Cult of Android - page 14

Apple Watch is ‘phenomenal’ but not a threat, says TAG Heuer CEO

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TAG Heuer teases its new Android-powered smartwatch.
Photo: TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer teases its new Android-powered smartwatch.
TAG Heuer teases its new Android-powered smartwatch.

Swiss watchmakers have been tripping over themselves to dismiss the Apple Watch as a threat, but TAG Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver has come out with what I think is one of the fairer assessments of Apple’s debut wearable device to date.

His take? That the Apple Watch is hella bad news if you’re a low-priced watchmaker, but probably okay if you’re making timepieces over the $2,000 mark.

TuneIn Premium now streams live NFL games FTW

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Apple TV won't be streaming football this year.
Apple TV won't be streaming football this year.
Photo: NFL
TuneIn is also streaming a bunch of NFL shows. Photo: TuneIn
TuneIn is also streaming a bunch of NFL shows. Photo: TuneIn

TuneIn Premium, the radio streaming app for Android and iOS, just got an awesome new update that lets you tune into live NFL games.

Subscribers get access to play-by-play feeds for all 32 NFL teams, including both the home and away feeds and national radio broadcasts.

Galaxy Note 5 review: The finest phablet money can buy

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This is the first Note that isn't all about specs. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
This is the first Note that isn’t all about specs. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Android

After kicking off the “phablet” trend in 2011, the Galaxy Note series has become the bigger and better smartphone in Samsung’s lineup every year — and usually the best phablet on the market. But with this year’s Note 5, a lot has changed.

Samsung has snubbed a number of popular features to take a gamble on the new design language it first introduced with the Galaxy S6 earlier this year. It makes the Note 5 far prettier than its predecessors, but does it make for a better handset overall?

You bet your S Pen it does!

3D Touch is coming to Android next

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3D Touch is coming to Android next. Photo: Synaptics
3D Touch is coming to Android next. Photo: Synaptics

With the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, Apple has added an entirely new dimension to their touchscreens with the addition of 3D Touch, a new technology that lets you interact with touchscreen elements differently depending on how much pressure you use.

So how long until Android catches up? Not long, it looks like. Synaptics has just announced they’re coming up with a new touch controller that will give Android users their own version of 3D Touch.

How Microsoft’s ambitious new Lumia 950 phones compare to rivals

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Windows 10 Mobile
Windows phones could be about to make a comeback.
Photo: Microsoft
Could you fall in love with a Lumia? Photo: Microsoft
Could you fall in love with a Lumia? Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft’s new Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL have arrived, with high-end specifications, iris recognition technology, and the latest Windows 10 software. But do they have what it takes to persuade you to give up Android or iOS?

Find out in our in-depth comparison below.

Microsoft hails its Surface Book as ‘the ultimate laptop’

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Microsoft's first ever laptop is... actually kind of awesome.
Photo: Microsoft
A welcome surprise. Photo: Microsoft
A welcome surprise. Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft had a surprise up its Windows-loving sleeve today in the form of a new Surface laptop called the Surface Book, the first laptop in history to be built by the company.

Hailed as the, “thinnest, most powerful PC ever created,” the distinctive-looking Surface Book weighs just 1.6 lbs, is 7.7 mm thick, and boasts a 13.5-inch detachable display with 267ppi.

Surface Pro 4 wants to kill iPad Pro and MacBook Air in one go

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Has Microsoft found itself a winner?
Photo: Microsoft
Photo: Microsoft
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft’s not taking the threat of the iPad Pro lying down. During today’s keynote event, the company called its brand new 12.3-inch Surface Pro 4 “the most productive device on the planet.”

“We have competitors. You may have noticed,” said Microsoft hardware guru Panos Panay as he introduced the tablet. “They’re chasing it, it’s pretty cool.”

The Surface Pro 4 doesn’t look bad, either.

Microsoft’s new Lumia phones boast facial recognition, liquid cooling

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Microsoft's new flagships have finally arrived. Photo: Microsoft
Microsoft’s new flagships have finally arrived. Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft hopes to tempt you away from Android and iOS with a pair of flagship smartphones that boast built-in facial recognition and liquid cooling.

The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL scan your eyes instead of your fingerprints for lightning-fast unlocking, and they’re the first smartphones on the market powered by Windows 10.

Samsung’s super-sized iPad Pro competitor to pack disappointing specs

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Samsung's massive tablet could be a massive disappointment. Photo: Samsung
Samsung’s massive tablet could be a massive disappointment. Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s super-sized iPad Pro competitor will come packing painfully disappointing specifications, according to the latest leak.

The slate’s 18.5-inch display is to be accompanied by a speedy octa-core Exynos processor — but it’s lacking in RAM, cameras, and motion sensors.

Wearable with flexible display set to blow your mind next year

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Wove smart wearable
The Wove, Polyera’s upcoming smart wearable, looks like the future.

A new wearable is set to make devices like the Apple Watch and the LG Urbane look like old-fashioned junk.

Wove might cause a twinge of nostalgia among children of the ’90s who grew up with slap bracelets on everyone’s wrists, but it’s way more impressive than those (which, let’s face it, most things are). It’s a wonder of technology that wraps a full-featured, customizable, multi-touch screen completely around your arm on a flexible display.

Android Authority got its first look at the upcoming gizmo, and you can see it in action in their video below.

When it comes to porn, Android users come out on top

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We won again, Android bros! Photo: Cult of Android
We won again, Android bros! Photo: Cult of Android

Android users are into some pretty weird… stuff. I know you’re probably denying that now — I tried, too — but you can’t, because Pornhub has its eye on us all. Sort of.

According to the website’s latest browsing statistics, the list of things Android users are into makes for a much more intriguing reading that that for iOS users. Mobile devices are also crushing the desktop when it comes to overall traffic, and Android has the edge.

Yay?

LG’s Watch Urbane 2 is the first Android Wear watch with 4G

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lg
LG's smartwatches have always been bad, but the W7 is even worse.
Photo: LG
LG's new Watch Urbane doesn't need your phone. Photo: LG
LG’s new Watch Urbane doesn’t need your phone. Photo: LG

LG today unveiled a second edition of its Watch Urbane smartwatch, which finally frees Android Wear from your smartphone.

Thanks to its built-in 4G and 3G connectivity, the new Watch Urbane makes calls and continues to receive notifications even when you leave your phone behind.

Act now to avoid Sprint’s $10 unlimited data price jump

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Sprint is raising the price on its unlimited plan by $10.
Photo: Sprint
sprint-sign
Sprint is raising the price on its unlimited plan by $10. Photo: Sprint

Sprint’s unlimited talk, text and data plan is about to get more expensive. The wireless carrier announced that the plan will jump from $60 per month to $70 per month starting October 16. Existing customers will be grandfathered in to the current price, but new customers will have to start paying up if they want the rare gem that unlimited data has become.

All the ways Google caught up with (or surpassed) Apple today

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Google is keeping a keen eye on Apple — and promising to do everything faster, better and cheaper than Cupertino. That’s the takeaway from today’s impressive Google event, during which the world got its first look at tons of new services, devices and features coming soon to a screen near you.

Here are all the ways Google answered Apple at the San Francisco event, a few ways Google surged ahead — and some gratuitous jabs at Cupertino.

How Google’s new Nexus phones stack up against the competition

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Should the Nexus 6P be your next smartphone? Photo: Google
Should the Nexus 6P be your next smartphone? Photo: Google

Following their big unveiling in San Francisco this morning, Google’s new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are now available for pre-order. But should you buy one, or is your hard-earned cash better spent elsewhere?

To help you decide, here’s a handy comparison that shows you how Google’s latest devices stack up against the competition from Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola, and more.

Google doubles down on dongles with new Chromecasts

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New design, new features, new Chromecast. Photo: Google
New design, new features, new Chromecast. Photo: Google

Google’s inexpensive TV dongle is finally getting a much needed update today as the tech giant revealed two brand new Chromecast models at its press event in San Francisco. Google also loosed a redesigned Chromecast app, Photos support, and Spotify for the video device. The newly-designed TV-centric Chromecast dongle (which comes with an integrated HDMI cable) and a brand-new audio device named Chromecast Audio (also in an delightful dongle design), are both available starting today for $35 each.

Liveblog: Get the scoop on Google’s new Nexus, Chromecast and more

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Google's Nexus event is starting soon! Photo: Google
Google’s Nexus event is starting soon! Photo: Google

After months of leaks and speculation, Google’s new Nexus smartphones are almost here. In just one hour, the company will kick off its big keynote in San Francisco to announce the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P — and maybe even more.

You can follow the whole thing in our liveblog right here starting at 9 a.m. Pacific.

Third-party service claims to be offering Apple Music for Android beta

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Apple Music should be available on Android soon. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Apple Music should be available on Android soon. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

We’ve heard very little about the official Apple Music app for Android since the service was announced back in June, but now a third-party company claims to be running a new beta program on Apple’s behalf.

Betabound is giving Android users the opportunity to register their interest in Apple Music for a chance to get early access — but we’re not totally sure it can be trusted.

Pope’s arrival in America greeted by a sea of smartphones

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Pope Francis gets engulfed by eager smartphone users in Washington, DC.
Photo: IIP Photo Archive/Flickr CC
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Pope Francis gets engulfed by eager smartphone users in Washington, DC. Photo: IIP Photo Archive/Flickr CC

Pope Francis landed on U.S. soil for the first time last week on Tuesday, September 22. He has talked to victims of sexual abuse, spoke out about his views on immigration and gave several moving speeches across the country. However, the pope was also able to impact American culture in a way that is completely unintentional: he put the mobile phone revolution on giant display.

The last time a pope visited the United States was back in April 2008 when Pope Benedict XVI was still at the reigns of Catholicism. A lot has happened in seven years. Modern smartphones were only starting to become prevalent back then. Apple had just released the first iPhone less than a year ago and Android was still in development.

The change in our culture needs no explanation because photos of crowds swarming Pope Francis through his journey across America manage to say it all. Crowds glow with endless displays.