Going into Google's big developer conference, one of the biggest questions was whether or not we would see a whole new version—the "L" version—of Android. The answer is yes, and it comes from Android frontman Sundar Pichai via Bloomberg Businessweek.
FireChat, the elegant mesh networking app that lets you talk to you friends without an internet connection, just got even better. While you've been able to use the app on iOS and Android devices separately for months, a new version of the app lets you cross the platforms. It sounds pretty neat!
Nokia has just announced an update to its first Android handset . The X2 is brightly colored, cheerfully specced, cheap—and even accepts dual SIMs.
Unless you meant to go to the farthest area of the earth to have a retreat, chances are, wherever you go, you’d want to always be connected. But not all places in the world are equipped with a strong 3G or LTE signal. That’s where this newest gizmo called Sat-Fi comes in, as it says it can connect your device to both cellular and web data wherever you are in the world.
Globalstar, the creator of this magical box, says they are using an unnamed satellite to give its users unfettered access to the Internet and to cellular connections as well. So whether you are doing a medical mission in the jungle, or taking that well-deserved vacation in a remote fishing village, as long as you have the Sat-Fi, they say you will never be disconnected.
It can connect up to eight devices and is reportedly easy to set-up and use. You don’t need a highly techie person to install it for you and within minutes of turning it on, you’ll be able to make calls, send SMS, get on the Internet and do whatever it is you normally do on your smartphone or tablet.
However, things like this don’t come cheaply of course. The unit itself costs around $999 and on top of that, you need to pay a monthly fee of as low as $39.99 for the basic airtime plans and as much as $149.99 for unlimited voice calls and data, the latter of which is even more important for some people. Considering the cost, it is not something built for personal use, but rather, it will be rolled out to small businesses and other jobs that would require people to go far and dirty.
VIA: Slashgear
Continuing its tradition of providing budget devices with budget specs in the US, Hisense has announced its latest tablet. The Hisense Sero 8 builds on its Sero 7 predecessor by stretching the display up to 8 inches and upgrading the hardware just a tiny bit without stretching the price tag as well.
The Sero 8 will not probably win any awards and will probably have a tough time competing in the budget tablet market. Needless to say, it is still a viable option when budget is a bit tight. The 8-inch screen does come a tad close to Apple's preferred sweet spot, but definitely don't expect any retina treatment hear. As for raw power, the tablet will not be racing with the top end but probably won't leave you in the dust either, with a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, a decent 1 GB serving of RAM, and 16 GB of internal storage, expandable with an SD card but sadly only up to 32 GB.
Hisense bills the tablet as a multimedia device, though the 1280x800 HD resolution might leave some a bit wanting in today's Full HD age. The manufacturer is, however, touting its PureColor Reproduction technology that is advertised to show off vibrant colors. Speaker grills seem to be located not at the front, which again calls into question this device's supposed media character. The 5 megapixel rear camera and 2 megapixel front shooter do make for a decent tag team. For wireless connectivity, the tablet makes use of WiFI and Bluetooth, the latter of which sadly only supports version 3.0 of the standard. Fortunately, not only does it run Android 4.4, it is also Google-certified so you have Google Play Store and its app selection here. Hisense has also added a custom remote control app that makes this tablet a perfect partner for one of those new Hisense H6 TVs launched last May.
As to the price, Hisense will not disappoint. For all those rather standard features, you can get a Hisense Sero 6 for only $129. If this device has in any way gotten you interested, you can head over to Walmart outlets, as the tablet will only be available for purchase from there.
If the perforated, notoriously teased as "band aid", back cover of the Galaxy S5 isn't your thing, then you might be able to get that changed. But only if you're in Korea buying a Galaxy S5 LTE-A from carrier KT, as this new limited Special Edition promo requires.
Last week, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S5 LTE-A bearing specs that were reminiscent of the Galaxy F/S5 Prime rumors. However, the Korean manufacturer disappointed many fans by limiting the device's availability to the Korean market. Perhaps to add insult to injury, Samsung has partnered with Korean carrier KT to introduce a very limited special edition that sort of fixes one of the most ridiculed design decision for Samsung's flagship.
This KT exclusive model swaps out the dimpled back cover in exchange for one that has diamond-shaped patterns. It still looks a bit peculiar, especially from a distance, but not as much as the normal Galaxy S5. Especially when you consider that there are only two color options of black and white available for this special edition, further distancing the smartphone from the band-aid association. Other than that, you get the same premium features revealed in the Galaxy S5 LTE-A, such as the 5.1-inch WQHD screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, and 3 GB of RAM.
KT is also offering something special for early buyers of this special edition. The first few who will avail of this promo will get a 9,900 KRW discount off their purchase of the Samsung Gear Fit. That amounts to almost $10 off Samsung's smart fitness band. On the other hand, the Galaxy S5 LTE-A Special Edition itself will cost 940,500 KRW, roughly $925 converted.
LG's premium flagship, which has unsurprisingly enjoyed popularity and good sales in Korea, will soon be launching in other parts of the globe. The LG G3 will first make its stop in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines starting this Friday, before heading out to the rest of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East sometime in July.
The LG G3 is definitely not only an eye-catcher, with the stylish "faux" brushed metal back cover and rear control buttons. It is also a smartphone that is worth drooling over in both hardware and software, the latter if you especially favor less modified Android versions. It is actually no wonder that LG has reported selling 100,000 units in Korea during its first week in the market. Now the company is hoping that the same enthusiasm, and of course sales, will be replicated in these upcoming markets.
For Europe and Asia, LG is advertising the fact that the LG G3 will be featuring wireless charging capabilities. We do wonder whether that means that other markets, like the US, will not be entitled to that nice feature. The smartphone is compatible with the Qi wireless charging standard, and so compatible with many charging plates already out there in the market. But of course, LG would prefer if you buy its own "stand-type" charger, which admittedly is a bit unique in the sense that it won't require your phone to lie horizontally flat. Slightly contrived video ad located below.
LG has not yet revealed when the G3 will hit US markets, though some carriers have pointed to a late June launch, which is becoming later and later by the day. Pricing details are also still up in the air, and the company says that those will be revealed in local markets when they launch.
SOURCE: LG