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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Sprint Offering Half-Off Data Plans for Tablet Users

For anyone picking up a new smartphone or updating an existing line through Sprint, you can grab half-off deals for select data plans on tablet devices. Specifically, Sprint is offering the deal for its 100MB-1GB plans, now priced at $5 a month for 100MB and $7.50 a month for 1GB of high-speed data over six months. 

Again, to take advantage of this deal, you will need to be activating a tablet on a new line or updating an existing line coupled with a smartphone. More plainly, Sprint is offering a discount when you bundle devices on the same plan.

On top of cheaper data for tablets, Sprint is offering the LG G Pad for $0 down, with $10 monthly payments through Easy Pay. However, if you purchase, you will receive a $10 a month credit, essentially making the tablet completely free.

If Sprint is the right carrier for you, be sure to take advantage of these new offers.

Via: Sprint

Sprint Offering Half-Off Data Plans for Tablet Users is a post from: Droid Life



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Deal: Dotti Pixel-Art Smart Light Brings LED Fun to Your Desk for $69

I know that you probably never envisioned your life being better with a box full of colored LED lights that light up into shapes or animations while also showing you notifications from your phone, but it could potentially happen with the Dotti Pixel-Art Smart Light, which is on sale in the DL Deals shop for $69.99. Or maybe you just want a cool accessory for your desk to play with during times of boredom. Whatever the case may be, the $10 discount only lasts for a couple more days.

The Dotti Pixel-Art Smart Light, as I just mentioned, is a box full of colored LED lights. That box connects to your phone via Bluetooth to show you notifications from your favorite apps as they come in. But you can also sync the lights to a clock, customize how notifications arrive, push through various icons and animations, and even watch the lights animate to music that is playing on your phone.

Again, it’s kind of cool even if it is a niche product or office accessory that not everyone needs.

Deal Link 

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Google Play Services 7.3 Allows for Multiple Wear Device Connections, More

Google announced an update to Google Play Services (v7.3) today that introduces new Android Wear and Google Fit APIs to help you all build better experiences into your apps that use either service. 

With Wear, Google is giving us the ability to connect multiple wear devices to a single mobile device. Better put, that means you can connect two watches to a single phone or tablet. But along with that new connectivity, new APIs are needed to better manage those connections, decide how to deal with messages, and figure out where data should be going to and not going to. If you check out the blog post linked below, Google walks through all of the new APIs that were created to handle all of that.

As for Google Fit, Google wants it to be easier for apps to grab up-to-date information from Fit (like steps or calories burned) and display it. Think watch faces being able to grab your current step count each time you look at it.

The rest of the update really is developer-specific stuff, so rather than attempt to sound like I know how to build apps, I’ll have to push you to today’s post on the announcement and the video below. Have fun, devs.

Via:  Android Developers

Google Play Services 7.3 Allows for Multiple Wear Device Connections, More is a post from: Droid Life



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Tuesday Poll: Is the LG G4 Your Next Phone?

Have you seen enough of the LG G4 after today’s festivities to know whether or not you are going to buy one? I would imagine that many of you have, thanks to this full list of specs, a comparison to the Galaxy S6 and One M9, our hands-on gallery, and Tim’s first impressions. We’ve tried to give you everything we can, outside of price, because LG and its carrier partners have yet to reveal that important bit of information. Still, we know it will probably drop in at $199 on contract and anywhere from $600 to $700 without one. There are few secrets left.

Tell us, did LG impress you with all of its Quantum IPS display and f/1.8 camera talk? Did they convince you that you need a leather back and removable battery? Or are you disappointed that the phone looks a lot like the G3, is using a Snapdragon 808, doesn’t have the premium materials of the Galaxy S6 or One M9, and skipped on the fingerprint sensor?

Let us know!

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

Tuesday Poll: Is the LG G4 Your Next Phone? is a post from: Droid Life



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LG G4: Hands-on Video and Impressions

Before I got my hands on the G4 from LG, I did not know quite what to expect. Sure, any company can tease that they have made a great successor to last year’s flagship, but with LG diving headfirst into leather backsides, while also upgrading their display and camera technology, I slightly assumed they could easily miss a few points of interest for users, such as in-hand feel and battery life.

After the device was unveiled in its entirety, all of the media in the venue filed over to the demo area. I finally got my hands on with the G4, and right when I picked it up I said, “Oh, this feels nice.” 

In-hand, the G4 feels rather light, but not cheap. Unlike the metallic heaviness of the One M9, or the cold glassy feel of the Galaxy S6, the G4 fits somewhere right in the middle, still utilizing a heavy amount of plastic in its design. At first glance, the phone reminds me a lot of the OnePlus One and last year’s G3. There are minimal bezels, plus a nicely sized chin with the LG logo at the bottom of the frontside.

Also, there are a few different colors for the leather backsides, and there are multiple colors of the plastic or “carbon” backs. The leather, while not being Horween or anything of insane quality, does feel like leather. Not that I ever doubted that it was, but since LG has to mass produce these backsides, and still try to make a profit, I’m sure a few high-end corners had to be trimmed. Depending on the leather color you get, a different texture is featured. For Black, Light Blue and Shale (that’s what I’m calling it), you get a tumbled leather on the back. For Maroon and Tan, there is a smooth back. Personally, I enjoy the smooth backside.

LG G4 - 21LG G4 - 24

Continuing on, LG worked a slight curve into the design, which really helps when the device is being held in your hand. It fits wonderfully, and with no real weight to it, it’s a comfortable phone all around. During the hands-on time, I got to play with the camera, view the display during different operations, and basically give it a nice little tour.

As I previously mentioned, LG has loaned us a unit to take back home and review, so as my time with it grows, I will likely have much more to say about it. However, I don’t want to leave anyone hanging. The G4 is really nice. The 5.5″ QHD display is gorgeous and the camera is remarkably good, making the G4 a serious little package when compared to the Galaxy S6 and One M9.

Below, I have a hands-on video that I recorded myself when I got back into the hotel room. Since I am the only one filming, and don’t have access to a tripod, there is a tad bit of shakiness, so please excuse that until I can get back home to all of my equipment.

In the meantime, I am more than happy to answer any questions or show off select features if anyone asks for it.

LG G4: Hands-on Video and Impressions is a post from: Droid Life



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Verizon’s Galaxy S4 Gets Lollipop This Week!

The Verizon Galaxy S4 is the next phone to get this year’s big update to Lollipop. According to Verizon, the update will begin rolling out in phases this week as build VRUG0C1 and Android 5.0.1 (LRX22C). 

Like all other Lollipop updates, this one will feature Google’s Material Design language sprinkled throughout the OS, more powerful notification controls, including interactive notifications on the lock screen, a brighter look and feel to Samsung’s TouchWiz, floating action buttons everywhere, and a new look to the recent apps screen.

In order to check for the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software updates>Check for updates.

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Via:  Verizon

Verizon’s Galaxy S4 Gets Lollipop This Week! is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Gives 70 New Partners Access to Google Now

Back in January, Google announced that it was allowing 3rd party apps to work with Google Now for the first time; 40 of them to be exact. This was huge news because it meant that your favorite non-Google apps could start to give you relevant, perfectly timed information in your Google Now stream just as you need it, in the way that Google attempts to do with transit info, the weather, and your travel plans. Today, they expanded the program by allowing another 70 new partners to get in on the fun. 

Some of the new partners include ABC News, Allrecipes, Jawbone, Runkeeper, Adidas, OpenTable, Zipcar, Spotify, TuneIn, and Feedly.

To see the full list of apps, head over to this Google page. To see some of the example cards of each, go here.

In order to let the new apps play nice with your phone, you will need the newest version of the Google app (4.5), which is rolling out slowly.

Play Link

zipcarmockhighres spotifyhighres

Via:  Inside Search

Google Gives 70 New Partners Access to Google Now is a post from: Droid Life



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LG G4: Hands-on Photo Gallery

Here is a hands-on photo gallery for the LG G4 to keep you busy, while we patiently wait for our hands-on video to upload and go live on YouTube.

From the time I have spent with the device, I am pretty darned impressed with the 5.5″ QHD display, 16MP rear-facing camera with OIS and Laser Auto Focus, as well as the snappiness overall in the device from the Snapdragon 808 processor and 3GB of RAM. 

Thankfully, we have a unit to take back to the Pacific Northwest with us, so you can expect plenty of G4 coverage to follow along shortly.

If there is anything in particular you have questions about, shoot them below, or wait for our video to go live and then ask them.

Until then, feast your eyes on the G4 from LG.

Gallery

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LG G4: Hands-on Photo Gallery is a post from: Droid Life



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Specs: LG G4 vs. Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge vs. HTC One M9

Curious how the new LG G4 stacks up to Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge or the HTC One M9? We walked through each phone’s specs and put them together in a simple comparison sheet for you below, so that you can at least get a feel for each on paper. Each phone will undoubtedly be different when in hand, mostly because of the size, finishes, and software experiences, but this still gives you a way to compare the hardware that manufacturers settled on. 

For example, LG went with the Snapdragon 808 instead of Qualcomm’s supposedly higher-end Snapdragon 810 that is in the HTC One M9. LG did go crazy with the G4’s camera, though, even topping Samsung in aperture. LG also went with a removable battery and microSD slot, something I know a handful of you wish had been included in the Galaxy S6s.

Overall, this is a pretty close battle, even if LG skipped on the fingerprint sensor, heartrate monitor, and all-metal body.

lg g4 vs galaxy s6 edge one m9

Specs: LG G4 vs. Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge vs. HTC One M9 is a post from: Droid Life



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Deal: New Unlocked Galaxy S6 (SM-G920F) for Just $629

Wow, now this is a good price on a brand new, unlocked Samsung Galaxy S6. For just $629.99, you can own an early candidate for “phone of the year” in either gold, white, or black and with 32GB of storage.

For comparison’s sake, the AT&T and T-Mobile Galaxy S6 at full retail cost $685 and $680, respectively. You are looking at a discount of at least $50 should you buy the phone through this deal, plus it comes unlocked, so you can take it to either carrier whenever you want.

This unlocked Galaxy S6 is model SM-G920F, which is an international variant. We tend to like unlocked, international models because they often see updates before any other phone does.

If you haven’t already, be sure to read our Galaxy S6 review.

eBay Link

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LG G4 is Coming to AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular

According to LG, the new G4 will be available at all of the big US carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular.

Pricing has not yet been announced. Availability information will be left up to carriers to announce.

LG G4 is Coming to AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular is a post from: Droid Life



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LG G4 Specs (Official)

Now that the LG G4 is official, I’m sure you are curious about the official specs. We have those for you now, just like we do with all major flagship phones.

As a quick high-level recap, the LG G4 sports a 5.5-inch Quantum IPS QHD display, 16MP F1.8 camera with OIS, front 8MP camera, 3,000mAh battery (removable), Snapdragon 808 processor, 32GB internal storage, up to 2TB micro SD support, 3GB RAM, LTE, Android 5.1 Lollipop, and more. 

LG G4 Specs


  • Display:  5.5-inch Quantum IPS LCD QHD (2560×1440, 538ppi)
  • Rear Camera:  16MP f/1.8, Laser autofocus, RAW capture, HDR 1/2.6″ sensor size
  • Front Camera:  8MP f/2.0
  • Processor:  Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 1.8GHz 64-bit Hexa-core with X10 LTE
  • Battery:  3,000mAh removable
  • RAM:  3GB
  • Storage:  32GB internal, micro SD support up to 2TB
  • Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
  • Bluetooth:  4.1 BLE
  • Other:  NFC, USB 2.0, 4K Slimport support, GPS-A, Glonass
  • Android:  Android 5.1 Lollipp

LG G4 Specs (Official) is a post from: Droid Life



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LG G4 is Now Official

LG has finally made the G4, it’s new flagship smartphone, official. After weeks of teasing and feature hints, we now know it all. Well, we are learning it all as they slowly announce it via livestream.

We will update this post as the info rolls in. 

The LG sports a 5.5-inch Quantum IPS QHD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (no 810 here!), 3,000mAh removable battery, “slim arc design,” 16MP F1.8 camera with a “color spectrum sensor” and laser autofocus (RAW support too), 8MP front camera, micro SD slot, and leather or “3D-textured” metallic backs.

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LG G4 is Now Official is a post from: Droid Life



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LG Watch Urbane Now Available From Verizon and AT&T for $349 in Silver

After popping up on the Google Store yesterday afternoon, the LG Watch Urbane is now available from Verizon and AT&T as well. You can order this premium Android Wear watch for $349 at each carrier’s online store in silver starting today. The gold version isn’t available from either spot, but Google still has it in stock with a shipping date of May 8.

The watch will reach AT&T stores on May 15. As of right now, we don’t know if or when it will arrive in Verizon stores. 

Links:  Verizon | AT&T

LG Watch Urbane Now Available From Verizon and AT&T for $349 in Silver is a post from: Droid Life



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Deal: Interstellar and a Bunch of Other Movies are Just $3.99 in HD on Google Play

You digital movie library is about to grow. Through some sort of unannounced movie discount on Google Play, you can grab new flicks like Interstellar, the newest Hobbit and Hunger Games, Whiplash, and more for just $3.99. Actually, the movies are $3.09 for their SD versions, but you may as well fork out for the HD versions at just $3.99.

No telling how long these will be priced like this, so jump on them now. 

Play Links:

Cheers Shaun!

Deal: Interstellar and a Bunch of Other Movies are Just $3.99 in HD on Google Play is a post from: Droid Life



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LG G4 Live Blog! (Starts at 8AM Pacific)

You all ready for the LG G4? In case you forgot, LG is making the phone official this morning in New York and London at 8AM Pacific (11AM Eastern). Tim is on hand at the NYC event to get up close and personal with the phone, once it has been announced.  

As a recap, we are expecting both plastic and leather backed version of the G4, a 5.5-inch QHD display, similar shape and form to last year’s G3, 16MP F1.8 camera with OIS+, SD card slot, somewhere around a 3,000mAh battery, new LG UX 4.0, and butt seams. If the G4 is an improvement on the G3, then it should be a hell of a phone.

We have a live blog embedded below and will toss in a live stream of the event should LG post one.

Let’s do this!


LG G4 Live Blog! (Starts at 8AM Pacific) is a post from: Droid Life



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