Subscribe:

Ads 468x60px

Labels

Galaxy Note 4 pre-orders kick off in China and the UK

If you have been counting the days until you can get your hands on the new Galaxy Note 4, we have some good news today. The Galaxy Note 4 is now up for pre-order for fans of the smartphone in China and the UK. If you want one of these on launch day, you really need to pre-order, as they will likely be hard to get for a while.



In the UK, pre-orders are underway at Clover and in China JD is taking pre-orders right now. The Note 4 is one of the most powerful smartphones in recent memory. This week DisplayMate tested the OELD screen of the smartphone and found it to be the best performing screen ever tested in several categories.


Clover is taking pre-orders in the UK with the Note 4 selling for ₤479.17 or ₤575 with VAT. Orders are expected to ship on October 13. In China, JD is asking 5,199 RMB with pre-orders ending September 25. JD notes that sales will start on September 26, which would indicate the global launch is happening then.


If you have somehow missed the Galaxy Note 4, it features a 5.7-inch screen and an Exynos 5433 processor. The smartphone is also going to have one of the coolest accessories out there with the Gear VR headset.


SOURCE: SlashGear





Microsoft has Universal Mobile Keyboard for your mobile devices

If you are like most people in this mobile generation, you almost always have a smartphone, a tablet and a laptop with you whenever you’re traveling or just moving from one meeting to another. The problem sometimes is that you want to use both your smartphone and tablet as more than just a device that you slide or swipe through, but like you would a regular laptop or desktop. Microsoft is proposing a solution to that with its new Universal Mobile Keyboard.



Yes, it’s not a virtual keyboard but an actual one where you can dock your device, whether the platform is Android, Windows or iOS. With its protective case, you can lug it in your bag and anywhere you want. As soon as you remove the cover, it automatically turns on and off it goes when you shut down the cover. It connects with your device through Bluetooth and has an integrated, detachable stand so you can choose where you place your device while typing.


So this means, if you’re at an airport and you suddenly have to answer the email of your boss, but it’s too lengthy to just rely on your smartphone, you can whip out the universal keyboard and type out your email just like you would on your desktop. Or if you need to revise a presentation you’ll be giving, but it’s saved on your tablet, again, you can just use your spanking new keyboard to make those changes.


microsoft-universal-mobile-keyboard01 microsoft-universal-mobile-keyboard04 microsoft-universal-mobile-keyboard06 microsoft-universal-mobile-keyboard05 microsoft-universal-mobile-keyboard03


You have to wait a few more weeks to get yourself one of these though, as it will be available starting October this year. The SRP for the Universal Mobile Keyboard at the Microsoft Store and other retailers is $79.95.




SOURCE: Microsoft


Motorola releases three new Moto X ads on YouTube

In a series of new ads, Motorola is showing of the next-generation Moto X. Three new videos were uploaded on Motorola’s Motorola Mobility channel on YouTube, showcasing what Moto X’s “Pure style and Pure performance” is all about.



The first video is a short one, showing us the power of Moto Assist. According to Motorola, the Moto X adapts to you anywhere, whether at home, in the car, or at work. It allows for a more hands-free use of the phone, enabling the phone owner to respond to calls, texts, or messages without typing on the screen.




Motorola showcases the wonders of the Moto Voice in the next video. It’s one feature of the new smartphone that allows more control over the device through spoken commands. The video gives us a glimpse of how the Moto X can follow voice commands with the Moto Voice feature. This seems to be smarter than Android’s native Google Now or at least that’s how Motorola wants to tell us.


Greet the phone and it will tell you your schedule. Once you get inside a car, the Moto X will read you text messages and even respond to them. For the Facebook addicts, a simple voice command will post status update on the social network.




Impressing Android fans is the hand-gesture capabilities of the Moto X. The next video here demonstrates how a simple twist of your wrist will capture the moment, in not just one shot but a few takes so you can choose which one is best.




Motorola’s latest ads for the 2nd-generation Moto X clearly tell us what to expect from the smartphone. We don’t know if Motorola will release these short commercials on TV but the company could hope that these go viral and see many hits.


SOURCE: Motorola Mobility YouTube Channel





ZTE ZMAX phablet is a T-Mobile “Un-carrier” exclusive

ZTE has outed yet another one of its budget-friendly Android smartphones, but this time it's partnering with T-Mobile for an exclusive deal. The ZMAX Phablet is big in name and big in size, but it shouldn't be surprising that the smartphone will come up short when it comes to internals.



The ZTE ZMAX boasts of a large 5.7-inch screen, almost the same size as the Galaxy Note 3, for example. Unfortunately, it is only capable of displaying a maximum of 1280x720 pixels, which is just about enough for HD videos. The device is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU, thankfully a Snapdragon 400. The RAM size isn't mentioned but it's safe to presume it'd be 1 GB at least. Internal storage is capped at 16 GB. There is a microSD card slot, but it is only capable of holding up to 32 GB more.


There are some notable details about the ZMAX. The battery is a large 3400 mAh one, which promises an average of 2 days on a single charge. It is LTE-capable so Internet won't be a problem. While the front camera is only 1.6 megapixels, the back sports a somewhat acceptable 8 megapixel shooter. It runs an almost vanilla version of Android 4.4, so OEM bloatware won't be a concern. Carrier bloat, however, might be. And lastly, the smartphone is designed with a smooth curved back, straight corners, and a semi-matte black finish that won't make it look cheap.


The ZTE ZMAX phablet will be available from T-Mobile starting September 24. With a two-year contract and $0 down, it will cost $10.50 a month. Those who don't want a T-Mobile branded device might want to wait for the MetroPCS version coming later this year. No price tag on that one yet.


SOURCE: ZTE





Pre-order period starts for Moto X, G, 360 and Hint

If you're in the market for a well-rounded, almost-vanilla Android device, now might be a good time to put in your money for a new Motorola smartphone or wearable. The company has now opened up its website for pre-orders for its latest generation of the Moto X and Moto G smartphones, the Moto 360 smarwatch, and the very talented Moto Hint earbud.



Though a bit delayed, Motorola's refresh of its Moto line was definitely worth the wait when it finally unveiled them at IFA 2014. The New Moto X takes everything that we have admired and drooled over on the previous Moto X and have taken things up a notch, with improved hardware (though slightly questionable display choice), and enhanced Moto software features, all the while staying inside the "pure" Android experience that the OEM has been committed to. The New Moto G is also a notable step up for the affordable beast. Again, the now larger display might leave a bit of a question mark, but you might forget that once you notice that the smartphone now sports dual front facing speakers and, defying Google's inclinations, a microSD card. And while it definitely won't be able to stand up to the Moto X in terms of features, it does carry its own load that gives a lot of power to the user without bumping up the price.


Much hyped, much awaited, and now finally here, the Moto 360 was supposedly the first round Android Wear smartwatch to hit the market. But while the LG G Watch R has stolen that title, the Moto 360 has the advantage of design, a smaller size, and wireless charging. But that's only the hardware, as the software side of the equation rests totally in the hands of Google's Android Wear, and that aspect might still need a bit of growing up to do. The Moto Hint was a very welcome surprise. We were teased a Bluetooth mono earpiece and we got one that could almost qualify as a wearable. Integrating nicely with Moto Voice but still usable with the likes of Siri or Cortana, the Hint takes hands-free voice-enabled smartphone operation to a new level. With Infrared senors that can tell whether its worn or not and a touchpad for those instances when you need a tap, the Moto Hint makes a perfect companion for the Moto X, wrapped in a stylish and a less conspicuous package. The only downside? Motorola has hinted at a two-piece stereo version in the future, which could deter potential buyers from jumping in right now.


The Moto Hint carries a price tag of $149.99. The Moto 360, which can also be bought from Google Play, comes at $249.99. The Moto G arrives with a $179.99 price tag and can be purchased as either a US GSM model or an international one. The Moto X, of course, is always special, as it is available via Moto Maker. You can build your own personalized smartphone, starting at $499.99 for the 16 GB model. Throw in $25 more and you can pick your choice of back cover, which now includes a selection of leathers in addition to wood.


SOURCE: Motorola





Shazam update makes it easier to purchase music on Google Play

Most people have probably heard of Shazam before. Shazam is an app that you can install on your Android device that makes it easy to identify music and TV programs in seconds. If you hear a track on the radio you like but you aren’t sure what the song is called or who the artist singing is, Shazam is the app you want to identify the music.



Shazam has been updated this week with a feature that makes it easier to buy the music you have identified. After letting the app listen to the music you want to identify, a new link has been added to make it easy to buy that music.


That link will take users directly to Google Play to purchase the music. You can also now stream more than 25 million different songs you might identify using a Google Play Music All Access subscription. If you don’t subscribe to All Access music, you can try out the new streaming feature with a 30-day trial.


The Android app has the new Google Play button at the top that users can click right now. The addition of the link to buy or listen to music discovered using Shazam is the only noted update to the app this time out. The latest version of the app varies with the device, as does the size of the app.


SOURCE: Shazam





Bose unveils ‘colorful’ Bluetooth speakers, on-ear headset

Bose, known worldwide as very competent audio device manufacturers, have been on a roll in terms of launching products lately. This time they took the wraps off the Soundlink Color speakers which seems to be their most affordable Bluetooth speaker yet. They are launching that together with the Soundlink On-ear Bluetooth headphones, their first try at on-ear Bluetooth headsets.



The Soundlink Color Bluetooth speakers will appeal to the trendy in you, not to mention that they are heck affordable at USD$129.95. They will give you 8 hours of audio time, and charges full in 3 hours. Bose has been in the speaker business for a while now, so expect this to be at least decent in loudness and clarity. The Soundlink Color speakers also “remember” the last 8 Bluetooth devices you connected to it – which is a very convenient feature. Also, they come in multiple colors, yey!


bose color


As for the Soundlink On-ear Bluetooth Headset – it’s worth noting that this is the company’s first time they are putting out an on-ear wireless headset, so it will be interesting how this turns out. The pricing is a bit expected at USD$249.95, and for that price you can expect what Bose has been known for in quality of audio.


bose on-ear


The Bluetooth headset is reportedly flaunting a new technology which Bose calls “Adaptive Audio Adjustment”. It basically changes call and microphone volume based on the user’s speech level and ambient noise. This way, you get to hear less of the environment and more of the user. Tech like this is usually double-edged, and it boils down to the execution if it will ultimately be buggy or awesome. If you try these out, give us a comment below on how you like it.


SOURCE: BOSE





Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)