Polar introduces the A360, a new 360 heart rate monitor just in time for the holidays
Polar just announced the A360 which is a wrist-based monitor with a gorgeous color display. The Polar A360 is a 24/7 workhorse that is designed to keep up with your lifestyle and measures your daily activity, steps, calories, workouts and sleep. It is made using durable silicone wristbands which are perfect for people of all activity levels, and most importantly the A360 is waterproof.
Polar has been an industry leader when it comes to making award-winning wearables to monitor your health for almost 40 years. I remember back when I was in college, 1998-2003, Polar was the top choice of all of the athletes, still is to this day, for monitoring fitness activities. Polar has been a brand that has been featured in many active lifestyle magazines like Runner’s World and Bicycling magazine because they help athletes reach maximal performance levels.
In order to keep up with your entire lifestyle and encourage activity, Polar goes outside of the realm of health and vibrates when users receive calls, messages, calendar alerts and social media notifications, and also tells you when you have been sedentary for too long. Polar really is taking the best from their activity devices and combining it with real world functionality with the A360. The bands are replaceable so users can choose from a range of silicone wristbands that come in Power White, Charcoal Black, Neon Green, Sorbet Pink and Navy Blue. The Polar A360 will track activity for up to two weeks on a single charge, with one hour of training per day. It can also be paired to the Polar H7 chest strap for those who prefer to monitor their heart rate the traditional way.
The Polar A360 will be available just in time for the holidays this November for a price of $199.95. It will also offer unique Smart Coaching features such as the Activity Guide and Activity Benefit.
The A360 will pair with the Polar Flow mobile app, which is available on Android and iOS and will track your daily activities from lounging around the house to getting outside for the daily five mile run. If you need more than a gentle reminder from your wearable, the A360 can also work with the Polar Club which pairs you up to an actual club instructor.
Polar’s reputation for helping people stay fit is unparalleled and is not only for the novices, but also the fitness enthusiasts as well who simply expect more from the wearables. This is the perfect wrist-based heart rate monitor for keeping track of your physical activities while integrating perfectly with your normal routine. 2016 is just around the corner, so consider this new wearable to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions.
Check out the A360 by following this link.
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Specifications of Samsung’s latest clamshell phone, the Galaxy Golden 3, leak on benchmark site
If you thought that clamshell phones were a relic of the past, you are in for a surprise because Samsung is busy working on what is believed to be the Galaxy Golden 3, sporting similar internals to the Galaxy S6. It carries the model number SM-W2016, and like its predecessors, will likely only be available in select Asian countries.
Much like the Galaxy S6, the SM-W2016 (Galaxy Golden 3) sports the octa-core Exynos 7420 processor, ARM Mali-T760 MP8 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and runs Android 5.1.1. Unlike the S6 though, the clamshell only has a 4.6-inch display with a paltry 1280 x 768 resolution. The combination of such a low-resolution display with such a high-end processor and GPU should result in the Galaxy Golden 3 flying high in the benchmarks.
According to the GFXBench report, the Galaxy Golden 3 also features a 16MP rear camera, 5MP selfie camera and 64GB of internal storage. You can check out the full specifications below.
Source: GFXBench
Via: TechGadgetsz
Come comment on this article: Specifications of Samsung’s latest clamshell phone, the Galaxy Golden 3, leak on benchmark site
[Deal] Get 1-year of unlimited backup with Backblaze for 50% off
Keeping you files backed up is of utmost importance in today’s day and age. You don’t want those precious, personal files falling into the wrong hands. We have shared a few deals here at AndroidGuys that are aimed to keep your files backed up and secured, across multiple platforms.
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Google tightens its OEM requirements for new Marshmallow devices
Android 6.0 Marshmallow comes with a number of useful and perhaps even exciting new features, but OEMs are sometimes a little picky about which features they implement or tweak when it comes to building their own versions for their new smartphones. Google doesn’t want OEMs to mess without a couple of important Marshmallow features though. The Android 6.0 Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) states that Marshmallow phones must include Doze mode and Full Disk Encryption.
Doze, in case you missed it, aims to improve the standby battery life of Marshmallow smartphones by taking greater control over when apps wake up from sleep. The CDD states that the power saving mode must not be altered from the AOSP and that all apps that don’t use the feature must be visible to the user.
If OEMs attempt to remove, alter or even improve this feature, they would lose Google certification for their product, so manufacturers are going to have to play ball here. Here’s exactly what Google has to say about it.
8.3. Power-Saving Modes
All apps exempted from App Standby and/or Doze mode MUST be made visible to the end user. Further, the triggering, maintenance, wakeup algorithms and the use of Global system settings of these power-saving modes MUST not deviate from the Android Open Source Project.
Further down in section 9 of the CDD you’ll find a part about disk encryption, which requires certain devices to support encryption of the user data and sdcard partitions. Google had previously planned to make device encryption compulsory with Android 5.0 Lollipop, but seems to have manage to find a compromise with Marshmallow. Here’s the extract from the latest document.
9.9 Full-Disk Encryption
For device implementations supporting full-disk encryption and with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) crypto performance above 50MiB/sec, the full-disk encryption MUST be enabled by default at the time the user has completed the out-of-box setup experience. If a device implementation is already launched on an earlier Android version with full-disk encryption disabled by default, such a device cannot meet the requirement through a system software update and thus MAY be exempted.
However, devices which don’t meet these AES crypto performance requirements won’t have to comply with these rules and neither will devices that don’t have lock screens, such as smartwatches. Importantly, this works as an exemption for older smartphones and tablets that are updated to Marshmallow too, so only new devices will have to support the feature.
So there you have it, new Marshmallow powered smartphones and tablets must be compatible with the OS’ power saving and encryption features. This should result in a longer battery life and additional security protection for most, but unfortunately not all Marshmallow users. If you like, you can check out the full compatibility document in the source link below.
Nexus 5X sales begin in India on Wednesday
LG has confirmed that its Nexus 5X smartphone will go on sale in India tomorrow, Wednesday 21st October. Pre-orders will also begin shipping out on this date.
The Nexus 5X comes in 16GB and 32GB internal memory options, which will be priced at Rs. 31,900 and Rs. 35,900 respectively. The handset will be available from a number of Indian retailers, including Amazon, The Mobile Store, Sangeetha Mobiles, and Croma. LG has also confirmed that the Google Store will stock the Nexus 5X for Indian customers, along with the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Korea and Japan.
“We are committed to our consumers on the promised availability of Nexus 5X from the October 21st as announced at its launch on October 13th.” – Amit Gujral, Head Marketing LG Mobiles India
Availability for the Nexus 6P seems to be more unclear. Google had previously indicated that the smartphone would also launch on October 21st, but a Flipkart spokesperson has stated that it isn’t expecting stock to arrive until the end of month and won’t begin shipping out pre-orders until November 2nd. Whether or not this is an issue exclusive to Flipkart remains to be seen.
For a closer look at what the new Nexus 5X has to offer, be sure to check out our unboxing and first impressions of LG’s latest Nexus smartphone.
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Are any Indian readers planning to pick up a Nexus 5X tomorrow?
Next Samsung Galaxy S7 rumour suggests it will have a magnesium alloy body and better sound
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It seems like we’re getting a new Samsung Galaxy S7 rumour every day this week. The latest rumour about Samsung‘s upcoming flagship is that it is going to have a slightly different construction with a magnesium alloy body, but still retaining some glass panels, presumably on the back of the device. There’s also a report that suggests that the Galaxy S7 is going to have more impressive sound quality compared to its predecessors – it’s been suggested the the Galaxy S7 will feature a ESS Technology chip which will give audio quality akin to analog sound. The area of sound in smartphones is very interesting at the moment with more and more mobile devices adopting technology that will make the devices more attractive to audiophiles.
This latest rumour comes on the heels of another report that the Galaxy S7 is going to be unveiled as early as January next year, earlier than the usual February/March slot that Samsung is more used to. Naturally, we can’t confirm any of this news yet, but it all sounds very good if this does turn out to be true.
What do you think about this Samsung Galaxy S7 rumour? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: MyDrivers, Weibo via SamMobile
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Polar finally has a fitness tracker that can monitor your heart
As the optical heart-rate monitoring has improved, the technology has increasingly become a must-have feature for most serious fitness trackers. One notable holdout from this club was Polar, probably because it made a name for itself in chest-worn heart rate straps and, as such, had a little more to lose than other firms. With the launch of the A360, however, the company has finally decided to embrace the world of “strapless monitoring,” although it’s gone to great pains to say that its version is much better than everyone else’s.
The first thing you’ll notice about the A360 is that it’s the prettiest barebones fitness tracker that has popped up recently. With a rectangular color LCD display that’s taller than it is wide, you’ll be put in mind of Huawei’s TalkBand B2 or the second-generation Microsoft Band. The device will display the time, as well as all of your vital statistics vertically, which sets it apart from a large proportion of fitness trackers and smartwatches on the market. The statistics that the device can track is, perhaps surprisingly, a little limited, since it’ll only monitor your daily activity, steps, calories, workouts and sleep.
Polar promises that the A360 will last for two weeks on a charge as both a general activity tracker and with an hour-long fitness session every day. One of the ways that it can offer two-week life is by not adding continuous heart-rate monitoring to the device, and it’ll only watch your heart during workouts. Another absentee from the spec list is GPS, although it’d be a stretch to see a watch with that sort of tech for this little cash. On the upside, the firm is pledging that the A260 has Jawbone-style smart coaching to make suggestions that’ll benefit the user’s overall health and wellbeing. It’ll also come with the usual Polar tweaks, including access to the Flow app, smartphone notifications and the option to use a chest strap, should you want to.
At first blush, there’s plenty to like about the A360, since it can pull double duty as a barebones fitness tracker and as a smartwatch. Although, there is a risk that by trying to do too many things at once, it’ll struggle to do any of them very well. Then there’s the fact, as we’ve said, the unit will only check your heart rate when you’re exercising, meaning that all-day devices like the Basis Band and Sony SmartBand 2 are better for the heart-conscious amongst you.
The price, too, could be problematic, since its priced for $199 / €199 — roughly the twice the price of the Loop 2. Unfortunately, you could get a similar setup from the A300 and a chest strap, since that pairing would only set you back $179.95. Sure, it’s more cumbersome to carry around two devices instead of one, but since they do almost the same job, it’s a fair comparison to make.
If you’re not deterred, you can grab one of these when it launches in November with a choice of white or black silicone bands. Those looking for something more colorful can wait a little longer for pink, green and blue wristbands to come on sale “shortly afterward.” Naturally, we’ll get one of these in for testing as soon as we can so that we can tell you straight if it’s better to just buy a $199 Android Wear device and deal with the shorter battery life.
EE’s £130 Robin tablet is aimed squarely at kids
Tesco might be easing back on building family-friendly phones and tablets, but UK retailers and carriers believe there’s still plenty of interest in such products. Amazon recently surprised us with a very capable £50 Fire tablet, and now EE wants a piece of the action with its new kid-centric Robin slate. The 4G-ready device features a 7-inch 1024 x 600 display, a quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage (with microSD support), 2-megapixel camera and is powered by EE’s own Kurio OS, which is based on Android 5.1 and offers plenty of parental controls out of the box.
There’s no doubt that EE is targeting parents who might be looking to buy a budget-friendly tablet for Christmas. To make it even more appealing, the Robin will feature more than 40 pre-installed games, kids apps and ebooks. EE’s also throwing in a three-month trial for Hopster, a streaming service that offers access to a variety of children’s TV shows including Postman Pat and Thomas & Friends. Customers on an Extra plan get access for the life of their contract.
At £130, a SIM-free Robin is closer to Hudl2 territory than Amazon’s super-cheap tablet. With no current plans to release a Hudl3, Tesco will likely continue pushing its HD tablet during of the holiday season, even if it is now more than a year old. EE could tempt customers by letting them spread their payments, with Pay Monthly plans starting from £13 after a one-time payment of £30. The Robin can also be purchased on a two-year, £15 per month plan, which removes the upfront cost and throws in 10GB of monthly data.
The Robin will available in a small number of stores from October 23rd before its nationwide release on November 2nd.
Via: EE Newsroom
Source: EE
No fair: Japan gets another ‘Evangelion’ phone
It’s been 20 years since Shinji first piloted Unit-01 in the apocalyptic mecha anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. The series is still incredibly popular, and to celebrate its anniversary there’s a new, themed Android smartphone for megafans to drool over. It’s called the SH-M02-EVA20 and boasts a dazzling purple and green gradient on the back, contrasted with the white outline of Shinji’s robot fighter. The power and volume buttons are bright orange and the entire device slips into a case that looks like a piece of Unit-01’s armour. It’ll cost 84,240 yen ($705) and only 30,000 are being produced — to be in with a chance of buying one, you’ll have to apply through the Japanese convenience store 7-Eleven. The first 5,000 are expected to ship in December, followed by the remainder in April next year.
It’s not the first Evangelion-inspired phone, but it’s certainly the most powerful. Inside you’ll find a 1.2GHz Snapdragon MSM8926 processor and 2GB of RAM, along with 16GB of onboard storage and a microSDHC slot for up to 32GB cards. Hardly flagship specs, although for the price you’ll also get an NGE-themed Android skin, sound effects and a wallpaper that changes every day. It won’t make you a NERV employee, but we guarantee it’ll attract some envious stares the next time you walk through an anime convention.
Source: 7-Eleven
EE launches the kid-friendly Robin tablet with 4G connectivity and a £129 price tag
The UK carrier, EE, has just launched a new 7-inch tablet called the Robin, featuring 4G connectivity and aimed at the kids section of the market. The Robin could well find its way to a few Christmas stockings this year in the UK, so let’s see what it brings to the table.
You aren’t going to top of the range specifications on the Robin, and that’s ok, it isn’t meant to compete against the likes of the Galaxy Tab S 2, or even EE’s own Harrier tablet.
Specifications:
- Android 5.1 Lollipop (with child-friendly Kurio OS overlay)
- 7-Inch LCD (1024 x 600)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 quad-core processor @ 1.1GHz
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB internal storage (3GB usable)
- MicroSD card support (up to 32GB)
- 2MP Rear camera
- VGA front camera
- 4G Connectivity
- 2,820mAh battery
The Robin has a bump and knock-friendly casing, and of course, comes with 4G connectivity, handy for those long car trips. Parental controls come courtesy of the Kurio OS overlay, with web and app filtering, as well as the ability to set individual profiles. Much like Amazon’s Kids Edition Fire Tablet, you can set the amount of time that a child can use the tablet for, even going so far as to block access to games and videos while leaving the educational apps accessible.
The EE Robin comes with over 40 pre-loaded educational apps, eBooks, and games (which explains why there is only 3GB of usable space in the internal memory). EE has also thrown in free access to Hopster, a media streaming service for children, that includes content such as Postman Pat and Paddington Bear, among many others.
The EE Robin launches on October 23 (this Friday), and can be purchased for £129 off-contract, or on a 4G plan from £13 monthly.
Come comment on this article: EE launches the kid-friendly Robin tablet with 4G connectivity and a £129 price tag
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