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Friday, July 31, 2015

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

Wow, what a week this was. From OnePlus 2 and new Motorola devices to confirmation of Samsung’s arriving in a couple of weeks, the summer just got busier than expected. We also found out about a pretty scary security hole in Android that affects almost all devices, saw lots of evidence of a new Moto 360, and finally answered your questions from last week’s Q&A session.

Be sure to catch up on everything, because there was a lot going on. From hands-on time with numerous devices, to specs lists, to missing features, pricing and availability, you’ll want to know all that happened as we move forward into review periods. You may have a new phone in your future and this is the time to learn everything about what’s on the horizon.

Everything you need to know is linked below. 

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

Don’t Miss These Android Stories: 7/31/15 is a post from: Droid Life



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

Time is running out to pick up a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password Manager for a discounted price on the DL Deals Store. Regularly priced at $60, your subscription will only cost $29.99, a solid 50% discount. 

With Sticky Password Manager, users can create strong and unique passwords whenever they are needed, managed under a single account. When visiting trusted sites, your passwords will be loaded automatically, meaning you will no longer need to remember multiple passwords for different sites. Ultimately, this should lower the time spent logging in, as well as freeing up a bit of your mind’s password storage locker.

Created by the team behind AVG Antivirus, Sticky Password offers “unbeatable security,” plus an intuitive interface supported across all devices.

If a password manager is on your shopping list, follow the link below.

Features

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

Deal Link

Reminder: Last Chance to Get Lifetime Sticky Password Premium Subscription for $30 is a post from: Droid Life



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

If you don’t have any plans for the next couple of days over the weekend, a few of the apps and games currently on sale through Google Play may help pass the time, such as Goat Simulator Z and Fotonica, just a couple of the games available at a discounted price.

In addition to those two titles, you can pickup Abs Workout Pro and Abs Workout II Pro if getting in shape this weekend is on your list. Not only are there health-focused apps available, but the couch potatoes among us can grab God of Light HD and Neuroshima Hex, if lounging and playing a few games sounds more fun.

Check the full list of app sales below. 

Friday App Sales

Go support those developers.

Friday App Sales: Goat Simulator Z, Fotonica, F1 Challenge, and More is a post from: Droid Life



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Textra and Chomp SMS Issue Updates That Could Stop Stagefright Attacks

On Monday, a pretty serious security vulnerability in Android’s Stagefright was exposed, one that has left almost all Android phones susceptible to an attack. Of course, at this time, the vulnerability has been kept under wraps and supposedly only shared with Google and OEMs to hopefully get it patched. Unfortunately, patching Stagefright takes a system update that has yet to arrive on anyone’s phone. In other words, even though the vulnerability is known by Google and they have patched things on their end, we are all potentially open to attacks. 

To hopefully help stop attacks, a couple of popular SMS apps on Android have issued updates. Both Textra and Chomp SMS (apps are owned by the same company) received updates today that attempt to stop video MMS messages from automatically running, which is a part of the issue with this Stagefright exploit. Who knows how successful their tweaks could be with a malicious MMS received, but any attempt by a company to help stop an attack is a good thing in our eyes, especially while we wait what could be months for OEMs and Google to push out patches.

If you use either app, feel free to grab their latest updates.

Play Links:  Textra | Chomp SMS

Textra and Chomp SMS Issue Updates That Could Stop Stagefright Attacks is a post from: Droid Life



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The Droid Life Show: Episode 87

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

We will kick the show off live at 12PM Pacific (3PM Eastern). We have a live video embedded below, along with an IRC chat, so you can kick it with us during the show. 

If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below.    

Subscribe | iTunes | Stitcher| Show Page

The Droid Life Show: Episode 87 is a post from: Droid Life



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New, Simplified Invitation Settings are Rolling Out to Hangouts

Googler Jordanna Chord announced via G+ yesterday that they are rolling out new invitation settings to Hangouts over the next day or so. These new settings should “make it easier for folks to communicate,” but from what we can tell, they are really just a simplified version of the current settings. That will surely help making communication easier, but it will hopefully make controlling your settings less of a pain. 

You can see a preview of the new settings below, assuming you haven’t received what we can imagine is server-side switch to them on your phone or tablet. The image shows everything bundled together, with a “Recommended” button helping you take Google’s advice on how your invitation settings should work. Otherwise, you can go “Customized” and pick and choose how you receive invitations for chats.

Anyone seeing the new settings?

newInviteSettings

Via:  +Jordanna Chord

New, Simplified Invitation Settings are Rolling Out to Hangouts is a post from: Droid Life



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

The next official build of Android M, Preview 3, may see a bit of delay in release, according to the public Android M Developer Preview community on Google+. As stated by a moderator in the community, “We want this to be a near final release to test your apps on, but we need a little more time to get it out to you.” Preview 3 was previously scheduled to be released around late July.

The last update we received for Android M was Preview 2. That update rolled out via OTA and download links back in early July. There is no exact timeframe given for when to expect the next preview build, but Google appears to be hard at work to make sure it is the best one yet.

Once made available, we will let you know how you can load it onto a device.

Are you currently running Android M on one of your Nexus devices? How are you liking it?

Via: +Android M Developer Preview

Android M Preview 3 Release Delayed as Google Works on “Near Final” Build is a post from: Droid Life



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NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Updated to Android 5.1.1, Includes Performance Improvements

If your SHIELD Tablet was not affected by this morning’s recall, you can now enjoy the newly released Android 5.1.1 update. Inside, owners should see performance optimizations across the board, with NVIDIA forum members already praising the new speeds they are seeing. 

The official changelog lists stability and performance improvements, plus system-wide optimizations and fixes, including audio.

Go grab that update and enjoy, if you were not affected by the recall. If you were, you still have to update the device, but then you should probably not use the device.

Via: NVIDIA

NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Updated to Android 5.1.1, Includes Performance Improvements is a post from: Droid Life



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YotaPhone 2 Not Coming to the US After All

The YotaPhone 2 isn’t coming to the US. Even though it saw a bit of support through an Indiegogo campaign aimed at bringing it stateside, problems manufacturing the phone have caused a delay that hasn’t made it worthwhile to ship. Because of these delays, Yota Devices is worried that by the time US customers get their phones, the new 2016 YotaPhone will be ready. 

So what happens now? Well, only about 500 people backed this thing, so this isn’t really that big of a deal. If you were one of those 500 or so people, you have two options. The first is to take the international variant of the phone that lacks 4G LTE and go about your way. If you don’t feel like wasting $500 on an HSPA+ phone, you can grab a refund at some point, once Yota figures out how to refund you.

If you backed the YotaPhone 2, you should have an email describing all of this. Be sure to check your inbox and consider which option to take.

Via:  The Verge

YotaPhone 2 Not Coming to the US After All is a post from: Droid Life



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

A recall has been issued by NVIDIA for the SHIELD Tablet, possibly affecting anyone who purchased the device from July of 2014 to July of 2015. The issue surrounds the battery used in the device, as it has been found that in some cases, it can overheat and become a fire hazard. To correct this issue, NVIDIA is offering free SHIELD Tablets to anyone who owns an affected unit. 

To see if your tablet is affected, you will need to grab the latest software update, bringing your device up to Android 5.1.1. Inside that update, NVIDIA baked in a tool owners can use to see if their device is at risk. Once you have updated, go into your Settings menu, then select About Device at the bottom. From here, hit “Status,” then tap your finger on the Battery portion — the device will automatically inform you if it is at risk or not. If the battery category shows B01, your device is not affected. If it shows Y01, your device needs to be replaced.

Once you send NVIDIA your information through their dedicated claims site, and everything gets approved, your new tablet will be on its way. Take this time to back-up any important information you have on the device, then it is probably a good idea to turn it off and just leave it.

After checking my tablet, it appears I have to send mine in, but hey, NVIDIA is replacing the affected units with brand new tablets, so I can’t complain.

Is your SHIELD Tablet affected by the recall?

Begin Your Claim Here

Via: NVIDIA

NVIDIA Issues Recall for SHIELD Tablet Units Purchased Between July 2014 and July 2015 is a post from: Droid Life



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Thursday, July 30, 2015

OnePlus 2’s Invite List Eclipses 1 Million People

According to the OnePlus website, the list of folks asking for invites to purchase the OnePlus 2 has hit over 1,000,000 registrations. Unveiled this past Monday, we have seen a mostly positive reaction to the device, though, it seems many people hoped the device would feature NFC. 

Now, if you happen to be on this list, don’t be too worried about not receiving your device in a somewhat timely manner. As claimed by OnePlus before the device was announced, they will have 30 to 50 times the amount of stock than they did last year. This is a good thing.

As a reminder, the OnePlus 2 features a 5.5″ 1080p display, Snapdragon 810 processor, USB Type-C, 3,300mAh battery, 4GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, and starts at only $329.

Are you on the invite list?

Via:  OnePlus

OnePlus 2’s Invite List Eclipses 1 Million People is a post from: Droid Life



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WWE Network App Just Hit Android TV, Brother

A new app catered to wrestling fans hit Google Play this week for Android TV owners, being WWE Network. With it, and the subscription that is needed to use it, you can watch all of your upcoming WWE events, as well as take a step back through time and re-watch all of your favorite events from history. 

With a WWE subscription, you gain access to all of the upcoming pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania, plus 24/7 scheduled and live programming. If you have yet to sign up, WWE is offering one month free trial of the service.

I cannot confirm if any Hulk videos are on WWE’s servers anymore, but you never know.

Tell me, can you smell what the Rock is cooking?

Play Link

WWE Network App Just Hit Android TV, Brother is a post from: Droid Life



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Deal: Pay What You Want for This Game Developer Bundle

Over on the DL Deals Store, you can name your own price for the Game Developer Bundle, listed at a value of over $500. Inside, hopeful game developers can gain access to the Non-Coder’s Guide to Game Development, plus a Unity 3D Game Development course bundle. Each bundle, with 3 available in total, includes hours upon hours of content and courses, hopefully steering you in the right direction of game development.

To claim all three courses, you only need to beat the average price, currently listed at under $7. Seriously, just $7. If you choose to pay under the average price, you will be limited to just the 1st course, the Non-Coder’s Guide.

As an added bonus, anyone who purchases the bundle is entered to win a Samsung 50″ 4K TV and your choice of media device player.

If game development is your calling, check it out by following the link below.

Deal Link

Deal: Pay What You Want for This Game Developer Bundle is a post from: Droid Life



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Google to Seed New Version of Google Glass to Select Industries

According to sources of the Wall Street Journal, a new version of Google Glass is already out in the wild, soon-to-be worn by select professionals in the fields of healthcare, manufacturing, and energy. This new version will not be made available to the public, but an updated model for the public could be at least a year away, according to those familiar with Google’s plan. 

The new version of Glass is unlike the previous Explorer model we are all familiar with. Instead of a wire going across your face, holding the prism in front of your eye, this new model features a button-and-hinge system, allowing users to attach the mini computer to any pair of glasses they own. It is stated that Google is currently working with software developers to boost features of the device for the businesses it will serve.

Google Glass was launched as an Explorer Program for $1500, certainly stopping most average Android fans from picking one up. But don’t worry, you didn’t miss much. Sources claim Google is still committed, however, to releasing an updated model for the public.

We may be a ways away from seeing it, but does an improved Google Glass V2 excite you?

Via: Wall Street Jounal

Google to Seed New Version of Google Glass to Select Industries is a post from: Droid Life



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Samsung May Cut Galaxy S6 Pricing as Sales Disappoint

With 2nd quarter figures now available, Samsung may soon cut the price of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in hopes to boost sales after a somewhat disappointing quarter. It is reported that one issue surrounding Samsung’s poor mobile performance last quarter was the company’s inability to produce enough Galaxy S6 Edge devices for consumers. However, analysts claim it only proves Samsung does not command as much brand loyalty as Apple does. 

Samsung reported a 4 percent fall in profit from Q1, resulting in a lower stock price and investors becoming upset. Now, Samsung will need to push the Galaxy Note 5 that much harder after its unveiling on August 13, so as to make up a bit of ground lost in Q2. Although, according to one analyst, fund manager Park Jung-hoon at HDC Asset Management, “I don’t think there’s much to expect from Samsung in the third quarter.”

Samsung claims they expect to see smartphone shipments rise in Q3 from those in Q2, but profits to not jump dramatically as price cuts for the Galaxy S6 will aim to boost sales. This move is good news for potential buyers looking to score a deal, but it does not help Samsung’s bottom line.

Down in Cupertino, Apple is probably feeling like a Puppet Master right now, forcing Android OEMs to announce their devices ahead of the iPhone 6s unveiling. Samsung had reportedly planned to announce the Galaxy Note 5 in September, as it always did during IFA, but multiple reports claimed that a jump in the date was due to Apple. The same might be said for Motorola, as the company announced the Moto X Pure Edition for the US just two days ago, but with availability not starting until an unknown date in September.

Regardless of all the battling going on, consumers will have a ton of phones to choose from in Q3 and Q4.

Via: Bloomberg | Reuters

Samsung May Cut Galaxy S6 Pricing as Sales Disappoint is a post from: Droid Life



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Android Developers Get Two New Ways to Beta Test Apps

Two years ago, Google introduced beta testing for Android app developers that allowed them to open new features and versions of their apps to users through closed groups on Google+. That beta testing method, even though it can be quite finicky, has apparently been enough of a success that Google has decided to expand upon the beta testing methods available to developers. Today, they are introducing open betas and closed beta that only require emails. 

With open betas, developers are giving access to “any user who has the link” to their beta app the chance to be a tester. That’s an incredibly simple way to get people into beta testing, which is awesome. With closed betas that require email addresses, you get more control over who tests your apps, but without the need to deal with Google+.

Both options sound like fantastic additions to the Android beta testing program:

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

As you see developers introduce some of these methods, be sure to let us know.

Otherwise, how many of you have had a the chance to beta test an app?

Via:  Android Developers

Android Developers Get Two New Ways to Beta Test Apps is a post from: Droid Life



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Samsung Confirms Rotating Bezel on Upcoming Tizen-Powered Smartwatch

The Gear A, aka Orbis, was detailed this morning during Samsung’s Tizen Developer event, with confirmation that the smartwatch will feature a rotating bezel. This bezel will allow for users to zoom in on things, zoom out, and even interact with games made for the Tizen OS on wearables. 

Other specs previously reported include an display resolution of 360 x 360, Exynos 3472 dual-core processor with 768MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, and a 250mAh battery. While this device sounds pretty sweet, remember that it’s most likely the smartwatch will only be pair-able with Samsung devices, given it is running Tizen. This is also the case for previous Gear wearables.

Samsung has an event scheduled for August 13, where we expect to see the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, so it’s completely in the realm of possibility that we will see the Gear A unveiled there.

Via: SamMobile

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Android Auto Coming to Most 2016 Volkswagen Models

Android Auto, Google’s OS extension built specifically for automobiles, will now be available in most 2016 models from Volkswagen. While entry-level VW models will still feature a more basic head unit, basically any model with a higher trim level will feature the company’s App-Connect, allowing for integration with Android Auto, Apple’s CarPlay, and MirrorLink. 

On top of App-Connect, VW’s Car-Net system is built directly into the vehicle, focusing on 3 key elements – Security & Service, Guide & Inform, and App-Connect. Buyers will receive a 6-month trial of Car-Net for absolutely free, but after that trial period, a monthly cost begins. Month-to-month, the Car-Net service is priced at $18, offering what looks to be many more features for iOS users than Android. For example, there is an iOS app that ties directly to the Apple Watch, allowing them to check their fuel, remotely unlock and lock doors, and more. For Android Wear users, we get nada. This app will be available later in the year, if you were curious.

In terms of which models you can expect to see App-Connect featured in, rest assured you will find it in the Beetle, Jetta, Golf, Passat, CC, Tiguan, and others. For a more full look at models, check here.

If you were planning on picking up a new VW anytime soon, be sure you tell the salesman you want Android Auto.

Via: Volkswagen

Android Auto Coming to Most 2016 Volkswagen Models is a post from: Droid Life



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

Angry Birds 2, the long awaited sequel to the original Angry Birds, is now available on Google Play for all to experience. Rovio made folks wait a few solid years for this release, and if the Google Play and iTunes ratings are any indicator, it appears the publisher did a solid job.

Much like the original and all of the following variants, your main goal is to destroy structures made by piggies. At the beginning of each level, you were given a lineup up different birds to use, but now, it appears you must earn different “cards” of birds to use their various powers to destroy the homes of pigs. These cards can be used in any order you see fit, making the game more of a strategy title than just a plain slingshot game. 

Rovio states in the game’s description that it is completely free to play, but there are in-app purchases for those who choose to use them. They range in price from $0.99 to $99.99. These IAPs are likely used to boost your spells or to give you a limited amount of powerful cards for you to knock down piggy structures with.

Go check out this sequel, then let us know what you think in the comments below.

Play Link

Rovio Releases Angry Birds 2 to Google Play, Complete With Magic Spells and Boss Piggies is a post from: Droid Life



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

Now that the OnePlus 2 is official and arriving August 11 (be sure to see our hardware tour), the company is giving its biggest fans chances to win free phones. Through a contest of sorts under hashtag #WWYDFT2 (“What would you do for the 2?”), OnePlus is asking fans to complete any of 10 different tasks, film and submit the tasks being completed via the source link below, and then hope that enough people vote for them. If their submissions receive enough votes, they could win one of 22 handsets that are being given away. 

Some of the tasks are quite silly, like pimping your ride with a OnePlus theme, creating a OnePlus Bat-signal and blasting it in your city, or organizing a flash mob with at least 50 people. Others involve writing a poem or song about the OnePlus 2, creating an app for OnePlus fans, or finding ways to contribute to a local community project using tech.

The contest runs for another 5 days, with winners being announced on August 5. If you want a chance to win, you should probably get your videos in soon to help gather votes.

All of the details of the contest can be seen at the link below.

Via:  OnePlus

These are the 10 Ways You Could Win a Free OnePlus 2 is a post from: Droid Life



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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

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

An updated version of the official Moto app from Motorola is available to download on Google Play, bringing a feature perfect for those who attend the movies every once in a while.

With the update, Moto 3.0 adjusts to both places and activities. For example, if you head to the movie theaters, you can set that location for the device to recognize, and it will automatically silence itself for the duration of your stay. 

The update is now live on Google Play, so if you have a supported device, go grab it.

Play Link

Motorola Updates Moto App on Google Play, Brings Auto Location and Activity Adjustment is a post from: Droid Life



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

Sprint is still doing whatever it can to try and compete in the US wireless industry, which really just means that they are continuing to drop the prices on their plans in hopes of convincing you to switch to their network. This morning, the Beckham-friendly carrier announced a new family plan that includes 10GB of shared data for 4 lines at just $100 per month. If that’s not enough data, they are also making a 40GB plan available at $120 per month. 

This new Family Share Pack is only available for a limited time and appears to only be available to those switching to Sprint from another carrier. In other words, Sprint doesn’t care about its current customers.

Also, keep in mind that the plan pricing is $100 (10GB) or $120 (40GB), but you also have to lease four phones at $20 per phone per month. So the plan pricing may be $100, but your bill is actually somewhere around $180 per month. That’s still fairly cheap. However, this is really just Sprint waiving the line access fee for new customers. Whatever it takes to save some money.

This new plan arrives this Friday.

Via:  Sprint

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Does This Backside Belong to LG’s Upcoming ‘Bullhead’ Nexus?

According to Twitter leaker @OnLeaks, the below image is of the backside cover from the upcoming Nexus device produced by LG, codenamed Bullhead. As a brief backstory, there are two Nexus devices rumored to launched later this year; one from LG (Bullhead), and the other from Huawei (Angler). Besides a few reports here and there, there has been little to no tangible information regarding the LG-made Nexus device to seen, but this could be our first visual of the device’s back cover. 

From what we can see, and as it is reported, this is a very raw drawing of what we could eventually see. As of right now, it appears we can expect a camera (duh), LED flash (duh), and what could be a fingerprint reader. With fingerprint support being built natively into Android M, it only makes sense Google would want this feature highlighted in any upcoming Nexus smartphones.

What makes this design rather funky are the two large holes on the backside, obviously. There is speculation the second opening could be for the fingerprint reader, or it’s possibly where a logo will be placed. At this point, who knows. Another thing we can see from this image is the button placement. Both the volume rocker and power button appear on the same side, just as it is on the Nexus 6.

Rumored specs for the Bullhead device are a 5.2″ display, 2,700mAh battery, and Snapdragon 808 processor.

We know it’s early, but what is your take? Interesting looking?

LG Nexus 2015

Via: @OnLeaks

Does This Backside Belong to LG’s Upcoming ‘Bullhead’ Nexus? is a post from: Droid Life



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

The OnePlus 2 doesn’t have NFC, did you know that? Of course you did, because it’s all anyone can say in the comments when telling others why they aren’t buying one. OnePlus supposedly thinks that no one uses NFC, even though we are finally at a time where Apple has given in and begun using the tech to try and make mobile payments a major deal. OnePlus…they don’t care. Why include the tech when no one uses it?

(Because it probably costs pennies to include a damn NFC chip, that’s why. Add a freakin’ dollar to the price of your “flagship killer.” We’ll all pay to have a phone that isn’t crippled in the NFC department.)

Anyways, we are with most of you in that it seems quite ridiculous that OnePlus made an NFC decision for us based on who knows what kind of evidence of use. All I know, is that I like to make a mobile payment or two here or there and am disappointed that this phone, which should be incredible, won’t ever be able to.

So now we want to see votes. Would you buy a phone (could be any phone, not just the OnePlus 2) if it lacked NFC? What if the new Moto X or Galaxy Note 5 didn’t have NFC, would you still consider them?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Wednesday Poll: Would You Buy a Phone If It Lacked NFC? is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Search Now Shows ‘Popular Times’ For Businesses

With so much excitement yesterday morning, we missed this gem recently announced for Google Search users. Now appearing in search results when you place an inquiry for a business, you will be shown Popular Times for said business, hopefully leading you to not wasting time in long lines or crowds. 

After taking it for a spin on a few places by my home (Best Buy, Target, and McDonald’s), it seems to work just fine, displaying to me which times these businesses are most busy. To see these times, when you go onto a store or business’s search result page, scroll down a little bit until you see the graphs. Once there, you can swipe left or right to see which day of the week you want.

These changes have already rolled out to Google Search, so go check it out.

Play Link

Via: +Google

Google Search Now Shows ‘Popular Times’ For Businesses is a post from: Droid Life



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

For who knows how long, you can save $15 when you buy two Chromecast dongles over on the Google Store. Regularly priced at $35 a piece, bringing the price of two to $70, this deal means you only need to pay $55 for the pair.

Alongside this solid deal from the Google Store, Amazon is offering up a $10 Amazon gift card when you purchase the dongle from their store. The product is also listed at $5 under retail, so it’s deals on deals today for Chromecast. 

If you need yourself one of these dongles, follow the links below.

Google Store Link | Amazon Link

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

Announced this morning, Samsung has begun mass production of the industry’s first mobile image sensor using 1.0μm pixels. The cut in size will allow for a 16MP sensor with a height decrease of 20%, compared to Samsung’s current 16MP module using 1.12μm pixels. This ultimately means you can have a superior camera sensor, even in a very thin device. 

Titled the S5K3P3, this sensor utilizes Samsung’s proprietary ISOCELL technology, the same found in the Galaxy S6. Samsung first introduced ISOCELL back in late 2013, making its debut in the Galaxy S5. ISOCELL deploys a minute barrier surrounding individual pixels, leading each pixel to feature increased light sensitivity, higher color fidelity, and a 30% decrease in crosstalk (which reduces image noise).

According to the Samsung, the sensor is now ready for use by OEMs to work into their smartphone designs. If other companies besides Samsung decide to use it, this is big news for consumers. As it is, the camera found on the Galaxy S6 is top-tier, and with it decreasing in size, we could see a few very cool device designs in the future.

With the Galaxy Note 5 just around the corner, it’s quite possible we will see this new technology baked inside.

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

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

Thanks to an update, Google Translate now supports 20 more languages through its visual translation feature, giving it a total of 27. Also, the update speeds up and smooths out real-time voice translations, even when you have a poor network connection. 

The new languages supported in visual mode are Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Filipino, Finnish, Hungarian, Indonesian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Swedish, Turkish and Ukrainian. Google added one-way translations from English to Hindi and Thai, as well.

As for the new speedy performance, Google knows that many of the countries where you would need Translate don’t have the most reliable wireless networks. So with this update, they focused on making sure your conversations are as fast as ever, if if your connection isn’t.

Play Link

Via:  Google Blog

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

Whether or not you plan to buy the new Moto X Pure Edition when it arrives in September, you should be rooting for Motorola to sell record numbers of them. This new direct-to-consumer approach from a brand like Motorola is something that could help continue to change this industry for the better if it were to succeed. Sure, there are pretty substantial benefits to be had here in the short run if you buy their new flagship, but we could all see some real benefits in the long run.

I talked about the reasons for buying an unlocked phone recently, almost all of which were touched on yesterday from Motorola. Motorola spoke of a phone experience through the new Moto X that is free of carrier interference, which means a phone that doesn’t have bloatware. It also means a phone that can be updated much quicker, because Motorola doesn’t have to go through those long, drawn-out carrier approval processes. Instead, they can do all of the testing on their end and update the phone when the software is ready.

Of course, the benefits here are much deeper than software. Motorola has now cut out the middle man by selling these phones directly to you and I, so that has allowed them to lower prices. The new Moto X Pure Edition, with those specs, is an absolute steal at $399. Think if Google hadn’t partnered up with carriers this time around for the Nexus 6 – how cheap would it have been?

moto x pure edition 2015-3

Speaking of the Nexus 6, Motorola more than likely took what they learned there in terms of network connectivity and applied it to the Moto X, giving it what may be its most important feature – complete carrier freedom with all US carrier band support. There aren’t many phones on the planet that just work on all carriers, but again, Motorola was likely able to do this so easily because they ditched carrier partnerships with this phone. They also understand that the market is changing and people want to be able to switch carriers often to find the best deal for them.

All of that is available to you in the short run, because for the first time I can recall, the US has a flagship phone that is affordable, completely unlocked, and will ship directly to you. That’s all great, of course, but as I mentioned in the opening, we should all be rooting for this to be a huge success so that this industry well take notice.

If Motorola were to succeed, who knows, but maybe in a few years Motorola won’t be the only big brand selling directly to you and I. Maybe Motorola won’t stand alone with unlocked flagships that work everywhere, yet won’t break the bank. Maybe Motorola won’t be the only company letting you customize your phone or get updates without carriers getting in the way.

We All Need Motorola’s Direct-To-Consumer Approach With the New Moto X to Succeed is a post from: Droid Life



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Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Verizon Lights Up XLTE in Six New Markets

Depending on how long you have been reading DL, you may recall a while back when we would write up weekly announcement posts of when new 4G LTE markets would light up across the US. Seeing as how it’s mid-2015, those posts don’t happen anymore, as Verizon’s rollout of LTE was complete some time ago.

Now, we have Big Red lighting up XLTE, aka their AWS spectrum (band 4 LTE), available in six new markets according to today’s announcement.

The new markets for XLTE are Carlsbad, NM, Coos Bay and North Bend, OR, Corbin, KY, Jackson, MS, Selma, AL, and Stevens Point, WI. For those of you new to XLTE, it is Verizon way of boosting customer bandwidth on cellular networks, which is now a little over a year old.

Check out the list of new markets below, then share your stories of a time when you remember the world before LTE in the comments below.

New XLTE Markets 

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

Verizon Lights Up XLTE in Six New Markets is a post from: Droid Life



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Motorola “Smart Watch” Hits FCC, Presumably the Next Moto 360

According to a published filing on the FCC website, it appears a possible sequel to last year’s Moto 360 smartwatch from Motorola just went through its paces. With test reports filed for Bluetooth and WiFi (802.11b/g/n), and the details stating that testing took place on a “smart watch” for Motorola Mobility, evidence suggests we may not be too far away from the company’s followup wearable. 

Not long ago, a possible charger for this device also went through the FCC. In the documents filed, it is written that the regulatory information is embedded electronically. This same method was used on last year’s Moto 360. A user will need to head into the Settings menu to view the Identification Label, which is unlike the case on smartphones.

Of course, Motorola also filed a confidentiality request letter, so there are no photos of the device, renders, or anything too telling for us to drool over.

We may not have gotten the new Moto 360 this morning at Motorola’s event, but we’re getting closer.

https___apps_fcc_gov_eas_GetApplicationAttachment_html_id_2694473

Via: FCC
Cheers Nicolas!

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

Google Contributor, the service that allows you to pay a monthly fee to browse the worldwide web somewhat ad-free, is now available for anyone to use. To break it down, depending on how much money you contribute per month, you will be served fewer advertisements on sites that are enrolled. 

We took Contributor out for a spin not too long ago, concluding that the service is pretty awesome. Sites that use Google’s ad services, like AdSense, see a small portion of your monthly contribution in their account, making it a win-win for users.

Kellen said the following in his writeup on Contributor.

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

From what I can see, the pricing has not changed. You can choose between $2, $5, and $10 monthly contributions. The more you spend, the less ads you see. What I did notice is that Google Apps accounts are not supported. You will need a regular Gmail account to get started.

As Kellen stated, ad-block is free, but running a website and producing content is not. Not by a long shot. Google Contributor can help you support the sites you love, while blocking ads that annoy you.

If you are interested, follow the link below to sign up.

Google Contributor

Via: @mattcutts

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

We have two new flagship phones to ponder this week, and it’s only Tuesday. Last night, relative newcomer OnePlus announced the OnePlus 2, with its 5.5″ FHD display, Snapdragon 810 processor, USB Type-C, and fingerprint reader, declaring it as the “2016 flagship killer.” Early this morning, we have veteran OEM Motorola, introducing the Moto X ‘Style’, branded as the Moto X Pure Edition for the US. It features a 5.7″ QHD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, and 21MP rear-facing camera.

Both phones are reasonably affordable, with zero carrier involvement needed to buy one. The OnePlus 2 starts at just $329, while the Moto X Pure Edition will retail for $399, with additional storage upgrades costing a bit more. In comparison to flagship phones from Samsung, this $300-$400 range is extremely tempting for buyers, as the idea of no two-year commitment on a carrier to even afford the device is quite promising.

Each phone offers a few software tweaks on top of stock Android 5.1.1, meaning there are no custom skins to be found. Again, this is great news for Android fans.

If you had to choose, for the sake of this poll, which device would you purchase?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

 

Choose One: Moto X Pure Edition (2015) or OnePlus 2? is a post from: Droid Life



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

We may not have taken home a new Moto X Pure Edition after today’s Motorola product launch event, but they didn’t let us walk out the door empty handed either. Motorola tossed us a brand new Moto G (3rd gen) to start testing as we await the arrival of their 2015 flagship.

With this new Moto G, we get upgrades in all the right places (battery, 4G LTE, storage and RAM, cameras, processor, and waterproofing), but with a price that has mostly stayed the same. The phone starts at $179 and goes up to $219, depending on your storage choice. Speaking of choice, Moto Maker is now a part of the Moto G package as well! You can customize all sorts of items, too, like the back and accent colors, storage/RAM, and more. 

Mid-range phones aren’t typically something that we review, but after doing this unboxing and feeling the quality of this smallish phone in hand, I’m sort of tempted to give it a go. While I figure that out, be sure to see it in action.

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

moto g 3rd gen-7

moto g 3rd gen

moto g 3rd gen-2

Moto G (3rd Gen) Unboxing and Quick Look! is a post from: Droid Life



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Send Your WhatsApp and Viber Messages With Voice Instead of Thumbs

Tired of using your thumbs like a Neanderthal to send messages to friends via your favorite 3rd-party messaging apps? Well, Google now wants you to use your beautiful speaking voice, allowing you to speak exactly what you want sent through messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat. 

The idea is pretty basic. On your home screen, say, “Ok Google, send a WhatsApp message to Kellen: You partying in NYC with Diddy tonight?” With that command, the Google app will instruct WhatsApp to send the message to that specific contact, and then you are all done. The same can be done for Viber, WeChat, Telegram, and NextPlus.

In order to get this going, you will need updated apps from Google Play, but once you have them, it should all work seamlessly with zero issues.

Try it out and give those hard-working thumbs a break.

Play Links: Google | WhatsApp | Viber | WeChat | Telegram | NextPlus

whatsapp2

Via: Google

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Moto X Play Specs (Official)

Announced for International markets alongside the Moto X Pure Edition and Moto G (3rd Gen), the Moto X Play is the mid-range device between the other two. It features a Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor with 2GB of RAM, 5.5″ FHD 1080p display, and a 21MP rear-facing camera.

Keep in mind that the Moto X Play will not be headed to the US by any means. Motorola stated in a press release that they have something else planned for us later in the year.

Here are the official Moto X Play specifications.

BASIC PARAMETERS

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

CONNECTIVITY

Connectivity:

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

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

PORTS, SLOTS, BUTTONS AND INDICATORS

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

DISPLAY

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

CAMERAS

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

AUDIO

Speakers: Front-ported
Microphones: Dual-microphone

Moto X Play Specs (Official) is a post from: Droid Life



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