Um, what: OnePlus’ latest tweet about the OnePlus 2 suggests “this could all crash and burn”
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You know, I just don’t know what to make of OnePlus’ marketing strategy anymore. The lead up to the release of the OnePlus One smartphone was marred by infamous marketing stunts like asking people to destroy their phones to get a OnePlus One and getting women to post up pictures of themselves to get as many likes as possible for the same result. Neither were great moves, moves that appeared to have disappeared from OnePlus’ repertoire before the launch of the OnePlus 2. However, while the high profile antics are no longer prevalent, we have the below tweet posted today:
Just 3 days left until you see the #OnePlus2. “In the end, this could all crash and burn.” – Emmanuel, Marketing pic.twitter.com/Dxe4Gv2B8r
— OnePlus (@oneplus) July 25, 2015
Now, I’m not particularly good at marketing, but saying that “this could all crash and burn” is either getting a little pessimistic about the launch of what is supposed to be their 2016 Flagship Killer, or it’s fishing for compliments – I’m not exactly sure which is better in this situation, but neither looks particularly good. At best, it’s an attempt to show that the company is human, but claiming that you may have the best device for the next two years and then second guessing yourself really sends out a mixed message. Let’s hope the messages over the next two days are less confusing.
What do you think about OnePlus’ latest tweet about the OnePlus 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Twitter
The post Um, what: OnePlus’ latest tweet about the OnePlus 2 suggests “this could all crash and burn” appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Sony Xperia Z5 release could coincide with new Bond movie, Spectre
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Unless you watched the last few Bond movies with your eyes closed, you will likely know that Sony has its tendrils deep in the movie – not only financially, but with not-quite-subtle product placement. The latest rumour surrounding Sony and the latest Bond movie, Spectre, is that there is a Sony device that is referred to as “made for Bond”, which is emblazoned on some promo images accompanied by the name “Xperia” and the number “5”. Seeing as Sony’s latest flagship was the Sony Xperia Z4, we can only assume this means the Sony Xperia Z5 release is somehow tied to the release of Spectre.
Of course, be sure to take this news with a grain of salt – since the letter next to the “5” is blurred out, we don’t really know if it’s the Xperia Z5 that this promo is referring to, though it would seem a waste to have a lower tier device “made for Bond”. Spectre opens in theatres on November 6th, so presumably we’ll be seeing some movement from Sony in the weeks leading up to that – no doubt we’ll be seeing a few leaks too.
What do you think about the Sony Xperia Z5 being “made for Bond”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Digi-wo via Phone Arena
The post Sony Xperia Z5 release could coincide with new Bond movie, Spectre appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
OnePlus stands by their statement that the OnePlus 2 is a 2016 Flagship Killer
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A few weeks ago, Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus tweeted out that the OnePlus 2 is a 2016 Flagship Killer. We were a little incredulous to say the least – the OnePlus 2 isn’t even assured to be a 2015 flagship killer, let alone for 2016. Well, OnePlus has clarified itself again, saying that what they are going to announce on July 27th “is so much more than specs”. To quote OnePlus’ blog post directly:
“It’s about seeing more than what’s right in front of you, chasing more than just benchmarks, and doing more than just competing. We’ve combined hardware, software, and design into a total, forward-thinking package with features that matter to our users.”
That all sounds great, but we’ll have to see whether the OnePlus 2 has what it takes. The blog post confirms all the details that they have leaked out about the OnePlus 2 – a 64-bit processor (Snapdragon 810 v2.1), 4GB RAM, USB Type-C, a fingerprint sensor, as well as Oxygen OS. We can sort of see the approach that OnePlus is taking, offering the intangibles that make a smartphone the one to keep, however we’re concerned that the industry isn’t configured in a way that will support it – the market is geared towards numbers, numbers that need to increase year after year. If the OnePlus 2 is going to compete not only in 2015, but in 2016 as well, they’re going to have to announce something big. Really big.
What do you think about OnePlus’ confirmation that the OnePlus 2 is a 2016 Flagship Killer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: OnePlus via TalkAndroid
The post OnePlus stands by their statement that the OnePlus 2 is a 2016 Flagship Killer appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Summer is watching people beat games ridiculously fast for charity
Video game speedruns are always impressive feats of memorization, skill and flawless gameplay — but twice a year they’re also a conduit for altruism. Next week is one of those times. Starting on July 26th, Summer Games Done Quick will kick off seven full days of Twitch-streamed speedrunning. The goal? Raise as much cash as possible for Doctors Without Borders and have a ridiculously good time.
The event is always fun, and it’s getting more successful each year. At the Games Done Quick January event, the group raised over a million dollars for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Want to get in on the fun (and charity)? Check out the Twitch stream below and take a look at the event’s schedule: over the course of the next week, GDQ’s speedrunners will be making short work of all your favorite franchises, including more than half a dozen Mario and Sonic games (each!), two Resident Evil games, six Legend of Zelda games, a ton of Mega Man titles and dozens of other games spanning the last 25 years.
Check it out, join in and have some fun — there are even raffle drawings and a ton of prizes, including a 500GB PlayStation 4, action figures, classic games and more. The fun starts at 1 PM, EST this Sunday.
http://www.twitch.tv/gamesdonequick/embedWatch live video from GamesDoneQuick on www.twitch.tv
Source: Games Done Quick, Twitch
Fallout Shelter finally has an Android release date
Fallout fans with Android devices have been feeling a little jilted ever since E3, when Todd Howard, Game Director at Bethesda Game Studios, announced that along with Fallout 4, Bethesda had developed a free mobile Fallout game called Fallout Shelter. Not only that, but it was available to download that same day, for iOS devices. Needless to say, we were a little disappointed. Ok, lets face it, we were a lot disappointed.
It wasn’t long until Pete Hines, Vice President of PR/Marketing at Bethesda tweeted that the Android version should be out next month.
@kolos_kovacs coming along nice. haven’t announced a date, but should be out next month. we’ll let you know when we have specifics
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) July 1, 2015
Needless to say, our nerd rage was satiated, at least, a little. Today Bethesda took to Twitter to announce that Fallout Shelter would be available to Android users on August 13th this year.
Very excited for Android users to begin playing #FalloutShelter on August 13th. pic.twitter.com/FYXvyIzaAj
— BethesdaGameStudios (@BethesdaStudios) July 24, 2015
At least we now have a firm date. Are you excited for Fallout Shelter? Do you buy into the hype? Let us know in the comments.
The post Fallout Shelter finally has an Android release date appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Fallout Shelter finally has an Android release date
Fallout fans with Android devices have been feeling a little jilted ever since E3, when Todd Howard, Game Director at Bethesda Game Studios, announced that along with Fallout 4, Bethesda had developed a free mobile Fallout game called Fallout Shelter. Not only that, but it was available to download that same day, for iOS devices. Needless to say, we were a little disappointed. Ok, lets face it, we were a lot disappointed.
It wasn’t long until Pete Hines, Vice President of PR/Marketing at Bethesda tweeted that the Android version should be out next month.
@kolos_kovacs coming along nice. haven’t announced a date, but should be out next month. we’ll let you know when we have specifics
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) July 1, 2015
Needless to say, our nerd rage was satiated, at least, a little. Today Bethesda took to Twitter to announce that Fallout Shelter would be available to Android users on August 13th this year.
Very excited for Android users to begin playing #FalloutShelter on August 13th. pic.twitter.com/FYXvyIzaAj
— BethesdaGameStudios (@BethesdaStudios) July 24, 2015
At least we now have a firm date. Are you excited for Fallout Shelter? Do you buy into the hype? Let us know in the comments.
The post Fallout Shelter finally has an Android release date appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Apple and Nike Settle FuelBand Class Action Lawsuit
Apple and Nike settled a two-year-old class action lawsuit that challenged their advertising claims regarding the Nike+ FuelBand. The lawsuit alleged that Nike and Apple made misleading statements about the FuelBand’s ability to accurately track steps, calories and NikeFuel.
Under the settlement, customers who purchased a FuelBand between January 19, 2012 and June 17, 2015 can make a claim for either a $15 payment or $25 gift card redeemable at Nike-owned stores in the United States and Puerto Rico or at Nike’s online shop. The number of claims that a customer may submit depends on the number of FuelBands they purchased. Claims can be submitted until January 4, 2016.
While Apple was included in the class action lawsuit, Nike will be paying the settlement administrator and attorney’s fees on its own and Apple has no responsibility for payments or gift cards.
Apple stopped selling the Nike+ FuelBand and other fitness trackers in both its retail and online stores this past March, while a report last year indicated that Nike would discontinue making new FuelBands to focus on software for other devices.
Customers who bought a Nike+ FuelBand between January 19, 2012 and June 17, 2015 can find out more about the settlement via the legal notice authorized by the California state court.
Game of Thrones Episode 5 ‘A Nest of Vipers’ now available to purchase
The fifth episode in Telltale Games’ Game of Thrones adventure game adaptation is now available. Episodes have been released one-by-one, and the latest to launch is A Nest of Vipers, leaving only one episode left in this particular series.
Game of Thrones is currently on sale in the United States, thanks to Google’s weekend deals on many games in the Play Store. You can pick it up for $0.60, however, you only get the first episode in the series for free. Any other episodes can be obtained through individual $5 in-app purchases, however, Telltale Games does offer a $20 season pass, giving you a small discount on the entire package.
Unfortunately, the weekend sale doesn’t affect the individual episodes, as those are specifically priced by Telltale Games. That said, there isn’t much leeway as far as discounts on those go.
If you’re interested in getting in on the sale before it ends on Monday, scan the QR code or hit the download link below.
Come comment on this article: Game of Thrones Episode 5 ‘A Nest of Vipers’ now available to purchase
5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly
Sponsor: Turtle Tumble
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Turtle Tumble is a fun little puzzle game that is a variant of mini golf. You must complete levels and help Ollie find his family! It’s a simple game with Google Play Services, easy mechanics, and tons of content that is totally free to unlock if you have the patience. It’s playable by all ages but especially great for kids thanks to its colorful graphics and adorable animal characters. Check it out and show your support for Android Apps Weekly!
Welcome back to Android Apps Weekly everyone! Here are your headlines for this week!
- Hulu is a great service that has always been given lackluster reviews because it makes you pay and makes you watch advertising. In a recent report, it appears as though Hulu is entertaining the idea of adding a new pricing tier that would remove all ads. We hope that is something that actually happens.
- App Annie released their stats for how well the Play Store and Apple App Store did during the second quarter of 2015. Most of the stats are pretty much the same as they’ve always been but a few surprises remained, including video streaming making a larger impact on revenue.
- A new Humble Bundle is out now with eight awesome games including a few METAL SLUG games. You can donate the minimum and get five games or beat the average, which is just under $5 and get all eight plus whatever games get added. It’s a great way to get some games and give to charity.
- Google Play is tossing a huge sale that involves some real big time games at a really cheap price. They include The Room 2, FOTONICA, Republique, Hitman GO, Monument Valley, and XCOM: Enemy Within for far more than 50% off. These are amazing games and you should definitely check them out.
- Late last week the long awaited Cortana for Android was leaked and we managed to get our hands on it. It is in a very early beta so it doesn’t perform all that well yet but we imagine it’ll get better by the time it is released. We got our hands on it and you can see that article/video here.
For more Android apps and games information, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter. There we’ll have all the headlines, updates, and new releases that we didn’t have time for here. If you want, enter in your email address and we’ll send this info to you every single Friday!
Subscribe to Apps Weekly Newsletter
The latest apps, games and Google play news in your inbox once a week.
Also don’t forget that we have a Twitch channel now! We’re going to be playing Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 4PM EST. One of those days we’ll be playing The Walking Dead by Telltale Games and Sunday and Monday we’ll be playing something new. Check it out!
Forsaken World
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Forsaken World is a new MMORPG with some really decent graphics and some fun mechanics. At its core there isn’t much that others don’t offer but it does have some semi-unique things like mounts. The graphics really are quite good and as a result the game is quite large. Other than that, it works pretty well aside from some release day bugs so do keep those in mind if you decide to try it out.
Kodi
[Price: Free]
Kodi, formerly known as XBMC, has finally hit the Google Play Store for the masses after years and years of waiting. This is version 15 which brings 4K support along with all those other features we love about Kodi. For those who don’t know, this is a very powerful media player application that manages practically any media file in your library and also comes with a ton of third-party plugins for additional content. It’s worth a shot, especially for those of you with devices that hook up to your TV.
Slugterra: Dark Waters
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Slugterra: Dark Waters is an action adventure shooter where you must avoid obstacles, kill bad guys, and solve puzzles to make it through various levels. The game comes with 13 levels currently and there are even duel arenas to play in. It is a tap to play game which is isn’t preferable for adventure games but you do have to move quickly at times. It’s a fun little time waster that is free to download.
Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle is a new title out of Bandai Namco and as the title suggests, there is a ton of Dragon Ball Z stuff here. It’s a hybrid game that’s part board game and part fighting game with a little bit of puzzle game thrown in for good measure. It is heavily based around a story not unlike the TV show so there will be a lot of dialogue. It’s free to play and it’s pretty decent, especially for Dragon Ball Z fans.
Microsoft Hyperlapse
[Price: Free]
Microsoft Hyperlapse is a camera application that got a lot of press not long ago when it was released in beta. Essentially this application takes a ton of pictures and puts them together in a time lapse video. This is one of the more unique ways to create memories on Android and it’s just a lot of fun to use. It exited beta this last week and it’s now available for everyone and you can find that link below. It’s definitely worth a shot.
Wrap up
If we missed any great releases, updates, or Android apps and games news, tell us about it in the comments!
New Report Says Apple Was in Talks to Use BMW i3 as Basis for Electric Car Project
Apple and BMW were in negotiations to use the German car manufacturer’s car platform for its electric i3 for Apple’s rumored car project, code-named “Project Titan”, according to a new report from German business magazine Manager Magazin [Google Translate].
The Cupertino company was interested in the body of the i3, which is a small hatchback that has a shell made out of carbon fiber, helping keep the car light. The two companies began talks in autumn 2014, but broke off talks before committing to check in with each other and their plans periodically. The report also states that Tim Cook and Apple senior managers made a trip to BMW’s factory in Leipzig, Germany to take a look at the production of the i3.
This isn’t the first time BMW and Apple have been linked to be working on a car. In March, a report from German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport claimed the two were in close negotiations to turn the i3 into an “Apple Car”. However, BMW denied the claim to Reuters hours after the report surfaced.
Earlier this week, Apple hired Doug Betts, former Senior Vice President of the Chrysler Group and the global head of operations leading product service and quality, continuing the company’s hiring of automotive experts. Additionally, Apple hired Paul Furgale, a researcher with a specialization in autonomous vehicles.
While details on Apple’s car project have been scarce, there have been reports of Apple recruiting talent from the automotive industry, including poaching employees from Tesla, Ford and GM, and that the company has hundreds of employees working on its car project. Rumors suggest Apple is aiming to produce a car by 2020, but because Apple often works on projects that never see the light of day, it’s possible the company could delay or shelve the project if it’s not happy with its progress.
AIVAnet 