Microsoft has officially confirmed its acquisition of Sunrise Calendar
A few days ago, Microsoft was rumored to purchase the popular cross-platform calendar app, Sunrise Calendar. While we didn’t hear anything official, Sunrise teased the acquisition in their most recent app update. The Sunrise team said, “Today, we’re excited to announce our … new Android app for tablets!” though any word on the purchase was nowhere to be found. With that said, Microsoft has just made it official in a YouTube video interview with Sunrise co-founder Pierre Valade and Acompli co-founder Javier Soltero. The two were being interviewed by Microsoft’s Chief Storyteller, Steve Clayton.
In the video, Valade mentioned that the goal with Sunrise was to make something more useful in the product category that they felt was underestimated by many. The co-founder also says that the app could be used in every part of a persons life, rather than solely for work.
Earlier rumors suggested that Microsoft was willing to buy Sunrise for $100 million, but there is still no official word on the exact amount. When Microsoft acquired the Acompli mail app back in December for north of $200 million, Microsoft rebranded the app under the Outlook name only a few days after the acquisition. We’re not sure what Microsoft’s plans are with Sunrise Calendar, but we wouldn’t doubt it if we saw some Sunrise features roll out to the company’s Outlook services sometime soon.
If you have yet to try Sunrise Calendar, now is a great time to do so. You can download it for free from the Google Play Store.
Security Pal: Antivirus and cleaner keeps your phone running smoothly
Security is a regular concern among smartphone users (though should it be?). There are many apps that provide antivirus services, but Security Pal hopes to provide a unique experience.
They say: “Security Pal is an Antivirus application made for Android.
With very efficient antivirus engine and handy tools, Security Pal is just a must have app for any Android device.
With Security Pal, never worry about any security issues!”
We say: What’s different about this particular Antivirus app, is it uses “plugins” (other apps by the same developer) to make a sort of ecosystem that works together. How well they mesh or not I’m not too sure. The idea is interesting though, and theoretically makes for a well-working system of parts that all work together. They have the following plugins: AppLock plugin, Cleaner plugin, Phone Booster plugin, and Battery Saver plugin. It also scans right when you install the app, and then every time you install an app to check for issues before you even open the installed app.
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Mutation Mash review
Up for review today we have Mutation Mash, the latest game from Upopa Games. Touted as a “crazy hilarious puzzle game”, we’re to expect no less than 50 levels of game play. Is it crazy? Hectic, perhaps. Hilarious? Let’s draw the line at interesting.
The idea is simple: combine three like animals to create mutants. Then, take those mutants and combine them as well. You’ll start with bears, bunnies, and moose but you’ll be quickly merging strange creatures.
Players are presented with a board of sorts, which has a variety of animals scattered on the left side of the screen. From the right comes a quick succession of random animals who make their way across the field. It’s up to you to drag and drop them, fast enough, so that they’re able to make mutants. It sounds simple, but it can get unnerving.
According to the Google Play listing there are 19 mutated species. We’re not that far into our game yet, but we can imagine that this proves to be a definite challenge. With a somewhat limited color palette it’s tough to discern some of the mutants quick enough. The middle of the field can get “muddy’, for lack of a better term.
It’s not immediately clear what happens “between levels”.
Although the game allows for us to hop right in and get rolling, it’s a little unclear as to what happens between rounds. It takes a bit of time to figure out why we’re trying to harvest goo or what it means. Indeed, this is one of those areas where you’ll be able to pay real money to advance yourself. It’s not needed, but the in-app purchases can help give you an early edge.
Mutation Mash is a game with cute, albeit uniquely designed, animals and mutants. We might like more clear instructions as to what’s going on between levels, be it a recurring pop-up or something we can choose to dismiss. Along those lines, the overall game could be spelled out a little bit or made more obvious. This is not to suggest Mutation Mash isn’t fun or worth your time. If you’re a fan of matching, logic, puzzles, and games of that nature then you ought to check it out.
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New renders and schematics for Samsung Galaxy S6
Another day, another day closer to MWC 2015 must mean new leaks about the Samsung Galaxy S6. Today some of the best renders and schematics we’ve seen for the upcoming smartphone from Samsung have surfaced. If accurate, they show some great detail about the smartphone as well as reveal some of the apparent inspiration Samsung may have received from Apple and the iPhone 6.
In checking out the schematics and other information, a couple bits of information are noteworthy. First, while the Galaxy S6 will only be 6.9 mm thick at the edges and for most of its area, it does have a protruding camera. That lenses causes the thickness at that point to jump up to 8.79 mm. The source for the drawings also indicates the screen size is only 4.9-inches, which is a slight decrease compared to the Galaxy S5. Apparently this is to help create a little more “space” to distinguish the Galaxy S device from a Galaxy Note device like the Galaxy Note 4, which currently has a 5.7-inch display.
The source also tries to show how the Galaxy S6 is similar to the iPhone 6 by pointing out the location and design of the speaker grille as well as the location of the headphone jack on the bottom edge of the device. Some of those decisions could just be the result of practical manufacturing needs or feedback from customers.
source: UNDERkg
via: G for Games
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LG will launch the G Flex 2 in Singapore next month
LG has announced that its set to launch its second-generation curved, self-healing smartphone, the G Flex 2, in Singapore next Month. The handset will be available to pre-order on Friday, February 27, for SGD998 ($800), and will go on sale starting Saturday, March 14.
As for internals, the G Flex 2 is a beast of a device packing a 5.5-inch curved P-OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable internal storage, a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 2.1-megapixel front-facing shooter.
Straight out of the box, the device will run the latest build of Android 4.4.4 KitKat with LG’s Optimus user interface plastered over the top. The handset is, however, expected to receive the much-anticipated and eagerly-awaited Lollipop update when it’s finally distributed by the South Korean company sometime later this month.
If you like the sound of the G Flex successor and want to pre-order one — click the source link below.
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Motorola kicks off Android 5.0.1 soak test for the Moto E
If you’re the proud owner of a Moto E and you registered yourself as a member of the Motorola Feedback Network, you should have received an invitation for a new soak test by now. If you chose to accept the invite, you will be prompted to download and install the much-anticipated Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update. However, it’s important to bear in mind that this is a test version of the upgrade, and some issues may occur.
For those unaware, the Lollipop upgrade brings support for multiple accounts, improved notifications, a smoother multitasking experience, Ambient Display, smarter internet connections, performance enhancements, Smart Lock for Trusted Devices and last but not least, the recently-announced Material Design guidelines.
If you’ve opted into the soak test and have not yet received a push notification prompting you to download and install the update, simply head into ‘Settings’, ‘About Device’, then tap ‘Check for Updates’ to manually scan for it. Alternatively, you could always plug your smartphone into your computer and download the update via the official Motorola Desktop Client.
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Google testing out YouTube Radio stations for curated music and video playlists
Lately Google has introduced a few features that bring some overlap between All Access and YouTube, such as YouTube Music Key. Now it looks like we’re going to see some other features make their way over to YouTube to make it a better music hub for users.
Google is apparently working on a YouTube Radio feature, similar to the radio stations you get in All Access, to either replace or complement the current YouTube Mixes that are available. These radio stations are based off of whatever video you choose, and you can like, dislike, and dismiss videos in the playlist to curate the station to exactly what you like. We’ve already seen this implemented fairly well in All Access, so it makes sense for Google to bring over a popular feature now that it’s taking YouTube as a music service seriously.
Have you noticed the Radio feature on your YouTube videos recently?
source: Google System
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Samsung’s Galaxy S 6 Edge screen will cover three sides of the device
The floodgates are really opening up about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S 6 and Galaxy S 6 Edge, which is to be expected with how close we are to an official announcement. The latest reports shed some light on just what Samsung will do with the Edge variant, and it looks like they’ll be taking the curved design of the Note Edge one step further by using a screen that covers three sides of the device, instead of just two as seen on the Note Edge.
This design would have a wrap-around design on the left and right sides of the phone. It’s not entirely clear what that extra side would be good for, since the Note Edge essentially held all of your necessary shortcuts and buttons with one panel just fine.
Aside from the crazy screen design, the reports also confirm high-end specs, a metal frame, and a MWC unveiling for both devices. No shockers there.
What are your thoughts on Samsung’s curved displays? Innovative, or gimmicky?
source: Bloomberg
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Galaxy Note 4 in Russia now receiving Lollipop update
As promised, Samsung has finally started pushing out the long-awaited and much-anticipated Lollipop update to all unlocked models of its flagship phablet, the Note 4, in Russia. This upgrade transports the latest version of the Android operating system, together with a multitude of new features, bug fixes and stability improvements.
The full changelog can be seen below:
- Android 5.0 Lollipop update
- Lock screen and Notification: New Lollipop UI style with enhanced privacy features
- Recent apps: Support multiple pages
- Addition of search function within settings
To start the upgrade, make sure you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. Then, from the home screen, press the Menu key, followed by Settings. Scroll to the bottom and tap ‘About Device’, followed by ‘Software Update and ‘Update Now’.
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BLU announces the Studio Energy, a smartphone that lasts 4 days on a single charge
BLU has announced the Studio Energy smartphone with one killer selling feature: a whopping 5,000 mAh battery. That’s the biggest we’ve ever seen in a smartphone, and it supposedly features 45 days of standby time or 4 days of usage on a single charge. That’s something most other manufacturers can only dream of achieving with their flagship phones.
The other specs aren’t anything to write home about, but the device is priced at just $149.99 on Amazon, which is a fantastic price. The Studio Energy packs a 1.3 ghz quad-core processor with a Mali-400 GPU, a 720p screen, 8 GB of internal storage with expandable memory, and an 8 megapixel camera. It’ll be available in Ceramic White, Midnight Black, or Luxury Gold. It won’t compete with a Galaxy S 6 or LG G4, but hey, for $150, that’s not bad, especially if you value battery life.
Hit the break for the full press release from BLU.
MIAMI, Feb. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ – BLU Products, the market leader in unlocked devices in the United States, announced today that the new BLU Studio Energy is now available for just $149.00 unlocked exclusively at Amazon.com. The Studio Energy was a hit at the CES Las Vegas showcasing its industry leading 5,000mAh battery resulting in an incredible 45 days stand-by, or up to 4 days of standard usage on a single charge.
To purchase the Studio Energy you can visit:
Studio Energy
The Studio Energy is the latest device in BLU’s Studio series delivering premium build quality and materials while using technological advancements to pack a 5,000mAh battery – the largest of any smartphone today – while still maintaining a thin 10mm design.
“The Studio Energy with its insanely long lasting battery is the perfect solution for users suffering from the anxiety of constantly looking for a place to charge.” said Samuel Ohev-Zion, CEO of BLU Products.
Great for active users to bring on weekend hiking trip or road trip, as a backup phone in case of an emergency, movie watchers and gamers, the Studio Energy ensures that you will have power when you need it most. Perfect as a business device, international travelers rejoice from the freedom of having to carry multiple country wall adaptors, plus international roaming capability with support for Dual SIM cards.
Along with the powerful battery, the Studio Energy also supports Reverse Charge to enable consumers to use their smartphone as a power bank to charge other devices, with a USB OTG Cable included.
Not stopping short on battery performance, the Studio Energy delivers on beautiful design and features including a retina quality 5.0-inch HD display with 294ppi, utilizing full lamination, IPS, and OGS technologies with an incredible color reproduction, brightness and quality for a perfect viewing experience, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Dual Cameras include an 8.0 mega pixel main camera plus 2 mega pixel front facing camera. The Studio Energy’s memory configuration includes 8GB built in storage plus 1GB RAM, with an expandable Micro SD slot of up to 64GB. Additional features include Dual SIM Dual Active technology for multiple SIM card support including nationwide coverage throughout all US GSM Networks with 4G HSPA+ Speeds. The Studio Energy will be available in Midnight Black, Ceramic White and Luxury Gold.
Learn more: http://www.bluproducts.com/index.php/studio-energy
Here are what some of the top tech sites are saying about the new BLU Studio Energy:
You might not need to swap batteries (or lean on an external battery pack) again.” –Engadget
“BLU has come up with something far more useful in our opinion – not a massive screen, but a massive battery” –IT Pro Portal
“BLU’s Long-Lasting Phone Will Solve Your Battery Problems… For a phone with such a monster battery, it’s surprisingly slim and portable”. –PC Mag
“If you need to make a lot of calls and can’t stay long near a wall socket, the Studio Energy is the one to have.” – GSMArena
“Talk time is rated at 52 hours, and since its dual-SIM it might be the perfect phone for a weekend getaway”. –Phandroid
Studio Energy
- Network: (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, (4G HSPA+ 21Mbps) 850/1700/1900, 850/1900/2100
- Display: IPS 5.0-inch 720 x 1280 HD, with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection
- Processor: Mediatek 6582, 1.3 GHz Quad-Core with MALI-400 graphics GPU
- OS: Android 4.4 Kit Kat (upgradeable to Lollipop in June)
- Camera: Rear – 8.0 megapixel, autofocus with LED Flash, (1.4mm pixel size, 1/3.2 inch sensor, 2.2mm aperture), HD 1080p@30fps video recording Front – 2.0 megapixel
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi b/g/n/, GPS, Bluetooth v4.0, Hotspot, micro-USB, FM Radio, OTG Reverse Charge
- Memory: 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory + microSD slot expandable up to 64GB
- Dimensions: 144.5 x 71.45 x 10.4 mm
- Battery: Li-Ion 5000mAh
- Available Colors: Ceramic White, Midnight Black and Luxury Gold
About BLU Products
BLU Products, founded in 2009, designs and manufacturers affordable, attractive and innovative mobile devices to suit a wide variety of consumer needs. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, BLU is pioneering the advancement of the prepaid and no-contract revolution by providing a vast portfolio of advanced unlocked mobile phones to thousands of dealer agents, MVNO’s, and large retailers throughout the United States and Latin America. For more information, visit: www.bluproducts.com
BLU Products Contact:
Carmen Gonzalez, Channel Marketing Manager, USA
cgonzalez@bluproducts.com
+1-305-715-7171
Come comment on this article: BLU announces the Studio Energy, a smartphone that lasts 4 days on a single charge
AIVAnet 