ZTE launches the Blade S6 Plus globally on eBay
ZTE’s Blade S6 handset was just announced in January, carrying a Snapdragon 615 processor, LTE connectivity and Android 5.0 Lollipop. The company is back with its next handset in the Blade lineup, aiming its focus on the budget-friendly market. The Blade S6 Plus, which has just debuted globally on eBay, is now available for the temporary price of just $269.99 (£182.99, €252.99). After the launch sale is over, the price will jump up to its normal price of $299.99 (£199.99 and €276.99).
The Blade S6 Plus features a 5.5-inch 720p IPS LCD display, a 1.5GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor backed by 2GB of RAM and an Adreno 405 GPU. It has a 13MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera, 16GB of on-board storage and a big 3000mAh battery. It also has two Micro SIM card slots and runs ZTE’s MiFavor 3.0 software atop Android 5.0 Lollipop.
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The device is now available throughout most parts of the world including France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Poland and many more. While the United States isn’t specifically listed, you’ll be able to pick up the device in the U.S. by following the first link below.
- Ebay link – Russia, Brazil, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova
- Ebay link – Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
- Ebay link – United Kingdom
- Ebay link – France
- Ebay link – Spain
- Ebay link – Italy
Considering the price of the ZTE Blade S6 is just $50 less than this new version, the Blade S6 Plus may be a great option if you’re looking to save some cash on a decent smartphone. We reviewed the Blade S6 not too long ago, and you can check that out here. If you’re interested in picking up ZTE’s newest offering, you may want to do so before the price increases.
LaCie Review: Hands-On With the 4TB Rugged RAID Thunderbolt Hard Drive [Mac Blog]
LaCie’s new 4TB Rugged RAID Thunderbolt hard drive, first announced during CES, is the company’s latest product in its iconic Rugged collection. Like all of the Rugged products from LaCie, the Rugged RAID is encased in a bright orange rubber for maximum protection.
LaCie is calling its $419.99 Rugged RAID the one of the fastest HDs available on the market, with upload speeds that reach 240MB/s. It includes two 2TB hard drives with RAID 0/1 options to optimize for speed or data security, plus an integrated Thunderbolt cable.
The Rugged RAID Thunderbolt hard drive is available for purchase from LaCie.com beginning today, and ahead of the release, we went hands-on with it to give MacRumors readers a look at its design, speed, and features.
What’s in the Box?
The LaCie Rugged RAID ships with the 4TB hard drive itself, which includes a protective orange rubber cover, a spare port cover, a quick start guide, a USB cable, and a power adapter for use when the hard drive is plugged in via USB 3.0. There are also several plug adapters to accommodate travelers.
With Thunderbolt, the Rugged RAID is bus-powered and does not require the power adapter to function.
Design and Features
For a 4TB hard drive that’s also shock, dust, and water resistant, the LaCie Rugged RAID is impressively portable. It’s not that much bigger than LaCie’s existing Rugged hard drives, measuring in at 1.3 x 3.6 x 5.8 inches and weighing 1.2 pounds. At that size, it fits into a purse, bag, backpack, or suitcase for travel.
Read more 
Elon Musk hires an F1 expert to revolutionize Tesla’s pit stops
Elon Musk’s new battery swap stations can already refresh a Tesla Model S and put it back on the road in under three minutes, but now he has help in cutting that time to something even shorter. Today the CEO announced Tesla has hired from Formula 1 chief mechanic Kenny Handkammer to “revolutionize servicing mainstream cars.” Handkammer won championships with both Michael Shumacher and Sebastian Vettel during his 25 years in racing, and was the chief mechanic of the Red Bull F1 team when it set a world record in 2013 with a pit stop that took just 1.9 seconds — check after the break for a slow-mo look at a relatively leisurely 2.05 second stop.
Welcome @Chiefboltkennyh to @TeslaMotors. He will apply Formula 1 techniques to revolutionize servicing mainstream cars.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 6, 2015
He left Red Bull Racing last October as the team said it had found someone “better suited in the course of restructuring the team.” Currently struggling after lead driver Vettel moved over to Ferrari in the offseason, and with problems from engine provider Renault, Red Bull sits at sixth place in the constructors championship. What exactly can a race mechanic bring to standard road cars? We’re not entirely sure, but if Elon Musk’s next demo includes tire swaps at lightning speed then we’ll know who to thank.
[Image credit: Getty Images]
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Elon Musk (Twitter), Adam Cooper F1
Samsung fights fears of Galaxy S6 bending with a video
Sadly, the he-said-she-said disputes over bending smartphones aren’t ending any time soon. Samsung has responded to SquareTrade’s allegations that the Galaxy S6 Edge is easily bendable by posting a video that shows the official stress tests for both the Edge and the regular S6. As you might expect, both devices hold up in this company-sanctioned clip — they can withstand up to 79 pounds of force at three different points, which is enough to snap five pencils in half. Supposedly, this is more pressure than you’d put on your phone if it was in your back pocket. The Korean firm also notes that SquareTrade only tested on the front, not the back where tolerance levels are different.
Samsung is “confident” that the S6 won’t break in normal use, and it’s going so far as to ask SquareTrade to conduct new tests that include both the front and back sides. There’s no question that the tech giant is making this request in the name of damage control, and only wants to showcase tests that flatter its design skills. However, it has a point when it notes that SquareTrade’s demo, which placed a crushing 110 pounds of force on a single point, isn’t all that realistic. Simply put, take care of your phone and it shouldn’t deform — “bendgate” scandals may help drive video hits and warranty sales, but they’re rarely relevant in practice.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Via: The Verge
Source: Samsung Tomorrow
BlackBerry highlights enterprise customer success stories with new e-Book
For as long as I can remember, BlackBerry has always hosted customer success stories on the company homepage and often I wondered how many people actually read them or even noticed they were there, mainly because I felt as though there was a better way to promote the information they contain than just some page on their site that doesn’t really get called out in any huge way. Seems as though someone else was thinking along the same lines and now, BlackBerry has created a brand new e-Book to help highlight the fact that BlackBerry continues to win enterprise customers as noted on the Inside BlackBerry Business Blog.
New firmware for the Lumia 535 spotted on Navifirm, but contents unknown
When it comes to software updates on Windows Phones, there are two types: OS and firmware. OS updates can be big like some GDR releases while others can be minor, like the current 14234 build. The same applies to firmware, which usually improves some aspects of the hardware like the display or camera.
Some new firmware for the Lumia 535 dual-SIM has been spotted on Navifirm, which hosts the updates before being pushed through to Microsoft’s servers. The firmware version is 15114, up from 15053, which was released a few weeks ago, bringing improvements to the touch display on the Lumia 535.
You have a chance to beta test an upcoming Ghostbusters iPhone game
Developer Beeline and publisher Capcom are looking for beta testers for an upcoming iPhone game based on the Ghostbusters movie franchise.
Details about the iPhone game have not been revealed. Beeline has previously released a Ghostbusters-based iOS game in 2012. People who wish to be considered for this new game must take a survey which include questions on how often they play other mobile games like Clash of Clans and Trivia Crack.
There’s no word on when this new Ghostbusters game will be released, but it’s possible that it could be a tie-in to the next movie. It was recently announced that Bridesmaids director Paul Feig will start shooting a reboot of the franchise some this summer, with an all-female leading cast that will include Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon. It will be released in theaters in July 2016.
Source: Capcom
SurveyMonkey tries to offer insight into smartphone manufacturer brand loyalty
A new survey conducted by SurveyMonkey attempts to measure brand loyalty for a variety of technology industry companies. Some of those companies include smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung, with Microsoft even making an appearance. According to SurveyMonkey’s findings, Samsung managed to best Apple in terms of customer loyalty.
The industry benchmark for customer loyalty is a 19 and both Samsung and Apple managed to score higher than that, indicating consumers are ready to stick with their choices. Samsung scored a 35 while Apple scored a 28, which suggests owners of Samsung devices may be hard-pressed to make a switch to a different brand device. Meanwhile, Microsoft managed to score a -8 (yes, that is a negative number), so apparently consumers cannot wait to get rid of their Microsoft devices.
Although Samsung did better than Apple in terms of overall customer loyalty, the positions were reversed when it came to customer service satisfaction. On that scale, where the industry benchmark is 75, both Apple and Samsung fell far short with scores of 41 and 25. This seems to suggest there are a lot of unhappy people out there with Apple and Samsung devices who needed some type of support and could not get it or could not get it easily. Microsoft fared poorly in this measure as well, scoring only a 19.
Overall these companies did better than telecom and cable providers who saw all of their customer loyalty scores in the negative zone. However, AT&T, Verizon, DirecTV and Time Warner all managed to put up some better numbers when it came to customer service.
It should be no surprise that as smartphones and Internet/entertainment access increasingly become commodities that consumers feel less loyal to any particular brand. This also suggests that companies that can figure out how to offer exceptional customer service may be able to excel in such a market.
source: CNET
Come comment on this article: SurveyMonkey tries to offer insight into smartphone manufacturer brand loyalty
Google working on small wireless network project in overseas markets
Sources have revealed that Google is engaged in talks with Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, owner of U.K. wireless carrier Three, to establish a “small scale” mobile network. The network does not appear to be one that consumers could sign up for regular service, serving instead as a means for U.S. travelers to use their phones while traveling abroad without incurring expensive international charges. Ultimately the wireless service in overseas locations would be tied back to Google’s attempt to create a U.S.-based mobile network to compete with the existing major carriers.
The ability to offer international calling and data support at no-cost or at a very low cost would put Google in a position to put some pressure on U.S. carriers. Sources suggest Google is interested in driving major carriers to reduce their pricing for services so the profit margin is more in line with overseas carriers. This makes sense for Google who would want access to be as cheap as possible so as to keep more customers online using Google services.
Besides the price pressure Google may eventually bring to bear, sources think Google’s move may also put more pressure on carriers to create more extensive coverage with WiFi based hotspots. Consumers may also see more pressure on carriers to reduce or eliminate roaming charges. Three is already pushing for their elimination and it appears European regulators may be planning to address the issue as well.
source: The Telegraph
Come comment on this article: Google working on small wireless network project in overseas markets
PLAY BALL! The best baseball apps for the 2015 season
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It’s back! Baseball season gets underway this week and we couldn’t be happier. Why? Because, for one, it signals the warm weather is finally ready to stick around. Also, because we love very few things more than going to the ballpark and enjoying a hot dog and some nachos.
As we’ve done in the past, we have gathered up some of the best Android baseball apps around to help get you ready for the 2015 season. Some of what you’ll find are officially licensed MLB apps, some are catch-all sports apps or fantasy baseball-related, and others just kinda fill in the gaps.
MLB.com At Bat
The official Major League Baseball has been around for a few years now but it keeps getting better. Updated in early April, the app features a redesigned widget, Material Design principles, and Chromecast support.
Phone users will enjoy the 30 team pages and league-wide scoreboard while tablet owners may appreciate the featured team option with scores, news, videos, and more.
ESPN Fantasy Baseball
For those of you who don’t have a particular team to follow, or who like to keep things interesting, ESPN’s official fantasy baseball app is here to help. Keep an eye on multiple teams or leagues; watch live MLB scores, and access news, videos, and more. Put together some head-to-head matchups to see who might make the cut next week and who will be riding the pine.
ESPN
The first name in sports television programming, this one is super obvious. Not only are you gonna get baseball but this one’s got pretty much every sport under the sun. Get real-time updates on games, scores, and breaking news. Previously called ScoreCenter, the app also lets users watch live programming.
MLB.com Ballpark
Plan to take in a few ball games at the stadium this season? You’ll want to have this app installed on your smartphone or tablet as it’s the perfect companion. Check in at the stadium and you’ll find all sorts of wonderful things, including maps for concession stands, seat guides, and mobile food ordering (at select ballparks). Before heading off to watch a game you can also check team schedules, pull up driving directions, follow teams on social media, and more.
WatchESPN
As if the name of the app isn’t clear enough, this one lets users watch ESPN programming live from their mobile device. You’ll have continuous coverage and access to a number of ESPN channels so you can stay on top of every major broadcast. You’ll need to ensure your service provider plays nicely with WatchESPN but it’s the best way to get your fix. Indeed, this one works year ’round and allows for watching of MLB, college football and basketball, and Monday Night Football (NFL).
ESPN Radio
Can’t get yourself in front of a TV to watch the big game or to catch up on the day’s events? Why not listen to live play-by-play of games directly from ESPN?
With more than three dozen radio stations from around the country, you’ll also be able to tune in to shows like The Michael Kay Show, Mike and Mike in the Morning, and more.
Updated every twenty minutes, you can also listen to an OnDemand episode of SportsCenter. Also, a recent update lets users create custom playlists and stations centered around sports, specific teams, players, and other topics.
theScore: Sports & Scores
Follow any major sports team, event, or player, including your fantasy teams and receive push notifications of scores, end of innings, and key moments. You can create a stream (Feed) and keep an eye on all sorts of wonderful things, including scores, real-time details, and stats. The home screen widget makes it easy to check scores at a glance and the lock screen widget puts it one step closer to your fingertips.
Yahoo Sports
A one-stop-shop for all sports, we like having this one around during baseball season. Log into your Yahoo account and sync up your settings, history, and other details without breaking a sweat. New to Yahoo? You’ll enjoy the clean look that feels very current on today’s Android UI. Follow stats, scoreboards, schedules, players, teams, and much more; news articles written by Yahoo staff keep you in the know.
CBS Sports
Another one of those catch-all sports app, this one provides live radio and video for broadcasts, including baseball. Additionally, you’ll find news, scores, calendars, push notifications, and more. Works nicely with Android TV, making it a fun one to have on in the background.
Yahoo Fantasy Sports
Join an existing league or create your own for not only baseball but for a number of other sports, too. Need to brush up and test yourself before going into the real deal? Try one of the mock drafts and see how you fare. Check on your team and players throughout the day, set matchups, and peek at the overall standings to see where you rank. Head to the message boards to get your smack talk on or to ask other managers for help.
Team Stream by Bleacher Report
A fun one to have around all year, this is a mobile version of the Bleacher Report experience. Follow your favorite teams, get news and updates, check scores, browse stats, and pretty much anything else you might expect. Set alerts for specific teams so you’re up to the moment on what’s going on; turn them off to avoid spoilers while out and about. If you don’t need to watch games live or care much for super drilled-down details, you’ll enjoy this one.
365Scores: Live Sports Scores
By using news and reports from services such as Yahoo and ESPN, this app features a great curated stream of updates. Toss in some personal settings for leagues, sports, and teams and you’ve got a really nice experience for the baseball season. We really like the notification system and appreciate being able to toggle push alerts for specific games.
FOX Sports Mobile
While it could certainly use a visual refresh, the FOX branded experience still delivers the goods. Get your news, updates, videos, photos, stats, scoreboards, and standings; it’s a nice app to have for all-around sports enthusiasts. Get commentary and analysis from FOX Sports personalities and writers and keep an eye on your local FSN cable broadcasts.
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