Here’s the leaked HTC One M9
Referred by its codename “Hima”, the HTC One M9 has apparently leaked, and it bares a very similar resemblance to last year’s M8 phone. We are actually still not sure if “Hima” is the code word for the M9 flagship or its rumored phablet counterpart that will debut alongside it on March 1st, according to HTC’s latest invite.
The front of the phone shows nothing new for HTC’s latest flagship, with an extreme resemblance to the M8. We still have some noticable bezels going on, and HTC has stuck to keeping their logo on the bottom part, contrast to what most users has protested. On the backside we have a little bit of difference, mainly being the block shaped camera which is presumed to be a 20-megapixel sensor instead of Ultrapixels. It’s hard to see if there will be a duo-camera on top because the picture is cropped, but it looks unlikely.
Other specs for HTC’s One M9 include a 5 inch 1080p screen, Snapdragon 810 CPU and Adreno 430 GU, 3GB RAM, 5-megapixel front camera and 2,870 mAh battery.
While this is just a leak and unconfirmed to be correct, what’re your thoughts on this supposed upcoming HTC flagship?
via pocketnow
HTC’s to launch a wearable along with the One M9
Are you excited about HTC’s upcoming flagship phone – the One M9? Well, you have got one more reason to feel happy as the Taiwanese firm will reportedly launch its first fitness-centric wearable along with the much anticipated handset.
According to sources, the speculated wearable may not be a high-end smartwatch but a fitness tracking band that might give competition to Fitbit and Samsung’s Gear Fit.
Not long ago, HTC had announced its partnership with Under Armour and plans to sync its upcoming fitness trackers with the company’s UA Record platform. According to Bloomberg, the first wearable will be unveiled along with the One M9 on March 1. The report further revealed that the One M9 will feature an improved 20-megapixel primary camera and an UltraPixel front-facing selfie camera.
The device might look like the One M8, but it will run on a powerful Snapdragon 810 chipset and feature BoomSound and Dolby audio. It is most likely to run Android 5.0 Lollipop out-of the-box with HTC’s new Sense 7 user interface on top of it.
Source: Bloomberg
What’re you looking for in upcoming flagships?
A lot of people nowadays have bought a smartphone. So many, in fact, that smartphone makers have either already experienced their peak in sales, or are seeing one in the near future. Samsung is a good example. While they are still doing incredibly well in terms of revenue, Forbes describes their 2014 year as a disappointment, with customers already owning a smartphone and not needing a Galaxy S5/Note 4, or simply the fact that their 2014 lineup was unappealing.
Regardless, smartphone makers are doing everything they can to keep you interested in their upcoming phones. Making you want to upgrade your phone every year or every two years is their #1 priority, but they need to find ways to keep things fresh and innovative.
I look at where we’re at right now, and the phones currently being offered, and I feel content with the options available. Android phones now have beautiful, Full HD or 2K displays, very fast quad-core or octa-core processors, plenty of memory to run all kinds of apps, and battery life that for the most part can get you through your day.
I use a Nexus 5, and I’m very happy with it despite it being over a year old now. 1080p display, fast Snapdragon processor, 2GB RAM, a camera that does job I need it to (I’m not a professional photographer by any means) and a battery that holds up but honestly could be a lot better. After all this satisfaction, however, I very much look forward to what’s next and crave something new.
The question I ask myself though, is what do I want next? Do I want an even sharper display, maybe a curved one? That new Snapdragon 810 looks nice, 64-bit is the future right? Maybe I’m getting tired of not hearing audio very well on my amateur Nexus 5 speakers. What about more battery life… am I right?
These upgrades, while very enticing, are what I consider small upgrades, and maybe not worth the pricey upgrade cost. Sure, when you combine all these small upgrades it creates a pretty appealing purchase, but there’s gotta be something new that my phone doesn’t have. An innovation that changes the way I use my phone, something that makes that big purchase so much better. I want to know what you guys want in your next smartphone, whether it’s a confirmed upcoming phone like the G Flex 2 or something completely mysterious to us. More voice control over your phone? Maybe a more durable, shatterproof body? Let us know in the comments!
HTC concept image by Hasan Kaymak
Google updates app title guidelines for clarification on naming third-party apps
Google has just updated their app title guidelines to help developers choose better, more disconnected titles for third-party applications. The guidelines are put in place to help third-party app developers separate themselves from potentially tricking a user into thinking the developer is directly associated with a brand.
Google has long practiced this policy when it came to 3rd party app’s using its own branding, or the Android branding more specifically. For instance, Google would rather have an app titled Media Player for Android, as opposed to Android Media Player. The latter suggests that the music player is associated with Android, and the former suggests that the music player is simply an app on the Android platform. With their latest guideline update, they not only clarify the practice of naming conventions, they now expand it to cover other services and brands such as social networks and more.
This means that Twitter clients can’t be called “Twitter Easy Connect” (made up example), and instead would have to be Easy Connect for Twitter. This also means stuff like Reddit Sync could come under fire under this new guideline update. In the Android Developer portal’s Policy Guidelines & Practices section, the new changes will appear in the Keyword Spam section.
This is basically something for Google to refer back to if a developer just so happens to mis-title their application. In short, this should help developers catch their mistakes early on, eliminating the need to change their app name further down the road.
Apple Patents Eye-Tracking Software Feature for Possible Use on Mac and iOS
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today granted an Apple patent, originally filed in April of 2012, that deals with eye-tracking technology used to control a user interface on a computer or smartphone (via AppleInsider). The specific invention involves a method for ensuring users do not lose track of a cursor while controlling their devices through eye-tracking movements.
The patent, with inventor credit going to David P. Julian, describes future Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices that could include the new camera technology, allowing movements of a user’s eye to translate to the movement of a cursor on screen. The patent doesn’t go into deep detail describing any further practical use of the “gaze control” technology, though it does mention in passing the possible use such advancements could have in vehicles, game consoles, and entertainment systems.
The patent mostly attempts to battle the Troxler Effect, an optical effect that causes objects in the periphery to begin to disappear when a user focuses on a particular point on-screen. This is a particularly troubling issue with retina-tracking technology, which requires a user to focus on various on-screen interface prompts to properly work.
Apple’s invention seeks to counteract the Troxler Effect by monitoring eye movements and blinking to estimate when a user is likely to be losing track of a mouse pointer or other cursor due to the effect. The system would automatically move the cursor to bring it back to visibility.
In certain configurations, the eye tracking system may persistently render the movable indicator wherever the user looks in the GUI. This rendering of the movable indicator may be accurate to the degree that the movable indicator becomes a stabilized retinal image with respect to the user’s eyes. As such, the movable indicator may fade with respect to the user’s perception of the GUI. In other words, the movable indicator may no longer be visible to the user. In such situations, it is desirable to restore the user’s perception of the movable indicator to counteract this fading effect. Accordingly, the eye tracking system described herein may automatically alter the position, appearance, or both of the movable indicator so that it is no longer a stabilized retinal image and can be perceived by the user.
A handful of older patents filed by the company have been released by the Patent and Trademark Office as of late, including a transforming home-button-to-gaming-joystick just last week. Like all other patents, the possibility of the eye-tracking tech showing up anytime soon in an Apple product is very slim, but is an interesting glimpse into the company’s possible future nonetheless.
Xaiomi releases Millet Bluetooth gamepad controller for only 99 Yuan
Xaiomi is on an ambitious path as a major manufacturer in a variety of electronics categories. Part of their success has been due to the low price points they set for solid hardware. Their latest release is no different as they are now selling a game controller for only 99 Yuan ($16 USD). The Millet Bluetooth handset has a classic Sony PS4 shape to it and supports the usually array of buttons, 4-way rocker switches, and 360-degree sticks.
Xiaomi did not stop at giving their gaming controller a classic look and tough materials to stand up to abuse. Inside they included a pair of vibration motors, one light-duty and one heavy-duty, both of which can be adjusted via software for an individual player’s tastes. The device also boasts a 3-axis gravity sensor meaning tilting and twisting actions can be used for control purposes along with the buttons. Inside, Xiaomi includes a rechargeable battery that has up to a year of standby time available, although it is not clear why you would let your controller sit for a year.
According to Xiaomi’s web site, the controller should be compatible with systems utilizing Google platforms, like Android or Android TV, and have Bluetooth support available.
You can visit the source link below for more information. Unfortunately, Xiaomi is already out of stock, so you won’t be able to place an order.
source: Xiaomi
Come comment on this article: Xaiomi releases Millet Bluetooth gamepad controller for only 99 Yuan
Windows 10: The ‘Next Chapter’ live and all you need to know
Tomorrow at 9 am PT, Microsoft is set to unveil the next evolution of Windows 10. The event will be live streamed, which you can watch here (we’ll embed it) along with our simulcast live blog.
I landed here in Washington this morning, and I’ll be at the event all day tomorrow. Our crack team back home will be taking care of the backend, press-releases and breaking other stories. Here is all you need to know!
What does your phone say about you?
As a new year begins, we are anxiously awaiting the successors to the phones we came to own and love in 2014. Before you start yearning for the phones of 2015, let’s take a look at what your current phone says about who you are and what you are like. Indeed, we’ll have a little fun here and some of what you’ll read is definitely delivered with tongue firmly planted in the cheek.
Moto X
We will start with the Motorola Moto X. If you are the proud owner of this phone, it would be easy to say that you are a realist. You do not care about the newest specs or fastest processor because we have been shown that it is not the specs but rather the experience that matters. And with the Moto X, that is what you get. The specifications are much less than any other flagship phones released last year, but the fluidity and experience of the phone is on par with, if not better than, the highest specced phone you can buy.
As a Moto X owner, you are also very trusting. Since your updates come almost straight from Google and have no skin, you have to trust that Google will always do what is best. You are also trusting in Motorola, a company that has been bought twice in the last few years and does not have the best track record (until recently). Your trusting nature can either be viewed positively or negatively.
Lastly, you are a unique person. This especially goes for those who have customized and named their Moto X. Many of you have chosen the Moto X because you can make it whatever you want and separate yourself from the crowd of black, silver, and white slabs that so many phones today look like. Not everyone may agree with your decisions for your phone, but you do not care. You are different, and that is what makes you you.
Nexus 6
Google’s Nexus 6 is up next on the list. If you own a Nexus 6, you have a desire to always have the best of the best. When designing this phone, Motorola packed every flagship spec they could into it, and people love that. This desire is seen throughout all of your life, from having the best car, to the best house, to the best job. Not everyone understands, but who cares because they do not have the best stuff. Also as a Nexus 6 owner, you are severely lacking in patience.
While other phone owners are excited to see their OS updates coming a few months after the release, Nexus 6 owners get upset if they have to wait a week. But of course, this could be traced back to their constant desire for the best of everything. As an owner of this phone, you are extremely trusting. This is the only phone updated directly from Google, and you have trust in them that they will provide you with the best user experience of any phone. You trust them to work out bugs quickly and keep things running smoothly.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Next, we move on to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. As a Note 4 owner, you crave as many options and features as you can get. It does not matter if you use them or not, what matters is that those features exist.
In life, you also crave options. You hate saying no to anything or getting rid of anything on the off-chance that you may need it one day. You are also a patient person. We all know that Samsung is not the fastest when it comes to updating even their latest flagships, but that does not bother you. You are content with waiting for months and even living without an update if Samsung stops supporting your phone for some reason. This patience is an admirable as we will soon see that not all phone owners have this trait.
Finally, you are productive. The Note 4 is arguably the most productive smartphone out there with many features such as multi-window allowing you to do as much as possible as quickly as possible. This productivity is respectable, although it may often be hard for you to slow down.
Samsung Galaxy S5
Next comes the Samsung Galaxy S5. If you own an S5, you could be described as a crowd follower. Samsung is the most common android manufacturer and the Galaxy S series is its most popular phones. You do not care much about standing out, but rather you long to blend in. Everyone has an S5, so you want one, too. It may not be a bad trait since good products tend to get a lot of users, but you may be missing out on better options.
The other two traits of S5 owners are the same as those of a Note 4 owner. Since both are made by Samsung, S5 owners are also patient because they have to wait a while to receive the latest updates and that does not bother them.
Also as an S5 owner, you have a desire for options. You want them for the same reason the Note 4 owners want them…just in case you need them. It may not be the best idea, but when that feature is needed, you will have it and no one else will. That is, of course, if that feature is ever needed.
HTC One M8
Now we are on to the HTC One M8. As an M8 owner, you are materialistic and often care about form over function. While many criticized HTC for keeping that black bar at the bottom of their screen, you defended them to the end. This trait is not to be viewed negatively. All it means is that you want things that look nice. And for a phone, something that most people look at every day, this is something very important.
You are also a musically oriented person if you own the M8 because it provides the best sound quality out of any flagship in 2014. You love listening to, and possibly playing, music and you want the best phone for the job. Optimistic is the final trait of an m8 owner. After constantly disappointing sales, you are still confident that HTC will stay in business and provide you with updates and new phones.
LG G3
Next comes the LG G3. As an owner of the G3, you also yearn for the best and newest things you can get. When the LG G3 came out, it came with insanely fast specs and also one of the first 2K displays on a flagship. You knew that 2K would soon become the standard and you wanted to be ahead of the trend. This desire could be bad though, because many bought the G3 without knowing how the high-resolution display would affect battery life.
If you own the G3, you are also a creative person. The camera on the G3 is fantastic and odds are many of you picked it up with the desire to take amazing pictures. The camera technology in the G3 is also incredible, with laser autofocus and OIS promising even better pictures than you could imagine. Lastly, you are open-minded and welcome new things and ideas. You were not afraid to get the G3 even though you did not know how the display would affect performance and battery life. It was a new idea and you wanted to try it. The same goes for its laser autofocus. You did not know if this new addition to phone camera technology would provide better photos or make them worse, but you knew that you would give it a shot. You have this same attitude towards new things in your life.
OnePlus One
One of the most talked about flagships in 2014 is the OnePlus One, and it has a loyal following. If you own a One, you are thrifty. Of course you wanted a brand new phone, but why spend $700+ when you could get the same specs for half of that. You constantly look for ways to save money without compromising in quality in all aspects of your life, even if it involves going with a new company or different idea. Sure, it may not be the best trait, but you do save a few bucks if you have it.
As a One user, you are also persistent. You do not give up easily, and if you were able to buy one of these phones, that shows. The OnePlus One was one of the hardest phones to buy because of their controversial invite system and other contests. But you persevered and now you have your prize.
Finally, you enjoy customization. On the One, you could not only change the physical look of the phone with different back covers, but you could install different themes right from the OS thanks to Cyanogenmod. In life, you also like to be able to decide how you want the things you own to look and work.
Apple iPhone
This year, Apple had a huge change in terms of size and design with their newest iPhones and they were a huge hit with consumers. If you are an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus owner, one of your traits is being a crowd follower. The iPhone has more sales than any other phone out there and many people buy them because their friend or family member has one. This is not a bad thing because people tend to buy things that work well.
As an iPhone user, you are also creative. There is no doubt that there are more photo and video editing apps for iPhones than other phones and iPhone cameras are some of the best smartphone cameras out there. Also, you will find more photo, video, and audio accessories for iPhones than you will for other phones, too. The last trait iPhone users have is being materialistic. You often prefer to buy things that look and feel better regardless of anything else. This is not necessarily a bad thing since build quality is important, but you may overlook better products because they might not look fantastic.
So now you know what your phone is saying about you. Now you can make a decision on what phone to get this year with all that knowledge. I would like to conclude this article by saying that is was solely written for fun and to get a few laughs. Not all owners of a particular phone will act the same way, and just because you own a certain phone does not mean that you have the traits above.
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Facebook will start showing fewer hoaxes on your News Feed
If you’ve been on Facebook in the past few months, you’ve likely seen a number of hoaxes or stories that give out false information to readers muddying up your News Feed. The folks at Facebook realize that it’s a problem, and they’re now aiming to reduce the number of undesirable stories you see on your feed.
If you’ve ever seen a story that would be considered a hoax, there is a way to report it by choosing the option to hide the story from your News Feed. To record misleading posts, Facebook will track stories that have been reported as spam by users. They explain in greater detail:
To reduce the number of these types of posts, News Feed will take into account when many people flag a post as false. News Feed will also take into account when many people choose to delete posts. This means a post with a link to an article that many people have reported as a hoax or chosen to delete will get reduced distribution in News Feed. This update will apply to posts including links, photos, videos and status updates.
Furthermore, posts that receive an abundance of spam reports will be flagged with a message that explains the potential invalidity of the post.
Facebook also notes that this should not affect satirical stories. So for all fans of The Onion or ClickHole, you likely won’t see a reduced amount of these stories on your News Feed.
Chrome for iOS plays nicely with Mac browsers, big iPhones
At long last, Google has overhauled its Chrome browser for iOS to fit into the company’s Material Design language — and thankfully, it’s a lot more than a fresh coat of paint. The newly released Chrome 40 gives you the expected bright colors, flat surfaces and fancy animations of Google’s latest interface philosophy, but its big deal is rich support for iOS 8. The app is now fully compatible with larger iPhones, and it’ll hand off web links to the preferred browser on your Mac (if you’re running OS X Yosemite, that is). If you’re a fan of Chrome but wish that it fit better into Apple’s world, you’ll want to swing by the App Store for the update.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: App Store, Chrome Releases
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