BT’s latest broadband trial will more than treble download speeds
For the fastest broadband speeds, you normally need fibre optic cables running directly into your home. While that’s still the perfect solution, BT will soon be trialling a new technology that could give those on copper a much-needed speed boost. Fibre To The Distribution Point (FTTdp), commonly referred to as “G.fast,” uses a wider frequency band to increase data speeds over copper. It works best over short distances, so usually a node is required somewhere between the cabinet and your home to extend the reach of the faster fibre. As ISPreview reports, BT is beginning its first residential trial next month in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, with Gosforth, Newcastle and Swansea to follow. It should be able to deliver “a few hundred megabits per second” at first, although BT says 500 Mbps should be achievable in the future. Given Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) normally tops out at 80 Mbps, this will be a huge jump for households still waiting on full-blown fibre.
[Image Credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Filed under: Internet
Source: ISPreview
Get your Android Bugdroid fix with these wallpapers
Google’s official mascot doesn’t have a real name but is commonly referred to as Bugdroid by the folks over at Google. I’ve gathered a bunch of wallpapers for you to display on your mobile devices with Bugdroid and some are mocking Apple but all in good fun. Check them out.
I’ve also inserted a video of how they named Bugdroid from Google I/O.
If you see a wallpaper that belongs to you and you would like to receive credit, I would love to give it to you! Just drop a comment in the section provided below with some proof (You know, just so we don’t have people claiming things that are not theirs…) So, please choose those that you like and enjoy!
The post Get your Android Bugdroid fix with these wallpapers appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung is preparing to launch the Galaxy A8 in South Korea on July 24
According to a new report, Samsung is gearing up to launch its recently-announced high-end smartphone, the Galaxy A8, in its home country on Friday, July 24. The handset is believed to carry a 649,000 Korean Won ($563) price tag and will be available in both white and gold colorways.
In case you need a refresher on its specifications, the Galaxy A8 sports a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 615 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, an Adreno 405 GPU, a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter and a 3,050mAh non-removable battery.
This divulgence comes just a matter of days after the Chinese prices were leaked — $515 for the base model and $564 for the 32GB variant — where it’s rumored to be launching at the end of this month.
Source: SammyHub
Come comment on this article: Samsung is preparing to launch the Galaxy A8 in South Korea on July 24
Samsung starts rolling out Lollipop update for Galaxy S6’s in China and Taiwan
Samsung has today started rolling out the much-anticipated Lollipop update to all models of the Galaxy S6 located in China and Taiwan. As for as added functionality goes, this upgrade transports Android 5.0.2 to the handset, in addition to a truckload of bug fixes and stability improvements.
All the changes you’d expect to find in the Lollipop software are bundled into this upgrade, including support for multiple accounts, improved notifications, stronger 256-bit encryption, a smoother multitasking experience and the recently-announced Material Design guidelines.
As is the norm, 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 to hit your hanset, you could always search for the update manually.
To do so simply open the Settings app, scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”, hit “System Updates”, then select “Check for updates”. Once done, the upgrade will start downloading from Samsung’s servers.
Come comment on this article: Samsung starts rolling out Lollipop update for Galaxy S6’s in China and Taiwan
What it’s like waiting for the OnePlus Two (video)
The OnePlus Two is one hotly anticipated smartphone, but even if you’re not planning on picking one up, I’m sure we’ve all experienced a similar build-up at some point. The anticipation, the hype, and the seemingly never ending countdown to the launch of the new must have gadget can be gruelling. Hopefully though, no-one is suffering quite as badly as this poor chap in the video above.
The film appears to have been made by fans waiting for the OnePlus Two release date, and it’s a pretty well put together, entertaining little short.
OnePlus has been trickling out little teasers over the past few weeks, revealing that the company’s next smartphone will come with a Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, dual-SIM support, and an improved camera module. There’s also an improved invite system planned, which should help customers get their hands on the phone a little faster this time around.
The OnePlus Two launch is to take place on Monday July 27th and can be viewed in virtual reality using a Google Cardboard or similar headset. To help tide you over for the last few days, check out our post containing the latest rumors and revelations about the OnePlus Two.
Just 7 days left to go… tick… tock… tick…
Best Android tablets (July 2015)
Android tablets make great gifts, and the best thing about them is that everyone can use them, from a three-year-old to your grandma. But with so many devices out there, how can you make sure you get the best Android tablet for your money? There are probably hundreds of Android tablets on Amazon, and avoiding the overpriced and the plain bad can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be that hard.
Just take a look at the tablets below – they are the very best Android has to offer, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Without further ado, here’s our list of the best Android tablets available in July 2015.
If you’re interested in some great, cheaper tablets, check out our Best Cheap Android Tablets Guide!
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
Update – Price drop to $363.00 – if you want the fastest performance and most incredible display of any compact tablet on the market then this is the one to get. Most of us use tablets for watching movies, reading, and playing games. So it makes sense to go for the very best display you can get, and it’s hard to find anything better than the Galaxy Tab S 8.4. The Tab S 8.4 is one of the few tablets with an AMOLED screen and a super crisp Quad HD at that, with an excellent 359 ppi pixel density. Being AMOLED, the screen will show deep blacks and vivid colors, perfect for games and movies. The portable Tab S 8.4 combines the portability of smaller devices with the screen real estate afforded by larger tablets. Plus, this 8.4-incher is fast and feature-rich, making it good for just about any task.
Specs
- Dimensions: 212.8 x 125.6 x 6.6 mm (8.38 x 4.94 x 0.26 in), 298 g (10.51 oz)
- Display: 8.4-inch AMOLED, Quad HD (2560 x 1600) resolution, 359 ppi
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, 2.3GHz quad-core
- GPU: Adreno 330 GPU
- Memory: 3GB RAM
- Storage: 16/32GB
- microSD slot: Yes, up to 128 GB
- Cameras: 8 MP rear, 2.1 MP front
- Battery: 4,900 mAh
- OS: Android 4.4.2 KitKat with TouchWiz
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi/3G-LTE
- Others: fingerprint scanner
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S officially announced: here’s what you need to know
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 review
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S devices proven to carry the best tablet displays
- Best Galaxy Tab S 8.4 cases
Nvidia Shield Tablet
Nvidia is known for video cards, not Android tablets, but the Shield Tablet is definitely worth of your attention, especially if you’re into gaming. That’s because the Shield Tablet is powered by a mighty Tegra K1 processor and comes with Nvidia’s TegraZone portal, that gives you access to dozens of Tegra-optimized Android games.
The rest of the specs are nothing to sneeze at, and build quality and design are top-notch. The Shield’s stereo front-facing speakers are great for gaming, video, and music, and the stylus that comes in the box will amp up your productivity. On the downside, this device is a bit heavy and the battery life tends towards the lower end of the spectrum.
Specs
- Dimensions: 221 x 126 x 9.2 mm (8.70 x 4.96 x 0.36 in), 390 g (13.76 oz)
- Display: 8-inch LCD, Full HD (1920 x 1200) resolution, 283 ppi
- Processor: Nvidia Tegra K1, 2.2GHz quad-core
- GPU: Kepler (192 cores)
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Storage: 16/32GB
- microSD slot: Yes
- Cameras: 5 MP rear, 5 MP front
- Battery: 5,200 mAh
- OS: Android 4.4.2 KitKat
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi/3G-LTE
- Others: stylus, stereo speaker
Read more
- NVIDIA Shield Tablet review
- Best NVIDIA Shield tablet cases
- NVIDIA Shield Tablet – Gaming Experience
- Nvidia launches Tegra K1-powered Shield tablet, starting at $299
Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Don’t let the mouthful of a name fool you – the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is as sleek as Android tablets get. This 8-inch device impresses through its lightness and very slim profile – at 6.4 millimeters, this is the thinnest tablet you can get. But the Z3 Tablet Compact has more than good looks. On the inside, the fast Snapdragon 801 processor and 3GB of RAM ensure you will be flying through the screens of Sony’s minimalist user interface.
The LCD screen is not Quad HD, but Sony’s unique display technology ensures you get vivid colors that are similar to what you get on AMOLED. Another unique attribute of the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is its water resistance. Yup, you can take this device to beach or the hot tub without worrying about dropping it in the water.
Specs
- Dimensions: 213.4 x 123.6 x 6.4 mm (8.40 x 4.87 x 0.25 in), 270 g (9.52 oz)
- Display: 8-inch LCD, Full HD (1920 x 1200) resolution, 283 ppi
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, 2.5GHz quad-core
- GPU: Adreno 330 GPU
- Memory: 3GB RAM
- Storage: 16GB
- microSD slot: Yes, up to 128 GB
- Cameras: 8.1 MP rear, 2.2 MP front
- Battery: 4,500 mAh
- OS: Android 4.4.4 KitKat
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi/3G-LTE
- Others: IP68 water resistance
Read more
Google Nexus 9
The brand new Nexus 9 from Google and HTC is an Android fanboy’s dream. It runs the purest, most recent version of Android – Lollipop 5.0 – and it will stay current for at least two years. There are no OEM additions (though stock Android may be a little too minimal for your taste) and therefore nothing to bog down the user experience.
The Nexus 9 is just as impressive on the hardware side – you get a 64-bit Tegra processor, a beautiful 1536 x 2048 pixels screen, stereo front speakers (disguised under the protective glass) and a big battery. However, like all Nexus devices, there’s no microSD card slot. The device features a utilitarian, yet elegant design, with an aluminum frame that gives it rigidity without adding much heft.
Specs
- Dimensions: 228.2 x 153.7 x 7.9 mm (8.98 x 6.05 x 0.31 in), 270 g (9.52 oz)
- Display: 8.95-inch IPS LCD, 1536 x 2048 resolution, 281 ppi
- Processor: Nvidia Tegra K1 Denver, 2.3 GHz dual-core
- GPU: Kepler DX1
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Storage: 16/32GB
- microSD slot: No
- Cameras: 8 MP rear, 1.6 MP front
- Battery: 6,700 mAh
- OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi/3G-LTE
Read more
- Nexus 9 vs the new iPads: specs comparison
- Best Nexus 9 cases
- Another Nexus 9 hands-on video shows buttery smooth performance
- Nexus 9 official: here’s what you need to know
- Nexus 9 vs the competition
Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet
Sony may be having a difficult time in the mobile device market, but that is certainly not because of a lack of good products. An extremely appealing line of devices that the company should be proud of is their high-end tablet series, with the latest addition to the line introduced back at MWC 2015. Sony continues to push the boundaries in terms of design, with the Xperia Z4 Tablet managing to be even sleeker than its ultra-thin and light predecessors. Of course, this tablet packs the latest and greatest when it comes to hardware, and the Sony staple feature of dust and water resistance is also retained, making for a very compelling device. The Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet may be at the higher end of the price spectrum, but it is still worth it, and certainly deserving of a place in our roundup of the best Android tablets currently available.
Specs
- 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1600 resolution (299 ppi)
- 2 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor
- Adreno 430 GPU
- 3 GB RAM
- 32 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 128 GB
- 8.1 MP rear camera, 5.1 MP front-facing camera
- 6,000 mAh battery
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
- 254 x 167 x 6.1 mm, 389 grams
Dell Venue 8 7000
Dell may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of OEMs that provide fantastic Android tablets, and while the company does have some really good low-cost tablets available, they managed to impress with one that can be conservatively considered “premium mid-range.” What makes the Dell Venue 8 7000 stand apart from its competition at this price range includes a premium, industrial design that will give even far more expensive devices a run for their money, a solid media consumption experience courtesy of nice sounding front-facing speakers and a beautiful edge-to-edge high resolution display, and for those who want it, a decent camera experience with a setup not unlike the Duo Camera system of the HTC One M8. With an impressive performance and even better battery life, the Dell Venue 8 7000 manages to provide a lot, without the premium price point that would usually be associated with such a package.
Specs
- 8.4-inch OLED display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution (359 ppi)
- 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 processor
- PowerVR G6430 GPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 512 GB
- 8MP rear camera with Intel RealSense 3D technology, 2 MP front-facing camera
- 5,900 mAh battery
- Android 4.4.4 Kitkat
- 215.9 x 124.2 x 6.1 mm, 305 grams
Read More
Lenovo Tab 2 A10: best bang for the buck
The Lenovo Tab 2 A10 is one of the best among those featured in our best cheap Android tablets list, which is also reason it makes it way over to this roundup as well. Introduced back at MWC this year, this 10-inch tablet certainly brings a lot to the table at an extremely affordable price point, being one the first tablets to feature Dolby ATMOS 3D Cinema audio enhancements, which aims to make your audio experience much clearer, while taking advantage of the beautiful, large Full HD display.
Performance is impressively smooth, and while mobile photography isn’t a key feature when it comes to tablets, this device does offer a solid camera experience. If you’re looking for a large-screen tablet experience on a budget, look no further than the Lenovo Tab 2 A10 certainly provides the best bang for your buck.
Specs
- 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (218 ppi)
- 1.7 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT8165 processor
- 2 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB
- 8 MP rear camera, 5 MP front-facing camera
- 7,000 mAh battery
- 247 x 171 x 8.9 mm, 509 grams
- Android 4.4 Kitkat (planned upgrade to Android 5.0 Lollipop at the end of June)
Read more
- Lenovo announces the Tab 2 A10 and Tab 2 A8 tablets at MWC 2015
- Lenovo Tab 2 A10 hands-on and first impressions
There you have it – our picks from the best Android has to offer right now. Missed anything? Tell us in the comments!
For more tablet information head on over to the TabTimes blog for more tablet news, reviews and information.
ZTE launches Boost Max+ with Boost Mobile
ZTE and US carrier Boost Mobile have today launched the ZTE Boost Max+, a mid-range large-screen handset at an affordable off-contract price. The handset is the follow up to the ZTE Iconic phablet – which was rebranded to the Boost Max for Boost Mobile – but brings better specs at an impressive price tag.
ZTE Phones in video:
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The Boost Max+ features a 5.7-inch 720p HD display (offering a modest 258 pixels per inch density) and is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor coupled with 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable storage. The handset is 9.3mm thick and has an 8MP autofocus rear camera that records in 1080p, a single LED flash, a 1MP front facing snapper and a large 3,400 mAh battery.
The handset runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop and connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi n and integrated GPS. There’s no LTE onboard but given the original Boost Max was later followed up by the Boost Max LTE, it’s likely we’ll see an LTE variant of the Boost Max+ launched in the near future. At just $199.99 free of contract, the Boost Max+ definitely offers impressive specs for the money, especially when you consider that the one-off cost is the same as the upfront cost as many handsets on postpaid plans but doesn’t require a monthly subscription.
What do you think of the ZTE Boost Max+? Let us know your views in the comments below guys!
ZTE Debuts Boost® Max+ Smartphone With Hot New Looks at One Hot Price
Popular Boost Max gets upgrades with Boost Max+ featuring Android 5.1 platform and stylish gold-color casing at just $199.99 with no contract commitment
Richardson, Texas (July 20, 2015) — ZTE USA, the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer in the U.S. and second largest in the no-contract market*, today announced the availability of the Boost MAX+ on Boost Mobile. Starting today, consumers can get the latest smartphone technology and design at just $199.99, with no contract commitment. The Boost Max+ can be added to any Boost Mobile plan and will be available online at Boost Mobile and in store beginning today.
“The Boost Max continues to be very popular and we are excited to see how that may further improve with the second generation Boost Max+,” says ZTE USA. “More consumers are looking for premium smartphone experiences as an affordable price and having a partner as great as Boost Mobile allows us to both deliver devices and services that consumers want, value and use.”
Larger screen smartphones such as the Boost Max+ helped ZTE secure 15.9 percent of the phablet market in the U.S. by the end of 2014 and also drove smartphone shipment growth to 41 percent year-over-year.*
Get more screen that does more for you
With a large 5.7-inch HD display you have the room to view two apps at the same time. With Smart Viewer, you can do things like watch YouTube and text simultaneously or view a website and write an email at the same time.
Second generation updates worth the wait
Coupled with a large 3400 mAh battery with wireless charging capabilities, increased memory and storage, and a Qualcomm Quad-Core chipset, the Boost Max+ provides the agility and power that can perform when life demands it.
Quality connection when you need it
When you’re ready to connect over the phone, you’ll enjoy the HD voice quality provided over Boost Mobile’s 3G and 4G LTE network. Or, if you want to connect over video, the phone features a quality 8MP rear camera and 1MP front camera.
*Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Market Share, Q1 2015
Engadget UK giveaway: win a gaming gear bundle courtesy of SteelSeries
Bingeing on Vitamin D, footy in the park and lazy afternoons whiled away in pub beer gardens are what summer’s all about. But sometimes, retreating to a cool, darkened room for a guilty gaming fix is just the ticket. And because we don’t want your third-degree sunburns on our conscience, we’ve giving away a raft of gaming gear that should keep you glued to a screen and safely sheltered from those dastardly UV rays. Thanks to our friends at SteelSeries, we’ve got no less than three gaming goodybags up for grabs, which each include one of the company’s Apex M800 programmable, mechanical keyboards, Rival optical mice, Siberia V3 LED-laden headsets and Stratus XL wireless controllers (compatible with iOS/OS X). Basically, every peripheral you might need to wait out the summer in gaming heaven. As always, UK readers can enter the competition up to three times via the Rafflecopter widget below, but before you inevitably start clicking, just breeze through the rules real quick, would ya?
- 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 UK, 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. Three (3) winners will receive one (1) gaming bundle.
- 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. SteelSeries and Engadget / 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 July 24th at 11:59PM GMT. Good luck!
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Source: SteelSeries
London’s new Routemaster buses might not be as green as you think
London’s Mayor Boris Johnson has long championed green public transport, but his hybrid Routemaster buses are now being criticised for faulty batteries and an overdependence on diesel. According to MayorWatch‘s Christian Wolmar — who hopes to be Labour’s next Mayoral candidate — 40 drivers from Holloway Garage have put together a dossier slamming the broken batteries. As a result, the group says Routemaster buses are relying on diesel for 90 per cent of their journeys and overworking the conventional engines, which are only supposed to run while the internal batteries are charging.
Both Transport for London (TfL) and Metroline, a bus operator which manages some of the Routemaster routes, have confirmed that there’s been a problem with the electric systems. Mike Weston, TfL’s director for buses, says the batteries are now being upgraded “as soon as possible and within the warranty period, at no cost to TfL or the taxpayer.”
According to Wolmar, however, the problem isn’t just economical. He’s brandished the buses a “dangerous con” because, according to drivers he’s spoken with, the faulty batteries are also making them a hazard on the road. The engine doesn’t initiate as quickly as it should, so drivers are keeping their foot on the accelerator while the handbrake is engaged. Not only is this dangerous and a waste of fuel, but the slow acceleration means buses are rolling back on inclines. Drivers have criticised the Routemaster design for other reasons too, such as the lack of opening windows and doors that hit passengers as they fold inwards. TfL is strongly denying most of these claims though: “New Routemaster buses are completely safe whether they operate in diesel mode or electric mode.”
[Image Credit: AP Photo/Sang Tan]
Filed under: Transportation
Source: MayorWatch, BBC
Apple’s iPod Touch shows its muscle in iFixit teardown
If you want everything Apple’s iPhone can do except the “phone” part, the $400 cheaper 6th-gen iPod Touch is for you. It even has the iPhone 6’s A8 chip, albeit running a tad slower. The iFixit team has taken the 4-inch device apart to view its guts and see whether Joe Shmoe could fix it with the right tools. Its findings? The Touch has a pretty nice camera for a music player, but lacks the iPhone’s image stabilization and has a slightly slower f/2.4 iris. It’s also missing the pricier sibling’s touch sensor, but otherwise shares a surprising number of parts. And if it breaks? Unless you’re prepared to heat, tweeze and pry, you’d best leave the fixing to Apple.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Apple
Source: iFixit
AIVAnet 