Nexus 5X now $60 off: Google Store, Amazon, Best Buy!
Google is in the giving mood! After a brief price break for Black Friday, the Nexus 5X is back on sale, this time for a decidedly longer duration. From now until December 30th, the Google Store has taken $50 off the price tag bringing the 16GB model to $329 and the 32GB model to $379. Amazon and Best Buy are also in on the sale and have reduced their product prices as well!
Another potential present for smartphone shoppers at the Google Store is an extended return window. Purchases made from December 8th through December 25 can be returned through January 22, 2016. This applies to everything however, not just the Nexus 5X.
Notes on the Nexus
The Nexus 5X, made by LG Electronics, is the smaller of this year’s two Nexus smartphones, the other, pricer yet more powerful and potent being the Huawei Nexus 6P. Just as with Black Friday, it is only the LG variant which has received a discount, however those customers who went shopping the day after Thanksgiving ultimately got the better deal as said sale was for $80 off.
In our official review, we concluded that:
There is no doubt that the Nexus 5X is a worthy successor to the Nexus 5, but this device faces far harder competition that anything seen by the Nexus 5. While aspects like the really good fingerprint scanner, a far improved camera, and smooth performance are fantastic to see, it isn’t that difficult to find a worthy alternative either, depending on your needs.
Nexus 5X
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While everyone can appreciate a good deal, we suspect this prolonged price point might have to do with a sales trend favoring the Huawei Nexus, which was sold out upon its release at the Google Store. The Nexus 5X on the other hand, was readily available from day one.
Seeing Overseas
The retail prices of carrier Nexus 5X units in Japan is so expensive they are higher than the 6P hardware.
This sale is not limited exclusively to America however, as it appeared this morning here in Japan where the device – like in other territories – is significantly more expensive than it is in the United States. The return window component is also present, as it is in Google Stores around the world.
In Japan specifically, this is a rather surprising development given that Christmas is not observed here and relegated to a decorative event with a pretext for dating. Google is thus assuming citizens are going to be purchasing presents, though with New Years coming up – a holiday that is a major family event here – the gesture is still applicable.
To buy or not to buy?
Will this price break on the Nexus 5X encourage you to do some smartphone shopping? Is it a better value at the new reduced cost, or would you still preferentially prefer a a Nexus 6P? Leave us your comments below and be sure to let us know!
Adios, mi amor: the Nexus 6 is no longer available from the Google Store
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Honestly, it’s surprising that the Motorola-manufactured Nexus 6 has lasted so long – we thought the Nexus 6’s days were numbered once the Nexus 6P was released but it’s survived a good few weeks even after been discounted. Sadly, though, it’s officially time to say goodbye – if you visit its Google Store page now (which is now only accessible directly via link) you’ll see that the Nexus 6 is no longer available for purchase, which is usually Google-speak for this product has been discontinued.
The Nexus 6 won’t be remembered fondly by everyone – it was the most recent Nexus smartphone to bring premium to the table and its high price and large size was off-putting for many. Those objections have obviously subsided in time for the Nexus 6P, and perhaps we can start to look at the Nexus 6 for what it was – the start of a new trend for Google that has led to more premium products. Of course, the owners of the Nexus 6 will remember it very differently (especially if they’re still using it), and it’s the type of device that you have to use to understand how good it is. Of course, if you do still want to get on the Nexus 6 bandwagon, there’s likely going to be a few floating around at various retailers, but stock is going to be finite from now on, so get on it!
What are your fondest memories of the Nexus 6? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Google Store via Android Police
The post Adios, mi amor: the Nexus 6 is no longer available from the Google Store appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Study finds that ending your texts in a period is usually perceived to be insincere
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Much like speech itself, texting has its own set of rules and etiquette, but one study by Binghamton University has honed in and made some interesting findings about the humble period. While speaking to someone face-to-face, you often get facial cues as to how someone is feeling towards you – that phenomenon doesn’t exist in texting, and Binghamton’s findings have suggested that using punctuation, specifically ending your texts in a period, can give off the perception on insincerity. The following is an excerpt from the study’s abstract:
“Participants read short exchanges in which the response either did or did not include a sentence-final period. When the exchanges appeared as text messages, the responses that ended with a period were rated as less sincere than those that did not end with a period.”
For the record, the study involved only 126 undergraduate students, though arguably they might be the most appropriate population to ask about the nuances of texting. Unusually, when the students in the study examined similar passages in handwritten text, no such bias existed – perhaps there’s a deep-seeded perception that texts are just more emotionally fake; who knows. All the same, I’m going to end this article without a period, just in case
What do you think about the findings of this study? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: ScienceDirect via engadget
Image credit: Garry Knight
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UK customers can use these codes to get discount on Moto 360 (2nd gen)
Those who are caught between different gift ideas this holiday season can now consider Motorola’s Moto 360 (2nd gen) watch, which is now available at 14% discount in the UK. If you use these discount codes at the checkout, you can buy men’s 46 mm Moto 360 at a starting price of £230, while women’s model can be bought for just £180.
You can use code UKXMASM46 to get discount on Moto 360’s 46mm model in men’s collection. Do note that it is the only variant in men’s collection which is available at a discount. Without the code, you will have to shell out £269 to buy this watch. If you want to buy women’s Moto 360 (42mm), use code UKXMASW42 on checkout to get the discount.
If you want to make the most of this opportunity, you must buy your smartwatch before December 11 because that’s when the offer is ending. We are also providing links to the Moto store, which will help you make a decision more easily. And if you want to read about this wearable in detail, read our review on Moto 360.
Source: Moto 360 men’s variant
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European Union lays down first cybersecurity rules
The European Parliament has made headway into the development of cybersecurity rules its member states should follow. Under the first set of regulations it has laid down, critical service companies in all 28 member states will have to make sure they’re using a system robust enough to fend off cyberattacks. By “critical service companies,” we mean those that fall under any of these six categories: energy, transport, banking, financial market, health and water supply. Each member state will have to list businesses that can be identified as critical service companies under a category. Any company that makes the cut will have to be able to quickly report security breaches to authorities.
It’s not just the power and transportation companies that are required to be extra careful, though. Any online marketplace like eBay or Amazon, search engine such as Google or cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive that’s accessible in an EU country will be under pressure to keep their infrastructures secure. They’ll also be required to report major incidents to the Parliament.
In addition, the 28 member states themselves are expected to cooperate with one another and to set up an anti-hacking task force called Computer Security Incidents Response Team (CSIRT). Each country’s CSIRT is in charge of fighting off domestic cyberattacks, though they can coordinate their actions in case of international, cross-border security breaches. That said, all these rules still need approval, so there might be some changes in the final draft.
Via: Ars Technica
Source: European Parliament, BBC
Google’s Pixel C tablet now available in the UK from £399
Google’s Pixel C might not be the tablet to replace your laptop, but it’s still a beautifully put together device with oodles of power. If you’ve had your eye on the convertible after first seeing it a few months ago, know it’s now available through Google’s online store, but it don’t exactly come cheap. The 32GB model is will set you back £399, while the 64GB configuration demands the pricier sum of £479. But you wanted a physical keyboard to go with that, right? Well, be prepared to pay £119 extra for either the regular or folio options. Still, at least the tablet itself is cheaper than our original guesstimations based on US pricing. With the launch of the Pixel C in the UK, Google’s latest product line is now available in its entirety, just in case you’re wondering what to get the gearhead in your life this Christmas.
Via: Geeky Gadgets
Source: Google Store
Google wants you to trick out its OnHub router
With its first two OnHub routers, Google has a simple goal: to make the WiFi network in your home a stronger, simpler and more beautiful experience. Its debut hardware, built in partnership with TP-Link, is an already attractive piece of kit, but now the company is going a step further with customisable shells. From the Google Store you can buy one of three new exteriors, which come in either wood, a split black-grey or split white-gold combination. They look quite classy and support Google’s vision that routers should be kept in plain sight, rather than tucked away behind a dusty bookcase. This, it believes, is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve WiFi strength and reliability in your home.
The three Pinterest-worthy shells, which cost between $29 and $39 in the US, are only part of Google’s new strategy though. The OnHub team is also encouraging people to mod their existing router housings and, if they have access to a 3D printer, to make their own from scratch. To get you inspired, the company recruited a handful of artists, designers and makers to trick out the TP-Link OnHub router in different ways. The result is a colorful bunch incorporating rope, plants, leather and other unusual materials. They’re all displayed on a special “OnHub Makers” site and from there, you can download a blank template to decorate and wrap around your router, or access a 3D file so that you can tinker with the original dimensions.
Google hopes you’ll get creative and share your best work with other OnHub owners online. Whether or not it catches on, it’s a neat attempt at spicing up what has long been a pretty stagnant product category.
Via: Google (Blog Post)
Source: OnHub Makers, Google Store
The 32GB Nexus 6P can be had for €499/£382 from Amazon France or £410 from an EE store
I think it’s safe to say that Huawei’s Nexus 6P has been warmly received by just about everyone, other than those odd videos showing it being bent. If you live in Europe and haven’t managed to get your hands on one yet, then this could be for you. While the 32GB Nexus 6P is £449 from the Google Store, you can save £40 by grabbing one for just £399 plus a £10 Top-up from a bricks and mortar EE store in the UK, unfortunately, the offer isn’t available online.
You can save a little more if you don’t mind waiting for the handset to be delivered. For today only, Amazon (France) is offering the 32GB Nexus 6P in Steel or Black for just €499 plus €5.76 shipping, or around £382 if purchasing from the UK. The currency conversion rate will depend on your specific bank. Some have reported that the final price has been as low as £363 but I have just gone with Amazon’s conversion for simplicity. That’s a saving of almost £70 over buying direct from the UK Google Store. Of course, if something goes wrong with the handset, you will have to send it back to Amazon France. If that’s a worry, there’s the option of buying one from the EE store instead, albeit for a little extra.
Is this the Christmas present you’ve promised yourself? Let us know if you are picking one up in the comments below.
Source: Amazon France
Come comment on this article: The 32GB Nexus 6P can be had for €499/£382 from Amazon France or £410 from an EE store
Rumor: HTC Perfume to be 2016 flagship with Android 6.1 and Sense 8.0
HTC made some major news yesterday when it announced that monthly revenue hit a six-month high last month. What initiated such success? Only the new HTC One A9 smartphone, which features a brand new design language and cleaner, leaner Sense build. Given the misgivings fans and critics had about this year’s flagship-proper, the One M9, all eyes are now on the prospects of 2016 and what may come forth. Today we have a slightly better clue thanks to leaker LlabTooFeR:
Remember reports about next HTC's flagship codename HTC O2? It's dead… HTC Perfume is next flagship. Android 6.1 and Sense 8.0_GP…
— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) December 8, 2015
Provided this information is accurate, the new flagship is now called the HTC Perfume. It is currently unknown as to if this is implied to be the final name of the device, or simply the company’s internal reference. The latter is more likely given the (1) reference to an “HTC O2” int he previous line and (2) the misconceptions that might arise from a device being named “Perfume”.
The O2, for reference, was rumored to include a 6-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM, 64GB or 128GB of on-board storage, and a 3,500mAh battery.
Google and Sense
Perhaps the bigger nugget to glean from this Tweet is Android 6.1, especially as Google has only just released 6.0.1. Will this new decimal increase bring with it a major update to the OS? Will it also be called Marshmallow? Will HTC be the first non-Nexus device to include it, a la its A9? We can only imagine the answers.
The last pertinent point is Sense 8.0_GP. Those who have been following the A9 may be aware that the device uses a more streamlined, “pure-esque” version of Sense that looks and functions more like AOSP Marshmallow than not. The US variant of the phone has also been promised to receive updates within 15 days of every Nexus firmware release. This corresponds to Sense 7.0_g and thus we begin to wonder if he same may hold true of the new version mentioned here.
While purely conjecture at this stage, it is also possible that GP may refer to “Google Play” and thus the idea that the Perfume might be running what looks like pure stock Android save for BlinkFeed or perhaps the Themes store. Even the 7.0_g build on the A9 has visual overtones and elements that still separate it from AOSP; could HTC actually be making a non-Nexus Nexus?
Suffice to say that 2016 may bring some big news for HTC fans. The company has stated the A9 represents a new design language, and thus we eagerly await the future of the company some have referred to as “the Treasure of Taiwan.”
Police target the man identified as ‘Bitcoin creator’
Australian Federal Police raided the home and offices of Craig Steven Wright, the man named in Gizmodo and Wired reports as the possible mind behind Bitcoin. A dozen officials entered a home he was renting and offices registered to him, telling a Reuters reporter they were “clearing house.” They also directed any questions to the Australian Tax Office, which has yet to comment. Wright has had previous run-ins with tax officials, and Wired reported that he may possess Bitcoins “easily worth a nine-figure fortune.” However, the Guardian reports that the raids are unrelated to any possible role that Wright had in creating the crypto-currency.
Reuters spoke with the owner of the home, who said the Wright was renting it but planned to move to England on December 22nd. He added that Wright had a “substantial computer system” that required a three-phase electrical setup for extra power. Several police officers involved in the search wore uniforms identifying them as computer forensics personnel.
BREAKING: Australian police also raiding the offices of reported bitcoin creator Craig Steven Wright aka Satoshi Nakamoto
— Jane Wardell (@TheJaneWardell) December 9, 2015
Wired’s revelations that Wright is the man also known as Satoshi Nakamoto stem in part from a leaked transcript of his meeting with Australian tax officials in February of 2014. Known to be a libertarian, he complained that “I did my best to hide the fact that I’ve been running Bitcoin since 2009.” In another leaked email, he said “I cannot do the Satoshi bit anymore … my pseudonym is more popular than I can ever hope to be.”
However, previous attempts to identify Nakamoto failed dramatically, and both Wired and Gizmodo admit that the documents could be fake. Wired pointed out that several emails were edited after they were sent to insert information implying that Wright developed the crypto-currency. “Either Wright invented bitcoin, or he’s a brilliant hoaxer who very badly wants us to believe he did.”
Source: Reuters
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