Four-legged bot uses drone sidekick to avoid rough terrain
Even with a sure-stepping robot like DARPA’s Big Dog, there is still plenty of terrain that today’s packbots simply can’t handle. That’s why a team of researchers from ETH Zurich’s Autonomous Systems Lab has devised a way to ensure these robots never get bogged down by impassible terrain: pair that packbot with a forward-scouting UAV.
The mechanical pair are designed to cooperate with one another to map and navigate changing terrain. The UAV first flies ahead and creates a rough map of the area, including relative elevations. It then shares that data with the walking robot, which determines the most efficient route to take. The packbot also employs a laser rangefinder to continually update its elevation map and ensure that every step it takes is sure-footed. The team’s study, “Collaborative Navigation for Flying and Walking Robots” is currently under peer review ahead of the 2016 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation.
Source: ETH Zurich (YouTube)
Moto X Style / Pure Edition tips and tricks
Like its predecessors, the Moto X Style, also known as the Moto X Pure Edition in the US, basically runs a stock iteration of the Android OS, but with a few extremely useful features baked in. If you’ve already been a part of the Moto X family, you should already have a fair idea of what to expect with Motorola‘s latest flagships.
If you’ve only recently made the switch over to the Moto X Style however, we are here to help you get the most out of your new smartphone, as we round up some Moto X Style / Pure Edition tips and tricks!
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
Tip #1 – Changing Color Mode
Starting with the display, the Moto X Style / Pure Edition has a large, bright, and beautiful 5.7-inch screen with a Quad HD resolution, and while Motorola decided to replace the AMOLED displays found in its predecessors with a TFT LCD this year, this display is still surprisingly vibrant and saturated. Of course, this kind of color reproduction may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and such users will certainly appreciate the ability to change it, which is also something that is very easy to do.
All you have to do is go into the Settings menu, find the Display settings, and tap on Color Mode. There, you will notice that it is set to “vibrant” by default, which allows for the enhanced color and saturation. Switching it to “normal,” will result in a more natural look, and a much flatter image, if that is what you are looking for.
Tip #2 – Custom key phrase with Moto Voice
Moto Voice is an always-on listening feature that allows you to dictate voice commands from anywhere, and even when the phone is in an idle state. Moto Voice also allows you to set up a customized key phrase to trigger the feature, which not only lets you create something unique, but also makes it harder for other people to trigger your device.
To create a custom key phrase, open the Moto application, go to Voice, tap on Manage Launch Phrase, and select Change or Improve Launch Phrase. From here, just follow the on-screen instructions to record your custom phrase, a process that you have to repeat thrice. Speak normally and clearly, and make sure that you are in a quiet room, so that the device can properly capture your voice. The setup process will only take a couple of minutes at most, and once you’re done, you can now start using your own custom key phrase.
Tip #3 – Motorola Actions
Motorola Actions, or Moto Actions, are all gesture based controls that you can do to activate certain functions of the device. Some of these gestures include waving your hand over the front of the phone to wake up the display and see any notifications without having to touch the phone, perform a chopping action twice to active the camera flash, and a double twist of your wrist to quickly launch the camera, which can be very handy if you take a lot of pictures.
Finally, if you hold the device up to your ear, this will activate Moto Voice, which will respond discretely to your command or question via the earpiece, in order to not disturb others. You do have the option to turn off these gesture controls in the Moto application, but can prove to very useful to most users.
Tip #4 – Setting up Moto Assist for driving, meeting, sleeping
Another very useful addition by Motorola is called Moto Assist, that can perform various functions, such as reading your text messages out loud while you are driving, tell you who is calling, or stay completely quiet while you are sleeping or in a meeting. Luckily, setting up this feature is also very simple and easy to do.
Going into the Assist section in the Moto application, tap on the “+” button found in the corner, and select which activity you would like to add, be it driving, meeting, or sleeping. You also have the ability to add a location to have the phone automatically trigger the set activity whenever you are at that location. For example, if you add your office location to a meeting activity, Moto Assist will instantly put your device into meeting mode when you walk into work.
Tip #5 – Attentive display
If you’ve been reading something on a webpage or an article, and have gotten annoyed at the display constantly dimming in the middle of you reading it, this feature, called Attentive display, will be very useful for you. To activate it, all you have to do is go into the Display settings in the Settings menu and tap on Attentive Display. Here, you have the option to pick the display on for as long as you are looking at it, and there is also the alternative of having the display go to sleep sooner when you are not looking at it as well. With this feature enabled, you will never have to deal with the display timing out before you want it to, ever again.
Tip #6 – Adjusting speakers/headphones effects and equalizer
The Moto X Style / Pure Edition has some of the best front-facing speakers on a smartphone right now, and while the default audio settings out of the box are already pretty good, you do have the ability to easily to tweak the settings if you are looking for a little bit of extra bass, treble, or a more balanced sound. In the Settings menu, go to Sound & Notification, and select Audio Effects.
Here, you have the option to choose between different equalizers, including Bass Punch, Extreme Bass, and Brilliant Treble. There is also a Balanced setting that will give you a very even sound, as well as Vocalizer, for an added emphasis on the vocals. Of course, you do have the option to turn the equalizer off entirely, but that is something that we wouldn’t recommend. If you are someone who prefers using headphones, there are certain preset audio profiles you can choose from, such as 3D Stereo, Home Theater, and Live Stage, and you can also create your own to cater the sound exactly the way you like it.
Tip #7 – Controlling focus and exposure on the camera
Motorola made a lot of improvements on the camera front with their latest flagship on the hardware side of things, but the software still leaves a lot to be desired, especially with regards to manual controls. Be default, there isn’t much you can do, except aim and tap on the viewfinder to shoot, but you do have the ability to enable focus and exposure control by swiping inwards from the left side. This reveals a control wheel, and tapping on the icon that looks like a hand with a square bracket will enable the manual control.
Once enabled, you can change the focus point by dragging the green circle anywhere on the screen, and also dial in the exposure. This, of course, pales in comparison to the level of manual control some other smartphone cameras offer, but turning this feature on will help you get just that little bit more of the Moto X Style / Pure Edition camera.
So there you have it for this quick look at some Moto X Style / Pure Edition tips and tricks! If there’s anything else that you may have found, don’t forget to let us know in the comments section below.
How to manually install Android 6.0 Marshmallow on a Nexus device (Windows and Linux)
For those of us Nexus users that absolutely want and need the latest and greatest software updates, the arrival of Android 6.0 Marshmallow is certainly welcome. Aiming to address many of the bugs and other experience issues found in Lollipop, while introducing a number of tasty new treats of its own, there’s a lot to love about the latest version of Android.
While Android 6.0 will rollout as an OTA for many users, those who don’t mind getting their hands a bit dirty can flash the latest update for themselves and skip the wait. If you’ve ever performed a manual update before, there is nothing different about this procedure when compared to updating to KitKat or Lollipop. If you’re brand new to this process, this quick tutorial will show you how to manually install Android Marshmallow on a Nexus device.
For those that are visual learners, the video below will walk you through the process, but keep in mind it was made for the release of Lollipop, though the steps involved will be the same (sans the fact the image you use will be Android 6.0).
Editor’s note: this post (and video) was originally written to help people install Lollipop, but has been updated to reflect that Marshmallow is now the latest available sweet treat for Nexus users interested in manually updating.
What will you need before you get started?
- A Nexus device along with a USB cable to connect it to your computer.
- The Android SDK installed on your machine with ADB and Fastboot command successfully working. Here’s a tutorial on how to do that.
- You’ll also need the appropriate factory image for your Nexus device. Go to this website to download them and make sure you get the right one for your device. It’s worth it to spend a moment to make sure you have the right one rather than have to deal with the issues of downloading the wrong one.
- You’ll also need 7zip or a similar program that can handle .tgz and .tar files. You can download 7zip for free here.
- You will also need to unlock your Nexus bootloader. Beware, this will erase your data. It’s also worth noting that flashing a factory image will also erase your data. Make sure to back it up!
How to manually install Android Marshmallow on a Nexus device
Keep in mind that this process is pretty straightforward, but things can and do go wrong if you don’t carefully follow instructions. In other words, proceed at your own risk. With that out of the way, here’s what you need to do:
- Boot your Nexus device into fastboot mode. You do this by turning it off and holding down the volume up + volume down keys and then pressing power. That should work for all modern Nexus devices but if not, you may need to Google Search how to do it on yours.
- On your computer, use 7zip to extract the .tgz file you downloaded from the Android Developer website. Use 7zip a second time to extract the .tar file you extracted from the .tgz. When you’re done, you should have a folder with several files in it.
- Copy all of these files and paste them in the platform-tools folder in the Android SDK on your computer. If you followed the above tutorial, this should be under the C drive, then under Program Files (x86) on Windows. Linux users, you know where you put it.
- If you have not already done so, connect your Nexus device to your computer. ADB and Fastboot commands should already work at this point if you’ve been following along.
- There are two flash-all files. If you’re in Windows, you’ll want to double click the one that has the gear logo and says “Windows Batch File” on the right. If you’re on Linux, you’ll want to double click the flash-all.sh.
- At this point a box should pop up and you should see the installation taking place. While this is going on, do not unplug your device for any reason. Let it do its thing.
- Once the installation process as finished, your device will automatically reboot and you should see the official Android Lollipop boot animation start up. You can now safely disconnect your device from your computer. Congrats, you now have Lollipop!
If you have any issues, check out the Android Authority Forums and ask there. You can also post a comment below, and we’ll do our best to help you out, and invite other readers to pitch in as well. Good luck, have fun, and we hope you enjoy Android Marshmallow!
Verizon won’t carry the Sony Xperia Z4v after all
First announced way back in June 2015, the Verizon-exclusive Sony Xperia Z4v was perhaps everything the Z4 proper should have been. With its big Quad HD display, big 3000mAh battery and wireless charging capabilities, the Z4v was going to be a pretty attractive addition to Verizon’s lineup. You heard correctly, I said was. That’s because, after four full months of release date rumors and availability speculation, Verizon has finally announced that it no longer has plans to carry the Xperia Z4v.
In an update to its original announcement post, Big Red explained:
Verizon will no longer be launching Xperia Z4v, however we are committed to supporting Sony Mobile’s product portfolio and will support existing products. Sony is a strategic partner as we continue having ongoing discussions together as part of our future portfolio.
This should come as no surprise. Sony has already launched three new flagship smartphones to take the place of the Z4 line. The Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact and Z5 Premium are really nice, so it makes no sense for Verizon to sell an already-dated smartphone that was announced a mere four months ago.
Sony’s most recent flagships
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
The Z4v was supposed to feature a 5.2-inch Quad HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, IP65 and IP68 ratings for water and dust protection, a 3000mAh battery and a rear-facing 20.7MP camera.
BLU Pure XL review
BLU, the Florida-based company, has largely focused on solid, extremely affordable smartphones, but their latest offering is definitely an exception. Featuring flagship-level specifications but an affordable price point as well, does this new device from BLU prove to be a compelling choice? We find out, in this in-depth BLU Pure XL review!
More great devices from BLU
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
Design
With a large 6-inch display, the BLU Pure XL is undeniably a huge phone, with dimensions quite similar to the Nexus 6. This size will certainly taking some getting used to, depending on which device you are switching from, and while the curves on the back do help with the grip and overall handling experience, the size does put it outside the realm of comfortable one-handed use.
Also helping with the grip is the matte finish of the plastic back cover, which also makes it resistant to fingerprints. The cover did collect scuffs in unexpected circumstances however, which was definitely odd and surprising. The back cover is also removable, allowing for access to the dual micro-SIM card slots and a microSD card slot, even though the battery is not user-replaceable.
Don’t miss: BLU Pure XL first impressions: hot damn!
There is an aluminium band that runs along the edges of the phone, resulting in a premium look and feel, while also making the large device easier to hold on to. The angular design of the phone makes for corners that are quite sharp however, and had an unfortunate tendency of digging into the hand. The Pure XL is also on a thicker and heavier side, with a thickness of 9.6 mm and weighing 202 grams, but some heft isn’t a bad thing with a large smartphone, allowing for a very substantial feel while holding the device.
Taking a look around the device, the power button and volume rocker are towards the top on the right side, positioned to be within easy and comfortable reach, and also offer excellent tactile feedback. There is also a dedicated camera shutter button on this side, which lets you launch directly into the camera application with a press, even when the device is locked. The headphone jack and the microUSB port are found up top and at the bottom respectively, and on the back, below the camera setup, is a fingerprint scanner. Up front, you will find three lightly outlined capacitive keys, and there is also a notification LED above the display.
Display
The BLU Pure XL features a 6-inch Super AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 490 ppi. Everything that we love about AMOLED displays is to be found here, including saturated colors and deep blacks. The display is as sharp as expected given its Quad HD resolution, but the brightness isn’t great, making visibility in direct sunlight a little difficult.
The color temperature also does lean towards the cooler side, but you do have the option to adjust the setting to better suit your tastes. All said and done, you will be hard pressed to find a smartphone with such a high resolution display in this price range, and the screen is easily one of the biggest selling points of this affordable smartphone.
Performance and hardware
Performance is another area in which the Pure XL really shines
Under the hood, the BLU Pure XL comes with an octa-core MediaTek MT6795 Helio X10 processor, clocked at 2 GHz, and backed by the PowerVR G6200 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. Performance is another area in which the Pure XL really shines, with rarely any instances of stutter or lag. The device flies through the elements of the user interface, opening, closing, and switching between applications is a breeze, and overall, everything remains smooth and snappy. The device also handles gaming very well, which hasn’t always been the case with other smartphones with similar processing packages.
#gallery-1
margin: auto;
#gallery-1 .gallery-item
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 33%;
#gallery-1 img
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption
margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
The Pure XL comes with 64 GB of on-board storage, which should be enough to cover the needs of most users. Power users will appreciate the availability of expandable storage via microSD card as well, for an additional 64 GB. The device comes with a standard suite of connectivity options, including 4G LTE support in the US, but is missing support for band 5 for AT&T and band 12 for T-Mobile, which could prove to be an issue for some users, depending on your region.
The Pure XL features Hi-Fi audio and DTS Surround Sound when using the device with a pair of headphones, but while the audio does sound good, there wasn’t a noticeable bump in quality when compared to some other smartphones. The device also comes with a dual stereo speaker setup on the back, which gets plenty loud, and with almost no distortion. The rear-facing placement is unfortunate, but the overall quality of these speakers is definitely above average for the price.
The Pure XL also comes with a fingerprint scanner on the back, which is of the touch type variety. While it was possible to setup the scanner to read the fingerprint, and also use it to encrypt individual files, it unfortunately never worked when attempting to unlock the device. This may be the case only with this particular review unit, and is definitely an issue on the software side, as the scanner works perfectly fine in every other situation, so hopefully BLU has a fix in the works.
#gallery-2
margin: auto;
#gallery-2 .gallery-item
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 33%;
#gallery-2 img
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
#gallery-2 .gallery-caption
margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
The Pure XL packs a 3,500 mAh non-removable battery, and while that capacity would suggest an impressive battery, this is unfortunately not the case. With the display brightness set to 50% and Wi-Fi off for the majority of the day, the device lasted up to 15 hours, with around two hours and forty-five minutes of screen-on time. While these aren’t terrible numbers, we were certainly expecting a little more out of this battery.
Camera
On the camera side of things, the BLU Pure XL comes with a 24 MP rear shooter with optical image stabilization, phase detection auto focus, and a two-tone LED flash, along with a 8 MP front-facing unit. Of course, megapixel counts isn’t necessarily a good indicator of image quality, but the good news here is that the camera of the Pure XL does perform extremely well, at least in good lighting conditions.
It may not be at par with the high standards set by devices like the Samsung Galaxy S6, but this camera is a really good performer when compared to other devices in this price range, with sharp images with lots of detail and good color reproduction. As expected however, the quality deteriorates considerably in poorly-lit situations.
As far as the camera application is concerned, it may look quite simplistic on the surface, but opening the Modes menu and switching to the Professional mode is where a lot of features pop up. Using this mode allows for manual control over aspects like exposure compensation, ISO, white balance, shutter speed, and focus settings, all packed into a single menu. Overall, it is a very nice app that allows for quick and easy capture when in automatic mode, but also includes more granular control over the settings for those who want it.
Software
As far as the software is concerned, the BLU Pure XL runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with BLU’s CareFree launcher on top. There are some aspects of the user interface that feature familiar Material Design elements, as seen in the lock screen, volume controls, notification center, and multi-tasking screen, but there is a sharp departure from stock Android in other key areas.
For starters, this launcher does not feature an application drawer, leaving users dependent on folders to keep the homescreens from getting too cluttered. The default TouchPal keyboard is unfortunately not an impressive performer, and most system applications and the Settings menu have seen complete re-designs. It is quite difficult to gauge the direction that BLU is taking with their software, with each of their devices seemingly offering entirely different experiences. Of course, there are some interesting and useful additions here as well, including some nifty features like smart gestures, app permissions, and a few general setting options for adjusting things like the notification LED.
#gallery-3
margin: auto;
#gallery-3 .gallery-item
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 25%;
#gallery-3 img
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
#gallery-3 .gallery-caption
margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
The Pure XL may not ever see Android 6.0 Marshmallow
The big concern with Pure XL, and any smartphone offering from BLU, is with regards to updates to future versions of Android, such as the recently-released Android 6.0 Marshmallow. BLU has claimed to have made software updates a priority, but have failed to deliver on this front, despite promising official Lollipop updates for their last two releases. The Pure XL is certainly one of the best smartphones that BLU has released till date, and can be considered the company’s flagship, which is why there is some hope as far as updates are concerned, but for now, the jury is still out on whether BLU will able to deliver.
Specifications
| Display | 6-inch Super AMOLED display 2560 x 1440 resolution, 490 ppi |
| Processor | 2 GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor PowerVR G6200 GPU |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB expandable via microSD card up to 64 GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.0 microUSB 2.0 GPS + GLONASS |
| Camera | 24 MP rear camera with dual LED flash 8 MP front-facing camera |
| Software | Android 5.1 Lollipop |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh |
| Dimensions | 164 x 82.2 x 9.6 mm 202 grams |
Gallery
Pricing and final thoughts
The BLU Pure XL is priced at a very reasonable $349, with the available color options including black and gold.
So there you have it for this comprehensive look at the BLU Pure XL! While the Pure XL is not without its flaws, including limited 4G LTE support, disappointing battery life, and a software experience that may never be updated, the device does manage to go beyond what its price point would suggest, with its beautiful, large, Quad HD display, excellent performance, and a very good camera. However, this price category is far less forgiving than the sub-$200 range that BLU is usually a part of, and there are some great options out there, including the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, ZTE Axon, and the Moto X Style or Pure Edition.
Check out these other affordable devices
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
Latest Humble Mobile Bundle will bring some eye candy to your Android device
There’s a new Humble Mobile Bundle available for download, and this one brings some of the most beautifully designed games to your Android device for cheap. The Humble Mobile Bundle: Eye Candy features six great games that, if purchased separately from the Google Play Store, would cost you a total of around $30.
For those unfamiliar, the team at Humble Bundle offers up a number of great mobile titles every two weeks or so, allowing users to pay whatever they’d like. It’s one of the best ways to score some of the latest mobile games while also helping out charity in the process. So, what does this Eye Candy bundle bring us? Let’s find out.
If you donate just $1 or more, you’ll get access to these three games:
- Deep Under the Sky
- Botanicula
- Haunt the House: Terrortown
To get the next three, you’ll need to donate above the average cost (currently hovering around $3.95):
- Jelly Defense
- Dark Echo
- Fearless Fantasy
All of the games listed above are DRM-free, and more games will be added to the list in about one week. It should be noted that if you choose to buy in to this Bundle, you’ll be able to choose where your money goes – between the games’ developers and two charitable causes (Electronic Frontier Foundation and Worldreader). If you’re interested, head to the source link below to get started.
Asus ZenWatch 2 available in Google Store now
If you have been waiting for the Asus ZenWatch 2 Android powered smartwatch, the 49mm version in Navy Blue is available for purchase in the Google Store now. It is one of the cheaper options at $149.99, but still offers the same functionality with Android powering the device. The smaller 45mm version is still listed as “coming soon” but it should be available soon.
The case is made from stainless-steel and should be available in three colors. So if black with a blue strap isn’t your first choice, you still can wait for the silver and gold crown options. Nine easily changeable straps will also be available in the near future.
Specs
- Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz
- Operating System
Android Wear
- Memory
512 MB RAM
- Storage
4GB eMMC Flash
- Display
AMOLED 1.63″
320×320,
278ppi Touch Display - Sensor
6-Axis (A+G) with Sensor-hub
- Audio
Built-in microphone
- Battery
400mAh
- Features
Cover Lens: 2.5D curved Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
Water Resistance: IP67
Communication: Bluetooth 4.1+WiFi - Dimensions
49.6 x 40.7 x 9.4 ~ 10.9 mm (LxWxH)
The post Asus ZenWatch 2 available in Google Store now appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Verizon and Sony scrub the Xperia Z4v launch
Do you remember that Sony Xperia Z4 variant that was custom-made for Verizon – the Xperia Z4v? Well, folks who don’t regularly follow Verizon or Sony news may have thought that it was a quiet launch that came and went.
But you may be surprised to know that the Z4v was never actually released. Pretty crazy, huh? Now I have even crazier news – the launch has been scrubbed.
Reported via Engadget, it is said that a Sony representative confirmed that Verizon and Sony have decided to cancel the plans.
“Verizon is a strategic partner as we continue having ongoing discussions together as part of our future portfolio.“
Logically, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise. The Xperia Z5 just launched, which means that the Z4v would be behind even before it started. Although, I wish we had a reason behind why it never got out the door.
This news also begs to question Sony’s pull away from the U.S. market. But even with another device biting the dust in the U.S., Sony still reassured that “Sony Mobile remains dedicated to the US market and aims to build a sound and stable business in this region….”
Nonetheless, I’ll still question Sony’s ‘dedication to the US market’. There is no sign of any of the new Xperia Z5 models being obtainable in the U.S.
The post Verizon and Sony scrub the Xperia Z4v launch appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Russia orders Google to loosen its Android policies by November 18th
Russia is convinced that Google’s policies on pre-installed Android apps are anti-competitive, and it’s now drawing a line in the sand. The country’s regulators have ordered Google to remove restrictions on bundled third-party apps by November 18th if it wants to avoid stiff fines, which could include up to 15 percent of its Russian revenue from last year. That means allowing device makers to load directly competitive apps and search widgets, even if it means bumping Google’s own software to lesser positions on your home screen.
We’ve reached out to Google for its response to the deadline, including whether or not this will have ramifications outside of Russia. No matter what, this leaves Google in a tight spot. The Alphabet-owned company now has to either bend on its longstanding app strategy or risk missing out on one of the biggest mobile markets on the planet. Both could prove expensive — Android’s revenue model revolves around steering people toward Google search ads and services, and that’s much less likely to happen when you see alternatives like Yandex (which filed the antitrust complaint) front and center.
Via: Reuters
Source: Interfax (translated)
Department of Justice plans to crack down on counterfeits sold online
These days, people are resorting to the internet for most of their shopping. Who can blame them; the experience is far more convenient, and often cheaper, than going to traditional brick-and-mortar retail stores. One of the problems with this, however, is how easy it is to find and buy counterfeit goods online, and the US Department of Justice wants to put an end to that. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has announced a plan to fight intellectual property crimes in the country, which includes a grant funding of 3.2 million dollars expected to be made available to local and state law enforcement agencies. The idea behind the strategy, led by the FBI, is to work with third-party marketplaces (such as eBay or Amazon) to make sure they have “the right analytical tools and techniques to combat intellectual property concerns on their websites.”
But there’s more to the plan than that. Lynch also mentioned the Target and Sony hacks, using them as an example of how the web has shed light on a different depth of crimes. “The digital age has revolutionized how we share information, store data, make purchases and develop products, requiring law enforcement to strengthen our defenses against cybercrime — one of my top priorities as Attorney General,” she said in a statement. “High-profile instances of hacking — even against large companies like Sony and Target — have demonstrated the seriousness of the threat all business face and have underscored the potential for sophisticated adversaries to inflict real and lasting harm.”
Ultimately, the Justice Department says, its new strategy will give law enforcement and companies the tools to better identify and crackdown on all aspects of counterfeit products — including distribution, manufacturing, advertising and the sale of them. “Crimes will then be investigated by the FBI and other partners of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and finally prosecuted by the Department of Justice.”
[Image credits: Associated Press]
Via: Billboard
Source: Department of Justice
AIVAnet 