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Google takes cat videos to the next level

Austin Hyde
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0

Let’s face it. The internet loves cats. If you don’t believe me, Google search cat videos. Even in the early days, the internet was rife with cat GIFs and memes.

Nowhere else was this more true than in Japan. Cats permeate Japanese culture. From mangas and animes to Japanese pop bands, you can find cats everywhere in the Japanese culture.

So it’s no suprise that the Android game Neko Atsume (Cat Gathering) has clawed it’s way to the top of the Japanese charts.

For those who are not familiar with Neko Atsume, it is a game where you attract and save stray cats by leaving offerings for the virtual felines. Apparently it’s hard to even paws the game for even a minute.

To celebrate the developers success, Google decided to scratch together a live action version of the game at the world’s first cat cafe in Osaka Japan. They streamed the entire tail tale live on MewTube YouTube yesterday. However, if you hissed missed it you can can watch the entire 11 hour 10 minute and 35 second broadcats broadcast here.

This is just another example of Google helping developers find success in the marketplace. What do you think? Are you going to paws your day to watch some or all of Google’s nyantastic cat video? Let us know in the comments below.

[pb-app-box pname=’jp.co.hit_point.nekoatsume’ name=’ねこあつめ’ theme=’discover’ lang=’en’]

Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch coming to carriers on October 2nd

Matt Adams
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0

We’re hot off the reveal of the Gear S2, Samsung’s newest smartwatch, at IFA 2015 in Berlin. The new offering from Samsung is not an Android Wear offering but rather runs on Samsung’s own OS, Tizen. Even though that’s a bit of a disappointment, it will still work with your Android phone. Many are lauding it for it’s great looks and wondering when they can get their hands on it.

[df-gallery url=”https://www.androidguys.com/gallery/samsung-gear-s2/”%5D

We may have just gotten our first piece solid info.

In a Samsung Electronics America (SEA) training video, October 2nd is the release date given for the Gear S2. At about the one hour and 55 minute mark of the video, the presenter reveals that the bluetooth only version of the new Samsung smartwatch will be coming to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular on October 2nd. Sprint is not mentioned as one of the carriers offering the watch and it’s not stated whether the country’s fourth biggest carrier will pick it up later.

If you want the 3G variant of the Gear S2, you’ll be able to pick it up about a month later, on November 6th, but no details were given as to which carriers will offer it for sale. T-Mobile and Verizon have perviously stated that they’ll sell it but have not confirmed when they plan to do so nor how much it will cost.

[graphiq id=”jAf1mkfYku1″ title=”Samsung Gear S2″ width=”600″ height=”400″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/jAf1mkfYku1″ link=”http://smartwatches.specout.com/l/187/Samsung-Gear-S2″ link_text=”Samsung Gear S2 | SpecOut”]

Source: AndroidCentral

Is Acer’s Predator 8 tablet a Shield-killer or just a nice try?

Josh Noriega
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6

Does another promising device bite the dust?

At IFA 2015, it was quite obvious that Acer is aggressively pushing its Predator line of elite devices.  There was a whole flashy area dedicated to it, surrounded with the brand’s industrial, red-accented theme.  To recap, we were shown powerhouse gaming laptops, large curved monitors packed with Nvidia’s G-Sync technology, a smartphone with a 10-core CPU monstrosity, and a sweet-looking 8-inch gaming tablet – the Predator 8.

DSC02094

Acer’s new elite tablet brings some fresh features to the gaming tablet segment, a segment that previously existed by one other – the Nvidia Shield tablet.  So does the Predator 8 stand a chance?  Let’s check it out.

[spacer color=”264C84″ icon=”fa-android”]

In picking up the device for the first time, you can tell one of Acer’s objectives for the Predator tablet was to wow the user with the design.  This thing is flashy and totally not for someone who doesn’t want to draw attention.  Everyone will know this tablet is special, a completely different take from the subtlety of the Nvidia SHIELD.  I love it.

DSC02095

Unfortunately, the feel did not back up the awesome appearance.  There’s no other way to break it down, it feels cheap.  The chassis is mostly plastic.  OEM’s sometimes make plastic work, but Acer just didn’t with the Predator 8.  My word to Acer:  You can’t skimp on build with a premium device.

[row][double_paragraph]DSC02096[/double_paragraph][double_paragraph]DSC02097[/double_paragraph] [/row]

Okay, so it’s apparent Acer cut some corners to make the Predator 8 a reality, but how far does that fact extend?  Let’s go over the performance, but first, a breakdown of the specs:

[alert color=”green”]Display:  8” FHD (1920×1200) IPS LCD

SoC:  Intel Atom X7 processor with Intel HD Graphics

Memory:  2GB of RAM

Storage:  64GB internal with microSD expansion (up to 128GB)

Cameras:  5.0MP rear and 2.0MP front cameras

OS:  Android 5.1 Lollipop[/alert]

 

In addition, one of the staples of the Predator 8 are four front-facing speakers.  You read that correctly, four.  Like many OEM’s are doing these days, the external audio is supported by some Dolby Audio software trickery.

DSC02102

So with all that said, how does it sound?  It’s good, just not superb.  It can get loud, but the quality leaves to be desired.  It is treble-heavy, almost shrilly sometimes.  It reminds me a lot of the Nexus 6 speakers, where Motorola obviously made loudness a priority over quality.  On the Nexus 6, bass was almost non-existent.  I would have to do a review of the Predator 8 before I can conclude the same, as Acer’s booth wasn’t the quietest environment.

Next up is the display.  Unfortunately, it left to be desired as well.  This is often my experience with Acer displays, but I was hoping a premium product of theirs would be of better quality.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not terrible.  Looking at the screen straight-on it’s fine, and colors have particularly nice vibrancy.  However, tilt the device and the image slightly (but noticeably) washes out.  We should be past the days of washing-out displays.  Maybe I’m just spoiled by Samsung’s fantastic S-AMOLED panels.

And last but not least is the gaming performance.  Bear in mind that this is not a full review, and I give the Acer the benefit of the doubt of maybe not having finished software.  Asphalt 8 was loaded up on the device, which serves as a good gaming benchmark.

For some reason the gameplay stuttered, too much for my taste.  It was playable, and bits where it didn’t stutter were smooth, but every time action ramped up (i.e. crashing into a wall, because I suck at racing games), the performance struggled.  On a normal tablet I could look past this occurrence, but not on a “gaming” tablet.

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So can I recommend the Predator 8?  It depends.  Acer does bring some neat things to the tablet, that weren’t there before, such as quad, front-facing speakers and gaming-tuned haptic, vibrational feedback.  Only, quality isn’t where it should be for a stand-out, elite device.  It’s almost like a normal tablet in disguise.

If you can look past the cut-corners and really want a sweet-looking, gaming tablet, there’s no other that pulls it off like the Predator 8.  If you want a better overall package, look to the Shield.

Both tablets have near-stock software, 8-inch 1920×1200 displays, front-facing speakers, and run $299 retail.  However, Nvidia’s Tegra K1 chipset should have significantly more gaming power than Intel’s HD graphics.

Cable cutters rejoice! Get your favorite CBS Programming for only $5.99 a month

Andrew Myrick
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0

If you’re a junkie for great TV shows, and more importantly CBS shows, then those Android TV owners and other cable cutters are in for some great news. Earlier today, CBS announced CBS All Access which is a subscription service that offers everyone another way to cut the cords, without losing everything.

For $5.99 a month, subscribers to CBS All Access will get access to full seasons of TV shows in their lineup. In addition to being able to watch all of your favorite NCIS episodes, you will also be able to watch your local CBS channel through your Android TV. This could come in handy for those areas, like Baltimore, that broadcasts your local NFL team, and every other option is blacked out.

The CBS All Access app brings all of the benefits currently available to CBS
All Access subscribers to Android TV, including:

  • Full current seasons of 19 primetime shows with episodes available the
    day after they air, including NCIS, SCORPION, THE GOOD WIFE, NCIS: NEW
    ORLEANS and more.
  • The ability to live stream the local CBS station in more than 85 markets
    across the U.S., with more to be added as affiliates join the CBS All
    Access service.
  • Full past seasons of 10 major current series including THE GOOD WIFE,
    NCIS and HAWAII FIVE-0.
  • More than 6,000 episodes of CBS Classics in an advertising-free
    environment including all episodes of hits like STAR TREK, CHEERS, FRASIER,
    and CSI: MIAMI.
  • Access to exclusive additional content for CBS Television’s biggest
    special events like THE GRAMMY® AWARDS, THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW.

In addition to being able to use the CBS All Access subscription with your Android TV, those users who are without one, can jump in on the fun too. CBS All Access also has support for Chromecasts and Roku devices. So there is more than just one way to view your favorite CBS shows.

Currently, you can head over to the CBS All Access page and get signed up for a free 1-week trial today. So head on over to the CBS All Access page, get signed up, then jump on your Android TV and download the app.

Source: CBS All Access

WRIO keyboard app hopes to revolutionize typing from a smartphone

Benton Trerise
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0

photo-original

From Swiftkey to Swype, Fleksy to Minuum, there are hundreds of keyboards both on Android and recently iOS that look to make typing on a small screen an easier and snappier experience. Each have their benefits, and each have their takeaways. WRIO Keyboard is a new entry into this world of symbols and keys, and they’re looking for support on Kickstarter to get the app to you.

 

WRIO keyboard wants to make typing on a phone easier and faster by combining the use of large keys with gestures. The video above demonstrates how it works, but you can see in the image above what the keyboard looks like compared to a typical keyboard.

It is certainly a unique keyboard! But it seems like a keyboard that will become quick once your thumbs are used to the unique layout. What’s great is they want to build this based off of user feedback, which is a good thing to hear. However, they hope the
honeycomb-style of the keys and the layout will help make typing on a smartphone easier. The b7bf66538714218a2c5692d59073647c_originallayout is based off the idea that those dark spaces is the natural place your thumbs go when at rest, so that no key is far from either thumb. What’s neat is that WRIO will learn your typing habits, and they say that the keyboard will adjust its virtual layer based on your usage. It also gets rid of some of the format keys by replacing them with gestures.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see what the secret feature is. In the meantime, check out the Kickstarter page to see what perks you’ll receive for supporting them, and the timeline they have outlined, which claims launch for Android in early 2016.

Ultimate Ears announces the UE Boom 2 360-degree waterproof speaker

Derrick Miyao
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0

Ultimate Ears, a leader in consumer audio, is releasing the second generation UE BOOM bluetooth speaker. Building upon the success for the UE Boom, the UE BOOM 2 will feature a similar 360-degree design, completely-waterproof design, as well as 100-feet of wireless range. The range is absolutely incredible at 100-feet, as similar priced bluetooth speakers such as the Bose Soundlink II and the newest generation Beats Pill only offer 30-feet of wireless distance. The UE BOOM 2 was clearly designed to be used anywhere.

With a 15-hour battery life, rugged design, and IPX 7 rating(to withstand drops up to five feet), the UE BOOM 2 is designed to go anywhere no matter what you’re doing. Take it to the beach, on a mountain bike ride, or listen to it in the peace of your own home – the UE BOOM 2 was designed for everywhere. In addition, the speaker can be paired with any other Ultimate Ears bluetooth speaker through the UE BOOm 2 app giving you double the sound.

The UE BOOM 2 is due out this month in the US and select countries in Europe and Asia for $199.00.

tech-spec-min

Press Release

UE Introduces New Anywhere-You-Go-Proof Mobile Speaker

NEWARK, Calif. — Sept. 15, 2015 — Today Ultimate Ears once again dares you to take the party anywhere by adding UE BOOM 2 to its colorful lineup of beach-, snow- and anywhere-you-go-proof wireless mobile speakers. Starting first with UE BOOM and now turning things up again with UE BOOM 2, Ultimate Ears is continuing to transform the way people experience music, together, out in the world by completely redefining the Bluetooth® speaker category.

Designed to get wet, muddy and beat up, UE BOOM 2 blasts insanely great sound in every direction. Using the same high-quality materials you have come to expect from Ultimate Ears, UE BOOM 2 is waterproof (IPX 7), drop-proof (from up to five feet high), disruptive and bold, plus a whole lot of fun. It’s the size of a water bottle, so stick it in your bike’s water bottle holder or clip it to your bag, turn up life and add dimension to any moment.

Building from the award-winning UE BOOM 360-degree speaker that Ultimate Ears introduced in 2013, UE BOOM 2 is 25 percent louder with a longer wireless range of 100-feet and a completely waterproof design, so your music can be shared no matter where you are or what you’re doing. It has a 15-hour all-day, all-night battery life, plus, new and innovative tap controls that allows you to skip songs, without needing to have your phone in-hand.

“Music is about making good moments great moments,” said Rory Dooley, general manager of Ultimate Ears. “And by taking your music with you, those great moments are now shareable, anywhere. That’s why every speaker Ultimate Ears designs is durable and adventure-proof with 360-degree sound, including UE BOOM 2. We’ve been leading the category in a new direction, and we’re breaking the mold yet again with UE BOOM 2.”

Plus, UE BOOM 2 gets better with time. Using the UE BOOM 2 app for iOS® and Android™, you can double the sound by pairing UE BOOM 2 with any other Ultimate Ears speaker, remotely turn the speaker on from your phone and even wake up to your favorite music. New updates are sent to UE speakers wirelessly through the app, so you can easily continue to expand features, making each speaker future-proof and even more awesome over time.

UE BOOM 2 comes in six new vibrant color variations: Cherrybomb, Yeti, Phantom, GreenMachine, Tropical and BrainFreeze.

Pricing and Availability

UE BOOM 2 is expected to be available in the U.S. and in select countries in Europe and Asia in September 2015, for a suggested retail price of $199.99. For more information, please visit _www.ultimateears.com.

[pb-app-box pname=’com.logitech.ueboom’ name=’UE BOOM’ theme=’discover’ lang=’en’]

 

Run The Joint with your old ball and chain (app review)

Austin Hyde
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1

Every once in a while there are apps that surprise me. Run The Joint is one of those apps. When I first looked at the app I wasn’t really very excited to review it. After all it’s a side-scrolling running game and that’s been done several times over by several different developers. However, Run The Joint has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Run The Joint overview


The premise is simple. You are one of many convicts trying to escape prison. Your character is actually a disembodied head that moves by bouncing and jumping. Of course, because your character is an inmate, he is shackled to a ball and chain. It turns out that this ball and chain is also a playable character. While impossibly happy, he can jump independently of your character. Not only do you need to escape, but you must take your smiling ball and chain with you.

While you are trying to escape, the guards and their dogs will try to capture you. The guards will remain stationary and can be easily evaded. The dogs, however, will chase you down. Meanwhile, there are missiles shooting at you. The world can also rotate to add an additional level of difficulty.

There are 10 different levels to escape before you are finally free.

  • Drop-off point
  • Old town
  • The street
  • Pig farm
  • Bridge
  • Oil fields
  • Manor house
  • Car dealership
  • Motel Gorman
  • Docklands

There are 7 different characters that you can unlock to aid you in your escape

Run The Joint

  • Highway Bob
  • Voodoo Kid
  • Penguin Boy
  • Funny Man
  • Mutant Beast
  • Goldie
  • Big Tash

Run The Joint setup

It’s super easy. All that is required is to download it from Google Play.

Run The Joint gameplay

I was pleasantly surprised at how fun this game actually turned out to be. I liked that there were defined levels and that it wasn’t just another endless runner. The ads were also minimal and nonintrusive. The double runner element with the ball and chain added a unique element to the game.

What we liked

  • Double runner element
  • Unlockable characters
  • Defined levels

What could be better

  • More unlockable characters
  • More levels

Run The Joint summary

Overall it’s a fun game and an entertaining way to kill a few minutes here and there. Indie developer Naked Penguin Boy did a great job of making the game feel polished.

[pb-app-box pname=’com.npb.runthejoint’ name=’Run The Joint’ theme=’discover’ lang=’en’]

Verizon, AT&T to get store-in-store presence at select Best Buys

Josh Noriega
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0

We’ve always known Best Buy as a third-party alternative to obtaining our smartphones.  I guess it’s done well in the eyes of the carriers.  Both Verizon and AT&T have announced today that they’re moving in.

The objective both of the carriers seek is to provide a better experience to customers/prospects viewing their offerings.  Verizon will actually refer to its area as the Verizon Experience Store.

[blockquote author=”Verizon Wireless”]The larger Verizon presence within 250 Best Buy locations will offer shoppers the ability to experience the latest wireless connected devices, tables, smartphones, apps and services.

In addition, each Experience Store will be staffed by dedicated and highly-trained Best Buy employees who are knowledgeable on Verizon products and services. These experts will provide customers with a complete Verizon Wireless experience, offering customized solutions based on their connectivity needs.[/blockquote]

VZW_bestbuy

This is certainly great from the perspective of coming in to play with devices.  Many phones at Best Buy are dummy units.  Also, recall that Samsung made a similar move not too long ago – setting up a space with its latest devices and representatives to walk you through them.  I found it a convenient place to check out the Note 5 before it was released.

AT&T has a very similar announcement, stating that “The new space also includes dedicated employees who are expertly trained on the ins and outs of the products only offered from AT&T.”

[blockquote author=”AT&T”]By expanding our in-store presence and depth of products sold at Best Buy, we’re giving customers another convenient way to fully experience what AT&T has to offer. We look forward to everyone stopping by one of the select stores and seeing the new changes for themselves.[/blockquote]

ATT_best_buy_rendering_blog

Verizon says that it will have nearly 100 locations up and running by the end of this month.  Both carriers plan to have their entire 250 locations in place by the end of 2015.

Do you think this is a smart move?  I don’t always like to go into a carrier store to check out a new device, especially if it’s not my carrier, so I welcome it.

Sources: Verizon | AT&T

HURRY! HTC offers up some incredible limited time deals

Scott Webster
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0

HTC, as part of its Hot Deals promotion, is offering a number of great bargains today. Whether you’re looking for a phone, a tablet, or some goodies, HTC has something worth considering. The promotion runs for just a short time; it ends at midnight tonight (11:59PM PST). Note these are also limited to available supplies so don’t be surprised if something disappears along the way.

hotdeals

  • 50% off RE Camera
  • 50% off all accessories
  • 40% off Nexus 9
  • 25% off HTC One M9 (with UH OH Protection and $100 Google play Credit)

HTC Hot Deals

Some Moto X Pure users are having issues with their speakers

Matt Adams
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0

In a forum post on Motorola’s forums, many Moto X Pure owners are complaining that they’re having issues with the top speaker on their phone. There doesn’t appear to be any obvious rhyme or reason to the issues that range from crackling at high volumes to audio skipping when the Moto X Pure is turned into landscape mode.

[df-gallery url=”https://www.androidguys.com/gallery/motorola-moto-x-style-pure/”%5D

The user that started the thread reports that their issues are apparent even at less than full volume and it seems to be the worst in audio books. Turning off “audio effects” seems to help the problem but does not fix it completely. Others chime in that they’re seeing similar issues on their Moto X Pure and Moto X Style.

Another user has gone on to complain about the audio dropping out for a second when the phone is turned into landscape mode. Another has issues playing ringtones at full volume.

While some suspect that it’s a software issue that can be fixed with an update, others think it’s Motorola using a substandard speaker. The Moto X Pure starts at only $400 so it makes sense that people will automatically think Moto is skipping out on quality parts to keep the price down. But the rise of cheap, good smartphones shows the world that you can make a compelling device for a compelling price. Motorola seems to be the king of this.

[graphiq id=”5eYincQGirz” title=”Motorola Moto X Pure Edition” width=”600″ height=”400″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/5eYincQGirz” link=”http://smartphones.specout.com/l/3988/Motorola-Moto-X-Pure-Edition” link_text=”Motorola Moto X Pure Edition | SpecOut”]

Source: Motorola Forums

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