Fitbit reportedly close to acquiring Pebble for a 'small amount'

After earning more than $10.2 million from its original Kickstarter in 2012, Pebble may soon be acquired.

Fitbit is said to be in “advanced talks” to acquire Pebble. That’s according to reports from Financial Times and The Information. Details aren’t confirmed, but it’s said that the deal is in the closing stages. It’s also rumored that Fitbit will be paying a “small amount” for Pebble.

Finally, it’s said that many of Pebble’s employees will join Fitbit after the deal is done, but any future production of Pebble smartwatches is said to be in doubt.

Pebble made waves in the mobile space with its original smartwatch, and the company has continued to improve its software and release new hardware since then. However, Pebble is facing stiff competition from the Apple Watch and all of the device’s that run Google’s Android Wear platform, and it’s said that Pebble has been having financial struggles as of late.

Have you ever used a Pebble smartwatch?

Pebble

Fitbit reportedly close to acquiring Pebble for a 'small amount' originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Some Android users seeing new-look search results in Play Store

Google is regularly making tweaks to the Play Store, and it looks like another change is currently hitting users.

Some Android users are seeing new-look Play Store search results. When you search for an app and tap a result, you’ll now see the details of the app in a card. Scrolling down will expand the card and show you more information about the app that you’re looking at, and you can then switch back to the card view by scrolling back up.

When you’re in the card view, you can also swipe left or right to scroll through the other apps in your search results.

As with most other Play Store updates, Google hasn’t made any official announcements about this update. This update also isn’t appearing for everyone quite yet, so it’s unclear if these changes are only in testing with a small number of users or if they’re just slowly rolling out to everyone.

Google

Some Android users seeing new-look search results in Play Store originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Top 10 iOS Apps of November 2016!

We've compiled a 'Top 10' list of our favorite iOS apps to hit the App Store in November 2016. The apps highlighted in this video include Moasure, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Scan Documents, DirecTV Now, Don't Grind, Filmborn, Icarus, Inscape, PhotoScan and Hop Swap. Which app is your favorite?

Apple

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Top 10 iOS Apps of November 2016! originally posted at http://phonedog.com

GoPro Hero5 Session Review

GoPro Hero5 Session Review originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Apple's renewed fight against AIDS includes new iPhone cases

Apple has made a tradition of marking World AIDS Day with a campaign to donate to the Product (RED) charity, and it's going the extra mile for its 10th year of support. On top of the company's existing (RED) gear (which sends a contribution to the Global Fund's fight against AIDS), it's launching four new accessories and devices that count toward the charity. You can get red versions of the iPhone 7 Battery Case, the leather iPhone SE case, Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones and the Beats Pill+ wireless speaker. All of these are available today, and there are other ways to help out even if you have no intentions of buying hardware.

Source: Apple (1), (2)

Apple's renewed fight against AIDS includes new iPhone cases posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Netflix's offline viewing mode was inevitable

The ability to finally download Netflix videos came as a surprise this morning. After all, it's the same company that just a few years ago said that offline support was "never going to happen." But recently, Netflix's tone started changing. Back in April, CEO Reed Hastings said it would "keep an open mind" about the feature. And earlier this month, chief content office Ted Sarandos noted that it might be necessary for international markets. And if you really think about it, there are plenty of reasons why Netflix couldn't avoid offline viewing any longer.

Netflix's offline viewing mode was inevitable posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

OnePlus 3 gets Android 7.0 Nougat beta update

Heads up, OnePlus 3 owners, because you can now get an early taste of Android 7.0 Nougat.

OnePlus today released an Android 7.0 beta update for the OnePlus 3. With the update to Nougat, the OnePlus 3 will get new notifications and settings menu designs, multi-window, direct replies from notifications, and custom DPI support. Here are all the new goodies included with the update:

• Upgraded to Android 7.0 Nougat
• New Notifications Design
• New Settings Menu Design
• Multi-Window View
• Notification Direct Reply
• Custom DPI Support
• Added Status Bar Icon Options
• Added Quick Launch For 3rd Party Applications
• Improved Shelf Customization

There are also some known issues with this update:

• Android Pay may not work correctly
• Some stability/performance issues
• After upgrading to Android N, you will not be able to directly downgrade back to M builds. Our customer service team has a special build of Android M that will allow you to downgrade, but this will format your device. If you'd like to flash back to M, please contact Customer Support

In order to get this beta update, you’ll need to download it from OnePlus and then sideload it onto your device. If that’s not something that you’re comfortable doing, you may want to wait for the public release. The good news is that that update is expected to arrive before the end of the year, so you won’t have to wait long for the public Nougat rollout.

OnePlus 3

OnePlus

OnePlus 3 gets Android 7.0 Nougat beta update originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Google OnHub routers receive heavy discounts on Amazon

We’re now well past Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but that doesn’t mean that the deals are done.

Amazon is now offering solid discounts on Google’s OnHub routers. The ASUS model is available for $105.99, a whopping 47 percent discount off its normal list price. Meanwhile, the TP-Link version is available for $115.99, which is 42 percent off its normal price.

One detail worth noting is that while the ASUS OnHub router is ready to ship as of this writing, the the TP-Link model is on backorder and won’t ship until December 8.

We haven’t heard much about Google’s OnHub routers lately, with the company placing its focus on its new Google Wifi mesh network routers. However, the OnHub routers are still solid devices with companion apps to help you manage them from your smartphone. So if you’re in the market for a new router and ease of use is a priority for you, these OnHub routers may be up your alley. 

Google

Google OnHub routers receive heavy discounts on Amazon originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Android malware skews Google Play ratings by installing apps

Malware writers haven't stopped trying to game app rankings through bogus app installs. Researchers at Check Point have identified a new strain of the longstanding Ghost Push malware, Googlian, that has infected over 1 million Android devices to date and continues to grow (about 13,000 new infections per day). As with earlier code, attackers trick you into installing a Googlian-based app through either a third-party app store or a phishing scam. Once it's on your phone, the software takes advantage of Linux kernel exploits to access your Google authorization token and install fraudulent apps, whether to boost their Google Play rankings or to generate money through ads.

Via: The Verge

Source: Check Point (1), (2), Adrian Ludwig (Google+)

Android malware skews Google Play ratings by installing apps posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

The Moto Z series could get Google's world-sensing Tango tech

Lenovo's Phab 2 Pro might be the first smartphone out there with Google's Tango technology, but other parts of the company are interested too. While addressing press at an event in Chicago, Motorola Mobility president Aymar de Lencquesaing said that the Lenovo subsidiary is "likely to have a Tango module" for the Moto Z line of smartphones... though he stopped short of confirming such an add-on was currently in the works.

The Moto Z series could get Google's world-sensing Tango tech posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Moto Z will 'likely' get new Moto Mod to add Google Tango support

Lenovo recently launched the Phab 2 Pro, the first consumer phone offering support for Google’s augmented reality Tango platform. And soon, Lenovo’s subsidiary may offer a Tango device, too.

The Moto Z will “likely” gain a Moto Mod add-on to enable Tango functionality, Motorola CEO Aymar de Lencquesaing said today. "The tablet folks [at Lenovo] did a phablet and worked with Google, the Tango team, to come out with a Tango phablet," the Moto CEO said, according to PCMag. "Going forward, we'll have to address as a group how do we reconcile the products that are at the fringe? We're likely to to have a Tango module to basically enable the Z to have Tango functionality."

There aren’t any official details about this Moto Mod quite yet, so it’s unclear when the add-on might launch or how much it’ll cost if it is released.

Lenovo’s Phab 2 Pro uses a combination of cameras, sensors, and software to enable augmented reality experiences. For example, you can use the Phab 2 Pro to measure a space and visualize how furniture will look in a room, thanks to a collaboration with Lowe’s.

The Tango platform is still young and it’s currently only available on the Phab 2 Pro. Adding Tango support to the Moto Z would give a boost to the platform by not only adding another Tango-capable device, but by adding a device that’s sold by the largest wireless carrier in the US. Of course, the Tango add-on will likely cost extra, so Google and Moto will have to make that Moto Mod attractive to consumers.

Motorola Moto Z

Motorola

Moto Z will 'likely' get new Moto Mod to add Google Tango support originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Netflix’s offline viewing is a welcome addition

Streaming services on our smartphones have become new "norm" when it comes to media consumption in the 21^st century. From movies to music to cable TV, the media world is your burrito for under $10 a month per service. There isn’t much to dislike about streaming services. Well, except for the fact that sometimes you’re confined to only being able to use it when you have an Internet connection, which could prove to be troublesome to the many people who either don’t have unlimited data plans or aren’t always around Wi-Fi.

But for one service, that won’t necessarily be an issue anymore. At least, not all the time. Today, Netflix announced that subscribers would be able to download certain shows and movies for offline viewing on smartphones and tablets.

The update has already been released, so if you already have Netflix downloaded on your smartphone or tablet but aren’t set to automatically receive updates, you should have an updated queued in your designated app store.

By the looks of it, it’s a very limited selection – but we’re not complaining. I can’t necessarily find a rhyme or reason as to which shows are able to be downloaded. After poking around, I came to the conclusion that Netflix originals were off-limits as BoJack Horseman, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Black Mirror, and several others were off limits. Additionally, popular TV shows like Bob’s Burgers, Trailer Park Boys, Gilmore Girls, 3^rd Rock From the Sun, Phineas and Ferb, Once Upon a Time, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia weren’t available either.

What I did find available wasn’t too shabby of a deal for viewing on-the-go – especially for parents with kiddos. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m guilty of keeping the kids quiet on long car rides with a tablet and a favorite TV show or movie, so this feature is like an early Christmas for us. Home, Minions, Hotel Transylvania 2,  The Road to El Dorado, and The Prince of Egypt, and my personal favorite, The Gruffalo, are just a few titles that you can download for offline viewing. Some children’s TV shows like Sid the Science Kid, Barney the Dinosaur, Curious George movies, and LEGO movies are part of the line-up as well.

TV and movies more tailored towards adults proved difficult to find, at least going by suggestions in my feed. Benchwarmers, White Chicks, Curse of Chucky, and most comedy specials appear on the list, as well as a new favorite of mine for fall and winter, Fireplace 4K: Crackling Birchwood.

It’s a good start, though. One true drawback to Netflix’s new feature is that it doesn’t appear that phones with microSD cards have any advantage here, which is what I was really excited about. When you download a show or movie, there are no additional options regarding where to place the media. It automatically downloads to internal storage.

There are a couple of good aspects of the service (aside from the obvious aspect that it even happened) worth mentioning. Users have some control over video quality. The default is set to standard, but users can change it to high quality (although it does not explicitly state whether "high quality" means 1080p or 720p). Users can also download using cellular data, which is something that Amazon Video, another media streaming service that allows users to download some shows and movies for offline viewing, doesn’t allow.

Although the service is off to a slow start, Netflix has acknowledged that other shows will eventually be available to, such as Orange is the New Black, Narcos, and The Crown.

Overall, it seems like a sweet deal, especially for people who are already subscribed to Netflix as it doesn’t require an additional charge (yet – unless you consider the $2 increase that occurred earlier this year to be in anticipation of this, which it very well might have been). I know I’m happy to have it.

Netflix’s offline viewing is a welcome addition originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Make your own Moments with Twitter's mobile apps

Back in September, Twitter opened up Moments and gave anyone the ability to create a narrative with a collection of tweets. Since then, the story-curating feature has only been available on the web. Today, Twitter announced that Moments is rolling out to all users on mobile as well.

Source: Twitter

Make your own Moments with Twitter's mobile apps posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Using an app that remembers all my digital activity felt like putting my brain in a jar

Atlas Recall, created by Napster co-founder Jordan Ritter, is what he calls a “juicy” idea.

It remembers everything you do on your computer — or on all of your computers, if that’s how you live your life — and automatically creates a searchable database that can peer into your browser history, your text messages and emails, and just about every major app you can think of, including the Microsoft suite, Slack, most Adobe, Google Docs and Drive, Evernote, Dropbox, and Twitter. The goal is to make it impossible to lose anything in your digital life, eliminating the questions “Where did I see that information?” or “What did I do with that file?” It’s like Finder or Spotlight or Hunchly, but for everything.

It’s easy to set up — you don’t...

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Using an app that remembers all my digital activity felt like putting my brain in a jar appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Apple selling red iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case, other accessories for Product (RED)

Apple has long offered Product (RED) accessories  to help fight AIDS, and with World AIDS Day happening on December 1, Apple today announced a few new (RED) products.

Apple is now selling four new Product (RED) accessories. There’s an iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case for $99, an iPhone SE case for $39, Beats Solo3 wireless on-ear headphones for $299.95, and the Beats Pill+ portable speaker for $229.95.

In addition to launching these new products, Apple will donate $1 to Product (RED)’s mission for every purchase made with Apple Pay at an Apple Store, Apple.com, or through the Apple Store app, up to $1 million. Bank of America is getting in on the action, too, making a donation for every Apple Pay transaction using its cards, up to $1 million. These donations will happen through December 6.

There are also 20 games that are offering limited edition Product (RED) content, and all proceeds will go to the Product (RED) effort. These games include Angry Birds 2, Candy Crush Jelly Saga, Clash of Clans, FIFA Mobile, and PewDiePie’s Tuber Simulator.

Apple iPhone 7

Apple iPhone SE

Apple

Apple selling red iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case, other accessories for Product (RED) originally posted at http://phonedog.com

When it comes to features, it's better late than never

Hardware is an area of smartphones, tablets, and other devices where similarities between companies isn't that big of a deal. When LG, Motorola, Samsung, and any other company uses a Qualcomm flagship processor in their device, no one says, "You're copying so-and-so!" Hardware seems to be a neutral space.

It's not really the same thing when it comes to features, though.

On a semi-regular basis, I see a headline, or headlines, that go out of their way to point out a feature that we may have seen on another device. And I'm sure you can guess that this is typically between, "This Android feature was on iOS first!" Or, more often than not, "This iOS feature was on Android first!" You can pretty much interchange as freely as you want, and sometimes even include Windows Phone/Mobile and/or BlackBerry, Palm, so on and so forth.

It's a vicious circle, really, and I have no doubt by now that you've seen it more than a few times over the years. And if you're anything like me, it's always been borderline annoying every single time it's popped up. I understand the sentiment in general -- there's nothing wrong with pointing out that a particular feature is also available on another device/platform.

The part that always throws me off is when it's twisted into being perceived as a bad thing. Like it's an awful situation for Apple, Samsung, Google, or whoever else it might be to throw in a new feature for their platform or device, simply because another company had that particular feature already.

This isn't a bad thing. Every company has a different rollout for their products, both on a hardware level and from a software standpoint. And every company has copied another company at some point or another. It's the way things go.

But this isn't a bad thing. Better late than never is how I look at it, because in the end it just means that, hopefully, the user's experience gets better. And I see that as a good thing. I don't even care if it's not a platform that I use. If it means that other people get something that improves their daily routine in some way or another, that's a pretty great end result.

But, there is a caveat here, and a pretty important one. Some companies out there are going to come out with features ahead of others, even if the other companies are working on the same things behind-the-scenes. The only reason why endless copying can be a bad thing is if the companies aren't doing their own thing, too.

It's about recognizing a good idea.

For example: iOS eventually added its own notification shade -- something that Android has had right out of the gate. But Apple put its own twist on it. Some will say it's better, and some will say it's worse -- but it ultimately comes down to the fact that Apple, technically, copied Google with this feature, but they changed it enough to make it its own thing.

And Google saw the inherent benefits of being able to long-press on an app icon and get contextual options that pop up. So Android 7.1, first seen with the Pixel phones, features this ability -- which is what Apple brought to the table with 3D Touch for iOS. Same idea, but different implementations -- but both are meant to improve the user's experience.

As long as the companies keep altering the formula a little bit, they can copy as much as they want as far as I'm concerned. Like I said, better late than never. What do you think?

Apple iPhone 7

Google Pixel

Apple

Samsung

Google

Microsoft

When it comes to features, it's better late than never originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Netflix now lets you download TV shows and movies for offline viewing

Netflix today updated its Android and iOS apps with a major new feature.

Netflix now lets you download shows and movies for offline viewing. The feature is now available as part of an update to the Netflix apps for Android and iOS, and it’s supported on both phones and tablets.

Offline viewing isn’t available for every single show and movie on Netflix, but there are a lot of options to choose from. That includes TV shows like Orange is the New Black, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Office, and 30 Rock, as well as movies like The Fast and The Furious, Jaws, No Country for Old Men, Hot Fuzz, and Kung Fu Panda 3.

The addition of offline viewing is a huge deal for Netflix. With it, Netflix users can not only enjoy shows where they might not have an internet connection, but it also helps those folks with limited data plans to watch Netflix on the go after downloading shows over Wi-Fi.

To get offline viewing, go and update your Netflix app now.

Netflix now lets you download TV shows and movies for offline viewing originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Yelp wants you to add a 'Yelfie' to your restaurant reviews

After letting its users virtually queue up for restaurants with a previous update, now Yelp wants them to put a face to the person behind each star-rating. With the service's amateur reviews shaping restaurant scenes around the globe, the influential platform's latest update allows its users to attach a selfie to their reviews.

Source: Yelp

Yelp wants you to add a 'Yelfie' to your restaurant reviews posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Spark email arrives for the Mac

Spark, a sleek and customizable email app for iPhones and iPads, is debuting on the Mac today. The free app supports a variety of email services, including Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, Exchange, and other IMAP services. It boasts an intelligent organization system that automatically categorizes emails into different groups and will only notify for emails you actually want to see. It also has integrations with Dropbox, Box, iCloud Drive, and Evernote.

In addition to intelligence, Spark is highly customizable, letting you choose which features to display or use, depending on your workflow. Emails can be snoozed for later or batch archived or deleted easily. If you use Spark on iOS, customizations and snoozed emails will sync over to the...

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Spark email arrives for the Mac appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Netflix finally lets you download shows and movies to watch offline

You can finally take Netflix with you onto a plane or the subway. Today the company announced that it’s launching offline playback for “many of your favorite streaming series and movies.” Right now, that selection seems largely limited to shows and movies made by Netflix, so you’ve got Stranger Things, The Crown, Narcos, Orange is the New Black, and others available to view offline on day one. But Netflix says more stuff will allow downloads soon.

Airplane mode. Road trip mode. Stuck-in-the-subway-for-20-minutes mode. Your favorite stories are now available for download any time. http://pic.twitter.com/g7QZA3TyE8

— Netflix US (@netflix) November 30, 2016

Once you’ve updated to the latest version of Netflix on Android or iOS (the update...

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Netflix finally lets you download shows and movies to watch offline appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Digitize your doodles with an e-reader you can draw on

No matter how useful a tablet can be, for many, nothing can beat the versatility of paper. Well, paper-loving reader, it might be time to re-think those analog allegiances as reMarkable has just unveiled an impressive new e-paper tablet.

Source: reMarkable

Digitize your doodles with an e-reader you can draw on posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

DirecTV Now: everything you want to know

AT&T kicked this week off with some big news: DirecTV Now, its internet TV streaming service, is here. You can sign up starting today for a free trial on a slew of platforms including smartphones, tablets, living room streaming devices, and PCs. No satellite dish or cable box required; it’s all over the web. I’ve been using DirecTV Now for a day, and my early impression is that there’s a lot of potential and value in it, but the first try feels a little unfinished.

Four tiers of channel bundles are offered with DirecTV Now, but the deal that AT&T is pushing hardest at launch is a limited-time promotion that will let you pay $35 per month for a package of over 100 channels. That tier will eventually cost $60 for those who miss the...

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DirecTV Now: everything you want to know appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Top 10 Android Apps of November 2016!

We've compiled a 'Top 10' list of our favorite Android apps to hit the Google Play Store in November 2016. The apps highlighted in this video include Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Android Auto, Adobe Photoshop Fix, Break Liner, Daydream, Peppy Wallpapers, Fit In The Hole, Fingerprint Gestures, Tiles and Henry the Cloud. Which app is your favorite?

Google

Google Pixel XL

Top 10 Android Apps of November 2016! originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Yahoo Answers Now is a standalone app for iOS

Yahoo Answers has been the butt of many jokes for a long time now. But if you enjoy browsing through all the amusing questions people submit and tend to reply to some yourself, you'll love the latest update out of the company's HQ: Yahoo Answers now has a standalone iOS app. According to TechCrunch, it was previously known as Yahoo Hive, which has been lying low on the App Store since the summer. Its launch is likely an attempt to challenge newer, shinier Answer rivals like Quora. It's also the latest in the list of mobile apps Yahoo released this year.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: iTunes

Yahoo Answers Now is a standalone app for iOS posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Battle of the Streaming Music Services

My life was changed for the better back in 2011. That was the year that I was introduced to this crazy wonderful new service called Spotify, a music streaming service where you could look up just about any song and add it to your own personal playlist. You could play this music anywhere as long as you had an Internet connection, and since I only discovered Spotify after it had been made into a smartphone app, I was pretty much set.

At the time Spotify was the only service of its kind, but it’s an entirely different story today. Now you have plenty of options to choose from – Apple Music, Google Play Music, Spotify, and recently Amazon Music Unlimited are the closest in competition to each other. While each offer many of the same features, they also have slight differences that make them tempting in their own ways. So how do you choose which music streaming service to go with? Let’s break down the details of each to find out what sets them apart from each other.

Price

For the most part, all four streaming services are in the same price range. Apple Music, Google Play Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and Spotify all start at $9.99/month for an individual plan and charge $14.99/month for a family plan (all of which include up to 6 members). That’s where the bar stops for Google Play Music; however, both Apple Music and Spotify offer individual $4.99/month plans for students.

Amazon Music Unlimited gets a little more complex when you factor in an Amazon Prime membership. Prime members can subscribe to Music Unlimited for a $7.99/month price, or $79/year price for an even heftier discount if you plan to stick with the service. Family membership pricing still starts at $14.99/month, but is discounted to $149/year (from $179.88 month-to-month). Amazon also offers a special Echo-only Music Unlimited option for $3.99/month.

As far as free trials go, Apple Music consistently offers a 3-month free trial; Google Play Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music Unlimited all offer 30-day free trials, but it isn’t uncommon to see the occasional offer for a longer trial period for any of these services floating around.

Features

Apple Music, Google Play Music, and Spotify all share the same main features. I’ll touch on Amazon Music Unlimited in a little bit because it doesn’t seem to be as extensive as the other three just yet.

Apple Music, Google Play Music, and Spotify all feature around the same amount of songs in their music library (around 35 million songs). They support Podcast listening, curated Radio stations, song recommendations, and the ability to share playlists. This is where the similarities end and the differences become important.

Apple Music’s unique offerings include Smart Playlists, which gives you more options regarding exactly what kind of playlist you’d like to create. There’s also Beats 1, which is an innovative radio station hosted by the world’s best artists and DJs. Apple Music also has a service called Connect, where artists can connect directly with their fans through Apple Music. Additionally, with an Apple Music subscription, users can upload up to 100,000 of their own personal music library to the iCloud Music Library.

Google Play, on the other hand, only has two unique offerings – but neither are anything to sneeze at. The first is YouTube Red, which is included in a Google Play Music subscription. YouTube Red gives YouTube viewers ad-free YouTube videos, the ability to continue playing a YouTube video in the background, and save videos for offline viewing later. The other differentiating feature actually doesn’t require a Google Play Music subscription (but is still a part of Google Play Music), and that is allowing a user to upload up to 50,000 songs to the cloud.

Last but not least, we have Spotify. Spotify’s shining feature is that you don’t actually need a subscription to be able to listen to music on Spotify. There are a lot of limitations without a “premium” subscription, but you can still create and listen to your own playlists, with ads, for free. Depending on what gadget you use for listening, limitations vary.

Amazon Music Unlimited’s most tempting aspect is really its pricing model for Prime members or Echo users, which makes such a service slightly more affordable. Prime members also benefit from having a fairly decent (but limited) selection of free songs without a Music Unlimited subscription. It’s unclear just how many songs Amazon Music Unlimited has in its library, as it’s only vaguely stated as having “tens of millions”.

Support

Support for each product varies.

Apple Music: Mac, PC, iOS, and Android

Google Play Music: Mac, PC, iOS, Android, Chrome, Web

Spotify: Mac, PC, iOS, Android, Universal Windows 10, Alexa, Fire OS, Chrome, Web

Amazon Music Unlimited: Mac, PC, Android, iOS, Alexa, Fire OS, Chrome, Web

Overall, I find that each service is close in comparison to each other. The addition of YouTube Red from Google Play Music and the still-functional free option from Spotify make those two a cut above the rest for me, but I can also see the appeal of Apple Music for Apple-centric gadget users, as well as the more affordable price tag on Amazon Music Unlimited (for Prime users).

Readers, do you use a streaming music service? If so, which one do you use and why?

Apple

Google

Amazon

Battle of the Streaming Music Services originally posted at http://phonedog.com

LG G5 receiving Android 7.0 Nougat update on T-Mobile

A little more than one week after Sprint’s LG G5 was updated to Android 7.0, another carrier’s G5 is getting a Nougat treat.

The T-Mobile LG G5 is now receiving its Android 7.0 update. While T-Mo itself hasn’t officially announced the rollout, several T-Mobile LG G5 owners have gotten their Nougat update over the past day or two.

As you might expect for an updated to Android 7.0, this update is large, weighing in at 1272.9MB. So if you’ve got a T-Mobile LG G5, you may want to find a speedy Wi-Fi connection before you begin downloading this update.

As for what’s included, you’ll get Nougat treats like quick reply notifications, split-screen app support, and more. Also included are the November 1 Android security patches.

If you’ve got a T-Mobile LG G5 and you haven’t yet updated, you can check manually by going into Settings > General > About phone > Update center > System update > Check for update. Alternatively, some folks have had luck triggering the update by turning off Auto-date in the G5’s settings and then manually setting the clock to some time between 11:00 pm and 4:00 am.

LG G5

T-Mobile

LG G5 receiving Android 7.0 Nougat update on T-Mobile originally posted at http://phonedog.com

PlayStation's Communities app helps you find teammates faster

PlayStation's official mobile app has been live since 2013, letting players glance at their friends list, keep up with console news and buy new games on the fly. Then Sony released another companion app last December dedicated to messaging within the PlayStation Network. Today, iOS and Android users get a third: Communities, which will let players join groups with similar interests and game preferences.

Source: PlayStation blog

PlayStation's Communities app helps you find teammates faster posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 3 will be on the same update schedule following Nougat release

With the launch of the OnePlus 3T, there might be some folks wondering what will happen with both it and the original OnePlus 3 with regard to updates. OnePlus has explained the situation.

OnePlus says that for now, the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T will be updated separately. This will continue until the two phones are updated to Android 7.0 Nougat, which will be released by the end of 2016. After that time, both phones will be on the same update schedule.

OnePlus also today elaborated on the software updates that it released to the OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 3 last week. Here are the details of the two updates:

Highlights for the OnePlus 3T OxygenOS 3.5.3 OTA 

• Added emergency calling for India (triple press the power button to trigger) 
• Added motion detection in camera and enhanced image capturing quality 
• Added OnePlus community app 
• Updated touch panel firmware and optimized touch precision 
• Updated GPS library and optimized location accuracy 
• Redesigned clock UI 
• Redesigned calling UI 
• Increased stability and implemented various bug fixes 

 

Highlights for the OnePlus 3 OxygenOS 3.2.8 OTA 

• Added 1080P 60FPS video recording 
• Added emergency calling for India (Triple press of power button to trigger) 
• Optimization of Snapchat, fixed video calling and scrolling lags 
• Increased system stability 
• General bug fixes

Existing OnePlus 3 owners might be frustrated by the arrival of the OnePlus 3T, as it means that there’s newer OnePlus hardware out there months after the OP3 launch, and that device is getting different updates than the OP3. The good news is that that won’t be the situation for long, though, and that OnePlus 3 owners will still be getting Nougat before the year is up. While that’s not quite the same as getting new hardware, at least OP3 owners know that they’ll be on the same update schedule as their OP3T counterparts.

OnePlus 3

OnePlus 3T

OnePlus

OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 3 will be on the same update schedule following Nougat release originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Google gets better at detecting and removing fake reviews in the Play Store

Last month, Google announced that it was improving the Play Store’s detection of fraudulent app installs used to boost an app’s ranking in the store. Now Google is taking another step to make the Play Store a better place for users.

Google said today that it’s improved the ways that it identifies and removes fake app reviews and ratings. With these improvements, Google has gotten more accurate at detecting and removing fake reviews.

The company also mentioned that if you’re a developer and you’re working with another party to promote your app, you should be sure that their actions follow Google’s legitimate practices. For example, reviews should come from real users, and devs should not try to boost their reviews with fake, paid, or incentivized reviews.

This move will help to improve the Play Store for users. By detecting and deleting fake reviews, users can get a more accurate picture of an app and its ratings, which can then help them decide if that app is worth their time.

Google

Google gets better at detecting and removing fake reviews in the Play Store originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Siri gets its first major movie promotional stunt

While Amazon has been furiously releasing updates to keep Alexa abreast of current events (and holiday shopping deals), Apple has been content to keep most of their Siri updates limited to major OS releases. That'll change with the iTunes release of The Secret Life of Pets, which marks the first time Apple's virtual assistant has been used to promote a movie release or partnered with a major movie studio.

Via: 9to5Mac

Source: iTunes on Facebook

Siri gets its first major movie promotional stunt posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Verizon offering half-off Daydream View with Google Pixel purchase, other accessory discounts

After offering upgrade deals on phones like the Pixel, Moto Z Droid, and iPhone 7, Verizon now has special accessory offers for several of its devices.

Verizon is now offering discounts on accessories for phones like the Pixel, Moto Z Droid, and Galaxy S7. For example, you can get 50 percent off the Daydream View VR headset when you buy a Pixel or Pixel XL, which would bring the cost of the Daydream View to $40.

You can also get half-off a Moto Mod with the purchase of a Moto Z Droid, Moto Z Force Droid, or Moto Z Play Droid. That means that you can get the Hasselblad True Zoom for $125, JBL SoundBoost for $40, Mophie Juice Pack battery for $40, Tumi Wireless Charging Power Pack for $45, or a Tumi Style Shell for $30.

If you’d prefer a new Galaxy smartphone, Verizon will sell you a Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand for half-off ($35) with the purchase of a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge.

Also of note is that Verizon is still offering discounts on flagship smartphones with device trade-in. New customers can get up for $400 off devices like the Pixel, Pixel XL, and Moto Z Droid with eligible trade-in, while existing customers can get $300 off the cost of those devices. The Galaxy S7 and HTC 10 are also available for $300 off with trade-in for new and existing customers.

It’s worth noting that these discounts require device payment plans and are applied as monthly bill credits.

Google Pixel

Google Pixel XL

Moto Z Play

Motorola Moto Z

Moto Z Force

Samsung Galaxy S7

HTC 10

Verizon Wireless

Verizon offering half-off Daydream View with Google Pixel purchase, other accessory discounts originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Facebook Messenger adding games like Pac-Man, Galaga, and Words with Friends

Facebook has been beefing up Messenger quite a bit this year with features like Instant Video and Secret Conversations, and today Facebook announced another new Messenger feature.

Facebook Messenger now includes games. There are several big names included, such as Pac-Man and Galaga, as well as newer titles like Words with Friends. Other games includes Frenzy, Space Invaders, EverWing, Track & Field 100M, and others.

To play these games, you can open a conversation with a friend and tap on the game controller icon where you type your message. When you’re done, the people in your conversation will see your score and have the chance to try to beat it. You can also search for games in the Messenger search field.

By adding games, Facebook is looking for another way to keep users inside of Messenger. Rather than having them leave Messenger to play a game when they’re bored, Facebook is hoping to keep users inside the Messenger app to play a game and possibly convince their friends to play, too, in order to beat their friend’s high score.

Games on Facebook Messenger is starting to roll out today on Android and iOS. It’ll be available in 30 countries initially.

Facebook Messenger adding games like Pac-Man, Galaga, and Words with Friends originally posted at http://phonedog.com

PowerPoint for Windows now supports collaborative editing

Microsoft is making it easier to work with others on your next PowerPoint presentation. The PowerPoint app on Windows now supports collaborative editing, allowing two or more people to jump into a document at once and make edits and comments that are seen by the entire group. This is something people have been able to do with PowerPoint Online for years, but Microsoft opens it up to a much larger group of users by enabling it in the desktop app too.

Collaborative editing has been in the works for the entire Office suite for a while now, with Word first getting support just over a year ago. Microsoft said at the time that collaborative editing would come to PowerPoint and Excel in "the near future;" obviously the timing wasn't quite...

Continue reading…

PowerPoint for Windows now supports collaborative editing appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Sky Mobile to offer flexible contracts with rollover data

It's been a long time since Sky revealed plans to become a mobile virtual network operator with the help of O2. The company opened up registrations for Sky Mobile last month, not that those registering really knew what they were expressing their interest in. Today, though, Sky has pulled the curtain aside on its upcoming mobile offering, which will finally go live in mid-December. It would be unadvisable to enter such a saturated market without a unique selling point to pitch, which in Sky Mobile's case, is rollover data and fully flexible contracts.

Sky Mobile to offer flexible contracts with rollover data posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

LeEco expanding to US retailers on December 1, also announces free DirecTV Now offer

LeEco is looking to make a big splash in the US market, and as part of that effort, the company has announced two big new moves.

Starting December 1, LeEco will begin selling its smartphones and TVs at several major retailers. Those include Best Buy (both online and in stores), Target.com, and Amazon. LeEco says that it’s also opening its LeMall.com store for 24/7 sales following recent flash sales.

LeEco has offered flash sales of its hardware ever since the phones and TVs launched in the US earlier this month, but partnering with established retailers is a smart move for the company. Many folks in the US haven’t heard of LeEco, and so getting its products into Best Buy, Target, and Amazon really ups LeEco’s visibility and improves the odds that a consumer will stumble upon the Le Pro3 or Le S3 and potentially buy one.

LeEco is also offering free subscriptions to AT&T’s new DirecTV Now streaming service. If you buy a qualifying LeEco device between November 29 and January 5, you’ll get free DirecTV Now service. Here’s how this offer breaks down:

• 3 months of DirecTV Now free with the purchase of a Le Pro3, Le Pro3, or a Super4 X43 Pro ecotv
• 6 months of DirecTV Now free with the purchase of a Super4 X55 or Super4 X65 ecotv
• 12 months of DirecTV Now free with the purchase of a uMax85 ecotv

LeEco Le Pro3

LeEco Le S3

LeEco

LeEco expanding to US retailers on December 1, also announces free DirecTV Now offer originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Premium Amazon Echo with 7-inch touchscreen reportedly in the works

Earlier this year, Amazon launched the Echo Dot so that it could offer a low-cost way to get its Alexa voice assistant. Now the company may be planning a premium Echo device at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Amazon is said to be working on a new Echo speaker with a 7-inch touchscreen. That’s according to Bloomberg, who added that the speaker will be larger and support being tilted upward so that you can more easily see the display while the Echo is on a counter. 

This new, premium Echo will reportedly also include better speakers for improved audio over the standard Echo.

Finally, the new Echo is expected to run Amazon’s Android-based Fire OS and include support for pinning things on the device’s screen.

Amazon is aiming to release its premium Echo in early 2017, says today’s report. There’s no word on how much the device will cost, but the regular Echo is priced at $179.99, so a premium model with a touchscreen will likely cost a bit more.

The Echo was a surprise when Amazon first launched it, but the device seems to be doing relatively well. Now Amazon appears to be filling its Echo family up with devices for every price range, and this new premium Echo would fill out the top end. With an improved speaker and a touchscreen, it sounds like Amazon would want this device to be the center of the kitchen and the family, functioning as a digital assistant that also offers a refrigerator door-like display that you can stick notes, photos, and more to.

Amazon

Premium Amazon Echo with 7-inch touchscreen reportedly in the works originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Engadget giveaway: Win an HD DVR package courtesy of Plex!

So you've cut the cord, but want to catch a few shows on major networks without adding a new paid TV subscription. If you splurge on a digital tuner (or cable card) and antenna, you're free to enjoy uncompressed HD broadcasts from most of the majors like ABC, NBC, CBS and more -- at no charge. Add to that Plex's recent DVR feature, which lets you record shows when they air and save them to your Plex server. It's the perfect pairing, allowing you access to both your own media and Plex DVR content anywhere you want using the app. To help celebrate the launch of this new feature, Plex has given us two complete setups for pulling in free HD TV, recording shows and streaming them. That includes an HDHomeRun Connect dual digital tuner, an HD antenna and a free lifetime Plex Pass, for unmitigated access to all of Plex's best features. Just head on down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this economical HD TV package!

Engadget giveaway: Win an HD DVR package courtesy of Plex! posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Russian government turns to the ghost of Nokia's mobile OS

Finnish software house Jolla has announced that its smartphone OS, Sailfish, has been accepted for use by Russia's government. It means that the platform -- which rose from the ashes of Nokia and Intel's doomed MeeGo -- can now be used for official government business. The company also let slip that it's in discussions to do a similar deal with leaders in South Africa and China, as well as other BRICS countries. As for why, it's probably not because Vladimir Putin was as outraged as the rest of us when Nokia axed the N9.

Source: Jolla (.PDF)

Russian government turns to the ghost of Nokia's mobile OS posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

LeEco's phones and TVs are coming to Amazon and Best Buy

LeEco is perhaps best known away from China for its electric cars (and the cash crunch they caused), but it's now making a big US push with its bread-and-butter electronics products. After launching its LeMall.com site earlier this month, it'll let US consumers buy its phones and TVs at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Target, starting on December 1st. To entice buyers, it's offering free trials for AT&T's DirecTV Now streaming service, launching tomorrow.

Source: LeEco

LeEco's phones and TVs are coming to Amazon and Best Buy posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

SwiftKey for Android's clipboard is a godsend for lazy typers

So, you don't like typing out your address or any other information you usually send other people again and again -- SwiftKey gets it. In fact, its latest update for Android devices adds a couple of new features you'll enjoy. First is the keyboard's brand new Clipboard, which you can use to save phrases you often use and anything else you want. You can simply copy and paste items you saved onto a messaging or email app whenever you need to.

Source: SwiftKey

SwiftKey for Android's clipboard is a godsend for lazy typers posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Samsung Pay won't reach the UK until sometime next year

2016 has been a good year for mobile payments, thanks to the arrival of Android Pay and the majority of big banks adopting Apple Pay. Samsung was also meant to join the party, but the company has confirmed that Galaxy smartphone and Gear smartwatch owners will now have to wait until next year to use its payment service. The Telegraph reports that the launch has been "tied up amid negotiations with banks," a story that some British banking customers are already all too familiar with.

Source: The Telegraph

Samsung Pay won't reach the UK until sometime next year posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

JayBird X3 Review!

JayBird X3 Review! originally posted at http://phonedog.com

OnePlus 3T unboxing video takes place inside a fighter jet

To celebrate the launch of its new OnePlus 3T, the folks at OnePlus decided to show off the device in an extreme style.

A new video posted today by OnePlus shows Vine user and YouTuber Jake Paul unboxing the OnePlus 3T in a fighter jet. And yes, this jet is flying and doing rolls the entire time.

While the clip doesn’t show much of the OnePlus 3T in action, you do get to see the goodies inside of the box, including the OnePlus 3T itself and its Dash Charger.

The OnePlus 3T is a refreshed version of the OnePlus 3. It’s got a newer Snapdragon 821 processor, while the OnePlus 3 comes with a Snapdragon 820 chipset. Also new with the 3T is a 128GB storage option, a 16-megapixel front camera, a beefier 3,400mAh battery, and a new gunmetal gray color that’s a bit darker than the OnePlus 3’s gray color option.

Have you ordered a OnePlus 3T?

qwI1kqB_rQA

OnePlus 3T

OnePlus

OnePlus 3T unboxing video takes place inside a fighter jet originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Apple reportedly considering curved display for iPhone 8

Now that the iPhone 7 is in consumers’ hands, the rumor mill is turning its attention to 2017 and the iPhone 8.

Apple is reportedly asking its suppliers to increase their output of “thinner organic light emitting displays” and to give Apple prototype displays with higher resolution than Samsung’s displays. That’s according to sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal, who add Apple is currently considering 10 prototypes for its next iPhone.

Curved displays are growing in popularity lately. Samsung’s Galaxy S7 edge is perhaps the most well-known model, and Samsung also added a curved display to the Note 7 before that device was discontinued. We’re seeing curved display phones from other manufacturers, too, including BlackBerry and Xiaomi. As such, it’s no surprise to hear that Apple is considering adding a curved display to the iPhone 8, which could help to minimize the device’s screen bezels.

It’s worth noting again that Apple is said to be prototyping this curved display, so it’s possible that the next iPhone won’t have a curved display.

Have you used a device with a curved display like the S7 edge or Note 7? If so, do you like curved displays?

Apple

Apple reportedly considering curved display for iPhone 8 originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Google Daydream View Unboxing and Review

Daydream View is Google's most impressive virtual reality headset yet. Not only is it far more comfortable than Google Cardboard, but it's far more capable as well.

Google

Google Daydream View Unboxing and Review originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Android 7.1.1 update could begin hitting Nexus and Pixel devices on December 5

Google recently said that it’d begin pushing Android 7.1.1 updates to Nexus and Pixel devices in early December, and now we may have an exact date to look forward to.

Vodafone Australia claims that Android 7.1.1 will begin rolling out on December 5. Technically, Vodafone says that the update will start hitting the Nexus 6P at 5:00 PM in Australia, but given the time differences between Australia and the US, we could see the update arrive in the US on December 5.

The update will include a new December 5, 2016 Android security patch. Thanks to previous developer previews, we know that the update will include other features like support for app shortcuts.

We’ll have to wait until Google actually begins pushing Android 7.1.1 before we officially know when the rollout will be, but a launch next week would make sense. Not only has Google said that the push would start in early December, which next week is, but Vodafone says that next security update is listed as being the December 5 patch, and carriers like Vodafone typically get these updates before their full launch so that they can test them.

Huawei Nexus 6P

LG Nexus 5X

Google Pixel XL

Google Pixel

Google

Android 7.1.1 update could begin hitting Nexus and Pixel devices on December 5 originally posted at http://phonedog.com

AT&T pushes Fullscreen, FreeVIEW service in DirecTV Now's wake

AT&T's internet TV plans don't stop with DirecTV Now, as it also highlighted two Go90-ish services during an event today. The already-available Fullscreen (previously mentioned as DirecTV Mobile) offers a $6 per month subscription video service intended to be social- and mobile-first (read: this is where some of those Vine stars went), and now AT&T mobile customers will be able to get a year of free access bundled with new or existing plans.

Source: AT&T, Fullscreen

AT&T pushes Fullscreen, FreeVIEW service in DirecTV Now's wake posted first on http://ift.tt/1tUdcCk

Did you switch carriers on Black Friday?

Black Friday means deals across the board, and not just from the big box retailers, either. Network carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile are more than willing to throw deals at potential customers, ones that might be a bit better than the deals they might offer throughout the year, on that one particular day. This year wasn't any different, with the carriers offering steep discounts, or outright free devices, for anyone that wanted to jump ship and join their ranks.

Verizon had a nice deal on the latest major release for the Big Red carrier, discounting the Google Pixel, in at least one variant, for anyone that wanted to join up with the network. And T-Mobile offered big discounts, or free phones, across a variety of different flagships, including the iPhone 7 lineup.

In these cases, the main draw for the carrier was convincing people to leave their current carrier and start waving their banner instead.

The deals on Black Friday, especially when it comes to T-Mobile which is more than willing to offer random deals throughout the year, weren't groundbreaking or anything. Trade in a high-end smartphone and you'll either get a brand new high-end smartphone for free, or with a significant price reduction. You also need to sign up for a monthly installment plan in most cases, which, while is obviously the go-to option at this point, not everyone might be so willing to adopt just yet.

Still, the deals are certainly worth taking a look at, but maybe if you're only already mulling over the idea of switching carriers. I could be wrong here --and that's why I'm asking you-- but I don't think any of these deals are good enough to outright convince someone who might tolerate their current wireless carrier to leave them for something else.

Now that Black Friday is over, and Cyber Monday is right around the corner, I am curious to know if any of you out there switched your carrier and took advantage of one of the many Black Friday deals that cropped up. Did you trade in your old phone to get something new and shiny at a discount, or free?

If you did switch carriers on Black Friday, which carrier did you switch from, and why? Which device did you trade in, and which smartphone did you leave the store with?

I'm also curious to know if anyone out there traded in a current-generation flagship smartphone, like the iPhone 7 or Galaxy S7, to pick up the same phone on their new carrier. Did you want to hold onto your phone but change carriers? Let me know!

Samsung Galaxy S7

Apple iPhone 7

T-Mobile

Verizon Wireless

AT&T

Did you switch carriers on Black Friday? originally posted at http://phonedog.com