Vodafone pushes value with its latest own-brand 4G phone and tablet
‘Tis the season of own-brand device launches, it seems. A couple of weeks ago, EE announced its new range of in-house products, including two smartphones, and today it’s Vodafone’s turn to show what low-cost hardware it’s been cooking up of late. Joining last year’s Smart 4 power/turbo handsets and the more recent Smart 4 max is the new middle child: the Smart prime 6. With a 5-inch, 720p display, 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410, 1GB of RAM, 8 gigs of storage and 8-/2-megapixel cameras, it’s not the most exciting of devices. That said, it’s 4G-ready, loaded with Android 5.0 Lollipop and comes in at £79 on pay-as-you-go, or free on contracts from £17 per month.
That’s mighty cheap, but if our time with the Smart 4 power told us anything, it’s that you’ll want to check out the prime 6 in-store if its price has picqued your interest. The Smart 4 power was over-priced (though it’s dropped considerably post-launch), underwhelming, and cumbersome at 162g. The Smart prime 6 isn’t exactly light at 156g, but we’ll have to reserve judgement on what it’s actually like in use. Perhaps Vodafone has learnt some lessons from its previous own-brand devices, or maybe you’ll be getting exactly what you pay for: a cheap smartphone.
The Smart prime 6 isn’t the only new in-house handset from Vodafone. The Smart first 6 is also fresh off the production line, with low-end specifications in tow. Granted, it’s only £40 on pay-as-you-go, but with no 4G radio, it might be one to avoid. More interesting is the Smart Tab prime 6, Vodafone’s latest own-brand tablet since the Smart Tab 4G. The slate’s 4G-ready itself, of course, and sports a large, 9.6-inch 1280 x 800 display. Other key features of the tablet, which runs Android 5.0 Lollipop, include a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 16GB of on-board storage and a 4,600mAh battery. It’s available now for free on contracts starting at £21 per month, or for a relatively reasonable £150 lump sum on pay-as-you-go.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile
Source: Vodafone
ZTE will bring its impressive voice control feature to its entire range
One of the distinctive features of ZTE’s Star 2 smartphone is its voice control functionality, which lets the user accomplish a variety of tasks with simple spoken commands. ZTE revealed it will be bringing the feature to its other devices, as a “core focus” for the company moving forward.
In a memo sent out to staff yesterday, ZTE Mobile Devices CEO Adam Zeng said the Star 2’s voice functionality has been garnering positive reactions since its release in December. This warm reception prompted ZTE to include voice recognition in its long-term mobile strategy:
Over the next few years, we will implement our voice control technology across all ZTE devices. While we will continue to develop our Star series and voice control technology in unison, we will no longer limit our competitive strength to this series alone. Stay tuned for more exciting updates over the next few months.
Zeng said that the experience, mature technology, and partner relationships are ZTE’s advantages over competitors developing similar products. The Chinese giant has been working on voice recognition for the past four years, collaborating with big names like Audience, Nuance, Alibaba, and Baidu.
.rvs_wrapper
width: 335px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
.rvs_wrapper
width: 100%;
text-align: center;
#page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
display: inline-block;
float: none;
vertical-align: top;
Our Gary Sims was impressed with the Voice Assistant feature of the ZTE Star 2 in his in-depth review. The phone listens for commands like “call mom” or “open Twitter” and it works even when the phone is offline and sleeping. Unlike in some other implementations, you can train your phone to listen to any wake-up phrase and you can even set “magic words,” which are commands that don’t need a wake-up phrase to work.
It remains to be seen if ZTE will be able to differentiate its solution and turn it into a real selling point. Users already have an excellent alternative in Google Now, but, thanks to its control over hardware and software, ZTE may be able to offer a superior experience.
U.S. Cellular offers the LG Logo for $99 on its Simple Connect Prepaid plans
With all the flagship smartphones being released recently, it’s easy to forget that not everyone is in the market for such high-end devices. With that in mind, U.S. Cellular are offering its prepaid customers the wallet-friendly LG Logos handset for $99.
While the LG Logos is a fairly low-end handset, it still sports some impressive features that can be seen on the recently announced G4 such as Gesture Shot and Glance view. The LG logos runs Android version 5.0 Lollipop and is available on U.S. Cellular’s Simple Connect Prepaid plans.
Specifications:
- 4.7-Inch HD IPS Display
- 1.2GHz Quad-Core processor
- 8GB Internal Storage
- MicroSD card support (up to 32GB)
- 5MP HD rear camera with AutoFocus and Flash
- 1MP Front camera
- WiFi Capable
- 4G/LTE connectivity
- Bluetooth 4.1
- Battery: 2,100mAh (Removable)
Source: U.S. Cellular
Come comment on this article: U.S. Cellular offers the LG Logo for $99 on its Simple Connect Prepaid plans
Belkin Partners with Cree to Bring WeMo Support to Connected Cree Bulb [iOS Blog]
Belkin today announced that it’s partnering with lighting company Cree to add the Connected Cree lightbulb to the Belkin WeMo connected-home ecosystem. In the summer of 2015, Connected Cree bulbs will be compatible with the ZigBee-to-WiFi WeMo Link bridge and will be able to be controlled with the WeMo app that’s used to control all of Belkin’s WeMo devices.
The Connected Cree bulb’s integration into the WeMo system will allow it to work with several of Belkin’s other WeMo products through the WeMo app, including the WeMo Light Switch, the WeMo Insight Switch, the WeMo Maker, WeMo’s Smart LED bulbs, and the NetCam HD+.
Integrating fully with the WeMo ecosystem will allow Cree customers to easily create a fully integrated smart home customized to their needs and schedule. For example, the NetCam HD+ can act as a motion sensor to automatically turn on the bulbs as soon as motion is triggered by opening the door or just walking into the room.
Using the WeMo app and Cree bulbs, users can create a variety of rules and actions that make home life easier and more comfortable.
Cree’s Connected Cree bulb is one of the more affordable smart bulbs available on the market and can be purchased for $15 from Home Depot. Introduced in January of this year, the bulb is compatible with Wink and ZigBee platforms thanks to the addition of a Cree4Flow Filament, and it integrates with SmartThings and the Philips hue lighting system in addition to its new WeMo integration. The 60-watt 2,700K single-color bulbs have a brightness of 815 lumens and use 11.5 watts of power.
Belkin’s also announcing an updated WeMo app with IFTTT support for its WeMo LED bulbs and WeMo-enabled lighting solutions from Osram Sylvania, allowing its lightbulbs to be incorporated into various IFTTT recipes. The new app should be available this week.
Belkin has also lowered the price of its WeMo LED Starter Set to $49.99 and dropped the price of a single WeMo Smart LED bulb to $24.99.
HTC posts worst April in 6 years, following poor One M9 demand
HTC has just released financial figures for the month of April, which, unlike earlier Q1 figures, takes into account the launch window for the new flagship HTC One M9. Unfortunately for the company, the results are actually the worst revenue figures for April that the company has posted in the last 6 years.
Consolidated revenue reached NT$13.5 billion (US$440 million) in April, down a substantial 33 percent compared with the promising figures posted in March and down 39 percent from the same period last year. This is HTC’s lowest monthly revenue for April since 2009’s figure of NT$11.4 billion.
Typically, April is a strong month for HTC as its new flagship smartphone boosts sales. Therefore, the blame for this poor performance is being pointed squarely at the HTC One M9, which doesn’t seem to have grabbed consumer attention following its launch last month.http://embed.chartblocks.com/1.0/?c=5548a453c9a61d6353f43e0f&t=bf6f3828ebc731eIndustry observers have already amassed a wide range of theories as to why the One M9 has not met initial expectations. Speculation ranges from a lack of defining features compared with the One M8, to Snapdragon 810 performance issues, and the announcement of the HTC One M9+ overshadowing some of the handset’s features.
“Revenue for last month was weaker than expected, which was due to poor M9 demand,” – anonymous Yuanta Securities Investment Consulting Co analyst
At the end of April, HTC published promising Q1 2015 earnings, posting revenues that were up 25 percent over the previous year. This suggested that the company’s broader product portfolio was having some success. However, HTC is now downgrading its Q2 2015 revenue target to NT$46 billion to NT$51 billion and is expected to miss its yearly sales targets. BNP Paribas has forecast that HTC’s total smartphone shipments will reach 18 million units this year, a decline of 13 percent compared with 2014.
2015 looks set to be another testing year for HTC, which has been attempting to turn its financial fortunes around for quite some time. Can you put the finger on the company’s problems?
Samsung begins rolling out the Lollipop update to the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 LTE
It was only a couple of weeks ago that Samsung began rolling out the Android 5.0 update to the WiFi variant of the Galaxy Tab S 8.4, and now we have news that the LTE version is also receiving some Lollipop goodness, in Hong Kong of all places.
At present the update is only available via the Samsung Kies software, although an OTA (Over-The-Air) version should be on the way as well. The update is based on Android version 5.0.2 and has build number T705ZHU1BOD3 and a changelog number of 4716872 for what it’s worth. Hopefully, it shouldn’t be too long before SM-T705 owners begin seeing the update in other regions.
If you are the adventurous-slash-impatient type you can always install the update manually by downloading the firmware from SamMobile and then following the accompanying instructions. It should be noted that the firmware is only compatible with the SM-T705 model that has the Exynos processor. If you are in any doubt about which model you own just go to Settings/ About Phone and check the model number. Flashing firmware manually can be risky, sometimes ending in a bricked device, which is why we would advise you to wait until the update becomes available to your region.
Instructions:
- Download the firmware (From the source link below)
- Extract (unzip/unrar) the firmware file
- Download Odin v3.10.6 (Here)
- Extract the Odin zip file
- Open Odin v3.10.6
- Reboot tablet in download mode (press Home + Power + Volume Down buttons simultaneously)
- Connect tablet to computer via USB and make sure you see the blue sign in Odin before proceeding
- Add the firmware to AP/PDA section
- Important: Make sure re-partition is NOT ticked
- Click the start button, wait a few minutes until the tablet reboots
Source: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: Samsung begins rolling out the Lollipop update to the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 LTE
Android Lollipop for the Sony Xperia Z should start rolling out next week
style=”display:block”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-8150504804865896″
data-ad-slot=”8461248232″
data-ad-format=”auto”>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Of all the phone manufacturers, Sony has been one of the most consistent with releasing updates for its aging devices. The Sony Xperia Z, the first of its Xperia Z devices, is yet to get its long awaited Android Lollipop update, but has been confirmed to be getting it almost as long as the software has been out in the wild. And for owners anxiously waiting for that day, you’ll be delighted to know that Android Lollipop for the Sony Xperia Z will be ready as early as next week after Sony Philippines dropped the news today.
@JVNML13 sorry please disregard our tweet before, Lollipop update for Xperia Z will start rolling out by next week
— Sony Philippines (@SonyPHinc) May 4, 2015
Of course, don’t necessarily be expecting that Android 5.0 will magically appear on your device by the end of the week – there will likely be a delay for the update to reach your device, wherever you are in the world – but it shouldn’t be long after that the update will be available. If we’re not mistaken, that will make the Xperia Z the oldest device to get a official software update, for now anyway.
What do you think about Android Lollipop for the Sony Xperia Z releasing next week? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Android Lollipop for the Sony Xperia Z should start rolling out next week appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Someone’s built a Bitcoin-like system for real gold
There’s no short, elegant way to describe Bitcoin, but if you put a gun to our heads, we’d say that it was digital gold. That’s because the cryptocurrency is based on a limited quantity of resource that is then used as a method of exchange. Unfortunately, Bitcoin’s popularity within the high-minded financial sector has grown to such an extent that honest-to-goodness real gold is getting in on the act. BitGold (yup) is the brainchild of Toronto-based Roy Sebag, who has cooked up a digital payments platform that connects real-world vaults with online customers.
Once you’ve sunk your cash into the system, you’ll be allocated the equivalent weight of gold in one of ten vaults around the world. Then, when it comes time for you to buy something, you can do so from the BitGold site, your mobile device or with a BitGold Mastercard. The pitch here is that the service isn’t a bank, so it won’t lose your deposit, it’s not a cryptocurrency and there’s no securitized assets. Instead, you’ll just be able to buy gold and hope that its value increases over time before blowing it on an upgrade to business class.
If you’re into meaningless jargon, the company’s about page has a reserve so vast it would fill Fort Knox twice over. For instance, BitGold believes that “cooperation under a unit of elemental-measurement promotes a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunity.” The piece goes on to say that by reexamining the “elemental properties of gold, it becomes clear that gold provides a globally neutral, natural unit of account.” We’re not entirely sure how going back to pre-fiat currency payments will kickstart a quasi-socialist utopia, but hey.
Of course, as we keep saying, students of history, economics and both will have already worked out the key flaw with this system. Like any commodity-based system of exchange, the temptation will be to sit on your stockpile of wealth in the hope that scarcity causes it to increase in value. This, in turn, creates a recession that sends the value through the floor — and unlike fiat currencies, can’t be fixed by creating more liquidity since you can’t make more gold. This is how the US came to wind up in the great depression of the 1930s, which was only solved when the gold standard was abandoned.
Filed under: Internet
Source: BitGold (BusinessWire)
Channel 5 steals Football League highlights away from the BBC
If you support a football team that’s in the Championship, League One or League Two, watching match highlights in the UK is a real pain. The BBC’s Football League Show starts at 11:55pm, which means staying up past midnight just to see 5 seconds of your favourite striker missing an open goal. Well, that’s about to change. Channel 5 has stolen the rights to Football League highlights from the BBC, and next season it’ll be launching a new 90-minute show on Saturdays at 9pm. That means it’ll finish just in time for Match of the Day — the perfect appetiser while you wait for Lineker and friends to recap the Premier League. Channel 5 is hardly known for its stellar sports coverage, but now that it’s got Football League TV rights for three years, hopefully it’ll learn to do a better job than the BBC.
[Image Credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images]
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Via: Guardian
Source: Football League
Amazon deals: Kingston 64GB microSD card for 51% off, Omaker portable speaker for 61% off
Amazon has a couple of good deals on microSD memory and portable Bluetooth speakers today.
First up, Amazon is offering the Kingston Digital 64GB MicroSDXC card for $38.99, which is 51 percent off its list price. This isn’t the best deal we’ve seen on cards this size, but if you’re in a hurry, it’s better than no deal at all.
Get the Kingston Digital 64GB MicroSDXC for $38.99 on Amazon
Next, the UE MINI BOOM Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is down to $69.99, down from its list price of $99 and $10 cheaper than the previous best. Available in four colors, the UE MINI BOOM has an average score of 4.4 out of 5 stars, with users praising its loud sound, deep bass, and longer than average Bluetooth connection range.
Get the UE MINI BOOM Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for $69.99 on Amazon
Finally, if you’re looking for a more rugged Bluetooth speaker, Amazon is also discounting the Omaker M4, a splashproof and shockproof speaker featuring a compact, sturdy design and NFC connectivity. This is another well reviewed product, with an average score of 4.6 across 400 reviews. The price is 61 percent off the list price.
Get the Omaker M4 Portable Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker for $ $26.99 on Amazon
Let us know if you picked anything up!
AIVAnet 