LG and Verizon Partner for G Pad X 8.3

LG has partnered with Verizon Wireless (the biggest carrier in the U.S.) and announced a new tablet, the LG G Pad X 8.3. The slate is an updated sequel a true to 2013’s original G Pad 8.3. While that was the big news, Verizon also confirmed that it will begin selling LG’s G4 flagship, with the handset landing on Big Red June 4th.

The G Pad X 8.3 lands with solid specs, such as an 8.3-inch IPS screen with Full HD resolution, providing the computing power is an eight core processor clocked at 1.5GHz, which is probably Qualcomm’s 64-bit Snapdragon 615 chipset although LG did not name it. Other specs include an 8 megapixel rear camera, a 2 megapixel front lens, LTE connectivity, a full USB port, 16GB of on board storage, micro SD card support, and a 4800mAh juicer.

The new slate is available today (May 28) on Verizon for $129.99 on contract, or $299.99 without a commitment. You can also choose Verizon Edge as a payment method and get the G Pad X 8.3 for $12.49 over 24 months. As for the G4, the largest carrier in the United States will offer the flagship for $22.91 per month over two years, or $549.99 upfront.

“Buy Button” Coming Soon to a Google Ad Near You

I can't speak for the rest of the world but if they are anything like me the days of going to an actual store and buying things are  almost completely gone.  (well I still go the store to get food)  Amazon and ebay pretty much get all of my online purchases. (in 2014 alone I place 136 orders from Amazon)  Google now wants a bigger piece of this pie for itself.  To this end they are going to introduce a "buy button"

What is a "buy button"?  Well according to Re/code’s Jason Del Rey described it, the button would appear on Google’s paid product listing ads. Shoppers who click on the ads on their phones will be directed to a Google webpage to make a purchase of that single item.

It's simply a button that takes all the thinking out of buying something online...you want it inside 30 seconds it's yours!!! While I don't think I'd use this feature it's an idea who's time as come and will to a smartphone near you soon.

VIA

Motorola Moto X and Moto E LTE Receive Android 5.1 with U.S. Cellular

Motorola's concise dealing with Android Lollipop has meant a large number of the company’s portfolio is rocking the newest Android build. Indeed, many of Motorola’s handsets are making their way to Android 5.1, such as the U.S. Cellular versions of the second gen Moto X and the Moto E LTE. The Moto X is receiving software version LPE23.32-21 while the 4G packing Moto E gets software version LPI23.29-15.

As we write, both devices are getting the update over the air, although as usual you may have to wait a few days as the upgrade is rolling out in stages. U.S. Cellular insists that you pull in the update with a Wi-Fi connection.

Android 5.1 is more of a subtle change than the major overhaul that Android 5.0 was, but it does add more to the Lollipop experience. New features include support for HD calling, support of dual SIM devices, new Quick Settings icons. The update also adds nifty new security features like the ability to stop a device being unlocked if it has been stolen or lost, with only the user signing into their Google account unlocking it.

OnePlus Two Launching June 1st

OnePlus has been vocal about the fact that it will be announcing a sequel to the OnePlus One during 2015, and it seems that the OnePlus 2 (OnePlus Two) is going to land soon, true to the company’s word. The Chinese took to Twitter and its website with "time for change" alongside an image of the OnePlus One being erased in a design sketch manner. As well as that, the company announced a media event on June 1st to unveil the OnePlus Two.

Of course, the company's original OnePlus One landed with a splash and done a lot to change the smartphone market. It was a true flagship spec’d (and designed) handset, one that just happened to cost $300. While OnePlus as a company struggled with making the device widely available, the OnePlus One has been a well-received success. The company is promising to once again "shake up the tech industry" although it is worth noting that the OnePlus Two is unlikely to be available until the end of the year.

The OnePlus 2 is reported to come with a 5.5-inch Quad HD screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a fingerprint scanner. While the original OnePlus One cost $299 when it launched, the OnePlus Two is expected to be more expensive, but still a bargain with a mooted price of $400.

Google Launching Android M Tomorrow, Following Yearly Launch Cycle

Google’s I/O developer conference will get underway tomorrow and top of the agenda will be the first official details about Android M, the next version of Google's mobile platform. I/O will be the place where Google announces the software, with Android M set to launch to devices later in the year. That will only be one year after the launch of Android 5.0 Lollipop, and Google says that yearly Android launches are something we should get used to.

The new build is currently known as "Macadamia Nut Cookie" within the walls of Google, but it is unlikely to have that name when it launches in November. Regarding releasing a new Android build every year, it is official from Google, with Hiroshi Lockheimer, the VP of Engineering for Android (in the process of confirming Android M for tomorrow) confirming that the company will launch Android N in 2016 and Android O in 2017.

That’s nothing new in this industry obviously, Apple has been doing yearly roll outs with iOS for years, although we think Android should take a slightly different approach. The platform already struggles with fragmentation across aging versions and a new release every year will only exasperate the divide. While Apple and indeed Windows can boast 80% or more adoption numbers during a yearly life cycle of iOS, Android lags way behind. As Android fans, we would prefer Google to let each build have at least 18 months on the market to allow it to take hold and become dominant on the platform, giving more users a new experience. There are hundreds of millions of Android devices out there still not even on Lollipop, or even KitKat, but here Google is with a new build.

Top 10 Best Android Phones with 3GB RAM in India

When it comes to the Smartphone market, without any doubt, the Android devices are the rulers. However, if you're on a hunt for the powerful Android mobile, then you should look out for a better CPU...

Credits: This article is copyrighted to <a href="http://ift.tt/1FFnkHx Krishna</a> who actively blogs at <a href="http://ift.tt/1EbTdZg;

How Big Should a Smart Phone Be?

Smart phones have a come a long way since I started covering them professionally back in 2009 they have a ton of new features, GPS, 41mp cameras, fingerprint sensors, heart-rate monitors, etc...  They have also in increased in size perhaps a little too much even.

 

When the HTC Titan came out it was well...HUGE at the time.  I remember opening the box to it's massive 4.7 inch screen.  That's right massive!  People made fun of me for how large my phone was and asked how it was even useful at that size.  Now devices that are under five inches are "mini" devices.  Which begs the question what is the idea smartphone size?

Up until two weeks ago I'd be firmly in the 5.7 inch plus camp.  I mean honestly how often do you use your smartphone as phone?  Five percent of the time?  Most of the time it's more of tablet. Playing games, texting, watching Netflix, showing of pictures to your friends, etc... All of this stuff is best done on a larger screen.

However I recently went back to my Lumia 1020 from a six inch device and I find the 4.5 inch screen to be more useful to me.  Even with my small hands most of the screen is reachable and I am using it one handed all of the time now.  It pockets in/out like a breeze and feels more natural in use.  This isn't saying I don't miss my large phablet device sometimes because I do however I have the tradeoff isn't worth it anymore.

So what's the correct screen size?  That depends on how you use your device but I think ASUS has the answer to this problem and no one is simply paying attention to it.

Asus Padfone line is the answer.  A 4.5 to 5 inch device that docks into a 7 to 9 inch tablet.  Yes please!! This allows it to be portable enough as a phone yet relax at home like a tablet.  I have no idea why others have not jumped on this form factor.  The hardware itself if not great, a mid-range at best however the idea is sound.  Rumor has this device getting refreshed in a Android and a Windows Mobile version.  If indeed the update version is Windows based I will be first in line.