VSCO Cam equips iPads for its style of mobile photo editing

<b>VSCO Cam has been a popular choice for smartphone photo edits on iOS, and more recently Android, for quite some time.</b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlIOwRs6vb-uwMqjYWkjjonroyPNCTfZG_vWQbTww-8zgg1lcundx-VOI-ppDi5H2KPvtOxUNrvSAOyMzQ10plFD-cDgglligdXLqsqZ6kQbw_q4OlSVN2c1qlP8iJI8_xSdF9weY3aeC/s1600/VSCO-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="VSCO Cam equips iPads for its style of mobile photo editing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlIOwRs6vb-uwMqjYWkjjonroyPNCTfZG_vWQbTww-8zgg1lcundx-VOI-ppDi5H2KPvtOxUNrvSAOyMzQ10plFD-cDgglligdXLqsqZ6kQbw_q4OlSVN2c1qlP8iJI8_xSdF9weY3aeC/s1600/VSCO-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="VSCO Cam equips iPads for its style of mobile photo editing" /></a></div> <div> <b><br /></b> <div> When the outfit sought to update its app for the latest version of Apple's mobile OS, it went a step further: properly equipping the iPad to be a better editing option. As a VSCO Cam user, the most useful part of version 4.0 is the Preset Gallery that allows you to view multiple filters side-by-side before making a selection. It takes advantage of the increased screen real estate too, while letting you modify, undo and view all the tweaks in a handy Edit History. There's also a new web uploader for getting your shots from a computer to a mobile device, and thanks to Sync, selected photos can be accessed across that mobile device fleet. Don't worry about downsizing in the process either: the full-res files are transferred back and forth, even massive DSLR images from Nikon's D800 and the like. Thanks to iOS 8, VSCO Cam lets you adjust manual focus, shutter speed, white balance and exposure when capturing images, similar to other photo apps for Apple devices.<br /> <br /> Don't worry Android users, that Sync feature will work on your gadgets, too. In fact, Android version 3.1 plays nice with the desktop tool, so you can get photos to your phone for easy editing. While all of the features for iPad aren't yet available on Google's mobile OS, VSCO says that some of the work has already been done (Sync, etc.). Continuing to bring the tablet experience on Android on par with releases for Apple slates is certainly priority, so hopefully that Preset Gallery makes an appearance soon. If you fancy HTC's Duo Focus feature, support for it is included in this version of VSCO Cam, too.<br /> <br /> While you won't be using the free app to make edits for that professional project, the fact that the app now plays nice with iPads means you could make some tweaks to those vacation photos from the couch on a more comfy screen. In fact, that's the sort of thing the folks at VSCO have in mind. And for more robust pro-style edits, there's film packs for Lightroom, Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw. The company's community features got a boost as well. Grid and Journal are already a means of sharing photos and nabbing inspiration from other users, and now you can pair your snapshots with text for entires with that latter tool. Until now, Journal was only available in beta, but it's available for all users to use VSCO Cam images to tell their stories with today's release. Updates for both iOS and Android are now available via iTunes and Google Play.</div> </div> <div> <br /></div>

VSCO Cam equips iPads for its style of mobile photo editing

VSCO Cam has been a popular choice for smartphone photo edits on iOS, and more recently Android, for quite some time. When the outfit ...

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Blackberry fans line up here: pre-orders for the new Classic are open

<b>Platform loyal BBM addicts have a new device to consider -- other than the Passport -- now that Blackberry is taking pre-orders for its upcoming phone.</b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGIjPZBXAfca5YhyXLCH8f7hamPlFbvIGJ9BGgnEC2oHSz9FrCLkZJCqIczLz9nfnAyg-QdBZgsI3a7dVO7zzYeF2Jj-QuYS0M7w5mK3XWFE5C56OcSE4ow2LsSPuXTiHOVvwrMF_RV6f/s1600/Blackberry-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blackberry fans line up here: pre-orders for the new Classic are open" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGIjPZBXAfca5YhyXLCH8f7hamPlFbvIGJ9BGgnEC2oHSz9FrCLkZJCqIczLz9nfnAyg-QdBZgsI3a7dVO7zzYeF2Jj-QuYS0M7w5mK3XWFE5C56OcSE4ow2LsSPuXTiHOVvwrMF_RV6f/s1600/Blackberry-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Blackberry fans line up here: pre-orders for the new Classic are open" /></a></div> <div> <b><br /></b> <div> The Classic (aka Q20) brings the design, keyboard and trackpad users are used to, plus a large square touch screen, the latest version of BlackBerry OS and support for Android apps. Currently only a GSM version is available (no Verizon, Sprint or US Cellular support here) in the US for $450 and shipments are expected to start in mid-December. Oddly, BlackBerry hasn't revealed more details or specs about the phone, but those should be revealed closer to its release. Our best look at the phone came from this leak, feel free to take a look back before deciding to whether to place an order.</div> </div> <div> <br /></div>

Blackberry fans line up here: pre-orders for the new Classic are open

Platform loyal BBM addicts have a new device to consider -- other than the Passport -- now that Blackberry is taking pre-orders for its upco...

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Aviary's first update under Adobe brings Creative Cloud sync, free add-ons

<div> Back in September, Adobe snatched up Aviary to pad its mobile portfolio, and the photo-editing app has released its first major post-acquisition update.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1iZfDyRWTIQV7le0lRLoBYIDJcZQuiLL_Vpcmc2k-XhI0vP0ClQEz02Gn2Sn4L5QXVmLsEToOKKOSl4GHvrLpoMcCg7FyFt2khPfqg5aQ9IB3F6zTBNQb02P5D68kczQR4Gmc3sgK5R6/s1600/Aviary's-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aviary's first update under Adobe brings Creative Cloud sync, free add-ons" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1iZfDyRWTIQV7le0lRLoBYIDJcZQuiLL_Vpcmc2k-XhI0vP0ClQEz02Gn2Sn4L5QXVmLsEToOKKOSl4GHvrLpoMcCg7FyFt2khPfqg5aQ9IB3F6zTBNQb02P5D68kczQR4Gmc3sgK5R6/s1600/Aviary's-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Aviary's first update under Adobe brings Creative Cloud sync, free add-ons" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div> <div> In what will come as no surprise, Aviary now syncs all of your in-app tools with Creative Cloud after you sign in with a requisite Adobe ID. What's more, those effects, stickers and more that usually require shelling out funds are free until the end of the month -- all $200 worth. Stencil overlays (another in-app purchase) and vignettes make their debut alongside adjustments for fade, highlights, shadows and tint via easy to use slider controls. Finally, the iOS versiongets a revamped Draw tool that offers a more natural feel. Both that and the Androidupdate are ready for download, and if you're looking to test drive 'em, Aviary is free via the respective app repositories.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> <br /></div>

Aviary's first update under Adobe brings Creative Cloud sync, free add-ons

Back in September, Adobe snatched up Aviary to pad its mobile portfolio, and the photo-editing app has released its first major post-acquis...

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Samsung faces the bad news: sales of its high-end phones are sliding

<b>Confirming its own estimates from earlier this month, Samsung announced tonight that it accumulated an operating profit of $3.9 billion in Q3.</b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo9PrYrm_3oVBwAu3jhz5qglEaEDci_-8rOrIHwx3-x7g1P99tzgTkMCsmFt4PQ5tuO4N_FdPM7-hu-p-lrMAAFmo1Bnx3rSQBTgdFROFrKgMl9Ny4x8G7FiVGJ6-teaHvjcCVlqpoKp8/s1600/Samsung-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Samsung faces the bad news: sales of its high-end phones are sliding" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo9PrYrm_3oVBwAu3jhz5qglEaEDci_-8rOrIHwx3-x7g1P99tzgTkMCsmFt4PQ5tuO4N_FdPM7-hu-p-lrMAAFmo1Bnx3rSQBTgdFROFrKgMl9Ny4x8G7FiVGJ6-teaHvjcCVlqpoKp8/s1600/Samsung-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Samsung faces the bad news: sales of its high-end phones are sliding" /></a></div> <div> <b><br /></b> <div> That's not a bad haul for most companies in the July to September period, but last year Samsung proudly celebrated a record profit of $9.6 billion and now it's down to less than half that. Now the company is breaking down the reasons behind the drop, and everything starts with the flagship Galaxy S smartphones. Reuters notes that phones drove its growth over the last couple of years, but profits in that area dropped from 6.7 trillion Korean won last year, to 1.75 trillion in the same period this year.<br /> <br /> That drop came as a result of price cuts for older phones and "declined shipments" of high-end models. Even slightly higher sales of midrange smartphones apparently weren't enough to right the ship, and the Galaxy Note 4 hasn't been on sale long enough to contribute. Worse, the phone sales have an effect across the company for its display, memory and CPU businesses. It expects to sell more Ultra HD and curved TVs to close out 2014, but investors will likely be more interested in how it responds to cheaper Chinese phone manufacturers.</div> </div> <div> <br /></div>

Samsung faces the bad news: sales of its high-end phones are sliding

Confirming its own estimates from earlier this month, Samsung announced tonight that it accumulated an operating profit of $3.9 billion in Q...

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Hands On With The Motorola Droid Turbo From Verizon

<b>The latest Droid device is now fully unveiled, and it’s truly a beast.</b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSp39AIYIY92HBI3vIxj2nVOTVTCAKiniNPfgIBAALfDE7Xwv8C294cYWmi5zAG9Lh0Unu-cll51nnHfTmlVCMPSAB7bu3CarSAnZmatdwVNln36b_3uMZdnRsBkH94n_Y1jW0_U9I9_Y/s1600/Motorola-Droid-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hands On With The Motorola Droid Turbo From Verizon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSp39AIYIY92HBI3vIxj2nVOTVTCAKiniNPfgIBAALfDE7Xwv8C294cYWmi5zAG9Lh0Unu-cll51nnHfTmlVCMPSAB7bu3CarSAnZmatdwVNln36b_3uMZdnRsBkH94n_Y1jW0_U9I9_Y/s1600/Motorola-Droid-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Hands On With The Motorola Droid Turbo From Verizon" /></a></div> <div> <b><br /></b>The most prominent and highlighted feature of the phone, its ability to charge quickly and last for up to 48 hours, is hard to test properly in a matter of hours. However, the look, feel, and general build of the device is already making an impression on me.<br /> <br /> Motorola handed out devices at the launch event, and I walked away with a Ballistic Nylon version of the device.<br /> <br /> But that’s not to say I’m a fan of the nylon. It seems like a material that would pick up dust and dirt and food in any one of its many pockets and crevices and forever look like a piece of trash. And matters aren’t helped by the front of the device, which looks all the more cheap and plastic-ish thanks to the nylon on the back.<br /> <br /> I’m thinking the Metallic version, pictured in the gallery below, may actually be more practical and look a little more subtle.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCcoLm0A4Q8XpWLmnKaEPGsfueecnnn3wEIPh61mCi4FwT3vKymWs1l3Rx1kBF-92K5QMWsUPMuH4GfJ5AzXXCoSo_UOLytfDVQZieNex_dPOxkUr7k64pThYMd4Euekt4rxcC8Zmt6iL/s1600/Motorola-Droid-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hands On With The Motorola Droid Turbo From Verizon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCcoLm0A4Q8XpWLmnKaEPGsfueecnnn3wEIPh61mCi4FwT3vKymWs1l3Rx1kBF-92K5QMWsUPMuH4GfJ5AzXXCoSo_UOLytfDVQZieNex_dPOxkUr7k64pThYMd4Euekt4rxcC8Zmt6iL/s1600/Motorola-Droid-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Hands On With The Motorola Droid Turbo From Verizon" /></a></div> <div> <br /> Still, it feels like a sturdy phone that could withstand more than a few hard drops (though we hardly recommend testing this out for yourself.) It’s also quite thick and feels heavy, weighing in at 176 grams, with that super dense 3900mAh battery under the hood.<br /> <br /> The pure Android experience is nice in a world of Android phones with way too many features, and the 5.2-inch display is quite nice. It also doesn’t feel too big, given the size of the display and the battery.<br /> <br /> The phone comes with a handful of different discounts from Verizon, which you can check outhere, and starts at $199 on-contract for the 32GB model on October 30.</div>

Hands On With The Motorola Droid Turbo From Verizon

The latest Droid device is now fully unveiled, and it’s truly a beast. The most prominent and highlighted feature of the phone, its abil...

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Droid Turbo's long battery life, new tech offset weight

<b>There’s a lot to like in Motorola’s Droid Turbo, including its 48 hours of battery life and extremely sharp screen.</b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWGyjBET5rrNFFlgZPopF1TsTafLpDbJlnjcBSM9sGvdk80rVI97HpQTx5iSqBoSXnhjMWZHSd2Xw5Le5y_BjMQ5BukhhEAQOn6E4kQI7LxMSqf7z8HM6q4kmStKH-MyMSXbDwQi0pJgg/s1600/Droid-Turbo-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Droid Turbo's long battery life, new tech offset weight" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWGyjBET5rrNFFlgZPopF1TsTafLpDbJlnjcBSM9sGvdk80rVI97HpQTx5iSqBoSXnhjMWZHSd2Xw5Le5y_BjMQ5BukhhEAQOn6E4kQI7LxMSqf7z8HM6q4kmStKH-MyMSXbDwQi0pJgg/s1600/Droid-Turbo-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Droid Turbo's long battery life, new tech offset weight" /></a></div> <div> <b><br /></b>The Android smartphone has a 5.2-inch screen, but felt slightly heavier than competitive handsets during a hands-on review. Yet, it could appeal to users who need a durable handset with long battery life and the latest technologies.<br /> <br /> The Droid Turbo will be available starting on Thursday through Verizon Wireless in the U.S. A base model with 32GB of storage will be priced at $199 with a two-year contract, and a 64GB version will sell for $249. The smartphone is exclusive to Verizon, and variants won’t be sold outside the U.S.<br /> <br /> The handset has a slightly curvy back, much like the Moto X devices, and is easy to hold. It has on/off and volume buttons, a USB 2.0 port at the bottom to recharge the smartphone, and a headset jack at the top. The SIM card was built into the handset, and there were no external display connector ports.<br /> <br /> No Bendgate here<br /> <br /> The Droid Turbo won’t easily crack or break, so don’t expect any Bendgate controversy. The smartphone has a solid exterior made of kevlar, which is also used in bulletproof vests. There’s also a layer of ballistic nylon, which is used to add durability to wallets and backpacks, and patented “nanocoating” to protect the smartphone from spills. Another new material called metallized glass fiber adds shine to the device.<br /> <br /> The smartphone can display images at a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. The benefits of this screen—which offers more depth than regular 1080p HD—were immediately noticeable, and 4K video on YouTube looked vivid and bright, with no frozen frames or jitters.<br /> <br /> One of the more attractive features is a 21-megapixel camera, similar to the one in the recently introduced Nexus 6. The camera was easy to operate thanks to user-friendly software, and there’s also an option to shoot 4K video. Driving the speedy application and graphics performance is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon’s 805 processor, which is capable of processing 4K video for storage on the handset.<br /> <br /> A 64GB model weighs 176 grams, and feels somewhat heavy. By comparison, the recently introduced HTC Eye, which also has a 5.2-inch screen, weighs 160 grams. But size and weight sacrifices had to be made for the thick 3,900 millamp-hour battery, which provides the smartphone with two days of battery life on general use.<br /> <br /> A step up on the Droid Maxx<br /> <br /> The battery life isn’t much of an improvement from the predecessor, the Droid Maxx, which was introduced last year and had a 3,500 milliamp-hour battery. But with Droid Turbo, a higher capacity battery was needed to deal with the screen, higher-resolution camera and faster processor, a Motorola representative said.<br /> <br /> Binge watching of TV shows could drain battery quickly, but like its predecessor, Droid Turbo remains the smartphone to beat on battery life.<br /> <br /> There are also some innovative applications on the handset like Droid Zap, which allows users to share photos and videos with just a finger tap. The Moto Assist “learning engine” can change the smartphone profile depending on user behavior, background sounds and camera images. For example, the smartphone will be able to detect if a user is in a meeting, and shut down background noise for notifications.<br /> <br /> The smartphone comes with Android 4.4.4, code-named KitKat, but the OS will be upgraded to Android 5.0 by the end of the year. A lot of bloatware showed up in the review unit, including NFL Mobile, IMDB, Amazon and Audible apps. Bloatware can hurt battery life, and an Amazon app ran on the smartphone’s startup. It was possible to disable most of the bloatware, though it took some time and effort.</div> <div> <br /></div>

Droid Turbo's long battery life, new tech offset weight

There’s a lot to like in Motorola’s Droid Turbo, including its 48 hours of battery life and extremely sharp screen. The Android smartpho...

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The Nexus 9 wasn't designed to be an iPad killer

The Nexus 9 is not designed to be an iPad killer; it is designed to inspire Google's Android partners to create an alternative.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ACQgJRSebBsgnOzFYuhczyH70FvV2JUx5pHK-NEa8F1LdVX7VNslfV-ZIb0A89ks_ONV5-QO_GgxGqiWsYuMQ4Do7YErcqs2M_uQKT2xi1hA40ZLDDAfW-8prPAXpId5AHzYASAVpSIY/s1600/HTC-Nesus-9ttech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="HTC Nexus 9" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ACQgJRSebBsgnOzFYuhczyH70FvV2JUx5pHK-NEa8F1LdVX7VNslfV-ZIb0A89ks_ONV5-QO_GgxGqiWsYuMQ4Do7YErcqs2M_uQKT2xi1hA40ZLDDAfW-8prPAXpId5AHzYASAVpSIY/s1600/HTC-Nesus-9ttech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="HTC Nexus 9" /></a></div> <div> <br /> <div> Although you'd be forgiven for thinking different: It was announced a day before the Air 2 and 3 mini iPad, comes with a powerful 64-bit chip NVIDIA and will be priced to compete with tablets Apple. But Alberto Villarreal, director of industrial design of the Nexus 9, confirming that this is not the purpose.<br /> <div> <br /> "We want to promote the high-end market for Android tablets," Villarreal said. "[The Nexus 9] has many attributes and is sure to bring quality to other companies to do better." </div> <div> <br /> Nexus 9 is a shining example in much the same way that last year's Nexus device, 5 and 7, shows that the manufacturer that it is possible to create cheap phones and tablets that look good and perform well. The team needed a partner with experience in creating high-end devices, so it turned to HTC. </div> <div> <br /> The team needed a partner with experience in creating high-end devices, so it turned to HTC. <br /> "We see the One and really liked their design is very simple, focusing on usability and eliminate things that do not need to be there," Villarreal said. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> HTC Nexus 9 production processing and working closely with Google on the design and material of it, but it looks unlike anything the Taiwan-based manufacturing has been done before. BoomSound well hidden stereo speakers on the front is characterized by HTC, but otherwise the tablet looks like a blown up version of the Nexus 5: The straight sides, matte soft-grip (Polycarbonate) back and even camera position provides a very striking similarity. (Villarreal helped design the Nexus 5 is fine.) However, there are 9 more on a higher level than last year thanks to smartphones using aluminum. <br /> <br /> If the design team entertaining the idea of a device made ​​of metal, the thought does not stick. It's like a layered approach: The parties provide hard aluminum and protection, in addition to its premium appearance, while polycarbonate is meant to provide a better grip and more color options. <br /> <br /> And while the Nexus 9 of three colors - black, white and sand - not exactly exciting or eye-catching, more consideration goes into choosing the right color. </div> <div> <br /> "We're moving away from technology-driven black and silver, which is very common in the industry, and trying to bring more of a fashion look portfolio," Villarreal said.</div> </div> </div>

The Nexus 9 wasn't designed to be an iPad killer

The Nexus 9 is not designed to be an iPad killer; it is designed to inspire Google's Android partners to create an alternative. Al...

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Xiaomi is moving some of its users' data out of China

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <b>Xiaomi's a force to be reckoned with in China -- its new phones routinely sell out online in seconds -- but its influence is steadily growing outside its native home.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7CCXNWgkVyogOt3eGopXPAU5PArjosqHJ-aFcj8Z8f1Rd0xc_YR5rBrz9b27irb45fPBLZYGLPyXUcq-GtJ7nQy7jdrv-CRrfhCmhVEFLRwahkrBy1nwBq10Lnx7hINRGX7FITLDn2OI/s1600/Xiaomi-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7CCXNWgkVyogOt3eGopXPAU5PArjosqHJ-aFcj8Z8f1Rd0xc_YR5rBrz9b27irb45fPBLZYGLPyXUcq-GtJ7nQy7jdrv-CRrfhCmhVEFLRwahkrBy1nwBq10Lnx7hINRGX7FITLDn2OI/s1600/Xiaomi-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Xiaomi is moving some of its users' data out of China" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xiaomi is moving some of its users' data out of China</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> That's why the company's infrastructure has been quietly shifting these past few months, and VP/former Googler Hugo Barra pulled back the curtain on what Xiaomi's been up to. Long story short: it's moving user data around the world, not only to make sure its services work better, but also to better protect its users' information.<br /> <br /> Some of the changes Xiaomi enacted are purely prosaic: it's moving its e-commerce platform to Amazon data centers in California and Singapore so the site runs faster. Great! Of course, there's something more crucial to Xiaomi's future than making sure its website loads quickly. We're talking about privacy here, and Xiaomi doesn't exactly have a spotless track record when it comes safeguarding user info.<br /> <br /> Finnish security firm F-Secure learned earlier this year that some Xiaomi phones relayed sensitive information like phone numbers and device identifiers back to company servers in China (in plain text, no less). Xiaomi quickly addressed the issue, but it was still enough to spook some curious players around the world. Take India, for instance - Xiaomi pulled off a very successful (if quiet) launch there, selling 40,000 phones in a hair over four seconds in early September. Earlier this week, though, The New Indian Express reported that the Indian Air Force has been cracking down on the use of Xiaomi phones because of their habit of relaying information back to China. Similar concerns caused the Taiwanese government to conduct its own investigation on Xiaomi phones, though officials haven't yet published their results.<br /> <br /> Xiaomi's great data shift might be the right answer at the right time. Barra noted that international users' data would no longer live in Beijing -- instead, it'll be stored on Amazon servers in Oregon and Singapore, far away from the Chinese government's curious eyes. If Xiaomi's really going to grow into the global giant it clearly wants to be, it has to do pull of the greatest feat of them all: it has to make the world's potential customers trust it. The move won't be done until later this year, but still -- it's a very clear step in the right direction.</div> </div> <div> <br /></div>

Xiaomi is moving some of its users' data out of China

Xiaomi's a force to be reckoned with in China -- its new phones routinely sell out online in seconds -- but its influence is steadily ...

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<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot what you're searching for</span></h2> <b>Netflix's Android app hasn't made searching very easy so far. While it'll give you thumbnails, the heavy emphasis on text in results has sometimes meant scrolling through gigantic lists.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRAhRJUn7wz3eiSXUUhnGpZ72tr2mG8fBC8_G8Y0iK4F3yUTfjqbbVyUKqpiMNF2P6-rKPZY1xUFvCR9tFmkbOq-0OKbLE8HX9nC-PuSHqM-_Fzo3rxsOMpc_VaS_s5BwMPJ63aKimR1m/s1600/Netflix-for-Android-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRAhRJUn7wz3eiSXUUhnGpZ72tr2mG8fBC8_G8Y0iK4F3yUTfjqbbVyUKqpiMNF2P6-rKPZY1xUFvCR9tFmkbOq-0OKbLE8HX9nC-PuSHqM-_Fzo3rxsOMpc_VaS_s5BwMPJ63aKimR1m/s1600/Netflix-for-Android-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot what you're searching for" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot what you're searching for</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> It should be much more elegant as of today, however; a just-launchedupdate has brought visual search (previously found just about everywhere else on Netflix) to Google's platform. Look for a title and you'll get nothing but pictures, making it easier to find an iconic movie or TV show based on its artwork.<br /> <br /> Prefer iOS instead? Don't worry, you're getting a treat as well. As on Android, visual search on the iPhone can now help you track down actors, creators and directors. You can find everything Netflix has from David Fincher (such as House of Cards), for example. Whichever device you call home, you'll find your illustration-heavy upgrade at the source links.</div> </div> <div> <br /></div>

Netflix for Android lets you quickly spot what you're searching for Netflix's Android app hasn't made searching very easy so f...

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<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Moto G review: still the best budget smartphone</span></h2> <b>Last year's Moto G took us all by surprise. Sure, we knew Motorola wanted to reinvent the cheap smartphone experience, but the very first device in the company's cost crusade was even better than we expected.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV4aXHJDQILbEK2UL6HaHG9EdDxhng-ocLnLtg1KewY3l9SPHPCiqEkhPDPqYCq5cA19TvmDi0hl_7MPH8IQSksH8t5Fwx6LC2Gs6zbC3N1bybBtYgQZ1IT6u2LBVGELsCepjZVhMn399/s1600/Moto-G-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV4aXHJDQILbEK2UL6HaHG9EdDxhng-ocLnLtg1KewY3l9SPHPCiqEkhPDPqYCq5cA19TvmDi0hl_7MPH8IQSksH8t5Fwx6LC2Gs6zbC3N1bybBtYgQZ1IT6u2LBVGELsCepjZVhMn399/s1600/Moto-G-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Moto G review (2014): still the best budget smartphone" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moto G review (2014): still the best budget smartphone</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> Let's be honest, though: The G's greatest asset was its small, small price tag. For $180 off-contract, it became awfully easy to forgive the thing for not being the quickest, the prettiest or the smartest. Still, it was one of those gadgets that wound up being more than just "good enough"; between the price and performance, the Moto G was one of the best cheap smartphones you could own, period.<br /> <br /> Here we are less than a year later, and we've got a sequel to play with (one with the same name, no less). If you took a quick peek at what it brings to the table, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Motorola wanted to play it safe the second time around -- the new Moto G isn't a game changer, and it doesn't have to be. Does this year's model clear the "good enough" bar once again? And just how far will $180 take you this year?<br /> <br /> <b>PROS</b><br /> <br /> • Camera is much better than the original's<br /> <br /> • Near-stock Android 4.4.4 is a treat<br /> <br /> • Feels snappy despite aging internals<br /> <br /> • Inexpensive<br /> <br /> <b>CONS</b><br /> <br /> • No LTE<br /> <br /> • Screen isn't as crisp as last year's model<br /> <br /> <b>SUMMARY</b><br /> <br /> Motorola's wallet-friendly formula hasn't changed much since last year's Moto G, but that's OK -- the company changed just enough to make the 2014 version one of the best budget smartphones out there. </div> </div>

Moto G review: still the best budget smartphone Last year's Moto G took us all by surprise. Sure, we knew Motorola wanted to reinvent ...

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Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy</span></h2> <b>Whether it's government agencies, identity thieves, opportunistic hackers or marketers, everyone wants your personal data.</b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3h3mRHuEgFuTpbKW5rRqzEQ5bDbq0rMHAyLXNUNiqwSKHoj3EWvvJF-NUzps1TG6pUGV_HsE_SSB8TQwg1rQS1i7hDEu7SsMfcqcxvOX47HNVRMeOpXxo34OAnVANXzYOUZKiydDSTSE/s1600/Blackphone-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3h3mRHuEgFuTpbKW5rRqzEQ5bDbq0rMHAyLXNUNiqwSKHoj3EWvvJF-NUzps1TG6pUGV_HsE_SSB8TQwg1rQS1i7hDEu7SsMfcqcxvOX47HNVRMeOpXxo34OAnVANXzYOUZKiydDSTSE/s1600/Blackphone-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> As we live more of our lives than ever online, we're increasingly aware of how much data we produce, and the need to protect it.</div> <div> <br /> <div> With smartphones playing a key role in our always-connected lifestyle, there's a new breed of services and devices for consumers who want to stay off the grid without going offline. Leading the charge is the Blackphone, a $629 handset that prioritizes privacy over everything else. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Running a custom, secure version of Android and shipping with a wealth of privacy tools preinstalled, it claims to be an "unparalleled product" where data protection is concerned. Thanks to the awesome folks at online retailer GSM Nation, who were kind enough to send one for review, I've been getting to know the device and finding out how it keeps data safe from prying eyes.<br /> <br /> <b>PROS</b><br /> <br /> • Super secure OS<br /> <br /> • Bundled with various privacy-focused apps<br /> <br /> • Includes subscriptions to several encrypted services<br /> <br /> • Capable pair of cameras<br /> <br /> <b>CONS</b><br /> <br /> • Expensive<br /> <br /> • Generic design<br /> <br /> • Spotty performance and app compatibility<br /> <br /> • Bundled subscriptions expire in a year<br /> <br /> • Emphasis on security trumps convenient user experience</div> <div>  <b>SUMMARY</b></div> <div>  From a hardware perspective, the Blackphone is nothing to write home about, especially when you consider the $629 price tag. What you're really paying for, however, is a security-driven OS, complete with apps and one-year subscriptions to services that promise the same level of data privacy. And in that respect, the Blackphone is simply incomparable to anything else out there. </div> </div> </div>

Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy

Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy Whether it's government agencies, identity thieves, opportunistic hackers or marketers, ...

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<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs</span></h2> Since the launch of the Signature Touch, Vertu CEO Max Pogliani promised that "technology will be more a merging factor and not a differentiation point" for his phones.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPm4E3vjs13ygb2ac_ra0DqAiqOlPZmvh82gbjqjnhafy34uFnND9fa3RZKuaZGZa-eyeHz2xZ4YeuNoHH2TP86pmXkW0Er28DZaZNkrusnLMIZBIBwxHl67fX042t-Zp9kGMMvcIs1hU/s1600/Vertu-Aster-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPm4E3vjs13ygb2ac_ra0DqAiqOlPZmvh82gbjqjnhafy34uFnND9fa3RZKuaZGZa-eyeHz2xZ4YeuNoHH2TP86pmXkW0Er28DZaZNkrusnLMIZBIBwxHl67fX042t-Zp9kGMMvcIs1hU/s1600/Vertu-Aster-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> That's literally the case with the new mid-tier Aster launched today: This titanium Android device is every bit identical to its flagship sibling device internally, just wrapped within a more contemporary and unisex design.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> We're looking at a 4.7-inch 1080p display, a 5.1-inch 117 carat sapphire screen, a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 chipset, a 13-megapixel Hasselblad-certified main camera with twin LED flash, a 2.1-megapixel front-facing imager, 64GB of internal storage, a 2,275mAh battery, front stereo speakers, NFC, Qi wireless charging and great LTE compatibility (though no love for China, for some reason). With the specs out of the way, let's look at why this swanky phone starts from $6,900 or £4,200.</div> </div>

Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs Since the launch of the Signature Touch, Vertu CEO Max Po...

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The extended Nexus family: Google's golden Android standard

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">The extended Nexus family: Google's golden Android standard</span></h2> Google's Nexus line has long stood as the company's ideal vision of its widely adopted, open-source Android operating system.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oc5jIcSQormUQz5f75oulD6HjKEbPE5TmR6KKEhhae3wPIHwjP6IhUk0RztUzxQorFzBq7xR8LQLP7zmYlAKMC7XspEUtDqIni2uJcUtDfDwT6Y2O9XZWWDvRtnb_9zS0OKGn53_Vz27/s1600/The-extended-Nexus-family-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oc5jIcSQormUQz5f75oulD6HjKEbPE5TmR6KKEhhae3wPIHwjP6IhUk0RztUzxQorFzBq7xR8LQLP7zmYlAKMC7XspEUtDqIni2uJcUtDfDwT6Y2O9XZWWDvRtnb_9zS0OKGn53_Vz27/s1600/The-extended-Nexus-family-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The extended Nexus family</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <div> The devices, be they smartphones, tablets or even one-off media streamers, are built in conjunction with select hardware partners and represent an ideal marriage of tech specs with an unadulterated version of Android. It's Google's way of dealing with fragmentation (read: skinned versions) in the mobile OS market it created; a reference mark for manufacturers to aspire to, so to speak.<br /> <div> <br /> On the tail of the original Android handset's sixth anniversary and in the run-up towhatever new Nexuses come next, we take a look back at the hardware path that's been Google's gold standard for Android.</div> </div> </div>

The extended Nexus family: Google's golden Android standard

The extended Nexus family: Google's golden Android standard Google's Nexus line has long stood as the company's ideal vision o...

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HTC's exclusive club to get secret software access

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">HTC's exclusive club to get secret software access</span></h2> <b>HTC is creating an exclusive testing group among the ranks of its VIP fan club. Some members of HTC elevate may get early access to software updates and other untested features, as long as they are willing to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA). </b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ3bGGZ_V2cd0LsLDfFla-vWkVpG3lbtrrc10jvZnJPKZrC9ZMsJ8t1iW-U5dwZv73K-35lqhO8MyBt_SRSQaQd6c-9AI5zCmQsv5JT9pvPdNHtlRnbfJHLyPwFTBhbxhK4jaq_tfQ350/s1600/htc-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ3bGGZ_V2cd0LsLDfFla-vWkVpG3lbtrrc10jvZnJPKZrC9ZMsJ8t1iW-U5dwZv73K-35lqhO8MyBt_SRSQaQd6c-9AI5zCmQsv5JT9pvPdNHtlRnbfJHLyPwFTBhbxhK4jaq_tfQ350/s1600/htc-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <b><br /></b>Android Police posted a full Q&A about the program. For the time being ,it looks to be restricted to members of HTC Elevate who have demonstrated sufficient brand enthusiasm.<br /> <br /> Why this matters: Software updates need to be tested before they hit the general public in order to avoid tragedy. Though of course even then problems can crop up, as Apple experienced this week with its iOS 8.0.1 disaster. HTC is looking to cash in on its brand loyalists who may be willing to play with early-release software and report on any bugs so they are squashed before hitting the public.<br /> <br /> How to join<br /> <br /> If you want to get in on the exclusive club, follow @HTCelevate on Twitter. The account will occasionally post specific links to provide access. You'll need to prove your worthiness by going through an application process and proving you own an HTC phone.</div>

HTC's exclusive club to get secret software access

HTC's exclusive club to get secret software access HTC is creating an exclusive testing group among the ranks of its VIP fan club. Som...

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Android L hits November 1, newest Nexus tablet coming mid-October

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Android L hits November 1, newest Nexus tablet coming mid-October</span></h2> <b>With all the iPhone 6 hoopla, Google must be eager to get its newest Nexus devices and Android L out into the wild. If another rumor is to be believed (this time from Android Authority), we could see an HTC-built Nexus tablet by October 16 and Android L on November 1.</b><br /><br />The story behind the story: Google typically unveils its newest Nexus hardware to showcase a major Android update. Nexus phones and tablets run an unskinned version of Android, free of hardware and carrier bloat, and are free from carrier lock-ins. Google partnered with Asus on the first two generations of the Nexus 7 tablet, butall rumors indicate that this time it's HTC's turn.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPXvrOKTN5OEYNyM9NfvY6Sbqdqc8deaO1oCQOD9Ab4FJqpzX8H7FGQatpMNKyS2js_9-9bz_iFgK-B9kmF7XslB_7mU4G36ZrMeqt0GwJsVPlWgBJKcjJvgVWosjWsSxD9CIPr-xajDy/s1600/Android-L-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPXvrOKTN5OEYNyM9NfvY6Sbqdqc8deaO1oCQOD9Ab4FJqpzX8H7FGQatpMNKyS2js_9-9bz_iFgK-B9kmF7XslB_7mU4G36ZrMeqt0GwJsVPlWgBJKcjJvgVWosjWsSxD9CIPr-xajDy/s1600/Android-L-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nexus tablet</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> With HTC making the newest Nexus tablet, we may soon hear more about the follow-up to the Nexus 5. Google is reportedly partnering with Motorola on a whopper of a phone, a 5.9-inch phablet codenamed Shamu. <br /><br />Google could go with an enormous device, given there are plenty of non-supersized Android phones out there, but it's hard to see something close to the Galaxy Mega held up as the latest and greatest of Android. Some rumors put the newest Nexus phone at a more modest 5.2 inches.</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUj-9LR2_FhO3vndwiLW3tnROeagTiPFfbkE4DFsuLnyu7rvwHVPgkv2yB_QJ0tBva974VcmQlvdTZ0BaLo0nMtCOFxq9mbjoqOXGeMQvurnpWR5CCgVjtsMvqft2XZQ4CbFcBeqM5ahW/s1600/Android-L-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUj-9LR2_FhO3vndwiLW3tnROeagTiPFfbkE4DFsuLnyu7rvwHVPgkv2yB_QJ0tBva974VcmQlvdTZ0BaLo0nMtCOFxq9mbjoqOXGeMQvurnpWR5CCgVjtsMvqft2XZQ4CbFcBeqM5ahW/s1600/Android-L-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Android L</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Regardless of the specifics, we are definitely getting close to seeing how Google is going to step up its game in the face of record-setting iPhone sales. Though iOS 8's troubles could leave an opening in the minds of many who had thought about abandoning their larger Android-powered devices for the not-so-bendproof iPhone 6 Plus.<br /></div>

Android L hits November 1, newest Nexus tablet coming mid-October

Android L hits November 1, newest Nexus tablet coming mid-October With all the iPhone 6 hoopla, Google must be eager to get its newest Nex...

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AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon can't agree on how much Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 actually costs

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon can't agree on how much Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 actually costs</span></h2> <b>The iPhone 6 Plus is giving iOS users plenty to clamor about, but over here in Android Land we're still waiting on the official launch of Samsung's next-generation phablet. The Galaxy Note 4 is slated to launch next month, and while you can pre-order it with several carriers, each is offering the phone at a different price.</b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1s0k7tgoTj_QzoYWMdNkfAhZ_igwW0EeciHb37NOCZr5h2BPm_5ee1pOAEi2T0xKgai05wFwqk-YqYYwXwIrSnlewBhWA7YuDoKc0h0aIfRC7wCxL04OnPzKh0YIjpjXfEZstrFtTtN9/s1600/Samsung-galaxy-note-4-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1s0k7tgoTj_QzoYWMdNkfAhZ_igwW0EeciHb37NOCZr5h2BPm_5ee1pOAEi2T0xKgai05wFwqk-YqYYwXwIrSnlewBhWA7YuDoKc0h0aIfRC7wCxL04OnPzKh0YIjpjXfEZstrFtTtN9/s1600/Samsung-galaxy-note-4-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verizon offers the best dea</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> The impact on you at home: Obviously, if you're already loyal to a specific carrier, you may have buyer's remorse if you see a competitor selling the Galaxy Note 4 for less. It's just another example of how the Android universe is fragmented. It's not like the iPhone 6 Plus is offered at three different prices—all three of these carriers are offering it for $750.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4ErVNEKWcMr7k6hBjCMErMMFlxr9VpoPVtUhB4MBDMFAwWh2Qtr8LwCyOHngCfZQ1UQFW71bBY1ixcTYKSPNd9mDxLhy9Sp25MyalD4i2ka1I5GrZVpFqA86eQ4RuBjnAG4TbBm6hBhJ/s1600/Samsung-galaxy-note-4-03-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4ErVNEKWcMr7k6hBjCMErMMFlxr9VpoPVtUhB4MBDMFAwWh2Qtr8LwCyOHngCfZQ1UQFW71bBY1ixcTYKSPNd9mDxLhy9Sp25MyalD4i2ka1I5GrZVpFqA86eQ4RuBjnAG4TbBm6hBhJ/s1600/Samsung-galaxy-note-4-03-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <br />T-Mobile users can pre-order the 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 4 today for about $750, or $31 a month for two years. You can choose between black or white and the device will start to ship October 17.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN7zTibu6TLqHscLg5RZHqU_XdLmyzLtmoeHBwo5WQqAegN2ff2RMy_o8j3Skyj0NoNtQWpCf0iccutuRE1aSEt5vmJHYPgZqg30Twol8dmsB1BzJ5YTg_zAYIZvb5QWS5LUQ0_AVgkT3/s1600/Samsung-galaxy-note-4-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN7zTibu6TLqHscLg5RZHqU_XdLmyzLtmoeHBwo5WQqAegN2ff2RMy_o8j3Skyj0NoNtQWpCf0iccutuRE1aSEt5vmJHYPgZqg30Twol8dmsB1BzJ5YTg_zAYIZvb5QWS5LUQ0_AVgkT3/s1600/Samsung-galaxy-note-4-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <br />AT&T is also taking pre-orders for the Note 4, but for significantly more than what T-Mobile is offering. The phone will cost $825 for those off contract, though there are varying tiers for those on AT&T Next plans. The same device with 32GB of onboard storage can be pre-ordered over at Verizon for $700, or $35 a month with Verizon Edge.<br /></div>

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon can't agree on how much Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 actually costs

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon can't agree on how much Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 actually costs The iPhone 6 Plus is giving iOS use...

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Android smartwatches to sell for $30 by 2015, analyst says

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Android smartwatches to sell for $30 by 2015, analyst says</span></h2> <b>The worldwide smartwatch market is poised for lift off and could gobble up 40 per cent of the consumer wristwatch market by 2016.</b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nq-kSCu9-XAf9nBWpfneiH6xjAkWYe1fKapRwqjmUmI99RxFfPsXFhyZEF-CRsrEYtnhR7VFPniYZuMVBF5oiKVsPjkt2DvzFfxpUfUurKestEYyH-CdPaMTI5sXgOb065PF9lLSNY-D/s1600/smartwatches-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nq-kSCu9-XAf9nBWpfneiH6xjAkWYe1fKapRwqjmUmI99RxFfPsXFhyZEF-CRsrEYtnhR7VFPniYZuMVBF5oiKVsPjkt2DvzFfxpUfUurKestEYyH-CdPaMTI5sXgOb065PF9lLSNY-D/s1600/smartwatches-01-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Android smartwatches to sell for $30 by 2015</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> That according to Gartner anlaysts, who have also predicted Android-based smartwatches could retail at an average price of $30 by 2015 as OEMs capture the consumer mass market in China and internationally.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Gartner analysts say that nine out of the top 10 smartphone vendors have entered the wearables market to date or are about to ship a first product, while a year ago only two vendors were in that space.<br /><br />Gartner research director, Angela McIntyre, said Apple had finally unveiled its Apple Watch, which she expected to trigger more consumer interest once it starts shipping in 2015.<br /><br />“Apple introduced three smartwatch models that will sell at a wide price range, with the lowest starting at $349,” she said.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNk8tdWiy-sfnFI7btmFTSLPYeMie4h2fpoISt0Y19YzW55usOo0BBl51LXPNNzg3oRcUWfZOj3Sq6kl1X_tUOHB82ezmxYodLjsEvb4D8c2d0oCK4GQ8P5BVLBwwbl6EQ4c-fTiWDMSd/s1600/smartwatches-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNk8tdWiy-sfnFI7btmFTSLPYeMie4h2fpoISt0Y19YzW55usOo0BBl51LXPNNzg3oRcUWfZOj3Sq6kl1X_tUOHB82ezmxYodLjsEvb4D8c2d0oCK4GQ8P5BVLBwwbl6EQ4c-fTiWDMSd/s1600/smartwatches-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <br />“As with the iPhone, Apple’s high-price strategy for the Watch will limit its market share; yet, with its attention to design and the user interface, we believe this product will attract many users.”<br /><br />Gartner analyst, Annette Zimmerman, said the Sony Smartwatch products and the Samsung Gear were early products that received much attention in the press but less enthusiasm from consumers due to their unclear value proposition and flawed design.<br /><br /><br />The results showed that fitness wristbands and “other fitness trackers” combined are already represented in more US households than sports watches.<br /><br />There is still a lot of room for growth and the trend around the “quantified self” will drive adoption of these devices over the next few years.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1wytwZibLSqZ2iQZYWbPBwDGbgYbnHJVK_XS7DaGkOVVlLMm1LbcB6ihULEEU5L8NcenRMSeo1XZL8QB8na-G0tBgL5ll5wtrZVxD-5DqRciuVQgDl5ZiLn-t1eHUmyLVjJ2v7MNXrah/s1600/smartwatches-03-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1wytwZibLSqZ2iQZYWbPBwDGbgYbnHJVK_XS7DaGkOVVlLMm1LbcB6ihULEEU5L8NcenRMSeo1XZL8QB8na-G0tBgL5ll5wtrZVxD-5DqRciuVQgDl5ZiLn-t1eHUmyLVjJ2v7MNXrah/s1600/smartwatches-03-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <br />However, despite the growing interest from the market, there are several hurdles that still need to be overcome and that vendors need to consider in their products.<br /><br />In recent tests, different models of smartwatches and fitness wristbands reduced the battery life of the connected smartphone. Depending on the product and the phone this was in the range of two to eight hours of reduced usage time. Having the smartphone run for only half a day until it needs a new charge is not ideal and this is likely to put off most users who use smartphones without an exchangeable battery.<br /><br />Of the devices that were tested, the battery life could last up to five or six days.<br /><br />However, as consumers add more devices to their households the number of gadgets that need to be charged is expected to reach a point where it becomes a burden for the consumer.</div>

Android smartwatches to sell for $30 by 2015, analyst says

Android smartwatches to sell for $30 by 2015, analyst says The worldwide smartwatch market is poised for lift off and could gobble up 40 p...

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5 ways to access and control your PC remotely

<h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">5 ways to access and control your PC remotely</span></h2> <b>Your PC isn't really stuck at home. You can access the desktop, your files, and even gaming horsepower on the go. You can turn on your PC from halfway around the world!</b><div> <b><br /></b>How, you ask? Let's start with catch-all remote desktop solutions before following up with more specific remote control and access tools for gaming, productivity, and more.<br /><br />01.Remote desktop<br /><br />Remote desktop software lets you access your computer and all its applications over the Internet using another device, essentially by streaming a feed of your desktop. This works from a tablet or phone, even over a cellular data network.<br /><br />To do this, you’ll need to set up a remote desktop server on the PC you want to connect to. We recommend TeamViewer for this: It’s easy to use, completely free for non-commercial use, runs on almost everything, and doesn’t require any port-forwarding or complex setup. (Be sure to set up TeamViewer for unattended access!)</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0yuYT0gB01ziKHHss3Dh9VxkwMJDtbhe4V5_FW9av8qJsqAatbvh48nNPGufmr4ZhO5FM4-X3ToPrDmAeTE-_87w1lRrjckHhhZzlk5K6-r_WnwG62SzbTvN9ezgSe7Ew3NEfKn5d7If/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0yuYT0gB01ziKHHss3Dh9VxkwMJDtbhe4V5_FW9av8qJsqAatbvh48nNPGufmr4ZhO5FM4-X3ToPrDmAeTE-_87w1lRrjckHhhZzlk5K6-r_WnwG62SzbTvN9ezgSe7Ew3NEfKn5d7If/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="alt" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up TeamViewer's "Unattended access" feature</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> Parallels Access is another good, polished alternative. It really shines when accessing your desktop from a smartphone or tablet, providing a more touch-optimized interface. Unlike TeamViewer, however, Parallels Access requires a $20 yearly fee even for personal use.<br /><br />You could also skip the polished, all-in-one solutions entirely. For example, you could enable the Remote Desktop feature in professional editions of Windows and use any RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) client to connect to your PC remotely. Microsoft even offers Remote Desktop apps for Android, iPhone, and iPad. You could set up a VNC (Virtual Network Computing) server on your PC to access it in a similar way, even if you aren’t using a professional edition of Windows.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrI3nwZPrUUCNoIPUHc26dCesz380t5N61YXGpu5p5JLofxlh2nSVEgkDAZ3qqKs-LOTJKv0Vx0PTYg0zDXr92Yx6h_s_sygSivYwSJJnK3ffVC-8wbow643mqkQ_SC1OQf7i7k06Oehr/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-05-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrI3nwZPrUUCNoIPUHc26dCesz380t5N61YXGpu5p5JLofxlh2nSVEgkDAZ3qqKs-LOTJKv0Vx0PTYg0zDXr92Yx6h_s_sygSivYwSJJnK3ffVC-8wbow643mqkQ_SC1OQf7i7k06Oehr/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-05-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <br />These DIY services aren’t as easy to use, however. You’ll have to set up port-forwarding and dynamic DNS on your own to access them remotely. They’ll also be harder to secure, as any bot scanning your IP address from the Internet will see the services running on those ports and can attempt to break into them and compromise your PC. This isn’t a risk with services like TeamViewer or Parallels Access, which handle the authentication bits on their own central servers.<br /><br />You can access your PC’s files on the go, too. To avoid mucking through a remote desktop session, your best bet is an easy-to-use remote control solution with an integrated file-transfer option.<br /><br />In TeamViewer, just select "file transfer" while connecting to a remote computer with TeamViewer, and you’ll be able to access all the files on your PC’s hard drive or upload files to your remote PC from your current device. The Android, iPad, and iPhone apps also have file-transfer support, so you can download files from your PC to your smartphone or tablet. (Parallels Access doesn’t support direct file transfers.)<br /><br />02.IAN LAMONT<br /><br />Keep remote file access simple with Dropbox or another cloud storage service.<br /><br />The average PC user will probably want to stick with a cloud storage service instead of a remote file access solution. Place your files into a service like Dropbox, OneDrive, orGoogle Drive and they’ll sync online. You can then access them from anywhere via your web browser, the service’s mobile app, or its syncing client.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLHQXud-QcCqwt9GpMOxCAQZWmNuFUi5niNxMEsVw8EmbxK65ikLVnH397vwWGKjJHG2DwtgoPXV32cPa7V9LhzspEf3w1ULLQJvKRJPjsYBBOAE37a8acJ0JyIKi7RrpG9uimXD3LW1S/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-02-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLHQXud-QcCqwt9GpMOxCAQZWmNuFUi5niNxMEsVw8EmbxK65ikLVnH397vwWGKjJHG2DwtgoPXV32cPa7V9LhzspEf3w1ULLQJvKRJPjsYBBOAE37a8acJ0JyIKi7RrpG9uimXD3LW1S/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-02-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div> <br />The upside is that your remote PC doesn’t have to be powered on. The downside is that you're limited by the amount of storage the service provides. If you’re worried about storing sensitive files online, you can always encrypt files before storing them in the cloud.<br /><br />Microsoft Office users can save documents to Microsoft’s free OneDrive cloud storage service, then access the Office Online website in a web browser to view and even edit the documents from wherever you are. Office Online is completely free. OneDrive is integrated into Windows 8.1 and is available as a free download for previous versions of Windows.<br /><br />The Office Mobile applications for iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone also allow you to view and edit Office documents stored in your OneDrive account for free. Office for iPad provides a more powerful editing experience on the iPad, but note that all the mobile apps require an Office 365 subscription for editing (viewing is free).<br /><br />03.Office for iPad.<br /><br />Microsoft Office isn’t the only game in town. Google Docs is completely free, runs in a web browser on your PC, and allows you to edit your Google Docs or Microsoft Office documents from anywhere via a web browser or mobile apps.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBVqq0Cy0C0mSqDkz96wVqUwkXJPPx2_eF-THO0apnLbPL_BboTyIyQqcbKz8xUivrXSHGj9G2ldti9x6S_VtNmCLSajL6DFs2gR6OBC02aH7APGV_kDbcsp1uCgnaRVfipH7VNAej4Qc/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-02-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBVqq0Cy0C0mSqDkz96wVqUwkXJPPx2_eF-THO0apnLbPL_BboTyIyQqcbKz8xUivrXSHGj9G2ldti9x6S_VtNmCLSajL6DFs2gR6OBC02aH7APGV_kDbcsp1uCgnaRVfipH7VNAej4Qc/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-02-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <br />PCs have long supported a feature known as Wake-on-LAN. When Wake-on-LAN is enabled on a PC, the PC’s network interface listens for a specially formed packet, even while the computer is powered off, hibernating, or in sleep mode. When the computer receives the packet, it powers on.<br /><br />You could take advantage of Wake-on-LAN to turn on your PC over the Internet. This would allow you to leave your PC off except when you want to access its desktop or files remotely.<br /><br />This can be done in two separate ways. You could forward the appropriate ports from your home router to the computer running on your local network, and then use a specialized software program to send the “Wake-on-LAN” packet to your home IP address.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAMaC5Z9MehqSSiVlstUaWrI0v6MUB4GGqXFy181s9Lgja9Ve4e16c8W1I4aA-y8rQNEuv5r09bk4GgWwH5vd1P_Mg5BXj2emOK1WeOckXGcSOC9_nf-QVBgfjSct5AyLL-YoKhlCn-gn/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-05-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAMaC5Z9MehqSSiVlstUaWrI0v6MUB4GGqXFy181s9Lgja9Ve4e16c8W1I4aA-y8rQNEuv5r09bk4GgWwH5vd1P_Mg5BXj2emOK1WeOckXGcSOC9_nf-QVBgfjSct5AyLL-YoKhlCn-gn/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-05-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <br />Or, you could use a special software application that sits inside your local network. When it receives the signal, it sends the Wake-on-LAN packet to a computer on the same local network. TeamViewer (once again) offers this feature, allowing you to send Wake-on-LAN packets to other computers on your local network if one PC with TeamViewer enabled is powered on. TeamViewer has a complete guide to setting up Wake-on-LAN, from configuring the BIOS and network adapter to Windows and your home router. Much of the process is similar even if you’re not using TeamViewer, although you’ll need a mobile or desktop application that can send the Wake-on-LAN packets for you if you’re opting not to use TeamViewer. The latest version of Parallels Access offers this feature, too.<br /><br />When you’re done being productive, you can also use your computer’s graphics card’s power to play games when you’re away from it. Steam’s killer in-home streaming feature allows you to stream games running on your gaming PC to other Windows, Linux, or Mac computers on your home network. You could try to stream games when you're out of the house by connecting your PC to a VPN server running on your home network… but even if you tricked Steam into streaming over the Internet that way, performance wouldn’t be great.<br /><br />05.JARED NEWMAN<br /><br />Nvidia's GameStream feature lets you stream games from your PC and play them on your Shield handheld or tablet.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqkX_gKaQFpcQZlYu6lm21KlZTsKfRLhezNYqEP-W7tIieFghIOuNjwqBWa8orSTpce_T3Vchni1uNbBOhBR1kJyTLy7orZO5mhS4BV8eCkywT3Jl-Kh7hI_Y-GLonJPVohb4Ynarosrv/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-04-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqkX_gKaQFpcQZlYu6lm21KlZTsKfRLhezNYqEP-W7tIieFghIOuNjwqBWa8orSTpce_T3Vchni1uNbBOhBR1kJyTLy7orZO5mhS4BV8eCkywT3Jl-Kh7hI_Y-GLonJPVohb4Ynarosrv/s1600/5-ways-to-access-and-control-your-PC-04-tech24h.blogspot.com.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <div> <br />Nvidia also offers its own GameStream feature, which only works with recent Nvidia graphics cards. Unlike Steam’s streaming feature, Nvidia does allow you to access your home PC and stream games from it over the Internet, although this feature is in beta. The problem here is that this feature can stream games only to an Nvidia Shield handheld console or the Shield tablet. You can connect your Shield to a television and stream to a larger screen, but you need the Shield hardware to act as a receiver.<br /><br />The mobile revolution may be marching on, but the PC is still important to many users' lives. Remote control is one area where the right tools let PCs, smartphones, and tablets be more powerful by working together.<br /></div>

5 ways to access and control your PC remotely

5 ways to access and control your PC remotely Your PC isn't really stuck at home. You can access the desktop, your files, and even gam...

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