Oppo unveils R7s with 4GB of RAM on-board
Oppo just took its wraps off the R7s, a large high-end smartphone.
The Oppo R7s includes a 5.5-inch full-HD AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 615 SoC, a 13MP rear camera, an 8MP front camera and 32GB of internal storage space. The device will run Android 5.1.1 out of the box. Most noticeably, the rumor of 3GB of RAM turned out to be false. The device actually includes 4GB of RAM making for a better multitasking experience. The company’s ColorOS 2.1 in on-board as well as a 3070mAh battery hoping to last more than a day on a single charge. Other noticeable features include fast charging, image stabilizing and ultra-fast auto-focusing.
The device will arrive in ten countries/regions beginning this November. These include Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the MENA regions. The device will also be available for purchase on the company’s website.
For more details, check out the press release below.
OPPO Premieres the 4GB RAM R7s at Gitex 2015 in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — OPPO premiered the newest member of the R7 series, the R7s, at GITEX 2015 in Dubai today. Apart from its impressive 4GB RAM and 32GB of expandable storage, the R7s inherits the metal unibody design of the R7 series, and is equipped with an ultra-large 3070 mAh battery and an expansive 5.5-inch AMOLED 2.5D screen. By unveiling the R7s at GITEX, OPPO aims to improve its brand influence as well as market share in the MENA region, with the United Arab Emirates as a hub.
The OPPO R7s boasts flash-speed performance with 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, and OPPO’s enhanced in-house ColorOS 2.1 system which is based on Android 5.1. The R7s’ dual-sim card slot also supports expandable memory up to an additional 128 GB.
The ultra extra-large battery boasts 3070 mAh of capacity. To test battery life, OPPO uses a mechanical arm to simulate real-world use of the phone. The tests clocked the R7s battery at 13 hours and 15 minutes, long enough to use the phone continuously from morning until night. It is also paired with VOOC Flash Charge technology, which gives 2 hours of talk time with just 5 minutes of charging, and can have the R7s charged up to 90% in only 50 minutes.
Like other R7 series devices, the R7s camera uses Flash Shot technology, a triple-threat feature that assures fast launch, fast focus and stable imaging. Flash Shot’s Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) is equal to that of an SLR camera, delivering an auto focus time of as little as 0.1 seconds. Meanwhile, the camera opens 30% faster than before, and a smart anti-shake optimization algorithm for both the rear-facing 13-megapixel and front-facing 8-megapixel cameras enables users to capture clear, beautiful pictures even in fast-paced situations.
Starting in November, the R7s will be sold in ten different countries and regions, including Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, Vietnam,Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as MENA regions. Consumers in Europe and the USA can purchase the R7s on the OPPOstyle website soon after that in December.
Come comment on this article: Oppo unveils R7s with 4GB of RAM on-board
Talk Android Apps of the Week: October 18, 2015
It’s Sunday, the time of the week when Talk Android brings you a report on some of the very best applications we’ve been using for the past seven days. Although, this week’s column includes a couple of apps used over a longer period. Today’s focus is on a fantastic to-do list manager, an extremely reliable calculator, an awesome travel tool and a world-class antivirus service.
Any.Do
As a student, when I first started my journey as a writer, I frequently found myself with an abundance of deadlines to meet. Not surprisingly, I struggled to find the time to complete all the assignments, projects and household chores I needed to. Fast forward a couple of months and I discovered a wonderful to-do list manager called Any.Do.
The app enables you to create easy-to-read lists containing all the tasks you need to finish on any given day. You even have the facility to invite friends, family and colleagues to entries — so that you can collaborate with them in order to get things done.
If I had to pinpoint my favourite feature in Any.Do it would be cross-platform synchronisation because it allows me to input an entry on my phone or tablet when I’m out and about, then continue editing it when I get home on my computer. The web app even has an intuitive drag and drop interface, which makes organising tasks a treat.
To really get to grips with Any.Do, it’s best to see it in action — so be sure to check out the gallery below.
MyScript Calculator
It’s a well-known fact that the stock Android calculator is pretty basic, a simple app for anyone who needs to carry out uncomplicated sums, but who do we look to when to we need to work out a mathematical expression, such as compound interest?
MyScript Calculator is a great app for performing handwritten complex mathematical operations. All you have to do is write the expression on your smartphone’s display using your finger, then let the app use its algorithms to convert the symbols/numbers to digital text and deliver the result in real time.
To see it MyScript Calculator in action, check out the demonstration video below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Hotel Tonight
Thinking of going away this holiday season? If so, you may want to invest some time in downloading and installing an app called Hotel Tonight. Whenever I’m planning on booking a break, this award-winning app is my first port of call. It offers incredible prices and last-minute discounts on empty rooms at some of the world’s finest hotels.
If you find a room that tickles your fancy, reserving it couldn’t be easier. The entire process of entering your details and creating a booking takes approximately 10-seconds, and if you experience any problems along the way, you can reach out to a live support agent who will help get you back on track.
I’ve used Hotel Tonight to arrange accommodation on a couple of occasions, and can honestly say I haven’t been disappointed. Everything from checking-in to checking-out has gone smoothly. The hotel was exactly as advertised in the app.
To see Hotel Tonight from all-angles, check out the gallery below.
CM Security Antivirus
Our fourth and final app up this week is CM Security Antivirus AppLock. This service has been in the media a lot recently and for good reason. It’s by far the best mobile antivirus product I’ve ever used and has a long list of incredible functions that sets it apart from the competition.
I’m especially fond of the Intruder Selfie feature, which automatically captures a photo of someone who enters the wrong passcode twice on a handset. There’s even an integrated AppLock, which implements a passcode for sensitive apps on your smartphone or tablet.
Be sure to take a look through the gallery below to get a feel for CM Security Antivirus’ compatibility.
Previous Apps of the Week editions:
- October 11, 2015
- October 4, 2015
- September 27, 2015
- September 20, 2015
- September 13, 2015
- September 6, 2015
Come comment on this article: Talk Android Apps of the Week: October 18, 2015
Audials Radio – a radio app done right
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Internet radio is a huge deal. We have a swath of amazing content to choose from including Pandora, iHeartRadio, and even Google Play Music and Spotify have radio options. There’s another name, though, that doesn’t get thrown around a lot called Audials Radio and we’re going to take a quick look to see what this app can do and check out why it’s a great option for radio fans.
What is Audials Radio?
Audials Radio is actually a pretty simple radio app. Its catalog contains over 90,000 radio stations from dozens of countries around the world. Included is talk radio, music radio from a ton of genres, and all of your old favorites from the FM and AM days.
When you listen to radio stations, it’ll set up a pre-buffer and then it essentially just streams whatever is playing on the radio directly to your device. You can use this on just your device speakers or connect it to other speakers using the headphone jack or Bluetooth to get a really authentic radio experience.
How does it work?
Audials Radio is very easy to use. You can simply open the app and get started if you want to although you do have the option to create an account as well. The app works perfectly fine with or without an account but it should be noted that creating an account allows you to use the sync feature between the mobile and desktop versions of Audials Radio.
Once you’re in the application, all you have to do is browse all the various stations and pick the one you want to listen to. You can also search for stations using keywords or station call letters. If you want, you can even add stations if the app doesn’t have your favorite one.
After that, you’ll wait a few moments for the pre-buffer and then it’ll start streaming the audio. It really is as simple as that and it takes only a few moments to get in and listen to the radio.
The peripheral features are where things really get interesting. There is a feature called Zap that takes a look at what you’re listening to and then suggests radio stations that plays similar types of audio. Just hit the Zap button and you’ll be connected to another radio station that plays the same kind of stuff you were just listening to and that makes discovering new stations really very simple.
It also comes with an alarm clock and a sleep timer. Both are very simple to set up. Just set a time and the alarm will go off with whatever radio station you want. Do note that you’ll have to actually be on the station listening to it before you can set it as an alarm. The sleep timer is even more simple, just set a time limit and the app will keep running until the limit runs out.
Also embedded in this app is a light and dark theme switcher, an equalizer so you can change the sound based on the station quickly, and the app is one of the few in this space that comes with both AirPlay and Chromecast support.
The last feature I want to mention is the record feature. Using this, you can actually record songs you hear on the radio for playback later. This reminds me of when I was a kid and I used to use the cassette tape recorder on my stereo to make mix tapes from the songs I liked on the radio. It’s stored on your device and you can rename it and move it as you please. These files are also recognized by other music players. Audials Radio can also read your music in case you want to listen to your own stuff for a little while.
The Good
Here’s what we liked about Audials Radio:
- The interface seems a bit cluttered at first but once you make your way around, it’s actually very easy to use. You can move around quickly and find stuff pretty easily.
- Every radio station has a wealth of stuff that you can do. You can record any radio station, view similar radio stations, use the Zap feature, and there is even a news tab that shows the station’s Twitter and Facebook feed if it has them.
- It has a good list of peripheral features. The alarm clock and sleep timers both work well and are easy to use. We appreciated the equalizer even if if it’s only 5-band. As usual, Chromecast and AirPlay support are always good features to have.
- Audials Radio actually works pretty well. Of course, I was testing using a rock solid, super fast Internet connection so that’s to be expected. There weren’t any hissing sounds or drop outs although if you do experience those, the app has settings that lets you change how it works to avoid that from happening.
- I actually really like that you can access your own stored music and videos. The players aren’t as powerful as a dedicated music app or video app, but it’s nice if you have a song you want to listen to really quick.
- The Zap feature is kind of fun to use. Your radio station hits a commercial, you can quickly Zap over to another one that plays the same kind of stuff that isn’t playing a commercial. That’s a win.
- Some smaller stuff is fun as well. Being able to add your own stations is useful if they don’t have your favorite. Recording songs on the radio worked well although it is hard to get the start and finish just right sometimes. We also liked the themes and the opportunity to stream in different bitrates on stations that have that option.
The bad
And here’s what we didn’t like so much:
- A couple of things about the app can be finicky sometimes. Logging in via Facebook took a couple of tries and adding a radio station took me a couple of tries as well. It’s only a few extra seconds and it does inevitably work, but be prepared to try again a couple of times.
- The equalizer is there and it does work, but it is only a 5-band which somewhat limits the changes you can make.
- The design is really nice and we liked the tile set-up of the front page but we would’ve liked to have seen a little more info on the front page. It looks great in landscape mode but portrait mode is a little empty and there’s a lot of stuff the developers could put there.
Wrap up
Overall, Audials Radio is a very solid and capable radio app. It organizes its content extremely well considering how many radio stations it supports and it makes it simple to add more. The peripheral features like Chromecast and AirPlay support, alarm clock, sleep timer, equalizer, and the Zap feature make the app feel full featured and rounded out without making it feel bloated or heavy.
The issues are few and far between and include mostly minor nitpicks with regards to the design and minor issues with the features. Audials Radio is a truly solid radio experience and one of the better ways to enjoy FM and AM radio in the digital age. If you want to give it a shot, it’s totally free to use with no in-app purchases and you can get to it by clicking the button below.
Get Audials Radio now on Google Play!
[Sponsored Content]
The After Math: Splitting things down the middle
So much happened this week! There was the bisecting Ultimate Hacking Keyboard, Amazon’s Destinations site which lasted just half a year, a bunch of products that cost exactly $50 (aka half a Benjamin) and, of course, the best trolling of the year. Because math isn’t half as fun if you don’t do it by the numbers.
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CLUE Bingo is a new multiplayer puzzle game
CLUE Bingo is a new multiplayer game where users must solve the mystery of who committed the crime by exploring rooms and solving puzzles.
CLUE Bingo launched in the Play Store just this week and has already surpassed 50,000 installs. Users must investigate and solve the mystery of who-did-it. Players can earn reward points to unlock new levels and places to search. The app also brings multiplayer support so you can play along with friends and earn bonus coins and more. This is like the second generation Bingo, which takes the ordinary game of Bingo and adds functionality where players have to gain clues to fill out there Bingo card. One can earn these by completing short interactive puzzles within the game.
The app is free to download but includes in-app purchases to gain coins which can be used in the game.
Come comment on this article: CLUE Bingo is a new multiplayer puzzle game
Android Authority this week – October 18, 2015
Android fans, this week we learned more details about the upcoming Nexus 6P and 5X; the BlackBerry Priv starred in several hands-on ahead of its official unveiling; OnePlus X specs and images leaked out; details surfaced about the HTC One A9 and Motorola’s Droid Maxx 2; and OEMs revealed more about their Marshmallow plans.
Inside AA HQ
Hungry for Marshmallow? We’ve put together a Marshmallow updates roundup, a one stop shop for all information regarding Android 6 releases, OEM update plans, and custom ROMs based on Marshmallow. We will be updating it frequently, so you know where to come to keep up with the Marshmallow rollout.
The camera will always be a key aspect of the smartphone experience. We all agree on that, but when it comes to which phone has the best camera, the Android community is divided. We’re trying to bring a little objectivity into the mix with our blind camera shootout between the Xperia Z5, LG G4, Galaxy Note 5, and iPhone 6S. Vote here and come back for the results tomorrow.
Last week, it was a Nexus 5X. This week, we’re giving away a Nexus 6P. Get your sweepstakes ticket here and good luck!
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
- Comparison: Which smartphone offers the best LTE connectivity? Nirave has some answers
- Review: Does the second-gen Moto 360 keep the magic alive? Find out from our review
- Camera shootout: Xperia Z5, LG G4, Note 5 or iPhone 6S – which one has the best camera?
- Comparison: Moto X Style (Pure) or the iPhone 6S? We bring you the lowdown
- Open thread: What kind of phone buyer are you?
Top news of the week
Behold, the Priv
- BlackBerry Priv shows up in detailed hands-on: here’s what we didn’t know
- Pre-registration goes live for the BlackBerry Priv
- Here’s another BlackBerry Priv hands-on, full hardware specs too
OnePlus: X and more
- (Update: new images!) New OnePlus X / Mini rumors hint at SideTouch screen tech, dual front-facing speakers and more
- OnePlus to start building phones in India, open sale tomorrow
- OnePlus teases “beauty in the making”
- OnePlus is asking you to donate your Galaxy S6 or Note 5 for a OnePlus 2
- OnePlus 2 reservation list to close as invites ramp up
HTC One A9: more leaks
- HTC teases “the next evolution of the One” ahead of its NYC event
- HTC One A9 shows up at Orange France ahead of launch
Nexus countdown
- Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X launched in India; here’s the details
- Nexus 6P and 5X will require a new SIM card to use with Project Fi
- Nexus 6P reportedly delayed in Canada until November 2
- Google confirms Nexus 5X and 6P ‘double-twist’ camera gesture canned
Marshmallow updates
- Custom Marshmallow ROMs in development for Nexus 7 (2012) and Galaxy Nexus
- LG to begin rolling out Android 6.0 Marshmallow next week, LG G4 first in line
- Huawei Android 6.0 Marshmallow plans revealed: Mate S, Mate 7, P8, and more
- Some Sony devices will skip Android 5.1.1 and upgrade directly to Marshmallow
Droid Maxx 2
- Motorola Droid Turbo 2 and Maxx 2 features and promotions confirmed in leak
- Motorola Droid Turbo 2 renders appear on case manufacturer’s site
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Inhabitat’s Week in Green: ‘Iron Man’ prosthetics and a creepy Airbnb
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week’s most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us — it’s the Week in Green.
Want to see the state of the art in solar-powered architecture? Check out eight of the world’s most efficient sun-powered homes built by students for the 2015 Solar Decathlon. In other solar news, Panasonic just shattered a world record by building the most efficient photovoltaic panel on the planet. A Dutch firm recently announced plans to build the largest wind farm in Africa near a remote Kenyan lake. And Washington, DC, unveiled the world’s largest waste-to-energy system, which will generate electricity from the city’s raw sewage.
The self-driving cars are coming — and Tesla has a leg up on the competition. This past week, the electric automaker launched a software update that allows the Model S to drive, park and brake without relying on a human driver. Tesla’s battery Gigafactory also hit the headlines as two journalists trespassed on the facility grounds — and then injured employees with their car while attempting to escape. Electric bikes make a lot of sense for city cyclists, and the VANMOOF Electrified is one of the best. It comes with built-in lights, a dashboard display and integrated GPS tracking — and we’re giving one away in our Green Halloween Costume Contest. We also showcased an awesome underwater jetpack that allows you to glide through the sea like a dolphin, and we were shocked to learn that villages in Laos are making boats out of repurposed bombs from the Vietnam War.
Are we alone in the universe? This past week scientists discovered some unexpected activity around a faraway star — and some believe that it could signify a megastructure built by an alien civilization. Back here on Earth, 3D printers are revolutionizing the way we make things. A new building printer can crank out an entire two-story home in a single day. Meanwhile, Disney announced a new partnership to produce 3D-printed bionic Iron Man arms for kids in need of prosthetics, and Adidas launched a new “Futurecraft” running shoe made with 3D-printed materials. And since Halloween is on the way, we showcased the creepiest Airbnb we’ve ever seen: a dank subterranean room in the catacombs of Paris filled with 6 million skeletons.
Meet the American astronaut who has spent the most time in space
Astronauts already have such amazing jobs, but Scott Kelly’s in particular is probably a smidge more envy-inducing. The current commander of the International Space Station is spending his 383rd day aboard the ISS at the moment, surpassing fellow NASA astronaut Mike Fincke’s record of 382 cumulative days outside our atmosphere. That’s not all, though: since he’s part of a year-long mission — astronauts typically spend six months in low-Earth orbit at most per expedition — he’s bound to break another record. On October 29th, he’ll be celebrating his 216th consecutive day aboard the station. That’s a day longer than the record set by Michael López-Alegría, who’s known for having the longest spaceflight of any American since his expedition in 2006 to 2007.
Among the scientific experiments Scott is conducting up there, one uses his own body as a subject. See, Scott has an identical twin named Mark, who also used to be astronaut. NASA’s Human Research Program is currently monitoring their health to determine the changes a human body undergoes during long periods in outer space. They’re providing the human research project with cheek swabs, saliva, blood and fecal samples, which are then analyzed by scientists. Scott is slated to come back home on March 3, 2016 after spending a total of 522 days outside Earth, doing science and taking glorious photos of our planet from afar.
Source: NASA
Cablevision and Viacom settle their lawsuits over channel bundling
And just like that, Cablevision’s feud with Viacom over channel bundling is over. The two TV giants have settled their antitrust lawsuits with promises that they’re making “mutually beneficial business arrangements.” Neither side is saying what those arrangements are, however, and it’s not clear whether or not Cablevision is getting a better deal than what it had in 2012. This ruckus started because Cablevision didn’t like being forced to carry niche Viacom channels to get the big channels it wanted — this whole exercise would be pointless if the company didn’t get either a discount or more control. With that said, it wouldn’t be shocking if Cablevision’s soon-to-be owner, Altice, pushed for a hasty compromise to prevent the lawsuits (and the resulting government scrutiny) from interfering with its big purchase.
[Image credit: Jin Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Source: BusinessWire
Nexus 6P International Giveaway!
Welcome to the Sunday Giveaway, the place where we giveaway a new Android phone or tablet each and every Sunday.
A big congratulations to last week’s winner of the Nexus 5X giveaway: Perver K. (Turkey).
This week we are giving away the hotly anticipated Nexus 6P.
Launching later this month on the Google Store and retailers from around the world, the Nexus 6P is the pinnacle of the Android experience. The stock Marshmallow software shines on the powerful hardware of the Nexus 6, and the sleek metallic construction ensures the device looks as good as it feels. The fingerprint scanner and high quality camera round off a great user experience. For more details, read our hands-on impressions post, competitors comparison, and comparison with the Nexus 6.
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Nexus 6P International Giveaway!
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