‘Destiny’ won’t get big add-on packs in its second year
Those reports of Bungie scaling back Destiny‘s add-on plans were apparently well-founded. The studio’s Derek Carroll tells Eurogamer that the game’s Taken King era will focus on events like Sparrow racing, rather than the “giant, monolithic” downloadable content packs that defined Destiny in its first year. Bungie isn’t explaining why, but tipsters had previously claimed that this was necessary to give the team more breathing room as it worked on yearly upgrades.
Either way, you shouldn’t anticipate any expensive content. Carroll suggests that the events you’ve seen so far, which are completely free outside of nice-to-have cosmetic add-ons, are a sign of things to come. That might be a bummer if you were hoping for a huge array of new maps and game mechanics in the months ahead, but you at least won’t find yourself dropping tons of cash just to keep up with devoted players.
Via: Kotaku
Source: Eurogamer
Google has a $499 hybrid in the Pixel C
This holiday season, Google has a new tablet for you to consider. The Pixel C debuted earlier this year at Google I/O, surprising everyone by separating itself from the Nexus line. Google is positioning the Pixel C as a high-end tablet focused on productivity. While it’s not quite a laptop, the Pixel C is like Microsoft’s Surface and the very confused Apple iPad Pro. Utilizing a physical keyboard attachment is vital to get the most out of the Pixel C. Like Microsoft and Apple hope for with their premium tablets, Google says the Pixel C merges portability and productivity.
This is far from any device Google has ever released when it comes to design, though it does resemble the two previous Pixel Chromebooks. The tablet, which comes is only silver, is made of anodized aluminum.
The Pixel C is a beast on the inside while being one of the most attractive tablets ever released. Here’s the rundown on the tablet’s specifications:
- 10.2-inch (2560×1800) display
- NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor; Maxwell GPU
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB or 64GB of internal storage
- 8MP / 2MP cameras
- 34.2Wh battery
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Although the battery is not being measured in milliamp hours, Google is saying the Pixel C should run for around ten hours before needing to be charged. And like the last Pixel and the recent Nexus devices, Google is using a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfers.
The two accessories made specifically for the Pixel are two physical keyboards, both of which cost $149 each. One is a keyboard that also includes a stand for positioning the tablet between 100 and 135 degrees. The other, a folio keyboard, wraps around the Pixel C for instant access. It offers protection in addition to enhanced productivity. The Pixel C attaches to either keyboard by a magnetic connection while communicating through Bluetooth. Unlike the keyboard folio that was made by HTC for the Nexus 9, the Pixel C’s charges automatically when closed with the tablet. Google wanted a silent charging method for the keyboards so that users never have to think about its battery life.
From the Google Store, the Pixel C starts at $499 for 32GB of internal storage. Upping that to 64GB raises the price tag to $599. Keep in mind that no physical keyboard is included, so the Pixel C is at least $648 to get started with in its proper setup. By comparison, the Surface 3 and iPad Pro start at $499 and $799, respectively.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Although this is the busiest time of the year to be shipping things, Google says that ordering today will guarantee that the Pixel C arrives on your doorstep in time for Christmas.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Google has a $499 hybrid in the Pixel C
Google’s new Pixel X is available now at the Play Store
At the most recent Google Nexus release event in San Francisco, we were introduced to the Pixel C and were not given a release date. Well Google just put the Pixel C up for sale starting at $499.00 for the 32Gb model. If you recall the latest tablet from Google runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, comes with a 10.2″ display with 308ppi, is rather svelte at .517kg, is powered by the super powerful NVIDIA Tegra X1 with Maxwell GPU, and has 3GB of RAM. The Pixel C is made from anodized aluminum giving it an ultra durable and premium feel, has stereo speakers and has a USB type C port.
The Pixel C is Google’s take on a tablet with a keyboard and was designed from the ground up alongside its keyboard, so you can switch in an instant between swiping and typing. Plus, the screen adjusts to different angles, so you can work or watch comfortably wherever you want.
The new Pixel C is available now for $499.00 with free shipping. The Play Store has them in stock and will ship them in 1-2 business days.
The post Google’s new Pixel X is available now at the Play Store appeared first on AndroidGuys.
White elephant gift ideas under $25 for tech lovers
That time of gift-giving is quickly approaching. Most of us don’t quite have the cash to gift full-on devices, but that doesn’t mean we can’t give something valuable to those among our friends and family who are tech-oriented. There are plenty of potential gifts under $25 which they would appreciate, so we’ve gathered up a list to assist with your brainstorming this holiday season.
Cases
This one might take a little reconnaissance on your part for who you plan to gift it to, such as what phone they have and if they have more preference for either form or protection. There are a ton of cases out there, so chances are that they’ve overlooked an offering they would really like.
| Slim | Protection | Wallet |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| OBLIQ Metal Note5 case – $13.99 | Spigen Armor Nexus 6P case – $12.99 | Spigen Galaxy S6 wallet case – $21.49 |
We’re seeing more and more phone compatibility for cases with integrated batteries. If that person you’re thinking about could always use more battery life and wouldn’t mind the extra thickness, a battery case could be a smart choice.
Skins and Screen Protectors
If you know that your giftee isn’t into phone cases, that’s not the only option. Skins are gaining popularity, because a quick 10-minute application transforms your device anew and blooms excitement once again. Here are a couple examples dbrand skins on the Nexus 5X and 6P courtesy of our own Derrick Miyao. They start at $10.
Nexus 6P in copper and the Nexus 5X in carbon fiber.
A screen protector can also be a good idea. Shop online for these, you’d be surprised how much they’re marked up in stores like Best Buy. For instance, Skinomi screen protectors run from $7-$10.
Battery Packs
Battery life is often the largest pain-point with phones, hence why external batteries are aplenty on the market. You can really go wrong with giving the gift of extended battery life. I would just suggest to get a feeling if the person is a power user or just needs an extra boost here and there. Battery packs have a wide range of sizes depending on capacity. You may also want to consider one with an attached charging cable – most people prefer to not have to carry around extra supplies.
|
Anker Ultra Compact 10000mAh Power Bank |
EasyAcc Cable 9000mAh Power Bank |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| $21.99 | $21.99 |
Headphones
If someone close to you is a music-lover and uses Apple Earpods as their daily driver, do them a favor and gift them a real pair of headphones. It doesn’t even have to be expensive to beat out Apple’s earbuds. However, first find out what type of headphone they like.
| Over-Ear | On-Ear | In-Ear |
|---|---|---|
Sennheiser HD 202 II |
Sony MDRZX110 ZX |
Sennheiser CX 200 |
| $24.50 | $14.74 | $24.53 |
Also, being that Bluetooth headphones are mainstream now, there are plenty of choices that won’t break the bank. We recently reviewed a set from Coocheer that goes for only $18.99.
Portable Speakers
Bluetooth-connectable speakers are a big thing these days. They can be pretty pricey when you look at well-known brands (Bose, UE, JBL, etc.), but you don’t necessarily need to spend an arm and a leg to get something that sounds decent.
|
SoundBot SB571 Bluetooth Speaker |
VicTsing Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| $21.99 | $17.99 |
Android Collectibles
Everyone Android lover would welcome a collectible. There are tons! Most commonly collected are the mini Android figures
There are also other Android-relevant products available to decorate a space with, such as an Android plush, backpack clip, magnet set, and even a GoGroove speaker.
Play Store Gift Card
Another great gift idea for Android users is a Play Store gift card. The Play Store has all the content we’d want – movies, games, music, apps, and books.
Google provides an easy way to email your friends and family Play Store credit as a gift, which they will be able to redeem instantly.
But wait…there’s more!
- LG Optimus Exceed 2 (Verizon) prepaid phone – $14.99
- TYLT Capio 2 Universal Car Mount – $20.63
- TYLT Dual-port Car Charger – $7.99
- Momoday Bluetooth Headset Beanie Cap – $13.69
- Play Music Subscription gift, 1-month – $9.99
- Netflix Subscription gift card
- Samsung EVO Class 10 MicroSD card, 64GB – $18.98
- POP! Google Cardboard VR kits – $14.90
I hope you found our list helpful. The end of the month is approaching fast, so you better get cracking!
The post White elephant gift ideas under $25 for tech lovers appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Instagram brings ‘3D Touch’-like functionality to Android
When Apple rolled out its latest handsets, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, the company took great pains to highlight a snazzy feature called “3D Touch“. With the help of a pressure sensitive screen, users can more efficiently access the phone’s various menus and options. Turns out, Instagram is working on a very similar feature for its Android app, no pressure sensitive screen required.
Honestly, it’s really just a glorified long-press menu. When looking at another user’s image grid, you can press and hold on a thumbnail to pull up a near full-size preview image. Conversely, drag your finger to the edge of the screen to shrink it back down. Hold and swipe down towards the Share and Like buttons to activate them — all without lifting the finger. This feature is currently in beta but is expected to migrate to the official app within a few update cycles.
Source: Android Police
ZTE’s pressure-sensitive Axon Mini (Premium Edition) now available from AliExpress
ZTE first launched its Axon Mini smartphone back in July, and we got our first official details about the bite-sized smartphone a few months later in October. If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on one, your chance is finally here. AliExpress is now selling the Axon Mini (Premium Edition), and you can save a pretty big chunk of change if you don’t mind waiting a day or two.
The Axon Mini (Premium Edition) is available on AliExpress’ website starting at $389.60, and you can opt to add a screen protector or leather case to your order for only a few bucks more. That’s already a pretty good price for the phone, but in a couple days, you can save even more money. Beginning at midnight Pacific Time on Thursday, December 10th, buyers can pick up the device for only $299 for 24 hours only. Not bad!
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As a refresher, ZTE’s Axon Mini (Premium Edition) comes with a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED 1080p display, an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of on-board storage and microSD expansion up to 128GB. It also has a 13 megapixel rear camera, dual microphones that are supported by an AKM4961 Hi-Fi audio chipset, and three different biometric authentication options – fingerprint, voice control and eye-scan. It runs a skinned version of Android 5.1 Lollipop, too. The headline feature of this device is its pressure-sensitive display, which can be used in preinstalled and third-party applications. There’s also a unique “3D” password security method on this device for added security.
Interested in the Axon Mini (Premium Edition)? Head to the AliExpress link below for more details.
Samsung Pay won’t arrive on the Gear S2 until next year
If you were hoping to pay for a few Christmas presents with your new Samsung Gear S2, you’ll have to wait until next year. After pledging to deliver Samsung Pay to its latest smart watch in November, the company now says the mobile payments won’t arrive on the NFC-equipped wearable until 2016. News of the delay comes from the US Samsung Mobile Twitter account in response to a customer looking for more information.
While no further details were offered, the company says we can expect to hear more info, but it didn’t give a timetable for when that will happen. For Gear S2 owners who splurged for the wearable and it’s ability to handle mobile payments, the delay will certainly be frustrating, especially with no timeframe for the feature’s arrival.
[Image credit: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Source: Samusng Mobile US (Twitter)
Google’s Pixel C now available for $499 from the Google Store
Back in September alongside the new Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, Google unveiled something a little different – an in-house built Android tablet called the Pixel C. Unsurprisingly, the tablet was made by the company’s Pixel team, who are the same folks that made the wonderful Chromebook Pixel. It’s been a little while since we’ve heard anything about the tablet, leaving many consumers wondering when they’ll be able to get their hands on one. But today we have good news – you can now purchase the Pixel C from the Google Store starting at $499.
We know $499 isn’t cheap, especially when it comes to the tablet market. And that premium price point is just for the tablet itself. You’ll need to spend an additional $149 for the fancy magnetic Keyboard or Keyboard Folio (we’d recommend the former). The tablet comes in both 32 and 64GB flavors, with the higher storage option going for $599.
| Google Pixel C | |
|---|---|
| Display | 10.2-inch LTPS LCD display 2560 x 1800, 308ppi 500 nits √2 aspect ratio |
| Processor | NVIDIA Tegra X1 64-bit processor |
| GPU | 256-core Maxwell GPU |
| RAM | 3GB, LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 32/64GB, non-expandable |
| Battery | 34.2 WHr |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO, dual-band (2.4GHz, 5.0 GHz) Bluetooth 4.1 + HS |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers Quad microphones |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Cameras | 8MP rear camera 2MP front camera |
| Ports and connectors | USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio |
| Sensors | Gyroscope Accelerometer Ambient Light Sensor Proximity Sensor Compass Hall Effect Sensor |
| Materials | Anodized Aluminum |
| Size and weight | 242 x 179 x 7mm, 0.517kg |
If you need a refresher, the Pixel C boasts an impressive 10.2-inch LCD display with 2560 x 1800 resolution and a pixel density of 308ppi. It’s powered by a NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor, 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM, a 34.2WHr battery, and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It also comes with an 8MP rear camera, a 2MP front camera, and has a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. We went hands-on with this tablet back in September, so be sure to check out our first impressions post here.
So far this seems to be one heck of a tablet. Will you be picking one up for yourself, or is it too pricey? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Buy now from the Google Store
See also: Best Android tablets (November 2015)
iOS 9.2 gives you more control over Apple Music and iBooks
Apple is clearly hoping to clear its slate before the year is over. On top of that iPhone battery case, it just posted an iOS 9.2 update that brings big improvements to Apple Music and iBooks. For a start, it’s much easier to reconcile your iCloud Music Library with the streaming service — you can see whether or not any song has been downloaded, and quickly download whole albums or playlists. It’s easier to start a new playlist or add a song to a recent list, too. iBooks, meanwhile, supports both 3D Touch (for peeking at pages) and background audiobook listening while you browse books inside the app.
There’s more under the hood. This update USB Camera Adapter support to the iPhone, Mail Drop (from OS X El Capitan) for giant email attachments and Siri support in Arabic. The 9.2 release may also include AT&T’s unified NumberSync calling, although later betas didn’t include it — if you see it, let your fellow readers know in the comments. All told, there’s enough here that you’ll likely want to install the new version tout suite.
Photo by Will Lipman.
Via: MacRumors
Amazon now letting Prime users attach other video streaming services
Remember the livingroom? I remember mine. On cold winter nights, the whole family would gather around the television, and we’d sip hot chocolate and laugh at Budweiser commercials together. Legends say the livingroom is still somewhere in the house collecting dust to this very day, but we don’t go to the livingroom anymore. Now our entertainment comes to us: on our tablets, our laptops, our smartphones. Today, Amazon is bringing its Prime subscribers a bit of TV nostalgia by effectively bringing channels to video streaming.
Amazon has launched their “Streaming Partners” program, a system that unifies streaming video services and lets you switch smoothly between them through your Prime account. Like television channels, but streaming. The goal, it seems, is to get all of your video services together in one place, but upon release, it’s not quite there yet. Major players like HBO GO and Netflix aren’t available, which isn’t really surprising. Instead, Amazon is leaning on smaller services like IndieFlix and Qello. Starz, Showtime, and AMC also got into the action, which is a big plus.
See also: Sprint offering Samsung phone buyers a free year of Amazon Prime
Amazon looks to augment current streaming services in a number of ways. Search functionality that spans all attached subscriptions seems pretty useful, and Amazon’s “X-Ray” integration, which allows users to read about what they’re watching via IMDb in a sort of modern version of Pop-Up Video, will be incorporated into videos even outside the Prime video library. The megastructure of the Streaming Partners Program promises to let users manage payment for all of these services within a single interface, allowing them to cancel or subscribe to any of available services at the drop of a hat.
The full list of services available on launch is as follows, according to Amazon:
Initial launch partners include: SHOWTIME, STARZ, A+E Network (Lifetime Movie Club), AMC (Shudder and SundanceNow Doc Club), Gaia, RLJ Entertainment (Acorn TV, Urban Movie Channel, Acacia TV), DramaFever (DramaFever Instant), Tribeca Short List, Cinedigm (Dove Channel, Docurama, CONtv), Smithsonian (Smithsonian Earth), IndieFlix (IndieFlix Shorts), Curiosity Stream, Qello, FlixFling (Cinefest, Nature Vision, Warriors and Gangsters, Dox, Monsters and Nightmares), BroadbandTV (Hooplakidz Plus), DEFY Media (ScreenJunkies Plus), Gravitas (Film Forum, Daring Docs, Fear Factory), and Ring TV Boxing.
If you’re a Prime member and you want to get the full scoop on what this service can do for you, click the button below to head over to the Streaming Partners Program hub. Let us know in the comments what you think about Amazon’s latest improvement to video streaming.
AIVAnet 