Huawei may be in running for next Nexus 7 tablet
It has been a while now since Google released a small tablet device, the last of which was the 2013 Nexus 7. Both the first generation and second generation Nexus 7 were produced by Asus for Google. Riding on the recent release of the Nexus 6P, the latest rumors hint at Huawei being a strong contender to produce a new Nexus 7 tablet for 2016.
According to a post on Weibo, the Nexus 7 (2016) project is already underway with a projected release date for later in 2016, likely October. No manufacturer has been officially named yet. If true though, Huawei would join companies like Asus, Samsung and HTC that have produced tablet devices for Google. Except for the Nexus 9 produced by HTC, Google’s tablet devices tend to be seen as more budget-oriented in terms of pricing, so it will be interesting to see what Huawei could squeeze into a device with a relatively low price point if the trend continues.
Although the tablet market seems to be cooling down, Google did announce back in December that they were bringing the Pixel C to market. The Pixel C is a high-end device that appears to be a competitor for the Microsoft Surface or Apple iPad Pro by blurring the lines between a laptop and a tablet device.
source: PhoneRadar
via: VR Zone
Come comment on this article: Huawei may be in running for next Nexus 7 tablet
ASUS is gearing up to launch the ZenWatch 2 in the UK
ASUS took to Twitter earlier today to reveal that the ZenWatch 2, which was announced at Computex back in June, is finally en route to the UK. Unfortunately, the Taiwanese company didn’t provide any information with regards to an official release date, but it has published an information page for potential customers to register and receive additional details as and when they’re announced.
The ZenWatch 2 can be seen from every angle in the short product showcase video below:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: Twitter
Come comment on this article: ASUS is gearing up to launch the ZenWatch 2 in the UK
Hilarious ad promotes ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser and Zenfone Selfie as “sushi-proof”
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In my opinion, humour is the best way to market smartphones – I feel like it lets people know that you’re not taking yourself too seriously and humanizes your otherwise space-age designed smartphone. Taiwanese manufacturer ASUS has just released an ad for the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser and Zenfone Selfie which I think falls into that bucket. While smartphone display technology has progressed to the point where they are literally shatterproof, people are still reluctant to trust their impressively designed devices – ASUS wants to make light of that by having a sushi chef prepare sushi on one of their devices by using it as a cutting board. Check it out below:
While the above feat is probably possible on a number of devices, ASUS is promoting the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser and Zenfone Selfie because they have Gorilla Glass 4. Given the quality of previous Gorilla Glass iterations, we have no reason to not believe that Gorilla Glass 4 is every bit as strong as it’s said to be – though somehow I don’t think many of us will be using our smartphones as a cutting board any time soon.
What do you think about this ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser and Zenfone Selfie ad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Phone Arena
The post Hilarious ad promotes ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser and Zenfone Selfie as “sushi-proof” appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
ASUS Chromebit review – the little Chrome OS dongle that could
Current Google CEO Sundar Pichai once said he wanted to see Chrome and Android in every screen available, a goal that is now looking more real than ever. Android is obviously all over the spectrum, but there is a whole other beast Google has been very good at taking over the market with – Chrome OS.
This web-based operating system now exists on laptops, desktop computers and even all-in-one PCs. These are known as Chromebooks, Chromeboxes and Chromebases, but that is not where Google wants to let things end. This light, fast and affordable platform is now making its way into a new form-factor that allows more flexibility.
Today we are focusing on the ASUS Chromebit, a small dongle that can fit into any pocket and convert any HDMI-enabled screen into a full-fledged Chrome OS device. Yes, even your TV, likely the largest screen you own.
But what is the benefit here? That is something we will talk more about later in the review, but let me give you a little teaser here – the ASUS Chromebit is only $84.99. Interested? Keep reading for more details!
Buy the ASUS Chromebit from Amazon
Buy the ASUS Chromebit from Newegg
Design & build quality
Thinking back on how big computers needed to be just a decade ago, this thing does seem like a marvel. We used to own large boxes that took over a huge part of our desks. Now I find myself getting an ASUS Chromebit in the mail, in a box that could easily fit a glass. This thing fits right in the palm of my hand and can easily outperform my first desktop computer. If you want numbers, it measures in at 123 x 31 x 17 mm. That’s just digits, though, so I am better off telling you it is about the size of one of those wide highlighters we used to have back in school.
The ASUS Chromebit certainly doesn’t look bad, but it’s also nothing to write home about. And that’s a good thing! This is not a product you will be showing off to anyone. It will live behind your screen and stay hidden most of the time, something it does a very good job at. It is discrete, both in size and aesthetics.
What you probably will care about is whether it’s well-built or not. After all, this is a portable device of sorts. The idea is that you can use it at your living room, desk, work, presentations and even hotel room. This jack of all trades can do it all, so it needs to be built to withstand such lifestyle.
Hopefully the guys at ASUS never read this bit, but I actually dropped the Chromebit once. It fell out of my pocket and came out of this accident without a single scratch. Literally, the thing still looks new. This is pure testament of its good build quality, but you don’t need to mess up (like me) and put it to the test to know this. You can feel it right off the bat, the first time it lays on your hand.
Even if built mostly of plastic, the Chromebit definitely feels solid. It has a certain weight that let’s you know it’s definitely not a hollow product, a factor that gives off a level of security I never had with a Chromecast.
Hardware & specs
Let’s go through the externals first, shall we? Everything is pretty straight forward here. Uncover one end of the ASUS Chromebit and you will be presented with a full-sized HDMI connector. The box also includes an extension for those TVs that make it hard to connect this device directly to. On the other end we can find a USB 2.0 port for connecting all your peripherals and storage devices. There’s also a small power jack on the side, which is used to keep your mini PC alive.
Let me touch a bit on that energy system, though. It’s already bad enough that it uses a non-USB power port, but there are a couple other inconveniences I found here. For starters, you can’t plug this into the TV’s USB port and grab energy from there. This is justified, though, as it is a Chrome OS computer and needs more energy.
What really gets to me is that the included Power cable is uncomfortably short. I would say this cable is about 1.25 meters, which makes it a pain to plug in if your TV (or whatever screen you are using) is a tiny bit too far from an outlet.
How about them specs? Let’s go over them real quick.
- Chrome OS
- Rockchip quad-core RK3288C CPU
- ARM Mali-T624 GPU
- 2 GB of RAM
- 16 GB of internal storage
- 100 GB of Gogole Drive storage for 2 years
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth 4.0
Performance and OS
Now, the moment of truth. How good is the ASUS Chromebit as a computer? Let’s begin with the OS, which will really be what most of you will care about. That is because, like most other Chrome OS devices, the Chromebit is very good at some things, but very bad at others.
Keep in mind this pretty much runs a glorified version of the Chrome browser. Google has added plenty of offline features and apps to Chrome OS, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it heavily relies on an internet connection. Regardless, most people use computers for the internet alone, which is the whole idea behind the very existence of this operating system.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you will have to sacrifice popular programs that any user would otherwise have at their disposal when working with Windows, Mac OS X or Linux. Say goodbye to Photoshop, Lightroom, Microsoft Office, most games and any other program you would usually run natively from a PC. Everything is web-based (or limited).
That’s not to say the OS is bad, as there are plenty of benefits to be had with it. Keep in mind that because it is a web-based OS, it is also very light. Super light. This thing will boot up faster than any other computer. In fact, the Chromebit was usually on by the time my TV decided to boot up. And because it doesn’t need much resources, it can run very well without crazy specs.
This takes us to the next point – how well does the ASUS Chromebit perform? Those who have used a lower-end Chromebook will find a very similar experience going on here. The computer runs perfectly if you are a basic user. I was streaming Full HD videos with no issue, and I never saw any hiccups with casual usage. Nor did I find any bugs or problems.
My only gripe with the Chromebit is that those 2 GB of RAM are definitely not enough for any multi-tasker out there. I found that even having 4 tabs open started slowing down the machine, something that is simply unacceptable in my line of work.
But if you never really open 4 tabs or more, this may not be an issue at all. I mean, this is an $84 computer, after all. If multi-tasking is the only thing I can complain about, in terms of performance, I say ASUS is doing a really good job.
Should you buy the ASUS Chromebit?
With that, we come back to the question you asked yourself at the beginning of this review – should you buy an ASUS Chromebit? As it goes with most devices, the answer is not as simple as a “yes” or “no”. I will tell you this device is not for everyone, though. Who is it for?
It’s portability and affordable price point make it a great secondary computer for those who move around frequently, are always on-the-go, or need a good presentation machine. It will take care of all your browsing needs, as long as you don’t go nuts with multi-tasking. Now, things may be a bit more complicated if you want to make this your primary computer, but it’s definitely doable depending on your needs.
A casual user who simply wants to browse the web, visit social networks and stream movies/music will be satisfied. I can also see it being a great tool for public places (schools, hotels, libraries, etc.), as it is affordable and very easy to manage for IT departments. If you only need to use the web, don’t multi-task much and won’t need your traditional programs, this little dongle is great.
And the Chromebit definitely has its market, which is something I happen to be fond of… it has its purpose and place in the wide ecosystem of devices we own. I personally wouldn’t say the same about Chromeboxes, which sacrifice portability, screen and keyboard, yet cost about the same as a Chromebook. I just don’t see the point in that. But for $84.99, I can definitely get behind something like the ASUS Chromebit.
If you fit the category described above, it’s certainly a great buy. And at this price you would be hard-pressed to find anything better.
Buy the ASUS Chromebit from Amazon
Buy the ASUS Chromebit from Newegg
Best T-Mobile prepaid Android phones
If you’re exploring prepaid carrier options in the United States, odds are you’ve gotten a bit overwhelmed. While it’s not solely a prepaid carrier, T-Mobile offers great network coverage and low price points for anyone who would like an off-contract smartphone. Even though the options offered directly by T-Mobile for prepaid use are a bit limited, the good news is that there are quite a few unlocked devices that will work with T-Mobile’s prepaid plans, which will discuss at the end of this post.
Without any further ado, here are the best prepaid T-Mobile Android phones.
See also: The best prepaid and no contract plans in the US (Updated November 2015)
#1 – Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime
Although this may not be the most spec’d-out device on the market, we’d say Samsung’s Galaxy Grand Prime is one heck of a device for the money. It features a nicely-sized 5.0-inch display on the front, a capable Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB of RAM and microSD expansion for up to 64 extra gigabytes of storage. The display might not be of the highest resolution, but if you can get past that, this is a good option.
If you’re on a budget, this phone is for you. You can purchase the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime through T-Mobile prepaid for just $189.99.
Specs
- 5.0-inch TFT LCD display with 540 x 960 resolution
- Quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor
- 1GB of RAM
- 8GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 64GB
- 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Removable 2600mAh battery
- 144.8 x 72.1 x 8.6mm, 156g
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read more
#2 – HTC Desire 626s
Looking for another solid prepaid option that won’t break the bank? HTC’s Desire 626s might be just what you’re looking for. With its 5.0-inch 720p display, quad-core processor and 1.5GB of RAM, you’ll have no problem playing games, watching videos and consuming all other forms of media out there. It also has a pretty solid 8MP rear camera and microSD expansion up to a massive 2 terabytes, making this one heck of a device for the photography folks out there. It might not have the most powerful processor or the biggest battery, but it’s still a great value for what you’re paying.
The HTC Desire 626s is available on T-Mobile’s prepaid network for just $209.99.
Specs
- 5.0-inch LCD display with 720 x 1280 resolution
- Quad-core 1.1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor
- 1.5GB of RAM
- 8GB of on-board storage, microSD card expansion up to 2TB
- 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
- Non-removable 2000mAh battery
- 146.9 x 70.9 x 8.19mm, 140g
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read more
- HTC announces super affordable Desire 626, 626s, 526 and 520
- Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime, Core Prime, HTC Desire 626s and more now available from T-Mobile
- LG Stylo and HTC Desire 626s now available through Cricket
#3 – Kyocera Hydro WAVE
Looking to get your hands on a similarly-rugged phone to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active but aren’t keen on spending $700? You should check out the Kyocera Hydro WAVE. This device features a 5.0-inch LCD display, a powerful Snapdragon 410 processor and microSD expansion up to an additional 32GB. It also runs Android 5.1 Lollipop and ushers in Kyocera’s new “Core Home” software experience, which is an optional, simplified UI for those who prefer the interface of a feature phone.
The big story here is the device’s IPX5 and IPX7 certifications, which allow the device to withstand submersion in water up to 30 minutes at a time in up to 3.28 feet (1 meter). It also has Military Standard 810G certification for shock and drops, an IP5X dustproof rating, and can be operated when wet.
The Kyocera Hydro WAVE is available on T-Mobile’s prepaid network for only $189.99.
Specs
- 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with 540 x 960 resolution
- Quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor
- 1GB of RAM
- 8GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32GB
- 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
- Non-removable 2300mAh battery
- 143.8 x 72.4 x 10.7mm, 145g
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read more
#4 – LG Leon LTE
The LG Leon LTE is the most inexpensive device on this list. It comes with a 4.5-inch LCD display, a powerful 1.2GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of on-board storage and microSD expansion up to 32GB. It also comes with a solid 5MP rear camera, a removable 1900mAh battery and Android 5.0 Lollipop on-board. It features a really nice brushed metallic design back plate similar to the one found on the LG G3, which makes the device feel quite premium in the hand.
The LTE variant of the LG Leon is available on T-Mobile’s prepaid network for only $69.99.
Specs
- 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with 480 x 854 resolution
- Quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor
- 1GB of RAM
- 8GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32GB
- 5MP rear camera, VGA front camera
- Removable 1900mAh battery
- 129.9 x 64.9 x 10.9mm, 140g
- Android 5.0.1 Lollipop
Read more
Other notable options
Yes, we only listed four phones. The reason for this is that most of T-Mobile’s prepaid options are either really low-end, or they are non-Android. Still, T-Mobile offers some extremely impressive plan rates, and so the Un-carrier remains one of the best options out there for those looking for an off-contract, no-credit-check option.
If you aren’t impressed by any of the phones listed above, the good news is that a number of unlocked GSM-compatible phones will work on T-Mobile’s network. You’ll just want to make sure the phone supports T-Mobile’s bands, which include 1700MHz and 2100MHZ bands for 3G and HSPA+ services. For more details on bringing an existing phone to T-Mobile, you’ll want to check out their network coverage support page.
Looking for a good unlocked phone to bring over to T-Mobile? Some of the best budget-friendly choices include the following:
Motorola Moto G (2015)
Motorola’s Moto G line has been widely known as the “king of the budget smartphones” for some time, and that’s entirely true when it comes to the third-generation Moto G. Just released a few months ago, this new Moto G comes with a solid 720p display, a quick Snapdragon 410 processor, a decent camera, solid battery life and an IPx7 water resistance rating. Oh, and if you don’t like the standard Black/White color schemes, you can even customize the phone through Moto Maker.
If you could purchase this phone directly through T-Mobile, it would be at the top of our list. For more info, check out our full review linked below.
See also: Motorola Moto G 2015 review
Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3
With an attractive, slim design, big 1080p display, a solid camera and an extremely low price point, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 is one of the best budget-friendly phones of the year. In our full review we found that just about every aspect of this device over-achieves in some way. The front-facing speakers are loud, the software is lean and fast, and you can even use the phone upside down if you really need to (yes, really)!
Don’t miss our full review to learn more about this powerhouse of a phone.
See also: Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 Review: one of the best budget phones of the year
ASUS ZenFone 2
The ASUS ZenFone 2 made headlines when it first launched due to its massive 4GB of RAM (previously unheard of on a budget phone), and we can honestly say that it’s lived up to all of its expectations. The ZenFone 2 sports a solid, attractive build quality, a vivid 1080p display, fantastic performance and a low price. ASUS decided to throw in a few really nice enhancements – quick charging technology and a customizable user interface – that make this device stand out from the crowd.
We’re still pretty baffled at how ASUS is able to charge just just over $200 for this phone. If you’re interested, don’t miss our full review, attached below.
See also: Asus Zenfone 2 review
How did you like our list? Do you have any other suggestions? If so, feel free to voice your opinion in the comments below!
The power of Chrome in your pocket with the ASUS Chromebit, available soon
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The power of Chrome is headed to a pocket near you. ASUS and Google are finally bringing users the power of Chrome to a HDMI PC stick that will fit in your pocket for the affordable price of $85. The ASUS Chromebit is everything you think it might be, and possibly somethings you wish it wasn’t. It brings the same user experience you would gain on any Chromebook, and makes it a bit more portable. All you need is access to a power plug and monitor or TV with a HDMI port.
The Chromebit isn’t a monster gaming stick, but should be able to handle most daily browsing, social media, Google Doc and Chrome experience things. It is powered by a Rockchip ARM RK3288-C processor with 2GB of RAM and sports 16GB of internal storage. Much like a lot of Chromebooks
If you end up picking one up you get the ASUS Chromebit, a 1-foot HDMI cable and the power block to make it all work in the box. For $85 it might worth giving it a run. It will be available through Amazon, Fry’s and Newegg to start off in the U.S., but isn’t appearing just yet in searches on any of them. Other parts of the globe, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the U.K. will all be seeing the Chromebit in due time.
Source: 9to5Google | IBtimes
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ASUS and Google launch the Chromebit, bringing the Chrome OS to a monitor or tv for $85
Asus and Google first unveiled the Chromebit, an HDMI dongle with the Chrome OS operating system pre-installed, back in the tail-end of March, and 8 short months later, it’s finally available to order. In the States at least, anyway. While it’s taken a while to come to market, it’s also a little cheaper than originally envisioned, coming in at $85 instead of $99.
It’s great that the Chromebit is a little cheaper than expected with its $85 price tag, but what exactly does it do? Well, it plugs directly into the HDMI slot on your computer monitor or television, and because it has Google’s Chrome OS pre-installed, it behaves just like a Chromebook or Chromebox. All you have to do is add a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to navigate your way around.
The Chromebit gives you access to things like Google Plus photos, the Chrome Web Store, the ability to edit documents and worksheets, watch videos, basically everything you can do on a normal Chrome OS device.
At just $85, the Chromebit naturally doesn’t offer the level of specifications that you see on the Acer Chromebook 15 (reviewed here), but it will get the job done.
Specifications:
- Rockchip ARM processor
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB Internal storage
- 802.11 a/b/g/n/AC WiFi
- Bluetooth 4.0
- USB port
- Dimensions: 123 x 31 x 17mm
- Weight: 75 grams
Included in the box is a 1 foot HDMI cable, power adapter, as well as fittings to attach the Chromebit onto the back of the monitor/television. For the moment, the Chromebit is only available in the US via Amazon, Newegg and Fry’s, in orange and black variants for $85. It is scheduled to become available in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and the UK at some point.
Come comment on this article: ASUS and Google launch the Chromebit, bringing the Chrome OS to a monitor or tv for $85
$85 ASUS and Google Chromebit officially launched
It’s pretty understandable if you had forgotten all about the Chromebit, as it was announced by ASUS and Google all the way back in March this year. The little Chrome OS HDMI stick has finally arrived ready for sale, carrying a very modest retail price of just $85.
Ideas like the Chromebit have been done before, there are plenty of Android HDMI device that can turn your TV into an Android computer, for example. However, this stick is packing Google’s Chrome OS from the Chromebook range of laptops. The head of the stick can also swivel around, to neatly fit into some of the more difficultly positioned TV HDMI ports out there.
For hardware, the Chromebit is powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex-A17 based Rockchip 3288 SoC, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The dongle is compatible with 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 and also comes with a USB port, for extra storage and whatnot. While not quite as powerful as Chromebook hardware, this should be good enough for all the web browsing basics, but I wouldn’t bank on much else. Don’t forget, you will need your own keyboard and mouse setup as well.
See also: Google announces the Chromebit, an easy way to bring Chrome OS to your TV
The Chromebit will be arriving at a number of US retailers, including Amazon, Fry’s and Newegg. The device is also heading to Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK at launch, with additional countries likely to follow in the future.
ASUS Chromebit review: Turn any display into a Chrome OS machine
If you’ve got some spare time, search for the words “Android dongle” on eBay — your screen will be filled with little, Android-powered HDMI doodads that purport to make your dumb TV smart. But what about Chrome OS, Google’s other operating system? For years, it lived most prominently on notebooks, but the new $85 Chromebit from ASUS is Google’s attempt to give Chrome OS even more of a life beyond the laptop. Got a spare monitor with an HDMI-in port? Or an HDTV that could stand to be smarter? Just pop in the Chromebit and voilà: Your dumb display is now a Chrome OS computer. It’s not that powerful, and it’s far from perfect, but the Chromebit is just cheap and just good enough to find a home in classrooms and tinkerers’ dens. Slideshow-341501
ASUS announces which ASUS devices will get the Android Marshmallow update
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As the end of the year approaches, there are still quite a few manufacturers that have yet to announce their intentions to update their mobile devices to the new Android Marshmallow software – lucky for ASUS owners, you can now tick your company off the list. Earlier today, ASUS announced exactly which ASUS devices will get the Android Marshmallow update, a list which includes:
- PadFoneS (PF500KL)
- ZenFone2 (ZE550ML/ZE551ML)
- ZenFone2 Deluxe / Special Edition (ZE551ML)
- ZenFone2 Laser (ZE500KG/ZE500KL/ZE550KL/ZE600KL/ZE601KL)
- ZenFone Selfie (ZD551KL)
No timeline was released for the update, but presumably we’re looking at a few months before we see it – longer if your device was procured through a carrier. Astute readers may also notice that ASUS has only announced updates for its smartphone range – whether this is intentional or a separate announcement will be made for tablets remains to be seen, but keep your fingers crossed for now.
What do you think about the list of which ASUS devices will get the Android Marshmallow update? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: ASUS via TalkAndroid
The post ASUS announces which ASUS devices will get the Android Marshmallow update appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
AIVAnet 