#Technology |
- Nexus 6P buyers get $50 discount on Huawei Watch
- Report: Google abandons its retail plans as it looks to sublease SoHo building it renovated
- Google’s self-driving car report for October reveals fewer cars on the road in Austin
- Wileyfox Storm unboxing: First look at the British budget flagship [Video]
- 9to5Toys Lunch Break: Nexus 6 $290, Pebble Time $150, 2nd gen. Moto X $200, more
- Google: Chrome OS not folding into Android, Material redesign + 2016 Chromebooks coming
- Sprint announces new agreement to let subscribers roam in Cuba
- Hands-on: Nextbit’s Robin is a cloud-first smartphone that gets smarter with use [Video]
- AT&T’s NumberSync feature coming first to Samsung Gear S2 & LG Watch Urbane 2, orders start Friday
- BlackBerry PRIV launching in the US on AT&T this Friday, November 6
- SoundCloud releases first app for creators with ‘Pulse’ for Android
- Nest Cam Review: Is Google’s Wi-Fi security cam worth the subscription costs?
- Too many Facebook staffers prefer iPhones, company says, forcing many to switch to Android
- T-Mobile announces new 4G LTE CellSpot, offering LTE signal from Wi-Fi wherever you want it
- Huawei to announce phablet flagship Mate 8 on November 26
- Google takes advantage of Halloween to boost skills of self-driving cars at recognizing children
- OnePlus introduces new ‘On-Guard’ extended warranty program
Nexus 6P buyers get $50 discount on Huawei Watch Posted: 03 Nov 2015 02:18 AM PST
Huawei has taken a leaf from Apple’s book with its latest promotion, offering discount on its wearable product when customers order a smartphone. Buyers who order the Nexus 6P direct from Huawei can get $50 off the Huawei Watch when they buy both devices at the same time. That means you’ll be able to get one of this year’s best Android Wear smartwatches for as little as $299. This deal, of course, is more than likely being launched to counter Apple’s very similar promotion in which customers purchasing an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time receive $50 discount in select stores. Overall though, there’s still a huge price difference between buying the new Nexus and buying the new iPhone. Nexus 6P models start at $499, where the iPhone 6s begins at $649. Huawei Watch begins at the same price as the Apple Watch Sport, and is $200+ cheaper than the stainless Apple Watch models. If you want to take advantage of the deal, head on over to GetHuawei.com and add the Nexus 6P and Huawei Watch to your basket. The $50 discount will be applied automatically. All in, the cheapest combination will set you back about $800, that’s only $50 more than the price of the cheapest 16GB iPhone 6s Plus on its own. That’s really not bad when you’re getting two of the best Android/Android Wear products available right now. Filed under: Android, Android Wear Tagged: Android, Android Wear, Huawei, Huawei Watch, Nexus 6P, smartphones, wearables         Check out 9to5Google for more breaking coverage of Android, Android, and Android Wear. What do you think? Discuss "Nexus 6P buyers get $50 discount on Huawei Watch" with our community. |
Report: Google abandons its retail plans as it looks to sublease SoHo building it renovated Posted: 02 Nov 2015 07:09 PM PST
Google has long been rumored to be planning to open a New York City retail space, but now it looks as if that plan has died off. According to a report from Crain’s New York Business, Google has abandoned its plans to open a retail store in New York City. The company is looking to sublease a 5,442-square-foot space it leased in SoHo last year. Google is looking to sublease the place for $2.25 million, but according to the report, the company has already invested $6 million in renovating the building. Google was planning to launch its first ever retail space in the building, but it’s unclear why the company abandoned those plans. Google was aiming to compete more directly with Apple and use the store to sell its Chromebook and Nexus devices. As far as its renovations go, Google redesigned the layout of the building and gave it a sunken area in the rear, giving the effect of higher ceilings. The company exposed the brick walls, columns, and steel beams, as well, and eliminated a concrete step that led into the building. The location of the building, 131 Greene St., is prime real estate. The area has recently been revitalized thanks to the openings of new, hip retail locations by companies like Sonos. At this point, it’s unclear if Google still has any interest in opening retail stores, but for the time being, it looks as if those plans have been shut down. Filed under: Google Corporate Tagged: Google, New York City, retail, stores         For more news on Google, Google Corporate, and New York City continue reading at 9to5Google. What do you think? Discuss "Report: Google abandons its retail plans as it looks to sublease SoHo building it renovated" with our community. |
Google’s self-driving car report for October reveals fewer cars on the road in Austin Posted: 02 Nov 2015 01:49 PM PST
Google releases a report about its self-driving car project every month, and now the company has released October’s numbers. There’s not much new information this time around, but numbers like miles driven in both autonomous and manual modes have obviously increased. Interestingly, while the number of self-driving cars on the road has stayed the same, the number of cars on the road in Austin, TX has decreased… In October’s report, we’re seeing 23 Lexus RX450h SUVs on the streets in total, with 4 of them in Austin. There are 25 of the admittedly cuter prototypes on the roads, with 21 in Mountain View, CA and 4 in Austin, TX. And here are the new record total miles driven since the start of self-driving car project in 2009:
Interestingly, while Google was just recently boasting about its expansion into Austin, it looks like the Mountain View company has actually pulled some cars from Texas over the last month. Google had 6 of the Lexus cars and 8 of the prototypes in Austin, TX last month, and now there are only 4 of each. Filed under: Self-Driving Car Tagged: Android, Austin, manual, October, report, Self-driving car         For more news on Android, report, and Self-Driving Car continue reading at 9to5Google. What do you think? Discuss "Google’s self-driving car report for October reveals fewer cars on the road in Austin" with our community. |
Wileyfox Storm unboxing: First look at the British budget flagship [Video] Posted: 02 Nov 2015 01:24 PM PST
Recently, I checked out the Wileyfox Swift, it's one of the best phones on the market in Europe at its pricepoint. This is the Wileyfox Storm, the company's more expensive device that aims to bring flagship specs at an affordable price point. Before reviewing it at a later date, we wanted to unbox it and see what we thought of the smartphone on first impressions… In the boxUnboxing the phone is a pretty nice experience. The box has the same grippy orange texture on the outside as the Swift and the outer sleeve slides off really smoothly. Over the phone is a protective semi-transparent sheet, and the Wileyfox Storm itself sits face-down on a tray and is protected from all sides by a protective foam frame. In the packaging, customers can expect to find a flat USB to Micro USB cable with an exposed Type A end, wound in to a neat coil, very similar to the OnePlus cable. There’s also the most unusual SIM ejector tool I’ve ever seen and some booklets. There’s literally nothing else. No earphones, and no power adapter. Two unusual omissions, but nothing I haven’t seen before with devices launched to disrupt and save costs. DesignLike many modern affordable smartphones, the Wileyfox Storm has a dual-purpose SIM tray. It has two slots. You can either use it to store two nano-SIMs and have a dual-SIM setup, or use one SIM and an SD card. The 32GB inbuilt storage should be plenty for most people, but just in case it’s not, you can expand up to an extra 128GB. The back has a soft textured finish. It's not grippy, but it does feel nice in the hand. There are tiny bits of orange trim, the embossed fox logo and bright orange Wileyfox text. All of which look great. Size-wise, the phone is pretty similar to the new Moto X Style. At 9.2mm thick, it's not the thinnest device around. But the curve on the back makes it feel ergonomic in palm. The back also plays home to a 20MP Sony and large single LED flash as well as the large rectangular loudspeaker grille made up from lots of tiny machined holes. The edges have a sculpted trim, all the way around, on the top and bottom, and the right edge plays home to the power and volume rocker, while the left houses the aforementioned dual-SIM tray. Other specsOn the front, there's a large 5.5-inch full HD display with a 400ppi pixel density. On first impressions, it seems pretty sharp. Although, whites seem a tiny bit yellow and warm, you can adapt it slightly using the software settings built in to the Cyanogen 12.1 OS. It’s based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, but features many of Wileyfox’s own twists, like the unique app draw icon design. Joining the display on the front panel is an 8MP front facing camera (with an LED flash) and the three capacitive buttons on the bottom lip. Within the settings, you can choose whether or not you want these buttons to light up and be used, or if you’d rather go with Android’s baked in virtual buttons instead. Inside, there's an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor clocked a 1.5GHz. It's paired with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. There's also a 2500mAh battery, and it's non-removable. Sadly, that's the same capacity battery as the smaller Wileyfox Swift. So it'll be interesting to see how that affects performance. As overall first impressions go, it reminds me a lot of the OnePlus One. It has similar specs, materials and has a similar price. At £200, it has competition. So, sadly, it may not reach the impressive heights of its more budget-friendly sibling. But still, we won't jump to conclusions until I've spent more time with it. You can order the device now for just under £200 on Amazon UK. In the US that translates to roughly $300. At that price, you might want to hold on to your cash and maybe order the Idol 3,ZenFone 2 or just hope you get an invite for the OnePlus X. Filed under: Android Tagged: Android, smartphones, unboxing, videos, Wileyfox, wileyfox storm         Check out 9to5Google for more breaking coverage of Android, Android, and smartphones. What do you think? Discuss "Wileyfox Storm unboxing: First look at the British budget flagship [Video]" with our community. |
9to5Toys Lunch Break: Nexus 6 $290, Pebble Time $150, 2nd gen. Moto X $200, more Posted: 02 Nov 2015 01:06 PM PST
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:
Motorola Nexus 6 Unlocked 32GB in Midnight Blue (refurb): $290 shipped (Orig. $330)
Pebble Time Smartwatch in multiple colors: $150 shipped (Reg. $200)
Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) 16 GB Unlocked: $199.99 shipped (Reg. $300)
Samsung Galaxy S5 Unlocked: $300 shipped (Reg. $400+) | eBay
LG G Pad V410 AT&T GSM Unlocked 7-Inch 4G LTE 16GB Tablet: $80 shipped (Reg. $150+)
Beats by Dr. Dre Pill 2.0 Portable Bluetooth Speaker (multiple colors) $120 shipped (Orig. $200)
Amazon's Black Friday Deals store is now open for businessEverything we know so far about this year's best Black Friday deals and promotionsMore new gear from today:
Daily Deals: Garmin vívofit 2 $70, Two Aukey MFi Lightning Cables $8, more
More deals still alive:
Free PS Plus Games for November: The Walking Dead Season 2, Mass Effect 2, Beyond Good & Evil, moreFree Xbox Live Gold Games for November: Pneuma Breath of Life, Dungeon Siege III, more
New products & more:
Panasonic has a new line of solar powered products designed for those in need
Filed under: Tech Industry Tagged: 9to5toys         Visit 9to5Google to find more special coverage of Tech Industry and 9to5toys. What do you think? Discuss "9to5Toys Lunch Break: Nexus 6 $290, Pebble Time $150, 2nd gen. Moto X $200, more" with our community. |
Google: Chrome OS not folding into Android, Material redesign + 2016 Chromebooks coming Posted: 02 Nov 2015 10:58 AM PST
Officially offering a denial to a report last week claiming Chrome OS would merge into Android by 2017, Google has taken to its Chrome blog to say Chrome OS is here to stay. Chromebooks that run the Chrome operating system has taken off especially well in the classroom, giving Google added incentive to ensure Chrome OS users that the platform isn’t facing any dramatic changes in the near future. Hoping to convince users that recent reports of the future of Chrome OS are wrong, Google has shared some usage numbers and even offered a peek into the future of Chrome OS… Google says that’s in part due to the success of Chrome OS. Chromebooks are activated in 30,000 classrooms each school day, according to Google, and 2 million students and teachers use the recently launched Share to Classroom Chrome extension. Google also cites companies including Netflix and Starbucks that have deployed Chromebooks successfully while highlighting security on Chrome OS. Google even points out Chromebook sales performance on Amazon as reason to keep the platform around. As for new features, Google says Chrome OS has a Material Design makeover planned for the future (Android introduced the design language a year ago) and “dozens of new Chromebooks” are planned for next year. A new media player on Chrome OS and continued security and performance updates are also in the cards, according to the blog post. Convinced? The consensus seems to be that its only a matter of time before Android adapts into a full-blown Chrome OS competitor, and while the Chrome OS name may stick around, the inevitable focus on Android is undeniable. As ever, let us know what you think in the comments. Filed under: Chrome/OS Tagged: Android, Chrome, Chrome OS, Chromebooks, Google         For more information about Google, Android, and Chrome/OS continue reading at 9to5Google. What do you think? Discuss "Google: Chrome OS not folding into Android, Material redesign + 2016 Chromebooks coming" with our community. |
Sprint announces new agreement to let subscribers roam in Cuba Posted: 02 Nov 2015 10:07 AM PST
Sprint today announced a new agreement with the Telecommunications Company of Cuba that will allow the fourth-largest US carrier’s subscribers to roam in Cuba. The move comes on the heels of changes to US-Cuban relations recently implemented by the US government. The Sprint press release (below) mentions two of the company’s global roaming initiatives, but doesn’t specify whether Cuba will join the existing programs or will be part of a different offer. The company says the exact details and the timing of the launch will be announced at a later date. Sprint First U.S. Carrier to Sign Direct Cuba Roaming Agreement OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Nov. 2, 2015 – Sprint (NYSE: S) today became the first U.S. wireless carrier to sign a direct roaming agreement with Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA). "As the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Cuba continues to progress, it is expected that the number of travelers to Cuba will increase exponentially," said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. "We want to make sure any Sprint customer traveling to Cuba can use their phone the same way as they do in the United States." Claure made the announcement at a signing ceremony in Havana as part of the U.S.-Cuba Business Council (USCBC) delegation to Cuba. As the only U.S. carrier with a direct roaming agreement and a direct long-distance interconnection agreement with Cuban provider ETECSA, Sprint is leading the way for U.S.-Cuba telecommunications. More than 3 million people from around the world are expected to visit Cuba this year. Within 10 years, that number is projected to grow to more than 5 million. The USCBC, an advocacy organization housed at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is a formal commitment by the American business community to build a strong and strategic commercial relationship between Cuba and the United States. Earlier this year, Sprint launched Sprint Global Roaming and in August launched Sprint Open World, an industry-leading plan for connectivity in Canada, Mexico and most other countries across Latin America. The agreement signed today with ETECSA makes it much more convenient for Sprint customers who plan to work, study or visit family in Cuba. Offer details and timing of availability will be announced soon. Filed under: Tech Industry Tagged: carriers, cuba, Roaming, Sprint         Visit 9to5Google to find more special coverage of Tech Industry, Sprint, and carriers. What do you think? Discuss "Sprint announces new agreement to let subscribers roam in Cuba" with our community. |
Hands-on: Nextbit’s Robin is a cloud-first smartphone that gets smarter with use [Video] Posted: 02 Nov 2015 09:54 AM PST
Nextbit’s Robin is a new smartphone that’s primary goal is to eliminate the lack of smartphone storage. Robin uses the cloud and intelligently archives stuff you don’t use or need often, while backing it up to the cloud. Recently, we took a trip to Nextbit HQ for a closer look at Robin and to see what it’s all about… Nextbit is doing something very different with Robin. There’s no Micro SD expansion, just 32GB internally and 100GB of cloud storage for the life of the device. As Robin gets to know you, your apps, photos, and more will be intelligently backed up to the cloud and “archived” to free up space on your device. Essentially, this will all be done without any interaction from you, but you can prevent things from being archived by “pinning” them to your home screen.
It’s clear that many people have reservations about the concept behind Nextbit’s new smartphone, but it all sounds pretty great in theory. We’re still a bit away from the launch of Robin, but there’s a lot to learn about it from a feature and specifications perspective. We sat down with Nextbit’s co-founder/CTO Mike Chan to get an inside scoop on Robin and what it has to offer. Check out our video below: Robin sounds very promising and I’m personally a big fan of the design happening here. It looks and functions very different from many other smartphones on the market currently. Using the cloud for data storage is something we’re all familiar with by now, but nothing else does it like Robin yet. Will this cloud-based platform stand the test of time? We’ll soon find out.
Stay tuned for our Nextbit Robin review coming up in the near future and be sure to check out our exclusive look at Robin in the above video. What do you think about the Nextbit Robin? Is this the future of smartphone storage? If you’d like to find out more about Nextbit’s Robin, visit the company’s website. Filed under: Android Tagged: cloud, data, hands-on, Nextbit, nextbit robin, robin, storage, Video         Continue reading more about Android, Video, and data at 9to5Google. What do you think? Discuss "Hands-on: Nextbit’s Robin is a cloud-first smartphone that gets smarter with use [Video]" with our community. |
AT&T’s NumberSync feature coming first to Samsung Gear S2 & LG Watch Urbane 2, orders start Friday Posted: 02 Nov 2015 09:32 AM PST
A few weeks ago AT&T announced an upcoming network-level feature called NumberSync, which will allow customers to use one phone number on multiple connected devices like smartwatches, tablets, and connected cars. As promised, the carrier is unveiling the first two devices that will work with NumberSync: the Samsung Gear S2 and LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE. Just in time for the holiday season, the Gear S2 and Watch Urbane 2 will be available for order at AT&T starting Friday, November 6. NumberSync will become available to the S2 then Urbane 2 early next year. Available at no extra cost, NumberSync will let smartwatch wearers send and receive text messages and phone calls directly on the S2 and Urbane 2 using the same phone number as their actual phone number. That way friends and family don’t need to remember a special number that only works with the watch or get confused by an unknown number when you call or text from it.
Because the S2 and Urbane 2 have their own LTE connections, phone and text functionality works even when your smartphone is unavailable. While orders for both smartwatches start online and in stores for AT&T this Friday, the Samsung Gear S2 will be available two weeks after on Friday, November 20. The LG Watch Urbane 2 will be available a week sooner on Friday, November 13. Both the S2 and Urbane 2 will be sold on two-year contracts for $199 with $10/month access charges for LTE use with existing plans. The carrier will also offer both smartwatches on AT&T Installment Plans for $0 down and $15/month for 20 months. Filed under: Android, Android Wear, Tech Industry Tagged: AT&T, LG, LG Watch Urbane 2, NumberSync, Samsung, samsung gear s2         Visit 9to5Google to find more special coverage of Android, Samsung, and Tech Industry. What do you think? Discuss "AT&T’s NumberSync feature coming first to Samsung Gear S2 & LG Watch Urbane 2, orders start Friday" with our community. |
BlackBerry PRIV launching in the US on AT&T this Friday, November 6 Posted: 02 Nov 2015 09:03 AM PST
Blackberry’s first Android-powered smartphone, the PRIV, is coming to the United States this Friday on November 6 through AT&T. The carrier revealed that it will be the first in the US to carry the privacy and productivity focused BlackBerry. AT&T will offer the BlackBerry PRIV both online and in stores at the end of the week from $249.99 on a traditional two-year contract or from $24.67/month on a financing plan. AT&T Next customers can pick up the PRIV for $0 down plus $24.67/month with upgrade eligibility after 24 months or 30 months to own it, $30.84/month for an 18 month upgrade or 24 months to own it, or $37/month for a 12 month upgrade or 20 months to own it. BlackBerry’s first move into the Android space comes with some very capable hardware too. The PRIV runs Android 5.1 and boasts a 5.4-inch Gorilla Glass 4 display plus a slide-out physical keyboard, an 18MP back shooter, a 3410 mAh battery, and 32GB storage expandable to 2TB with microSD. As the security level, the LTE smartphone features a DTEK app from BlackBerry that monitors the security level of your device. This also allows you to manage privacy settings on an app basis. News that AT&T will be the first US carrier to offer the PRIV follows BlackBerry seemingly jumping the gun on earlier pre-orders Filed under: Android Tagged: Android, AT&T, BlackBerry, blackberry priv, priv         Check out 9to5Google for more breaking coverage of Android, Android, and AT&T. What do you think? Discuss "BlackBerry PRIV launching in the US on AT&T this Friday, November 6" with our community. |
SoundCloud releases first app for creators with ‘Pulse’ for Android Posted: 02 Nov 2015 07:51 AM PST
SoundCloud, the music sharing and discovery community popular with independent musicians, is today releasing its first ever app specifically for creators with the release of SoundCloud Pulse for Android. The app allows creators, those that are uploading content to the service, to quickly access the most used features in a dedicated app. Features include things like interacting with fans by replying to comments, viewing stats on uploaded content, and sharing content publicly and privately with others. That's mostly all you'll get with the first release, but SoundCloud promises more features for the near future including "more in-depth stats, ability to edit track information, expanded messaging capability and ability to upload tracks." The app will also get an iOS release down the road. You can download the SounCloud Pulse app on Google Play now. Filed under: Android, Apps and Updates Tagged: app, comments, creators, Google Play, pulse, SoundCloud, uploading         For more news on Android, Apps and Updates, and Google Play continue reading at 9to5Google. What do you think? Discuss "SoundCloud releases first app for creators with 'Pulse' for Android" with our community. |
Nest Cam Review: Is Google’s Wi-Fi security cam worth the subscription costs? Posted: 02 Nov 2015 07:40 AM PST
It's certainly not the only connected-security camera, but following Google's acquisition of popular security cam maker Dropcam last year, the company has just launched a second-generation product with new features. The new product was re-envisioned by Google's Nest team— the people building smart home accessories like the Nest thermostat and fire alarm— and in the process dropped the Dropcam branding and gained a few notable enhancements. But is the new Nest Cam worth an upgrade from your current Dropcam setup? And how does the product compare to the other connected home security-cam and all-in-one security devices on the market? We've been testing out Nest Cam since its release a few weeks back to find out. Installation/Setup:
Setup is painless with the usual Wi-Fi accessory configuration process for iPhone users. Download the app, connect to your Wi-Fi network, and a few minutes later your cam is connected and ready to live stream and record. But that also means you can expect a few hiccups or necessary restarts if your network happens to not be playing nice at the moment. You have to plug in the camera, so you'll want to have an outlet relatively close by (it comes with a 3 meter USB cable and wall adapter for power), but the design gives you a few options for positioning and mounting. The base is magnetic and comes with a screw-on wall mount or can optionally sit upright on a desk or other flat service. It also unscrews from the base for moving on to a standard tripod mount of your own if desired. The arm of the camera is mounted on a swivel so you can position it upright or laying flat for the various mounting options, and the camera itself can be repositioned 360 degrees for example on the base, so it’s possible to adjust what the camera is capturing without having to remount the entire unit. How does that compare to the competition? Some use batteries, which makes them portable, but for a home setup and the benefit of always on recording (more on that below), dealing with the power cable on Nest Cam is worth the trade-off. And when it comes to build quality, Nest Cam is as solid as it gets. It's a tank, and that's certainly a feature I appreciate in a security camera. Using Nest Cam:
The features are quite basic when compared to some of the more all-in-one home/security products on the market, but you get everything you need for a solid security camera setup: a 1080p HD camera with a 130º wide-angle view and zoom, a built-in speaker and mic for yelling at robbers or your pets or listening in, and access to video history with the ability to create clips, edit footage, and share videos with others. You can also setup rules for having the camera turn on and off based on your schedule. The camera includes night vision LEDs that give you a great view in the dark compared to not such a great experience with cameras that instead just add a spotlight or don't include night vision features at all. Some of the competitors on the market have opted to include other sensors for things like measuring air quality, for example, but the Nest Cam keeps quite bare-bones with just what you need for security camera purposes. I quite enjoyed the software experience when testing out the Nest Cam, although there were a few annoyances and what I'd consider missing features…
On mobile you can't record or share a clip and navigating the timeline for recorded footage is clunky at best, making it difficult to pinpoint a specific moment when browsing over a long period of recorded video. It's better with the web app on desktop where you can quickly and easily make clips for sharing purposes, but I still found the UI for navigating the timeline a bit cumbersome. Clips can be an hour in length, and you can store up to 3 hours of clips, otherwise they'll get turned into time-lapse videos. I didn't have any break-ins during my review unfortunately, so I shot some time-lapse videos instead:
I found the motion detection feature of the camera effective, but it has the same issues as other security cameras. It doesn't do as great of a job at filtering out background noise as Nest's marketing claims. Mix in the fact that I personally have a house full of pets, and live in a noisy development, the motion detection feature would wake up the camera too often for it to be useful in detecting threats, at least in my personal environment. The motion detection caught all the movement in the videos above, for example. But in some cases you can benefit from the ability to set up activity zones to limit the motion detection to certain areas (only from the web app):
Streaming quality issues can depend a lot on your network, but I had no complaints in that regard. Nest makes recommendations for streaming requirements and bandwidth usage on its website. Pricing/limitations: You get a free 30-day free trial, but after that you'll need a 10-day video history plan for $10/month or $100/year, or a 30-day video history plan for $30/month or $300/year. You'll be able to view a live stream for free, but access to video history after your free trial requires a paid plan, and it's required for other features as well like creating and sharing clips from your past video history. The pricing is quite competitive, although many competitors offer 24 hours for free or at least some amount of free access to video history. I'd imagine this would be a much easier buy for many people if they could somehow tap into their existing Google storage, or if Google bundled it into a paid Google storage plan. What it needs: HomeKit support is the big omission from this Apple user's experience. While we'd expect the majority of other products to add support (Apple just added support for security systems with iOS 9), Google could be the one major, notable holdout if it decides to push its own home automation platform instead and keep it totally separate from Apple's HomeKit framework. Nest would likely go along for the ride, although technically it’s now its own company under Alphabet and not necessarily tied to everything Google does. It's not that there is something key to the experience that HomeKit would add to Nest Cam on its own, but the decision to leave it out will definitely be a major consideration for consumers that are heavy Apple device users, and for those that plan on using HomeKit as the central location for controlling home automation products. Having one or more Nest products that exist completely outside of HomeKit doesn't seem to make much sense in that scenario.   And beyond HomeKit, there is also a big opportunity to make Nest Cam more than just a security camera. Live streaming features is one example, something that has been a trend with apps like Periscope. I think the company that makes a home security camera with social features, making it fun to use outside of its security features, will have an easier time convincing people they need these products. Some users have also pointed out lack of IFTTT support and some missing features compared to the old Dropcam app, like a geofence feature that triggered the camera on and off as you come and go. And lastly, it would be nice if Google added a bit of onboard storage to cover us for the to-be-expected Google server outages and downtime. Should you buy it? I never really considered a security system for my apartment (we don't lock our doors in Canada), but new Wi-Fi connected products like Nest Cam make the experience of owning and setting up cameras at home much more accessible than ever before. While there are a lot of alternatives to consider, any of Nest's shortcomings wouldn't make me pick a competitor for at least my own, admittedly modest purposes. For those that have already bought into the Nest and Google ecosystem and enjoy the experience, the choice will be easy. But for those hoping to build a HomeKit-connected household, lack of a promise from Nest to support the platform might be enough to hold off for now or opt for a competitor. Nest Cam is available to buy now as low as $189.Filed under: Alphabet, Nest Tagged: apps, cam, features, how-to, Nest, review, security, Timelapse, walkthrough         Continue reading more about apps, security, and Nest at 9to5Google. What do you think? Discuss "Nest Cam Review: Is Google's Wi-Fi security cam worth the subscription costs?" with our community. |
Too many Facebook staffers prefer iPhones, company says, forcing many to switch to Android Posted: 02 Nov 2015 07:10 AM PST
If you’ve ever felt like Facebook didn’t put quite as much focus on its Android app as on the iPhone one, that’s something that should be changing soon. Facebook’s chief product officer Chris Cox is insisting that an unspecified but substantial number of staff switch from iPhone to Android, in order to have an experience of the service more typical of the majority of users, reports Wired.
The initiative follows on from ‘2G Tuesdays,’ where each Tuesday employees are asked to allow their Facebook app to behave as if it were on a slow 2G network for one hour, giving them an appreciation for what the service is like to use in many developing countries. Unlike 2G Tuesdays, which are voluntary, the wording of Cox’s announcement on Android suggests that the move from iPhone to Android is not. Facebook updated the Android app a week ago to make the Notifications tab more useful. Filed under: Android, Tech Industry Tagged: Android, Facebook, IPhone         Check out 9to5Google for more breaking coverage of Android, Android, and Tech Industry. What do you think? Discuss "Too many Facebook staffers prefer iPhones, company says, forcing many to switch to Android" with our community. |
T-Mobile announces new 4G LTE CellSpot, offering LTE signal from Wi-Fi wherever you want it Posted: 02 Nov 2015 06:59 AM PST
Unlike the current ASUS-made CellSpot router, the 4G LTE CellSpot actually creates an LTE network in your home or work place and can apparently cover up to 3,000 square feet: Like the ASUS router, customers can get the device for free as long as they pay a $25 deposit, and T-Mo claim’s it’s just “plug and play”. As long as you have an Internet connection at home, you can plug the 4G LTE CellSpot in and it’ll create an LTE signal right in your home. T-Mobile now offers three different network boosting devices. For those confused about how the new one differs from the older products, the company put together a short list:
It’s interesting/weird to see T-Mobile opt for actual LTE mini-towers when it already offers Wi-Fi calls and texts with virtually any router across the globe. Every device it sells now is equipped with Wi-Fi calling functionality, meaning none of its customers should ever struggle to make a call or send a message. However, there are perhaps those few who bring unlocked devices, or buy them elsewhere which don’t have Wi-Fi calling baked in. Customers with the new Nexus phones, likewise, don’t have Wi-Fi calling yet. So they may just ship a few out to customers. It could, perhaps, be a response to customers complaining about the quality and consistency of Wi-Fi calling. It has been known to be unreliable, particularly if there are more than one person trying to use it at once. Having a device which copes with up to 16 simultaneous callers/users could be a big improvement. Regardless of our views as to its purpose of existence, the 4G LTE CellSpot will be available in T-Mobile brick-and-mortar stores or through Customer Care from November 4th. We’ve reached out to T-Mobile to ask about the specific bands being used. As of right now, we’re unsure which frequencies it’s operating on. UPDATE: T-Mobile responded stating that it operates on 10×10 LTE in Band 4 and UMTS in Band 2 spectrum. PRESS RELEASE
Filed under: Tech Industry Tagged: 4G LTE, CellSpot, coverage, john legere, T-Mobile         Continue reading more about Tech Industry, T-Mobile, and john legere at 9to5Google. What do you think? Discuss "T-Mobile announces new 4G LTE CellSpot, offering LTE signal from Wi-Fi wherever you want it" with our community. |
Huawei to announce phablet flagship Mate 8 on November 26 Posted: 02 Nov 2015 05:43 AM PST
Huawei is on something a roll this year. Having recently released its first Nexus device, overtaken Xiaomi as the top smartphone vendor in China and secured the third highest number of smartphone shipments globally, it’s all going swimmingly for the Chinese manufacturer. But its year isn’t over yet. According to its official handle on Weibo, Huawei is preparing to announce another device… The Huawei Mate 8 is the follow up to the company’s well-received Mate 7 and will be unveiled officially on November 26. If anything like its predecessor, the Mate 8 will be a well-priced, high-spec phablet with a huge 6-inch screen:
The Huawei Mate 8 is expected to feature a similarly large screen, but with an upgraded pixel count, opting for QHD resolution rather than 1080p. If so, that’ll give it a pixel density of 490ppi. It’ll more than likely ship with a Hisilicon Kirin octa-core processor with 3GB/4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB storage options. If a recent encased dummy prototype leak is anything to go on, we might see a departure from the rounded square camera and fingerprint sensor on the back. Instead, it could feature a completely round setup. It’s expected to ship in December with Android 5.1 out of the box, and come with Huawei’s usual EMUI software interface which you’ll either love or hate.
It’ll be interesting to see if Huawei decides to launch this device globally, or if it decides to keep it restricted to mainly China/Asian markets. The company has, relatively recently, launched its own direct online stores in Europe and the US as it pushes to get recognized in western markets. Given the fact that the event was announced on Weibo, we’re not hopeful of a global release. Filed under: Android Tagged: Android, Huawei, leaks, mate 8, rumors, smartphones         Visit 9to5Google to find more special coverage of Android, Android, and smartphones. What do you think? Discuss "Huawei to announce phablet flagship Mate 8 on November 26" with our community. |
Google takes advantage of Halloween to boost skills of self-driving cars at recognizing children Posted: 02 Nov 2015 04:38 AM PST
Google’s self-driving cars are aware that children can be less predictable than adults, being programmed to act more cautiously around them. But to do that, they first need to be able to identify them as children – something which can be more challenging when they’re wearing costumes – so Google took advantage of Halloween to give the cars some additional learning.
Once the car identifies a child, it adopts a more cautious approach, aware that they can suddenly run across a road or appear from between two parked cars. Google has recently been working on making the cars themselves more predictable, by teaching them to behave more like people. The cars do, though, already have a perfect safety record, having never been found to be at fault in an accident. Google shared the latest update on the self-driving car’s Google+ page. Via Gizmodo Filed under: Self-Driving Car Tagged: Autonomous car, Google, Google self driving car safety, Google Self-driving car, Self-driving car         Visit 9to5Google to find more special coverage of Google, Self-Driving Car, and Self-driving car. What do you think? Discuss "Google takes advantage of Halloween to boost skills of self-driving cars at recognizing children" with our community. |
OnePlus introduces new ‘On-Guard’ extended warranty program Posted: 02 Nov 2015 03:50 AM PST
In a blog post this morning, OnePlus announced what many concerned customers have been waiting to hear for some time: The company is making a renewed effort to provide better customer service and offering a new extended warranty. Customers will be able to purchase the new On-Guard extended warranty when they buy a OnePlus 2 and gain added coverage against accidental damage or liquid damage. Initially, the On-Guard cover will be available in Europe and India only, but the company is working with a partner in the US and Canada and will announce a similar extended warranty program in North America soon. In Europe, customers can buy either 12 months or 24 months cover for €39.99 ($44 USD approx) or €64.99 ($72 USD approx) respectively.
On-Guard covers breakage, accidental damage, damage due to dropping, liquid damage and vandalism among other causes of damage. To buy, customers can either select it at checkout when buying a OnePlus smartphone or contact SimpleSurance (the cover provider) within 15 days of purchasing the phone. Sadly, if you already have a OnePlus One or OnePlus 2, you can’t buy it. Only new customers from today will be able to take advantage of OnePlus’ new extended warranty. Filed under: Android Tagged: Android, on-guard, OnePlus, OnePlus 2, smartphones, warranty         Continue reading more about Android, Android, and smartphones at 9to5Google. What do you think? Discuss "OnePlus introduces new ‘On-Guard’ extended warranty program" with our community. |
And for those that are already using the Nest apps for managing other Nest devices, like the thermostat or fire alarm, having the convenience of accessing the Nest Cam from the same place is an added bonus, and you can set up rules to have Nest Cam kick on and off related to activity from other Nest devices.
John Legere took to Twitter in a surprisingly short and 
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