AuraVisor takes on Gear VR, no phone required
Most current virtual reality headsets fall broadly into one of two categories: high-end options (Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR etc.) that connect to a console or PC, and glorified phone holders (Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard et al). AuraVisor offers a third way: the freedom of an untethered headset, but you leave your phone in your pocket — everything is built-in to the visor. It’s a fairly logical solution to the fast-growing problem of family-friendly VR. Using your phone in a headset is quick and dirty, but it comes with compromises on compatibility and comfort. Not to mention the ever-present risk of your fun being interrupted by all the other things your phone does (email, calendars and myriad other notifications). AuraVisor put VR into a single, Android-based device that could provide a Gear VR-like solution to everyone, minus the anxieties of using a phone.
Source: AuraVisor (Kickstarter)
Leaked screenshots preview Apple Music for Android
Apple’s Music service is slated to make its way to Android devices real soon if the company stays true to its word. If you want to see what it will look like right now, though, German website Mobile Geeks has posted what it says are screenshots of the upcoming app. As you can see from the images, it comes with Beats 1 Radio, a recommendations page and the Apple Music Connect social network for musicians. It can also save music offline, and it even allows you to set the cache size, in case you don’t want tracks from the service to eat up too much space on your device. As 9to5mac noted, it incorporates Android design features such as slide-out sidebars, though it retains some elements from the original iOS app, as well. If the app’s launch doesn’t get delayed, you won’t have to wait long to see it for yourselves — for now, check out the screenshots above and below the fold.
Via: 9to5mac
Source: Mobile Geeks
Need a smartwatch? Check out the Zeblaze Crystal on sale now at Gearbest.com (discount code)
Everyone is figuring out that mobile technology no longer requires hundreds of dollars to be spent for quality. Gearbest.com is offering the Zeblaze Crystal smartwatch, compatible with Android and iOS, for $54.99 with the discount code GLOUDSZC applied at checkout. It also comes with free shipping and a money back guarantee to ensure you are happy with your purchase.
The Zeblaze Crystal smartwatch is not only water resistant(IP65), but it will also serve as your notification center, pedometer, sleep monitor, music controller, heart rate monitor and activity reminder. The case is made from stainless steel and the band is genuine leather which offers a similar look to the latest Zen Watch. With technology advancing so quickly, it can be hard to swallow $300-500 for a wearable that might not be compatible with the latest software within a year or two.
Check out the specs of the Zeblaze Crystal smartwatch below and decide for yourself if it is worth saving a couple hundred dollars. If you’re interested in making a purchase, click this link and apply discount code GLOUDSZC at checkout.
| Hardware | Brand: Zeblaze Built-in chip type: MTK2502 Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 4.0 RAM: 128M ROM: 64M Waterproof: YES Waterproof rating: IP65 |
|---|---|
| Functions | Bluetooth calling: Answering, Dialing, Phonebook, Phone call reminder Messaging: Message reminder Health tracker: Sleep monitor, Pedometer, Sedentary reminder, Heart rate monitor Remote control: Camera remote, Music remote Notification: Yes Anti-lost: Yes Other functions: Alarm, Stopwatch, Calender, Weather forecast Groups of alarm: 3 sets Alert type: Ring, Vibration |
| Screen | Screen: 3D single curved tempered glass Screen resolution: 240 x 240 px Screen size: 1.54 inch |
| Battery | Battery type: Polymer battery Battery capacity: 3.7V / 280mAh Standby time: About 72 hours |
| General | People: Unisex watch Bluetooth working range: 6 – 10 meters |
| Dial and Band | Shape of the dial: Rectangle Case material: Stainless Steel Band material: Genuine leather |
| Features | Compatible OS: Android, iOS Compatibility: Android 4.4 – 5.1 and iOS 8.0 – 8.4 system Available color: Black, White |
| Weight and Size | Dial size: 4.2 x 4.9 x 1.1 cm / 1.65 x 1.93 x 0.43 inches Package size (L x W x H): 9.1 x 9.1 x 8 cm / 3.58 x 3.58 x 3.14 inches Product weight: 0.082 kg Package weight: 0.25 kg |
| Package contents | Package contents: 1 x Zeblaze Crystal Smart Watch, 1 x Chinese and English Manual, 1 x Charging Cable |
The post Need a smartwatch? Check out the Zeblaze Crystal on sale now at Gearbest.com (discount code) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow review: All about polish and power
When Android 5.0 Lollipop started hitting devices last November, people could tell. Google’s new Material Design aesthetic made sure you wouldn’t mistake it for any prior version of the OS, which was great… especially when you consider how confusing parts of it could be. Now that Android’s look has been more or less firmed up, Google set about making its operating system smoother, smarter and more battery-friendly. The end result: Android 6.0 Marshmallow. So, how’d they do? Spoiler alert: pretty damned well.Slideshow-333282
Fear not, Android users: The taco emoji is coming soon
Earlier this week, iOS and Mac users rejoiced at the arrival of the taco emoji, just one of a number of new emoji that were added to the operating systems via a software update. Unfortunately, Android users don’t yet have access to these emoji, something that’s an undeniable bummer. The good news is that the senior VP of Android says more emoji will be coming soon, the bad news is we don’t know when. Last night, Hiroshi Lockheimer tweeted that he’s heard the feedback and that Google is working on it — but when that change might happen is up in the air. Still, it’s good news — every day that goes by without a taco emoji is a day that isn’t lived quite to its fullest.
Via: Android Central
Source: Hiroshi Lockheimer (Twitter)
Final hours to save 33% off the Solove Titan Ultra Power Bank at Amazon.com (discount code)
Last week we wrote about the Solove Titan 20000mAh Ultra Slim Power Bank which is now 33% off using the discount code SOLOVE15 at checkout. This deal expires tonight at 11:59PST, and qualifies for free Prime Shipping on Amazon.com. 20000mAh is enough power to recharge you Samsung Galaxy Note 5 or Moto X pure(3000mAh) six times with some energy to spare. The discount code is limited to the inventory on hand so make sure to take advantage of the deal before it’s too late.
With the busiest travel days upon us in November and December, don’t run out of power or fight for wall outlets at the airport. If your flight gets delayed or if you have to travel long distances the the Solove Titan can get you through almost any trip across the globe and does it in style. It is encased in a metal unibody which not only makes it look great, but it also makes it super strong for protecting against bumping in your bags. It’s especially useful if you have kids who are always draining your portable devices.
I expect to have this power bank with me when I travel for my next business trip so I don’t even have to worry about bringing a wall plug to recharge my smartphone.
The deal is available for the silver and gray models and can be found by following this link to Amazon.com. Use discount code SOLOVE15 at checkout.
The post Final hours to save 33% off the Solove Titan Ultra Power Bank at Amazon.com (discount code) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
BlackBerry’s Priv will cost you $699
BlackBerry has opened-up pre-orders for its first ever Android smartphone, the curved-screen slider that’s better known as the Priv. The move comes just a day after the spec list was leaked on the company’s site, although the price that was included in the listing turned out to be a red herring. In fact, American BlackBerry fans will be able to pre-order the device for $699 starting from today, with delivery expected on November 6th. Canadians, meanwhile, can plonk down $899 CDN to get the device in their home country, while UK users are expected to stump-up £559 ($857) for the same deal.
Via: Re/code
Source: BlackBerry
Android Marshmallow requires devices to show all battery stats
On top of the big changes coming with Android Marshmallow, Google is also forcing Android device makers to be more transparent about battery usage on all of their devices. Specifically, Google notes that devices “MUST be able to track hardware component power usage,” as well as attribute usage to individual apps, according to the Marshmallow Compatibility Definition Document. Up until now, some Android manufacturers have been able to obfuscate certain battery details, allowing them to potentially hide components or apps that could be draining battery life. The change will hopefully lead to more power efficient Android phones and tablets down the line. If anything, it’s surprising it’s taken this long for Google to clamp down on Android battery stats.
Via: Android Police
Source: Google
Google’s redesigned Play store starts rolling out
After being teased last week by Google engineer Kirill Grouchnikov, the redesigned Play store has apparently started showing up on some Android devices. Android Central says the new mobile shop for apps, books, music, movies and more, which features a simplified tab-based interface, hit one of its smartphones last night. We checked ours to no avail, so you shouldn’t freak out if it’s not on yours either. Now that it’s out there for certain people, it won’t be too long before everyone can begin using it. Patience is a virtue.
Source: Android Central
BlackBerry might have leaked the Priv’s specs and release date (update: confirmed)
BlackBerry’s been drip-feeding data about its first Android phone for the last few weeks, but it looks as if someone’s spilled the rest of the beans a little bit early. An eagle-eyed member of the Crackberry forums found a page on the firm’s website that shared the spec list and price for the US and Canadian version of the device. If accurate, then we know that the Priv is packing a fair bit of power beneath the hood, but has a listed price of $749. There’s no indication if that figure is for the US or Canada — but the page does reference the (GSM) handset not working on American CDMA networks like Verizon and Sprint. You’ll also spot that the device is marked for release on November 16th, so we won’t have long to find out if all of this is true or not.
Performance-wise, the Priv is packing a 1.8Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 with 3GB RAM, 32GB storage and a microSD card slot that’ll take up to 2TB. Much was made of the Priv’s curved screen, and we know that it’s a 5.4-inch plastic AMOLED with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution (540 DPI) that can handle styluses and gloves. The physical keyboard measures 37mm high by 77.2mm wide, and there’s a 3,410mAh battery that’s rated for 22.5 hours of use tucked inside.
We knew that the Priv would come with an 18-megapixel camera, but now believe that it’ll come with OIS,a six-element f/2.2 lens and will record 4K video at 30 frames per second. The selfie cam up front is 2-megapixel with a f/2.8 lens and 720p video recording, and will also take panoramas with your mug in the middle of it. Plenty of BlackBerry devices come with NFC, but its inclusion here does raise the potential that the Priv could support Android Pay at some point.
All of this comes from a single source on a fan forum, so we can’t take it as gospel truth, but even with a tinfoil hat, it all sounds plausible. We hope that the pricing is for Canada rather than the US, since that would make the cost here around $570, putting it in the same rough ballpark as the $599 charged for the Passport on launch.
Update: Another tipster spotted the phone up for pre-order on UK retailer Carphone Warehouse, the specs listed match what we have here, so it’s confirmed. We also learn the (hefty) £580 SIM-free price tag.
[Thanks: Colin, Mighty Anonymouse]
[Image Credit: ToniCipriani, CrackBerry Forums]
Source: Carphone Warehouse
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