Kik Messenger updated with in-app browser and Material Design

Kik Messenger users, who now total more than two hundred million, can head to the Play Store and update their beloved messaging application. The latest version of the app removes the sidebar and replaces it with an in-app browser. Everything is now funneled into Kik Messenger rather than having to redirect users elsewhere. Kik Messenger also has a new look for users with Android 5.0 Lollipop devices. Within conversation, too, there are changes. Users have twenty-two chat bubble colors to choose from.

Hit the break for the changelog, gallery, and download links.

What’s New

8.2.0
– So long sidebar! Access your favorite webpages through the web button
– We’ve heard you loud and clear. Now you can choose from 22 different chat bubble colors

Play Store Download Link

Source: Kik

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This is how much the Galaxy S6 edge costs to make

It ain’t the cheapest phone to make out there.

According to an unreleased report, the 64 gigabyte version of the Galaxy S6 edge, specifically the Verizon model, costs about $290 to build and assemble. This is $34 higher per unit than the Galaxy S5 last year.

“Samsung is clearly studying Apple’s playbook by using things like metal enclosures and other design choices that are similar to Apple’s,” stated Andrew Rassweiler, analyst for IHS teardown research efforts. “The bottom line is that this phone costs less than the iPhone to buy, but it costs Samsung more to build.”

The curved screen on the edge smartphone is the most expensive factor when building it. The combination of the display and screen elements is $85 per unit by itself. The second mist expensive part of the phone is Samsung’s Exynos processor at $29.50 per unit, mainly because of the advanced use of 14-nanometer technology, which the only other company on the market with this type of chip is Intel. The 3GB DDR4 memory added in to the phone adds $27 per unit, which is the first time DDR4 has been used in a smartphone. Samsung’s own 64GB ROM storage costs $25, which is a huge profit grab for the company seeing how they add $100 for every storage option upgrade when retailing.

The Galaxy S6 edge unlocked costs $849 for 32GB, $949 for 64GB and $990 for 128GB.

via re/code

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Letv announces Le Superphone, Le latest smartphone to come from China.

Letv, which only a few days ago was an unheard of Chinese company, has today presented itself to the world by announcing Le Superphone, a premium looking device with the specs to match. Unfortunately though, chatter has shifted more to the social gaffe they performed when they compared Apple to Hitler in their teaser video that they used to promote Le Superphone. They have since apologized for the mistake, but will be a while before they can be known as something other than “that company that compares US companies to former leaders of tyrannical dictatorships.”

Thankfully for them though, Le Superphone seems like a great device what will definitely shift focus from their gaffe to the products that they have to offer. Le Superphone comes with a Snapdragon 810 processor, a high resolution display (Which they have yet to state how big it will be), a 21 MP rear camera and will be one of the first devices to use a reversible USB type-C port for charging.

Letv is eager to prove that they are capable of creating a great smartphone and not just making public gaffes

Le Superphone also comes with the distinct ability to be able to add a filter to the entire operating system. While we don’t necessarily see why that would be a needed feature, perhaps you may see it differently (Maybe if you are a huge fan of Instagram and you always wished that you could add a filter to more than just your photos.) The design looks remarkably similar to the HTC One series of smartphones, with the rounded corners, metal shell, and the camera placed in almost the exact same location. Whether this was done on purpose or by a very strange coincidence (Most likely on purpose), we will have to see. For more information regarding the Le Superphone, make sure to follow the link below.

Source: The Verge

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Texting and driving: the truth

When I was 18, and had been driving for less than a year, my grandma was at my house along with the rest of my dad’s family. She was a joy in our life, and we often teased her for her random comments and stories that typically didn’t make sense or relate to the conversation (this was an ongoing thing with her, unrelated to age, and she knew we did it in love).

That night, a topic about smartphones came up and became our discussion. Suddenly, my grandma blurted out “I saw on the news today someone got in a terrible accident because one of the drivers was Facebooking while driving!” We weren’t exactly sure what to do with the information, other than after a few quiet moments someone teased her about her random comments.

When everyone turned back to the discussion, my grandma grabbed my arm and said to me “If you ever do the Facebook or texting thing while you are driving, you will be in big trouble!” I smiled and accepted the word of advice, but didn’t think much of it as I didn’t consider that to be a problem I had.

Less than a year later, my grandma died due to cancer. That statement was one of the last things she said to just me. Now, I think about that statement whenever I get in the car.

As smartphones become a larger part of our society, more people take them for granted in any situation. Whether it be at the dinner table, in the movie theater, or in the car. While most of these situations present only a danger to social interaction, its using a smartphone while driving that presents a real danger.

Now I can sit here and give you statistics, or tell you that texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving, or that the minimum amount of time it takes for you to check that text message is equivalent to driving the length of a football field if driving at 55 MPH. But you’ve heard all of that (if you haven’t, just go here). The question that comes to my mind is, what haven’t you heard?

What I think most people haven’t heard is the truth. And I don’t mean statistics. I mean, what happens when you are texting and driving, and what would happen if it resulted in an accident, possibly fatal.

One of the things that people who text and drive say (or think) is “I know whats going on around me”. I don’t need to do research to say that’s not true. When you’re texting and driving, you are going too slow on the freeway. Or you’re not staying in your lane. More importantly, you’re not seeing the cars around you in order to drive defensively.

If you do this, think truthfully for a second: can you recall the brand and color of the cars that have driven around you while texting? Let me answer that for you: no.

Can you say for certain that you know how fast you were going while you were texting? I’ll answer that for you as well: no.

If you’ve been honked at while texting and driving, can you honestly tell me why you were honked at? I think you know what I’m getting at.

The truth is, only you know the truth. You KNOW that if you were to take a look at yourself, you cannot honestly admit that you are 100% aware of the road in front of AND around you.

For the record, this can go further than smartphones. Bluetooth headsets, smartwatches, car dashboards, and more. Just because you have both hands on the wheel doesn’t mean you are aware of the road.

If you’re sitting there shaking your head at me, then me dig in further: if you did get into an accident because you were texting while driving, what sort of affects would that have on your life? At minimum, you’re looking at spending money on fixing your car, which is significantly more than the money it cost to send that text. At maximum, you’re dead. Are your loved ones prepared for that? Are YOU prepared for that? I’ll go ahead and answer that for you as well: no.

The next time you’re in the car reaching for your phone to respond to your friend’s text asking if you’re on the way, think truthfully: would they rather not get an answer from you and see you when you get there, or would they rather get an answer from you and not see you, ever?

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Age of Wonders III for Windows PC gets huge Eternal Lords expansion and update

Leeo is now on Android – 25% off deal for orders through April 30!

Are you afraid of the dark AND not being able to help your home in case of a fire or carbon monoxide situation? Then you might want consider getting yourself a Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight.

This handy nightlight comes with some really nifty features that include being able to keep the monsters away when you sleep (we assume, as no monsters have attacked us since we got one..coincidence..maybe..), alerting you if a fire or carbon monoxide alarm goes off, and it can turn itself on whenever the lights get too dim thanks to its built in sensors.

It is also quite simple to use, all you have to do is plug it into a power outlet, download the Android companion app, and then sync up both devices. Simple and sweet. Also, if you order one right now and use promo code “android”, you can get 30% of until the end of April. Seems like a great deal for the security conscious.

For more information regarding the Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight, please follow the link below to head over to their official website.

Source: Leeo

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