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NVIDIA Shield Android TV gets PlayStation Vue support, Software Upgrade 3.3

Alexandra Arici
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0

NVIDIA’s Shield Android TV is an Android TV based set-top box designed to deliver home entertainment and gaming. If you have one of these devices laying around the house, the good news is that NVIDIA is currently rolling out an update which brings a lot of improvements.

The update dubbed Software Upgrade 3.3 will bestow audio improvements to media apps like Plex, Kodi v17 and MX Player. Plex is also getting Dolby Atmos audio pass-through support, also. We’re also told the Vulkan graphics API has received an updated too. Software Upgrade 3.3 which is still based on Android Marshmallow, will be patching up a number of security vulnerabilities, as well.

The Android TV is also getting a host of new apps like MTV, Nick and fuboTV.

NVIDIA also announced that PlayStation Vue is now available for its Shield TVs. For those who are not familiar with Sony’s PlayStation Vue, the service allows users to watch live and on-demand TV programs over the Internet.

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Initially the PlayStation Vue required PlayStation hardware to operate, but soon it expanded its reach to include the Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Chromecast. And from now on PlayStation Vue will be playing nice with Android TV devices. Sony has plans to bring the service to PC or Mac via browser, as well.

PlayStation Vue is available across the US with options which include plans starting from $30 a month for a package of 55+ channels in select markets. In other areas, customers can get a much better deal for $10 a month, if Sony has a deal in place with the local broadcast stations.

Going back to the NVIDIA Shield update, users should see it arrive in the form of an OTA update. As it is always the case, the update will hit some NVIDIA’s Android TVs sooner, while others will receive it later depending on location.

If you can’t wait, you can’t always manually check if the update has arrived by accessing the Shield’s settings menu, then “About” and finally “System Update”.

Samsung keeps updating the Galaxy Note7, wants users to be safe

Alexandra Arici
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4

After the Galaxy Note7 was eradicated from existence, Samsung expressly asked users to return the phablet and take advantage of the available ailments.

But the thing is, a lot of users don’t seem too keen on following Samsung’s guideline. We recently told you it is estimated that more than 1 million customers are still holding on to the potentially dangerous Note7. Some still consider the device a very capable phone, one that’s not easily replaceable. Some users are waiting for Samsung to unveil the Galaxy S8 next year, but we’re still a few months away from that.

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So that leaves Samsung with a lot of Note7s units that are still operating in the wild. The Korean tech giant has done its best to try and convince users to return the Note7, but it is pretty evident at this point not everyone will do that.

In an attempt to keep harm from coming to users who are still hell-bent on keeping their phablet, Samsung is now rolling out an update for the Note7. It’s the second update released that aims to minimize the risk of overheating and explosion, reports Coolsmartphone.

5 alternatives to consider instead of the Samsung Galaxy Note7

The first update installed a limit for battery charging beyond 60%, a precaution taken to prevent the phone from “exploding”. The new update will now deliver notification reminding Note7 users that it’s high time to return their handsets.

Samsung is trying to do the right thing here, but we doubt it very much that Note7 enthusiasts will be persuaded by a bunch of notifications.

Until Samsung doesn’t come out with another premium phablet, we don’t see the trend changing. Info about the next-gen Galaxy S8 has already started leaking in the media.

According to rumors the phone should arrive with a 5.5-inch 4K display, 6GB of RAM, an iris scanner plus a dual-camera setup in the vein of the LG V20.

The handset is also said to be the first in the world to come with optical fingerprint recognition tech. This means Samsung might finally say bye-bye to the home button.

808 Hex Light: Portable light-show on your hand (review)

AndroidGuys
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The 808 Hex Light Bluetooth speaker is equipped with all the right tools to ensure that you are the life of the party. The combination of six color light modes and an EQ bass booster bring all the elements of a rave-like atmosphere in a compact package.

Build

  • Price: $79.99
  • Size: 3.55″ wide x 6.3″ tall x 3.55″ deep
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Color: Black

The speaker is a conical shape design that starts off narrow at the top and gets wider towards the bottom. The foundation is made of metal that has a hexagonal grill. The top of the speaker is where all of the controls lie. There are buttons to increase and decrease volume, the power button, change light modes, hands-free calling, and the EQ bass booster. Pairing the speaker requires long-pressing the power button.

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Sound

The compact speaker packs a pretty mean punch in the volume department. It can get pretty loud before the sound starts to distort. When the volume gets too high, the music starts to sound crackly.

The Hex Light speaker has an EQ mode, which is basically a bass booster. The combination of the EQ mode and the bass radiator provides a significant boost in the bass, while dialing back the mid-range. I could physically feel the table vibrating when the EQ mode was on. This is a good option for those that like bass-heavy genres, such as hip-hop. I personally felt that the bass slightly overpowered the vocals in certain songs and turned the EQ mode off. I noticed that navigating to new songs will chop off the first couple seconds of the song.

Lights

The highlight of this speaker is definitely the lights. The color options include everything in the rainbow spectrum. There are six light modes: Solid, Pulse, Breathe, Chase, Chill and Rave. My favorite option was Breathe and Rave.

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The Breathe option slowly lights up in rotating colors, while the Rave option lights up to the beat of the song. You can also turn this option off if the lights start to get annoying.

Usage

I found myself using this a lot around the house. This speaker claims to have an eight hour battery life.  I only used it for 4-5 hours before I put in back on the charger. I personally do not like to let my electronics die. I used it at around 60-70% max volume with the light mode turned on. The battery life may decrease if used at a higher volume. However, the speaker will probably not be used at such high volumes anyways due to the distortion of sound. It was the perfect device to listen to music while playing Settlers of Catan. Pairing the speaker to my phone was relatively pain-free. However, the speaker makes a somewhat obnoxious sound when it is turned on and off.

There is a hands-free calling option on the speaker which allows you to take calls. I called my friend using this feature and he said he could hear me clearly without any distortion. It is a convenient feature that doesn’t force you to disconnect.

I really liked the sturdiness of the speaker. The main frame is made of metal with a unique hexagonal grill.

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I feel comfortable taking this outside and not worrying about it breaking if it does fall on the ground. The speaker is not waterproof, so use it next to a pool with caution.

Summary

The Hex Light Bluetooth Speaker offers a bass-focused music experience. The single-driver packs a pretty mean punch in the volume department. At $79.99 on Amazon with free shipping, this speaker is a bit pricey compared to the other options available at 808 Audio. However, it offers a unique light-show experience that kids will love. If you are a hardcore music lover this is probably not the speaker for you. This speaker is designed for the younger age group that focuses more on entertainment rather than sound quality.

Google Assistant now has an IFTTT channel

Andrew Orr
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2

Good news for lovers of automation! Google Assistant now has a channel on IFTTT.

Assistant seems to be the culmination of Google’s efforts in machine learning – at least so far. Although it’s basically just an advanced version of Google Now, the Assistant is there to make your life easier. IFTTT also makes your life easier, letting you automate certain apps and services.

IFTTT says you need to already be using Assistant on a Pixel or Home device in order to use the channel. If you do have one of these devices, you can create custom voice commands to control your smart home in fun new ways.

pod bay doors

You can choose the trigger phrase, action, and even what the Assistant says in return. Android Police tested the Assistant channel but notes that it takes around five minutes after connecting the channel for it to work.

There are already a bunch of pre-created actions to try out. Examples include:

  • Add a task to Todoist by voice
  • Ok Google, party time
  • Post to Facebook by voice
  • Block the next hour on Google Calendar

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There has been an effort to port the Google Assistant to Nexus devices. If you’ve been able to do this, see if you can use it with IFTTT, even though you don’t have a Pixel. Let us know in the comments your thoughts and experiences with the Assistant channel.

Verizon Buyer’s Guide: Fall 2016

AndroidGuys
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In the market for a new smartphone from Verizon Wireless? Regardless of whether you’re buying your first Android or upgrading for the fourth time, the wireless service provider has something for everyone. As you might suspect, Big Red, being a massive carrier, has plenty to choose from.

Bluboo Maya Max: Massive potential but massive disappointment (phone review)

Matt Adams
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16

Before we get into the review, I want to start out with a bit of an explanation. I’ve had the Bluboo Maya Max for around two months. The journey with this device has certainly been an interesting one and is the central case of why people are afraid to buy products from companies they don’t know.

I’ve had two review units and neither have worked correctly. The software on the first device was not final and frankly broken. Working with Bluboo’s support saw them ask me to download an application onto my computer that was in Chinese to apply an update and I could not get to work even with assistance.

The second review unit seemed to have faulty hardware. The battery discharged down to nothing and then refused to turn back on after charging. To me, this says faulty hardware but Bluboo told me they’d have another software patch for me to flash before no longer responding to emails.

I will conduct as much of this review as I can because I believe that these issues are important to consider when purchasing a phone intended for other markets. Companies that have no infrastructure in the United States tend to be a risky proposition due to the lack of support and updates. This is the prime example of what can go wrong. Now, on with the rest of the review.

Introduction

The rise in popularity of importing devices is on the rise. We’ve seen excellent offerings from companies like Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, Gionee, and ZTE that don’t have great infrastructure in the US and importing them from third-party marketplaces like Gearbest tends to be the only way to get them. Popular in these devices has been rising because customers see them as a fun and cost-effective alternative to any old Galaxy or iPhone.

Bluboo is a Chinese company that is stuffing amazing specs in a phone for a low, low price. Normally priced at $179, the Maya Max features has some excellent specs.

  • Processor: MediaTek MT6750 1.5GHz octa-core
  • RAM: 3GB
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Display: 6.0″ 1080P with Gorilla Glass 4
  • Camera: 13MP Main, 8 MP front
  • Battery: 4200mAh with Quick Charge
  • Software: Android 6.0
  • Connectivity: USB type-C

Build

As you can see, the Maya Max is spec’ed like a flagship but with a budget price. The phone also includes features like 6000 series aluminum, a fingerprint scanner on the back, a mute switch, VoLTE, and a dual-sim card slot. Beyond the specs, the phone feels really nice in the hand and looks like a show-stopper. On paper, it’s one of the better phones for the price available right now and in person, it’s very impressive.

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The Maya Max has an impressive 85% screen to body ratio. The phone is only slightly larger than my Pixel XL but fits an extra .5″ of display in there. While the size difference does feel significant the phone is still pretty easy to handle due to good weight distribution and even better ergonomics. The back of the phone is very slightly curved so it sits in the hand nicely. Add in the fact that it’s relatively light for its size and it turns out that the Maya Max is easier to handle than some smaller phones.

One thing that really can make or break the experience of a device for me is volume and power buttons. Crappy, mushy buttons show a true lack of attention to detail or the company cheaping out on an important component. Luckily, Bluboo stuck true to its design principals with high quality and well functioning buttons. There is a mute switch that sits directly below the sim tray on the right side of the device that reminds me why I miss my iPhone sometimes. The switch puts the phone into silence, rather than vibrate mode, but it’s a convenient solution none the less.

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The phone utilizes on-screen buttons so the chin is bare, while the top of the phone is dotted with a camera and sensors around the speaker. If it’s one thing that Bluboo nailed with the Maya Max it’s the bezels. The bezels on the side of the device are almost nonexistent and the chin and top of the device are just big enough to get the required components in. I love the design of the Maya Max.

The top of the device houses the headphone jack (thankfully) and the bottom houses two drilled grills. A speaker sits behind the right grill and a microphone behind the left. Around back we find a fingerprint scanner that reminds us of the Nexus 6P and a raised, round camera hump with a dual-tone flash in-between.

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I really couldn’t have been more pleased with the physical design of the Maya Max. It really screams “premium” and goes toe-to-toe with any other device on the market in terms of quality, in my opinion. While you may prefer others for their size or materials, you’ll be forced to admit that the Maya Max is a beautiful device.

Software

This, unfortunately, is where things fell apart for me. My first unit shipped with broken software that saw constant app crashes and the phone locking up for long periods of time. I was informed that the phone couldn’t accept an over-the-air (OTA) update and I would have to update the phone by plugging it into my computer and downloading Bluboo’s software. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, it never happened due to the software being in Chinese. I do hope that Bluboo gets the software finalized and in good working order because a beautifully built device is being held back by broken software.

I believe a lot of these Chinese or Korean companies will not have success in the US market due to their software. These companies tend to strip out a lot of what makes Android great (stop taking away my app drawer!) and replaces it with bright, obnoxious colors and the duplication of apps that are already on the device. Samsung seems to have gotten the message with its recent iterations of TouchWiz. Hopefully, companies like Bluboo follow suit because even when the software was working, I didn’t enjoy the experience.

Yes, the app drawer is noticeably absent on the Maya Max. I also found it odd that on a 6.0″ device, Bluboo limited you to four icons across. There is obviously room here to add more icons comfortably and it’s needed since all of your icons will be showing. Folders are for whatever reason incredibly hard to create due to the fact that the touch sensitivity and accuracy isn’t excellent.

Several themes come with the device and you can download more through a theme store. I didn’t find any of the included ones very appealing and they honestly don’t alter the appearance that much. It’s nice that they included this feature, but it’s certainly not going to sell any devices.

The Play Store is installed, but that’s about it for Google’s apps. I downloaded a few apps here and there but it’s mostly filled up with Bluboo’s apps like Hitap Keyboard, SIM toolkit, FM Radio, and Theme Store.

The software is pretty spartan. If stock Android bothers you for its lack of features, the Bluboo Maya Max isn’t going to be your cup of tea either. Bluboo just isn’t consistent in its software enough. Some Google apps are skinned, some are replaced, some are completely untouched. Add in the weird quirks like not being able to reset the device to factory settings (yes, seriously) and you have a difficult to use contradiction on your hands.

Battery

Unfortunately due to the software issues we had with the Maya Max we cannot provide a reliable review of the battery life. However, we can give you some of the facts about the device and that will play into what battery life you may get.

The Maya Max has a 6″ 1080P display and a 4200mAh battery. Those are both pretty big numbers and the battery capacity being on the high end of anything on the market today. Bluboo made a choice to go with a 1080P display (probably due to cost) and it really should benefit you in battery life. Pushing all the extra pixels of a QHD display not only takes processing power but battery power too.

One thing that will negatively affect your battery life is the lack of supported bands in the United States. I tested the Maya Max with a T-Mobile sim and was disappointed to find that I only picked up Edge coverage. The device supports the following bands:

  • 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
  • 3G: WCDMA 850/2100MHz
  • 4G: FDD-LTE 800/1800/2100/2600MHz

If you’re using AT&T you will be able to pick up 3G on the 850 frequency, but no LTE for you either. With the constant searching for a better signal (especially indoors), the battery life could take a hit.

US carrier bands and networks

Conclusion

If you’re afraid of buying a Chinese phone from a site like Gearbest, this review is not going to do you any favors. This is pretty much the worst case scenario. Luckily for me, Bluboo supplied the review units so I’m not out any money, but I could easily see that happening to someone. There are a lot of great companies making wonderful devices that haven’t hit the shores of the US yet and I would encourage you to do you research to see how they deal with their customers when you’re making a purchase. Don’t let this one case scare you off.

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As for the Maya Max… if I could load stock Android onto it, it might be an amazing device. Unfortunately, it’s held back by broken software and puzzling design choices. If Bluboo gets the software figured out, I’d love to give the phone another review because I think there’s a ton of potential here. It has one of the best-built phones out there with some excellent features and a comfortable design.

T-Mobile Says Bring Your Google Pixel In, Get $325 Refund

Alexandra Arici
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1

Earlier today T-Mobile CEO John Legere teased an important Pixel announcement scheduled for today. We speculated this could mean that Google’s latest Pixel couple will land in T-Mobile retail locations. But as, it turns out we were wrong. Nevertheless, T-Mobile still manages to come out with a very exciting announcement.

T-Mobile won’t be offering the phone directly, but if you want you can bring your Pixel to T-Mobile and the magenta carrier will make sure to refund half the cost of the phone.

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All you have to do to get your hands on the $325 credit is sign the phone up for T-Mobile’s One plan. So how does the promotion work, step-by-step?

Customers have to purchase an unlocked Pixel first (not from Verizon, mind you) and sign the device on the above-mentioned plan. Then, users need to head to the validation site and provide proof of the purchase. Once the green light is given, buyers will be awarded the $325 in the form of bill credit which will arrive monthly ($13.55 credit/monthly) for 24 months.

Those interested in taking their Pixel to T-Mobile should know that the promotion will kick start tomorrow and will be available only for a limited time.

Buyer’s Guide: T-Mobile

It’s good news for those who have already purchased the Pixel, but folks who are yet to place an order on the Google Play Store, are looking at three to four-week delay for some models. Hopefully, the T-Mobile promotion will still be in place, by then.

Are you guys interested in what T-Mobile has to offer?

OnePlus 3T tipped to arrive with Snapdragon 821, 6GB of RAM for $480

Alexandra Arici
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0

Not so long ago we told you that unable to deal with demand, OnePlus was entertaining the idea of releasing a variant of its new OnePlus 3 smartphone.

OnePlus is plagued by a shortage of AMOLED panels, so the upcoming phone is expected to arrive with an LCD display instead. The company’s SEO Carl Pei said the company will still be pivoting around Optic AMOLED for future products, just not the OnePlus 3T.

Anyway, a new leak coming to us from TechUpdate reveals a partial list of the specifications we can expect to see aboard the upcoming phone.

According to the information, we can expect the new handset to make a debut with a Snapdragon 821 under the hood in combination with 6GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of internal storage.

So, it appears the OnePlus 3T is getting a bump up in specs, given that the soon to be previous-gen OnePlus 3 launched with a Snapdragon 820.

The rumor also claims the phone will be equipped with a new Sony IMX389 sensor. The technology will power the 16MP main camera.

OnePlus 3

In case you didn’t know, the new Sony sensor already made a debut with the Oppo R9s and R9s Plus which were recently unveiled. It’s expected the sensor will deliver quicker and more accurate phase-detection autofocus and dual-core AF.

Other specs include an 8MP selfie camera, fingerprint sensor, 4G, USB Type-C and 3,000 maAh battery.

According to @evleaks OnePlus 3T will most likely be marketed for a bit more than the OnePlus 3. The current flagship sells for $400, but the OnePlus 3T will add $80 more.

Last but not least, we’re told that the phone might come bundled with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, as the company is currently working on the update.

T-Mobile will probably offer the Google Pixel soon (UPDATED)

Alexandra Arici
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0

EDIT: We’ve received some updated information. You can find the full details for T-Mobile’s Pixel Plans here

T-Mobile Says Bring Your Google Pixel In, Get $325 Refund

When Google announced the Pixel and Pixel XL a few months ago, the search giant said Verizon will be exclusively offering the two phones under its banner. Well, it appears that people who prefer buying phones via a carrier contract will have one more option to choose from while the Pixels are concerned.

T-Mobile CEO John Legere just tweeted something interesting. It appears an important Pixel announcement is bound to come out of T-Mobile soon. He also teased a picture of a boxed Pixel and added: “It works great on our network”.

You’re probably thinking what we’re thinking. The Pixel is most likely headed for T-Mobile. Mister Legere is not even being mysterious here, but of course, there might be a chance we’re wrong. Albeit a small one.

T-Mobile is known for offering contracts that usually come with fewer restrictions compared to the competition, so this is very good news. It might even mean the Pixel is bound to receive faster updates, although we’ve seen Verizon vow to provide timely updates for the two Pixel phones, a while ago.

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It will be interesting to see whether AT&T and Sprint will soon be joining the Pixel family or if the phones will remain exclusive to the Red-Magenta carrier duo.

In case you don’t remember, let us remind you the Pixel comes with a 5.0-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920-pixel resolution and employs the power of a Snapdragon 821. The phone is available in 4GB of RAM with 32GB/128GB configurations and boasts a 12.3MP/8MP camera combo.

As for the Pixel XL, the phone rocks a larger 5.5-inch AMOLED screen with 1440 x 2560-pixel resolution. The rest of specifications remain the same. Both phones come with Android 7.1 Nougat pre-installed.

The Pixel is Google’s first attempt at building a phone from the ground up without the help of third-party manufacturers like it was the case with the Nexus lineup.

Check out these 10 accessories for the brand new Pixel and Pixel XL

70% of Galaxy Note7 owners will continue to buy Samsung phones, research firm says

Alexandra Arici
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0

This year will probably go down in history as the most challenging for Samsung. The Korean tech giant had to resort to drastic measures in order to ensure its customers were being kept safe. In an unprecedented move, the company stopped production of the Galaxy Note7 and proceeded to ask Note7 owners to return the potentially overheating phablet.

In the wake of the Galaxy Note7 fiasco, everyone kept wondering whether customers will be able to trust Samsung products ever again. Recently we told you that a report coming from South Korea revealed that most Note7 owners aren’t really looking to separate themselves from their precious phablet just yet.

The main reason has to do with the lack of high-end tablets matching the Galaxy Note7’s capabilities. However, the report quotes a few users who claim they are willing to upgrade to the Galaxy S8 next year, but until then they will probably hang on to the controversial phablet.

Now, a new investigation into the matter unearthed by Fierce Wireless, attests the majority of Samsung Note7 customers is likely to remain loyal to the brand. Research firm BayStreet claims that up to 70% of ex-Note7 users will continue to remain in the Samsung camp. For the time being, their best alternative seems to be the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge.

We remind you that Samsung has been offering $100 credit towards the purchase of a new Galaxy phone to those Galaxy Note7 users willing to trade in their phablet. What’s more, in South Korea, Galaxy S7, and Galaxy S7 Edge adopters will be given the chance to get the upcoming Galaxy S8 at half the price.

samsung-galaxy-note7-color-versions

But a percentage of Note7 customers is indeed expected to leave the Android ecosystem in favor of iOS. Since Note7 owners are people who value high-end smartphones, the iPhone is certainly going to seem like a worthy alternative for them.

However, BayStreet notes that fans of the Note brand are among the most loyal Samsung users, so the percent won’t be a pivotal one. The research firm suspects roughly 15% of ex-Note7 owners will choose to switch camp and pick up an iPhone, which in turn will add 200-300k extra iPhone sales to the Q4 2016.

Following the assisted death of the Galaxy Note7, Samsung adjusted its earnings expectation of Q3 shaving off $2.3 billion from the original $7 billion forecast.

Even so, the research firm believes that Samsung will be able to bounce back from this fiasco. BayStreet says that the massive negative media coverage paints a bleaker picture than it is necessary. If history teaches us something is that companies which tends to address technology problems quickly and efficiently are able to recover pretty fast.

For example, Nokia and Dell issued a recall of their devices due to battery probles, in 2007 and 2006 respectively,  but the companies managed to survive the scandal. Although we all know what happened to Nokia in the end.

Anyway, in the case of Samsung, the prognosis seems to be good since the company is financially stable and has a $70 billion cash reserves to rely on. Now all Samsung needs to do is launch a reliable high-end smartphone that doesn’t overheat.

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