New images of LG Nexus 5X suggest a Mint-flavored option
The rumor mill is starting to pick up some steam leading up to the rumored announcement of the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6. We’ve seen some renders, and apparently some legitimate pictures of the device before, but today’s are a little different.
Instead of seeing renders or images that claim to be pictures, today’s “leak” is of the device in real life. Meaning that the pictures from the folks over at UnderKG, have images of someone holding the alleged Nexus 5X.
What’s peculiar about the first of these images is that it suggest that the Nexus 5X may come in a mint color. Mint is not a color that you would normally expect to see from a phone, and hasn’t been used much at all. In fact, Sony released the Xperia C3 in a mint variant, but later pulled the device from production.
Since all of this is just speculation leading up to the reported Google event on September 29th, it’s worth noting that the “mint” may actually just be a piece of protective plastic. If that’s the case, then this would mean the back of device seen pictured above, would more than likely be white, which is a bit more normal.
The front of the device shows off only one speaker grill, however, the thumb holding the device could be covering something else up. Whether that’s another speaker, or nothing at all, we’ll leave that up to your imagination.
Finally, one more thing that we would like to point out, is that whatever device this is, appears to be rather small. This may just be a distortion effect from the angle that the camera was taking the picture, or it could be the real deal and will have a smaller than expected LG Nexus 5X.
Let us know whether you think this is the real deal, or just another fake that has everyone getting their hopes up.
Source: UnderKG
The post New images of LG Nexus 5X suggest a Mint-flavored option appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Apple Will Not Release watchOS 2 Today Due to Significant Bug
While Apple announced last week that it would be releasing iOS 9 and watchOS 2 to the public today, the company has just announced that it will not be releasing watchOS 2 as scheduled due to a recently discovered bug.
TechCrunch has shared the full text of Apple’s notice.
“We have discovered a bug in development of watchOS 2 that is taking a bit longer to fix than we expected,” an Apple spokesperson told TechCrunch. “We will not release watchOS 2 today but will shortly.”
Apple seeded the intended golden master version of watchOS 2 to developers immediately following last week’s media event, but the company will need to make some final tweaks to address the discovered bug before it feels comfortable releasing the updated operating system to the public.
iDevices Announces Launch Dates for HomeKit-Enabled Smart Plugs and Thermostat
iDevices today announced the launch date of its trio of HomeKit-enabled products that includes the iDevices Switch, Outdoor Switch, and Thermostat. The Switch and Thermostat will be available for purchase on iDevices’ online storefront, or exclusively from Lowe’s retail stores, starting on September 28, while the Outdoor Switch is slated for a release later in November.
Originally announced back in January at CES, the iDevices Switch allows HomeKit users to easily control, monitor, and program anything directly connected into the smart plug. Users will be able to set powering on and off schedules, and use Siri to control the status of the device connected to the Switch. The iDevices Switch will retail for $49 when it launches later this month.
The Outdoor Switch is largely similar to the traditional Switch model, but includes a rain-tight plug along with dual outlets so that users can control and program anything outdoors, like seasonal holiday lighting and spotlights. This model won’t be available until an unspecified time in November, however, and as such doesn’t have a specified retail price yet.
Lastly is the iDevices Thermostat, which the company states can control a home’s AC and heat from anywhere using Siri or the connected app, so that they “can ensure their home temperature will always be exactly the way they like it.” On September 28, the HomeKit-enabled Thermostat will launch for $149 alongside the Switch in Lowe’s stores and on the iDevices website.
Along with the new products, iDevices is updating its Connected App [Direct Link] to version 2.0, with a new interface and the ability to connect and support other company’s HomeKit products — like the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt — in addition to its own. Users interested can find out more information, and pre-order the iDevices Switch, Outdoor Switch, and Thermostat over at the company’s official website. Lowe’s is also accepting pre-orders on the Switch and Thermostat, with the ability to pick up the new HomeKit-enabled products at your local store on launch day.
Gameloft’s Order & Chaos 2: Redemption fights its way to the Play Store
Coming to us a day earlier than expected, Gameloft’s much-anticipated MMORPG Order & Chaos 2: Redemption is now available for download from Google Play.
In Order & Chaos 2, you’ll be able to join thousands of other players from around the world to complete online multiplayer quests. You can choose from five different races at the start – Orc, Human, Elf, Mendel and the all-new Kratan – and choose between five classes such as Blood Knight, Ranger, Mage, Warrior and Monk. Of course, you’ll be able to upgrade and evolve your weapons and armor throughout your journey, as well.
There are hundreds of unique quests available in the game, complete with some pretty terrifying MMO bosses. There are two new features available in this game, solo dungeons and instant quests, which we first checked out a few weeks ago. Solo dungeons are meant for players who don’t have any other group members or are pressed on time. Instant quests allow you to skip through dialogue with NPCs to get quicker access to a quest. These are two new features that will definitely make the title more enjoyable for fans of all types of MMORPGs.
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Order & Chaos 2: Redemption is now available for free from the Google Play Store. It features a good amount of in-app purchases, but it should be pretty easy to get through the game without having to pay any extra money. If you’re interested, follow the link below to start playing!
New study claims smartphone addiction is similar to drug addiction
Can you be addicted to your smartphone? Various studies and polls have certainly suggested yes over the years. But how serious is this addiction? According to a Baylor University study, it can actually be as addicting as drugs and alcohol for some.
The head of the study, Professor James Robert, says that people can be addicted to behaviors and that habitual cellphone users can begin to depend on their phone in ways that seem quite similar to how people respond to drugs. For example, spending time away from the phone can make them feel anxious or panicky, looking a bit like withdrawal. A dead battery can cause right-out chaos and anxiety. Furthermore, a number of addicted smartphone users find that cellphone use can lift their moods, and that it takes an increasing amount of time to get the same level of enjoyment from their phone than it did when they first started using a smartphone.
According to a Baylor University study, it can actually be as addicting as drugs and alcohol for some.
Just as some drug users become so hooked that it puts a strain on their personal, social, and professional lives, the same can happen for true “smartphone addicts”. They can find themselves ignoring work, children, and other responsibilities just to check their Facebook feed one more time, or to play that extra bit of Clash of Clans. We’ve all seen the cell phone zombies walking (or bumping) across the road. Hell, we’ve probably almost hit one or two while driving (hopefully not because we were also on our phones…). So it’s pretty obvious addiction is real.
Are we addicted to smartphones? Or is it not really that bad for most of us?
Of course, not everyone who uses a phone “a lot” is necessarily a ‘true addict’ to the point of concern. At the moment, there really isn’t a good scale for measuring all the factors involved in cell phone addiction. That said, for those who experiencing “withdrawal” when away from their phones and who find they are spending excess time with their mobiles, you might want to at least reevaluate your situation and decide if you’re spending too much time on your phone.
Honestly though, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of your personal or professional goals, you probably aren’t really ‘addicted’ to the level that the study reflects on. For the record, the average man is said to use his phone about 8.5 hours a day, with the average woman clocking in around 10 hours.
For those who would like a “detox” from their phone habits, there are at least a few apps that can help.
For those who would like a “detox” from their phone habits, there are at least a few apps that can help. While it seems a bit ironic and counterintuitive, a number of apps can be found on the Google Play store designed to keep us away from our phones. Probably one of the best known is called FlipD, which basically allows you to set periods of time where you are locked out of your phone. During those times you can only call three special contacts, and all messages are auto-responded with the message of your choice. Once per session you can get a 60-second “free pass” where you can check out Facebook or do something else you absolutely can’t wait on.
There are other apps out there that offer a similiar experience, though they may also focus on tracking how much time you spend, such as BreakFree and Phone Addict Free.
Do these apps actually help? Possibly, at least according to a Psychotherapist by the name of Robert Weiss. He says the best thing to do is first identify what it is you are craving from your phone: games, social media, work. Those are probably the real addiction issues. That said, he states that “using an app to calm yourself, distract yourself, soothe yourself is not the same as getting away from tech, but boy it’s a great way to take a few minutes out of your day and find some peace. Who doesn’t need that?”
Do you know anyone that is addicted to the point where it is unhealthy? Do you feel we rely too much on our mobile phones these days, or no? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A History of the Galaxy Note Smartphone Series
Samsung’s Galaxy Note series is still a mystery to some. “Who would want a device so massive?” is a common statement among onlookers. Many of us prefer the 5-inch form factor, which is why past Nexus devices, Moto X’s, and others have been so popular. Despite a market saturated with devices having a 5-inch form factor, the Galaxy Note series has managed to firmly corner a market wanting much larger options.
That isn’t a bad thing. After all, that’s what Android is all about–a variety of devices to fit different personalities, likes, and dislikes. However, the Galaxy Note series has an interesting history with the original Note launching in October of 2011.
Original Galaxy Note
The original Galaxy Note was, at first, a strange device, not knowing what it really was. It featured specifications that are foreign to flagship devices today. It has a 5.3-inch 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED display, an Exynos chipset, a dual-core 1.4GHz ARM Cortex-A9 CPU, a Mali-400 GPU, 1GB of RAM, 16/32GB storage options, microSD support up to 64GB, an 8MP rear camera, a 2MP front camera, a, 2500mAh battery, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
The element that made this device unique was the inclusion of the S Pen, giving users more options and control with their smartphone.
Samsung created the Galaxy Note to be a user’s primary device for on-the-go activities. It would do whatever you needed it do–take notes by recreating the ease of traditional pencil and paper, take good photos for family vacations, be a great multimedia device, and so on. In essence, Samsung wanted to get rid of all the extra devices and accessories you take with you–pen, notepads, point-and-shoot cameras, and replace it with a single device: the Galaxy Note.
The most interesting aspect of the device is that the media wasn’t sure just how well the original Galaxy Note would fit in with its 5.3-inch display. At the time, that was a massive display and was considered extremely large for a phone, and almost unnecessary. However, it was still met with success, selling over 10 million units in a year.
This isn’t where the Note’s success stopped, though.
Galaxy Note II
Samsung’s Galaxy Note II was a big upgrade from the original Galaxy Note on the hardware and software side of things. It has a bigger, 5.5-inch 1280 x 720 Super AMOLED display, an Exynos 4412 chipset, a quad-core 1.6GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, a Mali-400MP4 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16/32/64GB storage options, microSD support up to 64GB, 8MP rear camera, a 2MP front camera, a 3100mAh battery, and it’s running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, upgradeable to KitKat.
Another modification was a revised S Pen, along with many added S Pen features. Added to the Galaxy Note II was pen gestures, split-screen multitasking, and Air View, a feature that lets users preview content by hovering the pen over the screen. There were some other new TouchWiz features included that was introduced with the Galaxy S III.
The original Galaxy Note’s success pales in comparison to what the Note II saw, selling well over 30 million units worldwide. Samsung certainly saw their was a market for large devices like this, and has seen a lot of success as result. However, after the Galaxy Note II, many other manufacturers began developing devices of a similar size to take advantage of this popularity.
Many still thought 5.5 inches was massive for a display at the time, but it would quickly become the norm in future editions.
Galaxy Note 3
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launched in September 2013, succeeding the Galaxy Note II. It was an extreme upgrade in hardware and offered more productivity options than the Galaxy Note series had seen in the past. The Galaxy Note 3 also ushered in a less blocky design, focusing on a much more premium offering.
It has a massive 5.7-inch 1920 x 1080 Super AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 800/Exynos 5 Octa 5420 chipset (varies by market), a quad-core 2.3GHz Krait 400/quad-core 1.9GHz Cortex-A15 and quad-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 CPU (varies by market), 3GB of RAM, 16/32/64GB storage options, microSD support up to 64GB, a 13MP rear camera, a 2MP front-facing camera, a 3200mAh battery, and the device is running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, which is upgradeable to Android 5.0 Lollipop.
What was unique about the Galaxy Note 3 is that it introduced a plastic leather back as opposed to the silicone seen in the past. The faux leather gave the device a premium feel, though some didn’t like the new design at all. This new Galaxy Note 3 brought with it expanded S Pen functionality, such as Air Command, Action Memos, handwriting recognition, and much more.
Click here to view the embedded video.
The Galaxy Note 3 was met with yet more wild success, selling 10 million units in its first two months. Interestingly just a few months later, Samsung decided to offer a downgraded version of the device, the Galaxy Note 3 Neo.
Galaxy Note 3 Neo
The Galaxy Note 3, announced by Samsung Poland in January 2014, was intended to be a less pricier version of the Galaxy Note 3. The Galaxy Note 3 Neo’s specs were all downgraded, but nothing too bad. The only major change was that the display was reverted to a 5.5-inch 720p panel and the camera was reduced down from 13MP to 8MP.
Software and S Pen functionality remained the same. However, it turned out to be a big disappointment in that it was essentially a Galaxy Note 2 with an artificial leather back. Its biggest complaint was the extremely drop in screen resolution. After this, Samsung never made a “budget” Galaxy Note again.
Galaxy Note 4
Samsung later in 2014 at IFA in Berlin announced the Galaxy Note 4, which was essentially a Galaxy Note 3 with a few minor changes, although there was a major improvement in resolution with the display.
It has a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 805/Exynos 5433 chipset (varies by market), a quad-core 2.7GHz Krait 450/a quad-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A53 and quad-core 1.9GHz Cortex-A59 CPU (varies by market), 3GB of RAM, 16/32/64GB of internal storage, microSD support up to 128GB, a 16MP rear camera, a 3.7MP front camera, a 3220mAh battery, and it’s running Android 4.4 KitKat, which is upgradeable to Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Click here to view the embedded video.
The Galaxy Note 4 didn’t see as much success as previous entries in the Note series, only garnering 4.5 million units in its first month. This would also be the last Note device to see the faux leather back.
As with every release, more software features was brought to the device for added S Pen and TouchWiz UI functionality. While many of these aren’t necessary to the goals of the Note series, it reiterates Samsung’s effort to make the Galaxy Note an all-in-one device so that you won’t ever need to bring anything else with you, whether that be a notepad, camera, and so on.
Galaxy Note Edge
The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge can be pictured as Samsung’s “Frankenstein,” an experimental device. We’ve seen many devices with an edge-to-edge display, but nothing like the Galaxy Note Edge where it’s actually a curved display.
The device features a 5.6-inch 2560 x 1600 Super AMOLED display, it has Snapdragon 805 chipset, a quad-core 2.7GHz Krait 450 CPU, 3GB of RAM, 32/64GB of internal storage, microSD support up to 128GB, a 16MP rear camera, a 3.7MP front camera, a 3000mAh battery, and it’s running Android 4.4, which is upgradable to Android 5.1 Lollipop.
Aside from a small bump in resolution and a downgrade in battery, the Galaxy Note Edge’s specifications largely resemble that of the Galaxy Note 4. However, what makes it unique is that it has a curved display of 160px, running into the right side of the smartphone.
There was some additional functionality that worked with the curved display, but besides that, the device remains identical to the Galaxy Note 4. There’s been differing opinions regarding the Note Edge, but overall it seemed to do well, however, we haven’t heard news or rumors of another one in the works.
Galaxy Note 5
And here we arrive to this year’s refresh of the Galaxy Note. The device received a small bump in specifications, but nothing major. After all, Samsung’s focus this year wasn’t hardware, but offering a more premium device than it has in the past through a new design and better software features.
The phone totes a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED display, a Exynos 7420 chipset, a quad-core 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 and a quad-core 2.1GHz Cortex-A57 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 32/64GB storage options, no microSD support, a 16MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, and a 3000mAh battery, which isn’t field removable. It’s also on the latest version of Lollipop.
There’s been a lot of controversy regarding this device, largely because of closing off microSD access and sealing up the smartphone’s battery. There isn’t much reasoning behind getting rid of microSD support, however, we’re sure Samsung felt like they could seal up the battery by offering fast wireless charging features.
More controversy surrounds this device due to the S Pen. If you put it in its tray backwards, it gets stuck and generally cannot be removed without wrecking the device, though there have been some methods posted online to “unstick” the S Pen.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Overall, it’s a very nice looking device with a gorgeous glass back. There’s been a bevy of improved software features, and this is truly one of Samsung’s best, despite the controversy around it. Personally, the most upsetting aspect of this device is that European users won’t be able to get their hands on it, as Samsung, thus far, hasn’t revealed any plans to bring the device to European markets.
Wrap Up
And that’s quick primer on Samsung’s Galaxy Note series. It truly is an interesting device, and its history is quite intriguing, especially considering that many thought anything above 5-inches was way too large for a smartphone. It still did very well, despite those thoughts, which were largely portrayed by the media.
Do you own a Galaxy Note device? Have you owned one in the past? If so, what do you like or even dislike about the Note series? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Come comment on this article: A History of the Galaxy Note Smartphone Series
Motorola reportedly begins rolling out Stagefright fix for its smartphones globally
Motorola has announced that it has begun rolling out the Stagefright patch for its smartphones across the globe. The Moto X Pure Edition and Moto X Play come preloaded with the security patch, however, the Moto G (2015) does not.
Per Fone Arena, here’s the full list of devices getting the patch:
- Moto G 1st Gen – EMEA/India Retail
- Moto G LTE 1st Gen – Brazil Retail
- Moto G 1st Gen – Brazil Retail
- Moto X 1st Gen – Brazil Retail/Telcel Mexico
- Moto X 2nd Gen – Brazil Retail
- Moto E 4G 2nd Gen – Asia Retail
- Moto G 2nd Gen – US Retail
- Moto G 2nd Gen – Brazil Retail
- Moto G 3rd Gen – Retail Brazil
- Moto G 2nd Gen – India
- Moto E 1st Gen – Brazil/India/US Retail
Fone Arena pictured the Moto G (3rd Gen) receiving the update as version 23.46.4 and is 174MB in size. The update also includes the addition of Night Mode in some markets that didn’t have it enabled during the initial production run. There’s also the usual bevy of bug fixes and performance updates.
Some have already seen this update getting pushed to their devices. If you haven’t already, just head into Settings and check for an update manually.
Motorola announced its plans in August to update all of its devices from 2013 onward to fix the vulnerability, but we haven’t heard anything since then. And oddly, aside from Fone Arena spotting the update in the wild, we haven’t heard anything official from Motorola yet.
Anyone else getting the Stagefright fix?
source: Fone Arena
Come comment on this article: Motorola reportedly begins rolling out Stagefright fix for its smartphones globally
OnePlus launches leather case for the Oneplus 2 with a $100 price tag
A few days ago, OnePlus teased that a welcome bit of luxury was coming the way of the OnePlus 2, and many wondered what it could be. Could it be the unveiling of a new super-duper 2018 flagship killer? You can quit your pondering right now because it seems that the ‘bit of luxury‘ is instead a leather case for the OnePlus 2 that comes with a hefty price tag of $100.
You read that correctly. $100. OnePlus partnered up with Hard Graft to offer the Wild Phone Case for the OnePlus 2. The Wild Phone Case is made out of authentic grey washed and traditionally tanned Tuscan leather that is said to become more supple as time goes by. The case has also been lined with fine wool felt to ‘keep the display beautiful and fingerprint-free’.
Besides keeping the OnePlus 2 clean and safe, the Wild Phone Case has two inside pockets that can hold up to 4 cards, which is handy if you don’t want to carry your wallet around.
And now we get back to that price. One hundred dollars. That’s a nice chunk of change to protect your OnePlus 2 smartphone. It could be construed as slightly ironic that the case is currently out of stock given that OnePlus struggles to get its devices into the hands of consumers. If you own a OnePlus 2, would you spend that for a case? In fact, if you own any smartphone, would you spend that sort of money on a case? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: OnePlus (FaceBook)
Come comment on this article: OnePlus launches leather case for the Oneplus 2 with a $100 price tag
AT&T won’t slow down unlimited data users until they hit 22GB
AT&T isn’t bringing back its beloved unlimited data plans, but it’s doing a better job of taking care of its customers who’ve held onto those plans for dear life. The carrier announced today that it won’t throttle down their data speeds until they consume 22 gigabytes worth of data in one billing cycle and also happen to be in a congested part of AT&T’s network. That’s a huge step up from before, when it would slow down unlimited data users when they hit 5GB of usage. AT&T was widely criticized for its “not quite unlimited” data plan. But even though it’s extinct now, the carrier is still under fire from the FCC, which threatened to fine it $100 million over the unlimited throttling practice. Today’s news is basically just shifting the throttling needle, but it’s a big enough move that many people will likely never reach the new limit, which might appease the FCC. AT&T says it will also alert customers when they reach 16.5GB of data usage (75 of 22GB), to give them a heads up.
[Photo credit: Moment Editorial/Getty Images]
Via:
9to5Mac
Source:
AT&T
Tags: att, cellular, FCC, mobilepostcross, unlimiteddata
Todoist updates its Mac and web apps to boost productivity
Productivity app Todoist has been busy retooling its mobile apps this year. After big redesigns for Android and iOS, the company has revamped its Mac and web apps, too. Most notably, those to-do list repositories now feature the same Quick Add tool that arrived on the mobile software a while back. The add-on automatically parses task info, priority, labels and due dates without the need for you to tick a bunch of boxes to manually input all of the important details. The Quick Find search function from previous mobile updates is available on the Mac and web apps as well. There’s a Quick Comment tool too, which allows you to add notes at the same time you’re creating the task itself. Speaking of the web version, it’s now mobile-friendly, for those times when you can’t, or don’t want to, access the mobile software. Coupled with some new branding, these new features on the desktop and mobile web bring all of Todoist’s apps in line with each other, which is always a welcome change.
Filed under:
Software
Tags: app, mac, osx, productivity, software, todoist, todolist, update, web
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