The battle of iPhone 6 Plus and LG G3 starts with their cameras. Both boasting OIS, or Optical Image Stabilization. Which one has the best OIS capability? Watch and find out for yourself.
September 30, 2014
NVIDIA Shield Tablet with 4G LTE now available for purchase
Just as promised, the NVIDIA Shield Tablet with built-in 4G LTE connectivity is now available for purchase.
The NVIDIA Shield Tablet is priced at $399 and is available from NVIDIA’s online shop as well as Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s Electronics, GameStop, Micro Center, Newegg and Tiger Direct in the US, as well as “many top e-tailers” in Europe. US-based consumers can also buy the Shield Tablet from AT&T for $299 on-contract.
In exchange for your hard-earned dollar bills, you’ll get an Android tablet with the following specs:
- 8-inch 1920x1200 display
- 2.2GHz quad-core Tegra K1 processor
- 5-megapixel front and rear cameras
- 2GB of RAM
- 32GB of storage
- DirectStylus 2 pen
- Console Mode for hooking the tablet up to a TV
- Shield wireless controller support
- Front-facing speakers
- Android 4.4 KitKat
- Google Play support
NVIDIA is also selling some accessories for its Shield Tablet. Those include a Shield Wireless Controller for $59.99, a Shield Tablet Cover that can act as a stand for $39.99 and a new DirectStylus 2 pen for $19.99.
Are any of you going to spring for an LTE-enabled NVIDIA Shield Tablet?
Via NVIDIA
September 29, 2014
Project Ara to run tweaked Android L that'll allow for hot swapping of most modules
Details about Project Ara, Google’s effort to build a smartphone that consumers can swap parts out of and into, have been trickling out over the past year or so. We’ve learned about the different sizes of modules that’ll be available, the type of processor that it’ll use and its base retail pricing. Now some information on Ara’s software has surfaced.
Google’s Paul Eremenko has revealed that Project Ara will run a tweaked version of Android L that will allow users to hot swap all modules, save for the processor and display. That means that you’ll be able to change parts without turning the phone off. These modules will be available for purchase online in a store similar to Google’s Play Store.
The first fully functional Project Ara prototype is slated to be shown off in December at the second Project Ara Developers Conference. A public launch will follow in early 2015.
While I’m sure that there are still some details that will learn about later on, the news that Project Ara users will be able to hot swap most modules is pretty exciting. After all, it’d be kind of a pain if you were forced to turn your phone off every time that you wanted to swap in a new part. Now we know that unless you’re changing a core part of your device, that won’t be an issue.
Now that we’re almost a year out from Project Ara’s initial announcement, are you still excited about the effort to build a modular smartphone?
Via Android Police, Phonebloks
OnePlus says 'OnePlus 2' should launch in Q2 or Q3 of 2015
Remember how OnePlus teased its next smartphone earlier this month? Well the folks at OnePlus are at it again, giving us a timeframe in which we can expect to see its next major smartphone.
Carl and David, two OnePlus employees, recently took to Reddit to participate in an AMAA (Ask Me Almost Anything) session. Unsurprisingly, the two got a question regarding the OnePlus One’s successor. They gave a surprisingly informative response, though, saying that the “OnePlus 2” is expected to hit in “Q2 or Q3 of 2015.” The employees also said that they’ve heard all of the requests that they make a smaller device and that OnePlus is “thinking about it.”
Of course, the OnePlus 2 isn’t the only device that OnePlus is kicking around in its labs. When asked if the company has a tablet in the works, Carl said that OnePlus is “testing products in various categories” but that it’s unsure of what it’ll end up releasing to the public. When it comes to smartwatches, David would only say that OnePlus likes wearables but that it won’t comment on rumors.
So there you have it. Hard details on OnePlus’s upcoming products are still up in the air, but at least we know that we’re less than a year out from a new OnePlus smartphone. That’s not exactly surprising considering the annual release cycle that so many mobile manufacturers follow, but getting official word on that news is still nice.
What features do you hope to see included in the OnePlus 2?
Via Droid-Life, Reddit
September 28, 2014
We need minis now more than ever
You can probably assume from the title that this is going to be one of those rant-y articles where I complain about how big phones are. If you did assume that, you’re right. So, just be warned that this is exactly what that is.
I mentioned the other day that I’m buying myself some time when it comes to finding a new smartphone because nothing really (and I mean really) stands out to me right now. It’s not that the phones aren’t great, but I am having a bit of an issue overcoming how large screens are getting - and you know it’s more than just a trend when Apple wavers about its once perfect 3.5-inch display, which first moved to a 4-inch display and now features a 4.7 and 5.5-inch display, respectively. It’s clear that big phones, or “phablets”, are here for the long haul.
It’s great, because they sell and they seem pretty popular these days. However, my hands aren’t getting any bigger. If having a large screen size is something that manufacturers need to have on their flagships, it’s going to be a long time before I feel comfortable holding a smartphone again. That kind of bums me out, especially considering that those of us with small hands could usually depend on Apple to be our saving grace, but not anymore.
I think manufacturers could start benefiting from putting a little more effort into their “mini” versions now, because the people who like using phones with only one hand have slim pickings when it comes to anything that great. Everything is getting bigger; even the “cheap” smartphones on the market are growing in size. The 4.7-inch Moto X now has a 5.2-inch display. The Moto G went from having a 4.5-inch display to a 5-inch display. The Google Nexus 5 has a 5-inch display. The LG G3 has a 5.5-inch display. The Samsung Galaxy S5 has a 5.1-inch display. The HTC One M8 has a 5-inch display. It’s time to put some focus on the bite-sized versions of these phones, because the current state of the “Mini” is hardly anything to take seriously.
It’s understandable that when making a size cut you’re going to be making other sacrifices as well, but I can’t help but feel that some of the shortcuts taken to make the minis happen don’t have to be taken. For example, why is it still uncommon for smaller phones not to feature 4G? There’s no reason for 4G to not be included at this point. RAM is also a prime point for cutting corners, often resulting in 1GB of RAM instead of 1.5 or 2. While 1GB is certainly workable, it’s not nearly as ideal.
You know who got the mini right? Sony. We need more minis like Sony’s Xperia Z3 Compact, which differs very little from the original Z3 except in size and in battery life, which is reportedly better than the actual Z3’s battery life. I don’t care about having a cheaper version of a flagship, because then it’s not a flagship anymore. I care about having a flagship that I can hold comfortably in one hand and have a similar experience as those with the mini’s larger counterparts. That’s what I’m looking for in a mini.
I’ve given up waiting for the phablet phase to be over, because I feel like it won’t be for a long time. Too many people really like how large phones have gotten, but there are still a lot of us out there who just can’t bring ourselves to jump on that bandwagon. The mini versions of smartphones aren’t anything new, but they are something I feel should be taken a little more seriously these days now that options are running low when it comes to powerful, smaller smartphones.
Images via CNet and Mashable
Moto G (2014) Review
The Moto G (2014) Review is here! The second generation to the Moto G is a huge step in a lot of ways. It's larger and has new additions like a MicroSD card slot and a brand new 8 megapixel camera. But with the same exact internals, is this a compelling enough proposition?
September 27, 2014
Why the new Moto X is a fine contender among titans
Motorola as a company has gone through what can only be described as a roller coaster ride over the past several years. The company was once highly recognized solely for their popular Droid line (which is so well-remembered that many people synonymize the term “Droid” with “Android”, when they in fact do not mean the same thing), but soon became irrelevant as other manufacturers came along with more powerful products (which also had better availability). When Motorola was purchased by Google in 2011, it felt like forever before the name Motorola resurfaced again. When it finally did, we were greeted with the Moto X.
The Moto X in itself has gone through its own roller coaster round, from being highly scrutinized to being “not all that bad in the end” once certain changes were made. The first mistake was that the Moto X, which was rumored to be called Google’s “X” phone, was supposed to be the phone to end all phones. While the phone indeed has the letter X in it, it wasn’t exactly the phone that people were hoping it would be. Some of the specs were dated and the price was fairly high. Yep, the first impressions of the Moto X were pretty much disappointing.
After a couple of adjustments and additions (price drop, introduction of Moto Maker) the Moto X actually broke away from wallflower status and became sort of an anomaly on its own. The price wasn’t just appropriate for the phone, it was comparable to the affordable Nexus line. The level of customization given to users through Moto Maker was unlike any level of customization we were used to when it came to smartphones - or really, any phones. Moto X now had redeeming qualities, but it had still failed at making a great first impression, which is pretty important.
So what about this year’s Moto X? Is it possible to make a great first impression the second time around? Honestly, I feel like this year’s Moto X deserves a fair chance, even if the price tag isn’t exactly as friendly as I had hoped.
First of all, the expectations we set for the Moto X this year were more realistic. We didn’t have that crazy hype about the mysterious “X Phone” that we had last year; those dreams have been long shattered. We could take what the Moto X offered last year and kind of put two and two together on what we could expect this year. Really, the Moto X just needed a spec tune-up. A better processor, a better camera, and a crisper screen was pretty much all that was necessary to make the phone a decent contender. Adding leather backs and dual front-facing speakers wasn’t a bad move, either. All of these needs (and more) were met, which is really all we could ask for.
The second thing that Moto X has going for it was something that I initially checked of as a con rather than a pro, but Motorola’s hands-off approach to smartphones is actually quite handy and kind of cool to use. Is it a little weird knowing that my phone is always listening to me? Kind of. At the end of the day, I figure whatever I have to say isn’t that important anyway, so even if there were tiny CIA agents hiding in my phone then I probably have nothing to worry about. I just like being able to ask my phone what the weather is like when I’m too lazy to get out of bed to go outside and check for myself. And maybe the score of the Royals’ game the night before (postseason, baby!).
Between Motorola’s improvements to the Moto X, the amount of customization that one has control over using Moto Maker, and Motorola’s dedication to hands-off smartphoning, the Moto X has earned a certain amount of respect in the smartphone industry. If last year’s Moto X was too big of a disappointment for you, I would highly recommend you at least take the time to check out this year’s version if you’re in the market for a new phone - it really does have something different to bring to the table (even if the price isn't as enticing as it was last year).
Image via CNet
September 26, 2014
It’s too late to go back now, HTC
I think we can all agree that one of the most important aspects of today’s smartphones is the camera. I mean yeah, there are other important things like apps, processing power, internal storage and whatnot, but the camera on smartphones has finally gotten to a point where it’s not uncommon to find one that’s good enough to fully replace your digital rooty tooty point-and-shooty. Even then, however, you still come across some smartphones (flagships, even) that tend to focus on other features and not so much the camera. They can’t all be winners, I guess.
HTC may be considered one of those manufacturers when it comes to the camera they choose to implement in their latest flagship, the HTC One. First seen in the HTC One (M7) earlier in 2013 and then again in the M8 earlier this year, HTC opted to go against the grain by using a 4-megapixel “UltraPixel” camera. In a world where most smartphone cameras are advertised with an 8-megapixel count or higher, a measly 4 seemed somewhat... 2009-ish. UltraPixel or not, what people have been taught over the past several years is that the higher the megapixel count, the better the photos turned out. While some people (myself included) think that HTC’s UltraPixel camera works perfectly well (and even better than some cameras with higher megapixel count, in my opinion) others simply can’t be bothered. Who can blame them? Most of the time you get one, maybe two chances at choosing the perfect smartphone for you when you upgrade. You’re likely stuck with this device for two years. Not a whole lot of room for playing with fire there.
I’m pretty sure they knew that this was a risky move the first time, and a riskier move the second. I think most of us expected the M8 to have a camera improvement, at least to something more along the lines to what we typically see today. Maybe it didn’t have to be 16, 20, or 41-megapixels, but an 8-megapixel UltraPixel camera sounds a lot more doable than a 4-megapixel one, doesn’t it? But they chose to go with 4-megapixels once again. As it turns out, maybe HTC isn’t as confident in their decision the second time around as we would have thought.
News reports surface of a mysterious ‘HTC M8_EYE’ device, which several leaks suggest would feature a 13-megapixel camera. If the name is any indication at what we’re looking at, well... it looks like another rehashed M8 with a better camera, and it is guesstimated to arrive sometime in late Q4, perhaps around the holidays. While an M8 with a better camera does sound like it could significantly boost the morale surrounding the phone (even more so), I can’t help but feel that it would need a lot more than a better camera to actually sell well. HTC should have released an M8 with a 13-megapixel camera earlier this year, or should wait to release it with the next generation HTC One. A late Q4 release would just be bizarre, and possibly a little aggravating for people who already purchased the original M8 earlier this year.
A late, same-year release might also make it seem like HTC is agreeing with all of the people who said that a 4-megapixel camera really wasn’t enough; not to say that a company shouldn’t be allowed to admit to and fix any mistakes, but... it’s kind of one of those what’s done is done deals.
Most of this year’s highly anticipated line-up has already been released (fingers still crossed for a new Nexus 6 though, am I right?) and people who have been waiting for a new phone are already on the prowl. HTC might be able to snag up some holiday shoppers, but aside from that I don’t see much coming out of this. Might as well make the HTC One M9 a super spectacular debut instead of trying to drag out the M8.
HTC 'M8_EYE' rumored to feature 13-megapixel Duo Camera
Remember that “HTC Eye” that we heard rumblings about back in June? Well today more details on the device have leaked, and this time we’re focusing on the device’s rear camera.
According to @LlabTooFeR and @upleaks, two prominent leakers, the HTC “M8_EYE” will come equipped with a 13-megapixel Duo Camera on its backside. To compare, the One (M8) features an UltraPixel (4-megapixel) Duo Camera setup. The M8_EYE is also rumored to include Android 4.4.4 and HTC Sense 6.0.
HTC has said that its 4-megapixel UltraPixel camera uses larger pixels to capture more light than cameras with higher pixel counts, meaning that the UltraPixel camera ought to perform well in low light. Still, many have criticized the One (M8)’s camera as not being as high-quality as its Android counterparts. If this HTC M8_EYE is a One (M8)-like phone with a 13-megapixel rear shooter, it could be a strong contender for king of the Android hill.
The M8_EYE is rumored to be coming in Q4 2014. If the rumors are true, do you think that you’ll be interested in the M8_EYE?
Via Android Police, @LlabTooFeR, @upleaks
BlackBerry reports Q2 FY15 results, says 200,000 Passports ordered so far
Just a couple of days after unveiling the BlackBerry Passport, the folks in Waterloo have another announcement to make: their Q2 FY15 results.
BlackBerry reports that during Q2 FY15, it sold around 2.1 million smartphones. Meanwhile, approximately 2.4 million BlackBerry phones were sold to end customers, which includes devices that were shipped before the start of Q2 FY15. BlackBerry also says that it’s now got 91 million monthly active BBM users, up from 85 million in Q1 FY15.
On the financial side of things, BlackBerry pulled in a revenue of $916 million for the quarter. It also recorded a net loss of $207 million, which is an improvement from the $965 million loss that hit BlackBerry in Q2 FY14.
Finally, BlackBerry CEO John Chen reports that the BlackBerry Passport has had 200,000 orders since it went on sale Wednesday. That’s not bad considering BlackBerry’s recent sales numbers, and it’ll be interesting to see if the BlackBerry Classic and its more traditional BlackBerry form factor can perform even better when it launches later this year.
As usual, I’m listening in to BlackBerry’s Q2 FY15 earnings call, and I’ll be sure to update you with any other juicy tidbits of info that John Chen and Co. have to share.
Have any of you ordered a BlackBerry Passport?
Via BlackBerry
HTC Preview program rumored to offer early looks at new updates
We often hear about Motorola device updates before they’re announced thanks to soak tests, which are early versions of updates sent to members of the Motorola Feedback Community for testing before their public launch. Now a new leak has shown that HTC is kicking off a similar program of its own.
A new leak has revealed that HTC may be kicking off a new program called “HTC Preview” that’s designed to let users test out new hardware and software before they’re released to the public. The program is currently only open to US-based members of HTC Elevate, which is HTC’s “customer VIP program.”
Once enrolled in HTC Preview, users will test early versions of both software and hardware. In some cases, HTC will send loaner devices to be used in testing, and in other instances users may load test software up on their own devices. If a user ever decides to leave HTC Preview, they’ll need to send their device to HTC to have it refreshed with regular software. HTC says that its trials will normally take 6-10 weeks to complete.
This HTC Preview program sounds like a nice way for members of HTC Elevate to get a preview of HTC’s upcoming goodies. What’s especially interesting is that while most of the tests will involve upcoming software and app updates, HTC says that some users will get to test upcoming hardware. And don’t fret if you want to be a part of HTC Preview but you aren’t in HTC Elevate, as it’s said that HTC Preview will be opening to the public “in the coming months.”
Via Android Police
September 25, 2014
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s back to BlackBerry I go
It’s nearing the end of the year, which is typically the time that I prefer to look around for a new phone if I’ve made plans to purchase one. This year a ton of great phones have made their debut; unfortunately, none of them really tickle my fancy so much that I want to either A.) drop hundreds of dollars on them or B.) sign a two-year commitment for them. I can’t explain why, I just haven’t been colored that impressed with any phones this year. I was looking at the iPhone 6 and the new Moto X, but I don’t feel like I just have to have either one of them right now.
I was planning to get comfy with my iPhone 4s until next spring (or possibly until the release of a new Nexus) when I was offered the chance to use a BlackBerry Q10 if I wanted instead. Although BlackBerry 10 hasn’t exactly been something I have been interested in lately, I figured why not try it out? It’s the last major platform that I haven’t used for an extended period of time, so it seemed like a good way to get my “new phone” fix in without having to make a commitment about it. Plus, I got to visit my old friend physical QWERTY keyboard, so I decided to go for it.
I like the BlackBerry Q10 as a device. The form is familiar in that old fashioned BlackBerry way, the physical keys are pleasant to use (albeit I am a bit slower at using them now) and the phone is neither too light nor too heavy. The phone is also very easy for me to use with one hand, which is an important factor in any phone for me.
That being said, my experience with the phone’s software sings a different tune. Perhaps it’s because I’ve become so accustomed to Android and iOS, but the interface is definitely taking some getting used to. BlackBerry 10 is very gesture-based, so getting used to which gesture does what has been a little confusing for me. Like any new phone, I’m starting to get used to it. I’m also getting used to using BlackBerry Hub over having a notification center, which isn’t too different, but swiping all the way to the left isn’t as intuitive as being able to swipe down for notifications no matter what screen you’re on. It’s still better than the complete abscence of a notification center, which was my experience with Windows Phone back in January.
Animations and loading times are smooth for the most part, but I’ve encountered some hiccups here and there. It doesn’t help that my phone’s software is stuck with BlackBerry 10.1 despite BlackBerry 10.2 is available. My OTA update hasn’t come through yet, and my phone is having issues being recognized by computer (which no other phone has had issues with, which makes it looks like it’s a BlackBerry issue). This also means that until I can figure out a way to get the 10.2 update, I can’t sideload Android applications onto the phone either. That means my only options for apps come from the BlackBerry App World, which have slim pickings, but BlackBerry never was terribly great for apps. The 10.3 update should make app life for BlackBerry 10 users much better, though.
What BlackBerry is good for is being a phone. E-mail was easy to set up and the call quality on this phone is actually really good in my opinion. Battery life has also been great as it’s been able to get me from sun up to when I go to bed with no problem. But this might also have to do with the fact that as of right now I don’t do much other than e-mail, text, Facebook, and make a couple of phone calls. But hey, if that’s all you want in a phone this phone is great for that while maintaining a good charge.
The best way I can think of to explain my experience with BlackBerry 10 so far is with a baking analogy. Android and iOS are like those delicious pre-made cake mixes that you have to actively try and mess up in order to make it taste bad. BlackBerry, on the other hand, is like trying to make a cake out of scratch. It’s a lot harder to get good results because you have to work at it. That’s what I feel has to be done with BlackBerry: you have to work at it to make it a good smartphone experience. It’s not all laid out in plain text for you. With that being said, over the next few days I hope to make a delicious BlackBerry cake. Or at least a pie or a tart, or something.
Images via Mashable, Getty Images
Apple comments on #bendgate, says it's only gotten nine complaints of bent iPhone 6 Plus units
The past few days have been pretty bumpy for Apple. Not only did it release an iOS 8.0.1 update that broke cellular connectivity and TouchID for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models, but many people have been caught up in the #bendgate phenomenon, wherein it’s said that the new iPhones can easily bend while in your pocket. Well this morning Apple addressed the iOS 8.0.1 issue, and now it’s tackling the #bendgate situation.
Apple has told Re/code’s John Paczkowski that through the first six days of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus availability, just nine customers have reached out to Apple with a bent iPhone 6 Plus. The Cupertino firm explained to CNBC Tech that the new iPhone models have steel and titanium inserts to reinforce their stress locations, as well as “the strongest glass in the industry.”
The whole #bendgate matter has gotten a lot of attention in the press thanks to a some videos that show iPhone owners purposefully bending their devices, but so far we haven’t heard of many real world incidents involving a bent iPhone. Apple’s statement suggests that #bendgate isn’t a big issue, and so you iPhone 6 Plus owners probably needn’t worry about your device getting bent while it’s in your pocket.
Via @JohnPaczkowski, @CNBCtech
Apple posts fix for those affected by iOS 8.0.1 issues, says iOS 8.0.2 coming soon
Apple’s had a bit of an up and down couple of weeks recently. First, it sold more than 4 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus preorders, then it moved 10 million units over launch weekend. Then the company’s luck did a 180 thanks to isolated reports of bending phones that resulted in the #bendgate trend.
It looked like things were turning around yesterday with the arrival of the iOS 8.0.1 update, but that update actually broke cellular connectivity and TouchID for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners. Yeah, those are kind of important.
Now Apple has posted a support page detailing how users that downloaded iOS 8.0.1 and lost cellular and TouchID support can fix their new device. Users need to connect their iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to iTunes, perform a backup of the device, download an iOS 8 file for their phone and then update through iTunes.
Apple says that it’s working on the iOS 8.0.2 update that includes a fix for the bug that broke cellular and TouchID functionality for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The Cupertino firm expects to release it “in the next few days.”
It seems kind of strange that the iOS 8.0.1 update made it all the way to the public with such major bugs in tow. It did just that, though, leaving many folks with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus units that can’t make calls or send texts. Apple’s solution isn’t ideal, but at least it’ll get those folks that did lost cellular and TouchID support back to having a working phone.
Did you lose cellular connectivity and TouchID functionality after installing iOS 8.0.1?
Via Apple
How would you change the iPhone 6 Plus?
The iPhone 6 Plus has been available now since Friday, September 19, and more than a few people out there in the world managed to get their hands on one. Granted, I know more people than I probably should who didn’t manage to get one, due to a lack of stock, but with over 10 million devices sold over the course of a weekend, it’s a pretty safe assumption that there are a lot of iPhone 6 Plus devices out there.
And for all intents and purposes, there’s plenty to like about the larger iPhone 6 variant. That big display, though, is probably one of the biggest reasons, right? With a 5.5-inch display, it’s one of the biggest flagship devices on the market, but it’s certainly not the only one these days. So, for many 6 Plus owners out there, the question is: was it worth the wait?
It’s not just about the display, even if it is the most obvious difference between the two. The 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus also has a bigger battery, one that Apple notes will last longer than the smaller iPhone 6’s. There’s more, though, including a big change for the camera: optical image stabilization. Apple probably had their reasons, but the differentiator in the camera is certainly worthwhile to anyone who loves taking photos on their smartphone. (This doesn’t mean that the camera on the iPhone 6 is bad, mind you. Because it isn’t.)
Software-specific features, like the ability to turn the iPhone 6 Plus in landscape mode and have the Home screen transition accordingly, or to have some apps offer a bit more information when the device is positioned as such. All of these things, put together into a device that’s certainly striking in all of the right ways — even with those antenna bands — is certainly winning over people left and right. I have no doubt about that.
But it’s obviously not perfect.
So, I’m genuinely curious to hear from those who have not only considered buying the iPhone 6 Plus, and those who actually pulled the trigger on the purchase, to find out what it is about the large device that you might change. If there’s anything about the device, both in theory (if you didn’t buy it (yet)) and in reality, that you’d change to make it better. So, let me know!
September 24, 2014
iPhone 6 vs OnePlus One - Dogfight
Beau HD compares two of the best devices for iOS and Android -- the Apple iPhone 6 and OnePlus One. The iPhone 6 features a redesigned form factor with rounded edges and a larger 4.7" LCD display running iOS 8. The OnePlus One, on the other hand, features a large 5.5" 1080p display with a one-of-a-kind sandpaper back cover construction and it is running the latest version of Android 4.4.4 KitKat. While both of these devices are very similar, the software is the most differentiating feature.
Check out Beau HD's personal channel: http://goo.gl/E5iM4N
Which device do you prefer -- OnePlus One or iPhone 6? Let us know by leaving your device/score in a comment down below.
Moto 360 update rolling out with a few improvements in tow
Got a Moto 360 on your wrist right now? If so, I’ve got some news that’s going to help you get over this Hump Day.
Motorola is now pushing an update to the Moto 360 that includes a handful of tweaks. They are:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Improved Bluetooth connectivity between the watch and phone to reduce momentary disconnects experienced by some users.
- Charging notification
- Added a message to confirm that Moto 360 is charging in cases when its battery is fully depleted.
- Bug fixes
- Implemented bug fixes and other system optimizations.
As with most software updates, Motorola notes that this one for the Moto 360 is rolling out in phases and will take a few days to hit everyone. Once your 360 is ready to update, it’ll display a notification and allow you to download it, at which point your watch will be connected to a phone that’s got a data connection. You’ll also need at least an 80 percent battery charge on your Moto 360.
Via Droid-Life, Motorola
Samsung Gear S landing at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon this fall
Good news for anyone in the US that wants to strap a big ol’ screen to their wrist: the Samsung Gear S will be making its way Stateside this fall.
Samsung just pinged us to announce that the Gear S will be sold by AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon this fall. Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date. One thing we do know now, though, are the specs that make the Gear S tick:
- 2-inch 480x320 Super AMOLED display
- 1GHz dual-core processor
- 4GB of storage
- 512MB of RAM
- 300mAh battery
- IP67 rated for resistance to dust and water
- 2G, 3G calling
- Tizen operating system
Samsung has released several Gear smartwatches to date, including ones that are powered by Tizen and Google’s own Android Wear. The Gear S offers the biggest screen of them all, though, and it’s also got its own 3G connection so that it can make calls without needing a smartphone at all times. It’s nice to see that all four major US carriers will offer the Gear S, giving most folks in the US the chance to strap Samsung’s newest wearable on their wrist. What will be interesting is, given its built-in 2G and 3G, seeing how the carriers plan to charge for the Gear S on a monthly basis. Are you interested in the Samsung Gear S?
Via Samsung
September 23, 2014
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus hit the ground running
Cam welcomes the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to the Official Smartphone Ranking charts. After a solid weekend of voting, both entered the top 10 in the People's Choice charts and the Top 5 in the Experts' selections. With their first full week of voting ahead of them, could they climb further? Are they the best handsets on the market? Ready for your vote to count? Head over to the Official Smartphone Rankings!
Note: This video contains a sponsored portion for NBCUniversal
Watch the new alternate opening to Neighbors: http://bit.ly/1ow6398
New Moto X shipping out to buyers, deliveries slated to begin tomorrow
Good news, early adopters! If you put down cash for a new Moto X last week, your new handset should be on its way to you.\
Many Moto X buyers are reporting that they’ve received shipment notifications for their new handsets. What’s more, Android Central says that their unit is slated to be delivered tomorrow, meaning that it may not be long before Motorola’s new flagship is in your hands.
We heard last week that AT&T is planning to begin shipping Moto X orders on September 23, so it’s not a surprise to hear that units ordered from Motorola are already going out. It’s exciting for another new smartphone flagship to be making its way to consumers, and I’ll be interested to hear what folks think of the new Moto X’s larger screen size and its leather backside.
Did you order a new Moto X? If so, what kind did you get?
Via Android Central
Unlocked / T-Mobile Moto X now getting its Android 4.4.4 update
The unlocked/T-Mobile Moto X has been one of the first variants of Motorola’s 2013 flagship to receive major Android updates in the past. That’s not the case with Android 4.4.4, though, as this device is the last Moto X variant to receive the bump to 4.4.4.
Following Android 4.4.4 updates for the AT&T, Sprint and Verizon versions of the Moto X, the unlocked/T-Mobile variant is finally getting the update as well. Motorola hasn’t posted the details of the update online yet, but the Android 4.4.4 updates for other Moto X models have included goodies like improved camera image quality and an updated phone dialer.
It’s kind of strange to see the unlocked, unbranded Moto X get Android 4.4.4 after all of its carrier-branded siblings, but hey, all that matters is that the update is finally here. If you’re rocking the unlocked/T-Mobile Moto X, you can check for this update by heading into Settings > About phone > System updates.
Via Android Police
September 22, 2014
Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 official, new phablet packs 6-inch display and quad-core processor
Nearly a year and a half after Samsung took the wraps off of two Galaxy Mega smartphones, one with a 5.8-inch screen and another with a 6.3-inch display, the company has introduced a new model with a screen that’s right in the middle of the first two.
The Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 is now official on Samsung Thailand’s website. Obviously the main draw of the Galaxy Mega 2 is its display, which is a 6-inch 1280x720 display. As I mentioned before, that’s in the middle of the original Megas, but is the same resolution as the 6.3-incher.
Other specs for the Galaxy Mega 2 include 8-megapixel rear and 2.1-megapixel front cameras, a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a microSD card slot and Android 4.4. Connectivity options include 2G, 3G and 4G LTE.
Right now there’s no word on when or if the Galaxy Mega 2 will make its way outside of Asia. The OG Mega 6.3 was released on AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular when it made its way to the States, and so it’s possible that one of those three operators could end up offering the Mega 2 at some point. And while it may seem like a strange idea for a carrier to sell the 6-inch Mega 2 with the 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 4 right around the corner, it’s worth noting that the Mega 2 would likely be much cheaper than the Note 4 because of its specs, which would give folks the chance to pick up a big phone on the cheap.
Via Droid-Life, Samsung
LG G3 Vigor hitting AT&T on September 26, LG G Pad 7.0 LTE promo in tow
After recently teasing its plans to launch the LG G3 Vigor, AT&T today revealed its launch plans for the newest member of the LG G3 family.
The LG G3 Vigor will arrive at AT&T on September 26. Pricing will be set at $49.99 with a 2-year contract, 24 monthly payments of $13.96 with AT&T Next 18 or 20 monthly payments of $16.75 with AT&T Next 12. If you’d prefer to pay full retail, you can expect to pay $334.99 to do so.
AT&T also notes that it’s planning to kick off a promotion with the launch of the LG G3 Vigor. Consumers that buy a G3 Vigor from AT&T will be able to snag an LG G Pad 7.0 LTE for 99 cents with a 2-year contract and data plan.
Need a quick refresher on the LG G3 Vigor’s specs? I’m happy to oblige. The G3 Vigor’s got a 5-inch 1280x720 display and 1.3-megapixel camera on its face and an 8-megapixel camera on its rear. Packed inside of its 0.39-inch (9.9mm) frame is a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 8GB of storage, microSD card slot, 4G LTE, HD Voice, a 2540mAh battery and Android 4.4 KitKat.
While the LG G3 Vigor may not be a barnburner in terms of specs, it’s got a respectable feature set and a big-but-not-too-big display. Plus, at $50 on-contract and $335 without, it’s pretty easy on the wallet.
Via AT&T
iPhone 6 benchmark speed test
Beau HD runs several benchmark applications to test the speed of the iPhone 6. The benchmark apps include Geekbench 3, PerformanceTest Mobile and 3DMark. They do a great job testing the CPU performance along with the memory and 2D/3D graphics of the iPhone 6 — so you should be able to accurately compare the results with other devices.
Check out Beau HD's personal channel: http://goo.gl/E5iM4N
How does your phone compare to the score of the iPhone 6? Let us know by leaving your device/score in a comment down below.
September 21, 2014
New Moto X Verizon launch may be near
When Motorola introduced us to the new Moto X earlier this month, it said that both AT&T and Verizon would offer the device in the US. AT&T recently began accepting preorders for the refreshed X, but we haven’t heard a peep from Verizon on the matter. Now a new leak has surfaced to give us the info that Big Red hasn’t.
According to a leaked Verizon document, Ol’ Red will begin selling the new Moto X on September 26. Pricing will be set at $99.99 with a two-year contract for the black or Moto Maker 16GB model or $24.99 per month with Verizon Edge. The more capacious 32GB model will be priced at $149.99 with a two-year commitment or $27.40 with Edge.
The leaked doc also notes that Verizon may run a special promotion on the bamboo version of the new Moto X. From September 26 through October 10, the two-year contract price for the bamboo model will be $99.99, eliminating the $25 premium that the wood models usually carry.
A second Verizon document leak shows that the new Moto X may not launch with Advanced Calling 1.0 enabled. Advanced Calling 1.0 includes features like HD Voice (Voice over LTE) and support for simultaneous voice and data. The leak suggests that Advanced Calling 1.0 will come to the Moto X in a software update that’ll roll out “later in the fall.”
While it’s kind of a bummer that Verizon customers will have to wait a bit longer for their new Moto Xs than AT&T folk, it’s also not surprising since we saw a similar situation with last year’s Moto X. And hey, it’s only a few extra days.
Via Phandroid (1), (2)
September 20, 2014
Will the discontinuation of the iPod Classic boost iPhone sales?
Things are going to get deep here for a minute, because the subject of this article likely touches the memories of many of our readers in a strange, nostalgic way - I know it does for me. Before Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry (as we know it today), and Apple’s iPhone, a different invention was taking the world by storm: the Apple iPod, later known as the “iPod Classic”.
Many of us can recall the swift transition from people walking around streets carrying CD players and even cassette players to carrying these strange little boxes that could hold more music and a longer charge than our other gadgets could ever do. No longer did we have to tote around binders full of albums just to have a decent selection of music with us on the go - it was all just right there. Not only that, but with the iPod came iTunes, which allowed us to focus less on enjoying an entire album and gave us the freedom to pick and choose our favorite tracks and purchase just those. The iPod and iTunes were truly, for lack of a less cliche term, innovative for its time.
They say every birth is accompanied by a death, and while the world was engrossed with the “birth” of Apple’s newest iPhone, the iPhone 6 (and 6 Plus), the death of the iPod Classic was quietly occurring behind the scenes. That is to say, Apple has made the decision to discontinue making the iPod Classic.
At first I wasn’t phased, because I haven’t had the urge to purchase an iPod in a very long time. I carry my music in my phone, like a lot of people do nowadays. However, I only do this out of convenience. The amount of storage available in my phone is a far cry from the amount of music I have in my “Music Library” on my computer, which is something that the iPod never seemed to struggle with. Instead of loading my Music Library onto my phone, I use streaming apps like Spotify and Pandora to save space for other apps and media (namely photos and videos). I have an iPod Classic on standby that I use for days when my phone battery is low, or simply when I just want to listen to music and not mess with my phone; but even though I haven’t even thought about buying an iPod Classic in a few years at this point, it still feels like there was a place for them in the world. I never thought about buying one because I already had one, and it didn’t need to be replaced every two years like a smartphone does.
There are two things that make an iPod Classic worth purchasing in today’s world where smartphones can do anything from making phone calls to face-to-face video conversations: battery life and storage capacity. The most recent generation of iPod Classic, which was released in 2009, has 160GB of storage capacity available. It could play 40 hours of music and 7 hours of video. The iPhone 5s has the same amount of battery life and playback time, but most people don’t use their smartphones for an entire day solely for music playback, and that was also likely under the assumption that the music playback was using an internally stored Music Library, not a streaming app, which has become somewhat of the norm in smartphones these days. The iPod Classic, which had no WiFi capabilities or anything too fancy, would be a better choice for a long day of leisurely listening - a more realistic 40 hour usage window. And, up until this year, the iPod Classic was also a much better choice for maximum storage capacity. 160GB of storage was more than double what the highest iPhone 5s capacity could hold.
This was probably why the iPod Classic was still technically in production, albeit untouched when it came to upgrades, after the iPhone 5s and 5c releases last year. Apple had the means to pull the product this year because the iPhone 6 has a maximum capacity of 128GB - still short by 32GB, but enough to make it comparable, and enough to push the iPod Classic out of the picture.
It’s pretty clear that if the iPod Classic was still making remotely the same impression that it did 13 years ago, Apple would still sell the device. Realistically, they’ll probably be able to make more money by pulling it. If somebody is dissatisfied with the amount of storage for music on their iPhone 5s (or older), they might just forgo upgrading their entire phone and go with the iPod Classic instead. After all, music is all they’re looking to add. But if Apple eliminates that option (at least when it comes to new products, which many people want so that they at least have a manufacturer’s warranty) then the person may reconsider and might spring for the iPhone 6 instead.
Profit.
It’s not a completely unforeseen event as the iPhone (and the iPod Touch) are two of Apple’s modern day pride and joy and main focuses, but it is a little sad. As little influence as the iPod Classic has in today’s world, I still feel that it did have a slight edge over smartphones in those two specific aspects I already mentioned. I’m glad to have my iPod Classic, but I’m a little sad to know that when my Classic does eventually goes caput on me, it’s going to be harder to find a solid replacement since the entire concept of a standalone mp3 player with copious amounts of storage is fading away (Zunes, anybody?). But I imagine by then phones might have similarly sized, or greater, storage capacity. I hope.
With that being said, when it comes to the iPod Classic’s death, do you feel that this will help boost sales of the iPhone 6? Or do you feel that it will have little influence on the sales of Apple’s newest phone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Images via Telegraph, Apple
Verizon iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus now using Advanced Calling 1.0
Less than a week after officially launching Advanced Calling 1.0 and Voice over LTE (VoLTE), Verizon has doubled the number of phones on its network that support the feature.
Both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus now support Verizon’s Advanced Calling 1.0 functionality. Owners of either device can enable the feature by going into Settings > Cellular > Enable LTE and switching the setting to “Voice & Data.”
Advanced Calling 1.0 offers HD Voice for high quality voice calls, simultaneous voice and data and more. In order to take advantage of the feature, you’ll need to have an Advanced Calling 1.0-capable phone — which currently includes the Galaxy S5, LG G2, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus — and the person on the other end of your call will need one as well.
Apple said when it announced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus that both models would support VoLTE on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, so it’s no surprise to hear that the feature is live. Still, it’s nice to know that the functionality is working out of the box. Now all that you Verizon iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners have to do is flip the switch in your Settings.
Via PhoneScoop
Anna’s Guide to Purchasing a New Phone
We’ve seen a lot this year when it comes to mobile, from the beginning of the year until now. It goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway) that many of us in the industry are just itching to buy a new phone at this point - if that itch hasn’t already been scratched, that is. Each year, unless a particular phone really strikes my fancy, I tend to wait until the end of the year before I seriously consider purchasing a new phone. This way, I’m able to compare all of the year’s flagships in all of their true splendor. It’s one thing to go off of the hope of rumors and leaks, but we in this industry are no stranger to heartbreak; I prefer to wait to see what’s really offered.
With that being said, it’s getting to that point again for me. I’ve grown tired of the iPhone 4S I’ve been carrying for the past few months as a placeholder for the new phone I’ll be carrying for the next several months. However, just because I’m tired of using it doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to choose from all of the wonderful phones we’ve seen this year! I know I’m not the only one who faces this dilemma from time to time, so I thought I’d share some of my tips on how I find the perfect phone for me when I go shopping for a new device.
Step 1: Make A List
Lists are good for many reasons, and shopping for a new smartphone is no exception. By making a list of all of the smartphones you are, and may potentially, be interested in, you can weed out all of the other “fluff” when you visit retail stores to tinker around with phones. This will also make it easier to figure out which phones you need to thoroughly research, which is what we’ll do in our next step.
Step 2: Research, Research, Research!
There’s a lot you can find out from the comfort of your own home, before you ever even step foot in a retail store. After you’ve made a list of all of the phones you might be interested in, look up the specs, price, and hands-on videos and reviews for each phone to get a better idea of what to expect when you check the phones out for yourself. Keep in mind to take each reviewer’s point of view with a grain of salt - everybody has their own personal preferences. For example, I think phones with a 5-inch screen (or larger) is just too big, but most reviewers don’t feel that way. One reviewer might like the aluminum body on an HTC One, and another might prefer the matte plastic or wooden back of a Moto X instead.
The red flags you want to look out for in reviews are ones that deal with performance issues like lag and battery life. These are the problems that you want to know about beforehand, and one that reviewers are able to give you better insight on considering most of them spend at least a week to a month with these devices.
Step 3: Narrow The List Down
After you research, you might be able to narrow your list down from the get-go. Maybe one phone didn’t have enough battery life or something, or another just didn’t strike you as a phone you really wanted after all. If you can narrow down your list, do so. You’ll save some time.
Step 4: Your Own Experience
Now’s the time where you take your list and your researched information and you visit the store to experience the phone yourself. Although you’ll be stuck to a wall, it can still give you a better idea of how the phone actually feels in your hand. Maybe the phone was bigger or smaller than you thought, or you simply don’t like the way it feels in your hand, or perhaps the display wasn’t all you were hoping for and more compared to another phone you were considering. Actually visiting a store to make comparisons gives you a chance to form your own opinions.
Step 5: Take As Much Time As You Need
It can be tempting to just throw up your arms and say, “Okay, I’ll just take this phone because I’m so tired of the phone I’m carrying now.” If you’re not sure, you’ll probably be doing yourself a favor by waiting until you are. Most carriers charge a restocking fee if you end up exchanging a device within the 14 or 30-day exchange period (check with your carrier to find out how long the exchange period is). Whatever the return or exchange fee is is likely a drop in the hat compared to how much you spent on your phone, but that $35 could be going to way better things. Like, anything else.
You might end up exchanging after the fact anyway, but at least you gave yourself as much time as possible, right?
Step 6: Buy!
When you think you’ve got the right device in mind, go make that purchase! This is the best and final step of the entire process, of course.
It might seem silly to write out a guide on how to buy a new phone, but you might be surprised how many people go off of the recommendations of their friends/family/retail workers and even video reviewers, which are all people who have different opinions on these devices. The best thing you can do for yourself is conduct your own research and conclusions. This can potentially save you a lot of headaches and some cash.
Images via Jonathan Morrison, Android Central
September 19, 2014
iPhone 6 Unboxing and First Look
The iPhone 6 is here! We finally have our hands on the brand new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and we are putting it to the test for our iPhone 6 Review! But today we take a look at the new devices for the first time!
Samsung 'Galaxy A5' purportedly photographed while SM-A300 specs leak
Following multiple rumors that claimed to shed light on an unannounced Samsung smartphone with the model number SM-A500, images that claim to show the new Galaxy Alpha family member in the wild have leaked.
The SM-A500 bears a bit of a resemblance to the Galaxy Alpha, but apparently the A500 is a bit lower-end. The source of the images said that the phone isn’t made of plastic or metal but some sort of material that “feels cold in the hand.”
The alleged SM-A500 specs list is made up of a mixed bag of features, some of which are better than the Alpha and some of which are lower-end. It’s suggested that the SM-A500 sports a 5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 13-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front cam, 16GB of storage, a microSD slot and a 2330mAh battery.
A second rumor surfaced shortly after this SM-A500 leak that purportedly sheds like on a third Galaxy Alpha unit with the model number SM-A300. This device’s user agent profile has been discovered on Samsung’s website, revealing that it’s got a 960x540 screen resolution. A SamMobile source claims that the SM-A300 is powered by a Snapdragon 400 processor.
The Galaxy Alpha family features high-end design, especially in the case of the OG Alpha, and pairs it with mid-range specs. That gives consumers the chance to pick up a device that looks good but should also be affordable. It’s not clear when the SM-A500 and SM-A300 might be announced, but I’m interested in getting a better look at both devices.
Via SamMobile (1), (2), Samsung
Apple iPhone 6 Plus to all major US carriers
Calling all Apple fans who've been waiting for a larger display, the Apple iPhone 6 Plus is here. Arriving on Friday September 19, 2014, along with the iPhone 6, the 5.5" Apple iPhone 6 Plus is also now available.
Carrier(s): AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless
Regular Price: varies by carrier and plan type
Hot Features: 5.5" Retina HD display, A8 chip with motion coprocessor, 8MP iSight camera, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, iOS 8 and iCloud
Sony isn’t doing so hot these days, but it feels like they dug their own grave
It didn’t take long to figure out what I should write about today. While poking around mobile tech news, just about every website talked about how poorly Sony was doing in the smartphone department. I mean, we’re talking upwards of quadrouple losses here just in their smartphone lineup. It’s not good. What’s puzzling about this is that Sony’s Xperia line of smartphones, which run on the Android OS, isn’t anything to sneeze at when it comes to both hardware and software. Sure, it’s a little strange that both the Z2 and the Z3 were released within the same year, but both phones are actually quite good when placed side-by-side to competing flagships.
If you live in the United States, you probably only get to hear of the Xperia Z line’s splendor. Availabily has been slim to none here for any Sony smartphones, flagship or not.
But the flagships don’t seem to be the issue for Sony, as it turns out. The real problems stem from Sony’s low-to-mid range line of devices, which now come with a lot of pressure from other manufacturers to not only perform well, but to be accompanied by a cheap price tag. If executed correctly, low-to-mid range Android smartphones can do very well - just look at the Moto G, for example. However, if done incorrectly, you could end up with a situation like Sony’s on your hands. How exactly is the wrong way to go about it? By releasing too many at a price point that’s too high to be considered competitive anymore.
I’ll be honest, aside from Sony’s Xperia Z line I have not really been paying attention to the plethora of these lower and mid-range smartphones that Sony has been releasing over the course of a year. We here in the States don’t really have Sony’s smartphones at our disposal anymore, and if it’s not available to me then there’s not much I can say about them. I can’t review them, and I can’t even tinker with them in stores. Although I realize that the United States and Canada are not the biggest markets for smartphones in the world, I do feel that North America has a significant impact on the market in some ways. I have felt for quite some time that Sony’s practically non-existent presence here in the U.S. is kind of a bummer. The phones intrigue me, but the closest I get to experiencing them are reviews by other people. They might as well be reviewing unicorns because I won’t be getting one either way. If the Sony Xperia Z3, or even the Z2, were a feasible option around here, I would definitely consider Sony when looking for my next upgrade.
There’s also a pretty decent push towards mid-range smartphones now here in the States. Sony seems to want to take away the release of so many mid-range smartphones, which I think is a good plan. As we’ve seen with HTC in the past, if you release too many smartphones the demand is going to be hard to keep up with in regards to keeping the phones properly upgraded software-wise. As a result, people feel like they’re not being taken care of by the company, and no longer want to buy those phones. But aside from that, I also think Sony could make a good impression by really making itself known to consumers in the U.S. and Canada. There’s a good market here for both mid-range and high-end smartphones. The only two problems standing in Sony’s way are proper pricing and open availablity.
If Sony were to reconsider re-entering the North American market, I want to see these smartphones available on more than just one carrier. The Sony Xperia Z1 was only available on T-Mobile. If you want to make a lasting impression here, you’re going to have to make your products available across the board. This carrier exclusive business is an outdated and silly model. This isn’t 2007, and no matter how “innovative” any smartphone is anymore, no matter how powerful the specs are, nobody is going to have the same exclusive success that Apple had with the first few generations of iPhones. You know it’s not a feasible model anymore when Apple themselves had to branch out to other carriers. You simply can’t be superficial about the release anymore; simply “being here” does not guarantee success.
I think Sony can dig itself out of this hole, and I don’t think the way to go about it is too hard. I think Sony’s first step is to cut back on the amount of lower-end and mid-range smartphones first and foremost, but I really do think that Sony could also do itself a favor by re-entering the North American market.
Images via Engadget, Tech Radar
September 18, 2014
Google: Android L will have data encryption on by default
Between all of the credit card-related hacks at major US retailers, the news involving the NSA and the recent celebrity photo leak, security is a hot topic in mobile right now. That’s why Android users will be pleased to learn that Google is stepping up security in its mobile OS with the next major update.
Google has confirmed to The Washington Post that Android L will have data encryption turned on by default. This means that only someone that knows a device’s password will be able to access the content stored on it. That’ll result in increased privacy, but law enforcement officials warn that it could also make it more difficult for them to fight crime.
Android has offered data encryption for years now, but users must turn it on themselves, which has resulted in the feature going underused. I’m sure many folks will be pleased to learn that data will be automatically encrypted with Android L, but the bad news is that not users will get the update at different times, and some may not get it at all. That’s because Android manufacturers roll out updates at different times and sometimes don’t push them at all, depending on the device. Here’s to hoping that with this data encryption and all of the other goodies coming in Android L, device makers work hard to update as many of their products as they can.
Via The Washington Post
I still haven't decided which new iPhone I want
If you’ve attached yourself to a particular manufacturer, then you probably have a pretty easy decision to make every year, or every other year, when it comes time to pick up a new smartphone. I know quite a few people who just refuse to purchase an Apple-branded product, for instance, so they’ll never have to consider it. I know folks who will only buy HTC, or Sony, and some who just flat-out refuse to believe any other manufacturer than Samsung is the right choice for them.
If, on the other hand, you’re a connoisseur of all smartphones and don’t mind dabbling with other models, then picking one for your daily driver can be a bit of a task. Either that, or it just means you switch devices (and platforms) a lot, and that’s something you’ve learned to live with. And probably enjoy.
I fall into the latter category, with the slight exception that I probably don’t like switching as often as I do. I love using phones, and I certainly love trying them out and learning about them, but I’m still hoping that maybe one day, I’ll get a phone that makes me happy in every single way. From design, to features, to software, to battery life, to camera, to whatever else.
I’m still holding out faith it’ll happen. Maybe some day.
So, with that in mind, I’m looking at tomorrow’s date on the calendar and realizing that I’ve yet to make a very important decision. Which is . . . different, because when it comes to Apple the decision is usually pretty easy. That’s not really the case this time around, which is odd to me, because considering the two devices available to choose from, this normally should be an easy decision to make. I’m not a fan (at all) of phones with big displays. I honestly believe that a smartphone with a 4.7-inch display is just about perfect.
And yet, here I am, unable to really decide between the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.
I’ve honestly come close more than a few times, and yet I’ve talked myself out of each device each time. And not just out of one in general, but as, “No, you really want the iPhone 6 Plus, not the 6,” and vice versa. What should be an easy decision based on past experiences with other huge handsets is suddenly something that I’m trying to ignore, because the larger iPhone 6 variant has a larger battery and optical image stabilization. These two features continue to stand out to me. They keep pulling me back in.
So, I want to hear from you. I want to hear from the folks who plan on standing in a line tomorrow, and from those who have preordered a device already. Which one did you choose, and why? What was the deciding factor? Let me know!
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