Hidden Diagnostic Port on Apple Watch Could Allow for Smart Band Accessories
Ahead of Monday’s media event where Apple is expected to provide final details on the Apple Watch, a new report from TechCrunch details a hidden “diagnostic port” inside one of the channels on the Apple Watch where watch bands slip into place. While the port is currently used only for diagnostic purposes, the report argues it could be used in the future to interface with “smart band” accessories bringing additional functionality to the watch.
The port has a 6-dot brass contact array inside the groove for the ‘bottom’ strap connector slot. Several sources have confirmed its existence and placement to me. It is very similar to the connector for the Lightning connector in iPhones, as that connector currently only uses 6 of its 8 available pins. Apple recently began opening up the Lightning port for use by third parties. A source says that this port is currently for diagnostic purposes only — but that there is nothing preventing it from being a connection port for future accessories.
TechCrunch‘s Matthew Panzarino is careful to state that he has no knowledge of any plans by Apple to launch such smart band accessories, but the idea remains an intriguing one. Possibilities for such bands include additional sensors, external batteries integrated into a band, and more.
Apple revealed a number of high-level details about the Apple Watch at the device’s unveiling last September, but even now with a launch set for next month there is still much that remains unknown, including pricing details beyond the $349 starting price. Apple will undoubtedly address many of the details at Monday’s events, but some of the technical details will likely need to wait until the device launches and users and technical experts can get a closer look at the device.
LG’s G Flex2 is the newest phone in our buyer’s guide — what should be next?
There’s nothing like new gadgets to step up your spring swagger and indeed, we’ve got a couple of fresh faces in this month’s buyer’s guide to help shake off those winter blues. After spending some time with LG’s G Flex2, we grew fond of its design, performance and display, making it a strong choice for your next handset. Meanwhile, if you’re in the market for a mobile sound system, Ultimate Ears stepped up the volume and specs with its new Megaboom speaker, offering a 100-foot Bluetooth range and up to 20 hours of battery life. Don’t worry, if you’re still looking for more suggestions, we’ll be flush in the coming months after we’ve had a chance to review all the stuff announced at MWC and GDC this week. In the meantime, there’s still plenty of gear to be had and we’ve always got a selection of top picks at the ready in our complete buyer’s guide.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Laptops, Portable Audio/Video, Tablets, Wearables, Mobile, LG
Sprint pushing out Android 5.0 Lollipop to Galaxy Note 4 today
Those of you that own a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with Sprint are in for a treat. The carrier has started rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop to the device this morning. The update brings the software version number up to N910PVPU1BOB7. It brings all the Lollipop software goodies we have all been drooling over for some […]
The post Sprint pushing out Android 5.0 Lollipop to Galaxy Note 4 today appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google Play Services updated to version 7.0.87 [APK Download]
Following the Google Play Store being updated, Google has now issued an update to Google Play Services, bringing it to version 7.0.87.
The update to version 7.0.87 brings some minor bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Of course, there could always be additional hidden features just disabled, so drop us a comment below if you notice anything different.
Google Play Services should update itself automatically over the next coming days, but you can also sideload the APK using the download link here.
The post Google Play Services updated to version 7.0.87 [APK Download] appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Apple will reportedly debut its music streaming service at WWDC
If you’re hoping that Apple will launch its retooled music streaming service alongside a smartwatch next week, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. 9to5Mac reports that Monday’s “Spring Forward” event won’t include details on the next phase of iTunes/Beats Music. Instead, the audio subscription option will launch at WWDC in June as part of an iOS update that annually rolls out soon after. Reportedly priced around $8 per month, the music service is said include features like curated playlists and content tailored to users’ personal tastes — both of which are key pieces of Beats Music. As you might expect, an app for the new service will make its way to Apple TV, and the same report claims a redesigned (read: slimmer) case and more capable remote control are on the way for Cupertino’s set-top box. However, with the rumored 13-inch iPad and Retina MacBook Air that we may see this year, it’ll be interesting to see how Apple plans to reveal a highly-anticipated update to its living room tech.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Apple
Source: 9to5Mac
Cyanogen CEO says Samsung will be “slaughtered” by competition in the next five years
Samsung may have just announced their much-improved Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge handsets, but according to Cyanogen CEO Kirt McMaster, the Korean tech giant will have to do much more to stay relevant in the next five or so years. In an interview with Business Insider, McMaster explains his views on Samsung, and that he thinks the company will eventually be “slaughtered” by new competition in the coming years.
In the interview, McMaster comments about how low-budget device manufacturers like Xiaomi and Micromax will diminish tier-one companies’ marketshare, such as Samsung’s, over the next 3-5 years. He even goes as far as saying:
The tier one OEMs like Samsung are going to be the next generation Nokias in the next five years. They’re going to be slaughtered. We think long term Apple itself will have problems because they’re just not good at competing at the low end.
Business Insider follows up by asking the CEO if he really thinks Samsung will be toast in five years. McMaster explains:
It could get pretty bad pretty damn quick. This is often the case. Look what happened to Research In Motion (RIM). Look what happened to Nokia. Last summer Micromax surpassed Samsung as the dominant feature phone player in India. We’re talking literally in eight months this occurred… This is just one market. We see this happen all over the world.
Cyanogen has worked hard over the past few years to break into the mainstream smartphone business by offering smooth software that is able to be run on budget-friendly hardware. And because of Cyanogen’s success with the OnePlus One, McMaster’s opinions on global marketshare are certainly worth something. Though the message may come off a bit strong, it makes sense. Smaller OEMs around the world can offer extremely budget-friendly hardware in areas where most people can’t afford Samsung or Apple-made devices.
The entire interview is a lengthy read, but it’s definitely worth the time. McMaster goes on to talk about Cyanogen’s recent partnership with Qualcomm and even comments on the company receiving a large investment from Microsoft. If you’d like to take a look at the full interview, head to the source link below.
What are your thoughts on McMaster’s interview? Do you agree or disagree?
The BlackBerry Slider envisioned through new renders
While the BlackBerry ‘Slide’ as CEO John Chen likes to call it has thus far managed to escape being captured in any great way by thousands of dollars worth of fancy cameras, one thing it can’t escape is Photoshop. Dylan Habkirk has created some pretty great renders of BlackBerry smartphones in the past and he’s given the Slider a go with a new set of renders where the device gets dubbed the Glide on BlackBerryCentral. Even though they are just renders based on some incredibly blurry cam like images and not the real deal, they look pretty damn accurate and really help one envision the device. What do you all think? Pretty spot on, right?
What We’re Rockin’: Homescreen setups
The power of Android allows the user to do just about anything with their homescreens, and that’s not an exaggeration. From the way your homescreen works, to the look of the app icons, and the placement of widgets, there are countless ways to make your homescreen unique and just right for you. Here’s what some of the writers here at AndroidGuys are rockin’:
Dan Bartram
- Nova Launcher
- Moko Icon Pack
- Muzei Wallpaper
Benton Trerise
- Action Launcher 3
- Slider Widget
- Power Control Widget
Scott Webster
- Axis Icon Pack
- Minima Pro Live Wallpaper
- Timely clock widget
Jack McNenny
- Moonshine Icons
- Action Launcher 3
- Phoenix for Zooper widget
Anthony McAfee
- Google Now Launcher
- stock icons
Adam Pollich
- Google Now launcher
- Weather Bug widget
- Timely widget
Juan Vega
- FlatCons White Icons
- Nova Launcher
Derrik Miyao
- Google Now Launcher
- Stock everything
Cooper Le
- Glare Icons
- Action Launcher 3
- ZBB2 widget
Robert Nelson
- Google Now Launcher
- Timely widget
The post What We’re Rockin’: Homescreen setups appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Apple subscription music service will reportedly debut around WWDC
Apple’s rumored subscription service based on Beats Music is reportedly set to debut around WWDC 2015.
As previously reported, the new service is said to be integrated into the iOS Music app, retaining most of the functionality of the current Beats app. Apple is apparently prepping the music service to launch with a supposed iOS 8.4 update, though those plans could change, according to Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac:
Apple currently plans to launch the new music service as part of an iOS 8.4 upgrade for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch following WWDC, but a final decision has not yet been made. It’s possible that the service will be bundled into iOS 9 this fall, which is expected to have a significant focus on bug fixes and stability improvements.
Also evidently on track for this year is a new model of the Apple TV. Set to debut later in 2015, the new Apple TV is said to be slimmer, with a new remote and a new operating system.
Sources say that Apple is also finishing up work on a slimmer Apple TV set-top-box with a more capable and tactile remote control and a redesigned operating system bundled with an App Store.
Apple is reportedly hoping to debut the new box with new content deals in place, possibly including a web-based TV service.
Source: 9to5Mac
JxE Streams: Revisiting Rare with Xbox ‘Conker: Live & Reloaded’
Rare Ltd., the storied game developer Microsoft bought off Nintendo for a hefty sum at the beginning of the century, has started to stir again. After years of developing poorly received motion-control games like Kinect Sports, all while members of the original staff left for other studios, rumors were swirling that the team will return to its classic series from the ’90s. Conker, the foul-mouthed star of Conker’s Bad Fur Day on Nintendo 64, actually popped up as a guest star in Xbox One game creator Project Spark. Just today a Reddit poster, verified as a former Microsoft employee, said that the company has been trying to get a new Conker game off the ground for some time. No time like the present to dig into Conker: Live & Reloaded for the original Xbox on JxE Streams.
Starting at 3PM ET on Engadget.com/gaming and Twitch.tv/Joystiq, we’ll be playing two solid hours of the most juvenile, scatological game to ever make it out of Rare. Tim Seppala will play the game while Anthony John Agnello hangs out in the chat, answering your questions about how it feels to make a rodent smoke a cigar with a controller.
Want more streams? Make sure to check out the show schedule on Engadget.com/gaming and to follow us on Twitch.tv/Joystiq. Can’t catch the live broadcast? Check back right here after the show for a full archive of the stream.
[We’re playing a retail copy of Conker: Live & Reloaded on Xbox streamed through an Elgato Capture HD via OBS at 720p.]
Filed under: Gaming, HD, Microsoft
Source: Reddit
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