Google Shopping ads will start popping up on YouTube
Until that rumored ads-free subscription option comes around (if it’s true, that is), you just have to accept that advertisements are a part of YouTube. The latest type you’ll come across in the coming months? Google Shopping ads. According to the Inside AdWords blog, the Shopping ads that will be shown are “selected based on a variety of contextual signals,” making them relevant to the video you’re watching. When YouTube finds a match, you’ll see a small “i” icon on the top right corner of the video — the same one that pops up for TrueView ads — and clicking it opens up a panel that links to related products you can buy. For instance, a video about DSLR will show cameras, lenses and kits for sale from Best Buy and other AdWords clients. Unlike in-stream ads that auto-play before every video, though, you can always just leave the “i” icon untouched if you have zero interest in buying straight from YouTube.
Source: AdWords
Nexus 6P vs Nexus 6 quick look
As good as the Nexus 6 may have been, it’s large size was considered a turn off by many, but this year Google looks to rectify this by giving consumers more options. When Google took the wraps off of their latest and greatest at an event earlier today, there wasn’t just one, but two new Nexus smartphones for consumers to choose between. While there is a great, affordable option available for those that would prefer the pure Android experience on a smaller display in the Nexus 5X, the successor to the Nexus 6 is the Huawei-manufactured Nexus 6P.
There is always some curiosity with regards to whether a new iteration will prove to be a worthy successor, and that is what we attempt to find out, as we take a quick look at the Nexus 6P vs Nexus 6!
Design
While there was a larger focus on function over form with previous generations of the Nexus line, that all changed with the Nexus 6 made by Motorola, which brought with it premium design elements like a metal frame, and an overall classy and elegant look that borrowed heavily from the design language of Motorola’s flagships at the time.
While its curved back did help with the handling experience, the 6-inch display and resulting large footprint did make for a rather unwieldy smartphone. The update to the build quality and design commanded a premium price point as well, which was also a departure from the previous Nexus standard.
Pleasantly surprising is the fact that the Nexus 6P isn’t as expensive as its predecessor, but that is fortunately not an indication of a drop in build quality. In fact, it is quite the opposite, with the Nexus 6P featuring an arguably more premium full metal unibody design, while also adding a few key elements to bring the device at par with current and future security and technology standards.
The vertically-orientated Nexus logo is found once again on the back, but that is all that remains similar, with the camera module on the Nexus 6P now housed in a black window at the top, below which is the newly added fingerprint scanner. At the bottom shows Google’s adoption of the latest USB Type-C standard, but like its predecessor, also available is the dual-front facing speaker setup.
With the Nexus 6P featuring a slightly smaller display than the Nexus 6, the former is unsurprisingly less wide and slightly shorter than the latter. The Nexus 6P is also significantly thinner than its predecessor, at least when comparing it to the Nexus 6 at its thickest point, and weighs about the same, allowing for a substantial feel in the hand, while enhancing the handling experience of the still rather large smartphone.
The good news is that there is a smaller, solid option available for those who want it, but for anyone that loved what Google started with the Nexus 6, the Nexus 6P certainly continues to take that in the right direction, as far as design and build quality is concerned. Even better, the handling is much improved this time around and so for those felt the Nexus 6 was just a tiny bit too big, the Nexus 6P might be a better match.
Display
Both the Nexus 6 and Nexus 6P feature AMOLED displays with a Quad HD resolution, with the difference in size, 5.96-inches for the Nexus 6 and 5.7-inches for its successor, resulting in different pixel densities of 493 ppi and 515 ppi respectively, which is a bump that is hardly going to be noticeable. We can expect the deep blacks, saturated colors, fantastic viewing angles, and the high brightness that are associated with AMOLED technology, and given the fact that the Nexus 6 allowed for a fantastic display experience that really took advantage of the additional real estate, that should continue to be the case with the Nexus 6P.
Worth mentioning here is that the protection afforded the display of the Nexus 6P has seen an upgrade as well, with a Corning Gorilla Glass 4 panel to be found this time around, that should do an even better job of keeping things scratch-free, compared to the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 seen with the Nexus 6.
Performance and hardware
Under the hood, the Nexus 6P packs the latest and greatest that Qualcomm has to offer, with its octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, clocked at 1.82 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 430 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. This is one of the best processing packages currently available, and with a stock Android software experience on-board, performance should be as snappy and smooth as ever. An additional gig of RAM is what some may have hoped for, but 3 GB should more than get the job done as far as multi-tasking is concerned, as is evident in the case of the Nexus 6.
Speaking of the Nexus 6, the previous Google flagship is no slouch in the performance department either. Featuring a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, clocked at 2.7 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 420 GPU and 3 GB of RAM, the Nexus 6 continues to impress when it comes to performance, and the Nexus 6P gets the nod in this category mainly by virtue of the fact that its processing package is the newer of the two.
With microSD expansion going by the wayside with the Nexus line, Google decided to bump the lowest storage option to 32 GB with the Nexus 6, with a 64 GB iteration available as well for those looking for something more. Continuing along those lines, the Nexus 6P, along with 32 GB and 64 GB options, also adds a 128 GB iteration, to alleviate any concerns one might have with regards to available storage. Keep in mind that new Nexus owners will also be able to take advantage of an additional 100 GB of Google Drive cloud storage as well.
While the Nexus 6 included all the necessary hardware and connectivity features without cutting any corners, Google does manage to throw some extras into the mix this time around with the Nexus 6P. For starters, the device now comes with a touch-type fingerprint scanner placed on the back of the device, which is an implementation that Huawei has employed very successfully in the past with their own latest flagships. This positioning is actually quite ideal, with it being where the index finger would normally rest, and while more testing will of course be required, this fingerprint scanner should work extremely well, if the quality seen with devices like the Huawei Mate S is any indication.
Following the OnePlus 2, the new Nexus flagships are the latest smartphones to adopt the USB Type-C standard, but unlike the OnePlus flagship, the Nexus 6P is capable of fast charging, which is always a plus. As far as the batteries are concerned, the Nexus 6P features a slightly larger 3,450 mAh battery, compared to the 3,220 mAh unit of the Nexus 6.
The battery life available with the Nexus 6 has seen some improvement over time with some software updates, and should continue to get better with the new Doze feature that will make its way to the device with the upcoming Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. This is a feature that the Nexus 6P will be able to take advantage of out of the box, and with its slightly smaller display and tad larger battery, the battery life of the Nexus 6P should impress. Quite unexpectedly however, wireless charging is no longer a feature with the latest Nexus smartphone, but is available with its predecessor.
Camera
One point of contention with the Nexus line was unfortunately the camera, but that changed with the Nexus 6, that brought with a dramatic improvement in this aspect. Packing a 13 MP rear camera with a dual LED flash and optical image stabilization, the Nexus 6 allowed for some fairly decent shots, especially outdoors, and while the camera software remained quite minimalistic, whatever features it did bring certainly enhanced the experience.
That said, we’ve seen some huge steps being taken in the smartphone camera department this year, with the current crop of flagships from OEMs like Samsung and LG setting an incredibly high standard. Google’s attempt to match up to that standard comes in the form of a 12.3 MP primary shooter with a dual LED flash and laser-guided auto focus system, along with a f/2.0 aperture, and a larger 1.55µm cell size, allowing for more light to reach each pixel, albeit at the expense of total pixel count. We can’t wait to put this camera through its paces to see how it stacks up against the intense competition, but one cause for concern may be the lack of the very useful OIS with the Nexus 6P.
The front-facing camera has seen a significant bump though, from the 2 MP camera of the Nexus 6, with the Nexus 6P boasting an 8 MP front-facing shooter, which should certainly help better your selfie game.
Software
The Nexus 6P will run Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, and with the Nexus 6 expected to be one of the first smartphones to receive the official upgrade to the latest version of Android next week, the software experience with both smartphones will be almost identical, save for some additional features with the Nexus 6P that take advantage of the fingerprint scanner, which Google is calling Nexus Imprint, that, apart from unlocking your device, will also come with compatibility with Android Pay.
From an aesthetic point of view, Android 6.0 Marshmallow isn’t a dramatic departure from Android 5.0 Lollipop, aside from some minor changes to the app drawer and launcher. Where the latest version of the Android OS really shines is through improved battery management, bug fixes, the Google Now on Tap feature, and the introduction of numerous new APIs offering support for fingerprint scanners and more. Android 6.0 Marshmallow also adds greatly improved permissions, allowing you much more granular control over what parts of your phone experience your apps have access to.
Conclusion at a glance
Google took everyone by surprise when the price point of the Nexus 6 was announced last year, with the base 32 GB model setting you back $649. Google has certainly adopted a wallet-friendlier pricing strategy this time around however, with the Nexus 6P starting at just $499, and going up to $649 for the 128 GB version.
So there you have it for this quick look at the Nexus 6P vs Nexus 6! The latest premium Nexus smartphone is certainly a worthy successor to the impressive Nexus 6, with its more refined and elegant design and build quality, updated processing package and hardware features that fit better into the current smartphone landscape, and larger battery.
Some surprising omissions come in the form of the lack of optical image stabilization and removal of wireless charging, but how much that affects the overall experience is something we will find out soon as we give the Nexus 6P, and its smaller sibling, the full review treatment in the weeks to come.
What do you think of the new Nexus 6P, how do you feel it compares to the original Nexus 6?
Nexus 5X vs Nexus 5 – quick look
Months of rumors preceded today’s unveiling of the Nexus 5X. The phone is all that we expected it to be and more, with a price point and specs that will make it one of the sweetest deals around. So was the Nexus 5 during its times of glory, though. How does the current Nexus 5X compare to its direct predecessor? We put them next to each other in a quick comparison while at Google’s event, so let’s jump into the details and see what’s better in the new Nexus 5-incher!
Design & build quality
Looking around the Nexus 5X we can see that it has some similarities to the previous LG Nexus 5, but these phones are definitely not to be confused. LG has evolved, Google has evolved and the industry has evolved. This evolution is something you can really see reflected when comparing these handsets.
Both devices feature that affordable, utilitarian design with a plastic body, but they definitely don’t feel cheap. They are also about the same weight, with the Nexus 5X weighing 136 grams and the Nexus 5 being 130 grams heavy. The newer Nexus is slightly thinner at 7.9 mm, too.
Now let’s jump into the differences, which there’s plenty of. The most obvious aesthetic changes will be the protruding camera and fingerprint scanner, which adorn the back of the Nexus 5X. Look at the bottom of the phone and you’ll see the new Nexus 5X will also sport a brand new USB Type C port, which is the next step in connectivity and supports more than just data transfers and charging but also is fully reversible. The addition of dual front-facing speakers will also offer a significant difference in the front’s look.
Think of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 5 as devices made with the same audience and purpose in mind, but coming from different ages.
Display
Though the Nexus 5X screen is larger, it doesn’t beat the smaller one by much. The newer Nexus handset sports a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD display. On the other hand, the previous Nexus 5 featured a 4.95-inch 1080p panel. Both have Gorilla Glass 3 protecting them. While the original Nexus 5 will actually offer slightly higher PPI due to the smaller display, the real world difference between the two should be pretty minor.
Hardware
Now, this is where you will find the true changes between the handsets being compared today. The Nexus 5X has a powerful Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz, 2 GB of RAM and 16-32 GB of internal storage and a 2700 mAh battery with no wireless charging.
Meanwhile, the Nexus 5 has a more outdated Snapdragon 800 chipset running 4 cores at 2.3 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, 16-32 GB of internal storage and a 2300 mAh battery with wireless charging. Of course, the obvious caveat about the newer Nexus phone is the lack of wireless charging, which is a shame to see in a Nexus phone this day and age.
Also important is the Nexus 5X addition of USB-C (already mentioned above) and Nexus Imprint, which allows all security processes to be performed with the aid of that fingerprint reader.
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While the Nexus 5 is still capable of providing a decent Android experience, the Nexus 5X is obviously a major step forward, even if the decision to keep just 2GB of RAM may prove to be a turn off for some.
Camera
I still remember the Nexus 5 announcement. Google was going on and on about how darn fast the camera was, but that was probably about the only good thing the Nexus 5’s shooter had going for it. It turns out the 8 MP camera wasn’t very good at taking clear shots, and the 1.3 MP front-facing camera was only average.
Google aims to fix this issue with the Nexus 5X, or at least make the situation better. The new 12.3 MP camera comes with 1.55 micron pixels, which should allow for more light to enter the sensor. In addition, the f/2.0 aperture can help push shutter speeds higher and the laser-assisted auto-focus will definitely improve your focusing times.
The Nexus 5X does lack OIS, but the other technology should justify that. What it isn’t missing is 4K video shooting and a dual-flash set-up for those dark party shots. The front camera has also been upgraded to a 5 MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. It’s too early to say how much better the camera experience is, or how it compares to other 2015 devices, but at the very least we can expect a push forward compared to the aging camera of the original Nexus 5.
Software
For Android enthusiasts, Nexus devices are the kings of software. These phones get updates directly from Google, and usually before other smartphones out there. The thing here is that older Nexus devices start getting pushed aside as successors come into the game. Chances are high that the Nexus 5 will lose support soon, as it is pretty old and now has a direct replacement.
And even if the older Nexus 5 sticks around for longer, the Nexus 5X will always get preference. For now we can say both phones will run Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which means they can take advantage of new features like Android Pay, Google Now on Tap, the new permissions system, improved battery management, revamped sharing functionality, simplified volume controls and more.
That means the software experience with both will be quite similar, but it won’t be long before the Nexus 5 is left in the dark in terms of new OS updates, while the Nexus 5X is just getting started.
Price and conclusion
The Nexus 5X is priced at $379 for the 16 GB, compared to $349 for the Nexus 5 16 GB when it launched. Though the Nexus 5X is slightly pricier than the Nexus 5 was in its time, this can be justified by multiple things. The newer phone adopts new technology that wasn’t even around back when the Nexus 5 was launched. This obviously means manufacturing prices will rise. Not to mention, the Nexus 5X is definitely a better phone!
For those that enjoyed the Nexus 5 and were turned off by the larger display on the Nexus 6, the Nexus 5X is certainly a great option. Of course, those who want the absolute best experience might find that the Nexus 6P is more to their liking.
The first official ‘X-Files’ trailer is out there
The wait is nearly over, X-Files fans! We’re just a few short months from the debut of the new X-Files. Like the original series, this six episode mini-season is being produced by Chris Carter. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their lead roles as Mulder and Scully while many of the show’s supporting cast (like the Cigarette-Smoking Man and FBI Director Skinner) will also reportedly be making appearances. The new series launches on January 24th, immediately following the NFC Championship game.
Source: Fox (YouTube)
Security firm discovers Linux botnet that hits with 150 Gbps DDoS attacks
Akamai announced on Tuesday that its Security Intelligence Response Team has discovered a massive Linux-based botnet that’s reportedly capable of downing websites under a torrent of DDoS traffic exceeding 150 Gbps. The botnet spreads via a Trojan variant dubbed XOR DDoS. This malware infects Linux systems via embedded devices like network routers then brute forces SSH access. Once the malware has Secure Shell credentials, it secretly downloads and installs the necessary botnet software, then connects the newly-infected computer to the rest of the hive.
Security researchers had been aware of XOR DDoS since last year but have just recently noticed the effects of the botnet itself. According to Akamai, the network strikes around 20 times a day, though 90 percent of its targets are various businesses in Asia — typically gambling and educational sites. What’s troubling isn’t the scope of attacks but rather the size. This botnet is capable of driving anywhere from a couple Mbps to over 150 Gbps of traffic every minute at its targets. That upper figure is many times more than what even most multinational corporate networks can handle. It’s the digital equivalent of hunting mosquitos with a hydrogen bomb.
“A decade ago, Linux was seen as the more secure alternative to Windows environments, which suffered the lion’s share of attacks at the time, and companies increasingly adopted Linux as part of their security-hardening efforts,” Akamai told PC World. “As the number of Linux environments has grown, the potential opportunity and rewards for criminals has also grown.” As such, anyone with a Linux rig is strongly advised to review their existing security implementations and harden them accordingly.
[Image Credit: Anirban Basu / Alamy]
Via: PC World
Source: State of the Internet
Apple Brings Apple Music, iTunes Movies and iBooks to China
Apple today announced that it would be bringing three of its entertainment services — Apple Music, iTunes Movies and iBooks — to customers in China today. This marks the first time customers in China will have access to Apple’s entertainment ecosystem.
“Customers in China love the App Store and have made it our largest market in the world for app downloads,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “One of the top requests has been more great content and we’re thrilled to bring music, movies and books to China, curated by a local team of experts.”
Customers in China will be able to sign up for the three-month free trial of Apple Music starting on September 30. The service will include music from Chinese artists like Eason Chan and JJ Lin in addition to international artists like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. Likewise, iTunes Movies will include movies from Chinese film studios in addition to Hollywood blockbusters like Jurassic World and Avengers: Age of Ultron. iBooks will include free and paid Chinese language books.
Apple says that as a token of appreciation, the recent Chinese hit film The Taking of Tiger Mountain will be available for free to all customers in China for a limited time.
China has become increasingly important to Apple in recent years. Recently, the Cupertino company included China in the first wave of countries to be able to purchase the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
Nexus 6P hands-on and first look
After an endless amount of leaks and rumors, Google has finally taken the wraps off the two newest members of the Nexus family, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The former is manufactured by LG and is the lower-end of the two devices, while the latter is made by Huawei and sports top of the line specifications.
Right now we’re taking a look at the Nexus 6P, which is the successor to last year’s Nexus 6. With a more premium-feeling chassis and improved specifications, it’s hard to deny that the 6P is one attractive device. However, spec sheets and press releases don’t tell the whole story, which is why you’ll want to join us in going hands-on with the brand new Nexus 6P!
Don’t miss: Nexus 6P officially announced: everything you need to know
In the hand, the Nexus 6P feels really nice. It sports an all-metal chassis with a 5.7-inch screen and Gorilla Glass 4. This is the first Nexus to come with a metallic unibody, and surprisingly, Google and Huawei managed to make this device pretty light considering the size. It weighs 178 grams, which is just 6 grams lighter than Motorola’s Nexus 6 from 2014. It’s also a tad slimmer, too, measuring just 7.3 millimeters, compared to the Nexus 6’s 10.1 millimeter thickness.
On the back you’ll find a pretty large rear-facing 12.3MP camera with dual LED flash, embedded in the black window at the top of the device. Below that there’s a fingerprint scanner which Google is calling Nexus Imprint, which will allow you to easily wake and unlock your device in a single tap. This is the same fingerprint reader that’s found on the Nexus 5X, so you’ll likely get the same experience no matter which device you’re using. From what we can tell so far, the fingerprint reader is pretty fast and makes it really easy to access the device from a locked state. Similar to what we’ve seen from Huawei devices in the past, the fingerprint scanner can also be used to wake the phone out of sleep mode.
The right side of the device houses a textured power/standby key and volume rocker, and the bottom of the phone houses the new USB Type-C port. Even though you won’t be able to use your standard Micro USB cables for charging this device, we think most users will welcome this change, as USB Type-C cables are reversible.
Moving to the front, the Nexus 6P features a 5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED display with a pixel density of 515, making this the first Quad HD display on any Huawei phone. It’s also covered in Gorilla Glass for extra protection. Google says they did their best to shrink down the 6P’s bezels to make the phone as small as possible. On stage, the company said the 6P is just about as big as most other smartphones with 5.5-inch displays and we’d say that’s pretty close to accurate.
Under the hood, the 6P is powered by an octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor backed by 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 430 GPU, which should be plenty powerful enough for both power users and normal users alike. The device comes in 32, 64 and 128GB variants, with no room for expandable storage.
There’s also a big 3450mAh battery, which is a slight step up from the Nexus 6’s 3220mAh unit. Even though the 6P doesn’t feature wireless charging capabilities, it does come with quick charging technology. We know it’s not as convenient as setting your phone down on a charging pad, but at least if you have to be tethered to a charging cable, it won’t be for long.
The Nexus 6P comes with a 12.3MP rear-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture and laser-assisted autofocus, while the front camera comes in at 8MP and features HDR+ capabilities. There’s no optical image stabilization (OIS) this time around, which is definitely an odd move. Nexus phones have struggled in the camera department for some time now, so we’re hoping the lack of OIS won’t ruin the device’s chances at producing some nice shots. We’ll of course test this camera out in full once we get our review unit, so stay tuned for more coverage on the camera front.
On the software side of things, the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X both run Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Although it may not look entirely different Lollipop when it comes to aesthetics, there are tons of new performance improvements and software features, including Google Now on Tap, an all-new permissions system, better battery management, simplified volume controls and much, much more. Also making its debut in Marshmallow is the new Doze battery saving feature, which Google says can double your device’s standby time. Oh, and Marshmallow also supports landscape mode on the home screen!
See also: Google Now on Tap Demo at Google I/O 2015
The Nexus 6P is now available for pre-order from the Google Store starting at $499 for the 32GB version, $549 for the 64GB model and $649 for the 128GB model. The device is available in Aluminum, Graphite and Frost color options. If you happen to live in Japan, you can even get your hands on a Gold color option. When the Nexus 6 launched last year, the 32GB base model came to market for $649. It’s clear that Google is being much more aggressive with its pricing structure this time around, especially when it comes to the way these new Nexus phones will be sold. As of right now, you’ll only be able to order them online from the Google Store if you happen to live in the United States.
So, there you have it – a quick hands-on look at the brand new Nexus 6P! Based off what you’ve seen so far, what are your thoughts? Is the Nexus 6P going to be your next phone, or do your prefer the 5X? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments. And if you’re looking for some more in-depth information, be sure to check out more Nexus event coverage linked below!
Read more:
- Nexus 6P officially announced: everything you need to know
- Nexus 5X officially announced: everything you need to know
- Nexus Protect is a new accidental protection program for the Nexus 5X and 6P
- The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will work with Google’s Project Fi network
- Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P now up for pre-order!
BlackBerry shares the first Priv official images
BlackBerry didn’t have to bother with a colossal announcement or fancy teasers to get people’s attention. Their upcoming phone is pretty much selling itself, as it answers to features people have been requesting for many years. It’s really the most casual launch we have seen in a long time, yet people are dying to get their hands all over the BlackBerry Priv!
The Priv is pretty much official by now, but BlackBerry has been taking its sweet time to share more about it. Today we are taking a look at the very first legit images coming from the popular manufacturer. It’s definitely nothing we haven’t seen before, but these images are special in that they come straight from the source.
BlackBery is giving us a look at the Priv from multiple angles. Two of them show the smartphone’s profile, with the keyboard both hidden and pulled out. The third image (above) showcases the phone as if it was laying on a flat surface.
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Why is the BlackBery Priv such a titanic sensation? Wasn’t the company dying? It sure was, but maybe this was something they really needed to do to rise afloat. We have been begging for a BlackBerry Android phone with a nice keyboard, and the fact that it’s finally coming is a huge deal.
BlackBerry claims the Priv’s main lure is its privacy, but I doubt that’s the case for people outside the enterprise market. It’s their build quality and keyboards that people really love. The Priv has both, as well as Android in its guts; that is what really makes it an enticing handset.
So there you have it, guys. Enjoy the images and take a look at our BlackBerry Priv rumor roundup to learn more about the upcoming handset. Are you thinking of getting a BlackBerry Priv?
Google Pixel C hands-on and first look
At today’s Google event, the company showcased a new generation of the Chromecast, as well as two new Nexus phones. One of the better-kept secrets, however, was a brand-new Google tablet.
The latest tablet might be from Google, but it’s not a Nexus. It’s a Pixel device, but not a Chromebook. Is Google’s new Pixel C bound to have some form of identity crisis? We are not sure, but we can definitely tell you it’s special. Let’s show you how in this first look.
Right off the bat you can tell this device is a high-end product. Its solid metal build and sturdy Bluetooth keyboard are enough validation of this. We also have that fancy color bar we see in other Pixel devices. Sliding the cover to the side will uncover the keyboard, which you can dock the tablet into by using a mighty strong magnet. Seriously, it’s so strong you will have a hard time undocking that tablet!
After turning the tablet on we found that it’s really as good as they get. The screen’s 2560×1800 resolution is stunning, as is the panel’s quality. We also can’t forget this thing is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which will grant you all the capabilities and applications Google’s mobile OS has to offer. In a way, this is likely a better deal than having Chrome OS, so we shouldn’t be complaining about this being a Pixel gadget running Android.
The Pixel C happens to be no slouch in terms of performance, either. The NVIDIA Tegra X1 SoC is more than enough to keep your apps and casual tasks running smoothly, not to mention gaming and media consumption, which the CPU is actually optimized for. It’s a high-performance tablet all-in-all.
We couldn’t forget about that keyboard, which should be a beauty considering its high price point. We found it actually feels quite nice and is very reminiscent of a laptop keyboard. The chiclet system makes the keys easy and smooth to type on, and because of its depth, travel for each key is rather small. It’s a pretty smart duo, as the tablet can detect when it is docked to the keyboard and act accordingly.
What I really enjoyed about the tablet is how much it looks and feels like the rest of the Pixel line-up, though. As previously mentioned, it even has that light bar, which now has a bit more functionality. You can double tap on the back of the tablet and the bar will tell you how much battery the tablet has left. Speaking of the battery, this one clocks in at 34 Wh, which really doesn’t tell us very much, but Google is promising over 10 hours of battery life, which is definitely nothing to scoff at for a tablet like this one.
We are pretty excited to see a high-end tablet coming from Google, but the prices are not the most welcoming we have seen around. The tablet starts at $499, while the keyboard is $149. You can pre-order it now and it will become available before the holidays come around.
Should you buy it? We can’t say until our review goes up, but what we can tell you is that this looks to be a tablet that can take care of both work and play. It’s keyboard and elegant design make it a perfect tool for the serious user, while its specs and software also make it a powerful gaming and media machine. The Pixel C is great for those who want something more than just a communication tool or entertainment hub out of their tablet – this is more of a PC replacement of sorts.
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What do you think of the new Google Pixel C? Is it the Android tablet you’ve been waiting for? Let us know in the comments!
Google Nexus 5X versus LG G4
Today was a big day for the Android world, as Google introduced two all-new devices, the Huawei-made Nexus 6P and LG’s Nexus 5X. Both are impressive phones, but the Nexus 5X was arguably the most anticipated given how well the original Nexus 5 was received.
The Nexus 5 was a great smartphone, but it didn’t stack up well with big contenders like the LG G4 as far as specs go. But now that the Nexus 5X is here as the Nexus 5’s successor, let’s just see how well the Nexus 5X and LG G4 contend, shall we? Hit the break to see these two players go head to head!
Design
The newly announced Nexus 5X sizes in at 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm and weighs a light 136 grams. It’s fairly plain on the front, but has the usual button layout–power, volume rocker, and SIM card tray on both sides of the device. Around the back you’ll find a rather large Nexus logo with LG’s own logo right under that.
The LG G4’s features similar dimensions at 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8mm and weighs in at 155 grams. It’s button layout is more unique, sporting the power button and volume rocket on the backside of the device right below the camera.
Winner: Nexus 5X
Display
The LG G4 sports a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 IPS LCD display. Additionally, it has a pixel density of 538ppi and is equipped with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3. It’s a gorgeous display and easily one of the best on the market.
The LG-made Nexus 5X has a 5.2-inch Full HD 1920 x 1280 LCD display. It also sports a pixel density of 424 pixels-per-inch. As for protection, it’s also using Gorilla Glass 3.
Winner: LG G4
Hardware
Google’s Nexus 5X has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset, a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a dual-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 processor, backed with 2GB of RAM, an Adreno 418 GPU, 16/32GB of internal storage, a 12.3-megapixel rear camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Interestingly, under that rear camera is a fingerprint scanner and there’s also USB Type-C support.
Under the hood of the LG G4 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 chipset, a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a dual-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 processor. It has 3GB of RAM, an Adreno 418 GPU, 32GB of internal storage, a 16-megapixel camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
Winner: It’s a tie.
Battery
The LG G4 features a massive 3,000mAh battery, and is equipped with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 fast charging technology. In addition to that, it does have Qi wireless charging capabilities for those that want to pick up a wireless charging pad.
On the other hand, the Nexus 5X is equipped with a smaller 2,700mAh battery. That’s not necessarily a bad thing considering the noticeable difference in screen specifications, meaning the display is putting out less power, thus using less battery.
Winner: LG G4
Software
Google’s Nexus 5X is running the latest version of Android–Android Marshmallow. As has been historically the case, the benefit of owning a Nexus like the 5X is the lack of bloatware, faster speeds, and timely updates.
The other extreme is the LG G4, which is running the UX 4.0 interface atop of Android 5.1.1. Much like TouchWiz, UX comes with a lot of features, such as QuickMemo+, a built-in File Manager, a bevy of camera options, and much more. Unfortunately, LG isn’t exactly known for its timely updates.
Winner: It comes down to preference.
Availability and Price
The LG G4 is immediately available for purchase and will normally run you $199 on a new two-year contract or $699 outright. However, there are installment plans available through most carriers ranging from $15 – $35/mo.
In contrast, the Nexus 5X is currently pre-order only and will not be available through any major retail outlets or carriers. Those interested can pre-order it from the official Google Store, starting at $379 for the 16GB model.
Wrap Up
And there you have it folks, the Nexus 5X is almost identical to the LG G4! Manufactured by the same company–LG–that isn’t quite surprising. Despite having lower specs than its big brother the Nexus 6P, it’s still one powerful phone at a much lower price point.
Both the LG G4 and Nexus 5X are nice devices, and when it comes down to it, you’re just choosing the experience you want–one from LG or one from Google. It’s merely a matter of preference, as in this case, one isn’t inherently better than the other on paper.
Anyone picking up a Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X today? Or are you looking elsewhere? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Come comment on this article: Google Nexus 5X versus LG G4
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