Sponsors

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

LG Extends $100 Visa Gift Card Offer for LG G4 on Verizon to End of August

LG told us today that its exclusive promotion through Verizon that gets you into a free $100 Visa prepaid card when you buy an LG G4 has “exceeded expectations” and has been extended through the end of August. The deal was originally supposed to end today, but you now can take advantage through August 31.

Verizon’s site doesn’t show the extended date just yet. LG’s, on the other hand, has already been updated to show the extension.

Anyone take up LG and Verizon on their offer? 

Verizon Link | $100 Visa Offer

lg g4 verizon deal

LG Extends $100 Visa Gift Card Offer for LG G4 on Verizon to End of August is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1II0tNm

Deal: Lifetime Subscription to SkyHub Cloud Unlimited Backup for $89

For a limited time on the DL Deals Store, you can pick up a lifetime subscription to Skyhub Cloud Unlimited Backup, priced at $89 down from a whopping $600. With this subscription, users get unlimited, automatic backup for three computers, with the ability to add smart devices, disc drives, and thumb drives. 

As long as your subscription lives on, you get unlimited storage, meaning you can backup whatever you may want or need. In addition, you can rest assured that your data is stored securely thanks to the service’s advanced encryption.

If you need more cloud storage, check it out.

Features

  • Get unlimited, automatic backup for 3 computers, add more to your account anytime and backup all your devices, discs & thumb-drives
  • Back up as much data as you need—there’s no catch!
  • Quickly & easily get set up
  • Rest assured that all your data is secure thanks to the advanced encryption security
  • View your backed up files on the web, iPhone, iPad & Android
  • Score the best deal on the web!

Deal Link

Deal: Lifetime Subscription to SkyHub Cloud Unlimited Backup for $89 is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1WjUpSg

Reminder: Samsung Unveils the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ Tomorrow Morning!

Just a quick reminder, but we wanted to make sure you set your alarms tomorrow morning so that you don’t miss the Samsung Unpacked event. This event is almost guaranteed to showcase the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, but there is an outside chance we see a new round watch as well. 

The Samsung Unpacked live stream kicks off at 8AM Pacific (11AM Eastern). We will have both a live stream and live blog embedded on the site in the morning, plus Tim will be on hand in New York City for hands-on time after everything wraps. The whole gathering should be a fun way to kick off the morning and get the Note cult back up and running.

Oh, and if you missed our exclusive pictures of the Galaxy Note 5 from last week, along with a list of its specs, be sure to check out this post.

Reminder: Samsung Unveils the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ Tomorrow Morning! is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1P7rfAh

Huawei Watch is “Right Around the Corner”

Huawei’s Android Wear-powered wearable, the Huawei Watch, is officially right around the corner. As shown on a dedicated webpage where anyone can register to be notified of its availability, the smartwatch will soon hit the market after what feels like months of waiting and speculation as to whether it would ever actually launch.

Previewed all the way back in February during MWC, we know the Huawei Watch will likely target the high-end of the smartwatch market, pitting itself against the LG Watch Urbane and the hopefully upcoming Moto 360 V2 from Motorola. 

While “right around the corner” could mean basically anything, it’s a safe bet we are likely just a few weeks away from official availability. At least, we hope so.

Is this the Android Wear smartwatch you have been waiting for?

Via: Huawei
Cheers Richard!

Huawei Watch is “Right Around the Corner” is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1L6wQX0

HTC Desire 626 Coming Soon to Verizon, Desire 526 Available for $120

Verizon added two new low-end HTC devices to its line-up today in the Desire 626 and Desire 526. Actually, they have had the Desire 526 for over a month, but are just now publicly talking about it. The Desire 626 is new, though, and will arrive “in the coming weeks. 

HTC announced each device back in mid-July as part of a line-up of new low-to-mid-range offerings that they hope will help restore some profitability. Neither phone will blow your mind in terms of specs, but they are extremely affordable and might be a decent option for those going the prepaid route or who don’t have a lot of cash to blow on a new phone.

The Desire 626 is the best of the two with its 5-inch 720p display, 8MP camera, and 2000mAh battery. Verizon didn’t give us pricing, but I’m guessing it’ll be south of $300, maybe even closer to $200. The Desire 526 has a 4.7-inch qHD display and 8MP. It currently retails for $120, but Verizon seems to have already discounted it to $90.

Via:  Verizon

HTC Desire 626 Coming Soon to Verizon, Desire 526 Available for $120 is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1L6hZ1k

Google Launches Android Experiments, a Showcase of Inspiring Android Projects

Today, Google launched a new initiative called Android Experiments. The goal with Android Experiments is to showcase many of the “inspiring projects on Android,” but also to invite other developers to submit their projects and experiences to be a part of this new gallery of sorts.

As of right now, Android Experiments contains 20 projects that focus on things like the camera, Android Wear, and “hardware hacks.” You’ll see some of Googler Roman Nurik’s work (Form Watch Face and Muzei), along with games and other watch faces. 

All of these experiments were build with the Android SDK and NDK and are open-sourced, so that future developers can dig inside to see how the magic was made.

You can check out all of the Android Experiments at this site.

Via:  Android Developers

Google Launches Android Experiments, a Showcase of Inspiring Android Projects is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1J4usR7

Twitter Removes 140-Character Limit From Direct Messages

Two months ago, Twitter told us that it would soon be removing its 140-character limit from direct messages. Today, they came through and actually did remove it. Now, when you send private messages to another user, you can go on and on and on and likely never run out of room, unless you happen to have more than 10,000 letters to type.

The 140-character limit does still live on in regular Tweets, though, so don’t take to Twitter today hoping to post a book to your timeline. Again, this limit change only relates to direct messages.

The new limit removal starts rolling out today on Android, iOS, twitter.com, TweetDeck, and Twitter for Mac. 

Via:  Twitter Blog

Twitter Removes 140-Character Limit From Direct Messages is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1DNeYQQ

Moto X Pure Edition Will be Available Starting September 3

Motorola, via Twitter, just announced that its new flagship phone for 2015, the Moto X Pure Edition, will arrive September 3. Previously, Motorola would only state that the phone was coming in September, which left a few of us worried that it might not arrive until the end of the month. With September 3 now set in stone, you only have three more weeks to wait.

You have to be excited, right? 

As a recap, the Moto X Pure Edition (also known as the Moto X Style outside of the US) is essentially the 3rd generation Moto X. It features a 5.7-inch QHD LCD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 21MP camera, 3GB RAM, 16GB/32GB/64GB of internal storage plus microSD support, 3000mAh battery with Turbo Charging, Lollipop, and front facing stereo speakers (full specs). It will also be customizable through Moto Maker with a number of options, including leather and natural backs. You can view most of the options here.

The phone will cost just $399 to start and will be fully unlocked, with support on all of the major US carriers. Yes, that includes Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

Keep in mind that this phone won’t be sold through carriers and will instead only be available at places like Amazon, Motorola’s site, and Best Buy. Motorola is going with the direct-to-consumer approach with this phone to help cut down costs and make sure updates are available quicker by cutting out the middle man. It’s an approach not typically used by companies like Motorola, but it’s one we all need them to succeed in. If Motorola can win with direct sales, it could mean cheaper and better unlocked phones from other companies down the road.

Are you going with the new Moto X Pure Edition or are you waiting for something else?

Here is our quick tour of the Moto X Pure Edition from the phone’s launch event.

More:  Motorola

Moto X Pure Edition Will be Available Starting September 3 is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1DNatpE

Snapdragon 820’s Adreno 530 GPU Detailed by Qualcomm, Coming in 2016

This morning, Qualcomm provided early details on the GPU and ISP that will be featured in their next flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 820. When the 820 arrives next year (1H 2016) it will sport a new Adreno 530 GPU and 14-bit Spectra image signal processing (ISP) unit that show solid improvements over previous generation products. Qualcomm also announced that another new GPU, the Adreno 510, will be featured in upcoming Snapdragon 620 and 618 processors, both of which should arrive in phones before 2015 ends. 

Here are additional specifics on the Adreno 530 and 510:

  • Up to 40 percent lower power consumption and 40 percent faster performance for both graphics and GPGPU compute when compared to the Adreno 430;
  • Leading-edge capabilities in graphics and compute APIs including OpenGL ES 3.1+AEP (Android Extension Pack), Renderscript, as well as the new OpenCL 2.0 and Vulkan standards. Vulkan minimizes driver overhead and enables multi-threaded performance on mobile and embedded platforms;
  • Support for 64-bit virtual addressing, allowing for shared virtual memory (SVM) and efficient co-processing with 64 bit CPUs;
  • Improved fine-grain power management, new rendering, compositing and compression techniques to enable higher performance at lower power consumption and reduced DRAM bandwidth;
  • Up to 4K HEVC video support at 60fps over HDMI 2.0 to Rec. 2020 ultra-high definition (UHD) displays and TVs;
  • Improved Qualcomm® EcoPix™ and Qualcomm® TruPalette™ support for longer battery life and superior pixel quality; and
  • Software compatibility between Adreno 530 and Adreno 510.

And here are additional details for the new Spectra ISP found in the Snapdragon 820:

  • Superior image quality, with more natural skin tones via advanced, 14-bit dual ISPs supporting up to 3 simultaneous cameras (e.g. one facing the user, and two rear facing), and up to 25 megapixels at 30 frames per-second with zero shutter lag;
  • Improved photos with Qualcomm Spectra ISP’s flexible hybrid autofocus framework and multi-sensor fusion algorithms supporting next generation computational photography;
  • Improved power efficiency when compared to previous generations, better noise immunity and higher throughput via advanced compression techniques and use of the latest MIPI serial C-PHY interface; and
  • Next generation Computer Vision and other use cases via direct-to-DSP raw bayer data streaming and pre-processing capabilities.

While the big news here is talk of the Adreno 530 in next year’s Snapdragon 820, don’t overlook the Adreno 510 in the Snapdragon 620. While nothing is confirmed, there are rumors circulating about suggesting that the new LG Nexus phone will run a Snapdragon 620.


Press Release

Qualcomm Introduces Next-Generation GPU Architecture and Image Signal Processor for the Ultimate Graphics and Mobile Camera Experience

–New Custom Adreno 5xx GPU and Qualcomm Spectra ISP Bring the Most Advanced Visual Processing Technology to Snapdragon Processors–

(Los Angeles), SIGGRAPH 2015, Aug. 12, 2015 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI), has introduced its next-generation visual processing technology with new versions of its graphics processing unit (GPU) and image signal processing (ISP) unit, to deliver significant advancements in performance, power efficiency and user experience to Qualcomm®Snapdragon™ processors. The new Qualcomm® Adreno™ 5xx GPU architecture delivers increased speed and efficiency over the previous generation and supports stunning high-definition mobile graphics while introducing general-purpose compute co-processing for exceptionally low power consumption. The first two GPUs available on the new architecture, the Adreno 530 and Adreno 510, will be available integrated within the forthcomingSnapdragon 820 and Snapdragon 620/618 processors. In addition, Snapdragon 820 will also debut the new 14-bit Qualcomm Spectra™ image signal processing (ISP) unit, designed to support superior DSLR-quality photography and enhanced computer vision. Devices based on Snapdragon 820 are expected to be available in 1H 2016. Qualcomm Snapdragon, Qualcomm Adreno and Qualcomm Spectra are products of QTI.

“We’re significantly enhancing the visual processing capabilities of Snapdragon to support next-generation user experiences related to computational photography, computer vision, virtual reality and photo-realistic graphics on mobile devices, all while maximizing battery life,” said Tim Leland, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Qualcomm Spectra ISP, together with our Adreno 5xx-class GPU, brings an entirely new level of imaging to smartphones, and is designed to allow Snapdragon-powered devices to capture ultra-clear, vivid photos and videos regardless of motion and lighting conditions and display them with the color accuracy that nature intended. In addition, as emerging growth segments such as automotive demand more immersive visual experiences, Snapdragon 820 will enable the next generation of infotainment, computer vision and advanced processing for instrument clusters.”

Designed for scalability, the Adreno 5xx architecture is the foundation of Qualcomm Technologies’ next-generation custom GPUs and is the successor to the Adreno 4xx family.  Newly integrated within the Snapdragon820, the Adreno 530 is the highest-performance GPU ever designed by Qualcomm Technologies, providing superior experiences with:

  • Up to 40 percent lower power consumption and 40 percent faster performance for both graphics and GPGPU compute when compared to the Adreno 430;
  • Leading-edge capabilities in graphics and compute APIs including OpenGL ES 3.1+AEP (Android Extension Pack), Renderscript, as well as the new OpenCL 2.0 and Vulkan standards. Vulkan minimizes driver overhead and enables multi-threaded performance on mobile and embedded platforms;
  • Support for 64-bit virtual addressing, allowing for shared virtual memory (SVM) and efficient co-processing with 64 bit CPUs;
  • Improved fine-grain power management, new rendering, compositing and compression techniques to enable higher performance at lower power consumption and reduced DRAM bandwidth;
  • Up to 4K HEVC video support at 60fps over HDMI 2.0 to Rec. 2020 ultra-high definition (UHD) displays and TVs;
  • Improved Qualcomm® EcoPix™ and Qualcomm® TruPalette™ support for longer battery life and superior pixel quality; and
  • Software compatibility between Adreno 530 and Adreno 510.

Introduced with the Snapdragon 820, Qualcomm Spectra ISP is Qualcomm Technologies’ most advanced dual-imaging signal processing unit to-date, integrated and designed to provide best-in-class camera image quality and end-user benefits, including:

  • Superior image quality, with more natural skin tones via advanced, 14-bit dual ISPs supporting up to 3 simultaneous cameras (e.g. one facing the user, and two rear facing), and up to 25 megapixels at 30 frames per-second with zero shutter lag;
  • Improved photos with Qualcomm Spectra ISP’s flexible hybrid autofocus framework and multi-sensor fusion algorithms supporting next generation computational photography;
  • Improved power efficiency when compared to previous generations, better noise immunity and higher throughput via advanced compression techniques and use of the latest MIPI serial C-PHY interface; and
  • Next generation Computer Vision and other use cases via direct-to-DSP raw bayer data streaming and pre-processing capabilities.

Snapdragon 820’s Adreno 530 GPU Detailed by Qualcomm, Coming in 2016 is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1J47QQz

Deal: Purchase a Nexus 9 16GB for $289 From Expansys

Expansys is currently hosting a deal that grants online shoppers the chance to pick up a Nexus 9, 16GB in Indigo Black model, for the low price of $289.99. Over on the Google Store, this same tablet is priced at $399, so you are looking at a total savings of over $100. 

The Nexus 9 is still a solid option at the $289 price point, featuring a high-res 8.9″ QXGA (2048 x 1536) display, 64-bit Tegra K1 processor, 8MP rear-facing camera, 2GB of RAM, 6,700 mAh battery, and runs the latest version publicly available of Android. Of course, Nexus devices are always fun to tweak with, and loading up Android M is always a possibility if that interests you.

Follow the below link to take advantage of the savings.

Expansys Link

Deal: Purchase a Nexus 9 16GB for $289 From Expansys is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1Mo74Ao

Jaybird Announces X2 Bluetooth Headphones, With 8 Hour Battery Life

Jaybird, a company that most would probably consider to be the best at making active Bluetooth headphones, announced a new product today called the Jaybird X2 as the follow-up to the largely successful Bluebuds X. The new X2 is available starting today from Best Buy and Jaybird’s website for $179. 

The improvements from the Bluebuds X to the Jaybird X2 are everywhere. This new model has three sizes of Comply Sport memory foam ear tips (previously an aftermarket accessory), enhanced audio, up to 8 hour battery life,  an architecture called SignalPlus that should eliminate interference, and a carrying case that actually holds all of goodies that come with the X2. Jaybird X2 also gets software updates, is still very sweat-resistant, and includes Secure Fit, Jaybird’s “patented redesigned ergonomic ear fins.”

The Jaybird X2 comes in a variety of colors this time around, including Storm (white), Charge (neon), Fire (red), Midnight (black), Ice (blue), and Alpha (green).

If you own the Bluebuds X, like I do, I would imagine that you are contemplating the upgrade. I know I am. The Bluebuds X are the best sport Bluetooth headphones I have used to date. The improvement in battery life alone is a big deal, let alone the improved audio that was already best in class.

Best Buy Link ($179)

jaybird x2 specs

jaybird x2 package

jaybird x2 colors

Jaybird Announces X2 Bluetooth Headphones, With 8 Hour Battery Life is a post from: Droid Life



from Droid Life http://ift.tt/1L5z6O1

Related Articles

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...