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Monday, May 18, 2015

ASUS ZenFone 2 Now Available From Amazon for $199

ASUS’ affordable yet premium smartphone, the ZenFone 2, is now available for purchase in the US through Amazon. It technically wasn’t supposed to go live for another couple of hours, but you won’t see us complaining about being able to order a phone with this price and these specs a bit early.

As a quick reminder, ASUS announced US availability this morning, stating that the phone would be available beginning May 19 at retailers like Amazon, B&H Photo, and Newegg. The phone features a 5.5-inch HD display, 1.8GHz/2.3GHz 64-bit quad-core Intel processor, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2GB/4GB RAM, 3000mAh battery, 16GB/64GB of storage, and connectivity on T-Mobile and AT&T. 

I listed dual-specs in some places because there are two models to be had here. You have the 2GB RAM version and the 4GB RAM version, with a $100 price difference between them. The 2GB version runs just $199, while the 4GB version is a pretty insanely low $299. With the 4GB/$299 model, you also get a special 18W BoostMaster adapter that can charge the phone quickly in a similar way to Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0.

The phone is an unbeatable price, especially for an unlocked phone with this list of specs. And you know how we love unlocked phones.

Amazon Link

ASUS ZenFone 2 Now Available From Amazon for $199 is a post from: Droid Life



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LG Announces G4 Stylus and G4c, a Couple of Mid-Rangers to Round Out the Line-Up

This evening, LG announced two new phones to add to the G4 family, the G4 Stylus and G4c. Both should be considered mid-range phones that are supposed to fit a couple of specific niches that aren’t addressed by the flagship, G4. 

The G4 Stylus is a bigger handset with a 5.7-inch HD display, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (with microSD slot), 5MP front camera, 3000mAh battery, and a stylus pen. It comes in both LTE and 3G models, with differences in camera and processor depending on the phone’s radio. The LTE model sports a 13MP rear camera and 1.2GHz quad-core processor. The 3G model drops to an 8MP camera, but does have a 1.4GHz octa-core processor.

As for the G4c, you are looking a “compact” device with a 5-inch HD display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (with microSD slot), 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2540mAh battery, and LTE.

Both phones run Lollipop and look a lot like the LG G4.

No pricing was given. We also don’t know where or when these phones would launch, but LG did say to expect them in “strategic markets” in the weeks to come.


INTRODUCING G4 STYLUS AND G4c, NEWEST MEMBERS OF LG’S G4 SERIES

More Options Including Many of the Great Features Found on LG G4

SEOUL, May 19, 2015 ― LG Electronics (LG) officially announces two new members of the G4 family, the G4 Stylus and G4c. Both smartphones will begin shipping to retailers around the world in the next several weeks and throughout the month of May. Both exceptionally priced devices share many of the same high-end user experience features found in the LG G4.

The G4 Stylus is a 5.7-inch handset, slightly larger than the 5.5-inch display found in the G4. As its name implies, The G4 Stylus includes LG’s versatile Rubberdium™ Stylus, allowing for easy note taking and drawing on the generously-sized screen. Its smaller sibling, the 5.0-inch LG G4c, offers many of the G4’s premium features and styling but in a more compact form factor.

Both G4 Series phones feature 13MP or 8MP rear cameras and 5MP front-facing camera for high quality photos and portraits. Other popular LG exclusives such as Gesture Shot, Glance View and Knock Code™ make both devices more convenient, secure and fun to use. The G4 Stylus inherits the super-fast Laser Autofocus feature found in previous G Series smartphones for sharply focused shots even in dim surroundings. HD quality IPS displays with In-Cell Touch technology deliver a visual experience that is far more immersive and responsive than on most other smartphones in this class.

“The G4 Stylus and G4c are perfect examples of what we mean by a premium smartphone experience without a premium price,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We are committed to offering consumers in fast-growing markets LG devices that not only deliver performance, but also look good while doing so. Both the G4 Stylus and G4c will surpass customers’ expectations of what an LG phone should be.”

The G4 Stylus (available as G Stylo in North America and Korea) will be offered in both LTE and 3G configurations in Metallic Silver or Floral White color options. The G4c is an LTE model only and will come in Metallic Gray, Ceramic White and Shiny Gold.

The LG G4 Stylus and G4c are scheduled to launch in key strategic markets in the weeks to come. Prices and participating carriers will be announced locally at the time of availability.

G4 Stylus Key Specifications:

  • Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core (LTE) / 1.4GHz Octa-Core (3G)
  • Display: 5.7-inch HD IPS (258ppi)
  • Memory: 1GB RAM / 8GB ROM / microSD
  • Camera: Rear 13MP (LTE) or 8MP (3G) / Front 5MP
  • Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)
  • Operating System: Android 5.0 Lollipop
  • Size: 154.3 x 79.2 x 9.6mm
  • Weight: 163g
  • Network: LTE / 3G
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n / Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / A-GPS / Glonass / USB 2.0
  • Colors: Metallic Silver / Floral White
  • Other: Stylus Pen / Laser Auto Focus / Gesture Shot / Glance View / Knock Code™

G4c Key Specifications:

  • Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core
  • Display: 5.0-inch HD IPS (294ppi)
  • Memory: 1GB RAM / 8GM ROM / microSD
  • Camera: Rear 8MP / Front 5MP
  • Battery: 2,540mAh (removable)
  • Operating System: Android 5.0 Lollipop
  • Size: 139.7 x 69.8 x 10.2mm
  • Weight: 136g
  • Network: LTE
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g, n / Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / A-GPS / Glonass / USB 2.0
  • Colors: Metallic Gray / Ceramic White / Shiny Gold
  • Other: Gesture Shot / Glance View / Knock Code™

# # #

LG Announces G4 Stylus and G4c, a Couple of Mid-Rangers to Round Out the Line-Up is a post from: Droid Life



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Humble Mobile Bundle Brings Suite of Artifex Mundi Games, Average Sits at $5.33

The newest Humble Bundle to hit the web brings a lineup of Artifex Mundi games, all of which are known for their quality and time-consuming attributes. As a reminder, Humble Bundle allows players to pay what they want for games, plus if you pay more than the average, you get bonus games.

As of right now, if you pay under $5.33, you gain access to Deadly Puzzles, Time Mysteries 1, and Clockwork Tales. Looking over on Google Play, each of these games are listed at $4.99. If you pay $5.33 or more, you also get Demon Hunter, Grim Legends, Time Mysteries 2, and Time Mysteries 3. 

If you are feeling generous, you can pay $9 or more and receive Grim Legends 2 and Enigmatis 2.

Depending on how you split it up, a portion or all of the proceeds of your purchase benefits the Prevent Cancer Foundation. So, you get fun games for a great price, and help an awesome cause.

Go check it out.

Humble Bundle Link

Humble Mobile Bundle Brings Suite of Artifex Mundi Games, Average Sits at $5.33 is a post from: Droid Life



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New AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment is Coming May 28

AT&T is going to introduce a new AT&T Next option on May 28, according to sources of ours. The new plan, called “AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment,” will offer customers who wouldn’t normally qualify for AT&T Next a chance to buy new phones, upgrade often, and not worry about signing a contract (because those are going away soon). 

The new plan, as the name suggests, requires participants to make a down payment of 30% of the device. That 30% is due at the point of sale, with the remaining device price then financed over a 28-month period. Since this is an AT&T Next 12 plan, customers will be able to upgrade to a new phone after 12 months of payments.

This new AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment plan really only differs from AT&T’s Next 12, Next 18, and Next 24 plans in that it requires customers to pay 30% of the phone upfront. With all of the other options, no down payment is due at the point of purchase.

AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment will be available March 28 at AT&T direct channels, as well as retailers like Sears, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, and Micro Center. Best Buy stores will get access to the option on June 1 and Apple will get it some time in July. If you want to try and sign-up for this new device payment plan earlier, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Bestbuy.com may be live as early as May 21.

New AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment is Coming May 28 is a post from: Droid Life



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Deal: One Year of Android Game Design From the School Of Interactive Design for $99

The game industry as a whole is a very big one, and the mobile game category in the industry continues to grow and become more of a money maker for publishers willing to put the time and effort into creating premium titles. If you fancied getting into this business, you can pick up a 1-year subscription to the School of Interactive Design to learn all about Android Game Design, priced at just $99 on the DL Deals Store

Regularly priced at a whopping $1500, over the course of a year, you will go from a person with zero experience in development, to someone who can utilize the Unity engine to create games from nothing. Inside the course, you will learn to make games for a variety of platforms, understand 2D game design, use 3D inside Unity 3D, and learn about fundamental Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator features.

If this course sounds interesting to you, check out the full syllabus, then follow the link below.

Features 

  • Start building a game in just a few hours
  • Learn to make games for all types of platforms like iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac & PC
  • Get the most up-to-date information from video game industry veterans
  • Study game design techniques, graphic design elements & animation
  • Understand 2D game design w/ GameSalad
  • Incorporate 3D design using Unity 3D & Maya
  • Explore the fundamental Photoshop & Illustrator features

Deal Link 

Deal: One Year of Android Game Design From the School Of Interactive Design for $99 is a post from: Droid Life



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Why I Will Forever Continue to Buy Unlocked Phones

I love unlocked phones. I really can’t see myself sticking with a carrier-branded or locked phone at any time in the near future. In fact, if I have it my way, I’ll never buy another for personal use. Unlocked phones are the phones I regular choose as my day-to-day devices because they not only offer incredible value, but they are filled with added bonuses you may not realize unless someone points them out to you. They are the phones for tinkerers, for tech nerds, for early adopters, and also for those looking for the best bang for their buck.

This is why. 

Network flexibility and value

This story was originally going to be much different than what you are now reading. The original idea was going to focus on why T-Mobile’s network still isn’t ready for prime time. You see, my wife and I just took a quick trip back to our home state of Montana for a wedding, but after taking a trip their last year with T-Mobile service attached to her unlocked phone, we both realized that we didn’t want to experience that type of wireless pain ever again and switched her over to AT&T at the last minute. In case you were wondering, T-Mobile has zero coverage in Montana. Zero. It was at that moment that I changed this topic idea (although, that “T-Mobile sucks” post may still be in the works) to why unlocked phones are perfect for her and I – flexibility.

Since my wife owns an unlocked Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, she didn’t need to buy a new phone or even enter an AT&T store when we switched her from T-Mobile prepaid to AT&T prepaid. All we did was go on Amazon last Monday, order a GoPhone SIM with 1-day Prime shipping, and follow the simple steps to get her setup the following day when it arrived. We did have to call AT&T after activating to get her phone number switched over, but the entire process was pretty painless. And if you don’t need to port a number over, then you are looking at being active within a couple of minutes on a new carrier. So within two days of realizing that she was on T-Mobile and we were about to enter a T-Mobile dead state, we had her up and running on a new carrier with solid coverage for our trip ahead. She even got to keep her old phone and phone number.

galaxy s6 gold-3

As for me, I find that with my unlocked phones, I am constantly jumping between the next big discount prepaid service or whichever seems to give me the best signal in my cave. I’ve used most of the prepaid options, including Straight Talk, Cricket, T-Mobile, and GoPhone, but had recently settled on T-Mobile because of the coverage at my house. But like my wife, I also needed to go to GoPhone for our Montana trip. So I simply swapped out the T-Mo SIM in my unlocked Galaxy S6 for an AT&T GoPhone SIM I had in another phone. Because most unlocked phones work seamlessly these days on both T-Mobile and AT&T, it really is that easy. Now that I’m home, if I want to go back to T-Mobile, I can.

While the network jumping is something that won’t come up all that often, it’s the fact that you have that flexibility with an unlocked phone that is so valuable. Whether you are taking a vacation or moving or simply want to test out someone else’s network for a bit, an unlocked phone gives you the option to do so without needing to buy a new phone.

Faster updates

If you follow us on Twitter, then you will know that we have been giving Motorola and Verizon hell over not pushing out Lollipop updates to the DROID Turbo. With an unlocked phone, you will more than likely never end up with a DROID Turbo, a.k.a. a phone that seems like it’s never going to get an important update. With an unlocked phone, because there isn’t the need for the manufacturer to go through strict carrier partner testing, updates almost always arrive before anyone else gets them. Look at how easily Google is able to update its Nexus phones when they aren’t tied to a carrier. Motorola is also fast at pushing updates to its unlocked Moto X products, as is HTC with its unlocked One variants. Even this Galaxy S6 I have has seen two updates since launch, one that includes fingerprint scanner improvements and important bug fixes that your Verizon Galaxy S6 may not see for months.

In a day where everyone is complaining about not seeing Android updates in a timely manner, an unlocked phone is your best chance at shortening that wait time.

galaxy s6 gold-2

They aren’t that expensive

For years, one of the negatives almost always associated with unlocked phones is this idea that they are incredibly expensive. That’s just not true anymore. Most unlocked phones can be had these days for the same price, and some times even lower, than their carrier-tied brethren. Take the Galaxy S6 for example. You can buy an unlocked Galaxy S6 with 32GB of storage and support on both T-Mobile and AT&T for $636. T-Mobile, on the other hand, wants $680 and AT&T wants $685.

“But no one buys phones at full prices!,” you say. True. Very few people do. But when you are buying a phone through carriers with a contract, you are essentially paying a monthly payment for that phone that is wrapped up in your bill. If you buy an unlocked phone from eBay or Motorola or HTC or a variety of other retailers, you can finance one and then pay small monthly payments and enjoy the same low monthly costs without that large upfront $600+ bill. Financing one is in many ways the same as using Verizon’s Edge or AT&T’s Next or T-Mobile’s device payment plan. So there are ways to reduce the cost of the newest phones.

And should you not want the newest of the new, keep in mind that you can almost always find phones that are less than a year old for rock bottom prices. Right now, you can grab a brand new HTC One M8 or Galaxy S5, which are barely a year old, for under $300. The brand new Moto E 4G LTE is under $150. There are so many deals to be had, that you can no longer use the excuse of “Unlocked phones are expensive.”

Exclusive colors and no carrier branding

On a related note, many times these unlocked phones come in exclusive colors that you won’t find from a carrier. For now, the Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 or Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge are only available as unlocked phones. In years past, Samsung has released all sorts of colors of phones that often only show up for purchase through unlocked phone resellers.

And you know how we hate the fact that carriers like Verizon think it’s necessary for them to include two or more logos on the phones they sell? Unlocked phones won’t ever have a carrier name attached. Some, like my unlocked Galaxy S6, go even more minimal than that. Notice anything different in the picture below? That’s right, it doesn’t even say “Galaxy S6″ on the back like almost every other Galaxy S6 on the planet. Unlocked also means no weird “4G LTE” logos in your notification bar either.

With an unlocked phone, you actually get to feel like you own your phone and aren’t just borrowing one from a carrier.

galaxy s6 gold-4

Less bloatware

In most cases, unlocked phones ship with as clean of a build of Android as you will find. Sure, manufacturers still have their skins installed and have made deals with app creators to pre-load your phone with some bloatware, but it’s never anywhere near the level our favorite carriers go to. With unlocked phones, you won’t find AT&T’s garbage navigator app or Verizon Tones or T-Mobile’s hotspot service pre-loaded. But should you want any of those, you can almost always find them on Google Play for installation, assuming you are paying for service on one of their networks.

So what are the downsides?

For me, there aren’t many. But one big one will deter a number of you, and that’s the fact that unlocked phones more than likely won’t work on Verizon at the moment. Because of Verizon’s 3G CDMA2000 network, you don’t have an open network that is begging you to come use it like you do with AT&T and T-Mobile. At some point in the future, when you can buy LTE-only phones that no longer need to access Verizon’s 3G network, this will all change. Until then, you are stuck with either AT&T, T-Mobile, or one of many GSM prepaid networks.

You may run into network compatibility issues from time to time or at least confusion on whether or not your phone will work with this or that carrier. You will need to do your research to make sure the phone you are about to buy actually works properly with all of AT&T or T-Mobile’s bands. Thankfully, we have this really handy US wireless carrier band cheat sheet that will help you figure it out. You also may need to manually input things like APN settings in order for your phone to get full service. APN settings for individual carriers can be found all over the internet, so again, this isn’t really something that should stop you.

And that’s really about it. Unlocked phones all have warranties and support from manufacturers, so there isn’t a worry there. There are third party insurance companies outside of carriers that will help you get phone coverage as well.

Final thoughts

I know that buying a phone outside of a carrier can be a confusing task at first, but trust me, with a little research, you should be able to end up with a phone built for you at a great value, that’s flexible, works on whichever carrier you choose (for the most part), and should be running the latest version of Android before most.

If you have any questions, be sure to drop them below!

Why I Will Forever Continue to Buy Unlocked Phones is a post from: Droid Life



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Report: Google to Launch Buy Buttons Directly in Search Results in Coming Weeks

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google will soon launch “buy buttons” directly in mobile search results, allowing users to make quick purchases via partnered retailers when signed into their Google account on a mobile device. 

These buy buttons are reported to be sponsored and paid for, meaning that not everything you search for will be purchasable. One retailer, reported to be Macy’s, is said to be working to become one of the first launch partners for Google.

When a buy button is clicked, you will be taken to a dedicated product listing page, where a size or other options can be selected. When you pay, via credit card or other unconfirmed payment type, Google will process the payment on their end, then hand it off to the retailer. It is stated that Google does not share your payment information with the retailer. Depending on the payment type you select will determine whether Google or the retailer will show up on your monthly statement.

After your first purchase is made, Google will hold onto your info, making future purchases much quicker. Now, if they intend to tie in Google Wallet, which already has most of my payment information, that would seem to be an even quicker route. But until Google makes this move official, we have little detail to work with.

If Google brings more buy buttons to Google Search, is this a good thing in your eyes?

Via: WSJ

Report: Google to Launch Buy Buttons Directly in Search Results in Coming Weeks is a post from: Droid Life



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ASUS Zenfone 2 Launches Tomorrow in US at Amazon, Newegg for $199 and $299

The ASUS Zenfone 2, a phone first introduced to the world waaaaaaay back at CES in January, is finally arriving on US soil. During a press event that took place this morning in NYC to announce US availability, ASUS said that it would go on sale starting tomorrow for $199 and $299 at retailers like Amazon and Newegg. 

As a recap, the Zenfone 2 is a high-end-like phone with an extremely affordable price. ASUS is selling it as an unlocked device that should run just fine on AT&T and T-Mobile’s LTE networks. The Zenfone 2 features a 5.5-inch FHD (1080p) display that takes up 72% of the phone’s front, Gorilla Glass 3, has 2GB ($199) or 4GB ($299) RAM, 16GB or 64GB of storage with microSD slot, 3,000mAh battery with quick charging (60% in 39 mins), 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, and runs Android 5.0 Lollipop. It’s also powered by either a 2.3GHz or 1.8GHz 64-bit Intel Atom quad-core processor. The $299 4GB version of the phone comes with the 2.3GHz Intel Z3580, while the $199 2GB version comes with the 1.8GHz Z3560.

For that price, you are looking at a hell of a phone.

Again, the Zenfone 2 goes on sale in the US tomorrow at Amazon, Newegg, B&H Photo, and Groupon.

Any takers?

ASUS Zenfone 2 Launches Tomorrow in US at Amazon, Newegg for $199 and $299 is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Intros Literata Font for Play Books Users

Google introduced a new font for Play Books users this morning, which should soon be available for all to enjoy. The font is called Literata, made for those who intend to do a lot of reading on their smartphone or tablet, according to Google’s tweet. 

As of right now, we don’t see an update in Google Play that includes the font, meaning it could be a server-side change, or Google is just slowly rolling out the update.

I’m no font connoisseur, so I can’t tell you what the font is based on or anything, but it looks pretty. Sweeping Q strokes and strong, bold lines. Better than Comic Sans, I guess.

Play Link

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Via: @GooglePlay

Google Intros Literata Font for Play Books Users is a post from: Droid Life



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The Internet Thinks Verizon’s LG G4 is Coming June 4 Because of This Image

Take a long look at that image of the LG G4. See anything that might give a hint at a potential launch date for it on Verizon?

For one, that is the Verizon version of the phone. As hard as that may be to believe because it doesn’t have three or four “Verizon 4G LTE” logos all over it, just know that we grabbed the photo from Verizon’s G4 landing page. (Breaking news:  Verizon’s LG G4 only has a single Verizon tattoo!) 

But if you look close enough to the date in the middle of the lock screen, you should see “Thursday, June 4.” Outside of the iPhone and Galaxy S6, Verizon almost always releases new phones on Thursdays, so that’s a good sign. Also, the phone is expected to arrive during the first week or so of June on most US carriers, so June 4 being a Thursday and during that first week of the month is actually a good sign as well. So will it launch that day?

Maybe. Probably. But it might not. Dates and times and other hints on phone renders have been around for as long as I can recall. Some are right and some are not. With Verizon, you just never know. We see too often their variants of phones launch weeks later than everyone else’s, so this could mean nothing or it could be a pre-order date with an open-ended launch window. Maybe Verizon will surprise us and launch the phone that day. I hope they do. This phone is good enough that Verizon customers shouldn’t have to wait longer than other carrier customers for it to arrive.

Since the G4 is a flagship phone, I’m leaning towards it launching really close to June 4. That’s just a gut feeling, of course.

Via:  Verizon

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See, Best Buy is Already Readying Green Emerald and Blue Topaz Galaxy S6s

Earlier this morning, we joked about soon-to-be-announced carrier or retailer exclusives of Samsung’s Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge. Shortly after we posted that bit of news, readers pointed out the fact that Best Buy already has “new” listings for each phone in 32GB and 64GB variants. We aren’t even 48 hours removed from Samsung’s announcement of each color’s availability and Best Buy is prepared to sell them. 

Now, these listings are for unlocked versions of each phone, so these aren’t exactly the “exclusives” we were referring to. Typically, Best Buy will get an exclusive on a blue version of Verizon’s Galaxy S6, or something along those lines. Since these aren’t tied to carriers, these don’t exactly fall into the scenario we complained about a couple of hours ago. Trust me, though, they are coming.

For now, if you were hoping to pick up either of these colors, you’ll have to wait a bit. Best Buy’s fresh listings are showing as “sold out.”

Best Buy Links:  Galaxy S6 Edge (Green Emerald) | Galaxy S6 (Blue Topaz)

Screen Shot 2015-05-18 at 8.58.46 AM

Screen Shot 2015-05-18 at 8.56.21 AM

Cheers Reginald!

See, Best Buy is Already Readying Green Emerald and Blue Topaz Galaxy S6s is a post from: Droid Life



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HTC Shuts Down ‘Mini’ Lineup of Flagship Phones, Cites Consumers’ Ever-Changing Needs

Each year for the past two years, HTC has released a Mini variant of its One flagship device. This year, that tradition dies, as HTC has no intentions to release a Mini version of the One M9, or ever again for that matter. As stated by Jack Tong, president of HTC North Asia, the industry is moving towards larger display devices, and the company’s roadmap is complimenting that change, according to Tong. 

During the announcement of the One M9+, a different version of the One M9 with a 5.2″ 2K display for overseas markets, Tong stated, “Overall the industry is moving towards new phones over 5 inches in size and our product roadmap is close to that of the industry.”

Overall, HTC appears to be focusing more closely on a smaller number of devices, limiting efforts, and attempting to create just a handful of phones that everyone could enjoy. If the Mini series was not selling very well, then the move to terminate the line makes complete sense, and is no surprise.

Upset by the end of the Mini series? Post your grievances below in the comments section.

Via: Focus Taiwan

HTC Shuts Down ‘Mini’ Lineup of Flagship Phones, Cites Consumers’ Ever-Changing Needs is a post from: Droid Life



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Xiaomi’s US Accessory Store Opens Today at 7PM Pacific With Cheap Goods Like a $15 Fitness Tracker

Earlier this year, Xiaomi – maker of all things insanely cheap that happen to look a lot (seriously, a lot a lot) like Apple products – announced that it would begin its move into the US by selling its line of ultra-affordable accessories. Their phones may arrive at some point down the road as well, but for now, they want to get you familiar with their brand by tempting you into picking up things like a $15 fitness tracker, $10 5000mAh power bank, or $80 premium headphones. Today, the temptation officially begins. 

Xiaomi announced via Facebook that it will open a “beta” accessory store today at 7PM Pacific (10PM Eastern) in the US.

The store may only be open for a short period of time as a flash sale, so Xiaomi recommends that you sign-up now, get your payment method set, and be ready to click “buy.” Since their products are so cheap affordable, there are limits on some of them. For example, the fitness band and power banks have limits of 2 per customer, while their headphones are limited to 1 per person. They accept Paypal and other credit cards and ship to the US, France, UK, and Germany within 7 working days.

From what we can tell, the first few products that will be available are:

  • 10400mAh Mi Power Bank ($13.99) – made with LG/Samsung lithium-ion polymer battery cells, comes with USB cable
  • 5000mAh Mi Power Bank ($9.99) – made with ATL/Lishen lithium-ion polymer battery cells, comes with USB cable
  • Mi Band ($14.99) – activity and sleep tracker, 30-day battery life, IP67 water resistant
  • Mi Headphones ($79.99) – semi-open headphones, 50mm diaphragm, 32 ohm low impedance, both on-ear/over-ear cushions

If interested, be sure to sign-up and get ready at the link below.

Xiaomi Link

Via:  Xiaomi (Facebook) [2]

Xiaomi’s US Accessory Store Opens Today at 7PM Pacific With Cheap Goods Like a $15 Fitness Tracker is a post from: Droid Life



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LG G4 Begins Global Rollout This Week!

Sit down, US consumers. We aren’t talking to you.

LG announced yesterday that they are beginning the global rollout of their new flagship, the G4. (We reviewed it the other day, by the way, in case you missed that bit of fun.) That global rollout, though, doesn’t yet include the US. No sir, LG instead wanted to share word that they are readying things in Hong Kong before moving onto Turkey, Russia, and Singapore. They will then “eventually” launch in most of Europe, North America (that’s you!), and a bunch of other places. 

As for US customers, you (in reality) only have to wait until early June. If you read this post from the day the G4 was announced, you already know that carriers here aren’t expecting anything until next month at the earliest. If you don’t want to wait until then, feel free to pony up $1,000 over at eBay for an unlocked version.

Via:  LG

LG G4 Begins Global Rollout This Week! is a post from: Droid Life



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Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge Now Likely Arriving in the US as Dumb Carrier/Retailer Exclusives

Over the weekend, Samsung announced that two new colors would soon be joining its flagships line-up of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Well, to be correct, these aren’t new as in “never before seen” new, they are new as in, you can now buy them new…somewhere. Remember the Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge that were announced as optional colors during Samsung’s unveiling of each phone? You know, the two colors of each phone that you were probably going to buy at launch had each been available? They are now available, weeks after you probably already bought your Galaxy S6 or Edge. 

Samsung didn’t say where you would be able to buy these, only that they are now launching globally. My guess is that you will see them across the globe as really obnoxious exclusives at select carriers and retailers, limiting your chances of landing one. In other words, places like Best Buy will hawk the exclusive colorways to you, or Verizon or AT&T, where as carriers like T-Mobile or Sprint or another will be left out of the phone. It happens with every big phone launch. It sucks. You hate it. We really hate it. Early adopters want to punch things because of it.

So yeah, these two colors – arguably the best colors of each phone – are now available. Be on the lookout for that Best Buy Graduation sale where they introduce their exclusive new Galaxy S6 colors! (That’s not official, by the way, just an assumption.)

galaxy s6 edge green emerald

Via:  Samsung

Blue Topaz Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald Galaxy S6 Edge Now Likely Arriving in the US as Dumb Carrier/Retailer Exclusives is a post from: Droid Life



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