Omate to release two new affordable circular smartwatches

It seems like affordable smartwathes is the name of the game this early in 2015 as various OEMs and manufacturers claim that they have the best "cheapest" wearable in the market. The newest one to join the fray is Omate, known for producing stylish smartwatches, and this time around they're bringing more accessible (but not really less stylish) wearables, the Roma and the Racer.

Just like its previous smartwatches, these new members of their family are powered by the ARM7 MediaTek Aster chipset, making them among the few devices running on this technology. They also carry the transflective touchscreen of the Omate Lutetia (released last year), as well as the near-circular shape. After they finished studying up on the industrial and mechanical aspects of the smartwatches, they then focused on the fashion part since Omate's stylishness is what users took notice of when they released their first wearables. The Roma seems to be Panerai-inspired while the Racer is the more sporty version of the other Omate watches.

In terms of functionality, the companion smartwatches serve as notification centers and activity trackers, with the Omate management app allowing you to enable or disable the apps that you want to be updated with. Watchfaces can be changed, interface customized, apps added, shortcuts created, etc. You don't need to install the management app on your smartwatch, just on your connected smartphone.

The Omate Racer can be preordered from January 5 to 15 and it will only cost you $99, and then $129 until January 31. No word yet on the final pricing. There are also no pricing details yet on the Omate Roma but shipping of preorders (no dates yet when it starts) will begin by the end of February 2015.

SOURCE: Omate

Story Timeline

• Omate X companion smartwatch promises a week per charge


• Omate brings Lutetia, 1st smartwatch exclusively for women

Parrot RNB6: Android Auto for everyone

For DIY-enthusiasts and those who have the ability to install their own car infotainment system, the Parrot RNB6 will be on display at CES 2015 in Las Vegas and is something we recommend you look at. Most high-end car infotainment systems end up on high-end cars as well, or are very expensive add-ons to your car purchase. Well, this will probably solve your need for an efficient Android-based car infotainment system on a not-so-high-end car.

The Parrot RNB6 is primarily based on Android 5.0 (but will carry Apple CarPlay for iOS devices as well), and it will allow your car display system to interface with your Android device via Android Auto. The Parrot RNB6 is able to function like a standard Android tablet, so the learning curve is not so steep. Installation is easy for those of you who have done this before – take out your stock stereo out and install the Parrot RNB6, connecting with standard 2-DIN plugs. If you look at the back image, you will see that the RNB6 has a gamut of optional plugs, giving your car functionality that can only be usually found in the highest-end vehicles.

The device has a 7-inch touchscreen, and it also gives you access to your vehicle's on-board diagnostics (OBD2) data – including real-time alerts, tire pressure, parking sensors, and the lot – so long as your vehicle was released after the year 1996. Pretty nifty.

Of course, you’ll be able to connect your device via Bluetooth and do your in-car phone calls or play your current jam. But suffice it to say, the Parrot RNB6 opens users to much, much, more than just being able to play music in your car. Release date is sometime this year, although there is still no word on the pricing.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Android Auto gets first batch of car maker commitments


• Google shows possible 3rd party app UI for Android Auto


• Android Auto now supports audio and messaging apps

E FUN launching “Lollipop” powered tablets at CES

Tablet specialists E FUN aren’t going to let the bigger brands have all the fun at CES this year. They’re bringing four new tablet and “2-in-1” models to the floor in Las Vegas, and all of them are powered by Android 5.0 – something that can’t be said with other entry level and mid-tier devices.

First up, their 2-in-1’s – which to us would be a netbook/tablet combo. The Nextbook Ares 11 is an 11.6-inch tablet with a detachable keyboard that allows it to double as a netbook. This device features a quad-core Intel Atom processor backstopped by 1GB RAM. It also features 64GB storage, 2MP front/ rear cameras, miniHDMI output, and a full sized USB port on the keyboard.

The Nextbook Ares 10L is of the same ilk, only that it has a smaller screen, and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad-core 1.2Ghz processor, and a smaller internal storage at 16GB. It’s also the first device that E FUN has created to be 4G LTE connected. Both 2-in-1 devices have 720p HD displays.

The Nextbook Ares 8L and 8 are basically the same device – they’re 8-inch tablets, only that the 8L has LTE connectivity. The 8L has a Snapdragon 410 processor while the latter has a MediaTek quad-core processor. Both share the same specs in RAM (1GB), internal storage (16GB), and output/expansion ports.

The 8-inch tablets will sell for USD$129 at the cheapest (Nextbook Ares 8) and USD$199 (Nextbook Ares 8L) for the LTE connected one. The 2-in-1 devices will sell at USD$229 (Nextbook Ares 10L) and USD$249 (Nextbook Ares 11) respectively. Check these Lollipop-flavored devices out at the CES 2015 floor in Las Vegas in a day or so.

SOURCE: PR News Wire

Story Timeline

• E FUN Nextbook 8-inch dual-core Jelly Bean tablet announced for $169


• E FUN 7" and 8" Nextbook Premium tablets arrive with Walmart


• E FUN outing two quad-core Nextbook tablets at CES 2014

LG G Flex 2 hands-on: G3 goodness in a curved shape

The rumors are indeed true and LG hasn't given up yet on its curved dreams. A year after the original G Flex, the Korean manufacturer is now revealing the G Flex 2 at CES 2015, with even more curves and more things to flaunt. Fans of the first curved generation might also be pleased to hear that this time around, LG isn't cutting corners. It is bringing almost everything that you can like about the G3 in this curved smartphone. Well, almost everything.

One of the biggest complaints about the first G Flex was, ironically, the display. Despite all the marketing about the benefits of a curved smartphone, the device fell a bit short in pixel count, with the large 6.0-inch screen only sporting a 720p resolution. But not only is the G Flex 2's display now smaller at 5.5 inches, it even has a higher Full HD resolution. Sadly not QHD like the G3. Combined with the P-OLED type that it has been singing about since the G Watch R, the G Flex 2 is touted to be one of the most precise and most durable LG display yet.

Inside, the G Flex 2 sports high end components, like the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, the chip maker's first octa-core and 64-bit high end SoC. Not only is this chip geared for performance, particularly of the multimedia kind, it also brings in tri-band carrier aggregation. RAM is at 2 GB, which is just sufficient, while internal storage is a bit on the low side, with 16 and 32 GB options. Luckily, the microSD card slot can hold up to 2 TB, should you happily own such a card. The G Flex 2 carries yet another feature first found in the G3: LG's new laser auto-focus system. The 13 megapixel rear camera is guided by this laser beam in order to get the best shot, no matter the lighting condition.

The back of the device still carries that now iconic LG rear button controls, but it also has a new "Spin Hairline Pattern" to give it a literally polished look. Like the G Flex before it, that back cover features self-healing properties that removes light scratches after some time. And still on the rear, LG this time made the back curve a bit less, at a 650 mm radius compared to the display's 700 mm radius curve. According to the company, this makes it easier to hold compared to its predecessor.

The LG G Flex 2 will launch first in Korea, available in Platinum Silver and Flamenco Red colors, at the end of January, with worldwide rollout to follow. Prices are still to be announced.

Story Timeline

• LG G Flex review


• LG's G Flex, one month on: the curved wonder leaves us wanting


• LG G Flex 2 tipped to launch at CES 2015


• LG prepping new G Flex 2

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.

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.

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.

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

Story Timeline

• Seagate GoFlex Satellite HDD gets Android support with app


• Seagate unveils 500GB hard drive for Android


• HTC Gallery update: cloud storage, face fusion, tagging