Over the coming days, Samsung Galaxy S5 users with T-Mobile will start to see the option to update to Android 5.1.1, an impressive feat considering many S6 users on other networks are still awaiting the same update. If you can’t wait for the OTA you can of course use Samsung Kies to update your device now.
The OnePlus 2 is getting closer and closer, and OnePlus seems to be keen on releasing new details on the kind of features and hardware their new flagship will bring to the table. OnePlus’ “Never Settle” raised expectations last year, and they want to deliver as good of an experience as they did with the One. Their latest announcement is truly in tune with the sentiment.
OnePlus has now revealed the the OnePlus 2 will feature a USB Type C port for charging and data transfers. The new standard has been prophesied to come to mobile for months now, and this is one of the few devices that will sport this new standard in Western markets. Google itself wanted to bring the new port to Android, and many speculate that upcoming Nexus devices will carry them too. This is a big step forward for OnePlus, and with the sure transition the market will have in this direction, this is one of the points that we know will make the device more future proof than other flagships.
What does USB Type C mean for you? We’ve detailed all its strengths in a previous feature, which we suggest you read if you are truly interested in the technology. In short terms: it allows for much faster battery charging, faster data transfers, it is universal (more so than micro USB), and it is reversible. This last fact combined with increased durability make these ports much harder to break than previous standards. Many other kinds of ports such as HDMI could eventually merge with the standard as well, allowing you to have a one-size-fits-all kind of cable.
We still don’t know the details about the implementation found in the OnePlus 2 and how the new technology will develop throughout the years. Initially, it might not be quite the jump from Quick Charge 2.0 in terms of charging (heat prevents phones from fully exploiting the standard’s capabilities) and we know for a fact that the new port will go through adoption pains just as micro USB and others did in the past. However, this is certainly an important development for OnePlus and it puts them at the front of an emerging technology.
We will provide further coverage and analysis as we get more details on how this cable performs in the OnePlus 2. For now we suggest you take a look at our previously mentioned feature on the matter and take a look at Google’s video on USB Type C below.
Do you want a USB Type C port in your next phone? Let us know below!
Sony has now released a guide on creating and flashing a test image of AOSP Android M Preview that can be used for any of the 17 Xperia devices listed on their Open Device Program. Although neither the modem or camera have been implemented, the preview is an excellent opportunity to test the new features such as improved app permissions.
Supported devices include:
Xperia Z3/Z3 compact/Tablet compact
Xperia Z2/Z2 Tablet
Xperia Z1/Z1 compact
Xperia Z/Z ultra/ZL/Tablet Z
Xperia E3
Xperia M2
Xperia T2 Ultra
Xperia T3
Xperia L
Xperia S
The easy to follow guide has been written to be used on Linux and appears to be simple enough for most users familiar with the concept to follow with relative ease. This appears to be a great opportunity for developers using Xperia handsets to test their apps prior to the final release and grow accustomed to the many alterations. It’s certainly a pleasant change to see OEMs being so open and helping power users in such ways.
The announcement for the highly anticipated OnePlus 2 is right around the corner. All we know about the device so far is that it will be using an updated version of the SnapDragon 810. Can the OnePlus 2 have the same impact on the industry as its predecessor? Let us know your expectations for the upcoming device below.
Google is showcasing 17 new Android Wear watch faces from around the globe featuring recognizable characters and eye-catching brands. If you like Gundam, Hello Kitty, Terminator or pretty art in general, there is probably something for you so check them out here!
As part of Flipkart’s Big App Shopping Days promo event, the Xiaomi Mi Band is available for purchase without any flash sale gimmick. Priced at a modest Rs. 999 ($15), the Mi Band is a fitness and sleep tracker with Google Fit support, and will be available for open sale till June 24th.
In a cringe worthy ad, Qualcomm tries to boast the camera capabilities its Snapdragon processors bring to smartphones, mainly Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) and Laser Auto Focus. We just hoped the model actor didn’t cover the OnePlus One’s camera lens while they used the HTC One M9 to boast of PDAF and Laser AF.