Get the 32GB Axon smartphone at Newegg for just $200
In the spotlight this time around is the unlocked Snapdragon 800-powered Axon smartphone for just $200 from Newegg. As we get closer to Black Friday, deals are getting even sweeter, and the Axon smartphone is no exception.
It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 chipset, 2GB of RAM, and comes with 32GB of expandable storage. It has a beautiful 1920 x 1080 display that’s perfect for streaming movies, catching up on your YouTube subscriptions as well as general reading.
Newegg is selling this particular model in Blue, Silver, and Gold.
If you’re interested in taking advantage of this deal, be sure to hit the source link below, add the device to your cart, and during the checkout process enter promo code EMCKKNR25 to get the $200 price point.
Not sure about the Axon smartphone? We reviewed the Axon Pro, which has slightly higher specifications, but for the most part, it’s the same device. It should hopefully give you a good idea on just how premium ZTE’s Axon smartphones are!
source: Newegg
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OnePlus announces charity auction, five OnePlus X Ceramic smartphones up for sale
OnePlus today took to its blog to announce an eBay auction on a couple special ceramic editions of the OnePlus X. Those interested can throw some money into the auction to try and win one of these uniquely constructed smartphones.
This version of the OnePlus X might be one of the most stylish smartphones you can get your hands on, as the company used Zirconia ceramic during the construction process. Only five units are available on eBay, and OnePlus says all proceeds will go to charity: water.
This particular smartphone might appeal to collectors the most, as only 10,000 ceramic units will be available in the world, particularly because it’s such a difficult material to work with. As an example, only 20% of the ceramic backs made pass OnePlus’ quality testing.
At the time of this writing, the highest bid is at $630. Anyone plan on trying to snag one?
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Qualcomm details how its Snapdragon processors help your phone take low-light photos
Smartphone cameras have been rapidly improving over the past few years, and just in the previous few months we’ve seen some OEMs try to tackle the issue of low-light photos on their devices. Dealing with poor lighting has always been something smartphone cameras have struggled with, but thanks to some new hardware from partners like Qualcomm, it’s improving dramatically every year.
In situations with low light, smartphone camera pixels will increase their sensitivity to light to try and capture as much of the image as possible. This has the unwanted side effect of creating visual noise in images, though, which is where software can take over to try and improve pictures.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon line of processors does just that. It helps to reduce image noise with some complex algorithms and tone matching, which cleans up some of those low-light shots without sacrificing quality. They’ve posted a detailed blog post about exactly what goes into these Snapdragon-assisted photos, which you can check out at the post below.
source: Qualcomm
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Waze adds C-3PO voice navigation assistant in latest Star Wars push
Waze is jumping on the Star Wars hype train and bringing C-3PO as a voice navigation guide in its latest update. That should add a little flair to your morning commute.
Not only can you change your guide to one of Star Wars’ most memorable voices, but there are some Star Wars-themed objects that you can find on the way to your destination, including TIE Fighters and lightsabers.
Who else is pretending their car is the Millennium Falcon on the way to work tomorrow morning?
source: Waze
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2017 Mirage Will Be First Mitsubishi Vehicle in U.S. to Support CarPlay
Mitsubishi has announced that the 2017 Mirage will feature both CarPlay and Android Auto, becoming the first Mitsubishi vehicle in the U.S. to support Apple’s in-dash system. The new subcompact hatchback, introduced at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, is positioned as Mitsubishi’s entry-level vehicle in its current lineup.
Mitsubishi’s 2017 Mirage GT
Mitsubishi also unveiled its 2016 Outlander Sport with a 6.1″ in-dash touchscreen, but the crossover still uses the Japanese carmaker’s proprietary audio system. Mitsubishi plans to expand CarPlay to future vehicles in multiple markets, but the carmaker’s popular Lancer and Outlander models remain without CarPlay in the U.S.
Mitsubishi joins several other CarPlay partners, including Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Honda, Porsche and Volkswagen. Apple says several other automakers are committed to the platform, including BMW, Dodge, Ford, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Toyota, but few have disclosed their plans.
CarPlay in Mitsubishi’s 2017 Mirage GT
Mitsubishi’s 2016 Pajero also features CarPlay in Australia and select European markets.
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Teardown Shows Off the Guts of the iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard
Following teardowns of the Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro itself, iFixit today completed a disassembly of Apple’s new first party Smart Keyboard accessory. The teardown of the keyboard doesn’t provide much in the way of surprising internal revelations, but does give those interested a closer look at the accessory’s conductive fabric, dome switches underneath the keys, and underlying circuit board powering the device.
iFixit first noted the “high tech fabric” lining the outside of the Smart Keyboard, guessing that the fabric could be nylon due to its tactile similarities to a windbreaker. Once peeled back, the stripped away fabric reveals a row of dome switches beneath, along with a stiffening weight placed in the spacebar for a more reliable return each time a user hits the rectangular key.
Once the Smart Keyboard is cracked open, iFixit discovered the circuit board at the center of the device, but with no added flourishes like LEDs, batteries, or cooling fans due to the accessory’s slim size. Once the keyboard frame was pulled away, the site noticed “intestinal squiggles” lining the plastic casing that direct toward small vents on the topside of the keyboard, most likely used to release air pressure each time a key is pressed, according to iFixit.
Lastly the teardown revealed the “brains of the operation” in the form of an ARM-based microcontroller from STMicroelectronics, along with a final layer of three fabric strips at the base of the keyboard. Made of Apple’s “conductive fabric” that connects the accessory’s smart connector (where the iPad Pro is placed) with the actual keyboard, the fabric allows for a “two-way flow of power and data” that should be able to withstand a lifetime of unfolding the Smart Keyboard.
Overall, iFixit gave the iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard a repairability score of 0 out of 10, meaning once it was torn down the accessory is impossible to repair. The site noted that while the Apple-made accessory is quite durable, it must be damaged to gain entry and none of its internal components can be removed and replaced without causing fatal harm to the device.
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Mini review video: Our verdict on the Droid Turbo 2 in about a minute
On paper, Motorola’s Droid Turbo 2 looks like an upgraded version of the Moto X Pure Edition, which was already one of our favorite Android phones. In particular, the Turbo 2 brings more powerful components, a big battery and a shatterproof screen. In reality, though, the Turbo 2 suffers from a slightly dim screen, mediocre camera and loads of Verizon bloatware. The battery life, while pretty decent, is not quite as long as advertised. Also, at $624, it’s expensive for what it is, and it’s not likely to receive software updates as quickly as the Moto X. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a decent phone, but given the choice, you’d still be better off with the bog-standard Pure Edition. That’s the gist, as you’ll see in our mini review video, and if you have time for a longer read, check out our full review here.
Alphabet wants its startups to behave like companies
A report from The Wall Street Journal suggests that Alphabet wants its startup-like subsidiaries to behave more like financially accountable independent companies. Alphabet is the recently formed parent of Google, Google X, Fiber, Nest, and other companies previously under the “Google” banner. Under the change, companies like Google X, Calico and Life Sciences will be billed for using services from other subsidiaries.
Via: The Verge
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Hoopla’s public library app gets Chromecast support
Hoopla, the app that lets you borrow videos, books and music from your local library digitally, has been on a roll this year when it comes to adding comics. Now, it’s making a play for your living room by adding Chromecast support for videos. You’ll need a public library card to access Hoopla’s streaming catalog, as always, but at least you won’t have to worry about late fees. Anything you borrow from Hoopla expires automatically (and yes, multiple people can view the same file at once). Digital lending isn’t anything new for libraries, but usually it involves fighting with a clunky library website, rather than having everything accessible through a simple app. Hoopla currently covers 865 library systems, and its library now has more than 400,000 pieces of media.
Source: Hoopla
Google partnering with DonorsChoose.org, will donate $1 million to support US special needs students
Google is partnering with DonorsChoose.org to help support 6.4 million special needs children within the United States education system. As a result of this partnership, Google is planning on giving up to $1 million towards special needs education projects.
However, there’s a small caveat. Each time someone uses Android Pay, Google will donate $1. In other words, consumers need to collectively use Android Pay one million times for Google to donate the $1 million.
Google additionally revealed that it will double its donation for every Android Pay purchase made on Black Friday.
If you want to help Google donate $1 million towards special needs education projects, you can download Android Pay for free. We’ve also put together a handy guide on setting up Android Pay so that you can make your first transaction quickly and easily!
source: Google
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