Skip to main content

Smartphone

See All Stories

Lenovo and Google reveal the first consumer Project Tango device is coming this summer

Screen Shot 2016-01-07 at 10.21.55 PM

At CES today, Google and Lenovo announced a partnership to bring the first consumer Project Tango device to the market. The Lenovo-made smartphone will be the first Project Tango offering that consumers will have the chance to try. Google touts that Project Tango transforms your smartphone into “a magic lens that lets you place digital information on your physical world.”


Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung’s CES 2016 press conference starts at 2 PM PT, tune in here [Livestream]

samsung-earnings

Samsung is up next for CES press day, following a very Android- and Google-heavy Huawei event. This event isn’t expected to be nearly as exciting, however, as Samsung has a wide variety of products spanning many categories to mention. Just like last year, I wouldn’t be surprised if we heard about Samsung services, some connected home products, some televisions, and maybe a new variant of a smartwatch (the Gear S2 this time, likely)…
Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Last Call: Brand new Nexus 6 $250, Samsung Galaxy Gear Live $80, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

nexus-6-product-photo

New Google Nexus 6 32GB by Motorola: $250 shipped (Reg. $350+)

gear-live

Get a fully-capable Galaxy Gear Live Android Wear smartwatch for just $80ah-huawei-nexus-6p-render-7-jpg-1200c397972-2015-09-27-16-52-02

Nexus 6P is $50 off at the Google Store with free overnight shipping

SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick

SanDisk Connect Wi-Fi iOS/Android Flash Drive: 32GB $25 (Reg. $40), 64GB $40 (Reg. $60)

gift-guide-2015

9to5Google Gift GuidesStephen, Abner, and Cam’s favorite Chrome and Android-powered products

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

philips-m2l-lightning-headphones

Headphones: Philips Over-Ears w/ Lightning Connector $199 (Reg. $240+), SoundPEATS Bluetooth Earbuds $9more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

seagate-backup-plus-5tb-desktop-external-hard-drive

Seagate Backup Plus USB 3.0 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive $115 (Orig. $180)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

pavilion-bluetooth-speaker

Hult blends copper and concrete in a stunning modern take on the Bluetooth speaker

canary-security-ios

Get Canary’s all-in-one home security system + air quality sensor for $179 (Reg. $200)

9to5Toys Last Call: Moto E for Straight Talk $20, Nova Launcher Prime $1, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

k2-_ae437ebe-7d1b-411d-8642-9f32e5b755b4.v5.jpg-04145834ca7d0e2b8ba349088da8a24e5b587d08-webp-450x450

Straight Talk Moto E XT830C Prepaid Smartphone: $20 shipped (Reg. $50) | Walmart

unnamed

Nova Launcher Prime via the Play Store is on sale for the holidays: $1 (Reg. $5) | Play Store

kindle-fire-readers

Amazon launches New Kindle Fire HD 8 ‘Reader’s Edition’ w/ better night time reading, case bundle, Kindle Unlimited subscription

gopro-cases

GoPro HERO bundles starting at $140, cases from $10, headgear from $7, more

Giveaway: SanDisk USB flash drives for iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices

gift-guide-2015

9to5Google Gift GuidesStephen, Abner, and Cam’s favorite Chrome and Android-powered products

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

leviton-t5632-w-15-amp-usb-charger

This Leviton wall outlet has a pair of powerful USB ports, get it for $17 Prime shipped (Orig. $30)

omate-rise1

The latest Omate smartwatch for iOS/Android launches on Indiegogo with instant success

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

jabra-move-ausdom-headphones

Bluetooth Headphones: Jabra MOVE On-ears $60 (Reg. $90), more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

razor-hovertrax-dlx

Razor details its new Hovertrax Smart Scooter ahead of release

anova-culinary-sous-vide

Anova Culinary updates its sous vide Precision Cooker w/ Wi-Fi  for cooking away from home

9to5Toys Lunch Break: Samsung Gear Live $80, Jabra MOVE Bluetooth Headphones $60, Quadcopter w/ HD Camera $39, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

 

gear-live

Samsung Android Wear-powered Gear Live: $80 shipped (Reg. $150) | eBay

jabra-move-ausdom-headphones

Bluetooth Headphones: AUSDOM M04 Over-Ears $30 (Reg. $43), Jabra MOVE On-ears $60 (Reg. $90), more

syma-x5c-explorers-2-4g-4ch-6-axis-gyro-rc-quadcopter-with-hd-camera

Daily Deals: 6-axis Gyro RC Quadcopter w/ HD Camera $39, Energy Bookshelf Speakers pair $100more

lg_g_watch_r_black_story

LG G Watch R Android Wear watch: $180 shipped (Reg. $290) | eBay

gift-guide-2015

9to5Google Gift Guide: Stephen, Abner, and Cam’s favorite Chrome and Android-powered products

9to5Google Gift Guide: Great Android phones at Black Friday prices

9to5Google Gift GuideThe best Chromebooks for everyone

9to5Google Gift Guide: These are the best Android wearables

9to5Google Gift GuideNovelty swag presents for the ultimate Android fan in your life

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

amaon-razor-sale-discount1

Knock out a huge chunk of your Xmas list with Razor sale at Amazon, scooters start at $14, electric ride-ons $19, go cartsmore

awkward-turtle-the-adult-party-game

Host a Christmas party that doesn’t suck with these rowdy adult board games

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/672428515074121728 align=’center’]

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

July 9th, 2012 @ 04:56:41

Free PS Plus Games for December: Far Cry 3, Gaunlet Slayer Edition, more

Free Xbox Live Gold Games for December: Thief, Adventures of Van Helsing, Sacred 3, more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

sugr-cube-speaker

Sugr Cube enters the fray of Wi-Fi speakers with touch-based controls & a myriad of sources

9to5Toys Lunch Break: LG G Pad (refurb) $65, LG G Watch $50, LG G Watch R $180, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

BuyDig.com - LG G Pad V410 AT&T Unlocked 7%22 4G LTE Wi-Fi Tablet (Refurbished Deal) 2015-12-02 15-19-07

16GB LG G Pad 7″ LTE unlocked tablet: $65 shipped (Reg. $150) | BuyDig

lg-g-watch

LG G Watch Android Wear watch: $50 shipped (Reg. $150) | A4C

lg_g_watch_r_black_story

LG G Watch R Android Wear watch: $180 shipped (Reg. $290) | eBay

gift-guide-2015

9to5Google Gift Guide: Stephen, Abner, and Cam’s favorite Chrome and Android-powered products

9to5Google Gift Guide: Great Android phones at Black Friday prices

9to5Google Gift GuideThe best Chromebooks for everyone

9to5Google Gift Guide: These are the best Android wearables

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

m-audio-keystation-61-ii-61-key-usb-midi-keyboard-controller-sale-01

Home Recording: M-Audio 61-Key MIDI Keyboard $85 (Reg. $169), more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

anker-power-cyber-monday-deals

Anker USB Power Deals: 4-port 36W Wall Charger $14 (Reg. $20), 12W Car Charger w/ Lightning Cable $10 (Reg. $14), more

July 9th, 2012 @ 04:56:41

Free PS Plus Games for December: Far Cry 3, Gaunlet Slayer Edition, more

Free Xbox Live Gold Games for December: Thief, Adventures of Van Helsing, Sacred 3, more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

screen-shot-2015-11-23-at-1-49-11-pm

Unboxing and Review: Star Wars Battlefront limited edition PS4 is out of this galaxy [Video]

Sketchy rumor suggests Huawei could manufacture a new Nexus 7 in 2016

nexus-7

The last two Nexus 7 tablets were manufactured by ASUS, but if a new sketchy rumor (originating from none other than Chinese social network Weibo) is to be believed, Huawei — maker of the well-received Nexus 6P — could be next in line. Rumors from random users on Weibo aren’t usually the most dependable source of information, but this particular user seems to have experience in IC design and has more than 34,000 followers (and, to boot, seems to have at least some internal knowledge of Huawei, Oppo, and other Chinese companies)…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung replaces its mobile president amid falling smartphone earnings and shipments

samsung-s6

Samsung today has announced that it is co-CEO and mobile division leader JK Shin is stepping down from the day-to-day operations of the smartphone portion of the company. Shin will be replaced by Dongjin Koh who will run the day-to-day operations of Samsung Mobile. Shin will stay, but without the little of president of mobile reports Bloomberg.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Alphabet’s Access unit gets profiled, reportedly getting a rebrand as Google unifies several projects

fiber_van_sanantonio

Craig Barrat was previously Google’s SVP of “access and energy,” but now he leads an Alphabet unit as CEO. That unit is called Access and Energy, and includes Google’s Fiber division as well as several other access and energy-related products (as Google’s Ruth Porat noted in its Q3 2015 earnings call). Now, thanks to an extensive profile of Access today out of Re/code, we have a little bit more of an idea of exactly which projects fall under this group…
Expand
Expanding
Close

Opinion: LG V10 is a dual-screened, tri-camera beast of a phone, but is that what you want?

lg v10

I used a Nexus 5X throughout most of October (and was very frustrated with it), but earlier this week the LG V10 showed up at my doorstep — and I just had to give it a shot for a couple weeks. Although my opinion may be skewed thanks to my less than joyful experience with the 5X, I actually found the LG V10 to be a contender for best handset I’ve used this year. It’s huge and heavy, yes, but at least for me, it’s more than feature-complete enough. And it’s especially great when you ditch LG’s software…
Expand
Expanding
Close

Nexus 6P owners on Australian Telstra now receiving OTA fix for 4G issues

ah-huawei-nexus-6p-render-7-jpg-1200c397972-2015-09-27-16-52-02

Owners of the recently-released Nexus 6P on Australian carrier Telstra have been complaining of sporadic 4G issues since the phone first launched, and now it appears (via Ausdroid) that these users are receiving an OTA update to fix these issues.

The update comes in at a solid 71.1 MB and specifically mentions improving “4G network connectivity for your Nexus 6P.” The build number is MMB29N, and the Android security patch level is still at November 1, 2015. Reports from Twitter suggest that the problems are indeed resolved.

You can download the OTA update directly from Google’s servers by clicking the link below, and info on how to install it can be found in our guide.

9to5Toys Lunch Break: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge w/ 2-year contract $1, Canon T5 (refurb) $200, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Heads up! During Black Friday/Cyber Monday you’re going to have to follow us on Twitter to get the best deals since many sell out too quickly to post.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7-Inch Tablet (16 GB): $230 shipped (Reg. $300) | Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 (7-Inch, Black): $120 shipped (Reg. $180) | Amazon 

FreedomPop-Galaxy-tab-3

7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet: w/ FreedomPop: $55 shipped (Reg. $140+) | FreedomPop

apple-holiday

Best of Black Friday — Apple: deals on iPad Air 2, iPhone 6s/Plus, Apple Watch, Macs, more!

Amazon’s Black Friday deals go live later this week w/ mobile shoppers getting extra perks

Top 5 ways to score the year’s best online Black Friday deals

10 can’t-miss deals for the holiday season: HDTVs, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6s, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

hermanmiller

Herman Miller takes rare 15% off world’s best office chairs + desks, inc. award-winning Aeron, all shipped free

BLACK FRIDAY AD LEAKS & NEWS:

google-chromecast-2

Best of Black Friday – Streaming Media Players: Apple TV 64GB $180, Roku SE $20, 2-Pack Chromecast (2nd gen) $50more

Best of Black Friday – Smart Home: Nest Thermostat $250 + $50 GC, Philips Hue kit $130

Best of Black Friday – HDTVs: 40-inch from $149, Samsung 55-inch Smart $580 (Reg. $1,200), more

Best of Black Friday – iPads, Tablets and e-readers: iPad Air 2 from $360, Amazon Fire $35 (Reg. $50)more

Best of Black Friday – Games: Xbox One/PS4 console bundles, deep discounts on games, more

Best of Black Friday – wearables: Fitbit Flex $59/Charge $90/more, $100 off Apple Watch, Android smartwatchesmore

best-buy-black-friday-ad

Best Buy’s Black Friday ad brings deals on Apple Watch, Macs, HDTVs, games & more!

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

bose-soundtrue-on-ear-headphones

Bose SoundTrue On-Ear Headphones (multiple colors): $75 shipped (Reg. $90+)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

leica-m-typ262-close

Leica introduces a new low-cost M series camera, but don’t expect bargain pricing

9to5Toys Lunch Break: USB DVD drive $20, Verizon 1GB of data free, Nexus 5 (new) $200, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Heads up! During Black Friday/Cyber Monday you’re going to have to follow us on Twitter to get the best deals since many sell out too quickly to post.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

lg-ultra-slim-portable-dvd-rewriter

Tech Components and Accessories up to 60% off: LG Ultra Slim Portable DVD Rewriter $20, much more

verizon-thanksgetting

Verizon launches its Thanksgetting freebies promotion: 1GB of data, $5 iTunes credit, more

Nexus-5-Press-Image-005-1280x874

Expansys pre-Black Friday deals: Nexus 5 $200 (Reg. $350), Chromebooks $120, more

FreedomPop-Galaxy-tab-3

7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet: w/ FreedomPop: $55 shipped (Reg. $140+) | FreedomPop

ue-boom-bluetooth-speakers

Ultimate Ears (UE) BOOM Smart Portable Bluetooth Speaker: $100 shipped (Orig. $200)

amazon-black-friday-2015

Amazon’s Black Friday deals go live later this week w/ mobile shoppers getting extra perks

Top 5 ways to score the year’s best online Black Friday deals

10 can’t-miss deals for the holiday season: HDTVs, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6s, more

 

mophie-juice-pack-reserve

Giveaway: mophie juice pack reserve battery case for iPhone 6/s (multiple winners)

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/667440584332812288 align=’center’]

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

sony-mdrxb950bt

Sony MDRX950BT Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones: $98 shipped (Reg. $150+)

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/667354257641861120 align=’center’]

BLACK FRIDAY AD LEAKS & NEWS:

google-chromecast-2

Best of Black Friday – Streaming Media Players: Apple TV 64GB $180, Roku SE $20, 2-Pack Chromecast (2nd gen) $50more

Best of Black Friday – Smart Home: Nest Thermostat $250 + $50 GC, Philips Hue kit $130

Best of Black Friday – HDTVs: 40-inch from $149, Samsung 55-inch Smart $580 (Reg. $1,200), more

Best of Black Friday – iPads, Tablets and e-readers: iPad Air 2 from $360, Amazon Fire $35 (Reg. $50)more

Best of Black Friday – Games: Xbox One/PS4 console bundles, deep discounts on games, more

Best of Black Friday – wearables: Fitbit Flex $59/Charge $90/more, $100 off Apple Watch, Android smartwatchesmore

best-buy-black-friday-ad

Best Buy’s Black Friday ad brings deals on Apple Watch, Macs, HDTVs, games & more!

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

jbl-clip-multiple-colors

Choice of JBL Clip or Micro Bluetooth Speakers in multiple colors for $25 shipped (Reg. $40)

sandisk-connect-wireless-flash-drive-1

SanDisk Connect 32GB Wi-Fi Flash Drive for iOS/Android: $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)

apple-iphone-6s

T-Mobile is discounting iPhone 6s/Plus by $100 when bought on an installment plan or outright

Huge savings on pre-owned Apple Watches, deals from as low as $261 shipped

Apple iPod Touch 5th gen 16-64GB sizes, multiple colors: $149-$199 shipped

Apple Magic Mouse 2 (open-box): $68 shipped (Reg. $80)

Apple iPad Mini 2, space gray or silver: $199 shipped ($70 off)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

cast-kickstarter

GENII’s CAST streaming box skirts copyright rules to beam your content to friends

pryme-vessyl-iphone-connected

Pryme Vessyl skips the 8-cup rule for a user specific iPhone-connected recommendation

 

PSA: Android Studio 1.5 now available in the stable channel

Android Studio 1.0

Android Studio 1.0

Last week we told you that Android Studio 1.5 became available in the beta release channel, and now Google has announced that it’s being pushed out to everyone. This release is “focused on delivering more stability,” Google says. Most of the upgrades here are under the hood.

Here’s a rundown of some of the bug fixes in this version:

  • You can now use short names when code-completing custom views
  • New memory profiler feature: detect some of the most known causes of leaked activities
  • Several new lint checks

You can check for updates within the app, or head over to the Android Studio site to grab a fresh version if you need it. Android Studio comes with the Studio IDE, the SDK tools, and the Android 6.0 platform and emulator.

9to5Toys Lunch Break: View-Master VR bundle $35, SanDisk WiFi 32GB flash drive $30, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Heads up! During Black Friday/Cyber Monday you’re going to have to follow us on Twitter to get the best deals since many sell out too quickly to post.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

view-master-virtual-reality-bonus-bundle

View-Master Virtual Reality Bonus Bundle: Starter Pack PLUS “Destinations” Experience Pack $35 shipped (Orig. $45)

sandisk-connect-wireless-flash-drive-1

SanDisk Connect 32GB Wi-Fi Flash Drive for iOS/Android: $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)

Nexus-5-Press-Image-005-1280x874

Nexus 5 32GB Black/White in new condition: $210 shipped (Reg. $350)

FreedomPop-Galaxy-tab-3

7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet: w/ FreedomPop: $60 shipped (Reg. $140+) | FreedomPop

google-chromecast-2

Best of Black Friday – Streaming Media Players: Apple TV 64GB $180, Roku SE $20, 2-Pack Chromecast (2nd gen) $50more

Best of Black Friday – HDTVs: 40-inch from $149, Samsung 55-inch Smart $580 (Reg. $1,200), more

Best of Black Friday – iPads, Tablets and e-readers: iPad Air 2 from $360, Amazon Fire $35 (Reg. $50)more

Best of Black Friday – Games: Xbox One/PS4 console bundles, deep discounts on games, more

Best of Black Friday – wearables: Fitbit Flex $59/Charge $90/more, $100 off Apple Watch, Android smartwatchesmore

mophie-juice-pack-reserve

Giveaway: mophie juice pack reserve battery case for iPhone 6/s (multiple winners)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

star-wars-battlefront-sale-01

Games/Apps: Star Wars Battlefront $50 or Battlefront PS4 bundle $330, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate $50, iOS freebiesmore

BLACK FRIDAY AD LEAKS & NEWS:

best-buy-black-friday-ad

Best Buy’s Black Friday ad brings deals on Apple Watch, Macs, HDTVs, games & more!

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

sonos-starter-set

Enjoy music anywhere in your home w/ the SONOS PLAY:1 Starter Set for $349 shipped ($400 value)

apple-iphone-6s

T-Mobile is discounting iPhone 6s/Plus by $100 when bought on an installment plan or outright

Huge savings on pre-owned Apple Watches, deals from as low as $261 shipped

Apple iPod Touch 5th gen 16-64GB sizes, multiple colors: $149-$199 shipped

Apple Magic Mouse 2 (open-box): $68 shipped (Reg. $80)

Apple iPad Mini 2, space gray or silver: $199 shipped ($70 off)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

mass-fidelity-core-speaker

Mass Fidelity tries to solve virtual stereo sound with its new Core wireless speaker

what-watch-bluetooth

What Watch uses Bluetooth connectivity to tab the memorable moments of your life

 

Huawei’s upcoming Mate 8 flagship leaked, here’s everything we know [Video]

huawei mate 8

The Mate 8 is shaping up to be the best Huawei phone yet, and this time around people might actually care. The previously almost-unheard-of-in-the-west Chinese company was the star of the show with this cycle of Nexus devices, and the company also launched this year what I believe is the best Android Wear smartwatch to date — the Huawei Watch.

And now we’re getting a look at the company’s upcoming flagship, the Mate 8, in all of its glory…
Expand
Expanding
Close

Opinion: The Nexus 5X is excellent, but performance is its one inexcusable flaw

IMG_1366

I’ve been feeling up the Nexus 5X for about a week now, and I’m undoubtedly impressed. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Nexus phone in this size range, and — as someone who used the Nexus 6 as his daily driver for a year — it’s really refreshing to once again have a handset to match my hands. That was the first thing I noticed about the Nexus 5X. I have little-to-no tolerance for third-party bloatware, skins, and gimmicks, and stock vanilla Android is almost a non-negotiable for me. And in this one area, the 5X — the 6P, as well — delivers, and that alone puts it in a league of its own in my eyes. That alone makes this phone, for me, one the cream of the Android crop.

But there’s one thing that has been a recurring theme in my first week with the 5X: performance. It’s just simply not good enough, and in 2015, OS stutters, frame rate drops, and lag while switching apps is quite simply inexcusable, (but especially in any phone that costs more than $100). It’s not that the 5X is a crippled experience — no, I’m sometimes in buttery smooth Android heaven. But in those times that my phone just slows to a crawl in the middle of my day, whatever the reason may be, I can’t help but want to throw the 5X at a wall…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Opinion: Android OEMs have power, but Google making its own phone might be worth the risk

googlephone

At the beginning, OEM partners were vital in order to spread Android. Google would handle the hard work of creating the operating system, while OEMs would manufacture and deal with carriers. This approach worked and Android is now the most used mobile OS and Samsung is the largest smartphone vendor in terms of shipped devices. But how is Google going to keep Android growing into the future?..
Expand
Expanding
Close

Review: The OnePlus X is the best budget phone available, if you can live without a few things [Video]

Screen Shot 2015-11-10 at 11.13.53 PM

This is the OnePlus X and in some ways, it’s the best budget smartphone you can buy, but allow me to elaborate. This is basically a OnePlus One packed inside of a smaller and more premium body, for less money. With that, you’re getting mostly the same specifications and performance, which makes it a big win in my book. But before we get into everything you need to know, let’s get the truly negative things I have to say out of the way…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Google is bringing its Cardboard Expeditions Pioneer Program to 15 new cities

Expeditions 1

Google is launching its Expeditions Pioneer Program in 15 new cities, according to a post on the Google for Education blog. More than 100,000 students have taken part in the Pioneer Program, Google says, and it looks like thousands more are about to have the opportunity.

Here’s the relevant tidbit:

More than 100,000 students have used Expeditions in their classes as part of the Expeditions Pioneer Program, which launched in September. Now, we’re bringing the program to new cities. In the U.S., we’ll be in Alexandria, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City and Washington DC. We’ll also be adding three new countries: Canada, where we’ll be in Toronto, as well as Denmark and Singapore.

It looks like 12 of these cities are in the United States, with three more in other countries. Specifically, the program is coming Alexandria, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, Washington DC, and Toronto, with two others in Denmark and Singapore.

Google revealed the Expeditions Pioneer Program at Google I/O earlier this year, which hopes to give students the opportunity to travel to distant lands in virtual reality and learn in new ways. Teachers have a library of 100+ virtual trips to places like Mars and the Great Barrier Reef to choose from.

Report: Google wants to design its own smartphone chips to more directly compete with Apple

Screen Shot 2015-11-05 at 10.31.37 AM

According to a new report from Amir Efrati of The Information, Google has recently been in discussions with microchip manufacturers about having a deeper involvement in the design of chips used in Android devices. Google hopes to help create a more uniform offering of Android phones by taking part in the chip design process with a company like Qualcomm.


Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Lunch Break: Sony Xperia M4 (unlocked) $200, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones $119, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

71Dro+5MLHL._SL1500_

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua 16GB GSM/LTE unlocked black: $200 shipped (Reg. $250) | Amazon

ath-m50x-sale-02

Audio-Technica’s best selling ATH-M50x headphones in black: $119 shipped (Orig. $170), more

acer-cb5-311-t7nn-chromebook

Acer 13-inch Chromebook 2.1GHz/2GB/16GB SSD: $209 shipped (Reg. $249)

aukey-4-port-usb-c-hub

USB-C 4-port hubs for Chromebooks by Aukey: $20 Prime shipped (Orig. $30)

amazon-echo-deal

Review: How Amazon Echo changed my life + $130 special price ($50 off) for Amazon card holders

pebble-time-smartwatch-sale

Pebble Time Smartwatch for iOS and Android (multiple colors): $150 shipped (Reg. $200)

sling-tv-chromecast-deal

Sling TV is giving away a 2nd generation Chromecast when you pre-pay for three months ($35 value)

s5

Samsung Galaxy S5 Unlocked: $300 shipped (Reg. $400+) | eBay

1121006_sd

LG G Pad V410 AT&T GSM Unlocked 7-Inch 4G LTE 16GB Tablet: $80 shipped (Reg. $150+) | eBay

More new gear from today:

vizio-d43-c1-43-inch-1080p-led-tv

Daily Deals: Vizio 43″ 120Hz 1080p LCD HDTV + $100 Dell GC $300, LYTRO Light Field Camera $400, more

sams-club-holiday-savings-celebration

Sam’s Club One-Day Sale: iPhone 6s/Plus $100 off, iPad Air 2 64GB/128GB $150 off, PlayStation 4 $300more

eBay calls on Black Friday shoppers to decide which products will get discounted this year

Amazon’s Black Friday Deals store is now open for business

Everything we know so far about this year’s best Black Friday deals and promotions

More deals still alive:

tp-link-pocket-router-deal

This 802.11n pocket wireless router from TP-LINK is a must-have for avid travelers: $10 shipped (Orig. $40)

powerbeats2-by-dre-white

Buy a pair of PowerBeats 2 Wireless In-Ear Headphones, get a $50 Target gift card: $144 shipped (Orig. $200)

Beats by Dr. Dre Pill 2.0 Portable Bluetooth Speaker (multiple colors) $120 shipped (Orig. $200)

New products & more:

mellow-drive-electric-skateboard

Mellow Boards makes any skateboard electric and looks good doing it