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The Two-Year Upgrade: Nexus 6

Donovan Jeska
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Released back in October of 2014, the Moto-made Nexus 6 is looking a little gray at the temples. It’s still a powerhouse, but if you still have a release-day model, you’re probably looking at the Google Pixel and drooling a little. While Pixel is the obvious upgrade, it doesn’t exactly conform to the pricing conventions that the Nexus line established.

Here are a few phones that do – at various, convenient price points.

Under $200: BLU Vivo 5R

BLU (Bold Like Us – cute.) is a company you may not have heard of; it’s an American manufacturer that’s cut its teeth on making solid phones at an extremely cheap price point. The Vivo 5R is the closest thing BLU comes to making a flagship device, and while it won’t blow any of the major phone-makers out of the water, at $199, it’s a steal.

[graphiq id=”bJXUijEKYkJ” title=”BLU Vivo 5R” width=”500″ height=”748″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/bJXUijEKYkJ” link_text=”Graphiq” ]

 Under $300: Moto G4 Plus

Motorola’s G-Series is one of the best values out there right now. When combined with the fact that Amazon sells a variation of the model with ads for cheaper, it becomes almost inexcusable to spend anything more than $300 on a decent phone. I bought my mother a G4 on Amazon’s Black Friday deal for $139. Honestly can’t beat that deal. The Plus is even better, and worth the $249 easily.

[graphiq id=”834QRccQ1Gl” title=”Motorola Moto G4 Plus” width=”500″ height=”748″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/834QRccQ1Gl” link_text=”Graphiq” ]

Under $500: OnePlus 3T

As I mentioned in my Showdown this weekend, the 3T is not only a damned good value, it’s a strong competitor when matched up against Google’s monster, the Pixel. With specifications that rival most flagships, very few weaknesses (the display is not as awesome as it could be, for example) and a Nexus-worthy pricetag ($439), OnePlus is the true successor to the Nexus Crown – not Pixel.

[graphiq id=”ewis3WY9DY9″ title=”OnePlus 3T” width=”500″ height=”748″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/ewis3WY9DY9″ link_text=”Graphiq” ]

 

Under $800: Google Pixel

Any upgrade guide would not be complete without Google’s latest-and-greatest. While Pixel may not be the high-spec, low-priced unicorn we all hoped and dreamed for, it still offers a number of exclusive features that the Nexus 6 doesn’t have – fingerprint gestures (and a fingerprint sensor, for that matter), unlimited photo storage, and a much improved camera mean that $649 should buy you two years before your next upgrade.

[graphiq id=”1xceTgxGyO1″ title=”Pixel” width=”500″ height=”748″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/1xceTgxGyO1″ link_text=”Graphiq” ]

Pandora makes a play for Spotify with upcoming Pandora Premium

AndroidGuys
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Music streaming service Pandora has unveiled its latest offering, an ad-free, an all-you-can-stream plan. Called Pandora Premium, it’s a $10 per month option which taps into millions of tracks.

If you thought Pandora already had a commercial-free option, you’re right. Pandora launched Pandora Plus, a $4.99 plan back in September. So what’s the difference? As it looks today, the Pandora Premium service will be much more aggressive in recommending tracks, particularly when a listener hits the end of an album or playlist.

The Pandora Premium relies on information collected by the Music Genome Project with roughly one billion data points per day. In other words, it’s super smart and ties music together in ways you cannot imagine. By doing so, it can understand and anticipate a listeners preferences.

Like the Pandora Plus plan, Pandora Premium includes unlimited skips and downloads for offline listening. Look for the new $10 plan to launch sometime early next year.

Samsung Galaxy S8 rumored to lack 3.5 headphone jack and home button

Alexandra Arici
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The rumor mill is on fire this week, spitting info nugget after info nugget about the upcoming Galaxy S8 flagship.

Yesterday, we told you the phone might be the first S phone in the lineup to arrive with Harman branded stereo speakers. Well here’s more rumors related to the supposedly ginormous phablet.

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According to info coming out of Sam Mobile, the Galaxy S8 will come without the standard 3.5 mm headphone jack just like the HTC Bolt, which means you will need a USB Type-C adapter in order to use your older headphones with the device. Samsung might provide one for free anyway with the Galaxy S8 bundle.

Removing the headphone jack will allow Samsung to make the phablet thinner, while also making more space for other internal parts like a larger battery.

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Moving along, a second report comes to deny earlier rumors claiming Samsung will use a 4K display for the Galaxy S8. It seems that Samsung will be sticking to 2K for now, however the Super AMOLED panel is going to see some qualitative improvements like consuming less power and longer service life.

The world’s first 4K smartphone was unveiled at IFA 2015 by Sony. However, it seems Samsung is not ready to jump on the same bandwagon just yet, probably due to costs.

We’re also told the Galaxy S8 won’t have a home button anymore, something which will probably please a lot of fans. The fingerprint sensor is said to come embedded within the display.

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Like anticipated, Samsung is trying really hard to make up for the Galaxy Note7 fiasco this year, so expect the Galaxy S8 to be quite reminiscent in looks to the departed phablet. Its screen-to-body ratio is expected to be quite high, as well. Xiaomi Mi MIX high? We’ll have to wait and see.

Other rumors regarding Samsung’s next flagship would have us believe the Galaxy S8 will come bundled with a virtual assistant like Siri or Cortana and a selfie camera with autofocus.

Five considerations to make when choosing running headphones (PROMOTED)

Guest Blogger
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Runners all have two things in common. One- they love to run and two – they need a great pair of headphones to use while they run. While there are several thousand brands, makes, and models of headphones on the market today, here are the five things you need to consider before you make your final choice.

Waterproof

Have you ever been out on a run and get caught in a sudden rainstorm? Or even more common, running yourself into a sweaty mess? This is why you will need to ensure your headphones are fully waterproof –not just water resistant.

Many headphones will label themselves as waterproof when in fact the smaller parts like the volume remote, inline mic, or connecting cables are not. If you are a dedicated outdoor runner or you end up sweating a lot, getting a pair of fully waterproof headphones are essential.

Durability

The durability of a pair of headphones is often overlooked by runners when in fact runners will often put more wear and tear into the overall use of the headphones. The last thing you need is your headphones not standing up against your day to day running routine. Invest in a well reputed brand of headphones that will be sure to outlast miles and miles of running.

Comfort

Comfortable headphones are vital for not only ear care, but so they do not distract you as you run with the constant adjusting and fiddling to get them to stay in place. Some runners prefer the low key look and feel of wearing earbuds, while others prefer the over-the-ear style. Both of these headphones styles provide different benefits, but you need to be aware of how they affect your hearing.

According to NBC News, earbuds will place the sound closer to your ears and increase the sound by at least 9 decibels. This can end up causing hearing loss and damage to the ears if used at high volumes for long periods of time.

In contrast, over-the-ear headphones will provide more comfort and they are safer for your ears. Yet, many runners do not like the bulkiness of this headphone style. According to Widex, over-the-ear headphones are best for your hearing and are available in two types: open and closed. Open will help to prevent the sound from getting to be too loud and closed will provide great external sound isolation.

Battery Life

If you end up considering a pair of wireless headphones, battery life is a factor you will need to think about. You don’t want to end up with having to charge your headphones each day just to go out for an hour run. Find a long lasting battery life within minimal charging needs, so you don’t end up running without any music.

Bluetooth vs No Bluetooth

Bluetooth headphones are very popular since they can connect with nearly any modern device. However, many runners prefer to run with non-Bluetooth headphones so they do not have to worry about the connection. Non-bluetooth headphones will also allow you to skip a song or skim through your playlist easier than a Bluetooth headphone would. At the same time, Bluetooth headphones can be connected to any Bluetooth accepting device- and this convenience is attractive for many.

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Now that you have these five factors to consider, you can make a more educated decision to find the best headphones for you and your running style. As we know, running just isn’t the same without your music or your favorite podcast and you’ll need a pair of stellar headphones to get you through your daily jog or sprint. In case you want to find more information, check out this headphones buyer’s guide for more insight on selecting the perfect headphones!

Which headphones do you love to take with you on your run and why?

Bio: Sarah is the Editor of Headphone Selection. She loves all sound technology and firmly believes in the power of positive music.

sarah

Fitbit acquisition expected to kill off the Pebble Time 2 and Pebble Core

Alexandra Arici
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A few days ago we told you fitness band maker Fitbit is looking to buy budget smartwatch maker, Pebble. Well a new report coming out of Bloomberg reveals more information about the ongoing acquisition.

According to the publication which talked to some sources familiar with the matter, Fitbit will be buying Pebble for less than $40 million. Back in March, Pebble was forced to lay off about 25% of its employees, but the Fitbit deal is said to ensure jobs for 40% of Pebble’s current staff, mostly software engineers.

pebble-2

We previously told you that if the acquisition goes through, Fitbit will be receiving Pebble’s intellectual property and software. The current report confirms this information, while revealing the deal doesn’t cover hardware at all.

Sadly, it seems that yet to be released Pebble products like the Pebble Time 2 and Pebble Core will be canceled with Kickstarter backers getting their money back.

pebble-core

We should note that the two wearables successfully completed their crowdfunding campaigns and together with the Pebble 2 raised up to $13 million on Kickstarter. The Pebble Time 2 and Pebble Core were expected to start shipping in January 2017, but unfortunately backers might do well to put the Pebble out of their minds forever.

The Pebble 2 is still up for grabs, but we don’t know for how long. So now is your chance to get your hands on one of the last remaining Pebble smartwatches.

pebble-core-2

Once the sale is finalized, Pebble engineers will relocate in Fitbit’s offices located in San Francisco.

The Fitbit acquisition is a product of decreasing sales in the wearable sector. Despite having a lot of choices, users seem to be shunning smartwatches and fitness bands. Bigger players in the industry like Motorola have acknowledged this fact, saying it makes no sense for them to release new Moto 360 each year.

Hopefully 2017 will be a better year for wearables.

Google adds 4K movies to Play Store

AndroidGuys
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The wait for 4K media on the Play Store is finally over! Earlier today, Google announced that it has begun offering a selection of 4K Ultra HD movies on the Google Play Store> Google says that all the 4K content will be using their proprietary encoding format, VP9, for the highest quality video viewing experience.

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Over 125 movies are now available on the Play Store including new hit films like The Secret Life of Pets, Star Trek Beyond and Ghostbusters (2016). They are only available for purchase, no renting yet unfortunately, and start at $29.99. Google has launched a promotion along with this update, if you purchase a Chromecast Ultra, you get your first 4K movie free.

Also, Google has launched Google Play Movies & TV on Daydream VR and select Samsung 2016 smart TVs, so there are even more platforms to view your content. Your current selection of viewing platforms for 4K content from Google is still limited to compatible smart TVs, set-top boxes and Chromecast Ultra.

As 4K continues to gain traction in the consumer market, we’ll likely see more movies enter the Google Play Store. EVen though it’s early days still, it’s nice to see Google accommodating people who have adopted UHD already into their homes. There’s no word if the movies available on Google Play offer HDR as well as 4K, but it’s most likely not available yet. Either way, if you’re a 4K TV or Chromecast Ultra owner, be sure to check out what’s available now on the Google Play Store.

Google hands out gifts to Project Fi subscribers via holiday-themed site

Alexandra Arici
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December is a great month to be a Google Project Fi subscriber. Why? Google just unleashed its World of Thanks site which invites current Project Fi users to participate in fun, winter-themed activities like creating greeting cards or snow globes.

What’s more, Google has hidden gifts that become accessible by clicking around the holiday-centric sanctuary. The search giant has sprinkled hints the bottom of the page to help users identify the location of the gifts. This week you can get $10 Google Play credit b clicking on the Christmas tree.

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After grabbing the free gift, users can continue to hang around and take part in the other activities suggested by Google. For example, Project Fi subscribers can get involved in a sort of treasure hunt which requires them to click around the screen in order to identify the hot areas and reveal the next big surprises. One of them has users take a selfie on a winter-themed background.

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Google is just getting started. In the following weeks of December, users will be treated with more games, trivia and hopefully more gifts. So be sure to check back each week, to see what else you can get your hands on.

project-fi-coverage

Two years ago, Project Fi users were treated with a super fun accessory bundle for the Nexus 6 which included a case, portable battery pack and headphones. Hopefully there’s more from where the $10 Play Store gift card came from.

What are you hoping for?

The Vorke Z1 is the Android TV streaming box you should consider picking up this holiday season

Matt Adams
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If you’re anything like us here at AndroidGuys.com, you’re always on the hunt for the next best thing. For a while now we’ve been looking at Android TV streaming boxes since they’re a nice way to add smart features to a dumb TV. And hey, $80 for a streaming box is a lot cheaper than buying an entirely new TV, right?

The Vorke Z1 on Geekbuying is one of best-spec’ed boxes I’ve seen yet. I can’t speak much for the processor, but is an 8-core chip so there is obviously some processing power there. There also happens to be a generous 3GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of storage. This honestly might even be overkill for what you would be using a streaming box for! That’s a crazy amount of RAM and storage. You should have no issues downloading some YouTube for offline watching or installing tons and tons of apps.

vorke-z1

I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet. It streams in beautiful 4K and supports High Dynamic Range (HDR). Most 4K televisions these days, if not all of them, are all smart TVs, so why would you want to pick up the Vorke Z1 instead of using the onboard OS? One simple answer: Android! Using Android TV exposes you to an entire living and growing ecosystem of apps and games that most proprietary television operating systems won’t have.

As for ports, the back of the device houses a wired internet port, optical audio jack, an AV port, an HDMI port and power port. You’ll also find two USB ports and a micro SD card reader on the side. These are perfect for hooking up an external hard drive with movies on it and downloading an app like VLC from the Play Store.

It’s also nice having a micro SD card reader on the device so you can slip your card out of your phone and into the Vorke Z1 and quickly display video or pictures. Housing a card permanently in the slot can also improve upon the impressive onboard 32GB of storage. With as cheap as micro SD cards are these days, that’s a no-brainer.

vorke-z1-ports

If the Vorke Z1 isn’t exactly your speed, Geekbuying also offers some other options, namely the R Box Pro and the Xiaomi Mi 4K. Here’s how they stack up against each other:

vorke-rbox-mi4k

As you can see, all of the streamers can output 4K at 60 FPS and run on Android 6.0. The Vorke Z1 and R Box Pro have the important LAN port so you’re not completely dependent on your WiFi router to keep things running smoothly.

Where the Vorke Z1 stands out is the combination of 3GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of storage, which the other two devices cannot compete with. The R Box Pro and Mi 4K both have respectable specs that will probably get you by, but I believe due to the faster RAM and increased onboard storage, the Vorke Z1 will be more futureproof.

The Vorke Z1 is currently on sale for $74.99 until December 9 when the price jumps up to $89.99. As of December 15, the price will return to its normal $99.99 price, so if you’re thinking about picking one up, do so now.

If you’re interested in the R Box Pro, you can find it on Geekbuying for $79.99 for a limited time. Geekbuying also has the Xiaomi Mi Box 4K on sale for $78.99 for a limited time as well.

Huawei’s concept Honor phone might be its first attempt at modular design

Alexandra Arici
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Not so long ago, Xiaomi unveiled the Mi MIX concept phone which was put on the market unexpectedly fast. And now it seems like other Chinese companies are looking to borrow this idea from Xiaomi. Like Huawei, for example.

The world’s third largest smartphone maker teased a concept phone of its own coming under the Honor branding on Weibo. The official announcement is supposedly going to happen later today, so we will keep an eye out for new information regarding this mysterious phone.

honor 8 featured

According to the leaked information, the elusive Honor phone, possibly called the Honor M should come packing a curved display supplied by Samsung and Huawei’s own super-fast battery charging tech which the phone to go straight to 50% in just 5 minutes.

What’s more, word on the street hint at another interesting possibility. Apparently the new Honor concept will have something in common with the Motorola Moto Z: it will feature a modular system.

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Apparently the new Honor won’t come with a camera or a speaker, but users will be able to add such features via modular accessories/peripherals.

The concept is not meant to compete with Huawei’s current flagship series which includes the Mate 9, Mate 9 Pro and Mate 9 Porsche Design – these phones will still be top of the line.

But given the popularity of the Honor series, we expect the phone to attract a lot of curious eyes upon itself. For example, the latest Honor 8 proved to be quite popular with consumers.

The phone features a 5.2-inch display with 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution and a HiSilicon Kirin 950 processor with 4GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB of internal storage. There’s also a 12MP/8MP camera combo and Android 6.0 Marshmallow onboard.

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While we don’t know anything about the specs which will go inside the concept Honor, they are probably going to be middle to upper range. Anyway, in a few hours we should know the full story.

Meizu unveils affordable M5 Note and first wearable ever, the Meizu Band

Alexandra Arici
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Looking for an affordable smartphone this season? Chinese device maker Meizu has your back. The company has just pulled the veil off its new M5 Note handset, which despite the name doesn’t feature a pen companion.

The Meizu M5 Note features decent specs, starting with a 5.5-inch with 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution complemented by 2.5D curved glass. Meizu promises the phone features a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, but we’ll see about that.

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As for computing power, the phone takes advantage of a Helio P10 chipset clocked at 1.8GHz in combination with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Nothing mind-blowing here, as the P10 is a pretty mid-range affair and the P20 is already out.

meizu-m5-note

Meizu also offers a 4GB of RAM plus 64GB version. On the bright side of things, the phone incorporates a dual-SIM hybrid tray, which means users can add two SIM cards or one SIM and one microSD for memory expansion.

meizu-m5-note-gold

Moving on to the photo department, the M5 Note features an 13MP main camera with dual-tone LED and PDAF (phase detection auto focus) plus an average 5MP selfie camera.

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The phone is kept alive by a 4,000 mAh battery and Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Meizu’s own Flyme OS 6.0 on top. The phone also bundles 4G with voLTE, Bluetooth and GPS.

meizu-m5-note-blue

You can get the phone in Champagne Gold, Silver, Blue or Gray. The 3GB of RAM/16GB model is offered for an affordable $130, while the 3GB of RAM/32GB version will cost you $145. The 4GB of RAM/64GB will shave $218 from your budget.

meizu-m5-note-colors-back

But that’s not all Meizu unveiled today. The Chinese company is looking to overshadow Fitbit, so it has announced a smart band. It’s the first wearable launched by the phone maker. It’s called Meizu Band and according to the company it features all the Fitbit functions at a much cheaper price.

meizu-band

The Meizu Band features a touchscreen display and bundles a heart rate monitor. The wearable can track your daily activities (step count, calorie intake) for $33 a pop. The band can also display notifications for calls, text and used to locate a lost phone.

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The Meizu Band will pair with Meizu Health app on your phone to display health stats in more detail. It also features IP67 certification for dust and water resistance. See how it compares to the Fitbit Charge 2 which we reviewed not so long ago.

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No word on the US availability of the two products, just yet.

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