Moto 360 teardown reveals ancient chips, clever tech and a small battery
Motorola has been willing to offer a quick peek at the Moto 360’s inner workings, but let’s face it: that doesn’t really go deep enough to sate your curiosity, does it? You don’t have to worry, though, as iFixit has torn apart the circular smartwatch to examine every last detail. In the end, the hardware is an odd mix of the latest technology with surprisingly old components. While that round LCD and inductive charger are pretty forward-thinking, the teardown also confirms the presence of TI’s OMAP3630 processor — a chip that hasn’t been cutting edge since that Droid 2 you rocked back in 2010.
There’s also a bit of a rude surprise in iFixit’s unit. The DIY repair shop spotted a 300mAh battery, which is decidedly smaller than the officially claimed 320mAh. What gives? Motorola tells Computerworld that 320mAh is only the “typical” figure, and that 300mAh is the “minimum” you’ll get. That’s bound to rub a lot of would-be owners the wrong way, although the company says it’s thinking of showing both the minimum and typical figures in the future. However you feel about that discrepancy, you probably won’t want to double-check yourself given the tricky disassembly process; this teardown will likely be the closest you get to seeing what’s under the hood.
Filed under: Wearables, Google, Lenovo
Source: iFixit
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Microsoft’s mid-tier Lumia 830 is coming to AT&T
Right now, AT&T doesn’t offer much diversity in Windows Phones. You’re either choosing between the tiny and thrifty Lumia 635 or a decked-out behemoth like the Lumia 1520. Thankfully, the network has heard the calls for a mid-tier option — it just announced that it’s carrying the Lumia 830 sometime later this year. While you’ll have to wait a while for launch details, it’s reasonable to expect pricing that slots neatly between the 635 and 1520. No, it’s not the straight-up 1020 sequel that many are clamoring for, but it’s hard to disagree with a wider choice of Microsoft-powered devices in the US.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia, AT&T
Source: AT&T
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AT&T to carry the Moto 360
AT&T on Tuesday announced its intention to carry the Moto 360 smartwatch. As the second wearable powered by Android Wear, the round-faced Motorola device complements the square-faced LG G Watch. Pricing and exact availability are not yet clear however we can’t see Ma Bell asking for more than the current $250 sticker. Perhaps AT&T may be… Read more »
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iFixit teardown finds Motorola lies about Moto 360 battery
Maybe you’ve heard a gripe or two about the new Moto 360 and its battery. According to some of the early reports, the wearable device won’t make it through the day. Our review model, on the other hand, gets through an entire day without any issue and still has juice to spare. Nevertheless, we could always use… Read more »
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LG G Watch price drops to $179 for limited time ($50 OFF)
As if it were a matter of sheer coincidence, LG’s first Android Wear device, the G Watch, is now on sale. Head to the Google Play Store before September 23 and you pick the wearable up for a mere $179.99. What’s more, you can also grab one from Best Buy for the same price. At… Read more »
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Apple CEO Tim Cook: iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Will Trigger ‘Mother of All Upgrades’
In an interview with the The Wall Street Journal following today’s media event, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that the company expects the launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to trigger “the mother of all upgrades” as consumers consider their next smartphone purchase. Cook also added that he expects Android users to look at switching to the iPhone, claiming that the phones are “appreciably better in every single way”.
iPhone 6 (left) and iPhone 6 Plus (right)
The CEO also commented on the Apple Watch and the company’s new Apple Pay mobile payments initiative:
Cook said Apple’s efforts in payments were “classic Apple” in taking a complex problem and making it simple. “Yes, there is going to be some economic benefit, but from a customer point of view, it takes something that’s way too hard and insecure and makes it so easy and fast.”
Finally, Cook said the Apple Watch was the byproduct of deep thinking about every aspect of the product, and only possible because of collaboration among Apple’s hardware, software and services teams. He believes that will differentiate Apple’s smartwatch from other devices, which have recorded tepid sales.
Both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus will launch on September 19, with pre-orders starting this Friday, September 12. The iPhone 6 will be available in 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB variants for $199, $299, and $399, while the iPhone 6 Plus will be available in the same storage capacities for $299, $399, and $499, respectively.
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What’s on your HDTV: ‘Destiny’, ‘Captain America’, ‘Sons of Anarchy’
This week it’s all about Bungie’s next big game. Destiny has arrived, and so far, it seems that things are going well for the heavily internet-connected shooter. Of course, that’s not all there is for our TVs this week, as Sons of Anarchy begins its final season and Captain America: The Winter Soldier arrives on Blu-ray. New offerings on Netflix include the documentary Who is Dayani Cristal? and a Dennis Miller standup special. Comedy Central also has some comedians for you to check out with Ian Karmel, Aparna Nancherla and Brendan Lynch on Adam Devine’s House Party. Hit the gallery or just look after the break to check out each day’s highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
Blu-ray, Streaming movies & Games
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (3D)
- Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (S1)
- Supernatural (S9)
- Homeland (S3)
- The Vampire Diaries (S5)
- Young Frankenstein (40th Anniversary Edition)
- The Great Race (1965)
- Brick Mansions
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
- The Addams Family
- Graduation Day
- Destiny (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- NHL 15 (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Fable Anniversary (PC)
Tuesday
- Food Fighters (season finale), NBC, 8PM
- Big Brother, CBS, 8PM
- Utopia, Fox, 8PM
- WNBA Finals Game 2: Sky vs. Mercury, ESPN, 9PM
- Fashion Rocks, CBS, 9PM
- America’s Got Talent, NBC, 9PM
- Inside the NFL, Showtime, 9PM
- 4th and Loud, A&E, 9PM
- Face Off, Syfy, 9PM
- Matador, El Rey, 9PM
- Sons of Anarchy (season premiere), FX, 10PM
- 60 Minutes Sports, Showtime, 10PM
- Tosh.0, Comedy Central, 10PM
- The Singles Project, Bravo, 10PM
- Finding Carter, MTV, 10PM
- Sullivan & Son (season finale), TBS, 10PM
- Adam Devine’s House Party (season premiere), Comedy Central, 10:30PM
- Made: Prom Queen, MTV, 11PM
Wednesday
- Penn & Teller: Fool Us, CW, 8PM
- Unsung: Wilson Pickett, TV One, 8PM
- Big Brother, CBS, 8PM
- America’s Got Talent, NBC, 9PM
- Legends, TNT, 9PM
- Under the Lights, CBS, 9PM
- The League, FXX, 10PM
- Franklin & Bash, TNT, 10PM
- Extant, CBS, 10PM
- The Bridge, FX, 10PM
- Graceland (season finale), USA, 10PM
- Taxi Brooklyn (season finale), NBC, 10PM
- Ali G: Rezurection, FXX, 10:30PM
- Virgin Territory, MTV, 11PM
- The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, Comedy Central, 12:30AM,
Thursday
- Dennis Miller: America 180, Netflix
- Steelers/Ravens football, CBS, 8:25PM
- The Biggest Loser (season premiere), NBC, 8PM
- Haven (season premiere), Syfy, 8PM
- The Quest (season finale), ABC, 8PM
- Rush, USA, 9PM
- Dating Naked, VH1, 9PM
- Big Brother, CBS, 9PM
- Working the Engels, NBC, 9:30PM
- Married, FX, 10PM
- Satisfaction, USA, 10PM
- Ridiculousness, MTV, 10PM
- Garfunkel & Oates, IFC, 10PM
- You’re The Worst, FX, 10:30PM
- Black Jesus, Cartoon Network, 11PM
- Seven Deadly Sins, Showtime, 11PM
- Adam Devine’s House Party, Comedy Central, 12:30AM
Friday
- Utopia, Fox, 8PM
- Masters of Illusion, CW, 8PM
- WWE SmackDown, Syfy, 8PM
- WNBA Finals Game 2: Mercury vs. Sky, ESPN2, 8PM
- A Football Life: Joe Greene (season premiere), NFL Network, 9PM
- Real Time with Bill Maher (fall premiere), HBO, 9PM
- Bill Maher: Live from D.C., HBO, 10PM
- Z Nation (series premiere), Syfy, 10PM
- The Knick, Cinemax, 10PM
Saturday
- FIBA World Cup Final, ESPN2, 3PM
- Arkansas / Texas Tech college football, ABC, 3:30PM
- Georgia / South Carolina college football, CBS, 3:20PM
- UCLA / Texas college football, Fox, 7:30PM
- Tennessee / Oklahoma college football, ABC, 8PM
- USC / Boston College college football, ESPN, 8PM
- Cedar Cove, Hallmark, 8PM
- Doctor Who, BBC America, 9PM
- Reckless (season finale), CBS, 8PM
- Hell on Wheels, AMC, 9PM
- Outlander, Starz, 9PM
- Intruders, BBC America, 10PM
- The Chair, Starz, 11PM
Sunday
- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series @ Chicago, ESPN, 2PM
- Colts / Broncos football, NBC, 8:20PM
- Big Brother, CBS, 8:30PM
- The 2015 Miss America Competition, ABC, 9PM
- American Dad, Fox, 9PM
- Boardwalk Empire, HBO, 9PM
- Ray Donovan, Showtime, 9PM
- Unforgettable (season finale), CBS, 9:30 & 10:30PM
- Manhattan, WGN, 10PM
- The Strain, FX, 10PM
- Naked & Afraid, Discovery, 10PM
- Masters of Sex, Showtime, 10PM
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, HBO, 11PM
Filed under: HD
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Netflix makes it easier to marathon shows using your Chromecast
One of the most alluring (if dangerous) features of Netflix is its auto-play feature — that’s how you end up watching half of House of Cards when you only meant to check out one episode. Chromecast owners haven’t had that luxury, however, so Netflix is releasing new versions of both its Android and iOS apps that enable the serial viewing option when you’re using Google’s streaming media stick. It works much like you’d expect if you were watching on the mobile device itself, but gives you extra time to reach for that phone buried in the couch cushions. You should see both apps surface within the next few days, and PC support is due “soon.”
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google
Source: Netflix, App Store, Google Play
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Sprint’s new $50 unlimited plan is only for iPhone 6 (and 6 Plus) owners
Not in a framily yet? If you’re in the market for one of Apple’s new iPhones, perhaps it’s time to jump on the Sprint bandwagon. The carrier’s rolling out a new individual rate plan: $50 gets you unlimited talk, text and data (and yes, that data is of the high-speed Spark LTE variety). Plus, Sprint will pay the ETF should you be breaking up with another carrier. Of course, that rate is exclusive to owners of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, so all you small-screened iPhone owners need not apply. And, should you struggle with up-front hardware costs, Sprint’s new iPhone for life initiative lets you pay just $20 a month with no money down and you get a new Apple handset every two years.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sprint
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Taking Apple Pay for a spin: Hands-on with Apple’s mobile payment service
Rumors of Apple working on a wireless payment service have been droning on for years, so when the company introduced a mobile wallet-like feature called Passbook more than two years ago, it seemed at the time that such a service was inevitable in the very near future — perhaps the iPhone 5 would have it? It took a while, but come October Apple will be ready to utilize the Near-Field Communications chip built inside the new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch. The service, simply known as Apple Pay, wants to do exactly what every other payment service on the planet wants to do: Make it possible for you to ditch your wallet (aside from Driver’s Licenses and other forms of ID).
Much like any other mobile payment service, such as Google Wallet or Softcard (formerly Isis), a lot of Apple Pay’s success will come down to how many people actually use it. The hardware is definitely there; fingerprint scanning through Touch ID is an integral part of the feature, and NFC is now built into the new iPhones. Users will probably find it faster and easier than putting in a PIN code to make payments. Apple’s solution could certainly do better than its competitors, but it’s going to take a while for enough people to have the proper hardware in-hand — and it’ll take time to persuade users that the company isn’t solely out to get their personal information or make it easy for hackers to do the same.
Apple insists that this isn’t the case, that it’s using a Secure Element chip that encrypts user data in such a way that prevents the company and probing eyes from getting ahold of it. Instead, the only parties that can see your transaction details are the banks, credit card companies and/or merchants that are directly involved in the purchase. According to Apple, a unique device number is “assigned, encrypted and securely stored” to each phone, rather than the actual credit card number; each individual transaction features a one-time dynamic security code number as well.
As we expected, Passbook is the central point for Apple Pay on the iPhone where your credit cards and accounts reside. This is where you set everything up on the phone (whether you manually add the info or use the camera to take an image of your card), but when it comes to actually making the payment, it’s simply a matter of holding the device within an inch of any payment terminal that supports NFC contactless payments (a lot of merchants now offer these stations in stores), holding your finger onto Touch ID for a fingerprint scan, and presto — the payment’s gone through, and you receive a notification telling you how much you just spent. The same goes for online checkouts through e-commerce sites: When it comes time to pay up, you just need to use Touch ID. (If you don’t want to use the default credit card, you need to go into Passbook to use it.)
The video above shows how Apple Pay is supposed to work. It’s quick, because the whole process — if done right — only takes a matter of a few seconds. In theory, faster than it takes to pull your wallet out, swipe your card, add your PIN or use your signature. As mentioned before, this isn’t a brand new idea. But as long as Apple is able to persuade enough people to trust the service and use it on a regular basis, it has a better chance of succeeding than any service we’ve seen before — that is, as long as the public is ready to move their trust away from magnetic stripes and onto Cupertino’s vision.
Once the service is ready to go in October, it’ll become available as an iOS update in the US. There’s no word on when we can expect it in other countries, but since this is a brand new service, it’s quite likely that the US is going to be a testing ground to make sure any and all bugs are worked out before opening it up to international merchants. It’ll start out with support from Wells Fargo, Amex, Visa, Mastercard, Chase Bank, BoA, CapitalOne and Citi; Apple claims 220,000 merchants will be onboard at the beginning as well.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple
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