Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge Marshmallow update brings with it new Edge-specific features
Samsung announced today Android Marshmallow updates for the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, and also revealed that more Galaxy-branded devices will be getting it soon after.
As per the norm, Marshmallow brings a lot of cool new features, such as Doze for better battery saving, Google Now On Tap, App Permissions, and much more. However, with this update also comes a lot of improvements to the Galaxy S6 Edge’s Edge screen. The Edge screen has been pretty limited as to what it can do, but it’s getting a pretty big overhaul.
Here’s the official word from Samsung:
“Samsung has taken the unique user interface of the beautifully curved edge screen to the next level, making it faster and more convenient than ever to perform daily tasks and get the information you need, all with a simple swipe and tap.”
As part of this update, Samsung is giving users the option to widen the Edge panel to a whopping 550 pixels, allowing better and more rich content to be displayed (seen above).
In addition to this, Samsung has made some improvements to its quick access and edge panels, allowing users to be able to fully customize up to nine panels, most notably People Edge and Apps Edge. In the case of Apps Edge, users can now add up to ten apps instead of five. They’ll even be able to organize them in folders, allowing the user to maximize the amount of space they get in Apps Edge.
This update also brings a new Tasks edge panel. This panel will provide a shortcut to the features of your most commonly used applications. For instance, it will allow you to quickly compose a text or set an alarm. There’s also a new Quick Tools option (seen above) that has a bunch of handy utilities built-in, such as a ruler, flashlight, and more.
While all of these features are very nice additions, what users will particularly enjoy is the ability to customize where the “fixed tab” is to open the Edge panel. It’s placement can now be adjusted, as well as the size and transparency. This can be found in the Settings menu.
For those interested, you can find out all of the specific details at the source link below.
Samsung mentioned that these features would be coming initially to the Galaxy S6 Edge. There was no mention of the GS6 Edge+, though it’s likely that a similar update isn’t too far out.
If you haven’t gotten the update, be sure to head into Settings > About Phone to check for it manually.
What do you think of Samsung’s new Edge features? Sound off in the comments below!
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AT&T will give you up to a $650 credit to switch to its network
AT&T announced today a new promotion for helping new customers switch over to AT&T and also announced a new Buy One Get One deal.
The offer is similar to that of other carriers: AT&T will give you up to $650 in credit to switch over to its network, though like everyone else, it requires you to foot a hefty amount of money upfront first.
To take advantage of AT&T’s offer, all you have to do is purchase a qualifying smartphone on an AT&T Next plan and port your number over from Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile. Next, you’ll trade-in your old smartphone in-store or online and get a store credit or AT&T Promotion Card in the amount of your smartphone’s trade-in value. Next, you submit the final statement (bill) from your current carrier online, and then AT&T will send you a Visa card in the amount of the Early Termination Fee or the balance of your device on your final bill, minus the trade-in value of your smartphone.
AT&T is offering the same offer to its Direct TV customers, only they’ll get to sign-up for AT&T’s new Unlimited data package.
The carrier is also offering a Buy One Get One promotion to both new and existing customers, an obvious move of trying to get people to sign-up on its Next program. It’s similar to the Samsung BOGO promotion the carrier is currently offering, but offers a lot more variety in choosing a device.
To take advantage of the BOGO, both smartphones must be purchased on AT&T Next, and the second smartphone must be a new line and purchased specifically on AT&T Next 24 (the 24-month lease). Both smartphones must also be added to a qualifying data plan. Then, after three bill cycles (or less) AT&T will start to sprinkle that $650 credit throughout the 24-month lease of that new line.
These are definitely some nice promotions for those that are already looking at switching over to AT&T’s network. but it’s largely a move to get people signed up on its device leasing program, AT&T Next. While AT&T is offering that $650 credit, there are a bunch of other hidden fees thrown in the mix that aren’t seen on the surface.
Anyone plan on taking advantage of either of these promotions anytime soon?
source AT&T
Come comment on this article: AT&T will give you up to a $650 credit to switch to its network
LG confirms new X Cam and X Screen, will showcase the duo at MWC 2016
For those of you who fell in love at first sight with LG’s new tinker display, you’ll no longer need to break the bank to get it. We’re now a week away from MWC 2016, and LG just confirmed a new ‘X-series’ of mid-range smartphones.
The first two members of LG’s new ‘X-series,’ are the X Cam and the X Screen. Each is aimed at bringing the best experience possible in one area. For the X Cam, you guessed it, the major area of focus is the camera.
The X Cam hosts a 5.2-inch Full HD screen and is powered by an octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM. However, the underlying feature of the handset is its camera. LG is proclaiming that this handset features the most advanced camera experience on a smartphone. On the rear side is a dual lens, including both 13MP and 5MP lenses. The front sports an 8MP shooter for selfies and video chats. 16GB of memory is onboard with Android 6.0 running the house.
The X Screen takes a different approach and focuses on display tech. Here you’re getting a slightly smaller 4.93-inch display with a 720p resolution. However, the handset includes LG’s new signature tinker display that debuted on the V10. It also has a 13MP rear-facing camera and an 8MP front-facing camera. The only major difference is the processor, which will be quad-core SoC, not an octa-core. The storage, RAM and software version are the same as the X Cam.
Both the X Cam and X Screen are said to arrive in several countries next month beginning in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. LG plans to showcase the duo at MWC 2016. Let’s hope this doesn’t mean they’re holding off with the G5.
LG TO DEBUT “SPECIALIST” X SERIES SMARTPHONES AT MWC 2016
X cam and X screen Offer Key Premium Features Without the Premium Price
SEOUL, Feb. 15, 2016 ― Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, LG Electronics (LG) will bring to Mobile World Congress 2016 a new series of smartphones developed to offer customers a unique user experience by offering one exceptional feature at a price that rivals mid-range smartphones. The first two models in the X series ― X cam and X screen ― will debut at MWC in Barcelona on February 22. The X cam and X screen are designed for customers who do not want or need all the bells and whistles that come with today’s high-end phones but still desire a great camera or advanced display.
The X cam sports dual cameras on the rear and delivers one of the most advanced camera experience in a mass-tier smartphone. Thanks to LG’s seamless 3D Bending Glass, the X cam features an elegant curved finish on the front and with a profile of only 5.2mm, the device is extremely comfortable to hold in the hand. And unlike other boxy and heavier mid-range phones, the X cam tips the scale at only 118g.
The other model, appropriately named X screen, is equipped with an “Always-on” Second Screen which until now has only been available on LG’s premium V10. The Second Screen sits above the main 4.93-inch HD In-cell Touch display and makes multi-tasking a cinch on the X screen. With the 1.76 inch Second Screen, users can easily access frequently used apps, answer calls without interrupting the current activity or just play music. The Second Screen also lets users check time, date, battery status and other notifications without ever having to turn on the phone. What’s more, the X screen offers a stylish, sleek look with its crystal-clear glass fiber exterior and clean lines.
“Everyone has a favorite smartphone feature,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “At LG, we think there’s room for devices that do one thing very well and that customers shouldn’t have to pay for features that they don’t want. At the end of the day, we’re committed to offering consumers more choices.”
LG’s X series will debut in key markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America starting next month. Visitors to MWC can see the new X series for themselves at LG’s booth in Hall 3 of Fira Gran Via from February 22-25.
X cam Key Specifications: *
- Display: 5.2-inch FHD In-cell Touch
- Chipset: 1.14GHz Octa-Core
- Camera: Rear 13MP and 5MP / Front 8MP
- Memory: 2GB RAM / 16GB ROM
- Battery: 2,520mAh
- Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Size: 147.5 x 73.6 x 5.2mm~6.9mm
- Network: LTE
- Colors: Titan Silver / White / Gold / Pink Gold
X screen Key Specifications: *
- Display: Main) 4.93-inch HD In-cell Touch
- Secondary) 1.76-inch LCD (520 x 80)
- Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core
- Camera: Rear 13MP / Front 8MP
- Memory: 2GB RAM / 16GB ROM
- Battery: 2,300mAh
- Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Size: 142.6 x 71.8 x 7.1mm
- Network: LTE
- Colors: Black / White / Pink Gold
- Specifications/Features may vary depending on the market.
Come comment on this article: LG confirms new X Cam and X Screen, will showcase the duo at MWC 2016
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shows up online dressed in black
Samsung’s new set of Galaxy S7 devices have been heavily rumored for a long time now. The latest of these leaks is a black variant of the rumored Galaxy S7 Edge, and we’re seeing photos of it, thanks to the Chinese micro-blogging website Weibo.
Samsung recently announced that it would be holding an Unpacked event on February 21 in Barcelona where it will announce its next flagship. We’re expecting hear official confirmation on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, but in the meantime, we’re seeing some sweet looking photos of the latter device ahead of time.
The Korean tech-giant last year didn’t offer the Galaxy S6 or GS6 Edge in black, instead offering a dark blue color. However, if these photos turn out to be legit, we could see both the Galaxy S7 and GS7 Edge offered in true black, though the color will be probably more aptly named.
The quality of the photos isn’t great. With that in mind, it’s quite difficult to tell, but it definitely looks like a Galaxy S7 Edge dressed in black. There isn’t much else to say. After all, we’ve learned almost everything there is to know about Samsung’s new flagship, thanks to the bevy of rumors being posted online.
Pre-orders for both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are rumored to go live on the day of the announcement, Febraury 21.
Are you looking forward to the new Galaxy S7? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shows up online dressed in black
Build your coding skills with the Hot Java Android Coding Bundle
We know how it is. You have an idea for an app, but you don’t know how to code and develop. And it costs too much to put your idea into the hands of others. Well today’s deal from AndroidGuys aims to help you out.
The Hot Java Android Coding Bundle is a bundle of five different courses for you to learn how to code any app or game that you have. The first course goes over the basics of Android Lollipop and Marshmallow development. From there, you move into Java Development, and really start getting your feet wet.
Next up in this bundle of Android courses, is Play Framework Development with Java. This will teach you how to set up Java Web Apps, and give you a more in-depth look into Java. The final course will teach you how to re-skin applications for the Play Store. Think about re-making a game like Galaga or Flappy Birds, that’s where this final course will come into play.
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iPhone 7 Chip Manufacturer Counts Cost of Earthquake Damage
The sole company responsible for manufacturing the processor in Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus has reduced its shipping estimates after its facilities were damaged in an earthquake (via DigiTimes).
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) suffered the damage to its plants on February 6 when a 6.4-magnitude quake struck the southern part of the country.
Initially, TSMC reported that the damage incurred would reduce the amount of chips it could ship by less than 1 percent. However, this morning the company revised that estimate and said shipment numbers could be affected over the 1 percent mark, but stopped short of giving a specific number.
Mockup of iPhone 7 case showing flush rear camera and no antenna bands across rear
Despite the earthquake, TSMC stated it is confident of hitting target revenues of $5.9-6.0 billion in the first quarter of 2016. Whether the damage will affect production of the iPhone 7 chip, which is expected to begin in June, remains unclear.
TSMC reached a deal with Apple only last week to become the sole manufacturer for the iPhone 7’s processor, partly thanks to its 10-nanometer manufacturing process. Apple used both Samsung and TSMC to manufacture the chips for the iPhone 6s, perhaps in a bid to lower risks, but the arrangement caused some controversy after benchmarks indicated performance variances between the companies’ processors.
The processor in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is likely called the A10. Both devices are expected to debut in September. Leaks of the phones’ design suggest that it may have a flush rear camera and a lack of antenna bands on its back. Other rumors indicate that the 7 Plus may feature a dual-lens camera system and that it may be waterproof and not have a headphone jack.
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An Australian carrier’s ‘free data’ day was totally abused
Mobile carriers rarely give anything away for free, so when Australian provider Telstra offered customers unlimited downloads for a whole day, they more than filled their pockets. To atone for a network outage last Tuesday, the operator turned its apology into a marketing stunt with the launch of “Free Mobile Data Sunday.” There were no restrictions on what could be posted, browsed, shared and streamed, allowing Telstra customers to gobble up a record 1,841 terabytes of data in 24 hours.
In a statement, Telstra says it counted more than double the traffic it would normally see on a Sunday, which equates to around 5.1 million episodes of Game of Thrones or 23 million downloads of Kanye’s latest The Life of Pablo album. It wasn’t all sunshine and downloads, however, as the volume of traffic reduced speeds in some parts of Australia.
People like Reddit user DrRodneyMckay will have likely played a part in that. Telstra’s 4G plans typically offer up to 8 gigabytes of data a month but on Valentine’s Day, this customer gobbled more than 421 gigabytes.
Freed from a 1.5 Mbps ADSL broadband connection, DrRodneyMckay claims to have downloaded all 25 seasons of How It’s Made, numerous other TV shows and backed up his entire Stream library (all 172 games) to offline storage via his tethered LG G4 (which peaked at 168 Mbps). Not bad for a day’s work.
Via: Mashable
Samsung-backed smart shoes will be your personal trainer
If you’re still wearing plain old sneakers, Samsung wants to put a stop to that. The company is about to launch a new brand of smart athletic shoes called IoFIT from its in-house startup, Salted Venture. The shoe comes with numerous pressure sensors that measure your posture, balance and weight distribution. An app then crunches the data to help you improve your athletic performance in sports like weightlifting, golf and running. “There’s so much valuable information coming from our feet, and it’s being wasted,” says Salted Venture CEO Jacob Cho.
Samsung launched Salted Venture and two other in-house companies from C-Labs, a program that helps employees develop their ideas into new businesses. The IoFIT team said they based their idea on force plates, equipment used by fitness, rehab and golf facilities to measure athletic performance. The company isn’t the first to come up with the idea, as Xiaomi is reportedly working on a similar concept.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/155284782?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0
However, the company is focused on the coaching possibilities of the shoe, not just athletic tracking. By filming a workout, you can compare video with an overlay of the shoe data, showing if your weight is too much to one side during squats, for instance. That can help athletes monitor their own performance or let their coaches do it remotely.
Samsung’s startup hasn’t said when it’s launching the shoe or how much it will cost. However, it’s planning on demonstrating the tech at Mobile World Conference (MWC) in Barcelona next week and will be speaking to other shoe companies who may be interested. It said it also stressed style with the IoFIT and wants users “to feel proud when they wear our shoes in public,” according to a marketing rep. We’ll be there next week to give a look, of course, and we’re sure Samsung will get all the feedback it needs.
Via: TNW
Source: Samsung
‘Gears of War’ creator was asked to work on ‘Silent Hills’
The legend of Silent Hills continues. The cancelled survival horror game, spearheaded by Hideo Kojima and film director Guillermo del Toro, could have had Cliff Bleszinski on its all-star development team. The game creator, best known for his work on the Gears of War franchise, revealed on Twitter that Kojima once approached him about working on “a new Silent Hill” in Los Angeles. “I was flattered but declined,” he added.
Although the exact title wasn’t specified, it’s safe to assume this “new” instalment is a reference to Silent Hills. In a follow-up tweet, Bleszinski — now working on LawBreakers with his own studio Boss Key Productions — said he turned Kojima down because he doesn’t like Los Angeles and loves to work on new properties. Oh, and he also mentioned that, in his opinion, any involvement “woulda fucked up SH (Silent Hills).” Fair enough.
Silent Hills has already earned its place in the video game history books. A collaboration between Kojima and Del Toro was fascinating enough, but it was the playable teaser-demo released in August 2014 called P.T. that took the hype to another level. The exploration of a looping corridor inside a haunted house was praised by press and fans alike. It was eventually taken down from the PlayStation Network, most likely due to the Kojima-Konami split, and now carries a somewhat revered and mythical status of its own. Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl in The Walking Dead, was also slated to be a main character, only adding to the project’s pedigree.
That’s all in the past, however. The Silent Hill franchise is owned by Konami, so any chance of a sequel was lost when Kojima left to form his own studio. Regardless, Bleszinski wouldn’t have been involved, but it’s intriguing to hear about the people Kojima was trying to headhunt. Now, we can but dream about what Silent Hills could have been.
Source: Cliff Bleszinski (Twitter)
Marshmallow heading to the Honor 7 within the next two weeks
Honor 7 owners in some countries have been able to beta test the company’s upcoming Android 6.0 Marshmallow software for a month or so now. Today, the company has announced that every Honor 7 owner will soon be able to enjoy the latest Android OS as well.
According to the Honor EU Twitter account, those currently participating in the beta program will receive a final version over-the-air any time soon. Although these updates will be rolling out in stages, so there may be a slight delay. Now that the OS is tested and ready to go, all other customers should see an OTA update hopefully begin rolling out sometime within the next two weeks. So keep your eyes peeled for that little notification.
After Beta testers, all other user will get the final version of Android 6 via OTA. We assume it will be within the next 2 weeks. #honor
— HonorEU (@HonorEU) February 15, 2016
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If you have been participating in the beta program, what do you think about Honor’s take on Android 6.0 Marshmallow?
AIVAnet 