Android

McDonald’s announced on Tuesday that it now accepts Softcard for NFC-based mobile payments on Android at its restaurants across the United States. The move comes just over a week after McDonald’s became one of the more high-profile launch partners for Apple Pay, which enables iPhone users to tap and pay with their smartphone.
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Motorola has been busy creating a new lineup of smartphones that go beyond the next-generation Moto X and Nexus 6 in partnership with Google. Verizon Wireless is set to host a press event in a few hours in which it unveils its all-new lineup of its iconic DROID devices, including the Motorola DROID Turbo that has been leaked ahead of time.
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While the number of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices that the average consumer owns is expected to rise over the next several years, it remains a rather frustrating and tedious task to pick up a task on one device where you left off on another. Apple has attempted to solve this problem with Handoff for iPhone, iPad and Mac, but Google has yet to deliver the same functionality on Android.
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Robin Labs, the developmental team behind mobile assistant platform Robin.AI, has today unveiled their latest project, an app that responds to emails for you. Dubbed Less.Mail, the app handles routine email responses by automatically replying to emails based on how it interprets the message’s initial text.

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AT&T announced today that it will be one of America’s first wireless carrier’s to sell the LG G Watch R. Ma Bell didn’t provide any specific details about pricing and release plans, however LG recently said that the gadget’s global rollout is scheduled to start sometime next month.

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Google announced the Nexus 6 almost two weeks ago and recently the company’s new flagship smartphone made its way through the FCC. While we’re already familiar with the device’s hardware and software, this is a required approval in order for Mountain View and its retail partners to start accepting pre-orders for the search giant’s next handset.

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It was up in the air whether or not the LG G2 would be getting the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop, but LG has now taken to Facebook to confirm that the device will be at some point getting the update. The company also made note of the G3, which will supposedly be getting the update faster than most. Asus, yet another manufacturer of Android phones, has also announced some of the devices that it is currently planning to grace with Lollipop, with the ZenFone and PadFoneS making the list.

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Amazon is following up its $99 Fire TV streaming media player with a $39 streaming HDMI stick, which is similar to Google Chromecast (reg. $35, on sale for $28 w/ $5 credit) and Roku Stick ($49).

According to Amazon, the Fire TV Stick has 4 times as much storage (8GB) and 2 times as much memory (1GB) of Chromecast. It’s also the only one of the big three streaming sticks that packs a Dual-core processor, which Amazon says “results in faster and more fluid navigation.”

Fire TV Stick includes a physical remote, which doubles as a gaming controller. Aditionally, for a $30 up-charge, you can outfit your Fire TV Stick with a voice remote to take advantage of Voice Search. A free remote app is also available now for Android and will be landing on iOS shortly.

Available streaming content includes: Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, WatchESPN, NBA Game Time, Prime Music, Pandora, Spotify, and more for instant access to shows like Transparent, House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Game of Thrones, and The Wire—plus the largest selection of movies and TV episodes to rent or buy from Amazon Instant Video.

ASAP (Advanced Streaming and Prediction) allows for instant streaming by automatically buffering videos the Fire TV Stick predicts you’ll want to watch. Amazon also promises future support for WiFi networks with captive portals like hotels, airports, college dorms, and more.

First TV Stick is available for preorder now for $39, but Prime members (free trial) can get it for just $19 for the next two days.

Full press release follows…
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It’s been 10 year since Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and to celebrate this milestone, the developer is placing some of its biggest hits on sale until November 9th. If you visit Google Play, you can pick up Grand Theft Auto III and its successor Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the low price of $2.99.

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We’ve already seen a rough build of Android 5.0 running on a Samsung Galaxy S5, and now the folks at SamMobile are claiming that Google’s new mobile operating system will be coming to the device sometime in December. After months of speculation and a placeholder name, Android Lollipop became official last week and the software is set to debut across multiple Nexus devices next month.

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LG just dropped an TSMC-built octo-core NUCLUN bomb on us this evening. The smartphone and electronics manufacturer announced its own, long rumored ARM processor which will go into its phones later this year.

NUCLUN (pronounced NOO-klun) was designed using ARM big.LITTLE™ technology for efficient multi-tasking capabilities. The AP employs four 1.5GHz cores (ARM Cortex-A15) for high performance and four 1.2GHz cores (ARM Cortex-A7) for less intensive processing. The number of performing cores can be adjusted based on the requirements of the task for maximum processing power or maximum energy savings. NUCLUN is designed to support the next generation of 4G networks, LTE-A Cat.6, for maximum download speeds of up to 225Mbps while retaining backward compatibility with current LTE networks.

“NUCLUN opens up a new chapter in LG’s history of innovation in the mobile industry,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “With this in-house solution, we will be able to achieve better vertical integration and further diversity our product strategy against stronger competition. NUCLUN will give us greater flexibility in our mobile strategy going forward.”

The processor will debut in a Korean model phone and along with its 8 cores will carry LTE cat 6 capabilities on die. The LG Liger which leaked today is also expected to have the NUCLUN processor, if indeed these aren’t actually the same phone.

Press release and more images follow:
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LG has consistently released entry-level handsets that borrow design elements from its flagship G3, and it appears that the company isn’t slowing down. Pictured above is what’s being referred to as the “LG Liger” and with the exception of its beastly moniker, it’s probably just another low-cost smartphone heading to emerging markets, but with one exception.

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LG announced today that its new G Watch R is going to be launching during the beginning of November in select markets, including France, Italy, Spain and the UK. The company plans to introduce its new round smartwatch to additional territories like Asia and North America soon after, but it didn’t give an exact time. After much speculation, LG unveiled the G Watch R last month during IFA in Berlin, allowing us to get a little time with its new smartwatch.

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Last month, Google announced its future plans for Android Wear, including an update with offline music support and GPS functionality. Earlier this week, an update started rolling out to select Android Wear devices, bringing the beginnings of those features, but now Google has officially announced the update in a post on the official Android blog.

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