New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio: new features and design, for the same $35 price
Google is giving the popular Chromecast HDMI dongle a long due facelift.
Announced alongside the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P at Google’s media event in San Francisco, the new Chromecast features a refreshed design in three colors, faster hardware, and improved software features.
The original Chromecast launched in 2013 and became a surprise sales hit, thanks to its low $35 price tag and compatibility with many popular apps. More than 20,000 apps can currently cast content to the device, which has sold in over 20 million units in dozens of countries, making it Google’s most successful hardware product yet.
The new Chromecast keeps the same general recipe that made the first generation popular, with faster internals that include support for the fast WiFi 802.11ac standard, dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz support and three antennas that switch on automatically for the best reception. This should ensure a superior experience with less buffering and faster playback.
The new design of the device is circular and features an integrated HDMI cable.
The Chromecast has been redesigned to offer playback controls as well as a smarter content discovery system and better app discovery.
Another big new feature is Fast Play, which is a way to prefetch apps and content, so when you click play, the content opens up instantly.
New feeds are coming to the Chromecast homescreen, including photos from Facebook and Google Photos.
The new Chromecast will become available in the Google Store from today, at the same price of $35. The device will launch in 17 countries, though we can expect it to hit many other markets in the following months.
Google also introduced Chromecast Audio, a circular dongle that connects to just about any set of speakers allowing them to work with the Cast for Audio protocol. So far, only audio products with built-in support for the protocol worked with Cast for Audio, but Google’s new dongle will make it possible to enable it for every speaker, at a low cost.
Many apps, including Play Music, Pandora, iHeart Radio and Rdio support Cast for Audio, and Spotify is coming very soon. Just like the Chromecast, the Chromecast Audio will be available in 17 countries starting today for $35.
Tim Cook Discusses Apple’s Enterprise Efforts at BoxWorks 2015
Apple CEO Tim Cook is participating in a “fireside chat” today with Box CEO Aaron Levie at BoxWorks 2015, following Apple’s record-breaking iPhone launch weekend.
Given that this is an enterprise conference, the interview naturally begins with a discussion of Apple’s enterprise efforts, although Cook notes that to some degree there is no such thing as an “enterprise phone” any more than there are enterprise cars and that Apple has been quietly numerous phones and tablets to companies.
Cook does, however, highlight some of Apple’s enterprise partnerships, including Cisco and Box, emphasizing how transformational mobile is for businesses. Mobility enables significant increases in productivity and gives companies the opportunity to rethink their business processes. But nobody, including Apple, is way out in front on this.
Levie then gives Cook a “layup” question, asking why this sort of transformation can’t happen on Android, with Cook responding that users want to use the best hardware with security built in from the start and a unified ecosystem.
Talking about ecosystem growth, Cook talks about how iOS has pulled the Mac along for the benefit of both operating systems, emphasizing the smooth transition between devices enabled by Apple’s Continuity features. “We think people want some similarity, but clearly these operating systems are different things. So we have no intention to blend them.”
Turning to partnerships, Levie and Cook discuss how Apple is working with former rivals like IBM and Microsoft to deliver better solutions for customers, something that will definitely benefit enterprise. Pointing toward Microsoft’s Office demo at Apple’s media event earlier this month, Cook notes “Apple and Microsoft can partner on more things than we can compete on. And that’s what the customer wants.”
We will continue to update this post as the interview proceeds.
HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: Huawei Nexus 6P versus Motorola Moto X Pure Edition
We’re smack-dab in the middle of a heated smartphone release cycle which means consumers have some really great new devices to choose from. If you are in the market for a new device, the next few weeks will provide you with a number of excellent models to consider. Two such handsets are the Huawei Nexus 6P and the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition.
The Nexus 6P is the newer of the pair, however there’s only a couple of weeks separating them. In other words, we might as well consider them both brand new. Let’s take a look at what makes up these two and see how they stack up against each other. To do so we’ll start with a head-to-head chart from our friends over at Graphiq.
https://s.graphiq.com/rx/widgets.js
Software
As you likely know, hardware isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to picking out a smartphone. Software plays an important role in helping decide which model might be best for you. To that end, the Nexus 6P comes out ahead because it runs the absolute latest in Android.
Dubbed 6.0 Marshmallow, the newest release brings about a number of new features and native support for others. Google Now On Tap, for example, provides contextual answers and information to users without any effort. Other goodies found in Android 6.0 include support for USB Type C charging and fingerprint verification.
Perhaps one of the best features is the new way in which Android will hibernate apps and services to prolong battery life. As we all know, whether it’s fast charging or wireless, batteries could always use some help.
App permissions get smarter and more intuitive with Android 6.0, too. Customers will find that they have more control over which permissions are granted on an app; developers win with a better user experience that doesn’t ask for all of these requirements ahead of launching the app.
Either phone is going to give you a stock, or near stock software experience that is clear of any bloated carrier-backed apps. The Nexus will likely win in the long run with what expect to be more timely software updates, however Motorola has proven to be quite supportive of its older models, too. Really, it’s hard to go wrong with either one.
Customization
Although the Nexus 6P comes in four color options for 2015 (Frost, Aluminum, Graphite, Gold), the advantage still belongs to Motorola. Thanks to its Moto Maker tool, the Moto X Pure Edition can be designed with more than 1,000 color, accents, and and even back cover finishes. If you are looking for a phone that is uniquely you, you won’t beat Motorola.
Storage capacity
The Moto X Pure Edition is offered in three storage options: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. As for the Nexus 6P, it comes with 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities. Depending on your needs, and how much you rely on cloud backups and storage, this could be a moot point. But, if you’re looking for the most available, the Moto X Pure Edition still edges Huawei if only because of the microSD expansion card slot (up to 128GB). Were that not the case, the Nexus 6P comes away the clear winner.
Camera
If you are the kind of person who looks strictly at specifications, the Motorola camera bests the one found in Huawei’s phone. But, until you see actual photos and consider your own needs, the jury is still out. We’re very curious to see how the 1.55 micron sensor looks, especially for low light conditions. As for not having optical image stabilization, that’s a bold move on Google’s part.
Around front, the tides turn as Huawei packs an 8-megapixel sensor while Motorola’s includes a 5-megapixel shooter. Again, unless you use the front-facing camera much or have more serious needs, this may not matter much.
Battery
Huawei runs away with this one, at least on paper. The 3450mAh battery is considerably higher than the Motorola’s 3000mAh unit. Both offer fast charging and neither of them are designed for wireless charging.
Availability
You can pick up the Moto X Pure Edition from Motorola.com and pair it with any major service provider. This is essentially the same thing you’ll find in the Nexus line as Google sells it through its own store.
Price
Perhaps one of the most important aspects in purchasing a smartphone, the overall cost often determines if a phone is “too rich for our blood”. Moreover, it’s price that helps us determine whether a certain feature is worth spending the cash or if we’re actually content with a little less.
The Moto X Pure Edition starts at $400 for the 16GB model with 32GB coming in at $450 and the 64GB option at $500. If you opt for a premium finish case (leather or wood), then look to add another $25 to the cost. The Nexus 6P starts at $500 for the 32GB version while the 64GB and 128GB flavors commanding $550 and $600, respectively.
Other important aspects
Indeed, each phone has a few details that help to separate them from the rest of the pack. The Huawei Nexus 6P, for instance, is constructed of an all metal unibody, the first in the Nexus line. Motorola, on the other hand, has made its Moto X Pure Edition splash resistant and ever so slightly “waterproof”.
The Nexus 6P comes with a fingerprint reader on the rear, which is used for security and authentication. Depending on what you plan to do with your smartphone, this could be a make-or-break factor.
Something else worth noting, the Nexus 6P comes with a USB Type C charger. Why is that important? Well, we venture to guess you’ll need to get some new cords and chargers for the house and car if you plan to juice up throughout the day. This means some added cost to the bottom line. The Moto X Pure Edition still uses the micro USB port for charging and works with every single one of those cables we’ve collected over the years.
Summary
Which phone is right for you? We can’t answer that for you. You’ll have to weigh what’s important to you decide if it’s worth the extra money to go with the Nexus 6P. And, really, it’s not as if you have to settle for a Moto X Pure Edition. We simply love that phone and will gladly recommend it to anyone and everyone. We have become increasingly fond of Huawei over the years and really look forward to seeing more from the hardware maker.
The Nexus line is one of our favorites in all of smartphones and we’re super pleased to Huawei partnering with Google for 2015. It might be the first time you’re really hearing of Huawei’s name, but you’re not going to end up with some generic experience. These guys are very good at what they do.
Note: Portions of this post’s content is also used in other head-to-head comparisons.
The post HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: Huawei Nexus 6P versus Motorola Moto X Pure Edition appeared first on AndroidGuys.
HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: Huawei Nexus 6P versus Samsung Galaxy Note 5
We’re smack-dab in the middle of a heated smartphone release cycle which means consumers have some really great new devices to choose from. If you are in the market for a new device, the next few weeks will provide you with a number of excellent models to consider. Two such handsets are the Huawei Nexus 6P and the Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
The Nexus 6P is the newer of the pair, as the Samsung phone has been on the market for nearly two months. We consider them both brand new for the fall of 2015 and think they match up nicely against each other. Let’s take a look at these two and see how they stack up against each other, starting with a head-to-head chart.
https://s.graphiq.com/rx/widgets.js
Software
As you likely know, hardware isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to picking out a smartphone. Software plays an important role in helping decide which model might be best for you. To that end, the Nexus 6P is easily the winner here because it runs the absolute latest in Android. Moreover, it’s a stock build of Android which means it doesn’t have carrier-branded apps or services pre-installed.
Dubbed 6.0 Marshmallow, the newest release brings about a number of new features and native support for others. Google Now On Tap, for example, provides contextual answers and information to users without any effort. Other goodies found in Android 6.0 include support for USB Type C charging and fingerprint verification.
Perhaps one of the best features is the new way in which Android will hibernate apps and services to prolong battery life. As we all know, whether it’s fast charging or wireless, batteries could always use some help.
App permissions get smarter and more intuitive with Android 6.0, too. Customers will find that they have more control over which permissions are granted on an app; developers win with a better user experience that doesn’t ask for all of these requirements ahead of launching the app.
If history is an indicator, the Nexus will win in the long run, too. Google will be quick to deploy software updates in a timely manner with Samsung’s phones often some months behind the curve. Does this matter to everyone? No, but purists and those wanting the best for their money will care deeply about this. Also, it doesn’t help that Samsung devices can sometimes feel slower and more wonky after major software updates.
Customization
The Nexus 6P comes in four color options for 2015 (Frost, Aluminum, Graphite, Gold) while the Galaxy Note 5 gets White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium colors. Depending on where you buy the phone you may have less colors to choose from, particularly if you’re purchasing the latter through a carrier.
Storage capacity
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 comes with two storage options: 32GB, and 64GB. As for the Nexus 6P, it comes with 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities. Depending on your needs, and how much you rely on cloud backups and storage, this could be a moot point. But, if you’re looking for the most storage available, Huawei takes the crown here.
Camera
If you are the kind of person who looks strictly at specifications, then you have to concede this feature to Samsung and its 16-megapixel rear camera. Not simply for megapixels but also for the fact that it has optical image stabilization, too. Then again, until you see real photos and factor in your own needs, this could be a toss-up for average users. Around front, the Huawei packs an 8-megapixel camera to Samsung’s 5-megapixel lens. Again, unless you use the front-facing camera much or have more serious needs, this may not matter much.
Battery
Huawei would win here if it were strictly up to capacity; the 3450mAh battery is considerably higher than Samsung’s 3000mAh unit. But, Samsung’s comes with wireless charging out of the box. And, as if that weren’t enough, it’s designed for quick wireless charging. Then again, if your battery lasts all day long then it might not matter how quickly it charges if you’re only doing it at bedtime.
Availability
You can pick up the Nexus 6P directly from Google and pair the unlocked phone with any major service provider. Samsung’s phone is also available direct to consumer, but US customers will fork over more money if they want an unlocked version.
Price
Perhaps one of the most important aspects in purchasing a smartphone, the overall cost often determines if a phone is “too rich for our blood”. Moreover, it’s price that helps us determine whether a certain feature is worth spending the cash or if we’re actually content with a little less.
The Nexus 6P starts at $500 for the 32GB version; the 64GB and 128GB flavors are $550 and $600, respectively. For the sake of comparison, the Galaxy Note 5 will set you back about $700 for T-Mobile 32GB version. Bump that up to 64GB and you’re looking at $780 and the phone’s still tied to the carrier. In other words, the Nexus 6P sticker is considerably cheaper and there’s carrier flexibility, too.
Other important aspects
The Nexus 6P comes with a fingerprint reader on the rear, which is used for security and authentication. Depending on what you plan to do with your smartphone, this could be a make-or-break factor. Samsung’s fingerprint sensor is on the home button on the front.
Worth noting, the Nexus 6P comes with a USB Type C charger. Why is that important? Well, we venture to guess you’ll need to get some new cords and chargers for the house and car if you plan to juice up throughout the day. This means some added cost to the bottom line. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 still uses the micro USB port for charging and works with every single one of those cables we’ve collected over the years.
Samsung has included its own added security features, KNOX, to its phones, but Google has started integrating that into Android at a platform level. While this was a bigger Samsung selling point in the past, it’s one of those things that simply comes with Android today.
One of the biggest differences in the two phones is that Samsung’s comes with a stylus. For those of us who like to jot down notes, mark up images and documents, or simply draw pictures, the Samsung wins big. The technology behind this is smarter this year and gets better over time.
Another key area to consider is the recently launched Samsung Pay service. If you get used to using it for your quick and painless credit/debit card purchases then you’ll want to stay within the Samsung ecosystem. But, given we are in the very early days of its competitor, Android Pay, there’s no reason to try either one out.
Summary
We love that the Nexus line is stock Android and is supported with updates for at least a few years. Samsung has gotten better at rolling out major updates but it’s sometimes a pain in the butt when they do arrive. We’ve had plenty of reports of people complaining of slowness after getting a new version of Android.
The Nexus line is one of our favorites in all of smartphones and we’re super pleased to Huawei partnering with Google for 2015. It might be the first time you’re really hearing of Huawei’s name, but you’re not going to end up with some generic experience. These guys are very good at what they do.
Samsung is still one of the first names in smartphones and you can’t really go wrong with a flagship device. We appreciate that it has been producing better looking (and feeling) models over the last few generations and think they’re sexy as hell.
Which phone is right for you? You’ll have to weigh what’s important to you and decide if it’s worth the extra money to go with the Samsung over the Huawei. If you’re paying for your handset outright, we have to give the nod to the Nexus 6P. But, financing makes it easier to stomach, especially with upgrade options offered by carriers.
Note: Portions of this post’s content is also used in other head-to-head comparisons.
The post HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: Huawei Nexus 6P versus Samsung Galaxy Note 5 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Leaks no more! Google officially unveils the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6P
After leaks and rumors and rumors and leaks, Google has finally, OFFICIALLY, introduced the new line of Nexus devices. In a new move for the tech giant, we are now seeing two new Nexus phones announced at the same time. Previously, Google only announced one Nexus phone per year, but with the LG Nexus 5X and the Huawei Nexus 6P, they have changed things up a bit.
LG Nexus 5X
The LG Nexus 5X has been rumored since the beginning of the year, and as the leaks kept rolling, the anticipation continued to grow. Much of the anticipation was due to the love that Nexus users had for the original LG Nexus 5 which was released in 2013.
The Nexus 5X will be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, making it one of the first two devices that will see the latest version of Android. With a 5.2-inch, 1080p display, the Nexus 5X is keeping a smaller form-factor for those who don’t want a gargantuan like the Nexus 6P or its predecessor, the Nexus 6.
As for the camera, Google and LG have added new camera sensors into the Nexus 5X. To take some awesome selfies, there is a 5MP front-facing camera with an aperture of f/2.2, allowing for more light to shine through and light up those faces. The rear-facing camera has been updated to a 12MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture, laser-assisted auto-focus, and the ability to shoot videos in 4K.
Under the hood we will find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 2.0GHz Hexa-Core processor with 2GB of RAM. You will also find an Adreno 418 GPU powering the graphics for the Nexus 5X. In terms of storage, the Nexus 5X will have two options, a 16GB variant, and a 32GB variant, with no-inclusion of a Micro-SD card slot.
Now for some of the fun additions to the Nexus 5X, compared to the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6. The Nexus 5X will feature fingerprint scanner, which lines up perfectly with the release of Android Pay and the current push to have mobile payments become the norm. The Nexus 5X will also feature USB Type-C with Quick-Charging capabilities, which hopefully, will make up for the lack of wireless charging that has been found in every Nexus since the Nexus 4.
The Nexus 5X will come in three color variants; Charcoal Black, Quartz White, and Ice Blue. Preorders for the 5X start today, and will start at $379.99 with the device shipping in October. Additionally, if you preorder the Neuxs 5X, your device will come iwth a $50 Google Play credit.
Google Store: LG Nexus 5X
Huawei Nexus 6P
Huawei has been making quite the impression over the last year or so with devices like the Huawei Watch, and the Mate S which features Force Touch technology. It’s not known why Google chose Huawei to make the Nexus 6P, but we can only speculate that it’s due to how beautifully designed the other products from Huawei are.
It wasn’t long after rumors of the Nexus 5X started to crop up before we started seeing information leaked about the Nexus 6P. Now that the device has been officially unveiled, we have all the pertinent information that you will need before making the decision to pull the trigger.
Sporting a 5.7-inch 2K QHD AMOLED display, with Corning Gorilla Glass and a 518ppi, the Nexus 6P’s display promises to be absolutely stunning. Hidden beneath the display is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor powered by 3GB of RAM, and an Adreno 430 GPU.
For the camera, the same 12.3MP rear-facing camera that is found in the LG Nexus 5X, will be found in the Huawei Nexus 6P. The front-facing camera is actually a bit better than that found in the 5X, clocking in at 8MP. This will make the Nexus 6P a selfie-machine, if that’s the sort of thing that floats your boat.
The Nexus 6P is also coming in with a 3450mAh battery which, coupled with Doze power management, should allow this device to last all day, if not longer. Battery life on Android has been a hot-topic of debate when you consider the issues that are still being had with Android Lollipop, so it’s nice to see Google listening, and implementing a larger battery in their top-of-the-line Nexus device.
The Huawei Nexus 6P will be available in three different storage capacities; 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, making the Nexus 6P the first Nexus device with 128GB of storage available. For those who were hoping the rumors were true, you will be disappointed as neither Nexus features support for a Micro-SD card, even though Google has integrated MicroSD card compatibility throughout Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Also like the LG Nexus 5X, the Huawei Nexus 6P will feature USB Type-C, with Quick Charge capabilities. Just a reminder, those awesome wireless charging stands that you currently have, will now be useless with these new Nexus devices as Google has ditched Wireless Charging support. We can assume that this was because Quick Charging seems to be moving in the right direction, quickly, and definitely has more benefits than having your device slowly charge wirelessly.
Finally, the Nexus 6P will include a fingerprint scanner on the back of the phone, similar to the one that can be found on the Nexus 5X. We won’t know exactly how well these will perform compared to the Galaxy Note5, OnePlus 2, or iPhone, but it’s definitely a welcome sight to see in today’s day and age.
You will be able to get your hands on the Nexus 6P in October, and the device will come in three different color variants; Aluminum, Frost, and Graphite. With pricing starting at $499, you’ll be able to pick the capacity and color you want, and get the greatest Nexus device to date.
Google Store: Huawei Nexus 6P
Software
Both of these devices will the first to be shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Unveiled at Google I/O 2015, there are a slew of new features that will be coming with these devices, including built-in support for fingerprint scanners. This means that it will only be a matter of time before we see applications (i.e PayPal) updated with support for fingerprint authentication instead of entering a password or pin.
Additionally, Google is hoping that their Doze features will increase battery life by at least 30% for those older Nexus devices, and announced which devices will be seeing an update to Android Marshmallow.
Official support for the Nexus 5 is a bit surprising, but maybe Android 6.0 will be optimized enough to run well on the 2-year old device. Google announced that the update will begin rolling out to these devices in the coming weeks, so if you haven’t been running the Developer Preview, you’ll be able to get your fingertips on Android Marshmallow in no time.
In addition to improved battery management and support for the fingerprint scanners within the OS itself, Google is rolling out Now on Tap, which will come in extremely handy once everyone can get a hold of it.
Although these two devices stole the show, there was a whole lot more information shared with the world at today’s event. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for information regarding the other announcements from today’s event. In the mean time, let us know what you device you think you’ll be picking up that was announced today.
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Live from Google’s Nexus event!
Now that Apple had its day in the sun, Google’s ready to take the stage for an event of its very own. And just like how the folks in Cupertino announced a couple of new phones, we’re expecting the Alphabet company to reveal two of its own handsets as well. Leaks suggest we’ll see the Nexus 5X and 6P — the 5X appears to be made by LG and features a 5.2-inch display, while the 6P seems to be a Huawei handset with a larger 5.7-inch screen instead. Both are purported to have fingerprint sensors and will ship with Android Marshmallow, which, whaddya know, has support for fingerprint sensors right out the gate. We’re also expecting a couple of new Chromecast announcements; it looks like a second-gen Chromecast could make an appearance tomorrow along with a brand new Chromecast device for audio (Intriguing!). Check out all those details in our preview and join us right here at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET for our liveblog to see if it all turns out to be true.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
Google’s next Nexus flagship is the 5.7-inch, Huawei-built 6P
We knew with near-certainty that (one of) the next Nexus flagship phone would be a Huawei-built device called the 6P, and now Google has just made that official at its event in San Francisco this morning. Naturally, the new phone is running the latest version of Android, 6.0 Marshmallow. Surprisingly, the device is a little bit smaller than the Nexus 6 it’s replacing — the Nexus 6P has a 5.7-inch screen running at 1440p resolution. That works out to 518 pixels per inch, an absurdly high ratio that’s becoming commonplace on plenty of flagship devices. Also of note is the device’s high-end construction: Google says that the phone is made of “aeronautical-grade aluminum.”
There’s also a new fingerprint sensor called Nexus Imprint, and Google says it opens up fingerprint recognition to the “entire app ecosystem.” Once trained, the sensor can recognize fingerprints in less than 600 milliseconds, and it learns more about your fingerprint over time to get more accurate. Naturally, this system also works with Android Pay.
Dig deeper and the spec sheet continues to impress. The Nexus 6P features a 12.3-megapixel back camera with an impressive f/2.0 aperture and what should be a pretty solid autofocus system — Google says it uses IR lasers to assist with autofocus, a feature found on devices like LG’s G4. It’s far too soon to say for sure, but we might be looking at the first Nexus phone to have a really great camera on board. The front-facing camera has similarly impressive specs, with an 8-megapixel resolution and an f/2.4 aperture.
The camera also as significantly larger pixels than the original Nexus 6, which allows for significantly better low-light photography either indoors or outside once it gets dark. There’s a new burst mode on board that captures photos at 30 frames per second. The camera can also shoot slow-motion video at 240 frames per second, and it can also shoot 4K video. And if you want to get right into the camera, you can just double click the unlock button. The samples Google showed off certainly are impressive, but we’re going to have to put it through its paces in the real world before making any judgements.
The Nexus 6P is running off of the Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor with 3GB of RAM, another impressive spec that’s seemingly becoming commonplace on a host of Android phones. Google’s offering healthy amounts of storage here too, with the phone available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB configurations. And the phone is Google’s first Nexus device to feature USB Type-C connectivity — not a huge surprise after the new Chromebook Pixel put it front and center, but we’re still excited to see it becoming more commonplace.
As for pricing and availability, Google says the Nexus 6P will be available in Google’s online store as of today for pre-order in the US, UK, Ireland, and Japan. More countries will be coming over the next few weeks. Outside the US, both phones will be sold through local retailers and carriers. The 6P will start at $499 for a 32GB model and will start shipping in October. Naturally, they’re unlocked, available without contract, and should work on all US carriers as well as internationally; there’s also Project Fi support on board. Google’s also throwing in a 90-day free subscription to Google Play Music as well as a $50 Google Play credit with every purchase.
Google’s also trying to alleviate stress over breaking your phone, so there’s a new Nexus Protect program that provides two years of coverage for both mechanical problems and accidental damage. You’ll be able to get a replacement phone as quickly as the next business day, and you’ll be able to file a claim 24 hours a day. Naturally, it’s not free — it’ll cost you $89. Still, this sounds like a huge step forward for Google’s Nexus support.
LG is making another Nexus: meet the Nexus 5X
The rumors are true: LG is back to build Google’s 5.2-inch Nexus 5X. Leaked repeatedly over the last few weeks, the specs aren’t much of a surprise — or outpacing the also just-announced Nexus 6P — but it’s still a powerhouse phone, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 CPU, 2GB of RAM and a 12.3MP rear camera with laser-assisted autofocus, dual flash that’s capable of shooting 4K video. It will ship with the latest version of Android, Marshmallow 6.0 and includes Google’s new Sensor Hub chip inside that keeps notifications and fitness stats up-to-date at all times without drawing a ton of power. It also has the new USB Type-C port for fast charging and syncing, while the fingerprint sensor on the back can instantly and securely provide access to the phone with Nexus Imprint. There’s a 2,700mAh battery inside, and it’s going to be available in both 16GB and 32GB versions with colors including black, white and ice blue. Nexus 5X pricing starts at $379, it will begin shipping in late October and two years of Nexus Protect coverage are available for $69.
Get all the news from today’s Google event right here.
Google’s Android Sensor Hub knows how its Nexus is moving
In addition to its new Nexus 5x and 6p handsets, Google also revealed a low power secondary processor during its September 29th event. This added chip resides in both models. It’s called the Android Sensor Hub and acts to monitor the device’s movement, not unlike the coprocessor in the new iPhone 6s. The dedicated processor connects directly to the camera’s sensors to reduce the phone’s overall power consumption. This chip allows the phone to run advanced activity recognition algorithms that, say, notice when you start a run or hop on your — even if you haven’t turned on the screen. This feature also will allow users to subtly check their notifications. With the Sensor Hub, the phone knows when it’s been picked up and will automatically display notifications in a low-power white-on-black text until the screen has been properly activated.
Get all the news from today’s Google event right here.
Google Play Music family plan gives six people tunes for $15 a month
Family pricing has been all the rage when it comes to music streaming services. After the likes of Rdio, Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music announced reduced rates for you and your family, Google has a family plan of it’s own for Play Music. Mountain View is offering access to its library of tunes on up to six people for $15 a month. That’s exactly what Apple offers, and it’s a much better deal than Rdio and Spotify which only allow two people to stream for that price. With Play Music, each member of the crew will be able to listen on any device and the app will serve up recommendations that are tailored to each user. Google says it’s still “putting the finishing touches” on the family sharing, and it plans to roll it out later this year.
Get all the news from today’s Google event right here.
AIVAnet 