The best-selling unlocked Android phones from Best Buy (December 22)
Motorola’s 2nd-Gen Moto G is at the head of the pack
Purchasing a new smartphone can be quite the expensive endeavor. Moreover, it can also be a bit of a headache as you try to consider which phone, which carrier, and which rate plan is right. We’re here to help you with at least one of those segments: the phone.
Why unlocked?
The benefit of an unlocked smartphone, for those who aren’t aware, is that it can be used on a variety of wireless service providers. Moreover, going this route ensures you don’t have to worry about contracts or long-term obligations. Want to hop from T-Mobile to AT&T or vice-versa? That’s no problem when you’re using an unlocked GSM phone.
We’ve gathered up the 10 best-selling unlocked Android devices from Best Buy so you can get a sense for what’s available. Indeed, you’ll see a nice mix of big-name vendors and devices from other, scrappy players. Note that we’ve omitted color variations; you might find other colors available.
So, the next time you need to replace your existing phone, consider scooping up one of these. It’s often a heck of a lot cheaper than going through your carrier in the long run.
- Motoroloa Moto G 2nd Generation 8GB – $99.99
- Sony Xperia C4 16GB- $249.99
- Blu Advance 4 4GB – $49.99
- Motorola Moto G 3rd Generation 8GB – $179.99
- Samsung Galaxy S6 32GB – $449.99
- Huawei P8 Lite 16GB- $219.99
- BLU Life X8 8GB – $129.99
- BLU Studio X 8GB- $124.99
- Motorola Moto X Pure 16GB – $399.99
- Google Nexus 5X 16GB- $379.99
The post The best-selling unlocked Android phones from Best Buy (December 22) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[Deal] Unlocked 32GB Galaxy S6 only $399 on eBay
The Samsung Galaxy S6–an unlocked 32GB variant–has been discounted to just $399 on eBay, down from it’s standard MSRP of $699.
Samsung has launched a handful of premium smartphones since the Galaxy S6’s launch, making the handset feel old and outdated. However, with its gorgeous 5.1-inch display and powerful Exynos 7420 processor, it’s still one of the top devices on the market.
At $399, buying the Galaxy S6 off-contract is well worth the price. Unfortunately, it won’t work on Sprint or Verizon, but will run like a champ on AT&T and T-Mobile LTE networks.
There’s a limited quantity available, so those wanting to snag this handset on a deal will need to act fast!
[eBay]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Unlocked 32GB Galaxy S6 only $399 on eBay
Report: Samsung will start building chips for AMD
With falling smartphone sales, Samsung has been trying to boost its chip manufacturing business. AMD, meanwhile, builds CPUs and GPUs for PCs and both major consoles, but doesn’t have a fab business anymore. According to Korea’s Electronic Times, that kind of synergy was too good to ignore, so Samsung will manufacture CPU and GPU chips for AMD on its 14-nanometer chip foundry starting in 2016. All of AMD’s chips are currently manufactured by GlobalFoundries, an Abu Dhabi-owned firm that once belonged to AMD. Both Samsung and GlobalFoundries will reportedly manufacture AMD’s latest “Greenland” GPUs and “Zen” CPUs using a 14-nanometer process, which will make them faster and more energy-efficient than previous AMD chips .
AMD is, of course, behind Intel and NVIDIA in CPU and GPU sales, respectively, and is still struggling financially. The company is laying off 5 percent of its 9,700-strong workforce, and two key hardware gurus, Jim Keller and Phil Rogers, recently departed. Despite all that, the company has built itself a niche supplying all the chips used by Microsoft and Sony in the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles.
Samsung has been struggling against Apple with smartphone sales. At the same time, it manufactures a good chunk of the chips for Apple devices, and also builds GPUs for NVIDIA and other manufacturers. AMD’s incoming CPUs should be more competitive with Intel thanks to the smaller 14-nanometer process, and could be as much as 40 percent faster and more efficient than its current generation. If AMD continues to work with Samsung (assuming the rumors are true), it might actually get a leg up on Intel in the PC market, because Samsung expects to ship even more efficient 10-nanometer chips by next year, while Intel recently confirmed that its own 10-nanometer chips won’t arrive until 2017.
[Image credit: GlobalFoundries]
Via: Reuters
Source: ET News
Samsung shared a live concert with Gear VR owners
The Samsung Gear VR is a pretty cool device as is, but made even better since Samsung sometimes broadcasts live events in VR. They have already done a CNN debate and a football (soccer) match, but added to their list by airing a rock concert.
The concert was for The Gift, which happened December 19th in Lisbon, Portugal. The reason Samsung felt this concert was right for VR was because it was for The Gift’s 20th anniversary, and also to be Portugal’s first VR transmission.
Samsung filmed the concert with a two camera system, you could either watch in the front row, or right on stage. People from all over the world were able to watch as long as they had a Gear VR and the IM360 VR app from the Oculus Store.
Source: Samsung
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Samsung SideSync update features Marshmallow support
Samsung’s latest update for its screen-sharing SideSync app adds support for Marshmallow, hinting that the group could be bringing Android 6.0 to its devices soon.
The latest changelog for SideSync offers some clues as to the future of Marshmallow on Android, even mentioning that certain changes will take effect ‘after Android 6.0’. Simply put, the evidence is mounting that Marshmallow is on its way to Samsung’s tech lineup.
Over on the Play Store, Samsung’s productivity app has been treated to some great user feedback, with the software proving invaluable for thousands of Samsung owners.
Samsung SideSync is a PC-Mobile solution that allows users to share screens, windows and files between their Samsung gadgets and a PC. The tool is compatible with the Galaxy Tab and Galaxy smartphone and also provides keyboard and mouse sharing, meaning it’s possible to use an Android device as a PC input.
Here’s the full changelog:
- Support Android 6.0 OS
- File Transfer improved (After Android 6.0)
- Add Video Player Option (After Android 6.0)
- Add On/Off option of URL Web address share
- Add Option File Save Path for Phone and Tablet
- Add URL Link of Notification Popup
- Usability improved
SideSync is also available to grab from the Galaxy Apps store, although the app changes previously mentioned aren’t listed there at the time of writing.
Come comment on this article: Samsung SideSync update features Marshmallow support
Samsung will soon make hearing aids
There has been some rumours floating around that Samsung will start selling hearing aids soon, but the rumours didn’t have much proof to back them up. However, we now have Samsung filed patents that clearly state they will be making hearing aids.
Samsung filed a trademark registration for the name “Earcle” in South Korea not too long ago, and mentioned a few hints that it will be a hearing aid line. Now, a new device has been found at the Bluetooth Special Interest Group’s (SIG), its model number is SM-R790, and is said to launch soon. In the description it even says Samsung Bluetooth Hearing Aid. Pretty clear evidence as to what it will be.
Samsung is also working on a few hearing aid software features. One is called “Sound Radar”, which will let users pick a sound source and then let them boost the sound. Similar to how a Police radar gun works, but for boosting sound. Not sure if the device that is launching soon will feature this, but Samsung is at least working on it.
Come comment on this article: Samsung will soon make hearing aids
Samsung SideSync just got Marshmallow support
If you’re one of the .5% of Android users who already has Marshmallow, then you probably don’t understand the agony it has been for the rest of us waiting around for Android 6.0 to arrive on our devices. Now Samsung device owners might hear a few notes of hope in the wind, because Samsung SideSync just released an update to make it compatible with Marshmallow. This update would seem to indicate that Android 6.0 will be arriving on a Samsung device sometime in the near future.
We don’t have anything official for now, but it seems unlikely that Samsung would push out this app update months in advance of an OS update. The changelog for SideSync notes that a handful of features won’t be activated until “after Android 6.0.” Said features include improved user interface, some notifications tweaks, and the ability to save files in user-defined folders.
See also: Report: Samsung Galaxy S7 to have software optimization that rivals the iPhone
Samsung SideSync is an app that allows you to quickly integrate your Android smartphone and PC experiences. You can sync content between the two devices and even share mouse and keyboard input. SideSync allows users to copy and paste from PC to Samsung smartphone, and you can even use screen sharing. The app was initially released in 2013, but has since become something of a staple utility for some Samsung users. Click the button below to download it from the Google Play Store.
What do you think of this new update and what it implies? Which Samsung device do you think will be first in line to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow? Let us know your thoughs in the comments!
Samsung Galaxy S7 to launch in March, report says
Samsung’s rumored and upcoming flagship, the Galaxy S7, is rumored to hit stores in March 2016, according to a new report from China Mobile. This further confirms last week’s report from the Wall Street Journal, where the publication noted that that Galaxy S7 could be available some time in March.
Considering that the Galaxy S6 launched around the same time in 2015, we could see Samsung announce its next flagship device in February, around the time Mobile World Congress is supposed to take place.
Samsung’s Galaxy S7 has been the subject of many rumors, with some reports saying that it could be the first device to sport the Snapdragon 820 in 2016. Other reports indicate that Google and Samsung have been working closely to make the TouchWiz interface cleaner and more fluent.
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S7 to launch in March, report says
[Deal] Get a free Samsung TV from Best Buy with a purchase of a select Galaxy smartphone
A deal that began with just Sprint has now been extended to Verizon and AT&T subscribers through Best Buy. For a limited time, with a purchase of a select Samsung smartphone you can get a 32-inch Samsung LED HDTV totally free of charge.
Now what’s a deal without some terms and conditions. First off, there only a few smartphones that are eligible for the offering. They include the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6. Buyers must activate the handset on one of the supported carriers with either a 2 year deal or via installment payments.
The deal is valid through January 2, 2016 and has limited quantity available, so hurry up before they’re all gone!
[Best Buy]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Get a free Samsung TV from Best Buy with a purchase of a select Galaxy smartphone
Samsung Pay updated with new Gift Card UI
Earlier today, Samsung started rolling out another update for its mobile payment platform via the Play Store. This upgrade brings performance improvements to existing features of the application, together with a redesigned UI for the recently-introduced Gift Card storage service.
The update which carries version number 1.6 has been deemed mandatory by the South Korean Company and it requests that all Samsung Pay users install the upgrade by Sunday, December 27 to “avoid any service interruptions”.
Updating couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is open up the Play Store, search for Samsung Pay and hit the green update button.
Via: Reddit
Come comment on this article: Samsung Pay updated with new Gift Card UI
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