Samsung Galaxy Alpha: a mediocre metal-bound oddity?

Finally, we see Samsung finally out a handset that packs a premium metal finish – but looking at a spec line that somehow fails to overwhelm, which shows in the relative lack of fanfare building up to the launch of the much-awaited Samsung Galaxy Alpha. The premise itself is interesting – a premium looking phone, with not-so-premium specs. Let’s take a closer look.

The main processor is the Exynos 5 octa-core beast (quad 1.8Ghz + quad 1.3Ghz), which will push pixels to a 720p HD display. Compared to the full HD of the Galaxy S5, this is a step down. The processor is backstopped by 2GB of RAM, and 4K resolution video capture. An update to the launch information says that the Galaxy Alpha will be launched with a Snapdragon 801 quad-core CPU in the US.

The most notable spec on the list is the 1,860mAh battery, a full 1,000mAh lesser than the Galaxy S5. This means that you would really need the ultra-battery saving mode that is available on the Android 4.4 KitKat TouchWiz UI. And just maybe because of the metal binding around the sides of the new device, Samsung chose to forgo the microSD expansion slot. The Galaxy Alpha comes with 32GB of internal storage.

Does this point to a new design aesthetic to be followed by the Galaxy Note 4? There might be a possibility. The Galaxy Alpha is scheduled to arrive in September in variants of black, white, gold, silver and blue – although there is no word yet on the pricing. Are you impressed? Talk back to us in the comments section.

VIA: Hi-Tech.ru

Story Timeline

• Samsung Galaxy Alpha shows up at FCC, launch imminent


• New leaked photo shows Samsung Galaxy Alpha full specs


• Galaxy Alpha announced with new metal frame that you wanted

Verizon Moto S display protector leaked

Here’s more information on the “other” Motorola device coming out soon, called by some rumors by the code name “Shamu”. This device is also apparently a candidate for Google’s prestigious Nexus program – the next device on line as the Nexus 6.

On this evidence, we can see that Motorola is sticking to the Moto X design of dual front-face speakers, if you look at the gaps on the screen protector. Unlike the more rumored new iteration of the Moto X, the new Moto S, or Shamu, has lacked anything in the type of coverage and leaks that its more prestigious cousin has had.

If this is in fact Google’s Nexus 6, that lack of attention is very much unlikely. We’ve heard word that a Motorola-made Nexus device might have to wait until Lenovo completes its move to acquire Motorola. But the specs that were leaked seem formidable and equal to flagship type devices.

Google’s anticipated launch of Android L is still later into the end of the year. By that time, the Nexus 6 device might or might not be ready. That’s still a ways off, so we might be getting more information soon.

VIA: TK Tech News

Story Timeline

• Nexus 6 and 8 mentioned in Chromium code


• LG claims no Nexus 6, Android silver in pipeline


• Motorola Shamu benchmarks hint at a drool-worthy Nexus 6

Can your sweat power your phone in the future?

California researchers are on the brink of harnessing the power of human perspiration – yes, your sweat – to generate energy enough to power your electronic handheld devices. This is done, for now, through a temporary “tattoo” which has a sensor imprinted on it that could turn sweat into electrical power.

So in a sense, the more you sweat, the more energy is produced and collected. The sensor works by getting electrons from the lactate in human sweat, with a cathode that takes the said electrons for electrical energy. This system simply allows you to collect energy – albeit for now, pretty weak electricity – from sweat.

If we’re talking about the present, then the answer is undeniably – NO, we can’t yet power a handheld device from this system simply because it does not generate enough power. But in the future, when the system is bettered, and the power need of devices come down, this might actually be possible.

Dr. Wenzhao Jia, lead of the research team based in the University of California-San Diego, believes that it can be done. For reference, a regular electrical watch requires "at least 10 microWatts" to be powered. The electrodes that are in the temporary tattoo now generates around 4 microWatts. As the process is perfected, that gap might be bridged very, very soon.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Sticker art tattoo unlocks your Moto X


• Digital Tattoo can now officially unlock your Moto X


• Digital Tattoos to have more non-Moto X functions soon

New Moto X makes another benchmark appearance at GFXBench

Just around last week, we saw a new and yet previously unannounced Motorola device make an appearance at benchmarking software Geekbench. This time, we see potentially the same device appear now at the information databases of another popular benchmarking software GFXBench. With the launch of the new Moto X impending, it looks like information about the new potential flagship device is solidifying.

The device, still code-named the Motorola XT1097 – same as in Geekbench – is confirmed to have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC with the processor clocked at 2.5GHz, and an Adreno 330 graphics chip, backstopped by 2GB of RAM. The benchmarking software also detected a 13MP camera capable of recording video in 4K resolution, and a 2MP front-facing camera. This is all displayed on a 5.2-inch screen at full HD resolution. The internal storage of the device is marked at 16GB.

All things considered, the specs show a device at the level of most flagship devices, maybe slight less so. But users are still to see the actual aesthetic and design of the device. Moto X fans are known to be some of the most ardent admirers of the Motorola design, and if the leaks are any evidence, we should be treated to another effectively designed device.

So the announcement was made that Motorola will have a launch event on September 4. Is that the day that we see the new Moto X? It feels like it. It feels like we will be seeing the new device at IFA 2014 in Berlin. We are excited. That is an understatement, actually. We are very, VERY excited.

VIA: WebTrek

Story Timeline

• Moto X+1 1080p display hinted by Motorola screenshot


• Possible pre-production Moto X+1 photos leaked


• Possible new Moto X benchmarked, to launch late September

Amazon enters the mobile payment space with Local Register

As more aspects of our lives become even more digital, mobile payments might just become the next step for retail shops. Square has established itself as the leader in the market, but now online retail giant Amazon is trying to make its way to this segment by launching Amazon Local Register. The program provides a card reader and an app that will help merchants and retailers accept credit and debit card payments without having to shell out for a credit card terminal.

When you create an account on Amazon Local Register, you will purchase the card reader that will fit into the headphones jack of your smartphone. You then need to download the mobile app from Amazon Appstore or Google Play Store. Once you’ve installed both the reader and the app, you can already use it to accept payments from customers with their credit or debit cards.

If merchants sign up before the end of October 2014, each transaction will only give Amazon a special rate of 1.75% until the end of December 2015. Afterwards, the percentage will rise to 2.5%. Each card reader will cost $10 but Amazon says that they will easily recoup this since the first $10 in transactions will be credited back to the account. There are also no monthly fees, refunds or chargeback fees, and international charges. You will also not be locked in to any kind of contract.

While it seems a good deal, feedback from early customers has not been so good. If you’re already an Amazon merchant, you cannot just add the Local Register to your existing account. You need to create a different one. The app is still slow at this time, causing some delays during the transactions. The compatible smartphones are still limited, with only iPhone 4 and up, iPad and iPad mini, Samsung Galaxy S3, S4 and S5, and Kindle Fire HD and HDX working with the system. It’s still early days for the Local Register, so there will surely be more improvements moving forward.

SOURCE: Amazon

VIA: SlashGear

Popular photo editing app Afterlight now comes to Android

Afterlight is a very popular photo editing app for iPhone users, and now non-iOS users need not be envious anymore. Afterlight is finally available for Android smartphones and tablets so we can finally know what the fuss is all about. There are a gazillion photo apps out there, but it seems that this is one of the apps to beat as per those lists of “best apps for so-and-so” are concerned.

Looking at its specs and description on the app page, the number of available tools and filters is definitely something that catches attention. It boasts of 59 different filters, with 27 of them fully adjustable, 14 of them from Instagram users that were asked to specifically create special filters for the app, and 18 different ones included in the new Season filters package. It also has 66 kinds of textures, which includes some that were created using 35mm film and instant film together with light leaks, both real and natural.

The app also includes 128 frames that are compatible with Instagram and have varied custom shapes and sizes. Some of the wallpapers are in fact, hand-drawn, giving it the look of actual works of art. You also have the option of using 15 kinds of adjustment tools in case you’re not satisfied with the picture you took. Of course, the social sharing part of the app is simple, and users can even be featured on Afterlight’s official Instagram account by hashtagging their photos with #afterlight.

Of course an app this nice would have to come with a price tag right? But don’t worry, you just have to shell out $0.99 to have all these features on your Android device. You can buy Afterlight from the Google Play Store and filter and edit your photos away.

SOURCE: Afterlight

Freakbox is a set-top box that runs on Android 4.4

As long as the proliferation of media on the intarwebs continues, many companies will think that a standalone set-top digital media player is a viable market. The Freakbox continues in the tradition of Popcorn Hour and Roku, a set-top media player that can do just about anything an Android device can do.

For now, let’s look at the innards – the Freakbox features a Rockchip RK3188, or in practical a quad-core processor that runs at 1.6GHz. There is ample RAM at 2GB, and a Mali 400 graphics chip. There is enough internal storage, either 8GB or 16GB, which can be expanded by 32GB via microSD. All of these run on an Android 4.4 KitKat OS.

As you can see, it’s one small box that has a lot of potential. Users have an HDMI out port to work with, plus the standard 3.5mm audio port or an S/PDIF out. There is a raft of connectivity choices – you can go WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, or the standard Ethernet port.

Lastly, there are three USB ports – we hope at least one of those is a USB 3.0 port, but we’re not holding our breath on that one. If this interests you, you are able to pre-order the device at this point in time. Ship date is reportedly sometime in September.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Roku app update enables streaming from smartphones to TVs


• Chromecast or Roku? Let the dongle wars begin!


• AllCast adds subtitles for Chromecast and Roku playback fixes