The OnePlus One Challenge returns with one of the most important features. It’s hardware. The OnePlus One is the bargain of the decade when it comes to mobile smartphones. Combining all the new flagship specs being released this year into one super affordable package. That includes the same processor unit, same RAM count, same GPU, and I think you get my point. All of that and very little cost is a huge deal.
August 31, 2014
LG Realm Unboxing
The LG Realm is a very affordable Android KitKat device available on Boost Mobile. Providing a 4.5-inch 720P LCD Display, a 1.2GHz Dual-Core Processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 2,100 mAh battery. Combine this with a $80 price tag and very affordable service without any contracts and you may find yourself the best of both worlds when it comes to mobile phones and service plans!
Sony's IFA plans reportedly leak, including details on SmartWatch 3 and Xperia Z3 Compact
LIke many other mobile manufacturers, Sony's got a big event planned for IFA next month. Also like most other manyfacturers, though, Sony's plans appear to have been revealed before the show begins.
The folks at 9to5Google have shared details on what Sony is reportedly planning to show off in Berlin next week. Those products include a pair of new wearables, three smartphones and a tablet.
The wearables, pictured above, are said to be the SmartWatch 3 and the SmartBand Talk. First up, the SmartWatch 3 is described as an Android Wear device with a 1.68-inch 320x320 display and IP58 for resistance to dust and water. Meanwhile the SmartBand Talk is said to be a fitness tracker with Bluetooth support and a curved e-ink display.
On the smartphone side of things, we're told to expected an Xperia Z3 with a 5.2-inch display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM and a battery that could last up to 2 days on a single charge. The Z3 will reportedly launch as a T-Mobile exclusive, though we've heard that it could land on Sprint as well.
An Xperia Z3 Compact is expected to join the Xperia Z3, packing the same 3GB of RAM and Snapdragon 801 CPU but dropping its display size and resolution to a 4.7-inch 1280x720 screen. An Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is also said to be in the pipeline with 3GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 801 processor and an 8-inch 1920x1080 display, all packed into a body that's 6.3mm thick.
Rounding out Sony's product announcements is the Xperia E3. The E3 is described as a budget-friendly member of the Xperia family, sporting a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB or 2GB of RAM and a 4.8-inch 1280x720 display. Pricing on the E3 could fall between $200 and $300.
So there's Sony's expected IFA 2014 lineup. It sounds like a pretty wide range of products, with the Xperia Z3 taking the role of flagship. The Xperia Z3 Compact seems like a nice "mini" offering, especially if it's got 3GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 801 processor, while the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact ought to be a good, smaller compliment to the previous Xperia tablets. Finally, it's good to hear that Sony may be adopting Android Wear for its new smartwatch, especially since we've heard in the past that the company might stick to its own smartwatch software.
What do you think of Sony's IFA products? Is there anything in there that's piqued your interest?
Via 9to5Google (1), (2)
August 30, 2014
Where did all of the feature phones go?
Today I was asked a question that I have not been asked in a very long time.
Well, actually, that’s not true. I am actually quite frequently asked, “Hey, I’m due for an upgrade. What phone should I get?” While I would normally go through all of the preliminary questions to figure out whether the questioning party would be better fit with an Android, iOS, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone device, I was quickly stopped and told, “Oh, no, I don’t mean phones like that. What about something simpler?” Simpler? Like... oh.
“You mean a flip phone?”
“Well, kind of. I like the one I have now. It has a keyboard.”
“Oh, so a feature phone? Or a messaging phone?”
“Yes! But nothing smart.”
“Well... let me get back to you on that.”
It was at that moment that I realized that I have been totally, completely out of the loop on anything less than smartphone over the past couple of years. I guess once you graduate from using a messaging phone you don’t really care about them so much anymore. You also forget that there are people in the world who would much rather use a messaging or feature phone. While I felt kind of stupid for momentarily forgetting they even existed, I quickly came to the realization that I wasn’t really the only one.
It would seem that basic phones - specifically feature phones - are quite the endangered species these days.
For a moment I was kind of relieved that I wasn't just forgetting them, but then I realized that it’s really kind of a bummer. There are still some benefits of using a basic phone over smartphones, and it’s a pity that the selections of basic phones are so abysmal these days. Out of all four major carriers in the U.S., Verizon Wireless is the carrier that offers the largest selection of basic phones - 7 phones, and only two of them could be described as feature or messaging phones. Sprint comes in at a close second with 6 phones, and again only offers two that serve as “messaging” phones. Flip phones are more available than messaging phones. AT&T made it very difficult to find the basic phones, so much so that I gave up even trying. T-Mobile only has one new flip phone available on its website amongst a sea of smartphones.
So why is that messaging phones have become so rare? I’ve always thought of them as a solid first step towards progressing to a smartphone, but I never realized that finding them these days was so hard. It’s almost like everybody is being pressured into owning a smartphone now, which I don’t think is right. I love smartphones, I think they’re awesome! But not everybody feels that way. It’s just strange to me that people have a larger selection of basic flip phones over the slightly more advanced feature phones; you’d think they would have a more unique selection to offer.
In the end, I was able to produce a list of feature phones for my friend that was a whopping 2 phones long. We had a small discussion about how he was surprised that the list was so small, because he remembered how 4 years ago he had a much harder time trying to decide what to get because there was several more to choose from. He still managed to be grateful that there was more than one option and he at least had a choice, but I can still understand his disappointment to a degree. I would never expect the amount of messaging or feature phones to match up to the massive amounts of smartphones we have coming out at this point in time, but I would like to think that people deserve to have more than just two to choose from - and that’s if they’re lucky.
I guess it’s smartphone or bust these days!
Images via CNet
August 29, 2014
Using phones as payment: Will it ever take off?
Let’s talk for a moment about spending money. It’s something that all of us do, sometimes multiple times on any given day: filling up the gas tank, grabbing a morning coffee and breakfast on-the-go, getting lunch or a mid-day snack, buying knick knacks for the home or refilling the office supplies at work - the possibilities are endless, but it’s hard to argue that spending money is just one of those things that we have to do often.
So we know that we spend money often. Duh. There are also only a few select ways that we spend that money: cash, credit/debit cards, and checks, with credit/debit being the most "recent" addition of that short list. As of right now, paying via credit/debit is considered the fastest and easiest way to complete a transaction. But just how long before another payment method bumps it off?
Technically, it already has - but it hasn't been widely adopted yet. It wasn’t all that long ago that certain smartphones that were able to make payments via NFC (Near Field Communcation) appeared on the market. Basically, this method can save you time and space by allowing you to “carry” certain credit/debit cards with you by keeping that card’s information stored on the phone. With this information, certain retailers can accept payments using just your smartphone.
As innovative as that idea was, I still haven’t seen a lot of use come of it yet. In fact, out of the 3 years that I’ve known about payment via NFC from a smartphone, I can only recall seeing one person attempt to do it and it failed. With news that the iPhone 6 may be coming with its own payment platform and NFC support, I wonder if this will actually help phone payments truly take off.
Truthfully, I have my reserves about the method. Then again, who doesn’t have their reserves about new, forward-thinking ideas? While I think the idea to use smartphones as payment is feasible, my issue actually lies within the fact that I’m really, truly getting uncomfortable with the idea of my entire life being on my smartphone. I find the idea of putting all, or even some of my money, on my smartphone just a little too invasive for my taste. It’s kind of how I feel about phone cases that also double as a wallet. Phone theft is a huge thing. Putting my money on my phone is like asking to have two very important aspects of my life taken from me at the same time.
And maybe that’s just me being paranoid, because I know that having access to your money via your phone is password protected; still, anybody who feels like stealing a phone probably has enough motive to try and crack the code to get to your e-wallet as well. Maybe they won’t succeed, but then again, maybe they will.
I guess I’m torn about it, because I can see how it can be beneficial both in time management and furthering the fact that phones are effective in de-cluttering our lives. That being said, I have a feeling that if - and again, I feel very strongly about this if given how long phone payments has been around and how well-received it has been - phone payments does ever manage to take off, I’m going to be the old geezer that insists on holding up the line by taking seemingly forever to pay with a debit or credit card. It’s the equivalent of somebody paying by a check today - something that I don’t think I’ve ever done in my life. Does it really take that much longer? No, but it feels like it does, and you just want to tell them to embrace the future of credit and debit cards because it’s so much more convenient. Yeah, somebody would be telling me that (or in the very least thinking that) should the time come that phone payments becomes the next big “thing” to make purchases with.
In the end, I’ll probably be sticking to debit, credit cards, and cash. I don’t think I’ll ever feel comfortable having my money available from my phone.
Images via CNN, Verizon Wireless
Samsung strikes Here maps deal with Nokia for Galaxy smartphones, Tizen hardware
Most Android users probably think of Google Maps when they need a navigation app, but today it’s been revealed that Samsung device users will soon have another app to help them get around.
Nokia has announced that it’s struck a deal with Samsung to make its Here maps app for Android available to Samsung Galaxy smartphones, including the new Galaxy S5. The app will be free and will allow users to find their location, browse a map, search for locations and use offline navigation, all without an Internet connection. Users that are able to hop online will also get access to live traffic and transit schedules.
Nokia also plans to offer its Here mapping system to Samsung’s Tizen hardware, including the new Gear S smartwatch. That means that Gear S wearers will be able to find their location on a map get directions for walking and public transit and also download maps.
The Here beta for Samsung Galaxy smartphones and Tizen devices will be made available when the Gear S launches, which is expected to happen in October. This agreement is interesting because it’s been rumored that Samsung and Google have been at odds in the past, and it also gives Tizen devices a strong mapping service without the need to rely on Google.
Have you ever used Nokia’s Here maps?
Via Nokia (1), (2)
CyanogenMod 11S: Best features and software tour
Beau HD takes an in-depth look at the top software features of CyanogenMod 11S, the software on the OnePlus One that's essentially a more customizable version of stock Android. Whether it's customizing the quick settings on the notification tray, adjusting the screen color or creating personal profiles, CyanogenMod allows you to tweak just about anything you can imagine.
OnePlus One -13MP Camera Review: http://goo.gl/6NQDBo
What is your favorite customizable CyanogenMod setting? Let us know by leaving a comment down below.
Check out Beau HD's personal channel: http://goo.gl/E5iM4N
iPhone 6 rear shell reportedly shown in clear photos
Another day, another iPhone 6 leak.
Some new, clear photos of what’s said to be a finished iPhone 6 rear panel have made their way online. The part looks fairly similar to the iPhone 6 backs that’ve leaked in the past, but the antenna breaks on this model appear to have a light silver color to better fit with the gray metal body. We can also see round camera and flash holes, a redesigned set of speaker holes, a bottom-mounted headphone jack and a Lightning port.
While the back panel shown in these photos doesn’t look any different from previously-leaked parts in terms of design, it does look more cleaned up and ready for the public. The new design ditches the flat edges of the iPhone 5/5s for curved sides and also has more metal on its backside.
Apple is expected to unveil its larger iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch — and possibly a 5.5-inch model as well — on September 9. What do you think of this new iPhone design?
Via MacRumors, Nowhereelse.fr (Google Translate)
August 28, 2014
Without good battery life the iWatch will fail
So, here’s to going against the grain not once, but twice in one article: basing an allegedly real product off of a rumor, and predicting that something made by Apple will have trouble taking off - doesn't that sound like fun? While we have no idea whether this year will be the year that Apple unveils a smartwatch of its own, the odds are looking pretty good given that many major companies working with primarily Android devices have already taken the initiative to do so. That being said, I feel like without the appropriate changes being made to an alleged “iWatch”, the Apple variant can do no better than the alternatives.
Especially if it doesn’t have good battery life.
I’ve been wary of smartwatches in general since they seem to be speckling the market more and more often these days. While they’re intriguing pieces of technology, there’s a couple of issues I have with them that make them not worth the purchase to me. Not only do I feel a little silly carrying both my smartphone and a smartwatch that do the same thing, but I have to charge both just as often as the other in most cases. The idea isn’t bad, per se, it’s just in its early stages right now. This is why I think that if Apple doesn’t come out with something super wow-worthy, or at least something that lasts for more than a few days on a single charge, it won’t be the next iPod, iPad, or iPhone, which are all easily recognizable household names at this point. Without anything to truly make it stand out from other smartwatches, the only thing make it worth the purchase for some people is the Apple brand name.
Here’s the thing that I’m noticing with smartwatches now. Some of us, myself included, went kind of gaga over the Moto 360. I realized only recently that the only reason it was super interesting, at least to me, was because Motorola made a round smartwatch instead of the typical square-ish design that we’ve been seeing over the past couple of years. Unfortunately, that round face is only temporarily satisfying. Being round isn’t going to take away the potential frustration of having not-so-great battery life and having to remember to charge two devices at night instead of one. So, while initially the “round” design might win us over, it’s not taking care of the real problems that smartwatches face today.
When I was looking for leaks and rumors of the iWatch, I saw a couple of different design predictions that made me go, “Oh, that looks nice! I hope it looks like that.” I quickly realized that it doesn’t really matter. Without battery life and a real, practical reason to purchase one none of it will be worth a couple of hundred bucks to me.
I do kind of hope, both for Apple’s and smartwatch sake, that Apple was able to fix some of the problems that smartwatches have just to keep the ball rolling. It’s only been about two years since smartwatches first started popping up on the market on the regular, but it feels like they should be more polished at this point. I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t have good battery life and the biggest headlining quality is that you now have iOS on a smartwatch (the only smartwatch with iOS on it, mind you, which is a good advantage for Apple). I just think that smartwatches, as a product, could use a boost; I also think that Apple, as a company, could use another refresher to keep the interest going. With the iPhone 6 coming out this year, a highly improved smartwatch could be a big help in making Apple a huge hit over the holidays this year.
Images via Mac Rumors, Business Insider
AT&T's Samsung Galaxy S5 getting maintenance update, HTC One mini receiving Sense 6
Apparently AT&T is in an update-y mood today, because it’s now pushing some big updates to its Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One mini.
First up, the AT&T Galaxy S5 is getting a 142.8MB update to build KOT49H G900AUCU2ANG3. Including are the following tweaks:
- Security updates and patches
- Application installation enhancements
- Accidental emergency dial fixed on the lock screen
- Several lower layer modem crashes and sluggishness improvement enhancements
- E-mail UX enhancements
- S-View cover error
- Re-activation lock improvements
To check for this update, you can head into Settings > About device > Software update > Check for updates.
Meanwhile, the AT&T-flavored HTC One mini is receiving a beefy 550MB update to build 4.13.502.3 CL363807. Why so large? Because it’s got Sense 6 and more included:
- HTC Sense 6 highlights
- AT&T Address Book integration
- Uber
- Ready to Go
- Usage manager
- Mail and Live (Yahoo)
- HTC Sense 5.5 highlights
To manually check for the HTC One mini’s update, you must head into Settings > AT&T software update > Check for Updates.
Both of these look like nice updates for their respective devices, and if either of these Android phones happen to call your pocket “home,” you should probably check for its update right about now. Just don’t forget to stop by the comments section below to tell us that you got it, k?
Via Android Police (1), (2), AT&T: Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One mini
Will you call out of work to get the iPhone 6?
On August 28, Apple finally gave everyone the good news: the iPhone 6 will be unveiled on September 9. It was something that we all pretty much already knew, thanks to scattered reports and rumors, but now that it’s official, it’s all about what’s next. Now that the penciled-in September 9 date can be circled in ink, it’s about looking towards the end of the month. Will the iPhone 6 be made available to buy on the 19 or 26? Somewhere in the middle?
There is plenty of speculation out there already, but what we can pretty much guarantee that the device — or devices — will be launching by the end of September. That’s when we’ll start to see lines in front of Apple stores and wireless retail shops, too. Considering just how important of a launch this seems to be for Apple, it will more than likely reflect two- or three-fold for the consumers that want the devices they show off on September 9.
Of course, it isn’t just about the iPhone 6.
A recent report said that Apple has indeed readied itself to unveil their wearable, often called the iWatch, alongside the iPhone 6 on September 9. Which would make sense, considering how big of an event this already is. Adding another oft-rumored and highly anticipated device to the mix can only make things easier, right?
Unfortunately, while Apple may announce the iWatch along with the iPhone 6, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will actually make it available to buy at the same time. In fact, many, many reports suggest that the iWatch might launch closer to the end of 2014, if not in early 2015. So, the lines outside those aforementioned retail shops might just be for Apple’s flagship handset.
Not that that’s a bad thing, of course.
And when you finally get your hands on the new iPhone, as I’m sure many of you out there are already planning on picking it up, I have a pretty simple question for you: Do you plan on going to work that day? I know how hard it can be not to play with a new gadget when you get it, especially something that you’ve potentially been anticipating for up to a year (if not longer, if you skipped upgrading to the iPhone 5s).
For the folks who work early in the morning, I can see why calling out might be a good idea. After all, ordering your device online doesn’t always guarantee you’ll get it before the systems go down, and shipping inevitably gets pushed back. So, waiting in line is probably the best bet. If you want to get a device on day one, that is. If not, then avoid those places on launch day!
I’m asking this because I know quite a few people who have called into work to get a new gadget or video game, so I’m curious how many of you out there might do the same thing if the iPhone 6 is everything you wanted it to be. So let me know!
Mugen Power HTC One (M8) Battery Case Review (Sponsored)
It wasn’t all that long ago that I completed my 30 Day Challenge with the HTC One M8. Overall, the experience was mostly positive and I was pleased with how well HTC was able to maintain the zest of the original HTC One (M7) while adding more modern updates. While I wasn’t too thrilled about the increase in size (when am I ever?) there was one benefit to the size increase, and that was the fact that there was more room for a larger battery. The M7 used a 2300 mAh battery, and the M8 used a slightly larger 2600 mAh battery. It might not be a ton, but every little bit counts, and this phone does a great job of being able to make it through any given day with moderate to heavy usage.
Still, a 2600 mAh battery might not be enough for some people. While some might be content with a phone lasting well through a 12-hour day with moderate use, others might want to go old school and have a phone last days before requiring a recharge. While smartphone manufacturers haven’t quite figured out how to do this on their own in an appropriate fashion, other companies, like Mugen Power, are there to lend a hand. When I was offered to test out the 3700 mAh Mugen Power Battery Case for the HTC One M8 from Fattafa Limited, I was intrigued to see just how much longer the phone would last without needing a charge.
I have to admit, I was a little worried at how my review would turn out because I have this awful bias against huge phones as it is, and I know that battery extenders can make even the smallest of phones seem gargantuan; however, as it turns out, the Mugen Power Battery Extender actually helped me get a better grip on an otherwise slippery, aluminum device. The matte material used on the cover and the extra thickness on the back of the device made it quite comfortable to hold. Unfortunately, it does make the phone really big and quite heavy. Other than that, I’m surprised (but pleased) to report that it actually helped.
As for the power extension itself, I was also quite pleased with the results. While I didn’t have time to sit down and continuously use the phone over the course of an entire day (I wish I had that much free time) I did try my best to give any attention I could to the device. With my phone having been dead for an entire day before (lasting approximately 1 day and 26 minutes before dying) I decided to only use the Mugen Power Extended Battery as my source of power. I managed to frequently check Facebook, e-mails, texted, kept up on the news and at the end of day settled down with a mini marathon of Parks & Recreation (my latest Netflix binge). I also downloaded a few extra applications that I’ve been meaning to try out. I ended my day (14 hours at this point) with a 46% charge left. I decided to leave it on and alone for the next day.
The next morning (9 hours later) my charge was at 45%. I had a very similar day to my previous. My charge lasted well throughout my normal day’s activities, and at night I was even able to watch more Netflix before the battery eventually ran out of a charge. Overall, the battery managed to last about 36 hours and 2 minutes before shutting down. Combining that with the 24 hours and 26 minutes that the phone was able to handle on its own, that’s a combined 60 hours of battery life for this phone with the extender. Keep in mind, though, that throughout this duration I had the “Power Saver” settings on the entire time. Some may not agree with the antics, but I’ve always kept this option on since I owned the original HTC One and never noticed any cons to having it turned on; I just have a longer battery life.
Overall, I feel like the Mugen Power Battery Case for the HTC One M8 is a good purchase. It’s comparable to other battery extenders at $89.50, and while it may make the phone extra bulky you might find that it actually helps you get a better grip on the device anyway.
Wrap-Up
The Good: The battery lives up to its promise and gives the phone more than double the juice to run on. The case made it easier to grip the phone.
The Bad: The extra bulk might be too much for some people, as the case does make the phone extra big.
The Verdict: Between the performance and the price of the Mugen Power Battery Case, I would say this is a great purchase if you’re looking for this beastly phone to have the power to last for days. While my use may differ from your own, I would still say it’s worth a try in the end if you find that you’re struggling with making the original battery last long enough for you.
August 27, 2014
Samsung Gear S is a new Tizen smartwatch with a 2-inch screen and its own 3G connection
LG’s not the only company announcing a new wearable tonight.
The Samsung Gear S is the latest piece of wristwear from the Galaxy family, and unlike previous Gear smartwatches, the Gear S doesn’t need to be paired with a smartphone for communications. The Gear S has its own 2G (900/1800 or 850/1900) and 3G (900/2100 or 850/1900) support, meaning tat you can use it to make calls and send both messages and emails using its onscreen keyboard.
Speaking of screen, the Gear S packs a 2-inch 480x360 Super AMOLED display on its face. The display is also curved, which Samsung says will help it to fit comfortably on the wearer’s wrist.
The rest of the Samsung Gear S’s spec list includes a 1GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, software features like S Voice and S Health as well as a bevy of sensors that include an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, heart rate and ambient light. There’s a 300mAh battery powering the Gear S that Samsung says will last 2 days under “typical usage.”
It’s also worth noting that the Samsung Gear S is powered by Tizen and includes support for Samsung’s Gear apps.
Along with the Gear S, Samsung plans to launch a headset-style device called the Gear Circle that will allow users to receive calls, listen to music and issue voice commands over a Bluetooth connection. It clasps around the wearer’s neck and can vibrate to alert the user to incoming calls and other alerts.
Both the Samsung Gear S and Gear Circle will launch in global markets starting in October. While some folks may lament the fact that the Gear S runs Tizen and not Android Wear, the new smartwatch has a lot of interesting features that may pique the interest of consumers. Not only does it have its own 3G connection, but its 2-inch display is also larger than most other wearables currently on the market. To compare, the Gear 2 and Gear Live feature 1.63-inch screens.
What do you all make of the Samsung Gear S? Would you like to put one on your wrist potentially leave your phone at home, relying only on the Gear S for communications?
Via Samsung
Apple's request for sales ban on Samsung devices denied by Judge Koh
Earlier this year, Apple asked for a sales ban on nine Samsung products, saying that it would suffer “irreparable harm” if sales of the products continued. Apparently a judge didn’t agree.
Judge Lucy Koh has denied Apple’s request for an injunction against nine Samsung smartphones, including the Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S III. Apple requested the permanent ban earlier this year, but Judge Koh said that Apple did not show that it suffered any significant harm as a result of lost sales or an injury to its reputation.
Apple ended up winning around $120 million in damages from its recent trial with Samsung, which is quite a bit lower than the $2.2 billion it originally sought. And while Samsung may have come out ahead in this portion of the war between the two firms, the battle shows no signs of letting up.
Via MacRumors, Bloomberg, San Jose Mercury News
Apple wearable tipped to debut alongside iPhone 6 on Sept. 9
September is slated to be a big month for tech, even for the still-young wearables category. We already expect to see new smartwatches from LG, ASUS and Motorola, and now it looks like one more device will be debuting next month.
According to Re/code, Apple will unveil its oft-rumored wearable on September 9 alongside its new iPhone 6 models. Details on the device are light, but it’s expected that it’ll work tightly with both the HealthKit and HomeKit features that are coming with iOS 8.
Since it seems likely that Apple’s wearable will need to be paired with an iPhone (or other iOS device) to make use of its functionality, it makes sense that Apple would want to debut the wearable alongside its new iPhone hardware and iOS 8. Now we just have to wait until September 9 to roll around to find out exactly what this mysterious wearable is.
Via Re/code
T-Mobile Music Freedom adds 6 more services, Google Play Music support coming soon
T-Mobile announced Music Freedom back in mid-July, allowing Simple Choice customers to stream music from 7 music services without having it count against their monthly data allotment. Now that group of supported services has grown by 6.
T-Mobile revealed today that its added a handful of new services to its Music Unlimited promo: AccuRadio, Black Planet, Grooveshark, Radio Paradise, Rdio and Songza. T-Mo says that it also plans to add support for Google Play Music “later this year.”
With today’s expansion and the upcoming addition of Google Play Music, it seems as though T-Mobile Music Freedom will have support for most major streaming services out there. One big glaring omission is Microsoft’s Xbox Music, but since T-Mo has added 6 new services today, it’s possible that Xbox Music will join Music Freedom at some point as well.
How many of you are taking advantage of T-Mobile’s Music Freedom?
Via T-Mobile
August 26, 2014
If one feature should make a comeback, it should be the stylus
I’m sure we all have days where we end up reminiscing about phones of our past, whether it’s because you became across the “cell phone graveyard” drawer or box that most of us have, or maybe because you suddenly remembered how amazing it was that we could comprehend a complex strategy like T9 for texting (seriously, when you think about it, using T9 took some crazy dedication). I know I have days like this. One of the things that I remember most about some of my favorite old cell phones, though, was the fact that a stylus was kind of the norm.
If you look at cell phones (smartphones) today and you didn’t know any better, you might assume that styluses should be a given. These phones are big (especially when compared to PDAs of cell phones’ past), and while their touchscreens might be more responsive so that they don’t necessarily need a stylus, it feels like the option to use one should be there. I may not personally use the Galaxy Note series due to sheer size, but I have always been a little jealous of the fact that Samsung thinks to include something as simple as a stylus in the phone.
Simply put, large phones are ideal for being able to type virtually and, for those moments when it’s “just better” or “easier”, the handwritten word. I feel that a stylus should be included, just in case. I mean, it’s just a fancy, pointy plastic stick, right?
And perhaps even more importantly than including the actual stylus, I feel that these phones should go back to including the stylus dock on the actual phone itself. That’s where the real trouble comes in. Styluses themselves aren’t exactly in a shortage. You can go into any Best Buy or Staples and pick up a stylus that works on your phone. The problem is that these styluses are bulky and, from experience, easily misplaced or forgotten. In phones like old PDAs or the Note, you have a special slot that makes it a lot easier to keep track of the stylus and have it handy when needed.
It would seem that LG might be making the move sometime in the future with the unveiling of the LG G3 Stylus, a mid-range G3 variant that doesn’t look like it will be released here stateside. It’s kind of a wonder to me that they wouldn’t just include a stylus with the original G3 to become a direct Galaxy Note competitor. The phone is certainly large and powerful enough. I feel like the Note, at least at this point, has proven that there’s more than just size that makes the phone great. The focus on the stylus aspect of the device has really made the phone stand out amongst other giant slabs on the market. Why isn’t anybody else taking advantage of this?
I have my days where I miss having a stylus. I didn’t use it all the time, but on every phone I had that featured one I did use it occasionally. It’s a nice feature to have when you need it, and I’m surprised that they went away as quickly as they did with the introduction of smartphones. Sure, you don’t need them, but sometimes I find that it would be easier just to physically write something down on a phone rather than type it out - or I would at least prefer it. I don’t think all phones should have it, but I do think that more companies should take advantage of the feature.
Image via Tech Radar, Phone Arena
LG G3 tops Experts Chart, Windows HTC One M8 enters the fray! - OSR
In this week's Official Smartphone Rankings, the LG G3 goes joint top with the HTC One M8 in the Experts Choice chart. And it's not surprising. It has some jaw-dropping specs, and an all-round fantastic look and feel. It's not quite done enough to dethrone the M8 in the People's Choice list, but perhaps one day soon, it might.
In other news, the Windows-flavored HTC One went on sale through Verizon, and so makes its way to our list for you to vote for. Is it the best Windows Phone so far? Will it be the boost Microsoft Needs, and be enough to convince developers to start making awesome apps for WP8? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, or find me on Twitter: @PhoneDog_Cam.
Vote for your favorite: http://phonedog.com/rankings
Google News & Weather app updated with Material Design interface
Google often issues updates for its Android apps on Wednesdays, but apparently today it’s got such a biggie that it just couldn’t wait one more day to share it with us.
An update for the Google News & Weather app is making its way out to users. The update, which is the first big update that the app has gotten in quite some time, bumps it up to version 2.0 and includes a card-based, Material Design-style layout.
The app displays weather for your location as well as stories that are important and other news that the app thinks you’ll be interested in. It takes articles from 65,000 publications and includes 60 country-specific editions and support for custom news sections like “Hollywood” and “Fashion.”
Also included are some new homescreen widgets. Those include a 4x1 widget with news and weather as well as a big widget that scrolls a news feed and shows your weather forecast.
Not only is it great to see Google show some love to an app that many thought that it had forgotten altogether, but I’m also happy to see more apps get a Material Design makeover. I’m sure that folks that’ve been with Android for a while have used Google News & Weather at some point or another, and now it’s probably worth giving the app another look to check out its refreshed look.
You can grab Google News & Weather from the Play Store right here. It’s worth noting that the update appears to be rolling out slowly and may show up as being incompatible for a bit. For example, it shows up as compatible with my Nexus 5, but not my Moto X.
Via Android Central, Play Store: Google News & Weather
August 25, 2014
5 ways to save laptop battery efficiency
Here are five tips to help you save battery laptop as suggested by PC World site.
1 Plug the charger whenever possible
One sure way to ensure your laptop is plugged always ready whenever possible. You should buy at least one spare battery, keep one in the office and one in the computer bag. If you work at home frequently, consider buying extra batteries Tuesday. A common misconception about the laptop is plugged constantly charging batteries and bottles will shorten the life of the battery. With lithium technology used in modern laptops, this is not true.
2 Adjust the screen brightness
Laptop screen is the most battery-hungry, so maintain screen brightness low helps extend battery life significantly. Screen with less light and more comfortable in the space with the light just right. You can also set the time to switch machines to screen low dimming mode, from one to three minutes of non-use.
3 Track unnecessary applications
One of the main culprits is battery consuming applications do not need to run at startup. The modern computer has many features to save battery efficiency, but they can only do that if the app is not open too much. These applications are not only unnecessary but also drain the whole system to slow down and spin it as a battery that takes more for the same work.
Use the tab in the Windows Task Manager to quit the program does not matter too much energy consumption
4 Turn off background applications when not charging
Apart from the unnecessary applications, the background application process consumes energy as Windows Update and update software applications also must be switched off when not plug your laptop charger. Not completely off Windows Update, but periodic inspection applications running on the machine will be helpful to save battery.
5 Turn off unnecessary equipment
You can turn off hardware devices or ports not needed by these devices is also very expensive battery, though this option is not always applicable laptop. Start by turning off the wireless function is not necessary. Just do not let a DVD or Blu-ray drive if you do not need. Finally, many modern computer screen reflecting in the dark. This app is very cool, but if you work with enough under the keyboard and press the button, this will not be necessary.
You can use Device Manager to disable the function devices and ports not needed
LG G3 Stylus officially announced with 5.5-inch display, Rubberdium pen
After being prematurely revealed in an LG G3 Beat promo video earlier this month, the LG G3 Stylus is now officially official.
As its name suggests, the LG G3 Stylus comes equipped with its own Rubberdium pen, which was previously used in LG’s Vu/Intuition line. The G3 Stylus will come preloaded with productivity and entertainment apps that take advantage of the Rubberdium pen.
The rest of the LG G3 Stylus’s spec sheet looks like this:
- 5.5-inch 960x540 IPS display
- 1.3GHz quad-core processor
- 13-megapixel rear, 1.3-megapixel front cameras
- 8GB of storage, microSD card slot
- 1GB of RAM
- 3G connectivity
- 3000mAh removable battery
- Black, white and gold color options
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
- Custom LG software features like Dual Window for running two apps at once, Smart Keyboard and Knock Code
LG says that the G3 Stylus will launch in “3G markets,” starting with Brazil in September. Launches in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States will follow.
It looks like the LG G3 Stylus isn’t the high-end Samsung Galaxy Note 3 competitor that some folks had hoped it would be. Still, it’s interesting to see LG’s new take on the stylus-equipped phablet market after the Vu family ceased to exist.
LG plans to show off the G3 Stylus at IFA in September, so keep it locked to PhoneDog for more on this new giganto-phone as we get it.
Via LG
Smartphone kill switch to be requirement in California starting July 2015
Big news out of California this evening, as the state now officially has a law that will eventually require all smartphones to have a remote “kill switch.”
The bill, which is SB 962, requires that any smartphone manufactured after July 1, 2015 include a feature that will render “essential features” of the device inoperable when it’s not in the possession of an authorized user. These requirements won’t apply to phones that are resold or held as collateral on a loan. Additionally, phones that are made before January 1, 2015, that can’t be retrofitted with a kill switch are exempt.
Users can choose to disable or opt out of this kill switch at any time. If the kill switch is in place and a person knowingly sells a phone that’s in violation of the requirements, that person will face a fine of between $500 and $2500 for each violation.
Some phones already have a sort of kill switch baked in, but with this new law, all smartphones launched in California after July 2015 will need to have this feature included. It’s kind of a bummer that this law doesn’t apply to all mobile devices, including tablets, but it’s certainly a start.
Via The Verge, SB 962
August 24, 2014
iPhone 6 leaks continue with comparison of 4.7-inch model to 4-inch iPhone 5
The iPhone 6 leaks have been steadily increasing as we get closer to the device’s expected Sept. 9 debut, and today we’ve got one more to add to the pile.
Images that claim to show the space gray iPhone 6 lounging next to the white iPhone 5 have surfaced. The iPhone 6 in these photos is the 4.7-inch model, and when its resting next to the 4-inch iPhone 5, there are quite a few differences that can be picked out.
Not only is the iPhone 6 larger than the 5s, it’s also a hair thinner. The iPhone 6’s volume buttons thin and long rather than circular, the iPhone 6 has rounded sides compared to the 5’s flat edges and there’s also a power/lock key above the iPhone 6’s side-mounted SIM slot, while the iPhone 5’s power button is on its top.
There’s not much in this latest batch of iPhone 6 images that we haven’t already seen in previous leaks. That said, it doesn’t hurt to get a clear comparison of the current iPhone 5 with its successor, especially since the new model still isn’t official.
Now that we’re getting a good idea of what the iPhone 6 might look like, what do you think of this design? Does it stand up to hardware from Android and Windows Phone?
Via 9to5Mac, Gizmobic
Synthesis of 5 best apps for windows 8.1
Indeed, the advent of Windows 8.1 also has new improvements compared to previous versions of Windows 8. The transition between the convenient interface than before. In addition to the new features that Windows version 8.1, the application has to be accompanied by quite attract the users. To learn more and to use those features, the synthetic article 5 best apps of Windows 8.1 the following are applications that you can reference and use reasonable
1. MetroTube
Headed to mention MetroTube. This is a free app for you or use Youtube on Windows. The application provides users with essential features like Youtube. Also allows users to watch their favorite videos based on feeds and comment on the videos you watch. MetroTube is a free application for Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 Free Windows Store
2. Fhotoroom
You can replace the default Windows image with Fhotoroom. Through Fhotoroom you edit, beautify your images before sharing them with friends and family. It also can be integrated more options for basic image editing tools such as resize, crop and rotate images. Tools to change the color and exposure values, the same as Instagram filter is also integrated
No. 3 in NextGen Reader is designed for use both tablet and desktop. This tool reads like a feed normally, and you will see a list of options on the left side of the screen with a window to the right reader. Supply data is displayed in the form of tiles you can choose to do and see on the tablet.
Note
To use the NextGen Reader, you must have a Google Reader account
4. Wikipedia
Perhaps you were quite familiar with Wikipedia. This utility provides the user an encyclopedia. Wikipedia is optimized specifically for tablet users. On the Home screen you will see the posts and photos are stressed so you will have an overview of the topic than coincidental.
However, you still have to find the article you want by using a search engine and especially the build in Publish Wikipedia is provided free of charge to users
5. 8 New Zip
Finally, 8 New Zip - compression and decompression utilities leading file, not only supports multiple compression formats than Microsoft's built-in tools (RAR and 7Z) as RAR, ZIP, 7z, Zipx, ISO, BZIP2 , GZIP, TAR, ARJ, CAB ... but this application also includes integrated image viewer, supports encryption and file compression is very convenient to use for the management as well as compressing and decompressing files. And this is a completely free application.
Above is Synthesis 5 best apps for Windows 8.1. I think this app would be helpful to the readers using the operating system. Windows 8.1 lots. Thank you for traveling with me to the end of the article.
The most pointless features we get excited about
If you’re anything like me (or anybody that works at PhoneDog for that matter), you’re always on the hunt for new rumors, leaks, and deets of new devices and gadgets. We’re talking camera, processor, memory, RAM, design, size; after all, these are the components that make the phone’s experience, right? Right! So of course we’re going to get jazzed about whatever new features we can find out about.
With that being said, lately I’ve noticed that some of the things that people get really “jazzed” about are really... pointless? Mundane, maybe? Or maybe they’re just boring and repetitive. It always seems like the same ol’ things are always trying to one-up each other with each new release. I’ve mentioned before that I thought that innovation had taken a significantly slower pace in the industry since the earlier smartphone days where manufacturers were “experimenting” with the best fitting form, but still. Some of these features that are making headlines for smartphones are really not all that headline-worthy at all (in my humble opinion).
With that being said, here are my top pointless features that we tend to get excited about:
Thinness
I get it. Being fit and thin is the way to be - when it comes to people and getting healthy. Smartphones? Not so much. Personally, I don’t see the lure in having the thinnest smartphone. It will make the phone feel very light (and in turn, possibly “cheap”); being as thin (or nearly as thin) as paper makes it more susceptible to falling through cracks, nooks, crannies, and other hard-to-reach places; and let’s not forget that being so thin, at least with the materials we currently have available to us, makes these important little gadgets very easy to break! No more accidentally sitting on your phone when it’s in your back pocket, or you could be looking at some bad news bears.
Does it look nice? Yes, I suppose it does. But is it worth making the phone itself more vulnerable? Not in my opinion.
Screen Resolution
Sometimes I feel like screen resolution has really gone overboard on just how finely tuned they are these days. After a certain point, nobody can tell how sharp the images are, except for maybe the occasional superhero with super vision. But for the average consumer? It’s a bunch of pretty numbers on a page that doesn’t do a whole lot for us. I don’t care if we have 4698348x8157732 resolution one day; my eyes haven’t complained about resolution since the introduction of Apple’s Retina Display. It’s cool that we can make it happen, but it’s not exactly necessary on smartphone screens.
Removable Battery
I feel like removable batteries deserve a spot on the list, but not because it’s ridiculous that we get excited about it - it’s ridiculous that we have to get excited about it. The non-removable battery movement is at fault of the manufacturer. Anybody who has ever dealt with any electronic gadget that uses batteries - ever - knows that there have been several occasions where simply taking the battery out and putting it back in has fixed whatever mysterious issue the gadget was having in the first place. I’ve even had this magical trick work recently on a Wii U gamepad that was acting unruly.
It’s less of a hassle to get a replacement battery, should you need one, if you can just purchase the replacement battery yourself and do the “dirty work” on your own time. There’s no need for anybody to have to send their phone in to a company or make a special appointment to have the battery checked out when it’s entirely possible for us plebs who don’t work for the company to slip off a back cover and replace the battery - you know, without having to whip out our skills from whooping your older brother’s butt in Operation when you were kids.
Honorable Mention: Biggest phone
I think a lot of you might have seen this coming, but I do feel that, to an extent, the “biggest phone” competition has really hit its limit. If you go any bigger at this point, you are making tablets with phone capabilities, not smartphones. However, I do know that a lot of people are super excited about huge smartphones, so I decided to make this an honorable mention because it seems like a personal vendetta rather than a true annoyance amongst the good people of the mobile industry.
These are just some of the pointless features that stick out in my head when they start to make headlines, but I’m sure you readers have more that you feel are pointless as well! So, readers, when it comes to “pointless” features that often get played up, which ones stick out the most to you?
Images via Seattle Times, Softpedia
Unannounced Sony tablet, smartwatch teased in official image
Apparently Sony has a bit of a problem when it comes to posting images of unannounced products on the web. Earlier this year it shared images of a Verizon-branded Xperia Z2 on three separate occasions, and now Sony may have accidentally revealed two more upcoming products.
In a page advertising its Smartband fitness band, Sony has posted an image of a small, white tablet and a black smartwatch. Neither device looks like any Sony product that we’ve seen announced to date, but there’s no mention on Sony’s page of what they might be.
We recently heard rumblings of an “Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact,” and the tablet shown in this image looks like it could be a smaller device in the 7- to 8-inch range, so it’s possible that this device could be the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. The smartwatch is a bit more of a mystery, but it’s possible that the wearable could be a follow-up to 2013’s SmartWatch 2.
It’s also worth noting that, considering Sony’s Xperia product history and the fact that these two products are shown by the pool, it’s possible that they’ll both feature some sort of water resistance.
Sony’s holding an event in Berlin next month for IFA 2014, so we could see one or both of these devices announced shortly. Stay tuned.
Via Xperia Blog, Sony Xperia (Facebook)
LG G Watch R leaks as new, round-faced smartwatch
It’s only been a couple of months since the LG G Watch launched, but apparently the Life’s Good crew already has a sequel ready to go.
A video teaser for “LG’s New Wearable” has been discovered on the official LG Mobile Global YouTube channel. The clip teases a watch with a round face and a button on its side. According to a source speaking to Engadget, the device will be known as the LG G Watch R.
The video shows several different watch faces, including the one you see above, which makes the LG G Watch R look like a fairly regular wristwatch. The clip also includes very brief glimpses of a step counter, a compass and more.
It may seem kind of strange to see LG coming out with a new smartwatch just months after the LG G Watch launched, but as Engadget notes, it’s not likely that the company just whipped up the G Watch R in a month or so. And while I’m sure some G Watch owners are going to be bummed that a new model is debuting so quickly, the G Watch and G Watch R look different enough that they could at least appeal to different folks.
What will be interesting is seeing how the LG G Watch R compares to the similarly round-faced Moto 360, which is likely going to launch around the same time that the G Watch R is introduced.
Unfortunately, this quick video teaser doesn’t give up many details on the LG G Watch R’s features, its launch date or its price tag. LG promises that the device is “coming soon @ IFA 2014,” though, so it won’t be long before more details are revealed.
Via Engadget, LG Mobile Global (YouTube)
August 23, 2014
Internal storage needs a promotion
The amount of storage capacity that a smartphone has is one of the most important features in a smartphone these days. Our smartphones can hold so much information that a large allotment of storage is imperative for a long and, for lack of a better term, fruitful life. With our phones expecting to last us at least 2 years in many cases, one of the better ways to ensure a happy consumer is to ensure that they have enough storage to keep up with them for the entire duration of their daily use. With music, videos (some of them being as high quality as 4k now, and most in HD), photos, movies and more, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to how much storage one might actually need in a smartphone.
The typical storage allotments for smartphones these days are 16, 32, and 64GB of internal memory. Some of these smartphones give an added bonus of allowing for external sources to be used for additional memory by use of microSD cards. Others, however, don’t. In those cases, the decision of how much memory you think you will need becomes more imperative as you can never change the amount of memory that you’re able to use.
16GB is a generous amount, but it was an even more generous amount when videos and pictures weren’t as high quality. With that plus the room needed for music and, more importantly, applications, 16GB just doesn’t seem to do itself the same justice these days. With 16GB having been a set standard sometime back in 2011, it would seem that being well into the second half of 2014 that a jump in memory allotment would be warranted at this point. Yes, I think it’s time for devices to make 32GB the lowest amount of internal memory available, and 128GB of memory the new high, which may be just what Apple plans to reveal come September 9th according to recent rumors.
The only question that would be raised out of this is whether this potentially standard raise in memory would raise the price of such devices or not, and if it would be worth the bump in price.
I don’t think that those who still sign contracts would be affected. Every time the memory allotment has increased the standard $199 starting price point, at least on flagships, has always remained a constant. The problem would be for people who are interested in purchasing the phone full price, which may result in a $50-$100 increase. Considering that a microSD card increase in memory would be significantly cheaper, it wouldn’t really be considered a “good” purchase; however, for people who don’t have a problem spending more money and are likely dead set on using a particular phone (or in the case of the iPhone, a particular OS) I suppose the price increase could always be worse.
I do think that devices are due for a bump up in memory allotment. The 16GB model seems outdated for any phone that chooses to only use internal memory; I believe that the HTC One could attribute part of its success to the fact that the lowest amount of memory was 32GB. If I had my way, all phones would offer the use of microSD card extension for memory. I feel like phones that offer this have a leg up on phones that only use internal memory. However, that’s not the way the mobile industry works, and therefore I feel like manufacturers that choose to use internal memory (and only internal memory) need to step up and bump up the allotment.
Images via The News Tribe, Dial A Phone
August 22, 2014
Google shares Project Ara update, says second Developers Conference happening later in 2014
Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects group has been checking in with us every couple of months to let us know how Project Ara is doing, and today the team shared another update on progress of its modular smartphone.
Google ATAP says that it’s planning to a “major new MDK release and new developer hardware” for later in 2014. It’s also planning its second Developers Conference for later this year.
The group also touched on its efforts to create a new processor for its modular handset. Google ATAP says that its collaborating with Rockchip to create a new mobile system on a chip with a “native, general-purpose UniPro interface.” The group says that the chip will serve as a single node on a network with a universal interface rather than as the network hub for all of the phone’s peripherals. This means that it will be a good fit for Ara’s modular, swappable hardware.
Most of the Ara news that we’ve heard lately is focused more on developers rather than regular users, and today isn’t much different. Still, it’s good to see the modular smartphone effort continuing to make progress toward becoming a real, consumer-ready product.
Via Android Central, +GoogleATAP
Some iPhone 5 units suffering battery issues, says Apple
Heads up, iPhone 5 owners, because Apple has identified a problem with some of its iPhone 5 units that you should probably be aware of.
Apple today kicked off an iPhone 5 battery replacement program after admitting that “a very small percentage” of iPhone 5 units may begin experiencing shorter battery life or need to be charged more often. The devices that are affected by this issue were sold between September 2012 and January 2013.
In order to see if your iPhone 5 is one of the units affected by this battery issue, you can head to Apple’s dedicated support page and enter your iPhone’s serial number. You’ll be able to get your battery replaced at an Apple Authorized Service Provider or at an Apple retail store.
While the period during which these affected iPhone 5 units were sold is small, it also happens to include the holiday shopping season. Apple says that the affected devices “fall within a limited serial number range.” If you’ve been experiencing poor battery life with your iPhone 5 recently, it’s probably worth it to check and see if your device has a faulty battery.
Via 9to5Mac, Apple
Moto X+1 and new Moto G listings posted by Brazilian retailer, specs in tow
Hot on the heels of a leak that showed us some official-looking Moto X+1 renders, a retailer has revealed more details on Motorola’s upcoming hardware.
Brazilian retailer Livraria Logos has added listing for both the Moto X+1 and new Moto G to its web store. The Moto X+1 listings tease black, bamboo and leather versions of the upcoming device. Also included are a few purported specs, such as a 5.2-inch HD display, 2.2GHz quad-core processor, 13-megapixel camera, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and Android 4.4.4. The X+1 is said to have the model number XT1097.
Livraria Logos also has a listing for a “Moto Titan,” which is thought to be the codename for the new Moto G. This device is said to feature a 5-inch HD display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 8-megapixel rear camera, 16GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, Android 4.4.4 and the model number XT1069.
None of these specs will be official until Motorola makes ‘em so, but they certainly seem like plausible feature sets for two new Moto handsets. One thing that does seem likely is the option of wood or leather backsides in Moto Maker, which is a feature that we’ve heard about in the past.
Are you looking forward to the new Moto X and G? Which features do you hope to see included with them?
Via Droid-Life, Livraria Logos
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