Sprint snags its first Lumia smartphone
Believe it or not, Sprint hasn’t had a Lumia-badged smartphone since Nokia (and now Microsoft) got into Windows phones — you’ve had to go with HTC or Samsung and forgo a bunch of apps and services. You won’t have that problem from now on, since Sprint just picked up the low-cost Lumia 635. It’s been available on the carrier’s prepaid Boost and Virgin Mobile labels for a little while, but the move gives you truly unlimited data without having to break the bank on either your phone or your plan. You can score a 635 for $168 up front, or $7 per month over two years.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Sprint
Via: Neowin
Source: Sprint
Guide: How to get and play Puyo Puyo Tetris for Xbox One
In early December, the Xbox One got its first Japanese exclusive retail game: Puyo Puyo Tetris from Sega. That same month, Ubisoft plopped out another boring, generic Tetris game as a downloadable Xbox One title in English territories: Tetris Ultimate.
But in far-off Japan, Sega crafted a Tetris game that overflows with color, charming characters, a lengthy story-filled campaign, and tons of creative new game types. That’s the Tetris we should have gotten, and sadly Sega seems content never to release it outside of Japan.
Luckily, importing and playing Puyo Puyo Tetris on non-Japanese Xbox Ones is actually really easy. And to make things even easier, Japanese Xbox guru @Lifelower and I have teamed up to translate nearly the entire game (minus the story itself)! Check out our exclusive guide to either get the most out of Puyo Puyo Tetris or find out what you’re missing!
New York governor wants statewide 100Mbps internet by 2019
With a $1 billion plan, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo hopes to have every New Yorker hooked up to high-speed internet by 2019. The administration is billing it as the largest state investment in universal broadband in the country. Just how fast are we talking, here? In most cases, the program calls for providers to offer at least 100 Mbps, or as Chief Digital Officer Rachel Haot described it at a press conference, “more than 10 times the federal definition of ‘broadband.’”
The plan, known as the New New York Broadband Program (yes, that is two “News”) would include $500 million in capital funds (taken from recent bank settlements). The state wants those funds to serve as an incentive for private companies by offering 1:1 financial matching for broadband providers willing to invest their own money — hence the $1 billion total size. The program is part of Cuomo’s 2015 State of Opportunity Agenda and although those matching funds call for providers to offer at 100 Mbps speeds in most cases, it does allow for as low as 25Mbps in extremely remote areas of the state.
According to Ookla’s Net Index Explorer, New York ranks third in the US with an average broadband speed of around 39 Mbps. However, stats from the state’s Broadband Program Office show that large swaths of the population lacked broadband access as recently as July 2014. In Greene County, for instance, the office estimates 91 percent of the county’s 50,000 residents lack access to 100Mbps broadband — and 79 percent can’t even muster 6Mbps. While it’s obviously very early days for the program, Cuomo’s office seems mighty bullish about its potential, even with the not-so-far-off January 1st, 2019 deadline. “At the end of the next four years,” New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said, “you’ll see that every business in this community, in this state, is connected and will have the fastest-speed broadband of any state in the nation.”
[Image credits: Bloomberg via Getty Images, New York State]
Filed under: Networking, Internet
Source: New York State
Motorola Migrate gets Material Design touch ups, new transfer features
Motorola‘s Migrate app has been updated, adding Material Design updates and new transfer features. Migrate allows you to transfer data to your Motorola device from a number of sources, including other Android devices, iCloud, and non-smartphones, and the latest update makes that even easier.
What are HomeKit vendors waiting for?
One of the things I was most interested in for CES 2015 was seeing how far home automation vendors had come in integrating Apple’s HomeKit frameworks. HomeKit is supposed to take us from tediously tapping our way through dozens of disparate apps to elegantly controlling everything in our house with Siri. For all the announcements, however, there were no shipping products. So, what’s taking so long?
Kelly Guimont, writing for The Mac Observer, heard something from Phillips at CES that made her think vendors might be waiting on Apple, and more enticingly, on an Apple “HomeKit event”:
What if there is going to be an event? And what if that event is an official HomeKit launch? And what if that launch includes a new Apple TV that has “hub” functionality? A launch event would be a great way to re-introduce Apple TV, especially since we’re coming up on three years since the last update. Not only would this event draw attention back to the Apple TV, but it would also plant Apple’s flag pretty firmly in the home automation market.
Kelly has since updated the same article with the following:
According to Philips, the “HomeKit launch” referenced in the quote was the launch of iOS 8 in September, though the company has yet to comment on HomeKit support since that time.
Jim Dalrymple of The Loop added:
Very interesting wording from Philips in response to Kelly Guimont’s question regarding their support for HomeKit.
It is indeed. Apple did have an education event in January of 2012, so events centered around specific topics, while extremely uncommon, aren’t completely unheard of. If Phillips was, in fact, referring to the iOS 8 launch back in September of 2014, however, there might be far, far simpler explanations as to what vendors are waiting on now:
- To finish. Few vendors showed anything that looked polished and ready to ship when it came to HomeKit and Siri integration, so most of them likely need more time.
- For certification. Once finished, vendors will still need to go through Apple if they want to market their products as HomeKit compatible (the way speakers are marketed as AirPlay compatible, for example).
Apple has a Made for iPhone (MFi) program in place, and anything using the HomeKit accessory Protocol (HAC) or Wireless Accessory Configuration (WAC) needs to be part of it.
Join the MFi licensing program and get the hardware components, tools, documentation, technical support, and certification logos needed to create AirPlay audio accessories and electronic accessories that connect to iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
MFi application is under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) but it’s not hard to imagine that the HomeKit process will take some time to ramp up, similar to how other new categories have taken time to ramp up in the past, including CarPlay and game controllers.
Current-generation Apple TV hardware running current-generation software already supports HomeKit, allowing Siri to be used to control the system remotely. Apple Watch supports Siri as well (though there’s been no specific announcement about the watch and HomeKit). So, it’s also not hard to imagine HomeKit making for a good demo at some future product or operating system-focused event either.
For now, however, my guess is everyone is just working as hard as they can to get everything finished, certified, and on the shelves.
Xiaomi’s two new flagship devices announced
We were already seeing a lot of rumours about the imminent launch of Xiaomi’s next flagship devices. Xiaomi was already doing well with its previous generation flagships Mi4 and now it comes up with two new flagship devices, Mi Note and Mi Note Pro. Both the devices with a screen size of 5.7″ have stormed their way into the phablet territory and stirred up the entire niche with their beastly specs. This isn’t the first time that Xiaomi is cramming best-in-class hardware into a reasonable price point and many people including me appreciate that. Xiaomi touts the design of the phone particularly the back as 3D glass and the front as 2.5D.
The Mi Note sporting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC can be considered a previous generation device since next two successors of Snapdragon 800 series are already out. However, the Mi Note Pro pretty much tears the specs sheet apart with the latest 64-bit Octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor. The only real competitor I can think of to this phone is the LG G Flex 2 which has the same chipset. Yes, this is the second device in the world with a Snapdragon 810. Along with 2K resolution and 4GB of RAM, I can’t even imagine the out-of-the-world performance it will bear. Here is a quick rundown of the complete specifications of both the device.
Xiaomi Mi Note
| Display | 5.7-inch Sharp/JDI Full HD (1920×1080) |
| Chipset | 2.5 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 801 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 |
| Memory | 3GB |
| Storage | 16GB or 64GB of internal storage |
| Camera | Primay: Sony IMX214 13MP with OIS, Secondary: 4MP with 2-micron pixels |
| Battery | 3000 mAh Li-ion, Quick Charge 2.0 |
| Connectivity | Dual 4G SIM (Nano/Micro) / Dual Standby |
| OS | Android Lollipop with MIUI v6 |
Xiaomi Mi Note Pro
| Display | 5.7-inch Sharp/JDI Quad HD (2560×1440) |
| Chipset | 64-bit Octa-core Snapdragon 810 |
| GPU | Adreno 430 |
| Memory | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 64GB of internal storage |
| Camera | Primay: Sony IMX214 13MP with OIS, Secondary: 4MP with 2-micron pixels |
| Battery | 3000 mAh Li-ion, Quick Charge 2.0 |
| Connectivity | Dual 4G SIM (Nano/Micro) / Dual Standby, LTE Cat 9, upto 450 Mbps download speed |
| OS | Android Lollipop with MIUI v6 |
The announced price of Mi Note 16GB is ¥2299 (≈ $370) and that of 64GB model is ¥2799(≈ $451). Mi Note Pro is available at ¥3299 (≈ $532). The device will go on pre-order on January 20 and will be available on January 27 in China. Xiaomi also released two videos which showcases the its two new offerings.
I am very eager to see how these devices racks up against the TBA flagships of other manufacturers.
Source: Xiaomi via TalkAndroid
The post Xiaomi’s two new flagship devices announced appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Android 5.0 Lollipop for the LG G2 is now live in South Korea
A few weeks ago, we got a sneak peek at Android 5.0 Lollipop for the LG G2 and now it appears the software update is now officially rolling out in South Korea. Prior to this, the update was in testing, which is presumably where the leaked footage came from, but the V30D update has been confirmed […]
The post Android 5.0 Lollipop for the LG G2 is now live in South Korea appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
On January 20th, you can buy a OnePlus One without an invite
OnePlus is the kind of company that needs no introduction. Despite only launching one device so far in its short life, the OnePlus One, it’s weathered many highs and lows that some other companies dream of having – and some mistakes that other companies are glad they haven’t made. One of those things that many consider a mistake […]
The post On January 20th, you can buy a OnePlus One without an invite appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
We’re giving out more than 20 copies of Sniper Elite III tonight on Twitch
On Thursday, 505 Games announced that Sniper Elite III Ultimate Edition will be coming to Xbox One and 360 and Playstation systems in March. That will be an excellent time to buy the game, as the Ultimate Edition will include tons of DLC at no extra cost. But maybe you’d like to get it sooner…
Lucky for you guys, 505 Games has kindly given us more than twenty copies of Sniper Elite III (spread across Xbox One, PS4, and Steam) to give out as prizes tonight. All you have to do is follow me at Twitch.tv/Eastxtwitch and then tune in to our stream at 8pm Central (9pm Eastern, 6pm Pacific) for 90 minutes of sniping fun. It’s like a live podcast, only you also get to watch a game while chatting with our awesome readers and viewers!
We stream and give out free copies of a different game every Saturday at the same starting time, but this is the first full retail game we’ve given away as prizes. Don’t miss it!
What we know so far: LG G4
Earlier this week, we wrote about some early rumors of the LG G4, the expected flagship from LG for 2015. Those details included the possibilities of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a wide-angle 16-megapixel camera. It is also expected to run Android 5.0 Lollipop right out of the box.
Android Pit also excellently rounded up some rumors of the device, which are featured below.
Price
Since the LG G3 is available for 599.99 USD off of contract through Amazon, it is safe to assume that an unlocked LG G4 will cost the same or more at its launch. On contract, we can expect it to go for at least $200.
Design
Korean site Heraldcorp reported that LG (and Samsung) is scaling back on smartphone production. In addition, Phandroid discovered that LG has launched a trademark filing for the G Pen, a new stylus.
This may mean that LG may add a stylus to current and/or future devices as a means to maintain profit while scaling back smartphone production. Android Pit added that this could also be a re-branding of the LG G series in the making. Therefore, the LG G4 could be a direct challenger to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
The G3 has a brushed finish on its backside in order to give its plastic a premium appearance. However, the G4 may go for an aluminum body especially since Samsung has already used it for its Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Alpha handsets.
Display
Due to the popularity of the G3’s QHD display, it is safe to assume to expect one with an equal or higher resolution on the upcoming successor. Android Pit doesn’t expect the screen to grow likely because this would make it more difficult for users to reach the rear power and volume buttons. With rumors of the Samsung Galaxy S6 having a 4K display, LG may not settle for anything less than one on the G4.
Software
Android 5.0 Lollipop with LG’s Optimus UI is probably the rumor likeliest to be accurate on this list. Although, it is not far-fetched to believe it will incorporate a fingerprint scanner on the rear next to the controls. Perhaps, the company might even add an eye/retina scanner.
On the G3, LG offers the option to remove some of the pre-installed applications on the smartphone, which was well received by consumers. Generally, such an action requires root access. Hopefully, it will bring this feature to the G4 with the option to remove any application from the device.
Release Date
LG’s next smartphone should not be expected until at least May of this year. In the previous three years, the G Pro was released on May 10, 2013, and the G3 was released on May 28th, 2014. The G2 was the anomaly. It was released on September 12, 2013.
Specifications
Lastly, Android Pit has reported on two sets of specs so far. The first that is more likely to be confirmed as true has the G4 running the aforementioned Android 5.0 with Optimus UI and a Snapdragon 810/808 clocked at 3GHz. The other specs include:
- a 5.7-inch, 3840 x 2160p display
- 3 to 4GB of RAM
- 32/64GB of internal storage with microSD expansion
- a 3,500 to 4,000mAh battery
- a 16MP rear-end camera and a 5.1MP front-facing camera
- HSPA, 4G, NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity
The second set, brought to us by wccftech, lists:
- a Snapdragon 810 processor
- a 5.3-inch QHD screen
- a 20.7 MP rear-end camera
- 4GB of RAM
- a 3,500mAh battery
- 32/64GB of internal storage with microSD expansion
As Android Pit has done, we must note that this site does not mention a source and should be taken more lightly than the preceding specs for now.
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