Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates roundup – October 14, 2015
Android 6.0 Marshmallow is here, and now the waiting game is on. “When will my phone get the Marshmallow update?” ask countless Android fans, and for good reason: while phone makers are doing a better job at keeping their devices up to date, the process is still lengthy and opaque. Worse, many models will inevitably be left behind. We’re here to shed some light on the issue.
In this post, which will be updated weekly, we are rounding up all the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update news, so you can get a good picture of what to expect.
Before we start
The release of Android updates for most devices is a complex operation, involving Google, chipmakers, device makers, and carriers. With so many players, and so many things that could go wrong, you should expect delays, slow rollouts, botched releases, and generally a lot of variation based on your specific model, your region, and your carrier.
Just because your device is listed here as officially announced to receive Marshmallow (or worse, just rumored to get the update), it doesn’t mean your particular model will receive it in a timely manner or even at all.
Conversely, just because your phone or tablet isn’t listed here, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be updated it. OEMs occasionally change their minds. In other cases, the lists that they put out are non-final.
Patience is advised.
See also: Android 6.0 Marshmallow – New features explained
Nexus Marshmallow updates
As in most cases, Nexus devices are first in line for updates. Google has released Android 6.0 factory images for Nexus devices on October 5. These images can be flashed manually, allowing you to bypass a potentially lengthy wait for the OTA update. Factory images are available for:
- Nexus 6
- Nexus Player
- Nexus 9 LTE
- Nexus 9 WiFi
- Nexus 5 GSM/LTE
- Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi
- Nexus 7 2013 Mobile
The Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2012 (both variants), and Nexus 10 will not make the jump to Marshmallow.
If you don’t want to wait, it’s relatively easy to flash a factory image, following our guide:
You can also manually flash the OTA zip files, which is the update file that would normally be pushed to your device from Google’s server. Note that in order to correctly install the update, your device must be running the firmware version mentioned in the link. OTA links via Android Police.
- Nexus 6 – not available yet
- Nexus Player – from 5.1.1 LMY48N to 6.0 MRA58K
- Nexus 9 LTE – from 5.1.1 LMY48T to 6.0 MRA58K
- Nexus 9 WiFi – from 5.1.1 LMY48T to 6.0 MRA58K
- Nexus 5 – from 5.1.1 LMY48M to 6.0 MRA58K
- Nexus 7 2013 WiFi – from 5.1.1 LMY48M to 6.0 MRA58K
- Nexus 7 2013 Mobile – from 5.1.1 LMY48P to 6.0 MRA58K
Android One Marshmallow updates
Like Nexus phones, all Android One devices are supposed to receive fast Android updates straight from Google. Factory images for various Android One phones sold in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Nepal are available below.
- Symphony Roar A50
- Cherry Mobile One
- Micromax Canvas A1
- Karbonn Sparkle V
- Spice Dream Uno
- MyPhone Uno
- Mito Impact A10
- Nexian Journey One
To flash these images, you can follow our manual installation guide.
Samsung Marshmallow updates
Like with previous versions, Samsung has not made any official announcements concerning the Android 6.0 updates for its smartphones and tablets. We do have however, some off the record information via SamMobile and T-Mobile.
The following devices are rumored to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
- Galaxy S5
- Galaxy S5 LTE-A
- Galaxy S5 neo
- Galaxy S6
- Galaxy S6 Edge
- Galaxy S6 Edge+
- Galaxy Note 4
- Galaxy Note Edge
- Galaxy Note 5
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
These are all obvious candidates for an upgrade, so we’re pretty confident that Marshmallow will be available for most versions of these devices, sooner or later. As for what to expect from the update, Samsung has an infographic listing some of the features.
LG Marshmallow updates
LG has not made any announcements regarding the devices it will update to Marshmallow. T-Mobile’s update list mentions the LG G3, LG G4, and G4 Stylo, which are all obvious choices. Besides this, we can speculate that the recently announced V10 and the G Flex 2 will also be making the jump. We’re less optimistic about LG’s mid-rangers, including the Bello, Magna, Leon, and Spirit, though at least some of them can probably handle Marshmallow.
Motorola Marshmallow updates
Motorola has made a good name for itself in the Android community, thanks to its fast updates and focus on a smooth stock-like user experience. The Marshmallow rollout may change that positive perception though. It’s not that Motorola hasn’t been forthcoming about its plans; it’s the fact that those plans seemingly don’t include either version of the Moto E, the Moto X (2013), or some carrier versions of the Moto X (2014).
- 2015 Moto X Pure Edition (3rd gen)
- 2015 Moto X Style (3rd gen)
- 2015 Moto X Play
- 2015 Moto G (3rd gen)
- 2014 Moto X Pure Edition in the US (2nd gen)
- 2014 Moto X in Latin America, Europe and Asia (2nd gen)
- 2014 Moto G and Moto G with 4G LTE (2nd gen)
- DROID Turbo
- 2014 Moto MAXX
- 2014 Moto Turbo
- Nexus 6
HTC Marshmallow updates
HTC has revealed a tentative list of devices that will be updated to Android 6.0, and even a timeline. The One M8 and One M9 will see Marshmallow by the end of the year, while the other phones listed below will get the same treatment from early next year. Plus, HTC may launch one of the first non-Nexus phones running Marshmallow out of the box, the One A9.
- HTC One M9
- HTC One M8
- HTC One M9+
- HTC One E9+
- HTC One E9
- HTC One ME
- HTC One E8
- HTC One M8 EYE
- HTC Butterfly 3
- HTC Desire 826
- HTC Desire 820
- HTC Desire 816
Sony Marshmallow updates
Sony has published an exhaustive list of devices it plans to update to Marshmallow, including all the likely candidates, including the latest Xperia Z5 series. Unfortunately, Sony won’t bring Marshmallow to the 2013 Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact, as well as the older Xperia Z. On the flip side, at least there are a few mid-rangers on the list. Sony has also released AOSP resources and binaries for some of its devices, allowing the community to easily create custom ROMs. As for the update itself, Sony is running a beta program with 10,000 users that we hope to learn more about soon.
- T Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium
- Xperia Z4 Tablet
- Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
- Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet
- Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4
Huawei Marshmallow updates
Huawei has a lousy record when it comes to releasing Android updates for its devices, but perhaps its involvement with the Nexus program will help nudge things along. Considering that the Mate 7, Huawei’s 2014 flagship, is yet to receive Lollipop, we wouldn’t hold our breath. That said, a rumor out of China suggests the Mate 7, P8, Honor 6 Plus and more devices will eventually see Android 6.0. We’ll update if any official info comes our way.
ZTE Marshmallow updates
Like Huawei, ZTE is known for not caring about Android updates. It remains to be seen if this year will be any different. ZTE is looking for a breakthrough in the Western markets with the Axon line, so perhaps the Chinese giant will deem it necessary to bring Marshmallow to it, at the least.
OnePlus Marshmallow updates
OnePlus is in a tricky place: its first phone, the One, still runs Cyanogen OS, and theoretically, Steve Kondik’s outfit should deliver the Marshmallow update in the following months. The OnePlus 2, meanwhile, runs OnePlus’s own OS, Oxygen, and its development is led by former members of the Paranoid Android team. Considering that the Oxygen OS team is still busy working on the current, Android 5-based release, the prospect of a Marshmallow release seems very remote.
Asus Marshmallow updates
All we have here is one sketchy rumor claiming Asus will bring Marshmallow to the Zenfone 2 series, including the Zenfone Laser, Deluxe, and Selfie. However, we wouldn’t put too much stock in it, as Asus is not known for fast updates.
Custom Marshmallow ROMs
When Android OEMs let us down, we all look up the developer community to pick up the slack, at least when it comes to Android updates. Unfortunately, the custom ROM scene is not as vibrant as it used to be, with only CyanogenMod left to carry the torch.
For now, we know that the CyanogenMod team has started working on the Marshmallow-based CM13, though we don’t have an official announcement yet.
Also keep an eye on independent developers – for instance, Dmitry Grinberg has come up with a working Marshmallow ROM for the Nexus 4.
More info and discussion
For a discussion on all the Android Marshmallow updates, check out the dedicated thread on the Android Authority forums.
Missed something? Let us know and we will update this post. Tell us your thoughts!
Speaker found in ZenWatch 2, fuels speculations of audio support in new Android Wear update
Recently there was a lot of buzz about the discovery of an uncredited speaker inside the Huawei Watch, fueling speculation that Google may provide a speaker support in the new Android Wear update. Now, even the ASUS ZenWatch 2 has been found to feature an unused speaker, indicating that the speculations may not be far fetched.
A Google+ user, David Sears, laid bare his ZenWatch 2 and found that his wearable discreetly housed a speaker just like the Huawei Watch. He, along with a number of smartwatch owners, is now hoping that the new software update will make his ZenWatch capable of making phone calls.
“Asus ZenWatch 2 has a speaker like the Huawei Watch so I think Google is going to include speaker support in a future update. There is talk that Android 6.0 Marshmallow will support phone calls from the watch,” David said in his Google+ post.
Google has a history of surprising Android Wear smartwatch users with its frequent updates. A software update, earlier this year, enabled Wi-Fi for a number of already available wearables. So far, it has been a matter of pushing software support for devices that feature compatible hardware. In fact, there are many smartwatches available in the market with hardware features which are yet to get Android Wear support.
If Google decides to support speakers in the next Android Wear update, it is likely to bring audio notifications, telephony and even playing music on board.
Source: David Sears (Google+)
Via: 9To5Google
Come comment on this article: Speaker found in ZenWatch 2, fuels speculations of audio support in new Android Wear update
Official booloader unlock now available for the Asus Zenfone 2 is now available
Asus released one of the best budget phones of 2015 with their $199 ZenFone 2. Two versions were released, the more budget friendly version with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage for $199, and a beefed up version for $299 with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. These price points and specs made the phone very friendly to enthusiasts who were looking for performance on a budget and didn’t care that Asus isn’t huge in the US market or that the phone isn’t sold through carriers.
Now Asus is making the ZenFone 2 even more friendly to consumers by releasing an official bootloader unlock utility. Previously, anyone who wanted to load a custom ROM onto the ZenFone 2 had to use a tool created by a third party to unlock the bootloader. While the Android and XDA communities are generally pretty good about releasing open source software, any time you’re using third party code, you open yourself up to the unknown.
“It is strongly advised that you avoid activating this App unless you fully understand and accept the risks that may arise.“
This tool does come with some disclaimers.
Yes, it does void your warranty. Asus explicitly states this so there’s no confusion. You assume full risk by running this tool and unlocking your bootloader and you will never be able to recover your device to “original product” according to Asus.
You will also no longer be entitled to software updates from Asus, “the software of Revised Product will no longer be deemed the software of the Original Product and can no longer receive ASUS software updates”. Asus also goes on to state that your digital content may be affected and they no longer guarantee service satisfaction.
Some of this is common sense. Unlocking the bootloader almost always voids your warranty, whether it is through an official source or third party. OEMs are not going to take their time, effort and money supporting third party modifications to their software normally.
Many OEMs are now either shipping phones with unlocked bootloaders or allowing you to unlock them with their tools after purchase. Do these tools make phones more attractive to you? Let us know down in the comments what you think about locked bootloaders, unlocking tools and if it’s still necessary to install third party software that requires a bootloader unlock.
Source: Asus
The post Official booloader unlock now available for the Asus Zenfone 2 is now available appeared first on AndroidGuys.
ASUS providing bootloader unlock for the ZenFone 2
Unbeknownst to the mainstream public, there is a dedicated segment of smartphone users who love to tinker with their high-tech toys. The creation, development, and maintenance of custom made, home-grown ROMs has made places like XDA Developers a haven for life beyond a device’s “digital death” and ASUS is going to make things easier for those using its recent ZenFone 2: the Taiwanese OEM is now providing interested users with a toolkit to unlock their bootloader.
Asus ZenFone 2
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The first requirement is to update the phone to the latest software version (listed as V2.20.40.59), after which you can then download, install, and run the “Unlock Device App” and tinker to your heart’s desire. Note that ASUS warns users that doing so will fundamentally change the way in which their device can receive updates and warranty coverage, that is to say: it can’t. Specifically:
“Once you activate the App you will not be able to recover your ASUS product (“Original Product”) back to original locked conditions; the Original Product with the activated App will not be deemed the Original Product; the Revised Product will no longer be covered under the warranty of the Original Product; the software of Revised Product will no longer be deemed the software of the Original Product and can no longer receive ASUS software updates; your purchased digital content may also be affected.”
While none of the stipulations may come as a surprise to those who have done this before, it’s clear that Asus is seeking to limit any and all exposure to liability that comes with providing this service to users. With that said, those interested in getting started can begin the process here:
Asus ZenFone 2 Official Bootloader Unlock
For reference, the full statement of stipulations follows.
From the ASUS Support site: Unlock Device App: Unlock bootloader
Notice: 1. Update your software image to V2.20.40.59 or latest version 2. Before you download, install, and use the Unlock Device App you acknowledge and assume complete risk to the quality and performance of this App, including but not limited to the following: once you activate the App you will not be able to recover your ASUS product (“Original Product”) back to original locked conditions; the Original Product with the activated App will not be deemed the Original Product; the Revised Product will no longer be covered under the warranty of the Original Product; the software of Revised Product will no longer be deemed the software of the Original Product and can no longer receive ASUS software updates; your purchased digital content may also be affected.
You also acknowledge ASUS does not guarantee service satisfaction to any Revised Product, including events involving paid service requested by you to be performed to the Revised Product. Furthermore, such repaired Revised Product will not be covered under the warranty of the Original Product; the software of the repaired Revised Product will not be deemed the software of the Original Product and will not receive ASUS software updates. It is strongly advised that you avoid activating this App unless you fully understand and accept the risks that may arise.
ASUS has made available the bootloader unlock for the ZenFone 2
If you own an ASUS ZenFone 2 and love to mess around with Android, you will be pretty pumped to hear ASUS has just made available an official bootloader unlock. If you would like to do this to your phone, be sure to first update to the latest software version (V2.20.40.59) before starting.
After that, it’s basically download the bootloader unlock, install it, and launch the “Unlock Device App”. Once done, the device is truly yours to do what you like with. Naturally, ASUS gives a pretty big warning that you are on your own if something goes wrong.
Press Release:
“Unlocking your bootloader allows you to put custom software onto your device. Many developers have created custom ROMs and have had to hack their way into the ZenFone 2 to make this available to powerusers in the community.
Now, unlocking the bootloader is as easy as downloading the utility, installing it, and running it.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND READ BELOW NOTICE BEFORE ATTEMPTING
Download the utility HERE
From the ASUS Support site: Unlock Device App: Unlock bootloader
Notice: 1. Update your software image to V2.20.40.59 or latest version 2. Before you download, install, and use the Unlock Device App you acknowledge and assume complete risk to the quality and performance of this App, including but not limited to the following: once you activate the App you will not be able to recover your ASUS product (“Original Product”) back to original locked conditions; the Original Product with the activated App will not be deemed the Original Product; the Revised Product will no longer be covered under the warranty of the Original Product; the software of Revised Product will no longer be deemed the software of the Original Product and can no longer receive ASUS software updates; your purchased digital content may also be affected.
You also acknowledge ASUS does not guarantee service satisfaction to any Revised Product, including events involving paid service requested by you to be performed to the Revised Product. Furthermore, such repaired Revised Product will not be covered under the warranty of the Original Product; the software of the repaired Revised Product will not be deemed the software of the Original Product and will not receive ASUS software updates. It is strongly advised that you avoid activating this App unless you fully understand and accept the risks that may arise.”
Come comment on this article: ASUS has made available the bootloader unlock for the ZenFone 2
Windows 10 didn’t stop PC sales from dropping this summer
Windows 10 may have breathed new life into your PC, but it didn’t do anything to juice PC sales this summer. Both Gartner and IDC estimate that computer sales dropped several points year-over-year (between 7.7 and 10.8 percent) in the third quarter, right when the new Windows arrived. That’s one of the steeper drops in recent memory, in fact. Not that it comes as a complete surprise. As the analyst firms explain, Microsoft’s fast-tracked release left many PC makers shipping existing systems with Windows 10, which weren’t going to drive demand as much as brand new models. You’re not going to buy a months-old laptop just because it’s running new software, are you? The big question is whether or not the wave of new Windows 10 PCs launching this fall will make a difference — if there’s still a sharp decline, the industry is really in trouble.
The new platform wasn’t the only factor at work, of course. The researchers blame the downturn on a combination of a stronger US dollar (which hiked PC prices in many other countries) and a transition away from old Windows 8 PCs. Some vendors fared better than others, though. As a rule, big-name brands like Apple, Dell, HP and Lenovo (the market leader) have emerged relatively unscathed — it’s the smaller, more vulnerable companies that are shedding legions of customers. Even Acer and ASUS saw sales plunge by over 10 percent. It’s too soon to say if Windows 10 will stop the bleeding, but the days of booming computer businesses appear to be long gone.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]
5 Android Apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly
Welcome back to Android Apps Weekly!
Sponsored by CloudCal
[Price: Free / $2.45]
This week’s Android Apps Weekly is sponsored by CloudCal. Last week you may have remembered that we showed you an app called CloudTasks. Well, CloudCal is done by the same developers and the two apps actually work together well by syncing your to-do list from CloudTasks into CloudCal.
CloudCal has an awesome set of features all on its own and includes a unique month-view calendar that shows your days as clock faces so you can see how busy you are that day. It also syncs with Microsoft Outlook and Exchange along with Google Calendar. It has a unique design that includes drag-and-drop events and a slew of standard features like inviting colleagues to events and other productivity-inclined features. It’s totally free to use so give it a shot and show your support for Android Apps Weekly!
Get it now on Google Play!
Let’s get into the big Android apps headlines from this last week!:
- In an effort to help websites load faster on mobile browsers, Google has announced the Accelerated Mobile Pages project. Partners for this project include Twitter, WordPress, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and more than 20 others. Here’s hoping this works.
- Facebook has announced an interesting new thing called the Network Connection Class. Using this, Facebook will determine your network speed and show you stuff in your news feed based on what your network can handle resulting in faster load times for the News Feed.
- The latest Humble Bundle is now live and includes six games with more to come soon. Some titles include Haunt the House: Terrortown, Jelly Defense, and Fearless Fantasy. You can get three games for $1 or pay the average, which is just around $4 right now, and grab all of them. It’s also a great way to give to charity!
- Earlier this week, it was announced that Spotify is now compatible with RockScout which is an application you can use to control car stereos equipped with MirrorLink. This gives you a far more user friendly way to control Spotify while in the car.
- A couple of weeks ago, we talked about how Russia was thinking of ordering Google to unbundle Google apps from devices. Well, this week, they went ahead and did exactly that. The idea being that Google’s pre-loaded apps cause an unfair disadvantage for third party software. Google has about a month to comply or respond.
For even more Android apps and games headlines, updates, and new releases, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter! There we have the complete list of things that happened this last week and it includes all the stuff we didn’t have time for here. If you’re so inclined, you can sign up using your email and we’ll send you our newsletter every Friday to keep you up to date!
Signup for our newsletter
- Android Weekly
- Apps Weekly
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our Twitch channel. It’s been a couple of weeks since we rocked out on some games there but that’s going to change very soon. Hit the follow button and then come join us on our next stream for some video games and chit chat!
Check us out on Twitch!
AutoDash
[Price: Free]
First up this week is AutoDash. This is a custom launcher designed to be used while you’re in the car. The premise is simple as the app allows you to create a customized control panel for easy access to apps, navigation, and media while you’re in the car. It also has a few smaller features like voice recording, IFTTT integration, and song recognition. It’s a little rough around the edges right now so do keep that in mind. Otherwise, it’s totally free and could be fun to use.
Get it now on Google Play!
Meter
[Price: Free]
Meter is a fun, minimal live wallpaper that displays various system information right on your home screen. Some options include your battery, your notifications, your WiFi signal strength, and a lot more. It uses minimal style shapes to visually represent the data so it’s easy to see what’s going on at a glance. You can also manipulate the wallpaper by tilting the phone. Like AutoDash, this one is a bit rough around the edges so your mileage may vary but hey, at least it’s free!
Get it now on Google Play!
ZenWatch FaceDesigner
[Price: Free]
ZenWatch FaceDesigner is a new application from ASUS that allows you to design your own Android Wear watch faces for your ASUS ZenWatch. This is pretty fun because it’s not every day that this kind of customization is offered by an OEM for their devices and we hope it becomes a trend that other OEMs follow. Using this app, you can pretty much design your watch face however you want. Do note that it’s only compatible with the ZenWatch so everyone else will have to keep using alternatives.
Get it now on Google Play!
Showtime and HBO Now
[Price: Free]
It’s true that Showtime and HBO Now aren’t really new apps, but this last week they were released on Google Play for Android TV. If you happen to have an Android TV device, you can easily search for these apps, download them, and start watching their content. Their designs are both pretty decent considering that they’ll be on a TV and both services appear to work relatively well. Android TV just got a whole lot better thanks to these two apps.
Use the button below to download Showtime or you can click here to get HBO Now.
Get it now on Google Play!
Adobe Capture CC and Adobe Illustrator Draw
[Price: Free]
Last up this week are two new applications from Adobe. The first is called Capture CC and this app lets you create a variety of design assets by extracting information from various images. You can also turn these shapes into vector graphics, brushes, and shapes to make your design work easier. Illustrator Draw allows you to, well, draw things. This complex drawing app lets you draw with layers and has integration with a few of Adobe’s desktop applications. Both of these applications are powerful and will get better as time goes. They’re also both free to download.
To download Capture CC, use the button below. You can get Illustrator Draw on Google Play by click here.
Get it now on Google Play!
Wrap up
If we missed any great Android apps and games news, tell us more about it in the comments below!
The inability to adapt is why Samsung will fall
Samsung, along with just about everyone else, continues to push out high end flagships with the latest Snapdragon 800s (Exynos for Samsung) processor and other competitive specs like 3 to 4 gigs of RAM and monstrous 2k, even 4k (Sony), displays. What they aren’t manufacturing is high performing middle ranged devices.
Alcatel, Asus and Motorola have made radical advancements with their midrange devices. The Idol 3, Zenphone 2 and Moto G have been making huge strides in narrowing the performance gap between midrange and highend phones without narrowing the price gap. Although, Motorola’s own Moto X and the OnePlus Two do lower that price gap by offering highend specs for more affordable prices.
Samsung, as well as other manufacturers like Sony and HTC, haven’t had strong offerings in the midrange level. Ever. Samsung is the king of the flagship and the entirety of the sea of the lowend devices, but their “midranged” devices are just lowend devices in disguise.
With the rumors of the HTC One A9 (Aero) being a midranged handset, HTC might be adapting. There were cries of disgust when people realized that HTC’s “saving grace” wasn’t going to be a super-powered flagship, but it might not have to be.
Three years ago, Motorola released the Moto X and the Moto G. The Moto X was a great phone, but the Moto G was even better. The Moto G was a midranged device that did everything right. Sure, its specs were sub par, past yesteryear, but the experience was still there.
The problem with most lowend to midrange phones is that they provide awful user experiences; they are slow, sluggish, and borderline unusable after a six months. The Moto G fixed all of these problems with a snappy feel to it that worked great for everyone besides power users.
Samsung keeps its grip on the market through relentless campaigning. Their strength is marketing. Samsung’s game is to produce the best flagship device and advertise it until they make the next big flagship device. With this, they grow in brand recognition and pick up the low end sales on account of their recognizability from the flagship device.
There are plenty of phones out there at similar price points that offer way more in terms of specs and experience, but nobody knows about them because they are buried in the sea of Samsung. However, that is all starting to change.
Last year, we saw the rise of OnePlus. They offered a flagship device for a midranged price, and the world took notice. It is unfortunate that the company’s marketing team got overzealous and self-destructed, but that is another story for another time.
This year, we have seen the Blu Pure XL rock the tech world with another flagship phone for a midranged price. Cheaper phones are making an appearance. Soon, they will break into the market and topple Samsung, the king of Android. That is unless Samsung adapts.
Samsung has always made premium flagship devices, and that was okay. The world wanted that premium flagship. However, people are changing, and they are becoming increasingly concerned with bang for their buck value over raw power regardless of cost. There is an increasing interest in cheaper phones and a declining one in the flagships.
People are soon going to realize that Samsung’s premium attention to their flagship devices doesn’t translate into their lowend and midranged devices. They are going to figure out that there are other options out there that better suit their needs. When they do, Samsung’s reign will end, and a new king will rise to take the crown. A cheaper king.
The post The inability to adapt is why Samsung will fall appeared first on AndroidGuys.
ASUS releases ZenWatch FaceDesigner for their DIY watch face makers
One of the benefits that Android fans enjoy with the operating system is the ability to customize so many parts of what is displayed on their smartphones. Launchers add several customizable options and an untold number of widgets give users the ability to get just the look they want, all without involving programming or graphic design skills. It should be no surprise then that similar capabilities are starting to expand through the Android ecosystem, like the ZenWatch FaceDesigner from ASUS that gives users the ability to design their own watch faces for ZenWatch smartwatches running Android Wear.
The ZenWatch FaceDesigner follows a three step process to customize the watch face. Users choose the base watch face, they choose a clock type, and then finish with an information widget. Each step gives users the ability to do things like choose images, colors, icons, and choose from a variety of pre-built information widgets. Users can even select their own image for a background.
The app may not be to the level where users could virtually replicate a Rolex or some of the more polished designs that are available for Android Wear devices, but it is a start and is likely a sign of things to come for the market.
If you have an ASUS ZenWatch or ASUS ZenWatch 2 device, head on over to the Play Store to grab the app and start work on designing that watch face that you have not had any luck finding elsewhere.
Come comment on this article: ASUS releases ZenWatch FaceDesigner for their DIY watch face makers
ASUS’ ZenWatch 2 launches in the Google Store
Want a brand new Android Wear smartwatch while sticking to a tight budget? It’s your lucky day. The Google Store has started carrying ASUS’ ZenWatch 2, which offers the latest Android experience while starting at a very frugal $149 US. You don’t have the full selection of straps or case colors — sorry, no Milanese band here. However, you can pick from either a moderately-sized 45mm silver body with an aqua blue rubber strap, or a large 49mm gunmetal case with a wristband in navy blue leather. Either wearable will give you a heart rate sensor, improved weather resistance and as much as 66 hours of use between charges. The ZenWatch 2 isn’t as posh-looking as the new Moto 360 or the 2nd Edition LG Watch Urbane, but you probably won’t mind when you’re going to save a wad of cash.
Via: TechnoBuffalo
Source: Google Store
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