Motorola’s holding a two-day sale for its top devices in the UK
If the latest flagships from Samsung and HTC haven’t impressed you, now might be a good time to reconsider a Motorola phone. Starting at midnight on May 18th, the company is holding a 48-hour flash sale with hefty discounts on the Moto X, Nexus 6 and Moto 360 smartwatch. The Moto X is being cut by £96, pushing the 16GB model down to £299 and the 32GB version to £339. The gargantuan Nexus 6, meanwhile, is being dropped to £449 (32GB) and £519 (64GB), which is just £30 less than the current asking price.
We’ve seen a few signs pointing to a Moto 360 successor, so a price drop on the original isn’t too surprising. A device with a model number similar to the Moto 360 cropped up recently, and Lenovo’s CEO was spotted earlier this year with a briefcase full of smartwatch prototypes. In next week’s flash sale, the original Moto 360 is being cut to £150 — a 25 percent reduction, or a £50 saving. It’s a sizeable discount and signals an intent by Motorola to quickly clear out stock. Of course, it’s not a permanent price-drop, but we wouldn’t be shocked to see a bevy of similar sales in the coming months.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables
Source: Motorola
Qualcomm brings Bluetooth streaming and new features to AllPlay
Qualcomm has announced that some new improvements are heading to its AllPlay WiFi streaming platform, promising Bluetooth support and a range of new options for manufacturers. If you haven’t heard of AllPlay before, it’s essentially a wireless audio streaming platform designed to ensure compatibility across a range of mobile and speaker products.
As for what’s new, Bluetooth and analog audio inputs are now supported. Furthermore, this means that a Bluetooth audio-stream can be distributed to other devices or speakers via WiFi, allowing for a wide range of products to be used in a single setup. In other words, you can stream audio from your smartphone to a Bluetooth compatible speaker, which will then re-stream the data to multiple WiFi compatible speakers, removing the Bluetooth restriction of one-to-one streaming. Pretty neat.
Qualcomm is also making new features available to hardware and software manufacturers, for consideration in future and existing products. AllPlay will now support manufacturer customizable equalization and channel select capabilities, synchronization between products can be made to take place in under 100 microseconds, and future AllPlay devices will be able to take line-in signals from external audio gear and stream the signal to other speakers via WiFi.
ASUSTeK, Vestel and Magnat have all announced plans to introduce AllPlay products and Hitachi has announced three Wi-Fi AllPlay speakers which will enable users to stream from both local and cloud-based audio sources. The Hitachi speakers will be made available in the US later this month, but pricing has not been confirmed.
Qualcomm Bolsters AllPlay Smart Media Platform with New Features for Streaming Music Wirelessly Throughout the Home
New features include Bluetooth® to Wi-Fi streaming, custom audio settings and optimized synchronization
SAN DIEGO and SAN FRANCISCO, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) has announced major feature additions to the Qualcomm® AllPlay™ smart media platform including Bluetooth® to Wi-Fi re-streaming, custom audio settings and optimized synchronization. Additionally, Hitachi America, Ltd. today announced the launch of three Wi-Fi speakers powered by AllPlay.
AllPlay provides consumers with multiple streaming options, including a new feature to combine both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi whole home streaming. Now, all local or cloud-based music on a consumer’s smartphone can be streamed to any Bluetooth-compatible AllPlay speaker and then re-streamed over Wi-Fi to multiple AllPlay speakers, all in synch. This allows simple wireless connectivity to individual speakers or an entire home audio system over the user’s existing home Wi-Fi network. This functionality provides a distinct advantage over Bluetooth-only speakers, which are limited to one-to-one streaming.
The Hitachi Wi-Fi speakers offer seamless streaming of high-quality local and cloud-based audio content – with the high performance and versatility of Wi-Fi and the convenience of Bluetooth. They will be available nationwide at a US retailer later this month at three affordable price points.
“Our adoption of the Qualcomm AllPlay platform for our networked audio portfolio further showcases our commitment to bringing consumers products with truly exceptional sound quality, reliability and ease-of-use in the wireless whole-home audio category,” said Bill Whalen, Director Product Development, Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division. “We’re dedicated to providing consumers with easy to use, high-quality audio products – and the AllPlay platform allows us to do just that.”
“The range and capacity of Wi-Fi coupled with the ubiquity of Bluetooth is a game-changing combination for manufacturers and consumers alike,” said Sy Choudhury, senior director of product management, Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc. “AllPlay device manufacturers like Hitachi and Monster, which introduced its SoundStage line of AllPlay-powered speakers at Best Buy last month, can now offer their customers more connectivity options and access to myriad streaming services throughout their home with this new capability.”
Additional features available for manufactures to evaluate later this month are:
Custom Audio Settings: Manufactures now have more ways to differentiate their products and provide their customers with greater control over their wireless music experiences with custom sound equalization settings and channel selection capabilities.
Optimized Synchronization: To meet the performance demands for true stereo and multi-channel wireless audio in the home, AllPlay now supports synchronization between devices of under 100 microseconds, making the platform suitable for both multi-room and multi-channel wireless audio streaming.
Line-in to Wi-Fi Re-streaming: Manufacturers can now build devices powered by AllPlay that take in audio from line-in sources, such as CD players or turntables, with the ability to re-stream to other AllPlay speakers around the home.
In addition to the platform advances, even more audio equipment manufacturers have announced plans to introduce AllPlay products, including ASUSTeK, Vestel and Magnat.
The AllPlay platform is built upon the AllJoyn® software framework, an open source software and services framework and collaborative open source project of the AllSeen Alliance. AllJoyn enables hardware manufacturers and software developers to create interoperable products that can discover, connect and communicate directly with other AllJoyn-enabled products.
For more information on AllPlay please visit http://www.qualcomm.com/allplay.
Video: here’s Android 5.1.1 running on the Sony Xperia Z3
Sony has already updated many of its smartphones to Android 5.0 Lollipop, but now we’re looking forward to the jump to 5.1 and a new video shows us what to expect.
The video from Chilean website Wayerless (via Xperia Blog) is a brief walk through the updated interface of what appears to be the Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603). Among the changes that we can spot are some new animations, flatter icons in the settings menu, the name change of the Walkman app to simply Music, and of course, the improved quick settings tiles that let you connect through WiFi or Bluetooth without going through the settings.
Sony began rolling out Lollipop to its devices in March, starting with the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. Like with Samsung and HTC devices, the Android 5.1 update (released by Google on March 9) is expected to hit Sony devices this summer – in August, according to some reports.
Next Xiaomi Redmi rumors: 1080p, octa-core and Isocell camera
Xiaomi’s popular Redmi series of handsets could be in for another revision, if the recent leak from @Upleaks is to be believed. Known as the Xiaomi H3Y or Hermes for now, the next potential entry in the Redmi series could end up housing some interesting hardware.
Although the display size isn’t known yet, the rumor suggests that the phone will arrive with a 1920×1080 display resolution. Previous Redmi devices have shipped with a 720p 4.7 inch display, so the bump up to fullHD would provide a boost to the viewing experience.
The processing package looks to be a MediaTek MT6795, also known as the Helio X10, which is a 28nm octa-core chip utilizing a familiar 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 set-up arranged in two clusters of four. This is backed up with 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM.
Interestingly, the handset is also said to feature a Samsung Isocell image sensor, suggesting that Xiaomi could be the first third party manufacturer to make use of Samsung’s in-house camera technology. The rear camera will come in at 13 megapixel, while the front facing camera will be a 5 megapixel OmniVision sensor.
Other potential features include dual-SIM card support, a familiar entry in the series, along with a metallic body and either an Android 5.0 or 5.1 version of Xiaomi’s MIUI 6 software.
Based on this leaked, the next Redmi handset could help to bridge the gap between the series and the company’s other high-end productions. Xiaomi has been steadily releasing new smartphones this year, including its budget friendly Mi 4i and high-end Mi Note Pro, Would this new Redmi device be a welcome addition to the line-up?
‘Divinity: Original Sin’ casts its classic RPG spell on consoles
Lots of people thought that Diablo 3 wouldn’t have been possible on consoles and it proved the best version of the title. Now it’s time to see if the same holds true of last year’s breakout role-playing game Divinity: Original Sin in the form of an Enhanced Edition. The decidedly old-school RPG’s getting a revamped interface, split-screen couch co-op and full-on voice work throughout for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The tweaks don’t stop there either, as it’s also getting some new quests among others along with tweaks to the combat system (likely to accommodate gamepads) and story.
If you were worried about the Kickstarted fantasy game abandoning its PC roots for the console peasants, backers get access to Enhanced Edition as part of a free update across Linux, Mac, SteamOS and Windows. When it all happens isn’t immediately clear, but developer Larian Studios teases more info will come at next month’s Electronics Entertainment Expo.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD
BT under pressure to sort out super-slow broadband installations
We all want super-fast internet in our homes, but for many people that’s borderline impossible, because there’s no fibre optic infrastructure in their area. When they’re told that a connection is finally available, it can also feel like forever before engineers set up the line. If you’ve been in a similar situation, then you might be interested in Ofcom’s latest proposals. The regulator is considering new rules that would force Openreach, a BT-owned division that manages UK broadband connections, to react to customer orders faster.
In 2014, Openreach failed to meet the broadband delivery date it had promised to customers in 55 percent of cases. Ofcom’s proposals would force them to make their targets in 80 percent of cases by 2016, followed by 85 percent by 2017 and 90 percent by 2018. The regulator is also considering a new maximum length of time between a customer pressing order and their connection being ready. At the moment, it takes Openreach roughly 46 working days to prepare a line — up from 40 days in 2011. Ofcom’s proposals would set the 46-day figure as an absolute upper limit, effectively banning the company from taking longer. The figure would then be reduced to 40 working days in 2017.
They’re small changes, but ones that could improve the availability of fibre optic broadband. Today, Ofcom is opening its proposals up to consultation; following feedback, it’ll make a decision early next year, before putting it into effect in April 2016.
[Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Filed under: Internet
Source: Ofcom
European carriers could block internet ads for their own benefit
While advertising has become a necessary evil, some companies have become specialists in helping you rid yourself of it. If you live in Europe, you could soon find help from an unlikely ally, after a Financial Times report noted that some operators are ready to block ads from Google, Microsoft and Yahoo on your smartphone. According to the newspaper, one European carrier has already installed ad-blocking software in its data centers, with the intention of deploying it before the end of the year. Other providers have reportedly indicated that they may do the same and would ask customers to opt-in to the service.
Although you’d hope that carriers were acting in your best interests, that is (almost) never the case. The software is developed by an Israeli company called Shine, which just so happens to have received investment from Li Ka-shing, the world’s richest man and owner of telecoms giant Hutchison Whampoa. As the biggest internet ad company, Google is the obvious target, and by stripping its ads from webpages and some apps (Facebook and Twitter’s in-feed units would be unaffected), the unnamed carriers in question could then force the company to share some of its revenue with them.
It’s a dangerous game, especially because it would go against the very notion of net neutrality, which ensures that all traffic is treated equally. Google is obviously against the idea, intimating to the FT that without ads, it could affect the development of its free apps and web services. However, Google, Amazon and Microsoft may have set a dangerous precedent when they paid to have some of their sites unblocked in Adblock Plus — now they may face even greater pressure from companies with a lot more influence (and much bigger budgets).
[Image credit: Adam Fagen, Flickr]
Source: Financial Times
HTC is “looking closely” at affordable tablets, as rumor about H7 tablet surfaces
HTC may be interested in launching an affordable tablet, following its return to the market with the Nexus 9.
Talking to Chinese media at the Taiwan launch of the One M9+, HTC North Asia boss Jack Tong said the company is “looking closely” at the entry-level and mid-tier tablet market.
“There is less room for product differentiation and a fierce price war, so we must be very cautious about running that business. We will see if we can get better returns on smartphones or other businesses. But we are looking closely at it,” Tong said.
Tong did not confirm or deny that HTC has an affordable tablet coming down the pike, but his statement is a reversal from what he said in November, when he hinted that HTC was interested in the upper segment of the market.
Tong’s comment seems to be related to a rumor started by @upleaks and picked up by several websites earlier this week. HTC is working on a low-end tablet device codenamed H7 that should launch in Q2 (by the end of June), according to @upleaks, who has a solid track-record with HTC rumors. No other details about the H7 are known.
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HTC has long been rumored to be working on self-branded tablets, to profit from the positive exposure generated by the launch of the Google co-branded Nexus 9. We were expecting a new HTC tablet much sooner, to be honest; almost eight months after the Nexus 9’s release, HTC has done little to take advantage of the opportunity. In short, the Nexus 9 has not become the launch pad we hoped it would be.
Tablet sales are waning, as large smartphones are making them less interesting and laptops have refused to fade away, as post-PC theoreticians have predicted. Still, HTC can still reap some benefits out of the tablet business, especially now that the company is launching new product categories in order to wean itself off smartphones.
Amazon deals: Kingston microSD 51% off, MEElectronics Air Fi 60% off, Baytek powerbank 66% off
Hello deal hunters, here are a couple of interesting promos we’ve spotted for you on Amazon today.
Kingston microSD cards
If you’re looking for some microSD memory to supplement your device’s storage space, Kingston microSD cards are currently discounted by around 50% on Amazon. The deal includes the 16, 32, and 64 GB size options of the Class-10 Kingston Digital microSD card, which has an excellent 4.7 stars review average. We’ve seen better deals for microSD cards before, but this still looks like a good promo if you need one right now.
- Get a 16GB Kingston Digital microSD card for $9.99 (47% off)
- Get a 32GB Kingston Digital microSD card for $18.99 (51% off)
- Get a 64GB Kingston Digital microSD card for $38.99 (51% off)
UE MINI BOOM wireless speakers
Next up, two color options of the UE MINI BOOM wireless speaker are still on sale. These well-reviewed speakers feature deep bass and loud sound and a battery that’s good for up to 10 hours of playback. 4.4 stars review average. The black and red models are currently discounted by 30% off their regular price.
MEElectronics Air Fi Runaway headphones
If a nice pair of headphones is what you’re after, you may be interested in the MEElectronics Air Fi Runaway wireless/wired headphones, currently available in several paint schemes for 60% off their regular price. With an average review score of 4.2, these headphones feature 40mm drivers, built-in microphone, a sportsy collapsible design (travel bag included), and the ability to be used over Bluetooth or wire.
Batyek 3,000 mAh battery
Finally, if you’re craving an external battery that’s more stylish than average, Amazon is also discounting the Baytek 3,000 mAh powerbank. Made of real wood and averaging a 4.7 stars review score, this Baytek powerbank isn’t the best bang for the buck, if you’re just looking for capacity. But if you just want an attractive, tiny (1-in wide, 4-in long) battery that you can easily carry in your pocket to get you through your daily commute, it’s a great option. Adding the AP87DCFY promo code at check out will bring down the price of the Baytek 3,000 mAh to just $9.99.
That’s it – let us know if you like any of the deals and drop us a line if you find other good offers!
Google’s unique self-driving cars will hit public streets this summer
Almost a year after it unveiled its first self-driving bubble car prototype, Google is finally ready to take it off the test track and let it loose on California’s public roads. In fact, the search giant says it has a “few” models ready to embark on the next phase of testing, which will see vehicles with removable steering wheels, accelerator and brake pedals undergo the same testing that its modified self-driving Lexus RX450h SUVs went through.
After its safety practises were called into question earlier this week, Google is keen to reinforce the amount of testing it’s already performed. For starters, the prototypes have already racked up “nearly a million autonomous miles” on its test tracks and have recently been driving 10,000 miles on their own each week. Although the idea is for the cars to operate completely free from human interaction, Google says the removable controls are there for a safety driver to take over if things get a bit hairy.
When they do hit the streets of Mountain View, the prototypes will be limited to 25mph. Although they’re controlled by the same systems already in use inside its Lexus test models, Google says it wants to “uncover challenges that are unique to a fully self-driving vehicle.” This will certainly include monitoring stopping distances and whether it can navigate its way through a congested area, but it will also help the public familiarize themselves with the vehicles. Google may have already overcome the technological obstacles, but ensuring they’re accepted by Californians may be an even bigger challenge.
Filed under: Transportation, Google
Via: Re/code
Source: Google Blog
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