Droid Life

Samsung Confirms Galaxy S7 Edge in Blue Coral, No Word on US Availability

Tim — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 10:44:28 +0000

Earlier this month, it was reported that Samsung may soon launch a Blue Coral option for the Galaxy S7 Edge - reason being Samsung needs to push its older devices a bit more to make up however much it can for the disaster that was the Galaxy Note 7. Today, Samsung confirmed those reports, announcing that a Blue Coral option will be made available, first in markets outside the US. Posted by Samsung Singapore, the Blue Coral model will be available starting November 5 with 32GB of storage. While Samsung has not confirmed this model for the US quite yet, the previous photo we reported on clearly showed a Verizon logo, meaning we should see it in the States at some point. For anyone interested, you can expect the Blue Coral device to carry a comparable price to what the Galaxy S7 Edge costs now, which is averaging around $700 to $800. Not cheap. Once Samsung confirms US availability, we will let you know.

Via: Samsung

Pixel XL Gets the Teardown Treatment, Receives Decent Repairability Score

Tim — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 09:48:34 +0000

Tinkerers and DIY'ers, pay attention to the following post. If you plan on picking up or have already purchased a new Pixel or Pixel XL from Google, things are looking pretty good for you. Each year, when new flagship devices are launched, the folks at iFixIt decide to test how easy it is to perform self repairs. They unscrew it, unglue it, rip out the internals, then provide a "repairability score" to give us a sense at just how easy or uneasy it will be to repair the device. So, how well did the Pixel XL score? Let's find out. Inside the teardown, iFixit goes over the process in its entirety for opening the phone up. With the help of a plentiful heat source, as well as a suction cup and pick, the display and front of the device is lifted from the body, revealing an attached display cable and screwed-on bracket. The display itself is Samsung-made, carrying the part number AMS546KD09. According to iFixIt, "the OLED panel separated from the digitizer glass a little too easily for our liking. Super-thin components and no frame or bezel behind the display make it extra sketchy to remove."

Diving deeper down, the internals of the Pixel XL are exposed. From here, access to the HTC-labeled battery is available, as well as the board containing the Snapdragon 821 processor, Samsung LPDDR4 mobile DRAM, Qualcomm PMI8996 power management IC, and Qualcomm SMB1350 Quick Charge 3.0 IC. At the end of the day, the Pixel XL scored a 6 out of 10 in terms of repairability. Is that good? Well, compared to the Note 7 (score of 4), the Nexus 6P (score of 2), and Galaxy S7 (score of 3), it's not that bad. iFixIt praises Google's use of modular components, making replacement easy, but takes away points for the inability to open the device without possibly damaging the phone. Tinkerers, get to tinkering.

Via: iFixIt

If You Just Got a Pixel or Pixel XL, Watch These Videos First

Kellen — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 08:40:30 +0000

Yesterday was technically Pixel launch day (share those thoughts on yours!), so as those orders arrive over the next few days, you may want to take a minute to run through some of our early videos for Google's new phone. Like with most flagship phone launches, we put together a series of short videos to highlight some of the better features of the Pixel and Pixel XL. The videos include the first 10 things you should consider doing after activation, a review of the camera along with a focus on a number of its features, and a cruise-through of the basics of Google Assistant. We unboxed the phone as well, but I don't think you need an unboxing to help you unbox at this point. Unless, of course, you need to know what all of those cables are for. Pixel XL: First 10 Things to Do

[responsive_vid]

Google Pixel Camera Review

[responsive_vid vid_url="4ferxiZlirg"]

Google Assistant Overview

[responsive_vid vid_url="YhRoFErVvzM"]

Unboxing

[responsive_vid vid_url="wd1d8ns-BJE"]

Get a Pixel or Pixel XL? Share Your Initial Impressions!

Kellen — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 08:23:04 +0000

If you pre-ordered the Pixel or Pixel XL from Verizon, there is a good chance that you received your device yesterday. If you ordered from Google, well, I'd be surprised if you did since orders really only started shipping yesterday. Still, we want to hear those initial impressions from those of you who have been rockin' the Pixel for the past day or so. Which did you go with - Pixel or XL? Which color? Is it everything you dreamed of? How's the camera? Battery life OK, so far? Using Google Assistant? What's performance like? Let us know in the comments below!

Google Keyboard on Android 7.1+ Already Supporting GIFs in Google's Messenger App

Tim — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 15:23:30 +0000

Back on October 11, the Android team detailed a new feature for Android 7.1, known as "image keyboard support." With this, app developers could build in code that lets an app relay the types of content they support to a utilized keyboard. With Android 7.1+ available for a few devices this week, we are now beginning to see this feature being used. On my Nexus 6P running Android 7.1.1, I can open up Google's Messenger app, then directly input GIF images right into a message thread from the Google Keyboard. For example, if a conversation calls for a mic drop, I can easily add in a "mic drop" GIF. From what I have seen, users can choose from a variety of GIFs in different categories, or even search for a specific emotion or action. Accessing this feature is very easy: Open up the keyboard within a supported app and text field, then hit the "smiley" button. From here, you will see a new option for "GIF." Hit that, and all of the world's GIFs will be at your fingertips. While this is all great and groovy, no other app appears to be supported besides Messenger. That means no Gmail, Hangouts, or anything else, at least for the time being. Here's the exact description from when Google detailed what's new in Android 7.1.

Image keyboard support — expands the types of content that users can enter from their keyboards, letting them express themselves through custom stickers, animated gifs, and more. Apps can tell the keyboard what types of content they accept, and keyboards can deliver all of the images and other content that they offer to the user. For broad compatibility, this API will also be available in the support library.

So, while this implementation is currently quite limited, do know that support should be coming to additional apps in the near future. And that, folks, is exciting. If you use or know of an app that can benefit from this, let the developer know. If you are running the necessary build of Android, check it out.

Via: reddit

Google Posts Pixel and Pixel XL Factory Images and OTA Files

Kellen — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 14:33:06 +0000

Ever since Google introduced the Pixel and Pixel XL, we have been wondering how the update situation would work. Would Google just push over-the-air updates as they were ready or would they treat them similarly to Nexus phones by issuing factory image and OTA .zip files. I think we now know the answer - Google is giving us the files we want. This afternoon, Google posted the first sets of images and OTA .zip files for the Pixel and Pixel XL. There are three builds in total, all of which are Android 7.1.0. For now, we have builds NDE63H, NDE63L, and NDE63P. If you already own the Pixel or Pixel XL and are not running one of these builds, you can update right away with these files assuming you have not yet received the update over-the-air. NDE63P is supposed to be the newest by the way, as that's the update that Verizon says should be rolling out to devices today. Links: Factory Images | OTA .zips For instructions on how to flash factory images, hit up these instructions. For instructions on flashing OTA zip files, hit up these. I will say that this is huge news for Pixel owners. I don't want to suggest that we were worried about the update situation here, but Google never has said that factory images and OTA .zips would be a part of the the Pixel experience. The fact that they are is good news for tinkerers and Nexus fans, especially as we move forward without new Nexus devices.

Chromecast Ultra Available in Google Store for $69, Ships in 2-3 Weeks

Tim — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 13:14:56 +0000

The Chromecast Ultra, Google's latest HDMI dongle capable of streaming 4K content, is now up for purchase on the Google Store. The Ultra is priced at $69, and will ship about 2-3 weeks from now, according to Google. For that extra price bump in relation to a standard $35 Chromecast, Ultra owners will find 4K+HDR content from providers like Netflix and YouTube, as well as Google Play Movies in the future. Even if you don't have a 4K TV, Google states that the Ultra will offer a "striking" streaming experience, thanks to an updated internal processor and WiFi technology. The Ultra is up for sale right now, so if you don't already own a set-top box or console capable of streaming 4K content, this is a solid option. Google Store Link

Deal: Tronsmart Charging and Data Transfer Accessories on Sale With These Coupon Codes

Tim — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 12:58:10 +0000

Available until October 29, you can grab various Tronsmart charging and data transfer accessories on Amazon at discounted prices, thanks to a few coupon codes. There are four accessories available at discounted prices currently, a 10,400mAh power bank, USB Type-C to Type-C data cable, USB Type-C to USB-A cable, plus a USB Type-C to micro USB adapter. For pricing with the coupon codes applied, the huge power bank can be purchased for $23.99, the Type-C to Type-C cable for $6.99, USB Type-C to USB-A cable for $8.99, and the USB Type-C to micro USB adapter for $5.49. Amazon links are below.

10,400mAh Power Bank | Code: D8SB9EGJ
Type-C to Type-C Cable | Code: 6ZHNNXKF
USB Type-C to USB-A Cable | Code: MX7PBMLO
USB Type-C to micro USB Adapter | Code: CKJV4KUF

Have at 'em.

Chrome App Updated With Article Suggestions, Background Media Playback

Tim — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 11:49:11 +0000

An update for Chrome is headed out, available for download now on Google Play. Inside Chrome 54, users can expect to see a few changes, such as the ability to view article suggestions from inside a new tab page. Also listed in the changelog is support for background media playback, but only for sites that support it, as well as a feature for updating saved passwords when you change or reset them on Chrome. Check out the list below, then go grab that update on Google Play. If you like to live dangerously, check out Canary instead. What's New

View article suggestions for you on the new tab page
Play media in the background for sites that support it
Update saved passwords when you change or reset your password

Play Link

Via: Chrome

Google Daydream VR Headset Pre-Order Live on Verizon

Tim — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 10:40:26 +0000

The Daydream View VR headset from Google is now available for pre-order through Verizon, priced at the same $79 as it is on the Google Store. However, if you pre-order through Verizon, it's always possible you will receive the device before you would from Google. Currently, the Google Store claims the Daydream View ships within 2-3 weeks, while Verizon states it will ship by November 16. Regardless of where you choose to order it from, you should have the headset in time for your turkey feast on Thanksgiving. Of course, to utilize this device, you will need a compatible phone. As of right now, that would be the Nexus 6P (at least from what the 6P says running Android 7.1.1), Pixel, and Pixel XL. Do you have one of these ordered already? Verizon Pre-Order Link

'Frank Patches' Android Mini Available Through Dead Zebra, Costs $10

Tim — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 10:03:28 +0000

Dead Zebra has posted up its latest Android Mini collectible for sale in time for Halloween, this one being Frank Patches. Priced at $10, Frank is an IT specialist, said to be ready to handle your "monstrous IT problems." The figure itself features real-metal bolts on its head, plus a mini patch cable. Overall, the details that went into the design of Frank are quite good, a worthy addition to your ever-growing Mini collection. Shipping for Frank starts next week, meaning it may or may not arrive in time for your Halloween festivities, depending on your location. Get one before they're gone. Dead Zebra Link

Cheers Cory!

Verizon Already Sending Out Update for LG V20, Performance Tweaks and Security Patch

Tim — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 09:31:24 +0000

The V20 on Verizon was made available last night online, but already, the carrier is sending out the first update for the device labeled as software version VS99511A. Inside, you won't find anything too crazy, but Verizon does list "performance enhancements." In addition to a performance boost, Verizon also states that the update includes the latest security patches from Google, as well as resolves "known issues." That's it. Since many buyers probably don't even have the device yet, expect to see it as a day-one update once you are booted up.

Via: Verizon

Google Pixel Now Available at Verizon Stores, But No XL 128GB

Tim — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 08:06:25 +0000

The wait is over. As you might have seen last night, the Pixel hit Verizon's online web portal for purchase, but starting today, you can head into your local Verizon retail shop and experience the Pixel from Google for yourself. On a sad or happy note, I haven't determined which quite yet, Verizon will have zero Pixel XL 128GB units at physical stores, due to the device being completely sold out. Is that surprising? Well, sort of, considering it's the most expensive model. Apparently, people out there really need those GBs. On a related note, the V20 from LG is also available online for purchase. Enjoy that new phone smell, folks. Verizon Links: Pixel | Pixel XL

All Google Pixel & Pixel XL models in stores today except Pixel XL 128GB. Stop in & try one out! https://t.co/OkfVku4Zqf pic.twitter.com/WblZEqBLmH
— Verizon News (@VerizonNews) October 20, 2016

Video: What's New in Android 7.1.1 on Nexus

Kellen — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 07:31:53 +0000

Moments after Google released factory images and OTA .zip files of the Android 7.1.1 developer preview for the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and Pixel C, we flashed it and accepted the over-the-air beta to see what other kinds of goodies were baked in that didn't make the 7.1 announcement. We posted a few of the changes to Twitter, but figured a short video was needed for the others. So far, we've found the new 24/7 support tab that we thought might be a Pixel-only feature, new Moves section (think Moto Actions), the restart option in the power menu, slight tweak to quick toggles, Smart Storage settings, and more. We haven't yet found Night Light, which appears to have been left out. (Sad face) What else are you seeing in the newest Android beta?

[responsive_vid]

LG V20 Now Available From Verizon, It's Also Pixel Time

Kellen — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 21:32:51 +0000

The LG V20 is now available from Verizon's online shop. The phone of "stuff and things" (in a good way) can be had for as little as $28 per month from Big Red, which is the cheapest price you'll find from any carrier at the moment. On a related note, since we're already at October 20 on the east coast, that means Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are now officially available from Verizon as well. Unlike the V20, you can walk into a Verizon store today/tomorrow and buy the Pixel or its bigger brother. Also, if you pre-ordered your device should be arriving throughout the day if it hasn't already. Which of these three are you going with? Verizon Links: LG V20 | Pixel | Pixel XL

Cheers Scott!

Android 7.1.1 Developer Preview is Live for Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C!

Kellen — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:43:38 +0000

Google just posted the Android 7.1.1 Developer Preview files for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C! The timing is perfect, since the Pixel and Pixel XL are arriving in Verizon stores as early as tomorrow with 7.1. Google did tell us to expect it before the end of October, so they nailed that timeline as well. There are three ways to get the update to Android 7.1 developer preview at this time. The first is through the Android Beta Program, which will allow Google to send the update to you over-the-air. If you don't want to go that route, you can choose between flashing factory images or OTA .zip files found below. The current 7.1.1 preview arrives as build NPF10C. Download Links: Factory Images | OTA .Zip Files For instructions on how to flash factory images, hit up these instructions. For instructions on flashing OTA zip files, hit up these. As a recap, the update to Android 7.1 is "incremental," but does include App Shortcuts, circular icon support, enhanced live wallpaper metadata, image keyboard support, and storage manager intent.

[responsive_vid]

Verizon LG V20 Priced at $672 Full Retail, $28/Month on Payment Plan

Tim — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:17:13 +0000

Verizon announced earlier this week that online availability of the LG V20 begins tomorrow (Thursday, October 20), while in-store availability starts up on October 27. However, Verizon failed to deliver pricing, until now. Verizon states that the full retail price of the V20 will be $672, or $28 a month on a payment plan with approved credit. To compare, full retail of the V20 at AT&T is listed at $829.99, while T-Mobile has it for $769.99. As you can see, that's quite the range in pricing. Verizon and LG are also throwing in goodies for those who order, including a free pair of H3 earphones by B&O Play ($149 value) when you purchase a new LG V20 on a device payment plan. Additionally, starting tomorrow, if you buy a V20 on a device payment plan you can get an LG-made Stylo 2 V for $1 a month for 24 months through a device payment plan. To top all of that off, customers can get up to $300 back when you buy the V20 on device payment and trade in select smartphones. It all kicks off tomorrow for the Verizon LG V20, folks. Are you picking one up?

LeEco Announces Le Pro 3, Snapdragon 821 and 4,070mAh Battery for $299

Tim — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 11:54:52 +0000

LeEco announced its entrance into the US market this morning in San Francisco, providing an extremely comprehensive look into its "eui" ecosystem and connected devices. While there was plenty of stuff announced, we will focus on the two smartphones LeEco unveiled, both of which will be available starting November 2 through LeMall, LeEco's e-commerce web store. The two phones are the Le Pro 3 and the Le S3. The Le Pro 3 is the higher-end model, even though its price does not adequately reflect what's inside the device. For specs, the Le Pro 3 is a powerhouse, featuring a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of onboard storage, 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, 5.5" Full HD display, fingerprint reader, plus a monstrous 4,070mAh battery. Even with that massive battery, the device measures in at 7.53mm thick, even thinner than the Galaxy S7's 7.9mm. For software, LeEco stresses its use of eui, a connected platform, capable of seamlessly integrating with other LeEco products such as television sets. Think of eui like Huawei's EMUI, but going a few steps further. Yes, it's a skin on top of the Android OS, but LeEco is also building in multimedia services, cloud storage solutions, and much more. LeEco announced that the phone is priced at $399, but when it first launches at LeMall on November 2, a $100 instant rebate will be applied, bringing your out-of-pocket cost to $299 for the Le Pro 3.

The other device announced is the Le S3, an even more affordable device. Listed at $249, but also being offered with a $100 instant rebate, it features a 5.5" Full HD display, Snapdragon 652 processor, 3GB of RAM, 16-megapixel camera, 32GB of storage, and a 3,000mAh battery. Again, this phone will cost only $149 on November 2 through LeMall. In order to purchase these devices on November 2, you will need to register an account through LeMall. Once registered, you can purchase all of your Le devices, like the aforementioned smartphones, TVs, or even LeEco's upcoming connected bicycle. For further details, check out the product pages on LeMall. Links: Le Pro 3 | Le S3

First Pixel Update Coming Tomorrow as Build NDE63P, Should Improve WiFi Connectivity

Kellen — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 11:49:05 +0000

Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are ready to receive their first update as early as tomorrow, according to Verizon. Changelogs for each device's update were posted to Big Red's support pages today, showing the new build as NDE63P. The update is only supposed to improve WiFi connectivity, so don't expect it to include anything else fun, like double-tap-to-wake. This sure looks like a day-1 update to fix a bug that was caught in the final weeks of testing. The Pixels currently in the wild are running Android 7.1 build NAE63P.

Via: Verizon [2]

Watch LeEco's Entrance Into the US Market This Morning at 10AM Pacific

Tim — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 09:38:06 +0000

This morning, LeEco, formerly known as LeTV, is bringing its brand to the US. To do so, the company will be showcasing its strategy for a worldwide connected ecosystem, complete with connected devices, cars, TVs, and even bikes. The event is taking place in San Francisco, CA at 10am Pacific, but is being livestreamed across the world via multiple social channels. To let you get in on the action, a livestream has been embedded below. Watch the stream, then get ready to hear a lot more about LeEco in the coming days, months, and years.

[responsive_vid]

Google's Wallpapers App Now Available on Google Play for All Devices

Tim — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 08:56:46 +0000

When the Pixel Launcher was first leaked, a wallpaper picker was leaked right alongside it. This morning, that wallpaper app is officially available for all Android devices straight from Google Play. Titled a very simple Wallpapers, this app features Google's own creations, plus a mix of photos and designs from the 500px community. Once booted up and opened, you will find different categories to fulfill your wallpapers needs. Inside, there are collections for Earth, Textures, Landscapes, Cityscapes, and Life. In addition, the app pulls in all of your on-device live wallpapers. Other features include the ability to have the app set new daily wallpapers, as well as view links to see who and where some of these extraordinary wallpapers come from. Who knows, you may discover an artist or photographer you very much enjoy. To see the Wallpapers app in action, check out our Pixel Launcher tour video below. Grab it while it's hot. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Chrome Canary Lands on Android With Its "Unstable" Self

Kellen — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 07:12:37 +0000

Chrome, the browser you probably use on both your phone and desktop, comes in a variety forms. You have the stable channel - also known as Chrome - that is ready for widespread use. You have a beta channel - also known as Chrome Beta - which is somewhat experimental and often gets new features before stable, but could be somewhat unreliable at times. You have the dev channel - known as Chrome Dev - which is pre-beta, almost an alpha, and is certainly not-all-that-stable, but is a good place to look for upcoming Chrome features. And then you have Canary, which is for the most part unstable and untested and lives on the "bleeding edge" of browser innovation. Canary is now available on Android. Why would you use Canary if it has "not been tested?" Because you like to see what's coming down the pipeline in Chrome, you are a developer, or you really like that hot yellow icon. Seriously, that's sort of the point of Canary - you are a developer or like to test the newest of the new long before anyone in the stable world even sniffs it. This is how Google explains Canary for Android:

Just like the Canary channel for other platforms, new versions are built from the most recent code available and often contain a variety of new features, enhancements, and bug fixes. These builds are shipped automatically with no manual testing, which means that the build can be unstable and may even stop working entirely for days at a time. However, the goal is for Canary to remain usable at all times, and the Chrome team prioritizes fixing major issues as quickly as possible.

If you use Canary, you should also expect daily updates initially. After that, they may still show up multiple times per week and could use up as much as 100MB of data. WiFi is your friend. Ready to walk on the wild side? Hit up that link below. Play Link

Via: Chromium

Quick Look at Android 7.1 App Shortcuts on the Pixel

Kellen — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:14:50 +0000

Within the next week or two, Android 7.1 will move outside of the Pixel phones and onto the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, through the Android Beta program. Google is calling the update "incremental," which is an accurate way to describe it since there aren't any massive changes. Still, there is at least one new feature included that adds some new functionality - App Shortcuts. Let's take a look at them. What are App Shortcuts? They are shortcuts that take users to a specific spot or action of an app that are revealed with a long-press on a app icon within a launcher or on the home screen. That's a long-winded explanation I know. For example, long-pressing on Google Maps from your home screen or app drawer brings up App Shortcuts for Home and Work navigation, assuming you have those set. You could long-press on Chrome to see shortcuts for opening new tabs or incognito windows. You can also long-press the camera to find a shortcut for taking a selfie. My favorite might be the long-press on Google Play to see a shortcut that jumps you directly into My Apps. To see what these look like, we have both screenshots and a video for you below.

One of the underrated aspects to App Shortcuts is the fact you can grab these shortcuts and drop them on your home screen for even quicker access. Take a look at the screenshot above to the far right. That is an entire folder of App Shortcuts that could get me into often-used features of those specific apps. Pretty cool, right? Wait, so how do you move icons around? Simple. App Shortcuts are activated with a long-press and release. If you want to move an icon, you long-press and drag, even as the Shortcuts attempt to appear. (If that doesn't make sense either, just watch the video.) Now, while this is a cool addition to Android 7.1, it won't be that cool unless developers start adding App Shortcuts to their apps. As of right now, Google is about the only one supporting them. Of course, that could change once 7.1 goes public and starts arriving on more devices. Oh, did I forget to mention that people will try to compare App Shortcuts to Apple's 3D Touch? Well, these aren't really anything like 3D Touch. This is Google using the Android long-press to extend functionality in the launcher experience. That's it.

[responsive_vid]

Sprint Offering 'Unlimited' Data Plan for Tablets, Priced at $20/Month With Plenty of Fine Print

Tim — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:02:23 +0000

When you are a business attempting to sell products and services, you may find yourself becoming a master of optics. When it comes to US carriers and throwing around the word "unlimited," you can't help but meddle with how the public may perceive an idea, versus what is actually taking place. Take Sprint's latest promo for example. For $20 a month, folks can purchase an "unlimited" data plan for a supported tablet device. With that data, users can stream movies, listen to music, play games, or even tether. We, being the consumer, hear this and think, "Wow, that's a great deal for unlimited data, sign me up!" It's at this point that you have to adjust your reading glasses and dive into Sprint's fine print. While no one can argue that Sprint's unlimited data plan for tablets is not truly unlimited, it's the quality and the speed capping of data you have to look at. On the plan, Sprint will be capping video streams to 480p (DVD-quality, a term T-Mobile loves to throw around with BingeOn), music streams at 500kbps, and gaming at 2Mbps. These are the same restrictions that Sprint unlimited phone plan users are met with. Now, I could see how some may think that Sprint is actually doing a good thing, possibly limiting the potential for customers to blast through data at crazy speeds. However, when we're talking about "unlimited," that shouldn't be the point. Back when unlimited data meant unlimited data at unlimited speeds, customers didn't need to worry about a carrier capping and throttling services; they simply paid their monthly bill, then got access to whatever they wanted at a quality they expected. I suppose what really chaps me is Sprint's offering of "premium resolution streaming," which costs an additional $20 per line each month. With this premium add-on, folks get access to "HD-quality" videos at up to 1080p, HD Music streaming at up to 1.5Mbps, and gaming at up to 8Mbps. So, to break that down, if you want high-quality music and video, you're looking at $40/month, not $20. In addition to all of that, there are three other requirements you must meet in order to get the deal for $20/month.

Purchase a device from Sprint’s wide selection of available tablets.
Currently have at least one active phone line on their account.
Enroll in AutoPay.

So, to get the unlimited data plan, you need to either purchase a tablet straight up from Sprint or be on a payment plan, already use Sprint for at least one line of phone service, plus be enrolled in AutoPay which saves you $5 a month on the bill's total. Given these requirements, it means no one can bring their existing device onto Sprint's network; it needs to be purchased directly from Sprint. To sum it up, Unlimited is a new buzzword for carriers to catch our attention, then throw a ton of restrictions in our face. As someone who appreciates a more straightforward approach to doing business, it's a turn off. It's not that there doesn't exist someone who can benefit from this deal, but you would hope that a carrier out there would value the customer's intelligence more than tossing around mere buzzwords. To read more of the finer details, check out Sprint's announcement by following the link below.

Via: Sprint

LG V34 for Japan is What I Wish the V20 Was, Features 5.2" QHD Display and Water Resistance

Tim — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:48:11 +0000

The LG V20 certainly has plenty of "stuff and things," but what if LG made a phone that had a bit more stuff and things, was more compact, and featured water resistance? That's exactly what the V34 (aka isai Beat) is, available exclusively in Japan. Specifications for the newly announced V34 include a 5.2" WQHD display, Snapdragon 820, 4GB of RAM, microSD card support, dual rear-facing cameras, 3,000mAh battery, IP67 water and dust resistance, and Android "Nougat" at launch. From our perspective, this sounds like a great phone already, but add in the always-on secondary display, quad-DAC, plus B&O branding, and not launching this phone for the US seems like a major missed opportunity by LG. While the V20 will surely capture the hearts of a few US consumers, this V34 could have been primed for dominance. With the Galaxy Note 7 disappearing from shelves due to an explosive personality, buyers are looking for something else, and in terms of "new" phones, all we have is the Pixel and Pixel XL. Considering those devices are missing a few high-end features, like water resistance and expandable storage, I can't help but think LG is making a misstep. Seriously, this is the phone we wanted, LG. The V34 is expected to launch in Japan this November in Titanium and Gold options. No word on price quite yet, though.

Via: LG

Video: Google Assistant on the Pixel

Kellen — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 10:53:46 +0000

Google is really going to push the Google Assistant on its Pixel phones. You know that already, of course, because Google started off its October 4 Pixel event by talking about the Assistant and AI for a good 15 minutes before ever announcing a thing. This is the future of Google's software advancements and with it front and center on their new phones (soon Google Home too), it'll only get better, smarter, and more valuable the more you use it. Now, even though Assistant is still very much in the early stages of its life and potential, there are a few basics to learn if you want to get the most out of it right away. Below, we put together a short video to show off some of those basic Assistant capabilities. You won't find it all in here, but you will get a general overview of the types of things you can accomplish. From setting location-based reminders using only your voice and deciding if you have time for one last beer at the growler shop, to adding an alarm for tomorrow, a timer for 10 minutes, and Cheetos to your shopping list, you should be able to get started after watching this. Think you'll use Assistant?

[responsive_vid]

Expect to See Random Stories in Explore Section on Instagram

Tim — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 10:50:29 +0000

Starting today, Instagram users will begin to see Stories inside of the Explore tab. For those who may have missed it, Stories are a collection of photos and videos made by users, just like you would find on Snapchat. Before this change, users would find Stories on the "Home" tab, otherwise known as your general photo and video feed. However, those Stories are from your friends and others you follow. On the Explore tab, it appears they will be from popular users, like Rihanna and Kim K. According to Instagram, though, "the stories you’ll see are personalized to your interests." Again, these changes are rolling out today for all users. Be on the look out. Play Link

Via: Instagram

Amazon's Prime Photos Now Better Suited for Families With 'Family Vault'

Tim — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 09:17:13 +0000

Starting today, Amazon Prime members in the US can invite up to five people to share Prime Photos benefits, at no extra cost. These benefits include unlimited photo storage, plus 5GB for videos and other files. Doing so will result in everyone sharing what Amazon is calling the "Family Vault," a safe place for all of your memories and moments to be saved. Once invited, family members can add their favorite photos or videos individually to the Family Vault, or choose to have photos uploaded automatically. Access to the Family Vault can be done through the desktop version of Prime Photos or the Android app. On top of Family Vault, Amazon is also introducing "Smart Search" technology for Prime Photos users. This feature makes finding photos based on people, places, or things much easier. For example, users can perform a search with keywords, such as "wedding" or "sunset," then be given the results. This is similar to what you would find inside of Google Photos. Lastly, users can now order photo books, cards, as well as prints directly from your Prime Photos account. Amazon Print products start as low as nine cents a print, and there's free delivery for Prime members. For more detailed information on getting physical memories from your digital files, look here. All of the aforementioned features are available starting right now.

Via: Amazon

Google Pixel / Pixel XL Camera Review

Kellen — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 06:00:58 +0000

At the unveiling of the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, Google couldn't help but brag about the 12.3MP Sony camera they included in each phone. With 1.55um pixels, f/2.0, video stabilization, and a supposed speedster of a shutter, the level of hype surrounding this shooter is up there with the best of them. But we all wanted to know if it could actually deliver on that hype during testing. Well, I spent the past several days with the Pixel and have pretty good news to share. Is this the best smartphone camera ever in a smartphone as some of its early reviews suggest? I don't know that I'm ready to go that far, but it's certainly right up there with the best of them. Not only that, but it's probably the camera I prefer of any smartphone at the moment. That's right, I've fully bought into the hype. You see, I look for three things in a camera these days: is it quick to load, quick to focus, and quick to shoot? The Google Pixel camera can easily say "Yes!" to all three of those things. Of course, picture quality and tuning is important as well, it's just that most flagship phones contain high-end mobile cameras that are capable of taking good photos. The problem with so many, though, at least in my opinion, is the fact that few are fast enough to load, focus, and shoot and so you are constantly missing the shot you want. The Pixel doesn't have that issue at all. In the UI department, the newest Google Camera app is much improved. Not only do you have an easy-to-handle UI with new grid options, you also get SmartBurst, lighting scenes, HDR, Slow Motion, panorama, Photosphere, and Lens Blur, along with other settings for resolution of both photos and video. Finally, Google included a video stabilization option that will probably blow your mind, as well.

OK, so what about samples? We have a bunch of those below that you should take your time digging through. You'll find indoor, outdoor, macro, and landscape shots in a variety of lighting situations. I don't want to sound too over-the-top here, but I don't know that this camera failed me at all during testing. That's not to say that I didn't take 2-3 shots at times and picked my favorites for this post. However, I also didn't have to toss a bunch away or struggle to find photos to share. The Pixel camera seems to capture a soft bokeh in those close-up moments, it rarely overexposes even in tough lighting conditions, isn't unrealistically blowing out colors when the HDR kicks in, and presents a really nice depth of field. Oh, and did I mention how fast it is? Yeah, it's fast, fast enough to have me questioning whether or not I want to go back to a Galaxy S7. Google nailed the camera in the Pixel phones.

Google Pixel Camera Review

[responsive_vid]

The full resolution files can be downloaded here.

Google Pixel / Pixel XL Unboxing!

Kellen — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 06:00:27 +0000

Your Google Pixel and Pixel XL orders will be arriving by the end of the week, since October 20 is launch day, so let's go ahead and start getting you prepared for the big day. As you can probably tell by the wave of Pixel content that just hit our front page, we have been lucky enough to test a Pixel XL for the past several days and already have all sorts of fun stuff to share. First, though, we have to get this Pixel unboxing out of the way. Traditions are traditions, right? In this clip, like all unboxings, we'll take you around the packaging of the phone, share some initial thoughts on the in-hand feel, cruise through a tour of the exterior, and recap the specs again. We'll also talk quite a bit about the included goodies from Google, because they are tossing in more than just a new USB Type-C power brick. Let's do it! Let's unbox the Pixel XL!

[responsive_vid]

Pixel and Pixel XL: First 10 Things to Do

Kellen — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 06:00:04 +0000

Once your Google Pixel or Pixel XL arrives on Friday and you finish watching our Pixel unboxing, you'll want to familiarize yourself with your new phone by walking through the setup process and maybe even use Google's new transfer tools to bring over info from your old phone. After that completes, well, we have 10 things you should consider doing right away. In this ongoing series called "First 10 Things," we try to walk new phone owners through the essential settings that will help them get the most out of their phones from day 1. With the Pixel phones, we're talking about using the fingerprint reader and Google Assistant, knowing what Night Light is, learning about Android's new Moves, and making sure you can launch the camera in the quickest ways possible. Stay tuned, our full Pixel review will arrive shortly, along with even more tips and tricks.

[responsive_vid]

Verizon LG V20 Available Online This Thursday, In-Store October 27

Tim — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 15:00:11 +0000

The LG V20 was made available for pre-order via T-Mobile this morning, but other carriers, like Verizon, still aren't ready for launch. However, that all changes this Thursday, when the device will be available online through Verizon's website. For anyone hoping to see the phone in person before purchasing, Verizon will carry the device in-store beginning October 27. As for Verizon's pricing structure, that information is still unavailable. If it's anything like T-Mobile's, you are looking at a full retail price of $769.99. However, we typically find Verizon's pricing to be just a bit higher, so don't be alarmed if it is. Once Verizon's site is updated with the V20, we will let you know. Anyone here anxiously awaiting this phone?

Google Flights Gets a Bunch of New Features Prior to Your Holiday Travels

Kellen — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 12:38:09 +0000

As we approach the holiday travel season, Google has updated Google Flights to help all of us get the best prices on flights for the routes we are interested in. From showing likely increases in prices to recommendations on alternate airports or dates, these are new features you are going to want to explore. One of the newer features is a notice for when a current fare could expire and how much cash you could save by booking immediately. Google's example (image above) shows a flight to San Diego that will cost $87 in around eight hours. A similar example would be Google letting you know that it might be best to wait a couple of days to book, as price history suggests a drop is incoming. Google Flights can also recommend alternate airports as you browse flights, show you potential price jumps based on history for that route, let you fully track flights with email alerts, and get access to your saved flights while on mobile. If you aren't using Google Flights to book travel or at least help you compare rates, I highly recommend checking it out. I've been using it for a few years now and can't imagine preparing to travel without at least doing a quick search through it. They are also making it more obvious which hotels have the best deals at the moment. As you use Google to search for hotels, you'll see results tagged as "DEAL," but if you want to limit all listings to those that are discounted at the moment, a new "Deals" tab has been added. Tap that and your results will be filtered.

To get to Google Flights, hit up this link. To search for hotels, just open up Google and search for something like "hotels portland oregon" to get listings with a map.

Via: Google

ecobee3 'lite' Offers Same Smart Thermostat Features for $169 Price

Tim — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 12:25:26 +0000

In 2016, everyone wants to have a smart home, and one of the first places to start is with your thermostat. A smart thermostat can lead to savings on your electric bill, and who would argue with that? According to ecobee's findings, running a smart thermostat can save you an average of 23% on your annual heating/cooling bill, so while these devices do have upfront costs, they should pay for themselves in the long run. If you are already convinced on this technology, but were waiting to find a more affordable option than Nest's latest or the standard ecobee3, ecobee has a new unit called ecobee3 lite. The lite model is priced at $169, which is a solid $80 cheaper than a Nest. With the lite model, you still get a digital touchscreen with readouts for your weather forecast, control over vacation modes, as well as alerts and reminders that only a thermostat should provide you. These alerts typically show up only when something isn't working in the system. I have been running an ecobee3 in my home for a few months now, and I must say, it's quite nice. One feature I use in the colder months (which is now, sadly), is an automated feature that uses my area's weather forecast to set my house's temperature accordingly. For example, if it's going to be a high of 54 degrees today, ecobee3 reads that information, then cranks the heat to make sure the inside of my home is never colder than 69 degrees. It's very basic, but it works, and that's all you can ask for from something called a "smart" thermostat. ecobee, unlike Nest, also has sensor accessories that can be placed throughout your home, granting you a better idea of which rooms are getting hot/cold while others are not. Ultimately, this allows the thermostat to deliver a more even temperature throughout the home. Please note, though, the lite model does not support ecobee's room sensors. ecobee3 lite will work with other smart home tech, such as Amazon Echo and Apple's HomeKit, but also supports IFTTT integration. My hope is that Google Home will also be supported once that hardware is released and APIs are opened to developers. The ecobee3 lite can be found up for pre-order on ecobee's site, as well as Amazon. Update: In the original version of this post, we mistakenly state that the 'lite' version works with ecobee's room sensors. That is not the case, sadely. Room sensors only available for the standard ecobee3. Pre-Order: ecobee | Amazon

Via: ecobee

All Phones Should Have Always-On Display at This Point

Kellen — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 11:10:47 +0000

I can still remember

Samsung Appears to Have Made a Sweet New Convertible Chromebook With Pen Capabilities

Kellen — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 10:29:40 +0000

Over the weekend, the folks at SamMobile discovered a new and unexpected Samsung product that will expand on the growing list of capable Chromebooks. Actually, that's selling it a bit short because this could be the Chromebook to have. The device is supposedly called Samsung Chromebook Pro and could retail for as little as $499 when and if it arrives in the near future. I say "when and if" because the listing for the device appeared before being taken down without word from Samsung. For specs, we are looking at an all-metal device with a 12.3-inch touch screen display with a 2400x1600 resolution. It sports a 2GHz hexa-core processor, 32GB onboard storage with microSD slot, 4GB RAM, 10-hour battery life, two USB Type-C ports, headphone jack, and a 13.9mm thick body. The device also converts into a tablet by folding back on itself, includes a PEN (not an S Pen this time) for input on the display, and should be ready for Android apps. Look at this bad boy.

Again, the listing was up and then gone without an announcement, so we really don't know when to expect this device. However, if you were considering a Chromebook at the moment and were disappointed by the fact that there aren't many high-end options now that Google has killed off the Pixel line, you may want to wait around for this to go live.

Via: SamMobile

Samsung's Gear 360 Camera Now Purchasable at Physical Locations Like Best Buy and Carrier Stores

Tim — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 10:23:28 +0000

Previously available online only, the Gear 360 camera from Samsung can now be found in many physical stores. Still priced at $350, potential buyers can check out the VR content-making machine at Verizon, US Cellular, AT&T, Best Buy, and Sprint. For those looking to get into VR content creation, the Gear 360 is not a bad place to start. The device features dual 15-megapixel fisheye lenses, capable of capturing 30MP spherical stills or up to 3840 x 1920 high-res video. While many social networking sites now support 360-degree video, the best way to experience your work is on a Gear VR headset, naturally. The Gear 360 is also dust and splash resistant, carrying an IP53 rating. However, with that rating, you won't be doing any underwater shooting. While I love the concept of the Gear 360, I think it's still pretty pricey. If the price was to drop to around $199, I think we would see a lot more people tempted to pick one up. Have you used the Gear 360? What's your take on it?

Via: Samsung

ZTE Axon 7 Mini Pre-Orders Now Up, Priced at $300

Tim — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 09:09:24 +0000

ZTE unveiled the Axon 7 Mini in early September, and finally, the device is up for pre-order through many online retailers. Much like the full-size Axon 7 in terms of design, ZTE is packing premium specs into a very inexpensive $300 package. The Axon 7 Mini features a 5.2" Full HD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 16-megapixel iso-cell camera, 8-megapixel front camera, 2,705 mAh non-removable battery, Quick Charge 2.0, 32GB onboard storage, USB Type-C, microSD support, fingerprint reader, unlocked GSM connectivity, and Android "Marshmallow." As for the experience you can expect, the device runs a somewhat stock Android OS, meaning no crazy skin you have to learn to use. Additionally, the dual front-facing speakers should sound pretty sweet, with ZTE marketing them with the line, "highest quality audio experience available in smartphones today." The phone sounds promising. According to Best Buy's listing, the phone should begin shipping later this month. Make note, the Gold model is exclusive to Best Buy, while the Silver model can be pre-ordered at any other outlet. Pre-Order: Amazon | Best Buy | ZTE | B&H

Via: ZTE

Samsung Starts Production on 10nm Processors, Possibly for the Snapdragon 830

Kellen — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 07:33:32 +0000

Last night, Samsung announced that it has started mass production on a new mobile processor built with 10-nanometer FinFET technology. If accompanying reports are correct, this production round could be for Qualcomm's next flagship processor, the Snapdragon 830, that will be featured in next year's Galaxy S8 and other flagship phones. Samsung's announcement didn't specify a processor that this new 10nm technology would fit into, instead only suggesting that it would launch in "digital devices " early next year and throughout 2017. They also said that compared to 14nm processors, this new chipset allows 27% higher performance with 40% less power consumption, but that they'll have a 2nd-gen version for the 2nd half of 2017 with another "performance boost." Wait, so this wasn't an announcement for a new Exynos chipset? Nope. According to ETNews, Samsung is more than likely using this 10nm tech in Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 830 processor. In fact, their sources are under the impression that Samsung is making all of the Qualcomm's Snapdragon 830s, partly because the two struck some sort of deal to feature it in the Galaxy S8. If the Snapdragon 830 plays out like this year's Snapdragon 820(14nm), we could see the 830 for most of the year, followed by an 831 towards the back-end. Should that be the case, I hope the 831 is more widely adopted. I say that because for 2016, the only phones so far really running a Snapdragon 821 are Google's new Pixel phones. Either way, 10nm should mean more performance with better battery life.

Via: Samsung | ETNews

T-Mobile Opens LG V20 Pre-Orders Today With Minimum $200 Credit on Trades, Free $150 Headphones and Tablet

Kellen — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 06:21:46 +0000

T-Mobile opened up pre-orders for the LG V20 this morning. The phone still won't arrive until October 28, but you can get in now and lock up at least $350 in goodies if you trade in "any working 4G smartphone." According to T-Mobile, any working 4G phone of yours is worth at least $200. That means you could get more, but you are guaranteed at least that as long as the phone connects to "4G." On top of the trade-in deal, T-Mo is tossing in a pair of B&O H3 headphones with a value set at $149 and a free tablet. Your tablet choices, as long as you sign a 24-month agreement for the V20, are the LG G Pad X 8.0 or the G Pad F 8.0. As a reminder, the LG V20 is the follow-up to last year's surprise hit, V10. It features a quad-DAC, HiFi audio and video recording, a dual camera setup for both standard and wide-angle shots, a metal body with removable battery, QHD display, Snapdragon 820 processor, and Android Nougat out of the box. It's packed full of goodies, to say the least. At T-Mobile, you are looking at a full retail price of $769.99, which breaks down to $30 per month after a $49.99 down payment. For JUMP! On Demand customers, the phone is $34 per month over 18 months with no down payment. T-Mobile Link

Via: T-Mobile

RIP, Galaxy Note 7

Kellen — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 17:53:58 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we'll say goodbye to the Galaxy Note 7 now that it has officially been discontinued, talk about the impact it may have on Samsung, and what kinds of options you have in the replacement column. The good news is that there are a lot, but unfortunately, none quite stack up to what the Note 7 offered. After that, we'll dive into next week's Pixel launch and more! Join us at 11:30AM Pacific (2:30PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Friday App Sales: Hitman GO, Lara Croft GO, This War of Mine, and Plenty More

Tim — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 14:27:18 +0000

A new list of games and apps are on sale in Google Play, reassuring everyone that you will have something to do over the weekend. The bigger titles would have to be Hitman GO and Lara Croft GO, two classics that truly need to be tried by all. Those are priced at $1 a pop. On top of those, This War of Mine, which is another title that I recommend everyone play for a bit, is on sale for $4. That's down from its original price of $15. Other titles on sale include Catan, République, and Final Fantasy IV. Plenty of good options to choose from if you have a bit of Opinion Rewards credit to play with. Friday App Sales

Prune ($1.99)
Final Fantasy IV ($8.49)
Sentinels of the Multiverse ($0.99)
Ingenious - The Board Game ($0.99)
Ubongo - Puzzle Challenge ($0.99)
This War of Mine ($3.99)
Catan ($2.99)
Hitman GO ($0.99)
Lara Croft GO ($0.99)
Habit Streak Pro ($0.99)
TaskLife Performance Tracker ($0.99)
République ($2.99)

Go support those developers!

USDoT Bans Galaxy Note 7 From Airplanes (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 13:26:19 +0000

Starting tomorrow (October 15) at noon Eastern, you will no longer be able to bring a Galaxy Note 7 on an airplane in the US. You should have already returned your Note 7 if you own one, but if for some reason you have not yet and try to fly, it's curtains for you, buddy. According to a statement from the US Department of Transportation, anyone who possesses a Galaxy Note 7 "may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States." That's right, you are not allowed to check a bag with a Note 7 or ship it as cargo either. No Note 7 should be on any plane going forward. And you should fully understand why, so please don't even try it. If you do try to bring one on a plan starting tomorrow, you could have the phone confiscated or you may even face a fine. Should you go the extra mile to "evade the ban" by packing your Note 7 in checked luggage, you may be subject to criminal prosecution. This is serious, folks. Also, if an airline representative sees that you are in possession of a Note 7, you will not be permitted to board the airline until you get rid of it. Again, just get rid of the damn thing, so we can all move on and fly safely without worrying about exploding phones. If you have not yet returned your Note 7, you can find all of the instructions out on how to do so here. UPDATE: Samsung has issued the following statement in response to the USDoT news--

“Samsung, together with carriers, is working to communicate the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new order to ban all Galaxy Note7 devices in carry-on and checked baggage on flights. We have encouraged airlines to issue similar communications directly to their passengers. Any Galaxy Note7 owner should visit their carrier and retail store to participate in the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program now. We realize this is an inconvenience but your safety has to remain our top priority.”

Via: Department of Transportation

Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Owners, Pixel Camera APK Now Downloadable

Tim — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 10:39:24 +0000

For anyone with a compatible device, being the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P currently, the Camera V4.2 apk file from the Pixel devices is now downloadable. Not only will you need a specific Nexus device, you also need to be running an official build of Android 7.0+, and not a custom ROM. So, if you have a Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P running stock Nougat, you should be groovy. The file has been modified by the good people at XDA to work on the aforementioned devices, but make note that they state it will not install and work over an existing Google Camera application. To get around this, you will need to delete your existing Camera application or do some other type of wizardry on your phone. Those who have installed it and given it a run claim that pictures appear to shoot faster, and even video stabilization is said to work well. Without having tried it myself yet, I can't confirm, but be aware that people may be experiencing a placebo effect. The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P already shoot pretty fast, in my opinion. To get started, confirm you have a compatible device running supported software, then follow the link below to sideload the apk. Download

Via: XDA

Dbrand Offering Customizable Pixel Skins With Nexus 'X' on Back

Tim — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 09:01:46 +0000

On the backside of Pixel devices, you obviously won't find the word "Nexus" anywhere, but instead, a simplistic G for Google. For all of the Nexus diehards, dbrand has a skin option available for both the Pixel and Pixel XL, which will replace that G with a Nexus X. This new skin option is available in dbrand's online interactive customizer system, which actually has more than 160,000 possible Pixel skin combinations. For example, if you want Red carbon fiber with a colored X, or a White leather option with Black X, you can have it. For pricing, both the Pixel and Pixel XL are priced identically - $9.95 gets you two types of back skins, $4.95 gets you a front skin, and logos start at under $1. That's not too shabby to make your Pixel look like a futuristic Nexus. If you are interested, follow the link below. dbrand Customizer Link

DEAL: Jaybird X2 $80 Deal Hits Amazon and Best Buy

Kellen — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 08:52:34 +0000

Earlier this week, we pointed out a heck of a deal on Jaybird X2 headphones at Target. For $79.99, you are looking at one of the best pairs of Bluetooth earbuds on the market with a solid $70 discount. That's pretty nuts! That deal is still live, but we wanted to point out that both Best Buy and Amazon are now offering the Jaybird X2 at the same $80 price. If you prefer either of those retailers over Target, now is the time to go for it. Links: Amazon | Best Buy | Target ($79.99)

Galaxy Note 7 Death to Cost Samsung Close to $3 Billion Over Next Two Quarters

Kellen — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 07:58:25 +0000

What's the expected fallout from the Galaxy Note 7 on Samsung's books? Oh, in the "mid-trillion Won" over the next two quarters, according to Samsung, which translates to a cool $3 billion or so. What will it do to try and reduce or ease some strain there? Expand sales of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, two phones that are seven months old at this point. That's not discounting the quality of either, and we still stand behind our recommendation of the S7 Edge to Note 7 owners, but 7 or 8 or 9 months is an eternity in the smartphone game. Customers like shiny new toys that aren't only a few months away from being replaced. In the end, Samsung has a lot of cash on hand, is a mega-corp and should be fine even with the upcoming quarters. The big picture that still isn't in focus is 2017 and beyond, because we just don't know how much brand damage the Note 7 situation has inflicted. Will the Note series have to go away? How can Samsung replace it? These are questions we don't know the answers to just yet.

Via: Samsung

#TBT: Bugless Beast, the One and Only

Tim — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 15:48:51 +0000

If I'm not mistaken, Peter Alfonso, the man behind Bugless Beast, hasn't been into Android development for a bit of time, but at one point a few years ago, everyone knew his name, or at the very least, knew of his work. If you don't know, Bugless Beast was a custom ROM, downloadable on an assortment of different Android devices and I would safely argue that it was one of the most popular things we would post about back in the day. Maybe that and "Nexus Prime." Looking back, I can't pinpoint an exact reason why everyone loved Bugless Beast so much, but there are plenty who will tell you that it was smooth, jank-free, and clean. I suppose the reason is in the name, Bugless. Peter's vision for Beast was to provide a, "completely stable ROM," and I think that was accomplished quite well. In August, 2010, I had a chance to interview Peter and talk shop with him. He was very kind, granting a young man a bit of time to pick his brain about all sorts of stuff, mostly Android. At the end, I asked what his dreams were. He replied, "My dreams are to work for Google. I just smiled typing that!" It's a really non-formal interview, definitely worth the read. Feel free to share your memories on Bugless Beast or any other custom ROM you might have enjoyed back then. Those were good times, indeed.

Deal: Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Models $100+ Off at Best Buy

Tim — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 14:14:30 +0000

For who knows how long via Best Buy's website, select models of the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) can be purchased starting at $100 off. As for which models this deal applies to, it's the Black with Black Leather, Black Stainless Steel, and Rose Gold with Blush Leather designs. With the $100 off, the Black Leather option drops to just $199, the Stainless Steel option to $279 ($120 off), and the Rose Gold to $229 ($100 off). All of the watches are brand new, in boxes, and definitely not refurbished. Provided we could still be a few months from Android Wear 2.0's launch from Google, you do have a bit of time before you make a decision on which smartwatch would be best for you. You could always remain patient and see if Google intends to launch their own smartwatches. If you want the Moto 360, follow the link below. Best Buy Link

Verizon Introduces PopData, 30 and 60 Minute All-You-Can-Stream 4G LTE Sessions at $2 or $3

Kellen — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 12:24:27 +0000

Verizon took the wraps off a new pay-as-you-go data feature today called PopData that could be a decent option for those with small data buckets who need to access a bunch of data while on the go. They don't seem to have pushed out an announcement, so that could be coming with additional details. However, as of now the PopData site is live (as is the option in the My Verizon app) and it gives us a pretty good description of how this new data option works. With PopData, Verizon is giving customers a data option that lets them pay for a short session of 4G LTE data use that won't count against their data plan. The theory here is that you may need to download a movie (or a few movies) or other heavy files, but your data plan may not have enough left or you don't want to gobble it all up long before your billing period ends. Should you choose to use a PopData session, you could get all of those downloads in within 30 or 60 minutes and then be back on your normal data plan. It works like this. You open the My Verizon app, scroll to the bottom to find the PopData button, tap on it, see if a PopData session is available, and then decide how long you need your PopData session to be. As of today, Verizon is offering 30 minute sessions that cost $2, or 60 minute sessions that cost $3. During those sessions, you can use as much data as is possible and it won't count against your data plan. And that's it. It's that simple.

Verizon is selling this as a way to get more data while you travel, while maintaining great download speeds and avoiding unsecure (or sh*tty) public WiFi hotspots. So who can use PopData? According to Verizon, PopData is available to Android smartphones, iPhones, and iPads. In other words, it's not available to hotspots, from what I can tell, nor is this a short-term tethering option. Also, you can't always just jump into a PopData session if Verizon determines that the network in your location is struggling at the moment. You can read the rest of the FAQ at the links below.

Via: Verizon [FAQ]

Cheers Vic!

DEAL: Cloud-Focused Nextbit Robin Just $199 on Amazon

Tim — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 10:40:20 +0000

Robin from Nextbit, maybe better known as the one phone from Kickstarter that doesn't suck, or is actually a real thing (see Saygus), is currently on sale via Amazon for $199. While the phone is nice, it seems not many people purchased it. That's not overly surprising, though, considering how little Nextbit likely spent on marketing the device. Essentially, I see the phone as a proof of concept, with its cloud-based storage system and crowdfunded roots. Regardless, the device is still a solid option, especially at this $199 price. Specs include a 5.2" 1080p LCD display, 13MP rear-facing camera, dual front-facing speakers (nice!), 32GB of onboard storage, 100GB of cloud storage, and Snapdragon 808 processor. Thanks to updates, it's also running Marshmallow, too. Want to treat yourself to some new tech for the holidays? Follow the Amazon link below. Amazon Link

OnePlus Explains OxygenOS Beta Program, 'Community Builds'

Tim — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 09:00:31 +0000

OnePlus detailed its existing OxygenOS beta program this morning, clearing up any potential confusion there may have been in the community regarding "Community Builds." Community Builds have been available over the past few months inside of the OnePlus forums, but OnePlus is now providing a bit more insight into how these builds affect OxygenOS. OnePlus lays out the information in a very easy-to-digest form, which we greatly appreciate. Essentially, there are three "streams" of OxygenOS: Closed Beta, Open Beta, and Official Release. The Closed Beta is limited to a handful of users, with no signups available to the average customer. These members will receive many updates (~4) over the course of a month. They will also be testing new features and major changes to code. The Open Beta, where members should see about ~2 updates a month, is for more refined builds, meaning possibly not as buggy as the Closed Beta. The Open Beta, as you might expect, is open to anyone who wants it. You will also get access to new features, but they will be stable enough to where you shouldn't have to worry about a bricked device. Following the Open Beta are Official Release builds. These builds are what ship on the device and are sent out to everyone. Official Release builds roll out about once every 1-2 months. The below graphic explains OnePlus' "stream" logic pretty well, as Closed Beta members will see more updates over the same course of time versus the Open Beta and Official Releases. Additonally, as a Community Build flasher, your feedback on the software could directly impact what every other OnePlus user sees on their device.

Want to be a part of the action? You can flash the Community Build (Open Beta) by following OnePlus' instructions right here.

Via: OnePlus

Google Search Makes It Easy to See How and When You can Vote, Who to Vote For

Kellen — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 08:53:10 +0000

By November 8, the majority of our readers will have had the opportunity to vote in both state and local elections and the presidential election. While the draining and embarrasing presidential election is unavoidable and you probably know what you are doing on that front, there are some really important pieces to this whole process that Google makes easier than ever to figure out. That's a long-winded way of saying, "Use Google Search for everything voting-related." For example, you may not know who is running for governor or attorney general of your state or what Measure 100 is. Or maybe you just need to know how you can vote come election day, where to go, if your state does in person or "by mail" voting, etc. Thankfully, a couple of search terms in the Google App get you all of that. Try searching for "how do i vote" and Google will return results for your state, assuming you allowed it to access your location. From there, you'll see how you can vote, what the requirements are, and when your state opens up voting. If you are on top of your voting info, try searching for "my ballot" to see all of the local goodies you get to cast a vote for. You'll get tabs for "National" and "State" based on your address, both of which break down the candidates and offer info for each. You don't need to do anything to get this info, other than searching. This stuff is all built into Google at this point. Also, because it's the 2016 election: chill out in the comments. We can all be better humans and this election is proof that we need to be.

Via: Google

Samsung Will Give You $100 to Stick With a Galaxy After Exchanging Your Note 7

Kellen — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 07:17:18 +0000

Samsung officially expanded the Galaxy Note 7 recall this morning, with the CPSC. They also announced new incentives to get you to stick with Samsung as you head for retailers to make an exchange. Updated CPSC data since the last recall tells us that Samsung received 23 new reports of overheating Note 7s. We don't know if those were all from replacement devices or old, but as you can see, the reports of issues never really did stop. In total, there were 96 reports of overheating phones, 13 of which caused burns while another 47 damaged property. Overall, through two recalls, Samsung is recalling 1.9 million Galaxy Note 7 devices, according to the CPSC. In related news, beginning today (October 13) at 3PM Eastern, the expanded recall means customers have a new incentive to stick with a Samsung Galaxy phone when they return the Note 7. Samsung is offering "Up to a $100 total bill credit for a customer who exchanges a Note7 for any Samsung smartphone." If you don't want another Samsung phone, the original $25 bill credit is still available for those who simply get a refund or pick up any other phone. What about those of you who already swapped out your Note 7 for another Samsung phone, do you get the $100? Honestly, I don't know. You'll have to check with your carrier or Samsung. If you have not yet made the exchange, expect to hear from Samsung or your carrier. Samsung is doing a couple of things to make sure you get rid of your Note 7. For one, they are attempting to directly connect to customers by email and social media. They are also working with carriers to send direct notifications to devices. For more information on the recall, hit up Samsung's site. Again, do everyone a favor and get rid of your Note 7.

Via: CPSC | Samsung

Here is the Newest Google Pixel Commercial

Kellen — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:01:22 +0000

Solid effort, as always in the commercial department from Google. Will it get people to buy the Pixel and Pixel XL? Tough call, but the Galaxy Note 7 becoming an officially non-existent former bomb won't hurt. Also, you heard that Verizon plans to issue updates to their variants the same day as Google, right? Let's hope they keep up with that for the life of the phones. If so, the Pixel and its bigger brother are going to be tough to deny in the coming months. UPDATE: Another new commercial has arrived along with the spot above. Enjoy!

[responsive_vid]

Google Photos Will Now Create Animations From Videos, Fix Your Sideways Pictures

Tim — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 15:58:14 +0000

Four new features are available in Google Photos starting today, according to Google's latest announcement. As the Photos team details, there are three new ways to see past experiences and memories, as well as a new way to fix all of those sideways photos in your albums. Inside, users will now begin to see more throwback memories of people you have recently taken photos with. To give an example, if you and your partner have been together for years, Google's machines will recognize this, then pull together an assortment of photos that feature the same people. Let's just hope Google realizes she or he is possibly an ex and doesn't make you too depressed. Another feature is for people obsessed with taking photos of their baby or even their pet. From time to time, you will see a new card that displays the best shots over the course of a month, for example. If these pictures are of a kid, this little newly-assembled album will be perfect for sending off to grandma and grandpa.

Google Photos is now also recognizing when photos are sideways when they probably shouldn't be. To save you from doing all of these edits manually, Google will group these photos together automatcially and ask that you confirm the rotation edits. Definitely a big time saver here. Lastly, animations will now be made from videos stored on Google's servers. While they used to be made only from a group of similar photos, you can expect more GIF awesomeness thanks to this. In addition, Google details that it will look for specifically cool parts to turn into animations, like jumping into a pool for instance All of these changes are rolling out right now.

Via: Google

Honor 8 Review

Tim — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 13:20:23 +0000

The Honor 8 is another device we wouldn't typically review, but seeing as how options may seem limited given the circumstance surrounding the Galaxy Note 7, we wanted to spend time checking it out. Additionally, this tier of "mid-range" devices have become quite the little competitors, complete with what we would label as top-tier specs and features for a relatively inexpensive price. While the 5.2" FHD display and octa-core processor with 4GB of RAM certainly get the job done in terms of overall performance, the Honor 8 does have its shortcomings. It took me a solid week to really master all of the device's software tweaks on EMUI, which is a skin I might rank as one of the lowest in terms of ease-of-use and appeal. However, a few of the features might make up for EMUI's look, so I can't sit here and stress over it too much. On the backside, you will find a dual camera system with two 12-megapixel f/2.2 shooters. While one is for color and the other for black/white, I never got the sense that these cameras are overly great. If your lighting is just right, you will probably have no issues snapping shots, but when I found myself in low lighting scenarios and was trying to shoot a moving object, the Honor 8 simply could not keep up. If the autofocus was to catch a major boost in speed, and Honor decided to tweak the sensor's sensitivity to outside lighting, the camera experience could be much better. We will soon have Pixel phones in-house, and to wrap-up my time with the Honor 8, I can honestly say that I have enjoyed using the phone. For $400, there are not too many options on the market that will provide as much performance and hardware sophistication as the Honor 8, and seeing as how this phone is marketed as the brand's first US flagship, here's hoping there are plenty more devices from Honor to come. This is our Honor 8 review. [responsive_vid]

Google has a New "VR-ish" App for You to Try Out

Kellen — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:41:52 +0000

Google's Android Experiments program has a new app for you to play with today, called Sprayscape. The app is a "VR-ish" experience mixed with a spray can, some gyroscope action, and your imagination. Confused? With Sprayscape, the goal is to create super random 3D-like imagery that you can quickly share to your social audiences. You fire up the app and then just start tapping or spraying in a VR world to create fun visions that you would want to send to friends. I know that still doesn't make much sense, so please, watch the video above. Done? Make more sense? Look like fun? Give it a shot - it's free. Play Link

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge May Soon Come in Blue Coral

Tim — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 11:34:26 +0000

Provided that you can no longer purchase a Galaxy Note 7, we recommended that you check out the Galaxy S7 Edge earlier this week. I know what you're thinking, though, "Tim, there's no Blue Coral option for the S7 Edge!" Well, that could be changing if the latest leak pans out to be accurate. Blue Coral was a color introduced first on the Galaxy Note 7, and to my surprise, it seemed to resonate with quite a few people. It was a bright and shiny blue, along with rose gold accents on the siding. To put it gently, Blue Coral was an acquired taste. According to an image posted onto the web, it appears Samsung is working hard to produce a new colorway for the S7 Edge, that color being Coral Blue, of course. In what I'm assuming to be an attempt to bring more attention to this device and away from the Galaxy Note 7, if Samsung was to launch a new color, they can perform a new round of marketing for the S7 Edge without looking too foolish. The phone is seven months old after all. We can clearly see Verizon branding on the phone's backside shell, but that does not lead us to believe it's a carrier exclusive by any means. Sitting right behind the foreground shell, we see a Samsung logo printed on another shell, meaning Samsung is manufacturing plenty of backsides for different variants. The Galaxy S7 Edge in Blue Coral. That could be hot.

Via: SamMobile | SamsungVN

Well, Then: Verizon Says It's Pixel Phones Will Get Updates When Google's Do!

Kellen — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 09:53:58 +0000

Ready for some potentially great news? According to ArsTechnica, Verizon reached out this morning to inform them of a possible change to their approach to updating phones, Google's new Pixel and Pixel XL, specifically. Verizon said that they "will not stand in the way" of any major updates that Google pushes and that owners of Verizon variants will see updates when Google's unlocked Pixels see them. Whhaaaaaaaat! Verizon also said that "all operating system and security updates to the Pixel devices will happen in partnership with Google," but maybe most importantly, that "when Google releases an update, Verizon phones will receive the same update at the same time. (much like iOS updates)." This is not a joke. Verizon will treat the Pixel phones just like it does iOS updates, in a way, by allowing the Verizon Pixel phones to get updates immediately when Google releases them. You may recall that Google said last week that Verizon was in control of the big system updates and we all collectively groaned while banging our heads on tables because we assumed that meant slower updates. This is a big change, and you know what, Verizon should be given a little golf clap for it. On a related note, Verizon confirmed that it will pre-load Go90, My Verizon, and Verizon Messages on the phone, but that all three can be uninstalled. So, who is running to pre-order?

Via: ArsTechnica

Cheers William!

DEAL: Buy Moto Z DROID at Best Buy, Get a $250 Gift Card

Kellen — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 09:18:39 +0000

With no Galaxy Note 7 for you to spend money on coupled with the chance that our list of solid replacement choices might not be for everyone, we have another smartphone option for your consideration - the Moto Z DROID at Best Buy. Why? Because if you buy this modular wonder from Best Buy on a payment plan or contract, they will hand you a $250 gift card to be spent on whatever. The Moto Z DROID, for those not familiar, is Moto's newest flagship that is compatible with Moto Mods (our full review). Moto Mods are modules that can add functionality to or improve the experience of the Moto Z, like a projector, external speaker, and battery pack. It's by no means a flawless device, but it's a solid device that is of flagship quality. Is it better than the Galaxy S7? I don't think so, but you may, especially if you find Moto Mods to be appealing. Right now, the phone can be had for 24 monthly payments of $26 or with a 2-year contract and $201 up front. Best Buy Link

DEAL: Jaybird X2 Wireless Earbuds are Just $80 at Target (UPDATED: Amazon and Best Buy)

Kellen — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 08:47:41 +0000

Jaybird's still-very-good X2 wireless earbuds are currently on sale at Target for just $79.99. Target claims that's a $100 discount, but it's really more like $70, since the earbuds are listed at $149.99 at most retailers these days. Either way, if you need a good pair of Bluetooth earbuds, these are a great choice. We talk about them a lot when they go on sale and that's because they were a good buy at full price and remain a great buy as the price drops in antipication of the X3. The Jaybird X2 feature 8-hour battery life, both Comply memory foam tips and standard rubber tips, sweat-resistance, and of course, really solid audio performance for a Bluetooth headset. I personally use them for workouts and don't know that I'll switch off of them, well, until the X3 comes out. Free shipping is included. Links: Amazon | Best Buy | Target ($79.99)

Amazon Launches New Music Service Called Music Unlimited, Just $7.99 for Prime Members

Kellen — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 07:33:31 +0000

Amazon announced a new streaming music service this morning called Amazon Music Unlimited. It's very much a competitor to Google Play Music and Apple Music, though there are certain price tiers depending on your Amazon status or the products you plan to listen to music through. So wait, what's the difference between Amazon Music and Music Unlimited? Ahhh yes, that's right, Amazon already technically had a music service that you may have used as a Prime member. How could this be new? According to Amazon, the Music service you used to listen to as a Prime member only included about two million songs. Amazon Music Unlimited features "tens of millions" of songs and should carry more of what you actually want to listen to, unlike the regular Amazon Music. Music Unlimited is priced like everyone else, but does include a special Echo plan. For $9.99, anyone (meaning non-Prime members) can sign-up and listen to those "tens of millions" of songs all day, every day. Prime members can do so for cheaper, at just $7.99 per month. Should you happen to own an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Amazon Tap, you can get access to a single device for just $3.99 per month. Need a family plan? Amazon says a family plan will be available "soon" and will cost $14.99 per month for up to six family members. Like other music services, Music Unlimited will try to feature the newest releases, hand-curated playlists, and personalized stations, all through a redesigned Amazon Music app. The standout feature, at least in my opinion, is the Echo functionality that lets you fire up tunes at any time with your voice. You can tell Alexa to play your favorite artist's new song, "play music for dinner," a "song of the day," or something based off of some lyrics you can recite without knowing the artist. Amazon Music Unlimited is available now. Sign-up below. Links: Amazon Music Unlimited | Amazon Prime

Via: Amazon

Tuesday Poll: Which Phone Would You Choose After the Galaxy Note 7?

Kellen — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 15:22:10 +0000

This morning, shortly after Samsung announced that it had permanently ended the life of the Galaxy Note 7, we shared with you a handful of phones that would be solid replacements. While none can fully match the feature set of the Galaxy Note 7 (How sad is that, by the way?), deciding on something new is a given at this point, because there are legitimate safety concerns over the Note ownership. Keeping it is probably not in anyone's best interest. At the end of that recommendation post, we asked for you to weigh in on what you thought would be a good replacement. Obviously, not everyone is going to agree with the choices we laid out, but since a number of people have continued to ask us, we figured it was time for a poll. So, let's do this - which phone would you choose after the Galaxy Note 7? [poll id="433"]

Here's Everything That is New in Android 7.1

Tim — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 12:12:43 +0000

The Android team has detailed the changes in Android 7.1, which is labeled as an "incremental" update to the existing Android 7.0 build. Even with a label like incremental, though, there are still plenty of goodies baked in. Let's take a gander at what's new. As listed by Google, a lot of these changes are developer-facing, meaning you will see their implementation via apps and games you might download, not necessarily in the overall Android user interface. To start, the Android team lists App Shortcuts API, which allows developers to create shortcuts that are placeable directly on a user's launcher. From these shortcuts, users can be placed at a specific point inside of an app. Think of it like Apple's 3D Touch, where shortcuts can be opened up when touching on an icon. As an example, Twitter could create a shortcut from its icon that leads directly into your Direct Messages, allowing you to skip your feed of tweets. Google is also granting developers the ability to add metadata for wallpaper pickers -- the exact same we see inside of the new Pixel Launcher. With this addition, developers can place labels, descriptions, authors, or context URLs where they are visible by a user. To either the joy or dismay of users, Google also added in support for circular icons, the same as you see on the new Pixel and Pixel XL devices. Circle icons are coming, people. Google is also bringing "Image Keyboard Support." With this, it expands the types of content that users can enter from keyboard, such as stickers, GIFs, and other content. Is this a sign that Gboard is coming to Android? Not exactly, because we haven't heard a single peep about Gboard support on Android, and Google is probably too busy working on Google Assistant to think about it. Maybe in the future, though. For a cherry on top, the Android team also lists Storage Manager Intent. This allows an app to take users directly to a new Settings screen to clear unused files and free up storage space on devices. So, if you keep running out of room on your device, this will help. As you can see, there is nothing too crazy inside, but this is what you can expect to see on the Pixel and Pixel XL, as well as any device that receives the update to Android 7.1.

Via: Android

Android 7.1 Announced, Coming as Developer Preview "This Month"

Kellen — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 11:44:14 +0000

Google just announced Android 7.1 Nougat, while also revealing further details about how 7.1 will get to your phone, including the current Nexus devices that have yet to be retired. According to Google, it should be here as a Developer Preview "later this month." That's funny, right? Last week, as Nexus fans (and us) threw a bit of a fit about the lack of transparency around the 7.1 update that was on Pixel phones already, but not Nexus, Google told us to expect the update as a preview before the end of the year. Now, it's coming "this month." I'm not complaining about the timing, but that change in timeline sure is curious. Either way, Android 7.1 is now super official outside of Pixel phones and will show up as a Developer Preview through the Android Beta Program before October ends. The Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C will be the first to get access through the beta. Once the final 7.1 release is ready, which should happen in December, the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and supported Android One devices will get access as well. Of course, if there is an even knewer stable version at that time, the Pixel and Pixel XL will also be a part of the update. What about the rest of the Android world, when will it see Android 7.1? Google has already "been working closely" with other device makers. That's great and all, but you and I know that it'll be a while. What's new in Android 7.1? You'll see "app shortcuts," support for circular icons (like on the Pixels), image keyboard support, and more. The full list of changes can be found here.

Via: Android Developers

Project Fi Intros 'Group Plan,' Up to Six People on One Plan

Tim — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 10:56:56 +0000

Project Fi now offers a family plan, called Group Plan. With it, up to six people can all be under the same plan, only paying for the data they use. To break it down, access to the plan is $15 a month for new lines (still $20 for the initial line), which comes with unlimited talk and text. Like a standard single plan, each 1GB of data is priced at $10. However, if you don't use all of your data in a month, the money you paid for that data is credited back to your account. With the updated Project Fi application, the "manager" of the account can view usage statistics, seeing just who is going through the most data. If someone needs more, you can up the amount or lower it if they don't need as much. Google's approach is to make the Group Plan as simple and straightforward as possible. The manager can also invite new people to join the plan, so long as they have a supported device. Currently, the only devices supported on Fi are the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P. Have at it, Fi fans.

Via: Google

Galaxy Note 7 Owners: Which Phone Do You Get Now? We Have Some Options

Kellen — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 10:15:51 +0000

Now that the Galaxy Note 7 is officially done for and not coming back, those of you (a cool million or so of you) who owned the phone are probably wondering which phone should be the replacement as you makes plans for a return. I have both good news and bad news on this subject. The good news is that there are quite a few really good phones out there (or that are coming in a couple of weeks). The bad news is that there are no phones like the Note 7. You will have to sacrifice a bit. I know that may sound slightly depressing, but let's run through some decent options and why they may be your best choice today or in a couple of weeks.

The Obvious Choice: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

This is the obvious and probably best replacement if you want a strikingly similar software experience and in-hand feel to the Note 7. The Galaxy S7 Edge is almost the same size as the Note 7, has a dual-edge display, is water resistant, uses the same awesome 12MP camera, runs Samsung's TouchWiz software (slightly older version, but should be updated) with a Snapdragon 820 processor, sports Edge features, has always-on display, features a microSD slot, allows for fast wired and wireless charging, and is on every single carrier. Oh, the S7 Edge also has a bigger battery (3600mAh vs. 3500mAh). It's basically a Galaxy Note 7 without the S Pen, USB Type-C port, and gimmicky iris scanner. The S Pen functionality is a big loss, of course, but you aren't going to find that experience on any other phone. That's just one of those concessions you are going to have to deal with. The fact is that the S7 Edge offers an almost identical experience, it just doesn't have that Pen functionality. Be sure to read our full Galaxy S7 Edge review for the dirty details. Galaxy S7 Edge Links: Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile | Sprint | Best Buy

The Real Competitor: LG V20

We poke a bit of fun here and there at the LG V-series because it is filled with nothing but "stuff and things," as we like to say, but that's sort of what made the Note 7 so appealing early on - the stuff and things it offered that no other phone did. LG's V20 will be out on October 28, so you do have some time before it's available. However, it may just be worth the wait if you can find a phone to hold you over. The LG V20 is filled with top tier specs, first and foremost. It has a 5.7-inch QHD display (like the Note 7), 4GB RAM, 64GB storage with microSD support, 3200mAh removable battery with quick charging, Snapdragon 820 processor, fingerprint reader, and already runs Android 7.0 Nougat, which the Note 7 does not. Outside of the basics, the V20 sports dual cameras on the back, one for shooting wide angle shots (8MP) and another for standard shots (16MP). The cameras here are quite good and the versatility is something most phones can't offer. The V20 is an audiophile's dream as well, with its Quad DAC, HD audio recorder, and HiFi video recording. Finally, the V20 uses a secondary display towards the top of the phone to show you notifications, act as an always-on display of sorts, and can even provide app and activity or settings shortcuts. Now, the V20 isn't perfect. There is no S Pen, no water resistance, the display is LCD, the battery is slightly smaller (but is removable!), and there is no wireless charging. Still, I think the V20 would be a solid replacement if you need a similar sized phone that packs in the extra features most phones don't even consider. V20 Links: Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile | Sprint | Best Buy

The Wildcard: Google Pixel XL

This is a bit of a wildcard option because, in a way, this is Google's first serious phone, but the Pixel XL could be a good choice once it arrives on October 20. I say that because you get a phone that is a similar size to the Galaxy Note 7, with a premium metal body. You also get the newly released Snapdragon 821 (that no other phone has), 4GB RAM, 3450mAh battery with fast charging, 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, fingerprint reader, USB Type-C, 32GB or 128GB storage options, and what should be a really good camera. The Pixel XL isn't at all like the Note 7, though, if that makes sense. This is Google's phone with its approach to Android that nerdy enthusiasts like to call "Pure." That means you get clean, ultra-fast Android without the extra fluff you find on LG and Samsung's phones. It also means you'll get exclusive-to-Pixel features that Google is pushing, like Assistant, and hopefully, updates before anyone else to the latest versions of Android (including security patches). Just keep in mind that Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are somewhat mysterious. Google is promoting the hell out of these as if it really wants to take phone sales seriously for once, but we just don't know everything, like how quickly updates will be here, how long exclusive features will be exclusive, etc. The Pixel XL also isn't even close to the Note 7's water resistance (it's only IP53), doesn't have an SD card slot, doesn't wirelessly charge, and does not have an S Pen. Those are big missing features, but I think this is a really good option because this is the chance for a Samsung fan to see what Google can do and what it wants you to get out of Android when it really wants to move some phones. Pixel Links: Verizon | Google Store | Best Buy

The Cheap Guy: Moto G4 Plus

If none of those other phones sound interesting enough and you would rather get something on the cheap to hold you over until 2017's flagships start showing up, consider an unlocked phone like the Moto G4 Plus. This phone isn't a flagship, but it is cheap and still packs in a decent set of specs. You get a 5.5-inch FHD display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 2GB or 4GB RAM, 16GB or 64GB storage (with SD slot), 3000mAh battery with fast charging, 16MP camera, fingerprint reader, Motorola's suite of software on top of Android, and connectivity on all major US networks. This is a fully unlocked phone that works everywhere. Now, I know, this phone in no way compares to what the Galaxy Note 7 offers, but if you need a phone to get you buy while you save up for the next big thing, this is a solid choice. Moto G4 Plus Links: Amazon Tell us, Galaxy Note 7 owners, which phone are you going with?

Sprint to Give 1 Million Devices With Service to Disadvantaged Students

Tim — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 10:13:11 +0000

My Brother's Keeper, an initiative began by President Obama in 2014 to help minority males, is getting a boost from Sprint this week. Announced this morning, Sprint is donating one million Internet-connected devices, plus service for these devices, to youth who don't have access to the Internet at home. According to Sprint, the program will help eliminate the "Homework Gap” that puts, "low-income students at a major disadvantage because they don’t have ready access to the internet needed for completing homework, communicating with teachers, or applying for jobs, scholarships or college." As announced, Sprint will work with non-profit agencies that will help recruit community organizations -- schools, libraries, etc. -- to get devices and service into the hands of kids who genuinely need it. Sprint is granting access to their network for up to four years for free, which is the typical duration of high school. Sprint will also determine what solution will match up with best with a potential student, whether it be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or hotspot device. Service includes 3GB of high-speed data a month. Unlimited data is available at 2G speeds if usage exceeds 3GB in a month. Those who receive a smartphone can use it as a hotspot and for unlimited domestic calls/texts while on the Sprint network, too. Good on ya, Sprint.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Sprint

It's Over: Samsung Kills Off the Galaxy Note 7 for Good

Kellen — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 06:48:18 +0000

Just hours after announcing that it had halted all sales of the Galaxy Note 7 due to a wave of reports of replacement devices catching fire, Samsung has now permanently killed off the device for good. Sales have stopped. Production has stopped. There is no more Galaxy Note 7. It's not coming back, ever. This is the end. If you own a Galaxy Note 7, you should strongly consider returning it for a refund or another phone. Sure, there have been a very small number of reports of exploding Galaxy Note 7s in the wild, but it's just not worth it. I know, the phone is a great, great phone and there isn't anything else like it, it's just that it also poses a risk to not only you, but the people and places around you. To get a refund for your Note 7 or exchange it, Samsung is advising that you take it back to the place of purchase. Their retail and carriers partners know what to do. You can find more information out at the official recall site here. RIP, Galaxy Note 7. UPDATE: Here is Samsung's official statement.

Via: Wall Street Journal

DEAL: Honor 8 is Just $349 Today, Includes Free $100+ Headphones Too

Kellen — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 16:05:56 +0000

The Honor 8, Huawei's latest flagship-esque unlocked phone for the US that is as tasty looking as they come, is on sale today at a variety of retailers with a $50 discount, dropping the price to just $349. Also, almost all of them are offering extra goodies (like headphones) with values well over $100. Deal Links: B&H Photo | Newegg | Amazon As a recap, the Honor 8 is a sexy all-metal and glass phone that is packed full of the features you want in a modern flagship, yet lacks the ridiculous price (Hey, Pixel!). You get a 5.2-inch FHD display, octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage with SD support, dual 12MP cameras (one color, one monochrome), 3000mAh battery, USB Type-C port, fingerprint reader, and Android 6.0 underneath Huawei's skin. I will say the skin isn't my favorite, but a 3rd party launcher and some time should get you used to it. The deals right now include one through B&H Photo that includes the phone, Huawei clear case, and Senal SMH-1000 studio monitor headphones. The value of freebies there is around $140. At Newegg, you can get the phone, clear case, and JBL Coach on-ear headphones. The value there is around $135. Amazon also has the phone at $349, but they are only tossing in the free case from what I can tell.

Official: Samsung Halts All Sales of Galaxy Note 7, Recommends Powering Down and Getting a Refund

Kellen — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 15:20:03 +0000

Moments ago, Samsung confirmed that they are halting all sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note 7 across the globe. Not only that, but they are recommending that owners of the phone turn them off and "take advantage of the remedies available." Those remedies are returning the phone at the place of purchase for a refund or swapping the phone out for something else. That's it. Samsung wants you to get rid of your Note 7 right now. Please do it. At this time, Samsung is still investigating recent reports of exploding "safe" devices, but because "consumers' safety remains our top priority," they want you to get rid of the Note 7 you may have purchased. The full statement is as follows:

We are working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to investigate the recently reported cases involving the Galaxy Note7. Because consumers’ safety remains our top priority, Samsung will ask all carrier and retail partners globally to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note7 while the investigation is taking place. We remain committed to working diligently with the CPSC, carriers and our retail partners to take all necessary steps to resolve the situation. Consumers with an original Galaxy Note7 or replacement Galaxy Note7 should power down and take advantage of the remedies available, including a refund at their place of purchase. For more information, consumers should visit samsung.com/us/note7recall or contact 1-844-365-6197.

Via: Samsung

Humble Bundle 21 Offers Goat Simulator, Door Kickers and More in the Name of Charity

Tim — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 14:13:58 +0000

It's been quite some time since we last wrote up a Humble Bundle, but #21 was recently made available, this time helping out the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Child's Play Charity. If you aren't familiar with Humble Bundle, it's very simply to understand. To start, there is a group of games you receive for any amount donated over $1. However, if you pay a certain price, this time being $5, you unlock another tier of games for your purchase. If you go over another amount, being $6, you get another group of games. Currently, if you pay $6 or more, you get seven games, plus more to come. The games in the bundle are Westport Independent, _PRISM, Sage Solitaire, Ghosts of Memories, Door Kickers, Twolfold Inc., and Goat Simulator. If you know anything about mobile games, these are some great titles, espeically for the $6 price. Not only will your money go to the developers who created them, but a portion will also be given to charities - the ones I mentioned above to be specific. The neat part is, you the purchaser determines where the money goes. If you need a few new games or just want to donate to a couple good causes, check the link below. Humble Bundle Link

Facebook at Work is Now Workplace, a Social Network for the Office

Tim — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 12:39:37 +0000

In an attempt to bring coworkers closer together, and maybe spawn a few more collaborative efforts, Facebook is making Workplace (formerly Facebook at Work), available to all. Essentially, Workplace will be a social network for the office, one which won't be congested with political gibberish or cat videos posted by your whacky aunt. In fact, Workplace will have a separate login from your personal FB account, building an even larger space between the two accounts. According to Facebook, the idea of Workplace is to bring companies and their employees closer together. For example, users can create personalized chat groups for collaborating on specific tasks, or even use Facebook Live to watch their CEO give a presentation. Stated by FB, the service already has more than 1,000 organizations around the world utilizing it and hopes to bring on many more by opening it. It should be noted that the service is not free by any means, but you do get quite a bit for the fee. Priced anywhere from $1 to $3 per user, depending on how many active users there are, Facebook is providing live video streaming, team and project groups, unlimited storage for files/photos/videos, monitoring tools for IT teams, and single-sign on (SSO) support. To compare, Slack, which is similar, is priced at about $7/month per user. If you feel like showing this news to your boss, the sign-up for Workplace is now available, which comes with a 3-month trial.

Via: Facebook | Workplace

Monday Poll: How Often Do You Upgrade Phones?

Kellen — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 12:09:31 +0000

The smartphone release cycle is pretty set in stone these days. We know that Samsung brings us a new Galaxy S towards the end of Q1, followed by launches from LG and HTC. We know that Motorola then shows up in the summer, while the Galaxy Note arrives end of summer, just before iPhones and Google's phones. LG now seems to want to finish off the year with a V-series phone as well. In between all of that, Huawei is trying to find a good spot to get phones in your face, as is OnePlus and some other upstart brands. All of that means you probably have a pretty good idea when you want to upgrade because you probably already know which manufacturers to keep an eye on. What we want to know - something we haven't asked in a year - is how often you actually do upgrade to new phones during the yearly cycle? Do you have cash to blow and upgrade whenever you want a new phone? Are you a 2-year adventurer? Or do you fall somewhere in between 2-year upgrades and whenever the hell you feel like it? [poll id="432"]

Opinion: An Argument for Samsung

Tim — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 11:14:06 +0000

Samsung is in a tight spot, no doubt about it. Over the weekend, reports were flying in from all over the US, claiming replacement Galaxy Note 7 devices were bursting into smoke, damaging property and even harming people. As a human being, your first thought might be, "Wow, Samsung should halt sales and issue a recall immediately." While that is a completely logical response, allow me to play Advocatus Diaboli (Devil's Advocate), only for the sake of making an argument on Samsung's behalf. According to Samsung, when replacement Galaxy Note 7 devices were being shipped out in mid-September, they had received verification from a 3rd-party that these devices were safe and should do no harm. Now, why is it that roughly 5 reports have popped up in the US, all within about a week of each other? Is that a coincidence? If you are anything like me, you have to question it. Regardless of the timing, we currently live in a society where news spreads like wildfire -- so fast that many reports are never confirmed or even acknowledged by the affected company before it makes the rounds on Twitter and Facebook. From Samsung's angle, what other choice do they have than to provide a vague, "we're investigating the reports" statement? In order to get to the bottom of each report, they must hope that the consumer will play ball, hand over the affected device, then work in partnership with US government agencies to ensure all steps are being followed if in case there is an actual concern regarding these replacement devices. If you will remember, the first round of recall for the Note 7 was also met with concern, since Samsung did not properly go through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In doing so, that essentially lengthens the time in which consumers, like me and you, will receive answers on whether we can continue using our Note 7 smartphones. When I was reading these reports over the weekend, I questioned my own safety as a Note 7 user, as anyone would when you read such things. According to one person, their Note 7 bursted into smoke while they were sleeping, forcing him to seek treatment at a hospital. There is also a report about a young girl having her hands burnt from a replacement device. While I would never wish harm to anyone or anything, I must hold a shred of faith that Samsung is working to ensure their customers are safe. It is my belief that Samsung handled the initial recall with class, and I was happy to see that many of DL's readers felt the same. Before things got out of hand, Samsung globally recalled all devices, then made replacements available as soon as possible. It didn't seem like that big of a deal to me. Sure, the brand took some damage, but that isn't my problem. d

Cyanogen's Kirt McMaster is Out as CEO, Company Shift Gears to "Modular OS"

Kellen — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 10:42:47 +0000

I know that Cyanogen no longer registers much attention around the Android world these days, partly because the company is in trouble and has had to cut staff, but also because their misguided vision of a bloatware-filled mobile alternative never quite took off (shocker) and you've probably never even seen a phone running it. Still, we felt like we should at least pass along today's news of the company moving in a new direction and pushing out brodog-in-chief, Kirt McMaster as CEO. According to a blog post by newly appointed CEO, Lio Tai, Cyanogen is switching it up and going with a new Cyangen Modular OS program. What does that mean? It sure sounds like they will no longer be focusing on pushing a full Cyanogen OS to OEMs and will instead hope to license or distribute pieces of Cyanogen OS. In other words, they weren't seeing enough opportunities to get all of Cyanogen on phones, so they will now try to at least get parts of it out there. Will that succeed? Who knows. It doesn't sound like a terrible idea as there could be opportunities for bigger companies to see Cyanogen products that are better than their own in-house options or that they don't want to spend the resources investing in. Maybe they should have started this way, though, instead of trying to wage war with Google, a battle they were never going to win or even make noise in. As for McMaster, well, he's now "Executive Chairman of the Board." That's a fluffy title for a guy who will now spend his days doing outreach for the company and have little to do with day-to-day operations. And that's probably good for Kirt, because he was obviously better at talking than leading. Harsh? Eh, don't think Kirt would want it any other way. Finally, Steve Kondik, who you know as the founder of CyanogenMod and co-founder of Cyanogen, will leave his CTO gig and move over to Chief Science Officer. He'll also now report to Cyanogen's SVP of engineering.

Via: Cyanogen

HTC, Under Armour Apparently Making a Smartwatch Running Android Wear

Tim — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 09:16:09 +0000

According to two leaked images, HTC and Under Armour have teamed up again, working to produce a fitness-focused smartwatch running Android Wear. In case you missed it, this wouldn't be HTC's first time working with Under Armour, as earlier this year they launched the UA HealthBox, featuring a fitness tracker, heart rate monitor, and smart weight scale. There are not many details floating around for this "halfbreak" device quite yet, but we can see there is a completely circular display with no flat tire (ambient light sensors). No word yet on processor, RAM, or exact sizing. Provided it is made for Under Armour's marketing purposes, it's a safe bet that it will be made specifically for the fitness crowd. The watch should come with heart rate tracking, calorie burn counting, sweat resistance, and other various workout-centric use cases. We are nearing the holiday shopping season, which is always best for the launch of fitness devices, since many always say that a New Year's resolution will be to take better care of themselves. However, if we are only now just seeing leaked images, we may be too late to see a launch. It's also possible HTC and UA will show off this device at CES in January, as that's where they debuted the HealthBox.

Via: Engadget | Weibo (Account Needed)

Here are a Bunch of Photo Samples From the Pixel (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 08:20:23 +0000

UPDATE: The original post included a video that was being reported as a 4K video sample from the Pixel XL. That video is being called into question at this point as to whether or not it is indeed a real video shot on the Pixel phones. We've adjusted the post to not mislead anyone since we cannot verify the clip. If you want to see it, you can check it out here.

Want to see what Google's Pixel and Pixel XL cameras are capable of? Isaac Reynolds, a Googler who is the product lead in cameras for the Pixel, shared a bunch of photos on Friday from a Google Photos album that features Google's "favorite pictures taken on Pixel." As you all know, Google is pretty proud of the 12.3MP Sony IMX378 sensor they included in these two phones. After receiving a score of 89 from DxoMark, the highest ever given, they still want to show you proof that this may be one of the best smartphone shooters ever. Is this all definitive proof? I don't know, but I sure can't wait to test these out on our own. Smartphones cameras are so damn good these days, yet we always hope Google can give us the real goods in this department. They struggled for years to do so, yet last year put forth a hell of an effort with the Nexus 5X and 6P, so this year we expect even better things. "Best smartphone camera ever" would certainly help sell a few phones. ~~In the video above, please note that there has been "mild color correction," but that's it. The slow motion and stabilization is all happening on the phone. It looks quite good.~~ As for the photos, well, you tell me. Best ever? The full gallery can be seen at this link. Below, we've included some resized versions of the photos.

Via: Google Product Forums | Phandroid

Reports: Samsung Halts Galaxy Note 7 Production as Carriers Stop Sales (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 06:42:20 +0000

When we last left you on Friday, both Sprint and AT&T released statements suggesting that they would accept exchanges of "safe" Galaxy Note 7 devices, after a report or two had surfaced of those same "safe" replacement devices catching fire. Then, as the weekend unfolded, numerous new reports of exploding Galaxy Note 7s arrived and carriers quickly abandoned ship. Most, in fact, have completely halted sales of the device while we wait for Samsung to tell us what the hell is going on. Two reports have also said that Samsung has stopped production of the device temporarily. According to statements provided to The Verge, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are all no longer selling the Galaxy Note 7 or at least no longer letting recalled Note 7s be exchanged for supposedly "safe" Note 7s. That's probably the correct move by all parties until Samsung can finish investigating reports and tell us whether or not these replacement units are OK for everyday use. On the other side of the story, we have reports from Yonhap and the New York Times with sources saying that Samsung has gone ahead and temporarily stopped production on the Note 7. Samsung has yet to issue any sort of official response to these reports and has still only told us that they are investigating the most recent exploding device situations. As more on this story unfolds, we'll be sure to keep you updated. UPDATE: Sprint and Best Buy have now halted sales as well. At this point, you really can't go out and buy the Galaxy Note 7. Hopefully, we hear from Samsung very soon and get some clarity on the future of this phone. UPDATE 2: US Cellular, the last holdout, has now stopped sales of the Note 7, the company announced in a statement to us.

Via: NY Times | Yonhap | The Verge [2] [3] [4]

Two More Replacement Note 7s Explode, So Yeah, Don't Buy a Galaxy Note 7

Kellen — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 09:29:41 +0000

At the end of last week, after a report surfaced of a Galaxy Note 7 owner whose supposedly safe phone caught fire on a Southwest plane just before takeoff made the rounds, and carriers began accepting returns for those worried about their own replacement devices, two more reports of exploding devices have arrived. This situation is getting worse by the day. One report arrived in Minnesota, where a 13-year old girl was holding her replacement Note 7 as it heated up and then melted in her hand, leaving minor burns. The other report came out of Kentucky, where a man said he awoke in the middle of the night to smoke filling his bedroom and his replacement Note 7 on fire. That smoke later caused vomiting and a trip to the emergency room. The man in Kentucky originally thought Samsung was doing everything it could to help him, but then he received a text he believes wasn't intended for him from a Samsung rep that read:

Just now got this. I can try and slow him down if we think it will matter, or we just let him do what he keeps threatening to do and see if he does it

Yikes. I'm not about to dive into what they are potentially suggesting there. With that said, the man is now seeking legal help. Samsung issued an iffy statement on Friday as all of these reports arrived, saying that they are moving quickly to investigate them and see if they can determine a cause. They are still working with the CPSC and will "take immediate steps to address the situation" should they find a safety issue. You have to wonder if it's time for Samsung to just throw in the towel or wave the white flag for the Galaxy Note 7. If anything, you certainly shouldn't go out and buy a Galaxy Note 7 today or tomorrow. Your best bet is to hold tight if you feel as if you must own this phone and see how this all shakes out. Honestly, though, I don't know how it could be worth waiting around for. There are plenty of excellent phones on the market, plus a few more arriving within a couple of weeks, and none of them will blow up in your bedroom, in your hand, in your Jeep, or on an airplane. Also, if you do own a replacement, you may want to consider returning the little guy for something else. We'll be sure to keep you updated on Samsung's findings.

Dont' Miss These Android Stories: October 7, 2016

Kellen — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 16:00:47 +0000

I'm trying to figure out if anything big went down this week...hmmm...HMMMMM. Yeah, I think it's safe to say that it was a busy one. Not only did Google host an event in San Francisco on Tuesday morning, they used that event to announce two phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, Google Home pricing, Chromecast Ultra, Google WiFi, and Daydream View, their first VR viewer that isn't a cardboard box. Most of that stuff is already up for pre-order, plus we took both Pixel phones for a solid 5-minute tour. It was a good time, for sure. Outside of Google's big event, we talked a lot about Nexus and its future, received a date for the LG V20 launch, are now wondering how long before Samsung just kills off the Note 7, and are thinking the Xiaomi Mi Box is a must-buy. Catch up on all of the action below! Pixel All the Things:

Rest of Google's October 4 Event:

Everything Else:

Weekly recap, recap by Droid Life.

Google Will No Longer Require Hangouts to be Bundled on New Hardware

Tim — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 15:08:44 +0000

According to an email from Google to Google Mobile Services partners, reported by Android Police, Hangouts is getting a gentle kick out of the door. Set to begin this December 1, Google will no longer require Hangouts to be preinstalled on new hardware from OEMs, which is part of something typically referred to as the package of "gapps." This package also contains apps like Gmail, Drive, Maps, and a few others. Replacing Hangouts will be Duo, not Allo, which should now come preinstalled on all new Android hardware in 2017 and beyond. Be aware, though, Google notes that Hangouts is no longer required to come installed, but that does not mean Google is going to kill it or OEMs will stop packaging it. While plenty of hardware makers have their own messaging services, it's possible a few may still package Hangouts, as it is listed as "Optional." Additionally, Hangouts will still be available for download on Google Play, so don't worry, it's not dying... yet. Here's the message Google sent out.

Today, we are announcing that Google Duo will replace Hangouts within the suite of core GMS apps, and Hangouts will become GMS Optional for telephony products. This change will take effect on December 1, 2016.

Does this move affect you? It shouldn't, since Hangouts will continue to be downloadable from Google Play. Would Allo make more sense, at least in terms of a messaging service? Yes, but there's nothing wrong with Google pushing a video messaging service, either.

Via: Android Police

Runtastic Update Adds Google Play Music Playlist Integration

Kellen — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 11:13:01 +0000

Runstastic, the popular running and workout app, teamed up with Google to add Google Play Music playlist integration through a recent update. The addition means curated playlists with all the beats for your power workouts. Google says that you'll find playlists like "Today's Running Hits" that feature songs with 130 beats per minute or more. You'll also find EDM playlists that are all sorts of sweaty and "high-energy" rock. You get the idea. These playlists are all accessed from within Runtastic's app, so you can control Play Music without having to open an another one. In related news, Google and Runtastic are offering 2-month free trials of Google Music to celebrate the partnership. Play Link

Via: Google

Facebook to Soon Launch Dedicated 'Events' App for Android, Available Today on iOS

Tim — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 10:46:41 +0000

Facebook announced a new app this week, breaking yet another piece of the main Facebook mobile experience off into its own tangent. This time, it's for Events, providing a new area for users to find all of the latest happenings in their area. With Events, you can easily find concerts, track events you are already planning to attend, and other nightlife action. To begin, you will see a calendar, complete with things you are already scheduled for. If you happen to be free one night, you can find a local event that might interest you. For those who are RSVP'd to an event, you can also receive notifications when things are updated on their respective pages. For example, if the host puts out a call for someone to bring potato salad, you will be notified. As Facebook describes, "When you open Events, you can quickly catch up on new events your friends are interested in, recently-announced events by the Pages you like, and updates from events you’re already connected to." The overall idea for Events is solid, but as a user, it's somewhat cumbersome to continually install standalone apps for the network's many different services. Naturally, Events is not yet available for Android users, even though that means there are hundreds of millions who are unable to access these features. According to Facebook, Events for Android is "coming soon." If you own an iOS device, don't worry, it's available right now for you.

Via: Facebook

Sprint, AT&T Accepting Exchanges of Replacement Galaxy Note 7 Devices (Updated: T-Mobile and Verizon Too)

Tim — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 09:09:14 +0000

While no body of our government or Samsung has confirmed the recent report that a replacement Galaxy Note 7 up and exploded on a domestic Southwest airplane, AT&T and Sprint seem to wish it was just over already. Recently confirmed by Engadget, both carriers are accepting exchanges on the Galaxy Note 7, even if it was a replacement device for a recalled unit picked up last month. Once exchanged, you are free to pick any other device on the network. Sprint seems to be the most upfront carrier at this time, providing the following statement.

Sprint is working collaboratively with Samsung to better understand the most recent concerns regarding replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is also investigating the Note 7 replacement device. At this time, CPSC has not specifically said if customers should or should not use the replacement model. If a Sprint customer with a replacement Note 7 has any concerns regarding their device, we will exchange it for any other device at any Sprint retail store during the investigation window. We will provide additional information when the investigation has concluded.

AT&T is doing the same thing as Sprint. If you own a replacement Note 7, AT&T will allow you to exchange it for any other device they sell, simply walk into a retail location and get it done. For customers on T-Mobile and Verizon, both companies have not yet announced the acceptance of exchanges. However, depending on when you purchased your Note 7, you may fall under the Remorse return timeframe. That's only accepted within a 14-day period, though. While I'm typically not one to endorse mass panic over a smartphone, if the CPSC or Samsung come back and confirm that a replacement Note 7 did in fact burst into smoke on an airplane, I'd go right ahead and stop using the Galaxy Note 7 forever. There's plenty of other phones on the market to choose from, especially ones that won't burn something down. What's your take on this? Is the media exaggerating? Should people be nervous about the Galaxy Note 7? You be the judge. UPDATE: According to The Verge, Verizon and T-Mobile will also allow customers to swap on their replacement Note 7s for new phones.

Via: Engadget | The Verge

Pixel XL at Best Buy is About $26 Cheaper, Comes With $100 Gift Card and Free Chromecast

Kellen — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 08:23:53 +0000

Who has the best deal on the Pixel XL? Best Buy does. Since pre-orders first opened up, Best Buy has been selling the bigger Pixel at a $26 discount over Google and Verizon. How do they get away with that? I don't know and I don't really care. If you pre-order the Pixel XL from the electronics retailer, you'll pay $31 per month, which amounts to a total of $744 over 24 months. The same phone at Google and Verizon is $32.08 per month. That may not be a substantial savings, but 26 bucks is 26 bucks. Best Buy is also tossing in a $100 Best Buy gift card and a free Chromecast with purchase (not the Ultra, just the regular). Best Buy Links: Pixel XL (Silver) | Pixel XL (Black) NOTE: As some have pointed out, this could very well be the Verizon version. It sure is labeled as such. I wish we knew for sure how this version will play out, but we just don't. If you are concerned, you may want to hold off.

Cheers David!

Hopefully, You Got Those Google Store Pixel Orders in Already

Kellen — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 07:56:42 +0000

The Pixel and Pixel XL are selling out quickly through the Google Store. No, I'm not going to sit here and suggest that Google just sold 10 million phones in its opening week, but I am hoping that you got those orders in if you wanted the purely unlocked and Google-controlled version of the Pixel. As of this morning, the Pixel XL appears to be completely sold out in all configurations and colors. The regular Pixel is still available, but only in Very Silver and Quite Black with 32GB of storage. The Really Blue and 128GB option is gone. I should point out that the regular Pixel in Very Silver is also showing a delayed shipping time of 5-6 weeks now, instead of the hard October 20 date. That could mean that it's about gone as well. When will Google re-stock? That's anyone's guess. Now the question - do you buy from Best Buy and hope it isn't all locked up in Verizon's world?

Cheers Ryan and @bdcostley!

ASUS ZenWatch 3 Launches Next Month, Priced at $229

Tim — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:10:26 +0000

The ZenWatch 3, which may be the only anticipated Android Wear smartwatch release for the end of 2016, launches next month in November. This watch was unveiled in late August, but at the time, ASUS stated it would launch in October. Apparently, that is no longer the case. The ZenWatch 3 will cost only $229, which is quite the bargain when stacked against comparable smartwatches. ZenWatch 3 features a body of jewelry-grade 316L stainless steel, a thickness of 9.95mm, coupled with a 1.39-inch round AMOLED display (400×400 resolution). It runs the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset, has 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi, 340mAh battery with quick-charge (0-60% in 15 minute), has a 45mm case diameter, and is rated IP67. Other features include 50 pre-loaded watch faces, activity tracking, and will undoubtedly get updated to Android Wear 2.0 at some point in the future. You know, once Google decides to release it. ASUS states that the ZenWatch 3 will be available for purchase directly from ASUS, as well as from many retail partners.

Via: ASUS

Google is Apparently Letting Verizon Handle Major Pixel System Updates (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 14:00:45 +0000

Uggggggggh. WHY. According to 9to5Google, who apparently got confirmation from a Google spokesperson, Verizon gets to handle major system updates (aka the big ones) for the Pixel and Pixel XL that it sells. Google, on the other hand, will continue to push out monthly security updates to them, while also handling major system updates for the unlocked models. Here is the statement they received:

'Monthly security updates will come from Google (for all models), and system updates will be managed by Verizon for Verizon models, and Google for unlocked models bought from Google Store.

We don't know if that means ridiculously slow updates for Pixel phones sold by Verizon, but history tells us to expect just that. So, folks, if you want the fastest updates, we would suggest that going with the unlocked version that Google sells through the Google Store is going to be your best bet. After all, the unlocked version works on Verizon and is available with financing if that's how you need to buy it. UPDATE: Verizon has chimed in and said that they will release big system updates at the same time as Google. More here.

Via: 9to5Google

Samsung Acquires Viv AI Platform, From the Creators of Apple's Siri

Tim — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 13:13:05 +0000

Samsung announced plans to acquire Viv this week, an AI assistant system that was co-founded by Dag Kittlaus, Adam Cheyer and Chris Brigham. If the names aren't familiar to you, their work surely is, as they are responsible for the creation of Siri, which was acquired by Apple in 2010. Following that acquisition, the team left to found Viv in 2012. Viv offers a natural language understanding, similar to what you would find from Google Assistant, machine learning capabilities, as well as "strategic partnerships that will enrich a broader service ecosystem." There is currently no word on the price of the acquisition. In essence, with this announcement, Samsung is paving its way to compete with Apple and Google. Currently lacking on Samsung devices, whether they run Android or Tizen (and not including S Voice which is no longer in use), is voice-operated assistant software. Something that can schedule meetings, answers questions in a contextual manner, or even help you book movie tickets. Since Apple, Google, and Amazon are all working on this, it's no surprise Samsung is hopping aboard. Below, check out an interview with Samsung's Mobile Business CTO, Injong Rhee. In it, he discusses Samsung's approach to AI. Exciting times ahead for AI and assistants.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Samsung

ASUS ZenPad Z10 Features a 9.7" 2K Display, Only at Verizon for $329

Tim — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 11:01:11 +0000

A new ASUS tablet is available exclusively at Verizon starting today, the ZenPad Z10. Featuring an extremely thin body (0.28"), coupled with a large 9.7-inch "2K" display (2048 x 1536), the ZenPad Z10 is a nice looking tablet. Complete with radios capable of connecting to Verizon's LTE-A network, users can hopefully breeze through their work thanks to a Snapdragon 650 hexa-core processor and 3GB of RAM. Additional specs include 32GB of built-in storage, USB Type-C, 8-megapixel rear-facing camera (5MP on front), 7,800mAh battery, microSD slot for up to 128GB of storage, and Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow." The tablet is listed at a full price of $329.99, but is actually $13.74 per month for 24 months via a Verizon device payment plan. There will also be a monthly fee to have the device hook up to Verizon's network, but that's standard. The device is available online starting right now, if you are interested. Verizon Link

Via: Verizon

Verizon's Bloatware on the Pixel Will be Minimal, Maybe Just 3 Apps

Kellen — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 10:14:51 +0000

Worried about all of the bloatware in Verizon's arsenal that it could try and pre-load onto your pre-ordered Pixel or Pixel XL? I have good news! It might not be all that bad! According to Verizon's business sales portal, there may be just three apps that load after you insert your Verizon SIM and fire up the phone for the first time. As you can see from the screenshot below, under the "Preloaded Verizon Apps" section, which likely means VZ Navigator, Verizon Cloud, and the rest of their terrible line of apps, Verizon's says there will be "None." Awesome! Going further, past the "Preloaded Google Apps" section, we do have mentions of My Verizon, Go90, and VZ Messages in a "Preloaded Play Store Apps" section. That likely means the apps that will be installed the minute you fire up your phone with a Verizon SIM inside. Are those three apps the end of the world? Probably not. For one, there is always a chance that you will be able to uninstall them. We don't know that you will 100% be able to do so, and my guess is that you won't be able to, but three is better than the 11 or 12 or 18 we see on other Verizon phones. And I wouldn't be surprised if you can't at least disable Go90 and VZ Messages. Plus, My Verizon is a handy account app and some people have told us that VZ Messages is solid. I have zero opinion on it, so you'll have to trust others here. As for Go90, well, just disable or uninstall (if you can) and be on your way.

You going to be able to live with three bad apps? If you want to pre-order the Pixel or Pixel XL, we have links for you here.

Via: reddit | Verizon | Phandroid

GIPHY CAM, Greatest App Ever, Available Now on Google Play

Tim — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 09:14:37 +0000

One day, we will actually crown the world's greatest app, but until that happens, GIPHY CAM can have the title. Launched onto Google Play this morning for all to download, GIPHY CAM brings all of the GIF fun you can imagine, letting users easily produce and customize GIFs for sharing. To begin, you will simply snap a video, then choose to add stickers, foreground animations, face overlays, or various filters to your video. Once you have a GIF masterpiece completed, simply save it, then upload to your favorite social media site. It's that simple, which is what makes it so fun.

As you can see in the GIF above, I based my reaction on the amazing cats that would be in front of me, and now I have a creation that will live on forever through the internet. That's the beauty of GIPHY CAM. Naturally, depending on the effect you are after, you can alter essentially any aspect of the GIF, including the adding of visible text. The app is completely free to download and use on Google Play, so for all of you funny content creators, it's a must have. Play Link

Reminder: Google's Pixel Phones Aren't "Only on Verizon"

Kellen — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 08:47:19 +0000

Google's ad blitz for its new Pixel phones has much greater reach than any other product ad campaign of theirs I can recall. We are seeing non-stop TV ads, carefully placed billboards in major cities, and even full four-page ads in newspapers like USA Today. But one thing I keep seeing accompany these ads needs some clarification. In almost all current Pixel ads, there is a note about them being "only on Verizon." That, of course, isn't actually true in a couple of ways. Sure, Verizon is the only carrier selling the phone in its stores, but you can buy the phone at Google's own store and Best Buy in an unlocked state that will work on every single carrier. That's right, the Pixel and Pixel XL work on all major US carriers, including the prepaid guys, Google's Project Fi, and smaller MVNOs. The Pixel phones were built to be universally unlocked and connect without issue on AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and yes, Verizon. Here, take a look at this Pixel supported networks list. Even Google's own store listing says the following:

See? So in case you had questions about all of that or your friends and family mention the Pixel, but suggest they can't buy one because they aren't on Verizon, remind them that those ads aren't exactly correct.

LG V20 Hits T-Mobile October 28 With Free $150 B&O H3 Earbuds (UPDATED: AT&T and Sprint Info)

Kellen — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 07:50:20 +0000

LG announced their new flagship, the V20, back in early September and we are now starting to see official launch date announcements from carrier partners. The first out of the gate is T-Mobile, who says that the V20 hits their network on October 28. T-Mobile won't say how much the phone is going to cost, which is odd, but they are willing to tell you that with purchase, you'll receive a free pair of B&O H3 earbuds ($150 value). As an additional bonus, T-Mobile has announced that the V20 will be the first phone to work on their LTE AWS-3 spectrum (band 66). My guess is that AT&T will announce a date any moment as well. I say that because they posted two LG V20-related videos to YouTube this morning, but did so without a press release. We'll update this post once they give us some info too. UPDATE: As predicted, AT&T has now weighed in. Pre-orders for the V20 start October 7, but they aren't saying when those pre-orders will ship or when the phone will arrive in stores. Pricing for the AT&T model is as follows:

AT&T Next for $27.67 per month for 30 months ($830.10 total)
AT&T Next Every Year at $34.59 per month for 24 months ($830.16 total)

UPDATE 2: Sprint has also confirmed an October 28 release with October 21 pre-orders. Still interested in the V20, the ultimate "stuff and things" phone? Links: T-Mobile | AT&T

Via: T-Mobile | AT&T | Sprint

We Touched Pixels!

Kellen — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 19:24:25 +0000

The Droid Life Show is happening earlier this week because with Google's October 4 event now finished, we have too much to talk about and don't want wait until Friday. So, join us as we run through the Pixel phones, Google Home, Google WiFi, Chromecast, and Daydream View. Join us at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

T-Mobile CEO John Legere Wants to Send You to Mars

Tim — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 15:17:24 +0000

John Legere, the man responsible for making T-Mobile the competitive carrier it currently is, has officially reached 3 million followers on Twitter. While that's impressive, Legere's celebration for this milestone is completely ludicrous. Announced via his Twitter, if a specified tweet (this one) reaches 1,000,000 retweets, he will send someone to Mars via SpaceX's Mars program. If you aren't in the Hyperloop (that's a pun), SpaceX and Elon Musk recently unveiled plans to colonize Mars in the future. By the future, I mean a little under a decade from now, with Mars flights beginning as soon as late 2022. Anyway, as detailed by Elon Musk, a trip to Mars could cost roughly $200,000. So, if the tweet hits that 1 million RT mark, SpaceX has flights and you're selected randomly, then you're off to Mars. Legere also details via the official rules that if trips to Mars aren't yet commercially available, the winner will receive a check for $200,000. That's not bad for a simple retweet, am I right? With the odds of his tweet reaching 1 million retweets seeming quite low, there are other prizes to shoot for. At 10,000 retweets, you can win a flight voucher valued at $800. At 50,000 retweets, you can win a zero gravity chair valued at $2,000. At 100,000 retweets, someone would win a zero gravity experience, listed with a retail price of $5,500. No matter what, we have a few cool prizes here. For official rules and details, check the via link below. As the great Hauser (Douglas Quaid) once said, "Get your ass to Mars."

When I joined @TMobile, people thought I was from Mars. I want say thx in an out-of-this-?-way for believing in me! https://t.co/W4X2ofKoBW pic.twitter.com/OWFwcOXRSv
— John Legere (@JohnLegere) October 5, 2016

Via: John Legere [Facebook]

Report: 'Replacement' Galaxy Note 7 Catches Fire on Southwest Plane (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 12:35:43 +0000

According to a report from The Verge, a replacement Galaxy Note 7 caused evacuation of a Southwest flight departing Louisville, KY this morning. Still in the boarding process, the owner, Brian Green, was asked by flight attendants to turn off his cellphone, but then the unexpected happened. Once powered down, the device began to smoke, at which point Green dropped the phone to the floor of the cabin. Green states that the phone was letting off a, "thick grey-green angry smoke." Apparently, a colleague of Green went back onto the flight to grab belongings and was able to snap a photo of the device as it was burning its way through the airplane's carpet. Due to the incident, the flight was canceled and Southwest rebooked passengers on later flights.

Now, exploding Galaxy Note 7 phones aren't exactly breaking news anymore, but the issue is that this particular device is reported to be a replacement for a recalled unit. According to the owner, this replacement unit was picked up at an AT&T store on September 21, right when replacement models were being shipped out by Samsung. The ways to check if your Galaxy Note 7 is safe would be the green battery icon, as well as a black square symbol on the replacement device's box. Apparently, this phone had both of those, meaning it should not have been at risk of explosion. Not only that, but Green checked the IMEI in Samsung's system, which states the phone is "NOT" on the list of affected units. Samsung has yet to issue a statement on the matter, but given we have a canceled domestic flight possibly due to a replacement device for a recalled smartphone, you better believe the company should look to meet this head-on. Folks, I hate to say it, but if you own a Galaxy Note 7, you might just want to return it if possible. Owning this phone is simply not worth the risk. Update: A statement was provided by Samsung to The Verge.

Until we are able to retrieve the device, we cannot confirm that this incident involves the new Note7. We are working with the authorities and Southwest now to recover the device and confirm the cause. Once we have examined the device we will have more information to share.

Via: The Verge

Google's Pixel Phones are Rated IP53 for Water and Dust Resistance

Kellen — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 12:20:35 +0000

Google's new Pixel phones are rated IP53 for dust and water resistance, the company confirmed to us today. I know the IP53 rating was rumored pre-launch, but now that the phones are official and that rating doesn't seem to appear on any of the specs lists provided by Google, we just wanted to make sure you knew exactly where the Pixel and Pixel XL stand. At IP53, you are looking at a "Dust Protected" (5) category for solids, which means dust isn't "entirely prevented," but unless massive amounts of it enter your phone, it should be fine. As for liquids, the Pixel falls under the "Spraying water" (3) category, which means they are safe from "Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect." For reference, the HTC 10 is also IP53. Funny, since HTC manufactured the Pixel for Google. You probably shouldn't shower with your new Pixel phone. More info on IP ratings can be found here.

Android 7.1 Will Hit Current Nexus Devices and Pixel C as Developer Preview Before 2017

Tim — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 11:04:20 +0000

The following news is important for current Nexus owners, so listen up. Google has confirmed that Android 7.1, the version that ships with the Pixel and Pixel XL, will indeed eventually make its way to Nexus devices and the Pixel C. While this is great news, there is a downside. Google states that Android 7.1 will first be made available as a Developer Preview, which will roll out no later than the end of Q4. Put more simply, expect an update near year's end, but only if you are enrolled in the Android Beta Program. To go along with this, it is also unclear which Nexus devices will receive Android 7.1 support. While we can say with near certainty that the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will see it, it's up in the air for the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9. On top of that, the Android 7.1 that newer Nexus device owners see is rather different from what is showcased on the Pixel phones. On the Pixel and Pixel XL, there are certain features that probably won't ever come to the Nexus lineup. For example, Google's Support tab, the 24-7 customer support feature, likely won't ever be available on Nexus devices. Additionally, the Pixel Launcher, with its filled-in navigation buttons, and even Google's highly promoted Assistant feature, also may not come to Nexus devices. At this time, without Google going into too much detail for what will and will not carry over from Pixel to Nexus, 6P and 5X owners will need to remain optimistic and hope Google doesn't screw them too badly. After all, these are Nexus owners, and they expect timely updates ahead of everyone else, as they should. If your Nexus device isn't already enlisted in the Android Beta Program, you can begin that process here. It's very easy and will only take you a moment.

Via: Android Police

On the Flip: Google, Don't Do This to Nexus Owners

Kellen — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:47:37 +0000

I think I've made it clear that I think Google's Pixel phones are still going to be the best choice for Android purists who have long-been Nexus owners. I also fully understand that the price hike won't ever be justifiable to many and that Google has pissed off some of its strongest supporters by shifting gears. But I think what should really be a major talking point, is how current Nexus owners seem to be getting the raw end of the whole deal. Yesterday, Google showed us not only two new phones, they also showed us the next version of Android which happens to be 7.1. Under normal circumstances, that's a big reveal for owners of Nexus devices because that means a major update (with new features) is on the way in the very near future. Except, well, not this time. Google says that Android 7.1 will show up on Nexus phones (6P and 5X for sure) before the end of the year, initially as a developer preview. Keep in mind that there are three months left in 2016 and the Pixel phones launch on October 20 with Android 7.1. In other words, Google is saying that 7.1 is stable enough for its shiny new phones to run, but not your year-old Nexus. That's a pretty terrible message to send, especially to those who have always been promised quick updates before anyone else. On top of that, a handful of features shown off on the Pixel phones, like everywhere Google Assistant, the Pixel Launcher, Pixel's fancy new camera app, and the subtle UI tweaks to the navigation buttons, aren't coming to any other phones any time soon, including Nexus. This isn't cool, Google. Don't do this to Nexus owners. My guess is that Google is about to do more than just a hardware shift with Pixel. I think they are about to take back a whole bunch of control over Android in the near future or least reduce talk of "Android" and sell a Google experience. That's a much broader topic for another day, though. What I'm getting at, in a round-about way, is that it sure seems like Google has reduced Nexus at this point in time to push Pixel, almost as if a neglected few remaining Nexus devices are a part of the pains associated with that shift I just mentioned. And that just shouldn't happen. People just bought the Nexus 5X. They just bought the Nexus 6P. They bought these phones expecting the Nexus experience, which means updates and features first. Now, with Pixel, they aren't getting that any longer and it sucks.

Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, Google's Tango Phone, Launches Next Month

Tim — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:05:20 +0000

Unveiled alongside the Moto Z in early June, Lenovo's Phab 2 Pro, otherwise known as what should be the first commercially available Tango phone, will launch next month in November. As a freshening up, the Phab 2 Pro is a large device, featuring a 6.4-inch QHD display, as well as Snapdragon 652 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 4050mAh battery with 2.4x fast charging, fingerprint reader, DOLBY Atmos sound with 5.1 audio capture, and four cameras for capturing Tango AR. The pure draw to the Phab 2 Pro would and should be Tango. With Tango, folks can place AR (augmented reality) over their own world. Beyond what you can do in terms of gaming, it can also be useful for other industries. For example, if you are on a worksite, attempting to measure a space, the device's array of cameras can measure things pretty accurately. For a look at apps already available, check out Google Play's featured list here. In the video below, Lenovo does a good job at detailing a few of the use cases for Tango. It's expected that the Phab 2 Pro will cost only $499 at launch, available at retailers such as Lowe's and Best Buy. Once available, we'll let you know.

[responsive_vid]

Via: CNET

Motorola Provides Details for Which Devices Will See Nougat

Tim — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:59:18 +0000

Motorola published a complete list of devices that will see Nougat at some point, with fifteen devices making the cut at this time. As you might expect, newer devices like the Moto Z and DROID Turbo 2 are listed, but others that could also be labeled as new, such as the Moto G (2015), are absent from the list. Other notables included are the Nexus 6, DROID Maxx 2, Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen), and the 4th Gen lineup of the Moto G. It should also be noted that no Moto E devices are listed here. For a timeframe, Moto states that rollout of updates will begin in Q4 (this quarter), starting with the Moto Z and Moto G (4th Gen). As for which devices will follow, that is unclear. Here's the official list from Motorola.

Moto G (4th Gen)
Moto G Plus (4th Gen)
Moto G Play (4th Gen)
Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen)
Moto X Style
Moto X Play
Moto X Force
Droid Turbo 2
Droid Maxx 2
Moto Z
Moto Z Droid
Moto Z Force Droid
Moto Z Play
Moto Z Play Droid
Nexus 6

Via: Motorola

RIP, Nexus. Now Get Over It.

Kellen — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 07:56:41 +0000

Too soon? Maybe. But I don’t know how else to put it to the Nexus lifers who are screaming frustrations in the comments about Google’s new high-priced Pixel phones, phones that have signaled the end of Google’s beloved, nerd-focused hardware line. I know it’s going to be hard to just “get over it,” but think about the positives here with Pixel. This certainly looks like Google being really serious about phones for the first time and that could very well mean an even better experience for you and I. According to a report out of Bloomberg, Google has walled off the newish hardware division led by former Motorola boss, Rick Osterloh, from the Android team, much in the way they did when they owned Motorola. I don’t know about you guys, but a similar “firewall” produced the original Moto X, a phone that is still one of my favorites of all time largely in part because it introduced software features that have helped shape all of our current phones. It’s almost as if these supposed separations help enable brilliant minds to outdo or surprise those on the other side. Keep in mind that these Pixel phones finally represent a top-to-bottom vision of an Android phone from Google as well. While HTC may have pieced together these phones on the manufacturing side of things, these are 100% Google designs. That means each and every component is based on what Google, the controller of Android, thought would work the best with their own operating system. That should mean that it has been fine-tuned like no other Android phone to not only take advantage of the latest in Android, but to display that to you and I as well. That's not all that different from Nexus phones, I get that. But in a way, it's taking the Nexus approach that you all love so much and then cranking it up another notch by leaving out additional players. This is Google saying, "We're gonna do this our way 100% and we hope you like it." Sure, the prices are not what you are used to seeing. In fact, many of you are outright angry over the top tier pricing of the Pixel phones that compares to what Samsung and Apple price their phones at. I don't necessarily have a way to fight those arguments, especially after years of reasonably priced Nexus phones. My only thought is that at least Google is offering their own financing now to help soften the blow. But look, Google thinks these are phones that compare to the best in the business and should be priced as such. And if these phones are as good as Google thinks, they may be worth it. After all, Samsung and Apple kill everyone in the business in sales volume and none of their phones are $400. All of their flagship phones, the phones they sell the most of, are $650 and above. The Galaxy Note 7 started at $850 and sold millions out of the gate. Clearly, people are willing to shell out for the goods. And in the end, what's the better choice? If you are a Google enthusiast who loved Nexus devices, the Pixel phones are the phones built for you. They are more of Google's vision for Android than ever before. Isn't that mostly what you loved about Nexus? Or was it really just the damn price? Google designed every ounce of these and is even giving them exclusive features that no other phone currently has access to. They'll get swift updates, they work on every single carrier, and they'll get whatever new goodness Google comes up with first. Generally speaking, these are Nexus phones, just under a new name and fully realized by Google. That sure sounds like the phone we have all dreamed of. Are they perfect? Well, no. We would love to have seen water resistance, less bezel, and stereo speakers. And you know what? We'll likely ding the Pixels in those areas come review time. But I still don't see, even with those flaws, how Nexus lovers aren't excited for what Google just unveiled. Try to move beyond the price, just like Tim told you when the Galaxy Note 7 was introduced. Trade in your old phone. Sell it somewhere. Sign-up for financing. You have options to make the higher-than-expected cost come down. And when you do that, enjoy Google's new phone that could very well be a better version of Nexus.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL Supported Networks

Kellen — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:08:55 +0000

Google's new phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, work everywhere just like their Nexus cousins before them. Still, we know you may have questions about the supported bands, particularly in the LTE realm. Below, you'll find a chart that lists out all of the network frequencies that the Pixel and Pixel XL will work on. As a reminder, even though Verizon nabbed a carrier exclusive title here in the US, the Google Store is still selling an unlocked model that works on Verizon as well. The Google Store version also works on every other carrier in the US, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Nothing has really changed from the Nexus phones of 2015 to these Pixel phones in terms of connectivity. Google Pixel and Pixel XL Supported Networks [table id=48 /]

Via: Google Store

Google: We Have No Plans for Future Nexus Devices

Tim — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:37:51 +0000

What you saw this morning, at the Google event that is, wasn't only the launch of the Pixel smartphone line, but likely the death of the Nexus line. At the event, Google made it clear that they have "no plans" for future Nexus devices. While the Nexus line never gained huge traction outside of the Android fan realm, it was Google's platform to showcase everything Android was capable of. Each year, we would anticipate and speculate what Google may offer, and which OEM would be selected to manufacture the device. With Pixel, this may not change at all, but the Nexus brand that has become such a large part of our lives, is now going away. The first Nexus was the Nexus One that launched in 2010, with the last Nexus devices being the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, made available last year. Between these launches, we had numerous smartphones, tablets, a spherical doorstop that never launched, as well as the Nexus Player. If you ask me, the Nexus 6P and 5X are great devices to go out on, as many would argue the Nexus 6P was one of, if not the best Nexus device ever released in that near six-year span. As for current Nexus owners who don't intend on upgrading to the Pixel, don't worry, Google isn't going to forget about you. On Twitter, the Nexus team made it clear that you will continue to receive updates as you would expect, at least until the devices reach their end of life in terms of software support.

As Nexus users, you’ve played an integral role in this journey for Google. We’re excited about Pixel, and want you to know that (1/2)
— Nexus (@googlenexus) October 4, 2016

We’ll continue to support Nexus (customer support, software updates, etc.) & @googlenexus will continue to be a place for Nexus convos (2/2) https://t.co/BhgVcH1P56
— Nexus (@googlenexus) October 4, 2016

Pour a few out for the Nexus brand.

Via: The Verge

Tuesday Poll: Are You Buying the Pixel or Pixel XL?

Tim — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:00:19 +0000

The Pixel and Pixel XL are very official now. After weeks of leaks and rumors, Google has provided all of the information potential buyers may need to make a decision on whether to purchase these phones. So, are you? To recap, the Pixel and Pixel XL are nearly identical in the specs and software department, with exception to the difference in overall in-hand and display size. Pixel display size is 5-inch, while the Pixel XL is 5.5-inch. Without diving deep into what they feature, here's what they don't feature: Wireless charging, water resistance, expandable storage, and maybe more importantly, affordable pricing. The Pixel starts at $649, while the Pixel XL starts at $769. For Google devices, that's rather steep. What'll it be? [poll id="431"]

Video: Google Pixel and Pixel XL First Look and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 13:53:47 +0000

Well, we're back from Google's massive event today, where they unveiled two new phones - Pixel and Pixel XL - Google Home, Google WiFi, Daydream View, and Chromecast Ultra. Seriously, there was so much new stuff out of today's event that I don't know how any of us are keeping up. We're trying, though! And by trying, we present to you our 5-minute look at the Pixel and Pixel XL after spending a good 30 minutes with each. We will have much deeper analysis of these phones once we have review units in hand, but I'll tell you this - these phones are really nice. Now, I know that many of you are turned off by the price and I can't fault you there. But if you look outside of that and get one in hand, I think you'll probably agree that Google has done something impressive here. The metal bodies feel premium (Thanks, HTC!), the two-tone colorways actually look quite fun in person, and the performance of the software and camera were as good as I have seen on any Android phone. The sizing of 5-inch vs. 5.5-inch has also been done just right, if you ask me. The 5-inch Pixel feels like a "small" phone, while the larger 5.5-inch Pixel XL is large without being offensive. We have choice! And that doesn't mean choice of cheap vs. premium. Instead, Google is giving us two premium phones in two bodies that don't have any glaring issues. No one else outside of Samsung and Apple are doing that. Guys, Google has something here. [responsive_vid]

Google's Daydream VR Headset and Controller Launch in November, Priced at $79

Tim — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 13:27:53 +0000

Teased at Google I/O earlier this year, the Daydream VR headset from Google was made official this morning. With this launch, Google is deciding to get a bit more serious about VR, offering more than just a $5 piece of Cardboard for users to experience virtual reality. Not only is Google launching a headset, but a controller to help control your experience. Upon launch, Google will have more than 50 partners providing VR content, on top of the existing experiences found on YouTube, Netflix, and applications found on Google Play.

As you may notice, the Daydream headset appears to be quite different from something like HTC's Vive or Samsung's Gear VR. Instead of loads of plastic, Google coupled soft and elastic fabrics for the device, providing what should be a very comfortable and breathable experience. With the paired controller, users are able to take complete command of how they interact with VR, too. The controller can be used as a baseball bat, laser cannon, or a simple pointer inside of apps. Featuring a 220mAh battery, the controller is listed at lasting up to 12 hours of usage. The most important aspect, though, is which phones are compatible? Currently, the only "Daydream-ready" devices listed are the Pixel and Pixel XL. However, Google states that partners are working to make more. In reality, you can expect all upcoming flagship devices from top Android OEMs to be Daydream-ready. To go along with that, if you pre-order the Pixel or Pixel XL, Google will provide you with a coupon code to claim a free Daydream VR headset and controller. Daydream VR launches in November for a price of $79. Google Store Link

Google WiFi Brings Good Connection to All Corners of Your House

Tim — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:30:03 +0000

Google made Google WiFi official this morning, matching our report rather well from last week. As we expected, Google WiFi is a modular approach to WiFi, where modules (or routers) are placed throughout your home to provide a solid connection throughout. Utilizing Network Assist, the routers determine the clearest channel and fastest band for your devices to connect to, leading to smoother WiFi experiences. To give you an example of how Google WiFi will work, if you live in a 2-story home with multiple rooms, you would place one router in your upstairs office, one downstairs in the living room, as well as one wherever else you might have poor connection. When you purchase Google WiFi, which is priced at $299, you get a 3-pack of modules. For additional modules, the price will be $129. Three modules should be enough to cover most households, though. For those who may ask, yes, Google WiFi will work with any existing OnHub router. To add coverage to your home, simply add a WiFi point to your existing network. For more details on that, check out Google's support page for OnHub and Google WiFi. Currently, Google Store has Google WiFi as a "waitlist" item, with launch set to take place in December. However, pre-orders for Google WiFi will be available in November. Will you be hooking your home up with Google WiFi? Google Store Link

[responsive_vid]

Google Announces the Chromecast Ultra, 4K and HDR for $69

Tim — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:23:28 +0000

Announced today, the Chromecast Ultra has been made official by Google. Priced at $69, the Ultra is capable of delivering 4K streams with HDR, thanks to updated internals. Essentially, the Ultra will do everything your standard Chromecast is capable of, with exception to the high quality streaming. You can still cast YouTube videos, music, watch Netflix, and everything else. Given the Ultra is designed to eat a bit more bandwidth, Google has built in an ethernet port, plus 802.11ac (2.4GHz/5Ghz) 1x2 SIMO WiFi. If owners don't have a 4K TV and don't intend on upgrading, no worries, as the Ultra will automatically optimize for the maximum resolution your TV can deliver. If you are looking for somewhere to get new 4K content, Google also announced that it is bringing 4K content to Google Play Movies & TV. That should be expected later this year. The Chromecast Ultra is priced at $69, with the Google Store currently holding a "waitlist" for the device. You can also find it from other retailers, such as Best Buy. Google Store Link

[responsive_vid]

Google Home Available for Order at $129, Ships in November

Tim — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 10:46:38 +0000

Google Home, first shown off at Google I/O early in the year, is now available for order on the Google Store. The device is priced at $129, compared to the Amazon Echo's price of $179. With Home, users can play music, cast media directly to other devices, as well as search the web all with your voice. With Google Assistant built right into Home, you can even set the temperature in your home with Nest integration. According to the Google Store listing, Google Home features an integrated high-excursion speaker (2” driver, dual 2” passive radiators), as well as far-field microphones for use with Google's natural language processing (NLP). WiFi specs are 802.11ac (2.4GHz/5Ghz). Google Home is available right now for $129, but does not ship until early November. On stage, Google said you can find it in retailers starting November 4, including Best Buy. Additionally, separate Home bases for personalization will be available for $20 on Google Store. Are you ordering? Google Store Link | Best Buy Link

[responsive_vid]

Google Pixel and Pixel XL Now Up for Pre-Order!

Kellen — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 10:13:23 +0000

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL are now up for pre-order! How much? Well, the Pixel starts at $649 at full retail or $27.04 per month for 32GB of storage. The Pixel XL starts at $769 at full retail or $32.04 per month for 32GB of storage. If you want 128GB of storage, add on $100. The 128GB Pixel is $749 and the 128GB Pixel XL is $869. The phones ship in 2-3 weeks, which makes sense since October 20 is launch day. Google is tossing in free Daydream View units with pre-orders. Links: Google Store | Verizon | Best Buy

Google Pixel and Pixel XL Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 10:04:53 +0000

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL are now official, so that means we have the officially official specs to go along with them. They are as expected, as you can imagine. They have 5" (Pixel) and 5.5" (Pixel XL) AMOLED displays, Snapdragon 821 processors, 4GB RAM, 12.3MP cameras, fingerprint readers, fast charging, batteries of 2770mAh (Pixel) and 3450mAh (Pixel XL), and premium metal bodies. They also run Android 7.1. Google Pixel and Pixel XL Specs [table id=47 /]

Google Announces Pixel Phones, Pre-Orders Start Today at $649

Kellen — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:56:23 +0000

Today, Google announced the Pixel phones, known as Pixel and Pixel XL. The phones go up for pre-order starting today and can be had for as low as $27 per month or $649 at full retail. The Pixel phones arrive on October 20. Verizon, as was reported, has the US carrier exclusive on it, so you won't be able to buy this at any other US wireless carriers. With that said, Google is selling the phone through its own Google Store and Project Fi, plus a bunch of retail partners like Best Buy. Verizon's pricing is as follows:

PIXEL: 32 GB Pixel is $27.08 per month for 24 months ($649.99 retail price; 0% APR)
PIXEL: 128 GB version is $31.24 per month for 24 months ($749.99 retail price; 0% APR)
PIXEL XL: 32 GB Pixel XL is $32.08 per month for 24 months ($769.99 retail price; 0% APR)
PIXEL XL: 128GB Pixel XL is $36.24 per month for 24 months ($869.99 retail price; 0% APR)

As a bonus, Verizon is giving away free Daydream View units with an order of the Pixel or Pixel XL between October 4 and October 19. Pre-order Links: Google Store | Verizon | Best Buy

So what are the Pixel phones? Well, they are "made by Google," according to Google. We know that HTC did the actual building work, but Google is pushing this as theirs and theirs alone. There is nothing wrong with that, of course. As for features, Google focused on the 12.3 MP camera, which they say has been rated as the best smartphone camera on the planet by DxoMark. They are also focusing on Google Assistant being built-in, unlimited storage of full resolution photos (4K video too), communications (Duo pre-loaded), and VR. The phones feature 5" (Pixel) and 5.5" (Pixel XL) displays, Snapdragon 821 processors, 4GB RAM, fast charging, USB Type-C ports, batteries of 2770mAh (Pixel) and 3450mAh (Pixel XL), and more. You see the full list of them below. Pixel and Pixel XL Specs [table id=47 /]

[responsive_vid]

Video: Here is a Commercial for the Pixel Phone

Kellen — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 06:29:48 +0000

Thanks to a reader, we now get to share one of the first TV commercials for Google's new Pixel phones. The above advertisement is showing in Canada already, hours before Google has actually announced either of them. The ad doesn't appear to reveal anything new, but it is telling us to go to google.com/phone to get more info. As of right now, that site is not quite live. Be sure to tune into our live chat of today's event right here!

Via: +Rabid Rotty

Live Chat: Google's Pixel Event!

Kellen — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 06:09:38 +0000

The "Made by Google" event is finally here and we are in San Francisco to cover it! Leaks all point to the unveiling of two phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, Google Home, Google WiFi, Chromecast Ultra, and Google's Daydream VR headset. If all of that actually makes it into today's presentation, lord have mercy on our keyboards. That's a lot of product. Google is livestreaming the event through their YouTube channel, but we went ahead and embedded the feed below. We are also going to live chat the announcements as they come through. Feel free to join us for the fun. The event kicks off at 9AM Pacific (12PM Eastern).

[responsive_vid]

Verizon Outs Google Pixel in Blue, "Google Magic" Too (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 05:43:05 +0000

We are now only a couple of hours away from Google introducing us to the Pixel and Pixel XL, two phones that will be branded as "made by Google." The event will likely also feature Google Home, Google WiFi, the Chromecast Ultra, and Google's own Daydream headset, but phones are the headliner and we have even more to talk about in that regard. Last night, Verizon joined in on the early-outing of each by posting up not-fully-realized pages to their ecomm site. What did we learn that's new? For one, we now know what the blue version looks like (pictured above). Hot or nah? I kind of like it, even if it is a bit Smurfy. Oh, and the silver and white model showed up in high-res imagery as well (see below). It's clean too. Outside of the new pictures, the Verizon site listed some odd features that were either placeholders that an intern was having fun with, or we should be on the lookout for Google to announce "Google Magic" today. Yeah, it actually says "Google Magic" is a feature. I would attempt to guess at what that might be (the name of Pixel live support?), but Verizon also listed "Productivity" as a feature. No, that's not a real feature, Verizon. The listings show 32GB and 128GB storage options, the pictures do not feature any Verizon logos, and we still don't have pricing, outside of the leak from weeks ago suggesting $650 for the regular Pixel. We're almost there, folks!

UPDATE: A reddit user seems to have been able to add the phones to a cart that showed on-contract pricing. If correct, the Pixel 32GB will be $199 and the Pixel 128GB will be $299. The Pixel XL with 128GB storage could be $419 on-contract.

Via: Verizon | Gizmodo | @evleaks

Cheers Josh, Nathaniel, and Jigga_Z!

Report: HTC was 2nd Choice for Google's Pixel Phones After Huawei Backed Out

Kellen — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:40:00 +0000

According to a source of Android Police, HTC was never supposed to be the manufacturer partner behind this year's Google phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL. Instead, Google first chose Huawei, but as Google moved toward a partner brand-less phone line-up, plus there being a potentially lingering sour taste from a breakdown of promises or expectations with 2015's Nexus 6P, HTC is who we got. The story goes something like this. Google's plan A for building 2016 phones involved Huawei with hopes that they would build as many as three phones, not just the two that we will see tomorrow. But Huawei wasn't exactly hip to the idea of their brand being no where on these new Google phones and dropped out when word of the brand-less approach got back to Huawei CEO Richard Yu. When I say "brand-less," I'm talking about these being Pixel phones "made by Google" and not the Nexus phones of old that always featured branding of a manufacturing partner. In the past, Google always teamed up with and promoted their Nexus partner, but it's clear that Google wants to try a different approach for 2016 and possibly into the future. Google wants you to think that these - the Pixel phones - are their phones and their phones alone. Huawei may also have been turned off after 2015 and their work on the Nexus 6P. According to this source, Google made quite the pitch to Huawei (and likely LG with the Nexus 5X) about the Nexus 6P, suggesting that they would get it on major US carriers, which would mean Huawei finally on the shelves of US carriers and in front of millions of US customers who don't shop for unlocked phones on Amazon. That, of course, never happened because Google's talks with carriers allegedly broke down. Shocker, I know. Rather than promote the 6P through carriers, Google and Huawei each sold it through their own online stores and the intended reach of the phone was never fully realized. What's interesting about this story is the fact that the source, who is in the Huawei camp, seemed to go out of their way to point out that Google may have failed to hold up their end of the bargain with the launch of the Nexus 6P, yet wasn't ready to suggest that the relationship between the two was weak. They wouldn't say that this is part of the reason that Huawei backed out of 2016 plans, but it sure seems to be implied as a part of the reason having been included in the conversation. With that said, Huawei is still rumored to be working on a 7-inch "Nexus" tablet, while simultaneously having conversations with Samsung about smartwatch software instead of Google's Android Wear platform. They might be getting their in-house-made Kirin processors ready for Google's Daydream too, plus they may be in the conversation to produce a 2017 phone for the search giant. Who knows what's going on with Huawei and Google. And that brings us to HTC, who is for sure making the Pixel and Pixel XL, according to the FCC. Is it a big deal that HTC was the 2nd choice? Not at all. HTC makes perfectly good phones and probably needs the business. I'm sure the hardware of the Pixels will be solid and Nexus/Pixel fans won't care who made them.

Via: Android Police

Monday Poll: Do You Use Mobile Payments?

Tim — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:28:27 +0000

When mobile payments were first starting to become mainstream, the main issue folks had was the support or lack there of for their personal bank. For example, if you had Wells Fargo, but Android Pay didn't support it, you obviously would not be using the service. Now that mobile payments have matured quite a bit, with tons of banks supported by both Samsung Pay and Android Pay, it's more than likely that you have a card that's usable on either service. The question remains, though, do you even use it? For me, my bank does not support Android Pay or Samsung Pay, which is something I despise them for. I will continue to publicly shame them on social media until they do. What about you, do you mobile payment? [poll id="430"]

Xiaomi Mi Box Available Today for $69, Android TV With 4K and HDR

Tim — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:37:26 +0000

Xiaomi's first US product, the Mi Box, launches today. Priced at $69, the Mi Box is an Android TV-powered set-top box, complete with 4K and HDR capability, as well as Google Voice Search and Google Cast built right in. For specs, the Mi Box packs a quad-core chip at 2.0GHz, Mali 450 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of flash storage, and runs Android TV 6.0. As for connectivity, there are ports for HDMI, USB, and SPDIF out. For wireless, Mi Box features 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band WiFi 2.4GHz and 5GHz, plus Bluetooth 4.0. For people looking to find a less expensive Android TV solution than the NVIDIA SHIELD, or want to step up from the minimal Chromecast experience, the Mi Box may be a good fit. Xiaomi has a number accessories for the device, including a remote with Voice Search functionality, or a complete gaming controller. You can purchase the Mi Box right now on Xiaomi's website for $69, or wait to find it in a Walmart here in a few days. Those waiting for the Walmart option, Xiaomi's Hugo Barra states it will be available online, as well as in-store.

Mi Box: Xiaomi's first U.S. product launching today! Android TV, 4K/HDR, Google voice search & Google cast, $69 on https://t.co/Pu4geS3582 pic.twitter.com/6Cj3pgjgn4
— Hugo Barra (@hbarra) October 3, 2016

Via: Xiaomi

October's Android Security Update is Rolling Out (Updated: Nexus 6 Nougat!)

Kellen — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 10:25:26 +0000

Google is pushing out October's Android security update (~~at least we're assuming that's what this is~~; Edit: Yep, it is!) to Nexus devices today and has done so by already publishing both factory image and OTA .zip files. This is the second security patch for Nougat and that means new Android 7.0 builds for a few devices. The security bulletin should be up soon as well (Edit: It is!). As of right now, we have new Android 7.0.0 files for the Pixel C (NRD91D), Nexus 6P (NBD90X), Nexus 5X (NBD90W), Nexus Player (NRD91D), and Nexus 9 WiFi (NRD91D). UPDATE 2: Nexus 6 Nougat file now available as build NBD90Z! The Nexus 6 (MOB31H) and Nexus 5 (M4B30X) also got new images, ~~but as you can see, the Nexus 6 is still not Nougat~~. You can grab each image or OTA file at the links below. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go. Links: Factory Images | OTA Files | Security Bulletin UPDATE: The security bulletin is live. UPDATE 2: Nexus 9 LTE gets Nougat (NRD90R)!

Facebook Announces Messenger Lite, Catered to Those With Older Phones and Slower Connections

Tim — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 09:20:34 +0000

Facebook announced Messenger Lite this morning, a retooled Messenger app for users with aging devices, or who are in areas with slower data connection speeds. With the Lite version, folks from all over can stay connected with their friends and family, without having to worry about Messenger hogging all sorts of data. Messenger Lite weighs in at just under 10MB, a big slim down from the standard version we use here in the US. To make the app smaller, it appears Facebook has stripped a few features, with the big one being Chat Heads. However, users on the Lite version can still send and receive texts, links to webpages, share photos, and see stickers. Both Messenger and Messenger Lite use the same icon, but for those who have access, the Lite version's colors are inverted. Instead of a white bolt on a blue chat bubble, the bolt is blue on a white bubble. Messenger Lite is now rolling out to people in Kenya, Tunisia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela. Look for Messenger Lite in other countries in the coming months.

Via: Facebook

Some Cards in Your Android Pay Account May Stop Working on October 14

Kellen — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 09:10:09 +0000

When Android Pay first arrived, Google allowed users of Google Wallet the chance to migrate their already-working debit and credit cards that had been set up for tap & pay to come over to the new service. That offer was a temporary one, clearly, because Google has announced via Android Pay support that those old grandfathered cards will be cut off on October 14, 2016 if they aren't one of their official participating banks. On October 14, if your old cards are not supported, they will simply stop working when you try and make mobile payments. If you try to add those cards to Android Pay going forward, you will see the screen above, which just showed up for me as I tried to add my PayPal card. Google also says that if you go into Android Pay, tap on a card, and see the message "Change Google Payments PIN," the card isn't supported. Google mentioned that grandfathering cards over was a "limited time" deal and that the removal or deactivation of unsupported cards is happening as a part of "requirements from participating financial networks."

Via: Google Support

Facebook Marketplace Lets You Buy, Sell Items Around Your Area

Tim — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 08:51:33 +0000

I can't remember the exact year it was, but quite a few years ago, I attempted to purchase a laptop from Craigslist. Given there is no longer an active police investigation taking place, I can tell you that not only did I not get a laptop, but I was also out $400. TL;DR version: I got robbed. It was from that moment on that I never used Craigslist again, considering you just never know who you are meeting up with. Now in 2016, Facebook is attempting to get people buying and selling, this time with something called Marketplace. Baked right into your existing Facebook experience, users can simply post pictures of things they want to sell, or browse items already for sale in their area. Selling an item takes only a few steps. Upload a photo or take a new photo, describe your item and give it a price, confirm your location, then post it. For buying, you can easily browse items around your area, message a seller with your own lowball offer, then meet up for the exchange. Users can also save items for later, go back and view past transactions, as well as view past chat logs. Facebook states that Marketplace will be rolling out for Android and iOS over the next couple of days, available only to users who are listed as 18+. It is also currently limited to Facebook users in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. On the downside, no desktop version of Marketplace is available at launch, but Facebook claims they are hoping to launch one in the coming months. Be safe selling your goods, folks.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Facebook

Google Pixel and Pixel XL Specs (Official)

Kellen — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 19:04:08 +0000

Thanks to numerous leaks from carriers and retailers like Carphone Warehouse, we basically have the official specs list for Google's Pixel and Pixel XL. While we can't say with 100% certainty that these will be final on October 4 when each phone is introduced by Google, these are the specs we expect to accompany each and would be shocked if something changes. I say that because these are the specs that have leaked over and over again, but Carphone Warehouse in particular has added a bit of extra detail in their postings. The Pixel and Pixel XL will really only differ in display size/resolution (5", 1080p vs. 5.5", 1440p), battery capacity (2770mAh vs. 3450mAh), and in overall phone size and weight. By all means, these phones are equals and seem to have been built for those who want choices between big and normal sized phones. As for what's in common, each phone runs on Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB RAM and will come in either 32GB or 128GB storage options. They each have 12.3MP rear cameras, 8MP front cameras, fingerprint readers, USB Type-C ports, and fast charging. Not bad, right? UPDATE: These are now official and updated.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL Specs

[table id=47 /] NOTE: We'll add a note once Google makes these official and tweak anything that needs tweaking.

Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are Showing Up at a Bunch of Retailers Already, Revealing Almost Everything

Kellen — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 18:34:16 +0000

As you all know, Google is hosting an event on October 4 (that's Tuesday) to show off its new hardware to take us through 2016. We are expecting things like Google Home, Google WiFi, a new Chromecast, and of course, two knew phones called Pixel and Pixel XL. Because we live in a world where people suck at following directions, almost all of the Pixel and Pixel XL details have been posted at a variety of carriers and retailers across the globe. In other words, so much for any surprises on Tuesday! Carphone Warehouse, Telus, and Bell have all put forth their best leaking effort, but Carphone Warehouse's has been the biggest. Not only did they list full specs, they also have revealed both white and black models of the phone and a variety of features. The only things we don't know at this point are prices, but we are expecting the Pixel to start around the $650 mark. Here is the info from Carphone Warehouse's site:

What are the takeaways from all of that? A few things stand out. For one, CW is referring to this as the "first standalone phone" from Google, which matches up with the #madebygoogle hashtag they are advertising it with. Even though HTC may have built these phones, Google must be looking at that relationship as nothing more than a manufacturer and not a partner. From there, CW talks about two sizes (Pixel and Pixel XL), having access to Google Assistant everywhere with the "OK, Google" command (not just in Allo), unlimited full resolution storing of photos through Google Photos, a "Smart Storage" feature to help you automatically clean up space on your phone, good low light photos from the camera, access to Google Duo and Allo (which is not unique to these phones), fast charging with USB Type-C (7 hours of battery in 15 minutes), and custom Live Cases like we saw for the Nexus 6P and 5X. Here are the specs according to CW: [table id=47 /] Here are two new press renders, courtesy of Telus:

(Pixel vs. Pixel XL)

Those two images aren't revealing much new, but the Google Search pill in the top left corner is now showing a voice search icon, which certainly is new. Also, those images show "7:00" as the time, which has often been an indicator of the version of Android a phone will run, but Carphone Warehouse says specifically that the phones will run Android 7.1. Here is the Bell site before it was pulled:

So, what do you think? We now know a lot about Google's Pixel and Pixel XL phones. Are either of them going to be your next phone?

Via: reddit | Carphone Warehouse [2] | Bell | Telus [2]

Google Event Expectations

Kellen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 19:22:01 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're straight prepping for next Tuesday. What's happening next Tuesday, you ask? Oh, just Google unveiling the Pixel and Pixel XL, Google Home, Google WiFi, Chromecast Ultra, and Daydream. Yep. If that's not enough for a full show, we'll be sure to talk rumors of "Andromeda," Android Wear 2.0 delays, Motorola's latest layoff, and more. Join us at 1:30PM Pacific (4:30PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Don't Miss These Android Stories: September 30, 2016

Kellen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 15:54:16 +0000

Next week is the week of weeks around these parts, so that meant this week was full of lead-up stuff. For example, we started to see more official renders of devices like the Pixel, Pixel XL, and Chromecast Ultra. We also heard new rumors about "Andromeda," the supposed Android and Chrome OS merge, and asked you what you were most excited for. Outside of October 4 event stuff, we also watched Motorola lose over half of its staff, dealt with Android Wear 2.0 seeing a massive delay, gave a thumbs up to Google launching a new blog, and took you back to the days of the DROID Bionic. Be sure to catch up! Next week is going to be nuts.

Stay off Twitter at 3AM.

Video: 20+ Galaxy Note 7 Tips and Tricks

Tim — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 15:44:09 +0000

Our review may be long since done, but it's entirely possible that you have yet to master Samsung's TouchWiz. Especially on the Galaxy Note 7, this device packed full of features, often times hidden, so we're hitting you with a 20+ Tips and Tricks video. During the video, I'll show you how to enable RAW shooting and voice commands through the camera app, how to customize the look of the UI with Samsung Themes, as well as disable that extremely annoying Flipboard Briefing window on the stock Home application. Buckle in, it's a long one.

20+ Galaxy Note 7 Tips and Tricks

[responsive_vid]

DROID Turbo 2 Update With WiFi Calling is on the Way

Kellen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 15:15:39 +0000

DROID Turbo 2 owners, a new update is on the way to your phones through Verizon. The update will arrive as software version 24.31.22 and will include WiFi Calling, along with the latest Android security updates. And yep, that's it! To grab it, head into Settings>System updates. Verizon says that it may not start rolling out until October 3, which is Monday. With WiFi Calling enabled (do so through Settings>Advanced Calling>Activate Advanced Calling), you will be able to place and receive calls while connected to a WiFi network. That means being able to talk on the phone even when you don't have a great cell signal.

Via: Verizon

Google Maps on Android Will Now Show Your Calendar Events in a Special List of Places

Kellen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 11:50:57 +0000

Because most Google apps these days talk to one another, today's feature introduction to Google Maps comes as no surprise and is most definitely a welcomed addition. For Android users, Google Calendar events will start showing up in Maps under Your Places>Upcoming to help you get to the places you need to get to. Google Maps, at least in recent months, seems to be adding all sorts of information from other Google places, like Contacts and Gmail. With Calendar, they are expanding on that close connection. All you need to do to get your events to show up in the Upcoming section is to make sure you put an address in the "Where" box of your Calendar entries. Assuming you are signed-in to the same account on your phone in both Maps and Calendar, the Upcoming list then is auto-populated. If you need to get to a calendar event, jump into that Upcoming section, tap on the meeting or date or excursion, and the map will open to that location to let you quickly jump into navigation. If you don't want something showing, you can tap the menu in that Upcoming entry and "Dismiss." Pretty simple, right?

Via: The Keyword

DEAL: Unlocked LG G5 for $479 ($150 Off), Includes Another $170 in Freebies

Kellen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 10:40:49 +0000

The LG G5 may not be the best phone of 2016, yet I would argue that it's still a good enough phone to own at the right price. Is $479 the right price? Perhaps. B&H Photo is currently selling the flagship from LG at that price, which is a cool $150 discount. Not only that, but they are tossing in $170 or so worth of freebies. Should you buy the US unlocked LG G5 (which B&H says works on both CDMA and GSM carriers), you'll not only get the phone at $150 off, you will also get a second battery, battery charging cradle, and your choice of a Gamin vivofit 3 activity tracker ($100 value) in either black or white. To recap the LG G5, you may want to run through our review. B&H Photo Link

DEAL: Jaybird Freedom Earbuds for $149 With Code ($50 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 09:36:52 +0000

Jaybird's newest set of wireless earbuds, the Freedom, can be had through the Jaybird store today for $149.95, a $50 discount. All you need to do is plugin in coupon code "FREE149" at checkout and the price will drop from $199.95. That's a good deal for wireless buds that were just released a couple of months ago. For those not familiar, the Jaybird Freedom are sport earbuds that connect to your phone over Bluetooth. They pack in higher-end audio that you don't typically get with wireless buds, are sweat-proof, offer up to 8 hours of play time, and offer customized sound profiles through the Jaybird app. Jaybird Freedom comes in four colors and it looks like all are eligible for the discount. Jaybird Link

These are the Top Allo Feature Suggestions You Made to Google

Kellen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 08:34:35 +0000

Since launching Allo a few weeks back, the Allo team at Google has been compiling the suggestions you have submitted that you think could help improve the smart messaging app. Googler and Allo co-lead, Justin Uberti, took to Twitter last night to share the top suggestions, though he was quick to make it clear that this is just a list of suggestions, not a list of future features they plan to include. The list is as follows:

Assistant features
Desktop app
Duo integration
File sharing
Quick Reply
SMS
Themes

I like that list! Well, I do wish "Multi-device use" and "syncing between devices" were on there, but most of that list is the stuff I talked about in this post about why Allo isn't the messaging app for me. Should Google toss in a desktop app, Duo integration, file sharing, SMS, and quick replies that aren't just canned Allo answers, it would certainly be something to consider again. What about you? Is this a list of features that would get you to start using Allo again? Because, according to this poll, 75% of you already ditched it.

Via: @juberti

Google's New "The Keyword" Blog is a Place to Find All Google News, Probably the Pixels Too

Kellen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 07:47:38 +0000

Fun fact: Did you know that Google has 19 different blogs to share news about the company? 19. Last night, just as most of us were signing off for the day, the search engine giant announced a new blog, though this one is supposed to be the only place any of us will need to go to learn about Google's happenings. The new blog is called The Keyword and it can be found at blog.google. According to The Keyword's first blog post, this is a "new destination for the latest news from inside Google, from Android to Translate." Going forward, you won't have to run and subscribe to the official Google Blog, the Android Blog, the Android Developers Blog, and the Gmail Blog, and Inside Search, and Chrome Releases, and Google Lat Long (now Google Maps Blog) or anything else other than The Keyword. At least that's the story here. That's good news! This, of course, also means when Google announces new products on October 4, like the Pixel phones, Google Home, and a new 4K Chromecast, they will do so from The Keyword. Subscribe away.

Via: The Keyword

Here is the New Boot Animation for Moto Phones

Kellen — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 16:20:50 +0000

Lenovo, randomly posted this video today to its YouTube channels and Twitter that is of the new boot animation accompanying "new Moto phones." We aren't sure if that means future phones, as in, phones coming months from now or if the current crop of newish phones (like the Moto Z family) will see an update to this. In the past, while still under Google leadership, Motorola frequently update the boot animations on phones like the original Moto X. These weren't necessarily big feature changes or a part of a software update, but they did add some life to phones that were months old and were something we did look forward to. Maybe this is a sign that Lenovo will do the same. Either way, let us know what you think.

#TBT: Remember the DROID Bionic?

Kellen — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:52:42 +0000

Of course you do, it was the DROID Bionic, aka the original hypebeast phone. OK, maybe not the original, but it was certainly one of those phones that had so much coverage after delays and design changes, that by the time it landed, it was doomed. And that's why we're #TBT-ing it today. The DROID Bionic was originally introduced at a splashy press event during CES 2011. This was back when CES actually mattered to those of us in the mobile industry. The phone shown at the time, was going to be the first dual-core powered device with 4G LTE, but you have to remember that it was a part of Motorola's Lapdock push as well. You see, Motorola wanted to create the ultimate power device that allowed users to have both connectivity in a phone and on a laptop like experience. Parts of the idea were brilliant, but as we now know, the implementation was probably ahead of its time and never fully materialized as we had hoped. What I find so fascinating about the DROID Bionic is that I'm not sure I can recall a phone that was shown off, scrapped a few months later, and replaced by another phone under the same name. The original DROID Bionic looked like this (see below). As you can tell from the image at the top of this post, they are quite different.

Why the change? During 2011, we saw the big push of 4G LTE. Unfortunately, because LTE was so new, it didn't exactly work with all of the different chipsets in phones at that time. The original Bionic sported a Tegra 2 processor, but Verizon, Motorola, and NVIDIA couldn't seem to get the T2 and an LTE radio to play nice enough together and had to make the switch over to an OMAP mid-year to get the phone out before the holidays. They eventually did and that may have also been the beginning of the end in mobile for NVIDIA. That's a tale for another day. And then the Bionic dropped at a pretty steep price point, a massive marketing campaign came along with it, and few of you bought it. Well, that's probably not the fairest representation of its sales, but I don't think anyone considers the Bionic to be a smashing success. Those delays, the over-the-top and extra cheesy commercials, the design swap, the awful software (Blur!), and the poor experience through the Lapdock ultimately resulted in one of the bigger busts I can remember. Whatever, though, let's look at this guy one more time. That's right, a special #TBT video just for the DROID Bionic.

[responsive_vid]

3D Render Posted to YouTube Shows All Angles of Pixel XL

Tim — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:46:58 +0000

Leading up to October 4 next week, you can expect to see plenty of Pixel and Pixel XL news. The latest is a 3D render video posted to YouTube, showing off the Pixel XL from all sorts of angles. In the video, we see the same device that has been photographed what seems like over and over, including the front and backside. We see some bottom-facing speaker(s), rear-facing fingerprint reader, as well as that two-tone look Google is going for on the backside. Check out the video, then let us know if you are just as sick and tired of Pixel leaks as we are.

[responsive_vid]

Galaxy Note 7 Owners, Don't Forget Your Galaxy Game Pack on Google Play

Tim — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 13:12:59 +0000

Before the Galaxy Note 7 was launched, Samsung hyped up the Galaxy Game Pack that would be provided to buyers. Basically, the Game Pack is a number of special in-game rewards for select titles on Google Play, exclusive to owners of the Galaxy Note 7. According to Samsung, there is about $400 worth of free goodies inside of this Galaxy Game Pack, so if you find yourself playing some of these games, you might as well take full advantage. A few of the rewards include specialty starting packs, better cars to start racing games, and even a free 3-card pack for Hearthstone. To check out all of the details, then to download the games, look below.

Vainglory - Special starter Pack, including 2-Heroes, 2-Skins and 30-day XP boost.
HIT - 3,000 gems plus exclusive accessory set (ring, necklace, trinket), premium weapon card x1, instant complete ticket x 50.
Olympus Rising - Special Galaxy Note 7 starter pack.
Clash of Kings - Special pack to conquer kingdoms.
MARVEL: Contest of Champions - Exclusive Galaxy pack with 2-Star Hero and more.
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft - 3-card pack for free.
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes - Receive a special Samsung prize for free.
SimCity BuildIt - Free gifts between levels 3 and 9, including Simoleons, inventory expansion items and SimCash.
NON-STOP Knight - Free gem package after you reach floor 5.
Asphalt 8: Airborne - Class B Car pack to kick-start your own racing history to the full tilt.
Hungry Shark World - Hungry Shark World- gift pack, including Trevor, the pet turtle for free.
Angry Birds POP Bubble Shooter - 200 coins, 3 rainbow bubbles, fireballs and crushers.
Empire: Four Kingdoms - Begin with a special pack.
Need for Speed: No Limits - Special in-game benefits.

Play Link

Via: Samsung

Android Wear 2.0 Launch Pushed to 2017, Third Developer Preview Released

Tim — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 10:50:51 +0000

Android Wear 2.0, the major update for Google's wearable OS that was unveiled at Google I/O this past May, officially got pushed back to "early 2017" this morning. When first announced, Google claimed that Android Wear 2.0 would launch this fall, but since Google I/O, we really haven't heard much for when we should expect to see it rollout. While the news of it being pushed back is certainly a downer, there is a silver lining. Announced this morning, Android Wear 2.0 will feature access to a select portion of Google Play, catered specifically to smartwatch applications. With this, users can browse and download apps directly from their smartwatch, without having to browse from a desktop or mobile phone. Google took this time to detail the "coolest" feature of Google Play on Android Wear.

If users want an app on their watch but not on their phone, they can install only the watch app. In fact, in Android Wear 2.0, phone apps are no longer necessary. You can now build and publish watch-only apps for users to discover on Google Play.

Alongside the delay, Google has published the third Developer Preview for Android Wear 2.0, downloadable right now for any interested parties. Developer Preview 3 features the following changes.

Complications improvements: Starting with Developer Preview 3, watch face developers will need to request RECEIVE_COMPLICATION_DATA permission before the watch face can receive complication data. We have addedComplicationHelperActivity to make this easier. In addition, watch face developers can now set default complications, including a selection of system data complications which do not require special permission (e.g. battery level and step count), as well as data providers that have whitelisted the watch face.
New WearableRecyclerView: This new UI component helps developers display and manipulate vertical lists of items while optimizing for round displays.
Inline Action for Notifications: A new API makes it easy to take action on a notification right from the stream. Developers can specify which action is displayed inline at the bottom of the notification by callingsetHintDisplayActionInline:
Smart Reply: Android Wear now generates Smart Reply responses for MessagingStyle notifications. Smart Reply responses are generated by an entirely on-watch machine learning model using the context provided by theMessagingStyle notification, and no data is uploaded to the cloud to generate the responses.
And much more: Read about the complete list of changes in the Android Wear developer preview release notes.

While the "fall" launch timeline was rather vague, "early 2017" seems even more vague. With that said, it's no surprise companies like Moto and LG aren't launching new Android Wear devices, and Huawei reportedly ditched Android Wear completely. Bummed?

Via: Android Wear

Huawei Mate 9 Details, Renders Leak Ahead of Probable November 3 Announcement

Tim — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 10:07:48 +0000

Details on the Huawei-made Mate 9 smartphone are hitting the web, a whole month before the device's probable November 3 unveiling. This morning, Huawei has been sending out "save-the-dates" for a press event to be held in Munich, but while this has been taking place, specs and renders of the device have been posted onto Weibo. The internet sure does know how to spoil the fun. According to the information posted to Weibo, the Mate 9 is truly a flagship device from Huawei, featuring varying levels of RAM and onboard storage. The base model, as shown in the leaks, will be priced at roughly $500 and feature 4GB RAM and 64GB of built-in storage. The top tier model, which will carry a price of around $700, features 6GB RAM and 256GB of storage. In addition to the changes in storage and RAM, the variant you opt for will also directly determine how many colors you can choose from. On the base model, only three colors are available to choose from, including Silver and Gold. The high-end model has six colors to choose from, including Pink, Dark Grey, and a Bronze. You can expect these colors to be a more descriptive in their names when announced. Other specs for the Mate 9 include dual rear-facing Leica cameras (f/2.0), EMUI 5 (based on Android "Nougat"), and Huawei's unannounced Kirin 960 processor. Given the possible announcement date of November 3, it's possible the phone will launch later that month.

Via: @playfuldroid

Question of the Day: What's Your Most Underrated App?

Kellen — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 10:03:10 +0000

Here's a fun topic for the day. Let's talk about the apps you absolutely love and probably can't live without, but that also happen to be quite underrated. What I mean by that is the apps that you don't necessarily see written up on Android sites all of the time, that don't get splashy press releases every time they are updated, are a third party solution to something that Google offers, or perhaps, they are an OEM app (like something from Samsung) that is actually pretty good and is an acceptable piece of bloatware. We're looking for your most underrated Android apps. For example, the Samsung Voice Recorder app is what I used, along with an external mic to grab the audio in my Moto Z Play review. It's smart enough to know to switch to the external mic for recording, has a really clean UI, and even offers quality settings. It's pretty sweet for a free voice recorder app. I also find the Android TV Remote app to be somewhat under the radar. I say that because it almost never gets talked about, yet it's one of those apps that I turn to quite often when I can't find those mini Android TV remotes for players like the SHIELD TV or Nexus Player. This app just connects and works without much fuss. Finally, the Time Store watch face app is without a doubt, my favorite set of watch faces for Android Wear. The faces are incredibly clean and timeless, but they also offer some customizations. If you like simple, clean watch faces without obnoxious extra happenings all over a dial, this is must-buy. What about you? What are your most underrated apps?

Google Shares a Bunch of New Voice Commands for Your Next Google Maps Adventure

Kellen — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:14:36 +0000

Through a new blog post, Google is doing its best to make sure you are always getting the most out of one of its greatest apps, Google Maps. The post talks about using voice commands to get you to that next destination, tweak settings, avoid tolls, and even get out of navigation if you just want to look at a map. All of this voice magic can happen within both navigation and driving modes because each contains a UI with a little white microphone. So in reality, anywhere you see that microphone within Google Maps will open up voice capabilities. Not familiar with driving mode? Open up Maps, swipe out the side menu, and tap on "Start driving." I think you'll like it. Once in either of these modes, you can fire up voice commands by saying "OK, Google" or by tapping on that microphone icon. After the 3-dot animations starts, you are free to begin controlling Maps with things like "Mute voice guidance," "Show traffic," "What road is this," "What's the weather like," "Enable tolls," "Find restaurants," "Play some jazz," or "What's the closest hotel?" And those are only a few examples. Google has a full cheat sheet of commands at this link. Got any other good Google Maps tips? Drop them in the comments.

Via: Google Maps Blog

Wednesday Poll: What are You Most Excited for From Google's Oct. 4 Event?

Tim — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 15:22:32 +0000

October 4, which is next week, is a ~~big~~ major day for Android fans. Not only will Google be unveiling its new lineup of Pixel smartphones (Pixel and Pixel XL), but we suspect Google will also make available the following products: Google Home (powered by Google Assistant), Google WiFi, its Daydream headset for VR fans, as well as a 4K-ready Chromecast Ultra dongle. While you may think that the Pixel devices are easily the most significant announcements coming, I would argue that Google Home and a 4K-ready Chromecast device might give them a run. The Pixel phones will be exciting for a bit, but the idea of Google bringing Google Assistant into everyone's home via Google Home is a bit more tantalizing, especially when we've heard rumors about its $129 price. Also, we know for a fact that Chromecast has been one of Google's most successful products, and with the dongle getting a boost up to 4K capability, that could be very exciting for anyone using a 4K panel in their living room. Let's hear what has you the most excited for next week. [poll id="429"]

B&H Photo Will Let You Pre-Order the Unlocked LG V20 on October 2 (UPDATED)

Kellen — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:05:25 +0000

LG and its carrier partners in the US don't seem to want to tell us when the V20 will be available for you and I to buy, but we are starting to get the feeling that October 2 may be the opening pre-order date. We say that because B&H Photo has a new listing for the unlocked LG V20 that will go live as a pre-order on that date. The listing doesn't include a price or shipping date, but does mention the expected 64GB of storage and 4GB RAM. It also talks about this being GSM and CDMA equipped as the "North American Variant." Assuming that's true, that could mean a fully unlocked phone that works on all major carriers. We'll let you know if more information pops up. B&H Photo Link UPDATE: B&H Photo either got yelled at by LG or was mistaken or has no idea what's going on as they have now changed the date to October 17.

Cheers Luther!

T-Mobile Extends Offer of Free High-Speed Data in South America and Europe Until 2017

Tim — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 11:45:19 +0000

T-Mobile announced this morning it will extend its current offering of free high-speed "unlimited" data to all users who are traveling throughout South America and Europe. Specifically, customers on a post-paid account receive this benefit at no extra cost, while also not having to activate or deactivate the feature. It's simply built right into the plan. Now, do note that T-Mobile's "unlimited" LTE data does not qualify for users attempting to tether. Additionally, T-Mobile does not specify if there is a certain cap at which point LTE speeds will be throttled down. As stated by T-Mobile, so long as you are in one of the supported regions, and in the range of a tower, you should have no problems using your data. For a look at the specific areas where this feature is usable, look below. European Destinations: Armenia, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom South American Destinations: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Easter Island, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela This particular promotion from T-Mobile will cease on December 31, 2016.

Via: T-Mobile

Amazon's New Fire TV Stick is $40 and Comes With an Alexa-Equipped Remote

Kellen — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:55:11 +0000

Amazon's Fire TV Stick, a Chromecast-like device that isn't just a dongle you Cast things to, is available for pre-order starting today as an "all-new" version that is not only 30% faster than the original, it also comes with an Alexa-equipped voice remote. That means you get the Fire TV experience in dongle form, hidden out of sight, and controlled by your voice. Previous versions of the Fire TV Stick that included a voice-controlled remote started at $49.99, so Amazon is reducing the price and improving the overall functionality and power of this streaming stick. Amazon has tossed in a quad-core processor, 802.11ac MIMO WiFi, and Alexa, to get you everything from your favorite shows, to news and weather, food delivery, shopping lists, and Uber rides. As a bonus, if you buy the new Fire TV Stick and activate it before October 31, Amazon will give you up to $65 in free content from Sling TV, Hulu, and Amazon Video. Pre-orders start today and ship by October 20. Amazon Link ($39.99)

Via: Amazon

Blackberry Will No Longer Make Its Own Phones

Kellen — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:35:52 +0000

Back in July, Blackberry announced a new Android phones called the DTEK50, a $300 unlocked device with a focus on what the company has always done best - security. Moments after the phone was announced, the internet was quick to point out that this was nothing more than a re-branded Alcatel Idol 4. In other words, Blackberry didn't make the DTEK50, they let someone else do it, slapped their name on it, and flooded it full of their security features. If you thought the DTEK50 was a one-off, you would be wrong. The company announced this morning that going forward, they plan to "end all internal hardware developement and will outsource that function to partners." Companies like Alcatel are already in the mix, but Blackberry could reach out to others willing to sell off phone designs to the security software guru. Blackberry's strategy will now focus entirely on software development, which means applications (like BBM) and security. Here is the statement pulled from their Q2 earnings report that talks about the shift:

“Our new Mobility Solutions strategy is showing signs of momentum, including our first major device software licensing agreement with a telecom joint venture in Indonesia. Under this strategy, we are focusing on software development, including security and applications. The company plans to end all internal hardware development and will outsource that function to partners. This allows us to reduce capital requirements and enhance return on invested capital,” continued Chen.

Amazing. (Beat ya, Kleenex!)

Via: Blackberry

Report: Huawei to Ditch Android Wear in Favor of Samsung's Tizen for Next Smartwatch

Tim — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 08:30:09 +0000

In a previous report, it was detailed that Huawei was not intending to launch an Android Wear smartwatch anytime too soon, which likely would have been a Huawei Watch followup. Adding insult to injury for Android fans, the most recent intel out of South Korea claims that the company may be ditching Android Wear for Samsung's Tizen OS, at least for the time being. The reasoning behind this reported decision is actually Google, with a Samsung official claiming, "Huawei was looking for an OS other than Google’s Android as the US firm had not been very collaborative." Apparently, Google was not willing to work with Huawei on specific needs they were after, while Samsung reportedly pledged to fully cooperate in having Tizen OS "tailored" for Huawei's smartwatches. With all of this behind-the-scenes drama going on, it must be noted that on the consumer-facing side, Samsung states that it has not received any official request from Huawei to collaborate on a smartwatch. Essentially, Samsung is denying the latest reports. While the idea of Huawei not producing an Android Wear watch is disheartening, it should be known that Tizen on the Gear S2 from Samsung wasn't all that bad. In fact, we enjoy it rather well, leading us to believe that this move is not the end of the world. For Android Wear, though, partners are running thin. Now would be an awesome time for Google to confirm plans on launching its very own Android Wear devices.

Via: The Investor | SamMobile

LG's V20 Goes on Sale This Week in Korea, Still Not Sure About the US

Kellen — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 07:31:26 +0000

When is the LG V20 going to arrive? According to LG, this week...in Korea. A press release sent out by the company last night says that once it hits the homeland of the electronics manufacturer, it will make its way to other "key countries" in North America, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East over the "next several weeks." That probably means October for the US. But does it mean next week or much later? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Once we know, we will ramp our V20 coverage back up. Fans of the V10 who are looking to upgrade probably noticed that we haven't talked much about the V20 in recent weeks and that's because we still don't have a retail unit to play with. Why are other outlets reviewing the pre-production unit that LG gave out to media, yet specifically said not to review? Again, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Via: LG

Samsung Pay Turns One, Adds Support for Coupons

Tim — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 15:36:05 +0000

Samsung Pay, Samsung's mobile and desktop payments platform, is now officially one year old. According to Samsung, the platform supports over 500 banks, representing over 80% of the US debit and credit card market. To celebrate this joyous occasion, Samsung is adding in support for coupons. To break it down, Samsung Pay will feature a coupon service to search, store, as well as redeem coupons. Basically, if you frequently shop at a supported outlet, coupons will be posted inside of the app which you can claim and store, then redeem while you are doing your shopping. In the announcement of the birthday, Samsung also discusses the recently unveiled Restore function, but that's not quite new. It was first introduced earlier this month and can be read about here. Happy birthday, Samsung Pay.

Via: Samsung

Tuesday Poll: Are You Still Using Allo?

Tim — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 14:18:12 +0000

You have now had a week to adopt Allo and implement it into your daily life, but have you? On a personal level, while I admit the app is cool, it simply does not offer me enough to kick the habit of Hangouts and standard text messaging. Maybe if a desktop client was made available and there were a few features I couldn't live without, I could see myself continuing to use it. Not only that, but attempting to get all of my friends and family onto Allo just doesn't seem all that appealing. As Googlers on social media have made clear, what we see today is only the beginning. Google will continue to change Allo and add features; features that we hope will draw us into using it more. Until then, Allo isn't for me. Let us know why you are or are not continuing to use Google's new messaging service. [poll id="428"]

And Here is the Pixel XL

Kellen — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:02:24 +0000

It looks like the Pixel image from yesterday, only with a different wallpaper. It's supposed to be bigger, though, hence the "XL" part of the name. So, use that brain and imagine this next to the previous leak and say, "Hmmm, yeah, bigger. Good, good. Yasssssss." October 4 is coming. https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/780845500711010304

Google News and Chrome Getting Retooled for Those on Slower Networks

Tim — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:35:39 +0000

Google is introducing ways for people on slower data connections to better enjoy the Chrome mobile experience, as well as a Google News update. For Chrome, the changes are rather prominent, with the highlights being changes for downloads, Data Saver, and content discovery, while News is getting a new Lite mode. With the changes inside of Chrome, folks on slower mobile data connections can still enjoy their mobile browsing experience, not being plagued by non-loading items. Specifically, Chrome will now reduce 67% of your data usage when viewing MP4 format videos through Chrome. To put that number into perspective, Google states that during testing in India, 138TB of data in a single week has been saved. Data Saver is also becoming more intelligent, according to the Chrome team. If and when you are on a slow connection, Data Saver will automatically optimize HTTP websites to their bare essentials. Here's what you can expect to see on Chrome with Data Saver enabled.

Additionally, those who want to save content will be happy with Chrome's revamped Download feature. Should you see a video, photo, or webpage you want to save for later, you can simply download it. Should you lose your data connection, Chrome will begin the download automatically once data connection is restored. To top it all off, Google News is getting revamped for those with slow data. Specifically, a new Lite mode will allow those on a 2G or 3G connection to get all of the same data as those on LTE or WiFi. In the Normal mode, the app aggregates headlines and images, but when the Lite mode is enabled, just the headlines are kept and the rest is trimmed. Basically, you will only see what is essential when skimming through the news. By default, Lite mode triggers automatically when a slower network is detected, but users can also manually set it if needed. Check out Google's blog posts below to learn more and be sure to have your apps updated to experience it. Play Links: Google News | Chrome

Via: Chrome | Google News

Xiaomi's New Mi5s has an Under-Glass "Ultrasonic" Fingerprint Sensor, Which is Cool

Kellen — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 10:04:14 +0000

Xiaomi, the Chinese electronics manufacturer who makes phones we all want to take for a spin yet can't because they won't sell them here, announced a bunch of new products today. I'd try and get you all hyped on them because this stuff is pretty great, but the truth of the matter is that US customers likely won't ever have a chance to buy any of them. Should that change, enter hypebeast. With that said, we did want to point out the Xiaomi Mi5s and one of its more interesting features - an under-glass "Ultrasonic" fingerprint reader. Why is that cool? "How is it not?" is probably the proper question there. What you have is a fingerprint button that lies underneath the front glass on the phone's chin so that you don't have a button or touchpad or area that takes away from a fluid glass front. Instead, Xiaomi has buried the fingerprint sensor underneath that top glass and is using "ultrasonic scanning" to read fingerprints as your finger applies subtle pressure to it. They still included a dimple, so that you know where the fingerprint reader is, but there isn't a ridged button. Xiaomi is even saying that this fingerprint tech uses 10,000 "microseismic sensors" and can read the "unique 3D features" of your print with that previously mentioned ultrasonic stuff.

Nerd stuff. How fun. Oh, the rest of the phone features a Snapdragon 821 processor, 3200mAh battery, Sony IMX378 "UltraPixel" camera, 3GB or 4GB RAM and 64GB or 128GB storage, USB Type-C, and would probably cost around $299 if it was sold in the US. I know, you want one, but you can't have one.

[responsive_vid]

Via: @Mi | MIUI

Upcoming YouTube Go App Engineered to Limit Data Usage, Help Those With Slow Data Speeds

Tim — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 09:00:06 +0000

In 2017, YouTube intends to launch a new application called YouTube Go. The app has been in the works at YouTube for some time, with teams of engineers, designers, and researchers travelling to India, collecting ideas and testing prototypes with hundreds of people across 15 cities. The goal, according to YouTube, is to offer those with slower data connections the ability to watch any video at any time, hopefully regardless of connectivity speeds. As announced by YouTube, the app focuses on a few key points: Improved offline playback, cost effectiveness, as well as being a complete social experience. Once launched, users will have the ability to download videos for offline playback in small "low quality" sizes, or complete "standard sizes." Currently, offline playback in the US appears to be limited to "Medium - 360p" or "HD - 720p." On the social side, YouTube Go grants users the ability to share videos seamlessly. If you have a friend nearby, you can essentially beam the video to a friend, whether it be offline or not. YouTube states this feature uses zero data. As mentioned, YouTube Go is not expected to launch until 2017. From what we can tell, folks will be testing it in India to start it off, with a broader rollout taking place should everything go well. Want to signup for YouTube Go to be first to try it? You may do so right here.

Via: YouTube

Moto Z Family and Moto G4 Getting Nougat in Q4

Kellen — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 07:00:50 +0000

Now that Android 7.0 Nougat is official and arriving on Nexus devices, many of you are starting to wonder when and if your non-Nexus phone is going to see the upgrade to it. Since we had not yet heard Motorola's plans for any of their recently released phones, we reached out and heard back this morning. According to a Motorola spokesperson, consumers can "expect to see Android N on the Moto Z family and Moto G4 beginning in Q4." Of course, Q4 starts in a couple of days and lasts through the end of the year, so that means you should have the update fairly soon on your Moto Z, Moto Z Force, Moto Z Play, Moto G4, or Moto G4 Plus. But wait, what about all of their other phones, like the Moto X Pure Edition or previous Moto G lines? We don't have specifics at this time. However, Motorola tells us that they "know upgrades are about getting it right and making sure the phone performance remains the best it can be," and will "share upgrade plans for other products and more specific timing later." Over time, you can check out Motorola's software update page to see the status of your phone.

Here's the Google Pixel

Tim — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 15:30:04 +0000

If you want October 4 to be a surprise, cover your eyes very quickly. The above image is of the upcoming Pixel smartphone from Google, the smaller sibling to the Pixel XL. Both are essentially confirmed to be unveiled on October 4, along with a few other products out of Mountain View. Besides this single image, not much else is provided, with exception to a few specs that have already been posted for some time. Currently, the Pixel is believed to launch with a 5" 1080p display, Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB RAM, 2,770mAh battery, 12-megapixel camera, USB Type-C, and of course, Android "Nougat." For fans of larger phones, the Pixel XL will feature extremely similar specifications, but will come with a 5.5" QHD display. While the above image is a leaked render, we can independently confirm that this phone is indeed one of the devices Google intends to unveil on October 4, as we have seen similar images. On that note, I can say that the Silver/White variant of the Pixel and Pixel XL is much more intriguing. UPDATE: Here is the Pixel XL.

Via: Venture Beat

This Icon Pack is Hot: Simpax

Kellen — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 14:52:26 +0000

Here is an icon pack that is not only incredibly hot, it's also different than anything you have probably used to date. It's called Simpax, and I highly recommend this as your next home screen customization. Simpax, which stands for "Simplicity Maximized," made its debut within the past week from designer sikebo, who you may know from other popular icon packs we have featured, including Materialistik, Retrorika, and Immaterialis. It certainly is simple or minimalistic, but it still manages to have a very unique style or attitude of its own. This isn't just another minimal pack and it most definitely isn't a standard Material look either. With this icon pack, you get 3,400+ icons with dozens of alternates, 50+ HD wallpapers, support on all of the major launchers, and a well-design app for making requests, finding specific icons, or quickly applying to your phone. Describing this pack is a bit tough, but I think you'll agree that it's both flat and minimal, yet refreshing. The icon designs, seeing as they are "redesigned," may take some getting used to. However, I think I'm up for the task if they can make my home screen look this good. Note: The wallpaper in the header image is from the Pixel Launcher. Play Link ($0.99)

Cheers Corey!

Motorola Goes Through Yet Another Massive Layoff (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 13:39:07 +0000

According to two sources close to the matter, Lenovo just laid off hundreds of employees at Motorola, potentially more than 50% of the remaining workforce at the mobile device maker. One source actually pegged the number at 700+ out of 1200 remaining who will be told that they no longer have a job within the next day. At least one now-former employee took to Facebook to confirm the news (we've decided not to include a link to preserve his privacy), saying that he has been with the company for over 20 years and his last day will be this Friday. He mentioned that Lenovo was moving more operations to China, which one of our sources said has been the increasing pattern over the past two years. That source also thinks (according to the internal rumor mill) they may just relocate some remaining Chicago-based staff to North Carolina where Lenovo US is based. EDIT: Motorola denies this rumor and says they plan to keep their HQ in Chicago. This latest wave of cuts follows two that immediately come to mind, one that included 200 employees a year ago and another that included 500 months before it. As you probably realized, there aren't many folks left at the smartphone manufacturer that has failed to return to former glory. Even executives that once led the company and became familiar faces around media circles are long gone, including former president Rick Osterloh who is back at Google and Jim Wicks, the man who championed the Moto 360. We have reached out to Motorola for comment and will update this post should we hear back.

UPDATE: Motorola has reached out to confirm this latest round of layoffs. The statement puts the total number of affected employees at less than 2% of the 55,000 that Lenovo employees globally (<1,100 or so then). The cuts are "part of the ongoing strategic integration between Lenovo and its Motorola smartphone business as the company further aligns its organization and streamlines its product portfolio to best compete in the global smartphone market." Motorola also makes note that they are "absolutely committed to Chicago" and will remain there. The full statement can be seen below.

Lenovo today announced a resource action impacting less than two percent of its approximately 55,000 employees globally. The majority of the positions being eliminated are part of the ongoing strategic integration between Lenovo and its Motorola smartphone business as the company further aligns its organization and streamlines its product portfolio to best compete in the global smartphone market. The company is also making adjustments in other areas of the business as part of a continued effort to manage costs, drive efficiency and support ongoing improvement in overall financial performance. While these actions are never easy, they are a necessary part of our continued efforts to ensure long-term, profitable growth across all of our businesses. Lenovo is absolutely committed to Chicago and we plan to maintain our Motorola Mobility headquarters there. Chicago has a well-deserved reputation for technical excellence and as the hub of our global R&D for our smartphone business we expect to take advantage of local talent to continue developing Moto products there.

Here is the Chromecast Ultra, Google's New 4K Stream Machine

Kellen — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 11:48:42 +0000

October 4 is going to be a big day for both Google and tech enthusiasts. Not only are we expecting Google to show off its first Pixel phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, we won't be shocked if they unveil pricing and availability for Google Home, and introduce Google WiFi routers and a new Chromecast. That new Chromecast is said to be called the Chromecast Ultra and the folks at VentureBeat have given us pictures of it (above). Ooooooh. Mmmhmmm. That's nice. For those new to Chromecasts, at least the most recent releases, know that this looks exactly like the Chromecast (2nd gen) that was released last year. You've got this puck-like design with a short yet bendable HDMI cable jutting out from its body as a means of connecting to a TV. The difference here, from a design perspective, comes in the form of a "G" or Google logo in place of the old Chrome logo. That's it. As you can see in the images, like last year's model, the cable can extend or attach to the back of the device through a magnet. So what's different in the funcionality department? Well, this new Chromecast should be able to stream 4K video (hence the "ultra" in the name) and may even have HDR support. It'll also cost about double the standard HD Chromecast, if reports from last week are correct. That would mean a $69 price tag instead of the $35 that has accompanied two generations of Chromecasts.

Via: VentureBeat

HTC Ocean Master, Ocean Note, and Ocean Smart are Reported Codenames for Upcoming Devices

Tim — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 11:07:39 +0000

Known HTC info leaker LlabTooFeR is back this week, essentially calling BS on HTC's denial of last week's Ocean news. In case you missed it, an HTC designer posted what appeared to be a concept reel of a device codenamed Ocean. The device features pressure sensitive touch controls instead of physical buttons, making it quite the futuristic device. However, HTC denied that it was a real project, with the designer removing the video almost as soon as it went up. Interestingly, the designer's removal of the video is what gives credence to the idea that it may be real in the first place. So, with that news fresh in the mind, three codenames are now floating around: Ocean Master, Ocean Note, and Ocean Smart. LlabTooFeR gave no other details or context, but did link to the previous Ocean information that was originally posted on Twitter by @evleaks. Given that we have no further details, all we can do is speculate, and speculating is what we do best. Could this Ocean lineup be for 2017, with unveiling set to take place early next year? Is the Ocean Master the flagship, while Ocean Note is a phablet-like device and Ocean Smart is a mid-range unit? We just don't know, but if this pressure-sensitive concept is indeed real, color us excited. Rewatch the original Ocean clip below, then let us know if you are interested.

More cool HTC stuff here (including the tablet that launched @evleaks): https://t.co/S3WaZkeog9 Check it out before it gets pulled! pic.twitter.com/YJwmZb0Sje
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 20, 2016

Via: LlabTooFeR

DEAL: Chromecast Audio is Just $25 Right Now ($10 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 10:46:04 +0000

Before Google launches the next version of the Chromecast, thought be called Chromecast Ultra, they are hosting a deal on the Chromecast Audio that has shaved $10 off the retail price (dropping it to $25). That's easily the best price we have seen to date. Most discounts on Chromecast devices are $5, since they are already reasonably priced at $35. As a recap, the Chromecast Audio wants no part of your video needs. Instead, Audio wants you to attach it to your old unused speakers to try and bring them back to life. Chromecast Audio works the same way as a regular Chromecast, in that you open apps (like Google Music) on your phone and Cast their content on over, but again, it's an audio-only experience. Links: Best Buy | Google Store

Capital One Finally Comes to Samsung Pay

Kellen — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 10:21:16 +0000

Capital One, one of the last remaining major banks to avoid Samsung Pay, has finally joined as a supported card. The announcement came today via the Samsung Pay app and appears to include a good chunk of Capital One cards. According to Samsung Pay's supported cards site, Venture, Venture One, Quicksilver, QuicksilverOne, Platinum, Journey, Secured Mastercard, Spark Cash, Spark Miles, Spark Cash Select, Spark Miles Select, and Spark Classic are all eligible for use. In order to activate a Capital One card, I was asked by Samsung Pay to verify through the Capital One Wallet app. It only took a minute and then let me be on my way. Just keep that in mind in case you don't already have that app installed.

Via: Samsung

Roku's New Device Lineup Includes the Roku Express and 4K-Ready Roku Ultra, Pricing Starts at $29.99

Tim — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 09:14:25 +0000

Roku has a new lineup of devices for the holiday shopping season, five in total. Ranging in price and specification, the devices are up for pre-order beginning today, with in-store availability starting early October. The five devices are as follows - Roku Express, Express+, Roku Premiere, Premiere+, and Roku Ultra. The least expensive model, the Roku Express, features 1080p streaming, a simplistic IR remote control, 802.11 b/g/n wireless connectivity, and comes with a HDMI cable for connecting to your TV. Pricing for the Express is $29.99, while the Express+ is $39.99. In the middle of the lineup, the Roku Premiere features 4K UHD video playback, HDCP 2.2 compatibility, upscaling of 720p to 1080p, 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless, as well as a Night Listening mode. Price for the Premiere is set at $79.99, with the Premiere+ model priced at $99.99. The last device in the lineup is the most expensive, the Roku Ultra. The Ultra features 4K up to 60 fps and HDR streaming, Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital Plus decoding for advance surround sound, optical digital audio out, USB port for local media playback, and comes with a "point anywhere" remote control with voice search. The price of the Roku Ultra is $129.99. As for when you can grab these new Roku devices, pre-orders go live today through Roku.com, Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon. General availability begins October 9. For a more detailed look at specs and pricing, look below.

Roku Express and Roku Express+ $29.99 MSRP and $39.99 MSRP, respectively – our most affordable streaming players ever launched; Roku Express is for TVs with HDMI^® and Roku Express+ supports older TVs and can use a legacy Red/White/Yellow connection

Fast 1080p HD streaming
Simple IR remote control with popular streaming channel shortcut buttons
802.11 b/g/n wireless
Optional removable adhesive strip for mounting to a TV
High Speed HDMI^® cable included

Roku Express+ also includes:

Composite jack and included composite A/V cable (red/white/yellow)

Roku Premiere and Roku Premiere+ $79.99 MSRP and $99.99 MSRP, respectively – powerful performance and stunning HD and 4K up to 60 fps streaming plus HDR on the Roku Premiere+

Works with both HD and 4K UHD TVs
4K UHD video playback, delivers crisp detail and brilliant, life-like images
HDCP 2.2 compatible and capable of up to 60 fps 4K UHD playback
Can upscale 720p to 1080p on HDTVs, and from 720p or 1080p to 4K up to 60 fps on 4K UHD TVs
Fast quad-core processor
802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless
Simple IR remote control with popular streaming channel shortcut buttons
Night listening mode setting adjusts audio sounds to maintain volume consistency

Roku Premiere+ also includes:

HDR support displays an incredible range of colors including brighter whites and deeper blacks
Enhanced point anywhere remote with headphone jack for private listening
MicroSD card slot for additional channel storage
Ethernet for wired internet connectivity

Roku Ultra $129.99 – our ultimate player that’s fully loaded and can deliver powerful HD, 4K up to 60 fps and HDR streaming In addition to everything offered on the Roku Premiere+, the Roku Ultra also features:

Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital Plus decoding for advance surround sound in home theaters
Optical digital audio out port to connect to a receiver or sound bar
USB port for local media playback
Convenient point anywhere remote control with voice search, headphone jack for private listening and gaming buttons
Lost remote finder feature finds remotes stuck in the couch with the touch of a button on the player

Availability Roku Express, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra streaming players will be available for pre-order beginning today from Roku.com, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon and other retailers, and are expected to be in stores beginning on Oct. 9. Roku Express+ will be available exclusively at Walmart.

Via: Roku

Reports: Google's "Andromeda" is the Android-Chrome OS Merger, Might Debut October 4, Already in Testing, and Coming 2017 on a New Pixel

Kellen — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 08:22:18 +0000

Holy title. Apologies for that, but there is a lot to talk about when it comes to the potential future of Android and Chrome OS, thanks to numerous reports that surfaced over the weekend while the rest of us were on vacation, relaxing, consuming a half-dozen growlers of fresh hop IPA, and unplugging like all should do on weekends. Let's catch up. To start, we will need to take you back to October 2015 to a report from the Wall Street Journal that claimed Google was working on folding Chrome OS into Android to create a single operating system. The report suggested that Google had been working for at least two years on making this move happen, but they still wouldn't be ready to bring it to stable until some time in 2017 after showing it off to the world in 2016. Google has mostly denied that this was happening, saying that they are still actively working on both Chrome OS and Android in separate forms. Even with Android apps arriving on Chromebooks in recent months, Google hasn't admitted that they plan to do any of what the WSJ report claimed. And then on Saturday, as Android reached an 8-year anniversary from the time Google first announced it, Hiroshi Lockheimer Tweeted this: https://twitter.com/lockheimer/status/779757830203068416 OK, then. On October 4, we know that Google is more than likely going to announce the Pixel and Pixel XL phones, Google Home pricing and availability, and a new Chromecast Ultra and Google WiFi routers. They'll sell us on why they switched to Pixel from Nexus, what "#madebygoogle" means when HTC built these phones, and how they see a vision for taking over the home in new ways. But saying that "we'll be talking about Oct 4, 2016" in 8 years, at least to me, suggests more. Sure, phones and routers and home hubs are fun and all, but that's not 8-year-worthy talking point stuff, unless they think the release of the first Pixel phones are going to be remember in 8 years. The folks at Android Police think it has to do with that report from the Wall Street Journal. Their sources have made it clear that Google's new future OS is running under the codename "Andromeda" at the moment. This is indeed supposedly the folding of Chrome OS into Android and is already testing on the Nexus 9, according to 9to5Google who dug up mentions of "Andromeda" in AOSP files. Android Police also thinks Google may launch "Andromeda" in 2017 with the next Chromebook Pixel device (codenamed "bison" or "Pixel 3"), though it may ditch the "Chromebook" portion of the name since it won't exactly run Chrome OS. UPDATE: 9to5Google also believes that "Andromeda" could arrive on the rumored Huawei Nexus tablet. Yes, Nexus, because it may not fully be dead as a brand just yet. They don't really have any additional details to add, other than we think it'll be launched with this guy, right here. As far as this new Pixel 3 is concerned, it's said to (at least in its current form) have a 12.3" display with a convertible build that probably folds into a tablet experience, runs on an Intel 3 or i5 chipset with 32GB or 128GB of storage and 8GB or 16GB RAM. It may have a fingerprint reader, a couple of USB Type-C ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, "host of sensors," stylus support with a sold-separately stylus, stereo speakers, etc. It sounds nice, if not extremely expensive, but could be priced at $799 or so, which isn't bad. Bringing it back to October 4 for a second, though, consider the idea that Hiroshi is talking about Google unveiling the first version of "Andromeda." After all, it was just 8 years ago that they unveiled the first version of Android and it has taken over the world. It's a moment in time that should be remembered. The likely follow-up to that kind of (hopefully) game-changing release certainly could be whatever is next for Google in mobile and computing operating systems. That "next" might just be the future, "Andromeda."

Via: Android Police [2] | 9to5Google [2]

Allo is Here, Pixels are Coming

Kellen — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 16:47:17 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we are diving into Google's new messaging app, Allo, which is now available for all. It's certainly the big topic of the week after being hyped for months. I think we all have some pointed opinions on whether or not we need it in our lives. After that, we need to talk Google's Pixel phones as well, since we have an official unveiling date (October 4!), new pictures, and more. Also, we'll be sure to catch you up on the latest Galaxy Note 7 recall news and anything else that comes up. Join us at 10:15AM Pacific (1:15PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: September 23, 2016

Tim — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 16:00:28 +0000

Day 2,504 in the books at Droid Life. This week, Google finally launched Allo after debuting it at Google I/O in May, and we posted our review of the Moto Z Play. If you haven't already seen it, it's a video review (not 2,000 words), and we are very proud of it. Let us know what you think. Other top Android stories include photos of the Pixel and Pixel XL in white surfacing, details on Google WiFi and Chromecast Ultra have leaked, and Google made official the date which they will unveil their latest smartphones. Are you ready? We most definitely are. Catch this week’s greatest stories below.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Verizon Prepaid Customers Get Access to HD Voice Starting September 25

Tim — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:52:44 +0000

Beginning September 25, Verizon prepaid customers will have access to HD Voice, the company's tech that delivers increased audio quality and clarity. HD Voice service also includes access to video calls, calls over WiFi, 6-way calling, plus the ability to surf the web while talking. To initiate calls over WiFi, customers need only be connected to a WiFi network, then have WiFi calling enabled. Be aware, having a supported cellphone will be required for WiFi calling. For calls anywhere in the US, they are free, but for International, standard long distance rates apply. For more detailed info on how HD Voice will affect your experience as a prepaid customers, read our original announcement here.

Via: Verizon

Want to Know More About Google WiFi? OK, Let's Talk.

Kellen — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:51:14 +0000

As you now know from reading this report, Google is building its own wireless router called Google WiFi that will debut on October 4. The folks at Android Police first broke the news, but this is a product we have privately known quite about for some time. Now that the initial details have leaked, let's share more good bits! The point of Google WiFi is to be very much like Eero or Luma, two WiFi router products that expand in a house to help it cover every corner, so that you don't have any weak spots. Google is pushing this as a "mesh technology" powered by "modular" bases in that you can add on parts to it, which is why I'm comparing it to those other two products. They work similarly, where you start with a router connected to your modem and then continue to add on new routers or modules to expand the network. If you are worried about security there, understand that new modules or routers will have to be a "trusted" module, signed by Google. That make sense? We aren't sure if this will be branded as a Google OnHub device or not, but the OnHub app will certainly be the controller out of the gate. Well, unless Google decides to create a new app, but that would require unnecessary work and we haven't heard that that is the case. Because it will be controlled by OnHub, that means IFTTT compatibility, device connection management, setting up family hubs with schedules and other controls over content, and auto security updates. From what we've been told, each Google WiFi is dual band (of course it is), has two ports on each device, AC1200 speeds, 802.15.4 radios, Bluetooth, and can be setup in minutes. $129 is more than likely the starting point for a single module. We don't yet know what it will cost to expand with additional hardware, though companies like Eero tend to sell in bundles. My guess is that Google may do something similar.

Reports: Google Home and Chromecast Ultra Pricing Revealed, Google WiFi Router Also Coming October 4

Kellen — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:33:39 +0000

Hey, fun spoilers on a Friday! We have two new reports out of Android Police that dive into Google's plans for October 4 outside of Pixel phones. According to their reports, Google Home and the new Chromecast Ultra (4K version) have been priced, plus Google has a new router ready to take over our homes, called Google WiFi. We can independently confirm that Google does indeed have have a new router in the works. As for pricing of Google Home, word on the street suggests $129 for Google's air freshener-inspired home assistant. Nothing new stands out in the report, though, because we know what Google Home is. Yay for pricing! $129 is cheaper than I thought it would drop in at. What about this 4K-ready Chromecast Ultra? Well, Ultra is reportedly the official name and it will launch with a $69 price tag. Yep, that's more expensive than the current Chromecast, but that 4K video streaming could be accompanied by HDR support as well. That sounds pretty awesome, actually. $69 is still cheap for a device that is as useful as a Chromecast. What about this Google WiFi router? We'll have more shortly in a separate post, but this report suggests a $129 starting point and the ability to create a "mesh" WiFi system throughout a house to help you have a stronger network in all corners. Think Eero. UPDATE: Here's what our sources have told us about Google WiFi. October 4 is going to fun.

Via: Android Police [2]

Report: Twitter Internally Debates Selling Off to Google, Salesforce, or Verizon

Tim — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 09:20:16 +0000

According to reports this morning, Twitter may be looking to sell itself off before year's end. Possible buyers have already been named, with three large companies reportedly leading the pack of potential suitors. The first two companies are Google and Salesforce, with a separate report claiming Verizon is even in the mix to acquire Twitter. In terms of why Twitter would be a good buy, I can think of a few. With over 300 million active users, Twitter generates a ton of data that these companies could use for any sort of implementation. On top of the social aspect, Twitter is a fantastic place to see news in realtime, as well as sports and entertainment happenings. If there is a subject you are fond of, you can bet there's someone tweeting about it. As for how much Twitter might be worth, the latest figure we have seen is somewhere around $18 billion. That's quite the chunk of change, but could be a nice investment once and if Twitter begins to make money the way Wall Street hopes it will. At this time, whether a deal will actually take place is uncertain. It's possible that nothing will come of these reports, but Twitter's stock has jumped since they first hit the wire. If a company were to buy Twitter, who would you root for?

Via: CNBC | TechCrunch | recode

Moto Z Play Review

Kellen — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 09:07:30 +0000

For the Moto Z Play, being a mid-range phone that we wouldn't typically review, we took a different approach to sharing our final thoughts on it. Hey, look, a video review from Droid Life! This should be interesting. If you have watched the DL Show in recent weeks or follow us on Twitter, you probably know that I've actually become quite a big fan of this phone. It might be the legitimate 2-day battery life that has me brainwashed. Seriously, I have never in all my years reviewing phones, seen one that can last this long on a single charge. You get battery estimates from companies as they announce new phones, yet none ever live up to those numbers. This phone does and I am incredibly impressed. But I also still find Moto's approach to software refreshing, as well as the performance they seem to get right, even with lesser processors than flagships. The Moto Z Play really embodies what can be good in a $400 phone without any major sacrifices. Of course, the camera isn't going to win any awards, the design might turn some away, and the Verizon exclusivity is a downer. It's not a perfect phone. At $400, though, I think it certainly should be proudly in the conversation of mid-tier phones. Oh and Moto Mods. Yeah it does those too, if that's your thing. This is our Moto Z Play review.

[responsive_vid]

Samsung: "About Half" of Recalled Galaxy Note 7 Devices Exchanged

Kellen — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 08:12:42 +0000

With exchange stock arriving in stores this week, owners of the Galaxy Note 7 seem to finally have the motivation to swap out their unsafe Note 7 for a safe model. Samsung announced yesterday afternoon that "about half" of the recalled Galaxy Note 7 devices in the wild have already been exchanged. That's a good number knowing that just days ago, we were only at about 25%. Samsung also mentioned that about 90% of Note 7 owners have stuck with the Note 7 even after the recall. Media pundits would have you believe that people were running scared from Samsung phones and helping Apple return to glory, but that's clearly not the case. Samsung phone owners, especially Note owners, are loyal. On a related note, I hope you took advantage of that initial shipment of 500,000 exchange devices if you do own the Note 7. Tim and I tried to swap one yesterday, a day after stock arrived, and most stores around Portland were already out of devices. In fact, we stopped at two, were turned away, called two more, and found one that had all of two phones left for exchange. By the time we were out of that store, another guy came in and was turned away. We aren't sure when additional exchange stock will arrive, but my guess is that Samsung is shipping them as quickly as possible.

Via: Samsung

The Uncertain is a 3D Adventure Game in a Post-Apocalyptic Setting

Tim — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 15:28:09 +0000

The Uncertain, published for SHIELD Android TV owners, is available on Google Play priced at $14.99. In this game, which has quite the story to it, you play as an Engineering Robot who seems quite curious about the human race that has been extinct for quite some time. On Earth now, a race of robots live in complete harmony, not ruled by war, and remain completely logical in all aspects of robotic life. Better said by the game's description, "Imagine that you have to make a moral choice in a world with no such term as morality. Every decision made here is a set of zeros and ones, and sometimes it has nothing to do with common sense." Essentially, The Uncertain will have you discovering secrets of past ages, a time when humans were still around on the planet. According to the game's trailer, which can be viewed below, there is only one question that needs to be answered: Why have humans destroyed their entire race? If it might interest you, and you have the necessary hardware to play it, follow the link below. Features

Classic 3D Adventure with unique story
Beautiful graphics and immersive atmosphere
Original indie soundtrack
Made using NVIDIA GameWorks HBAO+, DoF and FXAA technologies

Play Link ($14.99)

[responsive_vid]

Chromecast Preview Program Update Rolling Out, Just Bug Fixes

Tim — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 13:44:36 +0000

If you happen to be signed up for the Chromecast Preview Program, the one we first detailed earlier this month, it appears that its first update (version 1.21.72444) is now rolling out. Inside, Google says it is just a bit of bug fixes and stability improvements for the Chromecast (1st Gen) and Chromecast Audio. That's nothing too fancy, but always welcomed. When first announced, the Preview Program was met with a bit of criticism, as folks didn't want to be "beta" testing software on a device that should always work. To be clear, that's not what the Preview Program is. According to Google, as described inside of the Program's FAQ, preview software is simply early access to updates that will eventually rollout to everyone. It's just a bonus that you will receive it early. Because of this, you should never experience bugs that will make Chromecast not work or anything of that sort. When a software update is available, Google will send you an email which contains a link to the changelog. If you want to update your Chromecast, you can do so. To make sure your device is enabled for the program, simply control it within the Google Cast app from Google Play. If you are not yet a member of the Preview Program, you can begin right here. If you are already signed up, get to flashing that new update and enjoy.

Via: Google

Yahoo Confirms Massive Data Breach, At Least 500 Million Affected

Tim — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 12:48:49 +0000

Yahoo confirmed this afternoon that user information, such as names, email addresses, birth dates, and even unencrypted security questions & answers have been stolen. According to the announcement, the information for at least 500 million Yahoo users was stolen from the company's network in late 2014 by what Yahoo is calling a "state-sponsored actor." State sponsored simply means an individual or group of individuals acting on behalf of a government body. On the bright side of this awful news, Yahoo announced that unaffected items include unprotected passwords, payment card data, or banking information. All of that information is kept separately, away from the system that Yahoo's internal investigation has found to be affected. Yahoo states it is working with law enforcement on the matter. As a Yahoo user, here's what you need to do immediately.

Change your password and security questions and answers for any other accounts on which you used the same or similar information used for your Yahoo account.
Review your accounts for suspicious activity.
Be cautious of any unsolicited communications that ask for your personal information or refer you to a web page asking for personal information.
Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails.

If and when any additional information is made public, we will update our readers.

Via: Yahoo

T-Mobile Customers Hit With Nationwide LTE Outage Last Night During 'Scheduled Maintenance'

Tim — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 09:29:23 +0000

While many were asleep last night, T-Mobile's LTE network saw a nationwide outage. According to the company's official Twitter, the issue was acknowledged at 12:31AM Pacific (3:31AM Eastern). Two hours later, at 2:47AM Pacific, they tweeted that they were back online. A spokesperson for T-Mobile told Fierce Wireless that the outage occurred during scheduled maintenance time, and that if any customers were still experiencing issues, they should reboot their devices. Of course, Verizon was unsympathetic towards T-Mobile and John Legere, with one PR representative claiming on Twitter, "I'm pretty sure that we won't hear a peep from John Legere or Neville Ray about the T-Mobile network for a long long time." Ouch, what a burn. Have you been experiencing issues with your T-Mobile connection?

Via: Fierce Wireless | @TMobile

Verizon CFO: Silly People, You "Don't Need Unlimited Data"

Kellen — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 09:18:21 +0000

As other carriers have introduced new (mostly shady) unlimited data plan options, Verizon continues to field questions about whether or not it will do the same. The continued questioning is fair, since this is the company who claimed in 2015 they were a "leader" and not a follower when asked about joining the rest of the industry in rollover data features, only to do just that, join them a year later. So what did soon-to-be-retired CFO Fran "ShamWow" Shammo have to say when asked about unlimited data plans on Verizon, this morning at an investors conference? Only that "at the end of the day, people don't need unlimited plans." You hear that, people, you don't need unlimited data. This isn't a new take from Shammo. Back in January, he said that they wouldn't even "entertain" unlimited data any time soon. That, of course, is because companies like Verizon like tiers. Why do they like tiers? Because tiers allow them to make money by talking customers into paying for things they may need and then offering them upgrades to even more expensive things they potentially may need. With unlimited, there are no options to upgrade to. See the problem there? Well, Verizon, your unlimited plans could return and then you could sneakily rob your customers by throttling their streaming to less than HD, adding on HD streaming upgrade fees, killing tethering without upgrades fees, etc. Just ask your friends over at T-Mobile and Sprint about that! Anyways, no unlimited plans for you, Verizon customers. You don't need them.

Via: CNET

Verizon's Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Get Security Patch Updates Today (Updated: G5, S7 and S7 Edge Update Too)

Kellen — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 08:18:28 +0000

Yesterday, Verizon pushed out a wave of updates to the Moto Z, Moto Z Force, Galaxy Note 5, and Galaxy S6 Edge+ that included the latest security patches. Today, they are continuing to bring their line of phones up to current patch levels by updating the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. The updates only offer the "most up to date Android security patch," so don't expect anything else. They will arrive as software version VRS4CPI2. To check, head into Settings>System updates. UPDATE: The LG G5 on Verizon is receiving an update as well, to software version VS98714A. The update weighs in at 271MB, which seems large, but the changelog only says that it "adds 'Fast charging' to the device display when your G5 is connected to certain USB Type-C PD 2.0 chargers." (Cheers @yodatom10!) UPDATE 2: Verizon's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are also seeing updates to software version VRS4APH1. This update actually went live a few days ago and we missed it, sorry.

Via: Verizon [2]

Stable Chrome OS Gets Google Play and Android Apps on Two Chromebooks

Kellen — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 07:23:44 +0000

Google Play and Android apps moved a step closer to a broader release to more devices today, thanks to a graduation of the Google Play beta experience to Chrome OS stable. Wait, did that make sense? What I'm saying is that Chrome OS stable (v53.0.2785.129) now has access to Google Play and Android apps, though only on two devices at the moment. Still, we're making progress! Google updated Chrome OS stable on the Acer Chromebook R11 and Asus Chromebook Flip to the new build, which includes Google Play store (beta) access. So while the Google Play store and Android apps running on those specific Chromebooks is technically not stable, we are at the point where Google is seeing how it plays on stable Chrome OS. That's good news! You will notice that the Chromebook Pixel (2015) did not get stable Chrome OS Google Play access and we don't know why. Then again, it also didn't get initial access through the dev channel either, so maybe this isn't that surprising. As far as we know, Google is still planning to rollout Google Play to a whole bunch of additional Chromebooks later this year and in 2017. For those who have been using Android apps on your Chromebooks, how has the experience improved over time?

[responsive_vid]

Via: Chrome Releases

DEAL: Samsung 128GB MicroSD Card for Only $37, Down From $103

Tim — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 13:48:12 +0000

Over on Amazon, a Samsung microSD card weighing in at 128GB is on sale for only $37. That's down from a listed price of $103. As for specs, this microSD card is of Samsung's Evo+ line, Class 10, and is also waterproof. It's crazy to think how inexpensive portable storage is becoming, considering some companies will charge you up to an extra $100 for additional built-in memory. Because of that, we typically recommend buying a 32GB device, then just slapping in expandable storage, so long as your device supports it. If you need to bring a bit more storage to your device, have at it. Amazon Deal

Allo Isn't the Messaging App for Me

Kellen — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 13:40:50 +0000

Allo, Google's new smart messaging app, has been out for all of 13 hours now. During that short time, I think I've already come to the conclusion that this app isn't for me. That's not to say that this is a bad app, it's just not in any way, shape, or form, an app that can handle my messaging needs. I actually joked earlier on Twitter that maybe Allo was really Google's attempt to convince us that Hangouts isn't all that bad and that we should stop complaining about it. After spending most of the morning whipping up stories and videos about Allo, I think that's exactly what I'm realizing - that Hangouts is pretty damn good at what I need from a messaging app. My biggest issue with Allo at this moment is the fact that it lacks any sort of presence outside of a phone app. Google has built Allo so that it attaches to your phone number, but for modern messaging apps, they also need to have either a web or desktop app experience too (WhatsApp does!). How many of us sit at a computer all day doing both work and messaging? I happen to have multiple conversations going on right now through two separate Hangouts Chrome extensions for two different Gmail accounts. That type of communication and multi-tasking can't happen with Allo in its current form. In its current form, I would have to pick up my phone each and every time a new message came through instead of tabbing over on my desktop, responding, and then getting back to work. And that leads me to my next gripe, which is Allo being stuck on a single device at all times. Not only do I sit at a computer all day, but I also use multiple devices throughout one. With Allo, I can only access one account on one device. That's a huge, huge problem. You could argue that most humans don't change phones as much as I do or carry two or three phones around, but I think it's much more common today than you may realize. People have work and personal phones, and so it would be much easier to use Allo if you could get messages from a single account on both of those phones. As of now, if I sign-in to Allo on a second device with the same phone number as the first, it logs me out of the first.

This thought gets even worse when you think about message syncing. As of right now, you can't switch devices and carry over all of your conversations from an older phone. Again, if you buy a new phone in a month after spending every day having conversations on Allo, once you sign into Allo on that new phone, your conversations are all gone. I'm not kidding. Sure, Google could (and absolutely should) figure out a way to fix this problem, but what if they don't? Now, Google was supposed to push security and privacy with Allo, and so it almost makes sense that there isn't device-to-device syncing or carryover. But then you realize that Google has already admitted that they backed off of part of their original security pitch by deciding to store your messages when they said they wouldn't. If they have them stored on Google servers, why can't those sync between multiple devices or accounts? Ugh. What about SMS? Yeah, it doesn't do that. Finally, one of the most important issues I have with Allo has to do with it being new. Being new means that no one is using it and it would take an extraordinary effort for me to convince them to do so. After spending a good year or two or three getting friends and family to use Hangouts, I don't know that I have the energy to do it all over again for Allo, especially when you consider everything I just mentioned above. Those are all serious issues and I have a feeling that they will affect many of the people I know as well. If there is one feature that I am jealous of, it would be Google Assistant. I would love to have Google Assistant access (built into Hangouts would be key) because I do think I would use it, especially in group chats with friends and family. Many of my conversations center around going out to eat or drink or flying from state to state to see grandchildren. Assistant would really help us all share travel itineraries, plan meals that everyone can agree on, etc. I would probably use its reminder and alarm systems as well. I spend enough time in Hangouts that having a dedicated conversation with @google would be something I would take advantage of. In the end, if it wasn't obvious, I basically just admitted that Hangouts does everything I need it to do at the moment. While I would love to have Google Assistant built-in, that's something I can live without. It's not like the Google Search bar is that far away. Sorry, Allo, you just weren't made for me.

Question of the Day: It's Finally Here, Thoughts on Allo?

Tim — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 12:32:07 +0000

After a long wait, since Google I/O in May to be exact, Allo has finally arrived. Since this morning's release, there have been a few vocal folks who have expressed displeasure with it, while others seem to like it very much. Well, that's why we're here, to find out your thoughts on the service, now that you've been using it for a solid day. Will you drop Messenger and get all of your friends and family to use Allo? Will you abandon Allo in fear of Google spying on you? There's no wrong answer, we just want your opinion. Let us have it.

Video: Google Allo First Look and Tour!

Kellen — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 11:18:01 +0000

Google Allo launched last night and is fully available to almost everyone on Google Play at this point. We know that many of you have had a chance to install Allo (download here) and take it for a spin, but there are potentially just as many of you who are wondering if this is even worth your time. For those who are curious but not yet ready to make the jump, the 15-minute video tour of Allo we just put together should help. Below, we walk through Allo from just after you've signed in to whether or not it is the app that could replace your current messaging choice. We dive into group chats, SMS integration (or lack thereof), show what happens when you send a message from Allo to someone who doesn't have it, talk about multi-device support (spoiler: there isn't any), and of course, spend time with Google Assistant both by itself and in conversations. Allo. NOTE: Incognito stuff left out of first video, so another has replaced it. Apologies for that.

[responsive_vid]

T-Mobile and AT&T Galaxy Note 7s are Getting Their Battery Indicator Update as Well

Kellen — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:59:57 +0000

Like the Verizon version yesterday, T-Mobile and AT&T models of the Galaxy Note 7 are receiving their battery indicator change update. In this update, the battery indicator will turn to green (from white) to let you know that the Note 7 in your hand is safe and should be free from exploding. If you are still holding onto the bomb-ready version of the Note 7, this update will add warnings all over the place in an attempt to get you to exchange. You should exchange it. Also, for additional details on how you can tell if your Note 7 is safe or not, hit up this post. The T-Mobile update will arrive as software version UVU2API4 and the AT&T update will be UCS2APHE.

Via: T-Mobile | AT&T

Samsung Reportedly Testing Android 7.0 on Galaxy S7

Tim — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:44:58 +0000

According to the Samsung wizards at SamMobile, the company has officially entered the firmware testing phase for the Nougat update on the Galaxy S7. What does this mean for us? Sadly, not much, as the company has been hesitant on ever delivering any type of solidified timeframe for when customers can expect to see major updates. On the bright side, something is happening, and that's never a bad thing. As reported, Samsung is currently testing software version G930FXXU1ZPI9, with the "Z" in that build being a very important detail. According to SamMobile, Samsung has utilized the "Z" in the past to represent previous major updates for Galaxy devices. As for where its being tested, it is currently all internal in parts of Europe, at least for the time being. For us in the US, especially those with a carrier variant, we could still be looking at a couple to few months before an update is made available or even mentioned. With OEMs and carriers, there's just no telling when major updates will come. Does it suck? Absolutely. Hang in there, Galaxy owners.

Via: SamMobile

Verizon Moto Z, Galaxy Note 5, and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are All Getting Security Patch Updates Today

Kellen — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:34:27 +0000

Owners of a Moto Z, Moto Z Force, Galaxy Note 5, or Galaxy S6 Edge+ on Verizon should be on the lookout for an update today. The updates are all minor, but they do include the latest security patches from Google. In fact, the Moto Z and Force updates appear to be September's. Look at you, Moto, doing big things these days. Moto Z and Z Force will receive software version MCLS24.246-36-3, while the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ are getting VRS3BPI1. Go get 'em.

Via: Verizon [2] [3]

Cheers Josh!

Overly Concerned About Privacy? Allo Isn't for You

Tim — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 09:23:50 +0000

With figures like Edward Snowden and Johns Hopkins's Matthew Green taking to Twitter this morning, many should be questioning whether Allo is the right messaging service for them. When unveiled at Google I/O earlier this year, Google discussed the level of privacy one could expect from the Allo service, with end-to-end encryption Incognito mode and the transient storing of messages being the highlights. Unfortunately for those who take privacy seriously, Google has not delivered a service that meets these two previously set targets. As of this morning's launch, all messages not using Allo's built-in Incognito mode will be stored indefinitely on Google's servers. In Google's eyes, this was the right move, weighing the ability to use people's conversations to make its Google Assistant feature more intelligent. Like most other machine learning platforms, the more data it has to consume, the better it can serve its users. The issue is, Google claimed this would not be the case when Allo was first introduced. Now, this is not the end of the world, but the solution to this exact problem is pretty straightforward: don't use Allo. Allo's big draw is Google Assistant, with its ability to recognize "pizza" in a conversation and then recommend pizza spots by your location. However, Assistant is not available if you are using the Incognito mode. Therefore, if you want to remain private, complete with end-to-end encryption, you will never get to use Assistant. If that's the case, then what's the point in using Allo at all? Frankly, there is none. Now, if all you are concerned about is the storing of your messages between friends and families, or even your fellow whistleblowers, users can manually delete the messages that are being stored when not in Incognito mode. It's an extra step you must take, but if you could see yourself enjoying Google Assistant, while also wanting a thin layer of privacy, it's doable from right inside of the app. Keep in mind, if you plan on doing evil things that would then lead to a police investigation, and you happened to be using Allo, Google's Terms of Service for the app allows them to turn over any and all data should they receive a lawful warrant request. With all messages stored indefinitely on Google's servers, unless deleted by you manually, law enforcement will have direct access to them should they request it. Personally, I myself am not a whistleblower and I don't plan on committing any acts of terror. Is Allo safe for me to use? Probably. Is it safe for you to use, though? That's something you will have to define for yourself.

Via: The Verge | @Snowden | @matthew_d_green

Download: Google Allo for Android

Kellen — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 07:29:01 +0000

In case you missed all of the fun last night, then well, we have news to share with you this morning. Google Allo is available for download on Android and iOS. Yep, available to everyone as far as we can tell. That means you don't even need to go digging around for questionable .apk files because it is live on Google Play. Feel free to grab it at the link below. More coming throughout the day! Play Link OK fine, here is the .apk pulled from my phone that was installed from Google Play.

Google Announces Allo Availability, Should be Available Over the Next Few Days

Kellen — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 21:57:26 +0000

Google's smart messaging app, Allo, is (almost) ready for you. I say "almost" because the app is officially rolling out, it just may not reach everyone across the globe for the next "few days." At least that's what Google has announced tonight. In the announcement for Allo that just went live, Google does indeed say that the app will start showing up as early as today on both Android and iOS. To briefly recap Allo, this is Google's attempt to take on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger by creating a truly consumer-ready, stand-alone messaging app with extra smarts that it hopes will help it stand out. For example, Allo lets you "Smart Reply" in conversations, by showing you quick responses that might let you move on without actually typing anything, but they will also hopefully add some fun or flavor to your chats. You can also "express yourself" with photos, emoji, and stickers, of course, and that includes doodling on photos. Google is really going to push the new Google Assistant integration here as well. The Assistant lets you chat with Google while in a conversation with another person to get help with finding things like local restaurants you may want to dine at, movie times, etc. The Assistant will even let you ask for info you might find in Google Now, including weather, news, traffic info, sports scores, and the status of upcoming flights. For now, Assistant is only a "preview edition." Finally, Google is trying to play up the app's Incognito Mode that fully encrypts your chats end-to-end. Just keep in mind that you have to be in incognito mode in order for that to happen. This isn't a default setting for all chats. As a bonus, Google has announced some SMS capabilities, in that they are allowing you message people over SMS who don't have Allo. Recipients can quickly reply, but they won't receive the message from your phone number and it will instead show up from a shortcode or something of that nature. It's a bit a wonky. We'll have more in the coming days on what to expect from Allo, including a look at many of its features. Oh, did you want to download it? Head over to this post.

Via: Google Blog

Allo Site Goes Live! But You Still Can't Install It Just Yet (UPDATED: YES YOU CAN!)

Kellen — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 20:46:58 +0000

Rumors from the beginning of the week pegged September 21 as the day that Google's Allo messenger would finally arrive and those rumors appear to be correct. Moments ago, Google pushed live the new Allo website and a promotional video, both of which have links to Google Play and iTunes as if the app is available to be downloaded. (EDIT: SEE BELOW!) It's not available just yet, though. If you click through the Google Play link below, you should see the old Allo listing that allows you to register for updates. If you click through an iOS/iTunes link, a message pops up to let you know that the app isn't available yet. Because the app will more than likely go live very soon, we'll be sure to update this post. Anyone seeing it available for installation? If so, give us that .apk. Play Link UPDATE: Google has now announced availability, say that it will reach the globe over the next few days. UPDATE 2: Download away. Cheers David! UPDATE 3: It's also live on Google Play for all.

[responsive_vid]

Verizon is Selling the Galaxy Note 7 Again (Updated: Sprint Too)

Kellen — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 20:39:26 +0000

Samsung released a statement earlier today to remind all Galaxy Note 7 fans that the phone would be back in the hands of carriers on September 21 for those who had previously purchased the device and were looking to exchange their original Note 7 for a safe one after the battery recall took place. What they didn't tell us was when we could expect to be able to buy one again. Previous rumors suggested the Galaxy Note 7 would not go back up for sale until late October, but Verizon appears to be selling the phone again right now. If you take a moment to cruise over to Verizon's site, you'll notice that they have all three colors (black, blue, and silver) in stock with no mention of a shipping delay. I even added each color to cart and attempted to checkout just to make sure that there weren't shipping delays or notices about the phone shipping at a later date. All I foun was pickup availability the next day and a variety of shipping options that included having the phone arrive as early as Thursday morning. So yeah, if you want a Galaxy Note 7 that won't explode and are a Verizon customer, order away! UPDATE: Sprint is as well! Verizon Link | Sprint Link

Samsung: Only 25% of Note 7 Devices Exchanged so Far, 500,000+ New Units Available Tomorrow in the US

Kellen — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:38:44 +0000

Samsung updated press today on the status of the Galaxy Note 7 recall and exchange program, announcing that over 500,000 new replacement devices are in the US and on their way to carrier partners. They also reminded us that a software update to make you feel warm and cozy about your new phone is rolling out, but you already knew that. Some of our readers were pinged by Best Buy over the weekend with a note about picking up their replacement phone, so we know that some exchange devices are and have been available. But we are aware that most of you are still waiting (Tim would be a part of that crowd), even though Samsung told us to expect them "no later" than September 21. As it turns out, the 21st is more than likely the day you will all get the chance to pickup a new Note 7. Samsung has essentially said that if new Note 7 devices aren't already at your local carrier or retailer, they should be there no later than tomorrow for you to make the swap. Samsung also told The Verge that they have seen about 25% of Note 7s exchanged in the US, which seems low to me, but they seem satisfied with that number at the moment, stating that 25% is "an extraordinarily fast start toward achieving our goal of removing every single affected Note 7 from circulation." Either way, that means 75% of Note 7s sold that could be a fire hazard are still in the wild. As we mentioned last week, it's time for everyone to get rid of their Note 7s. If you have friends who own them, you should probably tell them the situation and that their phone isn't safe. If only 25% of Note 7 owners have attempted to exchange, we have a lot of bad Notes just waiting to do damage.

Via: Samsung | The Verge

HTC Designer Posts 'Ocean' Hardware and Software Concepts by Accident

Tim — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:37:45 +0000

On a personal website earlier today, a designer at HTC published what appear to be conceptual video clips of what may or may not be an unannounced HTC smartphone. Apparently codenamed Ocean, as titled in the video, the smartphone features no physical buttons, with specific commands being controlled by various taps and slides on the phone's edges. After the page was live and circulating around the web for a bit, the owner placed a passcode on the website, not allowing anyone else to view it. Furthermore, the creator, issued a brief statement following the publishing claiming, "this is just a conceptual piece and does not represent any real product from HTC." Well, we'll just see about that. At the beginning of the clip, which was stripped and posted to the web by @evleaks, it states, "Introducing Ocean with Sense Touch." Our assumption is that Sense Touch is the technology for having taps and swipes replace physical buttons. According to the video, Sense Touch allows for intuitive control, quick access to anything on the device, as well as having a contextual UI. It's entirely possible that this video is only a pet project for the designer, maybe made to inspire the hardware maker for future devices, but it's still rather odd that if it is purely a concept, with no connection to an existing project at HTC, why suddenly remove it and block access to your website? Regardless of whether it's real or fake, check out the clip that was posted to Twitter, then share your thoughts below. After all, we're phone nerds and we love this sort of stuff. Personally, Sense Touch would have me believing in HTC real quick.

More cool HTC stuff here (including the tablet that launched @evleaks): https://t.co/S3WaZkeog9 Check it out before it gets pulled! pic.twitter.com/YJwmZb0Sje
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 20, 2016

Via: Danelle Vermeulen [Password Protected] | 9 to 5 Google

Search in Google Drive Just Got a Whole Lot Smarter

Tim — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 12:13:06 +0000

When currently searching for files inside of Drive, it's imperative to know what it is you are looking for. Whether it be a random .jpg or other .doc, knowing the exact name will definitely bring you the results you need. However, what if you don't know the exact name, or you want to accomplish a more broad search. With an updated search feature for Google Drive, you can do just that. Beginning now in Google Drive, users will benefit from Natural Language Processing or "NLP" for short. To put that into layman's, it's when search can better understand what you say when you speak like a human. For example, you can search, "find my budget spreadsheet from last December." The results, as you would expect, will be all spreadsheets from the month of December. It's a very straightforward addition, but one that should greatly benefit anyone who uses the search function in Drive.

Not only that, but Drive will now also help you when words are mispelled. As you would see on Google Search, Drive will now recommend words when it thinks you have misspelled something. Again, nothing groundbreaking, but helpful for users. All of these changes are appearing right now in Drive.

Via: Google

Samsung Pay V2.3 Update Adds Iris Scanning, Card Restoring

Kellen — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:22:36 +0000

Samsung Pay v2.3 is available for download on your compatible Galaxy devices. In the update, Samsung says that the mobile payment system now supports "more of your favorite gift cards" and membership cards, restores those cards when you sign back in to Samsung Pay, and supports "iris based authentication" on supported phones. There is a single phone with an iris scanner at the moment, the Galaxy Note 7, so should you find yourself in the possession of the non-exploding variety, give the iris scanning a go! To update, open Samsung Pay, hit the "More" button in the top right of the app, then "Announcements," then jump into the "What's new in 2.3" announcement to see the changelog. Once you have checked that out, tap anywhere on the announcement to load the update page. Play Link

That Blue Dot in Google Maps Now Shows Your Direction

Tim — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:13:48 +0000

In a Google Maps update that was first given to beta testers, as we've seen it for what seems like a couple of weeks now, the blue dot that indicates your location will now also indicate your direction. Not that this needs to be broken down any further, but let's break it down for all to understand. When you fire up the updated Google Maps, your little blue dot will face in the same direction as yourself. For example, if you are walking north, the blue dot will also be facing north. There's your breakdown. Google also implemented a way to see how well your device's location settings are calibrated. This is actually the cool part of the announcement. On that blue dot, the wider your beam is, the less accurate your location reading is. The narrower it is, the more accurate your location is. To help increase accuracy, users can draw a figure 8 with their device, which will help calibrate the location.

The update for all that includes this change is now available on Google Play, so don't be shy, go grab it. Play Link

Via: Google Maps

Google Just Wiped Out "Google Now" From the Google App

Kellen — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:30:22 +0000

Before you freakout at that title, understand that the idea of Google Now is very much still in the Google App, it's just that Google doesn't appear to want to refer to its services any longer as "Now." Well, at least that's what the new Google App beta is leading us to believe. Last night, Google pushed out an update to beta testers of the Google App. For the most part, we aren't seeing any major changes, but if you go into settings for the app, you won't find "Google Now" mentioned anywhere. For example, "Now cards" has been switched to "Feed" and "Now on Tap" is now known simply as "Screen search." You may recall that Google Now has been one of the most important and innovative software features that Google has ever released to mobile, so to see the brand or name of it disappear is odd, to say the least. But let's think about this for a second. If Google Now, the name, is going away, why would Google do that? My guess is that they are going to switch the focus (or at least condense it) in the very near future to Google assistant and a just a Google experience. If you have Google Now, Now on Tap, assistant, Pixel Launchers, and who knows how many other brands within brands or software names within software names, it's tough to really focus on the big picture, which is Google. It would be much simpler if Google just said, "This is a Google experience and you can do all this awesome sh*t with it, like check out a feed of automated awesomeness and do screen searches!" Maybe? Or maybe Google is just being Google. For now, though, since this is only a part of the beta, we aren't getting an announcement from Google on why they have changed the names or if they are planning to roll this out to stable. Also, you can still jump into ~~Google Now~~ your "feed" to see all of your cards or long-press your home button to get into Now on Tap. In reality, nothing has really changed outside of the names. Cards are still cards within your feed and Now on Tap works exactly the same, it's just called "Screen search." I should point out that Google App support across the web still has plenty of mentions of "Now" as well, so this name change, probably because it's only in the beta, hasn't migrated elsewhere. On a related note, the new beta offers up a shortcut to help you perform Google's new In Apps searches. We first saw this shortcut on the LG V20, but now everyone can have it if they sign-up for the Google App beta. To grab the shortcut widget, head into Google App settings, tap on "In Apps" and you will find a "ADD" shortcut button at the top of the screen. Tap that and enjoy your new shortcut. Is it just me or does it feel like Google is on the verge of making a whole bunch of major changes?

HTC Unveils Desire 10 Pro and Lifestyle, Not Yet Ready for US Market

Tim — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:01:45 +0000

The Desire 10 from HTC is now official, after what seems like weeks of teasing. There are two models of the Desire 10, just as we suspected, with launch set to take place outside of the US starting later this month. For fans of the Desire series, there is the Desire 10 Pro, as well as the Desire 10 Lifestyle. Each model is quite similar, differing in only a couple of ways. We don't yet have official pricing, but from a look at the specs, the Desire 10 Lifestyle will be the more affordable model, so let's start there. The device features a 5.5" HD Super LCD display, Snapdragon 400 processor, 2GB or 3GB of RAM (dependent on storage amount), 13MP rear-facing camera, and Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" with HTC Sense out of the box. The Desire 10 Pro, on the other hand, features a 5.5" Full HD IPS display, MediaTek Helio P10 processor, 3GB or 4GB of RAM (same dependency on storage), 20MP rear-facing camera, 3,000mAh battery, and also runs Android 6.0 at launch. As for the hardware, HTC has built these devices using inspiration from the Art Deco movement. Based on the existing HTC 10, the company claims that the Desire 10 devices are the "most brilliant" Desire phones ever. As for the colors you will find, HTC lists Stone Black, Polar White, Royal Blue and Valentine Lux. Below, check out the complete spec lists, as well as device gallery images. Once word on US launch is made available, we update you.

Specs Desire 10 Lifestyle

OS: Android 6.0 with HTC Sense
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
Display: 5.5-inch, HD (720p) Super LCD with Corning Gorilla Glass
Storage: 16GB or 32GB
RAM: 2GB or 3GB
Rear Camera: 13MP, f/2.2 aperture, 28mm focal length
Front Camera: 5MP, f/2.8 aperture, 33.7mm focal length
Sound: HTC BoomSound Hi-Fi, Hi-Res audio certified
Size: 156.9 x 76.9 x 7.7mm
Weight: 155g
SIM: Nano SIM
Battery: 2,700mAh
Other: Fast charging
LTE: Bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28

Desire 10 Pro

OS: Android 6.0 with HTC Sense
Processor: MediaTek Helio P10 quad-core 64-bit
Display: 5.5-inch, FHD (1080p) IPS with Corning Gorilla Glass
Storage: 32GB or 64GB, microSD support
RAM: 3GB or 4GB
Rear Camera: 20MP, f/2.2 aperture, 27.8mm focal length
Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.2 aperture, 27.8mm focal length
Sound: HTC BoomSound profile for headset, 3.5mm headphone jack
Size: 156.5 x 76 x 7.86mm
Weight: 165g
SIM: Nano SIM
Battery: 3,000mAh
Other: Fast charging, 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 & 5GHz) WiFi
LTE: Bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28

Gallery

Introduction Video

[responsive_vid]

Via: HTC

Verizon Pushes Battery Indicator Update to Galaxy Note 7, Also Adds Warning to Unsafe Models

Kellen — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 07:06:15 +0000

Whether you own a new, safe Galaxy Note 7 or are holding onto the bomb-in-waiting version that was recalled, Verizon has an update for you this morning as software version VRS2APHE. The update serves two purposes, really, to turn the battery indicator green if you have a safe phone or to splash warnings all over the phone should you have a potentially unsafe version. We knew this update was coming, we just didn't know that the update would place a warning on older phones, reminding their owners that they had a ticking time bomb in their jean pocket. Should you receive the update and already have a brand new, safe phone (stock expected "no later" than September 21), you will now see green battery indicators in the status bar, on the Always On display, and in the power menu as you attempt to turn the phone off. Should you receive the update on the recalled Galaxy Note 7, you will now be welcomed by a "Safety Recall Notice" every time you reboot your phone or plug it in to charge. A reader of ours also mentions that he was able to charge past 60%, despite reports suggesting that Samsung may limit charges.

To check for the update, which should be live now, head into Settings>System updates.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Ryan, Paul, and JustinV!

Google Just Confirmed October 4 Launch of the Pixel Phones (UPDATED)

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 17:38:23 +0000

Here it comes! The official unveiling for Google's new Pixel phones has a date! Google just posted this somewhat cryptic video to their YouTube channel with an October 4 mention and a Google Search box morphing into the shape of a phone. Yeah, this is the October 4 date that we first reported over a month ago. UPDATE: On Twitter, Google is also using the hashtag #madebygoogle as if we don't know that HTC built these phones for them. But hey, who are we to point out facts. UPDATE 2: This new "madeby.google.com" site is live as well. UPDATE 3: And the official Nexus account is giddy. Hmmm. https://twitter.com/googlenexus/status/778031948367171584 UPDATE 4: As you probably guessed, the event will be live streamed to all. We now have confirmation that it begins at 9AM Pacific on October 4.

Cheers Matthew and Robert!

Hey, There: Pixel and Pixel XL in White Pose for the Camera

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 15:42:53 +0000

If Google really is about to announce the Pixel and Pixel XL on October 4, expect days like today to become commonplace. I'm talking about the amount of leaks, of course. Shortly after talking about potential Pixel pricing and carrier availability, two new photos have appeared and show both phones both front and back. At this rate, October 4 might be pretty damn boring. So what do we have here? Well, above we have the Pixel XL on the left and the regular Pixel on the right. They are both white and silver with fingerprint sensors situated in the middle of some sort of glass or plastic plate that has been rumored previously. The rest of the body is metallic and looks identical to HTC-made iPhone knockoffs of the past. Funny, because HTC made these phones. On the fronts of each phone (below), we are seeing lots of bezel, more bezel, and then a sensor or two in the middle of more bezel. $650 worth of bezel, to be exact. Oh, and a boot animation that was found in the leaked "sailfish" dump that has been floating around for months. Fun.

Via: Android Police

Assuming Google Ties the Pixel Phones to Verizon, I'd Assume Higher Prices Too

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 15:18:58 +0000

The sample size is small, but each time that Verizon has carried any of Google's phones, the price hasn't been one of the selling points. Should Verizon once again get the opportunity to sell Google's phones this year - the Pixel and Pixel XL - I hope you aren't expecting anything less than top tier pricing in the range of an iPhone or Galaxy S. Earlier today, we first floated the idea on Twitter that Verizon may get a carrier exclusive on the Pixel phone (we aren't sure about the XL; also we are fully expecting unlocked sales through the Google Store) here in the US. Yes, the idea arrived from a reliable source and is already being backed up by the folks at Android Police (here too). They are also under the impression that the Pixel phone (the smaller "sailfish") will start at around $649 off contract, though you should expect financing to be available. You should not be shocked by that news. If you take a step back through time, this is the type of pricing that accompanies a Google phone launch with Big Red. Take for example the Galaxy Nexus, the first Nexus to sell through Verizon. It was priced at $299 on-contract, which was quite high for the time, and somewhere around $650 without one. It's brother, the unlocked Galaxy Nexus (the non-LTE version) started at $399 and quickly dropped to $349. Sure, it lacked the LTE radio of the Verizon variant, but are we really buying into even the earliest LTE radios adding $300 in value to a phone or do with think this was a carrier-influenced decision? The other example we have of Verizon selling a Google phone came two years ago with the Nexus 6. While a whale, the phone was a typical Nexus with solid specs, yet it wiped out a couple of years worth of value-driven pricing for Nexus phones, thanks to a starting price of $649. Now, Google also sold the phone unlocked through a handful of other channels, but unlike the Galaxy Nexus, the price didn't adjust from one outlet to the next. That $649 price stuck everywhere. In case you were curious, in non-Verizon years, we have seen Nexus phones start at $529 (Nexus S, 2010), $299 (Nexus 4, 2012), $349 (Nexus 5, 2013), $379 (Nexus 5X, 2015), and $499 (Nexus 6P, 2015). Up until last year, Google always pushed a single phone and they often came in at budget-friendly prices when there wasn't a heavy carry influence. Then last year, they introduced both a budget phone and a premium tier, yet the premium tier fell in at just $499. Why is it that we see the pricing change so much when a carrier, especially Verizon, gets involved? We'll probably never know the answer to that, because no one in the know will ever divulge such information, but I think we all have our assumptions there. Carriers still run the US smartphone industry and if you aren't a major player in smartphone hardware, you probably aren't going to make many calls. Just look at AT&T completely passing on the HTC 10. Unless you are Samsung or Apple, you probably don't have much power. So look, I think there is one scenario that we can all hope plays out, along with another that is probably the more likely. The one we all want is for Verizon to do whatever they want to do (price-wise) with this reported carrier exclusivity, while Google does its own usual thing on the Google Store with unlocked models (meaning: value-minded pricing). The more likely option, which none of us want to see but should prepare for, is for higher $649-ish pricing to move from carrier to unlocked. Thankfully, nothing is official yet and everything reported today can change. Will it? Heh.

OnePlus 3 Getting "Sizeable" OxygenOS 3.2.6 Update

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 14:24:47 +0000

OnePlus 3 owners should be on the lookout for an update this week to OxygenOS 3.2.6 that OnePlus is calling "sizeable." What's in it? Call quality fixes, camera and Bluetooth improvements, better brightness performance, and tweaks to things like battery consumption, touch accuracy, and how the phone handles 3rd party ringtones. The full list of changes is below. Be on the lookout for that update by heading into Settings>About phone>System updates. Highlights:

Optimized voice call quality of some IM applications.
Improved adaptive brightness performance
Improved camera quality
- Fixed occasional green/yellow issue
- Optimized white balance
- Improved 1080p video recording
Addressed some bluetooth connection problems for vehicles
Allows third party application to modify ringtone
Optimized battery consumption when scrolling
Optimized touch accuracy when playing games
Added DozeMode switch in Developer options
Added PocketMode switch in Display settings

Via: OnePlus

Google Photos Gets Faster Sharing, More Creative Automated Movies

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:12:39 +0000

An update is rolling out today to Google Photos on all platforms, one that will make it even easier to share photos with friends and put together more creative automated movies. In the new update, which you will see in the video above, Google has turned the sharing functionality into a people-sharer, instead of an app-sharer. That make sense? In other words, instead of tapping the share button and then choosing apps to share through, you now get to choose people to share photos with. Google says they will then "take care of the rest," which would mean Google deciding how to share with those people, be it though a phone number, email, or something else. As far as the new movies feature goes, Google has created this new "concepts" idea where they are not only going to make automated fluffy videos that are highlights of trips or days, they want to take them a step further by getting truly "creative." One example of a concept video that rolls out today is a video showing your child growing up by compiling images or clips of your child through the years. Google also says that there are concepts for commemorating the "good times from this summer" and "formal events like weddings." Again, the update starts rolling out today. Play Link [responsive_vid]

Via: Google Blog

Galaxy Note 7 Sales Could Start Back Up on October 21

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:33:22 +0000

Even though Samsung said that new Galaxy Note 7 stock would be available "no later" than September 21 for those looking to exchange unsafe Note 7s or seek a replacement, they have yet to say when general sales of the phone will resume. According to Venturebeat, October 21 may be the day. If true, that would be a full month from replacement stock arriving to when the phone can actually be purchased. That's also a full two months since the phone first launched in stores before being recalled and more than a month since the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus arrived. While the logistics and time constraints around a global recall and then re-production of millions of phones has got to be a daunting task, you have to wonder how Samsung is going to ever turn the Note 7 into the success it was on track for. The phone received mostly glowing reviews across the board when media first spent quality time with it. We're big fans of it, as you could probably tell after reading our review. But two months is a really long time in the smartphone industry, especially with new iPhones already available and Google's new Pixel phones coming alongside LG's new V20 handset. That's not me suggesting that the Note 7 is inferior to any of those phones, but people tend to have short attention spans in this space and may jump on what's shinier and newer before Samsung can ever get its second-half flagship back in the spotlight. On the flip side, if you were going to re-launch a phone, late October isn't exactly a terrible time. Samsung will still get in before Black Friday and the rest of the holiday shopping season. They just better have a hell of a campaign planned.

Via: Venturebeat

Awesome: Twitter's 140 Character Limit No Longer Counts Photos, Videos, GIFs, Polls or Quote Tweets

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:06:47 +0000

Twitter didn't abandon their 140-character limit for tweets today, but they did make it much easier for you to get your message across while tweeting and sharing other things. Starting today, photos, videos, GIFs, polls, and quote tweets no longer count towards the 140 character limit within a tweet. Yay! https://twitter.com/twitter/status/777915304261193728

Unlocked Moto Z and Moto Z Play Up for Pre-Order at Best Buy and Amazon

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:39:22 +0000

The unlocked Moto Z and Moto Z Play are now available for pre-order in the US at both Best Buy and Amazon. Motorola told us to expect them in October and that's what each pre-order is telling us. The Moto Z is showing a release date of October 2, while the Moto Z Play will release on October 20. As expected, the Moto Z is priced at $699 and the Z Play will retail for $449. Those prices are higher than what Verizon is selling their models for and we aren't exactly sure why that is. After all, these phones will only work on GSM networks (AT&T and T-Mobile). This just screams of a Verizon influence over two phones they initially had the exclusive on. I would just ask Moto this - do you want to sell volume phones ever again? Should you buy either? If you are interested in the Moto Mods, sure. For me, the Moto Z Play is probably my favorite of the two. I've been testing one for the last several days and it offers the clean Moto approach to Android that we love, Moto Mods action, a decent camera, and the best battery life I have ever seen in a phone. That's not an exaggeration. We're talking 2-day battery life and that's in my Verizon Black Hole of Signal Death. Go look at these screenshots from my first charge. If you want to know more about the Moto Z, you can find our review here. Moto Z Links ($699): Best Buy | Amazon Moto Z Play Links ($449): Best Buy | Amazon

Cheers Dave!

Google Trips Leaves Small Test Group, Available Now for All

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:21:02 +0000

Back in April, Google invited their Local Guides, the group of Google users who take reviewing and exploring of their cities very seriously, to test an app called Google Trips. Today, Google Trips is out of that small test group and available to everyone who has a trip on the horizon. The idea behind Google Trips is to help users easily manage the trips they plan by automatically bundling and organizing info together, but also by introducing attractions and things to do while on trips. Trip bundles can even be saved offline, should you be in an area or country that isn't exactly killing it in the connectivity department. If you are a user of Google's Inbox, you'll sort of understand how Trips works. As email confirmations about your trips arrive (flight, hotel, ticket confirmations, restaurant reservations, etc.) to your Gmail address, Trips attempts to bundle them all together as a "trip." Those bundles, once entered, show you tabs for your reservations, other things to do, day plans, places you have already saved, and food & drink options.

The screenshots above give you a great representation of how this all works, including shots of the map that will help you find stuff that's close to you or where you are staying, should you be in a large city and not want to travel far. One of the coolest features seems to be the "Day Plans," because they appear to be curated day trips that locals have likely put together to help you get the most out of a city. For example, Portland trips will show you "Rainy Day Portland" options because it'll probably be raining when you get here, or "Portland with kids" for those traveling with the fam. Google says that the top 200 cities in the world should have similar offerings. The app is free for everyone on Android and iOS, but does of course require access to your Gmail account. Give it a shot! Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Via: Google Blog

How to Tell if Your New Galaxy Note 7 is Safe

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:00:49 +0000

New Galaxy Note 7 stock, without the exploding battery feature, will arrive no later than September 21, according to Samsung. Because Samsung attached that "no later than" part to their re-stock announcement last week, there is a good chance that your carrier or retailer of choice already has exchange devices available. And because they do, that also means you might have a new Note 7 to pickup (at least one of our readers picked one up Saturday) and are probably wondering how you can tell if this new Note 7 in your pocket is safe or not. Samsung provided official details on all of that this morning. Like we reported on Friday, Samsung will indeed make the battery indicator on new phones green to show that you are using a Note 7 that is from the new safe wave. They will use the new green indicator in three places: 1) Status Bar; 2) Always On Display screen; and 3) Power Off prompt screen. There will be green sh*t all over your phone, folks. This new green indicator won't necessarily be there out of the box, though. Over the weekend, we Tweeted this photo, which shows a new Note 7 with the original white battery indicator. We questioned the lack of greenness at the time, but Samsung is now saying that a software update will change the indicator to the new green tint. That seems...well, not the best approach. How many people won't install an update to change it? How many non-nerds who are scared of technology avoid software updates? Either way, your phone won't have a green indicator out of the box and instead will need a software update to make it so.

If your battery indicator is not green, you do have two other ways to check. For one, the you can look on the bottom of your new Note 7's box. You should have a black box in the top right corner on the bottom label. Below, you'll see Samsung's example and how it looks on a real box.

And finally, if you don't have a box, you can always use Samsung's IMEI checker. You can visit their site and use the checker or you can also jump into the Samsung+ app, as it also has the checker. Everyone able to pick up new Note 7s and verify that they are the new batch?

Via: Samsung

Cheers Michael!

Many People are Saying That Google's Allo is Coming This Week

Kellen — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 07:23:40 +0000

With the last day of summer approaching quickly, Google's promise to release Allo within the "Summer" is running out of hours. According to Evan Blass (and some dude on Google+), Google may just sneak it in this week, possibly on September 21, as they hangout in France's Montélimar, a city known for Nougat. That's really all we know at this time, but that's OK since we all know what Allo is. After an unveiling at Google I/O back in May, we have worn our nails down from all the impatient tapping that has gone on as the summer has. We want Allo! Why? I don't know. We have 863 messaging apps already, but now that Hangouts has been shoved into the copier room of the business office, we are ready for something new and fresh. We want Google built into our conversations, I think. We want fun stickers! Right? We want...our phone number attached to Google! Wait. Ummm, we just want an app that isn't Hangouts. Yeah, that's it. OK, set alarms for Wednesday, September 21 at 10AMish.

Via: @evleaks [2] | +Vinoth Ragunathan

Pixel Launcher(s)

Kellen — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 17:25:08 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're recapping the past week of topics, which includes new news on the Galaxy Note 7 recall. We now know when new stock is arriving, how you can check your phone to see if it might explode, and how many reports of explosions there were. We even got an uncomfortable apology from the company on video. Along with Note 7 stuff, we'll share thoughts on the Pixel Launcher, Moto's new iPhone campaign, why we don't have any new Android Wear watches from the typical players, and more! Join us at 11:00AM Pacific (2:00PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: September 16, 2016

Tim — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 15:39:50 +0000

Another week in the books at Droid Life. When we look back at this past week years from now, what will we remember most? Most likely, we will recall Samsung making the Galaxy Note 7 recall completely official, urging all owners to "power down and exchange immediately." Oh yes, good times for Samsung. On top of the Note 7 recall drama, Google apparently renamed the Nexus Launcher to Pixel Launcher (which we checked out in a video), Motorola attempted to trick a few Apple fans into thinking Apple is still awesome, and we learned that Moto, LG, and Huawei won't be bringing any new Android Wear devices to market this year. Catch this week's greatest stories below.

WATCH: Droid Life Show Episode 120 | Subscribe
Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 42 Answers.
Video: Pixel Launcher first look and tour.
Galaxy Note 7 is really, really being recalled.
Here's how you'll know if your new Note 7 is safe to use.
Moto: Motorola kicks off a very interesting marketing campaign.
Google Maps is showing speed limits while navigating.
Pixel Launcher: You can download the Pixel Launcher right now.
Nova Launcher beta got a Pixel Launcher-esque update.
Android Wear: Don't expect watches from Moto, LG, or Huawei this year.
SwiftKey launched its Neural Network-powered keyboard.
Google Cast: You can join the Google Cast Preview Program right now.
Android's distribution numbers were updated, Kit Kat still bigger than Marshmallow.
Samsung America issues formal apology video concerning Note 7 recall.

Have a great weekend, folks!

President & COO of Samsung America Issues Formal Apology Video

Tim — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 15:16:01 +0000

I have to say, Samsung has been completely upfront about this Galaxy Note 7 recall. They don't appear to be hiding anything, and seem genuinely concerned with the safety of its customers. For that, let's give them a light golf clap. After all, this is what we as consumers expect from companies, right? Today, Samsung America is back again, this time publishing an apology video from the company's President and COO, Tim Baxter. In the video, Mr. Baxter addresses the issue, states that it has been resolved, and that new Galaxy Note 7 units are completely safe to use. Well, that's good to know considering folks are anxiously awaiting replacement devices. Props, Samsung, you have handled this drama with much class.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Samsung

Google is Testing an App Download Queue Feature for Google Play

Tim — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 14:51:35 +0000

According to screenshots posted online from Android Police, at least one person is seeing a new beta feature from Google Play. The feature in testing is aimed specifically at those who download apps while on the go, something many of us probably do. Typically, you wouldn't want to do any heavy downloading while you are mobile, as that data would count against your monthly limit. With this beta feature, you can add the app download to a queue that will automatically begin once your device is connected to WiFi. For example, if I'm out and about snapping pictures, but realize I don't have Instagram installed, I can add it to the queue to be downloaded as soon as I return home. Essentially, this feature is Google's way of saving you from downloading large files that will count against your data limit. As a data conscious user, I can appreciate this. Currently, there's no official word from Google when or if this feature will see more of a wide test phase. However, I do hope to see it roll out to everyone, as it could be very useful for some of us.

Via: Android Police

Friday App Sales: LIMBO, This War of Mine, Leo's Fortune, and More

Tim — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 13:20:19 +0000

In need of some new apps or games to keep you busy this weekend? Don't fret, I have your back. Currently on Google Play, folks can grab a ton of awesome games at discounted prices. This week, you can find Lara Croft GO for just $1, GTA: Vice City for $2, or even GTA: Liberty City Stories for $2. Other games listed as on sale include Metal Slug 3, This Ware of Mine, LIMBO, Leo's Fortune, and a couple Goat Simulator titles. All of the aforementioned titles are very popular, so if you have never given them a go, now would be a good time to do so. Have at it. Friday App Sales

Wipeout ($0.99)
Bridge Construction Stunts ($0.99)
LIMBO ($0.99)
WeatherPro ($1.99)
Farming Simulator 16 ($1.99)
The King of Fighters '98 ($0.99)
Metal Slug 3 ($0.99)
Mr Jack Pocket ($3.99)
This War of Mine ($3.99)
The Dark Knight Rises ($1.99)
Leo's Fortune ($1.99)
Goat Simulator MMO ($1.99)
Goat Simulator Waste of Space ($1.99)
Max Payne Mobile ($0.99)
GTA: Liberty Stories ($1.99)
GTA: Vice City ($1.99)
Lara Croft GO ($0.99)

Go support those devs!

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 42 Answers

Tim — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:17:04 +0000

Whoa, we received a ton of questions for Volume 42 of the Droid Life Q&A Sessions, so much so that I will likely take some of your questions and throw them into Volume 43. Seriously, thank you all for the great questions. As for which questions we field below, we discuss which company has us the most disappointed in 2016, our thoughts on today's Android vs. iPhone rivalry, if we ever get mobbed by fanboys in public, and how the Galaxy Note 7 recall will affect the launch of the Galaxy S8. Let's get right into it. Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim.

Whether hardware or software-related, which Android manufacturer has disappointed you the most in 2016?

K: LG. The G5 was supposed to be their first metal phone and modular. The metal felt like cheap plastic and the modular thing didn't work out. Let's also not forget about their poorly designed double camera hump thingy on the back of the phone. They refined on that design a bit with the V20, but the V20 is now just another boring metal slab that ditched its uniqueness from the V10. T: Has to be LG for me. I had high expectations for the G5, but their idea of modularity turned me off completely. It's not helpful, nor are any of the "friends" all that helpful. Furthermore, their software experience appears to be getting worse, which I didn't think would be possible. LG, it's time to take Samsung's route and completely gut and rebuild your software. Fingers crossed for 2017.

Why should people continue to choose Android over iPhone today?

K: Well, I have always felt the answer was "choice" and still is. Android comes in a lot of flavors and through various visions. Everyone should be able to find something they like in Android. With Apple, you know what you are going to get and it doesn't ever really change much. I still think, too, that Android is more open to user control and to power users. It's also become a much better platform in many ways with great polishing in recent years and with companies like Samsung pushing boundaries that Apple can't seem to catch up to. T: Well, as an Android fan, it's hard to compete with an ecosystem that's voted 10/10, am I right? LOL. On a serious note, the way I explain it to people in my life, is the ecosystem. Which services do you want to invest in? Do you prefer iTunes over Google Music? Do you want access to Drive, Photos, and other various platforms on a native level? For me, it'd be nearly impossible to make a complete switch at this point, as I'm so invested with app, music, and movie purchases on Google Play. It'd be a waste of money to switch. If someone was trying to choose, though, I would ask, "Which OS can you see yourself growing old with?" It's basically a marriage.

What did you guys do before working on Droid Life?

K: Database management in healthcare. It wasn't the worst job, but man was it boring. It did afford me the opportunity to work from home 2 days a week and that's exactly where I found the secret time to start this website. Thank you, healthcare job. T: Before DL, I worked for a university in San Francisco, and also did music full time. My days were long and nights were longer, but it was a blast. While I miss playing music, I don't miss my regular desk job. My previous bosses were total jerks, but I hope they're doing well.

Tim and retired Verizon CEO Dan Mead

Do you guys get mob out in public by fanboys of DL?

K: Hah, no. Here and there we'll meet DL readers and it's always awesome. In fact, I just made a trip back to my home town of Whitefish, MT, took a ride up Big Mountain to the top for a beer, and ran into a guy who was a reader and DL Show watcher. Pretty cool. T: Only recently have I actually been stopped on the street by a self proclaimed "fan." That was awesome. Previously, we have met readers before at events, but it's always very chill. It's never a Bieber-like scenario with girls throwing their panties at us or something like that.

Are you more excited for the smaller (Sailfish) or larger (Marlin) of the Pixel devices?

K: Smaller (sailfish) for sure. I'm over giant phones. As good as many of them are, I just want phones that can be used with one hand. When I go back to Nexus devices these days, it's always the Nexus 5X and not the 6P. T: Oh, I gotta go Marlin. I have been pretty much tagged as the dude who reviews the larger phones at DL, and that's fine. Last year's Nexus 6P was definitely the better of the two, so here's hoping for that same luck in 2016. Regardless of which is better, I definitely lean more towards larger displays so I can watch videos pleasantly and read without squinting too hard.

Would you guys consider the wearables market to be all but dead at this point?

K: Not at all. Fitness tracking is still a really big deal. Fitbit is still killing it, as is Misfit, Garmin, etc. Even Fossil seems to be doubling down on their efforts. I don't think smartwatches have been a runaway success by any measure, but wearables in general certainly have their place. T: While the fitness section of the wearable industry seems just fine, I'd argue that "smartwatches," the ones that are dedicated to reading texts and taking calls, are dying. I mean, I never see those things out in public, and I myself have stopped wearing them. It's just not worth the extra thing to charge at night. However, it's possible that we could see a resurgence once/if Moto and Huawei create new watches. On the other side, Apple Watches will continue to sell, but I don't really care about their market.

Do you think the Pixel line will worsen fragmentation in Android OS?

K: Nope, but it won't improve it either. Remember, Pixel is just the new Nexus. Nexus never hurt anything, but didn't improve it. A name change that is backed by the same approach of Nexus is just that, a name change. T: These days, what won't worsen fragmentation? We keep thinking Google is going to tighten its grip on Android, but that's never going to happen at this point, not while it's open source. As long as OEMs are free to do whatever they want, fragmentation will always be an Android thing. You know what you, as a consumer, can do to combat this vicious cycle? Stop buying phones from OEMs that don't push updates in a timely manner to users. This includes pretty much all manufacturers, so I guess you're left with just Google, but that's fine. #PixelMasterRace

Do you think the global recall will force Samsung to move up release plans for the Galaxy S8?

K: Every year we see reports of Samsung moving up the launch of the next Galaxy S phone and every year it never happens. Trust me, in two months, you'll hear rumors of it showing up at CES and then it won't. Samsung likes its timing (late February), I'd imagine, since it has sold millions upon millions of Galaxy S7 devices and is back to being king. The Note 7 recall will hurt temporarily, but I don't think it's reason to move up your next big phone. T: Samsung pushed its Galaxy S7 launch up earlier this year, so the Galaxy S8 is really just a few months away if you think about it. I don't know if they will push the S8 to counteract the losses from the Note 7, but I suppose that's possible. As of right now, I haven't heard any murmurings out of Korea claiming such a thing, but will certainly keep my ear to the ground. I got big hopes for the S8 next year.

If the Nexus era is dead, what was your favorite part of it? A specific year or device?

K: In all honesty, the Nexus program has been pretty bad every year except for last year. The Nexus One launch was a massive failure. The Nexus S was so limited that few cared. The Galaxy Nexus was even worse of a launch than the One, but also was a pretty bad phone with horrible battery life and carrier interference. The Nexus 4 backtracked off LTE. The Nexus 5 was decent, but the Nexus 6 was an overpriced and oversized whale that no one wanted. The 5X and 6P are both solid phones, but come on, that's a lot of years of not much good. Oh, my favorite part would probably be...the Nexus 4 design. Sure. T: There always seems to be something missing from Nexus devices, like a specific feature that people cry about, but with hindsight, we can see that most Nexus phones were just fine. As for which time would be my favorite over the course of the entire era, I'd have to go with the Nexus 5 timeline. LTE was back, the design was funky, the in-hand feel was incredible. And Kit Kat kicked so much ass. Those were good times indeed.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

K: Beer, burgers, running, sneakers, and as much time with my family as possible. T: I shall attempt to keep it absolutely 100 right now. I play a crap ton of Call of Duty (SnD only), been doing that for quite a few years now. Pretty much every day after work, I am still online playing CoD, pwning newbs with much prejudice. If I'm not playing CoD, I am playing guitar while watching crap TV shows, walking my dogs, listening to the heaviest metal I can find to unwind from the stress that is Android blogging, or eating a hamburger/steak. Another hobby of mine is attempting to write funny tweets, then instantly realizing they aren't funny and wishing I could just delete them. I end up not deleting because I think about the one person who saw the tweet, then saw me delete it, and he is a very judging individual. Stop judging me and what I do on Twitter, you!

To see our previous Q&A Sessions, look here.

DEAL: Fossil Q Founder Android Wear Watch is Just $191.75 if You Order Through Alexa ($103.25 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 09:54:34 +0000

If you own an Amazon Alexa-equipped device, like an Echo or the new Echo Dot, and have been eyeing an Android Wear watch like the Fossil Q Founder, today is your day. Amazon is hosting a daily deal for the $295 Q Founder with a stainless steel bracelet where you can buy one through Alexa for 35% off. At 35% off, you can have one shipped to you for just $191.75. That's a $103.25 discount. To get the deal, you just say to Alexa, "Hey, Alexa, buy the Fossil Q Founder stainless steel smartwatch." She will then take you through the steps and confirm which version you want and if you want to buy it. As a recap, the Q Founder has a 47mm case and is 13mm thick, has 1.5-inch circular LCD display (360x326 ppi), Intel Atom processor, 400mAh battery, 4GB storage, WiFi, IP67 rating, and supports 22mm watch bands. By all means, it should be a quality smartwatch. Amazon Link

FYI: Safe Galaxy Note 7 Devices Will Have Green Battery Indicator Instead of White

Kellen — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 08:55:43 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, Samsung and the CPSC announced new details for the Galaxy Note 7 recall, making it much more official, but also providing an IMEI checker to see if your phone was at risk and a date for when customers can expect new, safe Note 7s. If an IMEI checker sounds like a pain, you should also know that in new Note 7s, Samsung will change the battery indicator to green to let you know that it is from the new batch, according to ZDNet. We haven't seen this on a live, safe model yet, but once we do, we'll do our best to share what that looks like. With that said, I think it's going to be pretty obvious - white = bad, green = good. NOTE: To clarify, this is the "battery indicator at the top right corner of the home screen will now be green instead of white," according to ZDNet. That would be the battery meter/indicator up by the clock, WiFi or LTE symbols, etc. OK, move along.

Via: ZDNet

#TBT: When Motorola Asked for XOOM Tablets Back so They Could Install LTE

Tim — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:42:08 +0000

On the DL Show last Friday, we were briefly discussing past recalls that have happened in the smartphone industry. In the YouTube chat, someone brought up Motorola having a possible recall of a tablet back in the day, and that's when we were reminded of this tasty gem. You see, this was not a recall, but was Motorola politely asking for XOOM tablets to be returned so the company could install 4G LTE connectivity. Why would they need to do this? When this was taking place, the tablets were being sold without LTE support, a feature that Motorola said would come at a later date. In order to get LTE support, you had ship back your XOOM tablet, wait about a week, then Motorola would send your tablet back with the LTE connectivity. Sounds like a pain in the butt, right? Well, it sorta was. While the process was completely free of charge, the upgrades weren't taking place until months after folks already owned their XOOM tablets. When the program was first announced and reported by us, Motorola claimed upgrades wouldn't take place until 90 days following launch. That's quite a bit of time to spend on a tablet that doesn't have LTE, a feature many were excited about. Anyway, the below comment sums up the XOOM launch pretty well. Did you have to deal with this back in 2011?

Terra Collection Brings You More of Those Google-Esque Satellite Wallpapers

Kellen — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:04:24 +0000

In recent years, Google has really stepped up its wallpaper game on Nexus devices with the use of satellite imagery. The images are both beautiful and interesting, but if you don't own a Nexus, miss out when we post them up for download, or simply need more of them in your life, consider taking a look at Terra Collection, a free wallpaper pack filled with even more satellite stunners. In Terra Collection, you'll find dozens of wallpapers, most of which are of the satellite variety. The collection also includes Google's most recent Nexus wallpaper releases, as well as some from OSX and iOS too, in case you want those. The app is free to use for as long as you want, but if you want some extra features (like a dark mode, storage location adjusting, wallpaper randomizer, and zero ads) you can pay $0.99. The UI is clean, easy to navigate around, lets you favorite walls, quickly apply them, adjust crop before applying, and even download them, a key feature for Samsung phone owners who want to set lock screen wallpapers. Feel free to give it a look! Also, many of our screenshots going forward will likely feature wallpapers from this pack, so if someone asks, direct them back here. Play Link

Official Galaxy Note 7 Recall With CPSC Kicks Off: IMEI Checker and Number of Incidents Released, New Stock Expected by September 21

Kellen — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 13:42:08 +0000

As Galaxy Note 7 devices began to explode on customers a couple of weeks back, Samsung attempted to get out in front of the problem before it became a huge problem by issuing a voluntary recall and exchange program. But as the number of reports of exploding phones began to pick up, agencies like the FAA issued warnings for use during flights and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) considered getting involved. Today, the CPSC is officially involved and working with Samsung on the recall. We also now know when Samsung plans to have the phone back on shelves. According to the CPSC, about 1 million Galaxy Note 7 phones are being recalled as potentially dangerous. The recall involves all Note 7 devices sold before September 15 (today) in all colors and from all carriers, like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and US Cellular. Units sold from retailers like Best Buy are also being recalled. In recent weeks, since the phone first launched and was sold to customers, Samsung has received 92 reports of batteries overheating in the US alone. Of those 92, 26 were reports of burns caused by exploding batteries, while another 55 were reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage. Again, those are only reports in the US, so you can imagine how many there could be globally. If you are worried about your phone or a phone you bought from a reseller or on eBay, you can check your IMEI or serial number at Samsung's site. Instructions and the checker can be found here. When can you expect to see a new Galaxy Note 7 without an exploding battery in your hand? Samsung's recall site claims that September 21 is the date. Well, your carrier or retailer should have them "no later than" September 21. For more information the entire situation, including information on who you can call to get the exchange lined up, hit up the links below.

Via: Samsung | CPSC

Motorola Tricks iPhone Loyalists Into Thinking Apple Still Innovates

Tim — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 12:23:48 +0000

Motorola has launched a new campaign, asking consumers to "Skip the Sevens." Basically, Motorola has taken a page out of Jimmy Kimmel's playbook, luring what appear to be clueless Apple loyalists into a room, asking them what they think of the newly-announced iPhone 7 devices. Once they explain that they are not all that impressed by what Apple has announced, Moto shows off what upcoming prototype iPhone devices are capable of. The thing is, these prototype iPhones are not iPhones at all, and instead, is the Moto Z smartphone. Do you see where this is going? Now, with these poor souls thinking they are looking at prototype iPhones, Motorola demoes the magic of Moto Mods. They show off the projector, SoundBoost speaker, as well as the battery pack. Naturally, these folks think Apple is soon to bring big time innovation to the market, genuinely looking impressed with what they have been shown. This is when the sad part kicks in. At last, Motorola explains that they have been duped, and these aren't iPhones - they're the Moto Z. I won't say the people come away mad, because they even say they may end up buying a Moto Z, but do we really think that's possible? These folks have apparently gone a few months not knowing what a Moto Z is, and are we to believe that seeing Moto Mods in action is enough to make them switch from iOS? It's possible, I suppose. Regardless of what happens, the campaign is pretty funny. Watch the video above, then share your take below.

Via: Motorola

Pavilion, a 'Fourth Person' Puzzle Adventure Game, Available Now for NVIDIA SHIELD

Tim — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 11:03:31 +0000

A new game for SHIELD owners (both SHIELD TV and Tablet), is now available on Google Play. Called Pavilion, it is described as a fourth person puzzle adventure game. Interestingly, once the game boots, there are no tutorials or instructions. You, as the player, must explore and figure everything out for yourself. The overall layout is a dreamy fantasy world, complete with loads of challenging puzzles for you to solve. As you continue on your journey, the developers hope that you will begin to understand the world in which you have been placed. As explained in the app's description, the game is, "fully realized in beautiful hand-crafted 2D art and dreamy ambient music that makes for an unforgettable audio-visual experience." Priced at $9.99, it's live right now. As for who can play it, the supported list of devices is very short. If you own a SHIELD Android TV or SHIELD Tablet, you can play it. Everyone else? Too bad. Play Link ($9.99)

[responsive_vid]

Google Publishes Duo Commercials Instead of Releasing Allo

Tim — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 09:58:18 +0000

Google has posted five 30-second spots for Duo up on YouTube, time and money that could have gone towards getting Allo into the hands of users. Wow, am I that bitter? Anyway, the commercials feature classic partnerships, such as coffee and cream, peanut butter and jelly, toothbrush and toothpaste, plus salt and pepper. These are apparently all items you could picture having a video chat with each other. I am typically a big fan of Google's marketing team, but these commercials don't excite me one bit. Since launch, I haven't opened Duo a single time. It's possible that I'm simply not a video chat kind of person, but what about you? Have you been using Duo? Check out all five of the spots below.

Peanut Butter and Jelly [responsive_vid] Salt and Pepper [responsive_vid vid_url="10PyZJiGtQg"] Toothbrush and Toothpaste [responsive_vid vid_url="lrXKUD-Rhv0"] Coffee and Cream [responsive_vid vid_url="dhCCr7EU3ng"] Socks [responsive_vid vid_url="ytb4jKuUYf0"]

Nova Launcher Beta Update Includes Pixel Launcher Setup

Kellen — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 09:12:17 +0000

Following in the footsteps of Action Launcher 3, Nova Launcher Beta has now been updated to bring that Pixel Launcher flavor as well. That means you get an app drawer that can be swiped into, an arrow indicator to remind you to swipe, transparent tinting of the dock area, proper Pixel folder icons, and the new Google Search pill with calendar. I've got it all setup in the image above, but Kevin Barry (Nova Launcher creator) offers up the following instructions to get you into a similar look. Oh, I added a final step to get your folders looking just right as well. Pixel Launcher setup:

Drawer > Swipe to open
Drawer > Card Background > Off
Drawer > Background Color > White
Desktop > Indicators > Page Indicator > Line
Desktop > Indicators > Swipe to drawer indicator
Dock > Background > Rectangle, White, Transparent, behind navbar
Folder > Folder Background > N Preview

As for the rest of the update, the full changelog is below. This beta includes a new search view, "timeout" screen lock option, "double-tap-swipe" gestures, an integrated search bar in the drawer, and more. So yep, it's much more than just the Pixel Launcher update. WHAT'S NEW

5.0-beta1 Sept 15
Swipe to open drawer (a la Pixel Launcher)
New Pixel Launcher style searchbar
New search view, with tabs for Frequent, Recent ad New/Updated apps
New "Timeout" screen lock method
New double-tap-swipe gestures
Integrated searchbar into drawer (card and immersive)
Option for dock backgrounds to draw under navbar
Nougat fixes and optimizations
Improve interactions with KLWP

To grab the latest beta, be sure you have opted-in at the Play link below. Play Link

SwiftKey Neural Network-Powered Keyboard Now Available on Android

Tim — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 09:00:08 +0000

Last year in October, SwiftKey unveiled an alpha build for the world's first keyboard powered by a neural network. Since then, big things have been happening at SwiftKey, namely the company being acquired by Microsoft. Possibly topping that news, SwiftKey has publicly launched the world's first mobile keyboard powered by a neural network. No more alpha or beta builds, this is the real deal. With the implementation of this artificial neural network, users can expect superior text predictions while sending messages. Essentially, the keyboard becomes more intelligent, understanding context, allowing it to supply more accurate predictions and auto correction. This is done by the keyboard now understanding word similarity, analyzing longer sentence context, and recognizing complex word relationships. On the user side of things, not much will change, with the exception of seeing better text prediction. Is that awesome? Absolutely, but I don't believe the way you use your mobile keyboard is going to change drastically. However, with the better predictions, it's possible that you will be typing less if SwiftKey is automatically generating the words for you in the suggestion bar. The update is available today on Google Play. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Via: SwiftKey

Verizon Adds Moto G Play to Prepaid Lineup for Just $85

Kellen — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 08:15:35 +0000

Verizon's newest prepaid offering is the Moto G Play (or is it Moto G4 Play or Moto G Play DROID?), a low-end prepaid device that costs just $85 at the moment. This phone was first announced back in May with the Moto G4, but was always the bottom tier of the line and not expected to make waves when/if it did arrive here. To recap, the Moto G Play features a 5-inch HD (720p) display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage with SD card support, 8MP rear camera (f/2.2), front 5MP camera, 2800mAh battery, water repellent nano-coating, and Android 6.0.1. It's actually not a terrible phone on paper, especially at the price. If you need a temporary phone while you wait for something better, know someone who is just now getting into phones, or have a kid who isn't quite ready for the big leagues, the Moto G Play could be a decent option. Verizon Link

Via: Verizon

Giveaway: Win 1 of 3 Carved Wood Cases for the Galaxy Note 7

Tim — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 14:57:57 +0000

Late last week, we checked out the latest offerings from Carved for the Galaxy Note 7. Considering I don't typically rock a case for my phone, it's about time we get these things off of my desk and onto your device. For this giveaway, we have three cases for you to choose from. We have the Grand Teton Inlay, Pack Print (the wolves), and Random Puzzle. Each features real wood backing with black rubber wrapping. As far as cases go, these options fit very well on the Galaxy Note 7. Typically, the cases cost about $40, but this week, you can win one for absolutely free. Let's do this.

Contest

Prizes We have three (3) cases for the Galaxy Note 7 from Carved. How to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners We will randomly select our three winners on Friday morning at 10AM Pacific.

Shoutout to Carved for the cases. If you haven't already, check out their website.

Gmail Will Now Support Emails With Responsive Design

Kellen — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 12:47:15 +0000

Because you probably read a whole bunch of email from your smartphone these days, Google wants to make sure those emails looks great, especially as you navigate from one screen size to the next. Starting this month, Gmail will begin supporting emails made with responsive design. What does that mean? That means if an email has been created to automatically format differently depending on the screen size (the basic idea of responsive design), Gmail will allow that magic to happen. Not familiar with responsive design? If you are on a computer right now, grab your browser with Droid Life open, and resize it from skinnier to wider and you will see responsive design in action. The thought here is that a website (or email) shouldn't need dedicated layouts that require refreshing or redirecting or large files in order to look great at all times. All resizing should happen automatically as the size of a website or email adjusts. Google says that text, links, and buttons will "enlarge to make reading and tapping easier on a smaller screen," but that many of the improvements will carry across to the desktop Gmail experience as well. Once this all starts happening, you may not notice it has gone live because a responsive email should just work better no matter the screen size.

Via: Gmail Blog

DEAL: Anker Chargers With QC 3.0 and Power IQ for 15% Off With These Coupon Codes

Tim — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 12:37:03 +0000

For a limited time, until September 23 to be exact, folks can grab a number of Anker charging accessories off Amazon for 15% off. As for which items you can find, there are five in total. There is the 3-Port 42W USB Wall Charger, 5-Port USB Wall Charger with Dual Quick Charge 3.0 Ports, 39.5W Dual USB Wall Charger, 42W 2-Port USB Car Charger, and the PowerCore 20000. These are not your typical cheap wall chargers, though. Each appears to be outfitted with Quick Charge 3.0 compatibility, as well as Power IQ and Voltage Boost. Voltage Boost, eh? This is typically when I would make a Galaxy Note 7 explosion joke, but that wouldn't be very classy. In order to grab the 15% off, follow the links below, then add the corresponding coupon code once the charger is added to your cart. Anker Charging Accessories

3-Port 42W USB Wall Charger ($25.49) Code - ANKERSP4
63W 5-Port USB Wall Charger ($27.19) Code - ANKERSP1
39.5W Dual USB Wall Charger ($33.99) Code - ANKERSP2
42W 2-Port USB Car Charger ($24.64) Code - ANKERSP3
PowerCore 20000 ($42.49) Code - ANKERSP5

Have at it!

Qualcomm Intros 'Clear Sight' Tech, Better Photos From Dual Camera Setups

Tim — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 10:57:00 +0000

The following announcement may not be too exciting for folks with standard single lens cameras, but for those of you with a dual camera module, this should be awesome. Qualcomm announced Clear Sight this morning, new technology for Snapdragon 820 and Snapdragon 821 processors. Powered by Spectra ISP (image signal processor), Clear Sight allows dual camera modules to take better photos, utilizing computational low light imaging algorithms. To sum it up into words used by actual humans, Clear Sight will take two photos snapped simultaneously from the dual lenses, then use code to create an image with improved dynamic range, sharpness, and less noise in low light. The intended goal from Qualcomm is to mimic the attributes of the human eye. Clear Sight features two cameras, each with its own lens and image sensor. Just like our eyes, the lenses have identical focal length (they see the same distance). However, each camera has a different image sensor: one color image sensor (to mimic an eye's cones), and a separate black and white image sensor (to mimic an eye's rods). When the images are merged, with one offering colors and the other offering better contrast, the results should be very nice. Qualcomm states that this technology is only available for its premium processors, like the Snapdragon 820 and upcoming Snapdragon 821. In addition, your device will need two cameras, naturally. Once we hear of a device that will launch with this technology, we will let you know.

Via: Qualcomm

Report: No New Android Wear Watches From Motorola, LG, or Huawei This Year

Kellen — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 10:29:43 +0000

Been wondering why we haven't seen new Android Wear smartwatches from the typical players in the game, you know, like Motorola, LG, and Huawei? According to CNET, who spoke with each company, that's because none of them plan to release a new watch any time soon. In fact, even with the holiday approaching and smartwatches seeming like a perfect gift for your tech dad, they'll all be passing this time around. Why the pass? LG has already released the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE earlier in the year as a watch that can stand on its own and is using that release as a way to figure out "what sticks," a spokesperson told CNET. As for Motorola and Huawei, both sound like they aren't ditching smartwatch efforts, but are instead waiting for the technologies in smartwatches to get better. For example, Motorola mentioned that the "trade-offs" for a truly stand-alone cellular-connected watch aren't worth the effort yet and a Huawei executive talked about waiting for components to shrink and processors to gain efficiency. Of course, one could also point out the fact that smartwatches haven't exactly caught on like smartphones. A number of our readers own them, sure, but even Apple seems to be struggling to sell them in massive quantities and convince the general public that a smartwatch is key to life. Companies like Motorola and LG are struggling to sell phones at this point, so spending time and resources in a category that hasn't proven worthwhile probably doesn't make a lot of sense. Unfortunately for Android Wear users, this news means no new watches for the big Android Wear 2.0 update that is coming very soon, outside of the ZenWatch 3 and some other entries from fashion brands like Fossil and Michael Kors. Is Android Wear dying, then? Probably not. Technically, we are still early in this smartwatch game, plus Google is supposedly making their own watches to be unveiled alongside the new Pixel phones. I think smartwatches do have a future, it just may not include the typical Android manufacturers in the short term.

Via: CNET

Pittsburgh Residents, Uber is Rolling Out Self-Driving Cars

Tim — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 09:05:51 +0000

Don't get me wrong, Pittsburgh is a fine city, but did anyone think it would be the first area you can take a self-driving Uber from place to place? Well, starting this week, Uber is rolling out self-driving vehicles for public usage, providing the same experience as an UberX. According to Uber, these vehicles will only be usable by Uber's most loyal riders, and I have no idea what that actually means. While I don't think Uber knows if you have ever used a Lyft before, anything's possible. My guess is, if you find yourself taking Uber quite frequently, and you're in the vicinity of one, you may see it pop up inside of your Uber app. The self-driving Uber technology is still in early stages, so not everything is automated. For this pilot program, a human will also be inside of the vehicle as it arrives at your pick-up. This person is there just in case human intervention is needed. Uber states that the self-driving software can't handle poor weather and other conditions at this time. If you rock Uber and live in Pittsburgh, watch the video below, then definitely try to catch a ride in one of these. You would certainly get a few likes on your Instagram for snapping a picture while inside. [responsive_vid]

Via: Uber

Amazon Starts Selling New $50 Echo Dot, White Echo Too

Kellen — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 07:46:34 +0000

This morning, Amazon unveiled a new Echo Dot that will cost you and I just $49.99 when it ships next month. The company also announced a new white version of its speaker-equipped Amazon Echo that ships in a couple of weeks. The Echo Dot, for those not familiar, is the smaller puck version of Amazon's Echo that is meant to work in any room without taking up much space. It comes equipped with Alexa for all of your voice-activated needs, is small enough to be tucked away on a shelf, and can even be paired with your home speakers for a better audio experience. Echo Dot does play music, but the on-board speaker for it isn't exactly a musical beast. With the new Echo Dot, outside of the color choices of black or white and a "new sleek and compact design," Amazon says that it has been upgraded with "a more powerful speech processor, which delivers improved far-field speech recognition accuracy." I'm not sure what was in the original $100 unit that I'm not feeling burned by, but improved far-field speech recognition is a good thing. At half the cost ($49.99), this is going to be a tough pass for those of you have yet to buy into the Amazon Echo and Alexa world. Also, Amazon want you to buy a lot of the new Echo Dot, so they are selling them individually for $49.99 or in bundles. You can buy five and get a sixth free if you use code DOT6PACK or buy 10 and get 11 and 12 free with code DOT12PACK. As I mentioned in the opener, the regular Amazon Echo now comes in white as well, at the same $179.99 price. The new Echo Dot is up for pre-order today and arrives October 20. The white Echo is up for pre-order today as well and arrives September 28. Amazon Links: New Echo Dot ($49.99) | Echo in white ($179.99)

Via: Amazon

Google Maps Starts Showing Speed Limits During Navigation

Kellen — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 13:00:16 +0000

Users over at reddit are reporting that they are beginning to see speed limits appear while using navigation in Google Maps. That's, well, a really big deal if you ask me. While Waze users have had a similar feature for some time, Google Maps users have had hope to see a speed limit road sign to know how fast to drive. From what we can tell (since neither of us are seeing speed limits), the speed limit for your current road is displayed in the bottom left corner of Google Maps, just above your route info. I do not think that Maps is warning you if you drive faster than the current speed limit, like Waze will do, but at least it's there now to remove some of the driving guessing game we all play in unfamiliar areas. Neither Tim nor I are seeing speed limits on our end, so there is a good chance that speed limits are rolling out slowly from Google and not through an app update. Let us know if you are seeing speed limits! Play Link

Via: reddit

Pokemon GO Update With 'Buddy' Feature Now Rolling Out

Tim — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:51:07 +0000

For all of you anxiously awaiting the ability to have a "buddy" Pokemon, the update that enables this feature is now available for Pokemon GO. With this buddy system, trainers need only to walk varying distances to earn candy for their buddy Pokemon. Why is this cool? Well, if you live in a region that does not have many of a certain type of Pokemon, this feature allows you to farm candy for a Pokemon you really want to boost up or evolve. From what I have seen, there are three levels of varying distances to travel. More common Pokemon take just 1km to earn candy, uncommon Pokemon take 3km, and rare Pokemon take 5km. Is this efficient, though? In my opinion, not really, considering that's quite a bit of walking for just a bit of candy. I'd much rather just have fun randomly catching Pokemon, but that's just me. To assign a Pokemon as your buddy, head into your character's menu. Using the floating action button on the bottom right, select "Buddy." From here, choose which Pokemon you want to be your buddy. Once selected, get to walking. Serious question, is anyone still playing this game? I stopped once the tracking system was completely gutted. Play Link

Android Distribution Updated for September 2016 – Still More Kit Kat Than Marshmallow

Tim — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:15:43 +0000

The latest Android OS distribution numbers have been made available from Google, and to absolutely no one's surprise, Marshmallow has not grown by leaps or bounds. As of September, 2016, Marshmallow sits at 18.7 percent, up from last month's 15.2 percent. For those wondering about Android 7.0 "Nougat," given the public release has happened, it hasn't quite hit the chart yet. Expect to see it make its first appearance next month. As for other versions of Android, Lollipop now sits at 35 percent (a slight decrease from last month), KitKat at 27.7 percent, Jelly Bean at 15.6 percent, Ice Cream Sandwich at 1.4 percent, Gingerbread at 1.5 percent, and Froyo continues to sit at 0.1 percent. It still amazes me that there are more devices out there running Kit Kat than there are Marshmallow devices. Last month’s numbers can be viewed here.

Microsoft Outlook Gets a Calendar Update on the Eve of Sunrise's Death That Benefits Few

Kellen — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 11:15:17 +0000

The folks who once worked for Sunrise announced this morning that their popular calendar app is now dead. It's dead because Microsoft bought them and has decided to no longer support the app and instead infuse Sunrise's brilliance into Outlook, a subpar email app. Today, we are getting a glimpse into the future of Sunrise integrated into Outlook, though most of the goodness is only available to a really small group of users. Most of us, if we are using Outlook, won't see this stuff for a while. Microsoft is finally building in Interesting Calendars, one of the standout features of Sunrise that allowed you to add to your calendar items like upcoming games for your favorite sports teams. Microsoft will soon add TV shows to Interesting Calendar options, but for now, sports is it. This new feature is available today to Outlook users on iOS who happen to have an Office 365 email address. No Android user can see this feature yet, nor can anyone with an Outlook.com, Gmail, or other email address. Outlook.com access should come "later this year," but the rest of the world shouldn't expect it any time soon. Sweet! As for other new features, Microsoft has built in updated date and time pickers, though those are only available on iOS at the moment. This new look will arrive on Android "soon."

They have also built in Maps suggestions as you type locations, new icons to represent agenda items, recurring meeting item updates, and Skype for Business integration. Have fun, Outlook users, when you get your new features on Android in a year. (Yes, I'm a bit salty.) Play Link

Via: Office Blog

Tuesday Poll: How Do You Think Samsung Has Handled the Galaxy Note 7 Recall?

Tim — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:57:40 +0000

If you didn't already know, there's a recall taking place on all Galaxy Note 7 devices from Samsung. From what I've personally experienced, T-Mobile is having troubles issuing replacement Note 7 devices, as Samsung has yet to send them out to stores. While Samsung appears to be doing great by facing this recall issue head on and putting customer safety first, the fact that there are no phones to replace possibly dangerous ones is somewhat alarming. If you have taken your Galaxy Note 7 device into a carrier store or retail shop where you originally purchased, it's likely you have been given a temporary loaner device until new Galaxy Note 7 phones are available. This is great, don't get me wrong, but I don't want another phone - I want a Galaxy Note 7, the phone I paid for. However, using a phone with no potential of exploding during use is better than no phone at all. In your opinion, how has Samsung handled this recall process? Even if you don't own a Galaxy Note 7, your opinion of Samsung's actions is still important, so please vote. Share your opinion below. [poll id="427"]

Sunrise Calendar is Now Dead, Users Will be Logged Out Tomorrow for Good

Kellen — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:09:47 +0000

Sunrise, my favorite calendar app of all time, is dead as of today. For those paying close attention, you'll notice that today is September 13 and not August 31 (the day the app was supposed to original die), and that's because Microsoft gave Sunrise another couple of weeks to live as they tried to get Sunrise features ready for Outlook, the app that Sunrise is now supposedly baked into. Part of me wants to sit here and complain about Microsoft killing off a truly great app and only offering up a half-baked alternative, but it's not worth the time at this point. Sunrise was going to die the minute Microsoft bought it and users of it were pissed then, as they should have been. Continuing to go down this road doesn't serve anyone. If you are a Sunrise user, expect the app to "stop updating and any changes you make to it will not be reflected on any other platform" as of today. Tomorrow, Sunrise will log you out and you won't be allowed back in. RIP.

Via: Sunrise

Google Cast Has a Preview Program You Can Enter Right Now (Updated)

Tim — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:04:14 +0000

Seemingly just introduced into the Google Cast application, Google is looking for folks to enter a Preview Program for the Chromecast. What will you receive for entering? According to an enrollment email received after signing up, you will get sneak peeks at new updates (new features, device enhancements), and will have direct access to send feedback right back to the Chromecast team. According to the message received, Google will email you as soon as the Preview firmware is ready for download onto a Chromecast. This email will overview all of the changes, allowing you test as you see fit. Google also links to a support page that is not yet live, but should be soon. So, let's get you signed up. First, you will need to have the Google Cast app installed on your device. Once opened, head into the app's settings menu. Then, tap on notifications and toggle "Preview email." After turning that on, I received an email stating that I was enrolled. Once you are enrolled, under each supported device's settings you will see an option for Preview Program. Be sure to enable that setting to make sure your Chromecast device is enrolled properly. Update: Google's support page for the Preview Program is now live and we have more information. "Is this a Beta program? This is not “beta” software. Our intention is that Preview Program updates will be of the same quality as production version updates. You're simply getting earlier access to new features before they’re released broadly." "What Chromecast devices are eligible for the Chromecast Preview Program? All Chromecast (1st gen), Chromecast, and Chromecast Audio are eligible to join the Chromecast Preview Program." Also, here's a more official way to enter the Preview Program.

From your Android or iOS device, open the Google Cast app.
Tap the DEVICES tab to see your available Chromecast devices.
Scroll to find the device card for the Chromecast you'd like to enroll in the Preview Program.
In the top right corner of the device card, tap the device card menu.
Tap Device Settings.
Tap Preview Program. If you don’t see Preview Program, we aren’t accepting new members at this time. Please continue to check back as opportunities become available.
Choose whether to receive email notifications by moving the slider to the right or left. Note: We recommend allowing email notifications so you’ll know when new updates are pushed to your Chromecast device.
If you opt-in to email notifications, you'll be asked to sign into your Google account if you haven’t already.
Review the contents of that page, and tap Join Program.
Review the contents of the page, then tap OK, GOT IT.

Have at it. Play Link

Via: Google

Cheers Zack!

Samsung May Limit Galaxy Note 7 Battery Charges to 60% to Prevent More Explosions

Kellen — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:08:22 +0000

According to Yonhap News, Samsung is still figuring out new ways to do all it can to prevent Galaxy Note 7 devices from exploding as its global recall and replacement program continues. The next step may be to issue an over-the-air (OTA) update that limits battery charging of the phone to just 60% in an attempt to keep phones from overheating and then catching fire. Assuming this does happen, and Samsung sends out a battery-limiting update to phones that haven't been exchanged, the company is fully admitting that you should get rid of the damn thing immediately and exchange it for a new one. This isn't a "My phone is fine!" sort of thing any longer, even if 0.1% of Note 7s are at risk. By sending out an update that won't let you charge fully, Samsung is also letting uninformed owners know that they need to ditch their shiny new phone for a new one immediately. This report comes on the heels of a few outlets reporting over the weekend that Samsung may try to remotely deactivate phones that haven't been exchanged. Samsung denied those reports. On a related note, Yonhap News is reporting that Samsung will soon launch an apology media campaign with commercials that say, "We apologize for causing discomfort and concern to our customers. All Samsung employees will do our best to resolve problems." Honestly, that seems a bit excessive. We get it, recalls suck and this is a big one. With that said, this happens to car companies all of the time and yet, the world moves on and those companies typically don't fail or need to issue media campaign apology tours. Go exchange your Note 7, folks.

Via: Yonhap

Video: Pixel Launcher First Look and Tour!

Kellen — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:17:46 +0000

With the Pixel Launcher floating around for sideloading fun (download here), we installed it on a couple of devices and decided to take it for a quick spin on camera. This version feels quite final and polished and completely worth a deeper look now that it has changed names from Nexus to Pixel. For those who missed out on previous Nexus Launcher coverage, now would be a good time to catch up with the name change going forward and new phones from Google under the Pixel name hopefully on the horizon. The Pixel Launcher is a lot like the Google Now Launcher that many of you already use, only it has been slightly tweaked or modernized here and there. For one, you now access all of your apps with a swipe-up gesture from the dock area instead of by tapping on an app drawer button. You will also see a dedicated Google pill or button in the top left corner that allows you to search, next to a dedicated clock and date widget. Neither of these can be moved and have replaced the Google Search bar from the Now Launcher. Finally, we are also getting new folder designs and a really sweet new wallpaper picker that is filled with awesome 'papers, daily switch-up settings, and "explore" features. Is everyone ready to ditch the Google Now Launcher for the Pixel Launcher?

[responsive_vid]

Titanfall Frontline Mobile Game Available for Free This Fall

Tim — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 14:20:21 +0000

Titanfall Frontline, a mobile game based on the Titanfall console franchise, will be making its way to Android soon. Developed in partnership by Nexon, Respawn, and Particle City, Titanfall Frontline is a strategy card game where players will face off in head-to-head combat with other players in real-time. In the game, players will use strategic combinations of Pilots, Titans and tactical Burn Cards in an attempt to outmaneuver their opponents. Essentially, it's like many other strategic card games, but instead of wizards and mana, you're using Titans and Burn cards. While no gameplay trailer has been released quite yet, Larry Pacey, co-founder of Particle City says, “From dropping a Titan onto the field of play to turn the tide of battle to using a combination of Parkour and Rodeo Burn Cards to take a Titan down, Titanfall: Frontline is unapologetically intense and utterly Titanfall.” All we know right now is that Titanfall Frontline will be available this Fall, free to download. Will there be IAPs? Most likely, but we will confirm that once the game is released. For those interested, you can pre-register for the game below, and upon release, you will be rewarded with in-game goodies. Pre-Register Here

Via: Titanfall

Pixel Launcher Now Available for Download

Kellen — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 13:26:01 +0000

You know how we told you this morning that the Nexus Launcher had been renamed to Pixel Launcher? You can now download it, sideload, and get a taste of Pixel before the phones are officially announced. Below, you'll find a .zip file that includes both the Pixel Launcher (v7.1-3231428) and the wallpaper picker, along with individual files for each in case you don't want to deal with a .zip. As a warning and reminder, we are not the providers of these files and cannot assure you that they are safe. These come from @Llabtoofer. Proceed at your own risk. Zip Link: Pixel Launcher (.zip) Individual Files: Pixel Launcher 7.1-3231428 (.apk) | Wallpaper Picker (.apk) UPDATE: For those curious, this new Pixel Launcher .apk does indeed install over the top of the Nexus Launcher. So yes, the Nexus Launcher has been renamed to "Pixel Launcher."

UPDATE 2: The calendar icon is now dynamic, which means it changes each day. Yay! UPDATE 3: Quick first look video.

Action Launcher 3's Big September Update is Out, With Pixel Launcher Goodies Galore

Kellen — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 12:39:01 +0000

Just over a month ago, Action Launcher 3 beta received an update that introduced some of the Nexus Launcher features from the leaked .apk that had been floating around to get them in the wild and people testing. Over the weekend, only days before the name of that launcher changed to Pixel Launcher, Action Launcher 3 received an update in the stable channel with not only a bunch of features from the beta, but a handful of improvements on top of them. According to the changelog and accompanying video, the new update brings the Pixel Launcher's All Apps mode (the sliding dock and drawer), folder styling, and subtle dock tinting, it also allows for them to be themed with Action Launcher's Quicktheme feature. Think of it as a play on Google's new Pixel Launcher, but with full control over color and styling as you see fit. Here is a list of all of the new stuff:

Revamped All Apps panel, based on the rumored Nexus Launcher. If enabled, swiping up on the dock will reveal All Apps.
Add two new Nougat inspired folder presets (requires Android 4.4 or later).
Quicktheme support to customize the color of folder icons.
Add tinted dock background with full color customization via Quicktheme.
Option for caret (^) style page indicator.
Add rumored Google "pill" widget.
Add rumored Nexus Launcher style Date widget, which can be configured to load a custom app.
When setting a wallpaper on Android 7.0, you can select whether the wallpaper applies to the lock screen, home screen or both.
The wallpaper picker app can be configured.
Add "Marshmallow (Beta)" All Apps style.

I've got this latest build up and running, as you can see in the image above, and so far everything seems to work as advertised. Give it a shot if you have yet to try out Action Launcher 3. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Via: +Chris Lacy

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 42

Tim — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 11:29:26 +0000

It's been way too long since we had our last Q&A Session, so we're bringing it back for Volume 42. During the Q&A Sessions, you can ask anything that may be on your mind, Android related or not. Curious about our take on Google possibly going to Pixel over Nexus? Desperate to know which phone we would recommend at this point in the year? Will the 49ers post an 0-16 record this season? Seriously, ask away, we're open books. On Friday, we will round up as many questions as possible and post our answers. To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Google's Reported 'Nexus Launcher' Just Became 'Pixel Launcher' (Updated: Download)

Tim — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 10:35:26 +0000

In early August, word was out that Google was renaming and redesigning its launcher experience, now carrying the name of Nexus Launcher. An .apk file for the launcher was even leaked, allowing all to enjoy it if they so chose to. Today, known HTC leakster @LlabTooFeR has provided images of the same launcher, but Google has apparently changed the name yet again, this time, to Pixel Launcher. What details can we pick from the screenshots provided by @LlabTooFeR? Quite a bit, actually. Seen in the images, the launcher appears to handle landscape pretty well, it still supports an app search directly in the drawer, and the sliding arrow at the bottom of the screen is still present to access the app drawer. Beyond that, it still looks like the same experience Google offered with the Nexus Launcher, including the little Google toggle to access Google Now.

I suppose we should also discuss the implications of this name change. As of one week ago, we are now under the impression that Google's 2016 Nexus devices won't be "Nexus" at all, but instead, will be marketed as Pixel devices. Because of this, it makes sense for Google to rename Nexus Launcher to Pixel Launcher. Beyond that, what is there to say? Below, check out all of the screenshots posted to Twitter, then provide your hot take in the comments below. Are we still happy about this Pixel > Nexus move by Google?

UPDATE: You can now download the new Pixel Launcher HERE!

Via: @LlabTooFeR [2]

Instagram Now Allows You to Automatically Hide Naughty Words

Tim — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 10:01:49 +0000

Citizens of the internet can be pretty rude at times, there's no hiding that fact. To help its users, Instagram has introduced a new feature that will help you combat these meanies on their platform. Beginning today, users can add custom keywords to a list of words that will be automatically hidden from your photo's comment section. To begin, there is an option to "Hide Inappropriate Comments." This feature will automatically hide comments that contain words or phrases often reported as inappropriate. To take it a step further, you can add your own words that will be marked as inappropriate. For example, if you can't stand the word "hyphy" or "turnt," you can simply add them to the list and you will never see them in your comments section again. Instagram did not make it extremely clear when users can use these features, but they did state that folks should begin to see it today. If you need this for your comments, check out your Settings menu inside of the Instagram app. Play Link

Via: Instagram

HTC Announcing New Desire Devices on September 20 at 12AM Pacific

Tim — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 09:04:32 +0000

HTC has a new device announcement coming, but before you get too excited, I can tell you right now that it's not Nexus/Pixel or US "flagship" related. On September 20, the company will likely introduce new Desire 10 devices, the same they have been teasing on social media for quite a bit. According to past rumors, we will be introduced to the Desire 10 Pro and Desire 10 Lifestyle. While the September 20 date isn't new, HTC has provided a time for us, as well as where we can watch a livestream. The event is scheduled for 8AM BST (British Summer Time), which is 12AM Pacific, 3AM Eastern. Given the time, don't expect a liveblog from us. The stream can be found right here on that date. At this time, I don't believe we will be hands-on for this event, but we will certainly be posting any news that comes from it.

[responsive_vid]

People, Return Your Galaxy Note 7 Already

Kellen — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 08:17:50 +0000

Over the weekend, a Galaxy Note 7 reportedly exploded in the hands of a child while he was watching a movie. Jeeps are apparently blowing up as well. All hell has broken loose on the Note 7 battery recall. You need to return your Galaxy Note 7. If your friends own them and are not in-tune to all of the recall news, you should tell them that they should return their phone. If you see anyone on the street with a Note 7, even today since chances of it being an old, possible ticking time bomb are likely, kindly inform them of the situation. It's time we all get new Note 7s, or at the very least, take up carrier offers on loaner phones until new stock has arrived from Samsung. On Friday, during the DL Show, we talked about the recall, even suggesting that percentages were on your side and that you were probably fine using your Note 7 until carriers had new stock this week. That's probably still the case, but come on, it's still not worth the risk, is it? It could be your child holding a Note 7 that explodes. It could be your jeep. It could be your house. I'm not trying to scare the world, because it still appears to be a situation where a tiny percentage of phones are exploding. Either way, just do the right thing and get rid of your old Note 7, hope that carriers have new stock in for an exchange today, or simply take them up on their offers for loaner phones. You can find out all of the recall info at this updated Samsung page.

Of Recalls and Pixels

Kellen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 19:15:11 +0000

In our triumphant return to the Droid Life Show for episode 119, we are catching up on Galaxy Note 7 recall drama, Pixel phones replacing Nexus phones, Android Nougat's release, the LG V20 unveiling, more Moto Mods, maybe even some iPhone 7 stuff, and more! I don't want to make any bold predictions, but this could very well be the longest show in history. You ready for this? Join us at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Don't Miss These Android Stories: September 9, 2016

Kellen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:00:17 +0000

This week in Android included updates on the Galaxy Note 7 recall, Android's September security patch rollout, the unveiling of the LG V20 and the new iPhones, and T-Mobile blessing select customers with unlimited data. It wasn't necessarily a packed week, but there were plenty of major happenings that you should be aware of. To catch up as we inch closer to the launch of the new Google phones, we've hand-selected the biggest topics of the week for you, all of which can be accessed below.

WATCH: Droid Life Show Episode 119 | Subscribe
CONTEST: Join the DL Football Eliminator and win a free phone!
Galaxy Note 7 Recall: FAA issues statement | Samsung responds
Nexus 6P Nougat factory image and OTA .zip are finally out
Android's September security patchs rolled out this week
Rumor: Huawei may make a Nexus/Pixel 7-inch tablet
WiFi Assistant now rolling out to Nexus devices
Comparison: Galaxy S7 vs. iPhone 7
T-Mobile gives out unlimited data for 2+ years to select customers
T-Mobile's LTE-A should also be insanely fast, on select devices
Android Wear: Michael Kors new Android Wear watches are available
Super Mario Run will come to Android in the future
LG V20: First impressions | Software tour | Availability | Specs
Android Pay gets Chase support!
Chrome 53 includes Android Pay support for the web

American football.

Friday App Sales: Star Wars: KOTOR, The Room Three, Goat Simulator, GTA Series, and More

Tim — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 15:23:14 +0000

There are so many deals going on this week, we almost ran out of room in our headline bar. Over on Google Play, anyone can go grab Goat Simulator for $1.99, The Room Three for $1.99, or even Grand Theft Auto III for $1.99. Incredible, right? Other deals include DuckTales: Remastered, Rayman Classic, GTA: San Andreas, Star Wars: KOTOR, Never Alone: Ki Edition (amazing game), and Minecraft: Story Mode. Seriously, this is when you put that Google Play credit you got from the Google Opinions app to use. Check out the entire list and take complete advantage. Friday App Sales

Talisman: The Horus Heresy ($2.99)
Skip-Bo ($0.99)
Phase 10 ($0.99)
RAM Manager Pro ($2.99)
Zoombinis ($2.99)
Star Wars: KOTOR ($3.99)
The Room Three ($1.99)
Goat Simulator ($1.99)
Goat Simulator GoatZ ($1.99)
Rayman Classic ($0.99)
Cinemaware's Wings ($1.99)
GTA: San Andreas ($2.75)
GTA III ($1.99)
GTA: Chinatown Wars ($1.99)
Terraria ($1.99)
Minecraft: Story Mode ($1.99)
Never Alone: Ki Edition ($1.99)
DuckTales: Remastered ($1.99)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ($1.99)

Go support those devs!

Quick Look: Carved Wood Cases for the Galaxy Note 7

Tim — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 10:48:36 +0000

The Galaxy Note 7 has been available for a few solid weeks, but if you are still looking for just the right case to protect your precious investment, Carved has a new lineup that might suit you well. We previously took a look at Carved's offerings for the Nexus 6P and Galaxy S7 Edge, coming away extremely impressed by the quality of the pieces. For the Galaxy Note 7, we asked to check out a few different options, and we are still very pleased with what we received. The three options we received are the Grand Teton Inlay, Random Puzzle, and the Katy Lipscomb Pack Print. Given the names, you should be able to spot which one is which rather easily, but if you can't, I'll dive into each one briefly. Let's take a look.

I'll go with my favorite of the three to start, which is the Random Puzzle option. Along the backside, each puzzle piece is made from a different piece of wood, stained to give off a very unique vibe. Provided real wood is being used, the pieces keep a certain texture that only wood offers, such as the little grooves and grain. Also, each case for the run is made to order, so no two will look alike, only adding to the uniqueness. If you possibly follow me on Instagram, you will know I have two dogs, one of them being a wolf hybrid. Basically, anytime I see something with a wolf on it, it must be mine. For this reason, the Katy Lipscomb Pack Print is my runner up case. In the image, which is printed directly onto a piece of wood, we see wolves doing their thing, running and being wild. Each wolf is drawn in a different color, giving off a rainbow vibe. The artwork itself is very nice and matches well with the light background and black rubber wrapping. Last but not least is the Grand Teton Inlay. Using different cuts and colors of wood, a portrait of the Teton Range (Wyoming) is placed on the backside of your device. If you have ever visited this part of the US, you'll know why a case was created to honor it. It's simply gorgeous territory. While the case doesn't exactly capture each detail of the range, the outline is done rather well, complete with foreground trees and snowcapped peaks. As for the case itself and how it fits on the Galaxy Note 7, it's very good. I'm not even a case person, but these fit very slimly on the device, adding a good level of protection for the backside. Of course, your frontside is still vulnerable to damage. Getting the case on and off is very easy, as the rubber used is quite bendable. All of the device's ports are accessible, with the S-Pen still able to go in and out with no problems. Also, you can still use the 3.5mm headphone jack just fine, no issues there.

If any of these cases interest you, you can find them available for purchase on Carved's website. However, we might just be giving these away a little later if you are interested. Follow the links below to get yours hands on one of these cases. Carved Links: Grand Teton Inlay ($39) | Random Puzzle ($29) | Katy Lipscomb Pack Print ($39)

Gallery

Samsung: We See You FAA, and We'll Expedite New Shipments of the Note 7 From This Week

Kellen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 08:40:00 +0000

Seconds after pressing publish on that last article about the FAA telling Galaxy Note 7 owners that they would rather you not use your mini-bomb on planes, Samsung has issued a response. That response says that Samsung is aware of the FAA's recommendation and is now expediting shipments of non-mini-bomb Note 7s "starting this week" to "alleviate any safety concerns and reduce any inconvenience." My only question is - were they not expediting them before the FAA memo and are now? I hope that the FAA isn't what prompted them to get the ball really rolling here, and I actually don't believe that's what is happening. Samsung has been on this recall from before it was even that serious of an issue and should be praised for how they have handled the faux-drama created by the press. In fact, we were told today that Best Buy stores are starting to see new Note 7 shipments arrive as early as today. Their full statement is:

We are aware of the Federal Aviation Administration’s statement about the Galaxy Note7. Consumer safety and peace of mind are our top priority. We plan to expedite new shipments of Galaxy Note7 starting from this week in order to alleviate any safety concerns and reduce any inconvenience for our customers. We encourage all Note7 owners to participate in our U.S. Product Exchange Program. Information about how to participate can be found at www.samsung.com/us/note7exchange.

Take them up on their offer and exchange your Note 7, folks.

Via: Samsung

FAA Doesn't Want You Using, Charging, or Storing Galaxy Note 7s on Planes at the Moment (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 08:20:13 +0000

In light of exploding Galaxy Note 7 devices that have forced Samsung to issue a global recall, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is advising device owners to not use them while flying on airplanes. That means not only do they not want you using your Note 7 while in flight, but they don't want you charging it or storing it in baggage. In other words, once you step on a plane, you are to turn your mini-bomb off and put it in your pocket or purse or carry-on. That's really all there is to note here. The FAA isn't banning the Note 7 and also isn't going to kick you off of a plane for using one in-flight, but they certainly would rather you avoid doing so if possible. Even though Samsung has suggested that around 0.1% of Notes have had issues, there is still some risk and risk on an airplane is always bad news. Here is the full, albeit short, statement:

In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices, the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage.

On a related note, if you still have an original Note 7, you should probably get rid of it already. Samsung did issue a global recall and all of the US carriers are participating. I took my Verizon Note 7 in last weekend and they took care of it without hesitation, even as I asked for a full refund instead of another phone. Full details of the recall and specific carrier exchange information can be found here. By the way, have you read our Galaxy Note 7 review? We released it the day that Samsung issued a global recall. Timing! UPDATE: Samsung has already responded!

Via: Wall Street Journal | FAA

Android 7.0 Factory Image and OTA File Posted for Nexus 6P (Updated)

Tim — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 17:07:53 +0000

At long last, after an unusual wait, Google has made the factory image and OTA file for Android 7.0 "Nougat" available for the Nexus 6P. The build listed by Google is NRD90U, which is different than the previous beta OTA that carried NRD90M. This is likely because you will find the September security patch inside and not August's. Have at 'em! Google Links: Factory Images | OTA .zip files For other Nexus device factory image and OTAs, look here. UPDATE: Google has now posted images for NRD90T as well.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Has a Quad-Core Processor and Will Soon Feature Alexa, Costs Only $90

Tim — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 15:50:48 +0000

Amazon announced its latest tablet device today, the Fire HD 8. Apparently built from the ground up for all-day entertainment, the Fire HD 8 comes with an 8-inch HD display, quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 12 hours of battery life (4,750 mAh), plus access to Alexa, Amazon's cloud-based assistant. Specifically, support for Alexa is not available quite yet, but will be made available via an upcoming software update. According to Amazon, the update should come in a few months. Other devices will get access to Alexa, too, including the Fire HD 10, Fire and last year’s Fire HD 8 tablets. When Alexa is made available, users can simply speak to Alexa for opening apps, reading books, and much more. Amazon claims that Alexa features will continually improve on the tablet, given its cloud-based nature. On the software side, Amazon touts the device's access to Family Library, X-Ray, Second Screen, Amazon Underground, plus access to all of Amazon's exclusive content such as award-winning TV shows. However, do note that this tablet will not have access to Google Play. The Fire HD 8 is available in four colors, black, magenta, blue and tangerine, priced at $89.99. Release is scheduled for September 21, but pre-orders for the tablet are up right now on Amazon. Amazon Pre-Order Link

Via: Amazon

Cricket Adds $30 1GB Plan to Lineup

Kellen — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 15:46:58 +0000

Cricket expanded its prepaid data plan lineup today by adding on a $30 1GB per month option. This new plan will debut on September 9 (tomorrow) alongside their $70, $60, $50, and $40 plans. The $30 plan includes unlimited talk and text with its 1GB of data. With that in mind, I don't know why anyone would consider this plan unless they are firmly capped at $30 per month for wireless. Because if you buy the $40 plan with 2.5GB of data and sign-up for autopay, you are only paying $35 per month, since Cricket gives you a $5 autopay discount. Also, keep in mind that while Cricket uses AT&T's network and should have great coverage, they do cap your download at 8Mbps at all times. For many, those speeds are more than enough, but power users may want to go with one of AT&T's GoPhone options. Again, the new $30 plan goes live tomorrow. Here is a look at their entire lineup.

Via: Cricket

#TBT: Watch Andy Rubin and Samsung Unveil the Galaxy Nexus

Tim — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 14:10:07 +0000

If I had to pinpoint a time at which the entire Android community was excited about a phone, I would have to give it to the Galaxy Nexus. The hype was real. In October of 2011, Google and Samsung hosted a press conference in Hong Kong to unveil not only the Galaxy Nexus, but also Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich." To put this timing into perspective, just a few days earlier during that same October, the tech industry lost one of its founding fathers, Apple's Steve Jobs. Personally, the launch of the Galaxy Nexus, an incredibly hyped device, helped take our minds off of the loss. In the below video, we can watch the exact moment which then-Googler Andy Rubin and Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Nexus. Followed by a very awkward moment of silence while the media takes their photos, both companies dive head first into what the device offers. Given that we are an Android blog, who specializes in this sort of thing, we had all of the details available ahead of launch, though. Shoutout to the Galaxy Nexus, you were an awesome phone, even with your battery life issues. [responsive_vid]

Cheers Richard!

Google's WiFi Assistant Seems to be Rolling Out to Non-Project Fi Nexus Devices Today

Kellen — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 13:34:07 +0000

Project Fi's exclusive WiFi Assistant feature that has allowed Nexus owners to automatically connect securely to open WiFi networks appears to be rolling out to non-Fi Nexus owners at the moment. Google first announced WiFi Assistant for all Nexus phones back in August, suggesting that we would start seeing it within the "next few weeks." It looks like we made it there. With WiFi Assistant, assuming you toggle it on, your Nexus will connect to open WiFi networks that Google has deemed as secure and reliable. That way, as you cruise into stores, malls, airports, or around town, you can alleviate some of the stress on your data plan and use WiFi without the hassle of logging in and all that jazz. If your phone is ready for WiFi Assistant, you should see the option in Settings>Google>Networking. You may also find it in Settings>WiFi>Gear icon (top right). From within there, you will see a toggle for "Use open Wi-Fi automatically." I'm not currently seeing it live on my Nexus devices, but you may. Be sure to head into Google Play and update to the latest version of Google Connectivity Services. You may also need an update to Play Services as well or maybe you just need to remain patient.

Cheers Nick, Eric, and @MrCrowleyGaming!

You Can Now Hail a Lyft or Gett Ride Straight From Google Maps

Tim — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 11:33:59 +0000

Recently inside of Google Maps, users were able to hail an Uber car while looking to see how long a trip may take. Now, Google is also adding in support for Lyft throughout the US, as well as Gett in New York City. The way to access this feature remains unchanged. For example, once a destination is entered, you can review how long a trip will be depending on which mode of transportation you take. Under the Taxi section, you will now see Lyft options alongside Uber, as well as price and arrival estimations for both services. After looking at my own Google Maps app, the Lyft option has appeared. As for Gett, that's exclusive to NYC for now, so I cannot confirm if it is has gone live. Anyone in NYC want to confirm for me? While you're at it, want to explain what Gett is?

Via: Google Maps

T-Mobile is "Upgrading" Some Customers to Unlimited Data Plans From Now Until February 2019

Kellen — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 11:09:26 +0000

T-Mobile is handing out free upgrades to select customers over the next few days that gives many of them unlimited data for the next 2+ years at no extra charge. Another upgrade will add on an extra 1GB of data for those on 2.5GB and 5GB plans. Customers receiving the upgrades are being notified via text message that links them to a promo page with additional details. If you are on a 10GB data plan (possibly the 10GB 4-line family plan) and receive the notification, you are being bumped up to unlimited data. If you are on the 2.5GB or 5GB plans (possibly family plans as well) from years past, you are receiving an extra 1GB per month. It should be noted that the move to the unlimited plan does change things a bit. You still get the same amount of tethered data per month you had, but you no longer get Data Stash, since you have unlimited. That means you can't carry over a bunch of data to later be used through tethering. With the 1GB bump up, you can use that extra 1GB for normal data or tethering. T-Mobile hasn't announced the promo and so far hasn't revealed many details to press, but reports of the upgrades are everywhere. According to each promo's landing page, the change in plan starts between September 7 and 9 and runs until February 28, 2019. From what we can tell, this isn't something you can call to opt-in to. If T-Mobile thinks your account deserves the upgrade, they will let you know within the next day or so.

Via: T-Mobile [2]

Cheers @Id10tMagnet, Cory, and Lucas!

Michael Kors Android Wear Devices Are Hot, Start at $350

Tim — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 10:11:37 +0000

Michael Kors is the latest fashion brand to dive into Android Wear technology, launching two models this week with various looks. These smartwatches were announced in March of this year, but are finally available for purchase by anyone curious how MK handles wearable tech. As mentioned, there are two models - the Access Dylan and the Access Bradshaw. To keep things the least confusing as possible, I will refer to them simply as Dylan and Bradshaw, but be aware, MK also has standard watches that go by these names as well. It's the "Access" part that differentiates them as smartwatches. According to MK, there are "glamorous versions for women and sporty versions for men." As advertised on MK's website, the Dylan is the sporty versions for men, while the Bradshaw is the glamorous versions for women. The Dylan model comes in two unique flavors, a blackened, silicone band-having look, as well as a Rose Gold and Black silicone band model. Regardless of which model you want, both are $350. The Bradshaw, on the other hand, comes in five variations, ranging from all Gold to even a Sable-Tone. The pricing for the Bradshaw ranges from $350 to $395, depending on which model you prefer.

For specifications, each model carries the same. You will find a Snapdragon Wear 2100 SoC, magnetic charging, metallic casings (46mm on Dylan & 44.5mm on Bradshaw), and flat tires (sensors) on the bottom portion of an unknown display size. After looking, it appears none of these watches are inside Michael Kors retail stores just yet, but might make their way there soon enough. For the time being, you will need to pick them up online via the Michael Kors website. Michael Kors Web Store

[responsive_vid]

Via: Michael Kors

Moto Z Play DROID Now on Sale, Hasselblad True Zoom Up for Pre-Order

Tim — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:03:03 +0000

The Moto Z Play DROID is now available for purchase via Motorola and Verizon, plus the Hasselblad True Zoom is available through pre-order. If the Z Play interests you, Verizon is selling it for $408 full retail or $17/month with a payment plan. More interestingly, if the Hasselblad Moto Mod is something you want, it's priced at $299 on Motorola's website, but just $249 through Verizon. If you do want the Hasselblad, be sure to save yourself the $50. As for specs and features, the Z Play DROID is essentially a budget-friendly Moto Z. The Z Play features a 5.5" FHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 625 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB built-in storage, 3,510mAh battery with fast charging, 16MP rear-facing camera, water repellent coating, USB Type-C, fingerprint reader, and even a 3.5mm headphone jack. Buyers will be treated to Android 6.0.1 out of the box, as well as baked in features such as Moto Display, Voice, and Actions. We have had both of these products in-house for a solid week now. If you want more details, check out the videos and links below.

Motorola Links: Moto Z Play DROID | Hasselblad True Zoom
Verizon Links: Moto Z Play DROID | Hasselblad True Zoom

Moto Z Play DROID

[responsive_vid]

Hasseblad True Zoom

[responsive_vid vid_url="33zZnPiCReg"]

Nest Releases Sightline and Person Alerts Software Update for Cams, Gives Everyone Free 3-Hour History

Kellen — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 08:43:30 +0000

Nest says that they have "changed the game" as of this morning with the release of a major software update to the Nest app that brings new functionality to Nest Cams (both indoor and outdoor, and Dropcams). The update includes Sightline, a smart software that can pull out the "key moments" in a day for later reviewing, and Person Alerts, which are exactly what they sound like. On top of that, Nest announced that they are giving everyone free 3-hour history, even without a Nest Aware subscription. All of this new goodness was first revealed alongside the Nest Cam Outdoor (which is technically available today, but has lengthy shipping estimates - we still don't have ours and pre-ordered day 1), but is just now arriving, right on time. I say that because with People Alerts, your new Nest Cam Outdoor should have a lot less false alarms for motion. Plus, with Sightline, a full day of outdoor recording can now be seen in minutes. According to Nest, Sightline will be a new featured embedded in the Nest app (hopefully rolling out today) that shows you individual moments throughout a day or weeks that may be worth looking back at. All you need to do is tap on a camera in the app to see a list of Sightline events. To get a better feel for how this will look and work, check out the GIF below.

With People Alerts, Nest is able to to tell the difference between a tree swaying in the wind or a person walking up to your house. If you have ever owned an outdoor security camera, you are probably already nodding your head like "YESSSSSS." I can't tell you how many times within a day my Nest or Ring cameras go off because of outdoor motion that isn't a human or something I care about. People Alerts are also able to send you difference types of notifications to show you if they are "sure" it's a person or if Nest just "suspects it is." This is a Nest Aware subscription feature only. As for the 3-hour history for all, this is a huge deal. Going forward, if you don't own Nest Aware, Nest is at least giving you a 3-hour history for checking back at those really recent moments instead of just showing you a screen shot before taking you into a live shot. With a 3-hour history, you can at least see really recent events in their entirety. This 3-hour history includes Sightline. On a semi-related Nest note, Nest is also making new colors of the Nest Thermostat available starting today. You can buy the 3rd gen model in the classic silver, but now black, copper, and white as well. The same price applies. Everything is available in the Nest Store.

Via: Nest [2]

Android Mini Series 6 Now Available on Dead Zebra

Tim — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 15:23:07 +0000

For fans of Android collectibles, such as the Android Mini series of little Bugdroids, Dead Zebra now has Series 6 available for purchase. A few of the characters look absolutely adorable, such as the little hot dog and Benjamin Franklin, as well as the Greaser. For those interested in boosting the amount of Android Minis they own, a random individual piece is priced at about $10, with a whole 16-piece case priced at $144. A case comes with 14 different designs, plus one of three rare designs, according to Dead Zebra. If you purchase individually, there is no guarantee of which character you get, but that can add to the fun. It's been a while since I purchased an Android Mini, as I hate the idea of not knowing which mini I will get, but going for that hot dog character might be worth it. Fingers crossed. Follow the link below to check them out. Purchase Link

DEAL: 200GB SD Card for $60 ($18 Off), Asus OnHub Router for $130 ($70 Off)

Kellen — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 14:23:12 +0000

Amazon has a couple of share-worthy deals for us to feast upon this afternoon. One is for a SanDisk 200GB microSD card at just $59.99. This card was at one time a couple of hundred dollars, but has since settled into a zone right around $80. At $59.99, you are saving almost $20 and getting all of the storage your current phone can handle. If you don't need storage for a phone, but would like a smarter WiFi setup at home, you may want to take a look at the Asus OnHub router that Amazon has priced at $129.99. That's a solid $70 discount over the full retail price. Not familiar with OnHub? This is the brand of routers that Google is pushing, that are controlled through an Android app, and that are starting to do smart things, like work with IFTTT to automate your house. I tested one for months and loved the damn thing. Both deals are ending soon. Amazon Links: SanDisk 200GB microSD ($59.99) | Asus Onhub Router ($129.99

Nintendo Will Launch Super Mario Run for Android in the Future

Tim — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 13:50:42 +0000

One of the more exciting announcements during the iPhone 7 event was the introduction of Super Mario Run from Nintendo. To describe the upcoming game as plainly as possible, it looks like a horizontal Temple Run, but Mario. The game is to be made available exclusively for iOS at first, but Nintendo has confirmed to Kotaku that Super Mario Run will indeed come to Android eventually. The statement, albeit brief, lets us Android folk know that Nintendo hasn't forgotten about us quite yet.

We do intend to release the game on Android devices at some point in the future.

No word on exactly when or for how much, but we will keep you posted when we hear more from Nintendo.

Via: Kotaku

Galaxy S7 vs. iPhone 7

Kellen — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:18:31 +0000

Did you miss out on the Apple iPhone 7 launch event live blog from earlier? If so, that's unfortunate, because as usual, we had a blast. You also missed out on the unveiling of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, including details on new features and the whole list of specs for each. Thankfully for you, we have that all below! Well, at least the specs portion. Since the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are Samsung's king phones for 2016 (especially now that the Note 7 has been recalled), we went ahead and tossed them into a chart to show how they stack up to the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. This year, Apple finally introduced water resistance, tossed in a secondary camera, and even showed off some new black color options. They killed the headphone jack as well. We may have additional thoughts on everything that went down today, so for now, check out this Galaxy S7 vs. iPhone 7 showdown. [table id=46 responsive=scroll /] Note: Should Apple finally reveal RAM and battery info, we'll update this table.

Video: LG Provides Tour of UX 5.0+ Found on V20

Tim — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 08:56:14 +0000

The LG V20 will be one of the first smartphones available with Android 7.0 out of the box, and with that, the company has retooled a bit of its custom skin to provide more features to owners. To provide an overview of these UX 5.0+ software changes, as well as special hardware features, LG has posted a video to YouTube for anyone curious about what the V20 offers. Kicking it off, LG covers the possibilities of the second display on the frontside, such as the ability to respond to messages while inside of other apps and in-app search with Google. LG also covers the updated version of Quick Tools. Thanks to Nougat, support for Multi Window is native, allowing users to work inside of multiple apps at the same time. On the hardware side, the rear-facing cameras are shown off, plus the phone's HD Audio Recorder and sound output capabilities. Essentially, if this phone interests you, I would recommend watching this video. If you want our take on the V20 from LG, watch our video, too.

[responsive_vid]

Apple's iPhone 7 Event Live Chat! ???

Kellen — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 07:42:39 +0000

The iPhone 6ss is coming today. Well, some antenna lines appear to have moved, according to leaks on leaks, so we can probably call it the iPhone 7. Yeah, that thing is coming today. Because that sort of moment is going down and we find deep pleasure in talking about moments like this, we'll be live chatting it up along with you. I'd sit here and tell you what else to expect (Maybe a new Apple Watch and some Android features? Bokeh ball invention?), but I haven't followed any of the new iPhone saga outside of its antenna lines. Oh, and that whole headphone jack disappearing thing. That should go over well. Either way, the presentation is being live streamed starting at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). To watch the live stream from Apple along with us, you can do so at Apple's site here. They appear to be supporting streaming through both Safari and Microsoft's EDGE browser. Innovative! Our live chat is below.

Android Pay Welcomes in Chase Bank Support

Kellen — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 06:31:01 +0000

This morning, after adding a specific bank name to its list of supported banks late last night, Google announced that Chase is officially a part of Android Pay. Chase, people! For Chase members, cards including Freedom, Slate, Sapphire, United Mileage Explorer and the Hyatt Credit Card are eligible for use within Android Pay. Like with any other bank that has been a part of Android Pay, you add your Chase cards and then tap to pay at supported terminals throughout your shopping adventures. In other news, Android Pay in the UK has made its way to Santander and TSB. I'll have to let our UK readers fill you in on whether or not those are big time additions or not. Finally, Google took a moment through a blog post announcing this news to remind us about Android Pay integration into Chrome, giving you secure and simple payments on the web. So far, 1-800-Flowers.com and Groupon are participating, with new shops on the way.

Chase, crew, ready for donuts?

Via: Official Android Blog | Chase

When and Where can You Buy the LG V20?

Kellen — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 05:22:07 +0000

We have no idea. Seriously, that's the current answer. What we do know is that the LG V20 will go up for sale this month in Korea, which gives LG a chance to say that they are the first to ship Android Nougat on a phone out of the box. As for when the rest of the world will get the V20, that's anyone's guess. We know that Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint plan to carry it, as do a bunch of retailers, like Best Buy and B&H Photo. Some have said to expect it in the "Fall," while others will only say that it is "coming soon" and that pricing will also be announced at some point. Mmmmm, clarity. Tasty.

[responsive_vid]

LG V20 First Look and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 18:45:45 +0000

Oh the LG V20, the return of stuff and things. In all seriousness, after really learning to appreciate the "stuff and things" of the V10, last year's surprise sensation, I'm pretty excited for the V20 even though ~~Nexus~~ Pixel phones are on the horizon and the Note 7 is/was available. The V20 is just a different kind of beast that focuses on media, which means dominating audio and video. In my short time with the V20 earlier today, I certainly came away impressed by the overall package. I don't know that anything is new here in the sense that none of this has been done before in a smartphone, but LG has packed in a bunch of pieces that other phones have used and created a single package. You get the HiFi Quad DAC, dual cameras, Snapdragon 820 processor, lots of storage (64GB base), QHD display with a secondary display, tough metal construction, removable battery, and Android Nougat. It has a lot of those "stuff and things" going on. I will say that the design is a bit boring. Remember, last year, LG went a bit wild with the V20 design by offering up a phone with huge steel panels and a DuraGuard exterior in gold and baby blue colors. This year, the V20 is missing all of that, including the outlandish paint job. The subtle design may be for some, it's just that the V10 was so refreshing in its weirdness. As you know, the V20 is coming soon (this month in Korea, elsewhere after) and so we will have much more over the coming weeks as we lead up to a review. For now, enjoy the first look!

[responsive_vid]

LG V20 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 18:45:15 +0000

The LG V20 is, of course, official and you hopefully ran through our first look video of it, but we know that more than a handful of you are probably curious about official specs. Since this is the newest V-line member from LG, you know they packed in a bunch of extra goodies that most smartphones aren't going to have. Outside of the 5.7-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 820, 4GB RAM, and 64GB base storage, you get a secondary display, HiFi DAC (32-bit), dual cameras, intense multi-media software features, and a body made of AL6013 steel that is found in aircraft. Oh, let's also not forget that this is the first phone to run Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. This is the newest "things and stuff" phone from LG that isn't really messing around much, just like last year's model.

LG V20 Specs (Official)

[table id=45 responsive=scroll /]

LG V20 is Official as the Ultimate Media Nerd Toy

Kellen — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 18:45:05 +0000

The LG V20 may have leaked here and there over the past few weeks as we led up until tonight's official unveiling in San Francisco, but I think it's clear that LG still kept some goodies locked up for a surprise. Not only does the V20 improve over the V10 in every category, it really has become the ultimate media nerd toy for both video and audio elitists. In terms of general specs, the V20 features a 5.7-inch QHD main display with a secondary display above it (just like the V10), Snapdragon 820, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage with microSD expansion, dual cameras (16MP standard, 8MP wide-angle), wide-angle front camera, 3200mAh removable battery with Quick Charge 3.0, and Android 7.0 Nougat. If you just stopped there, you could easily say, "Hey, this is a sweet flagship!" But it gets better. As the king of media, which is what LG is shooting for with the V20, you also get a 32-bit HiFi Quad DAC, HiFi video recording, HD audio recorder, all of the cameras you could ever want for all of the angles, and hybrid auto focus. With this phone, LG hopes that you can not only shoot the best mobile video of any smartphone, but take in the purest audio as well. LG didn't stop there, though. One of the big selling features of the V10 was its steel panels and DuraGuard protection. While you won't find DuraGuard branding or last year's unique design, LG is saying that they are using a lightweight, but incredibly strong AL6013 metal that can withstand drops. In fact, LG is basically suggesting that you can drop this phone and it shouldn't break, no matter which point hits the ground first. We'll have more on the LG V20 in the coming days. To see a first look video, head over to this post. To see the full specs, head to this post. The LG V20 arrives in Korea this month and then will arrive elsewhere shortly thereafter.

Press Release

LG TAKES THE MULTIMEDIA MOBILE EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH V20

Enhanced Features Include Steady Record 2.0, Front and Rear Wide Angle Cameras, Hi-Fi Quad DAC, Android Nougat OS

SEOUL, Sept. 7, 2016 — LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled the V20, the latest in its V series of smartphones, delivering the highest multimedia capabilities available in a mobile device. The V20 boasts new features including Steady Record 2.0, Hi-Fi Quad DAC, HD Audio Recorder and front and rear wide-angle lens cameras to deliver bestin- class performance. It is also the world’s first smartphone to come preloaded with Android 7.0 Nougat OS and the new Google In Apps phone search function. The LG V series is a premium flagship smartphone line designed to provide users with the best video and audio experience. LG looked at the customers of the V10 and examined what they wanted and needed and determined that the V20 should be developed with “storytellers” in mind – for anyone who has something to say, anyone who has an experience to share. Delivering Share-worthy, Crisp, Clear Videos Steady Record 2.0 The LG V20, powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 820 processor with X12 LTE, introduces Steady Record 2.0, leveraging Qualcomm Technologies’ electronic image stabilization (EIS) 3.0 to record sharper video footage while neutralizing shaky images. The gyro-based EIS improves sync accuracy between the image and the gyro by reducing sync latency to only 50 milliseconds. EIS is complemented by digital image stabilization (DIS) which further improves video quality in post-processing by adjusting objects across frames and minimizing distortion caused by rolling shutter for smoother action. Hi-Fi Video Recording LG V20 owners can record Hi-Fi videos and manually control the settings for perfect audio quality using options such as Low Cut Filter (LCF) that removes unwanted background noise and Limiter (LMT) that sets recording distance. The LCF reduces background noise while the LMT zeroes in on voices the user wants to record. The V20 also captures audio using 24-bit / 48 kHz Linear Pulse Code Modulation (LPCM), the same format used in professional video equipment. The Purest Audio Experience Hi-Fi Quad DAC The V20 is the world’s first smartphone to feature a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC, powered by ESS Technology, designers of high-performance audio products. Powered by ESS SABRE ES9218, the Quad DAC in the V20 delivers clearer sound by minimizing distortion and ambient noise by up to 50 percent. With 75-stage fine volume and L/R balance controls as well as support for lossless music formats including FLAC, DSD, AIFF and ALAC, the V20 delivers high-quality sound to any pair of earphones. HD Audio Recorder The HD Audio Recorder represents the next level of sound recording. This feature lets users capture studio quality audio with a wider dynamic frequency range using three high AOP microphones to record incredible sound that surpass audio recordings on conventional smartphones. With Studio Mode, manually control sound with easy-to-use keys similar to ones found in video cameras and use Music Recorded to create high quality audio suitable for auditions by recording singing voices over existing music. In an effort to further enhance audio functions and design, LG continues its collaboration with B&O PLAY. The result in the LG V20 is a natural, balanced sound, reflecting B&O PLAY’s acoustic engineering philosophy. Capture It All and More Front/Rear Wide Angle Lens The wide angle capabilities of the front and rear cameras capture photos with an inclusive background, meaning users get more in the frame and leave nothing out. The 5MP front camera with a 120-degree lens expands the selfie experience to take bigger pictures with even more friends. The 8MP rear camera with its 135-degree lens is perfect for taking pictures in front of a gorgeous vista or inside a gigantic stadium. The large aperture standard angle lens captures sharp images at a maximum of 16MP with its 75- degree lens. Auto Shot The Auto Shot Function on the front camera produces perfect selfies with its face detection feature, which triggers the shot when the subject is ready and smiling. There is no need to press the shutter button, which usually increases camera shake and the likelihood of a blurred shot. Hybrid Auto Focus The V20’s Hybrid Auto Focus (HAF) ensures a sharp picture every time. A fast and stable auto focus is delivered in any environment by integrating three AF mechanisms – Laser Detection AF, Phase Detection AF and Contrast AF – for both videos and photos. The V20 determines if LDAF or PDAF is best for a particular shot and then refines the focus with Contrast AF. Users can take full advantage of the V20 when capturing sharp images of friends or family in action, in any lighting conditions. Gives You More of What You Love Second Screen The popular Second Screen feature that was first introduced on the V10 has improved in visibility. With double the brightness and 50 percent larger font size compared to the V10, the smaller display located above the main display allows users to easily view notifications and alerts in outdoor situations at a glance. Now with the Expandable Notifications feature, users can tap a button on the Second Screen to enlarge notifications in order to check long messages at a glance and quickly send a reply or share information. LG UX 5.0+ The LG V20 comes with the mobile user interface LG UX 5.0+ to make it easier to use the multimedia functions tailored to customer needs. The LG UX 5.0+ is an upgraded version of the LG UX 5.0 first introduced on the LG G5. It is also the world’s first smartphone interface to run on Android 7.0 Nougat. The LG V20 also features Multi-window to display two apps at once in a split screen allowing users to drag text, images, and files from one app to another. The combination of these advancements together with the 5.7-inch main IPS Quantum Display offers the best in multitasking capabilities. In Apps The LG V20 is the world’s first phone to showcase Google’s In Apps. The new search mode featured in the Google app, helps users find content not only from built-in apps including contacts, emails, text messages and photos, but also from user-installed apps. It also enables users to discover recently accessed apps, people to get in touch with, messages to read or activity across apps without having to type a query. Premium Design in a Durable Body Premium Materials To achieve both a sophisticated look and solid durability, LG uses lightweight aluminum, together with a new silicon-based material. AL6013 metal, found in aircraft, sailboats and mountain bikes, was selected to cover the back of the phone due to its sturdy but light properties. If dropped, the top and bottom of the phone are protected from damage by Silicone Polycarbonate (Si-PC). This innovative material, found in helmets, reduces shocks by more than 20 percent compared to conventional materials. Durability The LG V20 has also passed the MIL-STD 810G Transit Drop Test for durability conducted by an independent laboratory that conforms to U.S. military standards. The test determined that the V20 could withstand shocks and still function when dropped repeatedly from a height of four feet and landing in various positions, including the front, back, sides and corners. “The LG V20 is designed to offer customers a more dynamic experience by building on the most popular video and audio features of the V series,” said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics and Mobile Communications Company. “With the LG V20, we are giving our customers more of everything they love and less of anything they don’t need to set a new standard for premium smartphones.” The LG V20 will be available in Korea starting this month followed by other regions. Information regarding other markets and launch dates will be announced locally in the weeks to come.

Chrome 53 Offers Better Power Management and Speed, Support for Android Pay

Tim — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 15:08:29 +0000

With the launch of Chrome 53, Google is bringing improvements in battery performance and overall speed to everyone. Shown off in a video of Chrome 53 running against Chrome 46, the machine running Chrome 53 lasts 2+ hours longer while streaming videos, confirming the browser's upgrades in the battery performance department. According to Google, Chrome for Mac now uses 33 percent less power for everything from videos and images to simple page scrolling. On the speed side, Chrome is more than 15% faster on both desktop and Android, which is a good thing for us. Also launched inside of Chrome 53 is support for Android Pay. Now, when shopping through the web, paying for your items is made easy, so long as your bank supports it. Seamless payments is made possible by the introduction of support for the PaymentRequest web standard. To see more details on what Chrome 53 offers, read Google's blog below. While you're at it, watch Chrome 53 dominate some Vimeo.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Chrome

Bragi Intros 'The Headphone' Wireless Earbuds, Major Bragi OS Software Update

Tim — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 12:51:07 +0000

Bragi, the company behind Kickstarter's The Dash earbuds, announced its latest product this week, The Headphone. The idea behind The Headphone is to provided everyone with an affordable, hassle free wireless earbud experience. Essentially, Bragi is offering The Dash as The Headphone, minus a lot of the added goodies that make The Dash a $200+ product. Upon retail launch, The Headphone will only cost $149. However, during Bragi's pre-sale, which is live right now, the earbuds will only set you back $119. With these earbuds, users can switch between music and phone calls even in "challenging" environments thanks to Versant advanced voice technology. You can also activate Audio Transparency to deliver voice commands, all without having to lift your phone. As for the battery specs, Bragi claims that The Headphone delivers up to 6 hours of wireless battery life per charge.

Again, The Headphone is expected to launch in November with a retail price of $149, but the opened pre-sale is available for $119. On top of hardware, Bragi also announced Bragi OS 2.1, the second major update for The Dash earbuds. With the update, The Dash can speak four new languages (Chinese, French, German and Spanish), and now synchronizes with Google Fit and Apple Health Kit. Additionally, Bragi OS 2.1 features Touch Lock (prevents inadvertent gestures from impacting The Dash), a shuffle feature, as well as on-demand heart rate tracking. For additional details, check out the link below.

Pre-Order Link

Via: Bragi

T-Mobile's New LTE-A Tech Offers Up to 400Mbps Speeds on Select Devices in Select Cities

Tim — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 11:00:32 +0000

Following Verizon's announcement of LTE-A for select markets, T-Mobile is looking to one up the competition, as it always is. To do so, the carrier is launching 4x4 MIMO (multiple input, multiple output), as well as 256 QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) and 64 QAM. To explain, 4x4 MIMO means there are double the number of data paths between a cell site and your phone. According to T-Mobile, "Double the paths = up to double the speed than before!" Of course, not all T-Mobile customers will benefit from this technological advancement. Announced by T-Mobile, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will be the first to see these potential speed boosts, thanks to an update that will come later this month. Following that, more devices should see the update. At this time, 4x4 MIMO is available in 319 cities across the US. The improvements don't stop at 4x4 MIMO, though. In addition, T-Mobile is also introducing 256 QAM for downloads and 64 QAM for uploads. This technology increases the number of bits delivered per transmission, granting even faster speeds for supported devices in supported areas. When combined with 4x4 MIMO, T-Mobile claims they can deliver 400Mbps speeds to customers. 256 QAM and 64 QAM are apparently already live in half of T-Mobile's US network. By the end of October, T-Mobile states it will light up "every single cell site" across the network. Again, customers with a Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will see it first with an update in October, followed by other devices. Make sure you buckle up before taking on these alleged speeds.

Via: T-Mobile

September's Android Security Update is Rolling Out With First Nougat Patch

Kellen — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:28:42 +0000

Google is pushing out September's Android security update to Nexus devices today and has done so by already publishing both factory image and OTA .zip files. This is the first security patch for Nougat and that means new Android 7.0 builds for a few devices. They also provided the typical security bulletin as well. As of right now, we have new Android 7.0.0 files for the Pixel C (NRD90R), Nexus 5X (NRD90S), Nexus 9 WiFi (NRD90R), and Nexus Player (NRD90R). We are also getting new Android 6.0.1 files for the Nexus 6P (MTC20L), Nexus 5X (MTC20K), Nexus 5 (MOB31E), Nexus 6 (MMB30W, MOB31E), and Nexus 9 LTE (MOB31E). NOTE: We don't know what's going on with the Nexus 6P. Should files go up, we'll be sure to update this post. You can grab each image or OTA file at the links below. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go. Links: Factory Images | OTA Files | Security Bulletin UPDATE: Nexus 6P's new 6.0.1 image is now up.

Google Reported to Launch Huawei-Made 7" Android Tablet

Tim — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 09:08:07 +0000

According to Evan Blass on Twitter, Google is working with Huawei to launch a new 7-inch tablet later this year. Will it be a Nexus? A Pixel? We don't quite know yet. A single specification was provided by Blass, reporting that the device will feature 4GB of RAM. There's no word yet on processor, LTE capability, or anything else. The last Android tablet Google launched was the Pixel C, a very nice, yet very boring device. As for the last Nexus tablet, that was the Nexus 9, being yet another mediocre Android tablet experience. Given that this new tablet may feature a 7" display, it seems reasonable to assume Google would utilize the popular Nexus 7 name to market this product. However, with all of the Pixel vs. Nexus public branding confusion going on, it's hard to say what Google might call it. Earlier this year, a trademark popped up for "Huawei 7P," but not much information followed since all signs were pointing at HTC to create this year's Nexus phones. If this "7P" trademark was directed at a possible tablet device, that makes more sense. Additionally, don't forget that the general manager of Huawei’s consumer group in South Africa stated, "We’re doing the Nexus again this year, by the way." Regardless of what they call it, people enjoyed the Nexus 7 tablets, so a followup would likely be welcomed by the Android community. Would you be interested in a Nexus 7 (2016)?

Via: @evleaks

2016 DL Football Eliminator Challenge is Open! Winner Takes Home a Phone of Choice

Kellen — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 08:52:05 +0000

Wow, that snuck up on us quick, didn't it? The 2016 NFL season is upon us in just two days! And with that, the DL Football Eliminator Challenge is now open for the 2016 season! For the 6th year in a row, our winner will walk away with a phone of their choice. For those new to NFL eliminator challenges, they work like this. At absolutely zero cost to you, you pick one winner each week during the season out of all of the games being played. If your team wins, you move on to the next week. Just keep in mind that you can only choose a team one time per season, so there is some strategy involved. With that said, by no means are these challenges as intense as fantasy football or weekly pick’em challenges. This is the simplest form of an NFL challenge you can participate in. All you have to do each week is remember to pick a single winner. New this year, the ESPN Fantasy App (and yes, we use ESPN's Eliminator Challenge) will allow you to pick your team each week. It really just seems like they are opening the fantasy site within the app, so the setup is pretty crappy, but hey, it's something. You can download it here. The season kicks off this Thursday (yes, in 2 days), so you will want to sign-up now. We will try our best to remind you throughout the next couple of days to sign-up, though. There is no cost to you, yet you can win a phone of choice. Ready to sign-up?

Join the group: Droid Life Eliminator Password: droidlife Simple rules for those new to eliminator challenges:

Join the league up above. Create an entry for yourself. Get ready to pick winners.
Since this is an eliminator challenge, you only have to pick 1 winner each week.
Remember though, that you only get to use a team one time and cannot pick them to win again.
If you choose correctly each week, you continue to advance.
If you choose incorrectly, you are more than likely out. Still, continue picking though, as we may not have anyone finish the season perfect.
If that didn’t make sense, check out the full “How to Play” rules here.
If we run into a tiebreaker, we will decide a winner based on these rules. That's right, we go with ESPN's rules and they determine the winner.

Prize: Once again, we are giving away a phone to the winner, only this time we have upped the value to $700. Once week 17 wraps and the winner is picked by ESPN, we’ll use a series of contact points to verify the winner via email. The winner will first be contacted on the ESPN Eliminator page. Then, it’s up to them to choose a phone. Winner's prize will only be bought and shipped with the US. Reminders: We’ll try to remind folks to make their picks each week, but cannot guarantee that we’ll remember. If we do though, it will be on Twitter, so be sure to follow us there. Week 1 starts this Thursday, with the first game between the Panthers and Broncos on September 8. Good luck!

IMAGE

Motorola Brings Moto G4 Play to US, Amazon Gets "Prime Exclusive" for Just $99

Kellen — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 06:42:34 +0000

Back in July, Motorola brought the new Moto G family to the US as the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus (unboxing). Today, they are adding to the family by also introducing the Moto G4 Play, a phone that manages to be even less expensive, yet avoids dropping all of the way down to the Moto E family. Starting at just $149.99, you are looking at a phone with a Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage with microSD support, 5-inch HD (720p) display, 2800mAh battery, 8MP rear camera (f/2.2), 5MP front camera (f/2.2), water repellent coating, and Android 6.0.1. As you can tell from that last, this isn't even really a mid-range device and really there for those on a strict budget. It comes in either black or white. Speaking of budgets, if $149.99 is too much for you, the Moto G4 Play is the latest Amazon Prime Exclusive phone, which means you can get one with Amazon ads embedded on the lock screen for even cheaper. At $99.99, this phone can be yours, assuming you don't mind living with an Amazon ad or two. In terms of connectivity, Motorola is selling the Moto G4 Play as an unlocked phone (XT1607) that works on all major US carriers. They will also sell a Verizon-specific version (XT1609) as a prepaid device. But again, the unlocked version works on Verizon too. The new Moto G4 Play is up for pre-order today at Amazon, B&H Photo, and Motorola.com. On September 15, pre-orders and store availability arrive, with Motorola and Verizon adding themselves to the list. Store links:

Amazon Prime Exclusive ($99.99) | Amazon ($149.99)
Motorola ($149.99)
B&H Photo ($149.99)

Verizon Introduces New 12GB $80 Plan, Makes Safety Mode Free for Everyone

Kellen — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 15:42:47 +0000

To take us into the weekend with more wireless plan options, Verizon announced changes to their The Verizon Plan that include a new 12GB option and the addition of Safety Mode to all plans at no extra charge. Can you believe it? Verizon is already getting rid of the shady $5 fee that only got you 128Kbps speeds. To recap, Safety Mode was introduced in early July as one of the highlight features of the latest changes to The Verizon Plan. With Safety Mode, Verizon was essentially giving you unlimited data, but they were slowing the speeds of your data connection to 128Kbps after you used up your high-speed data allotment for a billing cycle. This feature was only free to XL and XXL plans, and cost S, M, and L plan holders $5 per month. And you see, that's why we continue to refer to this as "shady" or "sneaky," because Verizon was asking their lowest tier customers to pay them $5 per month extra for 2G speeds. Think about that for a second. So now, Safety Mode is just included with all plans as it should have been from day 1. My guess is that you still need to turn it on, though, to avoid overages. As for the new plan, Verizon has kicked in a 12GB for $80 data bucket that is a "limited time offer." We don't know how long this new plan will be available, especially since there isn't really a letter combination to fit in between L and XL. Do note that the 12GB plan comes with everything that the XL and XXL plans include, like Carryover Data, Safety Mode and international calling and texting to and from Mexico and Canada. Here is the full plan line-up:

Small: 2 GB for $35/month
Medium: 4 GB for $50/month
Large: 8 GB for $70/month
Limited time offer: 12 GB for $80/month
X-Large: 16 GB for $90/month
XX-Large: 24 GB for $110/month

Via: Verizon

Samsung Reveals Galaxy Note 7 Exchange Program Following Recall

Kellen — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 15:15:29 +0000

This afternoon, just hours after Samsung announced a global recall of the Galaxy Note 7, the company has revealed an exchange program for all current owners of the phone. The program kicks off today and the details of it are as follows. If you are worried about your Galaxy Note 7 (and you should be on some level), you have two options as of right now.

You can exchange your Galaxy Note 7 for a new Galaxy Note 7, although, carriers won't have new ones until next week.
You can exchange your Note 7 for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge and replace any accessories you picked up for it with new ones for your new phone. You will also receive a refund on the price difference between the Note 7 and the S7 or S7 Edge, whichever phone you choose.

As an additional gesture of appreciation, Samsung will hand out $25 gift cards or bill credits from select carriers. To see which options you have from your specific carrier, check out this updated post. To take advantage of this exchange program, Samsung is telling customers to contact or visit the outlet for which you purchase the Note 7. You can also call Samsung at 1-800-SAMSUNG to get the exchange process going or to have questions answered.

UPDATE: A number of you have already called Samsung or your carriers and none of you seem to be having much success in getting a new Galaxy Note 7. Samsung has made no indication that they are only replacing select units, yet that is what many of you are hearing on the phone with them. The only note about specific phones, is from the press release that reads:

While there have been only a small number of reported incidents, Samsung is taking great care to provide customers with the support they need. Samsung has identified the affected inventory and stopped sales and shipments of those devices. For customers, who have Galaxy Note7 devices, Samsung will voluntarily replace their current device with a new one from today.

That does indeed make it sound like Samsung has narrowed the battery cell issues down to specific units, but their press release also suggests that everyone with the phone should call in or contact their carrier. We'll see if we can get further clarification.

Via: Samsung

Verizon Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ Get Updates With Barcode Beaming, New Contact Sharing

Kellen — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 14:27:37 +0000

The Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 on Verizon are both seeing updates today to software version VRU2BPG5. The updates aren't major, but do include Barcode Beaming Service for scanning coupons, loyalty cards, etc. in Samsung Pay. Each phone is also getting new contact sharing, while the S6 Edge+ is getting a new addition to People Edge as well. As for the new contacts sharing, each phone can now share profiles, files up to 1GB, and events. On the Edge+, OnCircle has been added to give you "creative communication, with more than just words." That's a fancy way of saying you can send people doodles, short video clips, "emoticons" and touch effects. Oh, each update also removes Amazon Music, but does include the Amazon Widget. DT Ignite, GO!

Via: Verizon [2]

Pixel Phones, Eh?

Kellen — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 10:34:30 +0000

Last night's bombshell news came from a report that suggested Google will ditch Nexus branding for its 2016 phones and loop them into the Pixel brand. As you can imagine, I have some thoughts on this move and would much rather talk about Pixel phones today than read volcanic takes on the Galaxy Note 7 and its battery recall. So, shall we discuss? OK! My first thought is, this makes sense in a way because it always seemed unnecessary to have both Nexus and Pixel lines under one roof. The Pixel line, not unlike the Nexus line, has often been thought of as the Google employee line of devices, largely because they were ridiculously expensive niche products. At one time, Pixel seemed to mean "high-end Chromebook for our employees who hate these cheap $150 Chromebooks that our partners make" while Nexus was more, "Here is this phone that our Android team designed and likes, and will probably appeal to nerds, but we don't care about selling a lot of them." Yet as Nexus seems to have grown in appeal, Android security has become more important than ever, and Google certainly seems ready to fully invest and sell volumes of hardware in all sorts of categories, having one major brand to move forward is a good choice. Why kill Nexus and go with Pixel? I don't know, but in a way it gives Google a fresh start for smartphones. No one bought either Chromebook Pixel or the Pixel C, so Google can introduce phones under this Pixel brand almost as if it is a brand new brand. These could be sold as some of the first Google phones, offered with a special suite of software, potential 24-7 live support, and a promise of software updates. They could also move them deeply into carrier stores to spread their availability and market the hell out of the launch. Well, assuming Google wants to take marketing seriously.

Funny, part of this sounds a lot like that Android Silver program from 2014 that surfaced in numerous reports before dying a behind-the-scenes quick death. The difference there was the idea that Google wouldn't build Silver phones, they would just partner with other manufacturers to offer Google Play Edition-like experiences, sell them through carriers, and offer next-level support and training. With Pixel phones, you get the feeling that Google just wants a new brand to sell to carriers and then to customers, while still keeping the majority of it all in-house with that previously mentioned support. The move to Pixel does worry me that along with the death of Nexus, Nexus pricing might die too. Pixel devices have never been that affordable. The base model Pixel C tablet with 32GB storage is a whopping $499 and the Chromebook Pixel devices were well north of $1,000 each. Nexus phones, as long as they weren't a carrier-tied experiment, were often so desirable to many of us because we felt like we were getting Google's vision for Android, mostly high-end specs with something new tossed in as a bonus, all at a reasonable price. If rumors of these new Pixel phones being sold through carriers are true, I'd expect the reasonable price model to go away. In the end, carriers have a lot of say over things like pricing and Google has yet to show that it can flex the right muscles to push any of them around. One topic that I am interested to see unfold lies in the design department. The two Chromebook Pixels and the Pixel C are all phenomenally designed devices. This is the type of hardware that you pick up and go, "Holy shit, this is nice." All were housed in matte aluminum bodies with sharp rectangular edges, and all tried to emphasize a next-gen tech (touchscreens on laptops, USB Type-C, magnetic charging keyboards, random yet awesome lightbars, etc.). With the Pixel and Pixel XL (rumored names for "sailfish" and "marlin," respectively), we have yet to see a leak that shows this kind of impressive hardware.

Now, leaks are leaks and we wouldn't put much into them, but so far the few that have surfaced have us worried about Google cutting corners by re-hashing old HTC hardware. Maybe those devices in the wild are nothing but early prototypes and Google has something special still planned for a reveal, which we have pegged for October 4. Speaking of HTC, their involvement is incredibly confusing. The Pixel brand up to this point has been about Google building super high-end devices with great design that show off potential, but that they don't exactly expect to sell a lot of. The Pixel brand also never has a hardware partner, at least that Google is willing to talk about. With this year's Google phones, we know that HTC is building them because the FCC told us so. Having a hardware partner like HTC make your phones is a Nexus move, not a Pixel move. See how this whole branding thing is kind of a mess? It could be that Google recently changed its mind and wants to go the Pixel route with phones this year and not name a hardware partner, but they had already committed to HTC building the phones. That could mean that HTC's name and involvement will be reduced as they push Pixel instead of Nexus, while focusing on having no partner at all for 2017. Either way, you have to feel a little sorry for HTC, as rumors have these phones showing zero HTC branding at all, which wouldn't be the case if these were Nexus phones. In the end, the move to Pixel from Nexus doesn't upset me. Sure, Nexus phones have always been our most loved and talked about phones at Droid Life because this is a community full of nerds who love nerd things that run Google's version of Android. But as long as Pixel still means what Nexus meant, the name is only that, a name.

Carriers Acknowledge Note 7 Battery Recall, Most Offer Immediate Exchanges and Refunds (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:24:38 +0000

UPDATE: Samsung has now revealed an official exchange program for the Galaxy Note 7 recall. Full details at this post, but you may want to read some of the details below for your specific carrier. UPDATE 2: We have updated each carrier section below with the latest details.

All of the major US carriers have now acknowledged that they have stopped sales of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, following Samsung's statement about battery cell issues and an impending recall. While most seem to still be working with Samsung to determine the best course of action for replacing the Note 7 you may have purchased with a new one, almost all of them are offering immediate returns and full refunds with no re-stocking fee should concerns over exploding batteries have you worried. Below, you'll find statements and details from each carrier.

Verizon

"On September 2, 2016, Samsung announced a voluntary recall of the Galaxy Note7 in response to an issue with the device’s battery. Because customer safety is our top priority, Verizon has stopped selling the Galaxy Note7. Additionally, through September 30, 2016, Verizon is waiving the restocking fee for any customers who purchased a Galaxy Note7 and wish to return or exchange it."

AT&T

"Important Information for AT&T Customers with Samsung Note7 Samsung has notified us that they have identified a battery cell issue in certain Galaxy Note7s. They have asked all retailers, including AT&T, to stop selling the device. Because safety is our top priority, customers are strongly encouraged to exchange the Samsung Note7 for a new device. Customers with a Note7 may select a Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7 active, Galaxy Note7 or any other smartphone, and may also return any Note7 accessories. If a customer chooses another Samsung device, he or she will receive a bill credit of $25 per device. Customers will be also able to exchange that interim device for a new Note 7 in the future. That process will be shared as soon as it is available."

T-Mobile

"We have been working closely with Samsung to finalize details of their exchange program for the Note7, and we want to make sure T-Mobile customers are taken care of. Customers now have two options:

As we announced earlier this morning, customers can return the Note7 to T-Mobile for a full, complete refund of anything paid for the device and any Note7 accessories. We’ll waive any restocking charges and shipping fees, and customers can keep the free Netflix subscription and Gear Fit or SD card they received with purchase during pre-order. Customers have the option to use their refund to choose any device in T-Moble’s stores.
As soon as we have inventory from Samsung, customers can exchange their current Galaxy Note7 for a new Galaxy Note7, and we will notify customers as soon as we have inventory available.

Customers can visit their local T-Mobile store where they bought the device or call 611 on their mobile phone or 1-800-937-8997 through at least September 30 to take advantage of either option."

Sprint

"Sprint Note 7 customers have three options:

Customers can replace their current Galaxy Note 7 with a new one when stock becomes available.
Customers also have the choice of immediately exchanging their device for a Samsung Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge; this includes replacement of any Note 7 accessories with a refund for any price difference between devices.
Sprint will allow customers to exchange their Note 7 for any Sprint device and will reimburse any price differences and waive any restocking and shipping fees.

Sprint customers should visit the store where they purchased their Note 7 and a Sprint team member will gladly help customers get up and running with their new device on the Sprint network. Sprint Note 7 customers can also call 1-800-SPRINT1 for information on how to exchange their device. As a gesture of appreciation, Samsung is offering customers a $25 gift card at Sprint retail outlets when choosing a Galaxy S7 family device or the Galaxy Note 7 within the exchange program." On a related note, our Galaxy Note 7 review is out! ?

Via: Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile | Sprint

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Review

Kellen and Tim — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 07:48:46 +0000

Since the day the Galaxy Note 7 was released, Tim and I have each had one in hand, in pocket, next to us on a desk, or traveling by our side across the country, accompanying us through every move because this is one of those phones that offers so much, you have to dedicate every ounce of your mobile life to it to get the most out of it. In fact, for the two weeks we have been on the Note 7 full time, you still get the feeling that there is more to learn here. Note phones have always been thought of as power user phones, though they are also becoming quite good as every-person phones, thanks to Samsung's recent attempts at softening the software experience. Sure, Note devices still offer top tier specs and S Pens and multi-window fun and a big ass display, but they are also just really damn good phones, even if you don't want to mess with all of that extra fluff. And I think that's a lot of what Samsung is trying to do going forward, especially with the Note 7, is remind you that this isn't just for power users any longer and can really be a great phone for anyone. Let's talk more about that. This is our Galaxy Note 7 review. UPDATE: As you all now know, the Galaxy Note 7 has been officially killed off by Samsung because it kept exploding on customers in hand, on airplanes, and at night when they were sound asleep. That really sucks because this phone was awesome. Either way, we've leave this review up as a way to remember what was more than likely the best phone of 2016. RIP, little guy.

The Good

Design Outside of the fact that the Note 7 is a large phone, with its 5.7-inch QHD display, there is absolutely no denying that it is one of, if not the, best designed phones of all time. I know, that's saying a lot! But when you look at the construction, with the curved glass flowing from front to metal sides to rear glass again, it's truly something to get excited about. Just look at this thing. That glass. That metal. This black version in particular. Mmmm.

And then should you pick one up, you'll fall even more in love and wish your old crusty phone felt even an ounce as good as this. You see, that glass and metal blending leads to a phone that is round on the sides, providing a soft feel both in the palm of your hand and as your fingers run along its surface or sides. Soft is, obviously, a weird way to describe a phone made with all of these solid materials, but it really does feel that way. There are no sharp points or rough patches that will ever turn you off. Even the fingerprint reader seems to be more flush to the lower chin of the phone than previous Samsung devices. Not that the button on the S7 or S6 was an area of concern, but Samsung was able to make a home button and fingerprint reader that is never in your way, but is there when you go looking for it.

Samsung is also delivering this phone in a stunning all-black version with matte black sides, a silver mirror machine, and an obnoxiously two-toned blue and rose gold thing that people seem excited about because it's different. Different isn't always classy, folks, so try and stay classy. Overall, though, the Galaxy Note 7 design has taken phone design to an all new level, something I didn't expect to see so soon after the incredible design that came with the S7 and S7 Edge. Should Samsung continue on this kind of streak, everyone else might as well just quit. I'm kidding, of course. Display In recent years, as Samsung introduces a new phone, the new best mobile display on the planet comes with it. This whole battle to replace itself as number 1 started some years ago and hasn't stopped here with the Galaxy Note 7. The 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display, with its dual edge accents, is once again a stunner. Colors are rich yet accurate, whites are white, and the blacks are deep black. Color reproduction is as clean as it gets, brightness levels are top notch, and the viewing angles are the best in the business, something you'll see in the images below.

Like in the camera department we are about to talk about, Samsung is only expanding its lead in the display department. With the Note 7, thanks to the dual edge setup, you get a phone that not only appears to be as edge-to-edge as you can get, it also feels incredibly smooth and fluid to the touch as the glass cascades over each edge, plus everything looks as if it's floating. It's a wonderful effect and is easily the best implementation of an edge display to date. Now, the edge setup can be a bit of a nuisance at times, with Android's slideout menus being finicky to grab on occasion. The closeness to the edge of the phone leads to plenty of accidental touches from the palm of your hand that you may not have wanted, as well. Honestly, I don't know that I'll ever love an edge display, but this is my favorite so far because it isn't as drastic as previous versions. On a related note, Always-on Display is back and better than ever because of a single change that should have been there from day 1. I'm talking about the fact that Always-on Display, which constantly shows you the time, date, and battery status of your Note 7, now also shows you notification icons for each notification sitting just beyond your lock screen. On the S7 and Edge, it only showed you missed call and text notifications, but this change now lets you stay fully in-tune to the status of your phone.

Camera I think I'm at the point now where it would be really tough to live without a Samsung phone because I don't trust anyone else's cameras. Sure, other smartphone makers are putting decent shooters in their phones that stomp all over phones from years past, but Samsung is just on another planet here. I hate to sound so overly positive and fanboyish about the cameras in Galaxy phones, because you always try to find flaws and hope that one company isn't running away with the industry. Yet here is Samsung, doing just that in the smartphone camera department. On the Note 7, Samsung is introducing a new camera UI that is still simple, but does now require swipe gestures to get to new areas. In the past, you always had buttons to press to get into effects or other camera modes. However, on the Note 7, you need to swipe in from the left (modes) or from the right (effects) to switch it up. That may take some getting used to for long-time Samsung fans. Otherwise, the UI still includes all of the robust features you could ask for in a modern day smartphone camera. You can launch the camera quickly with a double tap on the home button, go into a full Pro mode, shoot panoramas, live broadcast your happenings, adjust resolution of your photos, shoot 4K video, record Motion Photos, and even voice control your selfies.

As for the results, you know what to expect. This is a Samsung camera of the 12MP Dual Pixel variety and it is still the best in the business. To take great pictures, you just point and tap, point and tap, point and tap, just like you did on the S7. The camera here is insanely quick to launch, focus, and snap, leaving you little room for error. This is one of those cameras that can make bad photographers good. The camera is excellent in good light, the best in low light, awesome with macros or landscapes or portraits, and an absolute pleasure to use each and every day. With a smartphone camera, you want one that can be relied on time and time again and that's exactly what you get with the Note 7's camera.

To download the full resolution files, grab this file. Specs The Galaxy Note 7 packs quite the list of specifications. Let's run down the list, shall we? The Note 7 features a 5.7" Quad HD dual edge Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 quad-core (2.15GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Dual) 64-bit processor, 64GB of internal storage, microSD support up to 256GB, 12MP Dual Pixel rear-facing camera (f/1.7), 5MP front-facing camera (f/1.7), 3,500mAh built-in battery, Fast Charging via wired or wireless, Bluetooth 4.2, 802.11/a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, USB Type-C, NFC, fingerprint sensor, S-Pen, heartrate monitor, MST (Samsung Pay), IP68 water and dust resistance, and Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow." As for its eventual upgrade to Nougat, it will hopefully be here in just a few short months. Considering these specifications, it's no wonder why Samsung launched the device with a price tag of roughly $850. I mean, you get Samsung Pay, IP68 protection, an S-Pen, wireless charging, one of the best cameras ever put into a smartphone, expandable storage, and probably the best mobile display created yet. It's a sick package, making the value very hard to argue against. Water resistance Like the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge before it, the Galaxy Note 7 is IP68 dust and water resistant. That means it's sealed from dust, but then can also withstand a whole bunch of water (5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes). At an IP68 rating, you can shower with the Note 7, wash it off if it's dirty, drop it in a toilet "accidentally," spill beer over it at a bar, and even use it underwater to snap some pictures or jot down notes with the new S Pen. I'm not kidding, the S Pen is also water resistant and does indeed write when wet.

It's still somewhat shocking that Samsung is one of the few phone makers to take on this type of water resistance. Sure, they did it for a minute with the Galaxy S5, ditched the idea for the S6, and are now just coming back to it in 2016, but they are doing it well. The Note 7 also doesn't feature flaps or port covers and still manages to carry that high IP68 rating. While the phone isn't shatterproof from drops like Motorola's new phones are, or the S7 Active, I think I'd rather take this water resistance, since I have yet to really drop a phone to death. I've certainly spilled plenty of liquids on phones over the years, though. Software The latest iteration of TouchWiz, with no doubt, is my favorite so far. In my eyes, Samsung has greatly reduced the feeling of being over encumbered by TouchWiz's extensive list of features. In the Settings menu, at least on the T-Mobile variant and not the Verizon, all of the device's different menus have been inputted into an easily navigable page. What used to be pages worth of settings options has been reduced to 13 different categories. And if finding what you need is still too difficult, the Search feature can find virtually any setting you might be looking for. Seriously, give the settings search button a try on the Galaxy Note 7 and tell me you are not impressed. The overall software experience has been entirely enjoyable for me, not including the occasional performance hiccups I encounter. Should the device never lag or stutter, I'd be tempted to say this version of TouchWiz is nearly perfect. However, I have to hate on at least one aspect of it, right? If I was to speak ill of one thing, it's Samsung's placement of the Brightness shader in the notification pulldown. To access it, you must pull the notification shade completely down, then you will find it at the bottom of the tray. At least to me, this is the worst placement on any device ever. If Samsung reads this, then decides to change where the brightness is placed, I would be eternally grateful.

On top of the basic usage of TouchWiz, Samsung has continued its excellent job at allowing owners to customize the appearance of the skin. Instead of being stuck with TouchWiz's standard color, which is hardly ever attractive, owners can download different Themes. These themes range from free to a couple of dollars and let you customize everything from the stock icons to the settings menu. On the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung spiced it up a bit, now allowing owners to customize wallpapers, themes, and icons all from within the Samsung Themes menu. For me personally, I enjoy the look of "Material Dark," which helps bring a sense of vanilla Android to the Galaxy Note 7. As a fan of Nexus devices, but someone who craves more features, it's the perfect mix. Something that is entirely different from past Galaxy Note devices, the Note 7 features an edged display, giving Samsung the opportunity to push its Edge Screen features. With this, users can enable the Edge Panels (quick access to contacts and apps), Edge Feeds (news, sports tickers, notifications), and Edge Lighting. Typically, these features were reserved for the Edge devices from Samsung, but now Galaxy Note owners can take advantage of them, too.

Speaking solely on the Note 7's stock Home launcher, it too has gotten much better. Be warned, though, Flipboard's Briefing is still baked into it. Feel free to disable that immediately. On the upside, users can change up the screen grid to fit more or fewer icons on your home, depending on what look you like. Additionally, users can also customize "content scaling" through the device. Under the Display settings, you can select either Small or Large. With Large, less content will be shown, but objects will be more clear. On Small, you will see more objects (icons, text, larger FOV), but things may seem cluttered. Let's also not forget really useful features like the Blue Light Filter that can automatically ease strain on your eyes at night, one-handed operation modes, quick launching of the camera with a home button double tap, Settings suggestions should you get lost in menus, Always-on Display, Secure Folder for protecting specific items and requiring a password to view them, vibration intensity settings, Samsung Cloud (except on the Verizon version), and Samsung Pay. Overall, I'd chalk TouchWiz up as a major win on this year's Galaxy Note device, not something I always say.

S Pen I know that one of the major selling points for the Galaxy Note 7 is the S Pen, but it's hard to categorize this little accessory into our good/bad/middle setup. Since Samsung is really the only smartphone maker to include a pen like this, and they continue to improve it each year, I think it's safe to put it up here in the "good." What I can add to that thought is that this S Pen is water resistant, just as the phone is, features a button that finally sits high enough that it's easy to press, and can utilize all of the features you love about S Pens. You can still write on the lock screen in black and white, screenshot and then mark on anything, and take notes on the fly. But this year, you can also pin those lock screen notes to the Always-on Display, create animated GIFs from anything moving on the screen, and insert the accessory in backwards without it getting stuck. Samsung really has something unique here with the S Pen and it does add to the overall unique, yet powerful experience of the Note series. Do I use the S Pen regularly? Not really, no. Do I fully appreciate the availability of it and the thoughtfulness that has gone into new features with each generation? Oh, for sure. Availability If one thing can be said about Samsung's flagship devices, it's that there is no shortage of where you can buy them. The Galaxy Note 7 is available across the globe, but more specifically, it's available for purchase on every major carrier in the US (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc.). You can also purchase the device through various online retailers. Available in Black, Silver, and Blue/Rose Gold, there certainly isn't a lack of choice here, though the device's price is going to be its own section later in this review, simply because there's quite a bit to say regarding the subject. USB Type-C, fast wired and wireless charging The Galaxy Note 7 is the first phone from Samsung to utilize a USB Type-C port. We would have loved for Samsung to go this route earlier in the year with the S7 and S7 Edge, but that's just not the card we were dealt. Either way, this phone does indeed have a Type-C port, includes a fast charger for it, Type-C adapter to be used on your old chargers, and is the port your life has always needed. For those not familiar, just know that a Type-C port is reversible and can accept a Type-C cable tip no matter which way you insert it, unlike your current microUSB port. Along with the new Type-C port, Samsung made sure to once again include both fast wired and fast wireless charging for those who want no part of a cable. You might recall Google leaving out wireless charging in its Nexus phones last year because they had gone USB Type-C and thought that fast wired charging was all you needed. Well, Google, that's a sound argument unless you include fast charging in all ways, like Samsung continues to do.

As for the fast wired charging, the Note 7 is using Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 instead of the newer 3.0 standard. It'll still get you hours of use after minutes of charging, but it's not the latest and greatest spec. Why that is, we aren't 100% sure, though it probably has to do with Qualcomm vs. Exynos variants and keeping them at similar charging speeds. Storage I don't think anyone will have an issue with storage if they own a Galaxy Note 7. The base model includes 64GB internal storage, but Samsung is back again with another microSD card slot that hosts cards up to 256GB. Assuming you ordered one early enough, Samsung probably gave you one of those cards for free. In China, Samsung is selling a 128GB model as well, just don't expect that stateside any time soon. We'll talk more about pricing down below, but I do think Samsung should get knocked a little bit for not offering a 32GB version of the Note 7. We all know that these companies overcharge for storage, even as cheap as it is these days, and the choice to go 64GB and set the price at $850+ instead of at $750 or so for a 32GB version, probably made the phone out of reach for many. And remember, that 32GB internal is probably all the storage you need when you can slap in a big ol' microSD card for your photos, music, and videos.

Somewhere-in-the-Middle

Battery life After posting most of my (Kellen's) reviews, a conversation in the comments almost always breaks out about the sh*tty battery life I'm getting. Because I don't have 6 hours in a day to stare at my phone and instead only get near 3 hours of screen on time, you all assume I'm doing something wrong or the phone I'm reviewing is trash. Since Tim and I are co-reviewing the Note 7, you finally get to see the crazy differences in his use versus mine. The first two sets of screenshots below are Tim's and the final two are mine. As you can see, he was averaging around 15 hours of use and close to 5 hours of screen on time before he was in a critical battery state. For me, it was more like 3-4 hours of screen on time and anywhere from 10-15 hours of use.

Why the big difference? Well, I've mentioned this a number of times, but I do happen to live in a Black Hole of Signal Death, especially on Verizon, which is the variant I'm reviewing here. Then again, this is almost always what my battery life looks like no matter the carrier. What's the deal? I don't know! For me, 3 hours of screen on time and 15 hours of usage is pretty solid. For you, that seems to be terrible. I don't know how to explain why I get the results I get, but these are the results I get with almost every single phone. As far as the Note 7 is concerned, I don't think either Tim or I are overly impressed by the battery life this 3500mAh battery provides. Not that we are getting bad battery life on most days, it's just that we are most certainly looking for a charger before we head off to bed. I can live with that on most days - the question is, can you? Performance Up in the software section, I mentioned that I run across the occasional hiccup in performance. I usually have this sort of experience on most Samsung phones, but for me, the Galaxy Note 7 has been more hiccupy than others. For example, the fingerprint reader is definitely not the fastest I have ever used (Nexus 6P and Galaxy S7 seem quicker to react), waking from sleep is sometimes slow, switching between apps or even launching an app can hang the device on a stall, and there's a slight hesitation whenever I press on the home button from within an application. All these little occurrences tend to build up until I need a complete reboot, which is about every three to four days for me. Now, rebooting my device to make it snappy again is not the worst thing in the world, but it leads me to believe that regardless of how insane our mobile CPUs become or how much RAM we use, TouchWiz will lag. This isn't a huge dig at Samsung or TouchWiz, because I've made my thoughts on the skin rather clear (it's very good this year), but overall performance can still improve. My hope is that the upcoming update to Android 7.0 will relieve a few of these stuttering issues.

Price When pricing was revealed for the Galaxy Note 7, I felt compelled to write an opinion piece on why people shouldn't go running for pitchforks and torches. Seriously, the $850 price was upsetting to people. We had readers write, "This is iPhone pricing!" and "$880+tax for a bigger S7 with a pen?!" I continue to argue that the Galaxy Note 7 blows any iPhone away in terms of specs and features (which it does), and believe it or not, Samsung has earned the right to price its fanciest phone with a premium tag. I'm not here to argue that $850 is not expensive, but you certainly are getting quite the bang for your buck. If you still have yet to get one, you could even hold off a little longer and probably pick one up once they hit the mid-$700 price range. Like all technology, the price will eventually drop. Here's how the full retail and monthly pricing for each major US carrier is currently stacking up. T-Mobile is selling the device for full retail at $849.99 ($69.99 down and $32.50 for 24 months), while AT&T has it at $880 ($29.34 per month for 30 months or $36.67 for 24 months). For Verizon, the full retail is $864 ($36 per month for 24 months), and Sprint is only offering a payment plan of $35.42 per month for 24 months. The cheapest for full retail is US Cellular at $786. You can also choose between 20, 24 or 30 monthly payments and pay as little as $27.80 per month.

The Not-so-Good

No Unicorn beer I know, right? It doesn't even brew Unicorn rainbow tear beer. Shame on you, Samsung.

Other Notes

Fingerprint reader: The fingerprint reader on the Note 7 works well, it's just not the fastest. I haven't had any problems with it reading my finger, but I also can't help but notice the slowness from when I put my finger on it to when the phone is fully unlocked and ready for use. You may not see that slowness, since you don't review phones for a living. I do, however, and would probably rank the speed of this reader below the OnePlus 3, HTC 10, and Galaxy S7.
Iris scanner: So yeah, we haven't talked about this at all yet, but this phone has an iris scanner. Do we care? Not at all. The iris scanner on the Note 7 is a bit like the useless face unlock that Google tried to push years ago. I say that because it's a pain to use, is slower to use than the fingerprint reader, and is filled with warnings during setup about it burning your eyeballs out. Why use this unless your ultra-secure job is requiring it? And even if your ultra-secure job is requiring it, you should probably steer clear if you want to not burn your eyeballs out.
Phone call quality: The Note 7 makes phone calls! They sound good! Cool.

Video

Unboxing

[responsive_vid vid_url="ar0g_7UuKNI"]

First 10 things to do

[responsive_vid vid_url="dLPPLqnrKqo"]

Gallery

The Verdict

You may have noticed that outside of a lack of Unicorn rainbow tear beer production, we couldn't find anything wrong with the Galaxy Note 7. Is it the perfect phone? Not necessarily (Hello, recall!). It's performance throughout a day isn't the best, nor is the battery life. It's also too expensive for many and may be too big as well. With that said, there is so damn much to like here. Best camera in a phone? Check. Best design in a phone? Check. Best display in a phone? Check. Water resistance? Check. Fun little pen thingy to play with? Check. A greatly improved software experience? Check. Quick security updates? Check. Promise of a quick update to Nougat? Check. I could go on. The bottom line is that the Galaxy Note 7 is the best phone you can buy right now, assuming you have the cash to buy one.

It's Official: Samsung Stops Galaxy Note 7 Sales Over Battery Concerns, Will Replace Yours in Coming Weeks

Kellen — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 06:06:22 +0000

With speculation running wild over whether or not Samsung would issue a global recall of the Galaxy Note 7 due to battery cell issues (explosions!), Samsung released a statement this morning acknowledging the issue and confirming the number of reported cases globally. They didn't stop there, though, and are now fully stopping sales momentarily while working towards a fix for the issue and a replacement program for all current owners of the device. Yes, this would be a recall on a massive scale. According to Samsung, there have been only 35 reported cases of an exploding battery cell, but because "customers' safety is an absolutely priority," they have stopped sales for the time being as they continue an inspection through their suppliers. As for you and your Galaxy Note 7, Samsung plans to replace it within the coming weeks, if you want them to. This will be a voluntary recall where you can get another brand new Note 7, because you just never know if your phone has a battery issue or not. The NY Times is reporting that Samsung is recalling some 2.5 million devices that are in-stores and in the hands on consumers. Once we know more on this recall and how you can get a new phone, we'll be sure to pass along info. UPDATE: A second Samsung statement said they are working with carrier partners to announce details of a US product exchange program as soon as today. That's good news for those worried about being without a phone for an extended period of time. Stay tuned. UPDATE 2: Samsung has now revealed an official exchange program for the Galaxy Note 7 recall. Full details at this post. On a related note, HOLY SHIT. IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

Via: Samsung | NY Times

Report: Google Axes Project Ara and Its Modular Self (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 20:54:27 +0000

During Google I/O only a short few months ago, Google's ATAP team took the stage to show off all of their wild ideas in what turned out to be the most entertaining session of the whole conference. One of the projects they updated us on was Project Ara, the modular phone concept that has missed launch window after launch window and always felt like an idea with too little broad appeal. Still, Google led us to believe that the phone would launch in the fall for developers and then as a consumer product in 2017. If tonight's report out of Reuters is correct, none of that will ever happen because Google has axed the entire project, or at the very least, suspended it indefinitely. This report also suggests that while Google won't release a Project Ara phone, they may look to work with partners and license the technology. Who knows, maybe LG or Motorola, two companies who have already jumped into the modular phone arena, will take them up on that opportunity. For now, though, pour some out for Ara. UPDATE: Google confirmed the news to VentureBeat, but wouldn't elaborate on the future of Project Ara.

Via: Reuters | VentureBeat

Report: Google's 2016 Phones Dubbed Pixel and Pixel XL, Coming in October With Google Home and New Chromecast

Kellen — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 20:42:31 +0000

Just two days ago, a report suggested that Google would abandon the Nexus branding for its upcoming 2016 phones and go with something else, though no one was sure at the time what the new brand would be. That thought lined up with a report from back in June out of the Telegraph that claimed Google would release its own branded phone later in 2016 and was discussing the move with carriers. This evening, additional support has been stacked behind this idea, only now we may have names to replace Nexus. According to Android Police, Google will indeed go with its own in-house brand for its upcoming phones, a brand you are actually familiar with already - Pixel. The two HTC-made Google phones will release as the Pixel and Pixel XL. As you can probably guess, Pixel will be the smaller "sailfish" device with a 5-inch display, while the Pixel XL will be the "marlin" device with a larger 5.5-inch display. What's odd at this point is the fact that we know HTC is making these phones. We know that because there are two FCC filings for each phone that show HTC as the maker. That's odd because Pixel devices, at least in the past, have been 100% Google-made and designed with no manufacturing partner to talk about. With HTC making these and Google supposedly giving them the Pixel name while stripping HTC branding, the confusion has reached peak confusion. But hey, Google does some things that we just don't understand from time to time. This may be one of them. After all, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said just three months ago that they weren't building their own in-house phone and that they were investing more in Nexus. This idea of a Pixel phone(s) certainly goes against that on every single level. OK, so when will we finally see these two new Pixel phones? Android Police sources have now backed up the October 4 date that we first reported a month ago. We told you at the time that a reliable source who had been correct time and time again had shared the date. To add to the fun, they are also under the impression that we will see not only the Pixel and Pixel XL, but Google Home, a 4K Chromecast, and Google's Daydream VR headset. No one knows when any of this will go on sale or how much any of it will cost, but October 4 sure seems like a date to mark on your calendars.

Via: Android Police [2]

Hotlap Heroes Available for SHIELD TV, Supports 8 Racers Locally

Tim — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 15:49:56 +0000

A new multiplayer game for the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV box is available on Google Play, titled Hotlap Heroes. Priced at $3.99, this game combines the essence of Super Off Road and RC Pro-Am into a modern 3D racing game, perfect for anyone who wants to grab a controller. To sum up the gameplay, cars race around different tracks, with new tracks added regularly. Like most car races, the first car to finish the race is declared the winner. For those who just want to take a test drive, a Practice mode has been incorporated just for you. Additionally, a global leaderboard is available for you to rank yourself against the world's best Hotlap Heroes drivers. With support for up to eight players locally, it's likely that you don't own that many SHIELD Controllers. To resolve this, the developers have created a special app to allow anyone with a smartphone or tablet to race. To download that, follow the link below. And yes, it's free to download the controller app. Features

8 player local multiplayer racing action!
Race against your friends or compete for fastest lap in Practice mode
5 circuits with new tracks added regularly
Hotlap Heroes Controller app allows anyone with a smartphone to join in!
Multiple controller / input device support
Global Leaderboards

Check out the trailer video below, then if you fancy yourself a bit of racing, check it out on Google Play. Play Links: Hotlap Heroes ($3.99) | Controller Link (Free)

#TBT: Remember Extended Battery Packs and Your Phone Looking Like This?

Kellen — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 13:41:26 +0000

Seriously, this was life not that long ago. Then again, this was also back when batteries weighed in at just 1300mAh. We now complain when a battery is "only" 3500mAh today. Spoiled brats, all of you. Anyone miss it? Maybe a little? Decent sized brick on the back of your phone to get you to 3PM?

Samsung Officially Conducting Inspection Into Battery Explosions, Statement Released

Tim — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 12:22:01 +0000

Earlier this week, Samsung was supposedly delaying new shipments of the Galaxy Note 7 while it investigated reports of exploding batteries. Apparently, these reports were accurate, with Samsung confirming it is in fact inspecting devices alongside its partners. However, according to an anonymous Samsung official, cited by Korea's Yonhap News Agency, the issue is not widespread enough for current owners to overly worry about their battery's safety. Stated by the unnamed official, "Products installed with the problematic battery account for less than 0.1 percent of the entire volume sold." Currently, we don't know exact sales figures for the Galaxy Note 7, but we do know that it was one of the most pre-ordered Galaxy devices of all time. Just to put the 0.1% figure into perspective, say Samsung sold 10 million Note 7 devices so far. Of that 10 million, 0.1% would be 10,000. The official claims the number is less than 0.1%, so that's a good thing. In addition to the confirmation of an inspection taking place, Yonhap's latest report claims that a possible global recall of the Galaxy Note 7 may need to take place. Reported to be said by the same official, "We don't have any intention to delay (the announcement) or hide (the result of investigation). The decision will be made in consideration of maximum consumer benefit." At this time, Samsung has not publicly acknowledged a potential recall of the device. According to the latest intel from SamMobile, Samsung is going to hook customers up with a free 128GB microSD card as a "thank you" for their patience. This is in addition to the Samsung Promotion running where buyers can claim a free Gear Fit 2 smartband or 256GB microSD card. If you ordered a Note 7 between August 3 and August 28, be sure to jump on that. As for who will be getting the 128GB microSD card, we don't have specifics, but can only assume it will go to those who are still waiting for an ordered Note 7 device. Here is the official statement from Samsung regarding the delayed shipment reports.

In response to questions on Galaxy Note7, we are conducting a thorough inspection with our partners. We will share the findings as soon as possible. Samsung is fully committed to providing the highest quality products to our consumers.

As more information is made available from Samsung, we will keep you in the loop. In the meantime, it's probably okay to not worry about your Galaxy Note 7's battery. The odds are definitely in your favor, according to Samsung.

Via: SamMobile | Yonhap News

ZTE Axon 7 Mini Unveiled, Launch Coming Later This Year

Tim — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 11:16:18 +0000

At IFA, ZTE has announced the Axon 7 Mini, essentially a smaller Axon 7 device. Incorporating many of the features and design of the Axon 7, ZTE is offering a more compact experience to those who were thinking about the Axon 7. As for what the Axon 7 Mini offers, ZTE is championing the device's audio capabilities, stating that they worked with different audio associations to deliver the "highest quality audio experience available in smartphones today." On the specs side, the device features a 5.2" FHD display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 3GB of RAM, 2,705 mAh battery, dual front-facing speakers, fingerprint reader, USB Type-C, 16MP rear-facing camera, microSD support, and Android 6.0 "Marshmallow." ZTE has yet to make official US availability known, but for those in Russia, Germany, Spain, Poland, Japan, Australia, India, and Saudi Arabia, expect to see the device at the end of September at a retail price of €299. For the US, we will keep you posted when ZTE makes pricing and release known. Check out the full specs list below. Specs

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 617
OS: Android 6.0
Size & Weight: 147.5 x 71 x 7.8mm, 153g
Display: 5.2’’ FHD 1080 x 1920, AMOLED, 16M Color
Camera: 16MP PDAF+8MP FF
Battery: 2,705mAh with Quick Charge 2.0
Interface: 3.5mm Headset, USB Type-C
Memory: 32GB(ROM) + 3GB(RAM)
Features: WiFi IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac, BT 4.1, USB Type-C, NFC
Other: Fingerprint/Voiceprint Verify, HIFI , Dual Speakers

Via: ZTE

T-Mobile Tuesday Gets New Gifts Like Free Subway, Buffalo Wild Wings, and PetSmart

Tim — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 09:48:36 +0000

T-Mobile is quite proud of the T-Mobile Tuesdays initiative, claiming to have provided millions of free goodies to customers all across America. To be ever more exact, the carrier states it has thanked over 4 million customers with 14 million gifts. That's quite the thanking. Moving forward, T-Mobile announced it is bringing new gifts into the mix, partnering with new companies to freshen it up. Next week, customers can take advantage of a free 6" chicken sub from Subway. Additionally, a few lucky people can win Subway-catered parties, with one lucky individual winning free Subway sandwiches for an entire year. Beyond Subway, T-Mobile will also be giving away Buffalo Wild Wings goodies, as well as PetSmart. On Tuesday, September 13, PetSmart will join T-Mobile Tuesdays to raise awareness of its upcoming National Adoption Weekend event in all stores. We doubt T-Mobile is giving everyone a free puppy, but that'd be sweet. For additional details on what to expect from T-Mobile Tuesdays in the coming weeks, check out T-Mo's complete blog by following the link below. Have you been enjoying your free stuff from T-Mobile Tuesdays? That $0.25 off Shell gas was pretty clutch earlier this week, not going to lie.

Via: T-Mobile

Verizon Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Updates Introduce FM Radio, HD Voice Improvements

Kellen — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 09:42:08 +0000

Verizon is pushing an update to its Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge models today with HD Voice improvements and other new features, like FM Radio and Barcode Beaming for UPC codes. The updates are rolling out as software version VRU2APG5. According to the changelog, users should see fewer dropped HD Voice calls and improvements that "prevent the device from unintentional powering off and restarting." Yes, that would be nice to not have that happen, Verizon. As for the FM Radio, it looks like Verizon is adding NextRadio and its "free live FM radio" service. You could also look at that as Verizon installing new bloatware with this update. DT Ignite, go! Finally, Barcode Beaming has been adding, which if I'm not mistaken, is a Samsung service. This app allows you to scan barcodes for digital coupons, event tickets, library cards, and loyalty/membership cards. All of that scanning is a big part of Samsung Pay, of course. The updates should be live, so head into Settings>System updates.

Via: Verizon [2]

Google Opens Up Google Play Early Access to More Developers

Kellen — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 09:25:00 +0000

During Google I/O, Google announced a new initiative for developers to help them get testers for their apps or games via Google Play instead of through what could be an expensive external beta test. The initiative was headlined by the Early Access section in Google Play, which initially was a hand-selected set of apps or games from developers that you and I could try out and provide feedback on. The Early Access section went live some time around late June. Today, Google has announced that they are inviting more developers to participate in Early Access. Google says that they are adding new titles each week and that thousands of users are ready to test your app. If you are interested in signing up to be a part of the Early Access program, which Google says has allowed more than a million tester installs since launching, you can sign-up here. If you aren't a developer and want to test apps, you can do so by opening Google Play on your device and scrolling through the green category buttons on the main app page (see image).

Via: Android Developers

HTC Announces the One A9s, a Phone You Won't Buy

Tim — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 08:54:58 +0000

At IFA early this morning, HTC unveiled the One A9s. Initially reported to be a sequel to last year's One A9, the One A9s appears to be anything but, featuring low to mid-range specs, while the One A9 was actually sorta nice. What low to mid-range specs am I referring to? How about the 5-inch 720p LCD display? Or maybe the MediaTek processor? Even if you don't mind those things, the 2,300mAh battery will surely keep you away, right? Featuring a dual-finish metal body, HTC did in fact redesign where it placed the rear-facing camera, giving the One A9s even more of an iPhone 6 appeal. Whether that's a good or bad thing is purely subjective. On the brightside, HTC removed the front-facing HTC logo that appeared above the fingerprint reader. Oddly enough, HTC has yet to announce pricing or availability in the US or anywhere else. According to the Verge, HTC says it will be cheaper than the $500-priced One A9. Phew, thank goodness. What's your take on the One A9s?

Via: HTC

Sony's Xperia XZ and X Compact are the Latest Likely Overpriced, Hard to Get Phones You Kind of Wanted But Won't Buy

Kellen — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 08:43:43 +0000

Sony arrived at IFA again this year to unveil a couple of new phones. Press in attendance are bored because trade shows are dying, so they are hyping the sh*t out of them as if Sony has done something truly great here that should have been done long ago. As someone watching from afar, and who has long been a Sony fan (especially the Compact line), all I see is the same, which means a couple of nice looking phones without next-gen specs or original design in similar packages that will likely be overpriced and hard to get when they arrive in the US. Hey, good morning, by the way! It's almost the weekend! The two new phones are the Sony Xperia XZ and the Xperia X Compact. Jesus, it's like Sony still can't figure out what the hell it's doing. Did we ditch the Z line or are we merging it with the X line now because it was a failure or what? Yikes. OK, so these are two new phones from Sony. You can see them below, but I bet if I had thrown in an Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact, you would have gone, "Yeah, cool, fresh new phones!" And that's because these phones, with the addition of slightly curved glass edges and laser autofocus to their backsides, look like all Sony Xperia phones from the past, oh, six years. Let's talk about each!

Xperia XZ

This is the flagship of the two, with its 5.2-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (with SD support), 2900mAh battery with quick charging, 23MP rear camera, 13MP front camera, fingerprint sensor (which probably won't be in US variants), USB Type-C port, and IP65/IP68 dust and water resistance. So overall, that's a pretty nice package. You get the latest Sony camera that is said to be ultra fast, a low-light selfie beast up front, decent 1080p display, enough RAM and storage, and a pretty newish Snapdragon 820 processor. It's even water resistant and comes in really pretty new colors. What's not to like? Well, the fact that if it ever arrives in the US, it'll be sold directly from Sony from somewhere around $600+, but that will only happen when the phone is four months old, Sony has stripped the fingerprint sensor out of it, and we're onto the next thing. At least that's how all of Sony's releases have played out in recent years. Euro kids, get after it, though!

[responsive_vid]

Xperia X Compact

This is the other phone announced by Sony today, only it doesn't really live up to previous Compact phones. I say that because the older Compact phones were true flagship-level phones, but in a smaller package. This phone is indeed a smaller package, but like Mini phones of the past, it also has mid-range specs to go with it. You get a 4.6-inch 720p display, Snapdragon 650 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (with SD support), 2700mAh battery with quick charging, 23MP camera on the back, 5MP camera up front, a fingerprint sensor, and a USB Type-C port. It's not that this phone is lacking much, but if this was the old Compact line, it would have had a Snapdragon 820. Oh well, like the phone above, it probably won't come to the US. If it does, read the note I said about the XZ, as it will likely hold up here as well. As for availability, Sony says "Xperia XZ will launch globally from October 2016 and Xperia X Compact will launch globally from September 2016."

Via: Sony

Video: Honor 8 Unboxing and Tour

Tim — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 15:57:19 +0000

With pre-sales still taking place for the Honor 8, what better time would there be to grace you with an unboxing and initial hands-on with the device? Listed at a price of $399 for the 32GB model, this is the first "flagship" device for the US from Honor, whose parent company happens to be Huawei. For specs, the Honor 8 features a 5.2" FHD display, HiSilicon Kirin 950 processor, 4GB of RAM, dual 12MP rear-facing cameras (like on the Huawei P9), USB Type-C (USB 2.0), LTE connectivity for GSM carriers, microSD support, 32GB onboard storage (or 64GB for $50 extra), and the Huawei Emotion UI 4.1 on top of Android 6.0 "Marshmallow." One shining aspect of the Honor 8 is Honor's recently announced partnership with XDA. Stemming from that partnership, if a large group of developers begin building custom ROMs for the device, this could be a very nice phone to have, considering the reasonable unlocked price. If you are interested in picking up a Honor 8, you can find it on Amazon, Best Buy, or Honor's website. Should you purchase from Honor's website, you will receive a $50 coupon, bringing the price to $349.99. Not bad at all. Let's get to it.

Unboxing and Tour

[responsive_vid]

Gallery

Qualcomm Unveils the Full Snapdragon 821 Specs

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 14:36:48 +0000

After a brief introduction to the Snapdragon 821 back in July that lacked specific details about its advantages over the Snapdragon 820, Qualcomm today revealed it all just as IFA was kicking off in Berlin. They didn't announce new phones or future partners alongside the news (outside of the previously announced ZenFone 3), but I think we all know that new devices powered by the 821 are coming, namely those made by Google. Qualcomm did mention that they expect the 821 to be the processor of choice for new phones released during the holiday season. According to today's series of press releases, the Snapdragon 821 (MSM8996Pro) is 10% faster in boot times than the 820, can reduce app load times by 10%, improves general performance by up to 10%, and provides smoother UI experiences and browsing performance. The 530 GPU in the 821 even received a 5% increase over the 820, while battery life should be up to 5% better. As for what's new, the Snapdragon 821 is ready for developers to create awesome VR experiences through the Snapdragon VR SDK, shows significant speed improvements in camera phase detection autofocus, and extends the visible focusing range for laser auto focus. The full Snapdragon 821 specs can be found below.

Via: Qualcomm [2]

OnHub Smart Router Turns One, Now Works With Philips Hue Lights

Tim — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 13:56:01 +0000

The OnHub router from Google, the "smart WiFi router," is now one year old. To celebrate, the router has gained the ability to control Philips Hue lights, perfect for setting the mood inside of your home. In doing so, Hue lights become the first piece of connected home tech that can be controlled directly from OnHub. The way you control these lights is actually quite nifty. Instead of downloading an app, simply type in "On.Here" into any browser (desktop, laptop, tablet, phone) and control the lights from there. Of course, you will need to be connected to the OnHub router for the On.Here command to work. This latest announcement comes only a few months after Google announced support for IFTTT, and Google allowed you to create special skins for the device. You know, so you can decorate the router in flowers and what not. Are you using an OnHub router? I've been debating on getting one for months.

Via: Google

Pinch to Zoom Coming to Instagram for Android in "Coming Weeks"

Tim — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 12:23:06 +0000

A new pinch-to-zoom feature is headed for Instagram, available now for iOS devices. Naturally, Android device owners will need to stay patient, as Instagram states the feature will come for us in the "coming weeks." Once live, users simply need to pinch on a photo to zoom into it, allowing you to get a closer look at whatever the photo is of. It's certainly not groundbreaking, but may prove itself worthy once made available for everyone. Stated by Instagram, "Starting today, you can pinch to zoom on photos and videos in feed, on profiles and on Explore. Dive into an adorable puppy’s smile or into every detail of your friend’s new shirt." If you have an iPhone or other iOS device, go check it out. If you rock Android, like a cool kid, hang in there. Once the update rolls out, we will let you know when it's available. Play Link

Via: Instagram

HTC Teases Phone for September 20 Reveal, Something About Being Edgier

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 12:20:54 +0000

HTC has a new phone (or phones) to announce on September 20, according to a new teaser posted to Twitter. The short video clip is joined by a note about the phone "coming" and that we should all "#BeEdgier." The phone that is briefly revealed in the video looks a lot like the Desire 10 that has leaked a couple of times in recent weeks. For those not familiar with HTC's Desire line, just know that it'll be some sort of budget phone. There may be two of them, actually, Pro and Lifestyle versions. Either way, Desire phones tend to ship with low prices and non-flagship specs in the prepaid world or as carrier bottom shelfers. Nothing to see here, folks. https://twitter.com/htc/status/771060103504072704

Motorola Announces the Moto Z Play, the Affordable Z Family Member

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:30:49 +0000

The newest member of the Moto Z family is now official as the Moto Z Play. As you can imagine, since the other two Z devices are high-end, this is the more affordable little brother with a focus on price and battery life while not skimping on the other specs. The Moto Z Play arrives at Verizon on September 8 for $17 per month with a device payment plan or $408 full retail. If you want an unlocked version, you'll be able to buy one for $449.99 through pre-orders on September 15, with arrivals happening some time in October. The unlocked model is GSM-only. In terms of specs and features, you are looking at a phone with similar size and dimensions to the Z and Z Force. That makes sense, of course, because all of the current and future Moto Mods will work with the Z Play, just as they do with those original Z devices. You also get a 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED display (1080p), Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor (octa-core), 3GB RAM, 32GB storage with 2TB SD support, 3510mAh battery with fast charging, 16MP f2.0 rear camera (with phase detection and laser autofocus), 5MP front camera, front-ported speaker, water repellent coating, NFC, USB Type-C port, fingerprint reader, and yes, a 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone will run Android 6.0.1 out of the box and include all of the best Moto features like Display, Voice, and Actions. This phone is very much a slightly lesser Moto Z, but with a decent price. To see more pictures of the phone head over to this unboxing post.

[responsive_vid]

[table id=34 responsive=scroll /]

Via: Motorola

Motorola Announces Hasselblad Moto Mod for Moto Z Family, Priced at $249

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:30:26 +0000

The oft-leaked Hasselblad camera Moto Mod for the Moto Z family is now official. Known as the Hasselblad True Zoom, this is a Moto Mod for those who want just a bit more in the camera department while on the go and with smartphone in pocket. Priced at $249.99 at Verizon stores (or $299.99 at Motorola's shop), the Hasselblad True Zoom arrives on September 15, but can be pre-ordered as early as September 8. It will work with the Moto Z, Moto Z Force, and newly introduced Moto Z Play. Why buy the Hasselblad True Zoom? It comes with a 10x optical zoom, for one. That could be handy if you don't want to carry a point-and-shoot camera around and also need a zoom functionality outside of the digital zoom your phone provides. You are also getting the Hasselblad imaging experience, which should be a good thing, knowing the history of this company, a Xenon flash, and special Hasselblad camera options like RAW format. Oh, this Mod, since it's basically a point and shoot that attaches to your phone, does provide better ergonomics and that more traditional camera shooting feel. As for specs, the Hasselblad True Zoom features a 12MP camera (BSI CMOS, 1/2.3inch sensor, 1.55um, f3.5-6.5), shoots 1080p video (30fps), and has OIS and EIS. It doesn't feature a battery, so that means it utilizes your phone for power and storage. To view the full specs, tap this link. Should you buy this? That's a tough call, but to see our first look at it, hit up the video below or head to this post.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Motorola

Video: Hasselblad True Zoom Moto Mod First Look!

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:30:17 +0000

Motorola has finally unveiled the Hasselblad True Zoom Moto Mod for the Moto Z family. Along with its $249 or $299 price tag, depending on where you buy it from, you get a Mod that takes over the back of your phone in hopes of turning it into the ultimate portable point and shoot. When attached to the Moto Z, Moto Z Force, or Moto Z Play, you get a Hasselblad built camera with ergonomics in mind, 10x optical zoom, Xenon flash, and power and shutter buttons. It doesn't contain its own battery, so it does utilize your phone for power and storage. In my short time with it, I don't know that I have a ton of info to share, other than it does indeed shoot pictures and connects as easy as all of the other Moto Mods. It zooms too, assuming that's something you are looking for. It's shutter button is a bit slow or sticky, so snapping pictures can be a clunky or at the very least, leave you worrying about clean images without blur. We'll have more to say soon, once we have spent more time with the device on the regular Moto Z, so for now, check out our quick hands-on video that includes some image samples.

[responsive_vid]

Moto Z and Moto Z Play GSM Unlocked Versions Arrive in October

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:30:17 +0000

Back in June, we told you that the unlocked Moto Z would be a GSM only device when it arrived later in the year. Today, Motorola announced this detail, along with a pre-order date, shipping date, and pricing for both it and the new Z Play. The Moto Z will cost $699.99 and go up for pre-order on September 15 with shipments happening at some point in October. The Moto Z Play be priced at $449.99. As expected, these are "GSM unlocked versions" of the phone, so they won't work on Verizon and will be stuck on carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. Any takers?

Moto Z Play Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:30:10 +0000

The Moto Z Play is official, would you look at that! Yep, we have one and took it for a quick unboxing spin within the past few days. This phone will arrive on September 8 at a price of $408 or for as little as $17 per month at Verizon. You'll notice I said "Verizon," because this is another Big Red exclusive, if only temporarily. What is the Moto Z Play? We have a full write-up here, but the basics are that it features solid specs for a budget phone, is very much a Moto Z, and works with all of the current Moto Mods, including the new Hasselblad True Zoom camera that you can learn about here and here. I don't mean to discount this device at all, but there isn't a lot new here, since it is just a trimmed down (in the spec department) version of the Moto Z and Moto Z Force. The only real differences are in the areas you expect to be different like processor, display, camera, and battery. Motorola doesn't appear to have cut too many corners, though, so this could be a budget phone to keep an eye on. For now, enjoy the unboxing!

[responsive_vid]

DEAL: Original Gear VR is On Sale at Amazon for $60

Tim — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:27:54 +0000

The original Gear VR headset from Samsung is on sale at Amazon, priced at just $59.99. Originally priced in the $100 range, this headset is compatible with a number of devices from Samsung, and should still provide a good virtual reality experience for you. You may be asking yourself, "Hey, is my device compatible?" Well, here's the full list - Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 edge. If you own one of these devices, you're in luck. If you have a Galaxy Note 7 and want a Gear VR for that instead, you will need Samsung's latest rendition, priced at $99. Follow the link below to grab one. Amazon Link

Video: Samsung Takes Us on Tour of Gear S3 Classic and Frontier

Tim — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 10:01:36 +0000

While we are not in Berlin to attend IFA, Samsung has us covered, providing hands-on videos for many of the features found in and on the new Gear S3 smartwatches. The below videos cover the overall design, user experience, purchasable straps, and other features of the devices. Given Samsung provides so much information in these videos, we'll let them do the heavy lifting and just let you watch the videos without needless commentary from us. If you need additional information, the via link below contains even more videos to watch. Anyone interested in either of these Gear S3 models?

Design [responsive_vid] UX [responsive_vid vid_url="2f0HheO7UTU"] Straps [responsive_vid vid_url="-S-gn8hGmO4"] Alti/Barometer & Speedometer [responsive_vid vid_url="r2sXbVjrEck"]

Via: Samsung

Samsung Announces the Gear S3 Classic and Gear S3 Frontier

Tim — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 09:27:42 +0000

At its press event in Berlin during IFA, Samsung announced the Gear S3. The Gear S3, like the Gear S2, comes in two different styles - Gear S3 Classic and Gear S3 Frontier. As for what's new, both models feature a 1.3" circular Super AMOLED display with Always-On technology. The display also has Gorilla Glass's new Glass SR+. Other specifications include a dual-core 1GHz processor, Tizen wearable OS 2.3.2, 4GB of internal storage, and 768MB of RAM. If you enjoy working out or getting messy while wearing a watch, both devices feature IP68 water and dust resistance. Samsung currently advertises 4-day battery life, all coming from a 380mAh built-in battery. On the connectivity side, the Frontier features LTE for taking calls, while the Classic does not. However, both feature NFC and MST for mobile payments usage. The Gear S3 Classic features a more classic appearance, coming with a leather band and not-too-flashy appearance. On the other hand, the Gear S3 Frontier is more sporty, coming with a silicone band, glossy bezels, and flush buttons along the side.

Gear S3 Frontier, Gear S3 Classic

To sum up both devices and compare them to the Gear S2 models, the S3 Classic and S3 Frontier offer a beefed up processor, RAM, better displays, screen protection, more accurate activity tracking, and longer battery life. Overall, they appear to be very nice upgrades for those interested in the Tizen wearable OS. As for availability and pricing, Samsung has not yet announced specifics for the US. However, you can guess it'll be sometime around the holiday shopping season. Specs

Gear S3 Launch Film

[responsive_vid]

Via: Samsung

Report: Galaxy Note 7 Shipments Getting Delayed Due to Quality Testing

Tim — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 09:01:54 +0000

Reported by Reuters this morning, Samsung is delaying new shipments of the Galaxy Note 7 as it conducts additional quality testing. However, it's a mystery as to what Samsung is actually testing. There have been reports of battery explosions and even the S-Pen getting stuck inside of the body, but nothing has appeared to be on a large enough scale for Samsung to withhold new shipments. Speaking of that S-Pen getting stuck, we can actually confirm that it is a problem. On Kellen's Verizon model, the S-Pen was getting jammed, but with the use of a pin, he was able to free it. Could the S-Pen be a culprit for delayed shipments? Samsung only provided a brief statement to Reuters regarding the delays.

Shipments of the Galaxy Note 7 are being delayed due to additional tests being conducted for product quality.

While that doesn't offer much, we at least know something is going on. Have you had any hardware issues with your Galaxy Note 7? Battery explosion? S-Pen get stuck? Let us know and we can solve the mystery together.

Via: Reuters

Watch Samsung Unveil the Gear S3 Right Here!

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 08:43:38 +0000

At 9AM Pacific (Noon Eastern), Samsung will unveil their new smartwatch, a watch we are expecting to be called the Gear S3. It'll probably be round and premium and do all the smart things one could ask for in a modern smartwatch. After last year's solid effort in the Gear S2, this might actually be a watch worth getting excited about. We aren't live blogging the event, since it is just for a watch, but you can watch it through the video above. Again, things kick off at 9AM Pacific.

ASUS Announces Its Round and "Luxurious" ZenWatch 3

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 07:27:17 +0000

IFA, the pre-Fall tech show that takes place in Germany each year, kicked off this morning to give many of your favorite companies a chance to show off their holiday product line-ups. One of the few that still uses IFA to announce entire roadmaps is ASUS and they didn't disappoint this year by making the ZenWatch 3 official. As expected, the ZenWatch 3 is a round smartwatch, unlike the first two ZenWatch entries. With this watch, ASUS is really focusing on design, noting in the press release that it was "meticulously fashioned from jewelry-grade 316L stainless steel," a steel that is "cold-forged" and 82% stronger than conventional steel because ASUS wants this little guy to be able to "withstand the rigors of daily wear." Asus says that you'll also get choices of stitched Italian leather bands or "high-quality" rubber should you buy one. Outside of the unnecessary focus on steel, the watch sports a 1.39-inch round AMOLED display (400x400 resolution) that is protected by curved 2.5D Gorilla Glass. It runs the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset, has 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi, 340mAh battery with quick-charge (0-60% in 15 minute) and an optional battery pack, has a 45mm case diameter, and is rated IP67. Yes, it runs Android Wear. The watch does other watch things outside of looking sharp. It has 50 pre-loaded watch faces and a watch face designer, tracks activity, and will give you the full Android Wear notification experience. I don't know that there is anything game-changing or all-that-new here, though. You still get 1-2 day battery life and an OS that has to yet to prove to us that we need a smartwatch. But hey, it's pretty! The ZenWatch will arrive in October, likely around $250.

[responsive_vid]

Via: ASUS

Google Launches In Apps Search on Android to Let You Search Within Everything

Kellen — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 07:03:22 +0000

Late last night, Google unwrapped a new feature for the Google App on Android that lets you search within apps installed on your phone. The new feature is called (fittingly) In Apps and will show up as a new "In Apps" tab within Search. What's the point of specifying a search to within apps? For one, this allows you to search contacts and messages on your phone from within a single interface, that being the Google App. Google gives an example of you and a friend talking about sushi last week, so a quick search from the In Apps tab for "sushi" could help you find that conversation. You could also just search that friend's name and find conversations you have had with them throughout multiple apps, like Gmail, Facebook Messenger, SMS, etc. Or maybe you want to pull up a running list for the grocery store - you could search for "groceries" and get to it. All of this happens on your phone, by the way, so you can perform these searches even without a data connection. That make sense? As of today, Google says that In Apps works with Gmail, Spotify, and YouTube, but that they will continue to add support for it "in the coming months." The next wave of apps should include Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn, Evernote, Glide, Todoist, and Google Keep. In related news, Google continues to pump up the LG V20 for LG by announcing that their next phone will be the first with a dedicated shortcut to the In Apps mode on both the home screen and second screen of the device (second screen confirmed!). The V20 integration also means you will be able to search In Apps for pre-installed LG apps as well, alongside those supported right away by Google. Below, you can see how In Apps works on a Nexus 5 and the V20.

Via: Inside Search

DEAL: Chromecast and Chromecast Audio are Still $5 Off

Kellen — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:22:33 +0000

Still haven't picked up a Chromecast or Chromecast Audio? Now would be a good time since Google is once again hosting a $5 off sale at a number of retailers. Remember, the Chromecast is already reasonably priced at $35, so anytime you get a discount, it's worth jumping at. Live under a rock and have no idea what a Chromecast is? The basics are this: The dongles attach to your TVs or speakers and then let you "cast" content to them, whether that be movies, TV shows, music, or photos. It's one of the great technological advancements in recent years, especially when you factor in the reasonable price.

Best Buy: Chromecast | Chromecast Audio
Google Store: Chromecast | Chromecast Audio

Report: Google to Launch Commuter-Focused Rideshare Service Powered by Waze

Tim — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 14:48:38 +0000

Waze, the navigation platform purchased by Google in 2013, may become its own rideshare service if Google's reported plans come to fruition. According to sources of the Wall Street Journal, Google wants to offer commuters yet another means of getting around, while being far cheaper than services like Uber and Lyft. Currently, a pilot program in the Bay Area of California charges riders about half of a dollar per mile driven, which is a fraction of what Uber or Lyft charges. Should all go well with the existing pilot, Google will open the Waze-powered service up to all nearby residents. Then, should that be successful, the service could spread from there. To help provide an understanding of how this service differs from Uber, the Waze service matches drivers up with riders who are all headed in the same direction. For example, if you live in Oakland, CA but work in San Jose, you can use the service to find someone who is already driving to San Jose and catch a ride with them. The driver then gets paid for hauling you along for the ride, and currently, Google does not take a cut of the profit. At this time, the pilot is limited to employees of large firms, such as Abode, Google, and other big names. However, any Waze user can sign up to be a driver, but its uses are very limited in terms of how much driving you can do. Of course, this is just the pilot, and these specifics could change upon a broader rollout. Personally, it's funny to me to think that just a few years ago, there was no such thing as Uber, Lyft, or this reported Waze service. Now, this industry is making billions and billions of dollars. How quickly things can change. As for you, if Google has their own rideshare service, would you take part in it?

Via: Wall Street Journal

Sonos Will Soon Work With Amazon Alexa, Gets Spotify Connect Integration Too

Kellen — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 13:48:31 +0000

Sonos, a pioneer in the multi-room speaker game who has struggled recently because of poor software experiences and increasing competition, announced two major moves today that it hopes will help it maintain its lead in the category. For one, Sonos will soon get Amazon Alexa integration, so that users will be able to control their Sonos speakers by talking to an Echo or Echo Dot, for example. And two, before Alexa support arrives, users will be able to control Sonos through the Spotify app. Sonos announced the news today at a small press gathering in NYC, stating that the Amazon Alexa integration won't be here until 2017, but that an invite-only beta should start later this year. With Alexa at the helm, you could ask her to turn up the volume, play, pause or skip songs, and even play music from specific sources, thanks to the Alexa Voice Service SDK. The new Alexa capabilities will arrive as a software update to both new and previously purchased Sonos speakers, so those of us who bought in long ago won't be left out. As for the Spotify news, Sonos is bringing Spotify Connect integration to give you a "fully controlled" experience over Sonos from within the Spotify app. This is supposedly the first music streaming service to allow Spotify Premium subscribers "full control of the music all over their homes outside the Sonos app." What does that mean? Well, friends could come over, connect to your WiFi network, and then use their own Spotify app to play music in your home. You can even control your Sonos system while away with this integration, which means queuing up Spotify before you get home. The Spotify update will arrive in October, first as a part of the public beta program. As these new features start rolling out, we'll be sure to remind you that they exist.

Via: Sonos

Samsung Begins Production of Exynos 7 Quad 7570, Aimed at Budget Devices

Tim — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 12:52:37 +0000

Samsung has begun mass production of the Exynos 7 Quad 7570, otherwise known as the Exynos 7570. The silicon is designed to bring high-end performance to budget-friendly devices, built on 14nm process technology. According to Samsung's press release, the Exynos 7570 features four Cortex-A53 cores, delivering 70% improved CPU performance and 30% improved power efficiency. The new Exynos also offers a "completely connected" mobile experience by baking in a Cat. 4 LTE 2CA modem, plus various connectivity solutions such as WiFi, Bluetooth, FM radio, and GNSS. Additionally, thanks to design optimization, the Exynos 7570 reduces the chipset size by roughly 20%, allowing smartphone makers to create slimmer devices. As detailed very well by Samsung, we shouldn't expect to see this processor in any flagship devices. Stated by Ben K. Hur, Vice President of System LSI Marketing at Samsung Electronics, "With Exynos 7570, more consumers will be able to experience the performance benefits of the advanced 14nm FinFET process in affordable devices." If you find yourself more concerned about what Samsung has planned for its more high-end devices, keep your ears open for "Exynos 8" or even a possible "Exynos 9" chipset later this year. It's about time to start hyping the Galaxy S8, right?

Via: Samsung

Google Maps is Getting Lists to Help Keep Places Organized

Kellen — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 11:47:56 +0000

In the latest Google Maps beta, Google has included a new feature that is currently only available to Google Local Guides rated level 4 and higher. That new feature is lists, which is pretty self-explanatory, but could also be really, really useful for heavy Maps users. With the new lists option in Maps, users will be able to create and view lists of places through the "Your places" section sitting in the slideout navigation menu. Once in there, the new lists area shows a FAB in the bottom corner that allows you to create new lists, but also starts out with a handful to get you going, like "Favorites," "Want to go," and "Shared places." In order to save items to lists, you'll still tap on the "Save" button when viewing a location, but with lists activated, you will see a list of your lists pop-up for selection. You can see the new lists action in the images below.

According to users in Google's Local Guides program who received the invite to test the new feature, the rest of us (that would be the public) may not see lists arrive for months. The exact wording is, "We're rolling out lists to Level 4+ Local Guides on Google Maps for Android over the next week - months before we launch to the public." If you are a Local Guide, time to update to the latest beta.

Cheers N and T!

Report: This Year's Nexus Phones Won't be Nexus Phones

Kellen — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:57:43 +0000

As the leaks have trickled out in recent months surrounding the rumored two Nexus phones for 2016, made by HTC, potential names have not been a part of the equation. Why? That's a question we don't have an answer to, but I think it's safe to say that some of those rumors were considering the idea that these might not end up being Nexus phones, at least in name. According to a report out of Android Central, that's exactly what we should expect to happen. In fact, their sources are under the impression that the HTC-made phones will arrive under a different brand name altogether. No physical evidence or possible branding or name options were given in the report, but they do make it sound like all of the leaks hinting at subtle software tweaks here and there outside of stable Android Nougat that just released, are some sort of evidence that Google is going a different route. Then again, LG just teased the V20 yesterday in a video on Twitter with a similar setup to what previous leaks were showing as some sort of Nexus experience. Honestly, I don't know what to believe. On one hand, we've seen no evidence of Nexus branding on any leak, including these images of a prototype device. Even the crew at Android Police, who have been leading the HTC Nexus leak charge seem to occasionally use quotations around the word "Nexus," as if they aren't certain the phones will be Nexus either. On the other hand, just three months ago, Google CEO Sundar Pichai told Recode that they are "investing more effort" into Nexus phones and that they see opportunity to "put more thought" into them going forward. The exact quote is:

"Today we do it as Nexus devices...we are investing more effort into them. You'll see us put more thought into our Nexus devices going forward."

This was three months ago and the head of Google called them Nexus devices over and over, talked of future Nexus devices, and made no mention of them ditching the brand. He did, however, talk a lot about tweaking the software experience to some sort of proprietary experience that would be exclusive to Nexus phones. And that's exactly what a number of the leaks have shown, especially now that Nougat is available. I should point out that a leaked "sailfish" ROM that was sent to us weeks ago has both the Nexus Launcher and Nexus Wallpaper picker, among other Nexus-related notes. I'm talking about the fact that these files have the name "Nexus" in them. Take a look.

Let's also not forget that the FCC filing for the two new HTC-made Nexus phones both said to find the user guide for each at support.google.com/nexus. And I get that Google could easily switch things up, move this stuff around, change branding, and they needed to list something there for a minute to get everything squared away at the FCC before launch. Or maybe they'll just be new Nexus phones. Or maybe they aren't going to be Nexus phones? Look, Google does plenty of weird shit. Remember when the Android Market all of sudden became Google Play? Or when they released Google Spaces, basically just as an app for I/O attendees to play with for 3 days? Google does things that most of us can't explain, but they often work out, which I'm sure will be the case if they do ditch the Nexus brand. Google could very well switch things up and create a new brand of phones. Maybe they'll call these new phones the Google S1 and Google M1 with the "Nexus Experience." Whatever happens, they'll still be the phones for die-hards like you and I. The big play will be whether or not everyone else will see the value that we do. Maybe a branding change will help do that. NOTE: I was just reminded that the Telegraph first reported word of a Google-branded phone arriving later this year. Maybe this is exactly what they were referring to.

Via: Android Central

Google Hosting Indie Games Festival in San Francisco on September 24, Open and Free to Public

Tim — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:13:40 +0000

Google has announced the Google Play Indie Games Festival, a place for developers and mobile gamers to come together and play the latest and greatest indie titles. During the festival, those in attendance will have a unique opportunity to play unreleased indie games from many developers, then vote to see which games will win awards. Should a developer take home a prize, it could be a SHIELD Android TV, SHIELD Tablet K1, Razer Forge TV prize pack, or other exciting stuff. The event is open and free to the public, but Google requests that you register for the event. If you think you can make it to San Francisco on September 24 at 9:45am (Pacific), you can join. Here's a small sample of titles you can expect to see at the festival. The full list can be viewed here. Register Here

Via: Android Developers

RIP: Chromebook Pixel (2015), New Model Hopefully On the Way

Tim — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 08:47:54 +0000

The Chromebook Pixel (2015) is no longer for sale in the Google Store, and according to a statement from Google, they don't intend on restocking it. The Pixel 2 is Google's uber high-end Chromebook, a sequel to the original Pixel laptop. Featuring specs far beyond that of a standard Chromebook that you could buy for a couple hundred of dollars, the price was no laughing matter, with the Pixel 2 starting at $1300. According to Google's statement, provided to VentureBeat, "We’re committed to the Pixel program but we don’t have plans to restock the Pixel 2." To me, that sounds like Google is too busy working on a potential Pixel 3 to waste resources on restocking the Pixel 2. In fact, a job listing from June of this year gives quite a bit of credence to that theory. With the launch of Android apps and Google Play for Chrome OS, now is not the time for Google to not offer a high-end Chromebook. If you ask me, Google needs to introduce its next Pixel laptop when it rolls out Google Play support for all Chromebook users, not just a development build. Who knows, maybe a lot of users would see the benefits of upgrading to the Pixel line. Fare thee well, Pixel 2.

Via: VentureBeat

Galaxy Note 7: First 10 Things You Should Do

Kellen — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 08:18:34 +0000

Many of you probably already own the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, since it has been out now for almost two full weeks. On the other hand, many of you may have just picked one up within the past couple of days or are planning to do so in the very near future. Either way, we want to help you get started on a path to a greater Note 7 experience. To do so, we've whipped up another "First 10 Things You Should Do" post featuring, you guessed it, the new Note from Samsung. In this short tips and tricks style video, we'll cover some of the basics, but generally point you in 10 specific directions that are worth venturing into shortly after the initial setup of your Note 7. We talk about getting into security upfront with the fingerprint reader and/or iris scanner, utilizing Always-on Display, tweaking the Edge panel so that it works for you, and of course, making the most out of the S Pen and its own set of features. Outside of that stuff, we'll make sure you know about the Blue Light filter on the phone, setting-and-forgetting DND mode, and cleaning up your app drawer and home screen. Look for that Galaxy Note 7 review soon. In the mean time, feel free to share any additional goodies that other Note 7 users should dive into.

[responsive_vid]

Video: BLU Pure XR Unboxing and Tour

Tim — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 15:44:11 +0000

BLU announced the released the Pure XR today, its latest smartphone to pack a mighty punch for a relatively inexpensive price. Available right now on Amazon for $299, BLU has baked in everything they could to make the Pure XR compete with some of the best phones on the market. If you need a fingerprint reader, it has it. Octa-core processor? It has that, too. BLU was kind enough to ship us over a unit in the White and Gold look. but there is also a Grey model available for the same price. Specifications for the device includes a 5.5" Full HD display (1080x1920), MediaTek Helio P10 64-bit 2GHz octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, 16 mega-pixel rear-facing camera with f/1.8, Android 6.0 "Marshmallow," and LTE connectivity for all major GSM carriers. Again, the device is available for purchase through Amazon starting today, priced at just $299. Check out our unboxing and hands-on tour below, then share your thoughts in the comments section. Amazon Link

Unboxing and Tour [responsive_vid] Gallery

Fitbit Intros Charge 2 and Flex 2 Fitness Trackers, Pre-Sale Starts Today

Tim — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 12:43:18 +0000

Fitbit introduced two updated fitness tracking devices this morning, the Charge 2 and Flex 2. The Charge 2, a sequel to Fitbit's successful Charge HR, features updated tracking data, as well as an enlarged display and interchangeable bands. The Flex 2, a follow-up to the Fitbit Flex, brings a redesigned look, swim-proof design with swim tracking and a completely automatic exercise tracking experience. Specifically, the Charge 2 brings "innovations" from PurePulse, such as continuous heart rate tracking, better tracking of calorie burn, and the ability to get a snapshot of your overall cardio fitness level. The Charge 2 also comes with multi-sport modes for tracking, connected GPS, a 4x larger display, and slimmed hardware design. As for the Fitbit Flex 2, the company claims it is "swim-proof," offers a 30% smaller design, plus a ton of accessory options for those who are fashion-focused. The "designer collections" for the Flex 2 include PUBLIC SCHOOL, Simply Vera Vera Wang, and Tory Burch. Seriously, you can slap this thing on pendants, bands, bracelets, and much more. For pricing, the Charge 2 starts at $149.95 with a classic fitness band in Black, Blue, Plum, or Teal. Additional bands are sold for $29.95. Leather bands in Pink, Brown and Indigo are available for $69.95. Lastly, Special Edition bands in Gunmetal and Rose Gold are coming soon, priced at $179.95. The Flex 2 starts at $99.95, with bands priced at $14.95. A bangle accessory in Gold and Rose Gold is available for $99.95 or Stainless Steel for $89.95. Pendant accessories are also up for sale, priced at $99.95 in Gold and $79.95 in Stainless Steel. If you want to be one of the first to rock Fitbit's latest, check the pre-sale links below. Pre-Sale Links: Fitbit Flex 2 | Fitbit Charge 2 Charge 2 [responsive_vid] Flex 2 [responsive_vid vid_url="gOALHcKRWAM"]

Via: Fitbit

Moto Z DROID Finally Getting First Update With July's Security Patch (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 12:38:47 +0000

The Moto Z DROID and Moto Z Force DROID are receiving updates at the moment, likely the updates that Motorola told us to expect shortly after launch as they were embroiled in monthly security update drama. The updates are arriving as build MCL24.246-36 and weigh in at about 436MB. They seem to take a really long time to download too, by the way, so make sure you are ready for them with plenty of battery. As for what's new, well, they don't really say much other than they provide "enhancements, improvements and the latest Android security updates." Of course, "latest" isn't really correct in the security department since this update only provides the July security patch. Keep in mind that we are almost in September, so within days this phone will already be two months behind in patches. At some point, the full details of the update will be posted here. Once that happens and if there are significant new features, we'll update this post. For now, head into Settings>System updates to grab it. UPDATE: That link is live and only shows that the 436MB update includes security patches, bug fixes, and call audio improvements.

Google Cast Now Built Into Chrome on Desktop With Casting to Hangouts Too

Kellen — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 11:41:47 +0000

Casting through Chrome on your desktop is now a built-in feature that no longer requires you to install a third party extension or perform much setup. Google announced the news today through the Chrome blog, noting that Google Cast is "now built fully into Chrome." With Google Cast now built-in, all you need in order to Cast a tab to a TV with a Chromecast attached, is the latest version of Chrome installed. You'll see a Cast icon up where your extension shortcuts are, plus a menu item for it has been added to Chrome's overflow menu list. By clicking on the button or the "Cast..." option, a pop-up over your current tab will show which devices are available for Casting to. You can also decide via pulldown from within that pop-up if you want to Cast only a specific tab or your entire desktop. Finally, with this built-in Casting, Google has enabled Google Apps (business accounts) users the option for Casting tabs or desktops to Hangouts conversations. If you are signed-in to Chrome with your Google Apps account, choosing the "Cast..." feature will prompt you with a request for Hangouts access as well (see below).

Again, the feature arrives today if you have Chrome installed. Enjoy.

Via: Chrome Blog | Google Apps Updates

Report: HTC 'One A9s' (Yes, Seriously) to be Announced at IFA

Tim — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 10:22:24 +0000

According to VentureBeat, HTC will announce a new device at IFA this year, the One A9s. Why is this name so laughable? Well, it's quite the story, actually. When HTC launched the One A9 last year, many people said it looked just like an iPhone. The resemblance to an iPhone 6 is eerie, and for HTC to come back a year later to simply add an "s" to the name is even more hysterical. Sure, there's only so much you can do with the design of a phone (and we aren't here to argue who copied who), but to add an "s," the exact same thing Apple does, it's just embarrassing. Moving on, because who really cares about the name, VentureBeat reports that HTC will announce the device during the first day of IFA. As for what's changing, not much has been said. However, a press render of the device has been leaked alongside the report, and wouldn't you know it, HTC decided to make it look even more like an iPhone 6. You can't make this up, folks. The renders detail a repositioned rear-facing camera. Instead of the camera sitting in the middle as it did on the One A9, it has been moved to the top left corner on the One A9s. That's the same position it is on the iPhone 6. Enjoy this crude side-by-side mockup I made. This render also details a few of the colors we can expect, including Black, Gold, and Silver. We have no word on which Android version it will ship with, which processor it has, or anything else. People may not appreciate us poking fun at this device or HTC, but sorry, we will express our opinions freely here and will continue to do so if we feel it necessary. With regard to the One A9s, you can't deny that HTC needs just a little jabbing with this one. What's your take on it?

Via: VentureBeat

Verizon Introduces LTE Advanced Network in 461 Cities Today, Provides 50% Faster Peak Speeds (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 09:25:13 +0000

As of this morning, Verizon customers get to take advantage of the company's newly introduced LTE Advanced (LTE-A) network that is already live in 461 cities across the US. Verizon says that LTE-A provides up to 50% faster peak speeds on any one of 39 devices currently in the wild accessing Big Red's network. Since the network is already live and covering 90% of the US population, there isn't anything you need to do to get access, other than own one of supported devices and be on the latest software version for each. Seeing as there are 39 already-supported on Verizon's network, you probably have one. Some of the devices include the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S7, Moto DROIDs, and current Apple iPhones. Also, all future phones from Apple, Samsung, LG, and others will be LTE-A-capable out of the box.

(Note: We're trying to get confirmation on whether or not a new software update is needed or if these phones are working today, thanks to previous updates.) UPDATE: According to Verizon, as long as the device is "approved" and has the latest software available, it should be working right now on LTE-A. In other words, I take that to mean your S6, as long as you have this month's update, should be able to generate LTE-A speeds. Also, here is a full list of capable devices:

Apple iPhone 6
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Apple iPhone 6s
Apple iPhone 6s Plus
Apple iPhone 5 SE
Apple iPad Pro
Apple iPad Pro 9.7
Apple iPad Air 2
Apple iPad Mini 4
Asus Zenpad Z8
Blackberry PRIV
HTC 10
HTC Desire 626
HTC One M9
LG V10
LG G4
LG G5
Motorola Nexus 6
Moto X
Moto Z Force Droid
Moto Z Droid
Motorola Droid Turbo 2
Motorola Droid Turbo
Netgear MHS AC791L
Novatel MiFi i6620L
Novatel MiFi USB620L
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus
Samsung Note 5
Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy View
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
Samsung Galaxy Tab E 8.0
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Sony Xperia Z3v
Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet

According to Verizon, not only do customers get LTE-A benefits without cost, you should be able to access the faster speeds without changing settings or looking for specific indicators. If you phone is supported and the latest software with LTE-A is on it, you should just get access. What is LTE-A and how did Verizon deploy it? The press release states that they are using software to combine "two or three bandwidth channels into one larger channel," giving your phone a connection that is "the most efficient route to completion." This is carrier aggregation, of course, which is Verizon combing their 700MHz, AWS, and PCS spectrum. For the most part, Verizon suggests that your typical download speeds will be around 5-12Mbps, but should you see the better end of two-channel LTE-A, you could peak at up to 225Mbps. If you get into three-channel, then we are talking about speeds higher than 300Mbps. You can view the list of cities with LTE-A here and the supported devices here. Additional general Verizon LTE-A info can be found here. Feel free to post up those speedtests in the comments.

[responsive_vid]

Press Release

Mobile users in 461 cities today get 50% faster peak speeds at no extra cost. Introducing Verizon LTE Advanced.

NEW YORK – Verizon announced today it has launched LTE Advanced technology to bring 50% faster peak wireless data speeds to more than 288 million people in 461 cities from coast to coast. Verizon LTE Advanced hits all the major cities, and covers loads of less-served places including highways, interstates, country roads and rural America. So customers don’t need to stay in one place to get great high speed connections, they can use their mobile devices to actually be mobile and head to the places they work, vacation and want to go. “Our customers just received a major network enhancement for no additional cost,” said Tami Erwin, head of operations for Verizon’s wireless unit. “Verizon LTE Advanced works like a turbocharger on an engine. Speed boosts kick in when you need it most, with big data use. That’s when you get the big peak boost of Verizon LTE Advanced.” Verizon LTE Advanced uses software that combines multiple channels to speed mobile data over the network more quickly than ever before. The result is 50% faster peak speeds in cities nationwide for Verizon customers using one of the 39 LTE Advanced-capable phones and tablets already on Verizon’s network – including top-selling Samsung Galaxy S6 and S7 smartphones, Moto Droids and Apple iPhones. As new devices from Apple, Samsung, LG and other manufacturers are introduced, they will be LTE Advanced-capable right out of the box. Customers with a phone or tablet with LTE Advanced capabilities and the most recent software will benefit from these enhancements without effort or additional costs. There are no extra plan costs, no settings to change, no indicators to check.

How it works.

Verizon LTE Advanced uses software to combine two or three bandwidth channels into one larger channel to send data sessions over the most efficient route to completion. This technology is called carrier aggregation and uses a combination of 700 MHz, AWS, and PCS spectrum. “Verizon LTE Advanced means your data session moves more quickly over the best network,” said Nicki Palmer, Verizon’s chief wireless network engineer. “Imagine a road with multiple lanes in which, once you pick a lane, that’s the lane you drive in. That describes our award-winning 4G LTE network. Continuing the metaphor, Verizon LTE Advanced allows cars to change lanes efficiently and flawlessly, balancing the flow of traffic and getting drivers to their destinations more efficiently. That means blindingly fast data transmissions when you need it most.” LTE Advanced currently uses a combination of two- and three-carrier aggregation. Customers will continue to enjoy typical download speeds of 5 – 12 Mbps, but two-channel carrier aggregation has shown peak download speeds of up to 225 Mbps, far exceeding the current speeds being experienced by wireless data networks nationwide. While the speeds of two channel carrier aggregation provide a leap forward, three-channel carrier aggregation provides even greater efficiency. Verizon engineers deploying three-channel carrier aggregation have experienced speeds greater than 300 Mbps. In 2003, Verizon was the first wireless company to launch 3G, bringing it from coast to coast by 2005. In 2010, customers across the country were first to experience the newest mobile technology - 4G LTE. “With Verizon LTE Advanced, we’re bringing the next generation of wireless technology to the market, coast to coast,” said Palmer. “We’re already in 461 markets and we’re already underway deploying three channel carrier aggregation.” Verizon provides the best customer experience, built on the nation’s most award-winning network. Today’s announcement of Verizon LTE Advanced technology in 461 cities on the Verizon network coast to coast, increasing peak speeds by up to 50% at no additional cost, adds even greater value. Verizon’s network is the most award-winning network for its speed, consistently reliable performance, and hundreds of thousands of square miles more 4G LTE coverage than the next-closest competitor. To learn more about Verizon LTE Advanced, visit https://www.verizonwireless.com/featured/lte-advanced Verizon LTE Advanced Marketing Campaign The Verizon LTE Advanced announcement is supported by a broad mass and social media campaign, including a new television ad that premieres tonight at shortly after 8:30 pm ET across major television networks including ABC, CBS, CWN, FOX and NBC. For a sneak peek of the commercial, please visit .

###

Via: Verizon

Supposed NVIDIA SHIELD TV (2016) Hits the FCC, Along With Updated SHIELD Controller

Tim — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 09:08:53 +0000

According to a FCC filing made public, NVIDIA may launch an updated SHIELD Android TV console this year. Listed in the documents, the console carries a model number of P2897, but due to confidentiality requests from NVIDIA, not much else is known. Inside the filing, but not viewable by the public, everything you might want to see is inside, including user manuals, external photos, and test set-up photos. Even though we can't see what it is exactly, we can make a pretty educated guess. Listed under the labeling portion, we see that the device is definitely rectangular in shape, and that the console features 802.11ac WiFi. Officially, the equipment is labeled as the SHIELD Android TV Game Console. In addition to the updated console, new SHIELD Remote and SHIELD Controller devices also went through the FCC last week. With all of this happening close together, it's possible NVIDIA may look to launch the new SHIELD Android TV in the fall, but nothing is guaranteed. Quite recently, an updated SHIELD Tablet went through the FCC, but never came to fruition.

It is also unknown whether NVIDIA will launch a new hardware design for the SHIELD TV or simply stick updated components inside its existing package. In our opinion, the hardware looks great for the SHIELD TV, so it would be interesting to see how NVIDIA would improve upon it. Are you a SHIELD TV owner? Do you enjoy the experience NVIDIA offers?

Via: FCC | AFTVnews

T-Mobile Tweaks Unlimited ONE Plan After Backlash, Adds ONE "Plus" Option

Kellen — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 07:35:56 +0000

Shortly after T-Mobile introduced the T-Mobile ONE plan a couple of weeks back, the backlash over its sneakiness and lack of value was swift and harsh. And rightfully so, as the plan wasn't exactly built to be the ultimate unlimited plan that T-Mobile described. It included a number of major issues, like the fact that it was a terrible option for individuals who like HD video and need high-speed data for tethering. Today, because T-Mobile says that it does "something the [other] carriers would never do," which is listen to customer feedback, changes to the ONE plan have been introduced, along with a new "Plus" option. So what's new? Quite a bit actually. 1. Unlimited hotspot speed increase: To deal with the issue we had with 2G (128kbps) unlimited hotspot, T-Mobile says they have upped the speeds to 3G (512kbps) at no extra cost. While not LTE speeds, 3G is obviously at least somewhat useful for a quick tethering session, whereas 2G wasn't going to be worth the trouble. T-Mobile says that the bump to 3G is included in the plan and 2G speeds are gone. 2. Single day HD video passes: Because not everyone was interested in paying an extra $25 per month for HD video streaming and might just want it here and there, T-Mobile is providing single day HD video passes. These cost $3 per day and give you HD video options for 24 hours. 3. The new T-Mobile ONE Plus option: Finally, the big new introduction for today is the Plus option for those who actually like to use high-speed data for all things. With this plan, you pay an extra $25 per month per line on top of the $70 plan (with autopay) to get unlimited high-speed 4G LTE hotspot tethering, an unlimited number of HD video day passes, and 2x faster speeds when traveling abroad. There are a number of changes here from the regular plan. For one, you are now looking at a per month cost of $95 (with autopay). In other words, this is now the same cost as the current unlimited data plan that T-Mobile offers as a Simple Choice plan, though it may even be slightly better for data hogs. The current plan limits you to 14GB of high-speed tethering, but this plan is unlimited tethering. As for the HD day passes, T-Mobile is giving Plus customers an unlimited amount, but that does mean you will have to toggle them on each day you need them. In a way, it's like how you had to opt-out of BingeOn with your unlimited plan, only now you have to do it every single day to continue to see HD or better video. Are these new plans any better? Well, yeah, they are better and these changes do address two of the biggest pain points that we talked about in this post. If you want to use lots of data, you now have the Plus option which may have more data than the current unlimited plan. So that's a good thing. And look, good on T-Mobile for taking the feedback and making changes. Few companies in any field do these things. Even the last time T-Mobile dealt with significant backlash (that would be the BingeOn mess), their CEO didn't exactly accept the criticism and lashed out at anyone who questioned his company's decision. Also, T-Mobile has moved up the start date for T-Mobile ONE to September 1.

Via: T-Mobile

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: August 26, 2016

Tim — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 15:29:29 +0000

The image you see above is of my Galaxy S7 Edge. She's dead now, sadly. She took a mean fall from my lap onto pavement as I was exiting my vehicle earlier this week. If you could, please pour out a small portion of this weekend's 40oz. for her. She will be missed. Anyway, moving right along, let's talk about this week's top Android stories. While we await the unveiling of Google's new Nexus devices, plenty of awesome stuff happened, most importantly, the official launch of Android 7.0 "Nougat." Even with Google being somewhat reluctant to release the factory images for a couple devices, Nougat is available for owners of the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and others. On top of Nougat, other news surrounded Google Fiber's tough rollout, what the LG V20 will look like, and plenty of other great topics. Look below to catch up on all of the greatness.

Nougat: Google releases Nougat.
Downloads: Factory images can be found here.
Here's a ton of pictures taken with the Galaxy Note 7.
Google Fiber to cut half its workforce.
Hasselblad Moto Mod spotted ahead of possible IFA unveiling.
V20: Is this the LG V20? Probably.
Here's everything new in Android 7.0 "Nougat."
Verizon: Galaxy Note 7 on Verizon is a great example of why carriers suck.
We can expect the V20 to have a crazy good sound.
HTC delivers timeframe for providing Nougat updates.
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge now available in Pink Gold.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Friday Poll: How Important is Your Smartphone's Camera Quality?

Tim — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 14:02:32 +0000

No one can argue that in the past few years, smartphone cameras have improved tremendously. However, some are definitely better at it than others, so we want to know how important mobile photography is to you. The last time we asked this question, the majority of people claimed that while picture taking was important, it wasn't a deciding factor when selecting a phone. 25% of voters claimed they make their purchasing decisions based on the camera, which is saying quite a bit. Let us know your opinion on the state of mobile photography currently. Has it essentially replaced that fancy DSLR of yours yet? [poll id="426"]

Google Wallet App Updated With Automatic Transfers

Tim — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 12:34:33 +0000

According to the changelog posted for the latest update to Google Wallet, the service now supports automatic transfers for when money is received. Do note, while the app states the feature is inside, it is reported that it won't go live until next week. As an example for how this could be useful, if your friend sends you $20 to pay for half of the dinner you just split, that money will no longer sit inside of your Wallet account until you take action on it. With the update, that money will automatically be sent to either your bank account or debit card, depending on which option you prefer. In addition to automatic transfers, Google states that there are numerous bug fixes and visual improvements inside of the app. Go grab it.

What's New

Access your money faster! Money you receive will automatically transfer to your bank account or debit card.
Numerous bug fixes and visual improvements.

Play Link

Report: Things Aren't Well at Google Fiber, Workforce to be Cut in Half

Tim — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 11:12:51 +0000

A new report from The Information came out this morning, detailing the struggles taking place inside of Google Fiber. According to the report, which cites various sources close to Alphabet and the Fiber team, Google Fiber had initially hoped to have 5 million subscribers at the five year mark. By the end of 2014, a little more than two years after initial launch, the service had just 200,000 broadband subscribers. 200K is nowhere near 5 million, so you can assume Alphabet executives, Larry Page for one, needed to rethink Fiber's rollout. It has been widely reported that Google may switch to a wireless approach for Google Fiber, using WebPass (a company now owned by Google), which is already deploying high-speed internet wirelessly in select cities throughout the US. Along with that move, which would already drastically reduce cost of rollout, as there would be much less digging and installing, Larry Page has ordered Google Fiber’s chief, Craig Barratt, to halve the size of the Google Fiber team to 500 people. Overall, Page wants to reduce the current cost of bringing Google Fiber to a customer's home to one-tenth the current level. The Information's report cites one area in particular that hasn't quite paid off for Fiber - "Viral Explosion." The idea was to bring Google Fiber to as many markets as quickly as possible, bringing in a large amount of subscribers all at once. If successful, Google could then do the same in additional markets. Unfortunately, by the time Fiber was set up and Google was ready to move on, there was no "systematic approach" to bring the service to new markets. Due to issues with contractors not completing work in a timely manner, launches were delayed by months and rollout was not smooth. According to one source, "Every city was a fire drill, and we weren’t able to learn from our mistakes." Personally, it's pretty sad to see Google Fiber not blossom into what we had all expected, which would have been super-fast internet powered by Google for all Americans. There's still hope, but it appears Google's ambitions were a bit extreme this time. As for me in Portland, OR, Google has been teasing Fiber's possible launch for a solid year now, with no signs of it coming to fruition soon.

Via: The Information [Subscription]

Auralux: Constellations, the Sequel, Now Available on Google Play

Tim — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 10:06:56 +0000

A week or so ago, I mentioned that Auralux: Constellations would soon launch on Google Play. As a big fan of the first Auralux, I was happy about this. The game is now available on Google Play, free to download, and it's way better than I initially anticipated. While the overall gameplay is still the same real-time strategy concept as the first title, there have been major improvements made to the graphics and feel of the game. Everything seems much smoother, especially when commanding larger forces. To go along with those updated graphics, you can even change the color of your forces, choosing primary and secondary colors. You can even change the colors of your enemies. Beyond the same single player RTS gameplay, Constellations also features a multiplayer mode, perfect if you are completely done dominating the computer. For those who win a lot of matches against the computer and other real players, you can unlock additional in-game designs for your forces. If you are a fan of the first Auralux, or just want to give Constellations a try, I highly recommend it. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Hangouts Chrome Extension Getting 'New Experience' on August 31

Tim — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 08:41:09 +0000

An update for the Hangouts extension on Chrome is inbound, one that Google states is pretty much required to use. On August 31, the update will go live via the Chrome Store, and for new users, the updated version will be the default Hangouts "experience" they must use. However, for existing users, they can choose to not update to the new experience, at least until Google forces them to on October 16. So, what is in this new experience that makes it required to use? According to Google's rather short post, "the new experience brings together multiple chat windows into one and makes it easier to see more chat content." For anyone using the current Hangouts extension, this is essentially what we have already been using. Instead of multiple little chat windows, all of Hangouts will remain in one window, with users still able to pop-out a chat if they wish. To sum it up, if you are a new user of the Hangouts extension beginning August 31, the new experience will be default for you. Existing users, you can choose whether to opt-in or not until October 16, at which point it will also become the default experience for you, too. Check out the Hangouts extension by following the link below. Chrome Store Link

Via: Google

Nexus 5X Android 7.0 Nougat Factory Image Now Available

Kellen — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 06:52:20 +0000

The first Android 7.0 Nougat batch of factory images and OTA .zip files for Nexus devices arrived earlier in the week, but the newest phones of the group didn't see the love out of the gate. We're talking about the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 6, all of which also happen to be Qualcomm-powered devices. That's not me laying blame, it's just a pointed observation about current and previous factory image releases related to Qualcomm devices. Either way, the Nexus 5X files are now available for those who need them. The build is the same as the builds we saw earlier in the week - NRD90M. Go get em! You can grab each image or OTA file at the links below. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go. Google Links: Factory Images | OTA .zip files

OnePlus Unveils the Bullets V2 Earbuds, Not USB Type-C

Tim — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:22:22 +0000

A couple of days ago, OnePlus fired up the hypetrain, teasing an announcement that would take place today. Well, the announcement has come in the form of a YouTube video and webpage. Today, OnePlus unveiled the Bullets V2 earbuds, a sequel to its previous Bullets earbuds. As for specifications, potential buyers are looking at a Aryphan Polyarylate diaphragm, 9mm dynamic driver, inline remote, 24Ω impedance, weight of 14g, 107dB of sound pressure, and a 3.5mm standard headphone jack connection. Sadly, we had hoped to see USB Type-C, but that is a no go. Pricing and exact availability are still unknown, with OnePlus providing a "coming soon" line. Boo. If we take the first Bullets earbuds as an example, which were just $14.99, it's probably a safe bet we are looking at a price of $19.99 for the V2 set. Interested?

[responsive_vid]

Via: OnePlus

Hasselblad Moto Mod Spotted Ahead of Possible IFA Unveiling

Tim — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 14:00:37 +0000

The Hasselblad Moto Mod, a camera module that we all anticipated would launch alongside the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, but didn't, has been spotted in promotional material ahead of a possible unveiling at next week's IFA in Berlin. According to the material, this upcoming Moto Mod will feature 10x optical zoom, Xenon flash, a RAW shooting option, and quite a bit more. Also stated on the promo material, the mod will come with a physical shutter and zoom button for usability ease, as well as easy sharing of photos/videos taken. Whether this will require additional software for the mod remains to be seen. Lastly, we see "Backup automatically." We can only assume that this means every time you snap a photo, the image is saved either on the cloud or possibly to an account you specify on the device. On a separate note, don't forget, Google Photos is a good place to automatically backup your photos. Depending on the price, which probably won't be cheap, this could be a very cool addition to the Moto Z. Do we have any Moto Z or Moto Z Force owners here hoping to get their hands on one of these Mods?

Via: Moto G3

US Cellular Revises Shared Connect Plans, Includes More Data

Tim — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 11:37:29 +0000

Beginning today, US Cellular has revised its Shared Connect plans, offering a more "streamlined" experience for customers. According to US Cellular, the plans bring more data and bonus value, which you probably won't hear anyone complaining about. To lay it out, it appears that each tier of the Shared Connect plans have gotten a bump in data. That goes for the 2GB plan, all the way to the 24GB plan. With the revisions, the 2GB plan starts at $30/month, while the most expensive, the 24GB plan, costs $100/month. There are three plans that plop in the middle of those two plans. More pricing information can be viewed below. Plans Overview

2GB for $30 per month (was 1GB for $25)
4GB for $45 per month (was 3GB for $40)
8GB for $60 per month (was 6GB for $55)
16GB for $80 per month (was 12GB for $80)
24GB for $100 per month (was 15GB for $90)

Each Shared Connect plan comes with unlimited talk and text, with customers allowed to change their plan at any time. Additionally, those with the 16GB plan or higher can now take advantage of calling and texting to Canada and Mexico, plus data usage controls. For additional details, be sure to check US Cellular's website. Update: We received a note from US Cellular, clarifying the pricing of data usage controls and unlimited offerings.

Please note customers who choose 16GB plans or higher receive unlimited calling and texting to in Canada and Mexico, and data usage controls which allow customers to limit the amount of data each line on an account can use. However this unlimited offering is not available for $10 per month offering on plans 8GB and under. For the data usage option, please note this option is not available for $4.99 on plans 8GB and under.

Via: US Cellular

Fallout Shelter Update 1.7 Brings New Quests, Bottle and Cappy From Nuka-World

Tim — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 10:41:33 +0000

A new update is available for players of Fallout Shelter, labeled as Update 1.7. Inside, Bethesda is bringing a ton of goodies, including two new characters. Featured in the upcoming Nuka-World DLC for Fallout 4, Bottle and Cappy are now in Fallout Shelter, providing gifts should you complete their quest. Interestingly, Bethesda notes that you should not tap on the mascots, but I think it's safe to assume that will be the first thing players try to do. In addition to Bottle and Cappy, Bethesda has added in more quests for adventurous explorers, plus quest types. Each week, a new quest will appear, as well as "limited time" quests. Check out the complete changelog below, then watch the Bottle and Cappy video below for Fallout 4. It's awesome. Features

Overseers are reporting increased happiness and riches for dwellers returning from quests. We’ve added tons more Quests for these adventurous explorers.
New Quest Types – introducing weekly and special limited time quests.
Bottle & Cappy, Fallout 4’s Nuka-World mascots are here to bring fun and happiness to your vault. Complete their quest and they will begin to visit your vault bearing gifts!
Everyone loves a challenge, so we added new ones.
Please don’t tap on the mascots.

Play Link

[responsive_vid]

HTC Expects to Provide Nougat Update for HTC 10 During Q4, Other Devices After

Tim — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 09:24:56 +0000

Details shared via HTC's Twitter account this morning states that the company expects to provide a Nougat update for the HTC 10 during Q4 of this year. More specifically, HTC hopes to update the unlocked HTC 10, followed by updates for the unlocked One M9 and unlocked One A9 to Android 7.0. Then, if all goes well, we can expect to see updates for carrier models, but no timeframe was provided. With exception to LG's V20, which will be the first device to run Nougat out of the box, HTC appears to be the second OEM to provide any type of word on when customers can expect Nougat. A Samsung executive recently stated that the Galaxy Note 7 may receive Nougat in 2-3 months, but there was no guarantee if the company would be able to deliver that quickly. To sum it up, if you have an unlocked HTC 10, you can expect Nougat relatively soon, followed by the unlocked One M9 and One A9. If you run a carrier model for one of those phones, you will probably be waiting just a bit longer. We will keep you posted if more details are made available.

Via: @htc

Google Search Now Lets You Play Solitaire or Tic-Tac-Toe

Kellen — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 08:11:19 +0000

From within the Google app (or on the desktop), you can now play solitaire or tic-tac-toe without ever installing either game. Thanks to the power of Google, each game is essentially embedded within search results, giving you quick access to two of the all-time classics. In solitaire, Google is giving you easy or hard options, which means single card or triple card dealing. The works as you would expect, with tapping and dragging of cards until you can stack them all. In tic-tac-toe, you can play against the computer in easy, medium, or impossible modes, or against a friend, should you have one near. Again, to play either, just search for "solitaire" or "tic-tac-toe" in Google search and the games will show up as results. Enjoy.

Via: Google Blog

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Available in Pink Gold, Exclusive to Best Buy

Tim — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 08:10:54 +0000

Samsung announced availability of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge in Pink this morning, finally bringing this highly-desired colorway stateside. According to Samsung, this color is Pink Gold, available exclusively at Best Buy. Looking over Best Buy's website, you can grab this color option from Sprint, Verizon or AT&T, although, the Verizon model is still listed as a pre-order. Beyond the color, its the same Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge we all know. The devices deliver water resistance, wireless charging, a great camera, excellent display, and of course, TouchWiz. My guess is, if you decided to click on this article, you are either here to talk smack in the comments or are actually interested in buying this. If you are interested in buying, follow the link below. If you're here to talk smack about the pink phone, I'll allow it. Just remember, real men wear pink. Best Buy Link

Via: Samsung

Prisma Bringing Offline Styles to Android "Very Soon"

Tim — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:35:07 +0000

Prisma, that one app everyone was talking about for a few days, then was forgot about because Pokemon GO was conquering the world, made an important announcement yesterday. Taking to its Facebook page, the company announced that offline styles will be available for Android users "soon," while iOS users can apparently benefit from the change already. The way Prisma works, or at least, did work, was you would send your image up into Prisma's servers, which would then use a neural net algorithm to produce a stunning work of art based on a style you liked. The process is actually quite complex, and sometimes, the servers would crash and users couldn't utilize the service. Now, with the move to offline, a device's onboard CPU will handle the computing, meaning we won't need to worry about overcrowded servers anymore. It remains to be seen for Android users if this move will be seen as positive or negative. In addition to the move to bring at least half of Prisma's styles offline, the company also introduced what appears to be a partnership with Post Pals. With this, users can choose to donate $1 to Post Pals while they style up their photos. Post Pals provides support to children with serious illnesses. Like I mentioned, the move to offline hasn't quite happened yet for Android users, but we will let you know when it takes place. Play Link

Via: Prisma.AI

Clear Ballistic Case Renders Give Great Look at Upcoming LG V20

Tim — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 13:45:35 +0000

Well, here's the LG V20, at least according to Ballistic who have posted up renders of the device suited up in the Elsa Jewel Case. Published to the Petra website, where the case is available for purchase ($20), we get a clear look at what the V20 might have to offer. From what these renders show us, LG is sticking with its custom skin (no surprise there), even though the device will be the first to launch with Android 7.0 "Nougat." Additionally, the device will most definitely come with a secondary display on the frontside. On the backside, we can see the dual cameras (should be extremely similar to the G5's setup), fingerprint reader, and what appears to be little dimples. Our guess is that these dots are part of the case's "jewel" design and hopefully not the V20's. If those dots are on the V20, we're looking at Galaxy S5 Band-Aid drama all over again. These images don't provide a great look at whether we can expect modularity with the V20. The last images we saw, which can be viewed here, detailed what appeared to be a button mechanism. That mechanism is what detaches the bottom portion of the device, allowing for battery swapping and modularity. Guess we'll just have to remain patient. Share your thoughts on these renders below.

Via: Phandroid | Petra

My Favorite Wallpaper App: Backdrops

Tim — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 12:04:53 +0000

We take wallpapers pretty seriously around here. For the most part, I enjoy a few of the pre-installed wallpapers on select devices, but to really provide a sense of individualism for my smartphone, I require a fancy wallpaper and "hot" icon pack. Focusing purely on the wallpapers, there's one app I tend to use more than any other, and that's Backdrops. We have written about Backdrops on a couple of occasions, but in reality, we talk about it all of the time. Whenever someone asks us about a wallpaper we are using, it's typically always from Backdrops. This is what makes Backdrops so clutch. It's not a set amount of wallpapers in an app, as people are always adding new and awesome papers inside. Only high quality content is approved by the Backdrops team, meaning you will only see great wallpapers. When you boot up the app, you will see the wallpaper of the day, followed by the top downloaded papers. If you pull out the menu, you can dive into countless categories, such as space, nature, architecture, and geometry. Under that menu is also Collections. These collections of wallpapers are a group of papers with a single theme. For example, there's the Earth collection. Much like you would see on recent Nexus devices, these wallpapers are of images taken from satellites used for Google Earth. They are incredibly gorgeous and I highly recommend.

When you come across a wallpaper you like, but aren't quite ready to jump into using it, you can favorite it. Your list of favorite papers is saved in its own section, that way you don't lose a wallpaper you really enjoy. You can go back and easily set it whenever you want. As for setting a paper, that's pretty easy, too. When you click on a paper, you will see a button for "Set." Simply tap on that button, the wallpaper will download, then set itself. From my experience, there's no time wasted with cropping or messing with dimensions. Another plus for Backdrops? It's totally free to use. Now, there are ads, but they aren't what I would label as intrusive. There is a Pro version available via in-app purchase, priced at $1.99. The Pro version is ad-free, gives ability to save Explore wallpapers, plus grants access to the exclusive Pro Pack collection. If that's worth it to you, have at it. Personally, I've been just fine on the free version. If you need a few new wallpapers, definitely check out Backdrops. Play Link

Google Bringing WiFi Assistant, Once a Project Fi Exclusive, to All Nexus Devices

Tim — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 11:06:45 +0000

WiFi Assistant, a feature once exclusive to Project Fi users, will soon be available for all Nexus owners in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, and Nordic countries. WiFi Assistant allows users to automatically connect to open WiFi networks that Google has verified as fast and reliable. For example, if you are strolling through a store that has open WiFi, your phone will automatically connect to it if your cell service is poor. It's one of the reasons Project Fi is so nice to use. According to Google, this feature will be made available to all supported devices over the coming weeks. Once it is live, there is one simple step to take for you to enable the feature. Simply open the Settings on your phone, head to "Google" then "Networking." Once inside, enable "Wi-Fi Assistant" with the on/off switch. As mentioned, you may not see it quite yet, but it should be available very soon. When your device is connected to a network via WiFi Assistant, the notification bar on your device will show a VPN "key" logo. That logo looks like this - . As for your WiFi connection, it will say, "Connected via WiFi Assistant." Cheers, Google. I love this feature.

Via: +Nexus | Google Support

Gallery: Here Are a Ton of Pictures Taken on the Galaxy Note 7

Tim — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 09:46:01 +0000

While we're busy plugging away at our Galaxy Note 7 review (coming soon, we promise!), we figured we should at least provide a bit of insight into how it's going. Over the past few days, we have been snapping a lot of pictures, trying to get a sense for just how good the device's camera is. So far? It's really, really nice. Without diving into too much detail, as there will be plenty of that when we launch our review, enjoy the below gallery of photos that we have taken so far. None of the photos have been edited with software, with exception to a simple resizing. With this gallery, what you see is what you get with regard to how the camera performs straight out of the box. If you have been rocking your Galaxy Note 7 for a few days now, let us know how the camera has been treating you. Is it everything you imagined it would be? Here we go.

If you would like to see these photos in their original size, complete with all of the detail, click here to download the .zip file.

LG, B&O PLAY Collaborate to Create "Premium Sound Experience" for LG V20

Tim — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 08:20:01 +0000

Announced today, LG is partnering with B&O PLAY (Bang & Olufsen) to create a "premium sound experience" for the upcoming LG V20 smartphone. Apparently, this sound experience will be so premium that it's described as something we have "have never heard before." If that doesn't remotely excite you, nothing will. In order to achieve this audio experience, acoustic engineers collaborated to achieve B&O PLAY’s philosophy of delivering a "natural and balanced sound in a portable package." To complete the experience, the V20 will be sold with a special pair of B&O PLAY earphones, plus a set of wallpapers that feature the B&O logo. What do wallpapers have to do with a sound experience? I'm gonna go ahead and say nothing, but that's part of the agreement between LG and B&O. "A growing number of consumers expect a better audio experience from their smartphones than what has been available in the past and I’m confident that the V20 delivers on these expectations,” said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics and Mobile. Don't forget, LG already announced that the V20 will feature 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC from ESS Technology, perfect for all of you audiophiles. September 6 is right around the corner.

Via: LG

Chase is Reported to Support Android Pay Beginning September 7

Tim — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:08:44 +0000

Yup, at last, Chase will support Android Pay. In a leaked photograph of a Chase "Enhancement Guide," the company claims it will bring support on September 7, allowing members to take advantage of Google's mobile payments platform. Which members can use it? Well, if you use a standard Visa-branded credit card or consumer debit card, you can use it. Support will also be available for business debit card and Chase Liquid card users. So, while all of these major banks appear to be adopting the future, my bank (Simple) continues to hold out on me. Get with the times, financial institutions. Once the announcement is made official by the Android Pay team or Chase, we will let you know.

Via: Android Police

Many Games for NVIDIA SHIELD Devices on Sale Through Google Play

Tim — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 14:15:24 +0000

A total of ten games designed specifically for NVIDIA SHIELD devices are on sale via Google Play, some of which are listed at 50% off. To get the list started, as it is a pretty exciting list, is Doom 3: BFG Edition for $5 and Super Meat Boy for $7.49. If that isn't good enough for you, try Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance for $5 or Parallax for $2.49. On the downside, these games won't be compatible for everyone. To play them, you will need a SHIELD device, such as a SHIELD Android TV or SHIELD Tablet. If you have one of those, you are in business. Check out the full list below. App Links

Parallax ($2.49)
Pix the Cat ($2.49)
Stealth Inc. 2 ($4.99)
Q.U.B.E. Director's Cut ($2.99)
Stikbold! ($4.99)
Ultimate Chicken Horse ($5.99)
Q*Bert Rebooted ($2.99)
Super Meat Boy ($7.49)
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance ($4.99)
Doom 3: BFG Edition ($4.99)

On a personal note, if you don't own Doom 3: BFG Edition, get on it. Playing the old titles on a modern TV is extremely clutch.

Deus Ex GO Available on Google Play for $5, Best Installment Yet?

Tim — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:18:35 +0000

Square Enix is back again with a new GO title for all to enjoy. This time, Deus Ex is getting the strategic-movement treatment, requiring you to solve complex puzzles without getting your character killed. Titled Deus Ex GO, you control covert agent Adam Jensen, utilizing skills in hacking, combat, and augmentations to complete level objectives. Just like the previous GO titles, the entire game is based on coordinated movements. As you make your way through levels, you will need to time moves correctly to defeat foes and move onto the next stage. With this entry into the GO franchise, augmentations appear to play a big role, with Jensen having the ability to go invisible in front of enemies. Not even Agent 47 could accomplish that, giving this title quite the twist. In total, there are more than 50 story levels, plus a new puzzle ever weekday. That's quite a bit of content. For $5, which is the standard GO title price, this game looks like a futuristic blast. Features

More than 50 challenging story levels
Live Content: A new puzzle every weekday
Outsmart a variety of new, unique enemies: guards, turrets, drones, walkers and more!
Hack the puzzle: manipulate the environment to your advantage
Augmented puzzles: solve puzzles using Adam Jensen’s iconic augmentations
An intricate storyline that will keep you on your toes

Play Link ($4.99)

[responsive_vid]

As Google Daydream Launch Gets Closer, Google's Investments in VR Pick-Up

Kellen — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 12:08:32 +0000

This morning, the folks over at Bloomberg shared new information surrounding the launch of Google's VR platform, Daydream, which they say is scheduled to happen in the "coming weeks." That may not be all that specific, especially since Google told us it would arrive this fall, but today's report did include inside details about how Google plans to ramp up content and hardware for VR. Google will heavily promote new projects coming from both Hulu and YouTube, while also investing in production of the videos that make their way to YouTube. YouTubers, video game producers, and sports leagues will all see the benefit of Google's cash, an amount that Bloomberg pegs as being in the "hundreds of thousands of dollars a piece," depending on the medium. They also mentioned that video games are seeing Google spend in "high six figures" while other online talent and filmmakers are receiving anywhere from low five figures to low six figures. Of course, the launch of Daydream with Google means apps are preparing for launch, including HBO Now and apps from sports leagues, like the NBA and MLB. Some content here and there will be exclusive, but as you can imagine, these companies want to be everywhere now that VR is really starting to take off. As for hardware, we know that Google created a reference design for companies to build VR units from, but that they are also working on their own. Bloomberg re-confirms that, though their report suggests that Google "had been working" on one and then potentially switched over to helping others get their headsets ready for launch. Either way, we are supposed to see Daydream arrive alongside not only VR headsets and the controllers that power them, but new Android phones as well. The only new phones on the horizon that I know of are the LG V20 and Google's new Nexus phones, so I'll you surmise the possibilities there.

Via: Bloomberg

DEAL: Moto 360 Sport in White for Only $140

Tim — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 11:17:22 +0000

Over on Amazon, folks can find the Moto 360 Sport smartwatch in White, listed at a price of only $139.99. Originally launched with a price of $299, this dip seems like a solid discount for anyone looking to get into Android Wear. The Sport model of the Moto 360 is suited towards those who are quite active, featuring a single silicone band that wraps around the watch. This band allows you to sweat all over it, perfect for you heavy perspirers. The watch comes with GPS tracking, an AnyLight display, and should see the upcoming Android Wear 2.0 update. If White isn't your thing, and maybe you're cool with spending a bit more, the Black model can be had for $199, while the Flame color is listed for $167. Sound good? Amazon Link

RootMetrics Publishes H1 2016 Report, Verizon Crowned Again

Tim — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 09:56:28 +0000

To no one's surprise, Verizon has been crowned champion of the US carriers yet again by RootMetrics. For tests conducted throughout the first half of 2016, Verizon came out on top for all categories, including Reliability, Speed, and Calls. Even though Verizon came out on top again, the tests performed show a bright side for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. According to RootMetrics, Sprint's network has seen big improvements with regard to reliability, while T-Mobile continues to excel in metro areas. AT&T sits at a solid second position again, ranking high in all categories, right below Verizon. In some categories, such as reliability, speed and text, AT&T is literally just a couple of points back.

As for the individual state level, Verizon killed it. With fifty states and six performance categories per state, there are 300 possible RootScore Awards in the RootMetrics state-level testing. However, many of these tests can come out as draws. AT&T either won or shared 82 State RootScore Awards in this test period, while Verizon gobbled up 274 awards. Trailing greatly is T-Mobile with 20 and Sprint with 11. If you would like a TL;DR version of the latest report, watch the video below.

[responsive_vid]

Via: RootMetrics

OnePlus Publishes Teaser for 'Something Special,' Scheduled for August 25

Tim — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 08:36:48 +0000

OnePlus has another announcement to make for 2016, this time scheduled for August 25. To get the hypetrain choo choo'ing along, OnePlus published a 30-second teaser video to YouTube, featuring a soundtrack that is eerily similar to what you might hear in a 1970's porno flick. Seriously, listen to that guitar going through the wah-wah pedal, that's a classic porno riff. Moving right along, we must determine what OnePlus is going to unveil, so there can be no excitement when the announcement is made. That's just how we tech bloggers roll. The teaser clip shows a vinyl being spun around, with a V2 symbol in the middle. Also in the middle, a metallic-looking circular object with what appears to be a black cord coming from it. Considering how much emphasis is being put on the music and a machine that plays music, I'm going to guess that OnePlus will announce a set of USB Type-C headphones or earbuds. That may seem like a stretch, and I don't know what V2 would have to do with earbuds, but that's my guess. Take it or leave it. Regardless, the announcement is set for August 25, so we will know in two days. Until then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the porno music.

[responsive_vid]

Android 7.0 Nougat Factory Images Now Available! (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 08:05:13 +0000

If you own a Nexus phone that is scheduled to receive the update to Android 7.0 Nougat, the time is now. Google has posted factory images and the OTA .zip files for those unwilling to wait for an over-the-air update to pop-up. As of right now, we have Android 7.0 Nougat files for the Pixel C (NRD90M), Nexus 9 WiFi (NRD90M), and Nexus Player (NRD90M). In case you hadn't noticed something in common with the missing devices (Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6), look at the processor - Qualcomm. We'll update this post when those go live. You can grab each image or OTA file at the links below. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go. Google Links: Factory Images | OTA .zip files UPDATE 8/26: Google posted the Nexus 5X factory image and OTA .zip files.

US Unlocked Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Finally Get First Updates

Kellen — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 07:41:59 +0000

Just last week, I spent a good minute complaining about Android software updates and how we can't even expect unlocked phones from the biggest manufacturer in the world (that would be Samsung) to receive them in a timely manner most of the time. I talked about the fact that carrier-tied phones seem to be getting updates more regularly than unlocked phones, even if unlocked phones don't have that extra party (the anal carrier) meddling in update affairs. And then this morning, almost as if Samsung reads Droid Life (not likely that they do), updates popped up on both US unlocked variants of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge! Since these phone are unlocked and work on all US carriers, the updates do appear to be arriving from various places or with somewhat different notations. For example, my phone was prompted with a pretty specific T-Mobile update, while another reader of ours got his while on Verizon's network. Another got an update that doesn't mention a carrier, but certainly looks a lot like the one I just received. Either way, updates are incoming! The update is arriving as software version UEU2APG9 for both the SM-G930 (S7) and SM-G935 (S7 Edge). The update jumps the phone from May's security patch all the way up to August's. To see if your phone has the update available, head into Settings>About phone>Download updates manually.

Cheers Kevin and Adam!

Verizon's Galaxy Note 7 Another Example of Carriers Interfering for No Good Reason

Kellen — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 16:42:31 +0000

Before I signed-off for the weekend, I took part in a bit of a tweetstorm about the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from Verizon, as it just-so-happened to arrive on my doorstep during the DL Show. The tweetstorm's focus, in case you missed it, was about all of the unnecessary changes that Verizon had made to the phone that immediately pissed me off as I went about setting the phone up. I'm not talking about bloatware (though that is a part of it) as much as I'm talking about UI changes and feature removals for no good reason. Well, unless that reason is for Verizon to push an agenda or package of services I want absolutely no part of, then I get it. Now, I don't mean to throw a fit just for the sake of throwing a fit on a Monday where we were killing time in hopes that we may see the launch of Android Nougat to the stable channel (which happened), it's just that in 2016, I don't see why what I had to deal with on Friday is still happening. Samsung, the biggest smartphone seller in the world is essentially still being told how to setup and tweak a phone by Verizon. How is that still a thing? How is Samsung not just selling the phone they made, setup the way they want it setup, everywhere across the globe? For example, the Verizon Galaxy Note 7 doesn't include Samsung Cloud at all. What is Samsung Cloud? Oh, just Samsung's new cloud backup service introduced with the Note 7 that offers a free 15GB of cloud space to store contacts, calendar info, Samsung Notes, Internet (bookmarks, saved pages, etc.), keyboard data, and a gallery backup for photos, videos, and stories. If you are a Samsung lifer, this Cloud service will certainly come in handy as you jump from one Samsung phone to the next or if you ever need to factory reset the one you currently have. Instead, Verizon has replaced this new service with their own Verizon Cloud that only offers 5GB of storage for free. It's also a third party app and not baked into the system like Samsung Cloud is. As you can see below, there is no section for Samsung Cloud in the backup and reset area of the phone on Verizon. Since Samsung Cloud isn't a 3rd party app at this time, I just simply cannot use it because Verizon decided they didn't want me to and Samsung accepted that idea.

That's not all, though. Verizon also killed off the brand new Settings menu on the Note 7 for the old style menu that is a mile long and mimics that of Google's menu layout, in a way. I could see Verizon arguing that they want consistency and thought that their customers might be thrown off by the new layout, but that's a pretty tired excuse. Give your customers some credit here. Plus, Samsung's new settings menu is necessary because Samsung phones typically have 8,000 different settings and this new setup bundles it all into 14 categories, while Verizon's old UI lists out over 30.

Verizon Note 7 vs. T-Mobile Note 7

I should point out that Verizon seems to have killed off a new settings suggestions area at the bottom of a settings category, as well. This area is useful should you have entered a settings category to find something and come up empty. At the very least, it could help re-direct you to the proper place with a suggestion or hint. Verizon hasn't replaced this with an option, they just decided to not include it. Why?

Verizon Note 7 vs. T-Mobile Note 7

Outside of some of those UI changes, Verizon once again has made it clear that they want you using Android Pay instead of Samsung Pay. I say that because the Note 7 from Big Red, even as a Samsung device that features MST and all of the technology needed to support Samsung Pay, doesn't include Samsung Pay out of the box. Nope, you have to go find it on Google Play and then install it. Otherwise, Android Pay is pre-loaded as the default payment system (I wonder why?). While I'm fine with Android Pay, it's baffling to me that Samsung, who has been pushing hard to get its own mobile payment system in the hands of as many people as possible, would simply say, "Sure, you can keep Samsung Pay off your variant! Cheers, bros!" And remember, when Samsung Pay launched last year, Verizon kept it from us all as long as they could, offering up a garbage excuse about them "evaluating" it longer than anyone else on the planet needed to. To see it not included out of the box here isn't surprising in the sense that this is how Verizon works, it's just surprising that Samsung still lacks power to go to bat for their own features.

Verizon Note 7 (far left) vs. T-Mobile Note 7

Finally, in terms of missing features, Verizon has also cleared out a new section on the Note 7 called "Device Maintenance." This new feature may be a bit gimmicky in that it wants to optimize your phone for you, I just don't see why this wouldn't be useful to the customers of Verizon. After all, I can only imagine they killed off the new settings menu as to not confuse users of this phone, so why not give them a somewhat gimmicky automated clean-up feature? On a related note, there is no way to view RAM usage on the Verizon Note 7. After searching through settings and checking in every corner of the phone, I've come up completely empty. So not only did Big Red kill off the full device maintenance suite, they won't even let you check on RAM usage, which is a system-level feature on Android at this point. Of course, the bloatware is as excessive as you would imagine it to be, which means you get both Verizon services you won't ever use and a bunch of placeholders for children's games that are probably nothing more than a trick to get your kids to install and pay for items. The last item I'll point out here is the fact that between the two Note 7 devices I have in-house at the moment, it's pretty obvious to me that the Verizon version's display is either tuned differently to a much warmer color profile or there are some quality issues here. It's tough to say which is the case since I only have two devices to compare, but there isn't a thing I can do about it because Samsung doesn't include a way to manually tweak the color profile.

Verizon Note 7 vs. T-Mobile Note 7

I just don't get why this is still happening. Apple doesn't let it happen. Even Google seems to be stopping Verizon from doing this on Nexus devices that it sells, outside of a My Verizon app here and there. But with Samsung phones, it certainly seems like Verizon is dictating features that are included, how the UI is presented, and which services need to be left out to push Verizon's own sub-par options. Samsung, if you are listening, it's time to flex a bit of muscle. I get that you probably have a good relationship with Verizon and listen to their advice about what should be offered to their customers, but it's OK to tell them "No." You can say, "We appreciate the thoughts, but this is our phone, our vision, and you are going to sell it how we made it." Trust me, Verizon isn't going to not carry the next Galaxy.

Reminder: Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) Won't Receive Nougat Update

Tim — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:23:27 +0000

For those holding onto a Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 (2013), asking if now would be a good time to upgrade, that's affirmative. With the launch of Android 7.0, it is now official that the Nexus 7 (2013), as well as the Nexus 5, will not receive the latest update to the Android OS. Should this move shock or dismay anyone? Absolutely not. Google listed the death date for the Nexus 5 as October, 2015 earlier this year. However, even with that date long gone, the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 are still receiving monthly security updates. According to Google, those updates will last three years from time of release. If you are still utilizing a Nexus 5 and only want to rock a Nexus device, hang in there, the new Nexus phones are on the way.

Via: Android

Quickest Way to Get Android Nougat on Your Nexus: the Android Beta Program

Kellen — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:22:55 +0000

Android 7.0 Nougat is rolling out as I type this, but since Google still hasn't posted factory images or OTA .zip files, you are probably wondering how you can get the update. The answer is simple - join the Android Beta program and enroll your device. As of this moment, the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and Pixel C are all receiving the update through the beta, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Nexus Player, Nexus 9, and Nexus 6 aren't far behind. Google seems to be pushing each out one-by-one, so your best bet to get the update as early as possible is again, to join the beta. For those not yet in the beta, just know that the update is a solid 1.1GB. If you are already in the beta and on a developer preview, most of the updates seem to be around 50MB in size. To join the Android Beta, hit up this link.

With Android Nougat Google Introduces Scheduled Maintenance Releases, First Arrives This Fall as a Preview

Kellen — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:48:48 +0000

Buried inside today's announcement that Android 7.0 Nougat (feature list) was rolling out to Nexus devices, Google also subtly announced that they are introducing a new maintenance release program "over the coming quarters." This new maintenance schedule will bring "continued refinements and polish" to the platform throughout a year and will be available as a developer preview first, so that those who live on the edge of Android software will be able to test it. The note about the new maintenance schedule states that we should see the first Nougat maintenance release (MR) this fall. Is that in reference to the launch of the new Nexus phones or is that a coincidence? I don't care either way!

We’re moving Nougat into a new regular maintenance schedule over the coming quarters. In fact, we’ve already started work on the first Nougat maintenance release, that will bring continued refinements and polish, and we’re planning to bring that to you this fall as a developer preview. Stay tuned!

And yes, we are still waiting on Nougat factory images. Be patient, young child.

Via: Android Developers Blog

Here's Everything That's New in Android 7.0 "Nougat"

Tim — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:18:38 +0000

It's official, Android 7.0 "Nougat" arrives today. With the announcement, we already have a fantastic sense of what the latest major update to Android offers, thanks to Developer Previews, but now we have the official changelog straight from Google. Inside this list of new features, highlights include Split-Screen support, native Vulkan API support, VR mode, enhanced Doze, Picture-in-Picture mode (Android TV), as well as a fully redesigned Quick Settings bar. For anyone who ran the developer preview, or has at least been listening to those who have been running the previews, nothing shines as crazy new or unexpected. Below, we have made available the entire list of changes and new features. Prepare yourself, it's a pretty big list.

What's New

Performance

JIT compiler: The new JIT compiler improves runtime device performance, reduces the amount of storage space required for apps, and makes app and system updates much faster.
VR mode: With VR mode, Android Nougat is ready to transport you to new worlds. Coming soon with Daydream and Daydream-ready phones.
Vulkan API: Vulkan API is a real game changer with high-performance 3D graphics. See apps leap to life with sharper graphics and eye candy effects.

Battery & Data

Doze: Doze is now dozier, with your device going into lower power usage when you’re on the move. That means your Android device will conserve battery even when it’s jostling around in your pocket.
Data saver: Limit how much data your device uses with Data Saver. When Data Saver is turned on, apps in the background won't be able to access cell data.

Productivity

Split-screen mode: Now you can multitask with ease. Run two apps side by side in split-screen mode – watch a movie while texting, or read a recipe with your timer open.
Picture-in-picture mode: On Android TV, you can continue watching your current video while browsing or changing settings.
Quick switch: Double tap the Overview button to switch between your two most recently used apps.

Notifications

Bundled notifications: See what’s new at a glance with bundled notifications from individual apps. Simply tap to view each alert.
Direct reply: Direct reply lets you quickly reply to a message, directly from within the notification shade. So, you no longer need to launch the app to fire off a quick response.
Notification controls: When a notification pops up, just press and hold to toggle the settings. For instance, you can silence future alerts from an app in the notification itself.

System Usability Improvements

Customizable Quick Settings: Rearrange your Quick Setting tiles so you can get to what you want faster.
Quick Settings bar: Quick Settings has been redesigned so you can get faster access to top Quick Settings tiles directly in the notification shade.
Improved Settings navigation: Find the right setting faster with an updated navigation menu in Settings.
Settings suggestions: Within Settings, get suggestions for how to get even more out of your device.
'Clear all' in Overview: Instantly close all of your apps running in the background by tapping 'clear all' in Overview.
Emergency information: Emergency Information lets you add information such as name, blood type, allergies, and an emergency contact so that emergency responders can view this information through your device's lock screen.
Lockscreen wallpaper: You can now have different wallpapers on your device's homescreen and lockscreen.

Emoji

Unicode 9 emoji: Bring your words to life with all-new emoji, including redesigned human emoji with multiple skin tones.

Privacy & Security

Direct boot: When restarting your device, Direct Boot helps it start up faster, and ensures that important communications still run. So before you even put in your password, you'll still get that important text message and hear your alarm clock ring.
Seamless software updates: On select, new devices running Android Nougat, OS updates can download in the background, so you can go on with your day while your device syncs with the latest OS.
File-based encryption: Building on top of our security platform, Android Nougat introduces file-based encryption. By encrypting at the file level instead of the block level, Android can better isolate and protect files for individual users on your device.
Scoped folder access: Apps can request access to specific folders that you can allow or deny access to (just like app runtime permissions). This is a reduced-scope version of the Storage permission for Apps that only need access to certain folders. It can also allow Apps to request direct access to removable media (on devices with that hardware).
Trusted face: Trusted face, a part of Smart Lock, makes unlocking even easier thanks to a new face recognizer. The new recognizer is less sensitive to conditions like lighting, facial decorations (eyewear, facial hair, etc.), and how you hold your phone. Available on select devices.

Device Setup & Migration

Improved system backup coverage: More device settings are covered by Android Backup, including accessibility settings, run-time permissions for apps, Wi-Fi hotspot settings and Wi-Fi network restrictions.

Internationalization

Multi-locale support: Select multiple locales in Settings to tailor experiences for you, such as showing search results in multiple languages and not offering to translate webpages in a language you already know.
New languages supported: Coupled with allowing you to select multiple languages preferences, Android Nougat allows you to select from 100 new languages and 25 locales for commonly used languages such as English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. This enables Apps to better support and understanding your language preferences even if your devices lacks official support for it.
New language preferences: Sort your language preferences so that apps can pick the right keyboard & text for you.

Accessibility

Accessibility settings in setup: It’s easier than ever before for you to discover and configure accessibility features on your new device. Set magnification gesture, font size, display size, and TalkBack right out of the box.
Display size: Not only can you change the size of the text on your device, but the size of all the display elements like icons and images.
Accessibility mono output: Accessibility mono output assists users with hearing loss in one ear by combining stereo left and right channel output to a single mono stream.
Variable text to speech speed: Variable text to speech speed increases productivity of text to speech users by allowing setting wider range for speech speed and pitches.

Android for Work

Work mode: Work mode allows you to turn on and off your device's work apps and notifications for a better work, life balance.

Via: Android

Official Android 7.0 Nougat Site Goes Live! (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 09:51:04 +0000

The Android 7.0 Nougat site just went live! That's a thing that we care about, because well, we also think that Google may push out stable Nougat today to Nexus phones. Also note, at the bottom, that Google confirms that the LG V20 will be the first to run Android Nougat out of the box. In other words, the new HTC Nexus phones aren't going to be here until after that phone arrives. For now, though, the official countdown begins for factory images and OTA .zip files. Keep it here, folks, this is going to be a fun day for Nexus owners. Update: Google says that the over-the-air (OTA) updates for Nexus devices (Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Pixel C) should start as early as today but could take several weeks to complete. If you are a part of the Android Beta program, you too will see the update to the final version. Update 2: Here is a compiled list of all the changes coming to Android 7.0. Update 3: Nexus 6P beta users (including both of our devices) are seeing the update now! Head into Settings>About phone>System updates and hammer on "Check for update." Update 4: Nexus 5X now too! TIP - if you want the update on your Nexus, just go join the Android Beta now. Updates are showing up there as I type this. Go check out the new site and list of features here!

Samsung S Health Updates to V5.0, Gets More Social

Kellen — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 08:26:34 +0000

In the last update to Samsung's S Health, the company pushed out leaderboards and challenges, hoping to make the fitness app more robust and social. Today, the update to v5.0 is taking social to another level by reorganizing the app to some degree and putting forth a section called "Together" that features dedicated social features. Once the 5.0 update hits your phone, you'll see a new layout that features sections for Me, Together, and Discover. Me, obviously, is about you and your current health or fitness state. The Together section, though, is where you'll see challenges and leaderboards (from the previous update) with encouragement, like visibility over friends fitness happenings. There are step challenges there as well, along with the ability to share your happenings socially (via Facebook). Outside of the new layout, Samsung is introducing an "Ask Experts" service where users can ask healthcare professionals questions about their health. As of now, this is only available in Korea, but should rollout to new countries at some point. Finally, "dynamic content" for healthy living and workout tips (even health info and relevant news) can be found in that previously mentioned Discover tab. Think of it as a FAQ or informational section about current health trends to help keep you healthy and "stay motivated."

Via: Samsung

Samsung Milk Music is Done on September 22 in the US

Kellen — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 07:41:25 +0000

Milk Music, Samsung's the dead-simple radio-like music service that launched back in 2014, is closing up shop in the US on September 22. Samsung, via statement, said that this move is a "strategic decision" that will see their focus switch to pushing the integration of the "best music services" on Galaxy devices instead of their own. While not the saddest news, since there are plenty of music services available, I will say that Milk Music was pretty good at what it tried to be good at - delivering you custom radio stations in a simple format for free. I used it often while reviewing devices where I didn't want to take up a spot in my limited Google Play Music devices list and always found it to be a fun way to gobble up radio-station style playlists. Sure, it was bare-bones, but that was also the point. Either way, Milk Music is done in the US. Pour out something for it today? Maybe some...milk?

Via: Samsung

So Much Note 7

Kellen — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 19:01:01 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're talking more Galaxy Note 7! We have a couple of units in house as we prepare for our full review and want to share some deeper thoughts outside of the press event from a couple of weeks back. We'll also talk Nexus phones at the FCC, Google Duo, Android Nougat release date, and laugh at T-Mobile and Sprint's laughably bad new unlimited plans. Join us at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Friday App Sales: Grim Legends 2, SHADOWGUN THD, Punch Club, and More

Tim — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 15:13:10 +0000

This week, there's an entirely new list of apps and games on sale through Google Play, ready for your perusing. Naturally, there are plenty of mobile games, as well as a few productivity apps. As for the games, you can grab Grim Legends 2 for $3, a couple of the SHADOWGUN titles for $1 each, Punch Club for $1, Day R for $2.49, and Galaxy Trucker at $3. If that's not enough for you, check out Floatify Pro for $1, quickReply Pro for $1, or TextGrabber + Translator for $1. There's a lot of good stuff this week. Check out the full list below. Friday App Sales

Unified Remote Full ($0.99)
PDF Scanner PRO ($0.99)
Galaxy Trucker ($2.99)
SHADOWGUN THD ($0.99)
SHADOWGUN ($0.99)
FineScanner Pro ($3.99)
TextGrabber + Translator ($0.99)
The Rivers of Alice ($1.99)
Floatify Pro Unlocker ($0.99)
quickReply Pro Unlocker ($0.99)
OTTD: Over The Top TD ($0.99)
Grim Legends 2 ($2.99)
Mythic Wonders ($2.99)
Weather Weatherback Pro ($1.49)
Habit Streak Pro ($1.49)
Day R Premium ($2.49)
Colin McRae Rally ($0.99)
Punch Club - Fighting Tycoon ($0.99)

Go support those awesome developers!

PSA: Bug Won't Let Some Customers Redeem T-Mobile Galaxy Note 7 Freebies, Fix in the Works (Updated)

Tim — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 11:16:42 +0000

This is a PSA for anyone who pre-ordered the Galaxy Note 7 through T-Mobile the night it went live on August 2 (9PM Pacific) and August 3 (12AM Eastern). If you have attempted to claim your free promotional goodies from Samsung, beware, they are experiencing a technical issue that will automatically deny your claim. Take my story, for example. I was in New York (Eastern time, obviously) for the Galaxy Note 7 launch event, then caught a flight back to Portland, OR later that night. During my flight, the clock struck 12AM (Eastern) on August 3, granting us access to pre-order the device through T-Mobile. However, when the purchase was complete and we received our receipt, the date stated August 2 at 9:07PM. Thinking this would be no big deal, we went about our lives. Yesterday, when I received the device, I attempted to claim my free promotional goodie from Samsung. Oddly enough, on Samsung's promotions website, there was no option for August 2 when selecting which date I made my purchase. I assumed it was a bug and selected August 3, since technically I was mid-flight and still on Eastern time when I made the purchase. This is where things get messy. According to the Samsung's own Terms and Conditions, the promotion is only valid if the device is purchased between August 3 and August 28, 2016. Since my receipt clearly states that I purchased on August 2, that's bad news for me. Now, I have to assume this is just a mixup, as T-Mobile's website allowed me to pre-order the device. I'm an early adopter and should not be punished (not given my free goodies) for being one of the first people to order the phone. After submitting all of my paperwork (IMEI, MAC address, PDF of T-Mobile receipt), I received an email from Samsung this morning, declaring I was ineligible for the promotion because I did not purchase the device "within the retailer purchase period." C'mon, Samsung, you and I both know that is bullshit. After I received that email, I immediately reached out to Samsung's promotions team via its 1-800 phone number listed on the website. I spoke to a representative who stated many people had already called about this issue, and they are coordinating with T-Mobile to resolve it. Thank goodness. Given we run an Android news website, we have received an email already, informing us there is a "contingent" of users on XDA who are complaining about the same issue. The good news is, Samsung and T-Mobile are working on it! I was told to keep an eye on my email as the companies work to resolve the problem. Even with that being said, though, Samsung could not give me a timeframe for when the time/date issue will be cleared up. However, I take comfort in knowing that they are working on it. To everyone who received an email like this from Samsung support staff, please don't freak out. Your free goodies will come! Update: Much to my delight, it appears Samsung and T-Mobile have resolved the issue and those who were affected should now see "Approved" under their status. Hooray!

DEAL: Jaybird X2 Heavily Discounted at Best Buy to $69.99 ($80 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 11:10:24 +0000

Jaybird X2, the Bluetooth sport earbuds that we have written up and shared thoughts on more times than I can count, are heavily discounted right now at Best Buy. The electronics retailer is hosting some sort of mega-sale on lots of tech products, but this deal here stood out for the size of reduction. Normally $149.99, you can grab any of the six different colors of Jaybird X2 headphones for $69.99, an $80 discount. I don't think I need to explain again why these earbuds are well worth that $70 price tag, but the basics are that you get great sound for a Bluetooth earbud, long battery life, all sorts of flexibility in fit, and a sweatproof design. They don't look too shabby either, especially in some of the fun colors. We don't know how long this deal is lasting, so you may want to jump on it. Best Buy Link

Samsung Launched a Whole Bunch of Products Today, Outside of the Note 7

Kellen — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 10:24:00 +0000

I know that everyone is hyped to get their shiny new Galaxy Note 7 today, but let's not forget that Samsung is also launching five other products today, most of which are worth a look for the general tech nerd. The list of new goodies includes the revamped Gear VR for 2016, Gear 360 camera (sweet deal here), Gear IconX wireless earbuds, Level Active headphones, and the Samsung Connect Auto for AT&T, a product that aims to make your car smarter. None of these are necessarily items we would typically review, but at least a couple of products are ones that we certainly keep around the office for testing purposes. We have a new Gear VR on the way, as well as the Gear 360, so if you do have questions about either, we can get to those in the near future. As for the rest of these, well, I'll let Samsung explain each in their own terms taken from a press release sent over by their PR department.

Gear VR: The new Gear VR, compatible with many of the latest Galaxy phones, including Note7, Galaxy S7 and more, allows users to explore premium virtual reality, anywhere, with a redesigned look in a blue-black color and an expanded field of view. Gear VR will be available for $99.99 at Amazon.com, AT&T stores and www.att.com, Best Buy, Samsung.com, T-Mobile and Verizon. Gear 360: Samsung’s powerful, affordable, high-resolution 360-degree camera, Gear 360 lets users create high resolution (3840 X 1920), 360-degree images and videos while on the go—all via the latest Galaxy smartphones. Users can share their content directly to social networks or Samsung VR—the company’s premium virtual reality service. Gear 360 will be available online for $349.99. Gear IconX: Wireless earbuds, designed for users seeking the ultimate cord-free fitness experience, featuring touch controls, built-in memory for up to 1,000 songs, and it tracks your speed, distance, pace, and heart rate in real time. Gear IconX also syncs seamlessly with your smartphone to track your progress on the S Health app. Gear IconX is available for an MSRP of $199.99. Level Active: These headphones deliver high-quality sound and touch-controlled performance tracking in a lightweight, sweat-resistant package. Linked by a behind-the-neck cable, the earbuds pair effortlessly with your mobile device—making answering a call, controlling your music, or accessing your fitness data via S Health easier than ever. Level Active is available for an MSRP of $99.99. Samsung Connect auto: A connected car solution that empowers consumers and businesses alike to make driving safer, more sustainable, more productive and more fun. After plugging into the OBD II port underneath your steering wheel, Connect auto provides a powerful AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot that supports up to ten devices. Connect auto also sends real-time alerts to the driver, improving efficiency and safety on the road. Connect auto delivers a better, smarter and more connected ‘on the road’ experience. AT&T will be the first wireless provider of the solution in the U.S.

And if you need links to any of these, we have those below.

Gear VR ($99.99): Best Buy | Amazon | Samsung | AT&T | Verizon
Gear 360 ($349.99): Best Buy | Amazon | Samsung | B&H Photo | Verizon
Gear IconX ($199.99): Best Buy | Amazon | Samsung | AT&T | Verizon
Level Active ($99.99): Samsung
Samsung Connect Auto (Free with contract): AT&T

HTC 10 Now Offered in Camellia Red and Topaz Gold, Priced at $599

Tim — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 08:48:31 +0000

To take a bit of excitement away from Samsung's launch of the Galaxy Note 7 this morning, HTC is offering the HTC 10 in two new colors - Camilla Red and Topaz Gold. Both colors are exclusive to HTC's online store and are available for pre-order right now. HTC's $100 off on the HTC 10 is still valid, pricing the phone at $599 down from $699. Alternatively, folks can also opt for the free set of JBL Type-C earbuds, which carry a value of $199. If the Red or Gold HTC 10 interest you, have at 'em. HTC Pre-Order Link

DEAL: Amazon has the Samsung Gear 360 for $280 ($69 Off) (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 08:32:08 +0000

Samsung's Gear 360, the 360-degree VR camera that was first introduced months ago but just today launched in the US, already seems to have a steep discount at Amazon. Normally priced at $349.99, Amazon appears to have a load in stock with Prime shipping at just $280.30. That's a solid $69 price reduction and easily the best price you will find on the internet. In case you were curious, Amazon lists this as model number SM-C200NZWAXAR, which is the same version Samsung, Best Buy, and B&H Photo all are selling for $349. So, if you have been curious about Samsung's Gear 360, you may want to jump on this price before it's gone. Amazon Link UPDATE: Welp, it looks like all parties involved in selling the Gear 360 weren't happy with Amazon's $280 price on launch day. The price has been jacked back up to the full $349.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Now Available in the US

Kellen — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 06:08:22 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is officially here and available at carriers and retailers across the US (and the globe). We like to call this "launch day." If you took the plunge and pre-ordered, your phone should arrive today at the very least, if it hasn't already. If you didn't pre-order, well, today is the day to walk into a store, buy one, and walk back out the proud owner of what should be a hell of a phone. For those just catching up on Galaxy Note 7 news, you'll want to stick close by the site for the next several days as we just finished our unboxing of the phone and are now onto diving into the dirty details of its best features, like this new minor-yet-major change to Always-on Display. As a reminder, this phone is quite expensive. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, for example, are all asking $850 or higher at full retail and the monthly payment options are basically $30 per month or higher. If the Note 7 is for you, it might be time to clear out that credit card. Below, you'll find pricing and links to all of the major carriers in the US.

AT&T

Colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx, and Silver Titanium
Monthly: $29.34 per month for 30 months or $36.67 for 24 months
Retail: $880

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from AT&T, hit up this link.

T-Mobile

Colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx, and Silver Titanium
Monthly: $69.99 down and $32.50 for 24 months
Retail: $849.99

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from T-Mobile, hit up this link.

Verizon

Colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx, and Silver Titanium
Monthly: $36 per month for 24 months
Retail: $864

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Verizon, hit up this link.

Sprint

Colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx, and Silver Titanium
Monthly: $35.42 per month for 24 months
Retail: N/A

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Sprint, hit up this link.

US Cellular

Colors: Black Onyx and Silver Titanium
Monthly: From 20, 24 or 30 monthly payments – and pay as little as $27.80 per month
Retail: $786

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from US Cellular, hit up this link.

Best Buy

Best Buy has all models from AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint through both monthly payment plans and contracts. They are also running the free 256GB or Gear Fit2 promo still.

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Best Buy, hit up this link.

Galaxy Note 7's Always-On Display Actually Shows You All Notifications, Unlike the Galaxy S7

Kellen — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:19:55 +0000

As you know, we are just now diving fully into the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, so that means we are discovering all of the new tweaks to software that Samsung has issued this time around in real-time. As we discover them we will share them, assuming they are a big enough deal, like new improvements to Always-on Display, a feature first introduced with the Galaxy S7 that didn't quite live up to the hype. On the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung has improved Always-on Display by adding something that should have been a part of the experience from day 1 - notifications from all apps. You may recall that with the S7, we called Samsung's Always-on Display a "decent first attempt," but found the lack of notifications to be a major downer, leaving the idea of an always-on display...lacking. Within minutes of setting up my Note 7 and turning on Always-on Display, I noticed this new change right away. In the past, Samsung would only show you missed notifications from the stock phone and messaging apps. On the Note 7, you get everything. As of right now, I have notifications showing for Samsung Pay, Hangouts and Inbox. At one point, I also had a screenshot notification, a bunch of Samsung's Galaxy Apps store, and a + symbol that told me there were even more to see.

Sure, you can't interact with any of these notifications like you can with Motorola's Moto Display or Google's Ambient Display, but it's a hell of a lot better than what you get on the S7. Now, instead of just being a clock and battery meter, you can actually look at your phone and see if it needs you to take care of business. NOTE: Yeah, we know that dozens of Note 7 reviews are out and you might know a bunch of the stuff we are about to post. Honestly, I don't care. If you know this stuff already, cool! We're still going to cover this like we do all phones and that means sharing the interesting bits of info we find as we find them.

#TBT: When Sticking the S-Pen in Backwards Broke Your Galaxy Note 5

Tim — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:49:17 +0000

Does anyone here remember the mini controversy surrounding the S-Pen on the Galaxy Note 5? If not, allow me to refresh your apparently deteriorating memory. Almost one year ago today, we sent out a PSA, stating that you should never insert the S-Pen into your Galaxy Note 5 backwards. We weren't saying this because we are OCD weirdos or anything, but in fact, doing so broke the mechanism the device uses to detect the S-Pen has either been inserted or removed. When it comes to utilizing S-Pen software properly, having a broken S-Pen detection mechanism is a massive deal. At first, no one knew who to blame. Do we blame Samsung for such a stupid design? I mean, how could Samsung not have the foresight to see this happening? Do we blame the user? It's obvious that all consumers are dumb, right? That's sarcasm, by the way. The way I saw it, this issue is entirely Samsung's fault. Sure, people should be more careful, but being careful doesn't stop a young child from accidentally sticking an S-Pen in backwards. What if it's dark and you just so happen to insert it backwards? The point is, accidents do happen, but if sticking in the S-Pen backwards essentially destroys your device, this seems unacceptable. Shortly after all of this commotion, many YouTube videos were released, detailing how people could fix their Galaxy Note 5. However, they could only be fixed if you hadn't already forcefully yanked the S-Pen from the phone. Sadly, I don't think anyone waited around for these videos to be published before trying to pull it out. Funny enough, a single piece of paper, folded ever-so-perfectly was all that was needed for the correction operation. Today, with the launch of the Galaxy Note 7, you will be happy to know that Samsung has fixed the issue, and sticking in the S-Pen backwards is not possible. See, I told you it was Samsung's fault. If you were one of the poor souls that got your S-Pen stuck inside of the Galaxy Note 5, please, share your story below and we promise not to point and laugh.

Google's Instant Native Notification Warnings for New Device Logins are Live

Kellen — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:23:30 +0000

At the beginning of August, Google introduced a new security feature to Android that should help users catch unwanted logins from other devices. While Google has always sent out email confirmations or warnings about new device logins, this new feature was supposed to pop-up native notifications on your current device the second you or someone else logs in. The new feature, which was supposed to start rolling out gradually right away, now seems to be live, at least for me. While setting up the Galaxy Note 7 that arrived at the DL offices today, I received instant notifications on my Galaxy S7 immediately after adding my Google accounts to the Note. The notifications look exactly like Google showed when they announced the feature, but we also have the other screens that you are taken to below. As the notifications roll in, you can swipe them away if you aren't concerned about the login or tap "Review account activity" to see the full story. The next page is a "Recently used devices" page for your account that lets you tell Google if the new device login was you and that things are fine or if they should secure your account. I didn't secure my account, because that sounds like it could be a disaster to undo. However, you can see after tapping on "Yes, that was me," Google took me to another screen that offered me the choice to change my mind before proceeding onto a list of all devices that had recently accessed my Google account.

The whole process is pretty slick and worked seamlessly. Hopefully, none of you encounter these notifications, though, unless you happen to pick-up a new phone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Unboxing!

Kellen — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:40:14 +0000

Hey, a Galaxy Note 7 in house! What a shocker, you know, that we finally have one. Like you, we were starting to wonder if we would ever hold this phone outside of the Samsung Unpacked event from a couple of weeks ago. All complaining aside about PR politics, this is exciting! And here we are, ready to dive into the dirty details of Samsung's new Note device. Even with early reviews out, we will do what we always do with new phones - give them our full attention as we lead up to a review. We'll start with an unboxing (below), get touch-feely with the camera, show you all of the most meaningful features, and ultimately, help you figure out if this should be your next phone or not. Ready to go?

[responsive_vid]

Sprint Also Introduces New Unlimited Plan With Just as Many Drawbacks as T-Mobile's

Kellen — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:50:40 +0000

This morning, moments after T-Mobile unleashed their latest mostly-crappy unlimited plan, Sprint announced something very similar that is equally, if not more, crappy. The new Sprint plan is also pushing the unlimited angle and can even be had for cheaper than what T-Mobile is offering. Unfortunately, it carries many of the same downsides as T-Mobile's. Called Unlimited Freedom ('Merica!), Sprint's new plan will be available starting tomorrow, August 19. The plan includes "unlimited" talk, text, and 4G LTE data "for most everything." It also features optimized (read: throttled) streaming video, gaming, and music. People, I am not making this up. Oh, Sprint is tossing in 5GB of 4G LTE hotspot data at no extra cost, though, so that's a bonus. T-Mobile is charging you $15 for 5GB of tethering. The plans start at $60 for a single line, but you can add on a second line for $40 followed by lines 3-10 for $30 per. So why is this plan equally as bad as T-Mobile's? It's pretty simply, actually. Sprint says that they are not only throttling video streaming (to 480p), like T-Mobile is doing, they are also going to throttle your gaming (2mbps cap) and the music you stream (up to 500kbps). With T-Mobile's new plan, you can at least buy up to HD in the video streaming for a ridiculous $25 per month, but Sprint doesn't seem to be allowing you to do that at all, plus they are also screwing with your gaming and music streams. Like T-Mobile, Sprint isn't really offering a true unlimited plan either. Sprint has set a 23GB per billing cycle cap that if reached, could allow them to throttle you depending on where you are. According to Sprint's terms, "during times and places where the Sprint network is constrained," could lead you to being de-prioritized. For reference, T-Mobile's similar cap is 26GB. These plans are just so wrong in so many ways. A couple of years back, as T-Mobile was starting their Uncarrier series, we actually liked what they were doing and saw some changes in the industry that benefited consumers. Now, each one is back to taking the slimiest approach they can to get you onto their network. Ugh.

Via: Sprint

DEAL: Amazon's Deal of the Day is the Nextbit Robin for Just $199

Tim — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:50:30 +0000

The Nextbit Robin was originally released with a price tag of $399. Over the months, we saw it go on sale quite a bit, even dipping to $299. However, all of those deals can't touch this one, with Amazon currently selling the phone for just $199. Thanks to being Amazon's Deal of the Day, buyers can grab the Robin in either Mint or Midnight, the same as you will find on Nextbit's website. For a bit more, an extra $20, you can have the device come with a wall charger. Yes, if you did not know, the Robin is not sold with a wall charger, though, it does come with a USB Type-C cable. Other specs for the smartphone include a 5.2" FHD display, 32GB of onboard storage (plus the 100GB of smart cloud storage), dual front speakers, and plenty of other tech to get excited over. If finally getting on that cloud storage hypetrain interests you, now is the perfect time. Amazon Link

Galaxy Note 7 Gets a Teardown, Repair Score is Predictably Low

Tim — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 10:59:38 +0000

The folks at iFixIt are back again, this time tearing down the Galaxy Note 7 from Samsung. With these teardowns, we get to see the innards of the smartphone, but also learn how repairable they are. Basically, if something breaks on the device, will you be able to fix it yourself? According to iFixIt, on the Galaxy Note 7, it looks unlikely. To get started, the back of the phone must be removed. Using a whole lot of heat, suction cups, and a repurposed guitar pick, the backside glass comes off not so easily. On the upside, once it's removed, easily removable Phillips screws secure the wireless charging coil. Once taken out, access is provided to the battery, speaker, and other goodies. All in all, the Galaxy Note 7 is not easily repairable. However, it's not impossible. iFixIt rates the Note 7 at a 4 for repairability. To compare, the Galaxy S7 received a 3 out of 10 and the Nexus 6P received a 2 out of 10. So, yeah, it's a bit better than those. Check out this little gallery, then read the complete iFixIt teardown by following the via link below.

Via: iFixIt

Telus, My New Favorite Company, Claims Nougat is Coming on August 22

Tim — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 09:15:09 +0000

According to a software update schedule posted by Telus (very large Canadian telecomm company), Android 7.0, more popularly known as Nougat, will be available starting August 22. Please, excuse me while I furiously check my calendar. Mother of God, that's next Monday. Have the boys in the lab confirm this! As listed, the "Android N Update" will be available for the Huawei-made Nexus 6P and LG-made Nexus 5X. While this is by no means a confirmation directly from Google, and even Telus states that these times could be subject to change, we have a hunch that August 22 is spot on. Telus has a decent track record with these things. With this information now out there, be sure to have your Nexus devices fully charged and ready for flashing come Monday. A new beginning is upon us, friends. I hope you are as excited as I am.

Via: Telus

Guess Who's Back, Back Again, Q*Bert's Back, for NVIDIA SHIELD

Tim — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 08:47:05 +0000

My hope is that the above headline was read to the melody of Eminem's hit song "Without Me." What a classic. You know what else is classic? Q*Bert is classic. To be completely honest, which is something we always strive for, I did not play Q*Bert as a child. I was born later in the 20th century, meaning by the time I was playing video games, I was on the SEGA Genesis. From what I know, there was no Q*Bert, or at least not any popular title utilizing the character of Q*Bert. Moving right along, a new Q*Bert game called Q*Bert Rebooted is available on Google Play this morning for $6, made specifically for owners of the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV box and SHIELD Tablets. For fans of the original Q*Bert titles, I think you will be quite happy with this release. The game features classic arcade action, in addition to 30+ 3D rebooted levels to play through. Given this title is made for NVIDIA devices, you can expect the graphics to be pretty insane for a Q*Bert title, with Rebooted featuring new particles and lighting systems, physically based shaders, and better frame rate. Check out the full list of features below. Features

2 Fun Play Modes, Classic Arcade and Q*bert Rebooted!
8 Exclusive Music Tracks By Env!
Improved Graphics & Frame Rate
New Particles & Lighting System
Physically Based Shaders
TV User Interface with NO ADS!
30+ New Levels in 3D Rebooted Mode
Earn Crazy Q*bert Variants like Q*zilla, Q*bot, Q*knight and more

If you want to relive your young adulthood, sweating at the local arcade while you gulp down a Hi-C or whatever else the government had forced down your throat, have at it. Play Link ($5.99)

[responsive_vid]

Verizon's Galaxy Note 7 Will Get a Day 1 Software Update

Kellen — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 08:38:23 +0000

When the Verizon Galaxy Note 7 arrives in stores tomorrow, it'll see an update almost immediately. It's just a security patch, though, to software version VRS1APH1. Still, software updates are software updates and we're happy to see Samsung continuing to push those of the security type in a hurry.

Via: Verizon

T-Mobile ONE Isn't Really an Unlimited Dream Plan

Kellen — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 07:46:56 +0000

You may be still reading through the fine print on T-Mobile's new ONE unlimited plan because there is plenty of fine print and drawbacks to try and wrap your brains around. T-Mobile is billing this as the end of data plans, but for real unlimited users who want HD or better video and data available for tethering, or sign-up for service as an individual, this might not be a great choice. If you saw our initial write-up on T-Mobile ONE, hopefully you tracked down the section where we pointed out four critical sticking points. If not, we're about to dive into each right here to give you an idea as to why each could be a deal breaker.

1. Unlimited data really means a 26GB cap with throttling afterwards

Like the Simple Choice unlimited plan that T-Mobile has available right now (but will go away on September 6 when ONE arrives), T-Mobile is saying that should you use 26GB worth of data in a billing cycle, they may need to throttle you until that billing cycle ends. In other words, it's only unlimited high-speed data to a point, but because you are a heavy user and may hurt the experience of others at “specific times and places that may experience high network demand or congestion," you may be de-prioritized here and there. This isn't an always-on throttle at 26GB, but it can be a throttle, especially if you are in highly congested areas often. There is no way around this, unfortunately, so if you were hoping for a truly always-unlimited data plan, T-Mobile doesn't have one for you.

2. Video is always throttled to 480p unless you pay extra

You know how BingeOn is T-Mobile's service that throttles your mobile video to 480p (DVD quality), but does let you watch an unlimited amount of it? That feature is included at all times with T-Mobile ONE. However, keep in mind that you can't turn it off like you can with Simple Choice plans. That means that you won't see higher than 480p video at any time, well, unless you want to pay T-Mobile extra. To get HD or higher video (up to 4K) with T-Mobile ONE, you will have to pay an extra $25 per month per line. That cost right there jumps the plan on a single line from $70 to $95 per month, which is the current price of the Simple Choice unlimited plan, except the current Simple Choice plan also includes 14GB worth of high-speed tethering, which ONE does not.

3. Tethering is always 2G speeds unless you pay extra

T-Mobile ONE includes unlimited tethering, but only at 2G speeds. Tethering at 2G speeds isn't ever going to be worth the effort. At 2G speeds, I doubt you'll be able to load a modern day web page in anything short of five minutes. So, if you want tethering at high speeds on T-Mobile ONE, you'll have to pay an extra $15. That extra $15 only gets you 5GB of high-speed data, though. If you use up 5GB, you'll have to pay another $15 for another 5GB. As I just mentioned above, the current Simple Choice unlimited plan includes high-speed tethering with 14GB of data. To get 14GB of high-speed tethered data on T-Mobile ONE, you would have to pay another $45 per month on top of the $70 base plan price.

4. At $70, the price of entry to T-Mobile isn't that cheap for individuals

T-Mobile ONE isn't that cheap if you sign-up as an individual because the starting price is $75 (or $70 with auto pay) and it'll soon be your only choice if you switch to T-Mobile or decide later on down the road as a current customer that you want a new plan. T-Mobile said during a conference call this morning that the majority of their customers show up as families and so the cheaper per-line cost isn't a bad price. But again, if you don't roll with a big crew and sign-up for service individually, a $70 starting price is your only choice, even if you don't need unlimited data. Consider this also - maybe you don't want 480p video all of the time. What if you want to watch video in HD on your HD screen? You won't be able to do that on T-Mobile ONE for less than $95 per month. Right now, though, you could sign-up for a Simple Choice 6GB plan for $65 per month and opt-out of BingeOn at no cost and then manage your data accordingly.

Wrap-up

So here's the deal with T-Mobile ONE. It's not a bad value for families who don't need to tether and who don't care about watching 720p, 1080p, or 4K video. With that said, if you like HD or better video, need to tether, are an individual, or basically, a power unlimited user, this plan probably isn't going to be that great for you. If you have been interested in switching to T-Mobile for real unlimited benefits or are a current customer who needs a different plan, you may want to switch before September 6 before your only choice is T-Mobile ONE.

T-Mobile Uncarrier 12 Arrives With T-Mobile ONE, a New Unlimited Data Plan

Kellen — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 06:53:45 +0000

T-Mobile, only hours after AT&T added throttled unlimited data to their Mobile Share plans, dropped Uncarrier 12 on us with a real unlimited focus that "goes all in on unlimited." That focus comes via T-Mobile ONE, the new "100%" unlimited data plan that starts out at $70 for a single line, but can drop to as little as $40 per line for a family of four with auto pay enabled. Since this is unlimited, most of the details here are pretty straightforward outside of a couple of potential sticking points, so we'll dive right in to the basics. Here is what you get with T-Mobile ONE:

Unlimited talk, text, and 4G LTE data
Unlimited mobile hotspot at just 2G speeds (that's not a typo); if you need high-speed data, you can add 5GB tethering data for $15 per month
Unlimited 480p video streaming; $25 per month add-on if you want HD or higher
You also get T-Mobile's Simple Global, Mobile Without Borders, Carrier Freedom, WiFi Unleashed, Stock Up, and T-Mobile Tuesdays
Price: 1st line at $70, 2nd line at $50, lines 3-8 at $20 per, and lines 9+ at $30 per (all of those prices are with auto pay enabled)
Add tablets for $20 per month or connected wearables for $5 per month

Who can sign-up for T-Mobile ONE?

New postpaid customers can sign-up on September 6.
New prepaid customers might see the option someday.
Current customers can choose to switch to ONE or stay with what they have.

What's the catch? There are four items here that stand out:

BingeOn, which is throttled 480p video, is on all of the time and you can't turn it off. Well, you can turn it off to get higher-resolution video, but it will cost you $25 per line per month.
Tethering really isn't included, since you can't do anything at 2G speeds. If you want tethering at "high-speed" (hopefully that means LTE), you have to pay an extra $15 per month.
For new customers, as far as we know come September 6, this is your only choice. So at $70 for a single line, that's not exactly the cheapest in the game. T-Mobile is saying that their biggest sells are family plans with multi-line accounts and then you get down to around $40 per line on average, but for single users, this isn't ultra-affordable.
Finally, even though they are calling this unlimited, 26GB is really the unlimited data cap here. If you use 26GB of data in a month, T-Mobile can throttle you temporarily at "specific times and places that may experience high network demand or congestion."

UPDATE: Here is a deeper dive into why T-Mobile ONE isn't really that great of an unlimited plan. These new plans arrive September 6. You can find more information at T-Mobile's website.

[responsive_vid]

Via: T-Mobile [2]

ASUS Says It's "Time" for the "Incredible" on August 31

Kellen — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 15:02:43 +0000

I'd say that just about confirms the ZenWatch 3 for an IFA unveiling. https://twitter.com/ASUS/status/765850942684135424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Wednesday Poll: Do You Still Use Your Smartwatch?

Tim — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 14:44:01 +0000

Remember Android Wear smartwatches? They used to be pretty cool, but as of late, no manufacturer has produced anything to get the consumer base excited. We expect Huawei and ASUS will be unveiling new watches here pretty soon, but the maker behind arguably the most popular Android Wear devices, Motorola (Moto 360 lineup), may not ever release another. At least, we won't assume they are until evidence suggests otherwise. Being an Android Wear user myself, I have not been inspired to strap one on, and I'm basically over the idea of having yet another piece of tech to charge on a nightly basis. This may make me sound lazy, but I assure you, I can't possibly be the only one. Our question to you is, do you still rock a smartwatch? If you stopped using yours, let us know the main reason why. Too much hassle? No essential functionality? If you do continue to use a smartwatch, what keeps you coming back? [poll id="425"]

Verizon Wanted to Charge Companies $1-$2 Per Install to Get Bloatware on Your Home Screen

Kellen — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 13:12:32 +0000

A headshake-worthy but not necessarily surprising story about Verizon looking to flood your phone with even more bloatware is making the rounds this week, and yes, we've been keeping an eye on it. The report comes from Ad Age, who claims that as recent as late last year, Verizon was pitching an idea to retail and finance app makers that would get their apps installed on Android phones for somewhere between $1 and $2. Now, that thought, assuming this is the first time you have heard it, is a bit troubling. It's not exactly new, though, and so I'm not really sure what the freakout here is. Let me explain that. Two years ago, the tech world discovered a service called DT Ignite and had a similar freakout to what we are seeing this week. With DT Ignite, carriers were able to install, under select circumstances, the bloatware they put on phones, even if customers had previously disabled or uninstalled them. Those circumstances included after factory resets, upon initial activation, or in limited cases, after a software system update. Those installs are all zero-rated, meaning they would never count against your data cap. Because this is Android, these apps are almost always up for disabling or uninstalling. What DT Ignite isn't, is Verizon and other carriers having free rein over your phone to just install bloatware in real-time as they see fit. If someone tries to tell you that, they are lying. Verizon was the first company to admit to using DT Ignite or a similar service, but T-Mobile may very well be using it too. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if AT&T and every other carrier who pre-loads bloatware on phones isn't using some form of it. Back on track here. Why isn't the bulk of this story from Ad Age new news to freakout about? Well, because Verizon has more than likely been doing this already with DT Ignite. The interesting thing here is that we now have a price to go with the bloatware that is loaded up on your phones - $1 to $2 per install for companies. That's a lot of cash, especially knowing that customers are going to hide, delete, or disable them. So the story here is that Verizon is still using the shit out of DT Ignite (or something similar) and has decided that it wants to charge companies a whole hell of a lot of money to get their apps pre-loaded on new phones. And yes, according to this report, these installs of new bloatware were only going to happen on new devices upon activation. Honestly, this no different than you firing up your current Verizon phone for the first time and seeing Amazon's entire app suite setup on your home screen, along with a couple of games buried in the app drawer. Thankfully, Ad Age isn't sure that Verizon was ever able to sell this idea to anyone, probably because companies know that you and I were delete or disable or uninstall garbage like that immediately. To recap, chill. This is how Verizon has been doing bloatware for a while, we just might know how much they are charging companies for it.

Via: Ad Age

AT&T's New Mobile Share Advantage Plans Include Throttling Without Ridiculous Upcharges

Kellen — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 11:52:28 +0000

On August 21, AT&T customers will be able to choose from new Mobile Share Advantage plans that aim to get you more data per buck in some situations, while including throttled data at no extra cost once you hit your data limit. The new plans also make the device access charges a flat $20 per month on all plans instead of varying depending on your bucket size. With these new plans, AT&T says you will still get Rollover Data, the unlimited domestic talk and text, sharable data between lines, mobile hotspot, etc. However, they are adding on throttled data once you hit your data limit, a feature that Verizon recently added and T-Mobile has had for years. AT&T isn't charging you extra for it like Verizon is, though, and will include it in all of these new plans at no extra charge. Verizon, at least for their S-M-L plans, charges $5 per month. As a reminder, throttled data just means that if you have a 6GB plan and use up 6GB, you'll still be able to use an AT&T data connection for the rest of the billing cycle, only the connection will be slowed to 128Kbps (2G speed). Good luck ever doing anything meaningful with that kind of speed. But hey, at least you aren't just cut off. The other big bit of news here is the device access charge I mentioned in the opening. With Mobile Share Advantage, device access charges are a flat $20 for all lines. Previously, these varied depending on the data bucket you selected and could mean you pay either $25 per month for a device or $15. With 2-year contracts, the device access charge is $40. The new plans look like this:

1GB: $30
3GB: $40
6GB: $60
10GB: $80
16GB: $90
25GB: $110
30GB: $135

You'll notice that the $30 plan seems to have dropped from 2GB to 1GB per month and the 5GB and 15GB plans are gone. But, the 16GB plan is now cheaper than the old 15GB plan and you have 6GB and 10GB options. The new plans go live on August 21. If you are a current Mobile Share Value customer, you can keep your current plan. NOTE: AT&T has confirmed to us that the old Mobile Share Value plans will be retired, but as I mentioned, you can keep your plan if you are currently on one. For new customers, the new Mobile Share Advantage plans will be your only option.

Via: AT&T

Instagram's New Event Channels Brings Live Events Straight to You

Tim — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 11:07:16 +0000

Instagram is rolling out Event Channels via the Explore tab inside of the Android and iOS apps. With this feature, users can watch video clips and view photos from live events taking place across the world. For example, if a super hot Adele concert is taking place or a big sports match, you can expect to see videos for it coming straight to your device. The videos are stitched together using actual IG user clips. This means, when you are watching them, they are not pro shot and likely have a bit of shake. Don't expect much from the sound quality, either. However, these videos should give you a real sense that you are watching a concert or sports event on your smartphone taken by true non-professionals. Currently, the Event Channels feature is limited to those in the US, but Instagram says it wants to roll it out across the world sometime soon. Update the Instagram app, then check it out today.

Via: Instagram

Honor 8 is Brand's First US Flagship, Exciting Package Starting at $399

Tim — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 08:57:13 +0000

Honor unveiled its first flagship device for the US market last night at a press event, the Honor 8. Featuring high-end specifications, as well as a double-sided glass design, the device will start at only $399 for a 32GB model. As for these high-end specs I speak of, the Honor 8 comes loaded with a 5.2" FHD display, Huawei-made HiSilicon Kirin 950 octa-core processor, and 4GB of RAM. Looking to the backside of the device, you should see something rather familiar if you follow Huawei and Honor. Launched on the Honor 8 is a second-gen 12MP dual-camera system, just like on the Huawei P9. Featuring one RGB plus one monochrome sensor and 1.25 μm pixel size, the Honor 8’s dual lenses capture a reported 3x more light than a single lens, leading to increased picture quality. From our experience with the Huawei P9, we enjoyed the dual-camera setup quite a bit. In terms of software, the Honor 8 comes loaded with Huawei Emotion UI 4.1, running on top of Android 6.0 "Marshmallow." Long story short on that front, it's not stock Android, but should be easily navigable. For us in the US, the device will be sold unlocked, capable of running on any major GSM network, such as AT&T and T-Mobile. For those rocking Sprint or Verizon, stay away. Upon launch, the device will be available in three colors - Sapphire Blue, Pearl White, and Midnight Black. As I stated earlier, the starting price for 32GB of onboard storage is $399, but a 64GB model is also available for $449. Pre-orders for the phone are open right now via various retailers (Amazon, B&H, Best Buy, Newegg), ending September 3. For the first 60 days, Best Buy will carry the Sapphire Blue model exclusively. In addition, for those that do pre-order the device, you will receive a $50 gift card from participating retailers.

Does the Honor 8 interest you or will you be waiting to see the new Nexus devices? Honor's Website [table id=42 /]

Verizon Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Get Updates With WiFi and HD Calling Improvements

Kellen — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 08:03:24 +0000

The Verizon Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are receiving updates today to software version VRU4CPH1 that seem to have focused primarily on improving WiFi and HD Calling on Big Red's network. The updates should reduce the number of dropped WiFi voice calls, include a pop-up reminder during video calls disclosing incoming data usage, improve HD Voice call volume, etc. There aren't any new features necessarily, as you can see here. The full changelog is below.

Fewer dropped Wi-Fi voice calls
Video calls using a cellular network will start with a pop-up reminder that you'll be using data
Ensures you can only make HD Voice Calls when connected to the 4G LTE network
Improvements to HD Voice Call volume
You can now register for Voice over Wi-Fi calling when roaming

To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software updates>Check for updates.

Via: Verizon [2]

Limited Amount of LG G5 Owners in Korea Get to Beta Test Nougat

Tim — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 14:07:18 +0000

For the most part, living in the US has its perks, but not when it comes to beta testing upcoming OS updates. Over the years, we have seen major OS updates hit Poland, South Korea, and other various markets well ahead of any US penetration. Today, that trend continues, as LG has opened up a very limited beta test for Nougat to G5 owners. According to LG, this beta is limited to just 2,000 people, which is virtually nobody. To get the update, select G5 owners must download the OS Preview application from Google Play, but again, if you are reading this in the US, don't bother trying to download the app because you won't find it. LG is also open to customer feedback on the Nougat update, ensuring that the company is committed to bringing timely updates to existing device owners. As someone who purchases new devices somewhat frequently, that's always good to hear. Now, LG, bring that preview program to America.

Via: LG

DEAL: These Aukey Bluetooth Sport Headphones are Just $10 With Code

Kellen — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 13:07:18 +0000

If you have over $100 to spend on Bluetooth sport headphones for working out or an active lifestyle, there are some decent options out there, like offerings from Jaybird. If you aren't interested in breaking the bank on a pair of headphones that you plan to sweat all over and could reguarly be put in situations where they might be stepped on, dropped, and put through other types of physical abuse, consider the deal currently running on Aukey's EP-B4 bluetooth sport headphones. These headphones, which currently show a 4-star rating on Amazon with over 100 reviews, can be had for just $9.99. Regularly priced at $22, a coupon code of "EARBUDS5" will get you into them with a $12 discount on top of Prime shipping, assuming you are a member. The earbuds include 3 pairs of ear tips, 3 pairs of secure-fit ear-fins, and 3 pairs of soft ear-hooks. They connect to your phone via Bluetooth (obviously) and should last up to 4.5 hours before needing to be charged again. Most of the reviews seem to think they are a solid option, especially for the price. Amazon Link UPDATE: Looks like these are now sold out.

Opinion: F*ck Android Software Updates

Kellen — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:31:41 +0000

The year is 2016 and I'm officially sick of talking about Android software updates because the whole system is still broken. I've just had enough of the lack thereof, the slowness and inconsistency of them, the bugginess when they arrive, and the number of players involved that have allowed this platform, which is the best mobile platform in the business, to continue to stay such a disaster in one of its most important areas. Let me try and explain what I mean through a handful of examples that have all popped up within the past couple of weeks. The first has to do with the recently released US unlocked Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge models. These phones arrived at the end of June and were billed as phones that bring the Galaxy experience to more people because they aren't tied to a single carrier. And they do that! I've been using one since the day they arrived and continue to go back to it because this is the best phone of 2016 in my opinion. You know what they don't do? Receive software updates. While carrier models across the US are seeing monthly security patches from Samsung, the phones that don't have any carrier interference are still sitting on May's security patch. That's right, my unlocked S7 is still only on May's patch, which means it's vulnerable to anything that was patched by Google in June, July, and August. There was a time where we blamed carriers for slow updates, but now I'm not so sure I'd lay blame there any longer. Samsung sure as hell seems capable of working with T-Mobile and AT&T and Verizon to keep those carrier-tied phones up-to-date while their unlocked units sit here just asking to be Quadrootered into oblivion. And there may not be any better example of the manufacturer now being at fault than Motorola. We've documented the fact that Motorola's DROID brand of phones is the absolute worst option for anyone who cares about both software updates and security patches, but in reality, that idea now carries through onto almost all Motorola phones. Did you know that the Moto X Pure Edition, an unlocked phone with zero carrier ties, is still on Android 6.0 (Android 6.0.1 has been out since December) and May's security patch? And did you know that it only got May's patch in July, after not seeing an update since February? Sticking with Motorola for a second, we certainly can't look past their new Moto Z DROID phones in this whole ongoing mess. Shortly after review embargoes lifted for each, Motorola found itself in a bit of hot water over the idea that they weren't going to provide monthly security patches. Not that we ever expected them to deliver any, but they did tell select media outlets that they were going to push a software update with the latest security patches shortly after the phone launched. I can tell you that we still have review units in house and neither has seen an update. It has been almost three weeks since launch and they are only up to May's security patch, which they had out of the box. Circling back again, though, maybe the idea of an unlocked phone is a large part of the problem. At one point in time, we advocated for unlocked phones because they were the most likely to see software updates the quickest because we wanted to blame carriers for our update problems. Now, I don't think I'd tell anyone that. Well, there are some unlocked phones that do well, like those made by HTC or Google that still see quick updates. So like with any smartphone purchase, it may not be about the carrier so much as the manufacturer these days. Why are manufacturers ignoring their unlocked phones? I don't know for sure, but in the US, they probably aren't selling many and so they probably don't see the need to spend the resources to keep them as up-to-date as their carrier alternatives. While that's a pretty shitty way to approach security and software, money does still run all the things. Carriers aren't exempt from criticism here, though. Take for example the T-Mobile Galaxy S7 Edge that we purchased for Tim earlier in the year. He used the phone for a good month on T-Mobile's network before he could unlock it and take it to his personal AT&T GoPhone line. Since the moment he unlocked it and switched carriers, he hasn't seen a software update of any kind. In fact, when I asked him to look at his security patch level, the phone was still on April's. I asked him last week, by the way. Another friend of the site owns a T-Mobile HTC 10 that he recently flashed to be recognized as the unlocked HTC 10. Within a day of unlocking it, he saw an update sent out from HTC with August's security patch, while T-Mobile's support still shows their variant only patched through July 1. You could also look at my AT&T Galaxy Note 5, which because I haven't used a SIM in for a good year, won't update to Marshmallow and is still on Lollipop. The point here is that these carrier-tied phones only matter to the carriers selling them if they are still active on their network. Not that that is a shocking revelation, but because these software updates for carrier phones seem to be tied to network or SIM activity, these phones are all but left for dead should you take them elsewhere. Or god forbid you use one on WiFi-only. That's a troubling connection that shouldn't even exist since these software updates all originate from the manufacturer. Why tie these to the carrier and not the phone? Of course, outside of carriers and manufacturers continuing to screw up software updates, you can't forget about the general slowness of the security patches I keep referencing. Quadrooter is the latest headline grabbing vulnerability that Google actually seems to have acknowledged and so it's a prime example of the issues here. While Google's phones will be patched from vulnerabilities like this the quickest in most cases, most of the rest of the world may not know when to expect a fix. And even if Quadrooter isn't exactly a huge risk to leave unpatched for the majority of users, the fact that we have to consider the idea of it going unpatched for months is scary. This all comes from the number of players involved in Android updates and security patches. This particular vulnerability involves Qualcomm chipsets and so Qualcomm has issued patches to Google who then pushes out Android updates to manufacturers who are then in charge of pushing the final releases to their own phones, which may also include a carrier or two. That's a lot of moving pieces and testing and lot of approvals before your phone is up-to-date. How do you fix all of these problems? Hah, good question. Again, it's 2016 and these have all been a part of the Android equation since day one. Is there a fix? I don't know. I hate to sit here and complain and point out issues without being able to offer a solution, but I'm no software engineer. There are much smarter and more capable thinkers than me, all of which don't seem to have answers. What I do know is that it's unacceptable for unlocked phones to be shunned, for major manufacturers to just ignore security, for fully paid-for carrier-tied phones to be abandoned, and for security patches to still take months to arrive on everyone's device. F*ck Android software updates.

Samsung's IFA Announcement Will Center Around the Gear 3 Smartwatch

Tim — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 08:47:27 +0000

Samsung's initial invite to its IFA press event teased watches, but this morning, the upcoming Gear smartwatch has essentially been confirmed. In a new invite image, for what appears to be a separate event, Samsung shows off yet another watch face, but also states that they will "Talk about 3," as in Gear 3. If that's not enough confirmation for you, the bottom of the image also states "Gear," so we pretty much know what to expect when August 31 rolls around. Again, the first invite states that the company's press conference will happen on September 1, but this event is set for August 31. Apparently, Samsung is going to have a busy IFA. Taking place in Berlin, the time on August 31 is set for 18:00 CET. For the US, that translates to 10AM Pacific (1:00PM Eastern). Who is ready for a new Gear smartwatch?

Via: Samsung

Hangouts Will Get a Business Focus Going Forward as Allo Becomes the Consumer Star

Kellen — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 08:13:45 +0000

At Google I/O in May, Google introduced the world to new messaging and video apps called Allo and Duo that left many of us wondering what the future of Hangouts would be. After all, Hangouts was originally released as the do-all messaging app of the future, where messaging and video chatting and SMS and Google Voice would all come together to rid us of having to use two or three or six different apps. Of course, that vision has never aligned and Hangouts has been the butt of jokes for years as users in the consumer space flock to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Going forward, Google appears to be ready to admit defeat, in a way, once Allo launches and Hangouts gets an enterprise focus. According to Google's Nick Fox who spoke with Engadget, Hangouts won't be going anywhere and is going to continue to live on as its frustrating self, but as it grows, it may get a business focus. That means that Allo is going to be the consumer star that Google will want you to use for messaging with friends and family. Fox says that some of the Hangouts focus for the enterprise has to do with it being attached to your Google account and the access that brings to other Google services (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc.). On the other hand, it's just not that simple of an app with its all-in-one approach, yet does work good as a collaboration tool. And that's probably where we'll continue to see it grow is in the collaboration space. Again, Hangouts isn't going anywhere any time soon (if ever), but it doesn't sound like Google wants us using it for those casual conversations. Instead, Google wants us on Allo and Duo and the new features (like Google Assistant embedded) they bring. Plus, they only require a phone number, not a Google account.

Via: Engadget

Google's Duo Video Chat App Launches Today (Updated: Available!)

Kellen — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 21:33:58 +0000

Google's Duo, the 1-on-1 video chatting app that was first introduced to the world back at Google I/O, is now available globally. Well, it'll be rolling out starting now, but you may not be able to install right away. (EDIT: It's available now!) With Duo, to recap, you get an incredibly simple video calling app that is only for performing 1-on-1 chats with friends, family, and whoever else you have a phone number for. And yes, you do indeed need a phone number in order to use Duo, as that is the means for signing up. Once you have done that, though, video calling someone is as easy as tapping their name in a contact list. Other features in Duo include Knock Knock, which shoes you a live video of the person calling you, so you know just what kinds of ~~dirty acts~~ fun they are up to. Google is also making sure you can video chat at all times by making Duo "fast and reliable," with adjustments on the fly to tweak call quality and hand-off between WiFi and cellular networks. Lastly, Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted. As of right now, Duo is still showing for me as open for registration rather than for installs, so we'll update this post when it finally goes live. UPDATE: The app is now available on Google Play! If you aren't seeing it, we have the .apk for you below as well. Play Link | Download Link (.apk)

[responsive_vid]

Via: Google Blog

Google Fiber May Switch Over to Wireless to Expand Quicker

Kellen — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 15:34:57 +0000

Four years ago, Google Fiber's announcement gave hope to internet users across the United States who were sick of paying increasing prices for sub-par internet access at speeds that didn't seem to be adjusting to the times. Today, Fiber has reached just seven cities (with five more under construction) and is being paused in select markets as Google tries to re-think its move into the high-speed internet business, according to the Wall Street Journal. Because building out a physical network like Fiber isn't cheap or quick, Google may switch to a wireless internet route. Back in June, Google bought a company called Webpass that specializes in delivering wireless internet speeds throughout buildings at up to 1 Gig speeds. The company, in basic terms, beams high-speed wireless internet from one building to the next (both residential and businesses) and then delivers those 1 Gig speeds via ethernet throughout individual units at pretty reasonable prices. You don't need a modem to connect, like you would with a traditional ISP, you just need a router that can plug-in to an ethernet jack and then distribute internet to the rest of your residence or office. Webpass is currently in a number of cities and some 800 buildings, delivering internet to residences for as little as $60 per month, all without a modem rental or the fuss that comes with it. The only problem is that it's building-specific and currently doesn't work for individual houses.

[responsive_vid]

Because Google now owns Webpass, they could decide that wireless is a cheaper and quicker route for getting high-speed internet to your home. According to WSJ's report, Google will start testing wireless technology (probably Webpass') for Fiber in a dozen new cities including LA, Chicago, and Dallas. While they do testing in these cities, they are pausing in others, like Portland and San Jose. Now, the big question around this becomes - will Google figure out a way to get Webpass' technology to individual houses and unlock it from businesses and multi-family units. That's tough to say, but if there is anyone who could do it, it would be Google and the cash they have on hand. I, for one, don't really care how my internet gets to me, whether it's wirelessly or through a Fiber line dug-up to my house. I just want it faster and cheaper and to not have anything to do with Comcast. If this is how Google thinks they can do it, bring it on.

Via: Wall Street Journal

Google is Moving Hangouts On Air From Google+, Bringing It to YouTube Live

Tim — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 15:26:27 +0000

Google, a company known well for its redundancy, is making a move to eliminate a small portion of its duplicate services. For the past few months at least, those looking to produce their own live podcasts could choose between Hangouts on Air (intertwined with Google+) or YouTube Live (essentially the same as Hangouts on Air, but locked to YouTube). In an announcement made this afternoon, Google will end Hangouts on Air via Google+, and is moving everyone to YouTube Live. Taking The Droid Life Show as an example, nothing is changing. Essentially, instead of starting our stream via the Hangouts website or extension, we simply boot up a livestream through YouTube's Creator Studio interface. There's no new account to setup or anything difficult about the transition. If anything, this should save people a headache, as there will no longer be two services providing the exact same experience across two separate platforms. Officially, everyone will need to do their streaming from YouTube Live beginning September 12. For anyone with a scheduled Hangouts on Air session on or after that date, you will need to reschedule it using YouTube Live. The only downside, at least from what I can see, YouTube Live does not support Q&A, Showcase, or Applause. These are little extensions used with Hangouts on Air that grant the streamer additional things to do, such as interact with viewers. If you need a Q&A feature for your stream, simply ask people to submit questions via a social network. Seriously, death to redundancy.

Via: Google

BlackBerry Taking Quadrooter Vulnerability Seriously, Releasing Patch for Priv and DTEK50

Tim — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 12:25:00 +0000

Quadrooter, the malware potentially affecting millions of Snapdragon-powered smartphones, is still in the news. With the issue discovered, OEMs and Google are beginning to patch the problem, with BlackBerry taking the lead to protect its device purchasers. According to a post from BlackBerry, those who purchased either a Priv or DTEK50 smartphone from the company's online shop will receive a security patch for all four vulnerabilities associated with Quadrooter. While three of the four vulnerabilities were already addressed with Google's August security patch, this new patch from BlackBerry will ensure you no longer need to worry about any part of Quadrooter. The patch should reach all purchasers of the Priv or DTEK50 today, with carrier partners soon to roll out the patch later this week. As for the rest of us without a BlackBerry phone, you probably still don't need to worry yourself about Quadrooter. Google and other manufacturers are working to patch any vulnerabilities, as they should be. With that said, just make sure to keep using Google Play for all of your app downloads. You are better safe than sorry, folks. Be on the lookout for this update, BlackBerry device owners.

Via: BlackBerry

Verizon, T-Mobile Galaxy Note 7 Pre-Orders are Shipping Out

Tim — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 09:02:59 +0000

According to emails we have received over the weekend, as well as our own pre-order, Galaxy Note 7 units are beginning to ship out from Verizon and T-Mobile. Unlike what we saw earlier this year from T-Mobile, where those who pre-ordered the Galaxy S7 were receiving their device a solid week ahead of launch, carriers appear to be doing better (or worse, depending on who you are) about shipping phones out closer to the actual release date. For the Galaxy Note 7, that date is still August 19 across the globe. For those who pre-ordered via T-Mobile, it appears that the carrier has opted for UPS Next Day Air Saver, while Verizon is shipping their units out with FedEx 2-Day Shipping. That means, once UPS and FedEx pick up the devices, they should be in the hands of those who ordered very quickly. As for AT&T, we have yet to hear of any orders shipping out early. Has your pre-order shipped? Where did you order from?

HTC Nexus Phones Stop Off at the FCC With Universal US Carrier Support (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 08:12:49 +0000

Oh boy, the HTC Nexus phones just stopped off at the FCC this morning. As we all know, that's huge news in terms of how this story begins to unfold in front of us. After seeing supposed pictures of one of the phones hours ago, we now know model numbers, get confirmation that HTC is indeed making two Nexus phones, and other details, like universal LTE support across US carriers, including Verizon. Let's dive into the filings that went live this morning and share what we are finding. Also, as we find more, we'll be updating this post. First off all, we have two filings because we are looking at two phones. As of right now, we don't know size differences, though we are looking for those. What we have is one phone under FCC filing NM8G-2PW4100 and model number G-2PW4100, along with a second under FCC filing NM8G-2PW2100 and model number G-2PW2100. For those curious, HTC uses "NM8" as their grantee code, which is like a company code for the FCC. HTC is also listed all over these filings, but what makes them unique is that "G" just after the "NM8," a letter that could represent "Google" in this whole story. Oh, and in case you wanted the confirmation that these are Nexus phones for Google, look no further than the document that tells us where to find the user manual for each:

See that note about the final version being made publicly available on Google's website of "http://support.google.com/nexus"? Yeah, I'd say that would be all the confirmation we need. The codenames are no where to be found, but a reasonable person could come to the conclusion that G-2PW4100 is the bigger, "Marlin" Nexus with a 5.5-inch display and the G-2PW2100 is the smaller, "Sailfish" Nexus with a 5-inch screen. Again, that isn't confirmed just yet in these FCC listings, but it would make sense for it to shake out like that. As for other details, here is a look at the filing numbers for each:

Curious as to what LTE and other network bands will be supported in the US? We have all the ones we needed to see, which show these phones working on all the major US carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

We're still digging through each document, so stick with us as we update. UPDATE 1: Here is the kernel info at the time these phones were submitted to the FCC.

Via: FCC [2] | Ausdroid

Here Come the HTC Nexus Leaks!

Kellen — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 07:14:33 +0000

Ready to catch your first supposed real look at one of the new HTC Nexus phones, the smaller "Sailfish" model? Here you go! According to the folks at Android Police, who previously posted a mock-up that looked quite similar to what we are seeing below, this is the real deal. Aside from the insane amounts of cropping needed to protect sources, we are getting front, back, and side shots to reveal all that is the smaller 5-inch Nexus made by HTC. The phone, looks like a pretty standard black smartphone slab with a whole lot of iPhone in it. We have a rear fingerprint reader, volume and power buttons on the right side, antenna lines galore, and a camera/flash housing up in the rear upper left corner. And yes, we do have some sort of glass or glossy panel on the upper half of the backside, just like the previous renders suggested. Also, get a load of that chin.

Holy, chin.

Alright, with that out of the way, nothing else here is really all that new outside of this being a first real look at the phone. And again, this is the smaller 5-inch version of the expected new Nexus phones. Android Police states that this phone is very much premium and metallic, just smaller. With that said, an anonymous Twitter account popped up over the weekend with this photo: https://twitter.com/usbfl/status/764631682074816513 This random anonymous account says that we might not get two premium phones and will instead get one premium model, the "Marlin," along with a plasticy secondary phone known as the "Sailfish." That goes in contrast with what we have been told by AP for weeks, so I'll let you decide what you want to believe. This account is also under the impression that the glossy panel on the back will take up the entire backside in the "final" design, unlike the half-gloss approach in the images above. Thoughts?

Via: Android Police

Don't Miss These Android Stories: August 12, 2016

Kellen — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:21:00 +0000

We're most certainly deep in the summer, if you couldn't tell, because the news cycle is slowing as we get ready for the big fall-holiday push. While the Galaxy Note 7 is on the way (one week away!), we still are waiting to hear Google's plans, as well as Apple's and whoever else needs to try and make an end-of-year splash. So yeah, things are slow and that meant we didn't have any major news this week outside of LG announcing a quad DAC, Logitech giving us a sweet new smart home product, and Facebook attempting to attack ad blockers (good luck!). Be sure to catch up on anything you missed!

Try to avoid melting out there.

Samsung Seeds Invites to IFA Event, Teases New Gear Watches

Tim — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:02:39 +0000

The time and place has been set for Samsung's next announcement, this time at IFA on September 1. Given the hands of a watch imagery used on the invite itself, we expect Samsung to show off its next generation of Gear smartwatches, and the timing seems about right. Specifically, the event will kick off on Thursday, September 1, at 11AM (Berlin). For us on the west coast of the US, that's 2AM (5AM for east coast). Woof. For those concerned, don't worry, Samsung will undoubtedly make a livestream available for all, if you plan on being awake.

Friday App Sales: Dokuro, Backdrops Pro, Final Fantasy VI, and More

Tim — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:28:48 +0000

This Friday brings us a whole new list of apps and games on sale via Google Play. To give you a preview, Square Enix's Final Fantasy VI can be grabbed for $11, the Pro version of Backdrops (my favorite wallpaper app) is on sale for $1, and you can grab Metro 2033: Wars for $4. If you don't wish to play a new game, you can grab the ISS Detector Pro for $1.49, Puffin Browser Pro for $0.99, or Battery Widgets Reborn 2016 for $1.49. As you can see, there is plenty to choose from this week. Check out the full list below. Friday App Sales

Doom & Destiny Advanced ($0.99)
Doom & Destiny ($0.99)
Maps & Navigation - OsmAnd+ ($3.49)
Battery Widgets Reborn 2016 ($1.49)
Make Your Clock Widget Pro ($1.49)
TerraTime ($1.99)
ISS Detector Pro ($1.49)
You Are A Knight ($0.99)
Metro 2033: Wars ($3.99)
Townsmen Premium ($0.10)
Size DOES Matter ($1.99)
Dokuro ($0.99)
Last Horizon ($0.99)
Templar Assault RPG Elite ($0.99)
Puffin Browser Pro ($0.99)
OTTTD: Over the Top TD ($1.49)
Backdrops Pro ($0.99)
Final Fantasy VI ($11.00)

Go support those developers!

T-Mobile Seems to Have Axed the HTC 10 After Just Two Months

Kellen — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:52:02 +0000

The HTC 10, a phone that is by all means one of the best Android phones of the year and HTC's best by a mile in about four, has been axed from T-Mobile's line-up after just two months. At least, that's what we are left to believe after the phone disappeared from T-Mobile's site back in July and never returned. In July, when the absence of the phone was pointed out by reddit users who were also told the phone was no longer for sale, T-Mobile said to Tmonews that it would be back and the missing listing was just a glitch. Except, the phone is still gone and stores seem to be running out of inventory, according to Android Police, with no plans to re-stock. The store listing for the HTC 10 on T-Mobile's site is also now redirecting to a generic HTC page instead of the HTC 10, as if T-Mobile is scrubbing all history of the phone. A flagship phone like this being booted after just two months is sort of unheard of. The Amazon Fire Phone and Blackberry Priv seem to have lasted longer than that in the industry, and those phones are bonafide flops. But this move is also a terrible sign for HTC because AT&T didn't even carry the phone at any time. At this point, Verizon and Sprint still sell the 10, though it has shifted to Verizon's 2nd page, below the lowly HTC Desire 530 and last year's DROID phones. What does this mean for HTC? Probably not much new. HTC has been struggling for years and even though the HTC 10 is a really good phone, it was never setup for success. Again, AT&T didn't want anything to do with it out of the gate and they are the second largest US carrier. HTC also has what appears to be zero marketing budget, priced the phone at a ridiculous $700 off contract, and the company is more interested in virtual reality these days than smartphones. If anything, this news sucks for HTC fans, if there are any left.

Via: reddit | Tmonews | Android Police

OnePlus Begins Rolling Out Hotfix Update for OnePlus 3, Incrementally

Tim — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 08:44:57 +0000

OnePlus is rolling out a new hotfix update, labeled as OxygenOS 3.2.4, for the OnePlus 3. Specifically, this update is aimed at fixing an auto-reboot issue, brings improved call quality, and other "various fixes." Typically, I think of a hotfix as an update that rolls out very quickly, to all users, addressing an issue that potentially affects many. However, OnePlus is going to roll this hotfix update out incrementally, meaning little by little. By doing this, it seems OnePlus is going to play it safe with the update, just to make sure they aren't introducing any new issues. Check the changelog, then be on the lookout for the update. What's New

Fixed the auto-reboot issue.
Improved call quality.
Implemented various fixes and carrier optimizations.

Did any of these issues affect you?

Via: OnePlus

Galaxy Note 7 Will Get Android Nougat In 2-3 Months

Kellen — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 08:11:03 +0000

When will the Galaxy Note 7 receive Android 7.0 Nougat? In 2-3 months, according to Samsung's Koh Dong-jin. The subtle announcement came during a short interview with Korea Times, as the company took a minute to continue to hype the launch of the new flagship phone. The note about release of Nougat is surprising, to say the least, since Samsung almost never talks about when or if they'll release major updates and typically keeps us waiting in limbo. Koh Dong-Jin did say that while 2-3 months is the hopeful and targeted time frame for release, they really want to make sure they "build a stable and seamless platform" instead of focus on rushing to get the update out. So while we could see the update by November, don't get too attached just yet. With that said, 2-3 months from now, assuming that's exactly what Samsung said, we are looking at a fairly accelerated release of Nougat when compared to Marshmallow. As you know, Android Marshmallow was released by Google in early October of last year, but no Galaxy Note device in the US saw it until March of 2016, Verizon's Note 5 being the first. Samsung did highlight changes expected in Marshmallow as early as February, though. However, that was still a good four months from Marshmallow's release just for notes and then another month before it arrived on a phone. If Samsung can push Nougat by November, that would be sort of unheard of speediness for Samsung. Let's make that happen, eh, Sammy?

Via: Korea Times

AT&T Bringing Family Plans to Prepaid GoPhone Subscribers (Updated)

Tim — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 14:55:57 +0000

Recently confirmed to FierceWireless, AT&T is bringing family plans to subscribers of the GoPhone prepaid service. Importantly, for those interested, it is noted that the family plans will be limited to the $45/3GB a month and $60/6GB a month tiers. This decision leaves out anyone using the $30/month option. As detailed, customers of these upcoming family plans can receive additional money off of their monthly bill, depending on how many additional lines are activated. For example, if one line is added to the plan, you will receive $5 off of your monthly bill. This deduction would be in addition to the $5/month you save if you utilize the auto-pay feature. The discounts do end, though, with the max being a $20 discount for the fifth line activated. Currently, AT&T has not announced the GoPhone family plan via its own channels, so we don't know exactly when we can expect their arrival. With the news being confirmed, though, it should be rather soon. On a more personal level, we get asked this question quite often -- "Hey, DL, what cellphone plan do you personally use?" For my personal line, I rock the GoPhone service. For $55/month (thanks to $5 off with auto-pay), I get 6GB of high-speed LTE data, plus unlimited talk and text. In my area, AT&T's LTE is very fast, so it works well for me, plus I don't have to worry about being tied to any carrier contract. If I get a new phone for review, or buy a new unlocked device, I just throw my GoPhone SIM in the device and it's working. Couple all of that with the rollover data and unlimited talk/text from US to Mexico and Canada (because I have tons of Canadian friends), the GoPhone option is a good choice for me. Once AT&T finalizes these family plans and makes a more official announcement, we will update you on the details. Update: AT&T has made their announcement, with all of the details now official. Stated in announcement, this is called the GoPhone Multi-Line Discount. To sum it up, you begin with one prepaid line (could be new or existing), then simply continue to add on however many lines you need, with the max being five for consumers and ten lines for business customers. With each added line, you receive a $5 discount to your monthly bill. One added line equals $5, two lines equals $10, etc. The max discount is $20 a month for five lines in total. All of these changes will go into effect on August 19. For all of the details, look here.

Via: FierceWireless

Auralux: Constellations, a Sequel, Launches August 25 on Android

Tim — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 12:41:02 +0000

For fans of the original Auralux game, launching all the way back in July of 2012, the sequel is inbound! While the original launched with a Tegra-exclusive tag, it appears the sequel will not be device specific, allowing everyone to enjoy the real-time strategy gaming that is Auralux. Titled Auralux: Constellations, the sequel is essentially the same game as the original, but with a few new features that are definitely worth mentioning. Topping the list of new features is online multiplayer, where up to four players can wage planetary war against each other. Other features include a whole library of new levels, as well as added variables that you would only find in space. These variables are black holes, supernovas, and wormholes. It's about to get real, trust me. If Auralux gameplay confuses you, think of it like Archipelago, a similar title that's been around for a long time. Basically, you are provided a starting force and planet. This planet produces unit forces for you to take other planets and battle either AI or enemy players. Strategy comes in when you need to decide whether the time is right to either defend, attack, or not do anything at all. The game will launch on August 25 for Android and iOS. Get hyped. Features

Online multiplayer for up to four players to wage planetary war against each other.
New modes and maps including black holes, supernovas and wormholes!
150 unique levels.
Keep your journey alive with Handoff support on iPad, iPhone and Mac.
Play on the big screen with tvOS functionality.
A dozen new twists to classic Auralux gameplay.

As soon as the game is out, we will hit you up with the link.

Logitech Pop are Smart Home Switches to Help Automate Your Smart Home

Kellen — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 11:42:49 +0000

Logitech introduced a new smart home product today that might just solve one of the problems I seem to constantly complain about. Yeah, I know, this is all about me. But listen, if you get into overstuffing your home with "smart" stuff like I have, you'll soon know why this might be a great idea. The new product is called Logitech Pop and its a mix of smart switch and buttons that allow you to automate your smart home and all of its random gadgets with the touch of a button. At least, that's the basics here. You see, when you start buying smart home products like locks and cameras and bulbs and thermostats, the chances of them all being built by the same company are pretty slim. Because they aren't made by the same crew, they all need separate apps in order to be controlled. If you are like me and have countless smart home products with different apps, controlling everything efficiently is a huge pain in the ass. And that's where Logitech Pop comes in, at least in theory.

Logitech Pop home switches, which are the buttons you press to perform actions, connect to your home's 2.4GHz WiFi (they also connect via Bluetooth). From there, you take the buttons and place them in locations around your house that might be convenient to the task you want them to perform or because they just make sense there (like by your front door for turning lights off while heading out the door). The buttons can be programmed for single and double taps, and a long-press. As you can imagine, that gives you all sorts of options for a single button. Logitech says that Pop home switches will work with devices from Philips Hue, LIFX, August, Sonos, Harmony, Lutron, Insteon, and Belkin WeMo. That means you could program them to turn off and on your lights, fire up your favorite playlist on Sonos, or lock/unlock your doors. Of course, those are just basic actions. Logitech really wants you to use their app during setup to do more complex things, like as you head out the door, press a button to turn off the lights and lock all of your doors or hit another button to turn up the jam and mood lighting. Pop home switches work with IFTTT and also their own version of recipes through the Pop app (available soon on Android and iOS), from what we can tell. That's where the multi-action button presses or holds come in. Also, the buttons can be mounted with tape or taken with you from room to room. They are, if this wasn't obvious already, there for visitors to use as well. That's actually one of the best parts about these Pop buttons is the fact that friends and family can press buttons to perform actions without ever needing to download or install each device's app. Anyways, you get the point. As of today, Logitech Pop is up for pre-order today and should ship this month. For $99, you can grab the starter pack which includes two home switches (the buttons), a plug-in bridge, and mounting tape. If you want to buy individual buttons, they'll run you $40 a piece. Pre-order links: Amazon | Logitech

Via: Logitech (Press release)

Samsung to Launch Galaxy Note 7 With 128GB of Storage and 6GB of RAM in China

Tim — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 11:08:19 +0000

For those overly concerned about the amount on onboard storage and RAM in a device, China might be the best place for you. According to the latest report from the Korea Herald, Samsung is indeed reviewing the possible launch of a Galaxy Note 7 with upgraded specs, in comparison to the model that will launch in other parts of the globe on August 19. The Galaxy Note 7 headed for China will feature upped storage, 128GB from the base of 64GB, as well as 6GB of RAM. The model shipping in the US, Europe, and Korea features 4GB of RAM. So, why is China getting so lucky? For a high-end flagship to compete, it's all about the specs. Apparently, the Chinese market is saturated with devices that feature 6GB of RAM and high amounts of storage, meaning Samsung needs to deliver those numbers to be considered as someone's next smartphone purchase. For us in the US, let's quickly discuss why our model of 64GB onboard storage and 4GB RAM shouldn't disappoint. First, the Galaxy Note 7 does allow for expandable storage. If you need more, simply pop in a microSD card. Storage problems resolved. As for the RAM, just look at the OnePlus 3. The device comes with 6GB of RAM, but does it really make a difference to a consumer's overall experience? In our experience, no, not at all. Until the Android OS and apps are completely optimized to utilize that amount of RAM, it's simply not a deal breaker. If you think it is, then by all means, proceed to get belligerent in the comments. I won't stop you. Moving past that non-disappointment, another tidbit was mentioned in the Herald's report. According to Samsung's Koh Dong-jin, a few US banks, including Citibank, Bank of America and US Bank, are working to bring the iris scanning technology of the Note 7 to its mobile platforms. This means that, at hopefully some point in the future, you can use your eyes to log into your mobile banking app. While no one would argue that having a base of 128GB storage and 6GB RAM in the US model would not have been a bonus, there's nothing to be upset about. If anything, be grateful Samsung didn't release the phone for a solid $1,000 with those specifications onboard. If that happened, there would be plenty to get pissed about.

Via: Korea Herald

It Took Motorola Two Years to Develop Moto Mods, Reminds Developers About MDK

Tim — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 09:25:30 +0000

For third-party hardware developers, the Moto Mods platform creates a unique opportunity to bring a new experience to a built-in audience of Moto Z device owners. With that being said, Motorola is reminding all third-party developers (software and hardware) that made its MDK (Moto Mods Development Kit) is available for purchase in the US. In a blog post posted to the Motorola website, the company discusses the two-year process of bringing Moto Mods to the masses. As penned by Motorola, the company had to find a perfect blend of hardware design and components to deliver a platform that worked seamlessly. Not only did the Mods have to be just right, but a lot of thought went into the Moto Z and Moto Z Force in general, weighing many factors during the time of design. There are a few key areas that Motorola's engineers had to innovate in order to bring the Moto Z and Moto Mods to life. These areas include, but are not limited to, the 4G LTE antennas, battery design, AMOLED display choice, as well as the backplate material used. Interestingly, Motorola cites "bendgate" for its usage of a unique, aircraft-grade stainless steel casing. According to Motorola, the casing used on the Moto Z is, "85% stronger than our competitors." The entire blog is pretty enlightening in terms of the process Motorola went through to create the device. I recommend the read. Back to the MDK, developers can design and begin to build their own Moto Mods. While it may be a bit harder for a single independent developer to launch a successful Moto Mod, it could be fun just to play with and mess around. However, if you are reading this and work for a larger company with the resources to think of, design, and create a Moto Mod, this is the perfect opportunity to get onboard. If you want to go hands-on with the new MDK, follow the purchase link below. Purchase MDK Here

Via: Motorola

Lenovo has New Moto Mods, Tablets to Show Off at IFA

Kellen — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 08:41:36 +0000

Lenovo has big plans for IFA, the large technology conference that takes place in Berlin every year around Labor Day. According to a teaser video posted to their YouTube channel, the conference will be an opportunity for Lenovo and Motorola to show off their line-up of holiday products. In the short 50-second clip, Lenovo says to expect "better" everything, including new Moto Mods and a "new chapter in tablets." They also have a keyboard concept to share, creativity and productivity products, and more. The video does show a whole bunch of Moto 360 shots as well, from previous events, but they don't specifically say anywhere that we will get a new Moto 360 (3rd Gen). Now would be a good time to deliver one, though, as the launch time of IFA matches up to previous Moto 360 unveilings. As for the new Moto Mods, we have seen previous leaks for a high-end Hasselblad camera Mod as well as some sort of Mod that adds a protective case to the Moto Z, making it waterproof or at least fairly resistant to the elements. You can see both in the image below, as shared by +HelloMotoHK.

Ready for more Moto Mods or to see if new ones can get you excited about the Moto Z? Or maybe, you just want there to be a Moto 360 (3rd Gen)?

LG V20 Will Bring That Quad DAC Heat, a First for a Smartphone

Kellen — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 07:48:23 +0000

When LG announced the V10 last year, I poked a bit of fun at the phone for having lots of new "things and stuff" to try and grab headlines. That wasn't so much a jab at LG for tossing everything they could think of at the wall and hoping it stuck...actually, that's exactly what I was doing. As it turns out, some of that "things and stuff" actually did stick and amounted to a really good phone that I, along with plenty of others, surprisingly enjoyed. One of the items that really stood out to audiophiles in the building was the 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC included in the phone. While I will never claim to be a serious audio person, just do a quick Google search for "LG V10 audio" and you know that this phone is a serious player in the audio department. With the upcoming LG V20, LG is focusing on audio once again and is telling us that it will be the "first smartphone in the industry" to feature a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC from ESS Technology. What the hell does that mean? Ummm, according to LG, that means "crisp and clear sound that comes closest to a live performance when using compatible wired headphones." It also means a 50% reduction in ambient noise levels" over a traditional DAC, impressive audio capture from recorded videos, and what should amount to a "best in class" audio experience on a smartphone. Again, LG worked with ESS Technology for this Quad DAC, just like they did with the V10. If you are looking for one of the best audio experiences in a smartphone, the V20 is a phone you will want to keep an eye on. Remember, it will be unveiled in San Francisco on September 6. Bring your high-end headphones.

Via: LG

Galaxy Note 7 Pre-Orders are Apparently "Highest Ever" for a Galaxy Phone

Tim — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 15:45:03 +0000

According to reports out of Korea, pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 7 are crazy good. So good in fact, the Galaxy Note 7 pre-order numbers are the "highest ever" for a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. For a bit more detail, using industry data as of August 9, the device has been pre-ordered 200,000 times in two days alone. Keep in mind, that figure is reported to be South Korea only. Given this device is to launch globally on August 19, it's safe to assume that number spikes greatly when you add on pre-orders from Europe, US, and other parts of Asia. In total, Samsung is said to be producing 5 million units for its first batch of shipments that will go across the globe. That might seem like a high expectation, but given just how much Samsung is pushing the device via its marketing channels, it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of people purchased this device. Speaking of the marketing behind this phone, have you streamed any of the Olympics this year? If so, you've undoubtedly seen a commercial for this device at least 100x. Were you one of customers who pre-ordered? Excited for your new device to ship?

Via: Korea Herald

Google Play Developer Console App Updated With Review Notifications, Staged Rollout Controls

Tim — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 14:37:33 +0000

The official Google Play Developer Console application has been updated this week, bringing new features for app developers to take advantage of. Inside this update, users can begin to receive updates for new reviews posted onto their apps, as well as search through these reviews based on stars, versions used, and more. Furthermore, developers can review and apply store listing experiment results, plus control your staged rollout percentages. For example, if you begin a staged rollout, and everything goes smoothly, you can up the percentage of users the new version of the app can reach. If things are beginning to go south, you can instantly halt a bad rollout. Pretty convenient, if I do say so myself. If you dev super hard, go grab the app update from Google Play and keep up the dev'ing! We, as app users, appreciate your work. Play Link

Via: Android Developers

This B&O 4K TV Features Android TV, 40" Starts at Only $6,700

Tim — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 12:41:09 +0000

Do you love TV? Is money no object? Well, Bang & Olufsen just announced a television set for you. Featuring 4K resolution, as well as Android TV built-in, the BeoVision 14 is priced starting at only $6,700 for the 40" model. If you need something a bit bigger for your home theater, try the 55" model for $9,300. For such a price, you are likely expecting this television set to have all of the bells and whistles. As described by B&O, the BeoVision 14 features aluminum piping and oak wood lamellas, giving it more a furniture look than a high-grade piece of tech. On the downside, the overall design does leave quite a bit of bezels surrounding the display. Other specs include a 360-degree light sensor for determining a room's lighting, automatically adjusting the display's brightness as it sees fit. Underneath the lamellas are three-way speakers, which can sync wirelessly to other B&O audio products you may have. Oh, and did I mention it has Android TV? That has to add a bit of value, right? Currently, this set is only available in Europe, but is coming to the US soon.

Via: The Verge | Bang & Olufsen

Gmail Will Soon Warn You if a Sender Can't be Authenticated

Kellen — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 11:59:12 +0000

This week, Google is pushing the slightest of changes to their web and Android Gmail apps that should help inform you of potential risks ahead when accessing individual emails. Going forward, as emails flood into your inbox that can't be authenticated by Google, they'll replace the avatar of the sender with a big red question mark (see above). That question mark should stand as a warning that the email may be unsafe, is from an untrusted source you may not want to reply to, and could potentially contain dangerous links or attachments. Taking that a step further, if you are accessing Gmail from the web and an email comes through with a potentially dangerous link embedded, Google will start warning you before you ever get to the destination that it may be unsafe. These changes are set for a gradual rollout and could take weeks before we all see them. Play Link

Via: Google Apps Updates

DEAL: Get a Tronsmart Fast Wireless Charger for $19 With This Coupon Code

Tim — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 11:39:29 +0000

For all of you Samsung (as well as other compatible) device owners, Tronsmart is hosting a coupon code sale on its Fast Wireless Charger via Amazon. Without the coupon code, the price of this charger is listed at $24.99 for Prime members. With the code added, the price drops to $18.99, which is a great price for a wireless charger capable of fast charging. As for technical specs, here they are.

Fast Charge Model: Input- 9V/1.67A Output- 9V/1.2A (10W MAX)
Standard Charge Model: Input-5V/2A Output-5V/1A

The list of compatible fast wireless charging devices is Galaxy Note 7, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S7, and Galaxy S7 Edge. If you own a device that features standard wireless charging, this charger should work just fine, too. If you are interested, simply input the code FASTCHAR when checking out. Amazon Link

Skully Founders Balled so Hard at the Strip Club and on Sports Cars With Your Money, They Forgot to Make Motorcycle Helmets

Kellen — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 10:37:06 +0000

Two years ago, almost to the day, we shared an Indiegogo project for a futuristic, Android-powered motorcycle helmet that was generating all sorts of buzz from major car-related publications, the tech sector, and even celebrity chefs (random, but true). The project was for a product called Skully, which was a motorcycle helmet that included a heads-up display within the visor, rear-camera, and connectivity with your smartphone. Unfortunately, even as the campaign blew past its initial $250,000 goal and attracted investors who handed over millions of dollars, Skully is just another shining example of why backing most crowdfunded vaporware is a terrible, terrible idea. With that said, the story of Skully's collapse (outside of the fact that a lot of people will be without a product and money) is quite fascinating, if not entertaining. According to TechCrunch, Skully closed up shop on or around August 6 after informing customers who still have not received their orders, that they would not be receiving those orders because even after attempting to raise more capital, "unforeseen challenges and circumstances, beyond our control, made this effort impossible." The company is now filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which basically means that backers who spent $1,500 on pre-orders, won't be getting the helmet or a refund. Woof. So what were those "unforeseen challenges and circumstances?" Hmmm...hmmmm! This lawsuit certainly attempts to help explain some of that. If anything, it paints a movie-like scene of two founders with millions in their pockets, doing everything except building the product they promised. A former assistant who worked directly with the founders of Skully, two bro-dogs named Marcus and Mitch Weller, the company was basically a "sham." Not only that, but the Wellers used the cash that was generated from Indiegogo and likely from investors too, as their personal "piggy banks," dropping $2,000 during visits to the strip club and also on sports cars, like Dodge Vipers and Audi R8s. According to this lawsuit, which the former assistant filed because of wrongful termination, failure to pay overtime wages, and other issues, the Wellers really did live it up on Skully's dime. They paid for their rent, the security deposits to move to new apartments, weekly cleanings of said apartments, grocery bills, all restaurant meals, personal tech (like iPhone,s iPads, TVs, watches, and GoPros), $13,000 trips to Vegas, an Audi R8, four new motorcycles, up to two Dodge Vipers, trips to Florida and Hawaii and some sort of world tour, and then of course, on the important things in life, like multi-thousand dollar strip club bills. Oh, but the best move has to be the fact that Marcus Weller (former CEO) forced this assistant to attend his driving school in his place, driving school that was mandatory after he received a traffic violation in his R8. You can't make this sh*t up! About a month ago, though, investors finally pushed out the Wellers and brought in a new CEO to try and turn the company around. In a July blog post, they made promises to backers that they would receive their helmets over the course of the summer, but we now know that will never happen. After taking in $11 million in funding from investors last year, on top of the $2.4 million raised during the Indiegogo campaign, the company couldn't produce what it initially promised. The company, at least from how I'm reading this, was also in such terrible shape after the Wellers disastrous time at the head of the company, that selling whatever remained off to companies like LeEco, weren't even in the cards. Ouch. This lawsuit probably won't be the last, even if the Wellers are trying to disappear (cached).

Via: TechCrunch | Crowd Fund Insider | Mercury News | Lawsuit (PDF)

T-Mobile LG V10 Getting Minor Security Update

Tim — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 10:02:07 +0000

If you happen to own a LG V10 on T-Mobile, be on the lookout for a new update to software version H90120j. Inside, you will be treated to a Google security update, as well as fixes to the "software stability." As for which security patch from Google this is, we aren't quite sure yet. If we had to guess, though, it could be July's or August's. If you receive this update, hit us up in the comments and let us know. Size of the update is listed at 459MB.

Via: T-Mobile

Rounded ZenWatch 3 Strolls Through FCC Ahead of IFA

Tim — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 09:19:13 +0000

The ZenWatch 3, likely to be unveiled at this year's IFA in early September, has been unintentionally announced via a FCC filing. As you can see from the sketch above that was located in the filing, the ZenWatch 3 might come with a very different design than previous ZenWatch models, featuring a rounded display this year. Each previous ZenWatch featured a squared display with rather large bezels, and if ASUS does indeed announced a round model, the company has officially piqued my interest. The FCC filing goes into great detail for many things, hardly any of which is important reading for you. However, a few details are known thanks to the paperwork, including a few specs for the device. From what we can see, this smartwatch will feature Bluetooth 4.2, WiFi connectivity, as well as a stainless steel back. I know, it's not the craziest leak ever, but hey, it's better than nothing. As previously mentioned, it's a safe assumption that we will see this device announced around the time of this year's IFA. Scheduled to take place September 2 through the 7th, more details are sure to come soon. Round ZenWatch 3, anyone?

Via: FCC | Ausdroid

ZTE Will Unlock the Axon 7 Bootloader

Kellen — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 08:12:50 +0000

Elite h4x0rs, ZTE and its new Axon 7 might just be the company and phone for you. After apparently hearing you voice deep desires for an unlockable bootloader, the company says that it will make that an available option for those "with a high level of technical expertise" and who have "had experience flashing custom ROMs." I'm not kidding, the email they sent actually says that bit about flashing ROMs. In order to unlock the bootloader on your Axon 7 (this is a US-only thing from what we can tell), you are going to have to request an unlock from ZTE. You will be able to do that from a special "Developer sub-forum from within the Axon forums. That should go live here at some point. It should be noted that unlocking the bootloader will 100% void your device warranty. So yeah, ZTE is doing something in allowing you to unlock the bootloader of the phone, but that doesn't mean they will be on the hook for any of it any longer once you do that. Think about that for a second. You can read up on all things Axon 7 bootloader at this ZTE community thread.

Supposed LG V20 Renders Hit the Web, Induces Headache

Tim — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 15:49:26 +0000

According to Android Authority, in "collaboration" with the web's well-known Onleaks, this is the V20 from LG. No, your eyes do not deceive you, that's not a LG G5. If these renders indeed turn out to be the V20, we are looking at another half year of LG trying to sell its customers on the Friends modular concept, which we have already labeled as somewhat of a bust. Without diving into our thoughts on modularity just yet, let's go over what these renders show us. We can see on the backside that the bottom portion is likely separable, just like it is on the G5. There's even a button on the side of the phone, like on the G5, where users press down to unlock the bottom module from the handset itself. The renders also show off the USB Type-C port on the bottom of the device, the secondary display on the top front portion of the phone (something people actually like on the original V10), and a backside camera setup that is reminiscent of Geordi La Forge's visor from Star Trek. No idea why it reminds me of that, but it does. If you have seen the LG G5, the design will look very similar, as it's basically the same. If these renders pan out, then we can expect yet another dual-camera inside of the V20. Going back to the modular aspect, what's the deal, LG? After posting a rough Q2 thanks to a lacking mobile business (G5 fizzled), I would have thought the company would play it rather safe on a V10 sequel. While you launch one phone with modularity, you release another phone without, just in case the Friends idea doesn't go over too well. Now, LG seems overly invested in the modular idea, without the masses onboard to buy it. That's not exactly a recipe for success. We recently saw Moto do a pretty solid job with the module concept on the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, and in my opinion, LG didn't even come close to making me interested in using a G5 this year with Friends. If we can expect the same ol' concept on the V20 as we saw on the G5, count me out. Feel free to look over these renders, then share your hot takes down below.

Via: Android Authority

Facebook is Giving You New Controls Over Ads, Will Bypass Your Ad Blocker

Kellen — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 13:45:17 +0000

Facebook, like many internet properties who offer up free services and content, makes money from advertisements. Since the world hates advertisements, Facebook is introducing some new tools to users to help improve the ad experience when using the social network. But because they are giving you more power over the ads you see, they are also going to start bypassing your ad blocker, should you use one. You can access your Facebook ad preferences here. With today's news, Facebook says that they are making these ad preferences "easier to use," so that you can start eliminating ads you want no part of and "OK" those that you won't mind seeing. That also means being able to kill off the ads from businesses and organizations. In the end, you have to see ads or Facebook won't be around long, but these new tools should at least make them less obnoxious. As for the ad blocker bypassing, Facebook thinks that because it is giving you control over the ads you see, you will have less issue with seeing ads and hopefully won't run screaming from them as ads start showing again in your timeline and elsewhere. Whether you agree with that or not, it probably doesn't matter. Facebook is a free service that you voluntarily visit and they need to make money. Ads are how they make money. How are they going to bypass your ad blocker? Well, we don't know because they didn't say. Enjoy the ads.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Facebook

Netflix's FAST Speed Test Website is Now an Android App

Tim — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 13:22:10 +0000

FAST, the speed test website powered by Netflix, is now a standalone application on Android and iOS. If you aren't hip on all of the different speed test sites out there, all you need to know about FAST is how barebones it is. Featuring a single dial, FAST only delivers what your real-life internet download speed is. There is no display for your IP address, which provider you are using, upload speed, or anything like that. One speed, allowing anyone and everyone to understand what they are looking at. The app for Android devices is no different. Once you boot it up, it simply runs and checks to see how fast your current speed is. There is no start button, although, there is a pause button. Once you have your speed read, you can compare the results on Speedtest.net, the same as if you were on the FAST website. Stated by Netflix countless times, the goal of FAST is to simply relay a readout quickly and easily digestible by everyone. With this app, they certainly meet that goal. To go inside just how FAST works, Netflix wrote an amazing overview of the service that can be read by following the via link below. It's free on Google Play right now. Play Link

Via: Netflix

Fossil Q Marshal, Q Wander Android Wear Devices Up for Pre-Order on August 12

Tim — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:28:39 +0000

Pre-orders for the Q Marshal and Q Wander smartwatches from Fossil go up on Friday, August 12. Powered by Android Wear, the two latest smartwatches from Fossil feature interchangeable watch straps, 45mm case sizes, as well as refined steel and "classic" leather accents. Other features for the devices include a microphone for speaking commands, speakers for audible feedback, magnetic chargers, plus activity integration with Google Fit, UA Record, UP by Jawbone, and more. As for pricing, Fossil lists that the starting price of both, the Q Marshal and Q Wander, is $295. Check out the full list of features below. If you are interested in either of these smartwatches, check out the pre-order link below, which will have the devices available on Friday. Features

Touchscreen, always-on display
45 mm case size
Notifications with vibration
Compatible with Android™ and iOS
Refined steel and classic leather accents
Microphone & Speaker
Activity tracking & Step Goal Setting
Customizable watch face design
Interchangeable straps
Automatic Time Zone
Magnetic Charger
Partner Activity Integration including Google Fit, UA Record by Under Armour, UP by Jawbone and MyFitness Pal

Pre-Order Here on Friday

Inbox by Gmail Gets Organized Trello, Github, and Google Alerts Updates

Kellen — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 10:36:13 +0000

Inbox by Gmail, the other email solution from Google that continues to see innovation and automation, is receiving an update today that makes it easier to stay on top of projects and Google Alerts, thanks to better organization from the first rollout of services integration. The update also brings Google Drive support, drag-and-drop of contacts between recipient boxes, and a delete button. In an announcement post describing the features, Google says that they have worked with both Trello (project management service) and GitHub (software collab platform) to offer summaries, similar to what they rolled out with Calendar and newsletter grouping back in April. These summaries sum-up related items into a single grouping to help you see the latest on projects. Check out the GIF below to see how they'll look. With Google Alerts summaries, Google really is using the newsletter summary approach where they'll toss new alerts into a summarize inbox item that can easily be read or marked as done. Finally, Google announced that Google Drive links can now be easily inserted into emails, drag-and-drop between contact fields is included, and a delete button has made its way onto the web. Play Link

Via: Gmail Blog

Tuesday Poll: What Do You Think About Removable Batteries?

Tim — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 09:58:16 +0000

There was a time back in the day, probably around the time of the Galaxy Nexus, where removable batteries were a big deal. As time passes, they don't seem to be all that exciting anymore. Phones with high capacity built-in batteries last through a day of usage just fine, so people don't seem to be flocking to the idea of removable anymore. Samsung, a company that used to ship nearly all of its devices with removable batteries, has stepped away completely from that design. Thinking on it a bit harder, it seems that LG is one of the only few remaining major OEMs that utilizes removable batteries in its high-end flagship devices. Is that a good or bad thing? That's what we're here to find out. Below, give us your answer, then your reasoning why in the comments section. [poll id="424"]

Google Maps Gets WiFi Only Mode, Offline Maps to SD Cards

Kellen — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 09:38:14 +0000

A Google Maps update will start rolling out to Android users today that includes a WiFi only mode and the option to save offline maps to microSD cards.. Google walked through a bunch of scenarios specific to each feature in today's announcement post, but this stuff is really pretty self explanatory. In WiFi only mode, you get to tell Google Maps to only work when connected to WiFi. That way, you can save on data consumption and use Maps offline. The added bonus here is that you are basically putting Maps in airplane mode, while the rest of your phone stays connected. Sweet, right? As for the offline saving to SD cards, well, you get that I assume. If your phone is running low on storage, but does have an SD cards lot, you can choose to save your offline maps to it. You can update via the link below. Play Link

Via: Google Maps Blog

Pokémon GO Beta Updated With All-New Tracker System

Tim — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 08:40:18 +0000

After yesterday's update to the Pokémon GO app (you know, the one that brought us grass), beta testers are beginning to see what we would label as a major update for the in-game Pokémon tracking system. Revealed last night by multiple testers of the game on Twitter and reddit, Niantic has been hearing our cries. Not only does the company intend on bringing a solid tracking system back into the game, but is making it easier to find select Pokémon you have around you in general. When and if this update rolls out for all, here's how the new system works. Down in your Nearby section, you will see Pokémon at Pokéstops by your location. The photos listed in the Nearby section represent the corresponding Pokéstop. To catch that Pokémon, simply head to that Pokéstop. Users can click on the Pokémon and the game will indicate which Pokéstop has the creature for you to snag, just in case you aren't familiar with the picture provided for that Stop. Before this beta update, the game only detailed how many "foot steps" you were away from a Pokémon. With this update, it becomes extremely easy to nail down the location of the Pokémon you are after. As stated, this update is currently in beta testing, meaning it has the potential to launch for all players very soon. Of course, once it is live on Google Play, we will be the first to tell you.

.@PokemonGoApp / @PokeVisionGo / @YangCLiu HERE IS A VIDEO FOR THOSE ASKING. :) pic.twitter.com/wivcskufdV
— Jackson Palmer (@ummjackson) August 9, 2016

Via: @ummjackson

Relay for Reddit Jumps to V8 With New Media Viewer

Kellen — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 08:05:52 +0000

Relay for reddit, the best reddit app on Android by a mile (at least in my opinion), received an update yesterday to v8 that tweaks some UI elements, but really is headlined by a new media viewer. The new media viewer adds some fun Material Design animations as you move in and out of it, now has zoomable GIFs, should load GIFs faster, and gives you a filmstrip view when in albums. The full list of new media viewer features is as follows:

Material design animations
Zoomable gifs
Streaming gifs for faster loading
Easier access to image text
Filmstip view in albums
HD images load at the same zoom level as the existing image
Vertical videos in YouTube
Autozoom to screen width for tall images (e.g. comics)

The updates is already live. And if you haven't given Relay a try yet, I really do highly recommend it. Play Links: Relay for reddit | Relay for reddit (Pro)

Pokemon GO Update Introduces Grass... (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 15:18:17 +0000

When Niantic removed the 3-step tracking feature from Pokemon GO a week or so ago, I think we all assumed that this was a sign that their developers were working to fix it quickly and potentially re-issue the feature with the next major update. Today, a decent sized update arrived, but all we got was some damn grass. Look at this. The rest of the update includes a dialog to remind you to stop driving and playing Pokemon GO, but will let you indicate that you aren't driving to keep on catching. The update also fixes an XP bonus issue on ball throws and gives trainers an opportunity to change their name a single time. Grass, though. Grass. UPDATE: While the stable Pokemon GO app may have received grass, the beta that still floats about for select testers is getting a huge new feature where tracking is a real thing again, and Pokestops will show you if a Pokemon is available! What! Check it out here. WHAT'S NEW

Added a dialog to remind Trainers that they should not play while traveling above a certain speed; Trainers will have to indicate they aren’t the driver
Fixed a bug that prevented ”Nice,” ”Great,” and “Excellent” Poké Ball throws from awarding the appropriate XP bonuses
Enabled the ability for Trainers to change their nickname one time, so please choose your new nickname wisely
Resolved issues with the battery saver mode on iOS and re-enabled the feature
Other fixes

Play Link

RIP: Hulu's Free Streaming Option Coming to an End

Tim — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 14:35:14 +0000

In the coming weeks, Hulu will be locked to subscription holders only, ending the days where folks could enjoy tons of free TV shows, with a few advertisements here and there. As for the cost of a subscription, Hulu charges $7.99/month with commercials and a $10.99/month plan that is commercial free. As Hulu looks to compete with services like Netflix and Amazon, it is reported that the company will launch a live-TV service next year in 2017. This service should feature a standard linear TV experience, complete with channels from parent companies. No exact details of the package or pricing have been confirmed. While this news will be bad for anyone who was using Hulu's free option to stream a bit of TV, you can still utilize Yahoo's new View website. If Yahoo View sounds new to you, that's because it very much is. Yahoo View is yet another ad-supported TV-streaming website that grants viewers access to the last five episodes from top TV shows, eight days after they air. To see what they have from Hulu, look here. Will this news be affecting your daily regiment of TV intake?

Via: Variety

Ability to Add Extra Stops During Lyft Ride Coming Soon

Tim — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 11:06:40 +0000

The ability to add extra stops to your Lyft rides is coming soon, according to an announcement from the company this morning. To do so, once the update rolls out to Lyft users, simply add the extra stop onto your trip via the Lyft application. If you decide to remove the extra stop, you can do so. Naturally, for the extra time and distance traveled for the extra stop, you will be charged. For a bit more detail, once the Android app is updated, a new "+" icon will appear on a trip taking place. To add a stop, tap on the "+" and enter an address. Don't be afraid to tell your driver that you are adding a trip, that way they know what to expect. If you enter the extra stop, then decide to cancel it, simply press "remove stop." Lyft states that this feature is "coming soon," so expect the update to show up on Google Play in the near future. What's your opinion - Uber or Lyft? Play Link

Via: Lyft

DEAL: Amazon Echo is $129 and Amazon Tap is $79 Today Only, Fire TVs Discounted Too

Kellen — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 09:13:01 +0000

Today is your day if you have been wanting an Amazon Echo or Amazon Tap, yet only buy when heavy discounts have been applied. Through a handful of retailers (Best Buy and Lowe's for example), each product can be had for $50 off. That brings the Amazon Echo price down to $129.99 and the Amazon Tap down to $79.99. Those are good deals, friends. In case you need a recap on the Echo, you could think of it has a decent room-filling speaker for playing music from from a variety of sources or via Bluetooth. But on top of that, you can ask Alexa (the brains behind Echo) for answers to questions, about the weather, to set timers, control lights and thermostats, read the news, share sports scores, re-purchase products on Amazon, and even order an Uber or pizza. It’s a bit like a home assistant. The Tap is similar, only it's portable and you need to press a button in order to get to Alexa. If Echo or Tap products aren't your thing, a bunch of other Amazon products are discounted as well, including Fire HD 10 tablets ($80 off), Kindles, Fire TVs ($69), and Fire TV Sticks ($25). Best Buy: Amazon Echo | Amazon Tap | Fire HD 10 Tablets | Fire TV | Fire TV Stick Lowe's: Amazon Echo | Amazon Tap Toys R Us: Amazon Echo | Amazon Tap | Fire TV | Fire TV Stick Sears: Amazon Echo Staples: All the Amazon goodies

Purchase HTC 10, Get Free Set of JBL Reflect Aware C Earbuds (Updated)

Tim — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 08:33:21 +0000

To celebrate the launch of the JBL Reflect Aware C earbuds, which happened last week, HTC is giving them away for free. However, to claim your free pair, you will need to purchase a HTC 10 smartphone from the company's website. If free earbuds don't seem worth anything to you, just know that these Type-C earbuds are priced at $199 separately. Currently, the HTC 10 is priced at $699.99. In addition to the free pair of USB Type-C powered earbuds, HTC is also throwing in $100 of accessory credit, allowing you to grab as many accessories as you can for that amount. According to HTC, the $100 credit is not just limited to HTC.com shoppers, though. Anyone who purchases the device from a retail partner will also get the credit once the device is registered on HTC.com. On the downside, if you purchase from a retailer and not HTC directly, you don't get the free earbuds. This promotion will last from August 8 (today) to August 31, or until supplies are depleted. Update: The original version of this story had the HTC 10 listed at $599. Due to an issue with HTC's site, that price is incorrect, with the actual price being $699. HTC Link

Quadrooter is the Latest Android Malware Scare Reminding You to Stick to Google Play

Kellen — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 07:47:14 +0000

Android malware is back in the headlines again this morning, thanks to the "Quadrooter" vulnerabilities discovered months ago that were announced over the weekend at Defcon. There are some things to know here, so while we don't always address the latest faux-scare on Android, this one is indeed worth talking about. What is Quadrooter? The basics are that Quadrooter is a set of four vulnerabilities that affect Qualcomm chipsets at the driver level. As you know, Qualcomm chipsets are in most (like 65%) Android handsets and so there is a good chance the phone you are reading this on, is affected. With Quadrooter, a hacker could inject an app with malware, somehow try and trick your dumb ass into installing it (sorry, I know that sounds harsh), and then proceed to root your phone and access all of the fun inside. You can imagine how that would be bad, right? What's the status on patches for these vulnerabilities? Yeah, so there is good and bad news here. Google, thanks to Qualcomm passing along patches, has fixed three of the four as of the August security patch that rolled out last week. The fourth patch apparently wasn't quite ready for August and so it'll have to wait until the September patch to get onto your phone. Is your phone protected? The short answer is "No." I say that because there is still a fourth patch that needs to rollout, according to ZDNet. So even Google's Nexus phones, which are always the most up-to-date in terms of security, are missing a patch. With that said, few phones are even up to the August security patch, so the chances of your non-Nexus phone being vulernable are pretty high! Yeah, go Android! What can you do to protect your phone? The usual stuff. For one, don't sideload shady apps onto your phone. Another way to put that would be, stop pirating, cheap ass, and only download apps directly from Google Play. That's right, Google Play is still a safe haven for installing legit apps, who would have thought! You could also make sure to carefully read through permissions as you install apps, just in case something slipped by Google, to make sure that a basic app you are attempting to install doesn't want full control over your phone for no reason. Recap! Quadrooter is bad for your Qualcomm-powered phone if you install lots of shady third party apps found outside of Google Play. Don't install shady sh*t. Google's phones are mostly patched, while the rest of the world likely isn't but will be eventually. Again, you are OK, though, if you don't install shady sh*t outside of Google Play. Reading permissions is never a bad thing either. Good?

Via: Check Point | ZDNet

Galaxy Note 7 is Here

Kellen — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:58:40 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we'll recap the Galaxy Note 7 launch as it went down this week in NYC. We have first impressions to share, general thoughts on the phone compared to other flagships, and if we're as excited as you are about it. We'll also touch on that latest in Nexus rumors, LG V20 dates, and more. Join us at 9:30AM Pacific (12:30PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Subscribe | Google Play | iTunes | Stitcher | Show Page

[responsive_vid]

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: August 5, 2016

Tim — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:45:16 +0000

It was Galaxy Note 7 unveiling week, meaning there is a ton of stuff to revisit if you happened to miss the action. Not only did Samsung unveil their latest creation, but more Nexus 2016 details have been leaked, Instagram introduced Stories, and Android Pay's Nearby tab is beginning to roll out. As for the Galaxy Note 7, we have a complete hands-on video for you to enjoy, as well as a comparison video with the Galaxy Note 5. If that isn't enough, we have stacked it up against other 2016 flagship devices, and practically dedicated an entire episode of The Droid Life Show to it. Check out this week's big stories.

WATCH: The Droid Life Show - Episode 117 [Subscribe]
Video: Galaxy Note 7 first look and tour.
Video: 20+ tips and tricks for the OnePlus 3.
Specs: Galaxy Note 7 vs. the world.
Comparison: Galaxy Note 7 vs. Galaxy Note 5.
Nexus "Sailfish" gets benchmarked.
Supposed Nexus Launcher leaked, available for download.
V20: LG to announced the V20 on September 6.
Nexus: These wallpapers may be from the 2016 Nexus.
Instagram intros Stories.
The next Nexus phones will be available through Verizon.
Opinion: High price of the Galaxy Note 7 shouldn't piss you off.
Google is killing Together on Android Wear.
Now on Tap: Google Now on Tap begins showing Google Now cards.
Android Pay's Nearby tab is rolling out.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Galaxy Note 7 Themes Will Support Custom Icon Packs

Tim — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:21:54 +0000

If you watched today's DL Show, we briefly touched on this exciting news, being the support of custom third-party icon packs on the Galaxy Note 7. Typically, to use custom icon packs, you would need to use a third-party launcher that supported them. On the Note 7, however, themes you download and use on the device will have support for them, bringing more customization options to owners. According to SamMobile, the newly designed Themes section on the Galaxy Note 7 features three parts - Wallpapers, Themes, Icons. From here, you can customize each individual part of a theme. From our current usage of themes on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, while the themes are sometimes good looking, the icons are so ugly that we don't want to use the theme. With the ability to swap the icons out of a theme, it opens the options for customizing much more. At this time, we don't know if the Themes section will also be updated for older devices (Galaxy S7, Galaxy Note 5, etc.), but for owners of those devices, we sure do hope so. Be on the lookout for more "hot" icon packs being highlighted by us.

Via: SamMobile

Google is Shutting Down 'Together' for Android Wear

Tim — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 13:45:51 +0000

This news probably won't disappoint anyone, but hey, it might affect a few people out there. Announced by Google via the updated Android Wear app on Google Play, the Together feature is being killed off on September 30. Together is the feature that allows two Android Wear watch users to interact more closely, via sketches, emojis, and other little interactions. Basically, if you and your loved one both used Android Wear watches, it could help you feel more attached while both of you are busy at work. But don't worry, the shutting down of Together doesn't mean the end of these features. You see, with the launch of Android Wear 2.0, many of the aforementioned features, such as the sharing of finger-drawn sketches, are built directly into the system. So, instead of relying on the separate Together app, you will simply use the Android Wear 2.0 update to do this stuff. However, if you own a watch that won't be seeing the update to Android Wear 2.0, you are probably out of luck. Play Link

Via: Android Police

Android Pay's New Nearby Tab is Starting to Rollout

Kellen — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 13:01:20 +0000

It looks like Google has finally started rolling out the new Nearby tab in Android Pay that was first discovered over a month ago. As you can see from the imagery above, at least one of our readers is seeing the new section of the app without having received an update, which basically means that this feature is rolling out server-side. So what is the new Nearby tab? Once it goes live on your account, you'll see it available as a location-styled button in the top right of the app next to your name. A simple tap on it brings up a list of stores or retailers or restaurants that will accept Android Pay and how far away they are. It's kind of like Pokemon GO's nearby...only it actually works and probably won't be removed in a later update. And that's pretty much it. Neither of us are seeing the tab yet, so it could be that the rollout is only just beginning. Let us know if you see or it or have had it for some time.

Cheers Chris!

Action Launcher 3 Beta Lets You Re-Create the Nexus Launcher Style

Kellen — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 12:10:13 +0000

The Nexus Launcher leak from earlier in the week seems to have captured the attention of all Android purists because well, it involves Nexus. Even as simple as the launcher is, everyone has been doing their best to either give the broken leaked version a spin, flash the fully working version as a system app, or re-create its simple elegance in their own launcher. Today, Action Launcher 3's beta update makes that last option easier than ever. Through the update to the newest beta, users will have the option to enable the Nexus Launcher style app drawer that is accessed with a swipe-up. The feature is called "Nougat Style" even though this is the Nexus Launcher, so be aware as you go looking for it. The update also adds the Nexus Launcher page indicator style, dock place, and will let you use the Google "pill" button and date widget that you either love or hate. Again, this is only in the beta, which can be accessed through the link below. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Via: +ChrisLacy

Lara Croft GO and Hitman GO on Sale for $0.99 Each

Tim — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:50:21 +0000

For a limited time, mobile gamers can grab two of the hottest titles to release in quite some time at a discounted price. The games I'm referring to are Lara Croft GO and Hitman GO, published by Square Enix. Typically, these games will cost you $5 a pop, but thanks to the sale, you can get them both for only $2. That's what I'd label as a major steal. Both games feature similar gameplay mechanics. You slide your character across a level, using your brain to solve sometimes complex puzzles while avoiding death. If it seems confusing, don't worry, they are easy to master. Additionally, the music for both of these titles is awesome. To take advantage of these deals, hit up the Google Play links below. Play Links: Lara Croft GO | Hitman GO

Google Now on Tap Gets the Feature It Should Have had From Day 1

Kellen — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:32:39 +0000

Sorry for the clickbaity title, but it seemed so perfect for the new "feature," if you can call it that, that arrived in the Google App Beta today. As you launch Google Now on Tap from your home screen this morning, Google will now show you the Google Now cards you have available. Instead of having to swipe into Google Now or create a Google shortcut to it or some other work-around, a long-press on your phone's home button will get you right into it. Let's be honest, this should have been included from day 1. I say that because Now on Tap killed the swipe-up gesture that used to get you into Google Now. To get to Google Now, you either had to launch Now on Tap and then tap the Google button, use the Google Now Launcher and access it via the home screen, or create some sort of shortcut to either the Google app or through your 3rd party launcher. In other words, the ease of access Google Now was killed in favor of Now on Tap and it never should have been if you think about today's addition. Now, on any phone with Now on Tap enabled, a long-press on the home button from your home screen (with any launcher running) opens a Google Now overlay with shortcuts for setting reminders, alarms, and timers, or creating new events, and your Now cards. While you can't swipe away the cards you see here, they are available with as much information as you get from within the Google Now screen. This is a big deal because it now gives every single phone with any launcher present, quick access to Google Now. As of right now, I do believe this is in the Google App Beta. If you want it, hit up that link below and sign-up for the beta. Play Link

Two Sources Suggest Verizon Will Carry the New Nexus Phones

Kellen — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 08:28:42 +0000

When the new HTC-made Nexus phones arrive at some point in the near future (maybe in early October), two sources suggest that we might see them sold directly through carriers, just like the Nexus 6 and Galaxy Nexus before them. Well, one carrier in particular has been mentioned twice - Verizon. According to Evan Blass, Big Red plans to "carry the two 'Nexus' handsets." And yes, Evan tossed in quotation marks around the word Nexus, which is probably a suggestion that we may not like the carrier tie-in. In other words, these will be Nexus devices, but there is a good chance they'll have select bloat, potentially slower updates, etc. In some circles of the internet, where they make things up, few are suggesting that Verizon is going to rename the devices based on this Tweet with quotes around the Nexus tag. I don't see that at all...but OK! https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/761435995627663360 On a related note, Nate Benis, the man who leaked the Nexus Launcher, has additional info about the upcoming Nexus "Marlin" that seems to backup what Blass is saying here. He shows info from a build he must have access to that includes mentions of Verizon Visual Voicemail support, AT&T and Verizon WiFi Calling, and Verizon's multimedia broadcast multicast service. Since all of that stuff is a part of the system, Benis suggests that these new Nexus phones will indeed be sold through carriers. He also adds that we should see a Sony IMX378 rear camera, Sony IMX179 front camera, Vulkan graphics (of course), new camera app, possible Boom Sound, a Samsung 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display (S6E3HA3) in Marlin, and new alarms, notifications, ringtones, UI sounds, and boot animation. To recap, according to both of these gentlemen, the Nexus phones will come to carriers, including Verizon. They will be Nexus phones, but they may not be that pure of all pure experiences for Android elitists, because they do have some behind-the-scenes bloat. Here's to hoping they also aren't carrier-priced. I think we all saw how well that went with the Nexus 6.

Cheers Josh C!

#TBT: The Nexus 4 Was Awesome, But Google Omitted a Huge Feature

Tim — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:24:50 +0000

Looking over the reviews we have posted of previous Nexus devices, the Nexus 4 was easily one of our favorites. However, Google did something that not many expected. At the time of the device's launch, which was the second half of 2012, 4G LTE was getting really serious in Android devices. It was basically a staple of all new flagship devices. However, to many people's surprise, Google launched the Nexus 4 without 4G LTE, even though the previous year's Nexus device, the Galaxy Nexus, had LTE. Why did Google do this? Well, Andy Rubin discussed why Google opted for leaving out 4G LTE, and he basically said LTE wasn't quite mature enough to be shipped with the Nexus 4. To help keep cost low and to ensure people saw better battery life, they decided against shipping the Nexus 4 with two separate radios, keeping it purely a HSPA+ smartphone. Other than the lack of LTE, the phone was smooth. Thanks to the Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM and Project Butter, Jelly Bean ran very well. Sadly, even with the device not launching with 4G LTE, the device still had pretty weak battery performance. Did you own the Nexus 4? Care to share any fond memories?

OnePlus 3 Tips and Tricks: 20+ to Make You an OP3 Pro

Kellen — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:02:56 +0000

Looking for OnePlus 3 tips and tricks? You know we've got them for you, because you should be a OnePlus 3 or 3T pro. The OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T are a really good phones, especially for the price OnePlus is asking for it. At $400, you get a solid AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 6GB RAM, 16MP camera, premium metal hardware, a decently sized 3000mAh battery with super fast charging, and one of our favorite software experiences. That type of package makes this phone an easy one to recommend to just about everyone, assuming they are a part of a GSM network like T-Mobile and AT&T. Should you have taken that recommendation after reading our OnePlus 3 review or looking at 5 reasons to buy one, we now have even more for you because buying is only a small part of the journey with a new smartphone. After you buy a phone, you probably also want to know how to get the most out of it and so this video of OnePlus 3 tips and tricks will do just that today. During this clip, we'll talk through the Alert Slider, dark and night modes, utilizing gestures and buttons shortcuts, and even make sure you know how to launch the camera in four different ways.

OnePlus 3 Tips and Tricks

[responsive_vid]

OnePlus 3 Deal: OnePlus Store

Thursday Poll: Which Nexus Phone is Your All-Time Favorite?

Tim — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:40:07 +0000

We are getting close to Google's unveiling of the Nexus devices for 2016, but before that happens, we wanted to get a feeling for which past released Nexus phone is your favorite. We're talking all-time here. Realizing not everyone here has owned each Nexus device, feel free to judge on which design you like the most, or even what version of Android it shipped with. The goal here is to find which Nexus device is the all-time favorite among DL folk. Personally, while the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S would be in my Top 3, I have to give my all-time favorite choice to the Nexus 5. It felt great in-hand and Kit Kat was awesome. What about you? [poll id="423"]

Google Search Makes Finding the Hot Spots in Cities Easier

Tim — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:02:53 +0000

Imagine you are visiting San Francisco, but only have 24 hours to cram in as much fun stuff as you can. In a city like SF, where there is something to do on every corner, Google wants to ensure that you are only seeing, doing, and eating the best of the best. Beginning now, when users type a certain type of food into Google Search, the results will be filled with lists of must-try locations. For example, if you type in "hamburgers," the results will return as normal. However, the top listings will also feature reviews from top critics and best-of lists from reputable publishers. Essentially, Google is attempting to weed out the not-so-favorable locations from listings. For select locations, Google will also list how long people are typically at a place, allowing those who are down to the minute planners make sure they are squeezing every fun second out of a day. These changes are live right now in Google Search.

Via: Google

Refer Your Friends and Family to Samsung Pay, Get $5

Tim — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:56:13 +0000

Samsung is kicking off the High Five Referral Program for Samsung Pay this week, granting users the ability to refer friends and family to the service. A referral that is followed by a qualifying purchase will result in the referrer getting $5 automatically injected into their Samsung Pay account. The max number of referrals a user can give out is 30, making the earnings potential a solid $150. To spend this money, you will need to be at a location that accepts both Visa and Samsung Pay, as the money is technically associated with the Samsung Pay Rewards card. To use the funds, make sure the Rewards card is the one being used for the transaction. As for what defines a 1st-time "qualifying" purchase by the referred user, Samsung did not release that information. If anything, it's probably a nice round number like anything over $5 or $10. None of my banks use Samsung Pay, so I guess I won't be referring anyone too soon. Bummer. However, if you have Samsung Pay, and know people who are open to using it, nothing beats free money.

Via: Samsung

YOLO: Dashlane and Google Create API to Help You Easily Login to Your Android Apps

Kellen — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:24:27 +0000

Dashlane, one of the most popular password managers, and Google, announced today that they have created an open API for app developers called Open YOLO (you only login once) that could make logging into apps incredibly easy with the help of a password manager. And we aren't talking about the current process from password managers; this seems like a new, almost instant, system-built type of option. Neither company is providing all that many details at this time, but the basic idea is that this API gives apps the "ability to access passwords stored in your favorite password manager, and effortlessly and securely log you into those applications." So instead of tapping in a login box, waiting for your password manager to open, hoping it finds the right password choices, and then selecting one, this could all happen behind the scenes almost automatically as you go to login to an app. Google, according to Dashlane's announcement, has noticed that many of us use password lockers to keep everything stored securely with secure passwords these days and so this open API could allow them to tap into those lockers to improve the overall user experience. Improvements, both parties feel, could come through this "universally-acceptable Android app authentication solution." And that's pretty much it for now. Everything Dashlane has shared today makes it sound like this is an early-stage development, so all we can say is, "stay tuned."

Via: Dashlane

Alto's Adventure Comes to Android TV and NVIDIA SHIELD for $4.49

Tim — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:13:06 +0000

The game everyone seemed to love before Pokemon GO took over the world, Alto's Adventure, is now available for Android TV devices on Google Play. Geared towards owners of the NVIDIA SHIELD (because of the awesome SHIELD Controller), but compatible with all Android TV devices (Nexus Player, included), this version of the game pairs perfectly with a game controller, even though you will probably only use a single button while playing. If you are unfamiliar with Alto's Adventure, you should get familiar real quick - the game is awesome. To start, you play as Alto who is snowboarding down a mountainside. During your ride, you collect coins and escaped llamas. The coins can be put towards different power-ups that will allow you to go on longer rides equating to better scores. As you complete challenges, you will unlock new characters. This is where the game gets very fun, but challenging. Each character has a different set of abilities. While one character can jump higher, another character retains momentum better, allowing you to smash through more objects. It's up to you to find the perfect balance for your playing style. Currently, the game is priced at $4.49 on Google Play. According to the publisher, the game was supposed to launch with a price of $3.99. If the $4.49 price will go down, we don't know. If it does, we will update this post. Have at it, TV gamers. Play Link

Nexus Sailfish Gets Benchmarked, Shows Us More of the Same

Tim — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 09:16:11 +0000

Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen reported specs for the Nexus "Sailfish" fly across the web, all of which we have reported on. This morning, an actual benchmark from GFXBench has hit the web, detailing the same specs we have already seen numerous times. Given all of the past discussed specs are aligning pretty well for Sailfish, we feel confident that this is likely what we should expect when the device is made official by Google. As listed on GFXBench, the Sailfish is most definitely the smaller (also potentially more affordable) model of the 2016 Nexus devices, featuring a 1080p 5-inch display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of onboard storage (with other storage models likely available), and 11-megapixel camera. Whether the back camera is actually 11MP or this spec is simply rounded down from the standard 12-megapixel remains to be seen. While these specs paint a decent picture, we still have yet to see the actual device, something we are a bit more concerned about. Speaking purely on the specs, this sounds like a great little device, one that should launch with a very attractive starting price. Take a look over the specs, then share your hot take below in the comments. Is this the 5-inch phone you've been dying for? More interested in the potential big brother Marlin device?

Via: GadgetOx | GFXBench

Android Wear M1D63G Update Rolling Out to Numerous Devices

Kellen — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 08:10:28 +0000

The Android Wear platform is getting a new update to build M1D63G that includes July security patches. As of right now, we aren't sure if any new features are included, but we do know that a number of devices have started receiving the update within the past week. Two of our readers noticed the update yesterday on the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) and a Google search of that build number returns results with owners of the LG G Watch R, Watch Urbane, and Sony Smartwatch 3 receiving it as well. If you own an Android Wear devices, feel free to pop into Settings>About and tap that "System updates" option. As we learn more, we'll do our best to update this post.

Cheers Jason and @adamjaywells!

LG V20 Will be Announced on September 6

Kellen — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 07:36:40 +0000

The LG V20, LG's next flagship phone that will also be the first phone to run Android Nougat out of the box, will be unveiled on September 6 at an event in San Francisco. LG announced the news via its "social" blog without mentioning other details, outside of a "second story begins" theme that is in reference to this being the 2nd "V" phone. In case you hadn't realized this yet, the next month is going to be awesome. Not only do we have the release of the Galaxy Note 7 just two weeks away, but Android Nougat could go stable any day now, new Nexus phones need to be introduced, the V20 is coming, and for general tech enthusiasts, you also can't forget about Apple's plans for next month.

Via: LG

Dropbox Paper Hits Open Beta, New App for Android

Tim — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 15:54:28 +0000

Dropbox Paper, the company's platform for better collaboration between team members, is exiting private beta, entering an open beta for all to use. Not only is the beta opening up, but Dropbox also released updated apps for Android and iOS to celebrate. With the help of its existing beta users, Dropbox has taken in a lot of feedback and suggestions, with the updated beta reflecting a lot of the changes. Listed by Dropbox, users can now expect to see desktop/mobile notification, better image galleries, and a powerful search tool. If you've never heard of Paper, here's a few examples of what to use it for.

Brainstorming ideas. Tackle big ideas, together in the same doc, at the same time—and use more than just words by embedding videos, images, and more.
Capturing meeting notes. Connect your Google Calendar, and Paper can create a custom notes doc for your next meeting and automatically share it with attendees.
Creating to-do’s. Start a checklist with just a few keystrokes, and assign tasks to others by simply adding “@” and a team member’s name.

To get started, you will need to enter the beta (follow link below), then be sure to download the Android app. Beta Signup | Play Link

Via: Dropbox

Apple Music Jumps Out of Beta, Which It Probably had Some Dumb Exclusive On

Kellen — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 14:26:58 +0000

Apple Music, a late-to-the-party and sloppily created music service that few would care about if it wasn't for Apple's large bank account and the company's willingness to empty that account into the pocket books of musicians for exclusive rights to songs and albums, is now out of beta. I know, you probably didn't even realize that it was still technically in beta, but it was. And now, it isn't. By shedding the beta tag, Apple Music has landed on v1.0.0 with a new equalizer and other performance, playback, and stability improvements along for the ride. Go get it and enjoy feeding into the music industry's worst trend in decades. Also, enjoy buying those championships, Apple. Play Link

Google Wants You and Your Kids to Explore the Himalayas With Verne, a 500ft Yeti

Kellen — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:53:15 +0000

Google's newest app on Android is a kids game that uses the power of Google Maps' 3D imagery to let you explore the Himalayas. It's called Verne: The Himalayas, and it lets you play as a 500 foot tall yeti named Verne whose playground is the Himalayas. Get it? As Verne, you have simple controls that let you run up and down mountains, ice skate on frozen bodies of water, sled down hillsides, jetpack through the skies, chase yaks, float with umbrellas, and of course, gather bits of information about the area. The imagery is all of the Himalayas, so even if you aren't a kid, you might have fun exploring the terrain. To play, you use a directional pad and a jump/action button, so almost anyone should be able to pick it up within a couple of minutes. There aren't bad guys or anything to worry you, from what we can tell. The point is exploration. Play Link

Opinion: High Price of the Galaxy Note 7 Shouldn't Piss You Off

Tim — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:36:56 +0000

I can't tell you how many times I have read in the comments section of this site that the Galaxy Note 7 is priced too high. Is it? Let's dissect and discuss. The Galaxy Note 7 at full retail averages across the major US carriers at about $850. Some carriers are cheaper, some are more expensive. The point is, while the phone is indeed expensive, this shouldn't upset anybody. Not only should it not upset you, but you shouldn't even be surprised. When it comes to Android devices, the Galaxy Note 7 is packing the heat. Featuring a 5.7" QHD Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, IP68 water resistance, USB Type-C port, 64GB base storage, iris scanner, fingerprint reader, microSD card support and so much else, this device is launching with features that other smartphone owners only dream of having. In fact, even Galaxy S7 owners don't have the luxury of an iris scanner, so they have a slight right to feel a little salty. Allow me to present a few points why $850 for the flagship device of flagship devices is not that ridiculous.

You Get What You Pay For I see many argue that if OnePlus can launch the OnePlus 3 for only $399, and it comes with a ton of top tier specs, then why can't Samsung do the same? Well, my counter to that argument is, "it's OnePlus, they're awful." You see, I wholeheartedly believe that you get what you pay for. From what I have seen, customer support from OnePlus, as well as other smaller companies, can't match that of Samsung or Apple. Larger companies invest millions of dollars into keeping their customers happy. All OnePlus has is a spotty Twitter support staff and a forum full of dedicated fanboys. No disrespect, I'm just saying. Beyond the lack of superior customer support, the software support you will find from budget-friendly OEMs is also lacking. And no, I'm not just talking about monthly security updates and major Android release updates. I'm talking about basic bugs and other miscellaneous jank. I've used the OnePlus 3 since launch and they still have yet to fix the on-screen back button issue my device has. Kellen's OP3 also has the same problem. I can only assume that if Samsung launched a device that didn't have a working back button, it would be fixed by now. If I buy a $850 smartphone from Samsung (or I'm paying for it monthly via a device payment plan), I can rest assured that any major software flaws that ship with the device will be worked out in a timely manner. So, yes, while the OnePlus 3 is extremely affordable, it's not like it won't be coming with an entire list of other problems. With the Galaxy Note 7, you will find a better display, better camera, better customer support, as well as better software support. When you add it all up and compare, the value of the Galaxy Note 7 is incomparable. Try Buying an iPhone These Days As Android users, are we simply spoiled by the low prices of some devices? I have never owned an iPhone, but because I write about a mobile OS for a living, I know how much iPhones cost. To purchase a new iPhone 6s Plus, with only 16GB of storage, the price is $749. There's no Quad HD display, no water resistance, no expandable storage, no fast wired or wireless charging, and definitely no iris scanner. You get Siri, a Lightning port, and the opportunity to pay Apple another $100+ for Apple Care. To me, as an independent consumer, that sounds like a f*cking ripoff. If you upgrade to the 64GB model of the iPhone 6s Plus, you will be paying $850. For the extra $100, there's still no QHD display, iris scanner, S Pen, or water resistance. As mentioned previously, the Galaxy Note 7 features the best of the best in terms of specs. While it is lacking a Snapdragon 821 (Qualcomm apparently didn't make it available early enough for the Note 7), you still won't find this package of features available on any other device, even from Apple. To me, for $850 (or however much it is on a monthly payment plan), that doesn't seem like such a bad deal. You Realize Samsung is Giving You Free Gifts, Too, Right? Let's think about this a different way. Maybe if we put the price into a different perspective, people will see that the Galaxy Note 7 could even be labeled as a "great deal." With the purchase of a Galaxy Note 7, Samsung is running promotions with pretty much ever major carrier and even a few retailers. For example, if you purchase the device from Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint, Samsung is offering you the choice of a Gear Fit 2 or 256GB microSD card for absolutely free. T-Mobile is also offering a year of Netflix if you decide against the Gear Fit 2 or microSD card. The Gear Fit 2 is a sweet device, priced $150 at retail. If you are getting it for free, you can essentially say that you are getting a product package worth $1000 for only $850. It gets even better if you opt for the 256GB microSD card, which are priced anywhere from $199 to $249. That makes the retail worth of the package well over $1000, all for the low price of $850. Since these are free gifts from Samsung, you would be crazy not to factor them into what you are ultimately getting for the $850 purchase price of the Galaxy Note 7. When you think about it this way, the Galaxy Note 7 seems like a sweet deal. Device Payment Plans Exist For This Very Reason Typically, when possible, we suggest you purchase devices off contract and unlocked -- like a Nexus device, for example. We believe this path grants you more freedom when it comes to choosing which carrier is best for you, an important factor for consumers. However, if a phone is coming out with a price tag just too rich for your blood, a monthly device payment plan can help you score that device for a manageable monthly fee. When this is the case, there is not much wrong with payment plans, as long as you don't mind using that phone for at least 1 to 2 years. When you sign up for the payment plan, the carrier wins in that they have a guaranteed customer for the duration of the contract, and you have the phone you really want. It's essentially a win-win situation. Again, unlocked and off contract are what we would usually suggest to readers, but if the only way to score your next awesome upgrade is by way of a device payment plan, this is why they exist. For the Galaxy Note 7, it appears that the average monthly price on a payment plan would be about $32/month. That's reasonable for this package, right? And yes, you still get the free gifts even if you opt for the payment plan.

With these points, I hope a few of you realize that there should be no complaining about an expensive phone, especially the Galaxy Note 7. When a device comes with as much as the Galaxy Note 7 does, you just can't argue with it. If it was a lesser device, like the HTC 10 and priced at $850, then we can grab the pitchforks and torches. In my eyes, the Galaxy Note 7 is one helluva device, shipping with a highly justifiable price tag. If you still believe the price is too high, please let me know why down in the comments.

Whoa, the JBL Reflect Aware C Earbuds are Finally on Sale for $199

Tim — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 11:08:01 +0000

The JBL Reflect Aware C earbuds, the ones that have been listed on HTC's website since the launch of the HTC 10, are finally available for purchase. Available in both White and Black, the price is set at $199, made specifically for devices that feature a USB Type-C port. As for specs, listed for these earbuds are 14.8mm dynamic drivers, active noise cancellation, adaptive noise control, and they are sweat proof. Moving forward, you can expect to see a lot more audio accessories with Type-C support as the industry ever-so-slowly pivots away from antiquated 3.5mm audio jacks. If you are interested in these buds, follow the link below. Features

Driver Unit: 14.8mm Dynamic drivers
Frequency Response: 10Hz – 22kHz
Active noise cancellation and adaptive noise control
Wide-ranging frequency (10Hz-22kHz)
Sweat proof
Reflective cables and in-line microphone
Powered by USB Type C

Buy Link

Supposed Nexus Launcher Leaked This Week, You can Download It Today

Kellen — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 09:50:50 +0000

Over the past couple of days, leaks of a "Nexus Launcher" have made various appearances, first as just a visual representation and then as an actual .apk file almost anyone could load. We promise we haven't been ignoring it, we've just been doing things like covering phone events and not getting overly-hyped over a half-working, slightly-tweaked feature-weak version of the Google Now Launcher that also happens to have a permanent calendar widget. But anyways, this new Nexus Launcher is thought to arrive on the new Nexus phones in due time. It's not a radical new invention of the launcher, but it does offer some changes that you may have to get used to, assuming you are partial to the classic app drawer button. In this new Nexus Launcher, which seems to be up for side-loading onto any phone running Android Marshmallow or higher, you get a simple approach to a launcher with a single home screen to start that is occupied by a Google button in its top left corner, alongside a permanently placed calendar widget. In fact, they almost seem to be attached to each other. Tapping on the calendar doesn't seem to do anything, but a tap on the Google button does indeed allow you to search. Then, you have space for apps or other widgets, the option to add apps or other widgets to new screens off to the right, and a long-press action that will get you into the wallpaper and widget pickers, as well as basic settings. The wallpaper picker is broken and crashes the app from what we can tell. When this app officially arrives, possibly only on Nexus phones, you should also see a swipe-from-the-left gesture to get into Google Now, just like you do in the Google Now Launcher. If you simply side-load this, that won't work.

The big change here is the app drawer area, along with the dock. As you'll notice in the screenshots above, there is no app drawer icon and instead you have 5 icons in the dock under an arrow that points upwards. So now, instead of tapping an icon to open the drawer for all apps, you can just swipe up from that dock area. That make sense? Tap gone. Swipe in. Once you have swiped in, you get the ability to search for apps at the top, plus a quick-scroll slider down the right side, just like in the Google Now Launcher. And that's pretty much it outside of the new folder appearance which should be included in Nougat. The .apk can be found below, just understand that the origin of this application is somewhat questionable. ~~This G+ user posted~~ (EDIT: This is the original source) it initially and then deleted it, before it got passed around the interwebs for two days, so it's about as safe or trustworthy as Donald Trump from one interview to the next. Proceed at your own risk. Download Link (.apk)

Via: 9to5Google | Android Police

BlackBerry Launches Hub+ Suite of Apps for Android 6.0+ Devices

Tim — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 09:07:41 +0000

BlackBerry announced the Hub+ suite of applications this morning, not limited to just BlackBerry devices. In fact, any Android device running Android 6.0+ can use these apps free of charge and ad-free, at least for a limited time. Inside this suite is the Hub app itself, the unified inbox that helps users keep their email and messages organized, while also secured. In addition to Hub, BlackBerry is allowing everyone to download its Password Keeper application (self explanatory, I hope), Calendar, Notes, Tasks, Launcher, and more. The apps are the exact same you would find on any recently launched BlackBerry Android device. As for how BB intends to monetize them, a free 30-day trial is available for the suite, but after the trial expires, the apps will contain advertisements. However, if ads aren't your thing, you can pay $0.99 a month for usage of the entire suite with no ads. For everyone who appreciates BlackBerry's apps, but definitely doesn't want to use their hardware, this is probably the best news ever. Follow the links below to check out the apps. Play Links: Hub | Calendar | Password Keeper | Launcher | Notes | Contacts | Tasks

Via: BlackBerry

Android Distribution Updated for August 2016 - Marshmallow Now Over 15%

Tim — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 08:37:04 +0000

Google updated the Android distribution numbers while we were headed home from NYC yesterday, and wouldn't you know it, Marshmallow continues to climb. Up from last month's 13.3%, Android 6.0 now sits at 15.2%, a huge increase of over 1%. That might not sound big, but when we're talking about millions and millions of Android devices, it's quite significant. As for the rest of the numbers, Lollipop now sits at 35.5% (a slight increase over last month), KitKat at 29.2%, Jelly Bean at 16.7%, Ice Cream Sandwich at 1.6%, Gingerbread at 1.7%, and Froyo continues to live at 0.1%. Besides the light growth to Lollipop, all numbers continue to go down. Last month's numbers can be viewed here.

Via: Android Developers

DEAL: Galaxy Note 7 Pre-Orders at Sam's Club Also Include $150 Gift Card on Top of Freebies

Kellen — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 08:18:48 +0000

Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 opened up last night at all of the major carriers, but let's not forget that various retailers have the phone available now as well. As of this morning, Sam's Club seems to have the best deal, which includes not only the bonus of a free Gear Fit2 or 256GB SD card, but a $150 gift card as well. There has been a lot of talk over the past 24 hours about how expensive this new Galaxy Note 7 is and I wouldn't necessarily disagree with the idea that this phone is not exactly the most affordable. With that said, the freebies Samsung and retailers are including is making it quite the deal at the moment. For one, you get a Gear Fit2 or 256GB SD card, which is basically Samsung giving you a free $170 gift. Then on top of that, Sam's Club (assuming you are a member), will toss in another $150. That's not bad! Sam's Club Link

Cheers James and Justin!

Poll: Are You Buying the Galaxy Note 7?

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 15:00:37 +0000

Alright, alright, I know I just said that we were trying to wrap up our Galaxy Note 7 coverage for the day, but we can't do that without asking if any of you actually plan to buy one. Below, you will find a simple poll with "Yes," "No," or "Still on the fence," as answers. Vote and let us know if this is your next phone or not! Also, be sure to catch up on Galaxy Note 7 pricing and availability. And in case you missed it, we just got Verizon pricing. [poll id="422"]

Specs Comparison: Galaxy Note 7 vs. Galaxy S7, Moto Z, G5, OnePlus 3, and HTC 10

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 14:35:04 +0000

The day is coming to a close and even though you are probably burned out on all of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 coverage, since it has fully dominated the past several hours, we wanted to toss out a specs comparison of Samsung's latest flagship to the other top tier devices of the moment. After all, the phone arrives with a steeper than usual price and a set of specs that few can stand up with. But is all of this worth it when compared to say, the OnePlus 3 and its $400 price tag? Or is it better than the S7 Edge, which can be had for decent discounts these days? Or does it need a modular aspect like the G5 and Moto Z? We'll let you weigh in on that for now as we lead up to our full Galaxy Note 7 review. Let the battle begin. *Mobile users, the table below should be scrollable. [table id=41 responsive=scroll /]

Instagram Intros Stories Feature, Because Forget Snapchat

Tim — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:58:23 +0000

Snapchat introduced Stories this morning. Oh, wait, I mean Instagram. Let's try this again. Instagram introduced Stories this morning, a feature that 100% copies Snapchat's Stories feature. With Instagram Stories, users can upload different clips and shots into the same Story, then share that Story with whoever they want on Instagram. If this sounds like Snapchat Stories, it should, because it's the exact same thing. Of course, users can draw on top of clips or photos, as well as add stickers to make yourself look super creative. Additionally, Instagram makes it clear in the announcement that your Story follows the privacy settings of your account. If your account is private, your story will be private. However, this next part is where IG Stories differs from Snapchat Stories. As Instagram states, "you can also easily hide your entire story from anyone you don’t want to see it, even if they follow you. When watching your own story, swipe up to check out who’s seen each photo and video. You can even choose to feature a particular part of your story by posting it on your profile." On Snapchat, when you post a Story, it's visible to everyone who follows you, even if you don't follow them. On Instagram, it appears that they will allow for better control over portions of your Story, which is good. Instagram Stories is rolling out over the coming weeks for Android and iOS. Have at it! Play Link

Via: Instagram

Galaxy Note 7 Availability and Pricing (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:40:06 +0000

Ready to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Note 7? Or maybe you just want to know how much this bad boy is going to cost? We've got some of that info for you below, which is a good thing since pre-orders do open tonight almost everywhere. In general, just know that this phone is quite expensive. AT&T and T-Mobile are both asking $850 or higher at full retail and the monthly payment options are basically $30 per month or higher. If the Note 7 is for you, it might be time to clear out that credit card. Some info has not yet been provided, so stay tuned as we'll update this post over the next few hours. Update: Verizon pricing added.

AT&T

Pre-order: August 3 at 12:01AM Eastern (9PM Pacific)
In-store date: August 19
Colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx, and Silver Titanium
Monthly: $29.34 per month for 30 months or $36.67 for 24 months
Retail: $880
Promo 1: Get the Gear S2 smartwatch for free and a Galaxy Tab E tablet for $0.99 on 2 year agreements, both compatible with NumberSync, when you buy a Galaxy Note7 on AT&T Next.
Promo 2: Buy a Galaxy Note7 and get an eligible second Galaxy smartphone on AT&T Next with eligible service on each and get up to $695 in 30 monthly bill credits.

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from AT&T, hit up this link.

T-Mobile

Pre-order: August 3 at 12AM Eastern (9PM Pacific)
In-store date: August 19
Colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx, and Silver Titanium
Monthly: $69.99 down and $32.50 for 24 months
Retail: $849.99
Promo 1: With purchase, your choice of a full year of Netflix, a Samsung Gear Fit2 or a 256GB memory card.

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from T-Mobile, hit up this link.

Verizon

Pre-order: August 3 at 12AM Eastern (9PM Pacific)
In-store date: August 19
Colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx, and Silver Titanium
Monthly: $36 per month for 24 months
Retail: $864
Promo 1: With purchase, get a free Gear Fit2 or a Samsung 256GB memory card to enhance their device.

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Verizon, hit up this link.

Sprint

Pre-order: August 3
In-store date: August 19
Colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx, and Silver Titanium
Monthly: $35.42 per month for 24 months
Retail: N/A
Promo 1: With purchase, get a free Gear Fit2 or a Samsung 256GB memory card to enhance their device.

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Sprint, hit up this link.

US Cellular

Pre-order: August 4
In-store date: August 19
Colors: Black Onyx and Silver Titanium
Monthly: From 20, 24 or 30 monthly payments – and pay as little as $27.80 per month
Retail: $786
Promo 1: With purchase, get a free Gear Fit2 or a Samsung 256GB memory card to enhance their device.

If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 7 from US Cellular, hit up this link.

Galaxy Note 7 Buyers, the Galaxy Game Pack Gives $400 Worth of In-Game Goodies

Tim — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:07:13 +0000

Exclusive to buyers of the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung is teaming up with Google to offer nearly $400 worth of in-app goodies for lovers of mobile games. Thanks to the Vulkan API, mobile gamers are getting treated to some excellent games, and with the Galaxy Game Pack, owners of the Galaxy Note 7 are seriously getting spoiled. Inside this Galaxy Game Pack, users will get special in-game giveaways for titles such as Hit, Need for Speed No Limits, Vainglory, Olympus Rising, Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes, Asphalt 8, Hearthstone, Hungry Shark World, and more. As for what these goodies are, there aren't many specific details. We assume it will be for coins, power-ups, and things of that nature. This promo goes live on August 20 and ends at the end of January, 2017. If you pick up the Galaxy Note 7, be sure to grab your free goodies from Google Play.

Via: Samsung

Hey, the Samsung Gear 360 is Finally Coming to the US August 19 for $350

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 10:59:32 +0000

Yep, it is. You'll find Samsung's Gear 360 camera at select retailers at a price of $349.99 on August 19. Samsung is only saying that online orders open that day, but Verizon also plans to carry it and expects to have some available as early as August 5 in their Destination Stores. If you have been waiting patiently for the Gear 360, the light at the end of that tunnel is real.

Video: Quick Comparison - Galaxy Note 7 vs. Galaxy Note 5

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 10:39:46 +0000

After we took a tour of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7, we then pulled out a Galaxy Note 5 just to see how much these phones differ. Spoiler: they don't differ by much! Well, in some areas they do, if you consider the fact that the Note 7 has IP68 dust and water resistance, an iris scanner, and a curved display. Outside of that, you are certainly getting the classic Note experience here, with improved S Pen and software. And look, I'm not discounting the IP68 level of protection, because that's something all phones should have at this point. But when we're talking about an iris scanner and a curved display being notable new items, you run into features that I'm not sure a lot of people need. Either way, this is the quickest of comparisons, just so Note 5 owners trying to decide whether or not to upgrade (and maybe pre-order tomorrow) can start forming some opinions.

[responsive_vid]

Here is Samsung's First TV Spot for the Galaxy Note 7

Tim — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 10:33:27 +0000

With pre-orders going up this week and availability beginning August 19, you can expect to start seeing the Galaxy Note 7 on your TV very soon. Posted onto Samsung's channel on YouTube, this is the first commercial you will watch. The commercial attempts to cover as much as it can in 30 seconds, including the iris scanning, water resistance, expandable storage, S Pen, and so much more. Watch it. Enjoy it. Love it.

Video: Galaxy Note 7 First Look and Tour!

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 10:29:39 +0000

Hey, so we had our hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 a bit today. Interested in taking a look at it? Hopefully, you just said "Yes." We spent time with all three colors that will hit the US, the black, blue, and silver. Overall, in hand, I can't help but say that this phone feels ridiculously amazing. Samsung continues to do these really subtle curves to the backsides of phones that help them nestle in and hide a bit of their size shock. But with the Note 7, Samsung has also slightly curved the front side, so you get a phone that feels good in a way that not even the S7 Edge can lay claim to. In terms of specs and features, well, you guys know that story already if you have been following along with our coverage today. In the video below, we'll recap this phone's capabilities and taking you on a tour.

[responsive_vid]

Watch: Samsung's Official Introduction Video for the Galaxy Note 7

Tim — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 10:13:38 +0000

The Galaxy Note 7 has arrived, so prepare yourself for phablet story overload on every Android site you visit. Posted onto Samsung's YouTube channel, we have the official introduction video for the device, coming in at nearly 3 minutes long. In the embedded video below, Samsung covers the overall design of the device, select specifications, changes for S Pen, water resistance, iris scanning technology, camera enhancements, TouchWiz UI changes, and much more. Really, if you think about it, quite a bit has changed from last year's Galaxy Note 5, regardless of what others might be saying. Watch the video, then share your hot take below. Is the Galaxy Note 7 enough of a change to excite you?

[responsive_vid]

Galaxy Note 7 Pre-Orders Start Tomorrow, Free Gear Fit2 or 256GB Card With Purchase

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 08:48:41 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will go up for pre-order starting tomorrow (August 3) at your favorite US wireless carriers before it arrives in stores and on doorsteps August 19. If you order early, for a limited time, Samsung is tossing in some pretty decent freebies. When pre-orders open tomorrow, you'll be able to buy the new Galaxy Note 7 at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon in Blue Coral, Silver Titanium, or Black Onyx. The phone will also be available from retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Car Toys, Sam's Club, Target, and select Walmart stores. As for that limited time deal, Samsung is giving away either a free Gear Fit2, their newest fitness tracker, or a 256GB memory card. In addition, customers can get $20 in rewards if they then make a first purchase with Samsung Pay. Here are the full details from Samsung:

In the U.S., the Galaxy Note7 will be available in Blue Coral, Silver Titanium and Black Onyx. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless will carry the Galaxy Note7 in stores beginning August 19, with pre-orders starting on August 3, 2016. The Galaxy Note7 will also be available at Samsung Experience Shops at Best Buy, as well as Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Car Toys, Sam’s Club, Target and select Walmart stores. Also, for a limited time, consumers who buy a the Galaxy Note7 or Galaxy S7 edge can get a free Gear Fit2 or a Samsung 256GB memory card to enhance their device. Consumers can also get $20 in rewards when they make their first qualifying purchase with Samsung Pay. These promotions will last for a limited time only, while supplies last. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.samsungpromotions.com for more information.

Samsung's New Gear VR Supports Micro USB and USB Type-C, 101 Degree Viewing

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 08:32:54 +0000

Alongside the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung also unveiled the new Gear VR headset today. The new Gear VR is an improvement in a number of ways, but maybe most importantly, because it should work with the Samsung device you own. According to Samsung, the new Gear VR works with the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, Note 5, S6 Edge+, S6, S6 Edge, and of course, the Note 7. Because of that compatibility, the new Gear VR has interchangeable ports, so that you can use either a USB Type-C or a micro USB plug depending on your phone. In case you were wondering why, it's because the new Note 7 uses USB Type-C and next year's Samsung phones likely will too. In terms of other goodies, the new Gear VR has a 101 degree viewing experience, accelerator, gyrometer, and proximity sensor. Gear VR specs

207.8(W) x 122.5(L) x 98.6(H)mm / 345g
101° Field of View
Accelerator, Gyrometer, Proximity
USB Type-C and Micro USB port connection to the Galaxy Note 7, S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6, S6 edge

The new Gear VR will go up for pre-order tomorrow, August 3, and arrive in stores with the Note 7 on August 19.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 08:05:32 +0000

The Galaxy Note 7 is here and will be available in stores on August 19. It's a much improved Note with an iris scanner, refreshed S Pen and IP68 water and dust resistance, but you still need to decide if it's worth the upgrade or even worth you considering ditching your current phone one. Below, we have the full and official specs list for you, which includes items like the 5.7-inch dual edge Quad HD Super AMOLED display, 4GB RAM (sorry, no 6GB), 64GB internal storage with microSD support up to 256GB, 12MP f/1.7 Dual Pixel camera, and 3500mAh battery. You'll also see the wireless bands, since this phone will be available to work almost everywhere, depending on who you buy it from. Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Specs [table id=40 /]

Samsung Announces the Galaxy Note 7 With Iris Scanner, New S Pen

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 08:05:15 +0000

I know you are probably watching along to the Galaxy Note 7 live stream, but the phone is now official. As we reported last week, the new Note does indeed arrive August 19 across the globe, with pre-orders opening up August 3. As for the rest of the story that has been leaked in various forms over the past weeks, this is what we are looking at. You get the next Note, which jumps from Note 5 up to Note 7 to help align Samsung's two major brands in the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note lines. You also get a phone that welcomes in IP68 water and dust resistance for the first time, a dual edge display, and a slimmer, more powerful S Pen. In terms of specs, you know the story - 5.7-inch Quad HD dual edge Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage with microSD support up to 256GB, 12MP f/1.7 Dual Pixel camera on the backside, 5MP camera on the front, USB Type-C, 3500mAh battery, and a metal and glass body that comes in black, silver, and blue. Oh, it also has an iris scanner. Samsung says that the iris scanner is there to aid in security with Samsung Knox, but it can also be used with Samsung Pay as a way to authenticate before making purchases.

The new S Pen has been slimmed down, can work when the phone is wet or has water on the display, and even has some tricks up its sleeves, like the ability to translate on-screen text just by pressing the tip to it. All in all, this is an improved Galaxy Note that expands upon previous years worth of features and also introduces new technologies that few if any smartphone manufacturers are using. Pre-orders are expected to open up as early as August 3. Our hands-on videos will be up shortly!

Samsung Unveils the New Galaxy Note7 the Intelligent Smartphone That Thinks Big

The Galaxy Note7 combines advanced S Pen capabilities with ultimate security features to help users accomplish and do more
SEOUL, Korea – August 2, 2016 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. continues to drive the smartphone market with the Galaxy Note7 by building on the company’s category-defining leadership with innovative features that set a new standard for large-screen devices. With refined craftsmanship, premium materials and a unique, symmetrical edge design, the Galaxy Note7 features:

A water resistant body and S Pen (IP68)*

Top-of-the-line security that combines Samsung Knox with biometric authentication including a new iris scanning feature

Immersive entertainment features with HDR video streaming capabilities.

The Galaxy Note7 strikes a balance between work and play, enabling people to achieve more than what they thought possible on a smartphone. “The Galaxy Note7 combines productivity and entertainment, with strong security features. Powering a robust ecosystem, it is the ideal device for those who want to achieve more in life,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Life moves faster than ever now so we created the Galaxy Note7 to help users get things done more easily wherever, whenever.” Galaxy Note7 S Pen: Quickly and Easily Bring Ideas to Life The enhanced Galaxy Note7 S Pen is more than just a writing tool – it is the gateway to getting more done efficiently and accurately. Users can bring ideas to life the moment inspiration strikes without unlocking the screen by using Screen off memo and simply pinning the memo to the Always On Display. The S Pen also gives users the ability to easily create and share GIF animations with Smart Select. In addition, the new Air Command functions, including Magnify and Translate, enable users to zoom in on the screen or convert languages with a simple hover of the S Pen. It is even easier to access the best of the S Pen’s creative abilities with Samsung Notes, a new unified app allowing users to jot down handwritten notes, draw, or edit memos from one location. The new S Pen writes with ease and precision. The smaller 0.7mm tip and improved pressure sensitivity provides a real pen-like experience. With the peace of mind that IP68 water resistant provides, the Galaxy Note7 S Pen lets users jot down their thoughts without interruption, even when the screen gets wet. Advanced Security: Now in the Blink of an Eye Samsung understands the importance of keeping content on users’ phone protected. Coupled with Samsung Knox, an industry-leading security platform, the Galaxy Note7 provides heightened security and privacy, with highly advanced biometric authentication, including fingerprint scanner and iris scanning technology. The Galaxy Note7 offers more authentication options that can be used interchangeably depending on how people use their phones, wherever they are, or whatever they are doing. The Galaxy Note7 instills a new level of user confidence with Secure Folder, a separated folder that adds an extra layer of authentication to keep private and personal information safe. The iris recognition technology will also be used to authenticate secure purchases that are made on Samsung Pay**. The Galaxy Note7 will also support Samsung Pass, bringing authentication such as iris scanning and fingerprint recognition to more apps and services. Best-in-Class Entertainment The phone is one of the most important screens in a user’s life because it’s with them all of the time. The Galaxy Note7 features a gorgeous, curved 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED screen delivering a bold and immersive picture on a smartphone. It is ready to stream HDR video, enabling a cinema-like experience including brighter colors and a deeper black, which ensure users get the full experience that the filmmaker intended. The Galaxy Note7 also features Game Pack, available through Google Play, including top game titles, an easier redemption process and new user benefits. By pairing the Galaxy Note7 with the new Gear VR powered by Oculus, users can experience premium virtual reality almost anywhere. Galaxy Note7’s incredible Super AMOLED screen and powerful processor delivers an ultra-immersive experience. The vast and ever growing library of apps, photos, games and more puts, users in the center of the action. Whether it’s next level gaming or journeying to places users have never been before, there’s always something new to discover. For people who live to create, tell stories and transport people to entirely new worlds, the Galaxy Note7 can be used with the new high-resolution (3840x1920) Gear 360 camera, to capture, edit and share 360-degree images videos on the go. These memories can then be shared with friends via platforms including YouTube 360 and Facebook, and can be relived with the ultra-immersive Gear VR. Galaxy Foundation with Refined Craftsmanship With Galaxy Note7, Samsung continues to defy boundaries of engineering to perfect the user experience through innovative design. Every edge, surface and detail of the device’s design has been refined to provide a comfortable grip, easier one-handed operation, and durability with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5. Although the Galaxy Note7 features a large-screen, the unique front-to-back symmetrical dual-edge curve remains balanced and light with the sleek feel users have come to love from the Galaxy series. The curved screen lets the Galaxy Note7 add the powerful Edge Panel for one-tap user access to applications, news and functions. The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with the advanced camera that was introduced on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge The dual-pixel sensor technology, wide aperture and fast auto focus, work together to create sharp and beautiful photos even in low-light environments. In addition to 64GB of internal memory, the Galaxy Note7 offers expandable storage and microSD support up to 256GB. The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with a 3,500mAh battery, easy Power Management UX through Smart Manager, and charges quickly using the new USB-C port. Recharge the Galaxy Note7 wherever wireless charging is available. A new line of accessories will be available to complement the Galaxy Note7, including the new S View Standing Cover, a light and portable cover that can be used to prop the device at a 60-degree angle for easy viewing of content, as well as an IP68 water resistant Backpack for on-the-go charging. Creating a Phone+ Ecosystem of Connected Experiences The Galaxy Note7 is more than just a smartphone; it’s a connection point to Samsung’s ecosystem of devices, software and services. Users can monitor their fitness activities on the Gear Fit2 or Gear IconX and track their data through S Health 5.0.** In addition to accurate and robust fitness tracking and measurement, the new S Health enables users to stay connected to family and friends by sharing fitness updates or competing in friendly challenges with one another. With the Galaxy Note7, consumers can use the iris scanner to access value-added Samsung services like Samsung Pay** for quick and easy mobile payments. The Smart Switch feature has been enhanced further with Samsung Cloud, which supports a seamless device experience by providing continuous backup and easy transfer of content including data, apps, settings and layouts between devices. Galaxy Note7 users will be able to use up to 15GB of free space to store and restore information on Samsung Cloud.** The Galaxy Note7 will be available starting on August 19, and will be offered in Blue Coral, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium and Black Onyx.

Via: Samsung

Galaxy Note 7 Live Blog!

Kellen — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 05:11:48 +0000

Today is Galaxy Note 7 day! That means a final unveiling of the phone with specs, imagery, confirmation on availability, and (hopefully) plenty of hands-on time for us to get you prepared for launch day. As a reminder, everyone gets to watch this event along with us. Samsung is hosting it on YouTube and on their own site in both regular feeds and 360-degree feeds. If you have Cardboard or a Gear VR, feel free to take this all in via 360. The event kicks off at 8AM Pacific (11AM Eastern). Below, we also have a live blog setup where we'll be posting live commentary as the event unfolds, plus we'll be sure to embed the YouTube feed once the URL goes live. Ready for some Note action? [responsive_vid]

These May be the Nexus 2016 Wallpapers, Download Away

Kellen — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 17:33:16 +0000

Google hasn't even come close to showing off the new Nexus phone(s) for 2016, but that hasn't stopped a slow trollout of leaks involving them. We've heard the specs, seen mock-up renders, and now have supposed wallpapers from the device that you can download. The guys over at Android Police provided the fun today, saying that these are at least some of the wallpapers expected to be on board the new HTC-made Nexus phones when Google unveils them later this year, but that there may be more. Hey, I'm always down for new wallpapers. You can grab all of the shared files at this link. Above and below, we've included some samples to let you know what you are about to get into.

Via: Android Police

Chrome OS Beta Gets Google Play Access Today

Kellen — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:00:59 +0000

At Google I/O, Google first announced that Google Play and Android apps would make their way to Chromebooks via an update to Chrome OS v53. The initial rollout came in the unstable developer channel and is expected to be stable later this year as availability widens. Today, Google Play access has graduated to the beta channel and is rolling out to the Chromebook Pixel (2015), Acer Chromebook R11, and Asus Chromebook Flip. This is Chrome OS beta 53.0.2785.36 and while it is a beta and includes Google Play access, Google mentions that the Google Play portion of the update is still a "Developer Preview" and may not work as fully intended. With that in mind, expect there to be bugs. The good news is that the beta channel of Chrome OS should generally be more stable than the dev channel, so your overall experience should be much better even if the Google Play and Android side of things is a bit rocky. If you are currently running the dev channel on any of the supported Chromebooks, feel free to upgrade to the beta. To see an early hands-on of Google Play and Android apps running on Chrome OS, be sure to check out this video.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Chrome Releases

Under Armour Launches UA Shop, App to Buy Shirts and Shoes

Tim — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 12:20:29 +0000

A new app from Under Armour has hit Google Play, providing access for shoppers to acquire t-shirts, shoes, workout gear, and more all while being mobile. Using data provided via the Connected Fitness platform, the app can recommend items to you based on your activity, making the experience a bit personalized. Beyond shopping in the app, users can stay up to date on select UA athletes (NBA, MLB, etc.), be notified of incoming product drops, as well as score exclusives inside of the app. Under Armour states that the UA Shop app is the digital portal between its connected fitness experience and standard retail locations. Go check it out, Chef Curry fans. Play Link