Take a look at these Nexus 5X and 6P TV ads
As you’ve probably noticed, there’s not one but two new Nexus phones heading out to store shelves this year. As such, Google and its hardware partners, LG and Huawei, have create a couple of advertisements for the new phones. The two have been running on US television lately, to help convince you that these are the handsets to buy this year and put the Nexus brand out there.
While Google’s Nexus TV ads might not quite have the charm of Samsung’s, they do offer a good look around the exterior of the two smartphones and a quick rundown of the major hardware features. Interestingly, the latest version of Android is only given a cursory mention in the two videos, suggesting that Google is putting a bigger focus on hardware this time around.
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For a quick recap, the Nexus 5X comes with a 5.2-inch 1080p display, hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16 or 32GB of memory and a 12.3 megapixel rear camera. The Nexus 6P is a slightly more high end handset, with a 5.7-inch QHD display, octa-core Snapdragon 810 SoC, 3GB of RAM and 32/64/128GB of memory, along with the same resolution rear camera and a higher pixel count in the front camera, 8MP vs 5MP.
Customers in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, India, Korea and Japan can already buy a Nexus 5X from the Google Store. The larger Nexus 6P is available to pre-order in some markets and should also go on open sale very soon.
What do you make of these advertisements and the new Nexus phones?
Xiaomi launches its 4K 60-inch Mi TV 3 for $786
Xiaomi has just announced its third-generation smart television, the Mi TV 3; a 60-inch monster with 4K resolution that brings some interesting features, including the separation of its smart functions from the main body of the TV. Join us after the break for more pictures and the rundown on its specifications.
The Mi TV 3 uses an LG panel with 4K resolution and has a metal back plate with a full aluminum frame. The Mi TV 3 is 36.7mm at its thickest, and just 11.6mm at its thinnest point, as you can see in the image above, the bottom section of the television is the thickest. Xiaomi says that the set has a high color gamut of NTSC 85%, as well as MEMC motion compensation, which should decrease any potential blurring when gaming or watching sport.
The Mi TV Main Board is the brains of the unit, containing not only the speakers but also the connections and the Mi Box smart function. It looks neat and tidy, with a metal body and aluminum panels, which should sit unobtrusively under the television set. As you can see from the image above, the speakers consist of 4 mid-range subwoofers as well as 2 dome tweeters.
As previously mentioned, the unit has all the connections you might normally find on your average television set, which includes:
- 3 x HDMI sockets
- 2 x USB sockets
- IR Port
- VGA
- Ethernet port
- AV in
- Audio Output to woofer
- RF modulator
Because all the cables are separate from the TV set, this means that everything is a lot neater, minimizing the need for elaborate cable management.
Having the speakers and connections situated away from the television set is great and all, but what about the Mi Box smart function? Well, the unit also takes care of that as well, sporting the following specifications:
- MIUI TV (based on Android 5.1)
- MStar 6A928 4K TV Processor (Quad-core Cortex-A17 @1.7GHz)
- Mali-T760 GPU (4+4 core)
- 2GB DDR3 RAM
- 8GB eMMC 5.0 Flash memory
- Bluetooth 4.1 LE
- 802.11 WiFi (AC)
Xiaomi says that because the smart function has been separated from the television, this means that it will be easier to stay up to date when new features arrive. According to the image, it would seem that it upgrading the smart function will be as simple as changing the motherboard.
The Xiaomi Mi TV 3 has a price tag of 4,999 Yuan (roughly $786) in China, although an exact release date hasn’t been mentioned as yet. As with Xiaomi’s Mi TV 2, it’s a shame that these feature rich televisions aren’t available in Europe or the US.
Come comment on this article: Xiaomi launches its 4K 60-inch Mi TV 3 for $786
Withings Home review
Over the past five years, home surveillance cameras have grown more popular. Gone are the days of having to book an appointment with a security specialist to have one installed. Now you can simply visit your local electronics store, purchase an extremely reliable Wi-Fi camera, take it home and configure it yourself.
Due to the increase in demand for these can-sized CCTV units, manufacturers are constantly thinking of new ways to innovate — and that’s exactly what Withings has executed with its brand new ‘Home HD’ camera. This system allows you to remotely keep tabs on your home via a companion application, which is available to download for Android-powered smartphones and tablets via the Play Store.
But does the Withings Home stand up to the competition? Hit the break below to read our full review.
Design
In terms of design, the Withings Home is by far one of the most elegant monitoring systems on the market. It features a 5MP CMOS wide-angle camera, which is securely enclosed in a protective cylindrical wooden body. The removable casing is about the size of a medium-to-large tumbler glass, measuring in at just 3.4 inches tall by 3 inches in diameter.
The device’s base is constructed from a single piece of white reinforced plastic, which has been lined with magnets specifically to make docking the Home’s hardware a breeze. Simply position the unit on its accompanying ‘disc’ mount, which incidentally looks and works like a saucer, either backward, forward or slightly on its side to achieve the optimum surveillance angle for your environment.
On the rear of the Home, you’ll find three connection ports: micro-USB for power, Ethernet for those wishing to use a direct connection to the Internet and USB 2.0 for attaching an overhead light. There are also two environmental sensors on the back of the device, which are used in unison with the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) analyser positioned at the top of the casing, to detect any anomalies in air quality.
Setup
Configuring the Home couldn’t be easier. Simply take the product out of its box and plug it into the wall, then download and open the companion app on your smartphone or tablet and follow the extremely straightforward step-by-step instructions to get connected to a Wi-Fi network and install any available software updates.
The entire setup process should only take about five minutes, providing you don’t run into any issues along the way. However, if you do, don’t panic. The application will automatically amend them for you by remotely formatting, rebooting and restoring the device back to its factory settings.
Features
As expected, the Withings Home isn’t short on functionality. In addition to recording video in Full HD (1080p) at 30 frames per second, the device also bundles a microphone and speaker, which enables you to communicate with family, friends, pets or, heaven forbid, intruders.
The lens itself spans to a whopping 135-degree view angle and supports 12x optical zoom with auto enhancement during live video playback. This permits you to alter the pan and tilt of the video feed — so you can focus your attention on the smaller detail of a room if you so wish. There’s also integrated night vision, which automatically comes into play as soon as the sun sets in your location.
Should you want to use the Home security camera to monitor a baby or child, Withings has you covered. The unit has a built-in night light, which can display a spectrum of colors either individually or simultaneously as part of a rainbow mode. There’s also a lullaby that can be played, too.
Companion App
As previously mentioned, the Withings Home comes with a dedicated mobile app, which works in conjunction with the device itself. Not only does it make the setup process super easy, but it also gives you the resources to monitor your home from anywhere in the world.
The app equips you with the ability to view a journal containing video footage and sound clips of any activity that took place in your home when you were out. You can even view the air quality at the precise moment the motion was detected.
Closing
Overall, the Withings Home is a great little all-in-one Wi-Fi Camera that enables you to remotely monitor your home for the incredibly reasonable price of $189.95. The quality is always crystal clear, and there’s no bandwidth lag, which makes this an extremely reliable unit.
[Withings] [Amazon] [Best Buy]
Come comment on this article: Withings Home review
LG’s Nexus 5X is now available in ‘Key Markets’
For Nexus fans who are put off by the price and size of Huawei’s Nexus 6P, LG has announced that its latest Nexus handset, the Nexus 5X, is now available to order in key markets from today onwards.
Besides being available from the Google Store, the Nexus 5X will also be available to purchase from carriers and retailers in Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Korea and Japan. Oddly enough, LG also mentions that the Nexus 5X will be available from carriers in the US, although it remains to be seen whether it’s simply a mistake.
The handset will also become available in additional, but unspecified, markets in Europe, Asia and Latin America in the coming weeks.
Key specifications:
- 5.2-inch Full HD (1920×1080) LCD display (Gorilla Glass 3 protection)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor
- 2GB RAM
- 12.3MP / 5MP cameras
- 32GB/64GB of internal storage
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm, 136g
- USB Type-C port
- Fingerprint scanner
Are you planning on picking up the Nexus 5X? Or are you springing for Huawei’s 6P handset? Let us know in the comments below.
Press Release:
SEOUL, Oct. 19, 2015 — Starting today, Nexus 5X, the latest collaborative smartphone from Google and LG Electronics (LG), will be available in key markets for purchase. In addition to its availability on Google Store (https://store.google.com), major carriers and retailers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Korea and Japan will make the device available to the general public. Additional markets in Europe, Asia and Latin America will roll out the Nexus 5X in the weeks to come.
As the third successful collaboration between LG and Google, Nexus 5X delivers the best of Google and LG know-how in a superb package. With a snappy Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, advanced camera features and fingerprint sensor, the Nexus 5X boasts powerful performance, impressive multimedia capabilities and enhanced security. As the first smartphone to market to feature Google’s newest mobile operating system, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the Nexus 5X will be the benchmark device by which all other smartphones will be measured.
“Nexus devices are about having the newest, purest Android experience possible in an advanced package that doesn’t break the bank,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications. “The Nexus 5X was designed from the ground up to live up to the expectations of the millions of Android purists worldwide who won’t accept second best. After two successful collaborations, we think customers will agree that this is our best Nexus to date.”
Prices and additional purchase details will be announced locally at time of availability, and will vary by carrier and market.
Come comment on this article: LG’s Nexus 5X is now available in ‘Key Markets’
New patent suggests Samsung Galaxy S7 will have 3D Touch too
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In case you might not have heard, the new iPhones were released with a feature called “3D Touch” which allows for pressure sensitive functionality on a smartphone. Apple wasn’t exactly the first to get it out there (Huawei beat them by a few weeks), but naturally everyone only remembers Apple’s version. As is commonplace in the smartphone industry, when a new and wonderful feature is released on a competitor’s device, it’s only a matter of time before somebody copies it, which makes it less surprising that a new Samsung patent appears to suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S7 will have 3D Touch.
Okay, so it doesn’t explicitly say anything about the Galaxy S7 and it definitely won’t be called 3D Touch (unless Samsung wants to get in an expensive lawsuit against Apple again), but it’s no coincidence that this patent is appearing not long after the iPhone’s release and it’s obvious that Samsung hates being a step behind Apple. We’ll have to wait this one out and see whether Samsung actually makes use of this patent, but we’ve got a good feeling that they will.
What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy S7 having 3D Touch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: galaxyclub.nl via SamMobile
The post New patent suggests Samsung Galaxy S7 will have 3D Touch too appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
[Deal] Get 1TB of encrypted backup from SkyHub for only $50
In a day and age where we keep A LOT of files in various cloud services, it’s good to not only have a “solid” backup somewhere, whether that’s on your computer or on a server somewhere else. We’ve all had the issue where your file that you thought was backed up, and isn’t. Then you search everywhere for it, and it’s just gone.
Today’s deal from SkyHub aims to provide some extra cloud storage for your important files. With SkyHub, you will get a bunch of features and services to help protect your files, and keep them from getting lost or stolen. Here are some of the features that are included in SkyHub’s 1 Terabyte Cloud Backup service:
- Get 1 TB of automatic backup for 4 computers, add more to your account anytime and backup all your devices, discs & thumb-drives
- Back up 1 TB of data as needed—there’s no catch!
- Quickly & easily get set up
- Rest assured that all your data is secure thanks to the advanced encryption security
- View all your backed up files on the web, store them long term, or take advantage of the innovative SkyHub hybrid storage system
Normally priced at $450, you can get a Lifetime subscription to SkyHub’s 1 Terabyte Cloud Backup for only $49.99. That’s a savings of more than 85% and once you’ve signed up, you’ll never have to worry about misplacing your files ever again.
With compatibility across multiple platforms, you will be able to pull up your files from wherever you are, regardless of what type of device you are using. Do you use Android at home, but work provides you an iPhone and you need to pull something important up? Just login from your work device and get whatever it was that you need. SkyHub is trying to provide the end-all-be-all for your backup needs, and with a deal this great, it’s definitely worth checking out. But be sure to head over and grab this deal now because it expires at the end of today.
You can find this, and many other great tech bargains through our Deals Page. Backed by StackCommerce, there are daily promos, giveaways, freebies, and much more!
AndroidGuys Deals: SkyHub 1TB Cloud Backup
The post [Deal] Get 1TB of encrypted backup from SkyHub for only $50 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Xiaomi brings Segway to the masses with $315 Ninebot mini
We’d be throwing money at our screen right now, if we could. Chinese company Xiaomi has launched a small Segway device, the Ninebot mini, for a mere $315 (£203), on the same day it revealed a $790, 60-inch 4K TV. If you’ll recall, Xiaomi is a major investor in Ninebot, the China-based company that recently purchased Segway. This is the first device the companies have launched since the acquisition, and while the self-balancing scooter looks a bit like the original, it costs less than a twentieth the price.
The performance is nothing to sneeze at, though — it can move at up to 16km/h (10 mph), tackle 15 degree hills and run up to 22 km on a single charge. It’s portable at 12.8 kilograms (28 pounds) and “fits easily in the trunk of your car,” according to Xiaomi. You can also upgrade the firmware and monitor your speed, traffic data and systems via a smartphone.
Sure, Xiaomi’s marketing the Ninebot mini as a “cool youth toy,” according to the rough translation — but it looks like it could get you around nicely, too. You’ll have to put your checkbook away for now, though. The self-balancing device is coming to China on November 3rd, but there’s no word on Xiaomi’s plan for a wider launch. That said, Ninebot has updated its French website with an offer to be “informed of the availability.” That means it’ll likely be sold in Europe, so it may come to the US after all. We’ve reached out to Xiaomi for more information.
Via: Engadget Chinese
Source: Xiaomi (translated)
Google’s Nexus 5X phone is now on sale in the UK
Google’s successor to the much-loved Nexus 5 smartphone has arrived. The LG-developed Nexus 5X is now available via the Google Store in the UK, starting at £339 for the 16GB model. There are three colours to choose from — carbon (black), quartz (white) and ice (mint) — with the option to double your storage for another £40. To save a little cash, however, you might want to order through Carphone Warehouse instead, as the retailer is selling both the 16GB and 32GB models SIM-free for £30 cheaper. The new not-quite-flagship, if you need a reminder, boasts a 5.2-inch 1080p display, a Snapdragon 808 processor and the marshmallowy goodness of Android 6.0. While not as luxurious as the Nexus 6P, it’s capable and should appeal to those still resisting the phablet trend.
Source: Google Store (UK)
HP’s refreshed Chromebook 14 gets a price drop and longer battery life
No, they’re not as wacky as that special edition Star Wars laptop, but Chromebooks are still likely to make for popular gifts this holiday season, given that they’re cheap, compact and come in fun colors. Unsurprisingly, then, HP’s just refreshed its 14-inch Chromebook ahead of the Black Friday stampede, cutting the price by $50 and promising longer battery life. In particular, the Chromebook 14 is now rated for nine hours and 15 minutes with a 1,366 x 768 display, up from eight hours in the last-gen version. HP also moved from an NVIDIA chip to an Intel Celeron N2840, which could in theory yield faster performance in some areas, though it’s a shame there doesn’t appear to be an option to configure it with more than 2GB of RAM. There’s also a 1080p screen option; just don’t expect the battery life there to be quite as long.Slideshow-324984
The Chromebook 14 is available here in the States on November 8th, starting at $250, or $280 with a full HD screen. Though Chromebooks tend to be awfully same-y, offering similar specs at a similar price, this might indeed be a good deal: It’s still rare to see a Chrome OS laptop with a Full HD display for less than $300. Particularly given that last year’s model was met with mostly positive reviews, we’ll be curious to see how this one fares with the new processor and longer battery life.
Nexus 5X unboxing and impressions after first 48 hours
Correction: the Nexus 5X actually features a single front-facing speaker, not two, like we erroneously stated in the video.
Google took the wraps off not one, but two new Nexus smartphones this year, and while the premium Nexus 6P is the star of the show, the successor to the highly popular Nexus 5 has got its fair share of attention as well. The Nexus 5X offers users a footprint that is far more manageable, but also heralds the return to what many people expect from the Nexus series – quality at an affordable price.
There are more premium, and more expensive, devices for those who want them, but there is a reason the Nexus 5X exists. We will, of course, be giving both new Nexus devices the full review treatment, but before that, here is a quick look at the unboxing and the first 48 hours we’ve spent with the Nexus 5X!
In the box
The Nexus 5X comes in a nice square package with a minimalist design featuring a stylized X, setting it apart from the Nexus 6P box, which features the same general design with a stylized P.
Opening up the box lid, which doubles as a quick instructions diagram, reveals the Nexus 5X, as well as the USB Type C cable and the wall plug adapter. The entire experience is in the spirit of the Nexus 5X, as it offers the quality essentials, without any bells and whistles.
Underneath the Nexus 5X, you will find a 90-day free Play Music card, though unfortunately it’s only for new customers, as well as the obligatory warranty leaflet.
There’s not much to talk about the USB Type C cable and charging plug, with their all-white esthetic and no-frills look, but of course, the big story here is the adoption of the new-generation Type C standard. USB Type C feels like the future, though truth is, for now, this future is a little inconvenient – but more about that in my impressions below.
Impressions after 48 hours
The first thing you will notice when you pick up the Nexus 5X is how light and compact it feels. At 136 grams, the 5X feels very light and very nice to use in one hand, especially when you compare it with the current crop of high-end devices, which predominantly feature heavier metal and glass constructions.
The Nexus 5X is all plastic, but it doesn’t feel like cheap plastic, even if you won’t get that “premium” impression that metal or glass can offer. The texture is matte, just like on the black version of the Nexus 5, and that really helps to repel ugly oils smudges and fingerprints. The rounded corners and tapered design further help with handling.
On the bottom of the device, you will find the small, symmetrical USB Type C port, a feature you will only find on a handful of other devices right now. In this respect, the Nexus 5X is a road opener, as most smartphones launching next year will probably feature a USB Type C port.
However, because the Type C ecosystem is still barren, having this feature is more of an inconvenience right now, than anything else. Unless you happen to own a Chromebook Pixel, a MacBook, or another device featuring USB Type C, the cable that comes with the Nexus 5X won’t be useful for anything else besides charging the 5X. And, when travelling or even when moving to another room, you will need to carry along the Nexus 5X’ cable and plug adapter.
We do need to keep in mind that this is a small inconvenience, and probably only a temporary one. I loved the fact that the USB Type C cable is fully reversible, so you can plug it in any direction, hassle free.
Speaking of charging cables, the Nexus 5X supports fast charging, and in my experience, it charges very quickly. It went from 0 to 100% in 1:20 to 1:25 minutes, and that is not bad at all for a 2,700-mAh battery.
Battery life was pretty good, and I didn’t have any problems going through a full day of usage. I doubt you will be able to get much more than that, but if you are used to charging your device every night, the Nexus 5X battery life will be great.
The single front facing speaker is quite good, and definitely an improvement over any rear- or side-mounted speakers. That said, this speaker is not the best I’ve heard, especially when it comes to the lower frequencies.
The 5.2-inch screen is 1080p, but personally I didn’t find that to be a problem, and the screen sharpness, colors, and viewing angles are all great. When you use it outdoors, you will need to crank up the brightness, because the screen is a little hard to read in bright light. At 5.2 inches, this display is absolutely great for anyone who prefers one-handed usage.
A quick assessment of the performance. The Snapdragon 808 processor and 2GB of RAM may sound a little inadequate for 2015, but in using the Nexus 5X for about 48 hours, I did not encounter any performance issues, with no lag whatsoever. The 2GB of RAM is not an issue, as far as I am concerned.
The Nexus 5X features a 12.3MP Sony-made sensor with large 1.55-micron pixels, and Google said that the large size of the pixels makes OIS unnecessary. That said, I would’ve preferred to have OIS, especially for video recording.
Picture quality is great in bright scenes, as the nice dynamic range leaves no room for overblown highlights or crushed shadows. As usual, problems arise in low light, where images lack details, in particular in the darker parts of the shots. Another issue I noticed was with the white balance, which caused many images to turn out yellowish. Of course, more in-depth testing of the camera will be required, and you can expect all that in our upcoming full review.
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On the software side, Android 6.0 Marshmallow doesn’t bring many esthetic changes, but it does offer a series of functionality improvements, of which I will only mention Google Now on Tap. The feature analyzes the content of the screen, be it in an app or in the browser, and tries to come up with app suggestions and other relevant info. In my two days of playing with Now on Tap, I only encountered one real world scenario where Now on Tap worked great: I was able to quickly load up an address I received via text message into Google Maps, without any back and forth and copy-pasting. Your mileage will vary of course, and Now on Tap should get better in time, as Google gets better at anticipating your needs.
One other key feature I’d like to mention is Nexus Imprint, which is the fingerprint sensor functionality that app developers can tap into for their apps, and which allows you to wake up and unlock the Nexus 5X with just one touch. The scanner is very reliable and quick – I estimate the time required to unlock the device at about 0.5 seconds – not the fastest around, but still very nice.
That’s it for my initial impressions of the LG-made Nexus 5X. Check out our Nexus 6P impressions, and keep it tuned to Android Authority for more in-depth coverage of all things Nexus over the following days.
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