Griffin Launches New Combination Apple Watch and iPhone Charging Station
Third-party accessory manufacturer Griffin today announced a new combination Apple Watch and iPhone charging stand called the “WatchStand Powered Charging Station.” The dock takes the original design of the company’s WatchStand dock and adds on a new section that acts as a landing pad to charge an iPhone or iPad next to the Apple Watch.
The new version of the WatchStand comes with a built-in power supply and two dedicated USB charging ports so the cable clutter is visually reduced trailing out from the back of the dock. The WatchStand’s underside provides multiple cable management opportunities to ensure that the cords for the Apple Watch and iPhone don’t become unruly when both are placed on the stand.
Just as with the original WatchStand, the new version supports all bands for the Apple Watch and can even adapt to horizontal and vertical positions, giving users the option to try out new WatchOS 2 features like Nightstand mode. The base of the WatchStand lets users place their iPhone either on the top of a flat, felt surface or angled against the piece that holds up the Apple Watch, to watch videos while the iPhone charges.
The WatchStand Powered Charging Station is available to purchase from Griffin’s official website for $59.99 starting today.
New Study Finds Siri More Distracting Than Google Now While Driving
Siri and other voice-activated systems can cause potentially unsafe mental distractions lasting several seconds while driving, according to a new research study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Siri’s score of 3.4 on the five-point scale is considered more distracting than Google Now’s 3.0 score, but less distracting than Microsoft Cortana, which received a 3.8 rating.
AAA’s mental distraction rankings also included vehicles, ranging from the least distracting Chevy Equinox at 2.4 to the Mazda 6 at 4.6, which is nearly the highest level of cognitive distraction. The study found that mental distractions can persist for as long as 27 seconds after using hands-free or voice-activated systems, as drivers readjust to the task of driving.
“The lasting effects of mental distraction pose a hidden and pervasive danger that would likely come as a surprise to most drivers,” said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “The results indicate that motorists could miss stop signs, pedestrians and other vehicles while the mind is readjusting to the task of driving.”
Researchers found that potentially unsafe levels of mental distraction can last for as long as 27 seconds after completing a distracting task in the worst-performing systems studied. At the 25 MPH speed limit in the study, drivers traveled the length of nearly three football fields during this time. When using the least distracting systems, drivers remained impaired for more than 15 seconds after completing a task.
AAA’s mental distraction rankings while driving are broken down into five categories:
– Category 1: About the same as listening to the radio or an audio book
– Category 2: About the same as talking on the phone
– Category 3: Equivalent to sending voice-activated texts on an error-free system
– Category 4: About the same as uploading social media
– Category 5: Highly challenging, scientific test designed to overload a driver’s attention
The study did not include the latest in-dash systems such as CarPlay or Android Auto.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety published Phase I and Phase II of this study over the past few years. In the second phase, the foundation found Siri’s high complexity and low intuitiveness resulted in some of the highest levels of mental distraction compared to other in-car tasks such as adjusting the radio or navigating complex menus.
The original Chromecast now works with Spotify
If you don’t need one of those fancy new Chromecast devices Google announced a few weeks back but still want to ‘cast tunes from Spotify, you’re in luck. A new firmware update has arrived on the original Chromecast to enable casting music from the Spotify app on your iOS or Android device. As noted by users on Reddit, users with an original Chromecast can just reboot the device to either install or force the new firmware to download — once that’s done, you should be able to cast music from Spotify. The feature has been working with the new Chromecast Audio and second-generation Chromecast for a few weeks now, but it’s good that Google has delivered on its promise to bring the feature to the first Chromecast, as well.
Via: Android Police
Source: Reddit
Sprint facing yet another fine, this one involving extra charges for lower-credit consumers
Sprint may be a large corporation with decades of experience in the business market, but that does not mean everything works like a well-oiled machine. The carrier has recently been hit with several actions that can be traced to sloppy attention to detail or, as the cynic may contend, an intentional effort to cut corners. The latest hit comes from the Federal Trade Commission which has proposed $2.95 million in civil penalties related to failure to give proper notices when customers were charged extra due to low credit scores. This comes in the same week that Sprint lost an appeal in the state of New York regarding a $300 million fine for not collecting taxes.
According to FTC consumer protection bureau director Jessica Rich,
“Sprint failed to give many consumers required information about why they were placed in a more costly program, and when they did, the notice often came too late for consumers to choose another mobile carrier.”
The FTC alleges that consumers who had low credit scores were charged an extra $7.99 per month fee in addition to their regular charges. In the cases where Sprint eventually got around to notifying customers that they would have to pay the extra fee, the notice was often provided too late for consumers to cancel their service without incurring a fee.
Despite this and other recent issues, Sprint issued a statement claiming “Sprint puts its customers first and is always working to provide clear and necessary information to customers.” The company says they made changes in July as part of efforts to resolve this matter.
A court still has to approve the proposed settlement.
source: Re/code
Come comment on this article: Sprint facing yet another fine, this one involving extra charges for lower-credit consumers
[TA Deals] Get this 2-Pack of Monster Digital Super Speed Flash Drives for just $24.99
While some of us entrust our backups to the cloud, backing up important documents, movies or images to a flash drive can be more secure and convenient, especially if you can’t access the internet. Backing up to a flash drive needs to be a quick, hassle-free experience, and this 2-pack of Monster Digital USB 3.0 Flash Drives (32GB & 64GB) will do the job nicely. With USB 3.0 support, a combined 96GB of storage, and OTG support on the 32GB variant, all your data-transfer needs should be taken care of. Best of all, Talk Android Deals is offering the 2-pack of Monster Digital Flash Drives with 70% off its normal price.
Features:
- Ultra-fast 80MB/s data transfer speed
- 96GB of combined storage (32GB & 64GB)
- 32GB OTG Drive allows you to connect directly to Android devices
- Sleek metal exteriors offer protection against bumps and knocks
- Protective caps
- Slim design
- Streaming functionality – plug-in and stream videos directly from the stick
The Monster Digital USB 3.0 Flash Drives are available in black or pink and have a price tag of just $24.99, giving a saving of 70% over the normal Recommended Retail Price (RRP). Free shipping is included, all you have to do is click the link below.
Come comment on this article: [TA Deals] Get this 2-Pack of Monster Digital Super Speed Flash Drives for just $24.99
Samsung now pushing out call stability update for the Note 5
Samsung has just started rolling out its third minor stability update for the Galaxy Note 5. Unfortunately, this upgrade doesn’t bring much in terms of added functionality to the handset, but it does bundle some much-needed software optimizations and security improvements.
The full changelog can be seen below:
- The stability of Call has been improved.
- Battery usage optimisation.
- The security of your device has been improved.
As is the norm, the update is being pushed out in stages. To see if it’s ready for your device head into Settings, scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”, hit “System Updates”, then select “Check for updates”. Alternatively, you can wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to install the upgrade.
Come comment on this article: Samsung now pushing out call stability update for the Note 5
Get your hands on the Nextbit Robin before it flies away
Nextbit has been making waves over the last few months due to its Kickstarter project for a cloud based smartphone. When the company, which includes individuals from both HTC and Google, successfully completed their campaigns for both a GSM version, they then pushed a campaign for a CDMA version of the Robin. Well, now both of those projects have been successfully funded and Nextbit is ready to move into the next step with the Robin.
Obviously, Nextbit is hoping that the Robin flies away and brings in a slew of new customers and brings a wave over consumers. The Robin raised over $1.3 million from over 3,500 backers during their Kickstarter campaign, and is expected to be released in February of 2016.
The goal of the Robin is to help those storage sticklers, break free from the chains, making it the first Android device that is “powered by the cloud”. Now just because Nextbit is focusing on Cloud Storage for the Robin, that doesn’t mean that there will only be 8GB of onboard storage. The Robin will have 32GB of onboard storage, but will also include 100GB of Cloud Storage. The folks at Nextbit have also stated that there won’t be a cost if you exceed your initial allotment of Cloud Storage.
One thing to keep in mind with considering the Robin; network data limits. Only T-Mobile has a truly unlimited data plan and that’s only for single-line customers. With Cloud Storage, you will be forced to use either Wi-Fi or your network for accessing your files, so be conscious about your data caps before jumping all in on the Nextbit Robin.
Here’s the full specsheet for Nextbit’s first device:
Spec Sheet
- Processor: Snapdragon 808
- Memory: 3GB RAM / 32 GB onboard / 100 GB online
- Screen: 5.2” IPS LCD 1080p, Gorilla Glass 4
- Rear Camera: 13MP with phase detection autofocus, dual tone flash
- Front camera: 5MP Battery: 2680 mAh
- Dual front facing stereo speakers
- Fingerprint sensor
- NFC
- Quick charging
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE WiFi A/B/G/N/AC
- Dimensions: 149mm x 72mm x 7mm
- Weight: Approx. 150g GPS enabled
Additionally, the GSM version of the Nextbit Robin will feature all the necessary bands for both T-Mobile and AT&T. The CDMA version, will feature all of the bands that can be found in the GSM version, as well as the bands necessary for you to use the Robin on Verizon OR Sprint. That’s a pretty unprecedented feature for a smart phone, even in today’s world. Usually when there’s a CDMA version of a device, there are two separate versions of the device; one for Sprint and one for Verizon. This is not the case with the Robin, which makes everything a bit more exciting just from that aspect.
The Nextbit Robin has officially been made available for pre-order along with a few accessories. When you head over to the pre-order page, you can grab a case, a screen protector, and even a collectible figure. What makes this collectible figure so awesome is that is designed by the renowned designer Andrew Bell, who works over at Dead Zebra and designs many popular Android figures.
You can pick up the Nextbit Robin, in either GSM or CDMA capabilities, and in either a Mint color, or a Midnight option. Both versions will run you $399, and Nextbit has listed the shipping fees that you will be required to pay if you choose to pick up a Nextbit for yourself.
Drop us a line and let us know what you think about the approach that Nextbit is taking in regards to Cloud Storage, and whether you are considering this device as one of your next ones.
Source: Nextbit Backerkit
The post Get your hands on the Nextbit Robin before it flies away appeared first on AndroidGuys.
ZTE Axon chosen as Chinese President’s gift to UK officials
The rise of China as a major market for smartphone manufacturers is well-known and is helping lead to a shift to Chinese manufacturers rising to the top of the hill when it comes to market share on a global basis. Despite the huge market opportunity in China, manufacturers still want to expand into other global markets, including mature markets like the U.S. or several European markets like the U.K. Chinese manufacturer ZTE will get a boost in their efforts based on a move by Chinese president Xi Jinping who is planning to promote Chines products during visits with British officials by gifting them with ZTE Axon smartphones.
When heads of state visit other countries, it is normal protocol for gifts to be exchanged. The tradition may even be older in China where “Guo Li” calls for the exchange of gifts at the start of political, diplomatic or business meetings. After being selected as the provider of the gifts for this latest state visit, and unofficially representing the smartphone industry in China, a ZTE spokesperson said,
“We’d like to wish Mr. Xi all the best for his time in the UK, and hope that the gifting of the Axon smartphones brings good luck to everyone involved. We hope to see more collaboration between the East and the West in the future, spurring businesses and economic growth in both parts of the world – and one thing’s for sure: ZTE will be a big part of it.”
ZTE currently sells 7 out of 10 devices it produces in markets outside of China and has design teams based in the U.S. and Germany as it continues efforts to expand its global reach. Being selected for this prominent honor during Mr. Xi’s visit to the U.K will be nice feather in the cap for ZTE.
source: GSMArena
Come comment on this article: ZTE Axon chosen as Chinese President’s gift to UK officials
Volkswagen’s emissions scandal might affect even more cars
And further down the rabbit hole we go. On top of the 11 million cars already found to be cheating on diesel emissions tests, Volkswagen has also announced that it’s investigating to see if other diesel cars have similar software tweaks, the New York Times reports. Specifically, it’s looking into cars with its EA 288 diesel motor. All of the cars already affected, including VW’s Passat, Jetta and Golf lines, are running a separate EA 189 motor line. The news follows a Reuters report from earlier in the week which claimed the car maker actually had several different emissions cheating solutions. That would make sense if it wanted to cover several different engine types. VW has recalled all of the cars affected by the scandal so far — some can be fixed with a mere software update, while others might require mechanical tweaks. The company has also said it might compensate its customers for the fall in value of their cars following the scandal, though it won’t be offering full refunds.
[Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images]
Source: New York Times
Amazon’s one-hour deliveries expand to San Francisco, San Antonio
Amazon continues to expand its Prime Now one-hour deliveries. The online retailer has announced that the service is now available in San Jose, San Francisco and other places around the Bay Area, including Mountain View and Cupertino — Google and Apple’s home, respectively. Prime Now’s also hitting San Antonio, which joins Austin, Dallas and, most recently, Houston as the Texan cities where Amazon’s ultra-fast delivery offering is live. In case you’re not familiar with Now, it lets Prime members receive select orders in less than 60 minutes for a $7.99 fee, with an app that’s available for iOS, Android and Kindle devices. Or, if you’re not in a rush to get the items, they can be at your doorstep in about two hours free of charge.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Amazon
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