Kyocera Hydro WAVE splashes onto T-Mobile and MetroPCS
Kyocera has been no stranger to producing durable and waterproof phones. Their Hydro line can be mostly found via prepaid carriers, with low retail pricing to boot. That being said, these phones aren’t meant to shine in the specs department.
Today we get word on a Kyocera Hydro update for T-Mobile and MetroPCS, the WAVE.
As expected, we have some robust durability specs: IP57 certification, for waterproofing (immersion for up to 30 minutes in 3.28 ft or 1 meter of water) and dust protection, and a military 810G rating for shock. The screen is also said to be impact-resistant, with reinforcement by the chassis.
Kyocera also say that the touchscreen still works when it’s wet. It’s great to hear they’ve thought this through.
The retail price of the WAVE is quoted at $150, so expect some lofty compromises:
- Display: 5″ IPS qHD (960 x 540 pixels) LCD
- SoC: Snapdragon 410 (quad-core, 1.2 GHz)
- RAM: 1 GB
- Storage: 8 GB on-board, with microSD expansion up to 32 GB
- Cameras: 5 MP rear and 2 MP front
- Battery: 2,300 mAh, non-removable
- OS: Android 5.1 Lollipop
There are a few notable software extras that Kyocera has included:
- MaxiMZR and Eco Mode – two energy-saving features that manage apps and overall power consumption.
- MagniFont – enlarges selected text to make it easier to read.
- Core Home – simplifies the UI
The Hydro WAVE will be available at T-Mobile starting July 22nd, followed by MetroPCS on July 27th. Does the WAVE match what you had in mind for a durable phone at the $150 price-point?
Source: Kyocera
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AT&T adds the ASUS ZenFone 2E to the GoPhone line-up
Budget friendly phones have gained a ton of traction in the US in the last couple of years. More and more people are opting for prepaid plans as they are a great alternative to high-priced contracts. As a result, budget phones have gotten more attention from manufacturers, as they know customers still want a phone that can handle the day-to-day tasks without the price of a flagship.
Asus and AT&T have partnered to bring a no-compromise budget smartphone called the ZenFone 2. For $119.99, you will get a 5-inch 1280×720 IPS display with 294ppi pixel density, Gorilla Glass 3 to keep things scratch free, 4G LTE, 1GB RAM, 8GB of on-board storage with the option to add a Micro-SD card up to 64GB, and it also comes with a 8MP rear camera with HDR mode. In a comparison to a highly reviewed budget smartphone, the 2nd generation Moto G, all specs are the same with exception to the processor choice. The 2nd generation Moto G uses a Snapdragon 400 whereas the ZenFone 2E uses the dual-core Intel Atom processor. In regards to the price, the almost identically spec’d Moto G retails for 179.99, so if you’re trying to decide which phone is best, I think it is safe to say the Asus ZenFone 2E should be the phone to go with. Keep in mind that Motorola has a reputation for providing the best service when it comes to updates to the software.
Specifications
| Model | ASUS ZenFone™ 2E |
| Operating system | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) with ZenUI |
| Display | 5-inch IPS display with 1280×720 (HD) resolution and 294ppi pixel density
Corning® Gorilla Glass® 3 with anti-fingerprint coating |
| PixelMaster Cameras | 8MP front F/2.0 aperture, auto-focus, LED flash, 5-element lens
2MP rear, F/2.0 aperture |
| Video recording | 1080p HD video recording |
| Network standards | AT&T 4G LTE
FDD LTE 2/3/4/5/7/17/20 3G 850/900/1900/2100 2G 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Memory & Storage | 1GB RAM
8GB eMMC storage Micro SDXC slot (up to 64GB, sold separately) |
| Wireless | 802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth® 4.0 |
| Connectors | 3.5mm audio jack |
| Location sensors | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Battery | 2500mAh non-removable lithium-polymer |
| Colors | White and black covers included |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5.83″ x 2.81″ x 0.43″ |
| Weight | 5.47 oz. |
| MSRP | $119.99 with AT&T pre-paid GoPhone plan |
ASUS press release – If you click the source be aware of the press release automatically switching to the ASUS homepage.
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GoldGenie launches its trio of 24K gold-plated HTC One M9’s
There’s no denying that the HTC One M9 is one of the more strikingly elegant smartphones currently on the market, but if it’s not quite premium enough for you, GoldGenie is offering a trio of 24K gold-plated variants of the handset with eye-watering price tags.
The M9 is available from the supplier of luxury customized gift in three different finishes — gold which weighs in at $2400, rose gold which will set you back $2500 and platinum which retails for $2600. But that’s not the total cost. Customers will also be required to pay shipping fees on top.
As you’d expect, all handsets from GoldGenie come with a lifetime warranty to cover any potential damage to their gold paintwork. They also come protected by HTC’s Total Armour Protection scheme.
Source: GoldGenie
Come comment on this article: GoldGenie launches its trio of 24K gold-plated HTC One M9’s
Hauwei defies trend with smartphone sales growth of 39%
Defying a dropoff in sales of smartphones in the Chinese market, Huawei reported their smartphone sales for the first half of 2015 increased 39 percent. The performance was driven in large part by demand for high-end devices, which when combined with Huawei’s middle tier handsets, resulted in a 70 percent increase in shipments for those categories.
According to Huawei, the largest telecom equipment manufacturer in China, the company sold 48.2 million smartphones during the first half of the year. For reference, Apple sold 47.5 million iPhones just in the second quarter. Although Hauwei is huge in China, they still trail Apple, Samsung and Lenovo in terms of global smartphone sales.
Analysts have noted that the Chinese market has started to cool recently. For the first quarter of 2015, the market actually experienced a contraction which was the first decline since 2008. For the past five years, the Chinese market average 88.8 percent annual growth. However, IDC is projecting that growth rate will fall all the way to just 4.4 percent by 2019.
Huawei has slowly been positioning itself to survive the changes in its home market for smartphones. The company has introduced a smartwatch, it has been rolling out a global marketing campaign, and has focused on expanding in European markets, notably Spain and Italy.
source: Bloomberg
Come comment on this article: Hauwei defies trend with smartphone sales growth of 39%
Kyocera brings rugged Hydro Wave to T-Mobile and MetroPCS
If you are slightly clumsy and drop your phone too often, or don’t want to worry about breaking your expensive handset due to your butter-fingers syndrome, there is a perfect solution for you – Kyocera’s Hydro Wave.
Launching on T-Mobile as well as MetroPCS, the Hydro WAVE features a 5-inch display, a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of expandable storage and 2,300 mAh battery. Running the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop, the rugged device comes with top of the line connectivity options including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.
The USP of the device is its drop-proof, impact-resistant and water-proof design. The Hydro Wave comes with IPX5 and IPX7 certification that lets it survive in one metre of water for up to 30 minutes. The touchscreen of the device is even operable under water. It also has Military Standard 810G and IP5X dust-proof certification to its kitty.
While T-Mobile customers can buy the Kyocera handset for $149.99 from today onwards, MetroPCS stores will start selling it on July 27.
Affordable Hydro WAVE Offers Large 5-Inch Display in a Waterproof, Drop-Proof, Impact-Resistant Design
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kyocera Communications Inc. today unveiled its newest waterproof 4G LTE Android smartphone – the Kyocera Hydro WAVE. The latest in Kyocera’s portfolio of durable, waterproof devices, the Hydro WAVE sports a large 5-inch display and a drop-proof, impact-resistant design. Suggested retail price is $149.99 before rebates or promotions. The phone goes on sale at participating T-Mobile locations on July 22, then launches at MetroPCS stores nationwide on July 27. Wireless providers will confirm their pricing and any additional availability details.
“Water damage and dropped phones regularly top the list of causes of smartphone failures. Hydro WAVE protects against those, while providing a worry-free experience for users.”
“The Hydro WAVE not only offers the display size and features of more expensive devices, but also gives users the peace of mind that comes with such a durable phone,” said Chuck Becher, vice president and general manager of sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications. “Water damage and dropped phones regularly top the list of causes of smartphone failures. Hydro WAVE protects against those, while providing a worry-free experience for users.”
Its waterproof design protects the Hydro WAVE against everyday hazards, like drops in a puddle or the toilet. With its IPX5 and IPX7 certifications, it will survive an unexpected shower or water immersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 3.28 feet (1 meter) of water. The phone’s touchscreen can even be operated when wet. Hydro WAVE also carries Military Standard 810G certification for shock and drops, and an IP5X dustproof rating. Hydro WAVE’s high-speed 4G LTE network technology is complemented by Wi-Fi calling for even more reliable and flexible connectivity.
The Hydro WAVE features the Android 5.1 “Lollipop” operating system and marks the debut of Kyocera’s “Core Home,” an optional, simplified user interface for those who prefer the familiarity of a feature phone. It comes ready with Google Mobile services including Google Play, Google Hangout, Gmail, and more. The phone also is equipped with a 5MP camera capable of 720p HD video capture at 30fps, a 3-axis accelerometer, Stereo Bluetooth (4.0 + LE/EDR) wireless technology support, as well as voice recognition and hearing-aid compatibility. It includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 1.2GHz Quad-Core CPU, along with 8GB ROM/1GB RAM and a microSD™ memory card slot for up to 32GB of additional memory. Hydro WAVE has a long-lasting 2300mAh Lithium ion (Li-ion) non-removable battery and includes Kyocera’s Eco Mode and MaxiMZR applications for enhanced power management.
For more information about the Kyocera Hydro WAVE, visit http://www.kyoceramobile.com/hydro-wave or see it at a T-Mobile or MetroPCS retail store.
Come comment on this article: Kyocera brings rugged Hydro Wave to T-Mobile and MetroPCS
[Deal] SanDisk discounts 64GB flash drive with WiFi from $295 to only $50
Those of you with new phones like the Samsung Galaxy S6 that lack a microSD card slot will be happy to learn an ongoing deal for a storage device from SanDisk. It looks just like a normal USB flash drive, but has a few tricks up its sleeve. It has a microSD card slot for storage, a battery, and acts as a WiFi hotspot.
All you have to do is press the WiFi button to turn it on and it will start broadcasting a WiFi single out to all devices around it. You then connect to it on your mobile device and transfer all the files you want to it using their app. You do not need an internet connection for it to work either.
It even allows you to stream content from it to your mobile device. Say you have a large movie on the USB stick you can connect to it and stream the movie to your phone without plugging anything in or transferring anything to your phones storage. Again, without an internet connection.
I have listed mobile devices so far, but it will work with computers as well. It can connect to them while they are still connected to the internet as well. Just keep the device in your pocket and transfer all you want without any wires.
If that wasn’t awesome enough the microSD card it comes with is 64GB which is plenty of additional storage space, but can be upgraded to a 128GB if you happen to have/buy one in the future.
Right now, the 64GB model is on sale at Amazon for only $49.99. The retail price is $295 which makes this 83% or $245.01 off! To sweeten the deal even more the 64GB is actually cheaper right now than the 32GB or the 16GB.
[Amazon]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] SanDisk discounts 64GB flash drive with WiFi from $295 to only $50
Apple’s Strict Bluetooth LE Security Requirements Slowing Rollout of HomeKit Accessories
While it has been more than a year since Apple launched HomeKit, a software framework for communicating with and controlling light bulbs, thermostats, door locks and other connected accessories in the home, only five HomeKit-approved products have been released to date: the Ecobee3, Elgato Eve, iHome iSP5 SmartPlug, Insteon Hub and Lutron Caseta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit.
The slow rollout of HomeKit-enabled hardware accessories is not because of a lack of interest in the platform, but rather Apple’s strict security protocols for Bluetooth LE (low energy) devices, according to Forbes. In particular, the strong level of encryption required to use the HomeKit protocol through Bluetooth LE has resulted in lag times that essentially render some accessories useless.
For example, a smartlock that makes its user wait 40 seconds before it opens is clearly inferior to a traditional lock. One of HomeKit’s selling point is that it provides a more reliable user experience, so these kinds of lag times will need to be sorted out before Apple can become a major platform for the smart home.
Elgato Eve smart home sensors for doors, windows and energy consumption
Chipmakers such as Broadcom and Marvell have reportedly been working to improve their Bluetooth LE chips to more effectively handle Apple’s level of encryption, an important step if the company wants to become a major player in the smart home. In the meantime, developers have either been focusing on Wi-Fi-based HomeKit hardware or working on temporary solutions to the problem.
For the time being, Elgato has found a workaround for these problems with Bluetooth LE. It’s tweaked the firmware and added additional on-chip memory to handle the heavy-duty encryption. Elgato was not anticipating having to go make these modifications initially, and now the company hopes to make a side business selling its tweaks to other device makers wanting to build HomeKit devices with Bluetooth LE.
HomeKit delays have also been attributed to “sparse and shifting” documentation and Apple’s tedious certification process for its “Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod” (MFi) program. HomeKit accessory makers are required to send multiple prototypes of their products to Apple for testing, and the process can be lengthy until Apple is satisfied.
Apple’s attention to detail and focus on security should prove worthwhile for customers, however, and the company has the size and reputation to enforce manufacturers to adopt those high standards. “This is one of those things that Apple does,” a source working on a HomeKit device told Forbes. “They force an issue. It’s like that here. Regular Bluetooth has an issue — it’s not secure.”
Sony is testing a ‘stripped back’ version of Android
If you’ve ever wished that Sony would ditch its custom Android interface in favor of Google’s ‘pure’ experience… well, you’ll want to book an impromptu Scandinavian vacation. Sony is launching a 500-person Swedish trial of Concept for Android, a “stripped back” take on Android 5.1 for the Xperia Z3 that looks and feels like the stock Google interface while including Sony’s more popular apps and features. If you’re fortunate to be part of this test run, you’ll both improve the software itself and shape Sony’s overall strategy — it’s moving toward development based on “real user input” that will hopefully lead to more meaningful upgrades. And don’t despair if you don’t get in right now. The company is promising trials for more areas and more devices if this catches on, so you may still get a sneak peek at Sony’s Android plans.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony
Source: Sony Mobile Blog
Twitter’s Flight developer conference returns on October 21
Twitter just announced its second annual Twitter Flight developer conference set for October 21st in San Francisco. Like every other conference of this nature, the event is meant to reach out to devs and get them up to speed on the company’s developer-focused products. Unlike other tech firms, this year’s shindig will be Twitter’s first big event with a yet-to-be-named CEO and/or Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey taking the stage to share the social network’s news. The event will focus on the company’s mobile platform Fabric, its APIs for third parties and Gnip its enterprise platform. Of course with new(ish) leadership there’s also the chance that the company will use the opportunity to announce more consumer-facing products and changes to Twitter itself.
[Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Source: Twitter
Scientists implant teeny, tiny lasers into human cells
A few years back, a pair of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital made human cells glow by impregnating them with a molecule that’s normally found in jellyfish called green fluorescent protein (GFP) and packing them into a resonant cavity that amplified the amount of light each cell produced. Now, according to a new study recently published in the journal Nano Letters, a team of scientists from the University of St Andrews have developed a means of making individual glowing cells also act as their own resonant cavities.
The St. Andrews team accomplished this by coaxing each cell to engulf a tiny plastic bubble (the green dot in the image above) that acts as a resonant cavity. Each bubble is precisely sized and imbued with fluorescent dye. When a laser hits the cell, it excites the dye which bounces around and amplifies inside the bubble, then fluoresces at a different wavelength. Interestingly, the color of the light that the cell emits depends on the size of the bubble. So far, the researchers have gotten cells to produce light at three different wavelengths. And while the team has only been able to get the method to work in petri dishes, they hope to further develop it into a means of tracking specific cells — say, tumor cells — for days, even weeks.
[Image Credit: top – Arbi Babakhanians, inline – M. SCHUBERT ET AL., NANOLETT (2015); ACS]
Filed under: Science
Via: Science Mag
Source: Nano Letters
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