Win this HTC 10 from Android Central!
We had so much fun with our last giveaway, we decided to do it again! The HTC 10 is unquestionably HTC’s best phone ever. It’s also a great Android phone in its own right, with an attractive metal unibody, top-notch audio credentials, fast and uncluttered software, speedy fingerprint security and a camera capable of taking great photos. We’ve gotten our hands on a second HTC 10 for one of you, so head on down and get yourself entered!
THE PRIZE One lucky Android Central reader will be taking home a brand new HTC 10!
THE GIVEAWAY Head down to the widget at the bottom of this page. There are multiple ways to enter, each with varying point values. Complete all of the tasks for maximum entries and your best shot at winning! Keep in mind that all winning entries are verified and if the task was not completed or cannot be verified, a new winner will be chosen. The giveaway is open until August 1st, and winner will be announced here shortly after the close date. Good luck!
Win this HTC 10 from Android
Central!
Please note that service is not included with the phone. Also, this is an international contest. In the event that the winner resides outside of the United States, the prize maybe be subject to duties and taxes, which are the responsibility of the winner.
Plex is now available in beta on Sonos
If you use both Plex and Sonos, it’s time to rejoice! Both services now work together — at least in beta form — so you can start streaming your Plex-managed audio collection over your wireless speaker setup right from the Sonos controller app.
From Plex:
With our brand new Sonos service, you can now browse and play your entire Plex music collection on any Sonos device, right from the Sonos app. This means you’ll benefit from our awesome library and discovery features, and your personal music will look better than ever on Sonos.
If you’re a Plex user with a couple of Sonos speakers lying around, you’ll currently have to be enrolled in Sonos’ public beta to start streaming your Plex library through your setup. Luckily, Plex has provided detailed instructions on getting set up to test everything. Otherwise, once you’re enrolled, you should find Plex available in the Sonos Labs section of the app.
Watch Phil talk Moto Z, Android N Preview 5 and more on All About Android 275
If you happened to miss the live recording, you can now check out the replay of All About Android 275. In this episode, our own Phil Nickinson joins Florence Ion and Ron Richards to talk Moto Z, the fifth Android N Developer Preview, the VR set that Google has apparently killed (or not) and more.
The discussion gets pretty interesting, so if you like listening to Android-related conversation, you won’t want to miss this. As always, a special thanks to Ron Richards and team for having us on the show! Be sure to check it out below and let us know what recent news has you excited.
More: Watch All About Android episode 275
Sony announces Z Series 4K TVs, brings Bravia 4K HDR TVs to Europe
Sony has introduced a new flagship line of 4K LCD TVs, called the Z Series, and it’s bringing five Bravia 4K HDR TVs to major UK and Irish retailers.
Starting with the Z Series, which now sits above the X Series in terms of display quality, it includes high-dynamic range (HDR) and a 4K image processor for better contrast and colour accuracy. Sets in the series run on Google’s Android TV platform, with a custom interface overlaid by Sony. The line starts at $6,999. It has three models: the 65-inch XBR65Z9D, 75-inch XBR75Z9D, and 100-inch XBR100Z9D.
The 75-inch set will go for $9,999. You can now pre-order the 65- and 75-inch models, and they should begin shipping later this summer. The 100-inch model doesn’t yet have a price tag nor availability details. All three models will support HDR10 rather than Dolby Vision.
- What is 4K HDR and how will it change your TV?
- Sony XD9405 4K TV review: The 75-inch UHD wonder
- 8 reasons Sony Bravia TVs are setting the pace in 2016
Sony
As for those Bravia 4K HDR TVs, the XD83, XD80, XD70, XD75, and SD80 models are coming to parts of Europe, Sony has confirmed. They offer a 4K-viewing experience, of course, as well as near 4K quality up-conversion from HD sources. And they run Android TV.
Here’s pricing and size information for the the sets by series:
- 43-inch XD83 will go for £900
- 49-inch XD83 will go for £1,100
- 43-inch XD80 will go for £850
- 49-inch XD80 will go for £1,000
- 55-inch XD80 will go for £1,300
- 49-inch XD70 will go for £800
- 55-inch XD70 will go for £1,000
- 65-inch XD75 will go for £1,700
- 50-inch SD80 will go for £1,200
These Bravia 4K HDR TVs will be available in the UK and Ireland “soon”.
Plex now lets you play music on any Sonos device from the Sonos app
Media streaming server Plex on Wednesday announced support for Sonos.
This integration basically allows Sonos customers to access their Plex libraries from the Sonos app in order to stream media to their Sonos speaker setups. And anyone with a Plex Pass will find their music collections “automatically organised via metadata and sonic fingerprinting,” while a new feature called “Plex Mix” will be limited to premium users through the Sonos app.
- Sonos finally gets full Apple Music support at last
- Sonos: What is it and what are the alternatives?
- Getting started with Plex for Xbox One
Plex posted this description about how this integration works via its blog:
“With our brand new Sonos service, you can now browse and play your entire Plex music collection on any Sonos device, right from the Sonos app. This means you’ll benefit from our awesome library and discovery features, and your personal music will look better than ever on Sonos. Even if your collection is a total mess, with sonic fingerprinting for our Plex Pass users and metadata for everyone else, you’ll end up with a beautifully organized library.”
The Plex media server, which is available to install on Mac, Windows, Linux, and NAS devices, automatically organises your media, such as video, music, and photos, and then it makes that content accessible through apps for phones, tablets, and TV devices. Now, you’ll be able to access your Plex library from Sonos speakers as well as a remote Sonos device.
You can learn more about Plex works from here. If any of this interests you, you can get started with Plex in the Sonos app right now, but first you need to sign up for the Sonos beta program.
Moog’s Minimoog Model D back in full production after 30 years
After suspending production for over 30 years on its classic Minimoog Model D analog synth, Moog has announced the instrument is back. The company had a small pilot production workshop at Moogfest in May, but now Model D production has kicked into high gear. However, just like other Moog synthesizers, all of the instruments are made in a small Asheville, North Carolina factory, so the company can only crank out a limited number of them each month. If you’re looking to snag one though, it’ll set you back $3,749 from an authorized dealer.
So, what’s so special about the Model D? Well, when it debuted in the 1970s, it was the first portable analog synth and laid the groundwork for what would eventually become electronic keyboards. Before then, the instruments were massive setups akin to what Keith Emerson used on stage with Emerson, Lake and Palmer. You’ve probably heard the Model D’s sounds from acts like Parliament Funkadelic, Kraftwerk and Gary Numan or on Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic.
Moog says the original sound engine and signal path form the Model D are unchanged from the instrument that debuted in the 1970s. However, there have been some modifications to the unit that offer some more modern functionality. The list of features includes a velocity-sensitive keyboard, analog LFO with both triangle and square waveshapes, CV outputs, basic MIDI integration and a mixer overload modification. When employed, that mixer overload gives the Minimoog Model D “thicker and far more overdriven sounds” than the original. If you have the funds to spare, you might have to wait a while to get one, but analog enthusiasts will surely be champing at the bit to have one of these of their own.
Source: Moog
Apple releases second public betas for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra
Were you quick to hop on the test versions of iOS 10 and macOS Sierra? It’s time to start updating. Apple has released the second public betas of both platforms, and they’re not just adding some spit and polish. The new iOS 10 beta introduces a functioning option for using Touch ID to unlock your device the “old-fashioned” iOS 9 way, where resting your finger is enough to get to your home screen. If you lock an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, you’ll get vibration feedback. And if you’re a health maven, you can opt to share your activity and workout data to help improve Apple’s fitness features.
The new macOS beta doesn’t appear to have as many tangible changes, although it’s still recommended if you’ve been trying the first public release. Whether you’re using iOS or macOS, one thing remains true: this is still early software, and you’ll want to think carefully before installing either beta if you either can’t afford to lose access to certain apps or just don’t like grappling with glitches.
Via: MacRumors (1), (2)
Source: Apple
‘Pac-Man Championship Edition 2’ looks chaotic, wonderful
A few years ago, Bandai Namco figured out the key to reviving the Pac-Man: just make the original top down dot-chomper faster, brighter and more competitive. Pac-Man Championship Edition and Championship Edition DX+ changed just enough of the classic game to make it fresh and exciting. Now, the company is going to try it one more time. Today Bandai Namco announced Pac-man Championship Edition 2, a remix that promises new rules, bigger ghosts and new direction in level design
Specifically, the new game seems to break out of the traditional Pac-man maze, but only sometimes. The trailer shows Pac-Man leaping out of levels to chase pixelaed 3D ghosts through the air, or dropping down to a hidden, second maze after completing a level. The majority of the gameplay still seems to happen on a traditional 2D plane, but a new “giant ghost” and special isomeric levels appear to break the tradition from time to time. We’ll know more when the game hits the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC this September — but either way, Pac-man Championship Edition 2 looks like a fun evolution of a classic game.
Source: YouTube, Polygon
Microsoft’s never-released ‘McLaren’ phone gets a review
Remember Microsoft’s Nokia-branded McLaren smartphone? It was supposed to carry the torch for Windows Phone in late 2014 through its exotic 3D touch input (which Apple wouldn’t have until 2015), but it was cancelled just months before launch for reasons unknown. However, the ill-fated device is finally getting its moment in the spotlight. Windows Central has reviewed a McLaren prototype, and it’s clear that the Microsoft mobile team was on to something… if not as much as it first thought. Its proximity sensor-based 3D touch not only works, but showcases a few clever tricks. Live Tiles could expand into sub-tiles as your finger got closer, and it could keep the screen awake so long as you held the phone in your hands.
Certain parts of McLaren can’t really be tested, such as the 20-megapixel camera (its early software limits it to 8 megapixels without advanced control). However, it’s not entirely surprising why Microsoft gave it the chop. WC sources claim that users couldn’t wrap their heads around the 3D touch concept, and the McLaren wouldn’t have been very competitive outside of that feature. Its 5.5-inch 1080p display was fine, but its then year-old Snapdragon 800 processor wasn’t. It would have trailed the performance of virtually every other high-end phone at the time. McLaren was really an iteration on the earlier Lumia 1520 and Lumia 930, neither of which did much to turn around Windows Phone’s fortunes.
The McLaren’s design and premature demise both shed light on a reason why Windows smartphones are in such dire straits today. There would have been precious little reason to get McLaren outside of its touch feature, but cancelling it also left Microsoft without a range-leading Windows handset for the all-important holiday season. What were enthusiasts supposed to buy when they were due for an upgrade, and they didn’t want a repurposed Android phone? Simply put, McLaren was the definition of squandered potential — things might have been different if the Microsoft mobile team had pushed for a larger upgrade that revolved around more than one feature.
Source: Windows Central
Razer’s second OSVR devkit is now available for pre-order
If you’ve been looking for a lower-cost alternative to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive that doesn’t skimp on hardware, you’re in luck. Razer has officially started taking pre-orders for the OSVR HDK2: its second generation Open-Source Virtual Reality hardware development kit. The company announced this upgrade last month at E3. It features a higher resolution 2,160 x 1,200 low-persistence OLED 441 PPI display, a winder, 110-degree field of view and a 90Hz refresh-rate — specs on par with what you’ll find in other commercial VR headsets.
Razer is pitching the HDK2 as a competitor to HTC and Oculus’ headsets at a fraction of the cost. The new OSVR rig will set you back $399, compared to the $799 and $599 pricetags affixed to mainstream hardware — but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a better value. For one, we found that both the HTC and Oculus rigs have a better build quality than Razer’s HDK2. There’s also a small gap in accessories and features: the single-point tracking of the OSVR headset’s IR camera tracking can’t quite live up to the room-scale VR offered by the HTC Vive.
On the other hand, Razer’s kit is technically a development kit — one that’s not only affordable, but now features display specs that match consumer hardware. It’s not the best option on the market, but it’s definitely the most affordable for gamers and developers on a budget. Plus, it comes with two free games: Decent: Underground and Radial G: Racing Revolved.
Via: VRFocus
Source: Razer
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