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Seven 'prototype' stories February 2012 - December 2015
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Sketchy Moto X prototype dummy leak suggests possible design for 2016 Motorola flagship

Avatar for Cam Bunton Dec 16 2015 - 2:31 am PT
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This year’s Moto X has only been out for a couple of months, and already we’re seeing rumors and leaks for next year’s models. While that’s not exactly surprising, it’s always worth taking any early leaks and images with a suitable amount of skepticism. What appears to be an early machined prototype dummy has leaked online and suggests Motorola might go with a new design for next year’s Moto X, switching from a metal pill-shaped panel to a glass, circular enclosure. Unlike last year’s model, the dual LED flash is placed in a segment at the bottom of this panel, rather than in a translucent ring around the camera module.


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LG Nexus 5X prototype gets hands on treatment ahead of launch (Video)

Avatar for Cam Bunton Sep 29 2015 - 4:19 am PT
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By now we’ve all seen and heard pretty much there is to about the upcoming LG Nexus 5X. Thanks to some detailed leaks, we’ve seen everything from specs and design to its launch date and pricing. The 5.2-inch Nexus will be LG’s third pure Android device and is expected to launch later today for less than $400.

Just in time for the official announcement, YouTube channel UNDERkg has published a quick hands on video giving an overview and tour of the design and hardware features. It’s worth noting that this is a pre-release model which is missing much of the hardware required to power it on and use it. However, even with all the missing hardware, we still get a good look at the size of the device and how it will look in real life.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF90EMInXEk]

The video shows the mint green (or ‘Icy Blue’) version of the 5X, which we’re expecting to launch alongside a black and white model, with 16GB and 32GB storage options available for all three. With the rumored 1080 x 1920 resolution 5.2-inch display and Snapdragon 808 processor, the 5X could be one of the best sub-$400 devices on the market when it’s made available to order later today.

We’ll be bringing you plenty of reaction to the announcements after the event kicks off at 8am Pacific, in the mean time, be sure to check out our in-depth guide on what you should be expecting from the Google announcement in San Francisco this morning.

Google Glass ‘Enterprise Edition’ is foldable, more water resistant, rugged for the workplace

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jul 21 2015 - 11:22 am PT
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Google Glass Explorer Edition

As we’ve come to learn more about the next iteration of Google Glass, it’s clear that this device isn’t the “Google Glass 2.0” that many diehard fans of the product — however many there are — have been longing for. Google Glass “Enterprise Edition” or “EE,” as the company is referring to it internally, is rather a spinoff of the Explorer Edition and an incremental revision targeted at the workplace. Google is ditching the fashion runways and #throughGlass pictures — and they’re getting into the enterprise where Glass has practical use cases.

And with that, Tony Fadell and company had to deeply consider with EE how the device looks, works, and functions. We’re familiar with multiple prototypes that are nearing the final stages of revision, and one thing is very clear: This isn’t going to be a drastic departure visually from the Explorer Edition. It has been tweaked, though, and there are at least a few differences noticeable from the outside. It folds like a regular pair of glasses, and because it’s first and foremost being built for the workplace, it has a more rugged build and appearance…
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Google potentially working w/ BLOCKS smartwatch team to build cross platform Project Ara modules

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jan 23 2015 - 9:50 am PT
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The BLOCKS smartwatch platform was unveiled a few months ago, and it’s still very much in development. But the company building the modular wrist-worn computer recently had a chance to sit down with the Project Ara team at Google, and it seems that the Mountain View corporation might be interested in working with the team to bring the best of the market’s modular devices together in harmony.


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Sketchy photos claim to show LG-made Nexus 5 prototype

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 19 2013 - 8:02 am PT
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With conflicting reports related to which company will be producing Google’s next-generation Nexus smartphone, today TechTastic (via Nowhereelse) posted the images above showing what they claim is the upcoming Nexus 5. There are two rumors floating around when it comes to the Nexus 5: one claims that Google’s Motorola will build the phone, and another claiming Nexus 4-maker LG will reprise its role. The images above don’t exactly follow the look of the glass Nexus 4, but it would line up with rumors that the Nexus 5 will be based on LG recently announced G2. It’s also worth noting that this is apparently a prototype, which might explain the less than polished exterior in the images. It doesn’t exactly seem to be sporting the “thinner design” compared to the G2 that we’ve been hearing about.

The Nexus 5 is rumored to have similar specs to the 5.2-inch display and Snapdragon 800 processor found on the LG G2, but previous reports said it will receive a downgraded Snapdragon 600 CPU and 10 megapixel camera.

Russian website reviews a prototype LG Nexus 4

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 15 2012 - 6:52 am PT
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We have heard a lot about the much-rumored LG Nexus. From surfaced images and retail inventory listings, we expect the device to bear “LG Nexus 4” branding and launch sometime in the coming weeks. We also heard much about the device’s specs and design that—for the most part—seem to mirror the LG Optimus G. In case you just cannot wait for official details from Google and LG, Russian blog Onliner.by has a full, lengthy review of what it claimed is a “prototype LG Nexus 4”.

As for the specs published by Onliner, the device seems to confirm rumors that the LG Nexus 4 is largely based off the Optimus G. Inside the prototype unit, at least, is a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 4.7-inch 1,280-by-720 IPS display. The device also measured in 1.5mm shorter than the Galaxy Nexus, but it is 1.3mm wider at 134 × 69,2 × 9,2 mm with a weight of 139 g.

The prototype unit reviewed was almost too buggy to review the software (Android 4.1.2), but we do get an excellent look at the physical design of the Nexus 4. A few things we noticed include a new micro SIM card tray, a green LED light on the lower bezel, chrome buttons, and headphone jack position at the top. The website also described the device’s textured back, saying it is “completely smooth” to the touch but extremely scratch proof. It stood up to a scratch test using a key.


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Temporary FCC license reveals Google is testing a ‘next generation personal communication device’

Avatar for Jake Smith Feb 10 2012 - 4:57 pm PT
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A rumor debuted yesterday that claimed Google is currently developing and testing a streaming home-entertainment system in many of its employee’s homes. Today, a new temporary Federal Communications Commission license awarded to Google revealed that the company is testing a “next generation personal communication device,” whether it is connected to the home-entertainment system or not. A total 102 units of this prototype are in employee’s homes across Mountain View, Los Angeles, New York, and Massachusetts’ areas. The request is specifically for the use of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in the prototype. (via The Verge)

This prototype could also certainly be Google’s new personal HUD glasses that we told you about earlier this week. Our sources said the Google X crew is developing them, and they could ship in a beta like Chromebook did. We also told you that the glasses will sport Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so today’s FCC request could certainly be the glasses.

 


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