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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

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

Along with the new LG V10, LG unwrapped a new smartwatch this evening called the Watch Urbane (2nd Edition). This watch is unique in that it’s the first Android Wear smartwatch to feature cellular connectivity, with an option to connect via 4G (LTE), 3G, WiFi or Bluetooth. Why anyone needs LTE on their watch is beyond me, but that’s where we are at in 2015. 

The watch itself sports upgraded specs over the previous generation Watch Urbane with 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400, 1.38-inch POLED display (480×480, 348ppi), 4GB storage, 768MB RAM, 570mAh battery, GPS, and IP67 dust and water resistance. That resolution and battery capacity are both kind of nuts for a watch. Good job there, LG.

Unfortunately, that giant battery means a watch that is a whopping 14.2mm thick. For reference, the new Moto 360, Huawei Watch, and original Urbane were all 11mm and under. 14.2mm is…woof that’s thick.

So why all of the cellular connectivity? Well, you can make calls with this Watch Urbane, supposedly leave your phone at home if you’d like, and also workout with GPS tracking.

The new Watch Urbane (2nd Edition) will be available at some point in the near future in the US and Korea. After that, it will head to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Press Release


FIRST CELLULAR ANDROID WEAR SMARTWATCH PREVIEWED AT LG EVENT

Newest LG Watch Urbane is Tether-Free and Compatible with Both Android and iOS

SEOUL, Oct. 1, 2015 ― At the event to introduce the V10 smartphone, LG Electronics (LG) provided a sneak peek of the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition, the first Android Wear device to feature cellular connectivity. With the option to connect via 4G, 3G, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, LG’s newest wearable device works seamlessly with Android smartphones or can go it alone, when carrying a smartphone isn’t practical or convenient. Cellular enabled features will vary across Android and iOS.

The latest LG Watch Urbane delivers the highest resolution display of any smartwatch currently on the market today. With a resolution of 480 x 480, the new LG Watch Urbane delivers 348ppi on its 1.38-inch full circle P-OLED display. With a diameter of 44.5mm, the smartwatch resembles a classic timepiece with its hairline-etched stainless steel body and durable hypoallergenic TPSiV™ elastomer band. And to live up to the original LG Watch Urbane’s great battery life, the 2nd Edition features a high-capacity 570mAh battery and Power Saving Mode to last throughout the day and more.

Three buttons adorn the right side of the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition to provide quick access to shortcut settings such as contacts, LG Health and apps list. Ambient mode can now be enabled or disabled with a simple press of the crown button. In addition to the 16 included watch faces, fitness-related features such as heart rate tracking, workout tips and stress level monitoring are also offered.

“The wearable sector continues to evolve and we’re playing an active role in that by bringing to market various devices that appeal to various consumers,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “At LG, we don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all wearable device. This second edition of our Watch Urbane aims to be a must-have smart device for active individuals who want to stay connected to the world, whether they’re at work, at home or on the tennis court.”

The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition will be available first in the United States and Korea, followed by markets in Europe, CIS, Asia and the Middle East. Details including price and date of availability will be announced locally at a later date. To see the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition in action, go to https://youtu.be/FdRymDRtPJA .

Key Specifications:

  • Chipset: 1.2GHz Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 400
  • Operating System: Android WearTM (Cell-connected Version)
  • Display: 1.38-inch P-OLED Display (480 x 480 / 348ppi)
  • Size: 44.5 x 14.2mm
  • Memory: 4GB eMMC / 768MB LPDDR3
  • Battery: 570mAh
  • Network*: Bluetooth 4.1 / Wi-Fi / LTE / 3G
  • Sensors: Accelerometer / Gyro / Compass / Barometer / PPG / GPS
  • Color*: Space Black / Opal Blue / Luxe White / Signature Brown
  • Other: Dust and Water Resistance (IP67)

# # #

lg watch urbane 2nd

lg watch urbane 2nd-2

LG Also Announces the Watch Urbane (2nd Edition) With LTE is a post from: Droid Life



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

This evening, LG announced a brand new flagship called the V10. As you know from the couple of leaks we have seen of the device, this phone sports a secondary display, dual front camera setup, and an interesting textured backside. That’s not all, though. LG worked in all sorts of random things – seriously, this phone is full of stuff upon stuff upon stuff – to help try and differentiate this phone from the pack. Because this phone comes off on paper much like a G4, it needed all of these new things and stuff to do that. 

First, let’s talk specs. The LG V10 features a 5.7-inch QHD IPS LCD display with a secondary 2.1-inch IPS display (160×1040) above it. Inside, you will find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (with microSD slot), 16MP f/1.8 rear camera with OIS, 5MP dual lens front shooter(s), removable 3000mAh battery, LTE Cat.6, 802.11ac WiFi, and Android 5.1.1. See, it’s kind of like a G4, only with an extra display and a secondary front camera.

As for the things I mentioned, this is what I’m talking about. It has that secondary display for showing notifications, weather, battery status, etc. when the phone’s screen is off. But once you turn the phone on, it turns into an app shortcut area or a place for notifications when you are in an app and don’t want to be bothered. We have seen others attempt this concept before and it didn’t go well. Think Samsung Continuum and Note Edge.

LG V10

LG V10-3 0921_LG V10 KV_Second Screen_ON

The V10 has dual front cameras for this world’s ridiculous selfie addiction. With the two, you can either take normal 5MP shots or wide-angle photos. With the rear camera, LG is introducing a manual camera mode for the first time in a smartphone, with settings for shutter speed, frame rate, ISO, white balance, and focus. Within that new video mode, there are all sorts of steady/quick/share/etc. options.

The phone has a fingerprint sensor as well, along with 32 bit Hi-Fi audio, a Dura Guard steel frame, and Dura Skin on its back. LG says that they did a bunch of 3rd party drop tests with the phone and it performed quite well. Yay for drop tests.

See, it’s all just stuff and things.

The LG V10 launches in Korea this month and will then reach the US, China, and other key countries later on down the road.

Press Release


LG UNVEILS V10, A SMARTPHONE DESIGNED WITH CREATIVITY IN MIND

LG’s Latest Phone Features Many Firsts: Second Screen, Dual Front Cameras, Manual Video Mode

SEOUL, Oct. 1, 2015 ― LG Electronics (LG) today took the wraps off its newest smartphone featuring multimedia capabilities never before seen in a mobile device. The first of its V Series phones, the LG V10 was designed to provide a rich multimedia experience ― both consumption and creation ― for today’s social network savvy consumers. Distinctive new features such as a Second Screen, Dual Front Cameras and Manual Video Mode differentiate the LG V10 from the competition. All this comes wrapped in a design that utilizes high-grade stainless steel and a durable silicone skin to make the V10 one of the rare smartphones to pass drop tests for shock conducted by an independent third party.

Second Screen
Always pushing the boundaries of smartphone innovation, LG is introducing a Second Screen as an inset display above the main 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display on the V10. Working independently, the Second Screen can be set up as an “always on” display to enhance the V10’s productiveness all without impacting battery life. Set the Second Screen to display the weather, time, date and battery icon when the main display is off. With the main display on, the Second Screen can be set to convert to a dedicated launching area for shortcuts or your favorite apps. What’s more, when you’re enjoying a movie or game on the V10, the Second Screen will notify you discreetly without blocking your view when a call or text comes in. Ignoring the notification won’t distract you from your enjoyment or you can pause whatever you’re doing to respond.

Dual Front Cameras and Multi-view Recording
Wide angle images usually require a large, heavy lens which can distort the corners of photographs. The LG V10 features 5MP Dual Front Cameras with two separate lenses to capture standard 80 degree selfies or perfect wide angle selfies of 120 degrees, without the need to pan the smartphone which increases the likelihood of camera shake. For the wide angle shot, the V10 employs a sophisticated software algorithm to combine images from the two separate lenses which are just far enough apart to provide two different points of view. The ability to take group selfies without a selfie-stick has never been easier. Multi-view Recording can capture different angles utilizing all three cameras on the V10. Select and insert the version that looks best in your masterpiece.

Video and Audio Capture Capabilities
As the LG G4 did with photography, the LG V10 offers users the ultimate in video capturing, editing and sharing. The V10 is the first smartphone to offer manual mode for video. First introduced for still photographs on the G4, the technology has been enhanced to handle video recordings as well. With Manual Video Mode, budding directors can easily create professional-quality videos by adjusting options such as shutter speed, frame rate, ISO, white balance and focus while recording. Videos can be recorded in three resolutions ― HD, FHD or UHD ― and two aspect ratios ― 16:9 standard or 21:9 cinematic.

In addition to its impressive professional-level video and audio capabilities, the LG V10 offers these additional features that video content look and sound their best:

  • Steady Record: utilizes electronic image stabilization (EIS) optimized for recording video to neutralize shake, helping to capture sharper video footage when in motion
  • Snap Video: create one video by combining many shorter videos
  • 15 Sec. Auto Edit: create a short video highlight clip by automatically eliminating blurred frames and static scenes
  • Quick Video Editor: easily trim or change the frame rate and add after-effects, such as colors and background music
  • Quick Share: when finished recording, a pop-up appears on the display showing options of popular social networks to make video sharing even easier and faster
  • Audio Monitor: adjust the sensitivity of the three microphones during video recording and directly monitor and control audio input, including directional recording capability to highlight sound from one particular location
  • Wind Noise Filter: eliminate external wind noise for high-quality sound when shooting video outdoors

The V10 carries on LG’s tradition of providing alternative storage options with a microSD card slot. Compatible with cards of up to 2TB, V10 owners can shoot as much 4K video as they want. And with the 3,000mAh removable battery, you can always be ready with a second or third replacement battery to pop in if you ever run low on power while shooting. And with Qualcomm Quick Charge™ 2.0 technology built-in, it only takes 40 minutes to get a 50 percent charge.

Durability and Design
The LG V10 was designed to be taken places other phones normally wouldn’t feel at home. The resilient Dura Guard frame firmly secures the display to protect the phone from hard bumps and tumbles. The V10’s frame is composed of SAE grade 316L stainless steel, the same tough, hypoallergenic material used to make surgical tools and high-end watches. Because the edges and corners are the most vulnerable areas of a phone, the extra protection provided by the Dura Guard frame ensures maximum durability.

On the back and bottom of the display, resilient but soft Dura Skin offers added protection from direct impacts to the device. Dura Skin is soft to the touch but also is highly resistant to nicks and scratches. What’s more, the back grid pattern was designed specifically to offer a more secure grip, even when you’re on the go. Independent testing and certification firm MET Laboratories tested the LG V10 by dropping it from height of 48 inches repeatedly at different angles and found it to be “MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant” for shock.

Great Sounding Music and Voice
As an advanced multimedia smartphone, the sound in the V10 has been designed to be best-in-class. The V10 features 32 bit Hi-Fi DAC by ESS Technology, designers of high-performance audio products for professionals. The LG V10 automatically detects connected devices and provides sound control options which can be customized. And the LG V10 is the first commercial device to utilize Qualcomm Technologies TruSignal™ antenna boost technology designed to intelligently optimize signal strength at all times for fewer dropped calls, faster data and better call coverage, no matter how the phone is held.

Access and Security
Along with the popular Knock Code, the LG V10 features a new fingerprint sensor to unlock the smartphone and turn on the display simultaneously. The sensor also works with Android Pay in the United States to make purchases as quick and easy as possible.

“The LG V10 was designed from the ground up primarily as a multimedia smartphone for the sharing ecosystem,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We heard from many customers that until the G4, they weren’t comfortable going on vacation or outings without a separate camera. With the V10, we hope to do for video what the G4 did for photographs.”

The LG V10 will be available in Korea starting this month followed by markets such as the United States, China and key countries in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Information regarding additional markets and launch dates will be announced locally in the weeks to come.

Key Specifications:*

  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 808 Processor
  • Display: Main) 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 513ppi) Secondary) 2.1-inch IPS Quantum Display (160 x 1040 / 513ppi)
  • Memory: 4GB LPDDR3 RAM / 64GB eMMC ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)
  • Camera: Rear) 16MP with F1.8 Aperture / OIS 2.0  Front) 5MP Dual Lens (80o Standard Angle / 120o Wide Angle)
  • Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)
  • OS: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
  • Size: 159.6 x 79.3 x 8.6mm
  • Weight: 192g
  • Network: LTE-A Cat. 6
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / USB 2.0
  • Colors: Space Black / Luxe White / Modern Beige / Ocean Blue / Opal Blue

# # #

LG V10-4

LG Announces the V10, a Smartphone With Lots of…Things is a post from: Droid Life



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Video: Google Now on Tap Tour!

Google Now on Tap is finally live and available to use for those running the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow preview. It will also be live when your new Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P arrives, or if your older Nexus is due for next week’s update to 6.0.

To recap, Google Now on Tap “anticipates what you need in the moment.” By long-pressing on your phone’s home button, “you can get cards with useful information and apps that feed your need to know.” Think getting quick information about a movie you are having a conversation about through email or being able to book a restaurant a friend just mentioned in Hangouts. It could even be a need for more information about an athlete you are reading about or artist you are listening to.

To get a better feel for the power of Google Now on Tap, check out the video below. 

Video: Google Now on Tap Tour! is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Photos App Receives Update With Chromecast Support

Yesterday at the Nexus event, Google announced a few changes for the 4 month old Photos app, and today, a few of those changes are hitting Google Play in the form of an app update. Inside the update, the Photos app now supports Chromecast, allowing users to bring their shots to big screen to share with those around you. No more slides and projectors of family trips, even though I don’t think people do that anymore. 

In addition to Chromecast support, users can create labels for people inside of albums, which will remain completely private. Only you will know what you call your friends when they are not around. To use these labels, you will scroll through photos, basically tagging anyone you want to easily find in the future via the search feature found in Photos. It makes for easier discovery in the future.

Lastly, we have shared albums. This feature won’t be ready until later this year, but with it, anyone with a camera and Google account will be able to upload photos to a shared album; perfect for big family trips or weddings. When users sign on to the album, they will receive notifications of new photos uploaded. Google gave an example of parents sharing photos and videos of grandkids with grandparents, allowing the older folks to stay on top of young Johnny’s little league game highlights.

To hear Google speak about these changes, fast forward the below video to the 39:30 mark.

The update for Chromecast support and people labels is rolling out now to Google Play.

Play Link

Google Photos App Receives Update With Chromecast Support is a post from: Droid Life



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New LG V10 Render Hits the Web, Looks Quite Rugged

LG is hosting an event tomorrow on October 1, where we believe they will announce the V10 smartphone. Thanks to @evleaks, we have a new render of the device, this time detailing a more rugged, DROID Turbo-like design.

The backside appears to feature a textured plastic, reminiscent of kevlar or carbon fiber. The body itself looks pretty shock resistant, but that could just be the backside giving off that vibe. Before this leak, we had only seen the frontside of the V10, with its secondary display at the top for quick access to apps and shortcuts.

We have yet to learn how LG intends to market that secondary display, but the device also appears to feature dual front-facing cameras. That could be good for your selfie game.

What’s  your opinion? Does it look cool or super gimmicky?

LG V10

Via: @evleaks

New LG V10 Render Hits the Web, Looks Quite Rugged is a post from: Droid Life



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

Google’s Hiroshi Lockheimer, David Burke, Krishna Kumar and Sandeep Waraich are currently live for a reddit Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) to discuss the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The conversation has only just begun, but we wanted to start putting together the highlights of the event for those who can’t keep up with each answer and for those who miss it completely.

AMAs like these always offer up extra information about naming, specs, and specific choices in design or features that you may not see/hear during a presentation or in a press release. For example, we already found out the reason for the “X” and “P” in the names of each phone.

Below, we’ve done our best to put together the answers the team has provided. (We’ll continue to update as well.” 

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

Nexus 5X and 6P reddit AMA Highlights: Name Meaning, USB 2.0, No Qi Charging, and More (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life



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

Why Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P? What could the “X” and “P” stand for in each name? We’ve all been asking those questions over the last few weeks, since we confirmed the final names. During yesterday’s event, Google didn’t mention anything specifically about the meaning behind the names, but did so today in an AMA going on over at reddit. 

According to Hiroshi Lockheimer, the “X” in Nexus 5X is in reference to the “core of the Nexus brand.” It apparently also sounds cool to Google. The “P” in Nexus 6P stands for premium.

There you go.

Via: reddit

We Now Know What the “X” and “P” in Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Stand For is a post from: Droid Life



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BlackBerry Posted Official Images of Priv Yesterday

The Priv from BlackBerry, aka Venice, has been the target of many leaks over the past month, and it seems BlackBerry, a company that touts their security, has had enough. In a blog post, the company released three official images of the device, leading fans of BlackBerry to either embrace the upcoming device, or express their distaste for its usage of the Android OS. 

Two of the released photos show the profile of Priv (below), while the other is an angled shot of the frontside (top). It is certainly an interesting device, and BlackBerry states we will soon know more information, including when and where you can purchase it.

The images do not offer anything too new, but we do get a good look at the Priv’s side button configuration, which is unique to say the least. It appears a power button sits between the volume up and down buttons, possibly leading to a bit of confusion. Other than that, it’s a slider phone with a full QWERTY running Android, made by BlackBerry.

Once availability and pricing is known, we will be sure to let all of your slider fans know.

Still intrigued by the Priv?

Priv 2Priv

Via: BlackBerry

BlackBerry Posted Official Images of Priv Yesterday is a post from: Droid Life



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

Google spent a really long time yesterday talking about the 12.3MP cameras that it put in the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. They are excited about their potential, even without optical image stabilization (OIS), thanks to the Sony sensor used that captures large 1.55 micron pixels. Google mentioned that the Sony sensor here was originally intended for use in a traditional point-and-shoot scenario, but they managed to cram it into a phone (well, two phones). That’s something to brag about, for sure. 

If you want to go back and see the chat about the new Nexus cameras – and you should – here is a direct link on YouTube.

But what about actual real-world results? Since we don’t have review units yet, we are left to rely on Google and Googlers with the phones in order to see what we can expect. Googler Romain Guy, the man who seems to put every single Nexus camera to work, posted some shots yesterday that were taken with the Nexus 6P (a few of which were featured during the Google event) from a variety of indoor situations. Some are low-light, while some are just typical indoor lighting situations. If anything, they should give you an idea as to what you can expect from either new Nexus phone.

Are they the best indoor photos ever taken with a smartphone? I don’t know that I would say that. I’m not necessarily seeing random blue, green, or red hues dominating anything, so that’s good. My eyes might be spoiled by the amount of detail captured by the Moto X Pure’s 21MP camera still, so these do lack some of those fine moments of text that I enjoy with the MXPE. But overall, they are passable indoor photos.

After all, DxoMark did rank this camera 2nd for smartphones only to the Galaxy S6.

You tell us – thoughts on these samples?

IMG_20150928_220754

IMG_20150928_195733 IMG_20150928_222621

IMG_20150928_222131

IMG_20150928_220703 IMG_20150928_221255

IMG_20150928_193947

Via:  +Romain Guy

Here are a Bunch of Nexus 6P Camera Samples From Google’s Romain Guy is a post from: Droid Life



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

NVIDIA’s game streaming service known as GRID, available on most NVIDIA-made devices for the past year or so, including SHIELD, SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Portable, will now be known as GeForce NOW and include a monthly subscription price of $7.99. This subscription nets you access to 50+ gaming titles, all stored on NVIDIA’s cloud servers. So, essentially, it’s Netflix for Gaming

For those who have played with GRID before, GeForce NOW will act the same way, but the ability to purchase select titles is also included for instant cloud access. Much like Netflix or Spotify, you will open the GeForce NOW app on your device, select a title you want to play, and that’s it. Games are streamed via your home’s network in up 1080p 60fps, bringing a first class gaming experience directly to your HDTV, no Xbox or PlayStation needed.

Set to launch tomorrow (October 1), NVIDIA states that the first three months of service will be absolutely free, allowing gamers a chance to try the service out before you have to pay a dime.

As for the titles you will find for streaming, there will be plenty of Batman games, LEGO titles, Dead Island, racing games, and a few RPGs. There will be something for everyone and NVIDIA will also bring new titles to the service as time goes by. For a complete list of games to stream and games to purchase, check here.

Would you pay $8 a month to stream video games via the cloud?

Via: NVIDIA [2]

NVIDIA Renames GRID to GeForce NOW, Launches October 1 for $7.99 a Month is a post from: Droid Life



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

Samsung announced this morning that its new round smartwatches, the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic, will be available for purchase on Friday, October 2. The Gear S2 retails for $299 and the Gear S2 Classic drops in at $349. You will be able to buy each at select retailers including Samsung.com, Amazon.com, Best Buy and Macy’s. 

To recap, the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic are Tizen-based round smartwatches from Samsung that are arguably (OK, they are for a fact) the best looking Samsung watches to date. The regular Gear S2 sports a cleaner, more minimal aesthetic, while the Classic attempts to emulate a traditional timepiece. Both look quite nice.

The big selling feature for each is a rotating bezel that allows you to navigate their UI. To see a demo of that in action, check out our hands-on video below.

They also have solid specs (1.2-inch AMOLED displays, 4GB storage, 512MB RAM, dual-core processor, NFC, WiFi, and wireless charging), 2-3 day battery life, are water resistant, and will have a whole bunch of big name apps available to them at launch (Bloomberg, CNN, ESPN, Nike+ Running, Samsung Milk Music and Yelp).

Buying?

Samsung’s Gear S2 and S2 Classic Available October 2, Priced at $299 and $349 is a post from: Droid Life



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

Ready for TAG Heuer’s luxury Android Wear watch? It’s coming November 9, according to its CEO, who spoke with CNBC yesterday. The watchmaker is planning some sort of unveiling event at its LVMH building in New York at 11AM Eastern on that day. 

Biver said that the watch will cost around $1,800, which is up about $400 from the last time we heard a price attached to the product.

Can you see yourself paying $1,800 for an Android Wear watch, even if it is made by a company like TAG Heuer?

Via:  CNBC

TAG Heuer’s $1,800 Android Wear Watch Arrives November 9 is a post from: Droid Life



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

The AT&T Moto X (1st gen) is getting Android 5.1 Lollipop again. I say again because we tried this once before back in July, but an issue arose and the update was suspended. AT&T apologized for having to pull the update and assured us that the update would be ready again as “quickly as possible.” Well, quickly as possible turned into the last day of September, more than two months later.

A new update is now ready for that original Moto X on AT&T. 

The update rolls out as system version 222.26.7 and weighs in at about 735MB. It’s Android 5.1 and it’ll change your life. OK, not in a “I won the lottery!” way, but a, “Whoa, this is what a modern smartphone UI looks like…” kind of way.

To get a feel for it, check out this video we put together back when the 2nd gen Moto X first got Lollipop.

Via:  AT&T

AT&T Moto X (1st Gen) Gets Android 5.1 Lollipop Update…Again is a post from: Droid Life



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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Samsung’s GM of Samsung Pay Claims Verizon Owners Might Have Access in the “Next Week or So”

According to a tweet sent out recently from Will Graylin, Samsung’s Co-GM of Samsung Pay, Samsung device owners on Verizon will be able to download Samsung Pay directly from Google Play. As mentioned in the tweet, Waylin says it should be available, “in the next week or so.” This is great news for new Galaxy device owners on Big Red, but excuse us while we question Mr. Graylin’s statement. 

I could be completely off base here, but the tweet sounds very iffy to me. Not only has Verizon not given any inclination that they are ready to announce support for Samsung’s mobile payment service, but Graylin claims that the Samsung Pay app will be downloadable via Google Play. As most Samsung device owners should know, this app is not available via Google Play for anyone, or even from the Galaxy Apps application. The app comes preinstalled on the newest Galaxy devices, and is not available via 3rd-party stores anywhere, at least right now.

Is it possible that Samsung Pay could hit Google Play? Sure, there is nothing stopping that from happening, but with Samsung in love with their own ecosystem, it seems unlikely.

And again, the last we heard, Verizon was still “evaluating” the service altogether, and Verizon seems more key on promoting Android Pay to their customers than acknowledging the whereabouts of Samsung Pay.

For all Verizon customers who own a new Galaxy device, here is hoping the two companies can work this out, and Mr. Graylin is correct when stating that you should be able to download it in “the next week or so” directly from Google Play.

Although, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Will_Graylin_on_Twitter____KochharPulsar_soon_to_be_down_loadable_on_Google_Play_for_Verizon_customers__Hoping_in_the_next_week_or_so__

Via: @WGraylin
Cheers Tony!

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Google Now on Tap is Working Again on the 6.0 Preview

Two weeks ago, an update to the Google app briefly activated Google Now on Tap for those running a device with the Android 6.0 preview. For all of eight hours, owners of a Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 could take advantage of Google’s new service that allows you to pull up relevant information within apps, so that you don’t have to leave what you are doing to get answers.

But because the Now on Tap service wasn’t exactly ready for prime time or someone accidentally pressed “GO!”, Google killed it. We have been waiting for it to return and were wondering if today would be the day, now that Android 6.0 is super duper official. 

According to a handful of our readers (and our own Nexus 5), Google Now on Tap is back live again!

If you are still trying to figure out the service and why you need it, check out a couple of the screenshots below that show Now on Tap pulling up information through a variety of situations.

As a reminder, Now on Tap is an Android 6.0+ feature, so if you want to use it, you will still have to be using a device with the latest 6.0 preview, like the Nexus 6, Nexus 5, or Nexus 9. If you are running any of those, long-press the home button when in apps and watch the magic happen.

Screenshot_20150916-203303 Screenshot_20150916-203117 Screenshot_20150916-203006

Cheers Hamid and Brick!

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Tuesday Poll: Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P?

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

Tell us.

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

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

Thanks to their stellar network interoperability, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, unsurprisingly, are the next phones to be compatible with Google’s Project Fi. That means you can give even more to Google by not only buying their new phones, but by making them your wireless carrier too. 

As a recap, Project Fi is Google’s pay-as-you-use wireless service. It uses both T-Mobile and Sprint networks, only charges you for exactly the data you use, starts at $30 per month, and is all controlled through a simple Project Fi app. Fi tries to always find you the best connection possible, so it will jump from T-Mobile to Sprint to WiFi without you even noticing, for the most part.

With the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P joining Fi, that also means you can purchase each through Fi with a payment plan. The exact payment amounts are below.

Screen Shot 2015-09-29 at 2.16.41 PM

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

More:  Project Fi

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

If hands-on photo galleries are not enough for you, how about some video action? Kellen was on-hand for this morning’s Google event, where two Nexus devices were announced, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Both offer something quite different, and it seems our community is pretty torn on which to pick up.

The Nexus 6P is the larger, more premium-priced device, running a starting price of $499. It features a 5.7″ QHD display, Snapdragon 810 processor, and fingerprint reader. The Nexus 5X starts at $379, which is more of an updated Nexus 5 device with a body comprised of plastic. It features a smaller 5.2″ 1080p display and Snapdragon 808 processor.

Hands-on videos for both devices can be viewed below. 


Nexus 6P Hands-on

Nexus 5X Hands-on

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Nexus 6P Hands-on Photo Gallery

For anyone not too interested in the Nexus 5X, here is a photo gallery of the Nexus 6P in-hand. As mentioned earlier, it features an all-metal, more “premium” build quality. Featuring a 5.7″ QHD display, pricing for this model starts at $499 with pre-orders now live on Google Play.

Below, we have a gallery of the Nexus 6P in each color that is offered for pre-order. There is the “Aluminium,” Graphite (Black), and Frost (White). Why companies insist on making new names for basic colors, I will never understand.

Again, keep it locked right here while we get these Nexus hands-on videos rendered and uploaded. 

Which Nexus device are you leaning towards? X or P?

nexus 6p-23

nexus 6p-10nexus 6p-6

nexus 6p nexus 5x nexus 6p-15 nexus 6p-13 nexus 6p-12 nexus 6p-20

nexus 6p-21

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Nexus 5X Hands-on Photo Gallery

Kellen is live from Google’s Nexus event, and thankfully, they have units on-hand for him to take photos and videos of. While we wait for hands-on videos and first impressions, here is a gallery of the Nexus 5X in-hand. No more renders!

From what he has said, the device is light, definitely giving off a plastic vibe, unlike the Nexus 6P with its all-metal build. Keep it tuned here for hands-on videos of both devices soon.

Now, revel in its Nexus-ness beauty. 

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nexus 5xnexus 5x-6

nexus 5x-2 nexus 5x-3 nexus 5x-4 nexus 5x-5 nexus 5x-14

nexus 5x-7

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

As soon as Google’s morning event wrapped up, an email hit our inbox, claiming HTC is going to unwrap a brand new, Marshmallow-powered One device on October 20 via a “virtual event.” What is meant by virtual event, HTC states, “This is not your traditional smartphone so we aren’t hosting a traditional launch event.” 

The event is set to kick off at 12pm EST on October 20, which is 9am PST for those on the west coast.

As to which device HTC is referring to, we assume they are speaking of the One A9, a device that has been leaked left and right, but we would not exactly put money on that. The timing matches up well, given it was reported we would see the One A9 launch this November, however, nothing is ever confirmed until it is announced and official.

If HTC does announce the One A9, the device is reported to feature a 5″ AMOLED display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 2GB of RAM, microSD card slot, 2,150 mAh battery, 13MP rear-facing camera, and an UltraPixel camera along the frontside. If it also comes running Marshmallow, that is most impressive.

The live event will be streamed right here.

Excited?

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

This morning, Google announced the Pixel C, the first tablet designed and built by Google alone. It’s not a Nexus, it’s a Pixel. The Pixel C delivers a first-class tablet/laptop-like experience, featuring a 2560 x 1800 display, Tegra X1 processor from NVIDIA, Maxwell GPU, 3GB of RAM, USB Type-C, and a keyboard attachment for those who need to handle work on-the-go. 

Set to launch in time for the holidays, the Pixel C is priced starting at $499 for the 32GB model, and $599 for the 64GB. The keyboard attachment is priced and sold separately for $149.

The tablet runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, and if past Pixel devices were any hint, you can expect this device to feel exceptional in-hand.

What do you think? The ultimate Xmas gift?

Pixel C

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

Just as reported earlier this week, Google announced a Family Plan option for users of Google Music, one which will allow a family of up to six to rock out to all of the great tunes available through All Access, priced at just $14.99 a month. 

Each account will have the ability to store 50,000 songs in the cloud, accessible from any device. In addition, each account will receive the benefits of recommended playlists and streaming options, bringing a tailored feel for each user in your family.

Google states this Family Plan option will be available “in a few weeks.” Once available, we will let you know.

Who is ready to sign up for this?

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Google Announces New Chromecast Dongle, Chromecast Audio Dongle

At this morning’s event, Google announced two new Chromecast devices, an updated Chromecast HDMI dongle for your HDTV, and a Chromecast Audio dongle, capable of turning any regular speaker into a smart speaker. 

The updated Chromecast dongle features a retooled design, allowing for easier plugging into television units. Essentially, it acts the same as the older Chromecast, albeit with updated features, but the hardware inside the unit has changed most. Inside, we have dual-band WiFi, with a smart connection that allows for the fastest WiFi connection, all of the time.

Google decided to price the Chromecast dongle the same at $35, available for purchase today.

Chromecast Audio is basically the same thing, but for music. Instead of hooking it up to a TV, you hook it up to a sound system or Bluetooth speaker. This allows you to save battery on your smartphone. You and friends can set a queue of music for a playlist, and the hardware even allows for multi room support.

Chromecast Audio is also priced at $35.

To use these devices, Google is releasing an updated Chrome app, bringing a gang of new software features for this updated hardware, as well as the same content for 1st Gen Chromecast owners. Be on the lookout for this to hit Google Play soon. More info and exact specs can be found on their respective product listings through Google Store.

Have at it.

Chromecast Buy Links: Google Store

Chromecast Audio Buy Links: Google Store

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Nexus 5X Specs (Official)

As you now know, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are official. Google has fully announced each device at an event in San Francisco, putting to bed any last remaining questions.

LG has indeed made the 5X, a phone that is very much a return of the “all-around champ.” It’s the smaller of the two Nexus phones and should be a great option for those who want something much more manageable with a single hand, something that isn’t whale-like.

Below, you will find the official spec list as presented to us by Google. 

Nexus 5X Specs (Official)


Display 5.2-inch IPS LCD (1920x1080, 423ppi), Fingerprint and smudge-resistant oleophobic coating
OS Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 1.8 GHz hexa-core 64-bit, Adreno 418 GPU
Camera 12.3MP rear camera (f/2.0), IR Laser assisted Auto focus, 4K video capture (30fps), CRI-90 dual-flash; 5MP front camera (f/2.2)
Battery 2,700 mAh, Fast charging - up to 3.8 hours of use from only 10 minutes of charging
RAM 2GB
Storage 16GB or 32GB
SIM Nano
Dimensions 147.0 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm, 136g
Model LG-H791, LG-H790
Colors Quartz White, Ice Blue, and Charcoal Black
Ports Micro USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio jack
Other Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 MIMO, dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz), LTE cat. 6, Fingerprint reader, Sensor Hub, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient Light sensor, Hall sensor, Android Context Hub
Project Fi Ready Yes
Included Phone, charger, earphones, quick start guide

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Nexus 6P Specs (Official)

As you now know, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are official. Google has fully announced each device at an event in San Francisco, putting to bed any last remaining questions.

Huawei has indeed made the 6P, a phone that is largely thought to be the more premium of the two. It features a metal body, higher-end processor, is bigger, and more expensive. Some would consider the 5X to fall into the mid-range category, while the 6P is by all means a true flagship.

Below, you will find the official spec list as presented to us by Google. 

Nexus 6P Specs (Official)


Display 5.7-inch WQHD AMOLED (2560x1440, 518ppi)
OS Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1, 2.0 GHz Octa-core 64-bit, Adreno 430 GPU
Camera 12.3MP rear camera (1.55 μM, f/2.0), IR Laser assisted autofocus, 4K (30 fps) video capture, Broad-spectrum CRI-90 dual flash; 8MP front camera
Battery 3,450 mAh battery, Fast charging - up to 7 hours of use from only 10 minutes of charging
RAM 3GB
Storage 32/64/128GB
SIM Nano
Dimensions 159.3 X 77.8 X 7.3 mm, 178 g
Other USB Type-C, Fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Hall sensor, Android Sensor Hub
Colors Aluminium, Graphite, Frost

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

Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X pre-orders are now live on the Google Store! Go! Go! Go!

Store Links:  Nexus 6P | Nexus 5X

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

If you pre-order the new Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P, Google is tossing in some freebies.

All Nexus 5X and 6P orders include a free 90-day subscription to Google Play Music, but if you pre-order, they are also handing out a $50 Google Play credit.

The devices aren’t live yet on Google Play, so stay tuned.

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

Along with its announcement of the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, Google unveiled a new protection plan for each called Nexus Protect.

The plan runs $69 for the Nexus 5X and $89 for the Nexus 6P. With Nexus Protect, you get 2 years of coverage for mechanical breakdown on your phone, 2 years of protection from accidental damage, and you get replacements as early as the next business day.

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

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

Sorry, Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 (2012) owners.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Rolls Out Next Week to Nexus 5, 6, 7 (2013), 9, and Player is a post from: Droid Life



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Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Pricing and Availability Announced

It’s official – pre-orders for the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P open today and will ship later this month.

The LG Nexus 5X is priced at $379 (16GB) and $429 (32GB). The Nexus 6P is priced at $499 (32GB), $549 (64GB), and $649 (128GB).

Google Store is the place to order, but Google did mention that they will have additional retail and carrier partners down the road.

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Google Announces the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P

We’re at Google’s event in San Francisco and they just got done announcing the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. We’ll have more on them shortly, like full details and official specs, but as of now, nothing has been a surprise. 

The Nexus 6P is the big guy and the flagship, while the Nexus 5X marks the return of a previous Nexus champ.

Google is excited about their cameras, and even said they left out OIS on purpose because the cameras are so good in low light that they don’t need stabilization. We’ll have to put them through tests to see if that was a good decision or not.

More coming!

Nexus 5X

Nexus 6P

nexus 6p

nexus 5x-2
nexus 5x-3
nexus 5x-4
nexus 6p-2

Google Announces the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P is a post from: Droid Life



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