Republic Wireless shares status of Stagefright and Lollipop updates
Next month, Republic Wireless will begin pushing software updates to its slate of Motorola phones. The phones are awaiting the Stagefright fix, Android 5.1 Lollipop, or both.
The carrier explained the status for its phones:
Moto X (2nd Gen.) : We are trying to schedule lab entry in the next couple of weeks for the EMR Stagefright fix
Moto E (2nd Gen.) : We are trying to schedule lab entry in the next couple of weeks for the EMR Stagefright fix, at the same time as the Moto X (2nd Gen.) or very quickly after.
Moto X (1st Gen.) : We are currently testing a Lollipop build internally which includes RW App and Architecture changes for fixes to Delayed Dialing and inbound calls to Voicemail, any Messaging app crashes, and the Stagefright fix. When this passes internal testing, we will schedule lab entry.
Moto G (1st Gen.) : Next in line for the Lollipop build. We are waiting for a build from Motorola on this. It will incorporate all the fixes outlined for Moto X.
Moto E (1st Gen.) : Third in line for the Lollipop build. We are waiting for a build from Motorola on this, and will incorporate all the fixes outlined for Moto X.
Republic Wireless plans to start rolling out these software updates at the end of October. The entire process should take about 8-10 weeks to complete.
Also, Republic Wireless is working to resolve an issue that is preventing a number of users from connecting their phones to a WiFi network. Bluetooth connections are apparently to be blamed. This issue will be fixed either through an app update in the Play Store or with one of the aforementioned software updates.
Source: Republic Wireless
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ZTE Axon Elite announced at IFA: Hands-on
IFA is in full swing here in Berlin. ZTE’s busy year has lead to a hot showcase. The U.S. recently saw the launch of the “flagship” Axon Pro, but ZTE was not planning to forget the rest of the world. And it’s doing so with some extra flare.
The newly launched, international variant is dubbed the Axon Elite. From the front, it may look like the exact same phone as the Pro, but turn it around and a couple extra features slap you in the face.
First, we now have a rear fingerprint scanner, following suit of another familiar Chinese Android smartphone OEM.
In addition, ZTE thought that the global market would appreciate a more luxurious appearance to those top and bottom plastic panels (exceptions to an otherwise all-metal chassis). It’s not apparent on the Pro that these panels are plastic (which house antennas), ZTE does well to hide the fact. On the Elite, we have a faux leather, accompanied by faux stitching.
You may be asking if there are any difference in specs between the two models. There are a couple interesting ones. The display resolution received a reduction, to FHD from QHD on the Pro. There is no clear reason for it, as both models have the same computational power, from the Snapdragon 810 chipset.
Another big difference is in the OS. The Elite runs Android 5.0.2. This drawback is due to a heavier custom UI than the Pro has, which is on Android 5.1.1. As Motorola has implied with the “Pure” variant of the new Moto X, ZTE appears to also bank on U.S. appreciating a more-stock experience with their Android phones.
However, ZTE’s software allows for some neat phone unlocking tricks. In addition to a quick fingerprint reader response, you also have the option to unlock the phone via voice or eye recognition. Yes, the front facing camera can save your unique eye pattern.
All other features of the Axon are present, including the 5.5″ IPS LCD screen, duo cameras (13MP + 2MP) for bokeh depth control, dual Hi-Fi chips for superior audio quality, 3,000mAh battery capacity, and the flashy, triangular grill accents. However, the Elite adds a dual-SIM tray, and cleverly makes one of the slots microSD compatible for expandable storage (something the Pro lacked).
The Axon Elite will first go on sale on Sept. 24th, in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the U.K., for 419.99 Euros. Afterwards, the device will rollout globally to Turkey, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Russia, and the Philippines.
What do you think of ZTE’s minor design tweaks to the Axon design?
The post ZTE Axon Elite announced at IFA: Hands-on appeared first on AndroidGuys.
NASA’s bouncing ‘Hedgehog’ robot is designed to explore comets
The last time humanity tried to explore a comet, things didn’t go so well — the ESA comet lander Philae bounced during touchdown and wound up under a cliff, unable to right itself. Eventually its batteries ran down we lost contact. A sad way to end the mission, but we can’t say that we didn’t learn anything: NASA engineers are now working on a low-gravity unmanned exploration vehicle designed to bounce, tumble and roll around asteroids and comets. It’s called the Hedgehog.
Hedgehog is just a concept robot right now, but its current prototype shows a lot of promise. The small cube is outfitted with several internal flywheels that create momentum by spinning up and suddenly stopping — causing the built up momentum to “throw” the device in a specific direction. It sounds (and looks) a little silly, but this kind of movement is ideal for the extreme-low gravity conditions found on asteroids and comets. It also potentially allows the robot to “jump” out of potholes or craters that would otherwise trap a traditional rover.
Although the device is experimental, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and researchers at Standford have already tested it in an airplane-simulated low-gravity environment. It seems to work. The team is now working on Phase II of the Hedgehog’s development, adding sensors, spikes for gripping loose surfaces and other improvements. If things go well, we’ll be bouncing our way across the cosmos in no time.
Filed under:
Misc, Transportation
Source:
NASA
Tags: bouncingrobot, hedgehog, nasa, robot, rover, space, spaceexploration
Playdate: Trying out ‘Super Time Force Ultra’ and ‘Grow Home’
Here’s a tough choice: would you rather play a game about a gardening robot that experiments with new methods of character animation, or a ridiculous time-travel action game that throws paradoxical caution to the wind? Lucky you — you don’t have to decide at all. On today’s Engadget Playdate, we’re playing both: Ubisoft’s procedurally animated Grow Home and absurdly silly Super Time Force Ultra. Both are new to PlayStation 4 owners this month and free for subscribers of PS Plus. Are they worth the monthly dues? Join me and Tim Seppala at 6PM ET (3PM PT) right here, on the Engadget gaming homepage or at Twitch.tv/Joystiq to find out.
http://www.twitch.tv/joystiq/embedWatch live video from Joystiq on www.twitch.tv
http://www.twitch.tv/joystiq/chat?popout=
[We’re streaming Grow Home and Super Time Force Ultraat 720p through OBS, so rest assured this game will look dramatically better on your PS4 at home.]
Tags: growhome, playdate, sony, streaming, supertimeforce, supertimeforceultra, twitch, ubisoft, video
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