Google introduces safety warnings for corrupted and modified Android software
An interesting page has shown up in Google’s support website. It’s titled “Warning about operating system safety”, and looks to be a fresh guide for understanding what a new set of notifications mean. These new warnings haven’t been seen in previous devices, making us believe they are something to be introduced with Android M. What are they all about, though?
Moving forward, your Android software will be checked every single time the device boots, giving you a specific warning if the phone has been somehow tinkered with, or is corrupted. I can see this being a great feature for those who have a habit of buying used smartphones. You never know what others have done to second-hand devices, and a warning like this will prove to be a good red flag for those who would rather stick to stock software.
By the way, all these messages should disappear after 10 seconds, or if you press the power button. So if the software is not actually corrupted and you just happen to have an unlocked bootloader or a ROM installed, this will be nothing but a slight distraction.
Now, let’s move on to what these 3 different warnings will tell you about your handset.
Yellow – “Your device has loaded a different operating system”
The yellow warning will show up whenever the device boots an OS that is different from what was originally installed in it. This means you are likely running a third-party ROM. In this case, you can choose to continue using this ROM, or reach out to your device manufacturer to try and get some help reinstalling the original software. Hopefully they will want to help you, as the warranty is usually void after choosing to install a ROM on your device. If it doesn’t work out with them, Google is your friend!
Orange – “Your device software can’t be checked for corruption. Please lock the bootloader.”
As the warning itself mentions, this message will show up whenever your bootloader is unlocked. As with the previous situation, you can refer to your manufacturer or forum threads to figure out how to revert the procedure.
Red – “Your device is corrupt. It can’t be trusted and may not work properly.”
This is the ultimate warning, and you likely don’t want to see this message show up on your screen. Shall this appear, it would mean your device is not safe to use, not trusted and/r corrupted. The OS could still work, but there’s high chances you will encounter performance and security issues.
Wrapping up
What do you guys think of these new improvements? Is it good to have these security systems in tow, or will it be more of an annoyance to those of you who like to tinker with devices’ software? Hit the comments and share your 2 cents!
Google almost got in the burger biz
Google reportedly tried to buy Impossible Foods, a plant-based cheeseburger company for $200-$300 million. A deal was unable to be reached because Impossible Foods wanted a larger amount.
We are unsure why Google would want a burger company or if they will continue to look for others in the future. Google has been buying up all different kinds of businesses in recent years, but this seem a little out of the norm.
One reason why might be because Impossible Foods is backed by the likes of Bill Gates and Google executive Tony Fadell. It is one of many recent sustainable food companies that rely less on large animals.
Source: The Information
Come comment on this article: Google almost got in the burger biz
OnePlus 2 puts the competition on notice next month
Tonight, OnePlus finally showed the world the device that will take the company into the future. Carl Pei, the leader of OnePlus, was joined by various employees and fans in a pre-recorded virtual reality launch event. Everyone participating in the introduction of the OnePlus 2 provided a detailed explanation of why the device features a particular component and how the user benefits from it.
The exterior of the OnePlus 2 is what gives it a premium look and feel. And, honestly, the build quality is likely going to be what makes this phone as high-end as OnePlus expects it to be. The OnePlus 2 is constructed from a “strong and lightweight” metal. The buttons and ports along the sides of the OnePlus 2 are pretty simple. The left and right sides feature the power button, volume rocker, SIM card slot (with dual SIM support), and alert slider. The latter is what will allow users to control which incoming notifications provide sound or vibration. The bottom of the OnePlus 2 has a USB Type-C port for both charging and data transfer.
Keeping up with the trend of large displays, OnePlus opted to use a 5.5-inch display. But the resolution (at least on paper) does not compare with the Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4. Those two devices have Quad HD (2560×1440) displays while the OnePlus 2 remains at Full HD (1920×1080). The company explained that bringing in additional pixels “brings nothing to the user experience.” Furthermore, during the launch event, someone from OnePlus stated that the technology “isn’t there” for Quad HD to bring any benefits.
Below the display on the OnePlus 2 is a fingerprint sensor that stores up to five unique fingerprints with quick processing time.
The camera is vastly improved compared to the original OnePlus One, an area that received many wanted to see changed this time around. OnePlus is using a 13MP camera with last focus and optical image stabilization that apparently takes less than 0.3 seconds to produce a photograph without blur or fuzziness. The camera is capable of capturing video in 120 frames per second.
The processor inside is indeed Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 paired with 4GB of RAM. The phone will draw its power from a 3300mAh battery.
Once again, OnePlus has a device with a clean version of Android that also has a few areas of customization. OxygenOS returns, likely based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, alongside different color modes that change accent colors throughout the operating system. The OnePlus 2 also supports custom icon packs, icon grid resizing, and various LED indicator settings.
Color options will start with Sandstone Black and expands over time. OnePlus has four StyleSwap covers to choose from as well: Bamboo, Black Apricot, Rosewood, and Kevlar.
When it came down to pricing, though, OnePlus shied away from speaking up… for a few minutes. The company ended its livestream just after bashing Samsung, Apple, and LG for pricing their flagship devices at $700 or more. Shortly after, OnePlus announced that the OnePlus 2 will cost $329 for the 16GB model and $389 for the 64GB model.
People located in the United States, Canada, India, European Union, and China can purchase the OnePlus 2 on August 11. Countries in southeast Asia will unfortunately have to wait until the final quarter of 2015. Prior to that date, starting on July 31, the company will operate nine pop-up experience stores around the world to meet OnePlus employees and test the OnePlus 2.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: OnePlus 2 puts the competition on notice next month
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 leaked in much clearer set of photos
We have seen plenty of great Samsung Galaxy Note 5 renders, but the few actual photos out there leave plenty to be desired. The eminent launch of Samsung’s new over-sized smartphone(s) is coming and we have been hoping to get a clearer look at the handset. Grab a seat and stick around, for that day has finally arrived!
The new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 leaked images come from nowhereelse.fr, a well-recognized French website. This new set of ninja photos consists of 8 shots, displaying the phone in varied angles. Though the pictures are not exactly press quality and do have some photographic noise, they do offer a good look at what we could be seeing.
We are not exactly getting much new information from this leak, but it does corroborate past rumors. The phone seems to sport that metal edge with glass on both the front and back, adopting the same design language the Korean manufacturer introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S6. The metal frame models the same chamfered edges and the back is curved on both sides. Everything is where we expect it to be.
Sadly, it does still seem like Samsung is getting rid of the removable battery and expandable storage option. Is this a big deal to you? I know it is to me, so hit the comments and let us know what you think about this possible change.
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If you have been out of the loop, you should definitely take a look at our Samsung Galaxy Note 5 rumor roundup. This article will tell you everything there is to know, so far, about the new phablet. We will continue to update it as more details emerge, so try keep it tuned to the post, as well as our homepage.
OnePlus 2 officially announced: everything you need to know
The OnePlus 2, the self-dubbed “2016 flagship killer” has arrived, and we’re here to tell you all about it. From the OnePlus 2’s specs, to its main features, and details about its price and availability, we’ve got you covered.
It’s July of 2015, and OnePlus is feverishly plotting murder. The weapon? OnePlus 2, its second ever phone. The target? The elite of the industry: next year’s iPhone, Samsung’s high-flying Galaxies, HTC’s metal beasts, and others. The M.O.: cutthroat pricing, rogue marketing.
Crime doesn’t pay, but there’s someone who will profit from OnePlus’ killing spree. That’s you, the regular smartphone buyer, looking for a quality device that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Provided you can get an invite, that is.
OnePlus 2 specs and features
OnePlus has drip-fed us many of the OnePlus 2’s specs and features, so most of this section isn’t a surprise. Here’s a rundown:
| Display | 5.5-inch LCD, Full HD |
| Processor | 1.8GHz Snapdragon 810 |
| RAM | 3 or 4 GB (depending on storage option) |
| Storage | 16 or 64GB storage |
| Networks | US GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/8 FDD-LTE: Bands: 1/2/4/5/7/8/12/17EU/India GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/5/8 FDD-LTE: Bands: 1/3/5/7/8/20 |
| Software | OxygenOS based on Android 5.1 |
| MicroSD | No |
| Dual-SIM | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No |
| Fingerprint Scan | Yes |
| Camera | 13MP rear 5MP front |
| Battery | 3,300mAh |
| Dimensions | 151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85 mm, 175g |
The OnePlus 2’s specs should please a lot of people, even with the predictable absence of a removable battery and microSD card, and the rather controversial inclusion of a Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor. OnePlus has tried to put some distance between itself and the PR troubles that have plagued HTC, by suggesting that its own Snapdragon 810 chip is better than the one in other phones, though that may not actually be true. Regardless, the 810 should be a very capable processor, even with throttling involved. For some actual impressions of the performance of the device, check out our OnePlus 2 hands-on.
We salute the inclusion of 4GB of RAM in the 64GB version, though the 16GB of storage in the starting version (3GB of RAM) is slightly disappointing. A very nice addition is the 3,300 mAh battery, even if its inclusion contributed to the OnePlus 2’s 9.85 millimeter profile and 175 grams in weight.
The OnePlus 2 is one of the first smartphones to feature a USB Type-C port, and that’s not just a bragging right. Type-C is the future – it’s convenient, compact, universal, and versatile. Its inclusion is an argument for Carl Pei’s bold statement from a recent interview that the OnePlus is a future-proof phone.
On the front, the OnePlus 2 features a generously sized home button/fingerprint sensor, that OnePlus claims is faster than the TouchID sensor on the iPhone. This is a touch-based sensor (no swiping needed) and you can associate multiple fingerprints to it. More about it in the hands-on. Flanking it are the capacitive keys, though you can switch to an on-screen nav bar if you prefer it.
One surprise hardware feature of the OnePlus 2 is the “Alert Slider,” which is a slider placed on the left side of the phone, that lets you switch from full notifications, to priority mode, to silent mode. Nifty! That’s not something you see on Android devices, so we’re excited to give it a try.
OnePlus 2 design, build, and customization
You’ll get a much better feel about this from the hands-on post and the versus, but the OnePlus 2 builds on the OnePlus One recipe, while adding enough spice to make it feel new.
There’s now an aluminum-magnesium frame going around the sides of the phone, while the buttons and other accents are stainless steel. It’s a great addition, that should make the device feel even nicer. The camera on the back has been moved slightly towards the center of the device, which takes a while to get used to, and the same can be said about the Samsung-like home button on the front.
The overall look is interesting – sleek, without feeling exceedingly expensive. And that’s probably because OnePlus mixed the metal with plastic or natural wood. The OnePlus 2 will be available in the following finishes:
- Sandstone Black
- Kevlar
- Black Apricot
- Bamboo
- Rosewood
The OnePlus One’s Silk White appears to be gone, but note we don’t know yet which of these finishes will be available at launch. The StyleSwap covers are now supposed to be easier to replace, without any special tools required.
OnePlus 2 software
The OnePlus 2 runs Oxygen OS, a custom ROM based on Android 5.1. OnePlus hired most of the key members of the Paranoid Android custom ROM team to make Oxygen OS a real product, and by all accounts, they have been hard at work at it. That said, the time was short, the team was new, and the expectations were sky-high, so it remains to be seen just how good Oxygen OS turns out to be.
Among the key additions to stock Android included in Oxygen OS are:
- Audio Tuner, which lets you select sound presets based on your activity
- off-screen gestures (draw a “V” to open the flashlight)
- easy notification access
- custom icon pack support
- dark mode
- app permissions
- an enhanced file manager
- and a new feature called Shelf
Shelf allows you to swipe from the right on the homescreen to open up a panel with two widgets giving you access to the most used apps and favorite contacts. It’s billed as a beta feature for now, and OnePlus says more functionality will be coming in time.
With these new features, it remains to be seen whether Oxygen OS is stable and reasonably bug-free. You can get an impression of it from our hands-on, with more to come in the review.
OnePlus 2 price, availability, and invite system
The OnePlus 2’s price is probably the most important factor that will determine its sales success, and fortunately, OnePlus delivered, again:
- The OnePlus 2 64GB will cost $389
- The OnePlus 2 16GB will cost $329
That’s slightly more than the launch price of the One, but arguably, you get more for that money.
As for the OnePlus 2 release date, the OnePlus 2 64GB will be available with an invite from August 11 in the US and EU. The 16GB version will be available “later.”
Yes, you will still need an invite to buy a OnePlus 2, but OnePlus says the process will be a lot less painful this year. The company said it tweaked the way it distributes invites and that it secured a lot more initial inventory, though considering that it grossly underestimated demand last year, we’ll believe it when we see it. Still, let’s give OnePlus the benefit of the doubt, and hopefully the OnePlus 2 will land is as many hands as possible, as fast as possible.
Read more
There you have it – all the OnePlus 2 essentials. For more, including hands-on videos, check out our other coverage:
- OnePlus 2 hands-on and first impressions
- OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One quick comparison
- OnePlus 2 vs Galaxy S6 quick comparison
- OnePlus 2 vs LG G4 quick comparison
- OnePlus 2 vs competition: specs battle
Press release
2016 Flagship Killer Unveiled: Meet the OnePlus 2
OnePlus Doubles Down on Design, Power and Innovation for the OnePlus 2, from $329
SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2015 – OnePlus, a global technology startup, today announced its latest flagship product, the much anticipated OnePlus 2. Following the global success of last year’s OnePlus One, the latest offering reaffirms OnePlus’ commitment to the highest level of craftsmanship in the industry today. The OnePlus 2 boasts top of the line specs, one of the best cameras on the market, beautiful design and the adoption of state of the art technology.
“From day one, we’ve prioritized our product and our community above all else – we carefully listened to our users’ feedback and incorporated suggestions in building the OnePlus 2.” said OnePlus Founder and CEO, Pete Lau. “We chose premium materials, the highest performing components and forward thinking technology to make this an unparalleled user experience.”
Specs that Impress
The OnePlus 2’s aluminum-magnesium alloy frame and jewelry-grade stainless steel accents encase a vibrant, full HD 5.5” IPS LCD In-Cell display. The OnePlus 2’s display outperforms in
direct sunlight with 178 degrees of crystal clear viewing angles. Noticeably more solid and durable, at just 175 grams, the OnePlus 2 is easy and natural to hold. A 3300mAh lithium polymer
battery powers the device throughout the day, and as a dual-sim device the OnePlus 2 simultaneously supports two Nano SIM cards with 4G LTE capability.
The 64-bit Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 810 SoC is the fastest processor on the market. With up to 64GB of storage and eMMC 5.0 flash memory, the OnePlus 2 is lightning quick. Paired with up
to 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, the OnePlus 2 powers all your apps, games and videos.
Capture Your World
The OnePlus 2 puts extraordinary digital photography power right in your pocket. The 13 megapixel rear facing camera boasts 6 physical lenses, powerful dual LED flash, and f/2.0
aperture. Perhaps most impressive is the sensor, which contains large 1.3 µm light-collecting pixels to deliver low-light shots like you haven’t seen before.
The OnePlus 2 camera has been engineered for improved clarity and stability, accomplished with the addition of an advanced Optical Image Stabilization system. Rear mounted laser technology
sharpens and focuses the camera in just .33 milliseconds and the wide-angle 5 megapixel front-facing camera ensures every angle is covered.
Carefully Crafted
The OnePlus 2 is a continuation of the smooth curves and clean lines that defined the OnePlus One. A striking yet subtle floating display and metal chamfered edges add elegance and solidity
to the outer frame, also making the OnePlus 2 easy to hold and comfortable in the hand. In addition to OnePlus’ signature Sandstone Black, consumers now have access to a range of
covers including actual wood built Bamboo, Black Apricot, Rosewood and even Kevlar.
Ahead of the Curve
Equipped with a USB Type-C charging port, OnePlus is paving the way for the adoption of USB Type-C technology, the latest in charging and data transfer. Taking it one step further, the
OnePlus charging cable uses patented technology making the Type-A side reversible as well. The OnePlus 2 is equipped with a fingerprint scanner, adding premium security and convenience.
Users can now wake and unlock the device with one of five stored fingerprints in less than half a second. Additionally, the OnePlus 2 features an alert slider for quick access to custom notification settings. Unprecedented on an Android device, the alert slider can silence the device with a simple click.
Innovative operating system – OxygenOS
The OnePlus 2 is the first device in the world to ship with OnePlus’ own operating system, OxygenOS. “With the OnePlus 2, we’re making a bet on the future, and doubling down on a holistic product experience,” said OnePlus Co-founder, Carl Pei. “We’re excited for what our fans have to say.” OxygenOS, based on Android 5.1, is a refreshing take on the pure Android experience. Subtle customizations like on screen gestures, dark mode, the ability to switch between hardware and capacitive buttons and toggle quick settings are baked in throughout the OS. Loaded with custom apps including Camera, Audio Tuner and File Manager, OxygenOS delivers a light, secure take on Android.
Pricing and availability
The 64GB OnePlus 2 will be available with an invite in the United States and European Union starting August 11 for $389. The 16GB OnePlus 2 with 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM will be available later for $329.
Fans can visit one of nine pop up experience centers located around the world on July 31 st to sign up for an invite and be one of the first in the world to see the OnePlus 2. Users can also tune in to OnePlus’ social media channels starting August 1st for a chance to get an invite.
About OnePlus
OnePlus is a technology startup committed to bringing the best possible technology to users around the world. Created around the mantra, “Never Settle”, OnePlus creates exquisitely designed devices with premium build quality and high performance hardware. For more information, please visit oneplus.net.
What’s your take?
So, are you impressed with the OnePlus 2 or are you disappointed? What do you love about the new phone, and what do you hate?
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OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One – the battle of the “flagship killers”
The OnePlus 2 has finally been announced and is set to compete against all the major flagships out there from the likes of Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, and others. But how does the new “flagship killer” fare against its very own predecessor? While we’ll likely be bringing you a more detailed look later, let’s jump in and pit these two OnePlus devices against one another in this short comparison.
Design
Both OnePlus devices share very similar design characteristics, but the Chinese startup has managed to differentiate them in a few key ways. The first change you will notice is the addition of a home button right below the screen on the OnePlus 2. This may take away from that sleek, simple look the OnePlus One has been known for, but one can also argue the phone maker was forced to do this, as that is where the fingerprint reader is located. The camera on the back is also placed a bit lower, while the flash has been relocated above the lens.
Looking around the new flagship, you’ll notice the rest of the button layout has been changed up a bit. The 3.5mm headphone jack still sits on the top, and the volume rocker sits on the right side, this time joined by the power/standby key. This is to make room for the new Alert Slider on the left side of the handset, giving users the ability to quickly mute and un-mute the device with the flip of a switch.
Moving to the bottom of the device, you’ll find a USB Type-C port flanked by two speaker grills. We’re extremely happy OEMs are finally beginning to make phones with this new type of port, as it opens up a whole new set of capabilities for the handset, including support for universal accessories, a reversible connector and more.
Display
When it comes to the display, OnePlus chose to go with essentially the same panel this time around. Measuring 5.5 inches and bringing the same 1920 x 1080 resolution to the table, the new flagship’s display looks very similar to that of the OnePlus One. While it’s a little odd that the company didn’t choose to go with a much higher-end Quad HD display, one benefit to keeping the resolution down is battery life. It takes a lot of battery to power a higher resolution display, so we’re sure some users out there will be fine with this trade-off.
Hardware
Even though the OnePlus 2’s display didn’t receive much of an upgrade this time around, the new flagship’s internals did receive a significant improvement. The OnePlus 2 comes with a Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor, Adreno 430 GPU and 3/4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, which should be more than enough to perform everyday tasks for most users.
So far performance seems great, and we’re excited to test out the OnePlus 2 in our full review.
Now that the OnePlus One has been out for over a year, the smartphone’s specs are beginning to feel a tad outdated by today’s standards. With its Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB of RAM, the One still runs smoothly from day to day, though it’s not as zippy as some of the more recent flagships on the market.
Overall both ph0nes will provide great experiences, though we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that the OP2 brings a few new extras to the table including the aforementioned fingerprint scanner, the new Alert Slider, and dual-SIM support for all versions of the OnePlus Two.
Camera
The OnePlus One is able to take some very decent photos, and that’s thanks in part to its powerful Sony Exmor sensor. The Japanese camera manufacturer is widely known for making some of the best smartphone cameras in the industry, and that was very true for the OnePlus One at the time of its launch. We’ll obviously have to wait and see how the OnePlus 2’s camera fares against the competition, but if history is any indicator, this new flagship probably won’t fail to deliver.
The OnePlus 2 and One both feature 13MP rear-facing cameras and 5MP front-facers, though the new handset has a few tricks up its sleeve. It now features laser autofocus technology and an f/2.0 aperture, which will make for quicker, better shots, even in low light situations. There’s also OIS this time, which is a nice bonus.
Software
Both the OnePlus One and OnePlus 2 are able to take advantage of OnePlus’ in-house built OxygenOS, so they are basically on par in terms of software. The main difference is that the OnePlus One originally launched with CyanogenMod, one of the most popular third-party Android ROMs. OnePlus parted ways with Cyanogen just some months ago, and so the phone maker moved on to its own OS. That said, OPO owners still have the option of running CM, while the OP2 will not offer the ROM out of the box.
While many folks love Cyanogen, Oxygen OS is actually pretty solid as well. The OnePlus-made ROM is known for its vanilla-like Android experience. It’s simple and clean, but also takes advantage of nifty gestures, quick settings improvements and a few other tweaks. Some of the OnePlus-centric features here include the ability to use soft keys instead of the hardware keys, a new shelf widget that lets you quickly get to the apps and contacts you want, and a few other minor changes.
Specs
| OnePlus One | OnePlus 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401ppi | 5.5-inch LCD, Full HD |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor | 1.8GHz Snapdragon 810 |
| RAM | 3GB RAM | 3 or 4 GB (depending on storage option) |
| Storage | 16 or 64GB storage | 16 or 64GB storage |
| Software | CyanogenMod OS or OxygenOS | OxygenOS based on Android 5.1 |
| MicroSD | No | No |
| Dual-SIM | No | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Fingerprint Scan | No | Yes |
| Camera | 13 MP Sony Exymor f/2.0 rear-facing camera 5 MP front-facing camera |
13MP rear 5MP front |
| Battery | 3,100mAh | 3,300mAh |
| Dimensions | 152.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm 162 grams |
151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85 mm, 175g |
Gallery
Pricing and final thoughts
This is where things get interesting, because the OnePlus One, more than anything, is known for its amazingly affordable pricing. The company exploded mostly thanks to this, as they managed to cut competitors’ prices in half and still offer similar performance. It was a bomb drop on the industry. No one had released a high-end phone for $300 before!
We now expect the same out of the OnePlus 2. Sadly, the price did go up, but not by much. The OnePlus 2 is priced at just $389 for the 64GB model, while the variant with 3GB of RAM will cost only $329. Even though the price has gone up slightly, this is still one hell of a deal for everything you get. OnePlus went above and beyond our expectations once again.
Now, back to the main question – which phone is better? Obviously, the OnePlus 2. It’s newer, much more powerful and adopts technology that was not yet standardized when the OnePlus One reached the market (some of it still isn’t, really). Now you have to ask yourself whether you really need the latest and greatest. Some don’t, and the OnePlus One is still an amazing device that could keep you satisfied. Especially if you get it at a good discount.
In relative terms, I’d say the OnePlus 2 will also be more successful and important to the industry. It’s a forward-thinking product that focuses on making a difference by competing with specs, features, quality and innovation, whereas before it was mostly about the price relative to performance.
What do you folks say? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
OnePlus 2 hands-on and first impressions
One of last year’s break-out devices was the OnePlus One, created by newcomer OnePlus. The handset offered a credible challenge to the status quo with impressive specs at an even more impressive price tag, and although it had a few faults, it was one of the most impressive devices of the year.
One year on, after months of teasers, leaks and announcements, OnePlus has unveiled the successor in the form of the OnePlus 2. The handset continues the philosophy of the OnePlus One but introduces several refinements to the original formula. But will it have the same effect as its predecessor? Here are our first impressions of the new OnePlus 2.
At first glance, the OnePlus 2 does bear some similarities to the OPO, mainly in the shape but also somewhat in its size. After all this is a 5.5-inch display returning once again, but the overall footprint is smaller than the OnePlus One and makes handling that much better. Looking on the front side of the phone you’ll instantly notice one of the biggest design changes with the OnePlus 2. There is now a home button under the display that is somewhat similar to what is found on Samsung devices, this houses the device’s fingerprint scanner. The button doesn’t quite have the tactile press that you’d get from a device like the Galaxy S6, however, as it is actually a small divet in the screen panel that is flanked on each side by back and recent apps keys that are designated by small lines.
Moving around the metal frame, you’ll find the power button is now on the right side of the phone, directly below the volume rocker. On the left side is a new button called the Alert Slider, which lets you quickly toggle between your notification settings (none, priority, and all), without needing to unlock your phone.
On top you’ll find the standard 3.5mm head phone jack, and on the bottom is the new USB Type-C port, making the OP2 one of the first phones to adopt the next-generation USB standard.
While many were hoping to see the OnePlus 2 embrace QHD, the 5.5-inch panel is only of the Full HD variety. Of course, this is kind of understandable when you consider the price of the phone, and the good news is that the display is still quite attractive and visibly brighter with better saturation when compared to the OP2’s predecessor. Bottom-line, the display might not be as impressive when compared to the higher-resolution screens found on Samsung and LG products, but is on similar ground to what HTC and Sony are offering in their current flagships.
In terms of build materials, the OnePlus 2 features metal chamfered edges with a Sandstone Black rear cover. For those looking for something a bit different, OnePlus will also offer actual wood Bamboo, Black Apricot, Rosewood, and even Kevlar through its SwapStyle line. Unlike the original SwapStyle covers, this time around OnePlus promises that removing and switching covers will be a painless process with no tools required. Additonally, the SwapStyle covers will be made available from day one, something that OnePlus failed to do with its original covers.
On the back of the phone is the 13MP rear camera, which has the same megapixel count as the original handset with improvements in processing and features. To improve the overall pictures, OnePlus has upgraded its new phone with laser auto-focus and a f/2.0 aperture lens, which should result in faster and better shots. Also on board is Optical Image Stabilization, which should help ensure better low light camera performance as well as software and algorithm improvements and 4K Ultra HD video recording. The front camera is a 5MP snapper that can capture Full HD video.
The improvements in this year’s OnePlus handset don’t stop there, as the Chinese manufacturer has also made major changes under the hood of its latest handset. The OnePlus 2 is powered by an octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor and an Adreno 430 GPU. As part of its future-proofing claims, OnePlus is offering 4GB LPDDR4 RAM in the OnePlus 2 which is coupled with 64GB internal storage that cannot be expanded. There will also be a cheaper model with 16GB storage and 3GB RAM.
Another interesting change in the hardware department is the decision to make all models of the OnePlus 2 dual-SIM compatible. While this may be less common in the west, there are still circumstances where such a feature could come in handy, such as while traveling or if you keep seperate numbers for work and personal.
The OnePlus 2 sports a non-removable 3300 mAh battery which OnePlus claims should last a full day but with so many next-generation specs, the jury is out until we review the handset. Like any flagship, the OnePlus has a plethora of connectivity options that include Wi-Fi 802.11 n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, NFC and FM Radio. As previously mentioned, the USB Type C port at the bottom of the handset is the next generation in USB standards and opens doors to a whole new set of capabilities, including support for universal accessories, a reversible connector and a lot more.
In the year since its inception, OnePlus has made the news for a variety of reasons and while some have been positive, its very public and messy falling out with Cyanogen was not so. When the OnePlus One was launched, the handset ran on CyanogenMod – a forked version of Android with lots of customization options – but its fallout with Cyanogen resulted in OnePlus launching its Oxygen OS earlier this year.
The latest version of OxygenOS is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop – which OnePlus said would also be coming to the OnePlus after the OnePlus 2 launch today – and brings the same clean user interface that’s akin to pure Android. That said, there are a few standout features that go beyond stock, including an expanded app permissions manager, an app for custom LED notifications, a dark/night reading mode, and a variety of special gestures tailored to make the OP2 experience as convenient as possible. The new software version is also introducing Shelf (beta), a new space to “keep, organize, and discover things you care about”. You’ll get frequent apps and other apps you’d use the most, and OnePlus says this feature will continue to evolve in the months to come as it marches out of beta.
It is also worth noting that OnePlus says it worked very closely with Qualcomm to optimize its software for the Snapdragon 810 and it shows as the phone gave us no trouble when it came to speed and lag was a non-issue in our time with the handset.
The OnePlus 2 will be launching in the coming weeks and, like the OnePlus One, it will be available via an invite system that OnePlus claims has been heavily improved since last year’s handset. There will be 30 to 50 times’ more inventory of the OnePlus 2 (compared to the OnePlus One) at launch and invites will be more readily available as well. The company has launched public registrations for OnePlus 2 invites and at the time of writing, it has over 300,000 registrations.
The OnePlus 2 definitely delivers an impressive specs list on paper and from our first hands-on, it seems that OnePlus is onto another winner. While the first handset’s specs now seem somewhat outdated, the second handset is a sign of the future with several features ensuring that the handset will still be current for the next year.
The first handset was dubbed the 2014 flagship killer, but it’s quite telling that OnePlus is referring to the OnePlus 2 as the 2016 flagship killer; rather than being reactive to other handsets this year, the OnePlus 2 is designed to offer superior specs not only to the OnePlus One but to most current handsets launched this year and into the next. In fact, companies may be scrambling to make modifications to their product portfolio, especially when you consider that the OnePlus 2 will cost just $329 for the base model.
OnePlus 2 StyleSwap cover hands-on comparison, availability and more
The OnePlus 2 has finally been announced and you can bet it’s one hell of a smartphone, but we know some of you are also worried about the looks as well. The good news is that not only is the phone designed beautifully, but the Chinese startup is offering swap-able covers, providing some choice in the way the back of the phone looks and feels.
And yes, this time they are really doing it; unlike last year, which proved to be a flop and only a few select users got to enjoy the bamboo cover. This time, all covers are available at launch, so get ready for some true customization! We are at the launch event and have put together a comparison video for you, so let’s take a look at what the OnePlus 2 StyleSwap covers have to offer.
Sandstone Black
Let’s start by looking at the original Sandstone Black cover, which returns from the previous iteration OnePlus handset. This cover looks just like it did in the past, with a sandpaper-like feeling and a nice gray profile that many of you have grown to love.
Kevlar
If what you like is traditional dark back designs, another option to consider is the kevlar back cover. This one does look a little bit like the carbon fiber options we may have seen in other phones, but that is not necessarily a negative characteristic. It does look quite nice and the stitching in the back will definitely turn some heads. I only hope this specific cover doesn’t get smudged out like I have found some other phones with similar materials do.
Bamboo
Now let us move on to my very favorite cover, and the one I am likely going to get. The OnePlus One bamboo cover was gorgeous, and I ran out to purchase it as soon as it became available. The same applies for the bamboo cover in the OnePlus 2. My one gripe about this cover is that it doesn’t wrap around the device like it did with the OnePlus One version, but that isn’t exactly a bad thing either. After all, the metal frame does feel very solid and looks splendid.
Rosewood
While this one is not particularly to my liking, the Rosewood cover is a very popular one here at the launch event. We are sure many of you will like its classic look, which will make it blend into most wooden furniture at home. It touts a bit more of a rustic appearance, that’s for sure.
Black Apricot
Those looking for a darker color, but still would like a wooden back, can go with the Black Apricot StyleSwap cover. It’s elegant and rustic, yet still very different from what you see in every other phone out there.
Wrapping up
So there you have it, guys. Those are all the OnePlus 2 StyleSwap covers that will be available right at launch. Right now we have no exact pricing, but will let you know as soon as we learn more.
All the covers are gorgeous and fit all types of personalities, but which one is the right one for you? Go ahead and tell us in the comments below! As always, do keep it tuned to Android Authority for other OnePlus One content and all things Android.
OnePlus 2 vs the competition: by the numbers
The successor to the “flagship killer” is finally here, boasting an improved design, high-end specifications and a very appealing price tag. But does the OnePlus 2 have what it takes to challenge the very best smartphones on the market right now? Until we get our hands on an OnePlus 2 review unit for deeper analysis, it’s hard to accurately answer this question, but we can at least dive in and take a look at how it compares to the competition on paper.
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The OnePlus One was a rather large smartphone and the OnePlus 2 is an equally hefty beast, featuring a large 5.5-inch display like its predecessor. Despite rumors suggesting the OnePlus 2 would make the jump to QHD, it turns out that the phone packs the same Full HD resolution as the original OPO. This means that the display here won’t quite live up to the standards of the LG G4 or the Samsung Galaxy S6, but should be on equal footing to devices like the HTC One M9 and Sony Xperia Z3+.
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While the size and resolution of the display remain unchanged, just about every other aspect of the phone has been significantly upgraded. Even the battery gets a nice jump up to 3,300 mAh, which bests the sizes offered by most other flagships.
| OnePlus 2 | Galaxy S6 | One M9 | Xperia Z3+ | LG G4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch LCD Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
5.1-inch AMOLED QHD (2560×1440) |
5-inch LCD FullHD (1920×1080) |
5.2-inch LCD FullHD (1920×1080) |
5.5-inch LCD QHD (2560×1440) |
| SoC | Snapdragon 810 | Exynos 7420 | Snapdragon 810 | Snapdragon 810 | Snapdragon 808 |
| CPU | 4x 2.0GHz Cortex-A57 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 |
4x 2.1GHz Cortex-A57 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 |
4x 2.0GHz Cortex-A57 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 |
4x 2.0GHz Cortex-A57 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 |
2x 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 4x 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Mali-T760 MP8 | Adreno 430 | Adreno 430 | Adreno 418 |
| RAM | 4GB (64GB model), 3GB (16GB model) | 3GB | 3GB | 3GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 16/64GB | 32/64/128GB | 32GB | 32GB | 32GB |
| MicroSD | No | No | Yes, up to 128GB | Yes, up to 128GB | Yes, up to 128GB |
| Unlocked Price | $329 (16GB), $389 (64GB) | $700 | $650 | $650 | $540 |
On the processing side of things, we see the familiar Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC that is powering the latest flagships from HTC and Sony. LG’s G4 offers a hexa-core Snapdragon 808 package rather than an octa-core 810 and Samsung has its own 14nm Exynos chip in its Galaxy S6. The v2.1 Snapdragon 810 apparently addresses the overheating issues, but other handsets featuring the updated chip, such as the Xperia Z3+ and One M9, still tend to get a little warm for our liking. The OnePlus 2 will match other smartphones in terms of performance, but some heat issues may still be present.
One area that the OnePlus 2 does go above any beyond the competition is the choice to go with 4GB of LPDDR4 memory. While the performance differences between 3GB and 4GB are unlikely to manifest in anything other than heavy multitasking scenarios, the higher bandwidth of LPDDR4 should bring performance improvements when recording and processing very high resolution media files and when gaming, as well as helping to reduce battery drain. LPDDR4 RAM can also be found in the Galaxy S6 and the HTC One M9, while a growing range of mid-range handsets are now including 4GB of RAM, including the ZTE Axon phone and the Asus ZenFone 2. It must be mentioned that this extra RAM is only to be found on the 64GB storage model, with the base unit opting for just 3GB of RAM.
Camera technology is a big talking point with this generation of smartphones and the OnePlus 2 remains competitive in this segment too, at least on paper. The handset comes with the same 13 megapixel resolution as last year but with an f/2.0 aperture and some new lenses. The OnePlus 2’s camera doesn’t quite match the raw resolution of handsets like the One M9, G4 or Galaxy S6, but the improved aperture should result in some decent low light performance. There’s also optical image stabilization and laser auto focus this time around, which are welcome extras.
We’ll have to go hands-on with the OnePlus 2 in more detail before making any final decisions. The 5 megapixel “selfie” camera is pretty standard compared with what’s out there right now, and some other handsets may provide slightly clearer looking shots.
| OnePlus 2 | Galaxy S6 | One M9 | Xperia Z3+ | LG G4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera | 13MP rear 5MP front |
16MP rear 5MP front |
20MP rear 4MP front |
20.7MP rear 5MP front |
16MP rear 8MP front |
| Battery | 3,300mAh | 2,500mAh | 2,840mAh | 2,930mAh | 3,000mAh |
| LTE | Category 6 | Category 6 | Category 6 | Category 6 | Category 6 |
| Dual-SIM | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Fingerprint Scanner | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wireless Charging | No | PMA and Qi | No | No | Qi (optional cases) |
| Unlocked Price | $339 (base), $389 (64GB model) | $700 | $650 | $650 | $540 |
Usually, lower-cost flagship smartphones undercut their premium tier competitors by omitting some unnecessary extras, but the OnePlus 2 isn’t holding back here either. The smartphone features a fingerprint scanner this time around, which is located in the physical home button. The Snapdragon 810 also supports QuickCharge 2.0 technology for faster recharging, and there’s a USB Type-C connection, so that you won’t have to fumble around with plugging in cables in the future. The smartphone’s camera has also picked up a laser autofocus module, something which we first saw with the LG G3.
However, the OnePlus 2 doesn’t feature everything that some might put on their flagship list. There’s still no microSD card slot for extra storage, although the smartphone does come with up to 64GB of storage. There’s also no built-in wireless charging technology and the battery cannot be removed, which was a common complaint made about the handset last time around. These features may make a difference to some consumers, while others might may not care them.
| OnePlus 2 | ZTE Axon | Honor 7 | Meizu MX5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch LCD FullHD (1920×1080) |
5.5-inch LCD QHD (2560×1440) |
5.2-inch LCD FullHD (1920×1080) |
5.5-inch LCD FullHD (1920×1080) |
| SoC | Snapdragon 810 | Snapdragon 810 | Kirin 935 | Mediatek MT6795 |
| CPU | 4x 2.0GHz Cortex-A57 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 |
4x 2.0GHz Cortex-A57 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 |
4x 2.2GHz Cortex-A53 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 |
4x 2.2GHz Cortex-A53 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 430 | Mali-T628 | PowerVR G6200 MP4 |
| RAM | 3 or 4GB RAM | 4GB | 3GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 16/64GB | 32GB | 16/64GB | 16/32/64GB |
| MicroSD | No | No | Yes, up to 128GB | No |
| Camera | 13MP rear 5MP front |
13MP + 2MP dual rear 8MP front |
20MP rear 8MP front |
20.7MP rear 5MP front |
| Battery | 3,300mAh | 3,000mAh | 3,100mAh | 3,150mAh |
| LTE | Category 6 | Category 6 | Cateogy 6 | Category 4 |
| Dual-SIM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint Scan | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No | No | No | No |
| Unlocked Price | $329 starting | $499 | $322 | $290 |
Overall, the OnePlus 2 builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor and offers up some serious competition to the more expensive market leaders, barring any hit-and-miss hardware issues like last time. However, there is also increasing choice in the $300 – $400 price bracket, with the ZTE Axon, Honor 7 and Meizu MX5 all offering competitive specifications at prices around $100 either side. The OnePlus 2 has some advantages, especially when it comes to processing hardware, but other cheaper Chinese smartphones are similarly feature rich these days.
The OnePlus 2 goes the extra mile with regards to performance and nicely bridges the gap between the plethora of Chinese mid-tier phones and the premium flagships, but whether or not the extra performance is worth the higher price tag will be up to individual consumers.
Google reportedly tried to buy a veggie burger company
Google has explored at least a few fields that have precious little to do with internet searches, but sources for The Information claim that it nearly went in a very unusual direction: the fast food business. The folks in Mountain View reportedly tried to buy Impossible Foods, a startup developing plant-based alternatives to meat and cheese, for between $200 million to $300 million. The young firm’s crowning achievement so far is a veggie cheeseburger (you’re looking at it above) that should taste like the real deal when it arrives later this year. If the rumor is accurate, Google only balked because Impossible wanted a higher sale price.
Just why Google would branch out to edibles isn’t clear, although the company has explored food in the past. Co-founder Sergey Brin helped fund a burger made solely from stem cells, for example. However, the most logical explanation is that this reflects Google’s recent fondness for projects that help humanity as a whole. If Impossible’s technology takes off, it’ll get people on to healthier diets, reduce the footprints of farms and feed people in areas where animals are impractical. It’s not certain that Google is still shopping around for an alternative, but don’t be shocked if the company’s next acquisition has more to do with cooking than code.
Filed under: Misc, Household, Internet, Google
Source: The Information
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