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HTC One A9 photos leak

Justin Marden
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0

htconea9attleaksideIt’s been a few weeks since we’ve heard anything about HTC’s upcoming One A9 (a.k.a. the HTC Aero), which is expected to be unveiled at an event on October 20th. After seeing rumors that the A9 would be the next flagship, packing killer specs like a 10-core processor and 4GB of RAM, further leaks indicated that it would be more of a budget phone. This week, we finally got a first glance at what the device itself could look like, courtesy of some photos released by @OnLeaks.

From what we can see, the One A9 will sport the familiar button layout that we saw on the HTC One M9, with the power and volume buttons flanking the right side of the device. The left side looks to be housing a SIM slot and a MicroSD slot, and there appears to be an IR blaster at the top of the phone. The bottom houses a speaker, 3.5mm audio jack, and MicroUSB charging port. The photos indicate that the device is running on AT&T’s network, although the device will likely be released on multiple carriers.

As a reminder, the latest rumored specs for the One A9 include a Snapdragon 617 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5-inch 1920 x 1080 display, 16Gb of internal storage, and a 2150 mAh battery. Obviously if these specs hold true, the A9 won’t be blowing anyone away, but HTC could have a solid budget device just in time for the holidays. We’ll be covering HTC’s event on October 20th, so we will see how accurate the leaks so far have been.

Source Android And Me

Sony adds Marshmallow resources and Xperia Z5 binaries to Open Device program

Matt Adams
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0

Sony continues to be one of the most developer friendly Android OEMs. The Japanese tech giant has an Open Device Program where they upload device configurations, software binaries and build guides. What does that mean? Basically, if you wanted to and had the time, Sony gives you the tools to build AOSP based custom ROMS for your Sony Xperia devices. The only caveat is that it must be a Sony Xperia device using a Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor made in 2014 or after.

[blockquote author=”Sony Mobile”]Through the Open Device program, we provide these resources early for the community, so that you have time to learn, build and test new Android features, or use them on your custom ROM. As usual, you can work with us to make the software better by contributing your patches upstream to GitHub. Open source is important for us and we welcome you to contact us, and give feedback on what resources you need and where can we improve.[/blockquote]

Android 6.0 Marshmallow was released last week and Sony has already updated their Open Device program with the configuration and binaries for it. This goes along with Sony’s pilot program to test AOSP Lollipop 5.0 on the Sony Xperia Z3 in giving consumers a choice in the software they want on their phones.

Also added to the Open Device Program are the binaries for the Sony Xperia Z5. Early adopters of the device will now be able to build their own custom ROMs just like owners of other 2014+ Qualcomm based Sony Xperia devices. The program isn’t just for flagship devices either. If you have a mid-range device like the Xperia M2, Xperia T3, or others, you can also participate in the program.

[df-gallery url=”https://www.androidguys.com/gallery/sony-xperia-z5/”%5D

[graphiq id=”6QR5Dw8GZIp” title=”Sony Xperia Z5″ width=”600″ height=”400″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/6QR5Dw8GZIp” link=”http://smartphones.specout.com/l/3976/Sony-Xperia-Z5″ link_text=”Sony Xperia Z5 | SpecOut”]

Source: Sony via AndroidAuthority

Get this Bluetooth adapter with Google Now integration

Austin Hyde
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3

A few months ago I had the opportunity to review a Bluetooth car adapter and I left the review thinking that it was the best thing since sliced cheese. Mostly in part, because my 2011 Honda Odyssey did not come with Bluetooth from the factory. The iClever Himbox Bluetooth adapter has given me a new frame of reference and has made me reconsider my initial rating.

iClever Himbox Bluetooth adapter overview

The iClever Himbox Bluetooth car adapter is a versatile adapter that adds Bluetooth to your vehicle or any other device with an auxiliary audio input. While it is geared towards being an adapter for your vehicle, there are clever little features that make it compatible with other devices as well. The first feature is that the power adapter for the Himbox is USB based. If you so desired, you could detach the USB cable from the vehicle power adapter and plug it into another USB power source. This will allow you to take the adapter out of the car and into your office or home.

One added bonus is the magnetic control unit. There is a metal base that sticks to your dash so that you can easily attach the magnetic control unit, but if you were to connect it to a home receiver unit you could stick it to the metal sides of the receiver or anything else that’s metal.

There is also, of course, a male auxiliary cable that will plug into a female 3.5mm jack. This is how your music will be output to whatever system that you are interfacing with.

The control unit features 3 lighted buttons. Forward, reverse, and the main control unit, which also happens to be the star of the show. A simple press of the button will answer a call, hang up a call, and pause or play your music, but if you hold the button down for a few seconds then something magical will happen that I will explain in a moment.

 

iClever Himbox Bluetooth adapter setup

The steps to get your iClever Himbox BT receiver connected to your vehicle are fairly simple.

  1. Connect the USB cable to the included power adapter
  2. Plug the power adapter into the vehicle’s accessory power port
  3. Peel the paper cover off of the adhesive tape attached to the metal base plate
  4. Affix the metal base plate in the desired area or your dash
  5. Attach the magnetic control unit to the metal base plate
  6. Connect the 3.5mm auxiliary cable to the vehicle’s auxiliary port
  7. Turn the vehicle on and select the audio source to auxiliary
  8. From your phone search for Bluetooth devices and select HB01 Plus
  9. Follow any prompts on your phone

Now you are connected and ready to go.

iClever Himbox Bluetooth adapter usage

Now to the part that you actually wanted to read, Android Auto functionality. I should clarify something. There is no screen unless you have your phone mounted to the dash or windshield somewhere. Even then, the screen will not show the Android Auto interface. Having said that, you can use all the voice commands available within Android Auto as long as you have Google Now installed on your device.

When you hold the control button down for a few seconds, Google Now will initiate. Once you hear the Google beep, you can issue it any command from Play music to navigate me to the nearest Wally World. You can also compose and send SMS messages. About the only thing you can’t do is listen to received SMS messages. I found that this was my favorite feature of the iClever Himbox BT adapter.

Not to be outshined by voice commands, the Himbox sound quality really is superb. In part, this is due to the Bluetooth 4.0 and the Apt-X codec support. The high notes sound amazingly clear and the lower base notes were able to play with no distortion. There was also little to none latency issues. The music streamed at the same time it played on my phone.

It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, though. When there is no music playing or active call, the speakers would emit a whine that would increase and decrease with the engine’s RPMs. Also, the buttons used to skip the song would sometimes produce delayed results, but it’s possible that it could have been my phone. My LG Tone headphones will sometimes do the same thing. I can’t be sure.

What we liked

  • Audio quality
  • Google Now integration
  • Flexibility

What could be better

  • Button backlights could be brighter
  • Engine whine was annoying
  • Button delay

iClever Himbox Bluetooth adapter summary

If you don’t already have Bluetooth in your car, or you just want to add Google Now functionality, this is a great device. Who am I kidding? It’s a great device if you want to add Bluetooth audio to anything. You can even add it to your parents old 1970’s receiver unit with a 3.5mm to RCA jack adapter and a USB wall outlet.

If you’re interested, you purchase the iClever Himbox Bluetooth adapter for a limited time at $29.99 with free shipping for Amazon Prime customers. The regular price is $69.99.

What do you think? Are you considering this for your vehicle?

 

OUKITEL announces 6,000mAh battery smartphone

Jack McNenny
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0

Chinese manufacturer OUKITEL has announced the K6000 smartphone with an enormous 6,000mAh battery capable of some serious usage while staying off the charger. OUKITEL claims the phone lasts up to 10 days on battery-saving mode, 46 hours of continuous music playback, or 40 days if left on complete standby. If these claims are true, then you won’t find another phone with this much battery life very easily.

OUKITEL has not announced much more in terms of specs, but the phone will support 9V/2A fast-charging-  a necessity for a phone with this big of battery if you want to fully charge this thing in a relatively short amount of time.

Pricing and availability are also not known at this time, but you can count on the device being fairly affordable if it’s to follow OUTKIL’s other range of products. More information on the K6000 will arrive in the coming weeks, as well as info on the K10000 handset leaked not too long ago, which is presumably a 10,000mAh battery smartphone.

 

Source: Gizmochina

Android 6.0 will work on the Nexus 4

Jack McNenny
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0

There are those of us who still cherish their Nexus 4 phones and are unwilling to move past to get a bigger device. While Google is leaving the phone behind in terms of the Android 6.0 update, it is still possible to get the latest Android on the Nexus 4 if you’re into flashing custom ROMs.

This is only for device owners who have unlocked their bootloaders and rooted their devices. Developer Dmitry Grinberg is the first to provide the custom ROM for the Nexus 4, and also works for the 2013 Nexus 7 since both devices share very similar hardware. Being a Nexus device, the custom ROM also fully supports the installation of Google Apps from the AOSP image for the full Android Marshmallow experience on the phone.

Team Win Recovery Project is required for flashing the ROM onto the Nexus 4. Here’s a quick guide on how to proceed with manually installing the Marshmallow ROM onto the phone. Proceed at your own risk:

  • Extract the downloaded ROM to get fastboot files such as system.img, boot.img and the radio folder containing two modem files
  • Choose the modem file you want to flash on Nexus 4. Select the normal one in case you don’t want LTE. Then rename the file to modem.img
  • Create a folder named Nexus 4 update (whatever name you want) and move all the .img files into it
  • Connect your Nexus 4 to the PC via USB cable. Copy the Gapps file to the phone’s storage and remember the location. Then disconnect the phone
  • Boot the phone into bootloader mode. Use Quick Boot app to boot into bootloader mode, if your phone is rooted. Alternatively, do the following steps to manually place it in bootloader mode
  • Switch off the phone
  • Press Volume up and Power buttons together until you see some text on the screen. This is bootloader mode and on top of the screen you should see FASTBOOT written on it
  • Use the Volume down button to go to recovery mode and Power button to select it and boot into recovery
  • Open a command prompt that opens the device’s update folder with the .img files
  • Type in the following commands to install the ROM
    • fastboot flash boot boot.img
    • fastboot reboot bootloader
    • fastboot flash radio modem.img
    • fastbpoot reboot bootloader
    • fastboot flash system system.img

Finally, to flash Google apps onto your phone, use TWRP to boot into recovery mode and select the folder of Google apps you moved onto your phone, and install them.

For more information on installing Marshmallow onto the Nexus 4, head over to the developers site for more instructions.

Download the Hangouts 5.0 update- Mostly bug fixes

Jack McNenny
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0

With a lot of anticipation for the next big hangouts update in hopes of reducing lag and changing the UI, the 5.0 update is now rolling out to some users, only to bring small tweaks and big fixes. Confirmed fixes include GIF support and some very minor visual changes, such as the brief intro screen that Google has incorporated into all of their apps. Other than that, I have not noticed any changes within the app, and the performance and speed has not improved that I can tell.

HangoutsScreen

Hit the download link below to try out the 5.0 update and let us know if you find any other differences. The download is 30.19 MB

Hangouts 5.0 APK link

Samsung ‘Fast Charge’ Wireless Charging Pad review

Scott Webster
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0

Since the dawn of smartphones, one area has remained a pain point for moderate and heavy users. I’m talking, of course, about batteries.

It seems that no matter how fast, big or powerful a device is, users tend to walk away wanting more from their smartphone as it pertains to battery life. Think back to the early days of Android and how were charging our phones up before lunch. It sucked. Period. Even as Android gets more efficient over time, and processors become ever more optimal, batteries still cause issues for people. But, it’s getting better.

There’s a big race today to see who can place the most battery inside the thinnest phone. Just about every handset maker is getting in on this, and it seems that nobody wants to add a millimeter or two to their device in the name of longer battery. Also, today’s battery technology is far more advanced. It’s not just about “how many mAh”  any longer.

samsung_wireless_charging_pad_2

Indeed, we do have wireless charging capabilities in a number of smartphones. Additionally, we also have fast charge capabilities in many of today’s devices. The idea is that you can charge up your phone in a matter of 15 to 30 minutes and get more than enough juice to last you the rest of the day. Awesome, right?

Samsung, as part of its announcement for the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+, revealed that the two new models offered internal batteries. But rather than any normal type of battery, these are designed for wireless charging out of the box.

And, as if that weren’t good enough, we are now able to charge them with a “fast charge” as well. This means that you can charge your new Samsung device up much quicker and without cables. To that end, Samsung now sells a Wireless Charging Pad which provides both a quick, cordless charge to your phone.

I’ve spent a few weeks playing with one of these and have been thoroughly impressed with it. The unit itself is round and looks not unlike a thick coaster that you might put a drink on. It plugs in via the micro USB port and provides a very efficient and handy way of charging your device.

samsung_wireless_charging_pad_1

On top you will find a semi sticky or non-slide material that ensures your device does not move around when locked in. Placing the phone on top of the platter yields a somewhat magnetic lock between the two. The phone itself will chime as if to indicate that it is charging and you can see that on the screen as well. You’ll also see both the phone and the charger light up — Samsung calls it a multi-colored halo — so you can see that you’re charging or full at a glance.

I’ve been using mine in the office right next to the desk and it is quite convenient and very easy to get used to. For me, the weirdest part about having something like this is just grabbing the phone and walking away and when I’m ready. There’s something about seven years of conditioning of smartphones or Pocket PC devices that I’ve become trained subconsciously to reach for a cord.

samsung_wireless_charging_pad_3I’ve also put this on the nightstand next to the bed and found it really refreshing to just lay the phone down at night. Getting up in the morning and grabbing it to go, again is quite a different feeling. It is a feeling that I have gotten used to quite easily. Now, I am looking at my other devices wondering why I cannot do the same for them.

The Samsung Wireless Charging Pad is available in either Black Sapphire or White Pearl; I have used the black one. It’s convenient it’s light, and it is a Godsend. The only quibble I have is that the non-slide ring on top picks up dust or lint somewhat easy. But, it’s a breeze to clean off.

If you have a phone that is capable (Qi-certified devices) of wireless charging, whether it is out of the box or something you’ve added via a replacement battery or case, then you should recommended to check one of these out. The Samsung Wireless Charging Pad runs $70 through Samsung’s website however Amazon has it for about $62 right now.

Trends Today: the social media world of #hashtags (App Review)

AndroidGuys
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0

In today’s world of technology, we are able to communicate faster than ever. A simple #hashtag, like, or comment can help keep us informed of all that is happening around us. Unfortunately, it can also mean we may miss something important we want to know. With the Trends Today app, you can now keep up with all the top stories in one spot.

Overview

Trends Today is an app that opens you up to a world of #hashtags. It allows you to see top trending stories on five of the most popular social sites: Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Instagram, and Vine, all in one location. Other social sites are planned to be added with future app updates.

You can also receive notifications of new trends, though I didn’t seem to have that happen too often. You can turn off notifications in the Settings menu if you prefer not to receive them. This is also the only settings option you will find. It would be nice to have different theme options and the ability to select what social sites you want to see in the app.

Features

Each site will have its own tab. I found this made it very easy to navigate between the different social sites. For Twitter and Facebook, lists are generated by trending topics. Once a topic has been selected, you will see the different tweets and posts on that topic, from which you can click on to read, comment, or share. You can also view posts by most recent or most popular. The Reddit tab will be organized by trending posts, instead of by topic,and Instagram and Vine will show thumbnails of the trending photos and videos.

Other features include a built-in web browser, so there is no jumping out of the app to view a post, and the ability to see what is popular worldwide, or by selecting a specific country. The current list of countries is USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and India.

Setup

When you first open the app, you will be asked to select which country you want to view posts from. You can change this, later, by clicking the menu button, at the top left of the screen, and selecting whichever location you prefer.

From the same menu, you can choose to create a profile as well. This is not required, nor is it clear as to what it’s for. Skipping the registration will not hinder your viewing experience, so I would just skip it.

When you select a post, you will be taken to the social media’s mobile site. To like, share, or comment, you will have to sign into your respective accounts. However, with Vine and Instagram, these will not open in the browser, instead, you’ll be taken to your default browser, or the app. You can view the pictures and videos, but there is no sign in option, so you cannot like or share within the Trends Today app. Hopefully, the developer will change this in future updates.

What we liked

  • One app to view trending posts from multiple social sites
  • Easy navigation
  • Built-in browser

What could be better

  • Needs more social sites, like Google+
  • Sign in options for Instagram and Vine
  • Options to select which sites you want to be displayed

Summary

For any of you who have multiple social media accounts, Trends Today is a great way to keep you up-to-date with the trends of each one. So, browse, comment, and #hashtag away with Trends Today.

[pb-app-box pname=’com.TrendsToday.TrendsToday’ name=’Trends Today – Trending News’ theme=’discover’ lang=’en’]

AudioFly AF33 in-ear headphones review

AndroidGuys
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0

I recently got the opportunity to review AudioFly’s complete performance in-ear headphone collection. There are four headphones in this collection that each fit into a consumer’s budget. There is the under $50 pair, the under $75 pair, the around $100 pair, and the around $200 pair. Today, I’m taking a look at the AF33 earphones that fall at the low end of the price range.[spacer color=”264C84″ icon=”fa-android”]

Unboxing and AccessoriesDSC00275

The AF33’s come in a box you would expect for $40 headphones. It is cardboard box with a plastic insert that holds all of the contents in place. There is nothing out of the ordinary in this package. You get your earphones, several pairs of different sized tips, warranty information, and a pouch to store everything in.

Design and Build Quality

For earphones at this price, the AF33’s are surprisingly well built. Of course, everything is plastic, but they feel sturdy and there are no gaps in the construction. Best of all, the cable does not feel like it is going to rip in half if you snag it on something. DSC00260Speaking of the cable, you will notice that there is a button right where the cable splits. You can use this button to control your music, and with the in-line microphone on the right side, you can make and answer calls.

The overall design of the AF33’s is subdued and minimal. They do not really stand out from the rest of the earphones out there, but that is not a bad thing. They are well made and the design makes they extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Even though these are the least expensive earphones of the group, they are the second most comfortable. Their minimal design helps them fix nice and snug in your ears, and they are lightweight which makes them seem to almost disappear after wearing them for a while.

Sound Quality

DSC00261It does not matter how good the earphones look if they don’t sound good, and thankfully the AF33’s produce great sound. They are definitely some of the best sounding earphones in this price range.

I am not a huge fan of pounding bass, and many lower priced earphones tend to pump up the bass to appeal to the younger customers buying them. Thankfully, these earphones do not over stress the bass. It is present and the sound is tight and well defined.

Mids and highs are also quite nice. At moderate volumes, they both hold up well. Mids are clear and smooth which makes for a great listening experience. Highs are crisp and deliver decent separation and detail.

If you also plan on using these earphones to make calls, you will not be disappointed. Calls sounds great on both ends, and the buttons located at the split is convenient for making calls without taking your phone out of your pocket. The microphone is located about halfway up the right cable which puts it at a great position to pick up what you’re saying without scratching across your clothes as you walk.

All this being said, these earphones start to suffer when brought to higher volumes. The highs become tinny and shrill a some points, and mids become less defined. If you are planning on playing your music at the highest volumes you can imagine, you should check out the headphones higher up in the price range.

[spacer color=”264C84″ icon=”fa-android”]For their $40 price point, the AudioFly AF33’s deliver a great listening experience. Sound quality is not going to blow you away, but they can hold their own in this price category. If you are looking to spend under $50 on a pair of earphones and aren’t planning on cranking your music up to 11, I would definitely recommend taking a look at the AF33’s because they are great performers. You can pick up a pair on AudioFly’s website or on Amazon!

 

Verizon offering simplified prepaid data plans for tablets, other devices

Scott Webster
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0

Verizon recently unveiled a new, more streamlined set of options for prepaid customers who simply need data. Whether for a tablet, connected laptop, hotspot, or something else, the plans are available without credit check.

Subscribers can now choose from five plans, each with its own amount of data and expiration period. The plans work for any 3G or 4G LTE device and can be replenished as needed.

Verizon customers can now add more data directly from devices, online at My Verizon or by using refill cards. Moreover, Verizon offers Auto Pay which can automatically schedule and withdraw payments.

The new plans break down as so:

  • 500MB for $15/week
  • 1GB for $20/month
  • 2GB for $35/2 months
  • 5GB for $60/2 months
  • 10GB for $100/2 months

Verizon

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