Official: OnePlus 2 will be one of the first smartphones to feature a USB Type-C port

OnePlus is officially getting the hype train rolling for their upcoming OnePlus 2, the followup to last year’s (frustrating) OnePlus One flagship. Today they announced on social media that the phone will be the first Android flagship to feature USB Type C, a reversible port that doesn’t care which way you insert the cable in (similar to Apple’s Lightning port on the iPhone).

The connection does more than just charge devices (which tops out at 100 watts vs USB 2.0’s 2.5 watts), allowing video output as well thanks to higher speeds. Google committed to the new connector back when they unveiled the Chromebook Pixel 2 in March, so we expect it will also arrive in this year’s Nexus launching at the end of this year. OnePlus seems confident their flagship will be the first to use the new spec, so we expect a OnePlus 2 launch is right around the corner.

[Twitter]

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TAGS: OnePlus 2

Source = phandroid

Tags = Feature, first, official, OnePlus, Port, smartphones, TypeC

Sony’s “Thinner Than Your Smartphone” 55-Inch 4K LED TV With Android TV is Now Up for Pre-Order

At this year’s CES, Sony unveiled a TV that got more traffic than just about every other TV I found myself in front of throughout the week. The popular TV was Sony’s 55-inch 4K “Ultra-Thin” LED model that ran Android TV. People couldn’t stop from halting in front if it to take a picture because it is insanely thin. Seriously, it was so crazy thin that even we (non-TV guys) stopped with mouths dropped to take a couple of pics (that we of course can’t find now).

Sony claims the TV is thinner than your smartphone or pencil at “approximately” 0.2-inches. 

It also runs Android TV, so you get access to Google Play and many of its apps, is Cast ready, and has a “vanishing edge” screen. Really, though, all of us only care because of how thin this bad boy is. Look at the pic below and try to tell me you aren’t at least somewhat impressed.

We’re talking about it today because it’s now up for pre-order at Amazon for $ 2500. Yes, it’s expensive for a 120Hz TV, but Samsung’s new TVs are hovering right around that price point as well. (It should be at Best Buy before long as well.)

Any takers?

Amazon | Best Buy

Source : droid-life

Tags = 55Inch, Android, preorder, smartphone, Sony’s, Than, “Thinner

Google is inviting you to test their new 16-camera virtual reality recording rig

Google is creating an awesome camera array that features 16 GoPro shooters. Jump VR is what they call it, and as the name suggests it will allow film makers to capture their scenes in virtual reality goodness for use with VR headsets, YouTube’s 360-degree video feature and more.

And now they want people to help test it. If you’re a filmmaker of the serious (and creative) variety you can head right here to apply to test one of these bad boys. Google will ask for some basic information about where you live, who you are and what you intend to do with Jump VR.

If they like your proposal enough you may find yourself with an insane new camera rig to play with later this summer. If not? Well, Google will send you about updates about the progress of Jump VR, including (hopefully) eventual availability.

[via TechCrunch]

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Source = phandroid

Tags = 16camera, Google, inviting, reality, recording, Test, their, virtual

OnePlus Confirms Second Flagship Will Feature USB Type-C

Over on Twitter, OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 2 will feature USB Type-C, possibly making it the first Android flagship device released with the feature. There is no confirmed release date for the device yet, but OnePlus seems rather confident in this fact, according to the tweet. 

“We want to lead the way in power connectivity,” the company tweets. And yes, if they do include USB Type-C, they would be leading the way. Currently, the only other device rumored to launch this year with Type-C is the Galaxy Note 5, but that won’t be announced until September during IFA, most likely.

As we inch closer to an official unveiling and release, you can rest assured that OnePlus will continue to share additional details and specs for the OnePlus 2.

Interested in what OnePlus brings to the table in 2015?

Via: OnePlus

Source : droid-life

Tags = confirms, Feature, Flagship, OnePlus, second, TypeC

Google features 17 awesome new Android Wear watch faces in the Google Play Store

We’re still getting acquainted with Android 5.1.1 on our Moto 360s (you can check out all the new features right here) and today — joining the massive list of over 1,500 watch faces already available for Android Wear — Google is adding 17 all new ones to the mix. Featured in a list on Google Play, these new featured watch faces have been put together from some pretty big names in fashion, art, and even mobile.

There’s a little something here for everyone, with watch faces ranging from cute (Hello Kitty) to classy (Lulu Frost) and everything in between. We especially dig the watch faces from artists like Muji, and Kevin Tong or Bandai Namco’s Gundam watch face. Make sure to check all of them out by visiting the landing page on the Play Store right here.

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TAGS: Android Wear

Source = phandroid

Tags = Android, awesome, Faces, Features, Google, Play, Store, Watch, Wear

Deal: Buy a 64GB Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge at Full Retail, Get $100 Rebate From Samsung

T-Mobile is currently offering a free storage upgrade on Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge purchases that doubles your 32GB to 64GB or 64GB to 128GB at no extra cost. That’s a great deal and all, but Samsung may have just sweetened the deal for those who are actually interested in purchasing the 64GB version of phone from T-Mobile. They are also offering a solid $ 100 off for those who buy the phone from other carriers.

Samsung’s “Ultimate Upgrade” promo that kicked off this weekend runs from June 21 through July 5. With this promo, Samsung will send you a $ 100 rebate should you buy a 64GB Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge “at the carrier or national retailer of your choice.” The point is to make up the $ 100 difference in 32GB and 64GB models.

You see how this could be an incredible deal for T-Mobile customers? T-Mobile is already upgrading you to 64GB at the price of the 32GB, but if you buy the phone out-right, you are then getting $ 100 from Samsung as well. So you could land a 64GB model from T-Mobile for $ 579. Not bad, right?

We cruised through the rebate details and don’t see any mention of T-Mobile models being excluded.

For the rest of you who aren’t interested in phones from T-Mobile, you are still eligible for a $ 100 rebate if you buy either the S6 or S6 Edge at full retail.

Via:  Samsung

Cheers @shojus!

Source : droid-life

Tags = $100, 64GB, Deal, Edge, from, full, Galaxy, Rebate, Retail, Samsung

T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S5 is receiving Android 5.1.1 Lollipop today

T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have gotten Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, and now yesteryear’s counterpart is in line. Android 5.1.1 for the Samsung Galaxy S5 is rolling out starting today, with folks able to pull it down over-the-air and through Samsung Kies.

There’s no word yet on what, exactly, is different. Our hope would be that the device will receive Camera RAW support like the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are currently enjoying, but we’ll have to wait for further reports and testing to see if that’s on tap. At the least we can expect improved performance and other enhancements, as well as bug fixes galore.

Be sure to download it and report back with your impressions once you’ve gotten it loaded up!

[via SamMobile]

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TAGS: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop , Samsung Galaxy S5

Source = phandroid

Tags = 5.1.1, Android, Galaxy, Lollipop, Receiving, Samsung, TMobile’s, Today