Droid Life

Sony's 2016 CES Press Event Starts at 5PM, Watch It Here!

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 17:01:27 +0000

Sony is hosting just about the last of the CES Press Day events and the whole show kicks off right now (5PM Pacific). We, honestly, have no expectations for this event, but there could be a sprinkling of mobile here and there. We'll see TVs and maybe some new Walkman or audio products and a camera or two and maybe even a tablet or phone. OK, the tablet and phone seem unlikely, but you just never know. Maybe some VR? Whatever they show, you can watch its unveiling at the live stream below.

HTC Details Vive Pre, 2nd Gen Developer Edition Model With Front-Facing Camera

Tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 15:22:11 +0000

This week at CES, HTC introduced the 2nd generation developer edition of the Vive VR system, the Vive Pre. With an upgraded design, more suited for comfort while wearing, as well as a front-facing camera, HTC will be seeding an additional 7,000 units to developers to help bolster its ecosystem before the product's launch in April of 2016. According to HTC, every single component of Vive has been "redesigned from the ground up to provide better comfort, ergonomics, and performance." The latest models are in Vegas for members of the press and select industry insiders to go hands-on, and yes, we will be testing it out. On top of a more comfortable experience, the Vive Pre features a front-facing camera and room-scaling technology, allowing users to bring real-life elements into their virtual world. According to the press release from HTC, "Being able to take a seat, find your drink, and carry on conversations without removing your headset is only the beginning of what's possible." Vive is set to publicly launch on April 1, which is quickly approaching.

Via: HTC

Huawei Also Announced GX8 Budget Phone, MediaPad M2 10 Tablet

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 15:19:06 +0000

Outside of its announcements for the new Huawei Watch and gold Nexus 6P, Huawei also took a few minutes this morning to announce the GX8, a budget phone coming to the US, and the MediaPad M2 10 tablet. With the Huawei GX8, you get a phone that retails at places like Amazon for as little as $349 unlocked. It also features a 1.5GHz Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB RAM, microSD slot, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 3000mAh battery, and a body that is just 7.5mm thick. It also runs Android 5.1 and Huawei's EMUI 3.1 skin. It'll be available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Huawei's online store at some point in Q1 of this year in three different colors (golden, grey, and silver).

As for the MediaPad M2 10 tablet, you get a decently spec'd tablet with an "aluminum alloy, full-metal body, precision crafted curved edges and a rich, sandblasted finish." It also sports a 10-inch 1920x1200 IPS LCD display, 2GHz Kirin 930 octa-core processor, 2GB or 3GB RAM depending on the model, 16GB or 64GB storage depending on the model, microSD slot, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 6660mAh battery, and a body that is just 7.35mm thick. Huawei is raving about the tablet's speakers as well, since it has four of them that feature "an Intelligent Power Amplifier, Clari-fi Audio Restoration and SWS 2.0 Surround Sound, tuned by leading audio brand Harman/Kardon for stunning, rich sound."

Huawei hopes to sell the MediaPad M2 10 in Q1 of this year in either white or gold. Prices fall in at $349 for a WiFi-only version with 2GB RAM / 16GB Storage or $399 for that same model with LTE. If you want 3GB RAM and 64GB storage, you are looking at $419 for the WiFi model and $469 for LTE.

Via: Huawei (PDF)

Samsung Announces Platinum and 18K Rose Gold Gear S2 Classic Models

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 14:14:55 +0000

Moments before Samsung took the stage at CES for its 2016 press day event, the Korean electronics company announced new variants of its Gear S2 Classic watch line. In February, you will be able to buy the Gear S2 Classic with either an 18K rose gold or platinum case. Samsung didn't announce pricing, but I'd imagine with those kinds of metals, they'll be significantly more expensive than the $350 you currently pay for the regular Classic. Again, the new Gear S2 Classic options launch in February.

Samsung elevates the Gear S2 classic design with new materials
LAS VEGAS – January 5, 2016 – Continuing its leadership in the wearables category, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today announced two new elegant editions of the Gear S2 classic, one encased in 18K Rose Gold and another in Platinum, offering users diverse options to express and match their style while highlighting its circular design and advanced functionality. “In 2015, we set a new standard with the Gear S2 in smart wearable category. We broke barriers to introduce one of Samsung’s most progressive wearable devices to date,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “In 2016, we will continue to raise the bar, so that we can deliver products that our customers want most.” With the successful launch of the Gear S2, Samsung is openly working with partners to provide more convenience and expanded user capabilities. CNN and Bloomberg Gear S2 apps, together with its watch face feature, have been a few of the more popular apps followed by a variety of watch faces and convenient apps like eBay, ESPN, Uber and Voxer. The new Gear S2 classic will include NFC technology to offer Samsung Pay, which will be available to Gear S2 users early this year starting in the U.S. For a more personal and customizable experience, Samsung is expanding its line of watch straps and watch face options. Samsung has partnered with exclusive designers, such as Colombo, on premium watch straps for the Gear S2, and has introduced fun and creative watch faces including Peanuts characters and artworks from Keith Haring, Jean-Michael Basquiat, Jeremyville and Burton Morris. The new Gear S2 classic will be available in Rose Gold case with an Ivory Genuine Leather Band and in Platinum case with a Black Genuine Leather Band beginning in February.

Via: Samsung

Marshmallow Update Hitting NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV, Along With Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 14:06:10 +0000

A very large update is set to soon hit the SHIELD Android TV from NVIDIA, Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Thanks to this update, users will benefit from Adoptable Storage. This feature allows SD cards, USB drives, and external hard drives to be read as internal memory on SHIELD, which makes for accessing applications and games from expandable storage much more simple. In addition, customization of your home on SHIELD has been made easy, thanks to the ability to rearrange apps in the Recommendation Row. Now, you can order your downloaded apps however you see fit. Not only will users benefit from the software additions in Marshmallow, but gamers will also rejoice as a new title will be made available this week. Starting Thursday, you will find Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance through SHIELD, a game focused on Raiden, a former child soldier transformed into a half-man, half-machine cyborg ninja with a soul fueled by revenge. Be on the lookout for that Marshmallow update.

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Via: NVIDIA

Android Distribution Updated for January 2016 - Marshmallow Crawling Along

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:22:04 +0000

The new Android distribution numbers are out for January 2016, with little change from last month's report. Marshmallow, the newest version of Android, is crawling along with acceptance and is only up to 0.7% from 0.5%. As for the rest of the versions, Lollipop is up to 32.6% (from 29.5%), while the rest are mostly down, like with KitKat at 36.1% (from 36.6%), Jelly Bean at 24.7% (26.9%), Ice Cream Sandwich at 2.7% (from 2.9%), and Gingerbread at 3.0% (from 3.4%). Froyo remains on the list at 0.2%. Last month's numbers can be seem here.

Via: Android Developers

Casio Smart Outdoor Watch to Launch in April, Priced at $499

Tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:13:40 +0000

Casio is set to enter the Android Wear market, as announced this afternoon at CES. Called the Smart Outdoor Watch, Casio's offering will be intended for those who enjoy the outdoors, whether it be for hiking, camping, fishing, cycling, or anything else. Featuring US military-grade water resistance (up to 50 meters) and shock resistance, the WSD-F10 smartwatch also has unique sensors not typically found on your average Android Wear smartwatch, including a pressure sensor and compass. Data from the aforementioned sensors can be accessed by pressing one of the watch's various exterior buttons, which are specifically designed to be pressed by glove-wearing hands. The watch's 1.32" display features a dual-layer that includes both a monochrome LCD and color LCD. The dual-layer design helps improve battery life, said to be rated at one day, and allows the screen to be visible regardless of lighting condition. It should also be noted that the display features the same "flat tire" design that we see on the Moto 360 smartwatch from Motorola. Display resolution is listed at 320 x 300.

As for software, Casio is building in quite a few watch faces that look identical to existing watch faces you can find on their lineup of watches today, and in addition, several fitness apps will come preloaded as well. The Casio Smart Outdoor Watch is set to launch this upcoming April, available in four different colors, set to the tune of $499.

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Via: Casio

Samsung's 2016 CES Press Event Starts at 2PM, Watch It Here!

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:06:47 +0000

Press day at 2016 CES is far from over, with Samsung up next on the big stage. Their live event kicks off at 2PM Pacific (5PM Eastern) if you are interested in the goods that this Korean giant has to show off for the coming year. Like with LG's event, we aren't live blogging this because we don't expect there to be much in terms of Android products. While we love a good fridge with a giant display on it, auto-opening doors, TV's designed by goofy-haired artists, and ridiculously fancy washers and dryers, those aren't exactly what we are known for covering. So, sit back and enjoy the live stream that we have included above along with us.

Qualcomm's aptX HD Brings High-Res Audio Over Bluetooth

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:58:07 +0000

Qualcomm intends to make the audio you hear between your phone and a pair of Bluetooth earbuds sound as good as if it were a wired connection. Today at CES, the chipmaker announced aptX HD, a "newly enhanced" codec that delivers 24-bit music quality over a wireless Bluetooth connection. Qualcomm previously introduced aptX to Bluetooth, which they say "revolutionized" wireless audio over Bluetooth by bringing the quality up to CD levels. With the new aptX HD, the audio only gets better with an increase from 16-bit to 24-bit. Over the next year, you'll start to see phones and tablets with the aptX CD codec on board. In the mean time, Qualcomm is making it available immediately so that others can begin to build in this new level of Bluetooth audio. More info can be found here.

Qualcomm aptX HD Delivers High Resolution Audio over Bluetooth

—Enhanced Audio Codec Helps Manufacturers make Wireless HD Audio a Reality—
LAS VEGAS — January 5, 2016 — Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., launched Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, a newly enhanced codec that offers 24 bit music quality over a Bluetooth® wireless connection. Building on the existing aptX audio codec platform, which revolutionized the Bluetooth stereo listening experience, aptX HD is designed to enable audio manufacturers to meet the increasing demand for high resolution wireless audio. “aptX transformed the Bluetooth stereo audio ecosystem, providing near CD-quality audio without the need for wires, and consumers now seek out the quality the aptX brand has come to represent,” said Anthony Murray, senior vice president and general manager, IoE, Qualcomm Technologies International Ltd. “Today consumers enjoy the benefits and freedom of wireless audio on the wide variety of aptX enabled devices available but demand for higher resolution audio is growing to fulfil the desire for the most premium listening experience possible. With aptX HD, we are helping device manufacturers to reduce development time and quickly meet demand.” aptX HD is immediately available as part of the CSR8675 Bluetooth audio SoC platform which supports 24 bit audio end-to-end. As with aptX, aptX HD is designed to address the challenge of sending high quality audio wirelessly over Bluetooth by compressing the large audio files so that they can be transmitted through the wireless pipeline without affecting the listening experience quality. To ensure a seamless consumer experience, and to interact with the millions of aptX enabled devices already available, the enhanced codec retains backward compatibility with all Bluetooth devices containing ‘classic’ aptX. aptX audio technology has a long history in the pro-audio and broadcast ecosystems. The technology is used to deliver high quality audio in over 30,000 radio stations and 20,000 cinemas across the world. In 2009, aptX was introduced to consumer electronics to provide quality wireless audio – and today, has been adopted by over 320 leading audio brands making it available in millions of headphones, speakers, soundbars, automotive and other Bluetooth audio products worldwide. It’s also widely enabled in mobile devices and is now available in flagship Android smartphones and tablets from Samsung, Sony, HTC, Motorola and LG, as well as in other operating systems including Windows 10, MAC OS X and Blackberry. “aptX was one of the first technologies to bring pro-audio quality to wireless consumer devices and has become synonymous with superior sound quality. The technology will continue to evolve as we invest in further innovation to ensure it meets the future needs of our customers,” concludes Anthony Murray. To learn more about aptX HD please read “Meeting the need for hi-resolution wireless audio: Introducing aptX HD,” by Steve Graham, vice president, product marketing, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd.

A Quick Look at the Gold Nexus 6P

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:03:48 +0000

We have a gold Nexus 6P! After the Huawei press event here at CES 2016, Huawei gave us a chance to spend some time with a couple. Actually, they handed them out to media in attendance and so we have one in house for the time being. Because it's gold and hasn't really been seen much to date, we thought we would do a quick hands-on video for you. There isn't much new here other than the fact that it has a gold exterior. Still, it's gold. Gold. Oh, you can buy this version now from Google Store, Bestbuy.com and Best Buy stores. It comes with either 32GB or 64GB and is priced at $499 and $549, respectively. What do you think about the gold model?

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Huawei Announces New Huawei Watch Models, Jewel and Elegant

Tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:47:42 +0000

Huawei announced two additional models of the Huawei Watch for US consumers this morning, called the Elegant and Jewel. Both models are designed fashion-first, likely perfect for those who enjoy very shiny things adorning their wrist. Making them differ from existing Huawei Watch models, the Elegant features a distinctive top ring design on a rose-gold plated body, while the Jewel features 68 Swarovski Zirconia encircling the face. To further match their fancy looks, Elegant and Jewel will both come with a selection of exclusive watch faces. Beside the outsides, these watches feature the same internals and build materials as the existing models, including scratch-resistant, two-layer Sapphire crystal, as well as 316L cold-forged stainless steel bodies. Both watches are set to launch during Q1 of 2016, with the Elegant priced at $499 and the Jewel priced at $599.

Via: Huawei

Nexus 6P in Matte Gold Now Available for Purchase on Google Store

Tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:14:30 +0000

The rumors were true. The Nexus 6P in Matte Gold is now available for US buyers through the Google Store. With this, an exclusive on the "Special Edition" color for the country of Japan has finally ended. Priced the same as other Nexus 6P colors, the base model is set at $499 for the 32GB model and $549 for 64GB, but it appears folks will not be able to purchase the phone in a 128GB configuration. Well, picking one up? Google Store Link

Live: Huawei's 2016 CES Press Event

Tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:00:48 +0000

Huawei will host a press conference this morning at 10am Pacific, where we expect the company will announce US availability of the gold Nexus 6P Special Edition, as well as other devices for the international market. You can also expect Huawei to share how successful the Nexus 6P has been for them in breaking into the US market. Below, we will be giving live commentary as announcements are made, as well as providing pictures of the event. If Huawei offers hands-on following the event, that will follow. Won't you join us?

AT&T Will Increase Data Buckets on GoPhone Prepaid Plans Tomorrow

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:25:26 +0000

UPDATE 1/6: AT&T reached out and confirmed the changes to us. The only difference is the new plans and upgraded data bucket amounts will be live on January 8, not January 6 as we originally reported.

Tomorrow, AT&T will introduce some changes to their prepaid plans that include more data without a price hike, according to sources of ours. The $60 GoPhone prepaid plan from AT&T will jump from 4GB of high-speed data per month to 5GB. The $45 GoPhone prepaid plan is jumping from 1.5GB of high-speed data per month to 2GB. If these changes are like the data bucket increases we have seen in the past, you should be automatically jumped up to the new amount on your next billing cycle following the change. On a related note, the $0.10 per minute prepaid talk plan is jumping up to $0.25 per minute. If you are currently using the $0.10 plan, you will be able to keep it for now. Again, the changes should be announced tomorrow, January 6.

Fossil Announces Q54 Pilot, an Analog Watch With Smart Notifications

Tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:20:14 +0000

Fossil announced the newest addition to its Q connected wearable lineup this morning, the Q54 Pilot. Unlike a normal smartwatch with a digital display, the Q54 Pilot features a traditional, analog look. When synced with your smartphone via Bluetooth, the watch is able to deliver buzz notifications and LED indicators for when a favorited contact is attempting to get a hold of you. Not only can you be informed of incoming notifications, but the Q54 Pilot can also count your steps, as well as calories. However, with no digital display, all management of notifications and fitness is handled directly from a smartphone via the Fossil Q application. An update for the Q app will allow users to customize vibration patterns for notifications, plus other new features. The Q54 Pilot will launch in early spring, priced between $175 and $215, depending on strap options.

Via: Fossil

LG's CES 2016 Press Event Kicks Off at 8AM, Watch It Here!

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 07:38:05 +0000

LG always kicks off CES press day (well, after Ford's short show earlier) with an 8AM Pacific slot that gives the company the opportunity to get on the board early. That means they show off a bit of everything from their portfolio, like new appliance lines, whatever new TV OLED tech they have come up with, and new Android products. Unfortunately, we aren't really expecting anything on the Android front this year, unless LG has somehow kept something major under wraps (that's doubtful). Still, their press day 45-minute event is worth a watch, especially if you are looking to beef up your home with new LG goods. No live blog this year, because we aren't really into telling you about fridges and washing machines. You can watch the event at the top of this post.

Ford Kicks Off CES Press Day Right Now!

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 07:33:05 +0000

Ford is kicking off CES 2016 Press Day as I'm typing this and CNET has the live stream of the event. We've included it below, for those interested in checking out the latest in Ford's car tech. Hey, maybe we'll see some Android Auto action, since they did finally give in yesterday and announce support for both it and Apple CarPlay. Either way, enough from me, let's sit back and watch.

Under Armour and HTC Introduce UA HealthBox With Fitness Tracker, HR Monitor, and Scale

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 06:59:03 +0000

To kick off CES, Under Armour and HTC announced their take on an entire "fitness system." It's called the UA HealthBox and it's a combination of products that includes a fitness tracker, heart rate monitor, and scale, along with the UA Record app, to give you a total fitness picture. The fitness band is called the UA Band. It sounds like a pretty standard fitness band that tracks workouts, steps, sleep, etc. It syncs with the UA Record app and even has an LED that "indicates heart rate zone" when paired with the heart rate monitor. As for the UA Heart Rate, which is the heart rate monitor, you get a HR sensor and chest strap that are compact, but hopefully accurate as well. With the UA Record app, you can customize your heart rate zones. Finally, we have the UA Scale, which is a WiFi enabled scale that syncs with UA Record to track your progress. It features an "iconic circular design" along with LEDs that hide when not in use. It can support up to eight users. The UA HealthBox runs $400 and will go up for pre-order today at Under Armour's site. The "box" will officially be available on January 22.

HTC & UNDER ARMOUR UNVEIL UA HEALTHBOX

Pre-orders begin today for the first comprehensive connected fitness system
LAS VEGAS, CES – January 5, 2016 – Today, HTC and Under Armour unveiled UA HealthBox™, the world’s first connected fitness system that measures, monitors, and manages the most important drivers of health and fitness – sleep, fitness, activity and nutrition. Designed and manufactured by HTC and powered by UA Record™, UA HealthBox includes a fitness band, heart rate monitor and a smart scale that all connect seamlessly with UA Record to provide insights that empower individuals to improve their health and fitness. The new UA Record is available for download from the Google Play™ store and App Store. With an HTC smartphone, or other Android or iOS smartphone, UA Record serves as the dashboard for daily activities that dictate how you feel. Following the same philosophy HTC takes when designing smartphones, UA HealthBox removes the barriers and complexity of technology with a simple to set up and easy to use system. “This system contains everything a consumer needs to better manage their health and fitness,” said Wolfgang Muller, Executive Director - Connected Products, HTC. “Whether you are a high performance athlete or simply committed to improving your health, UA HealthBox is the only system that delivers the complete picture and provides the information and motivation needed to achieve your goals.” UA Band is designed to be worn all-day, every day. It tracks daily activity, workouts and sleep. All day activity capture allows you to set a daily goal and track progress on the band. UA Band utilizes a seamless exterior shell with a display that is discreetly hidden under an outer layer allowing the technology to disappear when it is not in use. Designed with athletes in mind, the band offers an advanced workout mode with a display that stays on during the workout, as well as an LED that indicates heart rate zone when paired with UA Heart Rate. UA Band comes in black with a red textured underside to allow for moisture wicking. UA Heart Rate is a compact heart rate monitor with an innovative micro snap technology designed to make it undetectable during workouts. The chest strap and removable sensor helps individuals monitor intensity and train smarter. The UA Heart Rate was created to provide an accurate calculation of calories burned. Combined with the UA Record app, UA Heart Rate allows you to customize your heart rate zones. UA Scale is a beautifully crafted, Wi-Fi enabled scale with an iconic circular design. The scale utilizes a sheet of glass with advanced conductive paint technology that enables weight and body fat percentage readings. The hidden LED display behind the glass makes technology invisible when not in use. The scale can support up to eight users and syncs with the UA Record app for individuals to view trends with weight as part of their overall dashboard. UA Scale comes in black with a red textured underside. “There are several options for consumers today when it comes to monitoring their daily activity, but no option when it comes to capturing and presenting information in a meaningful way. Most of us know more about the health of our car than we do about our own bodies,” said Robin Thurston, Chief Digital Officer, Under Armour. “Under Armour and HTC set out to change that by going far beyond the automation of data tracking. UA HealthBox provides custom health and fitness experiences designed to guide you towards your goals.” Because of its unique approach, UA HealthBox is intended to be an integral part of an individual’s daily life, and as such the importance of design was paramount. UA HealthBox has been designed to unify the portfolio of products and the experience of using them. “At HTC design is an uncompromising part of our culture. It is our DNA and we have an obsessive focus on delivering beautiful design not just on the outside but on the inside too,” said Muller. “UA HealthBox is beautifully designed with no detail overlooked, but it was also designed to be a comprehensive connected system that is easy to use throughout the day and every day. This is what sets it apart from anything on the market today.” Availability UA HealthBox will be available on January 22 in the U.S. with pre-orders beginning today on www.HTC.com, www.UA.com and at Under Armour Brand House locations. UA HealthBox (including UA Band, UA Heart Rate and UA Scale) will cost $400. UA HealthBox will roll out to additional US retailers in the first quarter and internationally throughout 2016.
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Jaybird Announces Freedom and X3 Sport Earbuds With Custom Sound Profiles

Kellen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 06:43:01 +0000

Jaybird, one of the few noteworthy and quality Bluetooth sport earbud brands, announced two new products to its line-up today, the Jaybird Freedom and Jaybird X3. Both will be available later this year, along with a patent pending app to give you custom sound profiles on each. With the Freedom, Jaybird is saying that these are their "most advanced" Bluetooth earbuds to date. You have a patented "tapered step-down design" that, along with Comply foam tips and "enhanced comfort" ear fins, ensures a proper a comfortable fit, even with smaller ears. Jaybird says the Freedom gets up to 8 hours of playback time, which is a combination of a 4-hour charge on the buds and another through a charging clip. With the new X3, you get earbuds that are a lot like the X2, only in some new colors and what we are assuming are all new quality parts. The big deal with both, though, is the fact that each pairs with Jaybird's new MySound app, which allows you to setup custom sound profiles on the headphones that can then be taken to whatever music app you want to listen to. The app will be available on both Android and iOS and will allow you to setup profiles, sync to the headphones, and then take off for your workout or commute. The Jaybird Freedom runs $199 and will be available in Q2. The new X3 is $149 and will be available in Q3.

Jaybird Announces Two New Wireless Sport Earbuds: Freedom and X3

-- New earbuds feature industry-first design and audio technology --
SPECIAL TO CES -- January 5, 2016 -- Premium active lifestyle brand, Jaybird, today announced the addition of Freedom and X3 to its growing line of high-end sport earbuds. Jaybird Freedom and X3 are the first wireless sport earbuds to include a customizable sound profile that moves with the user from device to device, and will be available in Q2 and Q3 2016, respectively. Jaybird Freedom The micro-sized, secure-fit Jaybird Freedom are the company’s most advanced Bluetooth earbuds ever. The most notable feature of Freedom is its patented tapered step-down design, ensuring a comfortable, secure fit in any ear size. These sweat-proof premium metal buds fit perfectly in even the smallest of ears and come with Comply™ memory foam tips, as well as enhanced comfort ear fins to ensure a secure fit. Its passive noise isolation drowns out ambient noise to enhance the sound quality customers have come to expect from Jaybird’s audio line. With its new, patent-pending Jaybird MySound app -- available for Android and iOS -- users can now customize their equalizer settings, which are then automatically synced to Freedom, creating a unique sound profile that is saved on the buds no matter the music device they’re paired with -- a first for the wireless sport earbuds market. Freedom provides users with eight hours of playtime -- four hours in the buds and an additional four hours with the included charging clip -- for worry-free listening throughout the day or a week’s worth of workouts. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0, Freedom can be paired with up to eight devices, and its inline metal remote gives users complete control over their wireless music with volume buttons and allows for phone calls with its built-in microphone. Freedom will be available for $199.95 and come in five beautiful color metal options -- Carbon (black on black metal), Blaze (red on silver metal), Ocean (blue on silver metal), Gold (white on gold metal), and Blush (white on rose gold metal). “Freedom combines fashion and sport into the smallest and most elegant wireless earbuds we’ve ever designed,” said Rene Oehlerking, Jaybird’s CMO. “The product is both gorgeous and versatile and is designed to be the only buds you’ll ever need for fashion, fitness and work. Freedom takes a huge step forward in wireless earbuds innovation by giving users the features of premium over-the-ear headphones in a micro-sized, in-ear package.” Jaybird X3 The successor to the wildly popular Jaybird X2, these secure-fit sport Bluetooth 4.0 buds also feature the proprietary Jaybird MySound app, which gives users complete control over their sound profile by allowing them to customize the EQ settings, and like Freedom automatically sync on the X3 hardware. The seven-hour battery allows users to enjoy a week’s worth of music during workouts on a single charge, and Jaybird’s proprietary SignalPlus™ antenna architecture allows for a stronger signal resulting in skip-free music listening in outdoor environments. Featuring the same powerful award-winning Jaybird sound, the X3 includes passive noise isolation technology to enhance sound quality. Sporting a smaller hardware profile than its predecessor, the new sweat-proof buds also incorporate the X-Fit™ system as well as enhanced comfort earfins to give users an even more secure fit during the hardest of workouts. The inline remote allows for easy wireless music and call control, and its Voice Prompts let you know when you’ve successfully connected X3 or turned the device on or off. At launch, X3 will retail for $149.95 and be available in five colors -- Blackout (black), Alpha (military green), Road Rash (red), Dune (tan), and Surf (blue). “Jaybird has always prided itself on delivering world-class sound, and the MySound app in both the new X3 and Freedom will give users audio control like they’ve never experienced in a wireless sport earbud,” continued Oehlerking. “We’re excited to give users full musical freedom to crank up the bass or fine tune for that perfect acoustic sound. ” Jaybird Freedom and Jaybird X3 will be featured at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 6-9, 2016, at booth 21060 (South Hall). For more information about Jaybird, visit www.JaybirdSport.com. About Jaybird Established in 2006, Jaybird is an active lifestyle consumer electronics brand based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jaybird makes premium market leading sports tech products to inspire people to be active and empower them to improve their lives. Jaybird is known primarily for its innovations in the Bluetooth headphone market. Jaybird is one of the fastest growing private companies in the world, ranked in the Inc. 5000 three times running (currently 392nd nationally, 13th in Utah), and the third top premium sport headphone brand in the US behind only Beats (Apple) and Bose. For more information, please visit www.JaybirdSport.com

ASUS ZenFone Zoom Launches February 1 for $399

Tim — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:35:43 +0000

This time last year, ASUS unveiled the ZenFone Zoom, a smartphone with its focus solely on being one of the best mobile cameras you could purchase inside of a smartphone. At the time, it was announced that the Zoom would launch sometime in Q2 of last year, but as 2015 pressed on, no Zoom ever launched. Now, in 2016, ASUS is back, announcing official availability set for February 1. Featuring a 5.5" FHD display, 13MP rear-facing camera with a ton of fancy settings, genuine leather backside, 4GB of RAM, Intel Atom Z3590 processor clocked at 2.5GHz, the Zoom will launch with a price of $399, and will be an exclusive to B&H Photo. As for the whopping camera on the backside of the device, it features dual flash, laser auto focus with 3X optical zoom, plus optical image stabilization (OIS). Below, check out the full spec list on the device, as well as a video on the story of designing the ZenFone Zoom. Specs

Android 5.0 Lollipop
Intel Atom Z3590 Processor 2.5GHz
4GB RAM, 64GB Storage w/ microSD card support up to 128GB
5.5” FHD IPS (1920×1080) display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4
3,000 mAh battery (non-removable)
13MP Camera with f/2.7-f/4.8, dual flash, laser auto-focus with 3x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilization
Single SIM with 2G/3G/4G support
Dimensions: 158.9 x 78.84 x 5 ~ 11.95mm
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, BT 4.0, and NFC

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Via: MyZen ASUS

AccuWeather Gets Big Material Design Update, Improved Performance

Kellen — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:28:09 +0000

Over the weekend, Accuweather began pushing out a big update to its Android app that only a few users were seeing. Today, Accuweather announced that it is available globally to all. The update introduces Google's Material Design language to weather fans, but also includes performance improvements throughout. The new design of the app offers a "clean and organized interface, making the digital experience appealing, highly intuitive, and easy for users." It has a card-forward UI, with colorful action bars, bright and modern colors where needed, and more. As for the improved performance, users will find goodies like "enhanced location management, enhanced performance in dynamic radar and satellite animation, a new video experience for breaking weather and viral video content, as well as an all-new design for the AccuWeather 'follow-me' widget to provide instant, easy access to weather information on the go." Grab it today! Play Link

Via: AccuWeather

AT&T Introduces LTE Modules for IoT Devices

Kellen — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:35:45 +0000

Our first Internet of Things story of CES 2016! AT&T announced today that they will make 4G LTE modules available for those looking to get into IoT or the "Internet of Things." With these modules, made by Wistron NeWeb Corp (WNC), connectivity in IoT gets access to AT&T's ever-growing 4G LTE network. Off hand, I couldn't exactly tell you of a personal use for 4G LTE IoT device, but the option allows you or companies to connect almost any device to AT&T's network. This should make for smarter and more connected cities, trucks, cars, machinery, healthcare, and more. In short, a 4G LTE IoT module gives almost anything a chance to become connected without the need for nearby WiFi. The modules made by WNC will start for as low as $14.99 and will be available by Q2 of this year.

Via: AT&T

Ford's 2016 and 2017 Models With SYNC 3 Get Android Auto, Apple CarPlay

Kellen — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:17:18 +0000

After doing its best to ignore Google and Apple's attempts to enter its cars, Ford is giving in and will add Android Auto and CarPlay to its 2016 and 2017 line-up of rides that are equipped with SYNC 3, their newest infotainment system. All of its 2017 cars will arrive with Android Auto and CarPlay out of the gate (again if they have SYNC 3 on board), while its 2016 models with SYNC 3 will have the option to upgrade. Ford is essentially admitting that you shouldn't be choosing a $40,000 car based off of its infotainment system by going this route. In other words, even though they would rather you use their system, they needed to give in and add Android Auto and CarPlay, because that's what some people are going to want and they (obviously) don't want you ignoring them because their cars lack functionality of others. Ford also announced today that many of their cars will have 4G LTE on board, which gives car owners features like remote start, unlocking of doors, fuel level checks, or parked vehicle locating via their smartphone.

Via: Ford

LG Previews the K10 and K7 Smartphones Ahead of CES

Tim — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:50:55 +0000

Last year at CES, LG was one of the only major Android OEMs to announce a new device (the G Flex 2), and so far, they appear to be off to a decent start for 2016, too. This morning, the company announced the launch of two new devices for CES this week, the K7 and K10. The K line is the successor to the L line, borrowing premium features from more high-end devices, making them available in a more affordable package. The K7 features a 5" FWVGA display, quad-core processor, 8MP rear-facing camera, LTE connectivity, 2,125mAh battery, 2.5D Arc Glass design, enhanced camera features, and will run Android 5.1 out of the box. The K10, a more high-end device of the mid-range lineup, features a 5.3" HD display, quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, LTE connectivity, 2,300mAh battery, 13MP rear-facing camera, and will also run Android 5.1 when released. At this time, LG has yet to announce availability and pricing for the devices, but we may found out a bit more info once we get hands-on time with the units this week.

K SERIES SMARTPHONES FROM LG TO DEBUT AT CES 2016

Successor to L Series, Newest Mass-Tier Offering From LG Borrows Heavily From Premium Devices
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2016 ― This week, LG Electronics (LG) will unveil its K Series, a new line of smartphones with the advanced camera technology and UX features of LG’s premium models. The first two devices in the series, K10 and K7, will make their public debut at the 2016 CES in Las Vegas. LG K Series smartphones will be the first to offer LG’s *glossy pebble* design language, a contemporary, stylish look with a curved, modern finish aimed at a younger audience. The glossy pebble design is complemented by LG’s new *2.5D Arc Glass* for a smooth and seamless style that could only be made possible due to the sides of K Series smartphones being free of button clutter. With design cues borrowed from nature, the K10 and K7 look far more expensive and exclusive than they really are. The back cover features an intricate woven pattern for optimal grip and confidence when on the move. And because consumers on the move tend to enjoy an active lifestyle, the K Series is designed with multimedia creating and consumption in mind with a roomy display to show images and videos captured with the most advanced camera on a smartphone in this category ― 13MP on the rear and 8MP on the front in the case of the K10. Featuring LG’s popular Gesture Shot and Gesture Interval Shot, taking selfies is easy and hassle-free. Gesture Shot enables users to take photos simply by raising an open hand in front of the lens and then clenching it into a fist. Closing one’s hand twice automatically leads to the Gesture Interval Shot and will produce four consecutive photos. Both devices are equipped with Flash for Selfie on the front to help users capture priceless moments whenever, wherever the need might arise, even in the dark. “Our 2016 K Series is the latest example of LG applying it best mobile technology and premium design philosophy across numerous smartphone categories,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Customers equate the LG name with great smartphone imaging technology and we are committed to delivering on that flattering expectation.” Visitors to CES 2016 will be able to see the LG K10 and K7 for themselves at LG’s booth in Hall #8204 of the Las Vegas Convention Center from Jan. 6-9. K10 Key Specifications:

Display: 5.3-inch HD In-cell Touch

Chipset: LTE - 1.2GHz or 1.3GHz Quad-Core / 1.14GHz Octa-Core, 3G: 1.3GHz Quad-Core

Camera: LTE Rear 13MP / Front 8MP or 5MP, 3G - Rear 8MP / Front 8MP or 5MP

Memory - RAM: 2GB / 1.5GB / 1GB

ROM: 16GB / 8GB

Battery: 2,300mAh

Operating System: Android 5.1 Lollipop

Size: 146.6 x 74.8 x 8.8mm

Network: LTE / 3G

Colors: White / Indigo / Gold

Others: 2.5D Arc Glass / Gesture Shot / Tap and Shot / Gesture Interval Shot

K7 Key Specifications:

Display: 5.0-inch FWVGA In-cell Touch (LTE) / On-cell Touch (3G)

Chipset: LTE - 1.1GHz Quad-Core, 3G: 1.3GHz Quad-Core

Camera: Rear 8MP or 5MP / Front 5MP

Memory - RAM: 1.5GB / 1GB, ROM: 16GB / 8GB

Battery: 2,125mAh

Operating System: Android 5.1 Lollipop

Size - LTE: 143.6 x 72.5 x 8.9mm, 3G: 143.6 x 72.5 x 9.05mm

Network: LTE / 3G

Colors - LTE: Titan, 3G: White / Black / Gold

Others: 2.5D Arc Glass / Gesture Shot / Gesture Interval Shot / Tap and Shot

Specifications/Features may vary depending on the market.

Report: Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge to Feature SD Card Slots, Water Resistance, More

Kellen — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:38:47 +0000

According to a new report out of Venture Beat, this year's flagships from Samsung, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, should include a couple of features that were missing from the S6 and S6 Edge, features that were always a part of the long-standing draw to the Korean company's phones. Yes, I'm talking about micro SD slots and water resistance. That's not all, though, if the sources for this report know their stuff, we may have almost all of the major specs for these two phones. The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge should both include micro SD slots with support up to 200GB cards, along with IP67 dust and water resistance. At IP67, we should have fully dustproof devices that are capable of being submerged in water. So, with expandable storage and a little toughness, are you ready for the S7 and S7 Edge? Before you answer that, let's talk about the rest of this report. According to VB sources, we should see a flat-front design on the regular S7 with a 5.1-inch display, while the S7 Edge will have the dual-curved design and a slightly larger canvas at 5.5-inches. Previous reports have suggested a similar setup. In the battery department, we may see huge bumps to 3,000mAh for the regular S7 and 3,600mAh for the S7 Edge. After the incredibly disappointing batteries in last year's S6 and S6 Edge, this is huge news. While they likely won't be removable, those should be plenty juiceful for most users. And keep in mind that Fast Charging and Fast Wireless Charge will likely also be on board. As for processors, Venture Beat sources suggest Samsung will use an in-house Exynos 8 Octa 8890 for some models, but that doesn't mean we won't see Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 in certain markets. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked at all if the 820 shows up in the North American units. The phones should also feature 4GB RAM, along with 32GB and 64GB internal storage options. Finally, the camera is said to be a 12MP sensor (that is flush with the back!) this year, which is down in resolution from the 16MP camera used in last year's phones. That isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, especially if this report is correct in stating that it should feature an f/1.7 lens. Hello, low-light shots. Excited? This are starting to sound like solid upgrades, even if they do keep similar designs.

Via: Venture Beat

Archos Announces Affordable Lineup of Cobalt and Power Devices

Tim — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 10:50:37 +0000

Archos announced four new devices this week, two in a "Cobalt" lineup and two in a "Power" lineup. The whole lineup is set to be quite affordable, while still offering decent specifications for everyday usage. Each device will launch with Android 5.1 "Lollipop," as well as microSD support. The Archos Cobalt 50 features a 5" HD display, 1GB of RAM, MT6535P ARM processor, and 8MP rear-facing camera. Even though those specs likely won't blow you away, the $99 price tag may have a few folks picking it up. Next in the Cobalt line is the Archos 55. It features a 5.5" HD display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 13MP rear-facing camera, and 2,700mAh battery. It is priced at $139. Both Cobalt devices are set to launch in April. The 40 Power features a 4" WVGA display, SC7731C processor, 512MB of RAM, 5MP rear-facing camera, and 1,900mAh battery. Priced at just $49, the 40 Power launches in May. Last up is the 50 Power, featuring a MTK6735 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 4,000mAh battery, and 4G LTE Connectivity. The 50 Power launches in May, priced at $119. Check the full spec sheet and press release below.

ARCHOS Unveils Cobalt and Power Smartphones at CES 2016

Selection of colorful and extended battery smartphones on display at Westgate Las Vegas Resort, Suite 1910 from January 6^th to 9^th
Las Vegas – January 4, 2016 – ARCHOS unveils two new smartphone ranges at CES Las Vegas 2016, the colorful Cobalt and long lasting Power. ARCHOS’ newest selection of smartphones will be on display during CES Las Vegas 2016 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort, Suite 1910 from January 6^th to 9^th. “Our Cobalt and Power range of smartphones address two issues in the smartphone industry, the lack of customization and the absence of long-life smartphones,” says Loic Poirer, CEO of ARCHOS. “Our Cobalt and Power lineup combines smooth performance, superior components and impressive affordability.” Superior battery life Equipped with enough battery power to last up to two days under regular usage conditions, ARCHOS’ Power smartphones feature quad-core processors and are available in two sizes, the 4-inch ARCHOS 40 Power and the 5-inch ARCHOS 50 Power. A pocket mobile powerhouse, the ARCHOS 40 Power is ideal for on-the-go light users with 8 GB of internal storage and 1,900mAh of battery. The ARCHOS 50 Power is 4G/LTE compatible, has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, and highlights an ultra-large 4,000mAh battery with an IPS HD display and 13MP camera. The ARCHOS 40 Power and ARCHOS 50 Power will be available in May for $49 and $119 respectively. ARCHOS’ Cobalt smartphones comes in a variety of colors to add a splash of originality. The Cobalt lineup comes with IPS HD display, are 4G/LTE compatible, are powered by quad-core processors, and are available in two sizes, the 5-inch ARCHOS 50 Cobalt and the 5.5-inch ARCHOS 55 Plus Cobalt. The ARCHOS 50 Cobalt comes with 1GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal storage, and an 8MP front camera, while the ARCHOS 55 Plus Cobalt is powered by 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and a 13MP camera. Both Cobalt smartphones comes with an expandable internal MicroSB card storage and will be available in April for $99 and $139 respectively. For more information about ARCHOS’ entire selection of Connected Devices, Smartphones and Tablets, visit us atwww.archos.com or contact us through Facebook or Twitter.

January Android 6.0.1 Security Patch Factory Images Available for Nexus Devices

Kellen — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 10:26:52 +0000

To kick off CES week, though this isn't related to CES at all, Google has posted the January security update for its Nexus line-up as factory images of Android 6.0.1. This is still 6.0.1, but there are a variety of build numbers out there depending on the device. For the Nexus 6P, 5X, we have MMB29P. The Nexus 6 and Nexus Player have build MMB29T. The Nexus 9 LTE and WiFi, and Nexus 5 have MMB29S. Finally, the Nexus 7 (2013) is MMB29O. For instructions on how to flash factory images, hit up this post. If you want the full breakdown on what was patched, check out this post from Google, which is this month's Nexus security bulletin. Factory Images | Binaries

CES 2016 is This Week!

Kellen — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:47:31 +0000

Unless you are a PR professional, media member, work in the tech sector, or are a complete electronics nut, you may not have realized that it not only is 2016, but CES is this week. What is CES, you ask? Only the biggest ~~waste of a week~~ electronics show in Las Vegas (probably the world) you'll find on a re-occuring yearly basis during the first couple of weeks of each January. It's a big deal - or at least was at one point to us in the mobile media. In the big scheme of things (outside of mobile), should you care about washers and dryers and new TVs and tech in automobiles and VR and drones and wearables and a whole bunch of other literal junk, CES still means a lot. In fact, this conference grows every year and brings in more than 170,000 people. As I just mentioned, CES typically runs during the second (sometimes first) week of January each year as a way to kick off the year in electronics. Many of the biggest electronics companies in the world arrive upon Las Vegas to show off what they plan to sell at some point during the next 12 months. Samsung, LG, Huawei, Sony, Ford, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Lenovo, and a whole bunch of other companies are all a part of this thing. See, it's a big deal. The show runs from Wednesday through Saturday this year, but really kicks off for us on Tuesday, when we (the media) attend official Press Day at CES. It's basically a day-long showcase from all the big dogs for 45 minutes at a time. We often live blog many of these 45 minute long pressers, then rush off to the next one, wait in line for an hour before getting into the next. It's hell. I do not wish this day upon anyone. But after Tuesday, the show floor opens and the 170,000+ people all ascend upon massive multi-million dollar booths from all of the companies I just named, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, to get our hands on the goods. Outside of the big guys, we have the little guys who are trying to make it as well that also want our attention. They buy booth space at CES because they actually could make it out of this conference, assuming their product is legit. Meetings are setup. One-on-ones are avoided. Half-naked "booth babes" are hired to attract the creepers in attendance to off-brand oddity products. And everyone has some form of a zombie-turning virus for your body to feast upon. Tim and I will be there for the 80th year in a row I think. Actually, it'll be the 6th. For us, CES just isn't what it used to be in terms of news because all of the mobile focus has moved on to MWC in Barcelona at the end of February or to stand-alone press conferences. I honestly couldn't tell you of a phone we expect to see at this show. This will be the least mobile-focused CES ever. At least that's my prediction. So, with that in mind, Tim and I will be there cruising around Vegas, looking for a story or two. What I'm trying to say is - don't get overly excited for CES if you are a mobile or Android enthusiast. That's not me being a grumpy journo, either. It's just not a conference for us anymore, unfortunately. There will still be cool stuff all over the place that we may gush about here and there, it just won't have anything to do with Android. We'll be there all week, though! We actually travel tomorrow (Monday) and are in attendance until Friday. If things are a bit slow tomorrow, you now know why. We promise, we'll do our best to make it up to you. Wish us luck.

Deal: Score Big Savings on Aukey Charging Accessories With These Coupon Codes

Tim — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 11:59:06 +0000

For a limited time, you can grab a supply of Aukey charging accessories through Amazon at a highly discounted price, thanks to a few coupon codes. At the discounted pricing, Aukey has a 5-port USB charger, regularly priced at $30, available for only $19 with the use of the coupon. Other accessories include a 10,000mAh external battery pack for only $20, and a turbo wall charger for $6.50. As you will find out, each accessory is compatible with Quick Charge 2.0, making them exceptionally valuable if you have a device capable of quick charging. For the 5-port charger, use code HR8OMICZ. For the 10,000mAh external battery charger, use code AIF2TWAM. Lastly, for the turbo wall charger, use code V4R8BK3J. Amazon Links: 5-Port Charger | 10,000mAh Battery | Turbo Wall Charger

Square Enix Bringing Final Fantasy IX to Android in 2016

Tim — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 10:44:19 +0000

Announced this morning, Square Enix is making Final Fantasy IX available on PC, iOS and Android smartphones. While the official release date for the US is currently unknown, Square Enix claims it is "coming soon" on their website, which is fantastic news for fans of the Final Fantasy franchise. Much like past releases for modern gamers, Square Enix will likely change and update a few features, claiming, "high-definition graphics, newly added achievements, auto-save, high speed mode, and several game boosting features." As soon as we learn the release date or it pops up on Google Play, we will let you know. For now, watch the trailer below and get pumped.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Square Enix | Kotaku

User Receives Test Build Update for Huawei Watch, Brings Speaker Support

Tim — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:00:34 +0000

It appears that soon, once testing is complete, Huawei will send out an update to owners of the Huawei Watch, bringing with it full audio speaker support. According to one user on reddit, his Huawei Watch, which is apparently enrolled in a special user test group, received an update to Android Wear build 1.4.0, running on Android 6.0.1. Once updated, he confirmed that the device's speaker is now fully functional, as well as the ability to place and receive phone calls. This added ability is no shocker, as Google announced support for speakers and phone calls back in mid November. However, the one Android Wear smartwatch that was scheduled to launch which offered these features, the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE, was canceled. The redditor notes that users can choose ringtones for incoming calls, enable text-to-speech (which they found quite annoying), and will continue digging to see if there are any more hidden goodies inside of the update. We have no idea as to when this update will roll out to all Huawei Watch owners, but if it is in testing already, then we must be close.

Via: reddit

BlackBerry Priv Reported to Hit T-Mobile Network on January 26

Tim — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 08:22:33 +0000

According to a leaked image, the BlackBerry Priv will hit T-Mobile's network on January 26, bringing an official end to the current exclusive AT&T holds on the device. If the image is to be believed, then not only can BlackBerry fans pick up the device through T-Mobile, but Verizon also confirmed last month that it will also carry the device, "soon." After spending quite a bit of time with the device for our complete review, we walked away impressed by its display, overall design, keyboard functionality, and BlackBerry's attempt to offer a more secure model of the Android OS. Overall, for anyone who wants a keyboard on their device, there is probably no better option currently on the market. While the idea of someone photoshopping the below image seems unlikely, I will say that having the device named "BlackBerry Venice" on the calendar seems a little odd. By now, everyone in the industry knows that the Venice is the Priv, but who knows, maybe T-Mo enjoys using codes from time to time. Do we have any T-Mobile users here who can't wait to pick up the Priv?

Via: Phone Arena

AT&T Acquires Assets of Carrier iQ, the Company Everyone Hated in 2011

Tim — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:09:30 +0000

Many moons ago, when Android was still relatively young, there was once a company called Carrier iQ. The company was contracted to place software on devices for carriers that tracked which apps you opened, places you went, texts you received, and a whole lot more information that was then handed over to carriers to help better the customer experience. However, while all of this information was being exchanged, the customer never knew about it until one day in 2011, a security analysis was being ran on an HTC device. Once folks were made aware of what was taking place behind their back, the company and carriers involved received major backlash, and since then, it's been somewhat smooth sailing in terms of privacy policies and carrier transparency with regard to data collection. Now that you are caught up on the backstory, it was announced today that AT&T has acquired certain assets of Carrier iQ, along with select personnel. In a statement given to TechCrunch, an AT&T spokesperson says, "We’ve acquired the rights to Carrier iQ’s software, and some CIQ employees moved to AT&T. We use CIQ software solely to improve the customer’s network and wireless service experience. This is in line with our Privacy Policy and provides a great benefit to users of our network.” Agenda wise, AT&T will apparently license a few of CIQ's technologies to other companies, such as Nielsen, but no figures for the deal have been revealed just yet. It is reported that since AT&T did not acquire the company completely, they will not be liable for any "outstanding litigation or settlements against CIQ." Honestly, going into 2016, I forgot Carrier iQ was a thing.

Via: TechCrunch

Deal: Mobile Gamers, Check Out the ScreenStick Joystick for $17

Tim — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:40:45 +0000

Does your mobile game feature on-screen buttons, maybe like the ones you might find on an old school arcade machine? Or are you possibly having troubles with your fingers getting in the way of gameplay? Don't worry, we might have a solution. On the DL Deals Store, you can try out a ScreenStick Joystick for $17, a simple attachment for your smart device that could help bring back a sense of physically playing a video game with a controller. Using suction cups, you place the little joystick over the top of the on-screen controls, and boom, you are ready for action. Any game that uses an on-screen joystick or d-pad is workable. This can be a variety of platform and fighter games, such as Mortal Kombat or Sonic. Is it incredibly silly? Yes. Can it help you use a mobile device for playing a few arcade games? Absolutely. Features

Game like you’re at home even when you’re on the road
Get a whole new mobile gaming experience w/ this 2-in-1 gaming & simulator stick
Attach the stick to your phone w/ 2 suction cups
Play almost any game w/ an on-screen joystick or d-pad
Use it for years to come: made w/ high-quality, light & durable alloy

Deal Link

LG G5 Reported to Feature Secondary Ticker Display, Snapdragon 820, "Magic Slot"

Tim — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 11:55:34 +0000

As we draw closer to 2016, rumors and reports concerning upcoming devices from all of the top OEMs will only increase, so buy your tickets for the hypetrain right away. While there is never a shortage of Samsung rumors for the Galaxy S7, it should be noted that LG is also cooking up the G5, a followup to this year's LG G4. According to the latest report out of Venture Beat, the device is said to bring an array of features from not only the G4, but the LG V10, too. Stated by "sources," the G5 will feature a metal enclosure (aka body), bringing an end to LG's long run of plastic-based flagships. Not only can potential buyers expect a better in-hand feel thanks to metal, but it is said that the LG G5 will feature a secondary "ticker" display, along with the 5.3" primary display, identical to what is found on the V10. This secondary display is used for quick access to settings, apps, and for glancing at notifications when your primary display is turned off. The G5 is reported to feature Qualcomm's latest and greatest SoC, the Snapdragon 820 along with 3GB of RAM running the latest build of Android available from Google. For those concerned about expandable storage, there is currently no information on whether the G5 will feature a microSD slot. There is also reference of a "Magic Slot," which is said to allow the device to additional hardware modules. This could be for things such as a detachable keyboard, VR headset, and other various accessories. No exact details are known for what LG intends to use this Magic Slot for, but it does sound interesting. We are likely only a few months away from an unveiling. Are you excited for a possibly all-metal G5 with secondary display?

Via: Venture Beat (aka Venture Beast)

AT&T is Killing 2-Year Contracts on January 8 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 11:16:03 +0000

AT&T won't offer 2-year contracts to existing or new customers come January 8. The news comes via internal documents sent to Engadget, but we can independently confirm the change as it was relayed to us over a week ago from a source. According to leaked documents that have gone out to AT&T employees, AT&T Next and full-retail purchases will be the only options for upgrading to new devices going forward. And again, this is for both current and new customers. AT&T is only saying that this is a "simplification effort." The change has both good sides and bad. For one, this gets you out of contracts and in more control over your service because you can pay off devices quicker if you'd like and move on from AT&T, should their service not be up to your standards. But this isn't good for those who enjoyed grabbing new phones for a one time price of $99 or $199, instead of taking on a monthly payment plan. AT&T first killed 2-year contracts with its 3rd party outlets back in June, which was news we first reported, so it only makes sense that their official stores follow along. The documents do not say if wearables and tablets will switch over to similar payment plans, but our source thinks they'll still have contract options. We'll have to wait for AT&T to confirm that.

UPDATE: According to our source, 2-year contracts will still be available for tablets, wearables, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and mobile hotspots. They will also remain available for CRU and custom IRU accounts, which are also known as corporate/business accounts. On a related note, AT&T seems poised to make that basic/feature phone of yours even tougher to keep, as they are raising the monthly access fee on 300MB, 2GB, and 5GB data plans for basic phones from $20 per month to $25. UPDATE 2: Official word out of AT&T on the change is as follows.

“With $0 down for well-qualified customers, the ability to upgrade early and down payment options available with even lower monthly installments, our customers are overwhelmingly choosing AT&T Next. Starting January 8, AT&T Next will be the primary way to get a new smartphone at AT&T. This does not apply to business customers under a qualified wireless service agreement.”

Via: Engadget

LG Announces the SmartThinQ Hub, Basically an Amazon Echo

Tim — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:18:21 +0000

Set to be shown off at the upcoming CES in Las Vegas, LG has unveiled the SmartThinQ Hub, a core for your smart home. Much like an Amazon Echo, which can be connected to other smart things in your home, the SmartThinQ Hub is designed to connect to washers, dryers, as well as other smart appliances to deliver notifications to you. Not only does it handle your appliances, but the Hub can also stream music, display upcoming calendar events from your datebook, and so much more. One difference between Amazon Echo and SmartThinQ Hub is LG's placement of a 3.5" color LCD display on the device itself. This is where, if audible notifications are not your thing, you can view a readout of what's going on in your home. You will see calendar events, what music is playing, and notifications of that nature. Much of the control and communication with the device can be done via a smartphone application, just as it is done on the Echo. If your home is filled with mismatching brands, don't fret, as the SmartThinQ Hub is compatible with a number of devices from other manufacturers and service providers that support the AllJoyn Alliance open source framework. This means you can connect smart devices from other OEMs to the same hub. LG has yet to announce a price or release, but again, it will be on display during CES.

Via: LG

Our Favorite Android Devices of 2015

Droid Life — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 08:55:04 +0000

With apps and games out of the way, you may be curious what our favorite Android devices of the year are? No? That's rude and we are going to tell you anyway because 2015 is coming to a close in a matter of hours it seems and we like to look back and reflect on these types of things. The phone of the year battle probably won't shock you, since we recently released a list of the Android phones you should consider buying. The tablet, though, that may surprise you a bit once you jump below. We also tackled our wearable of choice for 2015, should you be in the market for some wrist candy. Now are you ready to see what our favorite Android devices of 2015 are? Well, here you go.

Phone: Nexus 6P

No shocker here, right? A month ago, we told you that Google's Nexus 6P was the best Android phone you can buy today. Since nothing else has come out since then that can take its spot and the phone hasn't exploded or punched either of us in the face, it remains our favorite Android phone of 2015. There is just so much to like here and very little to dislike. I don't want to get into the "perfect phone" conversation, but this phone really is about the closest we have seen to one. If you can handle its size, I don't know that you will find another fault. For me, the Nexus 6P has almost every thing I look for in a phone. It has looks, a premium feel in hand, a fantastic camera (seriously, it impresses me more every day), the purest version of Android, the newest version too, a beautiful display, outstanding battery life, fast charging, connectivity on every carrier, and a price that is quite good, especially when you start to consider it to be the best phone you can buy today. Google did something really right with the Nexus 6P. Runner Up: Galaxy Note 5 Again, no shocker here, as this was our runner up in the best Android phone you can buy post from a month ago, but I also need to say again that this was one of the closest battles I can think of in recent years. And look, if the Galaxy Note 5 had Marshmallow already, it may have jumped past the 6P. With the Galaxy Note 5, you get the best phone Samsung has ever built. It's big, but it doesn't feel big thanks to its incredible design. It has premium materials on top of premium materials, and doesn't skimp anywhere. It has fast wireless charging (it's the first to do so), tons of RAM and Samsung's most powerful processor, access to Samsung Pay (a true mobile payment game-changer), and one hell of a camera. But it also includes an S Pen, solid battery life, fast wired charging, and the best display in any mobile phone. The only issue with this phone is its software, which just isn't as good as what Google is doing with stock Android.

Tablet: NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1

In terms of overall value, I don't think any tablet offers what the SHIELD Tablet K1 from NVIDIA brings to the table. Whether you are working on documents while mobile or want to crush a bit of gaming, the SHIELD Tablet K1 offers a good mix of performance and aesthetic appeal. Priced currently at just $199 ($59.99 extra for SHIELD Controller if you need one), you would be hard pressed to find a better deal on a top notch Android tablet. Not only can the tablet play your favorite games from Google Play, but NVIDIA brings GeForce Now support to the device for the more hardcore gamers among us, and with the company's track record for updating devices, we would say this tablet might be one of the best investments, after the Nexus and Pixel devices from Google. Runner Ups: Dell Venue 8 7840 and Google Pixel C In the tablet category, after the SHIELD Tablet K1, two other devices come to mind when we are talking best of. That would be the Dell Venue 8 7840 and the Google Pixel C. The Venue 8 7840 was released in early 2015, so it is hard to say how much longer the device will receive support, but at this moment, I would say it is easily the best looking Android tablet ever produced. With a gorgeous display and strikingly thin design, you will be turning heads with this device. You can purchase this device straight from Dell for just $299. Recently, Google released the Pixel C, a completely in-house designed and produced tablet, carrying quite a hefty price tag. Looking past the numbers, the Pixel C is a great tablet, full of power, and it features a gorgeous build. Being made solely by Google, you can expect it to receive very timely updates, and will likely be one of the first devices to support Android's native multi-window feature that is rumored for next year. As for tech investments, the Pixel C would be a good one for tablet lovers. The only downside, if it could be labeled as a downside, is the price. The Pixel C starts at $499, and to complete the experience, you will need the Pixel C Keyboard, which is another $149.

Wearable: Moto 360 (2nd Gen)

We were big fans of the original Moto 360, so it's no surprise that we are once again fans of this year's smartwatch from Motorola. The Moto 360 (2nd gen) gives you almost everything you could ask for in a wearable at this point - a round case, style for days, custom designs, so many damn options, different sizes for different wrists, performance, battery life, and a price point that won't break your Android bank. Value and personality seem to come to mind when I think of this Moto 360, even though it isn't cheap by any means. I think value and personality because you get to make a watch yours with little extra cost. No other smartwatch allows for to make a watch just as you would envision it. From the color and size of the case, to the texture of the bezel and material of strap, Motorola lets you do you. Thanks, Moto. Runner Up: Huawei Watch For being Huawei's first dive into the Android Wear category, the Huawei Watch is a fantastic device. For features and functionality, it is essentially on par with everything the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) can do. The only reason it did not score higher marks with us is because Moto Maker is just too clutch with regard to customization. In addition, Huawei's pricing, for an Android smartwatch, is a bit steep. While the company came out of the gate claiming that its device was not made for the early adopting techies, given its higher retail price and fashion-first appeal, then who did they expect to purchase it in the first place? If Huawei can come back next year and deliver the same quality with a cheaper price, the Huawei Watch could beat out the Moto 360.

Those are our Android devices of the year. What are yours?

Google Will Switch to OpenJDK in Android N

Kellen — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 16:31:45 +0000

When Android N rolls out at the end of next year, Google will have switched over to OpenJDK, the open source Java Development Kit from Oracle, instead of the proprietary JDK that Google currently uses for its Java APIs. According to VentureBeat, who confirmed the change with Google after Hacker News first noticed a big code commit to OpenJDK, Google is going with this open source JDK because Android is an "open-source platform" and so it makes sense that they go this route to not only simplify code for developers to build apps, but it also allows them to make "more contributions to the OpenJDK project." Mmmhmm. For you and I (the non-developers in the building), this all probably doesn't mean much or won't affect much of how we use Android. But one has to wonder if this doesn't have something to do with the ongoing litigation between Oracle and Google over Java. As far as we know - unless the two sides have settled out of court without telling anyone - this battle is still very much as hot as ever, so the move to OpenJDK could be a sign of what Google sees as a long-term out or option. The sooner they get into an open-source Java scene, the better. OpenJDK, though! Oh, and here is that big ol' commit of an "Initial import of OpenJdk files."

Via: VentureBeat | Hacker News

My Favorite Android Games of 2015

Tim — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 15:28:46 +0000

We already delivered our Favorite Apps for 2015, and now it is time for the games. Oh yes, the games. How far we have come over the past few years, seeing the release of major titles for mobile devices that were once the pinnacle of console gaming. For example, the Grand Theft Auto series is available on Google Play for virtually any Android device with enough storage to hold them, and that series was the biggest thing to hit consoles ever. Now, they are merely apps on our phones. Pretty mind blowing, if you ask me. In 2015, we saw the launch of many great titles, a few of which are currently limited to select Android TV units. While, yes, DOOM 3 and Never Alone are fantastic, run on Android, and deserve a spot here, this list will focus solely on games that can be downloaded via Google Play by any Android device. Without further ado, here are my favorite games from the year 2015.

Fallout Shelter

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While this list is not in order or anything like that, if I was to give a gold medal to one of these games, it would be Fallout Shelter. Somehow, during the time of developing and releasing Fallout 4, Bethesda found the time to create Fallout Shelter and release it onto Android for all of us fiends of everything Fallout. In the game, you act as an overseer for a vault that has survived the nuclear apocalypse. To begin, you must bring in a few dwellers, create jobs for them, and then protect them from Raider and Death Claw attacks. As you advance, you must manage resources and know when to send dwellers out into the Wasteland for supplies. To put it simply, I spent hours and hours playing this game. For anyone who plays Fallout or likes the idea of an apocalypse, I recommend it. Play Link

Lara Croft GO

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If I'm not mistaken, Hitman GO was in my top games list from 2014, so of course, Square Enix had to surprise me and make another great game based on the same turn-based gameplay. This time, we follow Lara Croft of Tomb Raider fame, a well-known explorer who always finds herself in crazy situations. Much like Hitman GO, everything is based on single movements. When you move, baddies move, and if you are spotted, you die. Lara Croft GO brings another dimension, as you can now travel up (vertical), instead of just left, right, forward, and backward. It makes a few levels quite the challenge, but with fun music and sweet graphics, it makes up for any frustrations you might have when not beating a level. Play Link

Sunburn!

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When I needed a quick gaming fix and didn't feel like dealing with Death Claws or something from Fallout Shelter, I played Sunburn! This game is quick to pick up, but the story is also quite touching. You are the commander of a crew that is lost in space, and with no resources, the best thing you can hope for is a quick and somewhat painless death. So, what better way to die than by flying yourself directly into a burning star? To play, you fly around in a little jetpack collecting your crew members, and then fly everyone into a nearby star. This game does not feature any happy endings, but again, that's what I liked about it. It's very morbid. Play Link

Does Not Commute

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From the same folks who gave us Granny Smith, Does Not Commute easily makes this list. In this game, which leads me to never want to drive ever again, you direct traffic in a world full of unruly road warriors. Everyone has somewhere they need to be, and it is up to you, the player, to get everyone to their destinations in one piece. As you progress, you must deal with a growing amount of vehicles to manage, and quite quickly, you will find that your timing needs to be extremely impeccable if you are to succeed. Considering it's Mediocre (the game studio), it plays and looks incredibly good on mobile devices. Although, side note, we need a Granny Smith 2 really bad. Maybe next year? Play Link

Limbo

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Limbo is by no means a new game, but for Android users, it launched in February. This game takes place in a shadowy world of dreams, featuring large spiders, puzzles that will leave you boggled, and characters deaths that may have you laughing pretty hard. The game is your basic platformer, but it's all about the mood and atmosphere that the game sets for the players. It's a dark, scary world, and you never know what is hiding underneath that rock or behind that tree. The game was a major success on multiple platforms, which has me hoping for a sequel badly. Play Link

Mortal Kombat X

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I don't think Mortal Kombat X needs an introduction or explanation as to why its kicks ass -- it just does. I have been playing Mortal Kombat since I can remember, and in fact, it may be one of the first video game experiences I ever fondly cared for. I would plead with my father to give me quarters so I could head down to the local laundromat to play the arcade version they had. Since then, Mortal Kombat has always delivered a sense of enjoyment whenever I would rip someone's spine from their body. Oh yeah, bloody times. In this release for mobile devices fashioned after the console version of the same name, you can play all of your favorite characters, and perform all of the moves you love. You kick, punch, and kill. That is the point after all of Mortal Kombat. Play Link

There you have it, my top games of 2015. Share yours below.

2016 Samsung Smart TVs Will be SmartThings Hubs for Your Home

Kellen — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 13:34:52 +0000

CES is next week, so you may want to apply an internet filter for the terms "IoT" and "Internet of Things" if you don't care for a world that is connected. With smartphone sales slowing and tablets and wearables not exactly blowing up the charts, companies are turning to your homes in hopes of finding the next big thing. This really started last year at CES where you couldn't run faster from the word "IoT," but it'll be even more of a focus this year as IoT platforms are starting to evolve into actual products you can buy. Samsung will be at the forefront of it all, thanks to their SmartThings line-up and new Smart TVs for 2016. Samsung announced today that all of their 2016 SUHD TVs will have IoT hub technology, which just means that the TV itself can act as the controller of your smart home. Of course, you'll need to be invested in a smart home powered by Samsung's SmartThings or SmartThings compatible devices, but that was to be expected. Samsung tosses around scenarios that could occur, like a person that you know approaches your home. Through your new Samsung Smart TV, you could see them coming via camera and then unlock the door. You could even receive pop-up notifications on your TV that relay motion detected outside from a sensor. If you are invested in Samsung, SmartThings, and are considering picking up one of their new 2016 TVs, your phone or tablet will no longer have to be the controlling hub of your home.

Via: Samsung

DEAL: Just $49 for a VPN Land Lifetime Subscription

Kellen — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 12:08:03 +0000

Heading into 2016, you should probably consider securing your internet connections on both mobile and desktop. With a service like VPN Land - which today's deal gets you a lifetime subscription for just $49.99 - you get just that. VPN Land gives you access to over 400 servers across the globe that allow you mask your IP when browsing, limit opportunities for your information to be stolen, avoid geo-location blocks of things like Netflix and Hulu, access other blocked websites, and even use VoIP apps like Skype. But again, the big thing with a VPN service like VPN Land is to get you browsing securely. This deal, which would cost $599 at full retail, is good at the $49.99 lifetime price for the next few days. VPN Land works on Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX. Deal Link

DEAL: $3 Off TechMatte 5-Foot and 3-Foot USB Type-C to Type-A Cables (Benson Leung Approved)

Kellen — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:06:42 +0000

Still getting used to life with USB Type-C in it, even though you have owned a Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X for a couple of months now? Or maybe you haven't at all and are completely new to the idea of having to buy new cables, because you just received the phone over the holidays? Either way, we thought we should point out a couple of nice deals on TechMatte USB Type-C to Type-A cables that are fully approved by Googler, Benson Leung. The discounts are on the 5-foot and 3-foot models, with $3 coming off of each after code has been applied. That discount takes the 5-foot from $9.99 to $6.99 and the 3-foot from $8.99 to $5.99. Not bad for cables that are up to spec and also apparently of the quality of Google's own Type-C cables. At checkout, use code "4N4GQVAL" for the 5-foot or "X63CJZ9D" for the 3-foot. Amazon Link | Benson's review

Via: Slickdeals

Cheers Scott!

AT&T Says It has More Than 27 Million VoLTE Subscribers, Does Carrier-to-Carrier VoLTE Exchange

Kellen — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 09:44:45 +0000

AT&T announced today that its voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) service is king, at least in terms of subscribers. According to their numbers, their VoLTE covers more than 295 million Americans, even if only 27 million of them are actual signed up for it, which is tops in the US. That's a lot! Good for them. There may be bigger news than numbers out of this announcement, though, and that's a two-sentence, end-of-paragraph mention in their news release about carrier-to-carrier VoLTE exchanges. AT&T said that they "saw" the first VoLTE exchange between their customers and those on another carrier. This is only available in "limited, select areas," but is a huge deal for those of you wanting a better calling experience to everyone you know, not just those on AT&T. AT&T didn't specify which carrier was on the other end. It could have been Verizon, since Big Red announced at the end of last year that they would be working with AT&T to make this cross-carrier interaction happen. As you know, VoLTE allows you to place calls over LTE, which means HD Voice (clearer voice calls) and video calling in better quality. It's the future of calling, assuming any of us call people anymore. I'm kidding, of course...sort of. Anyone placed an HD Voice call lately? Notice a difference in quality?

Via: AT&T

Samsung to Launch Samsung Pay for Online Shoppers in 2016

Tim — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 09:10:13 +0000

In a recent interview, Thomas Ko, global co-general manager of Samsung Pay, stated that online payment support via Samsung Pay is coming soon to those in the US. Right now, Samsung Pay is limited to the latest high-end handsets from Samsung, but in 2016, the company will look to offer support for Samsung Pay to mid-range devices as well as desktop users, greatening the amount of users the service can pull in. While other mobile payment services are still struggling to get their foot in the door, mostly thanks to businesses being slow to adopt updated credit card terminals with NFC, Samsung Pay is the most widely accepted solution in the US. This fact is due to MST, which we have detailed many times before. Samsung Pay users with a supported device can walk into virtually any business with a credit card terminal, swipe their phone, and be on their way. If you have ever seen Samsung Pay in action, you would agree, it's a superior experience than to using Android Pay or Apple Pay. With a move to online support, Samsung could see higher user retention across multiple platforms, which helps to build a habit in using the service. Are you using Samsung Pay? If so, do you completely love it or is it mostly hype?

Via: Reuters

Cher Wang: HTC Will Never Disappear, Big Plans for 2016

Tim — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 15:38:00 +0000

In 2016, HTC desperately needs a hit. Industry analysts have been predicting the company's death, with one columnist going so far as to say the company is headed for extinction next year. Speaking with the press, HTC's CEO and chairwoman, Cher Wang, says the company is not going anywhere and will continue to have a presence in the smartphone market. Back in June, Wang conceded that the One M9, along with the company's overall performance over the past few years needed an overhaul. From that talk with shareholders, it was learned that HTC would make significant "improvements in innovation and design" for their flagship phone for next year. In the most recent meeting, Wang stayed on track, stating that 2016 will be a big year for HTC. As for what consumers in the US can expect in 2016, we should have a new flagship One device, the One M10. While we have no details as to what HTC is cooking up, we can at least hope the company has learned from past mistakes and will make the One M10 a device suitable to going up against Samsung's 2016 lineup. In addition, it is reported HTC will continue its trek to offer premium low and mid-range devices for all budgets. Not only is HTC hoping to release a blockbuster smartphone, but the company has invested heavily in virtual reality, with the HTC Vive scheduled to see a public release in April of next year. If HTC delivers a killer One M10 device, would you be in line to check it out?

Via: Focus Taiwan

Google Glass for Enterprise Passes Through FCC Testing

Eric — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:49:27 +0000

I can't decide if it feels like it has been years or weeks since Google announced the first Google Glass Explorers Program at I/O 2012 by jumping out of a blimp above the conference that was going on. Such drama. Such excitement. Google's latest model of Glass passed through the FCC recently and the news just seems, not as exciting. To be sold in the United States with a WiFi and Bluetooth radio inside, this FCC stop is fairly routine. It needs to pass regulations, which is the cause for all the boring measurement photos of the device. Rumors of this upcoming device say that it's going to feature 5GHz WiFi capability, increased battery life and some other improvements, but Google hasn't officially announced anything yet. Luckily for us, stops like this by the men and women at the FCC usually mean a finished product isn't too far down the line. What's surprising to us is the mundane feeling this Glass news brings. Such a fall from where it started in 2012 with the extreme sports entrance into a live crowd during Google I/O. Is this the niche that Glass has been relegated to so it can make a profit? Enterprise and business customers? Business is business I guess. After re-watching that entrance into I/O, I'm trying to imagine what could have been if Glass didn't cost $1,500 to try.

Via: Verge | FCC

Deal: Pay What You Want for the Android Expert's Coding Bundle

Tim — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:48:53 +0000

For just two days more, you can pay what you want for the Android Expert's Coding Bundle on the DL Deals Store. Inside, you will find essential guides for learning to code for Android, including Marshmallow app development and java programming, totaling more than 75 hours of content. If you pay below the average, you will receive the first three courses, but should you pay more than the average, currently set at $11.58, you will unlock all 5 courses. Of the price you pay, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Save the Children. If interested, follow the link below and become the development master you always wanted to be. What's Included

Master Marshmallow App Development Using Java
Java Programming for Beginners
Java Essentials for Android
Build Android Apps with the Marshmallow Studio Course
Learn to Reskin Android Apps for Fun & Profit

Deal Link

My Favorite Android Apps of 2015

Kellen — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:28:40 +0000

I'm starting to think that this mobile ecosystem that we play in every day has matured. I say that because I haven't dramatically changed the way I use my phone from 2014 to 2015. I still use many of the same apps as I did last year (most can be found in this list), though some have improved greatly and a few have been replaced. I don't know that that's a bad thing, I think it just shows that it's become harder and harder to standout with new apps or services. Or maybe people aren't even attempting to make new products or services because the standard options are so good? Whatever the case may be, I do feel as though I'm more efficient than ever and am also able to accomplish more with the apps I continue to use on a regular basis. So that's a good thing. In this post, I thought I would share those apps that I continued and/or started to use in 2015. I've found a pretty good groove this year in terms of getting the most out of my smartphone and these apps all seem to be aiding in that. These are my favorite Android apps of 2015.

Inbox by Gmail

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A lot of you want nothing to do with this app and I get why - it's kind of crazy different than most email apps. That just happens to be what I love about it. I use Inbox for so much. It allows me to easily push emails to later dates, set instant reminders for some, create stand-alone reminders that work across Google, pin important items, and answer some emails without ever typing a word. It also smartly bundles all of my trip emails together for quick access when I'm traveling and maybe more importantly, lets me crush all of my morning inbox in a matter of seconds thanks to bundles of PR garbage that arrive each and every day. Inbox is awesome. It makes this list because I couldn't really start using it full-time until February of this year when Google opened it up to Google for Work accounts. Up until that point, I was using both Gmail and Inbox, but the minute Google gave Gapps support, I ditched Gmail for good. I haven't even considered returning, either, which is something I never thought would happen. Inbox is the exact type of forward thinking, productivity-focused, email app that I needed and I don't see any reason to ditch it. Play Link

Samsung Pay

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If there is an award for biggest game-changer on Android, it might be Samsung Pay. While mobile payment solutions are a dime a dozen these days, this is the only one that does something different. Well, not just different, but does something all other payment apps should be envious of and that's Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST). With Samsung Pay, you can walk into almost any retailer and pay using your Galaxy phone. It doesn't have to be outfitted with an NFC terminal; all you need is a credit card swiper and a new Galaxy phone from 2015 and you can pay. With MST, Samsung Pay emulates a credit card swipe, allowing you to pay almost anywhere. This is the first step towards society being able to ditch physical credit cards. Forget what Apple and Google are doing with their payment solutions, because it'll be years and years and years before we get NFC terminals everywhere. Unfortunately, Samsung Pay only works with four phones at the moment (Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, and Note 5) and a pretty limited number of credit cards. I was fortunate enough to meet all of the requirements and had at least a couple of moments where I walked up to a cashier who tried to tell me I couldn't pay using my phone because they "Didn't have that thing here." Of course, their mind was a bit blown when my phone worked anyway. Play Link

Google Photos

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This year, Google gave us their new Photos app. It's f*cking awesome. Not only do you get unlimited storage for life, a slick UI, auto-awesome for photos (including animations), and availability on all platforms, but Google keeps adding incredibly useful features to it, like rediscovering photos from years ago and creating quick shared albums that others can join and add to. My whole family and anyone else I talk to about mobile photos has been turned onto this service by me. It's too good to not recommend over and over again. If you aren't using Google Photos, you probably should be. Play Link

Tapet

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Tapet isn't a new app at all, but thanks to some updates that were pushed this year, this has become my go-to wallpaper app on most days. It's so cool and so addicting that you could spend hours on it creating wallpapers, saving them, applying them, and then doing it all over again. We're big into customization here, but this sort of takes all of that to a new level. With Tapet, you get to automatically create wallpaper after wallpaper with the touch of a button. They all adhere to Google's Material Design styles, but you can also limit the output to feature colors and designs that fit your taste. It works with Muzei, is all generated on phone (no internet slow downloads here), gets frequent updates with new designs, and isn't a live wallpaper (don't worry, battery nerds). Grab this app now if you are at all a fan of wallpapers. Play Link

Google Keep

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I don't think I could even count the number of to-do list or note taking apps on Android if you asked me to. Most are pretty good too, but I keep settling on Google Keep. Actually, I've just stayed with it ever since Google introduced it, even as it struggled as a bare-bones app without many features during the early days. This year, though, it got easy sharing of notes (November 2014 actually), the ability to set labels and reminders, Android Wear support, quicker note taking, and drawing! It's that first feature that keeps me coming back. My wife and I share lists and things multiple times per week. Keep isn't ever going to be the most robust note taking app, but it now has enough features to play with some of the big boys, while remaining minimal and quick. It also works well with other Google services, which is a big plus for someone like me. Play Link

LastPass

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I'm actually a little ashamed to admit that I finally got into LastPass during this past year. You know what I'm now using it for the most? Setting up new phones. Why didn't someone tell me about this before? I know that use-case isn't exactly a reason most would use it, but it has allowed me to setup new phones in minutes rather than an hour or so because I don't have to type out login information. Plus, with fingerprint validation support built-in, you can access your LastPass locker without having to remember your ridiculously hard LastPass master password. Sure, many will shy away from password lockers because there is always going to be an uneasiness about giving one entity control over all of your secure life, but I have found it to be a major efficiency improver on my phone. We now have to change passwords far too often with all of our online accounts because of constant threats, so a service like this that can create impossible-to-remember options that are ultra-secure, is something to consider. Play Link

So there are my favorite apps of 2015. Feel free to share yours.

GIVEAWAY: $250 in Google Play Gift Cards Up for Grabs! (Updated: Winners Chosen!)

Kellen — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:01:32 +0000

Did you know that you can email Google Play gift cards to people in $10, $15, $20, $25, $50, and $100 increments? Well, you can! And because you can, we decided it is once again time to give a bunch away to you. In fact, we'll hand out a total of $250 in Google Play gift cards within the next 24 hours. Sound good? As always this type of giveaway is as easy as it gets. We have a Rafflecopter widget below that you must enter through in order to win. There are three simple instructions for you to follow in order to enter. You don't have to do them all, but if you do, your chances of winning go up. Once you have entered, sit back and wait for names to be drawn tomorrow morning. 16 will be drawn. Go!

Giveaway

Prizes: We are giving away $250 in Google Play gift cards to 16 people. Six (6) people will win $25 gift cards and ten (10) people will win $10 gift cards. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: We'll choose winners tomorrow (December 29) at 10AM Pacific. We'll contact each through the email they used in the Rafflecopter widget. Once they confirm where they want the gift card sent, we'll send over prizes. UPDATE: Winners have been chosen and emailed. Be sure to check those spam folders. If you won, you need to respond in order to get your prize.

Report: Upcoming Galaxy S7 Could Come in Two Screen Sizes

Eric — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:49:11 +0000

The new year is just days away at this point and with numerous reports mentioning a January announcement from Samsung detailing the Galaxy S7, you can expect to start hearing more and more leaks. The latest information points to two different screen sizes for the Galaxy S7 and rumored Galaxy S7 Edge. Previous rumors made the not-outrageous assumption that the S7 would be using the same screen size as the Galaxy S6 Edge+. But if the latest report is to be believed, there will be two versions of the S7; a 5.2" model with a flat screen and a 5.5" curved-screen model for the S7 Edge. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge were different screens, but of the same 5.1" size. After those two launched, the S6 Edge+ was announced a few months later. This new strategy, if true, would be something different for Samsung. It does seem that we have reached the pinnacle of enormous cellphones and are backing down toward more manageable screen sizes. Are you interested in two separate models of the Galaxy S7?

Via: Verge | ET News

Google Play Offers Up Free, $0.99, and Other Discounted Albums

Kellen — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:34:48 +0000

Google is currently offering up "The Year's Best Music Deals" through a promotion on Google Play that features a handful of free or $0.99 albums, along with dozens of others that are $10. The free and super cheap ($0.99) list includes everything from country to hip hop, so you shouldn't have trouble finding something you'll like. Carrie Underwood Greatest Hits is on there, as is Future's DS2, Skrillex and Diplo's Jack U, G-Eazy's These Things Happen, and Jana Kramer's thirty one. The less-than-$10 list includes artists like Michael Jackson, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Bieber, Billy Joel, Kenny Chesney, Lauryn Hill, and others. The sale on all of this goodness is likely only temporary, so don't hesitate. Play Link

DEAL: NVIDIA SHIELD TV With Free Remote and Game for $175 [$25 Off]

Kellen — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 08:14:32 +0000

Assuming you have any holiday cash to burn through after the long weekend and you are interested in the best Android TV box, take a look at the deal that Gamestop is hosting for the NVIDIA SHIELD TV. For $175, you get an NVIDIA SHIELD TV box, SHIELD Controller (gamepad), and a free SHIELD Remote, which typically retails for around $50 on its own. This bundle normally sells for $199, though, so you are getting a $25 discount at that $175 price. Oh, Gamestop is also tossing in a free game called Battle of Sol, which would cost you $10 on its own. Not a bad deal for those looking to get into an Android TV box. Gamestop Link

Verizon is Handing Out Up to $650 Per Line if You Switch Over From Another Carrier

Kellen — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 06:33:48 +0000

To end the year, Verizon appears to be ready to pay for your business in a way that almost all of the other carriers have tried over the past couple of years. Big Red, the one wireless carrier who has tried to avoid this type of promo, has either given in to the new battle for wireless customers or wants to try and crush them all with through their LTE fingertips. Whatever the case, this is what's going on in a new $650 per line switching deal that the company kicked off this morning. Verizon says that if you are "stuck on the wrong network" and decide to switch over to their network, they will give you "up to $650 to get unstuck." The promo is a per line deal, though, so if your family of four were to switch, you could theoretically get up to $2,600. The deal is sort of simple, in that you just need to port over your number to Verizon, purchase a 4G LTE smartphone on a device payment plan, and then trade-in your old device from the carrier you are leaving. Once you do that, Verizon does this combination calculation of the either your early termination fee (ETF) or device payments owed from your previous carrier, less the device trade-in and sends you a VISA prepaid card 8 weeks later for the balance. For example, they'll pay up to $350 on an ETF, minus the value of your device trade-in (let's say $130), and would then send you a $220 gift card. If you have a device payment to be paid out, they'll pay up to $650 minus the device trade-in (let's say $325), which would get you a $325 gift card. Sort of make sense? So you know, they are giving you account credit for the device trade-in, which I'm assuming can then be used toward whatever you want on your new Verizon account. In order for all of this to hold, you'll need to keep your new lines active for a minimum of 6 months. Otherwise, expect to pay back whatever the value of that VISA prepaid card was. If you want to switch to Verizon, hit up the source link below and squint for the fine print.

Via: Verizon

Samsung Announces the Galaxy A9 for China, 6" Display and Octa-Core Processor

Tim — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 15:06:50 +0000

Samsung has a new device for the smartphone market in China, the Galaxy A9, part of the Galaxy A family. Set to release in China later this month, the phone features a premium exterior of glass and metal, much like we have on the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 here in the US. One major difference, though, is the Galaxy A9's larger 6" Super AMOLED display, as well as a 4,000mAh battery. Other specs include a Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, 8MP front-facing camera, 32GB of storage, microSD cart slot support for up to 128GB of storage, and will run Android 5.1 upon release. As we have seen on recent Galaxy devices, the Home button on the frontside of the device will double as a fingerprint reader, and in addition, the device will launch with Samsung Pay compatibility. At this time, it is unknown whether Samsung intends to offer this device in markets outside of China. Maybe we will learn more at CES, though.

Via: Engadget [Chinese Version]

NVIDIA Announces 12 Days of SHIELDsmas, Deals on Games for SHIELD

Tim — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 14:26:45 +0000

If you are looking for additional games to keep you busy over the holiday week and weekend, NVIDIA has announced the 12 of SHIELDsmas. During this time, owners of the SHIELD Android TV, or any other SHIELD-powered device will find a ton of discounted games through SHIELD Hub and GeForce Now. If you don't have a Tegra-powered device, don't worry, all of the games listed for the Google Play portion of this promo will be discounted for you, too. The deals are set to begin tomorrow, Christmas eve, and run until January 4. Soon to be listed as discounted for SHIELD Android TV is The Battle of Sol, Never Alone, Pure Pool, Pix the Cat, Killing Floor: Calamity, and more. On GeForce NOW, folks will find The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt available at 50% off, Sublevel Zero at 25% off, and others. Lastly, part of Google's holiday deals taking place on Google Play, folks can grab Leo's Fortune, Goat Simulator, Joe Danger, and plenty of other great titles available at discounted prices. All of the links and details for each game are below. 50% Off Native SHIELD Android TV Games (12/24-1/4):

The Battle of Sol
Chariot
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions
Heckabomb
Killing Floor: Calamity
Never Alone
Pix the Cat
Pure Pool
Q.U.B.E.: Director’s Cut
Whispering Willows

GeForce NOW Games (12/24-1/4):

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 50% off (12/24-12/28 only)
Oceanhorn: Monster of the Uncharted Seas – 50% off
Sublevel Zero – 25% off
Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power – 50% off

Additional SHIELD Hub Games Discounted as part of the Google Year-End Deals (12/22-12/29):

FINAL FANTASY III – $6.99
Goat Simulator – $0.99
Joe Danger – $0.99
Leo's Fortune – $0.99
Minecraft: Story Mode – $0.10
Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour – $0.99
NBA Jam – $0.10
Pac-Man CE DX – $0.99
Rayman Fiesta Run – $0.25
Riptide GP 2 – $0.49
This War of Mine – $4.49

Samsung Requesting Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Marshmallow Beta Testers in UK

Tim — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 12:36:37 +0000

Across the pond in the United Kingdom, Samsung is looking for volunteers to beta test a Marshmallow update for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, meaning folks here in the US must be getting awfully close to seeing the update themselves. Entering the beta seems easy enough, as all that is required is an unlocked model of the aforementioned devices. If you have that, all must do is sign-up for a Samsung account, install the Galaxy Care application from the Samsung Galaxy Apps app, and then complete the Galaxy Beta Program registration process. We have yet to see exactly what Marshmallow includes for Samsung devices, but of course, there should be Doze, Now on Tap, and other various additions Google baked into Android 6.0. Fingers crossed that once the beta goes smoothly in the UK, folks here in the US can get their hands on Marshmallow soon after.

Via: @SamsungMobileUK

Searching "Bubble Level" on Your Phone Brings Up an Interactive Bubble Level

Tim — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:42:09 +0000

I was recently hanging photos and posters in my house, constantly trying to find my handy dandy bubble level. If I would have known about this trick in Google Search, I might saved a bit of time. As posted onto reddit, if you search "Bubble Level" via Google, an interactive bubble level will hit your screen, perfect for your leveling needs. While there are plenty of apps available for free on Google Play, this trick will allow you to save a bit of storage on your device, as running it through the search results does not require many resources. If you enable your device to go into landscape mode, the length of your phone should be just fine for most leveling jobs, such as picture frames. I gave it a shot, and while a phone is probably not the ideal solution for leveling everything in your home, it certainly does the trick. Give it a try.

Via: reddit | 9 to 5 Google

YouTube: T-Mobile is Throttling All Video Traffic, Regardless of Binge On Enrollment

Tim — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:22:22 +0000

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, YouTube is calling out T-Mobile this week, claiming that the carrier is effectively throttling, or degrading, its network video traffic. Recently, T-Mobile announced Binge On, a service that allows customers to stream video from select providers without any associated data fees. Essentially, T-Mobile scales back the quality of the incoming video to 480p, relieving stress on the network, which allows the video data to not count against a customer's monthly bill. However, according to a YouTube spokesperson, T-Mobile is degrading all incoming video regardless of network congestion, regardless of being a part of Binge On, and is not informing its customers of the action. Stated by a YouTube spokesman, "Reducing data charges can be good for users, but it doesn't justify throttling all video services, especially without explicit user consent." Naturally, T-Mobile has yet to comment on the statements made from YouTube, but did say customers are loving Binge On. More specifically, customers, "love having free streaming video that never hits their data bucket." As of right now, YouTube is one of the largest video services in the world that is not yet a part of T-Mobile's Binge On. According to insiders, there is a technical error that does not allow T-Mobile's software to recognize a YouTube video is streaming, which would mean customers would end up seeing the usage on their bill. It is reported that until both parties can come together for a fix, YouTube will remain not offered. While the idea of Binge On is fantastic, I feel that the issue raised by YouTube is an issue many feared when it was first announced. T-Mobile is taking video on its network that is not a part of Binge On, downgrading it, and handing it off to the user who is completely unaware of the lowered quality. For anyone who is paying their monthly bill, expecting to experience whatever they want in the highest quality possible, this is unacceptable. Given John Legere's outspoken personality, it is probable T-Mobile will address these concerns in the coming days. Anyone here on T-Mobile experiencing a lack in quality on YouTube videos lately when not on WiFi?

Via: Wall Street Journal

The Beatles Hit Music Streaming Services at Midnight Tonight

Tim — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 08:41:57 +0000

Announced this morning, The Beatles are finally, finally hitting music streaming services across the globe, and yes, this includes Google Play Music. To be made available at 12:01am local time on Christmas eve (tomorrow), folks will be able to find the original 13 albums from the group, as well as 4 essential collections. Besides Google Play Music, The Beatles will be available for streaming through Apple Music, Deezer, Microsoft Groove, Amazon Prime, Rhapsody, Spotify, Slacker, and Tidal. Basically, any service you use, you will be able to find them. Again, that's 12:01am local time tomorrow morning. Play Music Link

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Via: The Beatles | Google

HTC Updates: One A9 Gets 6.0.1, One M9 Gets 6.0 in Next 24 Hours

Kellen — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 08:21:19 +0000

HTC is handing out a couple of presents this week in the form of software updates to the One A9 and One M9. Delivering on a promise made earlier in the month to send updates of 6.0.1 and 6.0 to each phone, respectively, before 2016, the new versions of Android should arrive within the next 24 hours. HTC's Mo Versi took to Twitter to announce the rollout which brings Marshmallow to this year's One M flagship phone and the latest 6.0.1 goodness to their mid-tier A9. Yes, that means new emoji should be available. As for the One M9, get ready for Doze, Google Now on Tap, better control over app permissions, and more. https://twitter.com/moversi/statuses/679481121604808704

A Look at the Leather on the Moto X Pure Edition After 1 Month

Tim — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:40:31 +0000

Almost a year ago, we showed you what the Moto X (2nd Gen) with Natural Leather looked like after 3 months of usage. With a new Moto X available, the Moto X Pure Edition, we decided to do the same thing. Again, we went with the Natural Leather option through Moto Maker, as the last device with this option turned out looking fantastic, at least in our opinion. While the germaphobes among us argued that it was dirty or gross looking, we enjoyed the aged, semi-distressed look that only genuine leather can offer. A leather option on a cellphone, something that is highly used throughout a day, begins to build character after only a few days, showing marks, scratches, and scuffs. It's very unique, and for anyone who can appreciate that, leather is a great choice on the Moto X Pure Edition. Take a look at the picture below of the “natural” backed Moto X Pure Edition fresh out of the box. Once you have stared long enough, jump below to see how the phone looks now.

Not too shabby, right? Much like we saw on last year's Moto X (2nd Gen), the leather is certainly starting to darken, soaking up all of those skin oils and elements from daily usage. At least to me eyes, I don't exactly care for the texture Motorola decided to add on this year's leather. If you look close enough to the grooves, it appears as if they are just dirty, not aging like fine leather. Another observation, while the portion of the backside where my hand rests is becoming flat due to usage, parts of the sides, top, and bottom are not wearing at the same rate. This leaves me with a mix of smooth and textured feels when running my finger along the back. This is not a gripe, but something to note, given the phone's size. If it was smaller, like last year's Moto X, then we would probably see a similar rate of wear along the entire backside. These photos are from only one month's usage, and I don't plan on dropping this device anytime too soon, at least until next year's lineup starts rolling through. This phone just received Marshmallow after all, so I will continue to update you all a few months down the road.

Report: Google Working on Messaging Service to Rival Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp

Tim — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:39:36 +0000

Reported by the Wall Street Journal, Google is working on a brand new messaging service, one to rival Facebook Messenger, Skype, and WhatsApp. If true, it would appear Google is not completely satisfied with its Hangouts offering, but what would differentiate Mountain View's newly rumored messaging service from the already existing Hangouts? Stated by sources familiar with the matter, Google is looking incorporate its artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbot technology into it, allowing users to ask questions from within the app, receiving answers from the web. This reminds me heavily of AIM's SmarterChild bot, which utilized AI-esque technology to return answers based on questions you would ask. As written in the report, Google will rely on its AI technology to help separate its offering from the competitors at Facebook and Skype.

For its new service, Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., plans to integrate chatbots, software programs that answer questions inside a messaging app, the people familiar with the matter said. Users will be able to text friends or a chatbot, which will scour the Web and other sources for information to answer a question, those people said.

At this time, there is no known launch timeframe for the service, or possible name. This leaves us with the perfect opportunity to name it ourselves. So, what shall we call this service? Google Convo? Google Chitty Chat? Google Comm? Google Majel?

Via: Wall Street Journal [Subscription]

Own a SHIELD Tablet K1? NVIDIA Gifting 5 Lunchboxes for Fallout Shelter

Tim — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 12:24:45 +0000

To the first 50,000 people who redeem the offer, NVIDIA is gifting 5 free lunchboxes to owners of the SHIELD Tablet K1 for Fallout Shelter. For those who are somehow unaware of Fallout Shelter, the game is created by Bethesda for mobile devices, turning you into a Vault overseer, tasked with creating jobs for dwellers, sending folks to explore the Wasteland, and protecting your citizens from Raider attacks and Deathclaws. The lunchboxes that NVIDIA are gifting contain in-game items, such as weapons, characters and coins, all of which can help you create a better vault for your dwellers. To redeem this offer, all you must do is enter your SHIELD Tablet K1's serial number here, then await a promo code via email that you will enter into Google Play. Once complete, open up Fallout Shelter on your device and open up your free lunchboxes. Have at it, folks. Redeem Here

Via: @NVIDIASHIELD

Now Casting for the Holidays: Angry Birds, Monopoly, and Yahtzee

Tim — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:52:55 +0000

A large list of newly Chromecast-enabled games are available on Google Play, just in time for the holiday season, where you will likely be spending time with family and friends. Being "enabled" for Chromecast means a game can be casted to your HDTV via the HDMI dongle, with smartphones acting as your game controllers. Games now supported for this functionality are Yahtzee, Angry Birds, Monopoly, Scrabble, and plenty more. As an example, Monopoly Here & Now allows multiple players to connect via their smartphone to the game board, which is displayed on the big screen TV. Players interact with the game and make all of their moves via the smartphone, meaning no more Monopoly money and game pieces to pick up after the game comes to a conclusion after 6 hours of playing with grandma, who for some reason refuses to sell B&O Railroad. Let it go, grandma, for the love of Jesus. For young fans of Angry Birds, they can start blasting into Piggy towers using the smartphone as the launchpad, bringing a more interactive and fun experience to the game. All of the latest apps and games for Chromecast can be found by following the Google Play link below. Play Link

Via: Google

Google Testing Ways to Sign-In to Accounts Using Your Phone

Eric — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:01:19 +0000

Last night, a member of reddit posted a new setting that he saw within his Google account settings, asking him if he would like to sign-in with his phone. It seems that Google is testing a feature that would allow for easily two-factor authentication for compatible phones. Security! Redditor rp1226 agreed to Google's test and added his email under the account that was linked with his Nexus 6P. Then, when signing in to his Google account on a desktop or laptop, his phone would light up and ask to be unlocked. The same would be said on the screen, and once unlocked through PIN, password, pattern, or fingerprint, all he had to do was tap and agree that it was indeed him trying to log-in to his account. It seems that Google has built-in a few failsafes into this system, like if the phone is out of battery or out of data coverage. Users can just opt to log-in with their password instead. Google mandates that this feature will only be functional with a screen lock so people cannot steal your Google account if you lose your phone. Are you saving a lot of time this way? Probably not. Is it the most secure form of two-factor authentication? Nope. But, this could be an easy way to encourage people to password protect their phones, as well as giving them a bit of that behind-the-scenes Google magic. No clue when or if we will see this roll out to more smartphones, but we will be keeping our eyes open if it opens widely to the public.

Via: Reddit, Engadget

The First Chapter of Telltale's Minecraft: Story Mode is on Sale for $0.10

Eric — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 10:36:48 +0000

Telltale Games has quite a history of bringing a unique story-driven experience to games for a few years now. The release of Minecraft: Story Mode on Android was met with some mixed reviews from our readers, but the first episode of the game series is currently on sale for just a dime. For those who haven't played a Telltale version of their favorite franchise, this game is not solely built around building the world around you. Telltale decided to delve into the story behind Minecraft of how this world came to be, why zombies come out at night, and how you can just teleport to the Nether whenever you want. It's a different take on the series, but after receiving praise for similar versions of The Walking Dead, Borderlands, and Game of Thrones, this was the next jump. The first chapter of this episodic game launched at $4.99 a few months ago, but is now on sale for the incredibly low price of $0.10 right now. For fans of Minecraft who were intrigued by this launch, but not sure if they would enjoy it, this is the perfect price. Ensuing chapters are still priced at $4.99 through in-app purchases, but give it a shot if Minecraft is your thing. Play Link

Google Giving Everyone 50% Off a Music Album, 75% Off Movie Rental

Eric — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 10:00:39 +0000

The holidays are here and Google is in the giving mood. What does that mean for us? If you head on over to Google's Play Music page, you'll be greeted with a voucher that will get you any album from their collection for half off of the list price. When you are on Google Play, you will need to request a voucher for the Google account that you are currently on. This will qualify your account for the half-off sale, since Google is only giving us one redemption per account. The discount will be applied at checkout, so don't worry if you select 1989 and it's not the price you were expecting right away. The sale starts today and runs all the way into next year, also known as January 4. Hit up the Google Play link below and start looking through the selection. Update: Also noticed in Google Play is a voucher for 75% off of a movie rental. Click here to see all of the titles available. Play Link

"Hey Cortana" Feature Removed From US Market for Android Users

Tim — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:50:34 +0000

Over on Google Play, the Windows team has removed the "Hey Cortana" feature from within the Cortana app, as it is reported it was causing issues for Android users who also utilized the "Hey Google" feature from Google Now. Instead of releasing a quick fix for this issue, the team behind the Cortana app for Android decided that removing the feature altogether was the only remedy available, as it is possible it could take a bit of time before a fix can be implemented and rolled out to users. According to users who reviewed the app, when the Hey Cortana feature was in use, it essentially killed ties to Google's voice command options, such as commands for making calls. For anyone who enjoyed using Cortana for Android alongside their Windows PC, it is likely we will see this feature's return once the team has had a chance to fix any incompatibilities it has with Google Now. And speaking as an Android user, that would certainly be a top priority. Were you using Cortana at all? If so, did you run across this issue? Play Link

Via: WinBeta

OnePlus X Champagne Available in Europe and Hong Kong, US Release Set for January

Tim — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:23:38 +0000

While anyone interested in the OnePlus X Champagne edition in Europe and Honk Kong can enjoy the Tuesday open sale that OnePlus announced previously, folks in the US will have to wait a bit longer. According to a post in OnePlus' forum this morning, the Champagne edition OnePlus X won't be available until early next year in January. However, if you are interested in the OnePlus X Onyx, you should have no problem buying that phone today with no invite, starting at 4pm local time. We have gone over the OnePlus X in-depth, concluding that while it is probably the best built device from OnePlus yet, and it only costs $249, the fact that it may struggle on the US LTE network has us a bit worried. For me personally, when attempting to use the phone on AT&T's network, I ran into many signal issues. Do note, if you plan on purchasing the OnePlus X through the company's open sale, you may want to keep your eyes locked here for availability.

Via: OnePlus

Unlocked HTC One A9 and Moto X Line Proving Again Why Unlocked Phones are King

Kellen — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:37:02 +0000

Buy unlocked phones. Please. If you want software updates the quickest, this is your best bet. It's also going to aid in shutting up Apple ~~tools~~ fans in the future, but that's not what this is about. This is about you getting updates to the newest versions of Android the fastest, so that you can experience new features and have the latest security patches. This is about you not bitching in comments across the web. This is about you not wondering 8 months from now, "What's new in Marshmallow?" This is about you not having to deal with companies cutting off your phone's software support in less than a year. This is probably about freedom, or something. Toss in a "'Merica!" as well, because why not. If you need proof as to why unlocked phones fix many of those problems and bring you happiness, look no further than HTC and Motorola's unlocked, carrier-free phones. Man, f*ck carriers, actually. Their excuses for holding up software updates because they are worried about their networks and the experiences on them is such horsesh*t. I don't think anyone's Nexus or Moto X or Moto X Pure or HTC One M9 or One A9 or One M8, for that matter, or unlocked S6 or Note 5 are killing anyone's network. How about all of those millions upon millions of iPhones that Apple updates directly - are they killing your networks, careful little carriers? Anyways, back to the actual topic here, which is why unlocked phones like the HTC One A9 or Moto X Pure Edition (or Nexus phones too) are continuing to prove why they are the phones you should be buying. We'll leave Nexus phones out for a moment, because we know that Google gives them updates in a hurry and have documented plenty of times why we love them. This is about the One A9 and Moto X Pure, both of which already have Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Hell, you can even throw in last year's Moto X (2nd Gen) "Pure Edition," because it started getting Android 6.0 today. Outside of the LG G4 on Sprint, and Nexus devices, these are on the only phones running Marshmallow! You know why these phones have Marshmallow before anyone else? Because the manufacturers of them don't have to go through ridiculously long carrier testing periods (or wait in dozen long device lines) to get approval on these updates! They control them. They control the software that rolls out to them. They also control the pricing. This is why we love unlocked phones so much. This is why we'll continue to buy them. This is why we'll continue to hope that the Moto X Pure Edition and One A9 can be successes, at least on some level. Seriously, go buy unlocked phones and enjoy a life full of software updates.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 35

Tim — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:32:58 +0000

It may be dead right now, but come January, there will be a whole lot happening in the Android world. With CES kicking off in early January, followed by MWC and events from all of the top OEMs, we have a whole lot to look forward to. With that in mind, let's talk about what's to come. The QA Sessions are your opportunity to ask the DL staff whatever may be on your mind, concerning Android, or anything else that might be on your mind. We can share our thoughts on Star Wars (no spoilers, please), or even the ridiculous Carolina Panthers. As always, virtually everything is fair game. Given it's a holiday week, we will post our answers for this volume next Monday. To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Moto X (2nd Gen) "Pure Edition" Gets Marshmallow Update!

Kellen — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 13:38:36 +0000

If you own the Moto X (2nd Gen) "Pure Edition," which also happens to be model XT1095, you should head into Settings and check for an update right now. I did, as did a couple of our readers, and we are seeing the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Just look at that image above for proof. The update weighs in as an 884.4MB file, so make sure WiFi is on or you have a good amount of data in your data plan. Once finished updating, your phone should be on system or software version 24.11.18. Then, start enjoying Doze, Google Now on Tap, and all of the other goodies baked in to Android 6.0.

Cheers eric!

Nexus 6P Hits Best Buy and Sells Out, But Amazon Has It

Tim — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 13:16:02 +0000

Just as a report said it would, the Nexus 6P officially hit Best Buy this week, but as of right now, the device is listed at "sold out" online. Once the device is listed as available, Best Buy will be another place, besides the Google Store, where you can purchase the phone. And for those who need to hold a phone before they buy, this should also mean that Best Buy will have units in-store at some point for fondling. If waiting on Best Buy is no good, Amazon is now also listing the device in-stock, ready for your purchase. Amazon has the Aluminium and Graphite model available, but a few of the storage options are out of stock. Best Buy appears to only have a 64GB model online, priced at $499. Best Buy Link | Amazon Link

Action Launcher 3 Gets Big Update - Smartsize Icons, Quickedit With Icon Pack Suggestions, More

Kellen — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 12:07:49 +0000

Action Launcher 3, the third party launcher best enjoyed after watching Crocodile Dundee, received a major update today with not only "boatloads" of bug fixes, but a bunch of new features as well. In the update, Chris Lacy and his accent are introducing a Quickedit menu for icons from the home screen, Smartsize for icon resizing, image cropping, support for Marshmallow's permission system, and more. The biggest new feature is likely Quickedit, which is a menu that pops up after long-pressing on an icon. This new menu allows you to quickly uninstall, edit the label, or find app info, but if you are an icon junky like us, you'll probably care more about its quick icon changing access. With the menu accessed, a swipe up shows you all sorts of icon suggestions pulled from your installed icon packs. In other words, you no longer have to go into an icon screen or an icon pack to quickly change icons to whatever style of theme you are looking for. The video below shows this quite well. With Smartsize, you get automatically resizing of icons to fit the Material Design grid, since icon designers from different apps all suck, and can't find common ground. The rest of the changes are as follows:

Smartsize icons (Beta): icons automatically resize to fit in the Material Design icon grid.
Bundled Google Calendar icons that display the correct day for each day of the month.
A bundled Marshmallow icon pack (handy when on non-Nexus devices).
Support for Marshmallow's permission system.
Support for Marshmallow's 'reveal' app launch anim (requires Marshmallow).
Completely overhauled icon picker.
Image crop functionality.
The free version of the app can now apply icon packs.
Introduction of Supporter pack, allowing people who have long-since purchased the app the option of making another purchase.
A boatload of bug fixes.

Play Link

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Marshmallow Update Now Available for NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1

Tim — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:47:39 +0000

NVIDIA continues its streak of timely updates for its hardware to the latest versions of Android, the most recent being the SHIELD Tablet K1. The Marshmallow update, which was promised for December, is now available to all owners, bringing the tablet up to Android 6.0. Inside, given this is Marshmallow, there are plenty of changes. Owners can now use the Doze feature, Now on Tap, adoptable storage, an updated camera app from NVIDIA, and tons more. Take a look below at all of the changes, then head into your settings and check for the update, if you have not already been notified. What's News

NVIDIA SHIELD Camera - New UI inspired by Material Design, improved burst photo functionality, Adds new real-time HD Image Effects

Now on Tap - Quickly find information related to what you are seeing on the screen, also from inside an app

Adoptable Storage - MicroSD cards can be integrated with main internal storage, auto managed by system

User Interface Upgrades - Personalize Home & Lock screens with different wallpapers, new NVIDIA wallpapers, Personalize Quick Settings menu, add/remove, rearrange toggles, Google Now voice commands can be launched from lock screen

Improved App Permissions - Permissions are now managed centrally

Power Consumption - App Standby power improvements, Improved BT Low Energy scanning power efficiency

Via: NVIDIA

OnePlus Sending Out OxygenOS 2.2.0 to OnePlus 2

Tim — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:03:57 +0000

An update for the OnePlus 2 is rolling out this week, OxygenOS 2.2.0. Inside, OnePlus has baked in a lot of bug fixes and a few new features. For what's new, OnePlus has added in a few holiday wallpapers, fixes for Google Camera, security patches, and added NTFS and exFAT support for OTG. In addition, users can now manually adjust the temperature of the screen through quick settings, and a fix for dual-SIM preference selection issues has been placed inside of the settings menu. As noted by OnePlus, the update is rolling out incrementally, so if you do not receive it today, be patient. What's New

Fixed dual SIM preference selection issues in settings
Added NTFS and exFAT support for OTG
Fixed Google Camera photo-sphere and panorama bugs
Screen temperature can now be adjusted from quick settings
Added hide search bar option in launcher settings
Security patches
Holiday wallpapers
General bug fixes and optimizations

Via: OnePlus

Buy a Samsung Galaxy Phone, Sign-Up for Samsung Pay, and Get $200 Back

Kellen — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 10:53:23 +0000

Samsung really wants you to sign-up for Samsung Pay. They will do almost anything to get you to do so, including handing you a $200 gift voucher and the chance to win a $23,000 football-related package that includes airfare to San Francisco, plus hotel for four nights, and VIP entrance into a pre-Super Bowl VIP party. In the latest of many Samsung Pay promotions, Samsung says that if you buy a Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung Galaxy S6 Active or Samsung Galaxy Note 5 from now until January 20, then sign-up for Samsung Pay with a compatible card (list of cards), you'll be eligible for those offers. First, if you buy a phone and are able to sign-up for Samsung Pay, you get a $200 gift voucher to spend at Samsung no matter what. But by doing all of that, you also get entered in to win that football package I just mentioned, worth up to $23K. There are all sorts of rules here, though, so if you want to buy a Samsung phone and have a card that works with Samsung Pay, you'll want to hit up that link below and read it all. As a reminder, one of our readers who took advantage of this, mentioned that he went the T-Mobile route, since they are offering deals like the 128GB model of Samsung phones for the price of the 64GB model. Not only that, they are also giving away Netflix for a year. So if you do buy now, you could get yourself into some pretty heavy discounts. Details below. Samsung Promo Link

Cheers Dave!

Popular Apps and Games on Sale Through Google Play for Holidays

Tim — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 09:07:57 +0000

Already done shopping for the ones you love? Then it's time to spoil yourself. This holiday week, Google Play has a few apps and games currently on sale, a few with huge savings attached. For a limited time, you can pick up Star Wars Pinball 3 for only $0.10, and Rayman Fiesta Run is listed at only $0.25. The Goat Simulator series is listed at $0.99 a pop, and both Lara Croft GO and Hitman GO are down to $0.99, too. Even better, Hitman: Sniper is available for $0.50, which is a crazy-good deal. See the full list below. App Sales

Goat Simulator ($0.99)
Goat Simulator MMO ($0.99)
Goat Simulator GoatZ ($0.99)
Star Walk - Astronomy Guide ($0.99)
Anomaly Warzone Earth HD ($0.99)
Star Wars Pinball 3 ($0.10)
Rayman Fiesta Run ($0.25)
Trivia Crack - Ad Free ($0.99)
Hitman: Sniper ($0.50)
Lara Croft GO ($0.99)
Hitman GO ($0.99)

Happy holidays, gamers.

DEAL: Nexus 6 32GB Drops to $249 at Amazon, 64GB to $299

Kellen — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 07:23:16 +0000

Google decided that a couple of weeks ago, it would end sales of the Nexus 6 by taking it away from the Google Store. That tends to happen each year when Nexus phones are about a year old and Google has newer products it would rather you buy. Thing is, that doesn't mean these products can't still be found elsewhere at incredible prices. The Nexus 7 (2013) can still be purchased here and there for rock bottom prices and it's still getting updated! It has Marshmallow! The Nexus 6 will likely continue on thriving in the same way for years to come, even though Google is no longer selling it. So when you see deals like today's at Amazon and you are need of a quality, quality smartphone at a hell of a price, you shouldn't even hesitate about jumping on it. The Nexus 6 is currently $249 at Amazon for the 32GB model and $299 for the 64GB model. Remember, this phone originally retailed for $649. That's a hefty discount. Amazon Link

Pixel C, Moto 360 Sport, Google Play

Kellen — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 17:42:34 +0000

The year is coming to end, but we're also closing in on episode 100 of the Droid Life Show. Oh, how far we have come. This isn't 100, though, it's 99 and there is plenty to talk about before we kick off some sort of celebration. On this show, we'll catch up on the last few weeks of Android stories, like the Pixel C, Moto 360 Sport, Google Play Music Family Plan, Android 6.0.1 (and emoji!), and our TAG Heuer Connected review. We'll also just be around to chat about general fun, because it's been a while since we got on air. We will kick the show off live at 10:30AM Pacific (1:30PM 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: December 18, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 15:23:21 +0000

This week, we came to a full realization that the tech world is settling nicely into the holiday season, as big news isn't exactly arriving in mass quantities. Still, we reviewed the $1,500 TAG Heuer Connected, unboxed the Moto 360 Sport, reacted to the first Galaxy S7 rumor worth talking about, and even sat down for episode 99 of the Droid Life Show. Oh, we also shared more and more last minute holiday deals, many of which you can find below in our list of the best Android stories of the week. Be sure to catch up because CES is close.

Watch: Droid Life Show episode 99 | Subscribe
TAG Heuer Connected review.
Moto 360 Sport unboxing!
Galaxy S7: The first big rumors are in!
Poll: Month-to-month or contract?
OTA Updates: Here are the Android 6.0.1 files.
Google Store has so many good deals right now, including free overnight shipping.
Project Fi now supports tablets.
Free: Use Android Pay on your Nexus and get a $20 Best Buy gift card.
Vote: What should the next version of Android be called?
Google Now on Tap gets flight and package tracking.
Swiftkey is bringing thew new emoji to its beta.
NVIDIA sneak peeks Android 6.0 on the SHIELD Tablet.
Sales: Here are your Friday app and game sales.
Nexus 6P: The 6P has a notification light that you should turn on.
Free data: Verizon will give you 2GB of data per month for 3 months.
Star Wars: You can already pre-order The Force Awakens on Google Play.
More Star Wars: Become a Jedi in this Chrome Experiment.
Do we think this is the 2016 Moto X? No, not really.
Here are a bunch of designer Android Wear watch faces.
Inbox gets Trips sharing and easier photo attachments.

BB-8 is the new Jar Jar.

Friday App Sales: Final Fantasy Series, LEGO Star Wars, NBA 2K16, and More

Tim — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 14:10:34 +0000

Are you in for a boring weekend? Don't stress, there are a ton of great games currently on Google Play at a discounted price. This week, we have virtually the entire Final Fantasy offering from Square Enix up for grabs, as well as Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana. For those here stoked on Star Wars, you can pick up LEGO Star Wars for just $2.99, plus LEGO Batman, which could be good for the kid inside all of us, or an actual kid. To top it off, we have XCOM: Enemy Within, NBA 2K16, and WWE 2K. Check the full list down below.

Card Wars - Adventure Time ($0.99)
Final Fantasy Tactics: WotL ($6.99)
Final Fantasy IV: After Years ($7.99)
Final Fantasy VI ($7.99)
Final Fantasy II ($3.99)
Final Fantasy V ($7.99)
Final Fantasy IV ($7.99)
Final Fantasy III ($7.99)
Final Fantasy ($3.99)
Secret of Mana ($3.99)
Chrono Trigger ($4.99)
LEGO Star Wars: TCS ($2.99)
LEGO Batman: Beyond Gotham ($0.99)
FL Studio Mobile ($11.29)
XCOM: Enemy Within ($4.99)
WWE 2K ($2.99)
NHL 2K ($0.99)
NBA 2K16 ($3.99)

Go support those developers.

Fingerprints.

Kellen — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 14:02:41 +0000

This new Android commercial is fun. That is all. Be together, not the same.

Tip: Don't Forget About the Nexus 6P's Notification Light

Kellen — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 13:22:09 +0000

Did you know that the Nexus 6P has a notification light? It does. It's not on by default, though, which is a shame, because it's a nice addition to the phone's Ambient Display. If you are the type who gets up from a desk repeatedly throughout a day or is without your phone for lengthy periods of time, this can come in handy, as it lets you know that you still have notifications, long after Ambient has gone away. If you weren't aware of the phone's notification light, you can find controls for it in Settings>Sound & notification. Once in that screen, there is an option to toggle it to "on" further down the page under a "Notification" heading. You should see it listed as "Pulse notification light." Toggle that on and as notifications arrive, you will get both the Ambient Display quick pop-up along with a pulsing notification LED just to the left of the phone's front-facing camera. What makes this a great complimentary piece to Ambient Display, is because as Ambient Display goes dark in between your next notification, the LED light will continue to flash and let you know that there are pending notifications you need to check on. It also appears to be a multi-color LED, so if you want to get real busy with it, you can install something like Light Flow and put in work.

Verizon Weekend Promos: Buy 64GB Galaxy Phone at 32GB Price, Buy Turbo 2 and Get Free 32GB SD Card

Tim — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 13:10:59 +0000

This weekend only, Verizon is hosting separate promotions for those who are looking to purchase a new smartphone through a device payment plan. For those interested in a Galaxy smartphone from Samsung, you can get a 64GB model at the 32GB price, netting you a savings of nearly $100. This promo is available to purchasers of a Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 5, and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. If a device from Motorola is more your thing, you can purchase a DROID Turbo 2 on a device payment plan, and receive a free 32GB SD card, doubling your memory capacity. Each of these promos are only good through the weekend, so if it sounds like a good idea to you, you best act quickly.

Via: Verizon [2]

Sign-Up for Verizon's go90 and You'll Get 2GB Extra Data for 3 Months

Kellen — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:20:45 +0000

Verizon has this video service called go90. They initially launched a beta version of the app in September before pushing it live for all in October. It's basically an attempt by Verizon to cash in on the waves of people watching video on their mobile devices. I couldn't tell you if it is at all successful so far or if it will be, but I know that Tim - our resident mobile video consumption professional - spent 5 minutes with the app and then immediately uninstalled it. I think if I asked him to re-install again, he would quit working for DL on the spot. With that said, Verizon will give you 2GB of free data for the next three months if you install the app and sign-up for an account. After you sign-up and see the free data hit your device, you can then uninstall it and never look back. The extra data can be used for whatever you want, not just go90 streaming. A reader of ours took on the challenge today and said that he received a text message immediately confirming his free data, before further confirming the data was already available in his account moments later. According to Verizon, the free data is only available to people on MORE Everything or The Verizon Plan. For all the specifics on the 2GB promotion, hit up this link. Play Link

Cheers William!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Now Available for Pre-Order on Google Play

Tim — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 09:40:45 +0000

Like all other blockbusters from this year, Google has been quick to list movie titles for pre-order on Google Play, which is what just happened for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Whether you lined up last night or plan on seeing it this weekend, there is hardly a shred of doubt in my heart that many of you will go home from the theater and want to own this movie. For the SD version, the price is set at $14.99, while the HD version is listed at $19.99. While no official release date has been set from the studio, estimations are that April will be the month of release. And if you need the music in your life, you can find the official soundtrack right here for $11.49. Play Link

Evernote Shutting Down Support for Clearly, Evernote for Pebble, and Versions of Skitch

Tim — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 08:57:37 +0000

Evernote announced that they will be ending support for multiple functions yesterday, bringing what is virtually a demise to Skitch for Windows, iOS, and Android, as well as Evernote Clearly and Evernote for Pebble. Officially, Evernote is shutting down support this week, but this does not mean your apps won't work. Until operating systems update to the point that you can't use the apps, they should work fine. Just don't expect updates or any kind of technical support. As for what brought on the end of support, Evernote claims they must, "focus on improving the core Evernote experience." Continuing, the team states that they have big plans for 2016 and beyond. For those here who use these apps and need alternatives, Evernote states that they have incorporated many of the best features of Skitch and Clearly into their core applications. Skitch users can find "nearly identical" annotation functionality in the Evernote Windows and iOS apps. In addition, the article simplification features from Clearly are available in Evernote's Web Clipper. Folks with a Pebble watch can find similar Evernote features with the Powernoter app for Pebble. And before anyone with a Mac freaks out, don't worry, support for Skitch on Mac is not dying yet. RIP

Skitch for Windows, Windows Touch, iOS, Android (Note: We will continue to offer and support Skitch for Mac)
Evernote Clearly
Evernote for Pebble

Via: Evernote

Sprint's LG G4 is Getting Marshmallow!

Kellen — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 08:00:30 +0000

Oh, well hello there Sprint and LG. Look at you making Marshmallow moves before the holidays. The LG G4 on Sprint, according to Sprint's support sites that are almost always updated precisely as updates begin to rollout, is getting Android 6.0 this week. Actually, the update may have started last night, but should rollout to more devices today and throughout the next couple of weeks. The update is arriving as build LS991ZV9 and includes the update to Marshmallow, along with Sprint Global Roaming. Sprint or LG haven't given us any other details about Marshmallow and how it'll play off of LG's skin, but you should get all of the goodies like Doze, Now on Tap, app permission controls, SD card as internal storage, etc. Let us know if you get it!

Via: Sprint

Cheers DimStyle!

Customize Threads With Colors and Emoji on Facebook Messenger With Latest Update

Tim — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:25:29 +0000

It seems Facebook has been hard at work adding new features into the Messenger app this week, and the latest additions are custom colors and emoji for your individual chats. Now, if you want a custom color for your conversations, you can set a theme from inside of the chat's settings. For example, you will normally see the standard blue theme for Facebook, but you can now set red, green, purple, and many other colors as a chat's theme. A custom theme can be set on each of your conversations, perfect for customizing what you see when talking to different people. Not only can you set custom colors, but you can set custom emoji. As shown in the header image above, I set one of my chats to show a poo emoji. With that emoji set, whenever I open that chat, I will always see poo. Fantastic. These changes are now live via Google Play, so if you use Chat Heads and Messenger as much as I do, go grab it. Play Link

Qualcomm Renames and "Repositions" Snapdragon 618 and 620 Chipsets

Eric — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:55:00 +0000

What happens when a couple of your best processors get lost in the world of model numbers with a few chipsets that aren't so cutting edge? You "reposition" them with new model numbers. Meet the Snapdragon 650 and Snapdragon 652 from Qualcomm, the artists formerly known as the Snapdragon 618 and 620 respectively. In an effort to "reflect advanced performance" that these two processors are capable of, Qualcomm has decided to change the model numbers. Qualcomm points out that features like 4K Ultra HD video recording, high-resolution still photography, and advanced 4G LTE capabilities were things that the 618 and 620 chips handled much better than its brethren in the 600 series of chips. Because of this, Qualcomm felt the need to distinguish these two chips with a higher position within the Snapdragon 600 tier.

We’ve been developing the Snapdragon 652 and Snapdragon 650 processors over the last 12 months, and the superior capabilities and performance positions them well above other processors in this tier.

Not that end consumers outside of readers who you find here at Droid Life would notice much, but in case you hear about a Snapdragon 650 and 652 chip and think, "did they announce something new?," don't fret. It's the same processors, but with a new name.

Via: Qualcomm

3 Reasons the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) is Worth Buying

Tim — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:38:24 +0000

When it comes to which Android Wear smartwatch you should pick up for the holiday season, we have already declared the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) the official winner. However, if you need a bit more info as to why this is, allow us to break it down for you with three reasons. d d

Customization

d d

Price

d d

Motorola Build Quality

d d

OnePlus Reflects on 2015, Announces OnePlus X Champagne Edition

Eric — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:22:29 +0000

OnePlus turned two years old today. In a blog on the company's forum this morning, co-founder Carl Pei wrote a post reflecting on his past two years of shaking up the mobile industry with his company's core promise to "Never Settle." If you have been following OnePlus since its inception two years ago, you have probably heard most of what Carl wrote in his reflective post this morning, albeit through some rose-colored lenses. Highlights include, "bringing consumers premium products at a disruptive price," when referencing the OnePlus One and following that up with the OnePlus Two's, "beautiful and premium design, as well as bleeding edge technologies such as USB Type C and fingerprint sensor." While we loved the OnePlus Two's fingerprint sensor, it was pointed out after the fact that the USB Type C was less than bleeding edge tech. Toward the later part of the company's history, Pei's promise to continue this industry disruption into next year was still voiced, "In 2016, there is no excuse for any part of OnePlus to not live up to, if not exceed, industry standards," while saying that his company will still be, "unapologetically OnePlus." Deep within the blog post at this point, Pei announced a special Champagne edition of the OnePlus X to celebrate two years of shaking things up. Rollout of this special champagne gold and white edition begins in Europe on December 22. During the weekly open sales it will be a first-come, first-serve basis. But, as always, if you have an invite to the table, you can order one any day after they are made available. To wrap this all up, OnePlus is making a documentary about their journey over these past two years. The teaser is linked at the bottom of the post and filled with stormy ambiance, voice-over by Carl Pei and an F-bomb. The film should release sometime next year and features the highs and lows of what it's like to "Never Settle."

[responsive_vid]

Via: OnePlus

Latest SwiftKey Beta Brings Android 6.0.1 Emoji to Your Fingertips

Eric — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:38:25 +0000

I have to admit, I was more excited than I should have been when Google finally announced and added the new set of emoji last week for Android 6.0.1. For the large group of our readers that still use SwiftKey as their keyboard of choice, and are running Android 6.0.1, you can rejoice - today's SwiftKey Beta has added these fresh new emoji. Since this update is currently rolling out the members of the SwiftKey Beta, you will have to join the group if you want them today. You can sign up for that group on Google Play or by following the link below. Rest assured that, huge bugs aside, all of the SwiftKey community should be seeing this update come to their phones quite soon. Go forth and send the unicorn emoji to as many friends who will tolerate your spam, but remember you are signing up for the Beta channel. Things can still get wonky every now and then. But again, please note that you need to be running Android 6.0.1 on your device in order to see the new emoji. Hit up the Beta Forums for the full changelog and bug reports if you have any. Play Link

Google May Use Online Poll to Name Next Version of Android

Eric — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:51:40 +0000

A large part of the fun leading up to each new version of Android is figuring out which sweet treat it's going to be named after. Google's Sundar Pichai is on a short trip to India, and let a few details slip about what the next version might end up being. According to his statements, we, as in the entire Android community, may get to choose! During a chat with Indian college and school students, Pichai mentioned that for the next version of Android, Google might host a poll and let the online community decide. If convention holds true, the next version should start with the letter N. Playing a bit to the crowd, Sundar said that if enough of the students in attendance voted, the next version of Android could very well have an Indian name. Now, this is far from Google officially saying the fate of Android N is in our hands, but it's an interesting thought. It is pretty easy to see the Internet getting excited about the thought of voting to name the next software version, but since this is the Internet we are talking about, we could also see this going south. What if we all voted for something silly, like Nutter Butter? Wait a minute, Nutter Butters are delicious. So what do you think? Are we going to get the chance to vote on Android's future? If we do, my money is on Android Nutella. People go crazy for that stuff.

Via: NDTV

Tip: Set a Shortcut to Your Google Reminders After Setting a Reminder

Kellen — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:18:57 +0000

In the most recent update to Google Calendar, Google finally made reminders a centrally functional feature across a variety of Google apps, including Calendar, Inbox, and Keep. Before this update, there was a chance that a reminder set in one app wouldn't ever make it into another app and your chances of missing it or forgetting about it were likely. While this centralized reminders control is awesome, attempting to find a complete list of reminders, including both current and past, has always been somewhat of a chore. In fact, the only ways I can think of to pull up a list is to say to Google, "View reminders," set a reminder and then hit the "View reminders" button shown after completion, or swipe into Google Now, then swipe out the side menu and choose "Reminders." Why there isn't some sort of dedicated Reminders widget or readily available shortcut is beyond me. Well, there is actually a shortcut, it just isn't exactly all that easy to find, from what we can tell. Yesterday, one of readers spotted a prompt to add a home screen shortcut for reminders after he set a reminder. You can see it in the screenshot above and below.

To access this shortcut, since it doesn't appear to be a widget that is listed in the system widgets list that is accessed from your home screen, you need to set a reminder in the Google app. Once that reminder has been set and confirmed, assuming you are running the latest versions of the Google app and Google Now Launcher, you should see a blue bar below your reminder that asks if you want to add a shortcut to your reminders (see above). Tap that button and the shortcut will appear a few seconds later on its own home screen. Cool, right? Sort of. This does indeed create a shortcut on your home screen to all of your reminders. By tapping on it, you can see a list of your reminders, both current and old, edit them, refresh them, etc. It's super handy. Unfortunately, this shortcut is almost impossible to get on your home screen. As I mentioned above, setting a new reminder seems to trigger this blue box prompt some of the time. It may only show if the Google Now Launcher is your default. It may also only show up a single time before going away. For example, I set it up, then removed it and tried to replicate the process and can no longer get the prompt to display again. It's not listed as a shortcut or widget in the widgets list. I couldn't even find it by adding a Nova Launcher shortcut that digs through system shortcut lists. The only way I could get this box to show up, was to have the GNL as default and set a reminder with my voice in the Google. But again, once I tapped the button once, it never showed up again no matter what I tried. Anyways, I've typed way too much about such a silly little, mostly non-important feature. ("Slow news day, eh, bruh?") But if you want a shortcut to all of your reminders, this is a way to do it! Woof. EDIT: If you know another way to set this shortcut in an easier way, I'm all ears...after I smash my head into a desk.

Cheers Andy!

Cut the Rope: Magic Hits Google Play, Om Nom is Back

Tim — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 08:54:25 +0000

Om Nom, one of the more adorable characters to ever hit mobile devices, is back in an all new adventure for Android. In Cut the Rope: Magic, Om Nom looks to defeat an evil spider wizard who has stolen all of his candy. For Om Nom, and anyone who cares about his livelihood, this is highly unacceptable and the wizard must be destroyed. Cut the Rope: Magic features a "fresh spin" on the physics-puzzle gameplay, with over 100 levels for players to solve. Using magic, Om Nom will even transform into all new forms, such as a baby, bird, fish, and mouse. Was it even possible for Om Nom to get more cute? Apparently, yes. The game is free to download on Google Play, but does feature a heavy helping of in-app purchases. If you use Amazon Underground, the game is completely free to use, including all of its IAPs. In order to use Amazon Underground, you will need to download the app from here. Once installed, you can find Cut the Rope: Magic, plus all of the other titles offered by Underground. If Amazon is not your thing, follow the Play link below for Google Play. Play Link | Amazon Link

[responsive_vid]

Other Google Store Deals: Huawei Watch at $50 Off, Free Overnight Shipping, More

Kellen — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 08:07:08 +0000

Google hosted some Cyber Weekend deals in the Google Store a couple of weeks ago, but their current crop of last-minute holiday deals might be as good if not better. We shared with you the $50 discount on the Nexus 6P (and 5X, though that has been available for a while) that Google announced yesterday. However, there are more that you should probably know about. For one, anything you order from the Google Store comes with free overnight shipping. So anything you order could arrive the next day, depending on the time of order. That includes accessories, Chromecasts, Chromebooks, and of course, Nexus devices. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that Google is about the fastest shipper I've dealt with in recent years. Our Pixel C got to us in under 24 hours, as an example. Outside of the free shipping, the Huawei Watch is $50 off, select Chromebooks are $30 off (plus up to $500 in freebies with purchase), Chromecasts are still discounted, and Google has extended returns through January 22. Google Store Holiday Deals

DEAL: Moto X Pure Edition is Just $349 Today Only ($100 Off)

Kellen — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 06:52:43 +0000

Amazon does deals of the day that are often easily ignored. Today's deal, is not one of those deals. For today only, Amazon has slashed $100 off the Moto X Pure Edition with 32GB of storage, dropping it down to $349. For $349, you get a phone that is easily in the top 3 of 2015. Just a month ago, we called it one of the 3 best phones you can buy today. We also gave you 5 reasons to buy the Moto X Pure Edition a couple of weeks ago as well, in case you were still hesitating. Oh, our Moto X Pure review is worth a look too. The black or white standard models with 32GB storage at $349 (down from $449). The white and bamboo model is $375. Hurry. Amazon Link

Google's Androidify App Receives Holiday Season Update

Tim — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 16:19:43 +0000

The Androidify app from Google, the one that lets you create your own little Android character, has receive an update today for the holiday season. With the update, you can deck out a new character in holiday gear, like a reindeer sweater and equip yourself with a nutcracker or gingerbread man. Not only are their new clothes and outfits, but Google also threw in new cellular phones for your little character to rock, too. This will allow everyone to know you are a true Nexus fanboy. On top of new content, Google states that bug fixes and optimizations have been worked in. The update is now live on Google Play. Play Link

Facebook's Instant Articles are Now Available for Android Users

Tim — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:48:27 +0000

Facebook's Instant Articles, a feature made for use within the official Facebook app, is now available for Android users. Previously exclusive for iOS, then released as a very limited beta on Android, anyone with access to the Facebook app on Google Play can now partake. Instant Articles are a way for Facebook users to more easily consume news stories on their mobile devices. With articles from many of the world's top publishers, including CBS, CNN, and NBC, much of the world's news can now be better read straight from the Facebook app. Not only are there your typical news publications, but sports from NBA to MLB are also supported. According to Facebook, when an article is easier to read on a mobile device, it is more likely to get shared to friends and family by a user. For this reason alone, Facebook is tweaking layouts and making content more phone-friendly, hopefully leading to more views for publishers. Right now, over 350 publishers are listed in Instant Articles, with more being added all of the time. To check it out for yourself, open up the Facebook app and get to reading. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Via: Facebook

Facebook Messenger Adds Ability to Request a Ride From Uber

Kellen — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 14:59:28 +0000

Live in an area supported by Uber? Use Facebook Messenger on the regular? Good! Facebook announced today that Facebook Messenger now allows for you to request a ride from Uber without ever leaving a conversation. That's neat, right? Once you install the latest version of Facebook Messenger, you may see the option to request a ride. I say "may" because Facebook says that the option is "currently in testing and will be available to select users in the locations where Uber operates in the United States." So yeah, it's coming, at some point. With ride requesting in Facebook Messenger, all you have to do is tap on an address in a conversation or hit the little car icon in that little services icon row just above the keyboard to request a ride. Once you have done that, you can set destinations and see how much the fare might run you. You can even receive updates on your driver's status and let your friends know that you are grabbing an Uber. Let us know if you see the option!

Via: Facebook

Wednesday Poll: Month-to-Month or Contract?

Kellen — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 13:01:52 +0000

Last year around this time, we asked all of you to weigh in on your current wireless situation. We kept it simple, only asking if you were in some sort of month-to-month type of plan or if you were locked into a contract. The vote showed that most of you (59%) had ditched long-term contracts in favor of a month-to-month plan, which is something you should be proud of. This year, we want to ask again to see how things have changed. This time, though, we're tossing in an extra answer or at least breaking out the month-to-month option. You see, if you are in a month-to-month plan, but still have a device payment plan, you are still basically under contract, just without the nasty ETF fee typically associated with a contract. So in this poll, you can vote for a straight up contract, month-to-month without a payment plan, or month-to-month with a payment plan. Ready? Go! [poll id="383"]

Nexus 6P Now $50 Off on Google Store, Starts at $449

Tim — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:33:56 +0000

Moments ago, Google lowered the price of the Nexus 6P (all models) on the Google Store by $50, bringing the starting price to $449 for the 32GB model. For those who need more storage, you will be happy to know that the 128GB model also saw the price cut, with the device now priced at $599. On December 9, Google lowered the price of the Nexus 5X by $50 as well. Whether these changes are permanent or just fore the holidays remains to be seen. What we know is, the Nexus 6P just became a whole lot sweeter of a buy. To sum it up, the 32GB model in all colors except Frost White (not available in 32GB) is $449. The 64GB in all colors is $499, and the 128GB (currently unavailable in Graphite) in all colors is $599. Follow the link below to purchase the Nexus 6P at the discounted price. Update: Also, the Google Nexus Twitter account announced that all US orders will receive free overnight shipping, too. Hooray. Google Store Link

TAG Heuer Connected Review

Kellen — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:24:42 +0000

I don't know that I would consider myself a full-blown "watch guy," but I've certainly come to appreciate some finer, mechanical wrist candy here or there in recent years. So when TAG Heuer, a brand known for making Swiss luxury watches, announced that it was dabbling in the smartwatch game, I was interested on both personal and professional levels. It's not that I'm personally a fan of TAG Heuer watches (though I do own one), it's just that the idea of a luxury watchmaker seeing potential (or threat) in smartwatches is sort of fascinating. I don't think anyone in the Swiss watch world is scared of a Smartwatch Crisis like we saw in the 70s with Quartz, but to see one of the more well-known brands jump onboard this early is worth talking about. Over the past month, I've spent off-and-on-again time with the TAG Heuer Connected on my wrist. In other words, I've spent a lot of time with a $1,500 smartwatch on my wrist, but it came off and on as regularly as any of my other watches. Does that mean it didn't win me over? Or does that mean it slotted in nicely with the rest of my watch rotation? Let's find out. This is our TAG Heuer Connected review.

Design

When it comes to watches, I have my fair share of divers, but I also like simpler, more minimal aviation or field watches. The TAG Heuer Connected is the complete opposite of anything I would buy. This is by all means designed like a sports or racing watch, with rubber strap, titanium case, and angular, futurecar-inspired lines. That's not to say that this watch isn't designed well, it's just not exactly my cup of tea. TAG has gone with a 46mm case, big 1.5-inch LCD display, fixed bezel with minute markers, and a TAG-imprinted crown at 3 o'clock. They include a Vulcanized rubber strap that comes in a variety of colors with a folding clasp that is also made of titanium. The overall two-toned look (at least with my black and titanium unit) is clean enough, though it is a large, large watch on wrist. For someone like me with a 6 and 3/4-inch wrist, it tends to standout as a bulky show piece instead of an accessory. Your personality type or fashion sense will determine if that's a good thing for you or not.

I don't necessarily have any real beefs with the Connected's design, other than it might be too big for my little wrists and the bezel looks a bit cheap. The fixed bezel just doesn't scream, "Hey, this is a $1,500 watch!" to me. Had they figured out a way to carry the titanium up there or maybe even left it blank, without the minute markers, it might have helped. Again, I'm not a sports watch guy on most days, but I will say that this watch fits like a dream. It may be the most comfortable of all Android Wear watches to wear, with the only rival being the Gear S2. But with this on wrist, you know that it's made of higher-end materials than the S2, so I would choose to wear this for fit alone any day. Even though it is large at 46mm, the lug angle combined with this comfortable rubber strap really allows this watch to fit to almost any wrist.

Is the TAG Heuer Connected designed well? Sure, if you like the look of a Lamborghini in titanium watch form, along with an extra large 46mm case on wrist, I'd say that it is. If you like a cleaner, more minimal watch, then maybe it's not exactly the choice for you to drop $1,500 on. I think TAG has made one of the best fitting smartwatches around, which certainly is due at least in part to the watch's design.

Trade-in / Buy-up Program

If you buy the Connected, in two years, TAG Heuer will let you trade it in and then shell out another $1,500 for a mechanical watch. It'll be a part of their Carrera line, to be exact, and should look very similar to the Connected only with an actual mechanical movement inside. Is that a good deal? Depends on your needs in two years. This is essentially TAG admitting that this watch will be obsolete before long, so they don't want your money completely going to waste. On one hand, that's quite nice of them, but it's also odd that a luxury goods maker is admitting up front that their $1,500 watch will be useless in two years. Most luxury watches are bought and then kept for life, because you not only pay a premium for them, but they are genuine keepsakes that can be passed down from generation to generation. I think if you are at all interested in owning a mechanical watch down the road that is made by TAG, yet don't have the $3K+ it would cost to get you into one of their nicer options, the Connected could be a place to start for now, assuming you can save up another $1,500 in two years. Will I upgrade? I almost feel like I have to, now that I've bought into this watch (that's right, this isn't a review unit). Then again, I'll likely pass if the Carrera they are going to hand out is similar to this watch's design because of my personal watch preferences.

Price, Value, and Availability

Ahhh, the price. At $1,500, you get the TAG Heuer Connected with its titanium and rubber body, a good set of specs for a smartwatch (new Intel chipset, 1GB RAM, and a big 1.5-inch display), fancy bubbly blue packaging, and at least eight TAG Heuer logos. You also get to be a part of the TAG family of watch owners, if that means anything to you. Plus, you are sort of buying into a mechanical watch down the road, almost as if you made a $1,500 deposit when buying the Connected, and TAG is giving you this digital computer thing as your 2-year loaner. Is it worth paying $1,500 for the Connected, especially when the company is admitting that it won't be worth much in two years? In all honesty, no smartwatch is worth $1,500 at any time. They just aren't. This isn't me telling TAG Heuer that they made a bad smartwatch, it's just that tech moves and improves far too quickly for you to spend this kind of money on it. Well, unless you just have boatloads of money to spend on a smartwatch every couple of years.

Within the last two years, people have rolled their eyes at the $300+ offerings from Android smartwatch makers, yet the highest price we have seen there is the all-gold Huawei Watch at $800. At $1,500, TAG is crushing those numbers, though I'm not sure you are even getting the same value. For example, this watch doesn't have a heartrate sensor. While most smartwatch heartrate sensors are garbage, it's most certainly missing here. What I'm trying to say is that there isn't really anything happening here outside of the titanium case, that seems to push this above what Motorola is doing with the Moto 360 or Huawei with the Huawei Watch. You get a big luxury goods brand selling you on a product with their name on it. As for availability, you can really only buy the Connected at TAG Heuer boutiques at the moment. They were at one time selling them online too, but because of higher-than-expected demand, they are limiting inventory to their own stores for the time being. That's a good sign for both TAG Heuer and our economy, I think.

Battery Life

With all of that value and design talk out of the way, let's talk about whether or not this is even a good smartwatch. In terms of battery life, it's solid. That just means it'll get you through a day, if not a bit more. The 410mAh battery in the Connected is on the larger side, but because it is powering that big 1.5-inch display, it isn't going to last a week, even with that new Intel chip inside. Overall, I've been mostly pleased with battery life. When I was documenting battery life, I was seeing anywhere from 20% to 50% remaining at night after a day worth of use. Those big fluctuations are because of the way I use the watch from one day to the next, but either way, a full day is about right.

With that in mind, the charging situation isn't exactly ideal. The Connected charges via cradle and pins, which isn't uncommon. The problem I have here is that because of this folding clasp, there is only one awkward way to get this watch on the charger. Once on, it basically just lays on its side, instead of propped up or in a useful position where it could be a nightstand clock or something. It does tell you the time left to charge and show you a percentage, but again, that's not all that useful when its lying on its side.

Android Wear and Performance

I haven't talked about this much yet, but yes, the Connected runs Android Wear. It's not running the newest version, which is Marshmallow, but it is up-to-date and has the latest features of all of the other Android Wear devices on the market. You can do everything you expect, like check notifications, flip through those notifications with wrist gestures, archive emails, get reminders on upcoming events, launch Google Maps Navigation, perform voice Google Searches, control music, take notes, and check the weather. You can respond to messages with your voice, which in case you were wondering, works very well on this device, maybe even better than the new Moto 360. You can ask it for your next calendar appointment with the "OK, Google" command, or you can set a reminder that way or initiate a message or turn on the watch's flashlight. The Android Wear experience here is exactly like it is on every other Android Wear watch. Well, you don't have a heartrate sensor or GPS, but the rest of the experience is the same.

TAG has tried to make this a bit special with TAG Heuer watch-inspired watch faces. You have GMT, Chronograph, 3 Hand, and "Themed" faces that are exclusive to this device. If I'm being brutally honest, I have to admit that none look exceptional. If anything, they sort of look like low-res digital versions of real watch faces, not finely crafted watch faces for a $1,500 watch. I haven't fallen for any and have actually struggled to find a good watch face that fits this whole sports watch aesthetic. Thankfully, this is Android Wear, so there is always going to be something new to spice up your watch, if you are like me, and aren't typically a fan of the stock watch faces that manufacturers put on these things. As for the overall Android Wear experience, I'm very impressed with how finely tuned this watch is. The dual-core processor used is an Intel chip that we haven't seen used before, along with a full 1GB of RAM. In the past, with other watches, I've grown quickly frustrated over performance, especially when it comes to voice recognition and dictation. With this watch, it's so good in those two departments that I'm actually dreading going to any other smartwatch. When you ask the watch to do something using the "OK, Google" command, it does it almost every time. It also listens well and dictates what you are trying to say correctly more often than not.

Android Wear becomes increasingly more useful when the voice aspect of it works good and I think that's why this Connected watch has really shined for me in terms of software and performance. If anything, I hope to see more OEMs adopt this Intel chipset.

Video

Unboxing

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vs. Moto 360 (2nd gen) / Huawei Watch / Gear S2

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Final Thoughts

Who is the TAG Heuer Connected for? I think that's the question I keep struggling to answer over the past month. You could make the argument that a person needs a smartwatch in their life because they are the type that can't always access their phone, yet they still need to be notified of happenings and potentially want to be able to reply to some items on the go through voice. The thing is, you can buy a smartwatch that does all of that and looks great for under $300. This watch costs $1,500. So I don't think anyone can say with a straight face that you need to own the TAG Heuer Connected. Obviously, this is a luxury good. It's a luxury good that is a hell of a smartwatch, maybe even the best I've used as an actual "smart" watch. But it's clear that with that kind of price, this is for someone who either has a lot of cash to spend without worry or is into luxury watches and also happens to be curious as to what a luxury watch maker thinks about this new smartwatch trend. The TAG Heuer Connected isn't going to be for everyone and it never was supposed to be. That's 100% OK, too. The good news is that if you are a part of the target audience, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Purchase or Lease a Galaxy Phone From Sprint, Receive a Free 32" LED TV

Tim — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:10:36 +0000

You know things may be going bad when companies will give you a free TV with the purchase of a smartphone. In a new promotion set to begin this upcoming Friday, if you purchase or a lease a qualifying Samsung Galaxy phone through Sprint, the carrier will give you a free 32" Samsung LED TV. As for a "qualifying" device, Sprint lists that the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, and Galaxy Note 5 qualify for the offer. To claim, you will need to upgrade or add a new line of service to an existing plan, but new customers can also claim the deal, too. According to Sprint's announcement, customers can get their new Galaxy smartphone through Sprint Lease, Sprint Easy Pay, sign a two-year contract, or pay full retail price. The offer is available December 18 through December 24, or while supplies last. Anyone here willing to use Sprint for a free TV?

Via: Sprint

T-Mobile Knocking $100 Off Flagship Samsung Devices, Plus Free Year of Netflix

Tim — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:46:22 +0000

Beginning this Friday, T-Mobile is knocking $100 off Samsung's latest smartphones, plus throwing in a free year of Netflix when you purchase one. Phones offered at the discounted rate are the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, and the Galaxy Note 5. The $100 promotion is good until December 23, and the Netflix offer is good until December 31. To claim both, simply walk in or head to T-Mobile's website this Friday, add whichever Samsung device you want to your cart, and checkout. This phone can be used on your existing Simple Choice plan, or a new line altogether. The Netflix code for a free year is offered directly from Samsung, so you can expect an email from Samsung after purchase to redeem the offer. Thanks to T-Mobile's Binge On, you can enjoy all of the Netflix you can handle, with none of the data counting towards your monthly allotment. It's a win-win situation. You can learn more by visiting T-Mobile's promo page here.

Via: T-Mobile

This Probably Isn't the New Moto X 2016, but Hey, Let's Talk About It!

Kellen — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:27:42 +0000

So this photo surfaced today. People think it's the next Moto X, which could be the Moto X (2016) or Moto X (4th Gen) or Moto X (Pure Moods Edition). We don't really know what it is, though. It could be fake. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if it is fake. Should we talk about it, if it is fake? Eh, why not. It's Hump Day! This is what this photo tells us. (Assuming any of this is on any level real.) Motorola likes two-toned, all-metal, paneled, iPhone and HTC designs. Or, Lenovo does, and so they are interested in ditching every single idea that Motorola created over the last three years of Moto X designs and are instead going with some sort of Franken-iPhLumia360 (that's pronounced eye-floom-ee-uh-360) aesthetic. It's like someone took all the unsold gold, patinated iPhone 5s, grabbed all of the leftover Lumia 1020 ~~hockey pucks~~ camera modules after mating them with Moto 360 flat tires, used a hand drill to create some speaker holes, and called it a phone. Cute "Moto" logo, breh! This design also suggests that Motorola is flipping the bird at Moto Maker (which is the major selling point of the Moto line) and front-facing speakers (which people prefer) and fingerprint sensors (again). The photo comes to us via Nowhereelse, a site that has been right a couple of times with leaked photos in the past, because they hangout on Weibo and other Chinese forums, yet is notorious for failing to ever source those, so that none of us can look back at the actual origin of said photos and come up with our own conclusions. It is what it is. EDIT: Ooh, we do have a source link! Hump Day!

Via: Nowhereelse

DEAL: Unlocked Galaxy S6 is Just $399 at eBay, Verizon S6 Edge 128GB is $599

Kellen — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:57:37 +0000

To end the day, we've got what may be best ever pricing on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge over at eBay. If you are at all interested in the regular Galaxy S6, you can grab an unlocked T-Mobile version for just $399. If you are on Verizon and want the Galaxy S6 Edge, you can get the mega-128GB version for just $599. The T-Mobile Galaxy S6 is listed as unlocked, so that means it'll work on any GSM carrier, including AT&T. And in case you were worried, yes, the T-Mobile S6 supports all of AT&T's bands, including LTE band 17. We're now in Moto X Pure territory on the S6 - any takers? As for the Verizon Galaxy S6 Edge, you are looking at a $300 discount at $599. The white 128GB model is currently listed at $899 from Verizon. The listing here also claims that this device is unlocked, but all Verizon phones are technically unlocked, they just don't support many LTE bands. If I were buying this, I'd probably only use it on Verizon. Both deals include free shipping. eBay Links: Unlocked Galaxy S6 ($399) | Verizon Galaxy S6 Edge 128GB ($599)

Night Light Feature for Google Play Books Makes Nighttime Reading Easier on the Eyes

Tim — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:29:37 +0000

Google Play Books, Mountain View's dedicated book and magazine reading app, is receiving an update via Google Play that brings a new feature called Night Light. With Night Light, Play Books will automatically adjust the amount of blue light given off from the display, which can be disruptive to human eyes at nighttime. When the app senses sunlight getting low around you, the color changes to an amber hue, which will be easier on your eyes for nighttime book consuming. Yum yum. As explained by the good folks at Google, "Night Light automatically adapts to the amount of natural sunlight outside based on the time of day, giving you just the right temperature and brightness. The color adjustment is more comfortable on your eyes and greatly improves low-light night reading." In the header image above, you can see exactly what to expect from when you toggle this feature on. To turn it on, once you have updated the app, you will see a pop up message asking you to switch on this automatic feature for whenever you are reading. Given it is automatic, it's not something you have to toggle on and off again. The update is rolling out to Google Play now. Play Link

Via: Android

NVIDIA Gives "Sneak Peek" of Android 6.0 on SHIELD Tablet K1, Update Arriving This Month

Kellen — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:04:12 +0000

NVIDIA plans to update its newest tablet, the SHIELD Tablet K1, to Android 6.0 Marshmallow this month. To celebrate that bit of news, they posted a "sneak peek" video today of the update running on that very tablet, which we have posted above. In the update, along with all of the goodies Google added to Marshmallow (like Doze, Now on Tap, app permission controls, SD card as internal storage, etc.), NVIDIA is updating the camera app to better take advantage of the tablet's processing power and loading up the latest Google Now Launcher. As a recap, the Tablet K1 is the exact same tablet as the original SHIELD Tablet, only NVIDIA has dropped the price point to $199 by cutting out all accessories, including the charger and stylus. We'll let you know when the update begins rolling out.

Be a Jedi in Google's Latest Chrome Experiment, Lightsaber Escape

Tim — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 14:01:52 +0000

In the latest Built for Chrome experiment, appropriately titled Lightsaber Escape, you can be a Jedi warrior, attempting to escape an Imperial battleship while fighting Stormtroopers. For gameplay, your phone acts as a lightsaber controller, with syncing taking place between the Chrome app on your phone, and the Chrome browser on your desktop computer. Once calibrated, you are taught the basics of defending yourself from blasters, as well as deflecting shots back towards your enemies. After you pass a few waves of Stormtroopers, you come across a "boss" Stormtrooper. I have yet to beat him as the controls tend to get a little out of sync by the time I reach that part. However, you can pause and take a moment to recalibrate your device, which should help. To get started, click the link below and have a bit of fun. Ready to battle? Play Here

Pushbullet Gets Group Texting From Desktop, Drive Changing in Remote Files

Kellen — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:13:04 +0000

An update to Pushbullet is rolling out today that will give you increased access to files when attempting to access them remotely, along with the ability to group text from your desktop computer. After receiving an update to the Android Pushbullet app (the update should be live for all), Pushbullet's Chrome extension, website, and Windows desktop app will let you reply to group text messages. Their apps for Safari, Firefox, and Opera should be available soon. This has apparently been a popular request, so get excited, or something. In the last update, Pushbullet introduced remote files access from anywhere in the world, but they seem to have left that access locked to a single drive. Power users, the type of people who use this feature in Pushbullet, wanted more, including access to other drives. Today's update allows you to do just that. Of course, this remains a Windows-only feature at this time. Enjoy. Play Link

Via: Pushbullet

Tap & Pay With Android Pay on Your Nexus and Google Will Give You a $20 Best Buy Card

Kellen — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:16:03 +0000

To celebrate the holiday season and Nexus devices and Android Pay and free things, Google has decided to hand out $20 Best Buy e-gift cards to anyone who uses their Nexus device and Android Pay to buy something. From today through December 31, you are eligible for the free e-gift card, as long as supplies last. In order to participate, you need to pay for something using Android Pay on your Nexus, which could be a Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, Nexus 5X, or Nexus 6P. Once you have paid for an item at a participating retailer, Google will send the e-gift card to your Android Pay app for use (make sure to keep it installed). It could take a few days (or up to January 31) for it to show, but you don't have to do anything (don't email Google asking for it!) else to receive it. Now, run to a Chevron and buy that pack of gum.

Via: @GoogleNexus

Cheers Jonny and Steve!

Project Fi Adds Data-Only Device Support, Same $10/GB Pricing

Tim — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:59:43 +0000

Project Fi, Google's own cellular service that runs on T-Mobile and Sprint's LTE networks, announced data-only support for tablets today. Much like you see from the larger carriers, data-only SIMs provide mobile network connection for tablet devices, and Google is now ready to offer this service to customers. Exactly like Fi's existing smartphone pricing structure, you only pay for what you use. Data is priced at $10/GB, with each GB subsequently used costing another $10. With no contracts or agreements, you are free to cancel or pause your service at anytime, no strings attached. Below is the list of verified compatible devices for Project Fi. Google notes that other tablets not listed here may also work. The key ingredient for a device working on Project Fi is compatibility on T-Mobile's LTE network. Verified Compatible Tablets

Nexus 7 - K009 (US LTE)
Nexus 9 - 0P82300 (US LTE)
iPad Air 2 - Model A1567
iPad mini 4 - Model A1550
Galaxy Tab S - Model SM-T807V

If you are already on Project Fi, you can order a data-only SIM straight from your online account page. However, if you don't see this option yet, don't worry, as Google states that they are gradually rolling this out to all users and it may take a few days to hit your account.

Via: Project Fi [2]

Moto 360 Sport Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:10:10 +0000

The Moto 360 Sport, Motorola's latest take on a sports-focused smartwatch, arrives here in the next couple of weeks. We are fortunate enough to now have one in house, so we thought we would unbox it and share some initial impressions. After all, this is the first time anyone has really used a live, real, model, since Motorola would only let us play with dummy units back when this watch was first introduced. So what is the Moto 360 Sport? It's a $299 fitness-focused Android Wear-powered smartwatch from Motorola that arrives in the US on January 7. It'll hit the UK later this week. This watch sports a 1.37-inch LCD display with AnyLight Hybrid tech, which is a display that should look great or at least function well in both indoor and outdoor lighting. It runs a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and has 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, 300mAh battery, heartrate sensor, and a GPS. Yes, a GPS. This watch should be good for taking off on a run without your phone. It also has IP67 water and dust resistance, a 45mm case, and a silicon band that is sweatproof. After unboxing it, I'd have to say that it reminds me a lot of the Samsung Gear S2, probably because of the silicon band and round body. The display seems to be OK, though it needs much heavier analysis before I can say much else, especially since it is using this new AnyLight tech. It fits well, is nice and light, and should be a solid workout companion, assuming the battery life gets that "full day of mixed use." We'll have more soon!

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AT&T Offering Gear S2 With NumberSync for $99 on 2-Year Agreement

Tim — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:03:34 +0000

Ready to leave your phone at home? With AT&T's NumberSync, customers can break free of their smartphone addiction, needing only a compatible smartwatch when they leave the house to place and take calls, as well as send/receive text messages. NumberSync connects the same AT&T phone number to multiple devices, and right now, AT&T is offering the Gear S2 from Samsung at only $99 on a two-year plan with NumberSync. When AT&T first announced NumberSync, the carrier stated that many devices would feature support later in the year, including tablets. Now that we are into December, the Gear S2 is receiving support via a software update, and new buyers of the watch will find the functionality right out of the box. Those interested in trying out NumberSync on the Gear S2 can pick up the smartwatch for $99 with a two-year agreement. A Mobile Share Value plan (minimum $30 for a new plan or $10 to add to an existing plan) is also required. We have gone over the Gear S2 in-depth, and even placed it in the top 3 smartwatches you can currently buy, but I still don't know how comfortable I would be attaching a two-year agreement to a smartwatch.

Via: AT&T

DEAL: LG Watch Urbane Drops to $199 in Amazon Lightning Deal ($150 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 10:12:15 +0000

Looking for a last minute deal on a smartwatch? Amazon is currently (for the next 50 or so minutes) running a deal on the LG Watch Urbane that could get you into the Android Wear device for $199, which is $150 off its normal retail price. Is the Watch Urbane my favorite Android Wear device? No, it's actually one of my least favorite because I think it's about as ugly and ill-fitting as it gets for a smartwatch. With that said, it performs well, still features a great list of specs, and is absolutely worth considering at $199, assuming you can handle its poor wrist presence and ugliness. Since your tastes are likely to differ from mine, here you go. Again, the deal ends very soon, so don't hesitate. Amazon Link UPDATE: Deal over.

Download Designer Watch Faces for Your Android Wear Smartwatch

Tim — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 10:07:19 +0000

A collection of new Android Wear watch faces is available for download on Google Play, coming from a few of the top designers in the fashion industry. If interested, you will find faces from Y-3 (who frequently partners with adidas), Zoe Jordan, Nicole Miller, Ted Baker, and many others. Each watch face is a separate download, and more importantly, they are all currently free to download and use. They are available starting right now for Android users, and iOS users will find them in the coming days for the iPhone. Check out the list of designers and the descriptions below. Watch Face Details

Ted Baker: Reveal your sophisticated side with ten gorgeous designs.
Melissa Joy Manning: Rock a different birthstone for every month of the year.
Vivienne Tam: Tap Opera Girl to see her twirl, take a selfie, and more.
Nicole Miller: Stay on track and in style with Nicole Miller’s pop art.
Y-3: Sport the styles of Yohji Yamamoto, inspired by the beauty of human movement.
Mango: Add instant chic to any outfit with this ready-to-wear watch face.
Zoe Jordan: Free your time of clutter with the clean lines of modern design.
Harajuku Kawaii!: Express your playful side with this adorable and vibrant watch face.
ASICS: Motivate yourself to stay active with the help of your fitness buddy.

Play Link

Via: Android

Samsung Pay Adds Support for 19 New MasterCard and Visa Issuers

Tim — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:08:28 +0000

Samsung announced 19 newly supported credit card issuers for Samsung Pay this morning, allowing even more folks with a compatible device to conveniently pay with their smartphone at the grocery store, or any other supported retail location. Issuers now supported include KeyBank MasterCard credit and debit cards, TCF Bank, Central Florida Educators Federal Credit Union, Greater Kinston Federal Credit Union, Keypoint Credit Union, Numerica Credit Union, and Utah Community Credit Union. For a complete list of supported banks and issuers, see here. If your bank is one of the newly supported institutions, setting up your account is easy. Simply open up the Samsung Pay app, add your card, and then get to tapping at virtually any merchant location that features a credit card terminal. Have you been able to try Samsung Pay? How do you like it?

Via: Samsung

Android Pay Arrives in Apps for Speedy Checkouts

Kellen — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:40:44 +0000

Android Pay isn't just an NFC, tap-and-pay tool, kids. Starting today, Google says that you will start to see Android Pay buttons within your favorite apps, so that you can quickly checkout or buy goods or other items without having to pull out your credit card. All you will need to do is tap the Android Pay button, confirm your info, and then be on your way. To see how the buttons could look in an app, check out the image at the top of this post where you'll see the option in Lyft and a couple of other apps. To kick off today's in-app launch, some of the first adopters are offering special deals. For example, Lyft will give you $10 off if you pay with Android Pay. OpenTable is slashing $20 off dining, plus DoorDash is giving you a $10 discount. There are others participating or at least who have Android Pay buttons included, all of which you can see here. On a related note for the international crew in the building, Google announced that Android Pay will come to Australia in the first half of 2016. Android Pay goes international!

Via: Android Blog

Google Now on Tap Gets Quick Flight and Order Tracking, Related Articles, and More Languages

Kellen — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:37:44 +0000

Over the coming days, you will start to see new features in Google Now on Tap that make the tool more useful in the moment than ever, well, assuming you deal with flights or package tracking on a regular basis. In a way, this is Google taking you out of the old Google Now panel and allowing you to do some of that magic in the now. And maybe that's the way this will all play out or is the way Google envisioned it. This morning, Google announced that you will soon be able to launch Now on Tap (press and hold your home button in Marshmallow) when looking at a text message with flight info that a friend sent over. That Now on Tap initiation will provide you with in-the-moment flight information, so you can then get back to your text message about when you'll pick that friend up. Another new feature is package tracking while you have a confirmation email within view. Launching Now on Tap here will give you the latest on the package's status, again, without having to leave your current screen.

Outside of those new tools, Google is also adding related articles to Now on Tap screens, so that if you need to read additional information on a story you are currently reading, you'll get suggestions. And finally, Google is adding language support for French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Korean. Google didn't say that an app update is rolling out, only that you should "start seeing all these features over the coming days." It sounds like Now on Tap is capable of doing all of this stuff now, you just need Google to flip the switch behind-the-scenes. Let us know if you see it! Would love to see what these new screens look like for flight and package tracking.

Via: Inside Search

Nexus 6 Update to Android 6.0.1 Rolling Out, OTA Files Here!

Kellen — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 16:41:50 +0000

UPDATE: Nexus 6 OTAs for Android 6.0.1 have started. We've got files below.

With Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow official and ready for your device in the form of a factory image, it only makes sense that we would start to see the over-the-air (OTA) .zip files arriving as well. We have begun to capture many below and will continue to update this post regularly until we have them all. You may just want to bookmark this post. As a recap, we have two Android 6.0.1 builds at this time as MMB29K and MMB29M. The updates feature December security fixes, but also introduce a whole bunch of new emoji, along with a new font to Android at a system level. Other than that, there isn't much else that is new. Still, because we have security fixes here, you'll want to update as soon as possible. The files and instructions on what to do with them can be found below.

Download Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OTA updates:

Nexus 5 - [MMB29K from MRA58N, 96.3MB] - Download Link (Cheers Daniel!)
Nexus 5X - [MMB29K from MDB08L, 76.5MB] - Download Link
Nexus 5X - [MMB29K from MDB08M, 76.0MB]- Download Link
Nexus 6 - [MMB29K from MRA58X, 189MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 6 - [MMB29K from MRA58N, 187MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 - [MMB29K from MRA58R, 188MB] - Download Link (Cheers Eric!)
Nexus 6P - [MMB29M from MDB08L, 75.5MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6P - [MMB29M from MDB08M, 74.4MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi - [MMB29K from MRA58V, 66.2MB] - Download Link (Cheers Willy!)
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [MMB29K from MRA58V, 64.9MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [MMB29K from LMY48X, 343MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 WiFi - [MMB29K from MRA58N, 169MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 LTE - [MMB29K from MRA58N, 168MB] - Download Link
Nexus Player - [MMB29M from MRA58N, 63.4MB] - Download Link

Big thanks to the guys at Droidsec.org who were ultra-quick in capturing many of these. *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.

Sign Up to Test the Official reddit Android Beta App

Tim — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 16:30:42 +0000

An official reddit app for Android users is on the way, but first, this app needs testers to make sure everything is in working order. reddit is taking sign-ups to participate in the beta, possibly allowing a few of you to try out the app before it is made available on Google Play. Signing up is easy enough - you will be asked questions about your reddit usage, where you use reddit, how often you vote on reddit, and a few other things. All seem pretty standard to be entered into a beta. At this time, the reddit team does not have a concrete launch date, but with a beta in the works, it must be close. I would say it's about time we got ourselves an official reddit app. You can sign yourself up by following the link below. Sign-up Here

Via: reddit

DEAL: $29.99 Zus Car Charger Charges and Helps You Find Your Car

Kellen — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:31:16 +0000

Over on the DL Deals store, you'll find the Zus Car Charger, which is a device that brings a bit of class and smarts to your car charging and parking experience. At just $29.99 ($4 cheaper than Amazon), the Zus Car Charger not only charges devices faster (4.8A) than most car chargers, it doubles as a car finder, should you need assistance in locating your parked car. The Zus Car Charger was designed and made in Germany, and it shows by giving off quite the premium impression over your typical $10 cheap-o car charger. It charges up to two devices at a time, has lighting to help you easily locate it in the dark, and connects to your phone via Bluetooth LE to help with location via app. It's available for 3 more days, so don't hesitate. Learn more below. Deal Link Here is a list of features:

Utilizes low-energy Bluetooth
Navigates you right to your car w/ the easy-to-use app interface
Continues to work when it’s plugged into the socket w/ or without the ignition on
Provides durability w/ military grade titanium coating
Features top-quality lighting for visibility in dark environments
Charges 2x normal charging speeds
Doesn’t require any data plan
Works in high temperatures w/ built-in cooling system
Designed in Germany & made with German materials

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Google Play Music Update Brings Thumbs Up and Down to Notification

Tim — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:23:58 +0000

An update to Google Play Music brings big news for those here who enjoy thumbing up and down tracks, which allows users to create quick and easy playlists of only music they enjoy. Before this update, you could thumb up tracks on the player itself, but now, icons for thumbing up and down tracks appear in the Play Music notification itself, granting even easier access to the feature. Once you have established a solid list of thumbs up tracks, check out your "Thumbs up" playlist under the My Library section of the Play Music app. Go rock out. Play Link

Report: Nexus 6P Coming to Best Buy, Gold Model to be Made Available in US

Tim — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 11:47:56 +0000

According to sources of 9 to 5 Google, Google will begin to sell the Nexus 6P through Best Buy sometime in the very near future, but more interestingly, the same folks "familiar with the matter," claim that Google will also begin to sell the Nexus 6P Special Edition (gold model) to residents of the US, ending the exclusivity period for Japan it currently sits at. As of right now, Best Buy sells the Nexus 5X, and as we have seen a few times before, Best Buy tends to offer exclusive models (colors) of phones. Yet to be confirmed by Google or Best Buy, it is possible we see the Special Edition of the Nexus 6P sold exclusively through Best Buy, maybe making an appearance on the Google Store later down the road. It is speculated that Huawei will announce this new availability during its press event at CES on Tuesday, January 5. Speaking of the Nexus 6P Special Edition on the Google Store, many folks pointed us towards Google's online shop, where Google does list the device. However, it is not available for purchase at this time. It is a good sign to at least see a listing for it, though. If the Nexus 6P Special Edition does hit our shores, will you be picking one up?

Via: 9 to 5 Google

Verizon Employees are Already Getting Marshmallow on the DROID Turbo 2

Kellen — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 10:39:49 +0000

You know how we first caught wind of a soak test on the horizon last week for the DROID Turbo 2 and wondered if it wasn't Marshmallow? It may very well be. Owners of the DROID Turbo 2 Employee Edition (read: Verizon employees) started receiving a new the update over the week that weighs in as Android 6.0, software version 24.11.13. Yep, that's Marshmallow alright. So what's new? Probably all of the same as the goodies in the update for the Moto X Pure Edition that started rolling out last week. And in reality, that just means you get what Google introduced in Marshmallow a couple of months ago, along with Moto's suite of apps, which no longer includes Assist. You get Doze, which might be the most underrated new Android feature in years. With Doze, your phone can sit idle for days and not die, as it simmers down and consumes little energy when not in use. As an example, just look at this screenshot from my Moto X Pure that I took a couple of days after it sat idle post-6.0 update. Pretty awesome, right? You also get direct sharing with nearby folks who are on Marshmallow, better volume controls, easier word selection (cut, copy, paste, etc.), and almost everything else listed in this screenshot. Let us know, non-Verizon employee Turbo 2 owners, if you see the update this week.

Cheers J and P!

Share Your Holiday Travel Plans and Memories Through Inbox, Thanks to Update (Updated)

Tim — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:14:00 +0000

With an update rolling out to Inbox, you will easily be able to share holiday itineraries with loved ones, then share the memories you make together after everyone goes home. When you have emails and calendar events regarding trip plans (flight info, car rentals, etc), Inbox recognizes this, bundling all of the info into a single itinerary. With the update, these plans can be shared with anyone you choose, allowing them to track your status right alongside you. These bundles can be moved offline and stored directly on your smartphone or tablet, meaning you won't need to worry about spotty WiFi on your flight to see what leg of the trip is up next. Once the holiday cheer has been spread appropriately, it is time to go home. Undoubtedly, you may have taken photos during your trip, and the update to Inbox allows you to look through and attach multiple photos to a single email. From within the draft, you can view thumbnails for quicker adding of holiday photos, cutting down on the time it takes to get your mother those photos of the grandkids she is desperate for. The update is rolling out to Google Play right now. Update: Below is the .apk for version 1.16 that includes the ability to add emails manually to Trips. The other stuff, quick photo adds and Trips sharing seems to be a server-side thing, as I have it on one phone and not the other. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Via: Gmail Blog

Buy a Galaxy S6 on AT&T, Get a Second Free With Start of New Line

Tim — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:49:16 +0000

From now until year's end, if you purchase a Galaxy S6 through AT&T using the Next program, and start a second line, AT&T will gift you a second Galaxy S6 for free. The free phone will come via monthly bill credits that will cover the amount of the second device. AT&T website states that this deal is also open to other select devices, but currently, they are not listing which phones are available for the promotion. In addition, when looking through the fine print of the promo, AT&T states that the buyer will need to pay three months of payments for the second phone until the monthly Next credits will kick in. That will cost about $65 for three months of payments. If you planned on getting yourself and a loved one new phones for the holidays, click the link below. AT&T Link

Report: Samsung Galaxy S7 to Feature Pressure-Sensitive Display, Type-C Port, SD Card Slot

Kellen — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:31:25 +0000

The Wall Street Journal thinks they have the inside scoop on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S7 and its brother, the Galaxy S7 Edge. If a report published this morning turns out to be the real deal, then it sounds like we are in for a set of improvements that should remove many of the criticisms of this year's flagships. According to the WSJ, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge will jump on Apple's newly created pressure-sensitive display trend. Apple calls it 3D Touch, so I'm sure Samsung will come up with something clever to give it branding, but the basics will likely be the same as they are with Apple's implementation. By pressing or tapping with different amounts of pressure, you could access hidden menus, see media in a different light, etc. Users who have managed to figure it out on the new iPhones seem to enjoy it, so it could be a welcome new addition to TouchWiz. As for the rest of the phone, today's report says that we should expect a USB Type-C port in each phone that will provide a full charge in "under" 30 minutes. Hopefully that means they are introducing faster charging and not a smaller battery. The WSJ also says that we should get a microSD card slot once again in the regular S7, new camera (probably this one) that will be sans protruding lens and instead lay flush with the phone's back, and overall, a similar design to what we saw last year. Think of it like this year's iPhones which were "S" models and mostly just internal improvements over the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. These new phones could just be a set of feature improvements over the S6 and S6 Edge with very similar overall hardware designs. We may see a retina scanner in some models as well, though the WSJ doesn't seem too confident in this feature. A retina scanner could be used for security purposes or other areas that we currently use fingerprints for verification. If I'm being honest, that seems like an expensive add-on that people may be reluctant to use. As for timing of a launch, even though previous rumors all continue to point at a really early unveiling of some time in late January or early February, this report suggests that we won't see the new devices until Samsung's typical Galaxy S launch, which usually ends up around Mobile World Congress, an end of February tech event. The phones could then arrive within a matter of weeks to ride the hype train. Thoughts?

Via: Wall Street Journal

DEAL: Buy Chromecast Get $20 Google Play Credit, Plus Buy 2 for $55 (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 07:41:01 +0000

Google has made it cheaper than ever to buy the new Chromecast and Chromecast Audio, but they are also sweetening the deal by tossing in Google Play credit to the tune of $20. So here is the deal. If you buy two Chromecast devices (that could be a mix of one Chromecast and one Chromecast Audio if you want), the bundle will cost you $55. That's a good $15 savings off the top. Should you choose for the regular Chromecast (not the Audio), Google will also hand you a $20 Google Play gift card for each device. So you could buy two Chromecasts for $55, save $15 there, but then also see an extra ~~$40~~ $20 in Google Play credits from Google to spend as you please. The $55 deal for two ends December 26. The $20 Google Play credits deal ends January 2. EDIT: As some users have noted, it shouldn't really matter where you buy your Chromecast from, you could still get all of these offers. I do not think that Google will withhold offers if say, you bought a Chromecast from Best Buy. I'll have to refer you to the comments for confirmation on that. With that in mind, Best Buy is currently selling them for $5 off, or $30. EDIT 2: We originally thought you could buy two Chromecasts and get $20 for each device, but Google says you are limited to "one per Google Payment account." Full terms here. Google Store Links: Chromecast | Chromecast Audio UPDATE: Google just dropped the individual price of each to $30.

DEAL: These Tronsmart 2-Port and 3-Port QC 2.0 Chargers are Under $10

Kellen — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 07:47:52 +0000

Still hunting for last minute stocking stuffers? Here are a couple of options. The guys at Tronsmart sent over a couple of coupon codes they currently have running on a couple of their Quick Charge 2.0 chargers. One is a 2-port QC 2.0 car charger (both ports have QC 2.0) for $7.99 after coupon code. The other is a 3-port QC 2.0 wall charger for $9.49 after coupon code. Still not familiar with Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology? Check out this video to see just how fast it is. To claim the savings, for the 2-port car charger, enter code DUALPORT. For the 3-port, enter H4FI68HV. Amazon Links: 2-port Car Charger ($7.99) | 3-port Charger ($9.49)

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: December 11, 2015

Tim — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:30:31 +0000

This week in the world of Android news, the Pixel C made its public debut through the Google Store, with our review currently in the works. We did more reflecting, giving five reasons to purchase both the Nexus 5X and Moto X Pure Edition, just in case you have yet to upgrade your phone to something from 2015. HTC gave us a timeframe for its launch of the Vive, TAG says its Android Wear smartwatch is selling very well, and Google launched its long-awaited Family Plans for Google Play Music. Be sure to catch up on this week's news before Monday rolls around.

Video: Pixel C unboxing and tour.
5 Reasons: To buy the Nexus 5X.
5 Reasons: To buy the Moto X Pure Edition.
Specs: Pixel C.
Here's how you sign up for Play Music family plans.
HTC plans to launch Vive next year in April.
Instagram introduced a "peek" feature, then pulled it.
Android 6.0.1 factory images available for Nexus devices.
Dropbox is shutting down Mailbox.
TAG Heuer Connected selling quite well.
Fossil Q Founder smartwatch available for purchase on Google Play.
Samsung Gear S2 won't support Samsung Pay until next year.
You can purchase Nova Launcher Prime for just $1 right now.
LA and Chicago being explored for Google Fiber.
Verizon has exclusive Star Wars Turbo 2 devices.
DROID Turbo 2 receiving soak test update, could it be Marshmallow?
Google shutting down Chrome to Phone app next year.
Google's Now on Tap gained a very cool feature.

Have a great weekend, folks!

OneDrive Promo Allows Users to Keep Their 15GB of Storage if They Want It

Tim — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:05:49 +0000

Last month, Microsoft announced that it would lower the amount of storage free users were receiving on OneDrive, bringing them down from 15GB, to just 5GB. Naturally, people were pissed, taking to the forums and calling Microsoft out for the move. Now, Microsoft has announced a new promo for those who intend on fighting for their 15GB of free storage. With changes to the amount of allotted storage set to take place next year, Microsoft is allowing anyone who wants to keep the 15GB of storage to opt-in to a promo, entitling them to keep the 15GB. In addition, if users had the Camera Roll Bonus, which is another 15GB of storage, they get to keep that, too. However, you must opt-in before the end of January, 2016. Over on the OneDrive forums, Microsoft's Douglas Pearce apologized for the company's initial move. "We are all genuinely sorry for the frustration this decision has caused and for the way it was communicated," Douglas wrote. In order to take advantage, follow the below link and opt-in to keep your storage. Keep Your Storage

Via: Microsoft | Business Insider

Cheers Michael!

DEAL: This Quick Charge 3.0 Adapter 2-Pack is Just $29.99

Kellen — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:55:15 +0000

Back in September, Qualcomm announced Quick Charge 3.0, the next evolution of quick charging, which could grab your phone up to 80% charge in just 35 minutes of time. It's also backwards compatible, so even if you don't have a phone that can take advantage at this time (and trust me, no one does outside of One A9 owners who are waiting for an update to enable it), you can still use a QC 3.0 charger to charge your QC 2.0-ready phones at a rapid pace (more info). If you want to begin future-proofing your charging world, since most phones next year will likely be QC 3.0-ready, we have a deal to help. At the DL Deals store, you can grab a pair of Limefuel Quick Charge 3.0 wall adapters for just $29.99. That's a pretty solid deal, since most QC 3.0. adapters are individually selling from $16 to $30 at this time. With this pack, you are getting two at an average of $15 per. Deal Link

Friday App Sales: Metal Slug Series, Slender Man Origins, Nova Launcher Prime, More

Tim — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 10:52:55 +0000

Looking for something to do this weekend? Don't plan on waiting in line for the newest pair of Jordan kicks? Well, there is a large list of apps and games currently on sale from Google Play, including a major deal you can't afford to miss out on. As we wrote up recently, Nova Launcher Prime can be purchased for just $0.99, down from its usual price of $4.99. That's a steal. In addition, you can pick up the Metal Slug lineup at a discounted price, Dokuro for just $1, and MailDroid Pro email client for $10. Whether you want games, a new live wallpaper, a flight status tracker, or even a NFC retagging app, it's available on sale right now. Take a look at the full list below. Friday App Sales

Scotland Yard ($0.99)
Nova Launcher Prime ($0.99)
Airline Flight Status Tracker ($2.98)
MailDroid Pro ($9.99)
Dokuro ($0.99)
Learn French with MonaLingua ($0.99)
1849 ($2.99)
Slender Man Origins 1 ($0.99)
Secret Files Tunguska ($3.49)
NFC ReTag PRO ($0.99)
C Locker Pro ($0.99)
Paris Winter LWP ($1.05)
Merchants of Kaidan ($0.99)
Violett ($0.99)
Sparkle 3 Genesis ($0.99)
Sparkle 2 Evo ($0.99)
Iesabel ($0.99)
Samurai Shodown II ($1.49)
Metal Slug X ($1.49)
Metal Slug 3 ($1.49)
Metal Slug 2 ($1.49)
Metal Slug ($1.49)
The King of Fighters-A 2012 ($1.49)
Fatal Fury Special ($1.99)
The King of Fighters '98 ($1.49)
Garou: Mark of the Wolves ($1.99)
The King of Fighters '97 ($1.49)

Go out and support those developers!

FREE: Star Wars Google Cardboard Available for Free on Google Store!

Kellen — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 10:44:15 +0000

Remember those Star Wars themed Google Cardboard units that Verizon was handing out the other day at select stores? They are now available on the Google Store, for free! As of now, with all in-stock, you can choose from BB-8, First Order Stormtrooper, Kylo Ren, and R2-D2. You are limited to one, so choose wisely. GO. GO. GO. Google Store Link UPDATE: Sold out.

Google Shares 7 Things to Try with Voice Search On Mobile

Eric — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 08:33:10 +0000

Most of our readers here have been with us long enough to know that Google Search on mobile wasn't always as useful as it is now. There was a time when Android fans were clamoring for the ability to say "Ok Google, Turn on WiFi." Well, did you know we can finally do that now? Over at the Official Google Search Blog, the team detailed a few tips and tricks that the Search app on your phone can take care of with just a few spoken words. In addition to the "Turn on WiFi" command, the Search app can turn volume up or down, turn on Bluetooth mode or switch to airplane mode if you've had enough of it all.

A few things on the list are commands that I'm sure most of you have tried by this point, including searching for YouTube videos by voice, or finding cooking recipes just by asking. However, the Search app has the ability to respond to "Find me a nonstop flight from LA to Austin." And after you get over the shock of the price of those flights around the holiday season, you can ask follow-up questions that specify business or economy, or certain cities you want to connect through. Pretty nifty right?

And if you're feeling lucky, you can always trust Google to find the right music for when you're sitting in front of a warm fire. Play Music's recent integration with Songza made it easy to ask for playlists surrounding a mood. Just ask for "Holiday Music" and let the app go to work. To see the full list of suggestions from the Googlers that built the app, head to their blog.

Via: Google

Google App Update Introduces Quick Screen Sharing Feature to Now on Tap

Kellen — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 07:53:25 +0000

Ever wanted to quickly snap a screenshot of something and then share with a friend, only you don't have the fingers necessary to do Android's simultaneous press of Power+Volume Down? Or maybe you just don't want to do that action, then go find the notification for it or screenshot taken before sharing? An update to the Google app (might be the beta as v5.7.13.19) that started rolling out last night adds a new feature to Now on Tap that will make this all easier. In the update, we are seeing a new share button when Now on Tap is activated, in the bottom left corner, that takes screenshots and then lets you quickly share them! I know, I know, this doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but it is actually pretty handy. From any screen, even if Now on Tap doesn't find anything, you can hit the share button and send your screen, sans status and navigation bars. It also doesn't save the image to your phone, gobbling up unnecessary space. This is how it looks/works:

And this is what your screenshots look like:

Pretty sweet, right? Update to the latest version of the Google App to get it (or join the beta program). Of course, you'll need to be on Marshmallow too. (Edit: Could also be a server side switch, for those not seeing it.) Play Link | Download Link (apk, arm64)

Cheers +Nick M!

DEAL: Buy Select Google Play Movies, Gift One to Someone for Free

Eric — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 07:21:12 +0000

We're getting closer and closer to the holidays and gift-giving fever is just around the corner. In the spirit of the season, Google's latest act of giving is to let you gift a free Play Movie for a friend when you buy one for yourself. The deal is live now over at Google's Play Movie landing page. Just sign in to your Google account and pick the movie that you want to buy. Once purchased, you will receive an email with a code for that same movie in your email within 48 hours for you to share with someone. The list of movies is sparse, but there are a few gems being offered:

Jurassic Park
Love Actually
Despicable Me
Despicable Me 2
Pitch Perfect
Back to the Future
Fast and Furious 6
E.T.

Google will keep handing out these deals until December 17. The only requirement, other than being a US resident, is that these must be purchased, not rented. But hey, you're getting two copies of the movie for the price of one. Holiday savings! Play Movies Buy One, Gift One

Cheers Marco!

5 Reasons the Nexus 5X is Worth Buying

Kellen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 16:11:59 +0000

As we continue giving you 5 easy-to-digest reasons to buy this year's top phones, we set our sights next on Google's littler Nexus, the Nexus 5X. After reading my review, you may be a bit surprised to see this phone featured, but I have high hopes for the other Nexus because after all, it is a Nexus. All of my gripes tended to stem from software frustrations, almost all of which should be fixable. And yep, with a Nexus, you get timely updates that may have already addressed our issues. With that in mind, here are 5 reasons the Nexus 5X is worth buying.

1. It's a Nexus.

Funny how after all these years, being a "Nexus" is still so important. Because most of the Android manufacturers, many of which who have been making Android phones for 6+ years, still can't get software updates right or mess up the whole experience with garbage skins on top of Android, the Nexus line remains our favorite. With the Nexus 5X, just like with the Nexus 6P, you get Google's vision for a mobile operating system. You also get updates to Android faster than anyone. Those two things are incredibly important for a number of reasons. On one hand, Google's vision for Android has matured nicely over the past few years. Not only does it look incredible and adhere to the latest Material Design standards, but it's also evolving into a powerhouse, with speed and features baked in that were once only in certain skins or 3rd party apps. Second, those timely updates mean you have the latest security patches and the latest features before anyone else. Again, we're well over six years into this Android world and only Google has been able to continue to get this all right. They are doing that with Nexus.

2. That camera is solid.

For the first time in Nexus history, Google has introduced pretty incredible cameras. With the Nexus 5X, you get the exact same high-end camera that is in the 6P, only without the higher price tag. Well, it is missing a higher framerate in slow-mo videos and burst shooting, but the sensor is identical, as are the results. You can see a full camera write-up in our Nexus 5X review, but the basics are this. The quality of the imagery, especially when the camera decides to go into HDR mode, are quite impressive. It's solid in low light, but certainly excels in macro and well-lit situations. If you needed a gripe, I'd say it's in the speed of the camera app loading, though once it loads, that slowness doesn't seem to be as much of an issue.

3. Small phones live!

As a member of Team Non-Whale Phone, I can't help but love the size of the Nexus 5X. It's similar in size to the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, which to me, are perfectly sized. This phone can be handled with a single hand without an issue, but it's also big enough should you decide to get into a video or media moment. Google also used lighter materials (Read: plastics) throughout and covered the back in a soft matte finish to make it less slippery. This phone is a joy to hold and navigate.

4. Talk about affordable punch.

The Nexus 5X debuted at $379 (16GB) and $429 (32GB), putting it comfortably in the "affordable" phone category. It's not the cheapest dude on the block, but it's guaranteed to be on a shortlist of phones if you only have upwards of $400 to spend. At that price, you get a 5.2-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage, 12.3MP camera, 2700mAh battery, and an awesome fingerprint reader. There are some other options (like the Moto X Pure Edition) that have slightly better specs and a similar price, but they aren't Nexus phones. Also, Google has already run a couple of holiday-related deals where you could get the 16GB model for as low as $299. Don't be surprised if you see those regularly over the next year. Paying full price for a Nexus 5X may be a rarity.

5. Fingerprint reader game is tight.

The fingerprint readers in the Nexus 5X and 6P are the best in the business, if you ask me. Not only are they insanely fast, but they have some other tricks up their sleeves as well. For one, you can train them in 6 touches. Six! Samsung, Apple, LG, Sony, and OnePlus all ask for at least double that, if not triple, in order to learn your fingerprint. Outside of training, they allow you to unlock your phone without ever pressing a button, since the readers are touch sensitive, sort of in a capacitive way. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned their location, which is the best implementation of any. Google placed these on the back, right where your index fingers sits each time you pick up your phone. It's the natural spot that requires no extra movement or work, something that can't be said for home button placements. But maybe more importantly than all of that, they are also extremely accurate and rarely mis-read your finger. There you have it, the 5 reasons you should consider buying the Nexus 5X.

You can buy the Nexus 5X at places like Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store.

Deal: Juice Up Your Tech With a Limefuel Blast 20000mAh Battery Pack for $37

Tim — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:58:09 +0000

Instead of hanging out by the wall outlet, maybe you should invest in a handy battery pack? On the DL Deals Store, you can purchase a Limefuel Blast 20,000mAh Battery Pack for just $37, down from its usual price of $50. This battery pack allows owners to charge up to four devices at once, all coming with their own LED indicator lights. Thanks to 2A input, charging times should be decreased, meaning less time charging, and more time using your phone as you normally would. And with "premium" aluminum casing, this battery pack should be able to handle drops and mishandles with ease. Check the full feature list below. Features

Charges up to four devices simultaneously w/ quad output & 20000mAh battery
Shortens battery charging time significantly w/ 2A input
Employs pass-through charging
Indicates level of charge w/ 4 LED lights
Preserves battery charge w/ auto shutoff
Includes anti-overcharge protection+
Designed w/ premium aluminum casing

Deal Link

Google Posts First Pixel C "ryu" Factory Images

Kellen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:39:08 +0000

Now that the Pixel C, Google's high-end non-Nexus tablet, is available, we were wondering how exactly the search giant would handle updates for it. Would they arrive similarly to the Nexus line, which means factory images accompany over-the-air files? To answer one part of that question - yes, we are getting factory images. This afternoon, Google posted the first two factory images for the Pixel C in the form of Android 6.0.1 files for builds MXB48J and MXB48K. You'll notice on the factory image page that the device is referred to as both "ryu" and "dragon." Codenames, folks, codenames! If you own the Pixel C and need factory images, they are there for the taking. Binaries too. Factory Image Link [Binaries]

Dead Zebra Details the Android Holiday "Bingle Bear" Collectible

Tim — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 14:50:11 +0000

Dead Zebra, the producer of the Android mini collectibles, announced its plan for the holiday season this year, and that plan is Bingle Bear. Bingle Bear is a red, elf-like bear creature of sorts, who appears to be an employee or possible owner of the Bingle Workshop. The mythology behind this creature is currently unclear, but he's here to spread holiday cheer and that is all that matters right now. As you can see, Binglee Bear features an adorable little elf outfit, complete with wrapped Christmas present. He has a little hat, cute red and white stockings, and a big fancy belt buckle. Bingle Bear will be up for sale on the Dead Zebra Shop starting the morning of December 10th at 11am EST, with shipping starting on Monday the 14th. Grabbing one of these cute little guys?

Via: Dead Zebra

Split Screen UI "In the Works," Likely to Debut on Android N

Tim — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:58:40 +0000

During a recent AMA of sorts on reddit, a member of the Pixel C team was fielding questions from the Android community. When asked about Android's ability to run a split screen UI, where a user can have two apps running simultaneously, the Googler mentioned something quite interesting. According to Andrew of the team, Google is already working hard on features for Android "N." He states that split screen functionality is "in the works," which means that it might be likely we see the feature debut alongside Google's next version of Android. As for mentioning other features we might see included in the release of Android N, Andrew says Google does not want to spoil any surprises. When should we expect Android N? Good question. Usually, Google tends to release a new version of Android each year, except for one time where they gave us two servings of Jelly Bean. It's possible Google will showcase what's next for Android at 2016's Google I/O in San Francisco, with a release later in the year like we saw this year with Marshmallow and last year with Lollipop. For those in need of split screen action right now, you can tweak your OS via editing the build.prop to enable it, but do note that this feature is incredibly buggy and hidden for a very good reason.

Via: reddit | Pocket Now

Google Wallet Now Lets You Send Money Through a Phone Number

Kellen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:50:13 +0000

Google Wallet, the former Google payment app that is now some sort of hybrid friend-to-friend payment service, added a new feature today that should make sending money to others easier than ever. Through an update to the app that should arrive over the "next few days," you will be able to send money to anyone in your contact list, as long as they have a phone number. That's right, you don't even need to have an email for them. How does that work? When you send someone money through Google Wallet via phone number, Google will send them a text message with a secure link. By opening that secure link, they can quickly enter their debit card info to claim the money, which should then arrive "within minutes." Cool? Anyone using Google Wallet these days?

Via: Google Commerce

DROID Turbo 2 Soak Test Incoming, Any Chance It's Marshmallow?

Kellen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 11:51:19 +0000

Late this morning, Motorola began inviting owners of the DROID Turbo 2 to a soak test of an "early preview of a new software release." Those are the only details at this time, but with the Moto X Pure Edition getting its Marshmallow update this week, you have to wonder if this isn't a sign that the Turbo 2 is right behind it. Then again, this could just be an update to include WiFi Calling, which was introduced to the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge earlier this week as well. Maybe I'm just being hopeful after last year's disastrous update schedule for the original Turbo to Lollipop, but it seems like it would be a good idea for Motorola and Verizon to prioritize this new flagship. In the end, if these two can't even do things in a timely manner for their in-house Android flagship that is often promoted above all others, what's the point in even producing one? As we learn more, we'll be sure to let you know. Cheers M and M!

DROID Turbo 2 Gets Special Star Wars Custom Options in Moto Maker Tomorrow (Updated: Pictures)

Kellen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:40:08 +0000

UPDATE 12/10: Verizon, this morning, told us that starting tomorrow, December 11, fans can create special Turbo 2 Star Wars edition phones using Moto Maker. Options will include "custom color palates, and backs based on the Poe Dameron, Rey, BB-8, a First Order Storm Trooper, and Kylo Ren characters." Verizon will also launch an app to Google Play with exclusive wallpapers. UPDATE: We now have pictures of the Star Wars editions below.

With Star Wars: The Force Awakens opening in days, it only makes sense that Verizon and Motorola would use their DROID licensing to its full potential. In the coming days, Verizon and Moto will launch DROID Turbo 2 "Star Wars Editions"with 5 Verizon-exclusive wallpapers. According to info being sent to Verizon reps, additional information on how Turbo 2 owners can get these 5 wallpapers will arrive "soon," more than likely through the @DroidLanding Twitter account. At this time, we aren't sure if they will all be made available to current Turbo 2 owners or if this will only be a special option through new orders in Moto Maker. The image below makes it sounds like this could be a Moto Maker deal, though wallpapers aren't currently a part of the Turbo 2's customization experience. We'll update this as we have more, but for now, be on the lookout for @DroidLanding to go active again.

Samsung Pay Makes Purchasing and Managing Gift Cards Easy

Tim — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:19:08 +0000

Starting today, users of Samsung Pay can purchase, manage, and use gift cards from more than 50 major US retailers. From within the application, users can browse through available retailers like Nike, GameStop, and Toys R Us, purchasing gift cards for each one as they see fit. Not only can you purchase these digital gift cards for yourself, but you can also purchase them for friends and family. And if you already have gift cards sitting at home from one of the supported retailers, you can also load those into Samsung Pay for easy management. After you purchase the gift cards through the Samsung Pay app, you can utilize them in-store at the retailer, simply by tapping your supported Samsung device up to the terminal as you normally would with Samsung Pay. The full list of supported merchants can be viewed here. Samsung states that over the coming months, additional retailers will be added the gift card lineup.

Via: Samsung

Chromecast Audio Gets Multi-Room Streaming, High-Res Audio Support

Kellen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 09:40:07 +0000

Chromecast Audio, Google's dongle that turns a speaker into a WiFi-ready tune shed, is receiving a big update this week with two major features. Actually, the update should start arriving today with hi-res audio support and the ability to play music to multiple rooms in a house, assuming they all have Chromecast Audio devices in them. With hi-res audio, Google is hoping to deliver 96KHz/24bit lossless audio playback, which is technically "higher-than-CD-quality" sound that can be played through your currently-owned speakers. As for the multiple room magic, Chromecast Audio has essentially taken on the Sonos approach to music, where you can play music throughout a home, all controlled from a single phone. If you have multiple Chromecast Audios, you can group them together to play the same music at the same time everywhere. This is all controlled from the Chromecast app on your phone, but you can also setup guest access to allow anyone at your house with a phone to become a DJ of sorts. The update should happen in the background, but you'll need to grab the latest Chromecast app to start playing.

Via: Chrome Blog

Fallout Shelter Update Brings Pets, Dweller Evictions, Sell All Inventory Options

Tim — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:52:27 +0000

A major update for Fallout Shelter is rolling out to vault managers through Google Play, bringing with it ways to increase high-yield dweller communities, as well as 4-legged companions, aka pets! For pets, their main purpose will be to increase vault happiness and productivity, which leads to better daily coin bonuses. If your vault is already at max capacity, then get ready for mass exodus, as the update includes the ability to evict any dweller you choose. This will help you breed a race of only the best, most productive vault dwellers. The developers also taught dwellers additional language skills when conversing with members of the opposite sex. Check the full list of changes below. What's New

Vault-Tec research has shown that 4-legged companions can have a profound impact on Vault happiness and productivity. Introducing Pets!
Vault-Tec has received reports of some Dwellers not pulling their weight. Overseers are now authorized to permanently evict these lazy layabouts! Welcome to the Wasteland, slackers…
Bored with the same pickup lines and conversations? Dwellers have finally learned some new ways to impress other dwellers and the opposite sex.
Excessive tapping causing frustration when trying to clear out excess inventory? Overseers will love the new sell all options.
Dweller management improvements and new objectives should help experienced Overseers keep things running smoothly.
Even more Vault-Tec certified improvements and optimizations. Because you can never have enough improvements or optimizations.

The update is live on Google Play, so go grab it! Play Link

Google Photos Update Introduces Shared Albums

Kellen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:33:14 +0000

Every photo service on mobile or web seems to be worried about the same thing when it comes to collaborative efforts. What I mean is that they all assume you host tons of parties or partake in various group activities where you take lots of pictures of those happenings with your friends and family. The problem here lies in the aftermath, where everyone took pictures but no one has an easy way to share them. How do we fix this? Google Photos thinks it has an answer with shared albums arriving in the latest update. With shared albums you get the simple sharing that you have always enjoyed with Google Photos, only in album format that friends and family can join and contribute to. Once an album has been shared with someone, they can add videos and photos to it, but also receive notifications when someone else adds new photos or videos to it. Other contributed photos and videos can be saved to your own library as well. To create and share an album, you simply select the photos you want to make into an album, tap the "share" button, and then choose to create a "New shared album." Send it off to others and hope that they add in their best shots and memories. The update is rolling out today on Android, iOS, and the web. Play Link

Pixel C and Keyboard Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 07:48:01 +0000

Android tablets are not something we talk much about these days, because unfortunately for Android tablets, most aren't really worth talking about. In fact, there aren't many manufacturers even making them anymore, so our job of ignoring them has become pretty easy. But here or there, someone introduces one worth a look. Like, we gave the Galaxy View tablet/TV monitor/wtf-is-that-plastic-stand-thingy a short look because at least it was doing something different. And that's why we are about to take a short journey with Google's new Pixel C tablet. Originally announced back at the Nexus event in September, the Pixel C is now available from Google at a starting price of $499. As the name suggests, this isn't a Nexus. This is a Pixel, which means 100% Google. Google didn't partner with LG or HTC or Motorola to build this thing - they did it all themselves. That's really what the Pixel family is all about, honestly, a line of products with best-in-class specs and materials that are the vision of Google. So yeah, we have one in house and are about to unbox it below before getting to a review. Want first impressions? You'll get those in the clip, but the short version is this. It's an Android tablet. Android tablets don't really offer anything particularly interesting on a software front, because Android has never really evolved into a powerhouse tablet operating system. With this device, Google doesn't seem to have even tried to do anything different as it just runs Android 6.0.1 in a tablet form that we are all used to. With that said, the hardware is quite nice. It's an all-metal design with zero logos. If you didn't know what that multi-colored lightbar was at the top of the back and didn't know Google made this, you probably would wonder who it was from (HTC, maybe?). Combine that beautiful, mysterious hardware with what may be the real selling point, the sold-separately-for-an-arm-and-two-legs keyboard, and you get a productivity combination unlike anything else on Android at the moment that is in tablet form. Let's get to it. Our Pixel C unboxing awaits.

[responsive_vid]

Change to Google Drive Makes Finding Files "Super Easy"

Tim — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 16:16:30 +0000

An update to Google Drive for desktop and mobile users will have you finding your cloud-stored files much more easily. Once the update has rolled out to all, in the search bar, you will have the ability to select from a variety of file types which will act as a filter for you. If you are looking for a specific PDF, search only through "PDFs." If you need a picture from last year, search only through "photos and images." Once these parent categories are chosen, you have an even deeper list of search filters to choose from, which should really help in discovering the files you need more quickly. These additional filters are for "words used," date modified, and many more. Google does not state these changes as an update for any particular app, but will more likely be a server-side change. With that in mind, all users should see these improvements over the next couple of days through their respective platform of choice.

Via: Google Drive

5 Reasons the Moto X Pure Edition is Worth Buying

Tim — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:36:33 +0000

We have been running down the list of top devices from the year of 2015, and we are back again to deliver 5 reasons the Moto X Pure Edition is worth buying. If our official review did not already give you enough reasons, or you just didn't take the time to read it due to length, then this post will provide an easily digestible list of great reasons you should consider purchasing this smartphone. Thanks to a large QHD display, personalization options through Moto Maker, and a very attractive price for an unlocked device that works on any major US carrier, I would say there are not many reasons you shouldn't be considering this phone. Here are 5 reasons the Moto X Pure Edition is worth buying.

1. Motorola <3 stock Android.

The past couple of years, Motorola has been shipping their devices with no OEM skin on top, but instead, are simply adding in software modifications that actually benefit owners. For example, we now have Moto Display, Moto Voice, and gesture actions, all of which I find myself using quite often, especially Moto Display. Before this, Motorola had Motoblur, which may have been arguably one of the worst Android OEM skins ever to ship. It was ugly, slow, and just plain bad. With Motorola embracing Google's stock Android, we have found the update process to be much faster, at least with this phone, which is always a major bonus for Android owners. With the Moto X Pure Edition, we have seen a timely update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with updates rolling out as we speak to those on most US carriers, as well as units purchased from Motorola's website. When OEMs embrace stock Android, but continue to work in beneficial software additions, it's a win-win for everyone.

2. Endless customization options.

On Moto Maker, you can customize this phone to your little heart's content. Not that long ago, phones came sometimes in one color, maybe two. On a few of the newer flagship devices from Samsung and HTC, you can maybe choose between 3 to 5 colors. With Motorola's Moto Maker website, you can choose between not only colors, but materials. For example, if you want genuine Horween leather on your phone, or even a natural option such as Bamboo, you can do that. As consumers who crave for choice and custom designs, Moto Maker is far beyond what anyone else is currently offering buyers in the personalization department.

3. The camera is quite usable.

Unlike Motorola cameras from years back, the Moto X Pure Edition features arguably the best camera sensor Motorola has ever placed into a smartphone. Unlike the Moto X (1st Gen) and Moto X (2nd Gen), which both really needed the perfect set of circumstances to capture a decent shot, the Moto X Pure Edition's 21MP sensor can handle many different environments with ease, including low light. We have gone over the camera's usability in our full review, which I recommend you check out. If you decide to grab a Moto X Pure Edition, don't worry about the camera, it's solid.

4. It's affordable and works anywhere.

The Moto X Pure Edition has a starting price of $399 for a 16GB model, featuring a 5.7" QHD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, 21MP rear-facing camera, and 3,000mAh battery. But again, it's not just internals you need to be factoring here. With Moto Maker, you can change the look of the phone however you see fit, and unless you change the backside to wood, leather, or upgrade the memory, you will still only pay $399. A few of the upgrades available on Moto Maker, such as a bump to 32GB of internal storage, will run you just $50. For example, if you go with the highest storage amount, which is 64GB, plus throw on leather, white champagne accents and framing, your grand total will be $525. That is still one heck of a deal, if you ask me. Once you have your phone, you can then choose whichever carrier you want here in the US. You can use the device on Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, or any other number of prepaid services offered across the country. That's the beauty of purchasing a completely unlocked device that features all of the LTE bands you need.

5. The same Moto build quality you expect.

Ever since we got the first DROID phone years ago, Motorola has not strayed too far from making hardware we can depend on. It's always well built, able to take the regular wear and tear we pound into phones. And regardless of who owns the company, we highly doubt this will ever change - it's part of Motorola's DNA. I have been using my Moto X Pure Edition for a solid month+ now, only taking partial breaks due to reviewing other devices. I am not the most careful of people with expensive electronics, and really, this phone has held up considerably well; even with its surprisingly soft leather backside. Even on the more affordable devices, such as the Moto G and Moto E, they are well constructed, always feeling solid in-hand. If you don't want backside glass from Samsung, all-metal construction from HTC, or plastic from LG, Motorola is a great choice. There you have it, 5 reasons why the Moto X Pure Edition is worth buying.

You can buy the Moto X Pure Edition at places like Motorola.com, Amazon, and Best Buy.

How to: Sign-Up for Google Play Music Family Plan

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:18:05 +0000

This morning, during Google's announcement of their new Play Music family plan, they would only offer a launch date of in the "coming days." However, with the press of a button or two, we seem to be able to sign-up today, as long as you have your Play Music Android app handy. This is how we are doing it. To sign-up for a Google Play Music family plan, start by opening your Play Music Android app. Then, jump into Settings and look towards the top where all of your Account information is. If you aren't a current subscriber, then click the "Start free trial" button and proceed to the next screen where you get to choose a plan. If you are a current subscriber, but aren't seeing the option to "Upgrade to family plan," tapping the "Refresh" button seems to make it instantly appear. Once you see it, tap "Upgrade to family plan."

If you are a current subscriber and are upgrading, all you need to do now is follow the prompts to upgrade to the family plan. If you aren't a current subscriber, then on the next screen, you'll likely have to tap the "Other Plans" option when you see the orange screen below. Once you tap that, you should see a "Family" option on a blue screen, along with the individual plan. Tap "Family" and get to signing up!

After choosing the "Family" option, you are then taken through the account setup portion. The first screen tells you that you are the family manager, which means you are in control of the payment method and who belongs in your family. The page after that allows you to invite up to 5 people to join your family, followed by another page that lets you select the members. Once you select members, a "Send" button then sends them an email invitation to join your group. As you can see from the shots below, people don't actually have to be in your immediate family. They just need to be 13 years or older, have a Google account, and live in the same country. They also can't belong to another family on Google Play. More on those specifics here.

Once you send off invitations, you are taken to a payment screen, where you tell Google Play how you plan to pay for your Play Music family plan. After that, feel free to go about enjoying your paid music subscription. If you want, you can manage who is in your family through the settings section of Google Play Music (middle screenshot below). You can also control them from your Google Play account in the My Account tab of the slideout menu, because your family also gets to buy apps, games, movies, and other goodies through Google Play if you specify a family payment method. More on that here.

And that's it! That is how you get signed up today for Google Play Music's family plan.

Google Play Family Groups Arrive for Buying Apps and More With a Family Payment Method (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 13:34:08 +0000

Today's big headline may have been that Google Play Music's family plan would arrive this week, but behind the scenes, another big new feature has arrived in the form of Family groups on Google Play. With a "family" on Google Play, you will have the opportunity to setup a payment method for your family to use to purchase goods, like apps, games, and other offerings on Google Play. I first noticed the new feature when signing up for Google Play Music's family plan. The screenshot at the top of this post showed up, which clearly states that a family on Google Play can "Purchase apps, movies, books, and music on Google Play with a family payment method." And sure enough, if I open Google Play and go into the My Account section, I can see a new section called "My Family," along with a "Change family payment method" option. That's awesome news! Here are some screenshots of this new section in Google Play:

You can see there that you can have a total of six people in a family group, all of which can be maintained within the My Account section of Google Play. From there, you will also see an option to selection that family payment method that everyone can use, which includes a Google Wallet Card. As of now, I was only able to initiate a family when I setup my Play Music family plan, but that could be changing shortly. Also, as we noted earlier, this all appears to only be available to personal Google accounts. I tried to add my Google for Work account to my family and it failed. We've got more coming, including a quick tutorial on how to sign-up for the Google Play Music family plan.

UPDATE: Here are some additional details about how family groups will work, according to Google Play support FAQ. What information your family members see. When you join a family, your family members may see your name, photo, email address, and age group. Because your family manager is responsible for the family payment method, they'll also see all purchases you make using the family payment method. Family manager requirements (person in charge of the family) To set up a family group on Google Play, you must meet all these requirements:

Be 18 or older
Have a valid credit card
Live in one of the countries below
Can't be part of another family group on Google Play

Note: You can only switch family groups once a year. Requirements for joining a family To join a family group, you must meet all these requirements:

Be 13 years or older
Have a Google Account
Live in the same country as the family manager
Can't be part of another family group on Google Play

Note: You can only switch family groups once a year. Purchases you can make using the family payment method You can use the family payment method to purchase content like:

Apps
Books
Movies
Games
TV shows
Magazine issues

FYI: Google for Work Accounts Not Supported in Google Music's Family Plan

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:46:11 +0000

So I just opened up my Google Play Music app and cruised into Settings to try to sign-up for the new family plan, but I can't. Nope, I can't. Because I use a Google for Work or (GApps) account, I am apparently barred from doing so. According to the screenshot above, you have to sign-up using a personal Google account only. That's unfortunate for one major reason. My Google for Work account is the account I basically use for everything, including Google Play Music. I have all of my playlists and my library attached to this account. If I want to use Google's new family plan, I now have to switch over to a personal account and basically start over from zero. That's a whole bunch of years of work I don't really want to get into, again. Ugh. I guess...I'll start getting to work on that personal account...see you in three years.

DROID Turbo 2 Will Get Exclusive Star Wars Wallpapers (Updated: Available Tomorrow)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:37:17 +0000

CONTINUED UPDATE: Verizon also announced the following Star Wars-related promotions, which include ways for you (the fan) to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens over its opening weekend.

Verizon Presents Livestream from Star Wars: The Force Awakens Premiere Red Carpet

On Monday, 12/14, Verizon presents the official livestream from the red carpet at the world premiere of the film and gives its customers an exclusive chance to get their questions answered by the all-star cast.The livestream will be hosted at StarWars.com starting at 8:30 pm ET.

Verizon customers can submit questions for cast members via Twitter using #TheForceAwakens and tagging @Verizon. Our red carpet correspondents will choose select questions and ask them of the stars as they make their way down the carpet.

Verizon Gives Away 12,000+ Opening Weekend Tickets

Verizon customers can enter for a chance to win one of 12,000 opening-weekend tickets to the most anticipated movie of the year by participating in “Theory Wars” at TheoryWars.com. The tongue-in-cheek movie theory generator is a fun way to get in on the action and share theories with their friends on social media.

Create your own Star Wars edition of DROID Turbo 2 by Motorola

Available tomorrow, Verizon will enable fans to create their own DROID Turbo 2 Star Wars edition by using the Moto Maker customization tool —in-store or online. Moto Maker now offers custom color palates and backs based on the Poe Dameron, Rey, BB-8, a First Order Storm Trooper and Kylo Ren characters. To customize the phones even further, Star Wars character wallpaper is available from an exclusive Google Play app.

Here are pictures of the special edition models.

FYI: Chrome to Phone Won't Work After March 31, 2016

Tim — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:00:49 +0000

For those among you still utilizing Google's old Chrome to Phone application, you best find an alternative before March 31, 2016. As stated in the app's description on Google Play, Google is shutting down the service entirely on March 31, laying the aging app to rest once and for all. Most, if not all of Chrome to Phone's features are doable from the Chrome browser already, so this news should not sadden many. Sending directions to your phone is easy enough, as well as syncing tabs from the desktop to your phone's Chrome app. Really, Chrome to Phone should have been removed long ago, but Google might be having a hard time letting go.

Chrome to Phone was launched in 2010 to help bridge your desktop and phone experience by making it easy to send Web links to your phone. Over the years, Google’s core products have evolved to be more integrated across different form factors. As of today, Chrome to Phone is deprecated. The app will continue to work until March 31st 2016 after which it will no longer work.

Until March 31, you can enjoy Chrome to Phone as you have for years, but on that day, it shuts down. RIP, Chrome to Phone.

Play Link

Cheers Matt!

Moto E (2nd Gen) Will Get Marshmallow After All! Just Not in the US...

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:49:34 +0000

Motorola caught a bunch of flack in October after they provided a list of devices that they planned to update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. They pissed people off because the list didn't include the Moto X (2nd gen) on Verizon or AT&T, which was a phone a year old, or the Moto E (2nd gen), an even newer phone. Today, they brought some decent news surrounding the latter, though it still won't please all. In an update to their original blog post about updates, Motorola has added the Moto E (2nd gen) to the list. Unfortunately, Motorola is leaving out the US and China, instead only offering the update to Canada, Latin America, Europe and parts of Asia. Mmmmhmm. So the Moto X (2nd gen) on AT&T and Verizon is still left out, as is the Moto E (2nd gen) in this country. Oh, but the Moto X Force, Turbo 2, and Maxx 2 were added to the list, if that matters.

Via: Motorola

DEAL: Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi Plus Travel Cover for $99

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:00:51 +0000

Look, this may seem like an odd deal to share, since the Nexus 7 (2013) is over two years old, but Google is still supporting it! This is one of the few tablets on the planet that is already running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. That's a big deal, especially knowing you can pick one up for just $99 at Groupon. Groupon is currently selling the device with 16GB of storage in "new" condition. They are also tossing in a travel cover in a variety of colors at no extra cost and providing free shipping. See, that's a deal even on a 2-year old tablet. As a recap, the Nexus 7 (2013) has a 7-inch 1920x1200 display, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, and both front and back cameras. It's still very capable, should you be interested in a tablet without the high price. Groupon Link

New Yorkers, Visit the Nexus Studio Tonight at 5pm

Tim — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:28:33 +0000

Want to party with Google tonight at the Nexus Studio in New York City? Tonight at 5pm EST, the doors will open at 356 W 12th St in New York City, where you can go hands-on with interactive Nexus experiments, drink from the bar, and much more. According to a reader of ours who attended last night, Google had product engineers and managers on-hand to talk shop, there to answer any burning questions you might have. And the best part is, there is no invite required. However, do note, space is limited. So, if you don't have any plans, bring the kids to the Nexus Studio and have a bit of fun.

Via: @googlenexus

Cheers Sean!

AT&T Users With Moto X Pure Edition Now Getting Marshmallow Update Too

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:33:09 +0000

Update: AT&T users of the Moto X Pure Edition are now getting Marshmallow as well, according to an update posted by Motorola's David Schuster this morning.

Big news today from Motorola's David Schuster on Google+, as he announced that the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update should now be rolling out to owners of the Moto X Pure Edition on Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular. Recently, a soak test of Marshmallow was hitting enrolled devices, and with this announcement, we would say that the soak test went well. Owners on Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular should expect to see the update starting today, but if you are not prompted by a notification, don't worry, it will come soon. Marshmallow brings Google's Doze and Google Now on Tap, as well as fixes for many things inside of the Android OS. We have been running the Marshmallow build on the Moto X Pure Edition for a few days now, and so far, it's been great. Are you pumped for your Marshmallow?

Via: +David Schuster

Google Play Music Family Plan Finally Arrives! (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:08:01 +0000

This morning, Google announced that the Google Play Music family plan will be available in the "coming days!" After initially announcing a family plan back at the end of September during the company's Marshmallow and Nexus event, we were starting to wonder if it would actually ever arrive. As was stated a couple of months back, the Google Play Music family plan costs $14.99 per month and allows up to six family members to connect and stream music. When subscribed, all members of the plan get access to Google's 35 million+ song collection, ad-free streaming of radio, and simultaneous playback from multiple users (Finally!). As an added bonus, the family plan also includes access to YouTube Red, which is Google's ad-free YouTube experience. So you get access to Google Play Music and YouTube Red for $14.99 per month as a family of up to six. That's a heck of a deal. Again, the service should arrive on Android in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, France, and Germany shortly. UPDATE: We figured out how to sign-up today!

Via: Android Blog

Cortana Exits Beta, Available for Select Android and Cyanogen OS Powered Devices

Tim — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 08:59:44 +0000

Cortana, the digital assistant made to be the perfect companion for Windows users, has officially exited beta, made available to a number of select iPhone, Android, and Cyanogen OS powered devices. In late August, a public beta was made available of Cortana, and since then, the Cortana team at Microsoft has been consistently adding features and fixing bugs. In this public release, there are new features that include location-based reminders that can be set from any connected device, the ability to have Cortana reply back to missed calls from your Windows PC, plus flight and package tracking right from your phone. Looking through the list of compatible Android smartphones, it's virtually all of them. If you have a phone build in the last two years, it is likely supported. The public release is available right now on Google Play for all of you to play with. Play Link

Via: Windows

DEAL: Nexus 5X is $50 Off Almost Everywhere

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 08:21:29 +0000

If you missed out on the $80 off deal that Google hosted for the Nexus 5X over Cyber Weekend, try not to be too disappointed in yourself, as you still have a chance this week to grab this year's smaller Nexus for a solid $50 off. Both the 16GB and 32GB models have been slashed by $50 in all colors, white, black, and ice. For the 16GB version, you are looking at $329. The 32GB version will drop in at $379, which is the normal retail price of the 16GB model. You can find the Nexus 5X with discounting pricing a variety of retailers, including the ones we linked below. Links: Amazon | Best Buy | B&H Photo | Google Store

Download: Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OTA Updates for Nexus Devices (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 07:31:45 +0000

Download Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OTA updates:

Nexus 5 - [MMB29K from MRA58N, 96.3MB] - Download Link (Cheers Daniel!)
Nexus 5X - [MMB29K from MDB08L, 76.5MB] - Download Link
Nexus 5X - [MMB29K from MDB08M, 76.0MB]- Download Link
Nexus 6 - [MMB29K from MRA58X, 189MB] - Download Link (via)
Nexus 6 - [MMB29K from MRA58N, 187MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6 - [MMB29K from MRA58R, 188MB] - Download Link (Cheers Eric!)
Nexus 6P - [MMB29M from MDB08L, 75.5MB] - Download Link
Nexus 6P - [MMB29M from MDB08M, 74.4MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi - [MMB29K from MRA58V, 66.2MB] - Download Link (Cheers Willy!)
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [MMB29K from MRA58V, 64.9MB] - Download Link
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [MMB29K from LMY48X, 343MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 WiFi - [MMB29K from MRA58N, 169MB] - Download Link
Nexus 9 LTE - [MMB29K from MRA58N, 168MB] - Download Link
Nexus Player - [MMB29M from MRA58N, 63.4MB] - Download Link

Pushbullet Update Gives Remote File Access to Your Devices

Kellen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 07:06:34 +0000

In one of its first major updates since announcing paid Pro accounts, Pushbullet has introduced a pretty big new feature in remote file sharing. With remote file sharing, Pushbullet is giving you file access to any of your devices from any of your devices, as long as they have Pushbullet installed and are connected to the internet. The idea here is pretty straight forward in that you'll have a Remote Files section from within Pushbullet that shows you a list of the devices available to access. All you have to do is tap on one, then start browsing away before making a request on a file to have it sent over to your device in hand. You can do this from anywhere (Ex: phone with you in New York, computer back home in Portland.) in the world, as long as your devices have internet connections. Make sense? The feature is turned off by default, which is good, because we don't want privacy freaks getting tighter anuses than they already have. To enable, at least on Android, you can swipe out the side menu, tap "Remote Files," and then enable. On Windows, you will find a box in Settings that needs to be checked. If you are on a Mac, you are out of luck, as this new feature isn't yet supported. Oh, you were wondering if this is a Pro or free feature? Well, it's both. If you are using a free account, you can request access to a limited number of files per month. If you are a Pro member, there is no limit. An update is available now on Android to enable Remote Files.

Via: Pushbullet

Bye Bye, Nexus 6!

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:12:17 +0000

Google has officially pulled the plug on selling last year's Nexus 6 from Motorola on the Google Store. After a good ride, the device has been sent out to greener pastures, but don't worry, there are plenty of other options available these days. While Google has stopped selling our beloved 6" Shamu, owners won't need to worry about support dying along with it. After all, this is still a relatively new Nexus device we are talking about. Owners should continue to see timely Android updates for at least another solid year and maybe even beyond. If you feel so inclined, you can always find the Nexus 6 on sale through eBay for pretty darn cheap, as well as Amazon ($349). Farewell, Nexus 6! Google Store Link

HTC Vive Set to Launch in April of 2016

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:37:36 +0000

HTC's VR headset, Vive, now has an official launch timeframe - April of 2016. First debuted back in early March, the Vive headset has made its way to select developers and tech shows across the country, mostly impressing anyone who tries it out. Now, HTC is confident they will be ready to deliver a consumer model of Vive by April. According to a post on HTC's official blog, the company will make an additional 7,000 units available to developers early next year, so as to beef up the product's ecosystem. Then, if all goes well, we should see an official consumer launch.

We will be starting the new year by making an additional 7,000 units available to developers, followed by commercial availability in April 2016. We are incredibly excited about the future and look forward to sharing more information as we move forward towards launch.

As you may have seen across the Internet, tech journos can't seem to get enough of Vive. They love it. Why? Vive offers one of the more immersive VR experiences, and hopefully, HTC will be able to deliver that same experience to actual paying consumers next year. Is Vive on your watchlist?

Via: HTC

Marshmallow Update Rolling Out to Moto X Pure Edition on Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular (Updated: AT&T Too!)

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:52:20 +0000

Update: AT&T users of the Moto X Pure Edition are now getting Marshmallow as well, according to an update posted by Motorola's David Schuster this morning.

Via: +David Schuster

Deal: Buy a Innori Virtual Reality Headset for Just $34

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:26:25 +0000

Still have yet to try out VR for your smartphone? Don't worry, we got just the thing for you. On the DL Deals Store, you can pick up an Innori Virtual Realty Headset for only $34, down from its usual price of $50. With the Innori VR headset, setting up your experience is made easy. All you need to do is lock your phone into the headset (any smartphone featuring a display size of 3.5"-5.7” is supported), adjust the straps for a comfortable fit on your head, make sure the lens is adjusted for proper viewing, and then enjoy the ride. You can enjoy all of the great VR content already made available from Google and YouTube, or download plenty of other things to do straight from the web. And for only $34, this will certainly beat out that $5 piece of cardboard you might be using. Features

Adjustable straps maximize comfort & optimize viewing experience
High-quality lens technology keeps images pure & distortion-free
Viewing angles range up to 98-degrees in either direction
Adjustable features allow you to easily adjust distance & size of images

Deal Link

OnHub Makers Program Determined to Make Routers Pretty

Eric — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:32:14 +0000

We all know that to get the best WiFi signals, routers are supposed to be unobstructed in an open area of your house. However, that often means leaving a less-than-attractive box sitting where visitors can see it. OnHub, Google's own WiFi router, announced a new program hoping to change that. Google and OnHub have put out a call to all the crafty makers and designers that use their products to see what they could do to reimagine their new TP-LINK router design. The results are pretty awesome. As seen on OnHub's Makers page, designers turned in everything from a shell made of fur and wood to a knitted wool container. While the more unique designs are likely to stay within the designers' spaces, OnHub has interchangeable shells for the TP-LINK router coming to the Google Store soon. When they go on sale, there will be three separate looks for those looking to add a bit of flair to their homes. And if you are not impressed by anything you have seen thus far, OnHub is giving you a chance to back up your design skills. OnHub is providing CAD schematics and 2D drawings to help get you started if you want to make your own awesome router shell. Just be sure to tag your creation with #OnHubMakers and your creation could be featured on the Makers page. OnHub Makers Link

Via: @Google

Samsung Pay Support for Gear S2 Pushed to 2016

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:53:21 +0000

It was previously believed that Samsung Pay support for the Gear S2 smartwatch would be launched in November, but as you may know, it is now well into December. Thankfully, instead of leaving consumers completely in the dark, Samsung has reached out to a single person on Twitter who asked nicely, declaring that Samsung Pay support for the Gear S2 won't be arriving until 2016. Samsung has released no official announcement regarding the delay of Samsung Pay for the Gear S2, but now that Samsung sent out that tweet, it is now safe to accept the fact that mobile payments won't hit your Gear S2 until next year. The Gear S2, unlike Samsung's latest smartphones, features no MST, which is the technology that differentiates Samsung Pay from other services such as Android Pay and Apple Pay. However, the Gear S2 does feature NFC (which Samsung Pay also utilizes), which will be the technology used to make mobile payments possible on the smartwatch. Interestingly, this delay should not come as too much of a surprise. In early November, it was said that Samsung Pay support would launch in 2016 for what was thought to be another smartwatch device entirely, and not the Gear S2. After that was posted, we reached out to Samsung for clarification, but never received an answer back. For anyone who purchased this smartwatch, hoping they would be doing Christmas shopping from their wrist, this news may come as a downer. Although, looking on the bright side, at least Samsung gave us the 2016 timeline. That's better than no info at all.

Via: SamMobile | @SamsungMobileUS

Android Distribution Updated for December 2015 - Marshmallow Hits 0.5%!

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 11:28:53 +0000

Google updated its Android Distribution numbers today, detailing the updates inside of the Android ecosystem as a whole. For the month of December, while nothing crazy happened, Marshmallow did see a major jump from 0.3% to a solid 0.5%. That's huge. Lollipop also saw a bit of a jump, going from 25.6% to 29.5%. KitKat now sits at 36.6% (from 37.8%), Jelly Bean at 26.9% (from 29%), and Ice Cream Sandwich at 2.9% (from 3.3%). Gingerbread (3.4%) and Froyo (0.2%) did not see much fluctuation over November's numbers. You can see last month’s numbers here.

Via: Android Developers

Chicago and Los Angeles Being Explored for Google Fiber

Eric — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 10:42:20 +0000

Two of the largest metro areas in the United States have been officially invited to explore the option of embracing Google Fiber. The Google Fiber team has started the inquiry process with Los Angeles and Chicago, in an effort to bring gigabit internet speeds to a combined 6 million+ people. Posted this morning to the Google Fiber blog, the two enormous cities are officially on the clock if they want to offer this internet service to its residents. In the post, the Fiber team said that it has been working to refine the process, and now feel comfortable to attempt to bring it to two of the largest cities in the United States. This is a very preliminary stage of the Fiber rollout, so it could be a while before residents of these cities see sign-ups begin, but the Fiber team said it is talking to city officials to see what can be done. Past cities have been offered three pricing options for Google Fiber, including a free basic internet tier, Gigabit internet, and Gigabit internet + TV. Monthly pricing and installation costs are usually announced once rollout is closer to completion. In the post, the Fiber team "can't guarantee that we'll be able to bring Fiber to Chicago or Los Angeles," since something this size is, "a huge undertaking." Nevertheless, it's an exciting prospect for both of these metro areas, so be sure to let your city leaders hear it if you live in those areas.

Via: Google Fiber

Google Pixel C Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 10:39:05 +0000

Now that Google's new Pixel C tablet has gone up for sale on the Google Store for $499, we thought it was time to give you the official specs list. As a Google-built tablet in the Pixel line, you expect there to be nothing but the best in this slate and Google doesn't disappoint. Google is giving you a super high-res LCD display at 10.2-inches and 2560x1800, a anodized aluminum body, NVIDIA Tegra X1 with Maxwell GPU, 3GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB of storage, 8MP/2MP cameras, USB Type-C port, 802.11ac and 2x2 MIMO WiFi, and the latest version of Android, which is currently Marshmallow. Here are the official Google Pixel C specs. [table id=22 /]

Amazon Prime Video Brings Premium Subscriptions Including Showtime and Starz

Eric — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 10:24:02 +0000

In the never-ending battle for streaming video subscribers, Amazon announced the Streaming Partners Program, aimed to bring more on-demand content to Prime members. If you are one of the Amazon Prime members who often forgets the streaming video included in your membership, like myself, Amazon is offering discounts and benefits on premium subscriptions like Showtime and Starz. Step one to this program is signing up for Amazon Prime, if you aren't already, and heading to Amazon's Prime Video landing page. Once there, you can browse through a few of the premium services that Amazon has partnered with. Adding one of these premium subscriptions isn't completely free, but Amazon is giving free trials to these subscriptions to start, and discounted monthly rates if you decide you like one enough to keep it. It looks like prices will vary from service to service, but services like Showtime and Starz will cost you $8.99 each month in addition to your Prime subscription. Unfortunately, Amazon can't foot the bill for the entire monthly subscription cost, but there are other features of this service that could come in pretty handy, specifically the fact that the latest episodes of shows will be available for online watching simultaneously with the broadcast. And giving users the ability to manage all these subscriptions from one place and integration with Fire TV could make this a pretty attractive option if you are in that ecosystem already. These subscription add-ons are live for Prime members today.

Via: Amazon

Google's Pixel C Tablet Now Available on the Google Store

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 10:14:24 +0000

Google's in-house designed and built tablet, the Pixel C, is now available on the Google Store starting at $499. First reported on September 28, then made official one day later at Google's Marshmallow launch event, the Pixel C is Mountain View's take on an ultra premium Android tablet. For those who enjoy breaking away from norm, a keyboard accessory is available for $150, bringing your grand total to $649 for a 32GB tablet. A 64GB model is also available for $599. For specs, the Pixel C comes with a 10.2" (2560 x 1800) display, Tegra X1 processor from NVIDIA, Maxwell GPU, 3GB of RAM, and USB Type-C. The Pixel C also comes running Marshmallow out of the box, and given its direct tie to Google, you can expect very timely updates for Android. Are you picking one up? Note: Edit - It's live. It's available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the USA. Google Store Links: Pixel C Tablet | Keyboard

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Via: Google

WiFi Calling Update for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge Live on Verizon

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 09:39:27 +0000

Yesterday, support docs pointed to an incoming update for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge on Verizon, one which would bring WiFi Calling, a part of Advanced Calling 2.0. According to messages in our inbox and on Twitter, the update is rolling out now, hitting a couple of our Galaxy S6 owning readers. As stated in the docs from yesterday, the update includes Advanced Calling 2.0, VoWiFi (WiFi Calling), HiFi Audio, Live Video Broadcast, an ALM fix, and a wireless charging fix. In general, Advanced Calling 2.0 will expand on what AC 1.0 already delivered, which was HD Calling and Video Calling over Verizon’s LTE network. These features are available to a large number of phones through the stock dialer and are free to Verizon customers with supported phones. You can see those phones here. The updates will arrive as G920VVRU4BOK7 for the Galaxy S6 and G925VVRU4BOK7 for the Galaxy S6 Edge.

Cheers Paul and Jesse!

Instagram Update Brings "Long Press" Peek Feature to Android

Tim — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 08:48:36 +0000

In an update made available to Instagram's beta users, a new feature has been baked in, which may have you thinking you are using an iPhone. Much like Apple's 3D Touch, which allows users to long press on items and peek into them, when you are on a profile page or the search menu of the updated Instagram app, you can now long press on thumbnails of photos and videos, peaking into what they have to offer. Instagram has been adding cool features often, like multi-account support, which was subsequently removed almost immediately after it debuted. So far, we are most impressed with this peaking feature, so we hope Instagram decides not to remove it. We have recorded a video below, detailing this snazzy feature. For those without access to this beta update, you can find a direct download to the apk right here for your enjoyment. Play Link

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Fossil Q Founder Android Wear Watch Can Now be Purchased on the Google Store

Kellen — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 07:10:54 +0000

Fossil, the fashion watch maker that is taking a dip in the smartwatch pool, is now selling its first Android Wear device, the Q Founder, on the Google Store. After originally only going on sale through Fossil's own site, you can now buy this round wrist candy from Google, if that serves a better purpose for you. At $295, the watch is reasonably priced, especially for what you get. Fossil has packed in a 1.5-inch round LCD display (with flat tire and is likely the same as the display in the Moto 360), 38mm case, Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, a stainless steel body, 400mAh battery, WiFi, Bluetooth, IP67 water resistance, and a 22mm quick-release stainless steel band. It's also a pretty good looking watch. There is also a $275 version with a leather strap instead of the stainless band, but it is not currently available. Play Link

Google Phone and Contacts Apps are Back on Google Play, Still Only for Nexus Devices

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:02:01 +0000

Update 12/7: They are back again! (Still only for Nexus phones, though.)

This morning, Google pushed two apps to Google Play for the first time, Contacts and Phone (or Dialer, depending on Google's mood). The arrival of each shouldn't surprise you, though I am a bit surprised it took this long for Google to do this, since they started decoupling their stock apps from Android long ago. With the Phone app, Google doesn't seem to have updated much if anything, but the new version is available as v2.3.12. The Contacts app did get a new "streamlined contact editing" layout, along with "bug fixes and improvements" in v1.3.07. Edit: The Phone app has introduced call blocking, which yep, is awesome. Both apps are live on Google Play now and were available as updates to my Nexus 6P. At this time, though, they are only available to Nexus, Android One, and Google Play Edition phones running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Plays Links: Contacts | Phone Update 12/2: Google pulled the app listings from Google Play.

Cheers Vinu!

HTC on Target to Update Unlocked One M9 to Android 6.0, One A9 to Android 6.0.1 This Month

Tim — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:32:35 +0000

As stated in a tweet from HTC's Mo Versi, the company is on target to roll out Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" to the unlocked One M9, and Android 6.0.1 to the One A9 later this month. For One A9 users, the update to Android 6.0.1 will also include the updated selection of emoji that Google recently released for select Nexus devices. Thankfully for One A9 owners, though, they have already been on Android 6.0, enjoying all of the new features offered by Marshmallow. On the other hand, One M9 users have been waiting since early October to know when they can expect the update. And as noted by HTC, this is for the unlocked models, not the carrier variants. When these updates begin to roll, we will be sure to share the news for owners.

Via: @moversi

Samsung Says Verizon's Advanced Calling 2.0 Arrives Tomorrow

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:15:57 +0000

Tomorrow, thanks to an update for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, Verizon will introduce WiFi Calling as a part of its new Advanced Calling 2.0. At least that's what Samsung has led us to believe. According to support docs for each phone's impending update that were posted to Samsung's website today, we get changelogs that describe Verizon's newest version of Advanced Calling. Each phone will be introduced to the new Advanced Calling 2.0 package that features not only WiFi Calling (VoWiFi), but enhanced conference calling as well. That appears to be all that's new this time around. Advanced Calling 2.0 will expand on the solid base that 1.0 built, which was HD Calling and Video Calling over Verizon's LTE network. Those features are available to a number phones through their stock dialer and are free to Verizon customers with supported phones. You can see those phones here. We reached out to Verizon for comment on Advanced Calling 2.0 and will update this post if we learn more. The updates will arrive as G920VVRU4BOK7 for the Galaxy S6 and G925VVRU4BOK7 for the Galaxy S6 Edge.

Via: Samsung [2] | Android Police

Adobe's Lightroom Mobile for Android is Now Free to Use

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 14:43:58 +0000

Adobe Lightroom, one of our most-used photo editing tools here at DL, is now free to use on Android devices without a creative cloud subscription. A similar update that made the photo editing service free for iOS, arrived back in October. With Adobe Lightroom, and no need for a paid subscription, Adobe says that "anyone can take advantage of the organizational, editing, and sharing abilities" of this powerful tool. For those not familiar, Lightroom lets you edit photos with a solid set of tools, then share them with a variety of services. You can revert edits at any time, but also copy edits across multiple photos. Again, it's an awesome service if you deal with lots of photos and need to edit them quickly. If you pay for a Creative Cloud subscription, you get more features, like the ability to organize, edit, and share photos across mobile, web, and desktop, which includes photo edits. To dive into those sets of features, I'll leave the video below for you to watch. Play Link

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Via: Adobe

Mega Deal: Grab Nova Launcher Prime for $1, Down From $5

Tim — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 11:44:50 +0000

If customizing the look of your Android phone is something you enjoy doing, as it is something we most definitely love, you should head over to Google Play right now and grab Nova Launcher Prime, the pro unlock key for the hit launcher app, Nova Launcher. Basically, anytime you see the DL staff share home screens, we are using Nova Launcher. With its regular updates and virtually endless amount of customization options, it's our go-to launcher. With Prime, all of the pro features for Nova Launcher are unlocked, which includes gesture commands, unread badges for app icons, and much more. We have written up a few of these features recently. We have no idea when this sale ends, so hurry on over to Google Play and grab it. It will be the best $1 you have spent in a long time. And as a reminder, you will also need to download the actual Nova Launcher app, too. Play Link ($0.99)

Cheers Amber!

Google Safe Browsing Now Protects Hundred of Millions of Chrome Users on Android

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 11:42:22 +0000

Google's Safe Browsing, the security service behind Chrome that protects you as you cruise the internet by warning you of potentially harmful or dangerous sites, is now protecting millions of uses on Chrome for Android. Google announced the availability of the service this morning, noting that you are likely already covered by it, assuming you have Chrome 46 or higher installed. To verify that you have Safe Browsing, open Chrome, head into Settings>Privacy and look for the option shown above, and make sure you have the box checked for "Safe Browsing." With that box checked, you can browse the internet safer than ever on your Android device, knowing that Google is constantly on the lookout for the bad guys of the web. Should you happen upon a site that has been deemed unsafe, Google will warn you with an image similar to the one below. If you see that, it might be good to back on out and find another source.

Via: Google Online Security

Google Authenticator Receives New Icon, UI Improvements, Android Wear Support

Tim — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 11:13:47 +0000

Google's Authenticator app received a major update this morning, bringing with it a revamped UI, fancy new icon based on Material Design, and a fair share of bug fixes. Before this update, the app was living in the past, not having received a noticeable update since July, 2013, according to AppBrain. I guess Google lives by the motto, don't fix what ain't broke. As mentioned in the app's changelog on Google Play, Google has built in a redesigned icon for fans of Material Design, and the entire interface for the app has also received a facelift to the Material standards. In addition, support for Android Wear users has been baked directly into the application. In case you are new to 2-step authentication, you can watch Google's intro video below. What's New

UI improvements: new theme and icon
Support for Android Wear devices
Bug fixes and performance improvements
Developer preview: support for NFC Security Key (FIDO Universal 2nd Factor protocol)

Play Link

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Dropbox Shutting Down Mailbox and Carousel Early Next Year

Tim — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 10:23:30 +0000

In early 2016, Dropbox will shutdown Mailbox and Carousel permanently, the company made official this morning. Mailbox, first acquired by Dropbox in 2013 and then launched for Android in 2014, became quite the popular email client for users on multiple platforms, but apparently, Dropbox is looking for a more streamlined experience, and we should see many top features from both Mailbox and Carousel built into the Dropbox application. To be exact, Mailbox will shut its digital doors on February 26, while Carousel will close down March 31 of next year. Dropbox released multiple letters to users that explained the situation, with each of them stressing the need for a streamlined, convenient experience for users moving forward. Written in Mailbox's farewell letter, "As we deepened our focus on collaboration, we realized there’s only so much an email app can do to fundamentally fix email. We’ve come to believe that the best way for us to improve people’s productivity going forward is to streamline the workflows that generate so much email in the first place." When Mailbox launched for Android, it was one of our favorite applications, and we wrote about it countless times. We even declared it was one of the top 10 apps of 2014. As of today, with Google's Inbox and updated Gmail apps, we don't use it as much anymore, but without Mailbox's UI and awesome features, we may have never gotten better apps from Google. The Mailbox team sort of started a mobile email revolution, and for that, we thank them. Sad day, for sure.

Via: Dropbox [2] [3]

Google Posts Android 6.0.1 Factory Images for Nexus Devices

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 10:14:14 +0000

Earlier this morning, Google announced that Android 6.0.1 would begin rolling out to Nexus devices with a whole bunch of emoji. Moments ago, they followed up that announcement by posting up factory images of Android 6.0.1 for the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus Player, Nexus 9 (LTE and WiFi), Nexus 5, and Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi and LTE. The updates are arriving as build MMB29K for most. The Nexus 6P and Nexus Player are getting MMB29M. On a related note, it looks like they also sprinkled in a few other builds, like 6.0.0 (MMB29N) for Nexus 6P, 5.1.1 (LMY48Z) for Nexus 9 LTE, 5.1.1 (LMY48Z) for Nexus 7 (2013) LTE, and 5.1.1 (LMY48Z) for Nexus 10. For instructions on how to flash factory images, hit up this post. Factory Image Link [Binaries]

Android 6.0.1 Arrives Today on Nexus Phones With a Bunch of New Emoji (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 09:40:40 +0000

Last week, Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer teased via Twitter that a new update would arrive on Nexus devices this week with a whole bunch of new and updated emoji on board. Today, that update is official as Android 6.0.1. And yep, it includes a bunch of new emoji, which we showed you last week. Outside of the new and updated emoji, the update doesn't bring much. Ars Technica got a hold of it and said that one of the noteworthy changes is a navigation button layout tweak on tablets (Edit: Or that could only be for the Pixel C, not any others), where the recent apps button moves to the far bottom right corner, while the back and home buttons slide over to the left. Google must think you want to use your thumbs...hopefully you do. The update will rollout this week on Nexus phones. Since this is Android 6.0.1, that should include the Nexus 5, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, and Nexus Player. As those updates arrive, we'll be sure to share the news. UPDATE: Factory images now available!

Via: +Nexus | Ars Technica

Amazon's 12 Days of Deals Can Save You Big This Holiday Season

Tim — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 09:15:27 +0000

Hate it or love it, it's the holiday shopping season, and Amazon is not stopping at just Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Keeping the festivities alive, now we have 12 Days of Deals, which is Amazon saying, "Yo, come spend more money right now!" Each day, Amazon will feature a theme for the deals, with today being Deals for Kids. During 12 Days of Deals, you can expect to save up to $150 on an Alienware Alpha ASM100-1580 Console, $15 off Amazon Fire TV, Nerf walkie-talkies for $12, cash off on most of Amazon's existing Fire tablet lineup, and so, so much more. To spot these deals, you will need to stay vigilant on Amazon's website over the next few days. On top of these specials, Amazon is still hosting their lightning deals, too. Follow the link below to start looking. Amazon Link

Google Calendar Gets To-Dos and Reminders in Latest Update

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 08:58:16 +0000

Your Google Calendar is getting a new feature this week - reminders. Instead of always creating events for everything on your plate, including your upcoming to-dos, you can now set a reminder to complete a task. An update is rolling out this week on both Android and iOS to enable the feature, but Google plans to include it in the web version of Google Calendar as well. So how doe reminders in Google Calendar work? It's pretty simple. Once update, you will hit the floating action button in the app to choose between creating an event or a reminder. If you choose reminder, you can then set a reminder for a to-do that needs taken care of. Reminders differ from events in that events come and go, whereas reminders hang around in your calendar, always present until you take care of them or mark them as done (you can swipe them away). With reminders in Google Calendar, you also get access to phone numbers and addresses, just like you do with events or in apps like Inbox. Calendar uses both access to your contacts and their own knowledge graph to pull in this information. In related, yet huge news, these new reminders work across (most of) Google. Google says that you can create reminders in Inbox, Keep, and Google Now, and see them show in Google Calendar. FINALLY. The updates will begin rolling out this week. As that happens, we'll be sure to let you know.

Via: Gmail Blog

Verizon Introduces WiFi Calling Tomorrow to the Galaxy S6

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 08:08:38 +0000

Late Friday afternoon, Verizon announced that it was beefing up its Advanced Calling feature set by adding in WiFi Calling for the first time to its phones. The feature will first be available tomorrow on the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge after each receives a software update enabling it. Additional devices (both Android and iOS) will get WiFi Calling "early next year." What is WiFi Calling? It's just as the name suggests in that it allows you to make calls to others using a WiFi connection instead of the 3G or 4G connection you have used for years. In this case, it would be making calls over a WiFi network instead of Verizon's network. It's useful when you are in a building that limits your network connection or because you have a stronger WiFi connection. Or maybe you are in the boonies without much of a signal at all, yet the local roadside attraction happens to have WiFi - you could then make calls! Since Verizon's WiFi Calling is a part of their Advanced Calling 1.0, which is a system-level set of features that is available through the dialer on your phone. It allows you to make HD Voice calls, video calls to other supported devices, and now, WiFi Calls. Advanced Calling 1.0 is enabled through the My Account section of Verizon's website and is free of charge. Again, this new WiFi Calling feature will only be available starting tomorrow on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge after each receives an update.

Via: Verizon

TAG Heuer's $1,500 Connected Smartwatch is Actually in High Demand

Kellen — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 07:42:43 +0000

Here's a story I didn't see having to write - the TAG Heuer Connected smartwatch, with its $1,500 price tag, is in such high demand, that TAG Heuer is going to up production from 1,200 units per day to 2,000. The luxury watchmaker will also stop online sales of the device for the time being to give their physical stores priority, likely because people who spend that kind of money on a watch, want to actually hold it before pulling the trigger. In related news, TAG Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver announced that because of this watch's success, they will now develope a collection of different varieties of smartwatches, with different "executions and materials" by the end of 2016 or early 2017. Some could include gold and diamonds. And remember, TAG Heuer launched the Connected with a unique program that allows buyers to trade in their watch in two years and pay another $1,500 for an actual mechanical watch, which many of us assumed was them thinking the smartwatch craze (if there is one) was going to be short-lived. While that program isn't going away, it'll be interesting to see if that is a part of the new line when it arrives late next year. Who would have thought, right? The TAG Heuer Connected is a hit, apparently. Our review should be up today or tomorrow.

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Via: Bloomberg

Cheers Rashad!

Don't Miss These Android Stories: December 4, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 15:27:43 +0000

You can tell we are closing in on the holidays and the end of the year, because news has slowed, there aren't any new phones to review, and we are starting to reflect back on what was the best of the past 12 months. That doesn't mean we didn't have a bunch of good content for you to consumer this week, though. Below, as always, we have the best Android stories of the week that you won't want to miss, including a series we have only begun that highlights five reasons to buy select phones. Be sure to catch up before next week!

Someone buy me a cheese ball for X-Mas.

Here are the New Emoji Coming to Android Next Week

Kellen — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 11:40:45 +0000

Earlier in the week, Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer told us to expect new emoji on Nexus devices next week, thanks to a system update that will be joined by a new keyboard and font. Shortly after he made the announcement, we took to Hangouts on the web after a tip told us that re-vamped emoji expected to be a part of the update were already available and showed you many of them (pictured above). Then yesterday, a redditor created a script to pull them all from Hangouts, but his script managed to get the new ones that will show up next week on Android as well, not just the re-vamped versions. You can see them all below. However, in case you were wondering, taco, middle finger, unicorn, upside down smiley, popcorn, and turkey emoji are all there. Here are the new ones:

And here is the full list that shows the re-vamped emoji we showed you the other day:

Via: reddit

Rayman Adventures From Ubisoft is Free to Download on Google Play, Features IAPs

Tim — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 10:31:07 +0000

Those looking to get in a bit of side-scrolling action this weekend can head over to Google Play and pick up Rayman Adventures, the latest title from Ubisoft featuring the ever-so-popular Rayman character. Rayman Adventures, unlike the past two Rayman games, is completely free to download, so naturally, it's covered in pricey IAPs, including one priced at $95. In-app purchases aside, Rayman Adventures has you set out on an adventure to save the Incrediballs. On top of the expected action experience, players must also explore their environments to find and collect Incrediballs, with your primary objective being to bring them home. The Incrediball characters feature their own little super powers, and you can use these powers to your advantage when facing baddies. Much like the other Rayman titles, Ubisoft spared no expense in terms of the game's visuals. The environments are quite vibrant and all of the protagonist characters seem very personable. This game is free to download and play, but as Ubisoft lists in the game's description, "some game items can be purchased for real money. You can disable in-app purchases in your device's settings." Play Link

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Telltale is Making a Batman Game!

Kellen — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 08:56:34 +0000

Telltales Games, the episodic adventure game developer who has created awesome titles based on The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, announced this week that it has partnered with DC Comics and Warner to make a Batman game series. As a massive Batman fanboy, and one who has enjoyed many of Telltales previous titles, I can't tell you how excited I am for this. Few details were announced, only that the game would arrive at some point in 2016 on a variety of platforms, including mobile. An official name hasn't even been decided upon just yet. The co-founder of Telltale Games, Kevin Bruner, did say that they will "soon be exploring what it means to be Batman," and that this game will "give fans a first-hand opportunity to dive deeper into the complex life and mind of Bruce Wayne." Yep, that sounds awesome.

Via: Telltale Games

The Best of Everything on Google Play in 2015

Kellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 16:09:49 +0000

This afternoon, Google published its "Best of" lists for content available for purchase/download through Google Play. The lists consist of the top selling movies, TV shows, albums, books, games, and apps of 2015. In the "best games" category, games like Crossy Road, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Madden NFL Mobile, Minecraft, Lifeline, and Need for Speed No Limits make the list. As for apps, the "best" include the likes of Robinhood, Colorfy, HBO Now, Wishbone, YouTube Kids, Twitch, Peak, and Google Photos. As for albums, Adele killed everyone, followed by Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. In movies, Interstellar was king, followed by Lucy, American Sniper, The Interview, and Kingsman: The Secret Service. For TV shows, Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead topped the list. To check out everything that made Google's "Best of 2015" list, hit up the link below. Play Link

Facebook has a New Periscope-Like Live Video Feature That You Can't Use, Android Scrubs

Kellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:33:05 +0000

Facebook is the worst. For a company the size of Zuckerbergville, it is shocking to me that they continue to create new apps and services that are iPhone exclusives. But they do! Like today, they created this new live video feature, which sounds like a Periscope rip-off, that is....hold...wait for it...only available for a couple of iPhones at the moment! Yeah, iPhones! I'd sit here and tell you about it beyond it being a Periscope rip-off, but I don't even care at this point. I'm basically just typing to type, because who knows if you'll ever get this feature. Like I said, they are testing it on a "small percentage of people in the US on iPhones." Will you ever be able to ~~Periscope~~ live video chat on Facebook with your Galaxy S6 or LG G4 or Turbo 2 or Nexus 6P? Probably not. Because by the time their employees, who are forced to use Android phones, but probably still are closet iPhone users, get around to installing Android Studio, you will have another phone that may or may not be supported. Oh, they also announced a Collages feature where you can "share experiences captured with your phone's camera by grouping photos and videos that were taken together into a scrolling, moving, collage." It's rolling out to iPhones today. Android users, you have to wait until some time "early" next year. So, maybe by March, you'll have it.

Maybe we should all go buy iPhones.

Via: Facebook

Twitch Arrives on Android TV

Kellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:33:04 +0000

Twitch, the leading social platform for gamers to stream their online adventures, announced that it's Android app is now available on Android TV units. With Twitch for Android TV, you get to watch live and recorded games from the top players and eSports events, follow your favorite channels and games, view profile pages, and watch it all in 1080p/60fps. Along with the Android TV support, Twitch also announced that their mobile app on Android adds Whispers 2.0 for an enhanced chat experience. Play Link

Via: Twitch

Google's Interactive In-App Ads Look to Increase App Downloads for Publishers

Tim — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:34:19 +0000

Beginning soon, users of apps that feature advertisements will likely come across two new ad formats aimed at increasing the chances of you downloading an advertised app. With Trial Run Ads, you can preview gameplay yourself for up to 60 seconds, and if you enjoyed your gaming experience, you can opt to install the app straight from Google Play. Essentially, you can test drive a game via the ad for a limited amount of time, with no installation required. In terms of ads, this is very fancy, and could lead to more installs for publishers. Google is also launching Interactive Interstitial Ads, basically a blank canvas for advertisers to design their own layouts and content within an ad. For example, a developer/publisher could cut and paste an essential experience from an app into the ad, showing users how useful or good it is, without needing the viewer to install anything on their device. It's all done via the ad. Both of these ad experiences are currently in beta form for select marketers to try out. If you build apps or you handle the marketing for an app maker, be sure to check out Google's complete post on the subject by following the via below.

Via: Google AdWords

Chrome Beta 48 for Android Adds Cast Presenting, Custom Notification Buttons

Kellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:27:25 +0000

Chrome Beta 48 has been announced at Google's Chromium blog with a couple of specific features for Android users. In the latest beta, Google has added in "presenter mode" when Casting, which is a way of displaying websites on your phone to nearby devices using Chrome in a presentation format. It's basically like a slideshow that is controlled from your phone or tablet by connecting through a Chromecast or other Cast-ready device. The update is also adding functionality to the notification alerts that were introduced in Chrome 42. This latest version of Chrome gives sites the opportunity to add custom buttons to those notifications, like a button to set a reminder or to jump into settings. Below is an example.

Google didn't say when Beta 48 would rollout to Android, but my guess is shortly. The Beta 48 has been released for desktops already.

Via: Chromium Blog

5 Reasons the Galaxy Note 5 is Worth Buying

Tim — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 12:34:22 +0000

Over the past few days, we have been listing out reasons for you to consider purchasing the top smartphones on the market. There are so many reasons and so many great phones, so we are going to keep this train moving along and deliver our 5 reasons the Galaxy Note 5 is worth buying. With its large, gorgeous Super AMOLED display, amazing camera, and premium build quality, there are not many reasons you should not buy this phone. To us, it might purely come down to timely updates for Android and Samsung's TouchWiz software. Here are 5 reasons the Galaxy Note 5 is worth buying.

1. One of the best displays you'll ever see.

When considering what the human eye is capable of, I would argue mobile display technology has reached the pinnacle. What I mean is, we don't really need anything better than QHD. Heck, 1080p is good enough for most people, who still can't make out pixels even with the phone a few inches in front of their face. If displays keep requiring more juice to power an absurd amount of pixels, we will need bigger batteries, and apparently, OEMs want to make phones even slimmer so this all seems counter productive. My point is, Samsung's Super AMOLED QHD display is amazingly gorgeous, and we don't need anything better at this time. Color saturation on the Galaxy Note 5 is rich and rightly calibrated, while the panel also handles blacks and whites exceptionally well. When playing games or watching videos from YouTube, you can't really find a better viewing experience, at least from a mobile smartphone.

2. One of the best cameras currently available.

I love snapping photos on my phone, and I have had no better experience doing so than with the Galaxy Note 5. This thing, in the mobile photography department, is a beast. The camera features a 16MP sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), allowing you to take clear photos even in poor lighting conditions, which is always important considering this is real life we are talking about. No one walks around with professional lighting equipment, so if your phone can't work with what you give it, it's pointless. Samsung's software also allows for a ton of editing and customization options for photos, so you should always be able to tweak settings should you desire or need to. While I would say that the manual settings for photo taking is a bit more advanced on the LG G4 and V10, the Galaxy Note 5 still takes better shots overall than any other phone currently available. You can see a few sample shots in my Galaxy Note 5 review.

3. Samsung nailed the design and feel.

If we gave out awards for Most Improved in the smartphone world, Samsung would take home the gold this year. If you compare the designs of the Galaxy Note 4 (2014) and Galaxy Note 5 (2015), and even the Galaxy S5 (2014) to the Galaxy S6 (2015), Samsung definitely cut the sh*t and made a quality product from great materials. Instead of plastic and faux leather garbage with crazy bezels, we have metallic and glass exteriors, all shaped and smoothed to fit the hand beautifully. When in-hand, the Galaxy Note 5 feels like a dream phone, dipped on its backside to allow for easier holding. If there was one point to take away from this post, it's that the Galaxy Note 5 is probably the best looking and feeling phone of 2015.

4. Samsung Pay.

If you have a compatible bank and card provider, there is no doubt that Samsung Pay could be the king of mobile payment technology. Thanks to Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST), you can use Samsung Pay on non-NFC supported terminals, which is a major advantage over Android Pay. You just hold up the phone to virtually any credit card terminal, and boom, purchase complete. As many retailers are still upgrading their systems to support NFC mobile payments (Apple Pay and Android Pay), Samsung Pay already works at almost every retail location with a credit card swiper. Talk to anyone that has used Samsung Pay and they will tell you, it rocks.

5. TouchWiz software that doesn't suck.

Before the launch of the Galaxy S6, Samsung claimed that they would be cleaning up TouchWiz significantly, and in my opinion, they delivered. I was once the biggest hater of the TouchWiz skin, and after I played with the revamped skin on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5, my opinion took a complete 180°. While I still think a bit of thinning could be done to limit performance issues, Samsung has taken big steps to make the software more usable. Of course, the software still features all of the useful things like MultiWindow and S Health, so you won't need to worry about missing out on any of Samsung's helpful software.

Bonus Reason: Compatibility with Gear VR.

I may not be a fan of VR, but I admit that others probably enjoy it. What could seem like a gimmick to some, may be a total joy for others, and Gear VR certainly gives a great VR experience to anyone looking for one. When I was using Gear VR, before the seasick sensation came over me, playing games and watching videos in VR was a neat experience. More importantly, Samsung continues to bring new experiences for purchasers of Gear VR, which is a prime concern for anyone looking to invest in the technology. In the beginning, there seemed to be a serious lack in content, but with a big name like Samsung working with developers and Oculus, that is rapidly changing each and every day. Gear VR is now available to all for just $99, so it's a major advantage to have a device that is compatible with this futuristic tech. There you have it, 5 reasons why the Galaxy Note 5 is worth buying.

You can buy the Galaxy Note 5 at places like Amazon, but also at carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

Yahoo Messenger is Re-Introduced to a World Probably Not Asking for It

Kellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 11:43:51 +0000

Yahoo Messenger is back and attempting to do its best Adele impression. In a re-introduction of sorts, Yahoo wants you to say "Hello" to a revamped Yahoo Messenger, except unlike fans of the artist who just broke week one sales records after spending a few years away, you likely moved on years ago from Messenger and weren't exactly counting the days to its comeback. The new Yahoo Messenger was built with a focus on group chatting, but Yahoo included features like "Unsend" to kill off those late night drunk texts (or something along those lines), as well. It also has quick photo sharing, GIF support, "liking" messages and photos, and an offline mode that will share things you attempted to post once you get back online. Overall, it sounds and looks like a decent messaging app. But was anyone asking for another messaging app? Millions upon millions are using WhatsApp. Who knows how many more are using Facebook Messenger. And don't even think about ignoring Google Hangouts and Apple's iMessage. All of those apps are great in their own right, plus all of your friends already use them, which is why you are probably using one of them. Does anyone want to go through the pain of getting everyone to make the switch to Yahoo Messenger? I don't. I can't tell you how hard it was to get everyone I know to switch to Hangouts. Going through that all over again for Yahoo just doesn't seem worth it. If you make the switch, please sell me on it. Here is Yahoo Messenger's list of features

Chat one-on-one or in groups
Yes, take backs! Tap "Unsend" to remove photos and messages from a conversation
Instantly share lots of high-resolution photos at once
Swipe to view photos beautifully displayed in a carousel
Express yourself with animated GIFs
“Like” messages and photos in the conversation
Offline/low connectivity mode—anything you share will be posted once you’re back online
Optimized for use with TalkBack

The new Yahoo Messenger is available now. Play Link

Via: Yahoo

Google's Cardboard Camera App Brings Depth to Your Photos

Tim — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 10:40:39 +0000

Google's latest app to hit Google Play, Cardboard Camera, allows you to experience photos you take in a completely new way. If you own a Google Cardboard unit, you can use this app to snap photos, then see them in virtual reality. While it won't make you a better photographer, you can at least get a real sense of reliving the experience you had when you snapped the shot. VR photos are three-dimensional panoramas, with slightly different views for each eye, so close objects look close and far things look far. You can look around through the Cardboard viewer to explore the image in all directions, and even record sound with your photo to hear the moment exactly as it happened. The app is completely free to download and use off of Google Play, so go check it out. If you still don't have a Google Cardboard unit, you can pick one up here. Play Link

Via: Google

Report: YouTube Looks to Secure Streaming Rights for TV Shows and Movies

Tim — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 09:58:55 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, in an effort to make its monthly subscription service Red more appealing to potential customers, YouTube is meeting with Hollywood studios to land streaming rights to hit TV shows and movies, in addition to possibly creating its own content (like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon) for online viewing. Currently, YouTube Red offers ad-free streaming of user-uploaded videos, as well as a few perks such as a free subscription to Google Play Music. If YouTube has its way, the service will look to create their own shows, thanks to the help of newly brought on executives from Netflix and MTV. As of right now, it is unclear which TV shows and movies YouTube is pursuing streaming rights for, but we can assume they are top-rated shows that would actually excite potential subscribers. As you likely have noticed, YouTube does offer one-time rentals of movies, which are available from deals made by Google and Hollywood studios, but the next step would be to bolster what is available for streaming purposes. Reported by WSJ, YouTube hopes to maintain a solid collection of original content and licensed content for streaming sometime in 2016.

Via: Wall Street Journal [Subscription]

Temple Run 2 'Frozen Shadows' Update Launched to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:45:17 +0000

Frozen Shadows, an episode update for Temple Run 2, is now available to download from Google Play. Inside this latest update, players will find new adventures and surfaces to run across, including an ice luge and frozen forests. Not only will you see new landscapes, but Imangi has included new outfits for you to collect for your characters. Above all else, though, don't forget why you are running. In Frozen Shadows, you will be running from Snowy Demon Monkeys, just the thing to help celebrate the winter holidays. The update is available right now on Google Play, so if you are still rocking Temple Run, go grab it. Play Link

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OnePlus 2 Ditches Invite System on December 5 FOR-EH-VER, FOR-EH-VER.

Kellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:02:39 +0000

OnePlus, a company who makes iPhone cases, announced today that you will be able to buy their NFC-less phone, the OnePlus 2, without an invite on December 5. This isn't a temporary thing, though, as the invite system will disappear forever with this phone. Yep, you'll be able to buy a OnePlus 2 and its wrong-direction-mute-switch without a wait or the need to vote for "hot or not" girls on forums. The change is in celebration of their second anniversary. OnePlus is also "proud to be able to make the OnePlus 2 invite-free so soon." In related news, their other new phone, the OnePlus X is still living it up in invite world, but will be invite-free from December 5-7. OnePlus is also discounting a bunch of accessories during that same period, like StyleSwaps by 50%, OnePlus One accessories by 90%, and other accessories by 10%.

Via: OnePlus

Verizon Hands Out 2GB of Bonus Data Per Line for Life in New Promo

Kellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 07:41:32 +0000

This morning, Verizon kicked off a new promotion that could land you a whole bunch of extra data per month "for life." The promo involves their new XL and XXL data plans, and a bonus 2GB of data per month for life, depending on how many people on your plan upgrade phones or add new lines within the next month or so. Here is the deal. If you and your family are signed up for Verizon's XL (12GB) or XXL (18GB) data plans, you can receive a bonus of 2GB of data per month for life every time someone on your account upgrades or adds a new line by January 6. Verizon's example for how this works is if you have a family of four on the XL (12GB) plan and they all upgrade within the next month, you would then see an 8GB lump of bonus data (2GB per line that upgrades) each month for life. If you stay on their XL or XXL plan for years to come, that bonus data won't ever go away. And should you do just that, you would then have 20GB per month to use as a family (12GB XL base + 8GB bonus data). Make sense? The promotion runs from today through January 6.

Via: Verizon

New Emoji, Keyboard, and Font Coming to Nexus Devices Next Week

Kellen — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:14:24 +0000

Hiroshi Lockheimer, Android daddy of them all, announced this evening that new emoji are coming to Android next week via Nexus phones. Lockheimer mentioned that a new keyboard, new font, and new code will all be a part of the emoji arrival, so that means full software updates to the Nexus line. We aren't sure if this is just going to be a December security patch or something more substantial, like Android 6.1 or 6.0.1. In his Tweeted announcement, Hiroshi did say that he "can't spoil all the surprises!" ahead of time, so there could be more. Either way, he said that a new system image is coming, His Tweet included emoji for the unicorn, lion, and crab, all of which are a part of the Unicode 8 release. In case you were wondering, Unicode 8 includes the taco emoji! Mmmmm, tacos. The full list of Unicode 8 can be seen here. On a somewhat related note, we are seeing what appear to be updated emoji in the Chrome Hangouts app. The image at the top of this post is showing all of the emoji that have been changed. Ready for emoji? Ready for an update? https://twitter.com/lockheimer/status/672206241003937792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Cheers Jon!

5 Reasons the LG V10 is Worth Buying

Kellen — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:48:47 +0000

The LG V10, a new line of flagships introduced this year by the Korean manufacturer, is a lovely, although extremely large, phone. LG likely introduced this new V line because it needed an extra push towards the end of the year, as their G line just hasn't cut it over the past couple of years. And look, it only makes sense, since others do it as well, including their major competitor, Samsung. Is the LG V10 worth buying? Of course it is. In our review, we came away surprisingly delighted by its unique set of features, build, use of new materials, and performance. If for some reason you had not had a chance to read that review yet, or simply want the abbreviated version, we have that for you today. Here are 5 reasons the LG V10 is worth buying.

1. That big, beautiful bundle of pixels.

The 5.7-inch QHD LCD display on the LG V10 is gorgeous and a joy to use, especially when consuming media. At 5.7-inches, it's large, but that's almost what makes it so great. You can take in a video or game and feel like you have a small, insanely high-resolution TV in your hand. It has great viewing angles as well, reproduces colors without offending your eyes, and gets plenty bright too.

2. This design is different, and different is good.

When I first saw the LG V10, I thought it was about the ugliest phone I'd ever seen. With its mixture of random colors and textures and metals and secondary displays, I just sat there shaking my head at LG after first setting my eyes on it. Then, I got it in hand in the cream and gold colorway and fell in love. It's just so different from any other phone that you can't help but appreciate it. LG used steel bars up its sides to add strength to the V10's frame. They also double as an opportunity to add some color flair. The rest of the body is covered in a Dura Skin texture that is both inviting to the touch and strong enough to give you a feeling of safety. The headphone jack sits at the bottom where it should be on all phones, the camera housing adds a nice circular touch of class, and the phone is thin enough, yet balances nicely in hand. This is a well-made phone - probably LG's best in terms of overall quality.

3. Removable batteries and microSD cards.

If you bought a phone within the past two years, it probably doesn't have a removable battery or a microSD card slot. Companies were at one time moving away from them because Google wanted to with Android, but now, most are doing it because they want to increase their margins by forcing storage hogs into spending more on phones with more storage. LG isn't doing that. The V10 has both a removable battery and a microSD slot that holds up to 2TB cards. While the battery and its 3000mAh capacity is enough to get you through from morning to night, should you have that extra heavy usage day, you can always swap in a fresh battery if needed. Oh, LG is also on its second promotion where they will give you a free SD card, battery, and battery charger if you buy the phone. Not a bad deal.

4. Performance is buttery smooth.

When I first started reviewing the LG V10, I was nervous about the phone's performance. It runs a Snapdragon 808, a processor that hasn't exactly shown itself as performance king in most of the phones that adopted it over the more powerful Snapdragon 810. But after putting the phone through the app-switching, multi-tasking madness that I do when reviewing, I came away quite impressed. LG has fine-tuned this phone so that it runs refreshingly smooth. Sure, the LG skin isn't my favorite thing, but you should be able to whip in and out of apps and games and calendar appointmentss and emails and calls without a hiccup.

5. A secondary display with useful features.

The V10 has a secondary display situated at the top of the phone, just above the primary 5.7-inch display. Most would be quick to dismiss this like we have all done with every other attempt at a secondary display over the years, but this one actually has some useful features. If you aren't interested in using it for quickly switching to your favorite or recently used apps, accessing your favorite contacts, or controlling music, I think you may find use it the display when you aren't using the phone. During my time with the V10, I used the secondary display as an always-on clock when the phone was sitting on my desk. I also loved having it there as a bed-time clock, where I didn't need to turn the phone on to see the time, to see notifications pending without having to touch a thing, and to turn off some settings like WiFi or to toggle the flashlight on or off. Sometimes with a phone, it's the little software or hardware tweaks that can really enhance a phone to purchase-worthy territory. The V10's secondary display does just that. So there you have it, 5 simple reasons why the LG V10 is worth buying.

You can buy the LG V10 at carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Report: Andy Rubin Interested in the Android Phone Business Again

Kellen — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:32:04 +0000

According to a report out of The Information, Andy Rubin may be looking to get back into the Android phone business again. No, he's not re-joining Google, he's potentially looking to start a new phone company, maybe even through his Playground Fund investment company. Today's report claims that Rubin has tried to recruit personnel that could help him build this smartphone company, though it's not clear if he would lead this company or simply look to put the pieces together through funding. Either way, if true, as the "father" of Android, I can't think of many others I would want at the helm. As you may recall, Rubin was the leader of Android at Google for years before stepping away and into a secret robotics devision. That opportunity didn't last, as he officially stepped away from Google in late 2014 to start his new company to help fund startups. This is where he has been since. Is it a smart move to create a new smartphone company in 2015? As much as the smartphone industry seems to be plateauing, maybe it's someone like Rubin, who has been away from the game for a couple of years, that could step back in and find a way to refresh things a bit. If anything, maybe he has ideas on how an Android manufacturer could rise in a time where few seem to be making any money, outside of Apple.

Via: The Information (subscription)

Nova Launcher Beta Update Adds Gestures for Double-Tap-to-Lock, Google Now, More

Kellen — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 13:02:31 +0000

Nova Launcher beta just received a fantastic update that adds a bunch of new features that a number of you have likely been hoping would arrive one day. We're talking about double-tap-to-lock, a gesture option for opening Google Now, options to make the app drawer just like Google's latest vertical app drawer (with recent apps and persistent search), and more. The update also attempts to fix the slow Marshmallow notification pulldown, though it does require root. A bunch of bugs have been squashed as well, plus optimized an startup time and fast scrolling in long lists were added. Here is the full list of changes:

4.2.0-beta1 Dec 2, 2015 -Persistent searchbar in drawer (Settings - Drawer - Searchbar) -Frequently used apps in drawer (Settings - Drawer - Frequently used) -Root workaround for Marshmallow slow expand notifications -Nova Actions for screen lock and Google Now -Improve handling of double-tap gesture -New fast scroll in long lists -Optimize startup time -Fix widget placeholders after Titanium Backup restore -Fix persistent search bar moving downward over time -Fix FCs

Play Link To get into the Nova Launcher beta, join the Google+ community here and opt-in.

Cheers Jeff!

Moto X Pure Edition's Marshmallow Soak Test Will Run for About a Week Before Wide Rollout

Kellen — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:36:06 +0000

Yesterday, we spread word of a soak test of Android 6.0 Marshmallow that had begun for the Moto X Pure Edition. Today, Motorola's David Schuster confirmed that the test had started, but also shared some timeline info for non-soak testers. According to Schuster, the soak test will run for the next week. If things go well, and Doze and Google Now on Tap don't melt anyone's face, then Motorola will proceed with the full rollout. We've got the update loaded up on our phones here at the DL offices, so if you need us to look into anything now or have any questions, be sure to shoot those in the comments. Feel free to also take to the comments for a special treat.

Via: +David Schuster

Pre-Order a Nextbit Robin, Receive a Free Vinyl Sheep Mascot by Christmas

Tim — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:01:21 +0000

Starting today, if you are one of the first 100 people to pre-order the Nextbit Robin, the company will send you one of its vinyl sheep mascot figurines (a $40 value) for free. While your phone will not arrive until February of next year, your little mascot figurine will arrive on or before December 20, just in time for the holidays. Pre-orders for the Robin have been up since late October, and if you need a quick refresher, then allow me to explain Robin. Robin features a cloud-first storage function, meaning the phone automatically backs up apps and data to the cloud, making itself more intelligent as time goes on by using your usage stats. The point is, the phone wants to optimize as much storage as possible, keeping your goods stashed safely in the cloud. Advantages of the Nextbit solution would be its ability to backup apps settings, as well as data to the cloud, which you can't do on a microSD card. An SD card is basically a storage locker that can break or get lost. With the cloud, that can't happen. The device is purchasable in two colors as of right now - Mint and Midnight. Priced at $399, there are models available for a variety of carriers, so regardless of who you give your money to each month, there is a Robin for you. If interested, follow the link below, then choose the "Holiday Special" option to receive your free vinyl mascot. Pre-Order Link

Google's Contacts and Phone Apps Arrive on Google Play (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:42:18 +0000

Update 12/7: They are back again! (Still only for Nexus phones, though.)

Cheers Vinu!

HTC One M8 Update to Android 6.0 to be Pushed Out Shortly

Tim — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:02:29 +0000

Owners of the unlocked One M8 from HTC will be happy this week, as the company announced testing for the update to Android 6.0 has been completed and approved, with the update set to roll out to all owners within the next 24 hours. The update will bring the latest version of Android to your smartphone, which will include any fixes and Sense improvements HTC decided to build in. At this time, we don't have an exact list of changes, but you will definitely find access to Now on Tap as well as Doze, so that's useful. If you own an unlocked One M8, be on the lookout for the update to hit your phone later today or early tomorrow.

Via: @moversi

LinkedIn App Get Much-Needed Overhaul on Android

Kellen — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:52:09 +0000

Last night, LinkedIn revealed its new apps for Android and iOS that are "more intuitive, smarter and dramatically simplifies your LinkedIn experience." In other words, they are modern apps that will hopefully negate Android developers from taking to their Google Play reviews with things like, "Hire some better Android developers." So what's new? Lots of stuff, actually. The whole app experience has been "streamlined" into five areas of Your Feed, Me, My Network, Messaging, and Search. Each category includes just what you think it includes, like your LinkedIn "professional day" news on Your Feed, your "professional brand" in the Me section, all of the happenings in your network in the My Network section, messaging in Messaging (shocker!), and searching in Search (whoa!). LinkedIn did say they made search 300% faster, though, so that's something. Business professionals, go! Play Link

Via: LinkedIn

Google's Santa Tracker is Back in Action for the Holiday Season

Tim — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:47:36 +0000

Santa Tracker, Google's festive holiday app for kids and grownups alike, has been updated for 2015. Inside, a new activity can be found each day leading up to Christmas, all of which will help Santa get ready for his big trip across the globe to deliver presents to all of the good little boys and girls. Over the course of the month leading up to Christmas, Google states you can brush up on your coding skills with mini computer games, learn about charitable organizations, test weather conditions with Rudolph, and much more. Google went all out to make sure this experience can be had on multiple displays, so you will find that this app is compatible with many different devices, with extensions available for Android Wear, activities made for Android TV, and you can also cast the app to your HDTV using Chromecast. Go pick it up and let your kiddies have a bit of fun with the Santa's reindeer. Play Link | Web Portal

[responsive_vid]

Via: Google

Storehouse, Winner of Apple Design Award, Hits Google Play for Sharing Photos

Tim — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:29:33 +0000

Storehouse, an application that groups your photos into easily sharable albums, is now available on Google Play for Android devices. The app has been previously available for iOS, even winning the prestigious Apple Design Award. Much like the already available Google Photos, users can share photos via Storehouse with friends after grouping them into albums. However, Storehouse allows for a bit more album customization, plus the ability to organize the pictures nicely on a sharable page. When you open the app and begin selecting photos from your phone's gallery, you can quickly resize and crop photos to fit just right, then share links via email, direct links, or text. Users can also add videos at the time of album creation, or pull existing videos from the gallery. In total, albums can hold up to 50 photos, all editable by users with custom text. Pages can be embedded on blogs or webpages, which could add a classy touch to your Tumblr. Additionally, do note that all created albums are private unless shared, naturally. Again, Google Photos handles the sharing function quite well already, but if a more classy album approach is better suited for you, then definitely check it out. Play Link

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Google Cardboard Viewers Arrive at Verizon Tomorrow!

Kellen — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:59:24 +0000

We're closing in on opening night of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, so that means Disney is going H.A.M. on the marketing opportunities. In their next move, they have partnered with Verizon and Google to release a set of special edition Google Cardboard viewers that have been designed after characters in the new Star Wars flick. The viewers arrive tomorrow (December 2) at Verizon stores. Verizon hasn't said how much they cost, only that you have to be a Verizon customer in order to get one. Not just any creep off the street can sneak in and snatch one for their Star Wars collection. Of course, they are also only available "while supplies last." Below, you can see the fronts of the four that will be available. You have BB-8, R2-D2, Kylo Ren, and a Stormtrooper themed viewer.

To get a better 3D view of each and to see where you can find a store carrying the special edition Cardboard viewers, hit up Verizon's site.

Cheers Sean!

T-Mobile Adds 11 More Services to Music Freedom Lineup

Tim — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:10:25 +0000

This afternoon, T-Mobile announced 11 new music streaming services that will be included in Music Freedom, the feature that grants Simple Choice customers the ability to stream music from various services, with all of the data not counting towards your monthly total. For those who enjoy rocking out all month long, it's a big deal. While Music Freedom already covers most of the major services available, including Play Music, Spotify, and Pandora, T-Mobile continues to add new services, making the feature that much better. Newly added music services include Aud.io, Dash Radio, SomaFM, StreamOn, TuneIn Premium, and many more. All of these services will now be able to be streamed at no data charge to you. Below is the list in its entirety.

Aud.io - High-fidelity internet radio
Dash Radio - DJ-driven radio, zero commercials, 24/7
DatPiff - Mixtapes, hip hop music, videos and underground
Jango - Internet radio that plays music you’ll love
KCRW - Music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs
Noon Pacific - A weekly mixtape of the best songs hand-picked from the best music blogs
Radio Danz - The world’s pure dance channel
SomaFM - Ambient, downtempo and chill beats from well-known and unknown artists
Spinrilla - Hip-hop mixtape downloads and streams with no downloading limits
StreamOn - Streaming music services powered by StreamOn. Next-level streaming products for the next era of radio
TuneIn Premium - 100,000 radio stations, 5.7 million podcasts, language learning and more

Enjoy, T-Mo subscribers.

Via: T-Mobile

5 Reasons the Nexus 6P is Worth Buying

Tim — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 12:55:26 +0000

We recently shared 5 reasons you should buy the DROID Turbo 2, but today, we will share 5 reasons the Nexus 6P should be your next smartphone purchase. The point is, and we emphasize this, there are a ton of great phones to choose from this holiday season. 2015 easily has the best lineup of Android devices for purchase we have ever seen, so we are making it our job to make sure you get the right phone for your needs. If you skipped our Nexus 6P review because reviews are too long, and ain't nobody got time for that, let's lay out what makes the Nexus 6P so darn good. Here are five quick reasons the Nexus 6P is worth buying today.

1. It receives updates in a timely manner, straight from Google.

Android updates are a touchy subject for many. If you purchase a new device from Samsung or LG, who knows when a software update will come. It'll likely be months. For example, the Galaxy Note 5 launched with Android 5.1.1, and is reported to receive Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" later this month. And that's just a rumor at this point. There is hardly any transparency regarding updates from a few of the larger phone manufacturers, and when you run Android, that is no good. We need our updates and we need them ASAP. When you purchase a Nexus device from Google, you can rest assured knowing that your phone will be updated to the latest versions of Android in a very timely manner. For those who get a sense of pride from being an early adopter or "tester" of new software, there is no better way to go. If you purchase a Nexus 6P, you will be enjoying Android 6.0 immediately, while other device owners will be left waiting until 2016 for a taste of Marshmallow.

2. The camera is legit.

Finally, after years, we have a Nexus phone with a legit rear-facing camera. It took a long time, but the wait was worth it. As noted in our official Nexus 6P camera review, this Nexus (as well as the Nexus 5X), is capable of snapping excellent shots in various lighting conditions. Not only does it snap good shots, but it snaps them quickly, which is a major bonus for those with pets and children. They're fast little movers, aren't they? On top of the quick, well-exposed shots, Google's software has been highly updated for devices running Android 6.0, and it is a much better experience than you will find on other devices. It's minimal, simple to master, yet still powerful enough for you to capture just the right shot, regardless of the environment.

3. USB Type-C and Rapid Charging.

On Nexus devices, Google is known for integrating future tech into devices that the Android OS supports. This year, Google worked with both LG and Huawei to incorporate USB Type-C ports on the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. On the surface, the big bonus to Type-C is the reversibility of the male end, meaning you can stick the plug into the port anyway - there is no right side up. This is great. However, Google also worked in Rapid Charging, which is essentially like Qualcomm's Quick Charge technology or Samsung's Fast Charging. The point is, your phone charges incredibly quick. This means that if you are running low on juice and don't have time to hang out by a wall outlet, a compatible charger can give you 7 hours of usage from just 10 minutes of charging, according to Google.

4. It works with any carrier, including Project Fi.

Like Nexus phones before it, the Nexus 6P is compatible on a wide variety of carriers, which makes it an ultimate unlocked competitor. Even other unlocked devices, such as the OnePlus X, don't feature enough LTE bands to make them viable options here in the US. The idea of using any carrier you want should excite you, but better yet, why not give Google's own Project Fi service a try? Project Fi utilizes both Sprint and T-Mobile towers, as well as open WiFi connections to deliver good speeds and reception regardless of where you are. I tried the service for a month straight on the Nexus 6 and was generally impressed with my experience. I was even happier about my monthly bill. On Project Fi, you only pay for the data you use. Isn't that the way it should always be? If you don't use your allotted data in a month, your previously paid money is applied to next month's bill. It's a sweet service, as long as you don't live in the middle of nowhere. Even if you don't want Project Fi, the ability to carrier jump is great for those who don't want to be tied down to carriers through contracts.

5. An awesome fingerprint experience.

Oh yes, the sweet fingerprint reader on the Nexus 6P. Unless you try it, you just won't believe how good it is. It is quick to recognize your finger, you can use it for purchases on Google Play, Android Pay, and personally, it is placed in the perfect spot on the backside of the device. As of right now, besides unlocking your phone and making a few purchases, there are not many uses for a fingerprint reader, but I imagine other services will come along that will utilize this features. For example, additional security on file managing applications, personal data security on social networking apps, and more. The tech on smartphones is relatively new, so I imagine only more services will launch as time goes on.

Bonus Reason: The price is extremely competitive.

Starting at $499 for 32GB (all the way to $649 for 128GB), the Nexus 6P is priced well for a device that features an all-metal exterior and a fancy list of specifications. The device has a large 5.7" QHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, dual front-facing speakers, and a mega 3,450mAh battery. As of right now at full retail, it is cheaper than the Galaxy Note 5, but more expensive than the Moto X Pure Edition, and it beats out both of these devices when looking at the complete package. Each phones has its pros and cons, but the Nexus 6P is still a leading contender for Phone of the Year, and since it starts at $499 with no contract or payments, that's not bad at all. So there you have it, 5 simple reasons why the Nexus 6P is worth buying.

You can buy the Nexus 6P from Google and Huawei.

Samsung Launches Optimized Web Browser for Gear VR Owners, Includes Virtual Keyboard

Tim — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 11:09:35 +0000

For those looking to consume even more content through a VR headset, Samsung announced an optimized web browsing experience for owners of the Gear VR. Thanks to the launch of Samsung Internet for Gear VR, which takes place tomorrow, users can browse webpages, watch HTML5 videos, and interact with the web in all new ways. Utilizing voice recognition, as well as a virtual keyboard, users will skim webpages, browse through multiple tabs, and be able to view 360-degree videos all through the web. Essentially, this allows content to be made available more quickly, instead of content having to be downloaded via an app onto the device itself. In addition, a Gaze Mode allows users to simply stare at a menu object for it to be selected, instead of having to use finger input. With webmasters still catching up to make all sites optimized for mobile, we now have more work to do to optimize our sites for virtual reality. The work never ends, apparently. This experience will be made available starting tomorrow as a beta through the Oculus Store for Gear VR owners.

Via: Samsung [2]

Moto X Pure Edition Soak Test of Android 6.0 Marshmallow Starts (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 11:06:25 +0000

The last time we updated you on the status of the Moto X Pure Edition's Android 6.0 Marshmallow update, we told you that it was in the works and could arrive with a "few" weeks. Well, it has been a few weeks and it looks like Motorola is getting ready to begin pushing it out to you all. At the end of last week, Motorola opened up invites to a soak test of a new software update for the device for US testers. Those who were accepted are starting to receive the update today, which is indeed Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The system version is 24.11.18, for those keeping track. Assuming the test rolls out smoothly, those of us not in the test could see the update within a week or two. As we know more, we'll be sure to pass new info along. Anyone else a part of the soak? How's the update so far? Update: The soak test will run for a week before rolling out to all.

Cheers C and R!

Moto 360 Sport Launches January 7 in the US for $299

Tim — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 10:00:39 +0000

Motorola announced today that the Moto 360 Sport, the rubberized version of the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), will be available for US consumers starting January 7, 2016. Priced at $299, the device is marketed towards those who enjoy the aesthetic of a sports watch, plus the ability to resist sweat from your heavy workouts. The device will become available in a variety of colors, through a variety of different retailers. On January 7, the Moto 360 Sport will be available on Motorola's website, as well as other online retailers. On January 10, the device will be on sale directly through Best Buy stores nationwide, as well as the Moto Shop in downtown Chicago. For specs, the device features GPS, a music player, optical heart rate monitor, 1.37" LCD display, Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of onboard storage, 300mAh battery, and the latest version of Android Wear. When Motorola held a press event to announce the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) and Moto 360 Sport, they had the device on display, but no media was allowed to play with the device. We have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to get a bit of hands-on time with the watch. At least we now finally have a launch date. Are you interested in this watch for yourself? Maybe to help with your fitness New Year's resolution?

Via: Motorola

Blackberry Priv Gets First Update With Camera, Performance Improvements

Kellen — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 09:21:39 +0000

Blackberry is pushing its first update to the Priv, today, with improvements for the camera and the phone's performance in tow. The update also should help with stability issues and further enhance security. During our Blackberry Priv review, we were pretty critical of the phone's camera, mostly because of how frustratingly slow it was. It's a major issue, even if the camera can take a decent still photo, because you often only have seconds to snap the best picture. Blackberry says that this camera update does indeed improve speed, but it has also been "re-tuned" for better low-light image quality. As for performance, we aren't sure if they took out the phone's Melt Your Face Mode, but overall, "system performance" has been "tweaked." Blackberry said that they also tried to reduce "instances of crashing and freezing," plus they added December's security patches from Google. On a related note, they are going to push a bunch of Priv app updates on December 14 to the Camera, Keyboard, Hub & Contacts, and DTEK. The Camera app is getting new filters, Keyboard will have increased language support and emoji prediction, and the Hub is getting WhatsApp support. To grab the 475MB update, head into Settings>About>System updates.

Via: Blackberry

LG Announces the Affordable, All-Metal 'Zero' for Asia, Europe and Latin America

Tim — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 08:56:14 +0000

LG announced the Zero this morning, an all-metal device that delivers premium features at an affordable price for those outside of America. Set to ship in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, the Zero includes advanced camera tech and exclusive UX features found in the G series lineup. For specs, the Zero delivers a 5.0" In-Cell Touch (ICT) IPS HD display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 13MP rear-facing camera, 8MP front-facing camera, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, microSD slot for expandable storage, 2,050mAh battery, and runs Android 5.1 "Lollipop." Beyond specs and price, the most important feature of the device, at least in my opinion, are the materials it is made of. LG states they made this all-metal design to offer a "more advanced and modern experience," but hopefully, this device is merely a warmup for LG to offer a more expensive flagship comprised of metal here in the US. According to a report from last month, that is LG's plan for the upcoming G5. If this device hit our shores, would you be interested?

ALL-METAL LG ZERO BRINGS TOGETHER LUXURIOUS DESIGN WITH BEST CAMERA TECHNOLOGY

Thin and Light Smartphone from LG Delivers Premium Features at an Attractive Price
SEOUL, Dec. 1, 2015 — LG Electronics (LG) will commence the global rollout of its slim metal smartphone, LG Zero¹, starting this week in Taiwan followed by other key markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America. First introduced to Korean customers in September, the LG Zero inherits the advanced camera technology and exclusive UX features of the LG G Series and introduces a full metal body for a more advanced and modern experience. The exceptional build quality of the LG Zero is highlighted by its solid aluminum body which gives the LG Zero a premium look and feel. This newest smartphone’s smooth metal body is enhanced by the “Arc Glass” design of the edges which create a slimmer profile. Complementing the solid aluminum exterior is a 5.0-inch In-Cell Touch IPS display which delivers faster recognition, better outdoor visibility and crisper images. LG Zero offers best-in-class camera features adopted from the highly acclaimed G4, resulting in maximum photo resolution, shutter speed and sharpness. The 8MP front camera allows for brighter and clearer selfies while the 13MP rear camera delivers many of the same attributes of a standalone camera. Fans of popular G Series features such as Gesture Shot, Gesture View and Gesture Interval Shot will be delighted to find these options in the LG Zero as well. “At LG, we do not believe in limiting our best technology to just our flagship devices,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The LG Zero exhibits innovation not only in its design but in its ability to offer premium features at a competitive price point.” Prices and participating carriers will be announced locally at the time of availability. Key Specifications: ● Display: 5.0-inch HD In-cell Touch (1280 x 720, 294ppi) ● Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ● Camera: Rear 13MP / Front 8MP ● Memory: 1.5GB LPDDR3 RAM / 16GB eMMC ROM / MicroSD ● Battery: 2,050mAh ● Operating System: Android 5.1 Lollipop ● Size: 142 x 71.8 x 7.4mm ● Weight: 147g ● Network: LTE / HSPA+ / GSM ● Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g, n / Bluetooth 4.1 / USB 2.0 ● Colors: Silver / Gold ¹LG Class in Germany, Korea, Russia and Singapore. ²Specifications may vary depending on the market.

Google Lets You Organize Photos You Find in Google Image Search, and It's Awesome

Kellen — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 08:01:59 +0000

When I want to search for a picture of something, I go directly to Google, search for it, and then tap on the "Images" tab. It's the best way to find an image because it uses Google's search powers, but it also presents dozens and dozens of images in an easy-to-view way. So when Google announced yesterday that it was adding a "Saved Images" feature to mobile searches, along with a way to organize them, I about popped some champagne. Here is the deal. When you do a Google search for images in your mobile browser and find one you like or potentially want to save for later, you can click a little "Save" button/star in the bottom right corner of that image's page. Once you have saved an image, you'll see a floating box when viewing image results that says "View Saved," which will then take you to all of the images you told Google to save. To keep you organized, Google is also allowing you to put images saved into collections. I fired up Google Search this morning to see if this new feature was live and it most certainly is. It's also, awesome. You can search, save, and add to collections so easily. But, you can also access them all later by going to google.com/save on your phone's browser, edit collections, remove no longer needed images, and more. You can see it all in action in the GIFs below, but I suggest you go give it a shot today if you are like me, a big Google image searcher.

Via: Inside Search

Chrome's Data Saver Will Now Save Even More Data by Not Loading Images

Kellen — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 07:22:12 +0000

Ever heard of Data Saver in Chrome on Android? It typically pops-up across your device's screen when you open Chrome for the first time, asking if you want to conserve on data usage by allowing Google to compress web pages before you load them. The feature was introduced around the time that carriers started ~~ripping you off~~ "optimizing" their network by limiting your data plans and killing off unlimited, but it now will serve a new purpose or additional purpose. Over the coming months, Chrome's Data Saver will start intelligently optimizing how a page loads based on your data connection. If it's slow enough, Chrome will actually remove (or not load) images initially to speed up performance and also reduce data consumption (up to 70% now). Once loaded, if you want to see images, you can tell Chrome to do that through a button at the bottom or by touching them individually. Google says that India and Indonesia will get this expanded Data Saver first, before additional countries see it in the "coming months." If this is the first you have heard of Data Saver, feel free to give it a shot. Open Chrome, head into Settings>Data Saver to turn it on.

Via: Chrome Blog

DEAL: Development Course Bundles are an Extra 25% Off Today

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 16:03:33 +0000

Developers, need some new training bundles to help hone those skills in Java or through any of the 500+ eduCBA training courses? If so, we have a bunch available today on the DL Deals store with an extra 25% discount in celebration of Cyber Monday. If you are looking for a couple of examples, we have the eduCBA Tech Training Bundle, where you get a lifetime subscription to the 500+ courses available in the eduCBA library. Courses include everything from C, C++, C#, Java, Ruby, Python, PERL, HTML, CSS, PHP, and Javascript. We also have the Hot Java Android Coding Bundle, where you get five full courses with topics like building for Lollipop and Marshmallow, framework development, getting your game ready to publish, and more. Deal Links: eduCBA Tech Training Bundle ($36.75) | Hot Java Android Coding Bundle ($21.75) Use code "CYBERMONDAY25" at checkout to get these prices. The rest of the eLearning courses can be found at this link. You will get the 25% discount on them all, not including the "Pay What You Want" deals.

Buy a LG V10, Get a Free 64GB MicroSD Card, Battery Charging Cradle, and Battery

Tim — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 16:03:04 +0000

Starting today and ending December 20, if you purchase the LG V10 through Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, you are eligible to receive a free 64 microSD card, battery charging cradle, and extra battery. This promotion highlights the V10 quite well, as it is one of the last flagship devices to feature a removable battery, as well as expandable storage. This same type of promo was done after the G4's release, and a promotion also along these same lines was launched for the V10 back in late October. However, that promo included a 200GB microSD card, not 64GB. You can't complain about free goodies, though, so if you are shopping for a new smartphone, be sure to check out our complete V10 review to see if this phone is a good choice for you. If you purchase the device between today and December 20, you have until December 31 to redeem the offer. Already purchase your V10? Then you should already know that early adopters always get screwed, so no soup for you. Redeem Here

BUNDLE UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE LG V10 – THE OFFICIAL SMARTPHONE FOR HOLIDAY VIDEOS

For A Limited Time, Receive a Free 64 GB mircoSD Card, Extra Battery and Charging Cradle with Purchase of a LG V10
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., – Nov. 30, 2015 – Bundle up this holiday season with the official smartphone for holiday videos – LG V10. With a 16MP camera that includes a Manual Mode and Steady Record, everyone of your fun family moments will look as beautiful as if you shot them on a DSLR style camera. And with the LG V10’s removable battery and expandable memory, you won’t have to worry about missing any of those can’t miss holiday moments. That’s why starting November 30 anyone who purchases a new LG V10 at AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon will receive a:

64 GB MicroSD Card

Extra Battery

Battery Charging Cradle

Act fast, though, because this limited time offer ends December 20. For more information, including availability, please visit: lgv10decemberpromo.com. And for your holiday videos, here’s what else you’ll enjoy with the LG V10: Camera: Take beautiful, crisp photos and videos with the 16MP camera with Laser Auto Focus, and dual 5MP front-facing cameras. Capture the perfect selfie even in the lowest light with the Gesture Shot and Selfie Light. Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 808 Processor, combined with 4GB of RAM lets you move quickly through your favorite apps. Storage: Now more of your photos and videos can live on your smartphone. It has 64GB of internal storage memory, expandable up to 2TB using a MicroSD card (sold separately). Battery: Removable 3000mAh battery. Access & Security: Along with LG’s popular Knock Code, the LG V10 features a new fingerprint sensor to unlock it and turn on the display simultaneously. Operating System: Android™ 5.1 Lollipop. Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.1 1 a, b, g, n, ac/ Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / USB 2.0

5 Reasons the DROID Turbo 2 is Worth Buying

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:43:45 +0000

When you are in the market for a new phone, you (if you are at all a modern customer) probably take to the internet to do the majority of your research. From blogs like this one to paid for services like Consumer Reports, you have plenty of places to get the information that will ultimately help you make a decision on whether or not a phone is the right fit for you. But how often to you stumble onto a review that is thousands of words long and cringe at the thought of reading every single character when you are hoping to make a decision this moment? With this post, we're going to hopefully help you, assuming you are in the market for a phone and are considering the DROID Turbo 2. Here are five quick reasons the DROID Turbo 2 is worth buying today.

1. It's freakin' shatterproof. Like, really.

The DROID Turbo 2 is the first phone from Motorola to use their new ShatterShield technology, which is the combination of a bunch of layers of materials in a display that are incapable of being shattered. In reality, that's probably because none of the layers are glass (Motorola uses a P-OLED display in this phone), so the only real damage you can do to this phone's display is dent or scratch it. Shatter it? Nope. Feel free to try too, because no one has done so successfully. And get this - if you damage the top layer, Motorola will gladly sell you the top "lens" that is replaceable. So should you mark up your display enough during ownership, you can always swap out the top layer for a fresh one to bring back that new phone feeling. If you have ever dropped your a phone and shed a tear or two at the thought of having to replace its shattered or cracked display, the Turbo 2 may just be the phone for you.

2. The battery will last forever.

This phone has a 3760mAh battery inside of it. That's a technical term for "huge ass juice container." With this phone, Motorola says that you can get upwards of 48 hours of battery life on a single charge and I almost believe them. Typically, when a company makes a claim like that, you can cut off about 30-40% to get a realistic number, but in my time, I found that this phone just wouldn't die. And for the record, I still live in my Black Hole of Signal Death (BHoSD), where I get terrible Verizon service, yet I was still going to bed each night during my review period with close to 40% battery left. That's incredible.

3. Might be Motorola's best camera.

Motorola used to fail miserably in the smartphone camera department with each passing phone. Up until this year's Moto X Pure Edition and now the Turbo 2, Motorola was never even in the conversation of a phone manufacturer who had phones that were capable of taking top tier pictures. That is, unless your conversation included ribbing of the guy in your group who attempted to claim his Moto X (1st gen) was "solid after the last update!" Today, Motorola is up there with the best in the business. The 21MP camera in the Turbo 2 is fast, simple to use, decent in low light, and overall, takes really good, sharp, detailed pictures. You can see a whole bunch of them in our full review, but trust me, this is an area you won't be disappointed in.

4. You can customize it to your liking, for free.

In a time where everyone you know has that same stale iPhone with a 2-year old design, Motorola is giving you the chance to make a custom smartphone masterpiece at no extra cost. With the Turbo 2 (and just like the Moto X Pure), you get access to Motorola's Moto Maker, which is a customization tool that lets you choose the amount of storage, frame color, back color, back material (leather, nylon or soft touch plastic), accent color, engraving, and boot-up greeting for your phone. You can, of course, add some cost through Moto Maker if you choose lots of extra storage or higher-end materials (like leather). But in doing that, Motorola will also then let you swap the phone out within two years for a fresh design, should you get bored with your original creation. How awesome is that?

5. It Turbo charges.

You could technically slide this into bullet point 2, but the technology is just so important that I felt it needed to stand on its own. Like with many other phones today that run Qualcomm chipsets (Turbo 2 runs the Snapdragon 810), this phone is capable of taking advantage of Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0. That means, at least according to Motorola's numbers, you can grab up to 13 hours of juice in just 15 minutes of time using the included Turbo Charger. So even though this phone isn't going to die on you in a single day, you always have Turbo charging as a safety blanket to fall back on, should you need a quicker topper in the middle of a day.

Bonus reason: The software is pretty good.

Because the Turbo 2 is a Motorola phone and Motorola has adopted the "pure" Android experience in recent years, you get one of the best software experiences of any Android phone. That means you get a version of Android that hasn't really been messed with, along with Motorola's suite of actually useful add-ons (like Moto Display and Voice). I did say "pretty good," though, because this phone in particular has clearly be influenced by Verizon's agenda, which is a gentle way of saying it has way too much f*cking bloatware and other nonsensical tweaks that no one was asking for. Thankfully, they aren't deal breakers and I think you'll manage. So there you have it, 5 simple reasons why the DROID Turbo 2 is worth buying. Up next, the Nexus 6P (edited).

You can buy the DROID Turbo 2 from Verizon and Motorola.

Report: AT&T Raising Price of Unlimited Plan by $5 in February (Updated)

Tim — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:17:14 +0000

According to a source of 9to5Mac, AT&T may look to raise the price on its grandfathered unlimited data plan for existing customers, bumping the price up by $5 a month. Recently, Verizon did this same move, but opted for a $20 a month increase, really putting the hurting on anyone still utilizing unlimited LTE data. As stated by the source, this change is set to take place in February of 2016, but none of the aforementioned info has been made official by AT&T just yet. The price hike would come as no surprise, as AT&T would only be following suit of Verizon and T-Mobile, although, a $5 increase is rather generous when compared to what T-Mobile and Verizon have done. T-Mobile's unlimited LTE plan was priced at $70, but is now $85 after the rate increase. Do you currently use this plan from AT&T? If so, once and if the price hike takes place, would you consider leaving AT&T? Is $5 extra a month pretty easy to swallow? Share your opinion down below. Update: AT&T's move to bump grandfathered unlimited data plans is now official. The change will take place in February, 2016. AT&T lists a few important notes down below, including info on whether you intend to cancel your service due to the rate increase.

This price increase will not impact your current unlimited data speeds. You’ll still be able to enjoy the nation’s most reliable network and will only see reduced speeds if you exceed 22GB of data in a billing cycle and are in a congested area. Learn more about reduced speeds for smartphone unlimited data plans.
You can change your plan at any time. Learn more about the benefits of Mobile Share Value and how to switch today. If you switch to a different plan you will not be able to switch back to your Unlimited Data plan in the future.
Should you decide to cancel your wireless service because of the $5/mo. increase, we will waive the early termination fees (ETFs) for the lines impacted by the price increase, so long as you cancel within 60 days after the price increase first appears on your bill. If you cancel after that time, you will be subject to the usual ETF.
As with all service cancellations, if you have a smartphone on an AT&T Next^SM installment plan for the lines you are canceling, the cancellation will require the remaining Next^SM balance to be paid.

Via: 9to5Mac

Best Buy Now Selling Nexus 5X, Also has It Discounted to $299

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:06:05 +0000

Google's less expensive new phone, the Nexus 5X, is now available at Best Buy and on sale at the $299 Cyber Weekend price that both Google and Amazon have been selling it at. You can currently buy the phone from Best Buy with 16GB of storage and in black or white, with shipping happening within a day. At this time, no 32GB version is available in any model, nor is the greenish, blueish, mintish, "Ice" color. According to Best Buy, the Nexus 5X should hit physical stores on December 10, in case you have been wanting to get your hands on it before deciding whether or not to buy. To catch up on the Nexus 5X, be sure to read our review. Best Buy Link

Cheers Tom!

Google Sent Out Lego Phone Stand Kits to Project Fi Subscribers as a "Thank You"

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:08:05 +0000

Just before we took off for the long holiday weekend, readers of ours who subscribe to Project Fi notified us that they were receiving little unexpected gift packages from Google as a "Thank you!" for being a part of their wireless service. The gift packages included these cool little Lego sets that were branded with Project Fi logos. In the box, the Lego kits included instructions that helped assemble the Legos into phone stands for charging. Some even came with a USB Type-C cable, probably depending on the phone they own. If you cruise over to the official Project Fi community on Google+ (may need invite), you can see how people went about building with the blocks. Most followed the instructions provided, but some went crazy and cooked up their own creations. Pretty cool gesture.

Cheers Addison!

Adobe Releases Premiere Clip for Android, a Free Video Editor

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 10:17:14 +0000

This morning, Adobe released Premiere Clip for Android, a free video editor for all to use, but one that can also be used as a "gateway into the full feature set" of Premiere Pro. With Premiere Clip, Adobe is allowing all of us to quickly edit and share videos we have taken on our phones. You can choose soundtracks, drag and drop clips or photos, trim everything to only the footage you want seen, and even add lighting adjustments, transitions, and other effects, like slow motion. You can even "edit to the beat of your music like a pro." The new Adobe app is available now. Play Link

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HTC Announces Preview Program, Experience and Provide Feedback on HTC Tech Before Release

Tim — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:59:04 +0000

In an attempt to rally the troops, HTC is calling on all tech fanatics via reddit to join the company's new Preview Program, allowing a few lucky individuals to test out products before they see widespread release across the globe. The program will be used to collect feedback and usage data from actual consumers, hopefully leading to devices from HTC that people might want to spend their hard earned money on. To sign yourself up for a chance at trying out devices, HTC has set up a simple submission form through its website. You will provide basic contact information, give a bit of insight into how you use your current phone, explain which phones you have used in the past, and if you own a RE Camera. All pretty general. On reddit, HTC states that if you are selected to test devices, you must keep any and all information regarding said device to yourself, and you will be made to sign a digital NDA. HTC also states that they will evaluate all legal options if the NDA is broken, so please, be careful with what you share publicly. The Preview program will apparently cover future hardware and even software, so if selected, you should be prepared to provide feedback on different user experiences across a wide array of smartphone subjects. Signing up for the program does not guarantee you a slot, but hey, you can at least try. Preview Program Signup

Via: reddit | HTC

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4 Gets Advanced Messaging and Video Calling in Update

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:19:32 +0000

T-Mobile is issuing updates to two of its older Samsung phones this morning, those being the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge. The update adds T-Mobile's Advanced Messaging and Mobile Video Calling, two features first announced by the wireless carrier back in July. With Advanced Messaging, you get a more robust, chat-like experience, where you can send bigger photos (up to 10MB), see when a person is responding to you, participate in better group chats, and more. It's basically the new version of text messaging that most of the carriers will adopt. Video Calling is well, video calling. You get the idea there, right? The updates are rolling out today as N910TUVU2DOK2 (677MB) or N910T3UVU1DOK2 (223MB) for the Note 4 and N915TUVU2COK2 (150MB) for the Note Edge. To check for each, head into Settings>About device>Software update.

Via: T-Mobile [2]

Straight Talk Deals on Extended Plans Save You Up to $55 Per Year

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 07:27:06 +0000

For a limited time, maybe even just today, Straight Talk, probably leader of all the MVNO prepaid services, is slashing prices on its extended plans by up to $55 depending on the option you choose. Extended plans are just Straight Talk's way of branding their plans that have you pre-pay for longer than a month. So the idea here is that you pre-pay for an extended period of time and see a discount. On a typical day, Straight Talk's extended plans are as follows - 3-month unlimited for $130, 6-month unlimited for $255, and 1-year unlimited for $495. If you go the extended route today, you are looking at - 3-month unlimited for $120 ($10 off), 6-month unlimited for $230 ($25 off), and 1-year unlimited for $440 ($55 off). Plus, if you go the extended route, you are already saving quite a bit of money over a monthly payment. For example, Straight Talk's monthly unlimited plan runs $45. If you were to pay that monthly and not choose an extended, in a year you would be paying $540. With today's deal, you are then saving $100 per year. Straight Talk Deal

Cheers John!

Cyber Monday Deals 2015

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 07:03:00 +0000

It's Cyber Monday, which you likely already knew because the internet won't shut up about it. We even posted up a Cyber Monday deal already, because it's actually a really good deal on a Galaxy S6. With that said, we're dealed out at this point. Sooooo, if you want to wade through a sea of fresh deals, we won't exactly have that today unless we see some excellent ones, like that S6 deal - then we'll go ahead and share. With that said, our entire massive Black Friday deals list still basically holds through today. Rather than figure out one set of deals for Black Friday and then another for Cyber Monday, most companies now just discount things on Thanksgiving or before and then carry those all the way through today. If you want to browse through a massive list of deals because you disappeared from the internet over the weekend, you can find it here.

DEAL: Unlocked Galaxy S6 Drops to $399 Today at Amazon

Kellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 06:47:20 +0000

Hey, it's Cyber Monday now, after a full weekend of deals. I'd imagine you spent all the cash you set aside for holiday shopping, but yes, there are still deals to be had today. Over at Amazon, you can buy a brand new, unlocked Samsung Galaxy S6 for just $399. That's Moto X Pure-like pricing there, for a phone that really helped partially revive Samsung after a couple of years of really dull smartphones. The model you are buying is the SM-G920T, which is the T-Mobile version. This phone will work on both AT&T and T-Mobile, though, in case you were interested. And in case you need a refresher on why this phone is amazing, hit up our Galaxy S6 review. Amazon Link

Video: Instagram's New Multiple Account Feature

Kellen — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 10:38:40 +0000

This morning, we showed you the new Instagram multiple accounts feature that is slowly rolling out on Android, but wanted to follow that up with a deeper look on video to give you a better idea as to how it works. Once additional accounts have been added, it's really easy to flip between them all. Some of you may be wondering why anyone would need to support multiple accounts on Instagram and the answer is simple - people like me. Or other business owners. Or people whose job is to manage social media accounts for the company they work for. Or people who want an account for posting car pictures to and another for posting food. There are a lot of reasons for having multiple accounts, so seeing this feature arrive finally, is a big deal. The clip walks you through this in detail, but the basics for managing multiple accounts on Instagram are as follows. Once logged in, head to your profile page and open the settings menu. At the very bottom of the list of settings, you will see an option to "Add Account." Tap that and type out your credentials for your secondary or third or fourth account. Once you have added additional accounts, you can then quickly add more or jump between them all on the profile page through a drop down menu at the top left, where your account name is located. You will hear this in the clip, but it appears as if this feature is a part of the latest beta (v7.12.0) and may also only be slowly rolling out behind the scenes through a server side switch. I have it, yet a number of others on this version do not. Either way, check it out in action below and let us know if you see it pop-up!

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DEAL: Slickwraps and dbrand Skins Both Doing Massive Black Friday Deals and Giveaways

Kellen — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 08:39:03 +0000

You know all of those nicely fitted skins that YouTubers are constantly ~~paid to hawk~~ recommending in videos across the web? You know you've seen them - the shiny new carbon fiber or wood or metallic or leather skins from Slickwraps and dbrand that are available for all the newest phones. They are everywhere; you can't miss them. If you are a fan of their products (and it's OK to be, because they both make good stuff), know that they are each hosting massive Black Friday sales. Slickwraps is hosting a 50% off discount sitewide on everything they sell with code BLACKFRIDAY. But to sweeten the deal, they are tossing in cash to random orders in $1, $5, $20, and $100 increments to the tune of $10K total. Finally, they are also giving away a grand prize trip to CES. dbrand is hosting a 30% off discount sitewide on everything they sell, though no coupon is required because they already discounted it all. To sweeten their deal, they are doing a grand prize giveaway that includes an all-expense paid trip to the 2016 NBA All-Star game in Toronto on February 13. The prize includes airfare, an airport pick-up in a Lamborghini, 2-night stay at the Shangri-La (5-star) hotel, $1,000 in spending cash, and courtside seats to the game, where you'll sit next to MKBHD and Lewis from Unbox Therapy. Oh, you get VIP party access, plus on-court access as well. Deal links below! Links: Slickwraps | dbrand

DEAL: Amazon Echo and Fire TV Products All Discounted for Black Friday

Kellen — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 08:18:50 +0000

I know that most of us as Android elitists aren't fans of Amazon's implementation of "Android" on tablets and phones, but that doesn't mean some of their other offerings, like the Amazon Echo and handful of Fire TV products aren't solid and completely worth having in your home. For Black Friday, Amazon is discounting all of their Amazon devices like the Echo and Fire TV line-up. They are also discounting all of their tablets and e-readers as well, in case those are of interest. The Amazon Echo, which is Amazon's assistant/speaker/cool-looking-tube, has been discounted by $31 to $149. Their Fire TV products are also seeing nice price cuts. The Fire TV stick (without voice remote) is down to $24.99, but you can grab the version with a voice remote for $10 extra at $34.99. If you want something a bit more high-powered, the regular Fire TV box is down to $74.99 ($25 discount). Amazon Devices Deal Link

Whoa: Instagram on Android Gets Multiple Account Support

Kellen — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 07:56:39 +0000

An update to Instagram is rolling out on Android as v7.12.0 that brings a significant new feature - multiple account support! For those of us who operate a business and a personal Instagram account, we can now control both without having to log in and out each time! I can't even begin to describe how big of a deal this is for all sorts of industries (and the DL IG account). When you update, in order to add a secondary account, you'll need to go to your profile page, hit the menu button in the top left, and then scroll all the way down until you find the "Add Account" option. Tap that and sign in. Once signed in to multiple accounts, you can then toggle between them through a drop down menu found on your profile tab in the top left corner. You can see how this looks in the image above. From that menu, you can switch or even add additional accounts, in case you have more than two. Once you choose an account, the profile image for that account will then show as the image of your profile tab, so that you always know which account you are using. If you want to sign out of one, you can do that from the settings menu, all the way at the bottom. Yay for multiple accounts! Edit: This could very well require a behind-the-scenes server side flip in order for the feature to go live on your device. You will more than likely need the new 7.12.0 version, though, so be sure to sideload that below. Play Link | Download Link (apk)

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DEAL: Extra 15% Off in the DL Deals Store With This Code

Kellen — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 07:34:29 +0000

You can now add the DL Deals Store to your Black Friday destinations, as we have a coupon code that will save you an extra 15% off of all of the already discounted prices. All you have to do is plug-in "BLACKFRIDAY" at checkout and the prices will drop. There are some exceptions, but for the most part, all of the stuff you want works with the code. Here are some decent options:

UE Boom Bluetooth speaker for $119 [$20.99 off]
Soundfreaq Pocket Kick Bluetooth speaker for $51 [$8.99 off]
iLoud Bluetooth speaker for $170 [$29.99 off]
Wireless LED Lighting Starter Kit for $68 [$11 off]
Mpow 4-Port USB Wall Charger for $18.70 [$3.29 off]
SNES30 Bluetooth Game Controller for $25.46 [$4.49 off]
Pencil by FiftyThree for $38.25 [$6.74 off]
Tenqa FIT Bluetooth earbuds for $42.50 [$7.49 off]
ZeroLemon 3500mAh Galaxy S6 charging case for $24.65 [$4.34 off]

Deals Store

Google Store Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals 2015

Kellen — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 07:16:52 +0000

Google finally posted its Google Store plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday last night, many of which are quite good. We're talking discounts on Nexus products, accessories, Android Wear, Chromecast, and more. Here is the full list:

Nexus 5X for $299 or $349 [$80 off]
Nexus 9 for $199 or $279 [$200 off]
50% off Nexus accessories
Chromecast deal of 2 for $50 [$20 off]
Chromecast Audio deal of 2 for $50 [$20 off]
LG Watch Urbane for $279 [$70 off]
Nest Cam for $169 [$30 off]
Nest Thermostat deal of $50 Google Play credit with purchase
$50 off select Chromebooks

Here is the full Google Store Black Friday/Cyber Monday Hub.

DEAL: Nexus 5X Drops to $299 on Amazon and Google Store

Kellen — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 07:07:07 +0000

Black Friday is well underway across country, but even if you got a late start, there are still deals to be had. The first that you should check out is the deal on the Nexus 5X at Amazon and Google Store. While not the best of the two new Nexus phones, it has been dropped to $299 for the shopping holiday and is probably well worth it at that price point. To clarify, the Nexus 5X with 16GB of storage is $299, while the 32GB model is down to $349. Be sure to read our Nexus 5X review to catch up. Amazon Link | Google Store Link

Google Play Cyber Weekend Deals Includes Discounts on Apps, Games, Movies, Music, and More

Kellen — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 08:27:22 +0000

Google Play opened up a Cyber Weekend Deals special last night that you should definitely take a peek at over the next few days. You'll find games for as low as $0.99, big discounts on in-app purchases, 50% off other apps and their subscriptions, music deals with albums as low as $0.99, new movies to purchase for $5.99, and books and other literature for super cheap. To view all of the deals, hit up the link below. Google Play Link

Android and Nexus Twitter Accounts Tease Black Friday Deals

Tim — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 10:44:40 +0000

Over on Twitter, the official Android and Nexus accounts are teasing upcoming deals for Black Friday, but unlike all other companies, Google is opting to keep it a secret. We love a good mystery. While we have no clue as to what Google intends to do, we can have a bit of fun speculating. For Android, it's possible that there will be significant savings to be had on Google Play for apps, music, movies, and books. This seems like a given. For Nexus, is it possible Google will cut the price of its current device lineup for a limited time? Or maybe, if you buy a Nexus device at the regular price, Google will throw in a free Chromecast or $100 of Google Play credit. That seems a bit more likely. The tweets only state "Black Friday," with no mention of specific time. So, if I were you, I would keep my eye on those Twitter accounts to make sure you don't miss any of the upcoming deals. Do you have a guess as to what Google intends to do?

.@Android #Nexus is ready! #BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/uEjgqTYSjK
— Nexus (@googlenexus) November 25, 2015

Via: @Android | @Nexus

BlackBerry Priv Review

Ron — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:55:41 +0000

The BlackBerry Priv is, in my opinion, the most important phone of the year. That’s not something I say lightly. The Priv gets so many things right and has a uniquely beneficial experience that you can’t get on any other device, but like every other phone there are flaws. Is the Priv the phone of the year or just another nail in BlackBerry’s (née RIM) coffin? This is our BlackBerry Priv review.

The Good

The Display The display on the Priv is visually great. Colors are accurate, text is crisp, and the curve along the edge of the display makes Android's slide out menus feel more real. My unit’s screen did have a little give in it towards the middle, but it didn’t seem to affect anything and hopefully was just a defect on my unit. The display is able to get very dim, but I have definitely seen displays that get brighter, meaning you may have some issues in direct sunlight. The screen, of course, slides up to reveal the keyboard. It is not something you can make happen with a flick of the wrist (although with enough momentum in the right direction it is possible) because the locking mechanism doesn’t allow for it, which is a good thing. If the screen is off you can simply slide up by pressing at the bottom of the display to open it, but obviously that gesture is a bit of an issue with the screen on. In that situation there is a little raised edge along the bottom of the display, but above the speaker that is perfect for you to place your thumb under to slide up, even in one hand. The vertical slider isn’t a new form factor, but it is good to see a company execute it well. My only complaint with this implementation is that you can’t slide down the slider to end a call. I have vivid memories of friends hanging up calls on their LG Chocolate feature phones. It seems like an obvious thing to add, but like the Pre, it isn’t there. Oh well. Hardware Design The Priv feels like a tank. A plastic tank, but a tank nonetheless. That's not a bad thing, but don't expect the Priv to delicately slide into your pocket. I actually found myself favoring placing the phone in the back pocket of my jeans while walking around. While the Priv is thick by today’s standards (and thin by 5 year ago’s standards), it is by no means unwieldy. The Priv always felt solid in hand and the grippy back made me feel very confident to hold and use the device in one hand. The body looks downright handsome in its stealth black paint. Where other phones look delicate with their bendable aluminum bodies and glass backs, the Priv feels like a solid, well constructed pocket computer. The right side of the phone has the volume up and down keys and in between them is a button to switch between Do Not Disturb, Priority, or Normal notification levels. Unfortunately, repeatedly pressing the button does not cycle through the options nor can you use the volume keys to cycle between them. Also, the button doesn't work with the screen turned off, so it's really just a slightly faster way to get that screen up before you have to reach up to touch the display again. That said, the buttons do feel pretty solid if a little wobbly. The power button is on the left. It too feels a little wobbly. I don't know why BlackBerry didn't put the power button on the right and the volume on the left like most manufacturers are doing now. Maybe the CEO is left handed? Regardless, double tap to wake is here and unlike the HTC A9 it works consistently. The body of the Priv is curved to match the sloping glass on the front, but the middle edges are flat so that the phone is easy to grip. There are two logos, one in the back with just the logo and one at the front top of the device with the logo and the word BlackBerry. Both are in silver and are relatively unobtrusive, but I do wish manufacturers would stop stamping their names on the front of the phone. Like almost every other flagship phone there is a camera hump, but I rarely noticed it. The bottom of the phone has a micro USB port (shame) at the center and the headphone jack on the right. It looks downright sparse and I love it. The placement of the headphone jack makes it relatively easy to find with a cursory brush against the bottom of the device. The top of the phone features a micro SD card tray and the SIM tray. For whatever reason the SIM card needs to be placed on the bottom of the tray (facing the back of the phone) instead of on the top. This isn't a big deal, but it is an odd design that was confusing at first.

The Keyboard The keyboard on the Priv is probably my favorite thing about it. Can I type faster on a software keyboard? Yes, but I can't help but feel more productive on the Priv. If you have never used a phone with a hardware keyboard then it might take you longer to adjust, but I found that by the end of my first day with the Priv I had restored my old habits again. My favorite use for the keyboard, though, isn't typing. It's scrolling. When I'm in Talon or Instapaper I adore being able to scroll with the keyboard. I find it's akin to scrolling through text on a tablet where you have as much screen real estate that you can scroll with your thumb in the margin without noticing it's there or, or course, to scrolling with a mouse. You can also use the trackpad to move the cursor around by double tapping and holding and then swiping to wherever you want the cursor. It's not an easy to find gesture, but it's better than the software version of pecking at the screen until it moves the cursor to the right spot. I do wish the trackpad feature was a little more robust so I could use it to swipe between panels in an app like Tweetings, but it goes a long way towards making the overall experience with text much better. If you're able to focus on typing, though, it can be a wonderful, focused experience. As you're typing suggestions will pop up just above Android's navigation keys. You can select these suggestions by tapping on them or by swiping towards them on the keyboard. Most Of the time I found myself just backspacing a correcting a typo when I saw it if autocorrect didn't get it on its own, but for one handed typing it is useful. There is a dedicated symbol key that pops up a keyboard window with symbols that are then mapped to the physical keyboard, but I found it faster and easier to access this menu by simply swiping down on the keyboard instead of hitting the dedicated button. As long as you're using the stock launcher you can also set shortcut keys for individual presses or long presses on the keyboard. These shortcuts can be actions (like call so and so or turn off WiFi or add a new contact) or to launch apps. For example, I have T set to launch Talon, I Instapaper, G Inbox, M Apple Music, and K to speed dial my wife. I found this to be incredibly geeky and lovely. This is why nerds like us loved devices with keyboards. Another related feature that I loved was the ability to jump to the top of an app by pressing T on the keyboard or the bottom by pressing B. Strangely this didn't work in Chrome, but it did work in Instagram and Twitter apps like Talon, Fenix, and Tweetings. Being able to jump to the top of a list has been built into iOS for years, so having a hardware shortcut that works in many apps is nice to have.

The software keyboard is about as good as any other, although the lack of swipe support will make it a tough sell for some. Rather than suggestions lining up above the keyboard words are placed all over the keys. Once you find the word you're trying to type you swipe up over the word to insert it. It's an interesting design, but I found most of the time it was faster for me to just type out the word. I'm definitely faster at typing on the software keyboard that BlackBerry provides than on their hardware keyboard. Does that mean the whole conceit of the phone is useless? Absolutely not. It isn't just about being able to type on the device, but rather about what kind of experience that affords. I love being able to look up at the screen and confidently type on the physical keys. I do that on a software keyboard all the time, but having that physical feedback still feels more reassuring. I do wish the keyboard had some of the improvements I mentioned, but the lack of those features is not a deal breaker at all. The Priv gives you options that you can't find on any other flagship; that's pretty surprising in 2015. The Software The Priv runs an almost stock version of Android 5.1.1 (that's right, no Marshmallow on the most secure phone in the world), but there are a few changes to note. Notifications can be bundled by app, so if you have a ton of new notifications, but you really just want to see your emails you can tap on your email app icon and only see those in the notification shade. BlackBerry includes a Peek menu on the edge of the display to quickly see your calendar, favorite contacts, messages from Hub, and tasks. You can adjust the transparency of the menu and switch it to the right if you prefer or turn it off altogether. I did like being able to quickly see calendar events and favorite contacts quickly, but most of the time I forgot it was there. There are also little tweaks to the launcher like the ability to launch an app’s widget from the home screen by swiping up over it or a long press of the home button letting you swipe into Google Now, BlackBerry Hub, or Device Search. BlackBerry Hub is an app that summarizes your communications for you. All of your emails and texts and calls and even social media bits can be found in one place. I can see this being really helpful for someone who either needs or wants a summary of their day regularly or who wants a notification center to go to because they find the notification tray too limited or lacking context. Device Search is a limited replacement for Google Now that allows you to search your device or, if you don't find what you want, you can tap a button to search the web or Drive or any other app listed under Extended Search. When you're on the home screen if you start typing on the keyboard it will ask if you'd like to use Device Search or Google Now. Normally I'd say you should select Now, but that depends on the kind of searching you do. If you're usually just wanting to search for an app or a contact then device search is fine. More importantly, if you use Now with the physical keyboard from the home screen you'll find a frustrating delay. If I start typing my wife’s name, Katelyn, device search will type the whole thing. With Now, there is a delay between the first character and the app launching so that it misses the next two characters and types ‘Kelyn’ instead. If you wait for the app to launch after typing the first letter or your query then you'll be fine, but that annoying delay led me to use Device Search for local searches and then launch Chrome for a Web search. One change that I love on the Priv is the layout for multitasking. Instead of showing a vertical stack of cards, BlackBerry designed multitasking to show a grid of apps in varying sizes. Think of it like the Windows 8 Start menu for apps you already have open. Hitting the multitasking button and then thumbing through the list of apps on the keyboard’s touchpad feels like magic. Compared to the stacked card interfaces of Android Lollipop and Marshmallow and iOS 9, Blackberry’s implementation is a breath of fresh air. You can see more than one app with its preview clearly. It’s one of the biggest things I’ll miss when the Priv goes away.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Security and Privacy One of the things that BlackBerry prides itself on is security and privacy. The Priv is one of the worst devices of the year with regard to these two features for three simple reasons. The first, and most important, is that the Priv lacks a fingerprint scanner. The Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, HTC One A9, Galaxy S6, and Note 5, all feature fingerprint scanners without being advertised as "secure" or "private" devices. Seriously, BlackBerry, what do I need to do for the privilege to have a fingerprint scanner to secure my device in 2015? It's neat that I can type in my password or pin on a keyboard, but I'd much rather just wake and unlock my phone with a quick scan of my thumb and only type in that code at boot.

The second is that DTEK thinks it's secure for me to have a password or PIN that locks my device after 10 minutes. If I were to allow that setting then I could, in theory, unlock my phone to check Instagram and then set down my phone. From that point there is a ten minute window for someone to steal my phone and gain access to all of my accounts because he or she has access to my email. BlackBerry should not be giving that default setting a passing score. I also love that DTEK has a section that says that my device is secure because it is a BlackBerry. The third is that the Priv runs Android 5.1.1. While this shouldn’t be too upsetting for users considering Marshmallow is only just over a month old, from a security standpoint it is a bit of an issue. Maybe BlackBerry will be quick with updates, but there's a good chance that unless BlackBerry picks up the pace the OS itself will become a security issue. Performance Performance on the Priv was great. Between the Snapdragon 808 and the 3 GB of RAM apps launched quickly, ran well, and stayed in memory for plenty of time. The device does run hot when under the stress of a game (which shouldn't come as a surprise considering this year’s Snapdragons) and battery life definitely takes a hit. That being said, the Priv took everything I threw at it with aplomb. If you live in a cold area and like having a warm phone with a physical keyboard then the Priv makes for a nice solution. Audio The front facing speaker on the Priv is great to see. It's not a Boom Sound speaker or anything, but it's plenty loud for speakerphone calls or listening to music in an otherwise quiet room. I put The Beach Boys on while washing dishes and I could hear Brian and the gang perfectly well. I do wish the volume got louder with headphones, though. With headphones the audio is certainly audible, but my iPhone and the Galaxies are able to get several clicks louder.

The Not-so-Good

Pricing and Availability The BlackBerry Priv is available right now at AT&T for $24.67 per month on a payment plan or $249.99 on a 2 year contract. You can also buy the Priv directly from BlackBerry for $699.99. The model from BlackBerry will work with AT&T or T-Mobile. Verizon has promised that they too will carry the Priv, but I wouldn't expect to see it until sometime next year (February is my guess). This isn't the best availability we've seen on a phone, but my guess is that BlackBerry got a little kickback for being exclusive with AT&T for a bit. I'm also not a huge fan of the pricing, but remember most top tier phones have been within $50 of this price point until very recently. The reality is BlackBerry knows they aren't going to reach Apple or even Samsung sales with this phone, so their average selling price needs to be higher in order for them to stay in business. I think that's a fair tradeoff for those who want a BlackBerry (those people are still out there, trust me). Battery Life Battery life on the Priv was less than stellar. Like most of the phones we’ve seen this year, fast charging is a nice workaround for the same problem. The Priv actually has a decent sized battery in it and compared to its thickness I expected better results. On my first full day with the phone it lasted until 3:30 PM when it was around 10%. That morning I caught up on Twitter, streamed music to work, and worked on this review. On my second full day the phone was at 25% by 3:15 after some Twitter, gaming (Spider-Man Unlimited), taking some photos, checking Instagram, and working on this review. On the third day I managed to get to 4:15 before the phone hit 15%. As the week progressed I continued to get similar battery life, meaning you will almost certainly need to charge in the afternoon unless you don’t use your phone much. If you're interested in the Priv the good news is that this news probably won't dissuade you from getting the phone seeing as battery life is a problem on most Android phones.

Cameras The front facing camera on the Priv is good in bright light. In anything other than bright conditions you're going to want someone else to take your selfies for you unless you love blue/green hazes over your photos. The fact that BlackBerry shipped a front facing camera this bad in 2015 just goes to show how little they care or know about what people want in a smartphone.

The rear facing camera on the Priv takes good shots. The dynamic range was surprisingly good in shots where the light differed and it performs well enough in low light situations. I loved being able to frame a shot and pressing the spacebar on the keyboard to fire the shutter. That led to an experience a bit more akin to shooting with an actual camera and I felt like I was able to stabilize the shot better than I can if I have to push in a volume button or peck at the screen. The frustrating and ultimately disappointing part about the camera is that it is downright slow. If you have children and don't use a dedicated camera like a Fuji X100T to take pictures of them, don't get this phone. For more relaxed shots like those in the gallery below it’s more than capable, but you will miss everything from your daughter's basketball game with this camera. If you press down on the shutter (software, volume, or space) then you can shoot a burst of photos that will capture the moment (here's a GIF to show how fast burst shots are), but there is always a bit of a delay that almost certainly ensures you’ll miss whatever you were hoping to capture at first and then everything after. In short, if you want to shoot photos of fast moving things be ready at any moment or do the responsible thing and get a better camera to capture those important moments. One other issue is that there can be some glare in shots with more direct sunlight (as seen in the image below with the Christmas tree), but that's to be expected with most cameras. All in all I think the Priv’s rear facing camera is up to snuff to be your daily camera unless you take pictures of fast moving objects like children or dogs.

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

Video

[responsive_vid vid_url="Yb7vR1FhSPc"]

Gallery

The Verdict

In so many ways the Priv feels like everything the Palm Pre would have become. It makes me wonder if Palm would have done better if they had bet on large screens instead of tiny ones. The Priv features a lot of really good software ideas with interesting hardware, but the lackluster battery life and poor camera performance make it hard to recommend to anyone but the biggest keyboard nerd. If you don’t use your phone to take a lot of pictures and you don’t mind having to charge your phone then the Priv is worth looking at. This is heartbreaking to write because the Priv does so much so well and, most importantly, actually offers something you can’t get on any other Android phone. As the year ends we like to look back and think about what phone was the phone of the year. I think the Nexus 6P is the clear answer for Android phones, but as I think about that answer it feels so boring. What makes the 6P the best phone? It has a good camera, runs stock Android, features a great fingerprint scanner, has good battery life because it is the size of a human baby, and features a premium design. Those are great reasons for it to be phone of the year, but there’s nothing really special about that. It’s the best because it does what every phone should do in 2015, but most still don’t. The closest runner up is probably the Galaxy Note 5, but that’s not because of the Note’s main differentiator: size and stylus. The size of the Note 5 is in some ways a detriment because that size doesn’t translate into phenomenal battery life anymore and the stylus, while somewhat useful, will remain in its silo for most people either because they inserted it the wrong way or because they just don’t have a use for it. If the Priv had a stellar camera and a fingerprint scanner then I think it would be a shoo-in for phone of the year, even with its mediocre battery life. Why? Because the Priv actually offers something that is different from any other phone (like the stylus on the Note), but it actually does some really useful things. Being able to quickly launch apps with shortcuts or call contacts is nerdy, but it’s easy to teach and incredibly useful. The multitasking menu is a breath of fresh air that looks nice and places function over form without sacrificing the other; something Apple and Google appear incapable of with their implementations. Being able to scroll over text isn’t the best thing since sliced bread, but it creates a less busy interface that helps the user focus on the content instead of trying to read around their thumb. This is what differentiation is supposed to look like. It isn’t just making the software look different like we saw every OEM trying to do in the beginning of Android (and Windows Mobile) and it isn’t tacking on hardware with limited function. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the stylus on the Note 5, but it was nowhere near as functional or helpful as the keyboard on the Priv. Should every Android phone have a keyboard? Nope, but I would love to see manufacturers take inspiration from BlackBerry and actually try to differentiate their devices with interesting hardware that is focused around helping people use their devices better. I’m really glad that BlackBerry made the Priv. I hope they sell enough devices to keep in business and keep trying to innovate themselves out of the hole they made for themselves. I never thought I’d say those words, but it’s true. We need better competition in Android because we don’t all need black slabs that do the same thing with slightly better battery life or slightly better cameras to differentiate. I want to see more than that, and I think the Priv is a great first step towards that reality.

Fossil Q Founder Now Available for Purchase at $295

Tim — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:51:46 +0000

The Q Founder from Fossil, the brand's first dive into Android Wear, is now available for purchase at $295 directly through its website. The Q Founder is one of the first smartwatches available from a brand that has been in the watch game for years, bringing their design and manufacturing expertise to a relatively new sector of wrist computing. When Android Wear was first announced oh so long ago, Fossil was one of the initial partners with Google. The Q Founder features a stainless steel body with matching bands. On the inside, buyers will find 4GB of storage and 400mAh battery, but Fossil is still not yet stating on its specifications list what processor or screen resolution the smartwatch features. Other features that are listed include a IP67 rating, a gang of sensors, Bluetooth 4.1, and a "flat tire." The device is priced at $295 directly from Fossil, and it does not appear the watch can be purchased inside any retail shops just yet. Once Fossil updates us on additional specs, we will update this post. Fossil Link

T-Mobile is Giving Sprint Customers Who Switch an Extra $200 Just Because

Kellen — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 06:34:32 +0000

T-Mobile continued its holiday giving ways this morning by announcing to Sprint customers that they will receive an extra $200 per line should they make the switch to magenta. The deal kicks off tomorrow, November 26, and doesn't seem to be limited in the number of lines you can bring over nor do there seem to be any hidden tricks. If you switch from Sprint to T-Mobile, they will credit your account with $200 per line. Here is the exact copy from T-Mobile's press release:

For customers fed up with Sprint’s slow speeds and limited coverage, getting your $200 gift couldn’t possibly be simpler. Just switch any Sprint number – including postpaid, prepaid, Boost and Virgin Mobile – over to a T-Mobile Simple Choice postpaid plan starting this Thursday, November 26 and you’ll automatically get a $200 credit on your bill. That’s $200 multiplied by as many lines as you switch. For a family of four, that could mean $800 extra, and for a business with 10 employees, we’re talking about a $2,000 credit!

If Sprint and its monthly promotions for half off this or that, or this or that confusing lease, haven't been serving you well, here is another option. Additional details of the deal can be seen at the link below.

Via: T-Mobile

Games for NVIDIA SHIELD Devices Currently 50% Off Through Google Play

Tim — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:25:04 +0000

Probably thanks to the holidays, NVIDIA is listing a ton of great games at 50% off this week on Google Play, including DOOM 3 BFG Edition ($5) and the Half Life 2 episodes. Each of these games will require you to own a compatible device, which currently, is the SHIELD TV, SHIELD Tablet, and SHIELD Tablet K1. Additionally, you will need a SHIELD Controller to play. On top of DOOM 3 and the Half Life 2 titles, you can pick up Portal for just $5 (down from $10), and Contrast for $7.50 (down from $15). Q.U.B.E. and Pix the Cat are also available, priced at $5 a pop. Below, grab the links to all of the games available at a discounted rate for your Tegra-powered device. Play Links

DEAL: Tronsmart Quick Chargers All Substantially Discounted at Amazon for Black Friday Week

Kellen — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:36:49 +0000

The folks at Tronsmart sent us their list of Black Friday week deals (they are all live now), which includes most of their products at pretty substantial discounts. For example, you can grab a single-port Quick Charge 2.0 car charger for just $5.99 after coupon code. They also have 3 and 4-port car chargers discounted, 3-port wall chargers under $10, and bigger desktop chargers as well. These are those great stocking stuffer type options for your friends and family members who always have a dead phone. The full list of deals, with coupon codes is below. Car Chargers

Tronsmart 1-Port Car Charger (1 QC 2.0 Port) - CODE U293HAPV - $5.99 ($6 off)
Tronsmart 2-Port Car Charger (2 x QC 2.0 Port) - CODE PD72FZJH - $10.49 ($9.50 off)
Tronsmart USB Type-C Car Charger - CODE TYPECCAR - $9.99 ($10 off)
Tronsmart 3-Port Car Charger (2 x QC 2.0 Port + 1 VoltIQ Port) - CODE 9XQCVY3A - $13.49 ($8.50 off)
Tronsmart 4-Port Car Charger (1 QC 2.0 Port+ 3 x VoltIQ Port) - CODE 4PORTCAR - $11.49 ($8.50 off)

Wall Chargers

Tronsmart QC 2.0 Single Port Wall Charger - no code needed - $8.99 ($6 off)
Tronsmart 2-Port Wall Charger (2 x QC 2.0 Port) - CODE MTVFSFZC - $13.49 ($8.50 off)
Tronsmart 3-Port Wall Charger (1 QC 2.0 Port+ 2 x VoltIQ Port) - CODE 2ECBRH5G - $9.99 ($10 off)

Desktop Chargers

Tronsmart Titan (QC 2.0 and VoltIQ in each port) - CODE 53E8EJCI - $27.99 ($10 off)
Tronsmart 5-Port 54W - CODE IJQS6WCJ - $19.99 ($10 off)

Give the Gift of Data on Verizon, $10 for 1GB Billed to Your Account

Tim — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:41:57 +0000

Let's face it, the times are changing. Instead of gifting hideous Christmas sweaters or gift cards, you can now give the gift of free cellular data, brought to you by Verizon. Through Verizon's website or through the Verizon Messages app (on Android), you can gift 1GB of high-speed LTE data to a loved one, priced at $10 that is billed directly to your account. Verizon states that this free 1GB of data can be used for whatever, including streaming Netflix, watching NFL Mobile, or whatever else your loved one decides to use it on. To purchase this 1GB of data, open up the Verizon Messages app on your Android device (once it is updated), go to the eGift Catalogue section, then purchase it. The $10 will be billed directly to your account. On a desktop, through your account on Verizon's website, you will find the gift giving section. On both desktop and mobile, you will be able to customize a message to send along with the 1GB of data. On your friend's side, they will receive a text message with a link to claim their 1GB of data. Will you be gifting any data this holiday season?

Yep, That New Google Play UI is Finally Rolling Out to Everyone (on the Web Too)

Kellen — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:03:57 +0000

Remember that new Google Play UI that was teased back in early October, the one we said was starting to rollout the next day? Turns out it didn't really rollout to many for a good month. But on Friday or Saturday of last week, and continuing on through today, everyone seems to be getting the new look, which features separated front pages for "Apps & Games" and "Entertainment." You can see the new look above, but also through this original post. On a related note, the web version of Google Play is also getting a mini-makeover to match thee new mobile app version. The Google Play web store is now defaulting to an "Entertainment" section, with sections dedicated to music, movies, books, comics, etc. instead of apps and games like it used to. In order to access apps, you have to slide over and click the "Apps" button on the left side. The new UI also features a carousel at the top for current promotions running or other highlighted products from Google. Everyone seeing the new update?

FoxFi Working Again on Verizon Phones

Kellen — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 11:38:31 +0000

Update 11/24: According to a number of our readers, plus a number of newly updated reviews on FoxFi's Google Play listing that confirm, FoxFi is back to working on Verizon. Enjoy that unlimited data, enjoy it, friends.

I hope this isn't the end, but it may be. FoxFi has stopped working with Verizon unlimited data plans. According to a number of our readers and dozens more who have commented on Google Play, FoxFi, the popular tethering app that doesn't require root and was used by many unlimited Verizon data plan subscribers, stopped working yesterday and is still not working today. Some of our readers have tried FoxFi with multiple phones, asked friends to test, and done everything else they can think of to see what the issue is, yet have come up empty. Many are seeing a subscription request from Verizon, which is typically the screen seen when you try and tether without having signed up for a tethering plan from Verizon. Woof. Of course, the timing couldn't be worse, since Verizon is also adding a $20 increase to unlimited data plan subscribers on their next billing cycle after November 15. There is always a chance that FoxFi will issue an update that bypasses Verizon's subscription check. Until then, you may be out of luck. Play Link

Cheers Elias, Jimmy, Jose, and everyone else!

Motorola Details Upcoming Cyber Monday Deals, 25% Off Moto X (2nd Gen) and 50% Off Moto 360 (1st Gen)

Tim — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:38:12 +0000

Motorola is gearing up Cyber Monday, like everyone else on the Interwebz, detailing the deals you can expect to see on its website. Right now, Motorola lists three deals that you can look forward to, but we do hope to see additional deals come Monday. Kicking it off is 25% off a Moto X (2nd Gen) 64GB, bringing the price down from $399 to $299. This deal can be had from within Moto Maker, where you can choose how to customize the device to your liking. Naturally, if you choose for more expensive custom options, your price will go up. Motorola will also carry the Moto 360 (1st Gen) at 50% off, bringing its price down from $299 to $149. Now, please note, this is the 1st Gen model, and over on Amazon, you can already purchase this device with many different models to choose from starting at about $140. I will say, this must be one of the weaker "deals" in Cyber Monday history. Lastly, those looking for a Moto G (2nd Gen) can purchase one for just $99, down from the MSRP of $179.99. That's over 40% off the list price for the phone. But again, this is the 2nd Gen model, not the 3rd Gen that is currently available for about $170 on Amazon. You will notice Motorola does not list a single device that was made for the 2015 device lineup. No Moto X Pure Edition, no Moto 360 (2nd Gen), and no Moto G (3rd Gen). Why? Who knows, but that's why we hope Motorola is saving something special for those who visit their website on Monday. No promises, though. All of these deals kick off on Monday, November 30 at 11:00 AM CT.

Via: Motorola

BETTER DEAL: SanDisk 200GB Drops to $99 at Amazon

Kellen — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:20:56 +0000

Forget yesterday's deal that we posted for SanDisk microSD cards. Today, their 200GB card has dropped to just $99 at Amazon. That's a good $150 off. If you happen to have a phone that supports 200GB of removable storage, now is the time grab the biggest card available at its lowest price ever. Amazon Link

Use Android Pay and Google Will Donate to Special Needs Education Projects

Tim — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 09:40:37 +0000

Android Pay and Google.org are teaming up with DonorsChoose.org to support the 6.4 million children in the US education system with special needs. Starting today and running through December 31, every time you use Android Pay, Google is donating a dollar to special needs education projects, up to $1 million. Not only that, but on Black Friday, when you use Android Pay to purchase goods, Google will double their contribution to $2. Google states that Android Pay is available at over a million locations across the US, so there are more places than ever where you can buy what you need, and help a good cause. To get set up with Android Pay, you will first need a device that supports NFC payments. That would basically be any new mid-range and top-tier smartphone, with exception to the OnePlus 2. To get started, download Android Pay from Google Play, put your credit or debit card on file, and that's it. Play Link

Via: Android

Google Really Loves Star Wars, as Evidenced by This Easter Egg

Tim — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 08:39:21 +0000

We wrote up Google's spectacular Star Wars themes for apps yesterday, but today, another disturbance in the Force has been felt, originating from the folks down in Mountain View. An easter egg has been discovered in Google Search, one which turns your entire list of search results into a text crawl, just as we see in the opening of every Star Wars film. It's not exactly practical in terms of getting all of your information, but it's fun to watch. In order to make this easter egg appear, type "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away" in the Google Search bar on a phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Once you hit enter, you should see a fancy transformation take place, with all of the search results, including videos, turned into a text crawl with yellow text and starry background. Not only that, but Google even plays the music to accompany the text crawl. It's a beautiful thing. Watch the video below on how to perform the easter egg, then give it a shot yourself and show everyone else in the office. I am sure they will love it, unless they don't appreciate Star Wars. In that case, don't talk to them anymore.

DEAL: Newegg has Nexus 6 for $288, Galaxy S6 Edge for $549, Samsung Wireless Charger for $18

Kellen — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 07:55:08 +0000

After looking through Newegg's massive big Black Friday sales event this morning, we picked out a couple of items that we thought may be of interest. The first is a brand new Nexus 6 32GB for just $288.99. As far as I can tell, that's the lowest price we have seen on this phone to date. Now, I know it's a year old, but trust me when I say that this phone runs so beautifully smooth on Marshmallow. In fact, it's almost a more buttery experience than what we are seeing on the two new Nexus phones, if you can believe that. The other two deals we spotted are for an unlocked Galaxy S6 Edge at just $549. You can even get that crazy-looking green model! This is model G925i, which should work without a hiccup on AT&T and T-Mobile. And finally, Samsung's wireless charger has been discounted down to $18.99. Both prices appear to be cheaper than what any other retailer is selling them at. Newegg Links: Nexus 6 ($288) | Galaxy S6 Edge ($549) | Samsung Wireless Charger ($18.99)

Faulty Screen Component to Blame for LG's Pull of Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE

Tim — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:52:39 +0000

Last week, LG abruptly pulled the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE from the market, just days after launching the device. At the time, LG stated that a "hardware issue" was to blame, and now, we have a few more details directly from LG. Apparently, a component used in the screen of the smartwatch could lead to reduced image quality over time, so instead of having folks see their watches croak unexpectedly, LG decided to pull the device entirely. The company states there were no fears for purchaser safety, but it was merely a faulty component. The component in question has not been used on any other LG wearables, so no previous testing was available to the company. In a statement to Telegraph, LG states the following.

For competitive and supplier relations reasons we are not in a position to communicate the specifics of the issue that led to this decision. However, what we can share is that the hardware issue was related to a new advanced component that we had incorporated in the device that had never been used in an LG wearable device before. During aggressive testing over thousands of hours under severe conditions, it was revealed that this component failed to meet LG’s quality standards and could potentially impact our image quality over the life of the device.

At this time, LG did not give any inclination that a new model would be made available, but that the decision to pull the device was not made lightly, again, stressing that there are no concerns for the safety of wearers due to the faulty component. So, there's that.

Via: Telegraph

Win 1 of 10 ASUS ZenFone 2 Devices From Droid Life and ASUS

Tim — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:31:17 +0000

To celebrate all of the things in life we have to be thankful for, we are teaming up with ASUS to giveaway 10 ZenFone 2 smartphone devices. If you need a new smartphone that comes carrier unlocked and features enough power to get you through any type of mobile computing task, then you are in the right place. Recently through social media, ASUS has been gifting free phones to those in need, and now, we are working together to hook up 10 of our readers. The ZenFone 2 features a 5.5″ Full HD IPS display, 13MP rear-facing camera, 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom processor with 4GB of RAM, plus 64GB of built-in storage. In fact, we did our own unboxing and hands-on with the ZenFone 2 shortly after it was released for the US. We will be using a Rafflecopter system for entries and for selecting winners, so as to make sure everyone has a fair chance at winning one of these devices. Down below, we have placed a ton of options to choose from for gaining entries, so have at it. The contest will close Friday, November 27 at 10am Pacific. Enough talk, let's do this.

Contest

Prizes 10 winners will win 1 of 10 ASUS ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML) smartphones. Devices are of the 4GB of RAM/64GB of storage model, featured in Silver Grey. How to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners The contest will end at 10am Pacific on November 27. We will select our 10 random winners via Rafflecopter and notify them by email.

Cheers to ASUS for providing the prizes for our winners. Be sure to check out the MyZen by ASUS blog for all things ASUS.

T-Mobile Gives 3 Months of Unlimited Data to All Simple Choice Subscribers

Kellen — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:15:40 +0000

This afternoon, T-Mobile kicked off a new promotion called Un-carrier Unwrapped, which is their way of getting the Uncarrier movement into the holiday spirit. With Un-carrier unwrapped, T-Mobile is handing out holiday "gifts" for four straight weeks, the first of which is three "full months" of unlimited LTE. To "every single" postpaid Simple Choice customer, T-Mobile is gifting three full months of unlimited data. The promotion starts today, so if you are a Simple Choice customer, you are now running with "unlimited" data for the next 90 or so days. Well, there is a bit of a catch. T-Mobile isn't just switching you to an unlimited plan for three months. From what we can tell, they are only giving you unlimited data after you use up your monthly allotment and any Data Stash you have built up. Once you hit that point, then they will allow you to continue using data on an unlimited basis, if that makes sense. After this week, T-Mobile says that it will introduce another promotion per week, one for each of their favorite carriers, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. On a related note, T-Mobile also announced their Black Friday specials today. They are as follows:

Free Galaxy S6: From 11/26 through 11/29, you can get a Galaxy S6 32GB for $0 down/$0 per month with JUMP! On Demand with an eligible trade-in.
UE Boom deal: The popular UE Boom Blueooth speaker is $100 off from Friday through Sunday, while supplies last.
Free tablet: From 11/25 through 11/29, if you sign-up for a tablet data plan, T-Mobile will give you an Alcatel Pixi 7-inch 4G LTE tablet for $0 down/$0 per month.

Here is a link to all of T-Mobile's Holiday Deals.

Via: T-Mobile

Buy a OnePlus 2 Without an Invite Starting November 27 Through November 30

Tim — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 13:09:56 +0000

Starting November 27 and lasting for four days (ends November 30), you can purchase the OnePlus 2 with no invite. I know, it's an odd concept, buying a phone without an invite, but OnePlus wants to shake this industry up. The device will be purchasable directly through OnePlus' website beginning November 27 in the morning. Currently, OnePlus appears to only have the 64GB model in stock, priced at $389, and who knows if they intend to offer the 16GB (3GB of RAM) model. The 64GB model comes with a Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, 5.5" Full HD display, and 13MP rear-facing camera. Is the OnePlus 2 a good purchase? Read our full review here.

Via: @OnePlus

Here are Samsung's Black Friday 2015 Deals

Kellen — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 13:00:27 +0000

Samsung is kind of going nuts with the Black Friday 2015 deals this year. We are seeing TVs slashed by as much as 60%, wearables and tablets by 40%, and other accessories by 50%. In even better news, these deals are running all week long and are already live. If you had Samsung-related shopping to do this holiday shopping week, you can do it before it gets wild on Friday. Here are the big links by category:

50% off accessories
40% off wearables
40% off tablets
60% off TVs
45% off cameras
20% off SmartThings kits
60% off home audio

Here are some individual deals worth looking at:

Gear S2 Classic for $299 [$50 off]
Gear S2 in black for $249 (or white) [$50 off]
Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 32GB for $399 [$100 off]
Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 32GB for $349 [$50 off]
Radiant360 R1 Bluetooth/WiFi speaker for $99 [$150 off]
Radiant360 R3 Bluetooth/WiFi speaker for $199 [$130 off]
Radiant360 R5 Bluetooth/WiFi speaker for $299 [$200 off]
Radiant360 R7 Bluetooth/WiFi speaker for $349 [$250 off]
SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit for $199 [$50 off]
32GB EVO+ microSD card for $9.99 [$13 off]
64GB PR+ microSD card for $29.99 [$40 off]
128GB EVO+ microSD card for $44.99 [$58 off]

You can find all of Samsung's Black Friday deals at the link below. Samsung Black Friday Link

Here are Sprint's Black Friday 2015 Deals

Kellen — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:46:14 +0000

Like Verizon, Sprint is also hosting a bunch of Black Friday 2015 deals. Their list of deals include everything from half off on the Samsung Galaxy S6 to free Amazon Prime subscriptions to free TVs with the purchase of an LG G4. Yes, Sprint is giving away free TVs. They also have deals on the same accessories that everyone else seems to be discounting. The big deals:

Half-off Galaxy S6 lease deal: $9 per month (was $18)
Free Amazon Prime: activate Sprint services on a Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, or Note 5
Free 24-inch LG TV: activate a new LG G4 and receive a free 24-inch LG HD TV ($179 value)

Other deals:

Fitbit Charge HR for $119 [$3o off]
Fitbit Charge for $89 [$40 off]
Garmin vivofit 2 for $69 [$30 off]
Garmin vivosmart for $79 [$50 off]
Garmin vivoactive for $169 [$80 off]
Withings Activite Pop for $129 [$20 off]
LG Tone Pro 750 for $39 [$30 off]

All of these deals can be accessed at the link below. Sprint Black Friday Link

Via: Sprint

Google Awakens the Force With Star Wars Themes for Apps, Includes Gmail and Maps

Tim — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:36:08 +0000

Because there was not already an over saturation of Star Wars crap for you to buy in stores, Google has launched Star Wars themes for your apps, just in case you needed more Force in your life. If you have a Google account, and use it for Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and other Google services, you can experience what the Light or Dark side have to offer their users. To start, you will need to choose a side - Light or Dark. Once a side is chosen, you will begin to see Star Wars themes throughout many of Google's applications, whether it is on an Android device or desktop computer. For example, I chose the Dark side, opened my Gmail, and I was greeted with a darkly colored Empire theme. In addition, if you open Google Maps, find your home, you should see a Death Star. As for which applications you will see changes take place, Google lists that YouTube, Chromecast, Google Maps, Waze, Gmail, Inbox, Google Translate, Android Wear, Google Search, and Google Calendar will all see a Star Wars transformation. Here are a couple of notes. Yes, you can change sides once you have already made a selection. If you don't care for these themes, you can also easily go back to the default settings. Also, Google notes that it may take a couple of hours for all changes to take place, so once you make a side selection, allow for time to pass before you get upset about not seeing wookies and what have you. And finally, these themes are only available for regular Google account users. No Google Apps for Work, Education, or Government are supported. You can join a side by clicking the link below and signing into your Google account. Join the Light or Dark side here.

Via: reddit

Here are Verizon's Black Friday 2015 Deals

Kellen — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:05:51 +0000

Verizon posted a PDF file this morning that contains its plans for Black Friday 2015 and the days that follow. Like most years, Verizon has some decent deals, though many revolve around switching carriers, trading in your current phone, and then signing up for new service. Verizon is also doing some decent discounts on phones too, plus they are offering discounts on a number of accessories. The big push Verizon is making is for this $500 switch credit/discount when you trade in your smartphone from another carrier and join their network. With this deal, they are slashing $200 off of smartphones, then giving you up to $300 for your trade-in. If you do that and qualify for the full $500 off, you can get into phones for these prices:

Samsung Galaxy S6 for $3.16/month
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge for $7.16/month
DROID Turbo 2 for $5.16/month

If you don't want any of those phones, Verizon is also doing $100 off other phones, plus the $300 trade-in credit. That would get you into these phones for the these prices:

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ for $15.33/month
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 for $12.33/month
LG V10 for $11.33/month

And if none of that sounds fun, here are some other deals.

Fitbit Charge for $89.99 [$40 off]
Mophie Powerstation Plus for $99 [$50 off]
Mophie Powerstation 4000 for $39 [$40 off]
UE Megaboom Speaker for $249 [$50 off]
Nest Cam for $169 [$30 off]
Bose SoundLink Speaker for $119 [$10 off]
Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite for $249 [$50 off]
Beats Solo On-Ear headphones for $249 [$50 off]

You can access all of these deals come Black Friday at the link below. Verizon Black Friday Link

Via: Verizon (pdf)

Android Studio 2.0 Previewed, Includes "Instant Run" and GPU Profiler

Tim — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 08:59:00 +0000

The Android Developers team at Google is beginning to preview the launch of Android Studio 2.0, detailing what features app developers can look forward to upon release. All features detailed are available via the canary release channel, but given this is merely a preview of what is to come, Google recommends you download and run an additional copy of Android Studio in parallel with your current version. The first feature, Instant Run, should dramatically improve development workflow, allowing you to view changes made instantly on your emulator or development device. All new projects started in Studio 2.0 will feature Instant Run, but if you have pre-existing projects that you would like to enable Instant Run for, Google has a very easy process for doing so. Open Settings/Preferences, then go to Build, Execution, Deployment → Instant Run. Click on Enable Instant Run. This will ensure you have the correct gradle plugin for your project to work with Instant Run. Also detailed in Android Studio 2.0 is GPU Profiler, which allows easier profiling of OpenGL ES Android code. According to Google, this tool is in early preview, but is "very powerful," not only showing details about the GL State and Commands, but allows you to record entire sessions and walk through the GL Framebuffer and Textures as your app is running OpenGL ES Code. Again, it is in early preview, but is available through the GPU Debugging Tools package from the Android Studio SDK Manager. Google says this is only the beginning, so if you dev for Android, be on the lookout for more big changes.

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Via: Android Developers

Square's New Reader Takes NFC Mobile Payments, Launches Today

Kellen — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 08:11:13 +0000

Square, the payment dongle that you see stuffed into iPads at all of your favorite overpriced coffee shops in hipster neighborhoods across the US, has a new reader out today that allows merchants to accept mobile payments over NFC. Square has teamed up with 100 local businesses for today's launch, but the plan is obviously to make this a much bigger rollout over time. The new reader lets you pay with Android Pay or Samsung Pay or (Gasp!) Apple Pay with the tap of a phone. Actually, Square is only really telling the world that Apple Pay, Apple Pay, Apple Pay, and Apple Pay works with it, but in reality, it's just an NFC terminal that will take all of the NFC-based payment solutions. Seriously, go look at their promo page. It doesn't mention any other mobile payment solution outside of Apple Pay. It's kind of ridiculous, if I'm being honest. This new Square reader also works with EMV chip cards, for those next-level secure payments. So there you have it, Square is now all up in the mobile payments game. Enjoy that $10 pour over.

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Via: Square

DEAL: $45 for 128GB SanDisk MicroSD, Plus 60% Off Others

Kellen — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 07:16:26 +0000

Here come the deals! Today, Amazon is running one of its typical memory discounts, with SanDisk at the helm. You can grab their memory products for up to 60% off, which includes 200GB and 128GB microSD cards. The 128GB card has now dropped to $44.99, while the 200GB is now just $134.99. The deal also includes thumb drives, full sized memory cards, and solid state drives, all of which have Prime shipping. Amazon Link UPDATE: 200GB card dropped to $99 today.

Samsung Pay Adds Chase, Another Handful of Cards, and Gives Out $100 Coupon for Signing Up

Kellen — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 06:33:12 +0000

Samsung added Chase to its line-up of supported cards for Samsung Pay! Nice timing there, with holiday shopping for everyone about to kick into overdrive. The mobile payment system also now supports cards from Citizens Equity First Credit Union, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, State Employees’ Credit Union, SunTrust and Virginia Credit Union. When you install Samsung Pay on your compatible Galaxy smartphone, you'll now be able to add all of these new cards without a hitch. As a bonus to go along with this news, Samsung is handing out $100 coupon codes when you sign-up that can be used to "get up to $100 off any" Samsung.com purchase. To get more details on the $100 "gift," head over to Samsung's promotion site. But yeah, Chase!

Samsung Pay Adds Eight More Credit and Debit Card Issuers Including Chase

Starting Today Samsung Pay Supports Chase Visa Credit and Debit Cards and New MasterCard Issuers
NEW YORK – November 23, 2015 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced today that Samsung Pay, the most accepted mobile payment system, now supports eligible Chase Visa® credit, debit and Liquid® cards, as well as debit and credit offerings from MasterCard issuers: Citizens Equity First Credit Union, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, State Employees’ Credit Union, SunTrust and Virginia Credit Union. Samsung Pay also now supports Navy Federal Credit Union Visa® credit and debit cards. Cardholders of all these issuers will be able to use Samsung Pay to pay almost anywhere they can swipe or tap their card. “With expanded support from eight additional issuers, including Chase and SunTrust, we look forward to building even more momentum around Samsung Pay,” said Injong Rhee, EVP of Samsung Electronics, Global Head of Samsung Pay. “Through our ever expanding ecosystem of financial partners, Samsung Pay users will be able to take advantage of the most widely accepted mobile payment solution.” “Samsung Pay gives our customers another convenient way to pay with their Chase cards,” said Gavin Michael, Head of Digital forChase. “They choose how they want to pay.” All three major payment networks will continue to be supported by Samsung Pay: American Express, MasterCard and Visa, as well as major banks including Bank of America, Chase, Citi, Navy Federal Credit Union, SunTrust, U.S. Bank, and key partners includingBlackhawk Network, First Data, Global Payments, Synchrony Financial, TSYS, Vantiv, and Worldpay.

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

SAFE: Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments. And, as terminals are upgraded to EMV, that security is leveraged, too.

ALMOST ANYWHERE: Samsung Pay is compatible with most existing and new terminals, including most magnetic stripe, EMV and NFC terminals^*. That means Samsung Pay works at more places than any other mobile payment service.

#

FoxFi has Stopped Working With Verizon (Updated: It's Back!)

Kellen — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 10:23:02 +0000

Cheers Elias, Jimmy, Jose, and everyone else!

Turbo 2, Maxx 2, LG V10

Kellen — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 18:23:28 +0000

After a couple of week break, we return for episode 98 of the DL Show, where we'll catch up on the past couple of weeks of fun. We need to talk about our reviews of the Turbo 2, Maxx 2, and LG V10. We also have the TAG watch in house, a Blackberry Priv review on the way, and more, including our best phone you can buy today. On a related note, we are ditching Google+ for shows, because well, Google+ changed this week and has basically made it impossible for us to use it any longer. We are now going with YouTube streaming through our main channel, which is actually the best solution anyway. Sorry if there is confusion here. Hopefully, your experience with the show won't actually change at all. We will kick the show off live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM 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: November 20, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:00:36 +0000

Another big week has passed on by here at Droid Life! This week, we told you what our best Android phone of the moment is, along with the best smartwatch. We also let you vote on the best phone, which essentially showed that you have the same thoughts we do. Beyond all of those big features, we started putting together a big Black Friday deals list, went hands-on with the Galaxy View, covered Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile's latest changes, and showed off home screens for the first time in over a year. Time to catch up on it all!

WATCH: Droid Life Show episode 98 | Subscribe
Best Android phone you can buy today.
Best Android smartwatch you can buy today.
Poll: What is your phone of the year?
Black Friday: Our running list of the best Black Friday deals.
Hands-on: Samsung's massive Galaxy View tablet is in house.
Hands-on: NVIDIA Tablet K1 unboxing!
Verizon: New prepaid plans that are less confusing, with bonus data.
Verizon: $20 unlimited increase is live, as are upgrades, with a catch.
FREE: Verizon is giving away 1GB of free data for two months.
LG G5: The first big rumor!
LG cancelled the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE.
LG also confirmed that it is launching a payment service soon.
Pushbullet: Popular service announced a Pro (paid) version and made people mad.
Marshmallow: Coming to Android Wear devices in "coming months."
Sprint announced a 50% deal if you join their network. | Upgraded network too.
John Legere, of course, reacted to Sprint's deal.
Last Horizon is a game you should be playing.
Google Play will soon tell you if an app has ads before you install it.
Pretty cool: Google has starting letting you stream apps without installing them.
Google Search is also answering much more complex questions.
Google+ got yet another overhaul.
Home Screens: We did another home screen show-off day that you have to see.

Who bought Adele's new album? Don't lie either.

HTC Details Its Upcoming Deals for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Beyond

Tim — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:01:30 +0000

HTC is getting in on the deals action for next week, and has detailed its plans for Black Friday, the weekend, Cyber Monday, and beyond. Stated in a release from HTC, the company will be offering a trade-in program for the One A9, where you can score the device for as little as $0 down by trading in your old smartphone. Naturally, this all depends on what you end up trading in for the device. If you trade in an iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, HTC will grant you a $499 rebate, which is the exact full retail price of the One A9. If you don't have an iPhone, you can trade in a Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge for a $200 rebate (ouch), and use that towards the cost of the One A9. For those who trade in a LG G3 or LG G4, you only receive $100 rebate to put towards a One A9. If the One A9 does not interest you, you can purchase a Nexus 9 at 40% retail, starting Thursday (Turkey Day) to Friday, November 27. If you are one of the first 500 buyers of a Nexus 9 32GB LTE model, you will also receive a free Logitech Keyboard for use with the device. During the weekend (Saturday through Sunday), HTC is offering 40% off of all accessories listed through its website. Beginning Monday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 2 you can pick up a RE Camera for 60% off the retail price. In addition, the first 900 buyers will receive a free RE Protection Pack. And finally, during that same timeframe, you can pick up a One M9 for 40% off retail, regardless of which model or carrier you choose. That's a whole lot of deals. Plan on taking advantage of any of them?

AT&T Launches Advanced Messaging and Video Calling

Kellen — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:46:19 +0000

This morning, AT&T announced that it has added Advanced Messaging and Video Calling to its Rich Communication Services (RCS) platform. The new additions join Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE), HD Voice, WiFi Calling, and NymberSync. With Advanced Messaging, users can send larger files (up to 10MB), but will also know when messages are delivered, read, and when someone is typing a reply. It's basically a more robust texting experience that you already get through other messaging platforms. As for Video Calling, we are simply talking about placing HD Voice calls with video. Like with Verizon's HD Voice and Video Calling, AT&T customers don't need to download a new Video Calling app, you and the person you are calling just need to be using devices that support the feature through the native dialer, and be in an HD Voice calling area. Both of these features are available today, assuming you have a compatible device. At this time, Advanced Messaging is only available on the Galaxy S5 Mini (hah!) and Galaxy S6 Active. Video Calling is only available on the S6 Active. You can find out more about these features here and here.

Via: AT&T

Pushbullet Adds Option to Send Texts From Tablets, Answers Pro Questions in AMA

Kellen — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 12:28:35 +0000

Pushbullet, the service you once loved but now seem to hate because they want to make money and survive as a company, introduced a new feature today for both free and Pro accounts. That feature is an option to send text (SMS) messages from tablets. That's a big deal, because well, tablets aren't attached to phone numbers and so you haven't been able to do things like send SMS from them in the past. To get tablet texting up and running, you'll need to have Pushbullet up and running on your phone with SMS sync enabled. Once you have that enabled, install Pushbullet on your tablet and look for an SMS option in the app's main menu. See it? Good. Send away! The SMS from your tablet are actually being routed through your phone, in case you were wondering. That way, they come from your phone number, which is exactly what you need to have happen. Don't worry, no one can tell that you are actually sending messages to them from a tablet (not that that matters). Oh, and you can choose which phone to send through, should you have more than one phone number. As of today, tablet SMS sending is free, but come December 1, the number of them that you can send will depend on your free or Pro status. On that note, because you all loudly expressed concern over Pushbullet's Pro plan and pricing method, they are (were) running a reddit AMA to answer your questions. If you are in the group who hates the piss out of Pushbullet at the moment, head over there to read through the conversation.

Via: Pushbullet

Samsung Gear VR is Now Available for Purchase for $99

Tim — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 12:22:53 +0000

At last, pre-orders are over and "Innovator Editions" have been retired. The official retail, consumer version of Gear VR from Samsung is now available for purchase for $99. Compatible with Samsung's newest top-tier devices, Gear VR brings the excitement of virtual reality to consumers who can watch movies, play games, and interact with media in new ways. Compatible devices currently include the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, and Galaxy Note 5. To use, you simply place your smartphone inside of the headset, and away you go to a magical world of VR. During my time with the Gear VR Innovator Edition, I was able to watch movie trailers from the comfort of my own couch while having the sense I was on the moon and in a large theater, played a few games that made me extremely motion sick, and was left with a headache that lasted for about an hour. If you would like to try this same experience, then I highly recommend VR. Samsung intends to keep working with developers to launch additional content for the devices, so if you have a compatible phone, I would definitely say that an experience such as VR could be worth $99. You can purchase a Gear VR from Amazon, Samsung, and Best Buy. As a note, Amazon lists that they are current out of stock, but will be resupplied. Purchase Links: Amazon | Best Buy | Samsung

DEAL: UE Boom Bluetooth Speaker Just $99 ($100 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 11:59:12 +0000

We don't often write up deals on speakers because we're not an audio site. But every once in a while, a deal pops up that we just have to pass along. Best Buy, in a pre-Black Friday deal, has the UE Boom wireless Bluetooth speaker slashed to just $99.99, which is a $100 discount. That's a hell of a deal. This is one of the best reviewed Bluetooth speakers on the market with a 4.7 star rating at both Best Buy and Amazon, through thousands of reviews. It has 2 active and 2 passive speaker drivers, NFC, is rechargeable with up to 15 hours of playback, has a 3.5mm aux jack, and is IPX4 water resistant. If you have two UE Booms, you can link them together for some stereo fun. The deal is for multiple colors of the UE Boom and includes free shipping. Best Buy Link On a related note, they also already discounted the SONOS 2-room starter set to $349, a $50 discount.

The Best Android Smartwatch You Can Buy Today

Tim — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 11:21:52 +0000

We already went over the best Android phones you can buy today, so why not share that same love with the smartwatches, too? This year has seen a ton of new devices for the wrist, even from companies that had not previously launched a smartwatch. Why would they want to get into the smartwatch market? Well, because it's growing like crazy. According to Allied Market Research, the global smartwatch market is expected to reach nearly $33 billion by 2020, so we can all rest assured new smartwatches won't go away any time soon. This year saw the sequel to last year's highly-popular Moto 360, Huawei's first Android Wear-powered device the Huawei Watch, the luxurious Watch Urbane from LG, a watch from luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer, and Samsung decided to go back to their roots with Tizen in the Gear S2. With all that said, let's get into the best Android smartwatch you can buy today.

The best Android smartwatch you can buy today is the Moto 360 (2nd Gen).

Why? No doubt about it, the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) checks all of the boxes, with its sophisticated looks, updated internals, and customization options available through Moto Maker, all of which can be had for quite an attractive starting price of just $299. Last year's Moto 360 was a fantastic timepiece, and Motorola certainly did not disappoint with the sequel. Adding in lugs to help with comfort while wearing and increasing battery size, Motorola also upgraded from TI OMAP processors to a more standard Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 400 processor. Through Moto Maker, which is where we suggest anyone interested would buy this device, users can choose between different colors for the body, different materials for the bands from leather to metal, and even choose which type of bezel design they want to have. In addition, Motorola made two sizes available - one for the larger wrists that features a larger display and larger battery, and one with a smaller body, perfect for those with petite wrists, such as myself. Thanks to the updates for Android Wear from Google, the OS is smoother and more feature-rich than ever, only giving more value to those who decide to take a plunge into the smartwatch world. What’s wrong with it, though? The main call-to-arms over the Moto 360 line is the "flat tire." The bottom part of the display features an ambient light sensor, meaning Motorola can not incorporate a fully circular display into the design. This is a major turn off for some people. However, if folks choose a darker watch face, I find that I don't even notice it anymore. It's something you sort of get used to. Also, it allows Motorola to have one of the slimmest bezels you will find on a smartwatch. If the flat tire is a no-go for you, don't fret, there are other options available. Be sure to read our Moto 360 (2nd Gen) review if you haven’t already. You can buy the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) through Moto Maker or on the Google Store.

A really close runner-up is the Huawei Watch.

Why? The Huawei Watch, at times, encompasses what a "perfect" smartwatch should be. It features a high resolution fully circular AMOLED display, while combining premium materials with top-tier smartwatch specifications. Huawei focused heavily on creating a timepiece that would remind those of a luxury device, yet also offer the feature-rich experience of a smartwatch. Available in a variety of models, with all sorts of different materials, it is easy for buyers to find one that will match their specific look. The base model, priced at $349, features a Stainless Steel body with Black leather bands. In addition, Huawei built-in 40 custom watch faces for users to choose from, so regardless of where you are going or what you are wearing, there will be a watch face to match your activities. Much like the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), the Huawei Watch also features a Heart Rate monitor and a gang of other sensors for use when you are working out or having a night out on the town. Both watches truly deliver a premium smartwatch experience for Android users. Why is the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) a better option, though? The one key area where Motorola delivers is the price. If you are not looking to spend over $400 on a premium Android Wear device, the Moto 360 allows you to design a fantastic looking device, for relatively cheap when compared to the Huawei Watch. Huawei has a few incredible designs for this device, however, the all-Gold model will cost you $799. I don't know about you, but spending $799 on a smartwatch that could possibly become obsolete in just a couple of years does not interest me. Other models, such as the stainless steel mesh band, costs $399. This is much more affordable, and likely a great option for those looking for an alternative to the Moto 360 (2nd Gen). Be sure to read our Huawei Watch review if you haven’t already. You can buy the Huawei Watch from Huawei and on the Google Store.

If you can’t stand Android Wear, go with the Samsung Gear S2.

Why? Since this watch doesn't run Android Wear, you get a completely different software experience than you will find on the Moto 360 and Huawei Watch. Not that Android Wear is bad, but some may just prefer something else. The Gear S2 offers that. The whole experience here comes off as a more robust UI that features a horizontal panel approach that can be customized through apps. Android Wear tends to be about glanceable info, whereas the Gear S2 wants to give you a fully customized, app-centric watch experience along with the notifications. Outside of the different UI, this watch also features this awesome rotating bezel for navigating the watch. This is one of those features that we hope others adopt in future watches, because it's a true joy to use. The Gear S2 comes in two models, one with a minimal, modern aesthetic (pictured above), plus another (Gear S2 Classic) that appears more like a traditional timepiece. Both watches are a manageable size at around 42mm and 40mm, with price tags of $299 and $349, respectively. Why doesn't it top either of those other two? Since Samsung has built the watch around Tizen for an operating system instead of Android Wear, the Gear S2 is sorely lacking in the app department. The two Android Wear watches we mentioned have deep app ecosystems, where you won't struggle to find companion apps from your favorites available. With the Gear S2, you are stuck with a handful of apps from companies Samsung has partnered with. And since we aren't sure if either of the Gear S2 watches will be a hit, it's tough to tell if the app selection will ever improve. Our full review of the Gear S2 will arrive soon. Until then, you can buy it today from Amazon.

OnePlus Extends Warranty Program to North America, Powered by Assurant

Tim — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 09:02:28 +0000

The OnePlus warranty program, first debuted for overseas markets earlier this month, has been announced for North America. Powered by Assurant, the program is called On-Guard, and it aims at replacing your device should you break it from mishandling or a manufacturer defect. Available for the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X, there are three levels of coverage a buyer can select: On-Guard 12, On-Guard Plus 18, and On-Guard Plus 24. OG 12 comes with 12 months of ESC, which is short for Extended Service Coverage. This is replacement coverage for product hardware failures due to manufacturer’s defects in material and workmanship. The price is set $20 for both the OP2 and OPX. On-Guard Plus 18 is 6 months of ESC and 18 months of ADH. ADH is Accidental Damage from Handling. If you have slippery fingers, and tend to break phones often from drops, this is the plan for you. For this coverage, the price is set at $65 for the OP2 and $50 for the OPX. Lastly, there is On-Guard 24 - 12 months of ESC and 24 months of ADH. The cost is $80 for the OP2 and $60 for the OPX. This warranty program is only available for new purchases of these devices, and currently there is no grace period for second chance enrollment. According to OnePlus, they are working with Assurant to offer this as soon as possible. A breakdown of pricing for the US and Canada is below.

Via: OnePlus

Nexus 5X Now Available From Amazon in All 3 Colors

Kellen — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 08:05:12 +0000

Google has been selling the Nexus 5X for a good month or so now with immediate availability and free shipping if you go the Ground route. Unlike the Nexus 6P, the 5X has been well-stocked and is easy to obtain. But if for some reason you don't like to buy devices directly from Google and instead were waiting for Amazon or other retailers to sell LG's new Nexus, your time has come. The Nexus 5X in all three colors and both 16GB and 32GB storage models is now available from Amazon with Prime shipping. If you buy the Nexus 5X today, you could probably have it tomorrow. Have you read our Nexus 5X review? You probably should. Amazon Link

LG Stops Sales of Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE Due to "Hardware Issue"

Tim — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 15:23:31 +0000

LG has halted all sales of the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE smartwatch, according to emails sent directly from the manufacturer. In a message sent from an LG rep to The Verge, "a hardware issue which affects the day-to-day functionality of the device," has led Verizon and AT&T to both stop sales of the Android Wear-powered device. At this time, there is no timeframe given for when consumers can expect to see the device's return to shelves. AT&T is reportedly offering refunds or exchanges to anyone who has recently purchased the device, and Verizon has placed the device "On Hold," with no pre-order shipments set to ship out. This news came rather abruptly, and with LG claiming it to be a hardware issue and not a software bug, the recall, remanufacturing, and redistributing of the device could make a relaunch extremely difficult, even for LG. Did you purchase one of these smartwatches?

Via: The Verge | 9 to 5 Google | reddit

Thursday Poll: What is the Android Phone of the Year?

Kellen — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 15:05:20 +0000

We're closing in on the end of 2015, if you can believe it, so we need to start figuring out who won the day in terms of best smartphone. We want to know who you think made the Android phone of the year. I honestly can't recall a year that was filled with so many good phones from so many different players. And it wasn't just a year where everyone had a single, pretty good phone. We had multiple great phones from some manufacturers that just kept getting better throughout the year. In a time where people keep talking about smartphone plateaus, I'm starting to wonder if we really are that close. Even if we are, we are at a time where phones are so good on so many levels, that I'm not so sure this plateau is a bad thing for you and I. What's interesting, is if we go back to this same poll we ran last year, I said the complete opposite. In fact, last year was a pretty terrible year for smartphones. We got a bunch of in-betweener, so-so phones, that all had pretty major flaws in some category. This year, we really had to nitpick to find things that were wrong. So, you tell us - what is the Android phone of the year? [poll id="382"]

Papa Murphy's Launches First Mobile App for Ordering Pizzas

Tim — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 13:00:54 +0000

If you live in one of the 38 states within the US that has a Papa Murphy's pizza shop, then prepare to be blown away. This week, Papa Murphy's launched an official application onto Google Play, allowing pizza lovers to create their own pies while on the go, then have them ready to go at your nearest location. Inside the app, users can create custom pizzas from all of Papa Murphy's ingredients, or select from a variety of popular pies they offer. I gave the app a test, seeing if I could build my usual, which is a half pepperoni and black olive, half Italian sausage, pepperoni, and green pepper pie. In the customization section of the app, selecting which side you want the certain ingredients on is a breeze, and I was thoroughly impressed by the app. Additionally, you can choose which sauces you want, how much cheese, and what type of crust you desire. It's all there. I have been munching on Papa Murphy's since I was just a wee baby, and if you are like me, then this app will likely be a staple on your phone. Go grab it. Play Link

Black Friday Deals 2015

Kellen — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 12:15:43 +0000

Like we do most years, we are once again putting together a decent Black Friday round-up of the deals that might interest the good people here at Droid Life. This isn't going to be the ultimate in Black Friday guides, because well, there are dedicated Black Friday websites that do that better than we could ever think of doing. This one, like in the past, is focused on the Android stuff and the accessories that go with the Android stuff and the occasional other electronic that may or may not go with Android stuff, but still might be of value thanks to a deep discount. As the we close in on November 27, Black Friday day, we'll continue to update this post. Feel free to check back!

Amazon

Amazon is finna go H.A.M. on Black Friday, because they want you on their site buying all of the things that big box stores will try and get you to stand in line for. That means deals for days, not just the day after Thanksgiving. In fact, they are kicking off 8 days of holiday deals starting November 20 and pushing them through Black Friday and beyond. They'll have TVs on sale, along with their Fire products, accessories (SD cards and such), fitness trackers, Samsung's tablets, and more. As we get closer to Black Friday, we'll update this section with direct links as they pop up. They have a dedicated Black Friday Hub, which you should visit regularly if you are interested in doing your shopping from Amazon.

Best Buy

As is always the case, Best Buy has more deals than you can probably handle. With that said, here are a few that are standing out already. Also, keep in mind that Best Buy is holding back some deals until Thursday. Samsung

$250 Best Buy gift card with an installment plan or lease on Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, or S6 Edge+
Samsung Gear S2 for $249.99 [$50 savings]
Samsung fast wireless charger for $29.99 [$20 savings]
64GB Samsung microSD card for $17.99 [$32 savings]

Streaming Devices

2 Chromecasts (new model) for $50 [$20 savings]
Roku SE for $24.99 [$25 savings]
Roku Stick for $39.99 [$10 savings]
Fire TV Stick for $24.99 [$15 savings]
Fire TV for $74.99 [$25 savings]
Sonos Play:1 2-room starter kit for $349 [$50 savings]

Wearables

Buy Moto 360 (2nd gen), get $50 Best Buy gift card
Huawei Watch for $299 [$50 savings]
Jawbone UP2 for $49.99 [$50 savings]
Fitbit Surge for $199 [$50 savings]
Fitbit Charge HR for $119 [$30 savings]
Fitbit Charge for $89.99 [$40 savings]
Pebble Time for $129 [$70 savings]

Other Goods

SanDisk 128GB microSD card for $39.99 [$140 savings]
SanDisk 32GB microSD card for $9.99 [$50 savings]
Buy Nest Thermostat (3rd gen), get $50 Best Buy gift card
Nest Cam for $169 [$30 savings]

Here is the full Best Buy Hub for all of the deals, including those on TVs, appliances, computers, speakers, video games, and more.

Costco

Costco doesn't have a ton of deals, but they have a couple for Android folks.

2-pack Chromecast (2nd gen) is $20 off
Fitbit Flex is $23 off
64GB SanDisk Ultra Plus microSD card is $15 off

Here is Costco's full Black Friday Hub.

DL Deals Store

You can now add the DL Deals Store to your Black Friday destinations, as we have a coupon code that will save you an extra 15% off of all of the already discounted prices. All you have to do is plug-in “BLACKFRIDAY” at checkout and the prices will drop. There are some exceptions, but for the most part, all of the stuff you want works with the code. Here are some decent options:

UE Boom Bluetooth speaker for $119 [$20.99 off]
Soundfreaq Pocket Kick Bluetooth speaker for $51 [$8.99 off]
iLoud Bluetooth speaker for $170 [$29.99 off]
Wireless LED Lighting Starter Kit for $68 [$11 off]
Mpow 4-Port USB Wall Charger for $18.70 [$3.29 off]
SNES30 Bluetooth Game Controller for $25.46 [$4.49 off]
Pencil by FiftyThree for $38.25 [$6.74 off]
Tenqa FIT Bluetooth earbuds for $42.50 [$7.49 off]
ZeroLemon 3500mAh Galaxy S6 charging case for $24.65 [$4.34 off]

Deals Store

Google Store and Google Play

Google finally posted its Google Store plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday last night, many of which are quite good. We’re talking discounts on Nexus products, accessories, Android Wear, Chromecast, and more. Here is the full list:

Nexus 5X for $299 or $349 [$80 off]
Nexus 9 for $199 or $279 [$200 off]
50% off Nexus accessories
Chromecast deal of 2 for $50 [$20 off]
Chromecast Audio deal of 2 for $50 [$20 off]
LG Watch Urbane for $279 [$70 off]
Nest Cam for $169 [$30 off]
Nest Thermostat deal of $50 Google Play credit with purchase
$50 off select Chromebooks

Here is the full Google Store Black Friday/Cyber Monday Hub. Google Play opened up a Cyber Weekend Deals special last night that you should definitely take a peek at over the next few days. You’ll find games for as low as $0.99, big discounts on in-app purchases, 50% off other apps and their subscriptions, music deals with albums as low as $0.99, new movies to purchase for $5.99, and books and other literature for super cheap. To view all of the deals, hit up the link below. Google Play Link

hhgregg

I'm not seeing a ton of Android-related deals from hhgregg, but there are a couple worth noting.

Samsung Gear S2 for $249 [$50 savings]
Samsung tablets up to $70 off
Fitbit Charge for $89 [$40 savings]
Amazon Fire TV for $74.99 [$25 saving]
Amazon Fire TV with game controller for $139.99
Roku Stick for $39.99 [$20 savings]
Roku 3 for $79.99 [$20 savings]

Here is a link to the full hhgregg Black Friday ad.

HTC

HTC has a bunch of deals on everything from their new One A9 to last year's Nexus 9, the One M9, and all of their accessories. The One A9 deal is somewhat enticing, assuming you want to trade in your current phone. Here are the details.

HTC One A9 (potentially free): HTC will give you $499 rebate if you trade in an iPhone 6, 6S, 6 Plus, or 6S Plus. That $499 would then cover the cost of a brand new One A9, so you are technically getting it for free. If you trade in a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge, they'll give you $200. Trade in an LG G3 or G4 and you'll get $100. Deal runs from November 26 to December 2. [Deal Link]
Nexus 9 is 40% off all models. Deal runs from November 26-27. [Deal Link]
Nexus 9 LTE purchases come with a free Logitech keyboard (first 500 units). Deal runs November 28-29. [Deal Link]
40% off all accessories [Deal Link]
HTC One M9 is 40% off from November 30 to December 2. [Deal Link]
RE Camera is 60% from November 30 to December 2. [Deal Link]

Huawei

Huawei is discounting the Huawei Watch through their online store, at BestBuy.com, Amazon, Target, and the Google Store from $50 to $100.

Nest

Nest has a couple of deals to consider for the weekend and through Cyber Monday:

Nest Cam for $169 [$30 off]
Nest Thermostat + Nest Protect for $298 [$50 off]

Newegg

Newegg is hosting more than 5,000 deals from November 23 through November 30. The initial 4,000 deals will be unlocked at 1PM on November 23, then more on November 25, followed by the final unlocking on November 27 (Black Friday). You can find all of the specials at this Newegg Black Friday Hub.

Samsung

Here are the big links by category:

50% off accessories
40% off wearables
40% off tablets
60% off TVs
45% off cameras
20% off SmartThings kits
60% off home audio

Here are some individual deals worth looking at:

Gear S2 Classic for $299 [$50 off]
Gear S2 in black for $249 (or white) [$50 off]
Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 32GB for $399 [$100 off]
Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 32GB for $349 [$50 off]
Radiant360 R1 Bluetooth/WiFi speaker for $99 [$150 off]
Radiant360 R3 Bluetooth/WiFi speaker for $199 [$130 off]
Radiant360 R5 Bluetooth/WiFi speaker for $299 [$200 off]
Radiant360 R7 Bluetooth/WiFi speaker for $349 [$250 off]
SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit for $199 [$50 off]
32GB EVO+ microSD card for $9.99 [$13 off]
64GB PR+ microSD card for $29.99 [$40 off]
128GB EVO+ microSD card for $44.99 [$58 off]

You can find all of Samsung's Black Friday deals at the link below. Samsung Black Friday Link

Sprint

The big deals:

Half-off Galaxy S6 lease deal: $9 per month (was $18)
Free Amazon Prime: activate Sprint services on a Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, or Note 5
Free 24-inch LG TV: activate a new LG G4 and receive a free 24-inch LG HD TV ($179 value)

Other deals:

Fitbit Charge HR for $119 [$3o off]
Fitbit Charge for $89 [$40 off]
Garmin vivofit 2 for $69 [$30 off]
Garmin vivosmart for $79 [$50 off]
Garmin vivoactive for $169 [$80 off]
Withings Activite Pop for $129 [$20 off]
LG Tone Pro 750 for $39 [$30 off]

All of these deals can be accessed at the link below. Sprint Black Friday Link

T-Mobile

T-Mobile isn't doing anything really big, but they do have these deals running:

Free Galaxy S6: From 11/26 through 11/29, you can get a Galaxy S6 32GB for $0 down/$0 per month.
UE Boom deal: The popular UE Boom Blueooth speaker is $100 off from Friday through Sunday, while supplies last.
Free tablet: From 11/25 through 11/29, if you sign-up for a tablet data plan, T-Mobile will give you an Alcatel Pixi 7-inch 4G LTE tablet for $0 down/$0 per month.

Here is a link to all of T-Mobile's Holiday Deals.

Tronsmart

Car Chargers

Tronsmart 1-Port Car Charger (1 QC 2.0 Port) - CODE U293HAPV - $5.99 ($6 off)
Tronsmart 2-Port Car Charger (2 x QC 2.0 Port) - CODE PD72FZJH - $10.49 ($9.50 off)
Tronsmart USB Type-C Car Charger - CODE TYPECCAR - $9.99 ($10 off)
Tronsmart 3-Port Car Charger (2 x QC 2.0 Port + 1 VoltIQ Port) - CODE 9XQCVY3A - $13.49 ($8.50 off)
Tronsmart 4-Port Car Charger (1 QC 2.0 Port+ 3 x VoltIQ Port) - CODE 4PORTCAR - $11.49 ($8.50 off)

Wall Chargers

Tronsmart QC 2.0 Single Port Wall Charger - no code needed - $8.99 ($6 off)
Tronsmart 2-Port Wall Charger (2 x QC 2.0 Port) - CODE MTVFSFZC - $13.49 ($8.50 off)
Tronsmart 3-Port Wall Charger (1 QC 2.0 Port+ 2 x VoltIQ Port) - CODE 2ECBRH5G - $9.99 ($10 off)

Desktop Chargers

Tronsmart Titan (QC 2.0 and VoltIQ in each port) - CODE 53E8EJCI - $27.99 ($10 off)
Tronsmart 5-Port 54W - CODE IJQS6WCJ - $19.99 ($10 off)

TYLT

TYLT is back once again with a big Black Friday sale. This time they are doing 35% off their entire wireless charging line, plus 50% off all other products.

TYLT wireless chargers [35% off]
All other TYLT products [50% off]

Verizon

The big push Verizon is making is for this $500 switch credit/discount when you trade in your smartphone from another carrier and join their network. With this deal, they are slashing $200 off of smartphones, then giving you up to $300 for your trade-in. If you do that and qualify for the full $500 off, you can get into phones for these prices:

Samsung Galaxy S6 for $3.16/month
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge for $7.16/month
DROID Turbo 2 for $5.16/month

If you don't want any of those phones, Verizon is also doing $100 off other phones, plus the $300 trade-in credit. That would get you into these phones for the these prices:

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ for $15.33/month
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 for $12.33/month
LG V10 for $11.33/month

And if none of that sounds fun, here are some other deals.

Fitbit Charge for $89.99 [$40 off]
Mophie Powerstation Plus for $99 [$50 off]
Mophie Powerstation 4000 for $39 [$40 off]
UE Megaboom Speaker for $249 [$50 off]
Nest Cam for $169 [$30 off]
Bose SoundLink Speaker for $119 [$10 off]
Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite for $249 [$50 off]
Beats Solo On-Ear headphones for $249 [$50 off]

Verizon Black Friday Link

More coming!

Last Horizon Hits Google Play, a Minimal Space Adventure to Find a New Home

Tim — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:03:56 +0000

Published to Google Play by Noodlecake Studios -- one of my personal favorite publishers -- Last Horizon can be picked for $2.99, with no ads. This is a minimal, space exploration game, in which you must pilot a rocket ship to distant stars in search of a new home for the human species. Along the way, you will visit rocky planets to mine for ore to fix your damaged ship, collect oxygen from ice and garden planets, and harvest other resources to help terraform a new world for all of us. The gameplay is extremely simplistic. To thrust into space, leaving our old world behind, you hold down on the screen, with two single buttons for turning left and right. As you orbit worlds, their gravitational pull will bring you closer, and it is your job to land your rocket safely using the thrusters. If you smack straight into a star, moon, asteroids, black hole, or a massive sun, you will die and have to start all over. The compass at the bottom of the display points you in the direction of which you need to go. At first, the game took a bit to get used to in terms of mastering the ship's movement, but once you nail down the thrusts and landings, the game moves along rather quickly. From what I saw during my gameplay, there are four missions or "flights" you must complete. Each mission gets harder in difficulty, with more debris floating in space for you to avoid. In addition, during the later levels, you also come across alien life. Do they wish you harm? You will have to find out for yourself. Priced at $2.99, the game features a great little soundtrack, plus fun visuals of space. With no ads, it's a must-have for any wannabe space explorers among us. Play Link ($2.99)

Google Fit Updated With Real-Time Stats for Runs, Nutrition Monitoring

Tim — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:11:27 +0000

In an update for the Google Fit app, users can now get real-time stats for their activities such as running, complete with data for elevation, speed, pace, route, and more. In addition, for those into strength training who happen to own an Android Wear watch, your device can now pick up push-ups and squats whenever you perform them, allowing you to attempt a few 30-day challenges at any time of the day. Google Fit will now also show data from a few of the top nutrition and sleep applications. You can monitor your diet with MyFitnessPal, Fatsecret, and LoseIt, or track your sleep with Sleep as Android, a Xiaomi Mi Band and Sony Smartband 2. These integrations, set to take place over the next couple of days, will provide better insight into your daily health and fitness routines. The update is rolling out now, so be sure to grab it. Play Link

Via: Android

Hangouts Gets Guest Access for Video Chats With Non-Google Users

Kellen — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 09:02:15 +0000

This morning, Google is announcing guest access for Hangouts, which is their way of saying, "Yes, weird people without Google accounts, you can join in on the Hangouts video calling fun too." The new guess access doesn't require anyone to fill out a form or have a Google account. Instead, they really just need to click a link in an invitation that you sent. From there, a pop-up will ask for them to input a name name before joining, but then you (as the host) will also be able to approve or deny their entry to the Hangout and maintain full control over their participation throughout the call. Easy, right?

Via: Google

Nuance Announces Dragon Anywhere, Mobile Voice Dictation With a Subscription Price

Tim — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 08:51:57 +0000

Those is need of mobile voice dictation can turn to Nuance this week, as the company announced Dragon Anywhere, a paid subscription service that bring's its desktop voice dictation software to Android devices. With this software, users can dictate pretty much all text input on their Android device. Instead of typing out long emails or texts, simply let Dragon do the work for you. However, as users of Dragon on the desktop already know, you need to speak with proper punctuation, so as to make sure Dragon types exactly what you want to say with proper grammar. As for pricing, Nuance is offering a free 7-day trial of Dragon Anywhere, but after that, get ready to shell out some serious dough for this software. For a single month, Dragon Anywhere costs $15. If you package months, you get a bit of a discount - a 3 month subscription is $40, and a 12 month package is priced at $150. Yes, that ain't cheap for voice dictation. Features

Fast dictation and high recognition accuracy
Continual learning of a person’s unique voice for improved accuracy – the more Dragon Anywhere is used, the more accurate it becomes
No time or length limits on dictation; professionals can speak as long as they want to, capturing all of the details needed for complete, accurate documentation
Robust voice formatting and editing options, including the ability to select words and sentences for editing or deletion, navigate through fields of a report template, and apply common formatting like underline, bold and italics
Support for custom words, allowing professionals to add industry-specific terminology for even better dictation accuracy
Support for simple importing and exporting to and from popular cloud document-sharing tools like Dropbox and saving to note-taking apps like Evernote, so work can be continued from a mobile device or on a desktop

If this is something you might need on a day-to-day basis, or for your job, follow the links below to get started. 7-Day Trial Link | Subscription Link

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Via: Nuance

Verizon Tweaks Prepaid Plans Again, Up to 4GB of Data for $60

Kellen — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 07:52:30 +0000

Just over a month ago, Verizon made a bunch of tweaks to their prepaid line-up that were both somewhat confusing, as they were billed bi-monthly, and also not very good deals. Today, they've changed them all again to much more traditional monthly billing cycles, plus they included options for bonus data. The new plans lock in at $60, $45, and $30 per month. The $60 plan has 3GB of data, but you can up that to 4GB, thanks to a bonus 1GB of data if you sign-up for autopay. Same goes for the $45 plan, which starts at 1GB, but can also be bumped up an additional 1GB to 2GB with autopay. The $30 plan doesn't include a data package. Verizon also opened up a couple of new "basic" phone plans for non-smartphones at $30 and $15 per month. The $30 plan includes unlimited talk, text, and mobile web. The $15 plan has 300 voice minutes, texts or multimedia messages, plus unlimited mobile web. The plans are live now.

Via: Verizon

Verizon is Giving Away 1GB of Free Data Right Now for "Thanksgetting"

Kellen — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 07:38:22 +0000

For the 2nd straight year, Verizon is trying to turn the day before Thanksgiving into some sort of freebie day, where they can promote their own products, along with those from others. Last year, they called it Connection Day or something really weird. This year, it has apparently changed to "Thanksgetting." I have no idea what that is supposed to mean, but this day is like last year's day before the feast in that Verizon is giving away free things. Starting today, they are handing out 1GB of free data to everyone on Verizon with a qualifying plan. All you have to do is hit the link below, tap the "Get Now" link, sign-in to your account, and claim. The data will then be added to your account for use. The promo also seems to suggest that you will get another free 1GB in your next billing cycle as well. Free data! The rest of "Thanksgetting" will include deals like free $5 iTunes gift cards, free boingo and GoGo internet, and more. Those deals, though, won't be available until November 25. Verizon "Thanksgetting" Link

Cheers Brandon!

Deal: Pay What You Want for the JavaScript Development Bundle

Tim — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:09:34 +0000

For a limited time on the DL Deals Store, you can grab a JavaScript Development Bundle through a name-your-own-price deal. Inside this bundle, if you pay the average or more, you gain access to 10 courses, all of which aim to make you a master in Java. Currently, the average price sits at just over $10, with the bundle listed at a value of over $1,100. A few of the courses available in the bundle are Mastering D3 and Rapid D3, 3D Programming with WebGL, learning NodeJS, and learning Apache Cassandra from scratch. A portion of the proceeds from bundles sold will go directly to Project HOPE, an organization that delivers essential medicines and supplies, health expertise and medical training to respond to disasters around the globe. Go grab it while you can. Deal Link

Android Wear Watches Get Marshmallow in "Coming Months," Watch Urbane LTE Already has It

Kellen — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 14:51:39 +0000

Hey, did you know that the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow? Well, it does. It's the first Android Wear watch to do so, in fact. With that in mind, are you now wondering when your Android Wear device will receive the update? We have a vague answer. According to Google, who outlined some of the changes in API 23 for Android Wear (API 23 = Marshmallow) through an announcement that API 23 was now available for Android Wear, the rest of the Android Wear watches on the planet will see an update to Marshmallow and API 23 over the "coming months." Again, the new Urbane is already running Android 6.0, but you have months to wait. Got it? As for what's new in API 23, we talked a bit about it at the end of last week, after Google posted support docs that highlight new features. In general, we will see external speaker support, support for Intel x86 (TAG Heuer Connected runs an Intel chip), resource qualifiers for both round and notround, and a new permissions model.

Via: Android Developers

Hey, John Legere, What do You Think About Sprint's New 50% Deal?

Kellen — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:20:16 +0000

After hyping an upcoming "major" announcement for this morning, Sprint went ahead and announced the "Biggest Wireless Offer in U.S. History." The plan is a 50% slashing of all of the major US carriers' plans, but also includes up to $650 per line to pay off early termination fees, should you leave your current carrier of choice and join Sprint. It certainly adds up to low prices, plus it comes on the heels of Sprint announcing its new LTE Plus network. While we have already seen our readers react, there is another reaction that was guaranteed to be entertaining. We are talking about John Legere's, of course, T-Mobile's CEO who always likes giving it to Sprint and the rest of his competitors. However, his Sprint battles almost always seem to be the best of the bunch, since Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure is willing to fire back. Here is what Legere had to say, through a series of Tweets that were meant to mock the countdown Sprint used leading up to today's announcements.

Now, each carrier offers their own sets of incentives in their own way, so I'm not about to sit here and say, "Yeah, T-Mobile has the best this or that!" With that said, that point 4 he makes about the $36 activation fee, which is indeed in Sprint's fine print, seems a bit crazy. You bring a family over and you are paying over $100 out of pocket just in activations. Maybe it's worth that out of pocket expensive to have a 50% discount in your rate? I'll let you decide that. Anyways, I guess we'll sit back and see if Verizon or AT&T have anything to say. (They probably don't.)

Samsung Intros BRITECELL Camera Tech During Investors Forum

Tim — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:00:51 +0000

During Samsung's annual Investors Forum, the company took time to detail upcoming plans for mobile photography, specifically on its upcoming 2016 top-tier devices. Announced during the slideshow, Samsung detailed BRITECELL camera technology, promising enhanced light sensitivity in low light conditions with less color artifact. According to the head of the Samsung LSI marketing team Kyushik Hong, this technology helps reduce the camera module size by up to 17%, allowing for slimmer devices, while maintaining low light sensitivity at 1.12µm. Speaking on the desires of consumers, Hong stated, "As for the camera, people want higher resolution and brighter image. And naturally, that requires the bigger pixels to capture more light into the single pixel. But still with need to accommodate this immediate sensor into very small compactor so that it can comfortably tuck into very sleek and the slim phone design in these days." Beyond this info, not too much technical data was lifted from the announcement, but usually, ahead of a smartphone launch with new technology, Samsung releases plenty of more specific information. Should we expect BRITECELL in the Galaxy S7? It seems like a safe bet, as Samsung has invested heavily on its in-house technology. This year, however, Samsung utilized both in-house ISOCELL sensors and Sony IMX sensors for its flagship devices. Regardless of what they choose in 2016, you can bet that the camera on the Galaxy S7 will probably be pretty great for your mobile photography needs. The below images were taken directly from the slideshow.

Via: SamMobile | Samsung [2]

Google Play App Listings Will Say if an App has Ads in Early 2016

Kellen — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:27:15 +0000

By early next year, the apps you consider downloading through Google Play will specify if they contain advertisements. Google notified developers today that they have until January 11, 2016 to sign into the developer console and declare whether or not their apps contain ads and that misrepresenting ad presence violates the Google Play Developer Program Policies. The label will likely show up in a similar location to the label that states whether or not an app has in-app purchases (seen above), making it clear to you and I when we are about to install an app if it has ads. If you are a developer and you need to know how to stay in compliance, check out the link below. Also, here is the email being sent to developers:

Hello Google Play Developer, At Google I/O, we launched “ad-supported” labels for apps in the Designed for Families program. Today, we’re announcing the expansion of this program to all apps on Google Play. Early next year, users will start to see the “Ads” label on apps that contain advertising, both inside and outside Designed for Families. By January 11, 2016, you must sign in to the Play Developer Console and declare whether your apps contain ads (such as ads delivered through third party ad networks, display ads, native ads, and/or banner ads). After this date, the ads declaration will be required to make any updates to your apps. Please note that misrepresenting ad presence violates Google Play Developer Program Policies and may lead to suspension. You can visit our help center to learn more. While developers are responsible for accurately declaring ad presence in their apps, Google may verify this at any time and display the “Ads” label if appropriate. If you feel your app has been incorrectly flagged for containing ads, please contact our policy support team. Regards, The Google Play Team

More: Google Developer Support

LG's Mobile Payment Solution to Launch as Early as Next Month

Tim — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:53:56 +0000

LG's mobile payments solution, reportedly called G Pay, is said to launch next month in select regions. First discussed in mid-October, LG officials state, "We will sign a deal with some of the country’s major card companies before officially launching our mobile payment platform." According to Korean outlets, the service will first launch in South Korea, with LG partnering with two of the biggest card companies, Shinhan Card and KB Kookmin Card. There is no word yet of a US launch, or with partnerships between US card companies. From a consumer standpoint, another proprietary payments system exclusive to a single lineup of devices can be overwhelming. Currently, US consumers can choose between Android Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay, if they have the necessary hardware and a supported financial institution. It's not that LG should not create G Pay, since they have every right to, but at this point, does it not seem a little too late to become relevant in this sector? Each service already available serves their niche well - Android Pay works on any Android device with NFC (including LG devices), Samsung utilizes MST on top of NFC for top-tier Samsung devices, and Apple Pay services iOS devices. As you can see, we already have systems in place that work fine. If LG was to launch a payment solution for the US, what are a few key features you would like to see in order to use it? Proprietary technology? Support for your bank? Shoot your opinion down below.

Via: Korea Times

Google is Now Letting You "Stream" Apps Without Ever Installing Them

Kellen — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:14:43 +0000

Back in April, Google started indexing apps in Google Search to show relevant information from them in your results, even if you didn't have the apps installed. Today, they are taking that experience a step further with the introduction of a couple of new ideas, one of which may blow your mind a bit. First, in building off of the indexing of apps, Google has taken results a step further, by not only showing results that have matching web content (which was the case before), but by also showing information from apps that don't have a matching web presence. This is a pretty big move if you think about it, because not all apps have web portals where they include the information that is found inside their apps. This move allows Google to show information from apps that are stand-alone properties. Second, Google is beginning to test the idea of being able to "stream" an app through Google Search without actually installing it. You'll see this in the GIF below, but basically, Google is using a new "cloud-based" technology that allows them to open an app as a search result, creating an experience similar to what you would see if you had the app installed on your device. If you search for something and the results turn up an app option with "Stream" next to it, that means you can stream the app, as long as you are on WiFi. Check it out.

How cool is that? Google makes it sound like we are in the early, experimental stages of this new feature in Google Search, so you won't find a whole bunch of apps doing this just yet. For now, they are working with HoteTonight, Chimani, Daily Horoscope, and New York Subway.

Via: Inside Search

Google Camera Receiving Update for Android 6.0+ Devices, Includes New Interface

Tim — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:03:58 +0000

Google Camera, Mountain View's in-house shooter software for Android devices, is receiving an update to build 3.1. Inside, the new UI that is showcased on the latest Nexus devices will be available to all who download and use the application on devices running Android 6.0+. With this updated UI, switching between camera settings is simplified, thanks to the reworking of button placement. Now, your HDR and Flash settings will be easily accessible, not hidden inside of pullout menus and additional "three dot" buttons. This update is rolling out now to a small group of users, and should reach all supported devices over the next few days. Play Link

Sprint Intros the LTE Plus Network, Available Today in 77 Major Markets

Tim — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 09:02:14 +0000

Today, Sprint announced the LTE Plus network, a combination of its advanced cellular technologies and cell site optimization. In the announcement, written by Sprint's CTO Dr. John Saw, the carrier lays out the benefits of LTE Plus, which should have customers seeing faster service with double the network capacity and speed, stronger service with "smart antenna technology," and more reliable service thanks to the utilization of three bands of spectrum (1.9GHz, 800MHz, and 2.5GHz). With carrier aggregation and a signal processing technique called beamforming, customers located near cell edges and indoors should see increased speeds and reliability of service, with peak speeds in excess of 100Mbps on devices that are capable of such data speeds. According to Dr. Saw, Sprint is proud to be one of the first operators in the world to roll out two key functionalities of LTE Advanced: Carrier aggregation and Beamforming. Benefits to Customers

Faster service with double the network capacity and speed, and peak speeds in excess of 100Mbps on capable devices
Stronger service with smart antenna technology that extends the cell signal further at 2.5GHz
More reliable service utilizing three bands of spectrum – 1.9GHz for broad coverage, 800MHz for better indoor service, and 2.5GHz for even faster data speeds

Markets of Availability As shown in the below map, Sprint's LTE Plus network is available today in 77 major markets. A few of the big ones listed are the SF Bay Area, San Diego, New York City, North LA, Portland, Seattle, San Antonio, Orlando, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and basically all other major cities within the United States, including parts of Hawaii.

This announcement is coupled with Sprint's "biggest wireless offer in history," which cuts Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile rate plans by 50%. Naturally, there is plenty of tiny text to read along with these offers, so be sure to read up on that post, too, if you plan on making the switch to Sprint.

Via: Sprint

Sprint's "Biggest Wireless Offer in History" Slashes Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile Plans by 50%

Kellen — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 08:48:52 +0000

Yesterday, we told you that Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure had a big announcement to make. This morning, he made it in the form of a 50% off deal if you bring your number to Sprint from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. Sprint is calling it the "Biggest Wireless Offer in U.S. History." I would call the deal simple, but I took a look at the mile-long terms and am not so sure anything about this could be simple, especially when you start talking about cutting prices in half from three different carriers who all offer wildly different plans at varying prices and with different amounts of data. So here is the deal, in the simplest terms I can explain it. Sprint is going to cut 50% off the plans that your carrier currently offers if you port your number over to them. That includes 50% cuts on both data buckets and the monthly access/line charges. Sprint is also willing to pay up to $650 for anyone who switches, meaning they will cover your early termination fees up to $650 per line. New Sprint customers can sign-up for this offer from November 20 (this Friday) through January 7, 2016. The discounted rates will last through Jan. 8, 2018. You'll notice that said "new" customers get this deal. To "reward" existing customers, Sprint is giving away free tablets (while supplies last) with one year of free service, as long as they sign a 2-year contract. Here are Sprint-made images showing the discount you would get off of each carrier's plans:

And bullet points on the deal taken directly from Sprint's press release:

This is a worry-free offer. Customers have 28 days to experience Sprint service. If they are not satisfied, customers can return their device with no restocking fee.
Visit your local Sprint store, Sprint Store at RadioShack, www.sprint.com or call 1-800-Sprint1 to switch.
Get your new device with Sprint Lease, iPhone Forever, Sprint Easy Pay installment billing or pay full retail price for the device. Or bring your own compatible device.
Customers must port one line, and can add up to 9 additional lines on the account.
Customers must choose from the 50 percent off rate plans available from their current carrier.
Cricket and MetroPCS customers also can switch and save 50 percent off their parent company’s postpaid rates.
50 percent off pricing remains valid until Jan. 8, 2018, for activations between Nov. 20, 2015, and Jan. 7, 2016.
Sprint will pay your switching fees up to $650 per line via an American Express® Reward Card after online registration and phone turn-in.

Here is a kid explaining it, because Sprint claims that it's so simple, a kid can understand it. After looking at it all, I certainly hope so for the sake of Sprint employees who have to try and sort all of this out.

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Again, the deal goes live on November 20. Here is a direct link to the new 50% off page.

Via: Sprint

Amazon Announces 8 Days of Holiday Deals Leading Up to Black Friday

Kellen — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 08:11:32 +0000

Next week, we celebrate Thanksgiving before setting off on holiday shopping excursions throughout Black Friday, a day dedicated to being suckered into places like Best Buy or Costco because they are allegedly selling a 50-inch TV for $100. It's also a day to sit online, skipping the lines and getting suckered into similar deals through online dealers. Think about it, though. What's a better situation - a) standing in line for hours in the cold to not buy 1 of the 3 $100 TVs or b) sitting on your couch in PJs, with a whiskey-filled coffee in one-hand, not getting 1 of the 3 TVs that the same place allegedly sold online? I know which one I would go for, which brings us to this post that took way too many words to get into. Amazon announced this morning that they are hosting 8 days of holiday deals as a lead-up to Black Friday. They are kicking off the series this Friday, November 20, and running it through to the big day. They said to expect new deals to pop-up as often as every 5 minutes for 8 straight days. Then, on Thanksgiving, 10 "coveted" Deals of the Day will arrive, starting at midnight, followed by another 10 or so on Black Friday. So how can you keep up with all of these deals? Through this Amazon page. But also, for the first time, Amazon is going to release more than 150 "hand-picked" lightning deals through the Amazon Mobile Shopping app on Android and iOS, starting Thanksgiving and running through December 9. You have lots of deals areas to keep up with. Wondering what types of products Amazon will have? Here is a list of the types of electronics deals:

Kindle Paperwhite, $99.99
$30 off Kindle and Kindle for Kids Bundle
Fire, $34.99
Fire Kids Edition, $84.99
$25 off Amazon Fire TV
$15 off Amazon Fire TV Stick and Amazon Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote
Up to 45% off select Samsung and LG TVs, including Samsung 32” 1080p LED TV for $177.99, LG 49” 1080p LED TV for less than $370, and Samsung 75” 1080p Smart LED TV for less than $2,000
Top-selling 60” 4K LED TV, $799.99
TCL 55” Roku Smart LED TV, $348
Hisense 55” 4K Smart LED TV, $448 (App Only Deal)
50” 1080p LED TV, $149.99 (App Only Deal)
40” 1080p LED TV, $145
TCL 32” Roku Smart LED TV, $125
32” LED TV, $75
Acer Home Theater Projector, $299.99
VIZIO 38” 2.1 Home Theater Sound Bar, $79.99
$49 off SONOS 2-Room Streaming Music Starter Set
Save 40% on Polk Audio Omni S2 Wireless Speaker
Up to 25% off Denon HEOS 1 Wireless Speakers
50% off Sony Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones
Save more than 50% on Sennheiser HD 598 Special Edition Over-Ear Headphones in Black (Amazon Exclusive)
More than 50% off top-selling point-and-shoot camera
Jawbone UP3, $99
Save $100 on an Intel-Powered Dell 2-in-1 Laptop
ASUS 15” laptop, $129
Up to 40% off select Acer desktops, monitors, chromebooks, and tablets
Save more than 20% on select Samsung Galaxy Tablets
Save up to 70% on select SanDisk memory cards and USB flash drives
Top-selling mobile printer for less than $100

See anything appealing? Get ready for then, because Friday is almost here.

Via: Amazon

Report: LG G5 to Feature Metal Exterior, No More Plastic

Tim — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:48:25 +0000

According to a report out of Korea, LG may look to ditch its plastic past, opting for an all-metal design in 2016 for the G5 smartphone. With many competitors choosing "premium" materials to build phones, such as metal, glass, and wood, LG is still one of the only companies to offer an all-plastic flagship device. However, LG's new V10 features a metal trim on its siding, and the G4 had custom backsides that featured leather. According to a source who has seen LG's G5 prototype, they state that, "the design takes a major step forward than previous smartphones." Whether this means LG is designing a unique shape or we can expect to see the same rear-facing button arrangement is yet to be seen. In addition to metal being used on the G5, it is reported that LG wants to be more aggressive in making the device available as soon as it is announced. Many times, a company will announce a smartphone, then consumers must wait weeks or sometimes even months to get their hands on the device. By this time, hype has worn off and something newer comes along. LG likely wants to avoid this, so having supply ready in time for the announcement will be crucial. In terms of when, it is expected that LG will announce this device in the February/MWC timeframe, right in time for battle with Samsung and a possible Galaxy S7 flagship. Not only do I think it would be nice for LG to dip into metal for the G5, but I think more importantly, the company needs to spend a lot of time on simplifying its software and making it nicer to use.

Via: etnews

Video: Samsung Galaxy View Hands-on and First Impressions

Tim — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 14:19:55 +0000

The Galaxy View tablet from Samsung, available on November 20 from AT&T, is large. There's nothing else to say about its size. The device features an 18.4" Full HD display, powered by a Exynos octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM. We received a unit from AT&T, preloaded with all of the DIRECTV and NFL Sunday Ticket goodies, so allow me to share my first impressions with you. Once you accept the fact that the device is ridiculously large, you begin to think about all of things you can do with a device of its size. You can consume tons of videos, mobile games, and browse the Internet on a massive touchscreen. The tablet runs TouchWiz, Samsung's custom Android skin, on top of Android 5.1.1, which offers a few helpful software tweaks you can't normally do on a stock Android device. For example, you can have multiple apps running at the same time, which is useful considering how much screen real estate you have access to. You can have the Chrome browser open, while also watching a movie simultaneously. On the AT&T-branded model, the carrier pushes DIRECTV quite heavily. For anyone who has DIRECTV, it may be the perfect companion device for your home, as consuming your regular TV programming, NFL Sunday Ticket, and movies is quite enjoyable on the 18.4" display. DIRECTV access is actually built directly into the Home launcher by swiping right on the display. This brings up a quick access guide to what DIRECTV currently offers. Beyond the specialty feature of DIRECTV and NFL Sunday Ticket access, it's basically just a large Android tablet, and we all know how useful those things are (slight hint of sarcasm). With the backside of the device featuring swiveling kickstand for use on a table or in your lap, the device is rather cumbersome and not very portable. I should also note it is rather heavy, although, not as heavy as you may expect from such a large device. Inside, the Galaxy View features just a 5,700mAh battery, which seems relatively small considering how much size they had to work with. On the exterior backside, you will find stereo speakers for loud, clear audio playback. Below, watch me go hands-on with the device, going over a few of its software features, and providing a tour of the DIRECTV and NFL Sunday Ticket apps.

Hands-on

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Google Introduces New Google+ With Revamped UI and Focus on Communities and Collections

Kellen — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:31:55 +0000

This afternoon, Google announced that it has been working on a new version of Google+ that is ready for prime time. Over the past couple of months, Google (with help from users of Google+) realized that a big part of the social platform's growth was in Communities and Collections, and so that's where the latest redesign takes its focus. With Communities, you get a forum-like atmosphere within G+ that allows you to discuss topics with like-minded folks. With Collections, you have a way to bundle together the posts you like by topic, to help you stay organized and on top of your favorite things. In this new G+, you'll see in image above and GIF below, that just below the top "Home" tab, there are easy-to-reach shortcuts for Collections and Communities. From within those specific pages, you can quickly find new groups or topics to entertain, or just browse the ones you are already a part of. Google also said that this new Google+ has been better optimized for mobile, should let you post, search, and connect easier, while keeping up with content. To try out the new Google+ on the web, be on the lookout for a "Let's go" button at the top that will let you make the switch. Google did say that not all of the old Google+ features will move over to the new version, so if you want to switch back to the classic, you can do that. As for mobile apps, the Android and iOS Google+ apps are brand new and will arrive "in the coming days."

Via: Google Blog

Sprint CEO to Make "Major Announcement" Tomorrow (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:15:35 +0000

Tomorrow, at 11:15AM CT, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure will make a "major announcement." Do we have any guesses as to what that may be? Not really, no. He will field questions from journos during a teleconference to address the announcement, though, so we'll be sure to tune in to see what comes of it. Any guesses? Update: Here are the details on Sprint's new deal, which is 50% off competing carrier rates.

Via: Sprint

DEAL: Nexus 5 32GB in Black or White for $209 in Newegg Flash Sale

Kellen — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:27:25 +0000

In my Nexus 5X review, I mentioned that the original Nexus 5, a phone two years old, performs better with Android 6.0 Marshmallow than the new LG model. I don't know how that is possible with all of the new tech inside of the 5X, but it was painfully obvious. Outside of the camera being pretty poor in the original Nexus 5, it's still a phone worth considering at the right price. $209 might be the right price. In a deal currently running through Newegg Flash, you can buy the Nexus 5 with 32GB of storage in either white or black for just $209. This is model LG-D820, which is the North American variant that works on carriers in the US like AT&T and T-Mobile. As a recap, the original Nexus 5 sports a 5-inch 1080p display, 2GB RAM, Snapdragon 800 processor, 8MP rear camera (with OIS), and 2300mAh battery. It has also been officially updated to Android 6.0. The phone purchase includes free shipping. New Egg Deal Link

Cheers enigmaco!

Google Photos Updated With New Ways to Save Your Storage

Tim — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:29:08 +0000

An update for the Google Photos application is set to rollout today for Android users, one which aims at saving you precious storage space on your device and in the cloud. Once updated, a "Free Up Space" button will appear in the Settings menu, which will prompt users to clear up bulk amounts of photos that are likely being duplicated. For example, if your photos have already been uploaded to the cloud, Photos will give you the "okay" to delete them off of your device, so as to save space for additional photos. To prevent device copies from being accidentally deleted, Google is asking users to double-confirm their intent during the "Free Up Space" process. Google is also rolling out a fix that will allow users on select SD-card enabled devices to delete photos stored on an SD card. The hope is that this will prevent the issue of a photo continuing to appear in the Photos view even after being deleted. The Photos app will now also allow users to downgrade uploaded photos from "Original quality" to "High quality," which will certainly free up some space on the cloud. Original quality photos are uploaded in full resolution and uncompressed, and Google only provides a certain amount of space for this unless you pay. However, with the high quality setting, users can upload compressed files as much as they want with no limit in space. So, with the update, all of your previous uploaded photos in original quality can be reset to high quality, freeing up storage for more photos and videos. The update is rolling out now, so be on the lookout.

Via: +John Elstone

FYI: Google Removed Tasker From Google Play (Updated: It's Back!)

Kellen — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:16:58 +0000

Yesterday, Google removed Tasker, the automate-the-world with insanely complicated triggers and scenes and actions and tasks, from Google Play and has yet to restore the app for the hundreds of thousands of users who have downloaded it over the years. No one is quite sure the exact reason for the removal, which is often the case when Google suddenly, without warning, removes an app, but the developer did take to the app's support group to say that Google did so "mistakenly." Here is the full short response:

Google have removed it, as far as I can see mistakenly since they are complaining about something being in the manifest which is simply not there. In a couple of days, after I've got a few thousand complaint emails, they may have gotten round to reading the appeal.

Others are speculating that the developer possibly included a specific battery-related permission that Google isn't allowing developers to utilize at the moment, though that hasn't been confirmed as the issue. Hopefully, for all of the Tasker die-hards out there, this get sorted out quickly. Hah, did I really just hope for a suddenGoogle Play app removal to be resolved quickly? I must be smoking something today. Play Link Update: Well, that was quick. It's back! Google told us that they worked very closely with the developer to make sure Tasker was in compliance with their policies and get it back on Google Play.

Via: Google Groups | reddit

Video: SHIELD Tablet K1 Unboxing and Hands-on

Tim — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 10:13:57 +0000

Early this morning, NVIDIA announced and released the SHIELD Tablet K1. Priced at $199, NVIDIA stripped the previous SHIELD Tablet of its stylus pen, and also removed all accessories from the box in order to meet an aggressive price point. Now, we have a unit in-house, and there is no better way to kick-off coverage on a device than a formal unboxing. The device features an 8" IPS display, Tegra K1 processor, 2GB of RAM, 5MP front and rear-facing camera, 16GB of onboard storage, microSD slot for up to 128GB of storage, dual front-facing stereo speakers, 19.75 watt non-removable battery, and Android 5.1.1. Below, check out our complete unboxing and hands-on.

Unboxing

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Gallery

Show Off Your Home Screens Day!

Kellen — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 09:53:44 +0000

Over the weekend, shortly after posting up the latest in "hot" icon packs, I started looking for the last time we did a "Show off your home screens day!" As it turns out, it's been well over a year, which is kind of shocking. It's not like we stopped customizing phones in 2015, so I'm not sure what took us so long to get one of these together. Either way, it's a home screen day today! For those new to this concept, just know that we want you to share the setup on your home screen in the comments below. We do this for a couple of reasons. First, it's actually a lot of fun to see how other people have their phones setup. Second, this is a way for us to get inspiration for that next great setup of our own. And finally, we often find out about new icon or theme or wallpaper designers, apps you are using, etc. that help make Droid Life a better place. So, it's time to show them off! Set up your best home screen, screenshot them, and then upload as many as you'd like through the comments.

As for our setups, you'll find mine above. I'm using the Artico icon pack we featured last week, along with one of its included wallpapers. I'm using Nova Launcher, the stock Android clock, and not much else. I keep it super simple. Tim's setup is below and utilizes Nova Launcher as well, along with the Retrorika icon pack. Also, if you want to create fine screenshot art like we have done, feel free to use Google's Device Art Generator.

NVIDIA Releases the SHIELD Tablet K1, Priced at $199

Tim — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:29:48 +0000

NVIDIA announced and released the SHIELD Tablet K1 this morning, essentially a re-release of the SHIELD Tablet, sans Stylus. Priced at just $199, this tablet comes with the same lineup of specifications as the original SHIELD Tablet, but by stripping the tablet of all accessories that would usually come packed inside the box, NVIDIA was able to meet an aggressive price point for arguably one of the better Android tablets on the market. For specs, the Tablet K1 features an 8" (1920x1200) multi-touch IPS display, Tegra K1 processor, 16GB of onboard storage, microSD slot, HDMI 1.4a, 5MP front and back cameras, 2GB of RAM, front-facing stereo speakers, 19.75 watt non-removable battery, and Android 5.1.1. NVIDIA has a good track record with Android updates, so potential buyers can expect Marshmallow in the near future. Now, back to those accessories NVIDIA stripped from the packaging. When you buy this device, all that comes inside of the box is the Tablet K1 itself, nothing else. There is no AC adapter, no cables, no SHIELD Controller, no nothing. Everything is sold individually to keep cost of the device itself low. NVIDIA is selling a World Charger kit online for $29, which comes with chargers for the US, UK, EU, AU, and CN. The Stylus is also purchasable as an accessory, priced at $20. With no Stylus coming with the device, NVIDIA has reworked the SHIELD Tablet's design a bit, but if you own the original SHIELD Tablet, then you will know exactly what to expect from the SHIELD Tablet K1 in terms of build quality. It it a sturdy, somewhat heavy little tablet, weighing in at 13.7oz. As for software, NVIDIA bakes in a few proprietary touches on top of Android 5.1.1, such as the ability to livestream gameplay to Twitch, plus the NVIDIA Dabbler app which you will need a stylus to use. In addition, you will find access to SHIELD Hub and GeForce NOW for all of your mobile gaming needs. The SHIELD Tablet K1 is available as of this morning, priced at $199 on NVIDIA's website. But again, please note, you will need to already have a compatible charger for the tablet, or will need to purchase the World Charger kit for additional $29 because the SHIELD Tablet K1 does not come with a charger. NVIDIA Link

Mediafire Launches Pool, a Photo Sharing App With Some Smarts

Kellen — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:23:24 +0000

How often do you share photos with friends, especially those you just took in a group setting? For many of us, the answer is "A lot." A new app from Mediafire, called Pool, is attempting to make this process easier than ever. With Pool, you get an app that isn't just another cloud storage service for your photos. In fact, it's not a storage service at all. Mediafire says that Pool is more of a personal assistant for your photos than anything, because it looks through your image galleries and then makes suggestions for sharing based on "where you are and the people you're with." Of course, in order for this to work well, everyone you know also needs to have it installed, because as far as we can tell, Pool uses your contacts to find friends with Pool installed, so that it can then share via the app. Pool works on both Android and iOS, shares full resolution photos, allows you to save those you received from a friend to your device, and is private. Here are the big features:

Auto Suggestions: Pool makes photo sharing suggestions based on where you are and the people you’re with
Private: Pool only shares photos with the people you choose using the proven infrastructure of MediaFire
Cross-Platform Sharing: Pool works with iOS or Android devices
High Resolution: Shared photos are at full resolution
Reminders: Pool reminds you to share photos if you forget
Activity Feed: Pool keeps track of the photos you’ve sent and received
Save to Camera Roll: Pool saves photos directly to your device.
Pool is not another cloud storage service.

Play Link To see more of Pool, head over to its new website.

Pushbullet Announces Paid Pro Version, Monthly Fee for "Features Worth Paying For"

Kellen — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 06:00:50 +0000

Been wondering how Pushbullet, the popular cross-platform messaging/file-sharing/device-syncing service, was ever going to make money? We now know. This morning, the company announced Pushbullet Pro, a paid version of the service that has seen millions of downloads and sign-ups over the past couple of years. With Pushbullet Pro, the Pushbullet team is going to do its best to justify a monthly (or yearly) subscription by offering up "features worth paying for." Unfortunately for some, that means features you once enjoyed in the free version (Yes, there is still a free version.), will now become fully paid for features as a part of Pushbullet Pro. So how much is Pushbullet Pro? You will have two options when signing up for Pro. The first is a $4.99 monthly subscription that is billed monthly. The second is a yearly fee of $39.99, where you will see a discount to about $3.33 per month or $20 overall. If you sign-up right now, you won't be charged until December 1. If you pay for the yearly account, you can cancel at any time and receive a prorated refund. What about features? How do they differ from Pro to free? As of today, the differences are that with Pro, you'll be able to send files up to 1GB vs. up to 25MB in the free version. You will also be allowed up to 100GB of storage space (2GB in free), send unlimited SMS/WhatsApps/Kik/etc. (100/month in free), see actionable mirrored notifications (only mirrored with no actions in free), use universal copy and paste, and gain priority support should you run into issues.

Could Pushbullet have stayed free and inserted ads or sold your data to the highest bidder to make money? Sure, but they decided that they "don't want to do that" because it would "hurt the Pushbullet experience" and betray your trust. To sign-up for Pushbullet Pro, head over to the Pushbullet site here.

Via: Pushbullet

The Best Android Phone You Can Buy Today

Kellen — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:21:36 +0000

My, oh my, how things have changed in five months. The first time we told you what the best Android phone was that you can buy today, we easily picked the Galaxy S6, even saying that it would be difficult for anyone to top it throughout the year. In our new list of the best Android phones (that you are about to read), surprisingly, it didn't even show up. That's pretty wild if you think about it. A phone, that was easily the best Samsung had introduced in two years, topped everything on the market and then some, yet five months later isn't even one we would suggest as a must-buy today. It just shows you how good phones are today and how improvements are still showing from one to the next within a few month period. So what did top today's list of the best Android phone you can buy? Let's find out.

The best Android phone you can buy today is the Nexus 6P.

Why? For the first time in Nexus history, I think Google has gotten it all right with the Nexus 6P. The phone is beautiful and made with premium materials, has one of the best sets of specs money can buy, uses a really good QHD AMOLED display, has stereo front-facing speakers, and features a top tier camera you will have confidence in, all at a price well below most other flagships. With a starting price of $499 and with this combination of great hardware, software, and the fastest updates to new versions of Android, any complaints we can come up with, don't hold for long. Plus, this phone works on every single US carrier and gives you wireless freedom to choose the wireless service that best fits your needs, has a fantastic fingerprint scanner, will last you through a day on a single charge, and is helping introduce the world to USB Type-C. What’s wrong with it, though? One could complain about the size of the phone, limited availability, and lack of an SD card slot, water resistance, and wireless charging, but most of those complaints feel like we're nitpicking. OK, I'll give you the size argument as this phone is quite large. In fact, it's close to being as large as LG's ridiculously oversized V10, only this phone manages to feel so much better in hand. And honestly, since almost every single phone released these days is a whale on some level, it just seems like wasted breath complaining about size. It's not like you have much of a choice any longer - big phones are here to stay and your only option. Seriously, Google did such a great job ticking all of the boxes here that this is the easiest Nexus recommendation I have ever made. In the past, all Nexus phones included a "but," but not this time. Be sure to read our Nexus 6P review if you haven't already. You can buy the Nexus 6P at the Google Store.

A really close runner-up is the Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

Why? The only reason the Galaxy Note 5 isn't the best phone you can buy today is because of its software. Otherwise, this phone is every bit as good as the Nexus 6P, if not better in a number of ways. The Galaxy Note 5 is stunningly gorgeous with its metal frame and glass paneling. It also features the best smartphone camera I have ever used, the best display in any mobile device, is a showcase for exclusive Samsung features like fast wireless charging and Samsung Pay, and includes an S Pen should you need one! Like the 6P, this a large phone, but Samsung has done such an incredible job at designing it, that it almost feels small when you hold it next to Google's Nexus. It has this glorious curve to its backside that fits so well in your hand and zero side bezel, leaving you with a "large" phone in the footprint of something you might think is much smaller. What's so bad about the software? Nothing is specifically "bad" about the Note 5's software, it's just that it's not as clean, fast, or up-to-date as what you'll get with the Nexus 6P. The Galaxy Note 5 runs Samsung's bloated and known-to-get-slower-over-time TouchWiz skin, and isn't yet running Android 6.0 Marshmallow nor do we even know when it will. Samsung seems to have gotten much better about software updates over the past year, so there is a chance you will see the major update before long. It's just that when you aren't Google's phone with direct lines to Google's latest software updates, you get interference from manufacturers and carriers, and that can lead to down-the-road frustration. The Note 5 is absolutely a tech wonder that you can't go wrong with, assuming that having the latest software isn't an area you care much about. Be sure to read our Galaxy Note 5 review if you haven't already. You can buy the Note 5 from Samsung and all of the major US carriers.

If you can’t stand either of those phones, go with the Moto X Pure Edition.

Why? Because it's a lot like a Nexus in terms of the clean software approach, yet Motorola is still offering one of the best add-on software packages available in Moto Display and Voice. Along with that valuable software approach, Motorola will let you fully customize this phone to your liking and will sell it to you directly for as low as $399 with unlocked connectivity on all of the major US carriers. Motorola also introduced their best mobile camera ever in the Moto X Pure and re-introduced a microSD slot, something neither of the phones above have. Why doesn't it top the 6P or Note 5, though? This phone doesn't have a fingerprint scanner or a top-tier display, and Motorola's software support post-Lenovo acquisition has really come into question. In fact, that's really the only major issue here. We just don't know if we can rely on Motorola for timely and prolonged software updates. Be sure to read our Moto X Pure Edition review if you haven't already. You can buy the Moto X Pure Edition directly from Motorola's store.

Deal: Pay What You Want for the Android Expert's Coding Bundle

Tim — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:01:47 +0000

For those here looking to get into Android coding, we have a special on the DL Deals Store that allows you to pay what you want for the Android Expert's Coding Bundle. This bundle includes five courses, all of which feature hours of lessons on Java programming and application creation. To be exact, you can pay whatever you want for the first three courses, which are Master Marshmallow App Development Using Java, Java Programming for Beginners, and Java Essentials for Android. If you beat the average price, currently sitting at just over $8, you gain access to all five courses, including Build Android Apps with the Marshmallow Studio Course and Learn to Reskin Android Apps for Fun & Profit. 10% of all proceeds collected will go to Project HOPE, who delivers essential medicines and supplies, health expertise and medical training to respond to disasters, prevent disease, promote wellness and save lives around the globe. This deal will be live for the next two days, so get it while you can. Deal Link

DEAL: Nexus 6 32GB Once Again Back at eBay for $289

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

The Nexus 6, last year's flagship Nexus device, is back for a third or fourth (I've lost track) time through an eBay deal for an absurdly low $289 price. And again, this for for a brand new, unlocked Nexus 6 in Midnight Blue with 32GB of storage. This is also the XT1103 model, which is the North American variant that works on all carriers here, including Verizon. The deal includes free economy shipping and probably shouldn't be passed on if you are in need of a really good phone, but have less than $300 to spend. eBay Deal Link

MetroPCS Intros Music Unlimited, Streaming That Won't Count Against Your Data

Tim — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:46:16 +0000

MetroPCS, the prepaid wireless service owned by T-Mobile, is set to incorporate one of its parent company's popular service features into its own plans. Announced today, Music Unlimited, which is basically T-Mobile's Music Freedom, allows customers to stream music from preselected services with none of the data counting against your monthly allotment. This feature will be available on all plans priced at $40/month and higher. As for which services for streaming music are supported, there is Apple Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Google Play Music, SiriusXM, Tidal Music, Rdio, Spotify, Rhapsody, SoundCloud, and a ton more. Additionally, MetroPCS added 1GB of high-speed data to its $40 and $50 plans, while also boosting Mobile Hotspot tethering on its Unlimited 4G LTE plan from 6GB to 8GB. Data Maximizer, also announced, is utilizing the same technology as T-Mobile's Binge On, allowing customers to watch up to three times more video while streaming on a data network. It's not free streaming, but it is properly "optimized," which means 480p streaming from select services. These changes will go into effect starting Thursday, November 19.

Via: MetroPCS

FYI: Verizon's $20 Unlimited Data Increase and Device Payment Upgrades Arrive in Your Next Billing Cycle

Kellen — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:03:40 +0000

In case you had not looked at a calendar recently, you may not have realized that November 15 has come and gone and Verizon has indeed begun increasing legacy unlimited data plans by $20 to $49.99 per month. With that unfortunate change, customers hanging onto unlimited data plans do get one partial bonus, though - the option to upgrade through a device payment plan and still keep those unlimited data plans. Before you run and upgrade or fire up your bill to see that extra $20 up-charge, understand that you may not be able to do either at this time. A number of our readers (I looked into it as well) actually tried to go upgrade yesterday and today, only to find that Verizon's systems were still trying to take away their unlimited data plan. As you can imagine, we all backed out and said, "WTF?" As we mentioned in our initial write-up about the impending change, the $20 price increase wasn't going to hit your bill until "your next bill after November 15." That appears to apply to device payment plan upgrades as well. If you want to upgrade or punch a screen once you see the $49.99 charge for your unlimited data plan going forward, you'll have to figure out when your next billing cycle starts. To do that, you'll need to login to your account, click the "View Usage Details" button in the center of your My Account area, then look for your "Billing Cycle." It should look like this:

So if I want to upgrade to a new phone with a device payment plan, I can do so after 12/6. Make sense?

Cheers Aaron and Abel!

Nexus 6P is One Step Closer to T-Mobile Band 12 LTE Support (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 11:16:06 +0000

You have probably heard T-Mobile customers ask about band 12 (700MHz spectrum) LTE support for this or that phone over the past year. They talk about it a lot because it's a huge deal in terms of connectivity on their phones, or at least will be once their phones get support for it and T-Mobile builds out band 12 in their frequently visited areas. You see, band 12 (or Extended Range LTE), at least according to T-Mobile, "reaches twice as far and is four times better in buildings," two areas that T-Mobile has clearly needed help in over the years. The problem with band 12 right now is that there are a couple of situations at play that need to be fulfilled in order for it to be used. First, T-Mobile has to build out band 12 support to an area. Second, you need a phone that can take advantage of it. As T-Mobile has continued to cover its subscriber base with band 12, its phone line-up is slowly coming on board as well. It hasn't been a simple or straight-forward process, though, as phones like the Nexus 6P are still waiting for it. When originally announced, Google said that they were working with T-Mobile to get band 12 supported by the time the phone shipped. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. However, as of today (or at least within the last week), it looks like we are one step closer to that reality. T-Mobile has built out a dedicated page on its website that lists the phones currently compatible with their Extended Range LTE. The Huawei Nexus 6P is now a part of the list. I was unsuccessful in seeing when the phone was added, but it appears to be a recent addition. So now, the Nexus 6P is fully certified, if you will, for T-Mobile's band 12, but the phone isn't fully ready as far as we know. It will likely still take a software update from Google to enable. Thankfully, Google can be pretty quick with software updates if they want, since they send them directly to phones without much need for carrier interference. Band 12 LTE is almost here, 6P owners. On a related note, the LG Nexus 5X has not been listed yet by T-Mobile. Update: T-Mobile updated their Extended Range LTE device page with the following note, confirming that they aren't quite ready to give band 12 to Google's Nexus phones.

*We’re working with Google to test Extended Range LTE and VoLTE on the Nexus devices -6P, 5X, 6, and will have more to share soon.

Via: T-Mobile | reddit

Google Search Now Answering Your More Complex Questions

Tim — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 11:12:27 +0000

Over the years, Google Search has become increasingly better at answering all of our questions. Personally, I ask Google ten or more questions a day, whether it is for sports scores, hours of a business, or anything else that comes across my mind. Today, Google announced that Search is getting even more intelligent, now answering complex questions while truly understanding the meaning of the inquiry. Inside this server-side change, Search now recognizes and understands superlatives, like tallest and largest, as well as ordered items. With this, you can ask Google, "Who are the tallest Trail Blazers players?" and "What are the largest cities in California?" In addition, Google is now reaching back into history, capable of answering complex questions that have to do with the past, regardless of the subject. For example, you can ask, "What was the population of Singapore in 1965?" or "What was the SF Giants roster in 2014?" Each of these questions brings back a audible answer, not just search results. Lastly, Search is able to understand complex combinations. These questions can include a time, person, and place. For example, "What was the US population when Bernie Sanders was born?" and "Who was the US President when the Angels won the World Series?" These changes are taking place automatically on Google's servers, so your phone should already be able to handle these questions. Go give it a shot.

Via: Google

This Could be the Samsung Galaxy Marshmallow Update Roadmap

Tim — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 09:57:43 +0000

According to a leaked document, Samsung intends to update its top US devices to Marshmallow starting in December, finishing off updates in February of next year. From what the document claims, the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ will be the first to receive Marshmallow in December, with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge set to receive Android 6.0 in January. Continuing, the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge are reported to receive Android 6.0 in February of 2016, while the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Alpha are currently still waiting on approval. The previous devices are all listed under "Phase 1," while all Phase 2 devices, such as the Galaxy A8, A7, A5, and Galaxy E lineup are all "waiting approval." Typically, Samsung is pretty bad at communicating update availability, given their smartphones are deployed across the globe on hundreds of carriers. This makes pinpointing exact update times rather difficult. However, for us in the US, rest assured that Marshmallow will indeed come sooner or later. Samsung owners, are you ready for Marshmallow?

Via: Times News

Samsung Galaxy View Available at AT&T on November 20, Starts at $99 With DIRECTV Agreement

Tim — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 08:42:41 +0000

Beginning Friday, November 20, folks can head into AT&T and pick up the Galaxy View from Samsung, starting at just $99 on a qualifying agreement. The Galaxy View is a crazy-big 18.4" tablet that allows folks to ditch the norm, who don't mind consuming mass amounts of media straight from their lap or coffee table. Given AT&T's direct relationship to DIRECTV, the company is preloading its TV service on the device, and for a limited time, you can pick up the Galaxy View at a largely discounted rate if you sign up for DIRECTV at the time of purchase. For new customers who sign a two-year service agreement through DIRECTV, you can buy the Galaxy View for just $99. Existing DIRECTV customers that activate a new line with a smartphone on AT&T Next can also get the Galaxy View for $99.99, with a two-year wireless agreement. With the large display, accessing over 100+ live TV channels could be enjoyable for many, in addition to the football fans who can watch all of the NFL Red Zone coverage they want, all from the tablet over AT&T's 4G LTE network. For specs, the Galaxy View features an 18.4" Full HD display, 1.6GHz octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 2.1MP front-facing camera, microSD slot, 4G LTE connectivity, Android 5.1+ with TouchWiz, and a 5,700mAh battery. Again, on November 20, you can grab the Galaxy View from AT&T at $0 down for "well-qualified" customers and $30 per month for 20 months with an AT&T Tablet Installment Plan or $499.99 with a two-year agreement. You can add the Galaxy View to a new or existing Mobile Share Value Plan for an additional $10 per month access charge. For additional pricing and to see the DIRECTV specials, follow the via link below.

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Via: AT&T

DEAL: Up to 60% Off PNY SD Cards, Including 128GB for $39.99

Kellen — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 08:34:33 +0000

Amazon's big deal of the day is a discount on PNY memory products, some of which have been dropped by as much as 60%. You'll see standard SD cards, flash drives, powerbanks, and of course, microSD cards. The microSD cards include those at 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. The 32GB "Turbo Performance" card is $9.99, which is kind of an insane price. You can double it to $64GB for just $18.99 or go H.A.M. on storage with the 128GB card for $39.99. Again, it's a deal of the day, so jump on it if you have storage needs. Amazon Link

DEAL: Tronsmart 5-Port Quick Charge2.0 Hub for $27.99, 3-Port Wall Charger for $9.99

Kellen — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 08:27:09 +0000

Fast or quick charging is still one of the best smartphone features introduced within the past five or so years. As battery technology hasn't necessarily improved at all, this technology has helped alleviate some of the pain associated with quickly dying batteries. Thanks to quick charging and Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0, you can charge your dead phone to 50% or more within a matter of minutes in many cases, assuming your phone is supported (and it probably is). As long as you have a wall outlet near, you almost don't need to worry anymore about battery life. If you have yet to fully equip your office and home with Quick Charge 2.0 chargers, we have two deals for you today to consider. One is a Tronsmart 5-Port Desktop Hub that supplies Quick Charge 2.0 current through all 5 ports and runs $27.99 after $10 discount. With this desktop hub, your whole family can quick charge at the same time. The other is for a standard 3-port wall adapter that can be had for just $9.99 ($10 discount). Amazon Links: Tronsmart 5-Port Desktop Hub ($27.99) | Tronsmart 3-Port Wall Charger ($9.99) To shave $10 off the 5-port Desktop Hub, use code "53E8EJCI" at checkout. To shave $10 off the 3-port Wall Charger, use code "2ECBRH5G" at checkout.

Cheers Brandon!

Motorola's New Marketing Campaign has Ashton Kutcher Asking, "Would You Rather?"

Kellen — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 07:56:30 +0000

Uh oh, another celebrity has signed on to promote a well-known smartphone manufacturer. Did anyone show Ashton Kutcher the Robert Downey Jr. x HTC partnership before he signed up to be Motorola's next face? No? Or maybe he didn't care because there was a lot of cash involved? Whatever the case may be, best of luck, Ashton! In a series of videos posted to Motorola's YouTube channel this morning, we get to see the focus of a new marketing campaign that does indeed feature the actor best known for his work as Kelso or Demi Moore's one-time other half or the guy who awkwardly replaced Charlie Sheen. The campaign is a "Would you rather?" over a bunch of topics that try to point out how in love/obsessed we are with our phones. They ask people on the street things like, "Would you rather give up sex for a month or drop your phone?" or "Would you rather spend the holidays without your phone or your family?" They also go into an indoor, closed-door setting where they put people through some tests to decide how in love they are with phones. Of course, some of the tests end up showing how fragile your phone is compared to ones that Motorola makes, like the DROID Turbo 2 (our review), and that dropping doesn't have to be scary. Or they show hands-free features on the Moto X Pure Edition (our review). You get the idea. But Ashton Kutcher, tho.

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Via: Motorola

OnePlus One and 2 Get Marshmallow Update in Q1 2016

Kellen — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 07:06:34 +0000

Curious when your OnePlus device will see an update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow? According to OnePlus, you shouldn't expect it before next year. Through a forum post, OnePlus' Carl Pei announced that the OnePlus One will get Android 6.0 via Cyanogen OS in the first quarter of 2016. He noted that they created a Marshmallow "community build" of their own OxygenOS for the One, but "this isn't what the product officially ships with" and thus the reasoning for the official update to Cyanogen on the way. As for the OnePlus 2, owners should also be on the lookout for an update to Android 6.0 in Q1 of next year. On a related note, OnePlus will be switching to the official Marshmallow API for the phone's fingerprint sensor with this update. Oh, and what about the newly launched OnePlus X? OnePlus wasn't prepared to announce anything other than they are "working hard to bring Marshmallow as soon as possible."

Via: OnePlus

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: November 13, 2015

Tim — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 15:34:10 +0000

The work week has come to a close, but it has left us with plenty of topics to discuss. This week, we reviewed the LG V10, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 820 processor, T-Mobile unveiled Binge On for Simple Choice customers, Apple released Apple Music for Android devices, and we went hands-on with the TAG Heuer Connected smartwatch. If that is not enough for you, we went hands-on with the BlackBerry Priv (review coming shortly), Samsung announced the Exynos 8 Octa processor, YouTube Music was released for all, and so much more. These are the top stories from the week in Android.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Support Docs for Android Wear Detail New Wrist Gestures and Audio Feedback Support

Tim — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 14:48:12 +0000

In two recently published support docs detailing features for Android Wear on the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE, Google has confirmed that an upcoming update for Android Wear will bring additional wrist gestures and audio speaker support to devices with the necessary hardware. Google recently announced cellular support for the platform, so the timing for making "Audio Feedback" support official is spot on. Audio Feedback will allow owners of a smartwatch with a microphone and speaker to place and receive calls, something only the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE is currently capable of. Another device, the Huawei Watch, is also reported to feature a speaker. Once the device receives this future update to Android Wear 1.4, folks will likely be able to utilize it. Not only would you be able to take and place calls, but Audio Feedback will also read the time and notification cards when you are too busy to look down.

Audio Feedback reads the time and notification cards, including the actions you can perform on them. By using Audio Feedback along with voice actions, you can perform tasks such as sending and responding to SMS messages and making and receiving calls from your watch. Audio Feedback works only on devices with a built-in speaker, currently the LG Urbane 2nd Edition LTE.

As for the new gestures, Android Wear 1.4 will include actions for pulling down your settings shade, opening the app menu, returning to home, canceling an action before it is completed (undo), and performing actions on notification cards. We don't yet have a timeframe on when we should expect Android Wear 1.4 to hit devices, but with Android Wear now supporting cellular and audio feedback, it seems likely we will soon see a whole gang of new devices hit the market that feature the necessary hardware for taking complete advantage of this.

Via: Google [2] | 9 to 5 Google

Liked Those Snapchat Selfie Lenses? You Can Now Buy Them For a $1 a Pop

Tim — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 13:27:06 +0000

Back in mid-September, Snapchat released lenses for selfies. They are animated frames you can place on top of your face, making any selfie that much more interesting to look at. Most of them were actually quite good, and now, users of Snapchat can access a library of lenses, all available for purchase at the price of $1 a pop. A few of the basic lenses are still free, but the good ones each cost a $1. To activate these lenses, switch to the front-facing camera in Snapchat, then long press on your face. Your face will then be scanned, and a whole mess of lenses will pop up. Each one has you either open your mouth for activation or raise your eyebrows. They range from hysterical, cute, to downright stupid. Personally, the "sickly" one is the best, as at first glance, I thought it had me smoking a marijuana cigarette looking as high as a kite. That's comedy right there. Below, I have spared you the trouble of going through the new lenses yourself, modeling all of them for you. Please, feel free to share these images with your loved ones, as they will surely enjoy them as much I had making them. The update is now live on Google Play. Go check it out. Play Link

Huawei's New Quick Charging Batteries can Charge to 50% in 5 Minutes

Kellen — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:43:29 +0000

This morning, Huawei announced a new quick charging technology that charges new batteries up to 10 times faster than current batteries. Huawei says that they can reach a 50% charge in these new batteries in "mere minutes." The technology was unveiled at the 56th Battery Symposium in Japan, with Huawei showing off two new lithium-ion batteries that utilize the capability. One was a 600mAh battery that was charged to 68% in just two minutes, while the other was a 3000mAh battery that reached 48% in just five minutes. Huawei says that they "bonded heteroatoms to the molecule of graphite in anode, which could be a catalyst for the capture and transmission of lithium through carbon bonds," in order to achieve these insane results. They also said that all of this new quick charging tech has been certified by their terminal test department and that this breakthrough will "lead to a new revolution" in charging of mobile phones, electric vehicles, wearable devices, and more. Think about this for a second. If Huawei's new batteries are the real deal and in your next phone, you could charge it to 50% in the time it takes you to brush your teeth or go to the bathroom. That's nuts. Qualcomm's Quick Charge is great and all, but I'll take 5 minutes for 50% over "only 15 minutes to get 8 hours of battery," any day of the week. Huawei didn't say when we can expect to see this technology in a phone or any device.

Huawei reveals the next generation of quick charging technology

The new batteries can be charged 10 times faster than current batteries, reaching approximately 50% capacity in mere minutes
[Nagoya, Japan, Nov.13, 2015] Watt Lab, which belongs to the Central Research Institute at Huawei Technology Corporation Limited, unveiled their new quick charging lithium-ion batteries at the 56th Battery Symposium in Japan. Using next generation technology, these new batteries have achieved a charging speed 10 times faster than that of normal batteries, reaching about 50% capacity in mere minutes. Huawei presented videos of the two types of quick charging lithium-ion batteries: one battery with a 600 mAh capacity that can be charged to 68% capacity in two minutes; and another with a 3000 mAh capacity and an energy density above 620 Wh/L, which can be charged to 48% capacity in five minutes to allow ten hours of phone call on Huawei mobile phones. These quick charging batteries underwent many rounds of testing, and have been certified by Huawei's terminal test department. According to Huawei, the company bonded heteroatoms to the molecule of graphite in anode, which could be a catalyst for the capture and transmission of lithium through carbon bonds. Huawei stated that the heteroatoms increase the charging speed of batteries without decreasing energy density or battery life. Huawei is confident that this breakthrough in quick charging batteries will lead to a new revolution in electronic devices, especially with regard to mobile phones, electric vehicles, wearable devices, and mobile power supplies. Soon, we will all be able to charge our batteries to full power in the time it takes to grab a coffee! Huawei's Watt Lab works closely with industry partners to promote technological development and pursue a new energy era. Watt Lab specifically focuses on the technical development of energy storage to support a better connected world via sufficient energy. The url of Huawei quick charging experiments videos: Two minutes quick charging demo: http://v.qq.com/page/y/8/6/y0172nbxo86.html Five minutes quick charging demo:
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Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 34 Answers

Tim — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:11:22 +0000

We have gone over your questions, tasking our team with answering them, and are now ready to provide Volume 34 answers for the DL Q&A Sessions. Topics covered include our thoughts on the stagnation of the mobile tech space, quick charging and batteries in general, what we would ask Google if given the opportunity, and if the Nexus 9 is still a good purchase. We go into great detail with our answers, so please, give them a look over and see if you agree with any of our personal takes. If you disagree, well, let us know in the comments so we can argue with you directly. Read on to see our answers to your questions. Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim, and R is Ron.

Do you feel mobile tech, with all the advancement in years, is starting to get stagnant?

K: I'm tempted to say yes, only because we haven't seen any major advancements in anything in the past year or so. However, I feel like everything everyone makes is sooooo good these days, that it's hard not to get excited. A couple of years ago, we had qHD displays, 5MP rear cameras, and single-core processors. Now, we have full-blown computers in our pockets with point-and-shoot level cameras, Quad HD displays, bodies made of premium materials, and insanely robust software ecosystems. Not only that, but you can get all of this new stuff for half the price of that old terrible stuff from a few years ago. So there may not be these major advancements to get excited about, but it's still easy to find fun in how good everything is. T: It depends on what you label as innovative, I suppose. To me, I wouldn't necessarily say it's getting stagnant, but we aren't seeing new features pop up left and right. However, new tech is being baked into devices all of the time, which leads me to believe it's not stagnant, such as fingerprint readers, mobile payment technology, and super good display technology. I think what we have seen take place over the past few years will just continue to evolve. Displays will see high resolutions, processors will get faster, cameras will get better, etc. I'm fine with this, as long as Google keeps making Android fun to use. R: In some ways, sure. We've seen smartphones for a while now. We know what the future of tech looks like for a while. That makes it less exciting, but at the same time that makes it ripe for disruption. As things "stagnate," or perhaps more accurately, proliferate and become more common it becomes easier for someone to come in and shake things up. We might not see that for a little while, but it will come eventually. And that's besides the fact that we just entered the second major phase in the design of mobile with Metro, Material, and iOS 7+. That was a huge undertaking that dramatically transformed how our devices look and work. I don't think that should be underestimated just because we want to see the next phase in hardware evolution.

Which OEM will make the Phone of the Year for 2016 based on their growth from their 2014 flagships to 2015 flagships?

K: Google. The Nexus 6P is probably the phone of the year, or at least a close 2nd behind the Note 5. Assuming they don't take some sort of weird step backwards, they'll likely topple Samsung. T: I really hope it's HTC. I'm not even joking. I want them to have a winner, but to do so, they need to put some effort into their strategy. We don't need iPhone clones - we need sophisticated hardware and software design, integration, and better update support. No gimmicks. Everything was good during the M7 and M8 period, but with the M9, the train get derailed and has yet to correct itself. If HTC is gone by next year, then I guess Motorola and Huawei have put themselves in a good spot to succeed. R: I think we should expect to see Huawei become more and more important in 2016. Whether or not they'll make the phone of the year is yet to be seen, but I've been the most impressed with them this year.

Is purchasing a Nexus 9 a bad idea at this point?

K: No, not really. If you really need a tablet, it's a solid tablet that runs stock Android and gets the latest updates the fastest. I don't know that there are any others out there that can claim that title, except maybe NVIDIA's Shield Tablet. Honestly, almost all Android tablets fall into the "We just made this to have something, but it's not even our full effort" category, so I'm not sure what else you would even consider. T: Absolutely. Don't do it. Better options are probably coming, believe that. R: Probably. Honestly I don't know that there's ever a great time to purchase an Android tablet. Because they're low in sales they don't get updates as quickly or regularly as they should. Honestly I'd get an iPad or wait for another tablet refresh from Google.

If you had 10 minutes to ask Google anything and they had to answer, what would you ask them?

K: I feel like you are looking for something deep and moving, but I don't have that. I want to know simple things like - Why does Hangouts on Android suck so bad? Why did you kill the swipe-up for Google Now in Marshmallow (Now on Tap is a niche feature and shouldn't have replaced it)? What is Matias wearing today? Why doesn't stock Android have double-tap-to-wake in phones? Where is my damn Google Music Family plan? T: I would probably ask about company financials, Eric Schmidt-related questions regarding his lifestyle choices, and probably just a lot of personal questions that I don't need to air here. Oh, and why they limit me to deactivating only 10 devices a year on Play Music. Don't they understand I use about 30 devices a year? R: I don't think I have any questions that I want them to answer so much as things I want them to do. I like what I've seen with the Pixel C, but I'd love an actual Android phone from them. I want to see them continue to do services really well and to make more native options because while the cloud is the future, native is forever.

How many tattoos do each of you have? Meaning of them? If none, why not?

K: None. Don't know why, but just hasn't ever really been something on my list of things to do. T: Counting each one individually, I believe I have 10. A few have deeper meanings, others do not. A few of them I just thought looked badass. The two sleeves I am working on represent the 7 Deadly Sins. I'm not an overly religious person, but again, I think it's a great platform for art. I have a Danzig skull, the beginnings of the cover artwork for Gojira's The Link, a Les Paul tribal-ish guitar, a Suehiro Maruo piece, and some other little stuff. I got into tattoos when I was at an early age, but of course, I was too young to get them. So, when I was 18, I started up fast! R: I don't have any tattoos. There isn't a major reason for this. I just don't have any desire to have something printed on my body for most of my life. I'm not necessarily opposed to them, but I don't feel a need for one in my life either.

With the advancement of Quick Charging and wireless charging, do you see the advancement of battery technology stopping?

K: Lord, I hope not. The last remaining weak point in modern phones (well, laptops and tablets too) is battery life. It's ancient technology that no one can seem to find a way to advance. I'm not an engineer or a scientist, so I'm not going to even attempt to understand why that is. But come on, there has to be some smart dude out there that can crack this thing. If we can pack a 4K display into a phone, why can't we find a battery material or technology that lasts more than 18 hours? T: I hope not. I think it's fantastic that I can charge my battery very quickly these days, but it would be better if I just didn't have to plug in as much, or at all. I'm sure one day, when our devices are all powered by nuclear fission or fusion energy, that will be great. Battery life for days! R: Absolutely not. Quick Charging and wireless charging are workarounds to the real problem: batteries don't last as long as we need them to daily or yearly. There have been some breakthroughs reported, but we still need better batteries that keep a charge longer, not that have better and faster ways to charge.

As of right now, what is Phone of the Year for 2015?

K: I feel like I still need more time to decide. I'm finally using the Nexus 6P on the daily, but as I mentioned above, the race is between this and the Galaxy Note 5. I love stock Android and this 6P design, but you've got to hand it to Samsung - they killed it this year. T: I am stuck between the Galaxy Note 5 and Nexus 6P. If I had to choose right now, it would be the Nexus 6P, I think. However, the Galaxy Note 5 is very good. Both have a lot of pros and not many cons. You can't go wrong with either. Maybe it's a tie in 2015? That'd be a first. R: I think the Nexus 6P is the front runner for now, but there have been a lot of solid phones this year.

What are your top 5 sneakers of all time?

K: The Jordan 3 "White Cement" is the best sneaker of all time and I don't think it's even close. After that, in no particular order, I'd probably go Jordan 1 "Royal," Air Max 1 in the original red/white/grey, Kobe 6 "Grinch," and the Jordan 3 "True Blue." T: My list will likely be a lot different from Kellen's, as I enjoy the new school kicks a bit more. In no particular order, I would go Kobe 9 iD "Multicolor" Low QS, KD VI "DC Preheat", KD VI "What The", Kobe 8 "What The", and probably the Jordan 4 "Cement." I'm a big Kevin Durant fanboy, so anything KD gets me excited. I like a lot of different shoes, but right now, Nike gets most of my shoe money. They are my next door neighbor, after all. R: I'm wearing some 2 year old New Balance sneakers. I don't follow Sneaker-Life.com or anything. At some point I'd like to get some nice new shoes, but it just isn't something that's on my radar.

How are you enjoying Black Ops 3?

K: Wish I had time for this game. T: I could probably take up hours talking about this, but so far, I like it a lot. It's a whole lot better than Advanced Warfare, that's for sure. The balancing seems good, even with all of the Specialist abilities and weapons. All the guns are OP as heck, the time to kill is insanely low, but overall, I love playing the game. My main beef right now would be the sound. Listening for footsteps is insanely powerful, which is great for clutching SnD rounds, but it makes gameplay pretty slow and campy. It reminds me of MW3 when Sit Rep was buffed to hear Dead Silence, which essentially ruined that game for competitive players such as myself. If you like CoD, definitely check out BO3. R: I've been debating whether or not to pick it up. It looks good, but I haven't played through an actually Call of Duty game since Modern Warfare 3. Most of the time if I have time to play a game it's Destiny. Battlefront looks amazing.

Yep, Motorola Connect is Being Retired This Month (Chrome Extension)

Kellen — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 11:34:59 +0000

In early October, Motorola announced that it would be shutting down a handful of its popular software applications, including Migrate and Assist. Those two are being phased out because Android 6.0 Marshmallow included similar features and so Motorola figured you would rather they save you space on your phone instead of doubling up on features already present. Those aren't the only features going away, though. Motorola Connect, a Chrome extension that allowed users to send/receive texts, see who was calling them, and keep up on battery life and connection, is also being retired. We weren't sure when all of these services were going away, but users of Motorola Connect noticed a message this week that said Motorola would be retiring it before December. In other words, November is the last month you can enjoy Connect's features. The exact message read as follows (pictured above as well):

The Motorola Connect Chrome Extension will be retired in November 2015. Alternate solutions in Google Play Store that consumers have found useful include MightyText and Pushbullet.

So there you have it. It's time to find an alternative. While I haven't used MightyText, a number of our readers do and can tell you why it's awesome in the comments. As for Pushbullet, well, it's been well-documented around these parts why we love it so much.

Cheers Andrew!

This Icon Pack is Hot: Artico

Kellen — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 09:24:32 +0000

You need a fresh icon pack to take you into the weekend, I knew it. So here is one! Artico icons, recently released to Google Play, are a playful concept on Material Design-styled icons that are indeed hot. In this pack, which features heavy amounts of tinted yellow, red, and a light green, you get over 1,000 icons, multiple colors of each, compatibility with your favorite launchers, and one hell of a set of wallpapers. The colors here won't be for everyone, but if you like the idea of a whole set made up of three colors and two supplementary tones, I think you'll appreciate the theme. And not only that, but the 20 specifically designed wallpapers may be worth the purchase alone. The UI of the app is quite good, there is an icon request tool, and quick applying to launchers. Play Link ($1.39)

T-Mobile to Sell the Samsung Gear VR Starting November 27 for $99

Tim — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 09:02:29 +0000

Starting November 27, T-Mobile will be the first US carrier that you can walk into and purchase a Gear VR from Samsung. Priced at $99, you will find units at participating stores, as well as online through T-Mobile's official website. As you likely already know, you will need a supported Galaxy device from Samsung, which includes the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 5, and Galaxy S6 Edge+. With Gear VR, you download a VR hub application that shows off all of the content you can watch and enjoy. This includes movies, shows, and video games. You can also watch a few YouTube videos with it, too. Have you tried VR out yet? It's the future of everything, I hear.

Samsung Announces the Exynos 8 Octa Processor, Mass Production Begins Later This Year

Tim — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 15:30:59 +0000

Today, Samsung introduced the Exynos 8 Octa 8890 application processor, the second processor from Samsung to be built on 14nm FinFET process technology. According to Samsung, unlike the previous Exynos 7 Octa 7420, the Exynos 8 Octa is an integrated one-chip solution that features Samsung's first custom designed CPU based on 64-bit ARMv8 architecture, in addition to the latest LTE Rel.12 Cat.12/13 modem. For a bit more comparison, Samsung claims that the Exynos 8 Octa is capable of 30% better performance and has a 10% increase in power efficiency over the Exynos 7 Octa. The chip also supports enhanced "heterogeneous multi-processing" for efficient usage of all eight cores, four custom and four ARM Cortex-A53, to deliver the high performance and power efficiency. The Exynos 8 Octa employs ARM’s latest GPU, the Mali-T880. The Exynos 8 Octa is also an integrated single chip solution that combines the application processor and modem. The Exynos 8 Octa integrates an advanced LTE Rel.12 Cat.12/13 modem that enables a maximum download speed of up to 600Mbps (Cat.12) and upload speed of up to 150Mbps (Cat.13) with carrier aggregation. Thanks to the integration, hardly any space is needed for this hardware, allowing OEMs, such as Samsung itself, to focus on more thin, or even more unique designs for consumers. Samsung announced that it plans to begin mass production of the Exynos 8 Octa in late 2015, which means, we might see this processor in the possibly upcoming Galaxy S7.

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

OneNote Updated, Brings "Badge" Floating Icon for Quick Notes

Tim — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:50:53 +0000

Microsoft's OneNote application is receiving an update on Google Play, bringing with it a new "Badge" feature that allows users to take notes regardless of what is taking place on their smartphone or tablet. Think of Badge as you would a Facebook Chat Head. The floating Badge can go on top of any app you are using, such as web browsing or your gallery, allowing you to take notes anytime you need it. When Badge is enabled, you will have a constant notification in your pulldown shade, just as you have with Chat Heads. This notification is where you will bring Badge to life, having it appear on top of other apps. If you want to minimize Badge, simply hit the icon. To expand it, hit the icon again. To completely dismiss Badge, drag it down to the bottom of your screen, again, just like a Chat Head. In addition, you will be able to select the notebook and section of your choice when you share content with OneNote using Add to OneNote. As soon as you share content with OneNote, Badge will have a small lightning icon. The update is now available in Google Play. Play Link

Via: Microsoft

Deal: Grab a Fitbit Flex for Just $69.99

Kellen — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:30:40 +0000

Still haven't taken on a fitness tracker to help give you the motivation needed to hit new health goals? They can be useful, for sure. I've worn one for years to at least give me an idea as to where I am in terms of steps, general activity, and sleep on a daily basis. Part of me is hoping that at some point in the future, all of the data I've accumulated will be useful in some way at making me healthier when I'm old as dirt. Oh, I also really love them because they are awesome at waking you in the morning as a silent alarm. Seriously, there is no better way to wake up than by killing your annoying, beeping alarm clock and instead replacing it with tiny wrist vibrations. Over on the DL Deals store, we are currently selling a Fitbit Flex, one of the most popular fitness and sleep trackers on the planet. This is a "refurbished" model, but at $69.99, you are looking at a solid $20 discount over new ones on Amazon. Deal Link List of features:

Track your all-day activity including: steps, distance, calories burned & active minutes
Wear the slim, removable tracker on your wrist, in your pocket, or however you prefer
Set goals & view your progress w/ the helpful LEDs
Wear all day, every day w/ its water-resistant wristband & 5-day battery life
Sync your stats wirelessly & automatically to your smartphone or computer
Monitor your sleep patterns & wake up peacefully w/ the silent alarm
Log your food intake & monitor weight loss goals
Enjoy the top notch app functionality & constantly growing set of tools

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Video: TAG Heuer Connected vs. Moto 360, Huawei Watch, and Gear S2

Kellen — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:10:33 +0000

When you pay $1,500 for a smartwatch, are you really getting that much more for your money? Is a smartwatch ever going to truly be worth that kind of cash? That's exactly why we picked up the TAG Heuer Connected, because we want to find out. There are dozens of smartwatch options available on the market today, many of which are very premium yet can be had for a few hundred dollars. So why would anyone pay in the thousands for one? We hope we can answer that soon. In the video below, we take on a comparison of the TAG Heuer Connected to the top Android smartwatches of the moment, the Moto 360 (2nd gen), Huawei Watch, and Samsung Gear S2, to hopefully help try and bring additional clarity to this situation. You will see how each looks on wrist next to the TAG, see the differences in designs, and what you are getting for the price. Our review will be here shortly, but I think it's safe to say that this is going to be a tough sell for almost anyone, even those bleeding $100 bills. It's a smartwatch, after all, which is a shortened way of saying that it wasn't exactly built to last a lifetime. When you compare it to the Moto 360 and Huawei Watch, both of which are designed so well to take on classic watch personas, it seems crazy to think that those can be had for as little as $300 and $350, while this TAG Heuer Connected starts at $1,500. In the end, you are paying for a name, logo, and reputation with this TAG smartwatch. Not only that, but you may just be putting a down payment on a real Swiss watch that TAG will sell you in 2 years.

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Fossil to Acquire Fitness Tech Maker Misfit for $260 Million

Tim — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:01:16 +0000

Fossil Group, a design and manufacturing company, is to acquire Misfit, the wearable fitness tech maker, for $260 million. Fossil has been in the news quite a bit lately in the Android world, as the company recently announced its first Android Wear-powered smartwatch, the Q Founder. With its acquisition of Misfit, the company will now own a proven technology platform entirely for wearable devices, scale Misfit across its lineup of goods, and expand the Misfit brand across various different distribution channels. Misfit's founder, Sunny Vu, began the company in 2011 with John Sculley, the former CEO of Apple and Pepsi. Now, Vu will take his place as president and chief technology officer of connected devices for Fossil Group, and will be a member of the company's executive leadership team. Greg McKelvey, chief strategy and digital officer of Fossil Group states, "We fundamentally believe consumers care about both technical functionality and fashionable design. In fact, one without the other is simply not enough. With the acquisition of Misfit, Fossil Group will be positioned to win with the connected consumer." So, to sum it up, Fossil will handle design and distribution, and the Misfit team will create the tech itself. The deal is planned to close by the end of the 2015 fiscal year.

Via: Fossil

Google Play Books Receive Update to Better Handle Comic Books

Tim — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:48:29 +0000

In an update to Play Books from Google, enjoyers of comic books will find a new way to enjoy their reading on mobile devices. Thanks to the update, when you are viewing comic books through the Play Books app, you can turn your device to the side, allowing you to view comics and read them with vertical scrolls. It should bring an easier way to digest each cell individually, instead of cramped on a single page. Your comics will be organized by series and individual books, which means it won't take long to find what you are looking for inside of the application. Additionally, Google Play has a new section for all things comics, which includes all of the top publishers like DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image, and IDW. In need of a few new comics? Check out Google Play's newly curated selection right here, and if spending money doesn't sound fun, you can find a ton of free comics here. This update will be rolling out to Android users over the next few days in the US, and other users across the globe. Play Link

Via: Android

Moto X Pure Edition Gets Marshmallow in "Next Few Weeks," Here are the Improvements

Kellen — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 11:38:14 +0000

According to Motorola's David Schuster, they have begun the approval process for the Moto X Pure Edition Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. If all goes well there, the phone should receive the update within the "next few weeks." The note about the status of the Moto X Pure's update came during an announcement that Motorola is already starting to push the Android 6.0 update to Brazilian variants of the Moto X Style (the Pure for Brazil) and the Moto X (2nd gen). The update will rollout slowly to those phones over the next few weeks. Along with news of these 6.0 updates, Schuster also gave us a full changelog for the update. Below, you'll find a shortened overview of the changes, which include Doze, Google Now on Tap, a System UI Tuner, RAM manager, automatic app backup, and more. If you would like to see the full list, jump through the source link.

A new Memory Manager that lets you check memory usage of all your installed apps
Volume controls have been greatly improved
Do not disturb button has been added to the quick settings panel for easy access.
System UI Tuner will appear in the settings menu at the very bottom once enabled. It provides a few simple UI tweaks.
Google Now on Tap allows contextual information to be delivered based on content on your screen with a long press of the home key.
Doze is a battery management feature that detects when your device is not in use and it will automatically go into a deep sleep state which saves your battery.
App Standby reduces battery drain by putting seldom-used apps into a reduced activity state.
Expandable Storage support allows for microSD cards to be used either in a portable storage or an internal storage mode. Portable storage allows your pictures, videos, audio and other media files to be stored. Internal storage allows both media storage along with apps and games but can not be used by other devices.
RAM manager in settings which allows a consumer to view memory used by the system or an individual app over different time frames
Automatic App backup not only backs up your apps but their associated data so when restored they will be the same as they were before
Text selection has been improved

Folks in Brazil, let us know if you see the update!

Via: +David Schuster | Motorola

Cheers Jason!

New Android Commercials Feature "Silent Disco Dancers" and "Sight Seekers"

Tim — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 11:09:18 +0000

Two new commercials from the Android team have been published to YouTube, possibly set to see a bit of TV time this season. Both are rather light-hearted, one pushing Play Music, and the other pushing Images on Google Search. In my personal favorite, the Silent Disco Dancers video, we see what appears to be a group of young people dancing in the woods, all wearing headphones. If I did not know any better, I would assume they were all enjoying some sort of psychotropic drug, but I assume they are just listening to music and having fun. The video then goes on to show how easy it can be to start listening to music on Android. In Sight Seekers, we have hikers who want to view images of Fogo Head Rock. When asked to, Google quickly pulls up images via Google Search, and the hikers are left to their exploration. View both new videos below, then share which one is your favorite in the comments below. Sight Seekers

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Silent Disco Dancers

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Android Wear Gets a New Google Now Collection Card, Cleaner Traffic and Navigation Cards

Kellen — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:09:55 +0000

It's tough to tell where this originated from, but thanks to an update to either the Android Wear or Google apps, some of us are seeing a new Google Now card on watches, along with cleaner traffic cards. I say that it could be from either, because both received updates within the past day, though one could be the recently launched beta of the Google app and may not be available to all. After the update, the new Google Now card shows as a collection of sorts, with items like upcoming sports scores or recent/future games, shipped items that are being tracked, and weather. If you slide over from that initial card, you get a breakdown of your Google Now stream, with separate items that can be touched for more info. You can even pull-to-refresh the page, like you would do on your phone for Google Now. Here is a quick look at the new Google Now card.

As for the new traffic cards, I'm told via reader that they are much cleaner and easier to recognize by color than in the past. Below, you can see those as well.

Seeing any other new cards?

Cheers blakjakdavy!

YouTube Music Now Available for Android, Try it Free for 14 Days

Tim — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:54:59 +0000

YouTube Music is now available on Android and iOS (US only), bringing together a one-stop shop for all things music videos. Upon opening the app, you are shown suggestions, and after a single click on whatever you like, a station is created to cater music that you will hopefully enjoy. YouTube Music brings together the entire catalog of tunes found on the service, which is millions. The app features an Audio-only mode, plus an Offline Mixtape mode that pre-downloads songs you will like for playback even when you are not connected to data. On the Home tab, you will find recommended tracks, plus added suggestions based on your already existing viewing habits. Other tabs include Popular or "Fire," and a "Like" tab for tracks you have previously liked for easy rediscovery. The service is available as a 14 day trial (no credit card required), but after that, the service costs $9.99 per month. If you pay that monthly price, you are also gaining access to Play Music All Access, as well as YouTube Red (ad-free version of YouTube). For those already enrolled in YouTube Red, which would be anyone who was already signed up for Google Play Music All Access, then you get access to this, too. What was so wrong with YouTube before all of these different apps, I have no idea, but I'm guessing YouTube got bored of people uploading cat videos and fail compilations. As someone who works in this biz, and has used YouTube since the very beginning, even I have to say I am quite confused on why YouTube needs to breakdown their experience into these sub-genres. We now have a YouTube Gaming app, YouTube Music app, and YouTube Red which is a subscription service for all of these apps, plus access to Play Music. It's almost completely over the top. And yet, we still have a standard YouTube app that is completely free to use that offers everything you can find from these various applications. Are we not getting a little redundant here? Go check out YouTube Music for yourself. Play Link

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Via: YouTube

Reported Renders Show Off BlackBerry's Second Android Device

Tim — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:06:33 +0000

According to new renders hitting the web, the Priv won't be the only Android device we see from BlackBerry. This morning, images of the Vienna are hitting the web, showing a more standard appearance from what we expect out of BlackBerry. On the Vienna, there is no slider, as the physical keyboard is simply always present on the front of the device. There is of course a somewhat large touchscreen as well, in addition to three physical buttons directly below the display for your basic Android commands like Back, Home, and Multitasking. Right now, these renders are very basic, and it possible we could see the Vienna's design change heavily before launch. Speaking of launch, there is no timeframe yet given as to when we can expect to see this device hit the market, but with the Priv doing seemingly well among the Android community, BlackBerry may want to keep the hypetrain rolling along regularly. Share your initial thoughts on the Vienna below, and if you happened to pick up a Priv, let us know how you are liking it so far.

Via: CrackBerry

LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE Arrives at AT&T and Verizon November 13 and 19

Kellen — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 07:51:21 +0000

Last night, Google announced official cellular support for Android Wear almost at the exact same time that LG gave a firm launch date for its cellular connected watch, the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE. The new Watch Urbane arrives at at AT&T stores tomorrow, November 13, and is also up for pre-order starting today at Verizon. The wearable arrives at Verizon stores on November 19. How much will you pay for the new Watch Urbane at either? At AT&T, it's actually a pretty reasonable $299 if you buy it at full retail. At Verizon, you are looking at $499. Why the $200 price difference from one to the next, I don't know - it's the same watch. As a recap, the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE has a 1.38-inch POLED display at a crazy resolution of 480x480 (348ppi), 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 768MB RAM, 570mAh battery, IP67 dust and water resistance, and of course, an LTE radio. It's also a whopping 14.2mm thick and has a case that is 44.5mm wide. It's a big watch, but it's also packed with high-end specs. Interested in the first LTE connected Android Wear device? Buy Links: AT&T ($299) | Verizon ($499)

Via: LG | Verizon

Google Announces Cellular Support for Android Wear

Kellen — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 07:28:55 +0000

Back in September, LG announced a new variant of its Watch Urbane line that featured an LTE radio for connecting to cellular networks. As you are probably imagining, the point of having LTE in a watch is to let you leave your phone at home and still be able to keep full connectivity. We can debate for days over whether or not the world needs this kind of connectivity in a wrist watch, but that's not what this post is about. You see, LG went ahead and announced an LTE-ready watch without Google having yet announced support for such a feature for its wearable platform, Android Wear. Last night, they did just that as the watch begins to make its way to retailers. Through the Android Official Blog, Google has now officially given support to Android Wear and the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE. With cellular support on Android Wear, you can stay connected without a phone or WiFi connection present, use your favorite apps, send text messages, and make/take phone calls. The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE is the first Android Wear device to utilize this new feature, but there will undoubtedly be more before long. This new Android Wear device is coming to AT&T and Verizon this month.

Via: Android Official Blog

Telltale Games' Game of Thrones Season Finale Arrives November 17th

Tim — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 15:48:58 +0000

Announced today, the season finale for Game of Thrones from Telltale Games is set to launch across all platform next Tuesday, November 17. This will be the sixth episode of the game's life cycle, and unless Telltale and HBO decide to push forward due to popularity, it may be the last time we hear from House Forrester. As for what is happening in this series of games, House Forrester is caught in the middle The War of the Five Kings, which leads our playable characters to do everything in their power to keep outside forces from bringing doom to their family and land. Throughout the series, many of the TV show's most popular characters make appearances, such as a few Lannisters, Boltons, and even Jon Snow. Here is the only description Telltale provides for the finale, which is sure to be very epic. I mean, it is Game of Thrones, right?

Your story is about to come to an epic conclusion. With House Whitehill tightening its grip on Ironrath at the behest of Ramsay Bolton, the remaining Forresters must give their all to save the family, whether through diplomacy, subterfuge, or violent force. In the frozen wilds beyond The Wall, Gared learns the secrets of the mysterious North Grove, and Mira discovers that political games in a King's Landing controlled by Cersei Lannister often involve the highest stakes of all.

If you still have not played any of this series, you should check it out. It's definitely worth the time, if you are a fan of GoT. Play Link

Via: @TelltaleGames

Deal: Soundfreaq Pocket Kick Bluetooth Speaker for $59.99

Tim — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 15:30:41 +0000

Currently available on the DL Deals Store, you can grab a Soundfreaq Pocket Kick Bluetooth Speaker for just $60, down from its usual price of $100. This speaker allows you to amp up your jams anywhere thanks to 10+ hour battery life, as well as "top-notch" sound engineered sound quality. The speaker features touch buttons for music playback controls, as well as open air grills to optimize airflow and project full-frequency sound. It also features a pair of custom-engineered drivers and a passive radiator. The speaker is capable of taking calls wirelessing, thanks to a built-in microphone. If a portable Bluetooth speaker is on your shopping list, check it out by following the link below. Features

Easily slide this smooth little speaker into your pocket or bag
Jam all day (10+ hour battery life!) w/ the quick charging battery
Get top-notch sound engineered to maximize sound quality & frequency dynamism
Wirelessly blast music from any Bluetooth-enabled device
Use the touch buttons to control volume & playback from your speaker
Take calls wirelessly w/ the built-in microphone

Deal Link

Verizon to Introduce $20 Activation Fee on Device Payment Plans Starting November 15 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:51:51 +0000

November 15 is shaping up to be quite the day for Verizon. Not only are they increasing unlimited data pricing by $20 per month, but sources of ours have also been told that they will start charging a $20 activation fee on device payment plans. That may not sound new, but it is. Currently (see image), Verizon doesn't charge you an activation fee if you sign-up for their device payment plan (they "waive" it) even though others like AT&T do. Edit: This may only be for new lines that buy via device payment plan. Starting November 15, when you buy a new phone on Verizon through their monthly device payment plan, you'll not only pay for the full retail price of the phone over 24 months, you will also pay an additional $20 on top, just because it needs to then be activated. Of course, your activated SIM probably already works in the phone, so the only real "activation" going on is an automated portion, which is Verizon's network reading your SIM and that it's now inside a new phone. Is that worth $20? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If there are other details to pass along, we'll be sure to update this post. Update: Verizon has yet to respond to us, but additional sources are under the impression that this may only be for new lines only, not existing lines. We'll continue to update this post as we have more.

Tip: Buy a New ShatterShield Lens for Your DROID Turbo 2 and Ditch the Verizon Branding

Kellen — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:20:38 +0000

The DROID Turbo 2 is a really good phone (our review), it's just that it isn't exactly the prettiest device on the block. Well, I should clarify that by saying that the white version has some issues in the ugly department, thanks to a number of exposed sensors and a completely unacceptable Verizon "check" mark situated at the bottom of the phone's front, in between its speakers. If you don't know what I'm referencing, look at the photo at the top of this post. See it? Yeah, it's terrible. Thankfully, you can get rid of it today if you'd like. Verizon and Motorola included that "check" in the top layer of Motorola's ShatterShield technology, which just so happens to be the replaceable part of ShatterShield. In case you didn't know, the top portion is actually a lens that is user replaceable and can be bought from Motorola for $29.99 should your phone sustain any top layer damage over the life of your ownership. At this time, Motorola is shipping out ShatterShield replacement lenses that don't include the Verizon check. So if you really hate that stupid marking or want to prepare for the future (you may damage your display or Verizon may force Motorola to start including their logo), you may want to consider picking one up. Below is the proof that we now have a Verizon-less Turbo 2.

In the box.

Original lens vs. new lens.

Finished, Verizon-free Turbo 2.

UPDATE 12/28: Verizon may have gone dirty since we originally posted this. A reader of ours sent the photo below, which shows Verizon moving that disastrous check mark onto the second layer of ShatterShield and off of the top layer that is replaceable. Depending on when you bought your Turbo 2, you may not be able to rid yourself of that eye sore at all.

Cheers Charlie!

TAG Heuer Connected Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:10:33 +0000

Well, we went ahead and grabbed the TAG Heuer Connected. Yep, the $1,500 Android Wear watch from the Swiss luxury watch maker is in house and almost on wrist (once it charges). We figured, hey, this is the first true "luxury" Android Wear device and we should probably see what the experience is all about. While I'm sure there aren't a whole bunch of you lining up to spend that kind of money on a watch that will more than likely be outdated in a year or so, it's still an important moment in the history of smartwatches and should be tackled by someone. That someone might as well be us. So to kick off the review game, we are doing our usual unboxing, though this is a bit different in that the experience changes when you are talking about a $1,500 luxury item. There is more box and packaging talk than you probably want, but you'll just have to deal with it. Otherwise, this unboxing runs through the watch's specs again, shows the 46mm case on wrist, some general first impressions, and more. Let us know what you think!

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Facebook Intros Notify App, Currently Available Only for iOS

Tim — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 11:04:01 +0000

There is a new app available from Facebook this morning, titled Notify, but Android users should not hurry over to Google Play just yet. Notify brings you notifications from a multitude of sources such as Bleacher Report, FOX Sports, CNN, Fandango, Vogue, and The Weather Channel, allowing you to get all of your information from a single source, not a variety of apps. Inside Notify, you decide which sources you want to receive push notifications from, all from an easy-to-view list. At this time, Facebook is still working to bring additional sources to the application. Notifications you receive can then be shared with friends via text, email, or on Facebook, or you can save notifications for later viewing. As for availability, Facebook apparently hates Android, so this app is an iOS exclusive for the time being. FB does not state they are bringing the app to Android in the press release, but it might be safe to assume they will eventually, although, I would not hold my breath for it. If you happen to use an iOS device on the side, you can find Notify in the App Store.

Via: Facebook

LG V10 Review

Kellen — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 10:00:34 +0000

I think it's safe to say that LG's G4 wasn't exactly the smashing success the company had hoped for and so it makes sense that they would put together another offering to end 2015. At a time when everyone outside of Apple is struggling to find ways to make boatloads of money, releasing another phone just before the holiday season isn't a bad move. And that's what we have here with the LG V10. The V10 is a phone very similar to the G4 on the inside, but on its outside LG has improved things dramatically. The phone is large, but it should be very durable with its steel reinforced sides and new Dura Skin cover. It's also quite lovely looking, with its mix of industrial yet minimal aesthetic. Yes, I just called an LG phone "lovely looking." (Hey, times are changing!) It even has a somewhat unique new feature that LG hopes will help it standout from a crowded market, and that's a secondary front display with numerous features of its own. But is this the phone that can push LG back up the leaderboard? Is it even a phone you should consider, knowing there are at least three or four other phones worth buying? Let's find out. This is our LG V10 review.

The Good

Display The 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum display that LG used in the V10 is their best yet. It's massive, obviously, but it gets plenty bright, has solid viewing angles, and is a joy to stare at for hours upon hours. In the comparison shots below, you can see that it gets equally as bright as the current display king, the Galaxy Note 5, but may best it in color accuracy. Well, depending on your eye, that is. The V10 does show slightly greener to me, while the Note 5 - at least when presenting white - tends to be a bit warmer, or pinker. If you focus on the V10's color reproduction, I'd say that it does a great job of balancing those punchy tones found in AMOLEDs, with the natural colors typically referenced when talking LCDs.

The V10's display isn't quite as close to the top glass of the phone as something like a Galaxy S6 Edge+ and its curves where you feel like you are actually touching the icons and textures, but it comes close. The only reason I mention this is because we love immersive viewing experiences when you have a display this big. With that said, this is one of the few displays that I've looked at in recent months and just said, "Wow, this thing is beautiful." Design This may be hard for our daily readers to believe, but I actually kind of like the design of this phone. I can't decide if that's just because it is so different than anything LG has done before it or if I'm finding new love for two-tone everything in life, especially when it is a mix of rubber, glass, and polished steel. Whatever the case may be, I can get down with this creamy gold mess of a behemoth. It's tacky, yet so awesome. It's cream! It's gold! It's steel! It's...rubber, I think! And oh hey, look at this random secondary display too! You may think I'm joking, but this is such a welcomed change of pace from all the wave of iPhone clones we saw this year where everything is a minimal mixture of glass and aluminum. Like, this phone would never be mistaken for a god damn iPhone. You wouldn't mistake this for anything other than what it is - a giant ass LG something or other with lots of stuff and things packed inside. And that's a good thing!

The back has great balance with the flash and laser autofocus on each side of the circular and centered, brushed camera housing. This particular gold and cream version has this lovely diamond shaped texture to its backside that wraps from front to back, along with those stand-out steel bars. This phone reminds me of one of those ridiculous $4,000 Euro phones that are made in partnership with Ferrari or other high-end cars, except this phone actually looks good and has the specs to back it all up. Of course, I also love the fact that LG put the headphone jack on the bottom and didn't go DROID Turbo 2 on the front of it with sensors. Seriously, when I first saw this phone in pictures, I was mostly turned off and rolled my eyes at some of the really odd color combinations. But now that it's in hand, on desk, sitting next to the Moto X Pure, Xperia Z5, Galaxy Note 5, and Nexus line, it's the one that stands out as being unique without being offensive. I like it. Give us more of this, LG! Battery Life and Fast Charging The 3000mAh battery powering the LG V10 offers you plenty of juice to get through a full day. On most days, I would be off the charger at 6:30AM and starting to wonder if I should find another by 10PM. That's a good 15-16 hours off the charger while still seeing 20-30% battery left at night if I needed it. I ran this review unit (which is a Korean model) on AT&T the entire time with a mix of WiFi and LTE and typically saw 2 to 2.5 hours of screen on time in a day. That's starting to be pretty average for me, but is considerably up from what I was hitting just a little over a year ago, if I recall.

Now, I know that those of you running MIUIMOGEN ROM 12.85 with JANKO KERNEL 2.5 over-underclocked with XxXpunged Module beta v3.999 can supposedly get 8 hours of screen on time and 48 hours of battery life with a 2200mAh battery in your own phone, but this 2.5 hours of SoT on this 3000mAh battery is good enough for me and should be for the majority of the rest of the world. Let's also not forget that this phone comes equipped with Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology, so even if you do manage to burn through its 3000mAh battery and don't have a spare to swap out, a few minutes on the charger will get you hours of use back. I can't say that I timed the charging, but if there were days when usage got heavier and I needed some juice, I was able to quickly get back to a safe zone. Knowing that you always have a quick charge to fall back on is almost hard to put a value on. Specs LG seems to have maxed out the specs on this phone in every single category outside of the processor, where they went with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 instead of the 810. I'll address that choice in a minute, but the rest of the situation here is worth applauding. LG included a 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum LCD display (2560x1440, 513ppi), second 2.1-inch IPS Quantum LCD display (160x1040, 513ppi), 4GB RAM, 64GB storage with micro SD support up to 2TB, 16MP rear camera at f/1.8 and with optical image stabilization (OIS), 5MP dual lens front camera system, 3000mAh removable battery, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1, Quick Charging, fingerprint scanner, and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Again, outside of the Snapdragon 808, this is about as good as it gets for a 2015 smartphone. The V10 has maxed out RAM, a beautiful display, tons of storage, a high-end camera, and a big enough battery to get the job done without worry.

Performance OK, so I know I just made it sound like I was about to rip LG for using the Snapdragon 808 instead of the Snapdragon 810 and that's because I was thinking about doing just that a couple of weeks ago when I first started reviewing this. Initially, like every other 808 phone I've reviewed recently, I noticed occasional hiccups and stutters that drove me nuts because I don't expect that from a flagship level phone in 2015. Thankfully, a couple of recent software updates seem to have tightened things up and this phone is buttery smooth. As you know, we don't run benchmarks, but I can tell you that the somewhat heavy multi-tasking I do throughout a day is met with little lag anymore. I can jump from copying text in Pushbullet to swiping to one-handed mode to opening Instagram to sending that copied text in Hangouts to Tim without any slowness. If you were looking for an area I would like to see LG work on next, it would be in the camera launch shortcut. At this time, a double tap on the volume down button launches the camera when the phone is locked and asleep. It's painfully slow and often causes you to miss whatever it was you were planning to take a picture of. I'm sure this can be improved, so it's not like we're talking deal-breaker slowness here. Overall, the LG V10 is surprisingly speedy when you compare it to all of the other phones that can't seem to get the Snapdragon 808 experience right. If anything, this should give us hope that Google can figure out a way to dial in the 808 on its own product, the Nexus 5X. LG sure seems to have figured it out. Removable battery and SD card slot LG is about the only company still doing these, so we have to give them props for the effort. Who doesn't love having the option to swap out a dead battery for a fresh one in the middle of the day or load up the majority of your music collection on a whopping 2TB micro SD card? I can't exactly say that I have wanted to carry around a back-up battery within the last three years, but hey, having the option is comforting on some level.

The whole removable battery and SD card combo was once a staple for Samsung phones, but as they have chased margins and ignored fans, LG is the one leading this charge now. It's sad to see these two features become almost extinct as they have their loyal following and place in tech. For many, they are a must-have in a phone. Thankfully, LG is including them while they continue to make pretty rockstar phones. Availability Because this review got pushed back a bit by new Nexus and DROID phones, I am happy to share that it can be purchased from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon today. I point this out because this phone kind of came out of no where from LG, a company who doesn't typically push a big flagship in Q4. If you compare this newcomer to what HTC just did with the One A9, I think it's safe to say that LG has done a much better job at making this phone available. The One A9 only found its way to Sprint and AT&T officially, whereas LG also convinced Verizon it was worth the effort. Look, if you want to sell phones, you have to be on AT&T and Verizon. The phone is available in a variety of fun colorways as well.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Secondary display LG is the latest smartphone manufacturer to try and tackle the idea of a secondary display. I can't believe I'm admitting this, because it is so easy to make fun of features like this, but they have come close to getting it right. Let me try to explain. With the V10's secondary display, you get a 160x1040 area that sits just above your main display (to the right of the front facing cameras) to show you recently used apps, favorite apps, favorite contacts, upcoming calendar items, media controls, and a signature, which could be any sort of word or phrase you would like to see displayed. Along with those major features, the mini display also acts as an always-on clock, with battery meter, weather icon, and recent notification icon space. And this is where the V10's secondary display comes in handy.

The recently used/favorite apps and contact shortcuts and all of that jazz, which can be seen when the display is on, is sort of worthless, for the most part. I say that, because the phone is so insanely large that it's way too much of an inconvenience to try and reach your hand up there and attempt to touch a tiny icon than it is to just hit the home button and find the app you need from a home screen. Now, if this panel was situated towards the bottom of the display, instead of at the very top, this could be a completely different story. As I mentioned, this feature does truly shine when the main display is off or when the phone is sitting by your bed at night. You see, with the normal display off, the V10 sits on your desk with quickly viewable information that you probably would like to know throughout the day, like the time or if you have notifications needing attention or how much battery you have left. Like Motorola's Moto Display, you get this on the V10 without having to do anything. In fact, you get it quicker than Moto Display because you don't even have to wave a hand or touch anything - the information is just there in the mini display. I can't tell you how many times throughout a day that I look down at my phone just to check the time and so the V10 makes that easier to accomplish than any other phone. If you want even more screen-off features, you can swipe across the clock on the mini display to access shortcuts for your "Interruptions" status, toggle WiFi or a flashlight on or off, and even open the camera. As for the mention of using it at night, the secondary display acts as a night-time clock in a way that doesn't use much light, so it's there when you need without interrupting your sleep.

As odd as this may sound, LG is almost onto something here with their secondary display. I can't say that I'm begging for everyone to try this now, but if LG considers moving it around in a future phone and sticks to it, it could be the sort of standout feature a company like this needs. Camera The LG V10 has a 16MP f/1.8 camera with optical image stabilization (LG calls it "OIS 2.0") that is assisted by laser autofocus. On paper, or if you consider the last couple of cameras LG has put in phones (like the one in the G4), you would expect this camera to be a killer. I'm probably in the minority here, but I have to give it a big "meh." It's OK, but I think I would take shooters in Motorola's new phones, the new Nexus phones, and all of Samsung's phones before I'd reach for the camera in the V10. Before we get to the results, here is a look at the UI of the camera app, which can either be the most intense camera experience of all or the simplest. LG gives you about the most manual controls of any smartphone manufacturer, though this time they stepped that game up further by giving you full manual video controls as well. LG lets you adjust everything from white balance and ISO, to shutter speed and focus. It's all a pretty impressive experience for photographers.

If you don't want that manual experience, LG also has a straight up "Auto" mode along with a "Simple" mode that takes away all controls and lets you tap and shoot at will. In my experience, the camera app can be a bit slow to load at times, especially with its quick launch shortcuts. Once it loads, it also seems a bit slow as it prepares for that first shot and often gets the focus wrong, so I find that I'm constantly tapping-to-focus more than on other phones. In terms of results, this is where I come off a bit "meh." The V10's camera should be an instant winner. For me, though, using it off and on for a couple of weeks, I just haven't loved the results. Keep in mind this after going from the V10 to the Nexus phones to the new DROIDs and back again. All of those phones in between, I came away quite impressed with the camera results. This one, not so much. Images taken with the V10 certainly capture color correctly, but they just lack that sharpness and clarity I've seen from other cameras this year, most notably those from Samsung and Motorola. The phone - as I just mentioned - often seems to really struggle with focusing, even with its multi-point laser autofocus. And that's a big deal, because you often only get to take a picture once. If the V10's camera is screwing up the correct focus more often than not, then that's kind of a dealbreaker for those of us who take lots of pictures. I also seem to really see a lot of background processing that can be unsightly. Look, this critiquing is me sitting at a computer, staring at images in a setting most won't, where I can nitpick and find flaws that my eye thinks it can see. But I'm also a phone reviewer, so it's my job to point these things out. In other words, I don't necessarily think this camera is bad. In fact, it is quite capable and is also about the most powerful you'll find in a smartphone, thanks to the variety of manual controls. If you happen to be an aspiring photog or really like tweaking camera settings, you will probably love this camera. It's just that for me (and probably most of you), who shoots mostly in auto and in a hurry, it just hasn't won me over.

If you want to see the full resolution shots, download them all in this .zip file. Software Over the years, I've made it clear that I don't like the approach to Android skins that LG and Samsung continue to push. They load up their devices with a skin that looks nothing like Google's vision for Android, needlessly change simple features that become harder and less convenient to use, and then attempt to add-on their own suite of apps and features that I'm not sure most average consumers care about. The skin on the LG V10 is just like all of LG's other skins. It's pretty messy, can be overly complex, is struggling to adopt Google's Material Design, and doesn't really offer anything that takes advantage of this screen being this big.

LG still has its version of multi-window, its QSlide (floating apps), a Smart Cleaning option that is supposed to help speed up your phone, customizable navigation buttons, second screen settings, home and lock screen settings, "Smart" settings, and more. Some of this stuff is good; others you may never touch or need to. I do like LG's keyboard, which is weird to say. I normally switch to the Google Keyboard immediately upon setting up a new phone, but theirs has come a long way and is serviceable. I like the "Mini View" feature, which allows you to quickly use the phone in a one-handed mode. I also like the numerous sound and vibration settings, where you can tweak the strength of vibration when your phone rings or you get a notification. Other than that, this is one of those software experiences where you would be better off installing as many third party apps as you can to get this back to a stock Android experience. Size This phone is so huge! We're talking Nexus 6 huge, yet this phone has a slightly smaller display (6-inch vs. 5.7-inch). It may be this big because LG added on its Dura Guard steel frame, Dura Skin, and a secondary display, which is fine for those looking for extra protection or a semi-useful gimmick, but man, get ready for a phone that will barely fit in a pocket. I quickly figured out LG's swiping shortcut for enabling one-handed mode and used it constantly. It actually works pretty good too and is activated by swiping from left-to-right or right-to-left across the navigation buttons. Once done properly, the screen sort of shrinks a bit in the direction of the hand you swipe towards, so that you can pull down the notification panel, interact with apps, or type on a smaller area with one hand. You can see what it looks like below.

Of course, this big of a phone with this big of a display also means you get a pretty sweet viewing experience when consuming media. While I will almost always take a smaller phone for day-to-day tasks, it's silly to even think about complaining about a screen this big and this good when you are watching a video or playing a game. As I mentioned above, this is LG's best display ever and so even though it's huge and a handful, it's kind of fun.

The Not-so-Good

Fingerprint scanner After praising the rear fingerprint scanners on the Nexus 6P and 5X, I went into the LG V10 review expecting to really love this placement as well. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong. This fingerprint scanner here is so bad, so bad. With the 6P, 5X, and even the OnePlus 2, you can place your finger over each's sensor and the phone will read your finger before quickly unlocking. You don't need to press a button or swipe or double tap the screen or do anything - they just unlock the phone. With the V10, LG has ditched that idea and instead makes you compress the rear power button (which doubles as the fingerprint scanner) before the button can then read your fingerprint. It works, ohhhh, 1 out of every 2 or 3 or 4 times. That may not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it is. Fingerprint scanners need to be instant and they need to work 95 out of 100 times, not 50% of the time. And with the V10, the actual time it takes to get into the phone is already lengthened by the fact that you have to first double tap the screen to wake it or press in the power button, that constant misses in fingerprint reading makes for one heck of a frustrating experience doing something as simple as unlocking your phone. After spending a couple of weeks with the V10, I found it much easier to just swipe out a pattern than hope the rear placed fingerprint reader would work.

Speaker I don't often talk much about smartphone speakers unless they are exceptionally good or deserve to be smashed with a hammer because I never really felt like they were that important or that big of a selling feature. With the V10, I've never been so close to grabbing a hammer and getting busy. It's bad enough that LG went with a single, bottom-located speaker, but the fact that they put this bad of one in there is kind of shocking. It gets quite loud if you need it to. Unfortunately, even at moderate volumes, the distortion, crackling and ear-piercing shrieks are enough to give you an immediate headache. Now, I know that most will use headphones for media needs and only use the external speaker for incoming calls. Still, I can't tell you the last time I heard a flagship smartphone speaker that was this insulting to an ear.

Video

Unboxing and Tour

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Gallery

The Verdict

Well, does the V10 with all of its stuff and things come together as a winner? Yeah, surprisingly, for the most part there is a heck of a lot like here. This is one of those extremely oversized phones, but it comes in an attractive package, has a beautiful display, top of the line specs in all areas, and performs well. It has a capable camera, handful of actually useful software and hardware add-ons, and can be purchased at most of the major carriers. I really don't think you can go wrong here.

T-Mobile to Raise Pricing for Select Plans on November 15

Tim — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:34:30 +0000

Yesterday, during T-Mobile's UnCarrier X event, the company announced the amping up of Simple Choice plans. Pretty much all plans would see a doubling of the data amount they received and these changes would be absolutely free. However, now that the buzz from all of the Binge On hype is wearing off, it appears that new T-Mobile customers will end up footing a slightly larger monthly bill than existing ones. Most notably are those who choose the $80 Unlimited plan, which received a doubling of 7GB for high speed tethering to 14GB. A rate increase of $15 a month from $80 to $95 will take place on November 15. For the extra $15 a month, the 14GB of tethering data is still pretty good, and there is no charge for going over that limit - you will just be kicked down to much lower speeds until the next bill cycle. In addition, T-Mobile currently has a 10GB for two lines for $100 plan. Once November 15 hits, that plan will increase to $120. Single line plans, such as the $60 for 3GB plan, will see an increase of $5 to $65 for 6GB of data. Again, you are getting double the amount of data, but there is a $5 increase in price. It is speculated by industry insiders that a reason for these increases is the company's new service Binge On. It allows T-Mobile customers to stream 480p video from many top providers that won't count against their monthly data plan. It is reported that Binge On could cut T-Mobile's data traffic by one third, leading to huge savings for the company. With the rate increases, on top of savings from less people streaming HD and Full HD content, T-Mobile plans to rake in more cash. T-Mobile is a business after all, so none of this should come as a shocker, but if you planned on switching over to T-Mobile, you may want to do so now to lock in the cheaper prices before the rate increases take effect on November 15.

Via: CNN

DEAL: Amazon Echo Drops to $149 Today Only ($30 Off)

Kellen — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 07:45:29 +0000

Amazon Echo, a cylindrical Bluetooth speaker that doubles as a semi-assistant for your home, is on sale for today only at $149.99. That's a $30 discount, in case you were wondering. Not familiar with Amazon Echo? It's actually pretty cool. I have one in my kitchen, as does my brother. We both use ours to play music by using voice commands (like "Hey, Alexa, play 90s hip hop."), ask it for answers to questions we may be having during a conversations, and set timers while cooking this or that. It really is a highly useful tool that can also take care of your media needs when in a pinch. It does much more than those few things, though. By triggering it with a "Hey, Alexa" command (Why it isn't "Hey, Echo" is beyond me.), you can also ask it for weather, news, traffic, and sports scores. You can also connect to services like Pandora or iHeartRadio, Philips Hue, SmartThings, and you Google Calendar. You can even shop, by asking it to re-order Prime-eligible products. Again, it's $30 off, today only. Amazon Link

Deal: $69 for a PureVPN Lifetime Subscription

Kellen — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 15:37:17 +0000

Having a secure internet connection at all times is something most of us should probably consider investing in going forward in life. As we spend more time on our phones, computers, and tablets, we are opening ourselves up to more risk. Services like PureVPN help alleviate some of that by never exposing your personal data or internet activity and giving you that safe connection. A current deal in the DL Deals store will get you into PureVPN for life for just $69. The normal lifetime package runs upwards of $600, so the savings here are significant. With PureVPN, you get connections for up to 5 devices, access to quite a large list of servers from all over the work, plus there is live 24-7 support should you run into issues. Here is the full list of features:

Connect w/ up to 5 devices at once at top speeds
Access a gigantic 550+ servers in 141 countries across 6 continents
Use w/ your routers, gaming consoles & smartTVs
Use on nearly any device w/ an Internet connection
Unblock Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, and more anywhere in the world
Receive live support 24/7
Encrypt data w/ proprietary software, a self-engineered network & absolutely no third-parties
Secure your connection on public Wi-Fi hotspots
Utilize unlimited bandwidth & one-click functionality

The deal is live for the next 4 days. Deal Link

Samsung Gear VR "Consumer Edition" Now Up for Pre-Order at $99

Kellen — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 15:21:52 +0000

Ready to tackle the first consumer edition of Samsung's Gear VR headset line? Called just Gear VR, sans "Innovator Edition" tag, you can pre-order the headset today for $99 at places like Best Buy, Amazon, and Samsung.com. As a reminder, this is the first of Samsung's Gear VR series that works with multiple devices. In fact, this consumer edition works with the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6, and regular Galaxy S6 Edge. Previous models were stuck with single device support, so the design has obviously changed for the better this time around. To get a sense for the virtual reality experience you will see with a Samsung Gear VR headset, check out the clip below. If you pre-order today, expect your Gear VR to ship as early as November 20. Carriers, like T-Mobile, will begin carrying the headset as early as November 27. Best Buy Link | Amazon Link ($99.99)

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Deal: Google Selling the Moto 360 (1st Gen) at Just $99.99

Tim — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:41:46 +0000

Still in love with the design of the Moto 360 (1st Gen)? Well, Google is selling them for just $99 on the Google Store, available in Stone and Black models. Previously priced at $149, that's another $50 mark down on the device, bringing it to its lowest price yet. When first launched, these were going for $250, so $99 ain't all bad. Now, would I go recommending the Moto 360 (1st Gen) with its T.I. OMAP processor? Not exactly, but if blowing $250+ on a new Android Wear smartwatch does not interest you, this smartwatch will surely get the job done, and is still receiving updates from Motorola. So it's not a bad option by any means. If interested, check it out. Google Store Link

Cheers Tony!

Blackberry Priv Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:40:00 +0000

Oh, hey, physical keyboard lovers. We have a special treat for you today in the form of the Blackberry Priv. What's that? There aren't any real keyboard lovers left, only those who once thought they loved physical keyboards before realizing that on-screen keyboards were better but now are trying to re-convince themselves that maybe, just maybe, a physical keyboard made by Blackberry that is attached to mostly stock Android could be a winner? Yeah, well, this is for you! Now that the Blackberry Priv is in house, we plan to give it the ol' dipsy-doo review. Of course, we first wanted to take it for a spin in the unboxing machine to give you some first impressions with this Android-powered Blackberry phone. How odd does that sound? "Android-powered Blackberry phone." Weird. Anyways, here we go! Full review is on the way.

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T-Mobile "Amps" Up Simple Choice Plans, Doubles Amount of Data

Tim — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:28:13 +0000

In addition to Binge On, T-Mobile announced during UnCarrier X this morning that they are doubling data amounts for all Simple Choice plans across the board. Previously, a Simply Choice plan started at $50 a month for 1GB of high-speed 4G data speed, but now, that plan comes with 2GB of high-speed data. The same goes for any and all lines added onto the plan - all will have double the amount of data. Adding a second line still costs $30 a month, but comes with 2GB of high-speed data, instead of just 1GB. Additional lines after the second line are priced at just $10 a month for 2GB of high-speed data, with a max of 10GB of high-speed data for each line. A plan is maxed at 12 lines. T-Mobile emphasizes that these are not buckets and there is no sharing involved. Each line has its own amount of data it can use. To help celebrate today’s news, T-Mobile is making the fourth line free. For a limited time, a family of four can get four lines for $120 with 6GB per person (24GB total), with no sharing, at just $30 per line. Given these are Simple Choice plans, they have access to all of the great features offered by T-Mobile, including Music Freedom, Binge On, Data Stash, Mobile Without Borders, and WiFi Un-leashed. T-Mobile states these Simple Choice plans go live on November 15.

Via: T-Mobile

Report: Google is Considering Building Its Own Smartphone From Scratch

Kellen — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:09:29 +0000

What if Google were to go the Apple route for its next smartphone? That would be controlling the entire process, from designing the chipset used to the entire manufacturing process and design of the body, alongside development of the software it runs. According to The Information, the search company is currently having internal discussions about this topic, though there isn't exactly any word on Google signing off and moving forward. You may be wondering how this differs from Google's Nexus line and the answer is sort of simple. With Nexus phones or tablets, Google joins with one or more of their close partners to co-develop a product. With the Nexus 5X and 6P, Google asked LG and Huawei to help build them. Those companies not only help manufacture the phones (with branding), but they more than likely help distribute them as well. Should Google decide to go the Apple route and do it all, they take on all of that without the help of LG or Huawei or Samsung or HTC. In the end, a phone designed from the bottom up by Google would help them push updates (even) easier and gain even more control over the overall Android experience. Honestly, though, it seems like a pretty silly idea. You basically get all of that with the current Nexus line, except Google doesn't have to do any of the hard labor. By creating their own phone that doesn't utilize close partners, they could potentially piss off many of them in the long run. And what's the point? The Information argues that this is a control play that helps give Google a tightened Android ecosystem. But for that to actually happen, they would have to become Apple and sell hundreds of millions of phones. Otherwise, you just have a Google phone that isn't a Nexus, not selling and not making any sort of difference in the big picture. I don't get it.

Via: The Information (subscription)

T-Mobile Announces Binge On, Video Streaming That Won't Count Against Your Data

Tim — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 12:40:47 +0000

During UnCarrier X this morning, T-Mobile announced Binge On, a feature for T-Mobile customers that allows them to watch "DVD quality" video from select services that won't count against their allotted monthly data total. Just like Music Freedom, as long as Binge On is turned on through your account settings, you won't see the data used for video watching charged to your monthly bill. There are over 20 services available through Binge On at launch, scheduled for November 19 (November 15 for new customers), including most of the top video providers across the web. At launch, viewers can binge watch Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, MLB, Movieplex, NBC Sports, and Sling TV. T-Mobile states that they have optimized the video for streaming across their network, bringing DVD quality or better straight to your device. You must note, DVD quality is listed by T-Mobile at 480p, meaning your video resolution while streaming will be around 480p or a little better. By no means are they declaring HD resolution video streaming for free. As for those who would cite Net Neutrality practices, T-Mobile's John Legere declares there is no prioritization taking place, as no one, not the customers and not the service providers, are paying for the optimizations taking place. For service providers, all they need to do is meet the technical requirements to become a part of the service, and T-Mobile will continue to work with content providers to add more to the Binge On list. When questioned about YouTube, Legere stated, "stay tuned." As mentioned previously, Binge On goes live on November 19 for existing customers and November 15 for new customers. So, T-Mobile customers, do you plan on using this?

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Via: T-Mobile

T-Mobile UnCarrier X Goes Down at 11am Pacific, Watch Here

Tim — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:32:24 +0000

UnCarrier X is going down at 11am Pacific (2pm Eastern) today, where it is reported T-Mobile may introduce some sort of Video Freedom service. This would include streaming from Netflix that would not count against your total monthly data allotment, just like we have with Music Freedom and music streaming from select services. If you are curious as to what T-Mobile will officially announce, we have embedded the livestream below. Again, the event kicks off at 11am Pacific (2pm Eastern).

Apple Music Now Available on Google Play

Tim — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:53:40 +0000

Apple Music is now available for Android devices through Google Play. Yup, this is a pretty momentous day for all in Silicon Valley, as Cupertino begins to acknowledge the importance of porting its luxurious iOS experiences to Mountain View. The Apple Music app is currently listed as a beta, but if you do decide to check it out, you will be able to begin a 3-month trial for free, granting you access to over 30 million song titles. The service features catered recommendations, a way to "connect" with artists (on their own terms, of course), and create custom playlists for whatever mood you are feeling. Listed in the "coming soon" section are music videos, a better sign-up process for us on Android, and family subscriptions are remaining a Mac and iOS exclusive for the time being. The app is completely free to download, so go give it a try. Play Link

Deal: Save Up to 30% on a Purchase of $650 on HTC's Website

Tim — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:18:04 +0000

Ending tonight, the Hot Deal from HTC today is a big time money-saving deal when you purchase goodies through its website. There are three tiers to the deal, saving you more money the more you purchase. When you spend $200, you save 15%. If you spend $400, you save 20%. Lastly, when you spend $650, you save 30%. $650 just so happens to be the price of a brand new One M9, and 30% off of that would be $455. There is more than just the One M9 up for grabs, though. You can pick up a Desire EYE, Desire 626, One M8 Windows (icky), as well as plenty of accessories for each of these devices. Follow the link below if you are interested. HTC Link

Qualcomm's Reveals the Snapdragon 820 With Adreno 530 GPU, Quick Charge 3.0, More

Kellen — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 08:43:33 +0000

This morning, Qualcomm revealed the full details of its new flagship processor, the Snapdragon 820. With this latest mobile chipset, Qualcomm set out to create a technology that was "holistically designed around enriching visual quality and audio clarity." That's marketing speak for a powerful graphics processing unit (GPU), better image processing, and better audio out of a phone's speakers. It also ups the game in terms of quick charging, has faster download/upload speeds than previous chipsets, and 2x the performance of the the Snapdragon 810. Here is a bulleted shortlist of the new features:

X12 LTE Modem: Offers 3x faster "peak" upload speeds and 33% faster "peak" download speeds when compared to the X10 LTE modem found in the Snapdragon 810 and 808. With LTE Cat 12 support, download speeds can reach 600Mbps, while Cat 13 upload speeds can rise to 150Mbps.
Adreno 530 GPU: Offers a 40% improvement across the board over the Adreno 430, so we're talking better graphics performance, computer capabilities, and power usage.
Kyro CPU and Hexagon 680 DSP: Up to 2.2GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU that can realize 2x performance and efficiency over the CPU in the Snapdragon 810, along with a "significant" improvement in battery life. The Hexagon 680 DSP also allows for always-on, low power sensors and "ultra-low power advanced imaging."
Quick Charge 3.0: This new quick charging is 38% more efficient than Quick Charge 2.0 and 4x faster than "conventional" charging.
Spectra Camera ISP: Supports up to 28MP capture, 14-bit image sensors, hybrid autofocus, and "multi-sensor fusion algorithms."
Advanced WiFi: Supports both 802.11ad and 802.11ac 2x2-MU-MIMO WiFi, which is 2x or 3x faster than 802.11ac WiFi without MU-MIMO.

Here is a quick comparison of the 820 to the 810 and 808.

Qualcomm still says to not expect any phones running the Snapdragon 820 until next year.

Via: Qualcomm [2]

Amazon Echo Coming to More Than 3,000 Retail Locations in the US

Tim — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 08:37:45 +0000

In time for the holiday season, shoppers will soon find the Amazon Echo located in over 3,000 retail locations across the US. Amazon is bringing their voice-operated black cylinder to a few brick and mortar retailers, such as Home Depot, Staples, Sears, Brookstone, RadioShack, Fred Meyer, as well as others. Priced at $179.99, the Echo, if you don't already know, is a little black tube that makes whatever room you place it in smarter. Once connected to your home's WiFi connection, you can ask Alexa questions, have it play tunes from Prime Music, connect other apps for additional functionality, and also use it as a fancy kitchen timer. Availability will come in the following weeks, but to see exactly where you can find one in-person, look here. Do you already have an Echo? If so, what do you use it for the most?

Via: Amazon

Google Maps on Android Gets Offline Navigation Today

Kellen — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:49:24 +0000

Back at Google I/O, Google told us to expect full offline navigation in Google Maps before the year was up. Today, they delivered on the promise, at least on Android. Noting that 60% of the world is without Internet, you are more than likely going to be in a situation during your life where access to Google Maps may come in handy, even though you don't have any sort of data connection. With Google Maps offline navigation, you can download a map ahead of time, so that when you need it, you'll have use of turn-by-turn navigation and the option to search for places, where you can then see information about them, including hours of operation and their rating. It's basically a Google Maps experience, only without the need to be connected to WiFi or a cell tower. To save an area for offline use, the quickest way is to search for the area or city you want, then open its corresponding search page where you should see a "Download" option. Once downloaded, Google Maps will automatically recognize when you have a terrible connection and then switch to offline mode. Once it sees that you have a connection again, it'll switch back to the full mode. To see the new offline mode in action, check out the two GIFs below. The update will begin rolling out slowly today on Android. iOS users will get it "soon." Play Link

Via: Google Blog

Deal: Bluetooth Beanie and Touchscreen Glove Bundle Just $34.99

Kellen — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 16:02:34 +0000

It's starting to cool off in most of the country as we approach winter, but that shouldn't mean you need to disconnect from your phone or music while on the go because of the need to wear gloves or a hat. Thanks to a deal in the DL Deals Store, you can not only keep that head and those hands warm, but you can do so while staying a fully capable tech junkie. The deal is for a beanie and gloves bundle, where the beanie is Bluetooth equipped from the folks at TRNDlabs and the gloves have touchscreen compatible fingertips, along with a gripping material to prevent phone slips. The beanie is a classic black beanie, but inside you get speakers built-in where it would sit over your ears for listening to music or taking calls. It also has simple controls, 33-foot connectivity, and 60-hour standby time or 6 hours of continuous use. The gloves are double-layered and should help keep those tips warm throughout the next few months. The deal is only live for another couple of hours, so act fast. Deal Link

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3 Android Games Worth Owning: Lara Croft GO, Shooty Skies, and Trivia Crack Kingdoms

Tim — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 15:28:47 +0000

There are a ton of new app and game titles on Google Play, and in case you may have missed a few of the good ones, we present you with 3 Android Games Worth Owning. On Google Play, it is sometimes hard to cut through the clutter, read through reviews, and test games yourself, so allow us to do the hard work for you. In this post, we highlight three of my latest favorite games available on Google Play - Lara Croft GO, Shooty Skies, and Trivia Crack Kingdoms. Each are in entirely different genres, so there should be something for everyone in this list. Check out our new list of 3 Android games worth owning.

Lara Croft GO

Given the success of Hitman GO, it was only a matter of time until Square Enix came back with yet another GO title. Incredibly enough, they chose Lara Croft to base a game off of, and it was an excellent choice in my opinion. The GO series of games is a single turn-based game, having you navigate through puzzle-like levels where the wrong step can lead to death and restarting of a level. In Lara Croft GO, you traverse through jungles, catacombs, and caves to discover the mystery surrounding the Queen of Venom. Yes, it sounds epic, and it totally is epic. Featuring 75 puzzles across 5 different chapters, you must lead Lara to safety through treacherous levels, while also collecting relics and unlocking new outfits for her. Today only, thanks to a flash sale, you can grab Lara Croft GO for just $1.99. Regularly, it is priced at $4.99. Go get it! Play Link

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Shooty Skies

From the makers of Crossy Road comes Shooty Skies, another game that aims to have you completely addicted in no time at all. Usually, I enjoy games with a bit more depth, but I love the feeling of flying through the skies as an adorable squirrel, shooting up anything getting in my way. To get started, you take off in a little prop engine plane, moving your finger from left to right to blow up enemies. As you progress, without getting hit, you collect power-ups to make your weapons stronger. It's not an original concept, as it has been done thousands of times before, but the graphics are quite good and the gameplay is fun. As you tear threw baddies, you collect coins to help unlock additional planes and outfits. The game is free to download from Google Play. Play Link

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Trivia Crack Kingdoms

My family and friends can't get enough of Trivia Crack. We would always have epic duels of knowledge on this game, and thankfully, the creators decided a sequel was in order. Trivia Crack Kingdoms keeps the trivia essence of the first title, but brings in additional features such as an entire social aspect. Much like Quiz Up, the new version of Trivia Crack has you challenge friends in select topics of interest. For example, if your friend is a real smarty pants at baseball, you can challenge them. It's all in good fun, but beware if you spank them, as they may not be so friendly afterwards. Trivia Crack Kingdoms is completely free to download and play. Play Link

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Yep, Verizon is Raising Your Unlimited Data Plan by $20 Per Month

Kellen — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 14:08:32 +0000

Back at the beginning of October, sources of ours (which Verizon confirmed) informed us that unlimited data plans on Verizon would see a $20 per month price hike starting November 15. A whole bunch of you saw our report, along with the follow-up we did with additional details on who it affected, and came away (rightfully) pissed off. However, it has become clear to us within the past week that not everyone saw it, because our inbox has been pinged multiple times per day with freshly angered Verizon customers who are just now learning about the increase on the way to their monthly bill. It appears as if Verizon started notifying unlimited data plan subscribers at the beginning of November by welcoming them to their online account page with a pop-up, a pop-up that we have included at the top of this post. As you can see, it does indeed say that on November 15, they are increasing unlimited data feature pricing by $20 per month for those not currently in a 2-year contract. Keep in mind that this increase does not affect you if you are currently under contract or enter into a new one. That's right, there is a way to avoid the increase! If you can find an unlimited-data-keeping work-around that still works that will lock you into another 2-year contract, now would be the time to do it. Here are some examples of the types of tricks you can do to keep unlimited data at Verizon while upgrading. Long story short - yes, Verizon is upping your unlimited data plan pricing to $49.99 per month, which is a $20 increase of the $29.99 you have paid since the beginning of time. You have 6 days to figure out a way to avoid that increase.

Qualcomm to Debut the Snapdragon 820 Tomorrow, Said to be Beating OEM Thermal Requirements

Tim — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 13:10:44 +0000

Tomorrow, Qualcomm will debut the Snapdragon 820 processor, the chip that is likely to handle computing duties in a few top-tier flagship devices in 2016. While many details are still relatively unknown regarding the application processor, one of Qualcomm's marketing leads states on Twitter that the chip currently meets and even beats OEM thermal requirements, not that Qualcomm's Snapdragon lineup has ever had overheating issues before. It is reported that the next Galaxy devices from Samsung will run the Snapdragon 820, as well as other devices from HTC and possibly LG. While all of that is just rumor at this point, it is probably a safe bet that the Snapdragon 820 will indeed be fast and more than capable of handling your mobile apps and games. Once the processor is official, we will post all of the details. Fingers crossed for no melted faces.

Via: @timamcdonough

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 34

Tim — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 12:18:41 +0000

It is time for yet another volume of the DL Q&A Sessions, a time where you, the reader, can ask the DL staff anything that is on your mind. We have been pumping out reviews left and right, so it is possible you have lingering questions about those, or your question could be completely non-Android related. Whatever it may be, let's hear it. If you need a few ideas, maybe you need a bit of holiday shopping advice? We know about plenty of toys the family will love. Need help ranking up in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3? Have no fear, our resident gamers can help with that. As always, pretty much no subject is taboo, so ask away. 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.

Nexus 6P and 5X Owners, Thoughts on Your New Phone?

Kellen — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:56:50 +0000

Many of you recently bought the Nexus 6P or 5X, according to this poll of ours. I can't say that I can find any fault in those purchase decisions either, since Tim and I each left mostly glowing reviews of each, the Nexus 6P review in particular. In fact, the 6P may be the phone of the year. But because this here Droid Life community benefits when its readers get to share their opinions as well, we want to do that today. In the comments, we are opening up for conversation about your early thoughts with either phone. We want to know if you love, like, or hate your new phone. We want to know specifics on favorite features, reports on battery life, and what you think of these new 12.3MP cameras that Google is using. We want to know which color, storage size, etc., you chose because I'm sure there are others contemplating all of these things. We want to know if you had 5X performance issues like I did, or if your 6P bends or has seen its rear-window crack. We want to know it all. Ready? Go!

Receive a $50 Rebate When You Sign Up for Samsung Pay

Tim — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:49:14 +0000

For those who own a Samsung device that is compatible with Samsung Pay and still have yet to add in a credit card for the service, the company is offering a $50 rebate for you to do so right now. Samsung Pay is Samsung's mobile payments solution, utilizing MST to conduct transactions in addition to NFC, which is what makes it different from other services available for Android device owners. To redeem this rebate, you will need to add a supported card to Samsung Pay, which is a card issued by Bank of America, Citi, US Bank, Synchrony Financial, and American Express. Other card issuers are not yet supported. Note, currently available devices that support Samsung Pay are the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 5, and Galaxy S6 Edge+. This rebate program lasts from November 5 to November 19, so if you have just purchased your Samsung device, or plan to purchase one soon, be sure to get the free $50. You will need to provide proof of purchase, so be sure to keep your receipt. Anyone here using Samsung Pay? How do you like it? Redeem

Via: Samsung

In 2 Years, TAG Heuer Will Let You Trade in the Connected for a Mechanical Carrera Watch

Kellen — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:02:51 +0000

TAG Heuer's first smartwatch, the Connected, is official and available for purchase at $1,500 both online and in select boutiques. For days to come, I'm sure people will debate whether or not that price is either ridiculous (in many ways it is) or makes some sense (it is a product coming from a luxury Swiss watchmaker), but as those conversations happen, you should know about the somewhat-intriguing trade in program that TAG Heuer is doing with this watch. You see, TAG Heuer understands that in a couple of years (2 to be exact), this smartwatch will be outdated. There is no getting around that fact. Technology changes quickly and TAG is well aware of that. So, with that in mind, TAG Heuer is giving Connected owners a chance to swap out their watch at the end of its 2-year warranty period for a mechanical watch (TAG Carrera to be exact), assuming they are interested and care to pay an additional $1,500. I'm sure you have done the simple math there and realized that the total investment is $3,000 when all is said and done. Is that worth it? Eh, tough to say. On one hand, you have to invest $1,500 in a smartwatch that you may or may not get sick of within a 2-year period. Then, at the end of that 2-year period, you get to decide if you like TAG Heuer's watches enough to fork out another $1,500 to get rid of your dated smartwatch (because you will trade it in) and into a mechanical, Carrera. For reference, a pretty standard TAG Carrera GMT with automatic movement and date, runs about $3,000. ~~TAG hasn't said what watch they'll let you upgrade to, though~~. EDIT: See update below. If you are into luxury watches and like TAG Heuer, then this could be something to consider. But again, you have to be into $3,000 watches made by TAG Heuer. Update: We finally got a hold of the press release for the TAG Heuer Connected and have new info on the watch you will be buying if you choose the trade-up route. According to the press release, TAG Heuer has created a Swiss Made Carrera with a "similar design" to the Connected that is also made of grade 2 titanium and has been "exclusively developed and reserved for owners of connected watches." This new watch is priced at $1,500, hence the additional $1,500 you will fork out at the end of your 2-year warranty period. So there you have it, TAG Heuer is doing its best to get you into their watch ecosystem by offering up the Connected, but will then let you buy a certain exclusive mechanical Carrera in a couple of years.

TAG Heuer Connected Specs (Official)

Tim — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 09:08:16 +0000

The TAG Heuer Connected has been unveiled, soon to be up for sale on TAG's website for a measly $1500. If you plan on picking one up, you should give the connected watch's specs a look over to see just what exactly you are paying for. Inside the Connected, you will find an Intel dual-core processor with a max clock rate of 1.6GHz, 1GB of RAM, 410mAh battery, plus a 1.5" full circular LCD display. The watch also features an IP67 splash proof rating, Bluetooth 4.1, and is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones. Have a look at the full spec sheet below. [table id=21 /]

Here is the $1,500 TAG Heuer Connected Smartwatch (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 08:23:57 +0000

TAG Heuer announced its first smartwatch this morning and it is indeed called the TAG Heuer Connected. Made in partnership with Google and Intel, this is the first time we have seen a Swiss watchmaker take on the smartwatch category. The watch has the smarts of Android Wear, which you knew, since it was built as an Android Wear device. But as a luxury watch, it has a titanium case, "signature" strap that comes in seven different colors, and a high-resolution, "transflective" sapphire glass display. It also features a bunch of TAG Heuer dials or watch faces, so you can make this look like a normal TAG watch. Edit: Here are more specs. The Connected has a 1.5-inch circular LCD display (360x360, 240ppi) with sapphire crystal, 46mm Titanium Grade 2 case that is 12.8mm thick, IP67 water resistance, vulcanized rubber strap, 410mAh battery, 1.6GHz dual-core Intel processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, Bluetooth 4.1, and WiFi. Full specs. The press event is still going right now ~~and no one has mentioned price ($1,500 is the latest rumor)~~, (Edit: It is Indeed $1,500) only that it will be available today in 20 select boutiques. We'll update this as we have more.

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Update: Here is a video with some specs and an overview of the "journey."

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Update 2: At noon Eastern, you should be able to buy the watch at TAG's site or select boutiques. Here is a direct link to the Connected on TAG's site. Update 3: In some of the first conversations TAG Heuer made public about the Connected, they talked about it being upgradable over time on some level. They briefly talked about that today, saying that the Connected comes with a 2-year warranty. At the end of that 2-year period, when the watch is likely outdated and about to die, because that's how technology like this works, you can trade it in, pay another $1,500, and they will give you a traditional TAG Carrera watch, which probably carries around a $3,000+ price tag at retail. We are looking for more details on this and will update as we have them. Update 4: Here is the full press release.

TAG Heuer Presents the “TAG Heuer Connected” Watch

The first connected watch developed by a Swiss luxury watchmaker, engineered with Intel Inside and powered by Android Wear™

#ConnectedToEternity

New York, United States, 9th November 2015 – Today, TAG Heuer, Intel Corporation and Google unveiled a connected watch, designed by Luxury Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer, engineered with Intel technology and benefiting from everything the Android Wear universe has to offer.

The TAG Heuer Connected Watch with Intel Inside was revealed at a press conference at the symbolic LVMH Tower hosted by Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer & President of the LVMH Group's Watches Division, accompanied by Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel Corporation, and David Singleton, VP of Engineering for Android at Google.

Jean-Claude Biver announced: “We are incredibly proud to be unveiling the first connected watch, which brings more than 150 years of history firmly into the future. The TAG Heuer Connected watch gives you the means not only to connect to the future, but also to connect to eternity."

Brian Krzanich emphasized: “Intel makes amazing experiences possible with smart, connected technology. Together with TAG Heuer and Google we created a beautiful, intelligent and functional product that harmonizes the latest computing innovation with more than a century of watchmaking experience, timeless aesthetics and supreme quality.”

David Singleton agreed: "From Google Search to smartwatches, Google strives to give you the right information, at exactly the right time and place. Android is how we bring this helpful experience to many of the world’s devices. TAG Heuer Connected, powered by Android Wear, is a luxury watch that’s beautiful and incredibly useful. We are thrilled to present it along with TAG Heuer and Intel."

What is the TAG Heuer Connected Watch?

The TAG Heuer Connected Watch with Intel Inside is a luxury watch that benefits from over 150 years of Swiss expertise, savoir-faire and heritage as cultivated by TAG Heuer, a watch manufacture based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking and a UNESCO World Heritage site set at an altitude of 1000 metres, in the middle of Alpine pastures and mountains.

Here, watchmakers have been spending the winter in their workshops (in summer, they farm in the pastures) since the 18th century, inventing incredible watches, which have built the unique reputation and extraordinary image of quality and exclusivity that Swiss watches enjoy the world over. For more than 150 years, TAG Heuer has been inventing and manufacturing elegant sports watches in the city, including some of the most accurate chronographs produced by the Swiss watch industry.

At 46 mm in diameter, the design of the TAG Heuer Connected is primarily that of a true chronograph, with a case, back and lugs made from grade 2 titanium, a contemporary material ensuring the watch is lighter and more resistant to impacts than a traditional material such as steel or gold. Completed by a textured black rubber strap (six other colors – red, blue, white, orange, green and yellow - are available, sold separately) with a deploying buckle made of grade 2 titanium as well, it has all the elegance, characteristics and level of finish expected from a fine wristwatch. The price is set at 1500 USD, 1’350 Euros, 1’400 CHF, 1’100 GBP.

To reinforce its watch DNA…

For the first time, TAG Heuer has developed three digital watch dials (known as watch faces), which feature the immediately recognizable design codes of TAG Heuer's Carrera collection, including hands, index, counters, date window and minute track.

The following will be available from the launch date: the chronograph dial, the 3-hand dial and the GMT dial, all of which display the date and are available in a choice of three colors (black, deep blue or pearl white), faithfully reproducing the appearance and functions of a true dial, with shadows under the hands and the beautiful sunburst effect of the light. And because the TAG Heuer Connected is above all a watch, the digital hands and indexes remain visible at all times, even when the watch is in ambient energy-saving mode.

Soon, other watch faces will be made available, so you can try one customized by TAG Heuer's ambassadors via the exclusive TAG Heuer app which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

And to make it even more unique

The TAG Heuer Connected is a true watch, both in terms of its appearance, with its watch faces and its minute tracks, but also in its "interactive counters”, thanks to the unique way in which its applications are displayed.

The principle is simple: the dial and the hands remain, while the most pertinent information from partner applications is elegantly displayed inside the three counters on the chronograph dial at 12, 6 and 9 o'clock, completely integrated into the watch's aesthetic environment.

What if something shown in a counter really interests you? Touch the counter in question to open and interact with the application in full screen mode.

Favorite applications, sports updates or alerts… it is easy to use and makes information simple to read, enabling the user to stay focused on the essential, without this spoiling the watch's classic appearance. The apps customized for TAG Heuer and available on an exclusive basis will be, to start with, Insiders (lifestyle), GolfShot Pro (golf), RaceChrono Pro (motor racing) and Viewrangers (trailing), which will be offered with free subscriptions. A specially developed Software Development Kit (SDK) will allow enrichment.

In addition, TAG Heuer has added the classic functions that are a key part of the watch universe: Timer, Alarm and Stopwatch, the design of which is faithful to the brand's codes.

Smart. But to what extent?

Living, travelling, getting information, connecting... the TAG Heuer Connected watch is the perfect partner. It brings together the best of both worlds: a magnificent TAG Heuer watch with computing intelligence.

TAG Heuer worked closely with Intel and Google to create a luxury watch that combined connectivity and computing intelligence with Swiss watchmaking heritage. The watch features an Intel® Atom™ processor Z34XX and runs the Android Wear platform.

Intel engineered the intelligence inside the watch to optimize performance and enable a multitude of connectivity options including audio streaming, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as well as allow users to harness the full range of features offered by the Android Wear operating system.

With 4 GB of memory, and all day battery life thanks to its latest-generation lithium battery, the TAG Heuer Connected is equipped with a small microphone to communicate with via Google voice control and a sapphire crystal touchscreen - the indispensable complement to the crown at 3 o'clock which also houses controls. The entire piece has been made water resistant for everyday use and is IP67 water resistance rated.

What if the phone is not with you? No problem. The watch will continue to calculate, display, and exchange data, and as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection it will remain connected to the cloud. Naturally, its resident applications (music, timer, alarm, step counter) remain active even when no connection is available.

Android Wear opens the watch up to an almost infinite universe, an ecosystem that enriches itself night and day: thousands of Android applications are already available for the TAG Heuer Connected watch user to download. The key applications, currently used by millions, such as Google Fit, Google Translate, Google Maps and Google Search with your voice are already available on the watch, and show you information with just a glance.

The watch can also be easily synced with a phone running either on Android 4.3+ or iOS 8.2+. It is charged using a contact charger. Simply place the watch on top to recharge it.

The watch also benefits from a two-year warranty, like other TAG Heuer watches.

A connected watch that can also be a timeless gift

Finally anyone who purchases a TAG Heuer Connected watch will have the opportunity to exchange it for a mechanical watch with real Swiss movement inside.

At the end of the connected watch's two-year warranty period, customers can go to the TAG Heuer store of his or her choice to exchange the TAG Heuer Connected watch for a mechanical Swiss Made Carrera watch. With similar design, also made from grade 2 titanium, this mechanical watch has been exclusively developed and reserved for owners of connected watches. Its price is set at 1500 USD, 1’350 Euros, 1’400 CHF, 1’100 GBP.

To complete the experience, an online platform that brings all users together

A dedicated online platform tagheuerconnected.com has been created to share the latest new features and obtain the partner applications available for the interactive counters watch faces. The TAG Heuer Connected watch is available for sale right now from the site tagheuer.com and in more than 100 TAG Heuer boutiques and 150 carefully selected retailers across the world. The list of points of sale can be viewed at tagheuerconnected.com

*TAG Heuer is the Swiss watchmaker that invented the oscillating pinion in 1887, the first chronograph accurate to 1/100^th of a second in 1916, the first chronograph to go into space on the wrist of the American John Glenn in February 1962, of the Heuer Carrera in 1963, of the Monaco V4 in 2004 with the first movement driven by belts as fine as a hair, and of the TAG Heuer Carrera Mikropendulum in 2013 with the first magnetic chronograph.

About TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer? The Swiss Avant-Garde watchmaker since 1860. Avant-garde is in our culture and philosophy. Our unique heritage is built on pushing boundaries and breaking rules: harnessing mental fortitude to overcome technology restraints and create daring luxury watches with real racing spirit and a performance touch. The brand has marked the history of watchmaking, especially in the field of chronographs with an unequalled mechanical accuracy. With Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer and President of the LVMH Group Watch Division at the helm, the 2015 models reveal a new dynamic in terms of both the fast lead times and a completely transformed environment. TAG Heuer is currently the only watch brand to be able to communicate in the four different worlds: Art, Lifestyle, Sport and Heritage. Our partnerships (Bundesliga, World Surf League & Big Wave Tour, FIA Formula E, Monaco Grand Prix...) and our ambassadors, living football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, it-girl Cara Delevingne, American

Via: Android Blog

TAG Heuer's $1,500 Connected Watch Arrives This Morning, Watch the Event Live

Kellen — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 07:32:28 +0000

TAG Heuer will unveil its first smartwatch this morning, the Connected or Carrera Connected. This is the first time we have seen a Swiss luxury watch brand take on the smartwatch category in any sort of meaningful way, so even if you don't care to spend as much as $1,800 for this particular piece, it's probably still worth at least paying attention to. Who knows, maybe TAG Heuer can figure out why anyone really needs a smartwatch. We don't know much about this watch, only that it will be shown off for the first time today, at 11AM Eastern (8AM Pacific), runs Android Wear, and is powered by an Intel chipset. It'll carry a price tag of anywhere from $1,400 to $1,800, but could end up at $1,500 with a launch date of November 12. It also may have 40-hour battery life, which is about the current standard, I'd say. Again, this isn't going to be a watch for everyone, but this is the first time (unless you count Fossil) a true watchmaker has taken on the smartwatch category. I, for one, will be paying close attention. We've attempted to embed the live stream below should you be interested in watching with us. If for some reason the embed doesn't work, you can watch it at TAG Heuer's site as well.

Don't Miss These Android Stories: November 6, 2015

Tim — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 15:35:34 +0000

It was another busy week at Droid Life, as we got both the DROID Turbo 2 and DROID Maxx 2 reviews posted for your reading pleasure. On top of the reviews, we unboxed and fondled the OnePlus X, Google gave a rundown on the "good" and "bad" USB Type-C chargers out there, and the BlackBerry Priv is now officially available in the US. If that is not enough for you, new Marshmallow builds are available for select Nexus devices, the Inbox team announced an awesome "Auto Reply" feature for replying to emails, and T-Mobile announced the in-home 4G LTE CellSpot. These are the stories of the week on Android.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Deal: Grab a Car Mount & 4-Port Smart Charger Bundle for $28

Tim — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 14:35:30 +0000

Currently available on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a 1byone Car Mount and 4-port Smart Car Charger bundle, usually priced at nearly $50, for just $28 and free shipping. This bundle should have your car completely set up for the winter road trips ahead, as you hit the road to your in-law's place. The car mount features a 360-degree adjustment, allowing you to set it up however you would like in your automobile. With magnetic mounting, you can have your device ready to go in no time at all. Keeping the actual mount attached to your vehicle is a "super sticky pad" with double grip suction. That's hot. In addition to the car mount, you will receive the 4-port USB charger. It features a small, compact design, meaning it won't get in the way too much while you drive. Thanks to "smart technology," your devices will receive an appropriate charge that will never damage your device. If interested, simply follow the link below. Car Mount Features

360-degree adjustments for an uninhibited view from any direction
Magnetic mounting for quick & easy one-handed operation
Super sticky pad w/ double grip suction keeps your device stable
Sleek black surface compliments any vehicle’s interior
Universal compatibility works w/ most smartphones, tablets, etc.

USB Charger Features

Four smart USB ports for charging safely & quickly
Super small design for easy portability
Powerful smart technology identifies device type to provide optimal charging efficiency
Premium construction & circuitry
High power: input, DC12-18V; output, DC5V/2.4A (real verified output)

Deal Link

Activate Select Samsung Galaxy Phones at Sprint and Get a Free Year of Amazon Prime

Kellen — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:32:55 +0000

I don't know that a free Amazon Prime membership ($99 value) would get me to switch carriers any time soon, but if you were thinking of taking your wireless money to Sprint, or are already a Sprint customer who plans to buy a new Samsung Galaxy phone in the near future, get ready for a heck-of-a-freebie. For a limited time (until November 30), new and existing Sprint customers who activate a Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, or Galaxy Note 5, will receive a free 1-year membership to Amazon Prime. Again, that's a $99 value for Amazon's Prime service that gives you free 2-day shipping on millions of items, access to movies and TV, unlimited cloud photo storage, and a decent-sized music catalog. Interested parties can pick-up one of those select Galaxy phones via lease, Sprint Easy Pay, 2-year contract, or pay full retail, and still get the free Prime membership. Additional details can be found at the Sprint link below.

Via: Sprint

Google Maps and Search Updated With Business Holiday Hours

Tim — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 12:42:38 +0000

It's that time of year again, when every business thinks it is cool to just close up shop early because it's the holiday season. It can be a total pain to go to your usual spot, just to find they are shut down. Thanks to an addition inside of Google Maps and Google Search, holiday hours for virtually every business you can imagine are now available for viewing. Google notes that if the business' holiday hours are listed, a warning box will appear, letting you know that the hours may be inaccurate. Of course, if the business is closed, a filter for "Open Now" will show you related businesses that are in fact open to take your money. This change is happening automatically on all Android devices, so make a mental note of it. Now, go forth and shop.

Via: Google Maps

Verizon Confirms It Will Carry Blackberry Priv "Soon"

Kellen — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 12:37:57 +0000

The Blackberry Priv arrived today at AT&T as some sort of short-term exclusive because US carriers are the worst and still think anyone gives a sh*t about their exclusives. Sorry, AT&T, but no one is going to flock to your services because you have the Blackberry Priv or the Galaxy S6 Active or some Windows Phone garbage a few weeks ahead of everyone else. Whatever. Since that exclusive early launch is only temporary, Verizon has announced today that it will indeed also carry the Blackberry Priv. They wouldn't say when, only that it is "coming soon." I don't think anyone should be shocked by Verizon's willingness to carry the Priv. After all, this is the first meaningful Blackberry phone in ages, plus it runs Android. There is potential here. We'll let you know when Verizon gives us a date! https://twitter.com/VerizonNews/status/662727973351526400

HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition Gets Marshmallow

Kellen — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 10:08:32 +0000

Hey, we have Google Play Edition news! Anyone remember those dinosaurs? GPE devices were members of that super confusing line of phones from Google that weren't Nexus devices, but were (for some reason) still supposed to run stock Android and be sold by Google and be updated by Google...kind of...with some manufacturer support. Yeah, you forgot about them and that's OK. For the six of you who might have purchased one, and that purchase happened to be for the HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition, get ready for Android 6.0 Marshmallow! HTC's Mo Versi says that the update is now live, which is kind of crazy. Head into Settings>About phone and hammer on that "System updates" button. Good times. https://twitter.com/moversi/status/662456857148067840

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 5 Receives Update With Gear VR Support (Updated: S6 Edge+ Too)

Kellen — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 09:01:10 +0000

Back in September, Samsung announced the first "consumer version" of its Gear VR headset, a version that was 19% lighter than previous Innovator Editions. The new model was also different in that it worked with a handful of phones (Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge) instead of just a single model, like the original couple of Gear VR headsets. At the time, Samsung would only say that it would launch in the Fall for $99. We still don't have a firm release date, but are starting to think it'll arrive very soon, since the Galaxy Note 5 on T-Mobile is receiving an update today that adds support for Gear VR. The update is rolling out today as build N920TUVU2COJ5, which is still Android 5.1.1. As I just mentioned, the new features are "Samsung Gear VR support," but this update also brings along security updates, likely the newest patches from Google. The update weighs in at around 143MB. To check for it, head into Settings>About device>Software update. Update: The Galaxy S6 Edge+ is getting the same update today.

Via: T-Mobile [2]

Blackberry Priv and HTC One A9 Now Available in the US

Kellen — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 08:31:18 +0000

Just got paid and need to blow all that cash on a new smartphone? Today would be a decent day, as we have two devices available worth at least a few minutes of your time. On one hand, we have the Blackberry Priv, which is the first Android-powered phone from the Canadian keyboard aficionado. On the other, you have HTC's One A9, which is actually a pretty great phone, aside from the fact that it looks like an iPhone 6. Which should you go after? That is ultimately up for you to decide. We reviewed the One A9 and came away quite impressed with its build, design, performance, software, and camera. The only downside there is that it might be slightly overpriced for what it is and it's tough to say if this is a phone that will last you two years. As for the Priv, well, early reviews are in and most people haven't come away all that impressed. The design, build, and specs seem top notch, but performance, a keyboard implementation that isn't great, and the price have all been noted as downsides. The HTC One A9 is available at AT&T and Sprint, while the Blackberry Priv is an AT&T exclusive for the time being. Links: AT&T Blackberry Priv | AT&T HTC One A9 | Sprint HTC One A9

Google Play Services 8.3 Makes the Google Sign-In Process Simpler

Kellen — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 08:12:01 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, Google announced Google Play Services 8.3 and what we can expect to see from it. Since most of it is developer talk around integrating new APIs, I'll spare you the dirty version and instead point out the new stuff users like you and I will notice. (If you are a developer, hit up that source link.) The biggest change is going to be the updated Google Sign-In, where Google has streamlined the experience and hopefully made everything about it simpler. The new Sign-In no longer requires device accounts permissions, supports the new Google logo and branding, and cuts out a whole bunch of steps when you are using it to sign-in to something. With the new 8.3, it should take a single tap to get you signed in to an app with your Google account. That's a big deal! As for other updates, Google made a minor Smart Lock API update that allows users to select previously-used email addresses when signing-in or filling forms, updated Play game services Player Stats API, and has made using App Invites simpler to code for developers. Finally, the Data API now gives developers more control over how/when data items are synced with wearables, which could help in battery life.

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Via: Android Developers Blog

Report: Google Wants to Help Design the Chipsets Used in Android Phones

Kellen — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:54:09 +0000

It's 2015 and we are still talking about the fragmentation "problems" that Google has with Android. Of course, anyone who actual understands the idea behind Android, understands that openness and allowing multiple partners to have the freedom to make Android their own, is a part of the deal. But I digress. Since this fragmentation thing will never go away, we get to entertain reports like the one today out of The Information. According to The Information's Amir Efrati, Google has recently approached unnamed chipset makers (that could be Qualcomm and Mediatek and Samsung for all we know) to discuss designs for chips used in Android phones that adhere to Google's needs and wants, because if Google has more control, then fragmentation can be killed forever! OK, I made that last part up, but that's apparently the goal for Google with this move - killing or reducing fragmentation by taking even more control. Be like Apple, and end fragmentation. Fragmentation. Fragmentation. Forget the fact that this idea could just be that Google thinks they have ideas (maybe even new features) to improve upon the efficiency or power or cost of a chipset used with the operating system they control, but again, I digress! Let's make this about fragmentation. F*ck it, I can't. This report, basically says that Google has design ideas for the chipsets that run its Android devices. Their designs (or at least standards they hope people will adopt) want to introduce things like virtual and augmented reality features, maybe even add in more powerful sensors, and potentially more "horsepower." By standardizing chipsets or designs or everything powering an Android phone, Google would then feel like it has more control, but it also could help them introduce all sorts of new features across the board. Standardizing anything typically helps get that message or feature or whatever it is, out to everyone much easier. So yeah, it actually makes a lot of sense for Google and its Android team to approach someone like Qualcomm and say, "Yo, guys, we think we have some really good ideas as to how your processors could run a hell of a lot better on Android, you know, the operating system we control." It even makes sense for them to want to get in on the whole design process, since Google has a bunch of really smart people working for them, and all. Chipsets built to Google's standards for Android could help with software updates and feature rollouts/introductions and maybe even make people stop talking about fragmentation. Convincing Qualcomm or Mediatek or Samsung that Google's designs or ideas are better than theirs is a whole other topic. Do I think Google is wanting to design its own processors to become more like Apple? Not really, no. I think Google, if they are serious about getting into chipset design, sees the positives in making a tighter ecosystem that would also allow them to innovate faster and easier. But hey, it could also be about Apple and fragmentation. Fragmentation.

Via: The Information [2] (Subscription)

DROID Maxx 2 Review

Tim — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:45:15 +0000

Verizon and Motorola partnered together yet again this year, giving us two devices in the DROID lineup for the holiday shopping season. We have the DROID Turbo 2 and DROID Maxx 2. The DROID Turbo 2 has a lot to highlight, including its Shatterproof display, as well as the ability to customize it through Moto Maker. The DROID Maxx 2, on the other hand, really does not have as many marquee features, with the exception of its large battery. When compared to the DROID Turbo 2, no doubt, the DROID Maxx 2 is its little brother. It features a few mid range to high-end specs, coupled with a somewhat reasonable price when compared to current flagship models on the market. So, is the DROID Maxx 2 worth the nearly $400 price at full retail? Let's go ahead and find out. This is our DROID Maxx 2 review.

The Good

Battery Inside the DROID Maxx 2 is a 3,630mAh battery, which is quite large for a device you can easily use with one hand. While having a large battery is great, getting me through a full day without breaking too much of a sweat, I almost want to say it's too large. Yes, I know, that makes no sense, but just hear me out. My typical day is about 7:30 am to 10-11 pm, with the Maxx 2 leaving me about 40% battery left. If I leave the phone off its charger, I will undoubtedly need to find an outlet at some point in the early afternoon of the following day, which for me, might be an irritation. I would rather just charge my device each night, have it last all day, then plug it back into the charger. If you use your device more heavily than me, you will likely have to do this anyway. I know Motorola and Verizon market the phone to last anywhere around 48 hours, but I never saw battery life that good. For me, I was seeing a solid day and a half on average. And compared to other devices I have reviewed this year, that's fantastic. Naturally, I was averaging my typical 3-4 hours of SoT, sometimes seeing over 4 hours on a single charge. Again, for me, this is great. Your experience will always differ. As time went on, I found myself just plugging in each night, getting through the day with plenty of juice left, then just plugging it back in at night. It's my routine and I am sticking to it.

Design Unlike the DROID Turbo 2, Verizon decided not to butcher the Maxx 2's design on the frontside, instead, only placing a single Verizon logo on the backside of the phone. Thank goodness. The overall design of the device is typical Motorola, with the roll-type feeling you get on the backside, which is more like a lump for them to shove in the massive battery. Even with its somewhat fat appearance, the device is small enough for one-handed operation, which is a nice change of pace when coming from the Nexus 6P and Galaxy Note 5. The front is not decked out in a ton of sensors, giving off a cleaner look. The front also features two speaker grillers, but only one works when you play music or videos. The one on top is saved just for phone calls. The backside is a soft touch, somewhat like you would find on other Motorola devices. The device is not offered through Moto Maker like it is with the DROID Turbo 2, so that's a downer. To keep it short and sweet, at first glance, you can easily tell it is a Motorola device, but you can't exactly tell right off of the bat that it is a DROID device. For me, personally, I like that. I don't need my friends yelling, "DROID!" at me every time I whip out my phone.

Software The software found on the Maxx 2 is basically stock Android, with a few of Motorola's apps thrown in to complete the package. For example, Motorola brings in the Moto Camera app, Launcher3 launcher app, Gallery app, some funky Calendar app, Email app, and of course, the Moto app that helps with hands-free operation and other various device settings. All of these apps replace the Google-made applications found on Google Play, which I switched out immediately. Sorry, but I need my app updates. As Kellen mentions in his Turbo 2 review, these DROID phones are filled with Verizon crapware. It's greasy, for a lack of better terms. Since I wish not to use the bloatware, or even see it in my app drawer, all Verizon apps and 3rd-party apps get disabled at time of first boot.

Other than that, it is a pretty clean build of Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop," which is good. No, it's not Marshmallow good, but it still gets the job done just fine. All of Motorola's apps, besides the Calendar app which I don't care for, work just fine with Lollipop. Yes, the camera UI could use some serious tweaking, but it works, and we will get into the camera aspect a little later. All-in-all, stock Android users will be happy with the software that comes on both the DROID Turbo 2 and DROID Maxx 2.

Turbo Charging No doubt about it, Turbo Charging on Moto-made devices is clutch. Without being scientific about it, usually, I can plug in at about 15%, charge the phone for 30 to 45 minutes, and come away with nearly, if not full battery. It's ridiculously fast. This type of feature is commonplace now on devices from Samsung, Google, and Motorola, and I love it. An added bonus for the DROID Maxx 2 would be wireless charging, but alas, it is not present. According to Verizon's marketing material, with 10 minutes on a charger, your DROID can come away with 8 hours of battery life. Of course, who knows if this is actual world usage, but I can vouch that Turbo Charging does do a great job at quickly putting juice in your phone's battery.

Somewhere in the Middle

Specs For specs, the DROID Maxx 2 lands somewhere right in the middle of the smartphone landscape. It features a 5.5" Full HD LCD display, Snapdragon 615 processor (along with the Contextual Computing Processor), 2GB of RAM, 21MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, 16GB of onboard storage, microSD card support for up to 128GB of expandable storage, and the large 3,630 mAh battery. This is not a bad package, but where the device comes up short is in the processor department. The Snapdragon 615 and 2GB of RAM are a deal breaker for me, as I would want at least a processor from the Snapdragon 800+ lineup, but Motorola and Verizon clearly wanted to cut cost somewhere. The device also lacks a fingerprint reader, something we are seeing on nearly all flagship devices in late 2015. Highlights when using the device are the microSD slot, NFC (allows for Android Pay support), and the 21MP camera. These things save the phone in my opinion, and that's without mentioning the very large capacity battery, of course. For a price of $384 full retail, honestly, I would say go check out the Moto X Pure Edition for a few bucks more. Display The 5.5" Full HD display on the Maxx 2 is an LCD panel. To my eyes, it looks just fine, and oh boy can it get bright. When viewing in the dark, and you turn the brightness all the way up, there's no doubt you could burn your poor little retinas, something I do not recommend. After you unbox the phone, the Adaptive Brightness is turned on automatically. In my experience, the Adaptive mode was very weak, auto dimming when I did not wish it to, and even bumping up the brightness when it was not necessary. Because of that, I decided to toggle that feature off, having complete control over my device's brightness through the dedicated dial in the notification pulldown. As for the display itself, I would say it's just okay. It's definitely nothing crazy special, but it's not bad, either. Depending on the brightness you have set, details and colors appear just fine to the eye, but I do wish there was a bit more color saturation. This is where I am a tad bias, as my eyes do prefer the look of AMOLED panels over LCD. With that said, the Maxx 2 does feature a setting for Color Mode. With this, you can toggle between "Normal" and "Vibrant." The normal mode displays "realistic" color, while the vibrant mode gives off enhanced color and saturation. Given my fondness for saturated things, I stuck with Vibrant and was happy enough with what I saw. My only main beef with the display is Motorola's Moto Display software, but I get into in a lower section.

Macros for fun.

Camera The camera found on the Maxx 2 is pretty decent, but nowhere near as good as a camera you would find on other devices currently on the market. While it definitely won't be marketed against an iPhone, Galaxy, or Nexus camera, Motorola has come a long way in this department, so we must give the company a bit of credit. Unlike other previous Moto shooters that were downright awful, this phone is actually usable. However, even though the camera takes decent pictures, the software and camera UI is pretty terrible. Motorola's camera app is still using a slide out roller selector thing, and due to the performance issues I mention below, it can become very frustrating trying to pull the selector out, and snapping shots in a timely manner. The sooner Motorola ditches this UI, the better.

Many photos turn out fine without using any HDR mode, but when the device was set to Auto HDR, I found that the phone really enjoyed snapping photos in HDR. Hardly any were taken without it. The overall results are fine, but I would say this device does much better handing macro shots than landscape situations. One fun feature, which is found on other devices, is the ability to take a selfie in lowlight, and the display shines white to act as a flash. I see Apple touting that feature for the new iPhone, so I figured I should mention that here. Yes, "DROID Does" is still relevant. Below I have posted a few sample shots I took throughout my time with the phone. For a zip file containing all photos at max resolution, click here.

Night: HDR On vs HDR Off

Price For $384 at full retail, or about $16 a month through a payment plan, the Maxx 2 is a solid little package, but I can't help but think about what else I could get for my money. The Moto X Pure Edition starts at just $399, and it basically tops this device in all categories. There is also the Nexus 5X, which is a solid little phone, starting at $379. As consumers, it is great to have so many choices at a low price, so really, it will be up to you to decide which you want to spend your money on. Keep in mind, however, that the other two devices I mentioned will likely receive software updates ridiculously faster than the Maxx 2.

The Not-so-Good

Performance You might hear me talk about "jank" and stuttering performance on Android devices. Sadly, the DROID Maxx 2 falls heavily under this category, with its Snapdragon 615 processor and 2GB of RAM. It seems odd to me that a phone running basically stock Android has constant lag and frame rate droppage, which only results in me getting visibly frustrated and irritated. These feelings should never come from a phone. This device's performance reminds me of when we needed task killers on Android. If your phone felt sluggish, just kill the tasks. If it felt sluggish again, kill the tasks! Keep doing this until you are so paranoid about performance that after each app you open, you kill the tasks. It's a vicious cycle. Thankfully, Android is much more mature now and handles tasks well, but the DROID Maxx 2 still manages to stutter, hiccup, lock up on apps, and basically underperform at every turn. On a good note, when the device is processing HDR images, as mentioned above in the camera section, it actually processes with little delay.

Availability As you could have easily guessed, the DROID Maxx 2 is a Verizon exclusive. That means you won't find it on any other carrier. While I really despise carrier exclusives, as it limits you to using it on a single carrier, unlike an unlocked smartphone, it is what it is. The DROID brand will likely always be a Verizon thing, until it dies. Don't get me wrong, if you are on Verizon for the foreseeable future, there is nothing wrong with this, but I simply don't recommend non-unlocked devices these days. The benefits of being untied to a contract are too good. Moto Display and LCD Screens Moto Display used to be my favorite aspect of Motorola devices. But now, with the switch over to LCD panels, I have to say, it pretty much sucks. Every time your phone receives a notification, which you can view through Moto Display without having to turn on the device's screen and unlock it, the LCD panels lights up like crazy. When Motorola was using AMOLED panels, which allows for individual pixels to be lit, this feature made much more sense. The display on this device does not handle pure black all that well, so when Moto Display is active, you can see light streaks across the front of the phone. It's not classy, and pretty much looks downright bad. Motorola, hear my cries, please go back to using AMOLED. Other Notes

Busted headphone jack: The unit we received for review has a busted headphone jack, so I was unable to listen to music through it. Hopefully this isn't a widespread issue. (Edit: After trying two pairs of headphones with both not working, I found a pair of earbuds that work just fine. Whether this is a headphone/cord issue or possible isolated device issue, I have been contacted by Motorola PR and was informed this should not be a widespread problem for buyers.)
Camera Bug: The second time I opened the camera app, toggling HDR off and on, the processing of the image was extremely broken. Colors were off, images were distorted. Thankfully, it did not happen any other times, but it is something to look for if you purchase this phone. Hopefully it is just a bug in the software that can be fixed with an update to the Camera app.
Bloatware Count: 22 apps. This number does not include "shortcut" trickery they place in the app drawer that looks like games for kids. When clicked, you must download the games. So scummy, Verizon. Shame on you.

Videos

Unboxing and Hands-on

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Gallery

The Verdict

In closing, while the DROID Maxx 2 is a neat little package, it just doesn't do it for me. Performance is extremely sluggish at times, the camera is a major step backwards from other devices, and frankly, there are much better options currently on the market. For almost $400, sorry, I expect better. I can get a Moto X Pure Edition for that price. With the DROID Maxx 2, you will have good battery life, but you may never know when to expect an Android update thanks to Verizon's "certification process," and that's never a good thing for Android owners.

Pebble Time Round Hits Stores November 8

Kellen — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:27:29 +0000

Pebble Time Round, the "world's lightest and thinnest smartwatch," arrives at retail stores this Sunday, November 8 for $250. Online orders will also begin shipping, as well as the pre-orders from weeks ago when this latest watch from Pebble was first announced. As a recap on the Time Round, this is Pebble's first round watch that still features an e-paper display. It runs Pebble's watch OS, comes in a variety of colors (with different strap sizes), and is just 7.5mm thin with a weight of 28 grams. It's easily their classiest looking watch to date. Early reviews for the watch popped up this morning, with most coming away with mixed feelings. Almost everyone said that it has an attractive design, but this Pebble ditches the week-long battery life and water resistance in favor of that design. With this new Pebble, you only get about 2 days on a single charge, which isn't much better than an Android Wear device. Keep in mind that at $250, it's also priced up there with Android Wear devices. The problem here is that Android Wear devices are arguably more powerful, have better displays that you can touch to navigate around, and have a massive app ecosystem at their fingertips. If you still want a Pebble Time Round, this Sunday you should be able to find one at your local Target and Best Buy.

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Via: Pebble

Android Distribution Updated for November 2015 - Marshmallow Debuts!

Kellen — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 10:25:25 +0000

Google updated the Android distribution numbers today for the month of November to show any changes or shifts that have taken place within the past month. The numbers aren't wildly different this time around, but we are seeing the debut of Android 6.0 Marshmallow to the chart. With the launch of the new Nexus devices and over-the-air (OTA) updates to the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus 7 (2013), Android 6.0 squeaks in a 0.3%. The cutoff is 0.1%, so yeah, it just barely made it. As for the rest of the numbers, we saw a jump for Lollipop 25.6% (from 23.5%), while most of the rest of the versions all dropped. KitKat now sits at 37.8% (from 38.9%), Jelly Bean at 29% (from 30.2%), and Ice Cream Sandwich at 3.3% (3.4%). Gingerbread (3.8%) and Froyo (0.2%) are where they were and probably will be. You can see last month's numbers here.

Via: Android Developers

YouTube on Android Now Does the VR Video Thing, Adds Cardboard Viewer Too

Kellen — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 09:50:29 +0000

Google announced today that YouTube on Android now does VR video. Not only that, but if you own a Google Cardboard product, you can also view almost all videos through sort of a virtual movie theater like experience. With VR in YouTube, Google is fully jumping on the current trend for video experiences, where creators try to "give you a sense of depth" and help you feel "like you're actually there." In order to experience them, all you need is Google Cardboard and a VR video (like the Hunger Games Experience or TOMS Shoes Giving Trip). Once you have Cardboard loaded up with one of those videos, you should be able to tap on the settings button in the top right corner to find a Cardboard option that will launch you into VR mode. Here is a GIF showing the action and where to find the Cardboard setting.

Since there aren't many VR videos currently on YouTube, Google is also announcing a straight up Cardboard mode, where even if the video isn't VR-ready, you can still get "a kind of virtual movie theater" experience. Here is a GIF of this new mode in action.

Grab your VR headset and get to it. Oh, you'll need the newest version of YouTube. Grab that below. Play Link

Via: YouTube Blog

Video: OnePlus X Unboxing and Hands-on

Tim — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 09:44:32 +0000

In late October, we attended a press event in San Francisco, where we got to go hands-on with the newly announced OnePlus X. As we draw closer to the device's launch date on November 19, we now have the device in-house, so we can deliver a more personal account with OnePlus' budget-friendly smartphone. Nothing has changed from the last time we saw the OnePlus X. It still features the same 5" Full HD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 801, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 13MP rear-facing camera, as well as Oxygen OS on top of Android 5.1.1. What it lacks also has not changed, and that would be NFC, USB Type-C, and a few pretty important LTE bands for US consumers. The OnePlus X launches in the US on November 19 via invite system, priced at just $249. Below, we unbox the OnePlus X, detailing everything you will find inside the box, then give a brief software tour.

Unboxing

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Google Says "Nexus Orders are Shipped in Order Received" - Thoughts, Nexus 6P Owners?

Kellen — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 08:54:16 +0000

On the morning of September 29, Google announced two new Nexus devices - the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Later that same day, Google opened up pre-orders for each with a mostly open-ended expected date of arrival. Android enthusiasts didn't care about the lack of a shipping date, as they were simply too excited at the thought of being able to choose between two Nexus phones for the first time. Three weeks went by and Google announced that Nexus 5X orders would begin shipping. And they did. Nexus 6P orderees were left a bit frustrated by the lack of word on their future phone, but assumed all would be well and things would start moving along shortly. And that happened too. Cards began to see charges and shipping noticed arrived. For some. Well, a few. Google didn't mention anything about devices shipping this time, instead choosing the silence route. Then the device sold out across all models of the 6P. Then it was back in stock! Then everyone who read reviews and decided they wanted in on the premium Huawei fun started ordering again with varying estimated ship dates! And then those late orders started shipping almost immediately, while those original Android enthusiast orders sat in "Pending" purgatory! As you can imagine, owners of those early orders were not exactly excited to see their orders remain frozen while this new batch of late bloomers were getting devices so quickly. So they took to Twitter and reddit and (probably) Facebook and Google+ communities and our comments and wherever else internet people go to complain about such injustices. Google clearly heard the complaints and sent this Tweet last night. https://twitter.com/GoogleStore/status/662093737158270980 Lulz. Not good, Google. And the replies then came in with proof that this wasn't the case at all. Like this one, where a guy pre-ordered a 64GB Aluminium model a month ago and then another one 3 days ago. Guess which one shipped? Yep, you guessed it. The replies only get better from there, many of which are not exactly SFW. https://twitter.com/Jdban/status/662093826207580160 https://twitter.com/alexpaluzzi/status/662288312867102720 https://twitter.com/Seanyb05/status/662282008517832704 Oh, Google. There is trolling and there is trolling. Nexus 6P folks, how are your orders doing?

OnePlus X Might Struggle With LTE in the US

Tim — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 16:12:54 +0000

Last week, OnePlus announced the OnePlus X, a nicely designed, budget-friendly unlocked smartphone for the global market. At the time of announcement, OnePlus gave out a list of LTE bands supported by the device, which many noticed was very lacking in terms of US support. We reached to OnePlus, asking if the list of bands was indeed accurate, and unfortunately, the company's response confirms that anyone who purchases this device in the US may struggle with LTE connection. As listed for the OnePlus X, bands supported are Band 1, Band 2, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, and Band 8. Here in the US, to be a desirable unlocked smartphone, the device would need to feature Band 12 and Band 17, which is what AT&T and T-Mobile have for low-frequency coverage. The 700MHz spectrum is usually what gives you service while inside of buildings, in suburban neighborhoods, and across rural areas of the land. The devices does come with Band 4 support, but again, AT&T uses Band 17 for most of its LTE network. If you were to use this phone with AT&T, your LTE connection may not be that reliable. This is the response we received from OnePlus when we asked about the supported bands, and if there were plans to add support for Band 17.

The bands listed on the spec sheet are correct. We have no plans for adding more bands right now.

Even with the $249 price, there are plenty of other similar devices that can at least deliver a solid 4G LTE for a reasonable price. The Moto G (3rd Gen) is a prime example. If 4G LTE is not a priority for you, that's fine, and you can order the device starting November 19. Keep in mind, you will need an invite to buy it.

Samsung has Considered Letting Non-Samsung Phones Use Samsung Pay

Kellen — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 15:57:04 +0000

During a lengthy conversation with ZDnet, the executive VP and head of enterprise business at Samsung's mobile business (holy sh*t title), Injong Rhee, laid out all sorts of little nuggets of information on the company's new mobile payment system, Samsung Pay. Rhee talked about their plans for expansion in the US, early successes of the platform in Korea, how they want to be more than just the other mobile payment system, new devices to feature Samsung Pay, and if they would ever let other manufacturers use the technology. The article is quite lengthy and so I encourage you to read the whole thing to find out all there is to know about Samsung Pay. Below, though, you'll find a summary of sorts with the highlights.

Samsung doesn't actually expect to ever replace your wallet with Samsung Pay, they instead just hope to make your wallet smaller by at least replacing your credit cards. In fact, they think that Samsung Pay and wallets "complement" each other.
As of October, Samsung says it has 1 million Samsung Pay subscribers and hit $88 million in transaction volume in Korea.
Samsung's early US partners didn't prioritize Samsung Pay because they all thought it was just another mobile payment system, like Apple Pay and Android Pay. But according to Samsung, the early market reaction was so good, that their partners realized the service was a priority.
In November, a major update will rollout that will allow for gift cards, membership cards, and in-app purchases. The UI will also get a slight improvement with a new menu that will show you all of your registered cards at once.
As far as future devices go, Samsung plans to start including Samsung Pay's Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology in non-flagship phones. So at some point in the near future, low and mid-tier Samsung phones will be doing mobile payments just like the Galaxy line.
To confuse things a bit, the article talks about the Gear S2 not supporting Samsung Pay and that a future watch will. I say that is confusing because the Gear S2 has NFC built-in and is supposed to be receiving an update within the next few weeks to add Samsung Pay support. Samsung's own website even still shows it as being ready for Samsung Pay. We've reached out to Samsung for clarification on this and will follow-up if we hear back.
Finally, when asked if Samsung consider letting its partners use Samsung Pay, Rhee said that they have "considered" it, but that they aren't currently working with anyone because they are "focusing all our energy on deployment." Can you imagine, a Nexus with NFC and MST? Heaven.

Again, the whole article is worth a read if you want to know the current situation and future of Samsung Pay.

Via: ZDnet

Deal: Grab a Homido Virtual Reality Headset for $69.95

Tim — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 15:19:38 +0000

Available through the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a Homido Virtual Reality Headset for just $69.95, down from its usual price of $100. With this VR headset, you stick in your smartphone, then open up an app that acts as a library of games, videos, and other activities you can do outside of your real, non-digital life. The headset allows you to watch 3D movies, "immerse yourself" in crowds during a concert or under the sea scuba diving, and it is wireless for ultimate portability. If you pick one up, you will need the Homido Center app, which features all of the content you will need. The VR headset is up now, and if you have a compatible device, follow the link below. Features

Watch your favorite 3D movies w/ binocular-vision-mode & two stereoscopic lenses
Immerse yourself in the middle of a crowd, underwater, or wherever your heart desires w/ 360˚ videos
Combine 3D & 360˚ head-tracking for a whole new gaming experience
Customize the vision w/ farsighted & nearsighted settings
Use it wirelessly as you maneuver about
Immerse yourself in virtual reality w/ 100% Field View
Adjust the distance between the two lenses & change out the face contact foam for a custom fit
Attach your smartphone w/ the locking clip for safety
Find a new game to play or an exciting environment to explore in the Homido Center w/ 300 app options

Deal Link

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Choo Choo: BlackBerry Hops on the Monthly Android Security Update Train

Tim — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:51:36 +0000

Picking up a BlackBerry Priv? If so, you should be happy to learn that BlackBerry is committing to monthly Android security updates, just as we have seen from Google, Samsung, and LG. These updates will include enterprise-managed updates, as well as general vulnerability updates that Google notifies OEMs about. More importantly, BlackBerry also states that they will handle hotfixes, which require faster rollout. Stated by BlackBerry, "Android is a complex, rapidly changing, massively popular, open source product, which makes it an attractive and fertile target for attackers," and security is at the top of their priority list when it comes to the OS. On BlackBerry's website, the OEM details the importance of monthly updates, as it is Google who will release the information regarding vulnerabilities to the public, which leads to bad news for consumers.

Each month Google releases to BlackBerry and other Android OEMs a security bulletin containing a list of recently discovered Android vulnerabilities. Approximately one month later, Google exposes these in the public domain, so it is critical that BlackBerry release software in advance of public disclosure.

The Priv is set to arrive later this week across the US. Are you picking up a BlackBerry?

Via: BlackBerry

Chrome Dev Gets Colored Toolbars Without Merging Tabs!

Kellen — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:27:20 +0000

Through Chrome 39 and Lollipop, Google introduced a little customization option for websites like ours who want to give visitors a semi-custom experience when they stop by. The new option allowed for us to offer a colored toolbar to Lollipop deivces, which we proudly turned on as Droid Life pink. The pink color has been viewable on the site since last November, but many of you probably never noticed it. Assuming you aren't using Chrome's "tab merge" feature (I seriously don't know why anyone would), then you haven't been able to see the pink toolbar. For whatever reason, Google only enabled colored toolbars when you told Chrome to merge your tabs in with your app switcher. So if you are like us, and refuse to merge tabs because the Chrome experience is a frustrating mess when merged, then your DL mobile browser experience hasn't been as pink as it should be. That may soon change, though, as Chrome Dev was updated this week to show colors in toolbars when not merged. Look at the image at the top of the post! How pretty is that? Now, if the coloring is stable enough, you would hope that the feature would soon graduate to Beta before moving onto Stable. If that timeline continues to rollout, we'll be sure to let you know. Play Link

This is Chrome Beta without the coloring.

Google Drive Updated With Rich Notifications, Easier Access When File Sharing

Tim — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:22:02 +0000

An update for Google Drive is rolling out, bringing three features for those who use the service routinely on mobile devices. Once updated, users will have easier access to granting and gaining access to restricted files, the ability to preview files without a Google account on an Android device, and rich notifications when files are shared with you. As of now, pre-update, sharing restricted files can be somewhat of a pain. You have to enter in the person's email, have them accept, then you have to manage the permissions they have. But with the update, the Drive app lets recipients request access with a single tap, and file owners will be notified of the request instantly on the mobile device. On the notification side of things, after the update, you will receive mobile notifications to alert you immediately when files or folders are shared with you and a single tap can take you right to them. Lastly, anyone can now preview documents, even if they do not have a Google account, as long as they are on an Android device. Why you would use Android and not have a Google account, I have no idea. The update is rolling out to Google Play now, so keep you eyes open for it. Play Link

Via: Google Drive

DROID Turbo 2 Review

Kellen — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:20:26 +0000

It's late 2015 and Verizon and Motorola are showing no signs of slowing this exclusive DROID partnership that once stood for everything we loved about Android. This year, to follow-up last year's DROID Turbo, the franchise has been given two new robotic, manhood-enforcing options in the DROID Turbo 2 and DROID MAXX 2. I have had the pleasure of reviewing this year's flagship, which is the Turbo 2 and have had just enough time to hopefully give you the full scoop on whether or not this should be your next phone. I've taken its shatterproof display for a drop or ten, made sure its camera is as good as the shooter found in the Moto X Pure, and even tried to find out if we have a new battery king on our hands. This is our DROID Turbo 2 review.

The Good

Specs Motorola has done just about everything right in the specs department with the Turbo 2. It has a big 5.4-inch QHD Plastic-OLED display (2560x1440) that is shatterproof, 3GB RAM, 32/64GB storage with micro SD slot for expansion, Snapdragon 810 processor, 3760mAh battery (with fast and wireless charging), 21MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 802.11ac WiFi, and mostly stock Android 5.1.1. For a current flagship, I don't know that it's missing much, except for maybe a fingerprint reader and optical image stabilization in the camera. Some will cry for a removable battery, but come on, it's packing a 3760mAh battery already - you won't be running out of battery any time soon. Here are the full DROID Turbo 2 specs. Shatterproof Motorola has made a phone that uses a technology (or marketing term) called ShatterShield. It's a 5-layer approach to display protection that renders a phone "shatterproof." Yes, Motorola claims that they have a phone whose display cannot be shattered or cracked. Bold, right? Very, but Motorola is so proud and sure of ShatterShield in the DROID Turbo 2, that they are putting a 4-year guarantee behind it. So is the Turbo 2 shatterproof? It very well could be. Because of the flexible P-OLED display they are using here, along with a variety of other protective layers to make up ShatterShield, I'm not even sure there is glass to be shattered. In fact, CNN put this phone through some pretty silly tests (like having a horse stomp on the display) that ended up denting the phone's display, not cracking or shattering it. Seriously, their variety of tests left dents in the display, but couldn't crack it.

I've also done my fair share of drops and was not successful in cracking it. One thing to note, though, is that the phone has this really soft outer lens (part of ShatterShield) that scratches and scuffs pretty easily. You can think of it kind of like one of those really bad screen protectors that your weird uncle Larry uses. In my handful of drops on cement, pavers, hardwood floors, wood decks, and rough asphalt, I did leave some marks on the screen that are now there for the time being. Thankfully, Motorola is going to let you buy replacement top lenses, so you can actually replace part of the ShatterShield system yourself and constantly refresh your screen. As an added bonus, the top lens is where that ridiculous Verizon check sits, so there is a chance you'll be able to buy replacement lens that won't have it. Before doing this review, I don't know that having a shatterproof display was something on my radar or "must have" list, but now I'm wondering if I even want to live without it. Phones like the Galaxy S6 or Note 5 and all their glass almost seem unappealing because of the care needed to preserve their beauty. With the Turbo 2, that constant thought in the back of your mind that keeps telling you to be careful and not drop your phone every time you pull it out of your pocket, isn't there. That's a big deal. Software In a time where Android phone manufacturers continue to try an differentiate by bloating up the software experiences with skins on top of Google's mobile OS, Motorola is still doing it, what we would consider to be, the right way. They offer Google's take on Android, which is a stock experience, but then add on useful features through their Moto suite of services. With the Turbo 2, you get an experience just like you would on the Moto X Pure Edition, DROIDs before it, and the Moto G and E line. That means you get Moto Display, Moto Voice, Moto Assist, and Moto Actions. In fact, this is what I said about the Moto X Pure Edition, which still stands with the Turbo 2: "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." To get a full overview of the software, feel free to check out our Moto X Pure Edition tips and tricks video. These two phones essentially run the same software for the time being and this video a great tutorial on how to get the most out of your new Motorola phone.

As much praise as I have for Motorola when it comes to software, I can't exactly say the same for Verizon. What I mean by that is Verizon seems to force Motorola into tweaking things for no apparent reason, other than to piss people like me off. For example, almost all Motorola phones ship with the Google Now Launcher, which is Google's ultra-light launcher that gives you quick access to Google Now. On this phone, Verizon has essentially made Motorola swap that out, for "Launcher3," which is like a half-baked version of the Now Launcher. It's not updated and probably won't be updated until you get system updates, because it's a system app. Why make this move? Along with annoyances like that, Verizon also loads this phone full of so much bloatware, that you feel like you are running VerizonOS. From the opening setup screen where it tries to force you into their cloud services, to the couple of dozen red Verizon icons in the app drawer, it's quite gross. So, props to Motorola for continuing to do Android right. No props to Verizon, because they just don't know when to get the hell out of the way. Performance What can I say about performance on this phone other than, "Wow!" I've recently been using the Moto X Pure Edition, LG V10, and Nexus 5X, all of which are powered by Snapdragon 808 processors. I've noted in 2 of the 3 reviews I've done for these phones that they show some signs of hiccups, stutters, or lag. In fact, the Nexus 5X was one of the worst performing phones I have used in some time. With the Turbo 2, Motorola has ditched the Snapdragon 808 and gone with the warmly controversial Snapdragon 810. My experience with the 810 has been limited this year because many OEMs backed away from it, but on this phone, it's awesome. Great choice, Motorola. When you get to flagship level phones, even the ones I just mentioned that have their low-performance moments, you typically need to look closely or even nitpick a bit to find issues. I do that when reviewing phones by just hammering on the keyboard (I only use the Google Keyboard, by the way). I also do that by watching closely at the animations when swiping up from home into Google Now or opening the app switcher or doing anything in Hangouts or Chrome. I can tell you that after coming from the Nexus 5X to this phone, the typing experience and general UI fluidity were about the most eye-opening things I noticed. Everything just opens as it should on the Turbo 2, highlighting the early Material Design animations found in Lollipop. The keyboard, oh my the keyboard, just types. I'm a typing pecker and so I know keyboard lag. There isn't any here, at all. Motorola tossed in the prettiest vibration motor as well, which feels like soft rabbit bums fluffing your fingers as you type. It's a dreamy experience. In all seriousness, the Turbo 2 really is about the best performing phone I've used in a while. It's powerful enough to get everything done I need it to, but it also seems to be efficient enough to outlast everyone in the battery department. Customization For the first time, Motorola is letting the DROID franchise into its Moto Maker service. That means you get dozens of choices of backs, accents, frames, and textures with the Turbo 2, so that you can make a phone that is as close to a one-of-a-kind custom as it gets. Like with the Moto X line, the Turbo 2 has a couple of storage options (32GB or 64GB), 3 frame colors (silver, gold, dark), 14 backs (leather, ballistic nylon, soft touch), 10 accents, engraving, and a splash screen greeting. You can make some really cool combinations, especially if you go the ballistic nylon route. You won't find another phone on the market with that kind of texture.

Also, keep in mind that Motorola is doing a first of its kind program with the Turbo 2, where if you buy the 64GB model, they will let you do a "design refresh" once within 2 years. That means you can design a 64GB version of the phone today, then once within the next 2 years, design another one for free. All you have to do is wait for your new design to show up before returning your old one. Hopefully, we see this "design refresh" program carry through to other models of Motorola phones, like next year's Moto X. Camera The 21MP camera in the Turbo 2 is the same sensor (as far as I know) as is used in the Moto X Pure Edition. That's a good thing, because the Moto X's camera was the best in a Motorola phone to date and ranks up there with other high-end smartphone cameras. With the Turbo 2's camera, you get an out-of-the-box experience that shoots widescreen 16MP shots. As is almost always the case, I flipped my settings to the traditional 4:3 ratio, which bumps the resolution up on this camera to the full 21MP. It also shoots 720p slow-mo video recording, has 4K video recording, a night mode for stills, auto-HDR (that I left on), panorama mode, and the option to save everything to an SD card (if you insert one). All of these options are handled through a slideout menu that is accessed from the left side that rolls like a wheel.

The camera may lack the manual controls you'll see from Samsung and LG's cameras, but I can imagine that a few of you aren't interested in adjusting ISO, shutter speeds, and focus. Many of you probably just want to open the camera and start shooting quality photos. With the Turbo 2, you get that most of the time. The UI, as can be seen above, is dead simple and super easy to use. You just open, tap, and shoot. In terms of results, like with the Moto X Pure Edition, I came away impressed. The camera is quick to load, quick to focus, and quick to shoot. I found it to shoot in HDR quite often, but with this camera, you almost don't notice because it's just as fast with HDR as it is without. I point that out because when Google's Nexus 5X shoots in HDR, you'll often find yourself waiting in between shots while it processes. Below, you'll find a bunch of samples that haven't been edited in any way other than by resizing through Lightroom, which also reduced the file size. You should be able to pick out the amount of detail that this camera can capture (especially in the full resolution shots), along with the mostly natural colors. Even with HDR doing a lot of heavy lifting, I don't really feel like it's ever overdoing it. Sure, it can get wild with reds, but the rest of the time, the camera software here seems to really pull out the colors your eye can see. In low light, this camera is average. With its f/2.0 aperture, it won't capture as much light as the cameras found in the Galaxy S6/Note 5 or LG G4/V10 or Nexus 5X. So if you really want the king of dark room shooting, this isn't it. Still, it's capable and will get the job done. Overall, this is a quality smartphone camera that you won't be disappointed with.

If you want to see the full resolution photos, you can download them here. Battery Life My Black Hole of Signal Death (BHoSD) testing facility, which is my home office that seems to get terrible coverage on all the major carriers, has been well-documented around these parts. For those new, just know that the BHoSD has scared and pissed off a number of people because it often reflects poorly on the battery life of phones I happen to be testing. With that in mind, you should also understand that Verizon service at my house is about the absolute worst of them all. So when I took on the task of testing and reviewing the Turbo 2 and its mega battery, to say that I was very interested in seeing how it could hold up in this battery life hell hole is an understatement.

Here is what I know. The 3760mAh battery inside the DROID Turbo 2 will last you for a really, really, really long time. As you'll see in the included screenshots, I was typically pushing close to 3 hours of screen on time in a day, with the phone registering my cell connection as either yellow or orange (which is terrible), and I still was lasting through until the next morning. On lighter days, I would go to bed with 40% battery remaining. And that's with this horrific Verizon connection! It almost excites me to think that someone could own this phone and have a solid green connection to a Verizon tower throughout a day. It may actually last the 48 hours that Motorola and Verizon say it will. For those curious, here is a screenshot of my GSAM stats for the past week.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Display We already talked about this phone's display being shatterproof, but that spec is almost its own category. When the conversation is done, you still need to know whether or not this shatterproof grouping of pixels is even worth looking at. I'll just have to say that my feelings are somewhat mixed, though mostly good. On one front, the display has super impressive viewing angles, so you can consume whatever is on your screen from almost any angle. It also gets really dark and is great if you spend a lot of time in low-light settings and want to keep your retinas intact. But, its brightness levels aren't great. So while you can see the phone when it's laying off to your side at your desk or dim it nicely in dark situations, you may struggle to see it clearly when in any sort of ultra-bright scenario (like in sunlight). The display is also, at least in person (the images below don't show it), quite warm and almost yellowish to my eye. It's just not that clean, crispness you see with a Samsung display, especially when you are viewing anything white, like the Droid Life site. I would typically prefer a cooler temperature to displays and so this turns me off some. Overall, though, I've enjoyed the 5.4-inch P-OLED panel here. It certainly has its issues, but still performs much better than I had anticipated. As a first attempt at using a Plastic OLED display, Motorola did a pretty decent job.

Design Design is always a personal taste thing, so excuse me for being blunt here in saying that the white version of the Turbo 2 is about the ugliest phone I have ever seen. Actually, I should clarify that by saying that the front of the white version is the ugliest phone I have ever seen. Because of the excessive amount of IR sensors and cameras and flashes and other sensors and speakers and split speakers and that f*cking Verizon check mark, there is just no helping this phone. It's ugly. It's really ugly. Here, look at it.

Now, I don't know that I would say the same for the black version. The black front still has all of those same sensors and such, but most of it is hidden by the fact that it blends in with the black coloring. Sure, you'll still have that disgusting Verizon check at the bottom and that ridiculously dumb split speaker setup, but you will be able to live with it. What I'm trying to say here is that if you plan to buy a Turbo 2, avoid the white version and a 2-year period of being ridiculed by me. As for the rest of the phone, it's not half bad. You have those leather, ballistic nylon, or soft touch backs, a full metal frame, and nice contour to the backside. My review unit is a soft touch white and it feels great, just like it does on the Moto X Pure Edition. The phone is probably slightly too wide for my hand, though, plus that massive chin where the Verizon logo sits makes for a phone that is often awkward to handle. Like with the display, the overall design here is a mixed bag. The Turbo 2 is built well, but man, Verizon and Motorola sure aren't trying to win any pretty awards with it. Software Updates Motorola has pissed off a good handful of customers over the past 12 months, with most of the anger stemming from slow, or in some cases lack thereof, software updates. I penned a piece recently on the subject, but the basics are this. Ever since Lenovo officially took over for Motorola, they have gone from the best in the business at updating their phones to about the worst. Part of the whole issue centers around last year's DROID Turbo, where Motorola took 7-8 months to get the phone updated to Android Lollipop. They've also recently cut out updates for some of their carrier devices after only being a year old. It's a bad situation all around. Unfortunately, Motorola hasn't even attempted to make the situation better by being open about their plans going forward. So here we are with this shiny new DROID Turbo 2, which is running Lollipop. I point that out because, well, Google released Android 6.0 Marshmallow about a month before Verizon and Motorola announced their new DROID phones, yet all Motorola would tell us is that this phone is "updatable" to it. Keep in mind that HTC announced a phone the week before the Turbo 2 and MAXX 2 that runs Android 6.0 and also told us to expect updates within 15 days of Nexus phones going forward. But again, Motorola would only go as far as to say, "updatable." This phone will more than likely get Android 6.0 at some point, I don't think there are any doubts there. But we are pointing it out and knocking Motorola a bit for it because it's anyone's guess as to when that will be. We also don't know how long Motorola and Verizon plan to support the phone, give it updates, or care to tell anyone about any of that.

The Not-so-Good

Verizon Exclusivity People are continuing to ask if Verizon's DROID line of phones still has any meaning or level of importance. Honestly, I don't really care because it's just a phone. Those conversations are for talking head journos who need to feel important by having a hot take on Twitter. I just want to know if these DROID phones are still good phones. As it turns out, this Turbo 2, like the original Turbo, is a pretty awesome phone. My only problem with it being a DROID, is that only Verizon customers get to experience it. Motorola is selling an unlocked version called the Moto X Force, but it's only available outside of the US and that's too bad. In the end, I can sit here and tell you that this is a phone you should consider, but if you aren't attached to Big Red, I'm almost hoping you didn't even read this far in the review. No Fingerprint Reader Not having a fingerprint reader isn't the end of the world, but it's time for Motorola to start adding them into phones. I know that they ditched the idea of using fingerprint readers after the supplier they planned to use with the Nexus 6 was bought by Apple, but countless companies have now shown that they are capable of putting good fingerprint readers in phones. Google's new Nexus phones have the best in the industry, if you ask me. So again, not having one isn't the end of the world, though we would prefer that flagship level phones have them. They provide a level of security without compromising the user experience and also fit nicely in a world that could soon be dominated by mobile payments.

Bloatware I counted at least 23 bloatware that I found were immediately in need of a disabling or uninstall. Twenty-three. At one point, the DROID brand stood for pure Android, power, and being better than the competition. When you boot up a DROID today, it feels like it's nothing but a greasy advertisement for all of Verizon's shit services.

Other Notes

Wireless charging: This phone has wireless charging! That's kind of odd, just because it has such a massive battery and would take about 5 hours to fully charge. I don't actually know the time, but I don't really even want to try. I guess you could keep a wireless charger by your bed and charge at night or something and go that route, to charge over a long period of time where you don't need your phone. Otherwise, you are almost always better offer using the phone's included Turbo Charger.
Call quality: Hey, as always, nothing to report here! I promise, one day, I'll find a phone with a terrible speaker and the call quality is something to complain about. For now, just know that all is well in Moto DROID Big Red land. Call away, 70 year olds!

Video

Unboxing

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Gallery

The Verdict

Do I think you should buy the DROID Turbo 2? I don't think you would be disappointed if you did go that route. The phone is fast - really fast. It has all of the rest of the specs you need in a modern flagship phone, as well, but it's also built to last. The freakin' thing is shatterproof, folks, shatterproof. That's a big deal for a lot of people. You can also design your own, refresh that design in a few months when you get bored of the first design, never worry about finding a charger again during your commute home, snap quality photos, and enjoy mostly stock Android. Just understand that if you buy this phone, you are putting your software future in the hands of Motorola and Verizon, which haven't exactly proven to be capable in recent months. That could change going forward, of course, and we hope that it does. This is a phone that should be experienced without drama.

Moto G (3rd Gen) Marshmallow Soak Test Update Might Have Started

Tim — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 10:19:10 +0000

According to a user on Google+, the Moto G (3rd Gen) is starting to receive its Android 6.0 Marshmallow soak test, which means a thorough rollout could be right around the corner. As stated by the owner, the update appeared early this morning, containing the updated OS. Inside Marshmallow, users will have the new Doze feature, Now on Tap, an updated camera UI experience (if you down the Google Camera app), and the updated app permissions system. As shown in the screenshot, this build is MPI24, while current Motorola devices on Lollipop start with "L." Right now, the timing makes sense, since Moto X Pure Edition owners having been testing Marshmallow since mid-October, which Motorola did confirm. Plus, the Moto G (3rd Gen) is on Motorola's list of devices that will receive Android 6.0. Once Motorola announces an official rollout of the update for all, we shall let you know. Any Moto G (3rd Gen) owners here excited for a bit of Marshmallow?

Via: +Atharv Unde

Cheers Terry!

Moto Shop Boutique Pops Up in Downtown Chicago, Opens November 7

Tim — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 08:49:39 +0000

Motorola announced the Moto Shop this morning, a pop up "experiential boutique" right in downtown Chicago. The reason for this shop is pretty straightforward. As we all know, shopping online makes purchasing goods very convenient, but Motorola would prefer a more personal experience, especially when it comes to smartphones and smartwatches. That is why, right in time for the holiday shopping season, folks in the Chicago area can check out new Motorola products in-person. Inside the shop, you will find all of Motorola's latest gadgets and gizmos, including the Moto X Pure Edition, Moto 360 (2nd Gen), and even the new DROID Turbo 2. To help demonstrate the DROID Turbo 2's shatterproof display, it appears Motorola will even let you drop the device on a surface of your choosing, including hardwood, tile, cement, and blacktop pavement. For smartwatch shoppers, Motorola will have all of the Moto Maker customization options on display for the Moto 360 (2nd Gen), which we assume you can order in-store and will then ship to your house. The same goes for the Moto X Pure Edition, as it is hard to find that device anywhere to check out in-person. If you happen to live in the Chicago area, the Moto Shop will open this upcoming Saturday, November 7. A grand opening celebration is taking place on November 14. Moto Shop is located at 108 N. State St. (Suite 140 at Block 37) and will be open 10 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday.

Via: Motorola

Googler is Fighting the USB Type-C Cable Battle for You, Highlights Good and Bad on Amazon

Kellen — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 08:00:12 +0000

You know how Google adopted USB Type-C with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and included the soon-to-be super convenient port in its new Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X? As we have mentioned a couple of times now, the future with Type-C will be great, it's just that there is going to be this transitional period where it might get a bit messy first. Take for example the charging situation we documented just after each phone was released. Charger manufacturers haven't been able to create new chargers that match not only the 5V/3A current that Google used with its phones, but they are also struggling to adopt the proper USB Type-C standard with cables. To help save you some money and potentially prevent something "dangerous" from happening, Googler Benson Leung is documenting and reviewing a bunch of the 3rd party USB Type-C cables that can be found on Amazon. Leung is a Google software engineer whose team at Google has "been very big proponents and innovators of USB Type-C" and knows what he is talking about when it comes to Type-C. In fact, he has specifically worked on a couple of Pixel devices (new Chromebook Pixel has Type-C ports) that use Type-C, so he is quite familiar with it and its standards. Leung has made available a list of reviews through his Amazon page that either recommends or calls-out cable makers who are doing it right or wrong. In a G+ post he sent out to a variety of communities yesterday, he mentions that he has "gotten fed up with the early cables from 3rd party vendors that so blatantly flaunt the specification" and wants to "hold them to task." After looking through his least, you'll find cables like this one from Belkin and this one from iOrange-E as those that are "spec compliant" and reviewed well. But you will also see adapters (like this one) and other cables that you should steer clear of. On a related note, Leung says that the OnePlus USB Type-C cables should be avoided because they are "out of spec" and also "use an incorrect 3A configuration." Ouch. You can see the rest of his Amazon reviews at the source link below.

Via: +Benson Leung

Cheers @bgnyer!

Fallout C.H.A.T. App Brings New Emoji and GIFs for All Survivors

Tim — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 15:50:47 +0000

Are you excited about Fallout 4? If not, well, you should be. It's gearing up to be a major launch, and if you are hyped like the rest of the world, then you should check out Fallout C.H.A.T., an app released to Google Play by the good folks at Bethesda. While it seems that the developers describe this as a messaging app, don't be misled. It is basically an image database, filled with tons of emoji and GIFs that you can share through whichever app you choose. You can type text, add emoji, then convert whatever you make into a sharable image through Hangouts, Gmail, or whatever app you use. For me personally, the text and emoji are not great, but the GIFs are stellar. For GIFs, you have a savior, TNT exploder, octopus-like humanoid creature, and a ton of other fun moving images to share with friends. All of your friends will be jealous, no doubt. The app is completely free to download on Google Play. Play Link

Deal: Tronsmart Quick Charge 2.0 Wall Charger Just $6.99 With Coupon

Kellen — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 13:57:29 +0000

Even though the whole Nexus 5X/6P charging situation with USB Type-C and Quick Charge 2.0 is kind of messy, we know that not all of you bought a new Nexus and more than likely have a phone that fully supports Qualcomm's fast charging technology. For those in that category, here is a solid deal on a Tronsmart single QC 2.0 wall adapter. For just $6.99, after coupon code is applied, you can add to your charger library and outfit any remaining rooms in your house in need of the juice. The charger retails for $14.99, so you are getting a pretty steep discount. Not only that, but even after the discount is applied, the $6.99 charger still qualifies for Prime shipping. Amazon Link Use code "UQ9S44HS" at checkout. A 6ft USB cable is included.

If You Received a DM on Twitter From Verizon Offering a $50 Gift Card, Don't Worry, It's Legit

Tim — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:21:48 +0000

If you entered into the DROID Seeker game last week, where Verizon was giving away 200 DROID Turbo 2 smartphones, you may have encountered problems. Queues were jacked up, people were skipping other players, and folks were generally not happy with the experience. To help apologize for any poor experiences, Verizon is direct messaging users on Twitter, offering them a $50 gift card for use on whatever they want. Naturally, as Verizon did not publicly announce they would be doing this, we got many emails asking if these gift cards were in fact legit, and not some type of scam. The messages on Twitter were coming from the verified @Verizon account, so we reached out to Verizon PR for official word, and received the following message.

It is true and Verizon did offer $50 gift cards to customers who experienced technical difficulties while trying to participate.

Now that we all know the $50 is legit, try not to spend it all in one place.

Buyable Pins and the Pinterest Shop Come to Pinterest App on Android

Kellen — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:15:14 +0000

The Pinterest app on Android is receiving an update this week that introduces Buyable Pins, a feature that arrived on iOS over the summer that allows you to quickly buy the items "you love right in the Pinterest app." The idea here is that when you find products you want on Pinterest, you shouldn't have to leave the Pinterest app to get them. With Buyable Pins, you'll find some 60 million items that can be bought right from the Pinterest app. They show as blue buttons and make it clear whether or not you can buy an item and at what price. The checkout process happens within the app through a couple of taps, all of which is secure. Companies like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus are already on board, along with "thousands" more through platforms like Shopify and Demandware. Along with Buyable Pins, Pinterest is also launching the Pinterest Shop. This new Shop is the "best of Pinterest" and features hand-picked collections from popular brands and small boutiques. All of this new-ness arrives this week on Android. Play Link

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Via: Pinterest

Sling TV Adds Chromecast Support

Tim — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:34:31 +0000

Finally, and I feel that word should be emphasized, finally, Sling TV now supports Chromecast. Sling TV is the TV streaming service that urges folks to "Take Back TV." When you subscribe, you get access to a basic list of channels in HD available for streaming, and the more you pay per month, the more channels you get. The service launched with no Chromecast support, but now, thanks to an update, Chromecast dongle owners can stream the service directly to their HDTV without the need of a computer or console device. When Sling TV first launched, it seemed many potential customers were going to hold off until Chromecast support was available, and now, it has come. To celebrate, owners of a Chromecast can get a free 2-month trial to the service. If you don't have a subscription or a Chromecast, you can pre-pay for three months of service, and receive a free Chromecast. And you should note, these are 2nd Gen Chromecast devices, not 1st Gen. The basic plan on Sling TV runs $20 a month, giving access to the top channels like ESPN, AMC, A&E, TNT, HISTORY, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, and Adult Swim. Anyone here using Sling TV? How do you like it?

Via: Sling TV [2]

Twitter Ditches Favorites, Replaces With Hearts, Calls Them "Likes"

Tim — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:50:53 +0000

Twitter announced this morning that it is ditching Favorites, a feature that has been built into the service for years. Favorites allowed users to place a star on a tweet, so they could show tweeters how much they liked the tweet, or to save it for later reading. Now, instead of Favorites, you will Heart tweets, and we will all call them "Likes." You know, because I wasn't already liking enough content on social media. The change is taking place immediately, with rollout happening today across all platforms. This includes changing Favorites to Hearts on the iOS and Android apps, through Tweetdeck, and the Vine Android app. Apparently, Twitter was looking for a more unified system, and since Hearts have become so popular on Periscope, they figured why not bring them to Twitter. This is Twitter's explanation for the change.

We are changing our star icon for favorites to a heart and we’ll be calling them likes. We want to make Twitter easier and more rewarding to use, and we know that at times the star could be confusing, especially to newcomers.

If you rock Twitter, expect to see the change today.

You can say a lot with a heart. Introducing a new way to show how you feel on Twitter: https://t.co/WKBEmORXNW pic.twitter.com/G4ZGe0rDTP
— Twitter (@twitter) November 3, 2015

Via: Twitter

Deal: Get a Nexus 9 Directly From HTC for 40% Off, 16GB Already Sold Out

Tim — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:12:45 +0000

HTC is hosting yet another Tuesday deal, this time for the Nexus 9 tablet. The deal is for 40% off a unit, leaving the 32GB model priced at $287 and the 32GB with LTE priced at $360. This deal is so hot, the 16GB is already sold out, but if it does pop back up, you can grab it for only $239. If you need a new tablet, you can't go wrong with one that will receive timely updates from Google. Follow the link below. Deal Link

Pushbullet Gets Updated for Marshmallow With Direct Share and Runtime Permissions Support

Kellen — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:03:07 +0000

Pushbullet, a multi-platform device-to-device sharing app we use numerous times throughout the day, is receiving an update today that gets it all sorts of cozy with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and its new features. The update introduces support for runtime permissions and Direct Share, so you not only get to specify to Pushbullet which permissions of your device that it can access, you can also now share even quicker. With runtime permissions, Pushbullet will now ask for your permission to do things like view your SMS messages, contacts, phone, and storage. Pushbullet is actually asking during the setup process, for access to these permissions, so you can allow or deny upfront. As for the Direct Share addition, this should now make for easier and faster sharing. With Direct Share in Android 6.0, developers are able to specify targets in the share menu, so if you have Pushbullet enabled, rather than just seeing a list of apps to share items through, you should also start seeing shortcuts to specific items in Pushbullet that you might want to share with. Take for example the image above, which shows a web page being shared. You get the familiar app sharing menu at the bottom, but on top of it there are quick shortcuts for sharing to all of your device in Pushbullet, sharing to Chrome, your PC, and a specific device in the Nexus 7. The Pushbullet team also says that these Direct Share options should get smarter over time, through additional updates. The update should be live shortly if it isn't already. Play Link

Inbox's New "Smart Reply" Feature Helps You Respond to Emails Faster

Kellen — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 07:17:49 +0000

Through an update rolling out to Google's Inbox later this week, Google is introducing a new feature called Smart Reply. As the name sort of suggests, Google thinks that it has cracked some form of machine learning voodoo, which has enabled it to offer you short, quick responses to emails that could potentially save you a lot of time and typing. Think of how keyboards, like Google's or Swiftkey, predict the next word you are typing or are about to type. Google now wants to do that on a grander scale, that scale being email. You can see two examples (in GIF form!) below, where Inbox has essentially scanned the email you are are reading and is then offering you three responses that may fit the conversation. These responses aren't just canned quick phrases, like you would see in a text messaging app or if you want to auto-respond after hanging up on someone. These seem to be related to the actual email, so that you can either respond and move on or at least get the response started before typing out a longer email. Of course, they should get smarter with time depending on the phrases you do or do not choose. I would attempt to explain to you how all these machine learning, behind-the-scenes magic works, but I would likely fail. If you want to read more, Google published a research post on pair of recurrent neural networks powering this whole Smart Reply System that can be read right here. Again, the update is arriving "later this week." We'll let you know as soon as it shows up. Play Link

Via: Gmail Blog

Monday Poll: Which New Phone Did You Buy?

Kellen — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 16:10:08 +0000

How many amazing phones have been released within the last three or four months? Seriously, think about it for a second. We got the Moto X Pure Edition, Galaxy Note 5, and the new iPhones around the same time. Then Google introduced the Nexus 6P and 5X, before LG could show off the V10. And even more recently, Motorola gave us two new DROIDs in the Turbo 2 and MAXX 2, plus the HTC One A9 snuck in there. There are amazing choices for phones everywhere you look, from every major manufacturer. So in today's poll, we are keeping it simple. Which of the new phones introduced in recent months did you buy or are considering buying? If you want, feel to tell everyone why, as we get asked constantly which phone we would recommend. Because we trust the reader voice, we would appreciate your feedback as a place to direct readers from time to time. [poll id="381"]

Deal: 2-Pack of Monster Digital Super Speed OTG Flash Drives, $25

Tim — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 14:38:13 +0000

Through a deal taking place on the DL Deals Store, you can grab a 2-pack of Monster Digital Super Speed OTG 32GB and 64GB flash drives for just $25, down from their MSRP of $85. On Amazon, a similar pack is available for $27, but only offers two 32GB drives, no 64GB. Featuring a data transfer speed of 80MB a second, owners can utilize the OTG aspect of these drives, hooking them up to Android smartphones for insanely quick data transferring or for external drives. They feature metal exteriors, as well as protective caps so no pocket lint gets caught inside. Oh, did I mention you can buy them in either black or pink? Pink! Features

Ultra-fast 80 MB/s data transfer speed
Plenty of storage: 64GB & 32GB drives
32GB OTG drive allows you to plug in, transfer or stream content to & from your Android device
External drive for Android smartphones & tablets
Speedy transfers without cables, computers or Wi-Fi
Sleek, metal exteriors to protect against impact
Protective caps
Windows, Android & Mac compatibility
Advanced error correction for data security
Slim design
Streaming functionality (plug-in & stream videos directly from the stick)

Deal Link

Deal: Save $50 on the Huawei Watch When You Buy the Nexus 6P From Huawei

Kellen — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 13:20:41 +0000

Were considering the Nexus 6P from Huawei, but also might be in the market for an Android Wear watch? If you buy your Nexus 6P directly from Huawei, they will slash $50 off your purchase of a Huawei Watch too. Yep, if you buy your 6P from Huawei, they are willing to discount their own watch, as long as you don't want the gold version. The discount will be automatically applied once both items are in your cart. The deal also appears to be a US-only thing, and as I just mentioned, doesn't include the gold version of the Huawei Watch. Huawei Store Link Note: Ugh, the shipping estimates from Huawei's site say "early to mid-December." That's a bit unfortunate.

Cheers Tony!

ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser Announced, Available Today Starting at $199

Tim — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 12:40:28 +0000

ASUS has a new device for sale this week, the ZenFone 2 Laser, starting at just $199. For that low price, buyers will get a 5.5" Full HD IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 3GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera with "laser" auto focus, 16GB of storage 3,000 mAh battery, and Android 5.0 "Lollipop." For $50 more, priced at $249, you can purchase a 32GB model. Other noteworthy features of the ZenFone 2 are a removable battery, scratch-resistant screen, and dual-SIM slots that both support LTE. More importantly, you won't need to wait a long time to purchase this phone, as listings are already up on the top online retailer websites, including B&H, Amazon, and Newegg. From what we are seeing, the device is not quite live yet for purchase, but should be very soon. For $199+, this is not a bad option for anyone looking to purchase an unlocked device they can use for travel, thanks to the advantage of dual LTE SIM support. Even with the Snapdragon 615, the benefit of 3GB of RAM should become apparent when handling multitasking, although ASUS still bakes in quite a heavy skin on top of Android 5.0+. If you would like to buy this phone, follow one of the links below. Purchase Links: Newegg Link | Amazon Link | B&H

Via: ASUS

New Marshmallow and Lollipop Factory Images Posted for Most Nexus Devices (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 12:11:49 +0000

Google just posted a whole bunch of new factory images for its line of Nexus devices, likely as November's monthly security update (Yep, here are the details.). We have both Android 6.0 Marshmallow and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop images, depending on the device, of course. This is what we are seeing as new:

Nexus 6P: MDB08L, MDB08M
Nexus 5X: MDB08L, MDB08M
Nexus 6: LVY48I, LMY48Y, LMY48X, LYZ28N, MRA58N, MRA58R
Nexus Player: MRA58N
Nexus 9 LTE: LMY48X, MRA58N
Nexus 9 WiFi: MRA58N
Nexus 5: MRA58N
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi: MRA58V
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE: LMY48X, MRA58V
Nexus 10: LMY48X

Note: Any build with an "L" at the front is Lollipop; "M" builds are Marshmallow. You can download all of the new builds at Google's factory image page. If you need instructions on how to flash factory images, here you go. Update: Since November 2, Google has posted numerous additional factory images for a variety of devices. We've updated the list.

Google: Chrome OS Isn't Being Phased Out, $85 Chromebit Launching in Couple Weeks

Kellen — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 11:50:48 +0000

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Google would soon fold Chrome OS into Android and unveil a single operating system to rule them all within the next two years. Google, since the report first stole headlines, has come out to deny such claims. Well, they have at least said that they have "no plan to phase out Chrome OS." In a blog post penned today to the Chrome Blog, SVP of Android, Chrome OS, and Chromecast, Hiroshi Lockheimer, states that they are certainly working to bring together the best of both operating systems, but that's about as far as he would go. He also didn't exact deny much, other than the quote above about not phasing Chrome OS out. Instead, the blog posts talks about the success of Chrome OS, it's scheduled updates, how it is transforming classrooms and that 30,000 new Chromebooks are activated every school day. He even announced that "dozens" of new Chromebooks would arrive in 2016. In general, it sounds like Chrome OS is here to stay, for the time being. As that original WSJ report mentioned, 2017 is the frame for things to get fun, though. The next 12 months or so will be key to watch if you are still buying into one operating system from Google going forward. On a related note, the ASUS Chromebit, which is a full computer in the shape of a candy bar, will launch in the next couple of weeks or $85. You may remember this device from an announcement back in March. It's basically an HDMI dongle that plugs into any monitor to give turn that screen into a computer. Cool, right? So that's the news. Chrome OS isn't being phased out...for now...or something.

Via: Chrome Blog

Deal: Buy a Moto X (2nd Gen) on Amazon for Only $199

Tim — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 10:57:16 +0000

For those in need of a good deal, you can grab a Moto X (2nd Gen) on Amazon for just $199. There are currently three options available to purchase - 16GB with Black Leather back, 16GB with Black Soft Touch back, and 16GB White front with Bamboo wood back. The devices are new, meaning you won't open the box to find a used, refurbished phone inside. Each model available is Unlocked, so they will work just fine AT&T and T-Mobile networks. As for the $199 price, it's not bad for a phone that we declared was Phone of the Year in 2014. It features a solid 5.2" AMOLED display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, and 2,300mAh battery. One thing to note, these models do not appear to be "Pure Editions," meaning they could be unlocked AT&T models. If this is the case, you may not see an update for Marshmallow, as Motorola has yet to announce plans to update carrier branded models of the Moto X (2nd Gen). Follow the link below if you are interested in picking one up. Amazon Link

T-Mobile Introduces CellSpot, a Free In-Home 4G LTE Tower

Tim — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 10:03:06 +0000

Regardless of which carrier you are on, there is no doubt you have found a spot where you lose signal. If that place happens to be your home, then that's no good, but if you are on T-Mobile, the UnCarrier now has a complete solution for you. Announced today, customers on a Simple Choice plan can receive a 4G LTE CellSpot free of charge, for use in your home or business. For anyone who has an Internet connection and lives within T-Mobile wireless spectrum, the CellSpot is essentially a tiny LTE tower that lives inside of your home, powering up to 16 calls simultaneously. And this is not a watered down version of T-Mobile's network, either. It's the full experience, offering VoLTE, Video Calling, HD Voice, and Advanced Messaging. According to the specs of the CellSpot, it has enough juice to deliver signal across 3,000 square feet. The CellSpot is completely free to operate for those already on a Simple Choice plan. To get one, all you need to do is place a $25 deposit, then hook it up. Again, all you need for it to work properly is a broadband Internet connection, and live within T-Mobile's operating area. Customers can pick up one of these towers at participating T-Mobile locations on November 4. For additional information, look here.

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Via: T-Mobile

Gear S2 and Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE With NumberSync Available November 6 at AT&T

Kellen — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 09:23:26 +0000

November 6 is shaping up to be a big day for AT&T. Not only are they launching the HTC One A9 and Blackberry Priv, but they are also kicking off sales of two connected wearables, the Samsung Gear S2 and LG G Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE. These two watches will be the first to utilize AT&T's NumberSync, a service that allows you to "keep your mobile number with you even if you phone isn't." The Gear S2, Samsung's round smartwatch that runs Tizen and has a rotatable bezel (our hands-on), will cost $15 per month for 20 months ($0 down) or $199 with a 2-year contract. You can add service to it for $10 per month. The Gear S2 will be available in-store on November 20. The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE (holy shit with the ridiculous name, LG), the massive LG watch that has a 570mAh battery and LTE connectivity (more here), will cost the same at $15 per month for 20 months or $199 with a 2-year agreement. The same $10 monthly service charge is also a part of the deal. The Watch Urbane LTE will be available in-store on November 13. As a recap on NumberSync, this is AT&T's new service that aims to sync all of your devices together. So with wearables, you can leave your primary phone at home, but stay connected through a connect wearable, almost as if it were your phone. You can text, receive calls, and do a variety of other tasks that would relate to your phone number without having your primary phone handy. NumberSync will be available "first on the Samsung Gear S2, and then the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition in early 2016." Interested in either watch?

Via: AT&T

OnePlus Intros Warranty Program for Europe and India, Coming Soon to North America

Tim — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 09:10:26 +0000

Announced this morning, OnePlus is "taking the next step" to improve customer care and services. Official for Europe and India, OnePlus is set to release a warranty/insurance program for device purchasers, allowing them to cover breakage, liquid damage, cracked screens, and accidental damage. The insurance program, backed by simplesurance, must be purchased alongside your shiny OnePlus device, which means, all existing owners are out of luck. For those is supported regions, if you purchased your device in the past 15 days of the insurance program availability, you can still opt-in to receive the protection. To be clear, pretty much anyone who has already purchased a OnePlus 2 or OnePlus One is not eligible for this program. At the time of this announcement, OnePlus does not seem to be quite ready for a warranty program in North America, but the company does say, "stay tuned," as they are partnering with an "esteemed brand" for a US launch. For those here hoping to purchase a OnePlus X this month, hopefully OnePlus has something for you by the time invites start rolling out. At a glance, pricing for Europe breaks down like this - 12 months at €39.99 and 24 months for €64.99. As soon as OnePlus announces its plans for North America, we shall update you.

Via: OnePlus

Blackberry Priv Arrives at AT&T on November 6

Kellen — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 08:14:39 +0000

If you were turned off at the unlocked price of the Blackberry Priv when it went up for pre-order a couple of weeks ago, I can't say I blame you. After all, this is Blackberry's first real Android device and we all have a right to be a bit skeptical at the execution here from a company whose struggles have been well-documented in recent years. So if you were instead waiting for some official carrier attachment to hopefully help cut that cost, we now have it. AT&T announced this morning that it will be the first US carrier to carry the Priv, starting this Friday, November 6. The Priv will cost $249 with a 2-year contract or you can buy it one of AT&T's various Next plans, with monthly payments starting as low as $24.67. As a recap, the Blackberry Priv sports a 5.4-inch QHD curved AMOLED display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 18MP camera with OIS, 3410mAh battery (with Quick Charge 2.0 and wireless charging), 32GB storage with micro SD slot, 3GB RAM, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, and that slideout keyboard that you all seem to want so badly. The full specs can be seen here. We don't know yet when the Priv will come to other carriers. As of now, this appears to be a short-term AT&T exclusive.

Via: AT&T

HTC One A9 Available Today From AT&T

Kellen — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 07:04:44 +0000

The new HTC One A9 can be purchased today from AT&T's online shop before arriving in retail stores this Friday, November 6. The new "flagship" from HTC in either Carbon Gray or Opal Silver runs $99.99 with a 2-year contract or starts for as low as $0 down with monthly payments of $17.34. As a recap, this is HTC's iPhone 6 clone that has a 5-inch 1080p display, 13MP camera with OIS, Snapdragon 617 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage with micro SD card support, 2150mAh battery, fingerprint reader, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow underneath HTC's Sense. We recently reviewed the the One A9 and came away mostly impressed by the overall package. If you take away the "abysmal" battery life, you might be looking at HTC's best phone in years, one that may even compete for phone of the year. The phone is also now up for pre-order at Sprint. Pre-order Links: AT&T | Sprint

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Via: AT&T

Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X

Kellen — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 19:42:40 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we have two major topics before getting into a couple of new phones. Those two topics happen to be our Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X reviews, since we finally finished and posted them moments ago. We'll share thoughts on which we like the best, if we would recommend one or the other, and if one (hint, hint) may even qualify as phone of the year. After that, well, we'll dive into our first impressions of Motorola and Verizon's new phones, the DROID Turbo 2 and MAXX 2, the HTC One A9, and the OnePlus X. We have spent time with them all and will have reviews up soon. We will kick the show off live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM 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: October 30, 2015

Kellen — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 16:00:33 +0000

We just finished the week in Android in pretty crazy fashion. Not only did we spend the week with new phones like the DROID Turbo 2 and OnePlus X, but we just published our Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and HTC One A9 reviews to give you all the reading material you could ask for this weekend. While you sit creepily on your front porch in the dark, with the light off, so that the kiddies don't stop and ask for candy, you can also decide which phone is your next. I don't want to spoil anything, but let's just say that there are two phones we came away very high on, and they might not be the two you expected. Once you are done there, be sure to catch up on our Turbo 2, Maxx 2, and OnePlus X coverage, get hyped for the Priv, and consider the idea of Chrome OS being folded into Android. It could happen...maybe. These are the stories of the week on Android.

WATCH: Droid Life Show episode 97 | Subscribe
Review: Nexus 6P
Review: Nexus 5X
Review: HTC One A9
DROID Turbo and Maxx 2 announced | Unboxing and tour | Gallery | Specs [2]
OnePlus X announced for $249 | Our hands-on and tour. | Specs
Blackberry Priv gets an official feature tour video.
Why the Blackberry Priv matters.
Google may fold Chrome OS into Android, on some level.
Wallpapers: Backdrops is a sweet new app.
Free apps: Amazon has $70 in freebies to celebrate Halloween.
YouTube Red is now available!
Google Play Music is getting podcasts!

Trick, trick.

Friday App Sales: Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies, Ice Rage: Hockey, and More

Tim — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 15:29:45 +0000

No plans for Halloween? Boo. Well, in case you might find yourself bored, there are a ton of apps and games currently on sale through Google Play, apparently to celebrate the spooky holiday. A few of the darker-themed games available at a discounted price include Call of Duty: Blacks Ops Zombies, Grim Legends 2, Elder Sign: Omens, Forever Lost, Zombies, Run!, and bit Dungeon. For apps that are not spooky games, available on sale is 7 Minute Superhero Workout, Paper Artist, Dual SIM Selector Pro, and Ice Rage: Hockey Check out the full list below. Friday App Sales

Zombies, Run! 5K Training ($0.99)
The Walk: Fitness Tracker Game ($0.99)
7 Minute Superhero Workout ($0.99)
Forever Lost: Episode 1 HD ($0.99)
Alice in Wonderland HD ($1.99)
RAM Manager Pro ($0.99)
Elder Sign: Omens ($0.99)
Magicka ($1.79)
Meld ($0.99)
Paper Artist ($0.99)
Fairy Tale Mysteries ($1.99)
Grim Legends 2 ($1.49)
Time Mysteries 2 ($0.99)
Deadly Puzzles ($0.99)
Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies ($1.99)
Call of Duty: Strike Team ($1.99)
Talisman ($2.54)
King of Dragon Pass ($4.99)
AntiSquad Tactics Premium ($2.99)
Ice Rage: Hockey ($0.99)
Plancon: Space Conflict ($1.49)
Inbetween Land ($0.99)
Dual SIM Selector Pro ($0.99)
Greedy Spiders 2 ($0.49)
bit Dungeon ($0.99)

Go support those developers!

HTC One A9 Review

Ron — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:51:41 +0000

The HTC One A9 has received a lot of attention for looking a lot like the iPhone, and rightfully so. It looks a lot like the iPhone, but there's a lot more to the phone than that. This isn't an iPhone running Android; it's an HTC phone through and through. The A9 feels like the culmination of everything that HTC began to do back in 2013 with the release of the original HTC One (M7). HTC has come a long way since then and it shows in the A9. This is our HTC One A9 review.

The Good

Camera HTC has had a mixed legacy with their cameras. If you’re reading Droid Life then you probably know that history so I won’t rehash it here. The One A9 does not continue that legacy. The A9’s camera is totally worth being your everyday camera if you’re the kind of person who publishes your photos on Instagram and Facebook and only ever looks at them on your phone. If you’re the kind of person who wants to have amazing photos that look great on large prints or blown up then you’re better off using an actual camera, but that will always be the case. Smartphones are great everyday cameras, but they’ll never be used for serious photography like weddings or baby pictures. HTC has done a good job to simplify its camera app over the years and it does such a great job with lighting and white balance that I was never tempted to use third party camera apps. Macro shots are easy to take with excellent depth of field. While there is a lot of vignetting when taking macros it only serves to better highlight your subject. In incredibly low light conditions you won’t be able to take a great image, but that’s the case with any camera; cameras capture light. I did find that HTC’s phase detection works pretty well, but it did have more trouble in lower light situations and sometimes with macros. After a little hunting you’re usually able to capture a spectacular shot, though. All in all I think this is one of the best cameras available on an Android phone. I would definitely stack it against the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6.

The front facing camera is also excellent, beating out that found in the Galaxy Note 5 and S6. Where selfies on the Galaxies tend to look overly smooth even with "Beauty Mode" turned off, the A9 looks sharp. The rear camera on the One A9 performs well in great light and it does an admirable job in low light. The phone defaults to capturing 10 MP images at 16:9 ratio, but you can switch it to 13.1 MP with a 4:3 ratio. I would lean towards using the higher resolution and then cropping afterward so you make sure you get everything you want in the shot and then some. The one problem with the camera on the A9 is if there is a bright source of light in the shot then the shot gets washed out. Below you can see a comparison of how the iPhone handles having this lamp in the shot on the left and how the A9 handles it. This isn't a new problem (it's a result of the A9 trying to take in as much light as possible), but it's disappointing to see that the issue still hasn't been resolved. Video, which is limited to 1080p, looks great on the A9. While some other phones include higher resolutions for video, I think 1080p is still fine for today, especially with sensors this size. Optical image stabilization helps keep videos smooth and HTC has included Hyperlapse, which can speed up a longer video to make it easier to share (view a sample here). Unfortunately Hyperlapse only goes down to 2X meaning you can’t use it like Instagram Hyperlapse to downsample super smooth video, but it’s still a handy addition to the camera software. Display and Size The A9 sports a 5 inch 1080p display. It turns out it’s pretty hard to ship a phone in 2015 with a bad display. The viewing angles are great, colors look accurate, and pixels are impossible to see. I never had trouble reading the display unless I was in very bright, direct sunlight, but that’s the case for pretty much any display. Even though the One A9’s display isn’t an eye-piercing 5K, it’s great for a display of this size. The size of the A9 is pretty typical for Android phones today: it's big. While taller than the iPhone 6s, I actually found it was just as easy to use. In short, if you're used to large Android phones then you shouldn't have any trouble with the A9. Tap to wake is available on the device, but I found it worked inconsistently. If you just want to unlock your phone I'd recommend just using the fingerprint scanner; if you want to view notifications hit the power button or tap the fingerprint scanner quickly to get the screen to light up but not unlock.

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Fingerprint Scanner The fingerprint scanner setup looks and feels like most other implementations. When you enable it you’re required to have a pin or password as a backup security method and then you press your finger on the scanner about a dozen times. Once set up the fingerprint scanner works incredibly fast. I’m glad HTC finally got this right. This wasn’t their first fingerprint scanner, but it is definitely their best and on par with the competition from Samsung, the Nexus 5X and 6P, and iPhone 6s. You can decide if you want the fingerprint scanner to wake up the phone or not and whether or not you want it to act as a home button. If you leave the option to use the scanner to wake the phone you may find that the phone sometimes wakes on its own depending on how thick the inside of your pants is. I never found this to be annoying, but the phone did wake from sensing my leg a few times. I absolutely suggest leaving on the option to use the scanner as a home button. If you’re used to a Samsung or OnePlus phone then you might have a hard time adjusting to the home button not being flanked by capacitive buttons. I got used it to pretty quickly because I’m used to pressing the home button to wake and unlock on my 6s and from my time with the Note 5. I also loved having the reflex to press the capacitive home button in situations where the on-screen buttons were not present (like in a game). I’ve never liked having to press around where the buttons would be and then tapping again on the software home button. This means there’s some more chin to the device, but it also means you don’t have to play the “Guess what hidden software button I want to press” game. Speaking of chins, HTC has a long history of including chins on their phones that people don’t want, specifically in the form of a black bar. The A9 has a chin on it, but it actually serves a purpose besides reminding you that you’re indeed using an HTC phone. Below the screen there’s the HTC logo and then the fingerprint scanner. That gap between the screen and the scanner makes it near impossible to accidentally touch the screen when you’re trying to use the scanner as a home button or when you’re unlocking the device. I found myself accidentally touching the bottom of the display on the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy Note5 all the time because the button was right below the display. Some might think the gap is an eyesore, but I actually appreciated it. Sound HTC made a big deal about BoomSound when they first announced it and while it’s still a marketing term used for the A9, it only applies to the sound coming from the headphone jack. What this means is that you’ll be able to get great sounding music if you have a great set of headphones plugged in. HTC does not provide headphones with the A9 so you’re on your own to pick up a pair. If you’re just using the speaker on the phone itself it’s about on par with what you’d get on a top tier smartphone. My iPhone 6s has more pronounced bass and the drums sound crispier, but I can only note that listening to the same track on both devices at the same time. I think it would have been better for HTC to provide dual speakers on the front of the device, but most people probably won't care much unless they're coming from an HTC phone with traditional BoomSound speakers. Performance The performance of the A9 was a little sluggish while my apps were downloading and installing, but once that initial setup finished I found the A9’s performance to be great. The phone features the Snapdragon 617 processor, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage. Apps loaded quickly, the device remained responsive, and loaded quickly even after they had been removed from RAM. Because the body is aluminum you will feel some heat in the body during processor intensive tasks, but it was never uncomfortable to touch. If you’ve used an aluminum phone before then you’ll know the feeling. I did get an occasional “This app has stopped responding” error on apps that I don’t usually see crash, but a software patch seems to have eliminated those bugs entirely. Overall the phone was able to keep up with everything I threw at it. In a lot of ways this phone reminds me of the 2013 Moto X: it demonstrates that the specs on paper don’t always mean everything. Android 6.0 Marshmallow One of the really great things about this phone is that it comes with the latest version of Android, Marshmallow, out of the box. That means you have access to new features like Doze, per-app permissions, and of course, Google Now on Tap. On top of that HTC is promising to have updates rolled out to the A9 within 15 days of Nexus devices. That's a big promise to keep, but if they can it's a great way to satisfy any Android fan. Availability The One A9 will be available in November on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint and on Verizon in December. The unlocked model works with AT&T and T-Mobile. Essentially, if you want to get this phone you should be able to, which is great to see. The phone is available for $399.99 until November 6th ($499 afterwards) which puts it initially in competition with the Moto X Pure Edition and the Nexus 5X.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Hardware Design The A9 looks like an iPhone 6 from afar and while on first impression I felt a lot of differences, after some time the differences became less apparent. Just this moment I picked up the A9 and thought it was my iPhone until I felt the fingerprint scanner. The A9 has more squared off edges than the 6 which makes it easier to hold despite the increased height, but for the most part it feels the same. The power button's jagged edges make it easy to discern from the volume rocker, but the button is far too easily depressed. Let's talk about the asymmetry of the A9. While the use of micro USB makes it easy to find a charging cable, USB-C would have looked better and provided a better charging experience. The headphone jack is off center on the bottom of the device which makes the port bleed into the back of the phone. The speaker grill doesn't look like that of an iPhone (it turns out there's more than one way to drill into aluminum), but it also isn't aligned with anything at the bottom of the phone.

Then there's the front of the device. As I mentioned earlier I like what HTC did with the placement of the fingerprint scanner. At the top of the device there's the call speaker, the front facing camera, and the proximity and ambient light sensors. None of these are lined up with each other. The camera is just slightly higher up than the speaker and the sensor is up at the top lining up with absolutely nothing. Looking at the rear of the device we see the same antenna lines we've seen before. The camera is lined with the center of the device with the dual tone flash to its right. There isn't a great way to place two items like this, especially when they're different sizes. The back of the iPhone looks weird with the camera and flash off to the left side and the One A9 looks odd with the camera centered and the flash to the side. I don't know that there's a way to solve this outside of separating the flash colors on either side or moving the flash under the camera. The larger issue is that with the camera hump in the back the phone rocks on both sides instead of just one like on the iPhone. Plenty of Android phones do this (like the just released Nexus 5X). It's a design compromise. It doesn't ruin the experience of using the phone on a table, but it does make me appreciate what Huawei did with their elongated camera hump. Some may not like the look, but that design deals with the rocking issue. Is the lack of symmetry on the A9 a deal breaker? Absolutely not, but HTC shouldn't talk about how great their design is that Apple stole and then do a worse job with it. Whether or not it bothers you to have an Android phone that looks a lot like an iPhone is up to you. I found myself flopping back and forth about it because it does look a lot like an iPhone, but it also looks and feels a lot like something different. Whether or not the differences make it seem like an iPhone knockoff or the steady evolution of HTC's design is a matter of perspective. Sense HTC made a big deal about toning down Sense and focusing on the kinds of value adds that HTC can bring while letting Google's software do what it does well. While we still have Sense icons and Settings is changed up and all that, for the most part I think this is a step in the right direction. HTC’s skinned apps work just as well as the stock versions and their design doesn’t get in the way. I was quick to remove Blinkfeed from my home screen, but I can see why some might find it appealing. In the end I actually found myself enjoying Sense, which is something I've never said about another Android skin. One thing I need to criticize, however, is their software buttons. Google implemented a triangle for back, circle for home, and square for multitasking back in Android Lollipop. HTC is using the old style icons with a house, curved back button, and square in square for multitasking which I can maybe see them justifying as easier to understand for normal users. You can actually change what these buttons look like by downloading a theme or creating your own, but HTC doesn’t offer the standard buttons. They offer three designs that are close to Google’s version, but two versions swap the circle for multitasking and the square for home. Why? These designs weren’t a secret to HTC and they’re now more than a year old.

The Not-so-Good

Battery Life Battery life on the A9 is abysmal. There’s really no other way to put it. I guess if you give this phone to someone who only uses their phone for phone calls, texting, occasional web browsing, and only listens to and watches cached content then you might be able to make this phone last a day. The “good” news, or rather, the compromise, is that the A9 supports Quick Charge 2.0 and will support 3.0 soon. With a normal charger the A9 takes around 3 hours to fully charge, so be sure to use a Qualcomm Quick Charger. The A9 will automatically switch to Power Saver mode when the phone hits 15%. Power saver does what you’d expect: limits CPU, GSP, turns off vibration feedback, and reduces the screen brightness. You can adjust to have this turn on at 5% or never instead, though I’d recommend leaving it at the default. HTC also includes an Extreme Power Saving Mode which can also be scheduled to be enabled at 20%, 10%, or 5%. I would not recommend using this unless you really need it; while in this mode you really can’t use your phone for much and you actually won’t be able to track or remotely wipe your phone if you lose it. I initially had the phone without a SIM card installed and it made it to about 3PM using WiFi only at which point I plugged in the phone to charge it enough to install a software update. At that point the phone was down to 12% with 2 hours and 15 minutes of screen on time. I charged it to around 40% and the phone was back down to 5% around 8PM. The following day I charged the phone completely and installed my T-Mobile SIM. I took the phone off the charger around 6:30 AM and by around 11:00 AM the phone was at 26% with 1 hour and 51 minutes of screen on time. Between 6:30 and 11:00 I used the phone to catch up on Twitter, I streamed music during my 30 minute run, took four photos, browsed the web, and conversed on Hangouts. To lose 75% battery in less than 5 hours is completely unacceptable. By noon the phone had dropped another 10%. On days when I didn't run the phone would be in the 40% range by the time it was noon after being on WiFi the whole day. In other words, like the latest flagships from Samsung you're going to have to charge after lunch to get through the rest of the day. This isn't a new problem for flagship phones, but it is annoying to see another manufacturer promise good battery life and then deliver quite the opposite.

Video

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The Verdict

If you saw the announcement for the HTC One A9 (I can’t blame you if you decided to pass on it) then you know how desperate HTC is. They called out Apple for taking Zoe and calling it Live Photos and for stealing their design. They claimed "we invented Android customization when we released HTC Sense with HTC Hero in 2009,” which is nothing short than revisionist history (they were the first to release a customized version of Android, but they were also the first partner and were building that off of TouchFlo, which they used to customize Windows Mobile like all the other manufacturers did). “In recent years our competitors have started customizing Android too.” In recent years, you say? HTC is so desperate to gain customers that they’re using the T-Mobile handbook: calling out their competitors by name (although in a less abrasive way) in the hopes that people will realize that they’re actually the ones innovating, not those other companies like Samsung and Apple who keep selling phones to your friends and family. Whether or not that strategy will work for HTC I don't know, but I certainly have my doubts. That being said, I think the One A9 is a great phone and possibly a contender for phone of the year. If you're looking for an unlocked phone in this price range and you don't mind having to charge during the day (which seems to be the compromise on most Android phones today) then this could be the phone for you. Between the great camera, good build, the latest version of Android, a fingerprint scanner, NFC, an SD card slot, and more, the HTC One A9 is a very well rounded device that is absolutely worth considering as your next phone.

Nexus 6P Review

Tim — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 11:28:26 +0000

Leading up to the announcement of the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, there was plenty of excitement throughout the Android world. We were finally getting two Nexus phones from Google, one for the fans of larger phones, and one for fans of smaller phones. It was like a dream come true. Once the devices were shipped to reviewers and the spec sheets were released, a clear picture was painted - the Nexus 6P was the flagship phone with premium specs and build, and the Nexus 5X was the more affordable, Nexus 5 (2013) sequel made out of plastic that everyone seemed to be clamoring for. Without further ado, let's find out if the Nexus 6P is everything Google envisioned when they set out to create it - a premium device with awesome display, powerful camera, and long-lasting battery. This is our Nexus 6P review.

The Good

Specs As the "flagship" Nexus device, simply meaning it is the one with the higher price tag and more premium build materials, the Nexus 6P comes equipped with great specs, all of which should leave any vanilla Android fan happy. The device features a 5.7" WQHD Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED) display, 64-bit Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, a range of storage options from 32GB all the way to 128GB, 12.3MP rear-facing camera, 3,450 mAh battery with fast charging, NFC, USB Type-C port, and of course, the latest build of Android with updates straight from Google. On paper, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this device. It has the high-res display, a great camera (as evidenced by our Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P camera reviews), very large battery, and also brings a bit of the future with the USB Type-C charging and data transfer port. In my opinion, it is the most complete Android device you can currently purchase. Software Shipping with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, I am happy to report that Google has squashed the bugs. As you likely have heard me state, Lollipop was somewhat of a disaster in my eyes. Coming from what was a very stable OS in Kit Kat to Lollipop, which looked great, but seemed to drain batteries and perform with much jank, Marshmallow has brought the stability of a great OS, with the fantastic design you expect from the folks at Google. In terms of curb appeal, Marshmallow carries over that Material Design, including all of the animations we have come to love. But more importantly, at least for me, I don't see any of the hiccups and behind-the-scenes issues that I did on Lollipop. My battery doesn't drain for unexplained reasons, my WiFi stays strong throughout the day and does not cut off unexpectedly, and when I press the Home button, it actually takes me to the Home screen.

In addition to making Marshmallow perform well, new little tricks have been added into the OS, such as the ability to see each and every permission an app asks for. When viewing these permissions, you can have them disabled, limiting an app's access to your personal information. And it's not just 3rd-party applications Google is trying to protect you from. They are even attempting to protect you from Google itself. For example, when loading up Hangouts and you want to share an image you just snapped on your camera, you must grant Hangouts permission to access your media library. For the average user, this may seem silly, but it's a fantastic step in giving device owners more control over all of the applications on the phone. Previously, when downloading an app from Google Play, you had to fork over any permission the app developer asked for, or choose not to download the app. Now, you can download any app, then decide which permissions you would like granted. Sure, some of the features of the app may not work, but at least you know that you, and only you, are in control.

Without a doubt, Marshmallow is my favorite version of Android released thus far. It's clean, stable, and is so much better than Lollipop. Camera Since completing my Nexus 6P camera review, I don't have too much to add for the camera. It's really good, easily the best camera to ship in a Nexus device ever. In most conditions and circumstances, it takes perfectly fine shots, with crisp details and color. For most shots, I used the HDR+ setting, as it brings in the amount of detail I enjoy. When HDR+ is turned off, your photos will process quicker, which is best for anyone trying to snap something that is moving quickly - like a baby or animal. If you are snapping pretty landscapes, though, toggle HDR+ and let the Nexus 6P work its magic.

Again, read my full camera review for more detailed information. Below, I have a few samples from my time with the device. For a download of all of the images in high-res, click here.

Price The Nexus 6P starts at $499 for the 32GB option. For a premium smartphone, that's not a bad price, but it's also not a stellar price. However, this is Google we are talking about. For some odd reason, we just assume Google is willing to take a loss on any and all hardware they sell. But let's be real, they are a business, and they need to make some dough. With that said, I think we can all be happy that no 16GB model was ever, or will ever be made available for the Nexus 6P. For the 64GB model, the price goes up to $549, which is just a $50 increase. Giving credit where credit is due, Google deserves an applause, as we see many other companies charge $100 for each tier in storage you go up. To top it off, there is a 128GB storage model, the first Nexus of its kind, offered at $649. Considering that at launch the Galaxy S6 cost more than this for a standard 32GB model on AT&T, paying $649 for a smartphone of this caliber, for 128GB of onboard storage, seems like a pretty solid price. Performance Over my time with the Nexus 6P, performance has been solid. I once ran into an issue where I had to force close Google Play because an update for the Facebook app literally froze my device, but other than that, it has been smooth sailing. While I switch in and out of applications, double tapping the power button to open the camera and snapping multiple pictures, I have been pleased with what the device offers. With the Snapdragon 810 and 3GB of RAM, I really should not expect anything else. The device should have enough juice to power through whatever I may throw at it, and that is what I look for in a smartphone. I don't want to wait for things to load. I want to scroll through the web, pinch and zoom pages, all with little to no stuttering. When playing mobile games, even though most games are not that intensive on CPUs, I had no issues. I played Candy Crush, Fallout Shelter, Sunbrun!, and Out There: Omega Edition. Connectivity Exactly like the Nexus 5X, the Nexus 6P is an unlocked device, featuring the ability to run on basically any carrier you have a SIM for. Yes, that includes Verizon. Google also baked in Project Fi capability. Unlocked devices give consumers the ability to select whichever carrier works best for them in terms of pricing and network. Wherever you live, there is bound to be a superior carrier, so unlocked devices, such as the Nexus lineup, gives you the choice to choose the best service. Back in May, Kellen wrote this piece on the importance of purchasing unlocked phones, and the words are still true to this day. If this is your first time thinking about buying an unlocked device, read it. Yes, your initial out-of-pocket expense will be higher, but in the long run, with the freedom it provides from contracts and greedy carriers, it is worth it.

Design Huawei and Google nailed this design. When the first leaks took place, and we thought the device was going to have a major backside hump, I was nervous. I don't like humps or huge bumps on phones. I want them to rest flat on a surface with no wobbling. Once the design was officially known and we got hands-on time with it, it quickly became apparent that the backside of this device would not be an issue. While there is a minor hump or lift on the back at the top, it's nothing major. And from some angles, it's not even noticeable. The reason for this hump is the camera. The sensor used in the 6P and 5X was originally designed for point-and-shoot cameras, so it's rather large. Moving away from the backside, the device is covered in metal and chamfered edges. It's deluxe. It's hot. It's a great looking device. On the frontside, of course, you have the 5.7" WQHD display, as well as one of the downsides to the design. On top and bottom of the display are two massive chins. I guess I should call the bottom one a chin and the top one the forehead. No matter what you want to call them, they are large, unused spaces on the front. Not only that, but with the dual front-facing speakers, the front of this phone is a very large space. So large in fact that you can fit a Galaxy Note 5 inside of it. And no, I'm not joking. If Huawei would have been able to shrink this device's height, I think it might have been much sexier. Now, with what I just said, you may be wondering why this section is not in the Somewhere-in-the-Middle or Not-so-Good part, but really, I have come to find that I don't mind its size. I actually have grown quite fond of it. The phone feels great in-hand, is pleasant to look at, and is all around a very nicely designed smartphone. Could it have been a little better? Sure, but that's only if we are being extremely nitpicky. Google never seems to disappoint in the design department. Display The 5.7" QHD AMOLED display found in the Nexus 6P is a Samsung panel, pushing 518 pixels-per-inch. To my eye, it gives off a warm, not too highly saturated image, which I can appreciate coming from the Galaxy Note 5's overly saturated display, and the OnePlus 2's under-saturated LCD panel. The Nexus 6P is a happy middle ground, displaying greens proportionately and even handling reds quite well. I am no scientist, so I can't dive into the art of display technology, but as a consumer, I can say that it does look rather nice, easily showing off fine details in pictures I take, as well as granting me access to "4K" content I can find on YouTube and the Internet. In direct sunlight, I don't even have to jack the display to full brightness to see what I am doing, which is another major plus. On some devices, such as the Galaxy S6 Edge, even having the phone on max brightness won't help you in direct sunlight. Other than that, it's a bright, colorful display that should treat you well.

Macros for fun.

Battery On the Nexus 6P, I saw better than average battery life, which I don't know if I should brag about. My battery life always seems shorter than other folks, but at least in my experience, I came away very happy with the Nexus 6P. With my days starting at about 7:30am, ending at 10pm to 11pm, I can easily get through a day of normal usage with about 10% juice left. And that's with anywhere from 3 to 4 hours of screen-on time. Regardless of which device, that seems to be pretty normal for me, so while I was not blown away, I was happy with the results. The size of the battery is 3,450mAh, which should easily allow most of you to see excellent battery life. And thanks to Rapid Charging, different from Qualcomm's Quick Charge and Samsung's Adaptive Fast Charging, this Nexus device can soak up plenty of juice in a short amount of time. According to the product listing on Google Store, you can get, "up to 7 hours of use from only 10 minutes of charging." On the downside, Google decided against wireless charging for whatever reason, so if you do need to charge, you will be stuck to a wall outlet.

Fingerprint Scanner You have likely heard Kellen talk about this already, but the fingerprint readers found in the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are fantastic. To me, their placement is perfect, as I always tend to find my index finger resting exactly where it is placed on the backside of the phone. While I would agree, there is a big enough chin on the Nexus 6P for it to have been placed on the front, I am happy with the backside placement. Setting up this reader was stupid easy. Place your index finger on there about 5 to 6 times, and you are good to go. Time to recognize and unlock is super quick, and I never found myself having to keep attempting to unlock the device due to an inability for it to read. Given this is a Nexus device and Google loves showing off Android features, purchasing apps and other goods through Google Play is as easy as placing your finger on the reader, instead of having to type out a whole password. As an added bonus, like the one found on the OnePlus 2, you can also unlock the device via fingerprint without having to turn on the display. Oh yeah, it's clutch.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Size I touched on this in the design section, but for me, the Nexus 6P is just slightly large. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine size, and much more manageable than the Nexus 6 (aka Whale, aka Shamu, aka Moby Dick, aka Behemoth, aka Kraken), but I think Huawei really could have trimmed down this device vertically. While I am sure the company would argue that point, saying they need the extra size for the speakers and big camera sensor or what have you, it is sometimes hard to manage with one-handed operation. I am a fan of larger devices, so I am completely accustomed to two-handed operation, but I must say, it can be a little strenuous at times for my fingers and thumbs.

USB Type-C and Charging USB Type-C is the way of the future. Cue Leo DiCaprio in Aviator. And while yes, it may be the future for mobile devices, rollout for early adopters is painful. Cables and charging adapters are expensive, you can't seem to buy them anywhere besides online, and these Nexus devices require a particular adapter to even charge "rapidly." It's sort of a pain in the ass. As you may recall, I placed the OnePlus 2's USB Type-C port in the Not-So-Good section for that review, but there is a good reason why. At least with Google's implementation, we have a form of rapid charging. The OnePlus 2 does not provide that. In fact, it took forever to charge that phone, while the Nexus 6P gobbles up juice rather quickly when hooked up to the right kind of adapter. While it's highly likely that none of your friends have a Type-C cable you can borrow to charge your phone when you are over at their place, my assumption is that in 2016 we should see a lot more USB Type-C accessories hitting the market, allowing for easier adoption of the technology. Availability One issue you may come across, if you have not already pulled the trigger, is availability of the Nexus 6P. Apparently, it's quite popular. The only places you can pick one up officially are from the Google Store and Huawei's online ship, and right now, all options appear to be out of stock at both locations. Google tends to be pretty good about restocking, but when they do resupply, you better be quick about purchasing. There is currently a waitlist you can sign up for on the Google Store to be notified when they are back in stock.

The Not-so-Good

Lacks Expandable Storage Since I can't seem to find anything wrong with this device, I guess one actual issue people may have is the lack of expandable storage via microSD. If you need additional storage, you can opt for the 128GB model, but you also have access to plenty of cloud storage options to choose from on Android. As more media is made available via streaming and the cloud, it seems likely that we may soon see the end of expandable storage. Not that this is a good thing, but I think OEMs are realizing that it just isn't that much of a necessity for consumers. I mean, shouldn't 128GB be enough for most people? It probably is. If you need more, let's face it, you might be the minority.

Other Notes

But does it bend? Recently, a video was posted, showing off a gentleman bending the Nexus 6P after cracking its display during a "scratch test." Let me say, I think this device is quite sturdy. Would I feel comfortable dropping and purposefully trying to destroy it? No, of course not. And you probably would not either. Most phones are pretty fragile these days. With thin strips of metal, and plenty of glass, of course they will break and bend when force is applied. As of now, I have no bends or scratches in the Nexus 6P, and I intend to keep it that way.

Video

Unboxing

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Comparison

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Fingerprint Scanner

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Gallery

The Verdict

Is the Nexus 6P the Phone of the Year? Probably. In my eyes, the only other device on the market that offers this much of a complete package, is the Galaxy Note 5. You may hear Kellen say that the Galaxy S6 is still his choice for POTY, but with weak battery life and sometimes hiccupy performance, the Galaxy Note 5 and Nexus 6P easily beat it out. The two areas where the Galaxy Note 5 beats out the Nexus 6P, at least to me, is the camera and the display. Although, with that said, the Nexus 6P, and its much more attractive pricing, allows the buyer to see past a few megapixels and finely tuned display. The Nexus 6P camera is absolutely suitable for most circumstances and the display is great. Let's just go ahead and crown this thing and bring an end to 2015. Now, bring on the 2016 hype!

Nexus 5X Review

Kellen — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 10:51:58 +0000

"The all around champ is back." That's Google's description of the Nexus 5X, which in a way marks the return of a phone that most people would consider to be the best Nexus phone ever made. They are referencing the original Nexus 5 in that quote, of course, a phone that like this 5X was made by LG. Google heard the cries last year of people not wanting an oversized phone when it introduced the whale-esque Nexus 6, and they answered those tears for 2015. The Nexus 5X is a lot like the original Nexus 5. Again, it's made by LG, but it also looks very similar, is finished very similar, and carries that similarly low price tag. The goal seems to have been to make the Nexus 5 all over again, but upgrade its parts and hopefully, address the one weak point - the camera. In our early tests, we found the camera to be quite good. So if they made right on that weak point, what about the rest? Is this really the return of the champ? Let's find out. This is our Nexus 5X review.

The Good

Software It used to be that pure, stock Android was sort of like a blueprint for a base level or bare bones version of Android that manufacturers would then take and add their own spin to. But as those spins became full-on performance reducing bloat, Google stepped in and starting ramping up the feature set of that base level. Android is now great in its purist form because it has truly grown up, and no phone shows that better than a Nexus. With the Nexus 5X, you get a device that was developed along side Android 6.0 Marshmallow. As Google worked out bugs with 6.0 previews, it was getting the 5X ready with it to help show the world what software and hardware combined can do. I have my gripes about the performance of this phone, which I'll get to later, but those gripes won't deter me from praising the pureness of stock Marshmallow.

You just don't get an Android experience like this on any phone. This is Google's vision of Android. If you want to see transitions, animations, button placements, button arrangements, colors, ripples, a phone app, notifications, a lock screen, and a camera experience the way Google sees them, this is it. You also get new features first, like Doze, which should help extend standby time dramatically, Google Now on Tap, native fingerprint support, ambient display, greater control over app permissions, and better restore/backup. I haven't even mentioned updates yet, still to this day they are one of the major selling points for Nexus phones. Because, as many of you know, Nexus phones get new versions of Android first. They also tend to get support from Google for a solid two years, whereas companies like Motorola are now cutting them off after just one. I didn't think this would happen this late in the game, but software updates for phones still seem to be so hit or miss or up-in-the-air on anything outside of a Nexus. So if you want guaranteed updates in their purists and quickest forms, Nexus is the way to go. Camera Prior to this review, I walked through an entirely separate camera review. If you want the dirty details on the Nexus 5X camera, be sure to read that post. If you want the quick version, here we go. The Nexus 5X camera might not be the best on the block (I'd probably lean Galaxy S6 there), but it's damn close. It's also the best Nexus camera ever outside of the camera in the Nexus 6P, which technically has the same exact 12.3MP camera (f/2.0, 1.55 µm pixels), only with a couple of additional features (6P has a burst mode and slow-mo at 240fps). I say all of that because you get a camera experience that can be incredibly quick, that focuses fast, captures a good amount of detail without a whole bunch of off-putting processing, and is above average in low light thanks to its bigger 1.55 micron pixels. Oh, you can also launch it quickly with a double tap of the power button. If you were looking for downsides, well, as you will see in my performance section below, I ran into issues where the camera struggled to load and shoot. I think those issues can be fixed as Google issues bug fixes to the phone, but that's never a guarantee. Also, the stock Google camera app is about as bare-bones as it gets, so if you want manual controls on any level, you should probably look for a third party option. Here are some of the samples from the review:

Price At $379 (16GB) and $429 (32GB), the Nexus 5X is a heck of a deal. You get the return of the Nexus 5 and Google's vision for Android (which includes the fastest updates) at a price hundreds less than many of the flagships from other manufacturers. While this phone might not have the fit and finish or specs of some of those (like a Galaxy S6), the value in terms of the specs you do get coupled with that price and Google behind the wheel, is tough to beat. Sure, the storage options aren't great, especially with no expandable storage, but if you only have $400 to spend on a phone, you would be hard-pressed to find more than a couple of options better.

Connectivity Like with last year's Nexus 6, Google built its new Nexus phones with best-in-class connectivity. The Nexus 5X (6P too) is an unlocked phone that works on every single major US carrier, including Verizon. It also works with their own wireless service, Project Fi. If you want to know why unlocked phones like this are so important, read this piece from a few months back. But basically, unlocked phones like this give some power back to consumers, a power that (at least in the US wireless market) has been gone for a long time. Unlocked phones let you decide where your money goes in terms of service. And if that situation isn't working out, you don't have to hesitate in leaving and finding another provider. It's a bit of a freedom play that we hope everyone gets behind soon. Carriers in this country have long had too much power and unlocked phones that are affordable, may eventually help return some of that to you and I. Size One of the most likable aspects of the original Nexus 5 was its size. Even two years ago, some of us were fighting the "Why can't people make smaller phones" battle and so we appreciated the in-hand feel of the 2013 Nexus. In 2015, that battle has already been lost, so when we see a phone break the trend because there are people out there who don't like whales, we get excited. The Nexus 5X isn't tiny, but it is smallish for today's standards with its 5.2-inch display and trim body. It's comparable to the Galaxy S6, if not slightly taller and wider. Overall, though, it's a phone that can be used in one hand and that's awesome. It is thin without being too thin, is reachable at all corners without much of a shimmy, and will certainly slide in and out of your skinny pants. It's also very light, thanks to its plastic body.

Fingerprint Scanner I've already written plenty about this, but in my opinion, Google's implementation of fingerprint scanners on the Nexus 5X and 6P is the best in the business. The rear placement combined with the speed and accuracy at which they read prints is unmatched. Your fingers can casually and naturally find the rear-mounted location each time you pick up your phone, plus they learn fingers in far fewer touches than any other phone (six touches to be exact), which hasn't at all seemed to hamper their ability to read them at record paces. And let's not forget the fact that the rear location allows Google to not deteriorate the front of a phone's appearance, which can't be said for the iPhone, Galaxy phones, HTC's newest, or the OnePlus 2.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Design Is the Nexus 5X "hot," as we tend to proclaim when something is attractive? Eh, it's OK looking. Google isn't going to win any design awards here with this heavy use of plastic, but it's also not going to completely offend anyone. The 5X comes in three colors, an all-black model, a two-tone black and white model, and a two-tone black and mint green/blue model. The all-black version is probably the best looking of the three, as the other two give off a sort of "We didn't want to spend much, so we just slapped a couple of colored pieces of plastics on our black model to differentiate and called it good." I'm not saying we needed an all-mint green phone, but the two-tone look isn't exactly clean.

As for the overall design, you are getting a phone that is again, unapologetically plastic, with big forehead and chin, and subtle camera hump on the back. It does fit well in your hand, which is good, but I don't think anyone is going to look at this phone and say, "Wow, Google, you did something special here!" It's a nice plastic phone, don't get me wrong, it's just not even close to being as nice as a couple of the other sub-$400 phones, the OnePlus 2 or Moto X Pure Edition. USB Type-C and Charging This will eventually be the future of charging mobile devices, it just isn't right now and that makes for a painful experience unless you are willing to spend some extra cash and start preparing before you buy a Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P. With USB Type-C, Google gives you a charging cable that can be flipped either way, so you no longer will find yourself cramming the wrong side of a micro USB cable into the bottom of your phone, in the dark. This technology also brings along with it fast charging, sort of like Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0, except this isn't Quick Charge 2.0. So here are my early thoughts on USB Type-C and this new Google version of fast charging. Type-C cables are awesome! You can flip them over every which way and plug them into your phone. Fast charging is also still awesome! We like charging phones fast, especially as we continually find ways to burn through batteries in record time. With that said, I don't love the whole concept just yet even though I know that I probably will in a year. First, none (or very few) of your current chargers will work with this phone in a fast charging capacity. Sure, you could buy a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, plug it into all of the 8-dozen adapters you own and charge the phone, but there is no telling if it will charge it fast or not. Google is using 5V/3A current, which is not at all the same as what your other Quick Charge 2.0 adapters use. Finding one that does is going to be a struggle for a while. On that note, all of your 12-dozen micro USB cables are now worthless as well, because you need Type-C tip cables.

USB Type-C very well may be the future. It makes plugging in cables easier and will also help usher in more fast charging. Eventually, it will do things like make data transfers really fast too, once we get to USB 3.1 and Type-C. For now, you have to work on buying new cables and new adapters, which is a bit unfortunate, but part of the way new technologies work. So don't take this as me poopoo-ing USB Type-C, I'm just warning you that it's going to take a bit before we're all ready for this future. It's a future that will be brighter, for sure, just be prepared to be attached to a single charger for a while. Display Here's the deal with the 5.2-inch 1080p display on the Nexus 5X - it's fine. Typically, when you buy a phone at a sub-$400 price point, you aren't expecting the greatest set of pixels the world has ever seen. So with the 5X, you don't get that, you get a solid LCD display with average viewing angles and sold color reproduction, which is really about all you can ask for. When I buy a $600 phone like the Galaxy S6 or Note 5, I expect the best. Here, I don't, and so I'm not offended at all by the panel Google has chosen for its mid-range offering.

As you can see in the images above, it by no means stands up well to some of the other panels being used at the moment. Then again, this is only made evident by the fact that I matched it up directly to some other phones (including the original Nexus 5), cranked all of their brightnesses to max, and shot these two photos. Otherwise, I'm not sure I would have really had a complaint about the display, other than its brightness can be a bit finicky (sporadic dimming) and doesn't necessarily get bright enough at times. But if you want to compare it to the phones above, I think it's obvious that the panel has a brownish tint to it, is quite dark, and isn't exactly going to impress anyone in a viewing angle test. Still, I keep the phone at arm's reach on my desk and have had no issues with viewing content. I also had not really noticed the brownish hue until I took this photo. So again, the display here is fine, it's just not going to blow your mind. Availability You can buy the Nexus 5X directly from Google, which is fine, assuming you like buying phones at full retail directly from Google. You can't walk into a carrier store and do one of their monthly payments plans. You can't buy the 5X from LG or from Best Buy or from Amazon. You have to go to Google. Again, that's fine if you don't mind buying from Google, but people like options and they also often like holding phones in hand before they spend hundreds of dollars on them. While the 5X is priced quite reasonably, we would still like to see it arrive at some sort of retail partner. And it may do that before long, it just hasn't at the time of this review. I know that some of you will point to this and say, "But, you put this in the bad section on the Moto X Pure Edition!" And yes, I did. The difference is that Google has almost always sold their phones this way, with limited availability, and so I can't really completely hammer them for it. Google phones still fly under the radar and are mostly Android enthusiast/purist phones. Motorola, on the other hand, is taking a pretty big risk in doing so with their new flagship phone, because unlike Google, they need to sell lots of them to succeed.

Battery In these reviews, I often reference the black hole of signal death (BHOSD) that I live in as an opportunity to defend battery life. In this situation, I can't even use that as an excuse to call the 2700mAh battery life on the Nexus 5X, even with Doze, average at best. For the first week, I spent my time with the Nexus 5X at my house/office in the BHOSD and averaged right around 14-15 hours before the phone was essentially dead. We're talking with my usual 2 hours of screen on time and a mix of WiFi and LTE (I'm running this on T-Mobile, by the way). After that first week, I spent ample amount of time outside of the office on a trip to New York for Motorola's DROID event. Battery life during that trip, was not great either. For example (and apologies for not having screenshots), on my trip back to Portland, I unplugged at around 4AM, used the phone for a good couple of hours before my 2 hour flight, switched the phone to airplane mode and listened to music the entire time I was in air, and then landed with around 40%. So in 5 hours or so of use, 2 hours of which were in airplane mode with media streaming, I killed 60% of my battery. And it was like this most of the 3-day trip. I felt like I was constantly asking myself if I should charge a bit before heading back out in Manhattan for hours.

Now, there are a whole bunch of factors here that could affect battery life. Maybe my T-Mobile signal in NYC was terrible the whole time (I don't think it was) or maybe this build of Android 6.0 is super buggy (it's still this odd MDB08G because Google hasn't sent my review unit an update). I definitely didn't ever see much of the Doze action you'll see if you do a quick search on Google+, where people are showing their phone's battery life flat-lining for hours as it sits idle. So maybe I have an app that is keeping the phone alive in the background and not letting Doze do its thing. My hope is that this build of Android 6.0 on my review unit is just not good and that the current version (MDB08I) makes all of this better. Unfortunately, I don't have time to flash the factory images on this device of the newest build and re-test or we might be another week out on this review. What I can tell you is that the battery life should be good enough in most situations to get you through the day, or at least from your morning until you get home at night. Just make sure when you get home or are in the car on your commute, that you have a Type-C charger handy if you want to extend your evening.

The Not-so-Good

Performance During my initial camera review of the Nexus 5X, I talked about the camera experience being slow at times, with some noticeable lag in launching the app and taking photos. I hate to continue that conversation, but need to by saying I often found the Nexus 5X stuttering and lagging elsewhere as well. This wasn't a half the time or all day type of situation, but once per day I would run into enough lag, hang-ups on button presses, or general slowness that I felt the need to reboot the phone entirely.

Now, this (once again) could all be due to the fact that my review unit is still running MDB08G instead of MDB08I. Or maybe it's the Snapdragon 808 processor and only 2GB RAM. Or maybe Google cared more about fine-tuning the Nexus 6P experience. Whatever the case may be, this phone isn't exactly the performance king of Android. And that's odd, because the original Nexus 5 with its 2-year old processor, is as buttery smooth on Android 6.0 as any other phone I've used within the last year. The original Nexus 5 runs almost flawlessly still to this day, so I am a bit surprised to have to report back that this 5X of mine isn't as good. And trust me, I'm not the only one experiencing this. UPDATE: The performance issues were not there because of the slightly older build I was running, which I had already sort of noted. I've since received November's most recent update and the phone still struggles at times. Also, just cruise through this comment thread where we asked readers for their feedback after owning the device and you can see that the Nexus 5X really does have performance problems. Here's to hoping Google steps up and fixes them via software. Like with the battery life, I'm hopeful that a quick update will fix all of this. If the Nexus 5 runs as good as it does after two years, I can't imagine Google isn't figuring out a way to get this phone on that same level. You are, right, Google? The 16GB model. The base model Nexus 5X should not be bought by anyone, even with its attractive $379 price. It only comes with 16GB of storage and doesn't have a slot for a micro SD card. Before you ever install anything on your phone, you are probably looking at 10GB or less available, which doesn't leave you much room for a bunch of apps, offline music collections, a few big games, and a movie or show or two. Your best bet is to pick-up the 32GB model, but then you are jumping up $50 in price. So yeah, this phone, because its price has been kept low, isn't exactly a great choice for those who store a lot on their phones.

Other Notes

Cables: Not to get back on this USB Type-C rant, but this phone does not come with a USB Type-C to Type-A cable. In other words, if you want to plug it into a computer, you need to buy one of those cables. This phone, unlike the 6P, only ships with a Type-C to Type-C cable and adapter.
Call audio: I haven't had any issues with call audio quality. The phone makes and takes calls, and no one has complained to me about audio on the other side, nor have I had any complaints about the audio or volume levels coming through on my side.
No wireless charging: This phone (6P too) doesn't have wireless charging, which is kind of odd since Google has been a big supporter of wireless charging over the years with its Nexus products. In fact, the Nexus 7 (2013), a tablet, even had the technology embedded. Google says they care more about fast charging with Type-C and so they are moving away from wireless charging. At this point, I agree that fast charging is the better technology, but they still could have included wireless charging without sacrificing much.

Video

Unboxing

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Comparison

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Fingerprint Scanner

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Gallery

The Verdict

The Nexus 5X is a mostly-solid phone for the price you are paying. You get a really good camera, pure Android and quick updates, the best fingerprint scanner, and connectivity with the carrier you choose. If you need a phone on the smaller side, don't mind an all-plastic body, have faith in Google fixing performance issues, and don't have a big budget, it could make you happy. With that in mind, at the price point ($20 more than the 5X), the Moto X Pure Edition is probably a better bet. It's only slightly larger, is much more premium in terms of hardware and design, can be fully customized at no extra charge, has as good of a camera, runs mostly stock Android, and works everywhere. If you don't trust Motorola right now (and I can't say I blame you for questioning everything they say at the moment), are willing to jump up another $100 in budget, and want the best Android experience on the planet, then go for this phone's brother, the Nexus 6P. I had high hopes for the new Nexus 5X, many of which were met. But in 2015, I want the best (or close to it) in a smartphone at a great price, so in this situation, I would probably spend the extra cash to get it.

Amazon Music Updated With SD Card and Android Wear Support

Tim — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 08:54:00 +0000

An update is rolling out for Amazon Music, bringing offline playback via SD card, as well as Android Wear support. With this feature, folks can browse and control all of their Prime Music or purchased music right from the wrist. In addition to those goodies, Amazon has baked in a new Prime and Popular tab for quick browsing through genres and artists, as well as Lyrics support for those in the UK. If you are in the US, don't worry, that functionality was already available. Check out the changelog below, then grab the update on Google Play. What's New

Download owned or Prime Music directly to their SD card for offline playback
Prime Music artist detail pages
Android Wear support
New to "Prime” tab in Prime Music
New “Popular” tab in Prime Music
Lyrics support (for UK only – it was already available in the US)

Play Link

LG V10 Now Available From Verizon

Kellen — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 06:58:52 +0000

After going on sale earlier in the week at AT&T and T-Mobile, the LG V10 is now available from Verizon. The mega-phone comes in two colors, white or black, and starts at $28 per month with a payment plan or can be grabbed at full retail for $672. As a recap, the V10 is the first in a new line of premium phones from LG. The phone has a 5.7-inch QHD display, secondary ticker-like display, 16MP rear camera with OIS, Snapdragon 808 processor, 3000mAh battery (removable), and 64GB of storage (with micro SD support). It also has steel pillars running up its sides to add to durability, and a Dura Guard protection around the rest of its body. It's a beast of a phone, yet is somehow almost elegantly designed. Man, there are a lot of good phones out right now to choose from. Is this the one that grabbed your attention? Verizon Link

Cheers Tony and Mike!

Deal: ZeroLemon SolarJuice 10,000mAh Battery Pack for $29.99

Tim — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 15:39:04 +0000

Currently available on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a colossal 10,000mAh battery pack to help get you through those long days. Regularly priced at $50, this battery pack is listed at just $29.99, featuring a small built-in solar panel (yup) for charging, and water resistant design. Interestingly enough, the SolarJuice battery pack also features "anti-explosion" technology, which I must say, is good to have. In addition, the pack features two total outputs - 2A fast-charging for mobile phones and 1A charging for other devices. If this massive battery pack interests you, follow that link below. Features

Simultaneously charges 2 devices at once
Rain-resistant, shockproof & environmentally friendly
Anti-explosion, lightweight, compact & reliable
Includes a top grade-A cell, built-in 10000mAh lithium polymer battery
Comprised of 2 total outputs: 2A fast-charging for mobile devices + 1A charging for smartphones
Allows casual solar charging via a powerful 1.2W monocrystalline solar panel
Boasts an ultra-long battery life; recharge the SolarJuice 1000+ times
Use in the dark w/ built-in LED flashlight

Deal Link

Report: Google Will Fold Chrome OS Into Android, Make Single Operating System by 2017

Kellen — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:31:00 +0000

According to a report out of the Wall Street Journal, Google is taking Chrome OS and folding it into Android to create one operating system to rule them all. For at least the past two years, according to WSJ sources, engineers have been working to combine the two, but have recently made significant progress. In fact, the progress is far enough along that Google is hoping to unveil this new single operating system in 2017, but may show it off as early as 2016. For years, many have wondered why Google needed to maintain two separate operating systems in Chrome OS and Android. While Google has used Chrome OS to launch a line of Chromebooks, it always seemed silly when you have Android that probably could have been tweaked ever so slightly to be more desktop friendly. After all, Android has been king of the mobile world for the past few years and is more widely known than the much more niche, Chrome OS. Why not just develop it further into new arenas? Either way, Google has apparently decided to do just that. With a single operating system, it only makes sense that this creates a single platform for developers to get behind, but also gives them an already well-established platform to continue to push their services through. Android is Android. Everyone knows what an Android phone is these days. If Google can do this right, they could use the strength of that name recognition to move beyond the barriers that Chrome OS ever ran into. So, was the Pixel C tablet a sign of Google hinting at this move? Probably. If you recall, Google took some time during its Nexus event last month to announce a Pixel product that ran Android even though all previous Pixels had only been attached to Chrome OS and Chromebooks. It was confusing at the time, but if this report is correct, it sort of makes sense now. Of course, that tablet ran Android, though maybe it will soon run this new single operating system. On a semi-related note, Google will reportedly keep its Chrome browser separate. What do you guys think, is this the right move?

Via: WSJ

Backdrops is a Pretty Sweet Wallpaper App on Android

Kellen — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:24:22 +0000

Apologies are needed for our lack of icon and wallpaper posts in recent weeks, but when you have 65 phones to review, getting all custom with our home screens often takes a back seat. With that said, Backdrops is a brand new wallpaper app that is worth a look because of its selection, design, and approach to getting social with phone prettiness. First of all, the app has hundreds of custom made wallpapers for you to choose from. Some are Material Design inspired, others are super minimal, some are edited photography, and others are just neat. There are categories to help you find one quicker, a beautifully designed app that aids in that process, and the ability to upload some yourself, which means you are giving back to a wallpaper community. The app also has a featured wallpaper of the day, ways to favorite ones that interest you, and curated packs from the apps' creator (premium). Feel free to take the free version for a spin and get that home screen in order. If you like, there is a $1.99 in-app purchase that unlocks the full experience. Play Link

Sprint Greasily Announces "Unlimited Data for $20/Month" Plan

Kellen — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 12:04:46 +0000

This morning, Sprint announced a new "unlimited data" plan for $20 per month that "beats all national carriers." Except, to no one's surprise, this is actually just a 1GB plan and isn't anything new or ground-breaking or special. I hate to come down so hard on Sprint, because T-Mobile does something similar with its current line of plans, where they sell you on 1GB, 3GB, or 5GB of data, but then refer to the plan as having unlimited. Thing is, they may be giving you "unlimited" data, it's just that only that first 1/3/5GB are at good, LTE speeds. After you hit those caps, they reduce you to 2G speeds at an unlimited rate. Sprint just comes off here as being a bit sneaky or greasy in that the headline screams "UNLIMITED" without mentioning that its really a 1GB plan. I hate the race to the bottom.

Via: Sprint

$70 Worth of Apps and Games Available From Amazon for Free

Tim — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:35:30 +0000

Taking place today until midnight on Halloween night (Oct. 31), you can grab $70 worth of apps and games completely free from Amazon. Up for grabs are a few well-known titles, such as Doodle God, LEGO Star Wars Microfighters, and Bloons TD 5, as well as lesser-known games such as Rotate It! and Continuity 2. In addition to games, utility apps and other various genres are available, such as AVG AntiVirus, Runtastic PRO, Photo Lab Pro, and many others. It is quite the long list, so give it the once over and see if anything sparks your interest. To download, you will need the Amazon Underground app installed on your device, which you can find right here. Amazon Link

Watch: BlackBerry Priv Feature Overview Video

Tim — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:48:00 +0000

Set to begin shipping November 6, with pre-orders already taking place, BlackBerry has uploaded a feature overview video to YouTube, detailing a few of the highlights offered by the Priv. As detailed in the video, the phone features a dual-curved 5.4" QHD display, 18MP rear-facing camera with OIS, innovative Android features such as pop-up widgets (sorta like Apple's 3D Touch), as well as its physical keyboard with Smart Slide. Still priced at $699, there is no doubt it is set to be a premium device, complete with all of the privacy protection, but that price may be a tough pill for some to swallow. We do have a unit on its way to the office, so you can expect a complete hands-on and review coming soon. On a somewhat related note, I still wish the name wasn't Priv. I would have stuck with Venice. It's much more classy than Priv.

Nexus 6P Goes Through Teardown Treatment, Innards Dissected

Tim — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 08:59:52 +0000

With the Nexus 5X already going through the teardown process, it was only a matter of time until its larger brother, the Nexus 6P, received the same treatment. The folks at iFixIt have done the dirty work for all of us, ripping Google and Huawei's device up, ranking it to see how easy it would be for tinkerers to repair it themselves. Spoiler alert - it's really, really hard. Once iFixIt was able to separate the two sides of the unibody design, somewhat quick access was allowed to the battery, but say you have a busted screen. Apparently, the only way to replace it would be to dig through the entire device, making replacement nearly impossible for the Average Joe. This is not recommended. Not only that, but opening the device period is made difficult by the chances of breaking the glass that covers the rear-facing camera. From what iFixIt writes, once this device was slapped together, it was not made to be torn apart. Overall, with an abysmal repairability score of just 2 out of 10, it seems that owners who are not comfortable with handling tiny tools and really opening up the hardware should stay away from self repairs. If in need, take it to a professional.

Via: iFixIt

DROID Turbo 2 and MAXX 2 Now Available From Verizon

Kellen — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 07:27:45 +0000

It's so rare these days that companies announce new phones and then make them available days later, but Verizon and Motorola have done that with the new DROID Turbo 2 and DROID MAXX 2. Both phones became official on Tuesday, and both phones are now available for purchase. The Turbo 2 is the flagship here and probably the phone you should consider if you consider yourself a smartphone heavy lifter. It features a shatterproof 5.4-inch QHD AMOLED display, 3GB RAM, Qualcomm's most powerful processor, 21MP camera, plenty of storage, and can be customized to your liking through Motorola's Moto Maker. It starts at $26 per month for 32GB of storage and jumps to $30 per month if you double the storage. Doubling the storage is probably what you should do if you go the Moto Maker route, because that allows you to refresh the design of the phone once within two years. In other words, you can get a new phone with new custom design once within two years of owning it. If you don't go the Moto Maker route and want your phone now, Verizon has four pre-fab versions in various colors or textures. If the Turbo 2 isn't your cup, consider the MAXX 2 as a budget-friendly, but still quite good, phone. It starts at just $16 per month ($384 at full retail), comes with a mega battery, a nice size, feels great in the hand, and should make you quite happy even if it isn't a true flagship. We went hands-on with both the Turbo 2 and MAXX 2 earlier in the week, so be sure to check that out if you are at all interested in either phone. Verizon Links: TURBO 2 | TURBO 2 (with Moto Maker) | MAXX 2

Moto X Force is Official and Basically Just a DROID Turbo 2 for International

Kellen — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 06:41:58 +0000

Motorola wasted no time in announcing the close brother to the recently announced DROID Turbo 2, that being the Moto X Force. In the shortest press release ever that stopped off in our inbox this morning, Motorola told us to expect the X Force in November in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. They accompanied that email with a link to a drop test of the phone vs. the iPhone 6 and the Galaxy S6. If you know about the Turbo 2, then you know what happened. So really, the Moto X Force is just a Turbo 2, only without that stupid Verizon "✔" at the bottom or "DROID" branding. It still has that same shatterproof 5.4-inch QHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 810, 21MP camera, 3GB RAM, 3760mAh battery, and 32GB/64GB storage options (with SD support). It also will show up on Moto Maker with choices of leather, soft touch plastic, and ballistic nylon. To see the full specs, check out the DROID Turbo 2 specs. To see the phone in action, check out our DROID Turbo 2 unboxing and tour. If you live outside of the US and are interested, you can head over to Motorola's site to sign-up for more info.

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Via: Motorola

OnePlus X Specs (Official)

Tim — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 06:12:01 +0000

Digging the new OnePlus X? Well, you should probably learn about everything it has to offer, so here are the official specifications for the device. A few of the highlights include a Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, and expandable storage via microSD. The big highlight is the device's price. Available via invite system starting November 19, the OnePlus X will be listed at just $250. Besides its lack of NFC, I dare you to find many devices on par with the OnePlus X for that price. Check out the full spec list below.

OnePlus X Specs

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OnePlus X Hands-on and First Impressions

Tim — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 06:05:08 +0000

It does not have NFC, and it does not have USB Type-C. With that in mind, say "hello" to the new OnePlus X from OnePlus. To be marketed as a budget-friendly smartphone, yet still offering a premium in-hand feel and gentlemanly aesthetic, the OnePlus X will launch on November 19 in the US for a price of just $249. As I just mentioned, the OnePlus X lacks a few things that made the OnePlus One (NFC) and OnePlus 2 (USB Type-C) attractive devices, but does offer the most luxurious look we have seen to date from OnePlus. In-hand, the device is small, but feels very good. I would say it feels like a mix between a Galaxy S6 and iPhone 5s. With its all metal and glass design, it definitely gives off that Samsung and Apple look. Coupled with a very lightweight design, this phone is perfect for one-handed operation. For specs, the OnePlus X features a 5" Full HD (1080p) AMOLED display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of onboard storage, dual SIM slot, microSD slot for expandable storage, 2,525mAh battery, and runs OxygenOS on top of Android 5.1.1. For those who enjoy that custom theme and ROM feel that Android offers, it's a great option. The device will launch via invite system, naturally, starting November 19. There is only one model, priced at $249 in the United States. While the invite system idea is still total bullshit, you can't deny that for only $249, this is a solid little device. Although, keep in mind, OnePlus still does not seem to care about NFC. Below, we go hands-on with the OnePlus X, case accessories for the device, and a special limited edition OnePlus X Ceramic model that is exclusive to overseas markets.

Video

Hands-on

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Gallery

OnePlus Announces the OnePlus X, Available Via Invite System on November 19 for $249

Tim — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 06:00:35 +0000

Announced this morning, there is a new smartphone from OnePlus, the OnePlus X. Having been rumored for quite some time, with leaks taking place here and there, the device is now official, set to hit the US market on November 19. The goal of the OnePlus X is to set a higher standard in design from OnePlus, while pricing it at a very attractive price. Available through OnePlus' website, folks will need an invite to purchase the device, with the price set at $249. For specs, the device features a little bit of high-end mixed with mid-range. The phone features a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, 5.0" Full HD display, 13MP rear-facing camera, 2,525mAh battery, and OxygenOS on top of Android 5.1.1. You will note, the OnePlus X does not features NFC, or a USB Type-C port which they touted on the OnePlus 2. This smaller device features a standard microUSB port on the bottom. OnePlus has yet to announce exactly when and where you can request an invite, but rest assured that it will likely be on their website at some point. When that info is available, we will let you know. Until then, be sure to check out our hands-on video and the official specs list.

Powerfully Beautiful: Presenting the OnePlus X

New Smartphone Line Fuses Sleek Design with Flagship-level Performance
LONDON – October 29, 2015 – OnePlus today announced their brand new smartphone line with the launch of the OnePlus X. Featuring a compact 5” display and a new range of premium build materials, the OnePlus X, available in Onyx black glass and a limited Ceramic edition, showcases an elevated level of craftsmanship and power for OnePlus. “Today’s smartphone user strives to find the perfect balance of style and performance. The OnePlus X is a design-centric device chic and powerful enough to fit any lifestyle,” said OnePlus CEO Pete Lau. Precision Artwork in Your Hand The OnePlus X is a work of art. OnePlus has created two separate editions inspired by the exquisite handiwork behind two timeless fields of art glassware and ceramic. The OnePlus X Onyx is fashioned from black glass on a metal bezel, giving the phone a premium feel in your hand. Every glass backplate is cut to size and polished repeatedly until it achieves a smooth, glossy, mirror-like finish. Slightly rounded edges give the phone a fluid and seamless feel, and at just 4.86 oz, it is the lightest and slimmest OnePlus device to date. The Ceramic version is crafted in a process totaling 25 days. Starting with a zirconia mold just 0.5 mm thick, the ceramic is fire-baked up to 2,700oF for more than 28 hours before cooling for two full days. Each individual OnePlus X backplate undergoes three meticulous methods of polishing before it is flawless enough for use. Scratch-resistant with a hardness of 8.5H on the Mohs scale and weighing 5.64 oz, the ceramic build is a feat of engineering and design. A brushed anodized metal frame etched with 17 elegant microcuts surrounds the OnePlus X. A convenient Alert Slider for easy notification adjustments adorns the left side of the device, with the power button and volume rocker located on the right. Intuitively placed buttons combined with subtle curves and ergonomic lines make the OnePlus X easy and natural to use with one Capture Your World Faster than Ever The OnePlus X has a 13MP rear camera combined with f/2.2 aperture, perfect for documenting your unique everyday experiences. Optimized white balance and saturation maintain the integrity of the colors of your photos, and a lightning fast 0.2second autofocus with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) our fastest camera yet means you won’t miss a moment. Shoot in Auto, HDR or Clear Image to perfect your image, or switch to the 8MP front-facing camera with supported Beauty Mode to capture a flawless selfie. Beauty That’s More than Skindeep Combining the Snapdragon 801 processor with Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB of RAM, the OnePlus X is as powerful as it is stylish. The 5” 1080p Active Matrix OLED screen is responsive and incredibly bright in direct sunlight, and the 441 PPI resolution keeps the screen sharp without draining your battery. Notably, the OnePlus X supports two nano SIMs for more network choices and added convenience for people on the go. Even better, one card slot provides optional expandable storage with your own microSD card, allowing a maximum capacity up to 128GB. Personalize Your Experience OxygenOS, a custom operating system developed by OnePlus, brings a range of unique features and elements to the OnePlus X. The AMOLED screen, never before seen in a OnePlus device, allows for an ambient display that will wake in duo-chrome mode to alert you to new notifications. A proximity sensor, enabled by each individual user, also wakes the screen whenever the OnePlus X is brought out of a Along with OxygenOS features such as onscreen gestures, an enhanced file manager and custom quick settings, the OnePlus X also brings FM radio to your smartphone. Broadcast your favorite local stations directly from your phone without having to connect to WiFi or consume data with the new OnePlus Radio. Pricing and Availability The OnePlus X Onyx will be available on oneplus.net with an invite in Europe starting November 5 at EUR269.00, with a U.S. version to follow on November 19 for USD249.00. The Ceramic edition will be available with a Ceramic-specific invite in Europe and India starting November 24 for EUR369.00. Only 10,000 OnePlus X Ceramic devices will be available.

Report: Nintendo to Announce First Game for Mobile Tomorrow

Tim — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:31:17 +0000

According to Wii U Daily, Nintendo is set to announce its first game for mobile phone platforms tomorrow. Sadly, it is reported that we should not expect a port of one of Nintendo's more popular titles, but the game should be an original concept. In addition to an original concept, the game will not feature ridiculous in-app purchases, which is something we can all be happy about. Back in March, it was announced by Nintendo that the company would in fact be entering the mobile gaming industry, but at that time, they gave no details as to what mobile gamers should expect in terms of genre or partnering studios. Tomorrow, we should know anything and everything we need to know. Since it is stated that we should not expect any ports or remakes, I guess I shouldn't hold my breath for an awesome Mario or Pokemon port. Do you have any ideas as to what Nintendo might announce?

Via: Wii U Daily

DEAL: Nexus 6 at eBay is Now Just $289. Wow. (Updated: IT'S BACK!)

Kellen — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:47:58 +0000

UPDATE 10/28: IT'S BACK! Who knows why it was pulled initially, but it's back at $289 with free shipping. [DEAL LINK] Update: Looks like the seller didn't like selling you last year's Nexus 6, a perfectly good phone even for late 2015, at that ridiculously low price. The listing has been pulled.

I know that you are all awaiting the shipment notification for your Nexus 6P orders, or maybe our review of it, or maybe to see if it's good a few months down the road, but if you need an excellent phone to temporarily pass the time, check out this deal on the Nexus 6 over at eBay. For $289, you can have a brand new, unlocked Nexus 6 with 32GB of storage. That's nuts! Remember, this phone originally retailed for $649 when launched. It's now well under half the price that Google and the silly carrier partners it joined with last year thought it was worth. And look, this phone isn't as good as the 6P. But after spending some time with it on official Android 6.0 Marshmallow over the past few days, I'm starting to think that it may be better than the newly announced Nexus 5X. This is still a solid option, especially at that price. eBay Link

Cheers E!

Google Keep Update Allows You to Draw on Notes

Kellen — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 12:24:20 +0000

An update arriving today to Google Keep introduces a feature that finger doodlers will surely appreciate. You can now draw notes! The update will likely rollout slowly beginning today, so don't be surprised if you don't see it right away. Once you have it, you will see a new pen-like icon in certain spots where Google will allow you to draw. While we don't have the update, a GIF Google sent us shows pen icons at the "Take a note" screen and when viewing images, so you should be able to both doodle on attachments and also start new notes. Play Link

Google Fiber Announced for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Updated: Jacksonville and Tampa Too)

Tim — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 12:17:10 +0000

Announced today by city officials and Google, Oklahoma City is getting Google Fiber. Before all of OKC riots in excitement, acting as if OKC has brought home a NBA championship, do note that from what we have seen in past cities, rollout of Fiber is quite slow. But don't worry, it should be well worth the wait. Like all other cities where Fiber is currently available, there will be three pricing tiers to choose from. You have the free tier, which is access to basic Internet, Gigabit Internet, and then Gigabit Internet + TV. Pricing for all of this, including installation costs, will be made available once the service is actually rolled out to residents. OKC Mayor Mick Cornett states, "We’re very excited to be at this point in the process. We’ve had ongoing conversations with Google since 2012 and today we are moving forward with a game-changing opportunity to enhance broadband access in Oklahoma City – both in terms of speed and access." Congrats to all of you OKC residents. To prepare for its arrival, which could still take quite some time, check Fiber's OKC landing page here. Update: Shortly after we posted this, Google made it official, but also announced that Tampa and Jacksonville are a part of this next process to get Fiber going.

Via: KFOR | Mick Cornett

Cheers Michael!

Microsoft Kills Sunrise Calendar, Will Fold Features Into Outlook (MEH.)

Kellen — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 11:44:57 +0000

In mid-2014, a calendar app called Sunrise made its way to Android. I adopted it day 1 and have stuck with it ever since because, well, it's awesome. It not only works with your Google calendars, but it integrates with a whole bunch of other stuff, like Asana tasks, Facebook events, SongKick concerts, your favorite sports teams' schedules, and more. Seriously, even after Google made the stock Google Calendar all pretty last year, I couldn't make it as seamlessly powerful as Sunrise and after a short 2-week cheat period, came running back to the third party calendar maker. We have featured Sunrise in write-ups for our "This is My Android" series, called it a top app of 2014, and even mentioned it as one of the first 15 apps I install on every single new device. I don't know that it's the best calendar app available, but it is certainly up there and I can't live without it. Unfortunately, I have no choice and will soon have to. Remember when Microsoft bought them earlier this year? If not, just know that they did. At the time, they told us that Sunrise would remain and Microsoft would eventually share news on how they would build their technology into other Microsoft apps. That happens to be (at least in this situation) code for, "We are going to shut this f*cker down, eventually." And yep, Microsoft announced today that Sunrise is dead. Sunrise and all of its features will now be built into Outlook apps on iOS and Android, an email app that no one cares about. Unfair? Whatever. I'm mad that Sunrise is dying. I am. And so I'm taking it out on Outlook...OK I can't do that. Outlook is actually a pretty sweet email app, assuming you can bring yourself to leave Gmail or Inbox (which you can't), and integrating Sunrise is only going to make it that much better. But dammit, I want my stand-alone Sunrise. I do. Because I don't want to use Outlook. MEH. EDIT: I give up having fun in articles. I give up. Yes, folks, I am fully aware that Outlook is a legitimate email app. I even said so in the damn article. Actually, in the paragraph directly above, I said as much. This was me just fuming at Microsoft killing my favorite calendar app and then taking cheap jabs for fun at Outlook. Again, I give up. In related news, Microsoft did announce that Outlook is getting a big Material Design update with redesigns for things like the header, message list, compose, People list, and contact details experiences. It starts rolling out in November. As for the "When does Sunrise officially die?" question you are about to ask. The answer is simple - Sunrise apps will no longer receive updates going forward. Again, Sunrise is dead. MEH, again.

Via: Sunrise | Microsoft

Google Play Games Updated With Record & Share Feature

Tim — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 11:24:05 +0000

Calling all mobile gamers who wish to share their gaming experiences with the world, you may now do so. Thanks to an update for Google Play Games, you can now record any gameplay you do on your smartphone, then edit and share that gameplay footage directly to YouTube. Not to confuse this with YouTube Gaming, which allows you to stream gameplay to YouTube, Google Play Games is an offline option for those who wish to do a bit of editing before allowing the world to view it. When recording, you can choose any game on your device, then opt for either 480p or 720p (HD) recording. Then, select if you want your beautiful face and voice to be present, and start playing. Once your session is complete, you can trim, edit, and then upload directly to YouTube. The update is now live on Google Play, so have at it. Play Link: Google Play Games

Via: Android

Google USB Type-C Chargers Back in Stock on Google Play

Tim — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:40:34 +0000

Did you purchase a Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X? Then you should probably pick up a few USB Type-C chargers while they are available on Google Store, as you can rest assured that they will be fully compatible with both devices. On the product description page, it states you can charge quickly with the chargers, but since we do not have one of these in-house, we don't know specifically if they will charge "rapidly" on the 6P or 5X, but we have to assume so. The specs do not specify voltage and amps, but they are 15W. They are not exactly cheap, either. For a standard charger, you are looking at $25. There is also a dual-port charger for $39.99. Get them while you can. Play Link

Cricket Adds Data Roaming to Canada and Mexico at No Extra Cost

Kellen — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:45:42 +0000

This morning, Cricket announced that it has added data roaming to their Smart ($50) and Pro ($60) plans at no extra charge. This means that Cricket customers can use their monthly data allotment when traveling to Canada and Mexico. Cricket isn't saying what types of speeds you will see in either country, but not having to pay extra for the little data you use on vacations is a nice bonus. And keep in mind that Cricket already had unlimited calling, texting, and messaging between Mexico, Canada, and the US. Curious, but how many Cricket customers do we have? Assuming you can handle their throttled data speeds, their plan prices are kind of unbeatable.

Via: Cricket (PRNewswire)

YouTube Red Goes Live Today

Tim — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:37:55 +0000

YouTube Red is hitting YouTube accounts this morning, allowing those who pay the $9.99 a month, or already subscribe to Google Play Music All Access, to view all YouTube videos ad-free. In addition to ad-free video playback, subscribers will also have the ability save videos for offline video playback for when you don't have data or WiFi connection. Another feature baked into Red is the ability to listen to videos while your display is off or other apps are in the foreground. This is called Background Play. According to YouTube, they are working to bring Red to additional countries, as well as other apps like YouTube Kids, YouTube Music, and YouTube Gaming in the near future. For those who wish not to use Red, don't worry, you can still use YouTube the same way as always. And yes, if you pay the promo price of $7.99 for Play Music from when it first launched, you also get access to YouTube Red for completely free. For those already subscribed to Play Music, YouTube Red should automatically pop up on the YouTube homepage. Under your YouTube settings, you will see a new tab for Red, where it details your billing and status.

If you do not already have Play Music, do you intend to spend $9.99 a month to see YouTube videos with no ads, in addition to ad-free music on Play Music? If you are on the fence, YouTube is offering a free 30-day trial, but you need a credit card. YouTube Red

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LG V10 Now Live on T-Mobile Website, In-Store October 30

Tim — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:15:59 +0000

For those in need of the ultimate "stuff and things" device from LG, the V10, pre-orders are now live on T-Mobile's website. In addition, AT&T now has the device officially for sale, so there is no waiting needed if you are on that carrier. On T-Mobile, the device is priced at $599 full retail, but can purchased on a device payment plan for as little as $25 a month and $0 down. For those with less-than-stellar credit, your down payment is listed at $330, with monthly payments set at a little over $11 a month. On AT&T, the device carries a full retail price of $699, or different monthly payment tiers through the carrier's Next program. For additional pricing on AT&T, see its website. Did anyone here pull the trigger on the V10? T-Mobile Link | AT&T Link

Samsung's 18-Inch Galaxy View Tablet is Official

Kellen — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 07:48:25 +0000

This morning, Samsung officially took the wraps off its Galaxy View tablet, which is the behemoth of a slate that has been talked about ad nauseam lately because of its enormous 18.4-inch display. The tablet, while big, doesn't exactly scream "high-end" now that we are seeing the specs breakdown. That 18.4-inch display is just Full HD (1920x1080) and it only has 2GB RAM. Samsung is bragging about its battery life, though, that can supposedly last through 8 hours of video, thanks to the 5700mAh battery inside. The tablet has has 802.11ac WiFi, LTE, an octa-core processor, cameras, and runs Android 5.1. Samsung is also talking up the tablet's "video-centric interface." We don't yet know pricing or a date of availability. Anyone interested?

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Verizon Giving Away 200 DROID Turbo 2 Phones Through 'DROID Seeker' Game

Tim — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 15:11:58 +0000

If you want to try winning 1 of 200 DROID Turbo 2 phones for free from Verizon, you can have some fun with a game called DROID Seeker on the carrier's Tumblr page. Exclusive to existing Verizon customers, players must search through a dark virtual city, looking for a hidden DROID device. To play, you must sign up on the #WhyNotWednesday Tumblr page tomorrow starting at 12pm EDT (9am PDT). Once you are verified as a Verizon customer, you are then placed into a queue for a chance to play DROID Seeker. When it is your turn to play, you will be notified. As soon as you log in, you have just 30 seconds to search through the city to find one of the hidden devices. If you find the device and tap on the icon in time, you will win one of the 200 phones up for grabs. Note, when you do sign up to play, you will need to enter in your Verizon phone number, in addition to a Twitter account. Tomorrow, enter here at 12pm EDT. Are you going to give it a shot?

A Big Gallery of the DROID Turbo 2 and MAXX 2

Kellen — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:34:11 +0000

After posting our unboxing, we realized that we had a whole bunch of photos of the new DROID Turbo 2 and DROID MAXX 2 that we had yet to post, including some of the Moto Maker options for the Turbo 2, should you choose the 64GB model and go the customization route. So, here is a big ass gallery of the phones! Actually, before we get there, be sure to read the full announcement for these new DROIDs, as it talks about pricing and Moto Maker options. Also, don't forget that we posted official specs for the MAXX 2 and Turbo 2 to show that the rumors leading up to today were right. OK, here you go - the big ol' gallery of each phone.

T-Mobile Hosting UnCarrier X Event on November 10 in Los Angeles

Tim — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:03:19 +0000

Announced today, T-Mobile is hosting an UnCarrier X event, set to take place on November 10 in Los Angeles, CA. T-Mobile's post regarding the event gives no details or insight as to what we might expect, but the flyer does state, "We Never Hit Pause." According to a few T-Mobile fans on Twitter, they happen to think T-Mobile will announce a type of "Video Freedom" service, much like T-Mobile did with Music Freedom. Music Freedom allows users of select music streaming services to listen to unlimited amounts of music, not counting towards their total data usage per month. While the idea of Video Freedom is cool, we will likely have to wait until November 10 to hear what T-Mobile plans on unveiling. Any ideas what T-Mobile has cooking for UnCarrier X?

We're keeping the #Uncarrier revolution rolling; no reason to hit pause now: 11.10.15 #UncarrierX https://t.co/8gbhuOeZST
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) October 27, 2015

Via: T-Mobile

Google Announces the ASUS OnHub WiFi Router, Priced at $220

Tim — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:30:15 +0000

Google introduced a new OnHub WiFi router this morning, this time produced by ASUS. The other OnHub router, currently available for $199, is made by TP-Link. The ASUS OnHub will be available for sale on November 3 for $220, from what should be a solid list of retailers. What makes the ASUS-made OnHub different? Well, according to Google, this router features Wave Control, which lets you boost the WiFi speed for a particular device by simply waving your hand over the top of the OnHub unit. For all OnHub devices, ASUS and TP-Link, Google will soon send out an OTA update to units, bringing a new smart antenna algorithm. This update will allow the router to intelligently select the best connection for a device, wherever it may be inside a home. This update will hit existing OnHub devices manually, with no need for the owner to install it. Pre-orders for the ASUS OnHub are now live on Newegg, with additional retailers opening up pre-orders soon. Anyone here have an OnHub WiFi router? Do you like it? Pre-Order Link

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Via: Google

Google Play Music to Offer Podcasts!

Kellen — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 11:59:52 +0000

Google announced this afternoon that it is ready to start offering podcasts on Google Play Music. How awesome is that? Soon, assuming we get approved, you will be able to catch the Droid Life Show through Google Play Music, instead of using whatever other podcast app you had attached yourself to. And not that other podcast apps are bad, but this means you will have a one-stop shop for all your audio needs. Google says that it is opening up a podcast portal today to podcasters, so that in the near future, their shows will be available on Play Music. Shows will be searchable, but also "will connect new listeners with podcasts based on what they’re doing, how they’re feeling, or what they’re interested in." We have already submitted the DL Show and are now "under review." Hopefully, as Google goes live with podcasts on Play Music, you will not only get the DL Show day one, but your other favorite podcasts too. If you run a podcast and would like to submit yours for review, hit up this link.

Via: Android Blog

Motorola Talks "Making of" ShatterShield, Shatteproof Displays, and the Turbo 2

Kellen — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 11:30:51 +0000

Are we skeptical of Motorola's claim that the DROID Turbo 2's display is shatterproof? Yeah, a little. But the good news there is that we get to test the hell out of it. In fact, I just dropped the phone off the table I'm sitting at, just to be sure. And yep, it's still not shattered. Motorola is also putting some weight behind this shatterproof idea, which they are calling ShatterShield. They are giving the Turbo 2 a 4-year guarantee against shatters or cracks and are even letting you replace the top protective layer of their ShatterShield system, should it appear to have cosmetic issues. The whole system is built on 5 layers, according to Motorola:

It starts with a rigid aluminum core that provides structural integrity and durability.
On top of that, we’ve added in a stunning AMOLED flexible display. Using a flexible display absorbs shock and makes it possible to flex during a drop versus breaking like most screens.
Then, a dual touch layer with redundancy was created to help it survive accidents. Often, after a drop, the touch layer can go bad and your touch doesn’t work as well. So we‘ve added a failsafe mechanism.
The next layer is the interior lens which provides a clear protective shield that won’t crack or shatter.
Lastly, we topped it off with an exterior lens that has a unique hardcoat that helps protect the display against normal wear and tear.

That sounds like a lot of layers and I'm worried that they will take away from a beautiful display, but that's just another piece to this phone that we get to test. Either way, Motorola seems to be pretty proud of this whole idea. And rightfully so. Let's just hope it can stand up to the hype, because phone display problems are real.

DROID Turbo 2 and MAXX 2 Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 10:21:44 +0000

Now that the DROID Turbo 2 (right) and DROID MAXX 2 (left) are official, we have had a chance to spend some time with each, thanks to Verizon. In the video below, you'll see an unboxing of each, along with quick overviews and an even quicker comparison to one another. My initial impressions of each are sort of that they are familiar phones. The new Turbo 2 is a lot like the Moto X Pure Edition, only a bit wider and with a giant chin. But the soft-touch texture on its backside, along with its software, Motorola dimple, and camera housing, all make for a phone that isn't exactly new to my hand. That's not me discounted it, it's just that this phone feels very familiar. The same goes for the new MAXX 2, because this is basically just the Moto X Play, only with DROID branding. It actually feels a bit better in hand than the Turbo 2, because its frame is slightly smaller and nestles into your hand much like the Moto X Pure does. Both phones seem to be built well, which shouldn't shock you, since these were made by Motorola. We look forward to spending more time with each over the coming weeks. For now, I'll leave you with this!

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DROID MAXX 2 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 10:11:13 +0000

The DROID MAXX 2 may not be the headliner of the two new DROIDs, but it shouldn't be overlooked. This phone, like its distant cousin, the Moto X Play, is a well-equipped phone but with an even better price that is a heck of a value. At just $16 per month ($384 full retail), you get a 5.5-inch FHD (1080p) display, 21MP camera, 2GB RAM, 3630mAh battery, 16GB storage with SD card support, 4G LTE, and a 1.7GHz Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor. Seriously, that's a pretty decent set of specs for a phone that still drops in under $400. Then again, the Moto X Pure tops it in most areas and is only $15 more. The Nexus 5X is also on-par in many areas, yet starts at just $379. The phone will go up for purchase on October 29 at Verizon.

DROID MAXX 2 Specs

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DROID Turbo 2 Specs (Official)

Tim — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 10:05:40 +0000

The DROID Turbo 2 is now official. If you plan on picking one up, you should know what is under the hood, including its Snapdragon 810 processor and 21MP camera. Out of the two new DROID phones, the Turbo 2 is certainly the "flagship," with its shatterproof display, plus the ability to customize it through Moto Maker. Below, we have the full set of specs for you, which show its 5.4" QHD display, Snapdragon processor, storage, and 21MP rear-facing camera. The DROID Turbo 2 is available October 29 with a starting price of $624. [table id=18 /]

Verizon Announces the DROID Turbo 2 and DROID Maxx 2, Available on October 29

Tim — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:20:19 +0000

Announced this morning at an event in New York City, we have two new DROID phones from Verizon and Motorola, the DROID Turbo 2 and DROID Maxx 2, set to hit the US market on October 29. The DROID Turbo 2 has a retail price of $629, while the DROID Maxx 2 is priced at $384. The Turbo 2, what most would consider to be the better of the two, features a 5.4" POLED QHD display, Snapdragon 810 processor, 21MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera, 32GB of onboard storage (64GB available exclusively through Moto Maker), expandable storage via microSD slot, TurboPower charging, 3,760 mAh battery, NFC, and Android 5.1 out of the box. Besides the specs, Motorola has baked in Moto ShatterShield technology into the Turbo 2's display, meaning that even if you drop this phone right on its display, the screen should not shatter. It is marketed as the world's first shatterproof display. As stated in Verizon's press release, "The display and embedded lens are warranted against shattering and cracking for four (4) years from the original date of purchase." Not only should the device not shatter, but buyers can even customize the device through Moto Maker, offering more than 1,000 ways for you to design the device. On Moto Maker, buyers can opt for a Design Refresh option, granting them the ability to customize a new Turbo 2 device within a two year period after purchase. Do note, you must purchase the device before December 31, 2015 to receive the Design Refresh option. As for the DROID Maxx 2, it features a 5.5" 1080p display, 21MP rear camera with dual LED CCT flash, 5MP front-facing camera, Snapdragon 615 processor, 16GB of storage, microSD slot, 3,630mAh battery, and also runs Android 5.1. Both the Maxx 2 and Turbo 2 will receive the Marshmallow update, according to Verizon and Motorola. Again, the two devices will be available on Verizon's website and across the US through retailer stores on October 29. The DROID Turbo 2 will be $26/month for 24 months ($624 retail price) or $30/month for 24 months ($720 retail price) with Design Refresh through Moto Maker. The DROID Maxx 2 will be $16 per month for 24 months ($384 retail price). Share you thoughts on the new DROIDs below.

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Via: Motorola | Verizon

DROID Turbo 2 'Employee Edition' Hits Verizon's Site, Specs Confirmed

Tim — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 07:56:29 +0000

Verizon is announcing the DROID Turbo 2 this morning in NYC, but apparently, they could not contain their excitement any longer. Posted to the Verizon website, a DROID Turbo 2 'Employee Edition' is now available for looking over, including specs, features, and more. According to the listing for Employee Edition, which is usually the exact same as the standard model with the exception of color, specs include a 5.4" POLED QHD display, Moto ShatterShield, Snapdragon 810 processor, 21MP rear-facing camera, microSD slot for up to 2TB of storage, 3,760 mAh battery, and Android 5.1 Lollipop. In addition to specs being posted, we can confirm that the Turbo 2 will be available for customization through Moto Maker on Motorola's website. As stated on Verizon's website, "There are more than a thousand ways to make the Droid Turbo 2 one of a kind at the Moto Maker online studio." A couple of the options shown include leather, ballistic nylon, soft grip backing, and even gold accents. We are literally minutes away from the Turbo 2 and MAXX 2 becoming official, so expect plenty of more info coming your way soon.

Via: Verizon

Deal: HTC RE Camera Drops to $50 for 1 Day Only

Kellen — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 05:39:34 +0000

HTC's little periscope-ish, submarine-inspired action cam, the RE, is on sale today for just $50. That's a pretty good deal! Sure, this camera doesn't take great pictures, doesn't have a viewfinder, and only really works best when paired up to a smartphone, but it could come in handy from time to time. You can take it in water, strap it to your chest while doing fun action stunts, or just pass it around at a party and see what happens. I've actually done that last option and came away with some fun photos. Either way, if you needed a really random camera accessory to add to the collection, today is the day to buy the RE. HTC Deal Link

Reminder: Motorola and Verizon Announcing New DROIDs Today

Kellen — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 05:30:10 +0000

You didn't forget, did you? If so, here is your reminder that Motorola and Verizon are hosting a little media event today in NYC to unveil new DROID phones. We are fully expecting those phones to be the DROID Turbo 2 and DROID MAXX 2. The Turbo 2 should be the flagship of the two, with a 5.5-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 810, 3GB, 20MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, big ol' battery, Turbo Charging, and Android 5.1.1. The Turbo 2 will also be a part of Motorola's Moto Maker program, so that owners can customize it, maybe even a second time within two years of owning it. And let's not forget that Motorola thinks that the phone has a shatterproof display and is prepared to stand behind that claim. The MAXX 2 is more like a Moto X Play. It'll likely also have a 5.5-inch display, but lesser resolution (1080p) and RAM, a lower-powered processor, no Moto Maker support, and Android 5.1.1. It may have the bigger battery of the two, though. We are on hand in New York, so stay tuned for coverage of the event as it happens. Motorola and Verizon will kick things off at 11AM Eastern (8AM Pacific). Verizon told me that they may post up video at their news site, so if that happens, we will update this post. Update: Verizon has indeed fired up what appears to be a livestream of the event. So far, it doesn't seem to be embeddable, but we'll work on that. For now, feel free to tune in here.

BlackBerry Pushes Apps to Google Play Ahead of Priv Launch

Tim — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 17:53:49 +0000

For those possibly pondering the potential of purchasing the Priv, BlackBerry has uploaded and updated a few applications on Google Play, preparing for the device's launch apparently set for November 6. For future owners, you can find BlackBerry Launcher, BlackBerry Keyboard, exFAT, and BlackBerry Services. The Launcher application features many custom BlackBerry tweaks, such as keyboard shortcuts to apps, the ability to use custom icon packs, and more. The Keyboard application brings "quick and easy creation of text, more efficiency through learning and personalization, and Text Selection and Fine Cursor Control make it easy to format your work." Again, if the Priv is on your wishlist, head over to Google Play and add these apps to your Wishlist. Play Link

Via: BlackBerry

Why the Blackberry Priv Matters [Opinion]

Ron — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 14:43:23 +0000

I've never been a Blackberry fan. Before I ended up getting an HTC Touch Pro 2 I had considered getting a Blackberry Storm because Verizon was offering a buy one get one free deal. I was too young to know that was a bad sign, but eventually I ended up doing more research before landing on the Touch Pro 2. Since then I've continued to do what most smartphone fans have done regarding Blackberry; I've ignored them until a press release reminds me that they haven't been sold to someone or finally closed up shop. I remember laughing to myself that the company who prided itself on having a stellar email experience (which, by the way, was not the case if you were a business that used Microsoft Exchange) didn't have an email application for their first tablet. I remember reading about how the company was so baffled that Apple had made an honest to God smartphone that they thought Apple had faked the whole thing until they could get their hands on one. Blackberry has always been a joke to me, but the Priv is different. In a world where every Android manufacturer is struggling to make money, where Samsung and HTC are fighting to copy Apple better and faster than the other, where LG refuses to make a good looking and functional Android skin, where Motorola has gone through multiple acquisitions and appears to have lost its mojo, where Sony has made fantastic phones year over year that aren't available in America and feature the same seven year old design... We're in desperate need of change. We need research that goes forward in motion. We need someone, anyone to break from the mold. What makes the Priv that special something that we've needed? The Priv could be a terrible phone. I would not be surprised if the camera is mediocre, the speaker is disappointing, and the keyboard feels like little more than a relic, but it represents the kind of innovative spirit that seems to have left the industry. No one is willing to try anything different anymore. Everyone is releasing gigantic phones in the same shape and size as everyone else. Part of that process was the standardization of the black slab as the form factor for our pocket computers, but that was really driven by a desire from carriers and manufacturers to differentiate based on software. The assumption was that if everyone is drawing from the same pot of components then hardware differentiation becomes less and less important. So we saw Blur and TouchWiz and Sense and Facebook Home and CyanogenMod and all sorts of other ways to make phones look and work differently. Custom ROMs mattered as hardware became nothing more than a spec war. How much RAM is in my phone or how many GHz my processor can run up to or if my phone has USB-C with only 2.0 speeds or USB 3.0 with a weird charging cable or blah blah blah. The spec war has been boring for years and the software differentiation served only to confuse users, annoy Android purists, and force Google into doing better design than HTC, Samsung, LG, Huawei, or Sony could ever dream of doing. OK, that last part was good, but the rest of it was maddening.

IMAGE: Blackberry

So, again, what makes the Priv so special? Why does it matter? The Priv defies those categories. It has the nice specs out there for the nerds to ogle at, but most importantly it runs what appears to be close to stock Android with meaningfully differentiated hardware. We've seen phones with keyboards before, sure, but when was the last time there was a flagship with an actual slide out keyboard? It was so long ago even Wayback Machine doesn't know. And while a front facing speaker certainly isn't revolutionary, it also still isn't the standard even though having front facing speakers empirically provides a better experience. I'm not a fan of the Galaxy S6 Edge because the edge is a little too steep in my opinion, but I do like curved displays, which the Priv features. The Priv's camera also includes optical image stabilization, which doesn't promise perfect pictures, but it should help in low light situations. What does all of this add up to? A phone that is actually unlike everything else out there. I don't expect the Priv to be the phone of the year, but I'd love to see it be a contender. After all, isn't hardware differentiation something we all pine for as Android users? We loved the original Droid not just because it did things the iPhone didn't, but because the hardware was special. We've gone so far in the other direction to the point where using metal instead of plastic is a meaningful differentiator. I'm all for using better materials, but I'd so much rather see manufacturers take some risks and try something new instead of watching all of them die trying to do the same thing their dying competitors are doing. With Chinese manufacturers on the rise who are able to do what the best of Android's manufacturers do, but cheaper, I think hardware differentiation becomes a valuable asset. There are so many different things that could be done with a mobile computer's hardware. Keyboards are great, but what about things like a killer slide out controller for gaming or having a screen on the back of the device or the ability to slide on a battery pack that is flush to the device or whatever else. No one seems to be trying something new. Maybe it's just that candy bar phones are all we need, but maybe, just maybe, Blackberry is serving as a reminder that hardware design not only matters, but can serve to make the product different in meaningful ways.

Google Posts Nexus 6P Android 6.0 Factory Images

Kellen — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 13:37:49 +0000

Last Monday, Google told us that its Nexus 5X would begin shipping before following up the news with the public posting of the phone's first handful of Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images. Today, we have our first Nexus 6P factory images, but unfortunately, we still don't know when these bad boys are officially shipping. I would like to believe that these new images are a sign that things are about to get fully under way, but this is Google and they are their own breed of company. Either way, we have the first two images of the Nexus 6P "angler" as builds MDA89D and MDB08K, for those interested or who were lucky enough to receive a shipment notice last week. On a funny note, Google actually labeled them initially as Android 5.1.1, which we all know is not correct. They fixed it immediately. Factory Image Link

AT&T Intros Data Perks, Earn Data by Taking Surveys and Shopping

Tim — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:58:15 +0000

For customers on AT&T, the company has partnered with Aquto to deliver a service that allows subscribers to receive data free of charge, if they are willing to take surveys and do a bit of mobile shopping. Called Data Perks, those on AT&T simply download the app, browse through different offers curated from a variety of brands, and then complete tasks to receive free, usable data on your account. As an example, you may see an option that states if you purchase $50 or more in shoes, you will be gifted 124MB of data once the purchase has been completed. The data that you gain from taking surveys and making mobile purchases is stored in the app, which you then must transfer to your account. It may sound a little confusing, but should be rather straightforward in usability. According to AT&T, during a single billing period, a maximum of 1,000MB may be earned and transferred to your account, which is equal to 1GB. Additionally, only postpaid accounts are eligible to use this service, and no prepaid plans are supported. If you already do quite a bit of mobile shopping, and Data Perks features a few brands you actually enjoy, I suppose there is no harm to the app. There's nothing wrong with free data, but I feel that the money you must spend on items in exchange for the small amount of data you receive does not even out. If I was to spend $50+ on shoes, I expect more than 124MB of data. For $50, I could just buy a few GBs worth of data. For those on AT&T, and are interested, you can follow the link below to check it out. Play Link

Via: AT&T

Facebook Introduces Google Now-Like Notification Tab in Mobile Apps

Kellen — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:33:30 +0000

Facebook is rolling out a new Notification tab to their mobile apps on both Android and iOS that gives its users more control over the information presented throughout the day or as they change locations. Not only will this tab show your notifications, but you will be able to customize it to show life events, upcoming events you are attending, sports scores, weather, etc. It's a lot like Google Now, though you may have more control here than what Google gives you with its own service. Facebook users have apparently told Facebook that they want to control the notification experience by adding in personal touches like birthdays and TV reminders, or to show movies playing nearby or restaurants worth eating at, so Facebook has done just that. Here are some of the things you will see in the new Notification tab:

Friends’ milestones, like birthdays and life events
Sports scores and TV reminders, based on Pages you’ve liked
Upcoming events that you’ve joined
Things happening around your community, like local events and news that is popular in the city you live in
Weather updates, like current conditions and severe weather alerts
Movies playing in theaters near you
A list of nearby places to eat, with links to the places’ Facebook Pages and reviews

The new Notification tab is starting its rollout today, but will likely happen slowly. Facebook says that even with this new feature, your "current notification settings will not change, and you can adjust those any time in your Settings." Let us know if you see it!

Via: Facebook

Buy the LG V10, Get a Free 200GB SD Card, Extra Battery, and Charging Cradle

Kellen — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:00:44 +0000

Like it did with the LG G4, LG is giving away goodies to those who pick up its latest phone, the V10. This morning, AT&T announced that customers who buy the phone would receive a free micro SD card, but as it turns out, LG is doing a similar deal plus more for V10 purchases on the three US carriers it plans to sell through. According to LG, V10 purchases will include a free 200GB micro SD card, free spare battery, and a battery charging cradle. In order to claim your freebies, all you need to do is head over to this LG promo page and follow their instructions. Just be sure to do it shortly after buying the V10, as the promo is only available for a limited time.

BUY LG V10 AND RECEIVE 200 GB MEMORY CARD, EXTRA BATTERY AND BATTERY CHARGING CRADLE FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., – Oct. 26, 2015 – For a limited time, participants who purchase a new LG V10™ purchase during the promotional period will a 200GB microSD card, extra battery and battery charging cradle. This promotion applies only to new LG V10 handsets purchased through AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. For more information, including availability please visit: lgv10promo.com. The LG V10 is 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 LG 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. Since the edges and corners are the most vulnerable areas of a phone, the extra protection provided by the Dura Guard frame helps ensure maximum durability. In independent testing and certification by MET Laboratories, LG V10 was dropped repeatedly at different angles from a height of 48 inches, and this rugged device was verified as "MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant" for shock. Additional key features of the LG V10™ include:

Cameras: Take beautiful, crisp photos and videos with the 16MP camera with Laser Auto Focus, and dual 5MP front-facing cameras. Capture the perfect selfie even in the lowest light with the Gesture Shot and Selfie Light.

Processor: Qualcomm^®Snapdragon™ 808 Processor, combined with 4GB of RAM[1] lets you move quickly through your favorite apps.

Storage[2]: Now more ofyour photos and videos can live on your smartphone. It has 64GB of internal storage memory, expandable up to 2TB using a MicroSDcard (sold separately).

Battery:Removable 3000mAh battery.

Access & Security:Along with LG’s popular Knock Code, the LG V10 features a new fingerprint sensor to unlock it and turn on the display simultaneously.

Operating System: Android™ 5.1 Lollipop.

Connectivity:Wi-Fi 802.1 1 a, b, g, n, ac/ Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / USB 2.0

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Verizon Teases DROID Turbo 2 to "Shatter Expectations"

Tim — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 09:36:15 +0000

Tomorrow, we will likely have two new DROID devices announced by Verizon and Motorola. Naturally, Verizon is firing up the hypetrain on social media, claiming that the upcoming DROID Turbo 2 will "shatter your expectations." In the video teaser posted to Twitter, we have colorful balls of some kind (possibly bubble gum or bouncy balls?), falling in reverse back into what appears to be a sphere made of glass. With the info we have received from sources, as well as marketing material claiming that the Turbo 2 will feature a shatterproof display, the tag "Your expectations will be shattered," makes a whole lot of sense. We have posted additional information about the Turbo 2 and MAXX 2, which includes info on Motorola's Design Refresh, customization options, and much more. Ready for tomorrow?

We’ve got a real treat in store for you. https://t.co/jxbSOpwpWE
— Verizon (@verizon) October 25, 2015

Via: @Verizon

DEAL: Nexus 6 at eBay is Now Just $289. Wow. (Updated: IT'S BACK!)

Kellen — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 09:18:41 +0000

Cheers E!

LG V10 Arrives at AT&T Tomorrow, T-Mobile on Wednesday

Kellen — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 06:36:27 +0000

The LG V10, a new line of mega phones created by LG that seems to have caught our readers' eyes, was first introduced through a press release on the last day of September without a firm launch time frame. Today, that changes, as AT&T and T-Mobile have both announced dates of availability.

The LG V10 will be available tomorrow (October 27) from AT&T before arriving at T-Mobile's online shop the following day, October 28. The V10 hits T-Mobile stores on October 30. In terms of pricing, AT&T will have the Space Black or Opal Blue colors available for $249 on a 2-year contract. If you choose one of their next plans, you can pay for the phone monthly as low $23.34 per month. For a limited time, they will also toss in a free 200GB micro SD card, because as you know, the V10 has an SD card slot. On the 28th, when T-Mobile makes the phone available, you can grab the V10 for as little as $0 upfront with $25 per month payments if you join their JUMP! On Demand program. That puts the total payments for the phone at $599, which T-Mobile says is $100 off MSRP. As a recap, the LG V10 is a flagship level phone that I described as having lots of "things." Some took that as me swiping at the V10, but in reality, this phone is filled with all sorts of things. It has dual front facing cameras, a dual display setup, Dura Guards and Dura Shields, and QHDs, etc. Overall, though, in the roughly week+ I spent with the phone before Nexus season hit, I was quite surprised at how much I liked it. We'll fully review it soon, but I can tell you now that this is a quality phone and probably LG's best feeling in terms of quality in a long, long time.

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Via: AT&T | T-Mobile

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: October 23, 2015

Tim — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:13:33 +0000

Another week in the books, and if you are a fan of Google and Nexus devices, it was a good week. On Monday, we posted up camera reviews and unboxing videos for the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, as well as answered a ton of your questions live during a special Nexus Edition of The Droid Life Show. On top of Nexus news, Verizon began teasing the upcoming DROID devices on social media, Google announced YouTube Red (an ad-free version of YouTube), we learned that the Galaxy S7 may come as early as January 19, and the BlackBerry Priv is now up for pre-order priced at $699. Here are the stories from this week you should not miss.

Have a great weekend, folks!

HTC Pushes Launch of Grip Fitness Tracker to Early Next Year

Tim — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:34:02 +0000

Remember that fitness tracking wearable HTC partnered with Under Armour to produce, called the HTC Grip? Well, it was announced back on March 1, with its release scheduled for Spring of 2015. As the year pushed on, Grip never came to fruition, but then in July, the device received Bluetooth certification, sparking the idea that we must be pretty close to a launch. A few days after certification, HTC said we should expect it later, near the tail end of 2015. Well, now it's nearly November, and there has been zero word from HTC on the device's whereabouts, until now. Dun dun dun. According to a statement from HTC delivered to Phandroid, both UA and HTC have decided to hold off on an individual launch of Grip (without specifically mentioning Grip), and instead, will develop and launch a, "fully integrated digital ecosystem of products early next year." Because, yeah, that will go much more smoothly for all parties involved. Here is the complete statement from HTC.

As we continue to develop the Connected Fitness platform and elevate our product offerings, Under Armour and HTC have decided to launch a fully integrated digital ecosystem of products early next year. This global launch will provide the tools needed to help athletes of all levels track, manage and improve their health and fitness. Our teams have done a remarkable job bringing these products to life and we’re excited to share them with the public soon.

In my opinion, it's likely a safe bet that no one here has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Grip. There is already a market completely saturated with fitness and health trackers, meaning Grip will probably just get lost in the mix upon arrival.

Via: Phandroid

Some Cool Things Motorola and Verizon are Doing With DROID Turbo 2 and MAXX 2 (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:21:06 +0000

Next week, at a press event in New York, Verizon and Motorola are expected to announce the new DROID Turbo 2 and DROID MAXX 2. Plenty of information has leaked about each over the past few months, information that shows not only a new flagship DROID (Turbo 2), but another, more affordable DROID (MAXX 2) that will focus on battery life. To add to the ongoing story that will soon be official, we have new details from sources of ours that tell of phones that won't just be about "DROID" and specs. These phones have additional programs that Verizon and Motorola hope will help them stand out. First, as we told you last week, the DROID Turbo 2 will be a part of Motorola's Moto Maker program. If you buy a Turbo 2, you will be able to fully customize it, just like you can with the Moto X Pure Edition. Options will include soft touch plastic, leather, and ballistic nylon. But that's not all. Motorola and Verizon are introducing a new program called "Design Refresh" that will allow you to "refresh" your phone with a new design once in a two year period. Design Refresh, as far as we know, is an add-on that you purchase along with the Turbo 2 and is not free. Interested customers will have to decide to buy it before the end of this year if they want to participate. But the idea is that they can refresh the design on their phone once. I would imagine that customers will have to send back their original Turbo 2 for a new one, but still, a phone refresh is a cool concept, assuming the program isn't over priced to begin with. Second, outside of the customization, Motorola and Verizon are really going to play up this "Shatterproof" thing that has been referenced a handful of times already, including in this teaser from Big Red. The Turbo 2 will have a shatterproof display. I know that sounds like an insane promise, but Motorola and Verizon seem to be serious about this idea. The Turbo 2 will come with a 4-year guarantee that it won't "crack or shatter." Motorola is calling this new technology ShatterShield.

Update: A reader of ours (Cheers Justin!) found a document on Motorola's website that talks more about ShatterShield. You can view the document here. And this is what it says.

Additional warranty coverage for those Products that contain the ShatterShield™ Display System: the ShatterShield™ display system is made up of 3 separate components; the display, embedded lens and a consumer-replaceable protective lens. The display and embedded lens are warranted against shattering and cracking for four (4) years from the original date of consumer purchase. The consumer-replaceable protective lens is not covered by this Limited Warranty, but should always be in place to prevent scratches and other damage to the underlying components. All other limitations and exclusions contained in this Limited Warranty (see "What is not covered" section below), including scratches and other cosmetic damage, intentional damage or abuse, and normal wear and tear, apply to the components of the ShatterShield™ display system.

So Motorola is doing some sort of 3-layered display on the Turbo 2, it sounds like, that they think can't be shattered or cracked. Should be fun putting that to the test.

The MAXX 2 will also have a special screen program, though it's not in the realm of ShatterShield. Motorola is doing a screen assurance program that will give you one free certified replacement within 2 years of purchase. Finally, Motorola says that the Turbo 2 is the world's fastest charging smartphone in that it can grab 13 hours of power in just 15 minutes. We'll be in New York City next week for the event. Stay tuned for our coverage as all of these details become final.

Friday App Sales: Monument Valley, Broken Age, Incredipede, and More

Tim — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:30:03 +0000

If you have zero plans for this weekend, and you already know you don't, then why not pick up a few new games or apps to keep you busy? On Google Play, there is a solid list of apps on sale currently, with a few major titles thrown in to get you excited. Priced at just $1.99, you can finally play Monument Valley, which is easily one of the top mobile games ever produced. And with that purchase, you get access to the newer levels as well, which is a bonus. It may not be the most difficult game, but it is extremely visually appealing. In addition, you can pick up Worms 3, Incredipede, as well as R.B.I. Baseball 15 to help celebrate the arrival of the World Series. Check the list down below and see if anything interests you. Friday App Sales

Doom & Destiny ($0.99)
Doom & Destiny Advanced ($0.99)
iOnRoad Augmented Driving Pro ($1.00)
Symbols&Emoji Keyboard Pro ($0.99)
Train Crisis Plus ($1.66)
Darker Pro ($1.99)
Worms 3 ($2.49)
Flockers ($1.19)
Shuttle+ Music Player ($0.99)
Incredipede ($0.99)
Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon ($1.99)
Superbrothers Sword & Sworcery ($1.49)
Broken Age ($4.99)
RBI Baseball 15 ($1.99)
RBI Baseball 14 ($1.99)
League of Stickman-Hunter ($0.10)
SA Contacts ($0.99)
Monument Valley ($1.99)

Go support those developers!

New Emoji are Coming to Android...New Emoji are Coming to Android!

Kellen — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:09:16 +0000

The emoji game on Android is weak. The folks over on iOS tell us often, though sometimes indirectly when they post cute little emoji-fied messages that we can't even see. Really, it's hard out here for an emoji enthusiast on Android. But fret not, Android friends, newly appointed senior VP of Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, has heard your feedback and promises to make the Android emoji state better. In a Tweet sent last night, Lockheimer confirmed that Google is working on new emoji, probably in part thanks to the new emoji released by Apple this week that includes the oft-requested taco emoji. Yes, the taco emoji may be coming to Android. Of course, we have no idea when these new emoji will arrive, so don't go out and start an Android emoji countdown or hold your breath or take a shot every time a new emoji-less day goes by. You could be counting a while, dead from lack of air, or insanely drunk. https://twitter.com/lockheimer/status/657404941154172928

Via: Engadget

Early Google Play Music Subscribers Get to Keep $7.99 Price With YouTube Red, Receive Free Month

Kellen — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:43:06 +0000

Wondering what would happen to that $7.99 Google Play Music price you locked into in the early days, now that YouTube Red is about to launch? According to emails being sent to subscribers who have hung onto the $7.99 price, nothing is changing at all. In fact, Google is going to give you a free month of service, just because. As a recap, Google announced YouTube Red earlier in the week. They also announced YouTube Music. The services together, combine to make a paid, ad-free experience on YouTube, similar to YouTube Music Key, which is actually transforming into YouTube Red. YouTube Red will cost new subscribers $9.99 per month. Thankfully, if you are a Google Play Music subscriber, you get YouTube Red at no extra cost. Same thing goes for YouTube Red subscribers - you get a Google Play Music subscription at no extra cost. And that's the subject here. Some of us were wondering if we would still get to keep that $7.99 Play Music subscription. As you can see in the email below, which discusses the end of YouTube Music Key (now known as YouTube Red), we do indeed get to keep it. Google is also giving subscribers the next month free before continuing on with the regularly scheduled $7.99 price. Good news, right?

Cheers Ryan!

Blackberry Priv Goes Back Up for Pre-Order, This Time at $699

Kellen — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 07:56:06 +0000

The Blackberry Priv, after a brief appearance on a pre-order page two days ago, is back up for pre-order! We think officially this time too. The Blackberry site that previously listed the phone is live once again and this time wit ha $50 discount. The original listing showed a $749 price, but we are now looking at $699 in the US. That's still insanely expensive, but maybe that's the price we have to pay for a physical throwback keyboard and a unified inbox. As a reminder, this is an unlocked model that is up for pre-order and only works on T-Mobile and AT&T. This phone will not work on Verizon or Sprint, which Blackberry makes clear. If you are on Verizon and interested, stay tuned, as we are likely to see specific carrier models arrive in the coming weeks or months. Blackberry says these pre-orders "will be shipped after the release date of 11/6/2015." At least, that's what our pre-order confirmation says. To get a recap on the full hardware setup, hit up our list of official Blackberry Priv specs. Blackberry Pre-Order Link