Android Authority this week – December 13, 2015
Android fans, this week Android 6.0.1 started rolling out to Nexus devices; alleged CAD renders of the Galaxy S7 leaked out; Marshmallow updates became available for a number of devices; we spotted a credible image of the Xiaomi Mi 5; the Pixel C rolled out to mixed reviews; first rumors about HTC’s next flagship surfaced; and Google released updates to many of its apps.
Inside AA HQ
Across media, December is the time of silly year-end lists and recaps. In the tech blogosphere, December is when we wrap up and look back at the best devices that launched over the past twelve months. We wanted to do something a little different this year, and that’s how we came up with the idea of Best of Android.
Best of Android is where we put the best devices available right now through a series of in-depth comparisons. For this inaugural edition, we picked the Xperia Z5 Premium, Nexus 6P, Moto X Force, LG V10, Galaxy Note 5 and BlackBerry Priv. Through the week, we brought you in-depth looks at which phone is the best in terms of display, audio, performance, battery, and camera. Later today, we will have a close look at the UX, and tomorrow we will wrap the series and announce the overall winner.
We hope that Best of Android 2015 will become a recurring series on Android Authority, even if it was not perfect. The first edition has been a real learning experience, and we already know how to make the 2016 installment better. Feel free to tell us what you think!
Another series that’s concluding this week is our holiday guide collection, where we offer techie gift ideas for all budgets.
- Best tech gifts under $50
- Best tech gifts under $100
- Best tech gifts under $250
- Best tech gifts under $500
What do you think was the best Android phone of the year? Vote in our Reader’s Choice poll and you can win the device that gets the most votes!
We’re giving away 3 Blu Pure XL smartphones! Sign up for our international giveaway!
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
- Feature: What makes a great Android app UI? The devil is in the details!
- Review: Bailey reviews Lenovo’s little Yoga Tab 3 8-inch.
- Rumor roundup: Crazy about the Galaxy S7? All the rumors and reports are here.
- Feature: Invites for the OnePlus 2 are gone, but what’s next for OnePlus?
- Comparison: Is there a new king of affordable handsets? BLU Life One X vs Moto G (2015)
- Review: Lanh reviews the excellent Meizu Pro 5
Top news of the week
Android 6.0.1 has arrived
- Android 6.0.1 arriving on Nexus devices today, includes new emoji
- Android 6.0.1 factory images arrive for Nexus devices
- Android 6.0.1 adds power button camera shortcut and next alarm DND mode
- Google releases Android 6.0.1 factory images and binaries for the Pixel C
Marshmallow updates
- Android 6.0 appears for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in Hungary
- Galaxy Note 4 with Android 6.0 Marshmallow video posted on YouTube
- HTC One M9 and A9 to get Marshmallow updates this month
- Marshmallow heading to the Moto E 2015 after all, but not in the US
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow headed to Moto X Pure Edition on Verizon, Sprint and U.S. Cellular (Update: AT&T too!)
Galaxy S7 hot rumors
- Is this the Samsung Galaxy S7 – First alleged CAD images leak
- Galaxy S7 Plus: Rumored 6-inch phablet CAD video render leaks
Is this the Xiaomi Mi 5?
Pixel C controversy
- Google’s Pixel C now available for $499 from the Google Store
- Pixel C team fields Reddit’s questions, fails to answer the important ones
- Evidence says the Pixel C wasn’t designed to be an Android device
HTC Perfume
Google apps updates
- Google Photos gets shared albums in latest update
- Google Drive update makes searching for files faster and easier
- Google Wallet now lets you send money over text messages
- Google Play Music family plan arriving this week for $14.99 per month
- Google Drive adds actionable notifications for file sharing
- Google Now On Tap update unleashes instant screen sharing
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This electric car took almost a decade to build
We drive the Arcimoto SRK from Mark Frohnmayer’s Oregon-based electric carmaker to see how the eighth-generation concept stacks up against previous prototypes.The last time we checked in with Arcimoto, the Oregon-based electric carmaker was on the fifth version of its “everyday electric” SRK prototype. The year was 2011 and Arcimoto President and Founder Mark Frohnmayer was brimming with ideas to further improve the company’s SRK concept. Now, four years and three generations later, we catch up with Frohnmayer and the team at Arcimoto to see how the company’s eighth-generation SRK improves on its predecessors in every way.
“A few weeks ago we finished our generation-eight prototype,” said Frohnmayer. “It’s certainly a huge leap beyond what we had on the road in 2011 and this is what we’re actually intending to bring to the marketplace late next year.”
By dropping nearly half the weight of previous versions, the eighth-gen SRK improves on range, performance and price, at a target MSRP of $11,900.
“The notion of the SRK was to be a product that anybody could afford,” said Frohnmayer.
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BLU Pure XL International Giveaway! [3 Phones!]
Welcome to the Sunday Giveaway, the place where we giveaway a new Android phone or tablet each and every Sunday!
A big congratulations to last week’s winner of the Nexus 6P International giveaway: Thomas W. (USA). Enjoy your new smartphone!
This week we are giving away THREE brand new BLU Pure XL’s!
BLU’s Pure XL manages to offer features beyond what its price point would suggest, including a fantastic display, smooth and snappy performance, and an excellent camera, all packed in a beautiful, 6 inch form factor. There’s no denying that this device is BLU’s best smartphone offering to date.
Enter Giveaway:
BLU Pure XL International Giveaway! [3 Phones!]
https://js.gleam.io/e.js
More Giveaways:
Winners Gallery
Winners Gallery on Google+
Terms & Conditions
- The giveaway is an international giveaway (Except when we can not ship to your Country.)
- If we can not ship to your country, you will be compensated with an online gift card of equal MSRP value to the prize.
- We are not responsible for lost shipments.
- You must be age of majority in your Country of residence.
- We are not responsible for any duties, import taxes that you may incur.
- Only 1 entry per person, do not enter multiple email addresses. We will verify all winners and if we detect multiple email addresses by the same person you will not be eligible to win.
- We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
- This giveaway is operated by Android Authority.
- The prize will ship when it is available to purchase.
Planning on picking up a Chromecast? Act fast to bag a free $20 Google Play credit voucher
If you’ve been contemplating whether or not to pick up the second-generation Chromecast, Google has a deal that might just make your mind up. Consumers who purchase the thumb-sized HDMI dongle between now and January 2, 2016, will receive a complimentary Google Play voucher worth $20.
After the credit has been applied to the customer’s account, they will be able to purchase applications, games, movies, books, music, TV shows and magazines, which can be all downloaded directly from the Play Store and saved on their Android device for viewing at any time.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Planning on picking up a Chromecast? Act fast to bag a free $20 Google Play credit voucher
HTC One M9 to get Marshmallow for Canadian carrier variants in early 2016
HTC has managed to impress some of the the Android tech-collective in recent months. It’s new One A9 handset has been promised to receive updates within 15 days of deployment on Nexus devices, however said promise is only for unlocked US units. In addition, said handset has also managed to secure some solid sales in its first month of release.
For those rocking the other flagship for 2015 however, the HTC One M9, users may be wondering when their turn will come. HTC’s Mo Versi took to Twitter to talk about Canadian carrier variants:
@maxime_landry Hi Maxime, it's 6.0 version for M9. For M9 in Canada, that will be early next year. Thanks.
— Mo Versi (@moversi) December 11, 2015
The news may come as a bit of a blow to those in the know: Android 6.0.1 released this past week, and plans are already underway for the One A9 to get it. For those in Canada using an M9 carrier variant however, it seems they will need to wait until early next year for the update, and it will only be 6.0 at that.
For reference, Android 6.0.1 brings with it an expanded emoji selection as well as a fix for a glitch dealing with the clock mechanism telling a tall tale about time. Currently the new version is limited to select Android One devices, Nexus devices, and the Pixel C.
For those interested in the HTC One M9, we recommend reading our full featured review here, or check out our video coverage in the selector below.
HTC One M9
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Tor’s new executive director is a digital privacy legend
Tor’s anonymizing internet technology is already vital to whistleblowers, human rights advocates and others who value their digital privacy. It only makes sense that the project team should hire a privacy champion to help lead its efforts, doesn’t it? Sure enough, Tor is doing just that: it’s appointing Electronic Frontier Foundation veteran Shari Steele as its executive director. She led the EFF’s efforts to fund Tor a decade ago, and spurred online security initiatives like HTTPS Everywhere. There’s no doubt that she knows what Tor can do to protect your data, then.
Steele isn’t too specific about where she’s taking Tor next, but her inaugural blog post makes it clear that she’s ambitious. She not only wants a “more sustainable infrastructure” for the project, but to expand its reach among the mainstream — people who may not know the first thing about the “deep web.” If Steele is successful, you may well see Tor in use by less tech-savvy friends who still care about protecting their personal info.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]
Source: Tor Project (1), (2)
Tor’s new executive director is a digital privacy legend
Tor’s anonymizing internet technology is already vital to whistleblowers, human rights advocates and others who value their digital privacy. It only makes sense that the project team should hire a privacy champion to help lead its efforts, doesn’t it? Sure enough, Tor is doing just that: it’s appointing Electronic Frontier Foundation veteran Shari Steele as its executive director. She led the EFF’s efforts to fund Tor a decade ago, and spurred online security initiatives like HTTPS Everywhere. There’s no doubt that she knows what Tor can do to protect your data, then.
Steele isn’t too specific about where she’s taking Tor next, but her inaugural blog post makes it clear that she’s ambitious. She not only wants a “more sustainable infrastructure” for the project, but to expand its reach among the mainstream — people who may not know the first thing about the “deep web.” If Steele is successful, you may well see Tor in use by less tech-savvy friends who still care about protecting their personal info.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]
Source: Tor Project (1), (2)
Honor piercing into the US market with a CES announcement
We are in Shenzhen, China celebrating Honor’s 2-year anniversary, but they couldn’t just break a piñata, eat some cake and call it a day. Instead, we are sitting in a group interview with CEO George Zhao, and he is teasing that the company is piercing into the US market with an announcement to come during CES.
See also: Huawei Honor 7 review
This is great news, as Honor’s entrance to the States has been one long awaited event. But which phones are they bringing to America? Honor did mention they are bringing region-specific devices to the USA, but the initial launch will mostly focus on the company’s international devices. We will be getting all the awesome phones we know and love, such as the Honor 7 and Honor 6 Plus.
Huawei’s sub-brand has been all about changing the image of the company and their products, in order to further influence other areas. After all, most people don’t even know how “Huawei” is pronounced. And Honor phones do seem much less tailored for the Asian tastes, as opposed to most Huawei phones.
See also: Young guns: 10 up and coming phone brands out of China
We really don’t know much else about those upcoming phones, but you can bet we will be all over Honor during CES 2016, next month. Until then, hit the comments and let us know how you feel about Honor phones. Will you be considering buying one?
Reddit for Android beta sign-ups start today, window ends December 18th
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Frequent users of Reddit will know that there is not yet an official Reddit for Android app – not to say that what’s out there isn’t great already, it’s just that having an official app is cool to have, especially when you want to roll out new features. Well, the time for an official Reddit for Android app is almost here, but first the Reddit team is going to have a beta period which is going to let them know if they have something good on their hands. There’s now a live sign-up page where you can register your interest for the app – the sign-up page is going to be live from 11th Dec to the 18th Dec, though Reddit isn’t committing to a solid date for when the actual beta will begin. Here’s some inportant info as per the post on the Android sub-Reddit post:
What you need to know:
- Sign up for the beta will begin on 11 Dec 2015 at 11am PST and end on 18 Dec 2015 at 11am PST.
- You’ll need to sign up using this link. We’ll ask you a few questions regarding your frequency of usage, whether you’ve used Reddit on mobile before, etc. This is so we can make sure we’re including a variety of different types of users in the beta groups.
- We don’t yet have a firm launch date for the beta, but expect it sometime in the next month or two.
- Completion of the sign-up form does not guarantee that you’ll be selected to participate. We’ll only need a few thousand users for this first round, and with over 200M monthly active users, we can’t take everyone! We’ll do our best to give everyone who signs up
Obviously, given that there’s no set date for the beta to begin, it’s even less likely that there’s an actual date for the release of the Reddit for Android app, but at least we’ll hear about the progress this way. What do you think about the Reddit for Android beta? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Reddit, Reddit for Android beta sign-up page via TalkAndroid
The post Reddit for Android beta sign-ups start today, window ends December 18th appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Reggie Fils-Aime talks about Nintendo’s smartphone gaming strategy
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Over the last few months, it’s been made clear that Japanese video game company Nintendo intends on putting its stamp on smartphone gaming, however at times it’s been unclear exactly how they’re going to do that. While Nintendo has mentioned at several points that they would be using Nintendo IP for all five of their planned smartphone games by March 2017, the first of their games features the Nintendo avatar – the humble Mii. While we love Mii’s, they’re not exactly Mario and Luigi, so to make clear exactly why Nintendo hasn’t gone straight to their top money-making IP, President of Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aime recently spoke with TIME about Nintendo’s smartphone gaming strategy.
Unfortunately there’s a simplistic mentality out there, that ‘Make a Mario game for smart devices’ is a recipe for printing money. And it’s not. It just simply is not. It’s that Kyoto craftsmanship mentality that says whatever we’re going to do, it needs to be a wonderful experience for consumers.
In this way, what I would say in terms of our mobile apps is that we will absolutely continue our traditional maxim of developing software that matches the hardware. We have looked at the limitations of software design on mobile platforms, and worked within those parameters. If there’s a 3DS game that requires the full manipulation of joysticks and multiple buttons, that game clearly can’t be exactly replicated on a touch-screen mobile device. Our strategy is not to port games developed for our dedicated systems to smart devices as they are–we have to develop new software experiences that give people the opportunity to interact with Nintendo IP and that matches the play style and control of smart devices.
While that all makes sense, it’s probably not what Nintendo fans were hoping to hear. Having said that, it does seem like Nintendo is committed to its mobile ventures – the only question remaining is whether or not they’ll be any good at it. We’ll have to wait till March 2016 before we get our first taste with their first mobile game, Miitomo.
What do you think about Reggie Fils-Aime’s comments about Nintendo’s smartphone gaming strategy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: TIME via Nintendo Life
The post Reggie Fils-Aime talks about Nintendo’s smartphone gaming strategy appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
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