Smartphone

<a href="http://9to5google.com/2015/03/10/lg-g4-leak-lg-g-flex-2/">Purported rendering</a> of the LG G4

LG has already said that it is working on a phone that is a bit higher-end than its upcoming LG G4 handset, and it looks like the company might go with the familiar “Note” moniker to set this device apart from its siblings. A high-end large screen smartphone specifically called the “G Note” is reportedly in the works (via Korea Herald), and it looks like LG even applied for a trademark for the phablet earlier this month…

HTC One E9 leaks, sports a flatter and thinner body w/ a 5.5-inch screen

Stephen Hall Mar 11 2015 - 10:46 am PT

It looks like another HTC smartphone, this time the One E9 (rather than the M9), is on the way to market sometime soon. The images have shown up thanks to Chinese regulators (via Engadget), and as you can see above, they actually don’t look that similar to last year’s HTC One E8 (which came to Sprint in August). This device has a much larger camera on its rear, and sports a larger 5.5-inch screen (which is a half-an-inch bigger than that of its M9 relative)…
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You can now build your own Moto 360 in Moto Maker

Stephen Hall Mar 10 2015 - 9:55 am PT

The Moto Maker has long been a great way to build your own custom Moto X, but now Motorola is letting you customize your Moto 360 smartwatch much the same way. We told you in February that the feature would be coming in March, and this morning it looks like Motorola has pulled the trigger…

With the Moto 360 Moto Maker, there are three main sections: case, band, and face. You can choose between three cases, including dark, light, and a “Champagne Gold” option—which is an additional $30. Bands come in a variety of options, including a 22mm Leather band (in 3 colors), a 24mm metal “Mono link” band, and both 18m and 23mm “Metal” bands available in a few colors.

Finally, while this may seem silly, the Moto Maker also lets you pick which watch face is going to be seen by default when your first turn the device on. You can pick between 6 “light” watch faces and 5 “dark” faces, all of which you’re probably familiar with if you’ve ever used a Moto 360 before.

To get started building, head over to Motorola’s website.

Purported LG G4 press renders show a LG G3 + G Flex 2 hybrid

Stephen Hall Mar 10 2015 - 9:11 am PT

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The same guy that leaked the HTC One M9 in late January, Steve Hemmerstoffer of the well-known French site Nowhereelse.fr, has today come out via his new “OnLeaks” Twitter account to share what he says are some “early” renders of the LG G4—and the device pictured looks a lot like the LG G Flex 2 that was announced earlier this year at CES…

YotaPhone 2 coming to the US this summer, Indiegogo campaign launching in April

Stephen Hall Mar 4 2015 - 8:42 am PT

If you’ve been anxiously awaiting your chance to get the YotaPhone 2, today comes with great news. The device isn’t launching today, but Yota Devices has announced that its super-battery-saving e-paper back YotaPhone 2 will indeed be coming to North America this Summer. And it will be doing so via an Indiegogo campaign that’s scheduled to launch in April.
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OnePlus 2 will reportedly look more premium, might have a higher price

Stephen Hall Mar 3 2015 - 8:48 am PT

The next device from OnePlus, which most assume will be called the OnePlus 2, is probably right around the corner—after all, the current-generation OnePlus One was announced over nine months ago. But what kind of changes does OnePlus have planned for it?

According to a report this morning from Business Insider, the phone is going to look and feel a lot more “premium” than its predecessor, potentially sporting a metal frame. It’s said that this might come with a price bump, however, so lets hope that’s something you’re willing to settle for.
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Waze might be coming pre-installed on an Android smartphone near you

Stephen Hall Mar 3 2015 - 7:52 am PT

Google has announced today that Waze, the Google-owned social driving app, is going to be an option for pre-installed software on Android phones (via TechCrunch). The app is now part of Google Mobile Services, a selection of software that Google allows OEMs and carriers to include in their devices.

HTC’s ‘Utopia in Progress’ Mobile World Congress event is now on YouTube for replay

Stephen Hall Mar 2 2015 - 10:28 am PT

HTC announced its new One M9 flagship yesterday, but the company also took time to tell us about the GRIP fitness device they’re working on with Under Armour and the new Vive virtual reality headset being made in partnership with Valve. Sunday in the United States feels like an odd time for all of these announcements to have happened (meaning they caught many of us off guard), but if you’re one of those that missed the keynote, you’re in luck. HTC has this morning uploaded the full press event video to YouTube for your viewing pleasure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWhM_oHr558

Poll: Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9 compared – which is your pick?

Stephen Hall Mar 2 2015 - 8:56 am PT

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Both the Samsung Galaxy S6 (and the S6 Edge) and the HTC One M9 were announced yesterday, showcasing the best that these two Android OEMs have to offer this year. Both of these devices were horribly-kept secrets in their own ways, so there weren’t many surprises yesterday—we already knew almost every detail about both phones before they were announced.

But now that they’re here, which one do you think you’ll be getting? Or if you’re not in line for an upgrade right now, which one would be your pick? Let’s take a look at a few of their differences…
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Sony announces Xperia Z4 tablet w/ 10.1-inch 2K display & mid-range Xperia M4 smartphone

Stephen Hall Mar 2 2015 - 6:36 am PT

Sony this morning announced their latest entry into the tablet market with a super-slim device called the Xperia Z4 Tablet, as well as an update to the mid-range Xperia M smartphone series, the Xperia M4. The former claims to be the world’s slimmest 10-inch tablet, packs a 2K-resolution display, and has the Snapdragon 810 (the chip in many of this year’s flagship smartphones) built inside. The Xperia M4 is a “no compromises” smartphone that packs waterproofing with some decent spec bumps.

Watch the HTC One M9 ‘Utopia in Progress’ event here (Livestream)

Stephen Hall Mar 1 2015 - 7:03 am PT

The HTC One M9 is set to be announced today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. We’re just moments away from the event kicking off, so tune in below for the latest straight from HTC…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWhM_oHr558

Hands-on with HTC One M9 appears leading up to MWC (Video)

Stephen Hall Feb 28 2015 - 9:04 am PT

The HTC One M9 is almost surely going to be one of the biggest stars of the Mobile World Congress this year, but it has also arguably been one of the most-leaked handsets ever. As HTC’s event approaches, the leaks have seemed to become only more and more prevalent, and that trend is continuing today as a hands-on video of the device has appeared on YouTube…

Google’s Ingress augmented reality game is on its way to Android Wear

Stephen Hall Feb 27 2015 - 11:16 am PT

Ingress was launched on Android in 2012, but after its introduction made its way to a few other platforms. The app has been available on iOS for a while and had a port made for Google Glass, but now the Mountain View company’s augmented reality game is officially coming to Android Wear (via Engadget) at some point next month. You’ll still need an Android phone—as is the case with most Android Wear apps—but it won’t be long before you’ll be able to play Ingress without taking that phone out of your pocket.

It makes sense considering the nature of the game, as the basic premise is that you’re exploring the real world while creating virtual missions, and defending and attacking portals. While using the smartphone works fine, it makes a lot more sense that users would be able to simply glance down on their wrists to play the game—hence why a Google Glass version of the game was put together as well (although that version is no longer available). Head over to the Google Play store to get the latest version of Ingress.

9to5Toys Last Call: BLU Studio 6 w/ 4G $130, Speck Nexus 5 case $17, Unlocked LG G2 $210, more

Stephen Hall Feb 26 2015 - 11:39 am PT

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: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

BLU Studio 6.0 HD 8 GB 4G unlocked for GSM carriers in white or black: $130 shipped (Reg. $180)

Speck (sitewide 50% off) CandyShell LG Nexus 5 case: $17.47 shipped (Reg. $35)

LG G2 w/ 32GB flash storage, factory unlocked for GSM carriers: $210 shipped (Reg. $300)

Small States: Etwas builds timeless bags with legacy and heirloom design in mind – giveaway worth $380

More new gear from today:

Jabra Solemate Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker w/ NFC in black $60 shipped (Reg. $95+)

New! Daily Deals: VIZIO 42″ Smart TV refurb $305, 2-Pack MFi Lightning Cables $13, more
New! Games/Apps: Duet Display $8 (Reg. $16), iOS freebies, more
New! OontZ Angle Bluetooth speaker by Cambridge SoundWorks $28 Prime shipped (Orig. $70)

More deals still alive:

Power Banks: Goal Zero Solar/Hand Crank $60 (Reg. $80), 11,200mAh $20 (Reg. $30)
Samsung 55-inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED HDTV $700 shipped (Reg. $800+)
Southwest Airlines has one-way flights from $73 to cure your winter blues
Bose QuietComfort 20 Noise Cancelling in-ear headphones w/ mic $245 shipped (Reg. $300)
Kitchenaid 300w Stand Mixer Tilt 4.5-Quart (Metallic/Red): $180 shipped
Media: Target discounts Blu-rays down to $4.50 each, iTunes movies from $8, more
Acoustic Research Portable Wireless Bluetooth Outdoor Speaker $19 (orig. $130)
Kensington Clicksafe Combination laptop/device lock $15 Prime shipped (Reg. $25+)
Griffin MFi Apple-Certified retractable Lighting cable $10 shipped (orig. $20)
Incipio NGP impact-resistant iPhone 6 case in black $9 Prime shipped (Reg. $20)
Headphones: Klipsch X11 $100 (Reg. $132+), Sennheiser HD205-II $25 (Reg. $50)
Numark iDJ Live II Lightning DJ Controller for Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone $67 (Reg. $100)
HDDs: Seagate 5TB desktop $130, Seagate Slim portable 2TB (multiple colors) $85
D-Link Day/Night WiFi Surveillance Camera w/ iOS or Android Viewing $60 (Reg. $140)

New products & more:

Control Siri, iTunes and your iPhone’s camera from afar w/ Satechi’s Bluetooth buttons
Get the new Forza Horizon 2 Fast & Furious stand-alone expansion pack for free
Kitchen Tech: Carbonating tools turn water into soda, fruit and desserts into fizzy magic
Microsoft announces free Office 365 for students and teachers worldwide
LifeProof finally begins accepting preorders for its first waterproof iPhone 6 Plus case
Leica uses mid-century military design with its limited edition M-P camera
Here’s a look at Pioneer’s new all-gold limited edition DJ controller
WaterField Designs has a new travel pouch for your tech from its San Francisco workshop
Bang & Olufsen’s Bluetooth speaker is a must-see with its anodized aluminum gold finish
Gaming For Couples: Catch up on 9 great video game columns!
Target turns up the heat on Best Buy/Amazon by slashing its free shipping threshold

IDC: Android continued to increase its lead in smartphone market in 2014

Jordan Kahn Feb 24 2015 - 11:30 am PT

IDC just released its latest numbers on the top smartphones by operating system showing Android and iOS continue to collectively dominate the market with both experiencing growth during 2014. Together, iOS and Android grabbed 96.3% of all smartphone shipments, which IDC points out is up from 95.6% in 4Q13 and from 93.8% in calendar year 2013.

More purported press renders of upcoming HTC One M9 handset leak out

Stephen Hall Feb 24 2015 - 9:23 am PT

The teases and leaks have gone into overdrive this week as the Mobile World Congress approaches, and now the familiar @upleaks Twitter account has shared some press renders that purportedly show the upcoming HTC One M9—with the “M9” name sans the parentheses as has been widely speculated.

Render of Verizon’s 2nd generation Moto E w/ LTE leaks out

Stephen Hall Feb 23 2015 - 1:37 pm PT

The second generation Moto E was spotted earlier this month on the Best Buy website, but now we have what looks to be a render of the device all stamped up and ready to ship on Verizon (via Android Police). And to the delight of many, it looks like the device is going to pack 4G LTE, a feature that isn’t common in phones in the price range this one will likely fall into.

HTC One M9 purportedly coming in both ‘Dark Gunmetal’ & ‘Gold’ color variants

Stephen Hall Feb 23 2015 - 6:10 am PT

Purported HTC One M9 renders <a href="http://9to5google.com/2015/01/28/evleaks-htc-one-hima-render-m9/">via Evleaks</a>

The next HTC One is right around the corner, but more and more details continue to stream out as the device’s March 1st reveal date gets closer. Most recently, a system dump of the software shipping on the HTC One M9—codenamed “Hima”—leaked out, giving us an idea of what HTC’s Sense 7 software is going to look like (spoiler: not much different than Sense 6). Today, the same source of that information has come out to share the color variants of the device.

T-Mobile shows us the best picture yet of the Samsung Galaxy S6

Seth Weintraub Feb 22 2015 - 7:38 pm PT

3 Comments

In T-Moble’s new “Six Appeal” microsite, they throw out the above image which plainly shows the Galaxy S 6 profile with its curved display beaming out some magenta. March 1st is the day of announcement but something tells me we’ll hear more before then.

DIY Apple repair specialist iFixit launches Android parts, tools & guides

Ben Lovejoy Feb 18 2015 - 6:18 am PT

iFixit, a company which made its name supplying parts, tools and instructional guides for repairing Apple products, is now branching out into the Android market. So if you’ve been wondering what to do with a broken phone or tablet, you can now try your hand at a DIY repair.

Our Android Repair hub is now live. On it, you’ll find hundreds of Android repair guides and replacement parts for a dozen of Android’s most popular devices—including the Samsung Galaxy S, the Galaxy Note, and the Nexus tablet series.

The challenge, of course, is that there are way more Android devices than Apple ones–almost 4000 different models of smartphone, even before you start counting tablets, smartwatches and TV boxes …
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HTC takes to Twitter to tease the ‘new HTC One’

Stephen Hall Feb 17 2015 - 1:20 pm PT

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We have a full-on teaser war happening right now. HTC has revved up their Twitter engines and started to post about a device they’re calling the “new HTC One,” slated for announcement on March 1st, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. No mention of the “M9” moniker that the device is widely assumed to have (and was spotted on none other than HTC’s website), but we’ll have to wait and see what happens…

[tweet https://twitter.com/HTC_UK/status/567783134180040704 align=’center’]

The most reliable leaks we’ve seen thus far claim to show the “Hima” M9 device in two variants. Details are currently sparse in terms of specifications, but at least one of these bad boys should have a 5.5-inch display, the Snapdragon 810 SoC is widely expected to power them, and 3 GB of RAM seems to be the norm for this refresh cycle. Upleaks, which has a decent track record, spilled some “Hima” specs in December.

Visa hopes to track smartphone locations to prevent credit card fraud for travellers

Jordan Kahn Feb 12 2015 - 11:44 am PT

Currently most of us have to inform our bank by phone when we’re travelling to avoid purchases in other countries appearing as red flags for fraud and being declined. That could soon change as Visa looks to track smartphones with a service called Mobile Location Confirmation in order to help their security systems become smarter and reduce declined purchases by as much as 30%.
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Sony quietly introduces new Xperia E4 low-end smartphone w/ two day battery life

Stephen Hall Feb 10 2015 - 8:43 am PT