Author

Cam Bunton

Cam Bunton, Editor at 9to5Google – Cam has been passionate about tech since his dad bought the family’s first Commodore AMIGA back in the late 80’s. He’s been in the tech industry (writing and making videos) since 2010, and joined 9to5Google as the resident video producer and product reviewer in 2015. He sometimes writes news and reviews for 9to5Mac too.

You can follow Cam on Twitter, add him on Google+ and subscribe to our YouTube channel to be the first to watch his videos about all things Google.

Connect with Cam Bunton

@CamBunton

Nostalgia overload: Commodore PET smartphone coming soon with V64 and Amiga emulators

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 11:01 am PT

Update: This article states that the upcoming Commodore PET smartphone is being made by Commodore. While this is true, it’s not the same corporation, nor is it under the same management, that created both the Commodore 64 and Amiga computer line. The company creating this smartphone was incorporated just this past March in the United Kingdom, while the original Commodore International was founded in Ontario, Canada and shut its doors in 1994. It’s an example of deceptive practices.

My first real taste of technology was as a kid. Myself and two of my siblings would huddle around the TV with a Commodore Amiga plugged in and sit playing Buggy Boy, Lemmings, Batman, ThunderCats and bunch of other titles for hours. If it wasn’t for my brother’s temper and his destruction of too many joysticks, I’m sure we’d have enjoyed many more hours. So I couldn’t just skip over Wired’s piece on the upcoming Commodore smartphone without writing about it.

You read that right: A smartphone made by Commodore is coming to market soon. Dubbed the Commodore PET, it’s coming with a couple of emulators built in out-of-box so you can play all your favorite Amiga and V64 titles.

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2015 Moto X, Moto G and a couple of Droids shown together in new leak

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 10:32 am PT

A leak published on the HellomotoHK Facebook page appears to show four unreleased Motorola phones, or at least the rear covers from four Moto devices. From left to right we allegedly have the upcoming Motorola Droid mini, Moto G, Moto Droid and Moto X. If you’re excited to see Motorola‘s wares for 2015 then these are the Droids you’re probably looking for. Sorry, couldn’t resist (not sorry at all).

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Samsung Galaxy A8 launches in China with 5.7-inch FullHD display, 64-bit chip and 3,050mAh battery

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 9:19 am PT

Samsung today launched its promising mid-range phablet in China. The Galaxy A8 comes with a bunch of mouth-watering specs built inside a beautiful-looking metal chassis. It’s available to pre-order in mainland China in the usual trinity of colors: Black, White and Gold…
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MKBHD shares first photo taken with OnePlus 2 main camera [Update – Now with Video]

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 8:17 am PT

Marques Brownlee, better known as YouTube personality MKBHD, uploaded what we believe is the first public photograph taken with the OnePlus 2. OnePlus hasn’t been shy about leaking features and specs from its next “flagship killer”. And while we know it’s going to feature a USB Type-C port, a fingerprint sensor, 3,300mAh battery and 4GB RAM, we haven’t heard any specifics from OnePlus officially on the display or camera resolution.
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T-Mobile announces new Family Plan: $120 for four 10GB lines

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 7:27 am PT

T-Mobile’s Uncarrier Amped moves are still going strong. Just days after announcing its cross-border ‘Mobile Without Borders’ plan, the magenta carrier has unveiled a brand new family plan.

With the new plan, two customers can get 10GB per line for $100 per month. Each additional line is then $20 per person, each with 10GB data allowance. As a special offer, T-Mobile is also giving customers a fourth line for free. Between now and Labor day, customers will be able to sign up to four lines with 10GB data on each, for $120 per month.

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Report: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ due to be announced on August 12, released August 21

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 6:04 am PT

By now we’ve heard multiple rumors and reports on Samsung’s next generation phablet. In today’s latest report from SamMobile, the publication claims that it knows when the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ will be unveiled and released to the public. Citing its “insiders”, the report states that the Galaxy Note 5 will be announced on August 12th and be available to buy shortly afterwards on August 21th.

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BBC iPlayer Radio app for iOS and Android gets offline listening at last

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 3:24 am PT

The BBC announced in a blog post this morning that mobile downloads are coming to its iPlayer Radio app just in time for the BBC Proms. For the first time – using the iPlayer Radio app – customers will be able to download radio shows (and the Proms) to listen offline and keep them for up to 30 days. To make use of this new service, all you need to do is ensure you have the latest version of the BBC iPlayer Radio smartphone or tablet app for iOS, Android or Kindle.

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BLU Life One goes on sale July 17th, pre-order now for $99 unlocked

Cam Bunton Jul 13 2015 - 9:10 am PT

Screen Shot 2015-07-13 at 16.41.13

BLU has a growing reputation for admirable devices that cost very little, and its latest handset looks to continue that trend. The BLU Life One goes on sale at the end of this week, on July 17th and is currently available to pre-order for just $99 unlocked and SIM-free.

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No, Google’s Photos app isn’t uploading photos without you knowing it

Cam Bunton Jul 13 2015 - 8:22 am PT

Over the past day or so we’ve seen a number of reports across the web claiming that Google’s Photos app is uploading photos even after it’s been uninstalled. Of course the worry is that customers could be racking up huge cellular data overages from having it “switched on without them knowing it”. The truth is, having the Photos app installed or uninstalled makes no difference to whether or not your snaps are being uploaded to Google’s drive in the sky.

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Android Wear getting watch-to-watch communication and easier gestures in future?

Cam Bunton Jul 13 2015 - 5:47 am PT

Google is working on some tantalizing new features for upcoming versions of the Android Wear software, according to a new report published by Phandroid. Citing anonymous sources, it claims that the next update to Google’s wearable OS will include direct watch-to-watch communication along with some new interactive watch faces. Purportedly, these features were due to arrive on July 28th, but are now not likely to appear until August.

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Google Maps tip: Send directions to your Android phone from your desktop (Video)

Cam Bunton Jul 13 2015 - 4:22 am PT

Late last week, Google updated its Maps Android app to version 9.11.0. Although its user interface remains the same, it has one new, awesome feature: you can now send locations, navigation instructions and directions straight to your Android phone.

We put together a short video to guide you through the very quick and painless method. This feature competes directly with that built in to the Mac Maps app included in OS X Mavericks which allows iPhone users to send directions direct from Mac to their phones.

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Google asked to remove more than 1 million page links since Europe’s ‘right to be forgotten’ act

Cam Bunton Jul 11 2015 - 3:10 pm PT

A report published recently states that, since the ‘right to be forgotten‘ act was passed in the EU in May 2014, Google has received request from more than 280,000 people to remove over 1 million links to pages.

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Waterfield Designs Gear Pouch review: Carry all your favorite gadgets and accessories in style

Cam Bunton Jul 11 2015 - 6:16 am PT

Despite the fact that smartphone and hardware manufacturers are pushing towards a wire-free utopia, we’re still no closer to ridding ourselves of pesky accessories, pens, earphones and other paraphernalia our smartphones seem to crave. Let’s face it, you don’t always want to carry around a huge backpack or messenger bag. And even when you do, you don’t want to have all your loose gear rattling around inside.

Waterfield Designs is a brand well known by bag aficionados, and one which has earned my attention and affection over the years. The Gear Pouch does nothing but make my appreciation for their wares stronger.

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Google fined $16k in Brazil over ‘morbid images’

Cam Bunton Jul 10 2015 - 8:19 am PT

Google and Facebook have each been slapped with a R$50,000 fine ($16k USD) in Brazil for not removing or blocking morbid images. The move comes after pictures of a Brazilian musician in a mortuary made their way online. Christian Araujo, the artist in question, died alongside his girlfriend in a car crash last month.

The Guardian reports that Judge Denise Gondim de Mendonca declared both companies had acted in “bad faith” after ignoring an earlier ruling. In response to today’s news, Google had the following statement prepared:

The Marco Cilvil of the Internet (local law which regulates removals) requires that any court order for content removal specify the URLs to be removed. In parallel, we have already taken down many of the videos which have been flagged by users due to YouTube’s policies regarding offensive content.

Facebook is yet to comment officially on the ruling, but Google has stated that it will be appealing the decision. In an age where it’s so easy to share any kinds of images online, it brings in to question how much of this can be blamed on Google and how much is down to those who took the photographs or shot the videos to begin with.

Not to be too crude or disrespectful, but I couldn’t think of much worse than someone pulling out their smartphone to snap a picture of my dead body lying in a morgue. The fact the picture is posted online afterwards is more of a side effect, surely?

That’s not to downgrade the severity of the companies supposedly not taking action. As huge corporations, they too have a responsibility to ensure these kinds of images aren’t seen by anyone. It certainly brings in to question where the line should be drawn.

The Information: Huawei is working with Google on the next Nexus

Cam Bunton Jul 10 2015 - 7:06 am PT

A familiar rumor resurfaced online this morning thanks to a report published by The Information saying that Huawei and Google are working together on this year’s Nexus smartphone. It’s speculated that the device will land later this year, almost certainly in the fall. If this is genuine inside knowledge it would be the first time a Chinese manufacturer has been chosen to make the “Pure Google” smartphone.
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Quick video tour of Android M developer preview 2

Cam Bunton Jul 10 2015 - 5:04 am PT

With Google having released the second version of its developer preview for Android M, we thought it would be useful to take you through a visual tour of some of the changes …

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Apple Music vs. Google Play – Which is the best streaming service?

Cam Bunton Jul 9 2015 - 7:49 am PT

Until recently, Google’s Play Music streaming feature was one of the company’s few markets where it didn’t face strong, direct competition from Apple. But just like everything the Cupertino-company does, it has taken its own sweet time to finally launch a product we always knew was coming. And as always, the company claims it has done things differently, with a more human element.

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Unlocked 1st gen Moto G LTE gets Android 5.1 update

Cam Bunton Jul 9 2015 - 6:24 am PT

Android 5.1 is available to download over-the-air on to the unlocked original Moto G LTE smartphone for the first time. Motorola started rolling out the update for the 1st gen Moto G over the past 24 hours or so. As with almost every modern Motorola device, the software is essentially stock Android.

Motorola states in the release notes that you can’t downgrade to a previous version after installing and that it contains a number of improvements and fixes. Along with some of the user interface changes in 5.1, the new software also includes a bunch of bug fixes including:

Clock in the status bar is not updating and alarms not going off
Unable to delete SMS messages when the SIM card is full
No ringer audio while making an outgoing call
Calculator floating point calculations
Chrome crashes when launched
Frequent restarts while watching Netflix
Wi-Fi not automatically reconnecting to home Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi not connecting after being idle all night
Wi-Fi connection issues with multiple routers in one location
Bluetooth discovery is not triggered when you refresh settings
CPU wakelocks that contribute to heavier battery drain
Connection and synchronisation issues with MS Exchange servers
Incorrect default APN
Cannot unlock the SIM with a PIN/PUK code
Cannot play ‘pinned’ content

If the update doesn’t show up for you right away, be sure to check your settings menu and search for updates manually. It appears that only unlocked Moto G LTE models in the U.S. are receiving the update right now. If you’re in another country, be sure to let us know when it lands for you.

T-Mobile ‘Mobile without Borders’ adds free calls, texts, 4G LTE data for Canada and Mexico

Cam Bunton Jul 9 2015 - 6:11 am PT

T-Mobile’s mission to change the entire U.S. wireless industry took another step forward this morning. In an Uncarrier Amped move dubbed ‘Mobile without Borders‘, T-Mobile announced that it will offer its American customers free telephone call roaming to and from Mexico and Canada. For the first time, it will also include free 4G LTE data. Postpaid, prepaid and business customers will be able to make use of it from Wednesday, July 15th. It’s a killer move, and effectively erases the virtual borders between the U.S. and its neighboring countries.

Unlike the current Simple Global feature, when a T-Mo subscriber crosses the Mexican or Canadian borders, they won’t be reduced down to EDGE speeds. They retain 4G LTE connectivity seamlessly, providing there is LTE coverage in that area. T-Mo partnered with carriers in those two countries to pull this move off. There’s only one small asterisk — the feature is being offered in specific cities within Canada and Mexico — as discussed below…

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BlackBerry snaps up Android-related domains, more evidence of a new phone?

Cam Bunton Jul 9 2015 - 3:39 am PT

BlackBerry has snapped up a couple of Android-y domain names very recently. Logs show that BlackBerry Limited bought AndroidSecured.com and AndroidSecured.net on July 7th. This move, of course, adds more fuel to the rumors that the company is planning to launch a Google-powered smartphone in the near future.

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Moto X ‘Sport’ and next-gen Moto G show up in sketchy leak

Cam Bunton Jul 8 2015 - 8:37 am PT

If a recent — slightly sketchy — report is anything to go by, Motorola could be set to announce new versions of its popular stock Android phones. A new Moto X “Sport” and a new Moto G have shown up in leaks which come from Chilean operator, Entel.
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Sony and Twitch partner to offer live game broadcasting from Xperia devices

Cam Bunton Jul 8 2015 - 6:14 am PT

In a blog post this morning, Sony announced that it has partnered with Twitch to let select Xperia smartphones broadcast live gameplay to the popular game broadcasting service. While Twitch has offered Android users the ability to watch live broadcasts for some time, this will be the first time you’ll be able to broadcast your mobile gameplay live to Twitch watchers.

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Google Play Music app wiping your downloaded music? A fix is coming

Cam Bunton Jul 8 2015 - 4:07 am PT

Reports online indicate that Google’s Play Music app isn’t playing nice with downloaded/stored music. Specifically, music stored or cached on a Micro SD card is vanishing or being wiped from memory every time a phone is rebooted, or the memory card is removed and reinserted …
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Taking a look at Adobe’s Creative Cloud apps for Android (Video)

Cam Bunton Jul 7 2015 - 1:01 pm PT

Towards the end of June, Adobe launched brand new versions of its Creative Cloud apps for Android. There were four main ones in total, each offering unique features and purposes for existence. This is our first look and walkthrough of those apps.
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