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Snapdragon 820 processor has 2x performance and 2x power efficiency

Austin Hyde
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Qualcomm announced today that their newest processor the Snapdragon 820 would feature their newest CPU Kryo. Kryo is Qualcomm’s first custom designed 64-bit quad-core CPU (Central Processing Unit). The 820 will combine the new powerful Kryo CPU and tightly integrate it with the Adreno 530 GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and the Hexagon 680 DSP (Digital Signal Processor)

Snapdragon 820Snapdragon 820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Snapdragon 820 optimizes the different cores through a process called heterogeneous computing, which combines the different functional cores of the system-on-chip (SoC), like the CPU, GPU and DSP cores, to achieve previously unattainable performance and power savings, rather than using the same core for different tasks.

Another area which allows it to obtain better performance and efficiency is 14nm FinFET technology and it’s designed to reach speeds up to 2.2 GHz.

Along with the new Kryo CPU, Qualcomm is debuting their new Symphony System Manager. Symphony will manage the various cores to maximize efficiency. It will make sure that the right components are powered up and running at the right frequencies for the task that it is handling.

New Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides features make schoolwork less miserable

Benton Trerise
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0

Being a college student myself, Google Drive has been one of the best tool to use for writing papers, working on group projects, and otherwise staying organized. The best part is, I don’t have to spend my precious student’s budget on it: it’s free!

Google is continuing to add value to Google Drive with its slew of updates, tailored for students (although, anyone can use them!).

First up, the “Research” tool, which has been accessible in Google Docs on the web version for awhile is now available in Docs for Android. This allows you to search Google without having to leave Docs, and then insert what you find directly into your Doc.

Next, you can now dictate your Docs! This is available in both the web version and app. Voice typing will even recognize formatting commands like “new paragraph” or “exclamation point”. Voice typing is even available in more than 40 languages, helping language students, and students around the world.

new changes 500 (1)

 

The next update isn’t a new feature so much as a change of location and design. Looking at revision history is now accessible in a fancy little button that says “See new changes” (shown above). This lets you see what recent changes were made and by whom, especially useful when collaborating on a project.

Forms has also been updated with a new design, and now easier ways to insert images, GIFs, or videos.

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Also added are a bunch of new templates in Docs, Sheets, and Slides! Now templates for reports, portfolios, resumes, and more are all available to make your project look that much better.

Sheets has been updated with a fancy new feature called Explore.

[blockquote author=”-Official Google Blog”] Explore creates charts and insights automatically, so you can visualize trends and understand your data in seconds on the web or on your Android. It’s like having an expert analyst right by your side.[/blockquote]

The last new feature is something for Google Classroom users. Teachers can now instantly send websites to the entire class with a Chrome extension.

This is one big update, and a few of these are definitely features I’m excited to try out myself!

Do these features seem useful to you? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

[pb-app-box pname=’com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.docs’ name=’Google Docs’ theme=’light’ lang=’en’]

 

[pb-app-box pname=’com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.slides’ name=’Google Slides’ theme=’light’ lang=’en’]

 

[pb-app-box pname=’com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.sheets’ name=’Google Sheets’ theme=’light’ lang=’en’]

SOURCE: Official Google Blog

Motorola makes it official: This is the second generation Moto 360 lineup

Matt Adams
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Motorola has finally pulled the curtain back on their second generation Moto 360 smartwatch after months of leaks and speculation. One of the most hotly anticipated devices in recent memory, the Moto 360 is an evolution of the best looking smartwatch on the market with improvements in nearly all areas from the original. Not only did we get our first official look at the second gen Moto 360 but the Moto 360 Sport was also officially confirmed even though officials were tight lipped with details.

The second generation Moto 360 will come in two sizes, 42mm and 46mm. Motorola recommends that women stick to the 42mm version while men can choose from either. There are many more options for design on this version. You can customize everything from the strap, bezel color, case color and the bezel treatments.

For men Moto offers the following:

  • Case colors: Black, Silver and Gold
  • Bezel colors: Black, Silver and Gold
  • Bezel treatment: Chamfer, Micro Knurl
  • Bands: Black Metal, Silver Metal, Gold Metal, Black Leather, Cognac Leather

For women Moto offers the following:

  • Case colors: Silver, Gold and Rose Gold
  • Bezel colors: Silver, Gold and Rose Gold
  • Bezel treatment: Peak, Micro Etch
  • Bands: Silver Metal, Gold Metal, Rose Gold Metal, Blush Leather, Grey Leather, Blush Double Wrap

moto_360_featuregrid_design

If you don’t like the band options offered, you’re in luck. You can buy your own. Since Motorola is now using standard lugs, you can pretty much buy any band you want and put it on your new Moto 360. The smartwatch will feature a quick-release switch so you can easily swap out your bands. On the first generation Moto 360 it was a big pain to swap out bands and you risked cracking the back of your watch.

The flat tire has returned. The black bar at the bottom of the screen contains drivers for the display and according to Motorola allows them to keep down the bezels. The Moto 360 keeps its class leading screen to body ratio, about 71%, with it’s closest competitor being around 50%.

moto_360_featuregrid_notifications

With the launch of the second gen watch, Motorola is putting more focus on fitness. They did let loose word on the Moto 360 Sport (more on that later) but also detailed how they think they’re doing fitness better. Moto Body is Motorola’s take on a fitness tracking center for your watch. The fitness companion will actively track steps taken, calories burned and heart rate. Moto Body is different than other apps, according to Motorola, because it not only records the statistics but provides coaching and feedback to motivate you.

Another feature that you’ll see on the second gen Moto 360 is Live Dials. Live Dials are shortcuts to your most used apps that you can pin on your watch face. If you’re a frequent checker of emails and text messages, you can pin the apps on your screen for quick access and without pulling out your phone. I think this really going to be great for workouts as you can pin your fitness tracking app and your music right to the watch face and you’re up and running in seconds.

  • 1.37- (360×325) or 1.56-inch (360×330) display
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
  • 512MB of RAM
  • 4GB of internal storage
  • 300mAh or 400mAh battery (with wireless charging)
  • Optical heart rate monitor

moto_360_featuregrid_fitnessThe second generation Moto 360 is currently available for pre-order from Motorola.com, Best Buy and The Google Play Store. You’ll be able to purchase the watch in late September from Nordstrom, Verizon, Motorola.com, Best Buy and The Google Play Store.

[df-gallery url=”https://www.androidguys.com/gallery/motorola-moto-360-2015/”%5D

The Moto 360 Sport was also confirmed today. The Sport edition of the popular smartwatch will based on the 42mm version of the second gen Moto 360 and feature more exercise friendly materials instead of leather and metal. You’ll see more rubbery materials that won’t bother you as much while getting a little sweaty.

moto 360 sport

The screen on the Sport is also a little different featuring a backlit LCD screen that will display normally in everyday situations but also a front-lit reflective screen that will make it easier to see in direct sunlight. This will make it easier to see your work-out stats better outside. The watch will be smart enough to switch whenever it thinks you require a different mode.

moto_360_sport_beyond

If you stream music to your bluetooth headphones while you work out, you’re in luck. Like other smartwatches, the Sport will let you pin music to the watch for easy streaming to your bluetooth headset of choice. There’s also GPS for more accurate tracking of your runs and biking.

There was no date announced for release but availability will become more clear in the next few months.

What do you think? Is the second generation enough of the Moto 360 enough to finally get you interested in smartwatches? Is it enough of an upgrade to get you to purchase it if you already own one? Let us know down in the comments section.

[df-gallery url=”https://www.androidguys.com/gallery/moto-360-sport/”%5D

Source: Engadget, TalkAndroid, 9to5Google

 

Cyanogen OS 12.1 rolls out for OnePlus One

Dan Bartram
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The Android 5.1 update for Cyanogen OS, which brings it to version 12.1, is now rolling out via an over-the-air update to OnePlus One devices starting today. Not only this but the OTA update will also begin to rollout for other Cyanogen devices in the next few days.

What’s new in Cyanogen OS 12.1?

There’s a new LiveDisplay feature that adjusts the screen based on environmental and sensor data to also Cyanogen’s own browser that they are pitching as the fastest browser on a smartphone. In addition, the 600MB update brings the usual security and bug fixes to keep the OnePlus up to date with the latest security vulnerabilities found in Android.

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The OTA update should be hitting devices soon, but if you can’t wait then you can go ahead and download Cyanogen OS 12.1 below and flash the ZIP file manually.

DOWNLOAD: Cyanogen

Google Now version 5.2.33 rolls out with new logo [APK Download]

Dan Bartram
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Google updated their company logo and inevitably the updates to their apps followed. This particular update sees Google Now be bumped to version 5.2.33 and their Google Now Launcher feature the new logo as well as some new animations and a splash of colour.

Google has decided to add lots of colour to their launcher, and even the microphone icon now has colour. There’s a visual refresh when it comes to the Google Now part of the system, with new animations for swiping away. I like the new design as it seems to add a bit of character to an otherwise flat design.

[row][double_paragraph]Screen Shot 2015-09-02 at 20.41.03 [/double_paragraph][double_paragraph] Screen Shot 2015-09-02 at 20.41.12 [/double_paragraph] [/row]

You can find a detailed rundown of the APK over at AndroidPolice. You’ll see the new Maps version 9.14 app rolling out to the Google Play Store, but if you’d like to download it now, you can grab it below.

APK Download

Samsung announces SLEEPsense, a device to monitor sleep and control home appliances

Derrick Miyao
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We have sleep monitors that we wear around our wrist, forehead or chest. They have the ability to measure our quality of sleep and generate reports for us when we awaken.

Samsung on the other hand, has the SLEEPsense sleep sensor they just announced at IFA. It is a small and flat sensor you place under your mattress to track sleep, movement and sleep patterns.

Where the SLEEPsense goes one step further is having the ability to control other devices around the home through the “Internet of Things(IoT).” As a refresher, the IoT are objects like air conditioners, refrigerators, and other physical devices that are connected to a network and can be controlled through sensors and commands.

This is super cool because not only can SLEEPsense monitor your sleep, but it can help you stay asleep by turning on your air conditioner if it decides the house is too hot for optimal sleeping conditions. It can also turn off your TV if it senses that you have dozed off so that the noise and light doesn’t wake you up later in the night. Now if it could get your neighbor’s dog to shut up I bet everyone would buy one. Nonetheless, controlling your devices around the home to help you stay asleep is quite an accomplishment.

The Samsung SLEEPsense has also been approved by the FDA for tracking vital signs and they have built in heart rate monitoring and breathing rates. I could see scenarios where this would be great for monitoring babies for SIDS or people with diseases such as emphysema, or sleep apnea.

According to Sammyhub the SLEEPsense will be released to South Korea first with other countries to follow. I would the US would be on the list since it was approved by the FDA.

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Source

 

Gigaset enters mobile market with three new Android phones

Justin Marden
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0

gigaset featuredGigaset, a little-known German manufacturer primarily focused on home phone systems, has jumped into the mobile market at IFA this week with the launch of three new phones, all powered by Android. It looks like the company is starting off with an emphasis on design and pricing, with the three devices set in different price ranges. Gigaset’s new devices all fall under the “ME” title, which indicates that this could be their flagship line of devices here in the States.

gigaset-meFirst up is the Gigaset ME, a mid-range device that actually has a few surprises under its sleeve. Here’s a full list of specs, provided by Gigaset:

  • 5-inch full HD 1080p display
  • Snapdragon 810
  • 3GB of RAM
  • 32GB of internal storage (with microSD expansion up to an additional 128GB)
  • 16MP rear camera
  • 8MP front camera
  • USB Type-C port
  • 3,000 mAh battery
  • UV sensor, heart rate monitor, pedometer, and fingerprint scanner

All this comes in a nice little package that will cost £349 (around $528 U.S. dollars).

gigaset_me_pureNext we have the Gigaset ME Pure, which looks like a lower-spec version of the ME mentioned above. The ME Pure will hit U.S. shores with the same display, but with a downgraded Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB of RAM, and only 16GB of internal storage. There’s a 13MP camera around back and the same 8MP shooter on the front. Despite the processor drop, users are getting a bigger battery at 3,320 mAh. The Pure will also have a fingerprint sensor, but it lacks the heart rate monitor found in the standard ME. The ME Pure is aimed at the midrange crowd, so it isn’t surprising that it comes in at an affordable £249 ($393 U.S. dollars).

gigaset_proLast but not least, the Gigaset ME Pro looks to be the largest device in the line, with a 5.5-inch full HD 1080p display and a larger 4,000 mAh battery. Other than these two specs, the Pro falls in line with the standard ME, sporting the same cameras, processor, and memory. Because of the larger screen and battery, the ME Pro will be the most expensive of the group, coming in at a cool £399 ($618 U.S. dollars).

Unfortunately for Android enthusiasts in the U.S., these devices will only be sold in Europe and China for the moment. Gigaset hasn’t announced a U.S. launch as of yet, but hopefully they will be bringing these devices to American shores soon.

Source: Android Community

A look at the Sony Xperia Z5 series announced at IFA 2015 today

Dan Bartram
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0

Just as we reported yesterday, Sony have launched a series of devices under their Xperia Z5 branding at IFA 2015 today. The trio of devices are widely welcomed as the long-awaited upgrade to the popular Xperia Z3, and the range of devices seem to offer something for everyone. These are split into the Z5, Z5 Premium, and Z5 Compact, each with their own different design profiles and specifications, as listed below.

Xperia Z5 Premium

First up is the Xperia Z5 Premium that features the worlds first 4K display on a smartphone that delivers a unprecedented 806ppi, equating to 2160 x 3840 pixels, on a 5.5-inch display. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium also comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, coupled with a 23-Megapixel Exmor RS sensor rear-camera that promises 0.03s focusing times with 192 autofocus points.

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

Xperia Z5 Compact

The baby Xperia Z5 has a 4.6-inch display with the same camera as all Xperia Z5 series devices, but has a lower amount of RAM at 2GB, as opposed to the 3GB of the rest. The Snapdragon 810 processor is powered by a 2,700mAh battery with 319 PPI.

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

Xperia Z5

Finally is the upgrade to the Z3 we were all waiting for, and it comes in the form of the Xperia Z5. With a 5.2-inch display, the Xperia Z5 equates to 401 PPI. The 2,900mAh battery again powers the Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB of RAM.

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

You can see a full rundown of the specs below.

Google to reportedly show off two Nexus devices on September 29th

Andrew Myrick
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Google users are about to be very happy customers, if this report from CNET is found to be true. According to the report, Google will introduce the new Nexus device(s) on September 29th. Yep, that’s right, Google may be showing off TWO new Nexus phones, instead of only one.

Rumors have been flying around the next device in the traditional Nexus lineup, with reports coming everywhere that this device will be manufactured by the folks over at Huawei. There are other reports that have been leaked with information regarding an updated Nexus 5, dubbed the Nexus 5 2015. The Nexus 5 2015 would more than likely be manufactured by LG since that’s who made the first (and only one to date).

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If these reports are true, and we not only get a new Nexus 6, but the updated LG Nexus 5, people will go nuts. Maybe not literally, but I would say that any pre-orders would be sold out within minutes, if not seconds.

One more interesting point to think about is where Google will price these devices. With more and more companies making competitively priced devices, it will be interesting to see where Google decides to place these devices at. It would be safe to assume that neither of these devices would top the $500 range, but stranger things have happened.

Let us know in the comments below what you think about this report, and whether you’re excited to get your hands a new Nexus device. Additionally, let us know which device you would prefer, if the rumors of the Huawei Nexus and updated Nexus 5 come to fruition.

Source: CNET

Instagram is now adding Direct Messages with Instagram Direct

Andrew Myrick
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Instagram has been around FOREVER, and it just seems to gain popularity all the time. Even with “competitors” like Vine and SnapChat, people still opt to go to Instagram to post their favorite pictures, even if it’s of their dinner every day.

Back in 2013, Instagram introduced a way for users to share images and comments with either just one person or a small group of users. Instagram Direct has been a way to not have to deal with the slew of different users that you already follow, instead you can focus on sending that embarrassing vacation photo with just your close-nit friends.

Now, Instagram has added the ability to Direct Message another user from Instagram Direct. The move makes sense in light of the fact that Instagram is still growing, and has really been turning into a hybrid of both Twitter and Facebook, while maintaining a smaller profile.

Today’s updates also bring a brand new way to start conversations around what you see on Instagram. When you find something inspiring or funny, your first instinct is often to share it with friends who you know will appreciate it. Today, people do this by @-mentioning friends in comments, so much so that nearly 40% of comments include an @-mention. This update has made it easier to share content that you love.

It seems that Instagram is trying to kill the “@” action that everyone performs just about every other social media platform uses. It will be interesting to see whether this catches on, and if this will influence any changes to other social media platforms.

Let us know what you think about these changes in the comments below, and whether you actually use Instagram Direct, or if you just Instagram to look at those dinner pictures from two days ago.

Source: Instagram
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