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Monday, October 5, 2015

LG V10 Unboxing and First Impressions!

Hey, it’s the LG V10 in house! LG’s new flagship phone full of “stuff and things” has arrived and we are ready to put it to work. Even though a number of you probably believe that we have already written this phone off and won’t give it a fair shake, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We are actually quite interested in this phone and whether or not its “stuff and things” make it stand out from a crowded high-end Android tier.

As a recap, the LG V10 sports a 5.7-inch QHD LCD display, secondary ticker-like display, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (with microSD support), 16MP camera with OIS, dual front-facing 5MP cameras, Snapdragon 808 processor, removable 3000mAh battery, and all sorts of droptest-worthy protection, like a steel frame on its sides. 

Our review unit, as you can see here, is the cream and gold edition, which I thought I would be somewhat grossed out by, but it’s actually quite lovely. While large, the phone feels premium in hand and so far is quite the speedster.

Anyways, to kick off this whole process, here is our LG V10 unboxing.

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LG V10 Unboxing and First Impressions! is a post from: Droid Life



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Least Surprising News This Week: Verizon Cancels Sony Xperia Z4v

Back in June, Verizon announced its plans to carry a semi-new phone from Sony called the Xperia Z4v. The original goal was to get the phone ready for launch over the summer, but as the summer seemed to be coming to a close, the phone had yet to surface at any store or in the hands of any tech reviewer. Our sources told us in July that it had been delayed until at least September, but pinged us again in mid-September saying that it had been cancelled for good. So this news today comes as no surprise. 

I’d call the news unfortunate, but the Xperia Z5 has now been announced (full specs) and so this phone probably needed to be cancelled sooner. Even though it had some nicely upgraded specs over the global Xperia Z4 (like a QHD display, bigger battery, and wireless charging), anyone who bought the phone was destined to be disappointed knowing that an even newer version was almost here.

Here is the official word:

Verizon will no longer be launching Xperia Z4v, however we are committed to supporting Sony Mobile’s product portfolio and will support existing products. Sony is a strategic partner as we continue having ongoing discussions together as part of our future portfolio.

So, RIP, Sony Xperia Z4v. We didn’t know you at all, and it’s probably better that way.

The only question now is – how close to the Xperia Z5’s launch can Verizon get with the Xperia Z5v?

Via:  Verizon

Least Surprising News This Week: Verizon Cancels Sony Xperia Z4v is a post from: Droid Life



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Monday Poll: Which Manufacturer Issues the First Marshmallow Update?

Now that Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images are available and over-the-air (OTA) updates are rolling out slowly, what do you say we play a little future predicting? Google, as is always the case (except for that one time Motorola was on top of it), pushes updates to its Nexus line-up first, but after that, it’s a race to see who can be next.

Many of the big manufacturers have to get updates ready for their skins (Samsung, LG, HTC, etc.), while others just need time to make sure all is working well enough with their add-ons (Motorola). Of course, there are carrier barriers here that add time to the process, along with companies having to find the resources needed to work on update testing. In the past, we have seen companies lay out schedules for delivery, while others often shock is with how quickly (or slowly) they get these things ready.

So today, we want to know who you think is going to be first to push an official Marshmallow update (Edit: Outside of Nexus devices, folks. Come on.)? In the poll below, we went with the big guys, but did list an “Other” category as a catch-all for those not listed.

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

Monday Poll: Which Manufacturer Issues the First Marshmallow Update? is a post from: Droid Life



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Nexus OTAs of Android 6.0 Marshmallow are Starting Today as Well

Not only are the Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images available for flashing to select Nexus devices, but Google has also begun pushing over-the-air (OTA) updates to those same Nexus products. Over the coming days – because this is a slow rollout, folks – your Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, and Nexus Player will all receive the update to Android 6.0, build MRA58K. 

And for those curious, the Nexus 6 on T-Mobile appears to be receiving the same MRA58K build as all other Nexus variants. If that changes or we see different builds or different carriers, as we did with Lollipop, we’ll be sure to let you know.

For now, don’t forget to grab those Nexus OTA URLs.

Nexus OTAs of Android 6.0 Marshmallow are Starting Today as Well is a post from: Droid Life



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Video: Googlers Post a “Brief History of Android Easter Eggs”

Nat and Lo, two Googlers whose 20% project is to go around Google and detail cool projects, released their latest video to YouTube this week, detailing the history of the Android Easter Egg project. 

As you likely already know, if you go into system settings, then tap repeatedly on the phone’s build number, you will find that version’s Easter Egg. Easter Eggs on Android really took off with Gingerbread, which gave us the zombie painting from artist Jack Larson. Honeycomb had its own bee Easter Egg, and Ice Cream Sandwich had that odd Nyan-Andy Easter Egg.

In the video below, watch Nat and Lo speak about bringing Jack Larson’s work to Gingerbread, who runs the Easter Egg project now on the framework team, and much more.

Video: Googlers Post a “Brief History of Android Easter Eggs” is a post from: Droid Life



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Since Your Nexus is Getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow, be Sure to Watch Our Google Now on Tap Tour

Android 6.0 Marshmallow has officially arrived for a number of Nexus devices, including the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), and Nexus 9. Over-the-air (OTA) updates will be rolling out slowly to those devices over the coming days, but if you want the goodness now, you can upgrade via factory images that were posted here.

The latest version of Android offers a bunch of new features, many of which hide behind the scenes to add stability, endurance, and polish to last year’s Lollipop release. They aren’t all back-end optimizations, though. One of the few forward-facing features you will run into and likely use on a regular basis, is Google Now on Tap. 

For those not familiar, Google Now on Tap is an enhanced take on Google Now, that allows you to get relevant and timely information from within an app, conversation, or email, so that you don’t have to completely stray from the moment at hand. Google Now on Tap essentially reads your screen and then tries to provide you with useful items, like restaurant reviews, movie times, information on people, shortcuts to navigation, Twitter profiles, related apps, and more. It’s incredibly handy and could be one of the best new features Google has released in years.

To get caught up on an intro to Google Now on Tap, be sure to watch the video below, which we put together last week as the service first went live.

Since Your Nexus is Getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow, be Sure to Watch Our Google Now on Tap Tour is a post from: Droid Life



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HTC America President: Monthly Security Updates Not Realistic, Because Carriers

In early August, when Stagefright had many Android owners worried about malicious MMS messages, Google, Samsung, and LG announced fast tracked security updates that would roll out monthly for device owners. With the announcement of these updates, Samsung and LG both stated that thanks to help from carriers and partners, device owners would be able to receive the security updates in a timely manner. The only reason stating that is important is because we all know the damper effect carriers have on OTA updates for Android.

Over the weekend, HTC America’s president, Jason Mackenzie, was asked if his company would also be providing monthly security updates for device owners. On Twitter, Mackenzie stated that commitment such as that, “is not realistic.” 

He continued that in order to push an update, “you have to get carrier approval.” Naturally, the original tweeter brought up Samsung and LG’s priorly announced commitment, with Mackenzie replying, “Let’s see. HTC is leading in terms of transparency on updates and providing them. And we will continue to improve.”

Mackenzie is correct in stating that you need carrier approval to push updates, but that does not take away from the fact that Samsung and LG have committed to this exact thing. While it seems LG and Samsung were able to work with carriers to make this happen for owners, HTC seems reluctant to do so.

From our position, we don’t know what goes into the talks between carriers and OEMs, and how much of a pain it might be to fast track monthly updates. It could be HTC does not have the resources for a move like this, but it is a downer for HTC device owners.

Are monthly security updates a deal breaker for you?

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Via: @JasonMacHTC

HTC America President: Monthly Security Updates Not Realistic, Because Carriers is a post from: Droid Life



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Android 6.0 Marshmallow Factory Images Go Live!

Google just posted Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), and Nexus 9! 

Factory Images

Here are instructions on how to flash Nexus factory images.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Factory Images Go Live! is a post from: Droid Life



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BBM Gets PayPal Integration for Device-to-Device Payments

If you are still hanging on to your BBM PIN and are a fan of that Priv thing, we have good news for you! Blackberry’s BBM got a big update today on a variety of platforms, but on Android we care about the fact that it now has PayPal integration. So, as the feature rolls out to all, you will be able to easily share funds from your PayPal account to friends. It’ll look like the image above.

Also in the update, you can subscribe to the BBM Sticker Club for use of hundreds of sticker packs and customize the font used within your BBM conversations. That’s neat.

The full list of newness across platforms is below. 

What’s new

  • Subscribe to the BBM Sticker Club to gain access to hundreds of sticker packs, with new additions provided regularly
  • Android users can re-order sticker packs to position favorites near the top for quick access.
  • Send money to BBM contacts within your BBM conversations using PayPal account integration
  • Another one for Android: Customize the font size in your BBM conversations, with pinch-to-zoom functionality
  • iOS 9 support with Quick Reply support
  • Apple Watch support
  • iOS users can now send videos as attachments within conversations.
  • View, like, and comment on group pictures and other events from within BBM Feeds.
  • Any screenshots taken during a BBM Private Chat will produce an in-chat notification
Via:  Blackberry

BBM Gets PayPal Integration for Device-to-Device Payments is a post from: Droid Life



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ASUS Zenwatch 2 Lands on Google Store for $149

While everyone else in the smartwatch industry is trying to make the most high-end option available, with golds and fine leathers and fancy boxes and circular displays, ASUS is quietly still making affordable options. The ASUS Zenwatch 2 is just that and it’s available now through the Google Store for $149. Well, to be accurate, it went up for sale on September 29, shortly after Google’s event, but it’s now front and center on the Google Store, letting us know that it’s there for the taking. 

The Zenwatch 2 includes an ovalish watch casing, that features curved glass in either 49mm or 45mm sizes. It’s still a square AMOLED display, but the glass has been curved to hopefully better fit your wrist and add some flair. It comes with either navy blue or aqua blue strap, Snapdragon 400 processor, 4GB storage, 512MB RAM, 400mAh (49mm)/ 300mAh (45mm) battery, IP67 water and dust resistance, Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi, and Android Wear. The specs aren’t remarkable, but they’ll get the job done, especially at the $149 price point.

Google Store Link

ASUS Zenwatch 2 Lands on Google Store for $149 is a post from: Droid Life



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