Rumour: HTC to cut component orders for One M9 by 30%
While Samsung decided to push the boat out with its Galaxy S6 and S6 edge smartphones in terms of design and construction materials, HTC were content to rely on the same formula that saw its One M8 and One M7 smartphones garner well-deserved awards and praise. Unsurprisingly to some (although not to Rob), it would seem that HTC’s apparent complacency when it came to the design of the One M9, is coming home to roost.
At least, this is according to reports emanating from HTC’s supply chain in Taiwan. These sources say that HTC will cut its component orders by as much as 30% due to lower-than-expected sales of the M9 smartphone. Despite HTC releasing numerous other handsets loosely based on the M9 such as the M9+, it remains to be seen whether the lost sales can be made up. The added competition from Chinese handset makers such as Lenovo, Huawei, Oppo and Xiaomi among others means that HTC is experiencing added pressure in its traditional markets.
Surprisingly, HTC has decided against releasing a Mini version of the M9. Let’s hope that the complacency seen with the launch of the M9 is a mere blip on the horizon, and that HTC sorts its sales strategy out once more or we might see the Taiwanese manufacturer experience the sort of financial woes we did just a couple of years ago.
Source: DigiTimes
Come comment on this article: Rumour: HTC to cut component orders for One M9 by 30%
Dish launches Sling TV app for the Nexus Player
Dish has just launched its official Sling TV application for Google’s Nexus Player. To celebrate the launch, the two company’s have got together to bring us a promotion in which new customers can purchase a Nexus Player with a 50% discount when they register for three months of Sling TV.
For those unaware, Sling TV is an internet television service which grants users access to more than 20 channels which by the way includes ESPN, AMC, TBS, Food Network, and Cartoon Network for less than $20 per month. Customers have the facility to purchase add-ons for additional channels too.
“We’re committed to making Sling TV available on the most popular devices consumers use to stream live and on-demand entertainment,” said Roger Lynch, CEO of Sling TV. “Today, we again bolstered our device footprint by expanding to Nexus Player’s Android TV platform, and we expect this partnership to deliver additional convenience for both new and existing Sling TV customers.”
Sling TV has also added ESPN Deportes to its channel lineup, which it will be including in its “Best of Live TV” core package and offering to subscribers by way of its $5-per-month Spanish Deportes Extra pack.
If you’d like to find out more about Sling TV’s launch on Nexus Player — hit the source link below.
Source: BusinessWire
Come comment on this article: Dish launches Sling TV app for the Nexus Player
Sprint’s HTC One E8 now getting Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA
Sprint’s HTC One E8, a plastic version of its One M8, is finally receiving the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. While the announcement was made yesterday, the OTA update just began rolling out today.
The update brings with it all sorts of goodies, such as factory reset protection. Once you have the update downloaded and installed, your software version should be 2.32.651.7.
Keep in mind that updates do roll out in stages, so it could be up to a couple of weeks before everyone can enjoy the sweetness of Lollipop. If you’re eager to get your hands on the update, both Sprint and HTC have posted a changelog. Only, HTC’s changelog features a 1.9GB RUU file paired with detailed instructions on how to flash the update manually.
It’s surprising that the One E8 took this long to get the update, considering the One M8 received it back in February. The One M8 will be getting the jump to Android 5.1 in August, and if its anything like this this update, the One E8 should get it a few months afterwards.
Such is the life of waiting on telecommunication providers.
Come comment on this article: Sprint’s HTC One E8 now getting Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA
Samsung starts pushing out Android 5.0.2 update for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in Brazil
Today, Samsung started rolling out the Android 5.0.2 update to all unlocked variants of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge located in Brazil. In terms of added functionality, this upgrade transports the latest build of Lollipop to the handset, in addition to a truckload of bug fixes and stability improvements.
All the changes you’d expect to find in this upgrade have been bundled into it, including support for multiple accounts, improved notifications, a smoother multitasking experience and the recently-announced Material Design guidelines.
As is customary with all manufacturer updates, the upgrade is being rolled out in stages, but if you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that it’s ready for your device, you can always search for the update manually.
Source: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: Samsung starts pushing out Android 5.0.2 update for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in Brazil
Apple Planning Transit Routing in iOS 9 Maps, Advances on Indoor Mapping Project
Apple is planning to add a new Transit view to Maps in iOS 9 that features bus, subway, and train routing and directions, according to 9to5Mac. The much-rumored Apple Maps feature would bring native transit routing back to the iPhone for the first time since Apple ditched Google as the default mapping provider on iOS. The report also claims that Apple has made advancements on its indoor mapping project.
“Sources said last year that the transit functionality for Maps includes larger icons for users to more quickly spot airports, subway stations, and train stations within the Maps app. In addition to the main functionality, there is also a trip planning feature for transit, and a new Transit view alongside the existing Standard, Hybrid, and Satellite/Flyover views.”
Transit features in Apple Maps were originally expected to launch alongside iOS 8 last year, but were delayed due to personnel issues and data inconsistencies within Apple. The company has reportedly “refined the data, added new cities, and developed a new push notifications system” since that time, however, and the feature is now ready to be unveiled at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Apple has been actively expanding its in-house routing team over the past few years through multiple job listings. In late April, for example, the company put out a job listing for a “Maps Software Engineer” part of the Routing team, as reflected by at least one Apple employee’s LinkedIn profile. “As a member of the Routing team, you will work on one of the most anticipated features of Apple Maps,” the job description reads.
Apple has also been making progress on its indoor mapping project, which will enable iOS users to navigate major buildings, offices and landmarks. The company has been using autonomous robots with iBeacon sensors to collect indoor mapping data, starting at its offices in Cupertino, although the feature may not go live this year. The indoor mapping project is in conjunction with Apple’s van-based street mapping data collection.
Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 pre-orders begin shipping, U.S. retail launch begins
After going up for pre-order back in mid-April, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 is finally beginning to ship! For those that didn’t pre-order, you can also now buy the handset through Alcatel’s website or from Amazon — though the latter still says it won’t technically be in stock until tomorrow.
While Alcatel isn’t the first name you think of when it comes to quality smartphones, the Idol 3 may just change your mind. The Idol 3 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 with 2GB RAM, other specs include 16GB storage with microSD, a 13MP rear cam, an 8MP front cam, high-quality front facing speakers, a 5.5-inch 1080p display, and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop all at a price of just $250.
Looking solely at the spec sheet, this seems like a whole lot of phone for $250, but how about real world performance? In our full review, Josh Vergara gave the phone a rating of 8.8 and called it “one of the best budget phones of the year”, particularly praising the sound, the display, the camera, and the phone’s design. In other words, this phone actually is as good as it sounds and should provide a highly enjoyable Android experience for those that are looking to save a little money and don’t necessarily need the bleeding edge.
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Anyone buying (or already pre-ordered) the Idol 3? Let us know in the comments.
Gyrocopter pilot who landed at US Capitol faces a decade behind bars
The government worker who accidentally landed a drone on White House grounds reportedly got off easy, but Douglas Hughes isn’t so lucky — he could be locked up for nine-and-a-half years. You might remember Hughes for flying a gyrocopter from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and landing at the US Capitol in April. He was fully aware that he breached restricted airspace, but he did it to protest the influence of big money in politics, carrying one letter for each Congress member. He’s now facing several charges, including flying without a certification, violating national defense airspace and operating a vehicle masquerading as a postal carrier: the tail of his gyrocopter carries a Postal Service logo, since Hughes used to work for the agency. This incident (along with the White House drone crash) exposed gaps in the government’s security, even leading to a Congressional hearing about airspace safety in DC.
[Image credit: Wikipedia]
Filed under: Misc
Sling TV brings its cord-cutter app to Android TV devices
So far, Dish has done an exceptional job of launching its internet television service, Sling TV, on most major mobile and stationary platforms. And now Android TV is the latest to offer support for the cord-cutter app, joining others like iOS, Roku, Xbox One and, of course, Android in doing so. At the moment, Sling TV on Android TV really just means being available for the Nexus Player, although there are many devices launching soon with Google’s newly minted ecosystem on board. Sling TV also announced ESPN Deportes (the Spanish version of ESPN) has been added to its channel lineup, which it will be including as part of the Latino-tailored, $5-per-month Deportes Extra pack.
[Image credit: Associated Press]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Mobile
Source: Sling TV
Propose to your beloved with this Bitcoin engagement ring
Much like the idea that Santa Claus wears red, the notion that you should spend a fortune on a diamond engagement ring is the invention of advertisers. So, since the act is already about ostentatious displays of wealth, why not invest your money in something more useful than a big rock — like Bitcoin? That’s the idea behind the Bitcoin ring, a 3D-printed piece of jewelry with a QR code that lets anyone with the corresponding app see how much cash you’ve really got.
The BTC Ring is the brainchild of Seb Neumayer, who told Motherboard that he originally thought up the idea at an MIT hackathon in 2014. Less than a year later, and he’s tweaked the design ready for mainstream adoption, at least as mainstream as you can get with the cryptocurrency crowd. Of course, should you lose the ring, you won’t have lost your money, since your stash of cash will remain tied into the blockchain. There’s also the perk that, should you start making some serious bank, you can top up the corresponding account — which saves you buying a Ferrari and a T-shirt that reads “look how fatuously wealthy I am.”
If you want to get one yourself, the schematics are available from the BTC Ring website and craft your own, or get Shapeways to make one out of metal. There’s no charge, although you can throw a few BTC towards Neumayer’s tip jar if you’ve always wanted your bling to be encrypted. Now, sing along: Bitcoin is forever, it is all I need to please me, cryptocurrencies stimulate and tease me…
Filed under: Wearables, Internet
Via: Motherboard
Source: BTC Ring
Engadget giveaway: win a BeyondCloud NAS courtesy of Synology!
The Cloud doesn’t have to be a nebulous space in the stratosphere, you can have one in your own home. Sure, there’s usually a steep initial price tag and configuration learning curve for most people, but Synology’s BeyondCloud lineup helps bypass that. Hosting your own network-attached storage (NAS) is now more approachable and affordable with the BeyondCloud’s pre-packaged and -configured drives. You’ll have secure access to your files from anywhere with a data connection, so you can store, stream and share your digital stuff without having to pay Cloud storage fees again. Sizes range from single-bay 2TB models to two-bays of 3TB mirrored drives with RAID protection in case one ever fails. And that’s what’s on the giveaway floor today: one Synology BeyondCloud Mirror (BC214se 2300) will go to a lucky Engadget this week, so they can take control of all their data. Just head on down to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning this next generation of streamlined NAS systems from Synology.
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Synology Beyond Cloud Mirror (BC214se 2300).
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Engadget and AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until May 22nd at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Filed under: Announcements
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