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Nest teams up w/ ARM, Qualcomm, others to open-source Thread networking protocol

Thread, the low-power mesh network protocol that Alphabet-owned Nest built in tandem with Samsung, ARM, and other companies, is now going open-source. Since it opened membership in October of 2014, the not-completely-open “Thread Group” has grown to have over 30 products. But this OpenThread release takes things a step further in the name of openness…


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AT&T’s HTC One M8 and M9 to get Marshmallow starting tomorrow

There’s a reason that Marshmallow is only on 7.5% of Android devices — the rollout for the “new” (that’s in parentheses because it was announced almost a year ago now, and its successor is already in developer preview) version of Google’s mobile OS has been horrendously slow. The wait for a lot of phones has finally been coming to an end as of late, however, and now it’s time for the HTC One M8 and M9 on AT&T to get M.

The word comes from good ol’ Mo Versi, VP of Product Management at HTC. He’s the source of most news on the update front for HTC’s myriad of devices. The tweet follows his other most recent update on the update, say that it would have “approval within the next couple weeks.”

And here we are:

The update is set to start rolling out over-the-air tomorrow, so keep an eye out for a popup on your phone. This will likely be a pretty big update, so try to have just as much patience while it’s installing as you have had waiting for it to arrive.

9to5Toys Lunch Break: LG Nexus 5 (unlocked) $149, $40 Google Express credit for just $15, Moto 360 (refurb) $80, more

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:

New LG Nexus 5, unlocked with 32GB storage down to $149 shipped (Reg. ~$280)

New Google Express customers can grab a $40 credit for $15 with email delivery (42% savings)

Motorola Moto 360 (refurb) smartwatch in various styles: $80 shipped (Reg. $200+) | eBay

Sony 128GB Class 10 UHS-1 Micro SDXC: $33.49 shipped (Reg. $47) | Amazon

iFixit 64-Bit Screwdriver Kit lets you open phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles, and more: $35 (Orig. $50, CA Tax only)

Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest version) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,200 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest model) 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB: $1,040 (Reg. $1,299)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Dell 27-inch 1080p Curved Monitor w/ two HDMI inputs: $220 shipped (Reg. $300+)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Spring cleaning: Essential products for an organized and clutter-free bathroom

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

The Thin Ice wearable cools your body in hopes of burning an additional 1,000 calories per day

Google to ban ads for ‘payday loans’ and other lending at extortionate interest-rates

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Google Adwords will be banning ads for so-called ‘payday loans’ and other lending at very high interest rates. As of July 13th, Google will no longer accept ads for loans that have to be repaid within 60 days, or any loan with an APR exceeding 36%.

The change was announced on Google’s Public Policy Blog.

When reviewing our policies, research has shown that these loans can result in unaffordable payment and high default rates […] This change is designed to protect our users from deceptive or harmful financial products.

Google also shared a stat on action taken against harmful ads in general …


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This is Google’s proposal to address emoji gender inequality

As messaging becomes an increasingly more important part of our daily lives, so do the particular languages that we use to communicate on our digital platforms — and few “particular” things have become as influential as emojis.

However, up to this point, most of them have been designed with generally male-like physiognomies, and to address this issue, Google has proposed that Unicode add up to thirteen new emojis to the existing characters to “highlight the diversity of women’s careers”…


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Google Hangouts on the web now has a dense mode without the clutter

You may know that you can access Hangouts via classic Google+ and Gmail, but did you know it also has a standalone web client over at hangouts.google.com? Now, Google has announced that you can show the list of conversations at all three sites in a new denser view.

This might be particularly enticing if you were a long-time GChat user, as it ditches the profiles images and frills to provide an experience that’s straightforward and simple…


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: Moto 360 (refurb) $80, Sony 128GB Micro SD $33, Logitech Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard $25, more

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:

Motorola Moto 360 (refurb) smartwatch in various styles: $80 shipped (Reg. $200+)

Sony 128GB Class 10 UHS-1 Micro SDXC: $33.49 shipped (Reg. $47)

Amazon Gold Box – Logitech keyboards & mice up to 50% off: Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard $25, more

Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest version) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,200 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/730068269982429184 align=’center’]

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Headphones + $30 Vudu Credit & 3-mo. Rhapsody Service: $50 shipped (~$93 value)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Samsung Smart HDTVs: 55-inch 4K 3D Curved $1,375 (Reg. $1,800)more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

This Hybrid Tube Amp system for Raspberry Pi is ideal for DIY Audiophiles

Vans and Nintendo team up for epic new line of NES-themed sneakers

This woman is basically using Google’s logo to run for U.S. Congress

I have to admit, when I first saw Sue Googe’s name in this font, I thought her name was Sue Google. That made me think at first that maybe this had something to do with the ongoing Oracle dispute. But it’s not, and it has nothing to do with Oracle. Her name is just Sue Googe, she’s running for North Carolina’s 4th District seat in the U.S. Congress, and she’s pretty much using Google’s logo to do it…


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: LG G4 (unlocked) $275, Retina MacBook Pro 256GB $1,200, Solar Bluetooth Speaker $40, more

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:

LG G4 smartphone w/ 32GB flash GSM 4G LTE (factory unlocked): $275 shipped (Orig. $575)

Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest version) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,200 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

Amazon Gold Box – Eton Rugged solar-powered Bluetooth charging speaker: $40 Prime shipped (Orig. $77)

Smartphone Accessories: Monster DNA On-Ear Headphones $45more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Samsung Smart HDTVs: 55-inch 4K 3D Curved $1,375 (Reg. $1,800)more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/729699932920229888 align=’center’]

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Sony’s powerful 154W AirPlay and Bluetooth Speaker is on sale for $329 shipped (Reg. $500+)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

NERF’s upcoming Terrascout RC Drone Blaster is going to be a menace in your home

Google Opinion Rewards expands to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden

If you’re fond of purchasing new apps, movies and music on your Android smartphone, you might be interested in a less-than-well-known app from Google called Opinion Rewards. You’re obviously not going to get rich quick, but it’s a great way to earn small amounts of Google Play Credit a quarter at a time by answering quick 2-5 question surveys. Today, Google has expanded the app to three new countries: Denmark, Norway, and Sweden…


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9to5Toys Last Call: Samsung Galaxy S7 (unlocked) $530, Nextbit Robin $299, more

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:

Last Call Updates:

Huawei Google Nexus 6P (refurb) w/ 32GB storage: $350 shipped (Reg. $400+)

Samsung Galaxy S7 32GB (unlocked) for $530 shipped (Reg. $695)

Nexbit Robin, cloud-powered smartphone now $299 shipped (Reg. $399)

LG G5 Smartphone w/ 32GB flash (factory unlocked): $575 (Orig. $650)

Apple MacBook 12-Inch Laptop (Newest Version) with Retina Display Rose Gold: $1,199 shipped ($100 off, tax in NY)

Apple 11-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (latest version) for $700 shipped (Reg. $899)

Apple 12-inch MacBook (Early 2015) 1.1GHz/8GB/256GB $930 shipped (Orig. $1,299)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Sony’s powerful 154W AirPlay and Bluetooth Speaker is on sale for $329 shipped (Reg. $500+)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Take to the skies w/ DJI’s Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter for $399 (Reg. $499), Professional $779 (Reg. $999)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Straight out of Chicago, this mid-century modern Bluetooth stereo cabinet is beautiful

Google I/O invites are still being sent out last-minute


Google
‘s upcoming I/O event gathers a lot of anticipation from developers all over the world. Likewise, Android enthusiasts that are not directly involved in coding still very much look forward to the event.

That means — despite their relatively hefty price tag — when tickets become available, they generally sell out in minutes. However, as an Android Police tipster shows, it looks like Google is still pushing out last-minute invites to some lucky applicants…


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HTC reportedly sold only 251 HTC 10 units in China so far, plans to spin off its VR division

And it seems as if HTC’s downward spiral continues. The latest in its seemingly never-ending doomsday news cycle comes today in the form of a pair of reports from Focus Taiwan, with the former suggesting that the lower-specced HTC 10 has been an absolute flop in China and the latter saying that the company has formed a completely separate company for its VR ambitions


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April’s Google self-driving car report details 2 minor accidents, one test driver’s story

In case you’re unaware, Google publishes a sometimes interesting but usually mundane report on its self-driving car project every month. Last month the company detailed its mapping system and a minor accident in Austin, and this month the April report describes the experience of one of its test drivers as well as two more accidents — neither of which were Google’s fault.


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: LG G5 (unlocked) $575, Samsung Gear VR $80, PowerBeats2 Wireless $120, more

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:

LG G5 w/ 32GB flash GSM 4G LTE (factory unlocked): $575 (Orig. $650)

Samsung Gear VR Virtual Reality Headset: $80 shipped (Reg. $100) | eBay

Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless In-ear Active Collection Headphones $120 shipped (Reg. $140+), more

Daily Deals: Samsung 28-inch 4K Ultra High Definition Monitor (Refurb) $305, Targus Drifter II 17-inch Laptop Backpack $30, more

 

These are the best Android phones you can buy in May 2016

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Upgrade your Mac w/ a speedy Crucial 500GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid-State Drive for $130 shipped (Reg. $150+), more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Take to the skies w/ DJI’s Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter for $399 (Reg. $499)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Erato’s Apollo 7 is the latest Kickstarter project with a goal of completely wireless earbuds

The best Android phones you can buy [May 2016]

We’re nearing the end of the first half of 2016, and that means a lot of new Android smartphones have been announced. Starting off the year was the Huawei Mate 8 and Honor 5X at CES in January, of course followed later by Samsung’s Galaxy S7 and S7 edge as well as the LG G5 in February at Mobile World Congress. But which ones are the best buys? Keep reading to find out…


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Google and Chrysler have confirmed a partnership for 100 self-driving electric minivans

Following a report this morning from Bloomberg suggesting that Google and Chrysler were about to announce a deal that would see Google’s self-driving technology being implemented in Chrysler’s upcoming new Pacifica minivan, the CEOs of both companies have now confirmed an agreement albeit not exactly what was being discussed earlier today.

While this morning’s report suggested a plan to work on a few “dozens of self-driving prototypes” in order to later bring the technology to the production version of the Pacifica, instead the deal would now see Google buying about 100 Pacifica minivans from Chrysler to use as prototypes,  but no exactly like it does with its current Lexus SUVs, and the Mountain View company will provide a “technological crash course” in self-driving technology to Chrysler though the new partnership.


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Bloomberg: Google’s self-driving technology will be in Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans from next year


Four months ago, Chrysler unveiled its 2017 Pacifica minivan range at the Detroit Auto Show. If a report from Bloomberg is anything to go by, this Pacifica Hybrid range could feature Google’s self-driving technology, bringing weeks/months of rumors to fruition. The deal could be signed by Tuesday…


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Support for Android Pay is coming to Uber next week, replacing Google Wallet

With the mass distribution of NFC chips (and even fingerprint readers) in most phones, mobile payments are becoming increasingly popular.

Google‘s own Android Pay — as well as a series of other services, like Samsung‘s — has been live for some time in the US, and it looks like Uber is now sending emails out to customers regarding their own implementation of the payments service…


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: Huawei Watch from $250, 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro $1,600, more

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:

Save up to $150 on Huawei Watch for iOS/Android, prices start at $250 shipped: Mesh Band $300 (Reg. $400), more

Apple 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro (Newest Version) 2.2GHz/16GB/256GB: $1,600 shipped (Reg. $1,999)

Amazon Gold Box – Anker SoundCore Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker: $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)

Anker’s new 60W USB-C/A 5-port charger can quickly refuel your Android phones, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Amazon’s already insanely low-priced 7-inch Fire tablet gets a fresh 20% discount, now just $40 Prime shipped

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

LG Google Nexus 5X 16GB 5.2-Inch LTE Unlocked Smartphone: $240 shipped

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Leica’s latest $6,000 digital camera drops the built-in display for a throwback look

New MagicMount battery attaches magnetically to your iPhone or Android smartphone

Opinion: CyanogenMod improves the Honor 5X enough to make it my daily driver [Video]

After Chinese company Huawei introduced the phone for the US in January of this year, I gave the Honor 5X a full review. But maybe you can’t even call it that. More than a review, it was mostly just some thoughts on the phone that I had pent up after an exhausting week at CES. Basically, the gist was this (although I recommend you read the whole thing): You get a lot for your money ($200) on the hardware side of things with the Honor 5X, but the software leaves a lot (and, really, I mean a lot) to be desired. After that, the phone sat in my drawer and I hadn’t touched it since.

Until yesterday…


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LG developed a display panel with an integrated fingerprint reader

In flagship devices today, a fingerprint reader is almost a given. We use it for not just unlocking our device, but also a slew of security features which allow us not to deal with the hassle of passwords, and now a series of mobile payment services — notably Chase banking and Google‘s own Android Pay — are making their way to our phones.

In all handsets, these scanners usually hide underneath a physical home button, or are otherwise implemented on the back of the phones via a dedicated sensor. However,  LG‘s subsidiary Innotek has developed an under-glass fingerprint sensor module, which could come into production as early as this year…


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: Nexus 5X (unlocked) $240, Galaxy S7 32GB (unlocked) $560, more

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:

LG Google Nexus 5X 16GB 5.2-Inch LTE Unlocked Smartphone: $240 shipped

Samsung Galaxy S7 32GB (unlocked): $560 shipped (Reg. $695)

Apple 11-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/256GB from $850 shipped w/ .edu (Reg. $1,099), more

Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,200 or $1,150 w/ .edu (Reg. $1,499), more

Apple 27-inch Retina 5K iMac 3.2GHz/8GB/1TB: from $1,450 (Reg. $1,799)

Apple 21-inch Retina 4K iMac 3.1GHz/8GB/1TB (newest version): from $1,150 shipped w/ .edu (Reg. $1,499)

Anker’s new 60W USB-C/A 5-port charger can quickly refuel your Android phones, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Toshiba Canvio 3TB Desktop External Hard Drive $80 shipped (Reg. $100)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Networking: D-Link 802.11ac Wireless Router $25 (Reg. $30+), PowerLine Kit w/ Wi-Fi Extender $80, more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Triby is the first non-Amazon portable Bluetooth speaker with built-in support for Alexa

The SteelSeries Apex M500 is a lean mechanical gaming keyboard w/ Cherry MX Red switches

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