Sony’s Xperia Z5+ to run 4K X-Reality software, lends weight to 4K display rumour
Moving away from Samsung articles, here we have a report that Sony could bring a new version of its display software called X-Reality to its upcoming Xperia smartphones. While that news isn’t exactly enthralling, another small factoid has reared its head that is much more exciting; in that a version of the display software is called 4K X-Reality. This lends further credence to the rumour that the upcoming Xperia Z5+ (S70+) may actually carry a 4K display.
According an article published last week, the Xperia Z5+ is apparently using the Snapdragon 810 processor and features a 5.5-inch display with a whopping 801ppi. In that same article, Brad, quite rightly, is sceptical about the Z5+ actually having a 4K display largely down to the huge impact such a high-resolution display would have on battery life, as well as the associated risks that come with using a Snapdragon 810 chip.
On the flip side of that opinion, Sony uses its 4K X-Reality PRO display software in its 4K televisions to help upscale HD content. It isn’t a huge leap of faith to connect the use of the 4K X-Reality display software with the Z5+ to mean that it will sport a 4K display. Also, given that the Z5+ will be slightly larger than the Z5, surely that means there is space for a larger battery, to help minimize the impact on battery life from using such a high-resolution display.
The other rumoured Xperia handsets, the Xperia Z5 (S70) and Z5 Compact (S60). will run the X-Reality display firmware as well, albeit not the 4K version. What do you think? Will Sony go all-in with the Xperia Z5+ trying to differentiate it from the likes of Samsung or is the inclusion of a 4K display just overkill? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Digi-Wo
Via: XperiaBlog
Come comment on this article: Sony’s Xperia Z5+ to run 4K X-Reality software, lends weight to 4K display rumour
Sony adds binaries for 64-bit devices
Sony has uploaded a new set of operating system binaries for their first 64-bit devices based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. The new files will work on the Sony Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z4 Tablet and the Xperia Z4 Tablet WiFi. All of these devices are based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor. With these files uploaded to the Sony AOSP for Xperia web site, the custom ROM community will be able to more easily produce customized, AOSP based ROMs.
Along with those devices, Sony also created a new file repository for the Xperia M4 Aqua even though the device is not able to be unlocked at present. The Xperia M4 Aqua is based on the mid-range Snapdragon 615 chip from Qualcomm.
Developers interested in pulling these AOSP builds into their ROM creations can head over to Sony’s site to download the binaries and instructions. Sony does say there may be a few stability issues and functions disabled.
source: Sony
via: Android Authority
Come comment on this article: Sony adds binaries for 64-bit devices
Cricket now offering the LG G Stylo and HTC Desire 626s
If you’re a Cricket Wireless customer, you’ll soon have two more options when it comes to picking out your next phone. The carrier is now officially offering LG’s G Stylo and HTC’s Desire 626s on their cheap prepaid service plans.
The G Stylo is the closest thing you’ll get to a budget friendly Note-esque device, sporting a 5.7-inch screen and a stylus. It’s other specs are pretty competitive, too, with a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, 3,000 mAh battery, and an 8 megapixel rear camera. If you’re interested in the Stylo, Cricket is asking $199 for the device.
The Desire 626s is a little more conventional, with a 5-inch display, 1.5 GB of RAM, and an 8 megapixel camera. It’s also $50 cheaper at just $149, which may be worth it if you don’t care about the stylus and prefer HTC’s design language.
Both devices are available today, so if you’re interested you can go ahead and lock an order in.
source: Android Central
Come comment on this article: Cricket now offering the LG G Stylo and HTC Desire 626s
New Nexus 5 2015 cases leak, shows off the phone’s design
With all of the recent leaks about an LG made Nexus 5 this year, it’s starting to look pretty likely the phone will be a reality by the holidays. Some new images have surfaced today showing a case of the new Nexus 5, which means we get a fantastic look at all of the angles on the phone.
You can see pretty much exactly how the device will look, included a rounded camera lens, the camera flash, and what’s likely going to be a fingerprint scanner right below the camera. If the case description is anything to go by, you can also expect a 5.2-inch screen, which I personally think is a welcome change from the monster that was the Nexus 6. It even looks like the USB Type-C port will be present, too.
Google typically announces these devices around October, so if this thing is real, we’re not far out from an announcement.
source: AliExpress
via: Android Central
Come comment on this article: New Nexus 5 2015 cases leak, shows off the phone’s design
New Google Sunroof project to help you tap the power of the sun
One of Google’s corporate principals is to allow their employees time to pursue projects they are interested in, even if it is not part of their regular job duties. These 20% projects can generate some unique opportunities for Google users, like the new Project Sunroof. This project, from engineering lead Carl Elkin, aims to help people tap into the power of solar energy as a way to save some money and go green.
Elkin noted that in conversations that he had with many people, there was a lot of misunderstanding about what kind of potential existed for the use of solar power at the residential level. People often thought there was not enough available sunlight or that deploying a solar panel system would be too expensive. Thus, Project Sunroof was born.
The tool uses the same high-resolution aerial mapping utilized by Google Earth to calculate solar energy potential for a selected rooftop. All users will have to do is enter a street address and Project Sunroof handles all the rest. This includes calculations of how much sunlight is typically received per year based on roof orientation, shade from trees or other buildings, and weather patterns. Users will also have a tool available to enter their typical electrical costs so potential savings can be calculated.
Of course, a Google product, even one in a pilot phase, would not be complete with the potential to tap into some ad revenue. In the case of Project Sunroof, once all the number crunching is done, the tool will also point users to local solar providers who can offer services and additional help.
Project Sunroof is currently limited to Boston, San Francisco and Fresno. However, if testing continues to work and Google can scale things up, they hope to expand to cover the entire U.S. and perhaps the rest of the world.
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: Project Sunroof
via: Google Green Blog
Come comment on this article: New Google Sunroof project to help you tap the power of the sun
LG G Stylo and HTC Desire 626s now available through Cricket
One of the better U.S. prepaid carriers is the AT&T-owned Cricket Wireless, which offers aggressive pricing and discounts while utilizing AT&T’s network coverage. While you can you bring any compatible GSM phone to Cricket, the carrier also has a number of devices available for sale directly. Now the prepaid carrier is adding two new options, the LG G Stylo and the HTC Desire 626s.
First up is the G Stylo, a large screen smartphone with a 5.7-inch 720p display and a Snapdragon 410 processor with 1GB RAM. Other specs include an 8MP main cam, 5MP front cam, 16GB storage with microSD, a removable 3000 mAh battery, and an Android 5.1 Lollipop. The specs here aren’t particularly high-end but should still provide a fairly solid Android experience. It’s also worth mentioning that the Stylo includes a stylus, though its just an ordinary pen and lacks the advanced capabilities of something like the S Pen.
Next on the list we have the Desire 626s. a Snapdragon 210 powered handset with 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, microSD, a 2000mAh battery, an 8MP rear cam, 2MP front cam, and Android 5.1 Lollipop.
The LG G Stylo and Desire 626s are available starting today, priced outright at $199.99 and $149.99 respectively. While both aren’t bad devices, it is important to note that there are tons of arguably better alternatives out there, including the new Moto G, that will work just fine on Cricket’s network at a similar price tag.
Samsung shows off how Android M will impact their devices
Samsung seems pretty excited for the release of Android M. As they should be. Android M is adding a slew of new features that will improve just about every flagship device in some way. Samsung has created an info-graphic, which describes exactly what Android M will do for their various devices.
Unsurprisingly, although Android M will bring native microSD support, Samsung has left this little tidbit off of their info-graphic. Although reports and pictures have come through showing off a microSD card slot for the International version of the Galaxy Note 5, it seems that will be the only device with that support. This leaves the rest of Samsung’s arsenal of new devices without any expandable storage, instead, opting for the Apple route of making users pay if they need/want more internal storage.
Regardless of that, it’s pretty nice to see Samsung make something like this to show off how Android M will affect their devices going forward. Would you like to see more manufacturers doing this kind of thing. Sound off in the comments below.
Source: Sam-Mobile
The post Samsung shows off how Android M will impact their devices appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Dual-SIM Galaxy Note 5 up for pre-order, no microSD slot after all
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 has -perhaps unsurprisingly- become something of a polarizing product. On the one hand, it has all the hallmarks of the Galaxy S6, though on the other hand it has all the hallmarks of the Galaxy S6. More specifically, the device makes use of the same premium glass-aluminum frame-glass sandwich build, yet forgoes any option to swap the battery or expand the memory with microSD. Perhaps taking things a step further, the Note 5 also has deleted the IR blaster, somewhat of a curious omission given that Samsung has been so eager to include it in past products.
Rumors had been swirling around that the Duos (Dual SIM) version of the Galaxy Note 5 would include support for microSD, and reached somewhat of a fever-pitch this past weekend when a site mistakenly confused the Galaxy A8 with the Note 5 Duos. Unfortunately there is now proof undeniable that no version of the Note 5 will include expandable storage. Take a look:
This picture comes from Taiwanese website ePrice who has obtained (and reviewed) the Duos version. As the above picture clearly shows, the single SIM tray is home to two card slots, neither of which do double duty for microSD. The final nail, so to speak, has now been put in the coffin and hopefully this should put an end to the rumors stating otherwise.
As things stand now, the only “hope” for the missing support would come about if Samsung released a Galaxy Note 5 Neo, though such likely wouldn’t happen until next year. The Neo devices are typically modified versions of the core installments whose name they retain. The Galaxy Note 3 Neo for example, was essentially a Galaxy Note 2 in a Note 3-type design and with minor hardware edits.
The storage issue aside, one source is already reporting that the Galaxy Note 5 Duos is now up for pre-order in the Philippines, where it comes with “free gifts”, likely a wireless charging cradle or free download software, but perhaps something else entirely.
Are any of our readers intending to buy the Dual SIM version of the Galaxy Note 5? Were any of you holding out your hopes for the inclusion of microSD? Let us know your thoughts and reactions in the comment section below!
Sprint’s ‘iPhone Forever’ Program Ensures Customers Always Have the Newest iPhone
Sprint today introduced a new plan called “iPhone Forever,” which grants upgrade eligibility for the newest iPhone to any customer who doesn’t have the most current version of Apple’s flagship smartphone on their contract. The plan goes into effect today, and the company is opening the data plan to both new and old Sprint users, although the latter must have an upgrade eligible device to start using iPhone Forever.
“We asked ourselves, ‘What could we do that would move our customers forward with the latest and greatest technology every day?’ said Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO. “We decided: How awesome would it be if anytime customers don’t have the latest iPhone, they are eligible to upgrade, and have it be as simple as handing us your existing iPhone and picking up a new one – all included in your monthly rate.”
iPhone Forever lets customers get an iPhone for $22 a month, with the simple rule that anytime they don’t have the latest iPhone on their plan, they are automatically eligible for an upgrade. Sprint is also discounting the service to $15 per month for any customer who trades in an existing smartphone, the catch being that the new phone purchased has to be a 16GB iPhone 6, and the monthly rate will increase back to the normal amount after their next upgrade.
The $15 promotion will last until December 31, 2015, and the company notes that iPhone Forever is available on “any eligible Sprint rate plan.” Sprint’s announcement today follows a few week’s worth of other carriers‘ detailing the introduction of their own brand new service plans for customers, no doubt all preparing for the next-generation iPhone launch sometime next month.
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