ASUS ZenFone 2 bootloader gets unofficially unlocked
For those of us who like tinkering with our devices – you know, rooting, custom ROM’s – then owners of the ASUS ZenFone 2 will be pleased to learn that the bootloader of the device has just been unofficially unlocked, opening up all kinds of fun possibilities.
Unlocking your bootloader allows for the flashing of custom ROM’s and kernels that can really change the look, feel, and performance of your handset. Doing so comes with a risk, and you should exercise caution if you’re not sure what you’re doing and be sure to follow instructions carefully.
With that said, if you want to unlock your ASUS ZenFone 2 bootloader, then check out the XDA Forums.
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HTC One Max Lollipop update starts rolling out in some regions
According to Pocketnow, the HTC One Max is beginning to receive an 760MB update to Lollipop in some European and Asian markets. This is in spite of HTC’s prior decision to get rid of its Lollipop plans, which were leaked in a document.
While the update is scheduled for T3 (the third trimester or Q3), Taiwanese, French, Italian, Polish, and Czech Republican citizens already are receiving and shortly will receive notifications for their One Maxes.
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OnePlus “mad” about OnePlus 2 speculation
In case you haven’t been keeping up with the developments over at OnePlus, they’ve recently acknowledged their upcoming OnePlus 2 and are occasionally giving away pieces of information about it. We’ve heard that the successor will have a Snapdragon 810 SoC, and with that, OnePlus straight up went to defending against the chip’s overheating reputation, stating that their 2.1 version of the chipset won’t have the problem.
Still, there appears to be clamoring over the decision, as OnePlus went on the defense again, displaying a humorous picture of an angry team.
They go on to justify why the top-end 810 is right for the OnePlus 2, strangely discussing the higher cost of the chipset versus the 801 in the argument, which attributes to that the “price of the 2 will certainly be higher than $322.”
“Before jumping to conclusions about the quality of the 2, we ask all of our fans and critics to just wait and see. We’re confident in our products, and we were careful to only choose components that are fit for the successor of the Flagship Killer.“
Do you have bother over the 2 using the Snapdragon 810, or do you think everyone just needs to chill and trust OnePlus?
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Supersense’s new card battler Warhammer: Storm of Magic is coming to Android this year
Collectible card games (or CCGs) are quite abundant on Android, though many of them struggle to stand out from the crowd. Still, every now and then a new card battler comes around and really impresses us, and that’s likely what Warhammer: Storm of Magic will accomplish later this year. Developed by Shanghai-based Supersense and under license from Games Workshop, this new battler will let you participate in real online battles, or against AI-controlled players.
What makes this game a little more special than the others is that unlike normal CCGs that only show you some cards along with minimal animation, Warhammer: Storm of Magic actually depicts what your cards are doing in full 3D visuals, allowing the card aspect of the game to take a backseat. It should be noted that this is a fantasy-themed version of the Warhammer universe, not like Warhammer: 40K which is more futuristic.
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The game is still in early stages of development, though Supersense says it will be out on Android, iOS and Kindle Fire devices sometime this year. It’s also a free-to-play title, so you can expect some in-app purchases during gameplay. We’ll be sure to let you know when a tentative release date is announced for this new title.
Nexus 7 mated with mouse, used in-vehicle
We have seen a few examples of users incorporating tablet devices into their vehicles to serve in place of auto manufacturer or third-party solutions for in-car infotainment systems. Users typically resort to this due to the dearth of autos that come with Android systems installed and third-party units are typically very expensive. In the latest example of this move to use a tablet device, Kevin Foreman connected a mouse to a Nexus 7 to provide a new input option as he was tired of using the touchscreen.
In a video demonstrating how his Nexus 7 works in his Toyota Prius, Foreman shows the Logitech G700S mouse that he connected to the tablet to serve as an input device. After working to map a variety of buttons and mouse clicks, Foreman is able to do things like launch Spotify or Google Maps with a touch of the mouse instead of trying to do it via the tablet’s touchscreen.
Foreman indicates he pursued this because he was tired of trying to “aim” his finger on the touchscreen while driving. Google has noted this challenge as well, which is why the Android Auto system uses a custom interface designed for use in a vehicle where precise touches may not be preferable.
You can check out his video below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Nexus 7 mated with mouse, used in-vehicle
Boost Mobile goes after Cricket Wireless and MetroPCS customers with switching promotion
For a limited time, Boost Mobile is letting qualified customers bring their own number from Cricket or MetroPCS can get unlimited data, talk and text with up to 2.5GB of high-speed 4G LTE data starting at $20 a month. Boost claims that the promotion will save you roughly $20-30 by switching compared to you current plan. Once the introductory rates end, customers will be moved to the most comparable monthly plan.
Boost Mobile is committed to offering great value and the Slash Your Payment in Half promotion clearly demonstrates a new level of savings that Cricket and MetroPCS can’t deliver. We are confident that the improved performance of our nationwide network coupled with the savings from our monthly service will convince our new customers to stay with us for the long term.
The promotion ends on July 20.
Source: Sprint
Come comment on this article: Boost Mobile goes after Cricket Wireless and MetroPCS customers with switching promotion
Cricket starts its summer sale with hot discounts on the Moto E and more
Cricket Wireless has just started its summer sale. From now until July 19, the telecommunications provider is offering some hot deals on devices like the Moto E, Samsung’s Galaxy Grand Prime, and more.
Motorola’s Moto E (2nd Gen) will run you $79.99, while the Galaxy Grand Prime will cost $129.99. Other devices Cricket is putting up for sale include the HTC Desire 510, the ZTE Grand X Max+, the ZTE Grand X, the ZTE Overture 2, and the ZTE Prelude 2. They cost $29.99, $169.99, $99.99, $49.99, and $0.99, respectively.
If you’re looking to pick up a cheap device for the summer, Cricket is definitely an option to look at, especially with how affordable its data plans are, starting at $40/month.
Anyone picking up a device from Cricket? Sound off in the comments.
source: Cricket Wireless
Come comment on this article: Cricket starts its summer sale with hot discounts on the Moto E and more
Apple Not Coercing Indie Artists Into Apple Music Deals With iTunes Removal Threats
Earlier this week, singer-songwriter Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre took to Twitter to rant about the Apple Music terms he had allegedly been offered by Apple, accusing the company of threatening to take his music off iTunes if he did not agree to the three-month free trial period that’s been a sticking point with indie artists.
Calling Apple a “satanic corporation,” (and mistakenly tweeting at an “Apple Official” Twitter account not run by Apple) Newcombe said Apple offered him a deal that required him to provide his music for free for three months, and when he asked what would happen if he refused, he was told his music would be removed from sale on iTunes.
The biggest company on earth wants to use my work to make money for 3 months and pay me nothing – of I say no,I'm banned
— antonnewcombe (@antonnewcombe) June 17, 2015
Newcombe’s claims have been circulating around the Internet for the last several days, and as of yesterday, they prompted a reply from Apple. An Apple representative spoke to Rolling Stone and said the company has not been threatening to remove artists’ music from iTunes for refusing Apple Music deals. “It will not be taken off,” said the representative.
Newcombe’s representative did not respond to a request for comment following Apple’s statement, but Newcombe has continued his tirade against Apple Music on Twitter.
Apple plans to offer consumers a three-month trial for Apple Music, but during that period, the company will pay no royalties or fees to artists and labels. Several indie labels have spoken out against the move, claiming the trial period will “literally put people out of business.”
Following the free trial period, Apple will give labels a 71.5 percent split of subscription revenue in the United States and will pay out a slightly higher percentage outside of the U.S., but labels say the numbers do little to alleviate the sting of three months of no royalty payments at all.
Apple Music will launch in a week in a half, going live on June 30 as part of an upcoming iOS 8.4 update. The service will be free for the first three months, after which it will cost $9.99 for individuals and $14.99 for families up to 6.
Sprint Expands ‘Slash Your Payment in Half’ Promo to Boost Mobile [iOS Blog]
Sprint today expanded its ongoing bill-slashing promotional campaign to its subsidiary Boost Mobile, giving Cricket and MetroPCS customers a chance to lower their monthly cell phone payments by switching to Boost Mobile service.
Through July 20, Cricket and MetroPCS subscribers who bring their phone number to Boost Mobile can save between $20 and $30 per month for a full year with the promotional plan. Customers will be required to purchase a compatible Boost device to take advantage of the deal.
The value associated with the Slash Your Payment in Half promotion from Boost Mobile is undeniable. A MetroPCS customer that is currently receiving 2GB of data for $40 a month, can now get 2.5GB of high-speed data from Boost Mobile for just $20, while a Cricket customer receiving 10GB of data for $60, can now get the same amount of data for only $30 a month.
Following the year-long promo period, customers who switched to Boost Mobile will be migrated to the Boost Mobile plan that offers a comparable amount of data, with prices that range from $30 to $55 per month.
Sprint began running its bill slashing promotion in December, offering Verizon and AT&T customers a chance to cut their payments in half by switching to Sprint. The promo is still available for eligible AT&T and Verizon customers.
Apple Launches 27″ iMac 3TB Hard Drive Replacement Program
Apple has determined that a small number of 3TB hard drives used in late 2012 27-inch iMacs sold between December 2012 and September 2013 may fail under certain conditions and has initiated a replacement program to replaced affected hard drives. Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) will replace affected hard drives free of charge.
Apple is contacting affected iMac owners that provided a valid email address during product registration to inform them about the new replacement program. iMac owners can check if they are affected by entering the computer’s serial number on Apple’s support website, and visit the Genius Bar, visit an AASP or contact Apple Technical Support to initiate the replacement process.
Apple advises that customers who paid to have their hard drive repaired contact the company for a refund. The replacement program covers affected iMac models until December 19, 2015, or three years from the affected iMac’s original date of sale, depending on whichever is longer. Read about the iMac replacement program on Apple’s support website for further details.
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