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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Google+ “Collections” Feature Starts Showing Up for More Users

Google+ Collections, the topic-focused grouping feature coming to Google’s social network that we broke news on last week, appears to be rolling out to new users today through the G+ app. 

We initially thought that the appearance of Collections was happening with the Google+ update that was published today on Android, but I went ahead and installed it and am not seeing the option for Collections. As you can see, some people are. My guess is that the new Collections feature is controlled server-side rather than through the app itself.

So what’s new since our last report? Not much! Collections is exactly as we reported last week – a new feature for Google+ that allows you to group posts, photos, videos, links, etc. by topic instead of by person. It’s like the opposite of a Circle, in a way. Other people can follow your Collections or you can go browse the world’s Collections as well.

Collections was previously in a private beta or testing group, but if it’s showing up in the app to new users, we must be getting close to an official launch. Let us know if you are seeing anything related to Collections!

Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Cheers Marco!

Google+ “Collections” Feature Starts Showing Up for More Users is a post from: Droid Life



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Lucky T-Mobile Galaxy S6 Edge Owner Gets Android 5.1.1 Update

Last week, as we were telling you to expect Android 5.1.1 at any moment, we weren’t exactly including those of you who just picked up a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge in the conversation. No offense, but phones with OEM skins aren’t usually leading the pack when it comes to updates that feature the newest versions of Android. As it turns out, maybe we should have. 

According to a single member of XDA who happens to own the T-Mobile variant of the Galaxy S6 Edge, Android 5.1.1 is rolling out! OK, “rolling out” probably isn’t an accurate term to use here, since this is one person with the update. No other owner of this phone has reported receiving it, which could mean a couple of things. One, this dude is incredibly lucky and somehow got roped into a test build, and two, he’s the first person on Earth to receive this update before T-Mobile rolls it out to more people. I’m guessing he falls into the first category, but time will tell.

This XDA member is also reporting that the bootloader of the phone is now locked, so there’s that, bootloader people.

I know that the answer will more than likely be “no,” but has anyone else seen the update?

Via:  XDA | SamMobile

Lucky T-Mobile Galaxy S6 Edge Owner Gets Android 5.1.1 Update is a post from: Droid Life



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Deal: $20 for the ExoMount Touch Car Mount

The ExoMount Touch car mount has been slashed to just $19.99 in the DL Deals store. That’s roughly $10 off the full price or about $5 cheaper than you will find it at Amazon. That’s a solid deal for those of you looking at car mounts for your oversized smartphones.

Why the ExoMount Touch? It can mount to just about any surface (flat, smooth, textured, curved, or rounded) thanks to its super strong suction. Once attached to your dash or other surface, the ExoMount quickly grabs a hold of your phone without the need to press a button. All you have to do is press it against the mount and the non-slip arms/pads will grab it. To release, you need a finger to loosen its grab, giving you true 1-handed access to your phone.

The ExoMount is also washable, has a swivel head, and should work with just about any phone, including oversized big boys like the Note 3.

Deal Link 

Deal: $20 for the ExoMount Touch Car Mount is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Connectivity Services Hits Google Play, Will Likely Manage VPN and WiFi Connections in Project Fi

If you own a Nexus 6 and it’s running Android 5.1, then you should see an update in Google Play for an app called Google Connectivity Services. Don’t be alarmed, because the app (or system service) is likely only there (at least for now) to help Project Fi work its WiFi network magic. 

The app’s description mentions that this service “helps Android handle network connections,” but also is there to support “connecting to Wi-Fi networks automatically and using a Google VPN to help secure your data.” It’s that second part that we care about, since that is exactly how Project Fi works.

Project Fi, when not connected to a Sprint or T-Mobile tower, might very well find itself automatically connected to a public WiFi hotspot. When connected to one, Google is using Google Connectivity Services to make sure that that connection is secure and safe for you to use data on. In order to secure your data connection, Google has told us that it will use a VPN, which we now know is a Google VPN.

If you aren’t seeing the update on your Nexus 6, you can click the link below and then update.

Note:  Just after posting this, I’m now seeing my Moto X “Pure Edition” as being compatible too. Anyone else without a Nexus 6 seeing this update?

Play Link

Google Connectivity Services Hits Google Play, Will Likely Manage VPN and WiFi Connections in Project Fi is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Launches Chrome Dev to Google Play, Live on the Bleeding Edge

Another version of Chrome has hit Google Play this afternoon, Chrome Dev. Much like Chrome Beta, which is still available at the time of this writing, the app’s description states “Live on the bleeding edge: Try out our latest features.”

So, if the Chrome Beta was not already buggy enough for you, Chrome Dev will allow you to have the latest features from Google ahead of anyone else, bugs and all. 

After downloading and installing, I don’t notice any real differences right off the bat. It looks and operates like Chrome, with no changes in the overall appearance.

Go give it a shot and clue us in on anything special you find. Nothing wrong with having features before everyone else, right?

Play Link

Google Launches Chrome Dev to Google Play, Live on the Bleeding Edge is a post from: Droid Life



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Airbnb App Updated to Support Android and iOS Tablets

Airbnb, the service that allows you to quickly find a place to crash for a night or two in most cities around the world, or lets you rent out your own unused space, now has a dedicated application for Android tablets. 

Inside the updated applications, users will see immersive maps to locate listings around you, as well as listing pages that feature cinematic images in high resolution. As stated in Airbnb’s press release, it should resemble the look of a magazine.

According to Airbnb, this is exactly what the tablet app offers.

  • Immersive maps that share more about the listings to help people decide whether to dive deeper into the content
  • Listing pages that showcase the cinematic images in high-resolution – Seamless flow through the app that reacts to touch rather than a point and click, which keeps people engaged as they move through the booking experience
  • An in-depth Discover page offering curated listings, wish lists, and experiences around the world
  • A message system specifically built for a tablet with dual-pane view for the first time on Airbnb
  • New navigation setup that offers a simple way to find upcoming trips

Please note, Airbnb states that the update should go live later this evening on Google Play, around 9pm Pacific.

Play Link

Airbnb App Updated to Support Android and iOS Tablets is a post from: Droid Life



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Google’s Messenger App Gets Quick Replies in Latest Update

If you still text message and happen to use Google’s Messenger application, you are going to want today’s update immediately. In the latest build, Google has added in a quick reply-like feature that allows you to quickly respond to text messages without ever opening the Messenger app. 

As can be seen in the images above, text messages will roll in and display as heads-up notifications with a “Reply” button. If you tap that “Reply” button, you will enter an overlay that allows you to type out and send a reply without actually opening the full-blown Messenger app. Once done, you can get right back in to whatever you doing. Of course, if you do want to get into the Messenger app, which you would need to do to send an image, Google provides a shortcut below the input box that will take you there.

“Why doesn’t Hangouts have this already?” We don’t know. We also don’t know why Hangouts is such a terrible app still, even though it is supposed to be the future. Messenger, on the other hand, is quite lovely.

Play Link | Download Link (apk)

Cheers @bdbplatano!

Google’s Messenger App Gets Quick Replies in Latest Update is a post from: Droid Life



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FYI: LG G4 Doesn’t Support Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0

“G4 has Quick Charge 1.8 Amp capabilities along with wireless charging.” That’s the official word on the LG G4’s lack of Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 charging capabilities.

We asked LG specifically yesterday, because there had been some confusion on the subject. After all, this phone runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, so it wouldn’t be crazy to just assume that the phone also was equipped with Qualcomm’s quick charging technology. Again, it doesn’t have it. 

Thankfully, the G4, like the G3 before it, charges through an included 1.8A charger that is quite fast in its own right. The G3 and its 3,000mAh battery , even without Quick Charge 2.0, was one of the fastest charging devices of 2014.

Just keep in mind that your Quick Charge 2.0 adapters aren’t going to produce that full 2A flow and charge the G4 any faster. Some may not even get to 1.8A. If you plan on buying the G4 and need an extra charger, you are going to want to find LG’s 1.8A chargers through places like Amazon.

Then again, you could also buy back-up batteries or attempt to grab the wireless charging back for the phone, whenever it becomes available.

FYI: LG G4 Doesn’t Support Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Launches Project Fi App to Google Play

For those here who are hoping to set up their Project Fi wireless accounts, you will definitely need the new Project Fi app that Google just launched onto Google Play. Honestly, we don’t think anyone is getting invites quite yet to try out the service, but with the release of this app, it is likely that folks who asked for an invite should receive them soon, given you live in an area that Google supports. 

With the Project Fi application, customers can activate their Fi service, manage their account, view data usage stats, view monthly statements, and get in touch with support 24/7.

So, if you own a Nexus 6 and want to live off of WiFi hotspots, T-Mobile and Sprint, go grab the app.

Play Link

Google Launches Project Fi App to Google Play is a post from: Droid Life



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HTC Would Rather be “Cool” Than Compete With Xiaomi, Predicts 29% Revenue Decline for Q2

HTC reported modest profit of $11 million for the quarter that just ended, with revenues also growing year-over-year, giving them a couple of quarters in a row of actual growth. Unfortunately, those positive signs aren’t going to hang around long, as the company’s Q2 target isn’t exactly strong. HTC expects revenues to drop by up to 29% year-over-year, which is surprising since they just announced their new flagship phone (HTC One M9) for the year that should have been a driving force for the next three months. Should we take that as HTC already expecting it to be a flop? 

Of course, the blame these days for struggling sales figures is almost always directed at emerging market players like Xiaomi, who continue to ship boatloads of devices at rock bottom prices. Companies like HTC just can’t compete with the small margins of these other companies. OK, that’s not entirely true. They probably could if they really wanted to change their way of thinking and operating, but they seem to be set in their ways.

In fact, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Chang Chia-lin, the CFO of HTC, said that his company isn’t interested in competing with companies like Xiaomi, who tend to only focus on volume. Instead, HTC wants to focus on being “cool,” because…well…I actually don’t know why you would choose being “cool” over shipping millions upon millions of smartphones. Chang did say that he thinks his company’s brand image is more important because their flagship product can create a halo effect that eventually draws people to mid-tier and entry-level phones, like the ones he just said he didn’t want to compete with, which would eventually bring in revenue.

I guess, I can accept that as one way of thinking. Except, that’s exactly how HTC has operated for the last few years, all of which have been massive disasters for a company who once shipped more Android phones than anyone in the world. HTC hasn’t even been in the top 10 in terms of smartphone shipments since 2013 and holds less than 2% of the world’s market share. And again, they managed that drop by creating supposedly “cool” high-end phones that were supposed to create a brand image that attracted the attention of mid-to-low end buyers. Is it working? It certainly doesn’t seem that it is.

On a semi-related note, Chia-lin did mention that his company will have another phone ready for the holiday season.

You tell me, is HTC “cool?”

Via:  WSJ [2]

HTC Would Rather be “Cool” Than Compete With Xiaomi, Predicts 29% Revenue Decline for Q2 is a post from: Droid Life



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Moto 360’s Monolink Band is Back In-Stock at Moto Maker

The Monolink band for the Moto 360 is back in-stock at Moto Maker! This is the little beauty that we took for a spin a couple of weeks ago.

This band, which has been hard to come by since the smartwatch’s introduction, will cost you an extra $50 on your custom Moto 360 order. And yes, you are still only able to buy it through the Moto Maker process, not as a stand-alone watch band. I can’t tell you why that is, it just is. 

Still, this might just be the best looking metal watch band for any smartwatch, so if you are in the market for a Moto 360, consider this add-on. Also, keep in mind that this band will more than likely work with the next generation Moto 360, meaning the investment may be well worth it. At least, that’s our thought on owning one.

To see the Monolink band in action, be sure to watch our video preview of it below. If still images are more your thing, we have a bunch of those here.

Motorola Link

Via:  @Motorola

Moto 360’s Monolink Band is Back In-Stock at Moto Maker is a post from: Droid Life



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Here is the LG G4 Official Product Video

Feeling a little hungover after yesterday’s LG G4 festivities? We are too. But what better way to cure a hangover than another beer G4 video?

This morning, LG posted the “official” product video for their new flagship smartphone, one that is ripe with drone footage taken on the phone, overviews of its camera, shots of leather being cut and shaped before being applied, butt seam rubbing, and tours of Sydney, Australia.

Even if you need a break from the G4 for a minute, the views of Sydney are at least worth a look. Trust me. 

Here is the LG G4 Official Product Video is a post from: Droid Life



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TAG Heuer’s Android Wear Watch Will Cost Around $1,400, Have 40-Hour Battery Life

The first true premium smartwatch is coming later this year from TAG Heuer. That’s right, Apple, plating a calculator watch in gold doesn’t make it premium – at least in my book. The watch, as announced in March, will be made in partnership with Intel and Google, yet “reflect the TAG Heuer heritage of Swiss design and quality.” So it’s a Swiss-made Android Wear device, powered by an Intel processor, and outfitted with what we can only imagine will be a high price tag for a smartwatch. 

According to a report out of Bloomberg, that “high” price will likely end up right around $1,400 and reportedly be ready for launch in October or November of this year. That matches up to TAG’s announcement of a 2015 worldwide distribution.

Aside from the pricing news, we may also now know another important feature of this yet-to-be-seen TAG smartwatch, and that’s battery life. Jean-Claude Biver, TAG Heuer’s CEO, said during a Hublot boutique opening that his smartwatch will last about 40 hours on a single charge. That would top all other smartwatches in the Android Wear category, assuming it can deliver on that. Most Android Wear devices are good for a day with pretty heavy usage, but can often bleed into a second day. At 40 hours, we are getting close to two full days.

We asked this question back in March, but are you willing to pay a premium for a Swiss-made watch that also runs Android Wear?

Via:  Bloomberg

TAG Heuer’s Android Wear Watch Will Cost Around $1,400, Have 40-Hour Battery Life is a post from: Droid Life



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