OnePlus 2 gets the teardown treatment
Although consumers interested in the OnePlus 2 have to continue to go through the OnePlus invite system to be able to buy the device, the team at iFixit was able to get their hands on one of the units to check out its repairability after putting it through the teardown paces. The original OnePlus smartphone scored a mere 5 out of 10 on the iFixit repairability scale. OnePlus wants the new device to be a “flagship killer” so keep reading to see whether easy repairability is considered part of that equation.
As has been the case with recent teardowns, the iFixit team was able to submit the OnePlus 2 unit they had to some X-ray vision, giving us an idea of what the inside parts look like even before the teardown starts. The unit itself has no external screws, so the first step is snapping off the back cover. iFixit notes this is secured with some plastic clips, making removal easy. That makes sense since OnePlus is selling StyleSwap covers for the smartphone this time around. Getting that cover off gives users access to the Nano SIM tray, but not the battery.
While the exterior of the OnePlus 2 does not have any screws, the midframe is chock full of them. iFixit counted 18 screws to be removed, some readily apparent, some underneath rubber covers, and one that appeared to be under a tamper-evident seal. Fortunately, OnePlus did not use any adhesives to secure this mid-frame cover, so it is easily removed once the screws are out.
With the mid-frame cover removed, one can access the “non-removeable” battery which is rated at 3,300 mAh. Considering all it takes is some time removing screws, replacing the battery is not the chore it is with some other smartphones. Once the battery was popped out, the iFixit team found removal of the motherboard only required one more screw to be taken out and some cables disconnected. As far as the many components, one item that will require some significant effort to replace would be the vibration motor which will take some soldering.
With the various circuit boards and components removed, the team moved on to the display. This meant application of heat and some prying tools to separate the screen from the mid-frame. Once removed, one thing iFixit found was that the soft home button sits below some cables for the side buttons, which will make replacement a bit of a challenge.
At the end of the process, the iFixit team determined the OnePlus 2 deserved a repairability score of 7 out of 10 (where 10 is the easiest to repair). There were many positives noted like the use of non-proprietary screws, modular components, and a simple flex cable for the USB-C port. Even the battery, which will require some disassembly, is not too terribly difficult to get to for replacement. Like so many devices these days, the glass and LCD are fused together which means they will have to be replaced as a unit, driving up the cost of repair.
source: iFixit
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Drinki app will give you a free cocktail for signing into Facebook
The app Drinki, is now available in both Play Store and App Store. The application is available to everyone but you must login with a valid Facebook account. Drinki will give users a free drink as long as the user checks-in with their account.
The app will let users browse nearby bars using your handset’s location services. Once the user is inside the app, he/she is instantly rewarded a completely free drink that can be claimed at just about any bar. If you’re over 21, you have nothing to loose.
When you’re at the bar, let the bartender scan your phone and enjoy. Note that your Facebook account will post on your wall the location in which you are drinking it. This is how the app gets its money.
To get the app, download it on your smartphone or tablet, login and you’re good to go. You are limited to one free drink per bar. Visit their website for more details.
Source: Prnewswire
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AT&T’s wireless sales experience ranks highest among carriers five times in a row
AT&T has ranked higher than other wireless carriers in JD Powers’ wireless purchase experience survey, marking the fifth consecutive time AT&T has outscored the competition in this category. The award is given out twice per year.
The carrier scored top marks in four of the six categories, including store sales rep, website, offerings and promotions, and phone sales rep. Roughly 12,700 customers took part in the survey, so there was a decent sized sample to get this information from.
Do your shopping trips to AT&T agree with this survey? Let us know in the comments.
source: AT&T
Come comment on this article: AT&T’s wireless sales experience ranks highest among carriers five times in a row
Periscope now has 10 million registered users
On August 13, Periscope announced that its live streaming app has hit 10 million registered accounts in just the first four months of its official launch. The company also went on to announce that Periscope users are watching 40 years worth of video per day. It also mentioned that Android and iOS users make up 2 million daily active users meaning they use the app everyday. The company is very excited about Periscope’s rapid growth and is hoping to continue its great momentum going forward.
The company’s CEO Kayvon Beykpour stated:
“Success for broadcasters means more time watched on their broadcasts. Success for the audience (viewers who are watching and participating in a Periscope) means more high quality broadcasts in their feeds that they want to watch and participate in.”
This incredible growth is having a large impact on the industry. More people than ever before are making live streaming video a part of their daily lives. The popularity of Periscope is increasing at a much faster rate than competitors which means the company has a bright future ahead of them.
Source: Periscope
Via: FoneArena
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Fallout Shelter now available in Play Store
As previously promised by Bethesda Game Studios, Fallout Shelter is now available in the Google Play Store after being released for iOS only at E3. Fallout Shelter is a tie-in app created by Bethesda Game Studios to help fans pass the time while they wait for the release of Fallout 4.
In the game, which will work on smartphones and tablets, the player is in charge of a “Vault” where survivors in the post-apocalyptic world take refuge from the dangers of the surface. Players are responsible for managing resources, handling crises, and keeping the residents healthy and happy. Players will also find they occasionally have to send some of the survivors from their vault out into the world into to gather supplies and defend the Vault from raiders.
Bethesda Game Studios used a 1950’s cartoon style for the games graphics. Fallout Shelter is free, but offers in-app purchases to help you keep your Vault going. You can grab Fallout Shelter from the Play Store using the link below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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Watch the Samsung Unpacked live stream here
Samsung’s Unpacked event in New York City is about to begin, and the company is getting ready to start live streaming the event. If you weren’t able to go and see the unveiling in-person, you can watch the presentation from the comfort of your own home.
Hit the break to watch the embedded video below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. What’re you most excited to see?
Come comment on this article: Watch the Samsung Unpacked live stream here
Get over $90 in paid apps for free on Amazon App Store
Amazon App Store is famous for giving away a paid app for free every day. Today there are several apps worth over $90 total that are free. Many of these apps are also available for the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. Hurry soon, the offer expires 8/15/15.
Available apps for free on Amazon App Store
- Goat Simulator
- Sonic The Hedgehog
- Scribblenauts Remix
- Fruit Ninja
- Bloons TD 5
- AVG AntiVirus Pro (Android Security)
- Toca Kitchen 2
- Sonsterr Guitar Tab Chords
- Mind Games Pro
- Toca Nature
- Doodle Creatures
- Elements of Photography
- Daily Ab Workout
- Photo Lab Pro
- Cubistry
- Tiny Scan Pro: PDF/Document Scanner
- Bunker Constructor
- Nyan Cat: Lost in Space
- Call of Atlantis (Premium)
- 150 Flavorful Cupcake Recipes
- PrintHand Mobile Premium
- Montezuma Puzzle Premium
- Bridge Contructor Medieval
- Distant Suns Max Unleash Astronaut
- Atomus HD
- The Lost Chapter
- LYNE
- King of Maths
- Bridge Constructor Playground
- Sleepy Time
- Docs To Go Premium Key
- Trainyard
- Handy Photo
- Ultimate Hangman HD
- Sudoku 4ever Plus
- Ice Rage
- Blox
- C25K Pro
- XnRetro Pro
- Slydris
Amazon via Slickdeals
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HTC to cut workforce, slash operating expenses
HTC, the Taiwanese tech giant, will slash their work force by 15% and cut operating expenses by 35%. The cause for the cuts are disappointing sales and a stock price crash that saw the company’s stock price fall so low it had to be suspended. The company has been struggling to find a foot hold after releasing a disappointing update to their flagship HTC One smartphone and sub par mid range options. HTC has announced a third quarter loss of about TWD8 billion.
The company recently took a severe hit on the Taiwanese market. Shares dropped 10% the day after an earnings call revealing the poor sales. The drop reached a daily limit on the Taiwanese index and trading of the company’s stock had to be halted. Since then, HTC’s stock price has fallen so low that it’s now trading lower than the cash on hand of the company, signalling that investors think the company is now worthless.
To remedy the situation, HTC says it will cut about 2,250 people from their work force by the end of the year and reduce their operating expenses by 35%. HTC will form new departments within the company to focus on high end smart phones, virtual reality and connected lifestyle products. HTC used to be the biggest Android OEM in the world a few short years ago. Since then a combination of HTC disappointing flagships, Samsung’s push into smartphones and the explosion of the mid-range smartphone market where HTC is weak has seen the company fall out of the world wide top 10 in phone sales.
HTC has endured a bad few weeks of press. Everything from their stock price crashing to spamming their customers and storing fingerprints in easily readable files have contributed to loss of consumer confidence in a once proud company. Chairwoman Cher Wang returned to the company’s day-to-day operations last year to try to right the ship but as of yet, we haven’t seen much in the way of progress because a strategic partnership with Valve to bring VR into the home.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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Verizon to launch Sony Xperia Z4v on September 3rd?
After announcing the Xperia Z4v as a Verizon exclusive in June, more details may finally be leaking out about the phone and its release date. According to a leaked hands-on video, the Z4v will be hitting the nation’s largest carrier on September 3rd. The off-contract price will reportedly be set at $599.99, which puts it right alongside the other major flagship phones of the year in terms of price. Of course we expect Verizon to offer financing options, as they move away from two-year contracts. Interestingly, sources have it that for the first week after the Z4v launches, Xperia Z3v owners will be able to trade in their device and get a hefty discount of $220 off the Z4v. This would bring that $600 price tag all the way down to $379.99, which is not too shabby for an off-contract device with flagship-level specs.
For Z3v owners who don’t want to give up their device (or who are unable to do so because it’s damaged or doesn’t meet trade-in criteria), they’ll still reportedly get a $70 discount, taking the price to $529.99. Details are still murky on how Verizon will authenticate this discount, but I’m assuming that users will need to have a Z3v on their account, or have purchased one directly from Verizon at some point.
Just to refresh your memory, here’s what Verizon users can look forward to:
- 5.2-inch 1440 x 2560 display at 565 ppi
- 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB of internal storage
- 20.7MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- 3,000 mAh battery with Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 and wireless charging capabilities
- microSD slot for expandable storage
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
- Adreno 430 GPU
- Waterproof design
For $599.99 (and even less for Z3v owners), the Z4v could be one of Verizon’s strongest phones this year.
Source: Phone Arena
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HTC follows through with its cost-cutting, cuts 15% of its workforce
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The last few years have been a struggle for Taiwanese device manufacturer, HTC, but this last financial period was different. HTC decided that it was time to slim down the company to be able to keep doing what it’s doing and that news dropped today – HTC has cut 15% of its workforce, understood to be over 2,000 employees. To try and make the news easier to swallow, CEO Cher Wang had this to offer:
“This strategic realignment of our business will ensure that each product group has the right focus, the right resources and the right expertise.”
As was alluded to in their financial call, HTC is going to double down on its high-end premium devices, like the HTC One M9, and mid-range devices in regions where they hold significant market share, like India. However, they are going to face stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers who have been growing extremely quickly in all the markets that HTC also wants to target. We’ll have to see whether HTC can turn this all around in the next year.
What do you think about all the layoffs at HTC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: engadget
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