Giveaway: Win a Tile tracker from Talk Android and T-Mobile!
Now’s the time of the year when you’re busy getting stuff together for friends and family. Participating in Secret Santa? Hosting a party on Christmas Eve? Trying to find gifts for every important person in your life? With so much going on, you’re practically guaranteed to misplace a thing or two. We’re not the only ones who understand. T-Mobile does, too. And that’s why we’ve partnered with T-Mobile to host a special holiday giveaway. Let’s maintain your sanity and prevent even more stress by sending you a Bluetooth tracker. You’ll never lose a thing with a Tile nearby.
Tile is a Bluetooth tracker that monitors where it is and what it’s with. Attach Tile, stick Tile, or place Tile. Due to its small design and handy loop, Tile can be just about anywhere imaginable. When you want to know where your things are, launch the official app and it’ll ring a 90-decibel sound. The same works in the reverse, too, if you are have a Tile in-hand but can’t find your phone. And that app also automatically identifies where your Tile was last.
Aside from releasing serious sound for such a small device, Tile is water-resistant and has year-long battery life. When the battery does reach its end, you could get a new Bluetooth tracker at a discount. Just make sure you’re registered with its reTile program.
Sounds like a useful little thing, right? Then enter our contest so Talk Android and T-Mobile can spread holiday cheer! We’ll be picking two winners to each receive their own Tile Bluetooth tracker.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
Check back here on Monday, December 21, to see if you won! Even if you miss out, the Tile Bluetooth tracking device is available from T-Mobile for $24.
Come comment on this article: Giveaway: Win a Tile tracker from Talk Android and T-Mobile!
Sony extends testing period for Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on Concept for Android
Sony’s equivalent of a soak testing program, Concept for Android, has been receiving positive reviews from the company’s development folks, so it is being extended into 2016. At the same time that Sony revealed they were not shutting down the program this week as originally planned, Sony also released an update for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact to start testing Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on those devices.
With regard to the larger Concept for Android program, which gives a group of up to 10,000 users the ability to test builds of upcoming releases, the developers noted that testing is “going in a good way and think it would be a pity to end it already.” At this time, no official or even projected date to end the program has been suggested. Likewise, Sony has not set a date for the official release of their Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates, though the Concept for Android beta testing would presumably end when that point is reached.
Meanwhile, the new release for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact move the Android version up to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and has been labeled MR1 for Maintenance Release 1. Sources familiar with the release indicate the only unique item they noted as changing has been the removal of an icon pack. The ability to customize the look via an “Icon appearance” setting is still present, but no optional icon packs are present.
sources: XperiaBlog 1, XperiaBlog 2
Come comment on this article: Sony extends testing period for Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on Concept for Android
Samsung Gear S2 with NumberSync now available from AT&T
Users interested in a smartwatch that can handle phone calls and texts all on its own now have the option of buying the Samsung Gear S2 through AT&T. To help make things easier for consumers, AT&T developed their own NumberSync platform for smartwatches and other devices so that calls or texts to a user’s number on their smartphone will also get delivered to other devices, like the Gear S2, meaning users do not need a separate number for their additional devices.
The new NumberSync feature will be available to early adopters of the Gear S2 through a software update, while new users will have the option available upon initial setup. With NumberSync, users can send and receive texts and calls using the Gear S2 using the AT&T wireless network. Users do not need to be connected to their smartphone and the smartphone can even be turned off or not otherwise connected to the AT&T network for calls and texts to still get through to the Gear S2.
The Gear S2 can be purchased from AT&T for $99.99 with a two-year service agreement, either a new $30 minimum Mobile Share plan or $10 to add the device to an existing plan. The device is normally priced at $299.99 with no annual contract.
AT&T indicates they plan to support additional devices using the NumberSync platform and will be making announcements in the future as they expand support.
source: AT&T
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Get ready for the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens
We are literally a handful of HOURS until the release of the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens release. The latest iteration of Star Wars may just be the most anticipated movie release of 2015, especially with all of the perfectly timed trailers. That being said, we are here to show off some awesome products that would help bolster your arsenal as you ready yourself for The Force Awakens.
To show your support and excitement for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, here are some goodies that you may want to check out to show which side of the force you belong to.
Speakers and Other Goodies
Star Wars Special Forces TIE Fighter Bluetooth Speaker – $49.89
- Wirelessly stream audio anywhere up to 30 feet
- Powerful sound performance
- Answer and end calls via speakerphone
- Speaker lights up when in use
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Product Page: Star Wars Special Forces TIE Fighter Bluetooth Speaker
Star Wars Star Destroyer Bluetooth Speaker – $39.99
- Wirelessly stream audio anywhere up to 30 feet
- Powerful sound performance
- Answer and end calls via speakerphone
- Speaker lights up when in use
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Product Page: Star Wars Star Destroyer Bluetooth Speaker
Star Wars Chewbacca Bluetooth Speaker – $23.99
- Steams music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enable device or use aux line-in to play your music
- For all MP3 players, smartphones, tablets and computers
- Size defying sound
- Power and charging LED indicator
- Built-in rechargeable battery
Product Page: Star Wars Chewbacca Bluetooth Speaker
Star Wars Portable Charger – $19.99
- Charge power bank with USB to micro USB cable (included)
- Charges iPhone, iPad and most smartphones
- LED power indicator
Product Page: Star Wars Portable Charger
Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid – $199.95
- Authentic Movement: Guide your BB-8 with a smartphone or tablet
- Listens & Responds: BB-8 recognizes and reacts to your voice
- Holographic Messaging: Record and view virtual holographic videos with BB-8
- Autonomous Behavior: BB-8 has a mind of its own – explore the Star Wars galaxy together
- Adaptive Personality: Your BB-8’s unique attitude and actions evolve as you interact
Product Page: Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid
SMS Audio STREET by 50 First Edition Star Wars On Ear Headphones Boba Fett – $124.00
- Professionally tuned 40mm custom drivers
- Leather memory foam OVAL-FIT cushions
- Star Wars branded owner’s manual
Product Page: SMS Audio STREET by 50 First Edition Star Wars On Ear Headphones Boba Fett
SMS Street by 50 Star Wars 2nd Edition Headphones (Chewbacca) – $98.99
- 40MM Professionally tuned drivers that deliver studio mastered sound
- Oval-Fit leather memory foam cushions let you enjoy your music comfortably all day long
- Quiescent PNC passive noise cancellation seals off the outside world so you can focus on your music
- Ultra Durable Easy Fold Hinges
- Includes Star Wars embossed carry case
Product Page: SMS Street by 50 Star Wars 2nd Edition Headphones (Chewbacca)
Star Wars Rechargeable Mini Speaker – C-3PO – $24.99
- Plays audio from devices equipped with 3.5 mm headphone jack
- 2-color power on charging LED indicator
- Internal rechargeable lithium ion battery
- 2-in-1 USB charging/3.5 mm audio connection cable included
Product Page: Star Wars Rechargeable Mini Speaker – C-3PO
Apps and Games
Official Star Wars App – FREE
- Get instant notifications on big announcements, including trailer releases and movie news
- Theme your app with Light Side, Dark Side, or Droid interfaces, each containing different designs, sounds, and animations
- Immerse yourself in Jakku Spy, a first-of-its-kind serialized Google Cardboard Virtual Reality (VR) feature that ties directly to Star Wars: The Force Awakens..
- Unlock 3D characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens using a special Augmented Reality camera feature
- Take and share a Star Wars “selfie” in various iconic costumes and settings, including Jedi, Princess Leia (with hair buns), Han Solo’s carbon freeze, and more
- Get Star Wars-themed weather and five-day forecasts, featuring original art and parallax effects of in-universe planets and locales
- And more!
Product Page: Official Star Wars App
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes – FREE
- Create Your Ultimate Team – Build powerful light and dark side teams with both Jedi and Sith heroes and other characters from the Star Wars universe. Make strategic choices and pick characters with complimentary abilities to construct squads and engage in RPG combat like never before!
- Collect Iconic Heroes – Collect characters from the original trilogy and prequel films, plus animated TV shows like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels – and more. True to the RPG genre, each new hero has multiple powerful attacks and abilities!
- Train Powerful Champions – Make tactical decisions and equip your characters, from Darth Vader and Boba Fett – to Lando Calrissian and Leia Organa, with powerful gear to enhance their damage. Unlock special leader abilities to buff your team and unleash moves like Darth Sidious’s Force Lightning, Chewbacca’s Wookiee Rage, and more.
- Fight in Legendary Locations – Complete epic missions on Hoth, Bespin, Tatooine, Coruscant, and beyond. Unlock special characters to play through in light and dark side campaigns
Product Page: Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
Odds and Ends
Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) – $89.96
Experience the spectacular adventure of STAR WARS The Complete Saga in a way only Blu-ray™ can deliver. This incredible collection unites all six movies in stunning high definition with the purest digital sound in the galaxy. With more than 40 hours of thrilling special features including three bonus discs, you can journey deep into the Star Wars universe. Feel the Force of STAR WARS The Complete Saga on Blu-ray!
Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentary for Each Movie with George Lucas and Crew
- Audio Commentary for Each Movie from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew
- 45 Deleted/Extended Scenes
- Cast & Crew Interviews
- Props, Maquette and Costume Turnarounds
Product Page: Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI)
Funko Star Wars Darth Vader Computer Monitor Sitter Bobblehead – $31.95
- Approx. 4″ Tall
- Fits Most Monitors
- Sticky Pad Included to Attach Your Computer Sitter
Product Page: Funko Star Wars Darth Vader Computer Monitor Sitter Bobblehead
Hallmark Lucasfilm Star Wars R2D2 Ornament – $23.95
- Christmas tree ornament by Hallmark
- 3D resin figure
- Perfect for Lucas film Star Wars and R2D2 collectors and fans
Product Page: Hallmark Lucasfilm Star Wars R2D2 Ornament
Hallmark LucasFilm Star Wars C3P0 Ornament – $6.56
- Christmas tree ornament by Hallmark
- 3D resin figure
- Perfect for Lucas film Star Wars and C3P0 collectors and fans
Product Page: Hallmark LucasFilm Star Wars C3P0 Ornament
These are just a few of the numerous items available to show your love and support for Star Wars. While the movie has been screened for those in the movie industry, the rest of us still have to wait until at least tomorrow to see what The Force Awakens is all about. Drop us a line in the comments letting us know what episode of the Star Wars saga is your favorite and who your favorite character is.
The post Get ready for the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Enjoy Now Offering Same-Day Delivery and Setup of Apple TV, iPads, and AirPort in NYC and Bay Area
Enjoy today announced the introduction of the Apple TV, iPad, and AirPort to its free delivery and installation product lineup. The online marketplace and delivery service sends an Enjoy Expert to each customer’s house to deliver their ordered product in under four hours and even provide easy setup.
Founded by former Apple retail chief Ron Johnson, the company seeks to make the purchasing of new technology easy and hassle-free for those maybe not as familiar with certain functionalities of products like the new Apple TV.
In terms of Apple merchandise, the company now sells the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, AirPort, and fourth-generation Apple TV. Enjoy noted that the setup process of the Apple TV includes:
Hand delivery and unboxing: We’ll will plug it in and connect to your wifi. We’ll even bring an extra HDMI cable (just in case).
Connect all your devices: We’ll get all of your accounts and Apple devices talking to each other. You can now think of the TV as the hub for all of your family entertainment.
Meet the new Siri remote: We’ll introduce you to the new Touch Surface remote and walk you through all of the gestures and voice commands. We know that you and Siri will get along just fine.
Explore the App Store: Apps are the future of TV. We’ll set you up with the ones you love, and introduce you to some great new ones.
Once a user orders something off of Enjoy’s online store, they can receive the delivery in “as fast as four hours,” with up to an hour of personalized installation and instruction on how the product works courtesy of an Enjoy Expert. Shipping and home support are all free, but the Enjoy service is currently only available in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Enjoy also allows customers to purchase a hand-delivered iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus to their home in a partnership with AT&T. Other than the newly-introduced Apple products, the company offers at-home delivery and tutorials on products like the DJI Phantom 3 drone, Xbox One, and even fitness devices like the Specialized Turbo bicycle.
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Twelve South Launches Rose Gold HiRise Deluxe to Match Rose Gold iPhone 6s
Twelve South today expanded its HiRise lineup, launching a new stand designed to match the rose gold iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. Twelve South’s HiRise Deluxe stands for iPhone and iPad are some of its most popular products, and with the addition of the rose gold color, there’s a finish to match every iOS device.
“There is something special about the new Rose Gold iPhone. It has captured the imagination of millions of people who want anything but basic black or standard silver when it comes to the iPhone they use everyday.” said Andrew Green of Twelve South. “HiRise Deluxe is already the most functional and flexible stand available, but with a version that now perfectly matches the hue of our customers’ Rose Gold iPhones, their experience will be complete.”
For those unfamiliar with the HiRise Deluxe, it’s an angled aluminum pedestal that’s designed to function as a stand for FaceTime sessions, video watching, and more, all while keeping an iPhone charged with a Lightning cable. The HiRise Deluxe ships with Lightning and micro-USB cables, and it’s adjustable, so it’s able to accommodate most iPhone cases.
According to Twelve South, when not in use charging an iPhone, the HiRise can also be used to charge the Siri Remote for the Apple TV, the Apple Pencil, the Magic Mouse, the SteelSeries Nimbus controller, and other Apple accessories that charge via Lightning.
The new HiRise Deluxe in Rose Gold is available from the Twelve South website for $59.99 starting today. It’s also available in Silver, Black, and Gold.
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Rdio bids farewell with a look at your favorite songs
Rdio has one last treat for you before it rides into the sunset following Pandora’s acquisition. Visit a special farewell site and you not only have a handy place to export your data, but a retrospective look at your listening habits. You’ll know what you first played, what your favorites were, and who you shared tracks with. It’s hard not to get a little misty — in some ways, this is like digging up a mix CD you made in high school. Still, it’s good to see Rdio acknowledging that you’re losing a part of your history, not just some playlists.
Source: Rdio
Microsoft owns up to issues with the Surface Book and Pro 4
When reviews of the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 hit, it seemed like Microsoft would be riding a wave of positive publicity into the holiday season. We liked both devices, and while the Surface Book wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, most reviews were also fairly positive. But things changed once they actually reached consumers. Some early buyers reported a variety of issues, including screen flickering, system instability and power problems. Those concerns prompted Microsoft to release several firmware and software updates within weeks (on top of a launch day fix), which helped with some issues. But they came too late to erase the idea that something was up with Microsoft’s new hardware.
And one big issue remains for Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 owners: erratic power management. Some users are reporting that the devices simply don’t go to sleep properly when you close their lids or put them into standby. Instead, they continue to drain power, which could be a nasty surprise if you don’t bring your charger along. That’s a particularly surprising issue for flagship devices in 2015 — it’s something that’s mostly been fixed by laptop makers over the past decade. Making things even worse, a Surface engineering manager noted earlier this month that the issue might not be fixed until 2016.
“We are focused on delivering a great experience to every Surface customer,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Engadget. “We know a small set of Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 customers are experiencing issues and addressing that is a top priority for us. We have dedicated engineering teams working to get updates and fixes out as quickly as possible and we will continue to use our Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 support forums to share new information directly with our customers as it becomes available.”
Microsoft also issued a brief apology last Friday for the “less than perfect” Surface experience, which basically urged users to keep updating their devices. There was no mention of the ongoing power issues.
It’s not unusual for brand new hardware to exhibit some growing pains, particularly unique devices like the Surface Book. But in those situations, being completely transparent with customers is usually the best response. It’s been nearly two months since the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 have been released, so it’s also surprising that they’re still exhibiting debilitating power issues.
Microsoft reps tell us that they typically don’t offer up timing expectations when it comes to fixes, as the Surface engineering manager (identified only as “Joe”) did. Every update requires extensive testing to make sure they don’t cause new issues, so it’s not simply a matter of writing up a fix and deploying it. Still, at least “Joe” actually said something about the power issues. Microsoft has yet to acknowledge it otherwise.
It’s not as if Microsoft is ignoring the Surface issues, though. It’s constantly tracking all of the issues being reported; some just take longer to fix than others, reps say. The company has also sped up the timing of Windows Updates so they can be deployed as soon as they’re ready, rather than just a few times a month.
Mostly, it seems that most of the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 issues caught Microsoft by surprise. While the devices went through plenty of internal testing, most of the problems only became apparent when they reached consumers. That may be a sign that Microsoft should open up its testing process a bit to a wider audience, before releasing new hardware. The company doesn’t have plans to do that yet, reps say, but that’ll ultimately be up to its engineers.
So where do things stand now? Microsoft is updating its Surface devices with all of the currently available fixes at the factory. If you’ve already got one, be sure to install all of the updates that get released. The company isn’t offering any special customer support path for Surface issues, but I hear the replacement process is fairly painless if you’re near a Microsoft store. Otherwise, contact Microsoft support and hope for the best. In some cases, they can send you a replacement before receiving your faulty device.
It’s always tough to judge just how extensive product issues are based on forum complaints. Consumers having a negative experience with new products are generally louder than the rest. But when those issues are being reported consistently, it’s worth noting. We’ve also seen a major issue with our pre-production: One Surface Book crashed after running a 3D benchmark and refused to boot. We initially chalked that up to just being early hardware, but some users are reporting similar booting issues.
One Surface Book owner I know — who was particularly eager to get one — had to replace their device three times at a Microsoft store. After getting tired of the issues, he just got a Dell XPS 13 instead.
LinkedIn’s revamped job listings are all about you
LinkedIn is revamping its job listings pages with new sections geared towards giving you more information on whether a position is right for you. Rather than simply listing a job description and similar postings, the new pages are personalized based on your LinkedIn profile.
The first change you’ll notice is a prominent graphic showing you which employee created the listing and offering you the opportunity to send them an InMail (LinkedIn’s name for a private message). Below the job description there’s a module that highlights where recent hires have come from (i.e. which college they graduated from or companies they used to work for), and invites you to check out their profiles. There’s also a “connections” section, which, as you’d guess, shows you employees at the company you have connected with through LinkedIn.
LinkedIn’s new “meet the team” panel
Further down still is a “meet the team” panel that lets you explore a company’s current employees, check our their skills, their alma maters, and previous work experience. As with all the changes, the idea here is that, if a job is right for you, you’ll find commonalities between a company’s hiring practices, its employees’ skill sets, and you. It also seems to encourage you to reach out to people at a company before you apply, perhaps to ask what it’s like to work there, or to put in action the tried-and-tested “put in a good word for me” tactic.
The changes are rolling out today to approximately 10 percent of LinkedIn users. That covers the US, Canada, UK, Australia and India, and will slowly ramp up as the site expands the redesign internationally next year.
[Image credit: shutterstock]
Source: LinkedIn
Xiaomi Mi5 gets mistakenly listed on Oppomart for $599, reveals full spec sheet
Xiaomi’s upcoming Mi5 handset is set to make its debut on January 21st, however the device was just listed on Oppomart revealing all its hardware specifications.
Based on the listing, the Xiaomi Mi5 will include a 5.5-inch QuadHD display and will run Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 820 64-bit octa-core processor which will be clocked at 2.5GHz. Other specs include 4GB of DDR4 RAM, a 20MP rear-facing camera, an 8MP front-facing camera, a 3,800mAh battery, and up to a whopping 128GB of internal storage. It will also contain global 4G LTE-FDD bands. This sounds like a pretty specked-out phone if you ask me. Pricing on Oppomart begins at $599, and reads “out of stock,” considering the phone is yet to launch.
Anyone interested?
Source: Oppomart
Come comment on this article: Xiaomi Mi5 gets mistakenly listed on Oppomart for $599, reveals full spec sheet
AIVAnet 