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Verizon offers more data plan options for prepaid subscribers

For those mobile users who don't want to be locked to one carrier for the usual two-year period, a prepaid subscription is a must have as it allows you to be more flexible and customizable. If you're still looking as to which carrier you should choose, Verizon Wireless is offering new and more options for its prepaid subscribers, particularly when it comes to its data plans, which, let's admit it, is practically what most people care about now.



If you already have their $45 prepaid monthly smartphone plan, you will now get not just 500MB of data, but they have doubled it to 1GB already, as the previous one is really too low, considering how people use their devices nowadays. If you want to get 500MB more without paying any extra, you can enroll your account in the Auto Pay system and you'll receive the additional data for free. The $45 plan also includes Unlimited Talk and Text, plus if you have family or friends in Mexico and Canada, you also get unlimited text but an additional $10 to the plan for International Long Distance capabilities.


Another new offer from Verizon is that you'll be able to carry over the data that you haven't consumed onto the next month. But you would need to actually use it before the 90 day expiration is up, for the $10 and $20 data plan while you just have 60 days for the $5 data plan. The $5 plan gives you 500MB, the $10 has 1GB, and the $20 has 3GB of data.


They also have new smartphones you can choose from for the prepaid data plans, including the HTC Desire 612 or the LG Transpyre. But if you're already happy with your current smartphone, you can just use it. If you have a 4G LTE smartphone or it is XLTE ready, they claim that you'll be able to get "faster peak speeds and greater network capacity."


SOURCE: Verizon


LibreOffice Viewer arrives on Android in beta form

Another productivity suite comes to Android, this time with a more open source bent and with a distinctive legacy. The open source LibreOffice suite is finally on our favorite mobile platform, but it has two important caveats. First is that it's still in beta, which probably isn't much of an issue for some who are used to beta testing such early releases. The showstopper, however, is that LibreOffice on Android, for now, is simply a document viewer, limiting it's overall usefulness to a certain subset.



LibreOffice has a rather colorful history. It takes its roots from OpenOffice.org, one of the most prominent office suites that became a key rival to Microsoft Office when it came to freely available and open source software. At that time, OpenOffice was still under the care of Sun Microsystems. But when Sun was acquired by Oracle, many were worried about the latter's anti-open source stance, leading them to fork OpenOffice into the LibreOffice that we know today.


Despite being popular on desktops, LibreOffice still had to make headway into Android, where the space is growing more crowded, especially now that Microsoft is playing there as well. That said, those who still prefer an open source solution now have one in their hands and pockets. The somewhat disappointing part is that LibreOffice on Android is only a viewer, so users are limited to opening documents and files, though that in itself might already be useful in presentations or meetings. Even as a viewer, the app is already quite capable, supporting both open and proprietary document formats and many editions of Microsoft Office files.


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The app also carries a heavy disclaimer that it is still in development and shouldn't be considered stable yet and its developers don't recommend using it for very important tasks. The app also does have some other limitations that developer Collabora is hoping to address in future releases, including clickable URL links and browsing external SD storage.


Download: LibreOffice from Google Play Store

SOURCE Collabora


Samsung Galaxy S6 probably not waterproof

Samsung's widely-anticipated flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S6, would most likely make its worldwide debut at the Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona, Spain this coming March 2. In that sense, all you Samsung fans should be pumped up at seeing the new phone, but some rumors are coming today that might dampen the mood -- word has gone out that Samsung’s newest smartphone might not be waterproof as earlier expected.



Samsung is still rumored to be at a point where it is choosing what the final version and appearance of the Galaxy S6 would be like -- jury's still out. Tech pundits are at least agreeing on the same rumor that Samsung has apparently developed multiple prototypes of the Galaxy S6 and is yet to make up its mind on the one to be released. Some features thrown about are the much-hyped metallic casing, an edged screen with a menu bar on one or both edges (a la Galaxy Note Edge), or a new take on the traditional smartphone screen layout. Making the Galaxy S6 slimmer with finer edges also seems to be the current design rumor for the yet-to-be revealed device.


Early returns from industry leaks seem to confirm, however, the news that Samsung will not push through with a waterproof Samsung Galaxy S6 -- or S6 Edge, if there will be one. The company appears to be setting this characteristic aside in favor of the Galaxy S6 Active variant in order to offer a wider array of choices for finicky smartphone users. Sources in Korean media also say that the Galaxy S6 Active will be designed separately and differently from the base S6 model.


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A waterproof Galaxy S6 seemed to be the logical step towards improving on the similarly water-resistant Galaxy S5, but industry sources say that unfortunately, this might not be what's meant to be. The reason behind this rumor appears to be that Samsung is striving to lower production costs in order to raise profit margins, together with offering a more diverse portfolio. High on the rumor list is still of a thinner, more refined Galaxy S6 made of glass and metallic materials -- but the waterproof feature just might not hold water (pun seriously intended).


VIA: Webtrek.it / Chosun





HTC One M9 leak compared to One M8

This week looks like a cat fight between Samsung and HTC - with rumors being tipped left and right. The heat of the competition is seen in tech news as MWC approaches quickly. As Samsung brings on Lee Don-tae to take over Design team, we see images of the new One M9 sprouting around on the web. HTC does have some leverage with leaked photos of what could possibly be the new One M9. A picture leaked via Twitter today, comparing the current flagship One M8 to the new One M9 laying side by side.



At first you’re probably thinking - that looks exactly the same as the One M8. It probably is the same, but viewed at a different angle with some photoshop edits. If this was the new deal though, HTC has made some nice upgrades to their new flagship. This new HTC smartphone appears to keep the metal chassis, large screen, and dual rocking front speakers.


The image of the new One M9 shows a thinner border around the display screen. Next to the front facing camera is the proximity sensor which is enlarged as well. If you look closer and compare, the new dual front speakers seem to be a little more subtle and fine in terms of design.


The leaked photo of the phones side by side come from a familiar source that we recognize, but still we’re not easily convinced. As the days grow closer to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, we’re only left waiting and looking forward to see what HTC announces.


SOURCE: @Steve Hemmerstoffer


Google updates Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Chrome for Android

Some important updates coming to the most useful Google apps for Android: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Chrome 40 have just been updated. Expect more features and a few changes on the apps that are widely used today. The updates for Google Docs and the Chrome web browser will bring more convenience to the users especially when mobile. The Sheets, Slides, and Docs have gotten more editing tools so you don't just view your files on your phone or tablet. You can also edit and have some work done whenever and wherever.



New editing tools added include grouping shapes in presentations, hiding columns and rows in spreadsheets, and real-time spell-checking in documents. You may remember that Docs for Android was updated with easier sharing and editing functions. This was after the massive updates for Docs, Sheets, and Slides were released back in June.


Google Docs

Your utmost security is important so the Google Docs developers added a two-step verification functionality to the apps. Finally, you are protected from prying eyes. It's important the Google accounts are protected because anyone can easily steal your phone and gain access to your files. Google Docs now support Touch ID, at least for iOS, but Android should also be getting it soon so you can unlock files with only your fingerprint or a simple touch on the screen.


Google Sheets

For a different kind of convenience for those who have low vision or are blind, creating, editing, and sharing files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides are possible with screen-reading services like TalkBack on Android. This service makes Google Docs more accessible to everyone now. You can now also make use of screen magnification to zoom in your files.


Google Slide

Interestingly, Google's Chrome team has announced the new Chrome 40 for Android. Looks like Google is getting busier with all the app updates in line with the Android 5.0 Lollipop and Material Design elements. The latest Chrome 40 update will include several performance improvements, bug fixes, and some changes on content settings UI and page info.


Download Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Chrome 40 from the Google Play Store


Chrome 40 for Android

SOURCE: Google Drive, Chrome Releases





FreedomPop announces low cost WiFi service

FreedomPop, the free wireless internet and mobile phone service provider, is looking to bring on some new customers today by announcing their new low cost WiFi service - where customers get unlimited access to 10 million WiFi hotspots across the US, for only $5. FreedomPop started back in 2011 and began selling its first smartphones back in October 2012. The company began supporting LTE Android smartphones recently back in May 2014.



The addition of the WiFi service is new to FreedomPop. Android users will be able to get first access to these hotspots as the iPhone service app is still in development but expected to release in just a few weeks. No good news has come up for Windows phone users, as of now there are no plans, says Stephen Stokols, CEO and co-founder of FreedoPop.


It doesn’t matter who you’re signed with either. As long as you’re carrying a smartphone or tablet around and you’re on FreedomPop’s service, you’re getting the all the benefits. Once your on the plan, you can access the WiFi network via the FreedomPop app - free in Google Play Store. The app automatically connects to the hotspots once in range - without the hassle of using sign-in forms or opening up the device through settings and connecting.


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With so many hotspots just around the city, mobile consumers are spending more than they need to for data through their own wireless provider. Its inevitable that companies obligate users to buy a minimum amount of data per month. With FreedomPop’s latest access to the millions of hotspots, it would only seem economical to get a jump on their service.


SOURCE: FreedomPop

VIA: SlashGear





MetroPCS announces $50 promotional plan including unlimited data

MetroPCS is rolling out a new service plan for customers who are looking to get unlimited data. The promotion of the service plan has customers dishing out $50 per month - giving subscribers unlimited talk, text, and 4G LTE data. The promotion is followed by fine details but nothing in a sense where you would be receiving hidden charges. Simply stated, you need to sign up before April 5, own a certified metroPCS phone, and you cant BYOD (bring your own device).



To get started on the service plan, you’ll first need to own a MetroPCS certified 4G LTE smartphone. If you don’t own one, MetroPCS is launching the Samsung Galaxy Light for $49 and the LG Optimus F60 for $59 - pretty sweet deal. Both devices run Android and are eligible for the promotion. Bring your own device phones or CDMA phones won’t be eligible for this plan.


If you do plan on taking advantage of this promotion, you should sign up soon, as the carrier plans to end the promotion by April 5. After that, the plan will set you back to $60 per month. But once you sign up, the deal is locked in for good - so there won’t be any hidden charges - as the carrier says specifically.


Another perk for signing onto the promotional service is that MetroPCS is tacking on an extra 1GB of 4G LTE data for its existing customers. The carrier’s $40 plan right now includes 2GB while the $50 plan is 4GB of data. All plans include 4G LTE where available. Both plans still include unlimited talk and text and can be used with any smartphone.


VIA: TalkAndroid


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