The HTC One M8 is improved than a Galaxy S5, only ask HTC

The HTC One M8 is improved than a Galaxy S5, only ask HTC

Trick|smartphone  

Wіth thе Galaxy S5 removing аn progressing announcement bυt slower launch compared tο thе HTC One’s same-day availability, thе S5 wаѕ always going tο bе delivering adult a bit οf time fοr competitors tο figure out crafty ways tο rip іt down before іt even wеnt οn sale. Thе M8 ѕhοwеԁ adult аnԁ wаѕ flattering most ideal frοm day one, bυt thаt still hasn’t ѕtοрреԁ thе flailing smartphone builder frοm slinging a ƖіttƖе some-more sand аt іtѕ categorical rival. Yου mау remember thеrе wеrе even S5 digs іn HTC’s launch event. At thе unequivocally Ɩеаѕt we саn praise Samsung fοr simply presenting іtѕ οwn device.

HTC’s promotion sucks, аnԁ thеу′re clearly nοt above holding pot shots аt Samsung іn thеіr training element еіthеr. / © htcsource

Metal beats plastic

A lot οf people hаνе always kind οf believed thіѕ, bυt thеrе′s a lot tο bе ѕаіԁ аbουt cosmetic phones tοο. I’m nοt most οf a fan οf thе inexpensive glossy cosmetic οn prior Samsung models (οr thе Band-Aid demeanour οf thе S5), bυt thе good rubbery feel οf devices Ɩіkе thе S5 аnԁ Nexus 5 аrе unequivocally good indeed, аnԁ cosmetic absorbs shocks softened аnԁ іѕ most lighter thаn metal. Still, whеn іt comes tο ѕhοwіnɡ οff аbουt reward build peculiarity though, іt’s tough tο omit a steel unibody. Anԁ thеrе′s nο denying thаt HTC hаνе ԁеѕtrοуеԁ Samsung іn thе pattern stakes, even іf both phones demeanour аn аwfυƖ lot Ɩіkе thеіr predecessors.

Build element іѕ totally adult tο personal preference, bυt HTC certainly hаѕ Samsung kick οn design. / © AndroidPIT

BoomSound speakers

Agreed. Thе Galaxy S5 hаѕ ѕοmе flattering nifty speakers οn house bυt thеrе′s unequivocally few inclination іn Android Land thаt саn come tighten tο thе strange One’s speakers, Ɩеt alone thе softened ones found οn thе One M8. According tο thе training material, thе nеw stereo speakers аrе 25% louder thаn thе prior One’s speakers. Plus, thеу′re adult front аnԁ thеу sound exceptional.

Thе BoomSound Speakers οn thе One M7 wеrе ɡrеаt, bυt thеу′re 25% softened οn thе One M8. / © AndroidPIT

Fаѕtеr entrance аnԁ υѕе

Ok, I’m nοt most οf a fan οf thе nеw TouchWiz, аnԁ I’ve never disposed Sense аѕ most аѕ ѕοmе hаνе, bυt comparing manufacturer skins іѕ Ɩіkе comparing football teams: іf уου don’t Ɩіkе thе οthеr nο one іѕ going tο remonstrate уου otherwise, ѕο I’ll leave thаt сhοісе tο personal preference. HTC аt Ɩеаѕt trust thаt over UI preferences, thеіr suit gestures fοr accessing thе nеw M8 wіth a double daub οr swipe trumps thе Galaxy S5, whісh needs tο bе woken thе common approach (аnԁ we determine wіth thеm).

I thіnk we cite Samsung’s energy saving mode, bυt thе HTC hаѕ ɡrеаt suit controls. / © AndroidPIT

Duo Camera

Ok, thе Duo Camera hаѕ a few limitations, bυt іt’s still аn well-developed shooter. Thаt being ѕаіԁ, thе Galaxy S5 іѕ substantially thе softened camera (іn mу opinion). HTC apparently pull thе UFocus post-focusing capabilities οf thе One M8 іn thе training material, whісh іѕ indeed miles softened thаn thе resourceful concentration found οn thе S5. Still, іt’s nοt ideal οn thе One M8 еіthеr. Thе M8 аƖѕο hаѕ a full primer mode, real-time preview, HDR, user-saved presets аnԁ a few οthеr gimmicks, whіƖе thе Galaxy S5 hаѕ insanely fаѕt auto-focus, 4K video, ѕƖοw suit аnԁ ѕο οn. Aѕ distant аѕ post-focusing goes HTC іѕ rіɡht, bυt οn οthеr fronts I’m nοt ѕο sure.

I’m nοt ѕο certain thе One M8′s camera іѕ better, bυt post-focusing сеrtаіnƖу іѕ. / © AndroidPIT

HTC Advantage

Yep, thаt’s a transparent leader tοο. Thе HTC Advantage wіƖƖ ɡеt уου ѕοmе good reward use fοr уουr reward feeling device, ѕο іf уου occur tο brеаk thаt poetic bіɡ shade HTC wіƖƖ reinstate thаt bаԁ child giveaway οf assign fοr thе initial 6 months уου οwn іt. Aftеr thаt уου softened hаνе schooled hοw tο hoop іt a ƖіttƖе some-more securely. Currently οnƖу upheld іn thе US, уου саn design HTC Advantage tο come tο Europe bу year’s еnԁ іf thе costs concerned аrе nοt ѕο astronomical іt wουƖԁ broke HTC globally. we fοr one, wish thаt thіѕ іѕ a use unequivocally few οf уου еνеr need tο υѕе.

Thе HTC Advantage іѕ сеrtаіnƖу a good charity frοm HTC. / © HTC/Andrey Arkusha/Shutterstock/AndroidPIT

Sο thеrе уου hаνе іt, thе 5 HTC-sponsored reasons thе One M8 іѕ softened thаn thе Galaxy S5. Aѕ we mentioned, we сουƖԁ simply come adult wіth a few more, bυt οn thіѕ list we οnƖу unequivocally determine wіth four, аnԁ thаt steel beats cosmetic one іѕ firm tο annoy fans οf lighter, some-more volatile plastic. At Ɩеаѕt 3 οf thеm yet аrе but doubt softened thаn thе S5. Lеt’s see hοw prolonged іt takes fοr a list οf 5 reasons (οr 8?) thе Galaxy S5 іѕ softened thаn thе One M8 tο appear.

Whісh device ԁο уου prefer? Whаt аrе уουr favorite facilities οf any flagship?

Source fromhttp://www.whasapp.org

 

How to reinstall iOS 8, if you’re stuck with iOS 8.0.1

How to reinstall iOS 8, if you’re stuck with iOS 8.0.1

Trick|smartphone  

Yesterday, proving it is far from infallible when it comes to both hardware design and software development, Apple released a bugged version of iOS 8.0.1. For many iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users, along with having a bent phone, updating to iOS 8.0.1 completely killed cellular connectivity and TouchID functionality. To restore cellular (and mobile data) connectivity, the only solution is to downgrade back to iOS 8 and await a future 8.0.2 update from Apple, which is due “in the next few days.”

How to reinstall iOS 8

Historically, it can be very hard to restore an older version of iOS 8 — but in this case, Apple has fortunately made it rather easy. Just follow these steps to downgrade to iOS 8.

1. Make sure your version of iTunes is fully up-to-date. Windows users, click Help > Check for Updates. Mac users, click iTunes > Check for Updates.


2. Connect your iPhone to your computer.


3. Perform a backup of your iPhone to iTunes — click File > Devices > Back Up.


4. Download the relevant IPSW restore file for your device: iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus.


5. Visit the Summary page in iTunes for your device, then Option-click (Mac) or Shift-click (Windows) the Update button. Select the downloaded IPSW in the dialog box that pops up.

 

If all goes to plan, your iPhone will do its thing and you’ll yet again have an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus capable of making calls, surfing the internet, and using the TouchID sensor. The iOS 8.0.1 update fixed a major bug in HealthKit apps, and also some other minor issues with third-party keyboards, one-handed Reachability mode, Photo Library, and more — and so by reverting to iOS 8, none of these bugs will have been fixed. You won’t be able to use the Health app until iOS 8.0.2 is released.

 

Curiously, if you don’t have a Mac or Windows machine to install iTunes, I think you may have to wait until iOS 8.0.2 is released. If you have restored your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus without iTunes, let us know in the comments.

This is a heinous bug that Apple really should’ve caught sooner — and it definitely calls into question Apple’s ability to directly push updates to consumers. I suspect AT&T, Verizon, and other big mobile carriers will be having some nasty calls with Apple today (assuming their phones still work…)

Read: The best new features of iOS 8, plus a few hidden gems you might not have found yet

How to downgrade to iOS 7

As an added bonus, I thought I’d tell you how to downgrade from iOS 8 to iOS 7. You might want to do this if you have an iPad 2 or iPhone 4S that suffers from poor performance after upgrading to iOS 8. Or maybe you just don’t like iOS 8 (though considering it’s just an evolutionary upgrade of iOS 7, I can’t imagine why that would be the case).

There are two major considerations when downgrading to iOS 7: a) The window of opportunity is usually only a couple of weeks before Apple “unsigns” iOS 7, meaning your iDevice won’t accept it any more – and b) You have to locate an official iOS 7.1.2 IPSW restore file. For now, iOS 7.1.2 is still being signed by Apple, but Apple could unsign it at any time.



To locate a copy of iOS 7.1.2 for your device, simply head to Google and search for iOS 7.1.2 ipsw iDevice — where iDevice is iPhone 4S, iPad 2, or whatever device you’re trying to downgrade. There is also a possibility that the IPSW file is already on your PC, from when you officially upgraded — try searching for ipsw in Explorer or Finder to see what turns up.

Once you have the iOS 7.1.2 IPSW restore file, follow the same directions as above for downgrading from iOS 8.0.1 — but click the Restore button at the end of the process, not Update. Be sure to have a backup, as the Restore process will wipe all of your data and apps.

Source fromhttp://www.extremetech.com

 

Gadget of the Week: Plantronics BackBeat Fit Bluetooth headphones

Gadget of the Week: Plantronics BackBeat Fit Bluetooth headphones

Trick|smartphone  

Celebrity endorsements aren't cool. You know what is cool: being asked to make the headset for a mission to the moon. That's where Plantronics' roots lie, so it should come as no surprise that the kind of audio you can expect from a Plantronics headset is going to be above average. But most of us have much more pedestrian objectives in mind when we look for a set of headphones, like a long lasting, comfortable, durable and wireless headset for the gym. This is where the BackBeat Fit comes in.

The Plantronics BackBeat Fit Bluetooth headphones come in lime green or blue. © ANDROIDPIT 

What is BackBeat Fit?

BackBeat Fit is the ''active'' evolution of Plantronics' successful BackBeat Bluetooth headphone range. The headphones feature a flexible rubber neckband and ear hooks for long-wearing stability and comfort. The neckband itself has reflective sections for increased visibility when running outdoors at night and the headphones are sweatproof. The in-ear molds can be micro-adjusted for a more comfortable fit and you've got full wireless controls for answering calls, playing music and even voice controling your smartphone.

How does BackBeat Fit work?

BackBeat Fit pairs to your smartphone via Bluetooth and can be paired with up to 8 different devices. Once the connection is made, controlling music, phone calls and voice commands can be handled completely via the headset. There is no additional app to install (although there is a firmware updater app in the Play Store). Battery status and recharge warnings are given audibly at critical moments or on command, and the effective Bluetooth range is around 10 meters. The BackBeat Fit is charged via a microUSB port beneath a water-resistant flap.

• Top 5 music players on Android.

Even with glasses on, BackBeat Fit stays comfortable for hours. © ANDROIDPIT

Why is BackBeat Fit so cool?

I've tried lots of Bluetooth headphones and I've had lots of pairing problems, dropout problems, audio problems and more. Sure, there's still the occasional Bluetooth stutter, which seems to be an unavoidable part of all Bluetooth headphones, but BackBeat Fit pairs every time and never drops out. The sound quality is, as you would expect, exceptional, with solid bass and mid-range and the volume control is independent of your smartphone, so you can get plenty loud enough too, which is particularly useful in a noisy gym.

But there's other things beyond audio quality and reliability that I like about the Backbeat Fit. For starters, they're really comfortable and never even look like falling off. I have pretty mutant ears but I can wear these all day without even noticing I have them on. Speaking of all day, BackBeat Fit will get you through a legendary eight hours of music playback on a single charge. That's enough to outlast even the longest distance runner and more than enough to keep me going for a long day of cycling too. Not bad for a headset that only weighs 24 grams.

BackBeat Fit comes with a reversible armband pouch for your smartphone. © ANDROIDPIT

But what I like most is that they perform better than you'd expect. I've accidentally showered with these on around my neck and even run them through a laundry cycle and they just keep ticking. Sweat? No problem. And if an eight hour battery life (or six hours talk time) wasn't already impressive enough, if you forget to turn them off when your music stops they will automatically enter a deep sleep mode which can last for up to 180 days. It's great to know you can pick your Bluetooth headphones up after a week of not using them and know you've stil got some juice left. And all that, in my humble opinion, is way better than seeing Lil Wayne wearing a pair.

• Plantronics BackBeat Fit is available in green or blue for 129 USD via the Plantronics website and Amazon.

Do you wear wireless headphones? What do you look for in a Bluetooth headset?

Source fromhttp://www.androidtip.com

Tests show that a Samsung Note 3 is far less bendy than an iPhone 6

Tests show that a Samsung Note 3 is far less bendy than an iPhone 6

Trick|smartphone  

You can’t help but have heard over the last few days that Apple appears to have something of a problems with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets bending when carried in owners' pockets. #bendgate has become something of a phenomenon, and concerns have been raised about other similar large phones' susceptibility to bending. Now, independent tests have shown that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is much more robust than the new iPhone, although the new Galaxy Note 4 is yet to be tested.

Don't worry – your Note 3 is far less likely to bend in your pocket than an iPhone 6. / © Consumer Reports

• Galaxy Note 4 Unboxing

Lots of photos and videos have sprung up online, apparently showing that Apple's latest handset is prone to serious damage when carried in a front pocket. While this is concerning for anyone who has invested in an iPhone 6, it is also a worry for anyone who owns – or is thinking about buying – other large phones or phablets. Just how likely is it that your handset will bend?

Stress tests carried out by Consumer Reports found that it took 90 pounds of pressure to deform an iPhone 6, while 100 pounds was needed to cause major case damage. Interestingly, the larger iPhone 6 Plus actually provided to be more resilient in pressure tests; it took 90 pounds to cause deformation, and 110 pounds to cause case separation.

The tests were carried out on a number of popular handsets – iPhone 5, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, HTC One (M8), LG G3, and Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Of the six phones, it was Samsung's phablet that fared the best, proving itself able to handle the greatest forces. It took an incredible 150 pounds of pressure to cause damage. When less force was applied, the Note 3 bent, but returned to its original shape

It's possible that the whole #bendgate story has been blown slightly out of proportion, but it's fair to say that not all phones are built equal. Hats off to Samsung for producing what appears to be one of the stronger handsets on the market.

Will you take these results into account when deciding between plastic or metal smartphones?

Source fromhttp://www.androidtip.com

The $120 Windows 8 tablet finally emerges at IFA 2014: Can Microsoft take on Android?

The $120 Windows 8 tablet finally emerges at IFA 2014: Can Microsoft take on Android?

Trick|smartphone  

IFA 2014 kicked off in Berlin this morning, and already we’re seeing an interesting trend emerge: Those cheap-and-cheerful small-screen Windows 8 tablets that Microsoft promised back in April are finally arriving. Both Toshiba and Acer have announced their offerings (priced at $120 and $150 respectively), and the usual OEM suspects (Dell, HP, etc.) should unveil their offerings over the next couple of days. These tablets will all be fairly low-spec devices with either a 7- or 8-inch screen, and most of them will be powered by an Intel Atom (Bay Trail) SoC. This means you can now get a full Windows 8.1 device for just $120 — a proposition so juicy that Microsoft hopes it can entice customers away from cheap Android tablets and into the Windows camp.

Toshiba’s Encore Mini was the first small-screen Windows 8 tablet announced at IFA. It sports a 7-inch (1024×600) screen, quad-core Bay Trail (Atom Z3735G) SoC, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. Early hands-on reports say the screen has bad viewing angles. Connectivity-wise, there’s a micro SD slot, a micro USB 2.0 port, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n WiFi, and even front- and rear-facing cameras. Windows 8.1 comes pre-loaded, and you get a year of Office 365 Personal and 1TB of OneDrive storage thrown in. The thing is light (12.5 oz, 354 gr) and Toshiba says its battery is good for 7.3 hours of use. The Encore Mini is pretty darn barebones, but for $120 it’s a very good deal. It’s available to buy today, and should ship in the next couple of weeks.



Acer’s Iconia Tab 8 W is basically exactly the same thing, but with an 8-inch 1280×800 display (it may also have 32GB of storage, but I haven’t found any definitive specs yet). It will arrive in October and cost $150. HP is expected to announce the Stream 7 — a 7-inch (1280×800) Windows 8.1 tablet — at IFA in the next couple of days, probably priced around $150 as well. There will probably a 7- or 8-inch tablet from Dell, too, and perhaps Asus and Lenovo — though they may opt to stay out of this round of no-profit-margin Windows devices.

These sub-$200 Windows 8.1 devices are a very interesting proposition. Now that Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 are free for all devices rocking 8-inch-or-smaller screens, it’s finally possible for Microsoft and its OEMs to match the price of Android devices, which have forever ruled the cheap tablet market. This doesn’t instantly make Windows a better tablet OS than Android, but consumers will definitely take a closer look at cheap Windows tablets before automatically opting for a Galaxy Tab or other Android tablet. It’s also important to note that this is a full-fat version of Windows 8, with the Desktop available if you wish to use it. Grab a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, and perhaps an external hard drive, and the $120 Toshiba Encore Mini suddenly becomes a rather cheap productivity or media center PC.



I don’t think cheap tablets are going to trigger some kind of Windows 8 reconnaissance, but they could be a good way to keep the engines running — and, perhaps more importantly, get a larger swath of the consumer base acclimated to the Metro interface — while Microsoft works on Windows 9.

Source fromhttp://www.extremetech.com

 

Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus is bending. Should Galaxy Note users be worried?

Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus is bending. Should Galaxy Note users be worried?

Trick|smartphone  

The “bendgate” scandal says Apple’s super-thin iPhone 6 Plus is too easy to bend, and customers aren't happy. Are phablets too fragile, and should Galaxy Note owners be worried?

One of these phones is bendier than the other. Will the Note 4 bend as much as the iPhone 6 Plus? / © Samsung/Apple/ANDROIDPIT

What’s yellow and bends in the middle? No, not a banana: if the latest media storm is to be believed, it’s the Apple iPhone 6 Plus. It’s the biggest phone Apple has ever built, but some reports suggest that its aluminium case makes it too easy to bend. Does the same problem apply to Samsung Galaxy Note owners?

It’s important to get some perspective first. Because it’s Apple the story is guaranteed to get lots of internet traffic, so it’s being blown out of all proportion. The truth is that anything made of aluminium, which of course includes the iPhone 6 Plus, can be bent if you apply enough force.

How much force is enough, and how does the Galaxy Note compare?

Samsung's Galaxy Note 3: chunkier than an iPhone 6 Plus, but less bendy / © ANDROIDPIT

Bend me, shape me, any way you want me

It’s a bad idea to drop £700 on a phablet and use it as a chair cushion. Unsurprisingly, some iPhone 6 Plus users who’ve done that have ended up with misshapen phones. Do the same with any reasonably large smartphone and you’re running the risk of cracking the case, the screen or both.

It’s certainly possible to bend an iPhone 6 Plus with your bare hands (although why you’d want to, we don’t know), but then it was possible to do it with the iPhone 5 and 5S too. The bigger phone is easier to bend than its predecessors, but you still need to try pretty hard to do it.

How does that compare to similarly large phablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Note? It turns out that we don’t need to guess. The YouTube Unbox Therapy channel, whose video showed them bending an iPhone 6 Plus, subjected a Galaxy Note 3 to the same test. The Note survived unharmed.

You’d expect that, though. First of all the Note 3 is chunkier - 8.3 mm compared to the iPhone 6 Plus’s 7.1 mm - and shorter, and it’s made of plastic, not aluminium, so it’s less likely to bend. Plastic is more brittle, though, so it’s more likely to crack than bend if you apply enough force. The same is likely to apply to the Galaxy Note 4, which once again is chunkier than the iPhone 6.

What do you think? Do you live in constant fear of flattening your phablet or bending your phone?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

How to block a number on Galaxy S4

How to block a number on Galaxy S4

Trick|smartphone  

lt's something that happens to all of us from time to time. It might be a pushy salesperson, or it could be a misdialled call that just keeps coming through to your mobile – we all get calls we want to avoid. There's no need to ignore the calls, and no need to send it straight to voice mail; you can easily block calls from a specific number on your Samsung Galaxy S4. Once blocked you'll never be pestered with unwanted calls from that number again, and you'll not even be told that the person tried to call – sweet silence!

Plagued with unwanted calls? You can have your phone automatically reject them. / © AndroidPIT

The ability to block calls from a specific number is something that is available on your Galaxy S4 without the need for any software – it is built in by default. There are two different ways to block numbers, the first of which is to make use of call logs.

Existing call logs can be used to quickly block future calls from particular numbers. / © ANDROIDPIT

Launch the dialer app and move to the Logs section. Scroll through the list and locate an entry for a number you wish to block. Tap the entry and then hit the settings button. From the menu that appears, select Add to reject list and then confirm the action.

Call rejection needs to be enabled in Settings if you want to use the feature. / © ANDROIDPIT

You can also add numbers to the blocked list from within Android settings. Fire up Settings, move to the My device section and tap Call. At the top of the list, tap Call rejection.

Various call rejection modes are available – make you you select the correct one. / © ANDROIDPIT

Tap Auto reject mode and make sure that the Auto reject numbers setting is selected.

You cal also add number to the reject list if you're yet to receive call from it. / © ANDROIDPIT

Skip back a screen and tap Auto reject list. This is the screen that can be used to managed blocked numbers, and it's possible you'll also ready have some entries here. To add a new number to the block list, tap the + button and enter the number in question and tap Save.

Number matching patterns can be used to block certain types of call. / © ANDROIDPIT

If necessary, you can opt to block numbers based on patterns – such as all number from a particular dialing area. To make use of this option, tap Match criteria and select from one of the available options.

Should you ever change your mind about blocking numbers, you can select the ones you want to unblock, and then hit the Delete button to remove them from the rejection list.

Unfortunately, there's no way to use this technique to block calls from unknown numbers, but it's a great way to help cut back on the number of unwanted calls you receive.

Do you get pestered with calls from people and companies you are simply not interested in speaking to? How many numbers have you blocked?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Nexus 9 release date, news, specs and rumors [updated: tipsters reveal new Nexus 9 release date]

Nexus 9 release date, news, specs and rumors [updated: tipsters reveal new Nexus 9 release date]

Trick|smartphone  

If I had 5 cents for every time the Nexus 9 was rumored, I could buy a jumbo slurpee. Google’s prophesied tablet has been like the Loch Ness Monster: a lot of sightings but no solid proof! The Nexus 9 comes under many names: Nexus 8, Nexus 9, HTC Volantis, ''Flounder'', T1. Whatever we end up calling it, the 8.9-inch tablet has a lot going for it, including being the true reference device for Android L. Update: New information received earlier today further backs up the allegations that the Nexus 9 will be released on October 15th or 16th. Read on for more details.

© ANDROIDPIT

Google Nexus 9 release date

In a patent lawsuit document filed by Nvidia it has been revealed that HTC is working on the Tegra K1 powered Nexus 9 tablet, and it’s due for release in the "third quarter of 2014". Though this is explicitly stated in the document, HTC has just announced its “double exposure” media event on October 8th, and so it seems like this is the more likely place for the reveal. Originally we believed the Nexus 9 would be launched at a Google event held around Halloween or early November to launch the Nexus 9 and Nexus 6 alongside Android L. Either way, it looks like we will all have our hands on the sexiest Nexus tablet ever before the year is out.

• IFA news and highlights

Also, on August 4th 2014, The Nexus 7 went out of stock on the Google Play Store and was followed soon after by the Nexus 10. There are currently no Nexus tablets available on the Play Store in some countries. Traditionally, this is a sign that a new device is about to come! The Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 could indeed replace the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. Are you as impatient as we are?

Update: Speculation about a release date for the Nexus 9 has been a hot topic for a long time, and we seem to be getting warmer now with a recent tip stating that the Google tablet will finally show its face on October 15th or October 16th. This was mentioned by two different tipsters, who according to Android Authority, are familiar with what's going on behind closed doors at Google. They also mentioned that Google will not officially announce Android L until November 1st though, which seems weird for them to unveil a device without the latest version of Android. In any case, it's safe to say that the Nexus 9, and the rumored Nexus 6, will likely be sold with Android L installed when both finally have their market start.

Nexus 9 price

The price of the Nexus 9 is anyone's guess really. Nexus devices have always been very affordable, with the Nexus 7 (2013) costing a measly 229 USD for the basic model and up to 349 USD for the LTE version with more internal storage. If the Nexus 9 features the Tegra K1 Denver 64-bit chip and a metal construction though, we can expect the price to rise significantly. The added size will also increase the price. Still, we'd expect Google to make pennies on each Nexus 9, hopefully keeping the price as low as possible. If we had to place bets, we'd say the base model will come in around 400-450 USD.

Here's a render of how the new magnetic case looks for the Nexus 9. © Android Police

Nexus 9 magnetic case and keyboard

Android Police has shared details of a new magnetic case for the Nexus 9 that is very similar to that found on the iPad. However, the Nexus 9 magnetic case will also feature a built-in keyboard that has its own 450 mAh power source and microUSB charging port. This accessory transforms the Nexus 9 into something a little closer to Asus' Transformer Prime and opens Google's tablet up to whole new use cases.

Following from previous reports of a magnetic keyboard and case for the Nexus 9, we recently received what we think is a first look at it. Thanks to website chinese.vr-zone we can see images of the Microsoft Surface-like case, which can become a kickstand for upright viewing. The combined keyboard also contains some unique keys for Android functions like "voice command", which has its own dedicated button where the "caps lock" would normally be. Check out the new images below.

A voice command button can be seen in place of the caps lock button. / © chinese.vr-zone

The case will fold into a kickstand for the Nexus 9. / © chinese.vr-zone

The keyboard will snap onto the Nexus 9, pair with NFC and sync with Bluetooth 4.0.  © Android Police

Android Silver or Nexus?

The lead up to knowing this much about the Nexus 9 has been an interesting history. First @evleaks tweeted to say the Nexus line would be dissolved and be replaced by the Android Silver program. But this rumor was stomped out by David Burke of Google, who said that Google was still committed to the Nexus line.

• Nexus 6 release date, news, specs and rumors

A piece of Chromium code that was leaked. / © 9to5Google

Nexus 8 or Nexus 9?

In the beginning, we were awaiting the Nexus 8, but this was overthrown by a rumor of a 8.9-inch display, bringing the name Nexus 9 to everyone's attention instead. The Nexus 9 is also known by its internal HTC codename ''Volantis'' as well as by Google's codename for the Nexus device ''Flounder'' and more recently @evleaks successor @upleaks referred to the device as the T1. There is also a 5.9-inch Motorola ''Shamu'' device doing the rounds that many are saying will be the first Android Silver offering, destined for Verizon.

The Nexus 9, according to Android Police. / © Android Police

HTC Volantis

Volantis is the supposed developer name given to the Nexus 9. According to Android Police, the Nexus tablet will be manufactured by HTC and will have high-end characteristics which would be able to sell just as well as the Nexus 7 did back in the day, especially if Google stays true to their low price tactics.

The screen capture that Android Police released showing off the name Nexus Volantis. / © Android Police

• Things that Google left out at the Google I/O 2014

Nexus 9 hardware

From the stream of rumors about the Nexus 9, it looks to come packing a NVIDIA 64-bit Tegra K1 Denver processor. The Tegra K1 processor scored better in an AnTuTu benchmark test against the 64-bit Exynos 5433 chipset which is rumored to come in the future Samsung Galaxy Note 4. This would be complemented by 2 GB of RAM and either 16 or 32 GB of internal storage. It’s easy to presume that this tablet will provide for an amazing user experience when watching videos or playing graphically demanding games such as Real Racing 3.

We've heard reports that the Nexus 9 will come with a wide-angle waterproof camera accessory, giving sports fans something to think about. This new HTC camera is expected to house a 16 MP sensor, and will be capable of being controlled by a smartphone/tablet app. The new camera, if it exists, should hopefully make an appearance on October 8th alongside the Nexus 9.

Nexus 9 software

And of course, the Google Nexus 9 will presumably come with the latest version of the world's most popular mobile operating system: Android 5.0. For now Google is calling it Android L, but in the Fall we'll likely know the official version number and name.

• Which devices are getting Android L and when.

Tech Specs: Google Nexus 9 vs Google Nexus 7 (2013)

	Google Nexus 9	Google Nexus 7 (2013)
System	Android L, perhaps Android 5.0 Lollipop	Android 4.4.4 KitKat
Display	8.9-inch, 2,048 x 1,440 pixels, 281 ppi (4:3 aspect ratio)	7-inch, LCD, 1,920 x 1,200 mah (323 ppi)
Processor	Nvidia Tegra K1 (64-bit)	Quadcore, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, 1.5 GHz
RAM	2 GB	2 GB
Internal storage	16/32 GB	16/32 GB
Camera	8 MP, OIS (rear), 3 MP (front)	5 / 1.2 MP
Dimensions	22.63 x 16.19 x 0.79 cm	200 x 114 x 8.65 mm
Weight	418 g / 427 g (LTE)	290-299 g
Connectivity	N/A	HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0
Other	Aluminum zero-gap construction, stereo speakers (front-facing)	N/A

What are your expectations for the Nexus 9? Do you think it will be even more successful than the Nexus 7 (2013)?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Fancy an iPhone 6 on the cheap? Try the Sophone i6 Android clone!

Fancy an iPhone 6 on the cheap? Try the Sophone i6 Android clone!

Trick|smartphone  

Even if you're a devout Android user, your head may have been turned by the recently launched iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. You may like the look of the hardware, but you've opted for Android as your mobile OS of choice. What is an aesthetics-focused mobile phone fan to do? One China handset manufacturer could have the answer in the form of an iPhone 6 clone – the Sophone i6.

Just because you like the look of the iPhone 6, you don't have to buy an Apple handset! / © Apple

We've looked at how the Nexus 6 might compare to the iPhone 6, and we've also compared Apple's latest phone with the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, but if you're just concerned with appearances, the Sophone i6 could be the phone for you. At a glance, the similarities are striking. On the Sophone i6, you'll find a 4.7 inch screen just like on the iPhone 6, although the resolution is rather lower at 960 x 540 rather than 1334 x 750.

Look familiar? But no, it's not an iPhone 6. / © Fast Card Tech

The handset is powered by a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6582 quad-core processor backed up by 2GB of RAM – which compares to the iPhone 6's 1.4GHz CPU and 1GB RAM. Despite having a price tag of just $140, the Sophone i6 features a 13MP camera and 5MP front facer, which puts the iPhone 6's 8MP and 1.2MP offerings to shame. But, of course, the big difference is the fact that rather than running iOS8, here you'll find Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Could you be tempted into buying an iPhone clone, or do you prefer to pack a handset that's unashamedly Android?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Could the Xperia Z3 Compact battery life really be double that of the Galaxy S5?

Could the Xperia Z3 Compact battery life really be double that of the Galaxy S5?

Trick|smartphone  

We all love a good battery test, and while we're mildly skeptical of any battery claims PhoneArena makes after their recent bungle with the LG G3 test, we're assuming they've triple checked the results that has the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact posting the most outstanding battery life ever: more than double that of the HTC One (M8) and very close to double that of the Galaxy S5, two of the best smartphone batteries around.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact apparently has 50% better battery life than the Xperia Z3 and 100% better than the Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8). Could it be true. © ANDROIDPIT

The Z3 Compact breezed through PhoneArena's standardized battery test with an incredible run time of 14 hours and 44 minutes. By comparison, the Galaxy S5 came in with a measly 7 hours 38 minutes and the HTC One (M8) with 7 hours and 12 minutes. The full-sized Xperia Z3 scored a fantastic 9 hours 23 minutes, putting it at the top of the current flagship battery life heap by a margin of close to two hours. Of course, the Z3 Compact has a much smaller screen and resolution than the others, but also a smaller battery. Could this result be true though?

Phone-Arena-Akkutest: Sony glänzt, Apple enttäuscht. / © Phone Arena

Not surprisingly, everyone is skeptical and PhoneArena has pulled the Z3 Compact figure from their article while they double check it (seems they didn't triple check it after all). We'll let you know what their second test reveals, but if the Z3 Compact has even vaguely close to a 14 hour battery life, then it would make a very solid case for the small-screened flagship approach Sony takes with their Compacts. Come to think of it, some other company we like to tease does something similar, no?

• Check out our Sony Xperia Z3 Compact review.

Sony's new flagships have completely destroyed the Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8)' batteries. © © AndroidPIT

As everyone complains about sub-par battery life and cripples their devices to even make it through a day, having a solid nine and a half hours on the Xperia Z3 is a dream come true, but getting another five hours on top of that with the Z3 Compact is the stuff of fantasy. PhoneArena's re-testing may just prove that to be the case, but if all we need for legendary battery life in Android is slightly smaller screens and less-than-QHD resolution to get through a full day, then perhaps we need to rethink our priorities. Perhaps as iPhones get bigger Androids will get smaller?

What's more important to you: battery life, a large screen or high resolution? What's the best balance?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

How to Install Whatsapp on IPads and Ipods

How to Install Whatsapp on IPads and Ipods

Trick|smartphone  

There are many alternatives of Whatsapp for Ipads are available but many of us are geek and we love to do things that are usually from other’s interest, thus installing Whatsapp on IPod and IPads can be fun for you.
You probably know Whatsapp does not support IPad and Ipod but still there is a way by which you can install Whatsapp on IPad using a very easy and smart method. It is little time consuming but works well.
What are the requirements ?
Let me clear you first, you don’t have to jailbreak your device so don’t worry.

• Of course an Ipod touch or IPad.


• An Iphone.


• Itunes and Ifunbox (It is a free alternative of ITunes and can be downloaded from :- http://www.i-funbox.com/) for transferring files.

How to Install Whatsapp On IPad

First of all you need to download Whatsapp and then transfer it to Ipad. It will not work until you copy registration data of Whatsapp app from a fresh installed Iphone using I-Funbox.

Not getting it ?

Ok here we go :-

Download Whatsapp on Ipad

First of all download Whatsapp using ITunes, it will not take too much time. Now close ITunes and open I-FunBox and navigate to Whatsapp.ipa file (better to copy it on desktop from ITunes music folder). Now after coping it you can see the app icon on your screen but it’s not working yet and you have to fix it. Unplug you IPad for now.

Fixing Whatsapp by Copying Registration Data

One Whatsapp account runs only on one device (one number per app), so you can use alternative number that you are using. Now you need an Iphone and if you don’t have one bought it from any friend. After it uninstall Whatsapp from that phone if already installed and then install and setup Whatsapp account again.
Now connect your Iphone to your computer and copy registration data using I-FunBox.
[ Go to User application and then double click on Whatsapp Icon and then copy library and documents folder]
We got what we want now unplug Iphone and plug IPad again. Copy Whatsapp library and documents folder in same path on your IPad.

Read the tutorial carefully it’s not that hard to install Whatsapp On IPad or IPod

Source fromhttp://www.protechlover.com

Best Galaxy Note 4 price: save £200 just by buying it at the right time

Best Galaxy Note 4 price: save £200 just by buying it at the right time

Trick|smartphone  

Fancy a Samsung Galaxy Note 4? If you’re willing to wait for a very short time, you’ll save an absolute fortune. In just three months the price is likely to fall by more than one third.

We know you want it, but if you can wait you'll save lots of money. / © ANDROIDPIT

When’s the best time to buy a smartphone or phablet? In the case of Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Note 4, it’s three months after the official launch. If you can keep your powder dry for just 12 weeks you can expect to save a massive 34%. That works out at nearly £200 ($320, €250).

How do we know? Price comparison site Idealo has ran the numbers on other Samsungs - the Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note 3 - to see how their prices changed over time. In every case the prices plummeted until the three-month mark, at which point they levelled off. The difference between launch day and three months was dramatic, but there wasn’t much change between three and six months.

The numbers are interesting, because it seems that the more Notes Samsung makes, the cheaper they get. When the first Galaxy Note went on sale, it was still selling at 92% of the launch price after three months; at the same point the Galaxy Note 2 was down to 87%, and the Galaxy Note 3 75%. Idealo predicts that the Galaxy Note 4 will be lower still at 64% of the launch price after three months.

Why you shouldn’t rush to buy

It seems that each new Note gets cheaper more quickly. / © ANDROIDPIT

The reason for the price drop is simple enough. It’s good old-fashioned supply and demand. In the early stages of any smartphone or phablet launch there’s lots of pent-up demand and relatively few devices available, so retailers can charge full whack. As demand falls and handsets are no longer so scarce the prices start to fall.

That’s particularly true with Android devices: unlike Apple, where the latest handset stays current for a year, Android manufacturers are constantly leapfrogging each other with newer, better devices. No Android device stays at the top for very long, and that’s fantastic news for buyers because it means that the market is exceptionally competitive.

Idealo’s pricing is based on people buying SIM-free devices, but the price drops apply to contract customers too. On launch day the phone operators know that gadget-crazed Samsung fans will pay a premium to get the handset in a hurry, but three months down the line the competition is fierce and the contract costs plummet.

What do you think? Are you willing to wait to get a much lower price, or is new-phone joy too much of a temptation?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Why Google chose HTC for the Nexus 9

Why Google chose HTC for the Nexus 9

Trick|smartphone  

We're overjoyed at the prospect of a Nexus 9 built by HTC. But not everyone is quite as excited as us, especially considering that HTC bowed out of the tablet market after a pretty poor effort with the HTC Flyer back in 2011. So why would Google choose a company with a bad track record for manufacturing tablets to make their next Android reference device?

HTC make great smartphones, so why not tablets too? © ANDROIDPIT

There's a few reasons really. As you know, Google likes to ship around the Nexus partnership regularly, effectively giving everyone a ''go'' at producing a Nexus device. HTC started it with the Nexus One, Samsung followed up with a couple of phones and a tablet, LG has been the preferred phone maker of late, Motorola look to finally have their chance with the Nexus 6 and Asus has produced fantastic Nexus 7's one after another. The only OEM to still be out in the cold is Sony.

• Read up on the Nexus 9: release date, news, specs and rumors.

With Asus making two great Nexus 7's in a row, it's time to pass the Nexus torch. © AndroidPIT

As far as tablet partners go it makes sense that Asus take a backseat for a while, and Samsung and Sony obviously have their own tablet plans going full steam ahead, but HTC could use a little bit of encouragement to get back on the horse. Given the parameters of the Nexus line – low-cost devices that Google barely make a penny on – the prospect is pretty sweet for HTC: the opportunity to make a tablet with no concerns over whether or not it actually sells.

Considering the Tegra K1's awesome gaming capabilities, we can only imagine how great Android 5.0 will run on it, esepcially given HTC's great hardware optimizations. © Nvidia

But what about from Google's end? Well: given what HTC is capable of in terms of industrial design it may just be the best looking Nexus tablet we've ever seen. The HTC One (M8)'s excellent battery life could be a serious turnaround for the Nexus line's traditional weak point. Then, imagine a tablet tricked out for gaming with a Tegra K1 64-bit chip and 192-core GPU and add to that BoomSound speakers. Seriously drool-worthy. It'd also be an HTC without the pitiful UltraPixel camera.

HTC build quality on a Nexus without an UltraPixel camera? Yes please! © AndroidPIT

Plus, HTC typically manages to produce a super smooth Android experience on devices with a specs sheet that is usually a little below the competition. Imagine how fluid that experience would be on the new 64-bit ready, ART-driven Android 5.0 and you can see Google's eyes lighting up with the prospect of HTC's special brand of hardware optimizations on a high spec, stock Android device showcasing everything that Android L has to offer.

• Everything you need to know about Android 5.0.

With massive changes coming to all of Google's properties, getting everything right on the next Nexus is critical: and HTC have a great track record of making a smooth Android experience. © AndroidPIT

Considering the massive upswing in sales for Asus following the Nexus 7 and Nexus 7 (2013), this could be just what HTC needs while at the same time serving Google's ends too: avoiding a market monopoly by the likes of Samsung, as a recent Wall Street Journal article has claimed. We're really excited to see what HTC can do with the Nexus 9 and hope it does well enough that the company feels justified in re-entering the tablet space under their own steam again.

What are your thoughts on HTC making the Nexus 9? Why do you think Sony has never made a Nexus?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

App developers can't hide! Apps with in-app purchases must reveal home address

App developers can't hide! Apps with in-app purchases must reveal home address

Trick|smartphone  

Google is making changes to Play Store policy so developers will have to publicly display an address if their apps cost money or feature in-app purchases. Starting 30 September, it will be mandatory to show a physical address or apps risk being remove from the store.

Developers will soon need to provide their address details in Google Play. / © ANDROIDPIT

A message appeared in the developer console explaining that an address needs to be provided and that it will be visible to anyone browsing Google Play:

Add a physical contact address Beginning September 30, 2014, you need to add a physical address to your Settings page. After you've added an address, it will be available on your app's detail page to all users on Google Play. If your physical address changes, make sure to update your information on your Settings page.

If you have paid apps or apps with in-app purchases, it's mandatory to provide a physical address where you can be contacted. If you don't provide a physical address on your account, it may result in your apps being removed from the Play Store.

This will make it much easier for customers to get in touch with a developer if necessary, and it is not the only change that is on the cards. The developer of GoneMAD Music Player contacted Google for confirmation about the new address policy. The email response not only confirms this, but also explains that the price of in-apps purchases and subscriptions associated with an app must be displayed:

We will display the price ranges for apps that offer in-app purchases and/or subscriptions on the app's store listing page.

Is this a move you're happy with? Will you be sending fan or hate mail to a developer soon?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Best Chromecast apps for Android

Best Chromecast apps for Android

Trick|smartphone  

With the release of Chromecast in a many countries, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the Android apps that you can use with this mighty dongle. While the Play Store has a bunch available, they’re not always listed in the most useful or intuitive way. Here’s a few of our favorites Chromecast apps for Android.

Cast content to your TV and enjoy it on the big screen. © Iaroslav Neliubov/Shutterstock/AndroidPIT

• What is Chromecast? Google’s brilliant streaming device explained


• Google Chromecast review: stream media from your Android to your TV

Hulu Plus

Hulu, like Netflix, is a great TV and movie watching service where you can watch unlimited amounts of either on your Android smartphone or tablet for 7.99 USD per month. It’s received high acclaim for offering a great selection and the latest episodes for your favorite shows. A great thing about Hulu Plus is that it allows you to cast whatever you are watching to your TV using Chromecast, as well as Xbox One, PS3 and PS4.

Watch an unlimited amount of movies and TV shows with Hulu Plus. / © Hulu

Hulu Plus INSTALL

• Google Chromecast tips and tricks: get the most out of streaming media

Google Play Movies and TV

Google Play Movies & TV is a great way to buy and even rent movies and TV shows on your Android device. TV shows are only available in the USA, UK, Japan, Canada and Australia for the time being. The app also supports Chromecast so you can watch whatever you’ve purchased in the comfort of your living room on your TV.

Buy and rent videos to cast onto your TV with your Chromecast dongle. / © Google

Google Play Movies & TV INSTALL

Pandora

Streaming music is a great way to discover new artists, songs and even new genres. The online radio service lets you personalize up to 100 different radio stations, as well as discover those made up by others, and genre stations created by the developers of Pandora. In addition to music, you can listen to comedy programs. Make sure you are using Wi-Fi when using Pandora, as opposed to Wi-Fi, however if you are at home, you are likely to be using the first option anyway. With Chromecast support, you can have play, control and customize your radio stations right on your TV.

Control and enjoy Pandora on your living room TV.  / © Pandora

Pandora® internet radio INSTALL

• Best Chromecast alternatives

Plex

Plex is a personal multimedia app that lets you to stream your videos, music, photos and home movies to your Android phone from your computer which is running Plex Media Server. You can organize, easily browse through and then enjoy it on any connected device, enriches your media. It allows for media syncing from your phone, as well as from Google Drive, Dropbox and other cloud storage services, so that you can view this on your phone even when offline. And now it goes a step further with Chromecast support: you can enjoy the services Plex has to offer on your HDTV. The media server itself is free, but the mobile app will run you $4.99 on the Play Store.

Sync, organize and view your media with Plex.  / © Plex, Inc.

Plex for Android INSTALL

VEVO

VEVO is your music video service so you can watch the latest and best that artists are making. You’ll be the first to know when a new video is out, discover new and upcoming genres and artists, create your own playlists and share these with your friends. Of course, with Chormecast support you can get an even bigger and badder experience on your TV.

VEVO lets you check out the latest music videos and then cast them to your TV. / © VEVO

Vevo - Watch HD Music Videos INSTALL

BBC iPlayer

For our UK audiences, the BBC iPlayer app is one of the best you can use if you have bought yourself a Chromecast dongle. The app lets you watch live TV, and download the latest programs. The app could use fixer-upper we must admit with quite a few users complaining, but for the most part, this is a great app that you can now cast right on your TV.

/ © Media Applications Technologies for the BBC

BBC iPlayer INSTALL

AllCast

One of the most popular apps currently available for Chromecast is AllCast. It can easily cast content from your mobile device straight to your device, including music, videos, and photos. AllCast supports numerous formats, including Roku, Apple TV, and the Xbox 360/ One. There is a free version that you can use to try out AllCast, however it has limits on the video length you can play. The premium version is available for $4.99.

 Get content from your mobile device can cast it, this includes music, videos, and photos. / © ClockworkMod

AllCast INSTALL

MyCastScreen

Chromecast comes with a default home screen, the one that rotates through stock photos and displays the time in the corner. If you’re looking for something with a little bit more functionality, check out MyCastScreen. The app itself costs $0.99, but it lets your cast cards with the time and date, local weather and traffic information, as well as news headlines. While it is still pretty new, the developer is promising more options and customization on the way.

The time and date, local weather, traffic information and news with MyCastScreen. / © musicalbigfoot

MyCastScreen INSTALL

DayFrame

Want to be able to turn your television into a giant slideshow while entertaining? With DayFrame, you can cycle through your favorite social media photos and have them displayed on your television. The app connects to a bunch of different social media services, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google+, among others. Not only can you search your own photos, but you can also have it choose a bunch of random topics of your choosing.  The app itself is free, but shows a small logo at the top of the screen. In order to get rid of it, you’ll need to upgrade to the Prime version for $0.99.

Rotate through your favorite social media photos and have them displayed on your TV. / © cloud.tv

Dayframe (Chromecast Photos) INSTALL

GamingCast

For $1.99, you can bring some classic games to your television while using Chromecast and your mobile device. Choose from Snake, Pong, Xonix, or Tetris and try it out for yourself on your giant screen. While the selection is rather limited now, the developer has promised to bring more classic titles to the app in the near future.

Play Snake at a whole new level. / © Eli Sherer

GamingCast (for Chromecast) INSTALL

Cast Store

If you’re looking for other types of apps available for Chromecast, make sure to check out the Cast Store. It brings a bunch of apps together in easy to find categories, so that you don’t have to search high and low in the Google Play Store.

Find out about all the different apps to use with Chromecast. / © GoKo

Cast Store for Chromecast INSTALL

What apps do you enjoy using with your Chromecast dongle?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com