Sprint’s Direct 2 You hitting major metropolitan cities in early June
Sprint’s Direct 2 You service that provides store like experience at your place of convenience is coming to Miami, Chicago and Kansas City starting June 1. Customers in New York City, San Francisco and Denver can also call Sprint experts to deliver their new phones and set it up for them as part of Direct 2 You service from early June.
The Direct 2 You service will be available throughout the country by the end of the year. The free service can be accessed by fixing an appointment with a Sprint executive who will deliver your new phone at a location of your choosing. Not only will he deliver your product but he will also set it up and transfer all of their content, including contacts, pictures, videos and apps, from your old device to a new one.
“For the Direct 2 You experience, a customer schedules an appointment by calling an 800 number found at http://www.sprint.com/direct2you. At the appointed time, an expert meets the customer at his or her convenience, sets up the new phone and transfers all content, including contacts, pictures, games and apps. The experience also includes personalized training and tips to help the customer become more familiar with using their device,” a press release by Sprint read.
It is noteworthy that Sprint is providing this service in the comfort of your home, workplace or Starbucks – basically anywhere you want.
The post Sprint’s Direct 2 You hitting major metropolitan cities in early June appeared first on AndroidGuys.
‘Audiobooks for Audible’ iOS App Gains CarPlay Support [iOS Blog]
Popular audiobooks service Audible today announced CarPlay support for its iOS app, allowing iPhone users who have CarPlay to listen to their Audible audiobooks in their vehicles. Audiobooks for Audible is the second audiobook app available for CarPlay, following in the footsteps of Audiobooks.com, which added CarPlay support to its iOS app back in March. Apple will also be introducing its own Audiobooks app for CarPlay with the debut of iOS 8.4.
With the addition of CarPlay support, Audible becomes one of a handful of third-party apps to work with Apple’s in-car infotainment system. Apple has maintained strict control over CarPlay apps due to safety concerns, allowing only certain audio-based apps to work with the feature. Other available CarPlay apps include iHeartRadio, Rdio, Spotify, Overcast, Stitcher, AtBat, CBS Radio, and Umano.
CarPlay availability remains limited as many automobile manufacturers have yet to introduce the system into their vehicles, though many have pledged to debut support in 2015/2016 models. CarPlay is mainly accessible through third-party infotainment systems from companies like Alpine and Pioneer.
Along with CarPlay support, today’s Audible update also brings design changes and feature improvements to the iPhone and iPad apps.
– Lock Screen/Control Center – Previously, the Lock Screen/Control Center buttons were always chapter forward/back, even if your settings were for 30-second forward/back. Now, your lock screen/Control Center will feature the correct icons.
– Sleep Timer – There is now a “Reset Timer” option after the sleep timer ends, reducing the number of taps from 4 to 2.
– Sleep Timer – The fade-out returns.
– Discover – On iPhone, we’ve updated the visual design by removing the dark overlay and going to a grid.
– Discover – On iPad, we’ve replaced “Discover” with a true browse experience (it used to just be search). It should now mirror the iPhone version.
– When you sample a book from a book detail page in “Discover” or search, it now plays in the player. This allows you to leave the detail page and still listen to the sample.
– New Tab Bar – We moved Settings into the main navigation and created an overflow menu (on iPhone) for the items that no longer fit on the main tab.
Audiobooks from Audible can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Video Review: Pronto Turns Your iPhone Into a Smart Universal Remote [iOS Blog]
Pronto is a small hub that’s able to turn your iPhone into a universal remote, allowing it to control a range of electronics and devices within your home using 360 degree infrared. The Pronto connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth and works with an accompanying Peel Smart Remote app, which provides the remote interface and lets you see what’s on television through an included guide.
As you can see in our video review below, the Peel app and the Pronto work together well, and with the included IR extension cable, you can put devices out of sight without losing the infrared connection.
Pronto is compatible with a huge number of televisions, Blu-ray players, DVD players, and set top boxes. It can connect to and control almost any television set, and it works with the Apple TV, Roku players, and more. Compatibility information is available on the company’s website.
The Peel app includes simple controls for all devices and it makes it easy to switch between each one. There are also profiles available for different rooms, so the iPhone and Pronto pairing can essentially replace all of the remotes in the house.
Smart remotes have been around for ages, and many technology companies already offer apps allowing the iPhone to control things like televisions and media players, but the Pronto goes one step further and lets you control all of your devices with one app. It’s quite similar to Logitech’s line of Harmony smart remotes, but without some of the bells and whistles and with a lower price.
The Pronto can be purchased from Best Buy or NewEgg for $49.99.
President Obama gets his own Twitter account: @POTUS
The President of the United States of America is one of the most powerful people in the world. Now, whoever holds that office also has a Twitter account to match. The White House announced today that @POTUS is the official handle for the commander in chief. As you’re probably well aware, President Barack Obama already has a Twitter account that’s quite active, however his campaign manages that feed. With this new username, updates will come directly from the president himself as he continues working to make “his Administration the most open and participatory in history.” The new account goes nicely with @FLOTUS and @VP, and all three will get new owners in 2017 as the next election cycle approaches.
Hello, Twitter! It’s Barack. Really! Six years in, they’re finally giving me my own account.
– President Obama (@POTUS) May 18, 2015
Filed under: Internet
Source: The White House, @POTUS
The top 15 smartphones you can buy right now
It’s been a while since we took time out to list our favorite smartphones, which means we’ve had to make more than a few updates to our buyer’s guide. Big players like LG, HTC, Samsung and Motorola have unleashed a flurry of updates to their previous lines, and in most cases the devices are better for it. The G Flex2 has restored our confidence in LG’s curvacious form factor, piling on strong internals and improved specs. Samsung stepped up its game for the with the gorgeous Galaxy S6, while HTC built on the success of its One line to bring us the M9. Motorola added LTE to the Moto E for 2015 and partnered with Google to launch the super-sized Nexus 6. There are plenty of options for all budgets and power requirements, so cruise through the gallery or head over to our buyer’s guide for help picking out your next daily driver.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Sony, Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, Google, LG
Facebook wants to put games in Messenger after all
Contrary to previous reports, it appears Facebook is still toying with the idea of featuring games in Messenger. According to The Information, the social network plans to strengthen its instant messaging platform by adding games, as it looks to find a fresh, more lucrative source of revenue. Facebook’s already said to be working with developers to roll this out; Ilya Sukhar, an executive leading the project, confirmed the talks to the news outlet, though he didn’t specify when we could see the changes take place. While you wait for that to happen, keep enjoying your GIFs, emojis and all the other tidbits Facebook’s chat ecosystem has to offer at the moment.
Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Software, Mobile, Facebook
Source: The Information
Google unveils two new budget-friendly Chromebooks for India
Google has just introduced two new sub-$250 Chromebooks, which are now available for purchase online in India. Manufactured by Nexian and Xolo, these Chromebooks will offer consumers an inexpensive alternative to other low-cost laptops available in the country.
Both new devices feature essentially the same specifications, with an 11.6-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1366 x 768, a 1.8GHz quad-core Cortex-A17 processor, a Mali-T764 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of on-board storage, a 4200mAh battery and a 1MP 720p built-in webcam. Of course, both Chromebooks also have expandable memory and come with 100GB of Google Drive storage space for two years.
The Nexian Chromebook will normally retail for ₹13,499 ($212), though it’s currently available on Amazon for the sale price of ₹12,999. The Xolo Chromebook is now available through Snapdeal for just ₹12,999, as well.
Google also explained that more budget-friendly Chromebooks will be available in India sometime soon from manufacturers such as Asus, Samsung and a number of other Indian hardware makers.
Asus ZenFone 2 hits U.S. retailers tomorrow, starting at $199
Last month we learned that Asus would finally be launching the ZenFone in the United States on May 18th – that day has finally arrived! At a special launch event, Asus revealed that the ZenFone 2 will be available for purchase starting tomorrow, May 19th, through Newegg, Amazon, and several other major retailers.
Two models of the ZenFone 2 will be made available: the base version featuring 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z3560 processor, 2GB RAM, and 16GB storage for $199; or $299 for the even higher-end model featuring a 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage.
Best budget Android phones
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Regardless of which model you choose, you’ll get the same 5.5-inch 1080p display, a 3000 mAh battery with quick charging, a microSD slot, a 13MP rear cam, 5MP front cam, and Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI on top. You’ll also have a choice between red, black, silver, or gray colors.
Considering both handsets feature near flagship level performance at sub $300 pricing, the Asus ZenFone 2 joins the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 in being one of the best budget phones that you’ll find in the North American market. Be sure to check out our full review for more details on the ZenFone 2.
HTC One M9 not getting a ‘mini’ version
The HTC One (M7) and One (M8) both had ‘mini’ versions with watered-down specifications released at lower prices. Their displays measured 4.3 inches and 4.5 inches, respectively. The One Mini was released in July 2013 and the One Mini 2 arrived in May 2014. If the company were to do the same with the One M9, we would expect the One Mini 3 relatively soon. However, Jack Tong of HTC North Asia seemingly confirmed that the line of ‘mini’ versions is done.
Here is what Tong had to say regarding devices with displays measuring less than 5 inches:
“Overall the industry is moving towards new phones over 5 inches in size and our product roadmap is close to that of the industry.”
This year, in addition to the One M9, HTC has released the One M9+ and One E9+, two devices that have displays above the 5-inch mark.
Source: Focus Taiwan
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Samsung rumored to release the Galaxy Note 5 earlier than normal to beat the iPhone 6s
Samsung continues to enjoy tremendous success with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, but things will change dramatically when Apple announces the iPhone 6s in the fall. Samsung usually announces their newest edition of the Note line in early September when IFA takes place, but they might change it up this year in order to get bigger head start.
According to the latest report, they will announce the new Galaxy Note 5 by the end of July, which is just a little over a month earlier than normal. If everything goes according to plan, they will have a completed prototype by the middle of June. Supposedly they have confirmed the final specifications to global carriers with the instruction to take pre-orders before the end of July.
The carriers might know about those specs, but we can only guess. Based on the latest rumors, the Note 5 could have a 5.89-inch display, which is .20 inches bigger than the Note 4. There is also the belief that Samsung will offer a 4K (3840 x 2160) display, but I am not buying that one. You can also expect an Exynos processor similar to what is on the Galaxy S6. The Note series generally sports a much bigger battery, which is expected to be 4,100 mAh. Pack all of this in a rumored 7.9 mm body, and you have a winner. Of course, if you like to be edgy, Samsung will more than likely offer an Edge version of the phone too.
There is no question the Note 5 will will be cutting edge, but I am interested to see if they can improve upon the Galaxy S6’s camera? The other big question surrounds storage and the battery. Will Samsung drop the microSD card and battery swapping support? I guess we don’t have to wait for too long if this report is true. Let’s hope it is.
source: whowired
via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Samsung rumored to release the Galaxy Note 5 earlier than normal to beat the iPhone 6s
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