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LeEco posts kernel sources for some of its smartphones and TVs

Alexandra Arici
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Chinese tech giant LeEco made a debut on the US market a few months ago. The company is tempting customers with affordable “disruptive” smartphones and smart TV sets, in the hopes of becoming the next big thing in the country.

In a bid to draw attention upon itself, LeEco has just posted the kernel source codes for 7 of its phones, a few TVs and a few smart boxes. It’s no secret that LeEco is not going through a great phase.

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With cash supplies emptying and multiple cash sucking ongoing projects, the company is looking to focus on existing product lineups such as handsets and big screen TVs to get some revenue flowing.

By posting the kernel codes for some of its devices, LeEco hopes to get the attention of third party developers. Here are devices in question:

  • Smartphones: Le S3, Le 1s, Le 1s Eco, Le 2, Le Max, Le Max 2
  • TVs: Super 4 X55, Super 4 X43 Pro, Super 4 X65

This move might be part of LeEco’s strategy of conquering the US market, but also other untapped markets. With the kernel codes out, we can expect to see smooth ROMs and customization options to arrive soon.

leeco

Speaking of the US, LeEco announced yesterday that its products will now be offered with a variety of major US retailers including Best Buy, Target and Amazon.

LeEco seems to be doing everything in its power to grow on US users. The company offers affordable, but decently specced smartphones, alongside constant promotions and flash-sales.

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The most recent ones, invites users to purchase one of its products to receive a free subscription to DirectTV Now, a streaming service that was just launched.

OnePlus 3/3T owners complain of touchscreen latency issues

Alexandra Arici
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The OnePlus 3T was recently launched a few weeks ago, as a successor to the OnePlus 3 which saw the light of day in June 2016. While both the OnePlus 3/3T are worthy devices, more and more owners have been facing an particular problem – touchscreen latency.

The issue has been highlighted on the OnePlus official forums and also on Reddit under the “Help us raise awareness about the touch screen latency on the OP3/T” thread.

The story goes like this: at the moment the “move sensitivity” of the OnePlus 3/3T is set too big, which produces latency. When users touch the screen or move the finger around a little (like 3~5mm), the movement isn’t registered as a scroll. To make it more clear, touch latency represents the delay between the response on the screen and the physical finger input.

oneplus-3t

iPhones are famous for their low latency rates and iPhone switchers have already been noticing the latency issue on the OnePlus 3/3T. The conclusion is that the OnePlus 3/3T needs touch firmware to tune battery latency. According to users, the latest 3.5.3 update has not resolved the problem.

OnePlus 3/3T on both forums have been trying to get OnePlus to notice the complaints and do something about it.

Following the deluge of posts, OnePlus CEO, Carl Pei Tweeted the following:

So it appears that users of the OnePlus 3/3T will have to wait until an update will be issued to fix the touch latency of the devices.

As for the Android Nougat update on the two handsets, OnePlus is working towards releasing the update by the end of the year. However, as a user points out on Reddit, the issue might be eradicated by the arrival of Android 7.1 Nougat.

OnePlus 3 featured

For many users of the OnePlus 3/3T the touch latency problems are a non-issue. However it’s unlikely one would notice these problems in quick reaction scenarios. The issue becomes visible when users have numerous screen interactions in a short period of time.

Is your OnePlus 3/3T affected by something similar?

Amazon’s next-gen Echo speaker will have a 7-inch display, coming early 2017

Alexandra Arici
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Amazon’s Echo connected speakers has been dominating the smart home ecosystem for a few years despite Google offering its own alternative.

Now if you have considered purchasing an Echo this holiday season, you might want to wait a little bit. According to a new report coming out of Bloomberg indicates that Amazon is working towards a next-gen high-end speaker, due for release sometimes in early 2017.

Following the surprise success of the Echo, Amazon is now looking to introduce a successor in order to keep customers interested in its home gadgets lineup.

home vs echo

It appears that the next-gen gadget will trade the cylindrical design of the current Echo for a new one. The new speaker will take advantage of a 7-inch touchscreen which tilts upwards, so that people can have a better view when the device is placed on top of the kitchen counter.

The 7-inch screen will run a modified version of the Fire OS, Amazon’s own custom take on Android which currently runs on Fire tablets, Fire TV and the Fire TV Stick. Naturally, the new Echo will take advantage of Alexa’s services. To make it more appealing, Amazon will probably deliver an improved, more intelligent Alexa next year.

What’s more, the report at hand says that Amazon is currently testing a new feature that will allow users to pin things like image on the 7-inch screen. Think old school refrigerator notes or post-its.

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Furthermore, the next-gen Alexa is said to feature a set of high-quality speakers which will be capable of delivering great sound.

As mentioned earlier, the new Echo is expected to make a debut in the first quarter of 2017. In the meanwhile, Amazon will continue to sell its affordable Dot, Tap and Echo speakers.

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The home connected speaker market seems to be growing at fast rates. Google’s already offering its Home alternative and Apple is also said to be working towards a smart-home device with Siri onboard.

Here at Android Guys we’re big appreciators of the Amazon Echo, so we are pretty curious to see where Amazon takes it next.

Microsoft’s Clip Layer for Android allows you to copy/paste content from any app

Alexandra Arici
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Not so long ago Microsoft launched its iconic Windows game, Solitaire on Android and iOS. Now the company has unleashed another application in a bid to expand its colonization of Android.

The new application comes from Microsoft’s Garage lab – a project lab that lets Microsoft employees work on diverse projects. Like today’s app which is called Clip Layer.

There are many places in Android which don’t allow for the copy/pasting of text. Clip Layer aims to solve this issue and more, by allowing people to save relevant content from any app.

getting-started-with-microsoft-clip-layer

When activated, the app will add a universal overlay over any application. After which users simply tap on the fields they want to copy. To see what was selected, users should tap the text button located in the upper right, then copy it into the clipboard and share it with others. The clipped content can be saved to Wunderlist as well, thus making it accessible from other devices too.

The app was created by Steve Won, senior designer for Microsoft’s popular Office suite, who became frustrated with the inability to copy and paste content from certain Android apps. He also noticed that even though some apps did allow it, the process was not intuitive at all. So he set out to change that.

microsoft-garage-project

Won is no stranger to the experimental Garage division, as he previously worked to create the Hub Keyboard app which uses an Android keyboard to display things like clipboards, contact info, document links and much more.

With Clip Layer, Won hopes to solve the problem of content sharing from within an app which doesn’t offer such an option, initially. Won is also curious about people’s habits, what they do with the information? Do they email it or share it on social media?

Microsoft’s Garage hub recently celebrated 2 years of experimenting with new ideas and concepts. The division has previously released Android apps like Sprightly, Trip Tracker and Color Binoculars.

Cricket Wireless offers 30-day free trial of DIRECTV NOW

AndroidGuys
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Cricket Wireless, the no-contract subsidiary of AT&T, has a enticing new offer for customers this month. Cricket customers. The new online streaming TV platform from DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW, will be available as a one month free trial to all Cricket Wireless customers starting tomorrow, November 30.

DIRECTV NOW programming packages are modeled after the DIRECTV satellite TV service, also owned by AT&T, and offers a selection of bundle packages to choose from:

Live a Little – $35/month – 60+ channels
Just Right – $50/month – 80+ channels
Go Big – $60/month – 100+ channels
Gotta Have it – $70/month – 120+ channels

DIRECTV NOW is a similar platform to Playstation TV or Sling TV, and is part of a growing sector of online streaming TV for the cord-cutters of the world. It offers many popular major channels and networks you’d expect to see in a traditional TV package, and is available on multiple platforms. Also, fans of HBO and Cinemax can add these channels for just $5 each per month in addition to the base programming package.

For a limited time once you sign up, you can also receive the “Go Big” package with more than 100 channels for an introductory price of $35 per month. This is a limited time offer, and customers who sign up for this offer will continue to enjoy this special price for as long as you keep the package, subject only to future price increases applicable to all packages.

That’s a pretty good deal for the amount of channels you get for 35$, as comparable packages on other services cost upwards of 40 to 60$ a month. If you’re a Cricket customer or looking to switch, this offer is a sweet deal right before the holidays, so be sure to check it out.

LeEco phones and TVs gain retail exposure via Best Buy, Target, and Amazon

Scott Webster
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LeEco today announced that starting on December 1, its phones and televisions will be offered across a variety of US retailers including Best Buy, Target, and Amazon. Indeed, this encompasses both in-store and online outlets.

As a company looking to grow its US presence, LeEco offers lower cost alternatives to other, more established brands. But, because they are cheaper in cost it’s not the same as cheaply made. Its phones and TVs feature hardware that’s designed to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Samsung and LG.

Beginning on Dec. 1, individuals can experience LeEco products at more than 100 retail store locations across the U.S., and purchase from their preferred retailer.

Although LeEco is expanding its footprint here in the US, its general commerce site, LeMall.com, is still available. Moreover, it is now officially open for sales over 24 hours.

To help spur sales of its devices, LeEco is offering some incentives to customers over the coming weeks. Those who purchase one of its products before January 5 will receive a free subscription to DirecTV Now, a new streaming service announced just this week.

Depending on what products you buy, you’ll get anywhere from three to twelve months of the service.

  • 3 months of DIRECTV NOW free with the purchase of an ecophone (Le S3 or Le Pro3), or a Super4 X43 Pro ecotv
  • 6 months of DIRECTV NOW free with the purchase of a Super4 X55 or Super4 X65 ecotv
  • 12 months of DIRECTV NOW free with the purchase of a uMax85 ecotv

Facebook folds more than a dozen ‘Instant Games’ into Messenger

Scott Webster
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As if it weren’t already hard enough to step away from Facebook Messenger, the service gets even more compelling. Today sees Facebook bringing some 14 “Instant Games” to the platform.

Available for Android and iOS phones, the new feature let users play games against friends and family members. What sort of games, you ask? How about Words with Friends: Frenzy, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Galaga, and nearly a dozen others? Yep, and that’s just to start.

After you finish a round, people in the conversation will see your score and will have the opportunity to challenge you back. People can also discover games within the Messenger search field, or on Facebook News Feed where they can play solo or challenge friends back in Messenger.

As various chat platforms and services jockey for position, each has to bring something a little unique to the table. That is, of course, if they hope to stick around for the long run. Facebook, being one of the biggest names in the world, continues to bolster its offering across web and mobile.

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The new games will be available in 30 countries across the globe, but will expand over time. Additionally, other games are expected to join the fray, too.

Designed to keep you chatting and playing, the games feature threaded convos, leaderboards, contextual chat, and other fun stuff. Don’t forget to throw your friend a nice trophy emoji when they kick your butt.

Verizon Pixel XL shipments facing delays, possibly until early 2017

Alexandra Arici
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When Verizon started selling the Google Pixel a while ago, the Pixel XL 128GB was immediately sold out.

If you’re wondering whether those lucky individuals managed to get their hands on the Pixel XL 128GB, the answer is – not yet. It appears that customers who have ordered a Pixel XL are being forced to wait longer than initially expected.

While Pixel orders seem to go out in a timely manner, the Verizon website states that the 32GB Pixel XL won’t start shipping until January 11, while the $128GB model will be delayed until January 13. That’s more than a month and a half away.

pixel-xl-delay

Some customers like one Phone Arena reader, has received a text from the carrier, alerting him the Pixel XL will be delayed due to insufficient supply and is due out on 26 December 2016. It’s a more optimistic estimate.

Anyway, if you still haven’t ordered a Pixel, maybe you should take a minute to consider whether you really want to buy it from Verizon. After all Google itself offers it and the Project Fi, as well. But a major difference is that the Pixel you would be getting from Verizon will come with a locked bootloader.

spigen-pixel-xl-ultra-hybrid-back

On top of that the Verizon option comes with pre-installed apps (or bloatware) like Verizon Messages or Go90.

If you worried you won’t be able to pay for the Pixel outright, let us remind you that Project Fi offers 24-month interest-free financing plans.

Google’s Pixels expected to produce $4 billion revenue in 2017

Alexandra Arici
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Google’s new Pixel phone couple is very popular among the Android crowd. So popular that a new report from research firm Morgan Stanley, coming to us via Business Insider suggests that Google will cash in a total of $3.8 billion in 2017 from Pixel sales alone.

The report makes a few predictions. First off it sees Google selling 3 million Pixel phones by the end of 2016 and another 5 to 6 million in 2017.

google-pixel

Google’s new Pixel duo are the first to have been designed by the search giant, with HTC in the silent partner position as manufacturer. Morgan Stanley notes that due to the high cost of the materials that go into making the Pixel, Google receives about half of profits from phone sales – very much like Apple.

So if Google lives up to the prediction and sells 3 million Pixel phones by the end of 2016, the revenue generated should revolve around the $2 billion mark.

The research firm also added the Pixels could generate more profits from Android app a service purchases due to the deeper integration of Android Pay. Other nifty feats such as DayDream View VR support and the new tricks of the Google Assistant might entice users to pay to get access to dedicated apps.

While Morgan Stanley, considers the Pixels to be more attractive due to their high-end specs, it does not mention anything about pricing. The Nexuses offered a stock Android experience at an affordable price – price being one of the reasons they were so popular. But that’s not the case while the Pixels are concerned.

Curiously pricing is an aspect which does not seem to bother users so much, as Pixel sales seem to be off to a good start. Although the Pixels are far being considered a threat to the giants of the industry. To compare, Samsung sold 71 million smartphones only in Q3 2016, while Apple scored 43 million sales during the same period. But the Pixels are only two models with a very short history (so far).

google-pixel

Anyway, interested parties can purchase the Pixel from Verizon (exclusive offer among carriers), Google directly or Google’s Project Fi with prices starting at $649.

What should ZTE’s eye-tracking, self-adhesive smartphone be called?

Alexandra Arici
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Remember ZTE’s Project CSX? It’s the company’s initiative to crowdsource innovative new smartphone ideas. Last month we told you the ZTE community picked a winner, in the form of a self-adhesive, eye-tracking handset.

However, so far the winner remains unnamed. Now ZTE is asking fans to help the company put a name on the upcoming device. Interested parties are invited to submit their name ideas in order to win a $250 gift card.

You can start sharing your ideas starting November 28, but the competition closes on December 5 at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be announced at the CES 2017 in Las Vegas in January.

zte-project-csx-smartphone-colors

Users have already started submitting ideas. Here’s a few I think sound good: ZTE Union, ZTC Optic or ZTE Glance. If you too have an idea which you think is worth taking into consideration, go ahead and share it with the ZTE Community.

The upcoming ZTE eye tracking phone should make a debut with a 5.5-inch LCD display with 1440 x 2560 resolution and 543ppi.

Earlier ZTE said the phone will take advantage of a Snapdragon 823, but with the Snapdragon 835 announced a few weeks back, the Snapdragon 823 will probably never see the light of day. So it’s sensible to assume that since ZTE is committed to bringing the phone out on the market in 2017, that it will take advantage of the Snapdragon 835. Or of the Snapdragon 830 if it arrive in the second half of 2017.

zte-project-csx-sticky-smartphone-coming

Moving along, the phone will bundle 4GB of RAM/64GB of internal storage or 6GB of RAM/128GB of internal storage.

On the photography department, Project CSX will feature a 16MP sensor with f/1.8, OIS, laser autofocus and dual-LED flash plus not one but two front-facing cameras of 8MP variety. Last but not least, the phone will be supported by a 3,500 – 4,000 mAh battery and will run Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box.

As for the eye tracking function of the phone, it will supposedly allow users to do things like scroll through book pages without touching the display of the phone.

Are you excited about ZTE’s upcoming premium phone?

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