Here are the videos you don’t want to miss this week – August 22nd, 2015
Even though the Android world didn’t see a ton of major hardware announcements this week, that doesn’t mean things have been slowing down in the slightest. Amidst Google making Android 6.0 Marshmallow official and Motorola’s next-generation Moto 360 being spotted in the wild multiple times, we’ve still managed to bring you a good amount of video content that you don’t want to miss.
This week we went hands-on and unboxed the new Samsung Galaxy Note 5, in hopes to give you a good look at what the new device offers its users out of the box. We also managed to bring you a OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One comparison, a number of in-depth reviews and even some insights about what the new Nexus phones might bring to the table.
Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the videos you don’t want to miss this week.
Unboxings and first impressions
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 unboxing & first impressions!
We’ve finally gotten our hands on the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 5. While we’re finishing up coverage on a few more awesome devices that are in the pipeline, we figured this is a good chance to give you a look at what comes in the Note 5’s box and what we think of the smartphone so far. Take a look at the video above to see what the Note 5 brings to the table.
When flagship killers go head to head
OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One
Continuing our coverage of the OnePlus 2, we thought it was important to see just how this year’s “flagship killer” compares to last year’s offering. Does the 2 bring enough to the table, or does it fall short of everyone’s high expectations? Check out the video above to see for yourself.
Reviews
ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 review
ASUS has been known to produce some killer hardware at competitive price points, but the company’s newest tablet offering might bring that to a whole new level. Is the ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 the tablet for you? Check out Krystal’s full review for more information.
Elephone P8000 review
Available now for just $170, the Elephone P8000 boasts some impressive specifications and a beautiful design. With that said, just because the device checks all the right boxes doesn’t mean it can necessarily hang with the best of the best. Check out Bailey’s full review for further elaboration.
CuBox TV review
Even though it may be a tad pricey for some, the CuBox TV is a flexible media player that can run both Android and Linux, and excels at running Kodi. But is this device’s great performance worth the big price tag? Don’t miss Gary’s full review!
Lenovo ThinkCentre Chromebox Tiny review
Chrome OS devices are becoming more and more popular in the crowded computer space, and we’re taking a look at one of the more recent offerings from Lenovo. The Lenovo ThinkCentre Chromebox Tiny might be powerful, but can it replace your current laptop or desktop computer? Bailey offers up his thoughts in our full review.
Battle of the personal voice assistants
Siri vs Google Now vs Cortana
Google Now, Siri and Cortana are all very powerful personal voice assistants, but how do they stand out from each other? Do any of these assistants bring anything interesting to the table? Joe finds out in this lengthy comparison.
Android Apps Weekly
Final Fantasy 7, Humble Bundle and Google Play is ready for Marshmallow – you don’t want to miss Joe’s newest episode of Android Apps Weekly!
Speculation on the next Nexus phones
Can the Nexus brand be reborn?
We might end up seeing two Nexus devices this year, and that’s great news. Not only will this give developers and Android fans more options this time around, but the two rumored OEMs might actually bring some positive vibes back to the Nexus program. Check out Mark’s full written piece below, and don’t miss Jayce’s video overview on the subject.
Motorola’s Moto 360 sequel shows up in the wild
Motorola hasn’t done the best job of keeping its Moto 360 follow-up a secret, and it doesn’t look like that trend is about to reverse any time soon. Chicago-area observers on Google+ and Reddit have spotted Motorola employees wearing the next-gen Android Wear device out in the open, and their photos appear to confirm at least a few of the leaks and rumors. The wake button is no longer at three o’clock (likely to reduce accidental screen-on time), and the conspicuous lugs give it more of a traditional watch design. However, it seems as if Motorola hasn’t entirely eliminated the 360’s “flat tire” look — this watch might not have a true circular display à la LG. Even it doesn’t, though, it’s evident that Motorola’s next wristwear will be more than just a minor tweak.
[Image credits: Gerrit Gödecke, Google+ (top) / TheGuyWhoRuinedIt, Reddit (bottom)]
Filed under:
Wearables, Mobile, Lenovo
Via:
Droid-Life
Source:
Gerrit Godecke (Google+), Reddit
Tags: androidwear, lenovo, mobilepostcross, moto360, motorola, smartwatch, watch, wearable
The international version of the Lenovo-backed ZUK Z1 runs Cyanogen 12
There’s a lot to like about the ZUK Z1, a Chinese flagship smartphone backed by the folks at Lenovo — it has a USB Type-C port with support for audio output, a huge 4,100 mAh battery, a multi-function fingerprint reader and an attractive 1,799 yuan ($280) sticker price. If Cyanogen is your favorite flavor of Android, it just got a little better: today ZUK announced that the international version of the handset will come loaded with the commercial version of Cyanogen OS 12.1.
This international version of the phone will feature the same specs as its Chinese counterpart, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU, 3GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and a 5.5-inch 1080p display — but it’ll cost a tiny bit more. In Europe, the US, southeast Asia and the middle east, the ZUK Z1 will retail for $299 and up. Sound good? Sit tight: the Z1 is scheduled to launch internationally sometime in September.
Filed under:
Misc, Mobile, Lenovo
Via:
Fone Arena
Source:
ZUK
Tags: android, changcheng, china, Cyanogen, lenovo, mobilepostcross, phone, smartphone, snapdragon801, type-c, usb3.0, usbtype-c, usbtypec z1, z1, zui, zuk
International ZUK Z1 will be powered by Cyanogen OS, features USB-C and USB 3.1
Earlier this month we reported on the ZUK Z1, a new smartphone from a Lenovo-backed company that is attempting to challenge established players in the “affordable yet powerful” smartphone space. At the time, all we knew for sure was that the phone would debut in China. As it turns out, an international model is also in the works and, unlike the Chinese Z1, it will run Lollipop-based Cyanogen OS 12.1 right out of the box.
Just like the standard model, the ZUK Z1 is powered by a Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor, which the company says they chose over a newer-gen Snapdragon due to the reliability of this particular chipset when compared to chips like the Snapdragon 810. Other specs include 3GB RAM, a 5.5-inch 1080p display, 64GB storage, a 13MP main cam, 8MP front cam, a fingerprint scanner, and a hefty 4100 mAh battery. The Z1 also stands out as one of the first phones with a Type-C USB port, and – unlike the OP2 – it also features the speedy USB 3.1 standard.
Not much is known about what markets the ZUK Z1 plans to hit with its international model, though we wouldn’t be shocked if it made its way to other parts of Asia, as well as Europe. A North American launch would be interesting but we’d say it is a bit less likely, though you never know. Pricing is also uncertain, though the Chinese version is expected to cost around $280, so we wouldn’t be too surprised if the price tag stays about the same.
Thankfully, we don’t have to wait long before hearing more details. ZUK will officially reveal its full international plans at a special event in Shenzhen tomorrow, August 21st. If the Cyanogen-equipped ZUK Z1 makes it to your market and costs under $300, would you consider it?
Samsung’s global market share continues to dip, falls over 5% from last year
Samsung’s Galaxy S6 doesn’t look it’s moving the needle in a positive direction for the company, as the latest market share numbers show Samsung’s global dominance continuing to slip to Apple and cheaper Chinese OEMs.
In Q2 of 2014, Samsung held 26.2% of the global market, more than doubling Apple’s market share. This year, Apple has steadily increased their market share to nearly 15% while smaller vendors like Huawei and Xiaomi have scooped up more of the low end, leaving Samsung with just 21.9% market share. That’s over a 5% drop from a year ago, which is pretty substantial.
On the high end, Samsung is still struggling to compete with Apple, especially as Apple expands their lineup to more and more countries. On the low end, it’s nearly impossible to compete with the volume of cheap smartphone manufacturers, and with many Chinese companies producing perfectly good phones and selling them with razor thin margins, it’s clear that Samsung is going to keep struggling if they want to try to hang on to both segments of the market.
source: 9to5 Google
Come comment on this article: Samsung’s global market share continues to dip, falls over 5% from last year
Lenovo A2010 offers LTE connectivity on a tiny budget
India has plenty of inexpensive smartphones on the market these days, but they don’t offer a whole lot of extra features. Lenovo is aiming to up its game in this market segment next month when it stars selling its new A2010, a smartphone that boasts 4G connectivity for just 4,990 INR (around $76), making it the cheapest LTE smartphone in the country right now.
There’s not too much else really exciting about the smartphone, but at this price point the rest of the specifications are decent, so I’m certainly not going to complain. Inside, the A2010 is powered by a quad-core MediaTek TM6735M SoC clocked at 1GHz, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage, with the option to expand thanks to a microSD card slot.
There is a 5 megapixel camera on the back, accompanied by a 2 megapixel sensor on the front. The phone also comes with a 2,000mAh battery, dual-SIM card slots, and Android 5.1 Lollipop installed right out of the box. The handset’s display measures 4.5-inches with a quite modest 854 x 480 pixel resolution.
The Lenovo A2010 goes on sale on September 3rd in India and will be available from Flipkat in your choice of either black or white. If you’re interested, you can already pre-register to grab one once sale commences.
Lenovo unveils the A2010 as India’s cheapest 4G smartphone
Lenovo has just unveiled its latest smartphone, the A2010 in India, which it’s marketing as the regions cheapest 4G-capable handset. The device will retail for just INR 4,990 ($76) when it launches on Thursday, September 3.
The A2010 packs a 4.5-inch touchscreen with a 854 x 480 resolution, a 1GHz MediaTek MT6735M 64-bit quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, dual-SIM compatibility and a 2,000mAh battery.
The China-based manufacturer’s most recent unveiling runs the latest build of Android 5.1 Lollipop straight out of box skinned with the same user interface that can be found on the Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro.
If you’re based in India, like the sound of the Lenovo A2010 and would like to find out more about picking one up — hit the source link below.
Source: Indian Express
Come comment on this article: Lenovo unveils the A2010 as India’s cheapest 4G smartphone
Report: Lenovo’s Vibe S1 to have Dual Selfie cameras for maximum bokeh potential
Despite the fact that Lenovo’s smartphones are relatively unknown outside Asia, the giant OEM has released a fair share of unique, interesting takes on the “drab slab” form factor. One example is this year’s Vibe Shot, which looks like a sleek, slender compact digital camera, especially from the rear. One of the other entries in the Vibe series, the Vibe S1, is sure to turn heads, or rather blur them. According to a new leak, the device will include not one, but two front-facing cameras. Take a look at the images that came via certification by the TENNA (think China’s version of the FCC):
Aside from seemingly being the first device in the world to accomplish such a feat, the presumed use is going to be great for group selfies: bokeh.
Prepare for maximum exposure. Specifically of the selfie-sort.
The specs for the phone include a 5-inch Full HD display, an Octa-core 1.7GHz SoC (possibly the Snapdragon 615), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of on-board storage, microSD support, and a 2420mAh battery. The front camera(s) will be 5-megapixels. It will be sold in blue, violet, pink, black, and white color variants. Other details based on previous rumors of the phone mention a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, Android 5.0, support for 4G, and Dual SIM.
The Vibe Shot is another camera-focused creation from Lenovo.
While this story might seem to be news in-and-of-itself, interestingly enough the Vibe S1 was actually leaked months ago. The problem, so to speak, was that no one had given the odd symmetrical circles a second thought. It was only today when a new leaked Tweet that offered the new news came shone light on the issue:
WTF…Lenovo VIBE S1 features Dual Selfie camera…•﹏•
— upleaks (@upleaks) August 19, 2015
Assuming this all checks out and the phone does indeed have Dual Selfie cameras, would you be interested in it? Does the potential for post-processing your pictures with bokeh have potential? Leave a note in the comments below!
Moto X Play now available in the UK from £279
Outside of the US, Motorola is pushing two strands of its premium Moto X smartphone this year: the Moto X Play and the Moto X Style. And the cheaper of the two, the Moto X Play, is now available to buy from Motorola’s UK site from £279. As with the new Moto G and previous Moto X smartphones, you can customise this device with a variety of front, back and accent colours, as well as add engraving and a custom boot-up message. On the hardware side, it comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, a 5.5-inch 1080p display and 2GB of RAM. For storage, you’ll be getting 16GB or 32GB — the higher capacity option costs £40 extra — and a microSD slot that supports up to 128GB cards.
It’s a distinctly mid-range device sitting somewhere between the new Moto G and top-tier Moto X Style. However, there’s one defining feature you should take note of: the battery. With 3,630mAh of power, this phone could well be a stamina champion. As for the Moto X Style? Well, Motorola says it’s due to hit the UK in September, which means it should only be a few weeks before its new phone trifecta is complete.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile, Lenovo
Source:
Motorola
Tags: lenovo, mobilepostcross, motorola, motoxplay, uk-feature
The 17 best laptops you can buy today
Our last buyer’s guide update had a pretty solid list of laptops, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? We do have a couple of new additions to spice things up, however. We felt compelled to add the agile ASUS Chromebook Flip, which serves up a 360-degree rotatable touchscreen and killer battery life. For PC gaming, MSI’s power-packed GT80 Titan is definitely worth a look. It offers top-of-the-range graphics and processing options, along with a large display and full mechanical keyboard. There are plenty of great choices out there right now, so if you’re in the market for a laptop or thinking of an upgrade, it’s worth taking a spin through the gallery below. Feel free to swing by our complete buyer’s guide, too, for a rundown on some of the best gadgets across the board.
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Filed under:
Laptops, Apple, Samsung, ASUS, Google, HP, Dell, Acer, Lenovo
Tags: acer, apple, asus, buyers guide, buyersguide, dell, engadget buyers guide, engadgetbuyersguide, google, hp, lenovo, samsung
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