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T-Mobile dives deeper into IoT with two new Access packs

Alexandra Arici
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T-Mobile has scheduled a conference at CES 2017 a few days from now, but until then the Magenta carrier has some Internet of Things (IoT) related news to share with us.

T-Mobile just unveiled two new IoT Access packs to help encourage owners of IoT devices to get their devices online. The standard plan includes up to 5MB of data/month for $20 per year per device. After that customers will pay only $6 per year per device.

T-Mobile.svg

For those who want more, T-Mobile has a more advanced plan that delivers unlimited data at 64Kbps if you pay $25 per year per device. For a limited time users can get $5 off the first year for each device they bring in.

T-Mobile says it doesn’t matter which plan you choose, as the carrier will cover the costs of the Sequans Cat1 module using bill credits.

The carrier also informs those interested in the developing IoT ecosystem it is continuing to work on the Category M and Norrowband IoT. In combination with T-Mobile’s Cat1 modules available on the carriers 4G LTE networks, these new modules should give users the opportunity to tap into faster data and longer life cycles (in comparison to 2G networks).

By bundling the service and module into one pack, T-Mobile hopes to attract more IoT customers who wish to get their devices online to its network.

Samsung’s new Galaxy A (2017) phones bring IP68 certification, Samsung Pay support

Alexandra Arici
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The mid-range smartphone sector has been getting quite interesting as of late and Samsung’s newest smartphones unveiled ahead of CES 2017 are a testimony of this growing trend.

Introducing the new Samsung Galaxy A lineup which features three models, the Galaxy A7, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A3 – all IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. There are a few things all variants have in common like sporting sleek metal bodies that are 7.9mm thick and USB Type-C ports.

Interestingly, all three phones take advantage of a feature the Galaxy Note7 used to benefit from and that is Secure Folder. The option allowed users to easily and safely tuck away sensitive info in a folder.

They also run Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box (sadly) and offer support for Samsung Pay (thumbs up to that). Let’s see what they each offer in terms of specs.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)

This is the top of the line model which arrives with a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. Samsung uses its own chipset crop to fuel the new Galaxy A (2017) family, so the Galaxy A7 draws power from an octa-core Exynos chipset clocked at 1.9GHz combined with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (microSD card slot allows for memory expansion up to 256GB).

The photography department is where things get even more exciting. Just like the OnePlus 3T, the Galaxy A7 (2017) features a 16MP/16MP camera combo, so the phone should snap some great selfies.

The phone runs on a 3,600 mAh battery and will be sold in Black, Blue, Pink and Gold.

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)

The Galaxy A5 is a tad smaller boasting a 5.2-inch display wth the same 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. It takes advantage of the powers of the Exynos 7880 clocked at 1.9GHz in combination with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (microSD card slot is again present).

Like in the case of the Galaxy A7, there’s two 16MP cameras onboard, but a smaller 3,000 mAh battery keeps the lights on. Customers can grab the A5 in Black, Blue, Pink or Gold.

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)

Last but not least is the Galaxy A3 which comes forth with a 4.7-inch display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. The CPU is still an Exynos but this time clocked at only 1.6GHz. Cameras aren’t as advanced as on the A7 and A5, so we have a 13MP main snapper and 8MP selfie shooter – both with f/1.9 apertures (just like the A7).

Other specs include 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (microSD card available) and a 2,350 mAh battery.

Samsung hasn’t specified anything in terms of pricing. It did say the trio will go on sale in Russia in early January with more markets to be added soon.

However, if leaks are to be believed, the Galaxy A3 will sell for approximately $342, while the A5 will bear a $446 price-tag in Europe. We don’t know the price for the A7 yet, but we expect it to hit the $500 threshold. Samsung’s new mid-rangers are definitely not super affordable. What do you think?

CES 2017: affordable Honor 6X dual camera phone launches in the US [Update]

Alexandra Arici
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In our recent CES 2017 smartphone prediction article, we told you that Huawei’s Honor sub-brand might announce it was launching the Honor Magic concept phone in the US.

Well it appears this is not the case. Instead Honor is targeting the middle-range smartphone market. So today at CES 2017, the phone maker has unveiled the affordable, but pretty solid Honor 6X.

honor-6x-dual-camera

The Honor 6X was already available in China and now the company is making it available in the US and Europe starting at $249.99. Let’s see what you can get for this amount of money.

The Honor 6X takes advantage of a 5.5-inch LCD display with FHD resolution and an octa-core Kirin 655 chipset under the hood. The chipset is based on a 16nm process with 4 cores clocked at 2.1GHz and 4 cores operating at 1.7GHz.

honor-6x-phone-colors

Huawei’s sub-brand will offer the phone in several configurations including 3GB of RAM+32GB of internal storage, 4GB of RAM+32GB of internal storage or 4GB of RAM+64GB of internal storage. The phone features a hybrid dual SIM slot, which means users have the option of using one of them to add a microSD card slot to expand memory. There’s also a fingerprint scanner located on the back.

honor-6x-fingerprint-scanner

Perhaps the Honor 6X’s biggest selling point is the dual rear camera. The phone takes advantage of a 12MP+2MP sensor combo which allows for a wide aperture range between f/0.95 to f/16. The selfie camera is of 8MP variety.

Sadly the phone comes equipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box with Huawei’s own EMUI 4.1 interface plastered on top. The Android 7.0 Nougat update might arrive at some point, but it might be a while before that will happen.

honor-6x-live-view

The affordable handset with 3GB of RAM will become available for pre-order starting January 4 in the US. Units will start shipping come January 15.

The 4GB of RAM model will go on sale in Q1 2017 but only in select markets for $299.99. Apart the US, the phone will also start selling in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Russia on January 4.

[Update]: Good news, it seems the affordable Honor 6X will be getting Android 7.0 Nougat treatment after all. Expect the update to land sometime in Q2 2017.

5 biggest mistakes people make when transferring their website (PROMOTED)

Guest Blogger
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Transferring a website can be a necessary evil for some. While a website transfer is necessary to break free of a host that is holding you and your website back, if you don’t complete the migration properly, you could end up losing part of your website.

If you’re looking to transfer your website to a new host, you will want to avoid some common mistakes that could end up costing you time and money. Here are five of the biggest mistakes that people make when moving their website.

1. Not Creating Backups

While we like to believe that a website transfer will run smoothly and backups won’t be necessary, it isn’t always the case. Even experts may find that something gets lost along the way.

Before you begin to move your website, you’ll want to ensure each page and file has a backup made. If you’re hoping to be extra careful during your transfer, you can create a backup of your backups.

Backups can prevent you from needing to re-do your work in the future, which can be time consuming and expensive. If something does get lost or disoriented during your move, your backup will allow you to fix the problem with minimal downtime.

2. Not Checking for Compatibility with New Host

If your website has widgets, detailed code, or special database software, you shouldn’t assume that your website will run smoothly on any and all hosts. While your old host may be able to run all the extras you’ve added to your website, your new host may have some different standards.

Before selecting a host (we use Digital Ocean), you’ll want to reach out to check the compatibility of your page with their operating system. If they can handle your new page, you’ll be all set to make the move without needing to worry about running into problems after the migration has already started.

Knowing if you will have an issue before you begin moving will allow you to either select a different host or make necessary changes before the move begins. This can help you be better prepared and reduce the amount of downtime you may experience.

3. Closing Your Old Page Too Quickly

When you’re making a website transfer, you’re probably itching to break ties with your previous web host. But no matter how bad they are or how incapable of holding your page they may be, you don’t want to alert the company that you will be taking your website to a new host until the migration is complete.

Many individuals may become fed up with their old web host and cut ties before their new page is set up. This means that their website will be down for the entire duration of the transfer, preventing visitors from reading content, interacting with you, or making purchases.

If you want the transfer of your website to run smoothly, wait until your new page is up and running to minimize your downtime. Keep your old host until the migration has been complete and all your pages are in the correct place. To ensure that your page is supported by the new web host, you may also want to consider keeping your old hosting for about a week after the migration.

4. Not Getting Adequate Help

No matter how many times you’ve transferred a website, you’ll want to contact the support desk of the new host to let them know you’re making a change. Because each website will be different and you are likely to have different plugins and software, each website migration that you complete can present you with new challenges or roadblocks. By first talking about the migration with your new host, you will be alerted of potential difficulties before you begin the move.

Your new web host may also offer migration services, taking the majority of the work out of your hands. If they offer to move the website for you, this can save you time and reduce the problems that you may run into in the future. Even if migration services are not offered, the support desk can probably offer you some tips on making the move.

When shopping around for a new host, look for someone that at least offers free support. Because websites can be a struggle at times, you won’t want to fork over an additional fee just to ask someone a question. Consider the future of your website before making a move so that you won’t need to make another transfer in the future.

5. Being Disorganized

Our websites have many different pieces and parts. If you don’t account for each piece of your page, you will probably come up with something missing after your transfer. This can result in downtime or just confusion for your visitors if you then need to spend time locating that website part.

Before you begin your move, you’ll want to make a checklist of all the items that need to be moved and where they can be located. That checklist may include things like account passwords and usernames, a list of all your database software, and documents stating you have full ownership of your domain names.

Keep this checklist handy just in case of any problems. If you notice that something is missing or a piece of your website has not been moved, you’ll know just where to look to find what you’re looking for.

With the right approach to your website migration, you won’t run into any problems. Being aware that mistakes can happen and knowing what to do in the event of a mishap can help you reduce your downtime, keep your website running, and ensure your visitors have minimal issues as you make your migration.

These five mistakes may be common, but if you take the right measures to ensure they’re avoided, they won’t happen to you.

This underwater drone uses a sonar to detect fish and films them in 4K

Alexandra Arici
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When you think of drones, you probably envision flying little robots that can film stuff from above. But PowerVision has an interesting new take on the whole drone concept.

If you enjoy fishing or just love aquatic fauna, you will really be interested in PowerVision’s new underwater drone, the PowerRay. The robot can dive as deep as 30 meters (98 feet) underwater and search for fish.

powerray-drone

The drone features a “Fishfinder” add-on component which uses sonar component to detect fish 40 meters below. Once it finds the underwater creatures, the robot beams out images of fish and underwater landscape plus temperature data in order to give fishermen an idea of what to expect.

fish-drone-sonar

The drone can also film video or snap photograph in 4K and send them via Wi-Fi to the accompanying smartphone app. On top of that the PowerRay feature a luring light that’s supposed to attract fish towards the device.

underwater-drone-3

Users can take advantage of a remote-controlled bait drop that positions tasty traps in desired locations.

underwater-drone-2

Since VR is expected to be big this year, PowerVision offers a pair of VR goggles that respond to head tilting. Put them on and you will be able to control the robot by tilting our head up, down or moving it left and right.

underwater-drone-vr-googles

This interesting little drone will be up for pre-order starting February 27, but pricing options haven’t been announced just yet.

Lenovo unveils cheaper Amazon Echo alternative, powered by Alexa

Alexandra Arici
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CES 2017 hasn’t officially kick started yet, but some device manufacturers have already started taking the wraps off a few new products. Like Lenovo. The Chinese tech giant is mostly known for its lineup of ThinkPad and Yoga laptops and convertibles. The company also produces phones and has acquired Motorola a few years back.

But in 2017 Lenovo is branching out, so this week the device maker has pulled out of its bag an Amazon Echo clone, blandly called the Lenovo Smart Assistant. Seeing the rising popularity of the Alexa-enhanced speaker, Lenovo thought it might be a good idea to try offering something similar too.

lenovo-amazon-echo-clone

What’s quite amusing is that the new gadget is actually the product of a Lenovo-Amazon partnership, so it is powered by Alexa too, just like Amazon Echo.

Lenovo’s Smart Assistant features the same cylinder shape made famous by the Echo and will be available in a few color options. On the inside, the smart home appliance features eight 360-degre microphones that are capable of suppressing nose and canceling echo. Lenovo boasts that the device can understand voice commands uttered from up to 5 meters away thanks to the microphone setup.

home vs echo

Just like the Echo, Lenovo’s Smart Assistant can play music via de built-in speakers. The base model features a 5W tweeter and 10W woofer, but more demanding customers can opt for the Harman Kardon edition which includes an additional 2-inch acoustic sound cavity for improved audio.

lenovo-smart-assistant-black

The device is powered by an Intel Celeron N3060 CPU in combination with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. It can connect to Wi-Fi via the 1×1 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter and also has Bluetooth 4.0.

lenovo-smart-assistant-white

Most importantly, the Smart Assistant has Alexa services baked into it. Given that there are many other smart home devices and services that make use of Alexa, Smart Assistant users will be able to do pretty much everything an Echo owner can.

Lenovo bets on pricing to attract customers to its intelligent speaker. The base models will cost you $129, while the Harman Kardon version will sell for $179 (just like the Amazon Echo). Expect to see them make it out on the market come May 2017.

CarbonROM based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat available for Pixel, Nexus 6P and more

Alexandra Arici
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1

The world of custom ROMs was shaken up at the end of 2016. CyanogenMod announced it was ending it and transitioned to LineageOS, after Cyanogen Inc. said it was be terminating its services and OS. But while some custom ROM makers are in a process of finding new paths, others are making a return to the world of customization.

You might remember CarbonROM, which used to be pretty popular with Android custom ROM fans back when Android 4.4. KitKat was the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system. CarbonROM has been on hold for quite some time, but now the team is makes a comeback by bringing into the light their first host of nightlies based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

 

carbonrom-supported-devices

The nightly builds are to be installed on the Google Pixel or Nexus 6 or Nexus 6P. Other supported devices include the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z5 and NVIDIA Shield Tablet. CarbonROM will probably add support to more phones and tablets soon enough, so if you’d like to try it yourself keep an eye on their page.

However, you should keep in mind that the ROM is still in its early stages of development so bugs and issues are bound to appear, so proceed with caution.

Some of the major features CarbonROM brings to the tablet includes the Substratum Theme Engine Support – an intuitive customization tool, Carbon Fibers – a way to organize features with scrollable tabs under their respective category and OTA updater.

Have you ever tried installing a CarbonROM on your phone? If so, tell us what you think.

Come see ASUS’ first Tango-enabled smartphone, the ZenFone AR

Alexandra Arici
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0

In our previous What phones to expect from CES 2017 article, we told you that ASUS is anticipated to unveil the world’s second Project Tango smartphone, dubbed the ZenFone AR.

Well as we’re getting closer to CES 2017, more information about the upcoming phone has been revealed. First off, Qualcomm inadvertently posted some information about the new device, but quickly removed the blog post afterwards.

 

qualcomm-screenshot

Specifically, the chip maker divulged that the ASUS ZenFone AR is going to pack a Snapdragon 821. Some of us were probably expecting a new Snapdragon 835, but honestly Snapdragon 835-powerd phones will probably start showing up at MWC 2017 and not during CES 2017.

The post also notes the phone will be compatible with Google’s Daydream View headset and will allow users to explore “new worlds with apps like Google Street View and Fantastic Beasts, dive into personal VR cinema with YouTube, Netflix, Hulu and HBO, and get your game on with Gunjack 2, LEGO BrickHeadz, Need for Speed and dozen other titles.” So the phone will let users take advantage of AR and VR experiences.

Following Qualcomm’s accident, serial leakster @evleaks also revealed a press render of the device, showing it to us in its full glory.

asus-zennovation-invite

Apart from the chipset powering it, there’s not much info about the other specs the ZenFone AR should arrive bundled with. So we guess we just have to wait until January 4 at CES to see what the phone is all about.

But one thing is for sure. The ASUS ZenFone AR is going to come better specced that the first Tango phone, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro. The phone features a huge 6.4-inch display with 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, but only has a Snapdragon 625 processor under the hood to support it. The Phab 2 Pro features 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and a 13MP/5MP camera duo.

Create a simple, elegant slideshow in less than 5 minutes [How-To]

AndroidGuys
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In times past, slide shows were expensive, difficult and mostly a mystery. This mystery has been shattered by companies like Google and Costco who allow us to upload images, select a tempo and some background images that fit our context, then it is simply check a box, click a button and BAM, we have a new slideshow to share on social media or with friends and family.

Prerequisites:

As usual, we have some things that we need to handle before making our short video.

  1. You must have a Google account
  2. You must have Google Photos installed

Creating a Slideshow:

  1. Launch the Photos app
  2. Tap the menu button in the upper right hand corner of the screen (it’s inside the search bar)
  3. Tap the Movie option
  4. Select all the images you want to use in your slideshow and tap the Create button in the upper right. NOTE if you have not saved these images to your Google account it will upload them now. See my write up on backing up your images to set this up automatically.
  5. Once you click the Create button your video will be created with some randomly chosen design features for you to review. You can Change these features by using the three buttons on the bottom.
  6. The first option allows you to change the filter through which the images are shown. Scroll through and choose which one works best for your show.
  7. The second option is for music. You can choose music from your own library or pick one from their assorted library.
  8. The final option allows you to add or remove images to the slideshow.

EXAMPLE VIDEO:

From here you have a number of options. You can export the video to your phone; send the shared link to family and friends; or play it at the party you made it for. This is a living, breathing video which can be added to and changed by the click of a few simply button.

Do you think you will use this for your next slideshow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Real Snowfall & Beach Palms 3D are two live wallpapers to spruce up your phone (review)

AndroidGuys
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For most of us, winter has just started. And for some of those folks, winter has started with a bang, bringing plenty of snow & slush along even before the holidays. And this onrush of the white stuff tends to place people in two distinct camps: the LOVE IT or HATE IT crowds.

One way to voice your affection or frustration for this time of year is via your phone or tablet’s wallpaper. Yes I know this isn’t the most aggressive way to show your colors but go with me on this.

screenshot_20161224-231909There are two wallpaper apps in the Google Play Store that can help you communicate your climate preferences: “Snowfall Day Night Christmas” and “Beach Palms 3D Live” wallpapers, from developer Bastion7, offers up family-friendly and rather high-quality wallpapers for your device….all for free (paid Pro versions are available – more on this in a bit).

I need to emphasize that these are two separate apps, and both available for free in the Play Store; download Snowfall Day Night Christmas here, or if you wish, download Beach Palms 3D Live here.

screenshot_20161224-231921The two apps have some features in common. They both have very nice visuals, with great colors and realistic details. They also contain a great 3D effect, showing realistic depth between items in-scene. The 3D effect is also utilized while swiping between home screen panes. As the day progresses, a bright sun rises high above the horizon. As the day wanes, the sun dips low into a colorful sunset before retiring. At night a full moon slowly rises and casts a ghostly pall over the entire scene until morning when the sun beckons once again. Also, both apps extend to your device’s lock screen, offering the same visuals and interactivity there.

The Snowfall app shows snowfall that blows laterally as you swipe. On the snow-encrusted evergreen trees, multi-color Christmas lights are aglow. For settings in the free version, you can also adjust the amount of snowfall showing on your screen, as well as the intensity of the Christmas lights.

The Beach Palms app shows (wait for it) a tranquil tropical beach scene (see title image above). Palm trees waft in the breeze, and waves slowly crash into the sand in the background. During the daylight hours, a intermittent parachutist can be scene descending in the background. While at night, fireflies come out to play. A bonus in this app is a lonely cabana in the scene, that has a single light you can switch on and off with a tap on your screen. For free settings, you can turn the parachutists and palm tree animation on or off, as well as adjust the amount of fireflies on your screen.

screenshot_20161221-101306Both apps offer a Pro version, for $1.99 each. What your money buys you is the ability to further control the sun & moon: In Pro the sun’s height is governed by your exact location (using your device’s GPS), while the moon’s phase is also governed by your device’s location. Honestly I’m not at all convinced this added feature set validates the extra $2, but to each their own.

My experience and therefore feelings for these apps is mixed. I must say both apps’ visuals were really pretty. As stated earlier, the colors were great, and I was truly impressed with the 3D quality of both. The settings are easy to access, with just a double-tap on your screen.

screenshot_20161223-102414Now here’s the bad news: On multiple occasions, I had the wallpaper “blackout” on me. Meaning that upon waking up my device, both the lock screen and subsequent home screens showed only a black background; nothing to see at all. And it wasn’t temporary; this blackout effect didn’t go away without re-opening the app and re-setting the wallpaper. I’m not sure if this is a device-specific issue or it’s more widespread, but it definitely bears noting. That said, as long as you didn’t splurge for the GPS-based sun/moon effects, you’d wouldn’t be out much at all.

So besides this hiccup, and if you’re willing to take this small blackout risk, I do actually have to recommend both Beach Palms 3D Live and Snowfall Day Night Christmas wallpapers. Each offers similar quality, while together they offer you a choice of specific environment (and weather mindset).

Download Snowfall Day Night Christmas here.
Download Beach Palms 3D Live here.

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