Deal: Steelie magnetic smartphone car mount is discrete, effective and only $12.99!
Driving around town can get bumpy, which is why we usually get very secure car mounts for our smartphones. But what if your smartphone dock could also be good looking, discrete and easier to dock your phone into? This is exactly what the Steelie magnetic smartphone car mount can do for you, and for very little cash!
As its name entails, this car mount is made of steel, but it also contains some aluminum. This makes for a sleek and pleasant look, but its aesthetic elements are only part of the fun; this is a very convenient and functional product.
The system consists of two pieces. The first one is a metal ball that can be placed anywhere on your dashboard. The second component is a metal piece that adheres to your handset. Get these two close enough and a strong magnetic force will keep them connected. This will prove to be a very easy-to-operate solution, as magnetism doesn’t pose the same inconveniences as the usual mechanics in regular car docks. You can easily move the phone in any direction, or place your orientation of choice.
And because the phone socket is a magnetic piece, you can also attach your smartphone to any metal surface. This includes refrigerators, cabinets and more.
Want in on the action? The Steelie magnetic car mount is only $12.99 from the AA Deals Store. That is a 62% discount over its original retail price, and even cheaper than the Amazon price of $17, so you may want to jump on this one before the offer ends! Who is signing up?
Hands on with Alcatel OneTouch’s new smartphones at IFA 2015
Alcatel OneTouch took complete advantage of the spotlight available to the company at IFA 2015 to showcase a slew of new products, including everything from smartphones, tablets, a wearable device, and even a couple of connected accessory devices. We’ve already gone hands on with a few of these devices, and now, it’s time to take a closer look at three more mid-range smartphone offerings from the company. Here is our first looks at the Alcatel OneTouch Pop Star, Pop Up, and the Idol 3C!
Alcatel OneTouch Pop Star
We begin with the Alcatel OneTouch Pop Star, an entry-level offering that offers a lot in terms of customization. Taking a look at the design, the device features an all plastic construction, but manages to offer an elegant look, with some nice curves on the back along the sides and the corners. The curves allow for a very comfortable feel in the hand, and its relatively compact size makes for a great handling experience and easy one-handed use.
One of the big selling points of the Pop Star is the fact that the back cover is actually removable, and users have a variety of rear covers to choose from in different colors, finishes, and designs, with some of the material choices available being wood, leather, and denim. Considering the fact that this is a very affordable smartphone, it’s great to see that you don’t have to pay a premium just to be able to choose between and enjoy different material options.
Taking a quick look around the device, the headphone jack is up top, the microUSB port is at the bottom, and the power button and volume rocker can be found left and right sides, respectively. Up front is a physical home button, flanked by capacitive back and recent apps keys.
On the specifications front, the Alcatel OneTouch Pop Star comes with a 5-inch display with a 720p resolution, and under the hood is a MediaTek processor, which varies depending on whether you opt for the 3G or 4G LTE-capable iteration of the device, along with 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal storage with expansion via microSD card up to 32 GB, dual SIM slots, and a 2,000 mAh battery. There is also an 8 MP primary camera with an LED flash, along with a 5 MP front-facing unit.
On the software side of things, the Pop Star runs a near-stock version of Android 5.0 Lollipop, but there is some customization to be seen, like the icons that are different, for example. There isn’t a whole lot else different from stock Android here, and that should provide for a smooth performance, which did seem to be the case in the short time we spent with the device.
As far as pricing and availability is concerned, the Pop Star will be available in Q4 later this year in Europe, priced at €109 (~$122) for the 3G version, and €129 (~$144) for the 4G-capable iteration of the device, making it a great choice for those looking for an affordable smartphone option that allows for a lot of customization when it comes to the look and feel of the device.
Alcatel OneTouch Pop Up
Next up is the Alcatel OneTouch Pop Up, which is one of the many mid-range smartphones that the company showcased at this year’s event. Just like the Pop Star, the Pop Up is also made entirely of plastic, but offers the same great feel in the hand, and the overall build quality is solid. The relatively compact size makes this device very easy to use in one hand, which isn’t something that can be said about a lot of Android smartphones that are currently available.
The rear cover is also removable in the case of the Pop Up, and users have the option to switch between various color options. You may not have the numerous choices in design and material that are available with the Pop Star, but it’s still nice to have some type of customization available, to cater the look of the phone to better suit your tastes.
On the specifications front, the Alcatel OneTouch Pop Up features a 5-inch IPS LCD display with a 720p resolution, and under the hood is a 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 610 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage which is further expandable via microSD card by up to 32 GB, dual SIM capabilities, and a 2,000 mAh battery. The device also comes with a 13 MP rear camera with a LED flash, and a 5 MP front-facing unit.
On the software side of things, the device is running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, and as Alcatel OneTouch has been doing with most of their devices recently, it is a mostly stock iteration of the Android OS, with a only a few changes in the form of different app icons and other subtle differences to be seen around the user interface. Keeping the software experience as close to stock as possible also helps on the performance front, and in the short time we got to spend with this phone, things looked to be smooth and snappy.
As far as pricing and availability are concerned, the US availability of the device is still unknown, but the Alcatel OneTouch Pop Up will make its way over to Europe in Q4 later this year and will be priced at €179 (~$200).
Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3C
Alcatel OneTouch also introduced a new version of their fantastic affordable offering, the Idol 3, and while the use of a suffix generally indicates a change in specifications and features, things between the Idol 3 and Idol 3C remain identical under the hood. The big difference here is with regards to the back cover, which is now removable, and comes in a variety of different bright color options that users can swap between, including white, pink, green, orange, blue, mint, and a lot more. The design of the device otherwise remains the same as its namesake, and also comes with dual front-facing speakers, and is still reversible, just like before.
The specifications of the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3C include a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a Full HD resolution, and under the hood is a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage which is further expandable via microSD card by up to 128 GB, and a 2,910 mAh battery. The device also comes with a 13 MP primary camera with a LED flash, and a 5 MP front-facing unit. On the software side of things, the device is running an near stock version of Android 5.0 Lollipop, with the only noticeable changes being in the different app icons and the OneTouch stream, that is Alcatel OneTouch’s second screen experience.
Everything that you would expect and is possible with the original Idol 3 makes its way over to the Idol 3C as well, and as we’ve seen with the former, the performance in this case is also very smooth and snappy. Essentially, if you loved everything about the Idol 3 but wished but for a little more customization and color in the design, the Idol 3C is the device you’ve been waiting for.
As far as pricing and availability is concerned, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3C will be available at some point by the end of the year, but a more specific timeline was not offered, and the phone should also retain the great pricing that made the original Idol 3 so great.
What do you think of Alcatel’s latest handsets? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out the other great content we went hands-on with at IFA 2015.
Verizon’ Go90 streaming video service starts with phones, sharing
After acquiring the remains of Intel’s internet TV project last year, Verizon is finally ready to reveal its long-rumored internet video network. Called Go90, the New York Times confirmed it’s launching this week, with an eye towards convincing younger folks to turn their phone sideways (Go90…get it? Don’t worry, we didn’t either) and watch video there, instead of in the 300-channel cable packages they don’t want. While Comcast is bringing internet video to its cable boxes and Dish Network tries out Sling TV, Verizon’s plan is “mobile-first” from the start. Instead of lining up channels, the “pared down” experience Bloomberg revealed last week includes some prime time TV shows, original internet shows and some live TV, including sports. Available for free, it will have ads, and encourage users to share clips on social media, sporting a “watch cut and share all of the awesome” slogan.
We’ve seen a similar effort from 120 Sports and while that doesn’t appear to have quite caught on yet, maybe Go90’s mix will be more appealing, with continually updated shows instead of a regular broadcast schedule. Verizon has content deals with the likes of Dreamworks’ AwesomenessTV, Machinima and Vice, to go along with its existing NFL content to go along with “popular shows” from ESPN, Comedy Central and Food Network. An exec described its experience to the NYT as “Hulu meets Twitter meets Netflix,” although it will have a lot to prove to match the cachet of any of those services. As far as how this ties into Verizon’s other businesses, the idea is that it will push the company’s mobile ads, and can also help promote its wireless services.
What’s weighing on our minds are the memories of Verizon’s previous mobile video efforts, do you remember Viewdini and V Cast / Verizon Video? Probably not, although the LTE connections and large phone screens available today mean this kind of service makes more sense than it did in the past. A page discovered by Variety suggested it should launch today, and you can sign up for a heads-up at Go90app.com right now.
[Image credit: Getty/Andrey Popov]
Filed under:
Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Mobile, Verizon
Source:
New York Times, Go90
Tags: Go90, hdpostcross, InternetVideo, IPTV, mobile, mobilepostcross, streaming, verizon
Nokia’s first Android phone reportedly breaks cover
Nokia swears up and down that it’s not returning to smartphones, but don’t tell that to CNMO. It claims to have leaked images of the C1, Nokia’s first-ever Android smartphone and its first phone of any kind since Microsoft bought its original phone business. From all indications, it’s a tiny version of the N1 tablet’s design — this is the same minimalist look, just translated to a 5-inch, 1080p display. Accordingly, you’d find budget-class hardware under the hood. The C1 supposedly packs an Atom chip and 2GB of RAM, and its only standout feature so far is its use of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. As it stands, you’ll have to wait a while to try this device (if it’s indeed real). Nokia’s agreement with Microsoft prevents it from competing in the phone space until 2016, so this is more of a sneak peek at the company’s future than a preview of an imminent product.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
Via:
Nokia Power User, The Verge
Source:
CNMO (translated)
Tags: android, c1, mobilepostcross, nokia, smartphone
Charge anywhere in the world with the Twist Plus+, now just $35
International outlets vary widely, and travelers often learn the hard way that not all chargers are universal. Instead of lugging around extra cords and adapters, or simply going without essential devices, grab the Twist Plus+ World Charging Station at 33 percent off from StackSocial and travel with confidence, no matter where you are in the world.This pocket-sized, ultra-portable adapter is designed to charge your MacBook and four USB-compatible devices at the same time, in over 150 countries all over the world. Charge your laptop, smartphone, tablet, e-reader and more, all through a single outlet and without having to carry multiple chargers when you travel. Additionally, built-in fuse protection keeps your devices safe. Lastly, the adapter itself is surprisingly compact, measuring 3.41 inches on its longest edge, and weighing in at just 0.39 pounds.
Toss the lightweight, compact charging station into your carry-on and never again get stuck with a dead device while you’re away from home. Get the Twist Plus+ World Charging Station now for just $34.99.
Engadget is teaming up with StackCommerce to bring you deals on the latest gadgets, tech toys, apps, and tutorials. This post does not constitute editorial endorsement, and we earn a portion of all sales. If you have any questions about the products you see here or previous purchases, please contact StackCommerce support here.
Tags: charger, partner, sponsored, stackcommerce, twistplus
Verizon will start testing speedy 5G wireless in 2016
Fast 4G data is only just becoming relatively commonplace in the US, but Verizon is already thinking about the next big thing. The carrier just unveiled plans to trial 5G wireless service sometime during 2016. There’s no mention of when it’s likely to deploy 5G in earnest, but the technology theoretically makes even modern-day LTE look pokey. You could get 50 times the peak bandwidth, under 10 milliseconds of lag and headroom for many more devices. In short, this is the cellular tech you’ve been waiting for — it nearly eliminates the gap in quality between landline internet access and your smartphone.
Developing…
[Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Filed under:
Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon
Source:
Verizon
Tags: 5g, carrier, mobilepostcross, verizon, wireless
Adblock Browser officially launches on iOS and Android
With more than 400 million desktop installations in its pocket, it was only a matter of time until Adblock Plus became available on mobile devices. Eyeo, the company behind the extension, first tested the water back in 2013, but when Google pulled the app, it decided that incorporating its filters into Adblock Browser was the best way to go. After months of testing, the app has finally launched on iOS and Android devices, promising to let users “browse fast, safe and free of annoying ads” on their smartphone or tablet.
Like its desktop counterpart, Adblock Browser can block all ads or let users choose to whitelist their favorite sites in order to ensure they continue to receive advertising revenue. It claims to speed up page loads, save data and conserve up to 20 percent of battery life by people choose whether they wish to restrict tracking cookies, malware domains and social media sharing buttons.
The launch comes just a day before Apple holds its latest iPhone event, where it’s expected to explain how iOS 9 users will be able to block content from loading in the default browser app. With Adblock’s new browser and Apple backing the use of web filters, more mobile users may choose to block ads and impact the income of online publishers as a result.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Via:
Adblock Plus
Source:
Adblock Browser (iOS), (Google Play)
Tags: adblock, adblockbrowser, adblockplus, android, browser, google, ios, mobilepostcross
Samsung to cut 10% of office staff from its headquarters, analyst says
Samsung is preparing to cut 10% of its office staff at its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. While there isn’t official confirmation, this is allegedly because of losing smartphone sales to Apple and other Chinese vendors.
The Korean-based company is reportedly looking at specifically getting rid of human resources staff, public relations, and finance positions, according to the Korea Economic Daily. Samsung will further be looking to recoup costs by cutting expenses for 2016.
Samsung had 98,999 employees at its headquarters on June 30 of this year, according to a census report. In other words, Samsung could be cutting the jobs of around 9900 workers.
The tech giant unfortunately has failed to impress consumers with its high-end Galaxy smartphones for the most part of this year, ushering in a 5-month decline. This decline started in April, costing Samsung $40 billion in market value.
There isn’t much hope for the company to see an increase in profits either.
“Cutting jobs is the easiest way to control costs and Samsung’s spending on mobile business could also be more tightly controlled,” said Chung Chang Won, an analyst at Nomura Holdings in Seoul. “Samsung’s preparing to tighten its belt as it isn’t likely see rapid profit growth in the years to come.”
It’s hoped that recent devices like the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ will do well, but as more manufactures offer more appealing devices, the market competition will only increase. Aside from a premium look, there isn’t much incentive for consumers to purchase the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, which could potentially be very bad for the company’s profits this year.
It’s hoped that Samsung’s next flagship, what will allegedly be the Galaxy S7, will help turn things around.
Samsung will no doubt make an official statement when these job cuts officially take place.
source: Bloomberg Business
Come comment on this article: Samsung to cut 10% of office staff from its headquarters, analyst says
Sony brings Android 5.1 to the original Xperia Z Series and T2 Ultra
Sony has announced that it will be rolling out Android 5.1 to the original Xperia Z series in addition to the T2 Ultra. Yes, folks, that is the Z Series from March 2013, a year that many devices from haven’t even seen the upgrade to Android 5.0, let alone 5.1.
Sony has never seen as much popularity as Samsung or even LG in the smartphone market, but they certainly should be one of the more respected companies after announcing updates and continued support for what are essentially outdated phones.
Here’s the official word from Sony:
#Android 5.1, Lollipop rolling out for original #Xperia Z Series & T2 Ultra – please check locally & watch for notifications
— Sony Xperia News (@SonyMobileNews) September 8, 2015
The T2 Ultra comes from January 2014, which is still quite old by technology standards. Either way, Sony is looking to keep its customers happy by offering this continued support and the latest software for many of its older devices.
All that said, be sure to keep an eye out for the update from Sony. As per the norm, updates like these do take some time to get out to everyone.
source: Sony (Twitter)
via: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Sony brings Android 5.1 to the original Xperia Z Series and T2 Ultra
Moto 360 heading to China without Google Now or Play
Google’s Android Wear platform is looking to make inroads in China with the second generation Moto 360. However, the smartwatch won’t quite be making the move with all of its features intact. Google Now and the Play Store will be notably absent from the smartwatch, as Google’s services are still banned in the country. Instead, Mobvoi, which is based in China, will be providing local search and voice recognition software for the smartwatch.
Google has had to do quite a bit of re-engineering to strip out some of its core services from Android Wear, according to David Singleton, Engineering Director for Android. As well as removing core search and app functionality from the wearable OS, subtle localization tweaks, such as changing “Ok Google” to “Ni hao Android” has also taken considerable effort.
The end result is that Android Wear remains mostly familiar, but there’s clearly some additional fragmentation to the wearable platform now, which is something that the search giants tried to avoid by preventing OEM forked versions of Android Wear. Chinese app developers will be able to install apps onto the Wear devices, which will obviously have to come from third party stores. As well as MobVoi’s voice features, Sogou will be providing the default map software for Android Wear.
“For Android Wear and wearables in general, we still feel the market is really early … There’s a real need to be able to iterate quickly.” – David Singleton, Engineering Director for Android
Google appears to be taking a major interest in the Chinese technology market once again, especially with the Huawei built Nexus on its way. Although, the company may still struggle to capitalize on widespread Android adoption in China without ready access to the majority of its services and the longer development times associated with localization. Recent sources from The Information and the Wall Street Journal suggest that Google may be planning to launch a censored Chinese version of its app store, which would certainly help Google gain some grip on Android in China.
AIVAnet 