EE’s tiny 4G lifelogging Capture Cam goes on sale
Not content with offering a variety of smartphones and tablets, EE has expanded its accessory portfolio with a range of broadband devices and action cameras. We’ve already met the Action Cam — basically a GoPro with 4G streaming capability — but the carrier also recently debuted another, smaller, connected camera: the Capture Cam. It’s taken almost a month, but today the pocket-sized snapper has finally gone on sale, just in time for Christmas.
Source: EE
Apple Pay will launch in China early next year, says WSJ
Apple’s latest iPhones have been a raging success in China, so the lack of Apple Pay in the nation has been a sore point. That’s about to change soon, however, as Apple will bring Pay to China by early February 2016, according to the WSJ. Its sources say it has made deals with the company’s four state banks, meaning most consumers will be able to pay at stores with an NFC-equipped iPhone 6 or 6s model. The deal is reportedly now just awaiting regulatory approval, and Apple is hoping to launch it before February 8th when China’s spring holidays begin.
Source: WSJ
ICYMI: Robotic teddy bear, electric glue formula and more
Today on In Case You Missed It: Teddy Ruxpin is all grown-up with the artificially intelligent Diro robot that can act as an alarm and keep your kid entertained. London installed solar-powered recharging benches in public spaces that also monitor pollution and noise levels. And not one but two glue formulas are making waves: There are the powdered small glue balls that become sticky when pressed together and the MIT hydrogel that’s made mostly of water, is super flexible and can conduct electricity.
A Misfit Flash wrapped in glitter is still a Misfit Flash
Misfit has teamed up with BaubleBar to create a necklace and bracelet for the Misfit Flash that’ll provide the wearable with some much-needed style points. Essentially, the Helena Necklace and Bracelet are glittery lockets that keep the device tucked inside, hanging from either a six or 32-inch chain. According to the company, the pieces are “as smart as they are stunning” and will be available exclusively at Target from November 29th for $69.99 a pop. It’s worth mentioning that the devices come with their own $29.99 Flash tucked inside, as well as the traditional rubber strap for workouts.
Uber forms safety board, hopes to restore faith in its drivers
Uber’s rapidly becoming a polarizing topic, with people either prepared to defend it to the hilt or attack it with similar fervor. Much of that hate comes from a belief that the firm has a lax attitude towards background checks and its passengers safety. That’s why the company is hoping to remedy the problem by appointing its first ever safety advisory board. According to the LA Times, the panel is made up of weighty names that include Ed Davis, Boston’s former police commissioner and Cindy Southworth, vice president at the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
Source: LA Times
Top 10 Android phones at Verizon (November 2015)
With Black Friday breathing down your neck and the holiday shopping season in full swing, now is the time that a lot of people are considering a smartphone upgrade. Buying a new device can be a fun endeavor. But, for some folks, the idea of picking out a new handset may be a little more difficult.
Which is the newest phone? What is the best phone? Which is the one that’s going to give me exactly what I need? We’re here to help you dig through the clutter.
We’ve put together a list of the top 10 Android smartphones you should consider for Verizon this November. Here, in no particular order, are ten Android handsets that you should consider for Verizon if you’re currently shopping around.
Droid Turbo 2
As the first phone to feature a shatterproof display, much can be said about the new Droid Turbo 2. Not only does this one give you peace of mind in knowing that it can fall out of your pocket or desk without shattering, the phone also features some pretty impressive hardware.
Powered by Android 5.1 Lollipop, the Turbo 2 features a 5.4-inch display at 2560×1440 resolution and a 21-megapixel camera. Quick charging ensures that the phone never runs low on juice; moreover, the 3760mAh battery gets you two days of use. In other words it’s built to be used and somewhat abused.
In a first for the Droid series, buyers can head to the Moto Maker tool to design their own unique version of the phone. There are more than 1,000 combinations of colors and materials to choose from.
Motorola Droid Turbo 2 at Verizon
Customized Droid Turbo 2 at Verizon
LG V10
The newest phone of the bunch, this LG features two displays. Indeed, there is the 5.7-inch quad HD screen which looks gorgeous on its own. However, up at the top you will find a small secondary display which offers quick access to favourite contacts, apps, media player buttons , or an at-a-glance view of your schedule.
But, as if that were not enough, you will also find 64 gigabytes of internal storage with a microSD card that allows for another 200GB of space. The removable 3,000mAh battery is more than enough to get you a day or two of life. The rear offers up a 16-megapixel camera while the front houses a pair of 5-megapixel shooters. One works for close-ups while the other has a wide angle lens for group shots.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/smartphones/lg-v10/
Motorola Droid Maxx 2
Another relative newbie, this Motorola packs a 5.5-inch 1080p HD display, 21-megapixel rear camera, and 16GB internal storage. Toss in the 3630mAh battery with Turbo Charging and you’ve got a device that should never run low on power. Other specifications include Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, microSD expansion card slot for more storage, and a water-repellent coating.
Motorola Droid Maxx 2 at Verizon
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
The fifth generation of Samsung’s plus-sized smartphone experience boasts a gorgeous metal and glass design. The S Pen digital stylus is smarter than ever and works without even powering on the display. Up from previous models, storage options are now 32GB and 64GB. The battery, which comes in at a commendable 3000mAh capacity, allows for fast charging, wireless charging, and even fast wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 at Verizon
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S6
Announced in the spring, it’s hard to beat the annual Samsung flagship smartphone. The 5.1-inch Quad HD screen is a stunner and feels oh-so-right in our hands and the premium design includes glass and metal. It’s the first Galaxy S model we’ve wanted to coddle and protect in a long time. It doesn’t hurt that it runs Android 5.0 Lollipop (with an expected 6.0 update), comes with at least 32GB storage, and has 3GB RAM to boost performance.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
An almost identical sibling to the aforementioned Galaxy Note 5, this one trades out the stylus for the dual curved display. If you don’t need to jot down notes or mark up documents, consider grabbing the more sexy counterpart.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ at Verizon
LG G4
LG continues to impress with a steady stream of flagship models that demand attention. We long ago fell in love with the rear button layout and this year’s version has one of the best camera experiences we’ve ever seen on a smartphone. The specs are top-notch and the screen is a real looker.
Google Nexus 6
Running an untouched version of Android Lollipop, the Nexus 6 is among the first to receive an update to the 6.0 Marshmallow build. The 6-inch screen might be a little bigger than you’re familiar with but the reviews and feedback have been solid. Internal storage is tapped at 32GB with no microSD expansion card slot but it should be enough for those who live in the cloud.
HTC One M9
The lone HTC model here is also one of the oldest flagship models to make this list. Don’t let that concern you, though, it’s still a kick-ass phone with a great build. The 5-inch screen looks great and fits well in the hand while the 20-megapixel camera snaps excellent photos. The microSD card keeps media lovers content with room for up to 200GB of external storage.
Motorola Moto X (2nd Generation)
As an ancestor to the Droid Turbo 2 and Droid Maxx 2, the Moto X (2nd Generation) doesn’t have a ton of Verizon customization. In other words, it’s closer to a stock Android experience than most other phones with only a few added touches. We love what Motorola adds to the user interface: twist to open camera, chop to activate flashlight, and voice actions. Pick yours up in Black, White Bamboo, or Football Leather.
Motorola Moto X (2nd Generation) at Verizon
Motorola Moto X (2nd Generation) at Amazon
The post Top 10 Android phones at Verizon (November 2015) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Revolutionary material could cut smartphone display energy consumption
Smartphone displays are one of the biggest drainers of our precious battery life but a new breakthrough invention being developed by Bodle Technologies could dramatically cut the amount of juice required by future displays in a wide range of gadgets. Rather than an LCD or OLED based displays, this new reflective display makes use of phase changing materials to reproduce vivid colors while consuming very little power.
The idea is based on the technology used in rewritable DVDs and works by using electronic pulses to change the color of the display’s materials. The material itself doesn’t consume any power, only requiring a brief charge to change its state and color, meaning that the energy needed to power a display in a smartphone or wearable could be cut quite substantially.
“You have to charge smartwatches every night, which is slowing adoption. But if you had a smartwatch or smart glass that didn’t need much power, you could recharge it just once a week.” – Dr Peiman Hosseini, founder of Bodle Technologies
Bodle Technologies is said to be in talks with a number of the world’s largest consumer electronics corporations, although none have been named for legal reasons. The company has also secured a “significant” amount of finance from the Oxford Sciences Innovation fund to boost further development.
“This technology is capable of providing vivid colour displays which appear similar to paper, yet with very high resolution. It is also capable of rendering extremely high-resolution videos that can be seen in bright sunlight.” – Dr Hosseini
As well as smartphones and wearables, this innovation is also thought to be useful for the emerging smart glass market, which is estimated to be worth approximately $2 billion by the year 2017. Such technology could be used to block infrared waves to help keep buildings cooler without the need for air-conditioning.
We are still quite a way off from the technology hitting any consumer level products, but it’s another promising innovation that could open up an entire new market for gadgets and beyond.
Xiaomi announces the Mi Pad 2 tablet in China with an Intel Atom processor and all-metal body
Besides unveiling the Redmi Note 3 that sports a massive 4,000mAh battery, Xiaomi also took the wraps off its latest tablet, the Mi Pad 2, powered by a quad-core Intel processor and sporting an all-metal body. Much in the same vein as the Redmi Note 3, the Mi Pad 2 offers a high-spec experience for an affordable price, with the 16GB variant running MIUI 7, and a 64GB version that will be available running either MIUI 7 or Windows 10.
While the Mi Pad 2 looks quite similar to its predecessor, Xiaomi says that it is both 18% slimmer (6.95mm) and 36g lighter than the original Mi Pad. Let’s taker a closer look at the specifications:
- MIUI 7 (or Windows 10 for a 64GB variant)
- 7.9-Inch IPS display with 2048 x 1536 resolution and 326ppi (4:3 aspect ratio)
- Intel X5-Z8500 quad-core processor @ 2.24GHz (64-bit)
- Intel HD graphics
- 2GB LPDDR3 RAM
- 16GB/64GB Internal storage
- 8MP Rear camera with f/2.0 aperture and flash
- 5MP Front camera
- Battery: 6,190mAh
- USB Type-C
- Dimensions: 200 x 133 x 6.95mm
- Weight: 322 grams
- Available in Champagne Gold and Dark Gray
With the 16GB Mi Pad 2 going for just 999 Yuan ($156), that’s an awful lot of tablet for a measly price. The 64GB version is possibly more interesting, though, running either MIUI 7 or Windows 10 for just 1,299 Yuan ($203).
While Xiaomi says it’s a case of either or regarding running MIUI 7 and Windows 10 on the 64GB version, it’s always possible that those boffins over at the XDA forums will figure out a way to dual boot both operating systems on the same device.
The Mi Pad will become available in China later this month while the Windows 10 64GB variant should launch sometime in December. As always with Xiaomi devices, availability outside of China is not a given, so it’s quite likely that you will have to resort to importing a unit in order to get your hands on one. What do you make of Xiaomi’s Mi pad 2?
Source: MIUI
Come comment on this article: Xiaomi announces the Mi Pad 2 tablet in China with an Intel Atom processor and all-metal body
Apple Pay Expected to Launch in China by February 2016
Apple plans to launch Apple Pay in mainland China before the weeklong Spring Festival starting February 8, 2016, also known as the Chinese New Year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The report claims Apple recently reached deals with China’s big four state-run banks to launch Apple Pay, but the iPhone maker could still face regulatory hurdles in the country.
China’s big four state-run commercial banks include the Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China.
Alipay and Tenpay are currently the two largest electronic payment platforms in China, with nearly 64% combined market share, according to the report, citing research firm Analysys.
China’s only interbank network UnionPay holds a monopoly on the country’s credit and debit card processing, effectively blocking MasterCard and Visa. The state-run organization does offer some credit cards affiliated with American Express, MasterCard or Visa for use abroad.
One Chinese developer who has seen the latest beta version of Apple’s mobile-operating system said logos for China’s UnionPay can be found within the package. China UnionPay Co. press officials didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Apple is committed to an international expansion of Apple Pay, having launched the mobile payments service in Australia and Canada last week in partnership with American Express. Apple Pay is also coming to Hong Kong, Singapore and Spain in 2016.
China has also been an oft-rumored candidate for Apple Pay. Apple CEO Tim Cook told Chinese news agency Xinhua in May that Apple “very much want to get Apple Pay in China,” adding that he is “very bullish on Apple Pay in China.”
Apple has registered an entity in the Shanghai free-trade zone to prepare for the launch of Apple Pay in China, the WSJ previously reported. Apple Technology Service (Shanghai) Ltd. was registered on June 10, per the Shanghai government’s company registry.
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Pebble Time Smartwatches Gain Ability to Send iOS Texts on AT&T
Smartwatch maker Pebble last night announced a new feature coming to the Pebble Time, Pebble Time Steel, and Pebble Time Round line of smartwatches that will allow users to send abbreviated text messages to friends and family through iOS (via Engadget). Called “Text Reply for iOS,” the beta feature will mark Pebble as the first non-Apple Watch smartwatch to introduce voice and text replies linked with an iPhone.
If eligible, the company says that the feature will allow users to send voice messages and “pre-defined” text messages to other iPhone users. Currently limited exclusively to AT&T customers, Pebble mentioned that it’s working to expand carrier support for the feature in the future, but gave those who can currently take advantage of the system a detailed step-by-step list of instructions.
To get started with iOS Text Reply, follow these steps:
-Update your Pebble Time iPhone app to version 3.4 or higher.
-After updating the iPhone app, update your Pebble Time’s firmware to version 3.7 or higher. Select Menu » Support » Update Your Pebble if you aren’t prompted automatically.
-From the iOS app, navigate to Menu » Settings » Actionable Notifications to set up Text Replies for the first time.
-Follow the setup instructions.
-After successful setup, notifications received from the Messages app will have the option to reply with voice or a list of pre-defined responses.
-Note: Successfully sent Pebble replies will NOT appear in the iOS Messages app. The reply is sent as an SMS through AT&T directly, and not the Messages app.
There are some limits to its functionality, however. Pebble Time owners who want to get in on iOS messaging — and eventually use the full-featured Text Reply system — must be on a postpaid AT&T data plan. Once activated, the feature sends replies from the Pebble “through your wireless carrier,” meaning that the Pebble user’s side of the conversation won’t appear in Apple’s threaded iOS Messages app. The replies are also sent as SMS messages, not Apple’s traditional iMessage alternative, so some possible carrier charges may be applied.
Check out Pebble’s full Q&A on the new Text Reply for iOS feature to learn about more of its functionalities.
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