Google Pixel C hands-on and first look
At today’s Google event, the company showcased a new generation of the Chromecast, as well as two new Nexus phones. One of the better-kept secrets, however, was a brand-new Google tablet.
The latest tablet might be from Google, but it’s not a Nexus. It’s a Pixel device, but not a Chromebook. Is Google’s new Pixel C bound to have some form of identity crisis? We are not sure, but we can definitely tell you it’s special. Let’s show you how in this first look.
Right off the bat you can tell this device is a high-end product. Its solid metal build and sturdy Bluetooth keyboard are enough validation of this. We also have that fancy color bar we see in other Pixel devices. Sliding the cover to the side will uncover the keyboard, which you can dock the tablet into by using a mighty strong magnet. Seriously, it’s so strong you will have a hard time undocking that tablet!
After turning the tablet on we found that it’s really as good as they get. The screen’s 2560×1800 resolution is stunning, as is the panel’s quality. We also can’t forget this thing is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which will grant you all the capabilities and applications Google’s mobile OS has to offer. In a way, this is likely a better deal than having Chrome OS, so we shouldn’t be complaining about this being a Pixel gadget running Android.
The Pixel C happens to be no slouch in terms of performance, either. The NVIDIA Tegra X1 SoC is more than enough to keep your apps and casual tasks running smoothly, not to mention gaming and media consumption, which the CPU is actually optimized for. It’s a high-performance tablet all-in-all.
We couldn’t forget about that keyboard, which should be a beauty considering its high price point. We found it actually feels quite nice and is very reminiscent of a laptop keyboard. The chiclet system makes the keys easy and smooth to type on, and because of its depth, travel for each key is rather small. It’s a pretty smart duo, as the tablet can detect when it is docked to the keyboard and act accordingly.
What I really enjoyed about the tablet is how much it looks and feels like the rest of the Pixel line-up, though. As previously mentioned, it even has that light bar, which now has a bit more functionality. You can double tap on the back of the tablet and the bar will tell you how much battery the tablet has left. Speaking of the battery, this one clocks in at 34 Wh, which really doesn’t tell us very much, but Google is promising over 10 hours of battery life, which is definitely nothing to scoff at for a tablet like this one.
We are pretty excited to see a high-end tablet coming from Google, but the prices are not the most welcoming we have seen around. The tablet starts at $499, while the keyboard is $149. You can pre-order it now and it will become available before the holidays come around.
Should you buy it? We can’t say until our review goes up, but what we can tell you is that this looks to be a tablet that can take care of both work and play. It’s keyboard and elegant design make it a perfect tool for the serious user, while its specs and software also make it a powerful gaming and media machine. The Pixel C is great for those who want something more than just a communication tool or entertainment hub out of their tablet – this is more of a PC replacement of sorts.
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What do you think of the new Google Pixel C? Is it the Android tablet you’ve been waiting for? Let us know in the comments!
Google Nexus 5X versus LG G4
Today was a big day for the Android world, as Google introduced two all-new devices, the Huawei-made Nexus 6P and LG’s Nexus 5X. Both are impressive phones, but the Nexus 5X was arguably the most anticipated given how well the original Nexus 5 was received.
The Nexus 5 was a great smartphone, but it didn’t stack up well with big contenders like the LG G4 as far as specs go. But now that the Nexus 5X is here as the Nexus 5’s successor, let’s just see how well the Nexus 5X and LG G4 contend, shall we? Hit the break to see these two players go head to head!
Design
The newly announced Nexus 5X sizes in at 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm and weighs a light 136 grams. It’s fairly plain on the front, but has the usual button layout–power, volume rocker, and SIM card tray on both sides of the device. Around the back you’ll find a rather large Nexus logo with LG’s own logo right under that.
The LG G4’s features similar dimensions at 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8mm and weighs in at 155 grams. It’s button layout is more unique, sporting the power button and volume rocket on the backside of the device right below the camera.
Winner: Nexus 5X
Display
The LG G4 sports a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 IPS LCD display. Additionally, it has a pixel density of 538ppi and is equipped with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3. It’s a gorgeous display and easily one of the best on the market.
The LG-made Nexus 5X has a 5.2-inch Full HD 1920 x 1280 LCD display. It also sports a pixel density of 424 pixels-per-inch. As for protection, it’s also using Gorilla Glass 3.
Winner: LG G4
Hardware
Google’s Nexus 5X has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset, a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a dual-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 processor, backed with 2GB of RAM, an Adreno 418 GPU, 16/32GB of internal storage, a 12.3-megapixel rear camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Interestingly, under that rear camera is a fingerprint scanner and there’s also USB Type-C support.
Under the hood of the LG G4 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 chipset, a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a dual-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 processor. It has 3GB of RAM, an Adreno 418 GPU, 32GB of internal storage, a 16-megapixel camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
Winner: It’s a tie.
Battery
The LG G4 features a massive 3,000mAh battery, and is equipped with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 fast charging technology. In addition to that, it does have Qi wireless charging capabilities for those that want to pick up a wireless charging pad.
On the other hand, the Nexus 5X is equipped with a smaller 2,700mAh battery. That’s not necessarily a bad thing considering the noticeable difference in screen specifications, meaning the display is putting out less power, thus using less battery.
Winner: LG G4
Software
Google’s Nexus 5X is running the latest version of Android–Android Marshmallow. As has been historically the case, the benefit of owning a Nexus like the 5X is the lack of bloatware, faster speeds, and timely updates.
The other extreme is the LG G4, which is running the UX 4.0 interface atop of Android 5.1.1. Much like TouchWiz, UX comes with a lot of features, such as QuickMemo+, a built-in File Manager, a bevy of camera options, and much more. Unfortunately, LG isn’t exactly known for its timely updates.
Winner: It comes down to preference.
Availability and Price
The LG G4 is immediately available for purchase and will normally run you $199 on a new two-year contract or $699 outright. However, there are installment plans available through most carriers ranging from $15 – $35/mo.
In contrast, the Nexus 5X is currently pre-order only and will not be available through any major retail outlets or carriers. Those interested can pre-order it from the official Google Store, starting at $379 for the 16GB model.
Wrap Up
And there you have it folks, the Nexus 5X is almost identical to the LG G4! Manufactured by the same company–LG–that isn’t quite surprising. Despite having lower specs than its big brother the Nexus 6P, it’s still one powerful phone at a much lower price point.
Both the LG G4 and Nexus 5X are nice devices, and when it comes down to it, you’re just choosing the experience you want–one from LG or one from Google. It’s merely a matter of preference, as in this case, one isn’t inherently better than the other on paper.
Anyone picking up a Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X today? Or are you looking elsewhere? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
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Nexus 5X hands-on: a look at Google’s new affordable phone
Mid-fall has always been a special time for Android fans, thanks to Google’s habit of releasing new Nexus devices and new versions of Android around this time. This fall is no different. Actually, it’s better: Google has launched two Nexus smartphones for the first time ever, and we’ve got to play with both of them following the company’s media event in San Francisco.
The Nexus 5X has some big shoes to fill. In spirit, it’s the successor to the Nexus 5, probably the most beloved Nexus smartphone to date. LG is at its third Nexus smartphone, but is it the charm we’ve been waiting for? We find out in our Nexus 5X hands-on!
Design and build quality
The leaks were spot on. The Nexus 5X features a clean front, but a rather busy backside, dominated by the center-mounted protruding camera. This is a design element that has become prevalent on new smartphones, but Google’s implementation sticks out both visually and physically, and is bound to be controversial. For what is worth, the company says it’s due to the need to accommodate a very large camera sensor.
Near the camera, we can see the dual LED flash and the window of the laser-based autofocus system (evoking the LG G4), as well as the vertical Nexus logo.
The Nexus 5X is built of plastic and comes in white, black, or “ice blue.” The plastic construction somewhat resembles the build of the Nexus 5, and that’s not a bad thing. At a little over 130 grams, this is a light device that feels pretty good in the hand. The volume rocker and the power button are placed on the right side, while at the bottom you’ll find the USB Type C port, making the Nexus 5X among the first smartphones on the market with this feature.
Display
The Nexus 5X keeps the Full HD resolution of its older namesake, but expands to a more modern 5.2-inch size. Quad HD has supplanted Full HD as the default resolution of flagship phones, but we won’t fault Google for keeping the Nexus 5X to Full HD, given the questionable benefits and increased power consumption of the higher resolution. Moreover, this looks like a very good LCD display, with nice brightness levels and color reproduction.
Hardware and performance
The Nexus 5X is powered by a hexa-core Snapdragon 808, along with 2GB of RAM. The Nexus 5 is living proof that you can run Marshmallow without any issues on 2GB of RAM and an older processor, but moderns apps have higher requirements, raising the question of whether the Nexus 5X is future-proof enough.
Unlike the more upscale Nexus 6P, the 5X still starts from 16GB of storage; that’s a little disappointing in this age of high resolution content and complex apps, and we’d recommend opting for the 32GB model if it’s possible.
Google adopted a USB Type C port for the Nexus 5X, and unlike the OnePlus 2, this is a true USB 3.1 connector that supports fast charging. That’s a welcome feature given that the 2,700 mAh battery does not come with wireless charging.
The other big hardware feature of the Nexus 5X is the fingerprint sensor on the back, which Google calls Nexus Imprint. This is supposed to unlock the device in 0.6 seconds, allowing you to bypass the lock screen. The circular fingerprint will also work with Android Pay and a number of third party apps, including the password manager LastPass.
Camera
The Nexus 5X (like the Nexus 6P) features a 12.3 MP camera, whose sensor features 1.55 micron pixels that are larger than the typical smartphone camera fare, thus allowing in more light in challenging situations. This sensor is paired with an f/2.0 lens, a dual LED flash, and a laser-assisted autofocus system. Unfortunately, there is no optical image stabilization. On paper, this sounds like a solid combination, but as usual, the devil resides in the details. One notable usability improvement is the ability to quickly launch the camera with a double tap of the power button.
Software
Perhaps the most visible user-facing feature in Android 6.0 Marshmallow is Google Now on Tap, which makes a contextual-aware version of Google Now available with a simple home button long press. Google also touts its biggest advancements yet in battery management and the Doze feature in particular should greatly extend standby times. The fingerprint authentication should make mobile security a bit less of a hassle and the new permissions system promises to give users more control over the info they share with apps.
There you have it, our first look at the Nexus 5X. Two years ago, the Nexus 5 was almost only alone in terms of what it offered for the money. The market has migrated downrange since then, and the Nexus 5X has some strong competitors in its price bracket. Our review will settle whether the Nexus 5X is a good buy or not, but tell us your impressions: what do you think of LG’s third Nexus?
The Nexus 5X is now official too, starting pre-orders at $379.99 USD
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It’s a wonderful day – the LG Nexus 5X is now official after the longest time of leaks and speculation, and it’s every bit the device the leaks suggested it was, which is good and bad. Under the hood, we have a Snapdragon 808 processor, 2GB RAM, 16 and 32GB storage variants, the same 12.3MP camera as the Nexus 6P on the back, and a 2,700mAh battery. The specs might look a bit paltry compared to the flagship killers of the day, but we’re expecting Android Marshmallow to give the Nexus 5X some spritely performance, so we’ll hold judgement on the 2GB RAM for now.
Like the Nexus 6P, one of the prime focuses of the Nexus 5X is its camera, which utilizes larger 1.55μm pixels to take better, sharper photos in normal and low light. We’ll have to see whether it can walk the walk when the devices start hitting people’s pockets. Also like the Nexus 6P, the Nexus 5X introduces “Nexus Imprint”, Google‘s version of a fingerprint sensor which will have native compatibility with Android Marshmallow.
In terms of availability, the Nexus 5X should be rolling out in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States, and the United Kingdom – but check here to see if pre-orders have started in your region. Pricing-wise, the 16GB version will start at $379.99 USD, and the 32GB version will come in at $429.99 USD – both version will be available in white, black or mint green.
What do you think about the Nexus 5X?
Source: Android Police
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Google Play Music family plan is officially announced, $15/month for six users
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Hours before Google‘s press conference was supposed to start, the rumour that a Google Play Music family plan was about to be announced was coined, and lo and behold, the prophecy has been fulfilled. Google has announced its own Google Play Music family plan to combat similar plans from Apple Music and Spotify, and lets you share Google Play Music All Access between 6 different users for just $15 per month. Unsurprisingly, that pricing is exactly the same as Apple Music’s pricing, and a better deal than other competitors.
Unlike the new Nexus phones which are pretty much available straight away, Google says that it still hasn’t quite finished work on the Google Play Music family plan, but fully intends for it to be available later this year. This family plan works perfectly for the larger family who has been paying through the teeth for multiple accounts, but now can all be on the same subscription and still get unique, personalized music suggestions.
What do you think about the Google Play Music family plan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: engadget
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Google and LG’s 5X is the Nexus for the rest of us
When Google (and Motorola) showed off the Nexus 6 last year, most nerds were excited. Others, making up a surprisingly vocal minority, reacted as though the companies dropped ice cubes down the backs of their shirts. Bigger isn’t always better, and they were more than a little concerned that the days of easy-to-grip Nexus phones were nearly over. They were wrong. To go with the big-screened Nexus 6P, Google once again teamed up with LG on a Nexus 5 — the 5X this time — and it’s shaping up to be the successor that N5 fans have been hoping for. Slideshow-324001
First off, yes, it nestles nice and easily into even small hands (mine are probably slightly above-average but there were some surprisingly tiny mitts at this event). The 5.2-inch 1080p IPS LCD, cutesy rounded aesthetic and the plastic body’s almost-nutty lightness make the Nexus 5X feel much more compact than it actually is. And as if it needed even more cute fuel, you’ll be able to get it in a fetching robin’s egg blue that’s a little reminiscent of that phone Nextbit is working on. Naturally, none of this would be worth a damn if the 5X failed as a phone, and it definitely doesn’t. You see, there’s a Snapdragon 808 (which we’ve seen in the LG G4 previously) and 2GB of RAM here — easily plenty of horsepower for anyone who doesn’t want/need to live on the bleeding edge of phone performance. I spent maybe a half hour with the thing in total and couldn’t get it to stutter or flip out, even with the non-final version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow running on it. Not bad.
It would’ve been easy for Google and LG to just shrug and phone things in with a weak-sauce camera, but that’s thankfully not the case. The Nexus 5X shares an impressive 12.3-megapixel rear camera with the 6P, which means it also shares those sweet, photon-slurping 1.55-micron pixels. Both did a solid job snapping photos in a weirdly lit, uncomfortably packed demo room, but we’ll have to wait until we get a review unit before we can pass any real judgment. The similarities don’t end there, either — Google really is looking at these things as siblings. Both have the Nexus Imprint fingerprint scanner (which worked well) and a USB Type-C charging port. While the 5X is a sort of love letter to a certain kind of Nexus fan, its limited memory options will make it harder for hardcore mobile nerds to take seriously. Yes, yes, Google has sunk plenty of cash and effort into building its cloud, and the original N5 didn’t have a memory card slot either, but it still sucks that the 5X will only be available with 16 or 32GB of storage and without any way to expand it further.
Speaking of which, you’ll be able to pre-order a Nexus 5X today, with the first shipments going out sometime in October. At this early stage, the hardware seems promising and Marshmallow already appears to be a worthy update (even if the nature of Android has already been changing a bit). We can’t blame you if you want more info before you pull the trigger — just stay tuned for our full review.
Get all the news from today’s Google event right here.
Google Maps now works on the Apple Watch
Sure, Apple Maps has improved significantly in the past few years since it launched, but for many Apple users it still doesn’t hold a candle to Google Maps. But if you’re an Apple Watch user who wanted to use your watch for directions, Apple Maps has been your only option — until today. A new update for Google Maps on iOS rolled out today that includes full Apple Watch support, among some other useful features.
When you open up Google Maps directly on your Apple Watch, you’re presented with two very simple options: directions to get you either to your home or your work (as already set in your Google account). It’s a smart but very minimalist way to use the Watch; it doesn’t look like there’s a way to actually display a full map here, unlike in the Apple Maps app. A force press on the screen lets you swap between driving, walking, and transit directions. You can also quickly tap to get directions to recent places you’ve navigated to in Google Maps. And, of course, if you kick off a route on your phone, it’ll appear on your Watch as you navigate to your destination and notify you of upcoming turns.
The other big change shows up on your phone, rather than on the Watch. There’s a new, much improved navigational element for swapping between walking, driving, and transit directions — and it shows you the expected time to your destination for each all in one view. The old method for swapping between direction types was pretty unintuitive, so we’re happy to see this change. But overall, the big appeal of this update is definitely for Apple Watch owners. It’s particularly timely given that WatchOS 2 and iOS 9 now support transit directions — this update makes it a lot easier for Watch users to stick with Google. Go get it now in the iTunes Store.
Source: iTunes Store
The Nexus 6P is now official, pre-orders starting at $499 USD
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I don’t remember a time when we weren’t aware of a Huawei Nexus smartphone in the pipeline, but the time for waiting and speculation is finally over – the Huawei Nexus 6P is now official. Unsurprisingly, it’s exactly the device the extensive leaks have suggested it is – 5.7-inch AMOLED Quad HD display, Snapdragon 810 v2.1, 3GB RAM and available in 32, 64 and 128GB storage variants. One of the Nexus 6P’s biggest selling points is its camera, which Google says is special despite its 12.3MP sensor which looks instinctively underpowered – Google says because the camera uses 1.55 μm pixels, it’s able to take better low light pictures and better pictures in general (think like HTC’s UltraPixel except with an actual decent camera sensor). Perhaps because of this, the Nexus 6P won’t have optical image stabilization as its predecessor, the Nexus 6, had.
Naturally, the other elephant in the room is the new fingerprint sensor which Google calls “Nexus Imprint”, and will allow you to unlock your phone, among other functions. Overall, the design of the Nexus 6P is exactly as we expected it, though there is a slight design change that some skeptics might be happy about – the black bar at the top of the device appears to protrude much less than when we first saw it, tapering with the edge of the device. If anything, it protrudes out even less than the Galaxy S6’s camera module.
The draw of an all-aluminium body in white, black or gold is undeniable, however, the Nexus 6P has had to do away with a feature some people love to use – wireless charging. It will support Quick Charge, naturally, and the 3,450mAh battery should hopefully give you enough juice to get you through the day anyway. The Nexus 6P is starting to become available for pre-order in some markets already, namely the US, UK, Ireland, and Japan, starting at $499 USD for the 32GB version, $549 USD for the 64GB version and finally $649 USD for the 128GB version. Presumably availability will continue to roll-out over the next few weeks.
What do you think now that Nexus 6P is official?
Source: Android Police
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Google adds new Sensor Hub chip to Nexus devices
During the announcement of the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P that took place earlier today, Google shared a new technology they have added to their new smartphones. Called the Sensor Hub, this is a new low-power chip added to the devices in order to handle some secondary processing and help preserve battery life by keeping the main processor idle. The Sensor Hub chip connects to the various sensors included in the devices and monitors them for input. An example might be when you start running with the phone in your pocket or detecting when a user picks the phone up from off of a table. In the latter case, the device could go ahead and display notifications.
Using a secondary, low-power chip to handle recognition of activity when the main processor is idle is not a new concept. Motorola has been doing this for a while now with their Moto X line and Apple recently added this capability in their iPhone 6S devices. One area where there is a lot of room for improvement – and a competitive advantage – with smartphones is battery life, so any step that can help with that and improve usefulness at the same time will likely be pursued by more manufacturers. Using dedicated chips for specific purposes like monitoring for activity when a device is otherwise at “rest” is one strategy. With Google incorporating this into their Nexus devices, more Android phones should see this added.
source: Engadget
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Sony Xperia M2 and M2 Aqua Android 5.1.1 update begins rolling out
Sony has begun rolling out a new software update for the Xperia M2 and Xperia M2 Aqua. The update brings some welcome additions, including the most recent version of Android–5.1.1 (at least until next week).
Here’s the rundown of what Xperia M2 and M2 Aqua owners can expect to see:
- A fresh look and feel – based on Google’s material design
- Increased customization options – so you have even more control over the way volume, silent modes and your alerts function
- Brand new LinkedIn integration – be more productive, with Linkedin information about your meeting participants directly in your Calendar
- SmartWear integration – selfie snapping made that bit easier, with SmartWatch 3 as a remote shutter button
As per the norm, there’s also the usual bevy of performance enhancements and bug fixes. It’s certainly a neat update, and the LinkedIn integration is a nice touch for those that use the service.
The update started rolling out today, and while some will see it immediately, the update should reach everyone within the next couple of weeks. Of course, there’s always the option of trying to grab it manually in the device’s settings menu.
source: Sony (Twitter)
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