Samsung possibly bringing mobile image sensors with 1.0μm pixels to the Galaxy Note 5?
Samsung has just announced they have a new image sensor with 1.0μm-pixel-based 16 megapixel CMOS image sensor for mobile devices. Basically it’s a smaller chip. The real question is will it be in the Galaxy Note 5?
The soon to be released Galaxy Note 5 is a larger device, but a smaller image sensor would help to reduce the camera bulge. This new chip, known as S5K3P3, is 20% smaller in height than previous generations. It allows manufactures to develop mobile devices with minimal camera protrusion while still keeping a higher resolution camera.
Kyushik Hong, Vice President and Head of S.LSI Marketing at Samsung Electronics said.
“As a trendsetter in the mobile image sensor business, we are pleased to be the first to deliver the most advanced 1.0μm-pixel imager, which meets both high-resolution and slim design requirements for smartphone cameras.” “Starting with 16Mp sensor, Samsung plans to further expand 1.0μm-pixel product category and lead the image sensor market for high performing slim mobile devices.”
Combining S5K3P3 with Samsung’s ISOCELL technology will work by dramatically reducing color crosstalk of neighboring pixels by adding physical barriers between each pixel. This increases light sensitivity and effectively controls the collection of photons. This makes a much higher color fidelity everywhere, but especially in low light situations.
The new S5K3P3 image sensors are available today.
Source: Businesswire
Come comment on this article: Samsung possibly bringing mobile image sensors with 1.0μm pixels to the Galaxy Note 5?
Is the lack of NFC a deal-breaker to you?
The recent launch of the OnePlus 2 gave us plenty to be excited about, but some of you where still a bit upset about some missing features. Namely, NFC, which has become standard in current high-end devices. This technology promises simplified transactions, transfers and other types of contact-less communications. The dismissal of said component caused much commotion among tech enthusiasts… but is it really something you will miss?
While it may seem rare to see a 2015 flagship smartphone missing NFC, statistics prove growth will be slow, with only about 64% of phones shipped in 2018 expected to tout the chip. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be a huge deal yet, which takes us to the couple reasons why OnePlus would decide to get rid of it. First, remember the company is trying to reduce manufacturing prices, effectively transferring the savings to you – the customer. This may also be why they opted for a 1080p display. Secondly, because no one is using it (and this OnePlus mentioned, themselves)!
Part of this is because the industry is really holding this technology back. It was believed Apple would proliferate NFC payments with Apple Pay, and though there has been great improvements, we are not quite at an advanced NFC state yet. Unlike some Asian countries like China, Singapore, South Korea and Japan, where NFC is a fundamental part of their payment systems, the West is really falling behind.
My experience with NFC
I must say I am part of the statistics that deem NFC more of a gimmick than an actual feature. I have done my fair share of NFC payments, but only once or twice a month (just to be cool when the cashier is cute, really). In addition, I have about 10 programmed NFC tags all over my house… which I haven’t used in about two years. I don’t even have the necessary apps installed anymore! To me, NFC was a fleeting novelty I found no true convenience with.
For example, it takes about the same amount of time to pull out my phone instead of a wallet. Tags are convenient if you use them right, but it takes time to set up everything. And why do that now, when there are other methods for automating your devices and tasks? Plus, most times I was just toggling WiFi and Bluetooth on/off, which now takes a second to do.
The lack of NFC is no deal-breaker to me, but that is only because of the sub-par support. I would like to see truly adopting this technology and taking it to the next level. Only when you see NFC payments in buses, trains, all stores, etc., will this venture really take off.
Is NFC a deal-breaker to you?
Now, let’s get back to the real question. How important is the addition of NFC to you? Do you actually depend on it? Also, would you be willing to adopt new practices in order to live with the OnePlus 2? Answer the poll below and hit the comments to let us know your thoughts in more detail!
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Screenshots of Sony’s stock Android “Concept for Android” leak out
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Last week, Sony unveiled its “Concept for Android” initiative which they say would involved trialling a stock Android-like UI on the smartphones of 500 Swedish Xperia Z3 users. It appears the trial is now well underway, and thanks to Swedroid, we have a whole heap of screenshots of the stripped down Sony UI – check out all the images below:
While the UI itself is stripped down, we still see the presence of Sony bundled apps. Overall, the “Concept for Android” UI looks like a pretty faithful recreation of a stock Android UI, however we’re interested in a more indepth look at the tricks that Sony has left in to make life easier. We’d hope that “Concept for Android” becomes a fully fledged theme for Xperia devices new and old, but we’ll have to see how long this trial drags on first.
What do you think about “Concept for Android”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Swedroid via XperiaBlog
The post Screenshots of Sony’s stock Android “Concept for Android” leak out appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Elio Motors crowdfunds $25 million to build its 84 mpg 3-wheeler
Well, that didn’t take long. After a month of asking for individual investors to pony up some money through the crowdfunding site StartEngine, Elio Motors announced today that it has reached the $25 million level. Now, that doesn’t mean that Elio just got a check for $25 million. Instead, StartEngine says that the amount (actually, $25,161,050) is made up of “non-binding indications of interest” from 6,665 people (as of this writing). Each of those 6,665 investors has put an average of $3,775 into Elio. In a statement, Elio Motors CEO Paul Elio said that the $25 million is, “just the beginning as we race toward our 2016 goal of mass production.”
The last month wasn’t purely positive for Elio. Once the campaign started to get some attention, “suspect” investors started to join the party. They were eventually investigated and some were kicked out of the group of investors. With the company’s crowdfunding target now met, focus now needs to shift to getting the 84-miles-per-gallon, $6,800 trike out of the auto shows and that upcoming factory in Shreveport, LA and onto the road.
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ELIO MOTORS SETS EQUITY CROWDFUNDING RECORD; OVER 6,000 INVESTORS EXPRESS INTEREST OF $25MM IN REVOLUTIONARY TRANSPORTATION STARTUP
New Ruling Allows Non-Accredited Investors to Buy into Private CompaniesTroy, Mich., July 28, 2015 – Elio Motors today announced that one month after launching its campaign, the company has received non-binding indications of interest valued over $25MM through leading equity crowdfunding platform StartEngine. Elio will continue to take additional expressions of interest via the StartEngine crowdfunding initiative, beyond today’s $25MM milestone.
Capital raised will help fund the 2016 launch of its three-wheel, enclosed vehicle that is expected to retail for $6,800 and achieve up to 84 MPG. The innovative funding strategy, made possible by recent changes to the 2012 JumpStart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, is the perfect fit for a company that strives to innovate in every aspect of its operations.
“This milestone is fantastic, but it’s just the beginning as we race toward our 2016 goal of mass production,” said Elio founder and CEO Paul Elio. “Elio Motors is a revolutionary company in every way – making an affordable, environmentally friendly vehicle that creates American jobs. Equity crowdfunding is an innovative funding strategy that’s making a big difference for our company and will make a huge impact for startups like ours, all around North America.”
StartEngine’s equity crowdfunding platform was made possible on June 19, when SEC Regulation A+ of the JOBS Act Title IV went into effect, enabling private companies to raise up to $50 million from both accredited and non-accredited investors. Unlike traditional crowdfunding, equity crowdfunding on StartEngine’s alternative investing platform makes it possible for both accredited and non-accredited investors to get in on the ground floor and support startups in a whole new way.Elio Motors recognized crowdfunding as a way to raise capital for the company as a natural evolution of its grassroots-based strategy. The company has taken nearly 45,000 reservations for the revolutionary vehicle and routinely has large crowds waiting for a chance to experience the Elio firsthand at each stop along its cross-country tour.
Elio Motors will use funds from this initiative to build an additional 25 prototypes for testing and validation. In March, the company launched an investment opportunity based on Rule 506(c) of Regulation D, which allows companies to offer shares to accredited investors. Funds from that initiative enabled Elio Motors to begin building its fifth generation prototype, the P5. The P5 will feature an engine developed by IAV specifically for the Elio and also will feature a production level transmission from Aisin.
Those interested in learning more about the Elio Motors investment opportunity can go to StartEngine – https://www.startengine.com/startup/elio-motors -, the crowdfunding website launched in June by business incubator StartEngine.About Elio Motors
Founded by car enthusiast Paul Elio in 2008, Elio Motors Inc. represents a revolutionary approach to manufacturing an ultra-high-mileage vehicle. The three-wheeled Elio is engineered to attain a highway mileage rating of up to 84 mpg while providing the comfort of amenities such as power windows, power door lock and air conditioning, accompanied by the safety of multiple air bags and an aerodynamic, enclosed vehicle body. Elio’s first manufacturing site will be in Shreveport, LA.
For more information, visit http://www.eliomotors.com or http://www.facebook.com/ElioMotors.About StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc.
StartEngine is the premier equity crowdfunding platform, connecting Millennials and aspiring investors with tomorrow’s progressive companies. Based in Los Angeles, the company was created in 2013 by Howard Marks, co-founder of Activision, and Ron Miller. StartEngine aims to revolutionize the startup business model by helping individuals invest in private companies on a public platform, now viable for the first time in history, thereby helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.Learn more at http://www.startengine.com
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Elio Motors
Qualcomm’s wireless charging tech now works on metal phones
Until now, you’ve had a choice: a smartphone with a sleek metal chassis, or one that played nice with wireless charging standards. Those days may be over. Qualcomm just announced that its WiPower charging technology can now power smartphones, tablets and other devices with metal cases. The updated standard is already available to device manufactures and licensees, the company says. Everything else about WiPower seems to be the same: it still charges at the same rate and still meets Rezence standards — it’s just doing the same job better now. Good enough.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Source: Qualcomm
Moto X Style, Moto X Play, and Moto G hardware roundup
The Motorola Moto X is a respected device, and many fans of the device have been waiting for more than just another incremental upgrade for the device. Last year’s refresh was minimal, however, Motorola more than delivered this year, introducing not only the Moto X Style/Pure Edition and the Moto X Play, but also a better Moto G.
All three devices are sporting some great specs, and each one might be the best in its class. Hit the break to check out what all three devices are packing, hardware wise.
Moto X Style Specs
- 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad HD display
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset
- Dual-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 and quad-core 1.44GHz Cortex-A53 CPU
- Adreno 418 GPU
- 3GB of RAM
- 16/32/64GB internal storage options
- microSD card support up to 128GB
- Universal 4G LTE bands
- 21-megapixel rear camera
- 5-megapixel front-facing camera
- 3,000mAh non-removable battery
- TurboCharge capabilities
- NFC, GPS, Bluetooth 4.1
- Android 5.1.1
You can check out more information on the Moto X Style here and a beautiful gallery here.
Moto X Play Specs
- 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 display
- IP52 certified
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset
- Quad-core 1.7GHz Cortex-A53 and quad-core 1.0GHz Cortex-A53 processor
- Adreno 405 GPU
- 2GB of RAM
- 16/32GB storage options
- microSD support, up to 128GB
- 21-megapixel rear-camera
- 5-megapixel front-facing camera
- 3,630mAh non-removable battery
- TurboCharge capabilities
- NFC, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0
- Android 5.1.1
Click here to view the embedded video.
You can check out more about the Moto X Play here.
Moto G Specs
- 5-inch 1280 x 720 IPS LCD display
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- IPX7 certified, water resistant in 1 meter of water, up to 30 min
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset
- Quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU
- Adreno 306 GPU
- 1/2GB RAM
- 16/32GB of internal storage
- microSD card support, up to 32GB
- 13-megapixel rear camera
- 5-megapixel front-facing camera
- 2,470mAh non-removable battery
- NFC, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0
- Android 5.1.1
Click here to view the embedded video.
You can check out more information on the all-new Moto G here.
Wrap Up
Motorola has certainly impressed us, from their flagship devices to their mid-range offering. Whichever device you choose to buy, Motorola has made sure to put together an excellent experience. Be sure to stay tuned with Talk Android, as we’ll have some awesome hands-on videos for you to check out tomorrow!
Did Motorola meet your expectations? Surpass them? Sound off in the comments below!
Come comment on this article: Moto X Style, Moto X Play, and Moto G hardware roundup
Google on ‘Stagefright” exploit: not all Android bugs are this bad, thanks to Google’s security measures
Bugs may be endless, but that doesn’t mean they are harmful… at least not all them are. Lead engineer Adrian Ludwig made sure to touch on this subject after the whole ‘Stagefright’ exploit was discovered by the media. This vulnerability is said to leave about 95% of Android users exposed to hackers, who could gain access of your handset by simply sending you an MMS message with a malicious file.
As expected, this was a major cause of distress for the industry and all Android users, but Ludwig took it to Google+ to tell us we shouldn’t worry too much, as they are working on this issue and not all bugs are like this one. In fact, it’s amazingly rare to find similar exploits, as Google takes several precautionary measures to make sure your device is protected. Let’s go through some of the most important ones.
ASLR – Address Space Layout Randomization
ASLR is a security technique that shuffles code location, making it harder for hackers to predict it. The system hides memory addresses and these values then have to be guessed.
“For the layperson — ASLR makes writing an exploit like trying to get across a foreign city without access to Google Maps, any previous knowledge of the city, any knowledge of local landmarks, or even the local language. Depending on what city you are in and where you’re trying to go, it might be possible but it’s certainly much more difficult” -Adrian Ludwig, Android security lead engineer
non-PIE linker support removal
ASLR and PIE (position-independent executables) work together, allowing for memory location-based protection. Since Android 5.0, non-PIE content is no longer supported. This makes it harder for any attacker to make its way through the code and find what he needs in order to build an exploit.
NX – No eXecute
Google introduced NX with Android 2.3. Essentially, this is a technology used in CPUs, which seclude memory areas and limit the way code is executed. In Android, it mostly protects the stack and heap.
Fortify Source
Fortify Source is a security method that allows the system to recognize when too many bytes are being copied from a source to its destination. Hackers are known to copy more bytes than usual when they want to overflow a buffer. If such an event were to occur, the system can stop the process. In Android, all code is compiled with these protections.
RELRO – Read-Only-Relocations
Read-Only-Relocations protect internal data sections from being overwritten, in case of a bss or data overflow. It gains control over software execution flows, making attackers harmless in many ways.
And more!
Google has been working hard to keep Android secure. Even if some vulnerabilities come up here and there, Google is confident most people will be fine. More issues start arising when you unlock certain root capabilities and manage to get attacked, but not as many people ever tinker with their smartphones in that way.
Those who want to learn more about security enhancements in Android can always go ahead and take a look at Google’s official security page.
But are you really safe?
We would be lying if we told you there isn’t some risk of being hacked, despite all these security measures. The truth is, Android is the most popular mobile OS in the world. When an operating system becomes so popular, hackers start working, and we aren’t seeing an exception here.
According to Eset, Android Malware increased by 63% in 2013, compared to 2012. So did the malware families for Android. The numbers are more modest when we compare 2014 to 2013, but a 25% increase in infections (according to Alcatel-Lucent) is still a significant rise.
This is why we urge you to be smart with your devices. Try not to have MMS auto-download activated, don’t install apps from unreliable sources and make sure not to dig into weird websites. Meanwhile, Google does continue to try and improve security matters by asking for help from the developer community, which has always been the foundation of this glorious operating system.
Android Security Rewards – help Google find exploits and earn good cash
In an effort to discover possible exploits, Google is willing to offer a monetary reward to those of you who discover a vulnerability. The cash amount will depend on the severity of the hack, but Ludwig does state the Search Giant will pay up to $30,000 to anyone who provides a working remote exploit against the Nexus 6 or Nexus 9.
Adrian Ludwig goes on to mention there have been no attempt to claim the Android Security Rewards, which is a bit reassuring for users. It might also be a challenge to our beloved developers. If you are up for the challenge, just visit the Android Security Rewards page and learn all about the program.
White House speeds up (and opens up) online petitions
The White House’s We the People site is supposed to help the government hear your calls for change, but that isn’t quite how it worked out: backlogs meant that it took ages to respond to petitions. You’ll be glad to hear that the service is getting a much-needed tune-up, though. As of today, the White House plans to respond to any petition that hits the 100,000-signature goal within 60 days “wherever possible.” There’s also a new team dedicated solely to making sure that the right people see a petition, which should help cut through some of the bureaucratic hierarchy.
The feds are taking some additional steps to open up the platform, too. It’s posting the code for We the People to Drupal and GitHub in the hopes that other organizations (ideally, including other governments) can use it to create their own petition systems.
None of these improvements guarantee that the White House will actually say “yes” to petitions, of course. Just ask those whose hopes of a pardon for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden were shot down at the same time as the White House unveiled its We the People reforms. This effort should still be a big help for relatively safe causes (think of the smartphone unlocking petition), but don’t be surprised if it mostly leads to hearing quicker “nos” on hot-button topics.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong]
Filed under: Internet
Source: White House Blog
What’s on your HDTV: ‘Review’, ‘American Summer’, ‘Reading Rainbow’
We’re checking in a bit late with this week’s selections of what to watch — luckily the highlights are yet to come. For anyone who writes or reads reviews, Comedy Central’s Review with Forest Macneil is ready to scratch your scoring itch in a funny, out of control way each week. Last season Forest reviewed addiction, theft, racism, orgies and many other topics — we can’t wait to see what season two brings. Netflix is ready this week with Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, a prequel to the movie. ESPN also has its final 30 for 30 of this round of documentaries, as Angry Sky focuses on Felix Baumgartner predecessor Nick Piantanida’s three attempts at setting a highest jump record. Finally, this weekend a collection of Reading Rainbow episodes is coming to Netflix.Look after the break to check out each day’s highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
Blu-ray & Games & Streaming
- Home (3D)
- Miracle Mile
- Zone Troopers
- NHL Stanley Cup Champions 2015: Chicago Blackhawks
- NBA Champions 2015: Golden State Warriors
- Miracle Mile
- Cherry 2000
- N++ (PS4)
- Life is Strange (Episode 4), (PS4, PS3)
- The Swindle (PS4, PS3)
- Lost Dimension (PS3)
- Kings Quest: A Knight to Remember (PC,PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360)
- Never Alone: Foxtales (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
- Magic Duels: Origins (Xbox One)
- Dream (PC)
- Reading Rainbow (Netflix, August 1)
Tuesday
- America’s Got Talent, NBC, 8PM
- WWE Tough Enough, USA 8PM
- Knock Knock Live, Fox, 9PM
- Face Off (season premiere), Syfy, 9PM
- Zoo, CBS, 9PM
- Rizzoli & Isles, TNT, 9PM
- Stitchers, ABC Family, 9PM
- Hollywood Game Night, NBC, 10PM
- Scream, MTV, 10PM
- Clipped, TBS, 10PM
- Proof, TNT, 10PM
- Tyrant, FX, 10PM
- Another Period, Comedy Central, 10:30PM
- The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, Comedy Central, 12:30AM
Wednesday
- America’s Got Talent: 10 Year Anniversary Special, NBC, 8PM
- White People, MTV, 8PM
- Melissa & Joey, ABC Family, 8PM
- Life on the Reef, PBS, 8PM
- Unsung Hollywood: George Wallace, TV One, 8PM
- Big Brother, CBS, 8PM
- Baby Daddy, ABC Family, 8:30PM
- Dating Naked: Playing for Keeps, VH1, 9PM
- Extant, CBS, 9PM
- Suits, USA, 9PM
- Jim Rome, Showtime, 9PM
- Rogue, DirecTV 101, 9PM
- Last Comic Standing, NBC, 10PM
- The Jim Gaffigan Show, TV Land, 10PM
- I Am Jazz, TLC, 10PM
- Key & Peele, Comedy Central, 10PM
- Catfish, MTV, 10PM
- Mr. Robot, USA, 10PM
- The Game (series finale), BET, 9PM
- Twinning, VH1, 10PM
- Impastor, TV Land, 10:30PM
- Why? With Hannibal Burress, Comedy Central, 10:30PM
- America’s Best Dance Crew, MTV, 11PM
- The Exes, TV Land, 11PM
Thursday
- 30 for 30: Angry Sky (season finale), ESPN, 8PM
- Food Fighters, NBC, 8PM
- Boom!, Fox, 8PM
- Beauty and the Beast, CW, 8PM
- The Astronaut Wives Club, ABC, 8PM
- WWE Smackdown, Syfy, 8PM
- Dates, CW, 9PM
- Big Brother, CBS, 9PM
- Aquarius, NBC, 9PM
- Dates, CW, 9 & 9:30PM
- Mistresses, ABC, 9PM
- Review with Forest Macneil (season premiere), Comedy Central, 10PM
- Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, FX, 10PM
- Dominion, Syfy, 10PM
- Lip Sync Battle, Spike TV, 10PM
- Rectify, Sundance, 10PM
- Under the Dome, CBS, 10PM
- Graceland, USA, 10PM
- Rookie Blue, ABC, 10PM
- Hannibal, NBC, 10PM
- Maron, IFC, 10PM
- Married, FX, 10:30PM
- Geeks Who Drink, Syfy, 11PM
- One Bad Choice MTV, 11PM
- Reactor, Syfy, 11:30PM
Friday
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, Netflix, 3AM
- Cold Justice (spring finale), TNT, 8PM
- Cold Justice: Sex Crimes (series premiere), TNT, 9PM
- Masters of Illusion, CW, 8PM
- Defiance, Syfy, 8PM
- Killjoys, Syfy, 9PM
- Strike Back (season premiere), Cinemax, 10PM
- American Greed, CNBC, 10PM
- Dark Matter, Syfy, 10PM
Saturday
- The Perfect Girlfriend, Lifetime, 8PM
- Cedar Cove, Hallmark, 8PM
- Boston EMS ABC, 9PM
- Hell on Wheels, AMC, 9PM
- Mythbusters, Discovery, 9PM
- Power, Starz, 9PM
- Atlantis, BBC America, 9PM
- Jay Pharaoh: Can I Be Me?, Showtime, 10PM
- Hannibal, NBC, 10PM
- Johnathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, BBC America, 10PM
Sunday
- Big Brother, CBS, 8PM
- I Am Cait, E!, 8PM
- Welcome to Sweden, NBC, 8 & 8:30PM
- Big Brother, CBS, 8PM
- Last Tango in Halifax, PBS, 8PM
- Ray Donovan, Showtime 9PM
- True Detective, HBO, 9PM
- Humans, AMC, 9PM
- The Last Ship, TNT, 9PM
- Patient Killer, Lifetime, 9PM
- Masters of Sex, Showtime, 10PM
- The Strain, FX, 10PM
- Ballers, HBO, 10PM
- Falling Skies, TNT, 10PM
- Halt and Catch Fire (season finale), AMC, 10PM
- Naked & Afraid, Discovery, 10PM
- Brink, HBO, 10:30PM
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, HBO, 11PM
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Check out this awesome gallery of the Moto X Style
Motorola announced the Moto X Style today during its live streamed event across London, New York City, and São Paulo. The Moto X Style is truly a beautiful device, and we’ve put together a gallery of gorgeous photos showing off the device.
Hit the break to check out the Moto X Style in all of its glory!
If you missed out an all the excitement today, be sure to check out our initial coverage of the Moto X Style, Moto X Play, and Moto G. Be sure to stay tuned with Talk Android, as there’s plenty more in the works!
Come comment on this article: Check out this awesome gallery of the Moto X Style
AIVAnet 