Android Phone Fans |
- Motorola urges Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks, and 49ers fans to snag a Moto X with team colors
- Sprint Easy Pay is the carrier’s new replacement for One Up early upgrades
- More HTC M8 cases show us the same odd mystery hole
- Sex with Glass app lets you do the deed while viewing it from every angle [NSFW]
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo LTE hits FCC ahead of official announcement
- Car Maker Audi shows off their own Android Tablet [VIDEO]
- Mobile Roar Podcast 28: CES Hangover
- Moto X gets true wood finishes, now only $25 more than base price
- LG G3 release date tipped for as early as May
- T-Mobile’s carrier breakup letters making a real impact?
- LG G2, Moto X free on contract from AT&T
- LG G Flex screen defect leads to bumpy displays
| Motorola urges Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks, and 49ers fans to snag a Moto X with team colors Posted: 17 Jan 2014 06:51 PM PST Check out these 18 Awesome NFL themes for the Moto X! It’s the weekend. But more importantly, for NFL fans, it’s the playoffs. Even more importantly for Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks, and 49ers fans it’s Conference Championship weekend. And for Tom Brady, Payton Manning, Russel Wilson, and Colin Kaepernick a win will earn them a place in the Superbowl. Thanks to Moto Maker you can design your own phone and even customize it for your team colors. Slap on a team wallpaper and it’s practically a foam finger in your hand 24/7. Playing to these hardcore fans, Motorola just sent out an e-mail suggesting you do just that: support your team by buying where X marks the Moto. Nice angle, Motorola… but you’ve got to admit we’ve seen seen this before from some pretty smart people. True fans who have enough faith their team will pull through to the Superbowl will get their gear in time for the game. But what if it arrives and you’re already knocked out? And what about those brand new Wooden Moto X? No matter what side of the fence you sit this is sure to be a playoff run for the ages. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are living NFL Legends on their last legs, suiting up and battling it out for perhaps the last playoff confrontation of their illustrious careers. And in the NFC you’ve got what may become the next Brady vs. Manning rivalry with 2nd year pros Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson engaging in athletic warfare for what seems like the millionth time. Both coming off disappointing failed playoff runs and both seeking the Lombardi Trophy. Outcomes are determined by much more than Quarterback play, but don’t worry about that… we’re pretty sure Motorola would suggest buying a team inspired Moto X will improve your team’s chances of victory. Should you take the bait, have at it…. I’ll wait until next year when the Baltimore Ravens are back in the playoffs and the Moto X2 is released. Can’t resist? Go for it!
Whose your team? |
| Sprint Easy Pay is the carrier’s new replacement for One Up early upgrades Posted: 17 Jan 2014 05:00 PM PST When Sprint dropped their One Up program in favor of their oddly named Framily plans, there were a few of you were bummed out that you would no longer have access to an early upgrade option on the Now Network. Don’t worry, Sprint still wants to offer tech junkies a way to feed their addictions and upgrade to the latest devices whenever they want. This comes via the newly announced Easy Pay option. Similar to T-Mobile’s JUMP, Sprint will allow customers to upgrade their devices at any time, providing they’re willing to put a down payment on a device and agree to 24 monthly installment payments. Should a customer find themselves eying yet another shiny new device during that time, they can simply pay off their current device starting the process all over again whenever they feel the need to upgrade to newer hardware. Once devices are paid off, they’re the customer’s to do with as they like. Sell on Craigslist, or trade ‘em in via Sprint’s device buyback program. Sprint’s new Easy Pay payment plan is perfect for individuals who simply aren’t able to sign up with their recently announced Framily plans (which get discounted upgrades every 12 months with an Unlimited plan). We know this became official yesterday, just wanted to make sure no one missed it. [Sprint] |
| More HTC M8 cases show us the same odd mystery hole Posted: 17 Jan 2014 03:45 PM PST As we inch closer to the release of HTC’s upcoming One followup, we’re beginning to see 3rd party accessories leak their way online. Yesterday we showed you a very simple, generic plastic case for the device, featuring an extra cutout above the main camera hole. This helped to fuel rumors that the device could, in fact, find itself equipped with either a fingerprint scanner or extra camera lens for improved low-light shooting (or higher-res images). Although we still don’t have any answers on which it might be (I’m still hoping for a dual-camera array), we do have a few more leaked cases showing the same odd hole placement, just about the main camera/LED flash. Judging from these heavy-duty cases, we can’t help but wonder if a fingerprint scanner would be difficult to finger in a such a tiny hole space. What do you guys think: would you rather see the HTC One 2 come with high-res/low-light dual cameras, or a fingerprint scanner ala the HTC One Max? |
| Sex with Glass app lets you do the deed while viewing it from every angle [NSFW] Posted: 17 Jan 2014 01:52 PM PST The porn industry has never been shy about their adoption of new tech, especially when it comes to Google Glass. A wearable headset that’s always on, Google Glass is one of the few pieces of technology that allow you to access the internet, watch videos, and keep your hands free for… other things, it’s almost like Glass was made for porn. We told you about “Tits and Glass” a few months ago, Glassware from Mikandi — makers of the first porn app market for Android — that allowed users to snap pics of their lovers, and upload them online to be rated by fellow exhibitionists on their site. The Glassware was quickly pulled after Google updated their ToS to prohibit sexually explicit content, but how did we know more adult content would soon reach Google’s undefiled wearable… Developer Sherif Maktabi has created a teaser site, advertising new Glassware dubbed “Sex with Glass.” Different from “Tits and Glass,” which had a single participant broadcasting their sexual exploits for the world to see, Sex with Glass is less Android porn and far more intimate. 2 Glass users sync up — both physically and with through their Glass headsets — and while engaging in coitus, can get a view from the other person’s perspective, opening up new avenues of sexual exploration. Glass units can even sync up with a smartphone, allowing users to get a 3rd party view of their session with a swipe of the touchpad. When all is said and done, the videos are uploaded to the cloud where they are combined and viewable to the participants for 5 hours. After that, they’re deleted and removed from their servers “forever.” The website doesn’t provide too many background details outside the Sex with Glass “project” was created during the Wearable Tech Hackathon event in London. We’ve reached out to the dev for further details. From the sound of it, this is most likely a native app that will need to be sideloaded, but no word on whether or not there will be an entry fee. We’ll keep you updated as we hear more. |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo LTE hits FCC ahead of official announcement Posted: 17 Jan 2014 01:15 PM PST It was last week we got a good look at the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo, a special “lite” variant of the Note 3 Samsung has yet to make official. As evidenced by the leaked images, the Note 3 Neo still follow Samsung’s current design language (complete with faux-leather battery cover), but features specs more in tune with the Galaxy Note 2 than anything else. If you needed further proof the device is nearing its release, look no further than a recently uncovered FCC filing approving the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo (SM-N7505) for certification. The FCC docs don’t confirm much, just LTE and a couple of schematics that might have come in handy had the device remained hidden. Rumored specs for the Galaxy Note 3 Neo include a hexa-core processor capable of firing on all 6 cylinders simultaneously (2 cores clocked at 1.7GHz, and 4 at 1.3GHz), 5.55-inch 720p SAMOLED display, 8MP camera, 2GB RAM/16GB storage, 3,100mAh battery, S Pen, and all running on Android 4.3 Jelly Beans. With LTE now confirmed, we can expect this big fella to be announced stateside in the coming days/weeks. |
| Car Maker Audi shows off their own Android Tablet [VIDEO] Posted: 17 Jan 2014 01:07 PM PST The future of automotive tech is bright and exciting. At CES 2014, Google and it’s partners formed the Open Automotive Alliance, hoping to revolutionize the automotive tech industry just as Android and the OHA revolutionized mobile. One of those partners – Audi – wasted no time, showing off a sleek Audi Android Tablet soon to be found in their cars. The tablet is pictured with the Audi S8 but isn’t yet offered in any Audi models and likely won’t be for at least another year. They did, however, have a demonstration of the tablet’s unique auto-focused features. A few feature examples seen in the below video:
The future of automotive tech is bright and exciting indeed, but don’t forget uncertain and unstable. Shortly after CES, a California court struggled to identify the role technology should play in vehicles, legalizing the wearing of Google Glass when driving (in California) but suggesting that operating the device while driving would break the law. The balance between improving the automotive experience and encouraging illegal driver distractions is a delicate one, and in this case, Audi distinctly avoids the latter. It’s important to reiterate that this Audi Android Tablet is designed for use by passengers, not the driver. The tablet will have it’s own mounted display in a passenger convenient position, allowing detachment and interaction with the display, settings, and software of the car as a whole. Below you’ll see the main dash and Audi Android Tablet side by side. That doesn’t mean the company isn’t exploring more immersive driving experiences as well. The financial risks of investing in technology that could potentially be rendered unlawful are huge, a burden likely softened by the Open Automotive Alliance, allowing participating companies to jointly shoulder the burden and collectively reap the benefits.
Beautiful car. Beautiful tablet. Beautiful synergy. This is just the tip of a beautiful iceberg… hopefully the titanic US Government can get out of their own way and avoid a head on collision. The founding members of the Open Automotive Alliance consists of Google, Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai, and NVIDIA. Look for these leaders to make some huge plays in the auto-tech space in the next couple years. |
| Mobile Roar Podcast 28: CES Hangover Posted: 17 Jan 2014 11:07 AM PST We’re back from CES for another episode of the Mobile Roar Podcast! Well, not all of us are back. Edgar is attending the Google Glass traffic hearing in San Diego. We recap that and talk about electironics in vehicles. We also discuss our best and worst from CES and thoughts on the future of the show. Lastly, we round-up the other mobile news and share wins and fails of the week. Enjoy! The News
Wins and Fails of the Week
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| Moto X gets true wood finishes, now only $25 more than base price Posted: 17 Jan 2014 09:43 AM PST As anyone following the saga of the Moto X and its natural finishes has found out, bamboo is not a wood. It's a grass. That revaluation brought a bit of disappointment for some when the finish was announced as the first natural option for the Moto X. Some wondered if true wood finishes would ever be available. The answer is yes. Today Motorola has announced walnut, teak, and ebony options for the Moto X. Better still, Motorola is lowering the price point on going natural, dropping the cost from an additional $100 to a more appealing $25. The $75 worth of "savings" applies immediately to the natural bamboo finish. Walnut, teak, and ebony will start at that price when they become available on January 21st. The Moto X's natural options are only available through Moto Maker, where the phone can be customized starting at a price of $399 off-contract ($99 with). While the finishes might have changed slightly, a look at Motorola's wood-backed lineup from the Moto X launch event follows. |
| LG G3 release date tipped for as early as May Posted: 17 Jan 2014 09:28 AM PST Does it make sense for LG to launch the sequel to the LG G2 less than a full year after the flagship was announced? Probably not, but crazier things have happened in the mobile industry. Buzz out of Korea says LG could be targeting a May release (or at least announcement) for the LG G3, the name likely to be associated with the G2 successor. Specifically, a date of May 17th is on the docket. Should we mark our calendars? History says not to hedge bets on rumored smartphone release dates so far in advance. Too much could happen between now and then to cause a shift in expected plans. That is, of course, assuming the report holds some shred of truth. We agree it seems strange to launch a followup to the G2 in such close proximity to the the initial model's release, but LG has the incentive to get a jump on the Samsung Galaxy S5. The Galaxy S5 looks to be the phone that the G3 will target as a direct competitor, and Samsung's major smartphone announcement has typically occurred during the late spring/early summer (and looks to follow that pattern again this year). If LG simply teases the phone or offers a full announcement while delaying actual commercial availability an additional month or two, it might be enough to steal some of Samsung's thunder. The report also reiterates specs that have previously been associated with the LG G3, including a 5.5-inch QHD display (2560 x 1440), LG Odin octa-core CPU, and 16MP camera. While these specs, like the release date, remain unconfirmed, they seem within the ballpark of reality. Still, take the whole thing with a but of skepticism. [via Asiae] |
| T-Mobile’s carrier breakup letters making a real impact? Posted: 17 Jan 2014 08:30 AM PST As part of their latest Uncarrier concept, the feisty service provider led by the sharp-tongued John Legere is offering to pay off the early termination fees associated with competitor's wireless contracts when users switch to T-Mobile's network. They are also offering subscribers the chance to pen "breakup" letters to their ex-carriers. According to a T-Mobile spokeswoman, more than 80,000 of the letters have already been created. T-Mobile admits not all of those taking advantage of the opportunity have actually committed to making a switch just yet, but regardless the campaign has allowed many to voice their disappointment with current carrier agreements. For T-Mobile, a company bent on shaking up the industry, this can only be a good thing. The unconventional tactics have done wonders to boost T-Mobile's position with consumers, but for competitors John Legere's brash sensibility is likely already wearing thin. Regardless, expect the Deutsche Telekom-owned carrier to continue riding this wave for the foreseeable future. Have you penned a breakup letter to your carrier as part of T-Mobile's promotion? Let's see 'em in the comments below. [via Reuters] |
| LG G2, Moto X free on contract from AT&T Posted: 17 Jan 2014 06:58 AM PST If you haven't moved from the two-year contract model to AT&T's new Next installment plan, there are some serious savings to be had if you are in the market for a new Android smartphone. Both the LG G2 and Motorola Moto X are now available for free when signing up for a new two-year contract with the wireless carrier. Bothe phones typically retail for $99.99 on contract, but online buyers will see that amount immediately discounted to free. Unfortunately, the deal only applies to the standard white and black versions for the Moto X. Those wishing to build their own custom phone cannot take advantage of the savings. Both devices will remain on sale from now until January 31st. If you are having trouble deciding, you could do worse than check out our full Moto X review as well as our LG G2 review. |
| LG G Flex screen defect leads to bumpy displays Posted: 17 Jan 2014 06:23 AM PST LG's G Flex smartphone uses a forward-thinking flexible display, but is the technology still a bit ahead of its time? A new report from The Korea Times explores what seems to be a common screen defect associated with the smartphone: small bumps forming on the display. [Watch our LG G Flex hands-on] The problem typically manifests as two bumps on the display, according to a Korean mobile retailer who has seen the issue affect nearly every G Flex to come through his shop. The bumps should disappear over time, according to LG. The company, acknowledging the issue, suggests that massaging the lumps out of the display is typically effective. The formation of defects is directly related to the G Flex's flexible display technology. LG says the bumps are a result of excessive force and stresses on the device and warns that applying such pressure is not recommended. LG sees the phone's flexibility as a way to make the device more durable, not as a nifty party trick (at least not at this stage). A spokesperson for the Korea Display Industry Association claims LG was well aware of issues related to their curved OLED display, and while hesitant to do so decided to push forward with a release of the G Flex. There is no indication that LG has found a way to eliminate the issue at the production level, which likely means US consumers can expect similar bumps when the G Flex launches later this quarter on T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. Something tells us the American market will be a little less forgiving. [via Korea Times] |
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