Moto E 2nd Gen makes its way to press in Motorola’s Mystery Box
Last week Motorola pushed out an email to select members of the press to let them know that a box would be on the way and set for delivery on the 25th of February. The delivery would coincide with an exciting announcement. The packages are arriving and inside a very well planned out home-built personal […]
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Last chance pre-order pricing on Code Black Drone, $89
One of our most popular quadcopters, the Limited Edition Code Black Drone is a perfect item for video enthusiasts, gadget-lovers, aviation fanatics, kids, Batman fans (chicks dig the drone), and just about everyone else.
An inexpensive alternative to higher-priced quadcopters, this drone is fun and customize-able with beginner and expert flight modes. With its USB charging design and 6-axis control system, you’ll be the hit of the party when you break this out and take to the skies. The controller takes 4 AAA batteries (not included) and there is a limit of 5 units per customer.
For just $89, you’ll be soaring the skies with flair. With a price jump coming soon, we expect to be absolutely be sold-out in short order. These are shipping within 1-2 weeks so pre-order now, and lock in this pricing, while you still can.
Check this deal out, and many others at deals.androidguys.com!
Do Not Miss These Other Deals!
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Moto E (2015) is a steal, here’s why
Motorola has announced a brand new Moto E today, that has all sorts of new goodies such as 4G LTE, a quad-core processor, and Android Lollipop. All for the price of $150. You may not fully understand, but this is not only a huge deal for the world of Android, but it’s a great deal for you. Let me explain why.
When Androids were first coming out in large numbers, part of what was attractive about them was the idea of having a smartphone for cheap. By 2010, you could an Android smartphone for free with a 2-year contract. However, people thought Androids were no good, because their only experience was with a phone that they had essentially spent no money on, comparing it to the $200 on-contract iPhone (that’s a whole other article I could write… but I digress). So when Motorola released the first Moto G at the end of 2013, where you could get a great Android experience for the same price as a budget phone off-contract, it was a pretty big deal. Then, to up the ante, Motorola released the Moto E at the beginning of last year. However, it didn’t quite receive the same positive reaction the first-gen Moto G did.
Fast forward to today, Motorola has announced a new Moto E:
- 4G LTE connectivity.
- 4.5-inch qHD (540×960) display
- 5-megapixel rear camera
- 8GB internal storage
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, clocked at 1,2 GHz
- Adreno 306
- front-facing VGA camera
- 2390mAh battery
What’s more, you also get features like Moto Display and Quick Capture, and with the Moto E having Lollipop, you have the capability for always-on voice commands (through Google Search). I mean, some of these things are the same as my first-gen Moto X! This Moto E even has a bigger battery!
Let’s compare that to some other phones that cost around $150:
| Phone | Moto E (2015) | ASUS Zenfone 5 | Samsung Galaxy Core 2 | YU Yureka | BLU Studio Energy |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE | 4G (HSPA+) | 4G (HSPA) | 4G (HSPA+) | 4G (HSPA+) |
| Display | 4.5″ qHD (245 ppi) | 5″ HD (294 ppi) | 4.5″ WVGA (207 ppi) | 5.5″ HD (267 ppi) | 5″ HD (300 ppi) |
| Rear Camera | 5 MP | 8 MP | 5 MP | 13 MP | 8 MP |
| Storage | 8 GB | 8 GB | 4 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Android Version | 5.0 Lollipop | 4.4 KitKat | 4.4 KitKat | 4.4 KitKat | upgrade to 5.0 Lollipop |
| Processor | Snapdragon 410 (Quad-core) @ 1.2 GHz | Atom Z2580 (Dual-core) @ 2 GHz | Quad-core 1.2 GHz | Snapdragon 615 (Quad-core) @ 1.7 GHz | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Battery | 2390 mAh | 2110 mAh | 2000 mAh | 2500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Price | $150 | $147 | ~$130 | ~$145 | $149 |
Obviously, each phone has their advantages and disadvantages. But here’s the point I’d like to make: two of those phones aren’t even available to the US. ASUS Zenfone probably won’t see Android 5.0 Lollipop until April, and that will probably be the last update from them. That leaves BLU, which certainly makes an impressive argument. But, you still don’t get a near-stock Android experience with Moto Display, which definitely makes your experience with a phone better. If you’re still not convinced, then you should know that Motorola has been making a great track record in updating their recent phones, so you can bet you’ll see at least one if not two major upgrades for the new Moto E.
All-in-all, the Moto E has the upper hand, and there is no better deal than this one. Great price, no-contract, excellent user experience, all in a phone that is close to Motorola’s flagship of 2013! You tell me what better deal there is.
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LG G3 now receiving the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop in Canada
In the past few days, we’ve seen a slew of devices get the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop all around the Canadian region. Just yesterday, we saw the HTC One M7, Motorola Moto X (2014) and Moto G (2013) get the update, as well as the HTC One M8 a few weeks ago. We’ve just gotten word that the next handset to receive Lollipop in the region is the LG G3, and it should be rolling out as we speak.
We’ve heard so far that G3 users on Rogers and Bell have received the update, and users on TELUS, Fido, MTS, Sasktel, Videotron and Virgin Mobile should be receiving the update shortly as well. If you have yet to receive the update notification, be sure to head to Settings>About device>Software update>Update to check manually.
As for what’s new in the update? Just like other in Lollipop updates, the majority of changes found on the G3 are under-the-hood, including the switch to the new ART runtime, additional security features and many more. You’ll also see some cosmetic changes in the update, but LG’s G UI skin doesn’t have as many visual enhancements as we see on devices running a stock version of Lollipop.
Canadian users, have you received the update to Lollipop yet? Let us know when you get it!
Authy snapped up by Twilio for two-factor authentication
Authy, a company that specializes in security through two-factor authentication, has been purchased by cloud communication services company Twilio. The two companies have been working together since 2012, with Authy using Twilio’s technology to deliver authentication codes through SMS and phone calls. For the time being, Authy will continue to function as it always has, though certain parts of the company will expand with the acquisition, according to fonder Daniel Palacio:
Authy snapped up by Twilio for two-factor authentication
Authy, a company that specializes in security through two-factor authentication, has been purchased by cloud communication services company Twilio. The two companies have been working together since 2012, with Authy using Twilio’s technology to deliver authentication codes through SMS and phone calls. For the time being, Authy will continue to function as it always has, though certain parts of the company will expand with the acquisition, according to fonder Daniel Palacio:
First, our R&D team we’ll be significantly expanding in the coming months. Second, we’ll start providing 24/7 support across all time-zones worldwide. And lastly, we will begin offering the best prices to all of our customers – in the coming months all Authy customers will benefit from Twilio’s volume pricing.
Palacio says that Authy will continue its efforts to expand access to and use of strong authentication. The Authy brand is expected to stick around through this acquisition.
Tim Cook Talks Apple Watch Water Resistance and European Apple Pay Expansion
While on a trip in Germany to visit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and meet with a few German-based Apple staff members, Apple CEO Tim Cook told Apple Store employees in Berlin that he wears his Apple Watch constantly, “even in the shower”, according to iGen.fr [Google Translate].
The new piece of information from the Apple CEO could mean the company’s been working on adding more water resistant features to the upcoming wearable, since at its early-September reveal event the company warned off wearing the device in the shower.
Cook went on to say that he charges his Apple Watch every night, which seems to fall in line with what he’s said previously on the topic. But, as Apple Insider points out, some of his comments regarding the new information on the Apple Watch could have been lost in translation.
He also told a few of the Apple Store workers, specifically in fielding a question asked by a visually impaired employee, that apps and accessibility features focused on aiding the disabled would be coming to the watch over time. Cook even commented on a few recent bits of bad press the company has faced in regards to the working conditions at its Chinese facilities.
He said that Chinese workers want to work hard and their employers want them to always work more. Apple is trying to ensure that there is no abuse, and the number hours worked per week decreases with time. He said that wages in China are increasing much faster than anywhere in the world. While recalling that the cost of living is much lower there, compared for example to Germany or the United States.
Concerning the overseas launch of Apple Pay, which has been gaining steam in rumors lately, Cook stated that a European launch for the contactless payment service will come “before the end of the year.” Cook’s trip continues this week (via The Marker) [Google Translate], with the CEO moving on to Israel to visit the newly-built Apple offices in Herzliya and a planned meeting with former President Shimon Peres.
NASA’s drought-predicting satellite is almost ready to begin work
According to environmentalist Lester Brown, droughts are going to be increasingly prevalent over the next few years. At the same time that he was making these claims, however, NASA was activating a spacecraft that it’s hoped will do something about that. The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite is designed to orbit the Earth, measuring global moisture levels in soil.
With that data, the agency expects to predict what regions are at the highest risk of both droughts and flooding. Now that SMAP has unfurled its 20-foot-wide dome antenna, scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will spend the next few days checking if the hardware is ready to begin its three-year mission. If all goes well, then the craft will be able to snap 620 mile slices of the Earth for each scan it takes. Those with long memories will recall that Europe’s space agency has a similar project, SMOS, which recently celebrated its fifth birthday keeping an eye on the planet’s hydration.
Filed under: Transportation, Science
Source: NASA
Motorola refreshes Moto E with LTE connectivity and bigger display
Motorola’s latest unlocked smartphone delivers 4G LTE connectivity for $150
Motorola on Wednesday introduced a slightly larger take on its Moto E smartphone. What’s more, the new version also includes 4G LTE connectivity.
The second-generation Moto E features a 4.5-inch qHD (540×960) display, a 5-megapixel rear camera, and 8GB internal storage. Powered by Android 5.0 Lollipop, other details include a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a front-facing VGA camera, and 2390mAh battery.
In terms of software features, the Moto E include Moto Display, Moto Migrate, and Quick Capture (camera). Other than that, it’s pretty much a stock Android experience, which is what you actually want deep down inside – even if you don’t know it.
As for customization, the new model comes in black or white and can be paired with one of six Motorola Bands. Offered in colors such as raspberry or turquoise, they dress up the device. Additionally, Motorola is offering a Grip Shell accessory which helps protect the handset from spills, scratches, and scrapes.
The new Moto E goes on sale starting from today in more than 50 countries, including North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. In the United States we’ll have two unlocked options: a $120 3G model and a $150 4G LTE model.
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HTC announces collector’s edition UEFA Champions League engraved One M8
If you’re a serious football fanatic, or soccer for the benefit of our American friends, you may be interested in HTC’s new UEFA Collector’s Edition One M8 smartphone. The handset was announced in partnership with UK retailer Carphone Warehouse at an event with Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel and Arsenal Women’s goalkeeper Emma Byrne.
The handset features exactly the same specifications as the regular HTC One M8, but comes with every Champions League winning team engraved into the back of the aluminium chassis, from Marseille in 1992 to Real’s 10th tournament win last season. Last year, HTC released a similar UEFA Collector’s Edition One M8 with a trophy engraved on the back.
If you’re looking to get your hands on one, you won’t be able to buy one online or in-store. Instead, HTC will be running a competition through its various social media channels, where winners will receive one of the few Collector’s Edition handsets. Better keep your eyes on HTC’s Facebook, Twitter and G+ pages.
Unparalleled performance on the pitch and design innovation combine to create a collector’s edition perfect for any UEFA Champions League fanatic
Football fans can now own a piece of UEFA Champions League history with the latest Collector’s Edition from HTC, the multi-award winner in mobile innovation and design, and the official smartphone partner of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
The new Collector’s Edition HTC One (M8) sees every past UEFA Champions League winner engraved on the back. This is the second unveiling in the HTC UEFA Champions League Collector’s Edition range. HTC previously delighted football fans with a version of the HTC One (M8) emblazoned with an image of the UEFA Champions League trophy.
With its vivid, high-resolution 5″ screen, sophisticated metal body and brushed aluminium back, the stylish HTC UEFA Champions League Collector’s Edition is certain to be popular with fans.
Special features include Motion Launch™, enabling the HTC One (M8) to detect position and movement and HTC BoomSound™, that creates unrivalled sound with rich tones and incredible imaging capabilities, all adding up to an even better football viewing experience. The new Duo Camera with HTC’s UltraPixel™ sensor allows you to capture stunning images in any light – perfect for capturing all the football action.
The HTC UEFA Champions League Collector’s Edition can be enhanced still further with the addition of the HTC FootballFeed™ app, a unique Android offering that delivers a combination of news, up-to-the-minute UEFA.com stats, insight and exclusive experiences from every match during the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
The handset will be available exclusively to competition winners on HTC social media channels so will be a real collectable for any football fan and is being launched ahead of the key Champions League Arsenal match this evening.
AIVAnet 