Here’s how BlackBerry makes Android more secure on the Priv
BlackBerry has been going on and on about everything its upcoming Android-powered slider can do, from faster to typing to a fantastic camera, but if you’re considering purchasing another BlackBerry device, you’re probably doing it for the privacy and security that BlackBerry has always offered. Fortunately, BlackBerry still remembers their roots and they’re not planning on ditching that for the Priv.
They’ve released a pretty detailed blog post about the steps the company is taking to keep the Priv secure, including unique cryptographic keys that are injected during the manufacturing process and how that hardware is used to keep the Priv’s bootchain secure, and how the device relies on BlackBerry’s extremely well encrypted servers. Turns out the Priv will also be completely encrypted by default, which is a big plus for the privacy-minded buyers.
The BlackBerry Priv comes with Android for Work integration right out of the box, including support for different spaces for personal and work use. BlackBerry is also introducing a new DTEK application that’s preloaded on the phone that tells you how secure your device currently in and offers up suggestions for making things more secure. It takes into account encryption settings, installed apps, and several other details to determine your current security rating.
All of this isn’t to say that the Priv won’t make a decent personal device, as it’s still shipping with the full Google Play suite of apps and services. Plus, that’s camera is shaping up pretty nicely, and BlackBerry has always made some fantastic keyboards.
source: BlackBerry
Come comment on this article: Here’s how BlackBerry makes Android more secure on the Priv
Verizon drops teaser for the Motorola Droid Turbo 2
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The biggest news of the day might have been the HTC One A9 being announced, however Verizon decided it wanted some of the limelight as well. Verizon tweeted a short teaser video for the new Motorola Droid Turbo 2, giving us a clear look at the back of the device falling towards the ground, accompanied by the caption “the new Droid is dropping soon”. Not only is this a figurative expression, this is no doubt a literal reference to the shatterproof display that the Droid Turbo 2 will allegedly have. We’ll also mention the caption in the tweet which is “introducing the perfect phone for imperfect people”, which feels like a backhanded compliment to people who drop phones a lot, but we’ll let it slide.
Introducing the perfect phone for imperfect people. pic.twitter.com/OzeiE2znP3
— Verizon (@verizon) October 20, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAll should be revealed on October when the device is expected to be announced. Apart from the obvious addition of the “Droid” branding on the back of the device, the Droid Turbo 2 looks less of a departure from the standard Motorola design language than the original Droid Turbo was, but this time we will have the added convenience of customizing the device’s appearance with Moto Maker.
What do you think about the Motorola Droid Turbo 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Twitter via Droid-life
The post Verizon drops teaser for the Motorola Droid Turbo 2 appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung Galaxy S7 may sport a new 20MP camera sensor
Just this week we discovered rumors stating that Samsung’s new Galaxy S7 flagship may launch ahead of when it normally does. Today, judging for a PDF document, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S7 may sport an upgraded 20MP camera.
Samsung is aiming at January as a possible announcement for its upcoming Galaxy S7 flagship. So far there have been numerous rumors regarding which processor the device will use, display size, fordable technology, a dual-camera setup and now it seems that a 20MP camera sensor may be included.
Samsung usually saves it to the S-lineup to up the megapixel count on its smartphones, while the Note series puts more emphasis on software rather than hardware. This makes the Galaxy S7 the likely time Samsung will debut its newest 20MP sensor. According to the leaked document, the sensor sports 1.0 micron-sized pixels. It will also support a new reduced power draw as a result of the company’s new 28nm process. The camera sensor will also likely bring further enhancements to color accuracy and improvements to low-light shots, something Samsung has taken very seriously over recent years. Best of all, this could be the time Samsung implements its new technology making the sensor slimmer thus possibly eliminating a rear protruding camera. But don’t get your hopes up. The technology may still be a ways away.
What are you hoping for in the next generation Galaxy smartphone?
Source: Samsung
Via: GalaxyClub.nl
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S7 may sport a new 20MP camera sensor
Playdate: Surviving the apocalypse in ‘Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut’
Fallout 4 isn’t the only post-apocalyptic role-playing game out this fall. Nope. Also out is a sequel to the game that’s pretty much directly responsible for Bethesda’s dark vision of the future, Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut. The PC version of the game released last year, but a console port featuring a number of new additions including new voice overs and a wealth of new recorded dialogue. If XCOM: Enemy Unknown left an isometric, action-point itch that you haven’t scratched in awhile, this might be your ticket on PlayStation 4. Join Sean Buckley and myself at 6PM Eastern / 3PM Pacific as we try to survive the cruel environment for two hours either here on this post, the Engadget Gaming homepage or Twitch.tv/joystiq if you’d like to chat with us.
http://www.twitch.tv/joystiq/embedWatch live video from Joystiq on www.twitch.tv
[We’re broadcasting Wasteland 2 on PlayStation 4, through OBS at 720p, so rest assured the game will look much more apocalyptic in your home.]
Google will provide some of Yahoo’s search results
Yahoo clearly isn’t wasting time now that it’s free to partner with search firms besides Microsoft. The internet pioneer has revealed a partnership that will have Google providing some search results (including images) and search-based ads. It’s not certain just how many queries the crew in Mountain View will handle, but the deal is “non-exclusive.” If it wants, Yahoo can draw on Microsoft’s Bing or any other provider. The pact lasts until the end of 2018, too, so the company isn’t committed on the same level as it was when it struck the Bing deal in 2009.
[Image credit: Getty Images]
Via: GeekWire
The ‘shatterproof’ Droid Turbo 2 gets teased by Verizon
October 27th can’t come soon enough for fans of the Droid series. Although Verizon is expected to reveal its latest flagship smartphone on that day, the carrier seems to be extremely eager to show you what it has planned for the event. In a tweet earlier today, Verizon teased a handset fitting the leaked description of the “shatterproof” Droid Turbo 2, calling it “the perfect phone for imperfect people.” Aside from a tough screen, the device is said to be compatible with Motorola’s Moto Maker service, which will let you customize it to your liking. We’ll learn all the official details soon enough, but in the meantime, here’s a quick video of the new Turbo to hold you over.
Introducing the perfect phone for imperfect people. pic.twitter.com/OzeiE2znP3
— Verizon (@verizon) October 20, 2015
Via: The Verge
Source: Verizon (Twitter)
Japan is getting another Evangelion phone to celebrate the anime’s 20th anniversary
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Caution: I’m about to reveal what a massive anime nerd I am. As it turns out, it’s been 20 years since the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion started airing, and to celebrate this fact, Sharp is making a commemorative Evangelion phone to mark the milestone. Called the SH-M02-EVA20, the phone displays the livery of Shinji’s EVA-01, right down to the gold on the power and volume buttons. Naturally you’ll need to be a fan of the series to even want the phone in the first place, but the price is sure to deter all but the most faithful – to have the honour of acquiring one of the 30,000 handsets that are going to be made, you’ll need to shell out 84,240 yen, or about $705 USD.
For your loyalty, the SH-M02-EVA20 will net you wallpapers, sound effects and a themed homescreen to suit the exterior of the phone, which actually looks pretty awesome. In terms of specs, it’s not going to be making any headlines anytime soon – the rather pedestrian specs are made up of a Snapdragon 400 clocked at 1.2GHz, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. Of course, the device is only available in Japan (sadface) and to get your hands on one, you’ll need to apply through a 7-Eleven.
What do you think about the latest Evangelion phone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Japan is getting another Evangelion phone to celebrate the anime’s 20th anniversary appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
HTC One A9 vs Nexus 5X vs Moto X Style vs ZTE Axon: specs comparison
HTC unveiled today the One A9, and it’s an interesting device. Not because it looks nothing like its siblings in the One series, but because it doesn’t really try to compete on specs with the elite of Android. The $400 A9 certainly looks like a flagship, with its smooth metallic unibody. But judging from the way HTC is selling it, the phone looks like it’s designed to compete with the iPhone, rather than other Android devices.
HTC’s intentions aside, people will inevitably compare the A9 with Android phones in its price range. That said, just how good is the A9, on paper? How does it stand up to the Nexus 5X, the Moto X Style or the ZTE Axon? Let’s find out.
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| HTC One A9 | Google Nexus 5X | Motorola Moto X Style (Pure Edition) | ZTE Axon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.0-inch AMOLED 1920 x 1080 |
5.2-inch LCD 1920 x 1080 |
5.7-inch LCD 2560 x 1440 |
5.5 inch LCD 2560 x 1440 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 |
| RAM | 2/3GB | 2GB | 3GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 16/32GB | 16/32GB | 16/32/64GB | 32GB |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 2TB | No | Yes, up to 128GB | No |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Cameras | 13MP rear UltraPixel front |
12.3MP rear 5MP front |
21MP rear 5MP front |
13MP and 2MP dual rear 8MP front |
| Battery | Non-removable, 2,150mAh | Non-removable 2,700mAh | Non-removable 3,000mAh | Non-removable 3,000mAh |
| Fast Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No | No | No | No |
| Fingerprint Scanner | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 145.75 x 70.8 x 7.26mm 143g |
147.0 x 72.6 x 7.9mm 136g |
153.9 x 76.2 x 11.1mm 179g |
154 x 75 x 9.3mm 175g |
| Price (Unlocked) | $400 | $379 | $400 | $499 |
Build
The HTC One A9 is the only device in this comparison that features a full metallic unibody (the thin antenna lines on the back not considered). Featuring a brushed metal texture and available in gray, silver, gold, and red, the A9 is a little over 7-mm in thickness and comes with 2.5D Gorilla Glass 4 on the front.
The 5.2-inch Nexus 5X is a little thicker, but lighter at 136 grams, and that’s probably due to the plastic unibody. Google’s phone comes in black, white, and ice blue, and features Gorilla Glass 3.
The larger Moto X Style combines a metallic frame with backs of plastic, wood, or leather, and is definitely the most customizable device you can get right now, thanks to the Moto Maker program.
Finally, ZTE’s Axon combines a metallic body with plastic inserts at the top and bottom. The Axon’s most distinctive design elements are the geometric grilles from the front facing speakers and the rear camera module.
Display
The One A9 is surprisingly the only device on the list with an AMOLED display, measuring 5.0 inches and featuring a Full HD resolution. No, this isn’t the most vibrant display on the market, but the compact screen size and battery-saving AMOLED qualities should make for a pretty great display experience overall.
Google’s Nexus 5X also features a relatively small Full HD 5.2-inch display, only this one is of the LCD variety. This display is similar to what 2013’s Nexus 5 brought us. It’s not bad by any means, but we certainly would have liked to see the addition of an AMOLED panel, especially considering the 5X’s handy Ambient Display feature.
The Moto X Style features the largest display out of the bunch, coming in at 5.7 inches. It also has a higher resolution than both the 5X and A9. The Moto X Style also comes with Moto Display, similar to what’s seen on the Nexus 5X, so again, it’s odd that Motorola decided to choose an LCD panel over AMOLED this time around.
Last but not least, ZTE’s Axon comes with a 5.5-inch Quad HD LCD display. The Moto X Style is the Axon’s closest competitor when it comes to both screen size and resolution.
Processing
Processing power is where the One A9 falls behind its three competitors, at least on paper. The Snapdragon 617 processor inside the A9 has eight Cortex A53 cores that run at up to 1.5GHz, coupled with an Adreno 405 GPU. This recently announced processor is entirely mid-range, and we expect to see it in many more affordable phones over the next year.
The processor is coupled with 2GB of RAM (for the base, $400 model) or 3GB of RAM, which is on par with the Moto X Style, better than the Nexus 5X, but weaker than the Axon. RAM is important for multi-tasking, but 2GB should be fine for general usage, as our recent Nexus 5X impressions show.
See also: HTC One A9 officially announced: everything you need to know
Storage
There are two One A9 models: the cheaper model, with 2GB of RAM, comes with a paltry 16GB of RAM; the 3GB RAM model features 32GB of storage. Storage on both models can be supplemented via microSD.
The Nexus 5X famously lacks microSD, which makes Google’s choice to start it from 16GB that much harder to swallow. The Axon also lacks a microSD port, though it thankfully comes with 32GB of storage. Meanwhile, the Moto X Play stars from 16GB, but includes microSD support.
Connectivity
The One A9 features only limited support for NFC – it only works for Android Pay, in the regions where the payment service from Google is available. You won’t be able to make file transfers or use NFC for pairing various devices.
The Nexus 5X, the Axon, and the Moto X Style all feature full support for NFC. Standing out, the Nexus 5X features a USB Type C port, which is reversible and supports fast charging.
Battery
Due, at least in part, to its small and thin footprint, the One A9 comes with a rather small 2,150 mAh battery. Granted, the A9’s specs may be less taxing on the battery, but you will probably still have troubles going through a full day of usage. However, HTC has an ace in its sleeve – the A9 supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2 fast charging standard, and support for the more efficient Quick Charge 3 standard will roll out to the device, via software update, in the following weeks.
By comparison, the Nexus 5X packs a 2,700 mAh battery (with fast charging), while the Moto X Play and Axon come with 3,000 mAh batteries (Quick Charging 2). None of our competitors feature wireless charging.
Sound
The One A9 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. It comes with a single bottom-facing speaker, which actually sounds pretty decent so far.
In contrast, the Nexus 5X, Moto X Style and Axon all feature front-facing speakers. While it wouldn’t appear this way, the 5X and Axon only have one speaker, while the Moto X Style has two. Audio quality is pretty great on all three devices. Front-facing speakers are certainly the way to go, and given that the One M7 was one of the first devices to feature front speakers, we would have thought HTC has done away with bottom speakers for good.
See also: A closer look at the Axon phone’s “Hi-Fi Audio”
Camera
On the camera front, the One A9 comes with a 13MP rear camera and an UltraPixel front camera. Unfortunately we haven’t really gotten a chance to check it out yet, but HTC is saying it has a much improved interface that’s easier to use. It also has a sapphire glass lens cover, optical image stabilization (OIS), auto-focus, hyperlapse video support and the ability to shoot in RAW.
The Nexus 5X has a 12.3MP rear camera and an 5MP front, both of which we’ve found to be quite good so far. Google has definitely improved the cameras in its Nexus devices this year, and we’re excited to see how well they do against the competition.
The Moto X Style comes with a massive 21MP rear shooter and a 5MP front. In our full review, we told you that the Moto X’s camera is surprisingly great is most lighting conditions, save for low-light. It’s certainly not the best smartphone camera on the market, but it’s sure up there.
As for the ZTE Axon, this device features dual rear-facing cameras (13MP and 2MP) and an 8MP front-facing camera. The inclusion of a second camera on the back makes for easier depth refocusing after the fact, which has grown pretty popular as of late. In our full review, we found that both the rear and front-facing cameras were very good. The camera interface is simple, fast and overall a joy to use.
Software
The HTC One A9 is the first non-Nexus device to run Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It’s also running the latest version of HTC Sense, which we’ve found to be pretty snappy so far. When the device was announced, HTC also said that the unlocked One A9 will get the latest version of Android a mere 15 days after the Nexus devices are updated. That’s huge news, especially coming from a company who has struggled with timely software updates in the past.
Related: Unlocked HTC One A9: software upgrades within 15 days of every Nexus update
Of course, nothing beats the software experience on the Nexus 5X. It’s running the latest stock version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and will continue to be among the first Android devices to receive new updates for a few years.
The Moto X Style runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, but will be updated to Marshmallow soon enough. Motorola has been pretty good at providing timely software updates in the past, so Moto X Style owners probably don’t have very long to wait. It has a mostly-stock Android experience with just a few Motorola software features added in, which we’ve grown quite fond of over the years.
As for the ZTE Axon, this device comes with a pretty clean version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. For the most part, the Axon’s software is relatively stock, only with a few customizations thrown in. We’re still not entirely sure how timely ZTE plans to be with software updates, so there’s no telling when the Axon will be updated to Marshmallow.
What do you think about HTC’s newest device? If given the option, which smartphone on this list would you choose? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Apple Reiterates Inability to Unlock iOS Devices Running iOS 8 or Higher in New Court Filing
Apple this week informed a federal magistrate judge in Brooklyn, New York that it “would be impossible” for the company to access data on a locked iPhone running iOS 8 or later, reports Reuters. Apple was responding to a request from the judge, James Orenstein, to help him decide whether to fulfill a U.S. Justice Department request that would have forced Apple to help authorities gain access to a seized iPhone.
Apple’s response is not a surprise, as it is the same thing the company has said several times in the past. Since iOS 8, Apple has stopped storing encryption keys for devices, making it impossible for the company to unlock iPhones and iPads under police request. Without an encryption key, Apple cannot bypass a passcode to gain access to an iOS device.
In a brief filed with the court, Apple said 90 percent of its devices are running iOS 8 or higher and are thus inaccessible. Apple is able to access the 10 percent of devices that continue to use iOS 7 or below, but the company told the judge that being forced to comply with the Justice Department’s request could tarnish its brand.
“Forcing Apple to extract data in this case, absent clear legal authority to do so, could threaten the trust between Apple and its customers and substantially tarnish the Apple brand,” Apple’s lawyers wrote.
Apple’s encryption changes, implemented in 2014 with iOS 8, have been unpopular with some law enforcement officials. FBI Director James Comey has expressed concern that encryption implemented by companies like Google and Apple lets people “place themselves above the law.”
Just yesterday, Apple CEO Tim Cook told an interviewer encryption is a necessity and that software backdoors are unacceptable, reiterating Apple’s long-standing opinion on the subject.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Jony Ive on the ‘Intertwining of Fashion and Technology’ and 2016 Met Gala
Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced Apple would sponsor its annual 2016 Gala and Costume Institute exhibition, with Apple Design Chief Jony Ive serving as co-chair of the event.
The Gala, which takes place next year, is themed “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” and while few details are available this early on, The Wall Street Journal has now shared a bit more information on what we can expect from the event following an interview with Jony Ive, Anna Wintour, and Costume Institute Curator Andrew Bolton.
“Manus x Machina” is a theme that aims to combine handmade crafting techniques like lacework with automation like 3D printing to “explore the full spectrum of processes by which clothing is designed and made.” A theme that covers the intersection of technology and fashion is a good fit for Apple, as the company debuted its first fashion item, the Apple Watch, earlier this year.
“As products become more personal, something that is worn on the wrist put us in the space of fashion,” said Mr. Ive. He and Ms. Wintour were wearing versions of the Apple Watch Hermès, introduced this month.
“These are issues close to our hearts,” said Mr. Ive of the intertwining of fashion and technology. “Our understanding will temper and define future products we’re working on. We’re only starting.”
At the Met Costume Institute exhibition, haute-couture garments will be paired with ready-to-wear versions to show “the equal contributions of automation and craftsmanship.” Three dozen designers and 100 items of clothing will be featured, dating from the 1880s to now, and there will be rooms dedicated to embroidery, knitting, lacework, leatherwork, ultrasonic welding, thermo shaping, laser cutting, and 3D printing.
The annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Gala will be held on May 2, 2016. It’s a fund raising event that benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Held in New York City, the Met Gala always attracts hundreds of well-known celebrity attendees.
AIVAnet 