Razer just jumped into the smartphone business with the acquisition of Nextbit
Why it matters to you
Razer’s latest acquisition could enable the company to bring consumers an unlocked, Razer-branded smartphone.
Did Razer just get into the smartphone business? The popular gaming peripheral maker said on Monday that it acquired Nextbit Systems Inc., the company responsible for the cloud-based Nextbit Robin smartphone. Robin is based on a forked version of Android called Nextbit OS that seamlessly merges local and cloud storage so users never run out of space. It also continuously adapts to how it’s used to provide a smartphone environment that evolves with the owner’s changing needs. The phone is no longer for sale from Nextbit, in light of the acquisition.
According to Razer, it now owns the majority of Nextbit’s assets, and has brought the firm’s management and employees under Razer’s roof. However, Razer will remain as a parent company, enabling Nextbit to operate as a standalone division using its own management. Nextbit will not become part of the ongoing business of parent company Razer.
More: Razer could be planning to put flexible OLED displays in your keyboard and mouse
“In order to reach a wider audience and continue our mission, we decided to join with a larger brand,” said Tom Moss, Nextbit Systems Inc. co-founder and CEO. “We’re lucky to have found a company in Razer that shares our value of pushing the boundaries of what our devices can do.”
The Nextbit Robin smartphone was originally a Kickstarter project that generated $1,362,343 from 3,611 backers, overshooting Nextbit’s $500,000 goal. The company set out to create a cloud-first device so that end users would not be continuously worried about the local storage on their device. Nextbit also wanted a bloat-free product that reduced clutter and increased usability for the ultimate smartphone experience.
Here are the hardware specs:
Screen:
5.2 inches (IPS)
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080
Processor:
Snapdragon 808 (six cores, 1.8GHz)
Memory:
3GB LPDDR3
Storage:
32GB on-board
100GB online
Cameras:
13MP (back)
5MP (front)
Audio:
2x front-facing speakers with dual amplifiers
Connectivity:
Wireless AC
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy
NFC
GPS
GSM
Security:
Fingerprint scanner
Storage encryption option
Battery:
2,680mAh
Size:
5.86 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches
Weight:
5.3 ounces
Launch date:
May 30, 2016
The fingerprint sensor is built into the power button so that when users wake up the device, it’s automatically unlocked, eliminating the need for swiping or entering passwords or PINs. Nextbit went with a square design sporting slightly rounded edges to make the smartphone easy to grip and comfortable in the user’s hand at all times. One speaker resides on the face of the device in the spaces above and below the screen.
Moss said on the Nextbit community forums that the company will do “exactly what we’ve been doing all along,” but backed by Razer’s resources. However, the acquisition means that sales of the Robin smartphone and all accessories have ceased. All warranties will be supported through the next six months, and software updates and security patches will continue to roll out through February 2018.
“More than anything we want to preserve the community we’ve built on our forums and our social streams, we’re really proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Moss said. “We would not be the company we are today without our backers, our supporters, and our community.”
Razer just jumped into the smartphone business with the acquisition of Nextbit
Why it matters to you
Razer’s latest acquisition could enable the company to bring consumers an unlocked, Razer-branded smartphone.
Did Razer just get into the smartphone business? The popular gaming peripheral maker said on Monday that it acquired Nextbit Systems Inc., the company responsible for the cloud-based Nextbit Robin smartphone. Robin is based on a forked version of Android called Nextbit OS that seamlessly merges local and cloud storage so users never run out of space. It also continuously adapts to how it’s used to provide a smartphone environment that evolves with the owner’s changing needs. The phone is no longer for sale from Nextbit, in light of the acquisition.
According to Razer, it now owns the majority of Nextbit’s assets, and has brought the firm’s management and employees under Razer’s roof. However, Razer will remain as a parent company, enabling Nextbit to operate as a standalone division using its own management. Nextbit will not become part of the ongoing business of parent company Razer.
More: Razer could be planning to put flexible OLED displays in your keyboard and mouse
“In order to reach a wider audience and continue our mission, we decided to join with a larger brand,” said Tom Moss, Nextbit Systems Inc. co-founder and CEO. “We’re lucky to have found a company in Razer that shares our value of pushing the boundaries of what our devices can do.”
The Nextbit Robin smartphone was originally a Kickstarter project that generated $1,362,343 from 3,611 backers, overshooting Nextbit’s $500,000 goal. The company set out to create a cloud-first device so that end users would not be continuously worried about the local storage on their device. Nextbit also wanted a bloat-free product that reduced clutter and increased usability for the ultimate smartphone experience.
Here are the hardware specs:
Screen:
5.2 inches (IPS)
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080
Processor:
Snapdragon 808 (six cores, 1.8GHz)
Memory:
3GB LPDDR3
Storage:
32GB on-board
100GB online
Cameras:
13MP (back)
5MP (front)
Audio:
2x front-facing speakers with dual amplifiers
Connectivity:
Wireless AC
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy
NFC
GPS
GSM
Security:
Fingerprint scanner
Storage encryption option
Battery:
2,680mAh
Size:
5.86 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches
Weight:
5.3 ounces
Launch date:
May 30, 2016
The fingerprint sensor is built into the power button so that when users wake up the device, it’s automatically unlocked, eliminating the need for swiping or entering passwords or PINs. Nextbit went with a square design sporting slightly rounded edges to make the smartphone easy to grip and comfortable in the user’s hand at all times. One speaker resides on the face of the device in the spaces above and below the screen.
Moss said on the Nextbit community forums that the company will do “exactly what we’ve been doing all along,” but backed by Razer’s resources. However, the acquisition means that sales of the Robin smartphone and all accessories have ceased. All warranties will be supported through the next six months, and software updates and security patches will continue to roll out through February 2018.
“More than anything we want to preserve the community we’ve built on our forums and our social streams, we’re really proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Moss said. “We would not be the company we are today without our backers, our supporters, and our community.”
Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.
These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged.
More: 200 Awesome iPhone Apps | The best Android apps for almost any occasion
YoWindow Weather
YoWindow is a unique new weather app. The magic of YoWindow is a living landscape that reflects your actual weather. For instance, if it’s raining – it rains in YoWindow.
Available on:
iOS
wakerapper
The world’s smartest alarm that checks real-time traffic and factors in your morning routine to calculate your optimum bed & wake up time.
Available on:
iOS
Cleaner Pro
Your contacts are the most important data in your phone which easily becomes messy if not consistently updated. Cleaner Pro easily helps you detect and merge duplicate contacts.
Available on:
iOS
True Visage
True Visage is an unique mirror app. Unlike other apps of the kind True Visage provides you not only with a common mirrored picture, but also with a real un-mirrored image and video of you.
Available on:
iOS
FotoMed
FotoMed is a handy mobile medical reference, medical image search, and photo comparison tool for health tracking.
Available on:
iOS
Color Drop Master
Swiftly tap your screen and rotate the box to match the color of the falling munchkin! How high can you score in this simple but challenging color-match game?
Available on:
iOS
What’s that, boy? You want a smart collar that really understands you? How about this one
We’re all attuned to the behavior of our pets, so we generally have a good idea when something isn’t right, or when there’s a need for something more. Usually food or play. However, our pet-sense is no use when we’re not around, either at work, or on vacation while our pet is having a little break away from home, too. The Jagger and Lewis Smart Dog Collar, a new product launched on Kickstarter, is designed to bridge that gap, by understanding your dog’s behavior, actions, and mood.
Cleverly, the Jagger & Lewis is a small device that attaches to your dog’s current collar, so there’s no need to swap it for one you may not like, or to avoid buying another collar in the future because you would not be able to use the tracking unit. It’s light at 30 grams, water resistant with an IP67 rating, and suitable for all dogs, almost regardless of size. Inside, the unit has an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope, plus a microphone, and temperature and brightness sensors.
More: VetPronto app schedules house calls from your vet, for your pet
Clipped to your dog’s collar, it will analyze hunger levels, thirst, sleep, activity, and stress levels, right down to if he’s a naughty boy and steals something to eat when you’re not around, how much he’s drinking, or if there’s excessive scratching, or even gasping for breath. Used over time, the data from the Jagger & Lewis will alert you to any changes in behavior, and the accompanying app will make recommendations on how to deal with them.
The team has worked with vet and dog behaviorist Claude Béata on the algorithm and other aspects of the app. It provides advice on how to solve any little problems, such as anxiety when you’re away, tracking information on barking or panting, and ways to share data with your vet. The Jagger & Lewis uses its own data library, too, covering many different breeds. Beyond the Standard mode, the app has an Away mode for when you’re out and about, a Guest mode for when the dog is with a sitter or a friend, plus a Challenge mode full of fun things to do.
Jagger & Lewis’s Kickstarter campaign has a target of $50,000, and depending on when you back it, the cost of the device ranges from $120 to $150, with deals available if you buy more than one. Happily, it’s a one-off charge, with no monthly subscription for the app and its service. Provided the campaign gets funded, the target for the device to ship is May.
Responding to competition, U.S. Cellular boosts its prepaid plans with more data
Why it matters to you
More data for the same price means you will not have to fork over extra cash for more streaming and web surfing.
Regional carrier U.S. Cellular might not be as well known as AT&T or Verizon, but its position as the fifth-largest U.S. carrier did not happen overnight. In order to keep pace with its competitors, however, the regional carrier has announced improvements for its prepaid plans.
Thanks to the improvements, Simple Connect Prepaid’s $45 monthly option now includes 3GB of 4G LTE data, up from 2GB. The $60 monthly option also received an increase to 6GB from 5GB previously. U.S. Cellular even added a third $75 monthly plan that includes 12GB of high-speed data.
More: Cricket customers now get more data for the same low price
The regional carrier also upgraded its Ready Connect Prepaid plans, which are only available through retailers like Walmart and Dollar General. For a limited time, the $45, $55, and $75 plans include 4GB, 8GB, and 12GB of high-speed data, respectively. If you want to save some cash with Ready Connect Prepaid, you can enroll for auto-pay and knock $5 off the $45 and $55 monthly plans, or $10 off the $75 plan.
Finally, all prepaid plans that start at $35 a month now include unlimited talk and text. Keep in mind that speeds are knocked down to 2G once your high-speed bucket for any given billing period dries up.
U.S. Cellular’s improved prepaid plans are now available.
“February and March are popular months for prepaid wireless purchases, so our updated plans provide an even better experience to our current customers as well as any consumers looking for a better prepaid deal,” said U.S. Cellular’s vice president of brand management, Grant Leech, in the announcement.
U.S. Cellular’s announcement comes after Cricket Wireless, AT&T’s prepaid subsidiary, announced prepaid plan upgrades of its own. Cricket’s prepaid plans might be more preferred, since Cricket is more widely available, in contrast to U.S. Cellular’s regional restrictions. However, Cricket’s 4G LTE data is capped at 8Mbps, possibly in an effort to nudge customers toward AT&T.
Want to get fit? The V-Training app will hook you up with trainers nearby
Why it matters to you
It’s never been easier to find the right trainer for your fitness goals, thanks to V-Training.
It’s hard to get into shape. Finding the willpower to wake up early and exercise is hard enough without the added hassle of finding a trainer to help you get fit. Enter Vent-Up, a startup that aims to bring people and trainers together to create custom fitness and nutrition plans with its V-Training app. Both trainers and those who are looking for a fitness guru can use the app.
V-Trining works in several states, including Washington, DC., New York, California, Maryland, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Arizona. Once you open the app, it will ask if you’re looking for a trainer or if you are a trainer. From there, you can either set up your profile as a trainer or search for the trainer that best suits your workout goals.
More: Best iPhone fitness apps
If you’re looking for a trainer, the app will locate you and automatically show you all the trainers nearby on a map. You can then view those trainers and find out their experience, training style, certifications, going rates, and more. The app also shows user ratings for some trainers and photos of their past clients. You can request and book times with your trainer through the app and have one-on-one interactions with them.
If you’re a trainer, you’ll be able to create 6-day training and nutrition plans for your clients. You can send those plans or videos through V-Message right within the app. You’ll have access to a calendar with appointments and reminders for training sessions. The built-in messaging system will allow you to easily get in touch with your clients at any time.
The V-Training app is available for both iOS and Android. It’s free to download, but you will have to pay the trainer you sign up with in the app.
iOS in your dashboard: Here’s everything you need to know about Apple CarPlay
Apple might never design a car from scratch, but the California-based tech giant is nonetheless a player in the automotive industry. Launched in 2014 after a lengthy development process, Apple’s CarPlay software overlays itself on top of a car’s factory-loaded infotainment system. It gives iPhone-wielding motorists quick and convenient access to the data stored on their device.
More: Life with Apple CarPlay is peppered with potholes, but still a fun ride
CarPlay makes driving safer by reducing distractions, at least according to Apple, and it’s more user-friendly than many OEM infotainment systems. That’s because motorists can access a wide array of features without touching their mobile device, or taking their eyes off the road.
If you’re ready for iOS in your dashboard, here’s everything you need to know about Apple CarPlay.
What can Apple CarPlay do?
Apple CarPlay performs many of the same functions as an iPhone. Motorists can use the software to get turn-by-turn directions, make calls, send and receive text messages, and listen to music or podcasts. The features are displayed on an easy-to-use interface with large icons that iPhone users will instantly recognize.
The bulk of CarPlay’s features can be accessed using Siri, Apple’s digital assistant. For example, the driver can say “call Alex K,” “get directions to Cafe Rio,” or “play Dropkick Murphys” and Siri will obey. A motorist whose car isn’t equipped with voice-recognition technology can navigate the software using the touchscreen embedded in the dashboard, or the various knobs and buttons typically found on the steering wheel and center console. The iPhone’s screen is locked when CarPlay is active.
A small selection of third-party apps are compatible with — and optimized for — CarPlay. These include iHeartRadio, Spotify, Pandora, and Stitcher. However, vehicle settings aren’t part of CarPlay, so the driver has to exit the application to adjust the climate control temperature, browse radio stations, or select a different driving mode.
Which phones are compatible with Apple CarPlay?
Motorists who want Apple’s operating system in their dashboard need a compatible iPhone. Every iPhone since the 5 is CarPlay-friendly, though the device needs to run iOS 7.1 or newer for the app to work.
Some cars support wireless CarPlay, too. In the ones that don’t, the iPhone needs to be physically connected to the car via a certified Lightning-to-USB cable. That means you should plan an upgrade if you’re still living with a 30-pin iPhone.
Which cars are compatible with Apple CarPlay?
A wide variety of models from all over the automotive spectrum are compatible with Apple CarPlay. They range from relatively basic cars like the Chevrolet Spark to high-end supercars like the Lamborghini Aventador S. Volvo, Honda, Chevrolet, Ford, and Porsche are among the dozens of brands that offer CarPlay compatibility. Note that some companies make customers pay extra for the tech, while others include it as standard equipment.
The notable exception is Toyota, which continues to resist CarPlay — and Google’s rival software, Android Auto — due to safety and privacy concerns. Instead, the Japanese brand has turned to a small, California-based company named Telenav for its brought-in infotainment system. However, Toyota might reconsider its decision once it has evaluated how CarPlay protects customer data, and whether it truly helps drivers stay focused on the road ahead.
More: Apple CarPlay vs. Android Auto: Which belongs in your next ride?
All told, if you’re in the market for a new car, it’s not difficult to find one equipped with Apple CarPlay — there are hundreds if you live in North America. The story is different in Europe, where auto-makers have been slower to adopt the technology.
The list of used cars compatible with CarPlay is still relatively short because the software hasn’t been on the market for very long. However, Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, and Sony all sell CarPlay-compatible aftermarket systems that bring smartphone integration to the world of winter beaters and classic cars.
Google Assistant adds another 10 skills, including a virtual sommelier
Why it matters to you
Google Assistant is attempting to catch up with Amazon Alexa’s thousands of skills, and it looks like it might be on its way.
It’s still got a ways to go before catching up with Amazon’s Alexa, but Google Assistant is already proving its mettle with the addition of 10 new skills. The latest batch to join the internet giant’s smart home assistant are all conversation actions from third-party developers, and include such crucial information as the best wine pairings to go with your dinner, and whether your dog’s dinner was actually safe for him or her.
Having a virtual sommelier at your disposal certainly sounds like a worthwhile perk, and that’s precisely what My Wine Guide offers by way of its new Assistant integration. Simply ask your smart home hub what you should be drinking with your lamb chops tonight, and you’ll get an expertly tailored answer. On the other hand, Dr. Doggy serves as an on-demand AI vet so that you don’t always have to rush Fido to the pet doctor whenever he eats a bar of chocolate.
More: You may soon be able to pay for things with Google Assistant
The addition of these 10 actions brings Assistant’s total list to around 75. While that’s about 1/100th of the amount offered by Alexa, Google seems intent on chipping away at that lead. So far, the AI system can tell you about public transportation schedules in countries across the world, including Singapore, London, and Prague, and can also keep you updated on other public services like trash pickup or public pool times.
It’s not too shabby considering that the Actions on Google platform was debuted just two months ago. And at the very least, the brands that have jumped on the Assistant bandwagon are nothing to sneeze at — WebMD, Food Network, BuzzFeed, and HBO’s Westworld all have skills available on the Google hub.
While Google Assistant conversation actions currently remain exclusive to Google Home, they will soon be made available on Pixel smartphones and other Google devices sometime this year.
Close to the Metal Ep 28: The tricky art of building a gaming laptop
The idea of a gaming laptop is one that’s often romanticized by PC gaming enthusiasts. There’s an allure behind taking your gaming experience away from the desk, and out into the world. Whether that means some living room couch gaming, or a trip around the world without missing a round of Overwatch, taking your computer to go is tempting on sunny days and winter evenings alike.
So what’s stopping you? As it turns out, quite a lot. Gaming laptops are much more finicky to build and bring to peak market than everyday drivers, and there’s a lot that can go wrong — or, more accurately, one wrong move can jeopardize a whole system.
For some systems, it could be an issue of battery life. It’s all too easy to forget that gaming hardware requires a ton of power, and the only way to overcome that is a bigger battery. Laptop manufacturers are stuck with a choice: bulk up in order to store more energy, or slim down and face heat management issues. There are some systems that strike a balance between the two, although that’s a tricky middle ground to strike perfectly.
Other systems fall prey to bloatware and the quick payday associated with bundled trial software. While that can help keep system costs down, it also has a detrimental effect on the usability of the system, and can often result in undesireable compatibility issues.
This week on our in-depth computing podcast Close to the Metal, we’ll show off some of our recent review units with a critical eye towards figuring out exactly what makes or breaks a gaming laptop. The line between the perfect mobile gaming rig may be thin, but we’ll get down to it and figure out exactly where it is, and what compromises are the right ones.
Telstra rolls out the world’s first Gigabit LTE network in Australia
The world’s first Gigabit LTE network goes live in Australia.
Last October, Qualcomm announced that it is partnering with Netgear, Ericsson, and Telstra to roll out the world’s first Gigabit LTE netowrk in Australia. In an event in Sydney, Telstra has announced that the network is now operational. The carrier showed off demos of the network in action, with download speeds in excess of 930Mbps and uploads of over 130Mbps.
The first device to support Gigabit LTE speeds is Netgear’s Nighthawk M1 mobile router. The router features a Snapdragon X16 LTE modem, which offers 4X4 MIMO, and 4-band carrier aggregation. The portable router can connect up to 20 devices, and has a built-in battery that is rated for up to 24 hours of continuous use.
The router can even charge your mobile device while delivering Gigabit-class speeds, and comes with two USB ports (Type A and C) along with an Ethernet port. The router will be available starting next month for AUD360 ($270) outright, and there’s also the option of bundling it through Telstra’s plans.
Just saw a demo of Australia’s upcoming 5G Gigabit LTE network. So Fast with a 900Mbps download! #gigabitLTE #Qualcomm #Ericsson #Telstra pic.twitter.com/xUENcZb2hw
— GadgetGuy.com.au (@GadgetGuySite) January 30, 2017
The network itself is now live in CBDs (central business district) of Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, and will be rolled out to more areas in mid-February. Here’s what you’ll be able to do on the Gigabit LTE network:
- Download a typical 3.5MB song in a fraction of a second
- Download a 20MB PowerPoint presentation in as little as one second
- Download a 300MB one hour TV episode in as little as sixteen seconds
- Download a 3GB HD Movie in as little as 3 minutes
From Qualcomm’s President of North America Mike Finley:
We are proud to support the launch of the world’s first commercial Gigabit LTE product through our close workings with Telstra, NETGEAR and Ericsson. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 LTE modem is the first commercial modem in the world to make these game-changing speeds and user experiences possible.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 also uses the same X16 LTE modem, so all phones that feature the SoC — with the LTE modem enabled — will be able to take advantage of Telstra’s Gigabit LTE. As for when other carriers will implement Gigabit LTE, Qualcomm has stated that it is trialing the service with 15 carriers in 11 countries.
AIVAnet 