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LG confirms round smartwatch for IFA 2014 launch

With IFA 2014 right around the corner kicking off on September 5 in Berlin, we all know that a bunch of Android devices are about to be rolled out for the first time. One of the devices that has been teased for an IFA debut from LG is a new round smartwatch.



In fact, the first teaser video for that round smartwatch came only a few days ago. Today LG has offered up a teaser image on Google+ that shows the round faced smartwatch with the caption "Smart Comes Full Circle." Under that caption is Berlin 5-10 September 2014.


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The round smartwatch in the image that LG released this week clearly looks like the images of the device we have seen leaked before. No firm details on exactly what the watch will do or cost was offered with the teaser image. In the teaser images, the watch looks like your typical round watch.


We are curious to see what the user interface is like and how well the device performs. Check out the teaser video below that was released earlier this week to see what we know about the new round LG smartwatch so far.




SOURCE: +LG


Koush pushes AllCast updates for Chrome and Android

As promised last week, Koush is pushing out an update to his AllCast system that has a few new interesting features in two. But instead of a simple Android update, this one's a double whammy as it includes the update to the Chrome extension that opens the door for more devices to mirror their screens to the browser.



Last week, Koush flipped the switch for his Chrome extension that migrated from using the sanctioned but limited WebRTC protocol over to h264 via Broadway.js. In practice, this mean that the number of supported devices that can mirror their screen to a Chrome brwoser went from one (the Nexus 5) to potentially any modern smartphone. Now Koush is pushing out the update extension to the Chrome Web Store for the enjoyment of all.


The AllCast sender itself is seeing some updates, though somewhat less sensational as the Chrome receiver. This one focuses primarily on the UI side of things. A new Recents section has been added to keep track of the files and folders that you've been viewing, just to make it easier to jump right into the content that, at least based on last use, might be more relevant to you. The AllCast Receiver's fancy new splash screen has now been made optional so that it no longer gets in the way of those who want to dive right into business the moment they connect. The transcoding engine has a new Bitrate option to make sure that video streaming won't strangle your WiFi connection by maxing out the transcoding settings.


Both the updated AllCast Receiver for Chrome and the update AllCast sender for Android are now up on Chrome Web and Google Play Stores and should be rolling out to users who already have them installed. Another update, or rather release, to look forward to is Koush's ADB Shell for Chrome extension that lets you gain most of the power of ADB without having to struggle with installing SDK Tools and using arcane commands.


SOURCE: +Koush





ZTE Warp Sync delivers LTE on a budget and no contracts

HTC may have just announced its wallet-friendly 4G-toting Desire 510, but ZTE, who takes the word "budget" seriously, will not be outdone. Offering higher specs and a better screen, the ZTE Warp Sync differentiates itself even further with one key aspect: the smartphone will be available for purchase without contracts.



According to ZTE, the no-contract user base in the US is expected to grow to 50 percent by next year, making that market segment ripe for the likes of ZTE and other brands that aren't always able to snag a deal with major carriers. And yet denizens of the country will still want to get access to LTE speeds without spending an arm and a leg, and that is where the new breed of 4G budget smartphones, like this new Warp Sync, come in.


ZTE might poise this as a mid tier smartphone, but the specs look quite decent. No MediaTek in there to bring prices down, as you get a 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 inside. RAM is at 2 GB and storage at 8 GB. The 5-inch display may not be up to Full HD standards, but it at least reaches 1280x720 pixels. The rear camera has an 8 megapixel Backside Iluminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, complete with LED flash, while the front sports 1.6 megapixels. Battery measures 2,300 mAh and there is a host of wireless connectivity features like WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and, of course, 4G LTE.


The ZTE Warp Sync is now available from Boost Mobile with a somewhat tasty price tag of $179.99. That said, the smartphone is also sold under the carrier's Unlimited Select monthly plans, which start at $40.


SOURCE: ZTE


Google updates News and Weather app to look like Google Now

In keeping up with the transformation of its basic apps into their “Material” design language, Google has now updated the look of its News and Weather app. The panel and card-type design now makes the app, which is built-in for some devices, look like Google Now. It also seems to be more competitive now with other news apps like Flipboard, News360 and even Google’s own Google Play Newsstand.



The News and Weather app comes pre-installed into the newer Android devices, particularly those that have Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, Kitkat and Honeycomb (okay now we’re craving for sweets). The panels now look more like your cards on Google Now and you will be able to add certain news sites on different categories to keep updated on your favourite sites without going to each of them everyday. You just swipe through the headlines and articles that you want (or not want) to read.


You can also add columns for topics that you want to keep updated on, like the latest social media news or all the Star Wars updates and rumours that you could possibly need. And if the news you want is location-based, you can also add specific places that you want to keep track of. The app also has a widget that you can easily add to your home screen for easier access to your News and Weather. There are also different languages to customize your news and of course, shareability is an important feature in any news app, and so it is very present here.


If News and Weather isn’t built-in your smartphone or tablet already, you can also download it for free from the Google Play Store. However, it is incompatible with several devices, including some Samsung ones, so better check first before getting all excited about having the app. In case it doesn’t work on your device, we’ve written about our recommended news apps for Android devices, so you might want to check them out too.


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VIA: SlashGear





Verizon’s Advanced Calling 1.0: HD voice and video calling

The much-awaited Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology that is set to revolutionise how we make and receive calls is coming soon for Verizon subscribers. They’ve announced the rollout of their HD voice and video calling capability - called Advanced Calling 1.0 - in the next few weeks, a little behind competitors AT&T and T-Mobile but ahead of other US carriers.



The application of VoLTE technology for calls signifies the predicted eventual shift from CDMA voice calls. However, both phones involved in the call need to be on Verizon’s LTE network for it to work. You’ll know if video calling is applicable when you go to your contact on your phone and you see a video camera next to their name. So all you have to do is just tap that video button and you’ll be able to make a video call with your contact.


You can also easily switch to voice call, which will be in HD voice, and if you feel like switching to a video call again, then you just tap the camera again. Obviously, using HD calling will bring higher resolution to both audio and video. But not all devices right now will be able to use this technology. Both the caller and receiver need to have compatible devices, aside from the network connection requirement.


Verizon says it will release a list of compatible devices, as well as those that will be able to receive a software update to make it VoLTE capable so you'll be able to use Advanced Calling 1.0. But even if your phone can call using this new technology, if the person you’re calling doesn’t have that capability or you’re calling a landline or another smartphone from a different carrier, then they will still be using CDMA voice calls.


SOURCE: Verizon


VIA: SlashGear





Archos new Connected Objects: Weather Station, Music Light

In June, Archos joined the "Internet of Things" world by revealing its Smart Home products. At IFA 2014 next week, it will be expanding its "Connected Objects" team with three new devices, including an environment-aware orb, a musical LED bulb, and, amusingly, a headphone-toting beanie.



You have probably heard of many smart devices that are able to tell you weather conditions both inside and outside the home. The Archos Weather Station, whose name doesn't do justice to its looks, is no different in that regard. The company claims it will be able to tell you what you need to know about the temperature, humidity, air quality, air pressure, and even noise levels and pipe those to your mobile device, whether they be an Android one or an iOS. It comes in a stylish ball form that is both pretty to look at but also conspicuous beside your normal everyday furniture.


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The Archos Music Light is everything that its name says it is: an energy-saving LED bulb with integrated Bluetooth speakers. The bulb itself uses 16 LEDs and consumes 5W to give off a luminous flux of 200 LM. The speakers are rated Class D and the Bluetooth technology is compatible not just with Android and iOS but also with Windows OS, though Archos doesn't say whether it's Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8. Perhaps a bit more peculiar is the Archos Music Beany, described as a "plush beany that combines the benefits of a headphone with the style and comfort of a traditional beany." It also uses Bluetooth so its compatibility is largely the same as the Music Light.


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The Weather Station costs around ₤99 ($164), the Music Light ₤49 ($81), and the Music Beanie has a price tag of ₤29 ($48). All three will launch in September and will be making their public debut at IFA 2014 in Berlin.


SOURCE: Archos


Archos Platinum smartphones and Oxygen tablet revealed

IFA 2014 is almost upon us and Archos wants everyone to know that it will also be there. To stay ahead of the spotlight-grabbing flood of announcements that will take place next week, it is unveiling ahead of time its new batch of budget-friendly Android devices, including two new smartphones from its Platinum line and a shiny 10.1-inch Oxygen tablet.



The Platinum series is Archos' new venture into a more colorful but still affordable line of Android smartphones. It is advertised to have a blazing fast CPU, which in Archos' world means a 1.3 GHz quad-core Mediatek MT6582. Curiously, the manufacturer has placed only 512 MB of RAM in here, sure to be the bottle neck of the whole device. The 50b, which is the standard bearer of the line, has a display that spans 5.0 inches but only sports a 960x540 qHD resolution. Another curiousity is the cameras, which are interestingly decent at 8 megapixels and 2 megapixels for the rear and the front, respectively. All of these powered by a measly 1,900 mAh battery.


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Archos will be bundling quite a lot with the 50b Platinum, including 2 colored back cases, 1 crystal case, and an 8 GB microSD card. All for just ₤119, roughly $197 in the US. There is also a smaller version, the 45c Platinum. The 4.5-inch FWVGA screen plus the lack of the crystal case and microSD card in the package lets Archos push down its price to ₤99 or $164.


The Archos 101 Oxygen is the company's latest entry into the tablet world and it comes with slightly higher specs. An unnamed quad-core Cortex-A17 runs the show, which could reach up to 2 GHz in speed. There is happily at least 1.5 GB of RAM in this thing, paired with 16 GB of internal storage. The 10.1-inch display is also noted to support a 1080p resolution. Not much else has been published about this tablet aside from the ₤199 price tag, around $330. All three are scheduled to launch in September, but not before making an appearance at Archos' IFA 2014 booth next week.


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SOURCE: Archos





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