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Friday, June 12, 2015

Don’t Miss These Top Android Stories: 6/12/2015

Another week in the books here at DL. This week, Apple took the stage at WWDC and ruled most of Monday, but Google capped the week off with the announcement of YouTube Gaming, set to launch later this summer. As a gamer myself, I am highly interested.

Other big news from this week included our exclusive unveiling of Google’s upcoming Nest Cam, an unboxing of the Galaxy S6 Active, Motorola finally shedding some light on the DROID Turbo Lollipop update status, a major Hangouts 4.0 leak, and maybe shockingly to some, but we sat down for Episode 84 of the Droid Life Show.

If you happened to miss any of this week’s action, we have the goods for you below. 


Have a fun-filled weekend, folks!

Don’t Miss These Top Android Stories: 6/12/2015 is a post from: Droid Life



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Amazon Echo Now Supports IFTTT Recipes

Fond user of IFTTT? Happen to own an Amazon Echo? Well, you’re in luck. The Echo assistant from Amazon now supports IFTTT recipes, allowing for a multitude of things to be accomplished with just your voice.

For example, if you need a physical copy of your grocery list, ask Alexa what’s on the list, and IFTTT can then automatically send it to your HP ePrint printer. Fancy, yeah? 

If you need some more ideas, how about adding all of your Alexa “to-do” lists to Evernote, or even saving all of those cool song names Alexa plays you to Google Drive? There are a ton of recipes to choose from, and if there is one you don’t see, you can create it yourself.

Loving that Amazon Echo of yours?

Via: IFTTT

Amazon Echo Now Supports IFTTT Recipes is a post from: Droid Life



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Deal: $17 Smart Micro USB Charger Tells You How Fast Your Phone is Charging

If you are the type of person who has dozens of different phone and tablet chargers lying around your house after collecting devices over the years, you have probably run into situations where you thought your phone with this cable or that adapter wasn’t charging as quickly as it should. With the help of today’s DL Deal, the Smart Micro USB Charge Kit ($17), those combinations of adapter and cable that cause slow fill-ups could be a thing of the past.

The Smart Micro USB Charge Kit acts as a middle man between your phone and wall adapter to try and tell you if your phone is getting a full amount of juice as it charges. It ranks your charge like a cell phone signal, with a 5 bar rating. It’s as if it’s measuring signal strength to let you know if your phone is getting the best connection to your charger. The idea here is that the better the connection, the faster your phone charges.

It’s $17 for a limited time if you are interested.

Deal Link 

Deal: $17 Smart Micro USB Charger Tells You How Fast Your Phone is Charging is a post from: Droid Life



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Samsung Galaxy S6 Active Unboxing and First Look!

 

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is available today at AT&T stores and online, in case you forgot. We have one in house!

Since the Galaxy S6 Active is really just a Galaxy S6 in a rugged shell and with a larger 3500mAh battery, we do plan to put it through some tests and to review it, but the review might be on the short side. The display, performance, camera, and software experience really should be identical to the original S6, so that leaves us a couple of areas to focus on and get back to you in a hurry.

Of course, we want to see how long a 3500mAh battery can last in a Galaxy S6. I think it’s safe to say that we have all been a bit disappointed in the battery life of the regular S6 and S6 Edge. At 3500mAh, this phone should (we hope) be able to push through an entire day. It has been some time since I have experienced battery life like that and am genuinely looking forward to not having to fast charge twice a day.

Outside of the battery, we want to see how “active” this phone really is. We’ll throw it in some situations that involve water, take it on some sweat-filled runs, drop it a lot, drop it some more, and also make sure its camera is still as good as it is on its siblings. This should be a fun review.

First, let’s unbox it and share some first impressions!

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Samsung Galaxy S6 Active Unboxing and First Look! is a post from: Droid Life



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Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 30 Answers

This past Monday, we hosted Volume 30 of the DL Q&A Sessions. At that time, we invited you to send in any question you could think of, whether it be Android related or not, and this afternoon, we have the answers for you.

Questions asked by our community focused on the upcoming Galaxy Note 5, more specifically about the possibility of it featuring a microSD slot and removable battery, as well as how the DL crew spends it time while traveling and not sitting at the desk in our hotel room writing up a ton of posts.

Check out all of our answers to your questions below. 

Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim, and R is Ron.


With Android M introducing support for fingerprint scanners, and USB Type-C right around the corner, what tech are you looking forward to the most as a standard feature for 2016 flagships?

K:  USB Type-C for sure. While native fingerprint support should make it easier for everyone to implement that type of security, USB Type-C makes charging faster, plugging in cables stress-free, and potentially brings a level of extension from your phone to other technologies (via dongles) that we haven’t seen before.

T:  For me, it’s USB Type-C. Finally, I don’t have to struggle trying to stick in the charger upside down or right-side up. Let me plug it in however I want! Sure, fingerprint sensors are legit, and Samsung did it right, but gimme that Type-C immediately.

R:  Fingerprint scanners are the big one for me. Most people don’t secure their phones even though they should. Having a fingerprint reader that works well makes people want to use it and increases security. People need to secure their phones. I hate typing in a pass code as much as the next person, so having a fingerprint reader on my next phone is a must.

What do you guys see Google doing with Hangouts in the future?

K:  Two years ago it was the future – now, I have no idea. It hasn’t changed much recently in terms of functionality. The app looks bad and is frustrating to use. Group messages still don’t work and Google recommends you use another app for that. The full Google Voice integration still hasn’t arrived in any form. So I don’t know. It’s too bad, because iMessage still puts Hangouts to shame and shouldn’t.

T:  They need complete and total Google Voice integration. On that same note, Voice needs to figure out how to deal with group messages. I feel like I’m stuck in 2008 dealing with people’s iMessage group chats. Frustrating. So, yeah, make it look better and kill Google Voice.

R:  We’ve seen some leaks of version 4.0 so that tells us what they’ll do with the UI soon. I don’t expect Hangouts to change much beyond small iterations. It’s a good product that I enjoy using (although less so on OS X).

Whenever you guys travel for an Android phone/device release, is it all about the event or do you get in some serious or not-so-serious fun?

K:  We definitely get in the fun. The event is, obviously, the main focus initially, but once that wraps and we get our coverage done for the day, we tend to find awesome food, good cocktails, and relax. During CES and I/O, we always try to do a special dinner in celebration, if you will.

T:  Once the daily coverage is over and it’s time to relax, I always try to find some good food and a chill spot to kick my feet up. Doing live blogs and tons of posts can get pretty overwhelming, so when it’s time to play, we play hard. Plus, it’s nice being in new areas and traveling around. Always fun to meet new people and explore the cultures of each city.

R:  I’ve only ever been to one event and it was definitely all about the event. It was really cool to see people whose writing I love and respect, so that part was fun.

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Your top 3 movies of all time?

K:  I thought this would be easy to answer, and I’m now struggling. Number 1 has always been Predator. It’s combination of bad ass-ery, Arnold in his prime, the jungle and camo and boobie traps and big ol’ guns, and the most awesome alien ever that hunts things for sport, makes it an easy list topper for me. After that, it’s probably some mix of Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight, The Road Warrior, and Spaceballs. That’s 5, I know. I cheat.

T:  What an impossible question to answer. I’m a total movie freak. As of right now, I can attempt to give you a Top 5, but it seems to change day-to-day. Right now it would be Interstellar (I’m reading The Science of Interstellar currently), Donnie Darko, Spaceballs, Drive, and Black Hawk Down. But again, I could swap some of those out with other movies, such as Amadeus, Dances With Wolves, Godzilla 1985, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, and tons of others.

R:  I chose these based on what I like to rewatch in case you’re wondering about my criteria – The Empire Strikes Back, Mean Girls, and Inglorious Bastards.

What do you think of Sony’s total lack of interest in the US market?

K:  It’s been that way for years, so there isn’t much to say. They don’t have any good carrier partners here and so they can’t make money here. They tried with both Verizon and T-Mobile, but it was probably way too late. It’s too bad too, because their phones are quite good.

T:  To me, it’s welcomed. I must be one of the only peeps who really doesn’t care for Sony’s smartphone designs or software. Just don’t care for any of it. It would be nice to have a few more players in the game, but Samsung, LG, and Motorola are keeping me happy as a consumer, so it’s fine.

R:  Their whole phone division is probably going to go the way of the dodo. They were big internationally for a long time, but the carriers in the US are just ruthless with their demands. It took forever for us to stop seeing carrier variants of flagship devices (and sometimes we still see them!). I don’t think they lacked interest as much as they lacked the control they wanted.

Can the Cavs overcome the loss of Kyrie Irving and win the Finals?

K:  Doubtful. They showed heart by going up 2-1, but last night, they looked terrible and got beatdown by 20 at home. With LeBron resting for 3 minutes, the Warriors put the game away quickly in the 4th quarter after the Cavs came storming back. LeBron is great, but I don’t know that he’s great enough to beat the Warriors by himself.

T:  After last night’s performance, I don’t see the Cavs being able to come back and win it. The Warriors find a way to win. Look at their season record. That’s a team that finds a way to win, no matter what. Super impressive. Terrible what happened to Kyrie, though, especially in Game 1. Doesn’t seem fair to me.

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Do you think the Samsung Note 5 will feature a removable battery and microSD slot?

K:  No. Samsung now wants to raise those margins, just like Apple.

T:  Sadly, Samsung just discovered that they don’t have to have removable batteries or a microSD card, and people will still buy the crap out of their products. Sure, we would love to see them in the Note 5, but Samsung is changing up their designs so drastically that it’s possible no removable battery or microSD card will be featured. If anything, just hope there’s a slot for storage. But don’t bet on any removable battery.

R:  I hope so. I could see Samsung saying fast charge and the cloud are the way of the future and I could also see Samsung saying that the Note is their phone for people who want it all. Anything is possible; nothing is confirmed.

Do you think HTC should drop the One series and create a new flagship?

K:  100% yes. The One series has been a colossal failure. It was a neat idea 3 years ago, but it hasn’t helped stopped this company’s nose-dive into irrelevancy. It’s time to start over one last time, HTC.

T:  HTC should do the exact opposite of what they are doing now and maybe we can see some success. Don’t stop innovating on design because select press loved the crap out of the One M7. It seems they got super cocky with how much love they received, then decided they didn’t have to try so hard. Incorrect, HTC. You have to keep evolving in this industry!

R:  I think HTC needs to either close up shop or get serious and really innovate. The only way they can survive long term in the phone market is if they truly differentiate their products with an incredible experience. It may be good to drop the One name when they’re ready to make a splash. If not, then they should give up while they’re ahead. HTC was my favorite phone OEM for years, but lately they’ve just been phoning it in.

What phone do you run as your daily driver and what carrier do you use?

K:  Been on the Galaxy S6 since it landed in my lap. I can’t put this phone down – it is that good.

T:  I am currently on a Galaxy S6 with Verizon. My backup is a Galaxy S6 Edge on T-Mobile. I love both of them very much.

R:  iPhone 5c in blue on Verizon. Why Verzion? Because I like having coverage. Why did I get the 5c? My thoughts are here. What will I be getting next? Probably an iPhone because having the best apps first is more important to me than the best OS features first. Plus Google makes it super easy to use their services on an iPhone. I’m thinking 6S Plus, but we’ll see what happens. For those of you thinking “I knew he wasn’t going to switch!” You’re right. If you can determine any other decision I will make let me know. Maybe open up a fortune telling business because that is valuable. Honestly, my plan was to get the Note 5, but my priorities changed after my experience with the S6. I still love Google and Android and I recommend Android phones to friends and family all the time, but I prefer iOS personally.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 30 Answers is a post from: Droid Life



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Want to See Lollipop on the DROID Turbo?

The DROID Turbo still doesn’t have Lollipop. You knew that, of course, because Motorola told us yesterday that the update is still in the lab going through final testing. Still, that hasn’t stopped Verizon from updating its Turbo listings and support pages to show that the phone probably should have had Android 5.0.2 or 5.1 at some point within the last week. 

Take for example the DROID Turbo simulator, which now shows you step-by-step guides for doing almost everything on your phone with it running Lollipop. From unlocking the phone and placing calls to accessing that brand new Lollipop notification shade, it’s all there. That white app drawer icon, those light-themed settings, the new dialer – all of it. Seriously, even Verizon thinks this phone should have received the update already.

To see Lollipop in action on the DROID Turbo, hit up that source link. You may as well get any taste of the sweetness as you can at this point.

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Via:  Verizon
Cheers Dave, Matthew, and Tony!

Want to See Lollipop on the DROID Turbo? is a post from: Droid Life



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YouTube Gaming is Google’s New Twitch Competitor, Launches This Summer

Remember when reports surfaced in 2014 suggesting that Google had purchased Twitch for a cool $1 billion? That, of course, never actually happened, but Google knows how important live streaming of games is to the future of gaming and its ability to monetize it all. This afternoon, Google announced a service called YouTube Gaming, which yep, is their Twitch competitor. 

With YouTube Gaming, you will get dedicated pages for your favorite games (more than 25,000), so that you can find the best videos related to those games. There will be live streams of those games being played by your favorite gamers, notifications when those happen, and recommendations all based off of those favorites. Google is also building an “improved live experience” that makes it “simpler to broadcast your gameplay to YouTube.”

YouTube Gaming launches this summer on the web, Android, and iOS.

You can access YouTube Gaming here and sign-up to be notified about its launch.

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Via:  YouTube | @YouTubeGaming

YouTube Gaming is Google’s New Twitch Competitor, Launches This Summer is a post from: Droid Life



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Pebble Time Pre-Orders for Non-Backers Set to Begin June 22 Through Best Buy

The Pebble Time, the second-generation smartwatch from maker Pebble, is set to go up for pre-order on June 22 for those who did not back it on Kickstarter. To make it sort of fancy, Pebble is teaming up with Best Buy to accept pre-orders through the retailer’s website, with orders shipping out shortly after that date. 

If you are not in the US, you can order directly through Pebble’s site, but for everyone else, you need to use Best Buy. Why this exact choice was made, we do not know.

For those planning to pre-order, Pebble Time will be priced at $199.

As for the Pebble Time Steel, Pebble states that more ordering information will be available shortly, but nothing official yet.

Via: Pebble

Pebble Time Pre-Orders for Non-Backers Set to Begin June 22 Through Best Buy is a post from: Droid Life



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The Slider Lives: Blackberry Wants to Release an Android Phone

According to a report out of Reuters, Blackberry might put Android in an upcoming phone. Let me say that again – Blackberry is going to make an Android phone. The report cites multiple sources, so this doesn’t appear to be a random rumor. 

Blackberry is said to be making this move to pivot to focus on software and device management, which really means they hope to put their secure technology on rival operating systems. This Android phone could be the first to showcase that integration and help build confidence with others who want to appeal to enterprise users.

The phone could launch in the Fall as a slider. Some of you are probably familiar with the ancient concept of a slider, which is a combo device that features both a touch screen and hidden keyboard that can slide out. I say that sarcastically of course, because sliders became extinct years ago after being wildly popular on phones like the one that helped start this site, the original Motorola DROID. Anyone who has tried to create one in recent years has seen it fail almost immediately because people don’t want physical, bulky keyboards that add weight to phones.

If Blackberry creates an Android phone that is a slider, are you interested? (Is it weird that I’m laughing as I type that?)

Via:  Reuters

The Slider Lives: Blackberry Wants to Release an Android Phone is a post from: Droid Life



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ASUS has Talked Internally About Buying HTC

ASUS has talked about buying HTC, at least internally, according to Reuters, who spoke with the company’s CFO. Of course, that bit of news is making headlines this morning, and not the follow-up statement which essentially said that ASUS is unlikely to make such a move because they depend on “organic growth” rather than growth by acquisition. 

Think about that, though. HTC was the king of Android four or five years ago with a stock price of around NT$1300. Today, they can’t sell a phone (even their flagships), have entered into really confusing new product categories that they are unlikely to succeed in, and have watched as their stock has plunged to a 12-year low. As of right now, they sit under NT$80 and are showing no signs of slowing there. That, my friends, is an epic collapse.

I just did a search for “HTC stock plunge,” and results pop up for 2012, 2013, 2014, and of course, 2015. Every single year since 2011, we have seen this company nose-dive, with executives and shareholders jumping ship faster than Warriors bandwagon fans after they went down 2-1 to the Cavs the other night.

Should ASUS buy them? I don’t know that I would.

Via:  Reuters

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Tip: How to Get Rid of “Invert Colors” Quick Settings Tile on Your Moto X

This might be the most random of posts, but because a number of you are noticing a new “Invert Colors” option in your quick settings pull-down on the Moto X (2nd gen) within the last day, we wanted to touch base on the topic. Yes, for whatever reason, a number of you started seeing the button yesterday and are wondering why it’s there and how you can get rid of it. While we don’t know why it is randomly showing up for users who have never touched the option before, we can at least help most/some of you get rid of it. 

If you are running Android 5.1 (ducks), all you need to do is long-press on that Invert Colors tile and then choose “HIDE.” It will then be gone until you enable the setting, which can be found in your Accessibility options.

If you are not running Android 5.1 (probably most of you), just don’t touch the setting and it should go away…maybe in a month or so. Actually, you can trick your phone into turning them off by manually setting the date back 1 month and 1 day, tapping the toggle twice, then switching back to automatic time set, and they should disappear.

Again, we don’t know why Invert Colors is randomly showing up on Moto Xs across the globe today, but it is. Thankfully, you can get rid of it.

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Cheers Clay!

Tip: How to Get Rid of “Invert Colors” Quick Settings Tile on Your Moto X is a post from: Droid Life



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Awesome Deal: Motorola Turbo Chargers for $9.99!

You know how much we love Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 technology, right? Using a Turbo Charger on the Moto X (2nd gen), then Nexus 6 and Galaxy S6 and now LG G4, has been game-changing in our eyes. Quickly charging phones, especially ones that can’t seem to figure out how to last through an entire day, is the type of innovation that changes the way you use your phone – in a good way, of course.

Unfortunately, many of the Quick Charge 2.0 or “Turbo Chargers” made by manufacturers, like Motorola, are never cheap. They charge a premium for this little guys. The 3rd party, random brands, offer inexpensive chargers, but I’ve always felt that you never know exactly what you are getting yourself into with those and tend to stick with those made by the big dogs.

And that brings us to today’s deal on Groupon. The Motorola Turbo Charger can be had for $9.99! This tank typically runs $35, so we are talking a 70% discount on an official, brand new Motorola Turbo Charger. You know what to do.

Groupon Link 

Cheers Garrett!

Awesome Deal: Motorola Turbo Chargers for $9.99! is a post from: Droid Life



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