Android Phone Fans
Android Phone Fans |
- Dropbox update brings file exporting to external SD cards like the Galaxy S5, LG G3, and One M8
- Always make sure sex is consensual with the Good2Go app, now available for Android [VIDEO]
- Someone carved a Nexus 6 out of wood and compared against the Nexus 4 and 7
- Verizon holds par with AT&T, doubles down on data with new promotion
- Is this guy using a Nexus 6?
- Samsung lays out Galaxy Note 4 launch plans with handy release map
- Sprint counters AT&T with their own double data promo for Family Share Pack and business customers
- Best Android Phones [October 2014]
- Recent Android L builds looking a lot more mature with tweaked system UI [VIDEO]
- Pebble and Pebble Steel now being sold in the United Kingdom
- HTC One M8 Eye press photos leak; looks just like an HTC One M8
| Dropbox update brings file exporting to external SD cards like the Galaxy S5, LG G3, and One M8 Posted: 01 Oct 2014 06:34 PM PDT We’re seeing an ever growing number of Android devices coming equipped with expandable memory and with that, we’re going to need more apps that actually support them. Thankfully, the folks at Dropbox didn’t drag their feet too long, with a new update rolling out on Google Play that finally supports the exporting of files to SD cards. The update is available to all Android devices and Dropbox says it was one of their most requested features. With Dropbox finally obliging users of devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5, LG G3, and HTC One M8, all your files stored in the cloud can now be exported to your micro SD card and will no longer have to take up limited internal storage. To get started, download the update right now on the Google Play Store and open the app. Then when viewing a folder, select the quick action pulldown of the file you want to export and select, More > Export > Save to Device > then select your external SD card. Should you find the SD card isn’t listed, you may have to configure some settings. Dropbox says they’re located under menu with the “Save to” screen > Settings > Display advanced devices. Dropbox also mentioned Android L users should find better support with faster searches and you can grab the update right now on the Google Play. Link provided in the widget below. |
| Always make sure sex is consensual with the Good2Go app, now available for Android [VIDEO] Posted: 01 Oct 2014 05:04 PM PDT What happens when you have a room filled filled college kids who’s hormones are practically dripping out of their and tight, hot, young little bodies? Having heard stories and seen enough movies from the comfort of my parents’ basement, I can tell you there will be sex. Which is totally cool, you know. As long as it’s consensual. Of course, when you add alcohol to the mix, lines get blurred and sometimes a wing man in necessary to help steer you in the right direction. But as a male a fully developed young male, how can you possibly decipher all of her mixed signals while avoiding the possibility of sexual assault? You get to her to download an app. Yes, we’re totally serious. That’s the idea behind Good2Go, a new app now available on Android and iOS that looks to reduce the number of regretted sexual encounters. The app looks to take the awkwardness out of waking up next to a complete stranger by moving all that weirdness to the very first interaction — before any funny business. Basically, when you find someone at a kegger or local house party you’d like to hook up with, you ask them if they’re “Good2Go?” by handing them your phone with the app open and roaring to go. The recipient then knows exactly what you’re intentions are and can respond accordingly. If they are, in fact, “Good2Go” a follow up question will be asked to gauge their level of intoxication. Any answer will require the recipient enter a password to confirm their identity and the response is confidentially recorded. Answering “pretty wasted” option will prompt a warning from the app that the user is in no position to consent to anything. According to the app’s developers, the recipients information is completely private and not viewable by the owner of the phone. It’s like the ultimate wing app. To be fair, we totally get what the app is trying to accomplish and getting our nation’s young people to make responsible sexual decisions (and avoid date rape) is admirable. There’s just something about having someone fill out a survey before agreeing to coitus that, not only sounds like it would kill the mood, but incredibly unrealistic no matter how tech savvy the kids are nowadays. |
| Someone carved a Nexus 6 out of wood and compared against the Nexus 4 and 7 Posted: 01 Oct 2014 03:08 PM PDT It’s probably the last thing we thought we’d see today, but after taking a look at a mockup of the Nexus 6 from the other day, one resourceful Redditor took to making his own. Out of wood. He carved a Nexus 6 out of wood. Yup. Taking the measurements of its rumored 5.9-inch display and using the carefully crafted mockup, he was able to punch in the measurements into a DPI calculator to come up with a 73.5mm by 13.06mm display. He then printed it out, and began carving out a 3D mockup made out of wood. Excessive? A bit. But it’s also damn cool and we applaud the man for it.     Putting it up against his Nexus 4 and Nexus 7, we get a better idea of exactly the kinda size we’re talking about here with the phone dwarfing the Nexus 4, but not coming anywhere near the gargantuan size of the Nexus 7. Seems the phone will definitely be big, but not stupid big. For one last illustration, you can see the phone in reference to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and iPhone 6 Plus with the Nexus 6 size calculated using the same method above. The small bezels help keep the overall size down, measuring in just a hair smaller than the iPhone 6 Plus. What do you think? Seems this year’s Nexus could be targeting a smaller niche market of phablet enthusiasts. If so (and Google doesn’t come out of left field with a Nexus 5 2014 model), we could be passing on this year’s Nexus for the first time in forever and sticking it out with the new Moto X (2nd Gen) Pure Edition. |
| Verizon holds par with AT&T, doubles down on data with new promotion Posted: 01 Oct 2014 12:53 PM PDT Starting tomorrow Verizon customers will be able to take advantage of new deals on data to trick out their wireless accounts. 4G LTE allowances are being increased across the board for More Everything subscribers, including double the data starting at the $150 pricing tier. The promotion comes hot on the heels of a similar offer from AT&T. More Everything plans include shareable data for families with multiple LTE devices. At the $110 price level, what was once 12GB of data becomes 15GB. At the next tier, 16GB becomes 30GB. The deal really starts getting good at $150 and above, where data doubles to 40GB (up to 100GB for those shelling out $375/month). What isn't clear from Verizon's initial release is the duration of the promotional data amounts. AT&T's similar double data deal is good for the length of a subscriber's contract. We'll see if similar terms apply to Verizon's offering. What is clear is that those hoping to score the increased data allotments have until October 31st to act. After that, data caps reset to their halved amounts. |
| Posted: 01 Oct 2014 11:37 AM PDT I have a confession. A deep, dark, twisted and sadistic confession. Ready? I have a strange infatuation with seeing devices in the wild. I get all giddy when it happens, even if it’s a device I have no plans to purchase at any point in the future. So when a purported Nexus 6 is roaming around that just drives me absolutely nuts. The photo above was obtained by Android Police, and it looks like it matches up quite accurately with the report we wrote on yesterday’s leak. The device is sporting dual front-facing speakers just as rumors have said to expect on the Nexus 6, and it even features the recent build of Android L we got a glimpse of earlier today. The device is no doubt being snuggled by a protective case likely used to try and hide its identity as much as protecting the hardware from damage. The case design does reveal that the buttons for power and volume are positioned more toward the middle of the device to make them more comfortable to reach — this thing is supposed to be a 5.9-inch WHALE of a phone, after all. See what I did there? Codename “shamu?” Whale? No? Well, it was worth a shot. All that aside, it’s looking more and more likely that this is the Nexus device Google is prepared to introduce at some point this fall. We’re hopeful for an announcement within a month’s time, but beggars can’t be choosers — let’s just cross our fingers that this thing is actually real and Google is planning to release it before the winter months arrive (though with how many leaks are starting to spring up we’d say there’s nothing to worry about). |
| Samsung lays out Galaxy Note 4 launch plans with handy release map Posted: 01 Oct 2014 10:54 AM PDT Samsung is getting ready to release the Galaxy Note 4 in 140 countries by the end of this month, and the company has decided to give us a good idea of their launch plans for each region. The map above was posted to Samsung’s Facebook page, and if you know your geography then you should be able to figure out when your country or region of choice is slated to get it. South Korea has gotten the device already, of course, as Samsung pushed its release date up to September 26th in that part of the world (mainly to battle the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6+ on their home turf). The map shows it’ll be available around North America starting October 17th which lines up with some of the dates we’ve heard in recent weeks. Mexico won’t be seeing a good bulk of their launches until very late October and early November, while South America will be getting a crack on October 18th. Heading to the European region, we see that most countries in that area are expecting to see the device on either October 17th of October 24th, with just a smattering of launches slated for October 28th-30th. The full map sits above, and note (note pun intended) that exact date of availability might depend on carrier and retailer launch schedules — these dates are just the earlier Samsung expects them to be available for store shelves in each region. |
| Sprint counters AT&T with their own double data promo for Family Share Pack and business customers Posted: 01 Oct 2014 09:45 AM PDT AT&T opened some eyes the other day when they announced they’d be offering double data for family plans until the end of October, and now one carrier wants to match that deal. Sprint is offering double data for their Family Share Pack plans starting at the 32GB level and business customers starting at 40GB. Sprint’s move is directly in response to AT&T’s, and they made it clear by mentioning their plans now double AT&T’s plans AFTER the original doubling… for the same price. So here’s how it breaks down in case you’re confused: Family Share Pack:
Business Share:
Like AT&T’s offering, the double data promotion will be available until the end of October, and customers will be entitled to the increased pool of bits and bytes until they opt to cancel service or change plans. Sprint’s unique bit is that they’ll be waiving the monthly access charge of $10 per month, per line through 2015 so you’re saving even more money. Not a bad way to get people to try out the new wheels of your network while it’s still getting flogged via social media and word of mouth. [via Sprint] |
| Best Android Phones [October 2014] Posted: 01 Oct 2014 09:27 AM PDT As fall rolls around, the leaves on the trees aren't the only thing changing. There has been a shakeup in our monthly best phone rankings, including a new name at the top of our list. Which phone reigns supreme? Read on to find out.
5. HTC One M8The One M8 sees its biggest drop since entering our top rankings, threatened by rumors that HTC will launch a version of the device with an improved camera next week. The current One M8 remains a favorite, however, for its dashing good looks and Sense interface. 4. Sony Xperia Z3Yes, it seems like just yesterday that Sony released the Xperia Z2, but the Xperia Z3 is here. Like many a Sony handset before it, its premium design, powerful hardware, and waterproof construction give us every reason to want the Z3. Unfortunately, like many a Sony handset before it, a US release has not been one of the Japanese company's priorities. 3. Samsung Galaxy S5Samsung is about to outdo itself with the release of the Galaxy Note 4, but the phablet caters to a niche market. The Galaxy S5 remains the manufacturer's go-to flagship, a contender that pairs premium performance with an innovative feature set that includes a fingerprint scanner, heart rate monitor, and waterproof design. They threw in everything but the kitchen sink (but you can still throw the GS5 into the kitchen sink). 2. LG G3When it comes to hardware, it would be hard to find any phone on our list that can top the LG G3. With a Quad HD display, blazing quad-core performance, and a swanky new coat of paint for its Android interface, the phone moves to number two on our list after several months at the top by no fault of its own. 1. Moto X (2nd. Gen)The wait was well worth it. Motorola's Moto X update for 2014 is everything we loved about the original and more, leading many reviewers (including our own Chris Chavez) to declare the handset one of the best ever made. Solid design and construction meet premium specs in a package the buyer can customize to their liking. Throw in a clean implementation of Android in conjunction with the sort of bells and whistles we actually want to see in a smartphone, and we have a new name at the top of our list. Honorable Mentions
Upcoming PhonesIt's rare these days that we should have to wait months for the launch of a currently announced smartphone, but it still happens. Samsung, why must you tease us? Samsung Galaxy Note 4Samsung's next entry into the Galaxy Note line was announced last month and is already up for preorder around the globe. Its launch is only a few weeks away, making this device one that might be worth waiting for. It brings many of the features introduced with the Galaxy S5 to the Note form factor along with updated S Pen input and productivity enhancements. The only thing standing between the Note 4 and a spot among our top ranked phones is its retail availability. Rumor MillThis month's rumor mill is Moto-centric, which is fitting considering their new Moto X topped our list in its first month of availability. What can we expect as a followup? Nexus 6Signs point to Google unveiling their new Nexus lineup alongside the rollout of Android L sometime this month. Here's hoping that pans out, because the Nexus 6 has been churning through the rumor mill for what seems like an eternity. The latest rumors suggest it will indeed feature a phablet-sized 5.9-inch display. Images show us a Motorola-made device that will share quite a bit in common with the new Moto X. Motorola Droid TurboAs if the top spot on our list and an upcoming Nexus device weren't enough, there is yet another Motorola device that has the Android world buzzing. The latest in the long line of phones that arguably put Android on the map, the Motorola Droid Turbo looks to live every bit up to its name. Benchmark tests show a device running a Snapdragon 805 SoC, 3GB RAM, and Adreno 420 graphics. Amazon Best SellersWe don't have room for every Galaxy S variant on our list of top phones, but Amazon sure does. We've sorted through Amazon's best sellers to pull out the top phones we haven't already mentioned. Here's what we got:
What Say You?It's an exciting time to be in the market for an Android phone. We know which one we would buy, how about you? Does our list jive with yours? Did we make a glaring error or leave off a phone worthy of mention? Sound off in the comments below and let us know your picks for best Android phones! |
| Recent Android L builds looking a lot more mature with tweaked system UI [VIDEO] Posted: 01 Oct 2014 08:04 AM PDT Android L might not look totally different when it makes its way out of the oven compared to what Google first showed at this past year’s I/O, but Google isn’t against changing a few things up ahead of its official release. A video from a recent Chromium report on a fairly recent build of Android L — build LRW87D – shows that the team has tweaked the looks of the status bar and navigation buttons. The changes aren’t massive, though they do present enough of a difference to make us notice. Icons in the status bar for things like WiFi and battery level are now solid shapes instead of being broken up by thin lines. It should still be easy enough to tell how strong a signal is or how much battery you have left as the icons degrade so folks shouldn’t have too many qualms with that. As for the navigation buttons, they have shrunken in size, become a bit brighter and the lines have thickened up a tad. Again, it’s a subtle change from current Android L builds but it makes the user interface look a lot more mature and tight than it originally did. I especially like the change to the navigation buttons as I felt the previous design felt a bit too toyish. These tweaks make a world of difference to me despite them being the exact same shapes and designs. You can see the original Android L interface below so feel free to compare it to the changes seen in the screen grab above. Of course, you may feel differently about all of it — you might have preferred the original Android L icons all along, or you may think this change is a step down. Let us know how you feel about the differences in the comments section below as we await the arrival of what should turn out to be a delectable treat. The quick video from the Chromium issue tracker is sitting below if you’re interested. [via MYCE] |
| Pebble and Pebble Steel now being sold in the United Kingdom Posted: 01 Oct 2014 06:45 AM PDT Yesterday we learned that folks in the US would be able to buy the Pebble and Pebble Steel at considerably lower prices, and now a whole new crop of folks are set to get in on the fun. The smart watches have made their way to the United Kingdom in official capacity, with retailer Firebox and carrier O2 looking to carry the device starting this month. The device had found its way into the hands (or onto the wrists) of UK enthusiasts by way of expensive importing services, but with the device being stocked at retail folks in that part of the world needn’t overspend. The Pebble and Pebble steel will don price tags of £100 and £180 respectively which seems to match up with the recent price drops we’ve seen here in the United States. In case you’re not aware, the differences between the Pebble and Pebble Steel are purely cosmetic, with the Steel version obviously bringing a more premium stainless steel material for the watch band as opposed to plastic for the regular model. The devices should be on store shelves as early as this afternoon in the aforementioned retailers’ storefronts so be sure to stop in and see about picking one up. |
| HTC One M8 Eye press photos leak; looks just like an HTC One M8 Posted: 01 Oct 2014 05:50 AM PDT According to the rumor mill, HTC is supposed to be introducing an HTC One M8 with a souped up camera at next week’s New York City event. That phone is said to come alongside the HTC RECamera, an activity shooter that’s akin to head-mountable action cams like the GoPro. A new render of the former device has leaked, and it doesn’t really give us much to talk or think about. This thing is an HTC One M8 through and through, down to its exact looks and most of the specs of the original. The only difference will be the introduction of a 13 megapixel camera sensor on the rear as opposed to HTC’s oft-criticized UltraPixel sensor. The rest of the specs are poised to remain the same, including a 5-inch 1080p display, a Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM and more. We’ll have to see if those extra megapixels in the rear end up making this a necessary launch for HTC, but there it is anyway. Be sure to circle back next week for the official announcement details as we get them. |
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