Is BlackBerry already preparing its next Android phone?
BlackBerry might not stop at just one Android phone. Right on the heels of the Priv, BlackBerry is seemingly preparing another Android phone. This one, codenamed Vienna, has an always-present physical keyboard that really resembles any classic device produced by the Waterloo-based company. The Priv is different in that its physical keyboard is only accessible when sliding the display upward.
Wanted BlackBerry to go all-touchscreen? Keep waiting!
CrackBerry is the publication reporting the Vienna’s existence, noting that it “ditches the Priv’s slider in favor of the iconic BlackBerry layout” with a physical keyboard that “looks to be of the same size and design as that of the Priv’s.” But they do caution that it’s hard to be certain about the keyboard’s size. What we can tell for sure from the renders above is that BlackBerry is exploring silver, navy blue, dark green, and burnt orange colors for the Vienna. The Priv is currently offers in black only.
The Vienna, if released, will be tasked with assisting the Priv in getting BlackBerry to reach its goal of selling five million units annually. BlackBerry caved and officially revealed the Priv’s identity after numerous leaks took the honor away. Everyone at BlackBerry is probably hoping this is the first and last time we hear of the Vienna unofficially. Let’s just say they better act quickly and decide whether or not this phone is going to be on the market. Leaks wait for no one.
Source: CrackBerry
Come comment on this article: Is BlackBerry already preparing its next Android phone?
Samsung has a new 64-bit Exynos 8 Octa processor
Samsung has unveiled their new 64-bit Exynos 8 Octa processor. The new chip features a CPU based on 64-bit ARMv8 architecture with an embedded LTE modem as well as a list of other new features.
The Exynos 8 Octa is Samsung’s first application processor to include the company’s initial premium custom CPU cores based on 64-bit ARMv8 architecture providing over 30 percent improvement in performance and 10 percent in power efficiency compared to the Exynos 7 Octa. This chip also supports enhanced heterogeneous multi-processing for efficient usage of the eight cores, four custom and four ARM® Cortex®-A53, to deliver the highest performance and power efficiency in its class.
This new chip is the first Samsung chip to combine the processor and modem onto a single chip. Also, it will support download speeds of up to 600Mbps and upload speeds of up to 150Mbps with carrier aggregation.
Samsung says they plan on mass producing the new Exynos chip in late 2015. It’s basically already late 2015 now, which means we will probably see this chip on next years Samsung phones.
Press Release:
Samsung Unveils the Latest Application Processor, Exynos 8 Octa, Built on 14-Nanometer FinFET Process Technology
First premium chipset with Samsung custom-designed CPU and embedded LTE modem
SEOUL, South Korea—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today announced the newest member of its Exynos family of application processors, the Exynos 8 Octa 8890. This chip is Samsung’s second premium application processor built on 14nm FinFET process technology. Unlike the previous Exynos 7 Octa 7420, the Exynos 8 Octa is an integrated one-chip solution that features the company’s first custom designed CPU based on 64-bit ARMv8 architecture and the latest LTE Rel.12 Cat.12/13 modem. This brings a new level of performance to Samsung’s Exynos processor premium line-up for mobile applications.
“The Exynos 8 Octa is a leading-edge application processor for next-generation mobile devices that incorporates Samsung’s mobile technology leadership in CPU, ISP, and modem as well as process technology,” said Dr. Kyushik Hong, Vice President of System LSI marketing, Samsung Electronics. “With our custom designed CPU cores and the industry’s most advanced LTE modem, consumers using mobile devices with the Exynos 8 Octa will experience a new level of mobile computing.”
The Exynos 8 Octa is Samsung’s first application processor to include the company’s initial premium custom CPU cores based on 64-bit ARMv8 architecture providing over 30 percent improvement in performance and 10 percent in power efficiency compared to the Exynos 7 Octa. This chip also supports enhanced heterogeneous multi-processing for efficient usage of the eight cores, four custom and four ARM® Cortex®-A53, to deliver the highest performance and power efficiency in its class.
The Exynos 8 Octa is Samsung’s first integrated one-chip solution in its premium line-up that combines the application processor and modem. Samsung has delivered one-chip Exynos solutions for mid to high-end smartphones in recent years. The Exynos 8 Octa integrates the most advanced LTE Rel.12 Cat.12/13 modem that enables maximum download speed of up to 600Mbps (Cat.12) and upload speed of up to 150Mbps (Cat.13) with carrier aggregation. With such a high data transfer rate, the Exynos 8 Octa will contribute to delivering an excellent mobile experience, allowing users to enjoy and share high resolution video content on the go with ease. Also the one-chip solution benefits OEMs with a reduced number of parts needed and overall space required for a device, allowing more flexible design options.
For a graphic-intensive user interface, highly immersive 3D gaming and life-like virtual reality experiences, the Exynos 8 Octa employs ARM®’s latest GPU, Mali™-T880.
Samsung plans to begin mass production of the Exynos 8 Octa in late 2015.
For more information about Samsung’s Exynos products, please visit http://www.samsung.com/exynos.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. We employ 319,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, please visit our official website at http://www.samsung.com and our official blog at global.samsungtomorrow.com.
Come comment on this article: Samsung has a new 64-bit Exynos 8 Octa processor
Acer Predator 8 now available for pre-order
Acer’s new tablet targeting gamers, performance enthusiasts, and fans of beveled edges everywhere is now available for pre-order on Newegg.
The Predator 8 is a monster of an Android device with some pretty impressive specs. The Atom x7-Z8700 processor is a 64-bit quad-core CPU chip with Intel’s Gen8 graphics architecture, and all that graphical power is showcased on a gorgeous 8-inch, 1080p display. It’s got 2 gigs of RAM and either 32 or 64GB of internal storage, depending on which version you pick. If you need more, there’s a microSD slot to boot.
The physical architecture of the tablet is pretty interesting as well. The lightweight aluminium is formed into a shape that makes the Predator 8 look like it fell out of a sci-fi action movie, and the four magenta parts are front-facing speakers that offer support for virtual surround sound that Acer calls “Predator Quadio”. The Predator 8 employs a technology Acer refers to as TacSense. It’s basically a more intelligent version of a Rumble Pak that provides vibrations for a more immersive gaming experience.
The cameras are decent, but nothing particularly stunning. This isn’t a device for nature photography, it’s a device for playing the hell out of demanding games. The rear-facing camera rocks a 5 MP sensor, while the front-facing one features a 2 MP resolution.
The Predator 8 runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, and the tablet hopes to be a rival for the Nvidia Shield tablet. The price tag is $299, which is fairly reasonable for a device with this much power under the hood.
Are you going to be picking up a Predator 8? The aesthetic seems to be a bit polarizing with some praising its unique look and others criticizing such flourishes as tacky. In a market that seems to be dominated by a minimalist aesthetic, it’s definitely a distinctive step. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
10 best video streaming apps for Android
Video streaming is quickly becoming a very big deal. That old cable subscription is looking less and less like a good deal and there are now tons of ways to enjoy content online. The revolution will be streamed, not televised. Here is our list of the best video streaming apps for Android. Please note, the availability of these services may be different based on your region. We apologize if we recommend something that’s not available where you are.
See also: 22 best Chromecast apps for Android
Amazon Prime Instant Video
[Price: Free app, $99/yr subscription]
Amazon Prime is probably one of the best deals that you can get on the Internet. For $99 you get free 2-day shipping along with a host of other features. One of them is Amazon Instant Video. Many pundits will tell you that the collection pales in comparison to the likes of Netflix or Hulu, but they generally don’t take into account that Netflix doesn’t offer 2-day shipping on Amazon. You can also purchase TV shows and movies that are available on Amazon but not on Instant Video and then watch them using this app. The installation process is a little wonky and the UI is a bit clunky, but it does work. Please note, the installation methods for smartphones and tablets are different. Use the button below to get the smartphone version. Click here to get the tablet install instructions.
Get it now on Amazon!
Crunchyroll
[Price: Free app, $6.95/month subscription]
Crunchyroll is one of the most popular anime streaming apps out there right now. The service boasts 25,000 episodes and 15,000 hours of content that you can watch. You can actually engage with most of this content completely free but you’ll have to deal with ads. You can then pay up the subscription cost to remove those ads. It has some heavy hitting shows including many fan favorites. The only problem is the service tends to lean towards subtitles so dub fans may to look elsewhere.
Get it now on Google Play!
Disney Movies Anywhere
[Price: Free]
Disney Movies Anywhere is a newer streaming service operated by, you guessed it, Disney. This one is rather interesting. Instead of making you buy anything, Disney lets you buy their movies wherever you want. Once you buy them, you can then have access to them on the streaming service. You can even purchase physical copies although they will need to come with a digital code if you want to use them on this service. It’s a unique way of doing things, especially if you plan to buy a lot of Disney movies.
Get it now on Google Play!
Google Play Movies and TV
[Price: Free]
Google Play Movies & TV is Google’s in-house video streaming app. With this, you can watch any content that you decide to buy from the Google Play Store. Unfortunately, it’s not a service like Netflix but more of a content purchasing system similar to iTunes. Once purchased, you can use this app to watch them on your Android devices. It comes with Material Design, Chromecast support, and it’s most likely already installed on your device. It’s had some problems, but it’s not a terrible experience.
Get it now on Google Play!
HBO NOW
[Price: Free app, $14.99/month subscription]
HBO has not only been a fan of all-caps for a long time, but they’ve also been very forward thinking when it comes to video streaming. This has culminated in HBO NOW, HBO’s very own streaming service. With it, you can access pretty much anything you want on HBO’s network including Silicon Valley, Sex and the City, VICE, The Wire, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, and more. The only potential caveat is that it’s far more expensive than other services despite providing less content.
Get it now on Google Play!
Netflix
[Price: Free app, $9/month subscription]
Netflix is such an iconic streaming service in our culture that “Netflix and chill” is a thing that exists. Absurdities aside, Netflix is a fantastic streaming service and one that virtually all other streaming services are compared to. The service is generally rock solid with support for a ton of devices. You’ll also have a good mixture of movies, TV shows, anime, comedy stand up, and other genres. If you don’t have it, you should definitely consider it.
Get it now on Google Play!
Hulu
[Price: Free app, $7.99-$11.99/month optional subscription]
Hulu and Netflix have been “the big two” in video streaming for quite sometime and that remains true today. Hulu focuses primarily on television shows and has quite a large selection of shows to choose from. Unlike most subscription services, Hulu gets shows relatively quickly for streaming. With this one, you have two streaming subscription options. There’s the $7.99 for limited commercials and a newer, slightly more expensive $11.99 for no commercials at all. You can also opt to pay nothing and watch commercials.
Get it now on Google Play!
Sling TV
[Price: Free app, $19.99/month subscription]
Sling TV is a bold attempt to create a television network that exists entirely online. It’s a move pretty much every cord cutter applauds. The basic package includes about two dozen channels for its admittedly steep $19.99/month charge. You can add additional packages for more money per month that includes Spanish TV, sports, kids stuff, and more. The app needs a bit of work, but the service is solid and it should get better over time.
Get it now on Google Play!
Twitch
[Price: Free]
Twitch is the standard for watching and streaming video games and, overall, one of the better streaming apps on this list. With it, you can follow and watch all of your favorite content creators and maybe one day become inspired enough to become one yourself. There isn’t too much to say about the service because it really is just a bunch of really entertaining people playing video games. You do have the option to subscribe to a channel and watch ad-free in exchange for money, but that varies based on the number of channels you want to subscribe to.
Get it now on Google Play!
YouTube
[Price: Free app, $9.99/month optional subscription]
YouTube has been slowly evolving over the last few years and it’s now a force to be reckoned with. On top of being the world’s most popular “shoot and share” streaming site, it’s also the de facto space for things like music videos, independent news, and a bunch of other fun stuff. There is also YouTube Gaming, a competitor to Twitch, as well as YouTube Kids, which is YouTube but geared for children. You can pick up YouTube Red for $9.99/month which will remove all advertising and add some additional features, including a Google Play Music subscription.
Get it now on Google Play!
Wrap up
If we missed any great video streaming apps for Android, tell us about them in the comments! If you want to stay up to date on the latest Android apps and games news, you can use the form below to sign up for our newsletter!
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iFixit pries open the iPad Pro
As they usually do, the folks at iFixit have welcomed the launch of a new device by grabbing their tools and taking a peek inside. This time the device being examined is Apple’s iPad Pro, the bigger and better addition to its tablet family. The teardown is still ongoing at this time, but they’ve managed to tease out the device’s logic board complete with 64-bit A9X CPU, 4GB of RAM and more. Interestingly, all of those components are now mounted in the center of the tablet, while its four speakers come at the cost of some potential battery space. Any nod on its repairability is yet to come, although the team has surprisingly discovered handy pull-tabs on its battery cells — check out the teardown here for a better look at how super-sized tablet is put together/comes apart.
Source: iFixit
Someone crashed a drone into Seattle’s Great Wheel
Tonight Seattle news stations are reporting that someone hit the Great Wheel ride with a drone (hopefully it’s not one of Amazon’s). There were no injuries or damage to the Ferris Wheel, while the drone apparently crashed onto the patio of a nearby restaurant. According to KIRO 7, the owner of the drone has not been located, something the Department of Transportation probably thinks that its plan for a national drone registry could help solve. On YouTube there are a number of videos from people safely flying drones around the massive ride, but incidents like this show how a few careless owners may ruin the hobby for those that operate their aircraft responsibly.
Source: KIRO 7
In-N-Out Burger sues food delivery service DoorDash
In-N-Out Burger has sued on-demand food delivery service DoorDash due to food handling and safety concerns, according to TMZ. A part of the filing obtained by TechCrunch explains that the food chain isn’t happy that DoorDash is using its trademarks, when it has no control over how its food is handled and how much time passes between the purchase and the delivery. Further, the delivery service’s website is using In-N-Out’s logo without permission, even if the restaurant previously asked for it to be pulled down more than once.
Source: TechCrunch, TMZ
iFixit Teardown Reveals iPad Pro’s Four Speaker Design Eliminates Up to 50% of Potential Battery Space
iFixit is in the process of tearing down the iPad Pro, providing a closer look at how Apple organized the internals of the larger iPad. While the majority of the internal layout is similar to the iPad Air 2, there are some significant differences, including the inclusion of a brand new four-speaker audio setup.
Each corner of the iPad Pro has a speaker driver sitting next to a capped resonance chamber. Each speaker is designed identically, as the iPad Pro shifts the speaker’s function depending on the orientation of the device. The two speakers on top provide higher frequencies while the bottom speakers provide lower frequencies.
Once it removed the speaker drivers, iFixit uncapped the volume chambers, which Apple says gives the iPad Pro’s speakers 61 percent more “back volume” than previous iPads. Underneath the carbon fiber caps are enclosures filled with foam, which are used to amplify the speaker’s sound. However, iFixit notes that the speakers take up space that could have been used to increase battery capacity by 50 percent. Previous iPads, due to the lack of premium speakers, were able to dedicate more space to battery capacity.
One of the first changes the team at iFixit noticed was that the logic board has moved to the center of the device, unlike previous iPads where it was off to the side. Additionally, the logic board’s shielding had to be removed before iFixit was able to remove the logic board itself, unlike previous iPads.
The teardown also found that the iPad Pro uses the DP695 Timing Controller, which may be an iteration of the DP665 LCD timing controller found in the 5K Retina iMac. However, as noted by iFixit, the iPad Pro’s timing controller is likely modified to better use the display’s refresh rate. Also, the teardown experts found that Apple has added adhesive pull tabs under the iPad’s batteries, making them easier to remove.
Finally, iFixit’s teardown offers physical confirmation that the iPad Pro includes 4 GB of RAM, which was confirmed by Apple’s own Xcode tools in mid-September.
iFixit’s teardown is ongoing, and this post will be updated if any other significant discoveries are made.
Update: iFixit has discovered that the iPad Pro has a 10307 mAh battery.
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Razer’s Android TV box quietly leaves Google’s store
You may have thought that Razer’s Forge TV was hot stuff back at CES, but it’s not clear that the buying public felt the same way. Google has quietly stopped selling the Android TV set-top on its official store — swing by its product page and you’ll find that it’s “no longer available for purchase.” It’s not certain that Razer has discontinued the media hub altogether, but things don’t look good when its own store only lets you sign-up for in-stock alerts. We’ve reached out to Razer to get the full scoop on this disappearance.
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Store
Early Galaxy S7 unveiling? Maybe not.
Historically, Samsung has saved its reveal of Galaxy S devices until right before Mobile World Congress. Recently, though, word on the street has been that the Galaxy S7 will arrive a bit earlier than originally expected. According to claims by “industry insiders” as well as speculation on S7 firmware development, many signs point to a January release for Samsung’s next super smartphone. With that said, if today’s rumors prove true, we might not see an early announcement of the S7 after all.
According to a tipster on Twitter, the Galaxy S7’s release isn’t ahead of schedule at all. In fact, we shouldn’t expect to see an official announcement until the day before MWC begins, just like every other year. MWC 2016 will take place in Barcelona on February 22 through February 25, so if this anti-rumor rumor is to be believed, the Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on February 21, 2016.
Related: Contradictory Samsung Galaxy S7 camera rumors surface
The theory that Samsung would be releasing the Galaxy S7 early started circulating in October. Proponents of the idea claimed that Samsung would be using the early release to get ahead of their competition by putting the device out as early as January 2016. By releasing their product early, Samsung wouldn’t run the risk of hype dying down during a longer waiting period between the Note 5’s launch and the next Galaxy S flagship launch. It’s an interesting idea, but those eager to get their hands on an S7 might be a little bit too quick to believe in it.
Nevertheless, evidence continues to mount for the early release. Will they, won’t they? We’ll have to wait for official word from Samsung to know for sure.
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