Major Netflix outage interrupts your weekend viewing plans
We hope you weren’t dead-set on watching all of Luke Cage this weekend. As we write this, Netflix is recovering from a serious worldwide outage that knocked out its service from around 3PM Eastern to shortly after 5PM. While the streaming video company is no stranger to technical problems lasting for a few hours, the sheer scale and severity is noteworthy — you couldn’t even visit Netflix’s website.
We’ve asked Netflix for more details and will let you know if it can explain how and why its service went down. It’s tempting to pin the failure on crushing demand for Luke Cage (which premiered just the day before), but there’s no guarantee that this is the case. Netflix has previously coped with launch day demand for shows like House of Cards and Daredevil, so it’s not as if Reed Hastings and crew are unfamiliar with traffic spikes. Whatever happened, it’s a sore spot in what was supposed to be a banner weekend for Netflix.
Hi all – we are aware of streaming issues and we are working quickly to solve them. We will update you when they are resolved.
— Netflix CS (@Netflixhelps) October 1, 2016
And we’re back! The streaming issues we reported are now resolved.
— Netflix CS (@Netflixhelps) October 1, 2016
Source: Netflix (Twitter 1), (2)
Leak shows how EU would punish Google over Android practices
You might not have to wait until the European Union officially launches its Android antitrust case to find out how it plans to punish Google. Reuters says it has obtained a copy of the European Commission’s statement of objections (aka a charge sheet), and it looks like regulators wouldn’t be playing softball. They’d not only order Google to stop offering payments or discounts in return for pre-installing apps, but issue a fine that could be tied directly to that which Google values most: its search ad revenue.
The Commission could determine the fine based on revenue from European ad clicks, in-app ad displays or searches for products, according to the leak. It could also be linked to Google Play app downloads. The exact ratios aren’t available, but the fine would be steep enough to “ensure deterrence.” In other words, its penalty would likely be directly proportionate to its success, and might make Microsoft’s antitrust payout seem modest.
A spokesperson for the Commission declined comment to Reuters. We’ve asked Google for its own take, although it has already denied requiring exclusive contracts and otherwise running afoul of antitrust law.
There could be some changes to the leaked plan, provided it’s accurate. The Commission was sending the document to complainants for feedback and might tweak the finer points before any official action. However, it looks like the core of the complaint is in place — don’t be surprised if there’s a formal move in the near future.
Source: Reuters
Android and chill: Google hardware could be about taking control
Google getting serious about selling phones could be a way to show how good Android can really be.
On October 4 we all get to see Google’s plans for the next year when it comes to Android and the phones (and other stuff) that use it. That’s only a few days away. We’ll see flat screens and phone-shaped slabs of metal and glass that some will love and some will hate. Basically, the same thing we see every year. But I think we’re also going to see something new from the company. In fact, we’ve already seen a glimpse of it during Monday Night Football and rumored the rest to death — Google cares about making phones people want to buy and selling as many of them as they can.
Also, a moment to express how lucky we are to have Alex Dobie. He is all over every Pixel rumor in ways that could be illegal in the Bible Belt and sorts through them so you know what’s worth talking about without having to wade through the crap. Thanks, Alex!
A Chromebook-style experience is what can happen when Google gets their own way. Android needs some of that.
Not that Google didn’t care before. They surely wanted the Nexus phones to meet the expectations of the people buying them, and no company likes to lose money. But the few phones sold with the Nexus brand on the back were a drop in the bucket when it comes to Google’s business model and the money they make from every phone from Apple, Samsung, LG or the rest of the companies selling them. Google is everywhere and in everything it seems, and they’re going to make money from ads and marketing whether you’re using a Nexus 6P or an iPhone 7. That isn’t going to change if they get serious about selling their own phones. This might be about taking control.
I’ve spoken many times (far too many times, probably) about why Google can’t do a damn thing when Samsung won’t update a phone or when HTC doesn’t deliver on promised dates for security releases. Their hands are tied because Android is not something they sell or license like Google branded apps and the Play Store are. And using those as leverage will likely get Google in even more hot water over the monopoly they enjoy in the mobile space. The Play Store isn’t a soccer ball that they can grab and take home when they don’t like the way things are going. Google is doing things to make Android a little more modular, yet we’re still seeing companies make 100 or more different models and only really caring about one or two of them. For the people who bought those other models, the idea that Android sucks is very real. Making their own high-end consumer hardware gives Google their own space where they are in charge of it all and will let people see that maybe it’s the company name you see on the back that sucks and not the software they use for free.
They’re good at it, too. Anyone who uses a Chromebook knows that having Google dictate how things on the software side will be and how they will change can be better than having ASUS and Acer and HP and everyone else just doing their own thing. The experience is solid and consistent across a wide range of hardware because of it. If HP (for example) doesn’t like it, they are free to take the Chromium source and build their own better vision of it. Canonical does, as do many other independent Linux software teams. I wish HP or ASUS would do it, too, but that’s another article for another day. But to get that Chrome logo, they need to play ball and follow strict guidelines. Android needs an injection of this, but that won’t happen. The next best thing is Google doing it as an example.
A Pixel phone gives Google a space to show the world how to do it right. It’s their Lumia.
Making two high-end phones with all the bells and whistles, just as ready for the future as they are today is a step in the right direction. Buying billboards and commercial space during sports events so people know you’re doing it is another step. Speculation about having a well-trained support staff that you can reach anytime from anywhere through the phone’s settings points to yet another. If Google builds a better mousetrap and makes sure everyone knows they built a better mousetrap, the world may beat a path to their door.
I’m still not convinced that Google will go as far as publicly shaming partners (as was rumored earlier this year) when it comes to not caring enough about security or your experience or if that would even be necessary. This does fit right in with a Google that’s serious about showing people what Android can be, though. (And I would love to see it happen.) The Pixel brand can be Google’s Lumia. It could fail as hard as Microsoft’s Lumia did. But if they can position themselves as the leader when it comes to making Android phones, other companies will be inclined to follow them or compete in a different way. Or just step out of the way.
Now all they need to do is actually build a better mousetrap. We’ll find out in a few days.
Best accessories for the Honor 8
What are the best accessories for the Honor 8?
The Honor 8 is a great Huawei phone, featuring stylish design and a dual-sensor camera for taking amazing photographs. But you’ll definitely to invest in some accessories to make your phone that much more awesome.
We’ve broken down some of great accessories — from cases and car chargers to connected devices — that will make your Honor 8 experience that much better.
- Huawei Honor 8 Case
- AUKEY 30W 2-Port USB Car Charger
- Belkin Certified 2.0 USB-A to USB-C Charging Cable
- Honor Band Z1
- Chromecast
- Spigen Style Ring
Huawei Honor 8 Case
One of the first accessories most people seek out for their new phone is a quality case. Here, we’re inclined to recommend the one made by Huawei.
Made of clear TPU, you can still show off the color and design of your phone while keeping it protected. Since it’s made by Huawei, you can be assured everything has been precisely designed for the Honor 8, with cutouts on the back for the camera and fingerprint sensor.
For other case recommendations, check out our list of the best Honor 8 cases.
See at Amazon
AUKEY 30W 2-Port USB Car Charger
When you’re heading out the door, the last thing you need to be worrying about is whether your phone’s battery is topped up. That’s why a quality car charger is always a good accessory to have.
With the AUKEY 30W 2-Port USB Charger, you’ll have a trustworthy way to charge your phone in your car without having to worry about excessive current, overcharging, or overheating. With two ports, you can charge your Honor 8 in the 2.4A port safely while a passenger charges their phone in the second port. It’s a small and well-built car charger that’s backed by a 24-month warranty.
See at Amazon
Belkin Certified 2.0 USB-A to USB-C Charging Cable
If you end up getting the car charger above, you’re going to need at least one extra USB-C charging cable so you’re not relying on carrying around the one that came with the phone. Whether you’ll be using it solely in the car or leaving it at work, it’s never a bad thing to have an extra charging cable kicking around.
This cable supports transfer speeds of up to 480MB/s and supports up to 3A of power output. Belkin is one of the most trusted brands in smartphone accessories, so buy with confidence.
See at Amazon
Honor Band Z1
If you’re looking for a wrist accessory to go along with your new phone, you may want to consider the Honor Band Z1. Featuring an elegant design and a simple interface, the Band Z1 is a small, lightweight wearable with fitness and sleep tracking capabilities, as well as notification alerts. It has IP68 certification for dust and water-resistance and can pump out four days of usage on it’s 70mAH battery, or 14 days on standby.
At well under $100, it’s a stylish fitness tracker that will pair well with your Honor 8.
See at Honor
Chromecast
Chromecast is a fantastic accessory that we can safely recommend alongside any Android phone.
This little dongle connects to your TV via HDMI and lets you cast all sorts of media from your phone over Wi-Fi. You can choose to mirror your phone display, or stream content from a growing number of Chromecast-enabled apps such as YouTube, Netflix, HBO Now and more. With its portable size and ease of setup, it’s simply one of the best accessories you can buy.
See at Google
Spigen Style Ring
Given the Honor 8’s design, it’s a perfect candidate for the Spigen Style Ring.
If you place of the ring just off-center on the back of your phone, your finger should slip perfectly through the style ring and land right on the fingerprint scanner every time, giving you added peace of mind every time you go to pick up your phone. Beyond that, it’s also an amazing kickstand and also works as a car mount with the included hook mount for your dashboard.
See at Amazon
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on the Apple Watch Series 2
The Apple Watch Series 2 is what the company should have put out last year: It’s faster than the original, with longer battery life, a more intuitive OS, brighter screen, built-in GPS and waterproof design. If this were Apple’s only new smartwatch, we would have given it an even stronger recommendation than we actually did. The problem is, the company does indeed have another wearable on offer. The Series 1, as it’s called, costs a hundred dollars less and is basically last year’s model, upgraded with the same dual-core processor used in the Series 2. It, too, runs watchOS 3 out of the box. As an all-purpose smartwatch, then, the experience should be similar to what you’d get on the souped-up version.
Meanwhile, though the GPS inside the Series 2 mostly matches readouts on other devices, the difference is often big enough to have big implications for estimated pace. That shouldn’t be a big deal for walkers, but more serious athletes who train for events where speed matters won’t want to give up their dedicated sports watches just yet. Given that, the Series 2 mostly makes sense for either swimmers or people who want distance tracking but don’t care about accurate pace tracking (like we said: walkers, hikers and joggers). Everyone else, save yourself a hundred bucks and get the Series 1 instead.
US officially reduces its internet oversight
After lengthy delays and no small amount of political opposition, it’s official: the US has given up a key aspect of internet oversight. As of October 1st, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (the outfit that manages the domain name system) is no longer under the watch of the US’ National Telecommunications and Information Administration. ICANN is now a private, non-profit organization that will take its input from academics, companies, governments and the public. While the American government didn’t really wield its influence, it no longer has that option.
The handover follows an unsuccessful last-minute attempt by four states’ Republican attorneys general to block the transition. A federal judge shot down their temporary injunction request, which centered around the notion that the US was “giving away government property” and required Congressional approval to give up ICANN. The attorneys echoed their party’s worry that reducing US control would open the internet to greater censorship by countries like China and Russia. They were also concerned that the shift could threaten US government domains like .gov and .mil.
Proponents of the transition argue that the move is not only harmless, but might avert a far worse outcome. They say that censorship-heavy countries don’t have any more power over the internet than they did before, especially since ICANN will still operate out of Los Angeles. If anything, a privately-managed domain system reduces the pressure to relinquish control to the United Nations, where China and Russia would have some influence. There’s also a fear that continued American oversight would encourage countries to set up their own domain systems and fragment the internet.
In practice? Barring surprises, you shouldn’t notice a difference at all. The NTIA did little more than rubber-stamp ICANN’s actions — this is more of a formality than a practical change, at least in the near term. It’s an acknowledgment that the internet has been decentralized for decades, and that no one country has a claim to it.
Via: BBC
Source: ICANN
New York Public Library has a mini roller coaster for books
On October 5th, the New York Public Library near Bryant Park in Manhattan will open up its newly renovated reading room to everyone. When that happens, members of the public will be able to get their first look not only at the gorgeous new working area, but also the building’s new book delivery system. I was lucky enough to be treated to a tour of the library’s facilities to get a behind-the-scenes preview of the now-colloquially-named “book train.”
First of all, if your mind is conjuring up images of a bespectacled Thomas the Tank Engine carrying a line of book-laden cars, stop. Although it’s technically a train made up of linked carriages, the setup looks nothing like your typical railroad vehicle. Instead, imagine a series of standing document boxes on wheels, zooming around.
A video posted by Engadget (@engadget) on Sep 30, 2016 at 3:43pm PDT
The new machines replaced an aging conveyor belt that was installed in 1991. According to NYPL’s director of facilities Gerry Oliva, there’s a total of 950 feet of track running throughout the building, and parts of it look like roller coasters as they scaled walls and rounded corners. Two sets of tracks allow for simultaneous travel in both directions. From the starting point deep underground (27 feet, to be exact) near the building’s new book storage facility, the cars have to travel 350 feet to the reading room on the 8th floor, twisting and turning the whole way. That journey takes about five minutes, translating to a speed of about 75 feet per minute.
And here we have @cherlynnstagram showing off the cars that make up the @nypl’s new “Book Train.” Each car is capable of carrying about three large “art books”, and has a microprocessor on-board to guide their journey (climbing over 94 feet) from starting point to the library’s reading rooms. Visit Engadget.com for more. :books: :steam_locomotive: #technology #tech #trains #nyc #libraries #books #microprocessor #howitsmade #newyorkpubliclibrary #booktrain
A video posted by Engadget (@engadget) on Sep 30, 2016 at 3:59pm PDT
As the train goes up, down and upside down during its trips, a suspended grey container within each car will, like a gimbal, adjusts to stay upright. This prevents books from falling out as they shuttle between the 11 stops throughout the building. The tracks are equipped with electronic sensors so the system knows the position of each car at all times. Once a car has been dispatched it has to move beyond the first sensor on the track before the next car can be released. This results in a 15-second delay between the receptacles to prevent accidents or congestion. The library has a total of 25 of these cars right now, and each can carry about three art books, four smaller books, or about ten pamphlets, said Natalie Caruso, NYPL’s manager for access services.
Construction on the new track began in January this year, and was completed in August. That’s a surprisingly short time, but a lot of the infrastructure was already thanks to the old conveyor belt. Oliva told Engadget that they could have finished the project sooner, but were slowed down by the desire to avoid structural modification. Using the existing shaftways had the additional benefit of keeping costs down.
While construction on the book train was taking place, library staffers had to revert to the old-school way of moving books around the 8-storey building: manually loading them onto carts and dragging them around. Now that the new system is up and running, it certainly looks like a far more efficient (and perhaps enjoyable) experience for staffers, visitors and even the books.
Win a free HTC 10 from Android Central and HTC!
Celebrating customers and fans, HTC kicks off a week of Green. Join in the celebration with a chance to win an unlocked HTC 10!
From October 1st through October 8th HTC’s “Green is Good” celebration is underway, with the sweetest deal ever on the HTC 10. This week only, get $150 off the purchase of an HTC 10 from HTC.com!! This price includes UH-OH Protection, a free service where HTC will replace the phone if there are accidental screen cracks or water damage during the first 12 months of owning. Also be sure to take advantage of $80 off the HTC Desire 626 and HTC Desire 626s, $100 off the UA Healthbox, and $60 off the UA Band. All promos are valid in the US only and while supplies last.
Green is Good week is all about celebrating loyal customers. Make sure to visit the Green is Good page to enter for additional chances to win prizes throughout the week, fun activities, and see all memorable moments allowing you to win awesome HTC prizes, including an HTC VIVE.
Keep reading to learn all about the HTC 10, and for all the details you need to enter the contest!
About HTC 10
Every element of HTC 10 has been designed, refined and perfected. From the bold new chamfered contour to its stunning dual-textured finish and quality construction.
Audio: HTC 10 sets a new gold standard in sound quality with its brand new BoomSound Hi-Fi edition speakers, Personal Audio Profile and Hi-Res audio earphones.
Power: This is something everyone is going to love. Every part of HTC 10 has been optimized from the ground up to run more efficiently. Giving you up to 2 days* of use. It also stays cooler while charging faster than ever – up to 50% in just 30 minutes – enough for a day on the go.
Camera: With HTC 10 we’ve delivered what we believe to be the best smartphone camera available on the market today. With the world’s first optically stabilized, larger aperture f/1.8 lenses on both the front and rear cameras, new larger sensors, 12 million of our new generation UltraPixels (1.55um per pixel), faster laser autofocus powering the main camera and a wide angle lens and screen flash on the on the front UltraSelfieTM camera, this smartphone delivers brilliantly sharp, low light and high-resolution photos whether behind or in front of the lens.
With the camera designed to launch in as little as 0.6 seconds, and a 2nd generation laser auto focus that gives you focused shots faster, it’s quick enough to even work in burst mode. All the settings are also conveniently located at your fingertips with Pro Mode still offering advanced options for more experienced photographers, including RAW format functionality.
Themes and Stickers: Complete freedom and control: One of the greatest things about Android is how it empowers you. HTC 10 magnifies the level of control you have and lets you easily personalize your phone in ways you’ve never thought possible. HTC 10 is yours. By reducing the number of duplicative and preloaded apps and bloatware, and integrating the best of both HTC and Google, we have created a more streamlined phone that enables you to decide what you want on your handset.
Your smartphone should be as unique as you are and the HTC 10 is the only smartphone that gives you full creative control. Create your own theme or select one from the thousands in our library that come with their own icons, background and sounds. The new HTC Freestyle Layout frees you from the grid of the home screen layout. Select the Sticker you want to represent any app, widget and shortcut. Layer them, group them, put them anywhere you like – HTC 10 is your new canvas.
The Contest
Two lucky Android Central readers will each win an unlocked HTC 10 in their choice of Carbon Gray or Glacier Silver! To enter, head down to the widget below (or the big blue button if you’re using the Android Central app). There are multiple ways to enter; 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 October 8th, and winners will be announced right here shortly after the close date. Please note that due to sponsor restrictions, this giveaway is restricted to the US. Good luck to everyone that enters!
Win a free HTC 10 from Android Central and HTC!
AC roundtable: Which Nexus was the best?
The AC editors get all nostalgic, reminiscing about their favorite Nexus products over the years.
The Nexus line has always been for enthusiasts, but has occasionally broken into the mainstream, often by finding the right balance between price, performance and software accessibility.
Now that we’re on the verge of a new era, one potentially without the Nexus name, we asked our editors to reminisce about their favorite model, and to think back to how it improved their lives over the years.
So here’s the big question: Which Nexus product was your favorite?
Alex Dobie
I’m going to defend one of the most hated of all Nexuses — especially for Americans — the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Yes, the name was back-to-front, the external hardware was a weird plastic GS2-GS3 hybrid, and it never saw an update past Jelly Bean. But at the time I loved the GNex, and I’ve used in total probably more than any other phone in the Nexus series.
The Galaxy Nexus represented the future of Android in a bunch of important ways.
I was a fan of the last Samsung-built Nexus phone because it represented the future of Android in a bunch of important ways. It was the first 720p phone, with a screen that blew the doors off everything except the iPhone. (But which, sure, by modern standards looks kinda crappy.)
The core of why the Galaxy Nexus was important — and to me, a thing of wonder — was its software. Android 4.0 was so far beyond anything on the Android phones of the day, with a coherent overall design language that didn’t look like a 90s desktop OS (like Android 2.x) or like it was designed for pre-schoolers (like TouchWiz at the time). Parts of the experience — like the camera — were underwhelming, but the GNex gave me reason to get excited about the future of Android.
Jerry Hildenbrand
The best Nexus is the Samsung Nexus 10. Not because of the great (for its time) screen or because of any other features or specs, but because it was the last “open” Nexus.
While we were busy talking about how good or bad Nexus devices are to use, how bad the cameras are, or how we miss a certain feature included by other companies, the Nexus program was originally designed to be a group of devices that help people writing Android software and Android itself. Having a Nexus program allowed Android to grow into what it is today and work so many different ways on so many different things.
The Nexus 10 was the best because it was the last “open” Nexus.
To do that, you need the people making the hardware — all the hardware — being on board and giving you the software tools you need instead of denying support for great ideas and future projects or not delivering on the terms they agreed to when it comes to open-source code. Unfortunately, the Nexus 10 was the last device to actually do it.
Daniel Bader
I loved the Nexus One, largely because it was the first of something big. It was presented so cleanly, and was so utterly unique, you couldn’t help but be excited by it, and the future it represented.
But the Nexus 4 is still my favorite to date. LG had a great 2012, releasing the Optimus G, arguably one of the best phones of that year, and the Nexus 4, a nicely-built, well-designed, extremely quick device. Sure, it lacked LTE at a time when most devices were taking advantage of the burgeoning standard, but doing so also prevented the fate of many Android phones that year: poor battery life.
More: Pixel phones and the Nexus line: How we got to ‘Made by Google’
The Nexus 4 was also the first of the series to support wireless charging, a feature we take for granted when buying a Galaxy these days, but has not been consistently supported — even by subsequent Nexus products — over the years. That’s OK, but to this day the Nexus 4 stands out as being one of the most interesting and confident releases in the series.
More than anything, the Nexus 4 was fun to use. There was something about its admittedly crack-prone glass back that, when shimmering in the light, appeared ahead of its time. And it happened to be the only Nexus I consistently used throughout its lifespan, which makes me even fonder of it four years later.
Florence Ion
I’m coming fresh off of a rant about the Nexus 6P, which I’m about ready to throw down a gutter and leave for dead. It’s definitely not my pick.
Unlike my Android Central comrades, I’m fairly new to the Nexus way of life. I spent many years with third-party flagships, namely the Samsung Galaxy SIII, first-gen Moto X, HTC One M8, and then the Galaxy S6 edge. I’ve been a Verizon subscriber for decades (since it switched over from GTE Wireless in the late 90s) and as a result, Nexus phones weren’t usually an upgrade option.
I loved that it didn’t matter if I left my tablet at home: the Nexus 6’s display was big enough to comfortably read anything.
Regardless, my favorite Nexus device thus far is the Nexus 6. It was the first Nexus I took overseas and I was pretty amazed at how easily it took SIM cards. (Don’t laugh—remember, I come from a fiercely locked down cellular network. I could only dream about that kind of freedom.) Since it was compatible on Verizon’s network, I switched to it when I returned back to the States and used it as my daily driver until the launch of the S6 Edge. I loved its ginormous 6-inch display, and the silly purple case I covered it in. I loved that I could easily catch up on reality TV on the train ride home and then edit my work if I needed to. And I loved that it didn’t matter if I left my tablet at home, because the Nexus 6’s display was big enough to comfortably read anything.
I still like to use the Nexus 6 on Wi-Fi around the house. Even with the Nougat developer preview, it’s still as exceptional as it was the first day I took it out of the box, and though its camera capabilities were a tad subpar at the time of its launch, everything else about it was just right. I’ll always have a soft spot for the Motorola-made Nexus 6 and I hope the purported Pixel XL will be a sort of supercharged reprise.
Andrew Martonik
Choosing a “best” in a yearly line of phones or tablets is always difficult because we tend to selectively remember things about previous models. I’m going to choose one that’s less than popular amongst our editors: the Nexus 5. I don’t think I’m going out on a ledge to say that the Nexus 5 had an uninspired design, but the common refrain from everyone who has used one is that it was a fantastic experience for the time. The phone was compact, had great internals, was extremely fast, and had a serviceable camera — it also retained its performance after multiple large Android updates.
A big reason I consider the Nexus 5 the “best” is its pricing and sales numbers — it sold to “normal” consumers.
Beyond the fact that the Nexus 5 was a great phone to use on a daily basis, a big reason why I consider the Nexus 5 the “best” is its pricing and sales numbers. The Nexus 5 has to have easily been the best-selling Nexus, and is the only Nexus to date I’ve seen on a regular basis in use by “normal” consumers and not just phone fanatics. Despite the long history of Nexus devices before the Nexus 5 (including the Nexus 4, which ushered in this low pricing), this was the one that made sure average consumers knew Google made phones and sold them directly.
With the expected move to “Pixel” as the branding in 2016 that brand equity behind the Nexus name is now gone, but the history of having millions more people — especially here in the U.S. — buy a phone unlocked from Google is very valuable.
Russell Holly
For me, the original Nexus One remains my favorite. It was a phone I lusted after before I had started writing professionally, and wasn’t able to get one for myself until well after it had been released. This was a phone that stood head and shoulders above everything else available at the time. It represented risk, significant technological advancement, and was open in ways that encouraged anyone and everyone to really explore software development.
The Nexus One represented risk, and was open in ways that encouraged anyone and everyone to really explore software development.
This was the first phone I rooted, the first phone that encouraged me to contribute to third-party development, and it just plain felt like the future.
Google has done some incredible things with the Nexus line since that phone, but I’ve never felt like the envelope had been pushed quite like I did with the original.
Ara Wagoner
My Nexus experience may not be as extensive as the rest, but while the Nexus 4 was pretty as all get out, the 6P is just as beautiful and a true powerhouse device. It’s a hair big for my hands, but it was the one I wanted in my pocket. Don’t get me wrong, my Mint 5X gets my theming done just fine, but it had too many performance issues. The Nexus 5 I had before that was long in the tooth, too. Don’t even get me started on my Nexus 7 (2012), my first tablet and the first device I ever pre-ordered.
Among the Nexus devices old and new, the 6P was a beauty inside and outside.
No, among the Nexus devices old and new, the 6P was a beauty inside and outside. Regardless the Pixels they announce next week (or whatever they’re called, because I’m not a huge fan of the Pixel name), the 6P is still a Nexus phone that looked damn good in the hand and was fast enough to keep up with whatever you’re doing (unless it’s taking a lot of pictures).
The aluminum body, while a bit odd in the renders we were all fretting over this time last year, is solid in the hand, and the black sensor bar looks quite good once you have time to adjust from a small black camera circle on most phones to a big black bar across the back.
Jared DiPane
Being a Verizon customer for so many years my Nexus experiences were a bit limited, but much like Alex I loved my Galaxy Nexus. The Verizon version was always the one lagging behind the others, but I learned a ton with that phone. From rooting to theming, changing files and making tweaks to make it my own, I had fun with it.
The GNex gave us a good look at the future of Android, and helped pave the path for what we have today.
At the time, it felt like that phone pushed the limits more than others, and introduced things we had not seen previously. The slight curve to the display, Android 4.0 bringing tons of new features and more, it just felt like a cool phone to own. For all the good that the phone did, it had some issues that drove me nuts at the time, too.
From terrible battery life to subpar camera performance, the Galaxy Nexus was far from perfect, but that was OK. It gave us a good look at the future of Android, let us get excited and helped pave the path for what we have today.
Your turn
What was your favorite Nexus device, and why? Let us know in the comments below!
Nexus 6P
- Nexus 6P review
- 5 things to know about the Nexus 6P
- Read the latest Nexus 6P news
- Learn about Project Fi
- Join our Nexus 6P forums
- Nexus 6P specs
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Six wheels that give cars (and bikes) superpowers
By Cat DiStasio
For a long time, business experts said, “Don’t try to reinvent the wheel.” Now, that’s the primary objective for many engineers looking to create the vehicles of the future. And just when it seems that there are no further improvements that could possibly be made to the most basic of mechanical parts, someone finds a way to tweak it just enough to open up a world of new possibilities. Imagine having tires capable of generating electricity to top off your electric car’s battery and extend your driving range. There are also a few versions of omnidirectional wheels in development, which make it possible to drive in any direction and banish parallel parking headaches forever. And our list of inventions wouldn’t be complete without at least one that seems totally insane, so try this on for size: cube-shaped wheels that perform better than round ones? You have to see it to believe it.
Goodyear’s energy-generating BH03 tires
With the rise of electric cars, would-be buyers are sometimes put off by the limited range and the need to find a place to recharge. Goodyear, tire company extraordinaire, unveiled a concept design last year for a tire that could end range anxiety forever, by recharging the battery of an electric car while you’re driving it. The BH03 concept tire promises to do all the things a tire normally does, but it also turns heat and light into usable electricity thanks to a layer of thermo-piezoelectric material. That electricity could then be used to top off your battery, stretching the range of an electric car. No word yet on price or a possible release date, but for now, suffice to say it’s piquing the interest of electric car drivers, and for good reason.
Liddiard’s omnidirectional wheels
One of the most noticeable innovations in vehicle technology is found right here in these omnidirectional wheels that make it possible to maneuver a car in almost any direction. Parallel parking becomes a breeze, obstacles vanish in the rearview and mimicking any scene from “The Fast and the Furious” is like taking candy from a baby (without all that burned rubber). Canadian car buff William Liddiard created the omni wheels, which he so humbly named after himself. The Liddiard Wheels can be installed on nearly any car or truck, just like other wheel sets. The difference here is that, rather than rotating around an axis, the rubber surface of each tire actually rolls around itself, from the outside in or the inside out, depending on which direction the car is moving.
Hankook iFlex airless tires
If you’ve ever had to change a tire on the side of the road, you may have asked yourself why nobody has figured out how to make a tire that isn’t so much like a balloon. Well, the folks at Hankook Tire have done that and their latest non-pneumatic (read: airless) iFlex tires are expected on the market soon. The fifth iteration in the company’s line of airless tires, the iFlex series were designed and tested to meet the same performance standards as regular tires, but with 100 percent fewer flats. Hankook is also taking steps to make its tires greener, with recyclable materials and a speedier production process that shrinks its carbon footprint.
Loopwheels have a built-in suspension system
Designed by UK-based Jelly Products, the Loopwheel reinvents the bicycle wheel for a smoother, gentler ride. Traditional spokes are nowhere to be found. Loopwheels instead feature a built-in suspension system designed just for small frame bikes. By making compact bikes more comfortable to ride, Loopwheels’ creators seek to address the “last mile” of many an urban commute. A spring system between the hub and the rim of the wheel cleverly cushions the rider from bumps and potholes, offering the same level of comfort as traditional spoked wheels but in a model that can be easily attached to a folding bike frame perfect for the average commuter.
Goodyear’s spherical Eagle-360 tires
It should come as no surprise that Goodyear appears twice in this roundup of innovative wheel technology. What is surprising, though, is how the company’s engineers really did reinvent the wheel for this one. Instead of the traditional wheel shape we are accustomed to seeing on every car or truck on Earth, Goodyear has designed a spherical tire — yes, that’s right, a ball-shaped tire — that would theoretically make it possible to drive in any direction. Rather than being bolted onto an axle, the Eagle-360 tire would operate via magnetic levitation technology. It would also feature a special non-linear tread pattern, which looks like brain coral and is responsive to conditions no matter which direction the car is rolling.
Square Shark Wheels
The wheel of the future wasn’t designed for a car, but for a more laid back form of transportation: the skateboard. Unlike traditional round wheels that are prone to breakage, the cube-shaped Shark Wheel created by David Patrick provides a smooth, fast ride that he claims is better than the original. The innovation, like so many before it, was actually the result of an accident. Patrick was working to build new spherical wheels and dropped his piece during the process. The cube-shaped wheel took off rolling and didn’t stop, which kicked off a similar sequence of events for Patrick’s mental gears. The crowdfunded product probably hasn’t taken over your local skate park yet, but it’s certainly kicked down the door for future out-of-the-circle innovations to follow.
AIVAnet 