More

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 01:00:32 +0000

One of the most common requests we hear during our initial period with a new phone is "How does it compare to this phone or that phone?" To get out ahead of that we put together this video, which is 10 minutes of the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X compared to the hottest phones on the planet, including the Moto X Pure, iPhone 6, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5, LG V10, and of course, the original Nexus 5 and Nexus 6. This video isn't a software, performance, or feature comparison, it's more of a, how this phone feels and looks next to that phone, type of comparison. We do this with most phones and you all seem to enjoy them, so here is that same approach with the new Nexus devices. On a related note, if you haven't yet, be sure to check out our Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X unboxing, along with big camera reviews and sample galleries here and here. It's going to be a busy week of Nexus talk - I hope you are ready.

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Nexus 5X Camera Review and Sample Bonanza

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 01:00:19 +0000

The Nexus 5X camera, a hardware feature that will probably be discussed more than any other. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it even decent? You want to know. I certainly wanted to know. Now, after spending the past couple of days with the camera, think I have a pretty good idea as to what this camera is capable of. As of right now, I'd have to say that I'm thoroughly enjoying a camera in a Nexus phone, similarly to how I enjoy cameras in phones like the Galaxy S6 and LG G4. This camera is very capable, maybe even very good. I'd probably already argue that it is Google's best Nexus camera ever. Below, you'll find more camera samples taken from various situations this weekend than I can even count. There are outdoor shots taken in the early hours of a day here in Portland, mid-afternoon shots, indoor shots, and of course, macros and food close-ups. Unfortunately, Portland's weather hated me all weekend and gave me the dreariest and greyest days I can remember in some time, which certainly affected lighting in certain situations, but for the most part, this camera powered right on through with positive results. Before we get into those results, though, let's talk about the camera and its software.

The Camera

Google has said that they are using a special 12.3MP camera in both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P that was originally made for point-and-shoot cameras. The sensor is large, which is the reason each phone has a subtle hump where the camera lies. As for specs, it shoots at f/2.0 with IR laser-assisted autofocus, a broad-spectrum CRI-90 dual flash, and manages to capture 1.55 µm pixels. That's fancy speak for larger pixels that theoretically capture more light. The camera lacks optical image stabilization (OIS), but Google insists that these larger micron pixels negate that need. When recording video, each camera is capable of recording in 4K and at 30fps. When shooting slow motion, the Nexus 5X tops out at 120fps, while the Nexus 6P can do up to 240fps. The Nexus 6P also has a special burst mode, thanks to its Snapdragon 810 processor.

Software

The camera app on the Nexus 5X is about as basic of a camera app experience as you will see anywhere. I wouldn't necessarily call it bad, it's just minimal. I would probably compare it to the camera experience seen on Motorola's phones, which is to say that it's basic and does its best to just get out of your way. Unfortunately, that means you have to take it for what it is rather than make it your own.

As you can see in the screenshots above, there are zero manual controls for anything. Google really just wants you to open the camera, let it quickly focus for you, and then shoot. You can adjust the focus point, but really, that's it. As for settings, you can tweak resolution and aspect ratio, video resolution, toggle HDR mode into on, off, or auto, do the same with the flash, set a timer, and add a grid. There are camera modes for Photosphere, panorama, and Lens Blur as well (accessed via left-situated menu), along with shortcut buttons above and below the shutter for gallery and switching to the front camera.

Performance

I get the feeling that this camera app needs an update pronto. In certain situations, it opens quickly, focuses, and shoots immediately after you press the shutter button. Many times, it is instant. Tap, shoot. Tap, shoot. But in others, and sometimes at the worst possible time, the camera opens, focuses, then does nothing after a couple of shutter presses. Then all of a sudden it snaps a photo, the screen flashes grey, and you aren't sure which shutter press it reacted to, what it focused on, and what the photo will even look like. So while the camera app can be extremely fast and efficient, it probably needs a bug fixing update to improve performance.

Samples

With all of that said, it's time to dive into the samples. You let me know what you think. I, personally, am quite pleased with the results, even in this terrible Portland lighting. The photo samples here have only been resized to a max file size of 500KB and resolution of no bigger than 1500px. No other touch-ups were made. Also, if you want to see the full resolution photos that haven't been touched or resized, you can download them all here.

Final Thoughts

When performing properly, the Nexus 5X's camera is fast to load, fast to focus, and incredibly quick to shoot quality smartphone images. I would argue that when it's not hiccuping, it's one of my favorite smartphone cameras to date. It's solid in low light, is very good in macro situations, and can shoot landscape photos with the best of them. Like I said in the performance section, though, it probably needs a bug fixing update to reduce some loading slowness here or there. It also gets a little wild with the exposure when you manually focus on a close-up object and tends to blow the hell out of the background of a photo (see the images above of the Lovejob Columns). I would like to see many more manual settings, as well, because even though I'm not a professional photog, I do like the ability to control my camera in certain settings. In the end, as long as you are fine with letting the camera do all of the hard work, it does a great job in a variety of situations at capturing quality smartphone images that are worthy of sharing with the world.

Nexus 5X and 6P Unboxing!

Kellen — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 01:00:11 +0000

As you are now well aware, Nexus season has officially begun. We have both the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X in house and are well into getting reviews ready for you. But since we have only had the phones for a couple of days, we certainly aren't ready to give our final thoughts, hence the missing reviews at this point. And truthfully, that's the way it should be. No phone, especially phones that are this important, should be reviewed after having them in hand for all of 48 hours. It's just not possible to give a real opinion without having lived and breathed a phone for much, much longer. Then again, that's my opinion and I'll now stop ranting. Soooooo, let's unbox each! It's been a couple of weeks since we last held the two new Nexus phones. Unboxings are always a good refresher of things and help kill time while you await those previously mentioned in-progress reviews. Below, we have a double unboxing video that includes both the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, tours of each, spec rundowns, etc. It'll give you a nice recap of Google's packages and also a beautiful 1080p 60fps representation of each in a controlled environment. Once you finish watching the video, be sure to check out our Nexus 6P and 5X comparison video, where we compare each phone to the Moto X Pure, Galaxy S6 and Note 5, LG V10, Nexus 5 and 6, Xperia Z5 Compact, and iPhone 6. Oh, and then check out a whole bunch of camera samples from each here and here in our camera reviews. Ok, now you can watch. Enjoy!

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Nexus 6P Camera Review and Sample Bonanza

Tim — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 01:00:04 +0000

Could it be? Nexus devices with a legit camera? Yes, it may be hard to believe, but Google has apparently delivered the goods with the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. We know many of you may want to know exactly what these smartphones are capable of, so we took both out on thorough test drives this weekend, and feel comfortable that we have a solid understanding of what they are capable of. In the sample shots below, you will find the various situations I shot in, including low light, outdoor in daylight, outdoor at night, plenty of macros, and everything in between. As Kellen mentions in his Nexus 5X camera review, Portland weather this weekend was nothing but drizzles and grey skies, so outdoor shooting was a bit hampered. Even with the crappy weather, the Nexus 6P held up well and delivered fantastic results. Before diving straight into the shots, let's go over the software and performance.

The Camera

The Nexus 6P camera is essentially a twin to the one found in the Nexus 5X, with a few changes in what it is capable of. Specs wise, the camera features a 12.3MP sensor that Google states was originally made for point-and-shoot cameras. Its size is why the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P feature slight humps on the backside. The camera shoots at f/2.0 with IR laser-assisted autofocus, a broad-spectrum CRI-90 dual flash, and captures 1.55 µm pixels. While the Nexus 6P camera does not feature optical image stabilization (OIS), the larger micron pixels should make up for that fact. Thanks to the Snapdragon 810 processor powering the device, a special burst mode is available on the Nexus 6P that is not present on the Nexus 5X. Additionally, the Nexus 6P can capture slow motion video at up to 240fps, while the Nexus 5X is limited to 120fps. For 4K video capture, the camera is limited to 30fps on both devices.

Software

The camera software experience on the Nexus 6P can best be described as minimal, but not in a bad way. In fact, I would say this is one of the best camera experiences I have ever had on a Nexus device. While there may not be a ton of options to choose from when shooting or recording a video, it gets the job done, and it gets the job done well. When using the Galaxy S6 or LG G4, it is easy to become overwhelmed with all of the different settings and tweaks you can perform, but the Nexus 6P delivers a no bull, point-and-shoot experience that anyone can master. Without trying to do too much, the 6P does just enough to make it a solid shooter for any Android device fan.

Performance

While Kellen experienced a few hiccups with the Nexus 5X in the performance department, I had nothing but good times and great performance on the Nexus 6P. The camera app opens very fast, focuses extremely quickly, and I can snap shots off in just seconds. To get the best photos I could, even with all of the grey weather we had this weekend, I used the camera's built-in HDR+ mode, which slows down the time to capture just a little bit. If you need to get off multiple shots in seconds, turn off HDR+, but if you want the best performance out of the camera, I suggest using HDR+ at all times. While I would not say the Nexus 6P is on par with the Galaxy Note 5 in terms of speed, my end results are basically just as good.

Samples

With all of that out of the way, let's get to the samples. There are a few I am quite fond of, so share your opinions down in the comments below. For even more samples, be on the lookout for our complete Nexus 6P review coming soon. The photo samples here have only been resized to a resolution of no larger than 1500px. No other touch-ups were made. Also, if you want to see the full resolution photos that haven’t been resized, you can download them all here.

HDR Off vs HDR On at Night

Final Thoughts

Does the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X deliver the best Nexus camera experience to date? In my opinion, absolutely. From my experience, Google has every right to tout the camera found in the Nexus 6P, as it stands up well to what Apple, Samsung, and LG offer in their flagship devices. I have owned and used every Nexus device since the beginning and this is honestly the first time I have been completely impressed with what Google has delivered in the camera department.

Nexus 5X: 48 Hours With Google's Smaller, More Affordable New Phone

Kellen — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 11:07:06 +0000

Small Group of Moto X Pure Edition Owners are Testing Marshmallow Right Now

Kellen — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 09:30:10 +0000

A little over a week ago, select owners of the Moto X Pure Edition received their first invite to a soak test of a new software update. Motorola didn't let on to what the update was at the time, but it wasn't a stretch to think that it could be an early build of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, since it has just been announced. Yesterday, to give some clarification on the subject, Motorola's David Schuster took to his G+ page. According to Schuster, they have indeed started to push Android 6.0 to the Moto X Pure, but only as a "small TestDrive." In other words, this isn't a big soak test, it's a test with a really select group of Moto X Pure owners. Schuster also said that small tests like these will be conducted over the next couple of weeks to see if the build is good enough to push out to a full soak group. Here is his statement:

There have been a couple reports of a Marshmallow "soak test" that has started for Moto X 2015 Pure Edition. Just want to make it clear that we have NOT started a formal "soak test". We have started a small TestDrive for the Marshmallow upgrade on Moto X 2015 Pure Edition. We will be conducting these tests for the next couple of weeks. Pending the feedback during this test cycle will determine the timing of a full soak test.

Curious, anyone actually a part of this small group? If so, how's Marshmallow running on your MXPE?

Via: +David Schuster

DROID Turbo 2 Will Have Shatterproof Display, Moto Maker - MAXX 2 With 48 Hour Battery

Kellen — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 08:57:53 +0000

On October 27 at an event in New York City, Motorola and Verizon will announce two new DROID phones, the DROID Turbo 2 and the DROID MAXX 2. Both phones have been rumored on countless occasions over the past couple of months, but we now know exclusive details about each, including some launch promos that Verizon plans to introduce alongside each phone. According to sources of ours, the DROID Turbo 2 will indeed be marketed as having a "shatterproof screen." This isn't the first time we have heard this, but we can now confirm that this is a major selling point for the new DROID flagship. We still aren't sure how Motorola plans to make the phone that tough, though, so we at least have that surprise ahead. On a related note, Verizon even plans to tie the shatterproof design into a promo where they will let you trade in a phone, even one with a cracked display, for up to $300 towards your new Turbo 2 (in the form of an account credit or gift card). In terms of other major features, Verizon and Motorola have teamed up to offer Moto Maker support for the Turbo 2. Like with the Moto X Pure Edition, the Turbo 2 will have countless combinations of custom options, including leather and ballistic nylon, which was an exclusive to last year's Turbo and a favorite texture of ours. Also, Motorola appears to be willing to do another promo related to Moto Maker, where they will let you refresh your design one time if you buy the 64GB model.

As for the DROID MAXX 2, which is basically just a Moto X Play for the US, we are looking at a phone that will marketed as having 48 hour battery life. It will have some form of customization as well, through removable shells that will come in at least three colors - red, green, and black. And similarly to the Turbo 2, Verizon will give you up to $300 for your old phone if you trade it in and pick up a MAXX 2. This promo doesn't seem to have the same "shatterproof" angle, though, so you will likely have to trade in a phone in working condition. And that's all we have to share. To catch up on the rest of the Turbo 2 and MAXX 2 stories, hit up this link and this link.

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: October 16, 2015

Tim — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:06:01 +0000

Another week down here at DL, but it was absolutely packed with Google-related news. Hangouts 5.0 started rolling out in all of its bug crushing glory, Google Play is getting a facelift, and TAG Heuer teased its Connected device with the first picture of the device we have seen. In other news, we told Motorola they better get it together, we played with the Xperia Z5 Compact, OnePlus and HTC started teasing their upcoming events for new devices, and we now know what a Galaxy Note 5 looks like if you strip off the colored film on its backside. Spoiler alert, it's super hot. Here are the stories from this week you should not miss.

Hope you are all ready for next week. It should be a busy one!

Use Android Pay at Jamba Juice and Get Free Android Collectibles

Kellen — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 15:53:07 +0000

Want a free Android collectible? Stop by your local Jamba Juice in the near future, pay for a drink with Android Pay, and you may walk out with one. The juicery is running a promotion for the free minis as long as supplies last, so you may want to hurry. All you have to do is pay with Android Pay and then ask the cashier if they have any free Android collectibles for you. Pretty easy right?

Via: +Jamba Juice

Verizon is Updating Its Newest Galaxy Devices With Samsung Pay Support Today, Stagefright Patches Too

Kellen — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 15:22:30 +0000

If you are a Verizon customer who owns a Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, or Galaxy Note 5, be sure to check for a software update if you are at all interested in Samsung Pay. According to our readers, an update is arriving today that introduces support for Samsung's mobile payment solution. As you all know, Verizon was the last of the major US carriers to announce support for Samsung Pay, but did so earlier this month. At the time, they didn't announce an ETA, only that those four devices I just named would receive an update with the software at some point in the future. From what we understand, along with word on a leaked internal screenshot from Verizon that was posted to reddit, October 16 (today) is the day. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are receiving build VRU4BBOG9. We have not yet seen the updates for the S6 Edge+ or Note 5. I should also point out that these updates appear to be patching all of the latest Stagefright vulnerabilities as well.

More: reddit

Cheers Paul and saleh!

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 33 Answers

Tim — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:43:52 +0000

Here are the answers for Volume 33 of the DL Q&A Sessions. Posted up on Monday, there was a ton of questions to go through. Although there didn't appear to be a general theme for the questions, many folks were curious about Motorola (as a company) and the direction their headed, as well as possible nominees for Phone of the Year. We go over the mainstream validity of smartwatches, if we are buying the BlackBerry Priv, and why smaller smartphones are always getting loaded with less-than-stellar specs. Read on to see our answers to your questions. Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim, and R is Ron.

Are you buying the BlackBerry Priv?

K: Haha, um, no. I'm glad that former keyboard lovers are excited about having a Blackberry again, and a usable physical keyboard, but I just don't care. On-screen keyboards are so good these days, that I just don't see myself ever needing a slider ever again. With that said, I am at least slightly interested in giving it some run just because it's Blackberry, a physical keyboard, and mostly stock Android. T: Absolutely not, but hey, congrats to those that do! It's been a while since got a real slider Android device. Personally, I don't need to use a super cramped physical keyboard in my life. Even when I rocked the "OG" DROID, I hardly ever used the physical keyboard. It's just not something I find myself needing. R: No, but I do hope it's an amazing phone so I can recommend it to people. I love seeing another phone with a portrait keyboard and I think Blackberry has always had solid hardware with an ancient operating system. This could be a great combination.

What is your "Phone of the Year" so far?

K: Without having reviewed the new Nexus phones yet, I'm still leaning towards the Galaxy S6, even with its abysmal battery life. I'd switch it to Note 5, but the feel of the regular S6 in hand is unmatched I think. It's the perfect size for a modern smartphone. Now, I wouldn't be shocked if the Nexus 6P quickly replaces it as the best of the year. I think Google might have something special with the 6P. T: Right now, without having touched the Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P, I am going with the Galaxy Note 5. The display is amazing, camera is incredible, and battery life is fine. It easily encompasses everything I look for in an Android experience. R: We're still waiting on some phones to actually be released, so discounting the upcoming Priv and Nexus devices and HTC and whatever else I'd say the clear phone of the year is the Galaxy Note 5, not because it's just the best in every category but because it's the closest overall to what I'm looking for in an Android phone. There are problems with it, but if I had to buy an Android phone today I'd get that.

What possible features in 2016 are you excited about?

K: The smartphone ecosystem is quite mature at this point, so I think we'll see manufacturers really fine-tune everything. Cameras, I get the feeling, are going to be insanely good next year (and they were good this year). I think we may also see battery breakthroughs. I don't know why I think that, but that's one of the last obstacles to tackle. T: I am excited for mobile payments! I'm really hoping Samsung Pay and my bank can start working together, that way I can MST all of my purchases. Even Android Pay is becoming more mainstream, and that excites me. I hate pulling out my wallet, so if I can start using my phone for everything, I will be a happy camper. R: I'd love to see Bluetooth get a lot better. I just bought some Bluetooth headphones and they reminded me of how painful Bluetooth is to set up and configure. It's a mess. It should be as good as WiFi in terms of connectivity and it should take a lot less battery than it does. Maybe that means OEMs using better chips or maybe that means improving the standard as a whole, but I'd love to see that.

How long will it take for smartwatches to become truly mainstream?

K: I just don't know that they ever will be. I recently shared my opinions on their current state and just don't see it changing any time soon. There isn't much value or need with current smartwatches. They aren't smart enough, and maybe they shouldn't be. They are more of a barrier or layer than anything, one that I'm not sure the world really needs. T: With how much they are costing, sometimes more than a nice mid-range phone, I don't know how "mainstream" they can become. You can buy a OnePlus 2 for the same price as a Moto 360 (2nd Gen), and to me, that seems a little ridiculous. Smartwatches need to somehow maintain a premium feel, but the price needs to be $200 and under. I know it seems impossible, but I'm sure it can be done. Imagine if the Huawei Watch cost $200. That thing would sell like hotcakes. Again, materials cost money, so who knows if that will ever happen. R: I don't think smartwatches will ever become mainstream. Most people don't see the appeal of a watch never mind something else to charge and turn to silent when you go into the theater. Maybe if we ever get substantially better battery life and they actually get smart, but I don't see that happening for another 20 years and even then they probably won't be mainstream.

Why are "small" phones always given low to mid-range specs?

K: Because companies don't think people want them, so they use the size as an excuse to make cheap phones that are giving people "options." Big, splashy phones also can pack in more specs, like high-res displays, while smaller phones are easy to skimp on. T: That is a good question. I think small phones get the weaker specs because it seems clear OEMs see the bigger dollars with the larger devices. Sony, on the other hand, delivers premium specs in their smaller devices, but for us here in the US, we don't really have easy access to those devices. OEMs may only want to focus marketing on a "flagship" device, and if they release devices in multiple sizes, all featuring high-end specs, they may not see enough return to make it worth the effort. 5 R: I think it's because unlike every other technology product, with phones bigger has almost always meant better (sorry Dell Streak). Sony is fighting that assumption while also fighting making an actual entrance into the United States, but outside of them everyone is too busy making jumbo phones. Is there a large market for a small phone? Probably not (looking at you Veer), but if someone found a way to make a small flagship that was actually better than the large model I think that might help change our assumptions about what a phone should be. I'd love to see more experimentation there, but unfortunately the mobile landscape crumbled into a duopoly far sooner than the specs were able to catch up.

If you could pick one device since the inception of smartphones/tablets to be upgraded and released in 2016, what would it be and how would you upgrade it?

K: For some reason, I'm tempted to say the original DROID Incredible or the HTC One X. Both had such great designs and top tier specs for their time, but just didn't get enough love due to timing. Thankfully, the Nexus 5X is basically a newer version of the One X, so we get to relive that fun again. T: I would have to go with the HTC One X in White. What a sexy device that was. Give it a Full HD display, legit camera, maybe make it a big larger, and that would be the ultimate. Oh, and get rid of Sense. There, not it's perfect. R: I'd love to see what the Pre 3 would be like today. Higher resolution screen, portrait keyboard, 4G LTE, webOS 6.0, etc. There are still tons of ideas in webOS that could be applied to our modern smartphones (having the stuff you need to reach all the time closer to where your hands are, for instance). The Pre had wireless charging, fantastic search, great multitasking, great notifications, sessions that could be transferred between devices, unified timeline for communication, etc. It was ahead of its time and behind on the specs because it lacked support from Verizon. Because of that Android succeeded and Matias still has a job, but I can't help but think that mobile would be better if that competition had been decided by the market instead of by the carriers.

In your mind, what is the current state of "rooting" on Android?

K: I'm so far removed from it, that I don't even know. I actually couldn't even tell you the last time I wrote a story that involved rooting a phone. It's obviously still a thing, but we see references to it less and less in our inbox. Tinkerers will always exist, but phones are just too good now that you don't really need to mess with them on that level. T: It sure isn't like how it was back in the good ol' days. Frankly, I think it's dead in terms of it being a necessity. We don't need to overclock CPUs and apply themes. Sure, there will always be a crowd for it, but it just isn't necessary. Blame CyanogenMod. R: Completely useless. I can't think of any reason why I'd want to root an Android phone (or jailbreak an iPhone). These things can do so much now without root.

What do you think will happen in the future for Motorola as a company?

K: I don't think they are going anywhere because Lenovo just bought them and probably needs their phone expertise to try and do big things. But man, they need to get their shit together in a hurry. I get the feeling that their software update drama will be a thing of the past within the next year, once all those pre-Lenovo phones with carrier-ties are phased out. So eventually, they'll have this line of really good unlocked phones that they will have complete control over. It just might be really rocky for a while and they may piss off a lot of people until we get there. T: With Motorola apparently killing off important updates for a year old phone, this is a bad sign. Their new Lenovo overlords better learn quick that US consumers need updates, and if they don't get them, they will find a new company to root for very quickly. I believe in the management over there, but I hope they start listening to consumers quickly. Maybe after a few years, Motorola will stick to strictly unlocked devices, which will cure any update woes, with no need to go through carriers. That would be great. R: I think Motorola will continue to fight for market share, but I think their ultimate relevance will be in the emerging markets.

Are any of you, foodies? If so, what has been your favorite stops during your travels?

K: I definitely enjoy fine foods when I travel, which either means finding the best burger or steak. In NYC, I've recently been frequenting the Striphouse Next Door, a semi-secret underground bar next to Striphouse near Union Square. It's super casual, with a speakeasy vibe. Good steaks, good cocktails, good staff. I've been dying to get back to Distilled as well, for their burger. Can't go wrong with Bareburger either, when in NYC. In SF, Tim and I almost always go to Alexander's. It's probably my favorite restaurant on the planet. In Vegas, we've done Gordon Ramsey Steak a few times (it's awesome), as is Mastro's, and SushiSamba. Damn, now I'm hungry. T: I love food! Everywhere I go, I need burgers, steaks, beer, and desserts. In SF, it's all about Alexander's Steakhouse. Best food in the world. Here in Portland, I highly recommend the Yakuza Burger for all burger lovers. And in Vegas, we always find ourselves at the Ramsay place in Paris. Delicious food, but my favorite part is the coffee served after your meal. So good!

New Google Play UI is Rolling Out!

Kellen — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:33:34 +0000

The big new Google Play UI update that was teased yesterday has begun rolling out to select users. It seems to be a server-side switch, so updating to a new version of Google Play via .apk file may not even do the trick. With that said, a new version 5.10.29 did show up yesterday and could be needed in order to get the backend flip. As you can see from the screenshots sent to us, you will see that experience first seen yesterday. It also looks like the slideout navigation menu is getting a change too, with shortcuts to the new Apps & Games and Entertainment sections at the top, then other direct shortcuts for the rest of the Google Play sections below. You can download the latest version of Google Play (5.10.29) here, just in case it's needed to get this new look. Anyone else get it?

Cheers Brendan!

Blackberry Officially Introduces the Priv in Short Video Tour

Kellen — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 11:02:20 +0000

Oh boy, oh boy, the Blackberry Priv in action! And not in the hands of Blackberry's CEO, who doesn't even know how to use it! This is big, right? You tell me, keyboard enthusiasts. In the short clip below, which was posted to Blackberry's official YouTube channel, we get to see the phone in action, including its stock Android build, tweaks to the home-swipe gesture, Blackberry's Hub (with calendar peaking), and yes, typing on that keyboard (with gestures!), and a quick search on Google Maps. It all actually looks quite slick, if I'm being honest. If anything, a physical keyboard always gets rid of the on-screen keyboard, which means you get the full-screen experience at all times, even when typing. Try to contain yourselves...

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Shudder Service is Netflix, if Netflix was Just Horror Movies

Tim — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:12:05 +0000

Last night I was skimming through Instagram, when someone I follow mentioned Shudder. They were explaining that Shudder is like Netflix, if Netflix had an actual good list of horror titles. Since I consider myself a bit of a horror genre fan, I went to check out the app and service. What I found on Shudder intrigued me, and the Android app is pretty solid. Shudder is exactly like Netflix, but only contains movies that could be labeled under the horror genre. However, it's not just "scary" movies on the service. There are Horror Comedy, Slasher, Zombie, Alien titles, Monster movies, and so much more. Each list is completely curated, bringing a real personal feel to each title you see on the service. Movies can be watched on your desktop, mobile device, or Roku. As explained in the About Us section of the website, Shudder is, "curated by horror aficionados with a deep love and respect for the many peculiar varieties and genres of horror, presenting films you never knew existed along with old favorites that never fail to frighten." To me, this is great, because on Netflix, Hulu, and even HBO, finding an awesome horror film can be a serious pain with the selection usually being junk. For pricing, the service costs just $4.99 a month, but you can try out Shudder for a week free if you sign up using a Facebook account - no credit card needed. To see every title currently available (more are added constantly), check here. One issue I find quite unfortunate is the app and desktop player's lack of Chromecast and Android TV support. Don't worry, the developers state that they are working to bring Chromecast support to the service ASAP. With Halloween right around the corner, I recommend you check out Shudder. Play Link

Via: Shudder

Samsung Announces SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit, $249 for a Smart Home Package

Tim — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 08:59:48 +0000

Looking for a quick way to bump your house into a Smart Home? Samsung is now selling a package of SmartThings goodies, priced at $249, called the SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit. Inside, buyers will have the SmartThings Hub to connect all sensors, cameras, lights, and locks, in addition to the accessories you need for the Hub to be real useful. To go with the Hub, buyers receive two Multipurpose Sensors to monitor whether doors, windows, cabinets, or your garage are open or closed, in addition to a Motion Sensor to monitor movement in your home. The last piece of the Smart Home bundle is an Outlet to control lights, electronics, and small appliances. To use all of these products, all you need is the Android or iOS SmartThings applications, which then manages all of this tech. For example, lights can be controlled from your phone, videos from installed cameras can be loaded (not included in the bundle), notifications for when movement is detected will pop up, and much more. Other products can be added to the SmartThings hub, such as door locks, cameras, and alarms. All of these products can then be managed with the SmartThings Hub, as long as they are compatible with the system. Separately, all of these items would run you a pretty penny, but when bought all together, the price is just $249. For those keeping track, that's the same price of a Nest 3rd Gen, which makes this a pretty good deal. Samsung also states that select stores will be carrying a Samsung SmartCam HD Pro alongside the Monitoring Kit. Right now, you can find this Kit on Best Buy, Amazon (will be live shortly), Sears, and the Samsung Store.

Via: Samsung

Free: Grab the Android 6.0 Marshmallow Quick Start Guide on Google Play

Kellen — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 08:11:28 +0000

If for some reason all of the hours we poured into our Android M Feature series weren't enough to get you caught up on all that is new in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has you covered via quick start guide that is now available and free on Google Play. The guide is some 62 pages long and covers the new stuff (Doze, Now on Tap, SD card support, etc.), but it also goes into basic functionality like customizing your home screens, using the keyboard, sharing content, and Android Wear/Auto. Overall, it's a good quick read for anyone feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of yet another big Android release. Play Link

Nexus 6 OTA .Zip Files for Marshmallow Available

Kellen — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 07:48:15 +0000

Update 10/16: Nexus 6 .zip files added for general, T-Mobile, and Project Fi.

Google told us yesterday that Android 6.0 Marshmallow OTA updates were starting to rollout to the Nexus devices set to receive them, so like we always do for major updates, we have started capturing all of the URLs for the .zip files for each. Below, you will find Android 6.0 Marshmallow OTA .zip files for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, and Nexus Player. If you aren't seeing a file just yet, that's because we probably haven't seen it yet. As we continue to receive new file URLs that are direct downloads from Google, we will continue to update this post. Download Android 6.0 Marshmallow "MRA58K" OTA updates:

Nexus 5 - [MRA58K from LMY48M, 407MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (Part 1a) - [LMY48T from LMY48M, 23.3MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 6 (Part 1b, T-Mobile) - [LYZ28M from LYZ28K, 23.2MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (Part 1c, Project Fi) - [LVY48H from LVY48F, 23.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (Part 2a) - [MRA58K from LMY48T, 702MB] - Download Link (Cheers Ilan!)
Nexus 6 (Part 2b, T-Mobile) - [MRA58K from LYZ28M, 698MB] - Download Link (Cheers Ilan!)
Nexus 6 (Part 2c, Project Fi) - [MRA58K from LVY48H, 701MB] - Download Link (Cheers Ilan and Roy!)
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi - [MRA58K from LMY48M, 335MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [MRA58K from LMY48P, 336MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 WiFi (Part 1) - [LMY48T from LMY48M, 22MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 WiFi (Part 2) - [MRA58K from LMY48T, 772MBMB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 LTE (Part 1) - [LMY48T from LMY48M, 22.4MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 9 LTE (Part 2) - [MRA58K from LMY48T, 776MB] - Download Link
Nexus Player - [MRA58K from LMY48N, 323MB] - Download Link

*Part 1 and 2 Notes - You'll notice that there are Part 1 and Part 2 updates for some of the devices. This is because Google just issued a security patch for the month that many devices need to be updated to first before they can receive updates to Marshmallow. So as the note below says, just find your build number, match up to the files above, and then proceed. *General 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.

Yahoo Mail App Gets Complete Redesign, New Features

Kellen — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:48:05 +0000

Yahoo announced today that Yahoo Mail has received a major redesign on both Android and iOS. The new app not only looks different, but should be more powerful and "simple to use." Yahoo says that they made a "significant investment" in the tech behind their mail app, so it's now both fast and responsive. Within the redesign, you will find new features like a more prominent photo experience (with Twitter, Facebook integration), easier photo attaching to emails, a lack of ugly avatars, new contact cards, quick swiping to mark items as read or to delete them, long pressing for multi-selection, and a shortcut to Yahoo News. The app should also be smarter with searching for both people and keywords. Outside of the redesign, Yahoo is also adding in third party email and multi-account support for Outlook.com, Hotmail, and AOL Mail. Finally, Yahoo has integrated Yahoo Account Key into the app, which is their attempt at making the world a password free place. Account Key uses push notifications to "provide a fast and secure way for you to access your Yahoo accounts." The update should be live! Play Link

Via: Yahoo

Fallout Shelter Updated With Cloud Saves, Survival Mode, and "Mysterious Sightings"

Tim — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:32:34 +0000

Fallout Shelter, everyone's favorite post apocalyptic mobile game, received a large update today. Inside, players will find an all new survival mode to test their skills on, as well as cloud saves! For cloud saves, users simply place their game data in a folder on Google Drive, handled entirely by the game. This means no matter what device you are on, you can access the same vault. More interestingly, the changelog states, "Dwellers are reporting strange, some would even say mysterious, sightings in Vaults," which could really mean anything. Should we expect new characters? New disasters? I opened up the game after updating and did not notice anything weird, so comment down below if you know what the developers are referring to. The update should be live for all on Google Play. What's New

New Vault-Tec network protocols are finally in place. Now you can save your Vault to the “cloud,” (no moisture condenser necessary!).
Some Dwellers are reporting strange, some would even say mysterious, sightings in Vaults.
Introducing Survival Mode! More danger, More glory. Make Vault-Tec proud!
Support added for Russian-speaking Overseers.
Continued general maintenance to the Vault simulation. Because when you speak, Vault-Tec listens!

Play Link

Nike Publishes "Tech Book" Shopping App for Android and iOS

Tim — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:55:40 +0000

To help lure potential customers to its latest Tech Pack and SneakerBoot collections, Nike has published the Tech Book app to Google Play. The app is sort of an interactive catalogue, detailing Nike's latest offerings in sportswear innovations. Not only does Nike showcase its range of new products, but users can actually access the entire Nike lineup through the app, something that has been unavailable to Android users through an app since forever. Now, instead of using your device's built-in browser to scroll through Nike's website, you can scoop the later pair of Jordan and Kobe kicks to hit the streets right through the app. On top of shopping, users can see exclusive features with some of the world's top athletes from all around the world. From what I can see, there's a behind-the-scenes with Maria Sharapova at the moment with her wearing Nike products. The app is available for Android and iOS right now, so to all you sneakerheads, go get it. Play Link

Via: Nike

Whoops: Motorola All but Confirms DROID MAXX 2 in Newly Updated Email App

Kellen — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:33:15 +0000

Motorola and Verizon will more than likely announce the DROID MAXX 2 at a press event in New York City on October 27. In case you had any doubts, look no further than the Moto Email app that was published today on Google Play. In the series of screenshots uploaded along with the listing, the person who took the shots has openly signed each as "Sent from my DROID MAXX 2." Yeah, I don't think it gets any more official or confirmed than that. It should also be noted that this app can't be installed on any phone I own, including those made by Motorola. You have to wonder if this app wasn't posted prematurely and should have been held back until the MAXX 2 was actually announced. As for the Mail app itself, Motorola appears to have included a whole bunch of tweaks to it, like picture attaching from the camera, progressive search capabilities, customizable peak time schedules, and more. What's New

Disable sync while roaming
Progressive search capability for emails
Attach pictures from Camera in composer
Notifications for attachment download failures/cancellations
New option "Select All" for email operations
Customize peak time sync schedule
New option to choose number of emails to sync for POP account
New safe way of communicating with Google Gmail server using OAuth 2.0
Bug fixes and stability improvements.

Play Link

Cheers CW!

Big Google Play Redesign is Coming, Separating Apps and Entertainment (Updated: More Images)

Kellen — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:30:56 +0000

Ready for the next redesign of Google Play? It's coming #soon, according to Google's Kirill Grouchnikov, a man of #pixelpushing and Google Playness. Grouchnikov posted screenshots of the update to his G+ this morning, screenshots that show quite a change to Play's main store page. In the shots below, we are seeing what appears to be a new intro splash followed by an introduction to the new layout, which will be broken out into "Apps & Games" and "Entertainment" sections. So when on the main Play store page, you will see two tabs - one for Apps & Games and another for Entertainment. Presumably, you will be able to swipe between the two, but a tap on each will also get you there. Gone are the six shortcuts for Apps, Games, Movies & TV, Music, Books, and Newsstand. From within each, you will now see subcategories like Top Charts, Games, Categories, Family, etc. in the Apps & Games screen. On the Entertainment page, you will then see the familiar shortcuts for Movies & TV, Music, Books, Newsstand, etc. And then below each of the subcategories, you will get the familiar related shortcuts to apps or content, along with recommendations. Google also appears to be using the new header space at the top of Google Play to showcase apps, games, movies, or whatever else is on their mind.

Kirill didn't say, but my guess is this is Google Play 6.0. Anyone see an update to Google Play lately? If you do, be sure to hit us up. Update: Kirill has since posted even more pictures to drool over, like this of the Play store's evolution.

And this one of the transition between Apps & Games and Entertainment. Mmhmmm, pixels.

Update 2: Annnnnnd one more.

Via: +Kirill Grouchnikov [2] [3] [4]

This Dude's Galaxy Note 5 is Cooler Than Yours

Tim — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:30:25 +0000

A user over on reddit posted up a photo of his custom Galaxy Note 5, and frankly, it looks badass. Apparently, if you remove the backside of the phone, strip it of whichever color film is applied, you then have a see thru back for the device. This allows for a real mechanical look, and for those who enjoy that type of thing, it ends up looking really cool. So, you want to try this on your phone? According to the original poster, the process is really not that complicated, as long as you have the necessary tools. You will need some form of a heat gun, strong suction cup, and razor blade. Long story short, you heat up the backside, apply suction to remove the back, and then peel the colored film with a razor blade. Once complete, reapply the back and that's it. For a somewhat more detailed explanation of the process, here's what the OP posted.

You first have to heat it up. I use a Ecoheat gun that gets it really hot, the use a suction cup to pry the back off. After that you let it cool off a bit and take off all the film with a razor blade. Then i just stuck it back on the phone because there was already adhesive on the actual device.

Personally, I love this look, but something about breaking apart a very expensive device scares the heck out of me. To see a larger image of the backside, look below. Do we have any brave souls here that might give this a try?

Via: reddit

Official NBA 2K16 Game Hits Google Play for $7.99

Tim — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 11:45:46 +0000

The official NBA 2K16 game is now available on Google Play, priced at just $7.99. Made specifically for mobile devices, the game brings the same action you will find on full consoles, including the MyCareer gameplay, as well as regular Season and Blacktop modes for making it splash. According to the app's listing, 2K16 features improved graphics and performance, plus updated controls making for smoother gameplay on mobile devices. In addition to the same modes you will find on consoles, players earn Virtual Currency (VC) in the game, which can be used to purchase in-game items such as new moves, and courts to play on. The game is now live, so head over to Google Play and grab it. Features

Full MyCAREER, Blacktop, and Season modes.
Improved graphics and game performance
New controls for smoother mobile gameplay
Earn and enjoy more Virtual Currency
Euroleague teams now available
NBA 2K Store offers equipment, courts, VC, updated content, and much more.

Play Link ($7.99)

Nexus 6P and 5X had Motorola's Double Twist for Camera, but the Feature was Dropped

Kellen — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 11:29:59 +0000

Yesterday, after seeing the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X in new hands-on videos, thanks to a Google event in India, a couple of sharp-eyed enthusiasts noticed something not yet mentioned by Google in one of the clips, a "Double twist for camera" action. The feature should sound familiar, as Motorola introduced this back in 2013 with the original Moto X. The basics are this - twist the phone in your hand with your wrist twice and the camera launches. It's a super quick way to get your camera fired up without reaching for a button or swiping a shortcut. Unfortunately, the feature won't make it into production units or will possibly disappear through a software update. We aren't sure why the feature wasn't mentioned at Google's original Nexus event, but Qualcomm did acknowledge its existence in a press release shortly after the event. They have since corrected their press release with an update claiming that the wrist twist action has been replaced by a double tap of the power button to launch the camera. We showed off the double tap in both of our hands-on videos. Here is a screenshot of the twist for camera feature for reference:

We have also learned that while both were at one time in testing, the "Double twist for camera" has indeed been dropped in favor of the double tap. Who knows, maybe a developer can figure out a way to enable it? Or maybe an app like this one will re-appear and work well?

Via: +Greg Abbott | Qualcomm | Gadget Diary

Credit Cards Being Charged for Nexus 5X Orders, Should be Time for Shipment

Kellen — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:56:22 +0000

It's looking like Nexus 5X pre-orders through the Google Store are preparing for shipment. A number of people just pinged us with a status change on their orders that not only showed a change to "Processing," but also a charge going through on their credit cards. If Google is charging, that should mean that phones are ready to be shipped. As for the Nexus 6P, we are hearing that some are seeing the change to "Pending," but no card charges just yet. If that changes, we'll update this post. Nexus pre-orderees, seeing charges? Anyone get a shipping notice? Edit: Original post said "Pending" and should have said "Processing."

Cheers Ryan, Paul, Richard, Chad, Hunter, Tom, and Eric!

Motorola, What the Hell is Going on With You?

Kellen — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 09:59:14 +0000

I don't really know how to start this other than by repeating the title of this post - Motorola, what the hell is going on with you? I ask, because the current Motorola is so far removed from the revived Motorola we had really become to enjoy again over the last couple of years. Sure, that lovable Motorola was created in part by Google and the team of executives they put in place to run it and we now have new ownership in Lenovo, but who would have thought that things would have gotten this ugly this quickly under the China electronics giant.

So much for software updates.

If we rewind a bit back to 2013 and the introduction of the original Moto X, I think it's safe to say that most in the tech industry understood what Motorola was doing and loved it. They were taking Google's vision for Android, keeping it, and then adding highly useful features on top instead of bloating the experience up with a custom skin. But not only that, they were talking quick software updates because they were ready to work with carriers and Google to make them happen. And that did happen. The original Moto X on Verizon received the update to Kit Kat before most Nexus phones. It was an insane success that needed a close relationship with Verizon, a notoriously slow updater, in order to succeed. From there, the software updates continued to flow through carrier and unlocked models in rapid fashion. Today, it's about as far to the opposite as one can even attempt to imagine. Before we get to the current disaster of a situation, we should point out that the update frequency and timeliness started dropping off last year, just as the acquisition of the company by Lenovo was finalized. As you know, Lollipop was last year's big update and let's just say that Motorola getting its phones updated properly to it was nothing short of a mess. They came out swinging initially with an early update to their new Moto X (2nd Gen) "Pure Edition" before realizing that Google had actually released a pretty spotty and buggy version of Android. Once that realization came through, in came the delays for months and months and months, even though Google had issued stable fixes. Motorola was able to slowly update its 2014 Moto X, but its 2013 Moto X, Moto G and E models, and DROID Turbo were essentially left as 2nd class citizens, especially those on Verizon. Computerworld does a great job at tracking software updates by manufacturers and gave Motorola a "D" score this year after putting up an "A+" the previous year. In case you were wondering, that "D" is the lowest of any major manufacturer. Fast forward to today and things are only worse. Motorola took a minute shortly after Google announced Android 6.0 Marshmallow to share the devices they planned to update to the new build. They said not to expect ultra-fast updates, and that's fine after last year's Lollipop mess. But the fact that they left out the carrier versions of last year's Moto X (2nd gen), a flagship phone barely a year old, and the last two Moto E phones, left a whole bunch of Motorola fans disappointed, angry, and ready to leave the Chicago-based manufacturer behind for good. You should see Motorola's forums. So we have gone from updating phones at record paces to phones around a year old, some that are flagship-level phones, being cut off by Motorola. To make matters even worse, at least from our perspective, is the fact that their press teams won't even respond to comment on the situation. We have reached out twice now and are left with silence. So outside of a note from a Motorola forums manager about the carrier (Verizon and AT&T) Moto X (2nd gen) phones not getting updated, we have no other confirmation and no official answers to even share with you.

Shipping issues.

It's not only the software update situation that is troubling, though. Our inbox, since the Moto 360 (2nd gen) and Moto X Pure Edition went up for pre-order, is filled with emails about delays in orders and shipments, and about attempts at cancellations. And the thing is, we experienced most of the issues that our readers continuously tip us about. For example, two out of the three orders that have shipped to us (Both Moto 360 and Moto X Pure) from China had issues when they arrived stateside, often seeing 1-2 day importing delays. The reason, which many of our readers are seeing as well (or go look at Motorola's forums for more examples), has to do with a value discrepancy in the packages Motorola is shipping. While I'm no shipping expert, that seems like a pretty bonehead error to continually have over and over from a company this large, who is preaching the value in custom made phones out of China. But we are also seeing delays in phones and watches being put together before they ship. We previously ordered a Moto X Pure Edition for Tim that took just over a week to be assembled, ship, and arrive on his doorstep. Unfortunately, it had a volume rocker issue and had to be sent back. We re-ordered him a new one the same day we shipped the bad phone back. That was September 30. His new order, which was for the exact same phone with the same design, still isn't here. Motorola has been assembling it since October 1 and has estimated since then that it would arrive to his house by October 16 - tomorrow. It hasn't even shipped and it's October 15. Why the delays and shipping issues? Tough to say. Maybe it's because Motorola and Lenovo are still working out the kinks through China fulfillment. Either way, we are far removed that 2013 promise of 4 days or less.

What's next?

That's anyone's guess. In a recent interview with The Information, Rick Osterloh, current chief of Motorola, said they will start to focus on improving hardware aspects of their phones, like cameras, while continuing to make them affordable. That's fine and all, because Motorola still does make pretty outstanding products, but that's not going to do much if they ruin all of the relationships they have with current customers. Good products only get you so far. You still need to have teams in place to support them post-sale and I just don't feel like Motorola has that at this time. There have been massive layoffs since Lenovo took over, which has to leave you wondering if they even have enough bodies to keep up. Motorola needs to say something. They need to break this silence and maybe even make some promises to get things back on track. The current situation isn't great in terms of both shipments and software updates, just read through our comment threads on every Motorola post. It's too bad too, because new DROID phones are coming in two weeks, both of which will likely be solid phones, but how could you even consider buying them after this year's DROID Turbo update fiasco and the cut-off of the year-old Moto X (2nd gen)? So again, Motorola, what the hell is going on with you? :|

YouTube Gaming Update Brings Mobile Capture to Your Phone or Tablet

Tim — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 09:35:37 +0000

The YouTube Gaming app received an update this morning, allowing anyone with a channel to now upload mobile gaming content directly to YouTube for all to watch. The feature allows you to store gameplay videos directly to the device for later uploading, or you can live stream in real-time for everyone to enjoy the action as it happens. When recording, a bubble with your face is there for all to see, allowing those who watch to see your reactions as things happen. This same bubble is where the streamers control their stream, such as microphone, video, and the stream's on/off settings. In addition to mobile capture, the changelog states faster discovery of live streams is included, the ability to tip your favorite creators with actual money, and all around performance improvements. To get an idea of what you can do with the mobile capture feature, check out a livestream I just posted below where I play a bit of Zynga Texas Hold 'Em Poker. What's New

Mobile Capture! Live stream or record your mobile games. Host your stream with your selfie cam and record your commentary with your phone’s microphone. (Lollipop and higher)
Faster discovery of live streams for games in your collection
Support your favorite creators with Fan Funding (just tap "$" and choose your tip)
Easy video bookmarking with Watch Later
Import existing subscriptions from YouTube via Settings
Performance improvements and bug fixes

Play Link

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T-Mobile Planning to Make AT&T's NumberSync "Look Small"

Tim — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 09:01:20 +0000

Yesterday, AT&T announced plans for NumberSync, which will allow customers to apply a single phone number to all of their connected devices, even when they are not synced via WiFi or Bluetooth. However, when speaking to re/code, T-Mobile's operating chief Mike Sievert states that they intend to make AT&T's NumberSync "look small." Sievert claims T-Mobile is working on something better for customers, following with, "Our strategy is to ask customers what they want and need, and then build it. AT&T’s is to build or buy things, and then try to convince customers they asked for it." Naturally, Sievert gave no specifics on what we can expect, but we can assume it will be part of T-Mobile's UnCarrier initiative. While it makes sense that we can expect it to include number sharing across multiple devices, we can't think of anything that would make NumberSync look small. AT&T plans to launch NumberSync on devices set to hit the market in the holiday season.

Via: re/code

Gear S2 With 3G Up for Pre-Order Today at Verizon, Hits T-Mobile November 15

Kellen — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 07:48:48 +0000

Samsung's Gear S2 with 3G network connectivity is now up for pre-order at Verizon and will also arrive at T-Mobile by November 15. This is the version of Samsung's round wearable that allows you to leave your phone behind and still take calls, send text messages or emails, and more. At $349 from Verizon, you can own the watch outright. If you don't want to fork out the full price, Verizon is offering up a 2-year contract price of $299, which you would be a fool to consider. Seriously, just spend the extra $50 and keep yourself free of early termination fees. To connect the device to your account for making calls and all of that fun, you will need to pay $5 extra per month. The watch arrives at Verizon stores November 6. As for T-Mobile, the Gear S2 with "4G" connectivity arrives November 15 at the jacked up price of $359. Of course, T-Mobile will let you finance the watch for $0 down and $15 per month for 24 months. Like Verizon, T-Mobile will charge you $5 per month to get the calling, texting, and other connectivity. Interested? Quick Links: Verizon | T-Mobile

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LG G4 is "World's First" to Get Android 6.0 Marshmallow Update...in Poland

Kellen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 18:12:02 +0000

LG announced this evening that its flagship G4 is the "world's first" to receive the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. They must be talking non-Nexus devices of course, because Google has already begun rolling out the update to a handful of Nexus products. Still, since LG says the update begins next week, they are technically first outside of Google's phones and that's something. Keep in mind that they aren't talking about the LG G4 in the US or UK or Korea - they are talking about in Poland. They did this same thing last year with Lollipop and the G3, then managed to take months to get the update out to US carrier models. As for the rest of the world, LG only said the Marshmallow "upgrade schedule and affected models will be announced in individual markets." Whatever it takes to grab them firsties, I guess. Let's see if anyone can top them in a meaningful market.

LG BEGINS ANDROID 6.0 MARSHMALLOW ROLLOUT STARTING WITH G4

LG Customers in Poland to be World’s First to Receive Android Upgrade
SEOUL, Oct. 15, 2015 ― Owners of LG Electronics’ (LG) G4 smartphone will be the first in the world to receive the Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS. LG G4 owners in Poland will begin receiving their M upgrade beginning next week with other markets in Europe, Asia and the Americas to follow. The latest update to the Android operating system offers a number of features designed to enhance the user experience, such as:

Permissions have been simplified with greater control of the information applications can access, not only at the installation stage but any time

Silent feature for sound and vibrate mode as well as a Do Not Disturb mode to block all sounds or only alarms and notifications

Doze Mode which shuts down background processing of certain apps when the phone is not in use, to significantly prolong battery life

“By working closely with Google, LG has been able to bring Android 6.0 to the G4 ahead of any of our competitors,” said Chris Yie, vice president and head of marketing communications for LG Mobile Communications Company. “While speed alone isn’t an indicator of great service, it does go a long way toward giving consumers the confidence that LG is committed to its existing customers first.” Details of the Android M upgrade schedule and affected models will be announced in individual markets.
# # #

HTC One A9 Outed on French Carrier, High-Res Images and Handful of Specs Revealed

Kellen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:13:58 +0000

The HTC One A9 will be announced at a press event next week in New York, but before we get there, don't be surprised if we learn every last detail about the device. We had previously seen it in leaked pictures of dummy phones and in the hands of blurry-cam operators. Today, though, we get 100% clean imagery of the phone and some specs, thanks to Orange, a wireless carrier in France. According to Orange, the phone will come in at least two colors, steel gray and white/silver. Assuming their pricing is accurate this early, we are looking at €599.90, which seems insane! After all, this is basically just a mid-range phone. HTC can't be thinking flagship pricing, can they? Let's hope Orange is incorrect. As for specs, we are looking at a 5-inch FHD (1080p) display, 13MP rear camera, 4MP front camera, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Unfortunately, that's all these early listing have included. But hey, we have clean pictures of this ~~iPhone clone~~ new HTC One!

Via: Orange [2]

Watch Google Play Music's 360° Video

Tim — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:10:45 +0000

As we already knew, YouTube will be featuring more and more 360° videos for everyone's enjoyment. To help make people more aware of it, Google has released a 360° video to promote Google Play Music. These videos are technically "interactive," meaning that regardless of if you are on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer, you can look around in the video and see everything that is taking place. On the desktop, you will need to use your mouse to scroll around a shot, but on tablets and phones, you can simply tilt your device to look around. You can experience the video up top on your computer, or find the video on your smartphone and try it out there.

Via: @GooglePlayMusic

ZTE Intros Lease-to-Own Program for Smartphones

Tim — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 13:48:37 +0000

ZTE, the China-based OEM who does not hold too much of a marketing presence in the American market, announced a lease-to-own program for new smart device buyers this week. This program allows buyers of a ZTE device to pay for it over time, making devices more affordable. This program is usable on devices such as the Spro 2 Smart Projector and Axon Pro. Naturally, usage of this program will rely somewhat on credit score, and ZTE has implemented SmartPay, a way for wishful ZTE owners to receive immediate approval for the lease. According to the the press release, "If approved, simply select the ZTE device you want, make your first payment at checkout and make scheduled monthly payments thereafter." If you would like to upgrade, and your lease is up-to-date on payments, simply return the device to SmartPay in good working order, which will cancel the lease. Then, go ahead and select a new device. When signing up, the devices are purchased at the off-contract pricing, and will be available on ZTE's US website "soon."

ZTE Introduces New Lease-to-Own Option for Smartphones and Mobile Devices

ZTE customers can now get a mobile device and pay for it over time
Richardson, Texas – October 14, 2015 – ZTE USA, the fourth largest smartphone supplier in the U.S. and second largest in the no-contract market*, today introduced a lease-to-own payment plan for customers who want to pay for their phone or other mobile device over time and spread out their payments to make it more affordable. This lease-to-own payment option is provided through SmartPay ™ Leasing Inc. and will be available online for all customers beginning soon at www.zteusa.com. Lease-to-own is available for unlocked devices such as the recently launched Axon Pro and other mobile devices such as the ZTE Spro 2 Smart Projector. “We are introducing leasing options because we believe advanced mobile technology should be available to everyone. We also want the experience of purchasing and using a ZTE device to be easy for any consumer,” said Lixin Cheng, CEO and chairman of ZTE USA. “How customers want to pay versus the amount they are comfortable paying are equally important – and ZTE can provide the best of both worlds.” Leasing options for credit scores of all types With SmartPay, you can get an immediate approval to lease ZTE devices. If approved, simply select the ZTE device you want, make your first payment at checkout and make scheduled monthly payments thereafter**. No long-term contracts The length of a lease plan is determined when you apply and can range from 6 to 24 months. Once all payments are made, the lease is complete and you own the device. You can also pay off your lease early without any penalties or future fees***. Upgrade your phone when ready If you’re up-to-date on your monthly payments you can cancel your lease at any time and upgrade your device by simply returning your current device in good working order to SmartPay. Once your phone is received your lease is cancelled and you’re free to get the new device you want. *Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Market Share, Q2 2015 **$0 to 25% of your lease amount could be due when you complete checkout, a debit card is required. ***BuyOut Fees from 3.5% to 20% may apply depending on the lease-to-own payment plan you qualified for. This option is not available in NJ, MN, WI, and WY. Customers in NJ, MN, WI, and WY are offered a 12 month lease plan which renews annually. Your lease plan may be cancelled at any time. An early termination fee may be applied. You cannot own leased items in NJ, MN, WI, and WY. Instead you can cancel your lease at the end of the term, or you can renew at a lower cost.

Verizon and Motorola are Announcing New DROID Phones October 27

Kellen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:36:16 +0000

Verizon just invited us to a an event that is taking place on October 27 in New York City. Any guesses as to what the focus will be? Yeah, you already know. It's for new DROID phones, of course. In fact, the invite says that Verizon and Motorola will unveil DROIDs, as in, multiple DROIDs. Sources of ours, along with a handful of other leaks, have suggested for a while now that we should expect two new phones: DROID MAXX 2 and DROID Turbo 2. The DROID MAXX 2 is largely thought to be a DROID-branded version of Motorola's mid-range Moto X Play, while the Turbo 2 will be a new flagship device. The Turbo 2 will likely sport a 5.5-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB RAM, 20MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, Turbo Charging, and Android 5.1.1. The new MAXX 2, assuming it is like the Moto X Play, will have a 5.5-inch FHD display (1080p), Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB RAM, 21MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, and massive 3630mAh battery. We'll be at the event. Excited?

Capital One Wallet Now Does NFC Payments

Kellen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:54:00 +0000

Add Capital One to the growing list of companies getting into the NFC mobile payment game. Through an update released today to the Capital One Wallet app on Android, the credit card company is allowing you to pay for things with your Capital One card(s) outside of services like Android Pay. The update also brings receipt capture for connecting receipts with purchases and fixes bugs. So yeah, another app that does mobile payments. Are you keeping track of them all? Play Link

Cheers Luis!

AT&T Announces Plans for NumberSync, One Number for Your Multiple Devices

Tim — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:10:53 +0000

This morning, AT&T announced plans to launch NumberSync later this year, a network-based service that allows multiple connected devices to share the same phone number. For example, if you have a smartwatch or tablet, those devices will be able to receive calls and texts, even when not connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Of course, those connected devices will need to feature wireless radios, which not all of them do. Said to launch a little later this year, with more supported devices expected around the holiday season, NumberSync allows your friends and family to call the same number they already have to reach you, even if you don't have your smartphone handy. If you leave your phone at home while out on a run, but have a smartwatch that features wireless radios, you will be able to receive and place calls, as well as messages. Or if you are on the couch playing with your tablet, and your phone is in the bedroom, you will still be able to take that call on the tablet without having to go fetch your phone. AT&T states that NumberSync will soon be the norm for devices on its network, meaning you will likely hear about NumberSync from AT&T for quite some time to come. The idea itself is great, but AT&T did not announce exact pricing for each device to have its own connection on the network. It was also not disclosed if data is included, or just texts and calls, which require no actual "data." As more details are made available, and what devices we can expect to support NumberSync, we will let you know. Is this a service you could see yourself utilizing? Sometimes it would be nice to leave the smartphone at home, as long as you can still contact people in case of an emergency.

Update: AT&T reached out to clarify a few points I brought up, specifically price and data. NumberSync will carry no additional charge, expect for the initial $10/month charge that AT&T already charges for connected devices on top of an existing line. As for the data, whatever data that the connected device uses comes from the same allotment of data you already have on your plan, meaning no extra charges and no new plans for these separate devices. Everything is connected to the one price you are paying for your smartphone.

Via: AT&T

Tip: Check on Your Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Shipping Date Through Google Play Too

Kellen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:33:33 +0000

When is my Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X shipping? Do you guys know anything? What did Google say? Those questions keep showing up in our inbox on an almost daily basis, because Google hasn't really given us a specific date since announcing their new Nexus phones a few weeks ago. And seriously, we don't know other than they should begin shipping at some point in October. With that in mind, a couple of clever redditors noticed that if you go into Google Play's "My Account" section and check on order history there, you can see more specific information. Google may have separated Google device sales from Google Play and into the Google Store long ago, but your Google purchase history is still your Google purchase history. And thus, your Google Store orders will show in your Google Play order history. Some are seeing exact dates that their phones should ship, while we are seeing more broad ranges like "2-3 weeks." Here is an order status from my account on Google Play:

Keep in mind that your Google Store order history page also has estimates. In fact, our estimates in the Google Store for each device are more exact than through Google Play, so be sure to check on both.

When are your Nexus phones shipping?

Via: reddit

Cheers Tyler!

Songkick App Now Rocks Material Design and In-App Concert Ticket Purchasing

Tim — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:30:27 +0000

Songkick, an app all about concerts in your area, received a major update this week on Google Play, bringing with it an updated Material Design look, Spotify music importing, and the ability for in-app concert ticket purchasing. With the redesign, users will have a more fluid experience, complete with sliding columns, pull out drawer, and color matching notification area. To do this, the developers of the app rebuilt Songkick from the ground up, allowing for more stable performance. For those who use Spotify, the importing of your favorite songs and artists can be done in mere seconds, allowing Songick to identify concerts in your area that will be of interest to you. The same can be done with Google Play Music, Facebook, and your on-device music library. Lastly, and possibly the most important piece of the update, is not only the ability to locate and discover concerts in your area, but to purchase tickets for them while you are mobile. While you won't find every venue and concert available, Songkick states that they are working to bring more events to the service for ticket purchasing.

In a city like London, we now sell tickets directly for a third of all upcoming concerts – meaning that you have access to over 1000 events in just a few taps of the app, and our ticket coverage throughout the UK and US continues to grow exponentially.

The update is now live on Google Play, so go check it out. Play Link

Via: Songkick

T-Mobile Brings Back "10 Gigs 4 All" Plan, Priced at $120

Tim — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 09:05:08 +0000

Back by what T-Mobile calls "popular demand," the #10Gigs4All plan is now available for those in need of the Magenta. This plan is made for families or groups of four, providing 10GB of high-speed data for each line with connected service, non shareable between lines. T-Mobile's tagline for the plan is, "Family members should share lots of things. Just not data." Each line is allotted 10GB of high-speed 4G LTE data, on top of unlimited texts and unlimited minutes. For pricing, it works pretty simple. You have the first two lines, priced at $50 each. To add another line, it's $20. The fourth line you add is free, bringing your total to four lines with 10GB of data each for just $120. Of course, this does not include any device installment plans you have, taxes and regulatory fees, etc. As an added benefit, do note that each line comes with Data Stash, unlimited music streaming from select services, and zero cost for data overages. According to T-Mobile's website, this offer won't last long, so those who want to sign up should call T-Mobile or head into their local Magenta store.

Via: T-Mobile

Blackberry Priv Pre-Registration Opens, Offers Up More Specs

Kellen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 08:58:14 +0000

As of this moment, you can make your odd infatuation with the Blackberry Priv somewhat official. The Canadian company opened up pre-registration for the Android-powered slider, which is really just a way for them to gauge interest before selling it. By signing up, you will supposedly be the first to know when this "revolutionary" phone is available for purchase. (Or you could just read Droid Life, because the chances of us telling you before they do are pretty high.) Thanks to the pre-registration page, we also now know some new specs, like the actual screen and battery sizes. According to this official Blackberry sign-up page, the display will fall in at 5.4-inches and is indeed a dual-curved screen, sort of like the Galaxy S6 Edge. The battery is a whopping 3410mAh, which is quite large, and the camera uses a Schneider-Kreuznach lens. For those not familiar with Schneider-Kreuznach, some quick research tells us that these lenses are popular in Kodak and Samsung digital cameras, but have also been featured in some high-end cameras. Finally, the short list of specs mentions that the Priv has "extraordinary audio quality." We still don't know exactly when this phone will arrive, but the source link below will get you in the know.

Via: Blackberry

OnePlus Teases "Powerfully Beautiful" on October 29 With a Giant "X"

Kellen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 07:20:30 +0000

OnePlus has begun teasing some sort of event that will take place on October 29. We would imagine that they will show off a new phone, more than likely the rumored OnePlus X (or OnePlus Mini depending on the day), which has been rumored and discussed on numerous occasions over the past couple of weeks, outside of the confirmation from OnePlus that one will arrive before the year is up. Through a post on Twitter this morning, OnePlus has shown us a lit up "X" along with the hashtag #PowerfullyBeautiful and "See you October 29, London" line. Yep, a giant lit up "X." OnePlus X? Probably, assuming this isn't OnePlus just buying into hype created by the internet to half-troll us all. But yeah, it seems like a teaser for the OnePlus X/Mini that has been seen through certification houses like the FCC and TENAA. We even have pictures of it here. What is the OnePlus X? Well, we expect it to be a smaller take on the company's OnePlus flagship. Benchmarks and other sources show it as having a 5-inch 1080p display, MediaTek MT6795 64-bit octa-core processor, 2GB RAM, 2450mAh battery, 13MP rear camera, and maybe even NFC (not holding breath on that one). So it still should be a fairly high-end phone, only in a smaller body than the OnePlus 2. I couldn't tell you what the deal is with the London reference, though. Is OnePlus hosting an event in London? It sure sounds that way. Will the phone still come to the US? It did hit the FCC, so it should come this way. Also, OnePlus likes selling to the US and so it seems likely that this phone will come this way, likely via that same shitty invite system they seem to continuously use as a crutch for not being able to produce phones in a timely manner. Interested? Or are you not interested in doing the OnePlus song and dance any longer? https://twitter.com/oneplus/status/654144640732528640

SwiftKey Neural Alpha Available for Download, "World's First" Neural Network keyboard

Tim — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:54:40 +0000

An entirely new keyboard from SwiftKey is available for download on Google Play this week, called SwiftKey Neural. According to SwiftKey, it is the world's first neural network keyboard, which brings significantly improved predictive typing and correction to end users. To achieve this, SwiftKey Neural understands word similarity, analyses longer sentence context, and understands complex word relationships. Essentially, what SwiftKey is attempting to do, is bring a low-level form of artificial intelligence to your keyboard, making your job of replying to your friend's texts that much easier. As stated in the Alpha build's Google Play description, "the app leverages the power of artificial intelligence to offer you smarter and more meaningful suggestions in the context of what you’re writing. Neural networks are a subfield of artificial intelligence inspired by the structure and operation of the human brain." As of right now, SwiftKey Neural is limited to only the English language. And if you do download it, remember, it is only an Alpha, so you can expect a few hiccups. Go give it a try. Play Link

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This is the Android Easter Egg Song.

Kellen — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:48:12 +0000

Because you needed a theme song to go with your Android Easter Egg obsession, Nat and Low give us this. Day complete?

Deal: ZeroLemon Galaxy S6 Edge 3500mAh Slim Battery Case for $29

Tim — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:01:07 +0000

Currently on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a 3,500 mAh Slim Battery Case for your Galaxy S6 Edge, priced at just $29. Usually carrying a tag of $40, this battery case offers 130% extra charge for the device, which may come in handy for those who are not near an outlet at all times of the day. Thanks to its slim profile, the case should not add too much bulk to the already ultra-thin device, and it will even protect your delicate glass and metal device from drops and everyday wear and tear. If you own the Galaxy S6 Edge, and are interested, follow the link below. Features

Includes a removable 3500mAh battery for a boost to any USB-capable device
Gives an additional 130% charge to your Galaxy S6 Edge
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

HTC Posts #BeBrilliant Teaser for 'One' Announcement in NYC

Tim — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:48:10 +0000

We are nearing HTC's event on October 20 in New York City, where we find it likely that the company will announce the One A9 for global markets. Included in the tweet states we will see the "evolution of the One." To hype up followers on social media, HTC posted the below embedded tweet, complete with grey scale nature video. According to HTC's website, where they intend to stream the announcement, the company is partnering with Tidal (Jay Z's music streaming service) to celebrate the launch of the Marshmallow-powered smartphone.

Those who appreciate great music know greatness when they hear it. That's why it only makes sense to partner with Tidal to celebrate the launch of our newest device for an event unlike anything that's ever rocked the Barclays Center.

The 15 second-long video shows nature scenery, with rain droplets, stars, rocks, and other pretty landscapes. But, much like double rainbows, what does it mean? Let's hear your theories down below.

The next evolution of the One. See it 10.20.2015 at 9am PST/12pm EST: http://t.co/CnK7R0CmPB #BeBrilliant https://t.co/uM5GoJawr9
— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) October 13, 2015

Deal: Tronsmart USB Type-C Cables $6 and $7 Off With This Code

Kellen — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:50:08 +0000

If you are buying the Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X (I guess the OnePlus 2 is in this boat too) you probably need some USB Type-C cables that can attach to your current ocean of USB charging adapters. Not all of you are going to want to fork out for new adapters, especially (again) with all of your currently owned and still very capable chargers lying around that could be put to use. To help you still take advantage of those, we have coupon codes for Tronsmart's Type-C cables that offer pretty substantial discounts. With the codes below, you can grab a USB Type-C to Type-A cable for $6.99 or a Type-C to Type-C cable for $8.99. The Type-C to Type-A cable will be for you to take advantage of your old chargers, while the C-to-C cables are for attaching these phones to other Type-C ports. Get after 'em. Amazon Links: USB Type-C to USB Type-A ($6.99) | USB Type-C to Type-C ($8.99) Use coupon code "Y5WLPWZ3" with the Type-C to Type-A cable. Use coupon code "D3HCALZO" with the Type-C to Type-C cable.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact First Look and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 11:41:31 +0000

I have the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact sitting right here, next to the mouse on my desk, not more than a half-arm's distance away from my hand. I am giddy about that. I am more giddy about that than I have been with any other phone released this year. I don't know that Nexus review units of the 5X and 6P will even garner this much giddiness from my brain. That sounds crazy, I know it. I also know that few will share this joy because times are different and this phone is impossible to buy. I do not care, though. Ahhh, Sony Xperia Z5 Compact, welcome to your new home. Yes, the new Compact of the Xperia Z5 line is in house and it will get some serious attention. Maybe more behind the scenes than anything because in the grand scheme of things, this phone doesn't do much for many of you, but it's important, at least on a personal mission-type level. It will get reviewed eventually, though likely not before the new Nexus phones and this LG V10 thing. And that's OK. But I do feel that people should know about this phone, even if it is hard to come by. This type of phone is a rarity in this industry and rarities often need attention because few are willing to give it to them. As a recap, the Xperia Z5 Compact is the latest in the Compact line from Sony. It's a flagship phone in a small body, a body that caters to people like me, people who love phones that aren't whale-ish hummer tanks. It has a 4.6-inch HD display, Snapdragon 810 processor, brand new Sony 23MP Exmor camera, 2GB RAM, 2700mAh battery, waterproof and dust resistance, Android 5.1.1, and a minimal design. The point is that it's small, manageable, and powerful in a world where few things are. Below, you will find video of me waxing poetic about my love for the Compact line while offering first impressions on a phone I have been excited to see since the last Compact launched. Yes, it's that level of love. Small phone lovers, enjoy.

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LG Working on Mobile Payment Solution Called "G Pay"

Tim — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 10:31:58 +0000

LG is getting involved in the mobile payment game, as trademarks for G Pay have been filed by the company in South Korea and the United States. LG is entering a heavily saturated market, with solutions already available from Apple (Apple Pay), Google (Android Pay), and Samsung (Samsung Pay). During an overseas press meeting, LG executive director Kim Jong Hoon confirmed LG's plan, stating that the company is waiting for the appropriate time to make the announcement. At this time, all we know is that G Pay will likely use NFC technology, just as we see from Apple and Google, but it is unclear if LG intends to work in additional technology such as Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST), like we have from Samsung. MST allows select device owners to use mobile payments on older credit card terminals that don't feature NFC, relying solely on magnetic signals replicating that of a card swipe. According to etnews, LG has been studying the mobile payments market and competitors since early 2015, and is already in talks with credit card companies to help plan a successful launch. My question is, why do we need so many mobile payment services? LG device owners with NFC devices can easily use Android Pay, so it seems unnecessary for LG to jump in, too. While I still think competition in most areas of the industry are good, unless LG can bring some type of innovation to the sector (like Samsung has with MST), it would only be noise and clutter for consumers. Share your thoughts below.

Via: etnews

Sprint Announces 4G LTE for 279 Underground Subway Stations in NYC

Tim — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 09:08:56 +0000

Sprint is bringing 4G LTE to 279 underground subway stations in the NYC area, according to an announcement made this week. With the project set to be completed by 2017, these underground stations serve 6 millions riders per day, and any of those riders who use Sprint will be able to access their digital lives from under the streets during a commute. Sprint's deployment will include the use of 1.9GHz and 800MHz spectrum in each of the 279 stations, with select high-traffic stations to be outfitted with 2.5GHz to handle the load. According to Sprint's Scott Santi, Regional VP, the network began work on station deployment later than AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, but have since surpassed them in deployment.

I’m particularly proud of our local team because this project has been a bit of a comeback story. Since Sprint joined the effort later than the other carriers, we were initially behind in terms of number of stations deployed. But, in just over six months our team not only caught up to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, we significantly surpassed them.

Will you be taking full advantage of this on your morning and evening commute?

Via: Sprint

Forget Home Button Fingerprint Scanners, It's All About Power Button and Rear Placements

Kellen — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:50:25 +0000

I'm fully on board with fingerprint scanners in phones. They make sense. Security is as important as ever, so if implemented correctly, they not only add a layer of protection, but they do so in a way that doesn't really change much of the user experience. That's how good tech works. It shouldn't just be there for the sake of being there, it should be there to enhance an experience without getting in the way. Think the opposite approach of smartwatches. Companies like Samsung and Apple certainly did it right out of the gate through home buttons that double as fingerprint readers. Since users of their phones often turn to home buttons to wake them, it makes perfect sense to included fingerprint scanners in those buttons, so that with one click of a button, you are waking your phone and also securely unlocking it. But what about some of the new placements we are seeing, like in power buttons (new Sony phones) or on the backs of phones (new Nexus, LG V10, etc.)? I think both have great potential and are actually better implementations than the home button solutions that have dominated early. For the past week or so, I've been testing the LG V10, which happens to have a rear fingerprint scanner embedded in its rear power button. It's a similar implementation to what Google has done with the Nexus 5X and 6P, if not a little less stellar. But still, the idea is the same and that's what I'm basing this opinion on. I've also been using a Sony Xperia Z5 Compact for all of 3 hours and have already fallen in love with its power button fingerprint scanner.

Google said during its Nexus event that it thinks a rear placement, positioned up top of the phone's center is a natural spot that you would place your index finger when your phone is picked up. I initially had some doubts about it, but I'm really coming around to the idea. On the V10, which is an abnormally large device, I do actually find my finger easily locating the fingerprint sensor for waking and unlocking. The V10's fingerprint sensor seems to be garbage and often requires multiple reads, but it's easy to get your finger in the right place, which is the point. On the Nexus phones, even though I only spent 20 minutes or so with them, I came away impressed. Not only do they not ask for a button press of any sort since they are like a capacitive button or touchpad, they are instant. In our hands-on videos with the 5X and 6P, you can see the quickness in action, assuming that GIF above isn't doing the action justice. And that's what I mean when I say that "that's how good tech works." With these rear placements, you pick up your phone and your index finger finds that upper central spot that it would normally track to anyway to balance the phone in your hand, but now there is a fingerprint scanner there, adding security while not really changing a thing about the way you use your phone.

With the new Xperia Z5 phones, we have a different fingerprint reader implementation that lies within the power button. This is similar to the Nexus experience in that when you pick up your phone, the fingerprint sensor is in a natural position and now a part of an action you would do every time anyway - unlocking or waking. Like the Nexus phones, I've found the Xperia Z5 Compact to be an instant read, so you can wake your phone like you normally would and also have it swiftly bypass your secure lock screen. I'll have more of it on video in a first impressions video shortly, but you can see it in the GIF above. Outside of the convenience of these, I think they are the better implementations because I think they allow for better overall phone design that doesn't need the reader to be on the front of your phone, mucking up the appearance. I've never been a fan of physical home buttons, especially with Google trying its hardest to push Android manufacturers into using software navigation buttons, and these two fingerprint reader locations only solidify that idea in my mind. The new Nexus and Xperia Z5 phones are (at least in my opinion) some of the best looking phones in recent memory because of their ultra-minimal appearances. Had you thrown a physical home button on the front of any of them, you ruin the entire aesthetic. Gone is the clean front glass that is then broken up by a gaudy button. Think OnePlus 2. But besides the look, having no home button also allows for either a smaller overall footprint or the addition of something like a second stereo or front facing speaker. With the Xperia Z5 line, you have one of the smallest lower chins I have ever seen on a phone. With the Nexus line, you get stereo (6P) speakers or at least a front facing one (5X). In short, the new fingerprint reader implementations on the backs of phones and in power buttons might be the best yet, in case you were worried about them. I know the instant reaction is to think that these semi-odd locations might be difficult to figure out and that Samsung and Apple's home buttons are the optimal placements, but I'm actually thinking the opposite. These new fingerprint readers are not only fast, but they might be even easier to use while allowing for cleaner appearances and more flexible phone design.

Deal: Grab the Supreme Android Coding and Design Bundle for $40

Tim — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:22:57 +0000

Currently on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up the Supreme Android Coding and Design bundle for just $39.99, down from its listed price of $377. The bundle contains three parts - Learn Android Lollipop Development, Build Android Apps With Lollipop, and Java Programming for Beginners. With all three, you should go from zero experience and knowledge to being able to build your very own Android applications. Inside this bundle, those who purchase will receive over 200 lectures on topics regarding Java Android app creation, Lollipop development, learning the best tools and practices to maximize efficiency, and setting up a virtual device for development. In addition, an entire program on learning Java programming is also included. Listed below are the features of the Android "Lollipop" Studio course. Features

Over 85 lectures and 9+ hours of content
Complete four applications with increasing complexity
Go from zero knowledge to creating your own apps
Learn how to use the most popular third party libraries
Get familiar with Android Studio
Download data from the cloud
Design an icon for your app

Follow the link below if you are interested. Deal Link

Here are More Pictures of the OnePlus Mini

Tim — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:08:19 +0000

Last week, a new device from OnePlus hit the FCC, which is reported to be called either the OnePlus Mini or OnePlus X. Regardless of its name, the device has been posted onto the Weibo site overseas, giving us a better look at what to expect from OnePlus' second device of the year. From this new set of images, the device looks quite plain, featuring an all-black exterior. The frontside features capacitive buttons, with OnePlus possibly ditching the fingerprint reader. On the backside, we see a rear-facing camera, LED flash, and OnePlus logo. The one side image features a single button, which is possibly the power button. As of right now, the specs reported to launch with the OnePlus Mini are as follows - 5" 1080p display, MediaTek processor, 2GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, and NFC. Yes, NFC! Of course, we have heard nothing from OnePlus in terms of expecting a new device, but evidence suggests that we should see this device launch sometime later this year. Share your thoughts below.

Via: G for Games | Weibo

Hangouts 5.0 Update Rolling Out to Google Play

Tim — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:45:39 +0000

Hangouts 4.0 has not been around all too long, but today, Google is slowly starting to roll out Hangouts 5.0 for all through Google Play. The overall feel of the 5.0 update should be very similar to 4.0, although, Google has likely gone through and squashed a ton of little bugs and made the experience on Hangouts smoother. Once we have played with the update for a bit, we will update this post with what you can expect to see once the update hits your device. The Google Play link to Hangouts has been placed below, but for those here who are not patient, you can sideload the apk by downloading it from here. Has the update hit your device yet? Play Link

AT&T Launches 4G LTE in Mexico

Kellen — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:17:50 +0000

AT&T made it clear within the last year that it wants to take over the wireless scene in Mexico, it seems, after acquiring Iusacell and Nextel Mexico. To further that thought, the company announced that 40 million people in Mexico are now covered by its 4G LTE network. By using both Iusacell and Nextel networks, AT&T has not only added coverage to 40 million people, but they should see that number jumps to 75 million by the end of next year and 100 million by the end of 2018. The following cities/areas in Mexico now have 4G LTE:

Atlacomulco, Estado de México
Cuernavaca, Morelos
Cuautla, Morelos
Pachuca, Hidalgo
Tepeji, Hidalgo
Tulancingo, Hidalgo

Via: AT&T

Here's the HTC One A9

Tim — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:50:15 +0000

Twitter account @OnLeaks posted a few photos of the HTC One A9 this weekend, ahead of its probable unveiling on October 20 in New York City. The photos are of a dummy unit, meaning it has no working parts inside, but the body should be true to what we will see when the device is made official. We have already seen the device pictured here and there, but with these photos, we get a great sense of the overall look and shape of the phone. We can clearly see rounded edges, a fingerprint reader on the bottom frontside, and centered rear-facing camera. On the left side, we have access to the SIM tray and microSD card slot, and on the right side, there is a volume rocker and textured power button. Again, this device is expected to be announced on October 20, with launch set for November. We don't know which carriers plan on making it available, but the dummy unit pictured is an AT&T variant, so that's basically confirmed. Anyone here interested int he One A9?

Via: @OnLeaks

Verizon's DROID Turbo 2 is the "Kinzie," Plus Some Other Details

Kellen — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 11:42:02 +0000

Remember that mysterious Motorola device that showed up in a benchmark, rumors, and at the FCC back in May/June/July on its way to Verizon under the codename "Kinzie" and model number XT1585? It's the DROID Turbo 2, in case you were wondering. Why it hasn't arrived yet is beyond us, but we have learned some additional details about the device today. As I just mentioned, the Turbo 2 is indeed the Kinzie, a device that has a 5.5-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 810, 3GB, 20MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, Turbo Charging, and Android 5.1.1. By all means, this sounds like a flagship, just like last year's original DROID Turbo. Pieces of the build.prop file from the device show the following:

ro.product.display=DROID TURBO 2 ro.product.brand=motorola ro.product.name=kinzie_verizon ro.product.device=kinzie ro.product.board=msm8994 ro.mot.build.customerid=verizon ro.build.version.full=Blur_Version.23.31.23.kinzie_verizon.verizon.en.US ro.build.version.release=5.1.1 ro.build.date=Mon Sep 21 19:05:44 CDT 2015

While we haven't seen the actual device, we are pretty sure it looks like this. Also, here is the first wallpaper from the phone in full resolution.

My guess is that this phone and the new DROID MAXX 2 will arrive towards the end of this month. Last year's Turbo was announced on October 28 and it would make sense for Verizon to do something similar, especially with the holiday shopping season approaching. Still interested or are you feeling a bit hesitant to get behind Motorola after their disappointing Android 6.0 Marshmallow update news?

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 33

Tim — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 11:10:03 +0000

Google's Nexus event has come and gone, we have reviewed the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) and Huawei Watch, and Marshmallow should soon be rolling out to many device owners across the country. It's a good time to rock Android. But, with all of this excitement, we are sure you may have a few questions lingering in that beautiful mind of yours, so let's take this time to answer them. The Q&A Sessions are your chance to ask us anything that might be on your, whether it be Android-related, non Android-related, and everything in between. 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.

Here's Our First Look at the TAG Heuer "Connected" Smartwatch

Tim — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 10:32:52 +0000

According to TAG Heuer's official Twitter, plus a countdown happening on the company's website, Connected, the apparent name for its Android Wear smartwatch, is officially coming November 9. The date has been known since late September thanks to TAG Heuer's CEO, but now everyone can follow the fun thanks to a countdown, in addition to an email signup if you are interested in being one of the first to know everything about it. The above photo is taken directly from TAG's website, and it is our first look at what to expect in terms of design. So far, it's looking pretty bad ass. Of course, with a name like TAG, potential buyers will be looking at a $1,800 purchase price, which easily makes this smartwatch one of the most expensive Android Wear units to ever be released.

TAG Heuer is pushing the Swiss avant-garde limits even further with the TAG Heuer Connected. Tradition meets innovation, craftsmanship meets savoir-faire, and bold style meets breakthrough technology. The clock is ticking to the major breakthrough.

So, will you be buying one?

Via: @TAGHeuer

Verizon and AT&T Moto X (2nd Gen) May See Android 6.0 Update After All?

Tim — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 09:32:17 +0000

After recently strolling through the WiFi Alliance for certification, it appears that the Verizon and AT&T variants of the Moto X (2nd Gen) may see an Android 6.0 update after all. On October 2, Motorola posted an official list of devices that were to receive Marshmallow, and to the outrage of possibly the entire Internet, XT1097 (AT&T) and XT1096 (Verizon) were not listed. To make sure it was not a mistake, which we sincerely hoped that it was, we reached out to Motorola, but surprisingly never heard back. However, this weekend, WiFi certifications for both of these devices were spotted, indeed running Android 6.0. To receive these certifications, it seems probable that the devices would need to be running finalized software that would be rolled out to consumers. The certificates carry a date of September 30, giving Motorola enough time to confirm whether or not they intended to roll out a Marshmallow update. It is possible that Motorola's initial plan was to release Android 6.0, but something happened and the plan was scrapped. Hopefully, this certification points to a possible update, but with zero word on the matter coming directly from Motorola, it is anyone's guess at this time. Our fingers are crossed for all of you Moto X (2nd Gen) owners.

Via: WiFi Alliance

Deal: LG Music Flow Hi-Fi Speakers $80 Off at HHGregg

Kellen — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 09:11:18 +0000

LG Music Flow speakers are currently discounted heavily through HHGregg, for those interested in Hi-Fi multi-room audio. Almost all of the individual speaker units (H3, H5, and H7) are all $80 off, but if you go crazy and buy a pair of H5s, you'll see a ridiculous $220 discount. Not familiar with Music Flow? It's like Sonos. These are high-end speakers for your house that can be used for a multi-room music experience (play same or different music in multiple rooms all with control on your phone) or set up like a theater. The sound is awesome, the connectivity is even better, and they should work with almost all of your favorite music services. These speakers are also Google Cast ready, so if anything, you can Cast music directly to them. HHGregg Link Price discounts:

H7 Music Flow: $299 (down $80 from $379)
H5 Music Flow: $199 (down $80 from $279)
Pair of H5 Musis Flow: $339 (down $220 from $559)
H3 Music Flow: $99 (down $80 from $179)

We aren't typically speaker promoters, but these are pretty crazy deals. Sonos is one of my favorite pieces of technically and these are very similar. Thing is, Sonos speakers are almost never discounted, so this is an excellent option.

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Cheers Danny!

Sundar Pichai Gives Key Android Heads More Power

Kellen — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 08:46:47 +0000

In his first set of executive moves as CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai has handed out more power to a couple of key Android heads that you can expect to see for the foreseeable future. Hiroshi Lockheimer and Dave Burke, those are two names you should probably get used to if you follow Android close enough to care about the people controlling it. According to Recode, Pichai has tagged Lockheimer as SVP of Android, Chrome OS, and Chromecast, which is a step up from his VP of Android role. As for Burke, he has now been given even more "leadership duties" as an Android VP on the engineering side. Burke has also become quite the regular for Google on stage at events where they have new Android goodness to show off. You may recall his unveiling of the Android M preview and new Nexus phones at I/O and Google's recent Nexus event. It's amazing how many changes we have seen on these teams over the years, particularly in relation to Android. Take a look at this picture from 2011. Who would have thought four years later only Sundar would be left and 100% in charge.

Via: Recode

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: October 9, 2015

Tim — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 15:59:18 +0000

Another week in the books here at DL, filled with Marshmallow goodies for Nexus owners, and a bit of sad news for select Verizon customers. On Monday, Marshmallow was made available on Google's servers for most current Nexus devices, with OTAs rolling out slowly over the course of this week. In addition to that joyous news, we got a LG V10 delivered to the office that we went hands-on with (review coming soon), and a mystery OnePlus device hit the FCC. As for the sad news, it was made official that Verizon will be increasing the price on existing unlimited data plans out of contract by $20, leading many to light up the torches and grab the pitchforks. Here are stories from this week you should not miss.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Verizon Announces Five New Prepaid Data Plans for Tablets and Hotspots

Tim — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:25:31 +0000

For those in need, Verizon announced five new prepaid data plans today, simplifying its existing plan lineup. The plans range for those in need of a small amount of data while taking a short business trip, to a mobile hacker who needs access to a ton of data wherever he may find himself. First up, there is the 500MB plan for $15, followed by 1GB for $20, usable over the course of a month. The biggest plan offered is for 10GB, priced at $100 for 2 months. Each plan can be set up on Auto Pay, meaning you don't need to worry about the plan expiring. However, if you choose not to use Auto Pay, you can add more data to the line whenever you need it. There is no monthly commitment needed. Devices capable of using these plans are any 3G/4G LTE tablets, mobile hotspots, and other various connected devices. Plans

500MB for $15/week
1GB for $20/month
2GB for $35/2 months
5GB for $60/2 months
10GB for $100/2 months

Via: Verizon

Archos and Sikur's Privacy-Centric GranitePhone Now on Sale for $849

Tim — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 12:59:39 +0000

Announced during MWC earlier this year, the Archos and Sikur-made GranitePhone is now available for purchase. Keeping your privacy at the center of focus, the GranitePhone offers a completely encrypted experience, meaning you won't have to worry about sensitive information making its way off of the device and into the wrong hands. Not only is data on the device encrypted, but backups of data can be stored on an encrypted cloud server, allowing you to access your files from anywhere while secured. According to the website where you purchase the device, the GranitePhone features encrypted calls, messaging, chats, contacts, and dashboard. They really took the encryption aspect seriously during design. For specs, the GranitePhone features a 5" Full HD display, Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of onboard storage, 16MP rear-facing camera, 2,700mAh battery, and the Granite OS. The price for GranitePhone is set at $849, which does seem pretty steep when looking over the specs, but for anyone who needs to keep their work this secure, it's good to know there are options. Buy Link

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Via: Archos

Contrast Hits Google Play for SHIELD Android TV, Priced at $14.99

Tim — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 11:52:29 +0000

Another game hit Google Play today for SHIELD Android TV owners, called Contrast. Priced at $14.99, Contrast is a platform/puzzle game set in an alternate 1920's landscape. You play Dawn, an imaginary friend of a young girl. With your powers, you go from a 3D dreamscape into the parallel 2D shadow world bound to it. While in the 3D dreamscape world, you manipulate light sources to distort, enlarge or stretch the 2D shadow world. When doing so, you help our main character, Didi, progress in her story. The game is now available on Google Play, priced at $15. Features

Shift between the physical 3D world and the 2D shadow world, at any lit wall surface
Create unique shadow landscapes by manipulating light sources and real world objects, and use this ability to solve mind-bending puzzles
Experience a new story and world, exploring adult themes through a child’s eyes
Immerse yourself in a lush vaudevillian world of cabaret singers, circus performers, and magic

Play Link ($14.99)

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New OnePlus Smartphone Just Hit the FCC

Tim — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 10:55:12 +0000

Thanks to a recent filing at the FCC, the rumors regarding a second OnePlus device for 2015 appear to be correct. For the past few weeks, word of a OnePlus Mini has been floating around, with nothing more than speculation and "sources" attributing to its questioned existence. Now, we have a photo of the device and complete documentation. Hooray. From what we can see in the photo, the device does appear to be a bit smaller than the OnePlus 2, and is reported to feature a 5" Full HD display. The photo details a USB Type-C port, dual speakers on the bottom side, plus a rear-facing camera. A report from earlier this week claims that the device will even feature NFC, after OnePlus took major flak for not including it in the OnePlus 2. All other sensitive information was made confidential in the FCC filing. Please, share your thoughts on a possible OnePlus Mini with NFC in the comments below.

Via: PhoneScoop | FCC

Verizon LG G4 Receiving Android Security OTA Update

Tim — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 10:04:34 +0000

LG G4 owners on Verizon are being treated to an OTA update this morning, weighing in at over 400MB. With a size like that, it appears folks were hoping for something of significance, but according to Verizon's changelog, it's just a security patch update. Looking back, it appears the G4 never received a Stagefright patch on Verizon, so it's likely that this update solves that issue, along with a few other security fixes. If you were hoping for Marshmallow or something awesome, sorry. The update is rolling out to all owners right now, so if you rock the G4 on Verizon, go grab it.

Via: Verizon

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

LogMeIn to Acquire Password Management Company LastPass

Tim — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:48:32 +0000

LogMeIn, a remote desktop service, announced its plan to acquire LastPass this morning, bolstering the company's position in the multi-billion dollar identity and access management (IAM) market. What does it mean for users? All good things, apparently. According to LastPass' blog post, users on each tier of the service will continue to receive updates and even new features. "Together with LogMeIn, we’ll be able to accomplish more, faster – providing an even better service to millions of people," the company states. On the financial side, it appears LogMeIn is set to pay $110 million in cash for all outstanding equity interests in LastPass, with up to an additional $15 million in cash for equity holders and key employees of LastPass upon the "achievement of certain milestones and retention targets" over a 2-year period following closing. Are you a LastPass user? Happy about the acquisition?

Via: LogMeIn | LastPass

OnePlus Hosting Open Sale on October 12 at 12pm PST, Buy the OnePlus 2 With No Invite

Tim — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:21:11 +0000

For those here still waiting to receive an invite to purchase the OnePlus 2, forget about that. On October 12, OnePlus is hosting an open sale for the device from 12pm PST to 1pm PST, allowing anyone to purchase the device, no invite necessary. While OnePlus expects demand to be high, it is noted that one two devices can be purchased per order, but there is no limit to the amount of orders you can place within the 1-hour timeframe. So, this is your chance to buy OnePlus 2 phones for the whole family. Once OnePlus makes where purchasing the device will happen, which is likely here, we will update this post. Will you be trying for a OnePlus 2?

Via: OnePlus

Google Play Hosting a $0.10 Sale Right Now

Tim — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:11:00 +0000

As of right now, Google Play is hosting a $0.10 sale, allowing you to pick up a few fun gaming titles at a very discounted price. Right now, it appears you can pick up Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Dead Space, Monopoly, and about ten other titles. While I don't think any of these titles are anything to write home about, you can't beat paying only $0.10 for them. Plus, Need for Speed is a total blast. Have at it. Play Link

Moto X Pure Edition Receiving First Soak Test Update

Tim — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:54:46 +0000

According to emails rolling out to select owners, the Moto X Pure Edition is about to receive its first soak test from Motorola. Ah, the benefits of not being tied to a carrier. Sadly, the email gives no hint as to what owners might expect to see, and it does not seem probable to hope for Android 6.0 Marshmallow this early. Although, you never know. This update could merely be for bugs that launched with the device. Once the soak test starts hitting devices, we should know exactly what Motorola is up to. Anyone have their fingers crossed for Android 6.0?

Cheers anon!

Report: Samsung Working on Three Galaxy S7 Variants, Each Sports a Different Processor

Tim — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:39:14 +0000

Late last month, it was reported that to get out ahead of Apple, Samsung would announce the Galaxy S7 in late January, shooting for a launch in early February. This week, a new report from SamMobile states that Samsung may launch three variants of the device, each featuring a different processor. As reported, each variation of the device will be marketed in different regions of the world. For India, the Galaxy S7 may feature a Exynos 7422 processor, while the European and South Korean model will use the in-house Exynos 8890 silicon. For North America, we might see the Galaxy S7 come with a Snapdragon 820 processor, which features the X12 LTE modem and updated 4K video capabilities. Of course, we are still a few months away from 2016, so Samsung's plan is likely not finalized. With that being said, I think the Exynos processor found in the Galaxy S6 is quite good and has held up well in the device. If Samsung opts to go back to Qualcomm for 2016, either way the Galaxy S7 is sure to perform well. Are you hoping for Samsung to team up with Qualcomm for the next flagship?

Via: SamMobile

Act 1 of Joe Dever's Lone Wolf Now Free to Download on Google Play

Tim — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:51:24 +0000

Act 1 of the BulkyPix classic Joe Dever's Lone Wolf is now available for free on Google Play. First priced at $0.99, Act 1 is the introduction to this epic RPG style game, based on the writings of Joe Dever. In the game, you become Lone Wolf, a bad mofo on a mission to rid his world of evil. Featuring turn-based 3D battles, where your personal decisions determine the outcome, Act 1 of this series carves a fantastic gaming experience for those who enjoy RPG titles. And with Act 4 now available for fans of the series on Google Play, it's a good time to try it out. In addition, the season pass for this series has been lowered a dollar from $12.99 to $11.99, granting access to all four acts of the series. Go give it a shot. Play Link

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HTC Hopes to Release Marshmallow OTA for One M8 GPE This Month

Tim — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:49:43 +0000

As tweeted earlier this week by Mo Versi, HTC will shoot to release its Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" update for the One M8 Google Play Edition (GPE) later this month, but is making no promises. The update should not cause too much drama for HTC, as GPE devices run a stock build of Android, plus a few minor tweaks to incorporate any additional hardware built in by the OEM. In the case of the One M8, HTC has to get those dual rear-facing cameras working properly. Versi tweets that while they are targeting for a release of an OTA this month, he will release additional information when launch is closer. Are you rocking a One M8 GPE device? How has it treated you recently?

Via: @moversi

Pix the Cat Hits Google Play for Tegra-Powered Devices, Priced at $9.99

Tim — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:49:52 +0000

Over on Steam, people love Pix the Cat. Today, for Android users who happen to own a Tegra-powered device, they can download Pix the Cat on Google Play for $9.99. In this game, you test your reflexes and wit, battling friends in a race to see who can get the highest score in this arcade title. Made by the same folks who created Rayman Jungle Run, Pix the Cat features a rave-worthy soundtrack, as well as 70 brightly colored digital levels. Gameplay on SHIELD, the recommended device to run it on, will have you avoiding walls and hatching eggs to stack ducklings up behind your player. If you have not played Pix the Cat before, I recommend you watch the below video. As mentioned, this game is currently exclusive to Tegra K1 and Tegra X1-powered devices. No word on when or if the exclusivity period will end for the rest of the Android community. Go check it out if you have the necessary hardware. Play Link ($9.99)

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Facebook Testing Reactions, a Way to Express Your True Feelings

Tim — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:52:41 +0000

While it seems everyone may have wanted a "dislike button," Facebook is instead launching Reactions, a way to better express your true feelings toward something you see on News Feed. The feature is now entering testing in Spain and Ireland, which will allow users to share their thoughts towards anything posted by a friend, publisher, advertiser, or business. Facebook's thought process behind the introduction of Reactions is that by allowing users to share more feelings than just a "like," those who post things will be able to determine if their fans or friends like that type of content.

Our goal is to show you the stories that matter most to you in News Feed. Initially, just as we do when someone likes a post, if someone uses a Reaction, we will infer they want to see more of that type of post. We will spend time learning from this initial rollout and iterate based on findings in the future.

Facebook has not given a timeframe for when we in the US can expect this change, but they did state that they want to get the implementation right from the start. Ready to share your true feelings with friends and family?

Via: Facebook

Verizon's $20 Unlimited Price Hike: More Details About Who It Impacts

Kellen — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:13:44 +0000

This morning, we reported on news that had been floating around our inbox for a good month or two, which was of a $20 price increase to Verizon's grandfathered unlimited data plan to $49.99 per month. The news is unfortunate, of course, but also seems like something that could have happened a long, long time ago. Thanks to additional sources of ours, we now have even more details about the move and who it impacts. As we mentioned earlier, the start date for this change is indeed November 15. On October 15, Verizon will begin notifying customers of the price increase and that they can choose to keep unlimited data with the price increase or switch to one of their new S/M/L/XL plans under The Verizon Plan. If you decide to keep unlimited, the increase in price will appear on your next bill after November 15. The new increase currently only affects those who are out of contract. If you are still on-contract, the increase won't arrive until your contract ends. Why is Verizon making this change? It's simple, they know that data usage is growing and so an increase in price reflects their "escalating costs to provide unlimited data." Keep in mind that at $49.99, this is still technically truly unlimited, meaning Verizon isn't throttling at anytime, unlike some of their competitors who have unlimited caps. On a semi-positive note, this change does allow you to upgrade through Verizon's device payment plan and not lose unlimited. Sure, you will then have a monthly device payment, plus the $20 increase in your unlimited data option, but you no longer have to fork out the full retail price up front. Other notes:

Again, only unlimited data customers who are out of contract are affected at this time.
ECPD, CLEU and Government customers are not affected by the change.
If you have a really old plan, like a Legacy Alltel SmartChoice plan, where the unlimited data portion is built into the plan, you are also not affected.

So there you have it.

Tales From the Borderlands Episode 1 Now Free to Download on Google Play

Tim — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 08:35:59 +0000

Episode 1 of Telltale Game's Tales From the Borderlands is now available to download for free on Google Play. No doubt, this move by Telltale is to help boost awareness for the season finale, set to launch on mobile platforms October 22. If you have not played this episode, the game follows two characters, both of whom are playable. During a journey to recover a large sum of money, you will encounter many obstacles, including gangsters, bandit lords, and Vault Hunters. So, if you have not yet gotten into Tales From the Borderlands, which you most definitely should, then now is the perfect time. You may even have enough time to get hyped for the release of the finale. Grab Episode 1 for free by following the link below. Play Link

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Via: @TelltaleGames

Verizon to Increase Unlimited Data Pricing by $20 in November (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 07:01:41 +0000

Verizon is about to increase the price of your unlimited data plan, assuming you have held onto it for all these years. According to sources of ours, your unlimited data plan will see a jump in price of $20 per month in November, which essentially makes it $49.99 per month instead of $29.99. If you are still hanging on to unlimited data, expect notification from Verizon via bill insert or notification at some point this month (October). Depending on your contract status, you should then have 60 days to decide if you want to accept the increase or change to another plan. If you aren't in a contract, then your $20 increase may start as early as November 15. And in case you were wondering, Verizon's customer agreement does indeed say that they can "change prices or any other term of your Service or this agreement at any time, but we'll provide notice first, including written notice if you have Postpay Service." According to at least one source, this new price hike does have one added bonus, which is the option to take advantage of Verizon's device installment plan without losing your unlimited data. The idea here is that if you are willing to pay the extra $20 per month on your unlimited data plan, that you can then upgrade and keep your plan. We'll reach out to Verizon for comment and update this post if they respond. Update: Here is Verizon's statement.

As data use continues to grow, we continuously evaluate the price of our plans and service. This change will allow Verizon to continue to maintain the highest network performance for all our customers, while still providing great value for access to the nation’s reliable wireless service. That value is underpinned by our $100 billion+ network investment since 2000, which powers the reliability of a Verizon customer’s experience.

You tell us - is a $20 increase in your unlimited data plan still worth it? Update 2: Here are some additional details about who it impacts and when.

Edit: Looks like The Verge was in a few minutes before us.

Deal: Pick Up the Android Mobile Hacker Bundle for Free

Tim — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 14:17:16 +0000

On the DL Deals Store, you can grab the Android Mobile Hacker Bundle for completely free (valued at over $100). This bundle includes courses on iOS and Android HTML5 development, as well as a tutorial on learning Android Studio. Also included in the bundle are development essentials with a DIY project, as well as a game development crash course. This bundle, and its contents, will bring you up to speed on learning how to develop for the Android OS. You can't beat free. What's Included

iOS & Android HTML5 Apps for Beginners
Learn Android Studio in 2 Hours
Development Essentials with DIY Project
Game Development Crash Course
Learn Android 4.0 Programming in Java

Deal Link

Deal: Nexus 6 is Back (Again) on eBay for $299

Kellen — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:52:02 +0000

It's back (for the 3rd time)! The Nexus 6 32GB for $299 is back at eBay today. Who knows for how long, but previous week's similar deals sold out pretty quickly. If you want last year's Nexus before it's gone forever, now would be the time to jump on it. As a reminder, this phone originally retailed for $650. Quite the discount in less than 12 months. eBay Link

And Then Google Voice Got Its First Update in Over a Year...

Kellen — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:20:43 +0000

So, Google Voice just received its first update in over a year. The last time Google Voice got an update was when the Hangouts-Google Voice merger was supposed to have begun, which was on September 12 of last year. In today's update, which jumps the app up to v0.4.7.6 appears to be quite minor. In fact, we aren't seeing anything new, so this must be background fixes or behind-the-scenes stuff that we don't have access to. I should point out that this app also seems to be a dogfood version, which is what Google refers to internally tested apps. When installed, you'll see the dog paw on the top right corner of that app's icon. If we find anything new, we'll be sure to update this post. Edit: There is a new pop-up after updating that mentions Google announcing international rates when international calls are made. That could be the newness. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Save Your WhatsApp Chat History and Media to Google Drive

Tim — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:00:17 +0000

Set to roll out to users over the next couple of months, WhatsApp is implementing native cloud storage of chat history, voice messages, and media for users to Google Drive. Once available, users can back up all of their personal WhatsApp data to the Drive cloud, and then restore it on newer devices with a couple taps. As stated in a blog post, WhatsApp has 900 million users, a majority of which are Android users. When shopping which service would be the best to backup user data to, "Google Drive was an easy choice," said WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton. Thanks to the privacy settings of Drive, in addition to the automatic encryption, all of your WhatsApp conversations will stay safe and secure. If you rock WhatsApp, be on the lookout for it to hit your device.

Via: Google Drive

Ugh, Smartwatches.

Kellen — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:50:22 +0000

I've spent the better part of the last year or so with a smartwatch or smart something-or-other strapped to my wrist. It has been a miserable experience. From Android Wear to Pebble to Apple Watch to Samsung's new Tizen-powered Gear S2, I think it's safe to say that I'm smartwatch'd out. I need a break. My wrist needs an immediate break or I might snap. I need my wrist to stop buzzing at me. I need it to stop buzzing, because my phone is also buzzing, usually right before my watch buzzes. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Can you imagine if that every time before burning your mouth on a cup of hot coffee, you also burned your hand. That's what it's like to wear a smartwatch today. Incoming buzz on phone! I now just assume it's something that I need to take care of, but you know what, I'm wearing a smartwatch and so I may as well not pull my phone out at the slightest chance that this buzz is just glanceable info. Watch buzz received! And yep, it's a f*cking email that I can't fully read because this watch won't show me the full thing. So yeah, out comes my phone. Incoming buzz on phone! Hey, another buzz that will soon arrive on my watch that will then force me to pull out my phone anyway. Watch buzz received! Yep, it's a Hangouts message and I'm in a place that won't exactly work in a voice-to-text scenario, assuming it can even translate half of what I say the first time. I also don't feel like being the guy in the room talking to his watch. Out comes my phone again! Incoming buzz on phone! Will it ever end...let me guess, another thing that will soon be on my watch that I'll also need to just pull my phone out for anyway. Watch buzz received! Shocker. The asshole I just emailed has emailed me back and I can't read anything on this stupid small screen. Phone to the rescue! Incoming buzz on phone! Buzz before I can see the last buzz. Buzz again. Buzzzzzzzzz. GAAAAAHHH STOP. If you keep buzzing, smartwatch, I'll now not only be stressing about buzzes and whether or not I'll need my phone out, I'll also be worrying about your battery life. Actually, too late. Now staring at battery percentage, attempting to calculate number of hours remaining in day or whether or not I need to find another human with this thing's proprietary charger, which is hilarious because those people don't exist. Buzz. Battery stare. Buzz. Pull phone out. Buzz, buzz. Incoming call! Ooh, that's new. How does this work, I wonder? Swipe a color...green to accept, I'd imagine. Wait, do I talk into this watch or pull phone out or is this speaker working? WTF. This person is going to hang up. PULL PHONE OUT ANYWAY. I often wonder if maybe leaving my phone behind for a bit is a good idea, you know, going the WiFi route. It'll be like almost disconnecting from the world. BUZZ. Email! Text message! eBay inquiry! Facebook event invite. Calendar reminder. GO FIND PHONE. Nope. Fitness...how about a run? That will really get me using this thing properly. Wait, I need to bring my phone with. I need the full app experience. What if someone calls me? What if I miss a buzz? This thing doesn't have GPS anyway, so I have to bring it all. Buzz phone. Buzz watch! Pause running app to respond. Respond (on phone of course). Re-start run...ummm...where the hell did it go...swipe through cards...swipe left, right, tap...the app crashed. Open on phone to re-start. I quit. I can't handle it. I'm so over smartwatches at the moment. My life isn't easier with them in it. Smartwatches are only adding a layer of complexity that I don't need. They are another layer in this vicious smart world of ours that begs for our immediate interaction and response. They aren't convenient. They aren't even that smart. Some think they are, but your watch is really like this half-baked, knock-off version of whatever your phone is running. It won't get the job done 99% of the time. It'll just remind you that your phone is there, waiting for your interaction. Is that what we all were asking for? Were we really asking for tech companies to give us a wrist-worn reminder that we have a phone in our pocket or bags? I wasn't. Back to single buzz life for me. After this Gear S2 review... Buzz. Buzz.

Edit: This post is not about double buzzes and enabling the "silence notifications on phone" feature that so many are suggesting. That portion of this opinion piece is really nothing but theatrics. This story is about smartwatches currently being nothing more than a constant reminder that you just need your phone anyway. At this time, I just don't feel like they make anything simpler about your life and instead just another layer of distraction and complexity.

Barnes & Noble Teams Up With Samsung to Intro Galaxy Tab E Nook

Tim — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:04:04 +0000

Barnes & Noble introduced a new Nook tablet this morning, the Samsung-produced Galaxy Tab E Nook. Priced at $249, the idea is to bring a large screen tablet device to the masses for enjoying all of B&N's content. The Galaxy Tab E Nook features a 9.6" AMOLED HD display, Qualcomm APQ 8016 Processor, 16GB of onboard storage, microSD slot for up to 128GB of storage, and 5MP rear-facing camera. Not only will you find B&N's readable and playable content, Samsung is bringing a Multi Window UI for users to enjoy, and the tablet also comes preloaded with a suite of Microsoft applications. The tablet is purchasable right now on the Barnes & Noble website, as well as in-store. Buy Link ($249.99)

Via: Barnes and Noble

Google Intros AMP Project, Aims to Dramatically Increase Speed of the Mobile Web

Tim — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:11:54 +0000

This morning, Google announced a partnership with publishers and technology companies to build a faster mobile web experience for everyone. Named the Accelerated Mobile Pages Project, or AMP for short, Google states that the goal of AMP is quite simple - dramatically improve the performance of the mobile web. Using AMP HTML, an open framework built on existing web technologies, the idea is to build lightweight webpages, allowing for faster loading times on smartphones and tablets, regardless of the content they hold. Publishers will still be able to provide rich media content for readers, including pictures and videos, while also continuing to monetize the content with any ad network of their choosing. Essentially, it will be the same mobile web as we have today, complete with ads, but should load significantly faster. Over time, Google hopes to implement AMP across the web and their own services, such as Google News. As for a few of the companies signed up to take part in the project, Google listed Twitter, WordPress, Adobe Analytics, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Chartbeat, and others. Google posted the below video to give folks a sense of what to expect from AMP. In addition, you can test AMP yourself on a mobile device by following one of the below links. Just make sure you are on your phone or tablet to see it correctly. g.co/ampdemo | fashion | mars | syria | nytimes

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Via: Google [2]

Sony is Easy to Like: Will Let 10,000 Xperia Z3 Owners Beta Test Marshmallow

Kellen — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 07:52:32 +0000

Sony may struggle mightily in the US and is still relatively unknown here as a smartphone maker, but that doesn't mean we aren't always still watching their every move. We constantly keep an eye on Sony because they often times create really great phones, still respect the fact that some of us want smaller phones with flagship specs, and do cool things for their customers, like let them beta test big new versions of Android ahead of time. This morning, Sony announced that they have opened up 10,000 spots for owners of the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact who want to beta test Android 6.0 Marshmallow ahead of time. That's sort of an unheard of move from an OEM. Most lock up software updates tightly until they are ready for mass consumption, but Sony seems to understand the importance of user feedback, especially from its core customers. This Marshmallow beta test falls into Sony's new Concept for Android program that was first launched in July as a way for select Xperia users to test out a stripped down, almost stock-like Android experience that was light on the Sony skin. Only this time around, Sony is letting 10,000 people get in on the actual from a variety of countries, whereas that first test was only to Sweden and likely a much smaller test group. The idea behind this Marshmallow test isn't so much for giddy hypebeasts to feel special by testing new software as much as it is for Sony to prove that letting beta tests happen helps them build better user experiences and improve the process for getting updates out quicker. This new Marshmallow test will be available, as I previously mentioned, to Z3 and Z3 Compact owners in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany. If you are interested in signing up and happen to be from one of those countries, you'll need to install Sony's Concept for Android app and let them know.

Via: Sony

Google Creative Labs Releases Meter Live Wallpaper to Google Play

Tim — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:37:05 +0000

The Google Creative Labs team published a new live wallpaper app called Meter to Google Play this week, one which visually displays your active WiFi connection, battery status, and even notifications right on your home screen. When applied, the wallpaper uses your phone's gyroscope to make the image move, giving a sometimes liquid appearance. The colors are not customizable, which would be nice, but are bright, and text is easily legible. In the app's description, the team states it can be used to display real-time statistics, such as app usage and other various stats from the device. In addition, the wallpaper's source code has been uploaded to GitHub, allowing anyone to tweak it as they see fit. The app is free to download on Google Play. Play Link

Deal: New Unlocked Galaxy S6 Edge 64GB for Just $550

Tim — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:00:35 +0000

Not feeling any of the new phones to hit the market? Well, there's always the Galaxy S6 Edge, featuring one of the best mobile displays and cameras ever put into a smartphone, priced at just $549.99 on eBay. This device launched a few months ago priced at over $700, so grabbing one at a few hundred dollars off is quite the score. This is the international unlocked model of SM-G925F 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 only includes the 64GB black model for $550, along with free expedited shipping. Deal Link

AutoDash by Automatic Hits Google Play, a Car-Friendly Interface

Tim — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:53:03 +0000

Automatic, that little dongle you can stick in your car to see your MPG, time driven, and other various info from your car's computer, released an app called AutoDash for Android users this week. With it, you can set up a screen for when you are driving, offering quick access to apps, Shazam, and Google Maps navigation. When you open up the app, you set shortcuts through various applications. For example, you can set a navigation shortcut to work or home, and also set shortcuts to conversations inside of your messaging applications. To make the app even sweeter, users can even pin widgets, giving quick access to Shazam, Google Keep, or anything else. The app is free to download from Google Play, available right now. And no, you do not need to have an Automatic dongle in order for the app to work. Although, a bit of added functionality is available if you do. Features

Auto-navigate to home or work
Record voice memos
Create quick to-do lists
Pay for parking and set a timer
Recognize a song on the radio
Quickly call the important people in your life
Use dozens of supported music and audio apps
Integrate IFTTT triggers to power your connected devices

Play Link

Giveaway: Win a Galaxy S6 Edge From the DL Deals Store

Kellen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:41:36 +0000

Interested in a free Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, a phone that is still one of the best Android phones ever made (our review)? We are giving one away through the DL Deals store, but only for the next week or so. Entry into this giveaway is as simple as providing your email address through the link below. Of course, if you want to up your chances, you can share the fun through Twitter and hope that your followers do the same. The contest runs for the next 8 days. Don't forget to enter! Giveaway Link

You Can Now Translate Languages Inside of Apps Thanks to Google Translate Update

Tim — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 12:13:39 +0000

Thanks to an update for Google Translate, users running Android 6.0 Marshmallow can now translate text from within applications. Previously, all translations would need to be done from within the dedicated Translate app, but now, apps that often feature languages other than English, such as LinkedIn and WhatsApp, can now be translated seamlessly. To perform a translation of text from within an app, simply highlight the text you want translated, choose which language you would like it translated to, and that's it. Once selected, the text will then be translated in a pop up window via the Translate app. As noted in Google's post, this feature should work in most applications once updated, unless the developer created a custom text selection behavior. If that's the case, this feature will not work and the developer will need to implement the standard Android text selection behavior. The update is rolling out now to Google Play, so be sure to grab it if you are in fact running Android 6.0 on your device. Check out Google's GIFs below to see it in action. Play Link

Via: Google

Twitter Intros Moments for Android and iOS, the "Best of Twitter in an Instant"

Tim — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:57:57 +0000

On Twitter, we really only see content from those we follow, which means it is possible we are missing out on a ton of great photos, tweets, and news. Today, Twitter announced Moments, "the best of Twitter in an instant." Moments brings the feel of albums to Twitter, allowing you to find engaging, developing stories, regardless of who you follow. Found under a newly dedicated Moments tab, you click on a Moment to open it. Once opened, you have an introduction and description. You can swipe right to go into the story, complete with images, videos, GIFs, and Vines. Tapping on images and videos shows the tweet as a whole, allowing for context. Moments can be shared to those who follow you, or you can RT to share your thoughts on any given subject matter. Moments are rolling out today for Android, iOS, and desktop users in North America. Engaging With a Moment

When you click into a Moment, you’re taken to an introduction with a title and description.
Start swiping to dive right into the story, with immersive full-bleed images and autoplaying videos, Vines, and GIFs.
A single tap gives you a fuller view of the Tweet, which you can favorite, Retweet, and more. A double tap lets you instantly favorite the Tweet.
The progress bar at the bottom indicates how much more each Moment has to offer.
Swiping up or down dismisses the Moment and takes you back to the guide.
At the end of a Moment, click the share button to Tweet your thoughts, and send it out to your followers.

Via: Twitter

Huawei Watch Review

Tim — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 10:58:59 +0000

First teased at MWC earlier this year, the Huawei Watch has finally landed in the US. During those months of waiting, Huawei was reportedly tweaking the device to no end, making sure it would be the perfect Android Wear smartwatch, capable of lasting buyers for years to come. With such a premium design and build, the device also comes with quite the premium price tag. Starting at $349 for the base model, it is one of the most expensive Android Wear devices available, so we wanted to make sure to review it in depth to give you our opinion before you go dropping a few hundred dollars for it. This is our Huawei Watch review.

Design

In terms of design, I hold the Huawei Watch in high regard, as I appreciate the more classic timepiece look. I have never been a fan of sports watches or squared faces. To me, the Huawei Watch, in all of its various renditions, is beautiful. Sparing no expense in materials used, Huawei crafted a modern, sophisticated timepiece, but also gave owners the ability to personalize it as they see fit, thanks to changeable 18mm standard bands. The overall design is simple, allowing the 1.4", completely round AMOLED display to do the talking for you. The power button is in the 2 o'clock position, so as not to rub into your wrist when bent. This was a small, yet pleasant touch. And while the device does feature lugs, they are not very prominent in the watch design's profile. We were given the Stainless Steel and Black Leather model to review, and personally, it does not go with my overall style. It would definitely look better on someone who rocks a suit to work. For me, I would go with the Stainless Mesh option, or maybe even the Gold model (available later this year). Regardless of which model you like, the design is sure to grab anyone's attention in a good way. Nothing about it screams gaudy or tasteless. Without a doubt, the Huawei Watch and Moto 360 (2nd Gen) are the best looking Android Wear devices of the year. For additional photos, check out our gallery from Huawei's press event for the device.

Moto 360 (2nd Gen) vs Huawei Watch Comparison

Specs

The Huawei Watch packs great specs, as Huawei stated early on that they want this device to be usable for years to come. Inside, the smartwatch is powered by a Snapdragon 400 processor with 512MB of RAM. In addition, the watch features a 1.4" full circle AMOLED display (400x400, 286ppi), giving it one of the highest resolutions of any smartwatch currently available for purchase. Other specs include 4GB of storage, Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi connectivity, heart rate monitor, built-in microphone, and 300mAh battery. It should also be noted that this Android Wear watch works with iOS, too. For the price, the specs are good, but to help with future proofing, it might have been nice to see at least 768MB or 1GB of RAM thrown in, or even a newer processor. The Gold model of the Huawei Watch, not yet available, will cost $799 at launch. For that price, I would hope for at least a few years of smooth sailing, but with just 512MB and a processor that is already at least a year old, who knows exactly how long this device can keep up with OS updates.

Battery Life

In terms of battery life, I was pleasantly surprised with how much usage I was able to pull from a 300mAh battery. On paper, it's a pretty small battery, but Huawei stated at launch that users should expect to see anywhere from 1 to 2 days of charge with normal usage, and that's what I got each day I put it on. To begin, I used the always-on mode, finding myself needing to plug in the device the following morning. The timing of that was not so good, so I would place the device on its charger each night, with it ready to go in the morning. When I turned off the always-on mode, I was seeing a solid day and a half to two days of usage no problem, getting it to the charger the night of the second day. During this time, I was using the watch's built-in heart rate monitor, testing apps on it, and basically just playing with it as I normally would. Having spent little time with any other Android Wear smartwatch, the only comparison I can make is to the Moto 360 (1st Gen) and the Huawei Watch was blowing that watch out of the water with the battery I was seeing. I think it's safe to say that this next wave of Android Wear devices feature great battery, which is one less thing for all of us to worry about.

Performance

Again, Huawei stated early on that with the high price of the Huawei Watch, they wanted to make sure it wouldn't crap out after a year or two. They built this device to last. Out of the box, the OS is buttery smooth, much like Kellen saw on the Moto 360 (2nd Gen). In fact, the two should behave almost exactly alike, as they feature the same processor and amount of RAM. Since OEMs don't put custom skins on top of Android Wear (yet) you are left with whatever Google gives you. As of now with Android Wear 1.3, it's pretty great. The device never seems to overheat or lag, leading to a smooth, non-frustrating experience. When I think back to how janky the Moto 360 (1st Gen) had become after a few updates, the difference is night and day.

Software

Android Wear 1.3 is easily the best rendition of the wearable OS to date, and I think it will only get better. The OS has become much more feature rich and user friendly, as diving into apps and the settings menu has become much less of a struggle. Quick access to notification toggles is available by swiping down, and the ability to jack up the brightness to the max while you are outside in the sun is always handy for viewing the display. Overall, I have become more fond of Android Wear, especially when performance of it picks up, thanks to updated hardware in these smartwatch devices. For a look at the Huawei Watch's software, check out our software tour video below.

Availability, Price, and Value

The price and value of the Huawei Watch is the sticking point where many people may find themselves trying to determine whether or not to purchase. Is any smartwatch worth $350+? It's basically just an extension of the smartphone and doesn't really bring an extraordinary amount of worthy features, right? Well, what determines value is set by the buyer themselves, so I can't answer that for you, but in my opinion, the Huawei Watch, much like the Apple Watch, is priced just a little too high. The base model, the one we reviewed, starts at $349, featuring black leather and stainless steel. For an all stainless steel body and band, the price is an extra $50, bringing the total to $399. The same $399 price is listed for the stainless steel with steel mesh band, too. For $449, you can purchase the all black stainless steel model. Set to launch a little later this year, models featuring genuine rose gold will be launched. For a rose gold body and alligator-pressed band, the price is $699, followed by the all rose gold Huawei Watch, priced at a whopping $799. If you compare it to Motorola's new watch, the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) seems like a much better overall value, as you can customize the look of the watch (and size), all for a lower price. You can get gold, cognac leather bands, stainless steel bands, or whatever you want through Moto Maker in a price range of $299 to $449. The different Huawei Watch models are widely available, purchasable on Google Store, Huawei's dedicated US store, Best Buy, and other online retailers. Additionally, Huawei will make the bands available as a separate purchase sometime in the future, priced from $79.99 to $169.99.

Video

Unboxing and Hardware Tour

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Software Overview

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Final Thoughts

The Huawei Watch is a slick device that ultimately will leave potential buyers juggling a final purchase decision over price. Is the model you want affordable? For example, the model I would truly want and enjoy is the rose gold model, but you won't see me spending $799 for an Android Wear device. There's just no way. But if that's the one you want, and you have the funds at your disposal, your experience will likely be great as this is a great watch. I appreciate Huawei's attention to detail and delivering a luxurious timepiece, but it's just too rich for my blood. Really though, this is what Huawei expects. They know not everyone will want to spend this kind of money on a smartwatch. They specifically state that this device is not for the early adopters. It's for those who are fashion focused, who also want smart features from a watch. When keeping that in mind, the Huawei Watch definitely delivers the goods. I highly recommend the Huawei Watch if the price tag for a few of the models does not scare you. Huawei intends to support this device very well, so you can't go wrong in the update department. It all comes down to what you think looks best, and if smartwatches are even worth it to begin with. Although, you wouldn't be here reading this if you were not at least contemplating it.

Android Distribution Updated for October 2015 - Lollipop Up to 23.5%

Kellen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 10:31:13 +0000

Google updated its Android Distribution numbers for the month of October, showing a slight bump in the number of phones running Android 5.0+ Lollipop to 23.5%. Last month, Lolli sat at 21% on the dot. As for the other numbers, every other version is down, which makes sense as phones adopt new versions of Android: Kit Kat 38.9% (39.2%), Jelly Bean 30.2% (31.8%), Ice Cream Sandwich 3.4% (3.7%), Gingerbread 3.8% (4.1%), and Froyo 0.2% (0.2%). Since Android 6.0 Marshmallow was just made official yesterday, it hasn't quite found its way into this monthly chart, but that could change come November. You can read last month's numbers here.

Via: Android Developers

Verizon's LG G3 Gets Update to Android 5.1.1 "VS98535B"

Kellen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 10:06:49 +0000

According to a handful of our readers, the LG G3 on Verizon is receiving a 353MB update to Android 5.1.1. The software version is VS98535B and the Android build is LMY47V. We are still waiting for Verizon to post a changelog, but the update appears to be live for almost everyone. Feel free to try and pull it by heading into Settings>About phone>Software updates>Check for updates.

Cheers Mark, Matt, and Jon!

US Cellular Lowers Data Plan Prices, Attempts to Simplify

Kellen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 09:19:57 +0000

US Cellular announced this morning that it is simplifying and lowering its data plan pricing to "further back up its guarantee to beat Verizon and AT&T data plans." After looking at their new plans, I can't exactly say that I agree with the simplifying part, as this looks like the old way that Verizon did things, which was the exact opposite of simple. The new data buckets come in 1, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, and 20GB sizes and their own individual prices. But don't forget that you also have to pay a "Device Connection Charge" which varies depending on the amount of data you want and the type of device you are connecting. For example, if you sign a 2-year contract, your Device Connection Charge is a flat $40, but if you are on installment pricing it could be $20 or $15. Yeah, it's still confusing. As for pricing, the 1GB plan starts at $25, a 6GB plan starts at $55, and a 10GB plan runs $70. The rest of the individual bucket pricing can be seen at US Cellular's website.

Press Release

U.S. Cellular Lowers Data Plan Pricing and Streamlines Offerings to Provide More Value
CHICAGO (Oct. 6, 2015) – U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) is streamlining and improving its data plan options to meet the wireless needs of consumers and businesses. To further back up its guarantee to beat Verizon and AT&T data plans, the company has lowered the cost of all of its Shared Connect plans and simplified its offerings to provide better value for customers. U.S. Cellular now offers data buckets of 1, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15 and 20 GB, plans that have proved popular with consumers and businesses. With the reduced data pricing, the plans provide more high-speed data at lower prices, so customers can feel free to use their iPhone 6s or any other device and not worry about breaking the bank. Current customers are welcome to switch to these new plans. “Whether you use one 1 GB or 20 GB, with U.S. Cellular, your data plan will cost less than Verizon or AT&T,” said Joe Settimi, vice president of marketing for U.S. Cellular. “Our customers experience a high-quality network that they can use coast to coast along with unbeatable value on a variety of flexible plans to meet their needs.” With 10 GB of data starting at just $70 and smartphone connection charges of $15 on plans 10 GB and higher, customers can feel confident that they are getting a great deal, while having enough data for their family or business to share. With U.S. Cellular’s $0 down installment pricing, qualified customers purchasing a new device make 20 monthly payments that are conveniently added to their bill. Customers can upgrade this device in as little as 12 months if they trade it in for the latest model. They can also choose to pay off the full balance of their device anytime they want. New Equipment Installment Contract, Shared Connect Plan and credit approval required. Customer pays tax at point of sale. Financing terms are zero down, zero APR; 20 monthly payments. Additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. See uscellular.com for details.

Verizon Announces Samsung Pay Support for Galaxy S6, Edge, Edge+, and Note 5

Kellen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 08:33:45 +0000

Friends, Verizon is now on board with Samsung Pay. After a lengthy evaluation period that left it as the lone US wireless carrier on the outside looking in, Big Red has told us that it is now ready to support Samsung's new mobile payment system. Through a future software update, the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, and Galaxy Note 5 will all be able to make both NFC and MST payments just like those devices on other US carriers. We don't have timing on the update, but at least you now know that your new Galaxy phone won't be left out of the Samsung Pay fun.

These Sony Xperia Devices Will Get Android 6.0 Marshmallow Updates

Kellen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 08:20:44 +0000

This morning, Sony provided a list of devices that it plans to update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The list is quite extensive, so if they actually come through on this, Sony should be proud. Of course, the newly announced Xperia Z5 line is a part of this, but Sony is even going back as far as the Xperia Z2. Crazy, right? The list is as follows:

Xperia Z5
Xperia Z5 Compact
Xperia Z5 Premium
Xperia Z4 Tablet
Xperia Z3+
Xperia Z3
Xperia Z3 Compact
Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Xperia Z2
Xperia Z2 Tablet
Xperia M5
Xperia C5 Ultra
Xperia M4 Aqua
Xperia C4

Timing for updates was not provided, but Sony did say that they have already been "working hard" to get this update ready.

Via: Sony

These T-Mobile Devices Will Get Updates to Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Kellen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 07:43:59 +0000

Lost in yesterday's Android 6.0 Marshmallow bag of Nexus glory was a subtle announcement from T-Mobile as to which of its devices will receive the update to Google's latest tasty treat. Via their software update status page, we can see a list of devices that have all entered the early development stage for the upgrade to Android 6.0. Outside of the Nexus devices they support, which are about to receive the update, the rest are all still in stage 1, which is "Manufacturer Development." In other words, T-Mobile is waiting for each individual OEM to get them updates for testing before being able to push it to your phone. It'll be a while on some of these, unfortunately. The full list of devices is as follows, in case you can't see the image above:

HTC One M8
HTC One M9
LG G3
LG G4
LG G Stylo
Nexus 5
Nexus 6
Nexus 7 (2013)
Nexus 9
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
Samsung Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

Why can't Verizon and AT&T put together lists like this?

Via: T-Mobile

Download: Android 6.0 Marshmallow OTA Updates for Nexus Devices "MRA58K" (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 06:56:26 +0000

Nexus 5 - [MRA58K from LMY48M, 407MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (Part 1a) - [LMY48T from LMY48M, 23.3MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 6 (Part 1b, T-Mobile) - [LYZ28M from LYZ28K, 23.2MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (Part 1c, Project Fi) - [LVY48H from LVY48F, 23.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (Part 2a) - [MRA58K from LMY48T, 702MB] - Download Link (Cheers Ilan!)
Nexus 6 (Part 2b, T-Mobile) - [MRA58K from LYZ28M, 698MB] - Download Link (Cheers Ilan!)
Nexus 6 (Part 2c, Project Fi) - [MRA58K from LVY48H, 701MB] - Download Link (Cheers Ilan and Roy!)
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi - [MRA58K from LMY48M, 335MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [MRA58K from LMY48P, 336MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 WiFi (Part 1) - [LMY48T from LMY48M, 22MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 WiFi (Part 2) - [MRA58K from LMY48T, 772MBMB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 LTE (Part 1) - [LMY48T from LMY48M, 22.4MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 9 LTE (Part 2) - [MRA58K from LMY48T, 776MB] - Download Link
Nexus Player - [MRA58K from LMY48N, 323MB] - Download Link

LG V10 Unboxing and First Impressions!

Kellen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:00:09 +0000

Hey, it's the LG V10 in house! LG's new flagship phone full of "stuff and things" has arrived and we are ready to put it to work. Even though a number of you probably believe that we have already written this phone off and won't give it a fair shake, that couldn't be further from the truth. We are actually quite interested in this phone and whether or not its "stuff and things" make it stand out from a crowded high-end Android tier. As a recap, the LG V10 sports a 5.7-inch QHD LCD display, secondary ticker-like display, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (with microSD support), 16MP camera with OIS, dual front-facing 5MP cameras, Snapdragon 808 processor, removable 3000mAh battery, and all sorts of droptest-worthy protection, like a steel frame on its sides. Our review unit, as you can see here, is the cream and gold edition, which I thought I would be somewhat grossed out by, but it's actually quite lovely. While large, the phone feels premium in hand and so far is quite the speedster. Anyways, to kick off this whole process, here is our LG V10 unboxing.

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Least Surprising News This Week: Verizon Cancels Sony Xperia Z4v

Kellen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:32:47 +0000

Back in June, Verizon announced its plans to carry a semi-new phone from Sony called the Xperia Z4v. The original goal was to get the phone ready for launch over the summer, but as the summer seemed to be coming to a close, the phone had yet to surface at any store or in the hands of any tech reviewer. Our sources told us in July that it had been delayed until at least September, but pinged us again in mid-September saying that it had been cancelled for good. So this news today comes as no surprise. I'd call the news unfortunate, but the Xperia Z5 has now been announced (full specs) and so this phone probably needed to be cancelled sooner. Even though it had some nicely upgraded specs over the global Xperia Z4 (like a QHD display, bigger battery, and wireless charging), anyone who bought the phone was destined to be disappointed knowing that an even newer version was almost here. Here is the official word:

Verizon will no longer be launching Xperia Z4v, however we are committed to supporting Sony Mobile’s product portfolio and will support existing products. Sony is a strategic partner as we continue having ongoing discussions together as part of our future portfolio.

So, RIP, Sony Xperia Z4v. We didn't know you at all, and it's probably better that way. The only question now is - how close to the Xperia Z5's launch can Verizon get with the Xperia Z5v?

Via: Verizon

Monday Poll: Which Manufacturer Issues the First Marshmallow Update?

Kellen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:08:59 +0000

Now that Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images are available and over-the-air (OTA) updates are rolling out slowly, what do you say we play a little future predicting? Google, as is always the case (except for that one time Motorola was on top of it), pushes updates to its Nexus line-up first, but after that, it's a race to see who can be next. Many of the big manufacturers have to get updates ready for their skins (Samsung, LG, HTC, etc.), while others just need time to make sure all is working well enough with their add-ons (Motorola). Of course, there are carrier barriers here that add time to the process, along with companies having to find the resources needed to work on update testing. In the past, we have seen companies lay out schedules for delivery, while others often shock is with how quickly (or slowly) they get these things ready. So today, we want to know who you think is going to be first to push an official Marshmallow update (Edit: Outside of Nexus devices, folks. Come on.)? In the poll below, we went with the big guys, but did list an "Other" category as a catch-all for those not listed. [poll id="380"]

Nexus OTAs of Android 6.0 Marshmallow are Starting Today as Well

Kellen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:42:44 +0000

Not only are the Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images available for flashing to select Nexus devices, but Google has also begun pushing over-the-air (OTA) updates to those same Nexus products. Over the coming days - because this is a slow rollout, folks - your Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, and Nexus Player will all receive the update to Android 6.0, build MRA58K. And for those curious, the Nexus 6 on T-Mobile appears to be receiving the same MRA58K build as all other Nexus variants. If that changes or we see different builds or different carriers, as we did with Lollipop, we'll be sure to let you know. For now, don't forget to grab those Nexus OTA URLs. https://twitter.com/Android/status/651083674612449280

Video: Googlers Post a "Brief History of Android Easter Eggs"

Tim — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:20:07 +0000

Nat and Lo, two Googlers whose 20% project is to go around Google and detail cool projects, released their latest video to YouTube this week, detailing the history of the Android Easter Egg project. As you likely already know, if you go into system settings, then tap repeatedly on the phone's build number, you will find that version's Easter Egg. Easter Eggs on Android really took off with Gingerbread, which gave us the zombie painting from artist Jack Larson. Honeycomb had its own bee Easter Egg, and Ice Cream Sandwich had that odd Nyan-Andy Easter Egg. In the video below, watch Nat and Lo speak about bringing Jack Larson's work to Gingerbread, who runs the Easter Egg project now on the framework team, and much more.

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Since Your Nexus is Getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow, be Sure to Watch Our Google Now on Tap Tour

Kellen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:58:34 +0000

Android 6.0 Marshmallow has officially arrived for a number of Nexus devices, including the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), and Nexus 9. Over-the-air (OTA) updates will be rolling out slowly to those devices over the coming days, but if you want the goodness now, you can upgrade via factory images that were posted here. The latest version of Android offers a bunch of new features, many of which hide behind the scenes to add stability, endurance, and polish to last year's Lollipop release. They aren't all back-end optimizations, though. One of the few forward-facing features you will run into and likely use on a regular basis, is Google Now on Tap. For those not familiar, Google Now on Tap is an enhanced take on Google Now, that allows you to get relevant and timely information from within an app, conversation, or email, so that you don't have to completely stray from the moment at hand. Google Now on Tap essentially reads your screen and then tries to provide you with useful items, like restaurant reviews, movie times, information on people, shortcuts to navigation, Twitter profiles, related apps, and more. It's incredibly handy and could be one of the best new features Google has released in years. To get caught up on an intro to Google Now on Tap, be sure to watch the video below, which we put together last week as the service first went live.

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HTC America President: Monthly Security Updates Not Realistic, Because Carriers

Tim — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:05:09 +0000

In early August, when Stagefright had many Android owners worried about malicious MMS messages, Google, Samsung, and LG announced fast tracked security updates that would roll out monthly for device owners. With the announcement of these updates, Samsung and LG both stated that thanks to help from carriers and partners, device owners would be able to receive the security updates in a timely manner. The only reason stating that is important is because we all know the damper effect carriers have on OTA updates for Android. Over the weekend, HTC America's president, Jason Mackenzie, was asked if his company would also be providing monthly security updates for device owners. On Twitter, Mackenzie stated that commitment such as that, "is not realistic." He continued that in order to push an update, "you have to get carrier approval." Naturally, the original tweeter brought up Samsung and LG's priorly announced commitment, with Mackenzie replying, "Let's see. HTC is leading in terms of transparency on updates and providing them. And we will continue to improve." Mackenzie is correct in stating that you need carrier approval to push updates, but that does not take away from the fact that Samsung and LG have committed to this exact thing. While it seems LG and Samsung were able to work with carriers to make this happen for owners, HTC seems reluctant to do so. From our position, we don't know what goes into the talks between carriers and OEMs, and how much of a pain it might be to fast track monthly updates. It could be HTC does not have the resources for a move like this, but it is a downer for HTC device owners. Are monthly security updates a deal breaker for you?

Via: @JasonMacHTC

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Factory Images Go Live! (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 08:54:32 +0000

Google just posted Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, and Nexus Player! The updates are available as build MRA58K. Factory Images [Binaries] Here are instructions on how to flash Nexus factory images. Update: Google says that the over-the-air (OTA) updates have started as well. Grab those URLs!

BBM Gets PayPal Integration for Device-to-Device Payments

Kellen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 08:42:41 +0000

If you are still hanging on to your BBM PIN and are a fan of that Priv thing, we have good news for you! Blackberry's BBM got a big update today on a variety of platforms, but on Android we care about the fact that it now has PayPal integration. So, as the feature rolls out to all, you will be able to easily share funds from your PayPal account to friends. It'll look like the image above. Also in the update, you can subscribe to the BBM Sticker Club for use of hundreds of sticker packs and customize the font used within your BBM conversations. That's neat. The full list of newness across platforms is below. What's new

Subscribe to the BBM Sticker Club to gain access to hundreds of sticker packs, with new additions provided regularly
Android users can re-order sticker packs to position favorites near the top for quick access.
Send money to BBM contacts within your BBM conversations using PayPal account integration
Another one for Android: Customize the font size in your BBM conversations, with pinch-to-zoom functionality
iOS 9 support with Quick Reply support
Apple Watch support
iOS users can now send videos as attachments within conversations.
View, like, and comment on group pictures and other events from within BBM Feeds.
Any screenshots taken during a BBM Private Chat will produce an in-chat notification

Via: Blackberry

ASUS Zenwatch 2 Lands on Google Store for $149

Kellen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:50:53 +0000

While everyone else in the smartwatch industry is trying to make the most high-end option available, with golds and fine leathers and fancy boxes and circular displays, ASUS is quietly still making affordable options. The ASUS Zenwatch 2 is just that and it's available now through the Google Store for $149. Well, to be accurate, it went up for sale on September 29, shortly after Google's event, but it's now front and center on the Google Store, letting us know that it's there for the taking. The Zenwatch 2 includes an ovalish watch casing, that features curved glass in either 49mm or 45mm sizes. It's still a square AMOLED display, but the glass has been curved to hopefully better fit your wrist and add some flair. It comes with either navy blue or aqua blue strap, Snapdragon 400 processor, 4GB storage, 512MB RAM, 400mAh (49mm)/ 300mAh (45mm) battery, IP67 water and dust resistance, Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi, and Android Wear. The specs aren't remarkable, but they'll get the job done, especially at the $149 price point. Google Store Link

Nexus Week

Tim — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 18:45:06 +0000

This afternoon, Episode 95 of the Droid Life Show shall take place, and boy, do we have a lot to talk about. It was Nexus week, meaning we will go over our thoughts on all of Google's new offerings, and Kellen will provide his opinion on each device (since he spent some good time with them). We'll also cover the announcement of LG's new V10 smartphone, Kellen will go over his final take on the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), we will share our thoughts on the Gear S2 that we have in-house, and we will announce the start of a GoFundMe campaign in an attempt to afford TAG's upcoming Android Wear smartwatch. We will kick the show off live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern).

Don't Miss These Android Stories: October 2, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 15:30:14 +0000

Holy sh*t, what a week. Not only did we get two new Nexus phones, but Google introduced two new Chromecast devices, a new tablet, told us when Marshmallow is coming, and announced a Google Music family plan. But even if you look outside that stuff, we reviewed the OnePlus 2 and Moto 360 (2nd gen), watched LG unveil a new flagship phone that isn't a Nexus, and shook our fist at Experian for exposing our personal information. Talk about action packed. Talk about awesome. Be sure to catch up because there was a lot you may have missed.

WATCH: The Droid Life Show episode 95 | Subscribe
Nexus 6P: Video hands-on. | Gallery | Specs | Camera samples.
Nexus 5X: Video hands-on. | Gallery | Specs | Nexus Protect.
Nexus 6P and 5X are the next Project Fi phones.
Poll: Buying a Nexus 6P or 5X?
Nexus 5X and 6P reddit AMA highlights.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow rolls out next week!
New Chromecast and Chromecast audio announced.
Google event: Pixel C announced. | Play Music family plan too.
Review: OnePlus 2.
Review: Moto 360 (2nd gen).
Motorola Marshmallow updates: These are the devices getting it. | These won't.
Unboxing: Samsung Gear S2! | Available for purchase.
LG V10 announced! | Coming to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
T-Mobile customers private data exposed in massive Experian security breach.
Next HTC One device is coming October 20.
Amazon is banning sales of the Chromecast and Apple TV.
Video: Google Now on Tap tour.
Official images of the Blackberry Priv.
$1,800: TAG Heuer's Android Wear watch arrives November 9.

Anyone still alive in the DL Football Eliminator?

Friday App Sales: Hitman GO, LIMBO, True Skate, and More

Tim — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 15:10:17 +0000

With this latest list of apps and games available at a discounted price on Google Play, there's no way you will be bored over the weekend. There a few hugely popular titles up at a discounted price, such as LIMBO, Hitman GO, and True Skate, plus even a few lesser known titles that I can vouch for such as God of Blades, Back to Bed, and Machinarium. Other titles include a couple from the Final Fantasy franchise, ProShot (a camera app), Grim Legends, Epic War TD 2, and Age of Pirates RPG Elite. Check out the full list below and find something you like. Friday App Sales

Epic War TD 2 ($1.99)
True Skate ($0.99)
Danmaku Unlimited 2 ($0.99)
Cyber Knights RPG Elite ($0.99)
Age of Pirates RPG Elite ($0.99)
Grim Legends ($1.99)
ProShot ($0.99)
Final Fantasy Dimensions ($6.99)
Dragon Quest VI ($9.99)
Machinarium ($1.99)
LIMBO ($2.26)
Hitman GO ($2.49)
God of Blades ($0.99)
Back to Bed ($0.99)

Go support those developers!

Samsung Gear S2 Unboxing!

Kellen — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:24:28 +0000

The Samsung Gear S2 is now available at select retailers here in the US with a starting price of $299. To say that this is the first Samsung smartwatch to be taken seriously and worth at least considering, is probably an understatement. It features a beautiful round AMOLED display, solid specs, a clean minimal design, and works with all Android phones. It could also be a much needed alternate to Android Wear. With that in mind, we went ahead and put together a quick unboxing of a Gear S2 to kick off the review process. Smartwatches are supposedly the next big thing, so we understand that a number of you are probably interested in what this particular watch has to offer. After only spending a minimal amount of time with a Gear S2 on wrist this morning, I can offer up the following. It feels amazing on wrist (much better than I remember from my initial hands-on time), especially at this 42mm size. The screen is pretty damn gorgeous, I'm really liking the rotating bezel, the amount of customizations that can be done with watch faces are super fun, and the overall design is already growing on me. In the video below, you'll get the basic unboxing with specs rundown and some on-wrist looks. Since there is way more to show that an unboxing video isn't made for, stay tuned for that. We'll show off the UI, watch face setup, how it works with other Android devices, etc. This might actually be more enjoyable than I thought.

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Motorola to Shut Down Moto Migrate and Moto Assist for Marshmallow Users

Tim — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:51:08 +0000

To cut down on redundancy, Motorola announced today that with the future update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, owners will no longer see Moto Assist, Moto Migrate, and Chrome extension support through Motorola Connect. The reason stated for these removals is quite simple. With the launch of Marshmallow, features that Motorola offered with these applications are now built in natively to Android, meaning that their existence is no longer required. Instead of working against Android, Motorola will opt to work with it, removing their software from devices following the update.

The release of a new Android version is a great time to take a fresh look at our signature Moto Enhancements to ensure we’re complementing Android (not competing with it). Android 6.0 Marshmallow includes some great new features similar to things we’ve developed in the past. For example, you’ll find an option for ‘Do not disturb’ under the ‘Sound and notification’ settings to make sure you’re not interrupted during meetings or while sleeping. That’s similar to Moto Assist, so we’re removing Moto Assist as part of the upgrade to M.

Additionally, Motorola states that Android M enhances support for the backing up of user data, which duplicates most of what Moto Migrate provides. Instead of doubling down on the same feature, Motorola will simply remove the feature for those running Marshmallow. For Motorola Connect users, the Chrome extension found will also be retired.

To learn more about these changes, read Motorola's blog.

Via: Motorola

Verizon and AT&T Moto X (2nd Gen) Apparently Won't Get Android 6.0 Updates

Kellen — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:09:19 +0000

Motorola just posted a list of its phones that will receive an update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The list includes no real surprises, but a number of you noticed that in the mention of the Moto X (2nd gen), Motorola only listed the Pure Edition and no carrier variants. We originally just assumed that they left the carrier models off the list because they are working with carriers to decide what to do there, but according to Motorola's forums manager, the decision has already been made. The decision isn't a good one either. Matt, the Motorola forums manager, said today that the AT&T and Verizon variants of the Moto X (2nd gen) will not receive the update to Android 6.0. Let me say that again - a flagship phone that is barely 1 year old, is not getting the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. I actually don't even know what to say at this point. Is Motorola really cutting off support for this phone after a single year?

I hope, for Motorola's sake, that Matt is jumping the gun here with this statement and that the carrier version from AT&T and Verizon have not actually been cut off. We've reached out to Motorola for confirmation and will update this post when/if we hear back.

Via: Motorola

Cheers @atheisttacos!

Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Review

Kellen — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:35:00 +0000

The original Moto 360 was the best smartwatch released in 2014. It had the looks of a modern yet traditional timepiece, along with the feature set of the current vision of a smartwatch, all at a price that wasn't insulting to consumers understanding that it was a first gen product. Sure, it had its faults, but in the end, when you are talking about a fashion accessory that also has smarts, it's all about aesthetics - and the Moto 360 was king by a mile. With the release of the Moto 360 (2nd gen), Motorola had a lot to live up to, but they also had a chance to improve upon last year's best watch. We all know that this year's watch needed a major bump in processor to help in performance, so Moto took care of that. They also introduced size options, because not everyone wants to lug around a tank on their wrist. They even tweaked the design a bit, making it more classic looking than ever, while offering even more custom options through their Moto Maker software. Overall, the new 360 is upgraded in all of the right places. So is it still king? Let's find out in our Moto 360 (2nd gen) review.

Design

Last year, the Moto 360 was the best looking smartwatch month after month, even as new watches were introduced with round displays from other manufacturers. Other watch makers just couldn't get it right. They all put together bulky, obnoxious round watches, that were supposedly premium and more watch-like than anything before them. The problem was, they didn't realize that creating a case that is shaped like a traditional timepiece doesn't make for a good looking timepiece if it's enormous, cheap-looking, and unwearable. This year, the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) actually has some design competition in the form of the Huawei Watch and Samsung Gear S2 line. These watches are slim, modern yet classic, round, and right around the same price point, while offering better specs and features in some areas. This year isn't going to be a cake walk for Motorola. What improvements did they make, you ask? Motorola kept the same round shape with minimal bezel and stainless steel, but this time added traditional watch lugs, moved the crown position, and is offering two case options. You can now buy the 360 in 42mm or 46mm sizes, which is great news for those of us with smaller wrists. You can also easily swap watch bands, thanks to those lugs making band pins more accessible. And finally, the crown has been moved to 2-o'clock, to help out in the comfort department.

This watch lays nicely on your wrist, even at 46mm, partly because of the lugs gently wrapping. The body is fairly thin, has a decent amount of weight to it, letting you know that it isn't just cheap plastic, and generally looks like a real watch, not a piece of technology. And that's a big deal to me. I like watches as a fashion item, so the fact that this watch looks first like a classic watch, then doubles as a smart device, is very important. Let's also keep in mind that Motorola is offering up more customization choices through Moto Maker than I can keep track of, various colors, bezel textures, and watch bands. I'll get deeper into that in a minute, but the fact that you can customize a watch is pretty damn cool. In the end, the Moto 360 is still right there in terms of the best looking smartwatch. I'm still undecided between this and the Huawei Watch for the king of looks, but that's good news for you. Should you choose either, you will end up with a beautiful timepiece that doubles as a smartwatch.

Customization

Motorola is bringing it all this year with Moto Maker and the new Moto 360. There are dozens of combinations when ordering one, which means there is a pretty good chance that you will have a watch that no one else you know has. There are two case sizes (42mm or 46mm), four bezel colors (silver, gold, black, and rose gold) with optional knurling or micro cut, four case colors, and eight band choices. Some of the options are specific to the watch case, but overall, we're talking almost endless possibilities. And keep in mind that Motorola is even offering a women's 42mm model with specially made and designed options, like rose gold and various bands. Our review unit is a 46mm with a gold bezel (knurling too), gold case, and a cognac Horween leather strap. It's a sharp looking watch, if not a bit over the top. I'd personally choose the 42mm version if I were buying one, but that's part of the beauty here - you get to choose what you want in a watch. With the Huawei Watch or Gear S2, you get what Huawei and Samsung have decided you want to have. With the Moto 360, you get to choose the watch that fits your style on another level.

Battery Life

Enough on the looks, let's talk battery life for a minute. As many of you know, the original Moto 360 was about the worst in terms of battery life. After some tweaks, Motorola was able to squeak out about a day's worth of battery life, but it certainly never came close to being one of the best in this category. With the new Moto 360 (2nd gen), that has changed dramatically. Thanks to the addition of lugs, Motorola was able to up the battery size in the 46mm case to 400mAh and almost match last year's battery size (320mAh) in the smaller 42mm case at 300mAh. Not only that, but with the introduction of a proper and modern Snapdragon 400 processor, battery life is quite good.

In my first few days of testing, I was actively tracking battery life, but eventually stopped because it just wasn't an issue. Initially, I was using "always-on" mode, since that's the most aesthetically pleasing and preferred mode, as it lets your watch screen remain on to help it keep that traditional watch look. In the first three days with "always-on" mode on, I never once came close to killing the watch in a single day. Well, day 2 I did drop to 22% at 8PM, but that because I had to factory reset the watch mid-way through the day to connect to a new phone. If you have ever factory reset an Android Wear device, you know how much battery that can eat up, since the process takes up to 30 minutes to complete and sync to a phone. Otherwise, with "always-on" mode enabled, I saw numbers of 51% and 36% remaining in the early AM hours the following day. After testing "always-on" mode, I then switched it off for a few to see how much longer the battery would last. In the first couple of days, I was going to bed at night with 70% still on the watch. That's kind of nuts. Motorola says it should last up to two days and I actually believe that it will, depending on your usage level. I think it's safe to say that there aren't battery concerns at all with the new Moto 360. In fact, it may be one of (if not) the best in the business now.

Performance

Along with poor battery life in last year's Moto 360, there is no denying that it was also about the worst performing Android Wear watch. Motorola used an ancient TI OMAP processor in the watch which was evident from day 1. The watch often struggling with simple swipes as it aged, and never really provided that smooth experience we saw on other watches powered by Qualcomm's chipsets. This year, Motorola gave in and is using the Snapdragon 400 found in most other Android Wear devices. Because of that move, the watch flies around the operating system, responds quickly to touches, shows improved battery life, and overall, is a pleasant experience all-around. There aren't hiccups or stutters or lag anymore, Moto 360 fans.

Specs

Because I haven't mentioned them all yet, let's do that now. The specs for the Moto 360 (2nd gen) are quite good. You are looking at 1.56-inch (46mm) and 1.37-inch (42mm) LCD displays, 400mAh (46mm) and 300mAh (42mm) batteries, 4GB storage, 512MB RAM, wireless charging (dock included), Bluetooth 4.0, IP67 dust and water resistance, heart rate monitor, dual mics, and a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor. The specs here aren't exactly brand new or pushing the envelope, but they are good enough to power a wearable on your wrist. You will see other smartwatch makers toss in things like LTE, more RAM, insane resolutions on displays, and giant batteries over the next year. I'm not sure anyone needs any of that, unless they don't mind wearing tanks on their wrists.

Software

Android Wear as a wearable platform has really grown over the last year. At one time, it was a notification pusher and not much else. nNw, it can quickly load apps, direct you to your favorite contacts, let you interact with watch faces, is quicker with voice actions, has ambient modes in apps, can connect to WiFi (so you can leave your phone behind), has theater modes and more notification settings, and is a much better health tracker than ever before. We have taken you on tours of the latest Android Wear updates a handful of times, so to catch up, be sure to watch this video. I think the takeaway is that Android Wear has become a polished watch OS that is slowly evolving as Google figures out scenarios where it can do more. It's not overwhelming like Apple's watch OS, because Google wants it to be simple. A watch OS isn't supposed to be distracting or confusing or dominate your time - it's supposed to make your life simpler. I don't know that Android Wear has fully figured that all out yet, but it's getting there faster than everyone else. As for specifics to the new 360, Motorola is really pushing their Moto Body experience, which is their take on a fitness platform. The Moto Body suite is like Google Fit or Jawbone's platform or what you would get with Samsung's S Health. It's decent, but far from the best. Motorola seems committed to it, though, so expect it to get better over time.

Availability, Price, and Value

The Moto 360 (2nd gen) is available now should you decide you want to buy one. It's available at Motorola's site with Moto Maker customizations and at places like Best Buy. Customizing through Moto Maker will take a bit to finish, so you won't have your watch for at least a couple of weeks if you go that route. If you decide you want one today, most Best Buy's have them available. If we look at price and value, the Moto 360 is probably the easiest and best choice. Competitors like the Huawei Watch have choices, like silver, black, or gold models, but as you choose anything but the base silver model, the price goes up dramatically and quickly. With Motorola, you can get an all-gold 46mm watch with a gold band for $450. If you went with the all-gold Huawei Watch (which isn't even available yet), you are looking at an $800 price tag. So the bottom line is that the new Moto 360 offers you customization that no one else can at a pretty reasonable price. It's easily the best value.

Video

Unboxing

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vs. Moto 360 (1st gen)

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Original tour

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Final Thoughts

I'm still trying to figure out if I need a smartwatch in my life, but there is no question that the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) would be in strong consideration as the watch for me. Not only can I customize it to my liking, but it looks fantastic. This smartwatch looks like a watch. Sure, it's smart and does that whole Android Wear thing as well, which is great. But it looks fantastic first, and that's important when you are talking about a fashion accessory. Should you consider the Moto 360 (2nd gen)? If you are looking into buying a smartwatch, then absolutely. This and the Huawei Watch should both be put on your wrist before making that decision, though. Watches fit each person differently, but if this one fits nicely, go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Motorola Details Which Phones to Receive Marshmallow Update (Updated)

Tim — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:09:57 +0000

When Lollipop was released by Google last year, it seemed many OEMs were in a race to deliver the good to customers as quickly as possible. As we all saw, Lollipop was absolutely riddled with bugs and performance issues, leaving a few Android users wishing they still had Kit Kat. This year, the same thing is happening, but each OEM has stated that they will not send out any OTA updates until they know the OS is stable and ready for consumers. Motorola has now posted its official list of devices that as of this morning, should see the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. As no surprise, most of Motorola's newer lineup will see the update, including the Moto X Pure Edition, Moto G (2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, and LTE 2nd Gen), and DROID Turbo. Unlike HTC, who said they are shooting to have updates out by year's end, Motorola is taking a more cautious approach. According to the company's blog where the announcement was posted, "We have high standards, so we’ll work fast but we won’t push the upgrades out until we know they’re ready. Look for more news on timing in the coming weeks." While new versions of Android are always exciting, it seems that with more features, we encounter more problems. Since most OEMs bake in their own software goods and features, it takes quite a bit of time for all of the kinks to be worked out between each update. For everyone's sake, let's hope Marshmallow in the early days is a better experience than early builds of Lollipop were. Once timelines are posted for devices, we will keep you informed. Phones to receive Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" update:

2015 Moto X Pure Edition (3rd gen)
2015 Moto X Style (3rd gen)
2015 Moto X Play
2015 Moto G (3rd gen)
2014 Moto X Pure Edition in the US (2nd gen)
2014 Moto X in Latin America, Europe and Asia² (2nd gen)
2014 Moto G and Moto G with 4G LTE² (2nd gen)
DROID Turbo
2014 Moto MAXX
2014 Moto Turbo
Nexus 6

Update: Motorola says that the Moto X (2nd gen) on Verizon and AT&T won't receive the update to Android 6.0.

Via: Motorola

HBO Now, Showtime, and CBS All Access Apps Arrive for Android TV

Tim — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 08:47:20 +0000

As posted to the official Android blog yesterday, the HBO Now, Showtime, and CBS All Access applications are now available for owners of an Android TV. Whether Android TV is baked directly into your HDTV or you own a set-top box powered by the living room OS, you can access this content via the Google Play app. HBO Now, for those who don't know, is HBO's subscription service that requires no cable provider account. If not giving Comcast or Time Warner any money is high on your priority list, it is a good service to have. Other apps to recently gain support for Android TV are Disney Movies Anywhere, EPIX, WWE Network, and plenty more. For a big list of premium apps available on Android TV, look here on Google Play. Play Links: HBO Now | Showtime | CBS All Access

Via: Android

Samsung Gear S2 Now Available for Purchase

Kellen — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 06:49:08 +0000

Samsung's new round smartwatches, the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic, are now available for purchase online. With a starting price of $299 for the S2 and $349 for the S2 Classic, you can own what is almost guaranteed to be Samsung's best smartwatch to date. We have yet to review the Gear S2 (we will shortly, don't know worry), but after spending some quality time with it when Samsung fully unveiled it, it was obvious that this device would do as good of a smartwatch job on your wrist as any smartwatch. Sure, it runs Samsung's Tizen instead of Android Wear, so there is going to be a new watch OS to learn. However, it's a full watch experience like you see on the Apple Watch, instead of the glanceable-info approach you get with Android Wear. It also has NFC, so if you own a Samsung phone with Samsung Pay, you will soon be able to use it to make mobile payments. Links: Amazon | Best Buy | Samsung As for the rest of the story, you have the Gear S2, which is the version pictured above. It's the cheaper ($299) of the two, and carriers a much more minimalistic and modern design, whereas the Gear S2 Classic ($349) is doing its best to emulate a traditional watch. Both have rotating bezels for navigating their UIs, round AMOLED displays, and battery life that should last for a couple of days on a single charge. We'll have more later today, including an unboxing and some new first impressions. Note: Macy's is also selling each, but has jacked up the price by $50 on each, which is ridiculous. Do not buy from them.

T-Mobile and Experian Announce Massive Data Breach Affecting Approximately 15 Million People

Tim — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:42:17 +0000

T-Mobile and Experian announced a data breach today, one which affects approximately 15 million people. More specifically, T-Mobile's John Legere states in an open letter that any new customers who ran a credit check for a new device/plan from September 1, 2013 to September 16, 2015 are likely affected by this breach. As to what data was breached, T-Mobile and Experian claim that information including full name, address, birthdate, in addition to encrypted information such as social security number and ID numbers (driver's license numbers and passport numbers) were breached. While the most sensitive data was encrypted, Experian has determined that the encryption may have been compromised. Legere made it clear that no payment card numbers or bank information was involved in the breach.

Obviously I am incredibly angry about this data breach and we will institute a thorough review of our relationship with Experian, but right now my top concern and first focus is assisting any and all consumers affected. I take our customer and prospective customer privacy VERY seriously. This is no small issue for us. I do want to assure our customers that neither T-Mobile’s systems nor network were part of this intrusion and this did not involve any payment card numbers or bank account information.

If this breach affected you, and if you are a new T-Mobile customer then it probably does, Experian is offering two years of free credit monitoring via their own Protect My ID service. To sign up, you will need to provide your social number and all of that, but at least you can be somewhat assured that if any of your information falls into the wrong hands, you are protected. T-Mobile has posted a full FAQ on the situation, and so has Experian.

Via: T-Mobile | Experian

If You Buy a Nexus 5X, You'll Need to Buy an Additional Cable to Utilize Old Chargers or Plug Into a Computer

Kellen — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 14:39:41 +0000

Just a heads-up to those buying a Nexus 5X, but you should be aware that your phone doesn't come with a cable that will allow you to plug your phone into a computer or your old charging adapters. So if you want to connect your new 5X to a computer and get your debug on or even transfer files around, or if you want to utilize the 3-dozen adapters you have already lying around to charge your phone, you'll need to shell out for an accessory or two. The Nexus 5X, as you all know, includes a USB Type-C port, so Google is tossing in a 15W USB Type-C charger and a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable for all of your charging needs. Unfortunately, they aren't including a USB Type-C to USB Standard-A cable, which is a cable that could be used to connect your phone to a standard USB port in a computer or a typical USB charging adapter. Sucks, I know, especially since Google is including one with the Nexus 6P. See, look:

Thankfully, we are already seeing USB Type-C to USB Standard-A cables popping up all over the place. Amazon has a bunch here for under $10 (Examples: 3.3ft version, 6.6ft version). Google has one here on the Google Store for $13. For those still confused, this is the cable you are wanting - one with a regular USB tip on one end, followed by a USB Type-C tip on the other.

Note: As some have mentioned in the comments, you could also just buy a bunch of these USB Type-C to Micro USB tip adapters. [Amazon Link]

Cheers Dave!

New Trailer Released for Telltale Game's Minecraft: Story Mode, Launches October 15

Tim — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 14:29:10 +0000

A new trailer for Telltale's Minecraft: Story Mode is available on YouTube, giving a bit more detail into what to expect from the game. A block-built land is being ravaged by a magical, ancient evil, and it is your quest, along with a handful of partners, to stop the chaos. Through your adventures, you will travel to the Nether, slay an Ender Dragon, battle golems and mobs, and create enchanted items to help you on the quest. As with most Telltale Games, it will launch in an episodic structure, with additional chapters to be released as time goes on. The game is set to launch on Android October 15, directly through Google Play.

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Imgur App Receiving Update With Faster Loading GIFs and Search Feature

Tim — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:56:53 +0000

The official Imgur app is receiving an update today on Google Play, bringing a few new features that Imgur hopes will make users happy. With the update, users can now search the servers and within GIFs, allowing for quick discovery of images you might enjoy. In addition, Imgur is adding faster-loading GIFs, thanks to improved performance tweaks. Lastly, users can benefit from a revamped profile design and streamlined notifications for comments on posts. This should bring a more polished feel to the social aspect of the service. The update does not appear to be live for me quite yet, but be on the lookout through Google Play for it. Play Link

Amazon to Ban Sale of Google's Chromecast, Apple TV

Tim — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 11:39:49 +0000

Amazon, a prime spot to pick up the latest tech from Google and Apple, is now banning the sale of Google's Chromecast dongles and the Apple TV. Starting now, no new listings will go up for these products, and on October 29, all existing listings for these devices will be removed. Why would Amazon do this? Competition. Amazon now promotes the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, and to help lessen that device's competition, they can simply disallow competitors to list their products. Is is extremely shady in the eye's of consumers? Absolutely, but Amazon has every right to do it. Naturally, the Roku, Xbox, and PlayStation, all of which allow for streaming via Amazon Prime Video, will remain available for customers to purchase. According to an email sent out from Amazon corporate, “Over the last three years, Prime Video has become an important part of Prime. It’s important that the streaming media players we sell interact well with Prime Video in order to avoid customer confusion.” From now on, you will need to pick up your Chromecast dongles from either Google Store, Best Buy, or any other online retailer that carries it. Bad form, Amazon.

Via: Bloomberg

DROID Turbo Receiving Soak Test, Likely a Stagefright Patch

Tim — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:15:32 +0000

DROID Turbo owners will soon receive an update, as invites for a soak test are beginning to roll out from Motorola. No exact details have been posted yet that detail what owners should expect to see, but since the Turbo has yet to receive its Stagefright patch, it might be safe to assume that's what it is. Don't get crazy and think you will see Marshmallow pop up. Once Motorola begins the soak test, we will learn exactly what is changing, and will then post what it is.

Cheers A, J, A, and J!

LG V10 is Coming to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon

Kellen — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 09:41:15 +0000

The LG V10, a new line of flagship smartphones from LG, is coming to the US at some point in the near future. We don't have exact dates or pricing, because that's how this industry often rolls, but we do know that when it does, it will be available at AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Each carrier announced their plans to carry the phone, while only stating that they will have more info at a later date. Well, Verizon did confirm that they have an exclusive on the white and gold model.

Via: Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile

Verizon's go90 App Exits Beta, Hits Google Play and iOS App Store

Tim — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 09:09:23 +0000

Verizon's go90 social network, based on videos from creators and major publishers, is now out of beta, available for Android users via Google Play and iOS users on Apple's App Store. As previously written when the beta released, using the service is pretty simplistic if you are a big fan of taking in excess amounts of media. To start, you choose a few topics you enjoy, then the app automatically curates a few videos you should enjoy, plus subscribes you to channels you might like. As for what content you should expect to see, Verizon just signed a partnership with Univision bringing a bit of its content to the service, as well as MTV, Comedy Central, AOL, HuffPost Live, and much more. The app is available for download now. Play Link

LG's V10 Event is Happening Now, Watch It Live (Updated: It's Over)

Kellen — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:18:32 +0000

LG already announced the V10 last night, but they are still doing their on-stage song and dance today at an event in New York City. The folks at CNET have a live stream of it going right now, in case you wanted to watch along and hear the sales pitch for a phone with dual everything. Apologies for us not being there, but we are a 2-man show and had to choose Google's Nexus event or this LG event and obviously, went Nexus. We'll still get the phone in hand shortly and share our thoughts with you. For now, watch LG talk about it and their new LTE-equipped Watch Urbane (2nd edition). The stream is below. Update: It's over.

LG Also Announces the Watch Urbane (2nd Edition) With LTE

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:39:47 +0000

Along with the new LG V10, LG unwrapped a new smartwatch this evening called the Watch Urbane (2nd Edition). This watch is unique in that it's the first Android Wear smartwatch to feature cellular connectivity, with an option to connect via 4G (LTE), 3G, WiFi or Bluetooth. Why anyone needs LTE on their watch is beyond me, but that's where we are at in 2015. The watch itself sports upgraded specs over the previous generation Watch Urbane with 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400, 1.38-inch POLED display (480x480, 348ppi), 4GB storage, 768MB RAM, 570mAh battery, GPS, and IP67 dust and water resistance. That resolution and battery capacity are both kind of nuts for a watch. Good job there, LG. Unfortunately, that giant battery means a watch that is a whopping 14.2mm thick. For reference, the new Moto 360, Huawei Watch, and original Urbane were all 11mm and under. 14.2mm is...woof that's thick. So why all of the cellular connectivity? Well, you can make calls with this Watch Urbane, supposedly leave your phone at home if you'd like, and also workout with GPS tracking. The new Watch Urbane (2nd Edition) will be available at some point in the near future in the US and Korea. After that, it will head to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

[responsive_vid]

Press Release

FIRST CELLULAR ANDROID WEAR SMARTWATCH PREVIEWED AT LG EVENT

Newest LG Watch Urbane is Tether-Free and Compatible with Both Android and iOS
SEOUL, Oct. 1, 2015 ― At the event to introduce the V10 smartphone, LG Electronics (LG) provided a sneak peek of the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition, the first Android Wear device to feature cellular connectivity. With the option to connect via 4G, 3G, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, LG’s newest wearable device works seamlessly with Android smartphones or can go it alone, when carrying a smartphone isn’t practical or convenient. Cellular enabled features will vary across Android and iOS. The latest LG Watch Urbane delivers the highest resolution display of any smartwatch currently on the market today. With a resolution of 480 x 480, the new LG Watch Urbane delivers 348ppi on its 1.38-inch full circle P-OLED display. With a diameter of 44.5mm, the smartwatch resembles a classic timepiece with its hairline-etched stainless steel body and durable hypoallergenic TPSiV™ elastomer band. And to live up to the original LG Watch Urbane’s great battery life, the 2nd Edition features a high-capacity 570mAh battery and Power Saving Mode to last throughout the day and more. Three buttons adorn the right side of the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition to provide quick access to shortcut settings such as contacts, LG Health and apps list. Ambient mode can now be enabled or disabled with a simple press of the crown button. In addition to the 16 included watch faces, fitness-related features such as heart rate tracking, workout tips and stress level monitoring are also offered. “The wearable sector continues to evolve and we’re playing an active role in that by bringing to market various devices that appeal to various consumers,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “At LG, we don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all wearable device. This second edition of our Watch Urbane aims to be a must-have smart device for active individuals who want to stay connected to the world, whether they’re at work, at home or on the tennis court.” The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition will be available first in the United States and Korea, followed by markets in Europe, CIS, Asia and the Middle East. Details including price and date of availability will be announced locally at a later date. To see the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition in action, go to . Key Specifications:

Chipset: 1.2GHz Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 400

Operating System: Android WearTM (Cell-connected Version)

Display: 1.38-inch P-OLED Display (480 x 480 / 348ppi)

Size: 44.5 x 14.2mm

Memory: 4GB eMMC / 768MB LPDDR3

Battery: 570mAh

Network*: Bluetooth 4.1 / Wi-Fi / LTE / 3G

Sensors: Accelerometer / Gyro / Compass / Barometer / PPG / GPS

Color*: Space Black / Opal Blue / Luxe White / Signature Brown

Other: Dust and Water Resistance (IP67)

# # #

LG Announces the V10, a Smartphone With Lots of...Things

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:21:51 +0000

This evening, LG announced a brand new flagship called the V10. As you know from the couple of leaks we have seen of the device, this phone sports a secondary display, dual front camera setup, and an interesting textured backside. That's not all, though. LG worked in all sorts of random things - seriously, this phone is full of stuff upon stuff upon stuff - to help try and differentiate this phone from the pack. Because this phone comes off on paper much like a G4, it needed all of these new things and stuff to do that. First, let's talk specs. The LG V10 features a 5.7-inch QHD IPS LCD display with a secondary 2.1-inch IPS display (160x1040) above it. Inside, you will find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (with microSD slot), 16MP f/1.8 rear camera with OIS, 5MP dual lens front shooter(s), removable 3000mAh battery, LTE Cat.6, 802.11ac WiFi, and Android 5.1.1. See, it's kind of like a G4, only with an extra display and a secondary front camera. As for the things I mentioned, this is what I'm talking about. It has that secondary display for showing notifications, weather, battery status, etc. when the phone's screen is off. But once you turn the phone on, it turns into an app shortcut area or a place for notifications when you are in an app and don't want to be bothered. We have seen others attempt this concept before and it didn't go well. Think Samsung Continuum and Note Edge.

The V10 has dual front cameras for this world's ridiculous selfie addiction. With the two, you can either take normal 5MP shots or wide-angle photos. With the rear camera, LG is introducing a manual video mode for the first time in a smartphone, with settings for shutter speed, frame rate, ISO, white balance, and focus. Within that new video mode, there are all sorts of steady/quick/share/etc. options. The phone has a fingerprint sensor as well, along with 32 bit Hi-Fi audio, a Dura Guard steel frame, and Dura Skin on its back. LG says that they did a bunch of 3rd party drop tests with the phone and it performed quite well. Yay for drop tests. See, it's all just stuff and things. The LG V10 launches in Korea this month and will then reach the US, China, and other key countries later on down the road.

EDIT: Hey, good morning! I see my late night V10 announcement post came off a little...too snarky for some. That was partially on purpose, because "Dual selfie cameras! Dual screens! And drop tests! And Dura stuff! High-end audio for 1% of people who care! And...our worst skin in the business powered on a QHD display with a Snapdragon 808." LG is doing some good things here, but it's still kind of the same old LG story. The problem with LG is their skin, pretty poor performing phones, cheap exteriors, and terrible update patterns. The cheap exterior may be gone here, thanks to the steel frame, but I just don't have any sort of high hopes for this phone in the performance, update, and software experience departments. While they added in a bunch of new headline grabbing dual this and that, it's all just masking the LG problem that has been there for years. None of us were asking LG to try and innovate by adding a second screen to a phone or to add in the highest end DAC they could or a second selfie camera or manual video controls. We just want them, sort of like Samsung did, to go back to the drawing board with their software approach and overall design. This just all feels like they needed another phone for 2015 because the G4 flopped so hard that they just tossed on a bunch of duct tape to leftover G4s and dual'd it up. That's not a me hating LG thing, that's a me expecting LG to do better thing.

[responsive_vid]

Press Release

LG UNVEILS V10, A SMARTPHONE DESIGNED WITH CREATIVITY IN MIND

LG’s Latest Phone Features Many Firsts: Second Screen, Dual Front Cameras, Manual Video Mode
SEOUL, Oct. 1, 2015 ― LG Electronics (LG) today took the wraps off its newest smartphone featuring multimedia capabilities never before seen in a mobile device. The first of its V Series phones, the LG V10 was designed to provide a rich multimedia experience ― both consumption and creation ― for today’s social network savvy consumers. Distinctive new features such as a Second Screen, Dual Front Cameras and Manual Video Mode differentiate the LG V10 from the competition. All this comes wrapped in a design that utilizes high-grade stainless steel and a durable silicone skin to make the V10 one of the rare smartphones to pass drop tests for shock conducted by an independent third party. Second Screen Always pushing the boundaries of smartphone innovation, LG is introducing a Second Screen as an inset display above the main 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display on the V10. Working independently, the Second Screen can be set up as an “always on” display to enhance the V10’s productiveness all without impacting battery life. Set the Second Screen to display the weather, time, date and battery icon when the main display is off. With the main display on, the Second Screen can be set to convert to a dedicated launching area for shortcuts or your favorite apps. What’s more, when you’re enjoying a movie or game on the V10, the Second Screen will notify you discreetly without blocking your view when a call or text comes in. Ignoring the notification won’t distract you from your enjoyment or you can pause whatever you’re doing to respond. Dual Front Cameras and Multi-view Recording Wide angle images usually require a large, heavy lens which can distort the corners of photographs. The LG V10 features 5MP Dual Front Cameras with two separate lenses to capture standard 80 degree selfies or perfect wide angle selfies of 120 degrees, without the need to pan the smartphone which increases the likelihood of camera shake. For the wide angle shot, the V10 employs a sophisticated software algorithm to combine images from the two separate lenses which are just far enough apart to provide two different points of view. The ability to take group selfies without a selfie-stick has never been easier. Multi-view Recording can capture different angles utilizing all three cameras on the V10. Select and insert the version that looks best in your masterpiece. Video and Audio Capture Capabilities As the LG G4 did with photography, the LG V10 offers users the ultimate in video capturing, editing and sharing. The V10 is the first smartphone to offer manual mode for video. First introduced for still photographs on the G4, the technology has been enhanced to handle video recordings as well. With Manual Video Mode, budding directors can easily create professional-quality videos by adjusting options such as shutter speed, frame rate, ISO, white balance and focus while recording. Videos can be recorded in three resolutions ― HD, FHD or UHD ― and two aspect ratios ― 16:9 standard or 21:9 cinematic. In addition to its impressive professional-level video and audio capabilities, the LG V10 offers these additional features that video content look and sound their best:

Steady Record: utilizes electronic image stabilization (EIS) optimized for recording video to neutralize shake, helping to capture sharper video footage when in motion

Snap Video: create one video by combining many shorter videos

15 Sec. Auto Edit: create a short video highlight clip by automatically eliminating blurred frames and static scenes

Quick Video Editor: easily trim or change the frame rate and add after-effects, such as colors and background music

Quick Share: when finished recording, a pop-up appears on the display showing options of popular social networks to make video sharing even easier and faster

Audio Monitor: adjust the sensitivity of the three microphones during video recording and directly monitor and control audio input, including directional recording capability to highlight sound from one particular location

Wind Noise Filter: eliminate external wind noise for high-quality sound when shooting video outdoors

The V10 carries on LG’s tradition of providing alternative storage options with a microSD card slot. Compatible with cards of up to 2TB, V10 owners can shoot as much 4K video as they want. And with the 3,000mAh removable battery, you can always be ready with a second or third replacement battery to pop in if you ever run low on power while shooting. And with Qualcomm Quick Charge™ 2.0 technology built-in, it only takes 40 minutes to get a 50 percent charge. Durability and Design The LG V10 was designed to be taken places other phones normally wouldn’t feel at home. The resilient Dura Guard frame firmly secures the display to protect the phone from hard bumps and tumbles. The V10’s frame is composed of SAE grade 316L stainless steel, the same tough, hypoallergenic material used to make surgical tools and high-end watches. Because the edges and corners are the most vulnerable areas of a phone, the extra protection provided by the Dura Guard frame ensures maximum durability. On the back and bottom of the display, resilient but soft Dura Skin offers added protection from direct impacts to the device. Dura Skin is soft to the touch but also is highly resistant to nicks and scratches. What’s more, the back grid pattern was designed specifically to offer a more secure grip, even when you’re on the go. Independent testing and certification firm MET Laboratories tested the LG V10 by dropping it from height of 48 inches repeatedly at different angles and found it to be “MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant” for shock. Great Sounding Music and Voice As an advanced multimedia smartphone, the sound in the V10 has been designed to be best-in-class. The V10 features 32 bit Hi-Fi DAC by ESS Technology, designers of high-performance audio products for professionals. The LG V10 automatically detects connected devices and provides sound control options which can be customized. And the LG V10 is the first commercial device to utilize Qualcomm Technologies TruSignal™ antenna boost technology designed to intelligently optimize signal strength at all times for fewer dropped calls, faster data and better call coverage, no matter how the phone is held. Access and Security Along with the popular Knock Code, the LG V10 features a new fingerprint sensor to unlock the smartphone and turn on the display simultaneously. The sensor also works with Android Pay in the United States to make purchases as quick and easy as possible. “The LG V10 was designed from the ground up primarily as a multimedia smartphone for the sharing ecosystem,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We heard from many customers that until the G4, they weren’t comfortable going on vacation or outings without a separate camera. With the V10, we hope to do for video what the G4 did for photographs.” The LG V10 will be available in Korea starting this month followed by markets such as the United States, China and key countries in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Information regarding additional markets and launch dates will be announced locally in the weeks to come. Key Specifications:^*

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 808 Processor

Display: Main) 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 513ppi) Secondary) 2.1-inch IPS Quantum Display (160 x 1040 / 513ppi)

Memory: 4GB LPDDR3 RAM / 64GB eMMC ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)

Camera: Rear) 16MP with F1.8 Aperture / OIS 2.0 Front) 5MP Dual Lens (80^o Standard Angle / 120^o Wide Angle)

Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)

OS: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop

Size: 159.6 x 79.3 x 8.6mm

Weight: 192g

Network: LTE-A Cat. 6

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / USB 2.0

Colors: Space Black / Luxe White / Modern Beige / Ocean Blue / Opal Blue

# # #

Video: Google Now on Tap Tour!

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:27:33 +0000

Google Now on Tap is finally live and available to use for those running the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow preview. It will also be live when your new Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P arrives, or if your older Nexus is due for next week's update to 6.0. To recap, Google Now on Tap "anticipates what you need in the moment." By long-pressing on your phone's home button, "you can get cards with useful information and apps that feed your need to know." Think getting quick information about a movie you are having a conversation about through email or being able to book a restaurant a friend just mentioned in Hangouts. It could even be a need for more information about an athlete you are reading about or artist you are listening to. To get a better feel for the power of Google Now on Tap, check out the video below.

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Google Photos App Receives Update With Chromecast Support

Tim — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:05:57 +0000

Yesterday at the Nexus event, Google announced a few changes for the 4 month old Photos app, and today, a few of those changes are hitting Google Play in the form of an app update. Inside the update, the Photos app now supports Chromecast, allowing users to bring their shots to big screen to share with those around you. No more slides and projectors of family trips, even though I don't think people do that anymore. In addition to Chromecast support, users can create labels for people inside of albums, which will remain completely private. Only you will know what you call your friends when they are not around. To use these labels, you will scroll through photos, basically tagging anyone you want to easily find in the future via the search feature found in Photos. It makes for easier discovery in the future. Lastly, we have shared albums. This feature won't be ready until later this year, but with it, anyone with a camera and Google account will be able to upload photos to a shared album; perfect for big family trips or weddings. When users sign on to the album, they will receive notifications of new photos uploaded. Google gave an example of parents sharing photos and videos of grandkids with grandparents, allowing the older folks to stay on top of young Johnny's little league game highlights. To hear Google speak about these changes, fast forward the below video to the 39:30 mark. The update for Chromecast support and people labels is rolling out now to Google Play. Play Link

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New LG V10 Render Hits the Web, Looks Quite Rugged

Tim — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:45:33 +0000

LG is hosting an event tomorrow on October 1, where we believe they will announce the V10 smartphone. Thanks to @evleaks, we have a new render of the device, this time detailing a more rugged, DROID Turbo-like design. The backside appears to feature a textured plastic, reminiscent of kevlar or carbon fiber. The body itself looks pretty shock resistant, but that could just be the backside giving off that vibe. Before this leak, we had only seen the frontside of the V10, with its secondary display at the top for quick access to apps and shortcuts. We have yet to learn how LG intends to market that secondary display, but the device also appears to feature dual front-facing cameras. That could be good for your selfie game. What's your opinion? Does it look cool or super gimmicky?

Via: @evleaks

Nexus 5X and 6P reddit AMA Highlights: Name Meaning, USB 2.0, No Qi Charging, and More (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:34:06 +0000

Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer, David Burke, Krishna Kumar and Sandeep Waraich are currently live for a reddit Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) to discuss the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The conversation has only just begun, but we wanted to start putting together the highlights of the event for those who can't keep up with each answer and for those who miss it completely. AMAs like these always offer up extra information about naming, specs, and specific choices in design or features that you may not see/hear during a presentation or in a press release. For example, we already found out the reason for the "X" and "P" in the names of each phone and know that they are working with T-Mobile to get band 12 LTE ready for launch. Below, we've done our best to put together the answers the team has provided. (We'll continue to update as well.)

Display in the Nexus 6P: "It has a Samsung WQHD AMOLED panel. We have spent a lot of time tuning the white-point and color gamut for these panels - hope you will enjoy the accuracy of the display."
Type of storage in each phone: "Both 6P and 5X use eMMC 5.0."
Not US 3.1: "Nope! Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P supports USB 2.0"
Why only 2GB RAM in the Nexus 5X: "We like to think we’re striking a strong balance between premium features/experiences and affordability."
Why no wireless (Qi) charging: "We added Qi wireless charging starting with N4 because plugging in USB micro B was such a hassle! (Which way is up!?) With this year’s Nexii, we support USB Type-C which has a reversible connector so there’s no more guessing. AND it charges incredibly swiftly: 1% to 100% in 97 mins on the 6P for example (the first ~45 mins of charging is especially fast). Meanwhile, wireless charging adds z (thickness). So, ease of plugging in + fast charging + optimizing for thinness made us double down on Type-C instead of wireless!"
16GB option for the Nexus 5X: "The idea here was to strike a balance between premium features/experiences and affordability."
Same cameras in each phone?: "Yes. Both devices have the same camera - a 12.3MP camera, with a large 1.55um pixels, which works great in all conditions - especially low light. And both have LDAF for fast auto-focus."
More on cameras: "Yea, same sensor (IMX377) and F/2.0 optics. But 6P has more CPU/GPU horsepower so has a few additional features like 240fps slomo (vs 120fps on 5X), Smartburst, and EIS."
Why partner with LG and Huawei?: "5X: We wanted to bring the LG-Google band back together. So many N5 fans, we couldn’t possibly disappoint! 6P: Always nice to work with new players -- we have a history of working with a bunch of folks: HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Asus and now Huawei!"
On naming: "X for the core of the Nexus brand (plus it sounds cool!), P for premium."
T-Mobile band 12: "We’re hard at work with T-Mo to get Band 12 on Nexus devices by ship date."
Security with fingerprint scanners: "Fingerprint features are securely encrypted on the device, and processed in the secure Trustzone protected area of memory. The Android 6.0 fingerprint APIs do not provide any access to the fingerprint material to apps. Fingerprint features never leave the device and are not shared with Google (so for example if you setup a new phone, you need to re-enroll your fingers). If your phone is ever lost or stolen you can easily find, lock, and erase your phone using Android Device Manager."
NFC coil locations: "On 6P the NFC coil sits just above the Nexus Imprint fps is exposed behind the camera coverglass (which is GG4 BTW). On Nexus 5X, the coil is wrapped around the back camera. And we have tested it rigorously for payments experience and it works great! And for peer-to-peer and reader mode too BTW."
Making up for no OIS: "We’ve done a bunch of things to provide image stabilization: 1. The Nexus 6P/5X has a large 1.55um pixel camera and the amount of motion blur due to hand-shake is lower , when you have large pixels. 2. We have a feature we call “lucky shot” internally. When you take a picture, behind the scenes, we select the best of 3 bursts of images. 3. When you use video, we have optic-flow-based image stabilization. 4. When you use SmartBurst, we select the best image from the burst (for example a shot with eyes open)."

Via: reddit

We Now Know What the "X" and "P" in Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Stand For

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:10:16 +0000

Why Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P? What could the "X" and "P" stand for in each name? We've all been asking those questions over the last few weeks, since we confirmed the final names. During yesterday's event, Google didn't mention anything specifically about the meaning behind the names, but did so today in an AMA going on over at reddit. According to Hiroshi Lockheimer, the "X" in Nexus 5X is in reference to the "core of the Nexus brand." It apparently also sounds cool to Google. The "P" in Nexus 6P stands for premium. There you go.

Via: reddit

BlackBerry Posted Official Images of Priv Yesterday

Tim — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:23:32 +0000

The Priv from BlackBerry, aka Venice, has been the target of many leaks over the past month, and it seems BlackBerry, a company that touts their security, has had enough. In a blog post, the company released three official images of the device, leading fans of BlackBerry to either embrace the upcoming device, or express their distaste for its usage of the Android OS. Two of the released photos show the profile of Priv (below), while the other is an angled shot of the frontside (top). It is certainly an interesting device, and BlackBerry states we will soon know more information, including when and where you can purchase it. The images do not offer anything too new, but we do get a good look at the Priv's side button configuration, which is unique to say the least. It appears a power button sits between the volume up and down buttons, possibly leading to a bit of confusion. Other than that, it's a slider phone with a full QWERTY running Android, made by BlackBerry. Once availability and pricing is known, we will be sure to let all of your slider fans know. Still intrigued by the Priv?

Via: BlackBerry

Here are a Bunch of Nexus 6P Camera Samples From Google's Romain Guy

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:06:14 +0000

Google spent a really long time yesterday talking about the 12.3MP cameras that it put in the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. They are excited about their potential, even without optical image stabilization (OIS), thanks to the Sony sensor used that captures large 1.55 micron pixels. Google mentioned that the Sony sensor here was originally intended for use in a traditional point-and-shoot scenario, but they managed to cram it into a phone (well, two phones). That's something to brag about, for sure. If you want to go back and see the chat about the new Nexus cameras - and you should - here is a direct link on YouTube. But what about actual real-world results? Since we don't have review units yet, we are left to rely on Google and Googlers with the phones in order to see what we can expect. Googler Romain Guy, the man who seems to put every single Nexus camera to work, posted some shots yesterday that were taken with the Nexus 6P (a few of which were featured during the Google event) from a variety of indoor situations. Some are low-light, while some are just typical indoor lighting situations. If anything, they should give you an idea as to what you can expect from either new Nexus phone. Are they the best indoor photos ever taken with a smartphone? I don't know that I would say that. I'm not necessarily seeing random blue, green, or red hues dominating anything, so that's good. My eyes might be spoiled by the amount of detail captured by the Moto X Pure's 21MP camera still, so these do lack some of those fine moments of text that I enjoy with the MXPE. But overall, they are passable indoor photos. After all, DxoMark did rank this camera 2nd for smartphones only to the Galaxy S6. You tell us - thoughts on these samples?

Via: +Romain Guy

NVIDIA Renames GRID to GeForce NOW, Launches October 1 for $7.99 a Month

Tim — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:49:13 +0000

NVIDIA's game streaming service known as GRID, available on most NVIDIA-made devices for the past year or so, including SHIELD, SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Portable, will now be known as GeForce NOW and include a monthly subscription price of $7.99. This subscription nets you access to 50+ gaming titles, all stored on NVIDIA's cloud servers. So, essentially, it's Netflix for Gaming. For those who have played with GRID before, GeForce NOW will act the same way, but the ability to purchase select titles is also included for instant cloud access. Much like Netflix or Spotify, you will open the GeForce NOW app on your device, select a title you want to play, and that's it. Games are streamed via your home's network in up 1080p 60fps, bringing a first class gaming experience directly to your HDTV, no Xbox or PlayStation needed. Set to launch tomorrow (October 1), NVIDIA states that the first three months of service will be absolutely free, allowing gamers a chance to try the service out before you have to pay a dime. As for the titles you will find for streaming, there will be plenty of Batman games, LEGO titles, Dead Island, racing games, and a few RPGs. There will be something for everyone and NVIDIA will also bring new titles to the service as time goes by. For a complete list of games to stream and games to purchase, check here. Would you pay $8 a month to stream video games via the cloud?

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Via: NVIDIA [2]

Samsung's Gear S2 and S2 Classic Available October 2, Priced at $299 and $349

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:11:54 +0000

Samsung announced this morning that its new round smartwatches, the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic, will be available for purchase on Friday, October 2. The Gear S2 retails for $299 and the Gear S2 Classic drops in at $349. You will be able to buy each at select retailers including Samsung.com, Amazon.com, Best Buy and Macy’s. To recap, the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic are Tizen-based round smartwatches from Samsung that are arguably (OK, they are for a fact) the best looking Samsung watches to date. The regular Gear S2 sports a cleaner, more minimal aesthetic, while the Classic attempts to emulate a traditional timepiece. Both look quite nice. The big selling feature for each is a rotating bezel that allows you to navigate their UI. To see a demo of that in action, check out our hands-on video below. They also have solid specs (1.2-inch AMOLED displays, 4GB storage, 512MB RAM, dual-core processor, NFC, WiFi, and wireless charging), 2-3 day battery life, are water resistant, and will have a whole bunch of big name apps available to them at launch (Bloomberg, CNN, ESPN, Nike+ Running, Samsung Milk Music and Yelp). Buying?

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TAG Heuer's $1,800 Android Wear Watch Arrives November 9

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 07:57:34 +0000

Ready for TAG Heuer's luxury Android Wear watch? It's coming November 9, according to its CEO, who spoke with CNBC yesterday. The watchmaker is planning some sort of unveiling event at its LVMH building in New York at 11AM Eastern on that day. Biver said that the watch will cost around $1,800, which is up about $400 from the last time we heard a price attached to the product. Can you see yourself paying $1,800 for an Android Wear watch, even if it is made by a company like TAG Heuer?

Via: CNBC

AT&T Moto X (1st Gen) Gets Android 5.1 Lollipop Update...Again

Kellen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 07:21:00 +0000

The AT&T Moto X (1st gen) is getting Android 5.1 Lollipop again. I say again because we tried this once before back in July, but an issue arose and the update was suspended. AT&T apologized for having to pull the update and assured us that the update would be ready again as "quickly as possible." Well, quickly as possible turned into the last day of September, more than two months later. A new update is now ready for that original Moto X on AT&T. The update rolls out as system version 222.26.7 and weighs in at about 735MB. It's Android 5.1 and it'll change your life. OK, not in a "I won the lottery!" way, but a, "Whoa, this is what a modern smartphone UI looks like..." kind of way. To get a feel for it, check out this video we put together back when the 2nd gen Moto X first got Lollipop.

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Via: AT&T

Samsung's GM of Samsung Pay Claims Verizon Owners Might Have Access in the "Next Week or So"

Tim — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:06:07 +0000

According to a tweet sent out recently from Will Graylin, Samsung's Co-GM of Samsung Pay, Samsung device owners on Verizon will be able to download Samsung Pay directly from Google Play. As mentioned in the tweet, Waylin says it should be available, "in the next week or so." This is great news for new Galaxy device owners on Big Red, but excuse us while we question Mr. Graylin's statement. I could be completely off base here, but the tweet sounds very iffy to me. Not only has Verizon not given any inclination that they are ready to announce support for Samsung's mobile payment service, but Graylin claims that the Samsung Pay app will be downloadable via Google Play. As most Samsung device owners should know, this app is not available via Google Play for anyone, or even from the Galaxy Apps application. The app comes preinstalled on the newest Galaxy devices, and is not available via 3rd-party stores anywhere, at least right now. Is it possible that Samsung Pay could hit Google Play? Sure, there is nothing stopping that from happening, but with Samsung in love with their own ecosystem, it seems unlikely. And again, the last we heard, Verizon was still "evaluating" the service altogether, and Verizon seems more key on promoting Android Pay to their customers than acknowledging the whereabouts of Samsung Pay. For all Verizon customers who own a new Galaxy device, here is hoping the two companies can work this out, and Mr. Graylin is correct when stating that you should be able to download it in "the next week or so" directly from Google Play. Although, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Via: @WGraylin

Cheers Tony!

Google Now on Tap is Working Again on the 6.0 Preview

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:59:14 +0000

Two weeks ago, an update to the Google app briefly activated Google Now on Tap for those running a device with the Android 6.0 preview. For all of eight hours, owners of a Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 could take advantage of Google's new service that allows you to pull up relevant information within apps, so that you don't have to leave what you are doing to get answers. But because the Now on Tap service wasn't exactly ready for prime time or someone accidentally pressed "GO!", Google killed it. We have been waiting for it to return and were wondering if today would be the day, now that Android 6.0 is super duper official. According to a handful of our readers (and our own Nexus 5), Google Now on Tap is back live again! If you are still trying to figure out the service and why you need it, check out a couple of the screenshots below that show Now on Tap pulling up information through a variety of situations. As a reminder, Now on Tap is an Android 6.0+ feature, so if you want to use it, you will still have to be using a device with the latest 6.0 preview, like the Nexus 6, Nexus 5, or Nexus 9. If you are running any of those, long-press the home button when in apps and watch the magic happen.

Cheers Hamid and Brick!

Tuesday Poll: Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P?

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:24:15 +0000

It's time to decide after seeing each's official unveiling from Google - are you going Nexus 5X (specs) or Nexus 6P (specs)? Are you going smaller, less-powerful Nexus 5X or are you going full-on flagship Nexus 6P? Are you ready to make the all-around champ a part of your life again or is it time to give a new player, like Huawei a shot? Tell us. [poll id="379"]

Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are the Next Project Fi Phones

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:21:35 +0000

Thanks to their stellar network interoperability, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, unsurprisingly, are the next phones to be compatible with Google's Project Fi. That means you can give even more to Google by not only buying their new phones, but by making them your wireless carrier too. As a recap, Project Fi is Google's pay-as-you-use wireless service. It uses both T-Mobile and Sprint networks, only charges you for exactly the data you use, starts at $30 per month, and is all controlled through a simple Project Fi app. Fi tries to always find you the best connection possible, so it will jump from T-Mobile to Sprint to WiFi without you even noticing, for the most part. With the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P joining Fi, that also means you can purchase each through Fi with a payment plan. The exact payment amounts are below.

You still need to request an invite to be a part of Project Fi, so if having Google as a carrier interests you, as do their most recent Nexus phones, hit up the link below.

More: Project Fi

Video: Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X First Look and Hands-on

Tim — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:33:16 +0000

If hands-on photo galleries are not enough for you, how about some video action? Kellen was on-hand for this morning's Google event, where two Nexus devices were announced, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Both offer something quite different, and it seems our community is pretty torn on which to pick up. The Nexus 6P is the larger, more premium-priced device, running a starting price of $499. It features a 5.7" QHD display, Snapdragon 810 processor, and fingerprint reader. The Nexus 5X starts at $379, which is more of an updated Nexus 5 device with a body comprised of plastic. It features a smaller 5.2" 1080p display and Snapdragon 808 processor. Hands-on videos for both devices can be viewed below.

Nexus 6P Hands-on

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Nexus 5X Hands-on

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Nexus 6P Hands-on Photo Gallery (Updated: Video)

Tim — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:24:20 +0000

For anyone not too interested in the Nexus 5X, here is a photo gallery of the Nexus 6P in-hand. As mentioned earlier, it features an all-metal, more "premium" build quality. Featuring a 5.7" QHD display, pricing for this model starts at $499 with pre-orders now live on Google Play. Below, we have a gallery of the Nexus 6P in each color that is offered for pre-order. There is the "Aluminium," Graphite (Black), and Frost (White). Why companies insist on making new names for basic colors, I will never understand. Again, keep it locked right here while we get these Nexus hands-on videos rendered and uploaded. Which Nexus device are you leaning towards? X or P?

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Nexus 5X Hands-on Photo Gallery (Updated: Video)

Tim — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:11:17 +0000

Kellen is live from Google's Nexus event, and thankfully, they have units on-hand for him to take photos and videos of. While we wait for hands-on videos and first impressions, here is a gallery of the Nexus 5X in-hand. No more renders! From what he has said, the device is light, definitely giving off a plastic vibe, unlike the Nexus 6P with its all-metal build. Keep it tuned here for hands-on videos of both devices soon. Now, revel in its Nexus-ness beauty.

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HTC Hosting Virtual Event on October 20 to Announce Marshmallow-Powered 'One' Device

Tim — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:43:42 +0000

As soon as Google's morning event wrapped up, an email hit our inbox, claiming HTC is going to unwrap a brand new, Marshmallow-powered One device on October 20 via a "virtual event." What is meant by virtual event, HTC states, "This is not your traditional smartphone so we aren’t hosting a traditional launch event." The event is set to kick off at 12pm EST on October 20, which is 9am PST for those on the west coast. As to which device HTC is referring to, we assume they are speaking of the One A9, a device that has been leaked left and right, but we would not exactly put money on that. The timing matches up well, given it was reported we would see the One A9 launch this November, however, nothing is ever confirmed until it is announced and official. If HTC does announce the One A9, the device is reported to feature a 5″ AMOLED display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 2GB of RAM, microSD card slot, 2,150 mAh battery, 13MP rear-facing camera, and an UltraPixel camera along the frontside. If it also comes running Marshmallow, that is most impressive. The live event will be streamed right here. Excited?

Google Announces Pixel C Tablet, Launch Set for Holiday Season at $499+

Tim — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:23:47 +0000

This morning, Google announced the Pixel C, the first tablet designed and built by Google alone. It's not a Nexus, it's a Pixel. The Pixel C delivers a first-class tablet/laptop-like experience, featuring a 10.2" 2560 x 1800 display, Tegra X1 processor from NVIDIA, Maxwell GPU, 3GB of RAM, USB Type-C, and a keyboard attachment for those who need to handle work on-the-go. Set to launch in time for the holidays, the Pixel C is priced starting at $499 for the 32GB model, and $599 for the 64GB. The keyboard attachment is priced and sold separately for $149. The tablet runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, and if past Pixel devices were any hint, you can expect this device to feel exceptional in-hand. What do you think? The ultimate Xmas gift?

Google Confirms $15/Month Family Plan for Play Music, Available in a Few Weeks

Tim — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:12:44 +0000

Just as reported earlier this week, Google announced a Family Plan option for users of Google Music, one which will allow a family of up to six to rock out to all of the great tunes available through All Access, priced at just $14.99 a month. Each account will have the ability to store 50,000 songs in the cloud, accessible from any device. In addition, each account will receive the benefits of recommended playlists and streaming options, bringing a tailored feel for each user in your family. Google states this Family Plan option will be available "in a few weeks." Once available, we will let you know. Who is ready to sign up for this?

Google Announces New Chromecast Dongle, Chromecast Audio Dongle

Tim — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:04:15 +0000

At this morning's event, Google announced two new Chromecast devices, an updated Chromecast HDMI dongle for your HDTV, and a Chromecast Audio dongle, capable of turning any regular speaker into a smart speaker. The updated Chromecast dongle features a retooled design, allowing for easier plugging into television units. Essentially, it acts the same as the older Chromecast, albeit with updated features, but the hardware inside the unit has changed most. Inside, we have dual-band WiFi, with a smart connection that allows for the fastest WiFi connection, all of the time. Google decided to price the Chromecast dongle the same at $35, available for purchase today. Chromecast Audio is basically the same thing, but for music. Instead of hooking it up to a TV, you hook it up to a sound system or Bluetooth speaker. This allows you to save battery on your smartphone. You and friends can set a queue of music for a playlist, and the hardware even allows for multi room support. Chromecast Audio is also priced at $35. To use these devices, Google is releasing an updated Chrome app, bringing a gang of new software features for this updated hardware, as well as the same content for 1st Gen Chromecast owners. Be on the lookout for this to hit Google Play soon. More info and exact specs can be found on their respective product listings through Google Store. Have at it. Update: The updated Chromecast app is now available on Google Store. Download here. Chromecast Buy Links: Google Store Chromecast Audio Buy Links: Google Store

Nexus 5X Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 10:42:16 +0000

As you now know, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are official. Google has fully announced each device at an event in San Francisco, putting to bed any last remaining questions. LG has indeed made the 5X, a phone that is very much a return of the "all-around champ." It's the smaller of the two Nexus phones and should be a great option for those who want something much more manageable with a single hand, something that isn't whale-like. Below, you will find the official spec list as presented to us by Google. Nexus 5X Specs (Official)

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Nexus 6P Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 10:35:49 +0000

As you now know, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are official. Google has fully announced each device at an event in San Francisco, putting to bed any last remaining questions. Huawei has indeed made the 6P, a phone that is largely thought to be the more premium of the two. It features a metal body, higher-end processor, is bigger, and more expensive. Some would consider the 5X to fall into the mid-range category, while the 6P is by all means a true flagship. Below, you will find the official spec list as presented to us by Google. Nexus 6P Specs (Official)

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Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Pre-Orders Now Live!

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 10:23:30 +0000

Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X pre-orders are now live on the Google Store! Go! Go! Go! The Nexus 5X comes in three colors (Carbon, Quartz, or Ice) and starts at $379. The Nexus 6P comes in three colors as well (Aluminium, Graphite, or Frost) and starts at $499. These phones are unlocked and ready for all US carriers. Store Links: Nexus 6P | Nexus 5X

Pre-Order New Nexus 5X or 6P, Get Free Google Play Music and $50 Play Credit

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 10:01:14 +0000

If you pre-order the new Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P, Google is tossing in some freebies. All Nexus 5X and 6P orders include a free 90-day subscription to Google Play Music, but if you pre-order, they are also handing out a $50 Google Play credit. The devices aren't live yet on Google Play, so stay tuned.

Google Announces Nexus Protect, a 2-Year Protection Plan for Your Phone

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 09:54:12 +0000

Along with its announcement of the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, Google unveiled a new protection plan for each called Nexus Protect. The plan runs $69 for the Nexus 5X and $89 for the Nexus 6P. With Nexus Protect, you get 2 years of coverage for mechanical breakdown on your phone, 2 years of protection from accidental damage, and you get replacements as early as the next business day. To read the full details of Nexus Protect, including what is and isn't covered, deductible amounts ($79 per accident), and more, hit up this Google Support page.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Rolls Out Next Week to Nexus 5, 6, 7 (2013), 9, and Player

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 09:44:35 +0000

So, when is your current Nexus getting the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow? Next week, actually. Google announced today that the update will arrive over-the-air (OTA) to the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, and Nexus Player. Sorry, Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 (2012) owners.

Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Pricing and Availability Announced

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 09:39:59 +0000

It's official - pre-orders for the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P open today and will ship later this month. The LG Nexus 5X is priced at $379 (16GB) and $429 (32GB). The Nexus 6P is priced at $499 (32GB), $549 (64GB), and $649 (128GB). Google Store is the place to order, but Google did mention that they will have additional retail and carrier partners down the road.

Google Announces the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 09:19:59 +0000

We're at Google's event in San Francisco and they just got done announcing the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. We'll have more on them shortly, like full details and official specs, but as of now, nothing has been a surprise. The Nexus 6P is the big guy and the flagship, while the Nexus 5X marks the return of a previous Nexus champ. Google is excited about their cameras, and even said they left out OIS on purpose because the cameras are so good in low light that they don't need stabilization. We'll have to put them through tests to see if that was a good decision or not. More coming! Update: Pricing and availability. Update 2: Android 6.0 Marshmallow rolls out next week to older Nexus devices. Update 3: Nexus Protect announced as the new Nexus protection plan. Update 4: If you buy the new Nexus phones, Google has freebies for you. UPDATE 5: PRE-ORDERS ARE LIVE!

Nexus 5X

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Nexus 6P

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Live: Google's Nexus 5X and 6P Event!

Kellen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 06:06:12 +0000

The day has finally arrived! It's time for Google's big Nexus and Chromecast event, where we should be officially introduced to the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, a new Chromecast, and a whole bunch more. We are in San Francisco to attend the event, which kicks off at 9AM Pacific (12PM Eastern). Because this is such a big event, we will have a live blog of the happenings for you below, but Google also has plans to stream the event live for the world to see. Once we have a direct feed for that, we will embed it below along with the live blog. Ready to join us and finally get the official scoop from Google?

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OnePlus 2 Review

Tim — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:41:10 +0000

OnePlus launched a fantastic phone last year in the OnePlus One. It was even good enough to earn a spot in our list of the top 5 smartphones of 2014. That's saying something. So, of course, when OnePlus began the #hype for the OnePlus 2, many in the Android community seemed genuinely excited. Fueling a bit of this excitement was OnePlus insisting that the device would be much, much easier to acquire. Before launch, the company claimed it would be 30-50x easier to purchase the device, even though they were still relying on an invite system to purchase it. Along with the claims of better availability, OnePlus also called this phone the "2016 flagship killer." Not 2015, but 2016, as in, this phone should be better than next year's phones too. While the simple fact still remains that it is very difficult to purchase this phone, and it is no one but OnePlus' fault, we aren't even sure if this phone is even a 2015 flagship killer, let alone a 2016 killer. This is our OnePlus 2 review.

The Good

Specs There has been a bit of a fuss surrounding the specs of the OnePlus 2. Is it flagship-level or did OnePlus cut a bunch of corners? The answer is - maybe a bit of both. For this review, we looked at the whole package, which includes the price that you pay for these types of specs and have decided that it belongs up here in the "Good" section even with the shortcomings we are about to mention. The OnePlus 2 features a 5.5" 1080p FHD display, 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM or 3GB depending on which storage option you choose, 13MP rear-facing camera (f/2.0), 5MP "distortion-free" front-facing camera, dual SIM slots, USB Type-C port, Bluetooth 4.1, fingerprint reader, dual-band WiFi, 3,300mAh non-removable battery, and OnePlus' in-house OxygenOS ROM (Android 5.1). On paper, the above specs are pretty good, especially for a phone that starts at $329 (we reviewed the $389 model). With that said, as many noticed as soon as they were announced, this device is lacking NFC, wireless charging, and fast charging. It's the later part of 2015 -- lacking NFC and fast charging is a big deal. Delivering great specs in an affordable package is what got us as a community excited for OnePlus in the first place, but when corners are cut, even though OnePlus claims NFC was not used by many users, it's a big deal when the device is marketed as a "2016 flagship killer." Software The OnePlus 2 features the company's in-house OxygenOS operating system. It's basically a vanilla-looking version of Android, but brings a few customization tweaks that allows users to do many things they could normally do only if they were rooted and running a custom ROM. That is a major bonus for anyone who is a fan of Android. For example, users can set the theme of the OS to dark or light, then set a color scheme from a predetermined list of colors. During my testing, I ran a black and orange theme, in support of my San Francisco Giants. There are many colors not available, but your basic Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow colors are available.

In addition to changing the basic theme of the UI, users can opt between hardware (capacitive) and on-screen buttons. This was also available with the OnePlus One. The one major difference between last year and this year's model is the large home button on the bottom bezel, which is also the fingerprint reader. Users can also switch up the layout of the system toggles in the notification shade. It's not groundbreaking, but the ability to change it is a positive.

Overall, the software seems good, but it is not without a few bugs. However, with a few updates, I assume most small issues will be cleaned up. To see the full software experience of the OnePlus 2, head down to the video section below. Hardware In hand, personally, I enjoy the size of the OnePlus 2. Even after handling the Galaxy Note 5 for quite a bit, it was not a big deal going down in size. It fits comfortably in hand, and depending on the StyleSwap cover you choose, it feels very good. Along the outside, there is a cold, dark metal trim, which matches the camera's housing. This dark metal does not compliment the lighter colored StyleSwap covers (bamboo), but that's a personal issue. The backside of the OnePlus 2 is the same textured Sandstone black cover, featuring an almost grip tape-like feel and look; like a very fine sandpaper. I did not spend much time with the OnePlus One last year, but after feeling the backside of the OnePlus 2 for a few weeks, I would love to see other phones come with an option such as this. One major plus I have with the device is the notification toggle on the left side of the phone. This toggle is legit, and I want it on every phone I purchase in the future. Much like an iPhone, you can toggle how you want your notifications handled, which is exactly how Android is set up these days. You have all notification, priority notifications, and no notifications. This toggle allows you to choose which setting you want, so for example, if you are in the movies, you can quickly set the device to no notifications, without unlocking the phone and diving into the settings. It's a minimal addition, but makes a massive difference in the overall experience of the user. Fingerprint Reader Another major addition to the hardware of the device is a fingerprint reader. Why was it added? Well, I don't exactly know, since there is no NFC on the device, meaning no mobile payments. Sure, there is nothing wrong with added security, but it just seems odd. With that being said, it's a fantastically fast fingerprint reader. We detailed its speed previously in this post. One sweet benefit of the reader is its ability to unlock the device, even when the phone is sleeping. Your screen is off, you don't want to press the power button to wake the phone, so simply place your finger or thumb on the reader and it's unlocked. Super simple, super fast. Again, if this phone featured NFC, the reader would make much more sense, but you can only stress that issue so many times before you learn to just accept it. It doesn't mean you have to settle for it, though.

Price Being completely unlocked with no ties to carriers, the device is priced starting at $329 for the 16GB model (3GB of RAM). For the 64GB option (4GB of RAM), the price is $389. For under $400, this is a great value in a smartphone. A reasonable comparison in price would be the Moto X Pure Edition. Although, for $399, the Moto X Pure Edition offers a bit more - QHD display, NFC, fast charging, and the ability to customize the look of the phone using Moto Maker. The point being, for the starting price of $329, the OnePlus 2 is priced very well, although, we do wish 32GB was the starting point for storage and not 16GB.

Somewhere in the Middle

Display The display found on the OnePlus 2 is a 5.5" FHD (1920 x 1080) LCD. In terms of color presentation, it mostly reminds me of what we see from HTC - colors are bright and natural, but there's not nearly enough saturation. I typically enjoy the richer tones of reds and greens, which is where devices such as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5 perform well. The difference between the displays found on these devices is night and day. When compared to the Moto X Pure Edition, the OnePlus 2 panel handles the color white exceptionally well, with the MXPE coming off very yellow when the two are side-by-side. You can see this in the below photo. To keep the price low, and maybe because OP thinks QHD is not yet necessary, we are left with a 1080p display. This is a good thing, since FHD displays are usually a bit lighter on batteries and processors. When you don't need to push a high number of pixels, you can expect your device to perform rather well. This is complimented by the 4GB of RAM found in the 64GB model of the OnePlus 2 we have. To wrap it up, the panel is nothing all too special, but will surely get the job done for those who don't mind a little over 400 pixels-per-inch in a 5.5" package. But do note, if you apply the on-screen buttons, your UI viewing size is made a tad smaller and compact to 5.1".

Camera If it was any other day, I would have placed the camera section of this review under not-so-good, but under the right circumstances, the camera is pretty decent. When outside, I am able to snap shots just fine, with a good amount of color saturation and contrast. However, beware the sun, as photos can easily become blown out due to a sensitive light sensor. Indoors, when snapping shots, the screen appears rather grainy, but once the image is captured, it seems to turn out fine for the most part.

The camera app itself is a tad bit janky, and it would be nice if OP decided to throw in a few baked in filters for photos. Alas, any editing such as that be done in 3rd party apps like Snapseed. The clearest image I was able to take, at least in my opinion, was of a slow-moving snail at night with the flash turned on. Why the photo came out so crispy looking, I will never know. Frankly, if I had to rate the camera, I would give it about a 6.5/7 out of 10. The only reason being is that when compared to a camera ranked at 10, which would be the camera found in the Galaxy Note 5, the OnePlus 2's shooter hardly, and I mean hardly compares. Of course, there is that huge price difference, so for the starting price of $329, you can't really expect the greatest mobile photography experience ever. Thanks to an update, OnePlus added a RAW shooting mode, which is most welcomed by seasoned photographers. I, however, am not one of those. Take a look at my samples below, ranging in shot-taking scenarios. There's a few low lighting, bright lighting, HDR on, HDR off, flash on at night, etc.

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

Battery The OnePlus 2's battery life for me could be best described as average. My day is usually 7:30am to 10pm, and the phone had no issue getting me through the entire day most of the time. Sometimes I would see below average battery life, but that's because I have fallen victim to Candy Crush yet again, and that game is a true battery hog. For me, on average, I see a battery lasting me through the day with about 3+ hours of screen on time, and that's just the average. This is exactly what I experienced with the OnePlus 2. Nothing special, but not bad by any means. If I had to compare it, I would say it lasted me longer and more consistently than the Galaxy S6, and just as good as the Galaxy Note 5. While on paper it should easily beat out the Galaxy S6 (2,550mAh), which it does, the OnePlus 2's 3,300mAh battery failed to deliver anything truly superior to the Galaxy Note 5's 3,000mAh. For featuring 300mAh more battery, plus only having a FHD display, I expected a bit more juice out this device.

The Not-so-Good

No NFC "2016 flagship killer." Not without NFC, you aren't. At first, I thought many in the Android community were sort of blowing the OnePlus 2's lack of NFC out of proportion. But now that I have been using the device, and seeing the rise of Android Pay and mobile payments in general, I have been completely left out. OnePlus claims no one used NFC on the OnePlus One, so they figured why even bother including it in the OnePlus 2? As I just mentioned, Android Pay is now available, making mobile payments even more mainstream than they were with Google Wallet. But if your phone lacks NFC, you will be left pulling out your plastic and cash every time you purchase groceries. Sorry, but I consider myself rather progressive in terms of technology adoption, and I want mobile payments. Every phone comes with NFC. Even many of the dinky low and mid-range phones have NFC. OnePlus' decision to remove NFC reveals a non forward-thinking approach to designing a "flagship" device, and for me personally, that is a major turn off. USB Type-C and No Fast Charging, Wireless Charging While the progressive attempt to bring USB Type-C to the US market first is admirable, let's be real -- this is not our idea of USB Type-C. Sure, the port and plug are reversible, so no matter how you stick it in, your device will charge, but OnePlus decided it would be best to just reshape a micro USB 2.0 cable and leave it at that. There are no insanely fast data transferring abilities (like with USB 3.0), and what makes it even worse, the port and device do not support any type of fast charging. Having used devices that all feature Quick Charge 2.0 or some sort of fast charging for the past few months, it is hurtfully obvious that the OnePlus 2 charges ridiculously slow. So what we are left with is a device that will only charge if you have a special cable or special adapter (purchasable on OnePlus' website for $9.99), which leaves anyone who has purchased an Android device in the past somewhat screwed if they don't want to buy a few adapters at $10 a pop.

Another issue I came across is when I needed to charge my phone. Usually, if I go to a friend's house, the chances are they will have a micro USB 2.0 charger laying around. Heck, I have about 20 of them sitting around my house near all of my outlets. Now, with USB Type-C, I'm screwed if I leave the house and don't have my OnePlus charger with me or one of these adapters. Seriously, if you end up purchasing this phone, you may want to invest in a few of those. Don't get me wrong, I am ready for USB Type-C, and I love it. But it's so early in the adoption and rollout of the technology that if you happen to have a device that features it, be sure to always have a spare Type-C charger on your person (or an adapter), because none of your friends or family can help you charge your phone. This issue is only exacerbated due to the OnePlus 2's lack of wireless charging. I have plenty of those around the house too, and with this "2016 flagship killer," they're worthless. The moral of this story is, it sucks to be an early adopter. Availability Let's get this section over with quickly, because I can't stand talking about it. OnePlus uses an invite system for those who wish to purchase the OnePlus 2. They did the same last year, too. As we all know by now, invite systems totally blow, especially when OnePlus allows users to refer friends to sign up, bumping referrers up in the queue. That's some bullsh*t. At first signup, I was placed around 305K. Now, a month and a half later, I am at 405K. Sorry, but WTF?! Interestingly enough, I received my invite this weekend (on Saturday, Sept. 26), but of course, I did not purchase. In the email, OnePlus says the invite is good for 24 hours. So, if at the time you ask for an invite and you have the necessary funds to purchase the device, but then don't have the money once you finally get the invite, no phone for you. Invites would not be the end of the world if OnePlus could at least begin shipping their device out in a timely manner. The phone officially launched on August 11, but as I stated, I just received my invite this weekend - a month and a half later. In a market that sees a new flagship device every couple of months, by companies who know how long it actually takes to test, certify, and manufacture devices, OnePlus continues to disappoint potential customers, leaving them no choice but to "settle" with a better phone.

No Expandable Storage 2016 flagship killer, but features zero expandable storage and only two storage options; 16GB and 64GB. If you read this site, you will know that we do not exactly think expandable storage is necessary, but it would be nice, right? If you purchase a Galaxy S6, you at least have the option to purchase a ton of storage with a 128GB model, but with the OnePlus 2, I can't help but say you are settling for just the ability to use 64GB. For what I assume is only a small portion of users, this would be a deal breaker, but I know for others, a phone either has microSD or they won't even consider purchasing it. I personally do not use expandable storage, but I accept the importance of it for some users, and when you hype a device as much as OnePlus did, and don't deliver specs like this, it doesn't help your overall case. Sorry, but that's the truth.

Videos

Unboxing and Hardware Tour

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Software Tour

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Gallery

The Verdict

Even with a few of the fun software tweaks you can perform, decent build quality, and that attractive price, the downsides to this device -- plus the complete lack of future proofing -- I would not highly recommend this device to any potential buyers. Mobile payments are a real thing now in 2015, so the lack of NFC is a major downside. Even if people "don't use it," having the ability to turn it on when and if you want it would have been nice. Instead, OP wanted to save a few dollars, at least from what we assume. Combine these struggles with the inability to purchase the device with zero frustration and it's easy to pass on the OnePlus 2. Better luck next year, OnePlus.

The One Thing We Don't Know About Tomorrow's Google Nexus Event...

Kellen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:35:51 +0000

What's that, you thought you knew everything about tomorrow's Google Nexus event? You were wrong. You were wrong because there is always one amazingly unEarthly, fashion somewhere, probably-some-form-of-future-Google-Material-Design-inspired question mark of an object surrounding any live Google event - the shirt. The Matias Duarte shirt. Try and leak it. Just try.

Here's a Spec Breakdown for the Nexus 5X

Tim — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:16:00 +0000

When it rains, it pours. Now, thanks to what appears to be a complete leak of the upcoming Nexus 5X product page from the Google Store, we basically know all of the device's specs ahead of its official announcement tomorrow morning. We already knew quite a few of these details, but the leak gives us a bit more insight as to what sensors we can expect, more detailed processor information, and what features Google will highlight when it begins promoting the device online. Of course, Google will highlight the Nexus 5X's fingerprint reader, allowing users to use a finger when using Android Pay, instead of typing in a passcode or password. In addition, Google thinks mighty high of the camera featured on the device, stating on the leaked product page, "the larger 1.55 μm pixels capture more light, even in the dimmest conditions, for stunning images." One thing to note, the specs listed do not show NFC, however, do not fret quite yet. In the footnotes, Android Pay is clearly mentioned, which means NFC must be onboard this Nexus device. So far, thanks to the latest leak, here is what we have. Nexus 5X Specs [table id=12 /]

Via: imgur

Google's Nexus 5X and 6P Event Recap...Yeah

Kellen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:02:20 +0000

We just left Google's Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P event that takes place tomorrow and have so much to share! Wait...what? Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Chromecast, Some Random New Pixel Tablet Our hands-on with each of the devices above will be up shortly (like in 24 hours or so), but

Report: Google to Launch 'Pixel C' Tablet Later This Year, 10.2" Display and Tegra X1 Processor

Tim — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:21:44 +0000

According to a new report, Google will announce another consumer-marketed Pixel device, but this year, it won't be a Chromebook powered by Chrome OS. Rumored to sport the name Pixel C, the device will be a tablet with a 10.2" display, featuring Android 6.0 and NVIDIA-made Tegra X1 processor with 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM. Expected to also feature a USB Type-C port, the Pixel C could feature the same look as past Pixel devices, with the metal build and Google-colored light bar. Google is expected to launch two keyboard attachments for the device, one leather and the other aluminum. Pixel devices, from what we already know, are Google's top-tier, luxury products. They are not made in partnership with any other OEMs, and usually carry a very high price tag. So, while the idea of a Pixel tablet running Marshmallow is exciting, anyone hoping for a Nexus-like price tag may be disappointed when announced. The Pixel C is reported to launch later in November, but we may see it teased at tomorrow's Nexus event. Thoughts?

Via: Android Police

Google Will Fly You and Friends to the Spectre Premier If You Use Android Pay

Kellen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:21:35 +0000

Ready to use Android Pay for the first time, but needed an extra nudge to get you over the hump? Maybe a chance to win a trip to the James Bond Spectre premier will help? Google announced a contest today that could land you and three friends a VIP trip to Mexico City to watch the new Bond flick at its premier. All you have to do to enter is use Android Pay at least once between now and October 15. To increase your chances of winning, Google is allowing you to add an entry for each day that the contest is live, so if you do so every day until the 15th of next month, you could be entered 18 times. That's it. Google will choose the winner on October 19. More information about the contest can be found here.

Via: Android Blog

BuzzFeed News App Hits Google Play, Filled With Material Design

Tim — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:01:34 +0000

BuzzFeed has launched the official BuzzFeed News app to Google Play, bringing their "easy to understand" take on the world's news to the Android masses. In the app's description, the developers highlight the app's ease of use, as well as the ease of sharing stories you read with friends. Android users will be happy to see that BuzzFeed did not stray too far from Google's Material Design elements, bringing a sliding tab design design, floating action button for notifications, as well as a card-like look for each separate story on the landing page. For those who enjoy to get their global news from BuzzFeed, go check it out. Play Link

Google Ups APK Limit on Google Play to 100MB

Kellen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:45:06 +0000

Developers, Google is increasing the size of APK files that you can upload to Google Play to 100MB. This doubles the previous 50MB limit, giving you the opportunity to speed up the install process for your customers. Going forward, this also means that Google is upping the limit before you see a warning about the data you are about to swallow. Previously, Google would warn you if you were about to download something over 50MB, but that is now increased to the new limit of 100MB. Of course, the default setting for Google Play is still to auto-update over WiFi, so as bigger APKs make their way onto your phone, you should be safe from destroying your data plan. Finally, if you have apps that have are larger than 100MB, you can still host the rest through expansion files.

Via: Android Developers

"Google Store" Branding Taking Over Google Play Name? (UPDATED)

Kellen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:32:53 +0000

Update: Ignore. Ignore. Ignore. Someone doesn't know how CM themes work. That said, Google, please make this change. Whoa. With the recent introduction of Google's new logo and branding, are we about to see the retirement of the Google Play name? Or maybe just the Google Store taking over as a general term for Google's offered products? According to the images above that showed up through a server-side switch on a reader of ours' Play store, we are seeing "Google Store" replace "Google Play" in both the top search bar in Google Play and in permissions pages. So what does that mean? Without confirmation from this happening everywhere, it's tough to say. It could mean that Google is ditching their odd "Play" add-on and just going with Google this or that. In other words, everything could (and should for everyone's sake) become Google Music, Google Books, Google Newsstand, Google Movies & TV, etc. The whole Play thing has always been awkward and unnecessary. But does that mean you will be buying apps and games and music and TV/movies through the Google Store? Maybe. (Hopefully.) That's another thing that never made sense - two separate stores. Why did Google feel the need to introduce a Google Store for devices and still keep the Google Play store for everything else? It's always been a super confusing move because a single place to get everything is almost always better than splitting it up for the sake of splitting it up. Anyone else seeing this branding in their Google ~~Play~~ Store? And FYI, this reader of ours is still on Google Play version 5.9.12.

Cheers Brandon!

Google to Announce 'Family Plan' for Google Music, $14.99 a Month for Six Accounts

Tim — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:25:14 +0000

For anyone hoping there would be a few surprises at tomorrow's Google event, it does not appear that will be possible. As recently detailed by Android Police, Google will announce a new tier for Google Music All Access users, one which allows for six Google accounts to be tied to the same plan, all for $14.99 a month. A family plan is exactly what has been missing from All Access, and when compared to Spotify or even Apple Music, Google's music streaming service is priced to sell. On Spotify, six accounts for streaming will run you $29.99 a month, while Apple Music and Google Music will be priced identically. The change is reported to not only be announced tomorrow, but made available tomorrow as well. So, if you have a family who is already paying individually for streaming access, get ready for your monthly price for music to go down substantially. Will you be rocking this immediately?

Via: Android Police

A Few Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Pre-Orders Delayed, "Technical Difficulties" to Blame

Tim — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 08:48:44 +0000

For a few folks who pre-ordered the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), you may have received an email directly from Motorola, stating that your order has been delayed. A personal email from Motorola's Bjorn Kilburn, VP of E-Commerce, reads that technical difficulties with the company's ordering and shipping system has led Motorola to be late in delivering customized Moto 360 devices. From the few emails we received, there does not seem to be any consistencies between the materials used and the delay. One reader ordered a standard, 46mm watch in black steel, while another had his order delayed via a Best Buy pre-order. With any new device launch, there are bound to be hiccups. Here is the email being sent out to those with affected pre-orders.

Dear ___, I am very sorry we're late delivering your customized Motorola device. We experienced technical difficulties with our ordering and shipping system. We are working hard to get your device to you as soon as possible, and we will send you an updated estimated shipping date as soon as we can. I apologize for the inconvenience, and I am grateful for your patience. Sincerely, Bjorn Kilburn Vice President, E-Commerce Motorola Mobility, LLC

Was your order affected? Fingers crossed that everyone gets their shiny new smartwatch in a timely manner.

Cheers Mark, Tom, and Seth!

Report: Nexus 5X Starts at $379, Nexus 6P at $499 - Pre-Orders for Both Open Tomorrow

Kellen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 08:41:29 +0000

If there was one last piece to this Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P puzzle that we were awaiting word on, it would probably be pricing and availability. Thanks to a report 24 hours before each phone is announced by Google, it sounds like a dream scenario awaits of both value and accessibility. Google, according to Android Police, will open up pre-orders for both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P tomorrow, September 29. The Nexus 5X will start at $379 for 16GB of storage and the Nexus 6P will start at $499 for 32GB of storage. We don't know the price of the 32GB Nexus 5X or the 64GB and 128GB Nexus 6P, but a $50 jump between each sounds likely. The phones will reportedly be available only online instead of through carrier partners. That means the Google Store will be your option for purchase, but I wouldn't be shocked if Amazon or Best Buy were to carry both at some point down the road. Since each phone is sold unlocked with support on all major US carriers, this makes sense for Google to not deal with anyone else. My guess (thanks to info from sources) is that the phones will ship around October 5.

Via: Android Police [2]

Samsung Pay Launches in the US Today!

Kellen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 08:04:27 +0000

Samsung Pay, the mobile payment system from Samsung that I would argue is actually a game changer, launches today in the US. I say that it's a game changer because it's not just another NFC payment system that requires retailers to have NFC-ready payment terminals. With Samsung Pay, you can (theoretically) pay at almost every credit card terminal you encounter, because it uses magnetic secure transmission (MST) that emulates a credit card swipe. It's awesome. Anyways, here are the details for today's launch in the US. Carrier Support As of this morning, Samsung Pay works on the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, and Galaxy Note 5 in the US on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular. And no, we didn't leave Verizon out on mistake. Big Red is still "evaluating" Samsung Pay or something. Credit Card Support As for which cards Samsung Pay supports, you will need a card issued by Bank of America, Citi, American Express, or US Bank. Samsung has a partnership with MasterCard and Visa, but it's going through card issuers for individual card support. If you don't have a card from one of those four I just mentioned, you will have to remain patient. How it works To use Samsung Pay, you get the choice of how to pay depending on the situation. If you are at a retailer with NFC-ready terminals, you can pay by tapping your phone to the NFC spot like you would with Android Pay or Apple Pay. If you are at a terminal that doesn't have an NFC pad, you then press your phone up against the credit card swiping slot and let the phone do its emulation magic. It's a bit confusing at first, but trust me, once you find that tapping sweet spot on a credit card swiper and it works, you might be a little blown away.

Anyone had a chance to try it out?

[responsive_vid]

Nexus 6P Hits FCC as Well With Support for All US Carriers, Including Verizon

Kellen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 07:01:32 +0000

Following the Nexus 5X's appearance at the FCC on Friday, the bigger, more premium brother has done the same in preparation for tomorrow's event. Yep, the Nexus 6P has arrived. Not that this FCC document is giving us much in the way of new information, thanks to that mega leak that showed up over the weekend, but still, it's nice to see the phone become official and ready for launch. So what do we know now? A couple of things. Like the Nexus 5X, there are North American and international models. The NA model is the Huawei H1511 and the international unit is H1512. Both stopped at the FCC and are linked in the source section. In this first image, we have measurements for the device that much up to the leak over the weekend for the most part as 159.2x77.8mm. The image also shows the location of the fingerprint sensor and the antenna design.

The NA model supports all of the major US carriers, just like the 5X, and yes, that includes Verizon. It has both GSM, WCDMA, and CDMA support, so it will work everywhere. As for LTE bands, you have support for band 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 30, and 41. See for yourself in the chart below.

If you want to start firing up some conspiracy theories, check out the section we have included above, which mentions "micro SD card" slot a couple of times. The two references are included in the device's General Description area, where FCC filings tend to describe some of the functionality of the phone being tested. The odd references speak of an external interface, as well as an internal one with reference to removal storage. I wouldn't think that documents would mention this if they weren't testing it on some level and if it wasn't an included technology, so take it as that. There is a chance the Nexus 6P has an SD card slot. Slight or maybe even better than slight chance.

Finally, here is a confirmation on the battery size of 3450mAh and also the band support for the international model.

If anyone of the wireless carrier band talk confuses you, hit up our US wireless carrier band cheat sheet. Excited?

Via: FCC [2]

Cheers Justin!

Nexus 6P: Want to Know Everything About It? Here You Go.

Kellen — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 12:00:09 +0000

Yesterday morning, someone leaked a Nexus 6P training/reviewing guide to reddit and it contains just about every single detail you could have asked for. Outside of price and the specific launch day (which we think is October 5), we know it all now. This guide is about as detailed as it gets with specs, marketing speak for the camera and fingerprint sensor, and how this phone takes advantage of Android 6.0 features. It's pretty intense. Ready to know all there is to know about the Huawei Nexus 6P? The device sports an all-metal body for a "sophisticated look and feel," is "fast and powerful," and features a big 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED display. The processor inside is indeed a Snapdragon 810, which is joined by a 3450mAh battery, USB Type-C port and charger, and dual front speakers. If you buy the Nexus 6P, you will choose from 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of storage and colors of Aluminium, Graphite, Frost, and Gold (which may be a Japan exclusive). The rear camera weighs in at 12.3MP (1.55 μM, f/2.0), while the front camera is a 8MP shooter with 1.4 μM. Speaking of the camera, this is what the presentation had to say about the focus with this Nexus and why this is the best Nexus camera yet:

The Nexus Camera is the best all-around camera we've ever put into a Nexus. But where it really shines is in conditions with less-than-ideal lighting. The new sensor captures more light, and the larger 1.55μm pixels absorb more in even the dimmest conditions to make your photos sharp. With a faster Google Camera app, you never miss a moment, and with the smart Google Photos app, your memories are easy to relive. Great camera is the most desired feature for our users, and a key area for Android and Nexus. Taking great photos in good light is relatively easy and something most smartphone camera do really well. Where it gets hard is low light. 80% of photos are taken in less than ideal light so it is important to really concentrate on that We see the most challenging common photography use case is trying to take a quick snap of a kid and we have made a bunch of decisions to excel in such challenging scenarios. Why is such situation challenging: app has to launch fast and be fast, AF needs to focus quickly and accurately, need to be very sensitive to light to catch a moving subject, and mostly such cases you have to capture as much detail as possible in most times challenging light conditions.

I know I mentioned that we don't know the price, but this presentation does say that the Nexus 6P "will generally be less expensive than the iPhone 6+." Tough to tell if that means by $10 or $100 or more, but that's at least somewhat of a good note. Outside of that stuff, Google is expecting this phone to have battery that lasts you into the night, but can quick charge through its USB Type-C port anyway, will be all sorts of awesome on a software front, thanks to Google Now on Tap and Android 6.0, will be plenty powerful and efficient, and use one of the quickest fingerprint sensors in the business. This should get you excited for Tuesday morning's event. Below, we have the specs in a chart, a gallery of some fresh photos, and a few of the slides from the presentation. If you want to read every little word that is included, hit up the source links. It's quite a bit of info. Nexus 6P Specs

[table id=14 /]

Gallery

Nexus 6P Slides

Via: reddit | imgur [2] | (Presentation Notes)

Buy a Galaxy and Samsung Will Pay Your Monthly Phone Payment Until 2016, Come From an iPhone and Get More

Kellen — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 09:05:26 +0000

Samsung, on a random Saturday morning, announced a new promotion to try and entice customers to make the switch to one of their flagship phones for 2015. The promo is also offering a special bonus to those who own an iPhone and are thinking about making the move to the good side of the Force. The promotion is this - make the switch to a Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, or Galaxy Note 5 on an installment plan through T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, or US Cellular, and Samsung will cover the monthly cost of the phone until 2016. In other words, they will pay your monthly phone bill for the next 3 months. As a bonus for those coming from an iPhone, Samsung will also reward your intelligent decision with a $100 Google Play credit, to help get you all of your old apps from iOS.

The full details of the promotion can be found at this Samsung Promotions site. I suggest you head there, read the fine print about timing, how the claim works for your monthly phone costs, how you trade in your phone, etc.

Nexus 5X Hits FCC With All US Carrier Bands, Including Verizon

Kellen — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 20:50:29 +0000

The LG Nexus 5X stopped off at the FCC today, which is a good sign since Google is preparing to unveil the phone publicly next Tuesday. We know that it's the Nexus 5X because the model numbers mentioned throughout (LG-H790 and LG-H791) match up to the Amazon listing we saw earlier in the week. The phones also show support for all sorts of wireless bands, even Verizon, just like Nexus phones have for the past couple of years. We should point out that the LG-H790 has got to be the North America model, while the LG-H791 must be the international unit. I say that because the LG-H790 is ready for action on all of the major US carriers, like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The LG-H791 doesn't have support on all of those because it's completely missing CDMA compatibility and instead looks like a global GSM phone. On that note, the LG-H790, which is the model we care about, shows support for CDMA bands BC0, BC1, BC10, which gives it the Sprint and Verizon support. It also supports GSM 850 and 1900, along with WCDMA band 2, 4, and 5, which lets it play around on T-Mobile and AT&T. As for LTE bands, well, it has all of them. According to these FCC docs, it has LTE band 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 29, and 41. If all of those numbers are confusing you, be sure to check out our US carrier band cheat sheet. For the Verizon heads in the building, that band 13 LTE is all you should care about. Well, that and some of band 4.

The listings also show 5GHz and 2.4GHz 802.11ac WiFi, non-removable battery, and dimensions of 146.9x72.5mm, with a diagonal display of 133mm. Turn 133mm into inches and you are looking at roughly 5.2-inches, which is the size of the LG Nexus 5X's display. The listing for the LG-H791 references wireless chargers being tested, so don't be surprised if this phone supports wireless charging. Wireless charging has become a standard for Google phones over the last years. And that's about it so far. We checked for the Huawei Nexus 6P, but it doesn't seem to have arrived just yet. Verizon, folks, Verizon.

Via: FCC [2] | Ausdroid

Nexus Preview Show

Kellen — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 16:59:21 +0000

On today's episode of the Droid Life Show, you can probably guess what we're talking about. Yep, it's the Nexus preview show. Since, Google is hosting an event next Tuesday in San Francisco that we are all assuming is going to be a showcase for two new Nexus phones and a new Chromecast, we want to catch you up on the latest leaks, rumors, and official news. If we have time outside of all of that, we'll talk about the new Moto 360, Blackberry's confirmation of the Priv, and any other hot topics. We will kick the show off live at 12:00PM Pacific (3:00PM Eastern). We have a live video embedded below, along with an IRC chat, so you can kick it with us during the show.

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: September 25, 2015

Tim — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 16:53:38 +0000

While this week was awesome, thanks to the leaks of Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P press renders, we can't wait for Google's event next Tuesday in San Francisco. We will likely see the two Nexus devices, Google's plan for Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and we may even see a new Chromecast. Excitement! This past week, we posted up our Moto X Pure Edition review, unboxed and fondled the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), talked about the Galaxy S7 possibilities, and hosted Episode 94 of the Droid Life Show. Look below if you missed any of the big stuff.

WATCH: Droid Life Show Episode 94 | Subscribe
On Tuesday, Google is hosting a press event, and it's a big deal.
Moto 360 (2nd Gen) unboxing and hands-on.
Nexus: Here is the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P.
Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P hit the benchmarks.
Review: Moto X Pure Edition.
BlackBerry confirms it is making an Android device called Priv.
Video: Moto X Pure Edition tips and tricks.
We might see the Galaxy S7 announced in late January.
OnePlus 2 gets a big ol' update.
Telus says Marshmallow is coming October 5.
This is the LG V10 "Ticker," announcement coming Oct. 1.

Google event next week! Get pumped!

Blackberry CEO John Chen Goes Hands-on With the Priv, a Phone He May Not Even Know How to Use

Kellen — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 15:38:29 +0000

Blackberry Priv, like give. That's the proper way of saying "Priv." We now know, which is good because even after a 5-minute conversation on the matter during today's DL Show, we were 100% wrong. Dammit. We thought Priv as in leave or sleeve. Silly Android people from the US, you know nothing. Anyways, I bring it up because Blackberry CEO John Chen did a little hands-on song and dance with the phone today through Canadian news outlet, BNN. It's awkward, to say the least, but also quite comical and incredibly awesome, because I don't think he even knows how to use it. First, he starts off by confirming the name and how it's pronounced before fumbling over the meaning of Priv, which is part privacy and privilege, apparently. After that, the conversation moves into specs, like the fact that "it runs Google" (not Android, mind you), a 5.5-inch curved display, the "latest Qualcomm specs and the cameras and all that good stuff." Yes, all that good stuff. But somewhere in between there, Chen attempts to show the BNN correspondent how the phone works, but ummm, I don't know that he quite understands his new flagship phone. As you watch, you can almost imagine his mind saying, "Wtf...home button...do something dammit...why are you not...Oh...Chrome! Let's do Chrome! Wait, shit, it isn't set up. Think of excuse, like it's a demo unit! SWIPE UP LIKE IN BB10 to change tasks...wait this is Google...err Android. SHIT. Ummm....the specs and stuff, all the latest, yeah, say that! Qualcomm and cameras, yeah. What? She wants the keyboard now? That's our BOO-YAH MOMENT...stall...curves! Apps! OK, she doesn't care. KEYBOARD TIME. BOOM. And yep, she's impressed." Man. Canada. I do love you.

Via: BNN

Cheers Tyler!

Deal: Get Lifetime Access to 500+ Developer Courses for $49

Kellen — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 15:07:49 +0000

Over on the DL Deals store, developers of any level can further their education by picking up the eduCBA Tech Training Bundle, which includes lifetime access to eduCBA's growing library of tech and developer courses. There are over 500 courses currently, but there will be even more in the future. The courses cover everything from HTML, CSS, PHP, and Javascript, to C, C++, Java, Ruby, PERL, and more. It's kind of one of those one-stop shops for learning all things related to developing for the web or apps. And again, it's lifetime access. Deal Link ($49) Here is a list of the features and types of courses:

Score lifetime access to all future courses
Access expert instructors via online Academic Support
Take mock tests & quizzes online
Add certificates of completion to your resume
Check out courses on IT, software, development, testing, networking, programming, 3D, design, CAD& more
Develop web apps using HTML, CSS, PHP & Javascript
Master languages such as: C, C++, C#, Java, Ruby, Python, PERL, etc.
Course list

Friday Poll: Vertical or Horizontal App Drawer?

Kellen — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:48:45 +0000

Today's poll is as simple as it gets because there is clear controversial divide about the way an app drawer should scroll in 2015. Google forced the vertical scroller on many of you this morning in an update to the Google app, so it's time to decide once and for all which way you all actually prefer. Are you Team Vertical or Team Horizontal? Why? [poll id="378"]

Tip: Use NFC to Transfer Hangouts Calls From One Device to Another

Tim — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:49:35 +0000

Here's a quick tip for all of you Hangouts users, one which could save you if your smartphone or tablet is about to shut down due to lack of power. When in an ongoing call on one device, if your smartphone features NFC (sorry, OnePlus 2 owners), you can use Android Beam to seamlessly transfer the call from one device to another in seconds. To perform this action, simply place the back of two devices next to each other while one is in a call using the Hangouts Dialer app, and you will then see the above pictured prompt. Select "touch to beam," and the call will be picked up instantly on the secondary device, whether it be a smartphone or tablet. Please note, both devices will need to be logged into the same Google account, or the secondary device you are attempting to transfer the call to will read "account not found." What other neat tricks have you performed with NFC?

Via: +Steve Soloman

Yep, Your Google App Drawer Now Scrolls Vertically!

Tim — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:14:27 +0000

For those using the Google Now Launcher, it's likely that you woke up this morning or saw late last night that a few major changes went down. What you are experiencing is part of the Google app update, which went live for a few users late last week. This morning, Google pushed the update out to all users. The update, as you discovered, includes a vertical app drawer and quick search functionality inside the app drawer for the Google Now Launcher application. We have received a few emails this morning, with some people not too happy about the new vertical scrolling. Unfortunately, there is no option to switch between the left-to-right UI and vertical, but of course, you can always use a 3rd-party launcher such as Nova or Action Launcher 3. Fan of the new update or do you miss the swiping cards UI? Play Link Update: We opened a poll to decide once and for all which is the proper way for an app drawer to scroll. Vote here.

Blackberry Confirms That It's Making a Flagship Android Phone Called "Priv"

Kellen — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:09:12 +0000

This morning, during its Q2 earnings called, Blackberry announced/confirmed that it will launch a "flagship" phone powered by Android that is called the "Priv." The Priv, as you probably already figured out, is the Venice slider that has leaked over and over and over and over again. Blackberry said that this "flagship" Priv brings together "the best of Blackberry security and productivity with the expansive mobile application ecosystem available on the Android platform." They are hoping that, during a time where your privacy seems to always be under threat, they can attract you to this device that will hopefully keep you snuggly warm and safe. Here is the quote from their earnings call:

Today, BlackBerry is announcing two new additions to its handheld device roadmap. First, the company will launch a flagship slider device, Priv, which will run on the Android operating system, bringing together the best of BlackBerry security and productivity with the expansive mobile application ecosystem available on the Android platform. In combination with BlackBerry's efforts to support Android for Work on the BES12 platform, the new device will offer best in class security for enterprise customers. BlackBerry expects the device to be available late in the calendar year in major markets in-store and online, and will release further details in the coming weeks.

Funny thing is, they also took the time to create a webpage announcing the Priv, where they talked about privacy and security. It mentions the fact that someone leaked the name "Priv" before they could make it public and that they "found this breach of privacy extraordinary" yet think this phone is for you because it protects customers' privacy. So, in other words, the company who can't even keep its own products private and is baffled by the notion, says it can keep your information private. Silly. Who wants the Priv! (Is it pronounced Preev like sleeve, or Prive like hive? I'm going Preev like sleeve.)

Via: Blackberry | Crackberry

T-Mobile Pushing a Whole Bunch of Minor Samsung Galaxy Updates Today

Kellen — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 07:35:47 +0000

If you own a Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, or Galaxy Note 5 from T-Mobile, you are probably being prompted to update your phone today. T-Mobile and Samsung are pushing a bunch of minor updates out to these devices as "Various bug fixes and improvements." Each update is around 30MB or 60MB and doesn't appear to contain anything major. Full details for each can be found below.

Galaxy S6 - G920TUVU3DOI1
Galaxy S6 Edge - G925TUVU3DOI1
Galaxy S6 Edge+ - G928TUVU1BOH6
Galaxy Note 5 - N920TUVU2COI5

DEAL: Amazon Prime Drops to $67 for 1-Day Only

Kellen — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 06:57:48 +0000

It's not often that you see a good Amazon Prime discount, but for 1-day only (that being today), you can grab a membership to Amazon for just $67. The price cut is as a nod to the 5 Emmy wins for Amazon's show, Transparent. As a reminder, Amazon Prime gets you free two-day shipping on many of their items and is generally the reason people sign up for it. It also gets you 1-day shipping for $3.99. It's awesome. Along with the shipping goodness, Prime memberships also get access to Amazon's video and music services, free books, and unlimited cloud storage. Prime is normally $99 per year, so you are looking at a solid $32 discount today. Amazon Link

Report: Galaxy S7 Announcement Pushed to January, Launch in Early February

Tim — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:17:28 +0000

The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are still relatively new, having launched in April, but already there are reports of when we should expect to see Samsung's next flagship device, the Galaxy S7. Being worked on under the codename Project Lucky (since 7 is usually associated with luck), no exact reason has been specified from sources as to why Samsung intends to launch the device so early. However, it seems easy to deduce Samsung's need to get ahead of any competition in the early part of 2016. If Samsung is able to announce the device in late January, then launch just a couple of weeks later, it allows them to keep the hype machine moving forward smoothly. According to SamMobile, Samsung may go back to Qualcomm for one model of the Galaxy S7, with a prototype being tested featuring a Snapdragon 820 processor, and another featuring an Exynos octa-core processor. This year, Samsung gave us two devices, the Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6, both being powered by Exynos silicon. We don't yet know what to expect in 2016 with regard to how many models Samsung will launch. If this rumor pans out, and we are only about 4-5 months from another Galaxy flagship device, you can rest assured more information will make its way out soon enough. Anything you would like to see in the Galaxy S7? MicroSD? Removable battery?

Via: SamMobile | e today

Google Voice Search for Android and iOS Becomes Better, Faster, Stronger

Tim — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:11:41 +0000

Google announced today that users of voice search on both Android and iOS, including voice dictation on Android, will be greeted by a better, more accurate engine. Google states that they have built even better neural network acoustic models using Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) and sequence discriminative training techniques. To us regular folk who are not engineers, whenever you perform a voice search on Android, your results will be more reliable. Thanks to Google's work, the new models will provide more accurate results, are more robust to noise, and will provide faster response times to voice search queries. These changes are now available to users of the service, so the only thing you need to do is try it out. Google does the heavy lifting. Inside Google's blog post announcing these changes, they speak of exactly how they made this possible. For those curious about sound waves and audio technology, give it a read.

Via: Google

Deal: Nexus 6 64GB Drops to $369 at Expansys

Kellen — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:54:48 +0000

Did you miss out on yesterday's Nexus 6 deal that featured the 32GB version of the phone for $299? If the device is still of interest, even though the new Nexus phones will be here next week, consider the deal on the 64GB model through Expansys that just arrived in our inbox. At $369, you can have the Nexus whale in either blue or white. The version available is model XT1103, which is the version intended for use in North America. Deal Link

Telus Says Google is Releasing Android 6.0 Marshmallow on October 5

Kellen — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:36:04 +0000

According to Canadian wireless carrier Telus, Google will begin pushing the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update on October 5 to the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6. If that's the case, that's probably also a good launch time frame for the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Google likes to ship new versions of its Android OS on its new phones. Also, October 5 has been mentioned to us by sources who are expecting "things" to kick off. The information on the 6.0 update comes via Telus' support area, but does show in a post that is 3 months old. Canadian blog MobileSyrup, who discovered the post, says it has been updated recently, so we'll have take their word for it. Can Google push out a public release of Marshmallow a week after it's made official? Hope so.

Via: Telus | MobileSyrup

Samsung's New, Lighter Gear VR Headset Priced at $99 and Includes Netflix Support

Tim — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:32:41 +0000

Set to ship this upcoming November, Samsung's latest consumer-ready version of Gear VR will be priced at just $99, bringing a gang of new features for folks obsessed with virtual reality. For starters, Samsung is teaming up with a big list on content providers to immerse you in a ton of fun stuff. This list of providers includes Netflix, Hulu, Facebook, Vimeo, and Twitch. That's right, you can watch House of Cards in virtual reality. The future awaits! The new hardware is listed as being 22% lighter, making it more portable and easier on the neck. On top of a decreased weight, a newly designed foam padding should make the headset more comfortable to wear. The Gear VR is listed as being compatible with Samsung's latest lineup, which includes the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge. I have played with Gear VR a bit, and my only real beef was with the motion sickness effect I felt. Each person's body can handle this experience differently, so for those of you who don't get motion sickness easily, and own a compatible device, the $99 price tag is certainly persuasive.

Via: Samsung

Turing Phone Pre-Orders Live Today at 12pm Pacific, Ships in Time for Christmas

Tim — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 09:17:59 +0000

If you reserved your very own Turing Phone in August, featuring hardware made of Liquidmorphium, today starting at 12pm Pacific (3pm Eastern) you will have one month to get your pre-order in. Additionally, you should also receive the ability to invite others to purchase a Turing Phone, making your circle of friends that much more secure. The device pictured above and below is the Dark Wyvern Glaedr, limited to just 3,000 units. It features 24k gold highlights, detailing the story of ancient fire breathing dragon. Priced at what is likely to be an ungodly amount, it's possible most potential buyers will opt for a more affordable option. Your basic Turing phone costs $610+, depending on the storage option you choose. Each device, regardless of storage, features a 5.5" FHD display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, fingerprint reader, 3,000mAh non-removable battery, a gang of sensors, NFC, and Android 5.1 with a “Æmæth UI” skin on top. If you pre-order the device during this one month period, you will automatically be enrolled in the Turing ServiceOne program. This is TRI's support plan, granting 18 months of hardware repair coverage (limited warranty) and 180 days of complimentary support via phone, email and instant chat. There is no doubt, the Turing Phone is an interesting device to look at. Are you picking one up? Update: For those possibly interested in the Glaedr, it will cost $1,300 and will be up for pre-order on October 8. Pre-Order Here

Via: Turing Phone

Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Show Up in Benchmarks to Further the Specs Conversation

Kellen — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 09:01:21 +0000

The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P should arrive next week at a Google event. As of now, there are still some surprises, even though press renders have leaked and we told you the names. We still don't know pricing, date of availability, or the full specs list of each, outside of the minimal list for the 5X that Amazon provided. Thanks to benchmarks that surfaced for each phone over at Geekbench, those last few surprises are starting to dwindle. Benchmarks for the Huawei "angler" and LG "bullhead" showed up this week along with a couple expected mentions of specs. Confused at those names? Just remember, these names were first introduced to us as potential Nexus phones all the way back in May and seem to be the real deal. The "angler" is the Huawei Nexus 6P and the "bullhead" is the LG Nexus 5X. As for what the benchmarks say, and assuming they are the real deal, the LG "bullhead" does indeed have a 6-core Qualcomm processor and 2GB RAM, which is exactly the information Amazon posted. That 6-core chipset is the Snapdragon 808, the same found in the Moto X Pure Edition and LG G4. The Huawei "angler" has an 8-core Qualcomm chipset, which has to be the rumored Snapdragon 810. Qualcomm doesn't have another high-end readily available octa-core chip at the moment. This benchmark also shows 3GB RAM. Of course, both phones are shown as running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. In semi-related news, the Huawei "angler" showed up at GFXBench just over a week ago with more detailed specs, like a 5.7-inch QHD (2560x1440) display, Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB RAM, 24GB storage (which means full capacity is 32GB), 11MP and 7MP cameras (could mean 12MP rear and 8MP front). You guys know me and that I'm leaning towards the LG Nexus 5X because of size, but what about you?

Via: Geekbench [2] | GFXBench

Thursday Poll: Most Excited for - Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Android 6.0, New Chromecast?

Kellen — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 07:49:45 +0000

Next Tuesday, Google is hosting an event in San Francisco that will more than likely be a showcase for the launch of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, two Nexus phones, and a new Chromecast. We'll be there to get you the latest on whatever it is they do show off, but as we approach, because we like doing these types of things, we want to ask which (rumored) part of the event has you the most excited. Do you care the most about the new Nexus phones, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P? If so, which one in particular? Are you ready to swap out your couple-of-year-old Chromecast for new, more powerful and flexible hardware? Or maybe you just want Android 6.0 to become official, so that you can start the countdown to when your current phone will get it? [poll id="377"]

HTC Aero, When HTC Gave Up and Started Making iPhone Clones

Kellen — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:53:43 +0000

According to @evleaks, this is the HTC Aero, a mid-range phone from HTC that will debut at some point in the near future. It has a 1080p display and low-end Snapdragon 617 processor and some RAM and a camera or two. It's a phone. It's also a blatant iPhone 6 clone. Yeah, this is that phone we couldn't stop laughing at when it first appeared back in August next to an iPhone. Thanks to today's leak from Evan, we get to see exactly how bad of a clone it is and boy, it doesn't disappoint. Outside of the ridiculously gross "Acid Gold" coloring and that wine-like "Deep Garnet," I don't know how any normal human could tell the difference between this and an iPhone 6. Well, you could include the iPhone 6s in this conversation now. Woof...I guess this is what happens when you are a smartphone company who gets dumped from your own country's stock exchange, hasn't had a hit in years, and is betting the future on virtual reality, a space so crowded and gimmicky that there probably won't be a winner. Go ask 3D TVs. "But, Kellen, HTC did this design first! Apple is the one copying!" I know, I've heard your argument. The point is, no one cares who did metal backs and bands first. The point is that this phone looks identical to an iPhone 6. Identical. This doesn't look like a One M7 or M8 or M9. This isn't an evolution on HTC's design language. It looks like an exact copy of an iPhone 6, only with the camera and flash moved to the center. Don't give me the, "Whatever, stop giving Apple a pass for copying HTC!" crap. Look at this phone. Seriously, look at it. HTC should be better than this.

Via: @evleaks

LG's October 1 Event Teaser Trailer Ruined This Girl's Bangs

Tim — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:42:02 +0000

Imagine growing your hair out just the way you like, with the bangs all long and nice, only for LG to come and cut your locks to showcase it in a teaser trailer for the company's upcoming press event on October 1. Ridiculous, right? Jokes aside, LG's new teaser for the October 1 event details the same front-facing camera setup as we saw in the previously leaked render of the A10 aka Ticker device, as shown below. Right where those icons would go is replaced with the date "2015.10.01," followed by Coming Soon. I will hold my judgement until LG details the device's uses and functionality, but right now, I think this device is pretty odd looking. That poor girl's hair.

[responsive_vid]

Deal: $40 Gets You Two 3-Port and 4-Port Quick Charge 2.0 Chargers and a Cables

Kellen — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 13:29:48 +0000

If you decided to pass on any of the deals we featured earlier in the week that included Quick Charge 2.0 chargers, you may want to take a look at this one. We have a Tronsmart Power Bundle for $39.99 in the DL Deals Store that includes a 3-port travel adapter, 4-port car charger, and 6-pack of USB cables. The 3-port adapter includes a single Quick Charge 2.0 port, along with two VoltIQ ports. The car charger is similar in that it has 1 QC 2.0 port, but it also has three additional VoltIQ ports. And of course, the 6-pack of cables helps you plug in to all of the ports. Deal Link

Facebook Brings 360-Degree Videos to News Feed

Tim — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 11:00:13 +0000

Facebook's New Feed is about to become a whole lot more immersive, thanks to the introduction and support of 360-degree video. When you see a video uploaded in 360, users on desktop computers can drag the video around with a mouse, but the real magic is when the video is viewed on a mobile device. When viewing on your phone or tablet, you can tilt and twist the device, allowing you to see different views -- just like VR. Special equipment is needed to shoot videos in 360, so sadly, users won't be uploading their own 360-degree videos anytime soon. Unless you have one of those awesome GoPro sphere cameras. Those are legit. A few publishers are already bringing 360 videos to News Feed for your enjoyment, such as Star Wars, GoPro, Discovery, and even LeBron James. Head to your timeline now to check them out. If you don't see the videos yet, be patient, as they are still rolling out. For now, this will be exclusive to Android and desktop users, at least for a couple of months. Facebook states they are still working on this feature for iOS users.

Via: Facebook

Pebble Introduces Round Smartwatch Called Pebble Time Round, the New King of Bezel

Kellen — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 10:54:26 +0000

This, is the Pebble Time Round. It's the new round smartwatch from Pebble that starts at $249 and can be reserved today before shipping some time in November. The new Pebble Time Round (PTR) is like previous Pebble watches in that it has a "beautiful," always-on e-paper display. It does the whole notification thing, as well, as any smartwatch should. But what makes this new watch somewhat interesting, is the fact that it's round, incredibly thin at 7.5mm, and still lasts for days on a single charge. The PTR comes in 20mm or 14mm options, which is really just you deciding which band thickness you want. As for colors, you are looking at black, silver, and rose gold (option is exclusive to 14mm). If you bought a Pebble Time Steel and are completely pissed that it either just arrived or hasn't shipped yet, and potentially want the Pebble Time Round, Pebble offers up the following solution. Reserve a PTR with the same email you used to back Pebble Time Steel. When your PTR ships, you will get an automatic $50 discount. Then, try both for up to 30 days and decide which you want. Send the one you don't want back and Pebble will refund you for the PTR order. Make sense? If not, hit up the source link for more info.

As for my opinion on this new Pebble Time Round, well, I personally won't be ordering one. There are a few reasons why. First, the screen they used in the Pebble Time and Time Steel is quite honestly, garbage. It's incredibly tough to read in any light, which means it's not only a pretty bad watch for telling the time, but it's no good at showing you information either. My guess is that this display is on that same level. Second, navigating a watch with buttons feels like you are stuck in 1995. Smartwatches work great with touch screens because touch screens are modern and make sense and efficient. With this watch, you have 4 confusing buttons to try and master for navigating. And finally, holy shit, look at all that bezel. Pass. Anyone else interested?

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Via: Pebble

Here is the LG Nexus 5X in 3 Colors, the Huawei Nexus 6P in 4 More

Kellen — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 10:19:38 +0000

Remember that mention of the Nexus leak floodgates opening up from yesterday? Well, here we go. Grab a life raft. With the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P unveiling event less than a week away, we are starting to see and learn every little detail about each (like Nexus 5X specs). It's spoiling the surprise a bit, but of course, this is the world in 2015. So what's new today? We have fresh pictures of the Huawei Nexus 6P in a colorful line-up that shows the phone in white, black, grey, and gold. And below that, we have the LG Nexus 5X in white, black, and a greenish blue. They look like all of the other leaks, only these appear to be press renders or at least renders you would see on the Google Store. Here is the Nexus 6P in four colors:

Here are the LG Nexus 5X pictures in three colors:

Fun. Just get here already, September 29. Leaks are only so fun for so long.

Via: Android Police [2]

Reported Photo of HTC One A9 Hits the Web, Complete With Largest Bottom Bezel Ever

Tim — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 09:15:03 +0000

HTC's upcoming mid-range device, the One A9, has been reportedly photographed, posted online by the good people at No Where Else. As seen below, the device does not appear to be up for any beauty contests, since it features one of the largest bottom bezels we have ever seen on a recent smartphone. This is thanks to the inclusion of a home button/fingerprint reader, as well as HTC's branding. Woof. The device is reported to feature a 5" AMOLED display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 2GB of RAM, microSD card slot, 2,150 mAh battery, a 13MP rear-facing camera, and an UltraPixel camera along the frontside. It was earlier reported that the device will launch in six colors, but we highly doubt each color will be made available here in the States. The One A9 is rumored to launch in November, but we still have no word on which carriers will carry it, or its price. However, you can assume its relatively cheap with its mid-range specifications. That bezel tho.

Via: No Where Else

Unlocking the Moto X Pure Edition Bootloader Voids the Warranty

Kellen — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 09:05:12 +0000

Tinkers who own or planned to own the Moto X Pure Edition, be careful in taking the steps towards unlocking the phone's bootloader. According to Motorola, doing so will void the phone's warranty because the phone "is not a developer edition." We were looking for an official statement on this situation a week or so ago, but had not yet heard back. Thankfully, Motorola's forums manager took care of it for us in a post this morning. Matt, Motorola's forum manager, says that unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty of the Moto X Pure Edition, but that "unrelated physical material failure" will still be covered. Basically, as long as a "problem can't be traced to software or abuse," you can still get your phone fixed or whatever the need be. "These same principles apply to MotoCare" as well. Here is a screenshot of his post:

So, if you decide to unlock the phone's bootloader, understand the situation.

Via: Motorola

Cheers Chris!

Deal: Nexus 6 is Back on eBay for $299

Kellen — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 08:03:05 +0000

It's back! The Nexus 6 32GB for $299 is back at eBay today. Who knows for how long, but last week's similar deal sold out pretty quickly. If you want last year's Nexus before it's gone forever, now would be the time to jump on it. As a reminder, this phone originally retailed for $650. Quite the discount in less than 12 months. eBay Link

Cheers Mark and Brandon!

Here are the Nexus 5X Specs and Colors, According to Amazon

Kellen — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 05:42:03 +0000

Amazon may have let a bit of early information out-the-bag in case you were interested. Oh, it has to do with the LG Nexus 5X - the yet-to-be-announced LG Nexus 5X. Interested? I figured you were. Thanks to three early listings that have since been pulled, Amazon has given us a good list of specs for the phone, all of which match up quite nicely to previous leaks and also to what our sources have told us. I think it's safe to say that we all assume that this new LG Nexus will be the more affordable of the two, hopefully bringing back that sweet spot of size, aesthetics, performance, and price that we loved so much about the original Nexus 5, while the Huawei Nexus 6P will be the big boy. Amazon didn't give us a pricing, but as you will see below, this could very well be the next ultra-affordable Nexus phone. The Nexus 5X specs, according to Amazon, are the following: [table id=12 /] Want to see the proof?

Give me now (but only with 32GB of storage).

Via: Amazon [2] [3]

Cheers Abhishek!

Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Names Show Up on Retail Packaging (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:30:32 +0000

Remember our exclusive report from last week, where we told you that the new Nexus phones from Google would be called the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P? New photos of each phone's retail box have essentially backed up that report, in case you had any doubt (which you didn't). The photos arrive courtesy of Android Police and are included below. I'd love to tell you that these provide new information, but well, they don't really offer anything other than by providing us with the design of each box. They do give us mini previews of each phone in the top left corner, under the name of the phone. The silhouettes certainly look a lot like the previous leaks, which our sources told us are correct. Other than that, we have "P" and "X" markings in bold, colorful graphics across the front of each box to let you know which phone is which.

On a related note, Android Police is reporting that the LG Nexus 5X will come with 16GB and 32GB storage options, while the Huawei Nexus 6P will be available with 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB storage options. The new Nexus phones will become official next Tuesday at a Google event in San Francisco, but don't be surprised if the leak floodgates have now opened. Exciting times. Update: Here is a render of the Nexus 6P.

Via: Android Police [2] [3]

Action Launcher 3 Updated With Quickfind and Enhanced Quickbar

Tim — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 15:02:27 +0000

Action Launcher 3, a popular third-party launcher available in Google Play, received what appears to be a major update this afternoon, baking in a very, very long list of new features. Included in the update is Quickfind, the ability to filter and load apps like never before in the dedicated search box inside the app drawer. In addition, the Quickbar has been enhanced, featuring new looks and an updated Google aesthetic. There are a ton of new settings for Quickfind, so to get the most out of your experience, I highly suggest you view Chris Lacy's (the developer) new video below. The changelog is quite massive, so to see it, follow the via link below. Play Link

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Via: +Chris Lacy

Deal: $399 for a Brand New, Unlocked LG G4

Kellen — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:21:16 +0000

The LG G4, a flagship phone from LG that isn't even six months old, can be had today for $399 from eBay. That's anywhere from $100-$150 discount off of its original full retail price. This particle G4 is model H815, which is an unlocked international unit. It has all of the correct LTE and GSM bands to work on T-Mobile and AT&T, so if you are with either carrier and need a nice upgrade to a phone with an amazing camera, consider this deal. At this time, there are black, black leather, brown leather, red leather, and orange leather options available. The phone ships for free. eBay Link

Cheers flosserelli!

Moto X Pure Edition Tips and Tricks

Kellen — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:00:46 +0000

Now that our Moto X Pure Edition review is done with (You read it, right?), it's time to move on to an area we try to focus on for each major flagship that comes out to hopefully help you take full advantage of its set of features. This is our tips and tricks series, and this time we are giving you the goods on the new Moto X. In the video below, you will learn about Motorola's best invention for smartphone software, which is the Moto suite of services. Moto Voice, Display, Actions, and Assist all allow you to make life with a phone simpler, but they do so while letting you enjoy a stock Android experience. We'll take you through each one to show you what's new and which are must-uses. After that, the video flows into settings that you might not have seen before, reminders to take advantage of the phone's SD card slot, and how to get the most out of the Google Now Launcher. The video is a full 14 minutes of tips and tricks, so grab a cold one.

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You can buy the Moto X Pure Edition starting at $399 from Motorola, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Google's Clock App Receives Major Update, Includes New Android Wear Functionality

Tim — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:56:44 +0000

The official Clock app from Google, which has been basically made into the Timely app after Google acquired it, received a major update today that brings even more Timely-like features for all Android users. Included in the update, users can gradually increase volume for alarms and timers, which allows folks to wake up a bit more gradually, instead of a loud BEEP BEEP waking you up. This same feature has been available for Timely, and it's wonderful. Other additions include the customization of your favorite timer ringtone, control timers from a notification, easier alarm and timer management on Android Wear devices, plus interactive alarm notifications on Android Wear smartwatches. Check out the changelog, then go grab the update. What's New

Gradually increasing volume for alarms and timers
Choose your favorite timer ringtone
Preemptively dismiss alarms within the Clock app
Control timers from a notification
Easier alarm and timer management on Android Wear
Interactive alarm notifications on Android Wear

Play Link

Rockstar Games Hosting Sale on All Grand Theft Auto Titles in Google Play

Tim — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:54:20 +0000

Rockstar Games is hosting a sale on all of their top titles in Google Play this week, including all of the Grand Theft Auto games. If you still have yet to pick up these titles for your mobile device, you should, as each is just a few dollars a pop. The game that changed it all, Grand Theft Auto III, is available for $2.99, and Vice City, another epic title set in Miami during the 80s, is just $2.99. San Andreas, the latest complete GTA title ported to Google Play is $4.99. Of course, Max Payne and Chinatown Wars are also available at a discounted price. Mobile gamers, get on it. Play Links: GTA III ($2.99) | Vice City ($2.99) | San Andreas ($4.99) | Max Payne ($1.99) | Chinatown Wars ($2.99)

Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 11:30:54 +0000

What's up, Moto 360 (2nd gen) in all sorts of knurled-out gold? Welcome to Droid Life. Before we review you, it's time to put you through a quick unboxing to not only share with the crew that we have you, but also because you need to be touched. We need to feel that knurl. We need that gold on our wrist. We need that Horween leather on our skin. What's that? You come with upgrades, like a Snapdragon 400 processor and 400mAh battery? Oh, and those look like lugs. Yes indeed, those are lugs. And thank you, for switching that crown to the 2 o'clock position - our wrists will appreciate not being poked every time we lean on the bar for that next cocktail order. Enough from us, though, it's time for your cameo. Do your unboxing thang, Moto 360, do it.

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LG V10 "Ticker" Press Render Hits the Web, Proceeds to Confuse Us

Tim — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 10:08:40 +0000

LG is hosting an event on October 1, and thanks to @evleaks, we have a pretty good idea as to what the company will be showing off. Today, Evan released a press render of the V10 "Ticker" device, featuring its secondary display. Oddly enough, the second display appears to be on the top of the device, which should have potential buyers really working out those thumb muscles. Rumored specs for the V10 include a 5.7-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, microSD slot, 3GB RAM, 64GB storage, and integrated fingerprint scanner. This render shows what appears to be a secondary front-facing camera too, or the render is just incorrect and one of the circular cutouts will be a sensor of some kind. Although, with 2 front-facing cameras, we could get some righteous 3D selfies going on. With the secondary display on top of the phone, we pretty much need LG to explain how we are intended to use this device. With this placement, it seems rather inconvenient to use with just the stretch of the thumb. October 1, we should know everything.

Via: @evleaks

Gmail on Android is Getting "Block Sender" and "Unsubscribe" Options

Kellen — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 09:46:09 +0000

Google is pushing an update to Gmail on Android today that introduces two new features, "Block Sender" and "Unsubscribe." The features function exactly like they sound, in that they let you quickly block specific email addresses from within an email or unsubscribe from mailing lists without leaving the Gmail app. As you can see in the two GIFs below, the "Block Sender" option appears in the action overflow menu inside of an email where you would typically find the "forward" or "reply all" options. As for "Unsubscribe," that lies within the action overflow menu at the top right corner of Gmail, when looking at an individual email, next to the Archive and Delete buttons. When you block someone, their emails will then head directly into your spam folder going forward. When unsubscribing, you are simply unsubscribing. Play Link

Amazon Prime Accounts Just $67 This Friday Thanks to Emmys Win

Tim — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:45:38 +0000

To celebrate five wins at the 67th annual Emmys, Amazon is listing a Prime subscription at just $67 for a very limited time this upcoming Friday. The $67 Prime account deal will begin at 12:00am ET (9pm PT) on Friday, then shut down at 11:59pm ET that night. To put it more simply, anytime this Friday you can take advantage of the deal. As for the show that won, Transparent, this is not the first time Amazon has celebrated its success. In January, when the show won a couple of Golden Globes, Amazon listed Prime accounts at $72, but this $67 cost is the best we have seen yet. With Prime, you receive free 2-day shipping on many orders through Amazon, access to Amazon Music and Amazon Video, and a ton more goodies. On Friday, follow the link below to take advantage. Amazon Link

Deal: Tronsmart Dual-Port Quick Charge 2.0 Car Charger is $10.99 With This Code

Kellen — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:03:35 +0000

At this point, you guys all know what Quick Charge 2.0 is. If not, well, read this post. For those up to speed, we wanted to share this deal on a Tronsmart Dual-Port Quick Charge 2.0 car charger that is $9-off thanks to a coupon code. We're pointing it out because most QC 2.0 car chargers are either single-port or if they have two ports, only one has QC 2.0 enabled. With this charger, you get both ports active in the QC 2.0 game, which is a big deal, especially on drives where you and your passenger both need juice in a hurry. We aren't sure how long the code is good for, so jump on it. It's also Prime eligible. Amazon Link Use coupon code "VYWBJYI5" at checkout to drop the price to $10.99.

Starbucks Mobile Order and Pay Available to All on Android

Kellen — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 07:31:29 +0000

This morning, Starbucks announced that its Mobile Order & Pay feature is now available nationwide on iOS and Android. The feature had previously launched in the northwest back in 2014 as a test, but thanks to massive amounts of line-skipping coffee enjoyment, it's a bonafide success and is available to everyone. In the words of my hipster brethren here in Portland, we've been doing this for years. So what is Mobile Order and Pay? Through the Starbucks Android app, you can order coffee at specific stores, pay for it, and then pick it up without having to wait in line. The app lets you customize the drink (food items too) and gives you an estimated time as to when it will be ready. Neat, right? The update is live now on Google Play. Play Link

Via: Starbucks

Land's End Comes to Samsung Gear VR on October 30

Tim — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 15:19:50 +0000

Gear VR owners will have a new playable title on October 30, from the same makers of the hit game Monument Valley. Called Land's End, the game challenges you to awake an ancient civilization, while keeping a bit of the same aesthetic that makes Monument Valley so intriguing. To me, the game is a mix of Myst and Monument Valley, with a slight similarity to No Man's Sky, but only in a visual way. In Land's End, you will walk around gorgeous scenery while attempting to solve puzzles, which is basically Myst. We have no word yet on pricing, but given the Gear VR requirement, you can expect this title to launch in the Samsung Apps store, then maybe later in Google Play, but we don't know quite yet. Take a look at the trailer below, then go out and buy your own set of Gear VR if you own a compatible device.

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Via: @ustwogames

Deal: Google's Nexus Player is Just $50 at Best Buy

Kellen — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 14:21:40 +0000

Google's Nexus Player, one of the first retail Android TV units, seems to be on the way out if the abundance of deals out there for it are any indicator. Best Buy is currently selling the device for $49.99 with free shipping in the best deal we have seen yet. As a recap, the Nexus Player is an Android TV box that connects to your TV over HDMI. It gives you access to apps like Netflix, Pandora, Plex, Google's media services (Music, Play Movies & TV, etc.), and of course, YouTube. You can also install and play games through it and find content by using your voice with the included remote. It's not the highest-end Android TV box, but at $49.99, it's certainly worth considering. Best Buy Link

Tip: Long-Press Google Now Launcher Drawer Button for Quick Searching

Kellen — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:40:17 +0000

In the latest release of the Google App that brought search, recently used apps, and a vertical layout to the app drawer of the Google Now Launcher, Google included a handy trick to make searching through your apps easier. With a simple long press on the app drawer button, the app drawer will open and immediately jump to the search bar and launch the keyboard to help you perform a search. You can see it in action in the GIF below, but you get the idea here. Something as simple as a 1-second long press gets you quickly into typing out the name of an app rather than having to scroll what could be a couple of hundred apps. Sure, the new app drawer also has quick scrolling by letter, but typing lets you avoid trying to find that and scroll to the proper spot. Give it a shot.

Via: Android Police

Moto X Pure Edition Review

Kellen — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:10:52 +0000

The Moto X Pure Edition has a lot to live up to around these parts. For two straight years, its predecessors have grabbed the "Phone of the Year" crown in our end of year top 5 list. That's a pretty big deal when you consider all of the phones that come out each year. Obviously, we love the approach Motorola takes to Android phones and so if you have used any of the Moto X products, you probably aren't surprised that they won even with a couple of troublesome areas (their cameras, for one) that certainly weren't best-in-class. Motorola gets Android - that's about the best way I can explain their phones. So what about this year's model? Can this phone 3-peat with its incredible combination of specs, price, and availability? Well, I'd be spoiling this whole review if I told you that now before we even get into this. What I will say is that we've spent a good week+ with a custom designed Moto X Pure Edition and have a ton of opinions to share about it. This is our Moto X Pure Edition review.

The Good

Price and Availability You can't really talk about the Moto X Pure Edition (MXPE) without talking about its price and where you can buy it. Motorola is taking a completely new approach to selling this phone, an approach that is typically reserved for smaller, lesser-known phone manufacturers. With the MXPE, Motorola is selling the phone unlocked, directly to consumers through its own site, Amazon, and Best Buy (with more to come). You can't walk into a Verizon or AT&T or T-Mobile store and buy this phone. Motorola is cutting out those middle men to keep the price down, hopefully deliver you software updates faster, and let you choose where you want to connect it. As for the price, well, you are looking at a heck of a deal. The phone starts at $399 for a 16GB model that can be customized by you through Motorola's site at no extra charge (depending on the choices you make). That's $399 and you own it out right. There aren't confusing payment plans or contracts here. With the Moto X Pure Edition, you pay a starting price of $399 and then walk away with a new phone that is 100% yours, that you also get to take to a carrier of choice. If you compare the starting price to phones like the Galaxy S6, which retails at minimum for $600, you can see the value here. Now, not everyone is going to be a fan of paying $400 upfront for a phone. Some like monthly payment plans or buying phones for cheap with a new contract. But in our opinion, this is the future and it's time people start getting used to the idea that you can buy a phone and own it, instead of thinking of a phone purchase as a monthly payment or lease deal.

Specs Of course, that starting price of $399 wouldn't be much of a deal if Motorola didn't include top tier specs, right? Well, they did. They went with a 5.7-inch QHD LCD display, 3GB RAM, 21MP camera, 3000mAh battery, 5MP front camera with front flash, 16/32/64GB storage with microSD support, Turbo Charging, Snapdragon 808 processor, and dual front stereo speakers. Motorola didn't really leave much out except maybe optical image stabilization with the camera and wireless charging. Again, if you compare the specs here to other flagship phones, you are paying at least another $100. There is true value here that we haven't seen from a company like Motorola before. It Works Everywhere If you tried to tell me that the best piece of technology inside the Moto X Pure Edition is the modem, I don't think I would disagree. The modem inside the MXPE supports 14 different LTE bands, including those from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. It works with all of the major US carriers in a way that few phones have before it. It's a pretty incredible thing to see a phone that starts at $399 that can be taken wherever you want to take it. No carrier gets to interfere with this phone. No carrier gets to bloat up a phone that you own. No carrier gets to hold back software updates. It's yours and you are in control. Plus, with a single model being available in the US, Motorola has so much more control over delivering you the latest in Android advancements.

Camera Motorola is pretty excited about the camera inside the Moto X Pure Edition. Before they ever announced the phone, they let famed camera reviewer, DxoMark, take it for a spin and report back. To Motorola's delight, the scores came back high enough to put it up there with the Galaxy S6 as having the best smartphone camera on the planet. It also landed ahead of the iPhone 6 Plus. Motorola used a 21MP Sony IMX230 sensor in the phone and generally bragged about how much time they put into fine-tuning it during the phone's unveiling. They want you to believe that this is the best camera they have ever put in a phone and they are probably correct in telling you that it is. It's a pretty solid smartphone camera and easily the best from Moto. The UI of the camera remains the same as it has been for years. It's dead simple. Motorola autofocuses for you, then lets you tap anywhere on the screen to quickly tap a photo, rather than a often times hard-to-find shutter button. If you want more control, you can switch it to a tap to focus mode with quick exposure controls. That's about it, though, in terms of manual controls. So if you want a straight-forward, easy to understand approach, you can't go wrong here. If you want to control every little aspect of your phone's camera, you'll need to find a third party app to do those types of things.

The camera shoots out of the box in widescreen 16MP shots, but I flipped mine over to the full 21MP 4:3 resolution. It also has 720p slow-mo video recording, 4K video recording, night mode for stills, auto-HDR (that I left on), panorama mode, and the option to save everything to an SD card (which I did). All of these options are handled through a slideout menu that is accessed from the left side. So what about actual results? Here are some sample shots that have been resized only. Full resolution shots are also available.

Full resolution: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

I tried to cover a range of types of shots like outdoor landscapes and building backgrounds, macros of food and flowers, some low-light indoor situations, and a couple of people (my son in this case). Colors in almost all situations came off extremely accurate to my eye, with an intense amount of detail, thanks to the 21MP resolution. For example, look at the full resolution photo of the jeep and also of my son standing at the bottom of a play structure holding that soccer ball. In the jeep picture, you can see every single piece of sand on the jeep's tire, along with great detail of the figure inside. In the photo of my son on the playground, zoom all the way into his Adidas Superstar shoes and you can actually read "Superstar" in clear detail. That's just nuts. It's an amazing amount of detail for a smartphone camera. The one outlier in good light is the picture of the flowers that just looks completely blown out by the sun. I took this photo 3 times and they all look this way. In outdoor situations, this camera might be the best I have ever used. In low-light settings, it's a bit of a mixed bag depending on what you are looking for. For comparison's sake, here are low-light shots from the MXPE and the Galaxy S6, which arguably has the best smartphone camera. The lighting here is pretty bad, but each is able to capture a good amount of detail. What you will notice immediately is that the Galaxy S6 seems to capture more light, slightly more detail with less noise and processing, and overall, a better picture. But here's the thing - the color is all sorts of off in the Galaxy S6 picture than from what a human eye sees. The MXPE actually captured the more accurate picture that isn't blown out by yellowish warmth. It's actually showing the true grey color of that desk and the red of the speaker. Sure, it's not letting in quite as much light, so it all appears darker and overprocessed, but it really is the more accurate picture. You get somewhat of a trade-off with the MXPE in low-light. It's not as fast to focus or capture when compared to the Galaxy S6, but it may produce results that are more appealing in the end.

Moto X Pure vs. Galaxy S6 | Full resolution: 1 | 2

In the other images above in low light situations, you can see that the camera is processing the hell out of the photos to try and re-create the scene, so those fine details you see on the outdoor shots just aren't there. That's to be expected of course, I just feel like you are losing them quicker with this camera. Maybe that's the lack of optical image stabilization or maybe Motorola just needs to continue tweaking. As for other notes, I should point out that the camera has a really quick shutter once it is in focus. You tap and it shoots. On a related note, I did have issues with autofocus either being too slow or failing to focus on the area I wanted here and there. That's kind of a big issue at times, especially when you only have seconds to get the perfect shot. I get the feeling that this can be fixed, especially since the speed of the autofocus is something that Motorola is bragging up in marketing materials. Finally, the camera just isn't all that quick to launch. If you use the twist-to-capture gesture that was present in the last two Moto X phones, it just seems like it takes a couple of seconds too long to fully load up. The Galaxy S6 is much quicker to launch, focus, and snap. Overall, this camera is indeed Motorola's best ever. It's fast to snap once it has a correct focus, is incredible in good light, and decent in low-light situations where your objects aren't moving. I would be willing to bet that most of you will be more than satisfied here. Design I like the design of this new Moto X, probably because it's a solid evolution on the previous generation Moto X phones that I liked as well. I could complain about the size, because the phone is huge and I'd rather it be smaller, but all phones seem to be huge these days. I've gotten used to phones like the Galaxy Note 5 and LG G4. Sure, I'd prefer all phones to fall in line with compact devices like the Galaxy S6 or Xperia Z5 Compact, but people keep buying these behemoth things and so it's obvious there is some magic in the bigger phone department. With that in mind, Motorola also seems to have figured out how to make a big phone not feel as big as it is. This phone isn't exactly a 1-handed device, but you can manage it in most situations with a single hand. The back curves so well in your palm, while the metal frame does its job at adding grip. The buttons are all in ideal spots, the bezels are trim enough, and it looks quite handsome, especially when you take the time to customize one with Moto Maker.

Our review unit has a bright teal back with gold frame and white front. I may have settled on this color combination for our review unit, but I'm tempted to build about three more. I want a natural wood back and a leather one too, but I'm also interested in going super simple - like white back and black front. There are so many options... Not only does this phone feel great in hand, but no one else is letting you fully customize a one-of-a-kind phone like Motorola at no extra cost. Seriously, people, go customize a phone already. Customization Speaking of Moto Maker, Motorola brought back its phone customization store for the third year in a row. This time, you have 2 front choices (white or black), 3 frame choices (silver, dark, gold), 10 soft grip backs, 4 wood options, another 4 leather choices, 7 accent colors, 3 storage picks, engraving, a greeting, and an optional SIM from your carrier of choice. Moto Maker may be the coolest phone feature of them all because it gives you the opportunity to have a phone that no one else has. You aren't just another guy with a space gray iPhone or a black Galaxy S6. When you customize (for free) with Moto Maker, you have a one of a kind phone that is built in a couple of days before shipping to your house from China. Keep in mind that the base model is $399 with free customization, but if you add on additional storage or choose leather/wood backs, you will increase the price. Software In the opening, I said that Motorola gets Android. What does that mean? It means that Motorola lets Android be great under the vision of Google, but they also aren't afraid to improve its usefulness in areas that could benefit your daily life. With the Moto X Pure Edition, like the last few years of Motorola phones before it, Motorola has a phone with stock Android that includes its Moto suite of software on top. We are talking about Moto Voice, Display, Assist, and Actions. Now, Motorola didn't necessarily add a bunch of new features to any of these areas, but they are all still so good in their current state that I don't know that you will care.

Moto Voice still lets you have hands-free interaction with your phone and have it tell you information or complete tasks with a key phrase, like "OK, Moto X, what's the weather like?" With Moto Display, the most innovative lockscreen replacement is back and slightly improved. With Moto Assist, you still get to automate things in your life, like how your phone acts when you are asleep or in a meeting. And finally, with Moto Actions, Motorola is allowing you to turn on your flashlight with a chop, view the time or notifications with the wave of a hand, and now (a new feature), get Moto Voice responses into your ear instead of publicly out loud. It's the best Android experience outside of a stock Nexus. And actually, because of features like Moto Display, it might be a better Android experience than what you get with a Nexus. Turbo Charging Outside of the OnePlus 2, I'd venture to guess that your phone has some form of Turbo or Fast Charging. Honestly, I can't live without it and will never own another phone that doesn't have it enabled on some level. Batteries in phones die too quickly and this at least gives me some form of a security blanket in knowing that I can grab a whole bunch of battery juice in a short amount of time should I need it. The Moto X Pure Edition has Turbo Charging, which is Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology. Motorola is claiming that this is the world's fastest quick charging phone, probably partly because they are selling it with a Turbo Charger that pushes more juice than other quick charging chargers. In the right scenario, you can technically grab 10 hours worth of power in 15 minutes time. That's probably more like 2 hours of real usage in 15 minutes, but still, that's a big deal. For a full charge, while I didn't exactly keep track, it certainly seemed like I was grabbing full charges in about an hour. I'll say it again - I won't buy another phone without Quick Charge 2.0 or Turbo Charging or Fast Charging. It's 2015, and it shouldn't take you 3 hours to charge a phone. Performance During a Q&A session I did with readers about the MXPE, I think I scared everyone when I said that I noticed stuttering here and there when jumping between apps and navigating the phone's UI. Maybe I should be more careful, because the tone after those comments seemed to go to, "The performance is terrible!" which isn't correct. So let me clarify that here by saying that the performance is quite good. Is there a bit of stuttering here and there? Yes, but this isn't lag. Lag and stuttering are completely different to me. Lag, a lot like the "jank" we refer to when talking about Samsung phone performances, means the phone can't keep up with the tasks you are throwing at it and slows down for periods of time. Stuttering simply means that a transition from one screen to the next isn't as smooth as you would like. I don't know why this phone stutters here and there, but my guess is that the Snapdragon 808 struggles at times to smoothly transition everything on this QHD resolution. Otherwise, the performance on this phone has been good for the most part. Apps load on tap, the camera launches when you tell it to, and little things like the swipe up on Home for Google Now happens without a hiccup. We don't run benchmarks, but I can tell you that (other than a stutter in a transition) this feels very much like Moto Xs of the past, in that they benefit in the performance department from the stock Android approach.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Display Motorola ditched AMOLED this time around for its display choice and instead opted for a TFT LCD at 5.7-inches and with a Quad HD resolution of 2560x1440. It's an average display at best. If it's the only phone you've owned in a while, you will probably think it's just fine. But when compared to the best in the business, you can see that it is indeed not as good as we had hoped it would be. That's not to say that it's bad - it's just not great.

For one, the display's highest brightness level just isn't as bright as others (phones above are all at 100% brightness). I did use the phone outdoors on a number of sunny days, though, and can report back that I had no issues using the phone or seeing everything on the display. With that said, the viewing angles here aren't all that good and are noticeable at even the slightest angle off to the side of the display. That becomes extremely apparent when you look at the image centered above, where all of the other phones in the comparison hold onto clarity and brightness at a somewhat steep angle except the MXPE. Finally, in terms of color reproduction, I think it's safe to say that the Moto X Pure Edition is good enough. It's not pink (Hello, Nexus 6!), that's for sure. Whites are greyish, which is better than yellow or blue, colors can pop at times if you turn on "Vibrant" mode in the phone's display settings, and for the most part, everything is as it should be in videos, apps, or the Play store. Again, it's an average display in a phone that is priced at $399. It is what it is. Battery Life The battery life on the Moto X Pure Edition is fine, from what I can tell from my tests. On heavy usage days, which for me is closing in on 3 hours of screen on time with a mix of WiFi and LTE, I was looking for a charger at 4PM. On days where I was back in my comfort zone of around 2 hours of screen on time, it was 9PM before I was considering a quick charge. For me, that's probably good enough. I tend to live in a black hole of signal death no matter which carrier I go with (I tested Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs in this phone), so you have to understand that the numbers I just stated are actually quite good. If I attempted to get 3 hours of screen on time with a Galaxy S6 at my house, it would be dead and off by noon. So the fact that this phone is getting me through a day and into the evening is about all I can ask for.

I know that all of you will claim to get 5 and 6 hours of screen on time with your phones and that this phone isn't good enough, according to my numbers, but in my testing and averages, this is actually just fine. It's not exceptional, like I remember the OnePlus One being, but it's going to be good enough for most people.

Size I talked about this in the design section, but I need to point it out again here - this phone is big. It's not unreasonably big, though I can tell you that I wish Motorola had gone with a similar sizing to the first two Moto X phones. Both of those were small when matched up to competitors, and that's exactly why they were so attractive to many of us. With this phone, it's like Motorola just gave into the big phone movement and went away from what was part of the reason their previous Moto X phones were great. The phone isn't that difficult to use, but it's certainly not a 1-handed device. If you loved the size and feel of the previous Moto Xs, you probably will have mixed feelings about this one. It definitely feels like a Moto X, but it's not quite as pure and enjoyable as the last two models.

The Not-so-Good

No Carrier Partners In the first bullet point for this phone, I mentioned how much I like the fact that the Moto X Pure Edition is sold unlocked, without carrier interference at a starting price of $399. But while I love the way Motorola is selling this, I can imagine that a number of you won't. Many of you, and maybe even some who don't know that this phone exists, would love to be introduced to it in a store, in a normal US wireless phone situation that involves a salesperson and contract or potentially-confusing monthly payment plans and weird line access discounts and the thought of a dedicated wireless support center and all that. Unfortunately, you just can't. You can buy this directly or you can choose something else.

No Fingerprint Sensor Does a phone in 2015 need a fingerprint sensor? Probably. Fingerprint sensors, if implemented correctly, offer a form of security on your phone that doesn't ask you to change the way you use your phone. Instead of having to stop and type in a password or swipe out a pattern, a fingerprint sensor can wake your phone while also allowing you to bypass its lock screen. Samsung and Apple are doing these right, as is Sony. Hell, even Google has built in native fingerprint sensor support in Android 6.0 and is more than likely including sensors in their new Nexus phones. Motorola, for some odd reason, is still avoiding them. The Nexus 6 was supposed to have one embedded in its dimple, but we now know that they ditched the idea after Apple bought the best (at the time) fingerprint sensor provider. That's fine, but it's now 2015 and everyone is finding good fingerprint sensors to put in phones. Motorola should have revisited and implemented a sensor in the dimple of this phone. Leaving out a fingerprint sensor isn't a dealbreaker on any level, but with mobile payments seemingly become the future, it would have been a welcomed addition.

Other Notes

Cell reception and volume: People ask, so I figured I can address it quickly here. The MXPE seems good in the call reception and volume department. Almost all phones are these days, but in case you were wondering, I didn't notice low volume or bad reception or difficult-to-hear conversations at any time over the past couple of weeks.
No wireless charging: This phone doesn't have wireless charging. That's too bad, but since it has Turbo Charging, I don't think you'll care. If it had fast wireless charging, like the Galaxy Note 5 has, that would be awesome. So far, though, that phone and the S6 Edge+ are the only two on the planet to offer fast wireless charging, so it's not exactly like Moto skipped out.
Front speakers: They are dual front stereo speakers and they are quite good. They get plenty loud and offer an enjoyable media or gaming experience. You have to give props to HTC for pushing the stereo front facing speaker revolution years ago with their One M7. The rest of the industry (Motorola included now) took notice and is now giving us all better audio experiences.
SIM and MicroSD: The SIM tray on this phone doubles as a microSD slot. This phone can utilize up to 128GB microSD cards, so if you decide to go with the cheapest $399 option, don't worry about storage, because you can always add-on later. As for the SIM, this phone takes a nano SIM.

Video

Unboxing

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Tips and tricks

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vs. Moto X (1st and 2nd gen) vs. Nexus 6

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SIM swapping

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Gallery

The Verdict

If you asked me if I thought the Moto X Pure Edition would be a good choice for your next smartphone, I'd tell that it is. It's a solid all-around phone with an unbeatable price. It's customizable, it runs stock Android, it has a solid camera, looks great, should see frequent updates, works on your network of choice, and is available directly to you, instead of at a carrier store. You could do a lot worse than a Moto X Pure Edition. In fact, there are few phones better than it. You can buy the Moto X Pure Edition starting at $399 from Motorola, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Report: Samsung Will Offer Own Phone Leasing Program, Like the One Apple Just Announced

Kellen — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:53:02 +0000

According to a report out of Forbes, who spoke with an anonymous "industry executive with knowledge of Samsung's plans," the Korean electronics giant plans to introduce a phone leasing program similar to the one Apple just announced at its iPhone 6s event. Their exact plans or launch timing are not known at this time, but with Apple making this move and Samsung potentially on the verge of announcing another disappointing quarter, they could "accelerate" the new program. In case you missed the Apple program announcement, it involved ditching carrier partners and instead opting in to a model that only involves Apple and their AppleCare program. The program is called the iPhone Upgrade Program and it allows iPhone owners to get a new iPhone every year by paying a monthly payment on a phone and then trading in their used phone when the new iPhone comes out. That monthly payment includes AppleCare coverage and starts at around $32 per month for the lowest model iPhone. Apple is suggesting its customers go this route instead of dealing with a wireless carrier store. All you need to do now is head into an Apple store, pick a phone, sign-up for 2-year financing on that new phone, prepare to pay the monthly fee, and then choose a carrier to attach it to. The iPhone is a lot like the Moto X Pure in that it's an unlocked phone that basically works anywhere, so you can go with AT&T or T-Mobile or Verizon or whoever. A program like this makes sense for Samsung, since this gives them back some power, but could also give them a bump in revenues should they create some sort of program like Apple's AppleCare. AppleCare, for those not familiar, provides "expert" help and even coverage on accidental damage to your phone. Samsung doesn't have any new phones on the horizon to announce, which would typically be a good time to announce a program like this, but they could still offer something similar to get a boost during the holiday season. As we learn more, we'll be sure to pass it along.

Via: Forbes

OnePlus 2 Receives Update to 2.1.0 With Camera Enhancements and Bug Fixes

Kellen — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 07:42:45 +0000

The OnePlus 2 is receiving an update today to OxygenOS v2.1.0 that should greatly improve the camera experience for "photography enthusiasts," but we're hoping it also fixes all sorts of bugs. OnePlus is calling this a "sizable" update full of bug fixes and improvements, so it should. The update highlights are as follows, according to OnePlus:

We've added manual mode for all you photography enthusiasts. Hope this will give you more control for capturing that perfect moment.
Raw support is now enabled for 3rd party camera apps that support this format
There's a new color balance slider in Display for adjusting the color tone of your screen. You can now go warmer or cooler as you please.
Added Exchange support.
We fixed some issues that were causing problems with popular 3rd party apps.
Telephony service improvements so you no longer get the lag when you turn on/off airplane mode.

The update will rollout over-the-air (OTA) starting today to a small number of users before arriving on most phones tomorrow and throughout the rest of the week. Let us know if you see it and if it enhances the phone's experience.

Via: OnePlus

Cheers Ruvim!

Huawei Watch and Cheeseburger Day

Kellen — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 18:53:04 +0000

On episode 93 of the Droid Life Show, we'll share the latest inside info on the new Nexus phones, talk OnePlus 2 since we finally have one in house, run through any new thoughts on the Moto X Pure, drool over how hot the Huawei Watch truly is, and more. Oh, it also happens to be National Cheeseburger Day, which is something that has to be discussed. We will kick the show off live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern).

Google Sending Out Invites to Event on September 29 in SF

Tim — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 17:29:58 +0000

Well, it's totally official now. We just received the above invite in our email inbox, detailing a press event Google is set to host on September 29 at 9am in San Francisco, CA. What will they announce? Well, you should already know the answer to that, but if you need a bit of help, it's likely that we will see two new Nexus devices (Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P), possibly a new Chromecast, full launch details for Android 6.0 "Marshmallow," and maybe a bit more? According to the invite, the event will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/google. We will be live at the event to bring you all of the glory Google announces. Excited?

Don't Miss These Android Stories: September 18, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 16:00:53 +0000

It's National Cheeseburger Day, in case you were wondering why the picture of that delicious burger. So, go eat a damn good cheeseburger. As in, now. While you do that with your greasy cheeseburger and fry hands, feel free to catch up on the week that was in Android. It was actually quite eventful around these parts, with new Nexus information creeping out, a bunch of hands-on time with the Huawei Watch, OnePlus 2, and Moto X Pure flooding in, and the first appearance of Google Now on Tap on consumer devices. Be sure to catch up!

WATCH: Droid Life Show episode 93 | Subscribe
Nexus: We are expecting Google's new phones to be the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P.
Huawei Watch unboxing and tour!
OnePlus 2 unboxing and tour (again)!
Moto X Pure Edition: vs. Moto X (1st/2nd gen) and Nexus 6. | Owners share thoughts.
I also answered a bunch of Moto X Pure questions.
New Chromecast should launch soon, just like we said it would.
Now on Tap: Google activated Now on Tap for a few hours, then killed it.
Amazon announced a new Fire TV with 4K and some cheap new tablets.
AT&T upped its throttling start amount to 22GB for unlimited data users.
New Nova Launcher beta makes icons look great.
Quick Charge 3.0: Give it to me now!
Hot wallpapers. Hot icons.
Verizon's Moto X (1st gen) got Lollipop this week. Crazy, but true.

Mmmmm, cheeseburgers.

OnePlus 2 StyleSwap Covers Look Nice, But Add Thickness

Tim — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 15:01:35 +0000

Thinking about dropping $26.99 on a StyleSwap cover for the OnePlus 2? I urge you to possibly rethink that choice, as you may be left with a bulkier, more slippery device. When we picked up our OnePlus 2, we opted to grab a few StyleSwap covers to go with it, just so we can add a bit of character to the device, and to go over their quality for all of you. While the quality of the covers feel great, and look exceptional, we find that the covers add unnecessary thickness to the phone, taking away from the flush, smooth outline that the Sandstone Black cover offers straight out of the box. With the stock Sandstone Black cover, there is no lip surrounding the device's backside, but with both the Bamboo cover and Black Apricot cover, a hump -- or lip -- goes around the entirety of the phone's backside. In-hand, you can actually feel this raise quite a bit, and when compared to the in-hand feel of the flush Sandstone cover, the little hump does not feel very good. The photos below detail exactly what we mean. As you can see, the StyleSwap covers add a lip around the backside of the phone, and for those who have slight OCD, this may cause an issue. It did for me.

In the grand scheme of things, I would have much rather preferred that OnePlus attempt to keep the flush, smooth feeling with all StyleSwap covers, but it is possible that this was undoable when working with the wood material. This is likely something we will never know. I always enjoyed the idea of having bamboo or other various types of wood on my smartphone, so I was very excited to give these StyleSwap covers a try, but after installing them and seeing how they fit, I would not recommend them to anybody. As for the added slipperiness, the wood StyleSwap covers are exceptionally more smooth compared to the Sandstone Black cover, but that's a given, considering the Sandstone is extremely porous and rough. If a little lip around the back of your phone does not bother you, you can pick up the covers here, no invite required.

Samsung's S Health Arrives for Non-Samsung Phones With Android 4.4+

Kellen — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 14:17:14 +0000

Samsung is much more open to other Android phones, it seems these days. First, they announced that its new Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic watches would be compatible with almost all Android phones, a move we didn't exactly see coming. And now, they have opened up S Health to all running Android 4.4+. Big things are in motion here, folks. S Health, for those not familiar, is Samsung's fitness-related app that will act as your coach to getting healthier. It not only tracks typical exercise, but it connects with 3rd party apps and devices, and offers up specific programs depending on your goals. Ron spent quite a bit of time with S Health recently and had some pretty glowing things to say about it as a fitness platform. If you aren't into Jawbone or Fitbit or one of the many other fitness services, feel free to give this one a try. Play Link

Deal: Tronsmart Quick Charge 2.0 3-Port Adapter is $11.99 With This Code

Kellen — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:38:30 +0000

If you need another Quick Charge 2.0 certified adapter at a significant discount, think about the Tronsmart 3-port adapter that can be had right now from Amazon for $11.99 after coupon code. This adapter has a single QC 2.0 port to help quick charge most of today's popular Android phones, but also an additional 2 ports for normal charging, giving you the ability to charge up to 3 devices at once. The charger also comes with a 6-foot USB cable and has a foldable plug, unlike some of the other more popular adapters (looking at you, Motorola). An $11.99, you are look at a heck of a deal. Most of the super cheap QC 2.0 adapters don't include the long USB cable. Amazon Link Use coupon code "JANQXRAX" at checkout.

Google Expands Android One in Parts of Europe, Now Available in Spain and Portugal

Tim — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:23:19 +0000

For Android fans located in Portugal and Spain, you can now order a new Android One device straight through BQ, a mobile provider in a Europe. Priced at €169.90 in Spain and €179 in Portugal, the A4.5 smartphone is a handsome little device, featuring a MediaTek quad-core processor, Dolby sound technology, 4.5" IPS display, 1GB of RAM, and a 2,470mAh battery. Android One's mission is bring great devices at affordable prices to all corners of the globe. With the launch in Portugal and Spain, Android One's reach now stretches from parts of Asia and the South Pacific, to various countries throughout Europe. The A4.5 also features a dual SIM tray, making it the perfect little travel companion for those who need one. You can bet that we won't see the A4.5 hit the US anytime soon, but it is good to see that 4.5" display devices are still be produced.

Via: @GoogleES [2] [3]

BlackBerry Venice Treated to a Bit of Hands-on Time

Tim — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:11:52 +0000

Everyone's favorite, the BlackBerry Venice, received a bit of hands-on time in a recent video to hit YouTube. In the video, the device is gone over in detail, and is a completely functional unit, complete with biometric keyboard and tap-to-wake display. During the hands-on, the device's hardware is gone over, including the in-hand feel, the massive front-facing speaker, as well as the large bezel surrounding the rear-facing camera. We can also see that most of Google's software is left untouched, with BlackBerry baking in minimal changes. For example, a swipe up on the Home button reveals the Google Now shortcut, but also shortcuts to BlackBerry Device Search and BlackBerry Hub. Watch the video below, then share your thoughts down in the comments section. Are you still excited for the Venice?

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Via: BlackBerryOS

Deal: Nexus 6 32GB Drops to $299 on eBay

Kellen — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:03:11 +0000

The Nexus 6 dropped at Amazon and Best Buy to $349 a week ago, likely as a move to clear inventory before the new Nexus phones arrive at the end of this month. If $349 still wasn't a good enough price for you, then take a look at eBay where you can grab the cloud white version with 32GB of storage for just $299. At $299, we are now well below 50% off the whale's original price of $649. That, my friends, is a steal. The deal includes free shipping too. eBay Link

Cheers Eric!

Google's New Phones Will be Called Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P

Kellen — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 08:19:14 +0000

The new phones from Google that will more than likely be announced at the end of this month, will be called the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, according to a reliable source. The name Nexus 5X has been in rotation around the internet for the past couple of weeks when referring to the name of the LG-made Nexus, but we now know that the Huawei model will be called the Nexus 6P. Of course, there is always a chance that things can change between now and each phone's announcement - which we are told should be by the end of this month - but we'd be surprised if these aren't the final names. We may be able to share additional info as we get closer to the event, but our source has told us that the codenames of "bullhead" and "angler" are indeed accurate, as is this leak for the LG Nexus 5X and this leak for the Huawei Nexus 6P (image on the left). More to come.

2nd Gen Chromecast Said to Launch Soon, Basically Confirms Our Report From May

Kellen — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 07:34:29 +0000

In a preview post for this year's Google I/O, we told you that a new Chromecast was on the way, one that would sport a new form factor that would also allow users to attach the device to any speaker, making almost any audio product in your house Cast-ready. We were hopeful that Google might mention it during I/O, but in reality, our sources told us to expect the device in Q3 and at the same $35 price point. Fast forward to today, and 9to5Google has all but confirmed that report with a leak that shares even more on the new Chromecast. According to this new report, the new Chromecast will change form factors, include some sort of feed service through its main screen and improved WiFi, a new feature called "Fast Play," and will have a way to connect to almost any speaker for audio casting. As you can see in the pictures below of the new device and its packaging, it certainly looks different this time around. Well, it still comes of dongle-y, only there could be color options and a more unique ball shape. The idea of an improved appearance makes sense if this new Chromecast can attach to more devices that will likely leave it out in the open, instead of just tucked behind a TV or screen. New features like "Fast Play" should allow users to quickly establish connections to Chromecasts. The process isn't terrible in the current version, but quicker connections are always something we'll welcome, especially when it comes to showing a video clip or playing music. As for the audio portion of this Chromecast that we first reported on, 9to5Google is calling it "Chromecast Audio" and also mentions, as we did, that the new Chromecast should be connectible to almost any speaker.

Today's report claims that this new Chromecast will be announced on September 29 (Hey, Q3 still!) along with the two Nexus phones at an event in San Francisco. Spotify will more than likely be announced as a part of the presentation.

Via: 9to5Google [2]

Nextbit Robin With Verizon Support Hits Kickstarter Tomorrow

Tim — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:47:34 +0000

Kickstarter's darling device, the Robin from Nextbit, now supports Verizon. Starting tomorrow on the official Robin Kickstarter page, you can pick up a US-only, Verizon-supporting Robin device, for the same pre-order price of $349. For those who get to the page super early, an early bird edition will be available for just $300, but the deal is limited to the first 300 backers. Nextbit hit Kickstarter with a goal of $500,000, and thanks to countless attention from tech media, including us, they have shot well over their goal now sitting at over $1 million in backing. You may be asking yourself, what the heck is a Robin? As of today, the device's claim to fame is its cloud-focused storage. Instead of utilizing a microSD card, then inevitably running out of storage, Robin loads and offloads information, including applications, as it sees fit. It features storage that is "smart," making way for things as you need it. For more detailed information on how this works, view the Kickstarter page linked below. So, is a Robin that supports Verizon what you have been waiting for? Are you confident in backing it now?

Via: Kickstarter

An Update on Activating Moto X Pure Editions at Verizon (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:52:58 +0000

Update: Verizon says we should be good to go. Feel free to activate on their site or head into a store.

A week ago, just as Moto X Pure Edition orders were arriving on doorsteps, Verizon confirmed to us that they were ready for Motorola's new unlocked phone and that stores would be able to activate them. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case just yet for many of you who are attempting to get the phone activated on Big Red's network. We reached back out to Verizon to see if they could provide an update on the status of the situation and were told that the phone is indeed certified and supported, but there is some sort of issue that they are working to resolve with Motorola in order to get the activation process up and working. The short statement is below.

"Moto X Pure Edition is certified and supported for activation on Verizon's network. We are working with Motorola to resolve the activation issue by Friday Sept. 18."

My guess is that IMEIs for the Moto X Pure Edition from Motorola haven't been loaded into Verizon's systems yet and that's why phones can't be activated. While I don't know the process for making that happen, it seems like something that can happen quickly if the parties involved make it happen. Verizon says they hope to resolve it by Friday. For everyone's sake, I hope it's even quicker - people have brand new phones they want to use. NOTE: Again, this only relates to those attempting to activate new service, a new line, or a new SIM with the Moto X Pure. If you have an activated Verizon nano SIM from another phone, you can just pop that in your new Moto X Pure and it will work.

Yes, It's Incredibly Easy to Change Bands on the Huawei Watch

Tim — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:34:55 +0000

For everyone who ordered a Huawei Watch, or were at least thinking about it, you should know that removing and replacing the bands on the watch is incredibly easy. Just as we saw on the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), Huawei has placed little tabs on the pin mechanism that locks into the watch's lugs. This means you no longer need a tool to remove the preinstalled bands, which may have led a few folks to damaging the back of their smartwatch devices. The Huawei Watch features standard 18mm band support, which is a very widely supported size of watch band. If you need a new band, you can head over to Amazon, your local jewelry store, or any other place that sells watch bands and you will definitely be able to find an 18mm band for your device. Sadly, if you had a Moto 360 device from last year, those bands will not fit, as they are 22mm in size. A little too big for the Huawei Watch. If you need a couple suggestions for a 3rd-party band, E3 offers a great lineup of fancy leather bands, Clockwork Synergy has a few options, and of course, Amazon has a plethora of straps to choose from; leather, metal, mesh, etc. Happy tinkering.

T-Mobile Adds 20 New Markets to Simple Global, Now Includes All of Europe and South America

Tim — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:12:57 +0000

T-Mobile announced the addition of 20 new markets and destinations this morning for Simple Global users, now allowing travelers to take advantage of their network throughout Europe and South America. More specifically, a few of the new markets are Monaco, Macedonia, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Bahamas, and Haiti. As a customer of T-Mobile's Simple Choice postpaid plan, you can now enjoy unlimited data and texting at no extra charge, plus the flat-rate for calls at $0.20 a minute in a total of 145 countries worldwide. If you are a busy businessman who does plenty of business in all parts of the busy world, it's a great option. Here is the complete list of new markets. New Markets

Bahamas
Haiti
Monaco
Albania
Belarus
Bosnia
Liechtenstein
Macedonia
Montenegro
Serbia
Slovenia
Guernsey
Alderney
Jersey
Sark
Isle of Man
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan

Below, this map details T-Mobile's "global" coverage.

Via: T-Mobile

Deal: Pay What You Want for This $1,700 Mobile Developer Bundle

Kellen — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 10:59:18 +0000

You all know the Humble Bundle, right? It's a collection of games that comes out every month or so with a pay-what-you-want scheme that allows you to get a bunch of popular titles for a few bucks, while donating to charity or developers at the same time. It's awesome. We write them all up because cheap games and donating to charity are a win-win combo. In the DL Deals store, we have a similar bundled offer for a Mobile-First Developer's Bundle that lets you pay what you want and get 10 different courses to help turn you into the next coding wizard. It also helps fund the Creative Commons, a group "who develops, supports, and stewards legal and technical infrastructure that maximizes digital creativity, sharing, and innovation." With this bundle, you get courses that will teach you Android development from scratch, building mobile games in Unity 3D, creating native apps, monetizing them, and how to get the most out of Lollipop development. The value of the entire package sits at around $1,700, but you can currently get the whole set for around $9. Deal Link

Ability to Stream Android Gameplay to YouTube Coming Soon

Tim — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 09:43:28 +0000

Announced today during Japan's Tokyo Game Show, the ability to livestream Android gameplay to YouTube is coming "soon." Ability to do so will come via an update to YouTube Gaming, as mobile gaming popularity has picked up tremendously in all parts of the world. This same functionality has hit devices from Samsung thanks to its proprietary software, but with Google and YouTube looking to capitalize on mobile gaming, and make YouTube Gaming a bit more desirable in the eyes of those who use Twitch, this move should allow for almost all newer Android devices to stream gameplay. As of right now, there is no set date for when we can expect this functionality, but "soon" is better than nothing. What game should I stream first?

Via: The Verge

Amazon Announces 4K Fire TV, Game Edition, and Fire TV Stick With Voice

Kellen — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 08:57:32 +0000

This morning, Amazon went H.A.M. on a bunch of new Fire products. They introduced us to new Fire tablets (more here) and a couple of revamped Fire TV products. Most notably, we have the brand new Fire TV with 4K support, best-in-class WiFi, built-in Alexa (the brain behind Echo), and a microSD slot. Along with the new Fire TV, Amazon also announced a new Fire TV Stick with a voice remote (pictured below), so that Stick owners can also get into the Alexa spirit. As a recap, the Fire TV is like an Apple TV or Google's Nexus Player. It's a box that attaches to your TV, giving you access to your favorite streaming services (Netflix, HBO, Spotify, Pandora, etc.), apps, and even games. This new model has 75% more processing power (64-bit MediaTek quad-core processor), is 4K-ready, has 802.11ac MIMO WiFi, SD card support up to 128GB outside of its 8GB onboard storage, Mayday screen sharing, Audio from Dolby, and Alexa, so you can ask it all sorts of voice commands (weather, play music, etc.). As for the new Fire TV Stick with voice, it sounds like Amazon really just gave it the newest version of their Fire OS and the included the voice remote. Otherwise, I don't think there is much of an upgrade in terms of specs or hardware. The Fire TV Stick, for those new, is like a Chromecast. The new Amazon Fire TV is available for pre-order today at $99 and will ship October 5. Amazon is also offering a "Game Edition" version that comes with a new game controller, 32 GB microSD card, and two games: Shovel Knight and Disney’s Ducktales - for $139.99. The new Fire TV Stick is also available for pre-order today at $49.99, but won't ship until October 22. Amazon Links: New Fire TV ($99.99) | New Fire TV Stick with Voice ($49.99)

Via: Amazon [2]

Amazon Announces $50 Fire Tablet, Larger Fire HD Tablets

Tim — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 08:50:20 +0000

This morning, Amazon announced a new lineup of tablet devices, all set to release at the end of the month. First up, we have the Fire, a $50 tablet that features specs any budget-minded consumer can get behind. The Fire features a 7" IPS display (1024 x 600), quad-core processor, front and back-facing camera, microSD slot for up to 128GB of storage, access to Amazon Underground, plus a redesigned interface called Bellini. The Fire can be purchased as a single device, priced at $50 (pre-order starts today), or you can choose to purchase a 6-pack of Fire tablets for under $250. Yeah, you can buy Amazon tablets in bulk now. For those in need of a bit more computing power, you can pre-order the all-new Fire HD, coming in both an 8" and 10.1" model. Each features a quad-core processor, HD display, expandable storage slots for up to 128GB, access to cloud storage, front and back-facing cameras, and an incredibly thin design. The 8" model is priced at just $149, while the 10.1" model is $229.99. Lastly, we have the all-new Fire Kids Edition. This tablet is specifically designed for the kids in our lives, featuring a sturdy build, preventing the little ones from dropping and breaking it. It also features an IPS display, expandable storage, plus access to Amazon's complete library of kid-friendly applications. Another perk is Amazon's "worry-free guarantee," where Amazon will replace the tablet, no questions asked, for two years if needed. Priced at $99, that's a solid deal. For additional info, or to pre-order these devices, follow the links below. Amazon Links: Fire | Fire HD 8 | Fire HD 10.1 | Fire Kids Edition

Via: Amazon [2] [3]

Google Now on Tap Arrives in Google App for Marshmallow Preview, Includes Vertical App Drawer for All

Kellen — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 07:15:23 +0000

Google Now on Tap is here! Well, sort of. If you have a device running the Android 6.0 Marshmallow developer preview 3, you can install the latest version of the Google app (v5.3.19.19) and start to take advantage of its power. As a recap, Google Now on Tap is a beefed up version of Google Now, that allows you to find out more information about the "people, places, movies, and more" that are on your screen. The idea is that you may be in a conversation or an app with a subject you need to know more about now, yet you don't want to be taken out of the situation to go find that new info. With Now on Tap, a simple long-press of the home button presents you with relevant cards about the information on your screen. If you want artist info, restaurant menus, movie times, or sports information, you can get that on your screen with the press of a button and without doing much else. We'll have a more detailed demo of Now on Tap here shortly and will add it to this post. For now, check out the few screenshots below to get a better understanding of the type of information. (Edit: No, no we won't because Google decided to kill it this morning.) The update also brings the new vertical scrolling app drawer, that was unveiled during the Android M Preview 1 (and then fixed in preview 2), to all devices. I'm a huge fan of it and think you'll enjoy it as well. Play Link | Download Link (.apk)

Moto X Pure Edition Available at Best Buy Stores

Kellen — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 19:10:55 +0000

Sick of reading about the Moto X Pure Edition and would rather get your hands on one? You can now do just that at Best Buy stores. This evening, Best Buy's website flipped the switch on black, white, and bamboo models of 16GB or 32GB with in-store pick-up. We have also heard that Best Buy stores have the phone on display for some physical rubbing from you. Before you cruise in, you should hit up the link below and check your nearest stores for availability. I live in Oregon and wasn't able to find any nearby stores with the phone, but Washington sure seems to have plenty of stores with stock. Motorola told us that mid-September would be the time that the Moto X Pure would arrive in stores and it looks like they were spot on. Best Buy Link Of course, if you can't get into a store or they don't have stock, you can always watch our unboxing again and see how the MXPE compares to the other Moto X models and the Nexus 6.

Cheers Ryan!

Moto X Pure Edition Owners, Share Your Early Thoughts!

Kellen — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 16:10:31 +0000

Yesterday, I spent a good couple of hours answering your questions about the new Moto X Pure Edition. I noticed something pretty cool during that Q&A session, though, and that was the other opinions being shared to some of the questions by other owners of the phone. A fair number of you already own the phone and are a great resource for those still considering Motorola's new Moto X, so we want to see if we can't tap into that. In this post, to end our Wednesday, we thought we would reach out to current owners and have you share your initial impressions after owning the phone for the past few days. How is the camera? Thoughts on the size? How would you compare the MXPE to the phone you came from? Why did you ultimately decide to pick one up? What's battery life like? Do you wish Motorola had stayed with AMOLED instead of LCD? Favorite feature? Lousiest feature? Would you recommend? If you have anything to share, we would love to have it in the comments.

Deal: Buy a Premium Lifetime Subscription proXPN VPN for Just $39

Tim — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 14:28:27 +0000

In need of a secure connection for your Internet business? Well, over on the DL Deals Store, you can grab a premium lifetime subscription to proXPN VPN for just $39, down from its advertised price of $375. proXPN VPN features unlimited traffic bandwidth, plus worldwide access thanks a full-service network. If you find yourself on public WiFi spots, don't worry, you will receive a masked IP address, plus encrypted browsing whenever you log on. The service features mobile device support, VPN Guard, PPTP and OpenVPN encryption options, plus a 512-bit Encryption Tunnel utilizing a 2048-bit Encryption Key. To check it out, follow the link below. Features

Unlimited traffic bandwidth
Fast worldwide access to proXPN’s full service network
Secure Wi-Fi connection w/ a masked IP address, even on public networks
Encrypted browsing w/ a 512-bit Encryption Tunnel utilizing a 2048-bit Encryption Key
PPTP or OpenVPN encryption options
Mobile device support
VPN Guard, which allows you to select which programs should automatically shut down if your proXPN VPN connection drops
Easy setup & use
World-class technical support

Deal Link

Video: Moto X Pure vs. Moto X (1st and 2nd Gen) vs. Nexus 6

Kellen — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 13:16:05 +0000

Within the last week, you guys have made it clear to us that you want to know how the new Moto X Pure Edition (our unboxing) compares to the Moto X (1st gen), Moto X (2nd gen), and Nexus 6. I think it's safe to say that many of you are in the Moto X family of phones and are considering staying there. And rightfully so, the Moto X line has been one of the best in recent years. So, with that in mind, we put together this video, which shows you the new Moto X Pure versus the 1st and 2nd gen Moto X and the Nexus 6. This isn't a performance battle or camera showdown, since those types of tests don't work well on camera. Instead, this focuses on what most of you seem to be worried about - how does the size differ from one phone to the next. It also dives into a recap of specs from one year to the other. You asked for it - here is the Moto X Pure vs. Motorola's last handful of flagship phones.

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Video: Huawei Watch Unboxing and Hands-on

Tim — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:14:53 +0000

The Huawei Watch has arrived, so now it's time to begin the full review process. First up, of course, is an unboxing video! Before we get right into the video, let's do a little bit of background on the device itself. The Huawei Watch features a 1.4" full-circle AMOLED display, Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, Bluetooth 4.1, and a 300mAh battery. Do note, there is no NFC connectivity for the smartwatch, so that may be a downer for a few potential buyers. With the watch in-hand, and even seeing the packaging, there is no doubt Huawei set out to create the most premium Android Wear smartwatch they could. We received the Stainless Steel with Black Leather band base model ($349), but other models, such as the all Rose Gold model, will feature a price tag of $799, making it one of most expensive Android Wear devices to hit the market. There will be plenty of time to talk more about the device in our full review, which will be coming soon after we spend a few days with it.

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Apple's First Android App, Move to iOS, Hits Google Play

Kellen — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:08:59 +0000

Been in the Android game for a bit, but have decided your life would be better being controlled by someone else in a walled garden of tech hell where no one cares what you think because Apple? Apple will help you realize that life through their Move to iOS app that just landed on Google Play. In Move to iOS, you get to easily take your contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, bookmarks, mail accounts, and calendars with you to an iPhone or iPad because "everything about iOS is designed to be easy." Well, outside of 3D Touch and dealing with 1,856 settings for each app and Apple Music and interacting in any way with notifications and that keyboard, ugh that iOS keyboard...I guess I'll stop there. The app transfers everything over to your new iOS device via private WiFi network. Secure! Move to iOS is available to all Android devices running Android 4.0+. Play Link Side Note: Read the early reviews on the app - super lulz.

Minecraft: Story Mode Hits Google Play on October 15

Tim — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:11:50 +0000

Telltale Games, in partnership with Mojang, is set to launch Minecraft: Story Mode for Android on October 15. The game will be released to Google Play as the first chapter, with additional chapters to follow. This follows previous deployment strategies of Telltale, like we saw with The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Tales From the Borderlands. To start the game, you choose whether to be a male or female named Jesse, then basically travel around the blocky world protecting it from baddies hailing from the Nether. From the game's description, "You’ll embark on a perilous adventure across the Overworld, through the Nether, to the End, and beyond. You and your friends revere the legendary Order of the Stone: Warrior, Redstone Engineer, Griefer, and Architect; slayers of the Ender Dragon." Telltale states that they have worked closely with Mojang to maintain a sense of customization for players, allowing them to choose from different looks for the playable characters. While the world itself is likely not able to be changed, Telltale wants this to feel like an actual Minecraft universe. Once the game is officially available on Google Play, we will let you know.

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Via: Telltale Games

This Could be the New Nexus 5 in White or Mint, or Maybe It's Nothing at All

Kellen — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 09:14:32 +0000

According to Korean site underKG, the pictures below are of the new Nexus 5, which people keep oddly referring to as the Nexus 5X, but will probably just be called Nexus 5 (2015). Whatever. It's a name. And these are supposed pictures of it. The pictures are said to feature the front and back of the phone, yet reveal almost nothing about it. The back is "mint" according to sources, though, it just looks white to me. Hey, mint is cool, I guess. The back is also conveniently covered at all of the spots that would reveal actual information about the phone, of course (camera, fingerprint sensor, etc.). The front, well, is a black slab with no markings and a giant chin bezel. Oh, the top left also appears to be a front camera or flash. Sources of underKG are suggesting that this phone will arrive at a still-yet-to-be-confirmed September 29 event in San Francisco, where Google is thought to unveil two new Nexus phones. And that's it!

Here is a recreation with the original Nexus 5, because why not.

The phone above of the real Nexus 5 is obviously different that the pictures of the "mint" Nexus 5X, so who knows if it's real or not.

Via: underkg

Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ Owners, Grab Your Galaxy Gifts Package

Tim — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 08:49:06 +0000

For new or soon-to-be owners of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, Samsung has a few gifts for you. As they do with most flagship devices, Samsung has curated a Galaxy Gifts package, usually packed with exclusive in-app offers and even in-game content. In this package, Samsung is offering quite a few goodies, such as a free download of ArtRage for Note 5 owners, a free in-game speedboat for Driver Speedboat Paradise, card packs in Hearthstone, free subscription to NY Times, 100GB of OneDrive storage, and much more. To access this package, you'll need to have the Galaxy Gifts app installed on your device. It should already be installed on your phone, but if not, you should be able to locate it in the Samsung Apps store. View the full list of goods below.

ArtRage - Free download (Note5 only)
Driver Speedboat Paradise - Free in-game speedboat
Empire: Four Kingdoms - Exclusive in-game gift after downloading
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft - Three free Classic card packs and a Galaxy Gifts card back
Kindle for Samsung - One free eBook every month
Komoot - Free offline maps and navigation
Lifesum - Free six-month Gold subscription (including personalized guides to dieting, exercise, and more)
NY Times – Latest News - Free six-month subscription (three months for U.S. and Canada)
OneDrive - An extra 100GB of OneDrive storage for two years
Scribd - Free three months of unlimited access
SketchBook for Galaxy - Available for free download (Note5 only)
The Economist - Free six-month trial for digital subscription
The Guardian - Ad-free subscription for six months
TripAdvisor - 15 percent off your total (up to $100) on next tour booking

Via: Samsung

AT&T Ups Throttling Limit on Unlimited Data Users to 22GB

Kellen — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 08:03:35 +0000

AT&T made a change to its unlimited data throttling policy this morning that ups the limit its legacy unlimited data users can hit before they will enforce slower data speeds. Previously, the limit was around the 5GB mark, but now unlimited data users are looking at a cool 22GB before their speeds are slowed when in congested areas. This change could have something to do with $100 million fine that the FCC slapped on AT&T for throttling its unlimited data customers or maybe they just really wanted to do something semi-nice for once. I don't know, but the change doesn't appear to be a bad one. According to the new policy, unlimited data plan customers can now use 22GB of high speed data during a billing period "before becoming subject to network management practices that might result in reduced data speeds and increased latency." See, a jump from 5GB to 22GB seems like a winning scenario. You'll notice the "might" in that statement, though. So like was the case the last time AT&T changed this policy in May, the throttling appears to only be happening when customers hit that 22GB and are in a congested area of cell traffic. Once they leave a congested cell cite, even if they are above 22GB, their speeds should/could return to normal. Also, the throttling only happens through to the next billing cycle. Going forward, AT&T will also begin notifying unlimited data users that they are approaching throttling territory once they reach 16.5GB. Here is the revised statement (we italicized all of the new stuff):

Do you have an unlimited data plan? If so, we have information to help you manage your account. To provide the best possible user experience for all of our customers, AT&T has established certain network management practices. In line with common industry standards, our network management practices assure that our network resources are used for the benefit of all our mobile broadband customers especially during periods when network demand exceeds available network resources (also known as "congestion"). As you would expect, these network management practices have continued to evolve over time to benefit our customers and take advantage of the billions we have spent to expand and augment our networks. As a result of this evolution, we recently revised our practices such that Unlimited Data Plan smartphone customers can now use 22GB of high-speed data during a billing period before becoming subject to network management practices that might result in reduced data speeds and increased latency. As always, Unlimited Data Plan smartphone customers will still have the comfort of knowing that, no matter how much data they use in a billing cycle, they will continue to pay a single monthly flat rate. That is the essential promise of the Unlimited Data Plan, and we are pleased to continue honoring that promise. Further, speed reductions will occur only when the customer is using his or her device at times and in areas where there is network congestion and only for the remainder of the current billing cycle after the customer has exceeded the 22GB data usage threshold. We will notify customers during each billing cycle when their data usage reaches 16.5GB (75% of 22GB) so they can adjust their usage to avoid network management practices that may result in slower data speeds. Reduced speeds and increased latency may cause websites to load more slowly or affect the performance of data-heavy activities such as video streaming or interactive gaming. The degree of reduced speeds and increased latency will vary depending on the amount of congestion. Congestion can start and stop over a very short time period (often measured in fractions of a second), further minimizing customer impact. Because the amount of congestion at a cell site can vary significantly, the performance impact for affected unlimited data plan customers may also vary significantly. Standard speeds and latency will resume once the cell cite is no longer congested, or the customer's data session moves to an uncongested cell site. In addition, speeds and latency will return to normal at the start of the customer's next billing cycle. Customers on tiered data or Mobile Share plans are not subject to these network management practices. Likewise, when customers are using Wi-Fi, they are not subject to these network management practices. Wi-Fi usage does not count against the customer's 22GB data usage threshold. Learn more about unlimited data plans and reduced speeds Managing your data usage is easy. Check your data usage anytime by dialing *data# from your smartphone. If you have one of our Mobile Share® plans or our tiered data plans, this information does not affect you. Learn more about our Mobile Share Value plans with Unlimited Talk and Text.

So unlimited still doesn't mean unlimited to AT&T, but 22GB is better than 5GB.

Via: AT&T

Cheers Santos!

Mid-Range HTC One A9 Reported to Launch in November, Features 5" FHD Display and Snapdragon 617

Tim — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 16:04:02 +0000

The retired leakster @evleaks is back at it, detailing specs and release information for HTC's upcoming One A9 smartphone, aka Hima Aero. The device, according to Evan, will feature a 5" FHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 13MP rear-facing camera, 4 UltraPixel front-facing camera, and metal build. Evan claims that the One A9 will hit the market sometime in November, coming 6 different colors for buyers to choose from. However, if the One A9 hits carriers, it is likely that only a few of the color options will be available to purchase. Other specifications include a 2,150mAh battery, microSD slot, and a fingerprint reader. While it is certainly no flagship device, could we see the One A9 keep HTC afloat for a bit until the next One "M" device is launched in 2016?

Via: @evleaks

OnePlus 2 Unboxing and Re-Tour...

Kellen — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:48:55 +0000

We aren't going to get into why we finally have a OnePlus 2 in house a month late, but hey, we have a OnePlus 2 in house. Good times. So yeah, we thought that a quick unboxing would get this review process kickstarted and to also show you that we haven't completely written off this phone and do plan to review it. After all, it is still important in the grand scheme of Android things for the time being. As a recap, this phone was announced back in July on a day where we spent a solid couple of hours getting to know it. It starts at $329, but most will probably fork out $389 if they decide to buy it because 64GB of storage is indeed much better than 16GB of storage. It has a 5.5-inch 1080p display, fingerprint sensor, Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB RAM (16GB model has 3GB), 13MP camera on the back, 5MP camera on the front, USB Type-C port, and a 3300mAh battery. It does not have NFC or fast charging or wireless charging or an SD card slot. You will also need an invite in order to buy one. I think it's safe to say that many of you want no part of OnePlus' 5 million person wait list for invites. The phone and the company who makes it have been surrounded by controversy for 2 years now, so this should make for an interesting review. Let's get to it.

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Reminder: Last Chance to Enter the Double Nexus Giveaway, Win a Nexus 6 and 9

Tim — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:44:52 +0000

If you have not already done so, you have one day remaining to enter the Double Nexus Giveaway over on the DL Deals Store. One winner will walk away with a brand new Nexus 6 smartphone and Nexus 9 tablet. The giveaway is completely free to enter, with all you needing to provide is an email address. To earn additional entries, you can share the giveaway on Twitter. The more people you get to enter, the more entries you receive in the drawing. Follow the link below, and best of luck. How to Win

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

Enter Here

Snapchat Brings Selfie Lenses and Paid Replays in Latest Update

Tim — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:33:35 +0000

Apparently desperate for money, Snapchat now allows you to pay real money to replay snaps received from other users. That's right! When you send those nudes, thinking they will be gone forever after viewed a single time, the recipient can now see it quite a few more times, as long as they pay for it. For 3 replays, usable on any snap received, the price is set at $0.99. 10 replays is $2.99, and 20 replays is $4.99. It would be neat if Snapchat allowed senders to select whether a snap is acceptable for replays or not, but hey, it's their service. On top of paid replays, those who get a kick out of taking selfies can enjoy new "lenses," like the one modeled above by our very own Ron Offringa. Isn't he handsome? Besides puking rainbows, there are plenty of other lenses to choose from. To use them, tap on your face while snapping a selfie and choose whichever you feel is appropriate. Go grab the update, if you dare. Play Link

Nova Launcher Beta Update Normalizes Odd Icon Sizes, Adds Marshmallow Search Bar

Kellen — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:32:38 +0000

An update rolling out now to Nova Launcher Beta attempts to make your desktops look much more uniform should you have an icon or two that stick out in weird, shapely ways. It also includes a new Marshmallow-esque grayscale search bar, incase (like most of us) you aren't a fan of that colorful disaster that Google pushed out a few weeks back. With the new "Normalize Icon Size" feature, Nova Launcher tries to make all of your icons look like they belong together by scaling down large icons to Material Design guidelines. If you are an icon addict, you can probably already visualize how useful this feature will be. As for the search bar, you can find the new grey scale option in your Desktop>Persistent Search Bar options. The beta is live now. If you aren't a part of the beta program, hit up that source link to join. What's New

4.1.0-beta1 Sept 15
Normalize Icon Size - Nova Settings - Look and Feel - Normalize icon size
Marshmallow, and Marshmallow grayscale style search bar - Nova Settings - Desktop - Persistent Search Bar, or Long-press in empty space - Widgets - Nova Launcher - Quick Search Bar
Runtime permissions on Marshmallow
Optimizations and bug fixes

Play Link

Via: Nova Launcher Beta

Report: Samsung to Launch "Foldable" Smartphone in 2016

Tim — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:12:44 +0000

According to a source on Weibo, Samsung will look to launch Project Valley, its platform for foldable smartphones, next year in January. Claimed by the source, Samsung is currently testing two models of the device, one with a Snapdragon 620 processor, and another with the top-tier Snapdragon 820 processor. Other specs could include 3GB of RAM, built-in battery (non-removable), and microSD slot. The idea of a foldable smartphone is not new, as countless design renders and concepts have been published over the years, but it has taken quite some time for display and component technology to catch up to our imagination. It is not yet known if Samsung intends to announce foldable display technology, or the device will merely feature two separate displays, attached by a type of hinge mechanism. Regardless, the idea is neat, but we have yet to see if it translates well to real-world usage. Back in June of this year, LG was showing off their bendable displays at the Society for Information Display (SID) conference in San Jose, but that technology still seemed to be in quite the early stages. January is only a few short months away, so are you interested in seeing what Samsung can cook up in their labs?

Via: G for Games | Weibo

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Spotify Running Now Available for Android Devices

Tim — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 10:48:59 +0000

Spotify's tempo-matching extension, Spotify Running, is now hitting Android devices. The Running portion of the app allows users to select a tempo for a workout/run, with Spotify creating a playlist of music to accompany you. Spotify Running will create the playlist from music you like, which it already knows thanks to your listening habits. This means you won't need to worry about Lady Gaga popping up if all you listen to is Hip Hop or Hardcore Metal. Of course, Spotify offers its own recommendations as moods, such as "Epic" and "Burn." Spotify states that the update is hitting device today, so be on the lookout for an update on Google Play. Play Link

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Via: Spotify

I've Spent a Week With the Moto X Pure: Ask Me Questions.

Kellen — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 10:33:53 +0000

The Moto X Pure Edition has been up for pre-order for a good two weeks now, but I can tell that some of you are hesitant to pull the trigger before reading more reviews, including ours. That makes complete sense, especially since you can only buy this phone for $400 (or more) yet can't actually get your hands on it ahead of time. Tough to make an investment like that in something you can't physically touch. So, because I know that you may be itching to pull the trigger, but don't want to just yet without seeing some feedback or reviews about specific topics, I thought we would open up an "ask me anything" type of session here for a couple of hours. Even though our review won't be ready until the end of this week at the earliest, I have spent the last six or so days with the phone and have a pretty good feel for it in case you are curious about anything in particular. For the next hour or two, feel free to ask Moto X Pure Edition questions and I will do my best to answer them. Ready?

Deal: Jawbone UP3 is Just $119 Today Only ($60 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 10:13:26 +0000

The Jawbone UP3 is discounted today through Amazon by $60, dropping it to just $119. That's a heck of a deal for a fitness tracker that not only looks great compared to others, but isn't a giant nuisance to your wrist as it tracks your heart rate, sleep, steps, calories, etc. I've used a handful of fitness trackers over the years and have found myself settling into Jawbone's UP line. I'm currently using an UP2, but am actually thinking of taking Amazon up on this deal because the UP3 offers heart rate tracking. Amazon Link Wondering why I have settled into Jawbone? Their software is the best. It interacts so well with third party apps like Nest, MyFitnessPal, Runkeeper, Withings, and other lifestyle or fitness services, that your life tracking almost happens automatically on their platform. Not only that, but they just added automatic sleep tracking and passive heart rate monitoring. In the end, the UP bands are also the best looking and are incredible thin when compared to Fitbit and Nike options. That's not to say that Jawbone's UP bands are perfect (they are far from it), but they seem to have the best overall package, at least to me.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 Features New X12 LTE Modem Capable of 600Mbps Download Speeds

Kellen — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 09:54:24 +0000

Along with their announcement for Quick Charge 3.0, Qualcomm also announced last night additional news related to the modem inside the new Snapdragon 820. Not only will the 820 be Qualcomm's most powerful mobile processor ever, but they put the most advanced modem they've ever designed in it. We are talking about an X12 LTE modem that is capable of producing download speeds up to 600Mbps and upload speeds around 150Mbps. This new X12 modem is 33% faster than the X10 LTE modem inside the Snapdragon 810, which makes sense since the X12 falls in the LTE Cat.12 arena, as opposed to the X10's Cat.9 capabilities. The new modem also supports 802.11ac 2x2 MU-MIMO, "which fundamentally changes how Wi-Fi works, Snapdragon 820 can support Wi-Fi speeds that are two-to-three times faster in crowded areas." It even will support 802.11ad WiFi (yes, ad is an upgrade over ac), the latest advancement in WiFi tech. Finally, the Snapdragon 820's X12 LTE modem also allows it to smartly/automatically choose between LTE and WiFi depending on signal quality and internet reachability. This is important for the future of calls, where we are seeing VoLTE and HD video calls start to work their way into mainstream carriers. The tech behind the X12 modem allows these hand-offs to happen without your calls dropping, of course. There is a whole bunch of other information related to the 820 and its new modem at the source link below. If you like to geek out on download speeds and modem hand-offs, be sure to check it out.

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Via: Qualcomm

Verizon's go90 Beta Available for Download, but Don't Bother

Tim — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 09:04:45 +0000

Verizon's go90 video streaming application, that the company has been hyping up forever, is now in the wild thanks to a beta release. The app's goal is to create a social experience around video genres, such as Sports, Comedy, News, and other various topics. However, Verizon must have forgotten there are already a ton of other services available that do the same thing. When booting up go90, you sign up (email, birthday, username, etc), select a few genres you are interested in, then to get you started, the app automatically follows people and channels you may find interesting. From what I saw, go90 is the worst kind of mix between Facebook's New Feed and the dark side of YouTube. All of the videos found on go90 could be found somewhere else, such as prank videos and sports clips, and the social aspect of the service does not seem all too inviting. The beta is downloadable by all, no Verizon account needed. While trying it out for a day may be fun, I get the sense that go90 won't be at the top of the Google Play download charts anytime soon. Try it for yourself, if you have nothing better to do. Download Link

Via: go90

Cheers Craig!

HTC Hosts a Bunch of "Hot" Deals Like 40% Off Nexus 9, 50% Off RE Camera

Kellen — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 08:11:46 +0000

For the rest of today (up until 11:59PM PT), HTC is hosting a a bunch of "Hot" deals on a handful of its products. You'll find the One M9 at 25% off, plus it still comes with a $100 Google Play credit. The Nexus 9 is 40% off, while accessories, including the RE Camera, are 50% off. Again, the deals run through tonight at 11:59PM Pacific. If you need anything, be quick about it. HTC Hot Deals Link

An Update on Activating Moto X Pure Editions at Verizon (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 07:07:32 +0000

Update: Verizon says we should be good to go. Feel free to activate on their site or head into a store.

"Moto X Pure Edition is certified and supported for activation on Verizon's network. We are working with Motorola to resolve the activation issue by Friday Sept. 18."

Qualcomm Announces Quick Charge 3.0, Grab 80% Charge in 35 Minutes

Kellen — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 20:46:35 +0000

So, you know how our favorite thing in the world right now seems to be Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0? You may remember how we told you that you could forget wireless charging because your next phone needed Turbo or Fast Charging instead. Well, we're sorry to say that we were wrong and you don't actually need Quick Charge 2.0. No, instead, you need Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0. That's right, Qualcomm has already outdone it's own brilliance with QC 2.0 and announced QC 3.0 that will be featured in its next line of Snapdragon processors, including the Snapdragon 820. So what's new in Quick Charge 3.0 that makes it better than Quick Charge 2.0? For one, it uses something called Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage (INOV), which is a "new algorithm developed by Qualcomm Technologies, designed to allow portable devices the ability to determine what power level to request at any point in time for optimum power transfer." Not impressed by that language? How does 0-80% charge in 35 minutes sound? Qualcomm also states that QC 3.0 is up to 38% more efficient than QC 2.0, but it also has "additional steps to help protect battery cycle life." QC 3.0 helps improve fast charging by up to 27% and/or reduces power dissipation by up to 45% when compared to QC 2.0 as well. Quick Charge 3.0 will be featured "as an option" on Snapdragon 820, 620, 618, 617, and 430 and will arrive in phones next year. So, 2016, your phone will have Quick Charge 3.0. Other notes:

Quick Charge 3.0 also maintains forward and backward compatibility with previous versions of Quick Charge as well as with connectors, including USB Type-C, as well as the same ultra-fast charging speed, cable independence offering OEMs several options, and UL certification to help meet quality and safety standards.
Quick Charge 3.0 is implemented with minimal changes to current designs, offering OEMs a low cost option for fast battery charging. Operators and OEMs benefit from the established Quick Charge ecosystem with over 20 OEMs already supporting Quick Charge 2.0, and over 90 available accessories. The fast charging technology is mandated by several operators with active support from other operators and retailers.
Additional improvements offered by Quick Charge 3.0 include enhanced flexibility over Quick Charge 2.0, notably in terms of charging options. While Quick Charge 2.0 offers four charging voltages at 5V, 9V, 12V and 20V, Quick Charge 3.0 provides flexibility with 200mV increments from 3.6V to 20V. This allows the phone to request just enough voltage to reach the desired charge current, resulting in minimized losses, increased efficiency, and improved thermal performance.

Pretty damn good stuff, Qualcomm.

Via: Qualcomm

This Wallpaper Pack is Hot: Plastexo

Kellen — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 15:58:56 +0000

Now that you have a new icon pack to consider, wouldn't it be great if someone gave you a wallpaper pack to go with it? Oh, well, would you look at that. Here's one! This pack is called Plastexo, and it is indeed hot. It's very minimal and flat, with some Material Design influence, but you get quite a wide range of options in it that aren't just MD abstracts. There are 110 or so 3200x2560 wallpapers that include a variety of landscapes, Lollipop classics, and even some ultra minimal hex art. The pack is entirely free, includes Muzei support, and is one of the most well-designed apps I have used in a while. Play Link

This Icon Pack is Hot: Fresh by Stealthychief

Tim — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 15:44:52 +0000

Calling all folks in need of color. While browsing Google Play, I came across an icon pack from Stealthychief, a well known designer in the Android community. The pack is called Fresh, and honestly, it's a darn good descriptor for what this pack offers to those who apply it. Coming from the stock TouchWiz icons on the Galaxy Note 5, Fresh is just what I needed to get me back into using Nova Launcher and custom icon packs. It's a breath of fresh air. The icons are filled with rich colors, offering a bit of a simplistic, almost cartoonish vibe to the overall feel of the icons. On Nova Launcher, I jacked up the size of the icons to 150%, making them big, bright, and beautiful. Thanks to their colorful nature, my home screen and app drawer have never looked so colorful and playful. Adjectives. It's hard to say exactly how many icons are available, but I found most of the ones I use on a daily basis were fully supported. Heck, there's even a dedicated DL icon. Woot! The icon pack's product page on Google Play has the developer stating "quality > quantity," meaning you can expect all following updates bringing more icons to look great. If you need a bit of color in your life, which we all do sometimes, head on over to Google Play and check out Fresh. Play Link ($0.99)

Kylie, Kendall, Khloe, and Kim Release Android Apps That Expect You to Pay $2.99 Per Month

Kellen — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 14:59:15 +0000

You didn't have to tell us - we knew you were looking for the "dopest place" to get all of your Kardashian/Jenner sister news. That place happens to be through individual apps released today by Kylie and Kendall Jenner, and Kim and Khloe Kardashian. Each sister has a brand new app on Android and iOS that will surely show you how to dress your 2 year old daughters up in $5,000 Givenchy outfits and find creepy 23-year old rappers to date your 15 year-olds. Well, not before you pay each's $2.99 per month subscription fee. There will probably be dozens of other ways to help pad the Kardashian family wallets as well, outside of the $2.99 subscription, through paid partnerships for items such as likely-unsafe drugs that you won't get full warning about until after the fact. But hey, the company who made these apps also has one for Tyler, the Creator, in case that helps. Again - free, but have monthly fees. Play Links: Kylie | Kendall | Khloe | Kim

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Tip: Check for Unclaimed Rewards in "My Account" on Google Play

Kellen — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:58:57 +0000

How often do you slideout Google Play's navigation drawer and enter the "My Account" section? I think I've done it all of once, probably when I wrote up this story. I may have done it another time or two to check on account history or to add a new payment method, but honestly, I forgot it even exists. That's too bad really, because Google is adding "Rewards" in there for promos you may have waiting for you. In the Google Play rewards section, I'm currently seeing a reminder for a free movie rental, likely because I bought a Chromecast or two at some point. Thanks, Google! A couple of us are seeing this "Rewards" section, along with this reminder to grab a free rental, but I'd imagine Google will use this section for additional goodies that you need to redeem. Since it's kind of tucked away in a place most of us rarely check, we wanted to make sure you were all aware of it. Anyone else have any rewards to claim?

Cheers Scott!

Deal: Grab 6 Months of Pandora One for $24, Down from $30

Tim — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:51:32 +0000

Don't use Spotify? Don't use Google Play Music? Don't use iTunes? That might mean you use Pandora, right? If you do, or if have always wanted to try out the the premium version of Pandora, called Pandora One, you can grab a 6-month subscription off of the DL Deals Store for just $24 - down from its usual price of $4.99/month, essentially netting you a free month of the service. Pandora's ability to play great music for you that you may not have heard before is its strong feature, in my opinion. I remember throwing Gojira on, and a whole radio station of great metal was played thereafter. With Pandora One, there are no advertisements, more daily skips (for songs you don't like), and you can use the service on any supported platform. If you need some more Pandora music in your life, check it out. Features

Enjoy your radio free of ads
Get more daily “skips”
Listen for long periods of time without timeouts
Experience premium-quality audio at 192k bits per second
Utilize on any supported device
Customize the aesthetics of your Pandora web player

Deal Link

LG is Hosting a October 1 Event to Unveil Something, Maybe a Samsung Continuum

Kellen — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:21:00 +0000

LG is sending out invites to press, this morning, to an event they are hosting on October 1 in New York City. Details or hints of what to expect at the event weren't revealed, but rumors of an LG "V10" phone with a secondary ticker display have surfaced within recent weeks and could be the focus. According to formerly retired leaker, @evleaks, the phone will sport a 5.7-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, microSD slot, 3GB RAM, 64GB storage, integrated fingerprint scanner, and some sort of odd auxiliary display. If you are thinking about Samsung's Continuum at this point, you should be. For those who don't remember the Continuum, we'll have to take you back to 2010, a time when Samsung thought people would be interested in a secondary display on their phones that could include things like notifications and stock information. It was a pretty horrible idea. Of course, it was before they figured out how to add secondary displays in a somewhat useful manner, like they have on the Note Edge and S6 Edge lines. To see LG consider the move now is a bit surprising. Secondary displays haven't proven to be any sort of a home run to this point. There are few use cases that add any sort of real value, even with Samsung's latest implementation, so I'm not sure what LG is thinking. The rest of the phone (pictured below) just sounds like a G4 with a slightly bigger display. Eh, what do you think?

Via: CNET

Deal: New Unlocked Galaxy S6 (G920i) for Just $429.99

Tim — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 10:25:10 +0000

Looking for a good deal on a Galaxy S6? Currently over on eBay, you can pick up a brand new, factory unlocked Galaxy S6 (G920i model) 32GB for just $430, available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, and Platinum Gold. This is the international unlocked model of SM-G920i and works great on either AT&T or T-Mobile. It's an unlocked GSM phone, so don’t expect it to work on Verizon or Sprint. Considering this device launched in the $700 range a few months back, saving a few hundred on a device like this is solid. Deal Link

Having Issues With Your SHIELD Pro (500GB Model) After 1.4 Update?

Tim — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 09:09:44 +0000

If you happen to be a consumer of everything NVIDIA, things may not be going too well. After a recall of nearly 90,000 SHIELD Tablets, it appears a few owners of the SHIELD Pro, the 500GB model of the SHIELD Android TV set-top box, are experiencing a severely crippling bug after installing the 1.4 update. NVIDIA notes that less than 1% of SHIELD Pro owners have been diagnosed with having a hard drive issue that can worsen over time. You will know if your SHIELD is affected if you see the fastboot menu during the update process, which is not normal. For those affected, NVIDIA is asking you to replace your SHIELD unit, with them footing the bill. Symptoms

Fastboot menu appears during Upgrade 1.4 (even if system recovers after a system reboot you should get a replacement).
Severe and persistent pixilation in all tiles of the top row of the Android TV home screen (text in tiles will be unreadable and does not become clear after a few seconds).

If you saw any of these issues when or after updating, you will need to contact NVIDIA immediately for a replacement. NVIDIA states they will work hard to get replacements out as soon as possible. Again, less than 1% of owners are affected, but you never know. If your Pro model seems fine, it's best not to worry. And for all SHIELD 16GB models, you have nothing to fear. This issue only affects the Pro model.

Via: GeForce Forums

It's Official: Verizon Approves Android 5.1 Lollipop for Moto X (1st Gen)

Kellen — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 08:57:07 +0000

Over the weekend, Motorola began a soak test of Android 5.1 Lollipop for the Moto X (1st gen) on Verizon. At the time, we told you that it could begin rolling out to non-soak testers within the week, assuming it was successful. Well, Verizon must be pleased with the Lollipop build, as they have approved the update for rollout. The update is arriving as software version 222.21.39, which is different than the version we saw hit soak testers' phones. The official changelog documents are included below, but they mention new additions like UI improvements, Android security improvements (Stagefright patch), new interruption controls, changes to volume settings, and factory reset protection. Note: Verizon tells us that the update is available via manual download. Head into Settings>About phone and pull the update if you'd like.

Because you are coming from Kit Kat, and I can't even remember what Kit Kat looked like at this point, be sure to check out the video below of the Moto X (2nd gen) getting Lollipop for the first time. It'll help you see what's new and what has changed through the jump to Lollipop.

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Via: Verizon

Moto Body Becomes Its Own App, Moto Connect Gets a Big Update

Kellen — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 08:19:27 +0000

During Motorola's presentation of the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) ahead of its IFA unveiling, the team behind the wearable stressed a new focus on health. That focus has become much clearer this morning now that Motorola has released a new Moto Body app to the Play store. With a stand-alone Moto Body app (the previous version was baked into Moto Connect), Motorola is giving you more detailed health and fitness information. The new Moto Body app tracks fitness and health goals through a Moto 360, but then displays the information in its own app interface. It tracks things like calorie burn, heart rate, and steps on daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly levels. It'll attempt to show you health trends and give you insights on improving yourself. It looks like a decent health app at first glance, though this is a crowded space at this point, with Samsung's S Health, Google Fit, and more fitness bands and companion apps available than anyone can keep track of. On a related note, Motorola also pushed out an updated Moto Connect app that has an improved UI and is now ready for the new Moto 360. It includes a couple of new "Dials" watch faces with configurable dials and the option to change the color of the dock charging color.

The updates and apps are live on Google Play. Play Links: Moto Body | Moto Connect

Probably Temporary: Verizon Unlimited Users Can Tether Out of the Box for Free With Moto X Pure

Kellen — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 07:16:17 +0000

If you picked up a Moto X Pure Edition and are using it on Verizon with your unlimited data plan, feel free to flip on the phone's WiFi Hotspot and see if tethering works. It's working on my phone. It's working for a handful of others over at XDA as well, plus a source told us it would work day 1 out of the box. And I'm talking about free WiFi Hotspot and tethering without a subscription check, not for users who pay the $29.99 per month that Verizon charges unlimited data users. Great, right? Who knows how long it will last. So far, though, we have been able to turn it on and connect to a number of devices without a hiccup. Temporary fun!

More: XDA

Cheers Jerry and C!

Verizon's Moto X (1st Gen) is Getting Lollipop...Seriously. (Updated)

Kellen — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 07:33:55 +0000

Verizon's original Moto X, a phone that is also known as the "ghost" or "phone that is never going to receive Lollipop," is about to receive Lollipop. A soak test for a new software update started last night for the device through Motorola's Feedback Network and it is indeed Android 5.1 Lollipop. A number of our readers are a part of the test and have confirmed that it is rolling out in two parts, with the second part being the more substantial 712MB file that bumps the phone to Android 5.1. The final system version is 222.26.7. There's no telling if or when this will arrive on the handsets of those not in the test, but when a test is successful, we often see them arrive publicly within a week. We'll keep you posted on status. Update: Verizon approved the update and it is ready for rollout.

Cheers K, M, P, J, J, and everyone else!

Google's Android Pay

Tim — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 19:22:18 +0000

During Episode 92 of The Droid Life Show, we will discuss Kellen's initial thoughts on the Moto X Pure Edition, Google's launch of Android Pay and what it means for your shopping habits, OnePlus continuing its trend of apologizing instead of releasing phones, and we may even have time to discuss Apple's event that took place on Wednesday. We will kick the show off live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern).

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: September 11, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:12:02 +0000

We had another great week here at DL, thanks to the arrival of the Moto X Pure Edition on our doorstep, Android Pay in our phone wallets, and Apple as comic relief of itself. Seriously, it might have been short, but it was action packed. We unboxed the Moto X Pure, tested it on a variety of networks, and had plenty of thoughts to share about it during the DL Show. Android Pay is here and available for many, just be aware that it has some new things you will have to get used to. And Apple, oh Apple. They brought us new phones and colors and pink and TV boxes and giant, massive, ridiculously oversized, iPads. It was great, all of it. Be sure to catch up if you missed anything.

WATCH: The Droid Life Show episode 92 | Subscribe.
Unboxing: Moto X Pure Edition!
SIM card fun: Project Fi and the Moto X Pure. | SIM swapping! | Verizon OKs it.
Android Pay is now available! | Wells Fargo too. | It requires a secure lock.
And this is the new Google Wallet.
Galaxy Note 5: A whole bunch of tips and tricks!
This might be a good way to test Android Wear watches.
Download: The latest OTA updates for Nexus devices. | Factory images too.
OnePlus, please stop apologizing and just do something right for once.
Is this our first look at the DROID Turbo 2?
Thoughts on the Galaxy Note 5 from Ron, the resident iPhone user.
Specs: This is how the new iPhones compare to the best of Android.
Your next phone from Samsung might have 6GB RAM.
Jawbone announced a big UP update, and a new UP2.
eBay released a brand new app on Android.
5G: Verizon is ready to start testing 5G with partners.
Q&A: Your answers from last week's questions.
NFL ELIMINATOR: JOIN NOW.

Final reminder - be sure to click the link above and join the DL Football Eliminator. You can win a free phone just by picking 17 winners in a row.

Facebook Brings News Feed Customization Options to Android (Update)

Tim — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:03:40 +0000

An update for Facebook that was originally announced in July for iOS, is set to launch on Android today and will bring updated controls over what you see on the News Feed. This is pretty important, if you are the type of person who hates seeing nothing but memes and silly videos show up at the top of the Facebook page. Now, you can customize who you see first on News Feed, reconnect with people you have unfollowed (why would I do that?), and discover new pages that likely post nothing but spam. The list of new settings can be found by clicking on the "More" option near the settings menu. Not only can you select which friends to see first on News Feed, but pages as well. You know, like Droid Life. It's always good to see what we've been posting onto Facebook. As stated, this update is was made available to iOS back in July and is now available to Android users. Play Link Edit: Post edited to clarify that these new customization features are now available on Android.

Android Pay Now Officially Supported by Wells Fargo

Tim — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:32:38 +0000

For customers of Wells Fargo who are ready to use Android Pay, today is your day. Starting now, you can upload your credit and debit card info into Android Pay, allowing you to use your smartphone to make purchases at over one million merchant locations nationwide. All transactions will be monitored by Wells Fargo's risk and fraud detection systems, meaning no matter where you spend your cash, you will be protected. In addition, Wells Fargo credit cards and debit cards are protected by "Zero Liability," which means customers are not responsible if they promptly report unauthorized transactions made. Jim Smith, head of Virtual Channels for Wells Fargo states, "We’re pleased to participate in Android Pay, increasing the availability of mobile payments to millions of Android device-loving Wells Fargo customers. This represents the latest offering in our commitment to give customers new, innovative ways to pay safely and easily, how and where they want." So, if you have not already loaded up the Android Pay apk, make sure you go ahead and do that. If you still require the Google Play Services update for your device, you will need to remain a bit patient.

Via: Wells Fargo

Deal: This ZeroLemon 30,000mAh Toughjuice Battery Pack is Just $59

Kellen — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:11:53 +0000

The ZeroLemon ToughJuice 30,000mAh battery pack is on sale in the DL Deals store right now for just $59.99. That's a good $40 off its normal $100 price. With this battery pack, you can charge devices like the iPhone 6 up to 11 times before you need to refill it. You can charge tablets at a 2.4A speed and up to four different devices at a time. It's also built like a beast with its double layer antishock softshell and hard plastic coating. The deal ends in a couple of hours, so don't hesistate. Deal Link Here are some additional details:

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

Here is a Moto X Pure Edition Running on Project Fi (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:05:21 +0000

The Moto X Pure Edition is a lot like Google's Nexus 6 in that it not only is made by Motorola, but it's an unlocked device that works on every major US carrier in the US. This is about as universal as it gets for an Android phone in terms of connectivity. With that in mind, you all know that the Nexus 6 is Google's only officially support Project Fi device, right? Well, in theory, shouldn't the Moto X Pure Edition, with its awesome network compatibility that is very similar to the Nexus 6's, technically be able to work with Google's Project Fi too? See where I'm going here? Yes, we decided to see if it would work. We took an unactivated Project Fi SIM and slapped it in a Moto X Pure Edition. Not only does it seem to be working, but I'm actually not running into any issues at all at this point. As you will see in the video below, the Moto X Pure Edition, with the Project Fi app installed, recognized the Project Fi SIM, asked if I wanted to activate it, then activated it, before letting me know that Fi would assign me a phone number over the next 10 minutes. After that happened, I have found that I can make/receive calls, use LTE data, browse the web, listen to music, and chat with the crew on Hangouts. I even placed a call with WiFi on, toggled WiFi off, and hung on to the call. I also placed a call and was able to still browse the web, showing that this phone is capable of simultaneous voice and data, in certain situations. Now, there isn't a way to tell if calls placed with WiFi connected are actual WiFi calls like you would see on the Nexus 6, so I can't confirm that you are able to make WiFi calls and go through that whole seamless hand-off that Fi enables. I also don't know if this will connect to Sprint and then switch to T-Mobile as I bounce around Portland. (Edit: At least one person had the same thought and is only seeing T-Mobile connections - no Sprint.) After all, the Nexus 6 on Project Fi does have its own special builds of Android from Google that likely allows the phone to do all of that. I do know that it will connect just fine to T-Mobile because it said it was on T-Mobile before realizing I had a Fi SIM in the phone. What I'm getting at, is that there are a lot of questions here that we just don't have official answers to at this time. We'll do what we can to test all of this stuff. And keep in mind that the Moto X Pure Edition isn't officially supported with Project Fi, so who knows if Google will continue to let this work or other phones activate or if you will see the full benefits of Fi. This post is not me saying, "Yes, the Moto X Pure Edition is supported on Project Fi and you should go try it yourself!" Still, this is quite exciting should Google say, "Yeah, that's cool. Bring your Moto X Pure Editions to Fi."

Update: Our understanding at this point, after hearing from a number of users who have been able to do pretty thorough testing, along with someone who claims to have worked on Project Fi, the phone will likely never be able to switch to Sprint then to T-Mobile and back again. In fact, it may only ever just be stuck on T-Mobile. That's too bad, but hey, it was worth a try. Still, it works just fine on T-Mobile with a Project Fi SIM in, in case you want to use the Fi app and be a part of Fi, even if it's on a half-baked level. And again, our testing was with an UNACTIVATED Project Fi SIM. We tossed it in a Moto X Pure and it activated through the app and assigned us a number, as if it was a supported phone. But clearly, not all of the features came along for the ride. Bottom line is that while you can take a Moto X Pure and activate Project Fi on the phone and in the app, you just can't get the full experience of Fi.

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SlickWraps Intros Justin Maller 'Hero' Skins for Android Devices

Tim — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:30:47 +0000

SlickWraps, the creators of fine smart device skins, has a new series of Hero skins to choose from, created by none other than Justin Maller. You have likely seen Maller's work during your time on the Internet, as our friend MKBHD tends to show off his work quite often. He specializes in sometimes triangular, bright art that transforms nicely into wallpapers and other various creations. For options, the Hero Series offers a few of the more well-known superhero characters, such as Captain America, Batman, Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor. These skins are available for devices such as the Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, iPhone, One M9, Nexus 6, and many more. You can even purchase the skins for your gaming console or laptop. Each skin appears to be priced at $25, and who knows much or if any portion of that needs to go to DC or Marvel. But regardless of that, SlickWraps skins are always quite nice, at least when we tried them, and there's nothing like decking your phone out in Iron Man skins. Check it out. SlickWraps Link

Lumoid Lets You Test a Pack of Android Wear Devices for $25

Tim — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 10:24:07 +0000

A smartwatch can be an expensive investment, one that you may not be too sure about quite yet, especially when you don't have the opportunity to try it out before you purchase. Thanks to Lumoid, that all changes, as they have a system that allows you to try basically any Android Wear device for a 2-week period, then send it back if you don't want to keep it. Lumoid allows you to select up to 4 smartwatches to try out during a 2-week period, and the only cost is $25. If you decide to keep one of the watches, that $25 goes toward your smartwatch purchase, essentially making your 2-week trial period free of charge. Just be sure to send back the watches you do not wish to keep. If you end up not keeping any of the devices, the $25 is kept by Lumoid as a "trial fee." As for Lumoid's smartwatch selection to choose from, it could use some updating. During IFA, we saw a ton of new Android Wear devices launched, so it will take time for Lumoid to stock up on all of the latest hardware available. For now, you can try out an ASUS ZenWatch, Moto 360 (1st Gen), LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live, and even a Pebble. Basically, this would be a good test period for Android Wear in general, not necessarily the hardware, since I would not recommend most of these devices to potential buyers. When and if Lumoid begins to offer the next-gen Android Wear products, then it will become a very powerful service. Below, check out the complete little breakdown of how it works, then check out their website if you are interested in test driving a few Android Wear products. How it works:

Pick out whichever 5 wearables you’d like to try - options for Android users include Pebble, ASUS ZenWatch, LG G Watch, Moto 360, Samsung Gear Live and more.
Input your shipping address (can be your home, hotel, or pretty much anywhere in the U.S.) and place your order. The cost to try out 5 wearables for 2 weeks is $25.
Lumoid ships you your items through UPS or FedEx and sends you tracking info.
Once your items arrive, open the box and enjoy!

Via: Lumoid

Periscope Brings Landscape Mode Support to Streamers

Tim — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 08:55:42 +0000

Periscope, the Twitter-developed app that allows users to livestream events to anyone on Twitter, has a fancy new mode for people to play with. Before this update, users were forced to stream in Portrait mode, but now, Landscape support is available. In addition to a new orientation to tryout, users who stream privately can now cast to mutual parties. This means that instead of streaming to the whole world, you can stream to only those who follow you and that you follow back. This will allow for a more engaging stream. If you ever want to get some free baseball cards, check me out. What's New

Landscape: When a broadcaster holds their phone in landscape, the video will now be oriented properly for all viewers. Viewers can continue holding their device in portrait, or match the broadcaster's orientation to maintain full screen video. Either way, you'll never need to watch sideways video again!
Broadcast to Mutuals: Now when you select a Private Broadcast, you are presented with your followers that you also follow back.

Play Link

Video: SIM Swapping on the Moto X Pure Edition

Kellen — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 16:32:13 +0000

How easy is it to get your new Moto X Pure Edition up and running on your carrier of choice? As easy as swapping in a nano SIM from that carrier. Have activated service on AT&T? Just put your SIM in. Same thing with Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, or a variety of prepaid carriers. Remember, the phone is fully unlocked with supported bands for all of the major US carriers, so it should just work out of the box. Because we wanted to show how easy it is to get your new Moto X Pure Edition working with your carrier of choice, we put together this quick video of a SIM swap from no SIM to AT&T to Verizon within a matter of minutes. It's amazing how quickly you can get from one network to another with this phone. That's actually one of the biggest selling points for Motorola with this phone. Since they aren't selling it through carriers, they can sell it directly to you and tell you to go with the carrier you want. There aren't any tricks or gimmicks - you buy the phone and then decide where you want to take it. You guys know how big we are into unlocked phones. If not, read this post I ran earlier this year on why I will forever buy them to catch up on the benefits. With Motorola giving you a flagship-level phone at just $399 that works everywhere, I get the feeling that more and more of you are going to start going this route. A few years ago, I would have laughed at you if you told me Motorola or another major phone manufacturer was going to make a phone at $400 that I could use on AT&T and Verizon and T-Mobile and Sprint. Oh how far we have come. Anyways, enjoy the video and your new Moto X Pure Edition.

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Where is the Moto X Pure Edition SD Card Slot? In the SIM Tray.

Kellen — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 16:02:25 +0000

One of the most important features of the Moto X Pure Edition for many is the inclusion of a microSD card slot by Motorola. I wouldn't be shocked if a majority of buyers went for the $399 16GB model since you can slap in a 128GB microSD card and have all of the storage a smartphone user ever dreamed of. That's a big deal not only because it reduces the price you may have to spend on the phone, but it also fills a gap left by Samsung after they ditched microSD cards in this year's line-up of Galaxy phones. With that in mind, assuming a number of you pick up the Moto X Pure Edition, you may be wondering where the SD card slot is. Since it's not in a typical side slot, we thought we should make sure you all knew ahead of your phone arriving. So where is the Moto X Pure Edition SD card slot? It's in the SIM tray, believe it or not. The nano SIM tray in this phone actually doubles as a microSD card holder. On one side (which is clearly marked), you get to put in a microSD card up to 128GB, and the other side you get to put in your nano SIM of choice. To see the SIM tray in live action, be on the lookout for a SIM swapping video we have on the way.

Deals: BKHC Sport Bluetooth and SoundBot Sport Earbuds Starting at $20

Tim — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 15:53:38 +0000

In the market for a set of new earbuds, perfect for taking on a run or hitting the gym? On the DL Deals Store, there are two pairs worth noting, the BKHC Sport Bluetooth Earbuds and the SoundBot Sport Bluetooth Earbuds. Each would be a solid companion for your workout, featuring water resistance and simplistic designs that won't get tangled on you. The SoundBot Sport buds feature HD sound, ergonomic ear tips for in-ear comfort, easy controls with voice prompt technology, as well as the ability to connect the buds to two devices at once via Bluetooth. Priced at $29.99, this set of earbuds features free shipping. Features

Enjoy a pristine listening experience w/ HD sound
Make & take calls w/ the built-in mic
Wear comfortably thanks to the ergonomic ear tips
Take advantage of mobility during physical activities
Easily control w/ voice prompt technology
Use in-line control buttons for hands-free talking, volume adjustments, etc.
Shut out distractions w/ noise reduction technology
Connect to two Bluetooth devices at once

Deal Link

BKHC Sport Bluetooth Earbuds (Blue and Black)

The BKHC Sport Earbuds feature "top-notch" sound quality, ambient noise reduction, snugly fitting rubber ear tips, ear stabilizers, built-in microphone, and a tangle-proof design for folks who get easily frustrated with cords.

Priced at just $19.99, this set of earbuds also features free shipping, keep your out of pocket cost very low.

Features

Wirelessly stream music from your device
Enjoy top-notch sound quality
Easily operate the simple multimedia controls
Use anywhere: on the go, in the gym, etc.
Eliminate distractions w/ ambient noise reduction
Wear securely w/ snugly fitting rubber eartips & ear stabilizers
Make & take calls w/ the built-in microphone
Enjoy the convenience of tangle-proof wires

Deal Link

SHIELD Tablet Update Brings Patch for Stagefright and Performance Improvements

Tim — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 14:53:02 +0000

An update to version 3.1.1 for SHIELD Tablet is now available to owners, including a patch for the Stagefright exploit. Also included are system-wide optimizations and fixes, in addition to "stability and performance improvements." Overall, after the update, your SHIELD Tablet should feel mighty strong. For those who own the SHIELD Controller along with the SHIELD Tablet, an update for the Controller's firmware is also available, which you will be prompted to install once you connect the Controller to the SHIELD Tablet. View the full changelog below, then go grab that update. What's New

Security patch for Stagefright
Stability and performance improvements
System wide optimizations and fixes, including battery performance and Netflix playback
SHIELD Wireless Controller Firmware update

Via: NVIDIA

Android Pay Requires You to Enable a Secure Lock Screen

Kellen — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 14:45:10 +0000

Just a quick heads-up, but with Android Pay, things have changed a bit on a security level when compared to Google Wallet. With Android Pay, Google is now requiring that you have a secure lock screen setup in order to use the mobile payment service. While this is not a dealbreaker or a massive inconvenience for the most part (because security is a good thing), it is something to be aware of. If you are the type to go with a swipe unlock instead of a PIN, password, or pattern, this will be a change that you will have to get used to. For those with a fingerprint sensor enabled as your secure lock option, we think you are in the clear, though the pop-up message you are seeing at the top of this post doesn't mention that as an option. For those without a fingerprint sensor in their phone (like the Moto X Pure Edition), you are stuck with the PIN, password, or pattern options. Edit: If you are like me, and aren't exactly a fan of PIN, pattern, or password locks, consider setting the auto-lock timer to 30 minutes or so and also turn off the button to auto-lock with power button press. (Also, I'm looking into how this all works with Smart Lock or trusted devices.) Edit 2: Yep, Smart Lock or trusted devices works just fine. As you can see in the image above, Google is also taking this requirement seriously, saying that they will wipe your Android Pay account of all cards if you try and sign-in but don't setup a secure lock screen. Well, then. We'll have more on Android Pay shortly. If you want to download Android Pay, you can do so here.

Download: LMY48M, LYZ28K, LVY48F OTA Updates for Nexus Devices (Updated)

Tim — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 13:38:28 +0000

Over-the-air (OTA) zip download links to LMY48M for Nexus devices are hitting the web, in case you don't want to mess with flashing factory images, wiping all of your data in the process. For now, we have links to the update for the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi, with more sure to be on the way shortly. As we continue to receive new file URLs that are direct downloads from Google, we will continue to update this post.

Download LMY48M OTA .zips:

Nexus 4 – [LMY48M from LMY48I, 7.6MB] – Download Link
Nexus 5 - [LMY48M from LMY48I, 16.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 - [LMY48M from LMY48I, 26.8MB] - Download Link (Cheers David!)
Nexus 6 (T-Mobile only) - [LYZ28K from LYZ28J, 28.9MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 (Project Fi only) - [LVY48F from LVY48E, 29.1MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi – [LMY48M from LMY48I, 13.8MB] – Download Link
Nexus 9 WiFi - [LMY48M from LMY48I, 27.4MB] - Download Link
Nexus 10 - [LMY48M from LMY48I, 7.1MB] - 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. Update 9/11: Added Nexus 6 regular and T-Mobile. Update 9/14: Added Nexus 6 Project Fi and Nexus 9 WiFi. Update 9/15 - Added Nexus 10.

Moto X Pure Edition Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 13:05:54 +0000

The Moto X Pure Edition is here! The excitement is needed because this is the 3rd generation of a phone that we called the phone of the year in both 2013 and 2014. Or maybe better put, this pone has some big shoes to fill. With a Moto Maker designed Moto X Pure Edition (MXPE) in house, we thought we would kick off our coverage as we always do, with a quick unboxing. In this quick video, you'll see some initial reactions, even though this is the 3rd time I've had the phone in hand, the fact that Motorola tossed in a Turbo Charger and free bumper case, both of which do not seem to be affecting the still-rock-bottom price, and another run-through of specs. If you were looking for an immediate verdict, I obviously don't have one. But man, this phone feels great in hand, just like the two generations of Moto X before it. Sure, it's huge - like, really huge - but isn't everything these days? Over the next week or so, this will be the full time device in my pocket, so expect a review shortly. Until then, here is out Moto X Pure Edition unboxing!

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Star Wars: Uprising Hits Google Play, Takes Place Between Episode VI and The Force Awakens

Tim — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 12:34:39 +0000

Kabam's Star Wars: Uprising game officially hit Google Play, an online RPG experience that allows you to build you very own character in the Star Wars universe. Set between Episode VI and The Force Awakens, players team up to take on the Empire in massive Sector Battles. Missions take place on known locations, such as Hoth and Cloud City, where you and your squad battle opponents and take on monster bosses. Each character you create has an open skill set, meaning you can customize them however you see fit. For fans of Star Wars, who have a bit of time to spare to dedicate to the game, it's a must have. The app is free to download, but IAPs are available inside for boosting up. Play Link

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OnePlus, Stop Apologizing, and Just Make Your Phone Available

Tim — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 11:05:35 +0000

To begin, I would like to share a quote, first spoken by Lao Tzu. "The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long." To me, these few words speak volumes with regard to the way new companies on the block market themselves. Everything is "hype" this and "never settle" that. The fact of the matter is, getting people excited for an unreleased product is incredibly easy. Yell out a few top-tier specs, then slap on an affordable price and boom, now you have the entire Android community praising you. But then you make the most incredibly poor decisions with marketing, such as a "sexist" contest, destroying perfectly good phones when they should be donated to those in need, and most importantly, not delivering on what you promised for a second year in a row. If you need me to connect the dots for you, I'm talking about OnePlus. Today, the company issued a formal apology on its forum claiming, "We messed up the launch of the OnePlus 2." Well, duh, OnePlus. Before any drama began, the company stated that it would be "30-50x easier to get invites," and frankly, it's pretty easy to call bullsh*t on that. Don't get me wrong, making and shipping a smartphone is not easy, especially when a company relies heavily on partners to meet demand, as well as keep the quality of a product up to meet expectations of consumers.

We messed up the launch of the OnePlus 2. Well, we messed up the launch of the OnePlus One as well. Although inventory levels ramped up eventually, months after the announcement, it was still extremely difficult to buy the device. We comforted ourselves to the fact that we were young, and that we’d learn and show the world we could do better next time around.

The OnePlus 2 first "went on sale" back in early August, and now with invites rolling out slower than ever thanks to a handful of janky USB Type-C ports that the company is working to fix, the list of people waiting for an invite to purchase the device has hit 5 million+. That's a lot of people waiting for an invite to purchase a phone. In my mind, a large portion of this issue could be solved if OnePlus would stop making promises and claiming that they are ramping up invite rollouts, only to later come back and apologize that they screwed up. Last year, OnePlus eventually made the original One available, and everyone seemed happy. Did they not learn a single thing? People don't want apologies, they want results. They want a phone in their hands the day you say it is up for sale. Being put on a 5 million+ invite list, with no idea when or if you will ever see a phone does not cut it, especially in the Android market where a new flagship device is launched every couple of months. And with the holiday season coming, there are now more phones to choose from than ever - even ones that can compete with the OnePlus 2's price. To make up for this blunder, OnePlus is hosting an hour long, no invite required sales event. That's right, no invite required to purchase the OnePlus 2 for a single hour. Single. F*cking. Hour. They have not given out the date or time yet, or how many phones will be available for purchase, but would anyone here like to bet on that site completely crashing within the first 10 seconds and everyone walking away disappointed? Or maybe, everyone is so turned off by OnePlus now that no one will even want the device, going with a phone they can have in their hands today instead, such as the Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 5, or even customizing and pre-ordering a Moto X Pure Edition. No consumer has to put up with these shenanigans, especially with so many other options to choose from. I am only speaking as a fellow consumer, someone who enjoys smartphones as much as you do. I think it is big of OnePlus to apologize, even if it is multiple times, but at this point, just shut up and work on making your phone available for those of us who still want it.

Via: OnePlus [2]

Video Calling Updates Arrive for T-Mobile Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, Note 5, and Edge+

Kellen — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 10:09:19 +0000

T-Mobile is pushing a bunch of updates to its current Galaxy line-up that either include Video Calling for the first time or UI updates for a previous Video Calling releases. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are getting T-Mobile's new Video Calling for the first time, along with Advanced Messaging, Google Wallet (weird), Dropbox (weird too), and a "Work Profile/Device Owner" feature. The Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+, on the other hand, are getting minor UI tweaks to Video Calling. The updates are all still Android 5.1.1. If you own any of these phones, here are the software builds after the update:

Galaxy S6 - G920TUVU2DOH6
Galaxy S6 Edge - G925TUVU2DOH6
Galaxy Note 5 - N920TUVU1BOH6
Galaxy S6 Edge+ - G928TUVU1BOH6

To grab updates, head into Settings>About device.

Via: T-Mobile [2] [3] [4]

Pokémon GO, Developed by Niantic Labs and Nintendo, Set to Launch in 2016

Tim — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 09:00:48 +0000

Announced this morning, possibly the largest mobile gaming announcement in Android and iOS history, Niantic Labs (now independent from Google) is teaming up with the Pokémon Company and Nintendo to create Pokémon GO. Think Ingress, but instead of capturing portals and being super nerdy, you are going outside and catching Pokémon, then battling them against fellow players. To play, you simply open up your Pokémon GO application and hunt Pokémon in your area. Using Pokéballs, you capture the creatures, and can then trade them and battle them with anyone in the area. Much like Ingress, the game relies on people actually doing a bit of work running around and doing things outside. Sadly, the game won't launch for iOS or Android until 2016, so we have a ways to go. However, it is stated in the press release that the game will be completely free to play. Below, view the greatest trailer for anything Pokémon related ever, ever. My favorite part is when Mewtwo just starts beating the sh*t out of everyone's pet Pokémon, but then, of course, they win in the end. So flippin' adorable. As soon as this game hits Google Play (in 2016), we will let you know, and then I will see you out in the streets collecting Pokémon.

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Pokémon GO Allows Players to Catch ‘em All in the Real World

Pokémon, Niantic, and Nintendo Collaborating on New Mobile Pokémon Game Slated for Launch in 2016

TOKYO, JAPAN—September 10, 2015—The Pokémon Company, Niantic, Inc., and Nintendo Co., Ltd. today announced their collaboration on a new project for mobile devices called Pokémon GO. This ground breaking mobile game will encourage fans to search far and wide in the real world to discover Pokémon. Pokémon GO will be available for download at no charge on the App Store and Google Play in 2016.

In the past, the Pokémon video game series has used real world locations like the Hokkaido and Kanto regions of Japan, as well as New York and Paris, as inspiration for its fantasy settings. In Pokémon GO, players will be able to catch, trade, and battle in the real world by utilizing location information. Pokémon GO’s gameplay experience goes beyond what appears on screen as players explore their neighborhoods, communities and the world they live in to discover Pokémon alongside friends and other players. Junichi Masuda, game director of the Pokémon video game series at GAME FREAK inc. will be contributing to the project. His involvement will ensure that the fun of Pokémon makes its way into Pokémon GO, while developing new types of gameplay and thinking of ways to connect this project with the main series of Pokémon video games. In-app purchases will be available in Pokémon GO.

“Our challenge was to develop a great game for smart phone devices that expressed the core values of Pokémon,” said Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokémon Company. “Pokémon GO is the answer to that challenge.”

“Pokémon GO is a wonderful combination of Niantic’s real world gaming platform and one of the most beloved franchises in popular culture,” said John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic, Inc. “Our partnership with The Pokémon Company and Nintendo is an exciting step forward in real-world gaming and using technology to help players discover the world and people around them.”

Players will be able to enhance their Pokémon GO experience even when they are looking away from their smartphones by using a unique device called Pokémon GO Plus. By pressing a button on Pokémon GO Plus, simple in-game actions like catching a Pokémon can be performed. Developed and manufactured by Nintendo Co., Ltd., Pokémon GO Plus will connect to smartphones via Bluetooth and by flashing and vibrating, will notify players about events like the appearance of a Pokémon nearby.

Pokémon GO is being developed by Niantic, Inc. Originally founded by Google Earth co-creator John Hanke as a start-up within Google, Niantic is known for creating Ingress, the augmented reality mobile game which utilizes GPS technology to fuel a sci-fi story encompassing the entire world. Ingress currently has 12 million downloads worldwide.

Android Pay Launches Today! (Updated: APK)

Kellen — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 08:48:48 +0000

Google announced moments ago that the rollout of Android Pay on Android begins today. We thought today might be the day, after seeing the new Google Wallet app last night, but yep, it's now official. Like the old Google Wallet, Android Pay (which will replace your Google Wallet app) works with any NFC-enabled Android device running Android 4.4+. Sorry, OnePlus 2 owners. Android Pay supports credit and debit cards from American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. Citi and Wells Fargo will be available "in the next few days," while Capitol One is "coming soon." At launch, companies like American Eagle, Macy's, Pepsi, Subway, Staples, Whole Foods, and Bloomingdales are all outfitted with NFC-ready terminals. Well, they have been for some time, but now you are paying with Android Pay instead of Google Wallet. The update starts rolling out today to Google Wallet users, so be on the lookout for an update. Update: The .apk file has been added below for those who want to sideload. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Via: Android Blog

This Could be Our First Look at the DROID Turbo 2

Kellen — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 08:30:57 +0000

Last week, we caught wind of a new Motorola device called the Moto X Force that was said to be on its way to the US as a new DROID Turbo 2. This week, @upleaks posted a photo of this alleged device, DROID branding included. The famed leaker also mentioned that it's coming to Verizon exclusively - no shocker there. From the picture, we can see "DROID" branding at the bottom of its backside, similarly to where it was placed on last year's DROID Turbo. We are also getting a triangular pattern like the one found on a leaked DROID from earlier this year. On the front, we have some sort of odd speaker arrangement towards the bottom of the device, along with a big ol' Verizon check (branding!). Up top, there are either two cameras on the front of this phone, or this is a fake image, or Motorola is doing some weird sensor things that are behind anything our mind can comprehend at the moment. And that's really all that is new. Remember, @upleaks previously said that this phone was "shatterproof." Whatever that means. Thoughts?

Via: @upleaks

Google Just Released a New Google Wallet App... (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 16:19:12 +0000

So Google just released a new Google Wallet app through Google Play, except there is something odd going on here. This isn't an update to your current Google Wallet app. Instead, it's a brand new app with a brand new UI. Does that mean an update to the old Google Wallet app that will turn it into Android Pay is incoming? Maybe. You can install it at the link below. Update: OK, so here is the deal from what we can tell. This is the new Google Wallet app that will be used to either send money with or for use with the Wallet Card (Remember that thing?). Android Pay, as described at this FAQ page that just popped up in the old Google Wallet, is just the secure way to pay in stores, at terminals, etc. like you used to do with Google Wallet. Android Pay will take over the old Google Wallet app through a soon-to-be-released update. Update 2: Here is Google's announcement for the new Wallet app. This new app is quite slick. From the quick ways to initiate payments between friends, to its control over the Wallet Card, it's well done. With that said, bring on Android Pay. Play Link

Case Makers are Spamming Amazon With Nexus 5 (2015) Renders That May or May Not be Legit

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 15:56:18 +0000

Since we are potentially getting close to the launch of new Nexus phones, case makers are doing that thing where they start pre-selling cases for yet-to-be-announced phones to generate buzz, get their name out there, and hopefully sell a bunch of cases to suckers. But not only that, they are doing that thing where they supposedly reveal the phone's design before its creator can. Like, check out the image above from casemaker Ringke, who is claiming that this is what the new Nexus 5 (2015) (or Nexus 5x or 2nd gen, or whatever the hell the internet is calling it) will look like. They aren't even holding back either. The renders inside these cases look like previous leaks, with cameras, flashes, and fingerprint sensors all in specific spots we have seen before. We have USB Type-C ports and nipple humps and buttons in all the right places. We have dual front-facing stereo speakers too! Looking good, renders! Oh, but we also have one with massive bezels and a Lollipop screen, which you know, makes a lot of sense since this phone will launch with Android Marshmallow... One of the renders from a different manufacturer has a completely different front, with slimmer bezels and super skinny speakers. It looks all sorts of not-a-chance-in-hell-of-being-real. So yeah, this is grain of salt stuff, folks. Not #salty, like Apple fankids think Android users are about Apple stuff, but grain of salt as in believe as much as you want and don't be sad if it's not 100% accurate because these case makers just want your money now and are playing about as clean as A-Rod after a "rejuvenation" day trip to Biogenesis. Amazon Link [2] [3]

Cheers Raj!

Deal: Ready Your Marshmallow Development Skills With This Course for $25

Tim — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 15:50:29 +0000

For all of you developers and soon-to-be developers out there, it's time to brush up on your Android 6.0 Marshmallow development skills. On the DL Deals Store, you can grab the Android Marshmallow Mobile Developer Course, down from its list price of $199, priced at just $25. With the course, you will be taught app coding for Marshmallow on smartphones using Java, featuring over 93 lectures and 14.5 hours of content. During this process, you will go over learning to use Google's main APIs for app creation, coding in Java from scratch, understanding the Wearable API, and much more. If developing is your thing, go check it out. Features

Code Android M phone & smart watch apps using Java w/ over 93 lectures & 14.5 hours of content
Learn to use Google’s main API’s when making Android apps
Understand the Wearable API to create apps for wearables
Learn to code in Java from scratch
Build five varied apps—from a weather app to a unit convertor
Navigate the process of publishing apps

Deal Link

Verizon Will Allow You to Activate the Moto X Pure Edition

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 14:30:30 +0000

You know how users initially reported all sorts of issues activating the Nexus 7 (2013) LTE and the Nexus 6 on Verizon shortly after they each launched, even though each device was technically fully capable of attaching to Verizon's network? That whole situation stemmed from Verizon not having certified those devices at the time of the attempted activations. Since they weren't certified, and likely not in Verizon's systems, they couldn't be activated, thus creating the issues. We walked you through all sorts of work-arounds, but it was still a problem. With the Moto X Pure Edition and its fully unlocked self arriving on doorsteps of many this week, we reached out to Verizon to see if customers would run into similar issues. According to Verizon, "customers who purchase the Moto X Pure Edition from Motorola will be able to activate it fine on our network." You heard it here first - the Moto X Pure Edition shouldn't have any issues being activated on Verizon's network. If you are activating a new line with Verizon or signing-up for new service, you should be able to head into a Verizon store and have your brand new Moto X Pure Edition activated like any other phone. Now, if you already have Verizon service and a nano SIM, all of this doesn't really matter to you. With an active line and compatible nano SIM, you can just swap the SIM from your current phone into the new Moto X Pure Edition and move about your day. We should have our Moto X Pure Edition tomorrow and will be sure to test as many networks as possible, including Verizon's. While we are running through that process, be sure to let us know if you run into any issues.

Thoughts on the Galaxy Note 5 from an iPhone User [Opinion]

Ron — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:50:17 +0000

Late last year I was sitting in my car playing with my tiny iPhone 5c. I had just finished reviewing the Sony Z3v and it dawned on me. I missed Android. I started messaging with everyone at Droid Life and within a few minutes I decided I was going to switch to Android. I have an upgrade coming up in October so I figured I would upgrade to the Note 5 since it would be the latest phone out then. Then I got to spend some time with the Galaxy S6. It was a great phone with some shortcomings, but surely the Note 5 would be the phone for me. More time passed and I continued to evaluate. Would the Note 5 meet my needs? Can I live with a more advanced OS that doesn't get apps or updates first? Can I give up iMessage for SMS? I had lots of questions and few answers. Read on to get my impressions of the Galaxy Note 5 and what I decided.

The Good

S Pen I don't think I need a phone with a stylus, but whenever I used it I enjoyed it. Most of the time I used it just to mess around or as a workaround for the lack of a TweetShot app for Android. Right before we recorded an episode a podcast I co-host I needed to jot down some questions. I immediately went for the S Pen, opened S Note and started scribbling. Could I have just typed the questions? Sure, but I'm about as fast on a tiny keyboard as I am handwriting nowadays and it worked perfectly. So again, while the S Pen is far from essential in my book, like NFC it can be a cool tool to use when appropriate. The Rear Camera Samsung has been putting out phones with stunning cameras for several generations now and this is no exception. While the shots are sometimes a little too low in contrast that's nothing a little editing can't fix. Overall the Note 5 has an incredible camera that launches quickly and takes great pictures with little effort. That's all I need. Display The display on the Note 5 is amazing. It has incredible brightness levels that make it usable in all but the brightest direct sunlight and it also gets incredibly dark for those low light situations like getting some reading done while your child sleeps next to you. The only downside to this display is that the colors were sometimes too vivid for my eyes, leading me to choose a more muted wallpaper. Performance The Note 5 never stuttered or hiccuped for me once. Maybe it's the processor. Maybe it's the RAM. Maybe it's the toned down TouchWiz. Maybe it's Maybelline. Whatever it is, it's working. This phone flies with everything you throw at it. S Health I think MyFitnessPal is a better app overall, but S Health is incredible as a built-in fitness app, especially when compared to Apple Health. With S Health you can count your calories, track your steps, check your heart rate, track and log exercise, and more. There are better apps out there with more restaurants for calorie counting, but if you just need the basics for watching what you eat and exercising S Health works great. The only thing I dislike is when I'm going for a run and I'm at the last bit and the phone says, "Almost there. You can do it" in the most monotone, robotic voice possible. If you're going to throw in an encouragement like that record it with some inflection!

Somewhere in the Middle

Big Phones Still Have Big Problems I've actually been really happy with the size and feel of the Note 5. I even went running with it regularly with the Note in one hand and my dog's leash in the other. The problem I have is that most of Android is still designed to have a lot of the UI on the top of the display, which is unreachable for normal people with a phone this big, never mind with something like the Nexus 6. As I've been using the Note 5 and trying to reach taller areas with one hand I've wished not only that apps would start moving UI elements to the bottom of the screen, but also that things like notifications would sit there too. I'm using Nova Launcher so I'm able to set the notification tray to come down with a swipe down on my home screen, but when I'm within apps I'm stuck doing dangerous shimmies or using two hands. Matias Duarte has continued to pull over more and more bits of webOS during his tenure at Google; why not bring over webOS notifications too? On the Pre they made sense because the top of the phone was harder to reach with the keyboard extended; we have the same problem today, but no one has done anything to solve it. I don’t think big phones are going to go away, so it would be nice if Android as a whole moved towards making these giant phones easier to wield. Design The Note 5 is a big phone, but the curved back makes holding the device not only enjoyable, but less of a nuisance. I wish Samsung would have kept the slight curve they included on the front of the S6 (and even enhanced it a bit), because without it the Note 5 looks like every other Samsung phone before it. I also wish Samsung would have used a recessed speaker grill like Sony has done in the past instead of the flashy silver grill. The metal trim around the edges is nice and gives the phone just enough grip. The camera protrudes just a bit from the back of the shell, but not enough to make the phone easy to wobble when placed on a table. It's a good design, but it's nothing amazing. I'd love to see Samsung step this up even more, specifically with the face of the device. The Front Camera The front camera on a phone is becoming increasingly important. Most of the time I think it takes a nice shot, but especially in low light I feel like it is doing too much processing or something. Details often look soft like the 'beauty' feature got stuck on max. In great light it works great, but otherwise it's just ok. Fingerprint Scanner and Home Button The fingerprint scanner works most of the time, but it's been a mixed experience for me. First of all, it's a rounded rectangle which makes it harder to place my whole thumb or finger over it at certain angles, leading to me having to re-scan my thumb far more often than I have to do on my wife's iPhone 6. The button is also placed very closely to the bottom of the display, which has led to errant presses far more than I have on the Moto X with its software buttons. I get why Samsung is still using physical buttons like this and I think fingerprint scanners are a must-have for any flagship, but I think a little more space between the button and the screen would help. Android Apps There have been plenty of think pieces about the differences between Android and iOS apps. Heck, I've written several of them, but with the Galaxy Note 5 so many of my hunches and feelings have been solidified. To be clear, most apps work just as well as their iOS counterparts, but there are some that have strange behaviors that seem inexcusable in 2015. For example, I love reading comics in Marvel Unlimited, but the transitions between pages are jarring. When I swipe between pages the motion is smooth as I touch the screen, but as soon as I let go it jumps to the next page instead of completing the smooth transition. Is that so terrible that I just can't use the app? No, but it's the kind of detail that matters in an app where one thing I'll definitely be doing often is swiping between pages. This isn't an Android problem, either. Comixology, for example, scrolls totally normally between pages. Marvel has just decided that its Android users don't deserve as good an experience as their iOS users. It isn't just Marvel Unlimited, either. Many Android apps are still second to get features that premier on their iOS counterparts. Again, for most users this isn't a deal breaker, but it doesn't make me want to jump ship to Android when it's been demonstrated time and time again that many (not all) developers consider it a second class platform. If you’re already on Android then this isn’t a new problem, but as a potential returner to Android this was a big hurdle.

The Not So Good

Volume Level Warning I complained about this in my thoughts on the Galaxy S6 and I still found it to be a maddening issue with the Note 5. When you plug in headphones and adjust the volume it sometimes warns you about excessive volume levels. I get having that warning, but the reality is the software has no idea what the levels of the media are that I'm listening to. The warning actually didn't do it the first time I went above volume it deems safe, but it popped up within a day or two. Then it went away for a few days and then it came back up on top of the notification screen. After that I never saw it again. Again, I get why this is there, but it really isn't helpful or accurate. Volume Level Consistency This is another complaint that I mentioned with this S6. I'll be listening to a podcast or music and then need to pull my headphones our tape adapter out of the phone momentarily. When I plug the headphones in again, even if it's only been one second, the volume level has dropped. I imagine this is part of Samsung's well meaning safe volume level campaign, but if I set the volume to a certain level I don't want it reset when I plug my headphones back in. On iOS the volume level stays the same (it is separately saved for with headphones and without, though, which is nice) no matter how many times I plug or unplug headphones; Android should do the same. I also had a weird issue on two runs while I was listening to music. It was fine for the whole run and then when I got to a certain location at the last bit the volume would dip and then soar back and forth which was annoying and painful. I've never had that issue with my iPhone using the same wired headphones and I have no idea what caused it, but it happened twice at the same place. Media Playback Controls on Headphones Another repeat, but absolutely worth repeating. On iOS if I triple tap the mic button it goes back a track. If I double tap and hold it fast forwards; triple tap and hold it rewinds. I'd love to have those controls built into Android. It makes controlling media while driving so much easier. Location, Location, Location... Location. Location. The Galaxy S6 had a bug where it would display a "Location Found" notification far too often. When I was using the device it was new so I figured they would fix the problem with a software update in the future. The Galaxy Note 5 has the exact same problem. Most of the time it pops up and goes away and it isn't an issue, but on one afternoon it popped up over and over and over again for a good two hours, making notifications inaccessible and unusable. The only option that I can find to fix this problem is to disable location altogether, but I'd really rather just disable the notification. I'm glad it found me, but I don't need to know every 2 seconds. Battery-life.com The battery life on the Note 5 is about as good as it was on the Galaxy S6 in my experience. That means with heavy usage I'm charging in the afternoon to get through the rest of the day. I sort of understood that with the Galaxy S6 even though it was bigger than my two year old iPhone 5c that did about as well, but the Note 5 has no excuse. This thing is massive - where's my massive battery? My worst day with the Note 5 should have been my best day. On my way out to church I listened to music and then the phone sat in my pocket for the next few hours unused while I helped set up the stage, ran rehearsal, led worship, and cleaned up the stage. I jumped into my car and discovered the battery was in the 40s. Normally my 5c (which is also on Verizon) would be in the 80s at worst. The week after the same thing happened. I suspect the poor service in the building may be part of the problem, but there’s no reason why a phone with half the battery size (1507 mAh) of the other (3000 mAh) should last substantially longer in the exact same conditions. On the bright side the Note 5 charges incredibly quickly, which doesn't make up for the average battery life, but it helps.

Decisions

After spending the last two weeks with the Galaxy Note 5 I've decided to get an iPhone 6s. I still love Android and I have plenty of issues with the iPhone, but I have more with Android. I wish the iPhone had a better built in health app and wireless charging and fast charging and better notifications and came with more built in storage and didn't bend, but I also know that I prefer to have the best apps first over the most featured operating system. The Galaxy Note 5 is a great phone that I will happily recommend to my friends on Android who don't mind the less than stellar battery life in exchange for a great display, great performance, a fingerprint scanner, and a great camera. We may not have the perfect phone still, but the Note 5 is still one of the best devices in 2015.

Specs Comparison: iPhone 6s and 6s Plus vs. the Best of Android

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:25:46 +0000

How does the newly announced iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus stack up to the best of the moment from Android? Well, in the table below, you can see, at least on paper. We have assembled the newest from Samsung, Motorola, and LG in a spec showdown of sorts. It's a simple paper comparison, but it almost always gets the job done. Like in past years where Apple unveils an "S" model, they kept the same frame of a phone, but upgraded the internals. We have a new A9 64-bit processor, upgraded 12MP camera, new 3D Touch display technology, and, well, I think that's it. They may have upgraded RAM and the battery as well, though Apple doesn't exactly like to be upfront with that info. As we have it, we'll be sure to add it to the table below. Here you go. [table responsive=scroll id=11 /]

Tinder Intros "Super Like," in Case a Regular "Like" Isn't Enough

Tim — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:09:15 +0000

Tinder, the dating app based on "nope" and "like," has a new feature for those who really need to express how much they like a person they have never met. Called "Super Like," this will show the recipient that you mean business, ready to meet and start a life together as soon as possible. Your number of usable Super Likes is limited, making their meaning all the more special. You know, because people want to feel special. Tinder feels this will lead to more meaningful matches for users. According to Tinder's presser, "Users will be able to determine whether someone has Super Liked them by the presence of a blue footer on a given profile. The receiver is still in control of whom they want to match with, but the existence of a Super Like can influence that decision." The Super Like is rolling out to users in Australia first, followed by a global rollout in the following weeks. Sorry, you'll have to wait to find true love with Super Likes for a bit longer. Have any fun stories about Tinder? I want to hear them! Play Link

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Google Posts LMY48M Factory Images for Nexus 6, 9, 5, 7 (2013), 10, and 4 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 10:50:13 +0000

Yesterday, T-Mobile told us to expect monthly security updates for Nexus devices including the Nexus 4, 5, 6, 7 (2013), 9, and 10. Today, Google posted the factory images for each as build LMY48M. Keep in mind that the T-Mobile Nexus 6 will receive a different update as build LYZ28K, so if you are running a Nexus 6 on T-Mo, don't flash these LMY48M images. You can grab the new factory images here. Instructions for flashing can be found here. Update: Factory images for the Nexus 6 on T-Mobile (listed as LYZ28K) and Project Fi (listed as LVY48F) have been uploaded. The factory image for the Nexus 7 (2013) LTE (listed as LMY48P) has also been uploaded.

Live Chat: Apple's September 2015 iPhone 6s, Apple TV, Sirified, iPad Pro, iOS 9er, El Capitan All the Things Event!

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 09:12:05 +0000

There is an Apple event today at 10AM Pacific. Because of said event, and our constant need for snark, we will be live chatting the happenings as we always do. A couple of weeks back, as Apple was inviting the press to this September extravaganza, we told you to prepare for sensationalism. You should probably prepare for more than that. Let's be honest here, sensationalism is only the beginning of what will undoubtedly be an embarrassing display of "THIS IS AMAZING." You should prepare for finger tips to be permanently lacking blood (Force Touch), even awesomer iPad photo shoots (nothing like 12-inch tablet photos!), and charts with misleading information. So many charts. The live chat is embedded below. Apple will also live stream the entire event, though. You can watch it here. Unfortunately, you have to do so through an Apple device or in Safari. Ugh, I know, Safari. 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). Ready?

Verizon Introduces XXL Plan of 18GB for $100

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:28:15 +0000

This morning, Verizon announced a new XXL option that will join the S-M-L-XL choices of its still newish "The Verizon Plan." The XX-Large option includes 18GB of shareable data for $100 per month. That's a decent deal if you compare it to AT&T's $100 option, which only has 15GB of data. Here is the current line-up:

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
XX-Large: $100/month for 18GB of sharable data

Verizon introduced the new S-M-L-XL back in early August in an attempt to simplify the process of buying wireless service through them. They used to do all of these silly (and confusing) discounts on line access fees depending on how much data you bought or if you were a part of their Edge device payment plan. With "The Verizon Plan" it's a flat $20 line access charge, a flat rate for data, and then whatever the cost is per month for your phone payment. It is simplified, that's for sure. To read more about the new plan details and how Verizon killed the 2-year contract, check out this post and this post.

Via: Verizon

YouTube Kids App Receives Chromecast Support Via Update

Tim — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:25:53 +0000

For the kids here who wish they could cast content from the YouTube Kids app to a big screen TV in the living room, Google now has you covered. This morning, the YouTube Kids application received an update, bringing full Chromecast support. In addition to Chromecast support, parents can set a passcode to access parental controls inside of the app, as well as the app's settings menu. This allows you to take full control over what your kids do with the app, you weirdo control freak. Do your kiddies enjoy this curated YouTube experience for youth? Play Link

DEAL: Groupon's $10 Turbo Charger Deal is Back

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 07:56:35 +0000

Still haven't picked up a Turbo Charger or one of the many Quick Charge 2.0 chargers that Amazon sells at rock bottom prices? Assuming you haven't bought the Quick Charge-less OnePlus 2, you should probably own at least two of these chargers. They really do make life much less stressful, knowing that as your battery deteriorates during a day, that you can quickly juice it fully within about an hour. Quick Charge 2.0 is easily one of the best tech inventions of the last 5 years. So if you haven't picked one up, we wanted to point out that the Groupon deal for Motorola's Turbo Charger is back. You can grab a re-certified version for just $9.99 or pick up a brand new one for $14.99. These originally retailed for around $35, so we're talking a significant discount. And at $9.99, you are even getting a better price than the off-brand adapters Amazon is selling. Groupon Link

Your Next Phone Might Have 6GB of RAM, Thanks to Samsung

Kellen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 07:30:45 +0000

Your next flagship phone from Samsung (or another OEM) might have 6GB of RAM inside. I know that you are still wrapping your brain around it having 4GB, but Samsung is ready to move beyond that mark through its first 12Gb LPDDR4 mobile DRAM based on its 20nm process. It's new RAM is said to be 30% faster than its 8Gb RAM and twice as fast as DDR4 DRAM for PCs, "while consuming less energy." When used in a single 6GB RAM package, Samsung says that it can fit in the same space used by a 3GB RAM package, so really, your next flagship will probably have 6GB RAM. That's just nuts. Mass production for this new 12Gb RAM has begun.

Via: Samsung

Deal: Steelie Magnetic Smartphone Car Mount for $13, Free Shipping

Tim — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:13:00 +0000

If you find yourself not having a good spot to put your smartphone in the car, may we recommend the Steelie Magnetic Car Mount? Currently listed on the DL Deals Store for just $13 (plus free shipping), down from its usual price of $35, this little bugger not only looks good, but should do its job brilliantly in your vehicle. With this mount, you secure it to your car's dashboard, then simply place your phone on the mount whenever you are in the car. It features a swivel for quick change into landscape or portrait mode, offering any functionality you may need at the time. Of course, thanks to its magnet, you can stick the phone anywhere that is made of metal. Been on the market for a car mount? Check it out. Features

Securely dock your phone to your dashboard
Enjoy a simple & easy to use interface
Keep your phone stable w/ fumble-free design
Swivel your phone on ball mount to alternate between landscape & portrait modes
Attach your phone to any metal surface w/ phone socket: refrigerator doors, filing cabinets, etc.

Deal Link

Here is Your Cute Little Android 6.0 Marshmallow Debug Icon

Kellen — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 14:48:14 +0000

Curious what the Android 6.0 Marshmallow debug icon will look like when finalized? Probably like the icon you are seeing above. The crew over at myce first discovered the little guy, thanks to a screenshot posted to the Chromium Issue Tracker by a Googler that featured the unfamiliar icon. It certainly looks like a mini Marshmallow and most definitely is not the "M" logo we have seen since the first preview. Cute. Oh, and here it is in an actual screenshot:

Via: myce | Chromium Issue Tracker

JAWBONE Announces Redesigned UP2, Updates Platform With Automatic Sleep Tracking, More

Kellen — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 13:47:05 +0000

Jawbone, one of the many fitness tracking companies of the world and the one which I seem to be attached to, announced a bunch of stuff related to its UP platform this morning. First, the UP2 has been redesigned with a new clasp, because well, the previous clasp design was 100% garbage and had a hard time staying on wrists. Second, the UP3 now comes in a bunch of different colors with varying designs on their touchpads. Finally, their apps have all been given updates that allow for automatic sleep detection (with no need for tapping) and passive heart rate monitoring (UP3 and UP4 only). The new UP2 introduces a new rope-like strap that looks very much like a stylish bracelet, if you will. A new clasp design is threaded through a hoop on the rope bracelet, then latched over a metal post, which should make the process of taking off and putting back on an UP2 easier. It should also help the fitness tracker not fall off as easily as it does now. As for the UP3, Jawbone gave it a bunch of new color options, along with different designs. The new colors and designs for both the UP2 and UP3 can be found below.

On the software side of things, Jawbone is trying its best to give you the best representation of your heart rate, thanks to passive heart rate monitoring that periodically captures your HR throughout the day when you are still. That piece of the fun is only available on the UP3 and UP4, of course, because those are the only bands with heart rate monitors built-in. That's not all, though. The UP2, along with the the 3 and 4, is getting automatic sleep detection, which means you no longer have to do anything to get Jawbone's products to track your sleep. That's especially awesome since this also means you no longer have to touch their often-unreliable touchpads to get your UP to sleep or wake. Yay. Here are the highlights of today's update:

Automatic Sleep – UP will automatically track and log your zzzs. Understand the duration, quality and stages of sleep without switching to sleep mode.
No More Tapping – Say goodbye to the hassle of switching modes. You can still dismiss alarms and alerts, but band-side mode switching is a thing of the past.
Passive Heart Rate (UP3 and UP4 only) – See a more complete picture of your heart health. UP will now measure your heart rate throughout the day when your body is still.

The app update is rolling out slowly on Android. The new colorful models of the UP2 and UP3 are all already available in the Jawbone store.

Via: Jawbone [2]

Video: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Tips & Tricks

Tim — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 12:13:09 +0000

In case you did not check out our complete Galaxy Note 5 review, you should at least know that the device features a ton of built-in features, going way beyond what stock Android software currently offers consumers. Some people love this, others do not. For every major flagship device, we like to point out these features -- sometimes hidden -- in a tips & tricks video. This video should help any potential or existing Galaxy Note 5 owner in getting the most out of their investment. Besides, who has time to go through the million options inside of a TouchWiz settings menu, right? Check out what the Galaxy Note 5 has to offer in the video below.

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DEAL: 60% Off SanDisk Storage - 200GB SD Card for $149, 32GB for $11

Kellen — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 11:44:53 +0000

Amazon's deal of the day happens to be another massive discount on SanDisk storage products. We're talking up to 60% off on everything from microSD cards to thumb and flash drives to solid state hard drives. These happen every so often, but they are always worth a look. Whether you have a new phone that needs additional storage or are building a computer and need a new-school hard drive, these deals offer great values. Our favorite deals of the bunch are the deeply discounted 200GB microSD card for $149, 32GB class 10 microSD card for $10.99 (!!!), and the 960GB solid state drive for $255. These deals are only good for today. Amazon Link

DL Q&A Sessions: Volume 32 Answers

Tim — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 11:08:58 +0000

Will the new Nexus devices run on Verizon? Which Android Wear device should I get? Do Android flagship devices totally suck this year? These are a few of the questions we were asked last week, but with all of the IFA excitement going down, we were not able to post them on Friday. Now that we are back from the holiday weekend, it's time to answer all of these fantastic inquiries. Down below, the DL team gives their answers to your questions. Check it out. Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim, R is Ron.

Is it just me, or was 2015 a really pathetic lackluster year for Android flagships?

K: I'd argue the opposite actually. 2014 was probably the worst year in recent memory. This year, we saw a revamped Samsung deliver unmatched phones that will be unmatched for a while. Motorola finally decided to care about a camera. Google is giving us two Nexus phones. Sony's new Xperia Z5 line-up sounds incredible. Prices are dropping rapidly. 2015 has been awesome. T: What? Pathetic? How dare you, sir. 2015 totally kicks ass! We have the Galaxy S6 (sexy), Galaxy Note 5 (fantastic phone!), Moto X Pure Edition, plus multiple Nexus devices on the way! Your question is baseless and absurd. I would argue that 2015 is the best year we have ever had for Android flagship devices. R: I thought it was a great year so far. We still have yet to see what Google has for us, but Samsung put out some great devices and Motorola's new Moto X looks like a stellar device with a decent camera this time around. The perfect phone still doesn't exist, but I think this year was far more exciting than last.

Now that Android Wear is available on iOS, do you see Wear devices outselling the Apple Watch?

K: Probably not. But, if Google or its manufacturer partners can promote iOS benefits properly, it should certainly help boost sales quite a bit. Android Wear watches just look so much better than the Apple Watch, that watch people who use iPhones should be excited. T: While the idea that iOS users can now access additional options, Android Wear does not offer as many features as an Apple Watch on iOS. I think consumers will see that and will opt to continue purchasing an Apple Watch if a smartwatch is something they truly want. Android Wear for iOS is basically worthless, in my opinion, when compared to the Apple Watch. R: I don't think so. If you have an iPhone the Apple Watch still makes more sense to get because it integrates with the ecosystem so much better. Maybe if you have a large investment in Google services it would make sense? The problem with Android Wear not selling isn't because it needed iOS support. The problem is most people don't need or want a smart watch and Google has yet to advertise a compelling use case for most people.

Will the upcoming Nexus devices work on all major US carriers, including Verizon?

K: I'm guessing so. These phones are almost guaranteed to work with Project Fi and that's part of the deal with Fi, is that you have a radio that can attach to almost any network. Plus, if Motorola can sell an unlocked phone that works on Verizon, I can't see why Google would stop. T: My guess is that the new Nexus devices will work on Fi, meaning they should feature enough radios to allow for compatibility on Verizon. So, yeah, Verizon will hopefully support the devices. I hope we are past the days of Google vs. Verizon. R: You never know. I was just talking about this with a friend. The Nexus One was supposed to come to Verizon and never did (although they did have test units out there), the Nexus S didn't (but did work on Sprint), the Galaxy Nexus did, the Nexus 4 didn't, the Nexus 5 didn't (but again, did work on Sprint), and the Nexus 6 did (although official support was delayed). So out of six Nexus devices two have been on Verizon. That's not a great track record, although the chipsets have made it much easier for OEMs to support all carriers out of the box even if a certain red company doesn't tend to do so without making users jump through some hoops.

How long do you guys recommend keeping a device/upgrading?

K: All depends on your budget. If you have cash to blow and love new things, get them as often as you want. If you aren't made of money, then thankfully, phones these days can probably get you through 2 years. T: If you can afford it, I would recommend upgrading your smartphone once a year. In my opinion, this allows you to have the latest and greatest version of Android, latest specs, and best hardware. R: Everyone is different. If you have a Nexus you could in theory use it for three years or more since you know you'll get updates. Outside of that it's hard to recommend using a device for longer than two years given that most devices don't receive updates longer than that. Obviously you can keep using a phone on older software, but if you're reading this website then you probably don't want to do that.

What new Android Wear device are you most looking forward to?

K: Huawei Watch right now. But Moto 360 (2nd gen), the more I see it, is starting to get me excited as well. But I just love that both Huawei and Motorola are trying to really make nice looking watches that also do Android stuff. Watches should look like watches first, then do the smart stuff. T: Huawei Watch, Moto 360 (2nd Gen), Gear S2 - in that order. R: I think the Huawei Watch looks the best from a hardware perspective, but I think Android Wear needs another redesign to make it really useful and easy to navigate for new users.

Why are you so bitter about the new Blackberry?

K: Hah, guessing this question is directed at me. I don't think I'm bitter, I just don't understand the excitement. I get that people have this history with physical keyboards, but at this point, virtual keyboards are so much better and faster. I'll give people a week with the Venice and I bet they all go "I don't even use the slide-out keyboard...it's slow and not smart enough." Also, this is Blackberry we're talking about. They make shitty phones. Not once have they give us a phone with a touchscreen that is good. Never once in their entire history. Why would anyone want one? T: Because why does this need to exist? It seems that every argument I see in favor of a BlackBerry device has holes in it, and really, it boils down to personal preference. Why so many people feel the need for a dedicated QWERTY keyboard in 2015, I don't know. Seems redundant to me. Back when I had a LG Voyager, the touchscreen was so garbage that using the physical keyboard worked better, but display technology is so good, and I love swiping, that a physical keyboard is not something I need. But hey, this is America, the greatest country on Earth, a place where you can purchase any device you want. USA! USA! R: I can't wait to play with the Venice. It looks gorgeous and deep in my heart I know it will probably be disappointing, but the Pre fanboy in me needs to try that thing. Portrait sliders for life!

Android Distribution Updated for September 2015 - Lollipop on 21% of Devices

Kellen — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 10:09:35 +0000

Google updates its Android distribution numbers for September 2015 this morning, showing a jump for Lollipop (Android 5.0+) from 18.1% to 21%. While no where near 50% or a number that would make Apple and Tim Cook angry, we are closing in on the quarter mark. Hey, it's something! As for the rest of the Android versions, KitKat sits at 39.2%, Jelly Bean 31.8%, Ice Cream Sandwich 3.7%, Gingerbread 4.1%, and Froyo 0.2%. Last month's Android distribution numbers can be seen here.

Via: Android Developers

2015 DL Football Eliminator Challenge is Open! Winner Takes Home a Phone of Choice

Kellen — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 09:48:00 +0000

It's time! The DL Football Eliminator Challenge is now open for the 2015 season! For the 5th year in a row, our winner will walk away with a phone of their choice. For those new to NFL eliminator challenges, they work like this. You pick one winner each week out of all of the games being played. If your team wins, you move on to the next week. Just keep in mind that you can only choose a team one time per season, so there is some strategy involved. With that said, by no means are these challenges as intense as fantasy football or weekly pick’em challenges. This is the simplest form of an NFL challenge you can participate in. The season kicks off this Thursday (yes, in 2 days), so you will want to sign-up now. We will try our best to remind you throughout the next couple of days to sign-up, though. There is no cost to you, yet you can win a phone of choice. Ready to sign-up?

Join the group: Droid Life Eliminator Password: droidlife Simple rules for those new to eliminator challenges: 1. Join the league up above. Create an entry for yourself. Get ready to pick winners. 2. Since this is an eliminator challenge, you only have to pick 1 winner each week. 3. Remember though, that you only get to use a team one time and cannot pick them to win again. 4. If you choose correctly each week, you continue to advance. 5. If you choose incorrectly, you are out. There are no mulligans in football or this league. 6. If that didn’t make sense, check out the full “How to Play” rules here. 7. If we run into a tiebreaker, we will decide a winner based on these rules. Prize: Once again, we are giving away a phone valued at up to $650 to the winner. Once week 17 wraps and the winner is picked, we’ll use a series of contact points to verify the winner via email. The winner will first be contacted on the ESPN Eliminator page. Then, it’s up to them to choose a phone. Reminders: We’ll try to remind folks to make their picks each week, but cannot guarantee that we’ll remember. If we do though, it will be on Twitter, so be sure to follow us there. Week 1 starts this Thursday, with the first game between the Steelers and ~~Cheaters~~ Patriots on September 10. Good luck!

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eBay 4.0 for Android Brings Streamlined, Personalized Buying and Selling Experience

Tim — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:48:33 +0000

The eBay app on both Android and iOS is receiving an update this morning, bringing it up to version 4.0. Inside this version, eBay states buying and selling on mobile has never been easier, as a streamlined process has been built-in for listing and purchasing items. Thanks to a more "browsable design," finding eBay's top deals and listings is easy, making sure you are always saving as much cash as you can purchasing goods. In total, if you use eBay often, the experience should feel more personalized, streamlined, and simplified than previous versions of the app. Even though it may look a bit different when listing an item, the basic concept remains the same - you will type in what you are selling, add pictures from your gallery, set a price, and that's it. You now also have the ability to communicate more easily with buyers or potential buyers directly through the app, which is always important. Go check it out. Play Link

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Via: eBay

Verizon 5G Goes Into Field Testing in 2016

Kellen — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 07:52:17 +0000

I understand that your phone finally has a stable 4G LTE connection that doesn't destroy its battery in four hours, but it's time to look beyond and into 5G. Verizon 5G is almost here, sort of. The company announced today that it will begin field testing its 5G technology with key partners come 2016. Companies like Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Ericsson, Nokia, Qualcomm and Samsung are already on board and working to "ensure an aggressive pave of innovation." These companies (along with others over time, I'd assume) will take to Verizon's Innovation Centers to collaborate and share ideas in order to help get 5G ready for you and I. If they can make enough progress, Verizon will begin field testing 5G in 2016. 2016 is next year, by the way. Verizon describes the benefits of 5G as "50 times the throughput of current 4G LTE, latency in the single milliseconds, and the ability to handle exponentially more Internet-connected devices to accommodate the expected explosion of the Internet of Everything." Yes, the IoT needs 5G, apparently. Ready for 5G?

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Via: Verizon

DEAL: Nexus 6 Drops to $349 at Best Buy Too

Kellen — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 07:06:57 +0000

On Friday, Amazon cut the price of the Nexus 6 across the board by $150, dropping it to $349 for the 32GB model and $399 for the 64GB model. I think it's safe to assume that this is an inventory clearing move as we approach the launch of the nexus Nexus or two. We were curious why no other retail outlet did the same, though. Well, they are now following suit it appears. Best Buy dropped the price of the 32GB Blue model over the weekend to $349, matching Amazon's price. At this time, the 64GB Blue and White versions have not seen further discount. Still a phone on your radar, even with replacements incoming? Best Buy Link

Cheers Nate!

Nexus 4, 5, 7 (2013), 6 and 9 All Getting Updates to Build LMY48M, LYZ28K Today

Kellen — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 06:55:07 +0000

According to T-Mobile, Google is going to push another update today to many of its Nexus devices, including the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), and Nexus 9. The update will arrive as build LMY48M for all but the Nexus 6, which will be LYZ28K. The update will contain bug fixes and "Android security enhancements." It appears that this is one of the scheduled monthly security updates that Google promised after the big Stagefright extravaganza. Be sure to grab those over-the-air (OTA) URLs for us if you can. Don't be surprised if factory images arrive soon as well.

Via: T-Mobile [2] [3] [4] [5]

Android Wear and Smartwatches

Kellen — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 19:46:40 +0000

On episode 91 of the Droid Life Show, we'll walk through the big week for Android Wear and smartwatches. We spent plenty of time with the Moto 360, Gear S2 and Classic, and Huawei Watch, and have all sorts of thoughts to share on which we like the most. We also have a Note 5 review to talk about, the pre-order of the Moto X Pure Edition, Google and Verizon's new logos, and more. We will kick the show off live at 2:00PM Pacific (5:00PM Eastern).

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: September 4, 2015

Tim — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:50:29 +0000

Just as we expected, it was a really big week for Android Wear fans, as a ton of new devices were announced and shown off during Berlin's annual IFA. Not only was Android Wear at the center of the news, but Moto X Pure Edition, Moto 360 (2nd Gen), and Huawei Watch pre-orders kicked off, plus a report claims we might see two new Nexus devices later this month. Beyond IFA news, Google and Verizon changed their logos, we reviewed the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, and we took a look at a Kickstarter phone called Robin that might actually be kinda cool. If you missed any of the craziness, see all of the news below.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 91 [Subscribe]
Review: Galaxy Note 5
Review: Galaxy S6 Edge+
Watch: Moto 360 (2nd Gen) hands-on.
Watch: Moto X Pure Edition Part 2 hands-on.
Watch: Samsung Gear S2 and S2 Classic hands-on.
Watch: Android Wear on iOS.
Huawei Watch hands-on gallery.
Samsung announces the Gear S2 and S2 Classic.
Motorola makes the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) official.
A quick look at the Moto 360 Sport.
Moto X PE and Moto 360 (2nd Gen) pre-orders now live.
Sony announces the Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, Z5 Premium.
Google: LG and Huawei Nexus devices coming at September 29 event?
Huawei unveils the Huawei Watch, now up for pre-order starting at $349.
Verizon says Android Pay will be here on September 16.
A look at the Moto X's leather 1 year in.
Robin, a Kickstarter phone that might not suck.
Shocker: Samsung's Gear S2 will work on any Android device.
Nest announces 3rd Gen thermostat.
Android Wear officially receives iOS support.
Google has a new logo!
Verizon has a new logo!

Have a great, long weekend, folks!

DL Deals: Extra 5% Off Clearance for Labor Day Weekend - Cables, Lenses, and Bluetooth Earbuds

Kellen — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:34:46 +0000

As we cruise into the weekend, there are couple of deals in the DL Deals store that are on clearance with an extra 5% for Labor Day. The deals include the popular MMOVE Bluetooth earbuds, a 3-in-1 smartphone lens photography set, and a 2-in-1 extra long cable that works on both Android and iOS. The MMOVE Bluetooth buds were featured by us back in June for $32 and have been quite popular with readers. They have since dropped to $29.99, with an extra 5% for the weekend. The 2-in-1 cable is as you expect, a big 6-foot cable that can be plugged into either Android or iOS devices that have USB or Lightning ports, respectively. The 3-in-1 photography set allows you to attach lens to your phone to take fisheye, macro, and wide-angle shots. All are solid accessories, but they all include rock bottom prices for the next few days. Deal Links:

2-in-1 extra long Android/iOS cable - $17.99 + 5 % off
3-in-1 smartphone photography set - $19.99 + 5% off
MMOVE stereo Bluetooth earbuds - $$29.99 + 5% off

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Review

Tim — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 13:51:52 +0000

No time for the pageantries, let's cut straight to the chase. The Galaxy Note 5 is the best Note device Samsung has released up to this date. Featuring a completely reworked design in addition to top tier specifications, if a big phone is something you want, it is likely you will end up purchasing the Galaxy Note 5. But hey, don't be so surprised, this is a very good choice you are making. A redesigned exterior is something we have seen coming, thanks to the massive overhaul we saw in the Galaxy S lineup, and frankly, it is super nice. With the combination of a sexy look, ridiculously awesome display, superior camera, and a few added benefits of TouchWiz, the Galaxy Note 5 is "Phone of the Year" material in its purest form. But enough with the small talk, let's get into it. This is our Galaxy Note 5 review.

The Good

Specs For specs, we never expect anything but the best from Samsung for Note devices. Naturally, they stuck to their guns, outfitting the device with a crazy-good list of specs that all of us Android nerds can appreciate. The device features a 5.7" QHD Super AMOLED display (2560×1440, 518ppi), Exynos 7420 64-bit 14nm octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB storage configurations, NFC, MST, 16MP rear-facing camera with OIS, 5MP front-facing camera, 3,000mAh battery, Fast Charging, Fast Wireless Charging (wireless charger sold separately), a ton of sensors, and Android 5.1+ with TouchWiz. You will notice that the spec sheet does not include a microSD card slot, removable battery, or IR blaster. Don't worry, we get into those topics down below. Display The 5.7" QHD Super AMOLED beast of a display found on the Galaxy Note 5 is gorgeous. The blacks are black, images are crispy, and "4K" content streamed from various sources look fantastic. What helps make the display really "pop" is the lack of bezel surrounding it, at least in my opinion. Yes, this focuses more on the "design" aspect of the phone, but it's something you can't help but appreciate when starring at the device. For all of you pixels fanatics, you will be happy to know it features a pixels-per-inch of 518, an incredible number spread just over 5.7". Even when you are squinting really hard right next to the display, it's impossible to make out individual pixels. With this device, Samsung continues its triumphant success in the world of mobile displays.

Macros for fun

Battery While I can't sit here and tell you the Galaxy Note 5 will last you multiple days without a charge, there is no doubt that in my time with the phone, it lasted much longer than that of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge - the two phones I have been using most of this year. While using the Note 5, I got a solid day of use out of the phone, even while traveling out of town and jumping from WiFi to cellular countless times. I was mostly impressed with how long the device kept ticking. But you should note, this is my experience. It's likely that I use my phone differently from everyone here, and the same goes for you, but don't be afraid thinking that Samsung can't make a smartphone last a full day on the battery. As an added bonus, the device features Fast Charging along with Wireless Fast Charging, so even if you are pounding your battery, you can get a charge quickly for the remainder of the day.

Performance Thanks to the 64-bit octa-core Exynos processor with 4GB of RAM, I hardly ever noticed any lag, frame rate droppings, or jank. I know, trust me, I am as shocked as you are. While fiddling with multi-window functionality or going in and out of applications, the Note 5 simply flies. And considering how many games and apps I play with on a daily basis, I am usually the first to cry over hiccups in performance. Now, the question is, will this performance stay strong? We saw on the Galaxy S6 that after a few updates and a couple months of daily usage, the performance took a dive, and honestly, all we can do is cross our fingers that the same won't happen on this device. Android as an OS seems prone lately to getting wrenches caught in the gears, so much so that performance issues can't be entirely blamed on custom skins from OEMs anymore. From what I have seen so far, I am not too worried about performance suffering in the coming months. Design When I say the Note 5 is the best Note device ever, I'm talking about the whole package. There's no faux leather crap, fake stitching, or any other gaudy gimmicks to make this device look premium. This device is the pinnacle of premium when we are talking Android handsets. It's weighty, but not overweight, giving off that sense of security and luxury. If you were debating over the Galaxy Note 5, head into a store and pick it up. It's surprisingly light, even with its full-metal frame and glass adorning the front and back. Plus, the way Samsung curved the back portion, making the device fit snuggly in-hand is a great touch - much better than a squared slab of metal and glass in your hand that might poke you or feel somewhat sharp. In my opinion, it's one of the best looking and feeling devices ever made. Of course, design and looks are completely subjective, so what I think looks tasteful and elegant, you could feel otherwise. Just note, if you are switching from an older Note device to the Note 5, get ready for a serious in-hand difference.

Camera The past few flagship devices from Samsung have featured fantastic shooters, and the Note 5 is no different. With a 16MP rear-facing shooter with OIS, I was able to capture a ton of great shots around the house and while I was up in Washington State for a wedding. Sadly, we have a ton of forest fires going on, so blue skies are somewhat hard to come by. Regardless, the Note 5 captures great detail, as well as fantastic video.

Worth noting, I found the Galaxy Note 5 to excel in a few points in particular - landscape shots, macro shots, and lowlight. For macro shots, the amount of detail you can pick up while viewing the photo on a QHD display is remarkable, and the colors are never blown out of proportion. While shooting landscapes, I felt that even if I needed to do a bit of size cropping, details were hardly lost, which is appreciated considering the photos are so massive in size that they do usually need a bit of trimming before hitting social media. Lastly, while I would not go so far as to say the Note 5 beats the G4 in lowlight scenarios, the Note 5 performs quite well. When viewing the shot before you snap, you will see much more noise than your actual finished product. Take the below moon photo for example. During shooting, my screen was filled with noise and other ambient light sources, but once the shot was complete, it actually turned out rather well. And with further tweaking of light settings, I am sure a more skilled photographer could snap excellent shots with this device.

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

Availability You know what's nice about flagship devices from Samsung? You can get them anywhere and everywhere. The Note 5 is available to purchase from all major US carriers, coming in different colors and storage options. For colors, you have Black Sapphire and White, with the 32GB model typically priced at at about $700+ off-contract and the 64GB model going for $780+, depending on your carrier. It can also be purchased on an installment plan, bringing your monthly bill to about $20+ a month depending on which storage model you choose. For specifics on pricing, head to your carrier's website. Samsung Pay Built into the Galaxy Note 5 is Samsung Pay, the company's brand new mobile solution. As of right now, the service is in a limited beta, but will see a wider release near the end of the month. Since I don't have a card supported, I can't use it, but once I can, I plan on using it exclusively. The idea that newer terminals with NFC are not required is what interests me. Simply swiping my phone to pay, no extra steps needed? Sign me up. Once Samsung Pay is officially launched, we plan on giving it a whirl, and will then report our findings. Until then, having Samsung Pay is still listed as a big bonus.

Somewhere in the Middle

TouchWiz TouchWiz has matured substantially since it was first baked onto an Android phone so many years ago, and frankly, it used to totally suck. I would say it reached peak crappiness levels on the Galaxy S5, but it appears Samsung has somewhat heard our cries of, "Jank!" On the Galaxy S6, they announced they had completely trimmed the custom skin, making devices smoother during operation. During my experience on the Galaxy Note 5, with its beefed up Exynos processor and 4GB of RAM, TouchWiz actually flies. The overall look of the skin itself is not all that bad, considering Samsung allows you to apply custom themes through the dedicated Themes app. One thing I can't stand are Samsung's custom icons. It's amazing how terrible they really are. How Samsung intended for these to look good with any 3rd-party app is beyond me.

Everything on the new Galaxy devices is skinned - Dialer, Contacts, Calendar, Calculator, etc. It's not that skinning things is bad, it's that Samsung attempts to make TouchWiz look very unlike stock Android, which as a vanilla lover myself, I don't care for. But again, themes! I applied the Material Theme as soon as I booted up the device, changing all of the stock application's look, plus icons. It's great. To keep it short, TouchWiz is so much better than it used to be. I mean really, really better. And since Samsung sort of listened and gave the people what they want, I think TouchWiz will only get better from here. No, this isn't me shunning vanilla Android, it's just me being able to cope with the fact that I could see myself actually using this skin on a daily basis. And that's saying a lot.

S Pen First off, don't stick it in upside down. Once you have mastered that crucial aspect of the S Pen, everything else will fall into place. Assuming your S Pen is not already stuck, Samsung's latest S Pen is quite different from models past, with it now featuring a fancy clicker mechanism, the same as you would find on a pen. The clicker does not actually perform any useful features, but it's fun to click, and that counts for something. In terms of what you can do with the S Pen, not too much is different, but there are a few things worth noting. When you have your device locked and the display turned off, you can remove your S Pen and begin writing white text on the black screen. Notes you take can be saved as Action Memos for later viewing in the S Note application. In addition, users can create rolling screenshots, of a webpage for example, no longer limiting you to capturing just a display's worth of information. The same Air Command prompt appears when you remove the S Pen, allowing for quick note taking, Smart Select, and Screen Write. These same features were built into the Galaxy Note 4. While the S Pen feels solid and the software performs great, I am sorry, I can not give Samsung much credit when all it takes to break your phone is to stick the S Pen in backwards. That's ridiculous. See the video below for tips and tricks on how to get the most out of it.

The Not-so-Good

Missing microSD Slot and Removable Battery There seems to be plenty of people up in arms over the fact that Samsung neglected to throw in a microSD slot and removable battery on the Note 5. I, however, am not one of those people. The only thing is, when we are talking "flagship" devices, you sort of expect a few things to be absolute - having expandable storage is one of those. While we may never know the exact reason Samsung decided to leave it out, even though it's possible margins played a small role, I don't find myself needing a microSD card all that much. Sure, if you shoot a ton of 4K videos and high definition photos, you may be screwed, but what percentage of buyers actually plan on doing that? And for those of you who download 1,000 apps onto the phone, really? Is that necessary? Thankfully, that's not up to me to decide, and instead, it's up to you. If you feel that you need 128GB+ of storage at all times, get a different phone. But if you can manage to keep your goods on-device (not including cloud storage) to just 32GB or 64GB, the Galaxy Note 5 is a great option.

Videos

Unboxing + Tour

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Galaxy Note 5 vs. Galaxy Note 4

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Galaxy Note 5 Tips & Tricks

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Galaxy Note 5 S Pen Highlights

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Gallery

Verdict

Phones like the Galaxy Note 5 make reviews very easy. As a daily driver, there is not much to complain about, with the exception of no microSD card slot and no removable battery - both of which came on the Galaxy Note 4. If you can live without those two things, which I sure can, the Galaxy Note 5 will treat you quite well. I will stick to my guns and claim that the Galaxy Note 5 is an easy pick for Phone of the Year currently, at least until we get our hands on upcoming Nexus devices and the Moto X Pure Edition.

Verizon Says Android Pay is Launching on September 16

Kellen — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:51:51 +0000

Many thought that Android Pay would launch a week ago, after internal documents at spots like McDonald's and Subway surfaced through media outlets with August 26 as the go-live day. Google then shushed everyone through a Tweet that said, "Looking forward to #AndroidPay? Stay tuned. #soon." The latest bit of potential launch information comes via information out of Verizon that suggests September 16 is the day. The folks at Phandroid first reported the date, but we were able to confirm with sources as well, that Verizon is expecting everything to kick off on 9/16. At this point, you should go, "OK, I'll consider that a possibility." Clearly, Google has shared dates here and there with its partners that haven't materialized. So for now, look to September 16. If it happens, it happens. It'll be here before long.

Moto X Leather: 1 Year In

Kellen — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 09:15:25 +0000

The minute the Moto X (2nd gen) went on sale last year, with leather as an option, I bought one. I bought not only because I'm a fan of how Motorola creates a phone, but also because I was curious how leather would last and age on a smartphone. My hope was that it would age like wine, show character through daily wear and tear, and become as soft and beautiful as your favorite pair of leather boots or belt or jacket. If you are fan of quality leather goods, you know exactly what I mean. So after buying a Moto X with a natural leather back on day one, I then spent the better part of three months using it as my go-to phone. I then presented it to you all after those three months to show you how well I thought it was aging. In fact, I called it nothing short of beautiful. But I'm a leather guy who likes the way leather ages. Not all of you loved it because you thought my phone looked dirty and wasn't pristine. And that's fine, we all have different tastes, even if yours are incorrect (Kidding!). Now that the Moto X Pure Edition is available, with leather as an option, we have had a number of you ask for an update on my leather Moto X (2nd gen). You want to know if it held up over a year and if it's still something I would consider. Well, here you go. This is what it looked like on day one (phone on the left).

And this is what it looks like now, after almost 12 months.

Pretty crazy, right? Again, if you are a fan of leather, you can appreciate what has happened here. If you aren't fan of the aging process, you probably should have looked away. A couple of things to note, though. First, understand that I haven't used this every single day for the last 12 months. I rode it hard for the first three, but since have jumped between phones as they come out, because it's my job to. So has this gone through the amount of pain that your phone will? Probably not. With that said, I have spent the better part of the last month with it, because of frustrations with the other flagships that are out at the moment, and have only found it to be aging even better during that time. Second, it's holding up quite well. I know that many of you are worried about it lasting and truthfully, I'm seeing no signs of the leather coming off or that it might not last another year. This isn't that cheap fake-ish leather that LG is putting on the back of the G4 that wears in about a week at the corners. This Horween leather is doing much better than even I thought it would. Finally, how will this example translate to the Moto X Pure Edition? We really don't know. I spent a bit of time with the Moto X Pure on two occasions and felt the leather being used. It's still Horween leather, but it's not the same leather as is seen here on the 2nd gen. It's a Saffiano leather on the Pure, which has a cross-hatch finish that is certainly noticeable to the touch. My guess is that it will soften and look beautiful with time, but again, we just don't know. My gut tells me to give Motorola the benefit of the doubt, because they did us right here with the Moto X (2nd gen). I would say that if you like how leather ages, you can't go wrong with leather in the Moto X Pure Edition.

DEAL: Nexus 6 Drops to $349 at Amazon ($150 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 07:31:22 +0000

What's a good sign that Google (or any company for that matter) is about to unveil a new product? We see massive discounts on last year's product in order to make room for the new guy. That could be happening at the moment with the Nexus 6, which just dropped $150 in price at Amazon to $349. Seriously, the Nexus 6, a whale of a phone that started at almost $700 a year ago, can be bought for $349. Amazon has both white and blue in both 32GB and 64GB configurations available. The 32GB model is at the $349 price point, while the 64GB model has dropped as well, down to $399. That's a hell of a price! For those still scared of its size, I'll just say this - the people who own the Nexus 6, love the damn thing. It's one of those phones with a cult following, where those who took a chance on a 6-inch phone have found that they absolutely love the size. And hey, it's stock Android after all. Amazon Link

Cheers Jeremy!

Manual Camera Updated to Include Effects, Burst Mode, RAW Support for Galaxy S6

Tim — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 16:08:10 +0000

The Manual Camera application received an update on Google Play today, the camera app we recommend to anyone who is looking for a more comprehensive take on mobile photography. With the update, users of the Galaxy S6 can take advantage of RAW support, bringing big time editing capability to photographers. In addition, anyone with a Lollipop-running device can take advantage of new effects to place on photos, a burst mode, the ability to change picture resolutions, built-in image previews, and more. The developers of the app state that the added features were the most highly requested by users, so here's to giving the people what they want. The app costs $2.99 currently on Google Play, so if you think you can step up your mobile photography game, get on it. Play Link ($2.99)

Chrome 45 Will Finally Address the Browser's Notorious Battery Draining Issues

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:28:36 +0000

Chrome is the most popular desktop browser, at least here in the US. But while it's popular and powerful and fast (mostly) and has apps and extensions and syncs between devices and all that, it's not exactly efficient or good when it comes to your battery life. I'm talking about on laptops, of course, because desktops don't have batteries. Reports (and complaints) about how good Chrome is at sucking your battery dry before you want it to have not gone unnoticed by Google, thankfully. Today, the company announced Chrome 45, which focuses on making your favorite browser "use less memory and power." Features like Chrome's "continue where you left off" are now smarter and more efficient, by prioritizing which tabs restore from most to least recently viewed. Chrome 45 will also detect if your computer is starting to run out of resources and will then stop restoring tabs to hopefully help save memory. In another memory usage reducing move, Chrome can now detect which pages aren't busy with tasks and will use the "free time to aggressively clean up old, unused memory." Google says this change alone has reduced website memory usage by 10%. As for power consumption, a new setting that auto-pauses Flash content that's not "central to a website," can make your battery last up to 15% longer depending on the operating system. Over the next few weeks, Google plans to turn this feature on by default. This may not be Android-related right now, but Google is always looking to improve efficiency with Chrome on all of its platforms.

Via: Chrome Blog

IFTTT Brings DO Button Support for Android Wear Users

Tim — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:19:14 +0000

IFTTT's DO Button, a button on your phone that performs select functions, is now available to users of Android Wear. To be more specific, users of the DO Button, can set at-home temperatures with Nest, changing lighting moods with Philips Hue lightbulbs, perform actions with apps, and much more. Now, with support for Android Wear, all of these automated tasks can be done straight from your smartwatch. The DO Button is still controlled by recipes you create. For example, inside the DO Button app, you set certain actions to happen through various "channels." If you have used IFTTT and the DO Button before, you will easily get the hang of it. If you are new the world of smartphone automation apps, don't worry, it's not a harsh learning curve. Just give yourself 15 minutes to get situated. The update is now live on Google Play for Android Wear owners. What's New

Introducing DO Button for Android Wear - Designed for simplicity and ease of use, DO for Android Wear places the control of hundreds of apps right on your wrist.
New Channels include - Adafruit, Amazon Cloud Drive, Camio, dondeEsta Family, iSecurity+, Wattio, Wolfram Data Drop
A few wrinkles were ironed out

Play Link

NVIDIA Pushes Updates to SHIELD and SHIELD Portable

Tim — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:39:04 +0000

NVIDIA is pushing updates out to the SHIELD Portable and SHIELD Android TV set-top box, both of which are quite minor. For Portable owners, this update will treat you to a button functionality change, with the NVIDIA button now going to the SHIELD Hub app instead of performing a Voice Search. In addition, the Start/Play button now behaves as it did when your device was on Kit Kat. For SHIELD set-top box owners, the update simply brings optimizations for new apps and games launched, such as WWE Network, Fox Sports Go, CBS Sports, and This War is Mine. Check the changlogs below, then go grab those updates. SHIELD Portable Changelog

Updates NVIDIA button functionality from voice search to SHIELD Hub
Start/Play button now behaves the same as in Kit Kat
Security updates

SHIELD Android TV Changelog

Optimizes SHIELD for newly released apps and games

Via: NVIDIA [2]

T-Mobile Video Calling Arrives Today, Starts With Note 5 and S6 Edge+ Via Updates

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:33:15 +0000

This morning, T-Mobile announced Video Calling for select handsets when on LTE connections. T-Mobile Video Calling joins the Uncarrier's movement towards deploying every next-gen calling feature they can, like VoLTE and their new Advanced Messaging. With T-Mobile Video Calling, you don't need to install an app or configure anything, as the service is built-in to your phone's stock dialer. Think of it like Verizon's Advanced Calling 1.0, that takes over your dialer and contacts, showing you when you can and can't place video calls to people. If you can place or a receive a video call to/from someone, you will see options with a video icon (see image above - greyed out icon means not available). The new Video Calling feature currently only works between T-Mobile customers, but they claim to be working with others to make it possible across wireless networks. Good luck with that, Legere! All of those friends of yours in the industry at other carriers... I should also point out that Video Calling on T-Mobile does use your high-speed data allotment for the month unless you are on WiFi. Yes, I said does there. Hopefully, you don't plan to use these often, as I can't imagine these being light on the data usage. For now, thanks to software updates rolling out today, the Galaxy Note 5 (N920TUVU1BOH4) and Galaxy S6 Edge+ (G928TUVU1BOH4) are the only devices that can take advantage of T-Mobile Video Calling. The Galaxy S6 and regular Galaxy S6 Edge will get updates next week enabling the feature. By the end of the year, T-Mobile will add an additional three devices to the crew. Notes for each phone's update can be found at links below.

Via: T-Mobile [2] [3]

Cerberus Free Lifetime Licenses Forget What "Lifetime" Means, Company Now Wants You to Pay

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:01:03 +0000

About a week ago, Android anti-theft specialist, Cerberus, started notifying users who received a free lifetime license during a previous promotional period, that they would no longer be able to keep those free lifetime subscriptions. Last night, they must have unloaded a wave of additional notifications to free lifetime folks, because our inbox got filled up in the early evening with, "WTF, have you seen this from Cerberus? How can they do this?" Well, the short answer is - they need money. The long answer is the email below. The basics are this. Cerberus, probably in an attempt to make a name for itself and get you to install its anti-theft Android app during its early days, offered a whole bunch of free lifetime licenses to its premium set of services. Fast forward a couple of years, and they now realize that that was a terrible idea and that they need their userbase to actually pay them if they want to stay in business. So, they decided that they would end all of those free lifetime subscriptions after 3 years and ask that users pay them going forward. See for yourself.

Is this a dirty move? I wouldn't classify it as "dirty" as much as I would call it unfortunate, shortsighted, or "Holy shit, you need to fire anyone in charge of your business or finance departments." I get that companies need to make money to provide their services, but not realizing that by offering up thousands and thousands of free "lifetime" licenses, that you would soon be struggling to fund your business is a pretty terrible misstep. How could you not see this happening? So anyway, without taking too much time to vent about an anti-theft company and their struggles after making terrible business decisions to get a jump on competition, let's talk about what happens now. If you had a lifetime subscription that is no longer lifetime, Cerberus will send you an email telling you as much. That email will also tell you when your lifetime subscription ends and then try to explain to you how important their anti-theft features are to your life in hopes that you will then pay for a license. But not only that, they want you to know that if you don't pay for a license today, be prepared (assuming you care and want to keep using their services) to pay even more in the future! Yep, if you don't pay today, you will probably have to pay a monthly or subscription fee before long. Is it off base for me to wonder how long before they apologize and start asking paid license users to pay a monthly subscription?

Show Off Your Moto Maker Creations: Moto X Pure and Moto 360

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:45:22 +0000

Pre-orders for the Moto X Pure Edition and the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) both went live yesterday around noon Pacific. We can tell that tons of you took to Motorola's site to customize at least one of the devices on Moto Maker, because you killed their checkout system for a good hour or two. It's probably safe to say that Motorola wasn't expecting that much action. Since these two devices seem to have more hype surrounding them than anything else at the moment, we thought we would see if you all wanted to share your Moto Maker creations. The Moto 360 has some 400 combinations to choose from and the Moto X Pure probably has even more than that. And even though we ordered ours already, we are always looking for inspiration for next purchases from the DL community. So, what'd you go with?

If you haven't yet customized one, even for fun, feel free to do so at the links below. Motorola Links: Moto X Pure Edition | Moto 360 (2nd gen)

Thursday Poll: Pick a Smartwatch, Any Smartwatch.

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:01:23 +0000

Three round smartwatches stole headlines this week, all of which will be available at some point over the next few weeks. We have the new Moto 360 (2nd gen), Huawei Watch, and Samsung's Gear S2 and S2 Classic. All look pretty fantastic, but each are different in their own way. Moto wants you to customize the hell out of theirs, while Huawei has given you options, but wants you to think of its watch as a high-end premium device. Samsung, well, it's positioning itself somewhere in the middle, though it seems to have realized all that was wrong with previous watches and fixed them this time around, making watches that are worth considering. We spent time with all of them over the last couple of weeks. Tim went hands-on with the Huawei Watch here. I also did my thing with the new Moto 360 here, and the Gear S2s here. I'd have to say that if I were choosing one today, I'd probably go Huawei Watch. The combination of the premium experience, design, and choice has won me over. But that doesn't mean I'm not super excited to spend ample time with the new Moto 360 and Gear S2. Decisions will be made here shortly, once our reviews are ready. What about you? If you were picking a smartwatch today, which way would you go? [poll id="376"]

Samsung Pay Comes to Gear S2 in November

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:31:09 +0000

Samsung included NFC in the new Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic for one reason - mobile payments. They confirmed today that each watch would become a part of its Samsung Pay mobile payments system this November, which is only a month or so after the watches become available to the public. This is a big deal because the only other watch that currently does mobile payments is the Apple Watch. None of the Android Wear devices have NFC or can make mobile payments just yet. Keep in mind that the Samsung Pay and NFC payment feature will only work if you are paired with a Samsung Galaxy device that has Samsung Pay. You won't be able to pair this with say, a Nexus 6, and then make NFC payments because that phone doesn't have access to Samsung Pay. Still, watch payments on Android! It's a start.

Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic Hands-on!

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:00:42 +0000

Earlier in the week, Samsung made the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic official, saying that they weren't ready to announce exact launch timing or price, but that they would be on hand at IFA for media consumption. With IFA in full swing, Samsung invited us to take the watches for a spin and get back to you all with our findings. As a recap, the Samsung Gear S2 (and its brother, the Gear S2 Classic) features a 1.2-inch Circular Super AMOLED display (360x360), 1.0GHz dual core CPU, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, heart rate sensor, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a 250mAh that supposedly lasts anywhere from 2-3 days. The watch runs Samsung's Tizen OS, as well, instead of Android Wear. The regular Gear S2 is rounded and sleek, with a minimalist futuristic vibe to its dark grey or white exteriors. The Gear S2 Classic is much more like a classic watch, with lugs and a somewhat fluted or rigid bezel. The Gear S2 comes with a rubber or silicon band that I actually didn't find to be all that nice, whereas the Classic includes a classier leather band. Thankfully, you can swap bands pretty easily.

Each watch features a rotating bezel for navigation that is quite fun to use. They have touchscreens as well, but I just found it fun to rotate and rotate and rotate into widgets or apps because the bezel has this really nice, soft clicking to it as it rotates. I'll need more time with it to decide if a rotating bezel is better for navigating a small screen than my finger, but so far I'm kind of buying in. Speaking of apps, this watch - like the Apple Watch - is all about apps. While Android Wear may focus more of its efforts on glance-able information, Samsung seems to want you to actually use apps from within the watch. There's nothing wrong with that approach, assuming developers can build out unique and simplified experiences. Oh, and did I mention that these watches will work with almost any Android phone? That's right, Samsung is ditching that Galaxy phone requirement for these in hopes that they can sell to Nexus, Motorola, LG, etc. owners. That's awesome news! In the video below, you should get a good feel for each watch, but you also get comparisons of each to the Moto 360 and Apple Watch. Enjoy!

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Samsung's Gear S2 Will Work With Any Android Phone, Not Locked to Galaxy Devices

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:00:13 +0000

You know how you all passed on every single one of Samsung's previous smartwatch attempts because they required you to own a top tier Galaxy smartphone? OK, that's not why you passed. You passed because they were garbage. But, let's say they weren't garbage - you probably would have passed on them because you may not have owned a Galaxy smartphone. That stupid requirement from Samsung is about to change with their new watch, the Gear S2. Samsung has seen the open light and is making this watch (and the Gear S2 Classic) available to all Android devices upon launch (at least 1.5GB RAM and Android 4.4). We still don't know exactly when it will launch (some time in October) or for how much, but when it does, your Nexus, Moto, LG, or other Android device will be able to pair with them, just like you do any other Bluetooth device. Samsung told us that the experience may vary slightly from phone to phone, but that you should expect most of the experience you would get had you paired with a Galaxy phone. Well, you won't get the NFC-mobile-payment side of it, because that's a Samsung Pay exclusive, which is also an exclusive to select Galaxy devices at this time. Other than that, it should be a fully capable smartwatch experience with 2-3 day battery life and a sleek design. This news change any of your opinions on the Gear S2? Maybe our hands-on with it will.

Watch Samsung's Gear S2 Showcase Live From IFA!

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:15:34 +0000

At 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern), Samsung will take another stage at IFA in Berlin to further present to the world the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic smartwatches. Samsung first talked about these devices back at the Galaxy Note 5 launch, then officially announced them at the beginning of this week. But today, they will show them off, in action, and probably provide additional details about each that weren't a part of Monday's press release. The showcase is being streamed live to the world, so if you have some free time here in about 45 minutes, feel free to watch along. We went ahead and embedded the video for you below.

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Google Intros Updated Street View App for Google Maps Users

Tim — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:10:22 +0000

Today, Google introduced an updated Street View application for both Android and iOS. For users on iOS, the new Street View app will replace the Photo Sphere Camera app, but on Android, it will simply be an update for existing Street View users in Google Maps. With the updated application, users can view Photo Sphere galleries from across the world, and even upload their own panoramic and Photo Sphere shots instantly to Google Maps. If you visit a beautiful place or go on an insane hike, your content can now be viewed by others, giving them a taste of what they can expect at that location. Of course, the basic Street View functionality remains intact, allowing you to see exactly what is outside of almost any address in the world. It's always surprising to see where Google's cars have been, whether it be in the streets of Brazil, or down your own block in the hometown. Everyone, go grab the update. Play Link

Via: Google Maps

Verizon's Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Get Updates to Android 5.1.1 (Update)

Kellen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:23:22 +0000

UPDATE: Ok, then. Verizon posted these changelogs yesterday as if they were new updates, and clearly, I didn't realize that this was the update that rolled out with Stagefright patches back in August. Thanks, Verizon! Sooooo, yeah, these are not new! In fact, they are the exact same software builds and everything, but the changelogs no longer talk about Advanced Calling 1.0 for some reason. Ignore. Move along. #stayoffthewhiskeykellen

Verizon began pushing updates to its Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge variants yesterday in the form of Android 5.1.1. The updates fix a bunch of bugs, but also introduce things like options for turning off the parallax wallpaper effect on the home screen, live wallpaper options for the lock screen, quick exposure adjusting in the camera when you focus on an object, and Chinese language support. The updates should be rolling out any minute, if you haven't seen them yet. The update for the S6 will arrive as software version VRU3BOG5, while the S6 Edge will get VRU3BOG5. To check for updates, head into Settings>About phone>Software updates.

Via: Verizon [2]

FYI: New Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Won't Work With First Gen Chargers

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 20:39:33 +0000

Just a heads-up, but if you are buying the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) and happen to have a bunch of chargers lying around from the original Moto 360, we have been told that those chargers are "not compatible" with the new watch. Same goes for the 2nd gen's chargers - they are not compatible with the original 360. I couldn't tell you why because I don't have either in front of me, but that's what the review information I have states. It's a bit odd, since both wirelessly charge Moto 360 watches and are a similar design. I mean, Qi wireless charging is Qi wireless charging, right? Maybe the old watch just doesn't fit properly in the new charger? Below, you can see top down images of each. There is a bit of a difference in the tray that the watch sits in, but still, it's a bit odd. Once we have a review unit, we'll test it, don't you worry.

NEW vs. OLD

Here is the quote from Motorola: "Moto 360 (2nd Gen.) watches are not compatible with our first generation of wireless chargers. Moto 360 (1st Gen.) watches are not compatible with our second generation of wireless chargers." If you want additional chargers outside of the charger that comes with the Moto 360, stores like the Google Store will have them for around $40.

Check Out Motorola's First Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Commercial

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 15:10:03 +0000

Motorola has released its first TV spot for the new Moto 360 (2nd Gen) smartwatch, highlighting the device's design and ability to streamline your mobile life. During the minute-long spot, a few of the usable apps for Android Wear are highlighted, such as the Delta and Lyft apps, as well the user's ability to use voice controls to speak to the watch. Be on the lookout for this to hit the airwaves soon. Pre-order your new Moto 360 yet?

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This is the New Verizon Logo (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:38:19 +0000

Apparently, it's logo changing week with major tech companies. This is Verizon's new logo that will arrive tomorrow on Verizon's website, before making its major rollout to their marketing materials on September 10. Thoughts? Update: Yep, Verizon just made it official. New logo week is go! Verizon had this to say in a short blog post on why the new look:

The new brand identity takes the best elements of Verizon’s heritage, represented by its colors and the Verizon “checkmark,” and transforms them for a new era. At its most basic level, the new logo is a visual statement that honors our history and reflects an identity that stands for simplicity, honesty and joy in a category rife with confusion, disclaimers and frustration. It’s a cleaner, more human design and the checkmark, the universal symbol for getting things done, uniquely expresses the reliability of Verizon.

NVIDIA Falling Behind on Replacement SHIELD Tablet Shipments After Recall Affects Nearly 90K Owners

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:35:31 +0000

In late July, NVIDIA issued a recall for SHIELD Tablets purchased between July, 2014 and July, 2015. According to an email hitting the inbox of at least one purchaser that we know of, NVIDIA and the 3rd-party company who handles the replacement of affected tablets is struggling to meet the needs for a portion of the nearly 90,000 owners affected. As it was, the wait for a replacement tablet was set between 2 to 4 weeks, but we have one reader who has not had a usable tablet for 5 weeks now after submitting a claim for a replacement. As stated on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website, which details the recall, 83,000 tablets in the US are affected by the recall, in addition to another 5,000 that were purchased in Canada. Here is the email hitting patient customers' inbox.

Dear NVIDIA tablet owner, We apologize for the delay in sending your replacement SHIELD Tablet. We are fulfilling claims as quickly as we can, in the order in which they were received. In some cases, we are running behind our target delivery of 2-4 weeks. We’re doing everything we can to accelerate the schedule. We’ll notify you when your unit ships. In the meantime, should you have any questions, please contact us at nvidiashieldtablet@stericycle.com. Thanks for your patience. NVIDIA

Are you still waiting for your SHIELD Tablet replacement? Let's hear about it.

Via: CPSC

Cheers Eric!

Huawei Watch and Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Now Available for Pre-Order on Google Store

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:49:24 +0000

If you are looking for another place to pre-order the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) or Huawei Watch, they are now live on the Google Store. You won't find the complete list of options for either device, but if you would rather purchase your next smartwatch from Google, use the links below. For all of the information you will need on the Huawei Watch, click here. And for everything you need to know about the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), click here. Google states the ASUS ZenWatch 2 will be made available to purchase in the coming weeks. Did you pre-order one of these bad boys yet? Google Store Links: Moto 360 (2nd Gen) | Moto 360 for Women | Huawei Watch

Via: Android Wear

Moto X Pure Edition and Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Pre-Orders Now Live!

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:00:53 +0000

Now that everything is official, it's time to pre-order! Both the Moto X Pure Edition and Moto 360 (2nd gen) will be available starting today for order through Moto Maker. Orders should ship later in the month. Ready? Motorola Links: Moto X Pure Edition | Moto 360 (2nd gen)

Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Specs (Official)

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:00:42 +0000

By now, you should have read the announcement from Motorola about the new Moto 360 (2nd gen). The follow-up to the most popular Android Wear watch is now official and up for pre-order starting today at $299. Oh, we took it for a spin as well, and compared it to the original Moto 360 in case you were looking for all the info you need in order to consider buying one. If that wasn't enough, below we have assembled the full specs for the new watch and all of its variants. You will see the differences in sizes, battery capacities depending on those sizes, the newer processor used this time around, and more. Questions?

Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Specs

[table id=8 /] Additional Coverage:

Motorola Announces New Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Collection With Sport Model, Pre-Orders Open Today

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:00:37 +0000

Enough with the leaks, already - it's now official. Motorola has announced the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) collection, which includes both men's and women's lines, along with a new Moto 360 Sport model that is coming later on down the road. What's new this time around? Well, you get two sizes of watches to choose from with the regular non-Sport Moto 360. There are 46mm and 42mm options for men, with the women's collection also carrying that 42mm size. The new Moto 360s have more battery life (up to 2 days), design tweaks (lugs added), quick-release watch bands, a more powerful health experience, and something like 400 combinations of options through Moto Maker. (Full specs) Speaking of Moto Maker - below are your new options. Not only can you choose from a handful of different colors (including regular gold and rose gold), but there are new bezel treatments, mixing and matching of colors, and of course, metal or leather bands. This is pretty intense customization here,

As for the Moto 360 Sport, you get a similar Android Wear experience to the regular Moto 360, but Motorola tossed in a GPS, silicon band with UV coating, and a special AnyLight hybrid display that allows the display to be read easier in bright or dark light. It's exactly what you are picturing a sporty smartwatch would be. The new Moto 360 (2nd gen) is up for pre-order today starting at $299. Prices top out around $429 depending on how you customize it through Moto Maker. Motorola.com, Google Store, and BestBuy.com are all selling the regular Moto 360 (2nd gen) today. Soon, you will be able to buy it at Nordstrom, Best Buy stores, and Verizon. The Moto 360 Sport will arrive at some point "soon." Additional Coverage:

The New Moto 360 Collection: Giving you more choice with the watch that makes time for you
Any watch can tell the time but what about one that can giveyou time? The new Moto 360 Collection — with more styles, more features and more battery — offers countless design possibilities to suit your tastes, plus new experiences that will free you up to do more of the things you love. Designed around you The original Moto 360 was the first smartwatch that actually looked like a watch. With the second generation, we’ve refined the classic and timeless design and created a watch collection specifically designed for men, women and fitness enthusiasts. Taking further inspiration from the traditional watch world, Moto 360’s case design now features lugs specifically tailored for men and women, and polished bezels in new styles.With new quickrelease bands, you can easily swap between leather and metal bands in seconds to match your look for the day. The first modern watch you customize yourself You’ve got unique style... so should your watch. You can customize your Moto 360 in the Moto Maker design studio. Now, choose from additional bezels, colors, materials, even a new double wrap band. Then get your personal creation in just a few days. Apps that make life easier Powered by Android Wear, Moto 360 gives you complete control right from your wrist so you can stay in the moment, without constantly grabbing your phone from your pocket or purse. Get notifications and important info at a glance. Respond to messages with your voice. Start your car with the MyFord mobile app, then lock the front door with the Kevo app. Hail a cab to get to the airport with Lyft, then show your boarding pass at the gate with your Delta app. All without ever reaching for your phone. Plus, Moto 360 is WiFienabled, keeping you connected even if your phone is out of Bluetooth range. The new Moto 360 exclusive Live Dials also make it easier for you to dive in with shortcuts right on the watch face to the apps you use most. Choose a better health and wellness experience Moto 360 features Moto Body, a holistic experience that helps you lead a healthier lifestyle. Ever wonder how many steps you’ve taken in a day or how many calories that trip up the stairs actually burned? The new watches feature incredibly accurate sensors, so you can track your heart rate and the calories you burn. And that translates into valuable feedback and coaching to help you improve and stay fit. Moto 360 Sport For fitness enthusiasts, there’s also a new Moto 360 Sport. With the new Moto 360 Sport, you can now leave your smartphone at home during your daily run. Builtin GPS accurately tracks your speed, distance, and pace, while a heart sensor tracks other important vitals. You can even store and play music right from your wrist, because we all need a good workout mix to push us during that last mile or rep. Plus, you can see all this information clearly, even in bright sunlight, with the new AnyLight hybrid display. Take your workout to the limit without worrying about your watch, thanks to a durable yet comfortable design. Strong silicone construction with special UV coating wicks away moisture and resists fading or staining, while side ventilation channels help you stay cool.1 Last but not least, the new Moto 360 and Moto 360 Sport has even more battery life than our 2 first generation, now offering up to two full days of use. How to design and buy Moto 360 will be available in various countries across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Starting today in the U.S., you can preorder your own Moto 360 on Motorola.com, Google Play and BestBuy.com. It will be available starting in late September at Nordstrom, Best Buy and Verizon. Availability and ship times vary by style. Prices vary by design and range from $299.99 - $429.99. We’ll share more details on Moto 360 Sport availability soon.

Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Quick Overview and Tour!

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:00:34 +0000

You have a super difficult decision to make over the next few days, assuming you are at all interested in buying a smartwatch. The Huawei Watch is looking all sorts of promising, even with its massive price tag, but now you also have the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) to consider. Not only that, but there are multiple Moto 360 sizes to choose from, along with up to 400 combinations of bands, colors, and other options through Moto Maker. Seriously, this is a tough call. To hopefully help get you on the right path, we spent some time with the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) and captured our first impressions on video. Below, you will see each size, a couple of the configurations, and also a whole bunch of images of the device on wrist and with different finishes that are new to Moto Maker. Here are the full specs as well. Let's go!

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Additional Coverage:

Moto 360 Sport Quick Look

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:00:31 +0000

Today's semi-surprise announcement from Motorola was the new sport version of the Moto 360, dubbed Moto 360 Sport. As the name suggests, this is a Moto 360 made for fitness fanatics who want a watch that doesn't need to be paired at all times with their phone. This is a watch that can be taken for a run and sweat on, yet still manage to track every single step and stay clean, thanks to built-in GPS and its specially made silicon band. Motorola is calling this "one of the first true fitness training watches that runs Android Wear," and they are sort of correct. Last year's Sony Smartwatch 3 had a GPS and silicon band, so it was a great option for working out, it's just that Sony wasn't marketing it as a "sport" watch. With that said, the Moto 360 Sport has a special AnyLight hybrid display, which "combines a traditional backlit transmissive screen with a front lit reflective technology," to make it easily seen both indoors and in sunlight. You can actually switch between modes depending on your lighting situation, so that you get the best experience. Motorola says that this display is a "first of its kind." Of course, this watch runs Android Wear and is a part of the Moto 360 family, so you can load up music for on-the-go situations, pair it with Bluetooth headphones, and listen to tunes. Motorola hasn't said when we can buy the Moto 360 Sport or how much it will cost, only that it will be available later this year.

Additional Coverage:

Video: Moto 360 (2nd Gen) vs. Original Moto 360

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:00:16 +0000

We'll have much more time for full comparisons later, but since we spent some time with the new Moto 360 (2nd gen), we thought we should at least show you how it compares to last year's original Moto 360. There aren't a ton of differences, but Motorola did upgrade this new watch in a number of ways over the original release. For one, the watch body now has lugs. Whether you like the look of them or not, Motorola says that this allowed them to increase battery size and also make it easier to switch watch bands. And that's true, the battery has increased from 310mAh to 400mAh in the 46mm model. They also added a new quickrelease switch to watch bands, making them much easier to swap out. As for the rest of the differences, well, you have a modern Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor in the new model, instead of the 6-year old TI OMAP clunker they put in the original Moto 360. The display resolution has been upped a bit as well to 360x330 (up from 320x290) and the side crown has been moved to the 2-o'clock position. Other than that, you are still looking at 4GB storage, 512MB RAM, IP67 dust and water resistance, Bluetooth LE, and a heart rate sensor. Motorola has stepped up their game in the Moto Maker department, though. This time around, there are some 400 combinations, giving you the power to create the ultimate personal watch. From golds to rose golds to silvers to black metal finishes, metal, leather, or silicon bands, and a couple of different sizes to choose from, the possibilities are substantial. The new Moto 360 (2nd gen) is available for pre-order today with a starting price of $299.

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Additional Coverage:

Moto X Pure Edition Hands-on (Part 2)!

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000

If the Moto 360 (2nd gen) and smartwatches aren't really your thing and you would rather talk phones, then this post is for you. We spent some extra time with the Moto X Pure Edition this week, just before pre-orders kick off later today. We didn't learn anything new necessarily, only that this phone needs to get here now. After using the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ for the past couple of weeks - two arguably large phones - the Moto X Pure Edition feels right at home in hand, which is something I wasn't sure I'd ever say about a phone with a 5.7-inch QHD display. But I am. This phone feels just as good in hand as the previous Moto Xs, only it's slightly bigger. It has that same welcoming curve, great button placement, and superb screen-to-bezel ratio. In the video below, I walk through some of the specs again, but mostly talk about the device in hand, some of the Moto Maker options, etc. Enjoy! Then go pre-order, if you want.

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Additional Coverage:

Hulu Intros Commercial-Free Subscription Option for $12 a Month

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 11:33:15 +0000

Even with the limited amount of advertisements you already see on Hulu, there is now an option to wipe them out completely. Starting today, Hulu has an ad-free option for subscribers, priced at $11.99 a month. The limited commercials option is still available, priced at the usual $7.99 a month price. Hulu is unlike Netflix, which to me, focuses more heavily on their in-house shows and movies, while Hulu is basically streamable cable television. You have all of your regular shows, like South Park, Empire, Modern Family, the Night show lineup, and so much more. If you don't use Hulu, but are now interested thanks to no ads, you could try it out free for a week. Hulu Link

Sony Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, Z5 Premium Specs (Official)

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:08:58 +0000

There are three new devices from Sony this morning, all of which should have your attention. Sony came out swinging at IFA, announcing the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium. Each devices is loaded with top-tier specifications, especially the Z5 Premium with its 5.5" "4K TRILUMINOS" display. Each device features a Snapdragon 810 processor, Quick Charge 2.0 compatibility, beefy batteries, microSD card slots for up to 200GB of storage, reworked Sony-made camera modules, and plenty more. Take a look at the full specs below. [table id=10 /]

Report: Google is Hosting Event September 29 to Unveil Nexus Phones Made by LG and Huawei

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:05:23 +0000

According to a report out of CNET, Google plans to unveil two Nexus phones on September 29 at an event in San Francisco. Their sources claim that Google has partnered with LG to make a smaller Nexus phone and Huawei to make a larger Nexus phone. Rumors, of course, along with a number of leaks, have suggested the same for weeks now. Google declined to comment, so (for now) CNET is operating under the classic journalist line of "according to people familiar with the company's plans." In other words, nothing is official quite yet. September 29 isn't far off, so if Google is planning an event, we should know very soon. Keep in mind that Google hasn't done many product events in the past like this. They tried to early on for the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4, but seemed to run into one natural disaster or another and eventually gave up on them, instead opting to announce new Nexus products with waves of posts to their official blogs. If my memory serves me correctly, the last event was for the Nexus 7 (2013) and Chromecast. Wow, though. We just got the Note 5 and S6 Edge+, both of which are great phones. Motorola is giving us the Moto X Pure Edition pre-order today. The OnePlus 2 is out there somewhere in invite land. And now we have two Nexus phones coming at the end of the month? So much fun to be had.

Via: CNET

ASUS ZenWatch 2 Coming to Europe in October for €149

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 09:48:02 +0000

Back in June, ASUS announced the ZenWatch 2, but never spoke of availability or pricing. This morning, we have a few more specs, plus European pricing. As of right now, ASUS states that the ZenWatch 2 will hit Europe in October, priced at €149. It is very likely we shall see it hit the US, but we have yet to receive a timeframe or official price. The ZenWatch 2 features a Snapdragon 400 processor, as well as IP67 water resistant rating. Coming in two sizes, with three different colored casings (Silver, Gunmetal, and Rose Gold), buyers will be able to choose between 18 different strap material and color combinations. Now that's a lot of options. According to ASUS, the ZenWatch 2 features 2-day battery life, thanks to an "enhanced" battery. This includes 35% faster charging times, taking just 36 minutes to charge the ZenWatch 2 from zero to 50% capacity. ASUS also worked in a bit of custom software, making connection between ASUS smartphones and the ZenUI much more feature rich. New software included is Smart Assistant, Business Helper, and ZenWatch Message. When and if ASUS gives us official North America info, like pricing and availability, we will let you know.

Via: ASUS

Sony Announces Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, and Z5 Premium

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 08:28:39 +0000

Let's all just forget that the Sony Xperia Z4 or Z4v or Z3+ ever existed, OK? Sony just announced the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium, and they are all you should care about from Sony at the moment and going forward. These are next-level flagship phones, one of which has a 4K screen. A 4K screen. What? Why? Who cares! 4K in a phone! During its press event today at IFA, Sony said to expect the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact in October. The 4K-monster Xperia Z5 Premium will arrive in November. So, what's up with each phone? A lot. The standard Xperia Z5 features a large 23MP rear-facing camera with F2.0 G Lens, with Sony stating it is their first completely re-imagined smartphone camera module since the Xperia Z1. Capable of snapping shots in as little as 0.03 seconds, Sony claims you can shoot faster than you can blink an eye. Both the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are powered by a Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 810 64-bit processor, with the Xperia Z5 featuring a 5.2" display and the Compact featuring a 4.6" display. All three new devices are compatible with Quick Charge 2.0. The big boy, named the Xperia Z5 Premium, features a 5.5" '4K TRILUMINOS' display, bringing you four times the resolution of a standard Full HD display. Thanks to technology built-in, most 3rd party content viewed on the device will be upscaled to 4K, meaning your Netflix, YouTube, and other media will appear extremely crispy, regardless if it is 4K content or not. The Z5 Premium also features a Snapdragon 810 processor, 32GB of storage, expandable storage for up to 200GB of space, and a 3,430 mAh battery for long life. Across the lineup, each device is equipped with Sony's audio processing technology capable of delivering rich sound through headphones, a fingerprint reader built into the power button, plus access to the PS4 Remote Play application. The Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will launch globally in October of 2015, and the Xperia Z5 Premium in November. Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Premium will be available in both Single SIM and Dual SIM variants.

Press Release

Sony unveils next-generation smartphone camera with Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact, and the world’s first 4K smartphone Xperia Z5 Premium

Xperia Z5 brings the best camera in a leading smartphone³, with an elegant waterproof⁴ design

Xperia Z5 Compact shares the same flagship experiences in a no-compromise hand-sized body

Ultimate smartphone Xperia Z5 Premium redefines mobile entertainment with the world’s first 4K UHD smartphone display⁵ and 4K Ultra HD upscaling technology

Next-generation smartphone camera experience designed with Sony’s interchangeable lens camera α^TM technology, built to capture split-second moments – a brand new 23MP Exmor RS^TM for mobile sensor, supporting the fastest autofocus in a leading smartphone⁶

Integrated fingerprint sensor power button for intuitive unlock

Berlin, IFA, 2^ndSeptember 2015 – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today unveiled its next-generation Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact, and the world’s first 4K smartphone Xperia Z5 Premium – each engineered to make everyday experiences better.

"Smartphones are part of people’s lives” said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO at Sony Mobile Communications. ”Since users already create, share and enjoy most of their content on the go - we’ve set out to bring Sony’s latest innovations in camera, design and display to ensure the Xperia Z5 series is the best possible lifestyle and entertainment platform.”

A mobile camera experience unlike any other

Xperia Z5 features Sony’s brand new large 1/2.3 Exmor RS^TM for mobile 23MP sensor and F2.0 G Lens - it’s Sony’s first completely re-imagined smartphone camera module since Xperia Z1, designed with Sony’s interchangeable lens camera α^TM technology for clear, vivid imagery every time.

The camera is capable of the fastest autofocus in a smartphone, a powerful blend of speed and accuracy to capture split-second moments with ease. It delivers a ground-breaking speed of just 0.03⁷ seconds - faster than the blink of a human eye (average 0.1 - 0.4 s), so whether you’re jumping for the frisbee in the park, diving into the pool or catching air on the vert ramp, you’ll have the power to preserve spontaneous action in real-time.

A combination of the large 23MP Exmor RS^TM for mobile sensor and advanced processing software lets you get close to subjects; whether it be a landmark, architecture or other objects of interest, with 5x clear image zoom with minimum loss of quality. And, advancements in low-light photography mean you can capture clearer photos at night or in darker surroundings with less noise and blur - perfect for capturing a sunrise or night skyline.

With the continued popularity of content capture for social media, Xperia Z5 series brings significant advancements in the evolution of Sony’s SteadyShot^TM with Intelligent Active Mode for video. Further improvements mean you’ll be able to continuously capture action smoothly, such as riding a bike or skateboard, free from jolts or shudders. It also features better low-light performance without blur.

Designed for life, with the same flagship experiences in a choice of form factor

Designed by leading creatives at Sony’s Creative Center studios in Sweden and Japan, Xperia Z5 presents a svelte continuous plate form, with a metal frame and frosted glass back. It’s striking, comfortable to hold and waterproof for everyday convenience. With a 5.2” display, sleek looks and Fall 2015 fashion and interior design cues, colours range from elegant to expressive for any personal style or taste; White, Graphite Black, Gold and Green.

For those who prefer a compact smartphone, Xperia Z5 Compact brings the same great camera technology and features in a pocket-friendly compact device. It delivers uncompromised performance in a beautifully compact design with a 4.6” display, perfect for one-handed use. And, Z5 Compact let’s you express personal style with fresh, vibrant colours including Yellow and Coral, in addition to White and Graphite Black.

Both devices represent iconic Sony craftsmanship with premium materials throughout, including frosted glass finishing to the rear and a subtly etched Xperia logo side engraving, as well as capless USB for quick efficient connection and charging.

To the side, a new integrated fingerprint sensor power button means each device is personal, protected and easily unlockable with a simple pick up and press in one natural movement. It will also support the FIDO standard; authentication via fingerprint for online payment services - with news on first partners shared closer to launch.

Powerful performance that meets demands

Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, featuring octa-core CPUs, 64 bit capabilities and ultra-fast 4G LTE speeds, letting you reach new levels of performance for video, photography and gaming. Whether you’re multi-tasking over Wi-Fi or the latest 4G network, both devices deliver the speed you need. Download email with attachments in seconds and enjoy video streaming with no delays or unwanted buffering.

Powerful smartphone features demand smart power management, Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are equipped with Sony’s incredible up to two-day⁸ battery stamina and innovative power-saving technology, which gives you superior long-lasting battery performance. With Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 2.0 enabled on the new devices, you can get 5.5 hours usage with just 10 minutes of charging with a certified Quick Charge™ 2.0 charger, such as the Quick Charger UCH10 (dependant on market variants)⁹.

Sony’s 4K leadership now in a mobile device – Xperia Z5 Premium, the world’s first 4K smartphone

Xperia Z5 Premium is the world’s first 4K smartphone with a sharp, vivid 5.5” 4K TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile and IPS, where breathtaking detail is depicted with pinpoint accuracy for the most natural images, at four times the resolution of Full HD.

Xperia Z5 Premium will upscale your favourite content to 4K, enhancing any native or third party videos or photos so you can view Netflix, YouTube or your holiday shots in rich, vibrant 4K detail. And, Xperia Z5 Premium is built to allow you to get creative by capturing in 4K and immediately enjoying the content on Z5 Premium, with the option of preserving any moment as an 8MP quality image.

And, why not port the memory card from Sony’s 4K Action Cam FDR-X1000V to Xperia Z5 Premium to enjoy your footage immediately - or simply connect to the big screen either wirelessly via DLNA or with MHL 3.0 to enjoy your content on a 4K TV.

Xperia Z5 Premium is designed from the ground up as a high-performance mobile device, also powered by the Snapdragon 810 processor. A high capacity 3430 mAh battery lasting for up to two days, with quick charge capability eliminates the need for regular charging.

Xperia Z5 Premium features a large 32GB internal memory, with the capability to take a 200GB external microSD card, which offers extra room for 4K videos and movies, and images too. Xperia Z5 Premium also features Sony’s innovative memory on display feature - the data transfer between processor and device is optimized so Xperia Z5’s display memory technology remembers the display of images seen on your smartphone and caches the image or video so that you don’t need to reload the full image each time you view it - preserving battery power in the process.

A flagship series powered by an entertainment and content ecosystem

Across the Xperia Z5 series, Sony’s rich expertise in audio technologies lets you enjoy sound in incredible detail and clarity. High-Res Audio reproduces high frequency sound for a studio quality experience. DSEE HX^TM upscales the audio fidelity of your existing MP3, AAC or Spotify tracks to near High-Res Audio quality. And for high quality wireless music listening, Sony’s LDAC™ codec transmits data three times more efficiently than legacy codec over Bluetooth.

And now for the first time, Sony’s new High-Resolution Audio Headset MDR-NC750 allows you to enjoy combined Hi-Res Audio music with Digital Noise Cancelling - your tunes as they were intended to be heard, with ambient background noise reduced by up to 98%.

Keep playing your favourite PlayStation®4 (PS4™) games wherever you are in the home with PS4 Remote Play¹⁰. Simply connect your Xperia Z5 series device to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi and use the DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller to ensure you never miss a minute of the action – whatever room you are in.

And to ensure you continue to enjoy the best experiences that Sony has to offer, all Xperia Z5 series users will benefit from access to Xperia Lounge Gold – delivering the world of Sony entertainment at your fingertips. Get access to exclusive competitions and offers; be among the first to try out new apps; and enjoy the latest movies, TV episodes and music included with your device.

Smart style, with new accessories

A range of stylish and protective Style Cover Window cases will be available for each Xperia Z5 series model at launch, in respective corresponding device colours - each will let you access your favourite smartphone widgets through a smart window.

Stereo Bluetooth^® Headset SBH54 is versatile headset with a doubling handset function, designed for users who want a convenient companion device to a large screen smartphone, allowing you to take and make calls, see messages, play music and enjoy FM radio.

Availability and specifications

Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will launch globally from October 2015, and Xperia Z5 Premium from November 2015 – Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Premium will be available in both Single SIM and Dual SIM variants¹¹.

Is Motorola Working on a Moto X Force That Could Also be the DROID Turbo 2?

Kellen — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 07:24:12 +0000

During Motorola's launch event for the Moto X Pure Edition, Style, Play, and G (3rd gen), the company told us to expect even more phone options later on in the year. We assumed they meant new DROID phones (like the DROID MAXX 2) would arrive, but leaker @upleaks may have revealed another to be on the lookout for. The device is thought to be called the Moto X Force, or "bounce" if you need a codename. The phone is said to have a 5.43-inch QHD display (likely 5.5-inch with on-screen buttons), Snapdragon 810 processor, 32/64GB storage options, 3GB RAM, 21MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, and a 3760mAh battery. @upleaks also mentioned that the phone could be "shatterproof" and may arrive in December. It sounds a lot like the Moto X Pure Edition, only with a Snapdragon 810 and a "shatterproof" design. The internet thinks this may end up as the DROID Turbo 2, though we have nothing to back up those claims. If the Moto X Force is real and coming in December, it could very well end up as a Turbo variant. Verizon is in need of new DROID phones at the moment. And while the DROID MAXX 2 looks decent and all as the US version of the Moto X Play, Verizon also needs a flagship, which this Force appears to be. Interested? Thoughts on a phone being shatterproof?

Via: @upleaks [2]

Huawei Watch Hands-on Gallery

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 06:00:05 +0000

We were recently fortunate enough to attend a press briefing held by Huawei where we were given the opportunity to get a bit of one-on-one time with the all-new Huawei Watch. We went in with high expectations, and frankly, we left amazed with Huawei's attention to detail in its newest wearable offering. From the first time you pick it up, and this goes for all of the models, it feels premium. But what does that word even mean? To us, the smartwatch oozed luxury, crafted with materials of the highest quality, such as the leather found on a few of the bands offered. Although, we must say, top marks go to the rose gold-plated model, featuring a heavy, yet gorgeous shine to it. In total, there are six different models to choose from, each offering something different. If you prefer a more classic, not too gaudy appearance, the stainless steel with black leather should suit you nicely. But if you want to be seen from down the block, the rose gold casing with alligator strap should be your watch of choice. Huawei appears to have spared no expense, focusing in on creating a smartwatch watch-lovers would want - not just tech nerds such as myself. I was also impressed by the the amount of different watch faces that come preloaded on each model. I was not able to count them, but it was around 15 or so. Each match up with their respective casings quite well, looking super sharp and crisp on the 1.4" circular AMOLED display. In the near future, be on the lookout for a complete hands-on video, as well as a full review. And if waiting is not your game, the device is now up for pre-order, priced at $349 to $799. If you feel inclined, you can check the device's full specs here. Feast your eyes on the Huawei Watch.

Huawei Watch Specs (Official)

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 06:00:03 +0000

With the Huawei Watch now up for pre-order, it is time you learn about everything the device has to offer. First off, note that Huawei is not marketing this device to "early adopters," but instead, will target fashion-first buyers who want a great looking timepiece first and foremost, with functionality following close behind. Each differently priced model of the Huawei Watch features a fully-circular 1.4" AMOLED display, powered by a Snapdragon 400 processor and 512MB of RAM. Huawei states they worked closely with Google to ensure that the watch will continue to perform at peak levels for years to come, because hey, you don't buy a $799 smartwatch and expect to replace it in a year or two, right? Below, feast your eyes on the full list of Huawei Watch specs. [table id=7 /] Additional Huawei Watch coverage:

Huawei Watch Made Official, Pre-Order Now Live Starting at $349

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 06:00:03 +0000

After a few long months of waiting, the Huawei Watch is finally here. Made official this morning, the device is now up for pre-order, with prices ranging from $349 all the way up to $799. The Android Wear-powered smartwatch comes in a variety of options -- there are stainless steel, black, and rose gold-plated bodies, plus different band options for each. The watch utilizes standard 18mm bands, meaning you can easily replace the bands with whatever band you would like. Sadly, the rose gold-plated options won't be available for pre-order until later this year. For a detailed breakdown of models and pricing, see the below chart. For specs, the Watch features a 1.4-inch full-circle AMOLED display (400x400 pixels, 286 ppi), 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi, Gyroscope + Accelerometer, PPG (Heart Rate Sensor), Barometer, Sapphire crystal, 300 mAh battery, and runs Android Wear 1.3. The watch is compatible with any Android device running 4.3+, but also supports iOS 8.2+. To pre-order the Huawei Watch, you can head over to Huawei's website, Google Store, Amazon, or Best Buy. Huawei states September 17 will be the official availability date. [table id=9 /] Additional Huawei Watch coverage:

Wow, a Crowdfunded Phone That Might Not Suck

Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 15:23:44 +0000

Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Oh, wait, it's only hate. You see, I don't exactly believe in the idea of crowdfunding. I get that it can be a great thing for a large variety of products, but for smartphones, I have not seen much that would lead me to believe the idea of backing a smartphone, then waiting months to receive it, is a good thing. And since many of the devices don't get reviewed by the usual tech circles, how am I supposed to know if what I am buying is any good? To keep it short, I have yet to fund a smartphone project through these avenues. But today, a new device called Robin popped up on Kickstarter, headed by a few familiar faces that I could see myself getting behind and supporting. Created by Nextbit, the Robin looks to reinvent the way we handle storage locally on a smartphone. Instead of relying on microSD slots and set amounts of built-in storage, the Robin utilizes Smart Storage, powered by the cloud. Internally, the device is something similar to what you would see inside your local carrier store. It features a Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of onboard storage (plus 100GB in the cloud), 5.2" LCD FHD display, 13MP rear-facing camera, NFC, Bluetooth, LTE connectivity, 2,680 mAh battery, dual front-facing speakers, and runs the latest version of Android. Not only are the specs suitable, but the design is quite gorgeous, coming in either Mint or Midnight. On the Kickstarter page, the Smart Storage feature is explained rather simply. By learning the way you use your smartphone, Robin is able to free up memory as it sees fit, but if you need something immediately, it is always in the cloud for you to access. This includes apps, photos, and more.

Robin intelligently adapts to your storage needs, and automatically optimizes the space on your phone when it sees you need it. By learning the apps you use and the space you need, Robin offloads the stuff you don’t use to the cloud. So you can have everything you want (in the cloud), and just what you need (on your phone).

I spoke earlier about the faces behind Nextbit and the Robin, so let's touch on that briefly. Nextbit's CEO is Tom Moss, once the Head of Business Development and Partnerships for Android at Google until 2010. When it comes to Android, he knows what he is doing. In charge of Robin's design is none other than Scott Croyle, who is known for designing the One M7 and One M8 while with HTC. Handling CTO duties is Mike Chan, an ex Googler who led power management on Android from the start all the way through version 3.0 (Honeycomb). Between the three, it's a solid core that has usability, features, and design at the top of the priority list. If utilizing a smartphone that features fancy new cloud storage interests you, you will be happy to learn that the device is listed at just $349 currently on Kickstarter. There was a $299 option, but all backer positions have been filled. At the time of this writing, Robin is only $50,000 away from meeting their $500,000 goal, with 29 days left to go. This may be the phone to change my opinion on crowdfunding smartphones.

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Via: Kickstarter

Here are More Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Renders

Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 13:00:42 +0000

Lenovo already told us we should expect to see the new Moto 360 on September 8, but you know, we hate waiting. Thanks to @evleaks, we have another batch of Moto 360 (2nd Gen) press renders to enjoy, this time showing off the elegant Gold and Silver models. Interestingly, the more I see this device, the more it grows on me. At first, I was unsure about the lugs and adjusted placement of the crown, but it is still a handsome looking smartwatch. Of course, it still features a "flat tire" to house the ambient light sensor, but I don't mind that too much. Pretty soon, we will see the complete offerings from Huawei, Motorola, ASUS, and LG in the Android Wear department. Are you leaning towards one in particular at this time? Have at them.

Via: @evleaks

HTC to Announce a New Device on September 6

Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:45:04 +0000

Posted onto HTC's Weibo account, the overseas market may soon have a shiny new smartphone from HTC on September 6. Rumored to be the HTC Aero aka One A9 (the one that looks like an iPhone), the post features a photo of a smartphone, with the words "Meng Yao" on the bottom. When translated, this apparently means "superior handsomeness." There are only rumors floating around with regard to possible specifications, and it is also unknown if we should expect to see the One A9 launch in the US. Right now, the device could launch with either a QHD or FHD display, the overseas model could pack a MediaTek processor, 4GB of RAM, and an all-metal body. September 6 is right around the corner, so we should know soon enough what HTC is up to. Anyone here hoping we get an HTC iPhone here in the US?

Via: Weibo | G for Games

Alto's Adventure Coming Soon to Android

Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 11:27:37 +0000

Announced this morning, Alto's Adventure, a hit iOS title, is coming to Android "soon." Looking like a mix of Tiny Wings gameplay and Monument Valley aesthetics, you play as a speeding snowboarder along with friends who collects stars while zooming down hillsides. While you are boarding, you will jump chasms, rescue runaway llamas, and outsmart mountain elders. From what I see in the YouTube trailer, the game looks like a ton of fun. On iTunes, the game is priced at $1.99, so we can expect the same for when it comes to Google Play. Sadly, the makers did not give a specific date for when Android folks can head to Google Play to download it, but rest assured, it is soon. We will let you know as soon as it is available.

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Via: Noodlecake

Motorola Posts Update on Stagefright Patch Rollout for Moto E

Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 10:46:29 +0000

Over on Google+, Motorola's David Schuster laid out a basic view of what's going on in the world of Stagefright patch OTAs for the Moto E in the US. According to Schuster, Motorola began pushing out an Android 5.1 update that includes the Stagefright patch for the Moto E (1st Gen) in the US last week, and the same for Brazil. He also states additional OTA updates and patches will roll out to other devices in Motorola's lineup, but did not provide specifics at this time. Shuster states, "the recent Stagefright issues resulted in us having to replan and respin a lot of releases." As more information is made available, we will keep you posted.

Via: +David Schuster

Moto X Pure Edition Pre-Order Starts Tomorrow

Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 09:31:07 +0000

As announced on Motorola's social channels, pre-orders in the US for the Moto X Pure Edition will kick off tomorrow at 2pm CT (12pm PT, 3pm ET). According to a member of the Moto Makers group, orders will begin to ship on September 13. Not only will the regular models be available to order, but customers can also start customizing the device on Moto Maker. Before it goes live, you can freshen up on all of the Moto Maker options right here. The device features a Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, 5.7" QHD display, 21MP rear-facing camera, front-facing stereo speakers, 3,000 mAh battery, microSD card slot, and Android 5.1 out of the box. All of this, starting at $399. The time has finally come. Ordering yourself a Moto X Pure Edition?

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Via: +Motorola | @P3Droid

Google Gets a New Logo

Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 09:04:22 +0000

Here are a few of the words being thrown around to describe Google's new logo, introduced this morning. There is colorful, playful, and evolved. Last month, Google announced a major reworking of its core structure, and now, it appears the company is looking to bring forth a new image. To celebrate the change, Google released the below video, detailing the changes the company's logo has gone through over the years. Personally, I enjoyed the flat look it had, but I suppose I could get used to this new font. Share your thoughts below.

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Amazon Now Allows for Download of Prime TV Shows and Movies for Offline Viewing

Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 08:47:44 +0000

Starting today, users of Amazon Prime can now download Prime Video movies and shows to their Android and iOS devices for offline viewing at no extra charge. The media will be stored locally, perfect for viewing while on a plane ride or while camping in the middle of nowhere. Unlike Netflix, which only works if you have a data connection, you can now take all of your favorite Prime movies and Prime TV shows wherever you would like. For all of us major media gobblers, this is great news. Naturally, in order to take advantage of this, you will need to download the Amazon Appstore, followed by the Amazon Video app. Even with the whole 2-day shipping fiasco, Amazon Prime is still getting better.

Via: Amazon

Clove UK Expects Moto X Style Inventory by September 21

Kellen — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 07:56:40 +0000

I know that more than a few of you have been impatiently awaiting the arrival of the Moto X Pure Edition here in the States. In fact, you can include me in that group. This phone, with its reasonable price tag, high-end specs, and fully unlocked self, are quite desirable for a 2015 smartphone. Motorola told us back when the phone was announced, both as the Pure Edition (for the US) and the Moto X Style (for everywhere else), that it would arrive at some point in September. We thought September 3 might be the day, thanks to a since-deleted Tweet from Motorola, but we are only 2 days from the 3rd and aren't hearing much out of Motorola's camp. Are we looking at later in September instead? Possibly. According to Clove UK, an unlocked phone dealer, September 21 may be a date to set your sights on. They are now selling the Moto X Style in both white and black, and are also expecting inventory to be available by the 21st. Now, there is always a chance that this is a soft date and that Motorola has other, earlier plans, so don't get too locked into it. For Moto's sake, I hope they do it much sooner than later. The iPhones are coming.

Via: Clove

Nest Announces 3rd Gen Thermostat With Bigger Display

Kellen — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 06:26:32 +0000

Remember the Nest Thermostat we showed you last week, with the bigger display, that we called the 3rd gen model? Nest made it official today. Yep, the new Nest 3rd gen Learning Thermostat is real and available today from Nest. The new device not only has a bigger, sharper display, but it's also "thinner, sleeker, and more beautiful than ever." Nest says that the new Thermostat knows when you walk into a room from a distance and will light up to show you the temperature or time or a big clock face. This new feature is called Farsight. That's not all, though. The new Nest Thermostat should be more accurate, thanks to more temperature sensors, and better at "learning about your home." The new display is 480x480 (up from 320x320), which equates to 229ppi. Nest also tossed in 5GHz WiFi and Bluetooth LE. Ready to upgrade? Buy it here for $249.

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Via: Nest

Lenovo Says to Expect the New Moto 360 by September 8

Kellen — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 06:11:07 +0000

"It's time," according to Lenovo. Time for what, you ask? The new Moto 360 (2nd gen) of course. The image below, which features that opening quote along with an image of the new Moto 360 emerging from water, was posted to Lenovo's official Weibo account this morning. The image is an event invite with a date of September 8, which we can only assume is the day Lenovo plans to make the new Moto 360 available. Well, there is always a chance that this is when the watch will be unveiled, but we get the feeling it will be official on some level before then. Keep in mind that this new watch has been spotted numerous times over the past week and was also pegged in a report out of CNET as being a part of this week's IFA festivities. There is always a chance that Motorola has decided last minute to move away from an IFA debut too. Either way, we should know something, on some level, about the new Moto 360 within the next 7 days.

Via: Weibo

Deal: Rock These MMOVE Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds for $32

Tim — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 15:39:16 +0000

For those in need of a new set of Bluetooth earbuds for the gym or running around, check out these MMOVE Stereo Earbuds on the DL Deals Store for just $32, down from their usual listed price of $60. These earbuds are made specifically for those among us who are active, as they feature a sweatproof, durable design. An on-screen indicator shows you battery life, meaning you won't be caught in public with dead earbuds on that terrible morning commute to the office. The listing states that the earbuds feature 6 hours without recharging. Need some new earbuds? Check out that link below. Features

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

Deal Link

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Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular Confirm Plans to Carry Gear S2

Kellen — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 15:22:29 +0000

Where can you buy the Gear S2 from Samsung? So far, most major US wireless carriers have confirmed plans to carry it. No one gave us pricing or a date of availability, but Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular all said it'll be in their lineups. T-Mobile said that for $5, you will be able to add the Gear S2 3G to your plan and get unlimited talk/text, 500MB of high-speed data, and unlimited music streaming. AT&T only confirmed that it will carry the Gear S2. Verizon said it will make both Bluetooth and 3G models available. US Cellular added "this Fall" to their launch plans. My guess is that Sprint will join the other wireless carriers, but that electronics spots like Best Buy will sell it as well. As we know more, we will update this post. Be sure to check out the full Gear S2 specs if you haven't already.

Samsung Gear S2 Specs (Classic Too)

Kellen — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 15:06:14 +0000

We now know just about all there is to know about the Samsung Gear S2 and its brother, the Gear S2 Classic, thanks to an announcement out of Samsung this afternoon. The watches are indeed round, carry minimalistic, yet classic designs, run Tizen, and in a way are very much like the Galaxy S6 in that they should be mostly future-proof. Each watch has a high-res Super AMOLED display, 2-3 day battery life, wireless charging, dual-core processor, WiFi, IP68 water and dust resistance, and NFC for mobile payments. If you were looking for the total package in a Android-ready smartwatch, this is probably it. Below, because we know some of you love the little details, you will find the full Gear S2 specs, along with those for the Gear S2 Classic and 3G model.

GEAR S2 / GEAR S2 Classic

[table id=1 /]

GEAR S2 3G (SPECS)

[table id=2 /]

T-Mobile to Stop Network Abusers Who "Steal" Terabytes of High-Speed Data a Month

Tim — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 14:45:18 +0000

In a post to the official T-Mobile blog, CEO John Legere announced that the company will begin to crack down on data thieves beginning today. The issue stems from abusers of the carrier's unlimited high-speed data plan, which also grants a small portion of high-speed data for tethering devices. According to Legere, approximately 3,000 T-Mobile customers are willfully stealing about 2TBs (yes, terabytes) of data for tethering each month. Utilizing rooted phones, software to help mask network activity, and other various means, these apparent evil-doers are not adding to an honest customer's experience on T-Mobile. So, to put it simply, Legere is going to shut them down. As written in Legere's blog, "These violators are going out of their way with all kinds of workarounds to steal more LTE tethered data. They’re downloading apps that hide their tether usage, rooting their phones, writing code to mask their activity, etc. They are 'hacking' the system to swipe high speed tethered data. These aren't naive amateurs; they are clever hackers who are willfully stealing for their own selfish gain." From reading the blog, it is clear Legere is passionate on stopping the data thieves, but assures honest customers that they have nothing to fear. The group of "thieves" is roughly 1/100 of one percent of 59 million customers, so odds are, your 50GB or 100GB a month of Netflix and whatever else you are doing is not an issue. Legere is going after the big fish. T-Mobile's first action will be to send out warnings to those who are abusing the network. If nothing changes, access to the plan will be lost, followed by be moved to an entry-level limited 4G LTE data plan. The company issued a document into their forum to breakdown exactly what they intend to do, viewable here. The moral of the story is, if you tether 2TBs of high-speed data a month, Legere will warn you about it, and then move you to a different plan. Ouch, that slap on the wrist hurts, John!

Via: T-Mobile

Samsung Officially Announces Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic, With NFC Mobile Payments, and More

Kellen — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 14:16:35 +0000

Samsung just made its new round smartwatches, the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic official ahead of press events at IFA in Berlin. We now know specs, battery life, operating system, the differences between each, what the bezel does, how you will navigate around the UI, and also that it will have NFC for mobile payments. Ready to learn? The Gear S2 Classic was "made for users who prefer a more timeless watch design, offering an elegant Black finish with a matching genuine leather band." It's the black watch in this post. The regular Gear S2 is "ideal for those who are on-the-go and have an admiration for minimal and modern design." It's the white watch picture above and below. In terms of specs, they each have 1.2-inch circular Super AMOLED displays (320x320, 302ppi), 1.0GHz dual-core processors, run Tizen wearable platform software, IP68 dust and water resistance, 4GB storage, 512MB RAM, NFC, heart rate monitor, WiFi (b/g/n), and have 250mAh batteries that are said to last from 2-3 days on a single charge and can be wirelessly charged. (Full specs) There is also a 3G version of the Gear S2 that has a 300mAh battery. This model incorporates the "first-ever e-SIM with voice capability," so you can do all sorts of tasks without being tethered to a phone. As for the NFC chips included, Samsung says that this technology "will enable mobile payments," similarly to how the Apple Watch works, but didn't exactly say the words "Samsung Pay" along with their statement. The wording strikes me as if mobile payments with their watches won't be happening until far in the future. The watches are equipped to send you notifications, allow voice input, and include apps for Nike+ Running and S Health, outside of the standard Samsung S software. Samsung said that they are working with a bunch of developers and partners to deliver additional watch faces and watch bands. Watch bands for the Gear S2 can be easily swapped with a simple click. Samsung didn't announce when they would be available or how much they will cost, only that they will be on display at IFA.

Samsung Comes Full Circle with Introduction of Samsung Gear S2
August 31, 2015
Latest Samsung Gear features a versatile circular design for an intuitive, convenient, and enjoyable mobile experience
SEOUL, Korea – September 1, 2015 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch, the company’s latest offering as a result of many years of progressive innovation in the wearables category. The Samsung Gear S2 comes in a versatile, circular design with an intuitive, custom UX and advanced features that enable users to enhance, personalize and bring more fun to their mobile experience. The Gear S2’s unique rotating bezel, along with the Home and Back buttons, ensures users will have a quicker, more precise method to comfortably access notifications and applications. Introduced in two different options – the Gear S2 and the Gear S2 classic – Samsung designed the Gear S2 to appeal to two distinct consumer preferences. The Gear S2 classic is made for users who prefer a more timeless watch design, offering an elegant Black finish with a matching genuine leather band. The Gear S2 is ideal for those who are on-the-go and have an admiration for minimal and modern design. “For the past several years, Samsung has pioneered and advanced the wearables category, bringing brave new concepts to the smart wearables market,” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of Samsung’s IT & Mobile Business. “The Samsung Gear S2 reflects Samsung’s most progressive innovation. It is the perfect complement for any occasion, easily taking you from day to night, from work to workout—and ensuring that you get more out of every moment in your day, by making it smarter and ultimately more personal and fun.” A mere 11.4-millimeter thin, the Samsung Gear S2 brings a light and compact design to your wrist. It offers an incredibly vibrant viewing experience for a smartwatch, thanks to its 1.2-inch circular screen and its 360 x 360 resolution (302 ppi). The applications on the Gear S2 can be viewed with amazing clarity so that users don’t miss notification pop-ups. Also, with the latest Tizen OS and an optimized 1-GHz dual core processor, the Samsung Gear S2 can perform tasks easily and efficiently. Users can stay connected with at-a-glance notifications to check calendars, e-mails, news and can even send important texts directly from their wrist. Users can choose the Gear S2 with 3G connectivity which incorporates the first-ever e-SIM with voice capability, to perform quick functions without being closely tethered to their phone. New fitness functions on the Samsung Gear S2 will encourage consumers to stay healthy and active. The 24-hour activity log lets users view daily activity progress and patterns at a glance. It will also send reminder updates to motivate users to stay on track with their fitness goals. For the ultimate convenience, the Samsung Gear S2 comes with NFC technology which will enable mobile payments without the need for a wallet. Samsung is working with a wide selection of partners across different industries to expand the usability of wearables and streamline consumers’ mobile lives in a variety of ways, including smart car keys, residential room keys, and remote controls to manage a connected home. All of these connected features will be supported by a battery that can last up to 2-3 days, allowing consumers to stay connected without the hassle of constantly having to recharge. To charge, simply place the Samsung Gear S2 on the wireless charging dock right out of the box. The Samsung Gear S2 reflects Samsung’s commitment to openly collaborate with developers and partners to bring increased customization and applications to its devices. Samsung is working closely with partners to offer a range of watch faces and watch bands so that users can have a variety of ways to express their personal style and mood. Users can easily change the band with one click, and change the watch face for a more personalized and sophisticated Gear experience depending on the time, place or occasion. A variety of apps optimized for the Gear S2’s circular user interface will be available at launch. Through open collaboration with developers and partners, Samsung is continuing to enrich its wearable ecosystem and provide users with a more optimized and unique smart wearable experience. The Samsung Gear S2 will be available in a Dark Gray case with a Dark Gray band and Silver case with a White band. The Samsung Gear S2 classic will be available in a Black case with a Leather band. The Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic will be showcased for full media hands-on and more applications will be demonstrated with partners at Tempodrum, Berlin on September 3.

Monday Poll: Blackberry Venice, are You Actually Interested?

Kellen — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 13:50:25 +0000

I posted up the newest images of the Blackberry Venice this morning, thinking it had a substantial amount of hype surrounding it. I now know that I underestimated said hype. You are all crazy in love with the idea of a Blackberry keyboard attached to a Blackberry phone that runs what appears to be mostly-stock Android. I can't say I fully understand the need for such a device in 2015, now that on-screen keyboards are as good as they are today, but hey, nostalgia is a thing, a real thing. So, because I need to see the actual numbers that prove this isn't just a few select fanboyistic droolers who love sliders known as the Blackberry Venice, it's time for a poll. I need to know - are you really interested in the Blackberry Venice? Like, really really? [poll id="375"]

Soak Test Rolling Out to Verizon Moto X (2nd Gen), Could it be Simultaneous Voice + Data?

Tim — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 12:44:59 +0000

A soak test is rolling out to the Moto X (2nd Gen) on Verizon, bringing what could be a very important update for current owners. Still to this day, the Moto X (2nd Gen) does not feature simultaneous voice and data, so it is possible that this soak test will be implementing that feature. This variant of the Moto X was approved for Android 5.1 in late June, so it it also possible users could see Android 5.1.1, in addition to the voice + data functionality. Once the update starts hitting devices, we will update the post so everyone knows what Verizon and Motorola are up to. Here is the letter being sent to owners.

Hi _____, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Moto X 2nd Gen to participate in an early preview of a new software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a Moto X 2nd Gen, please excuse and ignore this email. We can only accept a limited number of participants, so please don't wait to respond. Click the Begin Survey button at the bottom -xxxx- to take the enrollment survey if you wish to take part. This link is uniquely tied to this survey and your email address. Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to be included. This is a confidential opportunity under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public or private websites. Start times can be fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. Thanks! Mark Motorola Owners’ Forums Motorola Feedback Network

Cheers R, D, B, M!

Video: Using Android Wear on iOS!

Kellen — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 12:28:39 +0000

What's it like to use an Android Device on iOS, through an iPhone 6? We paired up a Moto 360 (yes, it works) and took it for a spin this morning to find out. As you can imagine, the experience isn't as fully featured as it is on Android. You don't have access to all of your favorite 3rd party Android Wear apps from Google Play, because well, this is iOS and the Apple Appstore, not Google Play. It's probably unlikely that Apple is going to let Android Wear apps show up or be available for install to an Android Wear watch any time soon either, so yeah, that's just a part of the deal that Google likely understood going in. What you do have is a basic notification experience with Google app cards, Google Now info, and some voice activity. You also have some access to watch faces, though they are limited at this time. Some apps give you the opportunity to quickly respond or complete actions (Gmail is one), while others are really just showing notifications. Is this a full smartwatch experience? No. It may never be. But it does the basic stuff, which for some, is all a smartwatch needs. Maybe more importantly, this gives Apple users choice - choice for a watch that isn't the overpriced, confusing, calculator-styled Apple Watch.

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HTC Zoe App Updated, Brings Smart Trim and Longer Clips

Tim — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 11:47:57 +0000

An update for the Zoe app, made by HTC for One device owners, is now available to download on Google Play. Inside the update, which is rather large in terms of additions, users can now create highlight videos locally, with nothing going up into the cloud. Added features also include a Smart Trim tool, allowing users to trim clips inside of a video. The maximum length of a Zoe has been pushed from 30 seconds to 3 minutes, and you can now download your existing Zoes from the cloud with your login online. If you rock a supported One device, go get that update. What's New

Create highlight videos locally on your phone without uploading.
Maximum length increased from 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
Include as many clips as you like within the 3 minute time limit.
Smart Trim. Toggling smart trim on/off enables video clips to be trimmed or to play in their entirety within the Zoe.
Login to download your existing Zoes from the cloud.

Play Link

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 32

Tim — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:53:15 +0000

We have IFA all this week, so Android fans best be ready for a ton of fun announcements from companies such as Motorola, Huawei, and Samsung. We sort of already know what to expect from each player, mostly being Android Wear-related, but we are also getting close to Google's likely unveiling of two Nexus devices. The Q&A Sessions are your chance to ask us anything that might be on your, whether it be Android-related, non Android-related, and everything in between. 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.

Google's OnHub WiFi Router App Hits Google Play

Tim — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:03:10 +0000

The official companion app for Google's OnHub WiFi Router, is now available on Google Play for new owners to download. The app is what makes your new router so "smart," offering you the ability to set priority devices, run networks tests, and share your network name and password with friends. Once you are all set up, users can also change settings to the router, which means there are no more crazy, convoluted URLs to access through a browser to change specific functions. There is no denying, your typical router is sometimes a total pain in the rear, and OnHub looks to combat this. The OnHub router costs $199, available in Black and Blue. If you already have one, or are receiving yours in the mail soon, be sure to grab the application on Google Play. Features

Set up your OnHub in just a few minutes
Learn how to improve your Wi-Fi connection if there’s a slowdown
Run a network check to test your connection speed
Easily share your network name and password to friends & family
Make changes to your settings, such as your network name or password
Remotely provide or receive help from friends and family

Play Link

Moto 360 Can Pair With Android Wear on iOS After All

Kellen — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 09:50:32 +0000

Google just announced that Android Wear had come to iOS, while also introducing the Apple users of the world to this concept called choice. But along with that announcement, they mentioned that only the LG Watch Urbane, plus a bunch of soon-to-be-released watches were capable of working with iOS at this time, not any older Android Wear devices like the Moto 360. That (unsurprisingly) bummed a number of you out. To make sure that Google wasn't fibbing on us a bit, we decided to see if we could pair a Moto 360 with an iPhone on the new Android Wear iOS app. Turns out, it worked! Look! We have a Moto 360 paired with an iPhone 6. It's receiving notifications, showing Google-related cards like weather and flight information. We got asked to allow it to show notifications and talk to our calendar and all that good stuff. So yeah, if you have an Android Wear device running the latest 1.3 update, feel free to give it a shot and try to pair it with your iPhone. Note: Before iPhone users run out and buy a Moto 360, there is one thing to consider - it won't work out of the box and you probably can't update it so that it will without an Android phone. The newest version of Android Wear (v1.3) is required in order for a watch to work on iOS, but none of the older watches are going to ship with it out of the box. Because of that, you probably can't pair or do anything on iOS until you have that update. At least, that's my theory. Proceed with caution on buying older watches unless you have an Android device you can pair to to receive the latest update first.

Blackberry Venice...This Thing Right Here

Kellen — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 09:06:43 +0000

The Blackberry Venice, a phone coupled with a slideout physical keyboard and mostly-stock Android, has fanboys of tech giggling like little boys who found their penis for the first time. It's a keyboard! Like, the ones from back in the day on terrible smartphones that had good keyboards, but there is this thing called Android with it too! BEST. OF. ALL. WORLDS. I loved 2005! Seriously, though, I haven't seen this level of nerd hype since...I got nothing. But yeah, it's everywhere right now, especially thanks to a massive leak out of Tinhte. Look at this thing.

We really don't know much other than these pictures show Galaxy S6 Edge-like display, SIM and SD card slots, either a 16MP or 18MP camera (depending on your eyes) that has super-duper fast autofocus and dual flashes, really random button setup (is that power in-between volume up and down?), and yep, a keyboard. I think it's poll time. We need to get to the bottom of this.

Via: Tinhte

Android Wear Comes to iOS (Updated)

Tim — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 09:02:26 +0000

The day has finally come, and the potential Android Wear customer base has now grown exponentially. Starting this week, Android Wear works on iOS, with ~~all~~ many of the same features that Android users get. It has the Google Now cards, a few native applications, fitness tracking, and more. Supported iPhones (iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, or 6 Plus running iOS 8.2+) will be able to access all of the same helpful information Android users see, with the exception to the vast array of custom watch faces found on Google Play. Google states there will be a curated set of 3rd-party faces that are usable, but for now, your choices seem somewhat limited. As for usable devices, the LG Watch Urbane is the only currently supported smartwatch, but all of the upcoming watches from Motorola, ASUS, and Huawei will be supported. So just to be clear, your current Moto 360, G Watch R, Gear Live, ZenWatch, or any other Android Wear smartwatch are not supported. If you could not already guess, this is big for iPhone fans. Update: Android Wear app is now live on the Appstore. [LINK] Update 2: Moto 360 can be paired with an iPhone!

Via: Google

Leaks Show Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Press Pics, Supposed Moto 360 "Sport"

Kellen — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 07:41:48 +0000

Oh the hype is so real right now. IFA kicks off this week in Berlin and we are expecting to be consumed by a new wave of Android Wear smartwatches. Previous reports have suggested that Motorola, Huawei, ASUS, and LG will all unveil new Android Wear products, a couple of which we think we know about. Motorola is probably at the top of the list, thanks to the popularity amongst Android enthusiasts over their original Moto 360. I think it's safe to say that we all want to see the 2nd gen Moto 360 sooner than later. Through a batch of leaked press renders over the weekend, we have some clean new looks to chat about. Former professional leaker Evan Blass gave us the image at the top of the post, which appears to be straight up online store or press renders of the new Moto 360 (2nd gen). We are seeing both black and silver casings, along with metal and leather band options. Neither of those details are necessarily news, since that's exactly what we got with the original. But, we are seeing that 2-o'clock crown position and lugs attached to the watch's body that are most indeed new to this watch. As you all know, the previous Moto 360 had the cleanest design (and still has in my opinion) of any smartwatch, with its round casing, little bezel, and lack of lugs, that allowed watch band to almost disappear minimally into its body. This new version has that same minimal bezel, but man, I don't know that any of us wanted lugs. I think we all just wanted that black bar to go away and to see improvements on the inside, like a processor not made in 2009. So far, we are seeing all sorts of black bar in every new image and have no idea what Motorola is doing in terms of processor. And here are a couple of additional photos, courtesy of @upleaks. In these pictures, we have potential metal band options, plus gold color choices:

Finally, @upleaks also gave us the first picture of a watch they are calling the Moto 360 Sport. This is what it looks like.

This is the first we are hearing of a sport model, but I can see how this might be a good arena for Motorola to re-enter. Fitness products are all the rage these days. If you can create a fitness related smartwatch that does more than your typical tracker (think Fitbit), with sport-like band (seen above) and fitness-ready apps to track runs, workouts, and other activities, you could have something. We still have no idea on pricing or availability. We should know this week, assuming Motorola comes through with announcements over the next couple of days. Thoughts?

Via: @evleaks | @upleaks

Cheers Ryan and Robert!

LG Announces $1,200 Watch Urbane Luxe Adorned in 23-Karat Gold

Kellen — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 19:10:40 +0000

LG, just before the start of IFA, announced a new luxury edition of its Watch Urbane (review). It's called the Watch Urbane Luxe and it runs $1,200, thanks to its 23-karat gold adornment. The watch was made in partnership with REEDS Jewelers here in the US. Speaking of made, LG is only releasing 500 of these "limited edition" watches. Each is engraved with a serial number for authenticity and will be available for pre-order later this month. While it's a smartwatch underneath (and runs Android Wear), LG is really promoting this as a luxury item for a very small crowd that are willing to spend lavishly on something like a gold smartwatch. It utilizes a deployment clasp, has an alligator watch band, is made of 23-karat gold, and is housed in a "piano-gloss lacquer case." The Watch Urbane Luxe will officially be available at the end of October. Watch Urbane Luxe specs:

Chipset: 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
Operating System: Android wear
Display: 1.3 inch plastic OLED (320x320, 245ppi)
Memory: 512MB LPDDR2 / 4GB eMMC
Sensor: 9 axes (Gyro / Acceleration / Compass), pressure sensors, heart rate sensors
Waterproof and dustproof: IP67 Certification
Battery: 410mAh
Colours: Gold

LG WATCH URBANE LUXE, AN EXQUISITE SMARTWATCH

Limited Edition Device from LG is More Jewelry Than Wearable
SEOUL, Aug. 31, 2015 ― In collaboration with U.S. retail jewelry company REEDS Jewelers, LG Electronics (LG) will introduce a premium limited edition smartwatch, LG Watch Urbane Luxe. This luxurious wearable was designed with a specific wearer in mind and is adorned in 23-karat gold and gorgeous alligator leather strap set in an exclusive piano-gloss lacquer case. Available starting at the end of October, the LG Watch Urbane Luxe will retail for approximately USD 1,200. The LG Watch Urbane Luxe will sport a deployment clasp for a fitted, elegant look that isn’t bulky. Invented by Louis Cartier in 1910, the use of a deployment clasp makes this timepiece even more exclusive and unique. The alligator band itself is handcrafted at the highest level of craftsmanship, undergoing 50 separate steps in its creation, handled lovingly by 30 experienced leatherworkers. The 23-karat gold used in the LG Watch Urbane Luxe is stronger and harder than the 24-karat gold used in jewelry and heavier than the 18-karat gold used in traditional luxury watches. “Wearable devices shouldn’t be thought of as an extension of one’s smartphone but an extension of oneself,” said Chris Yie, vice president and head of marketing communications for LG Mobile Communications Company. “This blending of craftsmanship and technology is a natural evolution of the smartwatch, which is becoming more of a lifestyle accessory than a piece of hardware. We think this is a good direction for wearables and we want to encourage this transformation.” Each of the 500 limited edition watches will be engraved with its own serial number for authenticity and available initially in the USA for pre-order at www.REEDS.com later this month or by visiting any REEDS Jewelers location. Visitors to IFA 2015 can see this beautiful work of art for themselves along with other mobile devices from LG in Hall 18 of Messe Berlin from September 4-9.
# # #

DL Show Episode 90 Happened This Week, Your Week Isn't Complete Without It

Kellen — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 20:09:29 +0000

Earlier in the week, Tim, Ron and I all sat down for what turned into episode 90 of the Droid Life Show. It was as good of a time as ever, with topics ranging from all of our thoughts on the Galaxy Note 5 and its S Pen controversy, to why HTC is making an iPhone 6 clone. We also ran through topics like the new Gear S2, Moto 360 (2nd gen) that has been seen, our images of the DROID MAXX 2, the big Huawei Nexus leak, and why everyone is so confusingly excited about this Blackberry slider phone that runs Android. You will find both audio and video replays of the show past the break.

Deal: Samsung Fast Charging Car Chargers just $12.99

Kellen — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:36:07 +0000

Most of you probably have a Turbo Charger or two laying around your house, thanks to a handful of decent deals on them over the past year. But do any of you have a fast charger for your car? If not, you can pick-up a brand new, Samsung Fast Charging Car Charger for just $12.99 over at Groupon (USB cable included). Groupon is claiming that you are receiving some massive 68% discount, but that's kind of a lie. These chargers can be had at Amazon from around $15 with a USB cable. Still, saving a couple of bucks on an already-cheap fast charger for your car isn't something to complain about. Like with the fast wall chargers, you can grab up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes time. Groupon Link

Material Design Makes Everything Look Better, Even Mobile Ads

Tim — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:43:54 +0000

Every now and then, depending on what apps and games you use, you likely see fullscreen advertisements inside an application from time to time. Usually, they look really bad, and can sometimes be annoying. That's just the nature of ads. However, thanks to Material Design, apps that use fullscreen ads from the AdMob Network (which is quite a few), should see a big makeover. At the top of the header image above, the way fullscreen ads appear as they are today is shown on the left. With the update, ads will appear like the one shown on the right side. It features a floating action button which acts as an "Install" shortcut, and the overall layout is much cleaner and less intrusive. In addition, the new ads will color match accordingly to an app's icon and banner image, offering a pleasing aesthetic for viewers. Sure, ads are no fun, but at least Material Design can make them look a bit better for us mobile users. Again, depending on which apps you use, prepare to see these new fullscreen ads rollout soon as developers work to implement them.

Via: DoubleClick Publishers

Vanishing Moto 360 Inventory Can Mean Only One Thing

Tim — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:50:47 +0000

We must be getting real close to the next Moto 360 from Motorola, as evidenced by the abrupt disappearance of last year's model on Motorola's website. The device has been removed from Moto Maker, and it doesn't appear to be buyable anywhere through Motorola's website. Earlier this week, it was reported that Motorola intends to announce the next Moto 360 at this year's IFA, alongside other manufacturers in Berlin. Not only that, but the smartwatch has been pictured on wrists in the city of Chicago, as well as overseas, lending credit to the belief that we should see the updated wearable announced next week. It appears there is a bit of inventory left on Amazon if grabbing a first-generation model is something you would like to do. However, we would recommend waiting to at least see what Motorola plans on offering this year, and for how much. Next week should be a big one for Android Wear fans.

Via: Motorola

Cheers Mike!

Friday App Sales: Hitman GO, Geometry Wars 3, Kingdom Rush Origins, and More

Tim — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:33:14 +0000

In need of a few apps to keep you busy this weekend? Thankfully, there is a great list of apps and games on sale through Google Play today, putting your Opinion Rewards credit to good use. And if you don't have that installed already, you better get on that. On sale are a few well-known titles, such as Hitman GO and Geometry Wars 3, plus a few lesser known apps like Pivvot and Deadly Dungeons. Other apps on sale include Dragon Quest V, Death Race: The Game, Kingdom Rush Origins, Gentlemen, and a nice utility app called WritePad. View the full list below.

Friday App Sales

Carcassonne ($2.49)
Kingdom Rush Origins ($0.99)
Heroes of Might & Magic III HD ($4.99)
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions ($1.99)
Hitman GO ($0.99)
Dragon Quest V ($9.99)
Pivvot ($0.99)
Toolbox Pro Key Manager ($1.99)
Death Race: The Game ($1.12)
The Nightmare Cooperative ($1.24)
Deadly Dungeons ($0.99)
WritePad ($4.99)
Gentlemen ($2.33)

Go support those developers!

Facebook Rolls Out Photo Editing Tools to Official App, Desktop

Tim — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:52:16 +0000

People seem to love decking their photos out with funny text and stickers, so now, Facebook is allowing you to get in on the fun through the official Facebook app and on the desktop. When you have a photo in your library, or are about to upload, the app allows you to "edit" the photo, which means you can apply custom text and silly stickers to the photo. Facebook states this is a suite of tools, so it's possible the company has additional tools besides stickers and text. In order to use these tools, you will need the latest version of the Facebook app from Google Play. Play Link

Vine Makes it Easy to Add Music to Your Clips, Create Perfect Loops

Tim — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:03:07 +0000

Vine, the social media platform that allows you to post six second clips, is receiving an update to bring an easier process for adding music. To start, Vine is introducing Snap to Beat. With this feature, under the details page, Vine can help you create a "perfect loop" or "seamless loop," which is a loop featuring music where the listener/watcher can't tell the beginning from the end. Until now, only those are who obsessed with creating perfect Vines were able to produce this. Also included in the update is the ability to add Featured Tracks to a Vine. With this, users can browse tracks from an assorted library of music, giving you control over what music is inside your vine. The plan is to make your Vine sound better than it would if the music is played through the device's microphone. From what we can see, tracks are available from many artists, such as Drake, Beck, David Bowie, and many more. Included with the addition of adding music, users can now find out what song they are listening to while viewing other Vines. When you see a music note on a Vine, simply tap it, and Vine will show you the song information. The update is rolling out to Google Play now, so keep your eyes peeled if you still use Vine. Play Link

Via: Vine

App Listings in Google Search Receive a Makeover

Tim — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 09:09:41 +0000

Google Search results are very important for many people. On mobile phones, they are becoming smarter, and now, prettier. The latest search results landing page to receive a makeover are app listings, a feature that has been inside search results for quite some time. Now, thanks to a server-side change at Google, any apps that are listed inside of a search result will be colored, giving a more tasteful aesthetic when browsing through categories of applications found on Google Play. To see this, all you need to do is search by a category of apps. For example, you can search for cooking apps, music apps, Twitter apps, or any other category. Google will then return the results, leaving you with a colorful page full of options for you to sift through. As stated, this is a server side change, so no updated Google application is required on your smart device. It should just magically appear. Go try it for yourself right now.

Huawei Watch Pre-Order Hits Amazon, Priced From $349 to $799

Tim — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 08:08:27 +0000

The Huawei Watch, previously reported to go official next week during IFA, is now up for pre-order on Amazon. According to the listing, there are four models -- Black/Black, Gold/Brown, Gold/Gold, and Stainless Steel/Black -- priced rather high when compared to other Android Wear devices on the market. To start, the "cheapest" model is the Stainless Steel/Black, featuring a steel-colored case and black leather band. This device is priced at $350. The most expensive, referred to as the Gold/Gold option, is listed at $799. Yup, that's some serious dough. Sadly, Amazon's listing does not detail specifications for the smartwatch in depth. However, a couple small things are disclosed, such as a 1.4" full-circle AMOLED display (400 x 400) with scratch resistant sapphire glass and stainless steel body, and even "iOS 8.2 or Android 4.3" compatibility. Does this mean Android Wear will soon support iOS, or did Huawei find a way? We shall see. It's entirely possible that someone jumped the gun, and this pre-order should not be live until the device is announced at IFA next week. So, if you were planning on purchasing a Huawei Watch, you may want to do so quickly. Any thoughts on the pricing? Too expensive? Just right for a tasteful timepiece? Amazon Link

Lara Croft GO Now Available on Google Play, Priced at $5

Tim — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 15:36:19 +0000

Square Enix published Lara Croft GO to Google Play today, just as they said they would earlier this month. Priced at $5, anyone who enjoyed the Hitman GO game is sure to get a kick out of this. Inside, the game is based on single-space movements, as well as outsmarting any enemies on a level. When you move a space, the bad guys move a space. If they happen to be facing you on the same line, you're dead. Lara Croft GO appears to switch it up a bit, adding in an additional dimension of up and down movement. In total, the game features 75 levels across 5 chapters, which is sure to last you plenty of time. Although, do note, it may take a bit for all chapters to be made available, much like it did on Hitman GO. Now if you will excuse me, I have some gaming to do. Play Link ($4.99)

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Deal: Pick up the Hot Java Android Coding Bundle for $29

Tim — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 15:25:09 +0000

Taking place on the DL Deals Store, you can grab the Hot Java Android Coding Bundle, and no, it's not a course on brewing the best coffee in town. Sorry. Priced at $29, this coding bundle features five courses, ranging in topics from Android Lollipop (and Marshmallow) development, to re-skinning games for various app stores. With the bundle, you will receive hundreds of lectures containing countless hours of information, all leading up to making you a better developer for the next big app. According to the listing, all levels of experience are accepted, so don't worry if you have never gotten your feet wet in the development game. If coding is in your blood, have at it. Deal Link

TRI's Ultra Secure Turing Phone Set to Ship December 18

Tim — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:33:49 +0000

TRI's high security Turing Phone, the one that went up for reservation not too long ago, will begin to ship out to those who place their order starting December 18, just in time to receive it for Christmas. The official timeline states that invites will be ready for those who reserved a device on September 21, followed by a pre-order for the Dark Wyvern special edition on September 24. On that same day, all folks who reserved a device will be asked to pay for their phone. For those curious, the Turning Phone started at $610 and went all the way up to $870. For the limited edition Wyvern model, you are looking at a price of $999 to $1299 (Glaedr model). The Turing Phone deploys end-to-end decentralized authentication for establishing secure networks to exchange data. It also features a IPx8 waterproof rating, too? 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, 3,000 mAh battery, 3 different storage options (16/64/128GB), and runs Android 5.1 with a “Æmæth UI” skin. Anyone here reserve their very own Turing Phone?

Ordering and Shipping Dates + Sneak Peek at the Dark Wyvern
Thank you for being patient while we finish up production details for the Turing Phone™. We are pleased to inform you that Turing Robotic Industries has teamed up with Foxconn Group in an exclusive relationship to produce the Turing Phone. Foxconn brings decades of experience in world-class electronics manufacturing. TRI and Foxconn will formulate a DFM (Designed For Manufacturing) process so that TRI’s Turing Phone may scale in production to serve its worldwide needs. What this means for you is you’ll get a product that’s superior in quality and performance as soon as possible. Be sure to mark your calendars for the following dates!

September 21st 2015 – “Circle of Friends” invites ready for those who have reserved the phone during the initial reservation period

September 24th 2015 – Pre-order for the Dark Wyvern special edition (full payment required)

September 24th 2015 – All reservations will be informed to pay for the order (full payment required); upgrade to the Dark Wyvern option will be available

December 18th 2015 – Official shipment of the Turing Phones

Dark Wyvern News The TRI community asked us to create a special Turing Phone, one that could serve as the symbol for the cipher phone. From this feedback, we worked to design a phone with mystique and intrigue. The Dark Wyvern is that phone. Wyverns are careful to be silent when flying and keep their shadows unseen. These traits give the Wyvern the ability to be stealth so its foes are unaware of the creature. We thought it fitting to name our flagship phone after the mythical creature so often associated with heraldry. We hope you’ll carry your Dark Wyvern as a badge of distinction and honor. Series II Special Edition Turing Phone Pricing: Dark Wyvern (128GB) $999 Dark Wyvern Glaedr (128GB) $1299* *only 3,000 Glaedr will be produced; further details on the Glaedr will be announced on September 9^th 2015. Thank you. From the CEO SYL Chao|Turing Robotic Industries

Swype Updated With Premium Star Trek Themes, Emoji Keyboard

Tim — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:15:35 +0000

An update for the Swype Keyboard application brings additional premium themes to users, as well as a dedicated emoji keyboard - something everyone in 2015 needs apparently. A few of the themes now usable should make the Star Trek fans in here extremely happy, as dedicated themes for predominant characters are available, such as ones for Captain Kirk, Captain Picard, and blueprint-like layouts for the USS Enterprise. In addition to new Star Trek themes, users can utilize a solid emoji keyboard, perfect for sharing little faces for what you want to say, instead of using actual words. Swype also lists that auto-correction improvements have been implemented, as well as bug fixes and crash fixes. To download the latest version, head on over to Google Play. Play Link

Prepare for Sensationalism: Apple is Announcing Things on September 9

Kellen — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:10:12 +0000

Figured you were all dying to know.

Via: @MKBHD

LG Announces Rolly, Industry-First Solid Rollable Keyboard

Tim — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 11:50:36 +0000

Set to be unveiled at IFA next month, LG announced a new rollable keyboard called Rolly today, labeling it as an "industry first." The keyboard is rather unique, featuring an extremely compact, yet somewhat long design when rolled up. However, when unrolled and out for use, it has a solid full QWERTY keyboard, able to be connected directly to a smartphone and tablet via LG's software. The keyboard features a built-in stand for your tablet, turning your little setup into a full blown laptop. For power, the device uses a single AAA battery, capable of powering the keyboard for three months on average use. The Rolly will launch in the US next month, but there is no word yet on pricing. Here's hoping for under $50. Watch the video below to see the rollable keyboard in action.

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Via: LG

Instagram Gains Support for Landscape and Portrait Formats

Tim — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 10:44:57 +0000

The Instagram app for Android received a major update this morning, bringing full support for shots taken in landscape and portrait formats. That means you are no longer restricted to just a square for your beautiful shots. Once updated, users can upload photos in landscape, giving you greater ability to upload wider angle shots. This is also goes for video, which can now also be uploaded in landscape, allowing for a more cinematic viewing experience. For portrait photo uploaders, the overall length of the photo will appear longer on your timeline, perfect for shots of skyscrapers or anything else you can come up with. To celebrate this wide angle experience, there happens to be a short little teaser for the new Star Wars movie on the official SW account. You can view that here. Lightsaber action, anyone? The update is rolling out to Google Play, so go grab it.

Via: Instagram

OnePlus Co-Founder: "Aggressive" OnePlus 2 Invite Rollout Begins Next Weekend

Tim — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:44:28 +0000

The August 11 release date of the OnePlus 2 has come and gone, but it seems many on the 4.3 million+ waitlist for an invite to purchase the device have been left wanting. Today on Twitter, OnePlus' co-founder Carl Pei, announced that the company's "aggressive invite rollout" will begin next weekend. According to Pei, OnePlus was set back "by almost a month," but finally, invites will soon rollout. We still don't know exactly how fast OnePlus can get through 4.3 million+ requests, but we do hope for all of those waiting patiently that it goes by quickly. As of right now, we are 107K on the list, thanks to being pushed back countless times by folks who used the share option to gain spots in line. We still don't like the invite system, but that's OnePlus for you. Anyone here still waiting on an invite to purchase?

Via: @getpeid

Samsung Pay Beta Launches in US, Limited to Select Cardholders

Tim — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:50:56 +0000

Samsung Pay, Samsung's mobile payments solution, has entered private beta here in the US. With Samsung Pay, users load up their credit card and debit card information, and can then use these cards via their Samsung smartphone at virtually any terminal thanks to the Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology. MST allows your phone to emulate a typical card swipe at credit card readers, instead of relying on NFC to transmit secure data. Now, the beta appears to be rather closed in terms of who can actually join it, limiting its use to those who hold US Bank Visa credit and debit cards, Bank of America MasterCard credit cards and Visa debit and credit cards. The exact and full list of supported cards has been placed below. Other than that, all you need is a supported device, which would be the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, or Galaxy Note 5, and then finally, a Samsung Account. If you meet these requirements, follow the via link below. Supported cards

Bank of America consumer credit, debit cards, small business debit cards (owner card only).
Merrill Lynch consumer credit cards, U.S. Trust consumer credit, debit cards.
U.S. Bank consumer or small business Visa credit and debit cards, Elan Financial consumer or small business Visa credit card.

Via: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ Review

Kellen — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:00:11 +0000

After having spent the last couple of months with a Samsung Galaxy S6 in hand, you would think that setting out to review the newly released Galaxy S6 Edge+ would be easy. And it is, actually. People have joked since this phone's unveiling that it's nothing more than a blown up version of the original Galaxy S6 Edge, and as it turns out, that's really all this is. It's a Galaxy S6 Edge with a bigger display, battery, and more shine. Otherwise, it's got the same set of specs for the most part, but it feels slightly different in hand. So yeah, reviewing a phone that's a bigger version of a previous phone really is as easy as you would think that it would be. With that in mind, understand that this is going to be somewhat short because well, we've already said just about everything there is to say about this phone in two separate reviews here and here. If you haven't yet, be sure to read both of those, then come back to get the specifics about the differences from those phones to this one. This is our Galaxy S6 Edge+ review.

Display I mentioned this in the video comparison at the bottom of this review, but I'm confident in saying again that this is the best smartphone display I have ever seen. It probably has something to do with the way this gorgeous bit of AMOLED cascades off each edge or the fact that it looks like it was pasted to thinnest piece of glass ever used in a phone, making it seem like you are touching the wet ink of digital icons. Whatever it is, we need more of this. The display might be large at 5.7-inches and with a ridiculously high QHD resolution of 2560x1440, but when you stare at it for even a couple of minutes, you kind of find yourself wanting more. You want to flip up a 4K YouTube clip, play a gorgeous game like Monument Valley, or snap macro photos of flowers, just so you can gaze into their beauty. Seriously, this display is bonkers good. I've never seen viewing angles that hold clarity like this. I've never felt a display that is so inviting to the touch. And I've never seen details in something as simple as a wallpaper make my mouth drop so quickly. The best smartphone display ever. Ever ever.

Specs Like its littler brothers, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ features the best specs you will find in any smartphone. It has the best smartphone display ever (5.7-inch QHD, 518ppi), 64-bit Exynos 7420 octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, 3000Ah battery, 16MP rear camera (f/1.9, with OIS), 5MP front camera, fast wired and wireless charging, 32GB/64GB storage options, best-in-class fingerprint sensor, and a heart rate monitor, all wrapped up in a body that is made of metal and glass. So far, even as we approach the end of 2015, no other manufacturer has included this kind of package. Some have come close, but this phone, like the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, is about as good as it gets. Camera This camera is pretty good. It's very much similar to the 16MP f/1.9 camera found in the regular S6 and S6 Edge. As far as we know, it's the exact same sensor. It's still very fast at launching with a double-tap of the home button. It focuses instantly. It's solid in low light situations. It snaps photos faster than all other phones not named "Galaxy." I'm not sure if the optimizations done here by Samsung haven't made it slightly worse than those original Galaxy S6 devices, though. In the images I've captured and included below, they just seem to lack the sharpness and clarity that we saw in the regular Galaxy S6. The regular Galaxy S6 absolutely blew my mind, but this phone just isn't doing that. Don't get me wrong - the camera is still one of the best in the business, it's just not the best. That crown still lies with its smaller brother.

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

Battery Life In my short time with the S6 Edge+, I've found it to have solid battery life. That surprises me since I can't say that I have actually had anything nice to say about the battery life on the regular Galaxy S6. In fact, at this point, I'd go as far as to say that the Galaxy S6 has terrible battery life for a 2015 phone. This phone, though, even though it only jumps from 2600mAh to 3000mAh, seems to hold its own. I haven't had a day yet where I finished work and didn't have at least 35% left after a solid 2 hours of screen on time.

Now, keep in mind that I'm running this phone on AT&T and I live in a black hole of AT&T signal death, so for me to get to 6:30PM after having been unplugged with a mix of LTE and WiFi for 12 hours is pretty good. For normal users, those who don't live in a black hole of AT&T signal death, I can imagine you easily getting through an entire day without worry. I don't know that this is industry leading battery life here, but it's good enough. Performance For the most part, performance on the Galaxy S6 Edge+ has been great. The phone is mostly blazing fast, handles any app I throw at it, and only occasionally stutters. It's got an octa-core processor and 4GB RAM after all, so it shouldn't have any issues. But even with next-gen specs, I've run into bugs or design flaws or something I just haven't yet figured out how to describe that have made it slightly unenjoyable at times. For one, within the last day, the phone has had issues waking up. It's like it tries after I press the home or power button, slowly lights up the display, freezes, then times out and goes back to being dark. This happened to me for a good hour this morning, which meant I was unable to use the phone, even after 2-3 reboots. It eventually started working again and hasn't stumbled the rest of the day, but I shouldn't run into issues with my brand new phone where the phone is left useless for hours on end. Edit: I lied. As I was typing up this review and went to take another sample picture, it decided to freeze up with that wake issue for another 20 minutes. Fun. Another issue I run into frequently seems to have to do the phone not recognizing touches, either from edges or the top of the phone. And yes, I am well aware that I just got done calling this the best smartphone display ever, but I was simply talking about how it looks. These issues, I actually don't think are display related as much as they are the phone getting hung up and then reacting to touches late. Whatever the case, it can be frustrating. And look, my T-Mobile Galaxy S6 has turned in the king of lag in recent weeks, so I can't help but be nitpicky and hesitate in praising the this phone for performance. I just don't trust Samsung to fully optimize TouchWiz. Almost all of their phones slow down after months of use or with the help of an update or two.

Design Do I like the design of the Galaxy S6 Edge+, or the regular S6 Edge, for that matter? Eh, it's OK. I think it looks cool when sitting on a desk or in pictures. Do I find it enjoyable to hold in my hand? Not really. I like phones with curves that nestle in gently to your palm. I like phones that aren't sloped at the edges, especially since Android utilizes side swipes to access things like menus. I like Android phones that don't show constant vertical lines of glare on each side of their displays because their manufacturer decided to curve them steeply. Call me a hater of change or innovation if you want. I just prefer a standard phone experience to a curved one that still hasn't proven why it exists other than because a manufacturer wanted to prove it can be done. Outside of the display, I do still enjoy the glass and metal combination of this phone, just like I did on the regular S6. It looks and feels about as premium as any phone I have ever held. This gold version that I'm testing isn't exactly tasteful, but at least you have other choices. Overall, Samsung did a heck of job putting together another incredibly premium device that looks like high-end jewelry.

Software The software here isn't really worth going into again, because it's Samsung's new TouchWiz on top of Android 5.1.1. The only new features introduced with the S6 Edge+ over the regular Edge can be found in expanded Edge add-ons. For one, you can now add up to 5 of your favorite apps to a second Edge page called Apps Edge. So not only can you swipe through and quickly connect with your 5 favorite contacts, but you can also access your 5 favorite apps. Along with that new apps page, Samsung also gave us more customization within the Edge screens, like the ability to adjust the Edge swipe-out tab or by telling the phone that you want to be able to access the Edge from any screen, not just the home screen. That's pretty much it, though. If you want full software tours and thoughts, hit up those previous reviews of the S6 and S6 Edge.

Other Notes:

Fast Charging and Fast Wireless Charging: This phone, along with the Note 5, are the first in the industry to support both fast wired and fast wireless charging. Samsung claims that you can wirelessly charge these phones on one of their special fast wireless chargers in about 120 minutes. How fast is that? Well, the OnePlus 2 takes about 3 hours to charge with a wired connection.
Fingerprint sensor: The fingerprint sensor in this phone is as good, if not better than the sensor in the regular S6 and S6 Edge. It's fast to unlock, plus it seems to learn your finger faster than ever. Since the sensor is built into the phone's home button, it's one of those security features that you may as well use. It's faster than swiping to unlock, that's for sure.
No SD card slot, removable battery, or waterproofing: Like all of Samsung's flagship this year, the S6 Edge+ doesn't have expandable storage, a removable battery, and isn't waterproof on any level. I can live without those three items, but I know that some of you can't.
There isn't an S Pen here: This is an S6 Edge+, not a Note Edge or Note 5 Edge. So if you were hoping for the Note 5 experience, you won't get it. If you want a Note experience, buy a Note.

Video

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Gallery

Final Thoughts

Oooh, the big million dollar question - should you buy the Galaxy S6 Edge+? If you do, please find a nickname for the phone, so you don't have to say "Galaxy S6 Edge Plus" very often. It's a tongue twister. But back to the question at hand - should you buy this phone? It's a really good phone. I personally wouldn't go for this phone because I just don't get this whole edge thing, but I also didn't get it with the regular S6 Edge either. So at this point, I probably never will and that's why I'll just do that really obnoxious review thing and say, "You need to decide if the Edge is for you!" In the end, you have an ultra-premium smartphone package that has few downsides. It looks great, has a top tier camera, and may use the best smartphone display ever. For some, those things are enough. For others, maybe a more traditional phone is the better option. I know where I fall.

Moto 360 Small and Large Pictured on Wrist

Kellen — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:33:48 +0000

The new Moto 360 (2nd gen) continues to surface in new photos as we approach IFA, where reports have suggested that Motorola (and a number of other OEMs) will unveil its new wearable. In today's set of images, we get shots of what are being called the Moto 360 Large (Moto 360L) and Moto 360 Small (Moto 360S). Both pictures show devices on wrist, with one showing the new smaller model next to the original Moto 360 for size reference. Rumors dating back a couple of weeks introduced the idea that Motorola will produce both small and large options this year, so these images don't come as a complete surprise. And keep in mind that Motorola introduced both small and large watch bands last year, but with many thinking the single Moto 360 watch casing was too big, it certainly makes sense for them to consider a smaller model too. In each picture we are seeing that 2-o'clock crown position, silver watch body with lugs, and that black flat tire that you all love so much.

For the most part, the new Moto 360 really just looks like they took last year's device, slapped some lugs on it, moved the crown up, and maybe even tossed on a cheaper leather band. It still looks good (for the most part), but until we hear some compelling reasons as to why this new watch is a major upgrade over last year's, it's hard not to keep an eye or three on what Huawei and Samsung are up to with their watches.

Via: Imgur | +HelloMotoHK

Cheers Ryan!

Galaxy Note 5 and Android Wear

Kellen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:11:31 +0000

Episode 90! While not 100, it still feels like a big enough number that is worthy of a celebration. So, we are kicking off this week's show on a Wednesday, and with special guest Ron. That's right, it's a 3-person team for today's Droid Life Show. As for topics, we'll be talking Galaxy Note 5 impressions after a week or so with the phone (I think we all have one at this point), upcoming Android Wear devices like the new Moto 360, DROID MAXX 2, the HTC iPhone clone, and much more. It will be a feature-packed hour long episode, that's for sure. We will kick the show off live at 2:00PM Pacific (5:00PM Eastern).

Motorola Says Moto 360 Update With Interactive Watch Faces is Now Rolling Out

Kellen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:05:42 +0000

This morning, Motorola posted new release notes for the latest Android Wear update to hit the Moto 360. This is the update that includes interactive watch faces (examples), device to device sharing, Google Translate, and more. According to the changelog, Motorola also tossed in a new "Weather Microapp" that shows current weather and a four-day forecast. In order to update, you will need to have more than an 80% charge on you watch. To check for it, head into Settings>About>System updates. If you are prompted to update, simply swipe left on the System update notification, touch "Open," and select "yes" when it asks if you are ready to install. The update rolls out as build LCA44B. Anyone see it yet?

Interactive Watch Faces Interactive watch faces make it easier to stay connected. With just a tap on your watch face, you can change its design, reveal more information, or even launch a specific app. You can download interactive watch faces from Play Store. To set up, touch and hold on the current watch face, then scroll left/right to select the one you just downloaded. You can also select it from the Android Wear phone app. Together Watch Face Two Android Wear users can stay close throughout the day by turning their entire watch face into a space for sharing. Once you’ve paired your watch face with a partner’s, you’ll be able to share things like photos and emojis, and more. To set up, touch and hold on the current watch face, then scroll left/right to find the Together watch face. You can also select it from the Android Wear phone app. Google Translate for Wear Translate a conversation into any of the 44 available languages, then flip your wrist to show the translation to someone else. When they respond in their own language, flip your wrist back, and you’ll see in a translation of what they’ve just said. The watch must be connected to a phone with internet access via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Weather Microapp Shows current weather conditions and four-day forecast for your current location. To open the weather microapp, swipe left on the watch face, then scroll down and tap Weather. Privacy improvement for notifications Your notifications won’t show in full screen until the watch is oriented in a way that only you can see it. This feature prevents others from reading an incoming notification when your watch screen is pointed away from you. Bug Fixes A variety of system optimizations to improve performance and stability.

Update: Here it is! https://twitter.com/kashifdar1/status/636739911685574656

Via: Motorola

Cheers RussB!

This is Probably What the New Nest (3rd Gen) Looks Like

Kellen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 16:30:57 +0000

Well, that picture above is of the mostly unmarked, yet subtly branded box that is being sent to testers of the new device, I've been told. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if the retail packaging from Nest is slightly different for the new Nest Thermostat, with much more imagery. Below, you will find what is more than likely an image of the brand new Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen). Why do I say that? Take a look closely at the comparison of the picture labeled "new" to the picture labeled "old." See the difference? Yep, the display. The brand new Nest, which we are pretty damn sure cruised through the FCC last week under FCC ID ZQAT30, has a bigger display than its 2nd gen brother. Outside of that, well, it's anyone's guess as to what Nest packed inside there. My guess is that it'll ship with newer software and have improve sensors. But I think the big deal here is the display. Who doesn't love a brand new, big ol' display? As we learn more, we'll do our best to pass it all along.

Google Apps Users to See Better Sync Between Calendar and Gmail

Tim — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 16:25:56 +0000

Thanks to upcoming updates, Google Apps users (essentially Google for business) will now begin to see better sync of information between Gmail and Google Calendar. Once updated, when a user receives an email containing information such as flight, movie, and hotel confirmations, the information will automatically be loaded into your Google Calendar as an event. That means no more copy and pasting information yourself from one app to the other. Google Calendar will even automatically update information for you if it happens to change. This feature will be turned on by default, but can be disabled if you so choose in the settings. To notify users of this change, Google explains, "Once the first event from Gmail is added, a one-time email notification will also be sent to the user from Google Calendar, explaining the settings and sharing details for events from Gmail." So don't worry, it won't surprise you too much. If you use Google Apps, be on the lookout for this exciting update.

Via: Google Apps Updates

Deal: 128GB SanDisk MicroSD Cards are Just $59

Kellen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 15:48:17 +0000

Still own a phone that has a microSD card slot and are in need of some storage? You might want to consider the deal running over at Amazon for the next few days that features a SanDisk 128GB microSD card for just $59.99. These cards typically retail for around $100, so you are looking at a solid 40% discount. The card comes with an adapter, 48MB/s read speeds, and Prime shipping, for those who are members. The deal is live until August 29. Amazon Link

Video: S Pen Features on the Galaxy Note 5

Tim — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 12:22:56 +0000

The S Pen featured on the Galaxy Note 5, when not stuck upside down in your device, features a few minor tweaks over last year's S Pen on the Galaxy Note 4. First, it has an awesome clicker mechanism built-in, giving it a more pen-like feel while in-hand. Even though it truly serves zero functionality besides sounding and feeling good, and helping you remove it from the phone, it does offer a "cool" attribute. As for the software side, the additions to the S Pen feature list are the ability to write notes down when your display is off, customizable app shortcuts on Air Command, and a Scrolling Screenshot function. For Screen Off Memo, when you remove the S Pen while the device's display is off, you can write down notes, numbers, or an address, and then save that to Action Memos inside of the S Note application. This is a helpful feature for those people who always find themselves in a rush when taking notes. The Scrolling Screenshot function allows you to take elongated screenshots of a webpage. To use this in a browser app, bring out the S Pen, select Screen Write, then a screenshot flash will occur. In the bottom left of the display, the text "Screen Capture" will appear. When you select it, the device will screenshot an additional section of the page, with the ability for you to screenshot an entire page if you so choose. As an example, this is what that looks like when completed. To enlarge, open the image in a separate tab. Other features include everything we had on previous iterations of the software. This includes Smart Select, Screen Write, and application shortcuts. These shortcuts can be customized to whatever applications you would like. With Smart Select, users can select a portion of whatever is shown on the display, allowing you to draw on top of it, share it to S Note, send it through an app, or save it to your on-device Scrapbook. For Screen Write, the device snaps an entire screenshot, then allows you to draw on it or share it. This is extremely handy when you have Google Maps open, with the ability for the user to hand draw directions to a specific location. All of these features, and the correct way to insert the S Pen into the Galaxy Note 5, are highlighted in the video below.

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Facebook M is a Personal Assistant That Lives in Facebook Messenger

Kellen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 11:49:33 +0000

This morning, Facebook’s David Marcus (VP of messaging products) announced that their have started to test a new service within Messenger called Facebook M. M is a “personal digital assistant inside of Messenger” that helps you complete tasks or find information. In describing the new service, Marcus said that M is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and actual humans, and that it completes tasks “on your behalf,” can purchase items deliver gifts to friends and family, book restaurants, make travel arrangements or appointments, and “way more.” According to Wired, M is interacted with similarly to how you would have a conversation with another human in Messenger, but that “the service will make suggestions based only on your answers to questions it asks you and previous conversations you and M have had.” So you are getting a mix of AI and also some human interaction or help. For now, Facebook M is being tested with a few hundred people in the San Francisco area, but the goal is to roll it out to everyone. Sound interesting? I actually kind of like the idea of a messaging platform having a built-in assistant that doesn’t require you to leave the app. Hangouts does some of this stuff automatically, like share your location when someone asks, and Google Now on Tap will as well (whenever that launches). But I certainly see this as an area that could become quite useful down the road.

Via: Facebook | Wired

NVIDIA SHIELD Now Available on the Google Store for $199

Kellen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 10:40:03 +0000

This seems like something that should have happened from day 1, but the NVIDIA SHIELD gaming system that NVIDIA doesn’t want to call a gaming system, is now available on the Google Store. It’s priced at $199, just like it is everywhere else. As a recap, the NVIDIA SHIELD runs Android TV and can act as the media hub for your living room. It plays 4K content from places like YouTube and Netflix, is a gaming beast with its Tegra X1 chipset, 256-core GPU, and controller built for gamers, and also looks pretty damn sweet. The $199 model comes with 16GB of storage, but there is also a “Pro” model available with 500GB of storage for $100 more at $299. To see Tim’s impressions of the SHIELD, be sure to hit up this post. Google Store Link All of the accessories for the SHIELD (controllers, remote, and stand) can be purchased as well.

Verizon Attempts to Make It Easier for You to Activate Unlocked Phones

Kellen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 10:00:04 +0000

You know how much of a pain it has been to activate a non-Verizon branded Nexus 6 on Verizon, even though the phone is completely unlocked at all times and fully works on Verizon's airwaves? For a while, it was pretty tough. In fact, it took months before Verizon allowed the Nexus 6 from Google Play or other carriers to be activated on its network. Now, we're talking activating, not SIM-swapping. There is a difference here. Verizon, like with the Nexus 7 (2013), likes to use this "we are still testing the device and haven't certified it yet" when telling people they can't activate unlocked phones or other devices. Again, these phones all fully work and more than likely (like 99.999999999999999%) won't do harm to their network, but they still must test. And since they are testing, they won't just activate anything. While that will still be the case going forward (the painfully slow certification process), Verizon is at least attempting to make the process easier, once a device gets everything all up in the certified arena. According to Verizon, the company is now "accepting and activating select non-Verizon smartphones like the Nexus 6. Other examples include iOS devices such as iPhone 6 and 6 Plus or iPad Air." Outside of those, more could be added once they are certified. A dedicated page has been setup on Verizon's site that will tell you if your phone can be activated on their network. It'll ask for your operating system and IMEI, before telling you which plans to choose from to get service up and running. Of course, with unlocked phones that have supported Verizon CDMA and LTE bands, you can just swap in an already activated SIM card and get busy. That's the "SIM-swapping" we talked about earlier. But with activation, this might be the solution, assuming your device is certified. Baby steps. Side note: Holy sh*t, I never want to type "certified" ever again. Verizon Link

Via: FierceWireless

YouTube Gaming, the Twitch Competitor, is Now Live

Tim — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 09:16:12 +0000

YouTube Gaming, Google's answer to Twitch, is now available to download on Google Play. As a place for lovers of games to watch others play their favorite titles, YouTube Gaming brings gamers together, allowing folks to share tips on games through chat, watch livestreams, and so much more. With over 25,000 titles watchable on the service, there is a huge chance some of your favorite personalities on YouTube are already using the service. In total, YouTube Gaming states the service boasts a community of 100 million users, including publishers and gamers. For now, YouTube Gaming is only available to folks in the US and UK. Go have some fun! Play Link

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 Pre-Order Now Live, Starts at $399

Tim — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 08:52:28 +0000

The Galaxy Tab S2, announced from Samsung in July, is now up for pre-order in the United States. Carriers are also getting in on the fun, as you can purchase the tablet with LTE radios inside, launching in-store through AT&T on September 4, and T-Mobile on September 3. US Cellular, Sprint, and Verizon are also confirmed to carry the device, but we have yet to learn the in-store launch date. The Galaxy Tab S2 comes in four models, a 8.0" and 9.7", both sporting WiFi-only and LTE variants. For specs, the tablets feature Super AMOLED displays, octa-core processors, 3GB of RAM, 8MP rear-facing cameras, and decently sized batteries. More impressively, both tablets are extremely thin, with both models measuring in at just 5.6mm thick. For comparison the Galaxy S6, a rather thin device, is 6.8mm thick. As for pricing, the 8.0" WiFi-only model is $399, with the LTE model to be priced by carriers individually. At this moment, T-Mobile only has a financing option listed, $0 down (and $27.09 / 23 months + $26.92 for the 24th month). For the 9.7" model, WiFi-only, it starts at $499. The tablet is also available to order through retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy, who are hosting a special promotion to give buyers $100 or more off of their purchase when you trade-in an existing, qualifying tablet. Need a new tablet?

Via: Samsung | AT&T | T-Mobile

RIP, Amazon Free App of the Day.

Kellen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 07:48:19 +0000

If you had made the Amazon Free App of the Day (FAOTD) a part of your daily routine, I’m sorry to break it to you, but that will have to change going forward. This morning, Amazon appears to have killed the daily promo in favor of something called “Underground.” Underground, as far as we can tell, is a new location in Amazon’s Appstore that lists out “actually free” games and apps for you to download. Amazon says there are over $10,000 in apps, games, and in-app items that are “actually free.” I don’t know what “actually free” is in reference too or taking a shot at, but that appears to be the slogan for this new initiative. The basic idea here is that Amazon doesn’t need to figure out a single app that should be free each day when they can put together bundles or lists that are likely available for a set period of time. That way, you can just check back regularly to see if anything has changed or if there are additional free apps you may want to grab. Edit: Amazon pinged us to say that "Amazon Underground apps will always be available as long as the developer keeps the app in Amazon Underground. This is not a limited time promotion, or a bundle. We launched this because we wanted to provide the most seamless experience for customers to shop, watch and play—in one place." This new “Underground” section lives inside the Amazon app, under the Apps section. In other words, it’s not a new app by any means. Once in there, you can download and install free apps like Goat Simulator, Cut the Rope 2, Jetpack Joyride, Star Wars Rebels: Recon Missions, and more. Amazon Underground

Cheers George!

Deal: Get a Lifetime Subscription to TigerVPN Lite $30, Valued at Nearly $800

Tim — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:36:20 +0000

If secure access to the Internet is vital to you, the DL Deals Store is hosting a deal on a lifetime subscription to TigerVPN. Valued at nearly $800, this subscription is priced at just $30, granting users top-notch security while browsing. To do so, all browsing is encrypted with a 256bit SSL encryption, including 10Gbps servers located globally to limit latency. Nodes span across the globe, with locations based in Atlanta, New York, Miami, Zurich, Frankfurt, London, and even Los Angeles. Your data usage is not limited, plus bandwidth health detection ensures you will maintain top performance even at peak times. Need a VPN? Check out the link below. Features

Provides top-notch security
Encrypts all your browsing w/ a 256bit SSL encryption
Includes 10Gbps servers optimized to limit latency globally
Offers access to 15 nodes: Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Denver, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Miami, Montreal, New York, Toronto, Vienna & Zurich
Doesn’t limit your data; plus bandwidth health detection maintains performance at peak times
Includes easy-to-use mobile apps
Allows for a choice in encryption protocol – PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, etc.

Deal Link

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Samsung Execs are Now Wear-Teasing the Gear S2 Watch

Kellen — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:22:37 +0000

Samsung’s new round smartwatch, the Gear S2, will be here shortly – at IFA in Berlin in just over a week. We have already seen the device on the wrist and in the hands of models looking all sorts of modern, but today’s new image comes courtesy of a Samsung executive, who is ~~contributing to the terrible trend of dressing up your watch with bracelets~~ taking the round wearable for a “test drive.” Oooooh, round watch that will only ever pair with Samsung devices, oooooooh. Oooooooh. We also get to see a decent watch face with moonphase, date and day dials. It looks much classier than those fake reflective, embossed things that LG tends to put on its watches. Hey, the tech industry can be classy! We still don’t know when this thing will be available for purchase or how heavily it’ll damage our bank accounts. September 3, though, will be here before you know it! https://instagram.com/p/6zusXSENgA/

YouTube Gaming Launches Tomorrow

Kellen — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:34:49 +0000

YouTube Gaming, which is Google's take on a Twitch-like live-streamed gaming experience, launches tomorrow, August 26, according to Gamespot. With the service, users will find more than 25,000 dedicated game pages to keep up with, support videos, and of course, live streams from your favorite gamers. At launch, YouTube Gaming should have both web and mobile applications available, so that you can feed that gaming addiction from anywhere. As Gamespot notes, users will be able to add specific games to a collection and can subscribe to game channels or users, with notifications the minute a live stream starts. YouTube Gaming was first announced back in June, with a "summer" launch said to be the plan. We are still in the middle of the summer, so I'd say Google and YouTube came correct. Excited for YouTube Gaming or are you too involved in Twitch to switch? https://twitter.com/YouTubeGaming/status/636221507614699520?lang=en

Via: Gamespot

Archos Announces the Affordable Diamond S, Features 5" Super AMOLED Display

Tim — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:12:15 +0000

Archos has a new device this week, set to be shown off during next month's IFA trade show. Called the Diamond S, the smartphone features a 5" Super AMOLED HD display and well-designed stylings, priced at an affordable £159.99. When converted to US dollars, that is about $250. Other specifications include a MediaTek octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of onboard storage, microSD card slot, dual SIM slots, 8MP front-facing camera, 16MP rear-facing camera, 2,300mAh battery, and Android 5.1 "Lollipop." As of right now, there is no exact availability known, but it seems likely US consumers can expect to see this device later in the year. If there is no official launch in North America, we don't see why you can't import it, depending on the LTE bands it ships with. For a 3D view of the device, check out Archos' render right here. Budget-friendly device fans, rejoice!

Paris – August 25, 2015 – Today, the French brand ARCHOS is excited to announce its newest addition to the ARCHOS Diamond line: the ARCHOS Diamond S. “There is an enormous demand for superlative smartphones like the ARCHOS Diamond S at prices that the average person can afford,” explains Loic Poirier, CEO of ARCHOS. “We’re happy to be releasing this product that furthers the mission of technical quality for everyone.” ARCHOS: a story of high-technology democratization Through its releases of 4G/LTE and impeccably-designed products, ARCHOS has established itself as the foremost democratizer of top-rate technology. Recent high-end ARCHOS smartphone releases have included the ARCHOS 50 Diamond and the newest ARCHOS Helium smartphones, which have been well-received by critics and customers. The new ARCHOS Diamond S embodies this same democratic high-tech spirit and builds upon its legacy with its powerful octa-core processor, exceptional specifications, and sexy design for under £159.99. World-class features, one device The ARCHOS Diamond S has a 5” Super AMOLED Gorilla Glass 3 screen that puts the smartphone in the premier leagues of screen quality. Its flat, glass-finish design is a perfect external manifestation of the outstanding technology inside the device. Sleek and slim, the phone slides easily into a pocket and nestles comfortably in the palm of a hand with its 118 grams. With just once glance, the design hints at all the brilliance that lies therein. It also features an Octa-Core processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of storage, so music, games, and content can be enjoyed without compromises in speed or storage. To complement this performance, the smartphone comes installed with Android 5.1 Lollipop, Android’s newest operating system. Battery management, push notification display, and user interface are all improved in this new OS. It also has fast charging capability to be fully ready as soon as possible. The ARCHOS Diamond S offers dual cameras with impressive specs, so there is no need to settle for mediocre picture quality when using a cell phone to snap shots instead of a standalone camera. The back camera captures scenes at 16 MP and the front-camera takes 8 MP pictures for excellent selfie and videochatting visuals. As is customary for the ARCHOS Diamond line, the ARCHOS Diamond S will offer 4G/LTE connectivity for the fastest download speeds available on cellular networks today. The ARCHOS Diamond S will be presented at IFA in Berlin, beginning September 4, 2015. For more on the ARCHOS story and the brand’s products, the ARCHOS booth will be in Hall 4.2/121. The ARCHOS Diamond S will be available in November 2015 for the impressively low price of £159.99.

LG's "Super Premium" 2nd Half Device May Not be Super Premium

Tim — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:12:44 +0000

Back in late July, it was reported that LG was planning a "super premium" smartphone for the 2nd half of 2015. It was thought that a second premium device for 2015 could help boost mobile device sales, but now, it appears a super premium device from LG for the second half of 2015 may not be in the works. Apparently, in a recent meeting with press, LG president Cho Joon Ho stated that no one at LG ever claimed a new device would be "super premium," also portraying a look of cautiousness. Following that slightly awkward moment, Cho Joon Ho stated the company would be focusing on the, "medium and low-priced smartphone markets" in China and India. "I predict that LG Electronics will improve this situation by releasing new models after end of September that can correspond to these markets," Cho Joon Ho continued. In our eyes, the G4 is already rather premium, but a "super premium" device may have featured more metal and glass. With HTC focusing on metals, and Samsung working with glass and metals, LG would be one of the last major OEMs to rid their hardware designs of plastic. If a 2nd half flagship device from LG was what you were hoping for, one that is not a Nexus device, then maybe you should control your excitement. Although, it seems completely reasonable that previous reports of a super premium device from LG could have been alluding to a Nexus device, before it was known the company was planning a partnership with Google to create one. Whatever LG does release, whether it's a Nexus phone or another flagship device, there will be lots of buying options for consumers in late 2015.

Via: ETnews

Koush's New Vysor Chrome App Gives You Device Control Via Computer (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 10:54:27 +0000

Koush, a man of yachts, re-emerged on the dev scene this week with the release of a new Chrome app called Vysor (in beta still) that lets you control Android devices via computer. But not only does it let you mirror and control your Android devices, you can also share your Android device's connection session with anyone else in the world through an easily shareable link. The latency is really low with the connection, so as you are touching apps, swiping around, etc., the mirroring is almost instant. But this whole sharing thing is something else. With your Android device attached, a click of a "Share" button creates a URL that anyone with Vysor can view. It's pretty slick. To get started, grab the Chrome Vysor app at the link below, then enable USB debugging on your phone or tablet, plug it in, and follow the simple instructions in the Vysor app. Oh, and some simple shortcuts from your keyboard (Escape>Back button, F1>Menu, and Home>Home button) should help you move around. Chrome Link | Vysor Website

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Update: As Koush notes on G+, this is a free beta for now, but that won't be the case when it fully launches. There will be a free tier, a one-time purchase with local viewer only tier, and other monthly subscription versions. Read more here.

AT&T HTC One M9 and One M8 Receiving Stagefright Patch Updates

Tim — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 09:44:07 +0000

The Stagefright exploit updates are still rolling out, with the AT&T One M8 and One M9 from HTC being the latest phones to receive the OTA patch. After the patch, users of these devices should no longer worry about receiving malicious MMS messages, as detailed in this post. The download size is rather small, ranging from 28 to 55MB. This means users should not expect to see updated versions of Android, or any other tweaks. This is simply a security patch for Android. If you rock a One M8 or One M9 on AT&T, grab these updates as soon as possible.

Via: AT&T [2]

Report: Wave of New Android Wear Devices to Debut at IFA

Tim — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 09:03:30 +0000

According to a report out of CNET, next month's IFA trade show will be the launching pad for a wave of new Android Wear devices from multiple manufacturers. The group of OEMs reported to launch new Google-powered wearables includes Motorola, LG, Huawei, and ASUS. Likely included in this batch of new smartwatches is the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), the followup to last year's Moto 360. We have seen the device hit the FCC, and it has also made its way to the streets of Chicago, meaning Motorola must be about ready to unveil it. Also included in the "likely to be unveiled" category is the Huawei Watch, which was first debuted at MWC all the way back in February. It has been reported in the months following that Huawei has tweaked its initial design, making it a true competitor in the high-end wearable category. The IFA timing makes sense, as the devices will likely go on sale sometime shortly or a bit after the trade show, perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Is a new Android Wear smartwatch on your holiday shopping list?

Via: CNET

Please Don't Put the Galaxy Note 5 S Pen in Backwards. (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:07:20 +0000

Hey, guy over there with the Galaxy Note 5, please don’t put your S Pen in backwards. If you do, you will probably break something in the phone, like the sensor that recognizes whether or not the S Pen is in or out of the phone. You may not even be able to remove it at all, actually. As with many things in life, it’s almost always a bad idea to put things in backwards. So, don’t do it with your S Pen. Don’t do it. Do the opposite of what Shia LaBeouf would tell you to do. Why are we randomly bringing this up? Because people starting inserting their S Pens in backwards when the phone started arriving last week. Bad things happened. Really bad things. We’ll see if Samsung responds. If they do, we’ll share their thoughts on #SPENBACKWARDSGATE. Update: The Verge heard back from Samsung, who had this to say.

"We highly recommend our Galaxy Note5 users follow the instructions in the user guide to ensure they do not experience such an unexpected scenario caused by reinserting the S pen in the other way around."

OK, then. So what happens when a child who can't read does it or someone mistakenly slides that little guy in backwards in the dark on accident?

Ahahahaha, HTC. No Way. Really?

Kellen — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 07:47:43 +0000

Yesterday, this really terrible render of a supposed upcoming HTC device surfaced that we almost instantly ignored. Why? Because it looked like a terrible Photoshop job of an iPhone 6, with an HTC logo in place of the Apple logo and the camera and flash centered. Otherwise, it was an iPhone 6. It was bad. So bad, that we laughed at how bad it was, then laughed again before dismissing it forever. And then these photos arrived a couple of hours later. I don’t know what to say. Seriously, what? This can’t be reality? Is it, though? No. Maybe? Oh, come on, HTC. I guess it worked for Samsung… OK, please be real. This will be awesome. Awesome as in, hilariously disastrous. Had To Copy.

NOTE: I see a recurring theme in the comments that I believe is completely missing the point and need to comment on it. Look, I get that HTC created the One M7 and M8 and they both included those familiar white bands at the top and bottom of the phone. That’s not the point here. We aren’t talking about white bands. The point is, this phone, from front to back, looks exactly like an iPhone 6, except that the camera is centered. The camera housing and flash are almost perfectly mocking the iPhone design. And have you seen the front of an iPhone 6? It's all black, with softly rounded edges, just like we are seeing here, sans HTC black bar area. HTC has evolved their One designs over the years and none of their phones have looked like an iPhone. I actually don't think any of their phones have looked like iPhones, ever. This phone, if it’s even real, is a completely garbage copy and HTC should be embarrassed (again, if it’s even real).

Via: Engadget | Weibo

Verizon's DROID MAXX 2, aka Moto X Play for the US...

Kellen — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 06:36:50 +0000

Verizon’s DROID MAXX 2, aka the version of Motorola’s Moto X Play that appears to be the only X Play coming to the US, is starting to leak left and right these days. The phone is not official by any means, but it just can’t seem to stay out of sight until Motorola and Verizon have a chance to do that. Thanks to new images, we now know just about everything, outside of a price and launch date. Here’s what we have. First, the phone looks identical to the Moto X Play, which is Motorola’s mid-tier Moto X device for the next 12 months. All those previous leaks were spot on in that this phone really would just be re-branded as a DROID when it arrived here. As far specs, it features a 5.5-inch 1080p display with on-screen navigation buttons (no capacitive!), 1.65GHz Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB RAM, 21MP camera, 3630mAh battery, and Android 5.1.1. The screenshots below suggest that the phone has 8GB of storage, but the Moto X Play starts at 16GB. My guess is that CPU-Z is just reporting it oddly and that there is 16GB of storage. We haven't seen a base of 8GB in a phone in a long time, unless it's a low-tier phone like the Moto E or Moto G. Also, there is more than likely a micro SD card slot in the SIM tray. Motorola is using their SIM trays for that purpose these days - at least they are in the Pure Edition.

The phone is sneaking around under the name “lux” and model number XT1565. The Moto X Play carries model numbers of XT1562 and XT1563, in case that all sounds familiar.

And that, is your DROID MAXX 2. Edited: Tweaked info on storage.

This Icon Pack (Could Be) Hot: Marshmallow Icons [Beta]

Kellen — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:31:14 +0000

What’s the next potentially hot focus for icon designers? It could be Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Assuming Google tweaks some things here or there as its Material Design ideas evolve, we could see a revamping of something like the stock icons that are used on Android. Maybe. So far there are no signs of that, but if that happens, then hey, we should see a flood of new Material-esque, Marshmellow-inspired icons to take over our phones. In case that does actually happen, at least one icon designer is getting a head start on the concept. With Marshmallow icons, you get a “beta” product that so far, includes 150 icons. They’ll look familiar, but yet slightly tweaked from the norm. If anything, they are a semi-fresh take on the current Material Design set of icons that you already know. Oh, it’s free too, and includes the new Marshmallow wallpapers. Play Link

Deal: This $80 Messenger Bag has a Built-In 11,000mAh Battery

Tim — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:05:08 +0000

On the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a Messenger FYL Built-In Charger Bag, priced at just $80. While a messenger bag is always cool, the real selling point is the built-in charging. Thanks to a battery bank inside, you can get juice for your smartphone or other device for up to 5-7 times, according to the listing. In addition, a specially-designed padded compartment will keep your laptop safe. The bag comes in three different styles, each having its own color. There is a Black options, Blue, Brown/Green, and Cream. It's up to you to decide which style works best for you, as well as color. Do note, the JORG design comes in both Black and Brown/Green. If a new messenger bag is on your list, with the built-in charging, check it out. Features

Includes enough power to charge your smartphone 4-7 times
Secures your laptop w/ specially-designed padded compartment
Spacious & sleek design
Seamlessly opens & shuts w/ snap closure
Comes in your choice of four classic designs

Deal Link

Video: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ vs. Galaxy S6 Edge

Kellen — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:02:17 +0000

So, yeah, we have a Galaxy S6 Edge+ in house. Interested in it? We are, sort of. Since it's really just a bigger version of the already-released Galaxy S6 Edge, it's tough to take this phone all that seriously. OK, that's not fair, because this phone is equally as good as the smaller Galaxy S6 Edge, it's just that you already know everything about this phone for the most part, outside of how the Edge experience translates over to a bigger body. Because in reality, that is what we are looking at here. Sure, some specs differ here and there, but what you have in front of you is a blown up Galaxy S6 Edge with a "+" next to its name. But since we do have one here, we might as well spend some time with it and its gold body. Tim is well into getting some final thoughts together on the Galaxy Note 5, so until then, we'll take up some of your time with this other big guy. The first little thing we wanted to do is compare the new Galaxy S6 Edge+ to the original S6 Edge. In the video below, we talk spec differences, missing or tweaked features, how Samsung has improved the Edge software experience for the better, and how gorgeous that display is. Here we go.

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Deal: Refurbished LG G Watch R on Groupon for $180

Tim — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 14:37:59 +0000

For who knows how long on Groupon, you can pick up a refurbished G Watch R from LG, priced at just $179.99. These smartwatches still go for $280 on Newegg and other various online retailers, but are no longer available on the Google Store. We played with the G Watch R when it first released, loving its fully circular display, good battery life, and of course, the Android Wear OS in general. It was the first Android Wear device to come with a display that was completely round, unlike the Moto 360 with its black bar at the bottom of the display. The model sold on Groupon comes with a Black leather strap, as well as a charger. Go grab one if you are interested. Groupon Link

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Cheers Mike!

Latest Humble Mobile Bundle is Perfect for the Kiddies

Tim — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:46:04 +0000

The latest Humble Bundle is made specifically for the children here, the children at heart, and maybe just the kids of the grown folk who happen to be reading this. When you pay the average price, currently set at $7.41, you gain access to eight kid-friendly games, with more coming down the road. If you choose to pay $11 or more, you receive Steam keys for the games as well. The titles includes are Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo, Spy Fox in Dry Cereal, Freddi Fish: Haunted Schoolhouse, Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide, Putt-Putt Joins the Circus, Pajama Sam Thunder & Lightning, Freddi Fish & the Stolen Shell, and Putt-Putt Enters the Race. As you can see, these won't be games for mature players, so you best download them onto your child's mobile gaming device for their pleasure. The charity this Humble Bundle is supporting is the Make a Wish Foundation. Head on over to Humble Bundle to check it out. Humble Bundle Link

LG Intros G PAD II 10.1, Snapdragon 800 Processor and 7,400mAh Battery

Tim — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:15:26 +0000

LG has a new tablet this week, the G Pad II 10.1, set to debut during September's IFA in Europe. To be made available in North America, Europe, and Asia, the tablet features a 10.1" (1920 x 1200) display, Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, LTE connectivity, 5MP rear-facing camera, and 7,400 mAh battery. On top of decent specs, LG has baked plenty of their proprietary software into Android, that being version Android 5.1.1. Included software tweaks will include Reader Mode, Dual Window, QuickMemo+, plus a suite of Microsoft applications. According to Chris Yie, VP and head of Marketing Communications for LG Mobile Communications, "The LG G Pad II 10.1 was developed in response to consumers’ feedback and optimized for multimedia consumption." No pricing or release date has been set, but don't worry, we will keep you posted once details are announced.

Via: LG

Sprint Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Updates Prep Devices for Samsung Pay

Kellen — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 10:45:09 +0000

Updates rolling out today to Sprint's variants of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will get each phone ready for the launch of Samsung Pay. Keep in mind that Samsung Pay doesn't actually launch until September 28, but a trial opens tomorrow that select users will get to be a part of. As for the rest of the update, you are looking at "Live broadcasting via Yahoo!" being loaded, along with better audio with Samsung headsets, UI updates, and bug fixes. Here is the list of changes:

Samsung Pay
Live broadcasting via Yahoo!
High Quality Audio (with Samsung headsets)
UI updates
Bug fixes

The Galaxy S6 is looking at software version G920PVPU2BOH1 and the S6 Edge will get G925PVPU2BOH1.

Via: Sprint [2]

Cortana for Android Public Beta Now Downloadable for All

Tim — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 10:19:12 +0000

Cortana, the Microsoft-made personal assistant, is now available for all to download on Google Play. Still sporting a beta tag, Cortana offers most of what Siri or Google Now provides you, with exception that she is powered by Bing, Microsoft's search platform. When speaking to Cortana, you can ask her to set alarms, get calendar event reminders, and quite a bit more. Thanks to a recent update, Cortana can also replace Google Now, but only technically. Yes, she will pop up instead of Google Now whenever you press the home key, but you cannot prompt her by saying, "Ok Cortana." That feature has yet to come. Cortana also pairs nicely with users of Windows computers, with the ability to easily sync certain information between the devices. To get started, follow the Play Link below, become a tester, then get to downloading. Play Link

Via: Windows

Buy a HTC One M9, Receive $100 in Google Play Credit

Tim — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:54:39 +0000

Available exclusively through HTC's website, if you purchase a One M9, you will receive $100 worth of Google Play credit, usable however you see fit. HTC's website states that this offer is running through the end of August, with the final date listed as August 31, 2015, but the fine print claims that the device needs to be purchased between "8/24/15 and 11/30/15." The One M9 is priced at $649 - that's a no-contract, unlocked model. You can also buy the device through a carrier on HTC's website, or pick up a carrier-branded model for the same $649 price. For those thinking about picking up the One M9, do note that it will come with a full year of UH-OH Protection (free replacement if you break it), and the $100 of Google Play credit is pretty legit. Think of all those IAPs you can make, or the $6 HD movie rentals you can watch. HTC Link

Huawei Nexus Starts Making In-Hand Appearances - Codename "Angler," 3GB RAM, Snapdragon 810, 64GB Storage

Kellen — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:47:16 +0000

Thanks to a couple of posts on Google+, we may have our first look at the upcoming Huawei Nexus, codenamed "angler." The device appeared in the hand of some sort of tester, with photos showing the phone's front and backside, USB Type-C port, and boot screen that gives us a hint of the specs. Assuming these pictures are legit, we have a confirmation on the phone carrying the codename "angler," a name that first popped up back in May. The boot screen from the device also shows it with a Snapdragon 810 processor (MSM8994), 3GB RAM, and 64GB storage. As for what the device looks like, well, it's got some sort of Droid X-like camera hump at the top, along with a matte white or black finish. We can see a fingerprint sensor housed in the middle of its backside, front speakers on the front, and Nexus branding running vertically. It looks like the renders created a week ago. It's all...ummm...interesting, to say the least. Previous rumors suggested that this phone would have a 5.7-inch display. Thoughts?

Via: +Tiesen Fu [2]

Moto X Play Will Probably Arrive in the US as the DROID MAXX 2 With a DROID Turbo 2 Alongside It

Kellen — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 07:50:44 +0000

You know how we were all disappointed to learn that Motorola's Moto X Play was skipping the US and instead stopping off at all of our surrounding countries? That's because it's more than likely showing up here as the DROID MAXX 2 with Verizon exclusivity. This news shouldn't shock you, since Motorola made mention during their big event last month that US customers would get other options later in the year. According to HelloMotoHK, along with a number of other news outlets who have since jumped on the news, the Moto X Play will be branded as the DROID MAXX 2 here in the US. It will also be joined by a follow-up to last year's DROID flagship Turbo. That phone will be called the DROID Turbo 2. If you were looking for proof of the idea of a new DROID MAXX 2, look no further than the image included here. They show backs for the Moto X Play next to those from the MAXX 2, which as "DROID" and "Verizon" branding towards its lower backside. As a recap, the original DROID MAXX was a 2013 flagship phone that was supposed to be the king of battery beasts. It seems a bit odd, though, that Motorola is now dropping the MAXX line into a secondary mid-range tier. I say that because the Moto X Play is most definitely not a flagship, and if this is the US version of that phone, well, it's not a flagship either. The Turbo 2 will be the new DROID flagship, likely based off of the Moto X Pure Edition.

Interested in a new DROID?

Via: HelloMotoHK [2]

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: August 21, 2015

Tim — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 16:28:15 +0000

It was a great week, filled with new Samsung phones, topped off by Nexus leaks, multiple Moto 360 (2015) sightings, and Android 6.0 news! Earlier this week, Google made Android 6.0 aka "Marshmallow" official, likely to be made available on the two upcoming Nexus devices from LG and Huawei. And speaking of Huawei and LG Nexus devices, thanks to a few leaks and 3rd-party render releases, we got our best look yet at what might to expect from Google in the later part of this year. As for the Moto 360 (2015), it was spotted on the streets of Chicago, looking just as fashionable as ever. If you missed any of the craziness, see all of the news below.

WATCH: Galaxy Note 5 unboxing and first impressions.
Video Comparison: Galaxy Note 5 vs. Galaxy Note 4.
Google confirms next version of Android is 6.0, calls it Marshmallow.
Google unveils the OnHub home WiFi router.
LG Nexus: This is likely the LG Nexus.
Here's all the new Android 6.0 wallpapers.
Big Android Wear update includes interactive watch faces.
Verizon still evaluating support for Samsung Pay.
Even in 2015, we still don't have the perfect Android phone.
Huawei Nexus: These renders show what the Huawei Nexus might look like.
Is Samsung planning to launch a Galaxy Note 5 Active onto AT&T?
Download: Android Marshmallow 3 Preview OTA updates.
LG G Watch R finally received WiFi support.
Moto 360 (2015) is already in the streets of Chicago.
Android Wear: Fossil unveiled its Intel-powered smartwatch.
Samsung is reportedly making a massive 18.4" tablet.
Lara Croft GO coming to Android on August 27.

Big things happening in the Android world, folks!

Samsung's Reported 'Tahoe' Tablet Features 18.4" FHD Display, Exynos 7580 Processor

Tim — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:09:14 +0000

As first reported earlier this month, it appears early rumors claiming Samsung desired to make a massive tablet were true. Sources of SamMobile claim the tablet, codenamed Tahoe, is real, and features a gargantuan 18.4" Full HD display. Specs for the device, as told by the same source, are a 64-bit octa-core 1.6GHz Exynos 7580 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of onboard storage, microSD slot with support for up to 128GB of storage, 8MP camera, 5,700 mAh battery, and is just 11.9mm thick. Information regarding a possible release date and pricing is not known. Now, keep in mind, a tablet of this size probably won't be going with you on your morning bus or subway commute. Likely, it will be marketed to homes without a TV, making it the sole media consumption device. Plus, kids would love to play games on such a large display. What would you do with a tablet of this size?

Via: SamMobile

Turn on Your TV With Amazon Echo Thanks to Samsung SmartThings Support

Tim — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:37:48 +0000

The Amazon Echo continues to gain features, with the latest being support for SmartThings from Samsung. If you plan on picking up a Samsung SmartThings Hub off of Amazon (currently available through pre-order for $99), users can tell Alexa to, "Turn on the TV." Or if you have a SmartPower Outlet, you can ask her to, "Turn on the lamp," or porch light. Samsung's SmartThings devices are not the only options compatible, with Amazon listing out plenty of choices for your smart home, including the WeMo Switch, OSRAM lightbulbs, and many more. Connecting the devices to Amazon Echo seems painless enough, as everything gets controlled from the Amazon Echo application. As for my Amazon Echo, I seem to only use it as a fancy kitchen timer these days, but that may change with this new functionality. Do you have Alexa in your home?