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9
Nov

Nexus 6P camera glass may spontaneously crack


nexus 6p first 48 (17 of 36)

The Nexus 6P is arguably one of the best Nexus devices made, with the brushed aluminium finish and sleek build combining to create “a Nexus flagship worthy of its premium moniker“. Yet, it’s not all positive; some reports suggest its easy to bend and damage Google’s latest flagship and some Reddit users are reporting that the glass panel in front of the camera can also spontaneously crack.

The small piece of glass protecting the camera is made of Gorilla Glass 4 but doesn’t seem to be as durable as its smartphone display equivalent. Some pictures posted online suggest that the glass is spontaneously cracking and one Redditor has come up with a theory why the glass may be cracking.

Summarising u/RedHeadedMenace/:

It seems that most screens – including the Nexus 6P display – have a small plastic shock ring to protect the glass but the Nexus 6P’s camera glass doesn’t have this. As such, any lateral pressure applied by the case can cause the camera glass to crack.

Sounds simple enough right but smartphones are complex pieces of engineering and other users suggest that the phone overheating, sudden changes in temperature or even an internal issue related to the battery swelling could be causing the camera glass to crack.

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It also seems that the cracking occurs at different times, with one user reporting that it happened on the first night they got the phone, another saying it happened within 24 hours and the original poster suggesting it happened spontaneously while the phone was just sitting there.

Huawei and Google are yet to official acknowledge the issue but the number of reports is increasing so it’ll be interesting to see how the company responds. It’s possible that this issue may be affecting just a particular batch of handsets as neither of our units has this problem or it could be that they haven’t cracked yet.

Nexus 6P in video:

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What about your Nexus 6P? Has the glass in front of the camera cracked? Let us know in the comments below and if it has cracked, we recommend letting Google/Huawei know, as well as the retailer you bought the handset from.

9
Nov

Tag Heuer to launch $1500 smartwatch today


Tag Heuer Carrera

Luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer is preparing to launch its high-end smartwatch today, according to company chief Jean-Claude Biver. The watch will be known as the Carrera Connected and will come with a rather expensive $1500 price tag.

Tag Heuer has teamed up with Google and Intel to develop its new smartwatch, suggesting that it could be powered by Android Wear, as previous rumors have indicated, and may sport many familiar features. The Carrera Connected syncs up with a smartphone wirelessly and features a changeable watch face and fitness tracking options, which all sounds very standard, but other features are being kept close to the company’s chest.

Latest smartwatches:

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With its expensive price tag, the Carrera Connected could end up appealing to similar customers who are interested in the ~$1000 stainless steel Apple Watch models, rather than competing with the range of existing smartwatches in the Android ecosystem. Even Samsung’s new Gear S2 only costs around $300.

A move into the premium segment of the watch market could help build the profile of Google’s wearable platform. We know that the very high-end wearables segment is not the most popular end of the market, but Tag Heuer probably isn’t looking to sell millions of units anyway.

The smartwatch looks similar to Tag Heuer’s existing Carrera classic watch (pictured above) and apparently can’t be told apart at a distance. The watch will also come with a selection of six brightly colors wristbands to choose from.

The Carrera Connected will make its debut in New York at noon on Monday and will be heading to Europe three days later.

9
Nov

Connect Four Plus: A new twist to a classic game (App Review)


One of the best things about smartphones nowadays is the ability to take some of our favorite classic games and play them in new ways. One of these games Connect Four Plus.

Overview

Connect Four was the first strategy game I played as a kid. It was super easy; two players compete to see who can connect four of their color first. Well, easy when your dad let’s you win. I really enjoyed playing it growing up, just as now I am really enjoying playing Connect Four Plus.

Now, don’t let the “Plus” fool you. Many apps use the word plus to signify the ability to purchase the app without ads. In this case the app is free, though ad-supported, and the Plus stands for the extra features you get with the game. I found all these features useful and very fun:

  • Ability to choose five different backgrounds: wood, beach, space, sky, and aurora borealis
  • Option to choose to play vs cpu or human
  • You can choose whether to play vs human on the same device, through Google contacts, or via bluetooth or LAN connections
  • Invite friends to play
  • Achievments
  • Keep track of your local, bluetooth, and LAN scores

Screenshot_2015-11-05-19-37-10
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Now, as mentioned above, the app is free, but supported with ads. Don’t worry, though, it’s not done in the annoying, in your face all the time way that some apps are. There is usually an ad at the bottom of the main menu, and every so often, an ad will pop up after completing a game. There is no ad on the game screen itself, which I appreciate very much.

The overall game is designed with a cartoonish feel, which I feel makes it more enjoyable. I do think the background muaic gets annoying after a while, but you can mute both music and sound effects from the main menu. The menu itself is laid out nicely and very easy to use.

Setup

When you first open the app, you will start to be signed into Google play games. This is not a necessary requirement to play the game and you can sign out and in at any time. The benefit to signing in is you can easily track your achievements, as well as invite your Google contacts to play with you over the internet, so I would go ahead and sign in.

Gameplay

To play a game, all you have to do is select to play vs cpu or vs human. You will then be given the option to select the size of the game board and the number you need in a row to win. You can have a minimum size of 4×4 and a max size of 16×16. The number in a row need to win is a minimum of four and a maximum of 8.

Once at the game board, you can zoom in or out to better view the board, which is good for a very large game board. However, if you have a smaller board, it can get annoying, as you can accidently move the board. This option would be better if the board would stay in place, when at normal size, and have a fixed are to move when zoomed in.

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The overall game play will remain the same in either vs mode you choose to play, with a few differences. When playing the CPU, you can take as much time as you want to make your move.  When playing a friend, each player will have about 15 seconds to make their move.

If you don’t move within that time frame, your game piece will automatically drop in a random location. When you choose ‘VS CPU’ you can change it’s difficulty from level one to level nine, nine being the most difficult. In ‘VS CPU’ mode, I found the computer to be difficult on level two, but I’m also not that great at strategy games.

When playing vs human mode, you can invite people to play through your Google contacts, bluetooth or LAN connection. If you choose to play through Google, you do not have to be connected to Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth option will need to be done directly, and the LAN option can be done over the same Wi-Fi connection.

What we liked

  • Multiple playing options
  • Challenging
  • Option to sign in and out of Google Play games

What could be better

  • Options to change game piece colors
  • A less moveable game board

Summary

I really enjoyed this game. It was easy to use and play with others and you will enjoy it too. It is available on the Google Play store for free.

Google Play Store: Connect Four Plus

The post Connect Four Plus: A new twist to a classic game (App Review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.

9
Nov

Get $100 discount off 2015 flagships in T-Mobile’s ‘Why Wait for Cyber Monday’ promotion


T-Mobile_Logo_02_TA

While everyone waits for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday’s deals to come around, T-Mobile is trying to steal a march on its competitors with its ‘Why wait for Cyber Monday’ promotion where you can save $100 when picking up one of 2015’s flagship smartphones. 

Super Smartphone Deals T MobileWhether you are a new customer or an existing one who wants to activate a new line on a qualifying rate plan, you can pick up a handset from Samsung, LG, or even Apple, and save $100. The list of eligible handsets includes:

It’s an online only promotion, so there’s no point heading off to your local store. Just navigate to T-Mobile’s website and apply the coupon to your order to get the $100 OFF. It should be noted that the promotion can’t be used in conjunction with other offers, while Jump! and Jump! on Demand subscribers aren’t eligible.

 

Source: T-Mobile

Come comment on this article: Get $100 discount off 2015 flagships in T-Mobile’s ‘Why Wait for Cyber Monday’ promotion

9
Nov

iPad Pro to Be Available in Stores Later This Week, Online Orders Start November 11


Apple today announced that its much-anticipated larger-screened iPad Pro will go on sale at Apple Stores, select carriers and Apple Authorized Resellers in the U.S. and over 40 countries starting later this week, with online orders set to begin on Wednesday, November 11.

ipad-pro

While Apple will not begin accepting online orders until Wednesday, November 11, other retailers have already begun allowing customers to place orders for the iPad Pro. Sam’s Club was the first to accept pre-orders but quickly sold out, while MacMall and Staples are still accepting orders. Ordering from one of these sites will not guarantee delivery later this week – MacMall doesn’t expect orders to ship until November 16, while Staples lists a launch date of November 25.

Apple’s iPad Pro is its new flagship tablet with a 12.9-inch Retina display, a super powerful A9X processor, a four speaker audio system, 4GB RAM, and an 8-megapixel rear camera.

Pricing for the iPad Pro starts at $799 for the entry-level 32GB Wi-Fi only model. A 128GB Wi-Fi only model is available for $949, and a 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model is available for $1,079. The iPad Pro is available in the three signature iPad colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold.

iPad Pro will be available in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, UAE, U.S., U.K., Uruguay and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Apple will also be allowing customers to order the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard, the two accessories that are designed to be used with the iPad Pro. The Apple Pencil, a pressure-sensitive stylus, will be available for $99 while the Smart Keyboard is priced at $169.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer’s Guide: iPad Pro (Don’t Buy)

Discuss this article in our forums

9
Nov

Watch this graphene paper slither around like it’s alive


Researchers from China have taken shape-memory materials to a creepy new level with a self-folding paper that can propel itself by “walking.” Sorcery? Not quite. It’s actually made from everybody’s favorite wonder-material, graphene, and heated by an infrared laser that causes active regions to contract, then expand when it shuts off. By placing the regions in strategic locations, the team can make the paper move in any direction. It isn’t going to put a scare into Sarah Connor just yet, but the team thinks it could one day be used to create contracting “muscles” that do power murderous ‘bots. In the near term, the material could lead to low-cost temperature and humidity sensors.

Via: Gizmodo

9
Nov

SnapChat triples its viewing numbers in only 6 months


SnapChat_TA (1)

If you are a frequent SnapChat user, then you have contributed to the instant messaging app’s huge increase in viewership numbers since May. In just 6 months, SnapChat has tripled its daily viewing numbers.

According to the Financial Times, more than 6 billion clips are viewed every single day on SnapChat, with more than 100 million daily active users. That’s quite impressive for an app that exists purely on the mobile platform. It’s thought that the sudden increase in viewing numbers can at least be partly attributed to features such as Discover, Live Stories (such as the NFL content), and Lenses.

 

Source: Financial Times  (Subscription required)
Via: Engadget

Come comment on this article: SnapChat triples its viewing numbers in only 6 months

9
Nov

Samsung rumoured to be developing an entry-level fitness tracker with ‘Triathlon’ codename


Samsung Gear Fit

Samsung recently revealed its stylish new Gear S2 smartwatch running the Tizen operating system, garnering positive reviews along the way. Naturally the high-end market isn’t quite enough for the South Korean electronics giant, as it is allegedly looking at fleshing out its entry-level offerings in the wearables department. According to a report by SamMobile, Samsung is busy developing a health and fitness tracker, with model number SM-R150.

The wearable is apparently known internally as the Triathlon, which lends some credence to the health and fitness theory. Other than that, not much is known, other than it might offer fewer features than the Gear Fit which has a higher model number.

Would you be interested in an entry-level health and fitness tracker from Samsung? Bearing in mind that almost nothing is known about it.

 

Source: SamMobile 

Come comment on this article: Samsung rumoured to be developing an entry-level fitness tracker with ‘Triathlon’ codename

9
Nov

Game on your phone: Satechi Bluetooth Universal Controller


Gaming on Android has evolved over the years, even to the point of being able to rival consoles. The problem ends up being that a touch screen interface can never rival a physical controller. Your fingers end up covering part of the viewing area, and it is much more difficult to use virtual buttons that provide no tactile feedback.

Satechi enters the already crowded arena of Bluetooth controllers with hopes of being your choice of controllers.

Satechi Bluetooth Universal Controller overview

The Satechi Bluetooth Universal Controller has the familiar shape of the Xbox 360 controller, but it is a tad smaller than the 360’s controller. That fact will stand out to you immediately when you first hold the controller in your hand. The main controls are placed in about the same place as the 360 controller, but the grips are noticeably smaller and the “L” and “R” buttons are a little small for my taste. I can only think of two reasons for this. The first is to keep the size small. The second has to do with the mechanism that grips the phone.

Speaking of which, there is a docking mechanism that slides upwards and grips your phone. It should fit most phones. I tried it with my LG G3 which has a 5.5″ screen. The phone fit perfectly without a case, but my phone was too big with my Zerolemon battery and case. That’s OK because the controller also works just fine without the phone being docked in its cradle.

The controller is also cross platform compatible. It can be used with Android, iOS, and Windows. There is also a mode that will allow you to use the controller as a mouse.

Satechi Bluetooth Universal Controller setup

The setup for the Satechi Bluetooth Universal Controller is fairly simple. First, make sure that the controller is fully charged. It has internal batteries that will charge from a standard micro USB connection. Second, turn the controller by way of the power switch at the bottom. Third, place the controller in pairing mode by pressing the link button for a few seconds. You can then search for devices from your phone, tablet, or PC and once it pairs, you’re done.

Satechi Bluetooth Universal Controller usage

The controls of the Satechi Bluetooth Universal Controller are very responsive. There wasn’t any noticeable latency at all. When I pressed the buttons and moved the joystick the corresponding action in the game happened instantly.

The build quality was good, but not great. It felt a little hollow and light in your hand. However, this is a plus when you have a phone docked into the controller because the phone will add quite a bit of weight.

While the phone is in the dock, it is held in tight and won’t come loose very easily. Even with moderate movements and shakes, the phone will stay secured.

The battery life is pretty good as well and will most likely outlast the battery of your device.

I found that most games I played with controller support would support the controller right out the box, but some would require a little key mapping.

I was able to also pair the controller to my Fire TV Stick and it worked pretty well.

What we liked

  • Responsiveness
  • Battery life
  • Phone dock
  • Versatility

What could be better

  • Build quality

4.3 out of 5 stars

While Satechi is not the first to bring a Bluetooth controller to the field, they do have a very solid offering. If you’re looking to take your Android gaming to the next level, then I highly recommend that you pick one of Satechi’s controllers. The controller is on sale for $34.99 at Amazon.

http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=andrguys07-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B013U0MSQU&asins=B013U0MSQU&linkId=R4EQE7BP3SC2NA3E&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true

The post Game on your phone: Satechi Bluetooth Universal Controller appeared first on AndroidGuys.

9
Nov

Wondershare Dr. Fone for Android file recovery software (Review)


It is very easy to accidentally delete or lose precious files on your Android smartphone. Whether you accidentally delete a picture, text message, vCards and more, Wondershare Dr. Fone for Android is here to help you recover your lost files. Not only is it for accidentally deleted files, but it can also be used for phones that have been damaged by water too.

Description from website

Directly scan and recover SMS, contacts, photos, video and more

  • Recover photos, video, audio and documents from SD cards inside Android devices to a computer.
  • Recover messages, and export both in HTML and XML formats to PC for easy reading, printing and importing to your device.
  • Retrieve deleted contacts, including names, numbers, Email & addresses, and export in HTML, vCard and CSV to PC.

Preview & selective recovery

  • Preview all recoverable contacts, messages and photos and documents before recovery.
  • Selectively recover what you want by selecting them from the scan result.

Read-only and risk-free

  • Keep data on your device original, no damage, deletion or modification at all.
  • Only read and recover the data, no personal information leaking, or things like that.

Usage

One of the major downsides is Wondershare has limitations on the actual devices it can support. The list of devices they support is actually quite huge, but if you have a current phone there is a good chance it isn’t supported yet. For the sake of this review, I went through a list of devices: Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Asus Zenfone 2, LG G Pad 7.0 LTE, Nexus 6P, HTC One M8(Android 5.0) and Nexus 5X. None were supported directly, but if I decided to root them the Dr. Fone software could actually recover it.

I’m not the type of person who roots devices, so I had to borrow a friend’s Note 3 running Android 4.4.2. Luckily he’s the type who doesn’t upgrade his software and he reluctantly let me borrow his device.

The instructions are actually quite simple. Install the software, which in my case was the Windows 10 64-bit version, and I entered the license code I was given by Wondershare. Set-up really was a breeze.

Capture

Next I had to enable developer options by going to my settings and clicking About phone, Build Number (tapped seven times), and then enable USB debugging. Once I did that and connected my phone to my computer’s USB port using the micro-USB cable I use to charge my phone, the software connected and started to scan my Note 3. It took about 110 minutes to scan all of the files, and by my tests it worked rather well. I had my friend sitting with me to verify what files were deleted and recovered and according to him, that was all of his files that he could remember. Luckily for me, my friend didn’t have anything scary I did not want to see. The only downside was that it was slow to recover the files, but given the fact that I assumed these files were deleted, I wouldn’t mind waiting if it meant saving files I needed.

Since the Note 3 wasn’t my actual phone I owned, I could not take screenshots for you guys to see the recovery process as he didn’t want his information on the web. Here is what the interface looks like from the screenshot from Wondershare’s website:

drfone-android-sc07For the sake of this review I did back up “lost” files from the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 onto my computer and it was very easy. It was as easy as using any file managing software I’ve used before and am quite happy to keep Dr. Fone for Android installed on my PC as long as I own Android phones.

Summary

Dr. Fone for Android does work as advertised and requires minimal effort on your part if your device is supported by Wondershare’s Dr. Fone for Android. I don’t blame Wondershare for not being able to support every Android device and software version as there are literally thousands and thousands of versions out there. But that does mean there is a good chance that if your device is current, it probably isn’t supported by Wondershare yet. If you’re technical you can root your device and Dr. Fone for Android will work just fine.

There is a free trial version you can test before paying for the full license fee of $49.95 which is a lifetime license and supports 1-5 devices. Wondershare is continually adding more devices and software versions with free updates, so your money will go a long way with a lifetime license.

If you want to learn more, click here to go to Wondershare.com. They offer a whole suite of software products beyond Android.

 

The post Wondershare Dr. Fone for Android file recovery software (Review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.