Apple Unveils the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3

While yesterday was Google’s day to be in the headlines, today is Apple’s turn. And they’ve announced the next generation iPads today. So we’ve got the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3. It seemed like this year was Apple’s small updates to the iPad line. Now most of you probably don’t know, but I do own an iPad Air, and do like it (mostly because it’s different from Android, which is what I use all the time for reviews and as my personal devices). But the iPad Air 2 isn’t a huge upgrade. Of course, it is 18% thinner than the iPad Air, and it’s also got Touch ID now. That’s pretty much the only differences here compared to the old iPad Air.

Onto the iPad Mini 3. Apple basically breezed through the announcement of the iPad Mini 3, but it’s not a huge update either. The only real difference compared to last year was the Touch ID addition. Both iPads are going to be up for pre-order tomorrow, and will be available in silver, gold and space gray.

So what about pricing? Well the iPad Air 2 is going for $499 for the 16GB, $599 for the 64GB and $699 for the 128GB. The iPad Mini 3 starts at $399 for the 16GB, $499 for the 64GB and $599 for the 128GB. Additionally they are still selling the old iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 for $100 less, So that’s the iPad Air at $399 and the iPad Mini 2 at $299. Finally they are also continuing to sell the iPad Mini for $249.

There you have it, the new Apple iPads. Now I know most of our readers are Android fans, but there are some out there that love technology in general, which I’m one of them considering I own an iPad, LG G3, Chromebook and a Macbook. It might not be as great as the Nexus 9, but there’s no doubt that the iPad has the better tablet apps though.

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Google’s HTC Nexus 9 Tablet Gets Close-Ups And Hands On Video Walk-Through

Yesterday’s Google Nexus 9 announcement wasn’t by any means a shock, as we all suspected it was coming. Google’s unveiling of the next Nexus tablet, this time around manufactured by HTC was met with a fair amount of excitement over what are literally the best specs and hardware build of any Nexus tablet. At long last people will have a premium Nexus tablet to hold. Not only is it the most beautiful looking Nexus tablet to date, it should have some killer performance with the Nvidia Tegra K1 64-bit processor that is housed inside. While many are still likely waiting for tomorrow to come around to place their pre-orders, lots of images, close ups at that, of the Google Nexus 9 have surfaced on the web early this morning, along with a hands on video from Schannel, so there’s no need to wait until you get your own in hand to see this thing in great detail.

The images below show just about every angle, with and without case accessories, so make sure you give the images a thorough viewing if you’re curious to see the architecture of this device. In the hands-on video it seems nearly everything one might want to know about the tablet is covered, from the quality of the audio and the speakers to how well the camera takes a picture, and even including the build make-up, screen quality, bezels etc.

Some things of note, are that the BoomSound speakers seem to put out slightly less noticeable audio performance compared to the HTC One M8 according to Schannel. The lightweight, slim body is mentioned a few times in the video, so we’re getting the impression that the Nexus 9 really does give off a very sleek feel, something that most people will probably realize after they hold and use it for the first time. The metal edge and metal buttons are also mentioned a few times here, which is obviously a strong point when it comes to the overall design and helps to bolster the premium quality feel that the Nexus 9 has. Watch the video if you want a nice little walk-through. Who has their money already set aside for this tablet once tomorrow hits?

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Sony Adding Xperia Z1 And Z2 To The AOSP For Xperia Project

Sony is just the best. Ok, that statement is a little too broad, but when it comes to Sony’s Android devices, I’m totally okay with admitting that I’m a fan boy. The Xperia Z3 is one of the best Android smartphones that isn’t readily available in the U.S. yet. The Z3 Compact is right behind it. Sony is also good about working with Google and developers. They make it relatively easy to get vanilla Android running on their Xperia devices, through their AOSP for Xperia project. It’s not quite the same as the Google Play Edition line, but it’s the next best thing for those of us who like stock Android and want it on our Sony devices.

Sony announced that they are adding the Xperia Z1, the Xperia Z2, and the Xperia M2 to the AOSP for Xperia project. That doesn’t mean that they are releasing AOSP builds for these devices. It does mean that they are officially providing device configurations and kernels for developers that want to build AOSP ROMs for these phones. This also makes it easier for devs to build custom skins on AOSP and run it on their Sony phones. Pretty cool, right?

It is cool, but it’s not all sunshine and roses. The device configurations in the AOSP for Xperia project are merely shells. The software has bugs and some major elements don’t work. The cameras don’t work and more importantly the voice calling doesn’t work either. This is really just the foundation that developers can use to build a working AOSP ROM for one of these Xperia devices.

Sony did a couple other things here as well. They updated the AOSP source for the Xperia Z, which was already in the AOSP for Xperia project. They also unified the kernels for these new devices, making it even easier to build AOSP versions of Android for all of them at once. Good on you, Sony, for playing nice with developers.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Sony Confirms Android 5.0 Lollipop Will Come To All Z Series Devices

Android 5.0 has only been official for about 24 hours now, and already OEMs are lining up to explain their upgrade paths. Yesterday was Motorola, and today Sony is laying its cards on the table. Sony has a lot of cards. The company has confirmed that all its Z series devices will get Android Lollipop. That's a whole mess of phones.

According to Sony, the Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition is up first, which isn't a surprise.

Sony Confirms Android 5.0 Lollipop Will Come To All Z Series Devices was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA updates reportedly begin November 3rd

While the Nexus 9 and Nexus 6 will be the first two devices to come with Android 5.0 Lollipop right out of the box, Google has already ensured that all current Nexus devices (including N4 and N7 2012) will also get in on the action in the “coming weeks”.

Looking for some more clarification as to when? We have now received a new tip that claims the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 will receive the Android 5.0 system images later this week alongside the SDK. While we already knew this, the wording in the statement we received suggests it might be the final images and not just updated Android L Preview images. Honestly, we admit that this would make more sense than releasing a preview so late into the game.

As for when the Nexus family will actually start getting the update pushed out over the air? On November 3rd the Nexus 7 (wifi) and Nexus 10 will reportedly receive the update first via an OTA, with the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, and Nexus 7 (LTE) getting it later that month.

So how certain are we of the legitimacy of this report? While it doesn’t seem to farfetched, speculation is advised. For one thing, it seems a little odd Google would push out to tablets first and leave the Nexus 5 and other devices waiting longer. There’s also no mention of the Nexus 7 (2012), unless it’s lumped together with the Nexus 7 (2013).

Still, we’d say it’s a pretty safe bet that all current Nexus devices will see Android 5.0 Lollipop no later than the end of November. Excited yet?

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Austin, TX residents can sign up for Google Fiber starting in December

Quick heads up for those of you in Austin, Texas looking for better internet soon — Google Fiber is nearly ready, and Google will soon be taking signups from anyone interested. The company will accept signups from the metropolitan area of the city for any and all folks interested.

It’s believed that those in smaller, surrounding markets will have to pool together and show enough interest in Fiber for Google to start spreading the service (though if rollouts in Kansas City and Provo are anything to go by, that won’t be a huge issue).

Google will offer their standard gigabit high speed service for those willing to pay up the monthly coin for it, though basic free internet for 7 years is certain to be an option as long as you pay the $300 upfront installation cost. Not bad if you or someone you know doesn’t need a whole lot of data to get things done. Google has a sizable list of other cities they want to hit in the months to come and within the next year, but these things take time and you shouldn’t be holding your breath for Fiber in your area if you need internet connectivity now.

[via WSJ]

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Apple Pay officially launches on Monday, get ready to start using Google Wallet in a lot more places

During this morning’s iPad event, Apple took a minute to discuss the progress they’ve made with Apple Pay (coming soon to iOS 8). I know what you’re thinking — “What does this have to do with Android?” Stay with me. Officially launching this Monday, October 20th, for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Pay ushers in the age of NFC-based mobile payments. You know, that little hardware feature we’ve had in countless Android devices for ages now. And that’s just it. Tap-to-pay systems aren’t exclusive to just the iPhone, Android users can finally get in on the fun as well whatever your preferred mobile wallet may be (we aren’t tied down to one).

Apple said that since they announced the feature last month, more than 500 new banks are now supporting Apple Pay and even more retailers ranging from Walgreens, Macy’s, McDonald’s and more (over 220,000 and growing). I’ve actually experienced this transition firsthand while getting my haircut at a local barber shop. It’s old run down mom n’ pops join, but recently when I went to pay using my credit card, the little old lady busted out a shiny new Tap-to-Pay credit card machine from under the counter. When I asked her why the new hardware, she told me “Because the iPhone.” I’ll take it.

Google Wallet (Playboard) | Google Wallet (Play Store)

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