Stephen is Growth Director at 9to5. You can find his current work at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google 9to5Toys, Electrek, and more. If you want to get in touch, follow me on Twitter. Or, email at stephen (at) 9to5mac (dot) com, or an encrypted email at hallstephenj (at) protonmail (dot) com.
Google’s event is just a week away, but — like our Chromecast leaks from last week — many details about what the Mountain View company is announcing just keep spilling out. We got our first clear look at the Huawei Nexus late last night, but now even more images are beginning to surface. Clearly, at least based on this image, the Nexus 6P is going to be available in four colors: silver/aluminum, black, white, and gold…
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CyanogenMod nightly builds are available on a plethora of devices, and now you can add one more to the list. Motorola’s Moto G (2015), codenamed osprey, started receiving nightly builds of CyanogenMod 12.1 last night. There aren’t many better devices to play with some custom ROMs, considering you can grab one on Amazon for just $179.
We gave the Moto G (2015) a quick look just 36 hours after we first got our hands on it. And based on our initial impression at least, this is probably one of the best phones you can buy in the $100-$200 range. With a decent display, crazy battery life, and a price that fits the package, it’s a no-brainer if you’re looking for a phone for your kids (or to tinker with).
(via Android Police)
A YouTube user by the name of Tom Scott has discovered a nasty bug in Google Chrome. It’s probably harmless, and Google is probably about to fix it, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Typing in http://a/%%30%30 in your browser window and pressing the Enter key will completely crash your browser, and even hovering over a link containing the text will at least crash your current tab.
Here’s why this happens:
We know way more than we probably should about Google’s upcoming September 29th event, and now we know a little bit more (via Android Police). While the names of the two upcoming Nexus phones were previously rumored to be “Nexus 5X” and “Nexus 6P,” we now have what is effectively confirmation of those names in the form of retail box graphics for both phones…
Google has today pushed an iterative update to its stock Clock app, three months after the app was first released on the Play Store and two months after it got a new paint job. Today’s update brings a hefty bullet list of new features, including the ability to gradually increase alarm volume, new Android Wear features, and more…
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Last month’s “HTC One A9” leak
Last month we shared with you photos purporting to be of an upcoming ‘One A9’ handset from HTC. While we pitted them as likely to be fake thanks to sketchy images that had surfaced the day before, a newly-leaked photo (via OnLeaks) suggests that this design might actually be the real deal. And that’s sad, because if this phone isn’t an iPhone copycat, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one…
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We’ve seen Android One devices land in a couple Middle East countries already, but now the program is coming to the United Arab Emirates. The Infinix Hot 2, which you can see in the image above, is now available exclusively from Souq.com…
The 5-inch smartphone launches with a quad-core MediaTek processor, dual-SIM support, front and rear cameras (at 2 MP and 8 MP, respectively), 1 GB of RAM, and 16GB storage (expandable via microSD card). Out of the box, the phone runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, and the whole package will cost you AED 299 (or just about $80 in the equivalent US dollars). We saw the same phone launch in Africa earlier this year.
Interestingly, we have yet to see the official Android blog come out to brag about this launch. Android One has been introduced to many major markets this year, most recently including Europe with the BQ Aquaris A4.5, a new handset in India called the Lava Pixel V1, and a launch in Pakistan just a few months ago with the QMobile A1. According to a recent report, Google wants to halve the price of its Android One handsets in all of these markets.
Infinix Hot 2 becomes Middle East’s first Android One smartphone; launched exclusively onSouq.com
20 September 2015 Dubai, UAE– Infinix Mobility has announced the launch of the new Infinix Hot 2 phone in collaboration with Google™ to bring high-performance, low-cost Android™ experience to the Middle East. The device, which is the first smartphone on the Android One™ program in Middle East, will enable all users enjoy the latest version of Android with guaranteed software upgrades after release, premium hardware specs and a wide range of customized apps.
Speaking on the device, Benjamin Jiang, MD, Infinix Mobility, stated that the new Infinix Hot 2 will redefine the smartphone industry in Middle East. He said: “At Infinix we believe that Middle East end-users deserve to experience the latest smartphones at competitive price. That is why we are pleased to collaborate with Google to deliver this unique smartphone; the Infinix Hot 2. We are confident that the phone will push the frontiers of smartphone technology to the next level.”
Speaking in the same vein, Caesar Sengupta, Vice President, Product Management at Google said “Google is pleased to collaborate with Infinix Mobility on Android One — a program designed to help bring high-quality, low-cost Android devices to everyone. We’re looking forward to working with Infinix Mobility to put a great smartphone into the hands of people in the Middle East.”.
Ronaldo Mouchawar, CEO & Co-Founder of Souq.com commented, “Souq.com is committed to the development of e-commerce in the MENA region of which consumer electronics (smartphones specifically) is the biggest industry sector. Today, Souq.com is championing the factory-to-consumer model through its unique partnerships by opening the market up and providing product diversity for our customers as well as making high-spec, world-leading technology more accessible. Infinix Mobility’s high-performance, great value Android Hot 2 could be a significant turning point in the smartphone ecosystem. We are excited to be exclusive partners and supporting Infinix Mobility in this launch.”
As with other phones running the latest Android Lollipop, users of the Infinix Hot 2 can automatically enable the new battery saver feature to extend battery life by 90 minutes. Users can also see the estimated time left before they need to recharge. And when charging, they can also see the estimated time for the battery to become fully charged. The operating system offers users more control over data usage by offering a two-quick swipe control to turn data on or off; they can also easily check data usage.
The Infinix Hot 2 is made of glossy materials that give users a luxury experience. Its cutting edge style was precisely designed to fit in the palm of a user; its style, display and architecture give it a unique design.
Powered by a Mediatek 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor and a 1GB RAM, users can play 3D games on the Infinix Hot 2 in addition to an extraordinary experience while watching videos in high-definition (HD). The smartphone has a 2200mAh battery that allows users to enjoy the device for longer hours. The device runs on Android Lollipop and there will be automatic update to the latest version of Android when it becomes available.
The Infinix Hot 2 also comes with a 5.0 inch display and high-definition (1280 x 720 pixels) resolution that allows users to read and respond to messages directly from the lock screen and provides quick access to tools like the flashlight, Bluetooth, WI-Fi, and more- also standards available on the latest Android Lollipop.
Infinix Hot 2 has an 8.0 MP rear camera in addition to 5P Lens and 2MP front-facing camera. The metal camera decorative design makes the camera a bright spot on the back. It comes with true flash+ BSI. And even in dark light, users can still capture best shots. Camera not only allows you to take photos of things and people you love but also of you through the front camera. Infinix Hot 2 also comes with a beauty face option which captures a portrait and automatically adjusts the photo to create a more visually pleasing photo, making face smoother and brighter.
In addition to improved high dynamic range and low-dark current, the device perfectly complements the 5P lens which increases light sensibility by 30% thus making it possible for users to take high quality photos anywhere and anytime.
Exclusively available on Souq.com No.1 Middle East e-commerce retailer for 299AED only
http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/ae-infinix-hot-2/c/
Full Device Specifications
Network: 2G/3G
OS: Lollipop 5.1
Dimensions: 145 x 71.86 mm x 88 mm
Display: 5” HD screen
Resolution: 720 x 1280
Processor quad core: 1. 3 GHz
Battery: 2200mAh
Camera: 8MP rear + 2MP front
Premium Accessories
Double-Side PU screen protector
Stylish Leather Cover
*Terms and conditions apply
1Users will be able to receive updates for the latest Android operating system up to two years
LG G4c
The LG G4 was announced almost 6 months ago now, and it wasn’t long after that the rumors of a larger, speedier, and more-capable LG G4 “Pro” started to surface. Earlier this month, the well-connected David Ruddock came out to say that LG isn’t planning a “pro” or “premium” version of the G4 for this fall, but new information from a credible leakster suggests that such a device is still in the cards.
@GaToMaLaKuS Why not… Only one thing is sure, an "improved" G4 is coming… ;)
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) September 21, 2015
The next handset that we’ll see from LG is almost surely going to be the much-rumored Nexus 5X, set to be announced at Google’s September 29th event. Another handset has also been making the rounds, however, called the LG V10. This device purportedly packs a 5.7-inch screen, an auxiliary ticker display, and a Snapdragon 808 processor. We’ll see what LG announces on October 1st…
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In May, we told you that Google had partnered with Udacity to offer a new Android Developer Nanodegree program. Now, Google has announced that it is launching the same program in India.
With a vision to transform India into a hub of high-quality mobile developers for global and local apps, we’re delighted to announce the launch of a program to offer Android Developer Nanodegrees in India in partnership with Udacity. The Android Nanodegree is an education credential that is designed to help developers learn new skills and advance their careers in a few months—from anywhere on any device—at their own pace.
India is world’s second largest programming population, but Google says that today, less than 2% of the apps built in India are “featured in top 1000 apps globally.” The company’s goal — with this initiative and others — is to bring this number beyond 10% over the next three years.
The Mountain View company has been putting a lot of focus as of late on the next billion people in the world to come online. Among other initiatives, Google also launched the Android One program in India last year to bring affordable and well-supported handsets to the masses.
Google says that the program “takes an average of 6-9 months to complete,” and will cost Rs. 9,800 per month in India. If this sounds steep to you, it’s worth keeping in mind that Udacity is refunding 50 percent of the tuition you pay when you complete the program, and Google and Tata Trusts are giving away 1000 scholarships for the Android Nanodegree.
Image: Forbes
Google released version 1.5 of Google Photos for Android last week, and there weren’t any notable user-facing features. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any additions at all in the new app — these updates very often lay the groundwork for features set to launch in the near future. Cody Toombs pulled this update apart himself, revealing that Photos is preparing for quite a few new additions including album collaboration, people labeling, Chromecast support, and more…
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We told you earlier today about the 2nd generation Chromecast, scheduled to be launched later this month. We also mentioned that Google is planning to launch something called “Chromecast Audio,” although details were unclear until now. Thanks to several sources familiar with Google’s plans, 9to5Google has learned that Chromecast Audio is indeed a second Chromecast device targeted specifically at WiFi-enabling the speakers in your home, launching alongside the 2nd generation device…
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Seth and I both got our hands on a couple new Android Wear devices today, and while you should definitely keep an eye out for our full reviews shortly, we thought we would post a couple quick unboxings. We have both the new Moto 360 (2nd generation) as well as the long-awaited Huawei Watch in-hand, and you can check out our videos below…
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
As we told you yesterday, Google is preparing several big Chromecast announcements for its September event later this month. According to the internal documents that 9to5Google has obtained, the company is planning to launch not only brand new Chromecast hardware and Spotify support, but an updated companion app for the streaming device as well. The new app seems to build on the previous, packing suggested content features, a new design, and more…
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According to internal documents that 9to5Google has obtained, huge updates to the Chromecast platform are just around the corner. The long-rumored 2nd generation Chromecast hardware is set to debut at Google’s event later this month, packing many new features including feeds for the device’s main screen, improved WiFi, a new feature called “Fast Play,” and more…
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While Chromecast has long supported Google Play Music, Netflix, Pandora, and other subscription services, Spotify — one of the most popular music streaming services — has long been left off the list. According to leaked internal documents that 9to5Google has seen, Google is preparing a slew of Chromecast announcements for later this month, one of which being Spotify support for Chromecast…
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We got our first look at the ZenFone 2 all the way back at CES 2015 (and we recently gave the ZenFone 2E the review treatment), but now it appears (via Lilliputing), that ASUS is offering yet another model of the phone. While its hefty 4 GB of RAM was previously restricted to the higher-capacity models, ASUS is now offering a 16 GB model with the larger memory option for $229.
If you’re in the market to add a ZenFone to your Android arsenal, but you don’t want to pitch the extra cost for the 64 GB model, this is your handset of choice. Previously, the 16 GB model — which started at just $200 — was offered only with 2 GB of RAM, but now you can double the RAM for $30 more. It’s a no brainer, especially considering 2 GB of RAM is a little on the low side for 2015.
You can grab the new variant — in black, silver, gold, or red — on Amazon for $229 shipped.
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While we haven’t yet gotten our hands on the Nextbit Robin, it’s definitely a bit different than most of the other smartphone offerings we’ve seen this year. On top of its cloud-first features, the phone has also been popular for its design and price. Now, Nextbit has announced that the phone is supporting another carrier: Verizon.
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Google is always expanding the information it offers at the top of search results, with the goal being to keep users within Google itself — no longer needing to navigate to external websites. Today, the Mountain View company has announced that it is adding constitutions from 13 different countries to the top of your search results page…
According to Google’s Inside Search blog:
The Constitute Project helps people access, compare and analyze the world’s constitutions. Now we’re adding more of this content to our search results, so you can find the full text for the United States Constitution—or constitutions from 12 other countries—right at the top of your search results page. To try it out, type (or say) “constitution” into Google Search or the Google App and a box will pop up with the Preamble for the United States Constitution and a drop-down menu where you can see all of the accompanying articles and amendments.
The new feature comes in partnership with the Constitute Project, a group that hopes to give people more access to world constitutions. Of course, the United States constitutions is one of the many you’ll be able to access. Besides the US, there’s Afghanistan, Bhutan, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Laos, Latvia, Micronesia, Norway and Ukraine.
Just head over to Google and search for “constitution of [your country]” and you’ll be given many drop down menus that let you get a full glimpse of these documents. Of course, Google says that it is looking into adding more countries in the future.
If you pre-ordered the Huawei Watch, you might be interested in knowing that your order has most likely shipped. If you haven’t ordered a Huawei Watch yet, though, and you plan to, I have especially good news: The device is now available for shipping within 1-2 business days from the Google Store, Amazon, and other outlets.
The Huawei Watch starts at $350, with model availability varying between outlets. The Google Store, for instance, only offers the “Silver” Huawei Watch with a Milanese-like bracelet. Amazon, however, offers three different variants, black w/ link bracelet, silver w/ leather band, and stainless w/ stainless link bracelet, at $350, $400, and $450, respectively.
The Huawei Watch packs a 1.4-inch screen in a 42mm body and a 400 x 400 resolution screen at 286 pixels per inch. It sports 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of on-board storage, a gyroscope & accelerometer, PPG (photoplethysmogram), and a barometer. There’s also a built-in mic, with all of this powered by a 300 mAh battery.
We have lots of Huawei Watch content on the way, so keep and eye out for our full review and more.
The YouTube Gaming app launched on Android about a month ago, but now we’re already hearing about a significant update that’s on the way. As was first revealed in a teardown done by Android Police earlier this month, Google has now confirmed that it is preparing to introduce Android game broadcasting straight from the app itself…
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