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SuperTooth offers affordable multiroom speaker system

Putting up multiple speakers in various parts of your home (or even room) can be quite an expensive dream. With brands like Sonos offering high quality speakers but also at high quality price, is there room for competitors that can offer both quality and save users a few bucks? SuperTooth is hoping that the answer to that is yes as they unveil their newest offering at CES 2015.



Simply called the Multiroom System, SuperTooth offers users three zones and a maximum of five speakers using Bluetooth connection as well as its own proprietary radio connection. And instead of streaming through whatever music provider you use on your smartphone or tablet, it simply pipes in the audio directly from your device to the speakers. This offers flexibility for your music listening pleasure as you are not tied down to just streaming from services, it just pushes the audio out to the speakers, kind of like how the wired speakers functioned before.


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However, there are also limitations to this system. You can only use a maximum of five speakers so if you have a bigger home and you feel the need to blast music all over, you would probably have to buy another system for it. The companion app is also a bit basic, but functional enough to control both individual speakers and the entire system as a group.


But the major selling point of SuperTouch's Multiroom System is its price. For just $299, you get a three speaker set and for $480, you get the entire five speaker system. Compare it to rival Sono's ecosystem at $200 with just a single zone, then it's already a great deal. It is expected to go on sale by the second quarter of this year.


VIA: SlashGear


Say goodbye to tangles with Active Wrap Headphones [DEALS]

Next to terrible audio output, tangled earphone wires can totally ruin the mood and experience of an otherwise beautiful and perhaps beautifully timed track. If you find yourself wrestling with wires more than actually listening to the tunes that come out from them, then the SPBEAT9 Active Wrap Headphones might be heaven sent for you. And at a sweet 51 percent discount from Android Community Deals, you might very well feel like floating in audio heaven while your feet hit the pavement.



Like any Bluetooth powered headset, the SPBEAT9 eschews the wires for the sake of maximum portability and comfort. But make no mistake, that doesn't mean that the headphones aren't up to task when it comes to audio quality. The high-quality sound and built-in noise cancellation technology ensure that you hear the best of your music, no matter when and where you are. And you no longer have to worry about wires getting snagged in places and ending up with a very pained ear.


And like many Bluetooth powered headsets, it isn't just for listening only. With a built-in microphone, the SPBEAT9 can be used for talking just as well. It can last 10 hours of this activity, while continuous music playback only lasts a good 8 hours. The headphones are compatible with almost all Bluetooth devices, so even if you're not using an Android device, you're still covered.



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The downside? The SPBEAT9 Active Wrap Headphones only throws out mono audio, which might be a deal breaker for some. And it also comes only in black, though they say that black goes with almost anything. At only $24, which is a 51 percent discount from its regular $49 price tag, those limitations might very well be forgettable if not forgivable. Get the Active Wrap Headphones from Android Community Deals now!


Android Community Deals is brought to you in cooperation with StackSocial. Generated revenue helps fund this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial and are not representative of the opinions of the Android Community staff.


Seagate rolls out personal cloud storage devices, portable wireless drive at CES 2015

One of the many leaders in their respective industries, Seagate, has introduce new storage products: the Seagate Personal Cloud, Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay, and the Seagate Wireless 500GB portable wireless drive. All three storage devices function to store all your favorite and most important files. Cloud storage is becoming more popular these days not only because it is more accessible and convenient but because they are now widely being used by most people. No need for wires and cables because you can save your files to a special location wirelessly.



All three Seagate storage products are ideal for home use. You can set up your owner personal cloud right at home. Sure, you can subscribe to any online cloud storage service but having your own personal server at home is better for your peace of mind. The two Seagate Personal Cloud drives can stream any content to tablets, smartphones, computers, TVs, and set-top boxes with the help of the Seagate Media application. You can use either of the two to act as a central backup device for your gadgets from USB drives to computers, and Android or iOS mobile devices.


The Seagate Personal Cloud is easy to setup and access. Simply connect the storage device to a wireless router, download the Seagate Media app, and then start browsing and accessing your files to stream to your choice of device that are included in Seagate's list of supported products: LG Smart TVs, Samsung Smart TVs and Blu-ray players, streaming media players (Apple TV,Chromecast, Roku), and iOS/Android/Kindle/and Windows 8/RT-powered. You may also choose to set up automatic and direct backup to several online cloud services like Yandex.Disk, HiDrive, Google Drive, Baidu, Dropbox, Box, and Amazon S3.


The Personal Cloud 2-bay device works the same way except it comes with a pair of internal drives. The storage device stores all files not just on one drive but on two drives so in case of disk failure, you'll have an automatic backup.


Seagate 500gb portable wireless drive

Another product is the Seagate Wireless 500GB portable wireless drive. It offers streaming and easy offloading of files from mobile devices. No need to worry about running out of storage space on your mobile device because you can easily transfer your photos and videos onto the Seagate wireless drive. Just like the first two cloud storage devices, this wireless drive allows streaming to most smartphones, Android tablets, iOS devices, Windows 8 computers, Windows RT tablets, and Kindle Fire.


Seagate Personal Cloud will be ready in 3TB, 4TB, and 5TB storage capacities while the Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay will be out in 4TB, 6TB and 8TB capacities. TheSeagate Wireless will be available from Amazon, Best Buy and Seagate.com with a $129.99 price tag.




SOURCE: Seagate 1,2





ZTE continues push for US entry-level market with Imperial II

A lesser known fact about ZTE is that it is in fact the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer in the US market, mostly due to its entry level phones in the off-contract market. The China-based smartphone manufacturer now looks to consolidate its market share with the Imperial II smartphone, an entry-level device LTE-capable device.



First up, the Imperial II is an obvious improvement on its 2013 predecessor the ZTE Imperial – now sporting a bigger 5-inch screen. It’s understandable, however, that ZTE is not able to make this an HD display (only 960x540 max resolution, qHD) as the manufacturer had to skimp somewhere to keep the device cheap enough.


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It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2GHz quad-core processor, probably a Snapdragon 400 SoC, supported by 1GB of RAM. It will have 8GB internal storage, will run on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat, and have a 2,300mAh battery.


This entry-level device will be available for USD$100 off contract. If you can’t pony up that kind of money, then you can take it free on contract. If you need a basic LTE-connected phone, this might be the device for you.


SOURCE: Business Wire





Xiaomi launches Redmi 2, an improved entry-level smartphone

Usually, it is Xiaomi’s flagship devices that get all the attention – as well they should. But if we’re going to be straight about it, it was the Redmi – the Chinese manufacturer’s budget phone – that accounted for most of their per unit sales last year. Now Xiaomi is back with a better, much improved Redmi 2.



The new Redmi 2 does not depart much from the design and specs that made its predecessor so successful – and in fact improves heavily on it. There’s the 4.7-inch HD display (720p) that is still the same, but this is now powered by a spanking new 64-bit enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor, supported by 1GB RAM. It retains 8GB internal storage and has an 8MP/2MP camera combo.


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The Redmi 2 also gives users a few more color choices this year, aside from the white and the red – it now has models in powder yellow and lime green. The phone has dual 4G capability, which means it takes in 2 SIM cards and both are capable for 4G data connections (Cat4 LTE). The phone also carries 2,200mAh battery.


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The Redmi 2 runs MIUI 6, Xiaomi's version of Android. The pricing will be around USD$115, when it is released for sale on January 9 in China. Eventually, the Redmi 2 should make it to Xiaomi’s overseas markets as well. So how about this? Do you like it?


SOURCE: Xiaomi





Activite Pop is an affordable health watch to track activities

If you don't feel the need to own one of the new (or older) smartwatches currently available in the market but would like to track your health-related activities, your best bet would be a health watch. One of the more trustworthy brands out there is Withings' Activite. But if the $450 price tag is a bit steep for you, they've recently announced a more affordable line of health watches called Activite Pop.



At first look, it looks like any other stylish but simple analog watch but do not be fooled. Just like the original Activite, it will measure what you've been able to achieve for your activity goals, and it will show in the smaller dial on your watchface. It will also monitor your sleep patterns and if you need to not sleep anymore, you can set up the alarm and it will vibrate to wake you up. You don't even need to charge your wearable as it runs on a standard watch battery that can last up to 8 months.


Activite Pop comes in three colors: Azure, Shark Grey, and Sand. It doesn't look cheap at all and even looks a bit stylish, especially compared to the chunkier and heavier health watches out there. Withings was able to make production cost cheaper (and therefore retail price lower) by using silicone for the strap and applying PVD coating to the watchface. And since this is something which may occasionally come in touch with water and sweat, it has 30 meters of water resistance.


The health watch is expected to hit online and retail stores, specifically Best Buy, by March. The Activite Pop is priced at $150, which Withings expects to bring in more customers who do not feel like shelling out $450 for the regular Activite. If you want to be the one of the earliest to have these, bestbuy.com will reportedly be offering limited quantities for sale by January 5.


VIA: SlashGear


ZTE launches WiFi-only version of portable wireless projector

At CES last year, ZTE displayed a curious gadget that was a combination of a WiFi hotspot and a portable video projector. That device got launched in July 2014 as the ZTE LivePRO. Early this year, we’re seeing a new device along these lines – mostly the same functions but without the hotspot capability – and ZTE is calling it the ZTE SPRO, a portable WiFi-connected Android-based wireless projector.



The ZTE SPRO is an interesting take on Android, mainly because it leverages on the capabilities of the platform and applies to a traditionally wired device like a projector. The SPRO provides 100 lumens of portable projector functionality, and because it is WiFi connected and Android-powered, you can project content straight from your favorite apps.




The device runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, powered by a 1.2Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual core processor, supported by 1GB of RAM. There’s a 4-inch display where you can interact with Android and the device’s projector functions. You can also project directly from a USB drive via the USB port, and the standard way from your laptop’s HDMI port.



ZTE-Spro



The device has 5,000mAh of battery power, and you can use it as a power bank as well if you’re running low on juice and there isn’t a power outlet in sight. The device also has Bluetooth connectivity, and there’s a microSD slot for more storage input options. The ZTE SPRO is available right now for pre-order via the manufacturer’s website for USD$399. And if you check ZTE’s booth at CES 2015, you might just get a chance to see this up close.


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SOURCE: ZTE





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