HTC One A9 officially announced: everything you need to know
Ever since the HTC One M9 was announced back in March 2015, many of us have been wondering what the Taiwanese company has planned for us next. Today we find that out, as HTC has just officially unveiled the One A9.
Complete with HTC’s familiar all-metal unibody design, high-resolution audio experience and Android 6.0 Marshmallow with the latest version of HTC Sense, the One A9 certainly seems to be quite the contender in the mid-range smartphone space. With that said, does it come with enough to help it stand out from the crowd? Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the all-new HTC One A9.
HTC in video
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HTC One A9 specs, features and design
| HTC One A9 | |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.0-inch AMOLED display 1920 x 1080 Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Processor | 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 |
| RAM | 2/3GB |
| Storage | 16/32GB |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 2TB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.1 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 & 5 GHz) 3.5 mm stereo audio jack micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes |
| Sound | Dolby Audio and Hi-Res Audio |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow HTC Sense |
| Camera | Rear: 13MP with sapphire cover lens, f/2.0 aperture, OIS Front: HTC UltraPixel, f/2.0 aperture, fixed focus |
| Battery | Non-removable 2150mAh, Quick Charge 2.0 (forward compatible with Quick Charge 3.0) |
| Dimensions | 145.75 x 70.8. x 7.26mm 143g |
| Colors | Opal Silver, Carbon Grey, Deep Garnet, Topaz Gold |
For starters, the HTC One A9 features an all-metal unibody design, similar to what we’ve seen in past HTC phones like the One M9, M8 or M7. It comes with a 5.0-inch AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and Gorilla Glass 4. The company chose to forgo a Quad HD panel for the One A9, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Full HD screens are lighter on battery consumption and are much cheaper, which will undoubtedly help with the overall cost of the smartphone, and help make the non-removable 2150mAh battery last a bit longer.
HTC says the device can last up to 12 hours with HD video playback, up to 9 hours with internet use (on Wi-Fi), or up to 18 days on standby. It’s also Quick Charge 2.0-compatible, and forward compatible with Quick Charge 3.0, Qualcomm’s newly-announced fast charging standard.
Quick Charge capabilities aren’t the only thing helping out the battery, though. This device runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which means it comes with all of the awesome battery-saving features that have been introduced in the latest version of Android. Not only this, but it also runs the latest version of HTC Sense, which is one of the most simple OEM skins we’ve seen on any current smartphone on the market.
Under the hood, the One A9 sports a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 617 processor, along with 2 or 3 gigabytes of RAM, depending on which configuration you choose. The 2GB of RAM model comes with 16GB of on-board storage, while the 3GB of RAM variant comes with 32GB of internal memory. Both variants also come with microSD expansion up to 2TB (2,000 gigabytes), so you’ll definitely have enough memory to store all of your photos, videos and music.
And plenty of storage is what you’ll need, too, because the One A9 comes packed with a number of attractive features for all of your multimedia needs. It comes with support for 24-bit, 192KHz high-resolution audio and a dedicated headphone amplifier, which HTC says can produce up to 2x the volume compared to competing smartphones. The company is also selling its new Pro Studio Earphones with the handset to bring it to the next level. Audio quality is definitely something we’ll test in great detail in our full review, which will be out in a few weeks.
On the camera front, it sports a 13MP rear-facing camera with a sapphire glass lens cover, optical image stabilization (OIS), auto-focus, hyperlapse video support and the ability to shoot in RAW. HTC has never really hit it out of the park in the camera department in the past, so we’re pretty excited to see what the A9’s camera can do. HTC says it has improved the camera interface by making it much simpler and easy to use. More commonly-used features like switching between cameras and turning HDR off are now located to the left side of the viewfinder, so it should be a little easier to take photos with the A9. It also features an UltraPixel front-facing camera, which will definitely be able to take care of your selfie needs.
As you’ve probably noticed by now, the One A9 comes with a home button below the display. This is because HTC has decided to include a fingerprint scanner on the device. This is certainly good news, as mobile payment popularity is on the rise, especially with the recent launch of Android Pay.
As for the overall design of the device, the One A9 is slim and quite small, measuring just 145.75 x 70.8. x 7.26 mm. It will also be quite easy to hold in one hand, thanks to the smaller 5.0-inch display. Some HTC devices in the past have been a bit slippery due to the all-metal design, which we’re hoping the company addressed with this device. If it does turn out to be too slippery, though, there’s good news – HTC is releasing a Dot View II case with the One A9, which will not only add protection from minor bumps and drops, but also some added functionality thanks to the retro-looking dot matrix display.
Where and when can you buy the One A9?
The HTC One A9 will be available around the world through retailers and HTC.com, with pre-orders starting today for those in the United States. The unlocked version of the One A9 is set at $399.99 (presumably the 16GB/2GB RAM model) , and will initially be offered in Opal Silver and Carbon Gray, with a Deep Garnet color arriving “in the coming weeks”.
There will be two versions of the unlocked A9, one that works with Sprint specifically, and the other SKU for T-Mobile, AT&T, and with a software update coming that will allow use on Verizon’s network using LTE only with a previously activated SIM, giving support for full voice, data, SMS, and MMS. HTC also plans to offer the A9 through select carrier partnerships, though not all the details have been revealed on this just yet.
Though the A9’s asking price might seem a bit high, considering you can get higher-spec’d devices for a similar price point, the A9 does offer the advantage of HTC’s Uh Oh Protection in the US. This free program gives you a replacement device in the first 12 months if you crack it, water damage it, or simply switch to another carrier and need a different version. The HTC One A9 will also include 6 months of free unlimited music through Google Play Music.
It’s also worth considering that, even if its spec sheet makes this seem more like a mid-range entry, HTC is offering several premium features that make this one stand a bit above what you’d expect from the mid-range, and from design and featurs its pretty obvious this phone is being marketed as an iPhone alternative — though whether this is enough to make the A9 a ‘must buy’ remains unseen.
So, with all of that said, what are your thoughts? Are you interested in the new One A9? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Engadget giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note 5 courtesy of Bitdefender!
As major corporations continue to succumb to hacks and the government’s prying eyes are still relatively unchecked, it’s always a good idea to bulk up your personal security. Bitdefender has been in the business of just that for years and now its new Mobile Security and Antivirus is available to secure your mobile Android devices. The app stays lean by using in-the-cloud antivirus services which are continually updated. On your device, it offers malware scanning, device tracking in the case of possible theft, App Lock to secure individual apps with a pin and Privacy Advisor to help keep your private data safe from snooping apps. There’s even Android Wear integration to alert you if you step too far away from your smartphone. If you enter this week, that handset could be a new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (32GB, Black Sapphire), along with a year’s subscription to Bitdefender’s service. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this security app and Android smartphone package.
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (32GB, Unlocked international version, black sapphire) and a one year subscription to Bitfender Mobile Security & Antivirus software.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Engadget and AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until October 21st at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
‘Minecraft’ with a story isn’t as weird as you’d think
A story-driven game about Minecraft, the block-building phenomenon adored by children and adults alike, might sound a tad contradictory. By design, Minecraft has little in the way of plot or characters — the world is randomly generated and the best “stories” occur naturally based on what you decide to build and explore. The game’s open nature is what makes it special, and it’s also the reason why Minecraft: Story Mode, a spin-off title with a carefully crafted plot, has been met with so much skepticism. Minecraft works because it doesn’t have a story — is it possible, or right, for another developer to give it one?
Telltale Games is best known for adventure game adaptations of popular franchises such as The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones and Fables. Unlike Minecraft, these properties come with established stories, characters and mythology that the team can work with. Using its own game engine and a comic book art style, Telltale typically offers a game “season” comprised of five episodes. These are broken down into cutscenes, branching conversations, quick-time events and puzzles. Occasionally, you’ll get the chance to walk through an environment, but there’s little in the way of exploration or creativity. You want freeform building and crafting, like that found in Minecraft? Better look elsewhere.
Despite these enormous differences, Minecraft: Story Mode works. It’s a charming celebration of the game that made Markus “Notch” Persson a billionaire, and its narrative and characters feel like they fit the world — despite them never being mentioned in the original game. In episode one, you take on the role of Jesse, and unlike most Telltale games you can choose between a boy or a girl, as well as one of three different races. It’s a nice touch and immediately gave me some sense of attachment to the character, voiced by either Patton Oswalt (best known for his roles in Ratatouille and The King of Queens) or Catherine Taber (you might recognize her voice from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Final Fantasy XII or Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker). With a small group of friends, you set out to win a building tournament at a Minecon-style convention called Endercon.
You won’t find any reference to Jesse’s treehouse, his or her pet pig Reuben or the Endercon competition in the original Minecraft game. Which could have been a problem, but Telltale quickly won me over in a few different ways. For one, Story Mode doesn’t claim to be the definitive storyline for Minecraft. It’s a different take on the blocky franchise and is set in its own, separate version of the Minecraft world. That gives the writers room to experiment, while also protecting the source material. Story Mode also weaves in countless elements that will be familiar to fans of the original game. Creepers, beacons and portals all appear in episode one, and are easily recognizable. When Telltale does introduce a new idea — for instance, a colorful amulet used to locate important characters — it doesn’t feel out of place in the Minecraft universe. Story Mode is respectful to the original game by expanding, but never abusing Minecraft‘s established items and mechanics.
The pacing is a little slow to begin with, but once the Endercon building competition ends, the plot kicks into a much higher gear. At the very beginning, Telltale introduces a group of heroes called the Order of the Stone, which once defeated the Ender Dragon and subsequently faded into legend. The peril the world now faces is linked to these members, and it’s here the developer sets up a few of the overarching mysteries for the five-part season. It’s nothing exceptional, but I’m intrigued enough to play the remaining episodes.
Story Mode is supposed to be family-friendly, so there are some limitations regarding the writing and where Telltale can take its cheery characters. Other properties that it’s adapted in the past, such as The Walking Dead and Fables (The Wolf Among Us), have given the team more opportunities to create darker and more unpredictable personalities with devious plans. These provoke stronger reactions in the player, trickier decisions and more complex relationships with the characters you choose to side with. Most of Story Mode‘s cast is likeable (aside from Jesse’s friend Axel, who tends to be impulsive and self-centered), so I spent most of my playthrough just trying to be best friends with everyone.
That said, the characters are distinctive and have quirky, energetic personalities. All of them have clear motivations and desires, which makes it easier to predict the consequences of each dialogue decision. Previous Telltale games have suffered from occasionally stiff scripts and inconsistent pacing — an inevitability, perhaps, with branching storylines — but they’ve always made me care about the characters. The same holds true in Story Mode, which is a testament to the quality of the writing. Jesse’s friends might be a little shallow, but they’re also easy to root for. I really want my “Nether Maniacs” (early on, you get to choose your team name for the building competition) to survive and stay together, so I’m interested to see how the game tries to pull them apart in later episodes.
Even if you’ve never played Minecraft before, there’s a lot to like in Story Mode‘s first chapter. It’s a charming, if simple tale with interesting characters and a few memorable set pieces. In terms of game design, it couldn’t be further from Minecraft, but somehow Telltale has managed to make it work. I’m putting that down to the quality of the writing and the way it cleverly integrates classic items, monsters and gameplay mechanics. Story Mode raids everything in Minecraft‘s toolbox to support its own storytelling, and ultimately it works to great effect. The game could have been a lazy and awkward cash-in, but instead it’s a smart, respectful spin-off that celebrates Minecraft‘s special brand of creativity.
Spotify streaming comes to Virgin America planes
Virgin America has teamed up with Spotify and the New York Times to stream music and deliver news articles aboard its planes. If it’s new in-flight ViaSat WiFi connection can stream Netflix videos 35,000 feet in the air, then music files and news articles should be a cinch, right? We hope so, because Spotify will make its whole catalogue accessible onboard Virgin America flights — the company claims it’s the first airline to offer the service — along with city-inspired mood playlists. For instance, if you’re flying to NYC, you can choose to play VA’s “Empire State of Mind” or “A Night On Broadway Mix” playlist on your phone/tablet/laptop, while you can play “Welcome to the Windy City” if you’re going to Chicago. It’s a great chance to sign up for a free 30-day Spotify Premium trial, if you haven’t yet.
The New York Times, on the other hand, allows any connected device to access curated content and breaking news from its website’s Business, Travel, Technology and ‘Most Viewed’ sections, though subscribers can browse the full website. Just like VA’s Netflix collab, you can take advantage of these partnerships until March 2, 2016, after which, well, there are lots of other options on the airline’s in-flight entertainment system. In fact, those Android-powered devices have recently been upgraded with better screens and now offer more shows and video games.
[Image credit: Johnny Vulkan/Flickr]
Source: Virgin America
Google invests in Africa’s largest wind power farm
Google’s big bet on clean energy isn’t just limited to the US or Europe — far from it. The search firm just promised to invest in Africa’s largest wind farm, the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project in Kenya, by buying turbine maker Vestas’ 12.5 percent stake when the farm is complete. Lake Turkana should generate 310MW of energy when all is said and done, or as much as 15 percent of Kenya’s current output. That could not only help the country transition to green energy sources, but give it the kind of reliable electricity that’s tough to find in the region.
There are some self-serving reasons to invest, of course. More electricity means that more Kenyans get online (and thus see web ads), and it’d give Google an eco-friendly power source for any future data centers. However, it’s hard to knock the deal when it could improve both the environment and the quality of life for a whole nation.
[Image credit: Vestas]
Source: Google Green Blog
HTC is trying to flip its fortunes with the flagship One A9
HTC has been keeping its brave face on, but 2015 hasn’t been very kind. After releasing its high-end One M9 to mixed reviews, the Taiwanese phone maker crept along to the point where its market value was worth less the amount of money it had in its coffers. Long story short, it’s been a tough year for HTC fans (and employees, for that matter). That’s why HTC’s been working on something new — the One A9 — behind some not-so-closed doors. Pre-orders for the unlocked version of this new hero device start today for $399/£429 ahead of a launch in the first week of November, but what is the company actually bringing to the fight?Slideshow-332172
The company insists that the A9 is a flagship phone, but — for better or worse — HTC skipped on the 800-series Snapdragon chipsets it used earlier this year. Instead, the A9 runs an octa-core Snapdragon 617, a 64-bit affair with four cores clocked at 1.5GHz and the others thrumming away at 1.2GHz. There will be a few versions of the A9 available as it works its way around the globe, but we’re only getting the top-tier model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage here in the States. That won’t be enough room for many of you, but HTC is still committed to the whole expandable memory thing so you’ll be able to toss up to a 2TB microSD card into the phone’s left edge. Even better, since this thing runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, you can format the card to act as an extension of the A9’s proper, internal storage. Slideshow-332174
Speaking of Marshmallow, Google’s new software update plays nicer with fingerprints for authentication and payments — thankfully the fingerprint sensor just below the screen seems excellent. All those battery considerations in Android 6.0 should help the A9 and its 2,150mAh cell too, and it’s already been surprisingly good (more on that in our full review). You’ll also notice a slightly cleaner version of HTC’s custom Sense interface on certain models; theming and suggested apps are still there, and the app launcher and core design elements still look familiar. It’s more an issue of pre-loaded apps — HTC has done away with its own Mail and Music apps, and wants users to be able to delete carrier-installed apps too.
If you’ll indulge the flashback, there’s an almost Droid Incredible vibe about the A9, and not just because of its lean, hand-friendly physique. The A9’s 5.0-inch, 1080p screen is HTC’s first AMOLED screen in ages, with prior choices skewing toward Super LCD screens. Just like the old days, the screen can be used in one of two ways — the default setup has bright, punchy colors for mass consumer appeal, but there’s a more accurate sRGB mode if you’re into that sort of thing. There’s no way we were going to get a Quad HD screen in a device this small and that costs so little, but I haven’t had reason to complain.
Still, there’s no denying this thing lacks some of the niceties we got with this M9. The most tragic loss? The front-facing speakers that were a hallmark of HTC’s BoomSound experience; there’s one grille etched into the A9’s bottom edge. While it’s not bad as far as single speaker setups go, it doesn’t hold a candle to the immersive sound we squeezed out of earlier flagships. The BoomSound flair hasn’t disappeared completely, though — it just evolved. Plugging in a pair of headphones triggers the included Dolby amplifier, adding a little extra oomph and brightness most tracks I threw at it. You can toss 24-bit tunes onto the A9 too if you’ve got any laying around; I’m stocking up on them while we gear up for a full review. Throw in a 13-megapixel camera with really snappy optical image stabilization and a Pro Mode that supports RAW image capture and we’ve got a solid competitor for the price. Like it or not, though, HTC considers the A9 the flagship successor to the M9 and will replace it completely in some competitive retail markets.
And yes, the A9 is reminiscent of another phone, too — perhaps disturbingly so. HTC is well aware that people are calling the A9 an iPhone copy, and really, who could blame them? The similarities — a rounded all-metal chassis, a single speaker, the round camera setup (compared to the M9’s charming squircle) — are hard to miss. In particular, the company knows the parallel placement of the A9’s polycarbonate antenna bands looks a lot like the iPhone 6’s, but HTC made those a thing first. In fairness, there’s a lot going on here that’s doesn’t feel Apple-y in origin. The textured power button adds some much needed tactile difference from the smooth volume rocker above it, and HTC’s mastery of metal shines with an aircraft-grade aluminum that has two distinct tactile feels on the A9’s back and sides. If there’s one thing HTC knows how to do, it’s how to build a device with impeccable fit and finish.
With the A9, HTC is doing a lot of insisting — it is a flagship, it isn’t an iPhone clone, and so on. Ultimately, though, that’s not their decision to make. It’s ours. After a bit of playtime, it’s clear that HTC has had time to reflect on what they’re good at and what smartphone shoppers want. The end result is a phone seems like a solid — if kind of safe — next step for a company on the brink. What’s not clear is whether the A9 actually has the power to win the hearts, minds and wallets needed to restore HTC’s former glory.
Engadget Live heads to New York City on October 29th!
We couldn’t miss an opportunity to make one more stop on our Engadget Live tour: New York City! We’ve had fun in Boston, Los Angeles and Austin, and now on October 29th at 7PM, we’ll head to the Liberty Warehouse in Brooklyn to bring together gadget lovers and tech companies for a night you don’t want to miss. And though tickets are free, we have a limited number of VIP tickets that, for just $15, can get you in to the event an hour early (6pm) and get a free drink ticket, too.
Our grand sponsor of Engadget Live, Ford, will let you experience the voice-activated SYNC 3 system and the 2016 Ford Escape. Drizly (the app that lets you get alcohol delivered with the tap of a button) will mix up a free beverage to the first 250 guests (who are age 21 and older, of course).
And there’s much, much more to enjoy at Engadget Live yet to be announced. For now though, get your free ticket and get amped up to join us on October 29th. And if you’re interested in sponsoring, email sponsors[at]engadget.com.
Developers Press BBC to Bring iPlayer to Apple TV by Building Their Own Proof of Concept App
Following the unveiling of the new Apple TV back in September, United Kingdom-based public service broadcaster BBC told fans on Twitter that there were “no plans currently” to develop an iPlayer app for the new platform. While the broadcaster has backtracked slightly since that time, more recently stating it doesn’t “have any info to give” on the topic, with the launch of the Apple TV right around the corner, a couple of Dorset-based developers have taken the task into their own hands to prove that the app can be made with relative ease.
Screenshot from the proof of concept iPlayer app
The BBC iPlayer app allows viewers of the popular British channel to catch up with current series and watch live TV on a smartphone or tablet. The company expanded support for the service to streaming devices like Chromecast and smart TVs last year, but never made the leap to Apple TV due to its limited SDK support and nonexistent functionality with other platforms like Android. Now, a pair of developers from Bournemouth, Dorset in the United Kingdom — Matt Cheetham and Phillip Caudell — have used a recent hack event to prove Apple TV support for BBC iPlayer could be implemented fairly easily by the broadcaster.
The pair took to GitHub to share the app they created, dubbed the “Auntie Player,” which splits the iPlayer experience up into Home, Categories, Live, and Search tabs, with full episode lists, descriptions, and run times for each show. Cheetham and Caudell cite BBC’s “disappointing response” from September as the main source of inspiration for the proof of concept app, pointing out BBC’s failure to support Apple TV as a direct contradiction to its public purpose to “make engaging digital content and services available on a wide range of digital platforms and devices.”
Most impressively, the duo planned, coded, and completed the app in under nine hours at the “Hack to the Future” event in Bournemouth over the weekend. As they note in the GitHub post, the two won’t be submitting the app to the App Store, but they wanted to showcase “what can be achieved with the tvOS platform and the BBC’s amazing content.”
The app we’re publishing here was built in just under 9 hours at a hack event to prove it could be done. It’s by no means complete or perfect, and it’s very much a proof of concept. It’s our hope the BBC will release an official app for Apple TV, as they’ve made iPlayer available on a wide range of other set-top boxes and Smart TVs.
Check out the developers’ full suite of source code for Auntie Player on GitHub, along with an array of screenshots and more of the reasoning behind sharing their creation with the public.
With Apple’s new tvOS developer tools for the fourth-generation Apple TV, the platform is now open to all developers, significantly broadening the potential for Apple’s set-top box beyond the locked-down content provider model that has existed until now. Just yesterday, Apple CEO Tim Cook reiterated his thoughts that the television experience needs to be reinvented and that apps are the way to do it.
‘Guitar Hero Live’ for iOS Launches With $100 Guitar Controller Bundle
Activision today released Guitar Hero Live for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in the U.S., following a five-year hiatus in the iconic video game franchise. The app is accompanied by an optional $99.99 bundle including a Bluetooth LE six-button guitar controller, guitar strap, redeem code and 2 AA batteries, available through major U.S. retailers. A two-guitar bundle is also offered for $149.99.
Guitar Hero Live puts you on stage rocking reactive live-action crowds. Guitar Hero Live is all about the dream of becoming a rock star. You will play with REAL band members, playing to REAL crowds, with REAL reactions to your performance. Play well and the crowd will love you! Play poorly and your fans will turn on you!
Guitar Hero Live for iOS has single-player and multiplayer modes and includes two free trial songs, while the guitar controller bundle unlocks over 40 additional tracks, access to GHTV channels featuring over 200 songs at launch and touch-based gameplay. A digital bundle is also available for $49.99 that unlocks the same features without a Bluetooth guitar for touch-based gameplay.
T-Mobile is also selling the Guitar Hero Live for iOS bundle and, for qualified customers, offering financing that breaks down the $99.99 price into 23 monthly payments of $4.16, with a final monthly payment of $4.31.
Supported iOS Devices:
- iPad 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2
- iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4
- iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus
- iPod touch (6th generation)
The game also requires iOS 8 or later and at least 3GB of device storage.
Guitar Hero Live [Direct Link] is free on the App Store, and also available for $99.99 on PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PS3 and Xbox 360. A version for the new Apple TV will also be released to play on the big screen. The game launches in Europe on October 23.
Learn more about Guitar Hero Live and other iOS games at our sister website TouchArcade.
Check out these 9 Qi wireless chargers to keep you powered up
We live in a digital age and we’re all constantly on our phones. One of the biggest struggles with phones in 2015 is finding a phone that can get power users, or sometimes even casual users, going throughout the day. OEMs keep pushing thin phones when poll after poll find that people would prefer a bigger battery, even if it made the phone a bit bigger.
One of the technologies on the rise to make that struggle a little easier is Qi wireless charging. No wires, no fuss. Just sit your phone down and it charges (as long as it’s compatible). Today we’re going to take a look at some of the coolest Qi wireless charging accessories to keep you charged up at home, in the office, and on the road.
If your phone doesn’t have native wireless charging, make sure you take a peek at the end of the list. We have some options for you too.
On The Go
Choetech Pocket Wireless Car Charger
Choetech is a name you’re going to see a few times on this list because they make some really great products. This Pocket Wireless Car Charger cradles your phone in a leather case that comes up just high enough to keep your phone secure, but also let you see your alerts. This charger clips onto your air vent, and plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter to charge up your phone while you’re running errands or taking the kids to school!
You can pick up the Choetech Pocket Wireless Car Charger for $42.99 with free Prime Shipping.
Product link: Choetech Pocket Wireless Car Charger
Forrader Qi Car Cup Holder Wireless Charger
This Qi Cup Holder is a really creative idea. We all have cup holders in our car, why not have them do something useful if phones are just going to sit in them anyway? No only does this car cup holder charge your phone while placed in the slot, but you can charge a second device with the 2.1A/5V output port. This type of charger is great for long road trips. Not only is your phone being charged in a secure location but your navigator can stay charged up too with the minimum amount of cables.
You can pick up the Forrader Qi Car Cup Holder Wireless Charger for $69.99 on sale down from $99.99 with free Prime Shipping.
Product Link: Forrader Qi Car Cup Holder Wireless Charger
ZeroEdge Qi Wireless Car Charger with Triple-Coil Stand
Do you use your phone for navigation? This stand may be perfect for you! It has a grippy base that sticks to your dash, and your windshield. The grippy arms can also grab onto your air vent to keep you charging while you’re navigating. I’ve used one of these before and they’re pretty brilliant. They’re sturdy, so they’ll last forever (as long as they stay sticky), and the arms extend and close up so they’re universal and can hold any phone.
You can pick up the ZeroEdge Qi Wireless Car Charger for $42.99 on sale, all the way down from $99. And, of course, there is free Prime Shipping to go along with that great price.
Product Link: ZeroEdge Qi Wireless Car Charger with Triple-Coil Stand
ActionPie 12,000 mAh Qi Wireless Charging Battery Bank
This may be the ultimate battery bank. Not only does this offering by ActionPie have Qi Wireless Charging but it also has dual USB ports so you can charge up to three devices at the same time. There’s also an LCD to tell you exactly how much juice you have left! It has a huge 12,000mAh capacity, and an flashlight! How do you compete with that? Oh yeah, it also looks awesome. The ActionPie Battery Bank comes with a 2-in-1 Lightning + Micro-USB charging cable so you can charge up your friend’s iPhone since it’s probably going to die halfway through the day.
You can pick up the ActionPie 12,000mAh Qi Wireless Charging Battery Bank for only $39.99 in either Silver or Golden. Both come with free Prime Shipping to your front door.
Product Link: ActionPie 12,000mAh Qi Wireless Charging Battery Bank
Home and Office Charging
Choetech Qi Wireless Iron Stand
Choetech is back again with one of my all time favorite cell phone accessories. I love this product so much I bought it as soon as it came out and use it every night to charge my Galaxy Note 5. The Iron Stand feels incredibly well made. It has a thickness and weight to it to indicate that it’s not going to break on a fall, and grippy feet so it won’t be moving if you bump your bedside table in the middle of the night. It has a blue LED indicator on the side to let you know when your phone has started charging and it’s just bright enough not to annoy you when you’re trying to sleep. This would also be perfect on your desk at work to keep you charging while also keeping an eye on your screen for alerts. I definitely recommend picking one of these up. Can’t say enough about it.
You can pick up the Choetech Qi Wireless Iron Stand for $35.99 with free Prime Shipping. Seriously. Buy one now!
Product Link: Choetech Qi Wireless Iron Stand
Wasserstein Wood Wireless Charging Pad
This charging pad looks great. This wood charging pad focuses not just on function, but also fashion with its slick looks. You can get it in a circle or square design and I think it will fit in really in any environment, whether that’s office or your home. This charger does exactly what it says it’s going to do and nothing more. It’s going to look great and charge your phone. If you’re looking for that, check this one out.
You can pick up the Wasserstein Wood Wireless Charging Pad in either Circle or Square for only $19.99 with free Prime Shipping.
Product Link: Wasserstein Wood Wireless Charging Pad
GMYLE Transparent Qi Wireless Charging Pad
Continuing the trend of great looks and wireless charging is this Qi Wireless Charging pad from GMYLE. The pad is transparent with a small, white circle in the middle to house the charging coils. While charging, the pad lights up a cool blue that breathes (pulses). There is short-circuit, voltage and heat protection built into this charger, so it won’t damage your phone even if you leave it on the charger long term.
You can pick up the GMYLE Transparent Qi Wireless Charging Pad for only $17.98 on sale down from $30. As always, there is free Prime Shipping.
Product Link: GMYLE Transparent Qi Wireless Charging Pad
Choetech Fast Charging Qi Wireless Charging Pad
We’ve saved the best Qi Wireless charging pad for last. Or, if it isn’t the best, it’s at least the fastest. Samsung recently announced that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ would be the first to support a new, faster wireless charging standard. This new technology can charge your Note 5 and S6 Edge+ at twice the rate (10W vs 5W)! If you don’t have a phone that supports the new standard, this pad will still charge it as fast as possible. I have one of these pads and it’s a real game changer. Now I don’t have to choose between quick charging and charging ,y phone conveniently.
Choetech offers two different packages with it’s fast charging pad. You can buy just the pad and it’ll run you $34.99, or you can buy the charging pad and the quick charge 2.0 wall adapter for $44.99. You’ll need one of these adapters to get the most out of this pad, so if you don’t have one we recommend getting the more expensive package. If you want to spend another couple of dollars, you can grab this Omaker wall adapter that supports quick charge and has an additional USB port so you can charge a second device as well. All of these come with free Prime Shipping.
Product Link: Choetech Fast Charging Qi Wireless Charging Pad
Product Link: Choetech Fast Charging Qi Wireless Charging Pad with Adapter
DIY
Itian DIY Wireless Charger
If you’re looking for a project, this may be the product for you. With this DIY kit, you can install it anywhere you want and have wireless charging hidden and convenient. Many people are installing these in things like bedside tables or custom cut wood blocks. Installation is easy since there is a 3M sticky pad included. All you have to do is stick this to the bottom of your table, sit your phone down and you’re charging. This design has three coils so the charging area is pretty big and comes with an LED light to let you know when the power is flowing.
You can pick up the Itian DIY Wireless Charger for $19.49 with free Prime Shipping.
Product Link: Itian DIY Wireless Charger
Qi Wireless Antennas
Not every phone comes with a Qi Wireless Charging built in. For those of us unlucky enough to be in this situation, all is not lost. Below is a list of third party antennas that you can install on your device to gain wireless charging. There are normally a few different options for each phone, but these are the simplest options we found.
Samsung:
LG:
Universal
Apple
Did we list your favorite Qi Charger? Plan to pick up any of those that we did list? Let us know what you have to say down in the comments.
The post Check out these 9 Qi wireless chargers to keep you powered up appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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